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Thursday, 16 October 2014

Is Silence Made of Gold ? Afterthoughts Fall 2014

Is Silence Made of Gold?   The lack of freedom of expression and the  jailing of journalists,  bloggers and media people in Ethiopia has always been a hot topic in the Diaspora media, and justly so. We also observe that the Diaspora audio-visual media that has become a most important source of information for the public in Ethiopia about issues unavailable in the local media. This said the question is if there is censorship in the Diaspora media?  For instance my article on Ethiopia’s Future was not rejected but not even acknowledged by some web-sites like Abugida, Ze-Habesha, ECADEF, 6Kilo. Thanks God! there are Medias like Facebook with millions of viewers worldwide including Ethiopia.

Fear of Protests?  I have been following on TV the protests by thousands people of Honk Kong to elect freely their own city government, and at the same I was also viewing what is happening with the few hundred protesters in Fergusson Missouri (population 21200)  here in the United States of America.  What I remarked particularly is the way that the authorities in both places have handled the protests. In Honk Hong the police were unarmed and the authorities have handled the matter peacefully with negotiations, which they are still doing after almost a month of the people occupying the town center. In Fergusson the police came out dressed and armed with military gear and equipment including armored vehicle, shooting rubber bullets and  teargas bombs against a few misbehaving youngsters and against peaceful protesters.

The contrast is evident; it is difficult to understand the extreme violent reaction of the police in America against neighbors who have lived in the same township for at least since the US has existed. With their violent reaction the police did not show strength and courage, but stark naked fear! And lack of confidence in one’s own national institutions and laws. It is sad to observe this decay of civility in the 21st Century America. Moreover, the political paralyses that has developed at home in recent years, has undermined the foreign policy in a world whose peace and stability lies principally with the United States. For billions of people in the World the US symbolizes Freedom and Progress to which they aspire. The people in Honk Kong are what they are protesting for. With the political and economic power center shifting from West to East, what the future bids is something to ponder upon with utmost concern.  Obama will be gone in less than two years, then what??

