Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Former defense minister of Ethiopia’s tribal junta, Ato Siye Abrha, has reportedly disclosed his intention to join the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ), according to Ethiopian Review sources in Addis Ababa.
According to the sources, Ato Siye is waiting to make a formal request to be a member of UDJ until the party finalizes its discussion with the other opposition parties that are in the process of forming a coalition.
Ato Siye was the guest of honor at a UDJ event at Addis Ababa’s Imperial Hotel on Saturday that was held to light candles for Birtukan Mideksa, the jailed leader of the party.
This week marks the 6th month since the Woyanne tribal junta threw Birtukan in jail.
Siye himself was jailed for 6 years after he had a fallout with his former comrade Meles Zenawi.
Ethiopian Review considers Siye an unrepentant Woyanne, but if he is able to peel away Tigrean support from the Meles mafia, his involvement in UDJ could be a plus for the opposition, as long as he doesn’t start to attack Ethiopian freedom fighters such as EPPF and our best ally, the Government of Eritrea.
40 thoughts on “Former defense minister Siye Abraha to join UDJ”
Siye has the Tigrean support because he promised Tigreans to be dominant in Ethiopia and Eritrea. He is the mastermind of the two year war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. He is as narrow as Gebru Asrat. if we ask ourselves if UDJ has a chance to win an 2010 election, the answer is “not a chance in hell”. Every one knows it including the party leaders who said it time and time again. UDJ is making TPLF look fabulous to the West. Meles is waging its tail to march to Somalia, Obama has sent weapons to Somalia. The Westerns know TPLF is illegal Gov but they love him. So US and Meles are here to stay like the Bush era. And Seye is another decoration for the West to look at, flourishing Democracy who crossed the floor to join the opposition.
Elias, i really like your last comment on the issue. Dear Elias, if you see things like this in the future your website will also be a plus for the struggle to free our people. thank you very much and do good dear brother!
It is all according to plan. Siye Abraha insistently said that he would join the infamous medrek as an individual — of course until he barrows a hole to enter the UDJ. I think it is time that the UDJ begins evaluating coalition with the TPLF instead of gleaning around individuals such as Siye Abraha for the simple fact that they as well are die hard Tigre supremacists who still dream of the greater Eritrea. ‘Yihich gombes gombes eka lemansat new?’. I say to UDJ that there is no need to shy around. Millions are eager to hear a congratulatory word that Siye Abraha has been admitted
No one trust Saye Abraha, Aregawi Berhe and the likes.They join opposition groups to follow-up, weaken and destroy them.
If UDJ or any other organisation accept Saye or his friends people will stop supporting because they cannot be trusted as they have shown it again and again.I advice Saye and his friends to be patient and wait to be judged in court for the crimes they have committed since the establishment of TPLF. This is what they deserve!!
Biltu
Wellcome siye
If he joins UDJ then the Ethiopian politics will be under the control of Tigrians.
TPLF –EPRDF
Seyie –UDJ
Gebru—Medrke
Be careful!!!!!
“According to the sources, Ato Siye is waiting to make a formal request to be a member of UDJ.”
It is a big plus and big change him to see joining a party created and functioning in the name of Ethiopia. It is a huge plus to see Siye being healed from the Ethnicity sickness once he was part of it. Any one who is part of the struggle in the name of Ethiopia need to get space and support? The reason why we love, respect and relay on EPPF is because it is an Ethiopian people organization fighting for freedom to all Ethiopians unlike TPLF. Any party functioning in the name of Ethiopia need to support EPPF.
Elias
This is too funny while saying:
“Until the party finalizes its discussion with the other opposition parties that are in the process of forming a coalition”
What do they have in mind? Is it about to participate in the coming election (2010) while meles is still a PM? Are they going to participate in an election even meles is not a PM but yet he is controlling power and the election outcome from the back like a thief hiding from the eyes of the international community?
Anna Gomez have many times Said: “as long as Mr. Meles is on power or around even from the hiding, there will be no fair and free election in Ethiopia.”
