Extracted PDF page text

Microsoft Word - Dokument1

Machine-extracted derivative; not a transcript or translation. Reading order, spacing and characters have not been editorially verified. PDF page numbers are file positions, not printed page labels. No OCR has been added.

Open unchanged original PDF · Download unchanged PDF

Extraction status: extracted-unverified.

Menkae memory , Meharena Hadgu  
 
The word Menka stirs interest in people. It has become a household word, and yet, 
most have no clear understanding of it. For many years the EPLF leadership of being 
a regionalist movement labelled it. It was a forgotten issue of a sensitive part of the 
Eritrean guerrilla movement. The recent repetition of this has made us want to know 
more of these Menka martyrs. The Menkae were not even honoured as martyrs but 
hushed away and their files closed, according to a video interview with the president 
in 1996.Many went to meda after they graduated or little time left to graduate. In the 
60s and 70s it was a great honour for a family when their child graduated from the 
university. It was a big celebration with relatives and friends invited. The future was 
bright for the graduated and became respected members in their areas.  
When these students went to meda they knew how much they were sacrificing in their 
personal lives.  
 
They preferred to live in constant fighting, no beds or good food and their lives at 
stake anytime to be lost. Their sole aim was the liberation of their country Eritrea, 
which had suffered much and most were acutely aware of the situation. Many 
students living abroad chose to join the struggle from Europe, USA, Arab countries 
and the eastern block. In fact, the students of the eastern countries made agreements 
that the one finishing his/her studies was to join meda directly. This is regarding both 
fronts ELF and EPLF.  
 
The starting of the "Menkae" movement was not a consolidated or united movement. 
This was a mosaic of different grievances that was named Menkae. Meharena 
Hadgou is a war veteran in EPLF joining in 1974 until liberation time. The narration 
below is his  
 
recollections in his early years while joining the front. I thank him for his memories and 
his kindly patience to answering my numerous questions. Stories like Meharena make 
us understand the daily lives of fighters which so far have been told very little of. It 
shapes the picture of the reality of those days. He has given out a video narration 
concerning the Menkae martyrs. Though this story was of the bad times, there were 
many good and worthwhile days in meda.  
 
The book, "Destructive Movement" was written by Essaias in 1976 and it was 
distributed to all fighters, 3 years after the movement. We all read it. A political 
commissioner, or a Cadre of a haili kept it. I was a Cadre and member of the Party. 
Anyone opposing was taken away, as many were taken away secretly. 
 
The movement started sept 73 went on slowly until the end of 1976. Then another 
incident, the "Yemeen" were accused making the previous movement as past history. 
It was said that these Yemeen were acting against the Menkae and that all should be 
careful from them. What Essaias said about the Yemeen was that they were the ones 
who purged and liquidated the Menkae, like Selomon Welde Mariam. He and his 
group were accused of pretending to be against the Menkae were fertilizing their own 
agenda, regionalism.  
 
Food was scarce in the struggle time. The cheapest commodity salt was not available 
to us daily. Sugar was forgotten that we did not drink for many years. We ate no 
breakfast and usually had one meal a day. Fighters sacrificed a lot for their 
independence and what we are seeing today was not their payment.  
After liberation fighters wanted to be governed with written laws, wanted peace with 
neighbouring  
 
countries, wanted their rights to be fulfilled. But Essaias soon became like a king and 
demanded only he knows what is best for the country. He discredited any person with 
knowledge and held all power. Only he wanted to dictate on land, constitution, multi-
party systems etc. Those governing under him also became against us. At last even 
they understood this was taking the country into ruins and told him to make changes 

and reform. He instead charged them of treason and losing the fight, though they 
were experienced leaders.  
 
To tell you briefly again what I had said on the video, the movement started publicly in 
Sept 73. Essaias and Romadan though said that it had started earlier secretly. When 
these people started the movement, the gedli did not have a program or bylaws. It had 
no structure. It was controlled by guerrilla rules. There were 22 or 32 military rules in 
the PLF, or Hizbawi Hailetat -:H. H. 
 
