Tomorrow is our country\u2019s 25th independence anniversary. The independence of our country was
\nachieved at the terrible cost of hundreds of thousands of its sons and daughters who have been
\nmartyred and maimed. Unfortunately, all the sacrifices made have failed to realize the dream of a
\nbetter life for the Eritrean people. There is no Eritrean who is not saddened and concerned about
\nthe increasingly worsening situation prevailing in our country. Therefore, we believe that all of
\nus collectively have a compelling moral and national duty to ensure that all the sacrifices that
\nwere made to gain our independence and indeed our liberation have not been in vain.<\/p>\n
We believe that the Eritrean Diaspora can play a significant role in ending the Eritrean nightmare
\nby mobilizing and organizing its resources using the bottom- up-approach. Wherever there is a
\ncritical mass of Eritreans, a local Eritrean assembly or baito should be established and
\nrepresentatives thereof elected. The elected local representatives will then establish regional and
\ncountry-wide assemblies\/baitos to lead and coordinate the movement at that level. The said
\nrepresentatives from all the continents will then establish a Global Baito and its executive body
\nthat will be tasked to lead the democratic struggle for change.<\/p>\n
This will require an intensive campaign to mobilize and reach out to ALL Eritreans in every
\nlocality. The initiative is not meant to undermine or side step the cities that are already
\norganized. Our goal is rather to strengthen them and expand and galvanize the Eritrean
\ngrassroots movement world-wide. The success of the effort will depend on the participation and
\ninvolvement of each and every Eritrean citizen irrespective of their gender, religion, ethnicity,
\nregion and political affiliation. This is for our collective good. We are, thus, inviting all sectors
\nof our society including civic and political entities to collaborate and encourage their members to
\nbe part of the process. We understand change will come from within the country, and we believe
\nthat those agents of change within the country will be more encouraged and emboldened if the
\nEritrean Diaspora effectively mobilize and organize for democratic change with a clear mission<\/p>\n
We have to admit that what is hindering Eritreans in the Diaspora from being actively engaged in
\nbringing about positive changes in our country is the lack of democratically elected legitimate
\nleadership that will represent all Eritreans in the Diaspora and coordinate our activities to save
\nour country. We need leaders who can unleash the tremendous energy and resources that we
\nhave as Eritreans in the Diaspora.
\nWe are, therefore, writing to invite you to join us to facilitate the success of the bottom-up
\ngrassroots movement in order to ultimately elect our Global Leaders.<\/p>\n
\n
The Role of the Eritrean Global Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n \nThe primary role of the Global Leadership Group is to chart an effective strategy to remove the The Process of Electing Global Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n \nAs stated in out introduction, the starting point of electing global leaders who will represent Once Eritreans in every corner of the world elect their local leaders, the next step is for these other places to elect the Eritrean Global Assembly or Hagerawi Baito that will appoint an Who are we?<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWe, the undersigned, are a diverse group of Eritrean activists from all walks of life with different Our Appeal to the Eritrean Youth<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWe expect the Eritrean Youth to play a leading role in ensuring the success of the people\u2019s Our Appeal to Eritrean Women<\/strong><\/p>\n \nEritrean women are in the world history books for the heroic role they played in the struggle for Appeal to Eritrean Artists and Musicians<\/strong><\/p>\n \nFirst and foremost, we would like to express our profound appreciation for what Eritrean There is no doubt that you have the capacity to mobilize, energize and unite the Eritrean people \nWe believe that we now have a clear and effective grassroots strategy based on the bottom-up Appeal to Eritrean Minority Ethnic Groups<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWe understand that the current dictatorial regime has particularly marginalized our brothers and \nOur Appeal to Religious Leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n \nReligious leaders, Muslims and Christians of all denominations, have played a great role by \nOur Appeal to Members of Civic Organization<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWe appeal to members of the various Eritrean Civic Organizations to be actively involved in (CDRiE) and other similar civic organizations to join the various teams, listed below, such as the \n Our Appeal to the Eritrean Web Sites, Radio Programs and Pal Talks<\/strong><\/p>\n \nCredit is due to all the Eritrean websites and the various Eritrean radio programs and Pal Talks Our Plea to the Opposition Political Parties<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWe have no doubt the founders of the various Eritrean political organizations were motivated by Appeal to Eritrean Intellectuals<\/strong><\/p>\n \nIt is sad to see some Eritrean intellectuals and academics who seem to be oblivious of the \nAppeal to those who have given up on Eritrea<\/strong><\/p>\n \nThough it is difficult to imagine an Eritrean who does not feel the pain of seeing and hearing \nOur View on Eritrean Community Centers<\/strong><\/p>\n \nWe understand the need for Eritrean Community Centers wherever Eritreans live in large uring weddings, and other social events. Community Centers also serve as places to teach \nPre-requisites for the Success of the Grassroots Movement<\/strong><\/p>\n \nFor the grassroots movement to achieve its goals, every Eritrean in every corner of the world; \n
