A Once Promising but Now Wounded Nation: a Review of Dr. Bereket Habte Selassie's Book on Eritrea

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A Once Promising but Now Wounded Nation: A Review of Dr. Bereket Habte Selassie's Book on Eritrea

Asayehgn Desta School of Business and Leadership, Dominican University of California, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Desta, Asayehgn, "A Once Promising but Now Wounded Nation: A Review of Dr. Bereket Habte Selassie's Book on Eritrea" (2011). Collected Faculty and Staff Scholarship. 17. https://scholar.dominican.edu/all-faculty/17

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A ONCE PROMISING BUT NOW WOUNDED NATION: A REVIEW OF DR. BEREKET HABTE SELASSIE’S BOOK ON ERITREA Desta, Asayehgn, Sarlo Distinguished Professor of Sustainable Economic Development, Dominican University of California

It was so vulgar that even those of us who are opposed to his (Isaias Afewerki’s) dictatorial rule are ashamed of him because he is Eritrean (Bereket Habte Selassie, 2010, p. 60).

Upon the pretext that Eritrea is the creation crisis and surviving on an artificial life of European colonial history and ultimately support system. In current Eritrea, things are received the blessing of the Ethiopian worse than before and its people have lost Peoples Democratic Front (EPRDF), which their fortitude and are not hoping any longer. believed in the principle of the right of They are rather yearning to skip out of the colonized peoples to self-determination country more then they wish to see the (Bereket 2011, p. 37), Eritrea obtained its promise coming true (Anonymous, independence from Ethiopia on May 27, September 15, 2008). 1993. However, some time before Eritrea achieved its official independence, a number On the other hand, Bereket Habte Selassie of Eritrean supporters were spreading the (hereafter referred to as Bereket), author of news that after the post-liberation period, the “Wounded Nation: How a Once Promising Eritrean economy would not only be self- Eritrea was Betrayed and Its Future sufficient but Eritrea would become, Compromised,” is currently the Wiliam E. economically, the Singapore of Africa. As Leuchtenburg Distinguished Professor of narrated by an anonymous writer, the African Studies and Professor of Law at the group’s talking heads went door to door University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. with their fictitious stories and “…told Bereket was Ethiopia’s former Attorney Eritreans about the legend of the phoenix General, and a prominent member of the mystical bird that was made of ashes and Dergue’s Enquiry Commission. Recently, promised them that they will produce gold Bereket has been the Chairman of the out of wood. Some walked around with Eritrean Constitutional Commission. In the virtual pictures of the future of Eritrea “Wounded Nation…,” Bereket argues that showing skyscrapers and villas and had in its post-independence Eritrea could have swindled the people” (sic) (September 15, been a “promising nation” had it not 2008). Based on its current political space, deteriorated into a state of paralysis because assessing the Eritrean’s standard of living, of the anti-democratic, one- party regime led and estimating the dependency of Eritrea on by Eritrea’s President Isaias Afewerki the amount of remittances it gets from the (hereafter referred to as Isaias) and a few Eritrean Diaspora, others would like to determined power-hungry men (2011, p. 3). depict post-independence Eritrea in a severe