Examples are, if one breaks a needle, or seen suspiciously, 7 days punishment. If one 
damages a weapon, or aims his gun on your comrade, if one leaks secret to enemy, 
etc have their punishment. This could not bring us close to the civilians. When those 
like Musie, John etc joined the front, they were university students, and they had read 
many books, different laws, knew of the structure of foreign guerrilla fronts. They 
started giving advice how the front should be. They would constantly write in daytime 
returning to their difaE by night. They and Essaias and others formed the programme 
how H:H: was ruled by. This was done when Isayas with agreement made them 
committee to draft the structure of the front.  
 
That time the H:H: were three groups, the first one led by Romadan, the second one 
by Isayas and the third, the Obel. Totally they were less than 500, maybe 300.  
It was the progressives (dubbed Menka) who said since we live along civilians, should 
form civil relations, civil and fighters to be ruled differently, Jemahir, and the medical 
section. When wounded, people should not be treated abroad and medical staff 
should be made for civilians and military separately. To start a news department 
which should publicize the struggle. Better storage of weapons as water, floods and 
rain damaged weapons. There should be a group who oversees everything. That the 
enemy should not make counter offensive we need intelligence unit, who follow the 
enemy's positions to hit it on its weakest point and study its strong positions, and how 
to confront it. The army should have a leading military staff. If the Eritrean society is to 
change, all the civil areas we control should be given basic education, as well as all 
fighters. Fighters should be made politically conscious. Foreign relations should be 
structured.  
 
Those abroad should have close contact with the front and be able to supply what the 
front need. 
All the structures were drafted in Gereger, Sudan. (I had not joined the front yet). 
Then, the 1st and 2nd groups (PLF1 and PLF2) shimageles met and decided that 
their present position was favourable for the enemy that they should unite, Isayas and 
Romadan. And the unity came into being. But the Obel group said they wanted to stay 
out until what they did not understand became clear for them. The first two groups 
made the mixing up. They were about 6-7 Haylitat, including the Kifletat. One Hayli 
comprised of 50-60 fighters.  
 
What the progressives now said was, since two of the fronts have united, the situation 
is progressing and we are getting larger, we should make the drafts we made into 
action. Anyone can make rules suitable for their situation; one does not have to be 
well educated to do that. 
 
If one fighter deserts, though he joined the front knowing he would probably be killed 
in battles, is condemned to death and his family has to compensate the weapon. The 
progressives argument against this was, "my parents did not send me to the front, 
they expect me to be living either in Addis or Sudan, or even dead. Why should they 
be made to pay? I should be killed deserting; even death is mild, because I am 
betraying my oath. Why should my family pay for my deeds? We have worked very 
much to draft the rules as agreed and let us make it into use". 
 
 Isayas then said, after having exploited their minds, about their timing. He even 
accused them to be against the 2 groups uniting, that they wanted to split our unity, 
saying we are progressing well and these want the destruction, they should be 

charged, they are opportunists etc, when victory is near hand. (Just like what is 
happening now). The new Cadres like Wuchu (uneducated) were told by Isayas that 
these educated ones are suppressing the uneducated wanting the power for 
themselves; they want to destroy us, these with Gelegif pants (word used by the rurals 
for city boys wearing belly bottom pants). The situation that time was not as open as 
now.  
 
Many of us were new, naive and students. We suggested that confrontation should be 
solved democratically, if they are destructive should be charged, this is not right way 
for the front to condemn them without their say. Also, there were horrible battles 
between the Jebha (ELF) and us. The Menka suggested we are brothers killing each 
other prolonging the struggle and losing fighters unnecessarily. It must be stopped 
and with selected shimageles, come into agreements. Isayas and co answer was, 
"aha, the Ama (Jebha was then known as Ama) tried to wipe us out and we survived. 
Now shall we ask forgiveness for their guilt?" This was made a great deal of. Isayas 
accused them further that they told the Obel to stay away and join when  the Menkae 
took power. 
 
