Unfiltered Notes: Made In Eritrea

Take a look at your electronic gadgets, articles of clothing and other household items and chances are they are made in China, Malaysia, Mauritius, India or other developing countries. I wish we were marching towards that day when Eritrea starts making products for world markets. Unfortunately, the only things made in Eritrea these days seem to be misery, refugees, prisons and untimely deaths. With the uproar the November Brussels conference has created, Eritreans in the Diaspora have now added new undesirable items to the list – failure to see the positive and incapacitating cynicism.

First, the obvious – measured against perfection anything can be declared a failure. And that, to me, seems to be the core of the problem. Folks who have not achieved perfection themselves are tearing down good people who tried to do something noble and worthwhile imperfectly. I think those who participated in the conference deserve our gratitude instead of this endless second-guessing. Dr. Van Reisen, director of Europe External Policy Advisers (EEPA), who hosted the event gave further clarifications to awate.com that those who attended the conference did so “in their personal capacity” and that the participants paid all or some of their expenses. Among the topics discussed include the dire refugee crisis. If people get together spending their own money and time to lobby for issues as important as this, more power to them.

I am totally ignorant of what subtexts might be at play here and the wrath of various commentators seems grossly misplaced to me. I listened to Abdurahman Sayed’s interview with Assenna.com. Improvements are always possible as Abdurahman readily accepts (“the work has only began…”, “… it will require the participation of all of us…” to finish the job). Call me dense but I am still scratching my head as to what all the fuss is about. Decent Eritreans participated in the conference – Elsa Chrum, a courageous lady I respect greatly, among them. Given Elsa’s track record of action (not just talk as many, myself included, can rightly be accused of), I would think 10 times before criticizing an event that Elsa was a part of. Additionally, since everyone came in their “personal capacity”, why are certain individuals being singled out for the vicious attacks? Or is the issue NOT about the Brussels conference and simply about individuals we don’t happen to like?

I hope this is just a huge misunderstanding and cooler heads will prevail soon. EDA addressing its complaint to the EU – an entity that did not fund or organize the conference, for example – is indicative that the misplaced anger is likely based on cumulative misunderstandings. I think EDA itself would have been better served if it had thanked Dr. Van Reisen and all the participants for bringing relevant Eritrean issues to the front burner first. It, then, could have proceeded to use this opening to engage the powers that be to help EDA (and/or others) in their efforts to accelerate Eritrea’s day of redemption. Otherwise this sort of negativity primarily encourages inaction and stagnation. It discourages people from taking the initiative to act in whatever capacity they can because their positive actions could be trivialized and second-guessed so willfully.

Selam Kidane’s excellent example (http://www.awate.com/portal/content/view/5368/5/) of her “weaker” childhood friend successfully turning the tap on where ‘machos’ failed is a perfect analogy to use here. I attempted to make a similar point in http://unfilterednotes.blogspot.com/2009/10/unfiltered-notes-rosa-parks-moment-for_3868.html where “failed” attempts by those before her incrementally built the solid foundation for Rosa Parks to take the struggle for justice to a higher level. Instead of tearing apart the good intentions and considerable efforts of good folks to the delight of the oppressive regime in Asmara, it would have been more constructive to accept the Brussels conference, at the very least, as a step in the right direction. Small and incremental steps, such as those of Selam’s childhood friend and Rosa Parks (especially when they are least expected), could just be what we need to release Eritrea from the grip of death it currently finds itself. But spending our energies and our precious time condemning each other -- and against positive action at that – will only make us look silly.

On Inclusiveness / Exclusiveness

From what I understand so far, reflecting Eritrea’s full diversity was not the objective of the Brussels conference. This doesn’t mean striving to represent Erirea’s diversity is not a good thing. It absolutely is. But, no matter who does it, defining the focus of a conference narrowly on what can be achieved realistically, such as improving the plight of ALL Eritrean refugees or asking world powers to align their policies towards Eritrea is absolutely the right thing to do as well. Therefore, trying to measure the conference by objectives it did not start out to accomplish is unfair to say the least.

