On the 23rd May 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) elected Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (the former politburo member of Tigray People’s Liberation Front ) as its Director- General, despite an alarming oppositions from Ethiopians who have been suppressed by the regime he served as one of chief architect of TPLF/ EPRDF led dictatorial regime in Ethiopia. Several individuals and Ethiopian organizations wrote open letter ( see references) and organised demonstrations outside UN office in Geneva including a voice from an Ethiopian diasporas activist in the meeting hall to alarm his unsuitability to lead the noble organization. WHO members ignored the worrying opposition and dismissed it as losers and detractors.
It hasn’t taken 2 years for the truth to be revealed what was happening in Tedros’s Ethiopia. Please read and watch the news coming these days from Ethiopia. The TPLF led regime where Tedros served as one of the top nine people (politburo member) who decide on the fate of 100 millions people ruled the country for 27 years under bitter iron fist is back tracking and losing the central power. The peaceful opposition of Ethiopians specifically the youth (who have been killed, tortured and imprisoned) resulted in uprooting the oppressors from state power though few are hiding in International Organisation. Ethiopia is now becoming a country of hope and there is smell of freedom as the regime itself decided to listen to the public demand and reform. The newly elected progressive leaders led by Dr. Abiy Ahmed have made a bold promise and action facilitating peaceful political transition towards democratic governance.
In the last 8 months, more than 80 000 people, who were imprisoned for having different political opinion are released from prisons and gulags run by a regime Tedros served as top diplomat as its foreign minster. Dr.Adhanom used to declare publicly there was no single political prisoner in Ethiopia.
The sad news we hear recently from released political prisoners in Ethiopia at the official State media are so saddening and terrifying. Ethiopian political prisoners were subjected to unimaginable form of torture, rape, sodomy, water boarding, genital mutilation, immersing a prisoner in manure hole, clipping genitalia with metal pincher, chaining with wild animal, throwing a prisoner naked at night in deep forest and all form of severe human abuse. This was principally orchestrated by people by ethnic members from TPLF party where Dr. Tedros Adhanom hails from. Hundred thousands of Ethiopians subjected to be homeless, displaced, dispossessed, killed, tortured, deprived of economic opportunity and forced to leave their country.
Members of TPLF party where Tedros served as top man have looted billions worth of Ethiopian state and public projects. On the 12th November 2018, the Current Attorney General of Ethiopia gave press conference stating these corruption and inhuman abuse by the regime. They exercised nepotism, mismanagement and ethnic favouritism in every economic and social field they control.
On 18th June 2018, the current prime minster of Ethiopia Dr.Abiy Ahmed admitted the Tedros served government was a terrorist state. The Prime Minster apologised at parliamentary session to Ethiopian people on the behalf of the corrupt regime where Dr.Tedros served as its top diplomat as Minster of Foreign Affair and Health minster. Ethiopians tried to inform WHO the role Dr.Tedros Adhanom played with in the regime against Ethiopians during his election campaign to be the Director General though it falls on deaf ear. The individual accounts of Dr. Adhanom against the Ethiopians people or humanity will be revealed in due time.
It is time the WHO to clean its office as soon as possible. It is time to purge Dr. Tedros Adhanom out before WHO face detailed horrendous account that will tarnish its good name and noble objective. Dr. Tedros Adhanom has to do honourable duty by resigning as soon as possible before the full shame comes out and tarnish WHO.
Author’s Note: Birtukan Mideksa, former Ethiopian high court judge, political prisoner and first female political party leader in Ethiopian history, returned home a couple of weeks ago following an invitation by H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed. Last week, she was confirmed by the House of People’s Representatives to chair the Ethiopian National Board of Elections.
Birtukan was the singular object of ruthless persecution and prosecution by the late Meles Zenawi, leader of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front, a gang of bush thugs that ruled Ethiopia with an iron fist and steel-soled boots for 27 years. It has been said, “The arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice.” Birtukan stood for justice and was imprisoned for defending the rule of law. Today, she lives her dream in what she yearningly called years ago, “The Future Country of Ethiopia”.
Birtukan Mideksa (R) taking oath of office w/ President of Supreme Court Meaza Ashenafi
I had a dream about the Future Country of Ethiopia
When I celebrated Thanksgiving with my family last week, I told them during the invocation blessings that I must be the most thankful person on the planet.
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
My weeping began in 2005 when Meles Zenawi, the late leader of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front, ordered the massacre of hundreds of unarmed demonstrators following the parliamentary election that year.
I remember the victims of the Meles Massacres every November.
But joy came to me 13 years later on April 2, 2018.
Over the past 7 months, my dreams and wishes, along with those of 100 million other Ethiopians came, to pass, one after the other.
For 13 years, I had a dream that one day all political prisoners in Ethiopia would be released.
In July 2015 when President Barack Obama traveled to Ethiopia, I begged him to tell the pharaohs of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front to let my people go.
Paraphrasing the old Negro spiritual, I asked Obama: “Go down Moses way down in Ethiopia land/Tell all Pharaohs to let My people go/Oppressed so hard they could not stand/Let My people go…
Obama stood up shoulder-to-shoulder with the pharaohs of the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front and told the world “Ethiopia has a democratic government”.
Exactly three years later, our modern day Moses Abiy Ahmed came out of nowhere and let them all go. Free. Free at last.
Abiy Ahmed ended our 27-year captivity by the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front.
Yes, we know right at this moment they are hatching plots, conspiring, colluding and cooking up diabolical schemes to spread death and destruction throughout the country from their citadel in Mekele.
But it will amount to nothing more than bellyaching, teeth-gnashing and finger-wagging.
I shall prophesy, “Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.”
In 2018, Abiy Ahmed became, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a “great beacon light of hope to millions of Ethiopians who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice under the bloodthirsty rule of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front. Abiy Ahmed came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity for 100 million Ethiopians”.
For 13 years, I had a dream that arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and politically-motivated prosecutions under the so-called anti-terrorism law in Ethiopia will end. Abiy Ahmed ended them.
For 13 years, I had a dream that one day there will be freedom of expression, freedom of press, freedom of religion and freedom of peaceful assembly. Abiy Ahmed made it happen.
For 13 years, I had a dream that the rule of law will replace the rule of thugs in Ethiopia. Abiy Ahmed today teaches, preaches and practices the rule of law today.
For 13 years, I had a dream that Ethiopians and Eritreans will heed the wisdom of Dr. King. “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
Today, the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea are at peace. I was a witness to history in Bure and Zalambessa when the borders were reopened for the first time in 20 years on September 11, 2018.
For 13 years, I had a dream Ethiopia’s destiny will be in the hands of its young people. Today, it is with Abiy Ahmed at the helm and his young gender-balanced cabinet.
For 13 years, I had a dream that Diaspora Ethiopians will no longer be demonized and ostracized by those who cling to power by force of arms. Abiy Ahmed travelled the world over embrace us in the Diaspora, urged us to take pride in our Ethiopiawinet. With open arms, he invited us, “Come on home!”
I had a dream that one day I will stand up in a free Ethiopia and proclaim my pride in my Ethiopiawinet. In September 2018, I realized that dream after 48 long years of yearning and waiting.
Damn the Derg! Damn the TPLF!
I remember the dark days when I wished I was Ghanaian, deeply revolted and outraged by the crimes against humanity and corruption of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front.
For 13 years, I had a dream that one day Ethiopia’s political opposition could freely organize and compete in free and fair elections.
Today, Abiy Ahmed has appointed Birtukan Mideksa as chair of the National Election Board.
As we speak, Abiy Ahmed is sitting down with opposition leaders and mapping out plans for a free and fair election in 2020 election.
I could go on and on…
But the fact of the matter is that the future country of Ethiopia Birtukan Mideksa talked about so much is finally here!
Thank God almighty, the 27-year nightmare of captivity in the bloody and corrupt hands of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front is over.
Hear ye! Hear ye! The Future Country of Ethiopia is here!
Birtukan Mideksa, the first female political party leader in Ethiopia, is my personal heroine.
I tried to be Birtukan’s voice when the late Meles Zenawi declared a ruthless personal vendetta against her and jailed her.
Meles Zenawi used Birtukan as his “whipping girl”.
He even threatened opposition leaders. “We will crush them with our full force; they will all rot like Birtukan in jail forever.”
Meles Zenawi once mocked Birtukan as a silly chicken who ultimately did herself in because she did not know the limits of her modest abilities and his overwhelming and boundless might.
Meles Zenawi was so evil, when he was asked about Birtukan’s health in prison by the international press in 2010, he said she “is in perfect health” but was getting fat because she does not exercise. He really said that!
In “Q’ale” (My Testimony), a public statement she released two days before Zenawi imprisoned her on December 29, 2009, Birtukan boldly declared, “Lawlessness and arrogance are things that I will never get used to, nor will cooperate with.”
Birtukan is a strong-willed and determined woman. She is a woman of principle. She will never sell her soul for a few pieces of silver.
Meles Zenawi was a weak man, a bully and a coward, according to those who knew him well.
One way Meles Zenawi could prove his machismo was by jailing a strong woman. The other is to order the massacre of innocent citizens.
Meles could jail Birtukan’s body, but never her spirit, her determination, her true Ethiopiawinet.
That is why I wrote “Birtukan Invictus!” (Birtukan Aybegere!) in December 2009.
Birtukan Mideksa condemned to life in prison by a vengeful dictator, but unconquered.
Birtukan thrown into the dungeon of wrath and tears, but defiant.
Birtukan beaten, bludgeoned and bloodied, but unbowed.
Birtukan mocked, ridiculed and disrespected, but gracious.
Birtukan denounced, vilified, strong-armed and manhandled, but unafraid.
Ethiopia under the crushing boots of soldiers of fortune.
Birtukan, Invictus!
Ethiopia, Invictus!
I tried to imagine what life was like for Birtukan in Meles’ prison held in solitary confinement in a dark room for months.
I wrote, fear, anxiety and despair were her only companions. Heartache knocked constantly on the door to her dark room needling her: “Did you do the right thing leaving three year-old Hal’le to the care of your aging mother?”
Self-doubt kept her awake in that dark room where time stood still asking her the same question over and over: “Is it worth all this suffering? Give up!”
But a voice in her conscience would echo thunderously, “Like hell you’re going to give up, Birtukan. Fight on. Keep on fighting. ‘Never give in — never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.’
In the end Birtukan signed Meles Zenawi’s scrap of paper called a pardon petition making exception to convictions of honor and good sense. We expected nothing less from such a great young woman.”
In November 2018, Birtukan Mideksa is heading the very institution that Meles Zenawi and his TPLF thugs prostituted to cling to power claiming to win 100 percent of the seats in parliament.
Birtukan stood up and was chained down because she valued the rule of law, justice and fairness above her own liberty.
The windbag nabobs of negativism were wagging their venomous forked tongues challenging Birtuka’s fitness for the job given the fact she had lived in America for so long.
As they point and wag their fingers at Birtukan, they should be aware three fingers are pointing at them. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones!
I salute Birtukan Mideksa, our Ethiopian woman for all seasons.
One of my few leftover dreams is that Ethiopia will one day be flooded with strong, principled and independent judges like Birtukan so that “justice rolls on like a river and righteousness like a never-failing stream” in Ethiopia.
I have translated parts of Birtukan’s speech from February 2009.
She speaks of personal suffering, cruelty, the rule of law, the future country of Ethiopia and other things. (Of course, much is lost in translation, but I hope my effort here will offer a window into the soul, heart and mind of a woman I admire greatly as an Ethiopian heroine.)
Birtukan Mideksa’s speech and poem (author’s translation from Amharic), February 2009
“I am not going to say much that is new to you today.
But everything we could talk about excepted —about being imprisoned and released from prison, arguing about [politics], about being elected and perhaps even about being killed, everything – I want to briefly talk about the essence of our central focus which is our vision (for the future of Ethiopia).
My honored and beloved compatriots. History has made a rendezvous for us at a decisive juncture in the road. The work that awaits us demands our patience, wisdom and sacrifice. In perspective, since our destination is freedom, unity and prosperity, and since what we need for our journey are spiritual strength and fortitude, and though our journey will involve hills, valleys and winding roads, it will be short.
Let me just take you to Tikemt 22, 1998 [Ethiopian Calendar].
It was in a room that is 4 meters by 2 meters, a room covered in darkness all day, that I and [parliamentary] representative W/o Nigist Gebrehiwot were imprisoned.
It was a luxury for us to look at the sky, to breath fresh clean air or walk freely as much as we can.
But a scowling policeman would order me to get up and to sit down. Thought that was uncomfortable, it was not difficult because I expected it.
It was during this time off deep reflection that I wrote this poem. Let me read it to you today.
Expend all of your energy striking me,
Ruthless you are, be ruthless against me.
Then visit upon mean new and newer forms of your cruelty,
Get your pleasure from my suffering.
Reveal all your wild (animalistic) nature,
(I live) for my dream, for my freedom,
If need be, I am ready to die today
I was imprisoned here, I [was forced] to come here.
[My suffering] is not my burden, it is my ornament,
Here’s my chest, for you cheap bullets,
Here it is for your wild animal nature,
Destroy it, disable it, tighten it in a knot.
It is not my grief, it is my principle.
But let me raise my head and tell you,
You have separated me from human company,
Speed it up, speed up, hurry up.
And finish up everything you want to do today,
Because tomorrow is not yours,
It’s out of your hands, it’s long gone,
It’s my child, the one I bore.
The one I brought to life through labor pains,
The shining star, the brilliant one,
Hale [Birtukan’s daughter] the feisty one,
Thanks to you, her world is empty.
You have sucked it all up,
Your bullet and our longing to be together,
Brought this beauty, the beautiful Ethiopia,
At the time it gave me spiritual strength.
Thoughts of tomorrow’s beautiful Ethiopia,
The inevitable occurrence that is revealed was part of my dream,
Is this our future country of Ethiopia for whom we yearn,
To those who ask about her ultimate fate.
I say, ‘Before all things, individual liberty and human rights must be protected.’
Ethiopia will be the country where the basic dignity of a human being will be redefined,
Where the freedom of the individual is respected and citizenship rights of all are respected,
But do not worry.
In all parts of our Ethiopia,
In the countryside, in the cities, for the rich and for the poor,
Freedom of blossom throughout the land,
A statue of liberty will stand for her (Ethiopia).
Ethiopia will be a country where real justice shall prevail [where justice rolls like a might stream],
When that happens, there will be judges who shall serve free [of political interference],
Then no one will regard judges as heroes,
[Fair administration of justice] would be responsibility of their citizenship and their professional obligation shall be manifest to all.
And this will be the standard to measure the capacity of every citizen,
The Armed Forces will not support dictators and oppressive rule,
They will be an instrument for preserving the territorial integrity of the nation and integrity of the Constitution,
The police will not arrest citizens without the judicial warrant but will work under the umbrella of law and professionalism.
Lawmakers will do their job without thinking about their personal gain,
They will do their job in consideration of the fate of their grandchildren,
[The parliament] will be a place where just laws are drafted,
We will be owners of such institutions.
How about her (Ethiopia’s) unity?
For this country, her diversity will be her beauty and not an obstacle to her unity,
Why? [Ethiopia will be a land where] their citizenship right is to be respected,
[Ethiopia will be a land] where the people change their government by the ballot and not the bullet.
Where votes are counted properly [and not stolen],
[Citizens] shall be owners of such a process,
Other than this, there’s nothing that justifies disunity,
There will be no problem or dispute that cannot be solved with justice.
My beloved people,
I know this vision is also your vision, our collective vision,
To translate this dream into action requires are collective participation,
I am strong in spirit and vision.
How about you?
If you have the strength, we can walk united, with tolerance of each other in our diversity,
We can work for the betterment of our people and for their freedom and justice,
Let’s seize the moment with our knowledge and our time.
Today is ours,
For those coming tomorrow, we have an obligation and a command from conscience to leave a legacy of an ordered society,
If all of us do our share, the time is near for us to realize our vision today than at any other time before,
Through tolerance, and listening to each other, rule of law, determination and unity.
If our lives today do not represent anything meaningful to the coming generation,
The result will not be history but a debt,
My call to you is one and only one:
Let’s all rise up and build tomorrow’s Ethiopia [today]!
Behold the Future Country of Ethiopia is upon us today!
Postscript:
I believe the future of the “future country of Ethiopia” will be decided in a battle between the “future makers” and “future takers”.
We are witnessing the handiwork of the TPLF future takers today. They have taken everything in the present — the rights of the people, their dignity, their daily bread, their land, their hopes and their dreams, their wealth — so that there will be no future.
They calculate the future to be a continuation of the past, and they will do everything in their power to perpetuate the past into the future.
Future takers worship at the altar of greed and corruption; and for them fairness, decency, generosity and morality are anathema.
The battle between the future makers and future takers will be waged and decided in the hearts and minds of the people. The future takers will wage a war of tears and fears.
The future makers will fight back with hope, faith, charity and love.
The future makers are today making history.
The future takers have been cast in the trash bin of history.
Eight months after the internal “coup” within EPRDF/Woyane that led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Haile Mariam and the subsequent tsunami of change, accompanied by ecstatic euphoria, Ethiopian politics seems to be a mirror image of its former self.
The historical importance of the moment in April 2018 and the months following it cannot be ignored. It was hard for many not to participate in the joy of the withering, it seems at the time, away of TPLF/Woyane/EPRDF from the Ethiopian political scene. For too many, it seems, it has opened the sprit and imagination to endless possibilities for Ethiopia’s future and rightly so after 27 long years of misery. The June 16, 2018 display of support to the new PM had no parallel in history.
The euphoria was so infectious that the North America Ethiopian diaspora had quickly jumped on the “Medemer’ train. It was sublime.
However, even then some were raising pointed legitimate questions like what is the essence of this ‘Medemer’? With whom are we supposed to ‘Medemer’? Did we even know what we rallied for in that June Saturday?
Many people were vividly angry that this sea of support was being questioned. Understandably, it felt as though their joy was being questioned, and possibly shamed. Vicious arguments spread in the virtual world with polarized camps.
In the background of this euphoria, behind the powerful visuals telling a story of a “new dawn” for Ethiopia, however, horror stories after stories of people being killed, driven out of their homes because of ethnic clashes have become the staple of Ethiopian news.
In the “The Wretched of the Earth”, Franz Fanon, talks about moments such as these in which the people and the country’s post-independence leaders appears to be One. These post-independence ‘leaders’ promise the people that change is coming, working up the people into a frenzy of excitement. Not only that they effectively used the euphoria as an excellent PR campaign for the consumption of the international community in effect saying ‘Look at how excited are the people…we are making changes… the incidents are minor hiccups on the road to democracy…’
The Ethiopian reform leaders are essentially telling the people the same thing as the post-independence leaders did to their citizens. Yet, today in Ethiopia citizens are still dying daily, displaced from their homes and neighborhood, and are afraid to travel to a part of the country where they perceive they might face problems because of their ethnicity.
As reported in ‘Ethiopis’, OPD/EPRDF led government is busy replacing en masse people who are supposedly from the wrong ethnic lineage from their employment without any justified cause. They are doing the same crime the TPLF/EPRDF had done. Old Faces and New Masks.
We must understand this is a problem. We must understand the cynicism this will create. Many who missed no opportunity to roundly and loudly condemn such ethnic based actions in the past, and rightly so, are now quite as mute and you hardly hear a whimper. It doesn’t work. You can’t have it both ways. This is not good for Ethiopia. We must say, as MLK once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
The ethnic politics TPLF concocted in Dedebit is still alive and well. In fact, it has flourished so much so that every ethnic group is demanding their own ‘sovereign state’. It is despicable to the least!
Just the other day, a self-appointed staunch supporter of the ODP/EPRDF, Birhanemeskel Abebe Segni, had the audacity to write the most undemocratic dictatorial edict ever. He said:
Here you have it! The gentle man, who served TPLF/EPRDF in the diplomat corp, later defected, now back in the game in Addis is pontificating such vile and divisive ideas with a green light from the powers-to-be.
If there had been confusion before as to the optics of the June 2018 rally, things better be clearer now.
In the mind-frying euphoria of that historic moment in our country, Ethiopians had mistaken things, laughing with EPRDF fake reformers and crowning them their heroes.
It seems that in the excitement of the ‘reform’ wind, the Ethiopian people had unknowingly aided to legitimize the intra-party politricks of EPRDF and in the process betrayed the struggle for the downfall of EPRDF and ended up with “Old Faces with New Masks”. What a sad state!
The question why one makes a pledge to the profession he finds himself or herself in is not an easy question to answer, especially if it is self-initiated. Professional pledges are not enforceable or punishable by law. However, pledges of different kinds have been made since time immemorial. Hippocratic pledge (not to be confused with Hypocrite) is an expression of ideal conduct for a physician. Although written in antiquity, its principles are held sacred by doctors to this day. The pledges such as first do no harm ( primum non cocere); attend for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief; apply your skill, for the benefit of the sick are just some of Hippocrates pledges. Thus a professional pledge is simply a promise to engage only in honorable and upstanding endeavors by an ethical professional person. At the same time setting up a higher standard of conduct for those who will venture to follow the particular profession. Naturally, pledges are measured by none other than their applications. If the practical application of the pledges is in conflict with the actual pledges given, it is safe to conclude that the intended purpose of the pledge may not be in service of the profession, but for self-aggrandizement and deceit. Here is where Tsegaye Ararsa’s “pledges of legal academic “ serves as exhibit A of a Hypocrite of the highest order.
