The bond between the Eritrean Government and the Eritrean diaspora

Eritrea's enemies are leaving no stone unturned to disrupt the bond between the Eritrean government and the Eritrean diaspora.  A bond that is stronger than any other, and that has stood the test of time. Eritrea fought 30 years of long and bitter struggle for independence.  The world had ignored and refused to help Eritrea's right to self determination.  Eritreans had to rely on themselves. During the struggle for Independence an estimated one third of the 3 million population was forced to leave the country. However, Eritreans are very patriotic people.  Wherever they may be, they continued to organize to work for the liberation of their country and to defend the right of their population.  During the struggle for Independence Eritreans raised funds, wrote letters and marched to protest the world's unfair treatment of Eritrea and many went back to help in the armed struggle.  During the armed struggle the Eritrean leadership traveled abroad and held community meetings with the Eritrean communities around the world to update them on the progress on the field.  Many of us fondly remember the cultural troupes that came to entertain and inform with their songs and plays.  This spiritual connection of the Eritrean Diaspora community with its roots has continued after independence.  It  manifested itself with vigor during the 1998-2000 war with Ethiopia and continues to play a vital role in opposition to the unjust US-lead Security Council sanctions against Eritrea. In recognition of this valuable contribution, the Eritrean government at independence in 1991 decided that Eritrea would allow dual citizenship.  Eritreans born of either of an Eritrean mother are or an Eritrean father are automatically an Eritrean citizen and can apply for the Eritrean Identity Card (menenet card).  The Eritrean Identity Card comes with many privilages unlike any in the world.  Eritreans with the Eritrean Identity Card who live outside the country were allowed to vote in the country's referendum in 1993.  When the country debated the draft constitution members of the constitution commission held several meetings outside the country and Eritreans in diaspora were allowed to participate and make contributions to the draft.  When the country voted for the national assembly, Eritreans in diaspora were allowed to vote for their representatives and were represented in the Eritrean Assembly.  Each Eritrean who lives in Eritrea is allotted a parcel of land in his ancestral village, likewise, Eritreans who live in the diaspora and who have chosen to apply for Eritrean citizenship are also allocated a parcel of land.  Eritreans who hold the Eritrean Identity Card are exempt from Visa Requirements and can travel to Eritrea at anytime.  Those who do not have a passport can apply for an Eritrean passport.  Those who fulfill their obligation as Eritrea  citizens can send goods to Eritrea duty free.  On top of that Eritreans in the diaspora were given an opportunity before anyone in the country to build residential houses in the suburbs of Asmara.  Eritreans in diaspora also have unlimited access to Eritrean government officials.  I have personally run into the Eritrean Ambassador to America at the Eritrean Cultural and Community Center and had many lively discussions about Eritrea and the governments role and at times what I perceived as its  faults.  Many of Eritrea's top officials tour the world updating Eritreans on the developments in Eritrea and its relations with outside world and answering many tough questions.  The bond between the Eritrean diaspora and the Eritrean government is unprecedented.  I don't know of a single African country that has cultivated and maintained such a relationship.  It is truly a privilege and an honor to be an Eritrean.   All these privileges come with a responsibility and why shouldn't they? Americans are fond of saying only two things are guaranteed in life -- Death and Taxes.  Of course Eritreans are guaranteed death and those who die often choose to be buried in the land of their ancestors and are free to do so.  The United States of America like Eritrea has a citizenship-based tax system.  What that means is that as a U.S. citizen you are required to pay taxes no matter where you live.  U.S. taxes are of course much higher and much more complex than the mere 2% Development and Rehabilitation tax Eritrea requires. The Tigrigna name for this is very revealing it has always been called "meHwey gbri".  For those who know the language this phrase has a double meaning. While the literal translation is "rehabilitation tax", the second much deeper meaning is "healing act".  So Eritreans in the diaspora feel lucky that they are given an opportunity to "heal" their country of origin with this modest contribution. The 2% Eritrea tax is in no way obligatory and no one is coerced to pay.  Eritreans who wish to recieve the benefits of Eritrean citizenship are required to fulfill their obligations.  If you don't ask for privileges accorded to an Eritrean citizen then no one is going to ask you for a proof that you have fulfilled your obligation by paying your 2% tax. I will admit there are many of us years behind paying our 2% taxes.  No one has come to see us, no one has called us and no one has threatened us or our family in Eritrea.  If anyone had done so, we would have gladly reported them to the proper authorities.  However, I am glad to say, it is not the way the government of Eritrea operates.  Lies to tarnish its image can only go so far. But there is one force that constantly knocks at my door: my conscious. I know how much sacrifices people inside Eritrea have paid and how much they are paying.  The development and rehabilitation tax is a small, symbolic gesture to say I am with you.   I am glad I am given this opportunity. In 1998, Ethiopia had launched a war against Eritrea based on a lie that Eritrea had invaded Badme, an Ethiopian territory.  An international court in the Hague has said Badme has always been sovereign Eritrean territory.  Ethiopia has refused to abide by the final and binding court ruling and remains not only in sovereign Eritrean territories but continues to threaten to launch an all out war to overthrow the government of Eritrea.  Eritreans that live in Eritrea have been mobilized since 1998 to defend the country.  My 2% contribution is nothing to speak of when you consider the contributions and sacrifices they are making.  If I give up my daily visit to Starbucks, it more than covers my 2% contribution.  Can you imagine what they are giving up?   Africa needs to maintain and enhance a relationship with its citizens in the diaspora to help fight poverty and reverse the brain drain. Eritrean government's exemplary and successful relationship with its citizens around the world is a prime example and a lesson for Africa.  The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the world community has no business attempting to break up this bond that should be encouraged.  The UNSC needs to ensure the physical demarcation of the Eritrean-Ethiopian border in accordance with the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission Delimitation Decision. Ethiopia needs to renounce its ambition to recolonize Eritrea and respect agreements it signed.  After that I can assure you Eritrea will not need a "healing tax".   Yemane Abselom