THE UNFINISHED ERITREAN REVOLUTION:

CAN EDA FINISH IT?

BY EAIM

 

          The Eritrean revolution was a two edged sword, spear headed by the ELF for the freedom of Eritrea from the colonial power and the liberation of all Eritreans economically, politically, socially and culturally. Tremendous amount of energy was released, and enormous sacrifices were paid to gain freedom from colonial powers. Thanks to our gallant fighters and Eritreans as a whole our freedom is attained, but fellow Eritreans the revolution is yet unfinished. The dreams and expectations of Eritreans were peace, liberty, justice for all and prosperity. Instead Eritreans at home are suffering from brutal dictatorial regime the PFDJ.

      The first thing to consider is the kind of revolution that we are fighting for, because the ends we have in mind will, to large extent, determine the means we use.   We should not be interested in exchanging one set of rulers for another; when we say a revolution we do not mean a coup d’etat. A revolution is a fundamental change in the way society is ordered. Democracy should not be interpreted in ones whims and scenic agenda, but should always mean fundamental respect for all human, political, cultural, social and property ownership rights and that is what we call fundamental change in the way society is ordered. Transition to democracy means the extension to all adults, who live under a power of a given state of the opportunity to take side in the contest for power. Non- democracy such as dictatorial regimes prevent subjects from taking sides in the contest for power.

 

FACTORS WHICH DETERMIN REVOLUTION

  In theoretical terms, the direct cause of revolution is generally expressed in terms of two sets of conditions- objective and subjective factors.

    OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE FACTORS- Objective factors are things outside our head, independent from our thoughts and emotions and are events outside the control of any individual or small group. Subjective factors, on the other hand, are things inside our head, our thoughts of life. Of course there can be no strict division between objective and subjective factors. An opportunity for revolution only arises at a particular time, when both the objective and subjective conditions necessary for success are present. In other words, some crisis occurs and the level of consciousness of the people is such that they choose revolution. That is where revolutionary vanguard organization or alliances emerge to shape up and lead the revolution.

    During our armed struggle the objective conditions for the Eritrean revolution were ripe by the time DURG took over the Ethiopian throne, but our subjective conditions were not fully realized. Although all Eritreans were fully conscious and supportive, the disunity of the organizations and the intolerant behavior of the leadership lead to lose of life, material and moral and the worst is deferment of victory and freedom for over fifteen years.

 

IS THE OPPOSITION UPTO PEOPLES’ EXPECTATION?

         In order the Eritrean mass to follow the opposition one has to put tangible programs that benefit the Eritrean people. We in EAIM thought the EDA documents realized the expectation of the people and was good beginning to mobilize the people to develop consciousness of the revolution. To our surprise the very founding groups and individuals of the EDA documents started bleeding the EDA charter with RESERVATIONS and MANIFESTO.

       THE ERITREAN DEMOCRATIC MANIFESTO states “ the task of organizing a well- coordinated diplomatic thrust aimed at putting international pressure on the illegitimate Eritrean regime to permit tightly observed democratic elections” But the charter calls for transitional government after the over throw of dictatorship. Do Eritreans expect democratic election from a dictatorial regime? Manifesto where are you leading us? Eritreans are expecting and organizing to see the demise of the dictatorial system of PFDJ.

       THE ERITREAN DEMOCRATIC MANIFESTO states, “The task of organizing a wide coalition composed of the opposition forces-via a national conference that includes all the political organizations, parties, civil societies, refugee institutions and independent intellectuals.” Didn’t the EDA in its charter already presented to the people when and where a national conference should be held. What new political situation occurred to change the mind of the authors of this manifesto?

    THE ERITREAN DEMOCRATIC MANIFESTO states, “Modern Eritrean political  and constitutional history confirms that the struggle for liberation was based on the principle of an independent, sovereign and unitary Eritrea.--------- the land, the sea,air and the state of Eritrea are indivisible--------- do not justify the  parceling out of the territory, resources and institutions, of our country: the solution to the demands of Biher, religion and language lies in political and constitutional adjustment based on our history.---- Federal Act of 1950----- Referendum of 1993 .-------In both instances  the  unitary character of the Eritrean state has never been questioned.”  The EAIM do not understand the atomic theory of the manifesto and its atomization of Eritrea, but let us say this:

·        The EDA charter states that Eritrea will have decentralized form of government.

