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Dynamic people of Eritrea
By Petty La Duke
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Menkae memory, Meharena Hadgu
The word Menka stirs interest in people. It has become a household word, and
yet,
most have no clear understanding of it. For many years the EPLF leadership of
being
a regionalist movement labelled it. It was a forgotten issue of a sensitive part
of the
Eritrean guerrilla movement. The recent repetition of this has made us want to
know
more of these Menka martyrs. The Menkae were not even honoured as martyrs but
hushed away and their files closed, according to a video interview with the
president
in 1996.Many went to meda after they graduated or little time left to graduate.
In the
60s and 70s it was a great honour for a family when their child graduated from
the
university. It was a big celebration with relatives and friends invited. The
future was
bright for the graduated and became respected members in their areas.
When these students went to meda they knew how much they were sacrificing in
their
personal lives.
They preferred to live in constant fighting, no beds or good food and their
lives at
stake anytime to be lost. Their sole aim was the liberation of their country
Eritrea,
which had suffered much and most were acutely aware of the situation. Many
students living abroad chose to join the struggle from Europe, USA, Arab
countries
and the eastern block. In fact, the students of the eastern countries made
agreements
that the one finishing his/her studies was to join meda directly. This is
regarding both
fronts ELF and EPLF.
The starting of the "Menkae" movement was not a consolidated or united movement.
This was a mosaic of different grievances that was named Menkae. Meharena
Hadgou is a war veteran in EPLF joining in 1974 until liberation time. The
narration
below is his
recollections in his early years while joining the front. I thank him for his
memories and
his kindly patience to answering my numerous questions. Stories like Meharena
make
us understand the daily lives of fighters which so far have been told very
little of. It
shapes the picture of the reality of those days. He has given out a video
narration
concerning the Menkae martyrs. Though this story was of the bad times, there
were
many good and worthwhile days in meda.
The book, "Destructive Movement" was written by Essaias in 1976 and it was
distributed to all fighters, 3 years after the movement. We all read it. A
political
commissioner, or a Cadre of a haili kept it. I was a Cadre and member of the
Party.
Anyone opposing was taken away, as many were taken away secretly.
The movement started sept 73 went on slowly until the end of 1976. Then another
incident, the "Yemeen" were accused making the previous movement as past
history.
It was said that these Yemeen were acting against the Menkae and that all should
be
careful from them. What Essaias said about the Yemeen was that they were the
ones
who purged and liquidated the Menkae, like Selomon Welde Mariam. He and his
group were accused of pretending to be against the Menkae were fertilizing their
own
agenda, regionalism.
Food was scarce in the struggle time. The cheapest commodity salt was not
available
to us daily. Sugar was forgotten that we did not drink for many years. We ate no
breakfast and usually had one meal a day. Fighters sacrificed a lot for their
independence and what we are seeing today was not their payment.
After liberation fighters wanted to be governed with written laws, wanted peace
with
neighbouring
countries, wanted their rights to be fulfilled. But Essaias soon became like a
king and
demanded only he knows what is best for the country. He discredited any person
with
knowledge and held all power. Only he wanted to dictate on land, constitution,
multiparty
systems etc. Those governing under him also became against us. At last even
they understood this was taking the country into ruins and told him to make
changes
and reform. He instead charged them of treason and losing the fight, though they
were experienced leaders.
To tell you briefly again what I had said on the video, the movement started
publicly in
Sept 73. Essaias and Romadan though said that it had started earlier secretly.
When
these people started the movement, the gedli did not have a program or bylaws.
It had
no structure. It was controlled by guerrilla rules. There were 22 or 32 military
rules in
the PLF, or Hizbawi Hailetat -:H. H.
Examples are, if one breaks a needle, or seen suspiciously, 7 days punishment.
If one
damages a weapon, or aims his gun on your comrade, if one leaks secret to enemy,
etc have their punishment. This could not bring us close to the civilians. When
those
like Musie, John etc joined the front, they were university students, and they
had read
many books, different laws, knew of the structure of foreign guerrilla fronts.
They
started giving advice how the front should be. They would constantly write in
daytime
returning to their difaE by night. They and Essaias and others formed the
programme
how H:H: was ruled by. This was done when Isayas with agreement made them
committee to draft the structure of the front.
That time the H:H: were three groups, the first one led by Romadan, the second
one
by Isayas and the third, the Obel. Totally they were less than 500, maybe 300.
