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“Meles Must Go!” – Maybe He Should

May 1, 2006

By Alemu

Last week I posted an article which ended up to be provocative.  I am pleased that it was able to provoke some able minds to comment, and if, I may add, passionately reject my ‘theses’.  Quite interesting to see that all of the articles have a different opinion to that of the writer.  Here is my brief response.

The responses that I read so far, in my opinion, did not address the issue I raised.  But I am obliged to say few words because the men who responded to my article, Abarru, Mulugeta and Paulos are erudites who I really respect and, in many cases, share their views.

In the process, two things made me to pose and ponder. I hope reasonable people will see my point.

First, the writers, to varying degrees jumped on judging the writer, Alemu, labeling him shallow or short-sighted.  That Ethiopian mentality of attacking and leveling a person with whom one disagrees with is set in motion. I will not want to be part of it.  And I do not in principle respond in such a manner.  In Ethiopian politics, form usually overtakes substance. For Ethiopia to change, these attitudes should change.

I appreciate Mulugeta’s understanding of not putting me on the pillory, but instead, labeling me short-sighted.

Paulos went uncharacteristically a bit defensive and went into the ‘small men big men’ argument – understandable but certainly not an appreciable way for conducting a dialogue.

The second point is that it made me realize how one could be really misunderstood, and how the gist of the message could be buried under if senses overtook the rational mind.

Let me go out of my way and tell you what I think about two of you writers.

Few weeks ago I listened to the interview given by Mulugeta.  It was moving.  He was able to vividly bring out the atrocities of the Derg, their present evil machinations and I sympathized with Mulugeta over what has happened and what is happening to him now in London, England. He is being lynched because he chose to say what is in his mind.  Interestingly, I was amazed to find out how Mulugeta’s analysis of the current situation exactly corresponded to what a dear friend here told me several moons ago.  So, Mulugeta, get re-assured by the fact that there are many people who share your views and validate your thoughts. I appreciate your courage and wish you all the best.

I was equally touched by what have happened to Paulos during the Derg era. The brutality that he witnessed must have created a permanent scar that is difficult to heal. “Enatu wuha lemeqdat yehedechibet-na enatu yemotechbet lij equl yaleqsalu” – I sometimes wonder if we equally share the pain when we speak of the bad days of the Derg era.  It takes a courage and great sense of perseverance to survive this trauma of torture and witnessing the killing of a dear father.  I can’t even try to express my feelings when I write these lines.

Back to business.

• Abarru’s challenge on the timing is on the mark.  Time is something that I have not addressed in my article.  I am not suggesting that Meles leaves the office now.  I am sorry if I inadvertently passed that message.  In short, I would like to see the EPRDF engage in choosing a successor to lead the party.  I would like to see another leader emerging soon.  For a maximum political impact, it maybe necessary for the party to provide a hint on future leadership changes.  The word “Now” was used to indicate the need to start the process of choosing the leader and letting people know that Meles will not seek another term.

• This may have to go side by side with the need to impose term limit for the Prime Minister’s position.  I believe that the parties have to table the term-limit issue in the parliament soon.  This will build confidence in the population about the democratic process. Ethiopians will, for the first time, realize that peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box from one party/person to another party/person is possible. 

• Not the huge infrastructures and fast economic growth, but the peaceful transfer of power, the empowerment of the Ethiopian people through the ballot box, that EPRDF will have as its legacy.

I do agree with Mulugeta’s Title “don’t change horses in mid stream”.  That is, if we have the same understanding of the ‘mid-stream’.  If so, my response is similar to the one I gave to Abarru.

Let me add the following lines to clarify my original article which, in the main, I think is worth giving serious thought.

• In politics perception is as important as reality. It follows that we have to address perceptions that are problematic.  In bullet forms, I have outlined the problems of perception on PM Meles.  Addressing these problems does not mean that one does not have principles that he/she holds dear to his/her heart.  It is worth remembering this when solving problems.

Here are what I consider to be two important facts:

• Addis Ababa, the hot spot of the Ethiopian politics is divided by ethnic gossip/politics.  Tigray and Tigrians are portrayed as the ‘new rulers’.  Perception has overtaken reality.  Many people have fallen prey to this politics of ‘ethnicity’.  Meles is being portrayed as the manifestation of it.  One way of dealing with this problem is to take away the symbol.  As it stands, the new Derg has found a convenient pond to swim and strive.

• The Diaspora politics is dominated by the Derg and its allies. These politicians have been able to command the ‘support’ of the Ethiopian community abroad.  Through intimidation, fear mongering and harassment, they are successfully milking the Diaspora financially and politically.  They are getting an ear in the United States Congress, Senate, in London and European capitals.  In some areas they have successfully lobbied against giving assistance to the Ethiopian people and government.  These are stark facts. They testify in the Congress by saying that the country is being led by the ‘Tigrian minority’. 

• And lastly, I would like the reader to know that I am not interested in appeasing the Derg – new or old.  The Derg must die a natural death. I am saying that let’s not give the Derg a breeding ground.

Many of the respondents/writers have tried to argue that Meles and EPRDF could not be blamed for the Eritrean issue.  I think differently.  But this is not a discussion item here.  The gist of the matter is that there are many people who think that Meles made a mistake on the Eritrean issue and he has to pay for it.  That perception exists and it needs to be addressed. As for me, I do not dwell in the past.  In order to progress we have to move on.

There are many things that I did not and do not appreciate about EPRDF’s policies.  But I do not have a better alternative force that I can choose over EPRDF. I am a non-partisan Ethiopian interested in peace and progress under the pillars of democracy.  I have no interest in polemics and partisan politics. 

Dejazmach tried to refute my assertions point by point.  I respect his views, except that, I lost him in the process for he tried to be polemical. 

My aim is to be as direct, open and solution-oriented.  I will remain engaged with those who think likewise –i.e. open, direct and solution-oriented.

PS.

I have found articles that are critical of the one I posted in other websites.  I would also like these websites to post my article.  Otherwise, they will be guilty of suppressing free flow of information.  That is bad for democracy.