The Perspective:
Let me repeat what many before me have directly or indirectly stated eloquently. Ethiopia's quick salvation can only come through a concerted and united effort of Ethiopians, particularly opposition parties. The value, importance and effectiveness of unity in bringing changes is well documented in current researched literature as well as in our traditional values. 'Dir biabr anbesa yasr' is what our ancestors used to say in explaining the importance of this concept that has so far alluded the Ethiopian Opposition forces. To our dismay, the practical application of the above advice has not yet materialized. Petty politics that is egoistic in nature, narrow minded view of current events and organizational chauvinism are rendering the effort of some to move the struggle ahead extremely hard.
Ethiopia is not a convenient place for opposition forces. The current regime is repressive and dictatorial. But it is much better than the previous regimes in terms of limited tolerance to opposition movements. This fact, although not popular, must be accepted by all who want to bring about positive changes to Ethiopia. Has this not been the case, one would not have seen opposition parties officially existing in the country. One has to be bold and courageous to state the existing facts as they are. The tendency to hide once head in the sand for the fear of stating what is the obvious will not help us move an inch forward. It must also be acknowledged that when the push comes to shovel, the current regime will not hesitate to use force to protect its power. This is also another fact that one can deduce from this regime's past experience. Political parties that are there for the long haul have to critically appraise this delicate situation in Ethiopia and come up with a working program.
There are two fundamental issues that I think should guide all opposition forces: National Security and Social Security. National security should address the ethnic based administrative system and its potential to bastuntanize the country, and the mandatory Ethiopian sea outlet needs. Social Security addresses the ever recurring famine that Ethiopia has become prone to. In my view, any movement that does not take these issues as the main priorities is not in the game to protect Ethiopia.
I often here many including EDP talking about the flawed economic policy of the current government. Unfortunately their argument and opposition is supplementary to what the World Bank, IMF and the western powers are saying. They talk of the problem with rural land holdings and the need to change the rural land system. However, no credible study has been conducted to convince many that private rural land holding is the preferred method to boost production and keep the small scale farmer in his rural area. There is some merit in returning land/ property to those that have been illegally confiscated by the old regime. All to say that opposition political parties should not talk loosely about the complex land system that is so vital to the small scale farmer of Ethiopia.
Of course, there are other issues, such as human right violations, political persecutions and illegal economic ventures that benefit the ruling party and its followers. Groups should not undermine these important issues and they need to bring them out to the fore at all times. But most of the energy should be used to address the big item tickets that I mentioned above.
In the last year or so I have been following the emergence of the Ethiopian Democratic Party with curious eyes. Preliminary indications are that this party is showing the elements of proactive leadership that is so far missing in the history of our struggle to establish a democratic system. Like many of my compatriots, I had hopped that the many opposition groupings will break out of the shell in which they comfortably hid for so many years and have a fresh look at the current problems, challenges, and opportunities the existing situation hold for them. Unfortunately many of them have chosen to stay where they were. That is their comfort zone and they are entitled to stay there. But Ethiopia and Ethiopians are not.
The Issue:
A few days ago I read what has been described as a statement by three opposition groups presenting their case on their decision not to cooperate with the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP) in the fight to bring a democratic governance in Ethiopia. The reason for their decision can be roughly translated as follows:
"Since, the time for national reconciliation with the existing government has long past, the three parties that were invited by EDP to participate in the proposed demonstration have found the invitation unacceptable. In addition, we are convinced that the method of struggle proposed by EDP will undermine our struggle and buys time for the regime in power. Therefore, we are determined to fight this method of struggle."
In the call for a united opposition demonstration that EDP called few weeks ago, the rationale for the demonstration were put as follows:
" We believe that national reconciliation is the best option for resolving the political, economic and social ills that plague our country. The ruling party has rejected the call for reconciliation for the past several years. It is high time that we elevate our method of struggle to a higher stage. Boycotting the ruling party's business ventures, civil disobedience, mass demonstrations and strikes are some of the methods that we should consider using in our upcoming struggle. We would like to invite everyone to take part in the upcoming demonstration."
The above are not direct translations but interpretations as understood by the writer.
One can speculate that the three parties and EDP had more discussions on the issue than what is presented above. Nevertheless, the crux of the matter remains the same: conducting a common public demonstration to address some of the issues EDP outlined above. As a reader and an outsider I failed to see the point of differences as articulated by the three parties (All Ethiopian Unity Party, ONC, and the Coalition). Ethiopians would expect these parties to use every opportunities to strengthen their unity and coordinate their struggle in areas where there are common grounds. Although there are differences on promoting national reconciliation, it is easy to see that there are common grounds where the parties can work together in demanding the government to resign, and in calling the general public to come out in a public forum to expose the current system nationally as well as internationally.
