Ginbot 7 Movement for Justice and Freedom held a public meeting Sunday afternoon in Washington DC at Marriott Hotel. The speakers included Dr {www:Berhanu Nega}, chairman; Ato Efrem Madebo, an official; and Judge Frehiwot Samuel, a guest speaker.
Ato Efrem Madebo took the stage first and gave a lecture about democracy, work ethic, etc. He turned the political meeting into a history class. It was painfully boring.
The next speaker was Judge Frehiwot Samuel, a member of the inquiry commission that investigated the 2005 post-election massacre of civilians. His speech was a repetition of what we heard 1,000,000,000 times at different Ethiopian political meetings. The over 500 people who were in attendance did not go to hear such a lecture. They wanted to hear progress report. What did Ginbot 7 do since it was established last May? How much time left before Woyanne is dead and buried? How badly is Woyanne’s nose is bleeding from actions taken by Ginbot 7 so far?
The last and featured speaker was Dr Berhanu Nega. He did not disappoint the audience. He went straight to the point — Woyanne will fall soon, he promised. He was articulate, as usual, and went directly to what the audience was waiting for — the recent reports that flooded the media.
Dr Berhanu proclaimed that the Woyanne regime’s conflicting allegations — coup at first, assassination plot, a few days later — is one more sign that the tribal junta is falling apart. It cannot even trust it’s own power base — the military.
Referring to the latest report about the arrest of General Asaminew Tsige and several other military officers, Dr Berhanu said that the tribal regime is carrying out ethnic cleansing against Amhara members of the armed forces.
Using the meeting as an opportunity, Dr Berhanu made a public call to all Ethiopian opposition parties to come together and create a broad-based alliance as soon as possible. He said that there is not time to waste as things are unraveling fast in the country and that all opposition parties have the responsibility to prepare for the inevitable downfall of Woyanne. Dr Berhanu’s call was received with thunderous applause.
During the Question & Answer session, Ethiopian Review representative Tsegaye Shimeles asked what Ginbot 7 leadership thinks about Ethiopian Review’s proposal about creating a transitional government in exile. Dr Berhanu said that he didn’t read the proposal, but the opposition parties must first agree to work together. Then they will decide what mechanism to create that will replace the Woyanne regime.
Following the town hall meeting, Ginbot 7 held a $50-per plate fund raising dinner.
Ethiopian Review’s live broadcast of the meeting was made possible by Addis Dimts Radio, whose host, Ato Abebe Belew, moderated the meeting.
For security reasons cameras were not allowed in the meeting room. This was done to protect meeting participants and their families from Woyanne agents.
27 thoughts on “Ethiopia’s dictatorship will fall soon – Dr Berhanu Nega”
It is good to see the unity and desire of Ethiopians of all walks of life 4 freedom!
The question about exile government:
Birhanu gave the right answer.
Imagine if you have to form a transitional government today:
Who will be the leader?
-Olf chairman? Smart move but work has to be done first. We have to be hand-in-glove with the Oromos who suffer the most under TPLF. Tremendous work is expected from Ginbot 7 to win back the Oromos trust. I think the decisive battle lies in wining the hearts and minds of Oromos.
– Birhanu himself? Wrong choice for many reasons. Birhanu still needs to prove that he stands fore more than beyond himself.
– Hailu shual? Very stupid choice. He lost the battle with TPLF as Kinijit leader.
– Birtukan Medeksa? very smart choice. She is an anchor for all opposition groups for the following reasons:
1. Her ethnic origin (comes from the majority).
2. She is friendly to those Tigreans who are anti-Melese
3. She distance herself from Hailu Shaule in respectful manner and Amharas are happy seen her as their leader.
4. Above all she is young and charismatic capable of galvanizing 80 million people.
I am hopeful that Ginbot 7 will iron out the differences between opposition parties and enable us elect a person like Birtukan as our next prime minister. For this historic achievement, Birhanu will have beyond leadership position, a special place in our country for solving the complicated crisis we are facing.
The day Ethiopia has been waiting for is fast arriving. It is time for all Ethipians to rise up and unite to topple what is left of this corroding cancerous regime that has suffocated our beloved nation. Let us all put our differences and mistrusts aside and aim at creating a bright future for our country.
I have just sent my monetary donation to Ginbot 7. It’s time for us all to do our part . DONATE WHAT YOU CAN TO GINBOT 7, so we may strengthen the movement and expediate Weyanne’s fall.
Let us not be imprisoned by fear, but motivated by the free Ethiopia we all deserve.
Unity is power that is right all partis must be together to get a bettr and secssesful result!
1. I have lived long enough hearing those familiar words when politicians tell us or declare and predict the downfall of a régime in matter of weeks and months. The DERG stayed for 17 years, EPRDF have ruled for 18 years, and it is hoping for more. One thing I know for sure the road to freedom is a long and twisted road that requires many sacrifices. It was true for Eritreans, South Sudan, South Africa, Mozambique, Angola and African Americans in the West. For the last 18-35 years, we Ethiopians are traveling in circles. In all these years, we have not produced a single credible national party or a leader, EPRP, MEISO, Medhin, Kinjit etc. As we put our hopes in one then that party or person is either end up emasculated by the regime in power or he or she gives up leadership because unable to fulfill the various divergent issues we have regarding, democracy, unity, religion or territorial integrity of Ethiopia etc. Our goals are fragmented and change every time. We gate exited for a week or two and move to another sexy subject that comes along the way. A national liberation struggle for freedom need consistency and dedication from the leaders and the followers, and both must be ready to achieve the goal no matter how long or how hard the road might be to achieve it. We need to learn from the examples of Eritreans and South Africans, who were able to achieve their goals after long national struggle. I am not sure how long this new fever of Ginbot 7, will last, I hope the Adbars of our country will bless it and be fruitful. Let me take the opportunity to share my two cents ideas with ER readers, before the topic disappears and replaced by another urgent topic.
