Congratulations for Eritrea’s 19th year of independence
By Ibrahim A. Ibrahim
May 13, 2010 — Eritrea gained its independence after more than 30 years of struggle defeating the regime and military once being the most powerful in the African continent.
Eritrea has been under chain of colony starting from the Ottoman Empire. This patriotic fighter people have always fought for their independence even at the time when the whole African continent gave up to its colonizers and served as the slaves.
Although it is at the early stage, historians are digging to get the true authentic history of Eritrea. It is expected to be full of admiration and pride to read and to know the struggle this same people went through for their independence and full freedom.
The military struggle that ignited in 1961, is a continuation of the will, “believe and dedication to live free or die hero” that lived within the hearts and blood of the same people who fought hard militarily and politically to the date that realized the will. Eritrean freedom fighters defeated Ethiopia and freed the whole country in 1991.
The leadership that lead the independence were wise enough to forge a total participation of all Eritrean citizens to cast their vote for independence to assure the full and unquestionable legality that cemented and forced the willing and unwilling to accept the right of self determination of Eritrea. A referendum took place and as expected the whole nation voted for independent Eritrea. Eritrea become independent and joined the world community that alienated for so long.
Once the goal for independent Eritrea has been realized it was very crucial to the leadership and the people of this new nation, to work hard to re-establish the totally deteriorated economy. Although Eritrea did not receive fund that usually is raised and funded for countries that come out of war and or new nation that is joining the world community, however the Eritreans were keen to work hard to rely on themselves as they did during the war for independence.
It started to bear fruits of hard work and Eritrea started to register economic growth of 7% and above. Unfortunately, the animosity of Ethiopia this time by the one time ally the minority regime of TPLF, a war ignited under the behest of border conflict. Recently, one of the leaders of the minority regime admitted that the border conflict could have been resolved in a peaceful manner. Although Eritrea proofed under the rule of law that it did not occupy any land of Ethiopia, the latter is still occupying a sovereign Eritrean land. This is a recipe for conflict if Ethiopia does not vacate the land it occupies.
The war may have disrupted the velocity for rebuilding the nation and the economy, but was unable to halt the progress made. In fact with a well designed plan, the “Nation Building” program of “Warsai Yikaalo” have recharged and accelerated the intended progress plan.
With in the last 19 years Eritrea has build schools, hospitals, dams, bridges, and roads than many African countries that have been independent for a while have yet to achieve.
But the animosity did not want to live Eritrea alone, and let the hard working people concentrate on their tasks. The UNSC under the guise of helping Somali fighters, and not cooperating to resolve the Djibouti border issue, imposed a sanction against Eritrea, without any verification to furnish.
This illegal sanction has re-energized Eritreans within the country and abroad to unite their hands to work harder. The peaceful demonstrations that took place all over the world actuated their reliance on self and taking independent positions.
The aim that was “to divide the people among each other and with that revolt against their government” failed fatally.
During the peaceful demonstration in Washington, DC one of the police guards whose task was to escort the demonstrators, has to say this. “During my service of over 20 years here, all the demonstrations that took place were a demand to remove their governments, but this is unique. It is unique because people are supporting the government and its political stand. Indeed this is unique, that I will always remember.”
The unity will always continue and the hard work will accelerate, Eritrea will be a proud nation that will always be independent.
Congratulations for the 19th!
* The author is the Former Bank of Eritrea Administrator currently resides in United States of America. He can be reached at [email protected]