Wednesday, 24 September 2014

Perspectives of Ethiopia's future

September 2014
I am neither a scholar nor a historian. The following are broad brush strokes of my personal outlooks about the epoch I have lived in and strived. I leave the descriptive details off events and facts to professional historians. The 1974 revolution that replaced the Imperial Regime and gave birth to an era of terror and lawlessness, since then Ethiopian history has been subject to many interpretations according to the ideological, political and personal persuasion of the narrator.    Although a lot of well researched books and papers have been published by Ethiopian and foreign authors alike, there is also a lot of writing that borders the surreal, particularly by political bodies and their members. Assumptions, speculations, misquotations, fabrications  and exaggerations make poor history.    
In my view Ethiopian history has changed by somersaults during the past nine decades, especially after the Italian invasion of 1935. The post Minilik period was a time of internal contentions, the Lij Yassu regency concluded with the crowning of Empress Zewditu Minilik with the crown passing to Emperor Haile Sellassie on her death. Thus began the embryonic modernization of Ethiopia’s polity with Haile Sellassie pursuing Minilik’s policies, introducing a western education systems and other modern reforms. A written Constitution was adopted, and Ethiopia became a full-fledged member of the Society of Nations. The 1930 Constitution marked the beginning of a constitutional form of government and the end of feudalism, which was abolished further by the Italian occupiers who introduced a colonial system of governance.  Although the occupation lasted only turbulent five years, it changed radically all aspects of the Ethiopian way of life. Primarily to consolidate their occupation and secure the future development of the colony, the Italians built a network of roads and infrastructures throughout the country. This factor revolutionized the traditional political, social and economic structure of the nation, by facilitating large population movements and commercial exchange amongst the various provinces. A uniform system of governance was also introduced, transforming radically the feudal relationship between the rulers and the people.
The post liberation era 1941/1973 was a time of reestablishing the state and keeping the integrity of the nation. Thanks to the popularity of the Emperor and patriots forces the country remained united. Starting with establishing a new government administration the challenge was  extremely onerous, there was no money but a small loan granted by the British; there was no trained personnel but a handful people with formal education; no equipment of any kind as the British forces had taken away anything movable even office and household furniture; all Italians were also evacuated, depriving us of some technical labor. In spite of some difficulties created by the British in the early years, by 1960 the government was firmly established. Organic Laws were codified, National Bank and National Currency, Ethiopian Commercial Bank, Ethiopian Airline, Highway Authority, Telecommunications’ Board and many other institutions and structural changes were made. Eritrea was federate with the motherland and Ethiopia had regained a direct access to the sea.  
However, the political system did not evolve according to the innovations the country underwent with its socio-economic development and its large exposure to the world. Addis Ababa had become the HQ of the OAU, the ECA and of many International organizations, increasing the country’s role in world affairs. Nevertheless, domestically all powers remained centered with the Emperor, all officials were by appointment and the Parliament although partially elected was actually an advisory body with limited prerogatives. The Emperor, lulled by his worldwide popularity was more focused on world affairs than those of the interior. The first shock came in 1960 with the Mengistu Newaye attempted coup d’etat, that culminated with the senseless murder of some of the most important leaders whose voice influenced all Imperial decisions.  Unfortunately, the Emperor nor his government learned much from this tragic event, although the country was fermenting with discontent from all classes of society and things went on as usual. Triggered by the famine in Wollo this period climaxed with the 1974 revolution, spearheaded by students and joined by the military. To their credit the Emperor and all high officials surrendered peacefully all powers to the revolutionary. Although their peaceful surrender did not prevent their eventual assassinations.
Thus, began the Ethiopian tragic Odyssey. The revolution had started with a lot of ignorance and good intentions by most of the student’s movements, slogans such as “land to the tiller” had some popular appeal, although land ownership in Shoa, Wollo, Begemdir, Tigray and Gojiam was communal, and it was a matter of returning to the rest the ownership to the “tiller” that was already in place, in his ancestral land. The actual intention was to disown the people of any property, and have full control of the peasantry that consisted of eighty-five percent of the population. The same goes to the campaign of “Idget Behibret”, whereby high school teen agers were dispersed around the country to foster a development nobody knew about including its authors. Again this was contrived to break-up the student movement from growing into a political force on its own. It was also a malefic program contrived to denigrate the middle class. Thus, a whole generation of youngsters were thrown into an unplanned and disorganized foray, where many were diseased, raped, maimed and perished.  
The revolution turned into a murderous struggle for power amongst the revolutionary themselves, one faction allying themselves with the ignorant and uncouth military subalterns and providing them with some half backed Marxist political notions.  Eventually, the military took over all powers after a campaign of terror and mayhem in which thousands of innocent young people lost their life; millions lost their livelihood, their property and even a modicum of basic rights. The governance of the country fell to a regime with no moral compulsion of any kind, but brute force and unbound lawlessness. After seventeen years of misrule that destroyed and tainted the historical and traditional values of Ethiopia, maligned its institutions and cultural vestiges, denigrated its defense establishment and left a bankrupt country to the vagaries of an ill fated future.
