Our National interest and the Ethiopian politics

Zagwe 12/3/06

It is quite evident that our country is facing at present an imminent and real danger from the Somalia Jihadists. As repeatedly stated this group is not working alone it is rather backed, trained and manned by a number of anti-Ethiopia states and groups. In an attempt to address such imminent and real challenge the Ethiopian parliament has discussed the situation and has decided correctly at last providing the EPRDF government the necessary support required to protect the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of Ethiopia.

However in the process it became clear that most of the opposition parties participating in the parliament has exhibited considerable reluctance to accept the existence of this imminent and real danger. As a result they have failed to support the EPRDF government in dealing with this outstanding challenge facing our country. This remains a fundamental failure on the part of the opposition parliamentarians. Perhaps such type of betrayal of the national cause or disregard for national interest is not new in Ethiopian history. By the way one is morally obliged to mention here the politically correct approach of some oppositions individuals. For example the young and promising opposition leader has shown his clear stand by supporting the position of the government unconditionally. This is indeed the reflection of considerable maturity in the modern day Ethiopian politics.

As every one understands the question of national interest is over and above the quest for political power, organizational objective, group and individual interest. Particularly Politician sitting in the parliament is expected to have a clear view of these two different elements. But some have failed to do so by putting their understanding and reading of political leadership into oblivion and their loyalty to their country in question. As we all know parliamentarians enjoy high standard of living in contrast to the general public because they are parliamentarian representing their respective locality that is part and parcel of the Ethiopian polity. This practice of representation and the accompanied privilege is materialized because Ethiopia remains an independent and viable member of the international community. When one of the most important expressions of that fundamental national interest becomes vulnerable to real and imminent danger they should have been duty bound to stand together. When the very existence of the country is in question it is absolutely impossible to talk and discuss peacefully about political system, power sharing, election and democracy etc. As a result our parliamentarian should have been able to realize the significance of that core value and decide in favour of its protection standing side by side in fact with the government.

Here it is appropriate to mention lack of clarity regarding the difference between political struggle and national interest among a significant number of Ethiopians is in abundance at times quite disturbing. As one can simply observe from the political culture, everyday action and performance of Ethiopian political parties and most glaringly from the Diaspora politics Ethiopian politics is dominated by amateur politicians, incapable individuals who should have gone to school for capacity building or better still learn from others about the ABC of politics and the difference between politics and national interest, the significance and importance of flexibility, give and take in politics, the role of the political parties and the party leadership, responsibility and engagement in politics. In this regard even politicians who claim to have been in politics for a long time lack the necessary political maturity and a realistic vision. For example take prominent leaders of EPRP and MEISON, and take the statement they issued from time to time on different national concerns including Somalia jihadists. They lack clarity of thought when it comes to their political objective and has no political wisdom to see the difference between the greater national interest and the narrower organizational interest. These individuals have shown themselves to be in fact, old guards who are, biased, rigid and still busy thinking about the 1970s, and populist, shallow and leftist oriented struggle.

Again one is justified to condemn the position of some politicians and political entities collaborating with the enemies of the country disregarding and selling out the national interest of Ethiopia. Take simply OLF and ONLF who are good example as being the number one pure instruments of Shabia. The latter attempts to destabilize Ethiopia and keep her locked in her internal conflicts and to emerge as an arbiter and strong power player in the horn of Africa.

More over it is more shameful and disturbing to notice the so called CUD in the Diaspora disregarding the national interest when it comes to the question of Somalia, instead trying to create havoc which purely designed in the interest of Shabia. Again websites claiming to serve the Ethiopian public are waging a propaganda war against the policy and action of the Ethiopian government towards Somalia jihadists. This immature, extremist and opportunist elements do not want to give the necessary attention to our national interest they simply oppose individuals in high positions and groups in power. They claim to love Ethiopia but they work hard to undermine its existence and simply serving for the interest of her enemies.

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