They say, "History is the supreme judge of history itself". Unfortunately, I do not know who 'they' are, and I am not sure if they ever said that. But hey, you can quote me on that. History is definitely the supreme judge of our actions. It does not matter on whose side we are fighting or what we got right or wrong, we will always be judged by history. Perhaps that is why Hitler's name is equally remembered as that of Martin Luther King Jr.'s. The same way PFDJ's name will be written in our history books along EPLF's.
Regardless of what history and historians will or will not say about EPLF, history is definitely in the making in Eritrea. Of course, our ways of writing our history will differ depending on whose side we are fighting - the people or the PFDJ. Did some one say the opposition? What opposition?
Moving on, and leaving history aside, we have been a free nation for almost 17 years now. True we haven't gained any more territory in those years, but we still remain a sovereign nation with a coastline stretching about 1000 km. A very small nation, but a nation regardless. Our independence is obviously a direct result of our resilience and determination in our struggle for independence, and of course ultimately a direct result of the referendum for independence.
Almost two decades later, however, many people still have hard time accepting this reality. There are certain elements that still cannot erase the Eritrean 'case', as it is infamously referred to, from their agendas mainly on the Ethiopian side. The former administrator of Tigray, Gebru Asrat, is the latest addition to the long list of people who fall in to this category. What kills me most, however, is not the fact that these people cannot get in to grips with reality. Rather it is thinking that if Gebru Asrat, in his shrewd mind was to come to PFDJ asking for help to topple Melles Zenawi, the people in power in Asmara would not blink twice before giving him what ever he claims to need.
If you are naïve enough to believe that PFDJ would never do that, look at the other recent example: the support PFDJ is/was providing to the Ethiopian opposition parties regardless of their political stance in regards to Eritrean independence. Kinijit is known for its resentment towards Eritrean independence. Its leaders have expressed their illicit will to incorporate Eritrea to the 'motherland', to undo the history of Eritrean Independence. Despite this fact, and instead of identifying a better partner from the Ethiopian opposition or even better trying to solve the problem by dealing with the regime in power in Ethiopia for once and for all, PFDJ has in the past preferred to deal with Kinijit in hope of finding a temporary solution to the bigger problem. Typical of Eritrean politics wouldn't you say?
Temporary Solutions, Timeless Problems
When you think about it, Eritrean politics has always been a one-eyed affair. In a sense that, it has always dealt with issues in only a shortsighted approach; primarily addressing issues of very less importance in the hope of finding temporary solutions to the problems at hand, instead of dealing with the core issues that cause all the other problems. If we browse through our history and try to look at the major issues in Eritrean politics, it is possible to find some commonalities in all of them. The main being, the 'solutions' provided for the problems at the time they arise are only temporary and not sustainable. Later on, most of the supposed 'solutions' end up generally back firing, or in some cases giving way for other problems to rise.
The sad reality, however, in the Eritrean political arena, is not only that we have an incompetent government, which is capable of making such decisions over and over again. The fact that we also have an incompetent opposition bloc with similar capacity makes our story gloomier all together. Both parties, the government and the opposition, have their share of unfathomable extreme bad decisions.
The Scapegoat for the Bloodshed: The African 'Paris'
The PFDJ and its actions up to this date have especially been markedly devastating to the Eritrean people. Unfortunately, whether we like it or not, PFDJ still remains a synonym with the government of Eritrea. True it doesn't represent the Eritrean people. Also true it is not an 'Eritrean' government per se, in a sense that it does not have the best of the Eritrean people at heart. It is a pity; however, any decision this clique makes as the government of Eritrea ultimately ends up molding our future for the better or for the worse.
To begin with, everyone, except those who have willfully blinded themselves to the truth, agrees the build up for the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, or as many people refer to it the conflict between the leadership of the two fronts EPLF and TPLF, that has been termed as a 'border conflict', started not very long after independence. True, the plain decision to go to war was perhaps the most damaging shortsighted decision the 'transitional' government of Eritrea has taken in the post independence era. But even then, this particular decision was not a random miscalculated action. Rather, it was a result of many similar decisions.
A typical example of such decisions would be the following. While the Ethiopian government was ill-treating Eritreans who inhabited the immediate areas of Badme and other areas adjacent to the Ethiopian border before the actual war broke out, the government of Eritrea was actively pursuing policies of cross-national theft. Aide memoire: Policy of cross-national theft = very bad for peaceful co-existence.
The reason why PFDJ was not willing to take action against this Ethiopian aggression in time is perhaps proof enough that shows how blinded the party was with its generally illegal policies.