While surfing on internet, I stumbled up on the pledges of a Legal academic, written beautifully in the tone of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, by none other than our own rabble-rouser who we have come to know as Tsegaye Regassa. Obviously, his pledges were written a particular audience in mind; those who he calls “corps of intellectuals” in Melbourne, Australia, and may be far beyond; I guess, the aim of the writing was to present himself as upright ethical man, and in due course, to impress and to garner the acceptance and respect of those he is writing to. After reading those holier-than -thou pledges, one would presume, the “corps of intellectuals”, would be very much impressed by Tsegay Ararsa’s pledge to adhere to Ethical excellence; oblivious, of course, to the less couched and more edgy agitator we have come to know on Ormia Media Network and facebook, where he regularly avails himself to conduct his hate propaganda unabated.
What will be attempted here is not ad hominem attacks, which is his preferred tool of argument, rather to show how far apart Tsegaye stands from promises he made to honor these uplifting, inspirational universal values.
Tsegaye starts his pledge with pretentious meekery by stating how he has been burdened by privileges bestowed up on him, and how he has been humbled by the responsibility he has come to shoulder as legal scholar; thus, mindful of the debt he owe to the society, Tsegaye promises introspectively to legislate softly, persuasively, and lovingly.
Examples abound to show that despite his claim to contrary, Tsegaye Ararssa has failed ignobly to meet the bear minimum of what he proclaims to be his guiding light in his professional life; in opposition to it though, he has made false statements, stereotypes made up anecdotes to deform historical facts, to agitate and to sow further divisions among Ethiopian communities; especially, between Oromo and Amhara Ethiopians. A short detour to Tsegay’s face book uncannily demonstrates how his actions betray his promised stance; With a show of pumping fist meme way high, and pages full of vitriol, his claim to love and persuasion has proved many times over to be hollow. For now, though, let us return to his pledges.
At first glance, these pledges contain lofty virtues and ideals most people would stand behind in heartbeat. Had Tsegaye failed short of the pledge he made while trying, no one would have hold that against him; because, it’s the principle he is advancing and his good intention that should count more than his shortcomings. Furthermore, adherence to ethical engagement in public discourse is exactly what we Ethiopians expect from a man of jurisprudence, not a violent laced political agitation, which threatens the lives of Ethiopians on grand scale.
This might come as surprised to those “ corps of intellectuals” who don’t speak and write Amharic and Oromaffia language, but for us Ethiopians Tsegaye comes across as very vindictive agitator who wants nothing else except to exact revenge for real and perceived historical misdeeds. If the multinational country, Ethiopia, go up in flames while Tsegay pursues his social engineering agenda, he couldn’t care less. Let’s address some of the agitation tactics he uses to arouse emotional frenzy in gullible youth, who commit wanton ethnic targeted mob justice on unsuspected civilians.
For instance, he stereotypically portrays Amharas and Ethiopist (the name he uses interchangeably) as evil incarnate; in one of the anecdotes he repeatedly attempts to prove the devilish nature of Amharas on Oromo Media Network, by telling the story of, how the Benishangul people leave the market place whenever they notice Amharas are entering the market area: He emphatically underlines the significance of that to those who were participating on the panel discussion. What he was trying to insinuate was that the coming of Amharas into the market was considered as a sign of omen, so Benishangle leave the market to avoid the evil that would befall them had they stayed. To hear this kind of negative stereotype spread on Oromo Media network by supposedly the man of jurisprudence is very disconcerting. And for sure, this kind of propaganda stimulates hatred toward the stereotyped community, and it has deadly consequences for many Amharas and other nationalities who living in Benishangul or in other part of Ethiopia. In the recent past many Amharas have been killed or uprooted because of inflammatory ethnic propaganda Tsegaye and his supporters spread on internet and other mass media outlets unabated. For example, in August of this year in rally that was held in Shashemene to welcome Jawar Mohammed, the young man who was falsely accused of being a security threat to Mr Jawar was hanged upside down on utility pole and was beaten to death by a mob.
The other propaganda piece Tsegay actively engages in is portraying Addis Ababa residents as others. Although the Ethiopian living in Addis Ababa are from all parts of Ethiopia,and most consider the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa to be the melting pot of Ethiopian nationalities, this is not true of Tsegay. For him they are Minilik settlers (invaders, blood letters) insinuating that Ethiopians from other part of Ethiopia are aliens and enemies of Oromo Ethiopians. Thus presenting theme as targets to be aimed at. Tsegay and Co even coined a new name for Ethiopians living in Addis Ababa, “homeless”. He continues to actively involve in labeling them making them a target; what he is preparing the ground for obviously is for a violent retribution against this population. Mind you 40% of Addis Ababa resident are Oromos, even according to Tsegaye,which is the proportional population share of Ethiopian-oromos, that is without counting Oromo-Ethiopians with mixed heritage, which Tsegay is one.
Althouigh Tsegay swears by to legislate softly, persuasively, and lovingly. He has no desire to even engage in healthy debate with Ethiopians. His aversion is aptly captured with what he posted on his facebook recently. Tsegay wrote “ It’s an unfortunate fact of post-colonial reality that one is locked into using the name Ethiopia even in entering the debate”
So if Tsegay is so offended to even engage in discussion with Ethiopians; it begs the question what is Tsegay really up to? Tsegaye’s agenda is not justice, not democracy or equality,but the destruction of Ethiopia. Whenever he uses catchy words, such as justice, democracy etc, his intention is to camouflage his latent desire to dismantle Ethiopia. Tsegaye wearing his Oromo nationalist clad, with his scorch earth approach, anything Ethiopian has to be assailed; neither facts he doesn’t like nor groups he considers inimical has to be discredited using all the sophistry he could muster. Those who argue with him on substance, he labels them either as Oromo- phobic or dimwits. Since he wears the Oromo nationalist hat, he plays a victim and a defender at the same time in order to silence the Ethiopian nationalist he abhors to engage with.
Tsegaye presents himself as a legal scholar in Ethiopian ethicized constitutional order, and he is a true believer in the full implementation of it. Although he is quite aware the so called constitution has served only the minority TPLF government to overlord the Ethiopian people by pitting one group against the other, Tsegay insists that all cures to what ails Ethiopia can be found only in TPLF’s constitution. Truth to be told, Tsegaye never shy about putting forward his service credential in service of the TPLF government. He was the person TPLF leaders, such as Abay Tehay, turned to for legal advice when crises arises, He was a teacher in Civil Service College, the institution that TPLF established to train its cadres. Thus he is not opposing TPLF’s policies for its divisiveness and the mayhem it brought in the life of the Ethiopian people, but his beef with TPLF is that the sought after destruction of Ethiopia didn’t materialize in TPLF watch, from which he hoped his utopian Oromia supposedly to sprang out. To accomplish this goal Tsegay knows he can not employ persuasion, surly he knows as well that unity and mutual accommodation also are not going to serve him as well. So he has made a calculated plan to wedge mistrust and hatred among the Ethiopian people so that in the long run the end result will be what he always wanted, the destruction of Ethiopia, which he loathes without reservation.
Like the Greeks Goddess of virtue, Arete, Tsegay’s claim to excellence in virtues is limitless. He pledges to all of us that he will approach public texts with the ethics of reverence to restore hermeneutical sanity , interpretive integrity.
Having made this lofty, whiter than cloud, pledge, he turns around to make a travesty of historical proportion by disfiguring historical facts, by taking statements out of context to further his antiEthiopan political agenda when he attempted to enlighten us that Minilk’s refusal not to be categorize as a negro was a declaration to be recognize as a Caucasian. If we follow Tsegay’s logic of reductio ad absurdum, Minilik must have declared I am white (እኔ ፈረንጅ ነኝ), cause Minilke might not be privy to the Carleton S. Coon’s race classification, which Caucasian is just one of five. The reason Tsegaye makes this kind of outlandish assertion is simple–to dislodge Minilik from the high pedestal the black people of the world sat him on for his anticolonial victory in Adwa, and for upending the stigma of inferior race categorization by utterly vanquishing a white colonial power on its own soil, Ethiopia.
Tsegaya’s glittering pledges are really sights to be hold: He pledges that he has the duty to imagine, and help society imagine a better world, a different world, a new heaven and a new earth” and he takes this as his prophetic duty;to be a custodian of love, hope and future, to fight hatred, despair and cynicism.
This would have been a pledge Mother Teresa would make, rather than the hate spewing, know it all megalomaniac, Tsegay Ararrsa . To be fair though let us look at whether his actions withstand the slightest scrutiny of his own declared pledge.
The majority of Ethiopians had been rightly concerned that if and when TPLF collapses of its own weight, this ethnically fractured nation would sink into a civil war from which it would be incapable of recovering. The Ethiopian youth from Oromo, Amhara, and other nationalities, determined to bring democracy have made a great sacrifice and put a tremendous pressure to get rid the government. The Young Oromo-Ethiopian leaders lead by Lema Megersa and Abey Mohamed took a decisive action in the nick of time to save the country from civil war and complete disintegration. With the concerted effort with Gedu, and Demeke, the country veered away from a national catastrophe. These reformist leaders got unwavering support from all corners of Ethiopia. The actions taken and the changes these leaders brought to Ethiopia don’t need to be enumerated here; However, for Tsegay Ararssa and his radical followers both Lema and Abey are the epitome of sellouts.
Tsegay’s vicious attack against Dr Abey Mohamed and Lema Megersa emanates from his veisiral hatred toward anything Ethiopian. He harangues Abay as the savior of Ethiopia from Oromo, as if Oromo and Ethiopia are mutually exclusive entities. Tsegays haughtiness doesn’t seem to know bound; he tells for all to hear with chest-thumping triumphalism that Abey is in the position he is because of him, i.e. the king maker. He is remorseful that Abey and Lema had been able to pull Ethiopia from the edge of fragmentation. Tsegay caricature’s Abey by saying “Putting an Oromo in a Menelikan palace won’t do, especially when that Oromo is a Menelik in an Oromo body. That is the hate monger Tsegay’s way to derogate Abey as the Ethiopian version of uncle tom.
This is the most hateful statement one can make against another human being let alone on a national leader who is trying to do his best to save a country of more than one hundred million people from going off the cliff. Despite the well-orchestrated attempt that was made to snuff out Abey Mhamed’s life by radical Oromo fringe groups in cahoots with TPLF honchos, the Prime Minster and his reformist colleagues are forging ahead to establish a country where individual and group rights are supplementary, but never contradictory. After all these harangues, hatemongering, Tsegay still wants to be called the up right man who is a custodian of love and hope and a person who stands against hatred. As Jawaharial Nehru put it “ the person who talks most of his own virtue is often the least virtuous”
What Ethiopians need to avoid is to overlook or to underestimate the threat the likes of Tsegay Ararssa poses to our national existence. There is a direct relation between the recent spate of violence in Oromoia and many other parts of the country and the active agitation that has been going on by Tsegay Ararrsa’s and Co on OMN and facebook. Given how close we have come to a national disaster; we don’t have the luxury of letting our guard down or letting this rare opportunity to establish a true democratic governance slip through our fingers. We no longer afford to be the proverbial “ostrich with its head in sand”.
he ruling Amhara Democratic Party and the newly established National Movement of Amhara have been working hard to get support from the Amharic-speaking Ethiopian population nationwide.
Their key talking points include “restoring” Amhara identity in external territories and providing protection for Amhara living around the country, including by instituting Amhara zones to achieve self-administration.
But a big question remains: what is the future of Amhara nationalism, and by extension ethnic federalism, if and when its proponents realize that they can’t deliver on most of their promises to the people?
In the past, Amhara nationalism failed, as scholars couldn’t even agree on whether an Amhara ethnicity ever existed. During the 2005 polls, the only relatively free multiparty election in our history, the then-Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM, now ADP) was embarrassed, with nearly zero support in the cities and even suffering major electoral losses in Amhara state to the CUD opposition party, which is now represented by Ginbot 7.
For years, the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi supported building up ANDM, because his ultimate success depended on native Amharic speakers buying into ethnic federalism. Yet, ANDM remained the laughing stock of the country for two decades, as it rigged ‘elections’ to stay in power and serve TPLF. And even when Amharic-speaking Ethiopians were repressed, ANDM did nothing.
We’re faced with a half-baked Amhara ethnic identity
Even ideologically, the majority of Amharic speakers have been historically affiliated with Ethiopianism, instead of Amhara nationalism. So ethnic Amhara movements didn’t receive grassroots support—until now that is.
After 27 years of normalizing ethnic differentiation in Ethiopian society, the resulting growth of identity-based youth movements and the weakening of TPLF have finally provided legitimacy to the ANDM, and thus a fertile ground for organizations like NaMAto promote Amhara nationalism.
When it comes to Amhara ethnogenesis, some observers give credit to the forces of “external ascription”; claiming that the current Ethiopian young generation grew up only knowing and breathing tribalism, constantly being told “you are Amhara.”
While this is a major factor, Amhara identity also seems to have emerged out of what sociologists like Max Weber credit as victimhood or, both real and perceived, shared persecution. Thus, Amhara identity was born out of a sense of common adversity, despite the concept of an Amhara nation never existing before.
Therefore, these social constructionist factors helped to cover up the reality that tens of millions of geographically dispersed Amharic speakers who might otherwise be eligible for “Amhara membership” actually do not have the common ancestry, the common custom, values, religion, appearance etc or even the common polity and sense of national identity that are all necessary ingredients to qualify as a real ethnic group. Their only commonality was facing hardship in the name of Amhara.
Nonetheless, we are now faced with a half-baked Amhara ethnic identity, and both ANDM (ADP) and NaMA have become influential independent actors in Ethiopian politics.
Can ethnonationalists attract Amharic speakers?
Let’s play the devil’s advocate and take these Amhara nationalists at their own word. One of the prime reasons why ADP and NaMA have gained support is reportedly due to the persecution of Amharic speakers nationwide.
So, ADP and NaMA claim that they can protect Amhara people from these problems. NaMA has even opened up new branches outside Amhara, in Addis Ababa and other cities, where Amharic speakers reside. Despite their critics blaming the rise in Amhara tribalism for causing more death and displacement to Amharic speakers living outside “Amhara state,” NaMA and ADP are still winning many hearts and minds.
Amhara identity protests in Wolkait, Metekel and Raya are some examples of Amhara nationalists demanding their rights outside of Amhara. Accordingly, many Amhara nationalists have been applying a ‘holier than thou’ approach when it comes to the current Ethiopian constitution.
They claim that Amhara state is the most democratic inside the ethnofederal system because minorities have self-administration. The biggest example to support this claim is the Oromia and Agew Awi zones inside Amhara. In the Oromo zone, Afaan-Oromo is the working language and Oromo politicians control local government.
Many urban areas in Oromia are dominated by Amhara
Thus, Amhara nationalists want reciprocal benefits for their people outside Amhara. The prime candidate where new Amhara zones would be established is in Oromia. Historically, just as Oromo speakers have migrated north, Amharic speakers migrated south, or simply intermarried. Therefore, today, many urban areas in Oromia are dominated by Amhara, especially Addis Ababa and Nazret (Adama).
According to the 2007 census, about 60 percent of residents in Adama Special Zone had Amharic as their mother tongue. Therefore, in a country where language-based federalism is the law, Adama (Nazret) would constitutionally comprise one of the Amhara zones inside Oromia. This eventually might disqualify Adama from being the seat of Oromia parliament. Also in Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) City of Oromia, residents with Amharic mother-tongue makeup even higher proportions: at 72 percent. And in Jimma city in Oromia, out of 120,000 residents only about 48,000 were native Afaan Oromo speakers. Even in Mejenger Zone of Gambella, the majority by mother tongue is actually Amhara.
There are more. Other candidates for Amhara zones include small parts of Hawassa, Assosa and Dire Dawa which contain about 100,000 Amhara residents each.
If we include Welkait and other parts of Tigray where a large population of native Amharic speakers live, it is possible to have over a dozen major Amhara zones outside Amhara state.
Will ADP and NaMA deliver Amhara zones?
Or, as NaMA chairman Desalegn Chane recently said, can they actually restore the “dignity and God given rights of Amhara people”?
Of course not.
Particularly, Amharic speaking majorities living in urban Oromia and other states are abandoned by Amhara nationalists. Yet, even in rural Oromia districts like Dera Woreda, which is the northernmost district of North Shoa Zone, where Amhara makeup between 45 to 55 percent of the population, thousands of Amhara protested for self-rule last week; but both ADP and NaMA have so far done little to meet their demands.
Establishing Amhara zones inside Oromia, Tigray and other regional states is a fantasy, for many reasons. After all, ethnic federalism is created at the expense of both Amhara and multiethnic cosmopolitans, who are either forced to pick a fraction of their ancestral identity during a census or become invisible.
First of all, creating Amhara zones, just like Oromo zones, will lead to more ethnic conflict and territorial disputes. Secondly, it will lead to a more dangerous zero-sum game when it comes to ethnic politics, by weakening moderates and empowering extremists. And this threat of civil war is what keeps leaders like Abiy Ahmed up at night. That is why Oromo leaders like Lemma Megersa, and Abiy, preach unity and “Ethiopiawinet” whenever they are in front of diverse audience.
Abiy did tell the truth about our intertwined history
For example, during his speech in Germany, Abiy was questioned about the fate of Amhara living outside Amhara, particularly in Tigray. His instinctive response was to discourage tribalism among Amhara activists. In his answer, Abiy cited historical accounts about Abyssinian kings who were dependent on thousands of Oromo soldiers who marched to Gondar. Abiy said the northern movement of Oromos has resulted in intermarriages and multiethnic mixture. Thus, Abiy concluded that there is no pure Amhara blood today because people were mixed for centuries.
While Abiy did tell the truth about our intertwined history, one can only imagine the level of outrage if the roles were reversed, and if an Amhara leader said there is no pure Oromo because of post-conflict ethnic fusion. Such a person would have been crucified by Oromo elites and their social media cheerleaders. It seems like for Oromo nationalists, they embrace history only when it is convenient.
Abiy’s speech in Germany was not the first time he rebuked Amhara nationalism. When Abiy was asked about the Welkait-Tsegede issue earlier this year, he was quick to scold and discourage “Amhara tribalism.”
Abiy is not alone, although others have different motives. Jawar Mohammed and like-minded influential ethnonationalists turn on and off the Welkait switch as a bargaining chip against TPLF. Otherwise, they prefer not to push Amhara nationalism too hard to the right. For these tribalists, Amhara nationalism is good only to justify the existence of some ‘foreign’ land where Amharic ‘settlers’ can go back to. Otherwise, it is something bad, something to be discouraged or shunned, because they know it can ultimately backfire on them.
It appears that in the eyes of the Prime Minister, TPLF and most ethnonationalists, the Amhara question of Welkait, Raya and Metekel is dead on arrival.
Amhara nationalism is toothless
So, one must ask: if Amhara nationalists cannot even achieve their basic responsibility of restoring lands they claim to belong to Amhara, what is the purpose for their existence? If Amhara nationalists cannot establish Amhara zones outside Amhara, what is the point of embracing ethnic federalism?
To be blunt, the harsh reality is, the ethnic “Scramble for Ethiopia” was supervised by TPLF, OLF and other similarly minded organizations two decades ago to determine who gets which pieces of the pie.
Let alone Ethiopian nationalists, even independent Amhara were not invited to that party. Unless Amhara nationalists redraw the maps and declare Addis Ababa, Wolkait, Adama and many areas in other states as Amhara zones, their nationalism is meaningless. It has no purpose. They exist only to facilitate the current ethnofederal system and to justify further persecution of Amharic speakers nationwide.
The Amhara revanchists’ rhetoric might appear like an existential threat to neighboring states. But, other than slogans and posters, Amhara nationalism is toothless. So far, Amhara tribalism is only serving its original purpose for its creators: to weaken Ethiopian nationalism.
The Amhara protest in Dera Woreda in Oromia
What is fascinating about Amhara tribalism is the potential for it to be a double-edged sword for its creators.
Meles Zenawi passed away without seeing the fruits of his ethnic federalism vis-a-vis Amhara nationalism. Ironically, he would not have been that excited about the Wolkait rhetoric either. After all, he wanted an Amhara nationalism that he can control and exploit. He wanted Amhara ethnic awareness; not the empowering version, but a self-hating one. He wanted an Amhara population that is forever filled with a sense of imperial guilt.
For him and for Oromo nationalists, all historical problems in Ethiopia are pinned on the Amhara. For that to happen, the Amharic speakers who used to only call themselves Gojjame, Wolloye, Shewan, etc must first embrace the Amhara label and then wear the guilty Amhara costume.
Once Amhara nationalists digest the reality of their powerlessness and gradually realize that tribalism was never created for their benefit, the next natural step should be to consider the alternative: Ethiopian nationalism and individual rights.
By all measures, Amhara nationalism is not the only nationalism that is failing today. Ethnic federalism is slowly unraveling and proving increasingly toxic. Even since Abiy arrived and preached tolerance, peace and democracy, hundreds of deaths and more than a million internal displacements have brought a sense of hopelessness. Hidden behind the media headlines of women appointments is the reality that Ethiopia is now ranked first in the world for the most internal displacement of its own people in the first-half of 2018.
As Berhanu Nega told Addis Standard recently, Ethiopian society is losing its “moral compass.” The last seven months have proven that Oromo lives do not even matter to Oromo elites like Jawar who are ignoring the killing of Oromos in Somali region and Kamashi Zone of Benishangul-Gumuz. In the past, every single Oromo death triggered outrage on social media and it was weaponized for propaganda. But today, it seems some Oromo leaders care more about saving the face of the ethnic federalism system than they care about their own people.
