Commentary on PM Meles Report to Parliament

(Zeru Hagos, 6/29/07)

The most reveling aspect of PM Meles report to parliament is not what he said about CUD leaders in jail. It is not what he said about Somalia either rather it is what he said about OLF and ONLF!

In his poignant reply to parliamentarians question why his government is not making peace with opposition forces Meles explained in detail his government effort to convince opposition forces including ONLF and the OLF to join the peaceful struggle. In the case of the ONLF the prime minister government has encouraged elders and leaders of the Ethiopian Somali region to go to US and Europe to talk to the alleged leaders. It is only after the leaders and elders retuned home empty handed and demanded the federal government to assist them to weed out anti peace elements, the federal government has commenced the military operation in the region in addition to a political one to retain peace. Though the Shaibia sponsored ONLF has caused extensive damage to the Somali people in Ethiopia, the group is on the run and it won’t be long before the Somali region will be at peace.

In the case of the OLF, the premier told parliamentarians that he himself has talked to OLF leaders abroad and has offered them everything the constitution allows him to do for the group to join the peaceful struggle. In fact after his meeting with the OLF leaders, PM Meles thought there was was an agreement reached for the OLF to join the peaceful struggle.

However due to a misguided and wrong analysis the OLF reneged. It is believed the OLF may have been  tampered by the Shaibia and CUD forces to think EPRDF was near death. The premier left the door wide open to the reason why the OLF back out but many speculate Shaibia has a lot to do with it. If you recall Shaibia was working hard to form AFD a joint front of the ONLF, OLF and CUD which subsequently was formed.

The premier went on to explain to parliamentarians that the door to peace will remain open for any one to join the government in building a strong Ethiopia. Some have already started to use the open door policy and it bodes well for the country.

Terrorist elements have been checked and degraded severely and the Shaibia government has been warned by foes and friends that Ethiopia is dead serious to finish the unfinished business if it opts for war. Isayas Afework trip to Brussels as some speculate now has to do a lot about his relationship with Ethiopia and its consequence if war breaks. It is rumored he was told to behave or else!

CUD leaders in jail have now as we all know signed for forgiveness and the OLF I think should be able to take a hint that it is being left wet and hang to dry. If you ask me the time is good to make peace. Who else to thank except the able and determined leadership of the EPRDF! Who would have thought EPRDF would be in such strong standing two years ago? For sure not the OLF or CUD or Ana Gomez!