Commentary
March 2013
by T.Goshu
The idea of reflecting this commentary of mine has come to my mind after I listened to the responses of Dr. Negasso Gidada to questions from listeners of ESAT radio Q and A program hosted by journalist Mesai Makonan.
Dr. Negasso Gidada
One listener asked if Dr. Negasso believes that the late Ethiopian prime minister, Ato Meles Zenawi was a racist politician. Dr. Negasso tried to avoid saying Ato Meles was a man of the politics of racism and/or ethnicity. Instead, he tried to attribute the dominant power of TPLF to its dominant role during the struggle against the Derg. He further tried to explain his answer by saying that he does not believe that the late prime minister was a racist politician. Moreover, he tried to expound his response by arguing that to be a racist politician is necessarily attributed to the agenda and practice of exterminating certain race or ethnic group like what happened during Nazi Germany.
Before proceeding to the point I want to make, I have to make myself clear that it is not my intention here either to counter –argue or underestimate the personal observation and points of view of Dr. Negasso Gidada about the late prime minster, Ato Meles Zenawi. I also understand not only the very difficult political environment but also the very uncomfortable socio-cultural situation he lives in. Dr.Negasso could not call a spade a spade for a reason it might or might not be convincing. I sincerely believe that Dr. Negasso Gidada deserves due respect for being part of the struggle and his contribution to the success of a democratic change.
This said; let me express my points of view as follows:
1. I strongly believe that calling a spade a spade with a strong sense of objectivity, rationality, civility, and above all constructive engagement is not only the right thing to do but it is also critically necessary if we want to create and develop democratic and cultural values we desperately aspire. I have no any illusion of simplifying this as simple as any political work. This is because those ruling elites who are determined to perpetuate their tyrannical agenda and practice through the use of ethnical/racial divide, attack and rule have done a considerable damage to the historical, social and cultural fabrics of the people. I strongly argue that there is no any convincing justification for not coming together and act in a real sense of collaboration, and change this dangerous political and socio-cultural situation we are experiencing. For this to happen, the first thing to do is rationally acknowledge the existence of the dangerous political game, call it what it is and deal with it accordingly.
Yes, it goes without saying that the existence of disagreements and conflicts within our identity and proudness of belonging to that or this nationality/ethnic group on the one hand, and our identity and proudness of being Ethiopians on the other hand is part and parcel of our fact of life as people of multi-national/ethnic country. However, it is absolutely not only wrong but a very serious political crime to use racial/ethnic political card to the extent of making it institutionalized for the sake of perpetuating political power.
2. Unfortunately enough, using the politics of racism/ethnicity in our country is getting worse and gravely dangerous. I strongly argue that if we are not honestly courageous enough to recognize the existence of this evil-driven political situation and challenge/ attack its root cause, managing the total crisis it may cause will be extremely difficult if not impossible. Well, some fellow Ethiopians may argue that despite all external and internal conspiracies and challenges, Ethiopia has survived; and the mastermind of the politics of racism/ethnicity/tribalism (TPLF) cannot break that kind of historical bondage. Yes, to be optimistic based on what happened in the past is not a bad thing as such; but it has to be with a sense of objective realities we are witnessing and with our unity of purpose. Needless to say that unless we act together with utmost urgency and determination, the sacrifices paid by our forefathers/mothers for the sake of the survival of our country cannot be a guarantee for the continuation our survival as Ethiopians let alone making progress. That is why I strongly argue that we have to deal with the serious consequences of the political madness that is characterized not only by promoting racial/ethnic/tribal prejudice, discrimination and hatred but also by making it institutionalized.
3. I do not think the politics of racism/ethnicity is attributed to the horrible situations such as The Nazi Germany and other political action of the total extermination of one race or ethnic group only as Dr. Negaso tried to explain. Well, the very application of the politics of racism/ethnicity various from place to place, from one period to another, and from one circumstance to another. Martin N. Merger (Race and Ethnic Relations: American and Global Perspectives – 1994) sates “Racist thinking involves principles that lead naturally and inevitably to the differential treatment of members of various ethnic groups.” He supports his argument by acknowledging the works of other social scientists (Omit and Win -ant) who use the term racial formation as, “ the process by which social, economic, and political forces determine the content and importance of social categories, and by which they are in turn shaped by racial meaning.” Needless to say that is a very crystal clear reality we are witnessing in our country. Who is controlling all the three branches of government and all other agencies and commissions? Is not TPLF the real source/dominant power in the name fake ruling front (EPRDF)? To which ethnic group those intelligence, security and police and all other secret service agents who are instrumental not only to maintain the politics of racism/ethnicity but also causing the unbearable sufferings of the innocent people of Ethiopia belong? I understand that there may be many innocent fellow Ethiopians who are being deceived by the sheer number of officials, authorities, politicians and etc. from other nationalities/ethnic groups. But, we are not talking about how many. We are talking about who is working under whose absolute authority.