Behind the scenes, Oromo nationalists are doing the same thing the TPLF did to the Amhara over the last 27 years: shifting the demographics. Now that they have gained some power, Oromo elites don’t even talk publicly about Finfinne anymore because they saw how Addis Ababa residents utterly rejected Oromo nationalism and OLF in September.
Individual liberty will lift all boats
Their new focus now is changing the demographics of urban Oromia. They are copying the TPLF blueprint of Tigrayan mass resettlement policy in Wolkait by pushing Oromos into urban and suburban areas in Oromia, where they are a minority. That is why we see so many more ethnic conflicts in Dire Dawa, Adama, Harar, etc.
News of Qeerroo evicting urban neighborhoods and ethnic cleansing kebeles has become the new normal. Even in Bishoftu (DebreZeit), where virtually all residents are native Amharic speakers, Oromo youths are threatening and disenfranchising local citizens.
Therefore, instead of enabling the ethnic-segregation laws of the country, it is now more important than ever that Amharic speakers reject Amhara nationalism, and instead advocate for citizenship-based democracy.
Amharic speakers must thus choose the alternative: give more support to groups like Ginbot 7 who promote individual rights and civic nationalism, instead of wasting their capital on supporting Amhara nationalism.
In the end, individual liberty will lift all boats, resulting in not only benefiting persecuted Amharic-speaking Ethiopians, but also benefiting all Ethiopians no matter their religion, clan, region or ethnicity. When that time comes when we respect the rights of every individual over the rights of an identity-based political group; we can then regain our moral compass and cherish every human life.
For that to happen, let us dream of that future, when all Ethiopians have the right to live anywhere in Ethiopia, when no land has a tribal label on it, and when we all belong everywhere in Ethiopia.
That is also when we can unleash our social and economic potential and guarantee our basic rights as human beings. And that will be a country we can be proud of, which we can all call our home.
We celebrated freedom in Oakland, and San Jose California this past weekend. ESAT was the obvious choice to invite when it comes to ushering a new era in the history of our precious land. So the folks of Oakland and San Jose got together and decided on inviting the freedom fighters of our media to be our guests of honor. We also wanted to raise money for their new home in Ethiopia. It was also a birthday gift, ESAT is eight years old.
For an eight-year-old ESAT have definitely matured at an incredibly fast rate. Over twenty attempts have been made to burn down, smash, obliterate or close down our precious creation. The struggle to survive made ESAT strong. The enemy was well funded but it was also incompetent, stupid and out of its depth. The Chinese and the Italians couldn’t save it but managed to squeeze millions from our people’s mouth. The hardware and software to jam our satellite transmission was acquired from China while the hacking software to infect institutions and individuals was purchased from the Italian firm “Hacking Team” a firm that peddles offensive security software. It is ironic Woyane choose an Italian firm to attack Ethiopians. Like father like son situation you think?
ESAT has thwarted all attempts to kill it in cold blood and today it is posed to erect the first Independent News Media in the history of our nation. It is not the result of Government funding; it is neither due to the generosity of Fereng alms nor the fruits of a single entrepreneur. ESAT was created, made possible and was nurtured by thousands of dedicated Ethiopians like us in Oakland and San Jose and other Ethiopian sister support groups in every town, village and city on planet earth.
It is difficult for any parent to let go, but it has to be done. ESAT is ready to fly the coop and experience life to the fullest. In exile ESAT enjoyed unlimited adoration like any single child. Total love did not include turning a blind eye. Like any disappointed parent a few were quick to scold for any
Perceived mistake. Well some turned blue at the slight criticism of our perfect child. Some expected the child to learn to walk without falling and others said hush we got an angel here. Those incidents were rare and inconsequential but the experience has fortified ESAT.
We wish it long life and good fortune to serve our people. This is another Diaspora gift to our mother who is recovering from the radiation therapy she is going through to get rid of Woyane virus. Dr. Abiy is administering the dosage in small amounts with the intentions of rehabbing some. He is a kind surgeon, me – I will double the dosage, why stretch the suffering?
Our community in the Bay Area is a very caring and giving one. Here in Oakland we have hosted untold events to honor those that struggle for freedom in our homeland. I believe the hard working Ethiopians have contributed over two hundred thousand dollars the last twelve years to defeat tyranny. It might not be much but we gave what we could. We are pleased that what we fought for has taken roots in our motherland. We are conscious that we are lucky to have escaped that horrible reality to live in peace here on the other side of the earth. But we never forgot. We worked hard to have our people experience such bliss. We fought hard to make it so. We are happy our people asserted their freedom.
We used to meet and plan how to defeat evil. We formed a liberation army, we marched in every capital, we protested with candle light vigil, we signed petition, we prayed, we did not leave anything to chance to win our freedom. Well you get my drift; we did it all to be free. We were pleasantly surprised when the interlocker was set aside without much fanfare. So our get together this afternoon was to celebrate our newfound freedom and plot strategy on how to get out of the deep hole the recently departed left us in.
That is the reason why Ethiopians showed up smiling from ear to ear. Our get together the last few years have always been to complain and rage. You see this is the first time we got together and we were not angry. Our guests arrived on time too. I know it is not natural but they defied the sacred laws of being fashionably late. The support group stacked the deck by inviting top-notch professionals. Comedian Kibebew Geda and author and News analyst Ermias Legese were our top guns on the stage to celebrate freedom in Oakland.
That is when I said to myself change has come to Ethiopia. Our ancient land is entering the twenty first century in a quiet manner. We took our time. When it happened there were no guns blazing away, no drums beating, no fireworks lighting up the night sky to usher the new reality. We woke up one morning and Woyane was no more. We are entering a new era and this is exactly the time we should all wish, pray and hope for a steady hand at the helm. It is a small step for our generation but a giant step for our old country.
It took us two failed experiments to get where we are. True we lost plenty of our precious children. They have become the building blocks for what we call the new Ethiopia and they will be remembered forever. I believe when the final tally is taken by historians Ethiopia has lost more of its children from internal threat rather than a foreign aggressor. We have been our own worst enemy.
Constructing the new Ethiopia is what the weekend agenda was. The fact that we are discussing it is a miracle. The average Ethiopian has never been asked his opinion on how his country should be run. We are used to Kings passing enactments, Ras, Dejazmach, Fitawrari even Balambras enforcing the wish of the crown and the rest of us submitting. We graduated to Military/Socialist People’s dictatorship that morphed into tribal based Mafia organization dictating rules and regulations. The Imperial era lasted very long while the Military and the Tigrai mafia withered away before we
Even got introduced formally. No question both did harm to our country and people. It is also true both left us stronger, smarter and focused. We have harvested good from evil.
What happened about eight months ago is still being digested. What we know for sure is with the exception of a few, most Ethiopians are sleeping peacefully knowing they will wake up in the morning without fear for their safety and well-being. The weapon Woyane used to unnerve our people was ‘Fear’ and it made us unsure of anything. It is an evil weapon. I can tell from the faces of my friends and report from home fear is slowly dissolving away. It is leaving a lingering effect of uncertainty, paranoia and guilt as it washes over our country.
As I said the new reality is not welcomed by a few. Woyane warlords are being schooled on the subject of Fear. I pity their wretched soul. Everyday our people are uncovering new horror perpetuated by the disgraced tribal dogs. The government became a mafia organization and Woyane Tigrai used every arm of the state to advance their criminal activity. Ethiopia was run like Pablo Escobar’s Medellin Cartel or Chapo Guzman’s Mexican drug Empire. Our country was raped legally and with International consent for thirteen years. The 2005 election was what brought out the true nature of the beast we call Woyane.
Today Woyane warlords that were in power illegally are camped in the regional Kilil of Tigrai and taunting us. They are holding marches and rallies decrying the trampling of the Constitution and warning about impending doom that will come upon us. How could such simpletons like Meles, Bereket, Seyum, Abay, Samora and others pull such a feat over a population is a good question to ask? What is it in our character that allowed such gross and shameful behaviors to be played on our people and country?
We allowed it to happen. We have to look deep inside of us to confront the apathy we displayed when our family was disrespected. Some are trying to shift all evil and responsibility on the Tigrai mafia. That is not acceptable. That will not bring closure to the agony. The Woyane group is trying hard to implicate everyone in his or her criminal activity. That will not tell the true story either. The truth has to be told to start a new chapter of civilized discourse. The absence of accountability in the aftermath of the Derg era is what was lacking for true closure. We should do it right this time around so we don’t have to repeat this horror again.
Woyane, a small group of people from Tigrai were in charge for twenty-seven years. They used that authority to do harm to a whole nation including their own ethnic group. Society’s judgment against such criminals is state sanctioned murder or death penalty. Whatever we do to these low life criminals it does not bring back the loved ones we lost, the billions stolen and the decades wasted. Good luck finding a punishment fit for the crime.
What is sad to see is the attempt by Woyane scum to cry victim and force their people to pretend to agree with them. They are so stupid they think by playing that scam they will show the rest how powerful they are. They did the same thing when the nameless tyrant died. They ordered, forced, bused, paid for the population to come for the funeral and they pretended it was real grief.
Today instead of shock, remorse, shame and show of empathy to the victims of their horror show they are attempting to draw their Kilil into their criminal acts. The simple logic why the majority of those arrested happen to be from Tigrai is because they were the only ones in charge of everything in Ethiopia. The National Bank was their ATM, the National Security was their private police, the National Army was their mercenary force to serve foreign interest, the National Airlines was their tribal domain and even the Church became part of the criminal enterprise. This is the reason why when the law is invoked to its fullest, those from Adua, Axum and Mekele won. They say in America “If you don’t want to do the time don’t do the crime.”
Lets us hope for their own sake the residents of Tigrai Kilil will get the strength to listen to the rest of their cousins that suffered untold misery by their children. I am sure Woyane was not a loving force in Tigrai. In fact they perfected the art of hooliganism in Tigrai. No matter, we are not really interested what others think anymore, we have taken matters into our hands and have for the last five months been busy trying to figure out how to undo what Woyane Tigrai has been constructing in our country. The job is coming along very nicely, we have nothing to complain.
In fact just a week a go our PM sat down with leaders of newly being constructed political parties to chart a new road that will include all stakeholders. He did not insult, demean, marginalize or look down at the delegation. In fact he sat down and break bread with his competitors vying for the heart and mind of his people. We are pleased Tigrai was represented.
We don’t want a leader that closes a highway because he is going to use it alone, we do not want a leader that will cheerfully insult our past, we do not want a leader that works day and night to subtract from what we have especially when we found one that is schooled in the art of addition.
Despite what is being said on Tigrai TV the rest of us are marching along on road of freedom at a steady pace. There is some wobble but that is to be expected when you consider we were not allowed to walk straight for over forty years. We do not entertain toxic individuals that have been polluting our airwaves with their talk of telling the rest of us how useless we were before their coming. There are a few that still espouse the dreaded ‘ethnic first’ ideology we pity them, pray for them and we mostly ignore them. Today the winning formula is Ethiopianism. Most of us find ethnic politics to be boring, backward and fit for the feeble brain and we are not feeble. We are Ethiopians!
Author’s Note: This critic has nothing but love for the Tigrayan people; as such the writer doesn’t intend to diminish the Tigrayan people – who are one of Ethiopia’s umbilical cords – for the crimes the TPLF’s butchers committed against Ethiopians over the last forty years. In the author’s view, the TPLF’s elites and their interrogators inhuman acts don’t represent the Tigrayan people even though the elites and their interrogators masquerade as Tigrayan-pride; instead they are a disgrace to the Tigrayan people. Furthermore, the writer isn’t trying to imply that Tigrayans are a bizarre ethnic group by highlighting the TPLF’s interrogators’ kinky behavior such as “peeing on/near/in front of” detainees. This article is dedicated to the TPLF’s torture victims; its aim is to amplify the author’s stance against the TPLF’s Executive Committee members’ effort to obstruct justice, including the sheltering of Getachew Assefa, the butcher of Ethiopians.
A YouTube channel called Kenya Specific (KS) read to its audience my (the writer’s) article titled “The TPLF is Harboring Its Torture Kingpin, Getachew Assefa”. Follow the hyperlink to listen to KS, which reads news “from Kenya and the world”, in an unconventional way. YouTube said KS has been viewed by more than 2.5 million viewers since it created its channel.
Basing the commentator’s experiences of the Derg and the TPLF’s regimes’ state sponsored reigns of terror, the Derg’s regime’s brutality is more like junior varsity level as compared to the TPLF’s varsity level. The TPLF’s reign of terror is far worse than the Derg’s Red Terror; for example, unlike the Derg, the TPLF:
Holds prejudices and stereotypes against ethnic group members
Spreads hatred among people
Demonizes an ethnic group with false propaganda
Takes history out of context and then misinterprets it
Erodes Tigrayan people’s history and goodwill
It doesn’t spare any body parts from torture
For instance, the TPLF’s security head Getachew Assefa is notorious for torturing his detainees in the most brutal techniques: he ripped off detainees’ fingernails and also tortured wounds with pliers. He tortured prisoners in their most extreme sensitive private areas. For example, he tortured females’ vulva: the labia minora and majora, opening of the urethra, clitoris and vagina with pliers. He also tormented males’: penis, scrotum and testicles with various objects, including pliers and destroyed prisoners’ manhood related to their sexual power.
Furthermore, one of Assefa’s torture victims said that his interrogators laid him flat on his back on an interrogation room’s floor and tied him up so that he couldn’t move. And his Tigrayan speaking naked female interrogator told him that she sees the Amhara people as if they were a latrine and then she proceeded to soak/shower him with her urine by peeing on/near him. He also said that she gave him a massage while she interrogated him. One must wonder whether she urinated on/near the detainees for a sexual pleasure called a golden shower.
Lastly, most people are aware of that in life, focusing on the future is much better than focusing on the past. And most people would agree that taking revenge against someone to fix past atrocities would make the present outrages much worse than the past. Moreover, most people would also concur that it is vital not to let the TPLF’s elites walk freely after they obstructed and delayed justice by sheltering their butchers, Getachew Assefa and his accomplices. Even though the TPLF’s Executive Committee (EC) members are subject to the law, the Ethiopian government has yet to file a criminal charge against them, namely:
Debretsion Gebremichael
Fetlework Gebregziabher
Getachew Reda
Alem Gebrewahd
Asmelash Woldeselasie
Abrham Tekeste
Kerya Ibrahim
Addis Alem Balema
Beyene Mekru
Aklilu Hailemichael.
Note: from bbc.com/Amharic, the writer obtained a copy of Alemayehu Tefera’s art work. To make it more fit with the article’s message, the author altered the art work with Bereket Simon’s image obtained from Google Images. Among Ethiopians, Simon is despised for his malice. For instance, he masquerades as Amhara and Amhara-pride though he is an Eritrean. He championed hate crimes against the Amhara people for more than forty years. He waged misinformation and disinformation campaigns against Ethiopians for decades and enabled Getachew Assefa and his interrogators to arrest and to torment the Amhara and Oromo people.
After reading the good professor’s temper tantrum on the new Ethiopian administration, where he clearly displayed his misogynistic as well as narcissistic traits in the article titled, Abiy Ahmed, ‘the rooster in the chicken coop?’; if you think it was written by a self-serving petulant man-child with unresolved anger issues on women, rather than a renowned professor, who cut his teeth in politics, you will be forgiven.
The grumpy professor started his unsavoury article by accusing, Dr Abiy Ahmed, the new and young prime minister of Ethiopia, who is thought to be a reformist by any standard and a beacon of hope for Ethiopia; for appointing women to almost half of his cabinet ministers positions; on top of the presidency, the chief judge of the Supreme Court and chief of the electoral board.
In the malicious eyes of the pontificating professor, the hundred or so million of us Ethiopians, who are witnessing the renaissance of our beloved nation and enjoying the new found freedom as well as enthralled by these appointments, which is led by the new team in Arat kilo, are sycophants, blinded by the love of the devil; an accusation that is clearly out of bounds.
To understand, the oomph behind what prompted the grumpy professor to write such an obnoxious, misogynistic and narcissistic article, flavoured with his temper tantrums, on an administration that is seen as the only hope for Ethiopia, going forward, led by a person who is filled with love, forgiveness and humility; one needs to peel the professor’s article like an onion, one layer a time to discover the truth.
Misogynistic traits
From the get-go, the good professor couldn’t help to hide his misogynistic traits when he titled his piece by masculinising men as ‘roosters’ and feminising women as ‘chickens’. It is just telling of the man from the past unable to relate with the modus operandi of the present, let alone embracing the future, where gender equality has become more of the norm than a taboo. From his choice of the title, it is easy to figure out that, the professor is so stuck in the era when, ‘men were more equal than women’ that someone needs to wake him up from his coma, and march him to the 21st century.
His criticism of Dr Abiy Ahmed continued unabated, for appointing the new and first Ethiopian woman President, Wzo Seblework Zewde, who served her country as a plenipotentiary ambassador in different countries, and as UN envoy in east Africa.
However, in the spiteful eyes of Professor Hagos, it didn’t even make a difference as he belittles her and throw his unfounded accusations as if she doesn’t know enough about her country and immediately, the pompous professor, disqualified her in his scorecard. Even more so, he went on bemoaning, not knowing a lot about her family’s history, then and now, as if intentionally it is hidden from the public knowledge insinuating a negative perception in the readers mind.
The self-serving professor then goes on audaciously nominating himself as well as some of his handpicked nominees; all of whom happen to be men; and surprisingly enough, he could manage to pick only one woman out of fifty million Ethiopian women, for Presidency, because of her royal heritage. If this professor is not stuck in the 19th century, no one is.
Professor Hagos continued his rampage by collectively denigrating all women in the cabinet, appointed in the recent reshuffle, as ‘unfit for office and questioning their ethics, morality and advancing Ethiopian traditions’. He levied all these accusations without any specificity as to who lacks what ethics, and why someone is unfit for that office and the reason behind it; as one would expect from a learned professor.
Furthermore, he scolded the administration for the appointments of women, who are lacking the necessary experience and proper vetting; as if he was involved in the vetting process.
It was obvious from his article that, Professor Hagos, so consumed with hate, never bothered to pay attention to their credentials. Had he done so, he would have found out that some of whom have a colourful experience he can only dream of.
Saying that, coming to such a unanimous denigration of all the women in the cabinet, without any specificity and evidence to prove his point, but rather relying his argument purely on hearsay and innuendos, is unbecoming of a professor.
Moreover, his portrayal of the working environment of the prime minister, with his esteemed women cabinet members, using the words ‘harem’, ‘sariglio’ and ‘Turkish bath’, implicitly sexualises and belittles women who are our mothers, sisters and daughters, to say the least.
To his dismay, these appointments of women to the very powerful positions in Ethiopian administration has been complemented by everyone across the world, on every reputable newspapers, he could easily lose count of, if only he paid any attention. The fact that the misogynistic professor couldn’t find any thing positive to say about these appointments, speaks volumes of the mindset of the twilight professor.
Narcissistic traits:
Furthermore, contrary to the testimony of many prominent figures such as Dr Kassa Kebede, Professor Mesfin Hailemariam, Artist Tamagn Beyene, Ato Andargachew Tsegie, Professor Berhanu Nega and as recently as a couple of days ago, Ato Bulcha Demeksa, to mention the few about the humility of Dr Abiy Ahmed; it is just beggars belief that the ‘I know it all’ professor’s caricature of Dr Abiy as one of control freak and tyrannical, still based solely, by his own admission, on hearsay and innuendos; displaying a narcissistic trait yet again of unbecoming of a professor.
The condescending professor, further rebukes Dr Abiy, for not nominating a role model for the future generations of Ethiopians; that begs one to ask which planet the hallucinating professor lives in, If the likes of Wzo Birtukan Demeksa, Wzo Meaza Ashenafi, Wzt Dagmawit, Wzo Aisha, Wzo Mufriat Kamil, etc are not the role models for our kids, who will be? I am sure he has not done his due diligence otherwise, he would have discovered that each one of these high caliber women’s credentials is as big as the reference pages of his PhD thesis, of not bigger.
But it is suffice to say that, by judging from his mindset, the role models the nostalgic Professor, who is so consumed by his family’s heritage more than his own, are men and preferably older, preferably from the baby boomers generation; his cohorts, if not an ex-royal.
The pompous Professor Hagos tells us that he is an equal opportunity basher as he was battering the last administration with the same force and vigour. But he bemoaned that Dr Abiy’s administration is the one with a thin skin and hell bent on vengeance as his family have been evicted from the property they have been renting for twenty or so years; without any proof of evidence to back up his claim, whatsoever.
As the saying goes, there are two sides for every story and the truth is in the middle; the government can defend itself on these accusations, if indeed it is true. But it is difficult to believe the grumpy professor, given his irrationality so far.
Last but not least, Professor Hagos, had the audacity to dedicate this mediocre, temper tantrum filled, narcissistic and misogynistic article to the great Ethiopian minds of @Megabi Hadis Eshetu Alemayehu and @Diacon Daniel Kibret, is insulting not only to them but also to all Ethiopians who admire their work.
The Last Layer: Trump-esque Tekola Hagos!
Be that as it may, as much as this writer wants to cut him some slack on the article for having a bad hair day, one of the greatest American presidents comes to mind:
The late great President Abraham Lincoln once said ‘you can fool some of the people all the time, you can fool all the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time’
Therefore, It is not a rocket science to know that the camouflaged professor’s deep rooted contempt of Dr Abiy and the new administration is nothing other than the obvious: ethnic politics.
