by Robele Ababya

The stunning ESFNA Triumph

The TPLF captured power in 1991 with its hidden policy of exclusivity in the exercise of that power. The acronym EPRDF

Meles Zenawi

was and is now merely a sugar coat encapsulating the poison of everything evil detrimental to the existence of Ethiopia in a harmonious and tolerant social environment in unity in diversity. The beacon of hope is now increasingly glowing heralding that the moment is now in sight to end the long suffering of the Ethiopian masses once and for all through popular uprising in the quest for social justice, freedom, liberty, dignity, democracy, and prosperity under the rule of law enshrined in a supreme constitution of the people, by the people and for the people. The quest for freedom was amply demonstrated by the jubilant euphoria of ecstatic crowds overwhelmed by the spirit of heroism and memory of martyrs that had left the legacy of ultimate sacrifice for freedom and territorial integrity of Ethiopia symbolized by the famous victory of the Battle of Adwa and the beloved leader Menilik and the awe-inspiring cherished Flag: – GREEN, YELLOW AND RED – desecrated by Zenawi.

Yes! As Meron Ahadu put it aptly “Ethiopiawinet” has won, our community has sent a strong message”! I add that this victory is a perfect omen of exciting period of rehabilitating Ethiopia without Zenawi.

TPLF cadres caught with their pants down

I bet everyone would agree that the Ethiopian political scene has dramatically changed since that historic date of 18 May 2012 when Abebe Gellaw dealt a quasi-mortal lightening blow to tyrant Zenawi, with no physical tool other than his ever memorable monumental reverberating loud cry of “We want freedom before food!” at the Reagan Building in Washington in front of world leaders including President Obama. Now what that the TPLF cadres are caught with their ants down?

President Carter enraged by US abuse of human rights

According to Amy Bingham of the ABC, the former President Jimmy Carter:-

1. Accused “the current President of sanctioning “the widespread abuse of human rights” by authorizing drone strikes to kill suspected terrorists”; for “clearly violating” 10 of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
2. “Denounced the Obama Administration that the “United States is abandoning its role as the global champion of human rights.”;  that “Instead of making the world safer, America’s violation of international human rights abets our enemies and alienates our friends,”
3. Blasted the government for allowing “unprecedented violations of our rights to privacy through warrantless wiretapping and government mining of our electronic communications.”
4. Condemned recent legislation that gives the president the power to detain suspected terrorists indefinitely, although a federal judge blocked the law from taking effect for any suspects not affiliated with the September 11 terrorist attacks adding that “This law violates the right to freedom of expression and to be presumed innocent until proved guilty, two other rights enshrined in the declaration,”
5. While he never mentioned Obama by name, he called out “our government” and “the highest authorities in Washington,” and urged “concerned citizens” to “persuade Washington to reverse course and regain moral leadership.”
6. Criticized the current president for keeping the Guantanamo Bay detention center open, where prisoners “have been tortured by water boarding more than 100 times or intimidated with semiautomatic weapons, power drills or threats to sexually assault their mothers.”

The USA is a global power keen on defending its national interests at any cost through its huge military power or as Secretary of State put it through smart diplomacy. But what genuine opposition democratic forces are pleading for is withdrawal of direct support to the Zenawi regime bent on destroying Ethiopia; the opposition implores the Obama Administration to heed the call of former President Carter “to reverse course and regain moral leadership”. In my opinion the reversal is best done by severing all links with genocidal leaders like Zenawi on moral grounds and side with the peace-loving people of Ethiopia.

Incidentally, President Carter became a huge disappointment to overwhelming number of Ethiopians that were bitter on his policy on Ethiopia and subsequently on his role as election observer in the Ethiopian Elections of May 2005 and May 2010. I remember vividly his prediction to journalists immediately after arrival at Bole International Airport that TPLF will win Election 2005 by a landslide.

Democracy versus development

I have read some recent articles with great interest. I am gratefully convinced with the argument that there is a link or correlation between democracy and economic development.

