A response to Eritrean-American Semhar Araia of DAWN

It has taken me some time to digest your interview with Africa 24 on 05/08/2014. Up until this recent interview I have been a fan of your work, in particular with the creation of DAWN (Diaspora African Women Network), as well as your visions regarding the competence and possibilities that the diaspora holds and can contribute to the development of Africa.

Coming from this viewpoint, it is especially astounding to me that when discussing Eritrea in your interview you would do it in such a ‘politically correct’ way. I understand that your reflection is partly a personal one, whereby one can feel a connection to ones homeland when returning from the diaspora and thus become very emotional when encountering people on the streets that ‘looks like you’ or when you hear your mother tongue being spoken and so forth.

But, as you mentioned, we in the diaspora also have a responsibility, a responsibility to the ones who are not as fortunate as us and who are still in the homeland, which in your case is Eritrea, amongst other things, we should be the voice for the voiceless.

In your interview you failed the people who are living in the country without personal freedoms by omitting them from your discussions. You say that you felt “rich” when walking down the streets of Asmara, yes dear, you may be rich but Eritrea and its people are currently poor.

Your views and avoidance of real facts about the current situation in Eritrea were very disappointing to hear and it seems that you are in denial. You give a very romantic image of our "claim to independence" as you put it, as if there has been a 'beautiful end to a beautiful struggle'. If you are so proud of our independence struggle then you should have mentioned how that particular independence has now been 'hijacked' by a ruthless leader and his one-party ruling and the devastating consequences that it has had for Eritrea and its development.

You should have mentioned that the ‘beautiful and united’ struggle is now shattered by forced military conscriptions of a whole generation, by unjust imprisonment of democracy activists, journalists, religious minorities etc, by the forced labor and loss of all basic human rights. But mostly, you should have mentioned that the unity and spirit of being ‘Eritrean’ has been stripped by the PFDJ and their tactics which has led to the mass exodus of youth who flee for their right to live since currently inside Eritrea they are dying a slow death.

It is indeed a luxury to live in a democratic country and romanticize your homeland that is living under a cruel totalitarianism.

Sincerely,
Frida Yohannes
NEW (Network of Eritrean Women)