"I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism

"I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism." -- Abebe Bikila

Samuel M. Gebru

July 24,2007

The week of July 15-21, 2007 will no doubt go in the Ethiopian history text books as one of the most important milestones in post-1991 democratic Ethiopia. The maturity of both the Federal Government and the CUD to establish some sort of common ground is highly commendable in modern Ethiopia. What is even more commendable is the great work of the Ethiopian Elders Committee, who, led by Professor Ephraim Isaac, labored for weeks and months trying to break the deadlock between the Government and the CUD.

The actions of last week can usher a renewed effort to establish a full democratic tradition in Ethiopia. At current, Ethiopia, like every other democratic country in the world, is a work-in-progress. The current and future Ethiopian governments will have to work on building national consensus, a strong democratic tradition, fixing the human rights record, building confidence amongst average Joes and Janes that Ethiopia's democracy is there to stay and to gain the support of the Ethiopian Expatriates that are willing to return to Ethiopia for the betterment of all society.

Indeed the current Government of Ethiopia led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has its flaws, but one cannot expect it to be completely pure as humans are not pure. Man is full of sin, regardless what religion you adhere to there is no pure human. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government is not perfect, it is impossible to have anything perfect and anyone who thinks otherwise is delusional and in denial. The true legacy of the Government of Meles Zenawi is that it introduced the platform for continued political, economic and social growth. It is now incumbent on us, the people, to do our share. We cannot expect 100% from the current and the near future Ethiopian governments, mind you: we still rely on food aid and economic assistance.

Let last week be a lesson to us all! We cannot bow down on the heels of the US Congress to implement "democracy" in Ethiopia, by holding humanitarian aid as collateral. Mind you, HR 2003 states that if Ethiopia's Government does not comply with what the US says aid will be decreased. Read between the lines: this is holding aid as collateral and is modern-day imperialism in the guise of a "pro-democracy act." If Ethiopians abroad want to make tangible political change in Ethiopia one cannot do it in the comforts of a hospital, parking booth, taxi, restaurant, law firm, house, library, the US Congress lawn, etc., one can only make change in Ethiopia. It is time that Ethiopians realize that now is high time and Ethiopia is making it, but it needs more fuel. This fuel is the diaspora, but the caravan needs renewable energy, not a barking dog with fossil fuel! Analogy aside, that renewable energy is us, the Ethiopians living abroad. There are about 2 million Ethiopians abroad and 77 million Ethiopians in Ethiopia.

Imagine if Ethiopia was to receive 2 million extra residents. Why should our sisters and mothers work in Saudi Arabia as a modern-day house slave when she can live in Ethiopia and start a business? Why should the CEO of an American Hospital or Pharmaceutical Company be an Ethiopian when that same person can start an Ethiopian Hospital or Pharmaceutical Company back home? Why should an Ethiopian drive a taxi when he can go back to Ethiopia and open a small Bed and Breakfast or even a taxi company? There is a simple answer that many in the diaspora will give you: Meles Zenawi is a dictator. Facts show: 1) a good majority of Ethiopians abroad left during the fall of Emperor Haile Selassie and throughout the Mengistu regime 2) the Ethiopians that are leaving now are typical immigrants to the US: trying to find a better life, they're not coming in as asylum seekers from the government.

His Imperial Majesty Yohannes IV, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, King of Kings of Ethiopia and Elect of God (1831-1889) once said: Ethiopia is your country, love her. These words, albeit simple, are significant. We should disregard the negativity and continue forward. I opened this article with a quote from the famous Ethiopian Runner, Abebe Bikila who ran the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics bare foot and won the Gold Medal - the first Ethiopian to win Gold in the Olympics. Abebe's memory and strides live on today as many younger generations aspire to follow in Abebe's foot steps. Let Ethiopia win with determination and heroism! Let Ethiopia be the winner and let history judge our actions, but above all let's think about the future.

Ethiopians of my generation and the previous two generations (that are still alive) should be thinking of our country's future and the impact our actions will have on our children, their children and the next 1,000 years of Ethiopia. Let us all pledge to use our talent, knowledge, skill and determination for the growth of Ethiopia. I have been urged by many views of my blog to be more complete by looking at the greater picture. I, however, urge the same out of all Ethiopians in the world. I urge those who support HR 2003 to be complete too. I urge those who support the OLF and ONLF to be complete too. I urge those who want Eritrea back to be complete too. I urge those who want to topple the Government of Ethiopia by force to be more complete too. I urge those who support the Government of Ethiopia to be more complete too. And most of all, I urge our religious leaders, community elders, political leaders, and civil society activists to show maturity and to be complete too.

Let the ushering of the year 2000 AD mean something, something really big for Ethiopia. Let the year 2000, the third millennium of Ethiopia to show character and maturity in all Ethiopians. Let Ethiopians in the diaspora understand what coexistence means. And most of all, let us all work for the betterment of our country because if we want to be ethnocentric and proclaim the Republic of Tigray or the Islamic Republic of Oromia or the incorporation of the Ogaden region to Somalia to proclaim the revival of ancient chauvinistic practices Ethiopia will not survive the next 1,000 years. Let us learn from the past! Do we want future Ethiopian Governments to take office wearing suits and Ethiopian flag pins or do we want our future officials to come through riots and protests? I don't know about you but I want my leaders to come in a civilized way, the other option is to continue having a coup d'etat every 16 years or so.

Let Ethiopia win. Let Ethiopia prevail. Let us live under one flag, one country and one people yet recognize our diversity within one people.