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Seyoum Left ELF-RC in Good Hands
A
Farewell to Our Hero Seyoum
Part V and Final
Nharnet Representative
Dear Readers, I start
this fifth and final editorial by thanking the love, respect, admiration
displayed to our hero and unparalleled encouragement to members of
ELF-RC and sympathies and words of condolence and sympathy to his
family. The members of ELF-RC and his family are very grateful to all
those who expressed their sympathy with letters, email, and holding
tributes through out the world, as well as a true hero’s farewell during
the funeral ceremony in Holland.
I would like to thank
also all the medial outlets and personalities who participated in many
ways of paying Tribute to our Hero and encouragement and words of
comfort to members of his organization and family. I express my wish to
continue this cooperation to continue until such time our democratic
goal is attained.
As much as Seyoum will
be missed and the void created by his untimely departure is not easy to
fill, our readers and all Eritreans should be rest assured that ELF-RC
is in good hands and will continue to function as vibrant and as
principled as ever. It may sound like a cliché that a revolutionary
dies but a revolution continues but is a matter fact with ELF-RC. I
would like to share with you as what makes me so confident of my
assessment.
ELF-RC has been led
through out its history in a collective style of leadership. Almost all
significant decisions are made through the consultations among the
Executive Committee as well as with the RC Speaker’s office as well as
all members of RC as needed. The fear weather the ELF-RC will continue
without disruption and confusion was only in the minds of outsiders and
those who really do not know the organization that well. There was not
an iota of doubt among its members and close supporters that the
transfer of power has been institutionalized and the organizational
charter is clear on how the organization is run in times of normalcy and
distress. More over, ELF-RC has many capable senior cadres that can step
in and take over any kind of vacancy that is created at any moment.
True, the sadness was
deep and the pain sharp, as the passage of Seyoum was sudden and
unexpected; but the motto among the leadership and ranks and file was
that the effort will have to be doubled to meet the challenge and the
organization would have to continue with much more determination and
efficiency. That the efforts and dream of our late hero was not going
to be let down.
The Saturday after the
funeral, the leadership and the funeral attendee members of ELF-RC from
the USA held a meeting. The leadership reaffirmed their resolve to
continue the goals and programs for which our martyr worked so hard. The
members in turn responded in kind by providing them the tools they need
to move forward the organization to give the country back to its
legitimate owner, the people who paid with their sweat, property and
sons and daughters for their beloved nation; a nation which was supposed
to be one of equality, tranquility, peace, and tranquility,
Sure enough, both the
senior cadres, members of RC, and the bases responded with sheer courage
and determination. The senior cadres rose to the challenge by
responding to serve full time leaving their families and comfort. Tekle
Melekin commonly referred to as Melekin by friends, Woldeyesus Ammar
commonly known as Ammar among friends, and Tesfai Woldemicahael mostly
known by Degiga have decided to serve full time to the cause of the
Eritrean people by promoting the ideals of ELF-RC and strengthening the
opposition in general.
Three of them are
capable leaders and dedicated democrats. Their action speaks louder
than what ever I or any one else can say about their dedication and
conviction.
The transition of power
that has been in place for so many years and point The Nharnet Team
drove home by writing extensively about it during the last of couple
years also speaks for itself. The acting chairman, Tekle Melekin, took
over immediately and announced the sad news within the same day. The
organization was minding its affairs, even though the focus was on
hero’s untimely departure, with Tekle at its helm. This was not even a
concern or an issue for its members as they knew well the caliber of
their leaders and are confident on the principles of their organization.
The other important
factor is the type of leadership Seyoum displayed was purely democratic
as he was big on abiding by the internal organizational constitution and
implementing a government that is governed by constitutional rule of
law. With him at the steering wheel, the organization has adopted a two
way communication between the leadership and its file and ranks.
Information is flowing both ways and members are kept informed at all
times.
A questionnaire has been
provided to all members for their input in regard to current affairs and
important future strategic plans for leadership to take into
consideration by the Executive Committee, the Revolutionary Congress, or
consideration in future organizational congresses depending on the
subject matter. This has created cohesion and access to the leadership
is wide open. Most of activities of the leadership are performed by
committees or teams.
All the points mentioned
above are factors that help a smooth transition and continuation of the
goals of ELF-RC. That added with the caliber of leadership members can
only result in an organization with more focused and spearheaded energy.
Now, I introduce you to
the members of the Executive Committee before and after the passage of
our hero Seyoum.
In this picture, the
members of Executive Committee were in session from left to right:
-
Menghisteab Asmerom, Head of News
and Cultural Office
-
Assefaw Berhe, Head of Political
and Organizational Office
-
Gime Ahmed , Head of Social Affairs
-
Mohammed Ali Ibrahim, Head of Field
Affairs
-
Seyoum Ogbamichael, Chairman of the
Executive Committee then
-
Tekle Melekin, Head of Foreign
Affairs
-
Berhane Tesfagaber,
Head of the Economic Office:
Not physically present in the
session in Khartoum and therefore not shown in the picture
The Picture of the
Executive Committee will have:
Woldeyesus Ammar,
Chairman of the Executive Committee, and
Tesfai Woldemichael,
Director/Head of the Chairman’s Office
The Speaker’s Office of
Revolutionary Council, the legislative body is headed Ibrahim Mohammed
Ali and assisted by Berhane Kidane.
Finally, I call up on
all who are watching from the sideline to join the salvage of our nation
and set our people free from the grip of tyranny. By now, it should be
more than clear that the nation is heading down the hill and Isayas is
moving up the ladder of dictatorship as published by PARADE, a magazine
publication of the Washington Post that shows him moving from No. 17
last year to No. 13 this year.
Blaming the organizations
for their weaknesses and shortfalls does not relive one of not doing all
they can to alleviate the situation. Talking about the problems has
been plenty but the action to parallel that talk has been so little. A
strong organization that can hit hard and shake the tyranny is the real
solution. Ideas no matter how great and noble fail with out strong
organization. I do not believe no one will find an organization that
represents 100% of his/her own political views but rather one which
satisfies most of the important ones.
You have seen ELF-RC in action how it has institutionalized the
democratic transfer of power and transparent way of self administration
which are the main goals of a democratic nation. Which party and who
leads the nation comes naturally as a result of the transparency and
smooth transfer of power at the wish of our people.
Step forward and join
ELF-RC and making a difference by growing it into a much stronger and
adoptive organization. She will receive you with open arms.
May our Martyrs Live in
Eternity
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