Let There Be Order Out of The Chaos And Confusion Created By The Organization Of African Unity
Ogbazgy A Asmerom
24 July 1999

From the time it was established in May 1963, The Organization of African Unity(OAU)) was a weakling. It never stood up on its own feet. It was dependent on various interest groups, whether they were Africans or foreigners. Some of the original leaders may have had noble ideas about the continental unity. Others had selfish and egotistic motives and never sought for genuine unity.

The OAU fell under the influence of two camps and suffered the never ending division of the Cold War. It tried to serve two masters at the same time and never was able to please any master in a dedicated manner. It was caught with its pants down with the never ending saga and influence of the Anglo-phone and Franco-phone phobia.

Decolonization may have been a rallying cry for battle and a trumpet that gave a facade of unity. It was a temporary unifying rally and it never materialized to seek justice and unity throughout the continent. With its vast area, natural resources and millions of hard-working people, it became a victim of its own weakness and disunity. It became a laughable and wretched continent. At this time, it is associated with poverty, disease, illiteracy, civil wars and backwardness. Why all of these indictments on Mother Africa? What happened? What went wrong? What needs to be done?

These are the soul- searching questions we need to ask ourselves and find the answers within ourselves. The answers to these questions should not come form Beijing, Bonn, Brussels, London, Madrid, Paris, Tokyo, Washington or any other city outside of Africa. They should come from the hearts and minds of the people who live across the continent. As long as there are leaders who do not have a vision for the future progress and unity of the continent, we will remain a pawn in the political chess game of poverty, disease, illiteracy, famines, unrest , wars and destruction.

Now, let us turn our attention to the Ethio-Eritrean conflict and analyze what had happened within the confines and offices of the OAU. I can state as a matter of fact, since it was established in 1963, the OAU was the enemy of Eritrea and never cared to resolve the 30 years struggle for independence. Eritrean justice has been crying for 30 years in the hills of Sahel, plains of the Lowlands and Highlands, villages, cities,towns and homes of Eritreans. What did the OAU do? None! Zero! Shame on the OAU!

Alas, at last, the unthinkable happened. On May 24, 1991, Eritrea defeated the Ethiopian army. The 30 years war came to an end. The OAU was caught off guard. The Ethiopian empire collapsed. Mengistu Hailemariam fled to Harare, Zimbabwe. He found refuge in the bosom of Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Why? Robert Mugabe felt a need to help his desperate friend and wanted to pay back for the meager assistance he received while he was fighting against the armies of Ian Smith.

The whole world was also shocked on April 23-25, 1993, when 99.8% Eritreans voted, in an internationally supervised referendum, to formally be free and independent. Ethiopia was shocked and swallowed its pride. It had no choice, but accept the decision of the people. Again, another surprise took place. On May 24, 1993, Eritrea declared to the whole world, henceforth, it is a sovereign nation and no longer under the shackles of Ethiopian bondage. The inevitable happened. The OAU, United Nations and many other countries accepted the reality of Eritrean independence and sovereignty. Ethiopia lost free access to the sea. Massawa and Aseb returned to their legitimate owners, the Eritreans.

For the Eritreans, this came at a higher price. The following figures would be sited as examples of the sacrifices paid:

As every Eritrean household knows, every family had been affected by the 30 years war. In one way or another, every family has, at least, lost a beloved one during the war of independence. Thus, Eritrea became free by the blood, sweat and tears of its freedom fighters and the general populace.

Above all, the Eritrean infrastructure was destroyed by successive Ethiopian rulers. Here, we are talking about the days of Haileselassie and Mengistu Hailemariam. Hence, the infrastructure had to be treated like a sick patient and it was given Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation(CPR). The Eritreans began reconstruction at an accelerated speed and continued their tradition of self-reliance, which they used it to a maximum force during the struggle for national independence. Within 3-5 years, the Eritreans began to work wonders and the infrastructure was raised to be above zero and the enemies of Eritrea began to mince their words. Clinics, schools, hospitals and roads were built to provide services to those who had no service for 30 or more years. It is a fact of life, Ethiopian rule brought misery upon misery on the Eritreans and everyone was waiting for the day of redemption and liberation. Thus, it was not surprising to see thousands of Eritreans dancing and rejoicing for three days in the streets Asmara, after the day of liberation, May 24, 1991.

The process of a speedy reconstruction created panic in the halls of Addis Ababa and the Weyanes, Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front(TPLF), who are the current rules of the Ethiopian empire, which at one time worked with the Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front (EPLF), began to show signs of jealousy and became obsessed with the idea of reconquering Eritrea. It is a historical fact, it was because of the help of the EPLF that the TPLF was a ble to enter Addis Ababa and overthrow the communist regime of colonel Mengistu Hailemariam.

