Category: Articles
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Eritrean Youth And Their Political Positions
These are my reflections on why some of the Eritrean youth are either supporters of the regime or politically indifferent. Youth is a social sector defined by an age group normally ranging from 15-35 but the regime extends the upper limit to 40 or more to suite its manipulative purposes. In Eritrea, like in any
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Notes On The Historical Trajectory of Eritrean Nationalism
Eritrea—which was once an Italian colony, a British protectorate, and briefly an autonomous region before it was reduced to a mere province of Ethiopia—became in 1993 an independent nation-state, redefining post-colonial African map, hopefully not setting a dangerous precedence. The history of over thirty years of bloody armed struggle had inflicted unbearable human suffering with
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National Unity Existing Only As Virtual Reality
The question of national unity is of a paramount importance and to a great extent, the way it is resolved would determine the preservation and continuation of Eritrea as an integral united nation. Eritrean history clearly demonstrates that we have thoroughly and fundamentally failed in resolving that and other important issues. This could mainly be
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Unfiltered Notes: Rays Of Hope With EYSC’s Freedom Friday
It is refreshing to see EYSC’s (Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change) Freedom Friday initiative launched with the stated goal of eradicating dictatorship in Eritrea. According to EYSC, 10,000 robocalls and 2000 personal calls have been made so far (listen to recorded message here: http://eysc.net/pr/arbi_harnet_voicemessage.WMA). Could we be witnessing a long overdue tipping point building up
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The National Council And EDA’s Fate
Well before the National Congress for Democratic Change convened in November 2011, questions were being asked about the future of one of its key constituents—the Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA). Would it continue as it was? Would it change to accommodate the new political and organizational reality that was to emerge from the Congress? Or would
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Evaluation Of The ENCDC Held In Hawassa
A General Evaluation of the Eritrean National Congress for Democratic Change (ENCDC) held in Hawassa 21-30 Nov. 2011) by Eritreans for Democracy, Justice and Equality (EDJE) Summary: The convening of the National Congress marked the culmination of extensive preparations that lasted over a year. The process was based on the main decision of the Eritrean
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The ENCDC Congress At Hawassa: A Determination To Succeed (P II)
In Part I, I touched on the preparations, the venue, and the deliberations. I apologize for the delay in presenting part II which deals with the process of electing the leadership, the Ethiopian role, current events and the way forward. Many articles were written about the Congress since I wrote Part I, therefore, I will
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The Digital Age. A Matter Of Perspective
The other day I asked my son to get me a ‘smart phone’. One of those Blackberries: i-pads, i-pods, or i–phones. He looked at me quizzically and asked, ‘Why would you want a smart phone?’ I said I want to look hip. I want to look modern. I want to look cool. I want to
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On Semere Tesfai’s Disagreeable Thoughts
In his latest article, instead of enlightening and informing us about our united and great people, who have been denied freedom, subjected and oppressed for very long time, Semere came with a disagreeable article. His characterization of the 600 opposition members who congregated at Awassa and EDA, as Islamists and Ethnic Organizations is unfounded. Instead, he should
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The Ethiopian Roar And The Weary Eyes Of Eritrean Mothers (P.II)
To start where we left off (The Ethiopian Roar… P I) – among other things, we said “if Ethiopia is planning to use this upcoming EDA National Conference (November 2011) as a launching pad for regime change….then EDA will shatter in pieces before Christmas of this year (2011).” Well, the EDA Conference (Waela) was convened
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A Response To Hailemariam Tesfay: “Ich verstehe nur noch Bahnhof”
“Ich verstehe nur noch Bahnhof” (pronounced ‘ESH Feshtehe nur nok banhof,’) is a German Expression usually uttered to show that ‘You don’t understand something and don’t really care either.’ In recent years, this expression has also been used to mean that one cannot understand acoustically what the other person is saying. The expression stems from World
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Kmbob: A Refined Eritrean Art Form
This is a beautiful clip from Western Eritrea criticizing modern Eritrean songs and comparing today’s music, artists and the characters that accompany them with the dignified, refined music of other giants of Eritrean artists [the singer admires Ogbagaber, Yemane Barya, Hamed Wed Sheik, Wed Amir, and Abrar Osman.] The sarcastic and intelligent music is delivered in a genre
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Expecting Aguagudom (ኣጓጉዶም) A Play
By: Wedi Batuta Act (IIX) This a play by Wedi Batuta. So far seven parts (Act 1 – 7) have been published, this is Act 8. Character’s Name Sobriquet Party/Affiliation Yemane Baliho Wedi-Baliho Selfi-Swa Mohamed Birhan Imam Wedi-Zemzem Selfi-Alamel Abdela A Zerom Wed-Inharish Selfi-Gebil Amanuel ReDae Wedi-Tiebe Selfi-L’fnti Tirhas Kindya Trishi (Gual ‘Gbitan) Demit Eritrea Mohammed I Abdella Wed-Sudan Hizb Aljemahir Zewdi
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Need For Change Of Attitude By Eritreans
Attitude is little thing that makes a big difference—Winston Churchill What is attitude? According to Wikipedia, attitude is the evaluation and associated belief and behavior towards some objects. It is not stable and because of the communication and behavior of the people, it is subject to change by social influence. Attitude can be changed through
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Questionable Straw Of Info: A Response To Saleh “Gadi” Johar
It is really unfortunate that Mr. Saleh “Gadi”Johar chose such an abrasive title for his article which he may have honestly intended to convey a meaningful and constructive criticism. His recent article written on February 1, 2012 titled as “an office full of mice” is full of misinformation and distortions. The truth and the facts
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Resolution 2023 And Eritrea’s Political Opposition
As a discrete initiative, the purpose of this contribution is not to argue a case in favour or against Resolution 2023. Commentary on this score from either side of the Eritrean political divide abounds. Instead, the piece is dedicated solely to analysing Resolution 2023 with the view to appreciating the politics surrounding the institution of
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ŒCOCW Calls for International Religious Freedom for Exiled Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch
SOURCE:www.your-story.org Author: +Catholicos Scholarios-Gennadius III, OSB (Jan 21, 2011) The Holy Synod of the Œcumenical Canonical Orthodox Church Worldwide (ŒCOCW) joins the faithful of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church in demanding religious freedom for its exiled Patriarch. According to a report by George Alexander, Secretary of the Orthodoxy Cognate Media Network, a significant portion of the Christian
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Awassa Witnessed The Dawn Of Asmera
The national congress that convened in Awassa is a distinctive landmark event in the history of Eritrea. It embraced the vast majority of the Eritrean Diaspora: all the political backgrounds and colours. The congress discussed ailments that enervated the whole nation for more than half a century, it melted down the iceberg, nullified retarded views,
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Melbourne Rally 2012: For How Long Can We Tolerate Oppression?
So, why should we stop raising our voices on behalf of the voiceless and oppressed people in Eritrea? As in previous years, we call on the Diaspora communities living in the free world that have chosen to be silent in the face of oppression and the ever growing injustice committed against the Eritrean people to
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The ENCDC Congress At Hawassa: A Determination To Succeed (Part I)
I reached Hawassa with a late group. It was late evening when our bus arrived there on the 22nd of November—and we were given a warm official reception at the entrance of the city. Our group included youth from Switzerland and refugees from the camps in Ethiopia and a few from other parts of Europe.