A Commentary on the “Open Letter…”

Zekarias B

Sep 11, 2006

Everyone has a right to opine and express their wishes whether the opinion or the wish is devoid of reality or contradictory in terms. Politics is an art. Not all things in politics will be accomplished in the open. That is why there is ‘closed door’ diplomacy and negotiations.

Ato Girma’s recommendations not only they are not based on reality but also contradictory in terms.

1. If the PM should simply ‘instruct the justice minister’ to drop all charges against all ‘political’ prisoners, then the PM might be better of accepting all accusations and charges against his administration that there is no ‘independent juridical system’  and that he is a dictator. Would this PM or for that matter any PM do this? No, no one would do it.

2. The second recommendation of Ato Girma is inseparably linked to his first recommendation.  The writer’s idea, it appears, emanates from his firm belief that the PM is a dictator who is above the law. The case has passed the realm of negotiation and entered the realm of judicial administration. How then it makes sense for this PM or for that matter for any PM to commence negotiation with those his administration has charged with crimes? No, it does not make any sense.

Finally, the writer reaffirms his belief that this PM is the sole and supreme leader of Ethiopia who can make and break things on a whim. Therefore, he asks the PM to make a miracle but then acknowledge God can make a miracle.  I say Amen to the last part of the sentence. Indeed, it is God and only God who is supreme for those of us who believe in God.