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The purpose of this article is to: 1) review Mekele, where he was taken by the Eritrean the validity of Bereket’s book and explore Liberation Front (ELF) to join the Eritrean the fundamental basis upon on which the freedom fighters. Once he joined the ELF writer, who was not only a member of the fighters Bereket took the initiative to Eritrean Relief Agency but also an ardent become a member of Eritrean Relief supporter of Eritrea’s fight for self- Association (ERA). determination, arrived at the conclusion that Eritrea is now a wounded nation; 2) learn Later Berkete decided to be a neutral from Bereket’s conceptual framework, data mediator (though since lawyers like to play collection, and analysis how the author of with words, he calls it “conciliation efforts”) the “Wounded Nation…” arrived at the to mediate between the two rival factions of conclusion that Eritrea could have been a the liberation force, the Eritrean Liberation promising nation had it not been betrayed by Front (ELF) and the Eritrean Peoples President Isaias and a few of his Liberation Front (EPLF). He was collaborators. The book is a combination of determined to assist them to overcome their anecdotal personal memories and a mutual distrust and arrive at a beneficial continuation of his first volume, “The resolution to two years of fighting among Crown and the Pen (2007),” including an themselves. Though unethical, after the analysis of “How did we Eritreans get into mediation was aborted, Bereket then decided the present mess?” (2011, p. x). The review to join the EPLF group because the “… of this book is mainly based on the chapters EPLF seemed a better-organized and better- that deal with an analysis of the country’s led group to liberate the Eritrean people” past, its current geo-political space, and the (2011, p. 23 and 2011, p.12). In retrospect, soundness of the author’s projections for though Bereket did not fully elaborate, he Eritrea’s future. admits that it “proved to be a momentous decision with serious consequences for my In the chapter “Introduction: From the Past life and my career” (p. 12). Back to the Future,” Bereket’s memories trace briefly how he was saved from the Also, in his book the “Wounded Nation…” “perilous situation in Ethiopia in 1974 (p. Bereket admits his regrets, openly telling his 12) and was taken from Addis Ababa to readers that he feels a sense of guilt for his Mekele by the ever-generous former “self-imposed censorship,” and why he at classmate of mine, Desta Wolde Kidan times failed to expose some of the hideous (2010, p. xii).” Before Bereket left the physical abuses that were committed against country, he was hunted to be arrested or shot some fighters by the EPLF cadres (2011, P. or slaughtered by Ethiopia’s Military Junta 12). But Bereket also blames the freedom led by Mengistu. This was the fate of his fighters for trusting too much in the personal friend, the late General Michael leadership of EPLF because the fighters Aman Andom, then Ethiopia’s Head of were “consumed by a burning desire for State. Miraculously, Bereket arrived in freedom and absorbed in efforts to realize

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the fruits of the struggle” (2011, p. 3). p. 16). However, even if politically However, the question to raise at this unacceptable, Bereket seems not to tell his juncture is, if Bereket is an advocate for readers that the Eritrean electorate at that human rights, why did he fail to utter a word particular time were heavily pressured and in his book about the innocent Ethiopians coerced to choose independence, or live in residing in Eritrea when their properties slavery or serfdom under Ethiopian rule. were confiscated, when they were abducted Given that the Eritrean people were and suffered considerable and flagrant wounded by Haile Selassie’s regime and atrocities in numerous concentration camps, plundered by Mengistu’s military junta in and were inhumanely thrown into the Ethiopia, living under desperate conditions scorching deserts of Eritrea to vanish when the Eritrean people would not have chosen they were half alive? anything short of independence. Nevertheless, it would have been more In the chapter, “Post liberation Musings,” honest had Bereket mentioned in his book Bereket boldly reveals to his readers that that the electorate was never given the while being a high government official in chance to entertain the three choices as Ethiopia until late December 1974, he had stated in United Nations book, that is: “Eritrean leanings” which “eventually independence, regional autonomy within culminated” in his becoming a freedom Ethiopia, or in federation with Ethiopia. In fighter (2011, p. 21). In addition, Bereket addition, it was inappropriate for Bereket to states that under President Isaias, he say “may God cure you” to an ELF attended the July 1991 Conference in Addis supporter when the objectors said to Bereket Ababa as a member of the Eritrean observer that “he was not ready to accept delegation. Though some would like to independence secured by Isaias Afewerkii” describe Bereket’s activities to be nothing (2011, p. 232). Personally, I think that the more than window dressing, personally, I ELF supporter then was better informed and would like to give credit to Bereket because that seems to bother Bereket now. in 1993 he convened a conference in Addis Ababa, titled “From Conflict to Concord: In Chapter 4, titled “Immaculate Deception: Regional Cooperation in the Horn of The Original Sin of Eritrea Politics,” Africa,” reasoning that sovereign equality Bereket illustrates the difference between could gradually lead to regional integration what Isaias Afeworki promised during the (2011, p. 32-34). pre-independence period and the realities of Eritrea’s environment during the post- In chapter 3, “The Gold and the Base Metal: independence period. During pre- Leadership and the Fate of a Nation,” independence, Bereket states that the Bereket chronicles in his book that in 1993 Eritrean masses were promised that “…their “the Eritrean people were asked to decide lives would be better off after they shake off the future of their nation in an the shackles of oppression of the dominant internationally supervised plebiscite” (2011, classes, be they feudal lords or exploiting