The power vacuum left by the Derg regime was replaced by an ethnic cabal in the guise of an alliance with other liberation movements led by the TPLF. Admittedly, they fought and won the battle on the ground, but they also abandoned their Marxist leaning for some sort democratic platform that won them the support of the US and other powers and institutions, without giving up their ruthless and corrupt governance. They have conceded to the independence of Eritrea land locking Ethiopia, and transferred a large amount of national territory to the Sudan. With the preceding nationalization the ownership of the land having passed to the state, millions of acres of prime   land are sold to foreign investors on concessionary terms. Under the governing tribal oligarchy all economic and financial institutions are owned and controlled by the regime through state or party owned corporations and affiliates. Large infrastructure projects such as dams, railroad, highways, industrial and agricultural projects have been undertaken through international, bilateral loans and private investments.  Depending on the source the Ethiopian economic development has risen from six to ten percent a year in the last decade, resulting in huge disparity of income, that leaves the ninety-eight percent of the people in retched poverty, and endows Ethiopia with the highest brain drain in the world. Debt servicing has also risen over $1.2 Billion  per year, in addition to capital evasion that amounts to more than $20 Billion since 2004. Corruption and malfeasance at all levels of governance are the modus operandi of the regime; with the extensive political and financial support of the US the EU and sundry “democratic” countries.
Presently, we have entered a New Year 2007 EC and a new national election is to be held in a few months, most probably with the same concocted results as the preceding one in 2009 when the TPLF/EPRDF won by 99.6 percent. On this occasion the regime says barefacedly to have spent some 900 million Birr from the national budget to promote its own election, at the expense of the public. However, due to the general disappointment, particularly with donor countries, that its loutish and coercive  governance is causing, and fearing that the growing opposition might turn violent, the regime may be pressured to make some nominal political space to affiliated parties, while maintaining the monopoly of power until the next election in 2012 EC. The emergence of a burgeoning middle class seeking to maintain its status in a stable and lawful political system, plus foreign elements wanting security for their investments, may induce the regime to give some space to some selected parties. Nevertheless, in spite all the political gerrymandering, sooner or later the failure of the deficient regime is inevitable.
The question is what bodes for our country after the present tribal clique will lose powers in one way or another?  Is it going to be a tribal battle ground  by parties contending for power of some kind? Or even separation? Or, a most likely outcome, another civil-cum-military dictatorship will replace the present oligarchy?  Where are the Ethiopian people in all this tumult played over their destiny? What do the powerless multitude of the opposition factions promise? Will it be another half-backed compromise under the macabre dance of peaceful struggle, or political reconciliations over the head of the real stake holders, the people of Ethiopia?
The following is a personal comment for those indulging in the Politics of our country; it should not be construed as a self promotion. Given my age, I am quite conscious my own limitations, I merely want to impart my views about the future politics of our country. This message is mainly addressed to the young generation; it does not exclude the veterans of our political melee, but for those with an unsavory past as high officials of the delinquent Derg regime. After all politics are implemented by people, its success or failures are measured by their integrity and irreproachable demeanors in office.
 When in 1948 we joined the UN forces in the Korean conflict, the standard of living of the Korean people at that time was not better than our own, the same could be said of China’s after the traumatic ordeal of the cultural revolution. When I visited Panama in 1949, but for the American Base and some official sites, the city was a slum with a couple of hotels and sundry shops, today Panama rates with 61% of wellbeing on a world scale. While these countries and others around the world have achieved a high degree of development, why have we failed?  is a legitimate question to ask ourselves?
Ethiopia is a great country whose history dates from ancient times, our land is varied and rich that contains large natural resources of all kinds, from agriculture to minerals, and abundant water and energy potentials. The Ethiopian people are intelligent, courageous, cultured and diligent in all endeavors. Their social mores and moral values are second to none. With all this spiritual and material wealth in our hands, shouldn’t we have achieved higher standards of wellbeing for our people? Why have we become a swarm of terrorized and servile citizens deprived of their birthright in their own country? Ethnic and cultural divisions have been imposed on us by the point of the gun, creating disharmony and animosity amongst people. It is time to say NO to this unjust and abusive rule.
The remedy for this sad situation is a national democratic political movement genuinely geared towards restoring freedom and justice to the people of Ethiopia. It is not ideas and methods that are lacking, a plethora of political programs have been pronounced by many parties; most of them advocating democratic principles in their own terms. However, personal rivalry and diverging objectives that prevail amongst leaders, has impeached the formation of a united national front. Consequently, no party has been able to establish a constituency large enough to play a leading political role. The only successful political coalition was Kinijit, whose winning a popular majority was revoked forcibly by the regime. Kinijit’s ambivalent leadership was also instrumental for its demise.  
Assuming that the regime will remain in power for the next five years, I believe that the opposition must belong to the young generation whose future is at stake. They would have the contemporary vision and the energy to regenerate and build a new Ethiopia.  In fact this is already occurring in the country where the youth have already taken the vanguard of the democratic movement as exemplified by Skender Nega, Andulam Arage, Reeyot Alemu, “group9” bloggers, and scores of journalists and activists, the Semayawi Party and countless others that are persecuted and imprisoned around the country. What they need a strong support from all elements of the society, particularly from the community in the Diaspora that enjoys freedom of action with abundant human and material resources. 
Unfortunately the opposition parties in the Diaspora are fragmented and the leadership still tied up to defunct notions and groups, that do not reflect the present realities in Ethiopia. Neither have they have been a convincing voice to influence the foreign affairs establishments of relevant countries. Aspiring for power over ninety million people from ten thousand miles away seems to border the fantastic, internally Ethiopia is not lacking of talented people. I believe that the youth in the Diaspora should organize itself into an effective and credible pro-democratic movement representing legitimate parties at home, instead of wasting time in useless pal-talk and sundry internet debates.
It is time to open a new page of Ethiopian history.
 Imru Zelleke

Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Farewell 2013


December 2013.
Year’s end thoughts.
A year has passed leaving us with the nostalgia of things past, but also with the distinct feeling that this year been a turning point in Ethiopia’s destiny. The general lethargy prevailing over the mood of the Diaspora community, that had found comfort, distraction and even amusement in devotional practice, the restaurant/bar scene and gossipy rumours, has awaken  with a surge of patriotic fervour.
What caused this high irruption and indignation was the loutish behaviour of the Saudis towards the Ethiopian citizens who had migrated to their country in search of some menial job which they could not get in their own land. Migration of Ethiopians to Arab and other lands has been going on for forty years. Beginning from our murderous revolution, which has denied the people of basic human rights, confiscated their properties, abolished law and order executed mass assassination and imprisonment of innocent unarmed citizens; then collapsed disgracefully and surrendered the country to a regime of ethnic servitude.
For those of us who were lucky enough to find refuge in civilized countries where we have lived in peace and freedom and even prospered, the sad fate of our unlucky compatriots is not new. What is surprising is this sudden awareness or “prise de conscience” and angry Diaspora manifestation against the Saudi Kingdom in particular. Ethiopian refugees are spread all over the Arab lands thus the selective indignation at the Saudis is rather bizarre, unless is it because of their enormous wealth. Anyway, it has caused the creation of a Global Alliance of the Diaspora to deal with the problem of Ethiopian immigrants. Most of the immigrants in Saudi Arabia being already repatriated back home, it is sending a fact finding mission to Yemen. However, sending an inquiry commission is a good gesture, it denotes a serious commitment from the Diaspora regarding the fate of Ethiopian immigrants.  At least it might give some hope to those whose conditions are desperate. I also hope that it will not fizzle out into some publicity stunt, because it is a very grave problem that requires large amounts of funds and sustained logistical support.
The death of the venerable President Mandela and the contribution that Ethiopia has made to the struggle against the white racist regime in South Africa was discussed at length, and justly so.  This gave occasion for some of our intrepid reporters to resuscitate and interview Mengistu Haile Mariam and some of his collaborators. Since Mengistu’s role in the Mandela history and his opinion of the present TPLF regime is utterly irrelevant, one would have thought that a subject of great interest, primarily for the young generation of Ethiopians, would have been his own murderous history. How with US assistance he arranged to hand-over the country to the TPLF, and himself escape with his family and friends, betraying the Ethiopian Army and the country. This was one of the most violent and horrific pages of Ethiopian history for which he is accountable, and worth remembering for future generation.   I have a lot of respect for the valuable service that ESAT has given for the Ethiopian people in opening a free access to information that is denied to them by the present regime. Myself having had the opportunity to express my views on ESAT, I am grateful for the chance given to me. However, I was deeply outraged together with millions of Ethiopians, by the callous indifference shown by ESAT for the enormous suffering and crimes committed by Mengistu against the Ethiopian people. We all respect and aspire to a democratic Ethiopia where the freedom of expression will be a fundamental tenet of its governance, we also believe that freedom has also its limits when it is concerned with acts of genocide and crimes against humanity. Unless of total amnesia, seventeen years of lawless bloody mayhem and genocide cannot be ignored. A serious apology is in order.
The end of this year marks also the fortieth anniversary of the calamitous Ethiopian Odyssey. Four decades of pain and pangs, of terror and persecution that still continues. It should also be time to ponder over our lasting failure to bring solace and peace to our people. I don’t think that it is a mysterious phenomenon that impeaches our actions, but the lack of courage to face unpleasant circumstances in their real context. The TPLF came to power by a long and protracted struggle in the field by which they gained political power, and the recognition of major foreign nations. The opposition for its part being totally absent from the ground, was incapable to assume any role out of the debacle left by the Mengistu regime. The only opportunity that was offered to the opposition was the election of 2005 when it received a large public support, that was forcibly shanghaied by the regime, and against which the opposition had nothing to counter with.  To add insult to injury the leaders of the opposition were sent to prison, a measure that still continues to be practiced against all opposition politicians, journalists and Human Rights activist .Yet, in spite of its blatant violations of all democratic principles of governance, international aid continued to flow in support of the regime.  It was Senator Barry Goldwater of the US who said that “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”, which might describe the criteria lacking in the spirit of the opposition and the cause of its chronic demise. Forty years of continuous failure to form a coherent and effective political movement cannot be explained otherwise.
