By The Strathink Editorial Team

Ethiopian satellite television (ESAT) announced that Berhanu Nega, self-confessed terrorist and leader of Ginbot 7, left Europe and arrived in the United States several days ago. Berhanu Nega was in Brussels at the misguided invitation of E.U. member Ana Gomes (Portugal) to promote his violent political agenda by exploiting Ethiopia’s drought. Berhanu stayed on in Brussels and instead of returning to his current home base of Eritrea, Mr. Nega has now returned to the United States. It is unclear as to the purpose or duration of his visit.

At the same time, U.S. Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, along with his counterpart Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), just departed n Ethiopia meeting Ethiopian Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn. One of the topics was the robust partnership between the two countries on counterterrorism. In a statement released by Congressman Royce, he said, “Ethiopia is a stable and strong partner in a region plagued by violence and unrest…Thanks to its [Ethiopia] efforts to confront extremism, al Shabaab has not expanded footholds in the Horn of Africa. Their impressive contributions to a number of peacekeeping missions should be commended.”

We repeat here what U.S. law says about usurping the role of the U.S. in making foreign policy. According to the Neutrality Act, promulgated in 1794:

…that if anyone person shall within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States begin or set on foot or provide or prepare the means for any military expedition or enterprise to be carried on from thence against the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or state with whom the United States are at peace, every such person so offending shall on conviction be adjudged guilty of a high misdemeanor and shall suffer fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court in which the conviction shall be had, so that as such fine shall not exceed three thousand dollars nor the term of imprisonment be more than three years.

In 1948, the Expedition Against a Friendly Nation (18 U.S. Code 960) was upheld the 1794 law saying:

…Whoever within the United States, knowingly begins or sets on foot or provides or prepares a means for or furnishes money for, or takes part in, any military or navel expedition or enterprise to be carried on from thence against the territory or dominion of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people with whom the United States is at peace, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years or both.

Why is the U.S. not enforcing the law that prohibits Ginbot 7 and Berhanu Nega from raising money to violently overthrow the Government of Ethiopia? We will raise this and question directly with Congressman Royce and publish his answer.

On a side note, strathink.net was the first to publish an article about Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki’s terminal illness. We did so not to gloat but to advise the international community to start thinking about a post-Isayas Eritrea. We believe that the international community should be working with Eritreans everywhere to ensure a peaceful transformation of the Eritrean state once the President dies.

Many Eritreans took umbrage at this topic, wanting to believe instead that it was an attack on the Eritrean people. This is far from the truth. Strathink stands by the people of Eritrea and wishes for the day when Eritreans can reap the benefit of their sacrifices during the 30 year struggle and then again under the government of the current President and his cronies. We know that the time is drawing near and Eritreans need to be prepared, with assistance from the international community, to right the wrongs of the past ten years and join the rest of Africa rising.

On another note, it is more than curious that Berhanu Nega has come to the U.S. at this time. In Eritrea, his coalition with the Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF) and the Tigray Peoples Democratic Movement (TPDM) has collapsed in a spectacular way, beginning with the defection of Molla Asgedom to Ethiopia. ESAT managing director Neamin Zeleke either resigned or was sacked by Isayas Afewerki earlier this year. Andargachew Tsige unburdened himself of all his grievances with Ginbot 7’s leadership while being held in Ethiopia.

And now, President Isayas is facing a terminal heath crisis. Where is President Isayas? Why has he not given his annual New year’s address on Eritrean television?

Is Berhanu Nega back in the U.S. for good? Might he be worried about his safety and security in Eritrea given the uncertainty of Eritrea following the President’s death? Has Ginbot 7 imploded into itself with the collapse of the leadership? We will certainly know the answers to these questions very soon.

In the meantime, we ask Congressman Royce to reconcile his statements on Ethiopia’s valuable partnership with the United States to work together on counterrorism with the fact that the U.S. is harboring a terrorist.