SMNE Urges New Prime Minister to Take Bold Steps That Will Lead the Country to a New Ethiopia
An Open Letter to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn,
September 26, 2012
His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn,
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. BOX – 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dear Prime Minister Hailemariam,
We are writing this letter to you, first of all to congratulate you in your appointment as the new prime minister of
Ethiopia—only the third Ethiopian leader to assume this position within the last nearly forty years and the first of the three to assume it through a smooth transition—only because the former prime minister died; yet, this is an unprecedented development in Ethiopia’s recent history and we urge you to take hold of your God-given opportunity to help bring truth, honesty, justice, equality and reconciliation and healing that are so needed by for the survival of our severely wounded and divided nation. It is a significant moment to seize if you are to make a historical and meaningful contribution to a genuinely more inclusive Ethiopia where the humanity of each and every Ethiopian is valued more than their ethnicity, the religion they practice, the region they come from or their political party membership.
You are now the leader of Ethiopia; meaning you are the leader not only of the EPRDF or the TPLF or the leader of those who agree with you, but you are also the leader of all Ethiopians, including those who disagree with your party and have been labeled by them as enemies or extremists. Based on the presumption that you will assume your position of responsibility to all the people of Ethiopia—something which hopefully will be proven through concrete action within a very short period of time—we are writing to you, as the new head of the country, to urge you to boldly implement meaningful change from the status quo—moving Ethiopia from a deeply entrenched system that excludes the majority of Ethiopians to one that will free all within our society to realize their God-given gifts.
Mr. Prime Minister,
For your information, the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE), of which I am the executive director, is a social justice group, established specifically to break the pattern of Ethiopian destruction that has led ethnic-liberation fronts like the TPLF from grievance, to resistance, to revenge, to overthrowing the Derg, to taking control of the country, to making the country landlocked through splitting it in two, to implementing a system of ethnic-apartheid-domination, to presenting a false picture of a unified Ethiopia through a flawed system of tribes (nations and nationalities) rather than as the Ethiopian people in order for a tiny elite from one ethnic group to cover up a system of ethnic, crony, party, and regional favoritism, to the present stage which is the exploitation of the oppressed and the rest of the people by a few in the TPLF who run the entire country under the pseudonym of the EPRDF.
We in the SMNE strongly disavow any right of any oppressed group to use their past oppression as an excuse to tyrannize or subjugate others; yet, this is exactly what the TPLF has done, in company with the EPRDF. It is epitomized in the recent case of a young person who applied to Addis Ababa University but was rejected because the “quota” for Amharas had been met rather than accepting students based on giftedness, academic credentials and drive. One’s ethnicity should never give you preferred status or be the basis of rejection. This is wrong and immoral.
This was the reason the SMNE was created; not as a political party but as a movement to empower and unify all diverse Ethiopians around these principles in order to build a New Ethiopia where we value the humanity of everyone, not only those like ourselves. We stand for a country where the “system” is structured and well-protected by checks and balances to protect the rights of all for until then “no one will be free until all are free.”
For a “New Ethiopia” to emerge, it means the old Ethiopia must be reformed. You are in a position to drive those reforms forward. Without such reforms, we know many will reject being part of an Ethiopia where they have been oppressed, marginalized, discriminated against, mistreated and/or seen as “impediments to be removed” rather than being accepted as active and contributing partners and beneficiaries in the life of Ethiopian society. This is something we all know is true. Such an Ethiopia is an old Ethiopia, a dying Ethiopia and an Ethiopia that must be discarded if we are to become a New Ethiopia that is good for everyone.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Who would have ever thought that a young man from the Boloso Sore district of the Wolayita Zone in southern Ethiopia, who walked to school some kilometers away with his younger brother, whose dream was to become a doctor, would be the new prime minister of Ethiopia and the leader of more than ninety million people? This may only be about God’s plan to use you, as someone from one of our rich and proud ethnic groups in the South and from a humble beginning, to help bring the family of Ethiopians together to plant a garden for the future of all of us. This garden of beautiful, multi-colored and multi-shaped blooms symbolizes the over 80 different, but all precious, ethnicities of Ethiopia.
