Monday, March 24, 2008
SOLIDARITY OF ETHIOPIANS - HOLDING HANDS TOGETHER
Girma Kassa
muziky68@yahoo.com (Chicago)
An excellent "art work" in the Abugidainfo.com, once caught my attention. [1]The art work displays multiple hands holding one another and showing solidarity to the flag of Ethiopia.I remember, I was a little kid around Arategna Kifle Tor (an area in Central Addis Ababa); exchange of intense fires took place. Few minutes later, bodies of young Ethiopians were all over the place. There were about half dozen possibly EPRP activists who were slained by the then Derg (The Mengistu Haile Mariam) Security officers.
I do not know the names of these students. I do not know their parents or where they came from. Maybe they could have been the only child of their parents. What I know is this ….they were killed at their early age with the hand of another Ethiopian.
I remember, it was around 1988. I saw a picture of assembled dead bodies on an Asmara newspaper. The then rebel groups EPLF captured the small strategic town of Afabet from the nadew command of the then Ethiopian forces. Encouraged with their victories in Afabet, they unsuccessfully launched an attack on Keren few months later. In the attempt to advance into Keren thousands of EPLF fighters died.
The bodies on the Asmara newspaper were of some who died during the attack against Keren. These dead EPLF fighters, though we didn’t agree on their ideology and goal to secede Eritrea from its motherland, were also our brothers killed with the hand of another Ethiopian.
I remember, it was a day after the EPRDF entered Addis Ababa, there was shot guns by EPRDF security forces on civilians who were demonstrating against the Anti-Ethiopia policies of the EPRDF. In this demonstration more than 29 unarmed civilians were killed again with the hand of another Ethiopian.
I remember it was the morning of June 8, 2007, the image of a 16 years old young girl was at the front page of some of Amharic newspapers I bought that morning. Shiberre Dessalegn was her name. She was shot dead, around Kotobe (western part of Addis Ababa) with the hand of another Ethiopian.
If we hear more stories from Gambella, Gode, Hausen, Assossa, Bedeno, Ambo, Ginchi, Borena, Azezo, Nakfa, Badme, Massawa ..time will not suffice to list down all the horrors and atrocities committed on Ethiopians by Ethiopians. If we count the number of Ethiopians killed by another Ethiopia, I believe it may be 5 to 10 times larger that the number of Ethiopians killed by foreign invaders (Italians, Siad Barre forces, Egyptians, Turks ..).
Isn’t enough?
For how long, will we be using our fingers to pull a trigger on our fellow brothers and sister? For how long will we use our hands to write hate and division articles against one another? For how long will we use our fist to beat down and torture another Ethiopian? For how long will we be unwilling to embrace one another? When do we put a break on the cycle of bloodshed and violence? As is displayed in the abugidainfo art work, when do we focus on empowering one another, holding hands together and working with big commitment to build a united, democratic and prosperous Ethiopia, where all its children are equal regardless of their age, class, ethnic group, religion and political ideology?
My Dear fellow Ethiopians,
If we want to be a country of the 21st century, we have to change. I think it is time to spell out the demons of hate and division. It is time to stop looking at one another with the “grudgy look”; instead we must learn to hold the hand of our fellow Ethiopians. We must learn from our past mistakes and instead of the blame-game and the recrimination politics. We must be free from our old (sometimes century old) grudges and open our heart to forgiveness and reconciliation. We must change our character and culture of being quickly filled with rage and surely SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH to the culture of violence.
There might be some people, group of people or individuals we hate. However we must all remember: we are all Ethiopians, created by the Almighty God to live in a great country of ours Ethiopia as a family. The tent is enough for all of us. There are enough fertile lands in the tent that can rpovide grains to feed all of us. There are enough big rivers in the tent, that can quicnh the thirst of all of us. Let us stop burning down the tent on each one of us and our children for with the tent in ashes we will have no place to go.