At that time, the Ethiopian EPRP fighters like Berhane Meskel were in Sahel to train, 
and the Menka were accused telling the EPRP to wait until the Menka came into 
power. And inside the front the Menka were charged of being regionalists dividing the 
front. This was not true, but charged by Isayas. (the same for the present situation). 
Those of us who suggested this be solved peacefully were imprisonment. This was 
making us to sit under trees. At night we were surrounded taken away separately far 
away and beaten badly to confess. We had to comply to stop the beatings. They then 
told the others that we had recanted because we did not know the whole thing. Most 
of us students were beaten. Some of us are lucky to have survived this long, maybe 
so that we will tell. Otherwise, survival was difficult, with the constant hunger, thirst 
etc. 
 
As prisoners, we could not move an inch. Even if a snake came to bite us we ask the 
guard first and we were infested with lice. One having diarrheic has to ask permission 
to relieve himself and told to wait that he passed it inside his pants. Then he is 
accused of deliberately passing into his pants to make a bad smell and thus beaten. A 
dehydrated person unable to control himself is beaten badly, as I have seen it. Those 
not having seen this cannot believe they are so cruel to their own fighters. 
Prisoners are put around a tree their backs to the tree and about 3 guards to each 
group. The others, of Musie group were separated from us. We cannot talk to each 
other. If a person wants to urinate, he asks the guard for permission who answers 
wait.  
 
Times we are tied in hands are when a fighter is in discomfort and asks another 
prisoner to lend him his blanket, without permission from the guard. Then he is taken 
out and asked what this code meant and is beaten to confess. The prisoner tells the 
truth and the guard says he should have asked first. The guards had all power on us 
and were cruel. He is tied hands and legs and after beating put in the sun all day. 
There is a plant called Ubel growing in riverbanks and taking its time to dry, it twists 
like a whip. One beaten with it is horribly hurt their backs becoming open wounds. 
Some have died of this beating. 
 
 Too bad those who could have told have done. If a person wails in the beating, cloth 
is stuffed into is mouth and only the eyes communicate. The beaten person faints and 
goes into shock, shaking. It happened to me and I saw it on others. Yet we continue 
serving the front and did not think of fleeing lest those behind me get all the 
punishment. When visiting the "toilet" prisoners are taken out in 2-3 lines. The first line 
take off their pants and kneel down, facing their guards. The next in line face to the 
opposite. It was a humiliating situation. 
 
I used to see the 4 female fighters when I was new. The living way was such that by 
the riverside we lived, the girls used to come and visit us. Then a 5th girl joined them, 

Abeba Haile who lives in Europe now, wife of Stifanos Bruno. (Dehab Tsafatsion and 
Aberash Melke were executed) .Werku Zerai and Maasho are still living in Asmera. 
She was imprisoned for a long time, and I do not know what she said to have been 
freed. Abeba was an airline hostess.  
 
Though she was in training when the situation arose, she too was imprisoned. Since 
Maasho was from the peasant, they said she knew nothing of it and let her free. She 
was not educated like the others. Abeba too was not imprisoned after having been in 
the training and was carefully handled. In 76 she had tried to write a book about 
women, a handwritten diary that was negatively looked upon.  
 
The torturers were later exterminated accused of being "Yemin" in turn. We were told 
they beat us and we should do the same to them, but we refused. That was the 
leaders of mela (strategy), to make us revenge, leaders giving them to us. This was a 
game, was very difficult time. We are sorry for the happenings and we cannot forget 
them. When I told this in the video recording, some people called me. One, called 
Kidane living in Canada said I told of his story.  
 
He could not remember me. I remembered him and told him he was from Akhria area 
of Asmera, and thru the phone conversion slowly started remembering me. He was 
one of the beaten ones. I told him don't you remember we met in Amader,  
Tsellima when you joined the ELF and I was disappointed asking you what our oath 
was. He remembered that conversation but not me.  
 
