The Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) that is led by Birtukan Mideksa is falling apart as founding members stated to leave the party. Some of the senior UDJ leaders are on the verge of resigning. Dr Yacob HaileMariam has already submitted his resignation letter to the executive committee. Prof. Mesfin WoldeMariam has been inactive for a while. Ato Temesgen Zewdie and Birtukan are at each others' throats. Ato Gizachew Shiferraw wants a way out. The executive committee is in turmoil.
The once popular and respected Birtukan has lost control of the party by failing to lead. She has also become too emotional, vindictive, and self-defensive. In one recent meeting, she stormed out after a heated debate. She later apologized.
The main cause of the crisis facing UDJ is Birtukan's inability to provide strong leadership, along with her submissiveness toward the ruling Tigrean People Liberation Front (Woyanne). Another cause is her unscrupulous political machination. Instead of trying to persuade members of the executive committee, she engages in backroom dealings with less known officials of the party and turn them against the older, prominent leaders. The only senior leader of the party she listens to is Prof. Mesfin, who is at adds with almost every one.
Birtukan seems to want the crisis to continue until all her perceived "opponents" quit one by one in frustration so that she can bring her own loyalists and be in firm control. In the process, she has turned UDJ into a circus and a tool for other forces.
Her dealing with the likes of Siye Abraha, an unrepentant Woyanne, and Beyene Petros, a traitor, is disconcerting to the rank-and-file members of the party. In the Dec. 6 public meeting that UDJ held in Addis Ababa, the hall was packed by Siye supporters who gave the unapologetic mass murderer a rousing reception. It was sickening to see the UDJ leadership stand on their feet and clap for this Woyanne who is responsible for much of the Woyanne crimes against the people of Ethiopia and thinks that he has nothing to apologize for. For this reason alone, UDJ should be considered a sellout.
UDJ is already being ignored by most Ethiopians. In a city of 4 million, only 3,000 people showed up at its Dec 6 public meeting in Addis Ababa. According to ER sources, many of those who showed up were Siye Abraha supporters.
Siye used the Dec. 6 public meeting to build his own political platform. Indeed, he seemed to be a person of mission, looked confident, and showed passion for his cause much more than Birtukan and the other UDJ leaders. He had completely upstaged them in their own meeting.
It is for this reason that UDJ should not be just ignored as a useless group. It is being used by not only Woyanne, but other tribal forces such as Siye Abraha who are working to build the 3rd Woyanne right under our nose.
To save UDJ from being used by such forces, its supporters inside the country and around the world must hold an emergency meeting and demand the impeachment and removal of Birtukan. The only way UDJ can be saved is if it elects new leaders who are true to Kinijit's principles. Kinijit's spirit has left Birtukan at the Dulles International Airport in October 2007. She is now a tool for Meles and Siye.
Related Posts
- Woyanne Federal Police questions Birtukan Mideksa
- Woyanne arrests Birtukan to divert attention from Somalia
- UDJ meeting in Nazret disrupted by Woyanne goons
- Siye Abraha is NOT a national hero
- Former defense minister Siye Abraha to join UDJ
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Elias, I think this was what you were expecting from the beginning. You are not fan of peaceful political struggle at least at this moment of time. No matter how long it takes peaceful struggle and smooth political transition is the only way out to Ethiopian politics.
I am not judging at this moment the capacity of Birtukan Mideksa, the leader of UDJ, but i can see her greatest potential at least to lead political party. In all her effort to organize the strong, popular and long standing political party, the foundation is laid.
I do not see any cracking down from the report I followed up, the problem is we believe in people not with institutions. We praised faces not systems. People come and go the organization should stay and if it is to stay it has to be shaked with waves.