[1] http://www.abugidainfo.com/?p=3509
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
THE CHOICE IS OURS - WE CAN CHANGE THE EPRDF
THE CHOICE IS OURS – WE CAN CHANGE THE EPRDF
Girma Kassa (muziky68@yahoo.com)
"I believe that bringing down Mr. Zenawi is the only way to bring democracy in Ethiopia; so how can we take him down? " emailed me a young Ethiopian student. It seems she may have concluded that with Mr. Zenawi and his party in power there cannot be democracy in Ethiopia.
I truly understand the frustration of this young student for the regime of Prime Minster Meles Zenawi has been one of the major obstacle for peace and democracy in Ethiopia.
However, I would like to address this issue from a different perspective; a perspective that may get me the "weyane" label from among some elements of our communities. I will start by asking some basic questions. Where do we want to reach? What do we want to see in Ethiopia? Do we want to "get rid" the EPRDF? Or do we want to make them part of the solution and get reforms through and with them? What is our ultimate goal?
Once we have answered these questions then come the, follow-ups. How do we achieve these goals? Should there be a major obstacle in our journey how do we deal with it? Which path shall we take and what would be our strategies to reach from where we are now to where we want to be?
I believe most of the time our disputes and quarrel emanates from not clearly identifying first our goals. Lately an article of a former Kinijit/CUD leader triggered some intense discussion on the need of having a "violent/Amtse" struggle to deal with the reality in Ethiopia. [1]I would like to take the debate away from the strategies and towards the goals, for unless we agree on what we want to accomplish we cannot agree on which strategy ought to be taken. To be a physician one would not apply to a law school.
Because of the collassal human right abuses of the EPRDF, many Ethiopians are filled with bitterness and anger towards Mr Zenawi and his comrades. Some are comparing the rulers in Arat Kilo as "Hitlers" and "Idi Amins". I wouldn't blame them. If you ask Ethiopians in Ogaden whose villages were burned down to the ground, students in Ginchi and Ambo who are regularly beaten up by security forces, Families of those who are massacred in plain day light in Gambella and those who have fallen on the streets of Addis Ababa, shot on the head by American trained sharp shooters, friends and families of former TPLF fighters who were eliminated because they internally opposed the leadership … all will tell you one story: that the current rulers in Arat Kilo are soaked with the blood of our people and are taking our country to a possible chaos.
I therefore understand if some groups are focused in waging a struggle to get rid the EPRDF all together. I understand their unequivocal declaration of the EPRDF as the ENEMY that must be destroyed. It is also obvious that these people will logically choose armed struggle as their strategy of struggle to achieve their goals for unless the EPRDF is militarily defeated it is impossible to destroy it. I understand, and will in no way condemn them.
However, I caution these brothers of ours that they see matters from all angles. When we declare the EPRDF as our enemy we are basically saying we are the enemy of ourselves. The EPRDF are products of our society. They are "us". We cannot destroy them unless we destroy ourselves. Therefore the goal to eliminate the EPRDF must not be the goal of Ethiopians.
Yes, many of us are angry and very bitter. But, I believe it is much preferable if our actions not be driven by our anger and bitterness but by our commitment not to repeat the atrocities that caused this very anger that we have. I believe somehow, somewhere we must close the pipeline through which the blood of our brothers and sisters is flowing. I believe our ultimate goal ought to be the establishment of a new United, democratic Ethiopia where the culture of violence will have no place and no-Ethiopian will be killed anymore because of his belief, ethnic group, class and gender.
From all regions in Ethiopia there is a voice coming from the skeletons of our martyrs who had fallen, brutally killed by another Ethiopian. "Enough is enough! Do not use us as an excuse to kill another fellow Ethiopians. Let our sacrifices be a sacred symbol that sends message to everyone that by killing another fellow Ethiopia there cannot be any lasting solution"they are telling us from their resting place. I believe one way to honor Shibere Dessalegn and others, is by committing ourselves to change once and for all the culture of violence.
Some may characterize me as a coward. Make no mistake; I am not calling Ethiopians to be silent, accepting their right and dignity being violated. I am not advocating that we bow down under the feet of Arat Kilo officials. I am not relaying a message of fear nor am I trying to portray the regime as "big" and "powerful".
