Israeli fighter jets scramble to intercept an Ethiopian plane

The legacy of Obama: Will the Eritrean Diaspora learn?
Awate – Featured Articles
By Petros Tesfagiorgis – Nov 23, 2008

The Obama victory has proved to the world that an American election is more than choosing personalities. It is a mass assertion of the people’s right to choose and dismiss their head of state. After they voted twice for Bush and Dick Cheney who lead them into unpopular war in Iraq they came out in large numbers to vote for the person they believe is going to bring change.

The OBAMA bid for American presidency can be seen within this context and also within the context of how American constitution allows the people to correct mistakes in politics and grasp at something new.

The American election and the behaviour of American Eritreans.

Algezira TV interview with President Isaias Afwerki goes, “When is election going to take place in Eritrea?” PIA said “what election? Interviewer: The Eritrean election? PIA answered “let’s see first what the election in America brings, may be after one decade or two may be never.” This is a blatant negation of elections and unequivocal denial of an entire population to choose their own government. It is also a way of undermining American democracy.

The PFDJ supporters in Diaspora did not react at all, they condoned it. Some were even heard saying in Tigrinya (እዚ ሰብአይ ንአመሪካ ገይርሎም).

But when it comes to American election the behaviour of the Eritrean Diaspora was different. They went door to door to canvas for Obama. They contributed money through the internet and finally they exercised their voting rights by going to the poles and caste their vote. Saleh Johar of Awate.com has summed up all this, “I was impressed by the level of involvement of Eritreans in the election; I hope that drive inspires them to want to plant freedom in their ancestral home.”

I extend my congratulation to all of them whether they are PFDJ supporters or not. It is the right thing to do. However the active participation of those supporters of PFDJ proves that they do have principles of democracy and they know that elections empower people. So why do they compromise their principles and keep quiet when it comes to Eritrea. Is it a lack of inner strength to face to the challenges facing Eritrea (fear factor) or pure opportunism? Do they know the vote they caste was won after many years of struggle. Freedom is not given in a silver plate. Today they are ripping the fruits someone else struggled and died to bring to this situation in the USA while today they have similar fight in their hands in Eritrea but chose to be complacent about it.

One of the earliest geneses of the American freedom fight (that pre-dated Jefferson’s 1776 Declaration of Independence) took place in 1657 by the English citizens of Long Island Village of Flushing. It is known as Flushing Remonstrance. The Flushing Remonstrance protested against the Governor’s arrest, torture and expulsion of a Quaker preacher for defying his ban on all religions but Dutch Reformed Protestantism. The 30 signatories were not all Quakers but demanded that in the new colony: “If any persons… Presbyterian, Independent, Baptists or Quakers … come in love to us; we can not in conscience lay violent hands upon them.” They demanded that “the law of love, peace and liberty extends to all. They condemned hatred, war and bondage. My Diaspora friends should open the American history books and learn the struggle that brought about, the Flushing Remonstrance, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Emancipation Proclamation. The Americans have respect for their documents unlike the Eritrean document the constitution. The Diaspora has the responsibility for advocating the implementation of the constitution without it Eritrea will only have a sick society and a fragmented one; the fact that there are more than 28 Eritrean communities in London alone is an indication.

When the PFDJ subjected the Pentecostal to extreme repression there was no voice of protest from the supporters. In fact they hate to see those few enlightened members of the Diaspora, the human rights activists, who protested in front of Festivals asking them to call their PFDJ to release all prisoners of conscience, let alone sign any petition like that of Flushing remonstrance type. On the contrary they have become a propaganda tool continuously fed into TV-ERE as they keep on dancing in a festive mood during endless festivals while the women display gold ornaments that failed to reflect the reality in Eritrea which is characterised by repression, famine and the break down of families. They are simply being used as a propaganda tool to legitimize the oppressive system of PFDJ. They should have been on the forefront to fight against the human rights violations perpetuated by the PFDJ and in fund raising like what Eritrean Relief Association (ERA) used to do during the long years of struggle for independence.

The Obama victory has ushered a new era of harmony the world over based on justice and equality.

To blame Eritrea for belittling American democracy is not to ignore that at the heart of this land of liberty lies a dark past of slavery and brutal racism. The fact of the matter is that PFDJ, who ranks high in the list of human rights violators the world over, has no moral high ground to speak shortcomings of democracy in other countries.

