By Elias Kifle
When it comes to the ruling tribal junta in Ethiopia, there is no one who has as much clarity as President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea. He knows their real nature, what and how they think, their weaknesses, strength, and modus operandi. This is hardly surprising since he is the one who guided them all the way to Menelik’s palace in Addis Ababa. A few years later they turned around and stabbed him in the back and waged a war of attrition against Eritreans. Simply put, to Isaias and the Eritrean leadership, Woyanne is an experiment that went terribly wrong. To Ethiopians, it is a long nightmare. This monster must be eliminated soon in order for peace to prevail in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and whole Horn of Africa region.
Meles Zenawi and members of his Woyanne junta know full well Isaias Afwerki’s intention and what he is capable of. They live in constant fear with the realization that their treachery, as well as the ethnic cleansing they perpetrated against Eritreans will not go unpunished. That is why mere mention of the name Isaias, and discussions about cooperation between Ethiopian opposition groups and the Eritrean government send chills through their spine.
To protect themselves from Eritrea’s wrath, Woyannes have stationed over 80,000 troops right at the border in Tigray and moved most of their air force from central Ethiopia closer to Eritrea. They are also laboring day and night to have the U.S. Government and European Union to label Eritrea as a terrorism sponsoring state, to no avail so far.
Meles and gang, however, need not worry too much about Eritrea, because when the time comes, they will face fire not just from the north. Even the Agazi, Meles and Azeb’s Praetorian Guards, could turn against them. A few months ago the Deputy Commander of Agazi, Col. Alebel, has defected and he is now advising EPPF and Ginbot 7. We all remember what happened to Romanian dictators Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu in not too distant past. They appeared invincible, protecting themselves with layers of secret and intelligence services, while perpetrating horrible crimes against their people. The two monsters were later executed by their own special forces after a hasty trial and conviction on genocide and corruption charges when the people of Romania finally said enough.
Meles and Azeb are similarly responsible for genocide and massive corruption. They have committed mass murder against the peoples of Ogaden and Gambela where they burned entire villages, and in Somalia where Meles Zenawi’s soldiers raped Somali women, slit the throats of religious leaders, slaughtered over 20,000 Somali civilians and made 2 million Somalis homeless. Woyanne crimes in Addis Ababa, Gonder, Gojjam, Wollo, Ambo, Beninshangul, and other cities and regions of Ethiopia are too numerous to list. A time will come to account for all of them.
Discussion with Isaias Afwerki
It is with all this in mind that I met with President Isaias for the second time last month at his office in Eritrea’s capital Asmara. I went to Asmara on my way to visit leaders and fighters of the Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF) and attend their 2-day conference. The President invited my colleague Sileshi Tilahun and I for tea, which turned into a long conversation that took almost 3 hours. A few months earlier, in May this year, he gave us a 4-hour interview that has created a political wave in both the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities.
What I found striking when I met with Isaias Afwerki on both occasions was how humble, casual, and approachable he is. In describing President Isaias, the Woyanne propaganda machine tries to draw a picture of a power crazed madman, some one like Stalin or Idi Amin — chest full of medals, protected by a battalion of heavily armed, bulking bodyguards, living in huge palaces. I have seen none of that. There is no pomp and circumstance around Isaias Afwerki, and I did not see a horde of assistants circling him. I saw only one secretary who let us into his office. There is a spartan simplicity to the office itself — little decoration and some very uncomfortable chairs. I was told later that he made the chairs himself in his workshop.
The president received us warmly, with a broad smile and genuine sense of friendship. Sipping tea, we began our conversation. Sileshi and I started out by discussing the effect of his May 2009 historical interview. We delved into specific examples of the impact it is having. We summed it up by saying that there is now a much more improved atmosphere between Ethiopians and Eritreans as a result of what the president said in the interview. For many Ethiopians, the president’s words had a transformational effect on their view of Eritrea and its current leadership.