·        The history of Eritrean governance is history of colonial powers and dictatorship. We are struggling to erect democratic Eritrea, but not to safe guard status quo. The expectation of the people of Eritrea including EAIM is to respect all rights of Eritreans that is human and individual rights, religious right, nationality rights, property rights, economic and political rights.

 Yes, Eritrea had and has unitary form of government and here is our observation on the Eritrean reality.

      The form of government in Eritrea has been and still is unitary form. Every colonial power has been administering Eritrea in almost the same way. The present dictatorial government made some changes with out the consent of the people. The Eritrean socio-economic reality today is—

·        There is wide economic development disparity. Highland Eritrea comparatively better than the lowland area.

·        Highlanders are more with modern work skills than lowlanders.

·        Educational and health facilities and institutions are more frequent in the highland area.

·        Factories and businesses are concentrated in the highland, mainly around Asmara. 

·        Highland areas highway connection is better than lowland areas.

           In our opinion, unitary form of government may be a minor factor to the above disparity of the Eritrean society. The major factors include:

·        Chain of colonial rule. Colonialists plan what is good and profitable for them and that is what colonized world society experienced. To focus and stay engaged in the highland might have been profitable for them.

·        Religion might have been a factor. Our colonial powers where Christians and because of that the highlanders might got greater pie.

·        Climate is anther factor. Our colonial powers might have been neglecting the lowland area because of the hot weather.

·        System of government. One should not expect much from colonial powers and dictatorship. They should rule thorough divide and rule in order to live longer and in so doing the highlanders might have been favored.

 

CAN EDA FULFIL THE WISH OF THE ERITREAN PEOPLE- FINISH THE REVOLUTION?

            We in the EAIM are always optimistic, and we understand the ups and downs of a revolution. Today the objective conditions for democratic revolution to be realized are fully to the mark. As every one knows, the dictatorial regime is fully exposed and existing in a precarious situation. We don’t say with confidence the subjective conditions are up to our expectation.  Here are our observations for optimism:

·        The Eritrean opposition is evolving from time to time. First forming opposition organizations, then minor alliances, promoted to ENA and now to EDA comprising of nearly all political organizations with sound political documents. But,  putting on paper is not enough, we have to reach out.

·        Over whelming majority of Eritreans today do not willingly accept the rule of PFDJ. But nearly half of these are at stand by instead joining the political opposition. The opposition has some homework to do and mobilize the people. There is no fear of those people going back to the dictatorial regime.

·        Unlike our era of armed struggle, the opposition EDA has full support of neighboring governments and this is a golden opportunity to a democratic revolution. Be aware not to squander it.

·          Even though unhealthy split of certain organizations on petty grounds exists, conflict resolution ability of EDA is improving.

·        The EAIM believes that the Eritrean revolution is not going to be finished with out organizing a resistance army. The fact that eleven of the twelve EDA member political organizations adopted all forms of struggle with emphasis to united armed resistance having central command is encouraging and is one of the main subjective factors that shorten the life of dictatorship.

 

WHAT DO ERITREANS EXPECT THE EDA ACTIVITIES TO BE? 

   In our opinion EDA activities after the political documents legislation, that is the last six months did not meet peoples expectations. EAD did not even fully acquaint its charter with the people. The people do not come and say how can we help you. EDA has to attract people with its programs Here are some suggestions that we think could engage people and eventually join the revolution and contribute what is expected of them to the revolution.

·        Organize united armed resistance with centralized command.

·         Open channels of discussion and freedom to voice opinions.

·        Show tolerance that leads to multi-party consciousness.

·        Create centralized direction of political discussion in the organization.

·         Adopt a controlled degree of specialization and division of labor checked by certain level of rotation of task.

·        Organize political training centers for members to create cadres.

·        Reach out the most affected Eritreans by the dictatorial regime to help, such as the refugee, destitute Eritreans who are leaving their beloved country.

·        Fulfill organizational structure from top to bottom.

 

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