Today it can be said that this legacy of racism which divided the American people along racial lines is broken by the result of Tuesday’s (November 4, 2008) election. This election has made a black man the most powerful man on the planet. In part it is the achievement of the civil rights movement in America and the realization of both whites and blacks that the people in America has to be united if America is to lead the World as a supper power. All Americans irrespective of their colour of their skin, race or creed hoped for change and Barak Obama symbolizing that change. His vision his determination for change owed his victory.

For the African Americans and for the Black people all over the world particularly in Africa Obama victory is profoundly significant. It is the beginning of throwing at bay their complex and hatred of the whites and extending a brotherly hand. It ushers equal opportunity of all people.

For the African Americans who put a persistent and long fight for race equality it is a dream come true. The prophetic slogan of Reverend Marin Luther Kings, “I have a dream” has become a reality. When Obama victory was announced and Obama addressed a crowd of more than 200,000 in Chicago, Many African Americans can not hide their emotions. I was extremely touched when I saw Rev. Jesse Jackson the civil rights leader in tears, so is Oprah Whimfrey, the amazing TV character. Even the 101 years old women who said that it is the first time to vote had wished her parents were alive to witness the fruits of their long years of struggle for race equality. It is indeed an unforgettable moment in time.

Songs of hope and suffering:

One of the campaign pieces in the American election was a video based on the song of Sam Cooke who brought the suffering of African American into music in the 60th.

The video shows the brutality of the police in a situation of civil disobedience, the hanging of Negroes and some pictures of the activists such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Mohamed Ali the boxing champion. There was a recent picture of the victims of Katrina- New Orleans

The video goes, “There’s been time that I thought I couldn’t last long. But now I think I am able to carry on. It’s been a long, long time but I know change gonna come. Yes it will.

The video finishes as follows: You owe it to more than just yourself. You owe it to yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Vote for Obama. The spirit of civil rights campaign has thus reverberated through out the election period.

The other voice was the voice or love, peace and harmony. It goes. “I see the skies so blue, the brightness of the day and I say to myself what a wonderful world.” Louis Armstrong.

Now listen to the songs of Yemane Baria, Hussein Ali in London, and the poems of Dr. Reesom Haile and Abraham Afeworki, like the American freedom songs these Eritrens took the people of Eritrea life experience to music and poetry. Their suffering, the challenges and hope are expressed in musical terms.

Where are all the flowers gone? The victims of Warsai &Yekealo.

On 9/11/08 few of our friends got together in a restaurant to celebrate the victory of Obama and asses the impact it may have globally including Eritrea. There was a friend of us a young unforgettable character who spends 3 years at the National Service and made it to United Kingdom 5 years ago. He did his masters at the prestigious Oxford University. Within 5 years he managed to integrate himself to the mainstream British society. I can not mention his name suffice is to call him Mr. Survival because he is no more a victim, he has survived. Today he is his own man. He has acquired a good profession and a secured job in the area of finance. He even went international as to be able to lobby for Obama and he is the first one to get us interested in Obama.

Compare his life to his school mates in Eritrea by now they have stayed 8 years in the National Service under a military environment and heaven knows how many years more they are going to stay. They are prevented to exploit their potential for work and education and making a family of their own” in economic parlance this is called “opportunity cost “They lost 8 years, years they should have used to build their life.

. It is time to think in terms of “where are all the Eritrean flowers gone, the new generation”. Their life is ruined because certain experiences were not gained or skilled not developed when they were at the right age for them. Needless to say our youth are experiencing a profound agony from which it will take many years to recover. No wonder only few of the refugees want to continue education. More often than not they say it is too late for them and simply go into manual jobs.

The defining moment and the centrality of application of a constitution:

I hope the victory of Obama can give the Diaspora, PFDJ supporters a fresh perspective on how to break this double standard destructive behaviour pattern. They may want to protect their interest in terms of acquiring land to build villas for their retirement and the privilege they and their children have to visit Eritrea. Little do they know that the PFDJ is just honeymooning with them for a while and has little appetite for their prosperity and welfare, the PFDJ hostility to the private sector and the middle class has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt? Ask the business men who can not function in Eritrea and migrated to Dubai, South Sudan, and Angola etc. See unfinished buildings in Asmara because the Government refused to renew the licenses of the contractors.

