By Dawit WoldeGiorgis
I read Neamin Zeleke’s recent article, The Imperative of Ethiopians Dealing with Eritrea, about his reflection and opinions on the future of Ethiopian and Eritrean relationship. I would like to compliment his very wise observation on this very important issue of our times. I believe that not relating with the Eritrean government is a misguided position. Let me explain why based on my own personal experience.
After a rigorous three-year military training in the Haile Selassie I Military Academy I spent my entire military career in Eritrea. I was there as an infantry training and operation officer in the 2nd infantry division for six years. Even after I left Eritrea to attend university, I went back to Eritrea every summer to proudly serve in the army.
I was in Eritrea during and after the federation. During the last day of the federation I was there in Asmara on security mission watching the Eritrean Assembly when they were voting. It was unanimous vote. The Eritrean elites were the first to express their joy. There was in fact a competition within the Eritrean elites to send telegrams and messages to Emperor HaileSelassie expressing their joy and congratulating him.
There were some disgruntled elements that felt excluded from the new dispensation and therefore expressed dissatisfaction for personal reasons — the loss of power and influence. I was there celebrating with the Eritreans the long awaited unity of Eritrea with the mother land. It was an unforgettable moment. There was spontaneous and almost universal rejoicing by the entire Eritrean population. Undoubtedly, the response was genuine. I have gone across the length and breadth of Eritrea and experienced the outpouring of joy over the decision to unite with Ethiopia. Throughout Eritrea, and I have been to every big and small village, there was a sense of exuberance for the few years after the union. Whatever happened after that is completely inconsistent with what the people felt at the time. It suggests that there was a serious mishandling of the federal arrangement and the union that followed. If it had been handled with caution and without haste, things might have been different today.
I was there with my troops at the door step of the police headquarters when the first dissent had its first causality, General Tedla Ekubit, the Eritrean police commander. I was there during the most critical times in the development of the Eritrean rebel forces. I was there as troop commander when the first conflict started between the government troops and the rebel forces (then they were just bandits) because they did not have any political agenda. They were just a band of people headed by Idris Awate, a notorious shifta imprisoned by the British and then escaped to continue banditry act. He was again pardoned and was living peacefully when the newly established ELF recruited him and he went back to do what he had been doing all his life. I was there when he was captured and killed.
I was also there when in September 1956 (Eth. Cal.) our troops suffered their first causality at a place called Haikota, close to Agordat. The ELF took out peaceful soldiers on leave from a public bus and executed them. Until then Eritrea was peaceful. Even after that until the coming of the Derg and its draconian military and security polices, the EPLF did not control a single village or area in Eritrea except the rugged mountains of Nakfa. The EPLF did not enjoy any meaningful support from the population. Despite the fact that the process of uniting Eritrea with Ethiopia was flawed with technical and strategic errors, the people of Eritrea believed sincerely and sometimes manifested in extreme ways that I have not seen anywhere else in Ethiopia. (Refer to my book Kihdet be Dem Meret).
As a soldier, I have been involved in military operations. We were seven young officers, the first of the kind, in those times to come to Eritrea to train the troops. We used to be called Para Commandos, airborne and special force. (After three years in the military academy, few months airborne and a year in advanced infantry school in USA. That was a lot of military training.) All my six colleagues died in the service of the country. I am the only survivor from this pioneer group. For us the sanctity of the flag, the unity of Ethiopia was paramount. It was not questioned and dying for it was a cause to be celebrated. That is how most of the people I worked with in Eritrea and most of the soldiers I knew much later in life lived and died. They were in hundreds of thousands and all died with a smile on their face: because the cause was the flag and the unity of Ethiopia.
I came to the USA for my graduate studies and after the overthrow of Emperor HaileSelassie I returned to Ethiopia. I was an active part of the revolution which I sincerely supported until a certain time. But throughout the times I worked under the Derg I was very close to Eritrea. I followed the situation very closely until I was finally appointed as its governor (the party’s representative) for three years, 1980 to 1983.
When I was governor for three years, my task was to pacify the rebellion and stop people from supporting the EPLF. And indeed, as many who were there at the time would testify, we succeeded to the extent that the EPLF leadership later admitted to me and my colleagues that it was one of the toughest times in their war against Ethiopia. Suddenly young people stopped joining the rebels and many started deserting from the EPLF and joined their families. It was not a miracle nor was it a complicated task. The wisdom is simply treating the Eritrean community as citizens with certain inalienable rights. When we stopped arresting people at random, established the rule of law and treated people on equal terms, people stayed in the country and once again Asmara became bustling metropolitan and other major cities returned to their former status. What we proved was the eternal truth that the major cause of the rebellion was the oppression of the population by successive governments in Addis Ababa. The EPLF and the ELF grew out of the atrocities committed by the Derg and to a certain extent during the Emperor’s era. It became clear to us that the reason why many joined the rebels was not because they really believed that they were not part of Ethiopia but because they were denied their right to live without fear of being persecuted, arrested and tortured and executed. At some point in the history of the Derg this happened routinely. (for more detail refer to Red Tears)
During my tenure as governor, I was convinced that the Eritrean situation could be reversed if we could do less of military and more of governance and rule of law. I also suggested that we recognize the EPLF and engage with it. This created an outrage. Even after I left my country I have been condemned by my closest colleagues of suggesting that Ethiopian government recognize the EPLF and engage it in dialogue. My proposal for dialogue put me in trouble with the military establishment. As the records would show, I had serious confrontations with the then military leadership over this. Key Kokeb was not about war. Key Kokeb was about multifaceted approach for the Eritrean issue. HULEGEB ZEMETCHA. It was hijacked by the military and it launched an all out war which ended disgracefully and my showdown with the military ended with me leaving Eritrea and being assigned as the Commissioner of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission.
After I left the Derg at the end of 1985, I became actively involved in the effort to overthrow the regime through the movement we had established, The Free Ethiopian Soldiers Movement. The first attempt was the failed coup of the generals. I and my colleagues did the external arrangement for the coup. During those times I went into the area controlled by the EPLF in Nakfa. We discussed the role of the EPLF and suggested to EPLF leaders to participate in a transitional government in the post Derg period. EPLF agreed that it will unilaterally implement a cease fire and participate in the transitional government to negotiate the future of Eritrea. After this attempt failed, I was again involved in another similar effort. The EPLF’s position was unchanged. The EPLF was willing to participate in a transitional government of Ethiopia. And this was only a few months before TPLF marched into Addis Ababa. We were about to try once again, but the TPLF rejected the proposal and the attempt was aborted. Throughout these activities against the Derg, my colleagues and I worked very closely with the EPLF leadership. Despite the fact that I was an ardent supporter of unity, an officer who fought them, a governor who condemned them at every available opportunity, my relationship with the EPLF leadership was cordial and constructive.
Sometimes when we talk about the heroism of our forefathers in defending the motherland, we forget that a significant number of Eritreans sacrificed their lives for the defense of our independence against colonialists. How can we talk about the heroic struggle of our ancestors without acknowledging the key role that Eritreans played? For me it is ridiculous to say, We Ethiopians, in the context of history, without including Eritreans.
When, for example, we write and talk about Ras Alula and the battles he fought and won, we must remember that the bulk of his troops were Eritreans and their sacrifice was enormous. As well documented, almost all our external wars came through the Red Sea. Eritrea had always been the frontline for almost all the wars fought against the invaders. Eritrean patriots and Tigreans were part and parcel of these wars against foreign aggressors. Eritreans have always been at the forefront of the wars fought to preserve the independence of and unity of Ethiopia. During the war of resistance against Italian invasion, thousands of Eritrean patriots fought alongside mehal ager arbegnotch. The head of the military of the Black Lion was an Eritrean Colonel Haileab. Eritrean patriots shaped the foreign and military policies and structures after liberation. The first and second foreign ministers were Eritreans. The first ambassador to the UN was an Eritrean. Eritreans played key roles in organizing and modernizing the Ethiopian Armed Forces. There were more than 20 senior Eritrean generals at some point in the Ethiopian armed forces ranging from chief of staff, ground force commanders, air force commanders and division commanders. General Aman Andom was the most prominent among these senior commanders of Eritrean origin. It must also be remembered that considerable percentages of the soldiers in the Army were Eritreans.
