I recall my articles by the same title (Part
Eight) May 09, 2001 and (part nine) Sept 7, 2001 at Asmarino.com.
To grasp what I am talking about in this article it is imperative first
to read the two articles mentioned above.
In part eight, I discussed about the plight and fortune of the elites
siding with the Eritrean government. I labelled them The “On” side.
I said that the “On” side to be favourable for Eritrea’s democratisation
they should be granted a livelihood for the future in case they lose
power. Otherwise they would not be nice people for democratisation to
succeed in Eritrea.
In part nine I mentioned about the opposition groups to the government.
I labelled them the “Off” side. I characterize them as fruitless to
the democratisation and development of Eritrea. I categorically rejected
them as non-viable and weak opposition that brings no change to Eritrean
politics. I based my argument that they are for the sake of opposition
merely jealousy and hate to the Eritrean government. They lack substance
as effective opposition group. Their failure is due to their weakness
of not being effective opposition group. If they would have united and
base their opposition by substances that brings positive change to our
society then they would have won our heart.
Next, we are going to see the potentiality and the effectiveness of
the alternative group that are some times with the government and at
other time they are in opposition to the government. I labelled them
the “On and off” groups. In this group as the leading figure Dr. Berket
Habtesalasie could be mentioned. Others are: Mohammed Sheriffo, DR.
Araya Debessia, Ex-ambassador Hibret and others.
In Eritrea, democratisation to succeed, totally depends on the peaceful
dialogue among the elites with government and in opposition to the government
in one hand and the civil society on the other hand. The solution is
dialogue, dialogue, dialogue, and thousand times dialogue and again
dialogue. Non-stop dialogue. Character assassination, denigrating, blackmailing
and sabotage are effective only during war with external enemy. When
it comes to internal social problem the method is different. Negative
approach is not behaviour of civil society like the gentle and proud
Eritrean people. Our fathers and forefathers had the behaviour to dialogue
in Biato with respect to each other. Therefore, be it the B13, G15,
EPDM, ELF-RC, PFDJ or whatever acronym you have lets come to dialogue.
The Eritrean government seems to avoid and seems to want totally eliminate
the potentially alternative group, the G15. These are one exemplary
group that were with the government, but which are now in opposition
to the government. They matched perfectly to my label the “On and off”
side elite group. These are the group, which are hope for future democratisation
in Eritrea. I don’t give credit or bother too much about the rumours
spread about them. I am aware and well prepared that the elites on the
“On” side are going to use all means to crash this group. The elites
who were with Mengistu regime did use the same tactic to eliminate opposition
groups. Saddam Hussein of Iraq, the late Hafiz Alasad of Syria, Idi
amen of Uganda, Siad Baree of Somalia, Meles of Ethiopia and others
used the same tactic. That is, they avoided dialogue and chose the stick
to silence opposition elites.
I am not pessimistic to the democratisation in Eritrea. But I am afraid
that some thing might go wrong. That is, if we avoided dialogue and
preferred silencing opposition groups by spreading rumours that will
be very dangerous to future Eritrea. I know that the propaganda to terrorize
the people by the name unity of the country is going to work very well
to the advantage to the government. But this will be short-term victory
for the elites on the “On” side. For Eritrea it will be disadvantage,
because we are going to miss the opportunity to create civil society.
For example, first the rumour about the G15 was corruption. Now the
rumour is selling sovereign of Eritrea to Woyane. Taking advantage that
we lack civil society in Eritrea the rumours are working very well to
the advantage of the government. The situation now in Eritrea reminds
me the time of Derg era. Derg was very effective to capitalize the weakness
of the society by spreading rumours to defame the opponents. The Derg
succeeded to prolong its power by avoiding dialogue. Derg could have
solved the Eritrean problem by dialogue. Derg was defaming the Eritrean
struggle by saying they are going to sell Eritrea to the Arabs. All
that was, using power, to use it stay long by avoiding dialogue.
Look now, what happened to Derg after creating misery and shame to the
people of Eritrea and Ethiopia. The strong man, who was labelling himself
the defender of Ethiopian unity, Mengistu Haiemariam fled the country
and now he is in Exile. His supportive that were preaching as, Derg
the only true representative and vanguard of the Ethiopian people lasted
in jail. Like PFDJ the Workers party of Derg was lonely and dominant
power in Ethiopia. Without effective opposition party the workers party
of Derg did all the mischievous and grave mistakes that threw Ethiopia
to the now disastrous situation. The same will happen in Eritrea if
PFDJ tries to crush genuine opposition parties like the G15. I think,
persons like Sherifo, Haile woldetensia and others have to be encouraged
to be effective opposition party. If the PFDJ groups are going to accept
pluralism as the only viable and secured way to our stability and welfare
we welcome them to lead us even for the next 10 years. As long as they
respect humane right, freedom of press, freedom of voluntary civil community,
formation of multiparty, freedom of economic participation, respecting
the constitution and abide by rule of law the PFDJ could be an exemplary
group.
As for the elites on the “On and off” side it is a matter of learning
from the past mistakes of the “off” side opposition groups. I expect
the “On and off” side to come with concrete program that organize us
to be effective opposition party supporters. I would like to see both
the “On” side elite and the “On and off” side parties to present their
program and everybody to see it for a choice for the coming election
2001. Here I would like to remind to the “On and off” side elite that
they to be positive with the existing government and try to harmonize
the programmes and schedules for the election 2001 to match with the
government. I expect the “On and off” side elites to be gentle and work
for harmony and progress of the on going election 2001. It is weakness
not to participate on the discussion arranged by the government to ratify
the election and party formation drafts. It is wisdom do participate
positively and effectively to make the ratification of the laws successful.
Who present it is irrelevant. No body is going to get prise for presenting
it. People will judge who is democrat and who is hard working by looking
at the programmes and activities of the parties. Therefore, it is my
wish and pray that the elites on the “On and off” side which are hope
for future stability of Eritrea to act as genuine opposition parties
by taking measures that includes the interest of the existing government.
The fundamental mistake of the elites on the “On and off” side will
be if they try to marginalize and exclude the existing governments elite.
I tell you they will just invite violence.
Conclusion, In the near future, I expect the Eritrean government to
learn from past mistakes and come to dialogue. I expect soon, all members
of the central government to come to a dialogue and resolve their problem
peacefully. I expect soon, the draft law for election and forming political
parties to be ratified. I expect soon, genuine parties to emerge from
within PFDJ, two or three this time and all other opposition groups
to reconcile their program and merge with these political parties. Let
election 2001 will be successful and I hope PIA to continue as a president
and the G15 to be the dominant opposition party in the parliament. By
doing so, I hope Eritrea to have balance of power between the executive
body which is now more experienced in governance than the otters and
the opposition party to be effective in checking and scrutinizing the
executive body. For us, the masses, let us concentrate to develop a
civil society. By civil society I mean by performing intensive civic
education to create civility.
Focus on election 2001 part eight dealt with elites who are siding with
the government. Part nine dealt with the elites who are totally against
the Eritrean government and part ten dealt with the elites who are some
time with the existing government and on the other time opposing it.
Even though I mentioned names, which some time I feel guilty that I
crossed the red line, nevertheless, I did it by paying great respect
and admiration to their talent and at some times I considered them as
my favourites. I hope they will forgive me for my naivety and some time
my stupidity to mention their name without due consent to their knowledge.
God bless Eritrea
Tesfamicael Yohannes
Oslo, Norway.