Enough
with Eritrean provocation
Editorial
Ethiopian Observer
Eritrea since 1993 has its own government after its people
opted to be an independent nation. It is up to the Eritrean people
to institute its own type of administration and system of rule, be
it in matters of a lifetime president, dictatorship or leaders
with murky backgrounds such as brigands, criminals, scoundrels,
arrant liars, etc. The problem arises when Eritrea expected to
stand on its own foot, manage and solve its own problems tries to
keep on insisting as if it has still been “occupied” by
“Ethiopian colonizers” and tries to liberate once again from
their factitious and imaginary enemy. The mental preparedness of
these “romantic warriors” who for long propagated ugly
nationalism and hatred against Ethiopia looks to be deflated, when
the “enemy” was no where to find.
A system with mischievous background and history, concocted
by alienating the Eritrean people from their kinship with the rest
of Ethiopia, cannot be sustainable in the long run. Though bizarre
and evil, Shaibya’s (Eritrean regime) pervasive and perverse
attempt to weaken, destabilize and demonize Ethiopia is merely a
relapse and continuation of its old days of asperity and
incivility. In Shaiby’s Eritrea savoir-faire, decorum, good
friendly relationships to be complied with the rules and standards
are all along alien. Its own internal failures and problems
(economic, political, social and diplomacy) have always been
considered to be the work and conspiracy of the enemy Ethiopia
including the USA, EU and other African states.
Everybody
knows that when Shaibya attacked and occupied large chunks of land
in Ethiopia, it started directly with its disinformation and
defamatory campaign against Ethiopia. Many people and countries
were confused of who attacked who until both the US and Rwanda and
then the OAU found out the real culprit to the aggression. The
belligerent regime was prevaricating for almost two years until it
finally was swept away and its territories occupied to one-third
by the gallant defense forces of Ethiopia to the price of
thousands of death on both sides.
Since then
Shaibya has been intensively working to wreak havoc and
destruction either by organizing its own mercenaries and
implanting them to stage on their terrorist acts within Ethiopia
proper or training the Islamic Union of Courts (IUC) in Somalia as
insurgents in its attempt to create a second front. The latest
terrorist attempt to be carried out against the heads of African
States and other international dignitaries was totally averted
thanks to the combined and meticulous work of the anti-terrorist
task force of Ethiopia. Ethiopians and the world as a whole know
that the so-called proxy war and the quagmire from which escape
was impossible as stated by Shaibya was cut short by the combined
forces of the Ethiopian troops and the militias of the
Transitional Federal Government
(TFG) of Somalia. The TFG recognized by the whole world
body (UN, USA, EU, AU, IGAD, Arab League) as the legitimate
government of Somalia was countered by the ICU, whose sole sponsor
was Shiabya.
Shaibya
having lost the now defunct al-Qaeda infiltrated and inspired IUC
as a regional destabilizing agent switched its fury against the
decision of the African Union to send peacekeeping mission to
Somalia. Though some African countries willing to send their
troops to Somalia and thereby endanger their citizens’ life in
the arduous task of rebuilding and stabilizing the war-torn
Somalia should be hailed for their bold steps and decisions,
Shaibya issued a warning against the deployment of Ugandan forces
or face the dire consequences of being embroiled in violence
directed against them. The Somalis have for the first time in
sixteen years the great opportunity to live in peace and security
and here comes the ardent messengers of death and terror
threatening the whole work of the AU and UN. Shaibya as a
troublemaker and menace to the region has intensified its meddling
through blackmailing and extortion as in the case of the Sudan
too. It creates its own fringe “liberation movements” and
poses to be a regional peace broker. It is a tragedy for the
peoples around the Horn of Africa not to be able to live in peace
and stability and instead devote their time and resources to
eradicate poverty and backwardness.
The current
cock-and-bull story is one of the grave blunders as well as
concerns, which Shaibya devised in order to draw attention or try
to endear itself among other countries. Pretending to render
“friendly offers” as mediator between the kidnappers (supposed
to be Ethiopian opposition groups but according to eyewitnesses
were about 50 men equipped with guns and military uniforms
speaking tigrigna and afargna) and Great Britain, Shibya denied
categorically that the captives were within its territories.
Shiabya accused in a statement the Ethiopian government for
blatant lie and having a sinister motive. However, a news release
shows that the captives were freed thanks to the mediation effort
of the Eritrean government!
This
adventurous ploy exposing the life of foreign and Ethiopian
nationals to the harsh conditions of the desert and letting them
pass through the terrible ordeals can never be excused. To allow
ones territory for such a gruesome act is tantamount to declaring
war against Ethiopia. Both foreigners either as officials, workers
or tourists and Ethiopian citizens should feel free and safe to
live and move within the country. Letting ones own territory to
carry out cross border insurgencies by a bunch of criminals and
gangsters through direct or indirect involvement of the regime in
Asmara cannot be simply waved aside. The Eritrean regime whether
it likes or not is
an accomplice to the crime committed in this serious abduction
case.
Although
war is the last option of resolving the issues with the rogue
regime in Asmara, the Ethiopian government should primarily work
hard for the release of its citizens, secondly guard and protect
the border areas so that any encroachment to the border is
unattainable and thirdly cooperate with the international
community and thereby request for the immediate extradition of the
criminals to face trials in Ethiopia. The international community
should at the same time condemn the terrorist activity of the
Eritrean regime to be liable according to international
conventions and agreements.
Thinking in terms of
economic progress is one great thing, disrupting the emerging
tourist industry, peace and security as well as humiliating
Ethiopia now and then is another serious impediment. Although many
people know that the immoral Shaibya is fond of publicity through
vulgar and misleading ways of attracting attention, the kidnapping
incident clearly shows that the Ethiopian government and
Parliament should be on its alert and issue a joint decision and
statement warning Shaibya for any provocation or damage against
the interest of the Ethiopian people and State.
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