Eritrean CItizens for Peace: Peace Charter

1. Preamble

1.1 Whereas the historic and successful end to the 30 years war of national liberation which ended via a referendum that, at last, ushered in peace and friendly relations between Eritrean and its neighbours was hailed by peoples of the region and the international community as the most desirable means of conflict resolution;

1.2 Whereas recalling the expectation that was placed on some of the regional governments to be models of reconciliation and bastions of stability, progress, development, peace and justice;

1.3 Whereas in recent years all countries in the region have engaged each other in conflicts, which cost tens of thousands of human lives and unimaginable resources, and subsequently brought in adversity, disagreement, standoffs and utter alienation between the peoples of the region;

1.4 Whereas soon after Eritrea’s independence the conflicts that afflicted the region, especially the border war between Eritrea and Ethiopia, one of the most savage and vicious wars of our time, have subjected the people to a prolonged state of emergency and have posed a major challenge to regional peace;

1.5 Whereas the historical links between the peoples across the Horn continue to be disregarded, disrespected and eroded;

1.6 Whereas the need to pay special attention to preserving and promoting our unity, peace and security by mending our religious, political, ethnic and geographical divides through research and various forms of dialogue has never been so evident;

1.7 We, concerned Eritreans from all over the world, freely and with no pressure from anywhere met in the city of London on 18 and 19 December 2009 to take note of and discuss the grim prevailing realities in our region, and subsequently met in the city of Brighton on 21-23 May 2010 to ratify this charter and declare the launching of this movement;

1.8 We, cognizant of the historic task awaiting all democratic-minded and peace-loving people to make every effort to bring about peace in our region, pledge to work for peace based on this Charter that is to be an affirmation of the ardent desire and aspirations of Eritreans and the peoples of the larger Horn of Africa region for peace and stability.

2. We Eritreans

2.1 From all over the land have been yearning for a lasting peace in our country and our region which eluded us for a long time;

2.2 Know all of us - men and women, highlander and lowlander, all ethnic groups and nationalities, young and senior citizens, religious leaders, political parties in diaspora, civil society activists, urban and rural dwellers - have been denied to conduct our political affairs within the framework of peace, justice and democracy, as we endeavour to sort out any internal difficulties equitably;

2.3 Know there is a groundswell of popular demand for a return to normality - a key thrust that will propel us towards peace and cooperation amongst the people of the Horn in general and the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia in particular whose rights to a peaceful coexistence continue to be violated;

2.4 Not only do we know that without peace democracy cannot flourish nor basic human rights guaranteed, we also know it is in peace that our beliefs, culture and identities safeguarded and respected;

2.5 Are now ready, through this peace movement, to assert our desire to follow the course of peace until we resolve our internal discords and regional conflicts.

3. Our Mission

3.1 We seek to create a peace movement in and around Eritrea based on universally defined principles of peace.

3.2 In the pursuit of alternatives to unjust social, political and economic structures, we aim at employing practical ways to both prevent and resolve conflicts.

3.3 Moreover, our movement, which is inspired by local, regional and international traditions, aims to sow the seeds of a better future for us all by promoting projects where people from diverse backgrounds, political persuasions and beliefs can work together towards peaceful co-existence.

4. Our Objective

This Peace Charter is drafted with the following objectives:

4.1 To promote harmony and understanding among Eritreans based on our cultural, social and religious values;

4.2 To articulate the vision for peace from perspective of peace loving Eritreans with a view to inviting partners for peace from across the Horn of Africa;

4.3 To clarify and define the context and concept of enduring peace;

4.4 To affirm the fundamentals of peace;

4.5 To finally serve as a potential reference point and guide to actions for other groups in the region with similar aims, and

4.6 To develop a framework for deeper understanding through reflection, study, research and dialogue on causes of war and conflict and for searching for ways to eliminate them.

5. Our Belief

5.1 We believe that peace is the precondition for the realisation of a fulfilled life as it ensures the harmonious cohabitation of all citizens of the region.

5.2 We believe that the current stances of the governments in the region have been eroding the historical, cultural, economic and social ties that bind peoples together, which, consequently, are exacerbating the poor living conditions in the area.

5.3 We therefore, firmly believe that it is time to dismantle the prevailing cycles of war and replace them with a culture of peace by changing:

5.3.1 Images of f animosity to that of mutual understanding and tolerance;

5.3.2 Negative propaganda to free flow of information and knowledge;

5.3.3 Impulsion for war to an education that embraces the culture of peace;

5.3.4 Aggression and arrogance to affirmation and humility; 

5.3.5 Destruction of the normal way of life to convivial life of all citizens;

5.3.6 Exploitation of disempowered citizens to sustainable economic and social development

6. Our Call

Our movement is a call for:

6.1 Eritreans and our counterparts in the region to work for and enjoy the dividends of peace;

6.2 Shaping our future together - a future of peace, prosperity and freedom;

6.3 Reconciliation – one that celebrates differences, addresses the issues that divide and unite us, as well as issues that are of vital interest to all;

6.4 Acknowledging our past mistakes and accepting responsibility for righting our wrongs in order to strengthen and sustain the rights of our peoples;

6.5 Our elders, community and religious leaders, political parties, civil society organisations, to work for peace;

6.6 Governments of the region to respond to the call for peace.

7. Our Commitment

We therefore commit ourselves to:

7.1 Speak out for peace;

7.2 Struggle for peace and mobilise all peace-loving people; beseech governments through various campaigns that are rooted in our peoples’ vision of peace;

7.3 Analyse the structural causes of the cycle of the recurring conflicts that are prevalent within our region;

7.4 Identify, recognise and utilise the knowledge, skills, experience and competence of all people, and remove obstacles as we build an all inclusive movement;

7.5 Work to ensure that our various communities celebrate diversity, provide the space for real opportunity for young people of all backgrounds to affirm their unity and promote justice for the people;

7.6 Work with community leaders, activists, civil societies, political forces, and encourage them to participate in our endeavours to promote peace;

7.7 Foster relationships with regional and international organisations that are committed to the advancement of peace.

Ratified at Brighton Peace Conference the twenty-third day of May, two thousand and ten.