Every thing is shaked when it encounters greater force, the strength is proven on how to control the shake and I hope UDJ has shown all this.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I have pointing out the weakness of this dissident group from Kinijit as untenable and not only weakening Kinijit, but also acting as a buffer and entertaining the likes of siye who is two sides of the same coin with TPLF. The media attention he received by Ethiomedia, Abugida info including an interview and an interview by VOA was far more than any genuine political leaders engaged in genuine peacefull struggle, eventhough he was a prisoner for corruption and not a political prisoner. He attracted a large crowed of the Ethiopians in the diaspora, may be a crowed of TPLF/EPRDF supporters and yet uncomfotable with the current rgime but still want to maintain the ethnic dominace of Tigrai, or afraid they will loose their self interest and want to maintain the status quo with the lesser of two evils, much in the same way they tacitly embraced TPLF, which came out of nowhere in the world of politics and government. This notion sounds speculative, but it appears to be the true mental status of the society then and the mental status of the diaspora now including the teletafi parties, the loyalist parties and UDJP as a matter of to say it bluntly to preserve their self interest rather than national interest. This notion does not include their constituency for the most part, because most of them particularly, Ato Lidetu and Prof. Beyene are in the paliament against the will of their constituency.
The only earthly salvation to these parties by the public at large is to boycott the election in 2010, so that there will be no election untill 8-point conditions are met. OFDM did in the last local election at least partially, I presume.
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:15 am
Whether Andinet/Birtukan or G7/Dr Berhanu are meant to weaken the nationalist group led by engineer Hailu Shawel and are contributing to this effect not to free Ethiopia from woyane tyranny and poverty.
If we really care for Ethiopia and Ethiopians at home we should rally around AEUP led by engineer Hailu Shawel. Both Engineer Hailu and Ato Abayneh are showing great committment and should be supported if we want to see a free and democratic Ethiopia for us all soon.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:09 am
This is politics. Get over it! Go UDJ!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:23 am
I think the opposition parties are being used by the Weyane whether they like it or not. If you are in Ethiopia, you have to abide by the Weyane. One thing all parties should remember is that Kinijit, UDJ, Ginbot 7, etc. if they are obliged to split and break apart, this should not break their spirit or attack other parties. They have to form new parties because Weyane does not want to see a new strong party that can beat Weyane that is why. Therefore, the parties, even though they are forced to split apart, they should still work together and they should not play in the hands of the Weyane by attacking one another. That is exactly what happened when Kinijit fall apart, and that is what is going to happen maybe with UDJ. Birtukan and those must support each other that this is the work of Weyane and they can't do anything otherwise they will be threatened. They must not attack eachother when they know that it is Weyane's doing.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:04 am
Answer for No. 3 , koster,
You EPRP groups always call yourself as Unifying group. who call yourself saver of Ethiopia. It is funny to see such stupid people like EPRPs who call themselves they are the only Ethiopians.
Asfar as Ethiopia is concerned, Ethiopia belongs to all of its People. There is no such or one group is more unifying /yeAndenet Haile/ than others.
By calling yourself the only group and the only saver of Ethiopia, believe me u will not walk an inch let alone to organize the people along one AEUP oe EPRP party. By calling people to join the party of your choice shows how stupid and ignorant persons like you are grouped and working in your party.
In the 21 century, you just tell people which part to join and which party to leave. How Ignorant and Stupid person u are!!! Your stupid advice is not only immoral but also backward and self centered.
People knows which party to join and which party to leave. That is what democracy is about.
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:14 am
Elia I totally agree with you. I heard her interview with Ethiopian Current Affairs Discussion Forum. She has no any quality of leadership. I was surprised that she was the leader of UDJ where most peaceful struggle lovers have great hope. Its really shame. How could a leader like her can coupe with the master mind Legese Zenawi. For me its really a waste of time. Wake up every body. Let's not be ideal. Imagine Legesse Zenawi, a man of many crimes, giving power peacefully to the weak and inconsistent opposition leaders like her. Rather let's be practical and support the movement of G7. Otherwise we will live just shouting in the streets of Western countries and complaining always what Zenawi is doing. The choice is clear and open.
Go G7!!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 am
So, what is wrong if Siye Abrha and his suporters attend the UDJ meeting? You know why Elias Kifle strongly hate Siye Abrha? Because, it was under Siye`s millitary leadership that the `god father` of Elias Kifle, i.e. Isaias Afeowki and his Sawa ill-trained millitia were nearly collapsed during the Ethio-Eritrea war.
Elias-believe me or not it is a matter of time for nationalist Ethiopians like Siye and Birtukan to rule this country and claim our ports in the red sea.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hi Elias
I hope that is only ur Idea.
thanks
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:38 am
elias,
I can say – you are well informed on the saga of the UDJ.
