Introducing Semere Solomon’s new book: Conversation with a young Eritrean—preventing the next generation from repeating our failures.

Introducing Semere Solomon’s new book:

Conversation with a Young Eritrean—preventing the next generation from repeating our failures.

 Semere Solomon

Last November, during a conversation with a young Eritrean activist living in Sweden, he posed an intriguing question: 'Change is coming; it is inevitable. What is your perspective on how to prevent the next generation—the ones who will bring the change tomorrow—from repeating the turmoil that the current system, which promised this very change, is inflicting on the public?' I replied, “You have asked a very important question. Please allow me some time to provide a detailed response.” As he asked this, my thoughts were on my new book, which was set to be available to readers a few weeks later. I did not mention that I was about to publish a book, nor that he would find answers to his questions within it. Soon after our discussion, the book was released, and I hope the young Eritrean has the opportunity to read it and form his own conclusions about the viability of the answers. Although he had not yet read the book, he remarked that the title alone suggests that our country is ailing and in need of therapy, healing, and revival.

Based on the premises of our conversation, although not all popular uprisings and changes lead to democracy (The Arab Spring of the early 2010s is a good example), I also contend that the grim cycle of turmoil the young Eritrean alluded to following the promised change is not inevitable. It can be prevented only if we begin enacting deliberate and intelligent precautions immediately.

The central purpose of my recently published book is to serve as a blueprint for these precautions. It moves beyond merely diagnosing the nation's afflictions to prescribing a detailed course of treatment. The core ideas and recommendations within it are designed to frame a constructive dialogue about our future by systematically addressing the critical dimensions of change. Here is a summary of how the book seeks to elaborate on this issue:

The nature of the change we anticipate: The book argues for a change that is not merely a rotation of personalities but a fundamental transformation of systems and political culture. It envisions a shift from a winner-takes-all model to participatory, rules-based governance structures.

What needs to change: It provides a clear audit of the specific institutions, laws, and norms that need to be dismantled or reformed. This includes, but is not limited to, the justice system, economic policy frameworks, and security apparatus, focusing on making them independent, transparent, and service-oriented.

The way change should be brought about: Emphasizing that the process is as important as the outcome, the book outlines a pathway that is inclusive, phased, and consensus-driven. It advocates the need for a strategically managed transition built on broad civic mobilization and consensus building, where possible. Furthermore, it illustrates various scenarios that could be instrumental in bringing about such changes. This book demonstrates that for the change to be sustainable, the transition should guarantee public participation and be executed in a healthy political environment.

The core elements of the new system: The book outlines the foundational pillars of the envisioned future: constitutional supremacy, a robust mixed economy rooted in public-private partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to human rights and civil liberties.

Stakeholders: The analysis identifies all key players—youth, women, farmers, business leaders, the diaspora, civil servants, the military, and political factions—not as passive observers but as vital stakeholders with distinct roles, responsibilities, and incentives in the transition process.

The need for realistic timelines: The book acknowledges that genuine transformation is a generational endeavor. It proposes a realistic phased timeline, distinguishing between immediate confidence-building measures (months to a year), foundational institutional reforms (1-4 years), and long-term societal consolidation (a decade or more).

Strategic Prioritization: The book establishes a clear hierarchy of actions, asserting that securing peace and stability, establishing a transitional justice mechanism, and reviving the economy must be the urgent initial priorities on which all other reforms depend.

Challenges and Opportunities: It conducts a comprehensive SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). Challenges include spoiler groups, economic collapse, and regional interference. Opportunities lie in an ambitious young population, society’s respect for the rule of law, a mobilized diaspora, and the potential for regional economic integration.

Differentiators from the present regime: Ultimately, the proposed framework is defined by what it is not. Its differentiators are accountability over impunity, inclusion over exclusion, meritocracy over patronage, dialogue over coercion, and service to the public over the exploitation of the public.

By elaborating on these ideas, the book aims to replace anxious uncertainty with a structured vision. It seeks to answer the poignant question posed by the young Eritrean—how to prevent the next generation from repeating our failures—by providing them with not just hope, but a practical manual to navigate the perilous yet promising journey of genuine national renewal. The precaution we must take now is to educate, debate, and organize around such a concrete plan.