Mainstreaming Opposition Politics

Editorial: Arkokabay Team

July 2010  

Eritrean opposition politics generally falls into three main categories having distinct features. The first category is composed of political opposition groups manifested by former ELF/EPLF groups. These groups see the PFDJ as a totalitarian regime that has denied the nation political pluralism. The second category largely consists of “Rights” groups. These groups are mainly known for their demands of ethnic and religious rights. The third category generally includes civil society groups such as Suwera Centre for Human Rights, ECMS, CDRiE and EMDHR who are politically independent groups.  

All three types of groups function from the Diaspora and their roles often intermingle. One exception here may be CDRiE, which once Professor Bereket H/Sellassie questioned whether it was a Proto-Political Movement, because it combines advocacy for rights with proactive contribution to political issues of governance, political change and general Democratic rights.

As the pfdj regime grows weaker some elements are also seen misrepresenting legitimate ethnic and religious grievances to promote divisive agenda. A recent document from some unknown quarters, for example, calls on the Eritrean Tigrigna to join a “Tigrigna ethnic political movement in the making”. The document claimed that the nationalist movements with their multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition are not useful any more. The statement calls for the support of ethnic-based political groupings. This latest statement seems a continuation to the one issued earlier announcing the gathering in Mekele ( Ethiopia) of some 5 ethnic based groups. They also seem linked to the planned controversial Addis conference where some naïve compatriots assume Eritrean problems will be resolved in, when the very legality of the event and its preparatory process is strongly contested by EDA’s founding members.

Demanding specific ethnic, religious or any form of group right(s) is legitimate and democratic and should be enshrined in Eritrea’s future legitimate constitution, but using such premises to launch political groups aspiring to rule over a multi-ethnic and multi-religious Eritrea is exclusionist precedence and endangers social harmony and national unity.

To streamline Eritrean “opposition politics” it is important for those who believe in all inclusive political programmes to start undertaking the following steps:-

1. ELF, EPDP, ENSF-Ahmed Nasser and ENSF-Osman Shoum to go beyond petty personal and partisan rivalries and resentments and forge new alliance based on the nationalist values they carried on from liberation era to stop the country from sliding into a state-failure and Balkanisation/Somalisation/Lebanonisation scenarios. The alliance of these four groups can be the starting point for wider inclusion of groups and individuals that believe in common nationalist values, in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Eritrea as well as in the respect of human and group rights. Such an alliance can also be a positive inspiration for citizens inside Eritrea, including for those inside PFDJ who are eagerly waiting the day they see their nation free from tyranny.

2. Civic society groups to maintain their independence of political parties and upgrade their struggle by developing effective institutions such as Research Centres, Refugee supporting agencies, professional media institutions and specialised projects that address specific issues. To this end genuine Eritrean civil society groups should work together by coordinating and centralising their efforts where possible.

Civil society groups can include genuine ethnic and religious rights groups that articulate such rights without aspiring to attain political power at the national or ethnic/religious/regional levels. 

The role of civil society groups should be one of empowering the Eritrean people to exercise their legitimate social, cultural, political and economic rights. For this reason, it is best they remain fully independent from political parties and or aspiring political groups. This does not mean they should not hold any form of relationship with political groups. It is possible and sometimes important to maintain constructive engagement and joint initiatives in promotion of their identified common goals, but without compromising on their mutual independence.

Finally, it is essential that political change in Eritrea has to come from inside Eritrea to ensure gradual and safe transition towards Rule of Law and Inclusive Democracy. Diaspora opposition – civic and political groups – should understand their role as being supportive and complimentary to any potential change that has to come from inside Eritrea.