Dan Connell
Saleh Gadi
Asgedet Mehret’ab
Kassahun Chedole
1. The first speaker is no stranger to Eritrean politics Dan Connell. He is a professor and author of several books on Eritrea, including one on comparative revolution with addition to Nicaragua and Sudan.
Mr. Connell emphasized the importance of fashioning an open approach to the present political climate in Eritrea. He discussed important aspect of a nascent nation’s development, such as tensions between the government and society over freedom of the press and freedom of speech. These are not unique to any one country but part of political struggles that have been fought throughout the world.
Such examples can be useful for Eritrea in crafting an understanding of how to use these as lessons for moving forward in promoting democracy and human rights in Eritrea. He offered examples taken from history of the United States, such as the Alien and Sedition Acts implemented after the American Revolution. He stated that under the Sedition Act, anyone "opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any act of the President of the United States" could be imprisoned for up to two years. It was also illegal to "write, print, utter, or publish" anything critical of the president or Congress. These policies were used as instruments of fear to ensure compliance of the public by use of intimidation. Such acts occurred during different periods of U.S history and the issues of freedom of expression and the press, which is at the root of liberty and democracy, were at different periods, undermined by the government.
Mr. Connell also explained that no government can ever be fully trusted, particularly during a time of crisis, to guarantee the rights of the citizenry. These rights are not determined by courts or through the constitution of a nation but through widespread popular struggles that have been waged from the bottom up.
Mr. Connell stressed the need to debunk the argument that Eritrea is unique in that its rulers try to defend their power and maintain control. The people cannot rely on its rulers to champion freedom and hand these rights over to the masses but instead, they must fight for their freedom and rights.
Freedom of expression is extremely sensitive and people are afraid to speak out against governments, therefore, voices of the opposition must vastly expand networks and create wider platforms since there is strength in numbers. Lastly, other mediums to disseminate information and create a forum for dialogue need to be developed so that critical ideas and information are spread more effectively.
2. The seocnd speaker was Asgedet Mehere’ab, a long term “tegadalit” with the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF-RC) and currently head of the Women’s Division.
She discussed the challenges of building democracy within Eritrea the lack of democratic space and total absence of legal due process. One of the main problems, she stated, is the inaction of the people in the diaspora. Democracy needs to be part of a societies’ culture. Having a democratic constitution is not enough to ensure that democracy exists. Changes need to occur in people’s attitudes and lifestyles, such as in the way women are treated and the approach to women’s rights within a country. She challenged Eritreans to engage in serious soul searching and to more critically assess the situation of democracy within the country. In reality, many Eritreans are lamenting because they feel betrayed by their government. Nonetheless, she urged all Eritreans to seriously look from within themselves and cultivate a more united approach to confronting the problems taking place within the country.
Another challenge she addressed was the divisions that have been created as a result of the intense propaganda war being waged by the government. While oppositions against the government exist, they remain extremely fragmented. She stated that ELF has decided to transition to a new party that will actively participate with other civil society organizations in order to build unity. She also noted that the ELF has seen improvements in the Eritrean diaspora, especially with the youth coming from Eritrea.
She questioned the pathways towards democracies that are lacking in Eritrea, which need to be dealt with as well as the following issues: 1) human rights violations and death of dissenters, and how people living outside of Eritrea can assist the people living inside and vice versa, and 2) the need to discuss all of the issues being addressed during the meeting through more through dialogue and more open discussions
3. The third speaker was Mr. Saleh Gadi founder of Awate.com, a site dedicated to information and activism on Eritrean political dialogues. He emphasized that words are extremely important in framing our understanding of the situation in Eritrea. He gave the example of people living outside of Eritrea and the challenges of defining ourselves “are we ex-pats, part of the Diaspora, immigrants, refugees, living in exile?” He went on to define these terms and to position himself vis-à-vis these definitions, and concluded by defining himself as an exilee – or one living in exile.
