January, 2013
A foreign expert wrote that
what occurs in Ethiopian history is always the unexpected. Although the
symptoms of coming disasters were quite manifest long before the happenings; I
am not sure if our perception to foresee future events is obfuscated by lack of
imagination; or is it because of the Ethiopian, including mine, propensity to
leave matters to Divine intervention? Who would have thought that the Imperial
reign would crumble? Who would have thought that the Revolution and military
pseudo-communist regime would disappear in debacle leaving a murderous trail
and disaster? Would have thought that a corrupt and ruthless tribal gang of
usurpers would be ruling the country? Here we are now, after four decades
painful and humiliating existence, reduced to abject poverty divested of any
rights, estranged in our own country, still asking ourselves what to do. All
our neighbours are in revolt and fighting for their freedom and for justice: Sudan Yemen Egypt Tunisia Libya Syria
In the last days we have
witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of ordered, organized and enforced mass
hysteria ever seen in our poor land. In the reverse sense it is comparable to
the extraordinary edict of the Derg prohibiting any wake keeping, crying and
holding funeral for the people it murdered and buried in mass graves. Thus,
under the pseudo-Marxist regime to cry for your dead was an anti-revolutionary
act, while under the pseudo-democratic TPLF regime mass demonstration of
sorrow, crying and self flagellation is an obligatory liberal/capitalist conduct.
In our long history
self-respect and honour had been principal characteristics of our national
ethos. However, these recent developments have been the most self humiliating
and self demeaning acts that have ever been inflicted on our people. Even the
Italian occupation did not impose such break down of our spirit; patriotic
forces combated the enemy until final liberation. Thanks to the great
revolution that was supposed to bring equality, wellbeing and happiness in a
just world, the Ethiopian people have been subject to the worst abuse and
political slavery for the past forty years that is culminating in this sad
tragicomedy of enforced mass crying. Not that there was democratic freedom
during the preceding monarchies, at least there were moral cannons derived from
Christian ethics that defined the rule of the Monarch. Espousing a half-baked
modernity has deprived us of any kind of individual freedom, and right of
ownership, enslaving us even more than any previous times. Our well being is
simply quantified by statistical numbers and not by the freedom of our spirit. Our
happiness is measured by the amount of staff we consume and the garbage we
produce. Our welfare is gauged by whatever number regimes in power choose to
published, and are considered adequate by the moral standards and incredulity
of donors.
By the same token we are told that Ethiopia China India Ethiopia
In spite of all odds and
the hues and cries of the opposition in the Diaspora, who vainly hopes to share
power because of external pressure, the situation in the country seems to be
normal, but for some minor flares here and there. In fact the regime has been
successful in projecting the image of a real multi ethnic sharing and orderly
transfer of power. Just as the commanded mass crying, I assume that the new
quadrumvirate (the two kililites plus TPLF), will soon order a multi-ethnic
mass laughter. The new Premier has declared that it will be a collegial
leadership and not a one man show. Which is to be expected, because I find
improbable for the TPLF who has major control over all sector will relinquish
power so easily, neither the two new bozos have the experience and the
political clout to make fundamental policy changes.
Nevertheless, two new
elements have been introduced on the political scene, first at least in
appearance a new team composed of non-Tigreans has come to the leadership, and
second some rift has appears amongst the core leadership of the TPLF. However,
none of these factors have shown any change in the behaviour of the regime. The
new promotion made in the military in the absence of a Head of government and
the mere blessing of the putative elephantine President, is a clear indication
that the real power still remains with the TPLF leadership.
The exaggerated funeral
proceedings, has probably embittered further the mood of the people, who are
largely opposed to the regime. Unfortunately, there was no viable opposition
that could have demonstrated some action during and since the two months vacuum
created by Meles’s death. Particularly, in view of the many social, economic
and especially political trends that are developing in the country. I have a
distinct feeling that there is a serious lacuna within the political dialogue,
if not a generational incongruity. With a rather bleak view of the opposition
from abroad, and not knowing much about the one in the country, predicting the
future is a hazardous task. While the aspiring political leadership is still
anchored in the failed history of its own making, the young generation,
victimized by the past mess, has no clear ideas about the future. Yet,there are some ninety million stakeholders in Ethiopia
Whether there will be a
change in the TPLF (Eritrea/Tigre) leadership of the regime, the time has come
for this governance by terror and corruption to end. This must be done by
peaceful or other means, and by ourselves. We must not count on any foreign
help to accomplish our own struggle, Why should they? Just look what happening
in Syria
As to what is going on
amongst the Diaspora we a renewed clamour for united action, just as if the
basic nature and behaviour of the TPLF gang had not been unknown for two
decades, and if similar appeals had not been expressed more than once. I think
that it is time to reckon our limitations, and stop dreaming that political
movements with hardly any constituency inside the country can jump on power
from far away. If we reckon that our role is to help and promote the democratic
movements in country instead of seeking political power, our contribution could
be realistically relevant and much easier to accomplish than pursuing illusory
goals. A strong political system must have its foundation at grass root level
and not from the exterior; for instance without the support of the patriotic
forces inside the country we could not have regained our independence from Italy
Indeed it is time for
action, and for specific implementation programs, with tangible political and
material support, aimed at concrete actions in the field. This must be done by
a broad public participation and consultation, and not by self-appointed groups
claiming political authority. I recently read a long article appealing to what
is now called the Cheetah Generation, the following is my comment:
“As we well know the
Cheetah lives in the land and not in urban dwellings scrapping garbage.
The cheetah generation must
do the same and face the challenges on the ground. If it wants to grow food it
must first plow the land to get the fruit of what it has sown. Commiserating
over the sacrifice of a few like Scander Nega is not enough, what is needed is
to join them by the thousands.
The Lion generation had
kept the land free, the greedy hippo generation has emasculated its spirit and
wasted its wealth, and the Cheetah Generation must roll up the sleeves and
rebuild it on its own land. It is not the knowledge or the means that are
lacking but the moral fortitude and the courage that is missing.” Fortunately, however embryonic and an active
opposition is arising, here and there in the country, especially amongst the
young generation. Let’s help them with all our means to build a new democratic Ethiopia
IZ.
