Mekelle፡ 30 September 2024 (Tigray Herald)
By Selam Kidane
Betrayed, Silenced, but Yet Unbroken: The
Enduring Fight to Reclaimn Eritrea
It was on this day that the Eritrean government began incarcerating members of its own inner circle, individuals now known as the G15, who had dared to demand accountability and reform following the devastating war with Ethiopia. These brave souls, including top-ranking officials and military commanders, believed in a vision of Eritrea that upheld the values of justice, democracy, and transparency. They wanted answers and progress, but instead, they faced imprisonment. Along with them, journalists who played a pivotal role in facilitating discussions around these demands were also imprisoned.
Since 2001, the G15 and these courageous journalists have disappeared into the oppressive abyss of the Eritrean prison system, with many families left to live in a painful state of ambiguity—where the fate of their loved ones remains unknown. In their absence, their elderly parents have passed away, holding unanswered questions and bearing the weight of betrayal. Their children have grown up, some now parents themselves, all while living with the ongoing grief of their parents’ ambiguous loss.
In the decades since, the spirit of the G15 and their call for a better Eritrea has not been forgotten. Though many of us have felt ineffective, at times powerless, we have continued to raise our voices in support of their quest for justice and freedom. The dreams of those imprisoned—the hope for a prosperous, democratic Eritrea—remain alive. They remind us that the only just and righteous future for Eritrea and the wider region is one without dictatorship—a future that honors the aspirations of the Eritrean people, forged in the struggle for independence.
Today, as we reflect on the courage of the G15 and the journalists who stood by them, we renew our commitment to their cause. Their sacrifices were not in vain. Their demand for accountability and reform is our demand. Their vision for Eritrea is our vision. Though many years have passed, the struggle for justice continues, and it is our duty to carry that torch forward.
Let us use this day to amplify our call for a better Eritrea, a nation where freedom of expression, human rights, and the rule of law are once again restored. This is the Eritrea that the G15 paid the ultimate price for—a dream that we will continue to fight for until it is realized.
May we never forget their sacrifice, and may we continue to be the voice they were silenced for. Eritrea’s future can only be brighter when the aspirations of its people are restored.