The PFDJ is wasting the youths’ precious time in standby for a war never happened for 8 years now. Demonizing the “Weyane” for threatening a war is a mere disinformation ploy to keep the population in bondage and occupy their mind not to think otherwise.

The ulterior motive of PFDJ is for power and control. The PFDJ knows very well that when political parties and trade unions were banned in Eritrea during the federation it is the Hailes Sellasie Secondary school students in Asmara who agitated against it by breaking all the School windows. The Ethiopian Government was so scared and had put them in Adi Quali high prison.

The PFDJ leaders are scared of the students and are scared of the population. They have taken a pre-emptive action. They just created a draconian system of control. With the closure of Asmara University and higher education militarized, gone are the days of academic freedom and the challenges to oppose repression. It has never been a question of defending Eritrea. Eritrea can best be defended by having 40 to 50 well armed professional soldiers and a standby trained militias to be re-called if war breaks out, I wish it won’t, and not by keeping the youth in bondage in the name of Warsay & Yekealo development project. On the contrary it is weakening the defence capability of Eritrea as soldiers are completely dissatisfied and are defecting in their thousands. Had this huge manpower, which happened to be the most productive members of the society, been released to participate freely in the economy, the economy of Eritrea would not have suffered as it is to day and poverty wouldn’t have been endemic.

Awareness creation is a way forward for the Diaspora:

The biggest loss in Eritrea is the darkening of the National Mood. This can be addressed through inculcating the values of democracy in the thinking of Eritreans. Of course this is easily said than done. The propaganda machinery of PFDJ is strong. This is the responsibility of the Eritrean intellectuals. For a long time websites such as Awate.com; Asmarino.com, Asenai.com and various poets and activist were on the forefront of awareness creation. The Awate.com slogan of “Reconciliation, Inform, Inspire, and Embolden” is only few of the catch words. These website heroes have captured what is missing in Eritrea. They are trying hard to make a difference. Today people are looking for more organized work. The question of what is to be done? has become a mantra of Eritreans in this momentous time. The recent conference in California is a harbinger for more to come. The conference is titled, “Eritrean Youth for Change.” EYE consists of a group of Eritrean residents in the Bay Area, California, calling for the implementation of the 1997 ratified constitution of Eritrea. They said, “We believe that a fully functional constitution is crucial to the development, unity, and prosperity and national security of our beloved country.” This is one way of rising up to today’s challenge facing Eritrea. This is profoundly significant because it is done by the youth, the future of Eritrea.

To day Eritrea is in the cross-roads, it is defining moment for Eritreans in the Diaspora to either support the people in their struggle for democracy or back the system that is oppressing them, the PFDJ regime. Either they are on the train of organized activities or remain behind only to regret after change for democracy comes. As Sam Cook said oh yes, “Change will come.” But will the Diaspora ever learn?

8 thoughts on “Israeli fighter jets scramble to intercept an Ethiopian plane”

tycoon says:

November 25, 2008 at 10:48 AM

The legacy of Obama: Will the Eritrean Diaspora learn?
Awate – Featured Articles
By Petros Tesfagiorgis – Nov 23, 2008

The Obama victory has proved to the world that an American election is more than choosing personalities. It is a mass assertion of the people’s right to choose and dismiss their head of state. After they voted twice for Bush and Dick Cheney who lead them into unpopular war in Iraq they came out in large numbers to vote for the person they believe is going to bring change.

The OBAMA bid for American presidency can be seen within this context and also within the context of how American constitution allows the people to correct mistakes in politics and grasp at something new.

The American election and the behaviour of American Eritreans.

Algezira TV interview with President Isaias Afwerki goes, “When is election going to take place in Eritrea?” PIA said “what election? Interviewer: The Eritrean election? PIA answered “let’s see first what the election in America brings, may be after one decade or two may be never.” This is a blatant negation of elections and unequivocal denial of an entire population to choose their own government. It is also a way of undermining American democracy.

