TO THE POINT

“Zekeruna Ab Guday Hager”

Dear readers, The Nharnet Team posted this email a few days ago and we promised you that response was coming soon. Here is the response as we promised. First, we present you the email as it is except hiding the email address for obvious reasons:

zekeruna ab guday hager [XXXXXXX@hotmail.com]

webmaster@nharnet.com; elfrc@nharnet.com

Dear nharnet.com web masters,

First of all it is good start to answer the questions of the Eritrean ppl through to the point.

for now let me ask how far ELF-RC and others are ready to include the young generation in their activities? so far what we observe is shaebia/jabha hide and seek game? who will be recieving the nation tomorrow from both the ELF/EPLF leaders who are now almost all above 50 yrs of age? have they ever thought that they are getting older and they should open their doors to the young energetic eritrean youth who are not biased by the poloticawi hashewye nay kulen wedebat.

zekruna

kab asmara

XXXXXX@hotmail.com

First, we would like to let our readers know that we did not attempt to trace the email to verify if it actually originated from Asmara. As you well know, we cannot do the normal verification from Asmara that we would normally conduct from the Diaspora either.

Second, we think the question represents what is usually reflected in the minds of our youth but not articulately and explicitly expressed. The reason why it is not articulately expressed is mainly there is no platform for free expression in Eritrea. The PFDJ in the Diaspora has been using the intimidation, exclusion, harassment, and outright blackmail methodology and so has not been an inviting environment for the free expression of their true feeling either.

Third, The Nharnet Team has been encouraging our youth to be analysts, independent thinkers and participants in the shaping of the future of our nation and our people (see Congrats Class of 2002 on “To The Point” click here to read the article).

Fourth, we feel the question is timely and just. Our youth have the right to feel that they are being called to die for their country in every war the PFDJ started with the neighboring countries with out giving them the chance to debate whether the war is just, necessary or avoidable. PFDJ has been asking them to sacrifice their lives while denying them free expression even on matters such as wars for which they are supposed to die. Our youth have been sacrificed in un-necessary and avoidable wars. In fact, another one has almost started with the Sudan. The opposition has been banned from operating in Eritrea and so they are left with no platform for their participation.

The Nharnet Team is very encouraged by the many remarks and questions such as this that it has been receiving. The country cannot have a bright future without utilizing the full potential of our youth. The people cannot feel any sense of comfort unless they see their adult youngsters are ready to receive the responsibility of national affairs of our nation. ELF-RC ‘s vision is to establish a system of governance where you can contribute to your country with your fullest potential. ELF-RC cannot accomplish its objectives without your full participation and contribution. It cannot claim victory until you are ready to receive the responsibility of administering Eritrea where free expression, mutual respect, equality and justice are the norm; Eritrea where power is transferred peacefully and smoothly based on the free and open competition of parties and the free choice of our people. The PFDJ was counting on the hope that the youth will reject the opposition and the ideals of democracy, justice, freedom of expression, and human right will go away with the aging opposition members. We knew it all along though, the youth will go for what is better for their future and the whole nation. You are natural advocates of transparency and accountability.

We want to start answering your question by addressing your observations first:

“So far what we observe is shaebia/jabha hide and seek game? who will be recieving the nation tomorrow from both the ELF/EPLF leaders who are now almost all above 50 yrs of age? have they ever thought that they are getting older and they should open their doors to the young energetic eritrean youth who are not biased by the poloticawi hashewye nay kulen wedebat”.

Regardless of the age of the political leaders of the ELF and EPLF, you are entitled to engage in the political affairs of our nation. It is your right and should not be seen as a gift or permission from ELF-RC or EPLF. Any young adult should have the right to engage in the national debate of the present and the future of our nation. It should be constitutionally guaranteed for any one of legal age to vote, be elected, and participate in shaping the future of the Eritrean people. When we talk about the future of our nation, it is not subject to any logical deduction that we are talking about your future – the youth. However, unfortunately, our people in general, including the youth, the elderly, the peasant, the worker, the student, and the educated as well as the fighters of ELF-RC who have fought their whole life long have not been given any chance of freedom of expression or participation in the political affairs of our nation. The youth have been used as financial and labor source for PFDJ without any input in what gets decided about the people or the country.

It has never been a “seek and hide game” for the leaders, members and supports of ELF-RC. It has been a situation of great disappointment to see our courageous youth that gave their lives while being called “manjos”, an Arabic term indicating a fighter who is under age, do not have a say in what goes on in the country. It has been a tragedy to see lifelong fighters condemned unable to see their country, visit their dying mothers, fathers and family members. It has been a travesty for them to be called “kedaat” by people who did nothing for the independence of the country. So, if it is a game, it is one played by one side only, The PFDJ.

All along, unfortunately, some people think that ELF-RC is about revenge. We want assure you that it has nothing to do with revenge. The actions of ELF-RC do not support the theory that it is about paying back to the EPLF:

ELF-RC supported for EPLF to represent the dialogue for independence in London in 1991.
ELF-RC was ready for dialogue in Asmara and exists as a party in Eritrea in 1991 despite the fact PFDJ refused to let it participate in the provisional government it established.
ELF-RC suspended military operations for about 11 years after independence to give political pressure a chance to work.

