Recollections - A Historical Puzzle
by Paul B. Henze
Foreword: I returned to Asmara from service as an Observer in the Eritrean Referendum at Om Hager the evening of 26 April 1993. The next morning I had a breakfast time telephone call from Hagos Gebre Hiwot in Provisional President Isaias Aferwerki's office--Isaias wished to talk to me. Could I come to see him at 10 o'clock that morning? Of course. A car was at the Ambasoira Hotel at 5 to 10. I spent the next hour and a half in Isaias's office with him. The only others at this session were Hagos Gebre Hiwot and a note-taker named Tewolde.
I made a full record of this conversation immediately afterward, for I was impressed by the good sense of what Isaias had said and felt that the conversation was historic. Indeed it was! But what a contrast with his behavior from 1997 onward and with what he has been saying recently! My record of this conversation follows:
Isaias welcomed me, saying that he felt it was important to talk to me because my judgments and advice would be important for the future of the whole region. He asked about my impressions of the way the referendum had gone in Om Hager and elsewhere in the west. I said I had been pleasantly surprised to find so little evidence of Christian-Muslim strain and so little reason to believe that Eritreans returning from Sudan were bringing religious extremism along with them. Contrary to what I had been hearing from others about Isaias's current concerns, he expressed very confident views on religion.
"The NIF in Sudan has tried to recruit a few Eritreans to spread its line here," he said, "but they have had very little success. The extremists who have come back can be counted in tens only--when they come back here, they discover that Eritrean priorities are most important."
Isaias favors free movement across the border and believes that all the refugees who want to return can be accommodated as economic development accelerates. I expressed confidence that Eritreans will see their interest in maximum development of the country--both economically and politically--and not in being easily drawn into political or religious adventurism. I said the outcome of the referendum confirmed me in this feeling. He agreed.
The conversation turned quickly to discussion of ethnicity, political parties, democratization, and Ethiopia. Isaias remains deeply disturbed by the course political development in Ethiopia is taking. He believes the EPRDF must moderate its preoccupation with ethnic structuralism and ethnic politics. He spoke quite disdainfully of last year's rush to elections, naively assuming that they would win Western approval. He characterized parties based on ethnic groups as harmful to democracy. He made it clear that he wants to require political parties in Eritrea to have political programs that reflect various views of national interests. Religion and ethnicity are out as a basis for political organization:
"People have to be prepared for voting. We have not had elections in two of our regions--Asmara and Dancalia--because they are not yet prepared for them. We want to build political participation from the ground up. We are working on a party law that will be part of our constitution."
I said I thought it important that the constitutional process not be hurried and mentioned the need for Ethiopia to go slowly in this respect. I told him I had already urged Meles to avoid a rigid timetable on the constitutional processes and to be ready to modify the ethnic principle in administration. Looking backward Isaias said the EPRDF had miscalculated on the importance of the OLF:
"It is clear that the OLF lacked first-class leadership and strong support among the people."
Isaias sees Ethiopia's domestic political and economic problems as well as its international situation as quite parallel to those of Eritrea. He expressed concern that the U.S. is pulling out of Somalia too fast. I said that continued large-scale involvement in Somalia would leave no American resources for African countries that were trying to make something of themselves. He said he considered it important for Ethiopia to be involved in Somalia: "Perhaps Ethiopia could push the Somalis into creating some kind of order." I noted that at least one problem seemed now to be settled--Somali irredentism is no longer a worry for anyone in the Horn. Somalis in Ethiopia are happy to be there and insulated from the troubles across the border. Isaias concluded by saying he hoped the United States would continue to be involved in Somalia.
Isaias was interesting on Afars:
"It was wise of the Ethiopians to have made Habib Ali Mirah head of the Afar region because "the fellow is a moderate who understands where the best interests of the Afars lie--while Ali Mirah himself is a confused man who still has visions of himself as a grand sultan to whom all Afars owe allegiance. The Afars who are happiest today are those in Dancalia--for their interests and those of Eritrea coincide."
Isaias described the Afar problem as the result of Mengistu's arming of the Afars who then fled into Djibouti territory and stirred up trouble there:
"The French could have asserted more authority and prevented this. The Afars are at best only 40% of the population of Djibouti and are less developed than the Issas in every respect. They cannot gain dominance. But they have little respect for life, They are a wild people and can be led into fanaticism that serves no one's interests. Our problem is to draw them into development and this will take time. It is an advantage that Habib was educated at the University of Asmara and understands Eritrea."
Isaias considers Yemen an integral part of the Horn. He believes the Saudis treated the Yemenis badly. He is encouraging maximum trade with Yemen in both directions and is confident that over time the Yemenis will make a success of their unified country. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, he considers a time bomb:
"It is an explosion waiting to happen. Money cannot buy stability. No country can develop on the basis of foreign labor that has no stake in the country's development. We will not let the Saudis play with us--we insist on following our own interests. They must learn to live with that."