There are elites that argue that the Chinese example of giving precedence to economic growth over respect for human rights by justifying that the former is the fastest route to achieving the latter. I wonder whether this line of argument holds water in the 21^st century – in the age of information. I ask whether the young generation of China is satisfied with the level of liberty, prosperity, and democracy claimed by their leaders is commensurate with the draconian cost of hundreds of millions of innocent lives lost during the lunatic era of Cultural Revolution unleashed by Chairman Mao.

Communist China is a global power in situ; it has a mighty military power and economic muscle to protect its massive investments in Africa by all means including political interference. The Chinese leaders should stop selling their policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. They are colluding with the Zenawi genocidal regime in blocking universally recognized freedom of expression.

Respect for universal human rights is the fastest way to full-fledged democracy. Inclusivity in the process of national policy-making is indispensable to that end. As things stand now, the minority Tigre tribe dictates our lives completely and absolutely. The Maoist example of development is not one to emulate in the 21^st century; there is absolutely no need to kill millions in order to implement a disastrous policy. Individuals today demand that their consent is required on how much to consume today and how much to save for development. They are asking why their freedom is curtailed by the diktat of a ruthless minority regime.

The repressive ruling regime is totalitarian in nature holding monopoly of political power and suppressing the peasants in serfdom. This is in sharp contrast to the magnanimous rule of Immye Menelik who died a penniless but a beloved Emperor. The Emperor refused to approve holding of crown land title, stating that Monarchy must not own both the crown and the land. He asked what would be left to the people if the Monarch owned both.

Herculean task of reconstruction post Zenawi’s demise

Reconstruction will evidently start after the fall of tyrant Zenawi as a matter of top priority. A commendable method to expedite self-liberation is graphically summarized; vide EthiopianReview Website under the title: “0.13 – The Danger of EXTERNAL “saviors” for INTERNAL ‘problems’” posted on 09 July 2012. I thank the Editor!

The post Zenawi era of reconstruction and renaissance will surely greet us with Herculean numerous tasks, inter alia:-

1. Immediate release of all prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia
2. Establishment of National Peace and Reconciliation Commission
3. Establishment of Transitional Government
4. Formulation of a comprehensive Policy including all National Values
5. Drafting of a new constitution of the people by the people for the people
6. Forming of a democratic government
7. Economic policy centered on public-private partnership (PPP)  concept
8. Foreign policy

We Ethiopians have to meet the challenge of the post Zenawi era by setting our priorities right and by carrying out extensive SWOT analysis centered on our national resources, inter alia: industrious and patriotic people; fertile land; abundant water; strategic location; mounting awareness of indispensability of unity in diversity; legacy of enviable ancient assets; potential for becoming a strong and democratic regional power.

Regional power and relationships

It is in the best interest to forge reliable and cordial relationship with democratic Egypt. Egyptians and Ethiopians are connected to the River Nile like twins in the womb are by umbilical cord for sustaining life.  In terms of their large population, strategically important location, and thousands of years old civilization these two countries stand on the gate of the hope of ushering in an oasis of peace and tranquility to the region.

Conclusion

I am enraged by the injustice of the Kangaroo Court which, according to Human Rights Watch, on 27 June 2012 “convicted 24 journalists, political opposition leaders, and others under Ethiopia’s deeply flawed anti-terrorism law”. It is my fervent daily prayer that the Almighty God will comfort their families in agony and end the suffering of the victims of cruel injustice languishing in TPLF dungeons.

I am infuriated by the death of Ethiopians in Tanzania seeking asylum elsewhere from the intolerable hell which Ethiopia has been for the last 21 years. I extend my deepest condolence to their bereaved parents, siblings, loved ones and friends.

During the Imperial regime, I had seen a man held at a police station waiting to be charged for attempting to commit suicide. This tells that we Ethiopians are God-fearing people that do not tolerate extreme acts such as the ones perpetrated by the Al Shabab linked to Al Qaeda. The Western donors should therefore not hesitate to dump genocidal tyrant Zenawi and save billions of dollars of their tax payers’ money.

Finally, fellow Ethiopians, let us  shorten the day of our return victoriously to Ethiopia taking ESAT from exile to our capital city Addis Ababa founded by Immye Menilik and Empress Taitu over 100 years ago.

LONG LIVE ETHIOPIA!!!

Release all political prisoners including Andualem Aragie, Iskinder Nega et al