EVERY CITIZEN IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE A
PATRIOT
BY EAIM (AMARE GEBREMARIAM GEBRE)
“A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and
woods, but it is a principle and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.”
OVERVIEW
Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable
rights of all Eritrean family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
in Eritrea, which does not exist now because of the dictatorial system of
government.
Patriotism is a devotion to one’s country. The qualities and devotion
expected from a patriot include:
 Support the values of one’s country.
 Protect the civil liberties of citizens.
 Endeavor for sustainable future of one’s country.
 Eliminate the dependence on intriguing foreign help and advice.
 Be willing to die to protect the country.
 Show compassion and consideration to all people.
Patriotism is a related sentiment to nationalism. Political or social
philosophy in which the welfare of the nation-state as an entity is considered
paramount. Nationalism is basically a collective state of mind or
consciousness in which people believe their primary duty and loyalty is to
the nation- state. Often nationalism implies national superiority and glorifies
various national virtues. Thus love of a nation may be over emphasized;
concerns with national interest to the exclusion of rights of other nations
may lead to international conflict. Many philosophers contend that
nationalism is a comparatively recent phenomenon, but despite its short
history, it has been extremely important in forming the bonds that hold
modern nations together. Today it operates along side the legal structure and
supplements the formal institutions of society in providing much of the
cohesiveness and order necessary for the modern nation- state.
THE NATION-STATE
A nation state is defined as quote “nation state is a state self-identifies
as deriving its political legitimacy from serving as a sovereign entity for a
nation as a sovereign territorial unit. The terms nation, state, country and
nation-state are used to refer to political, economic, social and cultural actors
in the international system. The modern nation-state refers to a single or
multiple nationalities joined together in a formal political union. The nationstate determines an official language(s), a system of law, manages a
currency system, uses a bureaucracy to order elements of society, and fosters
loyalties to abstract entities.”
Ethiopia and Eritrea are two nation-states which are the product of the
African balkanization by European colonials. The two nations have parallel
statehood history except for the short lived annexation of Eritrea by
Ethiopia. Some people either knowingly or unknowingly confuse the
statehood with the origin of the Ethiopian and Eritrean people. Yes both
people are of the Semitic, Cushitic and Negroid origin, so do many African
people.
THE ERITREAN EXPERIENCE IN ETHIOPIA
During the Italian and British rule some Eritreans migrated to Sudan
and Ethiopia and other countries for political or economic reasons. After the
federation with Ethiopia large number of Eritreans lived in Ethiopia. Yes
Eritreans worked at different field, some graduated from universities,
became doctors, teachers, lawyers, business men etc. Ethiopians were
conducting the process of assimilation while Eritreans were playing dead. It
is true we get educated, employed, lived in Ethiopia, but never gave up our
aspiration to self-determination to statehood and it is every Eritrean’s
experience we flock to the Eritrean field when the need and the opportunity
allowed us to do so. Some Eritreans are saying Ethiopia house our refugees,
I am glad to see that Ethiopia is fulfilling its international obligation while
others do not. Others say Ethiopia is educating our young and I say that is
what we expect from a neighbor, so do Sudan. When good minded Eritreans
criticize the Ethiopian government it is not based on social issues, but
political matters. The Eritrean crisis is political crisis and to tackle the
political crisis you need political principles and these principles solely
belong to Eritreans. I do not dear to say only Eritrean refugees and political
activists or political organizations are living in Ethiopia, but thousands of
Eritreans who chose to live in Ethiopia for various reasons like those of us
who are living in the West. Is Ethiopia encouraging the Eritrean –Ethiopians
to participate in solving the Eritrean political crisis? Why did the Ethiopian
government invited Eritrean intellectuals from the West while many Eritrean
–Ethiopians are right there in Addis?
WHY ALL THESE FUDGE
Some people resort to defense mechanism so as to maintain selfimage. Defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies
brought into play by various entities to cope with reality and to maintain
self-image. The ego defense mechanism is to protect the mind from anxiety
or from a situation with which one cannot currently cope.
Addis September 5 Ethiopian organized seminar attendees resort to
defense mechanism to protect their self- image forgetting their patriotic duty
and nationalism. For example let me quote from the author of Addis
reflection part III.
“Change Will Come Only From Inside
This is also a wishful thinking that is not always substantiated with historical facts!
Change can come from inside and that is the best if attainable. But change can also come
from outside with evenly positive results. Take the example of Uganda and Tanzania. In
1979 while I was in The Sudan, Tanzanian forces invaded Uganda and united the
different political factions under Uganda National Liberation Front. Idi Amin fled and
after many trying years Uganda started to regain its dignity. Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire
(Congo) was overthrown with the help of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopian and
Eritrean soldiers! Don’t forget the first country Laurent Kabila visited after the liberation
of Congo was Eritrea!” Here is the link to read the whole hatch-patch.
http://asmarino.com/articles/1217-addis-reflections-on-the-addis-seminar-part-iii
Another ego centered is the author of Ethiopia-intervention- a scapegoat
for power struggle. Let me quote from his article.
“ Why do some Eritrean opposition organizations or parties complain about “the intervention of
the Ethiopian government in the Eritrean internal affairs”? The complaint is a scapegoat for their
failure in the power struggle.
When I write an article, it is not my intention to offend anybody. But as a matter of fact, when
the EPDP had a conflict on the issue of the National Conference for a Democratic Change, and
left the EDA, it began to complain about the “Ethiopian intervention in the internal Eritrean
affairs”. Before then, it did not show any sign of such kind of thought. In my view such
complaint never had any basis.
Recently, I read an article titled, “National Dialogue with partners for a common
strategy” written by Fesseha Nair whom I praise for his contribution as a writer in the struggle
for democracy, and I respect him. However, I strongly disagree with his article in general,
particularly when he said:
“Ownership- without ownership, there is no sustainability and thus no long-term effects.
The ongoing discussions among Eritrean political and civic organizations for democratic
change how much their organization of dialogues and conferences are owned by them is
not clear. A congress without this perspective is not a congress. Many are recommending
that how much do we own this congress? It is not only that we conducted a congress but
who cares- that the congress should lead us to practical and sustainable results. A
congress conducted by intervention of supporting countries is not sustainable. (See
Darfur, Somalian………. And many others)”
Which country is he referring to in the last sentence of the
following paragraph? It is obvious he means Ethiopia.” Below is the link
for his article.
http://awate.com/ethiopian-intervention-a-scapegoat-for-power-struggle/
I am afraid some esteemed and prominent Eritreans seem to be falling into
the same trap. I could not believe my ears when I heard Dr Bereket
Habtesselasse saying let me paraphrase we are all Ethiopians and I would
like to see the unity of Eritrea and Ethiopia before I die. First of all we are
Eritreans and Ethiopians are Ethiopians. The 30 year war was waged
because we are not Ethiopians and the 30 years of material destruction and
martyrdom is the price of our sovereignty. Please don’t take us back I also
don’t agree with the title of your book. Eritrea is not a wounded nation, but
in political crisis. If you mean to say Eritrean is wounded and it can be
healed only by Ethiopia that your U-TUBE utterance implies you are dead
wrong.
The other assault on our sovereignty is that of Dr Fessehasion Mengustu
who said a sort of I told you so in his 52 page article at meskerem.net. Dr
Fessehasion Mengustu tells us that the 30 year war of cessation was
unnecessary and unwarranted and because it was wrong Eritrea is in Crisis.
The only thing his 52 page article deserves is fudge.
We struggle we succeed
Glory to our martyrs.
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