Wide of the mark II

By Ws Hag

Odds of avoiding the situation

While there are many factors, both internal and external, that can explain as the cause; it was years of bad governance, dishonesty and the denial of basic human rights that created the deplorable conditions. Instead of implementing positive and progressive policies, the ills and self-serving machinations were carried on for extended time. Lack of institutional bodies exposed the vast majority of the people into a state deprivation. In our days, not only government accountability is fictional, more to that political dissent and expressions are still non-existent. In general terms, democracy and the rule of law are completely out of question and dead alive.

Naturally, the current predicament could have been evaded through different approaches. However, I consider the following rationales as foremost in achieving the dream of the people at large to grow and prosper. Well-timed unconditional discussion and debate on different issues among senior officials is one of the crucial points. Such dialogue can convincingly create a healthy and viable political atmosphere among those formally power is entrusted. Once you choose to accept responsibility, it is indispensable to understand that the power of persuasiveness has more weight and supremacy over the emotional opinions. This, however, was not the case when it comes to the reality of the land and its higher officials. The consequence, thus, is the loss of varied prospects in handling cases on time. This unpopularity of identified and timely dialogues has left a deep scar of concern and hopelessness in the people.

The extensive participation of concerned authorities and the people is another central point. The ultimate beneficiaries of any improvement in a country are its citizens. It is only via good involvement and pay-attention that one can realize the desires. Such participation facilitates the government to point out what is needed and to make research in order to lay out major principles and policies that could elevate the desire of the people. One has to keep in mind that governments are meant to respect the will of the people not vice-versa. The breakdown of such partaking, however, gave the government an upper hand to become a free rider. This in turn has brought about catastrophic measures as a result of the implementation of erroneous principles based on assumptions and passions rather than on vast study, knowledge and understanding.

Making analysis on decisions is an additional important attribute, which facilitates in staying away from snags. Failure to notice the right and wrong resolutions can be a means to craft analogous mistakes time and again. Once a fault is pointed or found, acknowledgment is the initial step that leads to the occupation in finding a solution. If not, the recurrence of another related mistake is in place. In other words it is a kind of becoming an accepted practice to make a mistake and go on with it without any responsibility. This could also lead to the cunning act of deliberate mistake. Today, indeed one can utter that the mistakes look as if intentionally done as no one from the inside is taking an initiative to convert the wrongs to right in due time. The consequence as such is am immature political brawl among those officials who were supposed to solve problems rather than create them without merit and to no ones gain. In general, it would have been very wise and constructive formulating the scrutiny in due time.
Other additional and not less important points are also worth mentioning. Well recognized and healthy negotiation with neighboring political figures. This lends a hand not only in a matter of relationship but also in stability, trade flow, and so forth. Cooperation with various organizations is another factor that can be helpful in acquiring different material and professional aid. To cut a long story short, compromise in the interest of the people, drawing flexible and feasible policy, and building better global relations can be pointed out as means of averting the current situation and by that promoting a firm and credible standing in a diplomatic arena.

Nevertheless, most of the above tips were not sincerely taken into account, not hitherto and may be not in the whole life of the current government’s continuation. The corollary, thus, is profound.


Lessons learned by the leadership

Sorry to say it but none at all. There might be instances that the leadership uttered on some lessons gained on the process only by word of mouth. Yet on the practical arena a matching maneuvers is taking place. One can name a lot of reasons as to why the leadership failed or did not meet the people’s expectation. Egotism, military accepted wisdom, trepidation to change, corruption, lack of any solemn objection by the people are a number of the major factors or realities in which the government is still bonding with. This wrongly implanted bond became an addiction to all those who are in love with “power” instead of “principles and rule of law.”

This particular period reflects an extraordinary failure of leadership on the part of many of those involved in the government, public life and civil society within the country. The one time professed very enlightened and visionary leadership emerged to steer the country away from the glide into chaos, war and devastated life of despair. Legal, political, administrative or any other important reforms and measures are completely over and done. Specifically the repetition of mistakes committed, violations or abuses upon citizens’ rights, and old-fashioned governance need to be identified, foiled and curtailed. These adjustments in turn could facilitate the values of human dignity, tolerance, and respect for the rights of all persons. In particular, it will help to create an open and vibrant democracy in which all are treated equal before the law of the country.

For this, the leadership is facing new challenges played out on the global rather than local stage. It is unclear, however, whether the traits that explain alleged success at home will help us to realize the future in fulfilling the country’s enduring dream of joining the global politics. It is evident that success at home is the basis and step to the global challenges. Yet, is there any real success internally?

It is worth delving here, the tolerant ordinary Eritreans are dejected with the incompetence and dishonesty of their political masters. By all counts, any kind of leadership needs not only worldly-wise men but also candid. Though reasonably good during and after the struggle for independence, our politicians are something rube in diplomacy and very clandestine. The insularity is compounded by the fact that the leadership often makes choices based on gut emotion, reinforced by the usual attitudes of party leadership. This dangerous mixture generates disastrous policy choices in the opportunity of the country, the same as what went before.

Instead, it was required the introduction of a transparent regime in which citizens would have reasonable access to government information, where senior officials disclose their financial interest and where government informs people down to the community level what amounts are being spent on services and amenities.

Eritrea’s future, thus, goes far explaining the angst clouding the courtship. To judge the country just in terms of how it may or may not fit into the world politics ultimately falls on the real point of home reformation. However, imperfect as the leadership is, the damage is already done upon the motherland. If this continues, and will, the country will be forced to move from political dysfunction and economic quagmire to being law-less civil society.

It is the legacies of dehumanization, hatred and fear which must be confronted on the basis that there is a need for tolerance, not prejudice; a need for acknowledgement, not recrimination; a need for reparation, not retribution; a need for community, not victimization; a need for understanding, not suspicion; a need for reconstruction, not greed. Taking such reasonable steps promptly and without any irrational excuse within its means was the responsibility of the government.