Seyoum Tsehaye, who was imprisoned during a government crackdown in 2001. Photograph: Pen Eritrea

Abraham T Zere

Abraham T Zere is a journalist in exile and the executive director and co-founder of PEN Eritrea
Wednesday 19 August 2015 07.00 BST
Last modified on Wednesday 31 May 2017 17.18 BST

Eritrea has become one of the world’s worst offenders for human rights abuses over the last decade, imprisoning the third highest number journalists – after China and Iran.

Those writers who remain face stringent censorship in a media climate characterised by the monotonous recycling of official information put out by a paranoid government.

In response to these conditions, Eritrean journalists in exile set up PEN Eritrea, an organisation to connect this inaccessible country and the outside world, and to campaign on behalf of the country’s imprisoned journalists, many of whom have been jailed for more than a decade without contact with their families.

President of the organisation, Ghirmai Negash, describes it as: “a small contribution in the long road towards liberty and democracy.”

Co-founder Dessale Berekhet said: “We aim to empower, connect and if possible to serve as an umbrella for the ‘destitute’ writers and journalists of the country wherever they are scattered.”

But repression has not always been the norm for the country’s writers. In 1996, soon after independence from Ethiopia was finally won after a 30-year war,the number of independent newspapers boomed, many founded by students or graduates of the University of Asmara and catering for a wide range of views.

But as the political climate began to change, so too did the state’s attitude towards its critics. In a climate of mounting repression led by president Isaias Afwerki, 15 members of the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice wrote an open letter denouncing Afwerki’s iron grip on power, calling his actions “illegal and unconstitutional”.

For this they were quickly jailed. Eleven of the men, who have become known as the G-15, remain incarcerated, incommunicado, without trial. On the same day, 18 September 2001, Afwerki cracked down on all dissent, banning private newspapers.

Eleven journalists were taken into custody that day, and remain in undisclosed locations. It is widely believed that at least four (and perhaps as many as nine) of the 11 journalists have since died, including Medhanie Haile and Fessahaye “Joshua” Yohannes, profiled below.

Fourteen years later the country remains in a state of anxiety: current estimates suggest there are at least 23 journalists in prison without due process. Only state owned media remains, and communication with outside world has become nearly impossible. Now, citizens must go to public spaces to share information amongst themselves, while young people are stuck watching European football, or dubbed Arabic-Turkish soap operas on TV.

Has Eritrea become Africa’s North Korea? Worse, perhaps: journalists routinely face arrest, intimidation, harassment and long-term detention without trial, their families unsure if they are still alive.

The following six writers have been held in undisclosed locations since September 2001, without trial.

Amanuel Asrat
Zemen editor-in-chief and award-winning poet

Amanuel Asrat, former editor-in-chief of the newspaper Zemen. Photograph: PEN Eritrea

Amanuel Asrat was editor-in-chief of the newspaper ዘመን (Zemen, meaning The Times), and the man largely credited for the Eritrean poetry resurgence of the early 2000s.

The paper was known amongst readers for its special interest in arts and literature, and Asrat – himself a leading poet as well as a songwriter – was the most popular art critic of his time.

But his role was not limited to critique: he played a leading role in creating writers’ clubs across the country. With two friends he set up a grassroots literary club called ቍርሲ ቀዳም ኣብ ጠዓሞት (Saturday’s Supper) in 2001. Soon after, similar clubs were established in all major Eritrean towns.

Eventually, Zemen became the leading literary newspaper in the country, run by a circle of critics who helped shape the cultural landscape of the country.

Above all, Asrat was a talented poet. In his writing, he explored subjects ranging from the daily life of the underprivileged, to war and peace. Unlike much popular Eritrean wartime poetry, he portrayed the ugly side of conflict. His award-winning poem ኣበሳ ኲናት (The Scourge of War) alluded to the then ongoing border dispute with neighbouring Ethiopia, describing the blood shed by two brothers:

"Where two brothers pass each other
Where two brothers meet each other
Where two brothers conjoin
In the piazza of life and death
In the gulf of calamity and cultivation
In the valley of fear and peace
Something resounded.

…

The ugliness of the thing of war
When its spring comes
When its ravaging echoes knock at your door
It is then that the scourge of war brews doom

But…

You serve it willy-nilly
Unwillingly you keep it company
Still, for it to mute how hard you pray!

Asrat was arrested at his home on the morning of 23 September 2001, when the editors of all the country’s private newspapers were rounded up. Prior to his arrest, he was preparing to go to South Africa to continue his higher education.