Contrary to what one expects from a professor, who would be expected to write a piece on facts rather than hearsay and innuendos, the gossiping professor wrote the whole article based solely on ‘his reliable sources’ who are most likely ghosts that are creations of his mind to affirm his confirmation bias with zero, zilch, nada facts and evidences.
His article is typical of today’s ethnocentric Ethiopian politics, where by ethnicity and divisiveness, took over his rationality; even to the extent of blinding a learned professor in anger; while at the same time shielding him from seeing the reality and disclosing his misogynistic and narcissistic traits in the process.
To see ethnic politics on steroids, turning a learned man with great potential, into a simpleton Trump-esque, is just incredible.
On December 15, 2018, we crossed the one-half million dollar mark in our fundraising effort for the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF).
It is a moment of great pride accomplishment for all of us who have toiled day and night over the past several months to make EDTF a reality.
On behalf of H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the EDTF Advisory Council and in the name of the people of Ethiopia, I would like to thank each and every one of the 2,819 donors who made 3,027 contributions to help us cross the magical threshold of one-half million dollars.
Each one of our honored donors and contributors is listed on our website at ethiopiatrustfund.org
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”
I say a multi-million dollar trust fund begins with the first one-half million.
I firmly believe our one-half million dollar Fund will soon become a one million dollar Trust Fund.
In time, it will become a 10 million and even 100 million dollar Trust Fund.
I have absolute faith in the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund becoming a template for African self-help efforts within 5 years.
We began collecting donations for EDTF on October 22, 2018 and hit the one-half million dollar mark in 54 days.
That is about $9,300 a day.
We believe that is a great achievement for an organization that came into existence on August 9, 2018 when H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed named members of the EDTF Advisory Council.
The Council immediately set to work.
Over the past four months, we established a nonprofit for EDTF.
We negotiated rates with payment processors such as Paypal, Swipe, GoFundMe and others.
We worked with the UN Development Program to secure funding for a secretariat to administer and operate the Fund.
We began coordination to incorporate EDTF in Ethiopia and establish a Board of Directors.
We established a high-quality interactive website.
We assembled a small but highly dedicated force of volunteer IT professionals and social media experts.
We made links with youth organizations who will soon launch EDTF Goodwill Youth Ambassadors.
We began full community engagement by holding a press conference and community town hall meeting in Washington, D.C.
We are planning to meet our global mandate by creating chapters and support groups throughout the world.
We are just taking our baby steps. We have a long way to go.
But we do have our critics, oftentimes individuals who do their lips instead of their dollars do the talking to them.
Our critics believe we have already failed because we should have collected at least $4 million and maybe several times that in 54 days.
They tell us “we are doing it all wrong”.
They say we should hire professional fundraisers who could raise millions for us in a few weeks.
Of course, if we had tens of thousands of dollars to hire professional fundraisers, we would not need a grassroots fundraising effort.
It is not unlike the advice French Queen Marie Antoinette allegedly gave to her starving subjects, “Why don’t they eat cake?”
“Why don’t we hire professional fundraisers?”
Can anyone seriously ask someone asking $1 a day to afford a professional fundraiser?
We are criticized for running a 100 percent volunteer operation. “Volunteers are unreliable.”
We are even told we should use some of the donations to establish offices and hire professionals to do the day to day work for us.
If we had the money to hire professionals employees and staff for hundreds of thousands of dollars, we would just as soon use that money to begin projects.
We are criticized for paying our own costs and expenses in promoting the Fund, including travel and accommodations. “That is just not professional.”
Until we get sponsors to help pay for our costs and expenses, we will have to shoulder that financial burden.
We need resources for many activities including media advertising, web technical support, event planning and coordination and management of volunteers.
We hope our critics will help us raise funds for these vital needs.
The fact of the matter is that we are a grassroots effort, NOT a professional multi-billion dollar fund raising organization like the United Way, the Salvation Army or Food for the Poor raising billions every year.
It is true we are a shoestring operation.
Our efforts rise or fall with the kindness of our Diaspora Ethiopian brothers and sisters who are willing to open their wallets and give us $1 a day.
Truth be told, we don’t mind criticism especially if it is constructive and from people who have donated.
But we shall not compromise on the principles and mission of the Fund.
There will be no compromise on the fact that 100 percent of contributions and donations will go to support EDTF projects.
No donations will be used for administrative or management purposes.
There will be maximum accountability for all donations collected and the finances of the EDTF will be subject to independent audits, including audits by the Ethiopian American Certified Public Accountants, who have pledged to perform the task.
There will be maximum transparency in all aspects of EDTF.
As we move forward with our efforts, some people ask me to look backwards and tell them if I am disappointed by the “low contribution and participation rates” in the fundraising.
I prefer to see the glass half full than half empty.
The noted anthropologist Margaret Mead wrote, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
No, I am not disappointed by the “low contribution and participation rates”.
In my view, the 2,819 donors who made 3027 contributions to help us cross the one-half million dollar mark are the small group of thoughtful and committed Diaspora Ethiopians that can change Ethiopia one-man, one-woman at a time.
I thank each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart.
One of them was to strive and create a utopia in Ethiopia.:
Ethiopians must be able to dream of a future free of ethnic strife, famine and oppression; and strive to work together for a little utopia in Ethiopia where might is NOT right but the rule of law shields the defenseless poor and voiceless against the slings and arrows of the criminally rich and powerful. It is true that Utopians aspire for the perfect society, but Ethiopians should aspire and work collectively for a society in which human rights are respected, the voice of the people are heard and accepted (not stolen), those to whom power is entrusted perform their duties with transparency and are held accountable to the law and people.
Going forward…
I am confident Diaspora Ethiopians will participate in large numbers and support EDTF when they truly understand its objectives and mission.
There are many challenges ahead of us, but we shall overcome them.
We know we have our work cut out for us.
We must reach out and educate and create awareness in the Diaspora. As more and more people learn about the objectives and mission of EDTF, they will participate more.
We must clearly communicate our message to different segments of the Diaspora Ethiopian community.
We know that is not an easy task because we have to tailor our message so that it is relevant to our diverse communities including the youth, professional, religious, women’s and civic communities.
We cannot do our outreach and community engagement alone.
We need the support of all segments of the Diaspora Ethiopian communities.
We especially need the collaboration of the social and conventional media.
We also need to get support from groups and organizations who could collaborate with us.
We believe the churches, masjids and civil society organizations can be effective partners to raise finds and enhance community engagement.
As people see the first set of projects being implemented, they will open their wallets to support EDTF.
As people witness we mean what we say and say what we mean by our declaration that EDTF will be the price of our dignity not to ever become the beggar nation of the world, they will line up to help.
But we need support and constructive criticism.
We do not need advice about what we shoudla, coulda and woulda have done about this or that.
As the old Ethiopian saying goes, “The sky is near for those who sit on their butts and point at it.”
We need Diaspora Ethiopians who are willing to put their shoulders to the wheel and noses to the grindstone and make EDTF a reality.
The difference between those who have contributed and support EDTF and those who have had a chance and did not is the difference between the optimist and pessimist.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
At the height of the space race, President John F. Kennedy saw the opportunity in the difficulty when he said,
We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.
In the same vein, I say the 2819 Diaspora Ethiopians and others who have given $1 a day in our race to help our long-suffering Ethiopian brothers and sisters choose to support the EDTF now not because they believe it is easy to pull 110 million Ethiopians out of the mire of poverty, but because they believe we can harness one dollar a day and use our energies and skills to show the world that we can help ourselves and will no longer be called the beggar nation of the world.
We support EDTF because we accept a great challenge put to us by our young leader who every day makes things happen we never expected in our wildest imaginations.
My confidence in the success of EDTF
I do not believe in failure.
If I did, I would not have advocated for human rights in Ethiopia for 13 long years cranking out weekly commentaries and making speeches and giving interviews that paralyzed and incapacitated the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
For 13 long years, TPLF leaders and their cyber dogs laughed at me. “What a fool! He is wasting his time with his bootless cries about human rights every week. We will remain in power for 100 years!”
Al Mariam’s seemingly endless prophecies to come true? Al Mariam [has been] hazarding predictions of state collapse [TPLF] on every small and big occasion… Al Mariam’s disciples swear by his every jive as yet another revelation of the end of the ‘thugs’ ruling Ethiopia on a ‘slave plantation’’ model no less…
I ask my readers a simple question: Has TPLF thug rule ended in Ethiopia today?
I mention this instance not to prove my “prophetic powers”. I have none.
I mention it to prove that if we never give up, we will win in the end.
If I had defeated myself by quitting the struggle against TPLF thug rule, perhaps the outcome may be different.
If we stick to PM Abiy’s $1 a day plan to help Ethiopia, in a short time we will be able to help our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia and never ask for penny from anyone else. EVER!
So, I put out another prediction.
In 5 years, the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund will be the template for a diaspora trust fund all over Africa.
I suspect there will be some who will laugh at me today and say I am delusional.
I do not mind if people laughing at me, but I ask that they look through the nearly one thousand weekly commentaries I have written over the past 13 years and point out a single prediction I made that did not come to pass.
So, my fellow Diaspora Ethiopians:
I ask you to support the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund only and only if you believe Ethiopia should no longer be called the “beggar nation of the world” because its children scattered throughout the world are ready, willing and able to take full responsibility for their own.
I ask you to support the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund only and only if you believe you have a personal individual responsibility for your suffering brothers and sisters in Ethiopia.
I ask you to support the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund only and only if you believe Ethiopians need a hand up, not a hand out.
I ask you to support the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund only and only if you believe Ethiopia’s best days are yet to come.
I ask you to support the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund only and only if you believe Diaspora Ethiopians united can never be defeated.
I ask you to support the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund only and only if you are not afraid of failure and are not a prisoner of defeatist thinking that because so many Diasporan efforts in the past have ended in failure, so will EDTF.
I believe EDTF is about the winners’ circle.
Our PM Abiy has said in Ethiopia there are no losers or winners.
PM Abiy says our Ethiopia house divided between winner and losers cannot stand.
We can be a nation of winners and or losers, but not both.
I believe Ethiopia is a nation of winners.
Ethiopians in the diaspora must believe we are also all winners.
If winners take up the cause of the EDTF, we can’t lose. We can’t fail.
That is my faith in EDTF.
To those we are seared by memories of Diaspora Ethiopian failures, I say to them do not fear failure.
If you must fear anything, it should be not trying. “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
I have no fears whatsoever the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund will fail.
I have faith it will succeed beyond our wildest imaginations.
If you really want to know how rock-solid my faith is in the success of EDTF, I invite you to listen to snippets of my remarks before the Ethiopian Society of Certified Public Accountants and Financial Professionals on December 2, 2018 in Springfield, VA. (In Amharic HERE; In English HERE. Full Amharic radio interview on SBS, HERE.)
Again, many thanks to the 2819 donors who helped us pass the one-half million dollar mark!
The Tigrayan Nationl Organization (TNO) (ማሕበር ገስገስቲ ብሔር ትግራይ) – later named Tigrayan People Liberation Front (TPLF) (ሕዝባዊ ወያነ ሓርነት ትግራይ) – established by few persons and it has no basic and legal connection with the religious and innocent Tigrayan people. The heroic people of Tigray severely fought the incubation of this looting and robbing immoral kernel. TPLF, a poison seed, grew like a ghost to bargain the sovereignty of Ethiopia as a commodity. TPLF germinates steadily. It gradually generates a protective seed coat called «Amhara’s People Democratic Party» (APDP), a storage tissue with nutrient reserves called «Oromo People Democratic Organization» (OPDO) and a dormant plant embryo called «South Ethiopian People Democratic Movement» (SEPDM).
As long as there is tyranny, it is obvious that there is arrest, persecution, torch and ill-treatment. Tens of thousands of opponents arrested and killed without trial during 17 years reign of the Derg. Nevertheless, discrimination on grounds of race, language, social origin, and ethnicity had not prevailed. TPLFs 27 years of torture and ill-treatment is unique. The occurrence of torture and ill-treatment in Maekelawi, Qilinto, Ziway, Finoteselam and in all other secret prisons throughout the country was centered on ethnic chauvinism. The motive behind TPLFs genocide, torturing and ill-treatment was to prolong the looting and plundering mechanism of its affiliated trades and industries. Other intentions of-course are high passion of luxury in addition to its wishes to accumulate precious metals and trillions of dollars in foreign banks for their children and families.
As to materialize its biddings, TPLF has assembled African biggest prisons. According to Medias, seven secrete prisons discovered in Addis Ababa. The 2017 Human Rights Report of the United States Government, also wrote that “Prison and pretrial detention center conditions remained harsh and in some cases life threatening”. Gloomy to say it again that thousands of young Oromos and Amharas, activists, bloggers including famous politicians such as Birtukan, Andualem, Temesgen, Eskindir, Habtamu, Reeyot, Dr. Merara, Bekele Gerba, Nigist, Andargachew, Nathanael and many others were humiliated and ill-treated by TPLF cliques. Too many prisoners are also anguishing in Tigray region.
It is very shocking hearing from prisoners that many of them were being torched until they reached in a position to confess that they were members of “terrorist organizations” such as Ginbot 7, OLF, OMN or ONLF. Others were tortured merely for reasons, such as being member of Semayawi Party (Blue Party), All-Amhara People’s Organization (AAPO) or Oromo People’s Congress (OPC). Other tortures perceived against bloggers, journalists, and activists. Honest officials whom were not willing to cooperate with the enormous corruption and looting system of the regime arrested, tortured or murdered.
As we watch the documentary video, it was very shocking hearing victims talking about psychological agonies, beatings and torches using electric devices. Prisoners were facing sexual harassments. Some interrogators were happy touching sensitive parts as a form of mistreatment. Fingernails pulled out by pliers, something anomalous put inside females’ private part and bottles tied in males’ private part. A female interrogator pees on male prisoners without shame. Detainees blindfolded, naked and laid down in forests so that wild animals will attack them. Prisoners deprived of food for periods until they got tired and had no chance but plead guilty. Captives reported that different tools such as chains, wires, ropes were used for controlling as well as diverse stress positions (right and left arm tied above the shoulders, head between legs, crossed position, hung upside down, etc.,) used during interrogations. Some prisoners relocated to solitary confinement for private investigation, hanged in the upper limit for hours while the interrogator spoke with cell phone with someone or went outside to eat food. The evil interrogator returned after hours to beat the prisoner severely by wooden baton or metallic wire. Prisoner’s bare foot frequently beaten with a tool such as cable stick. They too used hidden cameras during interviews.
As we understood form different views – such big grievances occurred because of torture and ill-treatment directed by TPLF gangs. Habtamu and Temesgen reported having their back highly injured and a large numbered reported fracture to their hands, chests, ribs, pelvis and pains in internal organs such as kidneys and testicles. Some are deaf and are not able to hear voices. Some are becoming infertile due to testicular injuries in the prison. Legs amputated because of severe torture in the custodial. Some cannot walk because of torments. Some wished their lives would end to clear them of the wretched pain. The selected Tigrigna speaking interrogators are without mercy and humanity. Not only international conventions on civil political rights, TPLF violated its own constitution.
Psychological abuse appeared to be a wider practice in TPLF jails. Amhara and Oromo prisoners treated disrespectfully, and subjugated to insults against their ethnic origin. Amharas were called «SHINTAM – TIMIKIHITEGNA – LEHACHAM» and Oromos were called «TEBAB – TEGENTAY» during interrogations conducted by evil servants who speaks none other language other than Tigrigna. In Ethiopia’s Somali region, prisoners were being tortured, raped and starved. Prisoners threatened with death and detained with wild animals, such as hyenas and Tigers. Sleeping arrangements to prisoners reported to be inadequate and unsanitary. Some detainees kept in small, dark, cold, dirty and without window quarters.
Not all can described here in few words. Most of the sufferers though being released – do not want to remember – the psychological and moral pain – the crying and screaming in the prisons. Some lost consciousness and believe that they are still in torch chambers. I may obliged to request the international community to offer those victims psychological treatments. Besides, TPLFs cruelty and maltreatment needs a wide research and study by universities and human right institutions to form an idea to put an end to vindictiveness and cruelty. «TORTURE AND ILL-TREATMENT NEVER AGAIN».
The heroic and innocent people of Tigray should hand over those TPLF criminals and looters who are hiding in Tigray. Any person cannot lay hidden after committing crime. A thief cannot have leisure time after stealing billions and trillions of dollars from starving, naked and vulnerable people.
-Justice for state-sponsored systematic genocide of Amhara.
-Justice for the victims of Meles massacre of 2005.
-Justice for Anuaks and Oromos massacre.
-Justice for all victims of tortures and ill-treatments.
Let God, our Lord, wipe every tears from eyes of victims of pain and blind justice.
Teshome M. Borago of Zehabesha-Satenaw media group interviewed Arena Tigray opposition party spokesman Amdom Gebre-Selassie after his recent brave confrontation with the leaders of TPLF. (Below is an English translation from Amharic)
Amdom explains how TPLF is afraid of change in Tigray because the state is its “last refugee.”
Zehabesha/Teshome: Many Ethiopians outside and inside the country are calling you a “hero” and they are excited to witness an opposition to TPLF inside Tigray. Do other Tigrayans share your views?
AMDOM: Our party has members and many supporters. And I took that rare opportunity to present our organization and express our views but I was unfortunately forced to stop. But even after the meeting was over, several people came over to show me support and encourage me.
Zehabesha/Teshome: Then why don’t Tigrayans publicly protest TPLF or organize a rally for your Arena Tigray opposition party?
AMDOM: As you can see, the ruling party stifles even the smallest display of dissident in Tigray. We try to mobilize people, but for example, on May 9, our youth were arrested and released multiple times before we even began a rally. They basically deploy an army, sometimes TPLF deploys more soldiers than our whole people. TPLF has deep fear because they feel Tigray is their last refugee.
Zehabesha/Teshome: During the meeting, it seems they first got irritated when you said TPLF was never elected and compared their 99% election “victory” to North Korea elections.
AMDOM: That’s because they know they steal elections and power. Most of the society knows this fact and they know the society knows it. But their number one concern is that Tigray people will rise up against them or simply react to these facts. So TPLF’s agenda is to change the topics that causes the reaction.
Zehabesha/Teshome: Sebhat Nega especially got angry when you said millions of poor Tigrayans and billionaire TPLF leaders can never be one and the same people.
AMDOM: This was why they interrupted me because that’s the biggest question for Tigray. Most people don’t see and don’t know the so-called growth and development that TPLF talked about when it was in Addis Ababa. The people have many unanswered questions.
Zehabesha/Teshome: As you know, there has been growing dispute between Amhara and Tigray people regarding Welkait, Raya and Qimant as well as other ethnic flashpoint areas around the country. Is there systematic federalism problem?
AMDOM: The main problem in Ethiopia is we still don’t have democratic government. We must start solving all problems democratically and constitutionally for every citizen.
Zehabesha/Teshome: Thats the keyword, you just mentioned the word “citizen” but that’s not respected in the constitution of Ethiopia today. We address all problems only thru ethnicity. Now, they say Amhara region finally has democracy today and they want to have Welkait back. Will your party Arena Tigray give Welkait to Amhara?
AMDOM: Arena Tigray party accepts the constitution, and the current federalism which is based on language. And Welkait people speak Tigrigna so we believe it should remain part of Tigray. If there are any questions about this, we should address it peacefully and constitutionally.
Zehabesha/Teshome: Therefore, should the Amharic speaking Addis Ababa and Debrezeit become part of Amhara state? And what about Moyale and all other contested areas where diverse people live?
AMDOM: I think all these areas should have their questions answered democratically and peacefully. It is important to have an independent institution and government that can solve these problems. Yes, there are disputes around Addis Ababa and in many places today and I blame EPRDF for everything.
Zehabesha/Teshome: What is your position on the several TPLF figures and generals arrested recently?
AMDOM: They are accused of corruption and the law allows for such activity to be prosecuted by the government. The question is, was proper procedures taken to bring these charges, is there an impartial or independent judiciary, and are the rights of defendants respected? Other than these, many were rightfully accused of corruption and they should have their day in court.
Zehabesha/Teshome: Some critics complain that Abiy’s regime is targeting Tigray people. They ask why Oromo, Amhara and other Ethiopian high level EPRDF officials never get arrested and why the Abiy government extended forgiveness only for rebel groups.
AMDOM: Ofcourse some people believe these trials are more political. But I still agree that several METEC executive leaders and board members were involved in those decisions and could have resigned. So i believe they should face justice and get a fair trial.
But i also believe some trials and problems mirror the political division inside EPRDF. They had an original understanding to extend forgiveness or amnesty to all actors in Ethiopia, but they failed to discuss how it applies among themselves inside EPRDF.
But let alone criminals, even many Arena Tigray opposition members are still languishing in prison and got no amnesty. So the reform has several shortcomings.
Zehabesha/Teshome: Are you worried for your safety? And has the Abiy government offered security for Tigrayan opposition, just like there is security for known figures like Jawar?
AMDOM: I am not afraid. Whatever they may do to me will be the same like the rest of Tigray people. I can not afford security and nobody has offered.
Zehabesha/Teshome: What do you think of the return of peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia? And is Tigray ready to give up Badme to keep the peace?
AMDOM: What has happened recently is one of the great Abiy achievements we support. Tigray and Eritrea people have families on both sides of the border and we were cut in half. Now our people are united, excited and crying with happiness. This is something we support.