He spoke very positively of Israel:
"Israel has a great deal to offer us and is being very helpful. We are not going to let anyone tell us we cannot manage our relations with Israel as we wish."
We came back to discussion of ethnicity and politics two or three times--both in respect to Ethiopia and in respect to developments in Eritrea. Isaias cited the American approach to ethnicity as the kind of model he wants to follow:
"People should be free to express their unique interests in ways that do not undermine the national interest and national development goals. Most Eritrean Muslims are Khatmia--they are naturally moderate and sensible. Neither ethnicity nor religion are priorities with them. They want peace and a better life and the task of the independent government we are now creating is to gain those objectives for the Eritrean people."
Isaias is eager for foreign investment, especially from the United States. He wants rapid reconstruction of highways and irrigation facilities. He expected that the World Bank will be giving Eritrea generous support for road development.
I gave Isaias impressions of my recent visits to the ex-Soviet Union. He listened with attention.
Near the end of the meeting I mentioned our stop yesterday in Semenawi Bahri [an escarpment region below Adi Teklesan], and how thrilled I was at the beauty of the region. Isaias smiled and said: "We are going to turn it into a national park and develop it for tourism."
All in all, I had the impression that Isaias had given considerable thought to what he wanted to say to me. His statements about Eritrea's position and present state of development were very thoughtfully formulated. He repeated several times how important it was for Eritrea to have a constructive relationship with the U.S. I said I knew many American institutions were eager to undertake programs to help Eritrea and cited proposals the University of Oklahoma people have recently mentioned to me. Isaias didn't know that this university had a long history of good work in Ethiopia. He glowed when I said I considered it important for him to come to the States later this year. I said that Meles Zenawi would also be coming.
There were a couple of times when Isaias impressed me as tired, but on the whole he displayed considerable energy and sparkle, laughed several times, was delighted to have our picture taken together "so that you can prove to people in the States that I am neither dead nor disabled." He was dressed very casually--light shirt and sweater, sandals. Hagos had on blue jeans and a nylon jacket. There is still very little formality about the Eritrean government. Tewolde took meticulous notes during the entire conversation and commented to me as we went out to the car that he had enjoyed the discussion of issues very much.
Afterword: Reading my record of this meeting more than 14 years later. I find it hard to understand why this man proceeded to fan tensions with Sudan, Yemen and Djibouti during the years 1994-1197 and then finally to invade Ethiopia in 1998. Since Ethiopia defeated his armies in 2000 he has pursued a program of implacable hostility. Instead of welcoming aid for developing Eritrea, he has harassed and finally forbidden most international agencies and private organizations from operating in Eritrea. He has stubbornly persisted in attempts to undermine Ethiopia by offering support to dissidents and hostile movements, including the Oromo movements he denounced to me in 1993. He is aiding and abetting terrorists and supporting Islamic extremists. Since Ethiopia intervened in Somalia in December 2006, he has done everything Eritrea's meager resources enable him to do to encourage disorder in Somalia and resistance to African Union and international efforts to stabilize the country. His invective against the United States now knows no bounds.
Ethiopians speculated in the late 1990s that the attack of cerebral malaria which almost killed Isaias in 1996 twisted his mind. The only other--and more rational--explanation for his behavior during the past ten years is that internal resistance in Eritrea proved so difficult for him to manage that he reverted to authoritarian methods in which he had been indoctrinated when he became a dedicated Marxist in the early 1980s to intimidate Eritrea's population into submission. This has led him to imprison a large proportion of his former colleagues, reject the constitution that Bereket Habte Selassie laboriously crafted in the mid-1990s, and abandon even the pretense of creating a democratic political system and open society.
Can such an approach ensure his continuation in power? Can despotism lay the basis for a genuinely independent Eritrea? It seems doubtful.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
THE ORWELIAN WORLD OF ERITREAN POLITICS
"Nothing big is accomplished with out zeal and passion…” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Foolishness is the greatest of all human follies …” Lao Tze
Mikias Mihretab Yohannes
In our everyday life, we are affected by politics of the land and the world more than any thing else. Though it seems undemanding and no big deal, there is no way of avoiding politics and its intricacies, successfully .As the Ethiopian prime Minster Meles Zenawi said once….. Even the mere statement” I don’t like politics is politics by itself!” Yes, from paying taxes to laws and regulations regarding land and housing and business transaction, to buying our daily bread, almost every thing is politics or has something to do with it. As one prominent politician wrote once “our every day life and existence is wrapped up in politics"
All of us are participants of politics of our land either willingly or not. Though the degree of participation and activity differs from nation to nation, every one of us is a player in the never-ending theatre of politics. Political life and the role of its actors in a society differ significantly from country to country though this gap is narrowing by the day.
