From: <awetnayu_at_hotmail.com>
*Wuchu, Vaynak, Hanjema,Desu Heroes that Capture the Eritrean Spirit*
*Amanuel Biedemariam*
One of the most remarkable achievements of Eritrea is that Eritrea stands
as the only nation in Africa that gained independence on her own. Eritrea
won independence with grit, cunning-wit, determination, hard-work, blood,
sweat and tears. Eritrea won independence by unprecedented-unparalleled
human force determined to uproot foreign enslavement. Eritrea won
independence by paying dear blood with the sacrifice of the beloved.
Eritrea won with the belief that only Eritreans can ascertain complete
victory and gain independence. Eritrea won by defeating all foreign forces.
What Eritrea accomplished is the least written about historical event(s) in
the world-particularly as it pertains to African history.
Eritrea is the only country in Africa that cleansed the entire country from
any foreign intrusion by force, yanked the system in Ethiopia that was
supported by Super Powers, put in place a system that favored her. As
General Sebhat Efrem said, "Eritrea picked Eritrea's documents from the
dustbin of the UN- archives, dusted-it-off and handed them back after
rewriting the history anew."
Eritrea's victories required a belief, vision, commitment and sacrifices.
It required a strong mindset that transcended basic human tendencies in
order to accomplish these seemingly impossible historic achievements. Major
General Ghebrezghier Andemariam (Wuchu), Brg. General Mebrahtu (Vaynak),
Brg. General Amanuel (Hanjema) and Tegadalay Desu Tesfatsion were the
embodiment of that history.
Eritrea is endowed with plenty of men and women that exemplify heroism. At
times, that uniformity makes telling individual stories difficult because
it is somewhat-discriminatory. However, their untimely passing makes
telling Eritrea's rich heroic stories that-more urgent.
In the late 60s-1978 Eritreans flocked to join the arms struggle for
liberation in large numbers. Young Eritreans from all walks-of-life left
comforts of their homes in the cities and villages to join the struggle.
They joined to save the people of Eritrea from Ethiopian brutality that
torched villages; Ethiopian troops that brutally raped their wives,
daughters, sisters and shamelessly dismembered their breasts; Ethiopian
troops that surrounded villages and gunned down entire families. It is
these endless atrocities that strengthened the resolve of these men.
Eritreans were considered advanced educationally, technically and many
areas relative to other African countries then. However, Eritrea's
expertise on social, political, financial, economic, medical, military and
other core areas was limited or nonexistent during the struggle. Eritrea
did not have the experience and experts necessary to satisfy the struggle
and beyond. The people that joined then did not have the experience. Hence,
developing indigenous expertise on many areas was imperative.
Considering the amount of hurdles and loss of life Eritrea experienced;
developing experts was nearly impossible. However, by necessity Eritrea had
no choice but to nurture all the expertise needed in order to achieve
independence and beyond. Undeterred by the obstacles, with the belief of
relying on-self, Eritrea was able to gradually build extensive human
resources capacity in every field. That stands as one incredible history of
a collective human achievement unparalleled in modern African history.
These men were amongst the first product as well as directors of that
effort. They became Eritrea's generals and leaders by determination, hard
work and the desire to acquire the knowledge and expertise necessary to
help them fulfill their aim.
The world is full of stories of heroic men and women. These men however
were amongst the best the world has ever seen. Relatively, the achievements
of these heroes are as great if not greater in many areas. The layers of
achievements are of historic proportions. These were amongst the first
military men and women that were tasked to accomplish the impossible and
did masterfully with unparalleled valor. They were dedicated humble men of
the people. Their stories are special and a testament of Eritrea's past
success; evidenced by the successful platform that they helped establish
which is serving as trajectory for the brighter future of Eritrea.
Their accomplishments, while collectively Eritrean and credit to those who
sacrificed alongside them, are unmatched by their counterparts outside
Eritrea. To count some of their achievements:
*Tenure:* each of these heroes' served 40+ years, without break; taking
Eritrea through many phases, dealing with adversities, vicissitudes while
going through all the human and personal challenges.
*Adaptability:* From the beginning of the struggle Eritrea went through
many challenges and changes that required dynamic personalities to deal
with dynamic situations. The easy way to understand the change Eritrea
underwent from the beginning of the struggle is the motto, "Nitsela-i
bitiyutu b-biretu," Tigrigna for, "hitting the enemy with his arms and
bullets." The Eritrean struggle started with nothing. Today, Eritrea is
endowed with formidable navy armed with technologically advanced modern
armaments and fleet. These men along with their compatriots lead Eritrea
through these changes.