Let us recount the evil schemes and designs of the Weyanes: First, they started the border skirmishes and began removing land marks and confiscating Eritrean properties. Later, they introduced the economic blockade. At this time they thought the Eritrean economy would collapse and Eritrea would throw a white towel. That did not happen! Their theory that says" the Eritrea economy is dependent on Ethiopia and cannot survive for a long time" proved to be false.

Then, on May 13, 1998, the real war started. Ethiopia wanted to retake Baduma. Ethiopia declared war on Eritrea. This was a military putsch to annex Eritrea and get access to the Red Sea. The cry of the Tigreans and Amharas was: " How come Eritrea, with 3.5 million people, has two sea ports and Ethiopia, with 60 million people, has no sea ports?"

Here lies the crux of the current crisis, where the OAU was involved and created the chaos and confusion. Unfortunately, the headquarters of the OAU is in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is here where justice was slaughtered by the so-called mediators. The OAU followed a script that was dictated by a party that has no interest in the peaceful resolution of the conflict. The 11- point Resolution of November 1998 did not consider Eritrea's legitimate concerns. Eritrea was advised to leave Baduma. Eritrea asked for clarifications and never received it through direct channels. Thus, the OAU vacillated. No action was taken.

The Ethiopian government began deporting Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin. At this time, it has deported more than 61,000. Eritreans. Their properties were confiscated. They lost their jobs and livelihood. This took place in the door steps of the OAU and it did not utter a word against this ethnic cleansing. What a shame!

The irony of all, outside agencies began to speak against the deportation of Eritreans and the confiscation of their properties. Here is reversed logic. The OAU kept silent and others spoke. Is this what we expect form an organization that claims it stands for the welfare and well-being of all Africans?

The February 6, 1999, war intensified the border crisis. Several thousands of Ethiopian soldiers have lost their lives. Eritrean soldiers are also killed. War is no respecter of persons. It is a killer and not a picnic. Innocent civilians have been killed. About 300,000 are displaced. Here again, the OAU did not take any positive steps to resolve the problem.

Here, I should not only complain about the Eritrean problem. Why is Angola burning? Why has Sierra Leone been destroying itself? Does anyone care about the Sudan? Is anyone listening to the cries of Somalia? What about the situation in Liberia? What about Rwanda and Burundi? How about Mozambique? The tragedy in the Congo?

As I said earlier, the OAU is responsible for all of these tragedies. There is no African problem that cannot be solved by Africans. We should use the right kinds of tools to resolve our problems by ourselves. A Susan Rice or an Anthony Lake or some angel from the land of the unknown is not going to solve the myriad of problems we have.

In fact the Burkinabe President, Blaise Campore, the former chairman of the OAU, wrote a letter to President Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea and advised him to withdraw from the territories Ethiopia claims Eritrea had occupied. The way the letter was written and handled was undiplomatic and devoid of all ethical manifestations. Here, again, is another debacle from the OAU. Ethiopia kept on insisting on unconditional withdrawal of Eritrean troops and said " NO" to any cease fire. Its war planes began to terrorize Eritrean civilians. Again, the OAU shut its mouth and did not care about any Eritrean civilians. Is this the way to bring unity?

From July 12-14, 1999, the OAU heads of state met for their annual and ritualistic gathering and the 35th summit in Algiers, Algeria. One of the topics discussed was the Ethio-Eritrean war. For the first time, the issue was taken as a serious crisis. In principle the OAU tried to define the non-use of force to resolve ongoing border disputes, the need to implement the agreement in good faith and the return of territories. Here, for the first time, Ethiopia did not get what it was calling for.

My contention here is the the seven(7) Modalities for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement did not follow a logical sequence of events. I believe the order should look like this:

  1. The two parties commit themselves to sign a formal cease-fire agreement which provides for the detailed Modalities for the Implementation of the Framework Agreement. This is listed as number(7) in the OAU statement. Subsequent numbers will be identified in parentheses( ).

