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July 18, 2002 |
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Rapprochement
(M’qrirab) |
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From a state of “mutual non-recognition” |
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To a state of “mutual recognition” |
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M. Filli A. |
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Greetings all! |
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Fisseha Habte introduced the
phrase “mutual non-recognition” into this debate when he first endorsed
rapprochement (M’qrirab). He used it to explain the source, as he put
it, of the polarization that has been and is plaguing the Eritrean society.
And as far as I am concerned, he is damn right. It was only obvious then that the solution to our societal
plague was to work to reverse “mutual
non-recognition” and turn it into a state of “mutual recognition”. |
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That being the genesis of those
two phrases, I will now turn to the question of what it takes to achieve a state
of “mutual recognition” in our
country. Socio-political problems necessitate socio-political resolutions.
“Mutual non-recognition” is a socio-political problem and the only viable way
out of it is via a socio-political process known as rapprochement (M’qrirab)
because there are no “quick fixes” that can resolve socio-political problems?
To this please allow the following old medical saying: “You can’t cure a
disease by treating its symptoms (temporary relief) but by eliminating its
cause (ultimate cure)”. Analogically, political quick fixes (conferences,
roundtable discussions, national meetings, etc.) intended to resolve
socio-political problems are only self-serving, short-lived and don’t
resolve but enshroud the underlying socio-political cause. And that is
why they are doomed to fail. |
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With that in mind, it is
ludicrous and meaningless to try to find a “Formula” for the kind of
government and country we want; because we do have a government that has
popular mandate to govern our country, regardless of others disagreement with
it, and we also have a constitution that has outlined the kind of country we
want to have, even when it is not yet implemented. To the contrary, it is
more, much more sensible and meaningful to try hard, very hard to find a
“Formula” to cooperate with the government we have for no other reason than
to establish a favorable social and political environment to criticize and
challenge it freely, openly, peacefully and democratically consistent with interest
of our people and country, without compromising our national security,
sovereignty and territorial integrity. And this “Formula” is, yes,
rapprochement (M’qrirab). |
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It has already been said, but in short,
Rapprochement (M’qrirab) is a concept that is designed to trigger
socio-political process aimed at establishing a conducive, harmonious,
friendly/cordial, and conciliatory ambience between people who share common
goals but are at odds with each other, in our case due to “mutual
non-recognition”, with the purpose and intention then to tackle and resolve
our differences, and to call for and to see accountability and justice served
peacefully and democratically. Rapprochement is directed at the entire people
of Eritrea including but not specifically the GOE, the “Dissenters” and all others that are expressly at odds
with our government, individually or as groups. Rapprochement between
Eritreans is built upon a common denominator: Free, peaceful and independent
Eritrea and the acceptance, recognition, and acknowledgement of what it takes
to maintain it as outlined in the preamble (Introduction) of the proposal at
hand. |
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During this process of
rapprochement, we will interact with each other politically and socially,
accountability and justice will be tackled and served, some differences will
be resolved to the satisfaction of all and the case is closed, others will
persist simply by virtue of the social make-up and nature of our society
where we will respect each other’s opinions/views, agree to disagree and
consequentially attain the state of mutual recognition as a
socio-political substrate of peaceful co-existence. Call this whatever you
want to call it (conciliation, reconciliation, etc.) but that is the most
peaceful and socio-politically most stable state that is
characteristic of all democratic nations in the world. |
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That being the concept,
purpose& intention, and the goal of rapprochement between Eritreans, what
is that the opposition (opposition in generic terms and literary sense
not as a political concept) cannot achieve by heeding the call for
rapprochement? It is legitimate to be suspicious about the “messenger”,
but how does one be suspicious about a proposal for a viable and tested
concept that is and has been applied internationally to diffuse tensions
between nations and peoples when it can be verified/ re-verified,
confirmed/re-confirmed, notarized, re-written and amended? Why would the
opposition opt for violent instead of peaceful means (rapprochement) to bring
about governmental changes? Conversely, how does it serve the interests of
our people and country to |
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At this time and point, I dare
to challenge the opposition to prove others and me wrong that the process of
rapprochement (M’qrirab) is the most viable and just the right means
available to date to resolve the socio-political situation in our country. |
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Having said that, please don’t
get me wrong, this is a one person’s view and I emphasize that I feel equally
to all my compatriots. I maintain and it is my strong opinion that there is
no one single Eritrean who is above and over other Eritreans. I don’t at all
mean to disregard or deny the issues the opposition is raising. To the
contrary, I and many other Eritreans understand and share the concerns of the
opposition but most if not all Eritreans are of the conviction that
resolution of such issues cannot be achieved by way of “all means necessary”,
confrontation, and the “my way or no way” politics but only and only by
peaceful and democratic means as provided for by rapprochement. |
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With that in mind, I urge and
appeal to the opposition, individually or as groups, to heed to the call for
rapprochement (M’qrirab) and prove to the people of Eritrea that your cause
is genuine and serves the interests of our people and country. All that is
needed here is for us to meet halfway. To me, silence on your part will mean
refusal to resolve intra-Eritrean differences peacefully and democratically,
which is tantamount to political suicide that will expose your cause as
merely self-serving, power-driven, and with the primary goal of toppling our
government by all means necessary and regardless of the interests of the
people and country of Eritrea. And the people and country that you all so
love, respect, and for whose independence you all have sacrificed a lot,
don’t, absolute don’t deserve that? That will be detrimental to your cause
and the process of rapprochement will proceed without you and I regret to say
that, but I am afraid that you will be totally rejected by the people of
Eritrea, to say the least. This, again, is my personal conclusion. |
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With that and hoping the
opposition will do the right thing I rest my case. Last but not least, allow me to
express my utmost appreciation to Kidane Habteselassie, who presented a
quintessential summary of rapprochement in a much-needed language, Tigrigna ( |
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Let’s give Eritrea a kiss of
peace and meet hafway. |
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M. Filli A. |
