by Kirubeal Bekele
As we all expected, most of the democratic opposition forces have now come to a common understanding of the need for
a coordinated effort to bring democracy and freedom in Ethiopia. Eleven major political and civil organizations have come to an agreement to form a coordinating or an organizing committee to collaborate the Ethiopian democratic opposition forces. The coordinating committee will include members from this eleven organizations so far. It is possible more will come on board in the future as the struggle continues and starts to take shape. It can turn into a front and eventually into a complete union.
This declaration by the democratic opposition is a great first step that has the potential to fulfil the dreams of Ethiopians world wide. There is no doubt that the news will be received with relief and great excitement here in the Diaspora as well as at home. Of course, there will be challenges along the way. And one of the most critical ones will be how to get along with each other in the face of disagreements. We strongly believe that the infamous slogan of losers, “my way or the high way”, will never come up again among the members.
This slogan is the main criminal and the enemy that destroyed all attempted collaborations before among the opposition in the last twenty years. Members should be able to bow to a majority decision even if they don’t agree with it. That is the way democracy works. No one gets what he or she exactly wants. There is a always a need to compromise. This is true even between a husband and his wife. Can you imagine how much tolerance and compromise is needed among these different organizations with various political trends?
The west has been behind dictator Zenawi for so long funding dictatorship and corruption in Ethiopia. One of its excuses is the absence of a united and formidable opposition in Ethiopia. Well, now they have it. And this united opposition declared today is by far the most representative and inclusive in the history of the opposition. It will no doubt attract the attention of Western donors who until now have been stuck with TPLF and dictator Zenawi as its ring leader. With Zenawi gone and the formation of such an inclusive opposition coalition, there is a fair chance that the United States and other western countries may make some efforts to put the country back on a democratic track. If not, the united opposition may have to bring freedom and democracy by its own bootstraps by hook or by crook.
Let us all applaud this historical and critical first move by rallying behind them. We can also urge and put pressure on other major political and civil organizations to join this collaboration who may still be on the fence.
Unity is not an option. It is a necessity you have to have, in order to win. No unity, no victory. Period.
T.Goshu
August 10, 2012 at 2:14 am
Yes, there is no doubt that getting together and figure out the big and serious common issues, and doing something feasible is an indispensable factor if we want to bring about a change we desperately aspire!! It is from this great point of view that the Joint Communique of those political movements and civic groupings is a great news . I am sorry I do not call it Breaking News because I strongly believe that it will become the news of breakthrough or breaking news when this very positive step becomes a matterial or practical force for the realization of the change we are longing for.
Unfortunately enough, this very common but powerful knwolege of human life becomes extremely comlicated and challenging when it comes to its practical aspects.And Sadly enough, this kind of paradox has dominated not only our very long political history but also our existing way of lives. I sincerely believe that the step taken by those groups is a great start and it has to be appreciated and encouraged. However, our recognition,appreciatin , encouragement and support should not be without rational and critical way of doing things. Our admiration should not be from unsubstantiated critical view or from a kind of passive and merely emotional way of thinking. Sipmly put, well-matured, well-thought , well- articulated and well- founded critique are absloutely necessary. The attitude of forwarding objective and balanced criticism and encouragement is extremely important.
Ph
August 9, 2012 at 10:20 pm
It looks weird to say something which never will happen. Are we cleaning our mind that racist mind among us?? If not ,we are still the same position. Tribes differences.(gosa ) differences and so on… According to me” Gulicha bi lewawet wet ayatafet” It is true proverb.I read articles Transitional Council in Ethiopia. Do they know that what the meaning means or just being stereotype? I don’t want to go detail much ,but …we don’t have to be funny ok . LOVE FOR ETHIOPIA!!!
Tulu
August 9, 2012 at 8:08 pm
Great news!
Focus on the unity of the strategies of each and every organization and coordinate strategies, not the unity of ogranizations. Not leadership either. We don’t have to have the same strategies. Every member should follow its strategies to contribute to the common goals.
Mistru
August 9, 2012 at 5:48 pm
Here are the 9 Africa counties Sec.
1. Senegal
2. Uganda
3. South Sudan
4. Kenya
5. Malawi
6. Ghana
7. South Africa
8. Nigeria
9. Benin
Clinton visited last and this week. Ethiopia is clearly absent. The so called stars of development with dictatorial rule (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia) are missing. Obama signed a new US Strategy toward Africa on June 14, 2012. What is American thinking toward the drama within the Tigrean cliques? This is important matter for the newly formed United Opposition and ESAT.