Regarding Badme, we must carefully address it by involving all local people and regional stakeholders. But if we impose the border ruling without consulting the people on the ground, the crisis will likely return.
Zehabesha/Teshome: What is Arena Tigray’s plan for 2020 election? And how will it use media and other resources?
AMDOM: We are mobilizing people, candidates and supporters. We have financial difficulties and TPLF controls both governmental and private media. So we hope all pro-democracy Ethiopians will support us by all means.
I never had the pleasure or the misfortune of meeting Ato Bereket. On the other hand I feel as if I have known him all m my life. We became very close after the 2005 general elections. When I first heard him speak, what surprised me most was his soft feminine voice that clashed with the impression of a fierce guerilla fighter I have envisioned. If you remember he was the one tasked by the petty tyrant to deal with the ‘opposition’ regarding the election. So I had a good opportunity to see him operate. He failed miserably. It was painful to watch.
Dr. Berhanu and Kinijit run a circle around him and his criminal grouping and made them the laughing stock of the world. They couldn’t even steal an election that was run by their own cadres. To say they were humiliated is making the tragedy bearable. Ever since then I have been fixated with Ato Bereket. He has never failed to motivate me to double my effort in my work to sabotage his effort to bring misery to my homeland. My quarrel with him is not personal but I always felt I spoke for those his misguided policy brought death, suffering, incarceration, exile and feeling of hopelessness. Ato Bereket to Meles was as Herr Goebbels was to Adolf Hitler. His job was putting lipstick on a Pig.
His official title was Communication Minster. Bereket was more than that. He controlled what was said, heard, published or discussed anywhere in Ethiopia. He was the face of ugly Woyane TPLF. Bereket joined the struggle against the Military Junta before he completed high school. He was born in Gondar, northern Ethiopia. His parents were Eritreans. Bereket has an older brother that joined EPRP and was killed by TPLF in a firefight. Berket joined his brothers’ murderers and changed both his first and last name trying to escape from the past. Most freedom fighters change their first name to protect their family but Berket went all the way. He was born as Mebrehatu Gebrehiwot. Bereket Semon is a name of an Eritrean fighter that was operating in Tigrai. The person is still alive but Bereket stole his name.
He also replaced his Eritrean identity with that of Amhara and assumed leadership of the Amhara organization on behalf of his TPLF comrades. He mislead the organization until six months back when he was unceremoniously dumped.
A bully like Meles Zenawi surrounds himself with weak individuals that enforce his twisted and criminal mind creations with enthusiasm and glee. Bereket, Seyoum, Abay were such errand boys that served evil faithfully. Of all the petty tyrants creation Bereket was exceptional. Like his mentor cruelty, cynicism and indifference came to him naturally. His position as the right hand man of the tyrant gave him the spotlight to shine as arbiter of culture in our land.
Bereket could be said to have single handedly killed the media in Ethiopia. He shattered the budding free press and rode rough on all type of journalism. He used ETV, Walta, Zami FM, Aiga and many more to spread disinformation, intimidate the opposition and create terror in the minds of Ethiopians.
Bereket has managed to steal two more elections since the 2005 debacle. All pretences of trying to look legal and honorable were set aside and his group won 100% of the votes. That is how insane our friend is. There was no trace of shame or awareness when the result was declared and celebrated as real and a proud moment in the history of Ethiopia.
The death of the tyrant was the moment Bereket shined and displayed the many years of experience in spinning unpleasant news. He kept the corpse in a freezer for over a month while he rearranged the deck on the titanic. Bereket orchestrated a funeral fit for mother Teresa. Bereket used the occasion to create dissent and bad will among our people. He made some eulogize the tyrant knowing it will create ill feeling in our society. He beamed the shameless display for the world to see. You can see some wearing dark shades, some hiding, a few covering their face and a majority looking stunned, disgusted and wishing they were anywhere else but there.
It is not only Ethiopians that saw through our criminal, European Parliament member from Portugal, the Honorable Ana Gomez after her encounter with him said “ Bereket Simon was Gobbles of #Ethiopia, as Propaganda minister of dictator Meles Zenawi. I will never forget his cruelty on 8 June 2005, with hundreds massacred in Addis Ababa, after stolen elections of May 15. I am for Truth Commissions, but worst criminals must go to trial.” Diplomats normally do not use such harsh language but Bereket brings the worst in people and the Diplomat saw him for what he was, a gangster parading as a servant of the people.
The reason I focused on Bereket is because he is refusing to go away silently, peacefully and without much fanfare. He loves attention and gets off being in the midst of things even if it is criminal enterprise. Well here he is this past weekend sitting on a dais and pontificating regarding our future. From what I understand he was invited to discuss the current situation by Mekele University. Why out of millions of capable Ethiopians one will invite Bereket is not clear to me. Asking Bereket about building a prosperous Ethiopia is like asking the captain of the Titanic to teach about piloting a ship across the Atlantic. Both the host and the guest are operating in what is referred to as the ‘Neverland.’
True to form Bereket dove into the subject with zeal. He started off by claiming the ‘EPRDF was known for resolving problems through understanding and in a peaceful manner where hope was supreme’ He really said that. He went on to say ‘some are painting the last 27 years as dark time and those even in leadership position are claiming the regime was a terrorist and are heard disparaging the Constitution.’ He also opined ‘ …. there is concern because no one is giving direction on fundamental issues thus causing fission between the Federal and the Kilils (Bantustans) and between the Kilils themselves and they are forging ahead on self rule.’ His conclusion was to claim ‘All the indicators for a failed state are here and the possibility of rapid collapse is imminent’
I told you the individual is mad. I am not a medical doctor to pass such judgment but in this case I believe the majority of Ethiopians are qualified to judge the Meles/Bereket/Syoum/Abay and their little underlings performance as the custodian of the Ethiopian State. When Bereket from that stage speaks of ‘tolerance, peaceful ways of resolving difference’ as part of his method of operation you know that he is a liar, a sociopath and devoid of human empathy. The Ethiopians whose life was cut short or was interrupted with lengthy prison sentence and untold suffering are here with us trying to survive as beast as they could. Because they are out of prison does not mean the suffering and nightmare will disappear. Meles and Bereket have left an ugly scar on our psych and we feel the pain of our brave brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers that crossed path with Woyane devil.
I am glad Mekelle University took the time to discuss the current problem facing us. It is a timely subject. Who to invite in such grand setting of higher education is not a simple matter. There are many factors that go into choosing a guest. Character, expertise, communication skills and standing among peers are but a few of the criteria required. To make matter interesting including a different point of view will also enrich the discussion. Why Mekelle University choose to host Bereket who at the moment is on internal exile and does not represent any group is not clear. Why another individual was not invited for balance is dereliction of duty as place of higher learning.
What Bereket said from that stage is not acceptable at all. Predicting calamity in a peaceful land, raising the red flag where no danger exist is a deliberate and planned provocation against our peace and harmony. Using Federally allocated resources to fan hate and insecurity should not be tolerated. Insinuating the fracture of our motherland and threatening going it alone is not acceptable or advisable to the health and well being of the group one purports to speak for.
We know Bereket does not speak for the Amhara people since the organization has kicked him out. I doubt he speaks for the people of Tigrai since officially he is not a member of that criminal organization. As he claimed recently he is a homeless individual shunned by all and currently residing in a third class hotel in Mekelle. He created the concept of Kilil, and now he is left without one. Justice!
Addis Abeba, December 20/2018 – Part 1 of my rejoinder attracted some interesting reactions from readers. Some seemed apparently misled by the picture of local traffic pollution in Addis inserted by the editors, expressed they were worried the Addis’s pollution has been extrapolated to the whole country. Others stressed our per capita emission is so insignificant that it is too much a temper tantrum. Another reader provided infographic inputs to show the emissions trajectory of nations like China, the most emissive state in the world, has almost been similar on per capita basis as ours few decades back and hence do nothingness is not an option. All comments have captured some elements that support the intention of my rejoinder i.e. primarily to ignite a meaningful public debate on cross cutting issues. Secondly, to appreciate that climate change is not primarily about local pollutants, although some greenhouse gases and local pollutants co-exist in fossil fuels (some are precursors). For now CO2, CH4, N2O, SF6, PFC, HFC and HN3 are gases mainly targeted by the global community as greenhouse gases. Aiming for air quality indirectly of course achieves abating some of these greenhouse gases, specifically in case of fossil fuels. This leads to the delicate enquiry of “which one among these would a certain state naturally target first? When or at what level of economic development?” This ignites the “equity” and “respective capability” debate. Third aim is to reflect, in a delicate but “no free-rider” climate regime, what is whose role in responding to this collective destiny, who finances which segment of a clean technology transfer or shift there-off and what is in it for each of us?
Thank you all for the useful comments!
Caption: exalted Polish Presidency during the adoption of the COP 24 report. Plenary happened 48 hours after anticipated time, only after postponing markets rules to the next COP.
The Paris Agreement (PA) still kept “Common goal but differentiated responsibility with respective capability” commonly called “CBDR-RC”; the original tenet of the Climate Convention when rallying the committee of nations for action. In achieving this, it employed a Party led process whereby states were invited to submit a bottom up pledge, most importantly targeting GHGs that they believe reflects their respective capability. As to the level of ambition expected as per respective capability Articles 4.4 & 4.6, “Developed country Parties should continue taking the lead by undertaking economy-wide absolute emission reduction targets. Developing country Parties should continue enhancing their mitigation efforts, and are encouraged to move over time towards economy-wide emission reduction or limitation targets in the light of different national circumstances.” The least developed countries and Small Island developing States “may prepare and communicate strategies, plans and actions reflecting their special circumstances.” So they did and around 195 states deposited instruments of ratification by end of 2016 and whatever they pledged became their installed ambition for that period.
As one of the methods of enhancing efficiency of greenhouse gases (GHG) mitigation, PA employed cooperative mechanisms including carbon markets, a post 2020 successor to the carbon market under the Kyoto Protocol (KP). Carbon markets provide flexibility for emissive installations in developed states to obtain (purchase) emissions reductions units from another installation in other state at a cheaper rate than the rate they will be able to achieve it if they invest domestically. Installations in the developed world were allowed to fulfill up to 10% of their reduction targets through the carbon market. For installations in developing states, the carbon market revenues for the carbon credits they generate will justify the additional investment needed to realize shift to the new technology or to overcome the barriers associated with it. Moreover, 2% share of proceeds from the market sales went to finance Adaptation Fund. For enabling this, the KP established three carbon markets i.e. the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for the Developed-Developing, the Joint Implementation (JI) for the Developed-Developed and the Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) for domestic trading in a developed States.
It would be great to briefly acquaint readers with what the carbon market looked under the KP so that it becomes easier to grasp the future. Under the KP’s-CDM market where the Developed took targets and the Developing voluntarily reduced emissions for trading them to the developed, carbon market actors generated a total of 7 billion tradable units and transacted 2 billion while the balance of about 5GtCO2ereduction is in or will slowly enter till 2020, in the reserve account of the registry administered by the CDM Executive Board under the UN. In the years from 2006 to 2012 carbon markets reached a staggering $200 billion per year with units at one time fetched €28 before it crashed to under €1 today. Among the 8000 plus projects and programs recognized internationally, about four projects and five programs are from Ethiopia, only one of which issued so far, about 100,000 units, 0.00005% of global issuance.
Performance of many African states under the KP carbon market was poor by all standards. Recognized projects and issued credits fell less than 2% of the world. Challenges cited were methodological complexity, lack of initial investment, upfront costs of dollar denominated carbon project development & accreditation, unaware owners of emissions sources and skewed international governance. Ethiopia suffered from several additional factors including reluctance to install basic processes, personal philosophical turfs in the EPA leadership of “why do we clean the mess the rich polluted” while religiously attending each small “capacity building” gatherings. India, China and Brazil installed their robust domestic institutional arrangement & processes, enhanced promotions, engaged carbon actors and already reached issuing 1000 domestic approvals by which time Ethiopia just installed its one man Designated National Authority (DNA) in 2007.
In Ethiopia, there was also an overwhelming myth that was often projected top down from the “I know all” state suggesting “there is no emission to reduce” making it difficult for Project developers struggling to explain the value in the carbon market even in big private emission sources. Official government documents and speeches give a “nationalization” sense of “you generate for the government to own”. Who was that government to even think of claiming or trading the emissions I reduced? Private actor’s pursuits to achieve introducing one more international trading field proved too expensive and risky in an already complicated Ethiopian trade rules and licensing procedures marred by the appetite of control freak regime. Carbon asset developers couldn’t cooperate with the public sector and hence Ethiopia’s cleaner public investments lost hundreds of millions of dollars of carbon revenue opportunities from all of the renewable power plants and electric rails built on huge international debt since 2001 and by now risk being considered as “Business as Usual Baselines” affecting even the investments yet to come. In contrast, similar projects were lavishly credited all over the other enabling developing states.
Fast forward, under Paris, the KP instruments are now being replaced by Article 6.2 and 6.4 for the post 2020 world. Article 6.4, commonly called “the 6.4 Mechanism”, is more or less the same as the CDM and entertains units to be traded by actors from specific Projects and Programs albeit few more parameters of Environmental Integrity stringency added. Article 6.2 allows trading net emissions performance of an entire economy, to another state to meet its NDC and re-distribute the revenue. In both cases Internationally Traded Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) are created and transferred for a rate agreed between sellers and buyers. A peculiarity here is that each party observes its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs) and hence each time ITMOs are transferred a certain discount is made to ensure it is not a pure offset scheme like the KP-CDM. Corresponding adjustment has to be made to the national emissions inventory to make sure that states don’t “double count” or irresponsibly export their unconditional pledge. One other participation requirement is for states to respect human rights (including property rights) and that emissions reduction projects would not also harm the domestic environment & human rights.
Should Ethiopia wish to participate in the new carbon markets and benefit therefore, there are few early actions to be taken, among others,
Ethiopia is one of the least developed countries that Parties agreed “may prepare and communicate strategies, plans and actions reflecting their special circumstances.” as its NDC. While backtracking is not prudent, we still need to meaningfully explain our overambitious NDC in a rational manner and establish the “unconditional” segment of our NDC. We need also outline which inevitable policy interventions and investments reflect our “respective capability” and result in achieving those unconditional pledges. The gap between the unconditional threshold and the target would then be filled through interventions/investments from public or/and private entities through either direct international support channels under article 6.8 or competitive participation in the carbon markets under the cooperative mechanisms of 6.2 and 6.4. An unreasonably high unconditional pledge therefore lowers the rightful advantage from the carbon market and other sources. This has to be made in due transparency and domestic consultation.
We may also need to re-orient the NDC in two matrices, CO2 matrix and MWh matrix, so that energy exports may fetch revenues under Article 6.2, if we are going to agree on “double counting” and “Additionality” safeguards on COP25.
Establish the bodies that are needed to exactly respond to the provisions of the agreement and making them operational, transparent and participatory. For example participating on the 6.4 Mechanism would require establishing a Designated National Authority (DNA) in time, which better not be a one man indulgence, although of course the signatory need be one. This body should be tasked with actively relieving challenges of carbon asset developers in addition to issuing domestic approvals to proposals before the international accreditation process begins.
Ethiopian public institutions are normally criticized for having a track record of producing counterfeit reports. Reports commonly aimed to appease immediate bosses, hide underachievement, exalt the “developmental state” or close the gap of “stretched targets”. That habit has to die into the past. There is none good to come out of that and nobody would benefit except hiding incompetence of few or a system. We need to install an internationally credible & independent domestic emissions inventory structure and inventory plan that is able to competently perform unto standard inventories and credible reports. Tasking civil servants to perform such reports is also a recipe for conflict of interest as well as bypassing “independent MRV”. If there are such experts, they would do great social integrity if they open their own private company, compete, create jobs and pay taxes. The habit of producing inferior quality reports with an assumption of “they won’t be hard on us anyway” should recede to the past. The Paris “Transparency” world is one main field of action whose details migrated away from the past “non-intrusive, non-punitive” modus operandi. Poor and reluctant reporting habits will therefore prohibit participation of diligent actors and cost invested national resources. Reporting transparency also helps to target the right and large sources of emission. The Ministry of Finance should transparently and publicly avail international climate finance funds received, to help the domestic and international public know how much public fund it received and how much of it has been prudently & properly spent for the intended and earmarked climate change thematic purpose.
Equally important, although LDCs are left to their discretion, Ethiopia has to avail itself to international scrutiny as per the recommended process and frequency in the Paris rule book. The more parties avail themselves for scrutiny, the higher they garner international resources either from the public grants or international market actors. Discretion is a legitimate provision not a license for hiding behind.
Government needs to issue various enabling policies in each of the economic sectors covered by the NDC to incentivize public and private actors engage in low carbon investment. This allows them aim to achieve clean technology transfer, avoid lock-in to old technology, extract benefit from the carbon market and in the end assist the host country meet its NDC and ultimately for the world to achieve the collective goal of a 1.5-2°C world. For instance, there is no custom duty code for an electric car or electric vehicle to date in Ethiopia, which puts any one importing at risk of being exposed to the will of a certain tax officer. Government should also legislate that old and emissive technologies are not transplanted into the country under a blanket banner of “FDI”. Reports suggest that many bigger states are exporting their emissions profile to poorer states while in some cases still extracting the underlying products to their states or benefits.
Government needs also mandate sectoral data transparency by compelling sectoral ministries to publish data on web portals so that interested domestic & international actors may easily access or verify them. There is no way a clean power project can be credited in a secretive environment where annual generation of grid connected power plants, the domestic consumption and imported generator sets is hidden from the public. One can’t also aim crediting clean transport in a situation where actual count, vintage and models of vehicles and annual fuel import statistics in a country are dynamic & too elusive to track.
Finally, government should ensure flexible arrangements exist for public sector clean technology investment champions to collaborate with carbon asset developers that would help them design carbon assets, meet deadlines as well as access the market, before such schemes are considered part of the “business as usual”. With flexibility, the carbon market can spur millions of quality jobs and bring hard currency. The conventional public procurement model may prove too old to respond to the world we are in now, at least in this specific case. There were too many instances government lost millions of dollars of revenues because the institutions are not aware what kind of TOR to prepare or even if they somehow do there may only be few bidders interested or are able to participate & deliver. Since this is an asset based market, other models are surely available than conventional.
These are some of the early take home “low hanging fruits” of action in addition to the need to fulfill “Participation requirements “currently under negotiation as part of the implementation package rules book of the Paris Agreement. On Part 3, I will keep my promise to update readers over what went under markets negotiation during COP 24. Stay with me! AS
Ambachew F. Admassieis a lead technical negotiator on carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement in team Ethiopia, leading the forty six Least Developed Countries. He serves as member of the Methodologies Panel erecting international standards for setting Baselines, Additionality, monitoring procedures and matrix to generate emissions reduction units governed by the Executive Board of the KP-CDM. He can be reached at ambachew.admassie@gmail.com. He tweets: @Ambachew41
Ethiopia’s newly elected prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, attends a rally during his visit to Ambo in the Oromiya region on April 11. (Tiksa Negeri/Reuters/File Photo) (REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri)
By Frida Ghitis
Washington Post Contributing columnist
December 17
By almost any measure, 2018 has been a disastrous year for democracy. Authoritarian leaders have made decisive moves to tighten their grip on power by eroding practices indispensable to a functioning democracy, such as the rule of law and a free press, and blithely ignoring or violently suppressing mass protests in places such as Hungary, Nicaragua, the Philippines and elsewhere.
And yet, there are parts of the world where, quite unexpectedly, the struggle for democratic reform made giant strides — a reminder that the right mix of activism, leadership and circumstances can suddenly change the course of history. The good news came from starkly different countries, where undemocratic practices had been playing out in unique ways. Remarkably, whether toppling autocrats or reversing corrosive practices, the bold leaders and committed activists that shocked the system managed to achieve their goals without violence.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the year came in Ethiopia, a country of 100 million people and a solidly authoritarian past. Its jails teemed with political prisoners and journalists, and regime critics knew that the safest place was in exile. Since overthrowing a military regime in 1991, the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) monopolized power, profited from corruption, crushed its critics and blatantly favored the privileged ethnic Tigray minority.
But then, in March, tensions within the EPRDF produced something of an internal coup, and the party chose Abiy Ahmed as its new chairman, making him prime minister and the first member of the oppressed Oromo minority to hold the post. His appointment ushered in changes that Ethiopians at home and abroad could hardly believe.
Abiy freed thousands of political prisoners. He released jailed journalists — not a single one remains in prison, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists — and ended a decades-old war with neighboring Eritrea. The euphoria that gripped Ethiopia, as opposition leaders started returning home, spread to the diaspora. Abiy met with a hero’s welcome during his travels to exiled Ethiopian communities. In a meeting with Ethiopian dissidents in the United States he explained his vision: The next step, he declared, is a “democratic election.”
Abiy and Ethiopia face enormous challenges. Economic turmoil and ethnic conflict could yet lie ahead. But the prime minister also enjoys an extraordinary amount of support. His push for fair elections, his tolerance of dissent, and his selection of women as cabinet officers, the head of the Supreme Court, and ceremonial president all signal a more democratic future.
Armenia has experienced a similarly dramatic turnaround. When President Serzh Sargsyan, already in office for a decade, staged a power grab by changing the constitution and becoming prime minister, the journalist-turned-activist Nikol Pashinyan leveraged the people’s anger to drastically change the country’s direction. Pashinyan led a massive march followed by crippling demonstrations, paralyzing the country until the parliament — which had named Sargsyan prime minister — finally relented. The nonviolent people power of Armenians forced Sargsyan to resign and persuaded legislators to name Pashinyan prime minister. But the biggest shift was still to come.