It was the progressives (dubbed Menka) who said since we live along civilians,
should
form civil relations, civil and fighters to be ruled differently, Jemahir, and
the medical
section. When wounded, people should not be treated abroad and medical staff
should be made for civilians and military separately. To start a news department
which should publicize the struggle. Better storage of weapons as water, floods
and
rain damaged weapons. There should be a group who oversees everything. That the
enemy should not make counter offensive we need intelligence unit, who follow
the
enemy's positions to hit it on its weakest point and study its strong positions,
and how
to confront it. The army should have a leading military staff. If the Eritrean
society is to
change, all the civil areas we control should be given basic education, as well
as all
fighters. Fighters should be made politically conscious. Foreign relations
should be
structured.
Those abroad should have close contact with the front and be able to supply what
the
front need.
All the structures were drafted in Gereger, Sudan. (I had not joined the front
yet).
Then, the 1st and 2nd groups (PLF1 and PLF2) shimageles met and decided that
their present position was favourable for the enemy that they should unite,
Isayas and
Romadan. And the unity came into being. But the Obel group said they wanted to
stay
out until what they did not understand became clear for them. The first two
groups
made the mixing up. They were about 6-7 Haylitat, including the Kifletat. One
Hayli
comprised of 50-60 fighters.
What the progressives now said was, since two of the fronts have united, the
situation
is progressing and we are getting larger, we should make the drafts we made into
action. Anyone can make rules suitable for their situation; one does not have to
be
well educated to do that.
If one fighter deserts, though he joined the front knowing he would probably be
killed
in battles, is condemned to death and his family has to compensate the weapon.
The
progressives argument against this was, "my parents did not send me to the
front,
they expect me to be living either in Addis or Sudan, or even dead. Why should
they
be made to pay? I should be killed deserting; even death is mild, because I am
betraying my oath. Why should my family pay for my deeds? We have worked very
much to draft the rules as agreed and let us make it into use".
Isayas then said, after having exploited their minds, about their timing. He
even
accused them to be against the 2 groups uniting, that they wanted to split our
unity,
saying we are progressing well and these want the destruction, they should be
charged, they are opportunists etc, when victory is near hand. (Just like what
is
happening now). The new Cadres like Wuchu (uneducated) were told by Isayas that
these educated ones are suppressing the uneducated wanting the power for
themselves; they want to destroy us, these with Gelegif pants (word used by the
rurals
for city boys wearing belly bottom pants). The situation that time was not as
open as
now.
Many of us were new, naive and students. We suggested that confrontation should
be
solved democratically, if they are destructive should be charged, this is not
right way
for the front to condemn them without their say. Also, there were horrible
battles
between the Jebha (ELF) and us. The Menka suggested we are brothers killing each
other prolonging the struggle and losing fighters unnecessarily. It must be
stopped
and with selected shimageles, come into agreements. Isayas and co answer was,
"aha, the Ama (Jebha was then known as Ama) tried to wipe us out and we
survived.
Now shall we ask forgiveness for their guilt?" This was made a great deal of.
Isayas
accused them further that they told the Obel to stay away and join when the
Menkae
took power.
At that time, the Ethiopian EPRP fighters like Berhane Meskel were in Sahel to
train,
and the Menka were accused telling the EPRP to wait until the Menka came into
power. And inside the front the Menka were charged of being regionalists
dividing the
front. This was not true, but charged by Isayas. (the same for the present
situation).
Those of us who suggested this be solved peacefully were imprisonment. This was
making us to sit under trees. At night we were surrounded taken away separately
far
away and beaten badly to confess. We had to comply to stop the beatings. They
then
told the others that we had recanted because we did not know the whole thing.
Most
of us students were beaten. Some of us are lucky to have survived this long,
maybe
so that we will tell. Otherwise, survival was difficult, with the constant
hunger, thirst
etc.
As prisoners, we could not move an inch. Even if a snake came to bite us we ask
the
guard first and we were infested with lice. One having diarrheic has to ask
permission
to relieve himself and told to wait that he passed it inside his pants. Then he
is
accused of deliberately passing into his pants to make a bad smell and thus
beaten. A
dehydrated person unable to control himself is beaten badly, as I have seen it.
Those
not having seen this cannot believe they are so cruel to their own fighters.