To the contrary what I am stressing is that we do not go to a law school to be a physician. If we want to achieve our noble objective to see our new Ethiopia, the activism and contribution of each one of us is required. Judge Birtukan Mideksa, Dr Merrara Gudina and very few individuals alone cannot bring this new Ethiopia. Pushing aside and demonizing a section of our society will not bring this new Ethiopia. Day and night cursing the Mr. Zenawi does not bring this new Ethiopia.
What we need is to patiently engage those who are on the wrong side (the EPRDF members) by showing them that the new Ethiopia will not be an Ethiopia where they will be doomed but can be also part of; convince those who have lost hope and are engaged in armed struggle so that they can put down their weapons and come to the struggle of the 21st century; work hard to create the atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect among Ethiopians. What we need is to believe in ourselves, stop relying on westerners and deal with our problems on our own, in a new civilized manner.
We reach to a million counting from 1. The salvation of Ethiopia starts with the salvation of each one of us. Ethiopian will be renewed when each one of us are internally renewed. We are "Ethiopia".
Yes, I believe it is possible to change the EPRDF. Already sources close to the regime are saying that heavy internal discussions are taking place within the EPRDF for more democratic reforms and reconciliation. One key factor that helped to secure the release of CUD leaders six month ago was the pressure from within the EPRDF itself. As we engage more the EPRDF, we are indirectly strengthening the good elements within the party. As Frederick De Clerk came out from the national party, a party that has been the architect of apartheid, good thing may come out from within the EPRDF.
I believe it is possible to convince cessationist groups that the united new Ethiopia is the best for all of us. Already the OLF and ONLF have shown some signals that they may be open to building an Ethiopia where all its citizens are treated as equal. I believe more respectful dialogs and rapprochement with these groups may help avoid prospective future problems.
It may be hard to detach ourselves from the past and soften our heart to those whom we have been grinding our teeth. However that is the only way for the redemption and resurrection of our country. That is the only door to a better future. Unless we are willing to pass through that door, we cannot get out from our misery and desolation. Unless we are willing to forgive and embrace our brothers and sisters will surely remain being doomed forever. If we decline to take this basic step of reconciliation and allow our pride and our past to determine our actions, then WE CAN FORGET ABOUT A COUNTRY CALLED "ETHIOPIA". The choice is ours.
Dr Martin Luther King once said:" we must learn to live one another; otherwise we will all perish together".
May the Lord Open our heart to his Love and Our mind to His Understanding!
[1] http://www.ethioforum.org/wp/pdf/peacefulstrugglerevisited.pdf
"I believe that bringing down Mr. Zenawi is the only way to bring democracy in Ethiopia; so how can we take him down? " emailed me a young Ethiopian student. It seems she may have concluded that with Mr. Zenawi and his party in power there cannot be democracy in Ethiopia.
I truly understand the frustration of this young student for the regime of Prime Minster Meles Zenawi has been one of the major obstacle for peace and democracy in Ethiopia.
However, I would like to address this issue from a different perspective; a perspective that may get me the "weyane" label from among some elements of our communities. I will start by asking some basic questions. Where do we want to reach? What do we want to see in Ethiopia? Do we want to "get rid" the EPRDF? Or do we want to make them part of the solution and get reforms through and with them? What is our ultimate goal?
Once we have answered these questions then come the, follow-ups. How do we achieve these goals? Should there be a major obstacle in our journey how do we deal with it? Which path shall we take and what would be our strategies to reach from where we are now to where we want to be?
I believe most of the time our disputes and quarrel emanates from not clearly identifying first our goals. Lately an article of a former Kinijit/CUD leader triggered some intense discussion on the need of having a "violent/Amtse" struggle to deal with the reality in Ethiopia. [1]I would like to take the debate away from the strategies and towards the goals, for unless we agree on what we want to accomplish we cannot agree on which strategy ought to be taken. To be a physician one would not apply to a law school.
