Eritrean Diaspora Plans Historic Meeting to Form Election Commission for Democratic Representation
August 30, 2025 Gathering Aims to Unite Justice-Seeking Eritreans Worldwide
In a significant development for Eritrean democracy advocates, organizers have scheduled a crucial meeting for August 30, 2025, to establish a Registration and Election Commission. This initiative seeks to create a legitimate global representative body for justice-seeking Eritreans in the diaspora, marking a potential turning point in the struggle against dictatorship in Eritrea.
A Call for Unified Action Against Dictatorship
In an open letter to the August 30 Organizing Committee, activist Araya Debessay outlined a comprehensive proposal to ensure the meeting’s success. “The ultimate objective is to elect a body with legal authority and legitimacy to represent all justice-seeking Eritreans in the diaspora,” Debessay wrote, emphasizing the need for a unified voice against Eritrea’s brutal regime.
The letter identifies numerous activist groups sharing this common goal, including:
- Eritrean political parties
- Berghed N’Hamedu movement
- Yiakl and Felsi organizations
- Bright Future initiative
- Eritrean Women’s Association
- ERIPS (Eritrean Research Institute for Policy and Strategy)
- Eritrea Focus
- FAST (Facilitating Democratic Change in Eritrea)
Overcoming Fragmentation Through Democratic Processes
Debessay’s proposal addresses the historical challenge of fragmentation among opposition groups. “Ending dictatorship in Eritrea should not be left only to political parties,” the letter states, calling for broader participation from all justice-seeking Eritreans.
The two-phase plan recommends:
- Registration Facilitating Committee: Composed of representatives from all major activist groups to encourage widespread participation in voter registration.
- Independent Election Commission: Staffed by unaffiliated technocrats to ensure transparent, democratic elections.
Roadmap to Democratic Representation
The proposal outlines a clear timeline:
- Immediate outreach to activist groups for committee nominations
- Comprehensive online registration process
- Democratic elections following registration completion
- Formation of a legitimate representative body
Debessay emphasizes the importance of inclusivity: “It is critically important that no one group is left behind if the registration and election process is to be successful.”
Addressing Challenges and Building Consensus
The letter acknowledges potential resistance from some groups, proposing mediation by influential individuals to build consensus. Debessay offers personal assistance in this effort, stating, “I will be happy to join others to assist in persuading any reluctant groups.”
This initiative represents one of the most organized attempts to date to unify Eritrea’s diaspora opposition. If successful, it could provide a democratic framework for coordinating resistance to the Eritrean regime and planning for a post-dictatorship future.
The full details of this proposal and ongoing developments can be found in the original article at Awate.com.