A Road Map to Freedom for Ethiopia
1. Ethiopians must accept Eritrean Independence unconditionally. It will be a goodwill gesture to congratulate Eritreans in their 18th. Year Independence Anniversary and Celebration this May to close the chapter of suspicions between the two sisterly people. Eritrean people deserve such heartfelt unambiguous commitment of future Ethiopia, that it will not be a threat to the freedom and territorial integrity of their hard won country. The future Ethiopia has to recognize the international border legally recognized without any preconditions. As hinted by few, Eritrean support is crucial for success of Ethiopia. We need to learn from our past, and no need to repeat mistakes and expect different result. In early 70s, EPRP was the first Ethiopian political organization to seek help and received from Eritreans. However, EPRP’s leadership was not smart enough to recognize Eritrean struggle for independence. They cut themselves from the Eritreans, hopping to do it alone to fight the DERG alone. TPLF was the other group, which seeks help from Eritreans, but unlike EPRP, the TPLF recognized Eritreans right for independence, and received conditional support that TPLF will not secede from Ethiopia. TPLF formed EPRDF and finally TPLF/EPRDF was planted in Menilik’s Palace in Addis Ababa, replacing DERG instead of EPRP with full support of EPLF. Eritreans will not repeat the same mistake; they will not help any one that will jeopardize their hard won independence and territorial integrity paid by generation of blood sacrifices.
2. As suggested by Dr. Berhanu, Ethiopian political organization inside and outside the country need to assemble in Eritrea to form the united front. We should learn from our neighbors Somalia. For so many years, they try to form a united front meeting in various capitals, but were not successful because those who hosted their meeting interfered so much they dispersed without success. After forming their united front in Asmara, they re-liberated their country in less than two years. Even though there are still efforts to divide them by external powers into two groups of ‘moderates’ and ‘radicals’, they are much closer than we are to realize the kind of government they wish to have much quickly than we are. Until we form a credible united front to change the present system the rest of the world will not give us any attention, they would rather deal with the government in power no matter how illegal it might be. We do not need to repeat the kind of meeting Ethiopians had in London in 1991 when a régime forced upon us by external power. We need a place where we meet to discuss all issues without an external pressure. I believe Asmara may be the ideal place.
3. We need a credible and trust worthy leader a symbol around him or her we can look forward for a promise of peace, justice and prosperity for our children and ourselves. It is impossible to have a leader whose ethnic and religious background of all the diverse population of Ethiopia. One has to rise from some where other than our religion, tribe or region. We need to learn from our history. When Italy invaded Ethiopia, and wanted to form The Italian African Empire, by combining, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, our ancestors huddled around Haile Selassie as their leader, even though Italy was trying to replace him with a puppet they wanted the people to accept. Many were willing to play that role of puppets for the Italians. Haile Selassie with the backing of his people at home, he was able to mobilize the whole world behind Ethiopia, and finally Ethiopia was able to secure its independence from Fascist Italian Colonizers, in just five years at a time when Europe believed Africans as inferior races and needed white racists to civilize them. In our time, the mighty South African Apartheid regime was defeated under Nelson Mandela’s leadership from prison. Martin Luther King lead the Civil Right movement in America, Ghandi lead Indian Independence etc. There cannot be a movement without a leader dedicated to the cause full time with all his body and soul. In today’s Ethiopia, I believe Woizer Birtukan Mideksa deserves the honor to be the leader of the re-liberation of Ethiopia for freedom. She is young, educated, articulate and tested leader and willing and sacrificing her personal freedom and comfort for the sake of millions oppressed people of Ethiopia. As former judge, has studied the law and she has the first hand experience of injustices in the country and as the leader of the opposition, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) party has earned the leadership position. She does not have the baggage from previous régimes and not tainted by the present régimes records, standing for justice for all.
4. The United Front with a reliable communication means to mobilize the Ethiopian people at home and abroad to the single goal of liberation struggle. The leadership would inform and teach the Ethiopian people as to the progress and obstacles of its goal of liberating the country. Often we rely on foreign news sources that have a separate agenda than ours, often have an ax to grind, by distorting the information and even fabricating lies to confuse us. I wish there was a forum for the people in our region could discuss such issues in depth without insulting one another. The internet is a wonderful instrument to mobilize people to a common cause as we observed in the U.S. election. The President Obama’s election made possible with this modern communication medium. Unfortunately, we Ethiopians are misusing the medium to drive Ethiopian people further apart creating misunderstanding and divisions. The various existing forums cater mostly to retarded individuals to trade all kind of insults with narrow agenda, twisting facts, fabrication of lies and name calling to destroy any one from emerging as a leader, spreading hate and misunderstandings among Ethiopian people. Ethiopians need a free forum where all constructive ideas could be exchanged, suggested and discussed in detail by intellectuals from all walks of life religion, ethnic, political, religious background openly air their thought without being muzzled by gatekeepers of new ideas different from theirs.
If they have influence as far as DC (intimidate hence no video) how is it that they are nearing their end? Can any one comment?
Ethiopian Review said:
“Ato Efrem Madebo took the stage first and gave a lecture about democracy, work ethic, etc. He turned the political meeting into a history class. It was painfully boring”
One of the fundamentals that Ethiopian review editor lacks is the ethics and value of working together with others. Democracy is built on the values Ephrem discussed yesterday, not on the wall of the empty head of Elias. Is politics different from democracy? What Ephrem told us yesterday should have been told by thousands before him. How can you have democracy without having its very foundation? Elias when do you understand? You can hate Meles and woyane, but if you don’t have the moral advantage over them, you are useless. Telling to Woyane our moral superiority and the importance of morality is the most important thing to do (I don’t blame you it could be ለአህያ ማር አይጥማት) I was in the meeting when Ephrem made the speech. He was the only speaker who kept the crowd on its feet repeatedly. I remember once he couldn’t even speak. Elias shame on you, how can this be boring? Is this a pay back for the comment Ephrem made on you last summer?. Look no body knew Ephrem in the 1990s. You were allover the place. You had Tegbar, Meskrem, and now Ethiopian review. But Ephrem is more popular than you because he has a better idea. He is one of the most articulated and thoughtful Ethiopian I had ever seen. His articles both in English and in Amharic are the best written and well thought. Let the man do his job. You have tried, you failed!