Because of the collassal human right abuses of the EPRDF, many Ethiopians are filled with bitterness and anger towards Mr Zenawi and his comrades. Some are comparing the rulers in Arat Kilo as "Hitlers" and "Idi Amins". I wouldn't blame them. If you ask Ethiopians in Ogaden whose villages were burned down to the ground, students in Ginchi and Ambo who are regularly beaten up by security forces, Families of those who are massacred in plain day light in Gambella and those who have fallen on the streets of Addis Ababa, shot on the head by American trained sharp shooters, friends and families of former TPLF fighters who were eliminated because they internally opposed the leadership … all will tell you one story: that the current rulers in Arat Kilo are soaked with the blood of our people and are taking our country to a possible chaos.
I therefore understand if some groups are focused in waging a struggle to get rid the EPRDF all together. I understand their unequivocal declaration of the EPRDF as the ENEMY that must be destroyed. It is also obvious that these people will logically choose armed struggle as their strategy of struggle to achieve their goals for unless the EPRDF is militarily defeated it is impossible to destroy it. I understand, and will in no way condemn them.
However, I caution these brothers of ours that they see matters from all angles. When we declare the EPRDF as our enemy we are basically saying we are the enemy of ourselves. The EPRDF are products of our society. They are "us". We cannot destroy them unless we destroy ourselves. Therefore the goal to eliminate the EPRDF must not be the goal of Ethiopians.
Yes, many of us are angry and very bitter. But, I believe it is much preferable if our actions not be driven by our anger and bitterness but by our commitment not to repeat the atrocities that caused this very anger that we have. I believe somehow, somewhere we must close the pipeline through which the blood of our brothers and sisters is flowing. I believe our ultimate goal ought to be the establishment of a new United, democratic Ethiopia where the culture of violence will have no place and no-Ethiopian will be killed anymore because of his belief, ethnic group, class and gender.
From all regions in Ethiopia there is a voice coming from the skeletons of our martyrs who had fallen, brutally killed by another Ethiopian. "Enough is enough! Do not use us as an excuse to kill another fellow Ethiopians. Let our sacrifices be a sacred symbol that sends message to everyone that by killing another fellow Ethiopia there cannot be any lasting solution"they are telling us from their resting place. I believe one way to honor Shibere Dessalegn and others, is by committing ourselves to change once and for all the culture of violence.
Some may characterize me as a coward. Make no mistake; I am not calling Ethiopians to be silent, accepting their right and dignity being violated. I am not advocating that we bow down under the feet of Arat Kilo officials. I am not relaying a message of fear nor am I trying to portray the regime as "big" and "powerful".
To the contrary what I am stressing is that we do not go to a law school to be a physician. If we want to achieve our noble objective to see our new Ethiopia, the activism and contribution of each one of us is required. Judge Birtukan Mideksa, Dr Merrara Gudina and very few individuals alone cannot bring this new Ethiopia. Pushing aside and demonizing a section of our society will not bring this new Ethiopia. Day and night cursing the Mr. Zenawi does not bring this new Ethiopia.
What we need is to patiently engage those who are on the wrong side (the EPRDF members) by showing them that the new Ethiopia will not be an Ethiopia where they will be doomed but can be also part of; convince those who have lost hope and are engaged in armed struggle so that they can put down their weapons and come to the struggle of the 21st century; work hard to create the atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect among Ethiopians. What we need is to believe in ourselves, stop relying on westerners and deal with our problems on our own, in a new civilized manner.
We reach to a million counting from 1. The salvation of Ethiopia starts with the salvation of each one of us. Ethiopian will be renewed when each one of us are internally renewed. We are "Ethiopia".
Yes, I believe it is possible to change the EPRDF. Already sources close to the regime are saying that heavy internal discussions are taking place within the EPRDF for more democratic reforms and reconciliation. One key factor that helped to secure the release of CUD leaders six month ago was the pressure from within the EPRDF itself. As we engage more the EPRDF, we are indirectly strengthening the good elements within the party. As Frederick De Clerk came out from the national party, a party that has been the architect of apartheid, good thing may come out from within the EPRDF.