I do understand and appreciate the concern some are voicing for vigilance against justifications of good outcomes achieved through wrong means. But I also see the same voices going to the other extreme ready to throw the baby with the bath water. The Brussels participants included men and women of different faiths. Although not perfect, it seems obvious to me that there was some level of diversity. Paraphrasing Abdurahman: assenna.com started its program in Tigrigna and later on added Arabic. But still not all of Eritrea’s languages or all of Eritrea’s diversity is reflected in assenna.com today. This is a relevant point. No one can deny assena.com is making progress, but it is also true that Eritrea’s full diversity is not represented either. And that is why I am having such a hard time grasping the logic behind the uproar. As imperfect as we all are, why do we demand perfection from others? Again, measured against perfection anything can be declared a failure.

Although the overly negative reactions can probably be brushed off as growing pains in the democratic process, it is a bit unnerving that the most vicious attacks are voiced by very articulate folks with obvious capacity, if they so wished, to re-channel this misplaced anger in a constructive manner. I was particularly dismayed when those flaunting the chauvinism card resorted to demeaning some participants of the conference as ornaments fronted by “chauvinists”. Why such viciousness? If the target is who I think it is, and based on what I know and heard so far, he certainly is nobody’s ornament.

There is no question chauvinism exists (a global phenomenon) but I don’t think it is present in every closet as some are making it out to be. As mentioned earlier, the Eritreans in the Brussels conference included men and women of different faiths. Is it a reflection of all of Eritrea? No. But it would also be wrong to brush off what was represented as ornamental. It is not. Acknowledging progress when it occurs breeds more progress. By contrast, failure to do so stifles excellent ideas from flourishing. I will venture a guess that chauvinism against women is the most pervasive in all segments of Eritrean society -- I believe, with no exceptions. Is it fair then, to give undue importance to real or perceived 'chauvinism' if it is perpetuated by ‘outsiders’ while remaining silent about the sure thing in our midst?

This will probably be misunderstood but I will close with one other point. Abdurahman is unfairly being criticized for saying “we started out with people we know” or words to that effect. I can see why this would generate objections but isn’t that exactly how just about everything gets started? If one has a brilliant idea one wants to act on, doesn’t one start with people one knows first? The founders of American democracy come to mind and no one can deny it was an exclusive club that did not include women, blacks or Native Americans. But one can’t deny the greatness of their ideas either. How diverse an audience the idea ends up attracting in the long run is a bit more complex and dynamic.

It will depend on who the people you know also know and, in turn, invite to the table. It depends on the level of trust between groups and how interconnected they are. It will depend on how open and receptive the originators of the idea are to welcome others. It also depends on the initiative of enlightened ‘outsiders’ willing to ‘invite’ themselves in. If one of the weaknesses of the originators of a good idea is not being inclusive (hopefully not always intentional), wouldn’t it also be reasonable to expect an enlightened ‘outsider’ to say: “hey guys, I like what you are trying to do and I want to be part of this. Count me in. By the way, shame on you for not reaching out to me and people like me out there. And here is a list of who you should include, etc.”

Chauvinism in all its forms should be opposed although I doubt it will be eradicated. The Brussels conference is an indication, I think, that this monster is being overplayed and is driving people who should be cooperating to the extremes of polarized positions. I believe the Brussels group acted positively. With apologies to all those who are taking positive action, the rest seems to be just talk (mine included by the way). Talk devoid of action is cheap. Eloquent talk without a sense of balance, although not worthless, is even cheaper. If we can only split atoms the way we seem to be splitting hairs!!

Unfiltered Notes: A Rosa Parks moment for Eritrea – Part II

“Part I” attempted to show how “Constructive Optimism & Positive Action” could be helpful in achieving a Rosa Parks moment for Eritrea. The idea being, when there is hope and optimism, positive action is likely to follow. Here is Part II.

THEME TWO – NEVER STOP ASKING QUESTIONS

“Colonel Korn’s rule was a stroke of genius. Under Colonel Korn’s rule the only people permitted to ask questions were those who never did. Soon the only people attending were those who never asked questions, and the sessions were discontinued altogether, since … it was agreed that it was neither possible nor necessary to educate people who never questioned anything.” –Catch 22.

