“Ethiopia in grave danger” a case against Mr. Issaias Final Part

By Tibebe Samuel Ferenji

“Constitution is a piece of paper” Mr. Issaias Afeworki.

The premise that prompted me to write such a lengthy article is the issue of considering Mr. Issaias as a liberator of Ethiopia. Contemplating such daring concept by itself forces us to raise a rhetorical question that says how is a man who failed to “liberate” Eritreans could assist to “liberate” Ethiopia? I have no doubt that the question raises some eye brows. A close reading of Mr. Issaias’ and Mr. Meles’ records clearly shows that these individuals fought not to liberate the Eritrean and the Ethiopian people from the brutal rulers but to crown themselves in their respective kingdom and to be dominant players in the Horn of Africa. Historical accounts indicate that these are people who came to power with act of cruelty, by purging their close comrades, and assassinating anyone who challenged and attempted to expose who they are. More over, their record shows their conduct during the armed struggle era was an indicative of what they have become.

It is this writer’s belief that allying with Mr. Issaias by any Ethiopian opposition group put Ethiopia in grave danger. I have no illusion to believe that those who are considering such unhealthy “marriage” would achieve their objectives and bring Issaias’ rein of terror to Ethiopia; rather, my concern is that the marriage would give Mr. Issaias an opportunity to prolong his rule in Eritrea by claiming Eritrea still to be at war with Ethiopia. Such continuity will force Eritreans to continue to flee towards Ethiopia which in turn will continue to erode the meager resources that we have. In addition, the mere idea of waging an armed struggle against the regime in Ethiopia from Eritrea will have an effect in prolonging Mr. Issaias’ power grip in Eritrea; and this may allow organizations like Al-Shebab and Al-Qaeda to engage in terror plot with the assistance and facilitation of Mr. Issaias. Though Mr. Issaias’ sphere of influence has shrank tremendously since 1998, he still have the capability of garnishing some support from radical elements in Somalia and other parts of Horn of Africa who would love to collaborate with him for the demise of the regime in Ethiopia. At this juncture, I don’t think that Mr. Issaias’ “power” stretches longer than EDGA HAMUSE, but we also have to worry the an intended consequence of an armed struggle staged from Eritrea prolonging the power grip of the regime in Ethiopia.
A lot has been said about Mr. Issaias Afeworki by his detractors as well as supporters. There is no doubt that Mr. Issaias was a hero and considered “a liberator” by majority of Eritreans at one point of his life. Particularly those who were not aware the real character of Mr. Issaias and his dealings with the CIA, Asrate Kassa (the former governor of Eritrean province) and others to secure his place as a leading figure in Eritrea believed in him and considered him a father of a new nation. The majority of his supporters are not aware that Mr. Issaias used the children of Eritrea and Ethiopia as a stepping stones to crown himself “as king of kings” in the Eritrean territory. The record clearly shows that Mr. Issaias’ motive from the beginning was to be a ruler and a dominant figure in the African politics rather than liberate the oppressed Eritreans. The record also shows that Mr. Issaias betrayed his comrades, and betrayed the TPLF that breath a life in the EPLF when it was close to total destruction by the Ethiopian forces in early 1980s. It is mystifying how Mr. Issaias, who back stabbed those who trusted him, outmaneuvered those who challenged him and those who attempted to deal with him in good faith; a man who came to power with assassination and murder; a man who hijacked the Eritrean freedom and crowned himself as the ultimate ruler; a man who deceived Ethiopians who dealt with him, could be trusted now?

Currently, it will not be an exaggeration to state that Mr. Issaias is despised by the majority of Eritreans. So far, he is able to prolong his grip to power by propagating the potential war with Ethiopia. Any armed struggle staged from Eritrea gives a pretext to Mr. Issaias to continue to rule Eritrea with his iron fist. I am not in a position to question the real motive of Ethiopian opposition group who want to ally with Mr. Issaias. However, I have no doubt that Mr. Issaias’ motive is not the “liberation of Ethiopia” but the opportunity to have full control of Ethiopia directly or indirectly and to fulfill his long time ambition of being a dominant and unchallenged player in the Horn of Africa politics.

For those who want to be in bed with Mr. Issaias, it is important to remember that the so called liberation movements mercilessly assassinated those who differ from them in their political view and who had a much better positive role in the future of Ethiopia/Eritrea. Several Ethiopians of Eritrean origin have paid a dear price with their lives to protect the interest of Ethiopia and Eritrea. At the early stage of the struggle, my cousin Fitawrari Embaye Hadera, a young lawyer, an administrator of Mendefera and an ardent proponent of the Ethio-Eritrean unity was assassinated by murderer thugs whose vision was not the well being of the Eritrean people, but to clime to the throne by any means necessary. The so called liberators fabricated their own version of history in order to “create” a country that they can rule in the name of liberation.