Some fighters were told they were misled by so and so, from their circles, come to 
your senses etc. Much was tried to make them betray their comrades. They answered 
that they were "acting innocently, wanted democratic solutions, nobody wants to hurt 
another fighter, we are not regionalists, what fabrications you make recently we have 
no hands in them." 
 
Most of who beat us are already martyred. I remember one called Tekie martyred in 
the battle of Genfelom near Keren He was a Haili leader in Deboloch difa then. He 
was from the peasantry. Isayas had convinced them the educated ones were trying to 
take their power of the masses. But we were fighters for our country. 
 
Our aim was to liberate our country and did not think of the future feeling we would be 
martyred. But these peasants were dying fast and we were compelled to recruit 
fighters forcefully. Isayas used all to consolidate his power, even to liberation. He had 
planned who to use all the times. The PLF 1 (Romadan group) were of the Red Sea 
area origins, of Hergigo. Some of leadership were Romadan, Ibrahim Affa, Alamin, 
Shihim Dankalay, and Hilal. 
 
When Musie and others started their movement, those encouraging were Alamin, Ali 
Said Abdella etc. Then they betrayed the movement and Isayas put them into his 
grasp, told them they did not know the Menka, that their roots are long. They want to 
use you to the last, the struggle nearing to its aims, reversing our struggle. (The 
person who told you this is right).  
 
The movement was neither non-regionalist nor religionists. The times were hard.  
Recruited fighters first gather in Durfo, outside Asmera. Then we travel to Ginda area, 
Sheeb Gidgid near Hergigo. We go down to Semhar and following the seastrand all 
the way, travel northwards. After 6 days we reached Karora, which is a border village 
between Eritrea and Sudan.  
 
Since we do not know that land, the Reshaida are our guides, they were paid for it 
too. We did not trust the Tigre speakers. ELF was hunting the Reshaidas and Shabia 
told them they sided and respected them. They were good spies for Shabia, and knew 
where Ethiopians were as the Ethiopians had seaside patrols. There were also Locust 
preventation and malaria eradication stations by the shores and we had to evade 
them and the Reshaida knowing all the ways led us hiding from the stations. Fighters 

to be travelled in 50-70-90 in a group. Our group was less than a hundred. A year 
later many joined us.  
 
Those from city were even beaten to continue the journey, with hunger. We asked 
why mishandle new fighters this way? We all want to fight to bring independence, 
democracy should rule. If such cruelty continues, we will be exposed to the civilians 
who will not support us and the struggle will become weak.  
 
Make improvements. Feed people as possible. Put stations where water is found. This 
will strengthen the fighters' resistance. 
We complained why people are beaten when weakened, die of thirst etc. This should 
not continue. And there are camels to be used. We should improve the procedure 
situation. We were asked in Taalim, or training of our opinions. Isayas was our 
commissioner educating us. When we told him of our opinion, he was answering 
chests abreast and looking proud.  
 
He said those of you used feeding by your mothers (mesob Adei) i.e. were spoiled. 
The guides are told to bring you here any means. Saying you were tired is cheating 
(hasad) not really the fact. Those new joining had rights to ask, though. Even inside 
Isayas circle was favouritism. 
 
Some were discharged from the front like Said Idris. This was a question from the Red 
Sea people. Our question was why some were executed charged to have been spies 
without being charged, and how they were killed. These questions made Isayas 
uneasy. He feared that he will be charged in the future and he eliminated the 
challengers. It is now we understand how strong we were to have endured all this. 
 
 Why were we complacent to all the injustice and beatings on our backs? Why? 
Sudan was not far away to flee. We were trained in the Sudanese border. Ethiopian 
military station was near us in Karora. We had many reasons to flee. But the wish to 
struggle for our people was higher. 
 