Catch 22 was written in 1961 and I am amazed by how accurately these lines portray current day Eritrea. Isaias used to respond to “questions from the people” for a few years after independence. Then the questions got tougher demanding accountability and Isaias got visibly irritated – in essence telling people to stop asking questions. Soon the sessions were discontinued all together. He is now surrounded by a cadre of messengers -- “yes” men and women -- and no questions are asked anymore. I attended what was to be the last session in the Municipality building in Asmara in 1996. I still remember the event with disbelief on how poorly he conducted himself.

Instead of addressing the issues as one would expect from a good leader, Isaias intimidated the folks who dared to ask. One of them, a young law student, asked what many thought was an excellent question about why the special courts were created without the opportunity to appeal. Isaias went on a foaming tirade, demeaning the guy for bookish cleverness. Sometime later, I heard the same law student was killed in a “car accident”. I can’t help wondering now if this was the same sort of “car accident” that, in 2008, also killed Mohammed Hagos, a decent Eritrean I knew.

Why have we, as a culture, failed to ask the tough questions to uncover the truth? (The “we” here primarily refers to diaspora Eritreans as those inside have no means to express themselves). The official reason given by the regime for the 1998 Badme war was that Eritrea was responding to the death of about a dozen Eritreans killed by Ethiopian militia forces. To this day, I doubt if anyone even knows their names. Do we even know the event occurred as claimed by the regime? By the regime’s own admission, Eritrea lost 19,000 lives and Eritrea’s bleeding has never stopped since. And all that to avenge an incident that may not even have taken place. Imagine that!!. And what of his eye popping claim that he learned about the war after someone woke him up from his nap? Really ?!! Is this going to be our recorded history?

I don’t recall the title of the book I read years ago at the moment. The author, a reporter, says he submitted his first story about a dead body that was missing one arm. In the book, he retells the story about how his editor reprimanded him for not specifying which arm was missing. That kind of focus and attention to detail to get to the very bottom of the truth is what is missing in Eritrea’s post-independence culture. Tyranny thrives in an environment of fear where people stop asking questions. No further proof is necessary than to look at the two Koreas and former East Germany; or even at Eritreans who succeed in education, in business and life in general anywhere else but in Eritrea -- same people, same DNA, just different environments.

Has Eritrea crossed the line where it is “neither possible nor necessary” to awaken people who never question anything? I certainly hope not. We need to rejoin the vibrant nations of the world who are fast moving forward as we are marching backwards. And we can’t do that and get to our Rosa Parks moment without asking the good and tough questions to help us uncover the truth.


THEME THREE – STOP FALLING FOR ILLOGICAL & CIRCULAR ARGUMENTS

Isaias is notorious for taking an example of a bad thing happening anywhere – usually an exception – to make a hugely inaccurate conclusion in an attempt to cover up his crimes. Notable examples are his endless ranting about the absence of free press, or lack of democracy anywhere.

Although he may be right in absolute terms, he says these outrageous things to divert attention from the miserable state of affairs he has subjected Eritrea to. The exceptions he refers to in the countries he maligns happen with 100% certainty in Eritrea. Never in his rumblings does he ever acknowledge that the countries he despises (Sweden as his last victim and the West in general) do have self-correcting processes in place to ensure they are protected from the type of tyranny that has befallen Eritrea.

In other countries, brave souls who stick their necks out against injustice or those who dare to speak for the voiceless don’t end up in jail or dead as happens in Eritrea. Even if we grant him that free press in the West can sometimes miss its mark, it does not change the fact that free press absolutely does NOT exist in Eritrea. The world still has many courageous journalists who expose corruption and other weaknesses in their own societies and their people are the better for it. The ones who tried this in Eritrea are ALL in jail, exiled or dead.

It is a fascinating mindset that never addresses Eritrea’s real issues. But then again, Isaias is not known for his problem solving skills. He is a tragic figure who is, sadly, very good at escalating resolvable problems into full blown crisis that end up consuming lives and resources with abandon. But he has very little, if any, to show that he actually solves real problems. I understand why he would position things the way he does but it is hard to understand why Eritreans are not massively outraged by these fallacies. Realizing this point alone and being the wiser for it, I think, will go a long way in realizing Eritrea’s Rosa Parks moment.