During the war fought between the Ethiopian troops and the EPLF/ELF, there was a special Eritrean commando force which proved to be one of the hardest and in fact most brutal of all the forces of the times. The Eritrean militia, like the most wonderful people of Kohayne, fought to the bitter end until the country was taken over by the EPLF. (Refer Khidet be Dem Meret)
It is hard to understand how this center broke from the whole. Perhaps it was because the Eritreans have been exposed to many kinds of propaganda and external interests. Unlike the rest of Ethiopia which was ruled by successive kings and kingdoms, in the Eritrean coast land and at a later phase in its history, in the highlands, the Turks, the Egyptians, the Italians and the British have played some roles in shaping the minds of people. These experiences have left some imprints which influenced the growth of different kinds of political thoughts and alliances.
Throughout my stay in Eritrea as a soldier, and later as Deputy Foreign Minister and then governor of Eritrea, I have delivered many speeches on the unity of Ethiopia, that Eritrea was part of Ethiopia and asking the question if Eritreans are not Ethiopians then who else is? Eritrea is Mehal Ager. It is the center of our civilization and faith, the source of our culture and literature, the place where Ethiopiwinet began. I believed in this and every Eritrean I spoke to at the time believed in this ultimate truth. For me, it was my passion. I grew up taking the unity of Ethiopia and the inviolability of its frontiers as sacred oath not to be broken or questioned. But this oath, this timeless sacred alliance between us and the spirits of our ancestors, hundreds of thousands who died defending this cause, has been brutally ravaged by a bunch of arrogant self-righteous ethno centric individuals who are at the helm of leadership to destroy this unique legacy.
It must also be understood that the cause of Eritrean independence was supported by the student movement for years. I remember I was in New York’s Colombia University in early 1972-74 and I used to participate in student movement meetings. It was fashionable to talk about self determination up to and including secession. Anybody that did not support the cause of the Eritrean struggle was labeled as reactionary. I tried to explain in some meetings why our soldiers are fighting in Eritrea and why it is wrong to condemn them for protecting the unity of Ethiopia. As usual, I was labeled as a reactionary soldier who has been serving the interest of the feudal regime and my concern was dismissed. There is some credence to the claim that the student movement unwittingly allowed itself to be used by forces that had inimical agenda to Ethiopia’s interest.
When I was in the foreign office and later governor, and even when I was the Commissioner for Relief and Rehabilitation, I had meetings with the EPLF in some European countries organized by some NGOs, usually the Red Cross and Scandinavian human rights activists. The main purpose was to negotiate the opening of peace corridor in the conflict areas to provide humanitarian assistance to the civilian population trapped by the conflict. These meetings were not sanctioned by the government because it would be considered treason for anybody to have this kind of communication without the knowledge of the government. The once that were done with government’s knowledge had heavy pre-conditions. It was almost demanding the surrender of the EPLF. It therefore did not go anywhere. Ours was an effort by groups of concerned people who were trying to explore options to this endless war. When I and my colleagues met with the EPLF in very informal settings, they were and have always been very open to options besides full independence. There was no doubt in my mind then that EPLF would have accepted some sort of federation. But the Derg/WPE regime was never prepared to discuss this. I was even more certain about the position of the EPLF after my latter encounters.
After I left Ethiopia the first thing that I and my colleagues did was to establish a movement to overthrow the Derg. In this Eritrea was a key factor. I met the leadership of the EPLF and current President Isaias Afwerki several times in Europe and America and ultimately in Nakfa , through the back door into those parts of Eritrea controlled by the EPLF and meeting the leaders , the very people I have been fighting and condemning for years felt weird to me. That was the time when we were trying to coordinate the external factors with internal preparations for a coup. In an official agreement the EPLF stated that when and if the coup takes place, it will immediately cease fire and be part of the transitional government to discuss the future of Eritrea. True to their words, at the time the coup attempt was taking place, they did a unilateral cease fire and asked us if there is anything that they can do to make the coup successful. They could have taken advantage of the confusion in Eritrea when the commanders were killed and government troops were in disarray, but they did not. They were in constant touch with me and they were very disappointed by the failure of the coup.
A few years later, we tried to make another change from the inside before TPLF went too far. Again, we had discussions with EPLF and TPLF several times. We had completed preparations from the inside and what was needed was for the fighting forces to agree to implement a cease fire and be part of the transitional government. Until April 1991, two months before the TPLF entered Addis and EPLF Asmara, the EPLF supported the idea of making the change from the inside. They agreed after several meetings that they will be willing to stop fighting and participate in the transitional government and discuss the future of Eritrea. As the war continued, it became difficult to get the same kind of agreement from the TPLF. We had several meetings but eventually they sent us a long letter stating that they are heading to Addis Ababa and they asked us to be part of the EPRDF. Of course, we refused. That is when they established their own Free Ethiopian Officers Movement in order to confuse our followers in the military establishment.
The EPLF until the last days believed that the best option was to negotiate with the transitional government that would be established after a successful coup. And they know that the negotiation would not be about independence. I was aware that they were ready for some sort of federal arrangement. I was sure about that.
Besides the misguided policies of successive governments in Ethiopia, and the failure of the military to defend against the breakup of the nation, the overriding factor that eventually led to the independence of Eritrea was the policy of Woyanne. It gave away independence in a silver platter.
Now, if from early on the student movement had supported the secession and made it possible for the EPLF to be a strong internationally acknowledged liberation movement, if the Derg in the name of national unity committed atrocities that alienated a big portion of the Eritrean population, and if Woyanne regime eventually gave away the independence without consulting the Ethiopian people, why should the Eritreans be blamed for it? Why should we create animosity with the Eritrean people?
We have to remember that throughout the period of war between the government troops and EPLF and ELF, there had never been a war amongst the people. It never reached a level of civil war like in other parts of Africa. It was a war that went on for several years between the EPLF/ELF forces and government troops but never a war between the people. I am a living witness and can clearly testify that the war had never affected the relationship between the people. While the war was going on in the mountains, Amharas, Oromos, Tigres, and other ethnic groups lived together in peace, intermarried, helped each other, shared whatever they had and lived nothing less than a harmonious life. Over most Ethiopian troops in Eritrea were married to Eritreans. There are hundreds of thousands of their off springs today all over Ethiopia. Internal conflicts in Ethiopia have always been about power and not ethnicity. To my best recollection, the Tigreans in Gondar used to call themselves first Gonderes and vice versa. It is amazing that after years of war in Eritrea, the relationship between the people was never seriously damaged. It never went to a level of civil war. That is the greatness of the Ethiopian people. It demonstrates how deep our culture, our understanding and levels of tolerance have evolved over the centuries. This bonding between the people was broken by Woyanne. The Woaynne incited hate. It started sawing the seeds of ethnicity not only between the people of Eritrea and the rest of Ethiopia but amongst the Ethiopian people, too. This is indeed the saddest moment in Ethiopian history.
Eritrea is now independent. That reality cannot be reversed by force. There are two things that need to be done.
1. The national security and interest of Ethiopia have been and will continue revolving around three man issues. The Nile, the Red Sea (Eritrea) and Somalia (the Ogaden). Since they are very much interrelated, they could be considered as one. I have explained this in my book Kihdet be Dem Meret. There is no need to do that here. In all this, Eritrea plays a vital role. Ethiopia and Eritrea have a common destiny. Whatever happens in Eritrea will affect Ethiopia and vice versa. Whoever wants to hurt Ethiopia uses Eritrea as stepping stone. Arab Chauvinism (expansionism) and Islamic Fundamentalism have always been real threats to Ethiopia, and Eritrea can possibly turn out to be the main conduit. Therefore, any responsible Ethiopian government will have to develop a policy of peaceful co-existence with Eritrea and go even further and ensure that Eritrea remains a stable, peaceful and independent ally of Ethiopia. And this can only be done through diplomacy and not confrontation.
2. Whatever the policies of current governments may be, the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea are one people. We cannot and need not live apart. Our genes, our culture, language and history are identical. There are no people on earth that are closer to Ethiopians than the Eritreans and vice versa. We are destined to live together. Therefore the effort should be not to allow politics to change our historical oneness but to work towards integration. The will and conviction of people is mightier than the sword and we will beat the ethno- centricity and be once again one people. There needs to be a conscious effort by civil society groups to bring the two people together despite the politics in their respective countries.