From the limited information available, Asrat is still detained in the maximum security prison, Eiraeiro, north of Asmara.

(Translation by Tedros Abraham)

Seyoum Tsehaye
Freelance journalist and former TV director

Seyoum Tsehaye. Photograph: PEN Eritrea

A former freedom fighter, the first director of the state-owned national TV channel, Eri-TV and a freelance photographer and journalist, Seyoum Tsehaye was arrested in his home after repeatedly publishing critical articles in the independent newspaper, Setit.

Tsehaye, still reportedly alive in Eiraeiro prison camp according to the latest limited information, was 49 at the time of his arrest.

After fighting as a foot soldier in the armed struggle, he was called back by the front to establish a department of photography for the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front party, archiving images and footage of the conflict that are still used by national TV today.

Former editor-in-chief of Setit, Aaron Berhane, describes him as “someone who always tried to have impact on Eritrean daily life”.

As many dreams for the country started to dissolve after independence, Tsehaye started to write regularly for Setit. According to Berhane, “his writings explored the challenges Eritrean former fighters faced in re-adjusting to civilian life and putting bread on the table.”

But as Tsehaye started to drift away from the preferred political line of the elites in power, he was targeted by the authorities.

Tsehaye always wanted to speak on behalf of the voiceless, Berhane recalls, who remembers that the journalists used to repeat the line: “If we don’t give them a voice, no one will.”

He is married with two daughters.

Medhanie Haile
Deputy editor of Keste-demena

 
Medhanie Haile. Photograph: PEN Eritrea

A former sports columnist, and a lawyer by profession, Haile was working at the Ministry of Justice at the time of his arrest. Today, Haile remains best known for his critical articles calling for the rule of law to be firmly established in the country post-independence.

As his friend, exiled lawyer and former Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights chairperson, Samuel Bizen, says, Haile: “was passionate about the rule of law and constitutional democracy. Most importantly he was concerned about the implementation of the new constitution ... and the free flow of information that empowers people and enables them to stand up for their rights.”

Haile often wrote editorials that addressed law and order. In one piece, he underlined the importance of a free press in building a vibrant and accountable society. Praising some of the steps taken towards opening up the press and democratisation, Haile called for a culture of tolerance.

Despite constant hostility from the government in the form of frequent arrests and intimidation, Haile was convinced that the rule of law would prevail. But this proved to be wishful thinking.

After all independent newspapers were banned in 2001, the editors joined together to write a letter to the Ministry of Information, asking for an explanation. Poet Saba Kidane, now in exile, was present at the meeting and recalls Haile’s reaction. On hearing how other editors were fleeing the country, Haile said: “We are in a country governed by the rule of law and we are asking for an explanation for these actions. We cannot flee in fear.”

Two days later, he was arrested at his home. Medhanie is reported to have died in detention, according to a former prison guard. His death was attributed to harsh conditions and a lack of medical attention. He leaves behind four brothers.

Fessahaye ‘Joshua’ Yohannes
Poet, playwright, journalist and co-owner of Setit

Fessahaye ‘Joshua’ Yohannes Photograph: PEN Eritrea

The country’s first independent newspaper, Setit was founded by Aaron Berhane, Simret Seyoum and Habtom Mihreteab in August 1997. The team was soon strengthened when Dawit Issac – a Swedish-Eritrean journalist also detained incommunicado since 2001 – and Fessaheye Yohannes joined too.

Starting out as a bi-monthly publication with a circulation of 5,000, the print run was soon increased to twice a week with a circulation of 40,000, according to Aaron Berhane, the former editor-in-chief. By way of comparison, the government-owned ሓዳስ ኤርትራ (Hadas Er’tra) then had a circulation of just 10,000, despite being distributed free.
A published poet, circus performer (with the Shewit Children’s Theatre) and short story writer, Yohannes was known as friendly, reliable – “a dedicated journalist who never missed deadlines. He had a great ability working in a very tight schedule. He was also passionate about life,” recalls Berhane.

“You’d always see him joking around and laughing loudly.”

Along with the other editors of Eritrea’s other private newspapers, Yohannes was rounded up on the morning of 23 September 2001 at his home. He is thought to have died in 2006 or 2007, due to poor health and mistreatment in prison.

Idris Abu’Are
Author and freelance journalist

 
Idris Abu’Are. Photograph: PEN Eritrea

Idris Abu’Are was known for his critical thinking, his public readings and his seminars on the history of the Eritrean independence struggle, says his friend and fellow journalist Stefanos G Temelso.

