• The North America representatives of EPDP held their congress in Indianapolis, IN from June 9-10/2012. The congress was held under the theme of “We struggle to establish a democratic state of Eritrea that safeguards its sovereignty and territorial integrity and coexists in peace with its neighbors.” Over 60 EPDP members from different branches/chapters participated in the congress.

• The Congress discussed the comprehensive report of the last two years presented by the outgoing chair of the NA region, Mr. Woldu Negasi. The report provided objective assessment of the NA region, focusing on accomplishments of plans drawn earlier, the challenges faced, the way forward, and identified areas in which adequate and measurable progress were made. The congress approved plans drawn for North America region for the next two years.
• The Congress reaffirmed its strong support for the peaceful and democratic principle our Party adopted in its last congress as the most effective and viable means to get rid of the PFDJ regime from power and as a crucial element, which lays a strong foundation in building a sustainable and democratic Eritrea.

• The congress deliberated on departmental reports submitted by department heads and senior staff members. Congress stressed the importance of strengthening the relationship between EPDP departments and North America regional administration in promoting and enhancing the role of North America regional administration.

• Calls on EPDP members and all concerned Eritreans to support the national initiative of the Coordinating Committee of Eritrean National Democratic Forces (CC-ENDF), which underpins people-centred peaceful means of struggle for democratic change, rule of law, and representative democratic governance in Eritrea.
• The congress recognized the pivotal role of Eritrean youth and women in the struggle for democratic change in Eritrea, and thereby supported the cooperation between EPDP and Eritrean youth at all levels.
• The congress expressed strong support to the stand our Party took for the March 15, 2012 Ethiopian military attack 17 Km inside Eritrean territory. The congress reaffirmed our Party’s stand can play a positive role in the relationship between the countries.
• The congress noted the recent military skirmishes between Eritrean and Ethiopian forces along the border of the two countries. The congress calls on the two countries to stop the conflict immediately and solve their differences peacefully and amicably.
• The congress discussed the state of affairs of the Eritrean opposition forces against the PFDJ regime. To achieve strong, effective, and concerted struggle against the PFDJ regime, the congress calls on all opposition forces, independent individuals, civic society groups to work in a spirit of collaboration and harmony towards a concrete action.
• Congress elected seven and two alternate leaders to lead EPDP North America regional administration for the next two years.

 EPDP North America Regional Congress

June 10, 2012