Ethiopia - Why are EPRDF cadres afraid
of CUD/UDJ?
By Girma Kassa (Chicago)
“It was CUDP then it is UDJ now! The slippery road
continues.” Wrote Ato Zeru on the TPLF sympathizing Aiga forum. Didn’t Ato Zeru
once write that the CUD is dead? These inconsistent stories that are posted on
this website show how nervous and uncomfortable some of the TPLF cadres have
become.
What I don’t understand is why these cadres are so much
hateful towards the CUD/UDJ? Why are they afraid? Why do they keep beating up
the drum day and night declaring the death, the weakness the “slippery road”
…of CUD/UDJ? If they truly believe in democracy and the political programs of
the party they support, then how would they miss that a strong CUD/UDJ would be
good for Ethiopia and the democratic process? It just puzzles me.
The EPRDF leaders unconstitutionally incarcerated the CUD
leaders for more than 20 months hoping they would put an end once and for all
to the CUD phenomenon. They found out that they cannot jail the spirit of
freedom and democracy. They found out that the CUD is a movement that has
engulfed millions of Ethiopians within and outside Ethiopia.
Then part two continued. The ruling party robbed the name of
CUD and election symbol of the CUD and gave it to individuals. They may have
hoped that the CUD is only a name.
To avoid unnecessary back and forth with the regime, a new
name was proposed by the CUD executives. As is custom, the CUD/UDJ requested
for a standard letter of support to collect signatures. (Something that is
commonly done). Per the instruction of its masters in Minilik palace, The
National Electorate Board of Ethiopia again renegades on the request and
refuses to give CUD/UDJ what it has been giving to others for years.
What is impressing is that , without the
paper of support from NEBE, already the Ethiopian people from Ras Kassar to
Moyalle, Welwel to Assossa have known about the new name and are enthusiastic
about it. Ethiopians are showing that they have an organization that passed
through many internal and external challenges and is still standing firm on its
ground. Quiet amazing!!!
Ato Zeru et others have been consistently trying to
associate the CUD/UDJ with individuals. I don’t blame them for the ruling party
they support is a Marxist organization where powers lie on few individuals. If
Ato Meles or Ato Sebhat Nega or the few other clicks are gone, they know the
TPLF would probably collapse. (As the Derg collapsed when Mengistu Hailemariam
left the country for good) Well, the CUD/UDJ is not like the EPRDF. It has
shown to be an organization of the people that is based on democratic
principles and where power lies at the grass root. We have seen some leaders
who were putting themselves above the rule of law being held accountable. The
CUD/UDJ is not Ato Hailu or Dr Berhanu or any other leader. The CUD/UDJ is more
that a single or groups of individuals. Few may jump of the wagon, but the
journey to democracy will not be interrupted.
Some suspects that the EPRDF cadres do not want to see
democracy and accountability in Ethiopia for fear of loosing some of their
illegal benefits and privileges, which they have had under this regime. They
are fighting to keep the status quo because they do not want to be exposed
should good governance is established in Ethiopia.
Anyway, Ato Zeru et folks can say and write whatever
fantasies they may have; the people struggle for peace and democracy will
continue. Whether they like it or not, the Ethiopian People will be the only
owner of its destiny. And the CUD/UDJ is in the middle and at the heart of this
struggle.
Already this movement of democracy and
Ethiopiawinet has brought many groups together. The Spirit of KINIJIT/UDJ has
also penetrated within the EPRDF. Sources from within the EPRDF are saying that
intense internal discussion is currently taking place within the ruling party
and that good elements of the ruling party are more and more determined to
assert themselves to take back the organization from the hand of the few, and
change the direction of the country towards the right path. I hope and pray
these individuals will prevail for many the sacrifice paid by former EPRDF
fighters would not be in vain.