*Victories:* to claim that one is amongst the best, we must look at some of
the adversaries they faced. Eritrea, by extension these heroes, faced the
world's greatest powers repeatedly and came out victorious. These heroes
were forced to stand directly or indirectly against Soviet Union, US,
Yemen, Israel and Cuban forces and came out victorious. Ethiopian
commanders and generals meant nothing to these heroes since that constantly
came-out-on-top defeating all of them. Eritrea is littered with dead
Ethiopian high ranking officers. Every year Eritrea celebrates these
milestones by highlighting the names of these generals such as Nadew, and
Demise IZ etc...evidence of the bravery of these men that trampled over enemy
soldiers.
*Strength:* These heroes were amongst the strongest men that ever lived.
They were strong mentally-and-physically, resilient, iron-willed and
determined-men that finished what they started. Nowadays generals are
mostly relegated to central command centers to direct troops. These men
however were on the trenches, every-step of the way in the hills and
valleys directing armies in battle in the line of fire for decades.
Considering the amount of hostilities Eritrea faces their strength
translated into the strength of the people while they drew strength from
the people that they loved and fought- for.
*Strategizing: *These heroes are the reflection of the Eritrean wit that
outwitted the world, literally. They outsmarted Ethiopia's strategies every
step of the way and methodically annihilated Ethiopian presence and
ascertained independence. Furthermore, when the TPLF started the war of
aggression against Eritrea they foiled TPLF/Western agendas and made all
their attempts null and void. Their brilliant strategic approaches bought
Eritrea time, respite and room necessary to grow from within. Their work is
sustaining Eritrea to date.
*Politically:* The politics of Eritrea is the product of a brilliant
strategy that the EPLF engrained in the psych of Eritreans. It is "Hafash
Yinkah Y-wedeb Yi-Teatek" Tigrignya for, "The Masses must be educated,
organized and armed." The masses of Eritrea are very educated about the
politics that involves Eritrea and beyond. Eritreans are organized and
armed mentally and militarily to be able to deal with all adversities. One
of the most brilliant examples of this is when the TPLF and their handlers
claimed that Eritreans need to be armed to incite chaos the government of
Eritrea in turn armed every Eritrean to the dismay of the enemies. There
exists no country in the world with this confidence on its population. Only
in Eritrea, only Eritrea can pull this off. It is the political education
that these men nurtured which is sustaining Eritrea.
*Socially/Economically:* The US is known for the US Army Corps of Engineers
that partly shaped the geographic, economic and political map of the US.
Similarly, in short time these heroes were part of a group of men and women
that shaped the social, political, geographic and economic make up of
Eritrea. >From before independence these men were the contractors that
helped establish the infrastructures Eritrea built, they built dams and
established agro-industry. They were economists (by default) that created
mechanisms to help stabilize prizes by bringing products into market to
compete against predatory business practices. They are the vanguards that
established a military structure that will ensure Eritrea's future
success.
*Institutional Development: *Every institution in Eritrea is product of the
values they nurtured. As men of the Military, they taught countless
Eritreans that can carry the torch of Eritrea safe and secure for future
generations.
*Eritrea Will Miss You *
These heroes have established foundations that can survive without them.
They groomed men and women that can follow their lead on their behalf. They
have created structures that will not wither in their absence. They have
given so much, giving up a lot, sacrificed all of what life can offer in
order to free, protect and ensure the future of Eritrea based on their
dignified cores.
They did Eritrea right by saving her from bullies by assassinating members
of Ethiopia's death squads that terrorized Eritreans. They outsmarted,
outwitted, out-struggled all their adversaries, while nurturing armies and
building a nation.
It is unfortunate, untimely and sudden, a big loss for their families,
friends and compatriots. As Maj. General Teklai Habtesllasie said, "It is
unfortunate and huge loss for the people and the government Eritrea that
these men passed in this way. They were not done; they were still hungry to
do more, to teach and pass-on what they know to build Eritrea."
They have lived the lives of many in one lifetime. They have achieved
countless achievements that no living military men or women outside Eritrea
can boast. Their history and stories are like no other. It is miraculous,
hard to believe and unseen anywhere in the world. Their individual
histories alone will fill many history books.
These sudden multiple back to back losses of heroes has jolted the psyche
of a nation; tremendous loss and hard to fill. It is a reminder of life's
limitations; a reminder that Eritreans must record and pass-on all the
stories they know about Eritrean heroes. The story of these men is the
story of Eritrea.
The people of Eritrea are resilient and know that they must move on
regardless of how heavy the losses. They have been tried initially by the
price they paid for independence and later to safeguard the nation.
That said however, and in order to keep these men honored forever, it is
the obligation of every Eritrean to live by the values they espoused and
continue on their work to keep them alive. They have given their lives to
hand a nation, independent nation, a nation free from occupation, a clean
canvas to paint it how Eritrea wants. It is the least we can do.
Awet N-Hafash Zel-Almawi Zikrin Kibrin N-Su-Wa-atna
Awetnayu_at_hotmail.com
Received on Wed Mar 26 2014 - 17:28:52 EDT