Another one the regime uses with some measure of successes is the “look how worse off Ethiopia is” trick. Unless Eritreans are sadists, why are we even expected to rejoice at someone else’s miseries? And secondly, what relief does it bring to a hungry, imprisoned, enslaved or impoverished Eritrean that another human being is also suffering somewhere else? Those who like to perpetuate this kind of thinking can go back to the stone age if they prefer, but no sane person should have any part in it.

So, here is the bottom line with these irrational and circular arguments: On one hand, Isaias argues that there is no democracy or free press anywhere in the world implying - falsely of course - that these attributes only exist in Eritrea. On the other, he tries to tone down his monumental failures by saying Eritrea is at least not the worst failure on earth. It is time that we stopped falling for such nonsense.


THEME FOUR – IT MAY NOT BE THAT COMPLICATED AFTER ALL

Some say Eritrea is so messed up that Isaias is the only one who can keep it together. This tone of despair cuts the issue the wrong way on so many levels. First, you don’t entrust what you cherish to the care of someone who is actively destroying it. Second, this mindset overlooks the simple fact that he certainly will be gone one day. And then what – leave it to another brute? So, the sooner we move beyond such disempowering fixation, the better off we will all be.

There is another mindset that says if Isaias is gone PFDJ will be there to carry on. I don’t know what the future holds either but my take is that PFDJ will evaporate into thin air without him. It is an organization built on mistrust, cronyism and corruption held together by the manipulative skills he has perfected over the last four decades. If enough of us, at a personal level, decide to stand for what is right, PFDJ will have nothing to stand on and will simply crumble. I remember my uncle telling me stories of how shepherds with sticks were “capturing” Ethiopian soldiers with their big guns in 1991 when the ground fell from under their feet. I don’t think PFDJ’s fate will be any different. Remember Rumania’s Ceaucescu and the fall of the Berlin wall –how formidable they seemed and the speed with which the end came crushing down?

Of course, the challenges of nation re-building after cannot be underestimated. Reacting to “Part I” of this piece, I got a sober email that stated the problem as: “lowlanders and highlanders don’t know each other”. I like the clear and simple definition of the problem. If we decide to put our hearts and minds to it, making serious progress in knowing each other should not be that difficult. Now instead of throwing energy dissipating tantrums at each other, the question can be reframed as: “what can we do to know each other better?” Can we put ourselves in the other person’s shoes long enough and regularly enough to know what is truly valued by the other? And can we then use those common values to march forward TOGETHER to realize common goals – goals that everyone values such as freedom, justice, prosperity, better education, better life for the next generation etc.? And if we can’t do this, what is the point of Eritrea or any nation for that matter? A country should be measured by how much it values the lives of all its citizens. Otherwise, it is really nothing more than a piece of geography with interesting land marks.

Community centers could be a good venue for getting people together to help them know each other better. But our record on that has been close to dismal. Although attempts are made by good people frequently, negative mindsets often prevail and spoil it for everyone. I was recently told about a church group in California that had a serious falling out among its members. Not surprisingly, some were supporters of the regime. Why an atheist regime managed to successfully infiltrate a God worshiping church in a free country thousands of miles away is pretty amazing.

And it gets worse. The two sides, apparently missing the higher religious calling of forgiveness and turning the other cheek, failed to reconcile and between them ended up paying over USD 300,000 in legal fees. Instead of using the community’s hard earned money for the betterment of their church and their community, it was thrown away to enrich others. Studies show one dollar entering the Chinese community circulates 33 times before it exits their community. In the church case above, money went from the pockets of church members and out to lawyers. This all-or-nothing mindset must stop if want to leave something good for the next generation.

You want your blood pressure raised a bit more? We are all painfully aware of the mass exodus of Eritrea’s youth over the last several years. I am sure you have met some of them as I have. The route is difficult and expensive. Relatives in the diaspora have to come up with USD 15,000 to 30,000 to bring one person to safety. Conservatively, I will guess over 5000 left Eritrea this way. If we average things out and assume $20,000 per person, $100 million dollars was siphoned out of Eritrean communities. This is $100 million that could have been used for the betterment of Eritrean lives – pay for college, save for retirement, improve life styles etc.. If Eritrea was a free country, this $100 million could also have been invested in Eritrea to start businesses and other life enriching projects. Instead, the regime’s failed policies are actively impoverishing Eritreans everywhere – inside and outside.

