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Academic Research, Intelligence Gathering, and Character Assassination: Is It the Same Everywhere?

A response to the diatribe of Sophia T/M endorsed by Canadian prof Max Forte on his blog   We are among an international group of researchers – social scientists, historians, legal scholars and journalists – with decades

A response to the diatribe of Sophia T/M endorsed by Canadian prof Max Forte on his blog

 

We are among an international group of researchers – social scientists, historians, legal scholars and journalists – with decades of experience working on the Horn of Africa country of Eritrea and/or the Eritrean diaspora. We are citizens and/or residents of many countries: Eritrea, Canada, the US, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, Italy, Germany, and the UK. While our perspectives and orientations differ, our research foci have largely converged around the critical interpretation of patterns of political intolerance precipitated by a militarized, authoritarian regime in power since 1991. Because of these patterns of intolerance we have all been targeted to varying degrees by the regime and its supporters – and sometimes its opponents as well. Some of us have been threatened physically and/or prevented from returning to Eritrea. Many of us have endured repeated attacks on our personal and professional integrity and efforts to discredit our research findings by suggesting that we are working as agents of foreign governments and/or intelligence agencies. In some cases information about our backgrounds and funding sources has been misrepresented to support conspiracy theories about our “real” motives or identities. Such dynamics are not unusual. In countries around the world – especially highly militarized ones, whether of the left, right, or neoliberal variety – researchers have faced similar efforts to discredit, silence, intimidate and curtail freedom of thought, information, and conscience.

 

Recently we were named in a “controversy” promoted on the website/blog and Facebook page called Zero Anthropology (http://zeroanthropology.net). The “controversy,” as it was named by Zero Anthropology’s principal author, Dr. Maximilian Forte, refers to an article by Ms. Sophia Tesfamariam, a vocal Eritrean-American supporter of the regime. In the article titled “ERITREA:  The Modern Day Carpetbaggers and Scalawags – Final” (https://www.facebook.com/zeroanthropology/posts/769446439779607).

 

Tesfamariam collectively characterizes our research, professional publications, conference activity, and public outreach or advocacy work as constituting an effort to “’sensitize’ the American and European public so that any actions of their governments [against Eritrea] will then be easily accepted.” She lists a decontextualized series of publications we have produced and venues where we have spoken, as well as academic agencies that have funded our work, as “evidence” of our corruption. She equates our empirical findings and the advocacy work some of us have done on behalf of or in collaboration with Eritrean refugees and human rights activists as colluding with interventionist or opposition efforts to destabilize and overthrow the regime in Eritrea. Much of the information she provides is inaccurate or unsubstantiated and she dismisses the validity of our scholarship without engaging its substance.

 

Tesfamariam’s article, the derisive tone it uses, and the unsubstantiated charges it levels is the latest in a long tradition of character assassination attempts. For decades, similar ad-hominem attacks on researchers and on Eritreans who critique the regime have been launched by regime supporters, including Ms. Tesfamariam.  Over the years many of us have tried to correct these inaccuracies and address these accusations by engaging critics in productive dialogue and debate. With few exceptions we have discovered that the use of logic and reason cannot effectively counter the irrationality and conspiracy-theory orientations of these “debates.”

 

Rooted in such experience and context, we do not see Tesfamariam’s article as constituting “a controversy.” Nor will we here address point by point the many inaccuracies and mischaracterizations she levels at us collectively and individually. Several of us have engaged the substance of similar arguments made by Ms. Tesfamariam and by other regime supporters in our published work and at various conferences and venues because these reflect dominant patterns in much of Eritrean political discourse (particularly in the diaspora). Attempting to correct her misinformation invites further abuse. Character assassination stifles debate under the guise of provoking it.  We would welcome a serious critique of our work which would require engaging with the ideas and arguments we advance and the methods and data we use to support them. A debate of that kind, unlike personal attacks, would actually have the possibility of contributing to the understanding of Eritrean politics, as well as promoting the understanding of social science theories and methods.

