Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 21:55:37 +0200
Eritrea: A Missed Opportunity?
* Posted by Dr. Samuel Mahaffy
<http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/profile/DrSamuelMahaffy>
* on September 19, 2014 at 2:08pm
<http://api.ning.com/files/1VJR9F-zilo8*kH4HzgEr98QOc3d81JMR0D4IE81Yn1a1W3wY
tA6WM*gPVcx784h6*Wx*JnOUIa42PmuHxLvOZxLnwqRNHWd/eritreajapan.jpg>
http://api.ning.com:80/files/1VJR9F-zilo8*kH4HzgEr98QOc3d81JMR0D4IE81Yn1a1W3
wYtA6WM*gPVcx784h6*Wx*JnOUIa42PmuHxLvOZxLnwqRNHWd/eritreajapan.jpgIn the
same week that Japan sent a delegation to Eritrea, laying the groundwork for
a new embassy there, the U.S. State Department issued a new travel warning
about Eritrea painting a grim picture of Eritrea as an unstable and
dangerous country. As the global community continues to open to both
diplomatic missions in Eritrea and exploration of economic and trade
opportunities, the question must be asked: "Is the continuing effort by the
U.S. to isolate and paint a negative picture of Eritrea misguided?" It
appears to be very much the case that in visualizing Eritrea is not
contributing to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa or improving
bilateral relations.
When the White House hosted the 2014 U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, Eritrea was
one of only three African nations excluded from the invitation list. The
Summit was a transparent effort of the United States to catch up with
relationship building that China has been fostering with African nations for
some time. It is time for the United States to catch up with the rest of
the world and seek respectful and open dialogue with Eritrea. The cause of
regional peace can only be served by positive engagement with the country of
Eritrea which has consistently eschewed extremist groups. Unlike
neighboring countries that have demonstrated ambition for expansionist
control, Eritrea has demonstrated that its focus is on maintaining the
integrity of its own borders as an independent nation.
The newly released U.S. State Department warning against travel to Eritrea
is a thinly veiled rehash of a systematic strategy to portray this nation in
a negative light. In the process, accurate and current information and
analysis are sacrificed. The misrepresentations of the state-of-affairs in
Eritrea are blatant and disturbing in their inaccuracy. The implied
suggestion that Eritrea has been involved in 'high seas piracy" plays on
Western ignorance about the region and particularly the coastal waters
around the Horn of Africa. The suggestion that the capital city of Asmara
is unsafe because of armed citizens roaming the streets at night does not
match reports that come every week from Eritreans living in Asmara or
U.S.-based Eritreans visiting the city.
While the role of the U.S. State Department to caution citizens about parts
of the world where travel might be dangerous is valued and respected,
broadly inaccurate portrayals of conditions in Eritrea do not serve the
cause of either peace or regional stability. Instead, they simply ferment
mistrust and the honest and respectful communication that must happen if
there is to be peace and prosperity in the region.
It is time for the U.S. to wake up to the reality that the strategy of
isolating Eritrea simply has not worked. Eritrea has one of the highest
per-capita number of diplomatic missions in East Africa. (
<http://www.madote.com/2014/09/japan-agrees-to-open-embassy-in-eritrea.html>
http://www.madote.com/2014/09/japan-agrees-to-open-embassy-in-eritrea.html).
Eritrea is increasingly being recognized as a stable country in a volatile
and conflict-ridden region.
Eritrea is not without its faults. My recent engagement as a speaker at two
gatherings of Eritreans from around the world left me with the impression
that the Eritrean community and leadership are candidly open about areas
where improvements are needed. By teleconference with Asmara, Eritreans
asked a variety of questions that were answered in a transparent and direct
way by the Office of the President of Eritrea. Positive change begins with
engagement and dialogue. The strategy of isolation of Eritrea should simply
be pronounced as ineffective and abandoned.
Eritrea is here to stay as an independent nation charting its own course.
Respectful engagement with Eritrea is an opportunity that should no longer
be missed.
**********************************
Dr. Samuel Mahaffy is a U.S. citizen born and raised in the country of
Eritrea. He has been involved in conflict transformation work for several
decades. He is an independent consultant and facilitator and writes
frequently on topics relating to peacemaking and Africa on his website at
<http://www.samuelmahaffy.com> www.samuelmahaffy.com.
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