Getting Organized, The Winning Strategy

In any political scenario at any corner of the world, it has been a proven political science fact that a competitor be it an organization, a party or an individual with the best organization wins.  Some of our readers may say that we are just repeating a known cliché.  It may seem a cliché but is it?   As they say "some things never change".  The fact that the entity that has the biggest, most efficient organization wins has not changed and is not expected to change any time soon. 

The other fact that never changes and is not subject for debate is the entity that expects to win must have a vision, a plan or a message the people accept.  One that does not have a message that resonates with the people is deemed to fail even if it is has the strongest organization.  Of course the above theory works only in a democratic environment where there is free and fair competition. 

How does this apply to the Eritrea of today?  How can the opposition camp which is made up of several independent with differing and at times opposing political programs use the strategy?   How does it apply to the silent majority?  What is the role of the active independents that have formed small scattered organizations or individuals in this strategy?  What should the role of ELF-RC in particular be?  These and others are reasonable questions to be raised by our readers.  Frankly that is where we are heading.  Stay with us while we look at them one at a time.

How does this apply to the Eritrea of today?  PFDJ has proven itself to be a strong organization that created an atmosphere that undermines both the traditional and new opposition organizations.  It also created a dictatorial atmosphere where there is no free and fair competition in the country.  The fact that it has been able to survive in the Diaspora despite its despotic acts of terror on our people is a testimony to the fact that it created a monopolizing organization.  It is obvious that the organization has started cracking after the senseless and avoidable war with Ethiopia.  However, the opposition should not kid itself that a formidable organization both inside and outside remains and a strategy needs to be mapped out of tackling it to the ground.  It is only when this organization crumbles and its members abandon it that the opposition can claim PFDJ is at the verge of collapse.  Otherwise, another danger can take place taking the country to yet another downward spiral of chaos and bloodshed under complete military rule by decree.  The opposition camp needs to organize itself in such a way that it can challenge and defeat PFDJ.

How can the opposition camp which is made up of several independent with differing and at times opposing political programs use the strategy?  This is the question of the year that there is no a specific prescription.  However, some common sense logical points can be outlined:

1.      Accept the  the differing/opposing ideologies and programs without forcing the other to change or totally submit. 

2.      Pick the common minimum program on which the differing organizations can work together.

3.      The organizations that have more than minimum program in common should form a working united front.

4.      Their roles and responsibilities in the alliances and united fronts should be negotiated frankly based on their capacities and capabilities.

5.      The whole opposition camp should work out a frame work for conducting the national conference.  The baseline for a national conference should be framed by bilateral discussions of the perspective leaderships and then followed by national conference committees from the parties like the Consultative Commission of ELF-RC to work out the details. 

How does it apply to the silent majority?  The silent majority usually wishes a democratic change to take place soon.  However, they usually do not take their proper role and do not join the organizations until a victory is sure.  The role of the silent majority is usually in indirect contribution like finance.  The silent majority can play a big role once the opposition camp gets its act together and start working together as stated above.  The silent majority rally around a winner and so the opposition should not expect this segment of our society to contribute in a meaningful way until they implement their own winning strategy.  

What is the role of the active independents that have formed small scattered organizations or individuals in this strategy?  Those who are forming independent civic societies, discussion forums or movements are on the right track.  The fact that they are getting organized is a step towards realizing it is an important part of winning.  They need to take it a step further and form bigger organizations with those have common programs.  The less scattered the organizations the more effective they would be.  They also can look at an organization that has the most in common with their own and join it.  They also can work with other entities in the opposition camp based on common minimum program.

 The individuals who are active are good contributors.  They like and enjoy their independence which allows them to say and act as they wish.   They are usually critical and point out flaws and weaknesses of the organizations.  That is well and good.  However, they have to realize winning comes with having a strong organization.  They should make the leap in joining the organization that appeals to them the most.  That is a sure way of correcting the weaknesses of the organization and contributing towards its development and improvement.  Trashing the organizations that are doing all they can from the sidelines may not be of value to our people.  Helping the organizations either by taking a membership or by coordinating with them in a constructive way is a better way of showing the concern of our people.   Waiting for the opposition to solve its problems and march towards a victory venue can be viewed as an opportunistic approach. 

What should the role of ELF-RC in particular be?  It is rather a matter of natural course for the organization to try to increase its membership.  It needs to improve in its marketing and propaganda effectiveness by elaborating and clarifying its democratic values, programs and practices.  Its news organs need to concisely and clearly present its policies and its stand on various issues that impact our people.  The leadership is on the right track and should continue the bilateral discussions with other organizations in the opposition camp:

1. A  delegation led by the chairman met with the leadership of ENA

2. The dialogue committee led by RC speaker held meetings with its counter part of the ENA

3. A delegation led by the chairman has met with ELF, EPLF-DP and other entities

These bilateral discussions can be used to promote working together based on common ground so that the opposition camp can forge ahead in more organized and effective manner in some form of united front.  So far, the signs are positive and it should be supported by all peace loving democratic forces and individuals so that it can materialize into actionable tangible agreements.   Few that stand against this noble effort are those who can't see beyond their narrow agenda and are not confident enough of their role in the whole scheme. In any case every one needs to understand the power of organization in the strategy of winning.

The Nharnet Team

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