So, before being part of the election, all necessary elements to the election must be clean, clear, open and equal to all oppositions. The first move must be start by having neutral election board, free access to the media and equal election observers right to all participants.
Any opposition party which is going to participate in the coming election knowing the Tribalist woyane is going to affect the outcome as usual, must be seen as criminal. All oppositions need to boycott the election and intensify the diplomatic war against the Tribalists to eliminate them from the trouble zone they are created and affected the nation for 18 years. As long as meles is in power, as long as he is around behind the cronies and as long as all elements to the free and fair election are not there, the idea of election must stop now and do something about it.
“Siye himself was jailed for 6 years after he had a fallout with his former comrade Meles Zenawi”
Do you know who was the crown witness against Siye? Arkebe Equbay who is the Sebhat’s brother in Law and one of the few Meles’s right hand.
Elias Kifle replies:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Sewareg, I agree that the opposition parties must boycott the election, otherwise they will be assisting the Woyanne junta to prolong its rule.
No news is good news!
Siye to UDJ?
If Seye really wants to redress his past wrongdoings against the Ethiopian people, the right place to join is TPDM(Tigrean people democratic movement)that wages armed struggle against the Woyane regime in action.
Joining UDJ may not help Birtukan as well as the oppossing forces.
I do not believe him. He is going to spy. Or he wants to be a prime minister if UDJ wins. The guy did not even regret the mistakes he made.
Do you bull-head woyane siye abraha really think that Ethiopian would forgive your evil deeds upon your joining of the opposition? Know the truth! You are as bad criminal as meles is, and that won’t change!
We can’t help the country we love so much by being unforgiving people. In Luke 15, when the younger son came back to seek his father’s forgiveness the compassionate father came out of his house and huged him gave him special ring,clothes and shoes.
Please give Siye love and hug.Let’s not become like the older brother who was criticising his father for letting his younger brother in to the family.
May God give us the courage and the wisdom of forgiveness.
I don’t think it makes an iota of a difference if these political prostitutes leave one party and join another. What matters is the doctrine by which they evil mind is governed. Let us face it. These people are sick and utterly confused. If they were not, they wouldn’t have started a senseless war that consumed many people and much property for no justifiable reason!
Remember what Tesfaye Gebre Ab has said a couple of months before. What these retired “politicians” are doing? After all they are not politicians. They are ordinary criminals. They all can not deserve to be member of any political party in Ethiopia.
We have to tell them what exactly they have done while they were TPLF elites. What is the difference between Gebru Asrat and Meles? Or what is the difference between Siye and any currently TPLF higher official?
We should not allow these individuals to participate in any political party in Ethiopia because they can not deserve that personality. Sooner or latter Ethiopians will take these individuals to court for the crime they committed (like the Asseb port, mass arrests, genocides, etc) while they were political elites.
THAT DAY WILL COME!!!!
Ethiopians need to be aware and carefull of people like Siye. This is a man who did a lot of damage against Ethiopians. Just because he fell out of favor with Meles and he is seeking temporary shelter with the opposition, he should not be wholly trusted. The most important thing is, when he is joining the CUD, is he accepting the program? The CUD must be aware of wolves in a sheep skin as he can be a mole planted by TPLF.
“Ethiopian Review considers Siye an unrepentant Woyanne, but if he is able to peel away Tigrean support from the Meles mafia, his involvement in UDJ could be a plus for the opposition, as long as he doesn’t start to attack Ethiopian freedom fighters such as EPPF and our best ally, the Government of Eritrea.” This is a quotation I took from your comment about Ato Siye Abrha joining UDJ. Your about face is amazing. Not too long ago, in your opinion UDJ was a “phony opposition with no teeth” because it (UDJ) wasn’t adressing the 8 points Kinijit was putting as a precondition for talks with EPRDF and you even went further and asked for the impeachment of Birtukan. This time it appears you have accepted that UDJ is a legitimate opposition who chose peaceful struggle. You are confusing the heck out of me. What is your ultimate goal? or in other words what do you want to see happening in Ethiopia? I wouldn’t be too critical of you if you were a regular journalist who reports news as it comes. But since you go as far as drafting an “exile governent of ethiopia” among other things I think you have to be corrected when you make mistakes. It is not a crime admitting mistakes when you make one. So dear Elias I hope you will learn some day.
this is a trap the woyane people are on a panic attack they deploy their spy or members as an insurance policy if any thing happen 2010 they will use every means. remember they took their lesson from the last election. they will do any thing to stay in power this is one of their plan. also they play games to prove something to the westerns so for woyanes it is win win situation. for the oppositions it is a complete loss.
