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It’s time for Ethiopian transitional government in exile

In September 2006, Ethiopian Review had called on the opposition parties to set up a transitional government in exile. Three years later, the parties are still unable to come together and create a viable alternative that can replace the Woyanne tribal regime without engulfing Ethiopia in crisis.

Now, more than ever, conditions are conducive to create a transitional government in exile in order to facilitate a regime change in Ethiopia. There is a new player in the field, Ginbot 7, a legitimate successor to Kinijit, that has a cohesive and dynamic leadership. The Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF), an armed resistance group, is stronger than ever with several thousand well trained fighters. OLF, TPDM, and ONLF have strong military presence inside Ethiopia. The only thing missing is a unified political and military leadership that is able to present itself to the people of Ethiopia and that international community that there is an alternative to the Woyanne regime.

A revised version of what Ethiopian Review proposed in 2006

The government in exile is necessary for the following reasons:

1) highlights the illegitimacy of the dictatorship in power.

2) its presence helps exert increasing international and domestic pressure on the dying regime, expediting its inevitable fall down.

3) serves as a rallying point for the people of Ethiopia.

4) the international community will see that there is a better alternative that will be able to bring democracy, peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region.

5) there will be a planned, smooth transition of power, avoiding potential chaos.

6) defeats the Meles regime’s “divide and conquer” strategy.

Planning the government in exile starting now will give time for thorough discussions among the political parties, scholars, and the public at large. There is nothing to be gained by waiting.

Structure of the proposed Transitional Government

A proposal by Ethiopian Review

The Transitional Government will be headed by a five-member Presidency Council–a president and four vice-presidents.

The Presidency Council (PC) will have a three-year term. At the end of the three-year term, there will be a national election under a new constitution.

The presidency rotates every 12-month.

Decisions in the PC will be made by consensus.

The PC’s decisions will be carried out by a Council of Ministers.

The Council of Ministers (CM) will be composed of a prime minister (PM) and two deputy prime ministers (DPMs).

The PM and DPMs will be appointed by the PC.

Prime Minister –
Deputy Prime Minister –
Deputy Prime Minister –
Minister of Defense –
Minister of Foreign Affairs –
Minister of Justice –
Minister of Interior –
Minister of Finance –
Minister of Agriculture –
Minister of Industry –

The rest of the CM members will be appointed by the PM with the consent of the PC and the DPMs.

The CM will serve during the three-year transition period.

The PC’s primary task will be to prepare the country for elections within three years.

In preparation for the elections, the PC will:

1. create an election committee composed of one representative from each party, including those that are not part of the PC.

2. convene a Constitutional Convention (CC) composed of representatives from each woreda (district) of the country, as well as representatives of civic, religious, labor, and other groups.

Activities while in exile

1. The Transitional Government in exile, upon its formation, will contact all governments around the world and seek recognition as the legitimate government of Ethiopia.

2. Merge the EPPF, OLF, ONLF, TPDM, and SLF fighters under one unified command to be named Ethiopian Armed Forces.

3. Contact each military officer in the army under the Meles regime and persuade him/her to join the legitimate Ethiopian Armed Forces.

4. All the ministers in the Transitional Government in Exile will start to carry out their responsibilities. For example, the Minister of Foreign Affair will mobilize international support for the government in exile; the Minister of Justice will investigate officials of the Meles regime for crimes against humanity and corruption; the Ministers of Finance, Industry and Agriculture will create an economic team that will prepare a plan on how to grow the country’s economy during the transition period; etc

The danger of not setting up a government in exile

1. When the Meles regime collapses, chaos could reign in the country for several days, or weeks. A well executed plan by the transitional government in exile will prevent that.

2. The Meles regime will continue to incite ethnic conflict.

3. An unknown armed force could come to power and install another dictatorship.

4. The unity of Ethiopia will be in grave danger as ethnic-based parties become militarily and politically more powerful and decide to stick to their independence agenda when they see for them no political space under the Ethiopian tent. The Transitional Government will give political space for these ethnic-based parties to address the concerns and grievances of their constituencies under a united Ethiopia using democratic means such as elections, courts, dialogue, etc.

