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Getatchew Haile: a scholar or a demagogue?

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

By Agere Mekuria

Dr. Getatchew Haile, the pen, indeed, is mightier than the sword. Of course, this is not a foreign concept to you; since I have witnessed you wield it with expertise to combat your ideological, political, philosophical, and religious adversaries expertly (as seen in your bickering with Orthodox clergy in the past and Kinijit.Org postings). It is also a known fact that you are an Ethiopian scholar who is extensively published and are considered an authority in your field. Having said that, your tendency to play the “renaissance man” and overreach the boundaries of your expertise often makes you appear to be a demagogue who relishes the limelight as a detractor instead of an elucidator. Given your wealth of knowledge and experience and if you were able to exercise some impartiality, you would have been regarded with the deserved reputation of a scholar and a force for unity instead of division. As it stands, your writings leave one with the impression that you are being used as a vanguard attack dog or that you yourself are fueling the flames of division.

Increasingly, your writings, political and otherwise, can be categorized as either casting aspersions or defending yourself as a result of the venomous verbal volleys you lob with impunity.

I was prompted and induced to write to you after reading your most recent piece on the Kinijit.Org website, where, once again, you are defending criticism, deserved or otherwise, that has been directed at you. As a truly impartial observer, that reads postings, articles, analyses, open letters, etc… from various websites that purport to espouse issues relevant to Ethiopia or disseminate news or propaganda, I have noticed time and time again where your writings resemble those of a cadre, adept in the art of diatribe, as opposed to a level headed elder scholar sharing his views and analysis in a manner befitting that description. It was, once again, the case in your latest piece entitled “Response to My Critics.”

Permit me to expound…

1. Your insistence, possibly derived out of your belligerent chauvinism, to insist to repeatedly refer to the current despotic government of the EPRDF, yeTigre Weyanewoch, does not serve any purpose except to inflame and alienate. This is the equivalent of a prosecutor, making the state’s case, continually referring to the ethnic background of the defendant; e.g. the alleged Mexican murderer, etc… You should be wise enough to know that repeatedly using the ethnic group when you attack the ruling government gives the impression, even when unintentional, that your main opposition to it is based on ethnicity, rather than its track record and policy. As such it serves to inflame and exasperate an already fragile situation and makes you play right into the hands of those you oppose vehemently. Wisdom dictates otherwise.

2. In this same piece, “Response to My Critics,” you state unequivocally that Ms. Mideksa is a usurper or has designs in taking power illegitimately because she oversteps her boundary and apologizes for any offensive remarks written on Kinijit.Org.

Dr. Getachew, apologies are not the means by which one usurps power who has thirst for it. If ‘ye siltan timat’, as you refer to it, can be quenched by apologies, more of our politician would be issuing them. Apologizing is the greatest act of humility and detracts from no one and is known to heal wounds and not cause them, as it has seemed to have wounded you and those you speak for. You say that Ms. Mideksa, has “[crossed] the line and [undermined] the power of the chairman” by merely apologizing. Is it in the KINIJIT by-laws that only the chairman can make apologies? Has there been a division of responsibility as to who slings mud and who apologizes (although it is becoming abundantly clear)? It seems that YOU are overstepping your boundary and give the impression that you are speaking for the chairman when you engage in character assassination and attack Ms. Mideksa for daring to apologize. You also asked whether Ms. Mideksa has apologized for “un-KINIJIT websites” for the same offenses. If you considered this a bit before letting the ink fly, you would determine that she aptly only apologized for the website that has KINIJIT in its name and banner, an organization for which she is the elected First Vice Chair.

In explaining about your review of Mr. Tsige’s book and trying to clarify any misinterpretation, you ask “But can’t you trust me at least this much if I say there is not?” and ask us, as the readers, to take your word for it. The answer is a resounding no! You have lost credibility in the eyes of many ‘tazabis’ who have witnessed you become increasingly more belligerent, less effective, and only capable of casting aspersions. That wealth of knowledge you possess is no longer being used to educate, liberate, and enlighten but to wound, divide and exasperate. So that knowledge has become ‘ye gaan mebrat’; lighting no path and useful to none. You should have chosen to take the moral high ground and become impartial and beyond reproach; instead you chose to ally yourself with one ‘group’ and attack with impunity everything that hints at criticism of this ‘group’. One thing life and religion teach us is that redemption is never out of reach… Dr. Getachew, it is never too late to redeem yourself.

31 thoughts on “Getatchew Haile: a scholar or a demagogue?”

  1. I think it is a bit too blunt, if that is the right word. But I have been expecting, now for a long time. a piece of that sort. Timely!!