Of course, since this $100 million was used to save lives, it is definitely money well spent. The point is, if people were allowed to travel in and out of Eritrea freely, the cost would have been that of a plane ticket instead. Keep in mind though this $100 million does not even include the lives lost in the deserts and high seas. And the opportunity cost of what those lives could have been along with 200,000 of our young tied down in the regime’s poverty projects and thousands more held in limbo for years in refugee camps in Sudan and Ethiopia.

These outrageous crimes are being committed in our name. And it is really not that difficult or complicated to understand and act on what is going on. Can we all agree to refuse to go to the back of the bus -- so to speak? To keep things in perspective, many courageous people before Rosa Parks had refused to go to the back of the bus. But although they individually failed to make freedom arrive sooner, their collective sacrifices were what made the arrival of the Rosa Parks moment inevitable. If it were not for those who “failed” before her doing exactly what she did to succeed, Rosa Parks would not have been able to trigger the moment of no return. Similarly, our individual acts may not seem significant and, individually, we may feel like we are failing to make a difference. But since it is okay to “fail” doing the right thing, these “successful failures” are exactly what we need to build the much needed foundation.

And don’t listen to the naysayers when they try to discourage you from doing the right thing. To illustrate this by way of example, I often get feedback – some first-hand and some not -- that it is unwise for me to get involved in politics. To start with, nothing can be further from the truth. I consider myself to be as apolitical as they come. I voice my opinion because I see Eritrea has become the deathbed of all those good dreams. Rejecting this regime for the fraud that it is and for the pain it has caused has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with justice. When Isaias says “we have our own ways of dealing with things” (meaning ‘shut up and do what you are told, I decide who dies and who lives’), it becomes a criminal case – not political. I see people herded to jail never to be heard from again, and I say Isaias is the worst enemy Eritrea has. This is not politics but simply pointing out the obvious – a case of crimes against humanity.

Although it is troubling to see folks failing to make these distinctions, stopping to speak out because you could be misunderstood would be absolutely the wrong thing to do. I’d much rather take my “successful failures” any time of the day. I pity those who intentionally discredit voices of reason as involvement in “politics” because, unless they wake up soon, they will be their beloved regime’s next victims.

My hope is that this two-part article will have added a tiny bit to the dialog and will nudge a few people to stop enabling the regime in any way – stop consuming its propaganda, don’t fall for its old tricks, etc, etc. And with a little more from others, the true Rosa Parks moment will come to pass. The failure of post-independent Eritrea is a bitter lesson. As the Dalai Lama said “when you lose, don’t lose the lesson”. Now is a good time as any to redeem ourselves as people – work towards a Rosa Parks moment.

Unfiltered Notes: A Rosa Parks moment for Eritrea -- Part I

The legacy of Rosa Parks sits center stage in the struggle for justice during the Civil Rights era. Her simple yet transformative act of refusing to go to the back of the bus, helped create unstoppable waves and changed the course of history. As a result, the lives of millions of Americans and immigrants from all corners of the world -- mine included – are made infinitely better compared to their humble beginnings in our countries of origin. Where do you even begin to thank people like her?

Rosa Parks proved that a single individual can and does make a difference. On the bedrock of momentum that was already established by sacrifices paid by many, her defiance was enough to tip the balance in favor of justice and equality. That tipping point transformed the crushing pessimism of the day into optimism and eternal hope. Hope and optimism that eventually gave birth to Obama’s presidency.

What would it take for Eritrea to experience a Rosa Parks moment that will help us build enough focus and courage to re-write Eritrea’s current sad history and help it take a positive turn? I don’t know for sure, but I think there are several general themes that can help.

