On “the clemency” of the Meles regime – Dr Paulos Milkias

I concluded my latest book entitled Haile Selassie, Western Education and Political Revolution in Ethiopia, under the subtitle TPLF Doublecross – Democracy Versus Dictatorship, bitterly lamenting the jailing of Ethiopia’s best and brightest. I knew they would soon be at large to steer Ethiopia through her glorious future though I could not figure out when. Surely, all those who love justice should rejoice that the Kinijit men and women, who were interned for exercising their democratic rights as the loyal citizens of Ethiopia have been released from the TPLF dungeon at Kaliti. But do not forget that justice prevails over transgression only when she comes to the end of the race. Mark another cardinal point, lest you forget: when the political detainees signed a common letter that led to , they were not pleading guilty to any infraction of the law as understood in a truly democratic and civic political environment. Guilt and innocence become irrelevant in accusations that flounder in a morass of tyranny. After all, an arbitration conducted while in captivity yields nothing but a negotiated settlement under duress.

Dr. Paulos Milkias, Author and Professor of Political Science