A Devil at Home Can't Be an Angel Outside

Though finally it took on undesirable turn due to the whims of the leadership, the protracted battle of the Eritrean people was intended to institute democracy and peace in Eritrea in order to do away with poverty and backwardness that prevailed in Eritrea for decades. Many scholars who renounced their studies for the sake of joining the struggle had traveled a long way to reach the Sahel Mountains with a vision that Eritrea may one day join those nations, which registered remarkable economic growth through endeavours exerted by their people. Farmers, city residents etc. had blessed their children to join the armed struggle and no one was repentant for doing so, because the highly cherished vision of those professors, doctors, high school students and peasants, who after joining the Eritrean struggle have turned into gallant fighters, was to see giant factories, commercial farms, health and academic institutions flourish in Eritrea. Unfortunately, presently, contrary to the aspirations of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, a hard to believe events are prevailing all over Eritrea.

Those youngsters who longed for bright future are suffering under the brunt of the militant nature of the regime. Surprisingly, the sector enjoying the highest priority in Eritrea today is construction of military camps, forcing all young and middle aged residents to undergo military training against their will. Figures released by different sources indicate that Eritrea is one of the nations, which has the largest army for its size.

Ironically enough, while the world is watching the Eritrean people languishing in prisons and suffering under the grip of abject poverty, and many as a result, joined the exodus to neighboring countries and even beyond in search of better opportunities, the regime oblivious to the plight of the populace, is busy trying to portray itself as a mediator and peace broker in the affairs of neighboring countries.

Despite the regime's hypocrisy of being popular among the people, no one could miss that a regime, which doesn't recognize basic rights of its citizens, or even doesn't have the slightest intention to establish democratic institutions or couldn't supply basic needs, at least edible oil and sugar can't count on the support of its people.

Moreover, due to the regime's innate nature, it can't operate in a tranquil atmosphere. In this connection, the last few years have depicted this reality when the regime supplied weapons ranging from firearms, ammunitions to artilleries to groups who called themselves liberation movements in Ethiopia and the Sudan. The paradox lies in how a government can assist to liberate others while its people are languishing under the yoke of repression.

In addition, the regime has dismayed the international community, which is currently busy in fighting terrorism from Afghanistan through the major cities of Europe and the United States up to Africa, by sending top brass of the Eritrean army to fight alongside international terrorists. While doing this, Shaebia wants to be smart and a wolf in a sheepskin by shuttling from Khartoum to Tripoli.

As an African nation and member of the continental umbrella - African Union, Eritrea is expected to contribute its share for the realization of the continent's vision. However, the fact on the ground shows that the Eritrean government is busy in training terrorists and smuggling devastating ammunitions to neighboring countries.

The report submitted by the UN Security Council Monitoring Group on Somalia explicitly portrayed the countless flights of air cargos loaded with artilleries from different places inside Eritrea to the Somali capital Mogadishu. In addition to supplying arms to the terrorists inside Somalia, a large contingent of the ICU fighters have been airlifted from Somalia to military training camps inside Eritrea.

All these illicit activities, which are inconsistent with international norms, have been the cause for the alienation of the Eritrean government from the regional and international fora.

The most appalling and notorious nature of Shaebias' regime has been manifested by the subsequent aggressions waged against its neighbors. While there are numerous undone homeworks inside Eritrea, Shaebia is busy in destabilizing its neighbors. In this connection, the recent revelation by the National Intelligence and Security Services and Anti Terror Task Force of the Federal Police of Ethiopia proved beyond any doubt what Shaebia is and what it stands for.

The horrifying ETV footages depicting amputated limbs and dead bodies surrounded by a pool of blood graphically show the devastation caused by the explosives planted by the mercenaries recruited and financed by the Eritrean government.

The regime in Eritrea, had it not been foiled by Ethiopian Security Forces, contrived with its lackeys to disrupt the 8th AU Summit in Addis Ababa and cause harm to Ethiopia's reputation by masterminding an outrageous crime targetting participants from member countries and beyond.

The diabolical regime which masterminded, financed and executed such a heinous crime against civilians in a neighboring country, can not claim to be an angel which strives to bring peace and stability to its neighbors while the terrible incidents are still fresh in the minds of the bereaved.