    There are many others that fall in Dr. Getachew’s catagory and hope all get the hint. Getachew is my friend ,if not in so many words, I Did Tell him in the past!!
    Admired the language, the flow and consistancy of idea contained therein.

  3. The politics of the old guard and the ways of intrigues, manipulation, gangsterism of the old guard trouble makers has to end. To promote peace, democracy and freedom in Ethiopia, the old guard have to make a graceful exit, hold their TINGITAG pens and acrimonious meddling. The new generation should shed itself from the remenants of EPRP, MEISON, DERG, EPRDF, EDU, etc archetypal trouble mongers. We need to adopt a more tolerant, chaste, respectful, less sly, and more commity to advance a politics of hope, freedom, mutual progress and inclusion. No to chauvinism, no to sectarianism. That is the simple message to the old guard be it Getachew, Taye, Hailu, Yosep, Eyasu, Mersha Yoseph, Negede Gobeze, Goshu Wolde, etc ad infinitum. Make a graceful exit, period.

  4. By consequence I share similar profession with Gashe Getachew and I am still a true admirer of him and his work, but this time I am very much upset by his remark to Judge Birtukan Mideksa and he blindly support Ato Hailu,becuase he is from Amhara origion..

    Zemeta

  5. Thankyou Agere. Somebody needed to tell Dr. Getachew he is in the wrong track. What I don’t understand is that Ato Hailu keep on saying that at his age he is not interesested in acquiring power and yet his friends are doing all they can even if it means loosing their credibility to put him on power. I am in my forties and I think it is not too gracefull for me to lie, slander and promote hatred amongst people. They took liberty in doing a combination of all. What is going on in the minds of these elderly Ethiopian Politicians. First they were attacking Dr. Birhanu and now it seems they have turned their attention to Birtukan. If one asks why they switched their attention to the young lady? It is not hard to see that ever since Professor Mesfin’s endorsement of Birtukan, they are threatened by her more than by Dr.Birhanu. So if this is not Yesiltan Timat what is?

  6. Dear #3(zemeta): So you admire this mad man “Gashe” except his attack on Birtukan and support for Hailu. You must be mad as well if you couldn’t see what this man is about or understand what the writer of this article has superbly explained. You said you are in the same profession? I bet he was your teacher and he did a good job at that. You should stick to your name, Zemeta!

  7. Thank you Agere – “Debtera” Getachew Haile’s world has been and continues to be the most consistent Chauvinist diatribe that he is known to have written throughout his career. It is the expected but I may be naive but can’t help but surprised by the level of his ignorance. The knowledge that Agere alluded to is nothing but “Yedebtera Wore”.

  8. Dears’ Agerie Mekuria and eth Review,

    You said it right. A spade is a spade. Getachew Haile is the immoralle intellectual. I witnessed his immoralle and unethical writtings for so long and few are rebutted him.
    He tries to be respected by demonize many people who worked hard for their religion, their country and institutions. His action speaks louder when it comes spreading division amongst even in one ethnic group amhara; North shoa and the rest. He works day and night to disunite the Holy Synod which tens and thousands of perishners under it are fighting the woyane government. the legal diaspora Holy Synod would have been by now a big mobilizing force against injustice of woyane. But thanks for such evel minded men we are not united yet. He lends power to the woyane by distracting the unity of orthodox christians. any body know Dr. Aklilu, his buddy, gave as a gift to woyane’s abba gebremedihn the church in DC, Kidist Mariam? They spread lies and deception all over US so that churchs could be “independent”. A method to weaken the Holy Synod. Later to make churchs to be under Abba gebremedihn. That is a fact. shame on Getachew and his corrupt gangs. Are these Ethiopians highest bar for knowledge? If so ethiopia has to create anothers.

    Thankyou Agerie Mekuria for coming out and challege the crucood mentality.

    Nigerew Letebabu.

  9. Dr. Gatachew has failed as big time. I always wanted and prefered oneday he keeps quite or try “to maintain the moral high ground”. He did not. I already stopped reading what he wites anymore. He is so unprofessional and obsessed with ethnic politics. I was expecting a big thank you letter/bash to him from all of us around the world for his contribution in his field of expertise but lateley (also with Eth Orthodox clegies) the bickering is beyond beleif. Just sad. I don’t know what he is trying to proof.
    thank you Agere.

  10. Here goes again the Ayatollah of the extremists. One thing in common for extremists of any nationalty/country is that they are not rational at all. This is not new for him. This man lost his soul a long time ago.