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merchant classes. Many in my generation, have confidence in the Eritrean ruling Party, myself included, fell under the spell of PFDJ. Marxism because of this appeal” (2010, p. 45). However, immediately after In his chapter “Immaculate Deception: The independence, Bereket states that though the Original Sin of Eritrea Politics,” Bereket EPLF Government promised to pursue a considers the dynamics of power developed market-based economy and even professed and sustained by the architects of the EPLF, to harness the disciplined and hardworking and the crimes committed against well Eritrean people to pursue a Singapore-style known freedom fighters during the period of developmental model, the promises never armed struggle. Bereket states that deception materialized because Eritrea’s scarce and an aura of mystery have been the resources were wasted on non-profitable defining characteristics of the EPLF policies and programs, including the never- guerrilla leaders in the Sahel wilderness. ending “national service” that pinned They mastered such deceptions from the hundreds of thousands of youths in the wilds ELF from whom they broke away in 1969- of Sawa. Some of those who thought they 1970 (2011, p. 59). In addition, Bereket were buried under Isaias’ empty promises, recounts that Isaias had formed a well- managed to escape to Ethiopia, Sudan, and trusted “secret party” placed above the other neighboring countries. In addition, echelon of the PFDJ central committee. Bereket asserts that the People’s Front for Based on psychological analysis or what he Democracy and Justice established in calls “sociopathic” block, Bereket February 1994 (EPDJ) as the Eritrean ruling concludes that the power of Isaias political movement has an anti-intellectual originates out of the barrel of a gun because bias and shows a determination to as he puts it “all dictators are chips from the discourage educational attainment and same block“ (2010, p. 73). entrepreneurial initiatives (2010, p. 53). In his Chapter, “Concord and Discord: The To support his argument, Bereket maintains Tangled Web of the EPLF-TPLF that while Ethiopia’s GDP grew at about 10 Relationship,” Bereket’s book describes the percent per year for the last five years, relationship between EPLF and the Tigrai Eritrea’s GDP growth rate was below 2 Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) as a percent and he projects Eritrea’s growth rate tangled web, characterized by concord and in the future will be rather bleak. As a result, discord. To illustrate this type of Bereket contends that “A proud and relationship, he quotes Lord Palmerston who hardworking people have become dependent said that in international relations, nations on the generosity of external donors for their don’t have permanent friends and permanent survival in items as basic as food” (2010, pp. enemies only permanent interests (Lord 54-55). Therefore, though they are reluctant Palmerstone as quoted by Berkete (2011, p. to show it, the Eritrean people no longer 75). For the conflict between PFDJ and the Ethiopian Government, Bereket hopes that

