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From: awetnayu@hotmail.com
Date: Sat Jan 22 2011 - 12:34:58 EST
Action Eritrea 2011
Amanuel Biedemariam
After the US managed to pass the illegal Resolution 1907 (2009) to sanction the people and the government of Eritrea, His Excellency President Isaias Afewerki went on tour to Zoba Debub of Eritrea. President Isaias went to observe the local progress that is based on the food security campaign that Eritrea is engaged in. After visiting various villages, cities and towns and after meeting with the farmers of the region; he drove into the city of Mendefera. On arrival he was greeted by thousands of exuberant residents that wanted to shake hands and cheer him as he walked through the heart of Mendefera. After a joyous long stroll, the president was then directed to a tent that the people of the region and the administration of the Zoba set for him as surprise. President Isaias did not expect such a reception and was not prepared for it.
The reception was an opportunity for the locals to express their gratitude, ascertain unwavering support; show solidarity with their government and to vent against the unjust and illegal resolution the US hatched and imposed. It was also a glimpse into Eritrea’s history as perceived by a generation that witnessed the Italian, British and Ethiopian colonial rules. During the heated venting (m’ndar) Sheiks, Priests, elders- men and women of the community expressed their views. Amongst them one man stood and said this about the sanction: “The sanction measure they placed on us means nothing because we Eritreans have seen it all. Throughout our history all they have done is try to destroy us. However, no matter what they do, we always come out victorious at the end. The sanction on Eritrea is not new and it will not change anything as long as we have our ploughs and shoulders. And no one can sanction us from tilling our land.”
Those words resonate because they vividly show the free and independent mindset that Eritreans have. It expressed the spirit of people with a-can-do attitude undeterred by the most daunting obstacles that the US, other powers and, their surrogates imposed. It is evidence that Eritreans have always believed that they are under sanction by the powers. And most importantly; that captured the spirit of Eritreans that was expressed in every corner of the world. Eritreans were and remain angry about the injustices and are determined to do all that they can to change it. Just a month after the imposition of the illegal act, on February 22nd, they demonstrated in major cities around the world in large numbers.
However the US and the UNSC have been keeping the sanction quiet and pretended like it is not there because they knew that it was a shameful act conceived illegally. It is an evidence of the continuation of the flagrant abuse of their powers. However, Eritreans are determined to tell the world and hold those responsible to account. They are determined to make sure that they reversed the decision. To that end, Eritreans waged an “Action Month’ Campaign by faxing, emailing and calling The Whitehouse and UN Secretary General to call on the responsible parties to: repeal UNSC resolution 1907 (2009) that imposed unjust and illegal sanctions against Eritrea and its people, urge Ethiopia to end the illegal occupation of sovereign Eritrean territories and work for a viable and comprehensive peace in the Horn of Africa. The campaign started on November 20 and lasted until the 20th of December. The Action Month was designed to remind President Barack Obama, Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and other responsible parties that it year old sanction must be repealed and repealed immediately!.
Eritreans around the world successfully planned, organized and conducted that “Action Month” and achieved great success with future ramifications. Many have said the sanction is a blessing in disguise and Eritreans are discovering how true that is. The “Action Month” was a success on many levels. It delivered measurable results in terms of the reach it was designed to achieve. It also provided plausible benefits for Eritreans in more ways than expected. In less than one month 59,953 faxes and emails were sent from the US cities alone. Alenalki.Com reported, in one week more than 23,700 faxes and emails were sent-out through the website. The number of emails and faxes that Eritreans sent is simply astronomical. Thousands from the US and around the world called The White House, UN and The State Department.
The question is how can one quantify success in an effort such as this when there has been no precedence for this kind of undertaking?
One thing all those who participated need to know is the fact that every document, email, fax, letter and phone call to the White House and State Department are by law a public documents thus documented as a public record. In the White House electronically and in the State Department manually a person will collect them as they arrive. The UN received the phone calls and emails but there were some difficulties with the faxes. There were reports that the State Department Africa Office was frustrated and complained that they were not able to do their jobs.
Eritreans are cognizant what the sanction decisions was designed to achieve. It was designed to frustrate the people and create a wedge between the people and government of Eritrea. However, the sanction did the opposite. It united Eritreans around the globe. It empowered Eritreans and enabled them to stand up in creative ways. It made them stand more by their government. It also exposed the sinister approach of the global powers. And for those who doubted that was the case, the reality check downed on them like a lightning bolt! It made Eritreans realize that they can never let their guards down and that they will always have to deal with these challenges head on.
Every Eritrean deserves the praise for doing a good job and for daring to take a stand. This undertaking was huge and dispersed around the world .To make that a reality, it took a certain vision and dedication and, Eritreans pooled it off successfully. There are three reasons why this campaign and the previous campaigns were a huge success.
Firstly, the confidence that it instilled on all Eritreans around the globe. When the campaign first started prior to the historic demonstrations of February 22 2010, the Campaign Committee spearheaded a letter writing campaign ahead of the demonstration. While it was a success; people were not certain how the process worked. During this campaign however, it became easier for people to call, fax, email and write letters. That confidence will continue to serve Eritrea in the future no matter what the challenges are. Eritreans are empowered. And the beauty is this campaign is a grass root effort that others pay a great deal of money for.
Secondly, it united Eritreans. Eritreans have always been united and faced their challenges together. However, this time Eritreans are within an arm reach of each other. They have created a web of connection that interconnects them with each-other throughout the globe more than any other time in Eritrea’s history. They are active in the social networking internet sites. Cities, states and countries are linked in a way that can bring them as needed instantaneously. All the leaders are familiar with what the leaders in other areas are doing to facilitate for their needs. This is all done for one purpose; love of their people and Eritrea. They did it with all the love and dedication a mother can offer and delivered mightily.
Thirdly and this is, by far, the most significant: the campaign was led by Eritrea’s youth. They are the brains, the power and the vision that led the effort. Eritrea youth were meeting day in and out corresponding, texting, emailing, meeting and teleconferencing regularly. They set up the structures, wrote letters, set banners and disseminated information while creating a network of common cause. They set up contacts, collected all the information needed to make this a success. Eritrea is blessed to have youth that is living a meaningful life to be envied by other communities. This is why parents need to be proud for bringing up such youth that are centered and focused around their people and their country. It is also a blessing and thanks for the youth when many are aimlessly wondering and getting in troubles; Eritrean youth are focused on the betterment of their lives centered on Eritrea’s culture and value.
Therefore, by all measure, this was a success. Eritreans are not going to rest until the powers stop manufacturing their hostile approaches. Eritreans will not be deterred and they will pursue all legal means to reverse the UNjust sanction the US hatched and delivered as a Christmas gift to the Eritrean people. All Eritreans are seized on this matter and will not rest until the Obama Administration reversed course and live up to its campaign promises. We will campaign and make sure the voices of Eritreans are heard and heard loud and clear by the world. Eritreans are focused and united on their efforts. The History of Eritrea is unique and always successful and this will also bear fruit.
Awetnayu@hotmail.com
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