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Enough Is Enough! Isaias Afeworki must go!!!

Araya Debessay My goal in writing this article is to make a case for the change of the undemocratic government led by Isaias Afeworki, the self-appointed President of Eritrea. No matter what concessions Isaias is willing

Araya Debessay

My goal in writing this article is to make a case for the change of the undemocratic government led by Isaias Afeworki, the self-appointed President of Eritrea. No matter what concessions Isaias is willing to make, the man cannot be trusted, because he has broken many promises to the people, including the introduction of a constitution that has been duly ratified. He has destroyed our country for the last 27 years, and now he has crossed the red line by signing an ambiguous peace agreement that has not generated dividends for the people of Eritrea, or that does not provide clear perspective for the establishment of peace. Eritreans are eager for peace and we are happy that Ethiopia has agreed to implement the decision of the Border Commission without any preconditions. Yet, PM Abiy clearly stated during his visit to the US that the border issue was not even raised in his discussions with President Isaias because it is non-issue.  May be it is non-issue to Ethiopians but Eritreans celebrated the peace deal ONLY because they believed peace meant Ethiopian troops withdrawing from our occupied land.  After all, the livelihood of the Eritrean people has been kept hostage because President Isaias insisted that we are at war with Ethiopia until Ethiopia leaves our sovereign land and our borders are delineated.  Furthermore, while happily accepting the peace agreement he has made toxic statements to create a rift with our neighbors and natural allies, the people of Tigrai.

Let’s not allow Isaias to do further damage. Bluntly, we should all in unison with a loud and clear voice tell him, enough is enough and that it is time for him to go.  I believe this is going to be the theme of the August 31, 2018, demonstration in Geneva.

The independence of our country was achieved after 30 years of liberation struggle and at the cost of too many of its precious citizens who have been martyred and maimed. Unfortunately, all the sacrifices made have failed to realize the dream of establishing a democratic government.

Life for Eritreans under Isaias Afeworki has been deplorable and intolerable. Isaias is responsible for all the hundreds of young Eritrean men, women and children who have perished on the way fleeing from the unbearable situation and the endless military service. Many Eritreans risked their lives fleeing the country, knowing fully well that they could be shot on sight.  Isaias is accountable to all those who lost their lives in the hands of Bedouins who mercilessly killed them to harvest their organs when they could not pay the required insanely excessive ransom money.  Isaias is answerable to all the hundreds who lost their lives in the deserts of Sinai and those who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea.  How can we forget the cruelty of Isaias who ordered the shooting of our disabled veterans who rightly asked for better treatment? And how can we forget the tragic incident of Lampedusa where hundreds of Eritreans drowned and denied proper burial in their own country? The UN Inquiry Commission on Human Rights abuses has extensively documented the atrocities and abuses being committed against the Eritreans people that amount to crimes against humanity. No question, Isaias is guilty as charged.

The Badme War could have been could have been settled on the negotiating table.  But Isaias, rejected the several attempts that were made by countries such as the United States, Rwanda and others to settle the border dispute peacefully and got us into a senseless war. According to those who were on the ground, there were many more than the 19,000 dead that Isaias admitted.  A country that was admired by the world for heroically defeating the huge Ethiopian army that was financed by the Soviet Union and supported by Soviet and Cuban troops, was humiliated in Badme because of the reckless decision of Isaias Afeworki.

It is now widely accepted by all sides that Isaias rejected peaceful resolution of the war to avoid implementing the constitution. He knew the constitution would limit his stay in power and his authority.  He is a dictator, and dictators are repugnant to anything that challenges or limits their authority. Isaias has proven to be among the worst brutal dictators the world has ever seen.

Besides, Isaias had instigated  armed conflicts with our neighbors, Yemen, Djibouti and had at one time severed relations with the Sudan, a country that gave unlimited support and access to Eritreans during the war for independence. Isaias has also been accused of destabilizing Somalia by supporting Al-Shabab.

Isaias Afeworki is ungrateful and has offended and antagonized the many foreign supporters, sympathizers and particularly journalists who brought the heroic deeds of Eritrean fighters to the world’s attention, such as Dan Connell, Roy Pateman and many others.