The PFDJ supporters in Diaspora did not react at all, they condoned it. Some were even heard saying in Tigrinya (እዚ ሰብአይ ንአመሪካ ገይርሎም).

But when it comes to American election the behaviour of the Eritrean Diaspora was different. They went door to door to canvas for Obama. They contributed money through the internet and finally they exercised their voting rights by going to the poles and caste their vote. Saleh Johar of Awate.com has summed up all this, “I was impressed by the level of involvement of Eritreans in the election; I hope that drive inspires them to want to plant freedom in their ancestral home.”

I extend my congratulation to all of them whether they are PFDJ supporters or not. It is the right thing to do. However the active participation of those supporters of PFDJ proves that they do have principles of democracy and they know that elections empower people. So why do they compromise their principles and keep quiet when it comes to Eritrea. Is it a lack of inner strength to face to the challenges facing Eritrea (fear factor) or pure opportunism? Do they know the vote they caste was won after many years of struggle. Freedom is not given in a silver plate. Today they are ripping the fruits someone else struggled and died to bring to this situation in the USA while today they have similar fight in their hands in Eritrea but chose to be complacent about it.

One of the earliest geneses of the American freedom fight (that pre-dated Jefferson’s 1776 Declaration of Independence) took place in 1657 by the English citizens of Long Island Village of Flushing. It is known as Flushing Remonstrance. The Flushing Remonstrance protested against the Governor’s arrest, torture and expulsion of a Quaker preacher for defying his ban on all religions but Dutch Reformed Protestantism. The 30 signatories were not all Quakers but demanded that in the new colony: “If any persons… Presbyterian, Independent, Baptists or Quakers … come in love to us; we can not in conscience lay violent hands upon them.” They demanded that “the law of love, peace and liberty extends to all. They condemned hatred, war and bondage. My Diaspora friends should open the American history books and learn the struggle that brought about, the Flushing Remonstrance, the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the Emancipation Proclamation. The Americans have respect for their documents unlike the Eritrean document the constitution. The Diaspora has the responsibility for advocating the implementation of the constitution without it Eritrea will only have a sick society and a fragmented one; the fact that there are more than 28 Eritrean communities in London alone is an indication.

When the PFDJ subjected the Pentecostal to extreme repression there was no voice of protest from the supporters. In fact they hate to see those few enlightened members of the Diaspora, the human rights activists, who protested in front of Festivals asking them to call their PFDJ to release all prisoners of conscience, let alone sign any petition like that of Flushing remonstrance type. On the contrary they have become a propaganda tool continuously fed into TV-ERE as they keep on dancing in a festive mood during endless festivals while the women display gold ornaments that failed to reflect the reality in Eritrea which is characterised by repression, famine and the break down of families. They are simply being used as a propaganda tool to legitimize the oppressive system of PFDJ. They should have been on the forefront to fight against the human rights violations perpetuated by the PFDJ and in fund raising like what Eritrean Relief Association (ERA) used to do during the long years of struggle for independence.

The Obama victory has ushered a new era of harmony the world over based on justice and equality.

To blame Eritrea for belittling American democracy is not to ignore that at the heart of this land of liberty lies a dark past of slavery and brutal racism. The fact of the matter is that PFDJ, who ranks high in the list of human rights violators the world over, has no moral high ground to speak shortcomings of democracy in other countries.

Today it can be said that this legacy of racism which divided the American people along racial lines is broken by the result of Tuesday’s (November 4, 2008) election. This election has made a black man the most powerful man on the planet. In part it is the achievement of the civil rights movement in America and the realization of both whites and blacks that the people in America has to be united if America is to lead the World as a supper power. All Americans irrespective of their colour of their skin, race or creed hoped for change and Barak Obama symbolizing that change. His vision his determination for change owed his victory.

For the African Americans and for the Black people all over the world particularly in Africa Obama victory is profoundly significant. It is the beginning of throwing at bay their complex and hatred of the whites and extending a brotherly hand. It ushers equal opportunity of all people.

For the African Americans who put a persistent and long fight for race equality it is a dream come true. The prophetic slogan of Reverend Marin Luther Kings, “I have a dream” has become a reality. When Obama victory was announced and Obama addressed a crowd of more than 200,000 in Chicago, Many African Americans can not hide their emotions. I was extremely touched when I saw Rev. Jesse Jackson the civil rights leader in tears, so is Oprah Whimfrey, the amazing TV character. Even the 101 years old women who said that it is the first time to vote had wished her parents were alive to witness the fruits of their long years of struggle for race equality. It is indeed an unforgettable moment in time.

