In the Ertirean political landscape, the phrase “opposition group” has become as pervasive as some “theological” controversies We have a number of political organizations with flashy name labels mostly operating in the Diaspora. What does it take for a political formation to be considered as a real or potential opposition power? Is it the size of its membership and its capacity to influence political developments and/or public opinion in Eritrea? Is it the quality of its outlook on major national policies that an increasing number of Eritreans may find appealing and worth rallying behind for or is it its political and financial leverage to undertake political campaigns and/or operations inside Eritrea and to expose and weaken the incumbent government and provoke public protest against injustice and oppression. Is it the backing it gets from major world powers and Eritreans in the Diaspora? And last but not least, is it its capability to be considered by the incumbent government as a potential threat to its continued existence? Or is it none of the above. What is it that can make the opposition tick? If we are to sit down and try to assess the performance of the so called opposition groups against the above yardsticks we will perhaps find ourselves in a dead end. In other words we will have no data or feedback to work with. We will bump our head against a closed door or “Esiw MaEtso,” to use one of President Isayas’s favorite phrases.

 

     To many conscientious Eritreans, the so called opposition parties are “unknown quantities” it is difficult to picture how Eritrea would be run by these “groups” should Mr. Isayas’s government be replaced by them. People wouldn’t know if they would have to deal with provincialism , religious fundamentalism, [right wing, Center right or left, extreme right or left wing]. We rarely see or hear the “opposition groups” articulating their political and economic philosophies. We rarely hear them stating their mission statement. Therefore, we know very little about them. We need some body that can confidently affirm to the people that “Hope is On the Way”. Unfortunately, there is no one that is making such a promise.

Given below is my ten-step proposal for the opposition groups that may help them hit some political targets.

 

• Step One: Articulate their political philosophy and policies on major national issues such as defense, education, trade, infrastructure development, human rights, health care, form of government, foreign policy, and other matters of vital importance to the people as a whole. And publicize these policies among the Eritrean people.

• Step Two: Create a unified front of opposition by merging the numerous factions under one umbrella of opposition power.

• Step Three: Come up with one charismatic, influential visionary, nationalist or populist opposition leader with a good name recognition and abilities to mobilize public support for the opposition’s political agenda. Find an answer for the lingering question, “If not Isayas, then who?” Build up political capital around this visionary and charismatic political figure.

• Step Four: Mobilize Eritreans in the Diaspora to refrain from supporting the incumbent government. Mobilize them to engage in mass demonstrations in the world’s major cities to expose the oppression of the Eritrean people by the government.

• Step Five: Lobby fervently in the world’s capitals and connect with powerful political and economic regimes such as the United States, EU member countries, Soviet Union, China and other countries for support and positive publicity.

• Step Six: Impress on the world powers that the opposition would be a better global partner, than the incumbent government, under the C.O.W. Pact (Cooperation of the Willing sponsored by the United States and its allies) to fight terrorism.

• Step Seven: Discard political formations with overtures to religious fundamentalism, provincialism, narrow nationalism and terrorism from the ranks of the opposition coalition in order to promote credibility among the Eritrean people and earn respectability globally.

• Step Eight: Design educational and training programmes for opposition leaders so that they understand the workings and tradition of global organizations such as the U.N., IMF, World Bank, EU, and AU, and other NGO’s in order to build the capacity to operate responsibly in a global setting and foster global cooperation

• Step Nine: Concentrate on all the positive programs that the opposition groups can think of implementing to improve the quality of life of Eritreans instead of wasting countless hours and literature polarizing the people through a politics of hate.

• Step Ten: Study the current objective realities of Eritrea and try to connect with the actual people instead of engaging in endless “good old boys” sentiments of the historical past of the ELF, or EPLF. Be realistic and up to the hour minute and second of contemporary times. Be relevant.

 

 

Ezi Wedehankum

 

 

 

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