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No living being or organization Continues to Exist
without change
Eritrean Liberation
Front-RC
Information and Cultural Office
July 10, 2008
When ELF entered
Sudanese territory in the early 80s because of the political and
military attack launched against it, some of its senior leaders declared
ELF a living entity – no matter what ELF was born to live not to die.
However, before the ink on their statement dried, they rushed to join
EPLF, leaving behind their members whom they had earlier bombarded with
their slogans and statements.
Now, after a
quarter of century hibernation, we are witnessing some lost soul
individuals talk about ELF-RC’s patriotism and sacrifices in an effort
to stifle the process of the new party. They declared no one should have
the right to dissolve ELF-RC. Ironic, yes it is ironic. They just
appeared from their concealed position. It might sound a sincere concern
for those who are unacquainted with these individuals and their fib
arguments. But for those of us who know them, their mockery is nothing
but exposing themselves to ridicule.
The truth is their
concern is not the wellbeing of ELF-RC. Their principal concern arises
from the new party that is registering acceptance in the public arena.
The strategic decision of ELF-RC to dissolve its front and join hands
with others in a new broad base political party formation to bring
peace, justice, and democracy in Eritrea did not settle well with them.
Then, their indifference to the party resorted to the oblivious, and
that is attempting to drive a wedge between members of ELF-RC. But such
pretentious character would not work now. The point is people who
believe in perpetuating problems and conflicts cannot do anything but
serve, protect and become a tool to the tyrannical regime.
The initiative
undertaken by ELF-RC reflects the change and progress Eritrean people
desire. It is in this spirit why hundreds of professionals, youths, and
women are answering the call of joining the new party. This is a slap on
the face for those who expected otherwise. ELF-RC is marching to
participate in the party founding congress intact. ELF-RC is for change.
Remember, when ELF
entered Sudan in the early 80s, ELF leaders declared that ELF would
continue, would exist... etc as fine as ever mantra. Yes, we were
touched by it, we raised hopes, and we worked hard to achieve it. Our
emotions ran high to the extent of blinding our reasoning faculty. We
did not question why and how ELF would have continued, existed, or died.
In the midst of all this, the choice of Eritrean people was never
factored in. Nor did we ask how ELF could have continued in the absence
of Eritrean people’s support. We have done enough of chanting slogans in
our history without questioning. A quarter century after, time has
changed. As the Tigrigna saying goes, “kem kedem Mesilkun Wuhig
Yiwesdekn.” (Those who dream and live in the past may not survive the
present).
Furthermore, as in
any development, there are contending events in any society by which
governments, political and social groups, and empires rise, have a life
of their own, and finally fall or die. Mainly, they give way to others
because they find themselves unable to cope with the demands and changes
of societies. This is why we say there are no permanent governments but
permanent people. There are massive instances in history where the rise
and fall of governments took place. For example, Ottoman, Roman, and
Spain empires fell and later French, Britain, and Italian empires
succeeded them. Then, these empires collapsed after WWII and the nations
under their colony became independent nations. Finally, America and
Russia emerged as the next powerful empires. Even looking at our region
such as Sudan and Ethiopia, we find a number of governments rose and
fell. Political organizations are no exceptions.
Therefore, all
political organizations or governments are a means for accomplishing
goals; they are not goals in themselves. The goal is to ensure justice,
peace, democracy, and prosperity. At last, any political organization or
government, which is not sufficiently competent enough to carry out
these goals vanishes or gives way to others.
ELF came into
being in 1961. It reached maturity, it grew in size, and it registered
unparalleled achievement. At last, it reached the phase of
disintegration. Unable to achieve justice, peace, and democracy, it had
to be replaced by others. The fate waiting for PFDJ is the same. And we
know PFDJ is approaching the brink of death because it is incapable of
achieving those goals. Hence, the argument that ELF, EPLF, or PFDJ came
into being to remain in existence is nothing but deceiving our people
and ourselves. Such state of understanding stands in the way of change.
Without change, no living being or organization exists or continues to
exist.
It is with this
understanding that the new party embarks on bringing change and
development by preserving our people’s positive experiences and
struggles on one hand and by correcting our shortcomings on the other.
On the other hand, if an organization resorts to defending its mistakes
and weakness, it will simply mean maintaining the status quo. It will
mean no way out from the present predicament.
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