This year was also the 100th anniversary of the passing of the beloved national hero Emperor Menilik II. His memory should remind us of the best patriotic character of our cultures and traditions. Recommended reading by Tekle Tsadik Mokria, Paulos Gnogno, Professor Sergewu H. Sellassie, etc. Ethiopia is not a Paper Tiger created by some fiction, it is a nation built by sweat and blood, with thousand years of heroic defence of its independence. Unfortunately, of late, her destiny had fallen into the hands of an alienated generation that has destroyed its great heritage with nothing to replace it. The rebirth of the nation will demand a lot of soul searching and a return to those basic values of our own. We are not Europeans, Asians, Arabs or others, throughout millennia of interactions we have evolved our own civilization and way of life.  Our traditional manners and morals are second to none. 
The fermenting affairs of the Diaspora never cease to distract us with new subjects and events.  A formation of a Transition Government has been announced by a Transition Council who counts amongst its members a member of the former Imperial Crown, a high official of the Derg and sundry people of undetermined background. It would be interesting to know what this new government will be, and from where to where the transition will proceed. Whatever the case organizations created in the Diaspora, more than often, have a resonant name containing little substance. Therefore, it is wiser to check the personal history of the people in the leadership, and avoid embarrassments running after a ghost.
On the bread and butter side a lot of development projects are implemented in Ethiopia; in fact the amount of money involved is simply staggering. Foreign investors seem to have found a worthwhile environment for their business in Ethiopia, in spite of serious comments made concerning the viability and sustainability of a development dependent on foreign aid and deficit financing.  China announced recently a 16.5 Billion project financing program, that may involve the influx of maybe a million Chinese citizens? In the meantime the same amount of money or more, is to have taken the high road out of Ethiopia. Having become foreigners in their own country, but for a very small minority, the Ethiopian people are estranged from all these developments.  
To crown the year with unique originality the TPLF regime has put under arrest the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, an event that has not happened in the 1600 years of the Church History, but maybe once. I guess that the regime has taken this action  out of a profound sense of fairness, to balance its own outrageous behaviour against our Muslim community. It could also be out of the profound paranoia and apprehension that things are getting out of control. Monopoly of power captured by a mafia ethnic cabal, dominated by pervasive corruption and inefficiency, that have little respect even for their own keen have doubtful permanency. 
After many years of reflection a matter for which I have yet to find a rationale is our relations with Eritrea and Somalia. Years of bloody conflicts, misery and mayhem have brought neither peace nor freedom to anyone. We all have a good and industrious population, we each have abundant natural resources, and we have no external enemies. We had the opportunity and the time to build reasonably stable and progressive societies. Yet, we have failed our people and our countries. If we look at the progress that China has accomplished in the last three decades, ours conclusion would be comparable to marching backward during the same amount of time. Characteristic of our peculiarity the heroes of Eritrean independence Woldab Woldemariam and Issayas Afwerki are both Tigrean while the many TPLF leaders are Eritrean.  Cost accounting resulting from their conflicts and contentions,  millions in human losses, displacement and all round misery that still continues to keep our people in a quagmire of poverty, ignorance and backwardness. Yet, there are more Somalis living in Addis Ababa than in Mogadiscio, more Eritreans living in Addis than in Asmara. With some common sense in their leadership the Countries of the Horn could have realized an advanced and prosperous community that could have been an asset to World peace and stability.
Personally I have faith in our people and that they will overcome the obstacles that constrain their growth, and will emerge healthy and strong nations in the near future.
Let’s do it!!!
I wish all a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
ETHIOPIA LEZELALEM TINOUR.