33 thoughts on “It’s time for Ethiopian transitional government in exile

  1. The funniest News I have ever heard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Woyane asking for Ginbot 7 leaders to be extradited
    Does Woyane know it is illegitimate government that steals on a day light? It ordered Every tigrian associated to it to steal a car from the government ministries and drive it to Mekelle. I remember every store in a place called industry, Mekelle, was full of stolen Toyota cursers. For your surprise even a famous Tigrian singer who abandoned the TPLF long time ago was asked to steal cars. Weyane dismantled generators from Bahirdar and transported them to Mekelle. Woyane stole Coffee from Ethiopia and hide it in Zalambassa. The funny thing is Shaebia knew that and captured the coffee and exported it. Woyane stole Arms from stores in Addis Ababa and buried it in Endayesus Mekelle. Woyane is the cruelest and hated government in Ethiopia. Look what it did to the Somalis. It turned its Army base to burial ground of young innocent Somalis. What did those young and innocent Somalis did to deserve this. They never killed even one Ethiopian. The answer is Woyane did not care about them. It was looking at the donation it was going to receive as a reward for being a messenger. Woyane was created by Shabia. Rember what it did to Eritreans who used to live in Ethiopia for generations? First it used them to establish itself in Addis Ababa. They were asked to vote as Tigrians. Later it deported them without a night cloth. It sold their property and used it for its narrow objective. Somalis fed Meles during his difficult time and gave him a passport. Look now what it is doing to them. What about what it did to SPLM. Do you know the history of the lost boys of sudan. They were the reminants of Weyane Massacer of South Sudanese nationals at the hand of Woyane. Weyane killed women childern and the rest made them drawn in rivers. Weyane is inhuman whose objective is just to establish greater tigrai at any cost. It took land from wello, Gonder and Afar. It tried to do the same with Eritrea and it did not fare well. Weyane thought by blocking Eritrea from the Ethiopian Market and replicating Eritrea’s Manufacturing in Tigrai it will achieve its narrow objective. The factories in Tigrai that were established without plan and detailed feasibility study are now useless. Woyane’s objective it to use Ethiopian resources to establish Tgrai republic. Prior to 1998 woyane’s stealing corridor was Massawa. Heavy equipment was unloaded in Massawa and transported directly to Tigrai. This was done without the knowledge of Ethiopians. The machines were so big and the massawa road had to be modified so that it would accommodate them. Currently the stealing corridor is Port Sudan. Coffee is stolen from central Ethiopia and exported through Port Sudan. Don’t be fooled when weyane tells the coffee traders they are hoarding coffee. It is a distraction. Other goods that are specifically ordered for Tigrai are imported through Port Sudan. Don’t you get surprised when Meles imprisoned Tamrat for corruption? It is like “saikedmeng Libelew Leba”. That is why Weyane never been and will not be an Ethiopian. How can an Ethiopian kills young kids whose only crime was telling wayane you stole our parents vote. Woyane is insecure and it will fight hard to stay in power. It will kill anyone who dares to tell the truth. However its destiny is already determined. It is not going to be long to see wayane being History. There is one card left to play with though. Open war against Eritrea and Use Oromo and Amhara kids as a cannon fodder. That way it will control every movement in Ethiopia like derg did in the name of national security. Given the weak economy and the dwindling foreign support that will buy woyane only a short survival time. Yet the end result is elimination of Woyane from Ethiopia for good. It is time for the people of Tigrai to come to their senses and tell Wayane it does not represent them.

  2. አሁን ካላደራጁት ሰርገኛ መጣ በርበሬ ቀንጥሱ ይሆናል ለአንድነትም ጸር ነው የሚሆነው
    to form the exiled government will preempty the negative possiblities of dis unity when the time arrives.But our would be leaders do not want to take precuations from others and eventualy they will lead our people to another blood bath due to their vested personal interests.
    we pray for them to take their unified stand.

  3. Dear Elias,

    I appreciate your strategic thinking, and completely agree with what you are saying.

    I have been assuming that something is being done towards this issue of government in exile or at least effective coalition. Do you mean that they are still stuck? Where did all that enthusiasm of Andargachew Tsige go? I remember him saying that it only took them 15 minute to build understanding on major issues.

