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December 1st,
A Day To Commemorate Our Martyrs
Nharnet Team (November 30, 2004)
Every Year on December 1st, ELF used to
commemorate our martyrs and the date has been designated as Martyrs’
Day. ELF-RC has continued that tradition. Nharnet has provided its
readers the back ground history as to why the date was chosen and
individuals like Alem Yohannes have provided a comprehensive account
about the mass killings of the village Ona , at the outskirts of Keren
in the past. Our Voice of Democratic Eritrea International also has
provided detailed account of the significance of the day as a symbol of
our popular struggle in Tigrinia available at the following link.
http://www.nharnet.com/Archives/Arch2003/December_03/onamas_12-01-03
We are aware that a large segment of our population
commemorates our martyrs in June of every year. ELF-RC does not make a
big issue and its members participate in the ceremonies and vigil that
take place in June. The important thing is that our martyrs are
remembered and celebrated for the noble cause they paid the ultimate
sacrifice one can give his/her nation. Having said that there are a
couple important points to be made in regard to the commemoration of our
martyrs:
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The date of choice needs to represent the overall
sacrifice by our people, civil and armed. This is significant in that
the struggle was a popular one in which many civilians did heroic acts
with out the fear for their lives or hesitation to endure the personal
pain and suffering they would go through when caught by the enemy. It
is the knowledge that the fish would not survive with out water the
enemy launched a destructive massacre at Ona. It is the same agenda
that the people of Omhager were killed indiscriminately and driven to
a running river to their death. The enemy understood it is the people
who were fighting it that it gathered the people and their domestic
animals and burned them to ashes in Barka Laelay. It is hard to think
about the fact the enemy army members were lifting babies crawling out
of the fire with the knifes hooked to their guns and put them back to
the burning huts. The independence that Isayas claim to have brought
for the people is a fallacy and distortion so that he and PFDJ cling
to power. It is our people’s own children, brothers and sisters who
did the fighting. It is the people who provided the information,
water, food and carried away the injured. The struggle was theirs for
which they paid dearly. No one donated a gift of independence to our
people; it is their own brought about by their own sacrifice. The
struggle encompassed the whole population including the armed
fighters. Hence, a Martyrs’ Day should reflect that fact regardless
of the date and month it is celebrated.
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This is a day on which we should reflect on the
purpose and goal for which our heroes fell and reflect where we are as
a nation and people. We admit that it is very depressing to those who
care about the nation. Those who understand the dreams of those who
left us believing their people and nation would live in tranquility
under liberty and justice have sleep less nights and day dreams of
what went wrong. It is hard to imagine how disappointed our fallen
heroes would be to see that their vision and wishes have been thrown
aside by few who demand glory by instilling fear and torture. We are
sure each one of our readers has some one they admire who would not go
away from the vision of their eyes. We are certain they know some one
who is a hero who had noble dreams for our people and nation; some one
who left with words that keep playing in one’s head because they are
so meaningful, innocent and humble. What ever happen to their dreams
and vision? Who is to blame? What can be done to stir back our nation
and people to the path they drew for us to follow? These and other
related questions are the ones that should be contemplated in the
hours and minutes we remember and pray for those who fell while
leading us, defending us and told us “kinewet ina” to mean ‘we shall
win’. The win they had in mind was a victory that would lead to
justice, equality, liberty and prosperity, not a nation run like a
prison camp.
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What ever happen to their dreams and vision?
The answer is obvious that we do not even need to elaborate on the
answer. It was hijacked by power monger junta. PFDJ has been great
in destroying the fabric of our culture using all of its evil tactics
at its disposal. The opposition has been unable to formulate a
winning strategy to bring the people to its side to get rid of the
destructive PFDJ.
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Who is to blame? We can see many of our readers
saying that it is too obvious to even to bother to ask. However, the
question is so deceivingly simple with very complex answer. Every one
who could have done some thing to prevent the dreams of our fallen
heroes from being kept in a garbage can and did nothing is to blame.
There is enough blame to go around from an individual to groups and
organizations. PFDJ is not an abstract machine that works alone.
There are those who sold out for temporary glory, power, money and
other temporary gains. There are those who watch from the sidelines
and comply with the wrong demands of PFDJ because they want “to visit
back home” and/or ‘buy a house in Asmara”. There are those who always
complain but do nothing meaningful. They blame PFDJ and the
opposition organizations but no where to be found in the action taking
moment. They fail to understand that there is not much that can be
accomplished without strong and effective organization. They lack the
courage to join an organization and help to make it better rather than
sit and complain. There are those who are organized but seem to have
forgotten the real ideals of our fallen heroes.
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What can be done to stir back our nation and
people to the path they drew for us to follow? Our martyrs did
not care who will be leading the country let alone each individual
organization. There is no witness to be found who can account for a
single martyr who fell for a certain tribe, religion, region or
origin. First and foremost, they fell for the sovereignty and
liberation of our nation. Their vision was equality, tranquility,
prosperity and dignity for all Eritreans. That can only be attained
by true democracy rooted in strong principles of rule and law.
Adopting a democratic constitution and abiding by its outcomes is a
fundamental basis for liberty, justice, and prosperity. Elements who
preach democracy only when they get what they like should be reminded
that they are betraying their promise to our martyrs. Elements who
get into conspiracies and collaborations so that they can win should
not forget that our martyrs are crying out loud against it. A true
democracy and adherence to its principles in spirit and practice is
the way to begin making up to our fallen heroes.
We call on all Eritreans to do their part to get
our nation out of the jail house like environment and lift our people up
from the fear and suffering they are enduring. You can start by
speaking up against the cruelties being committed on our people that you
hear from your relatives and friends. It is high time that you speak up
instead of whispering. There is no region that is not suffering under
the tyranny of PFDJ. Do not be fooled by its propaganda. Join hands
with ELF-RC members and the rest of the opposition to stir back to the
path paved by our fallen heroes.
May Our Martyrs Rest in Peace Knowing That They did
Their Part!
Eternal Glory to our Fallen Heroes!
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