Hey anonymous, what’s this stuff about Ethiopia recognizing the independence of Eritrea? The world has already recognized Eritrea as an independent nation and if I am not mistaken, Ethiopia is part of that world. Ethiopia might have issues with Eritrea in regards to the port of Assab and other areas and that could be solved through discussion and mutual understanding in time. But other than that, there is no other issue here.
Please do not distort the facts as to the stand of EPRP with Eritrean independence. EPRP was the first party in Ethiopia that supported the Eritrean peoples’ struggle for independence. The reason both EPLF and TPLF declared war against EPRP was it refused to call them a Marxist organization because that was the reorganization that both these organization were looking for feverishly at the time. TPLF’s love affair with the Albanian model was legend and need no more elaboration. Of course, no wants to be called a Marxist party nowadays because it has lost its charm.
But the real reason for the EPLF and TPLF to form a united front to defeat the Dergue was much more than that. EPLF realized long ago that it will not defeat the Dergue alone as it has failed time and again trying. And the reason the TPLF was formed in the first place was to secede Tigrai from Ethiopia and if circumstances allowed it, to unite with Eritrea. There is no need to argue this fact because it is clearly stated in the TPLF manifesto.
Although EPRP committed major errors along its path of struggle, let us refrain from distorting historical facts in order to promote ones’ agenda. EPRP did not fail as a result of its relations with Eritrea but everyone ganged up on it including EPLF, TPLF, the Dergue, Meisone, EDU, OLF, etc. Get your facts straight before you hit your keyboards.
Judging from your writing, I believe you left no doubt that you are an Eritrean masking as an Ethiopian. Although Eritreans are welcome to give their views on Ethiopian politics, please do not attempt to portray yourself as if you have the best interest of Ethiopia at heart. Believe me, we will sort out our political struggle in due time and Ethiopia will have a democratic government way before Eritrea does. I think you should worry more about the future of Ethiopia than you do about Ethiopia.
“- Birhanu himself? Wrong choice for many reasons. Birhanu still needs to prove that he stands fore more than beyond himself.”
vs.
“For this historic achievement, Birhanu will have beyond leadership position, a special place in our country for solving the complicated crisis we are facing.”
Ethiopia is the reflections of individuals with such selfish outlooks……you have to change yourself first instead of expecting Ethiopia to change for you.
Coup d’état? What coup d’état?
By: Dilwenberu Nega
3rd May 2009-05-03
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For the past ten days the eyes of the Ethiopian Diaspora had been fixated on one thing and one thing only: the so-called coup d’état or, to be precise, the putsch. On Ascension Sunday, at London’s St. Mary of Debre Tsion – which, unfortunately, had in recent times turned into the epicentre of opposition agitation in the UK, many were seen worshiping not the Risen Christ as they were meant to be doing, but were, instead, observed fretting about the possible consequences of the USD 500 they had contributed by purchasing a bogus “Certificate of Ethiopian Patriotism” published by what they have now punned ‘Gunboat 7.’
Now the Government’s Minister of Communications, Bereket Simmon, has cleared the miasma of confusion surrounding the “foiled terrorist operation,” by clarifying that the intent of the “desperadoes” was not to stage a coup d’état per se, but rather to create a sense of chaos and instability by indulging in a spate of assassinations of Government officials and bombings of public utilities, a kind of a witch-hunt has started taking place amongst perspiring Ethiopians in London as they vow to expose Ginbot 7’s agents who convinced them that it was “absolutely legal in the UK to contribute towards the mounting of a terrorist operation in a foreign country.” The truth of the matter, as can be verified by the pertinent British Immigration and Naturalization Act, is that no one – be they British citizens or Ethiopians residing in the UK, are allowed to use the UK as an abode to conspire to overthrow a foreign government or engage in terrorist activities. The circumstances surrounding Mark Thatcher (son of former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher), in connection with his role in the conspiracy to overthrow the Government of Equatorial Guinea in 2004, springs to mind.
A cursory look at how this particular news evolved over a span of one week is, therefore, indispensable in order to have a firmer grasp of the Ethiopian obtaining situation. At no time had statements by either NISS (The National Information Security Service) or The Office of Government Communication stated that security forces had “foiled an attempted coup d’état.” There, in fact, had been a display of exceptional uniformity of message on the part of the various government organs as all were witnessed echoing the unadulterated truth: “Terrorist operation foiled.” And a terrorist operation cannot possibly be construed to mean a coup d’état. If that were to be the understanding of such a headline, it follows then, would it not, that in the United States and the United Kingdom – two nations who had borne the brunt of terrorist operations in recent years – there had been repeated attempts of coup d’état. How is it, then, that “a foiled terrorist operation” was able to swiftly undergo a metamorphosis and became an attempted “coup d’état?” The catalyst for this had been the knee-jerk reaction – and not the Government of the FDRE – to what had actually transpired in Addis Ababa by the Captain and crew of ‘Gunboat 7.’ Oblivious to the fact that BBC’s Addis Ababa correspondent, Elizabeth Blunt, had indeed placed ‘coup plotters’ within a single inverted comma – as opposed to within quotation mark – in her 25th April 2009 dispatch headlined “Ethiopia arrests ‘coup plotters,’” Captain Berhanu Nega was quick to revert to his pipe dreaming mode by spouting a lot of tosh. When the dust settles, as settle it will, one expects that the Captain of Gunboat 7 and his crew will come to understand, rather belatedly, of course, that if a word or phrase is placed within a single inverted comma, like ‘coup plotters,’ it means that it must not be taken in its literal or metaphoric sense.