The Siyie group showed us they are more competent and shrewd than the elites of UDJ.
One other thing which was overlooked by "spie" reporters and critics was that – one of the agenda to be discussed on the Dec. 6 meeting was "the future relationship between the UDJ and the Siyie/Beyene/Gedaso group and poltical parties". This agenda was pushed as a priority by Siyie group. But then when the meeting got ugly due to " the interview of Birtukan about the pardon paper" – they stayed low for another occasion. According to wittneses some of the leaders were so fearful of reprecussion for Birtukan's interview – they were seen using their mobile phone to report about the meeting to their woyannie handlers in the middle of the meeting.
Basically both the Woyannies and the Siyie group are in control of the UDJ.
Blaming Birtukan alone is not fair. Everybody knows Birtukan is not fit for the job. So why push her to be a leader. Above all Mesfin w/m should be responsible for this crissis. At least they should have allowed Dr. Yacob to lead the party.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:37 am
What a sad state of affairs in Ethiopian politics. It is disheartening to see the once mighty Kinijit that shook the foundation of the tplf reduced to be a playing toy for the tribalist junta.
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:39 am
It is a fake party from the very begining.The aim is to weaken the old lion and true son of Ethiopia kinijits leader Hailu Shawel.
But wait, more disintegration is on the way and more intruge and sabotage that is done in the past againest Hailu shawel party will be revealed.
give it time!
December 23rd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
We Knew that UDJ was a bad news from the start for Ethiopian unity when they failed to include a Muslim Presences under the so called a unity umbrella. We all witnessed how Woyyanee plays a religion card in Ethiopian politics but this bunch of power mongers did not care. They never bothered to heal but to ignore and divide further like their master Meles.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Beleive it or not, the UDJP will keep going because all the negagtive propaganca you are talking about are not new for ant member or supprter of the party. UDJIS NOT a group of people WHO ARE POLITICALLY NEIVE BUT WELL-MATURED AND PRINCIPLED.
December 23rd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
What a bunch of morons and ignorants the poeple commenting on this forum are. We know where Elias is coming from but you guys are hopeless. In a country of 80 million people, how could there be a single party which can address everyone's issues? In a country as diverse as Ethiopia is, how is it possible that only one opposition is a solution? The opposition in Ethiopia has historically been and still is the main culprit for the demise of other oppositions. Elias thinks that anyone who is opposed to his views is a sellout, traitor, banda or even non-ethiopian. Seye Abrha thinks that two strong oppoistion is one too many and indicates that the rest 80+ parties should either be subjugated or silenced. Beyene hints that the forces of eprdf are 'tibia' and could majically disappear if the opposition starts unites as if he hasn't done that already a dozen times. I think the word 'unity' should be discussed in great depth as to what it means to the people of Ethiopia. Does it mean all speaking one language? Does it mean stading against eprdf without regard to the building the alternative? Does it mean that smaller/localized parties should disappear? What do you guys mean by unity? Under what banner should we be unified? Don't tell me under the banner of 'Ethiopia' since all parties do not dispute their ethiopianness. UDJ will be judged by history as Kinijit was. If they are as useless as Elias seems to think then you should not be worried about what they do. If they have an alternative that might work for their constituents, so be it. Build your party and get it to work in the way you thinks is best. The idea monopoliziing ideas and thus the opposition movement is sickening as best. God bless our beloved Ethiopia.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
ገና ልጅ ነችና አታስቸግሩአት::
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
We need to give ANDNET a chance. I am sure we rather have Bertukan than Meles. Please read the following article by EMf. Woyanes are torturing this lady and it seems some of us encouraging woyane to do it indirectly. I some times wonder what we want. What realy do we want?
EMF (23 December 2008) Birtukan Mideksa is warned by Federal police today to apologize the Meles Zenawi government for a speech she made in Sweden, government controlled ETV reported. Birtukan is given three days time to make the apology. If she fails to do so she will face life imprisonment, according to ETV.
UDJ/Andinet party chairwoman Ms. Birtukan Midekssa is released after hours of arrest on Tuesday morning by Meles Zenawi’s federal agents.
Birtukan was called on today again by the notorious Federal police for further interrogations on the speech she gave in Sweden. On Monday, UDJ party has backed Birtukan’s stand that Kinijit Leaders did not ask Meles Zenawi an apology as a condition for getting out of jail.
