May 26, 2004
Eritrean Democratic Party
Office of the Secretariat

I am writing you to submit my resignation from the Eritrean Democratic Party and from my position as Central Council Member, effective May 26, 2004. I do so with a heavy heart.

My decision to resign was not undertaken without long and prayerful consideration. The gravidity of this decision is of some duration, going back during the 2003 EPLF-DP Atlanta Meeting in Georgia. I did not resign at that time, because of a stubborn optimism born of the hope that EPLF-DP founding Congress would positively change the conduct and direction of the Party.

However, weeks after the EDP Founding Congress that it was becoming clear to me that no such change was likely to occur and I began again to actively gaze at resigning from the EDP.

After reading the EPLF-DP two years activity report and observing the resignation of the six or more dedicated General Assembly Members during the last few months; witnessing the Joint Withdrawal made by the North American EDP Branches in April, 2004 and UK EDP branches in May, 2004; the lack of initiative taken to my persistent call of the need for a healthy realignment in the nature of the relationship between the Central Council Members and EDP branches in USA and UK, and the failure to call for a meeting of the EDP Central Council to consider the ramifications of these events and establish a course of action, my decision has been moved from the realm of the potential to the stage of kinetics.

For some time now, I have become increasingly concerned and uneasy about the course that the EPLF-DP/ EDP is following. The institutional processes of the EDP have become, in my opinion, almost totally dominated by the lack of commitment, by character, outlook and actions of individual Members rather than by its Programs, Principles and Resolutions.

By my observation, when dissension over matters has developed within the EDP or with those outside of it, it often seems to be met by displays of rage, castigation, suspicion and distrust. Increasingly, EDP has become a reactive organization and seems to lack the capacity to function proactively in the face of changing and developing circumstances. It is sad to witness that rather than displaying positive leadership, the primary focus seems to be the exercise of control through principles of Avoidance. The developing results are often isolation, non-communication and growing irrelevancy.

This is a letter of resignation and not a bill of indictment hence my concerns have been deliberately stated in general terms rather than very specific.

I am convinced that national dialogue with PFDJ is a strategic error and will not benefit the Eritrean people. Unless otherwise our constitution is implemented, all political prisoners are released, democratic institutions are acquainted and fair public election and basic Human Rights are maintained.

At this juncture however, I will assure you that I will fight for basic human right and refugee protection in Eritrea, and for the implementation of the border decision, with a view to ensuring an expeditious and orderly process for the benefit of all the people, and without unilateral actions.

I am resigning because I have tried and failed to reconcile my inner voice with my ability to represent EDP Information Council. I am more bound to Principles than to Individuals and I am a slave to my people than a leader.

I have confidence however, that democratic process is finally self-bettering, and hope that in some way I can contribute from outside the party which better serve my people.
Dr Yonas Mehari DVM, MSC, REHP
Zekri N' Sema'etat

width full permission from Secretary General Herui Tedla. We invite our readers to send any questions, comments you may have regarding to this article to