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“…time will heal the mutually inflicted excuses not to implement the ratified wounds…” though he shows that there are constitution. differences in the styles of leadership of the two sides. While Prime minister Meles In Chapter 7, Bereket expresses his Zenawi (here after referred to Meles) objections to both the border issue between consults with his parliament and Cabinet of Ethiopia and Eritrea and the proxy wars the Ministers, President Isaias has no time for two governments accuse each other of such formalities (2011, p. 92, p.158). pursuing (2011, 16). Finally, he concludes by asking if there could be a common Chapter 6 of Bereket’s book entitled “The ground for finding a lasting solution to the Constitution and the Broken Promise,” is the problems associated with national borders core chapter of Bereket’s memoir. (2011, p. 150). Chapter 8 of Bereket’s book According to Bereket the Constitutional refers to the Badame war waged from 1998- Commission of Eritrea selected by the PFDJ 2000 and his concerns about the protracted Party, organized a wide-ranging public negotiations between the Ethiopian and debate, solicited expert opinion domestically Eritrean government in Algiers and The and internationally, and placed an usually Hague. heavy emphasis on direct and active involvement of people outside government In Chapter 9, entitled “Neighbors that Share during the drafting phase (2011, p. 110). Fire: Border Disputes and Proxy Wars” What is remarkable is that the ratified Bereket forcefully argues that “…there will constitution was heavily based on village be no border demarcation as long as Isaias is democracy, “where village communities in power. On the other hand, if Meles is also governed themselves democratically through wedded to the same strategy with the belief periodically elected village assemblies,” that it will eventually lead to the fall of (2011, p. 111). Though the draft Isaias, this too will ensure a continued constitution was reviewed by a large portion tension with the consequent problems for the of the public, Bereket describes some of the Eritrean people” (2011, p. 182). The delicate challenges the task force faced in question that needs to be asked of Bereket preparing the constitution. For example, is, what role will his Party, the Eritrean some of the outside-based political parties Democratic Party play to liberate Eritrea openly criticized the way the drafted from Isaias’ atrocities? In addition, is it constitution was made under the aegis of the because Bereket has a desire to attack Isaias’ Isaias government and deliberately made government from Ethiopia that he uses captive to the will of the PFDJ, excluding various sweet adjectives to describe Prime other political and social forces (2011, p. Minister Meles? Or is Bereket 126). In the final analysis, though the paving the way for other Democratic constitution was ratified in 1997, President opposition movements to use Ethiopia in Isaias used the Badame war and other order to disrupt Isaias’ government?

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Chapter 10 discusses the Berlin Manifesto. Bereket in favor of autonomy for the The G-13 (thirteen well-versed individuals, lowlanders in Eritrea? . composed of academicians and professional people) and the G-15 (high ranking In the concluding chapter, though Bereket is members of the government and PFDJ party primarily concerned with Eritrea and members ) who not only challenged Eritreans, he ponders that in the era of President Isaias’ government, but a majority globalization “it is also necessary to think in believed that not implementing the regional terms going beyond national constitution could be a potent force to boundaries” (2011, p. 279). Diametrically mobilize the opposition. Bereket considers opposed to the thesis which he delivered at the events surrounding the action taken by Stanford University in the early 1980 that the people, who have become known as the secessions are a prerequisite for Pan- G-13 and G-15, as a squandered opportunity Africanism, I was very glad to read in for the salvation of post-independence chapter 14 of his book that Bereket now is Eritrea. In chapter 11, Bereket tells us that advocating that “the need, in Africa in he has launched what he called the Eritrean particular, to think beyond national borders, Democratic Party to voice his opinion and most of which are artificial creations of denounce the Isaias government (2011, p. former colonial rulers, is a prerequisite for 131). Given this, is Bereket’s party well peace and stability as well as for sustainable organized at its base? As a well-versed development. In the final analysis, a politician Bereket seems to be aware that mutually advantageous regime of consciously or subconsciously, a large cooperation would be irresistible to all number in the Eritrean Diaspora support the neighboring nations” (2011, p. 279). In PFDJ regime because of material interest, as particular regarding the relations between downright opportunists, “based on psychic Ethiopia and Eritrea, as a mature and elderly need to be associated with the center of intellectual, Bereket suggests “…both power” (2011, p. 222). countries bear an awesome responsibility to reexamine what went wrong and make Chapter 12 of Bereket’s book deals with serious efforts to encourage a policy of historical and socio-cultural perspectives reconciliation and cooperation” (2011, p. and the issues of state and religion in 282). For Eritreans, Bereket’s insightful Eritrea. The Eritrean Government has been advice is that Eritrea has suffered too much blaming Ethiopia for allowing the self- from putting its trust in Isaias. As a result determination of nations, nationalities and most Eritreans have no confidence with peoples of Ethiopia. In chapter 13, Bereket, PFDJ rule. Therefore, the only way to solve rightfully argues that the PFDJ government this dilemma and bring justice to Eritrea is plan of resettling highland Eritreans in the through a cooperative struggle to bring lowland areas of Barka might cause a “turf about transparent democracy in order to war,” then, what is not clear to me is: is usher in accountability, the rule of law, and regional economic integration