The national interest of Ethiopia can be packed into three major issues.
1. The inviolability of state frontiers (territorial integrity)
2. The unity of the Ethiopian people
3. Freedom of its people
Our relationship with Eritrea should be based on these three fundamentals. If the Eritrean government respects the above fundamental principles and is willing to agree on polices that promote peace and development in order to create the necessary conditions for the union of the two people, then there would be no reason why Ethiopians of any group should not establish relationship with the government of Eritrea. Likewise, Ethiopians of all groups should recognize the sovereignty of Eritrea and work towards the fulfillment of our common aspirations.
After what I have done and spoken for most of my life, it has been difficult to swallow the reality that Eritrea is now an independent country. But I have to face the reality like many of us and look beyond. The reality of today and tomorrow should be on how we can advance the interests of our people in the context of this new reality. We might or might not agree with the policies of the current government in Eritrea. The relationship of the people outlasts leaders and their polices. We should therefore strengthen the foundations of our historical relationship and be careful not to be the victims of the poisonous propaganda by Woyanne. Meles Zenawi has attempted to define what Ethiopiawinet is and what Eritreayawinet is in his own terms and based on his own interests. The truth is: there is no drawing line. His own identity and that of his trusted advisers are testimonies of this reality and truth. It is only the governments that are two. The people have been one and are one. All responsible Ethiopians and Eritreans should endeavor to up hold this truth and reinforce it by focusing on what binds us together rather than what divides us.
As a neighbor with vested interest in Eritrean affairs, Ethiopians can only take hard positions when the steps being taken by the Eritrean government violates the fundamental principles of our relationship and endangers our peace and security. The current government has emphatically stated that it will not violate these principles and, in fact, it will be willing to work toward the building of a stable Ethiopia. I believed earlier that Eritrea was trying to strengthen its economy and its standing in the region at the expense of Ethiopia. It was my impression that Eritrea wanted a weak Ethiopia that is divided and not capable of posing any threat to Eritrea. This might have been true at some point in its existence. But I believe that Eritrean government realizes now that destabilizing Ethiopia will only bound to hurt it more and will not be in the best interest of the people and the government of Eritrea. Ethiopians are already angry that Eritrea seceded, and for it to go beyond that and try to destabilize Ethiopia will evoke greater anger that could justify conflict. It is wise for Eritrea to adjust to realities and work hard for peaceful co- existence which acknowledges mutual interests. Neither side should try to destabilize the other. Eritrea and Ethiopia can prosper in a peaceful co-existence with each other. Eritrea’s security can be guaranteed through a good relationship with a much stronger Ethiopia. The free movement between the two countries will further strengthen the unity of its people possibly leading to some sort of political union. Eritreans and Ethiopians can’t hide from the truth. No matter what is being written and being told, we are one people with common history, common enemies, common threats and interests.
Today, the issue is Woynne and not Eritrea. For Ethiopians as well as for Eritreans, Woyanne is a threat. Remove Woyanne and Ethiopians and Eritreans can breathe a sigh of relief and begin a new relationship based on mutual respect and working towards unifying the people. Assab is negotiable. Badme is negotiable. As President Isaias stated, “the sky is the limit.” Knowing how the Eritreans are straightforward and consistent in their words and deeds, there is no reason to suspect that his statement is one of a political gimmicks.
A friend of mine sent me the following e-mail on the issue:
I did not say that we should not engage — what I said is that our assessment of Eritrea’s intention should not be based on the assumption that the current leadership would like to see “a strong, united and democratic Ethiopia.” Their own history has evolved to the extent that an apparent state of paranoia has set in, and by all indications of their regional engagement in the region, we cannot escape this conclusion. However, it does not, by any means suggest that we should not engage them.
Why do we believe them? We don’t have to. Relationship with the Government of Eritrea for a common cause needs to be built, of course, in the framework of our fundamental interests outlined above. If they cannot translate their words in to deeds, they will be the losers, too. Ethiopians sooner or later will get rid of Woyanne and will come out stronger from this tragic political impasse. I am inclined to believe Eritreans because there is simply no option at this time except peaceful coexistence. The initial problem with the Eritrean elites was recognition. It seems now that most Ethiopians have taken this bitter pill and accepted that Eritrea is an independent state.
Woyanne cooperated in the drive for the independence Eritrea. But it now wants to manipulate Eritrea and make it surrender to its will. Woyanne cannot dupe the Ethiopians by false sense of patriotism over peripheral issues like Badme. Today, the issue is the survival of Ethiopia as we have known it and as it should be. Woyanne is destroying the fabrics of the Ethiopian society by bringing back a Bantustanisation policy from the junk yards of African history, by introducing ethnic politics and dividing people along ethnic lines, slicing our land and giving it away, unleashing poverty the kind that has not been seen in our history, arresting and torturing political opponents, perpetuating a dictatorship by a few Tigrean elite people from Adwa, Axum and Shire, facilitating the spread of fundamentalism and creating hostility with the Muslim world with whom we had a carefully crafted cordial relationship for decades. Woyanne has made Ethiopia technologically the most backward country in the world. Certainly and unequivocally Ethiopia is in grave danger.
The history of Ethiopia has been about winners and leaders. It was so during the times of the monarchies, was so during the time of the Derg, and has been so now. Our genuine historians had to dig a lot to bring the truth out and popularize it. It has not been an easy task. Once again, Woyanne is rewriting history. Great weight must be given to the damage that will be caused on the younger generation if we allow this distortion to continue unabated. At some point, it might have served a purpose, but now that we are talking about the two people living and working together, we have to design a relationship between the people that will facilitate the truth to be told. The two people have been one and need to be one for more than one reason. With truth there will be no losers but winners. Our destinies are inextricably tied to each other. Those of us who have lived long enough know and understand the truth but the new generation is exposed to the history of denial. The truth will only make us stronger in pursuing our common interest. Emotions must subside and give way to pragmatism. We have to work very closely with our Eritrean brothers and sisters to get rid of Woyanne and establish a new era of peaceful co existence, common prosperity that will lead to a reunion of our people. And this must start from the streets, the restaurants, the clubs, churches and various forums in Ethiopia, Eritrea, America, USA and Africa.
At one point, I was discussing with the leader of the EPLF, the current President of Eritrea, Isaias Afewerki. I asked him why instead of partitioning Ethiopia, he does not become the President of Ethiopia. He gave me some reason why this would not be possible but assured me: “You can be certain, Mr. Dawit, that if and when we get our independence, our priority will be to unite the people under some sort of federal arrangement.”
83 thoughts on “The way forward for Ethiopia and Eritrea”
Dawit,
You mentioned some good points. for example, i support these:
– we have to accept Eritrean independence
– we have to keep our people united while leaders divide us
– Eritrea and Ethiopia have common destiny,
these are good points and i hope we will some day be in peace and united. i hope you don’t, however, exaggerate TPLF role in Eritrean independence. isayas afewerki famously told Eritreans to choose “between freedom and slavery” during the referendum. so don’t make isaias an angel. (especially since BBC and others showed isaias triggered the last war against woyane by taking badme)
also, you correctly pointed out the somalia/OGADEN issue as one of the top 3 issues for Ethiopia. but you forgot to mention about ONLF which is fighting for referendum. and BBC and others have said isaias afewerki finances and trains ONLF rebels. OBAMA also accused isaias afewerki of financing and arming somali islamists (who seek “greater somalia”). so i hope you will write all of this in your next article because ignoring these facts that all of us know will not help us move forward.
As you said, accepting realities is the only way that Eritrea and Ethiopia will one day become in peace and wealthy together.
What an article!!! What an honest and accurate conclusion!!! It contains a must-to-do list for all the protagonists here and inside the country. God Bless You Sir!!!!
Bravo Dawit, Well done! You have always been courageous, honest and decisive! I know the writer in person very well. What he has presented in writing here about himself and his analysis and story about the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia are clear, honest and indeed very, important and correct! His contribution should be reproduced and disseminated widely, not only to Eritreans and Ethiopians, but to all others who may be interested in promoting peace and prosperity in this part of Africa. I congratulate the Editor of the Ethiopian Review for opening up the dialogue and for allowing people like Dawit W. Giyorgis, Tesfatsion, Daniel Kinde and others share their experience and views about this important issue.