After freedom from Ethiopia finally came in 1991, Abu’Are was assigned to the newly established Ministry of Foreign Affairs and alongside his duties regularly contributed to the government-run Arabic daily newspaper, Eritrea al-Haditha.
But over time, Abu’are became increasingly critical of the ministry – and publicly called them out. In a February 2001 issue, he wrote:

"The strange thing about the matter is that every time the discontent and contempt resurface, the stubbornness of the ministry grows"

Abu’Are later freelanced for the independent newspaper ጽጌናይ (Tsigenay), and published a collection of short stories in Arabic in 1992.

But the writer was soon blacklisted for his ideas by the increasingly nervous government, and was arrested at his home in October 2001 after openly denouncing the arrest of the G-15 group.

Aba’Are is married and has one daughter. He remains in prison.

Dawit Habtemichael
Assistant editor of Meqalh

Among his students at Asmara’s secondary school, Dawit Habtemichael was known as an energetic physics teacher, who organised a literary club and also served as a volleyball coach.

His former colleagues at the newspaper መቓልሕ (Echo) describe him as a jovial and talented editor, a critical reader and a hard worker who would spend hours working on the newspaper after his classes at the school.

 
Dawit Habtemichael. Photograph: PEN Eritrea

Meqalh was co-founded by Habtemichael in 1998. The newspaper started life in a tiny office, equipped with one desktop computer, an old printer and a telephone, which served as their base right up until the ban on independent media, according to fellow exiled journalist Yebio Ghebremedhin.

In addition to editing, Habtemichael also wrote critical articles: his regular column, ክምብል በለ’ምበር (Never too late) scrutinised key issues in society and government on which, he assumed, it was never too late to improve.

Dawit was not arrested in the first dawn round-up of journalists in 2001. However, wrongly assuming that they would probably arrest him and release him shortly afterwards – as was common practice at the time – he went to work as usual. However, security police arrived at the Asmara comprehensive secondary school the next day, and detained him.
There are conflicting reports about Habtemichael’s whereabouts today: according to Reporters Without Borders, he died in Eiraeiro prison camp in the second half of 2010, along with his colleague and editor Matios Habteab.

Abraham Tesfalul Zere is Eritrean writer and journalist who is currently serving as executive director of PEN Eritrea in exile

You can read more about PEN Eritrea here

Source=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/19/eritrea-forgotten-journalists-jailed-pen-international-press-freedom

ኣብ ደንበ ተቓውሞ ኤርትራ “ውድባት ደኺመን” ዝብል ሓረግ ናይ ብዙሓት ወገናት መውጽእ ኣፍ ካብ ዝኸውን ነዊሕ ግዜ ኮይኑ እዩ። ነዚ ድኻመን ዝቐርቡ ምኽንያታት ከኣ ከከም በሃሊኡ ኣዝዩ ብዙሕ እዩ። ስለ ዝበዘሓ፡ ንመንእሰይ ስለ ዘየሰለፋ፡ ብሓባር ስለ ዘይሰርሓ፡ ናይ ምውሳን ናጽነት ስለ ዘየብለን፡ መራሕተን ስለ ዘይበቕዑ፡ ነቲ ምቅዋም ከም ንቡር ህይወት ስለ ዝወሰድኦ … ውዘተ ካብቶም ናይ ድኽመተን ጠንቅታት ተባሂሎም ወትሩ ዝጥቀሱ ሓረጋት እዮም። ተቓወምቲ ውድባት ኤርትራ እውን ከም መግለጺ ድኽመተን ውጽኢት ቃልሰን “ትሕቲ ትጽቢት ህዝብና” ምዃኑ ይኣምና እየን። ድኽመት ምእማን ጥራይ ዘይኮነ ካብዚ ድኽመት ንምውጻእ ወርትግ ሓርኮትኮት ካብ ምባል’ውን ዓዲ ኣይወዓላን።