There are certain common or defining feature and elements in politics among normal political entities or systems. All over the world citizens have some kind of participation or say in their government’s politics and affair of state. In a number of nations, the political freedom of their subjects and even resident aliens is at its best. In other unfortunate ones subjects are mere followers of the political whims and dreams of their officials and those in power. The right to vote, to freely assemble, to express views with out reprisal, and to get full legal protection is enshrined in many countries constitution and laws. These and other rights are the sign of a healthy political life and structure. A nation can be under absolute monarchy like say Morocco but its citizens can still enjoy some of the amenities of a normal political life. A regime also can have the phrase” democratic republic" In its designation in countries like North Korea (officially DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF KOREA D.P.R.K),but with no political and economic and other rights to its citizens what so ever. As of today such totalitarian nations are vanishing from the face of the earth rapidly. Hope fully there will be none some times soon in the near future.
The Eastern African nation of Eritrea is under a unique Orwellian style of political system for quite a while now. Under the leadership of Mr. Issias Afewerki, Eritrean politics is a class by itself with few comparisons, if any. It is hard and will be inaccurate to precisely define or describe the existing Eritrean political system and life. Just like the weather of the day, Eritrean politics fluctuates unpredictably and erratically. But it can be judged and analyzed from the disastrous impact it had on its people both inside and outside of Eritrea, neighboring countries and to lesser extent the world at large. In the past 15 or so years, a lot has happened in Eritrean politics, most of it of course with tragic consequences. In those seemingly few 15 years of existence, Eritrea and its politics has fallen so low so fast and with no end in sight. The Orwellian politics of Eritrea is unmatched by any other country in Africa or any where else for that matter. From hosting the then US secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld and other top US military and intelligence officials, to giving venue and military aid to Somali anti US insurgents, Eritrea's political circus is an amazing act of self destruction. With in very short period of time, the country Eritrea, which was one of the only two or three nations who support US invasion of Iraq, is now on the waiting list of "nations who sponsor state terrorism”. In the bizarre and strange Eritrean political arena, there is no rule to follow or standard game to play. One plus one can be two or three or thirty three or three thousand it depends on the weather and sanity of the leader. In the Orwellian republic of Eritrea, just asking for a meeting with the leadership can mean death or indefinite imprisonment. In he most nightmarish political landscape of Eritrea, one can rot" in jail with or with out a crime. Trying to escape to a better life to other countries can mean jail or death by firing squad in Haddas Eritrea (new Eritrea).
Even George Orwell will have a hard time envisaging such barbaric political system. There are also some funny moments in the otherwise horrific Eritrean politics. A few years ago the PFDJ, cultural department banned all Amharic music in public places. it was reported by the BBC and other news outlets. Then few years later, the famous Amharic" singer Solomon Tekalegn was seen singing and dancing (in Amharic of course!) to a crowd of in Eritreans at Asmara expo hall. A friend of mine, who was there, describes how out of shape PFDJ officials were dancing to the tune of Solomon’s "ERE GOBEZ ERE GOBEZ...." and other Amharic nationalist songs. Imagine Yemane Gebreab doing the Amharic "ESKISTA" or General Wuchu dancing in MENZIGNA????(He might have to learn now how to dance in Somali or Sri-Lankan as well)
In the brutal landscape of Eritrea there is no room for dialogue, tolerance, patience or wisdom. All these are considered as signs of weakness and feminine behavior. Just like in the jungle, you either eat or kill or you will be devoured and be eaten by other wolves. So far the most successful beast of all has killed and ate almost any one who stands in front of him. The merciless hunting, killing and destroying of victims is going on unabated.