PFDJ would have you believe that there were talks aimed at finding a solution for all the problems that arouse in the common borders of both countries. The account many Eritreans who lived in these areas tell is, however, significantly different. In spite of how they continuously complained to government offices regarding the ill-treatment they encountered from the Ethiopian side, the solutions they hoped to get never came on time. It actually took the arbitrary act of a military general to bring their grief out on the open. Unfortunately, the consequences of even this particular military action were not well thought- through. Hence, the most devastating war in recent world history in our own backyard.
If that is not shortsighted enough for you, the policy the Eritrean government is pursuing in funding all the rebel forces in almost the entire East Africa is the champion of all shortsighted political decisions the government seems capable of making. Destabilizing the entire region could produce a seemingly temporary solution to the problems the regime is facing at home, and lengthening its lifespan in power. However, it ultimately ends up destabilizing the regime itself. The homegrown dictator has managed to establish himself as a very important figure in that part of the world at the cost of the Eritrean people. By creating and sponsoring puppet rebel forces in the entire Horn of Africa, he has managed to establish himself as a central figure in any negotiation that attempts to bring lasting peace to our region. Yet, what he is failing to see is the fact that creating antagonistic forces or fueling their creation in the region is a problem for Eritrea as well. Even then, what is worse and beyond shortsightedness is not realizing that it will eventually boomerang and endanger our own peace, i.e. if it has not done that already. As much as it is intrinsically devious, I find this particular swindle to be sheer stupid.
The arrest of the so-called G-15 members, the closure of the private media, the collapse of the education system, the expulsion of foreign NGOs, the decision to detain parents of young Eritreans who fled the country, and the 'systematic' disownment of all private investors and business people are but to mention few of all the direct end product or the actual shortsighted political decisions PFDJ has taken at one point or another.
'The Same Barely, Different Sacks'
This is not to say, however, the Eritrean opposition is a farsighted and matured opposition. I admit that I am a novice in the field and perhaps I am not qualified to be criticizing the leaders of the Eritrean opposition, some of whom have spent most of their lives in this arena; but the bottom line is, despite their experience, they are doing a feeble job.
Most of the political decisions they take or seem to be taking are as much shortsighted as PFDJ's decisions are. The disintegration of the meeting to form an alliance of the opposition almost a year ago is one example. For me, just as an Eritrean, who leads the opposition is not an issue; as long as the leadership is Eritrean and has the best of interests for the good of Eritrea and its people at heart. At this juncture in our history also, I do not think it is a point worth contesting over. As far as I am concerned, and I believe many people also agree with me, I do not think it deserves primary attention at all. The misery the Eritrean people are going through and the solution for that problem is the issue that calls for utmost urgency.
Shortsightedness aside, the one thing I have trouble understanding is how the Eritrean opposition bloc has effectively discredited itself by failing to see the bigger picture. If all the Eritrean opposition parties claim to agree in saying PFDJ is the source of all evil in Eritrea, how is that not a uniting factor? If they agree establishing a democratic state and getting rid of Issayas' regime is the first step that has to be taken, how is that not a uniting factor? That remains a question the parties will have to answer. However, I believe the first step should be presenting a united front against PFDJ and democratizing Eritrea. After that, once there is democracy in Eritrea, all the laws that we have will shape where we are to head from there as a nation. Implementing the Eritrean constitution alone would help solve a lot of problems. Moreover, once we have a democratic system in motion we can agree and disagree on issues in a peaceful and democratic manner bringing lasting solutions to all our problems. Even the question of secession put forward by the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization will have to be addressed properly.
But I guess for the Eritrean opposition who leads the alliance is more important than getting rid of Issayas. I have to say, that is a mature decision.
The Enemy of My Enemy
The other example is the mere decision to hold the meeting itself in Addis Ababa. I actually believe this to be the worst of their decisions. I believe this decision alone has cost the opposition more number of supporters than they had ever lost over the years, many of whom from within the borders of Eritrea.
My argument is the following. The regime in Ethiopia has proved repeatedly that it does not have the goodwill of the Eritrean public at heart. It was like yesterday when it deported more than 70,000 Eritreans under the worst of conditions, in the most inhumane way possible: families separated, children accused of spying, the elderly forced to walk for hours while being shot at overhead, all their properties confiscated, I could go on for a while. That alone should have been reason enough to take a stance and to disassociate their selves from the regime ruling Ethiopia. At the least, they should have waited until their fellow citizens are legally compensated.
