Thousands of students and graduates alike were caught in a maze of confusion and misguided militancy, and were butchered in daylight. Those who escaped the pogrom in the cities and towns and joined the various movements in the countryside did not fare better, as the same misguided and infantile philosophy awaited them and fed them in to Shaebia’s and Shaebia instigated killing fields, with bullets coming from the rear as well as the front. Those who managed to escape from the above traps immigrated en masse to the neighbouring countries and farther ashore, creating one of the biggest migration (exodus) of the educated, of any country per capita in recent memory.

The history of this dark era, though subsided but not closed yet needs a thorough research and analysis by social scientists, hopefully sooner than later, as it will help us reconcile the past with the present, and grapple with the accumulated pain, in finding meaning to this seemingly meaningless madness, which have eaten away more than a generation, and left a hollow spot in our psyche. This painful experience, whether we admit it or not is still playing havoc in the life of the survivors of that generation, and more so in the life of many living in the Diaspora, where traumatic experience is coupled with being uprooted, so young and unprepared.

A call for reconciliation

In this piece, we will leave the broader history of the dying young Ethiopian, and the suffering survivor to a future discourse…and to the experts, and instead deal with the suffering of a smaller segment, which is grossly misunderstood and remotely recognized by the average Ethiopian; the plight of the educated dissenting Tigrian, whom history has dealt a card with a bigger debilitating fate. We understand that every group, ethnic or otherwise has a story to tell, a story one feels the other side did not comprehend or appreciate. Our call is for understanding, and hence not blaming any one. It is in this sprit that we believe, we should open the “Pandora’s box” so to speak, break the taboo, and develop a venue for candid and civilized dialogue to reconcile the misunderstandings that exist among or within ethnic groups and political divides. We are cognizant that every group has a blame against the other. Indeed there is more than enough blame to go around. It is a mater of perspective; the angle one uses to look out. It is time that we learn how to listen, listen and listen to the story of the other side. We also understand that often times, people resort to blaming when they fail to bring a positive change or manage a conflict. Achievers rarely complain and blame others. It is crucial for our country’s survival that we move from the blame mode to cooperation and thus action mode.

Opportunities Missed

When Meles Zenawi and Sebhat Nega led TPLF forces to the heart of Addis Ababa, in the wake of Mengistu’s flight out of the country, most educated non-Tigrean Ethiopians decided to view TPLF as an alien force and followed a closed door policy, and missed the golden opportunity to analyse the anatomy of TPLF, by having a closer look. This despite the fact that there were enough signs written on the wall, which would have revealed that the ranks and files of TPLF and even the majority in the leadership position (however misguided they were) were patriotic Tigreans, with no evil intent on Ethiopia. Many Ethiopians paid little attention to the humble and disciplined Tegadalay/Soldier, and the unassuming nature of those at the lower echelon of the front. Early on Meles through MLLT, saw poisonous propaganda, about how the Ethiopian population in the hinterland were against TPLF and Tigrai and that, especially the Amharas are angry primarily for no other apparent reason except that we are Tigreans. The negative reaction of the elite group around Addis Ababa coupled with its perceived negative attitude towards any “development” activities in Tigrai, personified by the endless hymen of “Tigrai Lemmach”, on the other had securely shut any possible rapprochement.

But more important behind the scene, there existed the educated dissenting Tigrian group, which was not part of the experience of TPLF all together, and hence has played a central role in exposing Mele’s nature especially following the 2001 TPLF split, had a more objective understanding of the make up of the front. This group knew all along that TPLF was hijacked and was at the mercy of Isayas and Meles/Sibhat cliques and was looking for a window of opportunity to disclose this farce to the rank and file of TPLF and the patriotic segment of the leadership, as well as to Ethiopian democratic forces at large. However, it was faced with insurmountable obstacles. Shaebia and Meles’ groups subjected it to the day in day out blackmail, and coercion. Many dissenting Tigreans were ostracised from community activities, and many have their families disintegrated because of the above double evils. At the same time our fellow non-Tigrean Ethiopians, filled with ever-growing suspicion were equating every Tigrean as TPLF and TPLF with Meles. Two enemy camps thus surrounded this group and the party sought as a natural allay has its house shut with a steel door of suspicion and sometimes utter hate. It was many a day many patriotic Tigreans were shunned by their fellow Ethiopians, when the former attempted to inform the nature of TPLF, and labelled TPLF informers.

It was the lack of such an alliance that many heroic Tigreans like Hayelom Araya were gunned down in the heart of Addis Ababa, and many other patriotic high ranking Military officers who played key roles in repulsing Shaebia's aggression, were disappeared or were assassinated, while the sons of Mama Ethiopia looked the other way. The democratic elements in Ethiopia were in disarray and in confusion that they could not tell head from tail as far as TPLF was concerned, and thus failed to forge an alliance with the patriotic Tigreans outside and in side TPLF, which could have succeeded in isolating and riding out Meles and his few cronies like Sebhat Nega, and save the country from the Shaebia instigated humiliation and being land locked. They mistook “the map for the territory”, by equating Meles for TPLF, TPLF for Tigrai. Many stack to the mantra “Tigrai Lemmach” to the delight of Meles.

With the majority of the educated non-Tigrean Ethiopians wearing a suspicious eye, and the rest recruited under Meles’ pay, being used as pawns and camouflage, and with Shaebia’s close collaborations, Meles found a free hand to do what he may with impunity against the country and TPLF equally.

(TO BE CONTINUED...)