In the sadistic political administration of Eritrea ,there is nothing like clemency ,pardon, reduced sentence, mercy, parole etc. These are totally alien words in Eritrean political dictionary! Once you are shipped to on e of the several Gulags
(Soviet style prisons) all over the country, there is no guarantee that you will be back safely There is high probability that you will never see your day in court. Tens of thousands of Eritreans including the writer of this article have been victims of such callousness and inhumanity. Many are languishing under terrible conditions till this day. To come to my point, even the most brutal dictatorial regimes have displayed some grain of humanity from time to time. From Saddam Hussein to Papa Doc Duvalier of Haiti, Mengistu to Mao to the current Burmese dictatorship, they demonstrate a certain degree of humanity albeit occasionally. Prisoners are released or get pardon or their terms slashed on the eve of national day or some other local holiday. Scores of political and other inmates are released or their term reduced, marking like the birth day of the tyrant of the day or on some other special day of the land. In one of his last act as head of state, Saddam Hussein Al Tikrti of Iraq released almost all Iraqi political and other prisoners. In Mengistu;s Stalinist Ethiopia, some political and other prisoners(including several Eritreans) were being freed on the day of revolution day or some other days like the tenth anniversary of the Ethiopian revolution in 1985 or under some other circumstances. In many Muslim and Arab countries thousands of prisoners are expected to be freed or their term reduced marking the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid. Libyan strong man Muammar Gadafi is known to raze prisons to the ground by bulldozer from time to time, when he is feeling good. Prisoners all over the world have thousands of ways of being at liberty even with out completing their sentences
There is nothing like that in hellish Eritrea under Issias and his henchmen .There is no annual pardon, amnesty, parole or even appeal in Eritrea Africa’s Singapore (remember?). Many families (some of whom I know personally) of jailed Eritreans, were expecting the release of their loved ones during the eve of the tenth anniversary of Independence Day celebrations. Rumor was rife in Asmara and other cities and towns that some political prisoners will be released marking the 10th anniversary of independence day in 2001 or 2003.I personally know a Muslim family in Asmara whose father was arrested and disappeared since 1994.The wife of the person really believed in the rumors and thought her husband is going to come home after all these years,. A high ranking official and relative of the family told the lady that her husband might be among those who will be freed during the 10th Independence Day anniversaries. The family were jubilant and in high spirit expecting their dear father to be with them. I, as a friend of the family was part of this festive mood in the household though deep inside me I was in doubt that any good thing will come from the God less Shabias .10th anniversary and other anniversaries pass but nothing happened. Let alone massive pardon or amnesty, not a single detainee was released .Not a sole Eritrean was able to join his family on this and other supposedly happy days of the people. Just imagine the pain and anguish of the family. Think of the crushed spirit of the family and other countless Eritrean families! Yes tyranny and fascism has reached an unprecedented level of cruelty in Issias's Eritrea. The Orwellian life of Eritreans is full of such heart breaking tales. In this time of freedom and liberty all over the world, in this age of elections and ballot boxes, where people are liberated and express their will, Eritreans of all sorts are languishing in under ground dungeons and torture chambers all over the land. Journalists, followers of different religions, prominent businessmen, every day people, and young people some of them as young as 14 or 15 are rotting in Issias' Afewerki’s s penal complexes.
The sad irony is that many Eritreans (both inside and outside) are becoming desensitized about this human horror story. So much brutality for so long have changed many Eritreans in to docile sheep like opportunistic creatures. A lot of Eritreans, even those outside of Eritrea are highly traumatized by what is taking place in their homeland. You can see it from their face and feel the despair despite their ardent effort to hide it (typical unhealthy Eritrean trait).
The news from home stating that some body is arrested or some one has disappeared or some people have fled is falling in to deaf ears in many instances .Arrest, roundup, illegal seizure, beating, endless servitude, rape, and all kinds of abuse are becoming everyday Eritrean staples under the terrorist regime of Issias Afewerki .In the many public gathering and meeting of Eritreans here in the united states the talk is full of "KUSTO ,TEASIRU,KUSTO DEHAYU YELEN, BEALL EGELE HADIMOM....(meaning =some one has been arrested, there is no news of some body, or some people have fled..)
In the unforgiving political terrain of Eritrea, no one forgives no body and there is no room for compromise or dialogue .In-fact compromise and the word” I am sorry or I apologize" are on the verge of extinction all together. Some countries risk the loss and extinction of their fauna or flora, Eritrea and Eritreans are losing their God given decency and normality. The brutal Orwellian political system and life inside Eritrea is affecting almost all Eritrean religious, social, economic and civic life affair as well. Though the PFDJ clique is a class by itself in this destructive behavior, unfortunately it has many followers all over the world. Eritreans have a hard time working together or reaching a consensus regarding many issues. Several Eritreans couldn’t even work together for short period of time. There is a huge degree of mistrust and hatred among Eritrean groups and different personality’s .Anger, rage, chaos, bewilderment and unbelievable ignorance is in the air. This is a sad but true state of Eritrea and Eritreans now days all over the world. Various Eritreans (both as a group and individual) are having a hard time concentrating on issues and seeing clearly the obstacles and the solutions to problems. The democratic opposition to the Asmara regime, though it has a lot of decent honorable people, its existence is in precarious situation, let alone facing and challenging the tyrannical regime in Eritrea. As of this writing, not a single Eritrean village or town is under the opposition’s control. The resistance seems waiting for a miracle to happen. This kind of insane politics is unheard of in Africa or in any other third world countries with similar background.
