RC & Its Spinning Bottle

RC & Its Spinning Bottle

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Name (Alphabetical by first name)

Profile

1

Abdella Hassen

Was a clandestine urban organizer in the sixties. Jailed during Haile Sellasieís regime, he dug a tunnel and engineered a daring escape from Asmara main prison. Fled to field and became a well-known commander in the Eritrean Liberation Army (ELA) and is now strong supporter of joining and working with the alliance. He believes that the military arm of the ENA should be united. (The ELF-RC, unlike the other members of the Alliance, has no functioning army.) Supports joining the ENA. (Update: 8/11: elected head of military affairs in ELF-RC/Kessel Interim Leadership.)

2

Ahmed Mohammed Nasser

Has held the position of the highest office in the ELF and the ELF-RC from 1975 to 1981 on the strength of his ability to position himself as a moderate and a ìcompromise candidate.î This is one interpretation. Another interpretation is that the different power centres in the ELFóthe Labor party, the military office, the political office--found in him a Muslim and a highlander and a likeable personality with long experience in combat. On the current crisis, he has offered to resign and called for electionóbut his opponents donít believe he will do so. Ironically, the current ELF-RC environment may create yet another fractured organization with different power centres who may reach out to him as a ìcompromise candidate.î Ahmed is part of the crisis in the RC. Supports rejoining the ENA. (Update, 8/11: elected Head of Foreign Affairs in ELF-RC/Kessel's interim leadership.)

3

Amanuel Habte (Mengistu)

A graduate of the ELF cadre school. Former member of the ELA. Brigade political cadre. He resides in the United States and became a member of the RC leadership in August 2001 (the ìGonder meeting.î) Opposes rejoining the ENA.

4

Assefaw Berhe

A soft-spoken graduate of the ELF cadre school. An ex-political cadre of the ELA. Was jailed by PLF (ìSabbe Groupî). When the EPLF attacked the PLF, he transferred to an EPLF prison. Was freed (the only senior cadre among many to be released from the EPLF prison) before the independence of Eritrea. Rejoined the ELF and went to become the ELF-RC representative in Addis Abeba before the TPLF, at the request of PFDJ, closed the office in 1995. Deported from Addis Abeba, he was resettled in Holland by the UNHCR. Elected to leadership position in the Gonder meeting. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

5

Berhane Kidane

Fluent speaker of Tigrgna, Tigre and Arabic, he was in the isolated archives department of the ELF. He is considered close to Ibrahim Mohammed Ali and, thus, a supporter of Seyoum Ogbamichael in the current power struggle. Oppose rejoining the ENA

6

Berhane Tesfagaber (* *)

Like Assefaw Berhe, he was deported by TPLF From Ethiopia and resettled by UNHCR in 1995. He lives in Denmark and he, too, was elected in the Gonder meeting. A strong supporter of the wing that is led by Seyoum Ogbamichael. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

7

Eyob Bissrat

A former student of Addis Ababa university. Close to Ahmed Nasser. Worked in the Cairo office, the Khartoum office and the Stockholm office. Though ìhot-temperedî, he has a reputation for being hard working and passionate about unity. Supports rejoining the ENA. (Update, 8/11: elected Head of Information in ELF-RC/Kessel's new interim leadership.)

8

(Dr) Beyene Kidane

Co-author of the ìWhere To, Nowî statement, Dr. Beyene was a student activist in the 1960s. Studied in the USA (Philadelphia). Was the head of the Veterinary Department in the ELF. Later, he was the editor of the ELF English paper ëThe Eritrean Newsletterí (previously edited by Weldeyessus Ammar). Elected to the Executive Committee in the 3rd Congress of the ELF-RC. Has strong administrative skills and enjoys a reputation for good intellect. He supports rejoining the ENA. (Update, 8/11: elected chair of ELF-RC/Kessel's Interim Leadership.)

9

Dini Ismail

Formerly ELF-RC representative to Sudan, Syria and Yemen, where he played a major role in administering the Yemen-Dahlak supply line. Supports rejoining the ENA.