 

We are therefore disturbed that Dr. Forte and Zero Anthropology would link to and endorse Tesfamariam’s potentially libelous allegations against a large group of fellow researchers on an online public forum without first examining the context of research on Eritrea and/or contacting any of us. What we find controversial is how Forte facilitated and participated in a very serious attack on his colleagues. His link to Tesfamariam’s article on Zero Anthropology’s Facebook page is prefaced with the following statement: “This article outlines and denounces the work of US anthropologists in Eritrea in US-funded campaigns backing political opposition in the country. The author of the piece is a prominent Eritrean American activist. Those involved in the AAA [American Anthropological Association] should have a close look and perhaps consider further action.” And in his related article on Zero Anthropology, titled “Militarization: It’s All the Same, Everywhere. Or Is It?” he implies that researchers on Eritrea do not critically reflect on dynamics of militarization in countries other than “tiny little Eritrea all the way across in Africa.” Had he been familiar with our work or knew any one of us personally or professionally, we doubt he would have made such statements.

 

While it is true that some of us have interfaced with international human rights organizations, stated positions on sanctions and arms embargoes on Eritrea from a critical human rights perspective, or have engaged with officials in various governments about the problems in Eritrea that produce high numbers of refugees and asylum seekers, these are matters of our own conscience and we each take nuanced positions rooted in careful research and years of understanding of the Eritrean situation. Scholars who study Eritrea indeed disagree among ourselves about the merits of these positions and whether these are the best methods for applying our empirical knowledge. Many of us explicitly address these tensions in our work. And while some of us have received research funding from private academic foundations and federally-funded sources, there is a difference between social science funding and that related to national security objectives (e.g. the National Science Foundation is not the Department of Defense). Our activities or orientations do not equate to intelligence gathering, promotion of militarized interventions in Eritrea, or to “US-funded campaigns backing political opposition in the country.” These are gross misinterpretations that Forte has promoted in a most irresponsible manner.

 

We understand from the content of Dr. Forte’s work that he is deeply opposed on political, ethical and moral grounds to the use of anthropological and other academic knowledge in the context of interventionism, militarism, and covert intelligence gathering. We respect and appreciate this position. Some of us agree wholeheartedly with him and this same position has informed our own critiques of patterns of political repression and militarization in Eritrea and in the countries where Eritreans reside. We are gravely disturbed that a scholar of Forte’s standing rushed to endorse Tesfamariam’s allegations and helped manufacture a public controversy that is potentially damaging to our professional and personal lives and stifles effective dialogue. We are equally troubled that he responded to efforts by one of us to address this “controversy” on the Facebook page of Zero Anthropology with statements such as the following: “Why not write honestly, and engage in full disclosure of your own services to Western governments that have targeted Eritrea with sanctions?” and “No wonder then that so many Africans hate us…it is with ample justification, thanks to people like you.” Such statements do not constitute the “debate” Forte has claimed he is inviting. They constitute abusive speech and unprofessional conduct.

 

It may have been Tesfamariam’s aim to silence, discredit, and defame scholars of Eritrea. We do not know if that was also Forte’s aim. However, as a result of his promotion of Tesfamariam’s piece and this “controversy,” several of us have received renewed threats and further abusive messages by regime supporters. We have noted with consternation that the “controversy” is being picked up on various websites and Twitter feeds, highlighting why scholars who use the internet to promote “debate” or air “controversy” must observe careful standards of professional and ethical conduct. We have every reason to believe threats will continue against us for some time.

 

To reiterate, the controversy here is not that some people find critical scholarship on Eritrea objectionable, but that an otherwise critical scholar like Forte would carelessly promote and publicize ungrounded, personal attacks on fellow researchers. If anything, this episode illustrates the truth of Albert Camus’ observation that “Intelligence in chains loses in lucidity what it gains in intensity.” We hope that this “controversy” can be re-contextualized for what it reveals about how regimes of power can hijack discourses of human rights and social justice, confusing otherwise intelligent individuals regardless of academic credentials.

