Comment On Debates….

: An observation on debates by Getachew Mequanent and agreed by Haile B. is that preferential treatment for EPRDF in a transparent manner which puts the moderators integrity into question. EPRDF debaters also were not even quick on their feet to answer questions. I remember an interesting response by UEDP-Medhin who said "I am the son of Mechagna Nekash" to the allegation of "Neftegna." Like wise EPRDF debaters can put to shame to the allegations of the opposition but they go to debates with prepared speech. (BTW most western politicians cut their teeth in debating teams in High School and College…our Universities are still in the mold of “atenesam wey”).

EPRDF should work harder on communication than look for short cut. Spending parliament time with the likes of the so called Dr. Merara only makes EPRDF rusty and ill prepared for a formidable opponent. Presidential hopefuls lock themselves up in pre-debate preparation doing mock debates and answering every possible question. Is EPRDF wearing the Party hat or thinking as a government who thinks debates help the democratization? EPRDF should wear its party hat and ask what exactly is the benefit of a given debate? Is it to my advantage to debate all of them, some of them? What is my strength, what is the weakness of my opponent? etc.

As a party EPRDF does not have the obligation to hold debates with Ad hoc parties like that of a certain Mesfin Shiferaw who wants the questions known before hand? But once EPRDF agrees to a debate, debates should be fair. Having unequal time before hand is inherently unfair. The defense is that opposition has more time in total. But identifying differences b/n the debaters is the task of the moderator with pronged questions and a skilled debater who can turn a question to his advantage instead reading already written answers. In a dynamic debate where there are more than one opponent, some may not have chance to answer depending on the momentum of the questions and the strongest debaters at the stage. But in a good debate the audience will be satisfied with the debate and have respect for the moderator.