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From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Sep 03 2011 - 06:17:39 EDT
PFDJ Statement Issued in Connection With the 50th Anniversary of the
Launching of the Eritrean People's Armed Struggle for Independence
02.09.2011
70 years is not that simple in terms of time and content. Within these three
generations we have been able to go through three major historical events:
peaceful political resistance, armed and political struggle, and the
building of a sovereign nation. It also means rebuffing British colonial
rule, the illegal federation, the occupation of the successive Ethiopian
regimes heavily assisted and backed by the US and Soviet superpowers and
after independence the aggression and hostility of the TPLF regime.
In order to fully comprehend the historical value of the last seventy years
it is important to look at it in comparison with the seventy years preceding
those once. The previous seventy years represent those of occupation in
which the Eritrean people were condemned to lead a life characterized with
total absence of rights and dignity under Italian colonial occupation. Even
though alien occupation in different form continued for the past 70 years,
these were nonetheless years during which the Eritrean people rose in unison
to wage resolute struggle against foreign occupation and be masters of their
own future. Hence the past 70 years are years in which the Eritrean people
made history through changing the course of history of occupation, and thus
become real masters of their history. Hence, the major historical
significance of the past 70 years is the leap forward witnessed from mere
ideology to that of making of real history.
Engaging in comprehensive discussion about the historical meaning and
significance of the Eritrean national liberation struggle and nation
building over the past 70 years is beyond the scope and objective of this
press statement. Hence, we would only like to pinpoint its historical
importance. Despite that, since it is paramount importance to raise
fundamental issues in connection with the Golden Jubilee of the launching of
the Eritrean People's armed struggle for independence that the nation is
currently celebrating, we would like to raise the points cited as follows.
The history of the Eritrean Revolution is a history that witnessed people
rising up in defense of their rights, people who believe in justice, are
conscious, unified, organized, though poor yet fully convinced that they
will eventually emerge victorious against the forces of occupation that are
backed by the super powers . We should not forget, however, that history of
historical miracle, as part of human history was characterized with numerous
challenges and impediments. In this connection, two historical events could
be cited.
First:- At the beginning of the armed struggle in the 60s, the lack of
leadership and the desired political outlook coupled with domination by
reactionary forces and divisive outlook within the ranks of the ELF posed
danger to the continuation of the armed struggle. The task of ensuring the
continuation of the armed struggle called for putting up tenacious endeavors
lasting for years, thus demanding perseverance in struggle and looking the
light beyond the tunnel. Guaranteeing the continuation of the armed struggle
was not possible without developing a political path that could guarantee
victory, i.e. forming a vanguard organization equipped with revolutionary
ideology. Build a revolutionary vanguard organization that could guarantee
the continuation of the armed struggle called for passing different stages,
namely defection, civil war, and internal struggle. Had the intricate
internal struggle within the ELF not succeeded what the outcome that might
have ensued is to be left for history to record.
Secondly: The major challenge for the EPLF at the end of the 70s and the
beginning of the 80s was the strategic withdrawal and confronting the
continuous enemy military offences. When the balance of power shifted in
favor of the Ethiopian regime following the massive interference of the
Soviet Union on its side the question of continuation of the armed struggle
was once again raised. There was the need to win the enemy ideologically and
on the ground by reversing the balance of power in favor of the Revolution
through perseverance and sacrifice and mainly the reactionary and passive
thinking and assessment coming from outside. During that challenging period,
amidst the big difference that existed as regards declaring with confidence
the historical decision to resort to the strategic withdrawal in the
conviction that "it is normal to push forward and be pushed back, but in the
final analysis emerge victorious following a short period of resistance on
the part of the Eritrean people's valiant struggle beyond getting prepared
to mount resolute resistance against successive offences. And it was because
the decision was made and put into action by the vanguard EPLF organization
that the continuation of the struggle was guaranteed resulting in eventual
victory.
We are not narrating the truth of our struggle for the sake of history and
mere fame; it is because we should deeply understand its essence and make it
the basis of our future. As a society, we have no means for deciding our own
future and nation building other than our history. We should exercise our
history as a means of education and development. The continuity and
existence of history relies on making history out of the existing history.
In the struggle between national revolutionary spirit and stance on the one
hand and divisive and reactionary stance on the other, the main factor for
the intrinsic development of the Eritrean Revolution was that the struggle
had a winning vision and program, organization, strategy and viable policy
as well as tactic. In the experience of the Eritrean struggle, it was not an
easy task to come out victorious under the leadership of a vanguard
organization equipped with independent thinking and political path that
provided guarantee for the victory of the struggle for independence. The
victory of national democratic path and its vanguard organization was
realized through the struggle that was conducted for a decade. The victory
of the EPLF was the outcome of the effective and developed organization
which the Eritrean people's struggle developed since the struggle of the
40s, and not through the political reports of the Second and Unity Congress
"the victory of one organization in comparison with other organizations."