Prisoners are put around a tree their backs to the tree and about 3 guards to
each
group. The others, of Musie group were separated from us. We cannot talk to each
other. If a person wants to urinate, he asks the guard for permission who
answers
wait.
Times we are tied in hands are when a fighter is in discomfort and asks another
prisoner to lend him his blanket, without permission from the guard. Then he is
taken
out and asked what this code meant and is beaten to confess. The prisoner tells
the
truth and the guard says he should have asked first. The guards had all power on
us
and were cruel. He is tied hands and legs and after beating put in the sun all
day.
There is a plant called Ubel growing in riverbanks and taking its time to dry,
it twists
like a whip. One beaten with it is horribly hurt their backs becoming open
wounds.
Some have died of this beating.
Too bad those who could have told have done. If a person wails in the beating,
cloth
is stuffed into is mouth and only the eyes communicate. The beaten person faints
and
goes into shock, shaking. It happened to me and I saw it on others. Yet we
continue
serving the front and did not think of fleeing lest those behind me get all the
punishment. When visiting the "toilet" prisoners are taken out in 2-3 lines. The
first line
take off their pants and kneel down, facing their guards. The next in line face
to the
opposite. It was a humiliating situation.
I used to see the 4 female fighters when I was new. The living way was such that
by
the riverside we lived, the girls used to come and visit us. Then a 5th girl
joined them,
Abeba Haile who lives in Europe now, wife of Stifanos Bruno. (Dehab Tsafatsion
and
Aberash Melke were executed) .Werku Zerai and Maasho are still living in Asmera.
She was imprisoned for a long time, and I do not know what she said to have been
freed. Abeba was an airline hostess.
Though she was in training when the situation arose, she too was imprisoned.
Since
Maasho was from the peasant, they said she knew nothing of it and let her free.
She
was not educated like the others. Abeba too was not imprisoned after having been
in
the training and was carefully handled. In 76 she had tried to write a book
about
women, a handwritten diary that was negatively looked upon.
The torturers were later exterminated accused of being "Yemin" in turn. We were
told
they beat us and we should do the same to them, but we refused. That was the
leaders of mela (strategy), to make us revenge, leaders giving them to us. This
was a
game, was very difficult time. We are sorry for the happenings and we cannot
forget
them. When I told this in the video recording, some people called me. One,
called
Kidane living in Canada said I told of his story.
He could not remember me. I remembered him and told him he was from Akhria area
of Asmera, and thru the phone conversion slowly started remembering me. He was
one of the beaten ones. I told him don't you remember we met in Amader,
Tsellima when you joined the ELF and I was disappointed asking you what our oath
was. He remembered that conversation but not me.
Some fighters were told they were misled by so and so, from their circles, come
to
your senses etc. Much was tried to make them betray their comrades. They
answered
that they were "acting innocently, wanted democratic solutions, nobody wants to
hurt
another fighter, we are not regionalists, what fabrications you make recently we
have
no hands in them."
Most of who beat us are already martyred. I remember one called Tekie martyred
in
the battle of Genfelom near Keren He was a Haili leader in Deboloch difa then.
He
was from the peasantry. Isayas had convinced them the educated ones were trying
to
take their power of the masses. But we were fighters for our country.
Our aim was to liberate our country and did not think of the future feeling we
would be
martyred. But these peasants were dying fast and we were compelled to recruit
fighters forcefully. Isayas used all to consolidate his power, even to
liberation. He had
planned who to use all the times. The PLF 1 (Romadan group) were of the Red Sea
area origins, of Hergigo. Some of leadership were Romadan, Ibrahim Affa, Alamin,
Shihim Dankalay, and Hilal.
When Musie and others started their movement, those encouraging were Alamin, Ali
Said Abdella etc. Then they betrayed the movement and Isayas put them into his
grasp, told them they did not know the Menka, that their roots are long. They
want to
use you to the last, the struggle nearing to its aims, reversing our struggle.
(The
person who told you this is right).
The movement was neither non-regionalist nor religionists. The times were hard.
Recruited fighters first gather in Durfo, outside Asmera. Then we travel to
Ginda area,
Sheeb Gidgid near Hergigo. We go down to Semhar and following the seastrand all
the way, travel northwards. After 6 days we reached Karora, which is a border
village
between Eritrea and Sudan.
