At lease for education or experimental reasons, there will be the 100 best Eritreans to lead us as our representatives. Ideally, in terms of gender, 50 should be women and 50 men. In terms of religious affiliations, 45 Muslim, 45 Christians and 10 of other beliefs or non-beliefs. Ideally, the age range should be between 25 to 65.
Thanks to technology, we could actually easily elect the best 100 of us in an open and transparent election. For obvious reasons, only Eritreans in the free world could participate in electing their representatives. However, all interested Eritreans are welcome. To this end, a constituent body of all diaspora Eritreans with KNOWN IDENTITY could be easily constituted. All interested Eritreans duly connected to the internet, regardless of their geographic location, could be in this constituent body.
This constituent body could be constituted in a matter of weeks on a Facebook page and vote using the tools on that page. We have assuring experiences in this regard. Based on some rudimentary observations, the body of interested Eritreans seems to between 5k to 15k size. Openly, using simplified election rules but with some consideration for representation of minorities and the disadvantaged, the most popular 100 could be identified. A national representative body elected by a constituent body of 5k to 15k big could be very acceptable. Not perfect! However, in search of an elusive perfection we should not overlook the workable. The 100 will be our legislature, call it our Assembly.
The national legislature could then gradually work towards guiding current opposition endeavors and preparing for transition by building consensus, in the form of draft legislation, to help handle the transition. Such a body may not, of course, have a binding authority even though such authority could be conferred. At the very least, quality products from such a body could have a significant contribution in the near future. Authority is better when it is earned, than prescribed. Don’t we use samples, drafts, templates … in our every life! This legislature would start with adopting its rules of procedure, including decision making quorums, majorities and other basics. Daunting but it will not get easier by deferring it to tomorrow.
We aspire to take on this journey at a level close to the reality Eritrea will face. To do so, this journey would need many civilized participants. If not practical at this level, running a mock or an experimental government would give us an experience much closer to reality. A school of government, if you will.