A wiser and older Meles is a better leader

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A wiser and older Meles is a better leader

Meles should and will stay in power as long as his vision and intellect is not excelled by others, or as long as he is needed by his party and the country. If the time comes for replacement in the near future, even though the country does not have the luxury of leaders of his caliber and intellect, somebody else will grab the baton and move on the same direction.

I think some are reading too much between the lines about what he said during the Washington Post interview, when he said “ I personally had enough.” I don’t think he said that because of opposition -fatigue. The guy is a determined fighter as a person and has proven many times to be so. I can only assume that he was simply being modest in his response.

The treasonous opposition, the armed groups, and now the Jihadists in Somalia; whatever strength they have comes from Shaebia. Even the so-called Honorable Mps of some of the opposition have come out to be alarmingly frank about their inner feelings and surprised us by standing in defense of Shaebia by requesting an amendment to the motion presented to remove the provision that cites Shaebia as a main supplier and supporter of the UIC. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the difference between some of the opposition in Arat Kilo and Washington DC.

In light of this, the EPRDF or Meles as an individual does not need to prove anything anymore to accommodate or please this type of opposition, let alone stepping aside as a leader as Alula implied in his comment. I say--- no more going an extra mile any more, to accommodate this opposition. The chauvinist opposition, with or without the help of an ophthalmologist should open their eyes and see for themselves that the Ethiopia they knew and bled for a long time, has undergone an irreversible transformation fifteen years ago to accommodate and embrace its citizens. All, Meles has to do is transform the country in a positive way even more beyond recognition.

One important thing that Meles needs to be reminded, even when he knows it, is that the root cause of all internal and external political or security problems in Ethiopia, is Shaebia. Isayas is the Ayatollah of all evil in Ethiopia and should be dealt with decisively. How long is this lingering problem to be tolerated? Why waste time and resources chopping the branches instead of focusing on the “root.” Once he solves this Shaebia problem once and for all, not only will be peace, but also a healthy opposition will also emerge in the country. This is a problem that should be solved now and not inherited by his successor.

Zenebe Nega

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