The Ethiopian Democratic Union Party (EDUP) Communiqué
It has been sometimes since the International Court of Justice at The Hague completed the task of appointing Boundary Commission judges to deliberate the demarcation of the boundary between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which is representing Ethiopia, had earlier declared that it would submit to the International Court Ethiopia's legitimate claim, in its entirety, to resolve the border issue. The Ethiopian people, whose identity and heritage is in essence linked to this issue, have been waiting for the opportunity to review and discuss the matter, and make known their wishes for presenting the case for Ethiopia.Furthermore, the Ethiopian Democratic Union Party (EDUP) is most concerned to learn that Ethiopia's interest regarding the Afar area, including Asseb, was not drawn to the attention of the International Court of Justice. Moreover, the deadline for submitting the cases of the respective countries is now closed, and the Court is in the process of making its final decision.
From the outset, the EPRDF Government's policy on Eritrea, including the organization of the referendum, instead of resolving the 30-year old problem, has aggravated the situation. The result has been devastating carnage between brothers. The EPRDF Government's failure to present to the International Court the need of Ethiopia's access to the sea is further proof that it continues to lack commitment to guard Ethiopia's basic territorial interests.
The Ethiopian Democratic Union Party's policy with regard to the Eritrean question was set out some 27 years ago as part of its founding declaration. The EDU Manifesto stated that the resolution of the Eritrean question could be achieved only if a referendum was carried out under a democratic structure that allowed Ethiopians and Eritreans the opportunity to discuss freely and exchange ideas on their historical bond and the mutual benefits of living together. It is to be recalled that prior to the referendum, the Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU) had written (1) to the United Nations, to the Organization of African Unity and to the then Transitional Government of Ethiopia, condemning the scope, content and clandestine matter in which the referendum was administered without the of active participation by both peoples. The EDUP has also voiced its opposition to the Algiers Agreement, which was no different in procedure from the referendum.
It is never too late to learn from past mistakes so that further strife being passed on to succeeding generation can be averted. The EDUP believes that, to achieve a solution to the Eritrean question once and for all, and to enable both peoples to concentrate on their economic and social well being, the International Court should be made aware of the following four critical action points during its deliberation:
- taking into consideration the loss of life resulting from the border war due to the improper implementation of the Eritrean referendum, and the fact that there was no deliberation by both peoples on the border issue, the United Nations should reconsider the postponement of the Court's final decision;
- the ongoing discourse among the Ethiopian public is that the occupation, designed by the Italian Colonialist Power to gain a foothold in Ethiopia, should not be the only consideration for resolving the border issue. Furthermore, when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 390A(V) on 2 December 1950 on the unification of Eritrea with its motherland through federation, it acknowledged the "geographical, historical, ethnic or economic reasons, including in particular Ethiopia's legitimate need for adequate access to the sea". Therefore, it is incumbent on the EPRDF Government to put forward the Asseb question;
- another critical issue of which the Ethiopian people are seized is that Ethiopia's claim should not be limited to areas from Badme, Shiararo, Zalambessa, Alitena up to Burre, which were restored to her through the sacrifices of the Ethiopian people, but also that the EPRDF Government should include areas, such as Shilalo and Sheshebit, where there is clear documented evidence showing Ethiopia's sovereignty over these areas;
- it is necessary for the United Nations Peace-Keeping Mission to remain in the Temporary Security Zone and to maintain the peace as specified in the Algiers Agreement, until the above steps are undertaken.
The Sovereignty of the Nation
Merits Honor and Respect
President of
Ethiopian Democratic Union PartyDecember 4, 2001
[Opinions in this article are solely that of the writer.]