Ethiopians would expect a high standard from those parties that claim to represent them. Assuming that EDP has a different take on national reconciliation, and acknowledging the fact that the other three do not like the idea, wasn't there a room for compromise between them in at least addressing their common issues? Are the differences between them more antagonistic than the one they have with the current regime? It is unfortunate that Ethiopian political parties do not have the vision and the aptitude beyond their subjective feelings and interpretation of events.
National Reconciliation - a speculation:
Assuming EDP still upholds the notion of national reconciliation as an idea that still needs to be on the table, one may pose the question whether this notion is relevant at this particular stage of the struggle or not. Reconciliation will be relevant when all parties to it believe that they all have something to gain from it. At this particular time I believe that the regime is not ready to compromise to anything that would reduce its hold to power. Hence, as the three parties stated the idea of reconciliation might not have any relevance as long as the existing situations do not change.
However, to oppose the idea of national reconciliation as a concept, as a slogan to garner support and as a preferred way of struggle is extremely disturbing. Outright rejection of the idea of reconciliation as a principle worth of upholding could only be characterized as a campus-like premature overture.
In terms of the call by EDP to hold a public demonstration at the Meskel Square, I have not yet seen anything that calls for a national reconciliation with the Meles regime at all costs. The above rebuttal is meant to state that even if such call was made, this would not be a good reason for the three opposition groups to release such a hostile statement. It is a mockery on the Ethiopian people for the group to state that EDP's principled stand on national reconciliation is something that they will actively oppose (aTbqen entagelewalen).
Where it Matters
Furthermore, the statement indirectly accuses the EDP as an organization that looks for usurpation of power through a short cut and consequently delaying the fall of the current regime. I am not convinced by this accusation. In the preceding months and weeks I have been reading calls by the EDP demanding the resignation of Meles Zenawi, accusing him of making Ethiopia landlocked, calling on Ethiopian nationals to boycott TPLF/EPRDF so called endowments, advocating for the legalization of all parties so that they operate within Ethiopia. This is hardly a sign of a party that is looking for a 'short-cut' to power.
I find it odd for parties that have representative/s in the Meles parliament rejecting the call to debate Meles in the public. Is it that they prefer to debate him on his chamber/parliament/ privately? They do not see a merit in exposing his bad deeds for the public to see and help the public to build its confidence? Why is it that we see many parties/grouping showing so much contempt to groups such as EDP?
I thinks that EDP should stay its course. As a new party it will obviously make mistakes. But as long as it is willing to correct itself and heed to the advices of others, it has the potential to grow into a good representative party. I am starting to like its bold posturing and fresh way of looking into things. If it succumbs to intimidation by the more 'vanguard' parties and abandons its current course of action, then it will end up to be a protest party, a paper tiger that exists only in name. This is hardly what Ethiopians want.
The Final Word
The following are my own observations. Reconciliation, if it can be achieved, is the most preferred way of resurrecting Ethiopia from the political, economic and social quagmire. As the EDP folks convincingly described, reconciliation is not something that can be achieved with out a prolonged struggle. If some parties are of the opinion that they can lead the country peacefully without entering into some sort of compromise with the ruling party, then they are dreaming in technicolour. A national transitional administration/ i.e an interim government/ that paves the way for a national election must include elements of the existing ruling party/parties.
I sometimes find it hard to believe the way opposition parties conduct their business. Some do not realize that the regime is not as weak as it is portrayed. Yes, it is disliked. Yes, its mass base has shrunk. But so was the Derg's. Derg was crushed not only because it lacked mass base, but because it was defeated militarily by those that are currently holding the power. However, Ethiopians are tired of wars and mass killings, therefore, the only means available is peaceful struggle. This clique that is holding power in Ethiopia is composed of arrogant bunches who do not care about the plight of the country. The regime will not go away by siting idle and condemning it from inside and outside. An unabated struggle is necessary to oust this regime. Ethiopians hate to see the many small and big parties that claim to struggle for Ethiopia's interest engage themselves in petty self centred skirmishes. They wouldn't want them to stick to peripheral issues and neglect the fundamental problems of the country either.
Past experiences show that political groups do not take the criticism of the kind I am presenting as positive contribution. Their self image is more important than the reality. I doubt if they will make an effort to take my criticism of them at face value and learn to make changes for the future and for the better. Nonetheless, it does not hurt to try.
My opposition to the current government is based on two fundamental subjects: ethnic administration and the sea outlet that is vital to the short and long run interest of Ethiopia. These subjects are I believe areas where all the above parties that I mentioned above share in common. I advise them to work on this matter together. If Ethiopia is their priority, then let them actively struggle against the EPRDF/TPLF regime's proposed demarcation implementation with Eritrea. If Ethiopians are in their heart, then let them coordinate their acts and feed the hungry, shelter the displaced and speak on behalf of the fifteen million who are awaiting for their assistance and leadership. They will be rest assured that they will have the active support of those of us that share similar values. But if they can't stand the heat and be there when our people are in dire need, then they will lose miserably. We are fed up of looking at petty skirmishes between parties.