Eritrean heroes who gallantly fought in the struggle for independence and who served as members of the cabinet are languishing in jails for years for daring to challenge his dictatorial tendencies democratically and for questioning his reckless decision to ignite a senseless border war. It is heartbreaking to learn about those gallant freedom fighters and cabinet members who have died in prison due to inhumane treatment and for lack of proper medical attention. Isaias has jailed several Eritrean private newspaper editors and members of the press to silence them. As a result, Eritrea is among the few in the world without free press. Isaias has also imprisoned many Eritreans for practicing their Evangelical religion.

The Isaias government is known by the international media as the most repressive regime in the world. Eritrea has also gained the distinct dishonor for being the largest refugees producing country in the world relative to its size.  Who else but Isaias is the one to blame for painting this negative image of our country?  Eritrea’s tourism industry has suffered big time due to this negative image.  The beautiful port city of Massawa has literally become a ghost city, despite its potential to attract many Eritrean and non-Eritrean tourists.

Eritrean economy is in shambles. Unemployment is rampant. Many Eritrean families are barely surviving through remittances from family members in the Diaspora and many who are not so lucky are suffering in silence. Buildings, roads and whatever little infrastructure the country had are in a sad state of decay and disrepair. The small private industries and factories that existed at the time of independence are no more there.  Eritrean entrepreneurs who enthusiastically returned to their country had to return back to where they came from discouraged by the crippling government policy that gives an upper hand to companies belonging to the ruling party of Isaias. Many Eritrean businessmen have become successful in several countries in Africa, Europe, America and Canada.  Imagine how much Eritrean economy could have benefited from such successful Eritrean entrepreneurs.

Isaias rejected any help from the international community and NGOs claiming “self-reliance” when in fact the true reason is he did not want to meet the demands of donors: good governance, accountability and constitutional rule. For the same reason the country did  not attract foreign investors  except some mining companies that have been sued for using slave labor by hiring those in military service. As a result the mining companies are exploiting Eritrea’s mineral resources that has not resulted in any benefit for the average Eritrean.

Isaias has destroyed higher education in Eritrea. At the time of independence, Eritrea had one reputable university. After 27 years after independence, Eritrea has lost its one internationally recognized university.  By contrast our neighboring country, Ethiopia, that had five universities at the time of Eritrean independence, at present has 158 colleges and universities, government and privately owned. Isaias purposely dismantled the one true university we had for fear of possible uprising from a large mass of university students.  We all remember when the Isaias government sent more than 2,000 students to WiA, for staging a peaceful demonstration for the release of the President of the Students’ Union who was jailed for the remarks he made as the President of the Students during the 2001 graduation. I was invited to attend the graduation ceremony and I have personally heard the speech and did not find anything wrong with it.  Some of the jailed students died due to heat stroke. Isaias approved the firing of over 13 of the University of Asmara faculty for unjustifiable reason thereby causing a big blow to the only university that was functioning well.

Isaias pursued a divide and rule policy that pits one social, regional, and religious group against the other to keep the Eritrean people weak and divided. As a result he has continued his repressive regime unchallenged by any credible group.

“The Last Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back “– the recent deal with Dr. Abiy Ahmed

Isaias held the nation hostage for the last 17 years declaring that no democratic changes will take place as long as Ethiopia refuses to accept the final and binding decision of the Border Commission, and as long the Ethiopian army is occupying Eritrean territory. The “no peace, no war” situation was a perfect excuse for him not to implement the ratified constitution and to prolong the military service indefinitely. The peace agreement that has been signed by Isaias is scary. Many are worried that Isaias might be compromising Eritrean independence observing his unusual behavior and undiplomatic statements during his visit of Ethiopia. Isaias’s recent unwise and undiplomatic statements and the shameless behavior he displayed during his visit in Addis Ababa, has humiliated, angered and infuriated Eritreans at home and abroad including his supporters.  We should not let Isaias gamble with our hard won sovereignty. Hence, we need to act soon and stop Isaias from committing further damage.  We should all say, Enough is Enough! Isaias must GO!

I wish the Geneva Demonstration a spectacular success.

August 13, 2018

aseye.asena@gmail.com

Review overview
39 COMMENTS
  • Wedi Meret August 15, 2018

    Well said Professor.

