Due to the Woyane's illegal invasion of Somalia, which was engineered by the US, Somalia has now become 'Africa's Iraq'.  In direct contrast to the deafening silence of the international community, the Eritrean Government has not only condemned the act, but has also exerted efforts to constructively help the Somali people, which have all culminated in the forthcoming 'Somali Congress for Liberation and Reconstitution', to be held in Eritrea from 6 September 2007.

For Eritreans, helping the Somalis is not a tactful decision other than a duty and a moral obligation.  Indeed, while the Eritreans were waging their decades long struggle for Independence in isolation, the Somali people were genuinely sympathetic to the just cause and the plight of the Eritrean people, which was in stark contrast to the bewildering indifference of many other nations.  It is no surprising then for Eritreans to feel obliged to sincerely help the Somalis become a nation they once were.  Moreover, as we are living in an era of interdependence, Eritrea as a sovereign nation in the Horn of Africa, has a duty to play a role in bringing about and in the preservation of peace and stability in the region.  And this entails, among other things, ensuring that the Somalis reconstitute themselves as a nation by providing them with conducive environment to do so.  This is indeed the intended desire of the forthcoming Congress in Asmara, Eritrea.

Even more importantly, however, the Eritreans wish to help the Somalis become a nation they once were because it is the right thing to do.  Indeed, 'you do the right thing because it is the right thing to do' had always been the guiding spirit of the EPLF, and now of the Eritrean Government and the PFDJ.  During the Struggle for Independence, this 'spirit' was behind the humane nature of the EPLF.  For instance, in sharp contrast to the summary execution of prisoners of war, wholesale killings of peasants, the wanton destruction of property and livestock of the Derg regime (see Dines, 1988)*, the EPLF had never engaged in any such activities against Ethiopia.  The ultimate demonstration of EPLF's humane nature was the way in which Ethiopian prisoners of war were treated.  They were given medical treatment, food, shelter and basic education.  They were also taught the history of Eritrea.  Many of them, politicised for the very first time in their lives, then supported the EPLF; some even joined it (Wilson, 1990)**.  A number of visitors had also observed the humane nature of the EPLF over a number of fronts.  For instance, Giulia Rosetti, an Italian journalist notes:

This humane political culture of the EPLF is still the guiding spirit in sovereign Eritrea.  Indeed, when the lawless Woyane regime in Ethiopia inhumanely expelled thousands of Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin from Ethiopia, in contrast to the tit for tat that is most common elsewhere, the Eritrean Government, true to its humane nature, had instead delivered those Ethiopians who wanted to leave over to the Red Cross in Asmara, Eritrea.

The very recent and exemplary role the Eritrean Government and the PFDJ have played in bringing about an end to the long war between the Sudanese Government and the East Sudan Front is yet again another proof of Eritrea's long-standing principle of 'doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do'.  And the lessons from the successful mediation process seem to be that Africans are capable of solving their own problems so long as there is the will, the genuine motive and the commitment to see it through.  Ironically, it is due to the lack of these three vital ingredients on the mediators' part that the now five years old verdict of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission (EEBC) has not yet been implemented. 

Every choice for good sets into motion other opportunities for good.  Indeed, Eritrea now finds itself preparing to hold a 'Somali Congress for Liberation and Reconstitution'.  Very sadly, however, while any peace-loving and civilised nation would no doubt commend Eritrea's vital role in the peace deal between the Sudanese Government and the East Sudan Front, and its determined effort to help the Somali people reconstitute themselves as a nation, there are some who are against Eritrea's positive and constructive role in the region, and in an attempt to frustrate the positive developments taking place in the region, they have now stepped up their fierce campaign of 'demonising' the Eritrean Government, and have recently been heard of calling on the Eritrean leaders to 'change their behaviour'.  To any sensible person, however, it is those who do not want to see peace and stability in the region and thus work tirelessly to that end, and those who thrive on other peoples' miseries in general, who need to change their depraved mind and behaviour. 

The Eritrean Government and the PFDJ, just like the EPLF in the past, make choices, not on the basis of flashy appeal or short-range pleasure, but in view of long-range effects.  After all, choices you make reflect your integrity or lack of it.  And Eritrea's consistently right choices, past and present, only reflects the integrity of its leaders.

Awet'n Asalton NMerahtnan GMbarnan Hizbi Somal'n!!!

Hiji'wn Ainmbrkekhin!!!

Awetna NaiGidin Iyu!!!

Awet NHafash!!!

* Dines, M. (1988) 'Ethiopian violation of Human Rights in Eritrea', in Davidson and Cliff (eds) The long struggle for independence and lasting peace, London: spokesman. pp.139-161

** Wilson, A. (1990) Women and the Eritrean Revolution: the Challenge Road, Trenton, NJ: The Red Sea Press.

*** Eritrea Information vol.2, no.1, January 1980