Eseye has not shown any sign of repentance of what he and his party have done. I do not think he will do that in the future since he does not have the conscience and metal refinement and humility to the Ethiopian peoples necessary to do that. If he managed to join UDJ under this circumstance, then this may clearly, indeed, show what UDJ is to begin with and what it will be delivering to the Ethiopia. Personal relation or one time court incident of Eseye and Burtukan case should not be confused with peoples’ case (national agenda).
thnx Iyob
If Seye really wants to redress his past wrongdoings against the Ethiopian people, the right place to join is TPDM(Tigrean people democratic movement)that wages armed struggle against the Woyane regime.
god bless you Elias
Another tactics by the woyanes. meles freed seye by the request of tigrian elders so that seye can continue his political life as an opposer and candidate of Meles. The tactic is that if the ball falls out of the hands of meles, seye will catch it. This way tigrians supermacy will continue for years. Good bye UDJ.
While tamrat layne has so much fear in touching politics again seye is given the golden chance of being the opposition leader, perhaps the upcoming PM.
Our true hope EPPF & Ginbot 7. Let’s continue supporting these two parties.
Siye and the likes should not be admitted to be member of any political group, until a commission had been setup to investigate the criminal act of former TPLF members.
If UDJ admitts Siye to be its member, then UDJ will be held accountable for distortion of the political atmosphere.
Many a members of UDJ might leave or refuse to support the party abroad or inland.
Watch out guys, think before you leap.
It may be good to have this weyane as opposition, however does he oppose Melese and his gang or the entire weyane doctrine? I would say it is better with out weyanes to form any opposition. Birds of the same feather fly together. He had the same feather with the rest of weyane.
Most of us are aware of the American democratic process. If so, we can see the reason why they study thoroghly the background of evey candidate. No matter how much seems one has changed his attitude towards a certain national isuue, it remains to be critical against his future performance.
Likewise, Siye very well knew what ever he was doing. I do not consider such a man as a child to commit such a dangerous mistake against the country. I beleive he has an important mission or opportunity. He is looking for a new jacket to look innocent.
we don’t need Siye or anyone of his TPLF gangs in any opposition parties. We need to see these criminals only behind bars as they ‘ve done enough damage to the ethiopian people for the last 18 years. Mr Siye, enough is enough.
If Siye is admitted in UDJ, then, woyane strangle the struggle from the inside of the opposition. May be UDJ will surprises us by giving Birtukan’s position to Siye
they have to accomplish their goal first before they add Siye to their list, or there has to be a controlling agent to watch what siye is doing inside the party. otherwise, if he has access to everything in there, it will not be good for their security. the other thing is Birtukan has to be free before he joins the pary because she knows a lot about him i think.
thanks
peace to our people
የስየ ውሳኔ በጣም ደስ የሚል ነው::ለምን እንደምንቃወመዉ አይገባኝም::እኔ ሚገርመኝ መቻቻል የሚባል ቛንቛ መቼ ነው የሚገባን? አንድ የኢሃደግ አባል ሌላ ፓርቲ ዉሥጥ
መግባት ቢፈልግ መግባት አትችልም ብለን የምንቃዎም ከሆነ አሁን ስልጣን ላይ ያሉትን ስልጣናቸው ላይ የሙጥኝ እንዲሉ እያበረታታን ነዉ ማለት ነው::
Give Siye another chance, so that he might bring those from the other side of the isle. If we really care about our country we need everybody, even Isayas Afeworki.I know it too early to forgive now. But the bitter is feels now, the sweeter it is going to be latter.
dear ato tefera,that was a very kind question
but the thing with ato siye is he is not abandoning TPLF because of the divide and rule policy but because of personal vendated for being thrown to jail by his boss meles, he becomes opposition to the meles regime after he got out from jail. before that he was a proud TPLF Sinor member that means he supported full heartily the whole evil policy of the TPLF.
so you see ato tefera you can’t relay on siye. the whole TPLF tugs are from the ethnics tigray all of them it is very hard to separate the good from bad. for now but i guarantee you there are a lot of good tigrayans too like TPDM fighters.