As some one who keeps himself well informed (some say he is an information addict), President Isaias is well aware of what is being said and discussed in the Ethiopian community. And he seems to be encouraged by the numerous positive comments he has heard and read, many of which were coming from some of his harshest critics in the Ethiopian community. He said that awareness of the need to come together “is now better than a year ago.”
The president is eager to build on the success of his outreach to Ethiopians. He urged us to help organize dialogue — similar to the public meeting that was held in Washington DC on August 9, 2009, by the EPPF chapter — between Ethiopians and Eritreans around the world.
On Ethiopian opposition parties
In this our second meeting with Isaias Afeworki, the other main topic of discussion was the current state of the Ethiopian opposition movement. The President is straightforward about it. He said that “the leadership is detached from the people.”
Indeed, the only reason Woyanne continues to cause havoc in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa is that there is no viable opposition party that is prepared to take over power from Woyanne. Most of the Ethiopian opposition leaders are halfhearted about the struggle. As the president put it, “there has to be an effective leadership in the field. The country is vast. You can lead an opposition group from right outside of Addis Ababa. There needs to be action on the ground.”
President Isaias told us that “Ethiopian political leaders continue to fail their people.” He recommends that the opposition leaders need to leave their comfortable homes in Europe and the U.S. and relocate to Ethiopia’s mountains and jungles, if they are serious about bringing change. Any opposition leader who is not willing to do that cannot and should not be taken seriously.
“Woyanne will collapse through evolution. Let’s revolutionize the process,” the president said. To that end, Ethiopian opposition groups need to come together and craft a “common political platform, which is lacking today.”
He expressed his hope that such a common political agenda and an inclusive united front of Ethiopian opposition parties will be formed before the end of this year (European calendar).
President Isaias says that his government is not shy about supporting Ethiopian freedom fighters. But the actual struggle must be waged by Ethiopia’s opposition groups themselves. What Eritrea wants to get in return is a “safe neighborhood,” a peaceful region, according to the president. He also envisions the creation of an economic integration among Horn of African nations. That is not possible as long Ethiopia continues to be ruled by a ravenous tyranny that attacks any thing it cannot control and leach on.
Even though currently there are some encouraging signs — such as an increased effort to form a united front — the foot-dragging by many of the leaders of the opposition parties continue, unfortunately. If they don’t come together and form an effective united front before Woyanne’s fake elections in May 2010, there needs to be a revolution in the opposition camp itself — all the leaders of these parties must resign and give a chance to the younger generation to take the lead.
46 thoughts on “President Isaias urges Ethiopian opposition to get serious”
Yes. Lets fight the cancer of the Horn of Africa. Weyane will not have one day in its life if we full-heartdly stand together. The pillars of Woyane (the westners) will turn their face back on Woyane if they see us together. Weyane is nothing except a group of inferiors, corrupted and addicted gangs living with the help of the blank checks obtained from UK and US.
We can bring changes to the horn of Africa if we work together. Lets remove these blood thirsty and ethno-centric fascists. Lets not give them another day.
Bravo Elias.
What a leader Mr. Afeworki, that is, his analysis is so clear and exact no wonder it sends shevers to woyane spine every time he speaks. For the Ethiopian opposition becomes successful they need to do at a minimum the following things
1.Support your local EPPF, ONLF, OLF, TPDM,
2.Follow Afworkies advise
3.Ban all woyane’s from participating in Ethiopian affairs
4.Boycott all woyane apologist medias, business and enterprises no matter who owns them
Thanks Elias. I couldn’t agree more with the president of Eritrea about the sad state the Ethiopian opposition leadership find themselves. We know that Ethiopia is potentially a very rich country. It is equally true that we have many well educated elites. But, unfortunately for Ethiopia, our elites seem to prefer to “Getting hooked up” in somewhat boring “Analyses” of the dire situation of Ethiopia; but miserably fail to come up with any concrete and practical solution or venues to get rid of the Weyane leaches that are abusing our people.