Thursday, 11 July 2013

Open letter to the Ethiopian Prime Minister


H.E. Ato  Haile Mariam Dessalegn
Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa

July 11, 2013

Your Excellency,

A year has almost passed since you took the helm of government.  I believe that you are an intelligent man, because you would not have reached the position you have now by being the contrary, in a rather challenging milieu. Therefore, I hope that you will consider the few suggestions I make hereunder with an open mind and genuine concern.

As you may have observed yourself the age of “ruling by the barrel of a gun” and “manipulated” elections is in its twilight. No matter how many guns are pointed, no matter how many are killed, no matter how many are imprisoned and their freedom denied, people have arisen. There is a new wind of freedom and a cry for justice that is storming around the world. Admittedly some economic and social progress has been made during the regime that you are leading; education, health, infrastructures, industrial and agricultural production has increased, transportation and other sector have been expanded thanks to an enormous amount of foreign aid and investments.

However, all this development has benefited only a small segment of the country and the population. It has created an unacceptable disparity of income, leaving the large majority of the population to exist below one dollar a day. A predatory cancerous corruption permeates at all levels of public and private life. Extensive unemployment in urban areas particularly amongst the young, abject poverty, prostitution and mischief prevail social conduct and behavior. Insidious religious and ethnic discords impeach peaceful existence amongst people. Breakup of the judicial system and bad inefficient governance reduce people to despair and deep frustration, causing a bitter resentment against the regime. I am not talking here about statistically produced progress and welfare, but of real life conditions that you know very well.

Regarding foreign support and aid the US, European governments have been the main political support of the regime for reasons they deem to be of their national interests; with little consideration for the people of Ethiopia, whom they consider as subject of charity deserving no better. A false premise, if we consider the mass popular protests that are occurring in the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and other continents. It seems also that these benefactors have started realizing the brittleness of the policies of expediency they have pursued so far for Ethiopia and Africa.  At last changing their policies towards genuine democracy in favor of the people, instead of corrupt authoritarian regimes seems also to take place. The geopolitical strategic position of Ethiopia and the potential dynamism of its ninety million people is certainly not lost on foreign powers, who foresee eventual political changes in the country.
     
Your Excellency,

When you assumed your functions as Prime Minister you stated that it was going be a collegial governance, even tough by virtue of your position you would still have the responsibilities that your title gives you. Observing the many personality and function changes that have occurred since your Premiership, I cannot but conclude that you hold a key and deciding function in the direction of the state; anyway, history will consider you as the Prime Minister with all its prerogatives; and also  accountable for whatever develops during your tenure.  Therefore, it is up you and your team to face realistically the imminent revolt that will be occurring in Ethiopia. This is a matter of bringing normality and peace to the country, but also of securing your own survival in an untenable situation.

I suggest:
a.       Free all political prisoners, journalists, activists for Human Rights and democratic rule.
b.      Re-establish freedom of expression and assembly
c.       Establish a Conciliation Committee and negotiate with all political parties for a fair and open election with full participation in 2015 election. This will give your party two years to clean up the mess they have created.
d.      Give all members in the Diaspora the right to Dual citizenship. The Diaspora is over three million people and increasing in numbers. The Diaspora is a large  Human and Economic resource that cannot be ignored due its close and active ties with the community at home and it’s political activity around the world.
e.        You guarantee the Military their statutes and privileges as long as they remain neutral from politics and are concerned only with National Defense.
f.        Declare private ownership of land to the present tiller and compensations for displaced people for land used for development projects.
g.       Revise election laws and establish an independent Election Commission composed of personalities free of any political membership and commitment.

 There are many more reforms to be made, but the above could be the first steps to ensure stability and a healthy environment for the future democratic development of the country.

I am not sure that these measures will be agreeable to some of the deeply entrenched and involved members of the present governance who must realize that the game is up, and that sooner later they must relinquish power peacefully or by other means. I am sure that the people of Tigray are grateful for the benefits that the TPLF has gained for them, but are also anxious not to lose them by confronting as enemies  the vast majority of the Ethiopian people. If you succeed to introduce such reforms you can be sure to gain the full support of the nation and its gratitude. Rochefoucauld a French philosopher said “to govern is to foresee”, a good dictum to learn from

With best regards.

Imru Zelleke



Saturday, 15 June 2013

Crocodile tears for oneself



2005 (Ethiopian Calendar Zemene Matteos) has been dramatically eventful.  Almost a year ago with the former PM passing away we have witnessed the most 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 ceremony 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 pseudo-liberal-capitalist-democratic conduct.

