WHY I DECIDED TO BE AN EPRDF SUPPORTER AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ONE

By Washera-2000, plagiarized from Kuchiye December 29, 2007 (http://www.abugidainfo.com/)

January 1, 2008

I was fascinated by an article written by Kuchiye in the above web site. My experiences with Kuchiye are identical in many areas. So I have taken the liberty to freely plagiarize from that wonderful treatise. Kuchiye, bear with me.

Like any other decent citizen I have always taken interest in the affairs and wellbeing of my country. I am from the same generation that Kuchiye is. Unlike Kuchiye, I did not have the maturity level and the political wherewithal in high school to understand politics, let alone write an article on human rights and democracy. We had school magazines back then including Times and Newsweek. I remember one of my best friends who is still alive and near by reading these magazines cover to cover, including the ads. I enjoyed academic competition, tennis and reading the likes of Charlotte Bronte, Conan Doyle and Jules Verne. Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare would come later.

My memory of the 1953 coup was the demonstration we had in the town of Gore in support of His Imperial Majesty. I was at the front of the line carrying the Green, Yellow and Red. I did not even know who Germame Neway was until I came to high school.

Decades have elapsed since the 1953 coup d'etat and though I maintained some degree of interest in politics, it was somewhat in disconnected fashion. Politics seemed unrelated to my way of life and political activity was the exclusive domain of aristocrats, scoundrels and cold-blooded murderers. My only aspirations were to be in the best profession in the country and marry the daughter or grand daughter of the Emperor so that I can get two gashas of land for my poor family back in my village of Gara Kufa in Harar province. I have seen a royal family member receive a mountain for a birthday! That ambition will lead me to complete the first part of my dream and come to the United States to continue further in that profession. Outside a brief brush with royalty, any possibility of my second dream was suddenly cut short by the arrival of Mengistu and his murder squad, just as I was coming into the party scene. In 1991, when those scoundrels were kicked out of my country, I joined the Washington political scene and briefly dabbled in organizing and chairing a political party. That activity and a couple of bad coincidences would lead me to a brief stay in "Kality prison", when I went back to visit my country after 17 years of absence. I had to sign a paper saying I would never get involved in any political activity, before I could get my freedom and return to the United States. So, it was back to political obscurity and raising family.

Then 2005 happened. The period leading to the 2005 election was laden with hope and excitement. It was unlike any other in our lifetime, for it sucked the most skeptics out of self imposed exile and the most indifferent out of centuries old slumber. Many Ethiopians opposing EPRDF started to believe that democracy was possible and that governments can change through the power of the ballot. On the national level the government has been transforming its governance principles along more and more democratic lines. The relative peace in the country and the continued growth in the economy have lead to its increased popularity. When 2005 rolled in, EPRDF has had over a decade and a half of governance, improved infrastructure, growing military power in the region and confidence in its political ideology. So, EPRDF was motivated to opening up of the political process and more freedom for political parties in the opposition camp. It mattered very little whether the motivation grew out of conviction or national or international pressure. A significant chunk of the credit also goes to those Ethiopians who came out in millions to participate in the democratic process. The 2005 elections sparked national debates and managed to glue an entire population to the TV set, the radio and newspapers.

That was when I also started to believe democracy was indeed possible and Ethiopians, who I believe are the most politicized humans in Africa, were behind this movement for real. In essence, I took the lead from the average Ethiopian. After 15 years of absence from the Ethiopian political scene, I believed the statute of limitation on my participation clause had expired or I was ready for the consequences if any. I lined up behind the “Yichalal” national wagon authored by no other than Haile Gebre Selasssie. Who could blame me for that? I can assure you my support for Kinijit did not spring out of a lottery draw or from previous association with its component parts which I had none. Due diligence was involved in my choice of Kinijit.

However, my support of Kinijit was on an ideological level and not on a practical level of joining any opposition party. I followed the election process in Ethiopia via all available modern news media, in particular, through the various pal talk rooms. The pal talk medium gave me an instant, live access to discussion forums where interviews, debates and group and individual discussions can be had with a flip of the finger. I followed the processes day in and day out, at home and at work. I argued with individuals and debated groups. I was bounced and banned time and again for my political opinion, which basically boiled down to advocating peace and a strong belief in working with EPRDF. From the beginning I believed the constitution was acceptable with a few controversial articles and I did not hesitate to articulate my disagreements.

