Non-violent way for change is just an option

The concept of Non-violence is to bring change not through the use of force which involves fighting and loss of life but through peaceful means. That is through demonstrations, civil disobedience and other forms of popular uprising. There are many historical precedencies, the most celebrated is that of Mahatma Ghandi of India against British colonialism.  Recently the people of Burkina Faso staged a peaceful all-out uprising and demanded the corrupt president to leave office which he did. 

In Eritrea the disabled fighters held a demonstration marching from Mai Habar to Asmara on the way, they were machine-gunned and brutally dispersed.  That incident has sent a shock wave to the people of Eritrea. It has become a message for others not to try again. 11 members of the government known as the G-15 raised the issue of the implementation of the constitution and the formation of political parties to participate in the General election that would take place at the end of 2001. One early morning on 18-11-2001- they were picked up by security forces never to be seen again. Since that day they are languishing in prison for more than 15 years – and no family members were able to see them.  The editors of private newspapers were also incarcerated at the same time that brought freedom of expression to an end.  All these incidents raise a fundamental question.   Is a non-violent activity feasible in Eritrea? 

It is in spite of these Eritrea’s socio/political landscape and reality on the ground that the Eritrean Diaspora spends a lot of time advocating with passion, so much so they have adopted it as a core-strategy and turned it into mantra- in their conferences, pal talks, Facebooks and articles etc.   The people inside don’t relate to it they rather take the dangerous journey to exile in their thousands.   True non-violence is an option but in Eritrea it is simply a suicidal option.  It is easy for the Diaspora to talk about non-violence because they live in a comfort zone abroad where there is no risk to their life and their family.  Why don’t the diaspora do things which are achievable?  Here in London some of reputable organisations such as Migrant Voice ”,“ Refugee and immigrants communities Forum are desperate to work with Eritreans communities- to go with them to Calais to help to interpret for them. They usually expect Eritreans to come join them in the humanitarian activities.   More often than not they are disappointed.

We have the example of an army officer Wedi Ali who chose to end the pains and suffering of the people by violent option.  Unfortunately, in violence there are deaths. Wedi Ali did not succeed and died in the process.  But he became a hero of the people of Eritrea and made history.  He is immortalized by the people.  This shows the people of Eritrea wants a hero brave enough, committed enough, selfless enough a man of action to deliver them to freedom.

Do they know they are sacrificing their precious time by delving into issues that is out of context for Eritreans in Diaspora?  In short the damage is the opportunity cost.  The time and the energy that should have been spent on activities that brings results.  

The two core-strategies The Non-violent   rhetoric and its sister slogan “Eritrean solution for Eritrean problems” adopted by Bologna Forum and their partners have become the most controversial and divisive issues yet.  I have seen it during the conference of Bologna Forum in London on 18 and 19 July 2015. A lot of time was wasted because there were people keep on talking against the two strategies and members of Bologna Forum defending.  The conference did not conclude with any resolution or action plan. They did not address the refugees’ crises in which the Diaspora can render a lot of support materially and politically to the Eritrean refugees. 

The extent of the damage hit me hard when I saw the advertisement of the next conference in Oakland, California –USA- in Meskerem.net –the “Eritrean Solution for Eritrean Problems” slogan was cleverly exploited   into a style of advertisement that implies rejecting any form of help from Ethiopia or against any move   that brings together the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia to build peace.  It is a consolation that the conference in Oakland went well as it has engaged some of our fatigueless intellectuals such as Dr Bereket Habte- Sellasie. Deservedly the conference gave recognition to his work and achievements.  There were also others such as Saleh Gadi Johar – who covered an important topic “Reintroducing Diversity in Eritrean Problems– The topics are crucial in raising the level of consciousness of the people in diaspora.  But, big but, the conference will remains half-done if it did not discuss the problems of building strong organisation with proper organisational chart- division of responsibility and develop a strategy to turn the recommendations and ideas from the discussion and workshops, if any, into actions and work plans.  More importantly to be able to render support to the   Eritrean refugees in crises in Europe and in Israel which is urgent?

I have no problem with Meskerem.net they are doing what they always do.  They have a mission to rescue PFDJ from any blame by   scapegoating – the Ethiopian Government as the cause of the gross human rights violations in Eritrea.   “Don’t blame us blame Ethiopia and USA” Is their battle cry. The ulterior motive of some writers in Meskerem.net is to perpetuate hostility against Ethiopia rather than call for peace and reconciliation between the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia.   At the same time exploit any disagreement among the opposition. 

Meskerem.net exploited the disagreement flared among the human rights advocates by targeting Dr Daniel Mekonen. They have alleged that Daniel has an Ethiopian blood in him implying shame that the successful demonstration in Geneva was led by an Ethiopian messiah.   On the other hand Meskerem.net doesn’t cover the plight of Eritrean refugees that reached a crises point, they simply sidelined it. Actually they are in a better position to plead with PFDJ to stop indefinite national service and to give amnesty to the prisoners of conscience during New Years and days of Independence.  That is the minimum any supporter of PFDJ can do on the basis of humanitarian considerations. If at all they have humanity in them. It is a  moral bankruptcy  This year alone from January 2015, 2600 people drowned in the Mediterranean Sea, a large number are Eritreans women men and children.  .