Our educated elites,
Please spare us the endless shenanigans and dissertation type papers, and, if you can, please lead us, instead, to challenge the Weyanes by the only language it understands. Hint: that is not through the ballot boxes!
The inferiority complex on the Weyane prime monster obliged him to give an interview to the unknown website called ethiopiafirst. When the moster sees the interview given by Ato Isaias Afewerki, he felt badly by his deep-rooted bandist infriority complex and called the ethiopiafirst amaterish journalist to interview him.
The bad thing in this world is “feeling inferior”. You do not know what you are doing when you are in inferiority complex. Inferiors always think they are the best. Everything good is for them and they are celf-centered. Their eyes get red when they feel others are better than them. Inferiors always cheat themselves by coating themselves with good. actually they are not. The “proud to be born from the Golden People” speech can be sited here as an evidence.
The prime monster of Woyane knows well in his heart who is his master. And Ato Isaias, melese’s master, knows well the inferiority complex psychology of its x-subject. So nothing wrong to consult the master about the character of his x-subject.
Ertrea is a little country , but full of heros.
Woyanne can’t stand infornt of them, and they are a good example of to us.
“Indeed, the only reason Woyanne continues to cause havoc in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa is that there is no viable opposition party that is prepared to take over power from Woyanne”
What an irony.
Good for you. You are wise. The people of Ethiopia know one thing very well. To tacle foreign forces. You will know who Ethiopians are so try to venture!!!
yes woyane will not go away through peace
We should learn a thing or two from prez isaias he knows the woyanes well.
Elias, I have always been your admirer regardless of your, at times, provocative stances but you have always proved to be right, you plan prudently for the future. As to the conversations with Pres. Isaias, it has undeniably constructed a very good relationship between Ethiopian and Eritrean communities in the diaspora. No gig would have brought this successful campaign of bringing these people together. Now Ethiopians go to Eritrean Churches and attend social circles together which never existed after the separation of these countries. Pres. Isaias has proved to be a very different kind of person from the kind of person I used to think of him, to specify it clearly, he has undeniably said bad things about Ethiopia and Ethiopians but he has come to his senses unlike any other “ex-rebels in power” ever and started to do the right things at the right moment. Maybe we have misunderstood him in the first place. It takes a great deal of courage for a head of state (especially in Africa) to change attitudes to the right purposeful way. He is a real man and a good politician with macho guts. But our man in Addis, never tried to man up and tried to make peaceful accords with his own people and apologize for his cruelty, treachery, embezzlement and harms (all of which we would have forgiven) he made against his own land and people while a man we considered an arch enemy proved to be a good friend at a time we needed one. Now I am forced to say God Bless Ethiopia and Eritrea which I would have never said in this life or thereafter. I was wrong to think that, after all, we are brothers and sisters. Now I am even planning to visit Eritrea, attend a liturgy in the Virgin Mary’s Church in Asmara along with my Eritrean brothers and sisters and pray for the future of our countries and have a snack and coffee in one of the cafes with them like we used to do else where in Addis before the hypocrisy of Meles took the toll that divided us. It would be a great deal of experience with reconciliation purpose in mind that I need to do on my part and perhaps, Eritrea is now the closest I can get to my own country.
God Bless Ethiopia and Eritrea
Zera Yacob from Atlanta
Pls watch the below
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Exactly look the inferiority of this guy Meles Zenawi and the rubbish questions of the amateurish the so called “journalist” Ben.
I am very encouraged with this report, I think Elias continues to be the information source of the region we do not get from CNN and BBC. Although, I am naturally inclined to believe Elias is too soft on the Eritrean leader when it comes to questioning hard questions, and presents him as a kind leader. While, there are several Eritrean government political opponents and journalists in detention centers all around the country. Elias should have raised those questions when he discusses with Mr. Essayas Afewerk in the past and at the present meeting.