Now a days many Eritreans join the opposition parties or groups just for "WEREQET"(to get asylum support letter for their petition in the immigration offices).Ask any young Eritrean why he/she joins such and such movement .They will tell you on your face just NWEREQET( For asylum support letter).After they get their "WEREQET' and approval of asylum by the host government ,many will not even remember the name of the group or party they first join in. This is the factual reality of politics, Eritrean style. Many disappointed Eritreans have resolved to their fate under such circumstances. Some opt to lick the boots of the butchers of Eritrea, just to go home, buy some land or sleep with some poor girls over there. Some have decided not to have anything with Eritrean politics what so ever. Still some more resort to alcohol and stuff and lead a very uneventful dull life. The only commonality to many Eritreans all over is the never changing love of dance and the GUWYLA. The sadistic regime in Asmara has a password for this malaise and utter weakness of Eritreans and keeps on churning and sending different musicians and singers year after year Festival after festival. It is common and even expected practice ,to attend a political meeting for one hour or so and then dance "gwayla" for two three hours after that .Eritrean dance regarding almost any occasion. They dance and dance and dance more any time of the year. Eritrteans, specially the highlanders(the majority of muslim Eritreans are free of such idolatry and madness) have an amazing and yet scarry obsession in the verge of idolatry with dancing! While the nation is burning and dying and crying for help, Eritreans keep on dancing and this foolishness is shared equally between the PFDJ worshippers and the opposition groups. I remember attending an opposition sponsored meeting some time ago. The meeting was about the overall sad situation in Eritrea and its impact on its people. Speaker after speaker were addressing the hellish life inside Eritrea and how the international community was quiet and not taking actions. A very somber meeting full of tragic stories and events from home. I was one of among the many sad and depressed faces in the hall. The meeting ended by passing resolutions and communiqués. Then an announcer told that after the meeting there is going to be...........(you guessed it) G.W.A.Y.L A and TSEWETA(dancing)!!!!
The somber and gloomy faces of quite some time ago were jumping and howling like the zebras and impalas of the SERENGETI! Some were jumping high, others were bending their back like plastic others were moving their neck left and right fast like a table tennis player .still others were circling and circling and keep on circling in the endless circle dance of the Tigrinya speakers. I ask my self” what is there to celebrate and dance for?" "What kind of stupidity is this" Does God has created other foolish people too?" Is it not a time of prayer, solitude and deep sadness on what is taking place in our land?. To be honest there is nothing: normal" among today’s Eritrea and Eritreans. Every thing is full of Orwellian tragic tales and plain insanity. Deceit, betrayal, cruelty, opportunistic behavior, malice, ignorant racism and foolishness are becoming the defining trade marks of Eritreans .And this is very good news indeed to the PFDJ regime. The over all political, social and civic status is unhealthy and unacceptable. It needs massive overhaul and great correction. Doing something over and over again and expecting different result is insanity as many wise men have said it before. But this sign of insanity is not exclusively for PFDJ and its leaders only .All of us are at high risk of participating and contributing to this lunacy roulette and act of ruin .Whether we like it or not a chronic political illness, confusion, chaos and identity crisis is lurking in to Eritrean psyche at high speed. The famous Eritrean spirit known for its tenacity and resolve is being replaced by unstable minds, crushed spirits and racist attitudes. One of the lasting legacies of the Orwellian government of Mr. Issias Afewerki is the systematic, secretive, deliberate and brutally efficient mutilation of the Eritrean spirit and psyche. Look at the photos of our grand fathers and fathers and see how they shine and glow even from the old pictures. Men of honor, reputation, truth and faith they live and died with dignity. Look at the current PFDJ virus infected generation: disheveled, broken, full of lie and betrayal, no faith or fear of God what so ever, full of fear and terror, living like a rabbit and dying like a rat! Yes, this is painful and heart breaking to many Eritreans, but that is the factual state of affair of our life.
In the final analysis, the question is there a hope? Is there a chance, even a slim one, of returning to normalcy? This is a million dollar question with no easy answer. As almost any thing in this earth, one couldn’t be totally pessimistic and hopeless .There are a lot of instances in history where seemingly doomed to failure causes turn around for the better. There are also countless situations where things might deteriorate even further. Some brutally terrorized societies have bounced back and are leading normal life. Others are unlucky and are descending further and deeper to mayhem and pandemonium. To know which societies have rebounded back and which are still living in terror and darkness and are spiraling downwards is not as difficult as a rocket science. Any one who listens and follow the news will have a clear picture of what I am saying about. Let’s work, hope and pray incessantly that we will be counted among the fortunate few.
