ELF-RC: Change in The Air?

          “The secret of success is the consistency to pursue.”

Horry F. Banks

It is not only Obama who is charging for change this year.  Air of change is blown in the Eritrean arena also.  EDA looks like it is finally getting it although one can’t bet on the elusive nature of marriage and divorce within the group.  But the big hope of fundamental change is coming from the mother of all Eritrean struggles, ELF-RC.

It was way overdue for the ELF RC to come to reality.  Post independence politics shouldn’t cling on names or forms that aren’t contemporary.  Many ELF branded group love clinging to the old names and formats.  I am not sure if it is complacency or there is no grain of out of the box thinking.  To me names represent the owner’s objective and mission.  In this case it is better late than never for RC.  I hope the rest will follow suite and let’s elevate the quality of the opposition.

When RC made the announcement to party transformation, it was the most important decision it made post independence Eritrea.  Although many citizens applauded it as a giant step some corners jumped into painting it as divisive step and self-centered.  These organizations and individuals should have realized that post PFDJ’s Eritrea is a multi-party system that parties differ in their governance view but united in their identity and nationalism.  I believe all opposition groups as well as all citizens should support and encourage each organization that is doing something good towards the common cause.

Transformation doesn’t come to be real in paper.  It rather happens in the daily life of its audience.  How will the new leadership implement and execute and how will the members accept and practice the new culture is yet to be seen.  What does the new culture looks like?  No one knows yet because it is in the working.  And I believe this is the perfect time that members and all interested citizens who have stake in tomorrow’s genuine democratic Eritrea should get involved and have their saying in it.  Party format is going to be the life of the future.  We are going to see many emerge soon for competition is part of the game.  I believe those collective ideas that streams from all stake holders will carry us to destination.  You see ideas should be the ones to win not individuals or groups.  Individuals or groups are only to be promoted by the electoral vote.  It is not who comes to power it is rather which ideas come to win.  So mass appeal ideas should eventually triumph.

So, is RC really transforming or is it only doing a cosmetic change?  Changing the name won’t mask the organization.  In fact it will damage it from a public relations perspective.  It will drive away people’s trust.  What should be designed and implemented for real transformation to shine?  Although everyone could come with their own benchmarks, allow me to share with you what I believe should be the core value of the new party:

1-     Genuine Democracy: democracy is not about a crafted election.  Rigged votes don’t represent democracy.  Yes, we witnessed it in Zimbabwe many times and many dictatorship governed states.  Fundamental principles of democracy should be reflected in the daily life of the constituents.  I am talking about individual rights, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to assemble, and freedom to vote.

2-     Representation: how will ethnic groups, different religious entities, youth, and women be represented in the new party?  What is the ratio of representation going to look like?  Each group of the society have stake in rightful Eritrea.  Each one of them wanted to participate and contribute to their vested commonality.  Would they be accommodated rightfully so there will be life lasting social healing? Unless representation is validated by each group success is remote.

3-     Term Limits: Will the culture of the new party going to be western style power transfer or it is going to be the socialistic power grip style?  I believe term limits should be introduced by the new party so that there will not be a place for dictatorship.  

4-     Out of the Box Approach: This is very crucial especially among the ELF culture.  Many leaders in the opposition especially those who were cultured by the ELF still cling in the field time era.  Those thinking and sentiments are probably the root causes of the opposition’s problem today.  Achievements will be gained by the outside-in approach than inside-out approach.  People who have been in the same circles for a long time exhaust their creative thinking as time progresses.  Creativity is not one dimensional it is multi-dimensional.  This is where the new party will be judged of how open it will be for new ideas.  How much will it yield to new comers?  How much will it be receptive to new ideas?  How much will it elevate to the leadership from the young and educated?  Who will shape the future, the young and the new or the old guards?

5-     Conflict Resolution: Historically the Eritrean struggle from the early going adapted the notion of continuity by elimination.  This premise has cemented our conflict resolution approach.  The basic elements of democratic culture; co-existence, acceptance, and respect of groups who own different belief never have a place in our political stage.  What we witness today in our political arena whether it is in the opposition or the PFDJ government is rooted of the irresponsible action of ELF’s to eliminate ELM (Mahber Shewaate) in the early sixties.  Will the new party adapt; co-existence with different political views, respect opponents, and accept the majority’s voice?  Or will they resolute in fist punch approach for any dissent opinion?

6-     Transparency: the myth of hikumet lali (nightly government) is unique memory in Eritrean struggle for independence. It manifests secrecy but it was a winning strategy for that time and purpose.  That was then and now it is different.  It is time to open up the books and communicate directly to the constituents about responsibility and accountability.

7-     Work Culture: productivity is the measurement of a healthy economy and healthy society.  Leaders should roll their sleeves and spearhead a working culture.  Technologies should be utilized for effective and efficient productions.  Leaders need to be growth oriented and well versed on all areas of operations. 

8-     Closure: all the past grudges, fighting, mistrust, blame that we have been building are still open without a closure.  All the past mishaps need to be closed for the opposition to make a progress in terms of unity.  A united and democratic Eritrea won’t be achieved unless there is a closure for past negative experience.  We are still living in the past instead of tackling issues of the present.  We need to move on towards tomorrow and build the bridge that will last for generations.

9-     Quality of Leadership: whatever decision is made in the congress unless there is a competent, visionary, responsible, yielding, contemporary, and flexible leadership true transformation won’t happen.  True leaders are those who accept responsibility when mistakes happen and yield responsibility to the able ones when they are unable. 

Although the task is a giant step, ELF-RC is not immune from the old mentality trap.  New culture always comes with some irritation.  Human nature likes complacency and won’t let go the old habits.  It is not going to be easy transformation of such magnitude to happen overnight.  It will take time and energy to reach to its rightful destiny.  Leadership is at the helm of this transformation drive.  Leadership need to be honest, transparent, full of vision, forward thinking, and flexible.  Whatever decision is made in the party congress if leadership doesn’t drive it to ultimate goal it will relapse. 

In conclusion, I understand the party commission is bearing huge responsibility to make the transformation to have a solid foundation.  I hope they are working with all sections of our society for inputs and full participations.  The owners need to be the stake holders not elements of status quo.  And I also call on all citizens to join the journey in crafting what will be the future of tomorrow’s Eritrea.  Past grudges, personality issues, and minor differences must not limit us from our ultimate belief, a united democratic Eritrea.  Let’s design the dreams we’ve been pursuing our whole life.

LET THE PEOPLE HAVE A VOICE!