I support the spirit of Kinijit: Ethiopia first above all else!
A response to "Persepective on the Alliance"
By Yenie K.
June 2, 2006

"Convene an inclusive conference to establish a workable arrangement on the basis of the frame work of the Ethiopian Constitution."

You seemed to be against the Ethiopian Constitution as it stands! I could not agree more with you that the Constitution as it stands is destructive to the whole of Ethiopia and its ‘national interest’. However, I feel that it is a smart move by the alliance for not going against (i.e., rejecting) the current Ethiopian Constitution, at least not publicly. Why?

If the alliance claims that it is against the current Constitution, it just means that EPRDF can flatly say to the world, (to garner support) that they (the oppositions) are attempting resurrection (as it already charged CUDP’s leaders) and are going against the law of the land - which means that the opposition efforts will fall into the hands of EPRDF’s propaganda. Hence, as a ruling party it would claim that it is obligated to uphold the Constitution by any means - arresting and harassing opposition parties’ members to prevent what it would call coup d'état.

However, even though the manifesto of Kinijit rejects (i.e., does not think that it is the best political system for the good of the country as a whole) the ethnic federalism as it stands it had not, however, at any time claimed that it does not accept the Constitution. This is not to say that it supports/agrees with the Constitution.

Nonetheless, one issue that seems you overlooked is the fact that any (ill-willed or not) constitution can be changed at anytime as the majority, with the consent of the people by ruling party (ies) as it or they see fit. In order for Kinijit or the ADF to do so, they first have to come into power and then of course, they will have to set up a transitional government to negotiate the best way forward so that a workable political system is established with the involvement of all parties, including EPRDF, if they so desire to partake by consulting the general population. You may ask why I am even considering EPRDF’s participation.

The straightforward answer will be that beside high ranking officials of the party and those who committed atrocities, I think EPRDF’s supporters should also be invited to join the transitional government. Such approach was taken in South Africa as the white-National Party was invited to negotiate and to continue to function as a party, of course with a reformed agenda and perspective. This is in line with the principle of democracy as all political agendas should be tolerated and given the people of Ethiopia to vote in or out.

I here however would like to admit that I am reserved about it by saying let’s wait and see that aside from Kinijit, other members of the alliance are based in Eritrea. Although this is a MAJOR concern to me as well, it may however be for the mere fact that EPRDF has made pact (i.e., is friendly to) with all neighbouring countries (Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya) so that any opposition parties cannot be based anywhere else but in Eritrea at least for now. But I think, even against all these odds, I believe the spirit of Kinijit will triumph as it has proven to be the spirit of all Ethiopians in spite of ethnic, and religion differences.

Related Issues

Even if for some it may not sound plausible, I firmly believe the new alliance gives positive vibe to the already intensifying efforts to bring EPRDF down. How? So far, EPRDF has told the West, that if he was to leave power, the various ‘factions’ will war each other to assume power and the stability of the country and the region as a whole will be at risk due to refugee flows etc. However, with such alliance and workable agenda, I believe such assertion by EPRDF will no longer be utilized to rally support for its continuation of holding power against the will of the people.

One may ask that why would the West is not exerting as much pressure as it does on other dictators. There are many answers to this question.

One would be that the US (and the West) for instance, at any time chooses stability over the manifestation of democracy, hence as long EPRDF claims/seems to stabilize the country they would continue to support it. However, as mentioned earlier taking this reasoning away from EPRDF, the oppositions are quietly garnering/assuring the West that if EPRDF comes down from power, there won’t be any civil war. Instead, the oppositions have formed alliance for peaceful negotiations as to how to proceed with forming workable political system.

Also, we (all Ethiopians) have to be ready for another round of election, if Meles’ regime is brought down. Why? I believe that members of the alliance will claim that they were not allowed to participate in the latest round of election so that they should be given a chance as Kinijit and Hebret were given. Thus, such demand should not be looked as a ‘bad thing’ since it will be healthy for the advancement of democracy in the country—i.e. giving all political parties a chance to present their platform as to how to govern the country and letting the general population to cast its vote as to which one it chooses as the ‘best’ way forward. Hence, if Ethiopians still believe in the spirit of Kinijit, which I feel they still do, would elect it to power along with other opposition parties.

All in all, I would like to say that the alliance is a good thing, although I have concerns of my own, which has not been raised in the discussion.

For instance, Kinijit’s alliance with other parties who use force to bring about change, as such it may be labelled by EPRDF as a ‘terrorist group’—unless the other parties denounce violence/force to bring about change. Being labelled by EPRDF due to the alliance will play in the hands of Meles and the US’ ‘war on terror’ as all members of the alliance are portrayed by Meles’ regime to its advantage.

--------
The writer can be reached at eethiopianization@yahoo.ca