The fertile soil of this garden must start with clean and repentant hearts, with our minds open to the truth and by souls filled with pure intentions. Transformational change must be based on love rather than hatred; dialogue rather than violence; reconciliation rather than vengeance; restored justice rather than oppression. This is the only way we can pass on a blessing rather than a curse to the next generation of Ethiopians. We now call on you, Mr. Prime Minister, to move Ethiopia in this new direction. This was the reason the SMNE created—to bring respectful dialogue as we honestly confront our problems so that we might carve out solutions. This is not only about the people but it is about doing what is right in the eyes of our Almighty God who sometimes calls some of us, like yourself, to do very difficult things, but promises to be faithful to those who trust Him and walk in His ways. By what you decide to do, you will show who you will please. These are moral issues with clear directives that lead to freedom of souls, people and nations.
We in the SMNE also posed such moral choices to Meles in two open letters, on two occasions, Open Letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and read in English.. Or read in Amharic.. but he chose to close his ears and ignored us like he ignores the majority of Ethiopians. Instead, he continued to advance his own plans of pleasing those he considered to be his own. We were not surprised, but look where it has led us as a people and now he is gone. Today, you can make a difference, but only if you recognize God’s call in this unique opportunity. Are you willing to take whatever steps God has given to you to do your part in bringing light and life back to Ethiopia?
Mr. Prime Minister,
Our people have suffered so much. If you go from one corner of our beautiful country to each of the others to listen to the people—starting from the south to the north and from the east to the west—you will hear the same stories of their pain, grief, suffering and hard lives. These heartbreaking stories do not come only because of the difficulties of life we all face, but much of their hardship, poverty, lack of opportunity and abuse has come as the result of government policies and harmful actions. Even their chronic poverty and lack of food security can be related to the lack of freedom, the lack of property rights, the failure of the rule of law, the rampant corruption and regime repression.
A nation is like a body. When one part of the body is inflicted with pain, it affects the rest of the body. This one body we call Ethiopia, which is shared by all of us—binding us together—has suffered so much in the hands of the people who have been in charge. These leaders who have led our country all these years are the ones who have failed in their responsibilities to nurture, protect and care for all the people of Ethiopia who are loved by God and precious to Him. It is not an easy responsibility you are being asked to assume, but nevertheless, this responsibility for leadership is now in your hands. If you choose to do what is right in God’s eyes, God will help you, but if you choose to continue to oppress the people and to unfairly exploit them and their resources, you will be on your own.
Mr. Prime Minister,
We know that many Ethiopians are assuming that the TPLF is in total control of you and these people are watching every action you take to prove it. They assume the TPLF is simply pretending that a Southerner is leading a country, when in truth; it is those on the TPLF Central Committee who are doing so. This is the general speculation of the people, but it may not be true.
We know you know much of what is wrong in Ethiopia and might want to change it but will have limits set on you by some, but you may find many, even within the TPLF, who recognize the opportunity to jump from a sinking ship of the TPLF and they may help you more than most expect. We know you cannot do it alone. We also know your party cannot do it alone. The only way is to do it together with the rest of the people of Ethiopia and through the power of God as He works in the hearts and minds of the people to accomplish purposes greater than we can now see.
God may have placed you in this position for such a time as this, but if you do not rise to the purpose, God will find another way. Up until now, the TPLF has not been with the people, but you must reach out to them; especially to your enemies or the people with whom you may disagree with and take concrete action even if it is not popular.
Mr. Prime Minister,
Ethiopia needs deep reforms, not simply cosmetic reforms that skim the surface. All political prisoners must be released. Political space must be restored. You must meet with the political oppositions. Repeal laws that block civil society and freedom of expression and information. Stop the land grabs and the human rights abuses by the Ethiopian military and security forces. They are on the Ethiopian payroll. Stop religious repression and government interference in religious affairs. Call for National Reconciliation and tell the people within the TPLF/EPRDF that they are needed parts of this beautiful body—the country of Ethiopia. They will not be harmed and will have a deserved place in a New Ethiopia for they are “us.” Those who committed crimes will face justice but not on the street. This beautiful country of all of us will not survive by pretending. Ignoring the problems without taking an active role in bringing meaningful change will bring consequences none of us want. Take the necessary bold moves that must be done for the wellbeing, safety and security of our people.
