RATIONALE AND MEANING
The term “nationality” implies a group within a state that may seek the right to self- determination. Though that particular nationality can uphold the right to secession and the formation of an independent state, it does not imply that has to seek only that solution in gaining political recognition and self- determination. There are many ways that guarantee for provincial and national rights that satisfy a particular nationality’s aspiration.

 For those of us who glory in ethnic or cultural diversity and yearn for national justice it should be wondrous development to see nationalist movement work hand in hand with the liberation movement. Some Eritreans, however, are puzzled and disturbed rather than delighted at the emergence of the nationalities question. Those puzzled we say may be for different reasons. The dictatorial regime and his groupie are worried of their grip of power. They try to dismiss the concerns and demands of nationalities as narrow, selfish, parochial and even dangerously hostile and aggressive towards other nationalities. In other words they are undemocratic and hence not suitable for new Eritrea.

Others say there are no full-fledged nationalities in Eritrea. There are ethnic groups and tribes. The state of Eritrea is made up of communities of ethnic groups and tribes. The concept of nationality question is imported, but not realistic in Eritrea, therefore is fallacious.

Others accept the question of nationalities as a theory, but they argue that Eritreans lived in harmony for years. There is no one nationality that oppresses others. This is a sensitive matter and we don’t want the disintegration of our beloved Eritrea.

The question is not whether it is real or not, whether there are nationalities or are only ethnic groups, whether Eritreans lived in harmony or not. The question is we have two politico- military organizations with the concern and demand of nationality rights working side by side with other liberation fronts for the liberation of the people as whole from dictatorship and definitely others will emerge. Do we recognize they right as democrats or crush them as dictators and who crushes whom? We say let us recognize their democratic rights and build democratic Eritrea.

We are not talking about surface democracy in which people go to the polls, cast their bullets and are told one man one vote that does not say any thing about their fundamental right of representation, human and nationality rights. Some opposition leaders ask us to accept and implement the shame constitution of the EPDJ that does not recognize nationality rights, official languages, separation of executive, legislative and judicial set up, etc. That is surface democracy. Our critics which they call themselves research group or forum asked us what we meant by limited democracy given in our article of national conference. We say to them it means what we stated in the article. It is not a theory, but an expression that has nothing to do with what democracy means that has clearly been defined in our other articles. Any way it is yours to comment, correct, criticize or ridicule while it is ours to clarify and tolerate.

We appreciate your participation and effort and the whole purpose is to build democratic and stable Eritrea.  

   NATIONALITY CRITERIA AND RECOGNITION

The ultimate objective of nationalist movement is to make the nationality and the nation or state co-exist. As nations become conscious of their national identity, they claim the right to govern themselves. The criteria that enable us to recognize certain nationality include:

·        Common economic life

·         Common culture

·        Language

·         Geographical area or territory

·        Blood lineage

·        Sense of belonging and rootedness

One cannot say definitely the number of nationalities in Eritrean. Some say there are nine nationalities along with the number of languages spoken in Eritrea. Others say there are more to emerge and ask for recognition. The Jeberti have already asked their concern to be herd. The dictatorial regime did not want to look in to the merit of the question. We say democratic Eritrea should be ready to address such expected questions with reasons and logic but not emotions.

No generally accepted views of what constitutes nationality or national identity exist. The above given criteria are as a general guide but not to be qualifying or disqualifying factors. What does democratic Eritrea lose by denying nationality rights? In our opinion it loses peace, stability progress and harmony.

WHAT ARE NATIONALITIES CONCERNS AND DEMANDS?

The Eritrean people having been through enormous, costly struggle for freedom and liberation, desire peace and just political recognition. Such peace, stability and economic development can come only if politicians listen to the demands and aspirations of the people they govern. The demands and aspirations of nationalities include:

·        Political rights- that is recognition in representation.

·         Cultural and language equality rights

·        Economic and resources equity and fair share

·        Territorial and land use rights

Here are some suggestions that we think could engage people and eventually join the revolution and contribute what is expected from them to the revolution.

·        Organize united armed resistance under one central command.

·        Open channels of discussion and freedom to voice opinions.

·         Show tolerance that leads to multi-party consciousness.

·        Create centralized direction of the political discussion in the organization.

·         Adopt a controlled degree of specialization and division of labor, checked by certain level of rotation of task.

·        Organize political training centers for members to create cadres.

·        Reach out the most affected Eritreans by the dictatorial regime for help, such as refugee, destitute Eritreans who are leaving their beloved country, etc.

·        Fulfill organizational structure from top to bottom.

PESSIMISM AND CAPITULATION HAVE NEVER BEEN THE CALL OF ERITREANS

This last conclusion may look out of step, but we have to comment on the article at ASMARINO.COM with the title” ERITREAN INDEPENDENCE: IS IT WORTH THE SACRIFICES? “The rebuttal given by Saleh AA Younis is excellent and to the point, but we felt we should say a word or two.  Is Yosef Ghebrehiwet trying to invigorate or demoralize the democratization struggle by “crying over the spilt milk”? In all of his articles he never suggested any thing on how to democratize Eritrea and at certain stage we asked him to put up or shut up. But now his article is flatly suggesting joining MAMA Ethiopia and that should be obvious that he is there to demoralize the struggle for democratization. Mr. Yosef Gebrehiwet never said whether the Eritrean contemporary problem is religious, ideological, social or political, but jammed all together. We believe our problem is political and we should discuss it from that point of view.  What is bizarre is his logic a sort of “the end justifies the means” because the Eritrean armed struggle ended up with dictatorial system of governance he concludes that the cause for armed struggle was unjust. Ethiopia annexed Eritrea. Eritreans were denied of their right of self determination. The options were either to live as second class citizens of Ethiopia or struggle for our right. Freedom is and has never been achieved free. Eritreans don’t quantify the cost of freedom or liberation; we just do it because it is our ultimate aspiration.

WE STRUGGLE WE SUCCEED

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GLORY TO OUR MARTYRS

EAIM