THEME ONE – CONSTRUCTIVE OPTIMISM & POSITIVE ACTION

The regime ruling Eritrea should have been the easiest to oppose and unite against. It has alienated and abused every segment of Eritrean society regardless of age, religion or region. This should have been sufficient to start and sustain a formidable resistance, yet we continue to ignore our common plight with eyes totally off the prize. People routinely cry in their own little corners oblivious to the fact that those in the nearest corner are crying about exactly the same things. To our peril, we have failed to recognize our own echoes. Listening to what others are crying about and joining forces to solve our common problems can be a good start in ramping up towards our own Rosa Parks moment.

Two examples may help illustrate this point. Yosief G is one of the most brilliant and fearless writers I know. I have said so before in more detail in http://www.awate.com/portal/content/view/4976/5/. Like any human, there are times when he is wrong. I think the tone of despair has run its course, for example, and there ought to be a limit to how long you can beat a dead horse. Yes, the regime has killed the dream thousands died for and Eritrea is now unrecognizable compared to the mental image thousands gave their lives for. But that does not mean the dream cannot be resurrected.

Pessimism is a potent negative force often leading to inaction. And what is the point of continuing to dwell on this disempowering pessimism if not to obliterate the little residue of hope remaining? Unless we reverse course soon, the likely alternative is a marginalized and weak Eritrea that will be easy prey to external forces. I am all for cooperation, confederation and even union of few, functional African countries who can come together to leverage their resources effectively in this fiercely competitive world. But for that to happen, Eritrea first needs to get its proper footing to be able to negotiate favorable terms from a position of relative strength.

It is now up to the living to make sure the sacrifices were not in vain. Although Yosief’s critical analysis is useful in exposing our weaknesses (so we can do something about them), it will be a welcome breath of fresh air if Yosief can occasionally mix things up a bit and use his brilliance to share ideas on how the reservoir of old and new sacrifices can be made worthwhile again. In short, how a Rosa Parks moment can be replicated in Eritrea to knit back the broken pieces.

Another divisive hot topic these days is the lowlander/highlander, Muslim/Christian dichotomy initiated by Ali Salim (believed to be a pen name) in awate.com. Although it is in the regime’s DNA to embezzle from anyone and from anywhere, I still support Ali’s basic grievances. But Ali’s approach is not helpful.

His broad brush lumps many innocents with the regime’s thuggish clique and alienates many who would otherwise be sympathetic to his own cause. My take is that Ali doesn’t feel represented by the Muslim members of this regime. But he seems to miss that -- for exactly the same reason -- “highlanders/Christians” don’t feel represented by its so called highlander/Christian members either. The way I see it, the regime serves no one but itself. And from what we have seen so far, its crimes do not spare anyone. There is nothing the regime wouldn’t do to abuse anyone or embezzle from anyone – be it confiscating land to sell for foreign currency, jailing aging parents for ransom or confiscating the meager harvests of the very “Hafash” for whose liberation it supposedly fought for.

Sure, the clique is composed of people and they have to come from somewhere. But to extrapolate from this that these individuals represent the interest of the places they came from is inaccurate. First, there is no evidence that the regime actually stands for anything other than power for power’s sake. Second, even within its own tight quarters, it only takes one minor mis-step for a so-called “insider” to become an “outsider” or dead – again showing greed and power are the only things worshiped here. These individuals don’t even care about their own family members let alone wider segments of populations or regions. That is why, I believe, Ali Abdu serves the regime so enthusiastically even when he was fully aware of the indignities his otherwise very dignified father suffered at the hands of the evil system.

The regime’s members are there to maintain their power at any cost and cannot be classified by religion (they are godless atheists anyway) or region. I will even go a step further to say, Isaias as the high priest of this regime, has never fought for freedom in his entire life. I admit that this could be a tall order for some to swallow but the historical evidence is there. Sure, he rode on the backs of those who selflessly dedicated themselves to the true ideals of freedom and he was for the “independence” of Eritrea from Ethiopia so he can have his own slave colony.

But he spares no one if freedom becomes the central issue. That is why his reaction to any expression of freedom BY ANYONE – from the much denigrated “menkaE” to the G15 and anything in between or since -- is the same predictable brute force. So, if he does not value freedom, what reason is there for him or those who serve him to represent any segment of Eritrea’s population that strives to be free? For the regime, anyone who demands justice, freedom, or rule of law is a threat to its power base and is, therefore, an enemy by definition.