\ndictatorial regime and prepare the ground work for transitioning the country to democracy. In all
\npracticality, real change will only come through collaboration with agents of change inside the
\ncountry. The role of the Global Leadership is to prepare a blue print for a smooth transition to
\ndemocracy in collaboration with other Eritrean opposition groups. The responsibility of the
\nGlobal Leadership Group will be to gain the recognition and support of the International
\nCommunity and the Eritrean people both at home and in the Diaspora. Given that the Global
\nLeadership Group is elected to represent Eritreans in the Diaspora, they will have the legitimacy
\nto speak, to act and to represent Eritreans in the Diaspora in any forum. Through an effective
\nand intensive diplomacy and lobbying, this leadership group should be able to persuade the
\nInternational Community to apply intensive pressure that will cripple the dictatorial regime and
\ngive moral and logistical support to elements inside the country to bring fundamental (changes
\nthrough a negotiated settlement or through a surgical operation that will have minimum collateral
\ndamage.<\/p>\n
\nEritreans in every corner of the world is at the local or city level. Wherever there is a critical
\nmass of Eritreans, a highly publicized general meeting will be called. This will requires an
\nintensive campaign to reach out to all Eritreans in every locality. A serious effort will be made
\nto invite ALL Eritreans particularly those from minority groups who may not have access to the
\nInternet or the Eritrean radio programs. The call for a general meeting of all Eritreans in a given
\nlocality will be written in Arabic, English and Tigrigna or any other appropriate language widely
\nused in the local Eritrean community, such as German, French, Swedish, etc. The announcement
\nwill be disseminated in written form through phone messages, websites, radio programs,
\nseminars and workshops and widely distributed in places frequented by Eritreans, such as
\nchurches, mosques, community centers, restaurants and bars. It is not enough to call a general
\nmeeting; people should understand why their participation is important to save our country.<\/p>\n
\nelected leaders to meet and elect their country representatives. This process should take place in
\nevery country and every continent.
\nThe final step is to conduct a global conference of Eritreans representatives from every corner of
\nthe world: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle-East, North America, South America and<\/p>\n
\nexcecutive body.<\/p>\n
\nbackgrounds located in various corners of the world. We are composed of various groups who
\nhave been, as a group or as individuals, advocating the grassroots movement. As our name,
\n\u201cGlobal Initiative to Empower Eritrean Grassroots\u2019 Movement (GIEEGM)\u201d<\/strong><\/em> signifies, we are
\ntaking this initiative to pave the way for every Eritrean to participate in bringing positive changes
\nin our country. What brought us together is our conviction that the bottom-up grassroots
\nmovement is the most expedient, all-inclusive and democratic way that can end our country\u2019s
\nproblems. We are not a political organization, and the initiative we are taking is not motivated
\nby our desire to assume any leadership role. All that we are doing is to facilitate the election of
\nGlobal Leaders by involving Eritreans in the Diaspora at the grassroots level.<\/p>\n
\nmovement by encouraging Eritreans in their respective localities to participate in meetings that
\nwill be held in their locality. The future of Eritrea depends on the active participation of the
\nEritrean Youth.<\/p>\n
\nour country\u2019s independence. It is sad to see them marginalized in post-independence Eritrea. But
\namong the most active and high impact Eritrean activists now are no doubt Eritrean women in
\nthe Diaspora. We have full confidence that you will join your Eritrean brothers and sisters in
\nbringing about positive democratic changes in our country by actively participating to ensure the
\nsuccess of the grassroots movement.<\/p>\n
\nmusicians and artists did during the struggle and far beyond after our country\u2019s independence to
\nbring the plight of the Eritrean people to the forefront through their songs and plays<\/p>\n
\nand free themselves from this brutal and vision-less dictatorship. We have listened to your
\ninterviews through Radio Assenna and other media outlets. And we are proud of what you are
\ndoing.<\/p>\n
\napproach that can unite and guide Eritrean communities everywhere to elect their global leaders
\nand usher in a new democratic dispensation in Eritrea. But, all this will not succeed without
\nyour contribution. In short, you owe our oppressed society whatever you can give using your
\ntalents to the best of your capacity. We appeal for your cooperation in this final confrontation
\nwith the dictatorship to set the Eritrean people free.<\/p>\n
\nsisters who belong to minority ethnic groups. Their land has been confiscated and their way of
\nlife and culture has been undermined. We fully sympathize with the plight of our minority
\nethnic groups, and we share your pain and suffering. We believe that the leadership that will
\ncome to power after the ouster of the dictatorship will make sure that all Eritrean ethnic groups
\nregardless of their minority status will be treated with equity and fairness as a matter of priority.