ኣብዚ ሎሚ እዋን፡ ብዙሓት ወገናት እዘን ውድባት ክሳብ ሕጂ “ዋላ ሓንቲ ኣይሰረሓን” ንመጻኢ እውን “ዋላ ሓንቲ ኣይክሰርሓን እየን” ኢሎም ክድምድሙ ምስማዕ ልሙድ ኮይኑ ኣሎ። እታ “ዋላ ሓንቲ” እትብል ሓረግ ብዘይቃለዓለም እንጽርጽሮት ዝወለዳ እምበር ተቐባልነት ዘለዋ ኣይኮነትን። ምናልባት ምትህልላኽ ደኣ ከይከውን እምበር ነቶም ኣብዚ መጺጽ መደምደምታ ዝበጽሑ ወገናት “ንስኻትኩምከ እንታይ ሰሪሕኩም?” ተባሂሎም እንተዝሕተቱ መልሶም እንታይ መኾነ እንድዒ።

“ውድባት ኣብ ዝደኸማሉ ግደ ናይቶም ድኽመተን ዘሻቕሎም ወገናት እንታይ ክኸውን ይግበኦ?” ዝብል ጉዳይ ኣዘራራቢ ክኸው ዝግበኦ እዩ። ኣማዕዲኻ ምንቃፍ ክሳብ ክንደይ ቀሊል ምዃኑ ንጹር እዩ። ነቒፍካ ካብ ናይቲ ዝነቐፍካዮ ኣካል ዝሓሸ መተካእታ ሒዝካ ምቕራብ ክሳብ ክንደይ ከቢድ ምዃኑ ከኣ ንኹልና ዘረዳድኣና ይመስለኒ። መተካእታ ዘየብሉ ነቐፈታ ግና ኪኖ ቆይቊ ፋይዳ የብሉን። እዞም ውድባት ደኺመን ዝብሉ ወገናት ኣብ ውሽጦም  ብዛዕባ ውድባት ክገብረኦ ዝግበአን ዝነበረ ግና ዘይገበርኦ ራኢ ዘለዎም ይመስለኒ። ካብዚ ነቒልካ “እሞ እቲ ውድባት ክገብረኦ ዝግበአን ዝነበረ ግና ዘይገበረኦ ብዝምልከት ኣብ ክንዲ ተመዓዲኻ ምውርጻጽ ቀሪብኩም ብዝመረጽኩምዎ ኣገባብ ተወዲብኩም ዘይተተግብርዎ?” ተባሂሎም ክሕተቱ ዝግበኦም እዩ። እዚ ማለት ናይ ግድን ናብተን “ ዋላ ሓንቲ ኣይሰርሓን” ትብልወን ውድባት እተዉ ማለት ኣይኮነን። ብኣንጻሩ “እቶም ከምዚ ዓይነት ነቐፈታዊ ናይ ሓባር መደምደምታ ዘለኩም ወገናት ውዳበ ፈጢርኩም ነቲ ህልዋት ውድባት ክዓመኦ ዘይከኣላ ዘይትዓምዎ” ንምባል ዝኣክል እዩ።

ነቲ ክኸውን ዝግበኦ መንገዲ ጓሲኻ፡  “ናይ ሓባር መዝሙር ሰላም” ወይ “ህዝቢ ንህዝቢ” ኣብ ዝብሉ ተበግሶታት፡ ምስታፍ ከሎ ጋና እትጻረሮ ንጥፈታት’ኳ እንተዘይኮነ፡  መተካእታ ፖለቲካዊ ውድባት ወይ ሰልፍታት ኤርትራ ክኸውን ከምዘይክእል ግና ክንጸር ይግበኦ። ንህልዋት ውድባትን ሰልፍታትን ክትጻረር ክትብል፡ ንወሳንነት ህላወ ፖለቲካዊ ውደባ ኣብ መስርሕ ቃልሲ ምዝንጋዕ ቅቡል ኣይኮነን። እዞም ዝተጠቕሱ ንቕሎታት ውድባት ስለ ዘይሰረሓ ከም መተካእታ ዝመጹ፡ ውድባት እንተሰሪሐን ግና ዘየድልዩ ዘይኮኑስ፡ ኣብ ህላወ ውድባት እውን ናቶም ዝተፈልየ ተልእኮ ሒዞም ዝረኣዩ እዮም። ክስጉሙዶ ይኽእሉ ኣይክእሉን ካልእ ጉዳይ ኮይኑ። ስለዚ ነዚ ንቕሎታትዚ ንምስሳይ ምስ ፖለቲካዊ ውድባትን ሰልፍታት ምርጻምን ኣድላይነተን ምኽሓድን ናይ ግድን ኣይኮነን። ገለ ወገናት ኣብ ፖለቲካዊ ውድባት ተስፋ እንተቖረጹ ዘገርም ኣይኮነን። እንተኾነ ሕጂ’ውን ኣብ ኤርትራ ለውጢ ንምምጻእ ህላወን ብርታዐን ፖለቲካዊ ውድባት ናይ ግድን እዩ ዝብል እምንቶ ዘለዎም ወገናት፡ ኣብ መስርሕ ቃልሲ ብውድባት ይቕጽሉ ኣለዉ። ንመጻኢ እውን  ክቕጽሉ ባህርያዊ እዩ። ብዘይ ፖለቲካዊ ውዳበ ዝፍጠር ናይ ለውጢ ዓቕሚ ስለ ዘየለ።

