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Mr. Muhyedin Shengeb, the Chairman of the National Union of Eritrean Youth & Students (NUEYS), has defected from the Peoples Front for Democracy & Justice (PFDJ), Eritreas ruling party, and is in the process of seeking political asylum in the United States. Reached by telephone, Mr. Muhyedin Shengeb informed Gedab News that the political condition in Eritrea has deteriorated to the point that no Eritrean, including high-ranking officials, can be considered immune from arbitrary arrests. Describing his move as "self-defense," Mr. Shengeb stated that he made his decision after knowledgeable and trusted sources" informed him "they are coming after you." He added that he did not want to go home just to be arrested. Pressed on giving specifics, Mr. Muhyedin Shengeb begged off by stating that he doesnt want to ruin the lives of many innocent people. Asked if he was going to issue a press release, he responded that it was too early to tell and that he would wait first to see the reaction of the government to the news of his defection.
Transcripts of Awates 5/9/04 interview with Muhyedin Shengeb follow:
Shengeb, we are always trying to find the right words when speaking to those who have abandoned the PFDJ. Should we say, Thank God you are finally free or do we say We are so sorry it has come to this? I know. What can you say? People either love you or hate you. Neither believes youve left PFDJ. You have abandoned PFDJ, right? I was beginning to wonder; Awate did not report it. [laughs.] Why now, though? Why now? The political condition in Eritrea has continued to deteriorate to the point that no Eritrean, including so-called high-ranking officials, can be considered immune from arbitrary arrests. I heard from knowledgeable and trusted sources, they are coming after you. And I do not want to go home just to be arrested. This is self-defense. There is a long litany of Eritreans who have been arrested. Can you mention some within NUEYS? There are many cadres who have been harassed or arrested. I dont want to mention names now. Please know that many of them have families and many of them live in government homes. I dont want to ruin the lives of many innocent people. But nobody is spared. For example, Beshir Idris Nur, now the Consul General in Australia and formerly our [NUEYS] representative to Zoba Maekel [Central Zone] was detained for a two-week examination in July 2003 as they tried to ascertain his loyalties Are you going to issue a press release? I dont see the urgency in that. It will depend on the reaction of the government. I will wait and see. The last time the government reacted to a defection was when Abdella Adem [former ambassador to Sudan] abandoned his post. The government has stopped reacting, it seems, to the growing defections. It is leaving the response to 03 [government-sponsored rumor mills] and the community centers. We will see. I know the rumor mill has already started. Ive even heard a couple of them. It is predictable. They will say either I was Weyane or I stole money. I will respond in due time, as appropriate. I havent heard the Weyane accusation, but it is still early, give it time, I am sure they will come up with something. But I have heard lekimwom keydu [he didnt leave empty-handed.] [Laughs.] Just like that?! I am sure they will come up with more. And you can be sure Ill have something to say. What can you tell us about the conflict that you and NUEYS were having with the new class of entrepreneurs, the military commanders? Didnt you guys already write about it 1? Beyond that, all will come out in due time, if it is necessary. What are your immediate plans? I am seeking political asylum in the United States. Beyond that, we shall see. Last question. One of the arguments the PFDJ used to present about the senior politicians it arrested [G-11] is that they were just disgruntled people who were jealous about how Isaias has discarded them in favor of a younger generation of leaders, including you. Now you are defecting, and you are doing it just a couple of months before the Youth Festival in Sawa. Would I be right to assume that this is a big blow to the government? If it is, I am not the person to ask. I am not thinking in those terms, really. I am more worried about what this will mean for my three children. How old are they? Ten, eight and five. Good luck to you. And to them. Thanks. 1. http://www.awate.com/artman/publish/article_1844.shtml |