I am sure Ali Salim didn’t intend it that way, but the way I see it, his approach serves the regime’s interests perfectly. The approach he took defuses the positive energy that would have been available for positive good and dilutes the legitimacy of real issues (including the land issue he raised), that are worth fighting for. Notice how Ali’s legitimate grievance is no longer the center of discussion as it ought to be. Instead of focusing on how to solve Ali’s and other issues afflicting the population at large, precious time and energy is wasted in meaningless witch hunts. In the process, the regime’s honchos, seeing their power base is secure, sleep soundly while the majority toss and turn.

This is not to say there is no prejudice in Eritrean society. That is a human character. In spite of the tremendous progress made and in spite of his brilliance and mixed blood that should have enabled people to see a little bit of themselves in him, there are still folks who cannot accept Obama’s presidency, for example. By the same token, some Eritreans thinking they have more in common with Ethiopia/Christainity or the Arab/Muslim world may have been too quick to abandon longtime relationships with their Eritrean brothers and sisters when they met “strangers” of their faith. But that is mainly ignorance.

There are plenty of anecdotal Eritrean cases where the bond between the faiths is legendary. As well, many Eritrean Muslims and Christians are blood relatives and it is good to see many have not lost sight of that. So, there is definitely a mix of good and bad. It simply boils down to what one decides to focus on. I also believe Eritreans are among the most binary creatures on earth who, more often than not, prefer to see the extremes of bad and good; friend and enemy; patriot and traitor etc. We typically go for the easy and lazy bad/good categorization, missing the rich and important nuances of gray in between. We also have a tendency to over emphasize the “bad” that is harmless and innocent; and often fail to differentiate it from the vicious kind of bad.

If you take any country on the planet and you step out of your door looking for evidence of hate or other human failings, you will find plenty of it before getting back home at the end of the day. On the other hand, if you put your filters on to find the best in human kindness, you will find plenty of that too. I suspect Ali Salim’s filters are mostly set to look for the worst in Christian/highland Eritrea. Not surprisingly, he found plenty to make him angry and his approach made plenty others angry in return – to the extent the good cause is almost forgotten now. The resulting compounded negative energy pretty much ignores the reservoir of goodwill that is always there – the invisible elephant in the room, so to speak. Of course, Ali has the right to express himself in any way he pleases but it would also be foolish to expect cooperation and goodwill to be the default responses.

Switching to generalities, the best case scenario for the regime is when those professing to fight injustice are constantly at each other’s throats. It is a shame that by acting this way with unnerving predictability, we are generously giving the regime the very breathing space it doesn’t deserve. I can see in my mind’s eye the regime’s architects laughing at us for our perpetual failure to rise up and fight injustice together; and at how perfectly their divide-to-rule formula has worked for them. Lucky bastards!!

According to Wikipedia, India has more than two thousand ethnic groups. It is not perfect but India does an excellent job of managing this complexity under one roof. So far, we are failing miserably in managing less than a dozen. At times, we seem to forget that Eritrea is a tiny country that would become irrelevant if divided into smaller pieces. To be viable, it needs to be a nation of justice and freedom where all its people feel safe within its borders. Even the framing of our resistances seem ineffective where every aggrieved party decides to wage a lonesome fight and wants to create its own “liberation movement”. i.e. cryng in our little corners. If the Kunamas are suffering injustice, it should be the concern of all Eritreans to right the wrong. Fighting it under a national human rights agenda -- along the lines of EGS and CIDRiE, for example -- would be a more effective way to go about it (of course, EGS and CIDRiE must be supported by the full spectrum of Eritrean society if they are to achieve these goals). If others don’t stand up on the side of the Kunamas now, their turn of suffering will surely come one day as that is one of the unfailing promises of tyranny. Without the context of a national agenda, I just can’t see what a splintered Kunama, Afar or, shall I say, a Tewahdo “liberation” movement can accomplish.

It would be far more effective to find ways to unite Eritrea’s 4 million people with a common purpose based on justice, freedom and equality. That kind of foundation will be very helpful in building the incremental critical momentum that will be necessary to get us to our Rosa Parks moment.

To be continued...