On a lighter note, my friend Kebede was stunned by his witty septuagenarian mother soon after she landed in London from Addis last Wednesday as he eagerly asked her about the coup d’état, to which good old Woizero Almaz replied: “Coup d’état?” “What coup d’état?”
It is sure that there are many problems in our country’s economy, politics… But we need to understand that all this problems are not created by the political leaders of Ethiopia so that can’t solve our country’s problems by changing the governing party or leaders. Because leaders are a mere product of our society. what they are doing now is what they learn from the society. if we can change our own behavior we can get the solution.
Yes, Ephrem Madebo was boooooring. I didn’t go there to learn history. It is almost like Mengistu’s speech where the speaker and the listners were detached for most of the time. Ephrem madebo can write articles, but can not be a motivational speaker. You can’t be both at the same time. Look at Dr. Nega, he is a good speaker, but we haven’t seen articles from him in which he left that for better writers.
Therefore Mr Ephrem should write than speak
Dr Berhanu or Birtukan may be CIA`s choice for Ethiopia but most Ethiopians believe that Engineer Hailu better protects their interest and the territorial integrity of Ethiopia. Please you may not love him but he has millions of supporters and it is not fair just to ignore him.
Ato Asheber Abegaz,as to my historical facts read ‘The Generation by Kiflu Tadesse page 173. Also read the History of EPRP posted on the official web site of the party or read “In the rural areas, the Eritrean people’s Liberation Front (led by Isayas Afeworki) prodded its satellite front, the so called Tigrai People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to declare war against the EPRP. The EPLF’s opposition to the EPRP stemmed from the fact that the party refused to endorse Eritrea as the colony of Ethiopia (a position maintained by the EPLF)”. I will not dispute that many individuals EPRP members supported and died for Eritrean Independence. Now I am not interested to hash up stories of 30 years ago, I am interested where we are today and where we need to go. In the last election cycle the main opposition rallying point was opposition to the border settlement Agreement and restoring Ethiopian Red Sea border, again a cheap propaganda a continuation of DERG old open and the new TPLF hidden agenda. You wrote “we will sort out our political struggle in due time”. How much time? Do you follow events in Ethiopia, Ogaden, Oromia, Gambella etc and outside Ethiopia how Ethiopians are suffering and dying in Middle east, shores of Yemen, Mozambique, South Africa etc. Empty slogans and pride will not help the poor suffering people, where ever they live Ethiopia, Somalia or Eritrea. As to my nationality, believe me I am an Ethiopian like you, no more or any less. I have brought ideas which I think will advance Ethiopian peace and stability in our region. You have the right to agree or disagree or bring your ideas and let us discuss them. Mr Aseber do not distort or dodge the issues of finding a lasting solution to our country.
I fully support the establishment of a transistional government in exile sooner than later.The ideal place is Asmara and the uncontested leader Berhanu Nega.Our poor country needs his leadership because of his education,contribution to his country and his high level performance capacity.
Our dear Queen,Birtukan should get the Second position in the new government.I am an Amhara by both parents but I dont go for my ethnic group or population but the necessity of this particular period.
Last point:Let,s focus on the current issue or issue of the day rather than drawing us back by raising the histories of the TPLF,EPLF,EPRP,Meison…
Good Day,Guys!
Hi, Elias i was in DC yestarday, It was what a surprise move from the crowed to be in action instead of talk as we we seen in another time. So THAT PEOPLE SHOULD STAND and support Ginbot 7 because as far as I understand they will make it a generation like EHAPA to kill all Meles weyalas with out harm on the people.
Mr Ashebit Abegaz:
Two things, from your response to “Ananymous”:
1) You stated: “Please do not distort the facts as to the stand of EPRP with Eritrean independence. EPRP was the first party in Ethiopia that supported the Eritrean peoples’ struggle for independence.”
Please don’t twist history. Besides mobilizing public in “yeEritrea TiyaKe beselamawi menged yifeta” slogan, EPRP never supported the “Independence” of Eritrea. It of course supported the struggle as “National question”.
EPRP, as I call it, “the all time well organized party in the urbal struggled failed because it lacked strength and unity of leadership in coordinating armed struggle. Besides, it attempted to declare itself the only leading party that stands for the people in spite of its anja granja leadership within. It failed in Assimba because it lacked clarity and objectivity although it had the best chance of Eritrean support and proximity to be successful. As a formal member of it, on the ground, I would just tell you not to twist facts to suit your agenda.
2) Although I’m not a defendent of who ever “Anonymous” is, any person who supports the practicality of forming an alliance in Asmara or any Ethiopian who is in favor of practical, objective and lasting peace in Horn of Africa doesn’t mean he is an Eritrean. There are thousands of Ethiopian fighters and nationalists who are inside and outside Eritrea who support this practical proposal, unlike the Internet nefTegnas whose ultimate agendas is Assab as opposed to lasting peace in their own country Ethiopia and lasting peace in Horn of Africa. Do not label people as Eritrean when they forward their opinions. Just focus on the topic, not on who Anonymous” is. I don’t thing those Ethiopian practical leaders that are interviewed in ERI-TV and thousands of fighters in different liberation struggles of ONLF, OLF, EPPF, TPDM and others are Eritreans. Stop your usual futile propaganda of the old Abbay Ethiopia.