We all live once and have opportunities that will pass us by if not taken. This may be the moment for good that God planned in advance for you. Stand up for the harassed people of Ethiopia. Our country needs transformation and you cannot do it alone. In light of this, reach out to people and be on their side. You are appointed to be a leader of all the people. May God give you the words, the strength, the wisdom, the openings and the support you need to change the direction of Ethiopia from doom to dawn; giving your all to provide a structure to bring reforms, reconciliation and justice so that a dying nation may be revived; so that the favoritism of an unjust ethnic-apartheid system be ended, the shackles of injustice unlocked and a people and nation be inspired to lift up their hands to their Creator God.
Mr. Prime Minister,
As for us, in the SMNE, we are always ready to do whatever we can because we are part of this body of Ethiopia and humanity and are committed to the betterment of all our people. We will not compromise in what we believe meaning we cannot settle for pretense without change, for small goals when we need deep reforms or for benefits for only a few for no one will be free until all are free.
We must care about all our Ethiopian sisters and brothers so that Ethiopia is a better Ethiopia rather than a beggar Ethiopia; an Ethiopia where our children can live in whatever part of the country they want; where they can live and flourish rather than risking their lives as they flee beyond our borders for freedom and opportunity; an Ethiopia where Ethiopians dispersed throughout the world can feel safe to return home to help rebuild this beloved country of ours—a country of freedom and opportunity for all.
We believe this is doable and have hope in our people from every ethnic group, region, religious group, and political group from all over the country that they will rise to the challenge by doing their share. As long as there is strong leadership that puts the interests of humanity ahead of the self-interests of a few; there is no reason that will prevent our Ethiopia from overcoming the negative images for which we are known throughout the world as a starving and dying people.
In conclusion, if you choose to take these strong steps forward, we understand that it may cost you great sacrifice, but you will be choosing the side of righteousness. The people will know it and stand by you! The past is the past and we must move ahead. Take that step now! May God help us all!
In hope,
Your brother,
Obang Metho,
Executive Director of the SMNE
910-17th St. NW, Suite 419
Washington, DC 20006 USA
Phone 202 725-1616
Email: Obang@solidaritymovement.org.
Website: www.solidaritymovement.org
Sergute Selassie
October 14, 2012 at 2:53 pm
የእንጀራ እናት።
የእንጀራ እናት የሚለው ቃል በተለምዶው — እንደ እኔ ቃሉ እራሱ እንጀራ ከመሰለ ዘንከታ፤ ለረሃብ ደራሽ ከሆነው የባህል ማእከል ጋር ተገናኝቶ ድርጊቱ ግን በአመዛኙ የሳጥናኤል መሆኑ ሁልጊዜም የማዝንበት ነው። እኔ እንኳን ዛሬ እንጀራ እናት የሚለውን ያነሳሁት ያቺ ለልጆች ጡት ፍለጋ ማስታገሻ የምተሰጠውን በባዶ አዬር ብቻ የተሞላችውን ጡጦ ማለቴ ነው። ሰው ሰራሿን ፕላስቲክ …። አዎን የጠ/ሚ ኃይለማርያም ደሳለኝ ራዕይም ይህው ነው። አንድ ሰዓሊ እሷን ከአፋቸው አስገብቶ ቢስልልኝ እንዴት የልቤን ባደረሰ … ሄሮድስ ጠ/ሚር መለስ ዜናዊ ልባቸውን አስገብተውላቸው ከሄዱት ተዋናዮች አንዱ አዲሱ ጠ/ሚር አቶ ኃይለማርያም ደስአለኝ ናቸው። አማኝነታቸውማ ትናንትም ነበር ደምን እያዬ … አሁንም በእግር ብረት የታሰረውን ሰባዕዊ መብት እዬተሳለቀ …
ሟቹ ጠ/ሚር በጡረታ የመገለልን ህግ ሲያጸድቁ የደረደሩት ያ … ሁላ ጥቅማጥቅም እራሳቸውን አስበው ነበር። እንደ ታመሙ ስለሚያውቁ። ይህም ብቻ አይደለም እሳቸው ከሥልጣን ሲለቁም ልባቸውን ያሰገቡላቸው ወ/ ሮ አዜብን አስበው ነበር። በጡሩታ እሳቸው ሲገለሉ ከሙሉ ጥቅም ጋር፤ ባለቤታቸውን ደግሞ በቀጣይ ጠ/ሚርነት ድርብ ተጠቃሚ ለመሆን ነበር ህልሙ። እንጂ … ለአቶ ኃይለማርያም አስበው ፤ ዕምነትም ኑሯቸው አይደለም። ያው … ከተጠቀሙ በኋላ እንደ ሌሎቹ … ነበር የታሰበው። ባይሆን ሞት ቀደማቸው እንጂ …
ለማንኛውም ሰው ያልደረሰበት የሄሮድስ መለስ ዜናዊ ፍልስፍና በሸፍጥ የተቀመመ ነበር። ማንነትን ከውስጥ በስደት መሰንጠቅ። የሚያሰጠጓቸው ሰዎች ሁሉ ማንነታቸው መንታ መንገድ ላይ የተገተሩትን ብቻ ናቸው። ለዚህ ሁለት ናሙና ልስጥ ..