“ፖለቲካዊ ውድባት ኤርትራ ክሳብ ሕጂ ካብ ድኽመት ኣይወጻን” ምባል ዘረዳድእ ኮይኑ “ዋላ ሕንቲ ኣይሰረሓን” ኢልካ ህልም ምባል ግና ቅቡል ኣይኮነን። ኣብ መጻኢ እውን “ዋላ ሓንቲ ኣይክሰርሓን እየን” ኢልካ ምድምዳም ከኣ ብርኢቶይ ዝገደድ እዩ። ውድባት ኤርትራኮ ብሰባት ዝቖማ እየን። ሰባት ከኣ ካብ ተመኩሮኦም ከም ዝመሃሩ ብዙሕ ተመኩሮታት ዘረጋገጾ እዩ። ስለምንታይከ ካብ ናይ ክሳብ ሕጂ ተመኩረኣን ተማሂረን ናይ ክሳብ ሕጂ ድኽመተን ኣለልየን ከእርማ እየን ኢልና ናብ ትስፉው ኣንፈት ዘይነመዓዱ። ኣብ መስርሕ ፖለቲካዊ ቃልሲ ጉዳያት ከም ዝተጸበኻዮም ናይ ዘይምዃን ዕድል ዘጋጥም እዩ። ኣብ ከምዚ ንርከበሉ ዘለና ዝተሓላለኸ ዓለማውን ዘባውን ኩነታት ውጽኢት ፖለቲካዊ ቃልሲ ኣብ ሓጺር ግዜ ዝድህሰስ ውጽኢት ከመዝግብ ዘሎ ተኽእሎ ኣዝዩ ጸቢብ እዩ። እዚ ማለት ለውጢ ኣይመጽእን’ዩ ማለት ዘይኮነስ እቲ መስርሕ ለውጢ ግዜ ዝወስድ ዘገምታዊ’ዩ ንምባል ዝኣክል እዩ።

እቲ ካልእ ቁምነገር እምበኣር፡ እዚ በብኩርንዑ ንዕዘቦ ዘለና ምዕባለታት “ናብ ተቓወምቲ ውድባት ኤርትራ ዘመሓላልፎ መልእኽቲ እንታይ’ዩ?” ዝብል እዩ። ኣብዚ እዋንዚ ውድባት ዝፈላልየን ወጊነን፡ ኣብቲ ዘሰማምዐን ብሓባር ካብ ምስራሕ ካልእ መተካእታ ከም ዘየብለን ናይ ሓብር ዕግበተን እዩ። ኣብዚ መደምደምታ ዘብጻሐን ከኣ ውጽኢት ተመኩሮአን ኣብ ቃልሲ እዩ። ሕጂ ነዚ ዝብቅዕ፡ ምክእኣል፡ ምጽውዋር፡ ሕድገትን ተወፋይነትን ምጥራይ ኣብ ቅድሜአን ዘሎ በዳሂ ዕማም እዩ። እዚ ከኣ ቅርቡነትን ልባዊ ህዝባዊ ሓልዮትን እንተልዩ ዘይከኣል ኣይኮነን። እዚ ከበሃል እንከሎ ከምቲ “ ንጸገማት ኣብ ከምቲ ክንፈጥሮም እንከለና ዝነበረና ኣተሓሳስባ ኮይና ዘይኮነ፡ ሓድሽ ኣተሓሳስባ ኣጥሪና ኢና ክንፈትሖም እንኽእል” ዝበሃል፡ ነዚ ዘብቀዓና ሓድሽ ኣተሓሳስባ ከነጥሪ ክንበቅዕ ይግበኣና። 

