The African Leaders Summit is a great idea. The selective exclusion of some countries is not.
The singular exclusion of Eritrea from the invitation of African leaders to participate in the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit in Washington D.C. is misguided, inappropriate and does not serve the cause of peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
The Summit, called by President Obama to be held in August 2014, is an historic opportunity for dialogue. We commend President Obama for taking this historic step. The exclusion of Eritrea from the dialogue process is unfortunate. Hank Cohen, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs has pointed out that it is “time to bring Eritrea in from the cold.” ( http://africanarguments.org/2013/12/16/time-to-bring-eritrea-in-from-the-cold-by-hank-cohen/).
There are compelling reasons to include Eritrea in any meaningful dialogue about fostering stronger ties between the United States and Africa (http://samuelmahaffy.com/2014/05/visiblizing-eritrea-africa-country-eritrea/. Eritrea has had significant successes in “sustainable economic growth and development”–one of the central topics of the Summit.
The exclusion of Eritrea from the invitation list is particularly illogical. Eritrea has been singled out for significant criticism for human rights violations. Yet, the Summit invitation list includes countries in the region–some bordering Eritrea–that are currently involved in imprisoning protesting students, arresting journalists, and flagrant violations of human rights.
It is time for the United States to engage in respectful dialogue with Eritrea. Analysis of events in the region show that Eritrea has the potential to be an island of stability and a partner for promoting regional peace. The call for respect for human rights should exclude no country. Neither, should the invitation to dialogue.
The exclusion of Eritrea is clearly political. It is also ill-conceived. Eritreans in the United States make significant contributions in nearly every metropolitan area. Professional Eritreans are lawyers, social workers, nurses, and caregivers. They are taxi cab drivers, restaurant owners and tax payers. In short, they are our neighbors. They are a community that contributes much to the cultural diversity that make cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, Washington D.C., San Diego, Philadelphia and other population centers great places to live. Eritreans here, who make a great civic contribution, are disrespected by the exclusion of their homeland from the invitation to the White House.
We are initiating a petition to President Obama that he reconsider the decision to exclude Eritrea from the invitation to the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit. That petition is also being sent to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and to Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield who leads the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs.
Our position is not a political one. It grows from a conviction that peace in the Horn of Africa and the continent as a whole is furthered by dialogue that is inclusive and not exclusive. The conversation about human rights and peaceful international relationships begins with opening doors and not shutting them.
We invite you to contact your U.S. Congressional Representative or the White House directly to encourage and support an inclusive dialogue that does not selectively choose to eliminate some African leaders.
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This post was written by Samuel Mahaffy, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to Salaam Urban Village Association in consultation with Amanuel Yohannes, Executive Director of Salaam Urban Village Association. Both Samuel Mahaffy and Amanuel Yohannes were born in Eritrea and reside in the State of Washington. Samuel Mahaffy is a consultant and facilitator who has assisted more than five hundred nonprofits and NGO’s and is active in supporting immigrant and refugee families in the United States. Salaam Urban Village Association, in partnership with the East Africa Institute, is planning a visit to Eritrea to further dialogue and collaboration between Eritreans in the United States and in their homeland. Dr. Mahaffy writes regularly on topics relating to Africa and peace-making on his website at www.samuelmahaffy.com and on the Peace and Collaborative Development Network at http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org/forum/topics/stepping-toward-the-dance-step-of-peacemaking#.U8cIgNZOWM8.
Thank you Sir. We’ll written and balanced article. Please post the Petition when it’s ready to be signed. Thank you again.
Thank you for your kind response. We are formulating a way in which we can share our request to President Obama and the U.S. State Department so it can be supported by the many Eritreans in the U.S. who are speaking up.
RSEPECT THE AFAR AND THEY WILL NOT SECEDE!
RESPECT THE WOMEN OF ERITREA AND THEY WILL NOT FLEE THEIR OWN COUNTRY FOR FOREIGN LANDS!
ABOLISH PROSTITUTION FROM OUR STREETS, SOCIETIES AND COMMUNITIES!
ABOLISH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!
MAKE RAPE PUNISHABLE BY LAW AND PERHAPS WE WOULD SUPPORT YOU.
WE DEMAND
ACCOUNTABILITY
TRANSPARANCY
ELECTIONS!
WE DEMAND THE RELEASE OF ASTER FESSAHATSION AND DAWIT ISAAK!
WE DEMAND FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS!
WE WANT POLITICAL PARTIES WITH VIABLE ECONOMIC AGENDAS AND PLANS FOR ERITREA AS A WHOLE!
WE NO LONGER SUPPORT THE DIVISIVE AND FAVOURIST TACTICS OF THE DESPOTIC SHAEBIA REGIME.
…………………………………………………………………
AWET N’HAFASH!
Dear Dr. Samuel Mahaffy!
I read your comments “Include Eritrea! Dialogue begins with inclusion not exclusion ,” and I felt extremely proud. I would like to congratulate you by saying “Anbessa wedi Ere; brgtx eza hager seb alewa!”. The sheer and unescapable truth is that the state department doesn’t want any African nation like Eritrea, which tries to stand on its own feet. through a policy of self reliance. As Prof. Noam Chomsky has clearly stated, US leaders are not willing to deal with countries who wouldn’t obey their orders without asking as question. You have clearly stated that Eritrea is a peaceful country of peaceloving people where you don’t hear of theft, murder and harassment let alone terrorism. If one had the opportunity of flying any American to Eritrea without telling him/her where, I am sure he/she would find it difficult to accept that he/she is actually in Eritrea or in Africa for that matter.