 

 

Dr. Tricia Redeker Hepner

Associate Professor of Anthropology

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

USA

 

Dr. David Bozzini

Postdoctoral Researcher in Anthropology

CUNY Graduate Center

USA

 

Dr. Jennifer Riggan

Associate Professor of Anthropology

Arcadia University

USA

 

Dr. Sara Rich Dorman

Department of Politics and International Relations

University of Edinburgh

United Kingdom

 

Dr. Daniel R. Mekonnen

Senior Legal Advisor / Research Professor

International Law and Policy Institute

Oslo, Norway

 

Dr. Mirjam van Reisen

Professor, International Social Responsibility

Tilburg University

The Netherlands

 

Dr. Nicole Hirt

Senior Research Fellow (Associate)

German Institute of Global and Area Studies

Institute of African Affairs

Hamburg, Germany

 

Simon Weldehaimanot

Immigration/Asylum Attorney

Oakland, California

USA

 

Dan Connell

Visiting Scholar

African Studies Center

Boston University

USA

 

Dr. Victoria Bernal

Professor of Anthropology

University of California, Irvine

USA

 

Dr. Kjetil Tronvoll

Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies

Bjorknes University College, Oslo

Norway

 

Anna Arnone

Research Associate

School of Oriental and African Studies

University of London

United Kingdom

aseye.asena@gmail.com

Review overview
7 COMMENTS
  • wedi fre September 21, 2014

    Dear scholars,
    Thank you for your research which is heart worming for the ” Eritreans for Justice and Rule of Law”
    However, one thing you should understand is whoever makes a thorough and well balanced study about Eritrea is a lier, paid by the CIA and what not by the junta in Asmara and its stoogies!!!
    As Eritreans we are used to the cheap, childish, unprofessional and unbalanced allegation from Ms Sophia and other Zombies like her. I wish there was any substance that you can learn from her articles or criticisms.
    I am really surprised of her very controversial and funny way of thinking. Has she ever thought about:
    – She hates even considers the US as her enemy and she is an American/Eritrean?
    – She says Eritrea is growing and is a great nation and she still lives in the US and not Eritrea!!?
    – She is frustrated and calls you names if you talk/write about the Eritrean constitution and injustice in Eritrea, but she is enjoying the justice and democracy and even freedom of expression and she is writing all this nonesense??!! What we are requesting is what you are exercising in the US!! Why do you use it to attack Justice seekeres by the tools of Justice and democracy!!??
    – Sophia and her Zombie friends are the decorators of the “Mafia” regime. If you ask Sophia:
    1) There is no ellectricity in Eritrea. Sophia’s reply will be, our goverment is supplying power for two hours and that enough to charge your mobile phone!!!
    2) Sophy, there is no water!! You are better than Liberia because Liberia gets once a month!!! But, Sophy we had all the facilities during the dergue time? Now the US is against us!!!
    3) Sophy, there is no bread. We have to cue for one bread!! Our government is far sighted and they watch your diet!!!
    4) My dear Sophy, No petrol? What happen to you, the government is careful and no car accident is allowed!!! But we use the petrol to travel to Massawa? No, massawa is only for Iseyas and his mistresses like me!!!
    5) Why there is no housing construction? The Americans are conspiring on us!!!!!
    Dearest Sophy, regardless what you say or what you do the regime fall is counting down and it will be down soon!!!

  • ahmed saleh September 21, 2014

    It is unfortunate scene from Assenna staff
    to allow comments which distract an open
    discussions . We are tired to engage with
    some people who respectively stated their
    stand against Erirean sovereignty .
    Don’t let them corrupt this forum like what
    we see in asmariono nowadays.