“Foolishness is the greatest of all human follies …” Lao Tze
Mikias Mihretab Yohannes
In our everyday life, we are affected by politics of the land and the world more than any thing else. Though it seems undemanding and no big deal, there is no way of avoiding politics and its intricacies, successfully .As the Ethiopian prime Minster Meles Zenawi said once….. Even the mere statement” I don’t like politics is politics by itself!” Yes, from paying taxes to laws and regulations regarding land and housing and business transaction, to buying our daily bread, almost every thing is politics or has something to do with it. As one prominent politician wrote once “our every day life and existence is wrapped up in politics"
All of us are participants of politics of our land either willingly or not. Though the degree of participation and activity differs from nation to nation, every one of us is a player in the never-ending theatre of politics. Political life and the role of its actors in a society differ significantly from country to country though this gap is narrowing by the day.
There are certain common or defining feature and elements in politics among normal political entities or systems. All over the world citizens have some kind of participation or say in their government’s politics and affair of state. In a number of nations, the political freedom of their subjects and even resident aliens is at its best. In other unfortunate ones subjects are mere followers of the political whims and dreams of their officials and those in power. The right to vote, to freely assemble, to express views with out reprisal, and to get full legal protection is enshrined in many countries constitution and laws. These and other rights are the sign of a healthy political life and structure. A nation can be under absolute monarchy like say Morocco but its citizens can still enjoy some of the amenities of a normal political life. A regime also can have the phrase” democratic republic" In its designation in countries like North Korea (officially DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF KOREA D.P.R.K),but with no political and economic and other rights to its citizens what so ever. As of today such totalitarian nations are vanishing from the face of the earth rapidly. Hope fully there will be none some times soon in the near future.
The Eastern African nation of Eritrea is under a unique Orwellian style of political system for quite a while now. Under the leadership of Mr. Issias Afewerki, Eritrean politics is a class by itself with few comparisons, if any. It is hard and will be inaccurate to precisely define or describe the existing Eritrean political system and life. Just like the weather of the day, Eritrean politics fluctuates unpredictably and erratically. But it can be judged and analyzed from the disastrous impact it had on its people both inside and outside of Eritrea, neighboring countries and to lesser extent the world at large. In the past 15 or so years, a lot has happened in Eritrean politics, most of it of course with tragic consequences. In those seemingly few 15 years of existence, Eritrea and its politics has fallen so low so fast and with no end in sight. The Orwellian politics of Eritrea is unmatched by any other country in Africa or any where else for that matter. From hosting the then US secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld and other top US military and intelligence officials, to giving venue and military aid to Somali anti US insurgents, Eritrea's political circus is an amazing act of self destruction. With in very short period of time, the country Eritrea, which was one of the only two or three nations who support US invasion of Iraq, is now on the waiting list of "nations who sponsor state terrorism”. In the bizarre and strange Eritrean political arena, there is no rule to follow or standard game to play. One plus one can be two or three or thirty three or three thousand it depends on the weather and sanity of the leader. In the Orwellian republic of Eritrea, just asking for a meeting with the leadership can mean death or indefinite imprisonment. In he most nightmarish political landscape of Eritrea, one can rot" in jail with or with out a crime. Trying to escape to a better life to other countries can mean jail or death by firing squad in Haddas Eritrea (new Eritrea).
Even George Orwell will have a hard time envisaging such barbaric political system. There are also some funny moments in the otherwise horrific Eritrean politics. A few years ago the PFDJ, cultural department banned all Amharic music in public places. it was reported by the BBC and other news outlets. Then few years later, the famous Amharic" singer Solomon Tekalegn was seen singing and dancing (in Amharic of course!) to a crowd of in Eritreans at Asmara expo hall. A friend of mine, who was there, describes how out of shape PFDJ officials were dancing to the tune of Solomon’s "ERE GOBEZ ERE GOBEZ...." and other Amharic nationalist songs. Imagine Yemane Gebreab doing the Amharic "ESKISTA" or General Wuchu dancing in MENZIGNA????(He might have to learn now how to dance in Somali or Sri-Lankan as well)
In the brutal landscape of Eritrea there is no room for dialogue, tolerance, patience or wisdom. All these are considered as signs of weakness and feminine behavior. Just like in the jungle, you either eat or kill or you will be devoured and be eaten by other wolves. So far the most successful beast of all has killed and ate almost any one who stands in front of him. The merciless hunting, killing and destroying of victims is going on unabated.