Weldemikel Haile has saved many with rejecting them from joining the front, like the 
weak and very young ones. Told them to struggle in civil areas. He was accused of 
returning those wanting to be fighters. He was strong willed and did not fear Isayas. 
Isayas was afraid of Weldemikel and Ibrahim Affa, and Mesfin Hagos, who were a 
brave man. Mesfin was from the leadership and the present situation makes him fear 
of retribution. The charging committee was under the top leadership like Mesfin, 
Isayas and Romadan.  
 
Mesfin is afraid he will be asked of the injustice he participated in. He had good 
position and name earlier.  
 
Musie and the others were imprisoned in Gereger Tebeh, as all of us. There are two 
Gereger names, one inside Eritrea and one in Sudan. Then our base was changed to 
Bliquat, and they were imprisoned there. It is far from Gereger, about 3 hours away by 
foot. Both are in Sahel. Tebeh is a chain of mountains separating it by a river from 
Bliqat. 
 
We the army were later told of the death decision on the Menka, but not how. After we 
were released, others there told us that the prisoners were taken away one by one, 
when we asked them how they were killed. I have a friend residing in Atlanta now, 
who was prisoner after my release. He said they were taken tied with handcuffs 
(Ganshur, chain).  
 
Handcuffs could be brought from Sudan or Ethiopia. The prisoners were taken tied 
and the handcuffs alone were returned. This means the prisoners were killed. Earlier, 
we thought they were taken to a "court" because we assumed we had one.  
 

Or that they were sent to Hailitat or discharged. Then when the handcuffs alone was 
being returned, word spread out secretly that it means it was killing practice. Seeing 
the cuffs, one said, when is my turn? Knowing it meant certain death. What could this 
person do? Even if prisoners were together for a year, not talking or even seeing each 
other was allowed. 
 
The executions of the progressives were widespread. Their killings became known 
because they were fighters before us, were more educated, were political 
commissioners etc. There are many more who were killed and not talked about 
because we were constantly moving and in between battles that when they are taken 
away with some excuses, we assumed they were just transferred from us. Some were 
accused to being spies and those who knew of their innocence are not living to tell. 
Although there could have been spies inside us, they should have been charged 
democratically, not beaten to death in interrogations.  
 
I know Memhir Tesfu Zewde and what is said is true because he was a prisoner. (He 
stated in audio interview that the Menka were slaughtered by knives). He was taken 
away to be killed, saying he was being freed, but to be killed, and the Sudanese 
rescued him, he had lost a leg earlier. He was imprisoned, let out to fight and again 
imprisoned.  
 
In the DM 73, Isayas wrote the progressive ones were spoiled and had class 
problems. They were not at all spoiled in the meda, they suffered much on the 
contrary. The female fighters had shed away their city upbringing habits. Even sanity 
pads were not available for them. They were beaten like the men, killing was not 
denied them. All prisoners were beaten almost on monthly basis; to make them tell 
whatever secrets they were supposed to have. How many brave fighters were crying 
in pain. 
 
Those like Sebhat and Petros were with the movement, but passed all info to the 
leadership and were put into the leadership circle. Sebhat has even forgotten his 30 
years comrades, let alone of that time.  
 
Those who were beating were under Selomon Weldemariam who himself did the 
beatings and ordered beatings. Naizgi Kiflu was a beater.  
The leadership, Isayas etc, did not like Selomon the scoundrel. There was 
disagreement inside the leadership and the Menka debacle was used to solve it. They 
accused him of being a regionalist and isolated him. Musie and the others defended 
him why this was done.  
 
He was told the Menkae were using him to take power that he became their 
adversary. He was made chief of Halewa Sewra and did the ordering and killing of the 
Menka. At last he himself was eliminated, and died badly. Isayas gave him free reign 
to kill anyone, even though they disliked each other. Isayas wanted Selomon to do 
crime and later told that Selomon was the head beater and killer, who spilled much 
innocent blood. 
 
Because of that people are beginning to dislike the revolution and that he was placing 
selected people in positions. Selomon does not show easily his personality, seeming 
like a te-waz-aye, but was rough. We used to dislike him he killed many people. He 
was a bad regionalist. What Isayas starts Selomon followed. It became as if they did 
not dislike each other.  
 
