The struggle to form EDPAFJF and its aftermath.

Some 120 guests who came from all over the world had gathered to from an important organization. It has been quite a while since there was a credible and strong organization representing the interests of Eritrean plumbers everywhere. Although there was an attempt to form an association of Eritrean plumbers many times, it was not successful for many reasons. That is why many put their faith and trust on this new attempt. Participants of the three day conference came from all walks of life and plumbing activity. Some are seasoned and career plumbers, others are new to the industry, and still some others work only part time as plumbers and part time in other professions.

The meeting was opened by the veteran Eritrean plumber, comrade Negash Sahlu (Wedi Barila). Wedi Barila stressed for forming a viable and formidable plumber’s association that can represent the desire and interests of Eritreans all over the world. Comrade Wedi Barila said, “Before I go on further, there are some elements who are not plumbers and I ask you to leave the room immediately”. The room was quite for some time and the participants urged Wedi Barila to name names and he points finger to two front row seated middle aged attendees. “You Markos and Basilos, you are here to spy for the Welders association, I know it. Do you think I don’t know? I even know what you are going to eat tomorrow! Thanks to sewra, the revolution, I can tell who the enemy is…….” Markos and Basilos strongly refute Comrade Wedi Barilla’s allegation and said they too had worked as plumbers some times. They said that their work as plumbers/welders during the construction of a dam in Korbaria is an evidence for their dedication to the plumbers’ cause. Even though some of the attendants of the conference tried to defend Markos and Basilos, the majority agreed that the two are not plumbers enough to partake in the meeting and urged them to leave the room.

There was one very hot topic that was a cause for disagreement among members. That was, whether to from a foreign relations committee (nay wesai gudayat komite) or not. Advocates for the formation of the committee stated that in this age of globalizations and interdependence, Eritrean plumbers and pipe experts need to contact and learn from plumbers of the world. Those who are against it stated that the Eritrean people defeated all enemies foreign and internal without any help from nobody! So in the same token, Eritrean plumbers will not need the help of no one and will self suffice and prosper by themselves. One of the strongest proponent for this a plumber named Gundi Zeweldi, said “We are Eritreans after all! We didn’t need any help before and why do we need to contact other plumbers of the world now? What do they know these so called advanced plumbers of the world and the west? Who fixed the pipes and the water lines of Akhria and Maytemenay? Who fixed the pipes of Dobozito and Setanta Otto? Is it not me Gundi and company? And remember the CIA always works through foreign plumbers so they might be used as spies against us. So I don’t get it this so called foreign relations blah blah committee” Finally it was decided to form a temporary foreign relations committee to be disbanded in the next meeting.

The other issue or topic was why was Eritrean plumbers association not invited to attend the 23^rd world plumbers workshop and symposium held in Germany and why was the smaller group Eritrean plumbers and pipe fixers union was invited. Many at the conference expressed their deep sadness and anger at this callous and illegal act by WPA (World Plumber’s Association) and called for sanction and all kinds of measure against WPA and the unofficial Eritrean Plumbers Union. The invitation of the Eritrean plumber’s union to attend the workshop in Germany, and the shunning of the much larger association, was seen by the attendees as an act of war and aggression by the west against Eritrean people in general and its heroic plumbers in particular. It was agreed not to greet or attend in any kind of social activity held by those who attend the symposium in Germany. After shouting the slogans,”MOT NKEDAAT( Death to traitors!) and AKHEBA GERMEN DINBRITS AYBLENAN IYU (We don’t give a damn to the German meeting!), the forum moved to another agenda.

The other important and controversial agenda was what to name the new association of Eritrean plumbers and pipe workers. This issue of what to name the new group was so divisive and contentious, that it took almost the whole afternoon just to solve this problem. All kinds of names and designations were suggested by members .Some say, Since Eritrean Plumbers are fighting for their right, the Name Eritrean Plumbers Association for Equal Right and Pay (EPAERP) is a right and fitting name. Others say that since Eritrean plumbers are heroes and patriots by nature the Name Eritrean Patriotic Plumbers Association is a right and fitting name for the new association. But this name is already taken by Eritrean Patriotic Police Association and it was agreed to leave out this name. Another Name recommended was Eritrean indigenous plumbers association (Mahber Deki Hager Serhategnatat Bunba). But this name was rejected outright because it didn’t include those Eritrean plumbers who are in the Diaspora and who constitute the bulk of the organization. Finally it was agreed by unanimous vote to name the new organization as EDPAFJF (Eritrean Democratic Plumber’s Association for Justice and Freedom) and to hold meetings every ten years.