This is not only the opinion of Col. Dawit Woldegiorgis but it is a well researched analysis about the relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea. No one better than an army leader, a governor of Eritrea, about the relation between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
I think it is high time to topple over the TPLF, which has a hidden agenda to dismantle the country or might have a mission to disintegrate the country and built the Tigray republic, i was glad that the attempt of Woyane foiled by Shabia, to grab the land and get sea access, rob ethiopia all its resources and declare Tigray Republic, Woyane has achieved everything but could not get the Sea,thanks to Shabia.
Now Woyane is in great fear because they have created enemies from north , east , south and West. The only way we topple woyane is by building good relationship with Eritrea, as the writer quotes many eritreans fight for Ethiopia with out hesitation, like General oqubit, Aman andom, Zerai Derse, Abrha Deboche, Moges Asgedom, both in military and civilian service.
The reason why woayna avoids shabia, at the 1991 is to avoid competetion or opposition if shabaia, is around the translational government.
Are we to worry about the post woyana if we cooperate with Shabia, or do you want to live under ethnocentric regime , while our resources are being robbed, and our people live in draconian law. This is a choice we have to make in order to remove the Woyana Junta.
Thanks for wide analysis Col. Dawit
a nice read Mr dawit
Thank you
As an Eritrean, despite my misgivings of your leadership during Red star campaign, I admire your forward looking and fankness!! The realities of the 21st century in regard to independence and terriotrial integrity may not match with that of the the sixities…Eritrea and ethiopia could form the most viable economical and secuirty integration than any country in the world for the very reason you described at lenght…again thank you. Shaleka Dawit as the saying goes in tigrigna..haqi Tezarebkas Ab megedi babure deqes”, haqun tenagreh hadid lay tegna! you told the truth and you are a freeman!!
Simply the best article I have read in the last few years. Thank you Ato Dawit for enlightening me!
Dawit has been a out of the box thinker, this paper is as close as it gets to the real story. History is a lesson that we should learn from to shape our future. Yesterday is gone, we have to do what is good in the shight of God for better tomorrow, because it is Gods will that we live in peace, Love and Harmony. May the God pour out his forgivnes and his etrnal peace and wisdom in Christ. So our people can enjoy the true meaning of Peace.
Thank you Mr. Dawit for your indept analysis on Eritrea-Ethiopia relationship.
While some of your statements have truth in them, there are others that are misconstrued and way out of line.
I would like for some Eritrean Historians to expand on these issues. But, here are some brief facts that took place before and after federation that I feel were misrepresented on your article.
Fact 1. The few Eritrean rebels that initiated the Armed struggle were genuine freedom fighters who opposed Eritrea’s annexation imposed by Emperor Haileselassie against the will of the Eritrean people. They were not bandits or “Shifta” as you described them for they had a legitimate political objectives.
Fact 2. Those who received the decision of Federation with “joy” were actually insignificant in numbers and belonged to “Mahber Andenet”, an organization whose members were been bribed to go around the country and harras and intimidate people into calling for unity. You might have been around those people when the announcement for federation was made, but the fact is that for the majority people it was a bitter pill to swallow. The fact that many young Eritreans left home to join the liberation movement soon after attests to such reality.
Fact 3. Mr. Dawit, I also heard that the judicial system in dealing with Eritreans was much more tolerable when you were that country’s Governor. For that, and regardless of what your motive was, I give you credit. However, it would be naive to think that your way of handling the situation had slowed down the efflux of Eritrean youth to the liberation field. It’s true that due to the military friction between ELF and EPLF many ELF members abandoned the movement and surrendered to the Dergue. They were referred to as “Wedo Gheba” and very despised by the people in Asmara.
Having said that, let me emphasise that I am all for the initiatives taken by ER, EPPF and other wise Ethiopians to engage with Eritrea, It’s a positive move. However, in order for it to bear fruit, we have to make statements based on facts and not popularity. The word “unity” void of solid arguement and on the bases of fabricated story will take us no where. Economic integration, a principle the EPLF strongly supported post independence, is one of the main remedies for unification we should strive for. Some of the prerequisites for a healthy and strong Eri-Ethio relationship should include: 1. The recognition of the hard-earned Eritrean independence. Remember: such prize was a result of blood and sweat of countless Eritreans. 2. Respect for the sovereignty of Eritrea.
Best Wishes for the People of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Though the article contains many false historical facts and assumptions, I liked the conclusion. EPLF’s stand regarding Eritrea fate was always consistent and clear, “The right for self determination of the Eritrean people”. It has no mandate to negotiated any other arrangements and never ever tried to change it at any point in history.
Sir, you’re real man. This is the first article I ever read line by line, printed and kept the hard copy as a historical evidence. And it compelled me to reconsider my adverse thoughts on Ato Isayas Afeworki. I’d never been in Eritrea and never had Eritrean best friends, but I personally love Eritreans for the reason I don’t know. What is written about Meles is really true, too. He is a man who has no popular trust in the land of Ethiopia. The main reason why the Ethiopians don’t trust him is he lost his credibility because he lied a thousand times. SHALEKA, God Bless you!
I’m an Eritrean, and I’ve never imagined that I would ever live to see a day when a senior member of the former regime responsible for the death of my own brother would admit the atrocities committed on Eritreans, and to now turn 180 degrees and seek and advocate a peaceful co-existence between the two sovereign independent nations of Ethiopia and Eritrea. That is a good start. But again, I’m quickly reminded that this is politics and politicians would say anything to further their agendas; however, there seems to be a certain degree of sincerity in some of the things he had said which I wholeheartedly agree with. And also Unfortunately, I’ve also noticed that the author conveniently committed a cardinal sin by equating President Issayas Afewerki’s crystal clear statement about “economic integration” between the two countries as some sort of “federation”, which I found to be very appalling and deeply disappointing especially coming from an author of such caliber and statue. Nevertheless, the article is very well written and I’m very pleased to see Mr. Dawit G. to have finally come to recognize and acknowledge the hard won Eritrean independence he had fought against for decades long. My brother’s blood was never shed in vain. If President Issayas said a strong and united Ethiopia is a blessing for the Horn region, you need to be assured that is a sentiment shared by all peace loving Eritreans. That is the honest truth the woyannes don’t want you to know.
May God bless the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Peace.
Colonel Dawit,
First, as a person of Ethiopian (Tigrean father) and Eritrean (mother) heritage, I would like to commend you for joining Ethiopian Review, EPPF and other Ethiopians and Eritreans of good will to contribute your share to the dialog that has just started between Ethiopians and Eritreans, which was long over due.
Having said that, however, I would like to let you know, with all due respect, that you are entitled to your opinion and not YOUR FACTS. I believe strongly that there are certain “facts” in your article, that do not reflect the true REALITIES in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In your article, you seem to state that all the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea share common language, culture and history. However, the truth of the matter is that only the people of northern Ethiopia, that is, Tigreans, and some Ethiopians in the northern provinces of Ethiopia — Gonder and Wollo, share common culture, language and history with the people in the ‘highland regions’ of Eritrea. This is akin to the situation between Canada and the United States, Mexico and the United States the Scandinavian countries of Sweden and Norway — Some section of the population in Norway and Sweden, Canada and the United State, Mexico and the United States share the same culture, language, history etc. This does not however, mean that all the people in the United States, Canada, Mexico OR Sweden, Norway, Denmark share the same language, culture and history.
In light of the above facts, the conclusion that we will draw is the following:
Ethiopia is not ONLY Tigray, Gondar and Wello and Eritrea is not only the ‘Highland Regions’ of Eritrea that boarder with northern Ethiopia and hence WE CANNOT CATEGORICALLY SAY THAT ALL THE PEOPLES OF ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA share the same culture, language and history.
Thus, the statement in your article that the ‘two people’ are one and the same is not true. You have left out a significant number of people, both in Ethiopia and Eritrea, who do not share same language, culture and history with the people of northern Ethiopia and the people who live in the highland regions of Eritrea.
