In 1958, African peoples under French colonialism were given two options by the French government: complete independence and becoming autonomous members of the French Community under French domination. Surprisingly enough, all French colonies except Guinea opted for the latter. They decided to remain tied to France, the colonial power. From the moment I knew this history, I made efforts to fully understand the nature of living under alien subjugation. I tried to investigate whether French colonialism had elements of freedom. Parallel to this inquiry, I raised questions with regards to the experience of the Eritrean people: What is peculiar to the Eritrean people? Why did they pay a heavy price while some peoples in the continent of Africa rejected to accept independence they were freely given?

Eritreans, more than any other peoples, suffered from the evils of colonialism brought to them by different colonial ‘masters’. They experienced colonialism under European powers- the Turks, the Italians, and the British—and African powers—Egyptians and Ethiopians. All these experiences were certainly ugly. They involved loss of dignity, rights, property and above all lives. The experience of peoples who lived under French colonialism was no different. There is nothing good in living under subjugation, whatever the nature of the colonizer. What made the people of Eritrea, unlike some peoples on the continent, wage the longest and bitter revolutionary war that claimed more than 65,000 martyrs is then the willingness to pay a heavy price for so noble a cause: independence! Those who took arms against colonizers, our martyrs, never thought of enjoying the fruits of independence for themselves. They knew that they had to pay with their lives so that future generations bask in freedom, peace, harmony and prosperity.

Nonetheless, the price was paid on the faith that us for whom independence has been bequeathed will preserve that precious gift, tread on their footsteps. We had been taught, through the brave action of the martyrs, to pay a price for being a free people; free in all aspects of life. It has been their tacit will that we be masters of our destiny. That is, pursue a difficult but successful path towards development, safeguard our political independence, preserve the noble values of sacrifice and the spirit for public service which had been the greatest attributes of our martyrs. Although realizing these is very demanding, the fruits are vital in building the nation. In history, peoples who had held their destinies in their own hands made feats in economic development, enjoyed stability and peace, and strengthened their political foundations. The Japanese and the Germans, for instance, could achieve a multi-faceted development after devastating wars because they shaped their destinies.

It is true that the price Eritrea has paid and is paying is unprecedented. 19,000 young men and women have sacrificed their lives and tens of thousands have been disabled for preserving its sovereignty. Besides, the price being paid in terms of time, energy and resources for being a viable and truly independent nation is immeasurable. But paying all these for continuity, peace and prosperity is desirable. It is a source of pride and hope to see the young work for the betterment of this nation with this understanding in mind. We owe this to our martyrs. May they ever be honored!