Final Statement

2^nd General Congress of the EDA

The Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA) held its Second General Congress between 15 and 20 February 2007 under the slogan of: “let’s struggle to establish a democratic Eritrea in which all fundamental rights and freedoms of the people are respected”, and at a time when our country and people are exposed to harsh economic condition and oppressive political situation caused by the policies of the dictatorial one-man regime of Isaias Afwerki. This historic event no doubt took place during an interesting period in which significant political developments are emerging in the region.

After thoroughly evaluating performances of the alliance during the past two years, the Congress commended the EDA leadership for organizing this Congress that reached the conclusion that the policies of the Isaias regime against all neighbours totally contradict the aspirations and best interests of the Eritrean people. These belligerent policies based on senseless dreams for grandeur of a dictator attempting to impose his whims on neighbourly countries are senseless and destructive. Because of the policies that plunged the country into difficult economic social and security crises, a very large number of Eritrean youth is being forced to leave the country for exile under high risks to their lives. Regarding Eritrean asylum seekers currently detained in Libya, the Congress called on Libyan authorities to duly consider the reasons that caused the flight of those youth from Eritrea and to refrain from any decision of sending them back to the dictatorial regime in Eritrea.  Likewise, the Congress demanded that the international community to provide legal protection to those Eritrean youth detained in Libya.

The responsible deliberations of the Second EDA Congress on the Charter proved to be frank and transparent engagement on national dialogue. As a result, the congress revised the EDA Charter by affirming the people’s basic rights for democracy, peace and  human rights and by duly respecting the political, confessional and social rights of our people with the recognition that culture , religion and ethnic origin are among the basic  factors of identity of Eritreans.     

The Congress was of the conviction that the understanding reached enhancing the Charter shall help heal the wounds inflicted upon our national unity by the evil deeds of the Isaias regime, and help build confidence and mutual trust among the political forces and the different segments of the population.

Based on this understanding, the Second EDA Congress passed resolutions that include the following major ones:

1.                  Considering decrees of the Isaias regime on land as null and void, the Congress resolved that all land seized from the people shall be returned to its rightful owners through just and legal channels.

2.                  There shall be organized a National Forum for Democratic Change in which Eritrean political forces and different segments of the civil society shall take part.

At this difficult moment in the life of our people, every Eritrean national is called upon to rally alongside the Eritrean Democratic Alliance in removing the dictatorial regime and realizing democratic change in which peace, stability and tranquility prevail.

Likewise, the EDA Congress strongly called upon members of the Eritrean Defense Force   to stand on the side of their victimized people and play a positive role in helping Eritreans get rid of the one-man dictatorship.

The Congress expressed its profound appreciation and gratitude to Eritrean communities abroad, the civil societies, and internet websites that have played their roles in exposing the grave human rights violations of the Isaias regime through various means including public demonstrations.

The Congress paid deep gratitude to the people and government of Ethiopia for kindly hosting this historic Second EDA Congress and thanked all member countries of the Sanaa Forum for their sympathies and support to the Eritrean people struggling against a dictatorship.   The Congress also extended its gratitude international humanitarian organizations that have been providing assistance to our needy people and commended the efforts made by Western human rights organizations in exposing the wrong deeds of the Eritrean regime of Isaias Afwerki.

The Congress demanded the international community to make exerted diplomatic efforts to see the final implementation of the still unresolved border issue between Eritrea and Ethiopia based on the decision of the Border Commission.

In conclusion, the Congress called upon the international community to make pressure bear upon the dictatorial regime in Eritrea to release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience and alto to support through different means the Eritrean people’s struggle for change, peace and democracy.

Victory to the Struggle of the Eritrean People!

Glory and Eternal Memory to our Martyrs!

The 2^nd EDA Congress

20 February 2007.