Let’s start with one of my favorite songs: “Asmera Shkor, Asmera Bella, men kwedadera!” by Aaron Abraham. It roughly translates to “Nothing compares to you, sweet, beautiful Asmara”. Love knows no bounds, indeed. Nothing compares to the one you love most. It is poetry and the words are simply meant … more
Are we there yet? Has our Second Revolution started already? Is this the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? How far are we from the spark that will bring us closer to the destination? The destination is not an end unto itself of course; it’s just … more
Just like any dysfunctional relationship among humans, dictatorships don’t just occur overnight. They take years of bending, twisting and breaking the normal, healthy, rules of human bonding. Bullying gives way to submission and before we know it, acute problems turn into chronic ailments. A bride and a groom who vowed … more
Warning: The following article may be offensive to some old men and other slow moving objects. “May you live in interesting times”, goes the ancient Chinese proverb. It is supposed to be a veiled curse – a prelude to “May you find what you are looking for”. We yet have … more
Let’s get down right to it. Who among us honestly believes that the PFDJ regime will collapse or get toppled in the year 2011? How about 2012? Maybe? It’s a blind guess, isn’t it? Barring any unforeseen circumstances, there is little indication that the system is in an imminent danger … more
How is this for a rather crazy, absurd, naïve, unrealistic and outlandish idea? I believe next year’s National Conference for Democratic Change should be held in Asmara. Yes, Asmara as in Asmara, Eritrea. Calm down!…and hold your dismissive gestures please, for as one would expect, there are some fine prints–tiny … more
I saw Isaias Afwerki in person only on two occasions. The first one was in the summer of 1999 when he visited the United States and joined the Eritrean festival at an arena in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. The place was packed by as many as … more
As the title of the book insinuates, “Of Kings And Bandits” is a story – actually many artfully crafted stories – seemingly set to challenge the conventional wisdom and debunk widely accepted versions of history of Abysinia, by exploring tales and legends of “great kings” who ascend to power illegitimately, of viceroys and their lackeys who invade, pillage and kill; and of course, of bandits who are royalty in the hearts of their people. One people’s bandit is another’s freedom fighter.
moreIn 2006, US-backed Ethiopia invaded Somalia and removed from power the Islamic Courts Union, which it perceived as a brewing threat. To the United States, it was another extension of the global war on terror and it openly backed the invasion, claiming that the Islamic Courts were harboring terrorists responsible … more
Eritreans who live abroad know this very familiar drill. An inquisitive person asks “Where are you from?” and we proudly say “Eritrea” and get ready for that confused look that nine out of ten people give us. Never heard of our tiny country? No problem. Out comes our plethora of … more
National Reconciliation Conference. There is a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Citizens coming together to shed their differences, rectify mistakes, forgive transgressions, vow to make amends and bravely face their destiny to live in harmony and in a spirit of brotherly love. Henceforth, let us usher a new era … more
The entire hullabaloo about the ‘unjust’ and ‘unfair’ sanction is becoming a nightmare. Assuming the Resolution was hatched up in the US; this time one would fail to find the rational. We know the reasons behind the 1950s decision of the UN to federate Eritrea with Ethiopia, but can anyone … more
Finally the dream of the faithful Eritreans is approaching and it will come true. My happiness heightened when three opposition groups took a vital positive initiative and united. That is what an honest Eritrean wishes. That is what many were waiting for years, to join the struggle for freedom and … more
There is a proverb that goes something like this: “A thief believes everybody steals.” How convenient! – for the thief, that is. We have an equivalent one in Tigrigna: “zebene wra wra nebsKa ayteEbra”. Hmmm, we can only say that dishonest rationalization knows no limits. It doesn’t make the thievery any … more