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Eritrea is now indeed a “Wounded In order to understand Bereket’s book titled Nation…” In short, his analysis is “Wounded Nation…,” the reader needs to convincing that the already wounded Eritrea have read Bereket’s first volume of before independence is now in a state of memoirs, “The Crown and the Pen (2007).” paralysis. The chapters of the book are Taken as a whole, Bereket’s second volume presented in chronological order. His is very provocative and has many good exposition presents the Ethio-Eritrean border ideas, including a thorough analysis of conflict in an impartial way. However, he current Eritrea’s political arena. In simple seems to be too obsessed about the terms, Bereket puts forth a solid argument constitution which he authored. It gives a that, as presently constituted, the Isaias picture to the readers that Bereket would government is autocratic and based on have been satisfied and grumbled less if deception. The day to day activities of Isaias like any other dictator would have Eritrea are managed by a few freedom used the constitution to serve his own fighters, loyal to Isaias. However, it needs interest. I hope I am wrong. Bereket in all to be pointed out that Bereket’s concept of honesty would not say that the Eritrean autocracy is more in keeping with Western masses had not capitulated when the legal theories and his analysis is based on constitution was drafted and ratified. psychological analysis rather than on class analysis. This is because the previous As a reader of his book, I was interested to freedom fighters in Eritrea knowingly or find out on what basis Bereket was arguing unknowingly see themselves as a group who that Eritrea could have been a promising labored and fought for more than thirty nation? I am sorry to say that the second years and would like to treat the non-fighter portion of the book that the now wounded Eritreans as second class citizens. Initially, Eritrea could have been a “promising those Eritreans who sympathized with and Nation” was not adequately covered. It gives supported the EPLF during the struggle the impression that Bereket has subtitled his period were embraced so that they could book by using “promising nation” for deliver monetary gifts and their intellectual marketing purposes. I feel that the second talents. However, by now the previous EPLF part of the book, could have been adequately fighters feel that they have acquired the done if Bereket attempted to show in necessary skills to run the country and they addition to adhering to democratic principles need the Eritreans in the Diaspora only for (assuming like Sen that democracy can play their two percent annual income an instrumental role in giving people a voice contribution and other monetary and constructive role in shaping values and contributions frequently delivered to rulers norms) and following the rules of law, of the country. Eritrea could have achieved economic growth, if Eritrea was willing to cooperate I feel that Bereket fully supports and and live at peace with its neighbors. For documents the first thesis of his book that instance, to effectively utilize its ports and

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excavate its mineral resources by taking into consideration environmental factors, Bereket should have established that Eritrea needs to be politically stable. Now, as shown in Bereket’s first portion of his book, political stability is non-existent in Eritrea. Also, what has become very dazzling to me is, given the fact that Bereket is well-versed and has been seen as role model by a number of Eritreans, how is it that his educational background and well-versed experience failed to determine in advance what he saying now, that President Isaias is an autocrat. His rule is based on immaculate deception and is full of unmitigated disasters. Finally, for objective analysis, I would have liked to see on the cover of Bereket’s book that other Eritrean and Ethiopians scholars had been included in the review of this book.

References Anonymous, “Eritrean Leaders are Running Out of Options.” Nazret.Com 09/15/2008. Berkete Habte Selassie (2010). Wounded Nation: How a Once Promising Eritrea was Betrayed and its Future Compromised: Volume II of the Crown and the Pen. Trenton, NJ: The Red Sea Press. Sen, Amartya (1999). Development as Freedom. London: Oxford University Press, 1999.

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