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Democratic Movement for the Liberation of the Eritrean Kunama

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Democratic Movement for the Liberation of the Eritrean Kunama
HeadquartersAfar Region, Ethiopia
Active regionsSouthern Red Sea Region, Eritrea
IdeologyKunama self-determination
Part ofEritrean Democratic Alliance[1]
Allies RSADO
Opponents Eritrea
Battles and warsSecond Afar insurgency

The Democratic Movement for the Liberation of the Eritrean Kunama (abbreviated DMLEK) is a Kunama political and armed organization active in Eritrea.[1] That advocates for the rights and autonomy of the Kunama people, one of the nine ethnic groups in the country. The group is mainly funded by Eritrean diaspora[1] and is allied with the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organisation.[2]

The DMLEK was founded in April 1, 1995, after Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia. The organization emerged in response to the marginalization and discrimination faced by the Kunama people under the Eritrean government. The DMLEK has been involved in armed conflict with the Eritrean government, with the aim of securing greater autonomy, independence and representation for the Kunama people.[3][4] However the DMLEK's stance on separatism is somewhat ambiguous,[5][6] with some members advocating for independence for the Kunama region through conflict.[7]

The Kunama people have a distinct culture and language, and have historically faced discrimination and marginalization under successive Eritrean governments.[8][9][10] The DMLEK has been critical of the Eritrean government's policies towards minority groups, and has called for greater respect for the rights of the Kunama people and other marginalized communities in the country.[11][12]

The DMLEK has been involved in various armed conflicts with the Eritrean government, and has been accused of committing human rights abuses. The organization has been designated a terrorist group by the Eritrean government, and has been subject to repression and crackdowns.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Eritrean Kunama (DMLEK) supports the military operation of RSADO". erit-alliance.com. Eritrean Democratic Alliance. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  2. ^ McGregor, Andrew (7 January 2010). "Opposition Group Promises Attacks Following Sanctions on Eritrea for Support of Terrorism". Jamestown. 8 (1). Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  3. ^ Negash, Beyan (2015-03-15). ""Pre-figurative Politics" Of The Eritrean Lowland League". Awate.com. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  4. ^ Gilkes, Patrick (2002-06-01). "Wars in the Horn of Africa and the dismantling of the Somali State". Cadernos de Estudos Africanos (2): 89–102. doi:10.4000/cea.1280. hdl:10071/3126. ISSN 1645-3794.
  5. ^ "Peace Talks in Focus 2021. Report on Trends and Scenarios" (PDF).
  6. ^ Mehler, Andreas; Melber, Henning; Walraven, Klaas (2011-10-06). Africa Yearbook Volume 7: Politics, Economy and Society South of the Sahara in 2010. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-20556-7.
  7. ^ SudanTribune (2009-12-30). "Eritrean opposition says ready to attack government army". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  8. ^ Plaut, Martin (2005). "The Eritrea Opposition Moves Towards Unity". Review of African Political Economy. 32 (106): 638–643. ISSN 0305-6244. JSTOR 20059117.
  9. ^ Connell, Dan (2011). "From resistance to governance: Eritrea's trouble with transition". Review of African Political Economy. 38 (129): 419–433. doi:10.1080/03056244.2011.598343. hdl:10.1080/03056244.2011.598343. ISSN 0305-6244. JSTOR 23055364. S2CID 144380803.
  10. ^ "Supporting statement of the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of the Eritrean Kunama (DMLEK) to the 40th Anniversary celebration of the Tigray's People Liberation Front (TPLF)" (PDF).
  11. ^ "trackingterrorism.org/group/kunama-democratic-liberation-movement-".
  12. ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "Refworld | Eritrea: Eritrean Revolutionary Democratic Front (ERDF); party status; relations with the Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Eritrea (DMLE); government response to ERDF activism or its perceived affiliations; whether the ERDF has a Canadian representative". Refworld. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  13. ^ "Eritrean opposition parties and civic organisations" (PDF).
  14. ^ "ARTICLES". www.baden-kunama.com. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
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