  11. If there is such thing as paralysis of the mouth, I wish Hetachew Haile gets it. This guy has a history of chauvinistic values and principle that goes back with his age. I defer with the write his dipiction of Getachew as a scholar. One cannot be labeled as such with a an attitude of a medeval belief that still ingrained in his blood. Getachew hates everyone except his own breed, MORONS.

  12. Waurra Guye,

    You see even when you know that everything that Agere wrote is true, you still turn around and say “It is a bit too blunt” When an old man at the twilight of his life who should be saying to “Bertukan abejesh yene lij” is so shamefully calling her names where do you get the audacity to say hmmm… a “bit too blunt” C’mon people you guys need to grow up before you die. It is really a shame that old men who otherwise could have been considered pillars of their community are acting like out of control street corner thugs.

  15. Dr.Getachew has every right to criticize a politician. He was not disrespectful to Ms. Bertukan . He made his point. According to him, the apology is unwarranted. Ms Bertukan’s blanket apology without ever citing the particular offense was seen by many as disingenious. The apology was accepted by neither Tigryan democrats nor Woyannes. My friend, yeTigre Weyanewoch is not an offensive description. You see, you can say Ye Tigrai Kese, Ye Tigrai Wetader, Ye Tigrai qonjo,Ye Titgrai Wayanne etc. Remember there is an Amhara Weyanne. Please, do not be scared for using the term is not denigrating. It doesn’t reflect any sort of chauvinism. Mr Agere and others, you would do Ms Bertukan a great favor by encouraging her to have a thick skin. Please do not over defend her. Let this young politician grow in strength by taking blows, punches and cheap shots as they come.

  16. I differ with Agere because he said “yegan Mebrat”.

    In getachew there is no mebrat at all. All his writings are stolen from other Ethiopian scholars.

    This man is far racist than Meles. All these years long problems are created by one man called Getachew Haile.

    Racism and chavinism are in his blood and he will not stop while he is alive. Many blame him for the imprisment even for the death of people during the King and the Derg era.

  18. I don’t know what to figure out about Dr. getachew Haile’s understanding of the current situations. He just acts like a school boy. It is shame when you expected him was educated is very weak in political analogy. Not only that he abuses the young generation. unless they come to his level of misconceptions and barracking with his old friends for mutual interests.

  19. Thank you Agree

    I have read two of his recent writings and was so sad for two views of Dr. Getachew. I will try to mention only these two since they are not included in your wonderful commentary.

    1. Dr. Getachew wrote about to be born in Gondar, Gojjam or Shoa. What a shame. It is just one hundred years since Teferi and groups were using that melody against Taytu. Shall we still sing the same, it is really sad.

    2. In one of his writings that appeared in Kinijit.org he wrote wityhout shame that who met the five Kinijit leaders whereever they go were supporters of the government. For one thing we all are not supporters of the dictator, but we went wherever they came discussed with them. Secondly if it happened so it was great to meet and discuss to convience their opponents rather than their own supporters. For me that would be a great job if we think positively for the future of kinijit.Their supporters are always at their side but bringing the opponents to the floor is a blessed job to understand that way the Dr. must think for a minute positively. They are all our sisters and brothers that oppose the values and priciples of Kinijit.What is wrong in meeting them, shame to be educated.

    Thanks

  20. What is all the fuzz about? I bet most of you guys didn’t read the Professor’s article or didn’t get it? Like usual you are following the wind and make your childish comments! What is wrong to call yetgray neTsa awChi as yeTigre Woyanewoch? Did Tigreyanes tell you they hate their names? If so why didn’t call themselves other name that exclude their ethnic name … If they were themselves who initiate to be called that way what is all that jazz? The Honorable Judge Birtukan Mideksa in her speach said that she does not see many Tigreans in Kinijit meetings partly because of the article posted on kinijit.org. And ofcourse she apologized for it. The fact of the matter is not even few Tigreans came to oppose the current government with other Ethiopians ever since Woyane establishes itself in Addis let alone after the formation of Kinijit? Lets be honest and ask ourselves how many Tigreans came out on any rally to support Kinijit before? How many came out to oppose the massacre done to peaceful demonstrators in Addis and elsewhere? So why was the apology on her part? To me as much as she got it wrong so is the article of Agere. ‘Yalbelawn Makek’! unless the aim is to defame the respected Professor? So for this reason the professor nailed everything right.

  21. Professor Geatcahew Haile is one of our few scholars with highly desirable qualities like integrity and resoluteness.
    He has a firm stand against our enemies like the TPLF and others who are attempting to destroy our country. His usage
    of the term yewoyanne tigrewoch should not anger any genuine Ethiopian struggli ng for democracy, freedom and justice. The Woyannes themselves are proud of being called like that its owner Meles Zenawi has reaffirmed this on occasions. The enemies of Ethiopia do not like persons of Professor Getachew`s caliber who do not sell themselves and speak the truth and inform and prepare Ethiopians accordingly. Any attack on this great Ethiopian would be counterproductive and expose the impostera who are amidst us.

