Civilian and Military Brigades

Scriptures say, BzHu wetebazeHu—multiply and multiply more. But the scriptures didn’t mean multiply your organizations when struggling for peace and freedom.

Sorry, I didn’t put a clear chart describing the organizations of the Eritrean struggle from 1961 until 2007. Now I have added below a link that takes you to a clear chart.

This is Negarit 289 Senai Mkkttal.

L’Afrique Noir, Afriqya alSewda’a, Tselam Afriqa

Very often, we are hard on ourselves and feel guilty for the little racism that our culture has—don’t feel too guilty. It’s human nature and human sickness that all have to strive to be cured from. Even countries we thought were cured of racism are practicing it in technicolor, in broad daylight.

We can be an example to many if we rein in our fringe racists. And the best solution is reconciliation.

1. Sebta and Cueta – l’Afrique noir

When I was taking French lessons in Bahrain, once a substitute Moroccan teacher took the class for a few days. Talking about Africa, she would make sure she said l’Afrique noir and other uncomfortable terms. I asked her why. She said she meant the black Africans, south of Northern Africa. I asked if she believed she was from “l’Afrique blanche”? She hesitated. The class turned into a race debate.

Realizing she was a diehard government supporter, I hijacked the debate to “Ceuta and Melilla.”

For those who don’t know, Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish enclaves on the northern coast of Morocco. Then there is Spanish Sahara, which some call Sahrawi after the name of the movement for self-determination, basically to be free from Spain. Algeria and a few countries support them—it’s in the middle of the conflict between Algeria and Morocco. She was a loyalist of the Moroccan government and didn’t like my mentioning Sahrawi. I thought she deserved to be embarrassed.

Most Africans do have names for their countries, and one has to identify them by those names. I told her, “If not, don’t be annoyed when I identify what you call the southern provinces as Sahrawi.” She never repeated Afrique noir again. And she never liked me.

Iraq Invaded Kuwait

In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and called it the 19th province of Iraq. (Remember that; I will come back to it.)

Once, a top Kuwait official was waiting for the owner of the company which was managed by a friend of mine. He asked my friend where he was from, and he replied, “Eritrea.”

“What’s your problem with Ethiopia?”

My friend told him, “Well, Ethiopia occupied Eritrea, called it the 14th Ethiopian province, and for the last 28 years, we have been fighting for our independence.”

Shocked, the man exclaimed, “Weeeeeh, you mean we have to fight Iraq for 28 years to be liberated!”

Lucky them! They didn’t have to suffer for too long; the West needs oil and liberated Kuwait in February 1991, in less than a year.

Understanding regional conflicts broadens one’s scope and makes us appreciate the complications. It’s not limited to language politics: beherna and qwangwana, focused on ethnicity and language.

The Waves and Shades of Blue

In my last video, there were unusual negative, bigoted, racist comments—every time the bigots don’t like some of the points raised, they run their mouths, shamelessly.

Relatively new groups with twisted, unclear visions are confusing Eritrean politics. Since a considerable number of them seem to have short memories, I will remind them of my reservations.

I have done many episodes and articles on the issue of what I like to call “the Blue Wave.” I don’t use BG (excuse me, I don’t mention groups with military names). But I promised to share my view on that movement, whatever you choose to call it.

Last time, I said I made 14 videos, but discovered they are more than 14… Negarit 141, Bejakhum Wreruna, published on August 24, 2021, and ending with Negarit 313, Lebona Bkhedan Ayqeyern, published on February 22, 2025. A total of 14 videos.

Today, I will not forget to put a link to the playlist where they are grouped. Anyone who is interested can watch them there.

Here are some of the thumbnails:

1. 141

   Bejakhum Wreruna

   (Please invade us)

2. 184

   Qnyat Negdet Ninda Hgdef

   (Pilgrimage to the PFDJland)

3. 186

   Hade Meskerem

   (September 1st)

4. 187

   Abay Eritran Abay Tigrayn

   (Great Eritrea and Great Tigray)

5. 230

   Wefri Bergedat

   – 7-point advice (Campaign of Brigades)

6. 233

   Wefri Semayawi Maebel

   (Campaign of Blue Wave)

7. 234

   Unite, Break the Shackles

8. 257

   Semayawi Maebel

   (Blue Wave)

9. 258

   Kem Derho May Znequ

   (If it quacks like a duck, it’s a duck)

10. 273

    Hnfshfsh Meninetn Zegenetn

    (Confusion of Identity and Citizenship)

11. 274

    Nhnan Nsomn Nmalyatatna

    (We and them fight for our jerseys)

12. 277

    Hgdef Nmeley Eqreta Hatita

    (PFDJ asks for an apology from the Blue Flag)

13. 311

    Gegatat Do Ydegem

    (Why are mistakes repeated?)

14. 313

    Lebona Bkhedan

    (T-shirts are not a sign of wisdom)

And here are the highlights of my reservations:

1. I believe that for a group or organization to be accountable, it is not enough to speak in the abstract; it has to have a structure of leaders and spokespersons who can be referred to. If they don’t have a known spokesperson, there is no way we can criticize or hold them accountable for what random members state or do. Clarity and responsibility.
2. If they are independent groups, they must act as such. But if they claim they are one organization, then they must adhere to an organizational structure. That criticism brought me criticism and anger from some of my close friends. The excuse was that it’s a movement and need not have structure! Yes, they do, because they are acting under one umbrella and are describing themselves as a global movement—though their discipline and statements are loose and confusing, and cannot make a positive impact.
3. Some statements from their members are unbecoming, and they make them on behalf of the movement—I haven’t seen any statement disowning the statements and correcting them. And what else do I have? I inform my audience about it.
4. When the movement started, I was excited and had hopes that a robust movement would be formed and be effective.
5. Alas, they are as divided as any other group and focused on linguistic and ethnic politics.

Still, a big chunk can be salvaged, but uniform shirts and noise alone cannot accomplish much. It ends up being a feel-good exercise.