The Ginbot 7 Movement speakers (from left) Andargachew Tsige, Muluneh Eyoel, Ephrem Mademo, Dr. Berhanu Nega and Dr. Giday Assefa (Photo: Ethiomedia)

Ato Muluneh Eyuel who recently fled Ethiopia to join the movement was almost like a surprise guest. Many people at the meeting were ecstatic to meet the hero they have only heard of as a prisoner in solitary confinement at the Qaliti prison, a hero who resisted the criminal denial of his rights even as a prisoner and was put in solitary confinement for months at a time. Ato Muluneh told the audience moving stories of Ethiopians who he knew by name that have been victimized by the dictatorship in Ethiopia.

The panelists have made it clear to the public that their decision to form Ginbot 7 was a result of a complete assessment of political and socioeconomic realities in Ethiopia. The panelists said that the ever increasing and widespread repression of dissent by the EPRDF, the unwillingness of the regime to even live by the basics of its own laws, the danger to which the regime is dragging the country and the absence of any ground for meaningful legal and peaceful political participation in the country were grounds that led them toward the formation of Ginbot 7. The leaders also pointed to the public that the current dangerous economic disaster in the country which is the result of the misguided policies of the regime is an added urgency that justifies the need for an organization of the kind of Ginbot 7..

More importantly, the leaders outlined the growing trends in the behavior of the regime in the direction of tightening the political space in the country, the growing repression of the free press and all forms of free expression, and the recent enactment of multiple draconian regulations to stifle all basic freedoms. The leaders of Ginbot 7 reiterated that such repressions are justified moral grounds to form a movement that must be capable of putting up resistance and change the system.

The leaders have made it clear that there is both a survival necessity and a moral imperative to stand up to the naked injustice unleashed in Ethiopia by Meles Zenawi’s dictatorship and save the country from an impending disaster.

The leaders reiterated that their goal is to make the EPRDF the last dictatorship in Ethiopia and emphasized the need for all democratic forces and all other forces of resistance to come together and chart the future of the country.

A lot of questions were fielded from the audience and satisfactory explanations were given. Attendees of the meeting spoke of being inspired. Many said that they want to become members of the movement and help. The leaders told the audience that they have a systematic vetting of membership. They told the audience that most of the work of the Organization is in Ethiopia and called on the public to join them and contribute to the strength of the movement in all ways they can.