10

Gerezgheir Tewelde

Like Seyoum Ogbamichael, Gerezghier Tewelde was serving a lengthy prison term in Sembel and was freed by the ELF Army in its 1975 raid. Was a teacher in the ELF cadre school. Highly regarded by ELF veterans, he was serving as ELF representative to Sweden and Germany when the ELF was pushed out of the field by joint EPLF/TPLF forces in 1982. After the civil war, he was the main link to the EPLF, leading the negotiation delegations and even attended EPLFís Second Congress in 1987, when ìSagemî (Totil, Zemehret Yohannes, etc) joined the EPLF. After independence, he was a member of a team that was heading to Asmara to negotiate with the new Eritrean governmentómidway, in Sudan, the Eritrean government changed its mind and the negotiation was aborted. So far, his position in the current dispute is not clear but many see him as a candidate for the position of a chairman. He represents the ELF RC in Canada, where he lives. (Update: Gere Tewelde has penned an article in Tigirigna that is strongly critical of Ahmed Nasser, Dr. Beyene, Dr Sahle, etc.)

11

(Dr) Habte Tesfamariam

One of the founders of the Eritrean student union in Europe. Was elected to the Executive Committee in the Second Congress. Known for his animal rights advocacy when he pushed a bill in the RC to ban slaughtering turtles for food by the ELF forces. Lives in Abu Dhabi (possibly now moved to Germany.) A humble and reconciling personality but a tough politician. Has tried to reconcile the two wings of the RC in vain. Visited the Frankfurt festival to try to reconcile the two wings but returned disappointed. Headed a panel discussion in Kassel. Most likely supports rejoining the ENA.

12

Habtemariam Kifle

A former member of the ELA, he was elected to RC in the Gonder meeting. Was in charge of organizational affairs in the USA where he lives. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

13

Hassen Iman

Was a senior commander of the ELA. Long time head of the Kassala office. Regarded as diplomatic and a skilled communicator. Supports rejoining the ENA.

14

Ibrahim Mohammed Ali

Has been in a leadership position ever since he participated in the Preparatory Committee of the ELF for the first congress (1970). Was popular among the cadres of the ELF who widely regarded him as a ìprogressive ideologueî. In 2000, he was leading the Alliance and ELF-RC. In the Gonder session (8/2001) he lost power for the first time and was not elected to RC. Another elected member, Haile Gebru, is said to have been persuaded by Ibrahimís allies to resign to give way so that Ibrahim could be a member of the RC. Blames his loss to Ahmed Nasser, who was elected chair in Gonder, as a conspiracy and an engineered ìcoupî. He is one of leaders of the wing led by Seyoum Ogbamichael. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

15

Idris Ismail

Is considered very close to Ibrahim Mohammed Ali who is bitter about the Gonder meeting. Has not made clear stand on the recent regarding the RC crisis.

16

Jemeíe Ahmed Bekhit

Very close to Ibrahim Mohammed Ali and very bitter about the ìGonder coupî. Was appointed by Seyoum to replace Osman Omer Shum, head of the ELF RC office in Addis Ababa. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

17

Khelifa Osman

Considered ìclean and dedicated hard workerî but seen as a technocrat and a ìcompany man.î Was member of the committee dispatched to reconcile the ìgrassrootsî in Europe. Was trying hard to keep the unity of the organization. Now lying in hospital and has not aired his stand publicly. He has stated that if the organization splits, he will resign from politics and settle somewhere as a refugee. Likely to support rejoining the ENA.

18

Mehari Tesfamariam

Now in Holland, Mehari served with Ibrahim Mohammed Ali in the Social Affairs office and had a reputation for being a low-profile combatant in the ELF. An admirer and student of Gerezgheir Tewelde and, more recently, of Mengestab Asmerom. Mengestab is a strong supporter of the anti ENA wing; thus, it is likely that Mehari will end up supporting the anti ENA wing.