    No! No! Let me choose to be optimistic. Dr. Birhanu has been repeatedly saying that what we need to talk about should be what we have to do after the fall of ‘Woyane’. I believe that he is not telling us to keep on talking about it until ‘Woyane’ dies. Instead I prefer to believe that he is also taking important action that ensures stable peaceful transition.

    If this is not the case we need to turn our face away from the dying ‘Woyane’, and start a movement urging politicians and top human right activists like Prof. AlMariam and Mr Obang to direct their efforts towards this vital issue of government in exile.

    Ye Ethiopia Yesidet Mengist Baschekuay Yikuakuam!

  4. Dear Mr. Elias,

    Good job. it is a good proposal as some points has to be debatable like the length of time the transitional government to stay in power (in my view 12 to 18 months enough instead of 3 years).

  5. Elias,

    The idea seems good. But in my view, it is premature. The ground work must finish first. One of the work should be in place is unified position and build a trust. AFD was a good beginning. Unfortunately, it is well behind the peoples’ desire and even its existence is in question. How can then we form transitional government at this stage?

  6. I have never heard such important and wise article like this in my life time. It develops my hope. Really I was opposing Elias but now satisfied more than any thing. this will give the OLF, EPPF, ONLF as well as Ginbot 7 time to think about the new transitional government. change is coming in Ethiopia, yes we can, yes we do.

  7. Thank you Elias,
    The idea will get strong public support. Please push for action on this great idea.

    I SUPPORT ALL AN ARMED STRUGGLE AGAINST PARASITES!!

  8. My understanding is that Ginbot7 has been trying to do the same but they are still in process or unable to bring everybody onboard.
    Elias, How about you take up the initiative and interview representatives from all of these orgns? Based on your outcome, you could arrange an internal discussion among themselves in collaboration with other Ethiopian media outlets (EMF, Nazreth, Paltalks, etc, etc.). We have to believe we all can make a diference.

  9. It’s a marvelous idea, Elias. Your proposal can save our beloved country from impending catastrophe-ethnic violence or further dismemberment by the ethnically-based separatist organizations.

    The structure of the government in exile looks sound.The naming of the ministers can be changed to “secretaries” rather than “ministers”.

    The Diaspora community has a number of well-refined scholars in every field of development.What we should be careful is that its composition-it must be -all inclusive unlike Woyane-winner-takes-all style.Dominance by one ethnic group or nationality must be a matter of the past.

    The right time,as said by our dear webmaster,is now.

    Good day folks!

  10. Elias,

    This is good for the starter, but you forgot a main ingridient, for without this ingridient nothing will work.
    Whether to merge the OLF, ONLF, EPPS, TPDM & SLF and form an Ethiopian armed forces or unite Ethiopians the presence of the Eritrean government is a key.

    Here is what I think will work in addition to what you have proposed. I don’t think the Eritrean government have any problem of uniting Ethiopia that includes Eritrea. For me what I think the issue is a power or representation. Hence, propose to the Eritrean govenment to be included with the “Government in Exile” with President Isaias Afeworki as its Prime Minister, and give him an asurance that he will be the PM after the fall down of the Meles regime.

    Unless whoever is interested in seeing the united Ethiopia has the gut to persue the Eritrean leaders to unite with Ethiopia and asume the leadership role the whole proposal you’ve presented would be just wishful thinking. President Isaias Afeworki have hinted in numerous occasions that the emergence of the “two countries whether federation or confederation was not unthinkable”. Furtheremore, the sepreration of two people have practically impacted both negatively, and Eritreans already know very well Eritrea can’t servive without Ethiopia. It is true also Ethiopians know very well the servival of the nation, as strong and viable nation depends on access to the sea.

    Therefore, it is very practical thing to start the healing process with the Eritrean government and people first before jumping to the concept of the “government in exile”. This is my sincere belief and I urge every stakeholder to discuss with wisdom without emotion.

