Ethiopian Review

By Samuel Gebru

ADDIS ABABA – The Ginbot 7 opposition grouping led by self-exiled Ethiopian economist and Mayoral candidate Dr. Birhanu Nega is alleged by the government to have planned a coup d’eat to depose the “illegally elected” Government of Meles Zenawi. People on both sides of the issue have been touting their horns bashing either the government for lying or for Birhanu Nega’s group for attempting to overthrow the government.

I find it really interesting to hear this news particularly since, if you remember, before the 2005 elections there was another “bust” of a planned coup d’etat. Personally, I believe that there are many people who have grown tired of the way the Ethiopian Government is practicing itself and the growing bureaucracy in Addis Ababa, however I doubt that any group other than already armed groups such as OLF or ONLF want to directly unseat the sitting administration. Most of the the times, groups such as Ginbot 7 are just demanding new elections so that the current government could be “removed” through elections. They view the May 15, 2005 elections as being fraudulent and do not appreciate the outcomes which favored the ruling party, EPRDF.

Whether this is a government set-up or a real plan to overthrow the government, we remain to see. Nonetheless, what we can draw on are experiences of the past. Is this really a solid plan to overthrow Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s Government or is this another accusation without proof? We’ve seen the 2006-2008 trials of the political leaders of the CUD and others under the case of “GOE v. Hailu Shawel et al” and we have certainly seen what political damage that can bring to Ethiopia. Is Ethiopia’s Government trying to silence its opposition in hopes of securing another term for the EPRDF in 2010 or is this a legitimate bust?

…Questions, questions, questions. Unfortunately the internet warriors have nothing but completely biased speculation!