It is a great pleasure for me to forward this short message of solidarity on behalf of all my colleagues in Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights (EMDHR).

A few days ago, we learned with delight about the conduct of the historic festival organized by our fellow citizens in the Eritrean Democratic Association (EDA).

What particularly inspired us most about this festival is its primary aim that calls upon each of us to take a higher responsibility and ‘focus on our national issues that unite us and not on those which divide us’.

There is an old saying “unity is strength”.

We can not simply overlook the many courageous attempts that have been made to secure unity among each of us. Never the less, it still remains an uphill battle for us all to achieve unity at a time when we need it most – at a time when our dignity and liberty are severely threatened. We are confident, though, that this festival will mark a significant milestone along the path that takes us to that very end – a united Eri. Citizens. 

We are of the opinion that one of the major factors that inhibit us to achieve unity is the saying that goes like “We Eritreans have already agreed not to agree” – which we believe this festival and many other courageous initiatives so far taken by our fellow citizens have been proving it wrong from time to time. 

Yet this phrase still exists to a lesser degree and somehow continues to weaken our inherent desire to act collectively to achieve a common goal – to achieve justice, liberty and freedom. 

We always believe that we can successfully defeat this misperception by incessantly putting extra energy in coming together on a common plat forum - like this great festival - and constructively engaging ourselves on discussions that focus on our national issues that keep us united. 

Because, it is only then we will be able to prove wrong to those who work to promote disunity and opportunism among ourselves and to those who sadly continue to work hard for our misery. Also, it is only then we will be able to, once again, prove to the world that we are more enlightened and civilized society. 

Finally, I, on behalf of my colleagues in the EMDHR, would like to congratulate the organizers of the festival for providing us this brilliant plat forum and I am confident it will always be remembered as a success story.

Yours in struggle,
 

Tedros R. Habtemariam

22 June 2007