Solidarity Message to Eritrean Youth Global Conference, Stockholm, Sweden

Solidarity Message to Eritrean Youth Global Conference, Stockholm, Sweden


For Immediate Release

Office of Media &Public Relations

Washington, DC

August 22, 2012


Consolidating and Expanding the Emerging Eritrean Youth Global Conference

One of the most promising developments, in the context of Eritrean political struggle to bring an end to the authoritarian regime and usher in an era of rule of law and justice for Eritrea, has been the emergence of a proactive campaign towards the unification and consolidation of Eritrean youth under a core vision and a unitary organizational structure.

The historic Eritrean Youth Dialogue Forum held in Bishiftu (Debre Zeiit) Ethiopia in July 2012 was a precedent setting watershed event. The most strategic decision made by the Dialogue Forum was the choice of foregoing the umbrella formula and opting for a struggle under one unifying organization. We believe this decisive breakthrough has to be solidly supported and championed, by those who put the fundamental interest of the people of Eritrea ahead of their organizational agenda and interest. The time has come for Eritrean Youth to step up and assume their unavoidable leadership role in the struggle to democratize Eritrea.

EGS ( Eritrean Global Solidarity ) is on the record extending its unconditional recognition and unweaving support to all critical efforts by the Eritrean youth towards unification of purpose and action. Once again we take this opportunity to extend and reinforce our support to the upcoming Eritrean Youth Conference in Stockholm, Sweden from August 24 to 26, 2012. We hope that the participants of this Eritrean Youth Global conference will, after a robust democratic deliberation, will come to the same conclusion like their brothers and sisters who attended the Debre Zeyit forum and fully endorse and accept the fundamental decision of the historic conference.

Eritrea cannot afford a divided and scattered effort by the youth at this critical time in its 21 years of existence. The overriding task is to remove the lawless dictatorial system and turn power to the people without any equivocation or maneuvering. There cannot be any objection or difference on assigning the highest priority to this overriding number one goal. Individual and organizational political agendas and programs have to be relegated to a lower priority. Saving the people, the country and recognizing the absolute sovereignty of the people to detriment the future of Eritrea’s internal and external relations should be the rallying principles that anchor the emerging youth movement.

Stockholm hopefully will echo the consensus reached at Debre Zeyit and open the door wider for other youth organizations to see the wisdom and necessity of joining the unified youth movement at their convenience. We hope the conference also will craft the right message and reach out to the youth members of all Eritrean political organizations for their understanding and help in strengthen the youth movement. Key to the success of the youth is breaking down real and perceived walls, expanding the network world wide and expanding the growing momentum deliberately and thoughtfully.

We take this opportunity to all who worked tirelessly to make the Stockholm Conferences a reality. This is a gift to all of us struggling for justice and freedom in a modest way. The people of Eritrea will rejoice in your unity and purposefulness. Do it for them.


Eritrean Global Solidarity for Justice, Human Rights & Democracy


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