This is Ethiopian Review Policy Research Center’s series on From Dictatorship to Democracy extracted/quoted from books and articles published by Albert Einstein Institution and similar sources
When we think of discussions as a contest, conflict occurs because we are more concerned with getting what we want than with attempting to understand each other’s needs, harms and emotions. We become defensive about our respective positions.
When all parties communicate their needs and feelings, the need to be defensive disappears. By understanding and accepting each other, we can transcend our individual positions and focus on solving the problem together. We switch from arguing over positions to collaborative problem solving.
The ultimate goal of the process of understanding others – Cooperation, Trust and Collaboration for Reconciliation is the creation of long-term sustainable relationships.
It enables us to live in the present, making our life as a nation and our lives as individuals in a shared future.
To view the process of Collaboration CLICK: Part 7- Understanding Others – Collaboration
AfricaIntelligence.com: USA already looks to post- Meles Indian Ocean Newsletter
USA already looks to post- Meles Indian Ocean Newsletter No. 1326 11/02/2012
18/02/2012
”Some Ethiopian opponents are convinced that the United States may have
already begun to discuss the succession of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
The United States has already reportedly begun to check two options for what
could follow after Prime Minister Meles Zenawi: he could either rapidly
designate his own successor to prepare him for his role or he could
establish government of national unity before the end of his term. Such is
the belief of Ethiopian opponents who have had contacts with American
diplomats in Addis Ababa or in Washington. These diplomats have had talks
with the faction of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) headed
by Kemal Gelchu, with the Ginbot 7 group led by Berhanu Nega and with Daoud
Ibsa, the leader of another faction of the OLF who was discreetly invited to
Washington at the end of last year.
Several economic (higher inflation, rampant corruption) and political (the
recent sidelining of 300 officers including Tigrayan generals) factors have
led the U.S. officials to deem that Ethiopia is not immune to uncontrolled
social explosions, even if the EPRDF governing coalition has the situation
well in hand. Hence the idea that Meles Zenawi take the initiative to open
his government to some opponents such as Birtukan Mideksa or Seye Abraha,
who are currently undergoing training at Harvard University.
Failing that, the U.S. delegates reportedly suggested that Meles Zenawi
should plan the period after he is no longer in power and prepare his
successor, whether it be Tewodros Adhanom the current minister of health,
Arkebe Oqubay (advisor to the Prime Minister) or former Chief of Staff of
the Ethiopian army, the former General Tsadkan Gebre-Tensae who now works
for the UN in South Sudan. But Meles Zenawi is not believed to have favoured
either scenario.
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