In our long history self-respect and honor 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, the patriotic forces fought the enemy until final victory. In the following years we rebuilt the nation to a point where we reached a take-off point, that unfortunately took the wrong turn.  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 four decades, which culminated in this sad tragicomedy of enforced mass crying. Not that there was democratic freedom during the preceding monarchies, at least there were moral canons derived from Christian ethics that defined the rule of the Monarch. Espousing half-baked modernity has deprived us of any kind of individual freedom, more than any previous era. 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 stuff we consume and by the garbage we produce. Our welfare is gauged by whatever numbers the regimes in power choose to publish, and is convenient to them and foreign bodies. The new moral standard being that so-called economic development supersedes Freedom and Human Rights.

By the same token we are told that Ethiopia has undergone a tremendous economic development of 11 percent a year for the past decade. No mention is made that it has received about 38 billion US dollars in foreign aid plus other 10 or more billion from China, India and other bilateral grants and investments; nor of the 16.5 billion US dollars siphoned out of Ethiopia in the past decade. Yet, the beneficiaries of all this input have been a very small minority composed of the members of the regime and party-cum-state owned businesses and their acolytes. The vast majority of the population, about 95 percent, have been denied all Human Rights including that of property, and rendered vagrant in its ancestral land; reduced to menial labor, and pariah to state whims and edicts. Cronyism, nepotism, pervasive corruption at all levels, inefficiency and waste have been the trade mark of the governing regimes. Millions of people depend on food aid and many still die of starvation. With all that money pouring into the country, supported by the huge presence of foreign nationals as aid personnel, investors and other functions, it is not surprising that large infrastructure works, industries, and agricultural concessions have nominally boosted the economic development to the highly inflated figures of 11% growth of GDP claimed by the regime. The question is whether the vast majority of the Ethiopian people are the beneficiaries of all this development, or whether it benefits only the members of the regime, their party affiliates and foreign acolytes, which has been the real case. 

In spite of all odds and hue and cry of the opposition in the Diaspora, that for implausible reasons hopes to gain power someday, the situation in the country seems to be normal. In fact the regime has been successful in projecting the image of a real multi ethnic governance. Just as the commanded mass crying, I assume that the new triumvirate (the two kililites + 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 it improbable that the TPLF, holding major control over all sectors, will relinquish power so easily, nor do the two newcomers 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 forefront of the leadership, and second some rift has appeared amongst the core leadership of the TPLF. However, none of these factors have shown any change in the behavior of the regime so far. The promotions made in the military in the absence of a Head of government and the mere blessing of the putative President, is a clear indication that the real power still remains with the TPLF leadership.   

As to the prevailing mood in the country, the exaggerated funeral proceedings, has probably embittered further the mood of the people, who are largely opposed to the regime. Particularly, in view of the many social, economic and especially political trends that are developing in the country. 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 ones in the country, predicting the future has been a hazardous task, particularly since the moribund opposition is still anchored in the failed history of its own making. For its part the regime shows serious ambivalence in some new policies that it seems to be introducing in its governance, like allowing the parliament a more active role, initiating an anti-corruption campaign, permitting political demonstration, yet, at the same time carrying its campaign of arrests and harassment of the opposition. Journalists are arbitrarily jailed, student movements persecuted, and conducting blatant violations of basic human rights, contradicting the image of good governance that it wants to show.

Now comes the surprise, the young generation who have been victimized by the vehement tumults made by  their elders, have risen to take their future destiny in their own hands. The Semayawi (Blue) Party led by the youth, showed a broad popular support with the mass demonstration it made on June 9, 2013.  Their age group representing seventy percent of the population, their movement has the potential of creating a political Tsunami.  Reading some of the statements they made they have shown courage and maturity. I think that the appearance of this new element signifies a new trend in the political dialogue which so far has been stifled by the regimes intransigence to any reform.

The fate of the Ethiopia is still in the hands of its people. In the meantime let’s support the Semayawi Movement.

Imru Zelleke
15 June 2013.

