Democracy is a Verb

Moving forward from today all of us attending this historic gathering will remember that we were witnesses to the germination of a democratic idea in the form of an organization called EYGM: Today we celebrate the Birth of a Democratic Idea Called EYGM.

The effort to effectuate an orderly generational transition is taking shape.

We should salute the pioneers who dared to defy all sorts of naysayers and worked diligently to make sure the Liberty Generation crafts its own independent organization.

Through this decisive move the pathfinders not only have affirmed their right to organize but have created a most favorable environment for others to take a calculated risk and articulate their right to organize without seeking permission or approval from any quarter.

This is the act of a free thinking people who have the self-confidence to take initiative and find their True North.

This is an example of taking ownership of one’s legitimate right. This is kind of leadership with a vision- the kind of citizen’s boldness that scares the hell out of the present and potential future tyrants and autocrats. To the control freaks this kind of democratic initiative disrupts their political lordship and machination. To those who truly understand democracy and democratization this meeting is clear evidence that resoundingly proves Eritreans have not been defeated by the betrayal and brutality of the PFDJ.

It is the birth of a powerful idea that we are celebrating today.

Like all birth it represents hope –in this case real hope for a suffering nation. It will demand lots nurturing and protection not only from those of you who have labored so hard to make it happen but by all of us who are participating in various ways to help expedite the democratization of Eritrea. This is a shared duty.

The overall question that I am supposed to address in my brief presentation is: What is the role of the Youth in the struggle to democratize a given country (in this case Eritrea) under a brutal dictatorship?

The role of the youth succinctly put is to be a positive agent of change. Not any change but positive change. To the point: the youth has to be an agent of democratization in the context of a circumstance when a nation is “living” under a brutal dictatorship.

I want from the very beginning to make it clear that I am talking about democratization and not dealing with the narrow but critical issue of simply getting rid of the brutal tyrant de jour.

Let us not confuse the protracted process of democratization with the question of who is holding the lever of power at a given time. I feel we need to have a clarity on the relationship between getting rid of a given dictator and democratization.

Anyone or any group can remove or overthrow a given tyrant. Getting rid of a tyrant does not automatically guarantee the emergence of democracy and peace. There are ample historical evidences to confirm this fact-too many to mention.

Getting rid of a tyrant does not demand a complicated vision-it is an unavoidable dirty task that all citizens have to jointly undertake in their march to build a consolidated democratic society.

Evil must be confronted there is no other option. But we must make sure that we do not replace evil with another evil or semi-evil by excessively and solely focusing simply on the question of getting rid of the present tyrant from power.

We must work hard to make sure that Eritrea has only one clear option left: Constitutional Democracy.

The organizations we are building have to be designed in such a way that they contribute, in a concrete way, to the dismantling of the tyrannical system imposed on our people while at the same time make an all out effort to invest in the future by democratizing their membership rights, organizing methods, deliberation process, relationship with other organizations, their method of mobilization, program and policy formation etc. In other words it is meaningless to call for democracy when you are not practicing it within your very organization.

PFDJ has appropriated the word “democracy” and “justice” while practicing the most draconian anti-democratic action towards its members and the whole nation.

Democracy is a verb. It is an action which can be easy seen if you are practicing it. Tyranny and tyrants need eight hours of mambo jumbo on national TV to cover their treachery and undemocratic character. When correctly practiced democracy does not need a budget for public relation or propaganda.

As a youth, with your best years ahead of you, you must bring the future forward and find all sorts of ways to create that future-your vision of a democratic Eritrea. To do this you must understand the game called politics but not be the hostages of all sorts of coercive and toxic political culture for that will sap all your creative energy and contaminate your generation’s clear vision.

Democratization cannot happen without a vision that transcendences the present generation’s unpleasant reality. Daily obsession with the present crisis cannot be equated with a vision or highly qualified leadership. Make all effort to understand the present national crisis but do not be its full time prisoners. Transcend it in your mind, thought and most of all in your organizational activity and see the future you want happen before it does then you are sure to make a fundamental difference. This is the kind of leadership needed right now.

You are in the business of creating the future from now.

I want to make one critical suggestion and I hope you will take time and think about its significance.

The most important skill you need to accomplish your worthy national vision is first of all to clearly understand the root cause of the Eritrean endemic crisis. The source of can be traced back to a continued failure to correctly utilize either the time tested traditional(cultural) conflict management skills or to our inability to benefit from the most advanced conflict resolution technology available in the global market. We are very poor in the conflict management department.

The problem has never been the fact that we have conflict within our society. It is natural to have all sorts of conflicts in the process of protracted political struggle for National Independence and Democracy. What is dangerous is not having a qualitative way to resolve conflicts in a constructive way.

You will serve you organization better and in the long run the people and state of Eritrea if you from the very beginning come to grip with this national deficit and find ways to address it urgently. The growth and potential influence of EYGM will depend on this critical skill.

Generally speaking most conflict management experts have outlined five options on how to deal with conflicts:

1. Collaboration –A win /win process (both sides win )
2. Compromise- A win some / loss some- (you win some- you loss some)
3. Competition- A win/loss- (you win -the other side loss’)
4. Accommodation-A loss/win (you loss- the other side wins)
5. Avoidance –A lose/loss (nobody wins –conflict simmers unresolved)

From your individual direct experience and our collective national experience which mode of conflict resolution approach do you think has dominated our national politics for the last two generation?

Can you name a situation where internal conflicts were managed in a collaborative (WIN/ WIN) manner?

Do you have any example of a progressive and positive resolution method utilized by the present ruling party hierarchy?

The answer is obvious. The true answer should be no but for the sake of avoiding total negativity let us settle at very rarely have we seen a win /win approach utilized.

We are where we are in our national politics because in almost all critical conflicts the most backward approach was used to advance temporary political victory at the cost of strategically complicating and ingraining societal and political issues, challenges and conflicts. Victory through expediency has become a means of handling conflicts in our political process.

One can advance his brand of politics at the cost of the people and the country by following the win / loss approach but he will not be advancing true democracy and lasting peace. The present regime is the best example of I win and you all loss example. You do not want to be associated with this kind of sick and antiquated approach. The nation cannot afford to drag another generation through the same destructive process. It is high time for transformative thinking: Deep thinking which can motivate an entire generation to take the path least travelled.

All activists who are doing their best to resolve the tragic national crisis need to honestly look into their conflict resolution skill inventory and find ways to upgrade and transform their ways of dealing with conflicts.

You can be the teachers this time. Practice democracy if you want democratic Eritrea. In the final analysis democracy is a verb- a living verb- to breathe this extraordinary verb has to be practiced daily and tirelessly. This verb does not mind being overworked and expanded to encompass all sectors of society. It dies when it is used as a decoration within a set of political programs and declaration.

Your struggle is about lofty ideas that would transform the whole society. Please make sure you protect your right to think for yourself with all your energy. The best individual gift you can give to Eritrea is to be enlightened independent thinkers.

Hopefully as you move forward you will devote time and energy to build your organizational value around the most progressive and advanced conflict management science. By doing so you will advance the struggle for democracy by thousand percent by doing so.

Again let me congratulate you again on the birth of EYGM.

Declaimer: the opinion presented in this speech reflects my own view and perspective only. The abbreviated was delivered at the founding conference of EYGM.