Colorful May Celebration for our
Independence Day in UK

By Zerai Solomon
London UK

May 24 is a day that has forever changed the lives of the Eritrean people. And to this end Eritreans throughout celebrate Independence Day with excitement and zeal.

Since May24, 1991 all Eritreans at home and in the diaspora celebrate the Independence Day colorfully for the commitments and sacrifices to realize this magnificent day was tremendous; the oppression and pains sustained upon the Eritrean people was great. More importantly, however, unlike in most African countries, Eritrea independence was not granted to them in a golden plate rather, a high price was paid for it.

As is well known that Independence Day is celebrated or commemorated virtually in every country. However, the fact that Eritrea was under successive colonial rule for over a century out of which the last 30 years (1961-1991) by an underdeveloped African country makes Eritrea’s independence day different than other countries. Moreover, the fact that the independence struggle was waged militarily and diplomatically not only against Emperor Haile Silase and Mengistu but also against their allies, respectively reveals Eritreans’ unparalleled steadfastness to attain their freedom thus makes the day very special hence deserving colorful celebration.

The other thing which distinguishes Eritrea’s Independence Day from that of others’ is that, the day is not merely meant for rejoicing. We rejoice precisely because it is an event which brought the protracted colonial rule to an end. More importantly, however, on this day we remember our tens of thousands of fallen heroes who sacrificed their life for the cause of the day thereby renew our pledge to maintain, sustain and develop it.

During the 30 years of the independence struggle and 2 years of Weyani invasion (1998-2000) the Eritrean people have suffered a lot. There would be very few people in the world, if any, who suffered like Eritreans as a consequence of war. The atrocities that have been committed on the Eritrean people during the liberation struggle coupled, with that of Weyane are beyond anyone’s imagination.

It is a practice in the Ethiopian army, that whenever they sustain heavy casualties by the gallant Eritrean freedom fighters they retaliate or vent their anger by murdering, destroying villages, and looting whatever is available. To name but a few in the early years of the independence struggle (1967), Hailesilase to annihilate the struggle for independence and destroy the Eritrean people once and for all launched a widespread operation in all Eritrean villages. Many villages turned into ash and hundreds of people were massacred.
For instance, in the western lowland, Adi-Ebrahim and its environ (now Gash Barka zone) 62 villages, in Hazemo( Souther zone) 33 villages, in Senhit (Anseba zone) around 30 villages and many more villages in Semhar (Northern red sea) were completely destroyed. Over 300 people in Adi-Ebrahim and it’s environ and over 260 peoples in Hazemo were brutally killed.

Mengistu-Hailemariam was not different from his predecessor. He was of the opinion that military might is right. But his entire attempt was to no avail. Needless to say, during his reign the Eritrean people were target for indiscriminate killings. The victims of Wekiduba and Shieb, innocent defenseless civilians, are a case in point. Churches and mosques are thought to be save havens when soldiers wantonly attack, but were proven not to be so when it comes to Wekiduba.

In the last months the international media's reported that; “The people of Palestine, Irak, Somalia and Darfur are being killed, raped, tortured; looted, entire neighborhoods being destroyed; increased incidence of gang rape; people get slaughtered like animals, people killed in their houses and their bodies rotting for days." etc. This report might have shocked and surprised the world but for Eritreans it is ordinary news for such crime against humanity were committed almost throughout the years of the struggle. What is different now is that all the human right abuses that were committed by the successive Ethiopian regimes against Civil Eritreans were not covered and reported by human right groups or international media. The current regime in Ethiopia, may shamelessly attempt to deny its misdeeds in Somalia or Eritrea. However these days nothing could be concealed; we are in the information era.

It is a well established fact that all regimes that came to power in Ethiopia have committed serious crime against humanity in Eritrea. However, the gravity of the crime increases from regime to regime. For instance, during the Eritrea and Ethiopia border conflict, especially during the third invasion, in addition to the criminal activities perpetrated by the previous rulers such as destroying entire villages, shelling civilian houses, killing innocent civilians, incarceration, torture, rape, and looting; the weyani troops were involved in deliberate destruction of economic establishments.

However, their barbaric act was revealed more when they desecrated martyrs’ cemetery. Such a barbaric act has never happened through out our history.
An army which retaliates by destroying graves!

In conclusion, the cruel treatments that the Eritrean people experienced at the hands of the successive Ethiopian rulers are still fresh in their mind, thus freedom has a special meaning for Eritreans and hence necessitates colorful celebration for our independence day.

As a person who had the opportunity to attend most of the Independence celebration in London UK and Asmara Eritrea, I feel honored to say that 18th Eritrean Independence Anniversary celebration will be held in different parts of UK.

09 May 2009 Eritrean Professional Forum, London UK
17 May 2009 Children Program at Finsbury Park, London UK
23 May 2009 Independence Celebration at TROXY, London UK
23 May 2009 Independence Celebration in Sheffield UK
30 May 2009 Independence Celebration in Scotland UK
Independence celebration in Manchester

Independence celebration in Leeds
Independence celebration in Birmingham

"THE PEOPLE" or should I say "SHAEBIA" have made me realize that the nation is stronger than ever. Happy Independence!

Zerai Solomon,
London UK
zerai_s@yahoo.co.uk

Response to Petros Tesfagiorgis and his desperado's associates

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