---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <awetnayu_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jun 14, 2014 at 11:51 PM
Subject: What time is it Eritrea?
To: "dehai-news_at_dehai.org" <dehai-news_at_dehai.org>
*What time is it Eritrea?*
*Amanuel Biedemariam*
A young Eritrean that was born in the US once said, "When I hear people
call Eritrea a new nation, it startles me because I grew knowing Eritrea to
be a nation." Most Eritrean children that grew up in the US before
independence have encountered people that told them Eritrea does not exist
on the map. Their answers were always that Eritrea existed in their heart
and they knew that she will be free.
The subtle way the West pulled Eritrea's annexation left Eritreans empty
handed without a country, under primitive tyranny of Ethiopia's pseudo
monarchy. In a flash, they defeated the surrendering Italian army led
by British
troops into Asmara Palace and not long-after, British soldiers and the US
escorted Emperor Haile Selassie into Asmara with his wife and handed him a
nation without having to lift a finger. Great Britain's recently
declassified World War II videos show this transaction clearly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blEmpAgn-6I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3nSB0sWL20
Eritreans who dreamt of independent Eritrea were forced to flee, killed or
imprisoned. That in effect marked the start of the liberation struggle.
Eritrea ceased to exist as a nation then. However, Eritrea was alive in the
hearts and minds of Eritreans. Heart is the foundation of the Eritrean
psyche, the place where Eritrea lives no matter where and it is where it
all starts and still continues to date.
With nothing but determination, Eritreans embarked on a long and arduous
journey to freedom. Without resources and military expertise Eritreans
flocked to the field to fight against US funded Ethiopian troops. In no
time, Eritrea managed to establish a full-fledged army that included tanks
captured from enemy soldiers. Moreover, while the fighting was taking
place, Eritreans were focused on reestablishing Eritrea after victory hence
embarked on a nation building campaign.
First the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) and after the Eritrean People's
Liberation Front (EPLF) controlled Eritrea, the people of Eritrea
accomplished the unthinkable, unimaginable and seemingly impossible fit.
With principled approach to struggle, clear-aim stemming from the
iron-willed Eritrean heart, by empowering Eritreans with education, by
organizing, arming-them with everything they need to succeed as a unit and
by Self Reliance Eritrea won.
The manner in which Eritrea came to life is a history that the Soviet
Union, United States and their allies shun to talk or write because it
highlights the defeat of their agendas. That also means given a choice
these enemies would not have liked to see independent Eritrea.
In 1991, the US tried to block Eritrea's independence but failed because
Eritrea knew what to do and where to go. Eritrea took-out the system in
Ethiopia and propelled the current regime, in a sense conducted a regime
change; a first seamless transition conducted by an African nation, and
ensured the signature that sealed independence. No African nation would
admit that the current regime of Ethiopia is a byproduct of the struggle
propelled to power by Eritrea.
Eritrea's independence was significant historical event that reshaped the
Horn of Africa's geostrategic map. It came at a time when the Soviet Union
fell and the US became the sole-superpower. The breakup of the USSR
accorded the US opportunity to control the region. Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya,
Tanzania, Burundi, Kenya and Ethiopia became US client-states with Ethiopia
as a hub. Eritrea was also a part of that equation.
After the Cold War, the US controlled the region by proxies. At the time
the Clinton administration lauded these "new generation African leaders"
including His Excellency President Isaias Afwerki as the hope for the
future. That was short-lived because while the others kowtowed to US
interests Eritrea forged independent path to the dismay of US marking new
Era of US Eritrea relations. Eritrea was the only nation thus a spoiler of
US hegemony. Cooperation, mutual interests-based bilateral relations with
Eritrea would set a bad precedent; hence, a regime change policy was
initiated against Eritrea.
The machinations to ensnare Eritrea under the pretext of border-war were
initiated leading to countless death, loss of limbs and population
displacement. Had they succeeded, Eritrea would have been soaked-in-blood
for generations. Eritrea managed to foil all their sinister attempts.
However, these machinations continued. The UN was manipulated to pass
punitive measures that denied Eritrea her inalienable rights for
self-defense with illegally manipulated and fabricated sanctions under the
guise of "African nation's initiative" when the actual violators were
Ethiopia and the US that brazenly and violently invaded Somalia, a
sovereign nation.
The levels of covert and overt activities on Eritrea remain relentless. All
the defamatory campaigns and destabilizing activities against Eritrea trace
their roots to Ethiopia and US. The US continues the assault with the youth
as their key target. Recent State Department regarding Eritrean refugees
from the Afar region indicate continuation of a hostile policy geared at
encouraging youth flight. The regime change policy is still on play. US
authorities are still trying to divide the people of Eritrea from the
government.
