I just did a quick search for how many times the word Pro-democracy appears in this article and the result was nine. The magic word, Pro-democracy, also appears to be the nucleus of this article.
I will try to comment on the paragraph which contains the word, pro-democracy, according to my word search numbered 1 to 9.
1. “At the beginning of the year, we pledged to help initiate and sustain an Ethiopian Diaspora dialogue and consultation process with the aim of building broad consensus for collective action. We expressed our hope that with the proper groundwork it is possible to clearly identifying a set of issues over which pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians could take a unified position and speak in one thundering voice. We boldly proclaimed the inspirational theme, “Ethiopian united can never be defeated!”
To me, it is an already tried strategy that has failed over and over again to get a unified position among Pro-democracy Ethiopian Diaspora. Ethiopian Diaspora, like everybody on this world view and see things differently. Here in Canada, there are Conservatives, Liberals, NDPs and to your surprise party Quebec with agenda of separating Quebec from the rest of Canada. All of them consider themselves as pro-democracy elements but differ in policy making that are vital to the country they want to lead.(I know I shouldn’t be the one lecturing you on this matter). Instead of trying to unify people, I think it is a better strategy to bring people closer by creating a workable atmosphere that could lead ideas to flow freely. People with different opinions should not be seen as enemy always, otherwise the wu-yi-yit and me me-ka-ker is doomed to fail from the start. Unless we clearly identify and understand this issue, there is no way we can move forward. This is the main stumbling block of our democracy.
2. “Our conception of civic dialogue and consultation (wu-yi-yit and me me-ka-ker) among pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians is based on four simple ideas.”
What are the criteria of selecting pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians from non pro-democracy Ethiopian Diaspora to begin with? I think our fundamental difference among Ethiopian Diaspora lies on this issue. Most of us consider ourselves as pro-democrats and label the other as an ENEMY.
3. “We believe most ordinary pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians have come to realize that they can play a direct role in helping to bring about major changes in Ethiopia.”
It would have been nice to see the word positive, inserted between direct and role. Since some of the Ethiopian Diaspora role have been negative toward Ethiopia so far. Among many, the decision to join, or not to join, parliament during the 2005 election was mainly made with the consultation of some hardliners in Washington dc with the then kinegit leader Engineer Hailu Shawel. The result as we remember is, damaging the infant democracy, seeing some great leaders being thrown into jail above all losing so many innocent lives…
4. “by working together with pro-democracy elements in Ethiopia to re-establish democratic rights and facilitate the free operation of the independent media and civic society institutions; by promoting free political competition and helping to ensure free and fair elections are held; and by exposing corruption and exploring legal mechanisms to bring to justice those who have violated international law. In the past, we believe, Diaspora Ethiopians have lacked the dialogic and consultative mechanisms to achieve these values through collective action. “
Good point. To review what was done in the past, could teach us not to repeat the same mistakes, again…
5. “Today, many in the pro-democracy sectors of the Ethiopian Diaspora have come to appreciate the futility of rancorous debate with each other, and have chosen the path of dialogue and consultation.”
This will be a dream come true, if the Ethiopian Diaspora, indeed chose the path of dialog rather than destruction… From the past experience we have a long way to go. Mind you, I am not a future teller…
6. “Polarized debates and personal attacks have rendered pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians weak, divided and ineffective; and we must grudgingly admit that we have made ourselves the laughing stock of dictators.”
“One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” and by the same token one man’s dictator is another man’s Pro-democrat. This definitely will take us to a wide and open interpretation before we even start the wu-yi-yit and me me-ka-ker. Some people definitely will take it as an insult and start boycotting the good wu-yi-yit and me me-ka-ker. It also encourages some ugly labeling of people as woyane or Dergist…We need to overcome the mentality that believes in if you don’t see and understand things the way I do...
7. “From our preliminary efforts to date, we have ascertained two basic facts which we would like to share with all Ethiopian pro-democracy elements. First, we have detected an overwhelming sense of “fierce urgency” to undertake broad dialogue and consultations now”
Wow… I have read an article by Washera that calls for a debate and an invitation for a dialog from Ben. Can’t wait for the dialog to start among two good pro-democracy Ethiopian Diasporas… I hope you are going to accept the invitation and prove yourself right that change should come from self first.
8. “We believe pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians want “win-win” solutions not for themselves or their special groups or parties, but for the glory of Ethiopia and progress of all Ethiopians. For instance, we are inspired to hear representatives of groups who have long perceived themselves as competitors and rivals resonating agreement on core issues that are vital to the motherland.”
I think there are a lot of pro-democracy Ethiopian Diasporas but chose a different path than yours. I hope they will listen to the invitation that you offer and start the dialog soon as well. It is good to see the invitation being accepted by the other side.
9. “How can we neutralize and marginalize those elements that will spare no efforts to drive multiple wedges among pro-democracy Diaspora elements and work furiously to ensure our dialogue and consultations process will fail?”
Although, it is good to be cautious, be optimistic about those groups that you think are going to see your idea fail. Listen to them, may be they have a good point to offer. Thru dialog and only dialog, you might be able to win their heart. Although by doing so, be open for any eventuality that might take you to the other camp as well. The other scenario could be for both parties to stay in their respective camp but work on building a bridge that could help in exchanging ideas freely eventually narrowing the gap. This to me is a win-win situation for all. Unless we make a soul search as to why so many wu-yi-yit and me me-ka-ker failed so far (like the two H.R XXXX , I forgot the numbers), I see no end in our misery. At the end of the day we need to talk to our opponents. Even the Americans, with all their power, are hinting toward talking to the Taliban. So why not consider talking to your own fellow
country man. Otherwise, what is the use of having a dialog with the likes of you? It is like trying to clap in one hand. Change is possible if you talk to the other side.
I am forwarding this article to both of you and in no way I consider myself as a politician who can pen down my reasoning by quoting those intellectual wordings that I read from your articles rather, as an individual who thinks dialog is the best way to bring us closer. This will help us play a positive role in building democracy and fighting poverty which I believe is our quest.
Although I want to give the wu-yi-yit and me me-ka-ker the benefit of the doubt, it sounds bemare yetekeba not even bemar yetelewese (Honey painted not even honey mixed) unless professor Alemayhu explain himself the criteria of being considered as pro-democracy Ethiopian Diaspora is. I am afraid my own interpretation leads me to those who oppose the current government fiercely vs. those who think it is possible to work with the current government.
Abeba T.
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