While I agree with the need to improve and change the Ethiopian political landscape, but I am not sure I agree with everything he has to say about a “safe neighborhood” remark. How can Ethiopia be safe while Mr. Essayas Afewerk is detaining his political competition? It would create unsafe environment for all of us, because the next Ethiopian regime will do the same thing the current Eritrean regime is doing, instead of compete fairly in the open they will detain their political competition. Ultimately, creating unsafe neighborhood, while promoting unhealthy political atmosphere and cloud of fear in the region.
How is it a safe neighborhood when there is no press in Eritrea that is owned by individuals or non governmental institutions? At the moment, in Eritrea only government press has the right to tell stories and preach politics, forcing people to accept only one side of any given story. We would have believed Mr. Essayas Afewerk should there be some press in Eritrea that is not owned by the gobernment. Even partially free newspapers would have let us believe he is a man of progress. However, short of a responsible press freedom in the Eritrea, I am going to reserve my enthusiastic support to Eritrea.
Just because we all hate Mr. Meles Zenawi for all the crimes his junta committed against the Ethiopian people does not make Mr. Essayas Afewerk the angel of the region. We will believe Mr. Afewerk when he begin practicing what he preaches to Ethiopians, and most importantly we will believe him when he allows more than two individually owned newspapers to be laid in the street corners for people to choose their information sources from. Short of that, I am going to say, as much as we hate what is taking place in Ethiopia, we also do not endorse or approve what is taking place in Eritrea.
Well Said, Mr. President. We have never been blessed with leaders after Atsie Tewodros!
Gobeze, the way this leper queen of the Tigres talks about our proud country, you forget that Ethiopia was such a great country. Can nobody tell this leper midget not to utter the name Ethiopia with his filthy mouth. Have you noticed, he has even started sporting an ambivalent arrogant stance with his twisted lower lips.
BTW, is he losing melanine or is he wearing pink lipstick? I couldn’t tell for sure.
Meles seems to be infected with albino virus…the guy is turning into old white arab..the reason is he is very sick and he sips only soup…one could tell his compexion is changing…this change is not healthy…
the man is shrinking and his skin pigmentaion shows it all!!
Kebede Bekele,
You are confusing what you see in the west as if it is the be all and end all for Ethiopia and Eritrea. Westerners came about to where they are after hundreds of years of experimentations with how they govern themselves. That doesn’t mean what happens in the west should be copied in diverse societies like Ethiopia who are not at the same level of Europeans, this the weakness and what president Isayas said is “detachment of Ethiopia’s diaspora inteligentsia from their people”.
By your logic you would allow Woyanne style tribalism to run amok among the people of Ethiopia just to look like Europeans and Americans, let me tell you that societies like Ethiopia don’t need to be divided vertically along ethnic lines disguised as political entities. When Ethiopia is liberated from Woyanne, anyone who would want to fancy themselves as “opposition” will belong in jail for destroying Ethiopia, commiting ethnic genocide and looting its resources in the name of “Ethnic federalism”.
The so called Eritrean opposition you are talking about are neither democratic or opposition, they are tribalists, slaves of neo-colonial masters and sub-nationalists, they are few who live outside Eritrea (mainly in Woyanne land and western countries) who are more than ready to sell Eritrea to the highest bidder, the Eritrean people fought those kinds of sub-nationalist traitors since the 1960 and truimphed over backwardness and division, they are united and don’t need anyone from outside Eritrea tell them how to conduct their affairs.
These are but a few of the facts on the ground I am trying to elaborate, I urge you to join your local EPPF chapter and learn what it takes to do your part in rescuing Ethiopia from the menace of Woyanne before it is too late.
Another masterpiece article, Ethiopians, team up and bring the minority Junta down. Credit goes to Elias!
Mr. Esayas has an opportunity to help get rid of woyane and straighten friendship with Ethiopia for the good of both countries.