    God bless Ethiopia

  11. It is a noble idea that comes out of a noble person – Elias Kifle – to create an Ethiopian government in exile with the blessing of an exiled Patriarch Abune Merkorios and with the support of all Ethiopians in the Diaspora. No doubt such a government will unify all political opposition parties toward forming a true democratic Ethiopian government in the future.

  12. It is a good idea. This government should be a representative one of all sectors of the society – National Liberation Fronts,Trans-ethnic parties and civic/religious organizations.
    It should open its very first embassy in Asmara.Which paves the way for future fraternal relation with the brotherly people of Eritrea.

    Unity and Democracy
    GO EPPF!!!!

  13. Thank you Elias for this crucial idea that all Ethiopians should heed to. Working together for change in attitudes and g et ready for sacrifices is paramount.

    Reading Wogen’s comment made me question the overall mentality we have. Shall I say sickness we have. Instead of cleaning our home and get ready to shoulder responsibilities and don’t repeat Woy-anne’s mistakes, we want to broaden our prolems instead of narrowing it down. We should have good friendship with our neighbor Eritrea and not make unrealistic propsal. Eritrea is making all the efforts for sustainable development and we should work with them in realizing ours. They have not refused us the use of the sea ports.
    Unity of all Horn African countries including Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti can be realized in the form of confederation. Each country should clean its home and be free from external agendas. Then and only then, I would think genuine people’s agenda, people of the Horn of Africa, can be realized.

    Thank you.
    Zemach

  14. Stupid TPLF, thinking the WEST will jump on the wagon againest Ginbot 7, humilated themselves and gave Ginbot 7 the recognition it deserves as a geniune opposing force. Let them, G7, form a goverment, it makes sense as you know TPLF is on its one leg. G7, dont shy away from responsblity. Ethiopia needs leaders,now. Go G7,
    Cheers!

  15. Thank you ER for having a vision and strategy of having an Ethiopia that gives its every nationality an equal rights, and at the same time living in peace with itself and neighbors. Shame for the hodamotch who think that they can negotiate with woyanne and think that woyanne can be trusted. For sure this self centered hodamotch could care less for ethiopia’s disintegration and bloody conflicts that can ensue after the inevitable fall of barbaric woyanne. They could care less about poverty stricken fellow Ethiopians. For Eritreans thanks to the heroic young men who paid with their lives to crush woyanne’s diabolic dream of crushing Eritreanism, we are ready day and night to defend our people.

  16. I don’t want to be seen as a negative however this proposal is nothing but funny article because it is far from the existing reality in the ground. Do you know how many opposition party we have(may be we are no.1 in the world), are they even talking, sharing ideas each other even with common interest? as far as I know the answer is no instead they see each other enemies.

    My second point how legitmet will it be assigning transitional exile government with full line ministries/secretriat … Mind you ethiopians don’t need change of gov’t only we need change of gov’t with democratically elected one, so who vote this exile government, they vote themselves if so I don’t the difference between them and whoever come after the overthrow of meles as long as the people don’t vote … ” Destte Belewawette wette aytafetem”

    Generally I want to be honest whoever propose this, it is a wheel before a horse. However I respect your proactive thinking,idea and opening discussion on this regard.

    The first thing is first let’s work to bring good understanding – unity between the opposition parties as well as the diaspora supporters of those party. That is really the base work for everything, the rest will be evolution dynamics it will catalyzed by itself to the right direction.

  17. Dear Elias:
    I agree with your idea, if Engineer Hailu Shawel becomes the first transitional president. Otherwise I appreciate your dedication.
    Thanks

  18. Elias excellent idea.Western countries fear a failed state like Somalia.The first thing they ask before they support a regime change in any country is ,What is the alternative party that could take over power in that country with out any power vacum ? In the case of Ethiopia,they couldn’t see a viable alternative .The western countries like to see a strong and well organized party that could be an alternative to Woyanne .That was how woanney came to power 18 years ago.At that time the only party that had a better chance and organization to stablize Ethiopia after the fall of Durg was TPLF and the U.S. blessed woaynne take control .We need to show them the alternative if we don’t like the status quo in Ethiopia.For western countries any third world government is their friend as long as it worked with them and for them.Woyanny knows that and using it well .Let us stop the squbble and come up with a strong national/transitional party.So Elias thank you.Well done.