I believe it is possible to convince cessationist groups that the united new Ethiopia is the best for all of us. Already the OLF and ONLF have shown some signals that they may be open to building an Ethiopia where all its citizens are treated as equal. I believe more respectful dialogs and rapprochement with these groups may help avoid prospective future problems.
It may be hard to detach ourselves from the past and soften our heart to those whom we have been grinding our teeth. However that is the only way for the redemption and resurrection of our country. That is the only door to a better future. Unless we are willing to pass through that door, we cannot get out from our misery and desolation. Unless we are willing to forgive and embrace our brothers and sisters will surely remain being doomed forever. If we decline to take this basic step of reconciliation and allow our pride and our past to determine our actions, then WE CAN FORGET ABOUT A COUNTRY CALLED "ETHIOPIA". The choice is ours.
Dr Martin Luther King once said:" we must learn to live one another; otherwise we will all perish together".
May the Lord Open our heart to his Love and Our mind to His Understanding!
[1] http://www.ethioforum.org/wp/pdf/peacefulstrugglerevisited.pdf
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
KANGAROO ELECTION
Girma Kassa
Chicago (muziky68@yahoo.com)
As is widely reported in EPRDF (Ethiopian people Revolutionary Democratic Forces) sympathizing website, an "election" will be held in Ethiopia in few weeks. I visited the official website of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.[1]I browsed the links to find out how many Kebeles (neighborhood associations) there are; how many people are registered for each Kebele; and which party fielded candidates… I clicked the link that says "Election Day Countdown". To my surprise I read the following: “Ethiopia will hold federal and regional elections on 15 May 2005. Voters will on the same day elect representatives to the House of Peoples' Representatives, eight Regional Councils and the City Administrations for Addis Ababa and Diredawa".
The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) official website did not even have any updates of the current election that will be held in few weeks. This shows how inefficient and unprofessional this body has been.
Since I could not get any accurate official data from the NEBE, I collected some data from various unofficial websites. (Interviews of political leader, walta information center ...)
THE POPULAR CUD NOT PART OF THIS ELECTION
The NEBE reported that 18 political parties will be involved in this election. However, the major opposition party, which was believed to have won the May 2005 election, the CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) will not be part of this election. The NEBE took away the name of the CUD from the rightful leaders who languished in prison for more than 20 months, and illegally gave it to individuals who are being bought by the regime. As the BBC Elizabeth Blunt wrote "key leaders are absent from Ethiopian Election". [2]
Professor Ephraim Issac and his colleagues mediated the release of CUD prisoners 6 month ago. In a speech he gave to the parliament as well as reporters, Prime Minister repeatedly asserted that the full political right the CUD leaders would be respected. We thought the prime Minister will keep his word and provide a level plain field for all opposition leaders to run for offices in a fair and democratic manner. We thought the ruling party will play a major role in alienating some of the fear Ethiopians may have due the aftermath of the 97 election.
Unfortunately, what we are witnessing is that rulers in Art Kilo are saying one thing today and doing the opposite tomorrow. What we are seeing is their unwillingness to see any major political organization that does not scratch their back as a puppet. What we are witnessing is a complete disregard of democratic values and disrespect of the Ethiopian People.
I cannot imagine how an election can be considered as fair and free when the party that won but stolen of the last election is not involved!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE REGIME LOYALISTS
Currently there are more than 534 weredas (districts). In each Wereda there will be more than 180 seats, which make 109860 seats for the whole country. In one wereda there will be at least half dozen Kebeles. For each Kebele 300 seats are up for grab. If we assume there is only 6 kebele in one wereda, 977400 seats. Combining the Kebeles and weradas elections will be held for at least 1087460 seats at a minimum. ( the maximum number of seats can go to upto 4.5 Million)
An average number of people living respectively in kebele are 25000. For 25000 residents, there will be 300 kebele council members. So 83 (25000/300) people will have one representative in the Kebele council.
