Abstract
For Zere, this is a source of personal concern.
“As a black person whose country is now under a [US-imposed] travel ban and, more importantly, who is living under political asylum, I have lots of anxieties,” he said in an interview with Index.
Although Zere travelled in and out of the USA several times in recent years, he was always worried that he could be questioned at US customs as he has criticised Trump in the public domain.
“Although this did not happen, subconsciously I prepared to defend myself if I were to be asked about what I wrote,” he said.
“This is a prelude to self-censorship. This might force someone in my position to think what they write as it might affect their future.”
Zere fled Eritrea after information minister Ali Abdu published a public arrest warrant notice for him in 2009, labelling him a national security threat.
“All this time, until I left the country in January 2012, I was walking on a tightrope,” Zere said, adding that he could have been “arrested any time, by anyone”.
He has since been granted political asylum in the USA and it is from there that he speaks to Index about his short story, The Speech, which is published here in English for the first time.
He describes it as “an experimental story” and one that “does not read as a fictional work in the Eritrean setting”.
The opening scene introduces the reader to 12 men who are about to travel to China for training and Beraki Bockretsion, the chief of the biometrics unit at the police station where the men are gathered.
“I was inspired by Eritrean political elites’ empty rhetorical speeches. Although I took that as inspiration, I have tried to convey a universal message; reducing power to its rightful place – emptiness,” said Zere.
“I was trying to show the clichéd speeches… that trickle down from the country’s top leader to the smallest unit leader or least relevant bureaucrat. In most authoritarian regimes, everyone tries to mimic the top leadership and they adopt their words and styles.”
Bockretsion’s speech alludes to the men having been cherry-picked to take part in the training.
Zere explains that this kind of language is exploited to inspire ill-placed loyalty to the regime, saying: “It is such ego-feeding, where each part feeds upon their delusions. That is also how dictatorship sustains, in a way.”
Eritrea is a one-party state ruled by long-running president Isaias Afwerki, and is known as one of the world’s most secretive countries.
Does this impact on Zere, even in exile? “Many of us who either follow events from afar, or have experienced it first-hand, are living in a permanent nervous state. Many Eritrean journalists are rotting in underground prisons, the majority since 2001… My concern as a citizen who is associated with media and literature is doubled.
An illustration of the Eritrean writer and political exile Abraham T Zere
CREDIT: Gianluca Costantini
“I have been watching steadily as many of my colleagues, associates and mentors end up in dungeons, never to be charged or heard of since.”
The Speech
Abraham T Zere
After a short time passed, a woman, possibly an assistant, came out and said that her boss was waiting inside and invited us to come in. A man dressed in a faded brand-name suit, red tie and equally faded blue shirt – indisputably the boss – shook our hands in turn. He directed us to the eight available seats.
With some of our dozen having to share seats, we made ourselves as comfortable as possible. The man watched us as we settled in and then finally broke the silence. “I know you are in a hurry and I will try to shorten it. I have brief remarks that I want to share with you about your travel.”
He scanned us slowly with his eyes to make sure we were ready and attentive.
“All right, how was your day so far?”
(Uncoordinated but loud sounds of gratitude.)
He continued: “I feel honoured to introduce myself to you. I am Beraki Bockretsion, the chief of the biometrics unit.”
(Absolute silence.)
“Yemane has informed me yesterday that you are coming to do the fingerprints. I have been waiting for you as I have a short note of advice.”
With each sentence, Bockretsion’s voice got louder, stronger and more commanding. It didn’t take me long to recognise that he was a master of such meetings.
Quietly we listened. He sipped water from his glass, adjusted his seat, then took out papers and started reading in a loud and commanding tone.
* * *
(I looked around quickly and all of us were men. Absolute silence.)
On behalf of my office and, by extension, the Eritrean government, I greet and congratulate you on such historic accomplishments in your lives. It is in difficult circumstances that you are preparing to take a huge national responsibility, which is a big step in achieving your ultimate dreams. I can’t stress enough the honour and privilege I am bestowed with to stand in front of you at this podium to share my short, yet imperative nationalistic guidance.
