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From: awetnayu@hotmail.com
Date: Wed Jun 08 2011 - 08:05:49 EDT
Courage in the Face of Adversities
Amanuel Biedemariam
Days after the end of the war with Ethiopia in 2000, General Sbhat Efrem came to Washington DC for talks with US officials. During the visit, General Sbhat conducted an interview with Voice of Eritrea DC (VoE) and was asked a timeless question that touched a core. It is a question that is always in the minds of Eritreans particularly in difficult times. When asked, what can Eritrea do when faced by persistent hostile foreign powers that are continuously attempting to control it? The answer: (at least the gist of it was) all nations need to meet any and all challenges and must overcome by achieving victory in order to be considered viable-sovereign-nation! He went on and elaborated, Eritrea is a new nation and as such it will be tested militarily, economically, socially, politically and in all aspects of life and she must overcome…
The interview stands as one revealing moment because it provided a glimpse into the mindset of Eritrean leaders. It gave a unique perspective on how these brilliant leaders that ensured the freedom of the people of Eritrea think. It is partly the basis to the foundation that formulated their policies. It is a guiding principle that sets the destination of a nation that is determined to prevail no matter the odds against it or the ups and downs it faces. It is an attitude that determines fate. It is an offshoot of the famous saying “Our struggle may be long but victory certain!”
The people of Eritrea in and out of the country are keenly aware and deeply involved in the daily affairs of the nation in all fields. They work hand and glove with the government and understand the leadership’s mentality. There is trust and unspoken understanding amongst the people and the leaders. There is a clear understanding of what Eritrea’s threats are and where they come from. And they have developed layers of thick protection. However, and often, Eritreans are unaware of the extent and the danger. Eritrea gets all types of challenges including military.
The sophistication employed to fulfill Eritrea’s enemies’ hostile intentions, malicious defamation and barrage of demonizing campaigns is unparalleled. The web of entanglements they have weaved for Eritrea is simply inhumane. The political schemes they hatch, the resources they expend to achieve their goals are seemingly endless. Using their mammoth clout; the political influence they exert and the pressures they apply by using their friends is simply mind boggling. They employed all their Western allies to condemn Eritrea in every turn; they summoned their African “Yes men” to campaign and act against Eritrea. They utilized the AU, EU, Arab league and IGAD to pass punitive measure with unfounded, unsubstantiated and fabricated allegations.
This is what Brhane Ghebrhiwet representative of the Eritrean Embassy clarified on Saturday May 7, during a Mekhete meeting that was held in Washington DC. All these schemes are in motion, being carried out by their foot soldiers in Ethiopia as we speak. At the current stage they are planning socio-political, diplomatic and economic schemes to strangulate Eritrea. They want to strengthen the illegal sanction measure imposed in 2009 and pile on-it new measures since it failed to fulfill its intended outcomes. They are fabricating lies and making unfounded allegations to that end. According to their plans, this is designed to eventually escalate into overthrowing the Eritrean government. They have employed Eritreans that have betrayed their country.
About the threats the regime in Ethiopia is making on Eritrea, Mr. Brhane said, “There is a saying in Eritrea, {Wes zbelekas darga zHaremeka}. That means, if one makes a threat-gesture it is like he did it.” Mr Brhane noted, “Ironically the UN has a rule that states, “A threat of war is a declaration and act of war!” Mr. Brhane added, “What Meles Zenawi has done over the last 12 years was an act of war. We have always seen it in that light. However, all of what they have tried has failed. Therefore, they need to start a new page because they cannot admit that they have failed. And this, not new, it is simply an old message repackaged as new designed to give life to their failed attempts.”
Regarding the current developments in the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Africa, Mr. Brhane elaborated, “We get asked how, and if, it is going to influence Eritrea? Mr. Brhane said. “It is impossible to remain an island of peace when everything around us is boiling. Its influence is multi pronged.” He clarified that, “The revolts are a result of years of suppressive corruption that rewarded handful while their populations starved. In Eritrea we don’t have that problem. We don’t have corrupt leaders that want to fatten their pockets. However, it could influence us because the outside forces that have been trying to destabilize Eritrea for a long time can-view the confusion as opportunity and take drastic steps.” He brought Syria as example and noted that there is evidence that the US has been trying for long to shake the Syrian government.
Mr. Brhane addressed all the pressing questions of the moment including the refugee problems that lead to the death of Eritreans in Libya and the Sinai. He said that we have literally turned the embassy into a holding camp for all Eritreans and we are following up on all those who seek help. Mr. Brhane stressed the need to have a clear understanding and concise information of the prevailing situations before making statements is crucial to assisting the people that need help. All these people, whether they are in these countries legally or otherwise; once we know they are Eritreans, we give them all the support based on the basic understandings and agreements that we have with the respective host nations. This is true for Libya, Egypt or others.
He then stressed, lately, those that have been trying to destabilize Eritrea, those who try tirelessly to increase their support-base by encouraging the youth to flee with the hopes those who flee will pick up arms against Eritrea have been trying hard to use this particular issue to demonize Eritrea. In conjunction with their masters and chief financier in Addis; while working hand and glove with enemies of Eritrea; they are making statements that appear as if they are on the right side of history. Mr. Brhane said, “If there is one thing these developments clarified, it is the fact that it eliminated any and all doubts that these people are enemies of Eritrea. At this point it is clear that it is either black or white there is no grey area in this matter. We have no problem Eritreans opposing the government and expressing their unhappiness. We also have no problem when people criticize individuals in the government. It is their right. But what these few “Hasusat” are doing is not opposition, it is betrayal. They are standing alongside an enemy that openly declared war on Eritrea.”