  22. The notorious Getachew Haile, known for his acerbic opinion, and yes, very racist views had no one to scold him for years! He had a free reign when he had that magazine… the Ethiopian Register. He was then the supreme kingmaker of the hate ideology, the incubator, the prince of odious statements that actually brought the magazine to die. The writer, Mr. Agere Mekuria, has tenderly given Getachew a tiny pill to swallow. I think the latter should take it. The pill, in my opinion, isn’t bitter, but will heal this deranged man from his cluttered opinion about humanity.

  24. Is Mr. Getachew Haile a racist?
    You bet he is!
    Track record indicates, ever since his days with his Ethiopian Register, is a notorious hate monger! Did he help us in finding ourselves through this intricate journey? He actually made our road filthy, obfuscated and dark. As the result of his diatribe, many people have the wrong attitude about our unity as Ethiopians.
    Thank you Agere; at least you have the balls to tell this old man to lay it off.

    Thanks.

    Dollo

    Thank you

  25. ON THE VERGE
    (Translated from the Amharic version)

    With words, words, words…
    Empty talk
    We chased, and chased, and chased…
    BEAUTY and GRENERY
    LOVE and PLENITUDE
    PEACE and RELIEF

    And having failed

    Here we are

    Carrying our ALMS-BAG
    Scintillating with SHAME
    Decked in NAKEDNESS
    ___________________________

    TWIN LOTS
    (Translated from the Amharic version)

    THE TIMES ARE YAWNING
    Hungry for love
    the heart stuffed full of hate.

    Hungry for peace
    Stuffed full of war
    Near-bursting with wrath.

    With over-eating…With starvation
    In the dearth of fullness
    Under twin trials
    THE TIMES ARE YAWNING
    ______________________

    LAMENT OF THE BELIEVERS (under the breath)
    (Translated from the Amharic version)

    If, having created all ears,
    HE HIMSELF does not hear

    If, having created all eyes,
    HE HIMSELF does not see

    If, having created all minds,
    HE HIMSELF does not think

    If, having created all hearts,
    HE HIMSELF has no compassion
    WHY should they HEAR?
    WHY should they SEE
    WHY should they THINK?
    THEY who are his genuine CREATURES!

    a blade of grass
    (originally written in English)

    the eyes yearn for its sight
    the tongue craves to lick a droplet off it…
    the stomach cries for its taste…
    the soul longs for its greenery…
    YET,
    in these scorched fields,
    HUMANITY perishes,
    for want of a blade of grass…

    Extracted from Dr. Fekade Azeze’s Poem

  26. Though i have a lot of respect to our old scholars, Lately i choosed not to listen to some of them Like Dr. Getachew and Proffessor Mesfin. Their wreckless saying and writings unnecssarly becoming an issue which tend to divide us more at this critical time. On the other hand we saw and heard the delgates lead by Bertukan. It assured our optimisms and it kept our spirit intact.

  27. Dr. Getachew shamefully demonstrated his inner character of intrigue, racial hatred and jealousy (mikegnet). His vicious intent was to seek justification to attack Ms. Bertukan – the icon in the hearts of the Ethiopian people.

  28. I have been waiting for long until people speak out about the old politician to leave their old philosophy which has done nothing good for the people of Ethiopia for years.They have done enough damage to the country which we are currently paying off the cost .They better accept their failure, leave the country for the progressive,prodemocratic, multi ethnic and unbiased young generation.There are other untouched,self centered, highly inflated ego elderly people out there misleading the uninformed.For sure there are well respected,committed elders who are pomoting democracy and impartialtiy to their country.Move on and work together for a change!

  29. ዶ/ር ጌታቸው ኃይሌ የቤተ ክህነትም የቤተ መንግሥትም እውቀት ያለቸው ሰው ናቸው። ነገር ግን ሁለቱንም እውቀቶች “ተቺው እንዳሉት” ለመለያየት ነው የተጠቀሙበት። አቡነ ይስሐቅን ይዘው ሌሎቹን ሲያወግዙ ኖሩ። አሁን ደግሞ አቶ ኃይሉን ይዘው ጀምረውታል። በዶ/ር ጌታቸው የምንገረመው የሰላም ሰው ቢሆኑ እንጂ የጥል፣ የብጥብጥ ቢሆኑ አይገርመንም።

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