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 100^th 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.

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

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.

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

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