In 2009, on Christmas Eve, when Ambassador Susan Rice boasted the sanction
she placed upon the people of Eritrea, she said the US supports the people
of Eritrea. In a similar Fashion, when Secretary John Kerry extended his
warped independence letter *in May of 2014*, he also said the US stands
with the people of Eritrea.
Although it is an open secret, why deny congratulations to the government
that brought independence of Eritrea? That is duplicity and sign of
continuation of the policy. Nothing in the history of the US demonstrates
US support for the people of Eritrea. The fact that Secretary Kerry
deliberately misrepresented Boston Marathon-winner Meb Kiflezgi's identity
by calling him Kenyan when he knows that Meb is Eritrean-American is
evidence that they do not want to acknowledge Eritrea.
*Cold War Part II*
During the Cold War, due to the global-geopolitical juxtaposition, Eritrea
was caught on a seesaw that affected her negatively. That ended at the time
when Eritrea won independence and the fall of USSR.
Over the last two decades, the world witnessed the destruction of Iraq,
Libya, Syria and unforeseen changes in many places such as Egypt. However,
after 23 years of US adventurism, the world is experiencing yet another
transition that will influence nations. The situation in Ukraine seems to
be the game-changer having monumental impact on world politics.
When the US pressured Russia with swift actions including sanctions for
Crimea, Russia and China lashed back in ways that changed the world. With a
stroke of pen, China and Russia brought down-to-earth the notion of US as
sole-super-power. By signing huge energy trade agreement, they invalidated
the sanction threat and placed the EU-nations that supported the sanctions
on a precarious position. Countries such as Germany were forced to retract,
in a sense created a wedge between EU and the US.
The agreement is diminishing the role of the petro-dollar and
re-establishing a new economic order that could counter US's. The bilateral
agreements will have implications on relations between nations, on the UN
working-pecking-order, on the global economy, on previously US
engineered-UN and other sanctions, and on global politics. A shift on
global-alliances independent from US is in place. Hence, for the first time
in years, it appears the world is poised for a multi-polar world-order
independent from US control.
The most import impact however is on the US dollar. When countries start to
trade with other currencies, the value of the dollar falls precipitously
and it damages the reserve currency that enabled the US to print money with
impunity. Countries that depended on US finances to sustain their economies
will crush. This includes countries like Ethiopia that receive billions of
US dollars as food and security aid. Absent of new funding sources these
countries will crush.
These new geopolitical developments will influence the political dynamics
of various regions in Africa. The penetration of China by using/dumping the
dollar to gain influence, Russia's assertive-stances at the UN Security
council is dissolving previously US dominated roles, thus diminishing US
influences profoundly. For example China is building rail infrastructure
that connects Kenya, to South Sudan, Uganda, and Rwanda.
These global developments will lead to changes of outdated US Africa
policy. However, these changes will not come willfully. It will come due to
US's inability to manage situations that are spiraling out of control,
changing global realities, and lack of funding. At the end, cost- benefit
analysis will force US policy changes.
For example Ethiopia will, in short time, be too expensive to manage. To
divide-and-rule the TPLF junta divided Ethiopia along ethnic and religious
lines. Many Ethiopians have been crying foul due to fears that religious
clashes could lead to genocide in Oromia and other places. Dr. Gregory
Stanton of Genocide Watch has been warning about genocide in Ethiopia.
Moreover, Ethiopia's interventions in various parts of the region will
undoubtedly have repercussions.
Ethiopian authorities are also concerned that instability in Southern Sudan
(SS) will lead to instability in Ethiopia. Refugees from SS are flooding
Western Ethiopia. Ethiopia's role on the SS civil war negotiations is
transparent. With threats of arrest Ethiopian authorities forced signatures
that forced President Salva Kiir to share power with the rebels. The
signature was an effort to legitimize the SS rebel leader Riek Machar in
pursuit of US interests.
President Slava Kiir knows the geopolitics of the region and Ethiopia's
roles in it. He is also a key player. Prior to the forced signature,
President Kiir signed key security agreement with Egypt essentially giving
Egypt backdoor access to Ethiopia. This is where Ethiopia's concern
emanates because the agreement accords Egypt a platform to access
Ethiopia.
These are entanglements that show Ethiopia's fragility. In addition to its
internal problems, Ethiopia's involvement in SS, Somalia and the
hostilities against Eritrea will have repercussions. By no means can the US
manage and afford to maintain funding a failing government. These types of
events are running ahead of US foreign policy objectives.
*The effect on Eritrea*
The difference between 1991 and now Eritrea was stripped-bare then. Today,
the reality in Eritrea is different. The mere fact that food security is
attained is a game changer. Eritrea is in much better place and able to
stand independently. Eritrea is the only country able to withstand
aggressive US adventurism. It is ironic that Eritrea, a country that
ascended at the fall USSR is managing to witness yet another cold war like
event on the offing. Except this time the table appears to be turning with
US super-power status on the decline while China and Russia rise.