Let me conclude by saying that there is/was no doubt that the mastermind of the dangerous racial/ethnic politics we found ourselves was the late prime minister, Meles Zenawi who did not exclaimed his proudness for being both Tigre and Ethiopian but Tigre only . Well, I think unless we do not want to hear and see, the facts on the ground speak much louder and clearer than words. And if those facts are not the powerful evidences for the politics of racism/ethnicity we are facing, I do not know what else it should be.
Tessema
May 6, 2013 at 11:38 pm
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Sara Nuru
March 19, 2013 at 4:23 am
Dr Negasso Gidada is The 90′s Hailemariam Desalegne,The only diffrence between this duo Spinless is Gidada was used and No longer needed,While Haile mariam is still in usage as We Speak,I wonder If he Wanted to become the leading Opposition leader after TPLF used and Spitted him, remain to be seen
ababu
March 17, 2013 at 8:44 am
We are seeing that tplf extriminate 2.4 million Amharas and now dislodging All Amharas from different parts of Ethiopia, is it not racism, is it not Genocide…yes it is.
Workamaw
March 17, 2013 at 5:25 am
Meles is now history, even though he left a very ugly legacy as a person. Dr Negaso is also a lame duck. Yes, when he was picked up by TPLF, definitely it was because he fulfilled the criteria set by TPLF as a group and Meles as their leader. One of these criteria definitely could be his stance against “the amharas.”
Negaso’s fallout with them was not because of his stance to defend the national interest of Ethiopia, not at all. It was more that he miscalculated his position and landed on the weaker side of TPLF, when the latter split into two after the 1998 war against EPLF.
Now that he said Meles was not a tribalist/racist personality cannot be surprising for at least two obvious reasons:
(1) His political stance from the outset of his political “career” is based on ethnocentric thinking. While many young Ethiopians genuinely fought against the feudal regime and died to bring about justice and freedom to all Ethiopians regardless of creed and race, there were also some who vied for the supremacy of their respective ethnic groups. ELF, EPLF, TPLF, OLF, etc can be cited as examples. Negaso’s political stance should be seen from this perspective, even though many Ethiopians gave him the benefit of the doubt when he lately joined the opposition to stand against the incumbent.
(2) Given the current political temperature, especially the way TPLF is behaving after the demise of Meles, it would be naive to expect this lame duck to say ‘Meles was a racist political leader’. He knows that it would not only mean the end of his political career but also the end of his life altogether. To be honest, many of us are able to express our views taking advantage of our geographical proximity and the convenience of the free electronic media. Le us be honest to ourselves: would any one of us have the courage to clearly respond to the journalist ‘Meles was racist’ assuming we were currently living in Ethiopia? Let me start from myself. I would not utter this phrase; period.
That being said, why do we focus on a fallen log, when there are living extreme racists walking freely in the streets of Addis and pursuing and implementing their dangerous ethnic agendas on a day-to-day basis? Do you think the situation has improved after the death of Meles? Do you believe TPLF, which still is as intact as ever, would throw away its ethnic politics and become a national vanguard to Ethiopia?
I feel like we all are beating around the bush, while the devil is still doing its job, and no one seems to be ready to face the bitter truth.
Addis 5
March 17, 2013 at 3:43 am
What racism? Melse have no race. He has been anything to over come his inferority complex. A Racist have an idenitity of some race he feels suprior over others. Melse claimed he is an Arab, Ertrian, Tigri. At one time he said he is proud to be born from the golden race. But his father could not find any respectable wife in Tigray and was forced to marry an Eritrian.m
Can some on explain how a reject can be a racist? It is his inferority complex that makes him looks racist. He doesn’t have a race to be a racist.
Sara Nuru
March 17, 2013 at 1:19 am
My fellow Ethiopian bretheren and Sistern
Dr Gidada is nothing but one of too many to count Meles Zenawi hand picked Toys. Meles Zenawi used him and throw him when his usage does not needed any longer .To Expect Genuine Opinion from Dr. Gidada about his dead Mentor is to expect the unxpected
ummer
March 16, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Negasso gidada does not care if the fascit woyane murder his mom or his son, let alone condemning genocide committed on other people. He will still stand to defend the action of the fascists, because of his opportunism and to saves his skin. he will continue to call himself part of the ‘loyal opposition’ knowing that he will be ‘safe’.