Since we do not know that land, the Reshaida are our guides, they were paid for
it
too. We did not trust the Tigre speakers. ELF was hunting the Reshaidas and
Shabia
told them they sided and respected them. They were good spies for Shabia, and
knew
where Ethiopians were as the Ethiopians had seaside patrols. There were also
Locust
preventation and malaria eradication stations by the shores and we had to evade
them and the Reshaida knowing all the ways led us hiding from the stations.
Fighters
to be travelled in 50-70-90 in a group. Our group was less than a hundred. A
year
later many joined us.
Those from city were even beaten to continue the journey, with hunger. We asked
why mishandle new fighters this way? We all want to fight to bring independence,
democracy should rule. If such cruelty continues, we will be exposed to the
civilians
who will not support us and the struggle will become weak.
Make improvements. Feed people as possible. Put stations where water is found.
This
will strengthen the fighters' resistance.
We complained why people are beaten when weakened, die of thirst etc. This
should
not continue. And there are camels to be used. We should improve the procedure
situation. We were asked in Taalim, or training of our opinions. Isayas was our
commissioner educating us. When we told him of our opinion, he was answering
chests abreast and looking proud.
He said those of you used feeding by your mothers (mesob Adei) i.e. were
spoiled.
The guides are told to bring you here any means. Saying you were tired is
cheating
(hasad) not really the fact. Those new joining had rights to ask, though. Even
inside
Isayas circle was favouritism.
Some were discharged from the front like Said Idris. This was a question from
the Red
Sea people. Our question was why some were executed charged to have been spies
without being charged, and how they were killed. These questions made Isayas
uneasy. He feared that he will be charged in the future and he eliminated the
challengers. It is now we understand how strong we were to have endured all
this.
Why were we complacent to all the injustice and beatings on our backs? Why?
Sudan was not far away to flee. We were trained in the Sudanese border.
Ethiopian
military station was near us in Karora. We had many reasons to flee. But the
wish to
struggle for our people was higher.
Weldemikel Haile has saved many with rejecting them from joining the front, like
the
weak and very young ones. Told them to struggle in civil areas. He was accused
of
returning those wanting to be fighters. He was strong willed and did not fear
Isayas.
Isayas was afraid of Weldemikel and Ibrahim Affa, and Mesfin Hagos, who were a
brave man. Mesfin was from the leadership and the present situation makes him
fear
of retribution. The charging committee was under the top leadership like Mesfin,
Isayas and Romadan.
Mesfin is afraid he will be asked of the injustice he participated in. He had
good
position and name earlier.
Musie and the others were imprisoned in Gereger Tebeh, as all of us. There are
two
Gereger names, one inside Eritrea and one in Sudan. Then our base was changed to
Bliquat, and they were imprisoned there. It is far from Gereger, about 3 hours
away by
foot. Both are in Sahel. Tebeh is a chain of mountains separating it by a river
from
Bliqat.
We the army were later told of the death decision on the Menka, but not how.
After we
were released, others there told us that the prisoners were taken away one by
one,
when we asked them how they were killed. I have a friend residing in Atlanta
now,
who was prisoner after my release. He said they were taken tied with handcuffs
(Ganshur, chain).
Handcuffs could be brought from Sudan or Ethiopia. The prisoners were taken tied
and the handcuffs alone were returned. This means the prisoners were killed.
Earlier,
we thought they were taken to a "court" because we assumed we had one.
Or that they were sent to Hailitat or discharged. Then when the handcuffs alone
was
being returned, word spread out secretly that it means it was killing practice.
Seeing
the cuffs, one said, when is my turn? Knowing it meant certain death. What could
this
person do? Even if prisoners were together for a year, not talking or even
seeing each
other was allowed.
The executions of the progressives were widespread. Their killings became known
because they were fighters before us, were more educated, were political
commissioners etc. There are many more who were killed and not talked about
because we were constantly moving and in between battles that when they are
taken
away with some excuses, we assumed they were just transferred from us. Some were
accused to being spies and those who knew of their innocence are not living to
tell.
Although there could have been spies inside us, they should have been charged
democratically, not beaten to death in interrogations.
I know Memhir Tesfu Zewde and what is said is true because he was a prisoner.
(He
stated in audio interview that the Menka were slaughtered by knives). He was
taken
away to be killed, saying he was being freed, but to be killed, and the Sudanese
rescued him, he had lost a leg earlier. He was imprisoned, let out to fight and
again
imprisoned.