Eritrea faced the wrath of US adventures alone. Even when nations knew
Eritrea is standing truthfully by the law, no one stood for justice on the
side of Eritrea for fear of retaliation by US. Regardless, the people of
Eritrea knew, as President Isaias Afewerki said, "That this adventurism
will not last." The people of Eritrea stood together and fought knowing
that the fight is for the very-existence of Eritrea and paid the price
demonstrating that Eritrea can stand without having to depend on any
power. As a result, today, countries are looking for allies and Eritrea is
a perfect choice. Eritrea's ability to defend herself and the neutral
stances are bearing fruit.
Eritrea was able to withstand the wrath because of the UNITY of the people,
and successful national-service program. Every Eritrean, no matter where
they live or who they are, has to participate. As a result Eritrea has the
most disciplined military population on the world. The people of Eritrea
know how to respect the gun and live with it while protecting the nation.
The mature-nature and the discipline makes Eritrea the most peaceful nation
in Africa.
Eritrea's greatest resources are the people not the rich natural resources
the nation is endowed with. It is also national service and the unity of
the people. And not surprisingly the enemies' main targets are Eritrea's
human resources. The US and Ethiopia are doing everything to deny Eritrea
her youth; attack the national service program and create divisions amongst
the people. Their main aim is to find or create a crack.
*Conclusion*
Eritrea stood strong by the incorruptible leadership that bought Eritrea
the time and space necessary to roll-with-the-punches. They secured the
room necessary that allowed Eritreans to see global developments and
learned from it with patience. Eritrea focused on the bigger picture
avoiding traps of temporary PR gains. They showed sacrifice and
selflessness that the people can identify. They showed resilience under
pressure and told the world we will do it our way, the Eritrean way. Most
importantly Eritrea is here by the united-will and strength of the people.
It is time to strengthen our unity and stand for what the martyrs gave
their lives. Above all, be smart; lift each-other and our communities no
matter where we are. That is what time it is.
Wetru Awet N-Hafash
Zel-Alemawi Zikri N-Sema-e-tatna
Awetnayu_at_hotmail.com
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Freliefweb.int%2Freport%2Fsouth-sudan%2Fsouth-sudan-crisis-spilling-over-regional-emergency-warns-christian-aid&ei=cROdU4_ZK5GUyAScroKoAg&usg=AFQjCNF0t6Z_bU7Db4Q4y5nf1vs4kHnwWA&sig2=-YodNl-XKI1R7aNu-Sp2Jw&bvm=bv.68911936,d.aWw
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/at/summary/v050/50.3onyango.html&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=tX2cU8SCF7LKsQTryIKgAg&ved=0CDkQFjAJ&sig2=pnB53orsjhxMRxrkKZBoiw&usg=AFQjCNHa_99islaz2KBlbFyp9T9-xtFXIw
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.genocidewatch.org/ethiopia.html&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=bH6cU6SZL8iqsQSngoG4BA&ved=0CCYQFjAD&sig2=wbW0VmzcsKORfOUrVsMZ1A&usg=AFQjCNGxhS4z-wQ1ZvhZkCA90aI6qhjF3w
http://www.google.com/url?url=http://hornofafrica.de/high-level-eritrean-delegation-headed-by-foreign-minister-osman-saleh-conducting-visit-in-crimea/&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=4X6cU_WCI6LNsQTqwYDgBg&ved=0CDEQFjAF&sig2=40C2c4gXnL36ylgruaxz3g&usg=AFQjCNHg-Eaxos05ZSCke3wdUaa4GB5Ueg
http://rt.com/business/160124-vtb-bank-china-currencies/
http://rt.com/business/164752-russiia-de-dollarize-yuan-china/
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001XsYXH5tf34_Zq4v5WMW1K_ESKELPw474K7psKR4UdeAxrAGtwaVVeOmCSI8OPpszifBYKIalDIB8Rd8arIB1r3zmAIw5F_vOAle9lW9QX8QeAvZ5AClgEYOB1VHKHNAdCtbdi7QJ2Hhb7Dp-5-5_m8bZVzQC2NnWa2C2QoTp5QooaUYX_fwRmeWneWY-KTaRm5XRPBZZ3uJvznz8S7PVQYQuixFAJO7_-QX6MwPyicIlXZDdC9MUZ4Kq9kdT5jPnIIkH1bSFQHs=&c=qAKSQYCuaJenqVslT49rvxVUICEpHXXJssDg4Ozn3I2y2vu8LkFVcw==&ch=3xRQqxB7_tvp2iJMrQb0rERJzP3PJKf6TW8QTurTJbfN-kG-frNxHA==
Received on Sun Jun 15 2014 - 12:29:08 EDT