From: awetnayu@hotmail.com
Date: Sat Oct 18 2008 - 12:39:38 EDT
Peeling the Layers, Donald Payne and Obama politics Vis-à-vis Eritrea
Amanuel Biedemariam
On Sunday October 5, 2008, roughly 500 or more Eritrean-Americans attended Rep. Donald Payne’s briefing on behalf of the Obama campaign. The afternoon was successful for Rep. Donald Payne of New Jersey and his advisor, a congressional researcher and expert on African Affairs, Ted Dagne. They raised about $7000 in short time and more is in the pipeline. In addition, the diversity of the group, the warm reception and the support he received must have made for a rewarding afternoon. It was equally rewarding for the Eritrean-Americans who participated on a beautiful Sunday afternoon led by enthusiastic youth. Sudden schedule changes did not deter participation; people adjusted their time and attended.
Eritrean-American youth deserve praise for being exemplary particularly at a time when many are distracted by drugs and crime, they are examples of what youth should be; a beacon of hope, pride of their families and Eritrea. They helped organize and complete a successful event.
The attendees understood the significance of their participation and as Congressman Donald Payne noted, they are well informed, educated and aware how they can tip the balance in a contested election. For the first time Eritreans took a collective action to elect a Democrat US President. It doesn’t necessarily put Eritrean Americans in the Democratic block, but it is a clear indication of their dissatisfaction with the Bush Administration and the propensity of the McCain Palin ticket to follow President Bush’s policies. Eritrean-Americans took this collective action as US citizens to oppose deadly Americans policies against Eritrea, and hoping to bring change, new attitude and direction favorable to all.
Representative Donald Payne’s interest to meet with Eritrean-Americans in the metro DC area highlighted many things: It highlighted our significance in the electoral process, our strength, the importance of our ability to organize and in this instance, our ability to help in the wider organizing efforts for the Obama campaign. It gave clear evidence that our views matter. It also showed that we are poised to make a difference by making the necessary sacrifices. One can conclude that Eritrean-Americans have reached a collective voting age.
The gathering was a chance for Representative Donald Payne to brief the Eritrean-American community as a US agent and Senator Barack Obama’s representative. It meant that he needed to walk a fine line. He walked it by talking about his background and interest on Africa, by telling stories of his rebellious-youth for African-American and African justice. He talked about the history of Black pride, accomplishments of Blacks in Africa and in the US. He talked about his well placed attention, knowledge of the issues and good intentions. He fought the State Department and US policies that undermine African rights, sovereignty and the rule of law and cited his trip to Eritrea as an example. He talked about the unjust and ill conceived short sighted policies of George W. Bush that acted with out examination of issues at the cost of many lives and at the expense of long term strategic interests of the US and cited the Somali issue as example .He denounced the unrealistic threat to place Eritrea in a list of States that Sponsor Terrorism without any justification or proof to make the point. He also used it to drive the point that Barack Obama’s administration will be different. He assured Eritrean-Americans the gun-first my-way or the highway approach will be replaced by prudent diplomacy. Representative Donald Payne attested that Barack Obama’s interest on Africa is not based on ethnicity or race; it is out of conviction for justice, good intentions, with grasp of the issues and backed by a team of African policy advisors.
The sticky point
After a long history of US misdeeds and a tumultuous decade by two US administrations that failed Eritrea, Eritrean-American’s have grown weary and suspicious of American leaders and policies. Congressman Payne is different because he is an elected representative accountable to his constituency and independent from the State Department. However, it is easy to conclude the issues he addressed and the manner in which he attacked them is shaped by the agendas on the tables of the State department.
Without a doubt, Eritrean-Americans should consider Congressman Donald Payne a friend and do all that they can to maintain and nurture the friendship but do so with a healthy dose of skepticism. Here is why? When the congressman spoke about his visit to Eritrea he focused on four issues: Demarcation, freedom of press, prisoners and conscription. He spoke briefly and strongly about the “UNRESOLVED” border issue. He believes the border dispute is at the heart of the conflicts in the Horn of Africa because Eritrea and Ethiopia are waging proxy wars and a resolution of the border dispute based on EEBC will pacify the problems. In addition, he wants both Eritrea and Ethiopia to stop supporting each others opposition.
Well meaning and good intentioned? Let’s see, according to the government of Eritrea and the final report of the UN, the border issue is resolved. Moreover, it is crucial not to associate unrelated issues, such as the opposition support and security matters to the final and binding border demarcation decision. In addition, it is crucial to recognize the war raging in Somalia is not a proxy war between Eritrea and Ethiopia; it is a legitimate movement by the Somali’s to free Somalia from an ill conceived aggression by the US and US financed mercenary regime in Ethiopia. Congressman Donald Payne is either ill informed or deliberately misleading.
