ERITREA  TODAY

Hunger Doesn't Know Political Boundaries

First, we would like to thank those who put their energy and time to bring the threat of hunger in our country to the attention of Eritreans who live abroad and to the whole world.  "Gual Haleqa" is to be commended for writing tirelessly to inform the cyber space community about the danger of starvation which is looming in our nation.  We hope other writers and public elements would do the same to bring what is happening to our people out to the open.  

What about the civic societies, the whole opposition camp, and other individuals who are concerned about our people and are opposed to the dictatorial regime in one way or another?  Is blaming the government enough? What can we do to make a dent in preventing the starvation on our end?  What about if the government uses some or even most of the aid to strengthen his weak economy and grip on our people? 

The above questions are symptoms of the confusion and helpless feeling among the Diaspora opposed to the government.  They seem not to know what their role is and what to do to help our helpless people without benefiting the regime.   These points and the frustration we notice on the faces of many prompted us to write this article.  We need to start by understanding that giving a helping hand to elevate the starvation looming among our people is beyond any political boundary.  Starvation is a cruel element that does not know any mercy unless it is fought head on.  Starvation could care less whether one sympathizes with the opposition or is a diehard supporter of PFDJ.  It will take him/her away at its convenience.  That convenience can only be hindered and therefore lives saved by doing what you can to prevent the starvation.  At this stage of the crisis, it does not really matter who is to blame for the cause of the starvation. One should just know hunger is threatening thousands of our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, and the live stock that are the basis of their survival.  Every one needs to do what they can to fight it.  We cannot stand on the fence.  It is time to be part of the solution.

People who are at the stage of collapse because of hunger would not care whose political agenda is better or who is a better leader.  Their mind is fully occupied on survival.  How can they think and worry about any thing else if their very survival is at stake.  Those who argue that we should not help the people so that PFDJ does not benefit in the process are not thinking through the issue with the depth it deserves. That is the very thing a dictatorship wants - the survival of the people to depend on what the government does.  They want people whose spirit too weak to fight.  People whose survival is at stake get their spirit broken.  People with broken spirit and will cannot stand up for what they believe in.  It is in the benefit of the opposition to prevent the will and spirit of our people from being weakened if we want our people to stand up for what is good for them and what is legitimately theirs.

The opposition should not play politics with the starvation our people are facing and should not worry about how much the PFDJ stands to gain.  The system is rotten and financial gain from what is being contributed and delivered to our people cannot sustain it for long.  We need to take it for granted that the government will gain from the aid donated by the humanitarian organizations and the contributions from Eritreans.  If there is a way where we can deliver the aid with out PFDJ benefiting is well and good. However, when that is not practical, then we need to do all that we can since the primary goal is to save as many brothers and sisters as possible form the danger of starvation. 

The Eritrean Red Cross and Red Crescent of ELF-RC has started campaigning in the International Humanitarian Organizations.   Every Eritrean needs to be the campaign ambassador in the communities they live.  They need to raise the issue in churches, mosques and other communal gatherings.   We can work with credible humanitarian organizations that operate in Eritrea. 

We are aware of the divisive practices of PFDJ.  Some may insult you.  Some may make fun of you.  Some will tell you that you are not an Eritrean and call you "Woyane".  By now that should not faith us.  We know who we are.  We do not need any one else's approval of our patriotism.  It has been a while since PFDJ orchestrated resolutions with the help of it cronies:

·        Not to associate with the opposition groups or elements

·        Not to go to funerals and burials of opposition elements

·        Not to go to weddings of opposition elements

·        Not to socialize with opposition groups

It is hard to believe Embassy officials supposedly representatives of all the people regardless of their political stand officially pass the resolutions in their so-called public meetings.  In practice, this clearly shows that they only represent PFDJ followers and not the people.  We are sure every opposition element would have been in the dungeons of different prison camps if they were in Eritrea.   There is some information that PFDJ security apparatus is preparing profiles of selected individuals to commit crimes against them using their relatives or close friends in a manner that can be attributed to accident.  We cannot expect PFDJ bosses to change their thinking to be in the best interest of the nation.  PFDJ in power is all they can think of.  Therefore, the right thing to do is help our people the way we can and to the extent possible ignoring PFDJ name-calling.  We need to work together as Eritreans not as members of individual parties or organizations when it comes to the issue of starvation.  Hunger does not know any political boundaries when it attacks and we should not put any political boundary when we fight against it.

Glory To Our Martyrs!!!!!!!

The Nharnet Team