Dear ladies and gentlemen!
I doubt any one of you here is unaware of the economic hardships and abject poverty our nation has suffered from during its long history of colonial rule. After the country’s independence, to rehabilitate the devastated economy we inherited, to catch up on the lost years and achieve equality with other nations, we started from scratch and toiled hard to stand on our feet. One of the significant markers and bold initiatives taken after the country’s independence was the Eritrean government’s firm commitment to enhance its educational sector. The Eritrean people and their government have invested everything in your education. This, of course, is with the hope and strong belief that you will, one day, pay back your government. The initiative doesn’t stop there. As a continuation of Eritrea’s principled stand and unwavering sustenance, now we are preparing you for higher education.
The six-month-long course will combine theoretical and practical training. Distinguishing this scholarship is the fact that it’s being offered at a critical time when the nation is facing existential internal and external plots and threats. No matter the severity of these threats, I am confident that they will be challenged and overcome as they always have before. You are preparing to take a big mission, and I call upon you to be worthy of this mission!
This is not the first time the Motherland is firmly confronting and with-standing perfidious attacks by foreign enemies. World history has well documented that before the strategic withdrawal of 1978, the Eritrean Liberation Front heroically fought to dismantle the enemy. Despite world powers siding with our enemies, the brave Front fully encircled the capital until it was reassigned for tactical manoeuvres.
Since then, the Motherland has steadfastly marched ahead against all odds and unremitting hostilities from all directions. With every antagonistic attack, Eritreans add another shield of resoluteness. Let’s leave it to history to document and judge who will come out victorious.
At times couched as border disputes, other times through their minions, the repeated tricks of the bigger powers and their interventions have been foiled thanks to the farsighted Eritrean government, the unwavering support of our defence forces, and the unyielding citizens who always side with our prudent leadership. These attacks will always be defied and forever challenged.
CREDIT: Vectorios2016/iStock
Ladies and gentlemen!
From the early days of independence, the Eritrean government has enacted crystal-clear policies. They are based on the principle of collaboration, mutual understanding, and empowering the youth. This model has its roots in the long patriotic history of the nation. That is why the government has selected the brightest future leaders of the nation from different ministries and is now sending you to China for special training.
Without the need to prepare for the future, I do not think many of you would miss the fact that ex-freedom fighters who have commanded crucial battles during the war of independence are better deserving than you of such an honoured opportunity. However, the cornerstone of the Eritrean government’s upright position is unambiguous: It has been to strive hard to achieve our long-term plans by training the rising generation.
The government is investing every penny in you, hoping for far better outcomes. We are cognisant of the fact that some of our citizens will fall short of our noble expectations and deviate from their mission. However, we expect all of you to return to the most blessed nation right after completing your education. Once you are back from your training, you will be entrusted with repairing the deteriorating infrastructure our nation has inherited from the colonial forces.
I doubt any of you need a reminder from me, but you are expected to work hard and shoulder the responsibility in achieving the bigger dream. As we expect great contributions from you, I believe and hence call upon you to excel at your endeavours.
Wherever they have been sent for higher studies, as witnessed with older generations of Eritrean students in Cairo and Russia, Eritreans have consistently excelled among their peers. I am full of confidence you are preparing to repeat history and attain similar crowning achievements. Let their history inspire you! I call on you to work hard – not only to overtake cohorts in your courses, but to even outstrip the records held in the school by previous students and take your success to a global level. This is not only my opinion but the conviction of the Eritrean government at large.
Ladies and gentlemen!
In the increasingly interconnected and fast-paced age of globalisation, where the world is turning into one big village, I trust that you will make use of the modern technological tools and fast-changing internet communications in order to catch up, and excel with rapid developments in the competitive world without opening a crack among your group, helping each other, strengthening your companionship and love, where you will solve any rifts among yourselves amicably and in a civilised way, I call upon you to stand together and face the challenges.
Eternal glory to our martyrs who made us see this light! Victory to the masses!!
Beraki Bockretsion
Unit head, biometrics office – Asmara