Teklai Aden was brought later. He was then brought to the Central Committee, and 
scared others. He started beating Selomon. This all was like a drama. Anyone 
following the truth ended up dead. He joined with us and knew of the Menka, but was 
afraid to join. He came from Aden, several years there, and spoke Arabic unlike us 
who came from Asmera. He was a university student and read books. From Haili 
leader he came to the CC after the guba-e, but with little vote. He had not matured 
well.  

 
There were others brought to the CC quickly. He then was made head of Halewa 
Sewra and used his power. He was a drinker and womanizer living in Dekemhare and 
was recalled to Sahel to lead the Halewa Sewra. He was in contradiction with some 
leadership members like Ali Said Abdella and Duru, with confrontations and 
arguments. We do not know what his disagreement with Isayas was. His personality 
became obvious and was accused of corruption. It was then mizlak time. 
 
 It was said that Isayas (megnahti), rebuked him, only they know the case. We knew 
their arguments. Suddenly we heard he had deserted and spilled many secrets. I do 
not have his writings or radio interview. We in the meda did not see it, and if the 
leadership got it we saw nothing, not spread to the lower cadres. It must have reached 
abroad. We were discouraged from listening to his words.  
 
Duru was not in the Menka situation. The Ethiopians imprisoned him. Haile 
Menkerious was not in the leadership then. I forgot who the charging committee were, 
but it was said that Adhanom boycotted the committee. And in vengeance for that, 
Shabia was against him always. 
 
Selomon was against Tewelde Eyob and Asmerom. Isayas criticized Selomon that he 
had said negative words against these two. Mussie and others were there in the 
meeting and said old critics are not valid now.  
 
Musie said Selomon was a democratic person why are you isolating him and because 
of that the meeting became dispersed. Said the front should advance democratically 
not bring old feuds here, showing his opposition against Isayas and you others should 
observe this situation.  
 
Another day others were added to quell the conflict. Musie criticized Tsegai Keshi why 
one leaves a meeting, it is not a handkerchief, mendil to sit and leave as one wishes. 
Then Tsegai hits Musie and the meeting is dispersed. Musie was sent to clinic and 
Tsegai in temporary prison, military rule. I was new then in training centre and the 
clinic was there that after 3 days Musie was with us. 
 
 We were all in one riverbank. The fighters used to come and talk with us there. Musie 
had come to our centre to talk those he knew, and his head was bandaged. We did 
not know each other, it was the first time I saw him.Fighters are made to dig told it 
was for planting trees or latrine. When enough dug, they themselves are killed and 
buried there.  
 
Some fighters were killed by gun in riverbanks. When being killed, we are told an 
investigation was made but we have no proof. Since we all did not know each other, 
one may say so and so was taken away from us. We did not know all who were taken 
away from us. 
 
The situation of the Menka became talked of because they were known fighters, in 
position and cadres, were visible by the military for their movement. One marks 
seeing them being taken and others say so and so was taken from our group, taken to 
Halewa Sewra. And with no news from them it becomes known they were killed. 
 
They did not need to make music to silence the killing. Because we lived in an 
isolated area, one can shoot to kill apes, snakes, birds, or try a new weapon, that a 
shot heard was not concerning.  
 
We had a fierce battle with Ethiopia then, for 2 weeks, end of December to mid 
January. It was just then the military revolted against Haile Selassie. The Ethiopians 
started the fighting coming to Sahel. 5 fighters were martyred then, one called Amr 
and one Alem Negassie who joined 3 months earlier and trained, Haile, Osman Drei, 
others I remember. We were told of the outcome that 5 were martyred, the numbers of 

wounded and that it was a difficult fight amidst our lack of food, that Ethiopia has lost 
morale. A little note was brought and read to us. 
 
The Menka were killed in Bliquat. We had moved from Gereger to Bliqat, unpopulated 
area near Alghen, which was military base of Ethiopian army later taken by us led by 
Adhanom Gebre Mariam. 
 
