“Give and Take”, Ethiopia’s New Peace Proposal: A
Deception of the Highest Degree
By: Ogbazgy Abbay Asmerom
PART I
There is a Tigrigna idiomatic expression that states, “Dismount from a mule that is not yours, depart from a property that does not belong to you.”
On November 25, 2004, the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia came up with a so-called five-point peace proposal to resolve the Ethio-Eritrean border dispute. It stated that the Ethiopian government wants a dialogue with Eritrea and wants to resolve the border problem by a “give and take“peace process. What an absurd approach! What a deception!
Who is to take what? Who is to give what? Who is to believe in the so-called new peace proposal?
The five-point peace proposal concocted by the Ethiopian government is not going to bring any peace to the Horn of Africa! It has no flesh and no meat! It is not a genuine proposal for peace. It is not a sincere peace proposal! It is a deceptive way that comes from deceitful individuals! In fact, it is a step backwards! It does not bring a practical solution to the border problem.
Ethiopia issued the so-called “peace proposal” to please its donors, to buy time, and to prolong the demarcation process. The five-point plan is not a pure peace plan. It was designed to gain some public relations momentum. It is a gimmick, a trick, and a trap designed to gain some sympathy from the world community. It is a deceptive way of hoodwinking the world community. In fact, it was a copycat of what the British government advised Meles to do, which is to accept the Border Commission’s decision “in principle”, and then everything will be “hunky dory!” Unfortunately, this kind of an approach can be compared to what is commonly called, “a blind leading a blind”, and not going anywhere!
Gullible countries, diplomats, political leaders, and individuals, including some corrupt Eritreans, have hailed the “new peace proposal” as a genuine approach and are encouraging Eritrea to accept it! What a shameful act to fall into such a trap like this and then be fooled! What is so shameful is that some so-called Eritrean nationalists and groups have fallen into the same trap devised by the Ethiopian government and are committing some political prostitution!
Eritrea has not accepted the twisted five-point peace proposal. It has rejected it, because the “new peace proposal” does not advance the demarcation process. It does not resolve the impasse! Eritrea does not need a so-called new peace proposal. It needs the implementation of the Border Commission’s decision. Nothing more, nothing less!
Here is another Tigrigna expression that states, “He who does not know how a partridge flies, can’t be a good hunter.” The Eritrean government knows the psyche of the Tigrians and Ethiopians. It has dealt with them for so many years and has learned the nature of their betrayal, deception, and evil approaches.
Eritrea is being led by individuals who are not fools and who are not going
to the open market to sell Eritrean sovereignty to the highest bidder. Eritrean
independence is here to stay! It is a reality! We know the individuals who are
leading the government have sacrificed everything they had so that Eritrea would
be free and independent. Thus, the maximum request that Eritrea is making is
the implementation of the Border Commission’s Decision.
There is one thing that needs to be made certain. Eritrea is for peace. It does
not want any war with Ethiopia. More than anybody, the Eritreans know the effects
of war. They have experienced war for more than 50 years. Hence, they detest
war and its aftermath! Peace, long-lasting peace, is what the Eritreans need.
This peace needs to be based on the rule of law and the application of justice.
The Eritreans know that they are on the side of the law and they know that eventually the rule of law prevails. They know that the truth shall set them free!
Ethiopia has to swallow it arrogant and hollow national pride. It should not threaten Eritrea into submission! It has to accept the decision of the Border Commission in its entirety, 100%. It must realize that the law is against it. This may be a bitter pill to swallow, but it is the only medicine that eventually will make it feel well and helps it live in peace with Eritrea and with itself!
Perpetual wars, conflicts, and intrigues will not make Ethiopia a desirable place to live in. Ethiopia needs to heal itself from the leprosy of greed; envy, avarice, and jealousy that make it covet Eritrean seaports.
It has to be made crystal clear to the leaders of Tigray and Ethiopia that they will not and cannot have seaports, like Massawa and Aseb. They do not have a natural outlet to the Red Sea. Ethiopia is a land-locked nation!
When there is a peaceful resolution to the demarcation process, by applying the rule of law and the implementation of the Decision of the Border Commission, then it is upon the mercy of the Eritreans that Ethiopia may use the pearls of the Red Sea, Massawa, and Aseb. After full diplomatic relations are established, Ethiopia may use the Eritrean seaports, according to the rules and regulations of the International Maritime Protocol.
The “give and take” approach has received some attention by the most gullible Canadian diplomat, Lloyd Axworthy, who is dancing to a different drummer! He thinks that Eritrea is going to be his “Banana Republic” to be exploited. He wants Eritrea to be steam-rolled by the deceptive move and so-called new peace proposal.
We need to remind the Canadian diplomat in clearer terms not to mess up with the Border Commission’s Decision. He has no mandate to renegotiate the Commission’s decision! As it has been repeatedly pointed out by many Eritreans, including this writer, Lloyd Axworthy has no role to play in resolving the Border Commission’s decision. His appointment by Kofi Annan to be a Special Envoy to the Ethio-Eritrean Border conflict is an illegal act. In fact, his appointment must be rescinded!
Lloyd Axworthy is not a substitute to the lasting and binding decision. He is not an alternative solution. If he is looking for a name and wants to be recognized as a problem-solver, let him build a castle in Addis Abeba and convince the Ethiopian government to accept the decision fully, 100%, in practice, unconditionally, and unequivocally. That is what he needs to do! It should only be done that way! Outside of this, there is no other way!
The Ethiopian statement repeatedly said, “In principle”, it has accepted the decision of the Border Commission. The two words are empty words! Ethiopia has not accepted the Decision. It is still saying it only accepts only 85%. The decision was not based on 85% versus 15%. The Commission did not give an incomplete decision. It gave a lasting and binding decision. After all, that is what the two countries, Eritrea and Ethiopia, agreed to accept in Algiers in December 2000. The witnesses and guarantors understood it to be lasting and binding! There is no deviation from this! On the rule of law, there is no “give and take.”
The Ethiopian government needs to accept the truth. A decision has been made. It is a lasting and binding decision. This chapter needs to be closed. A new chapter, a chapter of political, social, and economic cooperation needs to start. It is at that time that the Tigrians and Ethiopians can contemplate on entering into some form of a dialogue with Eritrea, which could usher the opening of a border trade, commerce, cultural exchanges, immigration issues, and a discussion on some ways of getting an outlet to the Red Sea. One thing, however, that is clear is there should not be any from of a dialogue, negotiation, and a “give and take” theatre before the finalization of the demarcation process.