  2. The two parties agree to put an end to all and forms of expression likely to sustain and exacerbate the climate of hostility and thus compromise the Implementation of the Framework Agreement(3)

  3. The two parties accept the deployment of Military Observers by the OAU in cooperation with the United Nations. The Group of Military Observers will supervise the redeployment of troops as stipulated in the present modalities and carry out all other duties that are entrusted to it, in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Framework(6)

  4. The Eritrean Government commits itself to redeploy its forces outside of the territories they occupied after 6 May 1998(1)

  5. The Ethiopian Government commits itself to redeploy, thereafter, its forces from positions taken after 6 February 1999 and which were not under Ethiopian administration before May 6, 1998(2)

  6. The redeployment of troops shall commence immediately after the cessation of hostilities. This redeployment shall not, in any way, prejudice the final status of the territories concerned, it being understood that this status will be determined at the end of the border delimitation and demarcation(4)

  7. The modalities for the reestablishment of the civilian administration and population in the concerned territories shall be worked out after the cessation of hostilities(5)

    Let me add a number of my own as number eight(8):

  8. The border shall be delimited and demarcated based on colonial treaties and agreements. Once this is done, there shall not be any chaos and confusion about the 1000 km (620 miles) long border line.

If the OAU is to live up to its name and for the unity of our continent, let it work for peace and prosperity. It needs to be active and speak against all injustices. We are getting closer to the year 2000 and what is the OAU going to say about its legacy and accomplishment?

For the sake of peace, let there be order out of the chaos and confusion it created visa- vis-a-vis the Ethio-Eritrean crisis. We should also remember Ethiopia needs to think carefully how it is going to get the money to compensate all of the deported Eritreans. The Weyanes regime, before dispensing peoples' properties illegally, should have thought twice. Aesop's' fables says: " look before you leap".

The OAU should also be seized by this matter. The issue of other territories shall be raised based on the letters President Isaias Afewerki wrote to Prime Meles Zenawi concerning the border dispute that was going in 1997 and before 1997. The Weyanie regime should not consider these items as preconditions. These will be used as agenda items to be discussed later.

Eritrea has accepted the Modalities for Peace and the Implementation of the Framework Agreement in Algiers without ifs and buts. It is the Weyanie that is saying it shall continue the war. It also accuses Eritrea of not accepting the Framework Agreement. I do not know what languages Seyoum Mesfin and Meles Zenawi understand? Even if the Framework Agreement would be written in Tigrigna or Amharic, they still would not understand. Peace is not in their vocabulary. They do not have a head and a heart that works for peace. They believe and think the war will help them stay in power and rule Ethiopia for eternity!

War has no benefit. Eritrea knows this very well. The dream of Eritrea and Eritreans is development and reconstruction. Ethiopia under the Weyanes is in a different mood. It has no interest in peace. It is hiding behind the OAU. It continues to black mail the Secretary General of the OAU and his office. It is beating a drum of war, hostilities and insecurity.

I was in Eritrea in May of 1999 and saw the brighter side and future of Eritrea. In spite of the mobilization of the army to the war front, there is progress going on in every corner of the nation. Asmara is not dead as the Weyanes dreamt. There is a life in the city. Commodities are available. The determination and the motivation of the general populace is to work harder and bring this ugly war to an end. There is also a sign of bitterness against the betrayal of the Weyanes and their deceitful ways. Eritrea should never have been pulled by the Weyanes to fight in the unnecessary war.

I visited the Red Sea port and saw Massawa reviving again. There are new buildings that were not there in June 1993 when I visited it. The road that connects Asmara to Massawa is wider and better now and it is not different than many of the roads we find in Europe and the United States of America.

Other developments and reconstruction works are also being witnessed in other parts of the country. There is hope. Eritrea will resurrect it self from the unwanted war and crisis.

If the war comes to an end sooner, I am convinced, Eritrea will catch up with rest of the world and we will see more wonders about the progress and development of this tiny country of the Horn of Africa. However, the prerequisite to all of these is peace. Let peace ring in the hills of Tsorona, Zalambessa, Bure, Adi Murug, Altiena and the plains of Baduma.

Let the OAU be a catalyst for peace, and not a recipe of chaos and confusion. Let Mother Africa usher the Year 2000 with the commitment to peace, prosperity, love and brotherhood. Let the bloodshed, civil wars and unrest throughout the continent stop. Let the OAU be a shining light in the halls of Addis Ababa and other areas of Africa.. Let Ethiopia accept the challenge of Eritrea and work for peace. At this time, Ethiopia needs to fight a different war, the war of famine. Ethiopia needs to feed its own people bread, not bullets. Feeding people is better than to be consumed with personal pride and uncompromising insecurity.

There is no alternative for peace. War is a killer. Peace is a healer. Let peace reign supreme in the hearts and minds of all peace- loving Eritreans and Ethiopians. Let the OAU be part of the solution, and not the problem.