In the DM 73, Isayas wrote the progressive ones were spoiled and had class
problems. They were not at all spoiled in the meda, they suffered much on the
contrary. The female fighters had shed away their city upbringing habits. Even
sanity
pads were not available for them. They were beaten like the men, killing was not
denied them. All prisoners were beaten almost on monthly basis; to make them
tell
whatever secrets they were supposed to have. How many brave fighters were crying
in pain.
Those like Sebhat and Petros were with the movement, but passed all info to the
leadership and were put into the leadership circle. Sebhat has even forgotten
his 30
years comrades, let alone of that time.
Those who were beating were under Selomon Weldemariam who himself did the
beatings and ordered beatings. Naizgi Kiflu was a beater.
The leadership, Isayas etc, did not like Selomon the scoundrel. There was
disagreement inside the leadership and the Menka debacle was used to solve it.
They
accused him of being a regionalist and isolated him. Musie and the others
defended
him why this was done.
He was told the Menkae were using him to take power that he became their
adversary. He was made chief of Halewa Sewra and did the ordering and killing of
the
Menka. At last he himself was eliminated, and died badly. Isayas gave him free
reign
to kill anyone, even though they disliked each other. Isayas wanted Selomon to
do
crime and later told that Selomon was the head beater and killer, who spilled
much
innocent blood.
Because of that people are beginning to dislike the revolution and that he was
placing
selected people in positions. Selomon does not show easily his personality,
seeming
like a te-waz-aye, but was rough. We used to dislike him he killed many people.
He
was a bad regionalist. What Isayas starts Selomon followed. It became as if they
did
not dislike each other.
Teklai Aden was brought later. He was then brought to the Central Committee, and
scared others. He started beating Selomon. This all was like a drama. Anyone
following the truth ended up dead. He joined with us and knew of the Menka, but
was
afraid to join. He came from Aden, several years there, and spoke Arabic unlike
us
who came from Asmera. He was a university student and read books. From Haili
leader he came to the CC after the guba-e, but with little vote. He had not
matured
well.
There were others brought to the CC quickly. He then was made head of Halewa
Sewra and used his power. He was a drinker and womanizer living in Dekemhare and
was recalled to Sahel to lead the Halewa Sewra. He was in contradiction with
some
leadership members like Ali Said Abdella and Duru, with confrontations and
arguments. We do not know what his disagreement with Isayas was. His personality
became obvious and was accused of corruption. It was then mizlak time.
It was said that Isayas (megnahti), rebuked him, only they know the case. We
knew
their arguments. Suddenly we heard he had deserted and spilled many secrets. I
do
not have his writings or radio interview. We in the meda did not see it, and if
the
leadership got it we saw nothing, not spread to the lower cadres. It must have
reached
abroad. We were discouraged from listening to his words.
Duru was not in the Menka situation. The Ethiopians imprisoned him. Haile
Menkerious was not in the leadership then. I forgot who the charging committee
were,
but it was said that Adhanom boycotted the committee. And in vengeance for that,
Shabia was against him always.
Selomon was against Tewelde Eyob and Asmerom. Isayas criticized Selomon that he
had said negative words against these two. Mussie and others were there in the
meeting and said old critics are not valid now.
Musie said Selomon was a democratic person why are you isolating him and because
of that the meeting became dispersed. Said the front should advance
democratically
not bring old feuds here, showing his opposition against Isayas and you others
should
observe this situation.
Another day others were added to quell the conflict. Musie criticized Tsegai
Keshi why
one leaves a meeting, it is not a handkerchief, mendil to sit and leave as one
wishes.
Then Tsegai hits Musie and the meeting is dispersed. Musie was sent to clinic
and
Tsegai in temporary prison, military rule. I was new then in training centre and
the
clinic was there that after 3 days Musie was with us.
We were all in one riverbank. The fighters used to come and talk with us there.
Musie
had come to our centre to talk those he knew, and his head was bandaged. We did
not know each other, it was the first time I saw him.Fighters are made to dig
told it
was for planting trees or latrine. When enough dug, they themselves are killed
and
buried there.
Some fighters were killed by gun in riverbanks. When being killed, we are told
an
investigation was made but we have no proof. Since we all did not know each
other,
one may say so and so was taken away from us. We did not know all who were taken
away from us.