However, the most important program or agenda of the day was to nominate the chairman or president of the new association for the next ten years. The struggle, squabble and to hold on power was so bitter and intense it took the whole day and night of the conference. After lots of wrangling, name calling and all kinds of insult and bitter fight to get the chair of presidency, the final three candidates were selected and the final stage of electing the CEO of the plumber’s association was reached. The three finalists were 1) Comrade Negash Sahlu (Wedi Barila) , 2) Comrade Yoseph Maldini (wedi Maldini) and Comrade Hansu Garza Gual Birchko). The issue of nationality and ethnic identity of Comrade Yoseph Maldini (wedi maldini) came and some were suspicious that Comrade Wedi Maldini is not Eritrean enough. Since the incumbent leader Comrade Wedi Barila badly wants another ten years, he and his supporters bring this issue of identity to the forefront. Wedi Maldini stated and appealed to the conference attendants that even though his father is an Italian, he grew up in Eritrea and never knew his father. Besides he is pure Eritrean by his mother’s side and speak impeccable Tigrigna and speaks very little Italian. He also stressed that he has been in plumbing business for more than twenty years and can lead the new organization to a new level if elected.

The other candidate, Comrade Hansu Garza (Gual Birchko), although she had a masters degree in plumbing and pipe engineering, the fact she never work as a plumber in the ground was her weak point and, Bitsay Barila used this against her and urged the attendee Plumbers to elect a real plumber with manly character (sebaay sebaay zichenu)

Gual Birchko appealed to fellow plumbers to elect her citing her ample education and higher learning as an asset that can make the new organization of Eritrean plumbers as a modern, progressive labor union with all the characteristics of a feasible political party in the future. She also stated that since almost all the members including chairman Comrade ‘Wedi Barila’ are computer and Technology illiterates, she can freely teach members how to use computers in the field of plumbing and pipe installation and to design new website for the new organization.

Comrade Wedi Barila ridiculed the idea of Gual Birchko’s notion to teach computer literacy and design new web site. He said this so called computer wedi computer stuff has nothing to do with the epic and patriotic struggles of Eritrean plumbers for freedom and justice. He mentioned the previous generation of legendary Eritrean plumbers and made an emotional speech. “How can we forget all the gallant plumbers of Eritrea…….? How can we forget wedi ilfu? Wedi mahta? Brhane wedi areza who single-handedly installed pipe in the town of Areza, while fighting the enemy in one hand? How can!?

Do these and other heroes know about computer? Yet they install pipes in the mountains and valleys of Eritrea. How can we forget Tafla wedi Sergenti who refuse to use a saw to cut a pipe and he used his hand and teeth to cut pipes? These are brave plumbers who enable our mother land to be a leading force in the plumbing industry. So comrades, I appeal to your unique Eritrean nationalism and Hagerawnet! And elect me to be your leader for the next ten years. I will continuously fight for the border agreement with “Woyane” to be implemented and pipe installation to begin in Badme immediately. I will also fight for the plumbing manual book to be translated in to Hdareb and Saho languages. I will also promise Prominent Eritrean musicians and singers Like Dawit Shilan, wedi Tqabo and Korchach to entertain us. I will also make sure that every time you pay ten percent to the defense of the mother land, you will get free Tesfay Fihira and Wedi Zagr CD!”

The idea of free CD by wedi Zagr and Fihra and concert by the likes of Korchach and Wedi tquabo greatly appealed to the participants. There was a standing ovation and loud applause after Comrade Wedi Barilla’s Speech. After ten or so minutes of deliberations, Comrade Negash Sahlu (wedi Barila ) was elected unanimously to lead Eritrean Democratic Plumber’s Association For Justice and Freedom EDPAFJF for the next ten years.