ካህዲዋ – እትብትን ለማጫነት ለታላቋ ራዕይ የሸለሙት ወ/ሮ አዜብ የትግሬ ዝርያ ፈጽሞ የለባቸውም። ዘረ መሰረታቸው ጎንደር ወልቃይት ልዩ ስሙ የቃብቲያ ተወላጅ ናቸው። ወልቃይት፣ ጠገዴ፣ ሁመራን ጨምሮ የሥራ፤ የትምህርት የለቅሶ፤ የማህበራዊ ቋንቋው አማርኛ ነው። ትግረኛ ቤት ውስጥ የሚጠቀሙበት ነው። እንዲያውም አማርኛ ቋንቋ ልጆች ተኮላፍተው ሲናገሩት እንኳን የአማርኛ ክብሩ ተናካ ዬልጆች መጫወቻ ሆነ ብለው ብለው ይቆጡ ከነበሩት ውስጥ … ጎንደሬ በጋሻው ላይ ታሪካቸው የተጻፈው ጀግና አባ ሻንቆ መለሰ ኃይሉ ይገኙበታል። ለአማረነቱና ትውፊቱ የቀደሙት የተለዬ አክብሮትን ትህትና የነበረው ትውልድ ነበር።
በሌላ በኩል አሁንም አንድም የወልቃይትና የጠገዴ ሰው ወደ ከተማ ለመኖር ቢያስብ ጎንደር እንጂ ትግራይን ፈጽሞ በህልሙ እንኳን አያስበውም። አብዳችኋል እንደሚሉ ነው የሚደመጡት። ምን ለማለት ነው … የአቶ መለስ ዜናዊ ፍልስፍና ማንነት ያለውን ውስጥ አውጥተው አርቲፊሻል መለስ የሆነ ሰው ሰራሽ ማንነት አስገብተው ይገጥማሉ። ጥሩ የጋራጅ ሰው ነበሩና … ፍልስፍናቸውም ያለ ተቀናቃኝ አቆይቷቸዋል። ይገርማል ሞተው እንኳን እዬጠቡት ነው በደመነፍስ … አገሮቻቸው ….
ስለዚህ ወ/ሮ አዜብ እንደ ትግሬ መሆን አይችሉም። ልሁን ቢሉም አያምርባቸውም። እነሱም አይቀበሏቸውም፤ አያስጠጓቸውም፤ ተቆርቋሪ ነኝ ለማለት ቢሞክሩ ያድጣቸዋል … ላጥ ያለ ገደል ይጠብቃቸዋል። እንደ አማራ ነኝ ማለትም አይችሉም በሰላም ያረፉትን አጽሞች ሁሉ ትግሬ ነበራችሁ በማለት ያሳወጁ፤ የመቃብር አጽምን የረገጡ፤ በዘር ማጥፍት ወንጀል በክልሉ እዬተፈጸማ አጋፋሪ የነበሩ …ናቸው። ስለምን ማንነታው አልነበርም ተስዷል … ሁለት ያጣ ጎመን። መጠጊያ ግን ነበር የሄሮድስ ኢትዮጵያን የማጥፍትና የታላቋ ትግራይ ራዕይ … እሱም አፈር ቅሟል። ሃፍረት – ውርዴት – መሸማቀቅ፤ ጥግ አልባነት – ከታሪክ መሰረዝ የወ/ሮዋ ዕጣ ፈንታ ነው … ዘመን ይቅር የማይለው … ስርዛትን ተከናንበው … እንደ አጎነበሱ ይኖራሉ። ቀና ማለት ፈጽሞ አይችሉም። የተሰበረ ቅስም።
ሁለተኛው አቶ በረከት ስሞኦን ጎንደር ከተማ ሰፈረ አንባጅኔ ከአቶ ገ/ሕይውትና ከወ/ ብሬ የተፈጠሩ ኤርትራዊ መሆናቸው አደባባይ የዋለ ጉዳይ ነው።። አባታቸው አባ ገ/ሕይወት የህንጻ ሥራ ባለሙያ ነበሩ። እማም ብሬ ደግሞ ሱቅ ነበራቸው። ሁለቱም በሰላም ተስማምተው፤ ተጎራብተው፤ አበልጅነት ተናስተው ይነሩ ነበር። በልጅነት ትውስታዬ ውጪያቸውን በዚህ መልክ አውቀዋለሁ። ውስጣቸውን ግን እንኳንስ እኔ በዛ ዕድሜዬ ወላጆቼም ዬሚያውቁት አይመስለኝም። ሱቃቸው ግን ደንበኛ ነበርኩ። ስላክ ከጨዋ ሰፍር አንባጅኔ እራቅ ቢልም እሄዳለሁ። ስለምን የእማማ ብሬ ምርቃት ከረሚላ ስለ ነበር። ዘይትም ተገዛ ሱካር ያው ድንቡልቡሏ ነጭ የአረቂ ከረሚላ አይቀሬ ነበረች። ለጉንፋንም ትረዳ ነበረች። …
