Is Tigreayan Homogeneity Contrary to Idea Diversity?

By  Semere Sebhatu , 01/02/08

                  To my best knowledge and experience, in the current Ethiopian politics, the EPRDF, especially the TPLTF, had shown it exemplary role in maintaining and promoting collective leadership till things went wrong and manifested in the split of the leadership. Until then all decisions were proposed, made and implemented collectively. Especially at the executive committee level it was impossible to notice even the distinct and separate existence of individuals. Even Seeye heads the military and Meles leads the Ideology, though Tewolde masters the organizational unit and Alemseged the propaganda section, even if Seyoum heads the diplomatic mission and Gebru the administration wing etc. all were seen as masters of military science, ideology, organization, propaganda, diplomacy and administration. To the rank and file all were one and the same. To all people of Tigray they were all competent and effective leaders of the people. To the enemy camp they were all enemies of Chauvinism. In the hearts of the enemy it was a well known fact that they are not anti Ethiopian unity but new engineers of new Ethiopian unity based on nationalities nations and people best willing and equality which was a thorn in the mud for those who are against this.  These leaders were one and the same in all terms, more or less with the same capacity and above all with the same vision.

                  However, this proved to be wrong as time elapsed. As these leaders labeled the rank and file members of the organization as being victim of “ soft life tendency” to evade and redirect the evaluation targeted against their coherence and capability to lead the new chapter, in the nationwide organizational evaluation of 1985 E.C. either partially or individually or categorically they themselves became victims of “soft life tendency” or more. At the crucial period of the split Old Guards like Aboy Sebhat and co. and some residual veteran fighters like Zeray Asgedom known as kurumrams (as Meles once ridiculed them to mention that he was left with these kurumrams ) add fuel to the split to retain their status and secure a new position. In this scenario once and for all collective leadership of TPLF was replaced by individual leadership of Meles. A lot could be said about that period. However I will stick to what I have intended.

                  Following the crisis and the split while the majority “dissenters” went to silence Gebru Asrat was on the track indicating the forthcoming duel of this group. Simultaneously Seeye was roaring from behind the bars. On the other side of the camp, Meles was busy on demolishing the traces of collective leadership and building personal image. In the early days of the split Meles was engaged on its wefri Tehadsso in collaboration with his kurumrams or residues.

                  In reality Tehadsso has brought nothing new to the Ethiopian politics or to the internal party atmosphere of TPLF. As a well known fact the politics of the country in its all aspects were all designed at the good days of the collective leadership. Most of the economical, political and social policies were written and forwarded by the gentlemen who are labeled as “dissenters” by the Meles camp. To most insiders of the TPLF, Meles is known for his plagiarism acts. The nation’s military strategy and direction was engineered by Seeye and co. The country’s political vision and destination was engineered by Tewolde wolde mariam who is best known for his sharp pen and detailed analysis and was idolized by Meles himself (Tewolde’s script is known as tactic and strategy of Ethiopian struggle) and almost nothing has changed since then. Most party ideologies  and concepts of the constitution was drawn by Almeseged and co. Especially this fact is vivid reality to the Ethiopia public since Almeseged was the foremost advocate of EPRDF’s view at drafting the constitution which was then broadcasted by the Ethiopian media. In light of this, since Meles’s Tehaddisso didn’t go against these core ideas and values it is not wrong to conclude that Meles is ruling the nation by the ideas, visions and values of these former comrades.

                 However, thanks to Kinijit who lend a strong arm to Meles’s one man rule, all divisions that tend to drift from Meles’s stance within the EPRDF and TPLF were set together. Since Kinijit as a party and its members as individuals launch anti Tigraneans propaganda and perpetrated life threatening acts all gauntlets ready to fight against Meles were thrown away at least for the time being. In other words it does not need any further explanation to conclude that kinijit not only killed itself but also played a significant role in strengthening Meles’s muscles.

                  This is the reality of the day. Besides this reality, Seeye who was roaring behind cages of the bar is now free. To the endeavors what Gebru has tried to maintain Seeye is an additional voice that threatens the camp of Meles and co. Now the once collective leaders are in different camps with uneven platform. In the camp of the “dissenters” various disadvantages are visible. But in the near future and if Seeye and co .have proven to be wiser leaders as they have preformed in the times of the armed struggle and later, they can secure a considerable support and acceptance.

                 But this is not simple. From the outset we are witnessing some anti democratic elements with their anti democratic attitudes. It is a known fact that Tigreans are homogeneous people. But homogeneous people could not always exist with homogeneous ideas. People and countries with homogeneous entity are not always perusing homogenous ideas. People in Scandinavian countries are identified with their homogeneous identity. The founders of Israel are beyond homogeneity. However these people are usually organized under different political parties with different visions and tastes. Thus different political views carried and implemented through different political parties are not and will not harmful to homogeneity of entity.

                  Therefore some of the ridiculing ideas and views that are emerging in some Ethiopian websites labeling Gebru or Seeye as people with no different view only hamper the democratization process of our country and especially the people of Tigray. Or the way these gentlemen are threatened to be considered as enemies of Tigray and its people if they are seen with other leaders of political parties is mere ignorance of the dexterous character of Ethiopian politics or is blindness with a sheer arrogance. As these naïve mini politicians are trying to ridicule these gallant leaders, they have an obligation to understand equally that Meles’s ideology and rule is either an extension or a plagiarism of these gentlemen. Of course there are some deliberate acts done by the group who remained in power. It is simple to observe the big power vacuum between the Prime Minister Meles and the region governor Haleka Tsegay. This is, a purposely created vacuum, first to magnify the capacity of Meles and to obscure other options, secondly to put Tigray under a safe loyal hand of kurmram and thirdly to reward the Haleka for his loyalty during the split. Thus, such motives and deeds should not be used as tools to promote sickening ideas paramount to the extent that Tigray or Ethiopia without Meles is hopeless. This is by itself an insult to the genius of all Ethiopians. Furthermore, since these commentators are curious enough with whom Seeye or Gebru is associating I kindly request them first to advice Meles to disassociate himself from Bereket and Addisu who disintegrated our beloved TPLF in front of our eyes. Of course for the time being the case and guilt of Bereket and co. is left aside. When the time comes their mischievous acts will come to the daylight.  How ever, Interviews of   Haleka Tsegay,  who is known for his kurumram ideas and deeds, in  civility room or mini articles and mockeries of Zeru Hagos and Alula Nega on Aigaforum will lead  to no where positive. To me it is time to realize homogeneity of entity is independent to diversity of values and ideas.

                  Lastly, I would like to say that I personally  expect a lot from Seeye and co. Seeye should come out from his family shell. Every single Ethiopian who is well oriented to the Ethiopian politics knows what had happened to him and his family. It will be remembered as a triagic phenomenon. However this phenomenon should be left aside and should not be used as a motive for a political agenda. Thus, Seeye should look forward and be engaged in the bigger image. In light of this there are many Ethiopians who expect something more than positive contribution  in the forthcoming deeds of Seeye and co. Similarly, the other camp should also be tolerant and able to demonstrate its maturity.   It is time to realize that homogeneity of entity and diversity of idea are two basic concepts in facilitating democratization.