Why such super big local government is beyond my comprehension. Some suspects that these numbers are made to be higher to guarantee jobs for their supporters and henchmen who have been used as an extended hand of the regime to spy, and intimidate Ethiopians.
A MOCKERY ELECTION – BEFORE THE GAME BEGIN EPRDF HAS WON
An election is a decision making process where people choose from among different choices. If only one choice is provided it would be hard to call this a modern democratic election, other than comparing it to one party elections of the Derg era)
In Arsi Zone, for Wereda and Kebele council the EPRDF (ruling party) has fielded 109674 candidates. The closest to the ruling party are the ONC (Oromo National Congress) and the OFDM (Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement) which respectively fielded 13 and 9 candidates. In Diredawa the EPRDF and its affiliate the Somali People Democratic Party (SPDP) fielded 12510 candidates. All the other oppositions leaders combined fielded 35 candidates. (It is to be known that the CUD has won in Diredawa and major towns in Arsi zone including Assela in the last 97 election).This shows that 109652 out of 109674 kebele and council seats in Arsi Zone and 12488 out of 12510 Kebele council seats in Diredawa are not contested. [3]
Most serious opposition leaders are not allowed to exercise freely their political activities. The CUD executives and their supporters were systematically intimidated from mobilizing the people. The Tigray Arena Party members who constituted of former TPLF fighters were enormously harassed. It took 8 month for the NEBE to give them a license to legally function as a party. Ato Siye Abraha, a former Defense minister is being watched 24/7.
According to the chairman of the OFDM, Dr Bulcha Demeksa, out of 6000 candidates they originally planned to field only 100 were accepted by the NEBE. "Most are unwilling to put their names for fear of being persecuted. Once, 4 supporters of us showed themselves to register as a candidate in Yaya Negelle. The Police arrested them. Then additional 8 who were supposed to register later declined to show up to the authorities for fear of being arrested" complained the OFDM chairman. [4]
Chicago (muziky68@yahoo.com)
As is widely reported in EPRDF (Ethiopian people Revolutionary Democratic Forces) sympathizing website, an "election" will be held in Ethiopia in few weeks. I visited the official website of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia.[1]I browsed the links to find out how many Kebeles (neighborhood associations) there are; how many people are registered for each Kebele; and which party fielded candidates… I clicked the link that says "Election Day Countdown". To my surprise I read the following: “Ethiopia will hold federal and regional elections on 15 May 2005. Voters will on the same day elect representatives to the House of Peoples' Representatives, eight Regional Councils and the City Administrations for Addis Ababa and Diredawa".
The National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) official website did not even have any updates of the current election that will be held in few weeks. This shows how inefficient and unprofessional this body has been.
Since I could not get any accurate official data from the NEBE, I collected some data from various unofficial websites. (Interviews of political leader, walta information center ...)
THE POPULAR CUD NOT PART OF THIS ELECTION
The NEBE reported that 18 political parties will be involved in this election. However, the major opposition party, which was believed to have won the May 2005 election, the CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) will not be part of this election. The NEBE took away the name of the CUD from the rightful leaders who languished in prison for more than 20 months, and illegally gave it to individuals who are being bought by the regime. As the BBC Elizabeth Blunt wrote "key leaders are absent from Ethiopian Election". [2]
Professor Ephraim Issac and his colleagues mediated the release of CUD prisoners 6 month ago. In a speech he gave to the parliament as well as reporters, Prime Minister repeatedly asserted that the full political right the CUD leaders would be respected. We thought the prime Minister will keep his word and provide a level plain field for all opposition leaders to run for offices in a fair and democratic manner. We thought the ruling party will play a major role in alienating some of the fear Ethiopians may have due the aftermath of the 97 election.
Unfortunately, what we are witnessing is that rulers in Art Kilo are saying one thing today and doing the opposite tomorrow. What we are seeing is their unwillingness to see any major political organization that does not scratch their back as a puppet. What we are witnessing is a complete disregard of democratic values and disrespect of the Ethiopian People.
