Hey bro, I have not been into this politics thing as long as you. But, I have lived long enough in the US to know how democracy works. I have lived it every day for nearly 30 years. I think that should qualify me to teach you a thing or two about how "our" democracy works here. A few years stunt at a mid-level university in Manhattan oesn't quite give you the knowledge base to trample on our hard won freedom and the democracy that took centuries to build.
You see, I may have been successful in making a good living here in the US of A and may have been spoilt a bit by the democratic system. But I have no illusions about the reality in Ethiopia and my regular visit to see my poor relatives is a constant reminder about my commitment to see the continuation of the democratic process that I saw a flicker of in the 2005 elections.
I was sooo hoping for you to join the parliament and work hand in hand with EPRDF toward a path of good governance that would benefit everyone in Ethiopia. Your imprisonment was a huge blow to the progress of that process. So, we fought day and night, in our own little ways, to see you free. We are mighty glad that you are free.
But please do not misunderstand the euphoria, and the fanfare surrounding your visit to Washington, D.C. We were celebrating your freedom. We were celebrating the return toward that process that you so rudely interrupted when you refused to join parliament. We were hoping that the 20 months in Kality had thought you a thing or two about democracy, in addition to that big volume you produced. It is still sitting on my table top, half read.
You seem to be preparing for something else. Whether you wrote it yourself or some one else did it for you, you were prepared for a speech of a life time. You were prepared to lecture us on the evil deeds of EPRDF and its leadership and you were doing it all in the name of democracy. Your unsuspecting audience was all wrapped up in the excitement of the moment to take note of your inflammatory words. Believe me they will hear it/read it again and again, until the cows come home if they have too, to digest it carefully and get the real message behind it. Let me quote a few sentences from that famous (sic) saber-rattling speech, mostly referring to the Prime Minister and EPRDF, that I believe left very little room for reconciliation, compromise and modesty:
" ...Ehadeg kinijitin lemaTifat wesino....EPRDF having decided to destroy
Kinijit"
"...eyetekoraru negirewunal.....He has told us with a chip on his shoulder"
"...yihinin hulu masiferaria alemeqebelachin asidenigiToachew ...scared of
our decision to ignore his numerous warnings"
"...yerasu maninet le democracy ginibata fitsum biqu yalihone....his own
persona disqualifies him for one fit to build democracy"
"....ketezefequbet Tiliq qijet wusT abano qesiqisoachewal...it has startled
them from the nightmare that they were deeply immersed in"
"...yemayigebachewun siliTan lemeyaz ke hizb yezerefutin genizeb
sayimelisu....having grabed the power they don't deserve and without
returning the money they embezzled from the people"
Forget gratitude, there is no respect for the government in these words. It was more like a revolutionary, back to arms kind of speech. Otherwise, how do you plan to sit down and talk to these officials?
The fundamental features of democracies include government based on majority rule and the consent of the governed, the existence of free and fair elections, the protection of political minorities, respect for basic human rights, equality before the law, due process, and political pluralism.
For your next speech, I advice you to revise it as follows. Be determined and confident. But get rid of the gutter language you seem so fond of coining. Elevate your speech to that of tolerance and accommodation. Tell your audience that you are very grateful for leaving Kality and hope to never go back there. Tell them that every one who worked for your release ought to be commended. Friends, family, "Shimagiles", the Diaspora, foreign nationals and nations AND the Ethiopian government. Yes the Ethiopian government, without whose good gesture you would not be here with us today. Tell them that a new chapter has opened in this Millennium and another opportunity has been handed to you to do it right this time. Tell them that you will form a new party or join an existing one to help continue the path toward building a system of good governance in Ethiopia.
If you do this, your speech will receive more standing ovations from the Diaspora, you will raise more money and you will then be in a position to build your party in Ethiopia to challenge the successes of EPRDF, fair and square. There is no other way of grasping that power that you seem so hungry for.
I am done, Sir. Thank you for your indulgence.
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