As far as democracy, whether to be imported or home grown, and the circumstances of it, we will see. Remember “Democracy silu, Democracy sinil” of Goh, the EPRP monthly magazine? We will see who will achieve Democracy and when, and on what terms, once the dust settles. But I’ll assure you that anything short of full independece and territorial integrity of Eritrea, is doomed to fail. Stop your usual Ethiopian intellectual rhetoric and address the issues of dying ethnic divided Ethiopia in considering the practicality and proximity of Eritrea whose leaders wanted to see United and democratic Ethiopia, in practice not in papers, because Eritrea believes peace, prosperity, and the related democracy will best be achieved if there is peace in Ethiopia.
dil lesefiw hizb!
Koster,Truth, etc who are TPLF like ethnocentrists,
That is the problem we Ethiopians have. Everyone wants their ethnic groups to rule. We are exact mirrors of TPLF pushing our ethnic agenda on parties and dividing our people further. Although the majority should rule, it does not matter from what ethnic group should a leader be. Stop this self interest attitude. Ethiopia does not need such division but to lead her uniting the people towards democracy! Koster, you may be hang up on Hailu becuse he is Amara and Truth you are hang up on oromo leader because you are oromo. As someone said above, a leader should not be because he is from certain ethnic group but someone like Ghandi, MLD, Mandela, etc that will embrace all people and bring them out of tyranny.
Guess what every opposition group is attacking each other because of self interest. For example Women’s forum on Paltalk the other day they were ripping Dr. Berhanu to promote Hailu Shawel. It is shameful and very divisive. I support Berhanu, Hailu, Hibret, UDJ, Birtukan, etc. to me they don’t make a differnce as long as they are pro Ethiopian, bring true equality and just for the country.
Establishing a transistional goverment soon gives all Ethiopians at home and abroad to seize the moment for a quick change to Liberal Democracy-a panecea for our political,economic,social and cultural ills.It’s also the best political system of our day that can can help us to cross over tribal politics championed by Meles Zenawi.
Meles Zenawi’s Revolutionary Democracy has renderd virtually no advantage to our 80 million people.Suffice it to mention the price of food during last Ethiopian Easter: a fat oxen-12,oooBirr,a calf-6.oooBirr,A chicken -100Birr.
Who can buy all these except the tin pot Ethiopian dictator and his favoured businessmen and women,one of them being his wife-Azeb Mesfin.
Our homeland is beautiful,green with many mountains,plains and rivers.As attested by Washington post in one of its recent editions,the country could export fresh food-cereal crops,meat of all kinds,fruits and vegetables,not flowers alone,as is currently done by the regime.
Ethiopia is also endowed with a number of minerals and ranks among 11 countries with finest weather.It is possible to work 3-shipts a day either in industries of farms,service institutions.The only obstacle we have is the tribally-based regime and its attendant factors-ethnic politics,ethnic federalism,ethnic-based political parties,the suppression freedom of conscience,freedom of press,the right to freely organize,to demonstrate…
Hey, anonymous; I read Kiflu Tadesse’ book and I challenge you to quote the book where the author stated that EPRP did not support Eritrean peoples’ struggle for independence. Are you saying that EPRP’s refusal to recognize the Eritrean question at the time as a colonial issue is the same as not recognizing the struggle for independence? Mind you, these are two separate issues. Again, I will stand by my position that EPRP stood firmly and recognized the struggle of Eritrean people for independence at a time when it was suicidal for the party to do so. Although it does not matter anymore, I hope you are not saying that the Eritrean issue is a colonial one.
I believe there is nothing wrong to rehash history as long as we learn something from it, but we should be careful not to distort it. Again, you have the right to believe anything you desire, but let us go back and see how the independence of Eritrea was handled by the TPLF. When it assumed power in Addis, TPLF was a small potato compared to the EPLF. Everyone knew that the real power in Addis was with the EPLF and therefore, the TPLF was in no position to dictate anything to Essaias; it was just a servant that was implementing an order. Issias did what he personally wanted to do with the issue of Eritrea without any discussion and debate among the millions of Ethiopia. That is why to this day the TPLF is regarded as a mercenary organization that gave away the port of Assab that rightfully belonged to Ethiopia to its master. In time, this historical grave error committed by the TPLF against the people of Ethiopia will be corrected by a historical right through discussion and mutual understanding. This is not a sentiment of a feudal lord but an error that needs to be corrected.
Yes, again, I will quote myself and will sort out our problems in due time. How else are problems solved? Eritreans fought for more than thirty years to be separated from Ethiopia and TPLF, in its own way, did the same to come to power. And all the while, the people were going through so much suffering. Remember the great famines of the 1970’s and the one in 1985, it happened while the emperor and the Dergue where in power consecutively. Bad things happen while the struggle continues. Opposition forces will organize and replace the current government with a democratic one when the time is ripe to do so. But your attempt to care so much about the suffering of the Ethiopian masses is just an empty sloganeering that will not amount much. If you are really sincere about bringing change to the masses, then make your contribution count by joining the opposition forces that are already out there doing the day to day grinding work. Otherwise, mu suspicion as to the nature of your concern still remains.
Mr. ZXAmiche
Let me see where I twisted history. You wrote “Besides mobilizing public in “yeEritrea TiyaKe beselamawi menged yifeta” slogan, EPRP never supported the “Independence” of Eritrea. It of course supported the struggle as “National question”. Of course, EPRP fought for the peaceful resolution of the Eritrean issue. Are you under the impression that all conflicts should be resolved by violence? Are you serious? As to the second part of your assertion, go and read Kiflu Taddesse’s book and my response to Mr. Anonymous above. And like anonymous, you have the right to believe anything that you may fancy about EPRP or any other organization. I am not a member of EPRP but just trying to clear distorted historical facts. My response to Mr. Anonymous is based on his views of unquestionable support to the independence and sovereneity of Eritrea, and I wish he would show same kind of devotion to the cause of Ethiopia if he is really what he claims to be. I hope you are also aware that Eritrea is an independent nation that does not need any more recognition from Ethiopia from what has already been provided. As to the issue of Assab, please read my response to Mr. Anonymous. And for your information, anyone who raises the issue of Assab is not a Neftegna; Assab is a legitimate and a rightful issue that needs to be resolved among the two nations peacefully when the Woyanes are removed from power. I, for one, believe in sovereignty and territorial integrity of any nation on this earth including Eritrea, but what really amazes me is your zeal to defend Eritrea at any cost. Read what you wrote,
“ But I’ll assure you that anything short of full independece and territorial integrity of Eritrea, is doomed to fail. Stop your usual Ethiopian intellectual rhetoric and address the issues of dying ethnic divided Ethiopia in considering the practicality and proximity of Eritrea whose leaders wanted to see United and democratic Ethiopia, in practice not in papers, because Eritrea believes peace, prosperity, and the related democracy will best be achieved if there is peace in Ethiopia.”
