Eritrean Opposition on a New Political Offensive

A crucial Eritrean opposition conference is underway in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

High in the agenda of the gathering of the Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA) are the establishment of an interim administrative council and the fashioning of a plan to facilitate the utmost participation of the Eritrean media and the civic society.

EDA's main objective is to stamp out the despotic and arbitrary government in Eritrea and to put a just and forward-looking system in its place.

The EDA gathering follows intensive diplomatic activities in the US and Ethiopia.

On January 14, 2008, the US Administration sent a clear signal of solidarity with the Eritrean democratic leaders by hosting a meeting at the State Department for one of the leading members of the EDA coalition.

Dr. Jandayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary in Charge of African Affairs on Monday held a lengthy meeting with Mr. Mesfin Hagos, EDA senior member and former Eritrean Defense Minister. Items discussed included the deteriorating economic and social crisis sweeping over that African country. Also discussed were the government´s relentless disregard for the rule of law and its gross violations of human rights and civil liberties.

The Eritrean delegation also held talks with Mr. Jeff Krilla, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Democracy and Human Rights and the Office of International Religious Freedom.

On the eve of the opening of the conference in Addis Ababa on January 15, EDA leaders also met with Ethiopian Foreign Minster, Mr. Seyoum Mesfin who is said to have expressed his hope and desire for a strong, united EDA.

A strong US backed democratic EDA which continues to enjoy increasing popular support, is surely bound to make the Eritrean Government very nervous. The Ethiopian connection in this political equation is even more unnerving for the Asmara administration given the bitter animosity between the two governments.

A new administration in Asmara is definitely a very attractive concept in the eyes of the US and most of the Horn of Africa because of Eritrea´s inept and hostile foreign policy.

The biggest beneficiaries will, doubtless, be the Eritrean people who in the words of a US diplomat are yet to "enjoy the rewards of their heroic struggle for independence." Whether the Eritrean opposition is ready to seize the opportunity and deliver the ´goods´ as swiftly as possible is yet to be seen.

Sources: Reuter, Eritrean Media