Regardless of who is in power, the rhetoric and seemingly good intentions; the approach to the region will remain the same. US actions are not intended to bring lasting solutions. In this case it appears that it is intended to pacify the area long enough by appeasing the players so the US can regain control and pursue their agenda on opportune time. During the debate on Tuesday Oct.7, when speaking about Darfur, Senator Barack Obama remarked George Bush’s policies didn’t go far enough and vowed to take stringent steps like the no-fly zone that Susan Rice advocates consistently. It is certain the good future of the people of Sudan is not the primary motivation for American involvement; it is the riches of the continent! Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti and to some extent Kenya are seen through the same lens.
Here is what is troubling, in the brief moment Congressman Payne spent with the Eritrean-American community, he failed to talk about a single incentive that can lift the quality of life for the people of Eritrea. He failed to envision the Horn in general and Eritrea in particular past current conflicts. He failed to talk partnership, trade, educational exchange, medical assistance, tourism and the like. In an election cycle when Americans are seized with the bread and butter issues, Congressman Payne’s narrative had nothing to do with bread and butter issues for Eritrea but a lecture on what is wrong.
Furthermore, it should be clear to all involved gone are the days when Americans dictated morality, justice, human rights and the rule of law to the world by claiming they own “Moral Authority.” It is clear to all that the US can play a destabilizing role but gone are days when they can impose their will, because the world is aware and knows how the games are played. Eritrea is a living proof of that. It doesn’t mean they shouldn’t talk about injustices, it means they can’t use it as a tool for exploitation. Americans can only achieve their long-term strategic objectives by cooperation not mischief.
Moving Forward
One of the event organizers Dr. Asghede made a remark that stood out. He said, “If we were here when they handed Eritrea to Ethiopia 60 years ago, that wouldn’t have happened.” Obviously Eritrea traveled a long way and made history contrary to their wishes by establishing a free country, a forward looking Eritrea that is busting the myth about Blacks and Africans. However, every time Eritrea tries to step forward, there is a hurdle being placed by Americans to try to whip Eritrea back into the lines of slavery! Americans have been trying tirelessly to change the fate of Eritrea overtly and covertly at the expense of many lives and without accountability.
Eritrean Americans must accept their limitations as it relates to US foreign policies. There is nothing they can do to it or do about it but go through political motions for certain disappointments. The notion that one can impact change in the US is bothersome, misleading and short sighted. The question then becomes what should the future role of Eritrean Americans in the US be?
Eritrean American's vested interest is the security, prosperity and well being of Eritrea, nothing less. That was the primary reason why Eritreans gathered on Oct. 5. So the role that Eritrean Americans can play is complementary to Eritrean policies and directions! When Eritrea talks about food security, development, infrastructure, education, health and economic development; that is where the focus must be. Eritrea’s future and security depends on the people of Eritrea and their capacity to develop Eritrea and ability to expand their human resources. Development will ensure stability, security and lower the chances of instability. Educated public is Eritrean salvation from Western mischief.
To help in that endeavor, Eritrean Americans can play a role by increasing their importance, visibility, by establishing political capital (i.e. Obama fundraising event) and by developing agendas that could set a trend with wider implications for the Horn. That is the responsibility, obligation and duty we owe to the people we love and our contribution to influence our region positively in order to ensure wider collective security. To achieve that we must remain relevant, organize and establish capital/cash.
Conclusion
This article does not attempt to persuade or dissuade any one to vote for or against Senator Barack Obama, it is an attempt to create a conversation that looks forward. To appreciate the effort; to use this event as a staging ground, to prepare for the future with a plan, with a mind set and to learn from mistakes. Congressman Donald Payne and Ted Dagne made a positive gesture by giving a hopeful sign of a future administration that is willing to engage. However, there were some statements that required clarifications as well as comments some find unsettling. The Congressman made repeated unnecessary analogies between Ethiopia/Meles to Eritrea and Eritrean leaders. Our organized efforts will help us to hold them to account for what they say do in the future.
If history is a guide, Eritreans are the best students that can learn from experience and adopt. This was a great experience and positive indicator of things to come. Eritrea has a convincing history that no matter who resides in the White House, regardless of the messengers and the message, her path is clear. Eritrea knows how to determine her destiny and there is nothing any one can do about it!
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