\nWe must build an Eritrea that treats all its sons and daughters equally and equitably \u2013 and in
\nwhich every Eritrean is proud to be what he\/she is. To this end, we appeal to you to join your
\nbrothers and sisters in the struggle we have outlined.<\/p>\n
\nvoicing their support for our people in these bad times. The participation of religious leaders,
\nMuslims and Christians, at the New York UN Demonstration last November, 2015, has been
\nhighly moral up-lifting and encouraging. We are, thus, appealing to all religious leaders to
\ncontinue their support for the grassroots movement.<\/p>\n
\nsupporting the grassroots movement. We expect members of Eritrean Global Solidarity (EGS),
\nEritreans to Facilitate National Dialogue (EFND), Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea<\/p>\n
\nWriters Team, the Seminars and Conferences Teams, and\/or the Think Tank group.<\/p>\n
\nwho have sacrificed so much of their time and resources to provide a forum for exchange of
\ninformation and for serving as outlets for expressing the frustrations and disappointment of the
\nEritrean people. We would like to take this opportunity to express our admiration for the
\nimportant role you have played so far, and we urge you to support the grassroots movement
\nthrough your editorials, panel discussions, interviews and news coverage of the activities of the
\ngrassroots movement.<\/p>\n
\ntheir desire to democratize our country, and we should applaud and give them and their members
\ncredit for the many years of sacrifice they have made for the good of their people and their
\ncountry.
\nAt this juncture, we would like to appeal to all opposition political parties, opposition groups and
\ntheir members to extend their enthusiastic support and encouragement to the grassroots
\nmovement. We believe the grassroots movement has a better chance to achieve the objectives for
\nwhich you have sacrificed so much for so long, in a much shorter time. We sincerely believe it
\nis to the advantage of the Eritrean political parties and for the good of the Eritrean people that
\nthese political groups give the grassroots movement their fullest support. Please do not view the
\ngrassroots movement in any negative way
\nNot supporting the grassroots movement will only result in prolonging the life of the dictatorial
\nregime and the suffering of our people.
\nWe hope the initiatives of Eritrean National Council for Democratic Change (ENCDC), Medrek,
\nand the other political parties and blocks that are making endeavors to unite will succeed. We
\nalso hope that the amalgamated political parties will use the time to refine their vision and
\nprepare their programs and policies that will help them to get the support of the Eritrean people
\nwhen Eritrea becomes a multi-party democracy. We expect the Global Leaders will work with
\nthe opposition groups in preparing the blue print for transitioning Eritrea into democracy. At this
\ntime, we expect the opposition groups to join hands with their fellow Eritreans to work for the
\nsuccess of the grassroots movement.<\/p>\n
\nsuffering of their people under the dictatorial regime that is doing so much harm to our country
\nand its people. Eritrean intellectuals supposed to understand better than anyone else about the
\ndamage the dictatorial regime is inflicting on the Eritrean people. They should have been on the
\nforefront to express their opposition to the dictatorial policies of the Isaias\u2019 regime. The
\nintellectuals are expected to be the voice for the voiceless. We are, therefore, appealing to all our
\nEritrean intellectuals and academics to be on the right side of history. We appeal to you to
\nsupport the Global Initiative to Empower Eritrean Grassroots Movement (GIEEGM) and actively
\nparticipate in your locality in the bottom-up process to establish local assemblies and elect
\nlegitimate Global Leaders.<\/p>\n
\nabout what is going on in Eritrea, there are many Eritreans in the Diaspora who have simply
\ngiven up on Eritrea believing there is nothing within their power to change things. We
\nunderstand those who hold this position since some of us have felt the same more than once. But
\nas you all know, it is not easy to give a deaf ear and a blind eye to all the atrocities that are going
\non in Eritrea. One can never have peace of mind if one understands the pain and suffering the
\nEritrean people are going through. We, therefore, appeal to you to join the grassroots movement.