In the sadistic political administration of Eritrea ,there is nothing like clemency ,pardon, reduced sentence, mercy, parole etc. These are totally alien words in Eritrean political dictionary! Once you are shipped to on e of the several Gulags
(Soviet style prisons) all over the country, there is no guarantee that you will be back safely There is high probability that you will never see your day in court. Tens of thousands of Eritreans including the writer of this article have been victims of such callousness and inhumanity. Many are languishing under terrible conditions till this day. To come to my point, even the most brutal dictatorial regimes have displayed some grain of humanity from time to time. From Saddam Hussein to Papa Doc Duvalier of Haiti, Mengistu to Mao to the current Burmese dictatorship, they demonstrate a certain degree of humanity albeit occasionally. Prisoners are released or get pardon or their terms slashed on the eve of national day or some other local holiday. Scores of political and other inmates are released or their term reduced, marking like the birth day of the tyrant of the day or on some other special day of the land. In one of his last act as head of state, Saddam Hussein Al Tikrti of Iraq released almost all Iraqi political and other prisoners. In Mengistu;s Stalinist Ethiopia, some political and other prisoners(including several Eritreans) were being freed on the day of revolution day or some other days like the tenth anniversary of the Ethiopian revolution in 1985 or under some other circumstances. In many Muslim and Arab countries thousands of prisoners are expected to be freed or their term reduced marking the holy month of Ramadan and the Eid. Libyan strong man Muammar Gadafi is known to raze prisons to the ground by bulldozer from time to time, when he is feeling good. Prisoners all over the world have thousands of ways of being at liberty even with out completing their sentences
There is nothing like that in hellish Eritrea under Issias and his henchmen .There is no annual pardon, amnesty, parole or even appeal in Eritrea Africa’s Singapore (remember?). Many families (some of whom I know personally) of jailed Eritreans, were expecting the release of their loved ones during the eve of the tenth anniversary of Independence Day celebrations. Rumor was rife in Asmara and other cities and towns that some political prisoners will be released marking the 10th anniversary of independence day in 2001 or 2003.I personally know a Muslim family in Asmara whose father was arrested and disappeared since 1994.The wife of the person really believed in the rumors and thought her husband is going to come home after all these years,. A high ranking official and relative of the family told the lady that her husband might be among those who will be freed during the 10th Independence Day anniversaries. The family were jubilant and in high spirit expecting their dear father to be with them. I, as a friend of the family was part of this festive mood in the household though deep inside me I was in doubt that any good thing will come from the God less Shabias .10th anniversary and other anniversaries pass but nothing happened. Let alone massive pardon or amnesty, not a single detainee was released .Not a sole Eritrean was able to join his family on this and other supposedly happy days of the people. Just imagine the pain and anguish of the family. Think of the crushed spirit of the family and other countless Eritrean families! Yes tyranny and fascism has reached an unprecedented level of cruelty in Issias's Eritrea. The Orwellian life of Eritreans is full of such heart breaking tales. In this time of freedom and liberty all over the world, in this age of elections and ballot boxes, where people are liberated and express their will, Eritreans of all sorts are languishing in under ground dungeons and torture chambers all over the land. Journalists, followers of different religions, prominent businessmen, every day people, and young people some of them as young as 14 or 15 are rotting in Issias' Afewerki’s s penal complexes.
The sad irony is that many Eritreans (both inside and outside) are becoming desensitized about this human horror story. So much brutality for so long have changed many Eritreans in to docile sheep like opportunistic creatures. A lot of Eritreans, even those outside of Eritrea are highly traumatized by what is taking place in their homeland. You can see it from their face and feel the despair despite their ardent effort to hide it (typical unhealthy Eritrean trait).
The news from home stating that some body is arrested or some one has disappeared or some people have fled is falling in to deaf ears in many instances .Arrest, roundup, illegal seizure, beating, endless servitude, rape, and all kinds of abuse are becoming everyday Eritrean staples under the terrorist regime of Issias Afewerki .In the many public gathering and meeting of Eritreans here in the united states the talk is full of "KUSTO ,TEASIRU,KUSTO DEHAYU YELEN, BEALL EGELE HADIMOM....(meaning =some one has been arrested, there is no news of some body, or some people have fled..)
In the unforgiving political terrain of Eritrea, no one forgives no body and there is no room for compromise or dialogue .In-fact compromise and the word” I am sorry or I apologize" are on the verge of extinction all together. Some countries risk the loss and extinction of their fauna or flora, Eritrea and Eritreans are losing their God given decency and normality. The brutal Orwellian political system and life inside Eritrea is affecting almost all Eritrean religious, social, economic and civic life affair as well. Though the PFDJ clique is a class by itself in this destructive behavior, unfortunately it has many followers all over the world. Eritreans have a hard time working together or reaching a consensus regarding many issues. Several Eritreans couldn’t even work together for short period of time. There is a huge degree of mistrust and hatred among Eritrean groups and different personality’s .Anger, rage, chaos, bewilderment and unbelievable ignorance is in the air. This is a sad but true state of Eritrea and Eritreans now days all over the world. Various Eritreans (both as a group and individual) are having a hard time concentrating on issues and seeing clearly the obstacles and the solutions to problems. The democratic opposition to the Asmara regime, though it has a lot of decent honorable people, its existence is in precarious situation, let alone facing and challenging the tyrannical regime in Eritrea. As of this writing, not a single Eritrean village or town is under the opposition’s control. The resistance seems waiting for a miracle to happen. This kind of insane politics is unheard of in Africa or in any other third world countries with similar background.