19

Mengistab Asmerom

A student of Addis Ababa university. An ex-teacher in the ELF cadre school and political cadre in the Eritrean Liberation Army. Was one of ten individuals who were arrested by Sudanís Numeri regime after the Rasai incident (1982.) Deported by Sudan, he was resettled by UNHCR in Sweden. Pursued education in Uppsala, then moved to Stockholm and resumed leadership position with RC as head of its branch office. Sent as branch office rep to the Third Congress, he returned as member of the Executive Committee. He is reputed to be a dedicated struggler. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

20

Mohammed Adem Artea

Shortly before the disintegration of the ELF, he joined the Workerís Union. Considered close to Ibrahim Mohammed Ali and, thus, to Seyoum Ogbamichael. Likely opposes rejoing the ENA.

21

Mohammed Ali Ibrahim

Relatively young, Mohammed Ali Ibrahim joined the RC in Karakoon and Tahdai. Was elected to the Executive Committee position (ìmilitary officeî) in the Gonder meeting and is not considered ìpoliticisedî and lives in Gedaref, Sudan. Wants to build the RCís military wing. Opposes rejoining the ENA.

22

Mohammed Asoule

A veteran of the ELF. Was a political cadre in the ìmass organizationî. Elected to the RC position in the Gonder meeting. Has not made a public statement regarding the RC crisis.

23

Mohammed Jaber Ahmed (Supplementary member)

Served with Seyoum Ogbamichael in ELFís ìPeasant Union.î No love lost between him and Ibrahim Mohammed Ali since the Gonder meeting. He has signed a letter in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. Supports rejoining the ENA.

24

Mohammed Mahmoud (Supplementary member)

A student living in Syria, he has been in Germany for hospitalisation (kidney problems) for a long time. Has signed a letter in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. Supports rejoining the ENA.

25

Mohammed Omer Yahiya

Mohammed Omer Yahia is an ELF veteran who has been through almost all the ups and downs of the ELF and is generally accepted as the ìelderî of the RC. A former teacher, Mohammed Omer Yahia was in charge of the Sudan branch office in the 1960-70s; Kuwait office in the mid 70s and Iran, after the overthrow of Pahlavi. Before the Rasai incident, he was the middleman trying to reconcile Ahmed Nasser with Abdella Idris. The ìdealî was meant to reconcile between the two wings of the ELF; it fell apart when Abdella Idris engineered the coup ìto save the organization.î A book authored by Alamin Mohammed Said (PFDJ Secretary) cites Mohammed Omer Yahia as the leader of the ELF-RC wing that is closest to Abdella Idris. Mohammed Omer is considered by many to be a staunch opponent of the anti ENA movement. He wants the ELF-RC to join the Alliance expeditiously. Supports rejoing the ENA.

26

Negash Osman

Graduated from Syria. An excellent communicator with superb command of Arabic and Tigrigna. He is among the few young leaders of the RC. Lives in Sweden where he is very active politically. Has signed a letter in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. Supports rejoining the ENA.

27

Osman Mohammed

A veteran combatant since the sixties, he is respected for his courage. He was a brigade commander. His position in the current dispute is still unknown.

28

Osman Omer Shum (Supplementary member)

Was heading ELF-RCís Addis branch. When Seyoum Ogbamichael was elected chair, he directed his removal. Osman Shum refused to obey the direction and remains in Addis in charge of the branch. Has signed a letter in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. Supports rejoining the ENA

29

(Dr) Sahle Tesfai

The brain behind the annual Kessel festivals, Dr. Sahle Tesfai started his political career in Germany in the Eritrean youth association. For the last 18 years, the Kessel festival has been ELF-RCís main financial source and political activity. Dr. Sahle was elected to the leadership post for the first time in Gonder, as the organizationís social affairs director. Because he is strongly supportive of the Alliance, Dr. Sahle has emerged as a strong force against Seyoum. Along with Samuel Daniel, he authored a letter in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. He is a strong advocate of reformation of the RC. He is very popular and liked among all RC members and has good administrative skills. Supports rejoining the ENA. (Update, 8/11: Elected Head of Social Affairs in ELF-RC/Kessel's Interim Leadership.)