While we were in the middle of this debate and excitedly waiting for the Kinijit leaders to join parliament, the unthinkable happened. Hundreds of lives were lost; thousands were put to prison, including many of the Kinijit leaders. That was a low point in my short political career. At one moment, I wanted to resign from my job and join a non-profit organization to serve my country. When that appeared unrealistic, I joined the campaign of peaceful struggle to get the Kality prisoners released. The pal talk medium, especially the Ethiopians Forum for Political Civility, provided me the podium to argue this belief to its ultimate outcome. This medium also provided me an opportunity to interact with the many Ethiopian officials who came for extensive interviews on the issue of the prisoners in particular and the state of affairs in Ethiopia in general. The two-and-a-half years I spent in pal talk gave me an incredible education and information about my country and the leaders involved in governing it. I met many more Ethiopians with incredible talent, dedication and love for their country. I supported individuals, groups, support organizations and political parties that I believed were working toward improving good governance and democracy in Ethiopia. Most of all, I expressed my disagreement with the imprisonment of the CUD leaders and took this argument to the highest Ethiopian officials I could access. I visited Ethiopia on more than one occasion and articulated my position in no uncertain terms.

When the CUD prisoners and many thousands more finally came out of prison, my confidence in the good that EPRDF is capable of doing was boosted dramatically. Suddenly, my hopes that were dodged when the CUD leaders entered Kality, was replaced with the optimistic attitudes I had for the 2005 elections. What was even better was that EPRDF appeared to have understood its errors and was taking extraordinary corrective steps.

Then another previously simmering episode exploded when the CUD leaders left Kality and started their tour in Europe and North America. The conflict between the Ato Hailu Shawel's wing and that of w/t Bertukan Mideksa reached its nadir with the firing of prominent CUD leaders and w/t Bertukan herself. This split within CUD did not stop here. Back home in Ethiopia, the division among the CUD members that had joined parliament continued with the split of Ato Ayele Chamiso and Ato Temesgen Zewde. The former will claim the official "Kinijit" name and the later will have w/t Bertukan and her group joining him. In the meantime, a certain Dr. Berhanu Nega continued his anti-EPRDF rhetoric from his fellowship office in Washington, DC. Ato Hailu Shawel remained in hiding in Minnesota, conspiring to fire more CUD members and hire more friends of Dr. Taye W. Semayat. This is the tragic state of affairs within Kinijit that, only a couple of years ago, appeared ready to re-write the history of modern Ethiopian politics. The history is written alright, but with a sad commentary included.

Ever since the release of the CUD prisoners and after my continued communication with some EPRDF officials, my political thinking was getting further clarity and it became unambiguously obvious to me that the path to follow was in support of EPRDF and work within it to continue the democratic change it was allowing to flourish. The last few years had given me an opportunity to meet with these EPRDF officials and develop affection and respect for the enormous responsibility they hold on their shoulders. I believe I have reached that point in my life and in my conviction to impact the political process in Ethiopia. Let me then innumerate why I support EPRDF and believe in working within the system to bring change.

1) I truly understand and appreciate the sacrifices that were paid by the people that fought to overthrow the Derg regime. We all need to pay tribute to their sacrifice that has made this democratic discourse possible. It is time for us to do our share.

2) The last 17 years of EPRDF rule has brought, peace, ethnic empowerment and some degree of economic growth. Basic infrastructure has continued to improve and that gives me confidence that this growth will continue. I feel it is time to look into our economic policy, educational system and border and sea port issues. This can all be done by participating in the political process within EPRDF.

3) EPRDF is a decidedly multi-nation and nationalities party. Take a look at the diversity of the leadership and the statistical result of the 2005 election which transcended ethnic and regional boundaries. No amount of negative propaganda aimed at portraying it as an ethnic party will change the fact. However, more needs to be done to bring the various nationalities even closer together through policy changes in the area of common national languages and building better communication infrastructure.