In his interview with the Ethiopian review, the Eritrean president pointed out that they have established Administrative Regions in Eritrea, that bring together people of different backgrounds so that these people would come to know each other better and develop bondage in the long run — through intermarriage, working together, socializing etc. What they are doing in Eritrea is a kind of social engineering,like what was going on in the United States for the last 200+ years, i.e, creating a new nation from the bottom up. The move of the Eritrean government confirms the following fact – EVEN IN ERITREA they are in the process of ‘NATION BUILDING’. they don’t have a ‘nation state’ yet (I DON’T MEAN IN THE LEGAL SENSE – BUT IN THE TRUE SENSE OF BUILDING AN ORGANIC NATION STATE.)
This is also true of Ethiopia — we cannot speak about ‘one Ethiopian people’ in the present context of the country called Ethiopia. Wishful thinking alone is not enough to have a ‘NATION STATE’. What we have in Ethiopian are ‘people’ of different backgrounds and interests living withing a contiguous geographical area called Ethiopia. The next government will have to initiate a Nation building (social engineering) process to build an Ethiopian ‘NATION STATE.’ (AGAIN NOT IN THE LEGAL SENSE BUT IN TERMS OF BUILDING AN ORGANIC NATION STATE)
In view of the above facts advocating for the UNITY OF ETHIOPIA AND ERITREA AT THIS STAGE WOULD BE PREMATURE – it would be putting the horse before the cart.
Fists and foremost both Ethiopia and Eritrea will have to put their respective houses in order — i.e., complete their social engineering and unify the peoples in the respective countries, and build a strong economic foundation and political and social institutions and build a cohesive and organic nation state before contemplating of any kind of UNITY. In the mean time, however, both countries should strive to lay down the foundations – i.e, the necessary physical infrastructure, institutions, and craft policies that would help them embark on the road of economic integration.
THE BIG QUESTION OF POLITICAL INTEGRATION SHOULD BE BETTER LEFT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION TO HANDLE. NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO RAISE IT.
I hope what I scribbled above make sense and will help in shading light on some of the issues that will be raised during the dialog between ‘Ethiopians’ and ‘Eritreans’
thanks for the article it is very informative to Ethiopians and to our brothers in Eritrea. like they say DER BEABER ANBESA YASER
This is to the first comment by “habte”.
first of all do u believe all the things the West say? You said: “Since BBC and others showed isaias triggered the last war against woyane by taking badme.” first of all there is no proof in this and second u need to do ur research properly and make a conclusion on how and why the war started and who was behind it. If u believe everything the western media say, then u r naive. they always have agendas and weyane has a lot of lobbyist.
I always enjoyed your penmanship, your passion, bravery and prudence as a genuine Ethiopian. I have known you personally since your days as Commissioner of RRC. Although, I have never been involved in any political activity in Ethiopia, I have always admired you and your genre (I remember our last discusion in Luanda, Angola in 1991). Thank you for voicing your sincere opinion as always.
What Ethiopians and Eritreans need now, I beleive, is authentic reconciliation that would produce lasting peace, justice and mutual respect. Obviously, it is not about the land or the sea, the economy or geo-politics. It is all about the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea and their destiny. It is about their common good and their survival, succcess and thrival. Governments come and go but people and their posteriority remain. My wish and prayer is that magnanmity and moral orders imbeded in our cultures and religions would play a significant role in bringing the two loving peoples to a glorious destiny. The rule of thumb should be that, whatever is good for Eritrea should be good for Ethiopia and vice-versa. This should be a defining principle for reconcialiation, lasting peace and prosperity.
Is there any lesson we can learn from this article so that we do not repeat the same mistake when treating our other Ethiopian brothers and sister? I hope we should learn from this good and tangible evidence that other people who think and claim that they are being opperessed will not end up like Eritrea.
Good bless this writer. God help us to learn from our mistake.
It is good article. Especially some facts to get out from first hand witness is phenomenal. Shaleka Dawit reveled that he was present at the meeting of the assembly of Eritrea during the voting for unity with Ethiopia. But isn’t it clear then when Shaleka Dawit was intimidating the voters with his gun as a military para commando to vote for unity? These people voted scared for thier lives by the presence during the voting in the assembly by highly trained military officer like Shalka Dawit Woldegirigis.
For the second, forget talk about federation or confederation. It is useless topic. We have to talk about economical integration. The economical integration has to be broad. It should include the entire region of horn of Africa.
Ethiopians have to realize that, no more supremacy of one ethnic over the others in the horn of Africa. Therefore, I want to add to the list of strategic interest of Ethiopia, the strategic interest of Eritrea.
1. No dialogue to forward the strategic interest of Ethiopia only. If there is going to be dialogue it has to be mutual respect of strategic intertest of Eritrea and Ethiopia.
2. There is not going to be any sort of federation or confederation between Ethiopia and Eritrea. There can be only economical integration between horn of Africa countries.
3. The dimension of approach is not going to be two dimensional but three dimensional.
Finally, I wish success to Shalka Dawit.
you have (to a considerable degree) healed my hatred towards eritreans. you have helped me understand the hard to understand struggle Eritreans waged against what i consider their own people. It’s easy to criticizes a runway child if you don’t know the situation in the family. but saying that, you have been honest enough to admit that Eritrea’s ambition is to prosper on Ethiopia’s shoulder. It’s ok that you asked me to face the reality Woyanee created and accept Eritrea’s independence but it’s not ok to ask me accept a situation where by a proud nation of 80 million is exploited by 4 or 5 million people who want to have it both ways. that, I will never accept it, and trust me, no Ethiopian would accept it. this is a very strong sentiment woyanee has already exploited and will continue to exploit. so my advise to Eritreans is, if they want the end of Woyanee rule in ethiopia and a peaceful relationship with Ethiopians, you have to come to your sense stop dreaming of being Singapore on Ethiopia’s shoulder. instead learn to live within your limit and accept the fact that Ethiopia is more important to you than you are to Ethiopia. thanks to Woyanee, you must have learned that by now. perhaps the only thing i thank the Woyanee for. Other than that, I have no problem with any body not wanting to be ethiopian. it’s their right to chose who they want to be called. I hope I am not causing any offense, but this is just my true opinion as an Ethiopian who cares for his country more than any thing else including Eritreans. It’s just an honest way of accepting the fact that we are two different entities now. correct me if I am wrong.
Excellent and timely proposal!
Could you please give some guideline to bring alternate (not opposition) parties, on how they could work together to bring down woyane? Please help the parties who try to create a common front. In my opinion this is a major problem that we have to solve urgently so that we can move forward in dealing with issues like you brought and others.
thank you mr dawit, i have already given you big respect for you when i read your book
I appreciate your long service for Ethiopia. Your comment has so many truth, but do not blame Meles for everything because he is in power. For those of you who wants to promote good Ethio- Eritrea relationship be courageous to start to say NO to Esayas dictatorship first, do not present him as the father of peace.
Obzerver,
not badly put, but i sense some bitterness.
Impressive! First hand! Detailed! I don’t think i ever read the story of Ethiopia and Eritrea with such great interest. You make me proud. This is what the young generation of both countries should take and capitalize. Thank you Ato Dawit.
Mr./Col. Dawit,
As a son of Eritrean Man and Ethiopian Woman, I am glad to read such wonderful article. Good spirit!!
God bless you with long and fruitful life!
“It is only the governments that are two. The people have been one and are one. All responsible Ethiopians and Eritreans should endeavor to up hold this truth and reinforce it by focusing on what binds us together rather than what divides us.”
I cannot add anything more Mr. Dawit, well said.
some historic facts that should be corrected,
1, EPLFs stand was always non negotiable and clear “The right to self determination of Eritrea”. EPLF did never have a mandate to negotiate any arrangement.
2. Idris Awate was never captured. He was killed in a battle.
3. Eritrean fighters never were bandits. The Eritrean struggle had a program way back before the beginning of the armed struggle.
4. Only a few Unionists were jubilant when Haileslasie removed the federation arrangement and annexed Eritrea.
etc.
Having saying this, the message of the article should be commended.
I would like to say something about this topic and the writer’s analysis. But ER won’t post it for unknown reasons.
So good days men.
No one has ever written any better than this piece recently. I found the writer to be honest in his approach, though I may differ with him in few places. The most important thing is, as a genuine Ethiopian, he put issues in their proper context, what was yesterday and what the reality is now. Above all, I thank him for one thing:
It is not out of principle that TPLF pushed for independence of Eritrea. Only greed and inferiority complex are the best explanations why TPLF wanted to get rid of Eritrea. As Mr. Lencho Letta aptly put it in 2006, Woyanne was more Catholic than the pope on the issue of Eritrean independence. One does not have to be a rocket scientist to figure out the reason.