  • Tes September 22, 2014

    Dear Researchers,

    Sophia T is a staunch supporter of the despot she is in payroll to serve the dictator. It sad to see a human like Sophia morally bankrupt who can do anything for money. The Eritrea dire situation is open to everyone who has consciousness. To true Eritreans their is no need to tell the situation because the trouble gloss every household. Sophia and some diaspora are opportunistic parasites who have no real connection to Eritrea. Sophia just knew Eritrea a few years back after independence. It is a pain to see her at forefront advocating distraction of Eritrea and Eritreans. She has no shame what soever, she is a low life whore. Thing naturally evolves and the current situation won’t last for ever. We may not bring to justice this criminal whore but I am sure she will never see Eritrea whether alive or dead after the demise of this junta. As for prof Max Forte, he is disgrace to his profession. Don’t he know right come with responsibility? Eritreans are leaving the country in drove and the peoples inside eritrea are living in a giant prison and here he is supporting the right of this evil lady. Those individuals being attacked for asking him he his in the wronger by facilitating to disseminating lies and trying to undermine their works. This prof Max Forte does he has a clue how the dictators around the world operate? I don’t think so. He simply naive or may be he is one of the dictators economic benefit recipients. Who knows in west you can even buy a prof. there are a lot who careless about their professional responsibility just the cross the line and do unethical.

  • windshield September 23, 2014

    I would have trusted the so called researchers if more Eritreans are included to show us their researches and credibilities. Out of 12 members only 2 are Eritreans. Where is “the application of majority rules”! I smell a stinking fish

  • wedi fre September 23, 2014

    Dea Windshield (or Shield for HIGDEF),
    You trust ” Eritreans ” like Sophia as reliable source and independent professors you said Quote “the application of majority rules”! I smell a stinking fish” unquote. How pathetic you could be??!!
    Whatever source of our history was written and documented by foreigners. Are you saying that is fishy too?
    Please use your logic before even writing such a very unbalanced and illogical comment!!!
    I beg you to use your reason once again before saying for the sake of saying in the future!! Thank you.

  • silent October 1, 2014

    zzzZZZzzzz mosquitoes …hi..

    In East Africa and in most Arab countries, practice a traditional healing methods to treat people considered ‘possessed by evil spirits’ but now days, it’s no more evil spirit but ‘money’.
    There are two ways: 1) To take the possessed to a holy shrine to bath the possessed with blessed water. 2) Provide a highly graded (44) exorcist, good enough to expel the evil spirit.

    Those so called Academic Researchers, although they spent years of ‘education’…instead of serving the world/society in a beneficial way, as ordinary people do, they are only prone to harm a defenseless country, Eritrea.
    They are possessed!!
    They eventually can’t get a holy shrine in their area but they are lucky because they have got Sophia Tesfamariam, the best exorcist and traitor-buster in the West to cure and expel the evil spirits in them.

  • Genet-orginal October 1, 2014

    Sophia, Tesfamariam is a parasite and anti America and anti Eritrean people.

    America should investigate this woman, about what she is up to. She is anti women, anti children and family. One time I saw a picture of her with Miss Obama. I couldn’t believe it. How did that happen? Does Miss Obama knows, Ms Sophia Tesfamariam is paid support of African dictator, who is know anti America, anti women and anti family?

    When it comes to supporting dictator Isayas, Sophia has no regard to ethic, humanity, truth or integrity. She is a programed parasite or zombie who is not ashamed to use anybody. It is unfortunate, she is able to catch the most educated people in her web of lies. You are wasting your time, if you think you can engage Ms Sophia in a normal dialogue. She is a Zombie, Zombie and zombie. Your only hope to clear your works and names is to contact Dr Forte and defend your position. Don’t worry about PFDJ’s zombies character assassination crusade. Those Zombies are programed by a dictator to do his dirty jobs. Ms Sophia is no different.

    You guys need to challenge Dr Forte and let him know that he is caught under the web of black widow. Don’t let her getaway with any thing.
    Good Luck!

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