  19. Dear Elias,

    Just picking on what Tenkir (#15) said, could you please try to update us if something is being cooked behind the seen. We have been hearing and reading a lot of inspirational words, but if they are not taking practical action it will be a disaster.

  20. For the last 18-35 years we Ethiopians are travelling 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. As people our goals are fragmented and change every time. We are exited for a week or two and move to another sexy subject that comes along the way. A National liberation struggle 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 “Exile government” will last, but 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
    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 among 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 that has been recognized legally 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. But 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. Ethiopian political organization inside and outside the country need to assemble in Eritrea and form a united front to liberate the country from local and foreign domination. We should learn from our neighbors Somalia. After forming their united front in Asmara, they re-liberated their country in less than two years. Even though they were divided 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.
    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 ourselves and our children. 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 for fathers huddled around Haile Selassie as their leader, even though Italy was trying to replace him with a puppet they wanted the people to accept, and there were many who were willing to play that role. But, 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 Aparthied regime was defeated under Nelson Mandela’s leadership from prison. In today’s Ethiopia I think Woizer Birtukan Mideksa deserves the honor to be the leader of the re-liberation of Ethiopia. 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, 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 was 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 without being muzzled by gate keepers of new ideas different from theirs.

  21. That is exactly what Ethiopians need to do. Time to change weyane and defet him in all out fronts. By the way, weyane is now fabricating dramas so that to legitimize his arrest opposing forces knowing that next year will be his final year otherwise.

  22. #30, totaly agree with the need for strong and geniune relation with Eritrea. To be honest and realistic, Ethiopians’ freedom will hard to come with out the help of Eritrea, or it if comes with each individual opposition group ,it will be tribally and regionaly organized , a recepy for civil conflict. Eritrea strongly believ Ethiopia is one, and one people. Eritrea have proven the equality and the right of its citizen to be beneficiary from its resourers and defender of their country as one. They know the obligation to have united country and to celebrate and respect every citizen’s tradition and custom regardless of his/her orgin, that is the fundamental and right route for a country to proser. Eritrea are showing us practicably and they are happy and proud of it, and that is the reason they they want us to be one united and proud Ethiopian . I have no reason not to believe that, they have done nothing wrong except to fight for their independence, and help TPLF to establish transitional government in Ethiopia. TPLF and Derge used Ethiopians to destroy Eritrea with every possible means imagined, for the surprise of the wold they survived and more importantly they stick with their principle as they come came strong politicaly and become the most stable and respected country in Africa despite the continuos western defamation. What is their secret? Ethiopians has to think 180 change about Eritrea, they openly promised and they are practicaly helping, encouraging training heroic Ethiopians fighting for one Ethiopia.Eritrea-Ethiopia conflict from latest historic facts.
    1,(Emmotional war) Derge draged Ethiopia to the ground fighting with Eritrea, based on Ethiopian past colonial history, ignoring the need for its people social, poetical and economical issue. Mengistu didtroyed Ethiopia
    2,(mischiviose WAR)TPLF ignored or broke its promise to Ethiopians to form inclusive government, as EPLF wanted, but with their twisted mind they diverted Ethiopians social, poetical and economical issue to one front, get Asab- and destroy Eritrea. Ethiopians misgiuded, waged the badme and Assab war. TPLF used Ethiopians and with its propaganda survived for another 10 years by keeping people hostage of Eritrea- Ethiopia war.
    TPLF will fall soon, it only take conquer one TOWN by united front opposition front to moblize the whole country, and this will happen soon. We need stablizing group to take over after the thugs are gone.
    So the establishment of NEW TRANSITION GOVERNMENT IN ERITREA is practical and MOST IMPORTANTLY, it will become the foundation for two friendly countries ever lasting peace. Happy 18th anniversary for Eritrea and victory for Ethiopian people
    Go G7
    Cheers!

  23. there is a time to eat
    there is a time to sleep
    there is a time to love…..there is a time for every thing,nothing remains for ever.every things will change…..
    READY AND WAIT…..THERE IS A TIME FOR ETHIOPIA…

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