ሓሙሻይ ክፋል

ተሓላቒ ሓድነት እናመሰልካ ጐደና ምፍንጫል ምሓዝ፡ ንህዝቢ ኤርትራ ዘድከመ ተሞክሮ እዩ። ምፍንጫል ኣዝዩ ኣሕማሚ ተሞክሮ እዩ። ካብ እትፈትዎምን እተኽብሮምን ዝነበርካ ይፈላልየካ ጥራይ ዘይኮነ፡ ነቲ ብሓባር ብኽንደይ መስዋእቲ ዘረጋገጽካዮ መኽሰባት ዝጐድእ መስርሕ ብምዃኑ ኣዕናዊ እዩ። እቶም ንጐደና ምፍንጫል ዝመርጹ፡ ኣብ ትሕቲ ጭርሖ ሓድነት ክሕብኡ ምፍታኖም ከኣ፡ ምኽንያቱ ርዱእ እዩ። ሓላፍነት ዝመረጽዎ ጐደና፡ ንኻልኦት ኣካላት ከሰክሙ ስለ ዝደልዩ እዩ። ምፍንጫል ግን ዘጋጊ ኣምር ኣይኮነን። ካብ ሓደ ምሉእ ኣካል እናወጻእካ፡ ምፍንጫል ኣይመርጽኩን ምባል፡ ንብዙሓት ከታልል ዝኽእል ኣይኮነን። ምፍንጫል ዝመረጸ፡ ብዕቱብ ንምርጭኡ ሓላፍነት ክወስደሉ ኣለዎ። ዋላ’ኳ ምፍንጫል ዘይድገፍ እንተኾነ፡ ንእትወስዶ ዘለኻ ምርጫ ብሓላፍነት ሒዝካ፡ “ንሕና: ንኣካይዳ ዝነበርናዮ ሰልፍን መሪሒነቱን ስለ ዘይዓገብናሉ ክንፍንጨል መሪጽና ኣለና” ምባል፡ ንባዕሉ የኽብረካ እምበር ኣየሕስረካን እዩ። ባዕልኻ፡ ብምርጫኻ፡ ኣብ ጐድና ምፍንጫል ሸናዕ ክትብል እናረአናካ፡ ኣይፋለይን ኣብ ጐደና ሓድነት’የ ዘለኹ ኢልካ ዓይንና ከተንቁር ምፍታን ግን ነውሪ’ዩ፡ ክብረት ውን ኣይህበካን እዩ።

እቲ ንጐደና ሓድነት ዝመረጸ ከተለልዮ ኣጸጋሚ ኣይኮነን። ኣብ ዝሓለፈ ጽሑፈይ ከም ዝገለጽክዎ፡ ጐደና ሓድነት ዝመረጸ፡ ነቲ ብጉባኤ እተሓንጸጸ ውሳኔታትን መሪሕነትን ተማእዚዙ፡ ኣርሒቑ ብምጥማት ለወጢ ከምጽእ ዝቃለስ እዩ። ብእምነተይ ኣብ ውሽጢ ከም ሰልፊ ዲሞክራሲ ህዝቢ ኤርትራ ዝኣመሰለ ዲሞክራስያዊ ሰልፊ ኮይንካ ክትቃለስ እንተመሪጽካ፡ ከይተፈንጨልካ ዝደለኻዮ ከተረጋግጽ ዘኽእል ዕድል ህሉው’ዩ በሃላይ ኢየ። ኣብ’ዚ ዝጠቐስክዎ ኩነታት፡ ኣብ መስርሕ፡ ርእይቶኻ ኣብ ቦታ ውሑዳት ክርከብ ይኽእል እዩ። ዲሞክራስያዊ ባይታ ቃልሲ ስለ ዘሎ ግን፡ ብመስርሕ ርእይቶ ውሑዳት ዝነበረ ርእይቶ ብዙሓት፡ ርእይቶ ብዙሓት ዝነበረ ድማ ርእይቶ ውሑዳት ክኸውን ዕድል ኣለዎ። ንኸምዚ ዝመስል ግዜ ዝወስድ መስርሕ ቃልሲ ብትዕግስቲ ክትሕዞ እንተዘይመሪጽካ ግን እቲ ዝሓጸረ ኣቋራጭ መንገዲ ምፍንጫል እዩ።