    • Michael Tesfamariam August 17, 2018

      What did the prof. say that he could be extolled for other than “Issais Must Go”, a usual boring chorus that has been chanted around for the past 30 years by the lazy opposition?

  • hadgembes abraham August 15, 2018

    If Araya Debessay has a stamina, he needs to stand up and objectively present his opinions.Talking to your likes it doesn’t help at all. You need to come forward and present vision for the country. Enumerating faults of current administration is not a smart solution.

  • Ahmed August 15, 2018

    Professor Araya, i can not explain your incredible roll against fighting the Issayas’s colonization. You are very courageous and intelligent person. And we are beside you and following your steps.

  • Khalid August 16, 2018

    Professor Araya

    Eritreans are looking for a new leadership that can help them to stand together against tyranny and move to democracy peacefully.
    You are one of the few intellectuals who can lead us. Please don’t hesitate to take the right decision.
    We want you to lead us.
    Thank you in advance .

  • berhane ghirmai August 16, 2018

    Yesterday I read one of the posts but it is taking off today. What happen to it? Are you selectively posting the opinions? If that is the case, what is the difference between you and the Eritrean government you accused is afraid of oppositions?

  • Nathanael Habtom August 16, 2018

    Prof. Araya, you have a very impressive background:

    Araya Debessay, Ph.D.
    CPA, CMA, CIA,

    Professor
    Department of Accounting & MIS, Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics

    As a CIA wouldn’t the interest of your adoptive country and the interest of your native country interest be challenging?

    • Simon G. August 17, 2018

      Nathanael,
      I am not sure if you understand what CIA stands in this case, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).
      So, how is that Conflict of Interest?

  • Teclay August 16, 2018

    Prof.Araya
    Thank you for taking your time to answer my concern.By the way you are one of the few scholars who i do have respect. Prof. you mentioned some world politians who can help Isaias’s departure.-Well,may be only may be because geopolitics in that region plays bigger role than retired world known diplolmats..In my opinion , yes , Isaias is a problem like any dictaros in the world (Pol Pot ,Sadam,Gadafi etc.) but we have much bigger and stronger enemy than Isaias ,that is the one you mentioned..”he is doing that threatens the sovereignty of our country. “–Waht is the so called “Eritrean sovereignty “??? = it is a lime cemented in our brain which can not be removec by any cleaner Or call it a virus that can’t be treated.Yes,an agresive virus ..a virus that doesn’t select its host –even a professor is not immune .
    Unless we clean our brain, Isaias’s removal hardly changes any thing on the ground …Professor what i have not understood for so long is that ;-How can a professors and Drs believe and take seriously arbitrary dimarcation and colonial bordes.
    My conlclution,-The absurd Ghedli was concluded 27 years ago ,and we have been eating the bitter Ghedl#s fruit and we are heading at high speed towards the extinction .Yes in its literal meaning, ምጽናት,
    Solution =an immediate reunification with our Tigray brothers ,,,,,,then ..yes then wait and see —if reunification with our Ethiopian brothers is needed or not.
    Thank you professor ,with all due respect.

    • Gedamu August 28, 2018

      Indeed one of the few good scholars around Eritreans diaspora who deserves lots of respect.

  • Reader August 16, 2018

    Well Prof. you said “We should all say, Enough is Enough! Isaias must GO!” But you are in Delaware. When Isayas and all patriots fought Ethiopia, didn’t shout from across the oceans. The fought from within their beloved country. And none of them was educated as you are, and none of them of course didn’t have CIA as accomplishment.

    • Simon G. August 17, 2018

      Keep reading more because you will need it.

  • Danilo August 17, 2018

    Viva Geneva! We have few days to go to voice . Not only, we will choose our representatives starting from devoted individual, civil society activist’s, organised political parties and even jointly joined religious figures for the sake of peace and justice. This time, no illusion. Eritrea for ever with out መደመር ለማ።

  • Dehab September 20, 2018

    Dear Professor Araya.
    Sorry that my reaction arrives very late due to inability to access it. In any case, I have finally read it is well i just hope the stakeholders of the state of affairs on both sides of the fence are willing to take action.

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