It is worth to note that Mr. Issaias left the ELF because he could not be a dominant figure in the organization. There is no record that indicates that Mr. Issaias attempted to reform the ELF within; rather, the record shows that he opted to establish a splinter group and his initial objective was the demise of his former comrades in arms-the ELF. When Mr. Issaias established the EPLF, he did not only over promised and under delivered to the Eritrean people, but also has denied the Eritrean people their basic God given rights despite the fact their children sacrificed their lives for it. The detailed role of Mr. Issaias in the so called “liberation movement” is beyond the scope of this piece; the writer’s purpose is to highlight Mr. Issaias’ astuteness, conniving and deceptive behavior and to clearly show that Mr. Issaias is a man who never keeps his promise and that he is an egomaniac who des not want any competition in being “the strong man” of the Horn of Africa. More over, it is to highlight and give credible evidence to undoubtedly assert that Mr. Issaias never had and never will act in the best interest of Ethiopia; and allying with him put our nation in particular and the Horn of Africa in general in grave danger.
As most historian stated, Mr. Issaias was born in Eritrea. There are conflicting stories regarding his parentage. Some have written stating that Mr. Issaias was born from Tigrean parents. Mr. Issaias joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) in 1966. About four years later, Mr. Issaias, with some of his comrades created a splinter cell from the ELF called Selfi Netsanet. The emergence of a Christian dominated opposition group in the Eritrean movement was welcome news to the Israelis and the West. As the ELF was getting its strength, there were concerns in the Western world the dominant “Muslim” group controlling the Red Sea. Then, the ELF, dominated by Muslims, was getting its support from the radical Arab nations like Syria and its fighters including Mr. Issaias were trained in Communist China.
When Selfi Netsanet was formed, its leader Abraham Tewolde and his deputy Mr. Issaias Afeworki were approached by then CIA agent Richard Copland. According to Dr. Tesfatsion Medhanie’s book, “Eritrea – Dynamics of a National Question,” Abraham did not last long, he died a mysterious death and in 1971, Mr. Issaias became a top figure in the Eritrean movement. The speculation is that Abraham was poisoned by Mr. Issaias. It is no coincidence that after Abraham’s death, Mr. Issaias strengthen his relationship with the CIA. By all indication, Mr. Issaias wanted the ELF to be destroyed with the assistance of the Western world. In his letter to the CIA and to various Western governments, Mr. Issaias emphasized that the ELF is an organization that is assisted by Arabs and Socialist countries and sought their financial and material support to fight against the ELF.
According to Dr. Alem Eshete’s article “the case against the CIA” “Ato Isayas Afeworki, not having appreciated the American indirect reference regarding their disinterest for Ethiopian unity, stressed that they wanted full independence and that they will not accept a federal solution that may be proposed by the new government after Haile Selassie. In reply Richard Copeland had assured Isayas that as long American interests were safeguarded. They care less about Ethiopian unity. “If you satisfy our conditions, and you want independence in return you shall have your independence” Isayas was told. Richard Copeland went indeed further to advice Isayas not to accept the federal solution from a new government. Ato Isayas was further assured that if Selfi Netsanet could succeed in bringing the Red Sea coast under its control, they promised to supply unlimited quantity of arms by sea.”
For long time, Eritreans have been told that the “Eritrean Independence” was achieved without the support of the outside world is a myth that exaggerated EPLF’s military might. From the start, Mr. Issaias was in the payroll of the CIA. In 1970s the EPLF was supported by the Western world to defeat the ELF with a military assistance from the TPLF. It is also necessary to remember that in early 80s, when the EPLF was bombarded with Arial assault, and when the only place the EPLF fighters had to hide was the Sahil area, and when the EPLF was gasping its last breath seconds from total annihilation by the Ethiopian army, the TPLF gave life to the EPLF by engaging the Ethiopian army which helped the EPLF push back and regroup. More over, In 1980s, the EPLF and the TPLF were provided with funds, material, intelligence and other support to topple Mengistu and to assist the Israelis in smuggling operation of Ethiopian Jews to move them to Israel. It is worth to note that according to Dr. Aregawi Berhe, Mr. Meles spent the night before he entered Addis Ababa at the American embassy in Khartoum.
As I have indicated in the past, Mr. Issaias initially eliminated those considered fifth columnists within the EPLF and he literally destroyed Menkea. After the Menkea leadership was destroyed, Mr. Issaias turned his gun against those who helped him eradicate Menkea. After, MENKEA, he started another campaign to eliminate those he considered threats to his “leadership” and began a campaign in the name of eliminating those who have “rightist tendencies”. In this devious campaign, Mr. Issaias killed people like Solomon Weledemariam, Dr. Iyom, Haile Jebha, Mehari Sheka, etc. these were people considered his allies at one point of the struggle.