አሁን ይህን ነጥብ ያነሳሁት ወ/ሮ አዜብ ጎንደሬ ግን የትግሬነት ሰብዕና ተገጠመላቸውና ተገቡ። ጎንደርን ለመጠቅለል የታላቋ ትግራይን ራዕይ ለማሳከት፤ በተሟላ ዕቅድ የተከናወነ ጋብቻ ነበር። አቶ በረከተም ኤርትራዊ ለዛውም የአማራ ሰብዕና ተገጠመላቸው። ሁለቱም የራሳቸው ሰብዕና የሌላቸው ናቸው። አሁን እስኪ እሰቡት በዛ የሥልጣን ቦታ ያን ያህል ውሸት … የአቶ መለስ ዜናዊ ህመም እስከ ህልፍት የሰጡት መግላጫ ውጥንቅጥ አስቡት። የኔ የሚሉት የውስጥ ማንነት ሆነ በራስ የመቆም አቅም የላቸውምና። ተብልቷል፤ ተመልምሏል። ዝም ብለው ቀፏቸውን አቁመው ነበር እኮ ሲጫወቱባቸው የኖሩት። እንዳይደፍሩ ኤርትራዊ ተብለው ይጠረጣራሉ። እንዳይዘልቁ ደግሞ የተነደለና የተንጠለጠለ መሬት ያልያዘ ማንነትን አግብተዋል።
አቶ መለስ በሥልጣን በነበሩባቸው ዘመናት ሁሉ በዙሪያቸው የነበሩት ሁሉ ስታሥሱት ሃቁ ቁልጭ ብሎ ይታያችኋል። ትክክለኛ ኦሮሞ ያለሆኑትን በቃ የኦሮማ መሪ ያደርጓቸዋል። ማህል ላይ የሚገትር ሰው ሰራሽ ሰብእና ይገጥሙላቸዋል። አቶ አዲሱ ለገሰንም በሚመለከት እጅግ በሚገርም ሁኔታ ነው ውልቅልቃቸውን አውጥተው አማረነትን የገጠሙላቸው። እንጂ አቶ አዲሱ እማ …
ስለሆነም በረቀቀ ስልትና ዘዴ ማንነቱን ያጣ፤ መንፈሱ የተሰረቀ – ሽብሽብ፤ ያዳጠው – ህሊና ፤ ለመወሰን የተሳነው -ጥገኛና አቅመ ቢስ ማንነት ፤ አገጣጠመውና ልብስ አልበሰው በፕሮቶኮል ቀፎውን ኮፈሰው አኖራቸው። ስለሆነም — ወኔው ሁሉ መቅኖ ቢስ፤ በራስ የመተማመን መንፈሱ ሁሉ ስደተኛ ሆነ። በዚህ ስልት ነው ሞት አስኪወስዳቸው ድረስ በሰብዕና ላይ ልክ እንደ ጥንቸል ሙከራ ሲያድረጉ የቆዩት … . የአቶ መለስ ታሪክ ለእኔ የጨላማ ድርሰት ነው።
ይህም ማለት አቶ ኃይለማርያም ደስአለኝ የራሳቸው ማንንት ፍርፋሪ የላቸውም። በፍጹም። ያን የእንጀራ እናት የፕላስቲክ ጡጦ እዬጠቡ ሰብእና ያለው ራዕይን ጨርሶ አላሰቡትም። ታውሬያለሁ ። ዓይን የለኝም። ከፊትም ከኋላ ምሩኝ ነው ያሉት። እንደ ሰው እንኳን ለመቆም ከአሁኑ ደክሟቸዋል። መቅኗቸው ከድቷቸዋል። አላዝንም። አቅመ ቢስ ከሆኑ አልችልም በማለት ወያኔንን ማፈረጥ ሲቻል … ይተበሰባሳሉ። … ይሄ ወንድነት የሚሉት ሰብዕናም እኔ እንጃ …
