(Aigaforum June 22, 2007)-As you recalled ever since Ethiopiafirst.com broke the news of the imminent release of Kinijt leaders the public desire to know has been great. Many of you have asked us to look in to this and this is what we found.
Professor Efrem has been shuttling back and forth for quite some time to make peace between Kinijt and the government and the people of Ethiopia. The professor has asked kinijit leaders ever since he started the mediation effort to ask the Ethiopian people and its government for forgiveness. He has told all Kinijt leaders if they ask for forgiveness he was ready to ask the government to forgive all prisoners. This shuttle diplomacy has been going for over two months.
Although the mediation effort has been stalled for the last few weeks before the verdict, in the aftermath of the guilty verdict that could carry a long-term prison sentence, Dr Berhanu Nega and W/ro Birtukan Demekesa contacted their people in North America seeking help from Professor Efrem. Sources told us Dr Berhanu and W/ro Birtukan has been shunning away Professor Efrem prior to the verdict.
As sources told us following Dr Berhanu and w/ro Birtukan plea, a letter of guilt and asking for forgiveness was drafted by members of Kinijit and handed to Professor Efrem. Sources told us Dr Moges has been the main contact person from North America. The letter in summary says the following. “…We the leaders of Kinijt at Kaliti acknowledge our responsibility during election 1997 and regret we were involved in the violence that ensued the election and regret we tried to topple government by illegal means. We ask the government of Ethiopian and Ethiopian people for forgiveness and we will not be involved in such activities any more”
This letter was discussed for over a week in Kaliti with all leaders involved. And sources tell us the leaders were divided in two camps. Those who believed in accepting guilt and avoid long term prison and those that believe doing so is to betray the struggle after so many deaths.
Dr Berhanu Nega group argues they should ask for forgiveness and continue their lives outside either in Ethiopia or elsewhere while Eng Hailu argues this is to betray the struggle and supporters. The engineer told others accepting this is “werada tegbar”. He admonishes his comrades why would any one ask for forgiveness? The struggle has been just! Sources tell us the engineer may be alone since many have accepted the deal. However the mediator and specially Professor Efrem Isaac is worried about the division. The professor is continuing his effort to convince the Engineer.