\nIf you do, we shall have better prospects to change the Eritrean situation for the better.
\nFor those who may have concerns about punitive measures that may be inflicted on them if they
\ntravel to Eritrea, or who fear for the safety of their family members due to their association with
\nthe Grassroots Movement, arrangements can be made to allow you to participate without
\nrevealing your identity. The least such individuals can do and should do is to anonymously show
\ntheir support financially. Remember, if we all unite, this regime is not going to stay long.<\/p>\n
\nnumbers. Community Centers provide a number of essential services to immigrant communities.
\nFirst and foremost, they serve as meeting places for Eritreans to socialize and to network with
\ntheir fellow Eritreans. Community Centers provide support for newly arriving refugees, finding
\naccommodations, job opportunities and other necessities. One important role of Community
\nCenters is to provide comfort to grieving members, helping with funeral arrangements, assisting<\/p>\n
\nEritrean children, their language and their cultural heritage among other activities. In most
\ncountries, Community Centers receive government funding and they are nonpolitical entities.
\nThat being the case, they can co-exist with the grassroots movement whose primary objective is
\npolitical, i.e., to bring about democratic changes in Eritrea.<\/p>\n
\nMuslims, Christians, females and males, young and old, and all the Eritrean minority ethnic
\ngroups should participate in electing our global leaders.
\nWe are therefore inviting your participation and active involvement to ensure the success of the
\ngrassroots movement. Please do not underestimate your capabilities to help save your country.
\nLet us know if you can play a role in any of the following activities that are essential for the
\nsuccess of the grassroots movement.
\n1. Writers Team: We need writers who can write in English, Tigrigna, Arabic and other
\nethnic dialects. The role of this team of writers will be to write educational articles, press
\nreleases, bulletins and other necessary material that will promote the success of the
\ngrassroots movement.
\n2. Mobilizing, Seminars and Conferences Teams: We need individuals who will take the
\ninitiative to assist in mobilizing Eritreans at the local level, plan, organize and execute
\nall-inclusive meetings of Eritreans in their respective cities\/localities, country-wide
\nconferences and global conference. Members of this team will take responsibility for
\norganizing conferences, conduct seminars and workshops to educate and encourage
\nEritreans to be actively engaged in saving their country.
\n3. Media and Communication Team: The role of this team will be to work with Eritrean
\nwebsites and radio programs to promote the grassroots movement and activities.
\n4. Financial and Logistical Team: This team will engage in raising funds and resources
\nfrom a variety of sources for various activities. This group will be responsible for
\nmaking funding requests to international organizations, nations and Eritreans. We will
\nalso need auditors among this group who will ensure that the financial reports are
\nprepared properly and that controls are in place to ensure proper custody of the funds
\nreceived and that expenditures are properly accounted for.
\n5. Outreach Team: The responsibilities of this team will include:
\na. Reaching out to various mosques, churches and prominent individuals;
\nb. Promoting an all-inclusive environment and harmony.
\n6. Think-Tank Group \u2013 This group will be expected to prepare conceptual papers that will
\ncontribute to the success of the grassroots movement. It may also later assist the Global
\nLeadership in their dealing with the United Nations, the African Union, donor
\norganizations and countries.
\n7. Legal Team. The responsibility of this team will be to provide legal assistance to the
\ngrassroots movement as needed. We expect Eritrean lawyers to join the Legal Team.
\n8. IT Group. The role of Eritrean Information Technology (IT) is crucial in helping the
\ngrassroots movement to use modern technology in all aspects of the grassroots activities.
\nWe expect Eritrean IT experts to volunteer their expertise for the success of the
\ngrassroots movement.
\nFor all the above to be carried out properly and successfully, we will need the collaboration of
\neveryone, particularly dedicated, highly motivated individuals who can perform the above stated
\nroles. We are confident, there are Eritreans in various countries who are able and willing to rise
\nup to the challenge for the sake of their people.
\nShould you have any question, please contact us through our email address:
\ngieegm@googlegroups.com
\nOur country is facing grave danger, and we need to act promptly with a sense of urgency. Your
\nimmediate response to our request, needless to say, will be much appreciated.<\/p>\n
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