A week ago, Armenians elected a new parliament, handing Pashinyan’s bloc an astonishing 70 percent of the vote. The previous ruling party, Sargsyan’s Republicans, didn’t even manage the 5 percent minimum required to enter parliament. Bolstered by the vote of confidence, Pashinyan has now launched a comprehensive anti-corruption campaign aimed at cleaning up the system of government.
Two continents and an ocean away, the people of Peru also showed their appetite for change. Peruvians have long suffered from endemic corruption at the highest levels. But then the giant Odebrecht bribery scandal, which has played out across Latin America, revealed a series of new scandals. Every former Peruvian president going back several decades is now either in prison or under investigation.
Last March, when President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski was forced to resign over bribery allegations, Peru’s ambassador to Canada, Martin Vizcarra, got word he should hurry home: As the largely powerless first vice president, he was next in the line of succession. When Vizcarra arrived on a commercial flight and took the oath of office, most Peruvians had barely heard of him. But his accidental presidency was about to take a dramatic turn.
Journalists discovered recordings of judges negotiating sentences and court appointments in exchange for favors, infuriating the public. The president found his cause, staking his presidency on uprooting corrupt practices. Peruvians stood solidly behind him. On Dec. 9, voters endorsed his plan in a nationwide referendum, overwhelmingly approving plans to change the ways judges and prosecutors are appointed, tighten campaign finance laws and ban congressional reelection.
Vizcarra is now very popular, but his path ahead is also filled with potential traps, not least the risk of disappointing a population that had grown jaded after repeated scandals.
These countries and their leaders still face dangerous obstacles ahead along the path to a durable liberal democracy. Their experiments could still fail. But the very fact that they have managed to make meaningful democratic strides against such steep odds should give encouragement to those battling the forces of damaging corruption and creeping authoritarianism in other places.
Kotebe Metropolitan University which is formerly known as Kotebe College of Teachers’ Education recently organized an event under the theme of motivating young girls and ladies to be diligent in their respective education and professions. This is quite appreciable endeavour other similar higher learning institutions should follow suit.
It has been reiterated that teaching a young girl can have equal advantage of coaching the entire community. This is well expressed by an African proverb. “Educate a boy and you educate an individual. Educate a girl and you educate a community”. Yes, it is said that if we educate a girl, she will make magnificent contributions throughout her life to change the world. Having females as teachers in schools is also tantamount to playing the role of mothers in a household. I am of the opinion that little children likely pay better attention to their lesson if they are taught by female teachers. That’s why I am saying pushing young girls to be industrious in their education can have multipronged advantages. So goes the saying, “if you educate a girl, you educate a nation.” Therefore, I should extend my sincere appreciation to Kotebe Metropolitan University for organizing this very important event with the theme of encouraging young girls on their education.
The history of education in this country testifies that Kotebe Metropolitan University has long been playing pivotal roles in producing the trained human power highly needed in the teaching and learning process. One can hardly name a local district which hasn’t got the opportunity of receiving the assignment of teacher graduates from Kotebe Teachers’ Training College now Kotebe Metropolitan University. So, the famous college, now a university, has helped the national efforts of supplying trained human power needed in the education sector.
But the surprising thing is that the defunct government harmed the reputation of this famous higher learning institute through the squint judgement it passed against the college to be governed by Addis Ababa City Administration. In a poor country where many newly built universities and colleges are acclaimed at federal level, our Ministry of Education defamed and down-graded the long serving college the country has been proud of. Because of this, many young compatriots were deprived of the opportunity of receiving better training from this famous college of teachers’ education. Following the wrong decision, many renowned and experienced instructors were forced to migrate to Addis Ababa University and other overseas higher learning institutions including locally mushrooming colleges and universities.
Former minister of education, W/ro Genet Zewdie has allegedly played the major role to downsize this well-known college. History of education recounts that this higher learning institute was first established as a high school. Many famous Ethiopians who have served the country at various senior civil service positions had their basic education from this celebrated school. Then after the high school was transformed in to Kotebe Teachers Training Institute (dubbed TTI) with the purpose of producing teachers at certificate level. The trainees were assigned up on their graduation to teach in elementary schools (from grade 1-6). Then it came to be called Kotebe Teachers Training College (widely known as TTC), giving training to young teacher candidates at the level of diploma to teach students of junior secondary schools (from grade 7-8). Next it has been changed in to Kotebe College of Teachers’ Education, which was supposed to give training to teacher candidates at both diploma and first-degree levels (BEd.-Bachelor of Education). It is this prominent higher learning institution that has deliberately been made to deteriorate during the era of Genet Zewdie.
The hilarious thing is that Genet Zewdie, who is the major character of this drama, was made to be one of the motivational speakers in the event organized by the university. How this disreputable lady who looked down on this well-known college was invited to present a motivational speech? How are the young female university students expected to regard an ill-famed woman as a role model? What we all should remember is that this is the big lady who contributed her share to lay out a detrimental education policy. This generation will never forget the measure taken against 46 professors and university instructors who were illegitimately sacked from Addis Ababa University during the era of this lady. She was head of the ministry when many young university students were rounded up, flogged and gunned down by the police. Violating students’ academic freedom, Genet Zewdie ushered the notorious federal police force in to the campus of Addis Ababa University causing the beating, crushing and butt-kicking of young students. How on earth Kotebe Metropolitan University took bold measure to invite this ill-famed lady to be a role model for the promising young girls? Why the administration wrongly made decision to pick the lady who vilified its college? What does this mean? Does the concerned body of the university need female students to be like this infamous lady? Do we all need the young girls to be cruel like Genet Zawdie? Do you need our sisters to graduate and become school teachers and principals who in the long run will fail to protect their students from the cudgels and bullets of the police? No way!
We have many famous sisters who can be taken as better role models than this notorious lady. We have been blessed with diligent ladies like Konjit Sine-Giorgis, a renowned long serving diplomat who has served her country for many years in the diplomatic arena. Yelem-Tsehai Mekonnin, the first female professor in science faculty of Addis Ababa University. Maaza Birru, a journalist who produces worth listening radio programs and the one who has given us the best radio station, Sheger 102.1. Dr. Momina Ahmed, the lady who led the first kidney transplant process at Paulos Millennium Medical College. Amsale Gualu, the first senior female captain at Ethiopian Air Lines. Dr. Eleni Gebre-Medihin, economist and the one who established ECX (Ethiopian Commodity Exchange). Maaza Kitaw, the former celebrated chief head of National Lottery. Tsehai Melaku, diligent teacher and prolific writer who used to produce amazing articles under various pseudonyms and authored books. Yetnebersh Nigussie, the marvellous lawyer and right activist for the disabled. Maaza Ashenafi, the renowned lawyer who has played roles to establish Ethiopian Women’s Lawyers Association and Enat Bank. Birtukan Midekssa, the renowned politician and magistrate who took bold measure to release from prison the former Minister of Defence, Siye Abraha…
We have all these and other meritorious female Ethiopians who have reached their respective current positions through hard work and persistence in their education. Therefore, one can never feel discomfort if s/he picks one of these genuine Ethiopians as role models to the young girls. While we have all these ladies, how Kotebe Metropolitan University made alarming decision to nominate the infamous old lady for this commendable event? Are heads of the university still feel comfort with their decision? Or do they have conscience to regret for what they did? I don’t know what shame comes up on them!
This piece is the opinion of the writer. He is available at gizaw.haile@yahoo.com
“The TPLF and (their) extremist (allies) living abroad are targeting the people of Tigray. These are people who hate and have an evil view of the Tigrean people.” Amdom Gebreselassie
Amdom Gebreselassie
Author’s Note: Below is a translation of Amdom Gebreselassie’s remarks at Mekele University and subsequent interview comments. I have translated Amdom’s remarks because his defiant expression of truth to those “chased out of power”, as he calls it, is the ultimate manifestation of courage under fire.
Amdom graduated in history from Addis Ababa University. Over the past 10 years since his Arena political party has been in existence, he has been jailed over 30 times by the TPLF regime. He has been hospitalized on a number of occasions having suffered severe beatings by TPLF goons.
Amdom is known for his extraordinary courage and as a defiant freedom fighter in Tigray. He has confronted the TPLF in public and often demanded that they stop trashing their own constitution.
It is heartbreaking that so many in Amdom’s shoes have chosen the path of silent cowardice afraid of the TPLF Beast with feet of clay.
Nelson Mandela said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Amdom Gebreselassie has conquered fear of the TPLF by repeatedly showing defiant courage under fire, under beatings and under constant political persecution.
I trust others will adopt his profile in courage and stand up to the TPLF armed with the truth.
Can the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) handle the truth?
For the past 13 years, I have prided myself as the equal opportunity “truth teller” proclaiming to the world, “I speak truth to power.”
No one in power was spared my preachments and sermons on truth.
In fact, my website sports the tag line, “Speaking Truth to Power”.
But the object of my impassioned truth-fury was the leadership of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) which I often referred to as the T-TPLF, the first “T” signifying “thugtatorship”, a word I coined especially for them in 2011.
Now “chased out of power”, the TPLF is facing another truth-teller in their own backyard.
Documented acts of terrorism by the TPLF include armed robberies, assaults, hostage taking and kidnapping of foreign nationals and journalists and local leaders, hijacking of truck convoys, extortion of business owners and merchants, nongovernmental organizations, local leaders and private citizens and intimidation of religious leaders and journalists.
The last recorded act of terrorism by the TPLF was committed on August 26, 2016.
Since 1991, the TPLF has committed untold crimes against humanity in Ethiopia. Through its massive corruption schemes, the TPLF has bankrupted Ethiopia.
For 27 years, the TPLF had its boots pressed firmly on the necks of the Ethiopian people.
When H.E. Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahmed took office on April 2, 2018, the people of Ethiopia began to breathe for the first time in 27 years.
TPLF: Calling a spade, a spade; a crook, a crook and a criminal, a criminal
Last week, I was stunned to hear Amdom Gebreselassie, the spokesperson for Arena Party in Ethiopia, preaching and teaching truth to the TPLF leadership at a Mekele University conference.
What is so stunning about Amdom’s statement is not simply that he spoke the raw truth to the TPLF. That he did, as he always has, without a doubt.
In these heady times, Amdom also put to shame so many cowardly and servile TPLF apologists who have been defending and making excuses for the TPLF’s corrupt, dictatorial and oppressive rule in Ethiopia over the past 27 years.
In his conference remarks, Amdom whipsawed the TPLF with the truth they never want to hear.
In fact, the truth he was preaching to them was so bitter, they tried to drown out his conference remarks in disruptive hooliganish applause.
In a few minutes of remarks, Amdom completely discredited the self-serving TPLF mythology of persecution.
Amdom discredited the current fashionable narrative of the TPLF and its apologists that the changes taking place in Ethiopia under the leadership of H.E. Prime Minster Dr. Abiy Ahmed amount to a systematic program of Tigrean persecution.
Amdom argued the whole TPLF spat with the federal government is an inter party power struggle within the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
Amdom said there has never been a free and fair election or democracy under TPLF rule in Tigray or anywhere else in Ethiopia.
Amdom said Tigray is the TPLF’s open-air island prison.
Amdom said the TPLF is pumping out disinformation of an impending destruction of Tigray to save itself from facing justice for its crimes and corruption over the past 27 years.
Amdom said the TPLF/EPRDF leaders are not only ignorant of their constitution, they also do not even know their organizational bylaws.
Below are my translations of Amdom Gebreselassie’s recent remarks at Mekele University and related media comments.
Alright. Thank you. My name is Amdom Gebreselassie.
I am with Arena Party.
Mekele University should be commended for organizing this conference.
On the issues Ato Bereket and others raised, I wish to take five minutes and share my views.
Does EPRDF [Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front] exist or not?
EPRDF does exist. But a distinction must be made between the old and new EPRDF.
Now, the new EPRDF has done a certain number of good things.
It has released political prisoners. It has allowed opposition parties to return to the country.
It is trying to expand the political space.
The old EPRDF [controlled by the TPLF] did not do this.
The old EPRDF jailed people. It exclusively used the political space for itself.
[Let’s note] that numerous political prisoners have been released [throughout Ethiopia].
But because of the TPLF in Tigray, political prisoners have not been released.
Nothing [in Tigray] has changed from the past. They [TPLF] are making it their playground.
Therefore, the [old] dictatorial TPLF/EPRDF is in Tigray. It has not been able to bring peace. It has numerous problems.
Concerning the fact that the new EPRDF sends confusing messages, it is true. It does. But so did the old EPRDF.
There is no difference.
For instance, the new EPRDF has said, “daylight hyenas”. The old one used to say, “terrorists” and many other similar things.
There were documentaries [about high profile criminal suspects] before [under TPLF/EPRDF]; today we have them too.
So, the new EPRDF is the same as the old one in this regard.
After the renaissance of 1993 [Ethiopian calendar], it has been said that not much work has been done.
So, we have that legacy of EPRDF.
It is the same. It is defamation of reputation.
Ato Bereket [former TPLF “communication minister”) says the current [PM Abiy] government is a failed regime.
For instance, if the election [scheduled for May 2020] is postponed, we will have a government that has no public legitimacy.
Has this country known free and fair elections? Never.
[In the past] election ballot boxes were being robbed. They even said they won the election by 100 percent.
Just like North Korea.
There has never been a free and fair election [in Ethiopia]. TPLF/EPRDF remained in power by using force.
It was not a government of any legitimacy.
[Ato Bereket] You are one of the causes of (ፅንፈኝነት ) (extremism) in Tigray.
Tigrean supremacy. Ato Sebhat [Nega] you said Tigray is [getting lion’s share] of development with Ato Sebhat, especially in Oromia and Amhara.
Tigrean youths are anguished about that. Back then, there were certain things that could be said to have been well done.
When they were disrupted, the Tigrean youth were anguished.
You are one of those who created extremism (ፅንፈኝነት).
The other thing that looks like extremism in Tigray is the assertion that TPLF and people of Tigray are the same.
When TPLF was chased out of Addis Ababa, you started agitating the people as if the people of Tigray are going to be destroyed.
As if Tigray is going to be destroyed.
As if it is the end of Tigray.
As if Tigray is surrounded by enemies.
Now peace has come from the side of Eritrea.
Minimally, there is a people to people relationship [between Eritrea and Tigray].
So, you have been exaggerating stories about the destruction of the people of Tigray.
You are spreading fear. That is not right.
Regarding respect for the constitution, over the past decades, the constitution was being trashed.
There was elections fraud.
There was political interference in the courts.
Now, the TPLF/EPRDF is not only ignorant of the constitution, it does not even know its [organizational] bylaws.
It does not know its own organizational bylaws.
There is nothing different here. The only difference is that the TPLF leadership that is in Tigray now after being chased out of power.
Just because TPLF is kicked out of federal power, it is being talked about like a new thing.
After the TPLF was chased out, it began talking about factionalism, etc.
All this noise is coming because [accountability] it is happening to them.
Over the past 27 years, there has been no democracy nor was there respect for the constitution [in Ethiopia].
[TPLF leaders] keep talking about TPLF and the people of Tigray as if they are one and the same.
How is it possible they could be the same?
The poor [Tigreans] have nothing to eat or drink.
When [TPLF leaders] are stealing billions of dollars, how can it be said the TPLF and the people of Tigray are the same?
Now, the people of Tigray are in a state of poverty, they are going into exile.
[*** At this point, TPLF cadres begin interrupting Amdom’s remarks by clapping loudly after every sentence. Amdom quickly realizes the TPLF leaders can no longer handle the truth and smiles to the audience.]
Let me finish?
[Moderator intervenes to maintain order but disruptive clapping goes on.]
Let me finish, let me finish…
TPLF cadres continue clapping loudly to drown out Amdom’s remarks.
[Moderator insists, “Let’s give him a minute or two and let him finish his statement.” TPLF cadres continue with disruptive clapping.]
Let me wrap up my thoughts.
I am under the impression that this is a Mekele University conference not a TPLF festival.
[TPLF cadres continue with disruptive clapping.]
Let me finish…
Regarding the constitution, especially Ato Zeray…
[TPLF cadres continue with disruptive clapping.]
Amdom Gebreselassie’s follow up media interviews
Amdom has given various media interviews following his remarks at the Mekele conference.
In an interview with Ghion Magazine, Amdom explains why the TPLF leaders and their goons interrupted his remarks and what he really wanted to say when he was rudely interrupted.
The conference was organized and by the TPLF kilil [regional] government and Mekele university. The conference was about current affairs [in Ethiopia] and the situation in Northeast Africa.
Three Arena Party members were invited to attend [and I was one of these who attended].
The TPLF is used to disrupting meetings. In the past, they used to send their cadres [goons]. After they were kicked out of power, they are doing the disrupting themselves.
When I got interrupted, I was in the process of talking about how the TPLF and the people of Tigray are not the same.
These people [TPLF leaders] were in enriching themselves for years while the people of Tigray were starving and going into exile.
There are people born in Tigray who cannot even live and work [in Tigray], yet these officials are heard talking about the TPLF and the people of Tigray being the same.
This is completely wrong.
It is said that EFFORT (Fund for Rehabilitation of Tigray) belongs to the people. But the people who benefit are officials of the TPLF.
When is this organization going to be returned to the people?
For how long is it going to remain the private property of these officials?
It has not been audited and the people have no idea of its profits and losses.
When is this organization going to be transferred back to public ownership?
When is accountability going to be made for improper activities [in that organization]?
This was what I wanted to present at the conference [when I was interrupted with the loud clappings].
This issue specifically points to Sebhat Nega who has been in charge of EFFORT for years.
When the issue was heading in the direction of Sebhat Nega, they quickly began their disruption.
Because [the TPLF] they do not have interest in listening to alternative ideas and wanted to talk about only their own, they are saying, “Ethiopia is disintegrating. EPRDF has disintegrated.” They say that to control the people.
Those who clapped and stopped me from speaking are mostly [TPLF] cadres.
They know me. I know them.
They may not like the ideas I expressed but they should not be able to suppress expression of my opinion.
Just like any participant at the conference, I expressed myself.
[What they did to stop me] was not something that is done by little cadres. It is not. These cadres do the (dirty work) of the TPLF.
There is suppression of Arena (party) members [by the TPLF].
All political prisoners are released throughout the country but Tigrean political prisoners are still not released.
Tigray has become an island.
She has become an isolated island of political prisoners. We can say there is no change in Tigray.
…
Some in the mainstream society following TPLF propaganda which says TPLF and Arena are together.
This has created confusion. There’s no way Arena and TPLF can be together.
Arena follows liberal democracy.
TPLF follows revolutionary democracy.
Revolutionary democracy is based on suppression of the public voice. It is the enemy of development and everything.
We (TPLF and Arena) cannot be the same.
The differences between the TPLF and the federal government is based on a struggle for power.
TPLF lost her power. She wants to get it back.
She is very afraid the same thing that happened in Somalia and Southern region will happen to her.
They (TPLF) are being jailed for corruption.
They are trying to escape accountability and avoid jail. They are making high-level effort [to escape justice].
This is a struggle for power.
The (TPLF) elected PM Abiy with 45 votes. They came here (Tigray) and began their opposition.
The corruption prosecution [of PM Abiy’s administration] has created great anxiety among TPLF leaders.
There are those who are arrested and others not arrested.
The whole thing is a result of the fear that “We are going to be arrested next.”
That’s why they are saying, “TPLF is being singled out for prosecution” in an attempt to provoke opposition [to PM Abiy’s government] among Tigreans.
…
This is an inter party power struggle between the TPLF and the others.
We are struggling to prevent unnecessary harm from happening to others.
We do not want the TPLF and the federal government to get involved in war with each other.
We want to prevent civil war and things that undermine peace in our country.
We are working to stabilize things and get the two sides to enter into negotiations so they can solve their problems amongst themselves and not put it on the people.
[Regarding demonstrations in Tigray], there are those who say the demonstrations are popularly initiated. They [have the demonstrations] to prove the TPLF and the people of Tigray are the same.
They [TPLF] is trying to use the people.
It is the TPLF that called the demonstrations whether by calling out people from their homes, their own members or using the media and other different ways.
It is the TPLF that coordinated the demonstrations.
It has done it as a kilil government and as an organization.
The TPLF and extremist living abroad are targeting the people of Tigray.
These are people who hate and have an evil view of the Tigrean people.
It is the TPLF and others who say the demonstrations are popular and not coordinated by the TPLF. They are the ones who are pushing this idea.
Amdom Gebreselassie’s follow up interview with MerejaTV
The conference was organized to discuss current issues in Ethiopian politics.
Among the presenters were Bereket Simon and two professors from Mekele University.
Many ideas were raised at the conference. I shared my ideas too.
Getachew Reda, Asmelash Woldeselassie and others were creating disturbances. They organized those who were heckling me and preventing me from finishing my thoughts.
What I learned was that TPLF is an organization that will never change.
TPLF leaders will never get over their dictatorial style until the end of their days. That is what I learned.
We used to dismiss such heckling as the work of minor cadres but not so; the top leadership does it too.
I don’t know how they expect others to respect their constitution which they themselves never respected.
Regarding the Mekele Conference, there has never been such an event but it does not do much if they don’t invite capable people and allow cadres disrupt.