After over a year we heard rumours that the Menka were killed. Some had escaped 
from the prison. ELF said that those known as Menka were killed naming them that 
those who escaped from Shabia told of this.  
 
ELF gathered people and told this and we heard from the people. The ELF in their 
seminars told secrets of us. On the 23 January 1977 conference, their execution was 
told then. We were not told before that. Since we were fighting the enemy, many 
things were kept secret from us. In different times we heard so and so was taken 
prisoner because he was Menka, and those allegedly caught deserting that we did not 
notice the happenings. 
 
 It was after the Menka happening that Halewa Sewra was put to use. I read the 
writing of Isayas "Destructive Movement" in 1976, I do not know when it first came 
out, we knew publicly of it then as we cadres were taught of it, after the 5th round, 
zuria. We were in rounds, 150 to 200 fighters getting cadre education, gathered from 
all hailetat and kifletat of the front. 
 
Mesfin Hagos was one of the top leadership and nothing is done without their signing. 
Isayas was the chairman, others being Mesfin, Selomon, Tewelde Eyob who was later 
killed being part of Menka, and Asmerom Gerezghier. From the PLF 1 leadership 
were Ali Said Abdella, Romadan Hamed Nur and others unknown who were added. 
So in the killings of the Menkae, Alamin and others were selected as committee. If this 
comes out publicly there will be tewatet, sahabo guteto. 6-7 committee members were 
elected, and those like Mesfin were top leaders.  
 
A brave member of the leadership, Tewelde Eyob was killed, he did not even sign for 
the killing. He said let us democratically solve the situation. When it was said this 
movement was destructive, Tewelde said no, this is a conflict only not a destructive 
one and we can lead them to the right way, it is not a criminal charge, but was said he 
too was against Shabia and eliminated.  
 
The Menka movement started in September and Isayas talked of it in January. A 
paper is lost written by Tewelde Eyob "at Adobha meeting we claimed our youth were 
killed and we condemned the ELF. This will be our everlasting condemnation, the 
case must me democratically changed." He was charged to becoming Menka and 
secretly taken down from top leadership post. He was imprisoned in June or July of 
1974 and killed like the Menka. We all knew he was killed. Nothing is kept secret 
forever. Some secrets are known from leaders. 
 
Goitom Bisay was made shimagelle in first committee to study the conflict and said 
the proceeding was wrong that Menka were correct. He was called Menka and put 
down from responsibility and followed upon. Was said he was writing a book for the 
front, translating, and made to disappear.  
 
Wedi Fenkil was a known warrior. Dr Bemnet was charged to being Menka. He was 
from Addis, was in cadre school. He asked about the Menka, though I never saw him. 
It was said hat he bombed himself. He was of same school as Yohannes and Musie. 
He wanted clarification, which was regarded suspiciously. A person is followed upon 
and disappears. It was common saying one killed himself even if he was a liked 
person that they killed him while trying to desert, what was not said. Deserting was 
crime to be killed. The life was difficult and one may want out. Someone plans escape 
and was caught. 
 

After the 1973 experience, we were demoralized not to inquire about our comrades or 
ourselves. When a comrade is taken away we did nothing.New comers were told 
about the Menkae as a lesson. Anyone seen reading Marx, Lenin or Mao etc was 
seen suspiciously believing he will be a Menkae, that many stopped reading in fear. It 
was the ELF who held a weapon in one hand and a book in the other, unlike us. Many 
pretended to be uneducated because they were demoralized to what happened to 
those who read.  
 
It was not time to write against Shabia in struggle times, and many secrets untold. 
ELF as the adversary wrote much against Shabia. As ELF was condemned by Shabia 
as a lords group, and unable to liberate Eritrea we belittled them. Some deliberate lies 
were found out that everything else was unbelievable.  
 