Mr. Saleh went on to discuss different diasporic revolutions and international perspectives in relation to freedom of speech. He explained the need to frame our discussion in terms of freedom of expression and other foundations for democracy and freedom within Eritrea. Eritreans are being denied their rights and the opposition needs to focus on how to uproot the unjust system operating within the country. If that does not occur more practically, then the struggle will be in danger of becoming a form of theoretical acrobatics.
4. The fourth and last speaker was Kassahun Checole, publisher of Africa World Press and the Red Sea Press. He spoke at the conclusion of the other speakers in order to provide insight into the process of the diaspora debates and examine some of the challenges that we face as we look at the future.
He began by stating that the opposition is very quick to identify the problems in Eritrea and does it well, but fails to provide practical and positive alternatives for effective change. He argued that even if the opposition groups were to unite, they will be unable to create the kind of constructive and progressive changes that are needed without a clear and humanistic understanding and vision for the future.
Kassahun described the political struggles in the 70s, where Eritreans shared a common vision for armed struggle and beyond: a vision of a transformative process to build a society of justice, equality and freedom. The challenge we face today is not only to articulate a vision for a constructive change, but similar to the historic period of our struggle, to properly and critically interrogate the vision in relation to the practical pathways of realizing it.
Kassahun identified some of the attitudinal and practical problems we face today, but first he stated that some of the questions we raise in regard to the Eritrean situation are questions that are inherent in all post-colonial and post-independence societies in Africa. The assumption that Eritrea is somehow “unique” in the context of the post-colonial experience is in itself a problem.
In conclusion, Kassahun argued that we need to deal with some of the challenges we fact today by seeking change that will take us
- beyond the politics of “Winner Take All”, this is a politics that does not provide room for accommodation, inclusiveness, tolerance and compromise ,
- beyond the criticism of “demonizing and destruction”, this is criticism that does not provide room for reconstruction and positive change, a criticism that goes beyond individual failures and looks at the systemic and structural issues,
- beyond the affirmation of “Absolute Sin”, this is the affirmation of peace through reconciliation and justice.
- If anything we need to study and learn from other African experiences, the post-apartheid South Africa being a good example, to address and implement the changes that we seek.
Community Dialogue
A dialogue forum was opened to members of the audience following the presentations given by the speakers. The issues that were discussed are noted in bullet form below.
Freedoms and rights are not luxuries and cannot be understood as coming hand-in-hand with freedom struggles.
How do civic and political organizations effectively challenge governmental systems and how can information about these struggles be spread more successfully?
How can a united front be better encouraged and developed?
What about the question of Ethiopia and the situation of the contestations with the surrounding areas?
Is the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), or the ruling party in Eritrea, the main political force to be reckoned with in Eritrea or one single leader: Isayas Afeworke ? In other words, is the entire political system problematic or is it mainly its leader? Is the political system conducive to exploitation by the leader?
Democratic struggles need to be cultivated within the country.
The opposition needs to prioritize their demands and the challenges within Eritrea, such as border demarcation versus freeing prisoners, and new ideas need to be proposed.
What is the status of the G13 letter?
Was there a lack of support by the opposition during the 13th of October demonstration in Washington, DC?
The following response was given: The opposition did participate during the demonstration, however, party politics cannot overshadow the issues at hand and the main goal should be to topple the political system.
· The first step to changing the status quo in Eritrea is an attempt to refocus the opposition’s approach.
· The opposition needs to take a look at other countries and their post-colonial struggles since Eritrea is not unique. Every regime in power tries to maintain power.
· Lastly, if the opposition does not work for change, then change will never come. The opposition has to be an instrument of that change. The process for creating change is as important as the change that will take place.
The Community Dialogue was organized by Priority Africa Network in Oakland, California. PAN works to promote advocacy and education on Africa in the Bay Area” and welcomes input particularly you. For more information, please contact us at:
Priority Africa Network, P O Box 2528, Berkeley, CA 94702
Office: AFSC Office/PAN, 1515 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 238 8080 ext. 309,
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