The foundation and capacity of the EPLF is the strong perseverance and
organization of the Eritrean people. It must be understood that the People's
Front managed to lead the Eritrean Revolution within the framework of free
political path, holding firm belief in the conscious and organized Eritrean
people, developing practical strategy and tactic, as well as great
efficiency in organizing and strengthening the limited resources at the
disposal of the Eritrean people.
The historical experience of the EPLF is the potent power of social justice
and values, the power of the people who enjoy the confidence of the Front,
the strong will and the dynamic participation of the people that got
reinforced within the struggle, the power of the mind as well as the
consciousness based in the conviction of overcoming the seemingly
impossible, the abiding aspiration for freedom, way of thinking and
self-reliance, the power of transforming weakness to strength, and being
small in number to many. Short of such strong organization possessing strong
ideological and political power the Eritrean people's struggle for
liberation would not have culminated in decisive victory in the face of
hostility at the regional and global level. And this fully attests to the
fact that the People's Front occupied the center stage of the political life
of the Eritrean people.
This in essence attests to the fact that the People's Front first and above
any thing else firmly upholds its political stance and values. That in
essence meant struggling for social justice and human values as the guiding
principle of activity. That means a combatant whose cherishes the abiding
principle "First for my people instead of myself." And it should be
understood that the secret of the victory of the Eritrean people relies on
the continuation of the stance and values of the past.
National unity for the Eritrean struggle remains one objective and strategy.
The main objective of the national movement for independence was that of
building a nation and reinforcing national unity. Nation building starting
from the existing societal diversity and proceeding to building national
society is a historical process involving political, cultural, economic and
social aspects. Hence, the historical contribution of the Eritrean people's
struggle for independence is the building of a firm foundation for national
unity. And the strategy for national unity that developed as a result of
emerging victorious against divisiveness, sub-national thinking and
practices as well as narrow personal interests constitutes one of the main
victories of the Eritrean Revolution. And in order for the struggle to
keeping intact and further developing the foundation of Eritrean national
unity to fully succeed, every national has the duty of standing against
sub-nationalist thinking and practices and thus build a developed nation
that belongs to all.
The foundation of the Eritrean Revolution lies in the organized
participation of the entire Eritrean people. Our struggle for independence
culminated in victory due to the fact that it practically implemented a
strategy having developed based on the unique situation of our national
struggle for independence and having developed a strategy of a protracted
war for liberation. After thirty years of struggle with its limited
resources, the Eritrean people emerged victorious for it managed to
establish a vanguard organization that organized the people that
strengthened and led their participations. The Eritrean national struggle
for independence was a democratic movement with a strong popular foundation
that ensured the active participation of the citizenry. The national
struggle would not have been victorious short of ensuring the participation
and confidence of the people and establishing a democratic movement that
gives priority to the interests and aspirations of the people, besides
giving top priority to social justice. The participation of the people in
all aspects of development being the corner- stone of Eritrea's nation
building strategy, it should be further reinforced.
In order to promote abiding popular commitment to and participating in the
nation building process, efforts need to be stepped up towards serving the
people's interests and aspirations. The EPLF was able to ensure popular
support because championed the equality and values of the people, as well as
serving their interest. It did not set up an interest group alien to the
people. As clearly spelt out in the National Charter, it is because "we live
among the people, we live the life of the people, and even we struggled
living a life below the standard of the people that we were able to
understand the aspirations and challenges of the people, that we become
eager to work to alleviate its problems; and we were able to engage the
people in the struggle and ultimately to victory." Even after independence,
the People's Front did not opt to change into a narrow interest group alien
to the people; rather fully understanding and upholding the pledges of the
struggle is the main political victory has strongly worked standing firm
against individual interests and ways of thinking. And it is worth noting
that there needs to exist an unremitting struggle and building as well as
and developing national institutions so as to keep intact the victory
attained and further reinforce it.
There needs to prevail an understanding that though the liberation struggle
for independence and the revolutionary experience has enabled Eritrean
national identity to be firmly placed in its historical profundity and
vibrance, its historical contribution would otherwise be confined to being a
foundation for the nation building process. The revolutionary struggle and
experience, no matter the depth and impact it leaves, beyond serving as a
background and motivation, cannot be an alternative for building a nation
and serve as an instrument for political, economic, cultural and social
activities. In the advent of the 20th century that witnessed the Eritrean
struggle and the EPLF that had very few to compare with, in order to achieve
success in the nation building process where a few among the developing
countries have succeeded, we need to exert vigorous efforts to build a
developed and prosperous Eritrea. That means in order for the People's Front
to accomplish its historical obligation it needs to continue the struggle
with the support and active participation of the people. Moreover,, it has
to ensure the participation of the youth that shoulders the responsibility
of fulfilling the trust.
Based on history and making history, the fundamental question of ensuring
the continuation of the living history, is expressed in the following words
embodying deep meaning.
"Free Eritrea the Gift of our Martyrs!"
"Building a developed Eritrea Our Gift to the Martyrs!"
Happy Golden Jubilee September 1st!
Eternal Glory to Our Martyrs!
Victory to the Masses!
People's Front for Democracy and Justice
1 September, 2011
Asmara
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