ያው አቶ መለስ ነው ማንታቸውን ቀብረውት የሄዱት። እርግጠኛ ሆነው፤ ወሳኝ አቋም ይዞ ለመውጣ በእሳቸው ዙሪያ ያለው የማንነት ጉዳይ ፍለስት ይታይበታል። የቲ.ፒ.ኤል.ኤፍ መስራች አባል አለመሆናቸው፤ ይህ በእራሱ ትልቅ ተራራ ነው። ትግሬነትም – የክትንት ነው፤ የጫካ ተመክሮ ሌላው መስፈርት ነው፤ ሁሉም በዬፍርጃቸው ወጥረው፤ መተንፈሻ ነስተው እያፋጠጧቸው ነበር እስካሁን የቆዩት … ለዛውም እየተወዛወዙ … ልዝዝ ብለው ወይን አይነዱ ወይ አያነዱ ዕዳ ነው። ይህም ይቀጥላል።
አሁን ወደ መነሻዬ … አዎን እኔ ዶ/ ኦባንግ ኢትዮጵያ ነው አምለው አቶ ኦባንግ ሜቶን … የላከው የመልካም ምኞት መልእከት እና ተማእጽኖም ደግግሜ አንብቤዋለሁ። አቶ ኦባንግ ከሚመራው ንቅናቄ የምጠብቀው ስለነበር አልደነቀኝም። ውስጡን ማዬት ይቻላል። የአዲስቱ ኢትዮጵያ ንቅናቄ ፖለቲካዊ አቋም – ፍጹም ለስላሳ ነው። የሚመቻቸውም ወገኖች ግን ይኖራሉ።
የሆነ ሆኖ መጠዬቁም ቢሆን ንቅናቄው መብቱ ነው። መልስ መጠበቁም መብቱ ነው። እነዚህን እርምጃዎች እኛ ባለን ጽኑዑ አቋም ላይ ሊለውጥ የሚችለው ምንም ነገር የለም። ለአቶ ኃይለማርያም ግን ቢያንስ ለህሊናቸው ይህን መሰሉ ለስላሳ አቀራረብ እረፍት የሚሰጣቸው አይመስለኝም። በተለይ የቃለ ወንጌል ተገዢ ናቸው እንደሚባሉት ከሆኑ። ህሊናቸው ደግሞ ያው መሪና ምርኩዝ ካልተዋሰ ወይንም የፕላስቲኳን ጡጦ ካልተማጠነ። ሌላው ደግሞ ለወያኔ ውጪ ላሉ ደጋፊዎቻቸው ብድርንና እረዳታ ሲያጎርፉላቸው ለኖሩትም ሀገሮችም ከተቃዋሚው ጎራ አንድ ለእናቱ ዬአዲስቱ ኢትዮጵያ ንቅናቄ መገኘቱ ለዓለም ዓቀፉ ሚዲያ ፍጆታ መልካም ነው።
አሁን ማንይሙት አማራ ሆኖ ኦሮሞ ነህና ምራ ቢባል … ይሆናል። አይቻልም። አለማቻል የሚለው ቃሉ እራሱ አይገለጽልኝም። እንደ ኦረሞ ደፍሮ አቋም ይዞ መታገል ፤ ለኦረሞ ህዝብ አይችልም። ብዙ ነገር የማያውቃቸው ረቂቅ ተፈጥሮዎች አሉና። በሌላ በኩል አማራ ሲጓዳ ሲዳፋ፣ ሲንግለታ፣ ሲታሰር ደግሞ ሁለመናው በመሆኑ ቢወቀውም አማራ ነኝ ብሎ የውስጥ ስቃዬን ይፋ አድርጎ አይታገልም። ስለምን የእሱ የሆነውን ማንነት ተቀምቶ የእሱ የሆነ መለያ ተነጥቆ ሌላ አርቲፊሻል ሰብዕና ተስክቶለታል። ኢትዮጵያዊነትንማ እርሱት …. የአቶ መለስ የግልቢያ ጨዋታ … ለዘመናት ውስጥን ህምም ላይ ይጥላል። ዕዳው መጠነ ሰፊ ነው … ቁስለት! የህሊና ቁስለት ታውቃለችሁ ለዛውም የመረቀዘ …?