Songs of hope and suffering:

One of the campaign pieces in the American election was a video based on the song of Sam Cooke who brought the suffering of African American into music in the 60th.

The video shows the brutality of the police in a situation of civil disobedience, the hanging of Negroes and some pictures of the activists such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Mohamed Ali the boxing champion. There was a recent picture of the victims of Katrina- New Orleans

The video goes, “There’s been time that I thought I couldn’t last long. But now I think I am able to carry on. It’s been a long, long time but I know change gonna come. Yes it will.

The video finishes as follows: You owe it to more than just yourself. You owe it to yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Vote for Obama. The spirit of civil rights campaign has thus reverberated through out the election period.

The other voice was the voice or love, peace and harmony. It goes. “I see the skies so blue, the brightness of the day and I say to myself what a wonderful world.” Louis Armstrong.

Now listen to the songs of Yemane Baria, Hussein Ali in London, and the poems of Dr. Reesom Haile and Abraham Afeworki, like the American freedom songs these Eritrens took the people of Eritrea life experience to music and poetry. Their suffering, the challenges and hope are expressed in musical terms.

Where are all the flowers gone? The victims of Warsai &Yekealo.

On 9/11/08 few of our friends got together in a restaurant to celebrate the victory of Obama and asses the impact it may have globally including Eritrea. There was a friend of us a young unforgettable character who spends 3 years at the National Service and made it to United Kingdom 5 years ago. He did his masters at the prestigious Oxford University. Within 5 years he managed to integrate himself to the mainstream British society. I can not mention his name suffice is to call him Mr. Survival because he is no more a victim, he has survived. Today he is his own man. He has acquired a good profession and a secured job in the area of finance. He even went international as to be able to lobby for Obama and he is the first one to get us interested in Obama.

Compare his life to his school mates in Eritrea by now they have stayed 8 years in the National Service under a military environment and heaven knows how many years more they are going to stay. They are prevented to exploit their potential for work and education and making a family of their own” in economic parlance this is called “opportunity cost “They lost 8 years, years they should have used to build their life.

. It is time to think in terms of “where are all the Eritrean flowers gone, the new generation”. Their life is ruined because certain experiences were not gained or skilled not developed when they were at the right age for them. Needless to say our youth are experiencing a profound agony from which it will take many years to recover. No wonder only few of the refugees want to continue education. More often than not they say it is too late for them and simply go into manual jobs.

The defining moment and the centrality of application of a constitution:

I hope the victory of Obama can give the Diaspora, PFDJ supporters a fresh perspective on how to break this double standard destructive behaviour pattern. They may want to protect their interest in terms of acquiring land to build villas for their retirement and the privilege they and their children have to visit Eritrea. Little do they know that the PFDJ is just honeymooning with them for a while and has little appetite for their prosperity and welfare, the PFDJ hostility to the private sector and the middle class has been proved beyond any reasonable doubt? Ask the business men who can not function in Eritrea and migrated to Dubai, South Sudan, and Angola etc. See unfinished buildings in Asmara because the Government refused to renew the licenses of the contractors.

The PFDJ is wasting the youths’ precious time in standby for a war never happened for 8 years now. Demonizing the “Weyane” for threatening a war is a mere disinformation ploy to keep the population in bondage and occupy their mind not to think otherwise.

The ulterior motive of PFDJ is for power and control. The PFDJ knows very well that when political parties and trade unions were banned in Eritrea during the federation it is the Hailes Sellasie Secondary school students in Asmara who agitated against it by breaking all the School windows. The Ethiopian Government was so scared and had put them in Adi Quali high prison.