30

Samuel Daniel

A veteran revolutionary whose credentials go all the way back to the ìHarekaî movement where he was an activist in Asmara and, later, at Alighider. Samuel Daniel has recently come up in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. He was one of the founders of the Eritrean Workers Union in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and, later, the chair of the union in Germany. He is very close to Dr. Sahle and is instrumental in the annual Kessel festivals. Samuel Daniel is considered as the leader of the ìempower the grassrootsî campaign in Europe. Signed a letter in support of Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. Supports rejoining the ENA. (Update, 8/11: Elected Head of Organizational Affairs in ELF-RC/Kessel's Interim Leadership.)

31

Seyoum Ogbamichael

Sentenced to ten years for his ìstudent agitationî activities of the 1960s, Seyoum was freed by the ELA in 1975. Best known for his staunch stand against the ìFaloulî (anarchists) movement within the ELF in the second half of the seventies. Shortly after that, he was appointed as the leader of the Eritrean Peasant Association, where he earned his moniker of ìHarestay.î Strength: Has strong mobilization skills and can think quickly on his feet. Weakness: Tends to use high-pitched language. His crisis resolution ability is not admired and his political leadership untested.

32

* Tekle Melekin

A short time teacher in the ELF cadre school. A soft spoken veteran member of the ELF. Was jailed in the Sudan and resettled in Sweden by UNHCR. Close to the wing led by Seyoum who appointed him to become the ELF-RC representative in Sweden after the Addis Abeba meeting. He was appointed to replace Eyob Bissrat, who is close to Ahmed Nasser. Tekle opposes rejoining the ENA.

33

Tesfai Teklezghi

Ex administrator of the political office of the ELF. Has a reputation for being a reformist. He is the RC representative in France where he lives. He is an advocate of changing the old guard and transforming the front into a political party. He is a persuasive speaker with excellent communication skillsófluent in Tigrigna and Arabic. Thought to be a strong supporter of the wing led by Seyoum Ogbamichael, he hasnít made public statement.

34

Tesfai Weldemichael (Degiga)

The youngest member in the Executive Committee of the RC after the 2nd. National congress where he held the position of Secretary. Lives in the USA and is technically the ENA representative to North America. His name was floated as a compromise to become the RC leader in the last meeting. Though he is close to both wings of the RC, he has not made any clear public stand so far. Though apprehensive of the steps Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene Kidane took, his position in relation to the ENA is not yet clear.

35

Weldeyesus Amar

A prolific writer, journalist and historian (and a contributing writer to Awate.com), Weldeyesus Amar surprised many ELF-RC veterans by his ìGonder speechî (2001) where he was said to have expressed his support for the chairmanship of Ahmed Nasser grudgingly. The speech was harmless enough but in the ìdemocratic centralismî culture of the ELF-RC, it was never publicized and (of course) was allowed to be spun. When he emerged as a strong supporter of Seyoum Ogbamicael (his old classmate of the 1960s) in the 2002 elections, those with suspicious tendencies saw it as confirmation of their fears. If Weldeyesus Amarís objections to Ahmed Nasserís candidacy was because he was an ìold guardî, why is he so supportive of another ìold guardî member, Seyoum Ogbamichael? The whispers started then and they havenít stopped. Ammar strongly opposes rejoining the ENA.

36

(Dr) Yousef Berhanu

An ELF veteran, Dr. Yousif Berhanu was the chair of the Red Cross/Red Crescent. He is considered a hard working technocrat with no political ambitions. Was one of the earliest opponents of Seyoum Ogbamichael: when Seyoum was named Chairman, Dr. Yousef refused the post of the Foreign office under Seyoumís leadership. He is one of eight RC members who have signed a letter supporting Ahmed Nasser and Dr. Beyene. Supports rejoining the ENA. (Update, 8/11: Elected Head of Economic Affairs in ELF-RC/Kessel's Interim Leadership.)