Alex
August 9, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Don’t give up .this is the crucial point what we Ethiopians needed:All we are standing at the back of U for ever . No religious,ethnik,cultural or any other difference between us to overthrough the TPLF(meles’s) gov’t. Thank U , God bleess Ethiopia and Ethiopian population.
Alen
August 9, 2012 at 3:15 am
It is encourging news, 1st move. Ethiopian peoples are looking leadership for change. Invite the rest of the poletical parties, We expect the media to inform the public (as much as possible) why, when and how the rest are planning to join the union?
Askale Dama
August 9, 2012 at 2:58 am
Thank you so much, Kirubeal for being the bringer of good news! Eribey Agere – who is stealing whose thoughts? You just posted what I was planning to say – TIME. Why is time so critical? The task of remving Woyane is a moving, changing, dynamic, and fluid task. It is not some work sitting there that can be done and finished at our own leisure and pace. The struggle of the united opposition moves dynamically with pace and tempo of developments within Woyane.
In fact the organizational task of coming together to act As One is only the first and the basic step. Now the opposition must work as a single motion, a single organ, a single machine at the speed of the situation on the ground.
In order for this to happen, everybody needs to be some part of this force. I know for fact that there are hundreds of great leaders, managers, organizers, strategists, thinkers and actors. Each person, each group must find their niche, their point of strength and start action today, not tomorrow.
A single Ethiopian opposition is the best model there is to achieve our freedom and democracy. Like any huge human effort, like any huge human project, let get on designing the division labor, management and execution of the task at whatever level it is executed.
This is the moment Ethiopia has been waiting for. Now, let us do the job. It is all about time. It is about now. If not why bother?
Tamrat
August 9, 2012 at 1:36 am
This the best new ever . The Opposition in Ethiopia is Inited The Opposition abroad is united. Which means the end of TPLF Junta is near.
Please guys don’t allow Woyane cadres to give us agenda on PalTalk or Website let’s focus on our work
God Is Great
Beth
August 9, 2012 at 1:31 am
Very good news, well done even though this move has been long over due, as they say better late than never.
Please compatriot form now on stick to your commitment and always remember the plight of the Ethiopian people. Also remember power never goes forever it has limit as every thing else. So change your old style rigid ideology and act quickly as grown ups.
If you start doing just that any sane and sober Ethiopian will stand with you all you probably be the first lucky individuals to pave the way for democracy
Thank you,
LongLiveEthiopia
August 9, 2012 at 12:46 am
Thumbs up for those who are committed to make this happen. Keep it up!!!
marke.
August 9, 2012 at 12:31 am
this is what all ethiopians waiting for it .this will end ethiopin probelem to the end our peopel suffer alot enough is enough pleas come on all let bring justes & quliy for us ethiopians fredom fredom unity is gereat than you
Eribey Agere
August 9, 2012 at 12:17 am
This is the mother of all news. This is a big deal. It should get a wide coverage even more than dictator Zenawi’s death.
There is one very critical factor in here that we all should take into consideration. It is TIME. We don’t have much time. We have to be able to execute our united action at the right time before it is too late.
TPLF may already be on the run not to depend on Western aid for its survival. If the ducks TPLF have laid down on a raw including the hydro power projects becomes successful, TPLF may fund its survival and repression from the hard currencies it may get by selling electricity to neighboring countries and an additional aid from China. Western aid may be irrelevant for its survival. If this happens, we may lose a potential leverage to bring TPLF to its knees and the struggle may become more challenging and may take longer despite our unity.
So, we must do the right thing at the right time. An opposition unity is the right thing to do but the opposition should work in a hurry before the favorable conditions expire.
kiros hibistu seyoum
August 9, 2012 at 12:15 am
we are agree this important unity to save ethiopia. And soon we will give all support .
Eshete Tekle
August 8, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Great! Marvelous start! Please be tolerant and inclusive. Try always to reach in the win win situation. I prompt all towards inner dialouge to reduce diffrences and ultimately come together. It is better to refer to the failure of past coalitions. God bless the initiative.
Kitaw
August 8, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Great news!If there are some not joined this coalition please do it soon.This is the way to attract all of us and lead us for victory.
GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA AND ETHIOPIANS!!
????(Goytom)
August 8, 2012 at 10:23 pm
A big pace, and keep it up. We are all on beside of you. Victory to Ethiopia.That was what we had been looking for: STAND UNITED.