Eritrean-born General Mercorios Haile, who rose to become Deputy-Commander of the Ethiopian Air Force in the era when Eritrea was still a province of Ethiopia, died on 16 November on a visit to Addis Ababa.
In 1975 the General left his diplomatic post in the Ethiopian Embassy in Nairobi in response to the policies of Mengistu regime, and has lived in Britain for the last 34 years.
Shortly after his arrival in Britain he attended an international conference of Moral Re-Armament (now Initiatives of Change) in Caux, Switzerland. He recounted later that he had realized there that he had not done enough for his own (Eritrean) people, and on his return to the UK, he set up an organization to serve the nascent Eritrean community in London. It was to be the first of several such associations which he inspired in different parts of Britain.
In view of his love for both the Eritreans and the Ethiopians, he always considered his role to be that of a bridge-builder between the two peoples, especially during these latter years of active hostilities. He also saw the danger of divisions between Christian and Muslim Eritreans, and worked strategically to build trust between them in the European and American Diaspora.
Invariably dapper and well-dressed in appearance and manner, well into his 'eighties, there was a spirit of modesty, integrity and transparency in all he undertook which aroused trust in his leadership and vision. His deep Faith sustained him through the darkest days of anguish over the condition and suffering of his Eritrean people. It was always his calm and steady courtesy that shone through, and the sharply perceptive word from a trained military mind was often forthcoming and timely!
As health began to fail, his thoughts often turned towards Ethiopia, where he had served for much of his professional life, and where many friends from earlier and happier times welcomed him. President Girma, the Ethiopian Head of State, held him in high regard and close friendship from their Air Force years together, and was actually his 'Best Man' at their wedding!
When I was invited, with Rev John Burrell, on a visit to the Initiatives of Change (IofC) team there not long ago, we went equipped with a strong and warm letter from General Mercorios to the President to report to him of the work of IofC and present him with one of the first copies of The Imam and the Pastor film.
Perhaps it was written in his stars that he should end his days in the country to which his love and vision extended as much as to his own.
He will be much missed by his many friends in Britain, and I count it a privilege to have known and worked alongside him and his compatriots who will feel the gap most.
English