Even if one could differ with Major Dawit on the historical accounts and their interpretation, his proposals are genuine and of mutual interest. Above all, what I liked about his is that it is not based on short term gains or narrow political advantages. He told us that he loves his country. But, he is not suggesting to benefit Ethiopia at the expense of Eritrea. In fact, he has shown his respect unwavering support to Eritreans not only in this article, but also in the book he wrote two decades ago.
Let us all remember that the major obstacle between the two people as it stands now is the greed and vindictive nature of the TPLF clique. Let us also not forget that agents of this tribal clique will do everything to poison this atmosphere of mutual understanding.
Good article originated from one’s personal experience; however, the idea one people under two governments should not be put as a doctrine of the two governments. In the long run, the people of Ethiopia and the people of Eritrea one day may decide democratically to live under one government. This may not happen in our generation, but let the two nations leave the door open for the future generation.
The other concern I have is the religion factor, which is ignored in our discussion: As I have been told, Eritrea is a Muslim country, and Ethiopia is near to be a Muslim nation, and as a result, there are some minor religious conflicts in both countries. If both countries become totally Muslims, then the two countries do not need two governments. The question, then, is how can the Christians of both countries swallow a Muslim majority rule?
Your article in support of working with Eritrea is well said and timely. It also compliments and is consistent with most articles written by many Eritreans and Ethiopians after ER’s interview with the Honorable President of Eritrea. Even if at times your article sounds like self-serving to the extent you tried to distort the history of Eritrea and its struggle for independence, I agree with the core issues you raised in regards to coexistence of both countries based on mutual interest and respect.
As an Eritrean who was born and raised in Ethiopia, I have insurmountable love for Ethiopia and its people. While I do not want to question your service to the various governments on the Ethiopian side and your experience with Eritreans and the leadership of the EPLF, your effort to undermine why and when Eritreans raised arms to defend their rights leaves a sour taste in most of us Eritreans. One thing you need not forget is, the history of Eritrean struggle is a well documented fact and does not need your blessings. Prior to the times of Idris Awate, (the liberation fighter who fired the first shot to defend freedom not the shifta as you called him) there were many Eritreans who tried to preserve the independence of Eritrea including but not limited to Ras Woldemichael Solomon.
To come back to the main issue of Ethiopians working with Eritreans to rid the cancer called Woyanne, there is no other viable venue or alternative for Ethiopian opposition forces other than working with Eritreans for the common good. Like you said, Eritreans and Ethiopians have a lot in common. In that, I applaud your article and the trust that you have in Eritreans to be men of their words. As the president of Eritrea said during his interview, I am also a believer that “the sky is the limit” when it comes to cooperation. President Issayas has elaborated during his interview that economic integration is the most important factor in uniting not only the brotherly people of Eritrea and Ethiopia also the whole East African region and beyond. When that happens, there will be free movement of people on both sides and economic prosperity will prevail. After all, boundary lines (borders) are means to identify geographic locations. The most danger comes when people are divided based on ethnicity as the Woyannes are trying to do to the good people of Ethiopia in order to extend their life line.
If some of the comments above a sign, implementing Dawit’s idea is an uphill battle. Of course no four eyes ever told having witnessed the same incidence. So, I am not surprised there are still people who want to split hair in order to score a point. That was exactly why we had war for 30 years. People argued until they hated each other and went out and settled it violently. A power struggle gone to the extreme, nothing else. A resentful argument can be an expression of one’s desire to assert power. Shaleqa Dawit got it right. In spite of some parochial views expressed by the few commenters above, there is no difference between our people, only a struggle for power that is keeping us apart and shooting.
A Superb job, Shaleqa.
Dawit,
I respect your opinions. You are in the right track.
Let me address two points before I delve into the big subject.
First: The movement for Eritrean independence was one of the most popular movements in history. It had the overwhelming support of the Eritrean people. Sure it benefited from a lot of external factors like the collapse of the Soviet Union and the opposition of the Ethiopian people to its government in particular in Tigray. Still, the driving force was the internal dynamics. And that is the stoic determination of the Eritrean people. I do not want to argue whether some of the fighters in the Eritrean armed liberation struggle were bandits or freedom fighters. The is immaterial since it is a historical fact that the Eritreans created one of the most formidable fighting machine and were able to defeat the strongest army in sub-Saharan Africa. To concentrate on this is though to miss the point and to misunderstand as when Ethiopia lost Eritrea.
The Eritreans defeated the Ethiopian governments a long time before the advent of the armed struggle. The battle was a battle of ideas. Once Ethiopia started encroaching and violating the rule of law that was established under the federal arrangements, Eritreans did not want to have anything that smells the handiwork of a tyrannical Ethiopian government. Eritrea had one of the most advanced constitutions in Africa. This constitution had all the respect of individual civil liberties and human rights embedded in it. The fundamental goal was to restore the rule of law in Eritrea be it through separation or otherwise. And the method was multifaceted: diplomatic agitation, armed struggle, all kind of civil disobedience. In short, Ethiopia lost the battle of ideas when it violated the rule of law between 1952 and 1962, when it disregarded the federal Eritrean constitution. This has to be digested.
Second: On a personal note I am personally grateful to Dawit for releasing my brother in the early 1980s from prison for being a member of the EPLF, my brother‘s fate with a different governor would have been death. Still, many others lost their lives despite the fact that Dawit was relatively a humane person when he was administering Eritrea.
Now, the big subject. The political, social and economic integration not only of the Eritrean and Ethiopian people but also of the peoples of the whole of horn of Africa. All far sighted and wise people believe that the only road to economic prosperity, peace and stability in the Horn is some sort of integration that is rooted and based on a rule of law and democracy. The prerequisite is a liberal order in both Eritrea and Ethiopia. I am in no position to preach to Ethiopians on how they should go about it. But history teaches that one cannot rely on one dictator to topple another dictator. In other words as Ethiopians and Eritreans dialogue, they should not be accessory to the trampling of the rule of law in the other. Otherwise it is to completely sabotage the long term agenda of economic integration aka the European Union in the Horn of Africa.
Mr. Dawit woldegiorgis ,
I have both appreciation and a “wokessa” to you. The wokessa is for the past and the appreciation is for the above article.
1)Having all these tons of facts with you, why you couldn’t stop the woyanes from coming to power and destroying Ethiopia? Priority should have been given to Isayas not to Meles. I felt that you performed in a situation of “under-capacity”. You could have done better.
2) The past is passed. Can you and others like you please wake up and work hard with Eritrea and Ethiopian freedom fighters/politicians to save Ethiopia before woyane accomplishes its evil task of destroying our great nation Ethiopia?
a breakthrough account that exposed woyane even more…
Col/ Dawit
I have read you book and knew some of the historical facts you retrieve for the article.That is a good job.Please spare some time and come forward to contribute to people to people unity and mutual relationship forum between Ethipoians and Eritreans.You are one of those individuals, I believe, well postioned to accomplish this job.
I am an Eriterian, I don’t believe in war I believe in PEACE. I found your article truthful and full of honesty. I always wish the unity of the two countries. Because we are the same people with the same culture and language. Ethiopian people and Eriterian people can not be separated.
God bless you Mr. Woldegiorgis and God bless the Eriterian people and the Ethiopian people.
Saba
First and for most we need to talk about the past to deal with the future and this article is a bridge for further discussions.
I didn’t forget to thank the writer to have the courage to witness history. I am not going to talk about my reservations about some things in the article but the main purpose of the article earns my respect.
I always wonder when and how are those people like Col Dawit witness history, the truth, about the cases of Eritrea and Ethiopia.
What is the history? Which fact unites them and which one divides them? What was the serious argument to support the Ethiopians claim “Eritrea belongs to us” and the Eritreans claim of “independence”? Answering those questions, specially by Ethiopian eye witness could help most Ethiopians, Ethiopians happen to care less about knowing post Derge history, to understand Eritrea and Ethiopia as two neighboring countries. I always ask Ethiopians about their understanding and knowledge of the reason why the war b/n Ethiopia and Eritrea is continuing for ever and why are Eritreans resisting against all odds?? Amazingly out of many “I don’t knows’” I had someone who really believes that we Eritreans love spilling blood and that’s how he still sees the situation. It is sad!!…..but it is not my point.