Monday, 3 June 2013

Semayawi Party has Broken the Spell


Thanks to the Semayawi (Blue) Party at last a light has appeared at the end of tunnel that leads to freedom. Those that have to be congratulated the most are the Ethiopian People at large who  responded to the appeal in massive numbers with enthusiasm and dignity. They expressed clearly and without ambiguity their demands and aspirations.
A new phenomenon that gave impetus and dynamism to the movement is the overwhelming participation of the youth including the leadership.  The highest accolades and compliments should be given to Engineer Yelikal Getinet and his colleagues for their courageous and exemplary leadership. They have overcome the negative paradigm of divisions and contentions that has so far infected the opposition factions, and appealed directly to the people. In fact it is time for the younger generation to take over the helm of the opposition; it is their future that is at stake. The elderly generation can give advice and share their experience, because the past is an essential element to understand the pre-existing conditions and to build the future on solid foundations.
This new advent on the political scene opens new challenges and pitfalls presaging critical events and conditions that must be met with clarity and absolute determination. I humbly suggest the following:
a.     We should give up the notion of a “united” action. For the past forty years we have heard the word “unity, union, united etc.” that it has lost its meaning, and has become to mean to do nothing in unison, as the popular dictum “a committee is a gathering of people who cannot do anything by themselves, who together decide to do nothing”.  A plethora of parties with constituencies hardly worth mentioning are more of a hindrance than a positive element. What is needed is a determined and genuinely patriotic group to leads the struggle for freedom. Semayawi Party has taken the lead with undeniable action let’s support them.

b.     If the regime had a modicum desire to reform its governance, the current development would have been a good opportunity, unfortunately its reaction are negative and as usual consisting of intimidations and false accusations. As mass arrests and killings are likely to ferment further public anger, we have to look at what they could create to divert popular opinion and secure their survival such as: 1) one way would be to use as sacrificial lambs some the old honchos like Sebhat Nega, Azeb Mesfin and a few others for corruption; open some business space for loyal fellow travelers; and release some prisoners. 2) a second way is to ignite some conflict with Eritrea or another neighbor in order to inflame the patriotism of the masses; 3) a third way is to cause internecine conflicts and implement more coercive measures to impose their rule by share force.

c.     Don’t expect any help from foreign sources; they have what they perceive as their national interest to maintain as long as things remain stable as they are momentarily. It is up to us to change conditions in our own country, and not by foreign forces. 

d.     The Semayawi Party and the parties who join them must be prepared to face these challenges with appropriately designed strategies and tactics, giving serious consideration to the strength and weakness of the regime, the foreign support and effective political and economic role, the present social and economic conditions, the dysfunctional federal structure imposed on the country, human rights, the rule of law and many other important matters.

e.     The Diaspora could play an important role in providing professional and financial support to the movement inside the country.
 I recommend that such support group be formed by all concerned, according to our capabilities and means at our disposal, without delving into partisanship and the like. 
Let’s do it !!!
June 3, 2013
Imru Zelleke


Saturday, 5 January 2013

Parallels in times



PARALLELS IN TIMES
January 2013.
Watching TV last night I saw the Governor of New Jersey (R) and politicians of New York protesting vehemently over the delay to provide disaster relief for the victims of the storm that occurred two months ago.  The Republican dominated House, busy haggling over the fiscal cliff, had forgotten or delayed voting for the appropriation. Eventually it did so at the last minute by voting for a small portion of it, leaving the matter for future bickering. Thousands of people are homeless and with no power, no water and without help in this bitter winter. In fact a few days after the storm the matter was set aside, the media had stopped talking about it. The game of outguessing each other by pundits and alike about who would jump over the cliff was in vogue, while human suffering was not forgotten but neglected.   
This reminded me of the famine that occurred in Ethiopia forty years ago. The foreign press went wild about it, a gamut of artists, entertainers, organizations were mobilized, and songs were written for it. In the domestic scene the Emperor and his government were blamed and accused for it. Like the present “cliff” in the US, the government was suffering from an internal crisis of enfeebled leadership. There was sufficient food and resources in the country to meet the crisis and quell the famine. Unfortunately, the government had become dysfunctional and subject to intrigues and power struggle amongst individuals and groups. The famine added to the general public dissatisfaction became a catalyst for the revolution; that ended up with a most violent loss of life and breakup of the nation’s spirit that has lasted to present days.
The parallel comes to mind when considering the conditions and times that such crisis happens. On one side we have a poor and backward country Ethiopia that could not handle a famine, although it had the means to do so, because of politics. On the other hand forty years later we have the most powerful, the richest and most advanced nation in the world failing to help its own citizens, because of politics. However disproportionate the comparison, the common denominator being the failure of politics and of human society.
Happy  New Year.
IZ