We should all learn from Amdom
Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer, said “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”
Amdom Gebreselassie thinks for himself and aloud.
Amdom showed true courage at the Mekele University conference when he calmly told TPLF leaders to their faces that they are thieves and crooks who will not bat an eye to sacrifice the people of Tigray for their personal gain and interest.
For years, I have been saying the same thing in my weekly commentaries.
In August 2016, I wrote, “Of course, the T-TPLF represents no one but its corrupt leaders and their cronies and supporters. It has no moral or political legitimacy to claim representation of any other group in Ethiopia.”
“Only cowards hide behind silence”, said Paul Coelho.
The apologist and defenders of the TPLF at least speak up to humanize a monster.
It is the majority of those who watch the crimes and corruption of the TPLF silently in the shadows who should be ashamed of themselves.
When a courageous individual like Amdom stands up and speaks the truth about the TPLF, he casts a bright light on those hiding silently in the shadows.
The silent majority can run and hide in the shadows but they cannot escape the truth and the light.
Paulo Freire said, “Washing ones hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.”
Those who continue to practice cowardice and silence in the face of TPLF oppression of Tigray are not neutral.
I am sure there are thousands of young people in Tigray who feel and think like Amdom.
But they have yet to muster the courage to speak up and tell the truth about the TPLF in public.
My personal view is that the young people of Tigray are torn between the daily drumbeat of hate generated by the TPLF and their dreams of an inclusive, ethnic-neutral, just and fair Ethiopia.
I stand with the young people of Tigray today in their critical hour of need just as I have stood with all young people (Cheetahs) in Ethiopia over the past 13 years.
The young people of Tigray have so much to lose under TPLF rule.
The young people of Tigray have so much to gain by locking arms with their Ethiopian brothers and sisters and fighting for a better collective future.
All young people in Ethiopia have their work cut out for them.
They must work together to knock down the walls of ethnic hate and religious division and build the New Ethiopia on a solid foundation of the rule of law, equality and justice for all.
My reminder to all Ethiopians who have seen Amdom speak is, “Behold how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.”
For 13 years I have cursed the darkness of the TPLF that fell upon Ethiopia. I am happy to see today the flicker of candle light in a young man that can guide Tigrean youth generation to a safe, secure and prosperous future.
I will offer one of my endless prophesies to the TPLF.
Soon young people like Amdom will rise and surge throughout Tigray. Just like the young people in Oromia, Amhara and other regions.
My simple question to the TPLF bad boys: “Bad boys, bad boys, what you gonna do when Tigrean youth come for you?”
Regardless, so long as there are truth tellers like Amdom Gebreselassie, the TPLF’s (the LF stands for Lie Factory) destiny shall be the trash heap of history.
“That one man, scorned and covered with scars/ Still strove, with his last ounce of courage to make a difference.”
My respect and admiration for Amdom Gebreselassie!
About Al Mariam
Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam teaches political science at California State University, San Bernardino. His teaching areas include American constitutional law, civil rights law, judicial process, American and California state governments, and African politics. He has published two volumes on American constitutional law, including American Constitutional Law: Structures and Process (1994) and American Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights (1998). He is the Senior Editor of the International Journal of Ethiopian Studies, a leading scholarly journal on Ethiopia. For the last several years, Prof. Mariam has written weekly web commentaries on Ethiopian human rights and African issues that are widely read online. He blogged on the Huffington post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alemayehu-g-mariam/ and later on open.salon until that blogsite shut down in March 2015.
Prof. Mariam played a central advocacy role in the passage of H.R. 2003 (Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007) in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007. Prof. Mariam also practices in the areas of criminal defense and civil litigation. In 1998, he argued a major case in the California Supreme Court involving the right against self-incrimination in People v. Peevy, 17 Cal. 4th 1184, cert. denied, 525 U.S. 1042 (1998) which helped clarify longstanding Miranda rights issues in California criminal procedure. For several years, Prof. Mariam had a weekly public channel public affairs television show in Southern California called “In the Public Interest”. Prof. Mariam received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1984, and his J.D. from the University of Maryland in 1988.
Once again life is giving our old country another chance. The stark choice in front of us is whether going back to what that has not worked before and giving it another try or learning from the past, observing how others in our situation dealt with the challenges currently facing us and managed to build a harmonious society. When you think about it, it is not rocket science. Others have done the heavy lifting for us. I fail to see the the amount of resistance some folks bring to the table on the mistaken belief that they could reinvent the wheel.
Our twenty seven years experiment of building a prosperous place based on the foundations of ethnicity and command economy has come to a crashing halt. Our Airbag (Team Lemma) was deployed to avoid total catastrophe. When some say ‘God is watching over Ethiopia’, they know what they are talking about. So today the discussion is how to get up, shake off the dust and chart a new road.
The folks that were driving the bus before the accident are insisting they could fine-tune their manual and take the wheel one more time. They are telling us that actually it was not them alone that was navigating before the accident and they can not take the blame by themselves. They forgot blaming others is not substitute for accepting responsibility. The fact that they wrote the manual and their assistants were following it with due diligence is glossed over. The lies about the double digit economic growth, the tall tales regarding the creation of inter ethnic harmony and cooperation that was shouted from the top of every mountain in a relentless manner that is now falling flat is not mentioned at all.
Woyane TPLF is the high priest of the wrecker cult. They specialize in destruction in all its forms. Watching what is unfolding about their gangster behavior has proven us right. Their eyes light up when they come face to face with negativity, dissent and conflict. Like Dracula needs blood to survive, Woyane welcomes chaos and impending doom to get motivation to rise up for the occasion. That is the reason their current enclave of Tigrai kilil has become a hotbed of activity. They do not want the people of Tigrai to catch their breath and stop and think. To Ethiopian leaders whoever, a thinking population is not something to cultivate. Our humiliated warlords are nothing but the current victims of Ethiopians waking up and moving to the next stage of their natural development. We have sidelined two and this is our third and last attempt.
It is after watching Chairman Dawud Ibsa’s press conference that I got confused about the choice in front of me. He was sitting in Addis Ababa and spoke of two armies and echoed winds of war and conflict. Calmly he threw a wrench in the progress we have made since getting rid of the virus Woyane. Why Comrade Dawd, why do you rain on our parade? Anyway he said there were intense battles in Western Oromia etc. etc. I have no reason to doubt him. But I have every reason to question his wisdom.
As the leader of one of the oldest assembly of freedom fighters (OLF) that stood up against injustice half a century ago, in my opinion he did not live up to the vision of the founders. He choose a short term gain instead of a long term benefit and that is placing one’s need ahead of the group welfare. It is a big mistake from a seasoned leader. Chairman Dawud Ibsa has given his life to the cause. He has been a member of OLF since his University days in Addis. He took his protest to a higher level and led his troops in all manner from military to diplomacy as necessary. He has been imprisoned and abused by the military regime. He has paid a price for his beliefs. He is not a newcomer to the struggle. Disparaging him is not appropriate or called for under the circumstances.
His press conference was difficult to assess. The only winners were the group he was fighting against. They are the ones that are echoing his press conference to show how Ethiopia is unstable because they are not in charge. That is what is perplexing. Chairman Dawd needs to evolve and adjust to the ways friends and partners are made in a time of peace and progress. There is no question he has many supporters and followers and all we ask him is to shepherd them for a winning cause that will improve real live to the village level. May I remind the Honorable leader that we have tried the ethnic path and it is a dead end.
All is not lost in Ethiopia. PM Abiy is riding the wave he created nine months ago and his chances of survival has increased considerably. His no nonsense attitude coupled with his sunny disposition are doing wonders to our country and people. We wish him long life and fortune. He is a maker in our book. What’s more, can anyone find me any clothing Dr. Abiy does not look good in? The Nehru jacket is my favorite.
Well he is not alone shining bright in good old Ethiopia. My leader, brother, Professor Berhanu Nega is adding value to our old way of life. He is teaching us the meaning of dedication to a cause and the ability to connect to people and move them to stand for freedom and dignity. It sounds simple doesn’t it. That’s what leaders do to us. They make us believe in ourselves and we do the rest since it was always within us to soar high when compelled to. Dr. Berhanu has done it all. A student activist, a freedom fighter, slayer of Woyane in a faceoff of election and the only legitimately elected Lord Mayor of Addis Abeba, founder of a successful opposition movement to Woyane, a university professor, an author are but a few of the accomplishments associated with him. How much do Ethiopian look up to our leader is a good question. I direct you to observe the pandamonium created in every major city to welcome him and his group upon their triumphant return to their motherland. He is back home doing what he does best, teaching by example.
Surrounded by the best and brightest like Andargachew, Ephrem, Aziz and many more his group is doing all they could to calm nerves and lower the temperature. He is focused on the task in front which is to build a good foundation for what lies ahead. It is party building time in Ethiopia and Woyane is not around to create clones, undermine leaders and make a farce of the process. Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 is one of the few that are ready to do the job without government subsidy, foreign umbrella and local Woyane collaborators. Ethiopia for Ethiopians by Ethiopians is the rallying cry. They are not running around the country to start fresh from scratch. That phase of the work has been anticipated a while back and today it is a matter of bringing them out from the shadows. There is nothing satisfactory other than seeing the young that have survived Woyane madness today taking their rightful place as future trustees of our beautiful land and people.
Dr. Berhanu and his comrades have not wavered from the principle of always upholding one nation under one flag that has been the bedrock of our existence. It has served us for hundreds of years and there is no reason trying to fix what is not broken. Just because we had a few maladjusted individuals that tried to tinker with the proven formula one have to be careful not to react negatively when it is tried again. We are aware that it is not a winning strategy to revive it back to life. Some of us have no problem letting them try. It is their right, they deserve to be heard. But for most Ethiopians it is not their cup of coffee. Let them learn by experience the foolishness of their labor. We have better things to do other than shadow boxing with yesterday’s ghost. What I know for sure is Dr. Abiy is going to have a heck of a challenge. Dr. Berhanu is an experienced, smart and formidable opponent. I believe this is a good thing to happen to our country. We are tired of fake elections and hundred percent victory. Dr. Berhanu and friends are in the forefront of the march of the makers.
We also have produced makers of a new kind. They are gracing our country with knowledge, expertise and the spirit of giving back without asking anything in return. They are the folks of Vision Ethiopia an organization dedicated to explaining how things work. They are Ethiopians of the highest caliber that have proven their worth by rising to the top in the field of their expertise in centers of higher learning in the west. Vision Ethiopia is organizing a conference in liberated Ethiopia. This is the seventh conference tackling the different issues that have been faced by our country. The idea is to invite experts in their field and give decision makers tools on smart solutions and the citizen a chance to have perspective to separate the wheat from the chaff.
The Addis Abeba conference to be held December 27 and 28 is an attempt to shine light on such burning questions as ‘Governance and institution building, legal and constitutional reform, Post conflict and Democracy building, the role of women, the state of the economy and the future, the role of the Diaspora in education and social media and software development among others will enjoy a healthy and empowering exchange of ideas. Conferences like this are harbinger of things to come now we have liberated our country from the jaws of doom and gloom Woyane. The conference have the blessings of PM Abiy and his team ushering the new era of respecting experts and knowledge based on science instead of voodoo, sorcery and personal feelings. The conference hopefully will attract the Ethiopian free media and show our people how civilized, informational and interesting knowledge can be. Vision Ethiopia is leading the festival of the makers. This is the best holiday season for Ethiopians every where. We are free.
No other era in Ethiopian history has witnessed the atrocity that matches that of TPLF in the last 27 years. By all accounts, it should surpass by miles the devastation caused by the Italian invasion of the country that witnessed the use of mustard gas from the sky. If one has to pick comparable periods in modern times with what happened in Ethiopia in the last 27 years, definitely the Killing Fields of Cambodia, the Nazi Concentration Camps at Dachau and Auschwitz, and the Rwandan Massacres would come to one’s mind. In quantitative terms, TPLF’s crimes against its own people might not be comparable with what happened in the Nazi Concentration Camps and the Killing Fields of Cambodia, but qualitatively, they are no less horrendous and appalling. The fact that TPLF’s raw barbarism happened in this day and age is all the more alarming. Rest assured, what we saw in “Yefitih Siqoqa” is nothing compared to what will be unfolding as we move on.
Hacking the legs of a young man several times and pulling his closing wounds with pincers, running a pen or pencil through detainees’ nostrils, gang-rapping women inmates and leaving them with fatherless children, unplugging glucose from very sick inmates, and shipping them back to prison in their helpless states, hanging inmates upside down for months and bringing them down only for meals and bathrooms, sodomizing young men, and refusing proper treatment and administering harmful medications on purpose, etc. are crimes committed by people we call our own. The question is are we really theirs? Do they share our sense of belongingness to them, the same culture, same land and history? Haven’t they already disowned us and proven it over the last 27 years? Ethiopia is crying for explanation.
I am sure Stephen King and other famous horror story writers would have a field day for their next book if they get their hands on the compilation of the torture stories of our people in the last 27 years. Hollywood producers would pay the asking price to buy the scripts related to the torture chambers of Ma-ikelawi, Kilnto, Zuwai, TPLF’s underground prisons, and the private prisons scattered throughout the country. Whatever our views of our history of the last several centuries, there is nothing we can be proud of in the last 50 years, but a lot more to be ashamed of in the last 27 years of TPLF dictatorship. We used to hear of such horrendous crimes being committed elsewhere in other lands: Somalia (Al-Shabaab), Afghanistan (Taliban), Bosnia, Rwanda, etc. We used to think of ourselves as peerless, stoic, untarnished and proud. Thanks to TPLF, all that is in the past. TPLF has decimated our very unique and distinguishing identifiers, and images of ourselves as Ethiopians. Why? Ethiopia is crying for answers!
TPLF and its army of cadres might be responsible for the catastrophic 27 years: the egregious human rights violations, the absence of rule of law, and the killing fields from Moyale to Samara and from Woldia to Gambela; however, we all are condemned to own it as part of our history. Whether we like it or not, it is going to be our shared legacy to future generations despite the fact that each and every torture, murder, rape, land grabbing and plundering was single handedly carried out by TPLF and its henchmen. Regardless of how hard we will try to explain to the future generations why these heinous crimes were committed under our watch, our time will stand out as the bloodiest and the most horrifying of all. It will stand out as the most perplexing mainly due to the senseless and apocalyptic ethnic card TPLF used to sow discord among the people, and impose itself over the rest, in a country shared by over 80 ethnic groups. Whichever way we take a look at it, and slice it and dice it, TPLF is nothing but a very deadly plague of our time.
If we try to explain away the tragedy that Ethiopians suffered under TPLF in terms of only its leaders’ greediness, parochialism, and a sense of alleged marginalization, we could not be more wrong. Historians, Sociologists, Politicians, Economists, Religious Leaders, Freudian Psychoanalysts and scholars in other disciplines owe it to their country to converge their thoughts to come up with a credible explanation why TPLF leaders, their army of cadres, and the pseudo elites that gave them cover all this time were hell-bent on destroying Ethiopia as a country, its people and the peaceful coexistence that they cherished for so long. The scholars have to dig deep into the psychological make-up of the TPLF leaders and their cohorts to find out why they have been so mentally detached, numbed and remorseless to the sufferings they caused, the blood they spilled, and the lives they destroyed. The scholars have to solve the riddle for the present as well as future generations. They have to figure out a way how to narrate in our history books about the mother who was forced at gunpoint to sit on the corpse of her slain son and cry for her loss; about the young pregnant mother who was summarily executed only because she stood her ground not to be raped; the young man in Bahir Dar who was thrown out from a second floor and ran over by a truck on purpose; and the infant who was shot dead on the back of his mother, etc. The scholars should prove that it was TPLF’s inherent wickedness that hurt us more than the dogma of Revolutionary Democracy and Developmental State it embraced. No doubt, our history of the last 27 years is going to read like a horror story unlike any other, and a lot scarier and more chilling than “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday The 13th” combined. There is something ghastly sickening about TPLF and Ethiopia is crying for answers!
TPLF’s clinging to power by any means necessary – maiming, killing, harassing, intimidating, stealing ballots and jailing real and perceived opponents under the most horrible conditions were meant to assure the continuity of its dictatorship to rape the country at will. However, scholars have to look into low self-esteem as one of the prime suspects and propelling forces for the devastation TPLF committed and must be exhaustively explored from various angles. Manically controlling and dominating everything: the economy, the politics, the state security apparatus, the Federal Police, the Special Forces and the Defense, should be analyzed to prove that TPLF as a group was suffering from inferiority complex and paranoia. Here the idea is not to give excuses for what TPLF has done, but to prove its leaders were never mentally fit to run a nation and that they are a bunch of ruthless, ignoramus and unscrupulous freaks with no moral compass whose only goal was to destroy the country.
Not to mean others were denied the opportunity, even torture was an exclusive domain of TPLF like everything else. The myriad stories of torture that are coming out, and the gruesome ways TPLF carried it out defy imagination. Victims are saying insults hurled at them by their torturers are more lethal, scarring, and more lasting than the physical ones. Ma-ikelawi, Kality, Klinto and the other prisons were hell on earth, to say the least, and TPLF – “Hell’s Gatekeeper”. The scale and frequency of the tortures are indicative that TPLF torturers were not only enjoying their job, but also addicted to it. Now, all that is taken away from them, they must be suffering from withdrawal, just like a drug junky, since they are denied their daily fix holed up in Mekele. Is there any other humanly possible explanation to pulling, and bleeding with a pincer the healing wounds of a young man other than getting a kick out of it? To think that TPLF might also have been using torture as a ritual to initiate new members before inducting them into its most privileged inner circle should not be farfetched. Otherwise, how else can we explain why some TPLF officials were moonlighting as torturers by night? Ethiopia is crying for answers!
Thanks to the heroic sacrifices of Kero, Fano, Zerma, the Ethiopian Muslims Peaceful Movement, the once exiled Ethiopian Orthodox Church, other religious denominations, the unrelenting efforts of Diaspora and big media names such as ESAT and OMN, the online media, bloggers, and the activism in social media in general, the political landscape in Ethiopia is cleared off the bigoted TPLF whose end is in sight. Under the popular Dr. Abiy Ahmed administration, the maniacs of TPLF are being hunted down one at a time. Only when the sword of justice is allowed to fall on the remorseless TPLF aka “Hell’s Gatekeeper” to the full extent of the law, that Ethiopia’s deep wounds would start healing, the rifts closing. Then, we would be able to say those who sacrificed themselves didn’t die in vain. May be after justice is served, Ethiopia’s quest for answers may not linger anymore.
As any genuinely concerned ordinary Ethiopian, I try to go through any written or verbal political ideas and views brought forward by individuals and groups, and of course by politicians and leaders of the ruling front and government.
I do sincerely, not surprisingly try to make sense out of some political behaviors and actions which intentionally or otherwise are terribly messy or ugly as far as the very critical political juncture of our country is concerned. I do feel very sad, not hopeless when I come across political attitudes and behaviors that aimed at those compatriots who with all their weakness (sometimes making big mistakes) have done their best and keep doing so instead of targeting the very messy or extremely treacherous political behavior and action of EPRDF and those of its members who are trying to stifle peoples’ fight for freedom and justice.
I am not saying those politicians of opposition politics do not deserve criticism and also challenging ideas and views. What I am saying is not to do it in a rational and constructive manner is not just stupid way of doing politics but also very counter-productive to the efforts being made in order to make our dream of truly democratic Ethiopia a reality.
I carefully, not surprisingly read an article (comment) by Getachew Shiferaw on Satenaw Web Site, Amharic page. I sincerely respect his right to express his ideas and views the way he perceives and understands the politics of our country.
I equally believe that I have to express my ideas and views on his article the way I perceived and understood it. I want to leave the question of how our exchanges of ideas and views make sense to not only rationally critical readers but also to all fellow Ethiopians who are genuinely and seriously concerned about the way we deal with politics at this very critical movement .
Here is my case in point which is aimed at the very undesirable political attitudes and behaviors in our country, not at the very personal character and behavior of Getachew or any other compatriot for that matter.
It is not clear why this kind of dirty and stupid campaign is being launched by some Ethiopians such as the writer of this highly conspiratorial article. I am neither a member nor an uncritical supporter of this or that party or group. I am with the side of any party or group that make necessary efforts for the prevalence of truly democratic Ethiopia that should be a home of peace and prosperity to all of her citizens.
Though Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 can have its own weaknesses and difficulties as any political movement that operates in still back ward and extremely difficult political culture of ours, it is one of the political entities which are trying their best as far as our aspirations and efforts to make a difference is concerned.
It is not really clear why some compatriots consistently try to blackmail and undermine the efforts being made by members of the movement.
I understand those guys who named their “political parties” after this or that ethnic group are so allergic to the political movements which make their agendas, principles, and practices in line with the politics of citizenship within a democratic Ethiopia.
To my understanding, those badly parochial (yemender) groupings are driven by a bunch of people or individuals who have stupidly chosen a political game that may enable them to become big but ugly fishes in a small pool ( big but foolish kings/queens in their own villages or so called kilil).
They know very well that this kind of ugly political game is much more sensational or emotional and very easily manipulative to their very voracious and idiotic ambition and satisfaction.
They are very crazy about being parts of an election that is not well-thought, well-designed, well-stabilized, well-coordinated, well- organized, and well- operated, free and fair in a real sense of creating a democratic Ethiopia. This is because they know very well that it is through this kind chaotic and highly vulnerable to emotional appeal political environment that they could be able to win some seats (“thrones of their majesties”) right from the very bottom (kebele) to the very top ( the three branches of government) and “enjoy” their wildly voracious and stupidly aspired political ambitions.