ተሞክሮ ምፍንጫል

-ንህሉው ወለዶ ጌጋ ከይንምህሮ ምእንቲ፡ ንተሞክሮና ብቕኑዕ ኣገባብ ኣብ ምቕራቡ ሕልናዊ ግደታ ከምዘለና’የ ዝኣምን። ኣብ ተሞክሮ ተጋድሎ ሓርነት ኤርትራ፡ ብጉባኤ ኣቢልካ ፕሮግራምካን ቅርጺ ኣሰራርሓኻን ምሕንጻጽን መሪሕነትካ ምምራጽን ብ1971 ኣብ ቀዳማይ ሃገራዊ ጉብኤ’ዩ ተኣታትዩ። እዚ ከኣ ዓወት እቶም ኣብ ተጋድሎ ሓርነት ኤርትራ ዝነበሩ ዲሞክራስያውን ጥራይ ዘይኮነስ፡ ዓወት ኤርትራውያን ዲሞክራስያውያን ብሓፈሻ’ዩ ነይሩ። ነዚ እተረጋገጸ ዓወት’ዚ፡ ኣጽኒዕካ ምሓዝ ከኣ ሓላፍነት ኩሎም ዲሞክራስያውን ኣካላት’ዩ ነይሩ።

- እቲ ዓወት ዝቖጽሮ ዘለኹ፡ እቲ መስርሕ ድኣ እምበር ፡ ኣብ’ቲ ብ1971 እተኻየደ ቀዳማይ ጉባኤ ዝሓለፈ ውሳኔታትን ዝወጸ መሪሕነትን ኣይኮነን። ኣብ’ቲ ውሳኔታትን መርሕነትን ብዙሕ ዕቃበታት’ዩ ዘለኒ። ቡቕሊ ዲሞክራስያ ግን፡ ብዝተማልአ ኣገባብ ብሃንደበት ኮፍ ክብል ከምዘይክእል ርዱእ ስለ ዝቖጽሮ፡ ምስ ዘለኒ ዕቃበታት፡ ነቲ መስርሕ ብልቢ’የ ዘድንቖ። ከም ዓብይ ዓወት ኤርትራውያን ዲሞክራስያውያን ከኣ’የ ዝቖጽሮ።

-እቲ ምስ ኩሉ ጉድለታቱ ኣብ ተሓኤ እተቐልቀለ ቡቕሊ ዲሞካራስያ እምበኣር፡ ኣብ ጉዕዞ ካብ እዋን ንእዋን ብተሞክሮ እናማዕበለ ንንቕሓትና ኣብ ምህብታም ኣገዳሲ ተራ ተጻዊቱ እዩ። ድሕሪ’ዚ እዋን እዚ ኣብ ተጋድሎ ሓርነት ኢርትራ ዝነበረ ቃልሲ፡ ብሓደ ወገን ብመንገዲ ጉባኤታት ኣቢልካ ውሳኔታት ምሕላፍን መሪሕነት ምምራጽን፡ በቲ ካልእ ወገን ድማ ነዚ ነጺግካ ምፍንጫል ምምራጽ’ዩ ነይሩ ክበሃል ይኽእል።

- እቲ ብጉባኤታት ኣቢሉ ለውጢ ከምጽእ ብስነስርዓት ዝቃለስ ዝነበረ ኣካል፡ ኣብ ትሕቲ ዘይደልዮም መራሕትን ኣብ ትሕቲ ዘይድግፎም ውሳኔታትን ኮይኑ ዝቃለሰሉ እዋን ነይሩ እዩ። ከምዚ ክገብር ከሎ፡ ጉባኤ፡ ከም ዝለዓለ ስልጣን ኣብ ተሓኤ ክብረት ረኽቡ ብምንባሩ፡ ብቓልሲ፡ ኣብ ጉባኤታት ዝበዝሐ ድምጺ ረኺቡ ለውጢ ከምጽእ ከምዝኽእል ምሉእ ዕግበት ስለ ዝነበሮ እዩ። እቲ እምነት፡ ኣብ ውሱናት መራሓቲ ወይ ኣብ ውሱናት ሰባት ኣይኮነን ነይሩ። ኣብ’ቲ መስርሕ’ዩ ነይሩ። ኣብ’ቲ ብጉባኤ ኣቢልካ ብድምጺ ብዙሓት ተደጊፍካ እትደልዮ ውሳኔ ምሕላፍን እትደልዮም መራሕቲ ምምራጽን’ዩ ነይሩ። ምእንቲ’ዚ ክቡር መስርሕ ዕድመኻ ኣብ ቃልሲ እንተበለየ፡ ክቡር መስዋእቲ እንተኸፈልካ ሓላል ዝቖጽሮ ድማ በዚ ምኽንያት’ዚ እዩ።

