http://salaamurbanvillage.org/?p=1702
Posted by samuelmahaffy
· July 16, 2014
Invite Eritrea! Dialogue Begins with Inclusion not Exclusion
By Samuel Mahaffy, Ph.D
The African Leaders Summit is a great idea. The selective exclusion of some
countries is not.
The singular exclusion of Eritrea from the invitation of African leaders to
participate in the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit in Washington D.C. is
misguided, inappropriate and does not serve the cause of peace and
prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
The Summit, called by President Obama to be held in August 2014, is an
historic opportunity for dialogue. We commend President Obama for taking
this historic step. The exclusion of Eritrea from the dialogue process is
unfortunate. Hank Cohen, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for
African Affairs has pointed out that it is "time to bring Eritrea in from
the cold." (
http://africanarguments.org/2013/12/16/time-to-bring-eritrea-in-from-the-cold-by-hank-cohen/
).
There are compelling reasons to include Eritrea in any meaningful dialogue
about fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa (
http://samuelmahaffy.com/2014/05/visiblizing-eritrea-africa-country-eritrea/.
Eritrea has had significant successes in "sustainable economic growth and
development"-one of the central topics of the Summit.
The exclusion of Eritrea from the invitation list is particularly
illogical. Eritrea has been singled out for significant criticism for
human rights violations. Yet, the Summit invitation list includes
countries in the region-some bordering Eritrea-that are currently involved
in imprisoning protesting students, arresting journalists, and flagrant
violations of human rights.
It is time for the United States to engage in respectful dialogue with
Eritrea. Analysis of events in the region show that Eritrea has the
potential to be an island of stability and a partner for promoting regional
peace. The call for respect for human rights should exclude no country.
Neither, should the invitation to dialogue.
The exclusion of Eritrea is clearly political. It is also ill-conceived.
Eritreans in the United States make significant contributions in nearly
every metropolitan area. Professional Eritreans are lawyers, social
workers, nurses, and caregivers. They are taxi cab drivers, restaurant
owners and tax payers. In short, they are our neighbors. They are a
community that contributes much to the cultural diversity that make cities
like Seattle, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., San Diego, Philadelphia and
other population centers great places to live. Eritreans here, who make a
great civic contribution, are disrespected by the exclusion of their
homeland from the invitation to the White House.
We are initiating a petition to President Obama that he reconsider the
decision to exclude Eritrea from the invitation to the U.S. Africa Leaders
Summit. That petition is also being sent to U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry and to Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield who leads the
Department of State's Bureau of African Affairs.
Our position is not a political one. It grows from a conviction that peace
in the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole is furthered by dialogue
that is inclusive and not exclusive. The conversation about human rights
and peaceful international relationships begins with opening doors and not
shutting them.
We invite you to contact your U.S. Congressional Representative or the
White House directly to encourage and support an inclusive dialogue that
does not selectively choose to eliminate some African leaders.
******************************************************************
This post was written by Samuel Mahaffy, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to Salaam
Urban Village Association in consultation with Amanuel Yohannes, Executive
Director of Salaam Urban Village Association. Both Samuel Mahaffy and
Amanuel Yohannes were born in Eritrea and reside in the State of
Washington. Samuel Mahaffy is a consultant and facilitator who has assisted
more than five hundred nonprofits and NGO's and is active in supporting
immigrant and refugee families in the United States. Salaam Urban Village
Association, in partnership with the East Africa Institute, is planning a
visit to Eritrea to further dialogue and collaboration between Eritreans in
the United States and in their homeland. Dr. Mahaffy writes regularly on
topics relating to Africa and peace-making on his website at
www.samuelmahaffy.com and on the Peace and Collaborative Development
Network at
http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topics/stepping-toward-the-dance-step-of-peacemaking#.U8cIgNZOWM8
.
Received on Thu Jul 17 2014 - 08:12:23 EDT