That Eritrea has long been under the brutal grip of the tyrannical regime of Isaias Afewerki is not only an open secret but also something tyrant Afewerki himself unabashed overtly brags about and even claims entitlement to.

Eritreans especially those abroad did not take that lying down. To the contraray. For years, Eritreans abroad have been waging noticeable albeit isolated struggles against Afewerki’s Tyranny as individuals, organized and unorganized groups all over the world.

But for lack of a coordinated action of the major players, disputatious political opposition groups, along which Eritreans were also split, this kind of resistance, though palpable, could not yield the desired effect: Shake Afewerki’s tyrannical grip on our country, Eritrea, to its inevitable demise.

At long last, it won’t, by all accounts, be a hyperbole to proclaim that anti-tyrannical Eritreans around the globe now see clearly that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

In the recently, 5-11 May 2008, concluded successful meeting of 13 but basically all opposition forces(Eritrean Democratic Alliance or EDA), the participants unanimously agreed to set their differences aside and to unite in purpose in their struggle against the tyranny that has been reigning over our country and decided to direct, coordinate, and wage their actions in unison. To that effect, they came out with a unanimously agreed upon Charter, Leadership, resolutions, and conference communiqué. With that, the opposition forces have met the basic expectations of all anti-tyrannical Eritreans at home and abroad.

In essence and nature, the struggle of the people of Eritrea is anti-tyrannical. Hence, the tag ‘hzbawi Mehkete Antsar Milki’ in local language or ‘popular Resistance Against Tyranny, [PRAT]’ is only appropriate.

Democracy is without any doubt the socially tested, clinically proven, and readily available tyrannycidal Agent and sure-fire antidote against Tyranny. Therein lies the rationale behind the declared goals and objectives of the struggle of the people of Eritrea: For Democracy and Justice as provided for by constitutional governance.

Now that EDA has met our basic expectations, the question on the table is: How can we, Eritreans abroad, in practical terms, capitalize on the achievements of EDA in our anti-tyrannical struggle and what can we do in deeds and words to promote, publicize, agitate, and lobby for our common anti-tyrannical cause and rally Eritreans behind EDA’s achievements?

We at EritreaDaily put out a proposal to lauch a worldwide campaign dubbed ‘hzbawi Mekhete Antsar Milki’ or ‘popular Resistance Against Tyranny’ towards this end on Friday, 6 June 2008 (follow link at bottom of article) and presented it for discussion in a Paltalk room named: Eritrea Mekhete Antsar Milki Action Forum, in the presence of EDA’s head of information and NECS representative among others. In a very short notice the attendance was between 130-150 present.

Building upon our preliminary discussions and upon the suggestion of EMDHR, the next sessions to be held on Wednesday, 11 and Friday 13 June 2008 at 20:00 GMT, 2:00 PM EDT USA time, have the following, not necessarily in that order, tentative items on the agenda:

1. Establishing local task force

2. Launch Mekhete Antsar Milki website

3. Taking advantage of upcoming national holidays, 20 June, 1 Sept. including the summer time festivals to launch Mekhete Antsar Milki campaign activities

4. Mekhete Antar Milki, T-Shirt design, hat, head bands, wrist bands, pins etc.

Moreover, emails with an invitation for other civic societies to participate are out. Regardless, we call upon all anti-tyrannical Eritreans to help make this noble initiative happen whichever way you can, like joining our Paltalk session. For more info please contact eritreangrassrootsnetwrk@yahoo.com

For detailed information about the proposal for Mekhete Antsar Milki campaign please click on the following link:

http://www.eritreadaily.net/News0108/MekhetAntsarMilki.pdf

Check out also: http://www.eritreadaily.net/News0108/TsereMilkiPoem.pdf

Berhane M Tekeste
for NECG