I cannot imagine how an election can be considered as fair and free when the party that won but stolen of the last election is not involved!
JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE REGIME LOYALISTS
Currently there are more than 534 weredas (districts). In each Wereda there will be more than 180 seats, which make 109860 seats for the whole country. In one wereda there will be at least half dozen Kebeles. For each Kebele 300 seats are up for grab. If we assume there is only 6 kebele in one wereda, 977400 seats. Combining the Kebeles and weradas elections will be held for at least 1087460 seats at a minimum. ( the maximum number of seats can go to upto 4.5 Million)
An average number of people living respectively in kebele are 25000. For 25000 residents, there will be 300 kebele council members. So 83 (25000/300) people will have one representative in the Kebele council.
Why such super big local government is beyond my comprehension. Some suspects that these numbers are made to be higher to guarantee jobs for their supporters and henchmen who have been used as an extended hand of the regime to spy, and intimidate Ethiopians.
A MOCKERY ELECTION – BEFORE THE GAME BEGIN EPRDF HAS WON
An election is a decision making process where people choose from among different choices. If only one choice is provided it would be hard to call this a modern democratic election, other than comparing it to one party elections of the Derg era)
In Arsi Zone, for Wereda and Kebele council the EPRDF (ruling party) has fielded 109674 candidates. The closest to the ruling party are the ONC (Oromo National Congress) and the OFDM (Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement) which respectively fielded 13 and 9 candidates. In Diredawa the EPRDF and its affiliate the Somali People Democratic Party (SPDP) fielded 12510 candidates. All the other oppositions leaders combined fielded 35 candidates. (It is to be known that the CUD has won in Diredawa and major towns in Arsi zone including Assela in the last 97 election).This shows that 109652 out of 109674 kebele and council seats in Arsi Zone and 12488 out of 12510 Kebele council seats in Diredawa are not contested. [3]
Most serious opposition leaders are not allowed to exercise freely their political activities. The CUD executives and their supporters were systematically intimidated from mobilizing the people. The Tigray Arena Party members who constituted of former TPLF fighters were enormously harassed. It took 8 month for the NEBE to give them a license to legally function as a party. Ato Siye Abraha, a former Defense minister is being watched 24/7.
According to the chairman of the OFDM, Dr Bulcha Demeksa, out of 6000 candidates they originally planned to field only 100 were accepted by the NEBE. "Most are unwilling to put their names for fear of being persecuted. Once, 4 supporters of us showed themselves to register as a candidate in Yaya Negelle. The Police arrested them. Then additional 8 who were supposed to register later declined to show up to the authorities for fear of being arrested" complained the OFDM chairman. [4]
The United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) has been facing problems in registering its candidates in Oromia and Southern Nation and Nationalities People States. Candidates could not be registered for the upcoming elections in Yem Special Woreda and in all woredas of Kembata Zone as well as Jeldu, Ambo and Tokekutare Siraro woredas. According to Dr Beyene Petros the UEDF was not able to register candidates in its full capacity because many of them have been jailed, harassed and abused.[5]
Ato Lidetu Ayalew, in a recent interview he had with the VOA admitted that this election is meaningless and it is a fait accomplit that the ruling party will win the "election".
The media is totally controlled by the ruling party. Independent websites are blocked. Radio stations like the DW and the VOA are jammed. The election is approaching; until today media is not available for opposition parties to spread their message to the public.
There are reports that the regime has agreed to give 10 minutes a week of free TV airtime for each political party at this later hour of the game. If we take only the airtime from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The Total airtime available is 1680 minutes per week. The 15 political parties (excluding the ruling parties TPLF, OPDO and ANDM) will be given 150 minutes a week. The difference, 1540 hours will belong to the EPRDF. This shows that the regime of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is having advantage over opposition parties by 10 to 1 ratio. (One thing to note is this 10 minutes gift from the regime is still not available even at this later hour of the game)
CALL FOR BOYCOTTING THIS ELECTION
The NEBE has reported that 29 Million voters have registered to vote, a claim that is outright rejected by oppositions leaders and many Ethiopians. In fact what is known is that Ethiopians are disinterested by this election. Our people have already shown their displeasure and discontent by not registering and avoiding this sham process.