Are you still denying my suspicion regarding your nationality? If you still claim to be an Ethiopian, please stop patronizing the Eritreans, they are capable of defending their nation. As to the nature of the Eritrean leaders and their policies in matters of peace, prosperity and democracy, you better tell that story to grade school students. Are we talking about the same Eritrea that waged war against Ethiopia and caused the death of thousandths of people? Is it the same Eritrea the raised its arms against Djibouti, Yemen , Sudan before it settled in its newly independent home? Is that the same Eritrea that became busy sending its young to jail and foreign lands to establish a one man rule? Come on, this is a forum for grown up discussion, I am sure you know better than that. Politics make strange bed fellows. I understand that Ethiopia opposition forces have bases and offices in Asmara and Eritrea supports them for its own political reasons. Eritrea also supports the Somalis and OLF for the same reason. And all the parties have their own reasons for doing what they doing; there are no permanent enemies in politics, only shifting alliances. Isn’t that cute? And let us not waste our time trying to outsmart each other.
asheber a
Many a people still need a whole conversion. It is nearly impossible to rid Ethiopia of ethnic configuration. 18 years is not an easy period and the country will never get back to the tricky rhetoric of UNITY that only benefited a few.
Elias, it is good to criticize but a critic based on retaliation isn’t helpful for a cause we are fighting. Now, you think you paid back Ephrem for his last year comment against your view about Ertrea vs shabia. Do you think people of Ethiopia care about Ephrem or you? I personally advice you guys (Ephrem and you as well as others), activists in diasporas, keep on issues and refrain from attacks based none-sense and who will give damn if you guys are smart or stupid, that isn’t our business but if you need judgment let’s people judge for themselves. Our problem is poverty, inequality, democracy, and backwardness.
Ephrem’s speech may be boring for you because your problem is not speech about democracy, nor freedom or ethics, as you live in the west and you know what it means because you are practicing day after day, but your problem is toppling TPLF. My primary concern isn’t only removing TPLF but who will replace TPL? The one who replace TPLF has to be better in all measure than TPLF. If they don’t lay better ethics, discipline, democratic value that accommodate majorities of views, rules of law as well knowledge of history with its ups and down than TPLF, why should I care about G7? To say the least, Dr Birhanu’s rehtoric is so admirable and appreciable, but it is not enough to do the job. Neither, Ephrem’s speech nor Frehiwot’s presentation is enough to make a difference by its alone. However, we need all kind of people who are bold to say whatever thing they like you, superior writers and knowledgeable analyst like Ephrem, vigorous and passionate speakers like Birhanu Nega, people who value rule of law with any sacrifice like Frehiwot and oriented fighters like Andergechew Tsigie etc. Above all that is beauty of our individual diversity and we also need diverse representation from all ethnics that is what people of Ethiopia need to define their destiny and to write theirown history. These guys including you are just courageous guy, but trust me there are millions who could better if it is all about individual competition. Now it isn’t for time an individual competition or egotism, we have a bigger cause. If we don’t learn from mistakes of our past at this stage for sure there is something is wrong in our DNA, if that is the case we need biological scientist not politicians.
Selam Ato Ashibir
The Generation by Kiflu Tadesse page 173, 1993.
As I indicated in my last reply I don’t want rehash the past if dose not contribute positively to our current situation, I brought the history to indicate how we arrived to the present situation, so that not to repeat the same mistake going forward.
“ Even though the Left supported the struggle in Eritrea, the majority of the Ethiopian radicals did not accept the inevitability of Eritrean independence….The various radical factions devised tortuous ideological arguments to express this position, which were incomprehensible to the public at large and were regarded as hypocritical by Eritrean nationalists. The EPLO leadership was compelled to consider this issue anew towards the end of November when Berhane Meskel wrote an article on behalf of the armed group…He argued that the organization must support Eritrean independence….Berhane Meskel’s argument did not find favor with the central committee where the issue was discussed extensively. The main objection against it was tactical.” EPRP’s stand was “Alsheshum zor alu, yilal yager lij siterit”
Then you wrote “but let us go back and see how the independence of Eritrea was handled by the TPLF. When it assumed power in Addis, TPLF was a small potato compared to the EPLF. Everyone knew that the real power in Addis was with the EPLF and therefore, the TPLF was in no position to dictate anything to Essaias; it was just a servant that was implementing an order. Issias did what he personally wanted to do with the issue of Eritrea without any discussion and debate among the millions of Ethiopia. That is why to this day the TPLF is regarded as a mercenary organization that gave away the port of Assab that rightfully belonged to Ethiopia to its master. In time, this historical grave error committed by the TPLF against the people of Ethiopia will be corrected by a historical right through discussion and mutual understanding. This is not a sentiment of a feudal lord but an error that needs to be corrected”.