It has to be understood that the Geneva success is a culmination of many years of hard work by many committed Eritreans and international human rights organisations – including Amnesty International, Human Rights watch and journalists without borders.  Daniel is one among the vast array of activists working hard with passion to stop human rights violations in Eritrea.    The contribution of Eritrean opposition Websites such as Assenna.com, Asmarino.com, Radio Erena and Awate.com   were exemplary in the area of exposing the atrocities of PFDJ.  They have lived up to their slogan “inform- inspire- embolden –reconcile   making good use of the power of the pen.

Therefore, it is misleading to focus only on the high profile of 4 or 5 people who are at odds with each other as revealed on the Eritrean websites and Facebooks. I take the recent quarrel on the media between Elsa Chyrum on one hand and Selam Kidane, Meron Estifanos and Dr Daniel on the other as a feud within the opposition families and does not in any way derail the growing activities by the Justice Seekers “delaiati Fithi”

There are other  people on fire who are champions of the Eritrean cause  like  Aba Musie, nominee of Noble Peace prize,  Keshi Athanasius Ghebre- Ab, Sister Azezet in Israel, Dr  Aganesh Fesseha, Lul Seyum – Feruz  Keysi,  Feven Hadera,  Khadijah Mohamed Nur , Aba Shunuda–  Helen Kidane the catholic Bishops – authors of “Where is your brother” , Stop Slavery in Eritrea,  Stop trafficking in Sinai by Comboni Catholic prayer group. There are other who play a law profile such as  the  Business man Habte Hagos representing  “ Eritrea-Focus “ – a support organisation – who has achieved a lot since its inception less than a year ago. Some of its achievement is the “Early day motion 554 on Human rights in Eritrea at the British Parliament-   House of Lords debate- and exposing the Ruby/ mining co.  Nefsun who came from Canada to lobby the British Government- advocating that there is no human rights violations in Eritrea. They concentrate at higher level institutions, public centres , policy centres and  politicians etc

Conclusion: It is time to make full use of the momentum of the refugee crises that gave rise to unexpected sympathy to Refugees.  In the United Kingdom people are providing support in terms of raising funds to buy sanitary towers for women in Calais and collecting clothes.  There are help from some Eritreans who are regular visitors to Calais but it is not enough, the majority of Eritreans are doing nothing. On the other hand some humane Europeans are becoming champions of advocating and helping the refugees.     Some of the names providing material support are:  an Essex based charities   who are taking regular donations to refugees in Calais”. They have appealed on face book donations to buy sanitary towels to ship to Calais. It was beyond belief they were successful.

Cad Aid London: part of the “people to People solidarity action – from the UK” – set Sunday 6, 2015 as   collection day for clothing’s essential for the people in Calais who are suffering from lack of clothing and inadequate shelter – people were flooding to the place with all kind of clothes, shoes, bags. I and some friends were extremely happy to witness the humane work and to be part of it.

There is also “London to Calais group” and “Humming Bird project – Calais sanctuary on sea Brighton and hove city of Sanctuary.” “Calais people to people solidarity Walthamstow- head quartered in National Union of Teachers (NUT).

The sympathy for refugees and immigrants is growing fast especially due to the shocking image of Syrian children drowning in the Sea Shores of Turkey who died together with their mum.   In Germany: The football funs made a huge impact by displaying a “welcome refugee slogan” during the tournaments. 

Germany's football fans in solidarity with refugees. Photos from Hamburg, Bremen, Furth, Dortmund and Munich

The People to People Solidarity initiative is fundamental to our cause.  It is a building block towards much deeper and bigger solidarity between the developed world and the third world build.  Eritrean has experienced it but it was abused by PFDJ. Even those who were giving substantial aid during the struggle such as OXFAM and many others were kicked out of Eritrea. 

A new development in Israel that deserves the Diaspora urgent attention: August 31 , 2015  “Tel Aviv) – The Israeli authorities’ declared ban on recently released Eritrean and Sudanese nationals living and working in Tel Aviv and Eilat violates their right to freedom of movement, Human Rights Watch said today. About 41,000 Eritrean and Sudanese nationals live in Israel, most of them in Tel Aviv, Arad, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Eilat, and Jerusalem, although there are no known statistics showing how many live in each city.

It is time the organizations in the Diaspora take action in organising petitions, appeal even to the extent of worldwide demonstrations in front of Israel Embassies in USA and Europe in support of the plight of the Eritrean and Sudanese refugees. This is an urgent challenge:

Here is the link: https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/08/31/israel-drop-city-ban-released-eritreans-sudanese

The struggle for   love and humanity continues:  We shall overcome