My point is how come Ethiopians never tried to question their historians about their lies that we all seek and tired of. What is their answer for simple questions like…
1- History and historians always tells us that Ethiopia is the only non colonized African nation. If this is true how come Eritrea, a country which have been under Italy and English colonization for almost 100 years can be part of Ethiopia. If Eritrea is colonized and belongs to Ethiopia, that means Ethiopia was colonized, which isn’t true…..as simple as that.
2- Many Ethiopians proudly loves to say that Ethiopia has a history of 3000 years, I hope it is true, how come they don’t want to go back to history and know an independent Eritrea of the 1950 ies, forget the 3000 years, they could’ve learned about how a constitutional Eritrea used to co-exist with Ethiopia as a neighboring country.
I love the change of thinking amongst Eritreans and Ethiopians. For the first time we are getting closer to face the truth, which in my opinion could end the conflict between the two sisterly countries.
Love and peace for ETH and ER.
Well said Mr. Dawit, it is a positive thinking. We need to cultivate the notion of this article.
Shaleka Dawit,
Thanks for acknowledging that Eritreans have made tremendous contribution to the development of Ethiopia since 1952. In the past there was a tendency to belittle the contribution made by Eritreans, and the belief that the union benefited only Eritreans. This is the first time I heard it from an Ethiopian brother, and It takes a lot of courage to say it and I thank you and respect you for that. Although, I have some reservations on some of the historical facts regarding the struggle, the federation and EPLF, and I only say this respectfully, but I don’t want to split hair by talking about them. For me, the most important thing is to look forward, and that I agree with you on the core issues, and tend to beleive you are very close to the facts, and I also believe you are forward looking. I am glad you got involved and I wish more people in your capacity will get involved soon as well. I now have a big hope that the good ppl of Eritrea and Ethiopia will soon start living in peace, if we are honest with each other and respectful of each other.
Thanks and God Bless.
I would like to thank you to mr dawit for the article. I just want to tell you one real thing as an Eritrean. My two brothers who were Eritreans died for your government by name of military service (biherawi wetederena) fighting against our brothers but no body talk about it.I think most Ethiopians forget the history. Any way it is good thought for the both country. God bless Eritrea and Ethiopia
Hi, Ato Dawit. Well written and timely. Since ER review break the ice when he nominated PIA, the issue is spreading like a wild fire. since you were one of the policy makers in HS and Derge era and fought for unity of Ethiopia, the aricle is eye opener to all doubters and misguided Ethiopians. This article is not about unity of Ethiopia, it is about the grave danger Ethiopia is in TPLF ruling. If we dont act fast while we can, we will have bigger job trying to unit regionally divided Ethiopia. Time is not on our side. Eritrea needs us for the future, but know we need them more than anything in the world. Some Ethiopians are deliberately ignore the fact of Eritrea because it is not pleasant. As Mr Dawit said we need to swallow the bitter pill and save Ethiopia from disintegrating. We cant use Eritrea as a scape goat for our short coming any more. We have huge problems bigger than Assab port. Obam and TPLF are going back to Somalia like old buddies leaving Ethiopians behind. Eritrea and Ethiopia will be the GIANT of AFRICA if we act on what PIA and Mr Dawit said. I hope Ginbot 7 wake up to the reality!!!!
Go G7
Regards.
As an Eritrean who is married to an Ethiopian, the article had a special meaning to me. Every now and then, when I tried to teach my daughter, the Ethiopian history it always gives me a moment of pride because I am teaching her about people whom I love and respect as much as mine whatever people say and think. For me whatever has happened, it is artificial and things are going back to normalcy. There was not a moment in my life that I did not believe I am an Ethiopian until TPLF effectively took away my identity. And I am glad I have two beautiful kids who will remain as much Ethiopians as they are Eritreans.
My posting came under another person’s name by mistake. I am posting it again.
An idea whose time has come!
You know the saying, ‘one can stop an invader by mobilizing an army at the border, but nothing can stop an idea whose time has come’. Elias and Sileshi, you are the midwives to be credited for taking the genie out of the womb. What you have done is the ultimate in journalism and public service. You deserve the Pulitzer of all Pulitzers. History will continue to attest your bravery and forthrightness.
For too long, the Ethiopian people have been duped into thinking “Eritra yegna nat”, “atshetm atlewetm”. These are odious words to Eritreans. The correct approach should have been to ask “what do the Eritreans want?”, and “what is their complaint?” But that was not to be, and we saw the result of such foolishness.
I was a junior cadet at the H. S. Military Academy when the Eritrean federation was abolished. The event was a very important and Professor Alula Abate raised the issue in class and invited the cadets to discuss it. Most Eritreans expressed their objection to the move, primarily because of the way it was done. We pointed out the danger the situation created and specifically said that “we (the whole class) will be the ones to bear the brunt of this action”. The rest of the class did not even get the gist of the message and responded angrily. The professor was advanced in his thinking and tried to make the cadets see the true picture. Fifteen years later, I met one of my course mates at the Nyala Hotel in Asmara. We took a walk in the city and right away he remembered the class discussion we had at Harar and said, “you warned us, and told us that we will be ones to pay the price for this blunder”. He said “now we are paying for it”. My course mate, friend, and roommate, Ejigu was killed at the Battle of Af’abet.
As the mood now is to forget the past and look at constructive engagement for the future, it is good to be looking forward because there is at least hope in the future.
Also, it is exhilarating to see that many concerned Ethiopians are now thinking the same way Eritreans were thinking in 1991. Eritreans were interested in using existing connections and relations as the base to build up future relations and not to destroy positive things that existed at the time. Unfortunately, many Ethiopians interpreted the Eritrean positive attitude wrongly. They saw Eritrean behavior as symptom of Eritrea’s failure to stand on its own, and others considered it as opportunistic and one of eating ones apple and having it too: “Eritra yegil, Etiopia yegara”.
The regime in Ethiopia miscalculated that the anti-Eritrean independence mood provided them with the bait to lure the Ethiopian populace to its side in the war it launched against Eritrea. The war would primarily serve TPLF objective of putting Eritrea under its control, the first phase in the creation of the independent Republic of Tigray. These were the layers of TPLF machinations. Abreha Yayeh wrote a good piece on this topic at the time. When the regime failed to conquer Eritrea, its dream was shattered and it had to come with other tricks, such as creating a state of permanent war.
I know how difficult it was for many Ethiopians to see and accept the true intentions of the regime in Addis Ababa at the time Eritrea was attacked in 1998. Many Ethiopian intellectuals that I discussed these issues with ended up openly siding with their government and coming with silly pro war and anti-Eritrean independence recommendations. Now that the ideas of mutual relations are openly discussed and there is change of opinion, I see this as a breath of fresh air. I feel that change is in the air. Any popular ideas that the Ethiopian people embrace will be anathema to the TPLF regime. Popular ideas will undermine their hold on the people because people are not controlled only by the force of arms. Mao Tse Tung’s saying that the power of the ruling group lies in the ignorance of the masses still holds true.
But, above all, the regime’s hold on power depends on the military and paramilitary units. If it loses support of the military, it will have at the most, one day to hurriedly pack and leave the country. I bet the regime’s leaders will beat Mengistu’s record of speedy departure. The freedom fighters will provide an additional force to liberate some areas and to keep the regime hemmed in from all angles. Needless to say that they will provide safe haven for people who want to escape the regime’s persecution or be involved in the armed struggle.
The discussion that has started here touches the regime’s power base. The prospect of peaceful co-existence with Eritrea and hope for the two people to live in harmony will be good incentives to mobilize the people and the military against their primary adversary.
I particularly cherish Dawit Weldegiorgis’s joining in the discussion. Dawit is one of the most competent administrators and leaders I have seen in Ethiopia. I knew Dawit as a fellow officer and alumnus of the H.S. Military Academy, and had experience working together, both in the country and in exile. He is a courageous decision maker and a charismatic leader. A graduate of one of the best military academy programs, advanced degrees in law from H. S. University and Columbia, and varied administrative experience make Dawit a rare breed of leaders that are the fruits of decades of training and hard work that spanned three regimes.
My reservation is his perception of what happened in the Eritrean Assembly at the time the Federation was dismantled and the attitude of people towards the Ethiopian government. But, I leave that to the history writer.