In the past, Mr. Issaias had told Major Dawit that he was interested in the unity of Ethiopia; he also promised to participate in the transitional government should the 1989 coup succeed. In fact, Mr. Issaias had promised to Mr. Herman Cohen and others that he would be part of the transitional government when the military regime was overthrown. As Dr. Tecola Hagos stated, Issaias and the TPLF leadership outmaneuvered Herman Cohen to achieve their diabolical objectives by promising things that they knew they will not keep. After the military regime was overthrown and when the process to establish the Transitional Government of Ethiopia began, Mr. Issaias reneged from his promise and stated that “The EPLF (Issaias) didn’t fight all these years for few Cabinet Posts”. For any one who is a student of history, this statement should make it clear that Mr. Issaias had his personal interest at heart instead of the “nation” that he claim he fought for. He did not consider the cost and benefit for Eritrea when he single handedly determined the future of Eritrea; rather, he clearly understood that he would not be a team player unless he is the one who is at the helm of power.
Mr. Issaias had managed to keep his relation with CIA and his deceptive behavior from the Eritrean people which served him well until 1996. In 1996, after the constitution of Eritrea was drafted, the façade that shielded Mr. Issaias as a man who fought for justice and democracy was not only cracked, it was violently shattered. In 1990, a year before he marched into Asmara, Mr. Issaias was interviewed by Adulis Radio; this was what he said “The EPLF has already underlined its commitment to create a multi-party system in Eritrea. A one-party system wills neither enhances national security or stability nor accelerates economic development. In fact a one party system could be a major threat to the very existence of our country. For these reasons we will have to avoid these malaises in tomorrow's Eritrea”. When the time came to relinquish power to the people and when the people demanded for multi party system and a Constitution that should govern the State of Eritrea however, Mr. Issaias said “Constitution is a piece of paper.” This was the man who declared to the world that Eritreans would have four choices during the referendum; when the time came however, he did not even allow an open discussion on Eritrean issue. In fact, during the referendum, Eritreans who lived in other parts of Ethiopia were threatened to participate and vote “Yes” for the “independence”. The EPLF had a secret prison in Addis Ababa to detain Eritreans who have deep seated belief in the unity of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Eritrean business community did not have choice but to go along with the EPLF and the TPLF. Several Eritreans I have encountered have horrible stories to tell regarding the joint operation of the EPLF and TPLF thugs forcing them into voting “Yes” for the Eritrean referendum. In such tainted and manipulated process, no serious person could take the so called referendum as free and fair. Eritreans opportunity to decide their fate was hijacked once again by few elites whose interest has never been justice, freedom, and democracy. It is also worth noting that it was in 1993, Mr. Issaias’ mercenary squad assassinated Mr. Tesfamichael Giorgio in Addis Ababa near his residence. Mr. Tesfamichael is the one who exposed Mr. Issaias’ connection with the CIA. Mr. Tesfamichael had attended a meeting between the CIA and Mr. Issaias in early 70s.
Historical evidence clearly indicates that Mr. Issaias came to power by liquidating those who he considers threats to his power. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to realize “Liberation” was not Mr. Issaias’ agenda, for the Eritrean people have not been liberated from the injustice that ruled them for so long. It is paradoxical to imagine Ethiopians who are telling us that they want a democratic Ethiopia and that they want to see the reign of the rule of law could consider collaborating with the man who believes that a Constitution is a piece of paper. If the Ethiopian opposition groups are thinking that the mere fact allying with Mr. Issaias would frighten the TPLF, they are miscalculating their political strategy. A rabbit may think she is a lion because she is standing next to a lion; however, standing next to a dead lion neither threatens the “enemy” nor gives comfort to the rabbit.
I do agree with Mr. Jawar Mohammed who spoke at the Ethiopian and Eritreans Friendship Conference last weekend. Mr. Jawar talked about the need to challenge tyranny through nonviolence and for the opposition groups need to adapt nonviolent struggle as a means to bring about change in Ethiopia. According to Mr. Jawar, “nonviolent strategies and tactics have yet to be employed to mobilize people to confront and disobey those who are abusing them in a well-coordinated and systematic manner”. I could not agree more. Instead of wasting valuable resources by allying with Mr. Issaias, all opposition forces should work hand in hand to form a formidable opposition to challenge the EPRDF. Those who believe in allying with Mr. Issaias should take a lesson from the Taliban that allied with Al-Qaeda and invited its demise.
Finally I would like to live you with this question. If we truly believe in the principle of the enemy of my enemy is my friend, should we also allay with Al-Qaeda? For Al-Qaeda has declared war against the regime in Ethiopia.
“History has been badly abused in the course of the liberation struggle; it has not merely been misconstrued, but has also become the subject of fraudulent discourse”. Tesfatsion Medhanie
With great appreciation for taking your time to read this piece. Thank You!