Now a days many Eritreans join the opposition parties or groups just for "WEREQET"(to get asylum support letter for their petition in the immigration offices).Ask any young Eritrean why he/she joins such and such movement .They will tell you on your face just NWEREQET( For asylum support letter).After they get their "WEREQET' and approval of asylum by the host government ,many will not even remember the name of the group or party they first join in. This is the factual reality of politics, Eritrean style. Many disappointed Eritreans have resolved to their fate under such circumstances. Some opt to lick the boots of the butchers of Eritrea, just to go home, buy some land or sleep with some poor girls over there. Some have decided not to have anything with Eritrean politics what so ever. Still some more resort to alcohol and stuff and lead a very uneventful dull life. The only commonality to many Eritreans all over is the never changing love of dance and the GUWYLA. The sadistic regime in Asmara has a password for this malaise and utter weakness of Eritreans and keeps on churning and sending different musicians and singers year after year Festival after festival. It is common and even expected practice ,to attend a political meeting for one hour or so and then dance "gwayla" for two three hours after that .Eritrean dance regarding almost any occasion. They dance and dance and dance more any time of the year. Eritrteans, specially the highlanders(the majority of muslim Eritreans are free of such idolatry and madness) have an amazing and yet scarry obsession in the verge of idolatry with dancing! While the nation is burning and dying and crying for help, Eritreans keep on dancing and this foolishness is shared equally between the PFDJ worshippers and the opposition groups. I remember attending an opposition sponsored meeting some time ago. The meeting was about the overall sad situation in Eritrea and its impact on its people. Speaker after speaker were addressing the hellish life inside Eritrea and how the international community was quiet and not taking actions. A very somber meeting full of tragic stories and events from home. I was one of among the many sad and depressed faces in the hall. The meeting ended by passing resolutions and communiqués. Then an announcer told that after the meeting there is going to be...........(you guessed it) G.W.A.Y.L A and TSEWETA(dancing)!!!!
The somber and gloomy faces of quite some time ago were jumping and howling like the zebras and impalas of the SERENGETI! Some were jumping high, others were bending their back like plastic others were moving their neck left and right fast like a table tennis player .still others were circling and circling and keep on circling in the endless circle dance of the Tigrinya speakers. I ask my self” what is there to celebrate and dance for?" "What kind of stupidity is this" Does God has created other foolish people too?" Is it not a time of prayer, solitude and deep sadness on what is taking place in our land?. To be honest there is nothing: normal" among today’s Eritrea and Eritreans. Every thing is full of Orwellian tragic tales and plain insanity. Deceit, betrayal, cruelty, opportunistic behavior, malice, ignorant racism and foolishness are becoming the defining trade marks of Eritreans .And this is very good news indeed to the PFDJ regime. The over all political, social and civic status is unhealthy and unacceptable. It needs massive overhaul and great correction. Doing something over and over again and expecting different result is insanity as many wise men have said it before. But this sign of insanity is not exclusively for PFDJ and its leaders only .All of us are at high risk of participating and contributing to this lunacy roulette and act of ruin .Whether we like it or not a chronic political illness, confusion, chaos and identity crisis is lurking in to Eritrean psyche at high speed. The famous Eritrean spirit known for its tenacity and resolve is being replaced by unstable minds, crushed spirits and racist attitudes. One of the lasting legacies of the Orwellian government of Mr. Issias Afewerki is the systematic, secretive, deliberate and brutally efficient mutilation of the Eritrean spirit and psyche. Look at the photos of our grand fathers and fathers and see how they shine and glow even from the old pictures. Men of honor, reputation, truth and faith they live and died with dignity. Look at the current PFDJ virus infected generation: disheveled, broken, full of lie and betrayal, no faith or fear of God what so ever, full of fear and terror, living like a rabbit and dying like a rat! Yes, this is painful and heart breaking to many Eritreans, but that is the factual state of affair of our life.
In the final analysis, the question is there a hope? Is there a chance, even a slim one, of returning to normalcy? This is a million dollar question with no easy answer. As almost any thing in this earth, one couldn’t be totally pessimistic and hopeless .There are a lot of instances in history where seemingly doomed to failure causes turn around for the better. There are also countless situations where things might deteriorate even further. Some brutally terrorized societies have bounced back and are leading normal life. Others are unlucky and are descending further and deeper to mayhem and pandemonium. To know which societies have rebounded back and which are still living in terror and darkness and are spiraling downwards is not as difficult as a rocket science. Any one who listens and follow the news will have a clear picture of what I am saying about. Let’s work, hope and pray incessantly that we will be counted among the fortunate few.
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