-ብድምጺ ብዙሓት ተደጊፍካ ክትስዕር ምሕላን ዲሞክራስያዊ ባህልን ንቕሓትን እዩ። እታ እንምነያ ዘለና ዲሞክራስያዊት ኤርትራ ንድምጺ ብዙሓት ኣተኽብር’ያ ክትከውን። ንድምጺ ብዙሓት እናኣኽበረት ውሑዳት እቲ ዝግብኦም ክብረት እናረኸቡ ድምጾም፡ ድምጺ ብዙሓት ክኸውን ንኽቃለሱ ዲሞክራስያዊ ባይታን ዕድልን እተፍቅድ ክትኮነልናዩ ትምኒትና። ነዚ ኣገባብ’ዚ ክዓናቕፍ ዝደሊ ግን ኣብ ውሽጢ ሓደ ሰልፊ ይኹን ኣብ ውሽጢ ሓደ ሃገር ኩሉ ግዜ ዘራጊ ግደ’ዩ ዝጻወት።

- ድሕሪ’ቲ ብ1971 እተረጋገጸ ቀዳማይ ሃገራዊ ጉባኤ ተሓኤ፡ ኩለን እተረኽባ ምፍንጫላት ነቲ ብጉባኤ ኣቢልካ ብድምጺ ብዙሓት ተደጊፍካ ለውጢ ምርግጋጽ ዝብል መስርሕ ዝሃረማ እየን ነይረን። ኣብ ተሓኤ፡ እቶም ብኹርዓት ንተሞክሮኦም ከዘንትው ዝኽእሉ ድማ፡ ነቲ ኩሉ ዝነበረ ላዕልን ታሕትን በዳሂ ተሞክሮን ሓሊፎም፡ ብመንገዲ ጉባኤ ለውጢ ከረጋግጹ ኣተቓልሱ ኣካላት እዮም። እዚ ድማ መራሕትን ኣባላትን ኢልካ ብምፍልላይ ብዘንባዕ ኣገባብ ዝቐርብ ዘይኮነስ፡ ከም ፖለቲካዊ መስመር ንመራሕትን ኣባላትን ሓቑፉ ብኣረኣእያ ንጉዕዞ ቃልስና ኣብ ክልተ ደምበ ዝገምዐ’ዩ ነይሩ። በቲ ሓደ ወገን ብጉባኤ ለውጢ ክረጋግጹ ዝደልዩ፡ ምእንትኡ ከቢድ ዋጋ እናኸፈሉ ኣብ ርሑቕ ዘሎ ጩራ ብርሃን እናኣማዕደው እተቓለሱ፡ በቲ ካልእ ወገን ከኣ ንግዜዊ ረብሓታት ንመስርሕ ጉባኤታት ጠሓሒሶም ምፍንጫል ብምምራጽ ኩደታ ክፍጽሙ ዝሕልኑ’ዩ ነይሩ።

- ኣብ ተሞክሮ ተጋድሎ ሓርነት ኤርትራ ኣምበኣር፡ ድሕሪ ቀዳማይ ሃገራዊ ጉባኤ ዝተራእየ ምፍንጫላት ብኸምዚ ዝመስል ኣገባብ’የ ዘንብቦ። ካብ ቅኑዕ ንባብ እዚ ተሞክሮ’ዚ እንመሃሮ ኣገዳሲ ትምህርቲ ድማ ኣሎ። ብጉባኤታት ኣቢልካ ብድምጺ ብዙሓት ተደጊፍካ ንእትደልዮ ዕላማ ከተረጋግጽ ምቅላስ፡ እቲ ዝሓሸ ምርጫ ኣብ ውሽጢ ከምኡ ዝመስል ዕድል ዘፍቅድ ሰልፊ ምዃኑ እዩ። ተርባጽ ግን፡ ኩሉ ግዜ ኣብ ቃልሲ ሕማም መንሽሮ እያ። ብጉባኤታት ኣቢልካ ለውጢ ከተምጽእ ትዕግስትን ጹረትን ዘይብልካ እንተኾንካ፡ በታ ሕማም መንሽሮ ዝኾነት ተርባጽ ተለኺፍካ ኣለኻ ማለት’ዩ። ኣብ ጐደና ምፍንጫል ሸናዕ ክትብል እንተረአናካ ከኣ፡ ኣይገርምናን እዩ። ክንደየናይ ዝኸውን ሃሳያ ኣብ ልዕሊ ዲሞክራስያዊ ቃልስን መስርሕን ትገብር ከምዘለኻ ግን ኣይትዘንግዓዮ።

ክቕጽል እዩ