Some people might not like Esayas but who can disagree with him about his deep knowledge about Meles and TPLf gangs.For the sake of Ethiopia and the horn of Africa at large,the Woyannes must be stopped.The war crimes they comitted and continue to commit in Ogaden is not the first and will not be the last.We thank Elias for this article.
Let’s join hands and walk together.
Good job Elias
Ben is not a journalist at all. he is a first 1/2 semester drop out from a science college in Canada so his father and some felasha colleague put the money together for him. if you remember about 8 years ago his web page collapsed. he was dependent on making money through promoting Ethiopian music, groceries… but before he knew it other professional sites were doing better. He said his goodbye about bla bla reason but lucky him Woyanay gave him a job licking their you know what. All this interview is orchestrated by Azeb’s family and friends in Canada. NO BIG DEAL ABOUT BEN!!!!
Eritreawi,
Don’t waste your time, Bekele is not Bekele, he is just trying to mislead people by changing his name to an Amhara’s name as to create some kind of side ways. he doesn’t not care about Eritrea he is just saying things to protect Meles.
After all we Have to see the big picture the unificaton of the Anti Woyane groups is great for the future not only for the fight against woyane. which means it will help to heal the tribalizm wound in Ethiopia. and give us a chance to work in real democracy and equality. PIA is a great Person with a Grander plan for the future of the horn.
First,I would like to thank Elias about what he does best,ie,bringing my country and its state of affairs to my home computre each and everyday.God bless you man! I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Please, do more political conference around the state every few month. we have to organize all Eritrean and Ethiopian to come together. If we unite and fight together will hit our target. The world is with winner and organized group. I keep hearing from west countries that they like Meles Zenawi to stay on power because of no organized opposition in Ethiopia. It is quite insulting for all Ethiopian abroad and in country. Let do more meeting and political dialogue with all people from Ethiopia and Eritrea.
God Bless the people of the Horn Of Africa.
Michael
Ethiopians should not depend on the educated especially from the PHD’s. They do not have any concept of struggle and they will never go to the field and fight the woyane, instead what is needed is someone with guts, honesty, hard working and a good fighter for what he or she believe, like Elias.
It has become true much better than before the only way to dismantle the woyane aparthied regiome in Ethiopia is through strong support from Eritrea. For this reason, there is no body trustworthy other than President Isaias Afeworki. Time and again we have noted that President Isaias has a very consistent, broad and firm view on Ethiopian unity and good neigboriness much better than the ego-centred and narrow- minded tribalist Meles.
meles=the movie Et
I love president Isaias’ brutal honest way of stating things!! Thanks to Elias, not only the Eritreans but also Ethiopians, like me, are nowadays falling in love with the honest president Isaias!!
One love to Eritrea and Ethiopia!
Isayas=lion
Meles=mouse
BTW, as embarassing as it is to accept, looks like Meles is bleaching his skin. How pathetic and disgraceful!
Bravo Elias, Bravo Esayas. My brothers let’s hurry to save ETHIOPIA. All Political leaders please show us their leadership learn from experience.
Yigermal,
Bravo my brother. I also agree with you hundred percent. We should fight the dictator junta Meles Zenawi in all possible means.
Great applause for Elias what a good job you had done.
150% I agree with invaluable comments of Issaiase Afeworke regarding the current brutal regime in Ethiopia.
All his points are remarkable especially for opposition leaders stationed abroad and directing the struggle by remote. let them take time to asses their position sooner not later.
The other funny comments from readers is that ‘Ethiopia is a big country’ where is that. are you not informed significant portion of the country with a size of Eritheria is given to sudan by woyane. So stop saying this word again.shame on you guys.
Down with Woyanee.
