DefendTheTruth,DefendTheTruth wrote: ↑05 Sep 2020, 16:48I am not a historian, like you said, but I have read and heard multiple claims from Eritreans themselves that they are the descendants of the Axumite Kingdom and many others told me that Eritrea claimed its independence from Ethiopia based on its very short history of about 60 years, when it fell under domination of foreign powers, probably Italy, if I remember correctly.Asmara wrote: ↑05 Sep 2020, 16:12Before I answer your question I would like to ask you this:DefendTheTruth wrote: ↑05 Sep 2020, 14:39My Eritrean brothers, okay brother is a problem according to some of the content of this thread, then friends,
It is not my business to decide on or even comment on the will of the Eritrean people but still wounder just to know what could be wrong if we say we like you, we don't like to let you go, because we consider you our part?
If we got united then we will get, granted, stronger than we are on ourselves individually. ድር ስያብር አንበሳ ያስር። goes a saying in Amharic.
The union should be based on a mutual benefit and mutual respect, not on one side taken advantage of, subjugated or made disadvantaged.
If we are united, then you can drink our coffee as yours and we can use your port as ours, what is wrong with that? I am just trying to understand your logic.
We have a shared history and I tend to believe that we will going to have the same (shared) destiny as well. The current world order requires to be strong to remain competitive.
It is not my business to discuss but that doesn't (necessarily) mean it doesn't concern me (because of the shared history and destiny), just to make myself more clear here.
Let's say you ask the same question to Somalis..."If we got united then we will get, granted, stronger than we are on ourselves individually.
....If we are united, then you can drink our coffee as yours and we can use your port as ours, what is wrong with that? I am just trying to understand your logic."
What would Somalis say to you?
Now to answer your question...
Eritrea has never been part of Ethiopia. I don't need to lecture you history how Eritrea changed hands between Italy, British and finally fell at the hands of Haile Selalsie. Subsequently, We paid dearly to reverse this injustice and finally thanks to EPLF we got our independence. If we were willing to unite with Ethiopia we wouldn't have sacrificed tens of thousands of our compatriots. Keep your coffee and we keep our country and its ports. You will never find a single Eritrean who would entertain unity with mama Ethiopia. Lets live in peace as good neighbours.
I hope now you understand where we are coming from and appreciate our psyche at the same time.
Is something wrong in this view?
After saying that I do wish that all the HoA countries get united and be strong for the challenges of the day and the future in fact.
If you are basing your rejection to accept my suggestion on the fact that Eritrea has paid a heavy sacrifice to get its independence, so did Ethiopia as well to keep its national integrity and sovereignty over what once used to be part of its soverign territory.
I have many family members and friends who were lost in Eritrea to defend their fatherland and we didn't find and don't know their final resting place upto this day.
But my question was not about reckoning of our respective loses here, rather if it is not more rational if we get united based on the free will of the two people? Please understand the difference here.
I have no doubt that you may have heard the skewed "History" of Eritrea usually told or authored by some Ethiopians and Ethiophiles. Sadly, twisting the truth, in a futile attempt, to achieve one's wishes is called "Subterfuge". But the reality is Eritrea was never part of present-day Ethiopia, except for the short period from November 14, 1962 (to May 24, 1991), at which time your King Haileselassie illegally and forcefully annexed Eritrea as the 14th province of Ethiopia. In fact, no reputable maps showed Eritrea as part of Ethiopia during the long period of the Turkish, Egyptian, Italian, or British administrations.
That being the history, do you care to enlighten us why is it Ethiopians shamelessly place such claiming such outrageous claims against Eritrea when they never have placed such claims against Djibouti if you are going to go to history? My friend the Sweedish and Norway, the Finish and Danish, the US and Canada, etc share many common things and history amongst them, but they remain sovereign countries.
You said, if we are united what is yours would be ours and what is ours would be yours. That is wonderful. But that is called cooperation which could be achieved by agreement and trade policy as two soverign nations.