We have counted nine and we are preparing to celebrate the tenth independence day of Eritrea. It is sad that at our tenth anniversary, we are still talking and sometimes begging for reconciliation. Yes, May 24 is the day we all dreamed of. It was the end of the journey that Hamed Idris Awate foresaw. Let�s wish for a better second decade for Eritrea.  

Anything for reconciliation  

What is the price of reconciliation? What is the price of disarray? What is the risk of division and passive co-existence associated to division? What is the difference between division and diversity? Simple questions that many try to face with simple answers are being complicated for no reason but arrogance and greed.

In a normal conflict resolution meeting, village elders in Eritrea follow traditional, time tested and wise mechanisms. Antagonists are given a chance to air their grievances loudly thus enabling the judges or the arbitrators to understand their point of view. Each party lets his steam out and feels a bit relieved. Then the serious process of debating the causes of the conflict are addressed by the village elders.

If someone assumes the role of a middleman in trying stop a fistfight, there is a risk of a stray fist landing on his jaws. Sometimes it may not be stray or unintentional; the middleman might be perceived as coming in support of one of the fighters; and without knowing it, he becomes part of the quarrel.

Some would prefer the ready-made reply: be fair, treat them as equally. And you do just that; treat them with fairness.  Unfortunately, after a long time, still, one party is insisting on continuing the fight while the other is willing to settle the matter. Be a mediator or take sides but you cannot do both, we are told.  We try and we will try.   

However frustrating, however long it takes, national reconciliation is a matter of principle and no matter what, we will advocate and pressure for a dialogue that will usher us to a fair situation where Eritreans feel politically comfortable to co-exist despite their differences.   That is our pledge, that is our reason for being.  Reconciliation and Justice.  A true conviction to co-exist with the minimum possible discomfort and one that the majority of Eritreans accept. The aspiration for a political stability and a peaceful Eritrea is our dream. Political stability leads to peace and development by directing all national resources towards a funnel that pours prosperity.  We believe that reconciliation is the shortest route towards achieving the goals of peace, political stability, justice and prosperity.  Reconciliation is our main goal that we strive to see reign in Eritrea. We are sure that all peaceful and responsible patriotic Eritreans share that noble aspiration.

We at awate.com believe that enough steam was let out and grievances aired and now it is time to debate mechanisms and pressure for workable formula to get all Eritreans to see eye to eye and start a serious dialogue. This dialogue, we believe, is the only road towards national reconciliation.  

Looking For An Army of Robinhoods

We have counted nine and we are preparing to celebrate the tenth independence day of Eritrea. It is sad that at our tenth anniversary, we are still talking and sometimes begging for reconciliation. Yes, May 24 is the day we all dreamed of. It was the end of the journey that Hamed Idris Awate foresaw. Yet, the dream has only been half-realized because, today, we have Eritreans who spend their lifetime struggling but could not see their country because of the prevailing political situation.

In the spirit of Independence Day, let�s not dwell on who was the cause and who is to blame for the sufferings. Yet, the fact remains that we still have people who cannot enter Eritrea. The important situation here is that regardless of the cause, this is true and we all know it. Each and every Eritrean should be accommodated in his country. The �door is open� bragging, with all conditions and no assurances, is not good enough. Concrete efforts must be taken collectively to clear the hurdles that are perpetuating the Eritro-Eritrean mistrust and suspicion.

Our social ills are natural and they inflict many societies in the world. We simply are not immune to conflicts with a magnitude of the Irish conflict or the Somali crisis. Tolerance is lacking in our society and this situation, if left un-addressed, might develop to the levels of the conflicts of Ireland, Lebanon, Bosnia or Somalia. We are part of the human family: we are not a �special breed� and we not immune to the ills of humanity and we need to watch out.