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At the request of the Eritrean embassy in South Africa, the South African government has deported two students to Eritrea and arrested two more for investigation. The deported individuals are Isaac Habte and his fiancé Rahel. The arrested individuals are Yared Teka and Solomon Russom. The latter has since been released. The four were among many of the 600 Eritrean students in South Africa who are attempting to get a visa to Europe and North America. The new Eritrean ambassador to South Africa, “Wedi Gerahtu,” who has assumed the scholarship administration from AIPA Executive Director, Ms Lula Gebreyesus, called all 600 Eritrean students to a meeting where he bluntly informed them that his government has blocked all possible ways for people who want to “flee” to Europe or the United States. The Eritrean government, according to him, will report any passport held by any student who attempts to flee as lost and forged and possibly held by a “terrorist.” The ambassador boasted that he has the full co-operation of the South African Department of Home Affairs as well as the heads of missions in South Africa. “If you still insist on going and are successful in doing so,” warned Wedi Gerahtu, “go ahead! A life of cab-driving awaits you.” Ms. Lula Gebreyesus was a signatory to the "Berlin Manifesto", a documented authored by thirteen Eritrean scholars and professionals (G-13) who met in Berlin in September 2000. Ms. Lula Gebryesus later recanted her membership and the document she signed. In July of last year, Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki met with the students and informed them that, contrary to the counsel of his Advisors, his opinion is that the failure to return by Eritrean students poses no problems because “globalization is an equalizer” and Eritrea can easily import faculty and skilled workers from Asia. He also informed that political prisoners will be brought to court when "we feel like it," and that, for further understanding, students should refer to the suspects held without charge in Guantanemo Bay by the United States. The April 10, 2003 arrest of Mr. Solomon Russom, a freedom fighter who was demobilized shortly after independence, occurred within days of the ambassador’s address. Solomon Russom is a magna cum laude graduate of a business management school. He was arrested on his graduation date by South African authorities who alleged that his residence permit had expired. Sources report that the Eritrean embassy had learned that he had applied for a visa to travel to The Netherlands. Mr. Solomon Russom was released after he successfully argued in court that his arrest was politically motivated and is currently employed in the business department of the university he attended. |