Haile Selassie Gebremedhin was one of the top Menka. He was educated. He was in 
Ala in 70 and taken prisoner by Ethiopia. He was not imprisoned long; his family 
worked hard to have him freed bribing the authorities saying he had planned to give 
himself up. He had asked why the movement was seen negatively, but be studied, 
telling this to Isayas. Many who were with the movement changed sides when fighters 
were imprisoned. He, John, Afwerki, Tareke, Rusom Amma, Dehab Aberash, Werku, 
Debesai G Mikel (friend of Musie, taken later than the others he was taken from the 
front line).  
 
Some succeeded escaping from prison. I know one called Wedi Blatta (mayila 
Tsenadegle) of Menka movement. He joined ELF and was martyred fighting. It is said 
he told of many secrets. Maybe the security members of ELF have the documents. 
Abraham Tewelde died 3 years before Derg came. I heard about him, as a brave 
man. Haile Jebha was one of the Menkae beaters and than himself killed for being a 
torturer. Tekle Aden came after the Menkae time.  
 
As prisoners we did not sit together like in a house. Prisoners were ordered by their 
guards to build a fence, like animals fence, and imprisoned them.  
I cannot remember all the names. Many names are forgotten except the leadership or 
familiar ones.  
 
Fighters were taken away from front lines and disappeared. Some fighters came from 
Addis and abroad hearing of the Menkae killings and asked about it. They were met 
suspiciously and made to disappear.  
Petros Yohannes had stared inquiring already from the US. Why the fighters were 
imprisoned because the educated ones asked for democracy, and what more have 
the ELF done? So what was the reason Shabia split from ELF then? 
 
Though I did not meet him, he was said to be a brilliant person. We heard that a man 
called Petros Yohannes had entered meda from the US and was killed. We heard that 
Petros was made to stay behind since they were called to meda for work. One wanted 
in meda was told to represent and go to meda and held there. Meriam Hagos is an 
example. She was invited to meda to see progress and forced to stay and she was in 
meda until the end. Nobody knows about them.  
 
Though we did not see them we heard rumours. The secret comes out somehow 
some saying so and so was taken away from us and killed, like the US ones too. So 
and so was killed yesterday, etc. But nobody dared asked openly, all the lost ones 
were made to disappear. Even now it is the same situation.  
 
In 1986 there was a big fighters movement. Those living standards were bad and 
differences between fighters and leadership. I have heard that some of those who 
started this movement were taken away and killed, or made to disappear. And some 
who just when it started knew they would be killed and fled to Sudan. There are 
prisoner fighters who are still in prison now.  
 
Bitweded after liberation was made administrator of Assab at first. Then he was 

imprisoned. Nobody has officially inquired about him though all knew about him. 
Some say he stole, some say he refused Isayas to send goods to Ethiopia that it 
belonged to Eritrea, telling Isayas to order him in writing. That he dared Isayas, and 
some say he was trying to sell the goods contraband to Ethiopia and the fighters 
doing that were caught. When imprisoned and asked, they said it was Bitweded´s 
order and they got free and he taken in. Nobody knows the exact reason why 
Bitweded has been imprisoned for 13 long years.  
 
We can understand those inside Eritrea are afraid to ask. What about those abroad? 
They were systematically made to ask nothing. "You cannot enter home (Eritrea), 
Shabia´s stick is long it will reach you". When I first came here and started telling 
against the Shabia, people began to evade me, even those I knew for many years. I 
was told I was already a convicted man by the government and they were afraid to be 
implicated with me. 
 
 They are afraid from being imprisoned in Eritrea saying they were together with 
Meharena. It is obvious when going in gatherings like a funeral, they stare at me and 
when I stare back, they bow their heads, even the higdef ones. Because they send 
false reports and rumours against us, especially in a democratic country of USA.  
What is the meaning of democracy if one cannot ask? What is the meaning of having 
served meda for many years, martyred, even become handicapped? 
 
 The reason I fought for my country was to see a free and democratic government, 
free to live in. That is why I decided to come open. Who should be the free man, all 
the people should have equal rights. Those who fought for their country should not be 
regarded as enemies. 
 
* * * * *