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Eritrea’s ruling party apologizes to Mele

Broadcast United News Desk
Eritrea’s ruling party apologizes to Mele

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Twelve years ago, a creative friend designed a T-shirt with the Eritrean flag on it. I used it for my profile. Facebook has a memories section that shows old posts. You can ignore it and let it be forgotten, or you can give it new life by commenting on it. That’s what I did last week, thinking that many people would remember it. I was wrong; we are infected with short memory disease. Especially the new movements, some of which carry military titles.

I never liked the word brigade; it should be reserved for the military; civilians should advertise their struggle with themes that reflect civilization, peace and future aspirations. Besides, joining a group without clear goals or programs does not appeal to me – I don’t think it should be a revolving door where everyone can join without conditions. That’s why I tried my best to convince these groups to improve aspects of their actions. But the worst thing happened: some people, including close friends, did not like my suggestions and criticized me. Others blamed me for using Meley, Khedra as my symbol!

In September 2000, I started my current activities through awate.com with a flag in the logo and never stopped. However, some people have the audacity (or rudeness) to object to my association with the blue flag that appeared in the Negarit show.

I have probably spoken and debated about this flag more often than anyone and have argued against misconceptions about the flag and its history. The ignorance of its history and the misinformation surrounding it is shocking, especially from many staunch Popular Front supporters.

When my old profile picture reappeared, some people remembered it; the lazy ones didn’t bother to check the date, 2012, twelve years ago. Their fingers were faster than their brains and they started their usual attacks. It’s wise to read what you see before you rush to comment!

It is strange that I should give up my logo for some late bloomers. However, I think the good people among them helped popularize it to the point where it has become a household name after its long exile.

No entity or person can claim sole ownership of the flag, but some should not, especially those who do not represent its values ​​of rights, justice and civic dignity. However, times have changed, and now even the PYD is beginning to embrace it again! Until recently, some veterans and writers, including Hailesellassie Woldu and Alemseghed Tesfay, as well as many Arab writers, have resisted attacks on the flag.

Here are some of the articles I read last week about Meely, Khedra, and the people who love it and its values.

Someone spoke for a significant number of people when he called those who raised that flag as an inspiration delusional, for the following reasons:

1: “No distinction is made between the flag during the Federation period (Mele) and the flag after independence (the flag announced by the People’s Democratic Front)!”

This statement is wrong as the difference between the two is clear. Mele is the legitimate national symbol, democratically decided by the elected parliament. However, the flag of the PYDJ was unilaterally decided by the PYDJ. There is no need for this as it widens the divide among Eritreans and does not bridge the social and political rifts.

2: “Failure to recognize and acknowledge that the beautiful, colorful new flag has been incorporated into the old Confederate flag!”

A unilateral decision has no state legitimacy, except for subjective claims of “beauty”. Moreover, why would anyone object to citizens recognizing the Meli as their symbol and arguing in parliament (when there was a constitution) for its restoration?

3: “Paradoxically, since the Federation was dissolved with the consent of the members of the Federation, Eritrea’s legitimate cause and subsequent independence also became invalid” It would be a pity if we really legalized the flag of the Federation era as a binding and eternal flag conferred by the Constitution!

This was a fabrication; no one questioned Eritrea’s independence. At the time, the federation was formed between two sovereign states; each state had its own flag, and both flags were flown together until the Ethiopian emperor unilaterally decided to lower Mele’s flag, a move that triggered an armed struggle, the repercussions of which are still unresolved today. Furthermore, until 1977, no one questioned the legitimacy of Hedera – every patriotic Eritrean united behind this flag, including the People’s Democratic Justice Party, as can be seen in the image of Eritrea after independence, until it was slowly driven out.

4: “The worst delusion is to raise as urgent and important an unnecessary issue, an unnecessary question at the wrong time and in the wrong circumstances, which has no substance and is just adding a new issue to the mountain of unresolved old issues in the name of justice, exacerbating too many existing polarizing and divisive issues, as a covert agenda to seduce, confuse and manipulate the naive.”

Just like hitting someone and shouting for help – this issue has always been vital and important; the Eritrean People’s Front has no right to erase the memory and choice of Eritreans who never abandoned Mele. Their hasty party decision has amplified the “existing polarization and divisive issues”. This decision has left a large section of the population feeling excluded from decision-making and living in anxiety and mistrust.

5: “The flag question has no bearing on the question of justice at hand, which can be resolved as soon as the ‘general question of justice’ is resolved.”

Only reckless citizens would push for ignoring unresolved problems under the pretext of “until justice is achieved.” But since everyone seems to agree (mostly verbally) that only justice can solve problems, isn’t it wise to worry about injustice rather than oppose people thinking for themselves and demanding justice? It doesn’t take 40 years of injustice to achieve justice!

6: “The plain and simple argument is this: We need not indulge in the metaphysical and partisan politics of non-urgent constitutional issues until we succeed in establishing an all-emergency Constitution that can deal with issues like the flag and language.”

These people forget that their arguments are partisan, and that is the main problem. People in the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice must realize that many citizens do not entrust the ruling party to think for them because they do not trust it to create a fair and inclusive system; its credibility is being eroded in the never-ending cycle of injustice that is the essence of the current struggle.

7: It is time to put aside these non-urgent issues and the smallest ideological and political differences and build an inclusive, united, strong neutral and independent opposition camp. “

Unfortunately, this sounds like paternalism when the same promise has not been delivered for more than three decades. What does a unified opposition mean in the context of the Eritrean People’s Democratic Justice Party? People have different views and no sane Eritrean wants a large party like the Eritrean People’s Democratic Justice Party to make decisions on behalf of everyone. Tricks and sophistry cannot heal festering wounds.

8: “All that is noticed here are signs of weakness and failure and defence mechanisms and seeing Eritreans fighting and killing each other in the name of Blue Revolution and Meli.”

It is sad indeed and no one condones it, but this belief is as old as the Eritrean struggle. Trying to make it appear as a new phenomenon emerging from a new movement is dishonest and blackmailing. Pardoning the perpetrators and blaming the victims hinders the search for solutions; has the situation not deteriorated enough under the watch of the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice?

Those who have fought for justice and total liberation have come a long way. Those who march must be welcomed, but they must not redefine or distort pre-existing grievances. Citizens make their own choices and decide where they stand. No unelected person has the right to decide on behalf of others. If the People’s Democratic Alliance is willing to correct its wrong path and change course, everything is in its hands. Since it controls the state apparatus and the barrel of the gun, it must take the initiative. If this happens, the opposition is willing to sit down, debate politely, and discuss issues with the goal of universal reconciliation. Is the People’s Democratic Alliance willing to do this?

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