The end of the student movement 1960-2008

When Ethiopia attained victory over Fascist Italians, there was a general consensus that education was the only shortcut to national security and development.

Non traditional schools were quickly established and many students where recruited. While most agreed such education was desired, the elders and the “Liqeliquauts”  strongly protested about the lack of moral teaching and Ethiopian history.

The strongest protest came from Aleqa Asres, who said “a youth who does not know about his or her history is like a person who drinks alcohol without putting food

in his stomach. These students will get drunk quickly and will be bitter towards their own people. For Ethiopia’s problem, they will seek foreign (alien) solutions because they wouldn’t know that the solution is in their own backyard. As a consequence, they themselves become the problem.”

Looking back the last 40 years or so, Aleqa Asres was right. These students grew up learning Western history, language and lifestyle. A student movement was organized around Marxist-Leninist ideology, an alien ideology to Ethiopia, and a revolution started.

Soon, the king was overthrown. The “Derg” filled the power vacuum. Some sided with the “Derg.” Others started an urban struggle which resulted in many more deaths. Some were pushed out of the urban area. Most left the country. Some turned out to be a liberation front through ethnic lines with a socialistic view which resulted in TPLF taking power in 1991.

Enormous human suffering occurred as a result. The economy of Ethiopia was destroyed. Relationships among Ethiopian children were polarized and everyone paid a

heavy price for it. Many immigrated out of the country, ending up in the west. These members of the student movement turned from fighting for socialism to struggling for democracy, also an alien ideology to Ethiopia.

Some continued their struggle abroad without any success. Almost no new followers were recruited as no new and fresh convincing idea was offered to the general public. The old way of doing business "turned off" the younger generation. There was no apology for the past deeds, no give and take, no crossing the comfort zone, and being always dismissive of the other side. From time to time they also tried to reconcile

their old differences and form larger Parties, which didn’t work.

Looking back at the student movement I can say no single goal was accomplished. No institution was established, and no publication continued.

Many members of the student movement who have passed middle age and are in their  50's to 60’s can’t use Ethiopian history and culture, because they grew up

not learning it or looking at it critically. This resulted in their acceptance of alien ideology. Since the attempt to model everything after the Soviet Union or socialist countries failed, we are now seeing an attempt at solving Ethiopia’s problems through Western

solutions, which is also failing. Then tomorrow, when China might be successful, will we be saying the Chinese way is the only way?

As I was contemplating this the whole year, I was very impressed when I heard Seeye Abraha’s Interview on VOA and read about his town meeting in Washington, DC. He

is bringing new, fresh thinking: Instead of fighting for this system or that system, the administration has to protect Ethiopia’s interests. Unlike the old political thinking stemming from the weakness of Ethiopia, he is starting from the strength of Ethiopia

by saying Ethiopia is a big country, and Ethiopians are a great people that deserve better administration and a better life. What I liked most of all was his call for national

unity and reconciliation not modeled after some foreign heroes but in the real traditional Ethiopian way.

Probably what prompted him was his great grandfather’s first-hand experience. His great grandfather Degazmatch Walda Michael was a well-liked hero in the Nigus Tekle Georgis administrator in Agama awragia who fought “Kassa Mrechia future King of kings Yohannes IV.” When Tekle-Giorgis was defeated, Degazmatch Walda Michael was captured and brought in front of Yohannes IV. The king asked him, "What shall I do
to you as you have killed my father, mother and many of my men?

Degazmatch replied, "Do whatever you want. Then you were a rebel. I was the king's Degazmatch  and protector of my country from rebel. Today, you are the king. You can do whatever you want." King Yohannes saw his courage in what he had heard first-hand. He gave him the title "Dejazmach." Later, Degazmatch Walda Michael died in Metemma defending his country. I think we need this kind of forgiveness today. It seemed to

me Seeye is following his great grandfather’s footstep protecting his country.

Speaking of true Ethiopian way of reconciliation, as much as Emperor Yohannes IV and Emye Minilike contended for the throne and had rivalry most Ethiopians never knew about, they brought their children together in marriage for the future sake of the country.

Here's another good quality: Seeye apologized for his mistakes while he was serving his country. Since I was a child, I never heard an apology from the  “DERG,” “EPRP,” "MEISON,” “EPDRF,” or other responsible officials.

I also like that he denounced revenge against Meles who put him in prison. Instead, he said he would talk to him.

All these qualities are what we haven’t seen since the student movement. It is new thinking in a new direction in Ethiopian politics, from which we all can benefit. I think this

will mark the end of the student movement thinking and set a new standard.
The solution is in our own backyard.

Aleme Tadesse
CatchAleme @gmail.com