A partnership for Democratic Change formed
By Fesseha Nair
It was in 28th of July when I arrived at the site of the conference see crowds of conference participants arriving from all parts of the world, thus Europe, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Sudan, Middle East, Ethiopia and many others. The conference was a miniature of Eritrea. Every participant from political, civic society organizations, women, youth and elders, veteran fighters and all nationalities about 350 attended the conference.
The conference opened on the scheduled time on 31st July 2010 and concluded in 9th August 2010. At the opening session all conference participants were gathered at the Aura/ Hall of the campus. It was a fantastic event that aroused enthusiasm and encouragement. Speeches by preparatory committee and invited guests from Sanna Forum, elders, like Abona Habtemariam and a letter from Abba Teklahaimanot who was the first critic of the dictator was read by Abba Habtemariam.
Speeches by the EDA – Executive chairman and many others were read during the opening session.
On the first day of the conference, the participants discussed on the secretariat of the conference and at last agreed that the secretariat of the conference must be composed of both EDA , civil society and political organizations outside EDA. A Secretariat comprising 17 persons was elected with different functions.
The second day of the conference the elected secretariat has taken the responsibility of running the conference from the preparatory committee and started its work.
The third day of the conference discussed on the paper presented by the EDA leadership.
The fourth Day the Secretariat has divided the attendants in 5 thematic workshops. Four papers on different issues were distributed to each group to discuss on them separately. The first issue to be discussed was national unity. This issue has taken a long time and was deeply discussed because it was the main issue if Eritrean are to live together in peace. All the principles and essential elements of national unity were well clarified and its strategic importance was laid down by all workshop groups.
The second workshop issue for discussion was on the institutions of the process for democratic change in Eritrea. The workshop groups discussed on this issue on its past historical absence in the armed struggle and still with its negative trends appearing in our opposition camp. The culture of violence, the disunity between the political organizations and civic societies as examples were presented and deeply discussed. The main issues of institution building focused on public mobilization, diplomatic relations, Media Development, Economic resources development, human capacity building and good governance, Establishing a strong work relationship between political organizations and civic society in order to win the dictatorship in Eritrea.
The third workshop issue for discussion was on the charter or document draft. This issue was also discussed deeply on all points and stressed on the future structure of State and constitution. The so called decentralization applied by both unitarianists and federalists was discussed. Decentralization itself is not enough but must be constitutional or one must compare between federal constitution and unitary constitution. On this issue, it was discussed also on the wrong doings of the dictator and transitional justice.
The fourth paper was on transitional period from the fall of the dictatorship up to constitutional government. Understanding of this period and its responsibilities were identified and how it can function towards constitutional government elected by the people.
When all the four papers were dealt the workshop groups discussed on their implementation and mainstreaming.
There were many proposals how to implement this in an organized structure. The participants have compared the capacity of the EDA and its organizational structure. Some have proposed that the EDA must change in its structure and include from civil society organizations and independents at least in its legislative organ. Some proposed that the EDA must have an Advisory Council that can be consulted during the making of policies of the EDA and its all other activities.
Some suggested the EDA must remain as it is but start build “partnership” Sharaka “ with the civil society organizations, independents and the other categories like the youth and women who are absent today from the struggle against the dictatorship in Eritrea.
When all the 5 workshop groups completed their thematic issues then followed, a proposal on the structure of implementing these principles in action. The proposal entitled, “Temporary National Commission for Democratic Change” was discussed by 5 workshop groups at last. This organizational structure was discussed mostly in its tasks and organizational composition and its mandate term. The thematic workshops have reached an agreement that a working partnership is a basic necessity to build trust first between political organizations those inside EDA and Outside and later with the civil society before paradigm shift. The choice of this method is the best method that gradually accommodate all of the Eritrean forces aspiring for democracy, peace, rule of law and respect for human rights and freedoms in the future.
This partnership was based on the principles of national unity, institution building, charting and transitional process to democracy.
The conference has laid down foundation or mapped a road guiding us towards democracy.
When the structure was discussed and approved, a commission comprising all political and civic organizations, youth and women associations and veteran fighters associations was formed with 53 persons divided in quotas.
The Commission is formed as follows:
EDA member organizations…………………………… 2*11= 22 mandate
Political organizations outside EDA…………………… 7 mandate
Civic society organizations,
Europe………………………………………………… 4 mandate
USA…………………………………………………… 2 mandate
Canada………………………………………………… 2 mandate
Australia and New Zealand………………………….. 2 mandate
Ethiopia……………………………………………… 2 mandate
Sudan………………………………………………. 2 mandate
Middle East………………………………………… 1 mandate
Women……………………………………………… 4 mandate
Youth……………………………………………… 4 mandate
Veteran fighters………………………………… 1 mandate
Total number of the commission is 53 persons.
The commissions mandate period or term is 1 year.
One of its main task is to organize a “national congress” for democratic change in Eritrea including all forces for democratic change but the commission will divide itself in projects and activities that promote public mobilization, strategy of media development, building good international relations that support democratization in Eritrea and enhancing capacity of its human and capital resources.
All participants agreed with the outcome of the conference and pledged to revitalise the relationships and geared towards trust building by working together in order to win the dictatorship and establish a democratic Eritrea guaranteeing justice and equality to all its citizens without segregation.
Note: More readings on the results of the conference will follow………………………..
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