Mr. Editor in chief,
At the end of all efforts to bring democracy in Ethiopia by all political parties, the only way forward will be through national reconciliation. So, please refrain from being a pain to other opposition parties who see things differently. The contributions from all opposition parties compliments the road to democracy, peace and justice. Even after the end of woyanism, Ethiopia will be for all and have a multi-party system democracy.
Long Live Ethiopia
Once a weyane always a weyane period. Remember people as the saying goes: fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. Siye is no different than Gebru asrat,Melles or Berket they’re all the same dedebit tugs. UDJ don’t need any of those weyane cadres unless for the use and throw purpose, which dosn’t do any good.
My fellow Ethiopians:
In politics, there is no an all time friend or enemy, despite we are not considering any one associating with TPLF is a politician rather than a shifta/criminal group and because of the situation able to rule the nation with crimes against humanity.
However the reality is different. It is now thinking to the future. We have to try learning from the past in order to shape the future. We know TPLF has no a positive and good Agenda for Ethiopia but as a thief and criminal negative and bad agendas. Ethnic policy, Kilil, Greater Tigry and so on are the fundamental principles for their foundation and existence.
The question is how we can free us from these criminals? By being like them which is their way or by being us which is the Ethiopian people way. yes, we must be the Ethiopian people’s way. The Ethiopian people are all citizens including those hurting her too as Siye did in the past. There is no an absolute rule/law to judge, accept or deny anyone as a true/right citizens. Because the one time enemy can be a friend or vice versa.
I think any Ethiopian who is really have love and respect for Ethiopia and is against woyane must be accepted and judged by his current dad. It doesn’t matter his/her past, we have to concentrate with present and future contribution. I have stomach to accept and see Siye’s position with the Ethiopian people struggle against woyane/a Shifta/mafia group since a while is headed by the Meles and Sebhat Family group in the name of Tigry.
Do you want him to join the never trusted and unforgiveable individuals like Gebru Asrat? Give him credit at least for not joining a group behaving like woyane by having a party in the name of Ethnic. Gebrue Asrat party (Aara Tigry) must be a new type of TPLF. We need to support a party/organization in name of one, peaceful, prosper and united Ethiopia.
Again, Give Siye a chance. A sick person after hospital treatment can be seen as a healthy one. Siye being 6 years at one of the worst prisons by his former friends can make him an enemy against them and a good citizen to Ethiopia. We have to test him with practice. TPLF loosing election in Tigry means, TPLF is gone. How do you do that? Gebrue Asrat (Another-New TPLF) or with a party in the name of Ethiopia participating in a free and fair election in Tigry? If Meles don’t allow Siye to participate for this kind election with the party in the name of Ethiopia, it would inflame the Situation. Because Siye is an outsider as he is one of the very few former/current TPLF members not from Adwa/Shire/Axum.
You have to see his difficult position, too. He joining UDJ or other party that is in the name of Ethiopia is the big blow and headache to woyane. The woyane camps and their blind with Ethnicity era supporters are not his friend anymore because of he has chosen the Ethiopian party. We have to use this opportunity to embrace him to show other hodams/not direct criminal woyanes to make them easy avoiding the criminal group and join the Ethiopian people. If we are not showing them that kind of attitude, they will remain with the mafia woyane group and they will fight for death. Because they have no other options/place to go. We have to show them that they have options and their options are welcoming to the Ethiopian people and be part of the struggle against woyane. My enemy enemy is my friend. No body knows mine enemy other than my x enemy that was once part of it.
Think about it. Don’t be emotional. Be smart. Follow the situation very closely and act accordingly.