The problem with few Ethiopians like you, you make up a teret or inkokiish and later you believe as a true story. The independence of Eritrea was not decided by Isaias or Meles, it was decided by Eritrean peoples. It was over when Meles reached Addis Ababa. In London when the Americans gathered Ethiopian and Eritrean opposition groups, EPLF, TPLF, OLF and DERG, the Eritreans refused to be part of the transitional government for Ethiopia. They were asked not to declare their independence then in 1991. So do not give credit or blame P.M. Meles for allowing Eritrea to get its independence. If you want to blame TPLF/EPRDF or Meles, there are many issues, like lying to Ethiopian people about Bademe starting a border war where so many Ethiopian and Eritreans perished. He should have learned the history and geography of his country in elementary school before he became a leader of a nation. You can criticize him for stealing the 2005 election and the massacre that took place in Addis, you can crtize him for invading Somalia etc.
Then you wrote ‘TPLF gave away the port of Assab that rightfully belonged to Ethiopia to its master’. Another ‘teret teret’. Asab was sold 1880s by some Sultan to an Italian trader, and that is where the Italian colony of Eritrean started. Just because Mengistu Hailemariam put it as part of Wollo province, and produced independently a map would not make him the rightful owner and by same logic an Ethiopia’s property. When TPLF annexed part of Wollo and Begemidir and put it as part of Tigrai, does not make it legal if the people in some future time the inhabitant of these annexed region decide not to be part of Tigrai, no matter how many recent maps are produced by TPLF. Yes Ethiopia needs a port and Eritrean offered it for Ethiopia to use it for free, it is Meles that refused to use it instead he opted to paying billions to use Djibouti and other ports in the region, as a result the cost of living in the country is skyrocketing. So Mr. Ashebir do not perpetuate misunderstanding and plant future wars to the next generation. Enough Ethiopians already died based on lies; let us prevent future disasters if we can.
As to my nationality the right answer would have been ‘So What, if I am an Eritrean? Yetim fichiw dooketun amchiw yilal yearda lij siterit. Would you accept me if I was an Englishman or Englishwomen and I wrote something in support of the oppressed Ethiopian people. I bet you would have said how I am a wonderful ferenj. Open your eyes and ears every Eritrean or Somali is not your enemy in fact we are all blood relatives. We need to overcome this thinking and work for a lasting peace in our region.
Last you challenged me if I truly care for the poor Ethiopian people I should join the one of the opposition group and fight the system. That would have been okay if there was a true organization that would bring a lasting peace to the country. Unfortunately I do no see any and that is why I am ‘sloganeering’ by writing ideas that may be useful for those who would claim to lead the people to the promise land. If you read my original writing you would have noticed in the last 35 years we have not produced any credible group and joining any one of them would be ‘Wooha kida wooha melis’, yila yabatoch teret, or ‘yeiyategib injera, kemtad yastawikal’. By the way I was once briefly EPRP member!
Mr. Abegaz, please read and research the truth, because billions of lies would not up to one truth, as written in the old book, “only the truth makes you free”
Tena Yestiligne
i think politics is the art of the possible and that makes it different from religion which is dogmatic and has nothing to do with the reality except faith. however it seems our fellow ethiopians are a beat unrealistic when it comes to the current situation in ethiopia when they simply stick to the very notion of unity without sensing the essence of that unity.this has the following deliberately unseen or overglossed realities of the ethiopian political landscapes for almost last two decades.1 ethiopians have been assuming political and economic leadership in mass in nine regional administraive structures on the basis of ethnic groups and this has created sense of ownership in the elites of all ethnic groups 2 ethiopian identity has been expressed along with ethnic identity and both are being blended together so as to compliment each other.3 ethnic cultures have been promoted to enhance the pride of tribes so that it has created a kind of confidence in many tribes .hence it is simply a pius wish on the part of the nostalgic elite to think that this reality will go away for it is the politics of the impossible.the wish against the tide will be swept by the tide but the nostalgia will continue.the ethiopia of the old days how ever you decorate it with all known myths and proverbs is gone for good .that nation of galla bashers and slave riders is dead not to come back whatever amount of mourning will never ungrave it .
ETHIOPIAN LEADERS MOST OF THEM LACK “PUBLIC SPEAKING”
THESE ARE TIPS
RULE#1 LOOK YOUR AUDIENCE
RULE#2 TRY YOUR BEST NOT TO READ PAPERS
REASON WHEN YOU DON’T USE PAPER PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE SPEAKING FROM YOUR MIND……AND YOU WILL BE CREDIBLE…..REMEMBER IT IS POLITICS
RULE#3 SMILE WHEN YOU HAVE TO…..BE SERIOUS WHEN YOU NEED TO…….USE YOUR HANDS..AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
RULE#4 WALK AROUND IF YOU CAN
RULE#5 PLEASE PLEASE DON’T LECTURE
Hey, Mr. anonymous, I see you are just beating around the bush without providing any evidence to your assertion that EPRP did not support the struggle of the Eritrean people for independence. We are not talking about the position of “the majority of the Ethiopian radicals” which is subjective at best, the point of our discussion here is if the EPRP supported Eritrea’s independence or not. It is a record of history that, in 1976, the EPRP explicitly expressed its position on the matter in a position paper supporting the just cause of the Eritrean people for independence. Of course, progressive elements within the Ethiopian society did not want the secession of Eritrea, they preferred if the Eritreans joined the larger struggle of the Ethiopian people and for Eritrea to remain within Ethiopia. What is wrong having that position? Was EPRP’s struggle any different than the one waged by EPLF? Both were claiming to fight to bring democracy and just rule for the people and therefore, why not fight in unison? What was the reason for Eritrea, OLF, ONLF to secede from Ethiopia in the first place? Even though the EPRP understood very well that separation would not bring Eritreans freedom and democracy, it supported the position because it was respecting the wishes of the Eritrean people. Fundamentally, all of them are fighting for the same cause; if so, why not join hands and wage the struggle? Well, in Eritrea’s case, EPLF tried to present the issue as a colonial one, Eritrea being the colony of Ethiopia. But there was just one problem with that, it will turn the definition of colonialism upside down and, although, Eritreans insisted that this was the case, they knew they were not going anywhere with that line of reasoning. But in the final analysis, all this did not matter; did it? EPLF, TPLF, the Dergue, OLF, EDU formed a united front against EPRP and crushed it. Of course, the internal struggle within EPRP did not help its cause either.
