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Final Statement
2nd General Congress of
the EDA
The Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA) held its Second General Congress
between 15 and 20 February 2007 under the slogan of: “let’s struggle to
establish a democratic Eritrea in which all fundamental rights and
freedoms of the people are respected”, and at a time when our country
and people are exposed to harsh economic condition and oppressive
political situation caused by the policies of the dictatorial one-man
regime of Isaias Afwerki. This historic event no doubt took place during
an interesting period in which significant political developments are
emerging in the region.
After thoroughly evaluating performances of the alliance during the past
two years, the Congress commended the EDA leadership for organizing this
Congress that reached the conclusion that the policies of the Isaias
regime against all neighbours totally contradict the aspirations and
best interests of the Eritrean people. These belligerent policies based
on senseless dreams for grandeur of a dictator attempting to impose his
whims on neighbourly countries are senseless and destructive. Because of
the policies that plunged the country into difficult economic social and
security crises, a very large number of Eritrean youth is being forced
to leave the country for exile under high risks to their lives.
Regarding Eritrean asylum seekers currently detained in Libya, the
Congress called on Libyan authorities to duly consider the reasons that
caused the flight of those youth from Eritrea and to refrain from any
decision of sending them back to the dictatorial regime in Eritrea.
Likewise, the Congress demanded that the international community to
provide legal protection to those Eritrean youth detained in Libya.
The responsible deliberations of the Second EDA Congress on the Charter
proved to be frank and transparent engagement on national dialogue. As a
result, the congress revised the EDA Charter by affirming the people’s
basic rights for democracy, peace and human rights and by duly
respecting the political, confessional and social rights of our people
with the recognition that culture , religion and ethnic origin are among
the basic factors of identity of Eritreans.
The Congress was of the conviction that the understanding reached
enhancing the Charter shall help heal the wounds inflicted upon our
national unity by the evil deeds of the Isaias regime, and help build
confidence and mutual trust among the political forces and the different
segments of the population.
Based on this understanding, the Second EDA Congress passed resolutions
that include the following major ones:
1.
Considering decrees of the Isaias regime on land as null and
void, the Congress resolved that all land seized from the people shall
be returned to its rightful owners through just and legal channels.
2.
There shall be organized a National Forum for Democratic Change
in which Eritrean political forces and different segments of the civil
society shall take part.
At this difficult moment in the life of our people, every Eritrean
national is called upon to rally alongside the Eritrean Democratic
Alliance in removing the dictatorial regime and realizing democratic
change in which peace, stability and tranquility prevail.
Likewise, the EDA Congress strongly called upon members of the Eritrean
Defense Force to stand on the side of their victimized people and play
a positive role in helping Eritreans get rid of the one-man
dictatorship.
The Congress expressed its profound appreciation and gratitude to
Eritrean communities abroad, the civil societies, and internet websites
that have played their roles in exposing the grave human rights
violations of the Isaias regime through various means including public
demonstrations.
The Congress paid deep gratitude to the people and government of
Ethiopia for kindly hosting this historic Second EDA Congress and
thanked all member countries of the Sanaa Forum for their sympathies and
support to the Eritrean people struggling against a dictatorship. The
Congress also extended its gratitude international humanitarian
organizations that have been providing assistance to our needy people
and commended the efforts made by Western human rights organizations in
exposing the wrong deeds of the Eritrean regime of Isaias Afwerki.
The Congress demanded the international community to make exerted
diplomatic efforts to see the final implementation of the still
unresolved border issue between Eritrea and Ethiopia based on the
decision of the Border Commission.
In conclusion, the Congress called upon the international community to
make pressure bear upon the dictatorial regime in Eritrea to release all
political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and alto to support
through different means the Eritrean people’s struggle for change, peace
and democracy.
Victory to the Struggle of the Eritrean People!
Glory and Eternal Memory to our Martyrs!
The 2nd EDA Congress
20 February 2007. |
