US Relations With Eritrea Will Improve if it Ends its Misguided Policies in the Region

Mural in Asmara of a camel (representing Eritrea) breaking down a wall depicting 60 years of injustice towards the country - Credit:  DJ Adulis 'Chedo' Mokanan

US Relations With Eritrea Will Improve if it Ends its Misguided Policies in the Region

By Bruh Metsae,

As Dr. Awet T. Weldemichael clearly pointed out in his piece, the re-establishment of US-Eritrea relationship — something that can benefit all parties involved — lies solely on the former's admission of its misguided policy vis-a-vis the latter and its willingness to rectify it and move on. It also must be clearly understood that the historical US-Ethiopia relations that exists is not and has never been a subject of concern so long as it does not infringe on Eritrea's sovereignty and its internal affairs.

In contrast to what has been implied by Ambs. Herman Cohen, David Shin and Princeton Lyman on their articles pertaining the subject, at no time since independence has Eritrea chosen to be in a position it's in —"isolated", "out from a cold" as they like to describe it. As secret documents leaked via Wikileaks show, Eritrea's tireless efforts to normalize relations with the west, and particularly with the United States were met with deafening ears by both Bush and Obama Administrations.

The "crime" which is the basis for all the hostilities and conspiracies against the state and the people of Eritrea is of told:

1. Its persistent call for the implementation of the EEBC ruling and Ethiopia's withdrawal from its territories did not settle well within certain personalities sitting in UN security council bench, who had a different agenda.


2. As if that was not enough and to add insult to an injury, the Somalia conflict that erupted into a full fledged war in 2006 complicated things and destabilized the region further. Again, Eritrea's political stand in Somalia which basically calls for all Somalis to find lasting solution to the conflict with out foreign intervention was unpalatable for the same powers and, ironically was equated to "supporting terrorism" which subsequently led to sanction.

Lastly, irrespective of one's political affiliation what's important for us—Eritreans—at this juncture is to seek all means at our disposal in dispelling all the myths that have been spread in an attempt to portray Eritrea's image negatively, in clear contradiction to what’s on the ground. Any effort put by any citizen in reshaping world’s misperception about Eritrea should be welcomed and encouraged. Given the historical and irrational antagonism Eritrea is up against, it’s our collective voice for world justice and respect for the rule of law that can bear fruit. It’s thus of paramount importance that we support each other and show tolerance to one another as we go through such turbulent times of our history.

Eritrea Will Prevail!

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