We should all be prepared for any eventuality !
Dr. Tesfay Aradom

The current commotion concerning the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia is eerily reminiscent of the late 1940s and early 50s. The superpowers connived against Eritrea through the Bevin-Sforza proposal defeated by a narrow margin, the “Federal Arrangements” and a “Mutual Defense Pact” between the US and the Ethiopian Gov’t. The objectives of these plans were, of course, to partition Eritrea and obliterate its physical and political existence; secure strategic locations for US intelligence activities and provide Ethiopia with weapons to contain the threat from rising Eritrean nationalism.

If we fast-forward to 2005, a similar political scenario seems to be at play: we observe former US Ambassadors relaying provocative subliminal messages; State Department officials making biased comments and unfounded accusations against Eritrea which, in essence, constitute a violation of its sovereignty; and politicians and NGO leaders, relying on “evidence” concocted by disgruntled individuals and groups of dubious character arriving at preposterous conclusions concerning the social and political conditions in Eritrea. Obviously, anachronistic views are still prevalent in some corners of the world.

The goal then, just as it seems to be the case today, was to render Eritrea the sacrificial lamb in order to gratify Ethiopia’s expansionist whim. However, with regards to Eritrea history will not repeat itself. The objective and subjective conditions in Eritrea are significantly different from what they were more than half a century ago. Guided by an increasingly effective political movement and ideological clarity, a fledgling but evolving national consciousness was gradually transformed into a solid and psychologically, politically and socially enlightened sense of Eritrean nationalism. A long common struggle against discrimination and political and social oppression perpetrated by various colonial powers and successive Ethiopian regimes was also an important factor that contributed to the strong sense of nationalism among Eritreans.

Following a protracted political and armed struggle and sacrifices, Eritrea gained its independence and, as a result, has become a well deserving member of the international community. The Eritrean people are now capable of defending themselves legally and politically and preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of their nation. Eritrea has clearly demonstrated an ability to decisively foil an expansionist war unleashed by the weyane regime under the pretext of border conflict. It has also shown that it can skillfully and successfully defend its political and legal interests in the international court arena. The EEBC’s final and binding decision illustrates such capability notwithstanding the weyane regime’s attempts to influence the outcome through subterfuge and display of pompous disposition outside of court.

In violation of international laws and principles, the weyane regime is currently illegally occupying sovereign Eritrean territory and, subsequently, tens of thousands of Eritreans are unable to return to their villages and homes to resume the livelihood they forced to give up. The weyane regime continues to defy international laws by refusing to let the demarcation process begin and is instead engaging in provocative actions along the already delimited border. The indecisiveness of the international community to take the necessary actions authorized by the “Algiers Agreement ” has emboldened the duplicitous weyane regime. As a result, convinced that it can do it with impunity, it is gradually derailing the peace process in order to realize its sinister ulterior objectives.

Needless to say, the border has been definitively delimited and is not subject to any kind of tampering either by the weyane regime or anybody else. The technical aspect of demarcation has been held hostage by this same regime with the acquiescence of the international community in general and the guarantors of the “Algiers Agreement” in particular. The final demarcation of the border is inevitable, let us just hope that it is will take place without any unnecessary deaths, human suffering and material devastation.

Confronted with these challenging social, political and military situations, the Eritrean people, more than ever, have to be psychologically, spiritually and materially prepared for any eventuality. Every Eritrean should exhibit the determination and discipline needed to weather these difficult times. We should be constantly vigilant of disinformation and psychological warfare fabricated by our enemies and be mentally prepared to make the necessary material sacrifices. For more than half a century, the Superpowers, intent on protecting their economic and political interests have violated our rights for self-determination and appeased successive Ethiopian regimes in their quest for expansionism. The latter, in order to realize their political goals, has committed atrocious crimes against the Eritrean people. In every corner of the country, villages have been burnt, razed and pillaged. Women have been raped and innocent civilians have been indiscriminately killed and tortured. In a fair and just world, one would justifiably expect an apology from the Ethiopian regime for all the suffering and pain they inflicted on the Eritrean people. Contrary to this, the weyane regime, not only does it follow the footsteps of former Ethiopian governments, it has even revealed a propensity to engage in acts of genocide against the Eritrean people which it views as its nemesis and the main obstacle to its expansionist dreams.

Unfortunately as, in this times and age, pugnacity, duplicity and defiance of international laws are extolled as virtues to be emulated or adopted, we as a people of a sovereign nation should not hesitate to determine our historically and culturally relevant morality, virtues and paths towards economic, social and political development. We have to stay united and do what we do best: rely primarily on our own human and material resources and also engage in political and diplomatic activities to support the efforts of the GOE.