The situation of the Menka became talked of because they were known fighters, in
position and cadres, were visible by the military for their movement. One marks
seeing them being taken and others say so and so was taken from our group, taken
to
Halewa Sewra. And with no news from them it becomes known they were killed.
They did not need to make music to silence the killing. Because we lived in an
isolated area, one can shoot to kill apes, snakes, birds, or try a new weapon,
that a
shot heard was not concerning.
We had a fierce battle with Ethiopia then, for 2 weeks, end of December to mid
January. It was just then the military revolted against Haile Selassie. The
Ethiopians
started the fighting coming to Sahel. 5 fighters were martyred then, one called
Amr
and one Alem Negassie who joined 3 months earlier and trained, Haile, Osman
Drei,
others I remember. We were told of the outcome that 5 were martyred, the numbers
of
wounded and that it was a difficult fight amidst our lack of food, that Ethiopia
has lost
morale. A little note was brought and read to us.
The Menka were killed in Bliquat. We had moved from Gereger to Bliqat,
unpopulated
area near Alghen, which was military base of Ethiopian army later taken by us
led by
Adhanom Gebre Mariam.
After over a year we heard rumours that the Menka were killed. Some had escaped
from the prison. ELF said that those known as Menka were killed naming them that
those who escaped from Shabia told of this.
ELF gathered people and told this and we heard from the people. The ELF in their
seminars told secrets of us. On the 23 January 1977 conference, their execution
was
told then. We were not told before that. Since we were fighting the enemy, many
things were kept secret from us. In different times we heard so and so was taken
prisoner because he was Menka, and those allegedly caught deserting that we did
not
notice the happenings.
It was after the Menka happening that Halewa Sewra was put to use. I read the
writing of Isayas "Destructive Movement" in 1976, I do not know when it first
came
out, we knew publicly of it then as we cadres were taught of it, after the 5th
round,
zuria. We were in rounds, 150 to 200 fighters getting cadre education, gathered
from
all hailetat and kifletat of the front.
Mesfin Hagos was one of the top leadership and nothing is done without their
signing.
Isayas was the chairman, others being Mesfin, Selomon, Tewelde Eyob who was
later
killed being part of Menka, and Asmerom Gerezghier. From the PLF 1 leadership
were Ali Said Abdella, Romadan Hamed Nur and others unknown who were added.
So in the killings of the Menkae, Alamin and others were selected as committee.
If this
comes out publicly there will be tewatet, sahabo guteto. 6-7 committee members
were
elected, and those like Mesfin were top leaders.
A brave member of the leadership, Tewelde Eyob was killed, he did not even sign
for
the killing. He said let us democratically solve the situation. When it was said
this
movement was destructive, Tewelde said no, this is a conflict only not a
destructive
one and we can lead them to the right way, it is not a criminal charge, but was
said he
too was against Shabia and eliminated.
The Menka movement started in September and Isayas talked of it in January. A
paper is lost written by Tewelde Eyob "at Adobha meeting we claimed our youth
were
killed and we condemned the ELF. This will be our everlasting condemnation, the
case must me democratically changed." He was charged to becoming Menka and
secretly taken down from top leadership post. He was imprisoned in June or July
of
1974 and killed like the Menka. We all knew he was killed. Nothing is kept
secret
forever. Some secrets are known from leaders.
Goitom Bisay was made shimagelle in first committee to study the conflict and
said
the proceeding was wrong that Menka were correct. He was called Menka and put
down from responsibility and followed upon. Was said he was writing a book for
the
front, translating, and made to disappear.
Wedi Fenkil was a known warrior. Dr Bemnet was charged to being Menka. He was
from Addis, was in cadre school. He asked about the Menka, though I never saw
him.
It was said hat he bombed himself. He was of same school as Yohannes and Musie.
He wanted clarification, which was regarded suspiciously. A person is followed
upon
and disappears. It was common saying one killed himself even if he was a liked
person that they killed him while trying to desert, what was not said. Deserting
was
crime to be killed. The life was difficult and one may want out. Someone plans
escape
and was caught.
After the 1973 experience, we were demoralized not to inquire about our comrades
or
ourselves. When a comrade is taken away we did nothing.New comers were told
about the Menkae as a lesson. Anyone seen reading Marx, Lenin or Mao etc was
seen suspiciously believing he will be a Menkae, that many stopped reading in
fear. It
was the ELF who held a weapon in one hand and a book in the other, unlike us.
