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 Network
of Eritreans for Constitutional
Governance
(NECG)
Eritrea:
It's Tyranny That's On Trial Not Democracy!
Op-Ed
Berhane
M Tekeste
24
May 2009
The
verdict is in! After deliberating for 3 days, the conference on
'Democracy in Africa' has declared that, in Eritrea, it is tyranny
all the way until further notice!
I can't believe I am saying
this but it needs to be said because the last 3 days, the people of
Eritrea were being duped, hypnotized, and blindfolded into thinking
and believing otherwise by the theatrics and hoopla surrounding the
conference on 'Nitpicking and Flyspecking democracy' that was
presented under the guise of 'Conference on Democracy in Africa:
Reality and Prospects'. Yes, I am going to say it again, loud, and
clear: To the utter chagrin of the tyrannical hosts, in Eritrea,
while all the round-the-clock talk has been about democracy, it is tyranny
that is on trial not democracy! And if there were a verdict, it would
have to be a damning verdict on tyranny and unequivocal up verdict on
democracy, for democracy (societal norm) is what has eluded Eritrea
and tyranny (societal evil) is what the people of Eritrea have been
subjected to. Any questions?
“The
International Symposium on Democracy in Africa: Reality and Prospects
which was held at the Asmara Palace Hotel here in the capital
concluded today adopting declaration.”
proclaimed tyrant Afewerki's propaganda website, shabait.com, on the
very eve of Eritrea's 18th
Independence Anniversary yesterday. Oh yeah, what about it? Any
verdict on tyranny? Nooo, that would be suicidal! So, what is the
declaration all about?
“over
35 study papers were presented on the history and origin of democracy
in Africa, western democracy and its negative impact on African
societies, the double standard nature of western democracy and the
like were presented.” OK. Any paper on dictatorship, tyranny,
or totalitarian rule? Noooo! Why not? Aren't such live systems
absolutely antipodal to democracy in every sense? Right. But raising
such issues is an in your face affront to the tyrannical hosts,
sorry. No problem, understand, thanks. What else? Well, the
conference concluded that based on “..
the study papers presented at the symposium, the adoption of copied
or imposed western democracy represents a dangerous move leading to
conflict and poverty in the countries of Africa and Asia.”
I see. But no one in Eritrea is calling for the adoption and import
of 'western democracy', only democracy by, for, and of the people of
Eritrea-call it democracy a la Eritrea. Any word on that? No, that
has to be deferred until further notice. Oh yeah? Says who? It is by
order of the law of the land, the executive, the judiciary, the
legislative, and the commander-in-chief, the one and only tyrant
Afewarki. Got it. But without the expressed authority and
legitimization of the people, what gives Eritrea tyrant the
exclusive right to run the business of the country in the meantime?
It is tyranny all the way. Great!
Furthermore,
“...if
real democracy is to prevail at all, there should exist equitable
allocation of resources and the rights of the people respected.”
tyrant Afewarki is quoted as saying. Granted, but such things are
not self-effecting. There got to be some one, to be precise, a
government, that sees to it and makes sure there prevails 'equitable
allocation of resource' and 'the rights of the people respected? What
makes tyrant Afewarki the one and only person to do this job but the
might of machine guns?
By
the way, how does
Governance
and government by, for, and of the people,
elections,
national
constitution,
free
press,
freedom
of religion,
political
pluralism,
justice
instead of detention without trial,
rule
of law, or
call
to respect human rights
constitute
'western democracy'? Isn't that the demand of the people of Eritrea
too? Yes, but since the 'west' is echoing the same demands, it is
western democracy. Ok, thanks. You made may day again! I am going to
declare the “conference on democracy in Africa”the joke
of the year 2009 already today because I know nothing would trump it
even if I waited until the end of the year or longer. Bye!
******
CONGRATULATIONS
AND HAPPY 18th
INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY ERITREA, THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE
*****
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