Two or three days ago I watched a round – table discussion at which Ato Andargachew was one of the participants. I sadly, not surprisingly listened to a guy who represented the so-called Amhara National Movement reaffirming that his movement is ready to take part in an election that he expects to take place without considering any delay or extension. Imagine, this guys of parochial (yemender) politics either do not know the very toxic and extremely difficult political situation of their own country, or their movement which is a collection of a bunch of either infantile or disingenuous politicians does not care about anything else but help them play the politics of parochialism and ethnic DNA and become big but sick fishes in a small pool or big but badly foolish kings/queens in their own villages.
Look at very carefully the very “advice” of Getachew. His ‘great advice ‘ is get Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 split or break up into functions , nullify or ignore the attempt to bring a couple of political entities together (AG7, Semayawi, and …) and join the parochial or ethno-centric political entities which continue mushrooming ( breading and multiplying) but ending up being good for nothing .
Is this really an advice from an honest and truly concerned political personality? I hate to say but I have to say that it is not at all! An honest and truly concerned political personality never suggests let alone advises the politics of break up and join a much worse politics of parochialism and horribly ethno-centrism.
It is ridiculously a stupid political mentality to launch a very nonsensical but damaging political campaign against those Ethiopians who have been trying to do the best they could for years and still are trying to do so as far as the efforts to bring about a truly democratic system is concerned.
How this type of political stupidity if not idiocy can be explained otherwise? To my understanding, there is no any other rational and plausible explanation to this kind of very infantile and badly thought political mentality and behavior.
How this kind of political mentality and behavior can make sense at this very critical political juncture in our country?
How can we afford to launch this kind of terribly undesirable and terribly disturbing political campaign against those Ethiopians who with all their weaknesses are trying to do something helpful to the ongoing struggle for freedom and justice whereas we try to rationally deal with the political behavior and action of EPRDF as a system? It absolutely does not make sense!
It is quite right and valuable to extend strong and straight –forward criticism or any idea that helps us move forward by taking timely and effective efforts of making what went wrong right and make progress accordingly.
But engaging in a very irrational, emotional, disingenuous, unproductive and destructive political bevaoiur and mentality is absolutely not only ugly but terribly damaging. Yes, it is damaging not only to the political party or group we may try to make our target but to the very effort being made in order to make the dream for the prevalence of true democratic system a reality in our country.
Is it not great to behave and act in such a way that We All Together (as Citizens) should make a truly concerted effort of making our country truly democratic, peaceful and prosperous instead of sliding back to the very horrible quagmire we have gone through a quarter of a century? I absolutely argue and believe we should! And I am optimistic we would be willing and able to do so!!!
As a former celibate priest or monk, I had the privilege of serving both Abune Tewophilos and Emperor Haile Selassie I, and I would like to share my indelible memories about these two giant Ethiopians.
Abune Tewophilos:
It has been nearly forty years since His Holiness Patriarch Tewophilos was murdered by the Ethiopian military/communist government in 1979. This barbaric act by the Ethiopian government against His Holiness was performed with the blessing of some members of the Orthodox Church clergy. Although many years have passed since His Holiness was strangled to death, for me it feels as though it happened just few days ago. I am still going through a profound sadness, an overwhelming sorrow and outrage about the fact that he was murdered in such an inhumane manner. No one had to die with such savagery. The Church, instead of preaching the gospel of love, mercy and forgiveness, became a collaborator to the military regime’s brutality. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was left with an immeasurable loss of a wise leader. Those who came after him did not measure up to his intellectual caliber or vision.
Abune Tewophilos was a visionary leader who was ahead of his time. He was a beacon of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. He had taken several progressive steps to bring the Church forward into the 20th century, making it more relevant to the new generation of the Orthodox Church’s faithful. He put some basic reforms in place.
His Holiness was acutely aware that the Church had had a longstanding shortage of priests and deacons. In many regions, churches did not have the required priests and deacons in order to conduct communion. Sunday services were not held on a regular basis. According to the Church’s tradition, two priests and three deacons were required for service. He suggested some relaxations in the old customs and traditions. He advocated that communion service could be conducted with just one priest and one deacon. He consulted his idea with His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie and Patriarch Baslios, and they were in agreement with him.
His Grace also put in place some basic educational requirements for ordination into the priesthood. Deacons were also required to go through a similar regimen. In addition, he set up primary and high religious schools. He encouraged other bishops to establish similar programs in their jurisdictions. He modernized some existing theological schools to include courses such as biological sciences, mathematics, languages and geography alongside theological teachings in their curricula. The theological school he found in the city of Harer (ራስ መኮንን መንፈሳዊ ትምህርት ቤት）was a case in point. The school was specially designed to educate clerical students with an emphasis on modern subjects. The majority of students enrolled were already well-educated in clerical education. They had training in a wide range of theological studies in the tradition of the Church. In other words, they were the cream of the crop. Specifically, many were teachers, poets, or philosophers. They were also well versed in geez translation.
Among many other of Abune Tewophilos accomplishments was the translation of several liturgical and daily prayer books from Geez to Amharic. His critics, of course, did not like that and saw it as less sacred and even blasphemous when, in fact, it was designed to facilitate the reading of spiritual books. Equally significant was that the translation of books from Geez to Amharic brought on greater congregational participation.
In addition, His Grace established and expanded Sunday school programs, previously nonexistent. Sunday school programs have remained a vital component of the Church to this day.
Furthermore, His Grace allowed and encouraged women to have active role in the life of the Orthodox Church. This was considered a milestone as women were able to play a vital, complimentary, roles on a variety activities, including serving as church choirs.
For the first time, His Grace put forward new initiatives for greater exposure of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Consequently, the Church was able to gain membership and closer relationship with other sister Eastern Orthodox Churches. The Church also gained an ecumenical membership with the World Council of Churches. Through His Holiness’ outreach initiatives, the Church received some developmental assistances. Many foreign Churches offered the Ethiopian clergy to attend their seminaries on scholarship. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, under the leadership of Abune Tewophilos, was able to send a number of students abroad for advance theological studies. For instance, the late Patriarch Abune Paulos had often attributed his educational advancement and leadership development to the support of Abune Tewophilos.
Abune Tewophilos’ vision and deeds, on the other hand, seemed to have created some strong opposition from a group of fanatic clergy within the Church. He came face to face with some old timers who got in his way by putting up some stumbling blocks. They became engaged in spreading false propaganda among church followers. They accused him of shaping the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to look like the Catholic or Protestant Churches. They also questioned his faithful guardianship of the Church. This group of the clergy alleged that the Patriarch squandered some money from the Church’s treasury and that he ordained bishops without the permission of the synod.
The underlying reason for this group of clergy for objecting His Holiness as the leader of the Church had, however, to do with their petty regionalism. They did not like the fact that he was a native of the Gojjam province. In their narrow-minded view, he was not entitled to be elevated to the office of the patriarchate of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. For instance, some members of the clergy from the Shewa province had thought that the patriarchate belonged to them. Their false claim seemed to be based on the premise that the first Patriarch, Abune Baslios, was born in Shewa. Since the monarchy’s seat was in Addis Ababa (Shewa), the argument went, the patriarch had to be from Shewa. It was said that upon hearing this, His Majesty rebuked this group of the clergy and did not consider its claim to be worthy of his support. Perhaps this group might have been misinformed by the old tradition of the Church of Rome, which for over 500 years elevated exclusively Italians into the papacy.
There were also some members of the clergy from the Gonder province who entertained a similar notion. They are believed to have entertained the idea that the seat of the Ethiopian monarchy should be returned to Gonder, as was the case between the seventeen and nineteen centuries. By extension, they tried to make the case that the seat of the patriarchate should be in Gonder. Their movement and aspiration were led by Like-Siltanat Habte Mariam Workneh (now Abune Melketsadik), an individual with a highly inflated ego. This too was another poorly conceived idea, which never got off the ground. It was an exercise in futility.
Indeed, Like-Siltanat Habte Mariam Workneh’s animus with Abune Tewophilos had started even before the latter became a Patriarch. It is said that after Like-Siltanat Habte Mariam became the dean or Like-Siltanat of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, he had wanted to evict His Grace Abune Tewophilos from his residence in that church. The Emperor had given the residence to the latter upon becoming the first Like-Siltanat of the Cathedral. Abune Tewophilos continued to reside in that residence even after he became the bishop of Harergie province. Abune Tewophilos needed to spend time in Addis Ababa as His Majesty had also appointed him to lead the Church’s head office as a deputy to Patriarch Baslios. The latter had been in poor health. Like-Siltanat Habte Mariam appealed to his majesty to get Abune Tewophilos’ residence but was advised by the Palace to move into another house located in a close proximity to the Cathedral. He was very disappointed that the Emperor ruled against him and became more furious at Abune Tewophilos. It is said that he turned his fury against Abune Tewophilos and began a campaign of disinformation. He defiled and defamed Abune Tewophilos’ name whenever he got a chance.
It is believed that Like-Siltanat Habte Mariam’s followers and friends, including 15 bishops, led a rebellion against Abune Tewophilos. They insisted that the new military government should remove him from his position and that was what exactly happened. Within a short of time, not only was the Patriarch removed from his office, but he also went to prison for three years and was murdered in 1979. He was strangled to death and his dumped body was not even recovered until years later. He was a victim of a disoriented clergy and a ruthless regime.
Emperor Haile Selassie I:
His Majesty was not just a devoted follower of the Orthodox Christianity Church. He was also very engaged in advising and, at times directing, the Church’s leaders on how to run it affairs. He appropriated funds for building hundreds of modern churches around the country. The Emperor, with the help of Abune Tewophilos and others, was also instrumental in making the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to become independent from the Coptic Church in Alexandria, Egypt.
Emperor Haile Selassie was a very important supporter and ally of Abune Tewophilos. The Emperor, as the Ecclesiastical Head of the Orthodox Christianity Church, was intimately aware of Abune Tewophilos’ work and very much appreciated his prudent leadership. The Emperor’s appreciation of Abune Tewophilos went way back to when he selected him as the first dean or Like-Siltanat for the newly completed first National Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Addis Ababa. He was known as Like-Siltanat Meliktu at the time. The Cathedral Church was the center for major national events. For instance, annual national war victory celebrations began with prayer services at the Cathedral. It was built with a special design to serve as the final resting place for His Majesty and his royal family members. Many Ethiopian war heroes are also buried in the compound. His Majesty had an enormous respect for Abune Tewophilos and encouraged him to proceed with his reforms that were underway.
In 1947, His Majesty selected Abune Tewophilos and four others to be the last bishops to be ordained by the Church of Alexandria. Not too long after he was ordained as a bishop, Abune Tewophilos was appointed as the bishop of Harergie by Patriarch Baslios and the Emperor. The bishop of Harergie, as the birth place of His Majesty, was considered a very important assignment. Additionally, the Emperor designated Abune Tewophilos to be the deputy to Patriarch Baslios, who was much older and was in poor health. He served in that capacity until he was elected as the second Patriarch of the Orthodox Church in 1971. Contrary to the displeasure of his small-minded critics who claimed that he was, indirectly, handpicked by the Emperor, Patriarch Tewophilos was elected by an overwhelming majority of the clerical congregation. His consecration was celebrated with huge fanfare. Several patriarchs from Eastern Orthodox Churches around the world as well as many more from other Christian denominations were in attendance.
In the early 1950s, the Emperor invited some Western missionary churches to come to Ethiopia in order to help the spread of Christianity to the south and southwestern parts of the country, such as Sidamo, Arusi, and Welega. He instructed them to preach the Gospel to those Ethiopians who were not the followers of the Orthodox Church at the time. Some of the leaders of the Orthodox Church were, however, very unhappy and privately expressed their displeasure at the Emperor for bringing missionaries of other Christian denominations into the country. To the opposition, Ethiopia was supposed to be an Island of Orthodox Christianity. However, the Emperor was not impressed by their argument. One of the core objectives of the missionaries was building elementary and high schools. In addition, they built several clinics and hospitals. Their academic and health institutions were topnotch and more advanced. Consequently, many wealthy Ethiopians sent their children to missionary schools. The Emperor even allowed them to build a major broadcasting center in Addis Ababa (የብስራተ ወንጌል ሬዲዮ ድምጽ) that can reach many eastern African countries. Missionary churches were no longer considered as the enemy of the Ethiopia Orthodox Church. In fact, the Orthodox Church came around to accept them as partners. As a result, the Orthodox Church benefited in a verity of ways, including receiving scholarships for its clergy to attend theological seminaries abroad.
Sometime in the early 1960s, His Majesty learned that some eastern Caribbean leaders would be very much interested for the establishment of Ethiopian Orthodox churches in their countries. He was told that the islanders would accept Ethiopian priests in open arms, as they were resenting the services of their former colonial churches. Some Caribbean leaders even promised to give free land to build the first few Ethiopian churches. The Emperor immediately ordered the Orthodox Church’s leaders to dispatch a few priests to the islands. The Church’s leaders agreed to follow through with His Majesty’s order. However, they did not seem to assess the long-term prospect of the new churches in the Caribbean. Specifically, no serious foundational work was put into the kind of resources that the new mission churches would need. Nor did they (unlike their medieval-period counterparts who were very influential in the spread of Orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia) have discernible ideas or experience about running such mission churches. However, they were able to allocate small salaries for two priests and a deacon for every church and that was how the branches of the Orthodox Church in the Caribbean were established. In the ensuing years, however, no adequate support was provided from Addis Ababa. Nor did the Church’s leaders pay frequent visits to the Caribbean.
The Emperor, though small in his physical stature, possessed a special mystic and was considered by many as having a Solomonic wisdom. The Church’s leaders saw him as possessing divine authority. His Majesty’s coronation was considered as Godly ordained similar to those of David’s and Solomon’s of the Old Testament. Church leaders preached to the faithful not to question His Majesty’s authority. His name was praised in daily prayers. He was feared, and at the same time his subjects respected his authority without reservation. No one, until later years, suggested that he ruled as an autocrat. His strict governing style was accepted. He was seen to be moving the country into a civil society. Of course, those assumptions were challenged as time went by. An attempt was made to overthrow the Emperor by Brigadier General Mengistu Neway and his brother, Germamie Neway, in 1960. Twelve years later, the Emperor’s downfall came. His accomplishments to his country were instantly wiped out. Rather than demanding evolutionary or gradual reforms, people called revolutionary or radical changes. About 60 senior government officials were executed in 1974 and the Emperor himself was killed a year later.
The Ethiopian revolution did not just lead to the demise of the country’s Heads of State and Church. The revolutionary government of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam executed thousands of innocent Ethiopians. Many more people were put in prison without a single charge. Several thousands of Ethiopians went into hiding out to the country side, and an estimated three to five million people fled the country altogether experiencing countless hardship in foreign lands. The majority of the exiled or murdered were highly educated in a wide range of professional disciplines. Their beloved country was gravely harmed by their absence. The country that they cherished was deprived of invaluable talents and expertise. The military/communist government also nationalized the properties of millions of Ethiopians with a vengeance. Some, hoping to gain favors from the government, became government informers against their own families, neighbors, and friends.
How I Got to Know Abune Tewophilos and Emperor Haile Selassie I:
I was born in the village of Yedaguat, in Bichena, Gojjam. It was in my home province of Gojjam that I also received my clerical education. In 1954, I became a monk (a celibate priest) at the Debre Libanos Monastery. The first time that I met Abune Tewophilos was in Addis Ababa in 1954 right after I became a monk. It was in the same year that Abune Tewophilos chose me, with four other monks, to serve at his private chapel in Harer. One of the memorable moments for me while I was in Harer was when His Majesty, Patriarch Baslios, and Abune Tewophilos came to the city and we held a prayer service for them at Teklehaymanot Church. I was the lead priest. With the assistance of another priest, I conducted a full service for the country’s top political and spiritual leaders. Later in the day, I heard that His Majesty remarked to Abune Tewophilos that I was a fiery young priest. I was very delighted to hear that.
His Holiness Abune Tewophilos was my mentor, one I had the utmost respect for. I idealized him for his profound wisdom and farsightedness. He had high hopes and confidence that I would become one of the future generation of priests who would lead the Church into the 21st century. He knew that I was a good priest and skilled practitioner of the priesthood. He chose me to celebrate mass on special Holydays. For instance, whenever the Emperor came to Harer to attend his yearly mass during St. Mary’s two week fasting (ፍስለታ) in August, His Holiness called on me to be the lead priest. When His Majesty was in attendance of mass, the religious service must be conducted with a degree efficiency and the leading priest must have an excellent chanting skill. I was very fortunate to possess a good voice. My religious songs were, in fact, of high demand and had to be recorded and provided to some of the country’s ambassadors living abroad.
After serving at the private chapel of Abune Tewophilos for four years in Harer, I became (with the help of Major Getachew Nadew, who later on became a General) the first Chaplin of the newly established Ethiopian Airborne Battalion force in Debre Zeit. At the airborne base, I gave weekly sermons. I was not just another monk or priest at the Airborne’s base, however. I jumped from airplanes alongside the paratroopers. As a young priest in my mid-20s, I saw myself capable of performing what the soldiers did. Looking back, my sermons to the members of the airborne were consistent with social and political issues and concerns of the day. I stressed on Christ’s concern for the poor and how He detested the greed of the wealthy. Several people from the academia and other professions (from Addis Ababa area) attended my sermons. His Grace Abune Tewophilos was my guest on two occasions.
In 1966, His Grace Abune Tewophilos sent me to Trinidad and Tobago to serve in of the Ethiopian Orthodox churches that were established a few years earlier. In my first year in Trinidad and Tobago, in 1967, His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie made an official visit to that country. He was accompanied by a large contingency of high-level Ethiopian officials. The Emperor and his entourage visited two Ethiopian churches that were already serving the community in that country. He also laid a cornerstone for a fairly new small church, which I later became its parish priest.
While I was in Trinidad and Tobago, I received a scholarship from the World Council of Churches to study at the American Region and Psychiatry Institute in New York City. I had already received my high school diploma through correspondence not too long before that. As I was ready to leave Trinidad and Tobago in 1968, I called Abune Tewophilos and told him about my plan, going to the United States in order to pursue modern education. He asked me to wait until a replacement priest was sent to Trinidad and Tobago. He also suggested that I returned to Ethiopia for consultation, which I declined to do. And that was the last time I had a conversation with him. Once I arrived in the United States, I decided to leave monkhood or celibacy priesthood. A few years after I arrived in the Unites States, I got married to, coincidentally, a former nun and we are now the parents of three children. His Holiness was probably disappointed when he found out that I was no longer serving the Church. I was deeply sorry about that. I just hoped that he would be forgiving. Be that as it may, I never had the opportunity to see His Holiness again. Indeed, I have been living with a heart-breaking sadness ever since, having a difficult time of accepting the very fact that he was savagely murdered.
Gizachew Tiruneh. (2014). On the Run in the Blue Nile: A True Story. Create Space, United States.
[ግዛቸው ጥሩነህ （ዶ/ር）፤ ነፍስ አድን ሩጫ በአባይ ሸለቆ ፤ አዲስ አበባ ፡ አሜሪካ 2006 ዓ.ም]
Birtukan Mideksa (R) taking oath of office w/ President of Supreme Court Meaza Ashenafi
A YouTube channel called Kenya Specific (KS) read to its audience my (the writer’s) article titled “
On December 15, 2018, we crossed the one-half million dollar mark in our fundraising effort for the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF).
Amdom explains how TPLF is afraid of change in Tigray because the state is its “last refugee.”
I never had the pleasure or the misfortune of meeting Ato Bereket. On the other hand I feel as if I have known him all m my life. We became very close after the 2005 general elections. When I first heard him speak, what surprised me most was his soft feminine voice that clashed with the impression of a fierce guerilla fighter I have envisioned. If you remember he was the one tasked by the petty tyrant to deal with the ‘opposition’ regarding the election. So I had a good opportunity to see him operate. He failed miserably. It was painful to watch.
Ethiopia’s newly elected prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, attends a rally during his visit to Ambo in the Oromiya region on April 11. (Tiksa Negeri/Reuters/File Photo) (REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri)
Former minister of education, W/ro Genet Zewdie has allegedly played the major role to downsize this well-known college. History of education recounts that this higher learning institute was first established as a high school. Many famous Ethiopians who have served the country at various senior civil service positions had their basic education from this celebrated school. Then after the high school was transformed in to Kotebe Teachers Training Institute (dubbed TTI) with the purpose of producing teachers at certificate level. The trainees were assigned up on their graduation to teach in elementary schools (from grade 1-6). Then it came to be called Kotebe Teachers Training College (widely known as TTC), giving training to young teacher candidates at the level of diploma to teach students of junior secondary schools (from grade 7-8). Next it has been changed in to Kotebe College of Teachers’ Education, which was supposed to give training to teacher candidates at both diploma and first-degree levels (BEd.-Bachelor of Education). It is this prominent higher learning institution that has deliberately been made to deteriorate during the era of Genet Zewdie.
It is after watching Chairman Dawud Ibsa’s press conference that I got confused about the choice in front of me. He was sitting in Addis Ababa and spoke of two armies and echoed winds of war and conflict. Calmly he threw a wrench in the progress we have made since getting rid of the virus Woyane. Why Comrade Dawd, why do you rain on our parade? Anyway he said there were intense battles in Western Oromia etc. etc. I have no reason to doubt him. But I have every reason to question his wisdom.