The UDJ had issued a press release on the previous interrogation warning the police not to interfere in politics.
EMF called Ms. Birtukan Mideksa this afternoon, who said I will not give any comment on this issue at this moment.
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Elias you are right!
UDJ is highjacked by Seiye Abreha (The all time woyane man)
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Elias: people like you because you talk the truth. Seye Abrah is one of the most notorious enemies of Ethiopia. He has killed and looted our people. No one should forget what he declared when his ignorant anti Ethiopian woyane bandits entered in Addis. Now he is once again consolidating himself to re-attack and finish Ethiopia. Only naives and gullibles will sit near him. We will never forget how he massacred the Amharas, Oromos Somalis and the Southern part of Ethiopia. We need to bring him to justice, that is what he deserves!!
Iwunet
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Dear Elias – Although I respect your personal opinion, this one is too much. You seem more negative than positive towards the democratic process in Ethiopia. Not only you but many people believe Wayane will not give power peacefully. I don't have problem with that position but there are also people who strongly believe the way to bring democracy in Ethiopia is through peaceful struggle. I think, understanding and accepting Democracy starts from accepting the right of others to have their own position.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Elias,
I like you because of your hard work as the jounalist.
I am NOT agree with you to Impeach Birtukan. It is not clear in the first why to impeach her in the first place.
God Bless Ethiopia.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
ETHIOPIAN………a house is not the home unless people live in it,in the same talking party is not the party unless the leaders are smart enough to lead. in this case i doubt it.UDJ= UNITED DISABLE JUNKS.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
From the start of the formation of this party ²Andinet²- UDJ
Mesfin w.Mariam endorsed Birtukan. Even before the formation of this "party" Mesfin encouraged the splitting of former Kinijit. Mesfin might have the ambition of being the president of Ethiopia by passing a short cut through the so called UDJ. That is why Mesfin was preaching peace more than a monk while he was touring in the US.
Following his mission Birtukan toured to Europe to distort some former Kinijit supporters and hence to weaken pro unity forces of Ethiopia.
Since Birtukan has good relationship with Seye. Seye favours Birtukan because of former lawsuit. Seye doesn't want to start from scratch to form a party. he needs also a short cut. So he uses now the platform of Birtukan.
Those who were labling her as heroine to the rank of empress Taitu were too emotional. They must have regretted.
Now the prof. mesfin is a loser. Others feel also they could not move forward. Hence, they rush to resign.
So UDJ is no more reliable for change, it wants to maintain the status quo.
The Ethiopian people need change. Change of governance, change of political modus operandi, etc.
Ethopia is in need of patriots, nationalists, warriors to safeguard the unity and territorial integrity of the country.
Ethiopia prevails.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Merry Christmas and happy new year.
December 24th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I agree with you Elias Thank you for your observation.
December 24th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I can not see any reason to attack Birtukan in person or UDJ as a party. I think that Birtukan and the other UDJ members are trying to do their best amidist a burning fire. They are not againist G7 and OLF camps. They are simply trying to win public support in their own way.
No body can provide a single formula that can solve our problem. They are only providing an alternative view and approach to fight againist 'Woyane'. So, Birtukan deserves respect for what she has accomplished instead of condemination. If we prefer one party from the other what we can do is just to shift our support to the party of our preference. Some times our demands from UDJ (Birtukan)are unbalanced to the real power intrusted to them. What we demand is too much. We should not think of UDJ as a party in power and of Birtukan as PM.
God Bless Ethiopia
December 24th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Look what the Kinijit leaders actually signed.
Bereket Simon has changed the actual text as if they had asked apology for their release.
http://www.kinijit.net/letarik.pdf
December 25th, 2008 at 2:38 am
FYI – On Pardon
Dr.Hailu Araya interview with VOA 9-19-07
**FORWARDING COMMENTS
All,
Re: DR HAILU ARAYA FAILS TO EXPLAIN WHAT HE WAS 'PARDONED FOR' BY TYRANT MELES ZENAWI/TPLF REGIME**
Tyrant Meles Zenawi and his propaganda outlets have scaled up attacks against courageous Judge Birtukan Midekssa. What is suprising is the sheepish nature of some of the people within the UDJP leadership(Prof Mesfin , Yaqob and Dr Hailu Araya..) in the face of deliberate attack against their leader, Birtukan.
