Eritrea: Habemus Papa!

Commentary

Habemus Papa! We have a father. The cheer raised by the waiting crowds when a pope is elected.

The umpteenth meeting of Eritrean opposition forces in the Addis conclave, so to speak, is over. The previously disputatious Eritrean forces have been reborn as one front, Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA), united under one charter and consensus leadership. The EDA has been resurrected, the long era of petty power struggle is passé, the waiting is over, and the struggle against the tyrannical regime in Eritrea is well on, with full force and in unison. Yes, Habemus Papa! Oh Happy Day!

The only reason Eritrea tyrant Afewerki has been able to perpetuate his tyrannical stronghold on our country Eritrea for so long is not because Eritreans have tacitly submitted to it but because of the lack of a united opposition.

The splitting of the opposition force into disputatious factions while destructive in and of itself, it has also polarized the Eritrean people in general and the Eritrean diaspora in particular along those lines to the extent of paralyzing the entire anti-tyrannical movement and turning a significant segment of the Eritrean society into political indifference all the way.

Yet, Eritreans all over the world never gave up in their efforts to get the opposition forces to unite against a common purpose. This has at long last paid off as manifested by the outcome of the Addis conference 5-11 May 2008.

The unity of opposition forces, therefore, constitutes arguably a major milestone in the struggle against the brutal tyranny that the people of Eritrea have been subjected to for now 18 years. The joy and the big sigh of relief felt by all anti-tyrannical Eritreans all over the globe at the news coming from the Addis meet tells it all and is perfectly understandable.

EDA officials made no secret of the people’s pressure for unity that the opposition force felt.

“"The diaspora has urged us for a different outcome. They are against (President) Issaias (Afeworki) but they aren't with us because of our differences," Noor Idris, head of an opposition party, told a press conference Sunday.

"They are seeking our unity because the tyranny there is committing abuses," he added.

Mohammed Noor Ahmed, another opposition official, added: "If we can mobilise our people, there will surely be uprisings. The Eritrean people definitely want to overthrow the government because of its violations."

“Following agreements reached among members, we will now be able to step up our efforts against the government in Eritrea," Tewolde Gebreselassie, newly elected leader of EDA told a press conference Sunday.

"We will enhance our activities on the diplomatic front as well as holding demonstrations and propaganda (campaigns)," he added.

Now that EDA is united, the ball is back in our court, Eritrean diaspora. It is incumbent upon us to build on that by rallying behind EDA, intensifying our engagement, and by actively agitating in whatever shape and form for the common cause.

God Speed, EDA.

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