A Response to Eunetu Yineger (re: Getachew Mequanent’s Ethiopia in Twenty Years: A Positive Outlook)

I provide the following brief response for Eunetu Yineger’s criticism of my article in a sprit of mutual respect and also to clarify the main issues that he raised. I admit that I am a bit hesitant to respond to a writer who does not want to reveal his real identity - let us please be transparent by identifying ourselves. My article was about a prediction or forecast of what Ethiopia should look like in 20 years time. I predicted good things including access by all Ethiopians to education, health, public services, employment; a stable political climate; political pluralism; and even the transformation of EPRDF. I even talked about the marginalized regions of Ethiopia. I am sure that all these are important issue for Eunetu who, I have no doubt, has the interest and aspiration of the Ethiopian people at heart. Yet, it is unfortunate that he chose to politicize the contents of my article mainly because he did not like the remarks I made about the Diaspora.

I represent a generation which had been arrested, tortured and murdered by the Derge regime. We escaped to neighbouring countries seeking asylum. We experienced hardships in refugee camps. Many of us came to the West with little or no education (I came to Canada alone at age 21). We worked hard and became self-reliant. We continue to support our poor relatives in Ethiopia. Then came the 2005 election. And, when prominent scholars like Getachew Haile talk about violence or when notorious former Derge officials like Negede Gobeze lead the Diaspora CUD movement, I have an issue. Eunetu and others like him must respect my opinion. Otherwise, we should not talk about "democracy” or “openness".  If Eunetu is saying that I make a generalization, I can accept his criticism.

Eunetu can challenge my allegation that CUD was influenced by Diaspora-based former government officials and old-guard reactionary intellectuals. I invite him to a face-to-face public debate on this. But, I wish he had not accused me of disrespecting and insulting Ethiopians who voted for CUD. Let us leave the Ethiopian people alone. We are talking about our Diaspora problems. And I am not the only Ethiopian raising the issue. The Reporter (posted on May 6, 2006) asked Temesgene Zewdie, CUD’s parliamentary whip, the following question: “Some perceive your supporters in the diaspora as just supporters while others see CUDP as a puppet organization of the diaspora operating locally...?” Ato Temesgene gave a diplomatic answer. Also, currently there are differences among CUD supporters in North America. All this has nothing to do with my article. CUD faces serious challenges and silencing critiques is not the solution.

Eunetu thought that my article was intended to publicize EPRDF’s national plan before it was “discussed by the rubberstamp EPRDF/TPLF parliament”. Sorry brother Eunetu. I am not a high-ranking EPRDF official and so I do not have access to a classified Ethiopian government planning document. For his information, the World Bank web site provides easy access to poverty reduction strategy papers (PRSPs) for Ethiopia and other 69 countries. Many of us who are gravely concerned with the plight of our relatives use PRSPs and reports from various sources to understand and monitor the development process in Ethiopia.

I have always praised Meles Zenawi and members of his government for setting the course of Ethiopia’s development. Does this make me a political friend of EPRDF? Absolutely not. I was so upset with the way EPRDF handled the post-election crisis that I wrote the following (tecolahagos.com, Dec. 7, 2005):

...the post-election issue is no longer about the opposition parties winning enough seats to seize state power. It is about ensuring that democracy is taking roots in the Ethiopian political system. The opposition parties are now in leadership crises and EPRDF has taken advantage of this situation to attack and discredit their leaders including arresting and charging them with treason. All this will certainly backfire as the politically conscious Ethiopian people increasingly question the commitment of EPRDF to promoting political pluralism and democracy. So, what do I choose? I am ready for taking the risk of change in government, even though I do not have adequate confidence in current opposition parties.

Regarding Diaspora contributions to Ethiopia’s development, Eunetu says that I only acknowledged the work of individuals personally known to me. I disagree. I wrote that there were “other examples of noble efforts organized by the people of the Ethiopian Diaspora.”

I respect Eunetu’s opinion on the limited role of foreign aid in Ethiopia’s development. He should, however, know that our relatives are grateful to the international community for assisting the Ethiopian government in delivering public services to their communities.

Finally, somewhere in the article I wrote the following: “ I am optimistic about Minister Sufian’s projection of Ethiopia’s development prospect. Below I state examples of potential socio-economic and political development results that can be achieved in the next 20 years and also assess the opportunities and challenges of achieving them”. I had made it clear that I was not aiming to present an analytical discussion. I wish Eunetu had read this paragraph carefully before alleging that my article is incoherent and full of personal judgement, “disjointed statements and conclusions”. I also do not appreciate being labeled “playing partisan politics” for forecasting an optimistic future for Ethiopia. 

Getachew Mequanent

Ottawa, Canada

May 19, 2006