Elias and Ethiopian Review, keep the flames of discussion burning like the Olympic torch. Never let it die until the whole episode is over. I like to paraphrase Shakespeare by saying, if truth is the food of liberation, play it on until it surfeits and the regime can have no more, and the regime is gone.
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As Eritrean I am happy to see such article,it is fact based from an experienced Ethiopian.The witness on EPLF position years back helps us to understand the position of president Isaias on the recent interview. I totally agree with Mr. Dawit we have to see for future relationship of our people, we can overcome any issues if we work together. Blocking the relationship on a port issue, etc. will take us no where as Eritrea is an independent country. Together we can block the Woyane dream of a Tigrean Republic and assure the unity of Ethiopia and prosperity of our both countries. Without the support of Ethiopians and Eritreans the Tigrean republic will remain a dream. As mentioned on the article many Eritreans fought against the Italians following the appeal of the late Emperror In Karthoum in The Sudan and participated in the establishment of the modern Ethiopian army.If it was not the mismanagement of the Eritrean issue by the different governments of Ethiopia the problem could have been solved many years back. President Isayas took a courageous principled position from Eritrean point of view and now to see Ethiopians taking courageous position and open the door for dialogue is promising.I am sure from both countries many will support the idea.
God bless peace loving Ethiopians and Eritreans.
Thank you Col. Dawit for sharing your presence in crucial moments of the Ethio-Eritrean conflict. I found it so interesting that I read the whole article including all the comments. It brought me to a sense of realization to the facts that have been driving the whole situation. It is all about being consistent with who one is and what one needs to accomplish. Ethiopia is a multifaceted country and this shows by a whole lot of ideas that are circulating about what to do with the country. I remember the Colonel as a well commended person and would win in a popularity contest if elections were held during those days. I understand now this was for a good reason. What he knew about Eritrea would have helped Ethiopia in formulating its destiny. In that case the “bitter pill” would have been swallowed bit by bit and we wouldn’t feel as bad. I personally don’t cal it a bitter pill. The problem with Ethiopians in general is failing to see or choosing to ignore the grim side of the reality and at the same time expect a positive outcome. I read some comments from what looked like Eritrean that they would like to dismiss any thing that may be Ethiopian. To the contrast of anything that a typical Ethiopian may believe, every movement in Eritrea had started a long time ago. Everything the Ethiopian government may have accomplished was with the help of bribe and the like. This shows how dismissive they enjoy to be and their willingness to be inflexible is as strong as ever. And then you witness a once decorated governor given the post because of his knowledge about Eritrea was in the business of collaboration with the rebels all along. Who do I believe? The reason the coup did not succeed is a good proof that there is something left of Ethiopia and Ethiopianism. We will all live to witness it.
Thank you,
Some twelven years ago a courageous ethiopian(Koki Abesolome) wrote Ethiopians should side with EPLF and fight TPLF. She wrote a very long and well reasoned analysis. Her article was written many months before the Ethio/Eritrean war. I cannot find her article in my archives. Does anyone have her article. Please post it. If my memory serves me right the title was “I told you so but you would not listen!”
TT
God Bless You Major Dawit. Now, Eritreans be honest to yourselves and examine what Dawit says. As for me one thing is clear. The current leadership of Woyane has a vision which is off limits. Here is what its vision is for post Issayas and Meles era: “The newly prospered Tigreyan people will re-unite with the not so prosperous Eritrean brothers. With money looted from the rest of Ethiopians, the rich Tigrayan elite class will marry beautiful Eritrean girls and lead a full life. Meles will remain the Hero while Issayas is condemned for ever.” This is the prophetic project of Meles currently in full course. He has no sympathy, what so ever for the leftover part of Ethiopia. I hope both Ethiopians and Eritreans have learned by now this gruesome distortion of history in the making.
MR. DAWIT, it is impressive article i know you care a lot about your people. I remember our long discussion in bangkok, thailand. Please keep writing. You are one of the few people who knows the truth about Eritrea.
GOD BLESS you
Awate was never capture. Although he was wounded on the last battle field he fought, the cause of his death is unclear. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamid_Idris_Awate “Awate led all the battles fought during his lifetime. Pioneer Abu Rigella reported that after the battle of Amnait, leader Awate and Mohammed Ibrahim Shandi got wounded. He says at the time, there were 11 military and civilian individuals who joined Awate, they swore in front of him, and declared their commitment to fight with him. Abu Rigella attended the meeting when Awate was elected as a leader unanimously and Mohammed Idris Haj as his deputy. He said ‘ Awate addressed the meeting saying:
“We are all Eritreans, we have to serve our country with honesty and sincerity, we are here to achieve a goal, and if there is anybody who may has individual ambitions other than the declared objective, then, he must leave now. We all have to show extreme commitment and dedication and carry out the commands and instructions of the leader, no matter how hard they are, for the cause of our country.”
“In May 27th 1962, Awate drank milk for dinner, then soon told his unit that he was not feeling good. His condition began to deteriorate quickly. It is said that Awate called pioneer Kiboob Hajaj and gave him his beloved gun emphasizing on the continuations of the revolution. In the next day, the morning of May 28 1962, Awate was martyred suffering from battle wounds. The ELA pioneers decided not to reveal the martyrdom of Awate, and buried him secretly. Awate’s martyrdom was made public 4 years after his death.”
He was buried in Ad Hamid near Haykota. Yes there are EPLF fighters who got captured and hanged to death in front of the people, but Awate wasn’t one of them. If that had had happened it would have been a big blow to the struggle and the Ethiopian Government wouldn’t rub its’ eye to show Awate in public. So to give credible to Mr. Dawit article he needs to get his fact straighten.
Mr. Dawit’s also said “Until then Eritrea was peaceful. Even after that until the coming of the Derg and its draconian military and security polices, the EPLF did not control a single village or area in Eritrea except the rugged mountains of Nakfa. The EPLF did not enjoy any meaningful support from the population.”
No one can doubt Mr. Dawit’s intellect. However, he deliberately distorted some of the fact. Asmara was surrounded by EPLF fighters prior to the Soviet Union involvement. One of the EPLF trenches was a distance of less than 7 kilometers away from Asmara, at ኩርባ እምበይቶ.
To say the EPLF did not have the support of the people, is absolutely inaccurate statement. The EPLF was enjoying the support of the people. They have done so successfully by enlightening the people about their struggle. They organized skillfully young Eritrean (ቐያሕቲ ዕንባባ) to join the struggle.
Although I completely agree with most of Mr. Dawit’s article, the notion that Eritreans were happen under the union is baseless. Having lived all my life in Eritrean, except for the last 6 years, I know how the Eritrea people were treated during those tough years. But the majority of Eritreans don’t dwell on the past as we are all aware that won’t serve a good purpose to Eritrea.
Speaking of the Qohayn militias. Unless you left this deliberately, I am sure you remember clearly what happened to them. If not, allow me to explain. First let me be clear I am not denying about their war reputation. They demonstrated their war skills when they were fighting EPLF in መቀርካ መለዛናይ, ደቂ ሽሓይ and surrounding. How the Eritrean people view those militias is another question. To the Eritreans, it is simple, they are as same as the woyanne militias to you. Nevertheless, in the end, they were massacred by the Derg at the outskirt of አዲ ሓዊሻ. The few captured alive languished at አባ ጋምዛይ underground railroad. Here is why. The militias refused to station at እምባትካላ. What they said was they were only recruited to be stationed on their villages not anywhere else. They asked the government to provide them transportation so that they can go back to their villages. Let alone to provide them with transportation, the government refused even to let them go on foot. Nevertheless, the militias refused to back down and march on foot. Unfortunately, they were stopped shortly after they reached around አዲ ሓዊሻ. The Derg sent Gezae along with heavily armed soldiers. Brief introduction of GezaE to those how don’t know, I am sure Mr. Dawit knows him. He was high ranking official in Derg, but he also happened to be from Qohayn. Unfortunately, the negotiation did not go well, because the militias demonstrated their unhappiness by killing Gezae. Bad decision. Perhaps they were not aware the heavily armed soldiers surrounding them. After GezaE got killed, the solders opened hell of fire on the militias and killed lots of them and captured the remained and sent them to the above mentioned place. They stayed there until independence.