Our issues today have nothing to do with revenge. They have every thing to do with the current devastation our nation and people are enduring. These are basic issues of democracy, the right for gathering and self-expression. In the process, ELF-RC is forced to defend itself when PFDJ tries to discredit the noble struggle of our martyrs and life long fighters as well as of our heroic people as a pretext for not allowing an opposition in Eritrea. We do not shy away from defending our historical role, or the dignity of our martyr heroes. Defending the name of our martyrs and pursuing for democracy, accountability and transparency are interwoven. PFDJ tries to defame ELF-RC so that it can deny it the peaceful and legal existence in Eritrea.

Otherwise, the idea that what is going on is ELF/EPLF “hide and seek” is far from the truth and is very simplistic as well as demeaning to the aspirations of the struggle of ELF-RC.

Now, lets look at your question “for now let me ask how far ELF-RC and others are ready to include the young generation in their activities?”

ELF-RC has been ready to include the youth in any activity it is engaged in. If there is any thing that the ELF-RC wants, it is for the youth not to loose hope and actively participate in the affairs of our nation and our people. The youth in the Diaspora has been slowly joining the ELF-RC once they come to realize PFDJ is about demanding sacrifice while denying all rights. The level of participation of the youth differs in different places. For those of you inside Eritrea, it is more difficult to get you to participate in the current activities since the activity is clandestine due to the brutality of PFDJ. However, if you try hard you will be able to find sympathizers and even cell members of ELF-RC. If that is not possible, listen to Voice of Democratic Eritrea to keep up with the current developments and of course visit Nharnet. Send your opinions to ELF-RC offices via email, fax, through word of mouth …etc. Organize with friends you trust and contact ELF-RC via one of its offices in the neighboring countries, Europe, or The Middle East.

The above method of contact is during the time we are struggling to change the system of governance. Our plan for the future is to guarantee, not only your participation, but also receiving the responsibility of managing the national affairs of “Tomorrow’s Eritrea” can be summarized as follows:

Starting now, we are working hard to build one army from all the armies the opposition organizations have built. Some automatically assume that this is because we want to launch a military offensive against PFDJ. Again, this does not have any truth to it. The main reason however is to have one constitutional army that is not controlled by any one organization or party. That is the only guarantee any party or organization that is not happy about a decision or does not get the power it wants does not resort to military means of achieving it. It is only then that we can have a meaningful and open freedom of expression and fair competition. That is the only guaranty also that we do not fall to the trap of civil war.
If No.1 above is achieved, we believe that most if not all members of the Defense Forces of Eritrea can have a choice of defying PFDJ and choose becoming defenders of a constitution and a nation instead of defenders of the power of an individual or a clique. They will join their brothers and sisters of “Serawit Hornet” to form a true National Defense Force that defends a nation and a constitution and not a single clique or party as is the case right now. This will take effort to achieve it even within the Alliance itself and calls for support from you and the rest of our people.
It is at that stage the youth of our country can freely express yourselves and form parties free from the influence of historical baggage of ELF and EPLF if you choose to.
We do not want the historical background of ELF and EPLF to cloud the Eritrean politics forever. We want to make sure that history a learning experience. We want fresh and new parties to emerge to engage in the current and future affairs of the nation. At that time, ELF-RC will cease to exist as a front. It has the right to continue as a political party and compete in an open and fair environment like every other party. In our vision, we do not exclude any one individual or party. The only power that should have that right of exclusion should be the Eritrean people by rejecting the ideas that a p party brings to the platform. Even PFDJ, as much as we condemn its present actions, has the right to exist and compete. Bringing individuals who committed crimes to justice based on evidences in a court of law is one thing; condemning groups and sections within our society with out due process is quite another. This means individuals who committed crimes on our people using uncontrolled power given to them by PFDJ should be brought to justice. However, that does not preclude PFDJ from rightfully competing in the Eritrea we envision. Even though, we believe that it will be despised and dismantled by our people because of its record.

In conclusion, we hope the above points clarify the fact that you need to do all you can to change the system in our country. It is only through your efforts and participation that your rights can be ascertained. It is only when you join ELF-RC that you can influence its polices; change polices that you may believe needs change or modification. Do not stand on the fence; instead, be part of the solution; and side with your people.

Again, we want to assure you that we are not about revenge. We are not about monopolizing power. We are not about exclusion. We are not about condemning any segment of society. We are about justice. We are about free and fair competition in the Eritrean politics. We are about transparency and accountability of political leaders and parties. We are not about coming to power using the barrel of the gun. We are not about “Kudeta detat” ("coup d'etat"). We are about constitutional empowerment of our people. We are about building a neutral constitutional army that is not under the control of any individual organization or party. That is when our youth can guarantee the safe and smooth transfer of power from the old to the young, from the minority to the majority, from a clique to the people. It is only through your participation and active engagement that we can get there.

Stay tuned for the reponse of the next readers’ question: unity is the only solution to our problem.

Glory to our Martyrs

The Nharnet Team