ለዚህ ሁሉ መካራ ጆሮ እያላቸው የማይሰሙት፤ ዓይን እያላቸው የማያዩት፤ ህሊና እያላቸው የማያስተውሉት የወያኔ ባለስልጣኖች ዬችግር መንስኤ ይህው ነው። ሀገር ለባእድ ከመቸብቸብ ወዲያ ምን ረመጥ ጉድ አለ … ትናንትን የረገጠ፤ ዛሬን የጨፈለቀ፤ ነገ ሳይመጣ ገና … አድረቆ – ያሳረረ … ያኮማተረ … ይህንን በጸጋ ተቀብለው ሲያስተናግዱ ከነበሩ የዳመና ተዋናዩች መፍትሄ – እእ!
እንደ ማጠቃለያ …….
የአቶ ኦባንግን ኢትዮጵያ መልእክት በመብት፤ በነፃነት ደረጃ የድርጅቱና የሚሰማውን በመጻፉ ሆነ በመላኩ አልረበሸኝም። እንዲያውም ሰሞኑን ጋሼ ሙሉጌታ ሉሌ ከአቶ ኤፍሬም ማንዴቦና ከአቶ ፈቃደ ጋር ባደረገው ውይይት አባይን አስመልክቶ አቶ ፈቃደ ላላቸው አዎንታዊ ዕይታ ሳይጨርሱት ሲያቋርጣቸውና የእራሱን አቋም ሲገልጽ ድብን ነው ያልኩት።
ስለምን ማስጨረስ ያስፈልጋል። ሌላው የተለያዩ ሰዎች በተለያዩ ጉዳዮች ላይ ያላቸውን ልዩነት አውቆ ወጥ ዕይታ ለመፍጠር ምቹ ነበር። ጋሼ ሙሉጌታ ሳያቋርጥ አቶ ፈቃደን አስጨረሶ እሱ እንደ አወያይነቱ እንደ ተክሌ ጫር አድርጎ ወይንም ምንም ሳይተነፍስ ዕድሉን ለአቶ አፍሬም ሰጥቷቸው ቢሆን ኖሮ ….ኖሮ … ፤ አቶ ኤፍሬም የብዙኃኑን ዕይታ የሚወክል ሃሳብ ያመነጩ ነበር ። ባያመነጩ እንኳን ማጠቃለያ ላይ እሱ እልባት ቢሰጥበት መልካም ሆኖ ሳላ — ? አሁን ለምሳሌ የህንድን ግሪን ሪቮሌሽን አቶ ኤፍሬም ያለነሱትና አቶ ፈቃደ ጣልቃ ገብተው በጥልቀት አንስተው ያላሰተዋልናቸውን ነገሮች ሁሉ እንድንፈትሽ የቤት ሥራ ሰጡን …
ምን ለማለት ዴሞክራሲ ፅንሰ-ሓሰቡና ተግባሩን መለማመድ አለብን። መማር አለብን። አንድ የጎንደር አባባል አለች „ሲወዱ እስከ ንፍጥ ልጋጉ“ ዴሞክራሲን እንወደዋለን። ስንወደው ግን እስከ ንፍጥ ልጋጉ መሆን አለበት። ሁሉንም መሆን ይኖርበታልና። የማይመቹነንም በአክበሮትና በትእግስት ተከታትሎ ሃስብን በሃስብ፤ ተግባርና በተግበር አታግሎ የነጠረውን መውሰድ። አባዛሁት መስል …. ስለ ትእግስታችሁ አመሰግናለሁ።
DASSENNECH
October 1, 2012 at 4:51 pm
Well said Ato Obang. this is a very right thing for the recored. I believe he will not change but it is great that you addressed him with respec t. If he keeps the truck of Meles, then his file will also be filed to ICC as his former boss. You did the right thing,
good job
Menethio
September 30, 2012 at 2:14 am
Clear and authentic message.