Dear Ethiopians,
you have started now to see things objectively. I am Eritrean I grew up in a war zone were we ate our breakfast 100m from 10000th of thousands of Derg soldiers trying to control our living. Despite that still after independence most Ethiopians especially the educated elite didn’t see us objectively. With no experience in the historical facts they hated us. We never been bad when it comes to Ethiopians, even for the derg army, we used to treat them nicely because most of them didn’t have any idea about what was going on. Now that you guys have started to see things objectively, bilateral issues, I don’t want be a hostage of the historical facts. I will respect you as much as you respect me and if we respect each other and work together, there is no reason that we can not reverse the history. History is for the winners, hence if we win we will write a new history. Because the woyanne junta is making fire by burning the Ethiopian history. If you and us cooperate we can not only rule east Africa but also the whole Africa. After all at the president said the sky is the limit for our cooperation. As much as I am a hard core Eritrea, I don’t have a problem to integrate with an Ethiopian who respects the value of other Ethiopians and who respects my value too. Let’s work hard for the coming good times.
Elias,
You are doing wonders. Eritrean and Ethiopians are talking. You see the interview you conducted with president Isseyas how much impact it made. Your second meeting is a gem with excellent advice. The thing is can Ethiopians step up to the plate. I am a firm believer working as one Ethiopia that you can get ride off the scam of the earth called weyane. They can’t hide under western scirts any longer. As an Eritrean I am not scared of a strong, united and prosporous Ethiopia. If any one care to hear, change will never come from overseas. Try to get engage with the freedom fighters. Contribute as much as you can. Finally, Elias keep up the good work. You are doing an exemplary work.
Elias,
What you wrote is another masterpiece and a breath of fresh air. Your journal is the only place where I always expect and find clarity of thought in Ethiopian politics. Keep it up bro. Victory is near.
Dear Poster #3 (Ato Ewnetu):
I couldn’t agree more. With more emphasis regarding banning all Woyane from Ethiopan activities. They are not to be trusted.
God bless president Issaias for supporting Ethiopian fighters
I am glad President Isaias has provided his visions for a united and democratic Ethiopia, and a peaceful horn of Africa.
I wish he was as dynamic and visionary as he pretends to be.
As a leader who has led the independence struggle to it’s successful conclusion and defended the country against invasions, I am proud of him and the many thousand fighters who fought and died for my country.
As a leader who became very repressive, arrogant, and non caring of his poeple, I am angered and saddened.
If he is really serious, he should start improving conditions and initiating reforms in his own country first (which will have a huge impact in removing the suspicions against his motives and energize the poeple of both countries).
Then I will believe and stand behind all his efforts to assist in the inevitable removal of the evil Wayannes.
Honestly, Eritrea and Ethiopia will not achieve any peaceful co-existence or any integration of any kind without leaderships that are fair and respectful of their own poeple.
Finally, we should always question any leadership that does not lead by examples….
“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names.”
-Chinese Proverb
[I am sure with a reach culture of proverbs, we have our own ones… but couldn’t come on with one right now.:)]
Peace to the Horn!
it is true that we Ethiopians are sometimes weak in seizing the opportune time and we always wish to have it after it is long gone. we should not underestimate especially when it comes from someone who has broad knowledge of our countries course for a long time
I don’t call Ben is a journalist he is simplly one of zinawi’s supporter.
Mind you this guy(Melase Zenawi) killed Ethiopia and it people. yet his not preppared to respect the Ethiopioan people. You called him “Ben journalist” and asked the child bucher What kind of music do you like? Well done Ben you make your deal. what do you wann Land or possation
I don’t call Ben is a journalist he is simply one of zinawi’s supporter.
Mind you this guy (zenawi) killed Ethiopia people, and yet his not preppared to respect the Ethiopioan people. You called him “Ben journalist” and asked the child bucher What kind of music do you like? Well done Ben you make your deal. what do you wann Land or possation
some worthy points to entertain by all
1-Dergue fought to the last minute with out giving chance to negotiation that every ethiopian was sorry.There were too many ethiopians willing to gamble it too
and in a futile attempt want to rewind reality and history now.
2-A strategy of exhaust your chances and try to outsmart the opponent later is a dead end strategy.time and tide waits for no man.so we need to sober up and be real…