Mr. Brhane elaborated it is high time to increase the Mekhete endeavors because the enemies are more determined than ever to wage an all out war. We will not belabor on their capacities to fulfill their dreams but we need to be vigilant and forceful on our responses. It is not the nature of Eritreans to sit idly and quietly when Eritrea is being attacked. These are people doing all they can to destroy Eritrea pretending they are fighting for the rights of Eritreans. However, if one asks what they are contributing for the betterment of life for the people of Eritrea, it is absolutely nothing.
The key
Eritreans have seen all acts of human deception, treachery, violations, cruelty and violence without exception. Historically, when faced with similar predicaments, people in other countries have wilted and quit. Many remain disbursed around the world never to return to their homelands. Examples are aplenty to detail. It is not to say that Eritreans are invincible. In fact many of these actions do harm Eritrea. During an interview for the occasion of 20th anniversary of Eritrea’s independence, His Excellency President Isaias Afwerki stated, “Yes, their actions can do damages but, we always learn from it and become stronger and move on.”
These actions, as harmful as they may be have failed to nudge Eritreans from their core belief that states, “Eritrea, for Eritreans by Eritreans.” Eritreans are determined and united to chart their own path. That is what the history of Eritrea attests and the reason why Eritrea prevailed for over a century. Eritreans know, foreign powers do not mean well. Their agendas are simple and based on their interests. The good will of the people of Eritrea and third world countries in Africa and elsewhere is not even an afterthought. It doesn’t exist. The people of Africa are nothing but a major inconvenience for the butchers of the West that are destroying Africa for their own interest. Therefore, Eritreans know no matter what is said or done, Eritrea must prevail.
Eritrea is a nation of brave-souls that walked almost-barefooted on rocky mountains, thorny brushes and scorching desert into victory. Eritrea is a nation of people that knew what they wanted before the armed struggle begun. It is a country of empowered people founded on a principled justice for Eritrea rooted on tradition, customs and values. It is a principled, organized, developed and a sophisticated society that aspired for freedom. It is grounded on the principles of gender-equality, ethnic and racial harmony; people that hold dear to religious sanctity and mindful of each other’s wish to worship in accordance with traditional tenets…Eritreans are amongst the hardest working people on earth determined to come out from the depth of backwardness that they were forced into.
Eritreans are doing it-all by relying on self and by facing truth squarely. There is a famous saying in Eritrea, “The stick of truth may be thin but never breaks,” (Betri Haki’s Tiketin ember ay-tsibern.) Honesty and courage in the face of danger, adversity, uncertainty and seemingly certain doom is what sustains Eritrea. Eritreans always know- well that the truth always prevails. No matter the lies, the deception, the treachery; as long as we are united and on the right side of the truth we will prevail.
Eritreans also know, in a world where truth have ceased to existent; where fabricated realities have become the 11th commandment; where lies are concocted to make realities that resulted on genocides in the name of good; where truth and justice is allowed only in their jurisprudence; it is an existential reality to find strength from within to withstand the onslaught of their crimes.
Conclusion
General Efrem also said that the sea is full of sharks looking for droplets of blood. One cannot afford to have a small cut in the finger because they will end up being devoured. He also said that a nation is like a submarine or a boat in the sea. If there is a small crack in the boat the boat will ultimately sink.
The start of the Eritrean revolution may have appeared unrealistic and an impossible dream for many. However, for Eritreans there was no choice. It was either subjugation by backward colonial entity propped and backed by the West or, engage in struggle for self-determination. The response was a resounding “Yes!” to self determination by sacrifice. It took about thirty years but that cemented Eritrea as a nation and propelled it to a level of independence unparalleled in the rest of Africa.
Eritrea celebrated her 20th birthday, this May 24, 2011, amidst the greatest fanfare the people of Eritrea have ever seen. This Independence Day showed Eritreans are one, determined and certain of their future without any cracks. It showed that Eritreans are undeterred, organized and ready. It showed that they understand, with clarity, what is at stake and what they want. They showed that no one or nothing can stop them from loving and supporting Eritrea. In their unity, they showed the world that they have created the greatest defensive wall of a united stance the world has ever seen. It showed that the enemies may have diplomatic political and economic power buttressed by their military prowess but, that is no match for the united Eritrean zeal. It showed that Eritreans believe that they can do anything with hard work.
This is possible, only, because in 1961, Eritrea had nothing while every weight was placed upon them. But now, Eritrea has cleared all the clouds of doubt and suppression by believing all is possible that no power could manipulate them out of their freedom.
For those that attempts to change that, Minister Semere Russom told them, “It is like the breast of your mother that you will never suckle again, {Kibetsuwa KeM Tub Adekum}!”
We owe all these to our martyrs, the people of Eritrea and leaders that are determined to keep the honor of our martyrs alive by safeguarding and propelling the country for future generations.
Wetru Awet n-Hafash
Awetnayu@hotmail.com
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