However, if that is not enough, the regime in Ethiopia also equally bears the responsibility for the no-war-no-peace situation most of the pro-PFDJ Eritreans consider as an excuse for all the wrongs committed back home. The beyond silly excuses this government comes up with are an insult to the entire Eritrean populace; not to mention a mockery to the more than 200,000 Eritreans living in IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps because of this situation. The confirmed report about resettling Ethiopians in and around Badme in the hope of pressuring the EEBC's decision is yet another grave foul the regime in Ethiopia has committed with such an ease. I strongly believe such actions by the regime in Addis must be fiercely condemned and should not be tolerated. Obviously, these resettlements are taking place at the cost of Eritreans living in the IDP camps. Yet, the government in Eritrea as always have done very little or taken no action at all to protest for the rights of these people. Therefore, I believe, this matter should have been one of the major points the opposition should have voiced its concerns over and objected strongly.
I know I have argued in the past, that any change aiming at replacing the status quo in Eritrea is welcome regardless of where it comes from; but I say that with one exception. I would not accept a change coming from the regime that reigns to the south of our borders as a change that is good for Eritrea. Though the adage 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' does usually sound true; it is just too good to be true in our case. The Ethiopian regime is not an enemy of PFDJ only. Its actions say a lot more beyond that. It is an enemy of the Eritrean people as well. I have to say then, if any party associates itself with the regime in Ethiopia, I would certainly think twice or three times before considering that party a party of the Eritrean people.
It is ironic to see that all the opposition parties agree the rule of law must be reinstituted in Eritrea and that PFDJ is the major predicament between what we have in Eritrea and a constitutionally governed Eritrea. Yet they cannot seem to find a way to put their differences aside and put a concerted effort against the cause of all problems in Eritrea.
The real irony, however, is that they do not realize they are losing the faith of their support- base, the Eritrean people - the same base they intend to free from the bondages of dictatorship, as a consequence of the mere decisions they take.
Let me ask a question: would it be an understatement to say the Eritrean opposition is a supporter of the PFDJ?
War as a Solution
Heading to the other side of the story, and yet to another decision I consider shortsighted, we find the call by many people in the opposition for an escalation of an armed conflict in Eritrea. It really breaks my heart to read a story with the headline reading "15 Shabia Soldiers Killed". To begin with, almost the entire makeup of the Eritrean Defense Forces is from conscripts or people who do not want to be in the military. To be killing any single one of these brave children of Eritrea is therefore to ultimately undermine the basic goal these armed 'rebel' forces seem to be fighting for. That soldier, that agelglot, and even that tegadaly still in the trenches deserve the same goodwill the opposition claims to have for the rest of the Eritrean public. Moreover, I can confidently say the Eritrean people do not by any means want to see another civil war escalating in our own backyard. If the opposition parties think the Eritrean people want them to resort to an armed conflict, I say it is just another example that shows how detached they are from the people they claim to be working hard to liberate.
If ever an armed conflict is to escalate in Eritrea, I would argue it should be after all the other means for peaceful resolution of our problems are exhausted. At this stage, I just do not think we are there yet.
What we have now is, excuse my language, a useless opposition bloc. Ever since the Eritrean independence, not a single one of the opposition parties can claim it had a major, or actually even any minor, part in influencing the government's policies on any issue. They have been on the sidelines of the Eritrean political field, with no say at all, just flying from one continent to another to attend a yet futile meeting.
Here is sort of an understated question: If EPLF could join hands with TPLF to defeat the Dergue in Ethiopia, and in turn win the independence, why is it so difficult for the opposition to just put all their differences aside for once and join hands to liberate the Eritrean people again? No one is asking them to abandon their political agendas and be exactly the same. What the Eritrean people ask of them is to unite their resources with all their differences, and bring a lasting solution to all the problems Eritrea faces. If they could do this, I am not saying they will, I believe it would have been a major achievement and a practical sign of how matured they are to lead us. Otherwise, what will we have in Eritrea if an impotent a government as our opposition parties comes to power? A Kenya after the recent elections? I do not think the Eritrean people approve of that.
With everything I have said I still believe there is still hope for the Eritrean opposition. May be not for the same parties that are in existence, but I believe there is room for a strong united Eritrean opposition bloc to create havoc for the PFDJ. Change in Eritrea can be achieved in peaceful means if we can all unite and make a firm stand against PFDJ. To all those who call for armed escalation, I say first put your differences aside and stand united. Challenge the actions of PFDJ in one voice, not just a voice but in tangible actions as well. Then, win, by your actions again, as many Eritreans as possible from the pro-PFDJ bloc. As a writer on this page had once pointed out, it shouldn't be that difficult to achieve. After all, we all speak the same language: fiQiri-hager.
If all that fails, may be in another five years, then we can consider discussing if it is time to talk about armed struggle.
Until then I think it is time that we sit down around a table or a meadi for that matter and start talking about a farsighted, and matured road-map for reinstitution of democracy in Eritrea. Not just to replace PFDJ, but to restore the foundation of a democratic society for generations to come.