Many
pretended to be uneducated because they were demoralized to what happened to
those who read.
It was not time to write against Shabia in struggle times, and many secrets
untold.
ELF as the adversary wrote much against Shabia. As ELF was condemned by Shabia
as a lords group, and unable to liberate Eritrea we belittled them. Some
deliberate lies
were found out that everything else was unbelievable.
Haile Selassie Gebremedhin was one of the top Menka. He was educated. He was in
Ala in 70 and taken prisoner by Ethiopia. He was not imprisoned long; his family
worked hard to have him freed bribing the authorities saying he had planned to
give
himself up. He had asked why the movement was seen negatively, but be studied,
telling this to Isayas. Many who were with the movement changed sides when
fighters
were imprisoned. He, John, Afwerki, Tareke, Rusom Amma, Dehab Aberash, Werku,
Debesai G Mikel (friend of Musie, taken later than the others he was taken from
the
front line).
Some succeeded escaping from prison. I know one called Wedi Blatta (mayila
Tsenadegle) of Menka movement. He joined ELF and was martyred fighting. It is
said
he told of many secrets. Maybe the security members of ELF have the documents.
Abraham Tewelde died 3 years before Derg came. I heard about him, as a brave
man. Haile Jebha was one of the Menkae beaters and than himself killed for being
a
torturer. Tekle Aden came after the Menkae time.
As prisoners we did not sit together like in a house. Prisoners were ordered by
their
guards to build a fence, like animals fence, and imprisoned them.
I cannot remember all the names. Many names are forgotten except the leadership
or
familiar ones.
Fighters were taken away from front lines and disappeared. Some fighters came
from
Addis and abroad hearing of the Menkae killings and asked about it. They were
met
suspiciously and made to disappear.
Petros Yohannes had stared inquiring already from the US. Why the fighters were
imprisoned because the educated ones asked for democracy, and what more have
the ELF done? So what was the reason Shabia split from ELF then?
Though I did not meet him, he was said to be a brilliant person. We heard that a
man
called Petros Yohannes had entered meda from the US and was killed. We heard
that
Petros was made to stay behind since they were called to meda for work. One
wanted
in meda was told to represent and go to meda and held there. Meriam Hagos is an
example. She was invited to meda to see progress and forced to stay and she was
in
meda until the end. Nobody knows about them.
Though we did not see them we heard rumours. The secret comes out somehow
some saying so and so was taken away from us and killed, like the US ones too.
So
and so was killed yesterday, etc. But nobody dared asked openly, all the lost
ones
were made to disappear. Even now it is the same situation.
In 1986 there was a big fighters movement. Those living standards were bad and
differences between fighters and leadership. I have heard that some of those who
started this movement were taken away and killed, or made to disappear. And some
who just when it started knew they would be killed and fled to Sudan. There are
prisoner fighters who are still in prison now.
Bitweded after liberation was made administrator of Assab at first. Then he was
imprisoned. Nobody has officially inquired about him though all knew about him.
Some say he stole, some say he refused Isayas to send goods to Ethiopia that it
belonged to Eritrea, telling Isayas to order him in writing. That he dared
Isayas, and
some say he was trying to sell the goods contraband to Ethiopia and the fighters
doing that were caught. When imprisoned and asked, they said it was Bitweded´s
order and they got free and he taken in. Nobody knows the exact reason why
Bitweded has been imprisoned for 13 long years.
We can understand those inside Eritrea are afraid to ask. What about those
abroad?
They were systematically made to ask nothing. "You cannot enter home (Eritrea),
Shabia´s stick is long it will reach you". When I first came here and started
telling
against the Shabia, people began to evade me, even those I knew for many years.
I
was told I was already a convicted man by the government and they were afraid to
be
implicated with me.
They are afraid from being imprisoned in Eritrea saying they were together with
Meharena. It is obvious when going in gatherings like a funeral, they stare at
me and
when I stare back, they bow their heads, even the higdef ones. Because they send
false reports and rumours against us, especially in a democratic country of USA.
What is the meaning of democracy if one cannot ask? What is the meaning of
having
served meda for many years, martyred, even become handicapped?
The reason I fought for my country was to see a free and democratic government,
free to live in. That is why I decided to come open. Who should be the free man,
all
the people should have equal rights. Those who fought for their country should
not be
regarded as enemies.
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