Ittu Aba Farda
September 29, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Obo Obang:
It is an excellent letter and to the point. But I don’t think he will read it first or even it gets through the door of his office. If it does, I don’t think it will be on his desk in its entirety. It is all fair and accurate to expect who is standing and watching at the door. The flock of scourge that descended from Dedebit is still in complete and undisturbed charge. It is the same scourge that has been menacing anything that seems an opposition. Even though I opted to give this man the benefit of the doubt (It may take a miracle) the other more than half of me does not expect a 10 percent of Kim Jong-un ‘reformer in PM HD for now. But still, I am going to sit back and caress that small chance even though it is very, very low. And there is the spirit of that angelic son of Obo Eskinder which has refused to let me forget about his dad. I have never had the privilege of meeting Obo Eskinder in person but I feel like I had already done just that through his comments and essays on this and other websites. But certain individuals such as Dr. Susan Rice are telling me and those like me to forget about this child’s agony and depression and look at the big picture instead. What she told that kid and many others like him is this: I don’t give a damn about you and your dad. I am looking at the big picture. I think that was what she trying to tell everyone on this good earth when she stubbornly told NBC, CBS and ABC on a sacred Sunday that the barbaric attack of the US Consulate in Benghazi was not a planned attack. When the moderator David Gregory tried to dispute that, one could tell her ire for being questioned. Well that comes from one of two reasons. She may be ignorant about the realities on the ground in Libya or again she has been looking at the big picture there too. According to her, ‘poor Libyan people’ were so incensed by what was shown on Youtube and they spontaneously went on rampage and killed one of their best friends during their trying time, Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Now she may blame the intelligence community. May be she never heard of those 200 peaceful demonstrators who were gunned down in the streets and back alleys of Addis in 2005. May be those ‘slackers’ in the intelligence community did not tell her that Obo Eskinder and many others like him are in jail because they said something her prophet Meles did not like. But what do I know? She holds a PHD and I am just some faceless ignorant citizen with a ’2nd hand’ education. But as a man of faith I pray for her redemption. But for now she has to put up with hopping mad members of the US Congress from both parties. I bet you such insolence did not pass unnoticed by PM HD and her 15-minute long eulogy of the late PM will be a good fodder for him to continue the ills perpetuated by his predecessor. Kagame, Museveni and Meles are not worried about human rights reports because they realized that the more they enact draconian laws the more stipends they receive in billions of US Dollars. The longer they stay in power the easier and bigger the economic and military aids they receive. Their partying is getting more rumpus and longer into the nights. They don’t give a flying tickling about what the human rights reports by the State Department, Amnesty International, Ana Maria Gomes and many others are saying. They will continue to thumb their noses at such revealing human rights violation reports. Why do they have to worry? And now they have found China in their pockets as their bargaining chip with the West. Folks! Things are getting even more complicated now. And on top of all these beatings, the opposition is mortally fractured and utterly confused. For now during my golden years heading into the sunset of my life all what is left for me is just dream a human dream. It is the dream of Ethiopia where people like me and Obang will stroll in the streets of Addis and everywhere in the country with no one looking over our shoulders because we hold different opinion about how the affairs of the country is being conducted. Such protected right, above all draconian laws, will guide us not to say or do anything that will jeopardize it. Above all we are all peaceful and non-violent individuals. I am not that naive either by thinking that there are no groups who are hell bent in that part of the region in savage acts of terrorism. And they are not unknown. They might have tried to take roots and refuge in the society but our peoples know much better than those terrorist barbarians gathered around Al Qaeda and Shabaab. That is why they failed so far and will continue to fail in their desire to turn our country into a house of untold carnage. That did not happen during the days of the Italian occupation in the 30’s even though the idea was encouraged by the fascist occupiers. It did not happen heeding to the daily fiery propaganda waged by the Shermarke and Siad Barre regimes of Somalia in the 1960’s and 70’s. When our own late PM was telling the people that their backwardness was caused by the Shewan Amharas, the rest of the people did not rise up and march onto the villages of the Shewan Amharas. Instead, our people might have thought their leader was in need of an urgent medical attention. They just gave it their left ears and let it out of their right ears.