The PFDJ leaders are scared of the students and are scared of the population. They have taken a pre-emptive action. They just created a draconian system of control. With the closure of Asmara University and higher education militarized, gone are the days of academic freedom and the challenges to oppose repression. It has never been a question of defending Eritrea. Eritrea can best be defended by having 40 to 50 well armed professional soldiers and a standby trained militias to be re-called if war breaks out, I wish it won’t, and not by keeping the youth in bondage in the name of Warsay & Yekealo development project. On the contrary it is weakening the defence capability of Eritrea as soldiers are completely dissatisfied and are defecting in their thousands. Had this huge manpower, which happened to be the most productive members of the society, been released to participate freely in the economy, the economy of Eritrea would not have suffered as it is to day and poverty wouldn’t have been endemic.

Awareness creation is a way forward for the Diaspora:

The biggest loss in Eritrea is the darkening of the National Mood. This can be addressed through inculcating the values of democracy in the thinking of Eritreans. Of course this is easily said than done. The propaganda machinery of PFDJ is strong. This is the responsibility of the Eritrean intellectuals. For a long time websites such as Awate.com; Asmarino.com, Asenai.com and various poets and activist were on the forefront of awareness creation. The Awate.com slogan of “Reconciliation, Inform, Inspire, and Embolden” is only few of the catch words. These website heroes have captured what is missing in Eritrea. They are trying hard to make a difference. Today people are looking for more organized work. The question of what is to be done? has become a mantra of Eritreans in this momentous time. The recent conference in California is a harbinger for more to come. The conference is titled, “Eritrean Youth for Change.” EYE consists of a group of Eritrean residents in the Bay Area, California, calling for the implementation of the 1997 ratified constitution of Eritrea. They said, “We believe that a fully functional constitution is crucial to the development, unity, and prosperity and national security of our beloved country.” This is one way of rising up to today’s challenge facing Eritrea. This is profoundly significant because it is done by the youth, the future of Eritrea.

To day Eritrea is in the cross-roads, it is defining moment for Eritreans in the Diaspora to either support the people in their struggle for democracy or back the system that is oppressing them, the PFDJ regime. Either they are on the train of organized activities or remain behind only to regret after change for democracy comes. As Sam Cook said oh yes, “Change will come.” But will the Diaspora ever learn?

Log in to Reply
Tadese says:

November 25, 2008 at 1:43 PM

bla bla bla….Woyane stooge, this is not Aiga…go post your sh*t at your Woyane site.

Log in to Reply
tezibt says:

November 25, 2008 at 2:56 PM

Time has changed. A person who really wants his/her comment/article read, should make it short and precise. Otherwise it is guaranteed not to be read. Most people have no time to read long boring stuff.

Log in to Reply
kurbambeyto says:

November 25, 2008 at 3:58 PM

Elias what is Comment #1 doing here at ER? Is there anything we can learn from such pice of crap from a Weyane stooge?

Log in to Reply
Teshomech says:

November 25, 2008 at 4:27 PM

Elias
Are you really controlling your web site? Get the shit(#1) out of here; It is junk top to bottom. Reading it is wasting of time.

Log in to Reply
pesticide says:

November 25, 2008 at 8:44 PM

tycoon:
What else do we expect from your type “coffe shop revolutionaries,” “2 AM politicians,” “Woyane sgtooge Cyber generals,” “Awate’s homeless Eritreans,” “Asmarino’s hopeless regionalists,” “Psychotic X-Jebha left overs?”

Leave ER alone. The topic is about Israeli jets and Ethiopian Woyane Dedebit pilots. Because you have no body to listen to you, you come here and parrot your “democrcy” and “human rights mumbo jumbo junkie.” Go back to your terrorist Awate’s cave and your regionalist Asmarino’s dembe, until your day recently comes, to go 6 ft. under the ground.

Down with agent Petros and his banda sellouts!
Barking dog seldom bites, loser.
The camel marches, slow but steady to win the race!
Long live Shaebia, your worst nightmare!

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Y' germal says:

November 26, 2008 at 3:05 AM

The Dedebit beles servers dont understand what border or airspace means.
No modern equipment ( GPS or compass) can help them to understand territory .
If they understand what border means they wouldn’t invaded sovereign countries such as Somalia and Eritrea.
TPLF’S original goal was to liberate Tigray but because of their compasses malfunction they ended up in Menelik palace.

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Anonymous says:

December 7, 2008 at 12:33 AM

Come on guys, let’s enjoy the moment, be open minded and learn from the day. Bitter comments just make things more bitter.
Mengesha

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