I believe all efforts must be done to deny the regime for exploiting this election to legitimize its deceptive and ugly undemocratic practices in Ethiopia. I therefore respectfully call for opposition leaders in Ethiopia, to reconsider their unfortunate stands and boycott this illegal election. I ask they show leadership and courage and stand for democracy. I ask they stop being used by the regime and show solidarity with their CUD colleagues who were jailed for democracy and are currently denied to even run for election.
Some of these leaders may suggest that they do not have other alternatives. I disagree. There is an alternative: - I call it believing in people’s power. The Ethiopian people need opposition groups to come together and show solidarity against dictatorship. They want to see opposition groups listen to their will and their demand and forge a united pressure on the regime so that democratic institutions (the NEBE, the judiciary, the media …) are restructured to be independent from one party control.
Ethiopians do not want to follow and have no respect at all for whimps and those who massage the back of dictators just for their self interest. They follow honest people which have integrities. They follow people willing to sacrifice their 4000 Birr salary and their free house given by the regime. They follow people who are willing to go in jail and die for their sake.
I call also for all Ethiopians all over the world to put pressure on Dr Bulcha Demeksa of the OFDM, Dr Merra Gudina and Dr Beyene Petros of the UEDF, and Ato Lidetu Ayalew of EDP_MEDHIN so that they do the right thing and stand with the people at this historic moment. When 99.5% of their people are not allowed to run why would they get involved in the election with the 0.5% in the first place? Where is their solidarity with the 99.5% of their supporters? What good would they bring in running for an election which is anything but election other than giving fuel to dictatorship and extending pain on the Ethiopian People?
The NEBE has reported that 29 Million voters have registered to vote, a claim that is outright rejected by oppositions leaders and many Ethiopians. In fact what is known is that Ethiopians are disinterested by this election. Our people have already shown their displeasure and discontent by not registering and avoiding this sham process.
I believe all efforts must be done to deny the regime for exploiting this election to legitimize its deceptive and ugly undemocratic practices in Ethiopia. I therefore respectfully call for opposition leaders in Ethiopia, to reconsider their unfortunate stands and boycott this illegal election. I ask they show leadership and courage and stand for democracy. I ask they stop being used by the regime and show solidarity with their CUD colleagues who were jailed for democracy and are currently denied to even run for election.
Some of these leaders may suggest that they do not have other alternatives. I disagree. There is an alternative: - I call it believing in people’s power. The Ethiopian people need opposition groups to come together and show solidarity against dictatorship. They want to see opposition groups listen to their will and their demand and forge a united pressure on the regime so that democratic institutions (the NEBE, the judiciary, the media …) are restructured to be independent from one party control.
Ethiopians do not want to follow and have no respect at all for whimps and those who massage the back of dictators just for their self interest. They follow honest people which have integrities. They follow people willing to sacrifice their 4000 Birr salary and their free house given by the regime. They follow people who are willing to go in jail and die for their sake.
I call also for all Ethiopians all over the world to put pressure on Dr Bulcha Demeksa of the OFDM, Dr Merra Gudina and Dr Beyene Petros of the UEDF, and Ato Lidetu Ayalew of EDP_MEDHIN so that they do the right thing and stand with the people at this historic moment. When 99.5% of their people are not allowed to run why would they get involved in the election with the 0.5% in the first place? Where is their solidarity with the 99.5% of their supporters? What good would they bring in running for an election which is anything but election other than giving fuel to dictatorship and extending pain on the Ethiopian People?
[1] http://www.electionsethiopia.org/Index.html
[2] http://www.ethiomedia.com/abai/election_deficiency.html
[3] http://www.ethiopiafirst.com/Election2008/022908_2.html
[4] http://www.ethiopianreporter.com/content/view/767/54/
[5] http://www.ethiopiafirst.com/Election2008/021808.html