Siye is not joining UDJ rather he is infiltrating the party. Once he is in, UDJ will die in a slow and gradual death. A rat gives birth to a rat. That’s what Woyanes are.
Elias,
Siye is a man full of hate, lie, deceiving and untrustworthy person. He sees a chance on UDJ and now looking for opportunity to score points on meles.
If Meles offers him a position tomorrow, he will be leaving UDJ in a minute and start his criminal and killing civilians activities. I will bet my money on this. Watch this snake with poisonous heart and tongue.
Let them grow together until the harvest – 2010 Election!
The UDJ that has seen many vicissitudes since its inception must accept with open arms anyone that would like to join it.
Siye Abraha and his likes may have a hidden agenda that they don’t want to exhibit to the public before they join UDJ.
We have to accept them as they are for now, and let them grow together with the rest of our members until the harvest – the Election Day. Between now and then, if we detect that they are weeds, not good seeds, then we, the harvesters of 2010 Election, will collect the weeds in bundles to be thrown away and gather the wheat – the dedicated pro UDJ political oppositions.
Millions of Ethiopians will join the UDJ from every corner of the country after Birtukan Mideksa is released from jail, some with all their hearts, others with some reservations. If they see any split among the various political organizations because of personal ambition to be elected for the highest political office, this will be another disaster for UDJ.
To prevent such a fiasco before it happens, the UDJ should work hard to unify all the various political opposition groups for two main purposes – to defeat the Woyanne regime and replace it by a democratically elected PM.
Then the amendment or the rewriting of the constitution of the land will immediately begin; I’m sure we have many Ethiopian Thomas Jeffersons and James Madisons who could wisely craft a constitution that satisfies the Amharas, the Oromos, the Somalis, and the other Ethiopian tribes.
The sticking point on the new constitution will be how to bring the two neighboring countries – Ethiopia and Eritrea – that are still technically at war to peace and to mutual working cooperation.
The second sticking point is what to do with those criminal Ethiopians who looted the country and sold its properties to foreign countries and how to recover the looted gold and the historical ancient documents. All these issues can be solved through a democratically elected government, and for bringing and electing a democratic government, we have to stick together and vote for the person whom we think can govern us or just boycott the 2010 Election.
I hope Seya has learned a lot from his mistakes, the prison time and the visit to Ethiopian around the world. I don’t think he will be a spy for Woyane! Don’t think so!!! I don’t suspect him because of his ethinicity!!! That is a dangerous thinking!!!
This guy looks determined to bring about a change. SO, LET US GIVE HIM ONE MORE CHANCE!!!
I don’t understand how can he be a member of the opposition party without denouncing his past acts and clearly condemns all the evil acts commited by woyane.Why don’t all the X woyane’s form their own organization to fight clearly the wrong doings of the governement in cooperation with other opposition parties,once they prove their fight is genuine then they can join or unite with the opposition parties.Just a year before an election trying to join the opposition party seems strange knowing from where he is coming.His position on the unity of Ethiopia,good relationship with neibouring countries including Somalia and Eritrea should be clear to avoid future problems for peace in our region.
Seye is former die hard TPLF who still advocates nations and nationalities politics even after his 6 years jail service in Weyanne prison. I still believe UDJ promotes individual basic rights more than ethnics rights. This would be the end of my support for UDJ as I would see the hijack effort of UDJ by an individual who was hell bent to distroy every thing that symbolizes Ethiopian. Let him have his own party if he has supporters. His application to join UDJ should be rejected because it would rather hurt the party than help. I have no any trust in this person.
He suppose to be in jail for killing and torturing people when he was serving wayanes.Whach out for this blood sucker guys.He could be the second Meles seytanawi.
Do u think we have as effective, efficient, & economist in Ethiopia to manage the excisting political situation in Ethiopian. I know all of u who write against seeye where members of z defeated parties, like Derg, EPPE. It is natural to hate ur defeater. SO please wake up and follow ur real leader, strategist and everything 4 Ethiopia. Appreciat z real Ethiopian hero! Study z trend and select z right person to lead us. Don’t b narrow because of ethnicity or ur previous defeated.