Again about AFD

By Mengistu Bezuneh (Vienna, Austria)
June 2, 2006

1. CUD has been denied to have a legal background to realize its objectives. EPRDF has manufactured a bogus Kinijit, and they will empower their puppet with all legal rights. This means that the real Kinijit will be active in Ethiopia only underground.
2. EPRDF rules the country using the well known "divide and rule" method by promoting such terms as Neftegna, Tebab Gosegna etc to pit the Amhara against the Oromo, or the Oromo against the Amhara. When the two fight each other, EPRDF will get a chance to rule the country comfortably. Of course it worked for them for the last fifteen years. How long we have to go like this by opposing each other and giving the chance to EPRDF to survive more?
3. If we really need a change in our country we have to talk, listen and respect each other. Then we can find a solution to live together by respecting each other’s interest and realizing it in democratic way. I think this is the only way for our survival. It is impossible to rule the country by one emerging power forever. We have to be able to compromise our own interests so as to accommodate the interest of other Ethiopians as well.
4. It is also impossible to jump onto two trees at the same time. You have to choose one first. But this philosophical idea is not the real solution for our political problem. It shows that you will continue to fight your today’s friend later on when you achieve the main goal. Then that will bring another instability and distrust.

A good example here is old friend ship between the OLF and EPRDF. After the fall of the Derg they parted ways by creating comfortable situations for EPRDF. What do we learn from this experience? Is the Alliance (AFD) formed simply to get down EPRDF? If yes I don’t think this is the best solution to solve our long-standing problem of democracy, poverty, drought, illiteracy etc… all others political, social and economic problems at large. It will be simply going on the well-known vicious circle for end less voyage.

So what should be done?

1. Before entering any kind of cooperation at large there should be full understanding about the political program of each party and front by each side and create a solid common ground for greater outcome.
2. Things should be clear beforehand how to solve political differences to avoid the suspicion of the so-called “tactical agreement”. If the AFD is formed for tactical purposes, I can assure you that this may bring the downfall of the EPRDF but not the right thing for the country. Again more problems will be created. I wish that not to happen.
3. The solution should be to foster an all-inclusive program, one that would include the ruling party of EPRDF as well. I don’t want other round of Ethiopian Army dissolution or the dislocation of civil servants.
4. EPRDF should be encouraged to come to the reconciliation conference. I know EPRDF does not accept this idea by asking, “How can we reconcile with ideas which are not similar to us?” Their belief is they are capable of solving the country’s problems by any means possible, including the use of the army. I think still it is not late to pressure them to come to the table. In my opinion if reconciliation will not take place, the other option is the use of force over your opponent. The military way is really the mediaeval thing, an archaic way of bringing about social devastations. The ball is in the court of EPRDF.
5. Ethiopia should not be a country where her people migrate to other countries for survival. If our problems are wisely handled and solved, our country could prove a self-reliant, peaceful country of all her ethnic groups that make it a colourful mosaic of cultures in Africa.

----------
The writer can be reached for comments at buzumen2@hotmail.com