We have enough review of CUD what about EPRDF?
Thinking out Loud!

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Zeru Hagos
(Aigaforum, 11/20/05)

Ethiopian politics has entered into a new phase. The democratization process is facing hurdles. The Ethiopian people may overcome these hurdles but it will require a resolute determination both by the people and by the leaders. The EPRDF leadership has gambled too much and it is time to do house cleaning and this time for the better. The following glaring fact is what comes to mind when one looks back.

Only be known to EPRDF folks why, EPRDF has no doubt weakened. While clearly the anti-peace and anti constitution groups have become stronger, EPRDF nonetheless has weakened. The just ended election has solidified the oppositions standing while diminishing the EPRDF standing in the international community. EPRDF may profess it did this out of its desire to accommodate every one to compete in the election but I contend this was a bad decision taken since CUD the main opposition was not a partner for democracy from the get go. To assume a fair and free election can be held in an environment where demagogues and people who think they posses a God given right to govern the country was expecting too much. Not to mention the main opposition was clearly not willing to abide by the constitution nor was it willing to bring change to the constitution by a constitutional method.

EPRDF failed to lead this democratic transition when it allowed foreigners to have much too much a say on internal politics. This was done to garner their support and to get Aid but EPRDF should have known too much foreign intervention in internal affairs was destined to fail the country soon or later. They did trust the foreigners and we now have “Hana Gobeze” as she has become to be known lobbying Europeans on behalf of CUD! Unless the EPRDF leadership was determined to follow Uncle Tom to any place at any time they should have known better. Today the country has become dependent on the heavy debt/grant it gets so much so foreign donors are raising the stick to hoodwink the government to tip toe on the line. Who can fail them since they own the carrot?

The Ethiopian constitution is clearly written with a federal Ethiopia in mind. However since the tehadesso movement the centrist proponents have clearly the upper hand and almost all regional government contribution is becoming mute. The problem with this is the centrist/unitary forces that joined the EPRDF government are for most fox in sheep skin. When exposed they are nothing but opportunists. These forces should have never been allowed to have a key post in government. The result of the current election clearly demonstrates this. When push comes to shove they were no where to be found. We see today individual citizens protecting the constitution and the peace but diplomats and ministries that should have been at the forefront in the fight against anti peace elements are no where to be heard. To some observer it seems the prime minister is all by him self. Forces that could have saved the government from the embarrassing fiasco were sitting idle till the 11th hour.

The City of Addis Ababa has become a problem child. Instead of killing protestors the EPRDF regime should have invested in the security and prevention area. However only be known to EPRDF it has chosen to react instead of prevent. For any keen observer Addis was a disaster waiting. During one of his interviews prime minister Meles said there were plenty of jobs for the unemployed else where in the country. The problem was these people were not willing to go the regions for employment. I contend the government should have encourage or even force the thousand of unemployed youth to take the jobs out side Addis.

We are where we are now and life must go on and the sooner we reclaim our destiny from the forces of destruction the better. EPRDF then must do the following:

The never ending problem with Eritrea must be dealt. If readers allow me to act local and speak to TPLF here, I believe Tigray did not suffer for over seventeen years to make an enemy of Eritrea and an enemy out of the Amhara, Oromo e.t.c. The Eritrean issue can only be solved if and when Shaibia gets a new thinking brain or it is deposed. The choice is clear.

The CUD has had free monopoly in the propaganda war so far. EPRDF needs to engage all the disenfranchised people in our Amhara region and address their grievances-if they have one or debunk the propaganda of cud. There should not be a let down in this until each and every individual person is talked to. Any step taken there after will leave no doubt but the way it is now it is causing many people whom I know to be genuine to be confused. The Oromo issue also needs to be addressed like wise but with the addition of the OLF factor. Like it or not the OLF have many supporters inside and outside of the country. EPRDF should convince its sister member, the OPDO, to open dialogue with the OLF.

The recent joint declaration by friendly political organization with EPRDF is a good start. The relationship should be cemented further. Ethiopia can only move forward from now on only if all regions cooperate. Gone are the days where machination from Addis was all that was required to run the country. Nationalism is growing and EPRDF should not be surprised by the development. It has been encouraging it. The only way forward is to open dialogue and I mean genuine dialogue.

Fianlly, the Reporter in one of its editorial said “may Ethiopia be saved from Diaspora politics”. Ethiopia will be saved from Diaspora politics but it needs also to be saved from Addis Ababa politics. The Diaspora may be guilty as charge but “tigre wede mekelle eka wede kebele” was heard in the street of Addis. So I hope the Reporter will give me a little break to vent as a Diaspora!

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