Dr. Samuel keep up the good work until the intentionally deafened ears of the state department begin to listen and accept the unavoidable facts. The inclusion of Eritrea in the US called African leaders summit would in fact be productive for all the countries of East Africa and for the whole continent and even for the US African relationships.
Best regards!
Metkel Asmerom, Sweden
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response from Sweden. I hope one day to visit the Eritrean community in Sweden. Sweden has some important history with Eritrea. I am told of an Eritrean liberation fighter who carried a Swedish hymnbook in Tigrinya to give him hope through the battles. I think Professor Chomsky’s analysis of U.S. Policy and its movitations is insightful and should be required reading in every history class in the U.S. You are so right about the Eritrean people being a people of peace. Anyone who thinks otherwise has not spent time in the Eritrean communities around the world. Kindest wishes Metkel.
Thank you very much for your great help. I voted twice to President Obama and we helped him with fundraising and pray for him every day to be a successful President. Our President President Isias Afewerki should be invited if not I will never vote for any Democrat any more in my life. God Bless America and my Beloved Eritrea.
Thank you very much for your great work.
Thank you for your most kind response, Alern Stefanos. Thank you for supporting that which is good in both the U.S. and Eritrea. I appreciate that you wish well for both countries–both of which are also my home and people. Samuel
I totally agree with your call for – – constructive engagement – with the State of Eritrea from the U.S. administration.
-Knowing its the ongoing idea of many experts looking for more engagement with Eritrea, not to mention the recent Italian/ EU trend , I know for a fact this is the the line of thought of Assistant Secretary Linda Thomas-Greenfield , who leads the Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs as she is the only one have that positive thought to invite the Eritrean official for constructive engagement and looking forward as many ends confirm her thought, in spit the old guard think the other way in the White House.
– The question of inviting others from the region -no matter whether they are violating human rights and the international order is subjugated to political agendas from some circles.
What we need to understand and examine in this point is where is the U.S. Administration stands at this level with principal of – Constructive Engagement- a presidential slogan used by President Obama. It has been received by many as a positive trend.
– As I look to the issues deeply now , I think there is something wrong within the U.S. Administration leading toward more confusion about how to lead and move forward the US policy in the region of the Horn of Africa. I know some expert observers, as you mentioned, look differently and more positively at the issues than those policymakers within the U.S. national security point of view–This is a trend that may need to be highlighted and followed.
– I think the issues at this stage is not about Eritrea, but about those whom are blocking the Administration where they stand with what President Obama advocates for, as we see some success now with Iran …!
Finally, I hope your stand and advocacy for – Constructive Engagement- with the State of Eritrea will ring a bell within the Administration, among those who are thinking about sustainable peace for the people of the Horn of Africa as a whole.
I know its a long way to see change now within the White House ,but for sure down in the road things will change since the world opinion is adapting very serious initiative for more engagements by the EU/ AU and within some of the administration as we are watching closely, not to mentioned that many new policy already been revised in reference to the on going dynamic changes in the region where Eritrea is an important player.
Ibrahim–Thank you for your thoughtful and thought provoking response. I share and appreciate your hopeful perspective that the U.S. may follow the EU and other countries in more positive and respectful engagement with Eritrea. We will continue to be a voice for that. As you point out, it is important for peace in the Horn of Africa. Please continue to share your thoughtful perspective. Kindest wishes, Dr. Samuel Mahaffy for SUVA.
It is a reasonable topic. No one should be excluded from dialogue based on religion, race or opinion .The dialog must start now. Eritrea has been excluded from the World Organizations and communities without any reason. The US has favored Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa, while making Eritrea the scapegoat for its political failure in the region. It time for the US government to look itself in the right mirror. The U.S. should ask the Eritrean people for forgivness, and come to good terms.It is time for US to open its door for this tiny people and State.
Enough is Enough.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I hear and agree with your passion that Eritrea should not be excluded from dialogue and conversation and that the U.S. government has wrongly done so. It is my sincere hope that we can move to positive and respectful dialogue with Eritrea.
Dr. Samuel Mahaffy, with all due respect lets not fall in to the Enemies psychology propagandas warfare by saying Eritrea the singular only country this and that. It is not true that Eritrea was the only country whom Barak Hussein Obama did not sent invitation among African countries. As far as the white House list shows Central Africa Republic, Eritrea, Sudan, Western Sahara, and Zimbabwe was not invited. so, again lets not propagate Eritrea’s enemies propaganda that says Eritrea is isolated and so on. Like President Robert Mugabe said if America does not invited Zimbabwe America is not the only country in the World we have many friends. And I bet you the whole invited head of state is not going to attend because many are calling it not real friendship invitation but to combat Chines-African new friendship summits.
I believe it is accurate that only a very few countries were excluded from the White House invitation list to the U.S. Africa Summit. I also believe that any analysis will show that the exclusions were very political in nature. There were countries invited that have horrific human rights records and abuses. In my post, I promoted that there must be inclusive dialogue if real change is ever to happen. Rarely does it serve the cause of peace to exclude stakeholders and/or parties to a conflict from the dialogue. I thank you for sharing your thoughts.