I hold Dr Hailu in high regard. But I am troubled that he is not able to see the fake for what it is and is playing a silly game by talking about the so called the 'pardon' that he himself was unable to explain what it is.
Dr Hailu knows the answer cannot be-'…that is what it says', an evasive and totally incoherent response to a pointed question by the VOA journalist:
FYI – On Pardon
Dr.Hailu Araya interview with VOA 9-19-07
In fact, his response confirms Birtukan's straight forward answer that the Kinijit leadership agreed 'to let go' under pressure from the so called the elders as part of taking a broader view than signing any declaration prepared by the regime that imprisoned the elected officials(Amnesty Int'l classified them as prisoners of conscience) and had killed hundreds.
Hence, it is high time that the UDJP leadership rally behind their courageous leader(Birtukan) or call a closure to the stupid pretension of a peaceful route under the repressive regime. There will not be another figure head with any sense of credibility other than Birtukan for the UDJP to even call itself a party let alone to plan for political engagement, however diminutive that maybe!
It is time that the likes of Hailu, Mesfin and Yaqob see themselves in the mirrors and come to terms that generating headlines and paper based campaigns are very poor substitute for the real thing!!
I have always felt that with Dr Birhanu Nega's wise decision to move on, no-one with a strategic understanding/courage could provide the required leadership in the narrow landscape under Zenawi's oppressive environment. But, I had hoped that with Birtukan's untainted image and courage, the new party in the name of the UDJP is a sort something is better than nothing entity.
However, with Birtukan being harassed and possibly in line to go back to prison/undermined not least by those around her, the UDJP may soon disappear for good.The 'peaceful route' has never been a realistic option!!
Regards
Biri
P.S.
I would like to to this opportunity to appeal to Ato Elias Kifle, (The Ethiopian Review Publisher), to cease attacking judge Birtukan Midekssa on assumed failures to provide leadership(http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/7882)
I sense Ato Elias has good intention and provides useful information. He is one of my main sources of news and I have defended his rights to search and provide useful news. However, I am concerned that his attack against the leadership of Birtukan Midekssa is not well-informed. I was eager to ask Birtukan if she could give interview to the ER while on tour in Europe, but did not manage to ask her.
Perhaps, Elias could contact her office or the UK support group for the UDJP to facilitate the possibility of interview with the UDJP chair-person(Birtukan) to open up an avenue for communication/clarification.
In any event, my assessment is that the ER's personalized attack against the UDJP chairperson is unwarranted. I hope the ER would review its stance. Tks.
Biri
December 26th, 2008 at 6:06 am
It is amzing to see both Woyane and Elias Kifle attacking Birtukan Medixa at the same time. Woyane is threatning her to send her back to jail for speaking her mind. Elais is asking for her impeachment. It is hard to figure out where Elias is standing these days.
UJD is doing its level best to unite the country and I think it is succeding. Regarding Dr Negasso's and Siye's moral support to UJD movement, there is nothing wrong in it. Infact it is a good sighn of unity.
My advice to you Elais,
It is OK to advocate for armed struggle and you are not alone on this. I personally have found it difficult to see how the TPLF poltico-economic Mafia group will be committed for a peaceful change of government. But please stop attacking those who opted for peaceful struggle regardless. It is their God-given right to do so.
December 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
This commentary by Mr. Elias on the day after Judge Bertukan is arrested for standing up for a principle against an insecure tyranny like the Meles regime, is most unfortunate for those of us who care deeply about a progressive political culture for our beloved Ethiopia.
This commentary reads like a vindictive observation about and immagined soap opera, not the truly tragic story of tyranny's onslaught on progressive democratic politics that it is. Instead of decrying this offense to an Ethiopian leader who has the "balls" to stand up to an unforgiving regime in Addis Ababa, you gossip about the natural faults that occur in the chaotic world of politics.
It seems to me that Ethiopia in the Diaspora is getting what it deserves. With this article, you only stoke the fires of political division that the TPLF embraces.
Most unfortunate.
Matthew Payne-Funk
December 30th, 2008 at 10:49 am