Commentary on an Essay by Tesfaye Maru

January 22, 2009

Washera_2

Dear Ato Tesfaye Maru,

I read your article that was posted on Ethiomedia, with a lot of interest and anticipation. Although I have reservations about articles that are allowed to be posted on this site, a blog whose motto is “TPLF cannot be reformed; like apartheid, it should be abolished”, I had hopes that you may teach me a thing or two about the evolving Ethiopian democratic process.

Before I delve into the contents of your article, let me apologize for not responding to your article in Amharic. I have a good mastery of the Amharic language, but my Ethiopic fonts needed upgrading and I did not take the time to do so yet. So, I hope you are able to read and understand my comments.

Just like you, I have enjoyed reading the autobiography of Fitawurari Tekle Hawariat. It is a must read book for every Ethiopian. I especially enjoyed the part about the bees and the birds! There is some truth in what HIM said regarding hope. But I will leave that for another debate.

However, It did not take me long to realize the meaning behind your vituperations and tirades against the EPRDF government. It appeared that you thought hard and long to write this article, but such venomous attacks and innuendos against this government are the daily bread of people like Prof (sic) Alemayehu Haile Mariam. You might as well have taken a paragraph or two from his multiple entries on this blog, to arrive at your conclusions. I say this to indicate to you that there is no originality in your thesis.

To summarize your conclusions, you say:
1. Our lives are in danger.
2. Our ports, Bademe and parts of our land on the Sudan border have been given away.
3. The government will continue its ethnic and religious cleansing tactics.
4. This government will impugn any opposition and will soon announce a one-party system.
5. EPRDF must be overthrown by peaceful means or by force.
6. EPRDF will not leave power unless forced to do so.

To give flavor and gain legitimacy for your line of thinking, you have thrown in the “illegal” imprisonment of Teddy Afro, the re-arrest of Wt. Bertukan Mideksa and the “beating” of Professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam.

If you plan to go raise arms to overthrow this government, I cannot stop you. But, I plead with you to think about the innocent lives you may be engaging in such a failed struggle tactic, while you bask in a comfortable corner of the world.

If you plan to use such a remonstrance to advance your career in some community college or raise money from innocent Ethiopians in the Diaspora to pay your gas bills, I plead with you to spare them their hard-earned dimes, especially in such taxing economic times.

If you are one of those who left Ethiopia decades ago and whose reality of the situation in Ethiopia comes from disgruntled blogs and power hungry, spiteful extremist politicians, then I suggest that you think hard and long to go visit Ethiopia and experience the reality first hand. You will see overpopulation, poverty, hunger and disease aplenty. But you will also see a very dynamic society trying hard to make ends meet. You will see an amazing growth in the area of commerce, infrastructure, farming and communication. Most of all, you will see a very peaceful people going about their ways with the utmost discipline and respect for each other, not seen any where in the developing world. If they can afford three meals a day it is a luxury; if they can only do with one a day, they will survive. They do their best to share.

If you truly believe in helping your people, I beg you to modify your political stance and find ways to enter a dialogue with concerned Ethiopians at home and in the Diaspora.

Despite my misgivings about the 2005 elections and the deadly aftermath, most believe that the election was won by EPRDF. Democratic principles demand that you start by accepting and respecting the existing government and try to change it through the ballot box in Ethiopia. Try to support a party that articulates a clear alternative agenda to the existing one. You can even include, Assab, Bademe and the Sudan border as part of your party program. You can throw in land for sale and removal of secession from the constitution, if and when you get elected.

All this you can only do through a peaceful and legal means. So long as you respect and uphold the Ethiopian constitution to begin with and articulate your program to reflect your differences with it, which you can constitutionally change when you are in power, then you have room to organize, form, or support an opposition party in Ethiopia.

Most of all, if you do not consider the present leaders of Ethiopia as your own brothers and sisters, who are doing their level best to improve the lot of our people, then you will only be a dying voice in the dwindling Diaspora opposition.

Let President Obama’s speech be a guiding principle to scale down your hatred and demonization for the Ethiopian government.

“…To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.”


“…To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”

That statement works both ways. If you believe the government is on the wrong side of history, I expect you to extend a hand of peaceful dialogue. No where in your statements did you indicate that you will cleanse yourself from the hateful propaganda that you have long been immersed in.

That, my friend, will put you on the wrong side of history. When and if you are ready to unclench your hold on hate and armed struggle, you will have plenty of Ethiopian brothers and sisters who will endorse your views. A thriving democracy needs a refined and reputable opposition.

If you do not respond to me or do not see this letter posted on your favorite blog, Ethiomedia, I will understand. I have known that opinions that do not pander to their battle cry will be muted.

Stay tuned.

Washera_2