Dilu
March 16, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Although I do have due respect for dr. Negasso’s opinion which says meles zenawi was not a racist, I utterly disagree with this idea. Dr. Negasso said I didn’t observe that mr. Zenawi had the intention of wiped out the Amharas as what the Nazi’s did the Jews. It is true meles did’t exterminate the Amharas as what hitler accomplished on the Jews. However, this does not mean meles had no Amhara hatred nor an ambition of exterminating the Amharas. Besides this doesn’t mean meles was not a racist. What we are observing in all major government posts occupied by one ethnic group and the cleansing of Amharas using his puppet so called regional presidents is a vivid examples of his racist mentality. I think dr Negasso’s idea as for me doesn’t hold water. Dr. Negasso said meles didn’t exterminate Amharas as what hitler did on Jews is simply a foolish idea. To be a racist, someone is not expected as the scale as what hitler did!!! Moreover, I am surprised how dr.Negasso relate the power of hitler with the little monster, zenawi. Unless dr. Negasso wish mr . Zenawi to exterminate Amharas as the scale of hitler, how on earth he misses that the power of the two evils is incomparable. How could a person with a phd holder could compare the incomparable reality of power of the two incomparable person??? Dear doctor hitler exterminated minorities such as the Jews, polish, gypsis, by having his majority racists supporters. But meles versus Amharas is a different story. Amharas are not minorities unlike the Jews , gypsies. So how could do you think meles could be capable in exterminating the huge Amharas as the same scale as Hitler did on the minority Jews, gypsies and polish. Therfore, your evidence is just a silly. You are mixing apple and orange so as to protect the unprotectable naked racist character your racist ex-master. Dear dr. the truth is that meles has tried at his most capability his racist agenda. He deprived Amharas systematically from the economy, he cleansed Amharas from different regions, he arranged the platform to make tigres occupied military and civil major posts, he boasted the moral of his ethnic group in public speech while he was a prime minster of Ethiopia. In early days, he also participated the draft and exiting a tplf anti-Amhara agenda. Therfore, dear doctor are those evidences are not suffice to call meles a racist??? I am to be frank took your point of defense in two perspective. One suspect you may have be happy with the agony of Amharas and still you are with your old hidden olf agenda of Amharas. Secondly, you are living in an illusion world and luck to see a reality.
Anyways, I still appreciate your devotion in staying in the political track of Ethiopia.
Stay peace!!
Meskelu
March 16, 2013 at 12:13 pm
To Alem, I don’t know how much your context related to the topic raised in this article.
Yared
March 15, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Every Ethiopian and many Westerners with Ethiopia interest knows that Meles Zenawi and his TPLF are racist especially towards Amhara. Just take a look at what they are doing to the Amharas right now. They are ethnically cleansing the Amharas from other regions of Ethiopia. They are taking Amharas land, selling Amhara women to Arabs in mass, and reducing Amhara population. If that is not racism tell me what is.
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March 15, 2013 at 5:17 pm
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Alem
March 15, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Meskelu, RAMM,Adamu, Selamawit, One thing you all forgot is how Meles Zenawi presented his “vision” to try to bring together the likes of Dr. Negasso. Remember, the whole purpose of forming a national coalition is to convince the British and the US of an emerging multiparty democracy. This arrangement meant billions in aid. After Meles’ death you hear a lot about “collective leadership.” Nothing new really; the purpose is as has been to give donors a sense of security that there was a peaceful transfer of power. The end game is more donor dollar! The multiparty then was to be comprised of ethnics: Amhara, Oromo, SNNP [all four formed by Meles Zenawi and included his cadres in the leadership of each ethnic coalition]. When the time came Meles Zenawi took over the premiership and left the titular presidency to Negasso. Do you see how not reading the context right ends with a distorted conclusion?
Meskelu
March 15, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Why I am not surprised by Dr. Negasso’s misstatement? It could be pronounced white lie too…
I remember all those who picked by Meles Zenawi to participate in the TPLF made transitional government, Zenawi’s standard were how much they shared his view and Dr. Negasso qualified. What was Meles Zenawi’s view? Racism! Specially hate against the ethnic Amara, do you hear me now Dr. Negasso? I am not surprised.
RAMM
March 15, 2013 at 2:26 pm
The VIEW TAKEN BY People like Negasso Gidada is one of opportunism. Opportunists are cowards and as long as their personal safety is ‘secure’ and their belly is full they do not care what happens to their neighbours or even their family members. But they forget that their security is only temporal. When their turn comes the fascist woyane will turn against them. Opportunists do not have the respect of their masters or anybody else. that is why the brutal woyane junta do not give a damn to the so called opposition inside Ethiopia, specially those calling themselves ‘loyal opposition’. that is where Negado gidada, merara gidina, and those in their party come under.
If the ethnic cleansing of the gambellans, ogadenis, oromos and particularly the amharas by the fascist woyane is not ethno-fascism nothing else can be. this is the reality negasso can not accept and does not have the courage to stand up to TPLF.
adamu
March 15, 2013 at 7:14 am
Please do not take this man so called Dr.Negaso So seriously.
He is such a stand-less and docile ‘politician’
He better pursue his history PHD rather than politics.
SELAMAWIT SOLOMON
March 15, 2013 at 3:57 am
Dr Negasso was an OLF Strongman until hand picked and blessed by Zenawi to be the President of Ethiopia Until TPLF no longer can use him as a valuable Politicians.Then he Join an Opposition groups -To Expect from Dr Negasso genuine Opinion about his late Master is like to Ask him To shot him self on The foot and walk at the same time