Mr. Anonymous, unless you are blindly supporting the fundamental reason why Eritrea started its struggle for independence, you will not find a single reason why Eritrea did not join the struggle waged by Ethiopians as a whole. We all know the colonial stuff is hogwash. What others reasons are left? Oh, yes, Menelik II gave Eritrea to the Italians to save his nation from being invaded, and as result, Eritrea was separated from Ethiopia for several decades until it joined the mainland in the early 60’s. And this is what pisses the Eritreans more than anything else. I don’t know what led Menelik II to take that position but I will leave that to the historians, but other than that, you will see that the population of Eritrea is no different that the rest of the Ethiopian population. The highland of Eritrea is occupied by people who share the same ethnicity, culture and religions of highland Tigrai. And the eastern lowland of Eritrea is populated by the same Affar people that you find in eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti. Which brings us, and this is just purely for arguments sake, what was the reason behind the struggle for Eritrea’s independence other that to satisfy Essias’ ego? Do we believe that Eritreans’ are enjoying the freedom and democracy that they have been promised all this time? Well, I am afraid the reality on the ground does not support that. The people of Eritrea, like their fellow brothers and sisters in Ethiopia, are trying to escape the prison that Essaias has created for them in the guise of fighting for independence. I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.
ELF started the armed struggle of the Eritrean people once Haile Selassie played a smart hand that forced them to join Ethiopia. And that struggle started as a guerilla warfare which escalated only after the Dergue came over. I am an eyewitness account of what the Dergue did to Eritrea and, believe me that is indeed how Issias got his support from the people. The Dergue forced the Eritrean people to join hands with EPLF because of the suffering and inhuman destruction it brought against the people. Yes, the Eritrean people fought and paid with their blood to have a nation of their own, but what is the final outcome of that? Are they really enjoying the fruits of that sacrifice? I believe not. Therefore, do not try to sound altruistic and tell me I have to support everything Issayas fancies; his policies are not in the best interest of the Eritrean people, or for that matter, the region as a whole. Unless you hold the notion that Eritrea is a democratic nation, why not extend that to Meles as well while we are at it, the people have no choice in the conduct of their affair except what Issias has to say. We know how that works in Ethiopia and we are familiar with the behaviors of dictators. If Issayas believes that he has to wage war against any of his neighbors, that is exactly what is going to happen because that is in the nature of dictators. But since you told us we have to honor the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Eritrea, of course, we have to do that without asking any question. And we should not help our brothers and sisters in the north if they want to fight Issias because that violates the sovereignty of Eritrea. Do you think that is a principled stand?
We can discuss the history of the region ad infinitum if you so desire, but suffice it to say that the present empire of Ethiopia used to be much greater than what we have right now. The Ezzanas of Tigrai used to rule way beyond the Red Sea as far as Yemen and Arabia. Therefore, what happened in between that time and the present is just shifting of positions and change of rulers lining and de-lining of borders. Let me repeat myself and ask you again, can you tell me one important factor that differentiates the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia so as to be divided into two separate nations? Please don’t start with your assertion that this is just “teret, teret” with no substance; I dare you to give me just one reason why they should be separated. There is no reason whatsoever why we need to have two separate poor and destitute nations other than to satisfy the egos of dictators who are related in more than one way. Of course, as a matter of principle, we will adhere and uphold to respect one another and defend the sovereignty of both nations.
While we are on the subject, let me tell you what my dream is for both Eritrea and Ethiopia and the region as a whole. Not only Assab, I believe it is in the best interest of both nations, Eritrea and Ethiopia, to be united as one. And not only that, we should encourage Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya and the Sudan to join in a loose federation. Let us build a commonwealth of East Africa and let the population be free and able to work in the entire commonwealth. Let us have a common currency and a free economy and respect everyone as equals and be an example to the rest of the continent. It has become something routine to hear that the sons and daughters of the horn are dying by the hundreds on the shores of the Red Sea for a better life; let us establish the system of democracy and justice so that no one has to leave his homeland in search of something better. Having a region with almost a quarter the size of the continent and with more than two hundred million souls, our advancement will be only limited by our imagination. If the Europeans are able to bring such distinct people and regions into a common fold for the benefit of all, what is holding us back? If we let ourselves be free and not inhibited by our past experiences, I believe it is very narrow to think in terms of ones’ race and region and suffer for no reason. Both Issias and Meles are from the old school of ethnic and regional politics that has bogged down the rest of Africa in darkness. And far from being a feudal Nefegna, as you have taken liberty to accuse me, let me just say that I do not only have anything in common with the phrase, but on the contrary, I am open and invite my brothers and sisters in the neighborhood to join hands so that we can develop the region and make it a better place for all.
asheber abegaz
If it is about talking as an end in itself we can still keep talking for centuries. But the main current issue is to make it happen, that is to say, form broad based and inclusive unity for strong and firm democracy and change the brutal minority government. Underline the word INCLUSIVE UNITY otherwise you might be tempted to be working the TOWER OF BABIEL which may crumble like the house of cards just at a point when it is about to be ready ready and complete for the enaguration. Remember May 15 and other similar events? That explains partly lack of inclusiveness and genuine popular based representation like the recent “army revolt” too. TOOOO NAARROW!!
If you keep doing what you have always been doing for the last 18 years in the way of being diveded and pursuing narrow steril selfish interests, then you will also keep getting just what you have always been getting, that is slavery, dehumanization and hoplessness while tiny Wayane is riding your backs just like the old beasts of burden and laughing at you day and nights.:)