4) EPRDF believes in a peaceful political struggle as the only salvation for a war and strife weary Ethiopia. Among other things, the path chosen considered the level of political consciousness in Ethiopia, the fragile nature of relationships and international political experiences. The belief in growing our democracy includes continued vigilance to protect our constitutional rights. The door for negotiations with any friend or foe should always remain open. A lot needs to be done in the area of human rights and individual freedom. Article 10 of our constitution guarantees Human and Democratic Rights.

1. Human rights and freedoms as inherent rights of man are inalienable and inviolable.

2. The human and democratic rights of peoples and citizens shall be protected.

We protect these rights by active participation in the existing political system alongside our EPRDF brothers and sisters.

6) EPRDF strongly believes that Ethiopia’s democratic aspirations will forge ahead if and only if stake-holders breakout of their intransigent positions and discuss their visions and fears after getting elected and joining parliament. Accept the constitution, organize or join a legal party in the country, run and get elected, join parliament and engage actively in the political process to affect change. The political suicide committed by Kinijit after the 2005 elections should never be repeated. Kinijit has damaged its credibility and needs a long time to recuperate.

7) EPRDF is committed to stamp out hunger and poverty in our country. We should all join in this fight even as we continue to struggle for land reform policy and introduction of advanced agricultural productivity measures.
Some day, we will move to a market driven economy and recognize individual ownership of land and capital as the engines that drive a vibrant economy and a great nation.

8) EPRDF is aware of Ethiopia’s current and evolving international responsibilities in a region that continues to originate numerous global challenges. The strong relationship established with the United States in fighting terrorism has given it a status of a strong and powerful ally with a super power. Its own superpower status in the horn of Africa in particular and in the continent in general has been reaffirmed. The crisis in Somalia or the brewing situation with Eritrea will soon find a decisive culmination. The Ethiopian people will no doubt be behind EPRDF, especially when it comes to the intransigent situation with Eritrea.

9) The regional division along the lines of nations and nationalities may be misconstrued as going contrary to economic, social and international logic. It is further alleged to restrict the unleashing of the full potential of human and national resources. On the contrary, EPRDF believes in Article 39 that among other things, states that every nation, nationality or people in Ethiopia shall have the unrestricted right to self determination up to secession. It further believes that such rights guarantee the freedom to stay or to secede. There is no statement in the constitution that prevents future bylaws or amendments to this article. All the pros and cons about this article can be debated within EPRDF.

10) I believe EPRDF is committed to the exercise of internal democracy as it, along with other parties, strives to cultivate democratic culture in Ethiopia. If there are deficiencies in this regard, then let us join it and make a difference.

11) I believe EPRDF is a dynamic and vibrant organization, always cognizant of the ever changing nature of society, the changing priorities of our nation and of the world. It is adept and is determined not to fall prey to paradigm paralysis.

EPRDF proved to me its desire to resolve conflicts peacefully and legally. At the same time, the resolution of the Kinijit debacle with the help of the Ethiopian elders was another dimension of its flexibility and desire to end conflicts amicably. That goodwill gesture on the part of EPRDF to resolve our political crises would later be abused by the likes of Berhanu Nega. For me, that was a huge step forward in the road to democracy and I was fully convinced that EPRDF is willing to listen and change for the good of the people.

The resent town hall meetings by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to address the peoples' concerns over major economic policies or temporary market fluctuations is a clear indication of his desire to pay even closer attention to our nations needs. On the international forum, PM Meles continues to show his talent and ability to articulate third world concerns to world powers. His recent appearance with the likes of PM Tony Blair at the Clinton Global Convention on the environment was a show-stealing performance that won him a standing ovation, in the process winning back his place among world leaders and bringing respect to our country. Such dependable leadership gives me absolute confidence in our ability to win the argument on any issue that we can put our hearts and minds to.

This, in short, is the EPRDF I chose to support and the basis of unwritten contract signed between the two of us. As a side note; I am not overly concerned about any internal crisis within EPRDF, for no organization worth its salt grows to be wiser and stronger without enduring growing pain.

Thank you Kuchiye. May the strong argument win.