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Statement from the ‘Democratic EPRP’ faction

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

After failing to get the EPRP congress to discuss the proposal to transform the secretive party into a transparent, democratic organization, this week the faction within leadership that calls itself ‘Democratic EPRP’ walked out and issued this statement: click here to read [Amharic]

The reactionary faction led by Iyasu Alemayehu has the upper hand and is able to succeed in frustrating the effort of those who want EPRP to become a modern political party.

Another major point of disagreement within EPRP’s leadership has been Iyasu Alemayehu’s meddling in Kinijit’s internal affairs.

These two issues have practically split EPRP into two major camps — those who are pushing for change, and the others who want to maintain the status quo.

36 thoughts on “Statement from the ‘Democratic EPRP’ faction”

  5. Still they act like Hibu Dirijir or like woyane.

    Why they don’t be open to the public and tell us what is going on like Kinijit always does.

    The problem is they think they know better than the people like Shaleqa-Getachew Haile commando who hijacked the kinijit Chairman. The truth is all these people have thinking of stone age people. Think modern-this is an era of technology.

  7. EPRP should just die & go away. The same with MESON.
    It a grand old party with nothing to show for the secrfices paid in flesh & blood.
    I will bring flower & cry at its funeral:-)

  8. I was expecting this to happen long time ago. But, being late better than from being totally absent..

    EPRP would have not took this long if it had made this decession long time agao

    Elias, tanxs

  9. Yes. it is good and important to change course for EPRP to work with other Political Organizations and be a part of the ongoing struggle. At this moment Dictators in the leadership have kept it in limbo and good for the new vision and leaders of EPRP.

  10. The implosion of EPRP has been expected for some time, and it has arrived finally. I think these people have been freed from a demon which has been plaguing them for so many years.
    But what is important is that this is good news for Ethiopian politics. But I have this caveat for all Ethiopians: the former members of this crooked so-called political party, have twisted minds yet. It will take a long time, and genuine effort to be free from a milieu which has deformed their minds. Most of them will spy, lie, sabotage, and kill people for worn-out shoes and clothes. They will wallow in sabotage, secrecy and destruction for some time, till they start thinking straight.
    But it a good beginning and we should all help them to be domesticated.

  11. EPRP must change in order to survive. They have to do this not for anybody but for them selves. The time has changed. The dance also. What are you people waiting for?
    I think you have observed the recent election in Ethiopian .The people of Ethiopia have spoken loud and clear that their choice is democracy. They do not want any form of totalitarian system. They have proved how serious they are through the scarify they paid. Come on EPRP get out of the pit and join the people and march on the road to democracy.Do this for the best interest of your party.

  13. It is a begnning . I always prayed to God that the old EPRP party would simply disapear and to replaced by Modern political system. The old party was responsible ful the death of my litttle brother and other young people of his Generation.

    God bless Ethiopia , Forever

  14. Why Debteraw is quiet?

    I think he is part of the backward thinking group. He does not take a breath to post Shaleqa group’s blackmails. Why is he quiet at this time?

  17. The information about the division of EPRP requires certain caveats. The first caveat is that division of EPRP is similar to the fission of amoeba. The second caveat is that it might be a deliberate disinformation released by EPRP itself. The probable intention can be to defuse the crisis they have plunged in due to their destructive interference in the internal affairs of the CUD. From both perspectives, it is better to wait and see.

  22. This is a natural conclusion for any dicatorial organiztion. The fall out will continue until Hama Tuma is stripped of his mask and left in the open by himself for the whole world to see who the culprit is for the demise of a popular and energetic organization which once EPRP was.

  23. Website: http://www.eedn.org
    Dear all:

    Below is a statement from EPRP.

    http://www.ethiopianreview.com/2007/eprp_communique_oct2007.pdf

    Before I comment on this statement I would like to take my readers to an e-mail I wrote on this forum December 31 2005.

    “I don’t think the EPRP has crumbled entirely yet. Yes, you are right …the EPRP is at the last hour of its death. However, I believe EPRP does have a last minute opportunity to be a player in Ethiopian politics again. I believe they have a chance to come back. How?

    1. EPRP needs to apologize to the Ethiopian People for the grave mistakes it made thirty years ago. Ethiopians are forgiving. They respect a party who admits its mistake. (It advocated the cessation of Eritrea, it promoted ethnic politics, and it allowed the killings of thousands youth for nothing….)
    2. EPRP needs to re-organize itself and open up. Let not the same group of people lead the party for decades.
    3. EPRP needs to ask critical questions on why it has failed so far. (in this aspect it needs to ask itself the benefit for working with ethnic based groups as part of Hibret)
    4. It needs to adjust its programs to reflect the wish and will of the Ethiopian People.
    5. It needs to align itself with the CUD. (Possibly a statement of allegiance to the CUD struggle would be very helpful). Why? Whether they like it or not the CUD is now at the very heart of the struggle. The CUD now represents the people at large. Working against the CUD is/can be considered as aiding the TPLF. Therefore, any group who, at this time, favors and supports the CUD is in a way supporting the people. Wise, creative and aggressive EPRP members should be encouraged by the EPRP leadership to support the CUD, instead of being seen as “traitors”.

    I doubt the EPRP leaders would have the guts to do the right thing; however we will continue advising the EPRP to do the right thing and take the concrete steps listed above.(difficult they may be) Our brothers and sisters were EPRP members; they died because they then believed in the cause promoted by EPRP. Let not the blood of our brothers and sisters be in vain. EPRP should not let itself be irrelevant. EPRP members should say “Ethiopia First” and “EPRP second”. Otherwise, there is no way for the EPRP to come back. EPRP will die forever. “

    Since then on many occasions I have been pleading, warning and pressuring EPRP to come out as a strong, democratic, open transparent organization. EPRP is an organization that has been in the struggle since 1972. Many have long discounted EPRP as something of the past. I refused to accept such characterization of EPRP and hoped one day they would come out stronger again. I believe a reformed and democratic EPRP is good for Ethiopia and can check Kinijit. (As the ANC is in South Africa should Kinijit takes power, then there need to be someone who can watch …and deny Kinijit for being another party for life)

    When I call for Ato Fassika and the UEDF leadership to resign, when I call with great intensity for actions against “Hama Tuma” and the likes …many considered me as a basher and hater of EPRP.

    Well, I will leave that for those with good judgment.

    However I consider today action by top leaders and activists of EPRP as something that I welcome with great pleasure. Ato Fassika has shown to be an incompetent leader with no vision at all. Under his leadership the UEDF has gone to the ditch fo the ditches.

    Ato Hama Tuma (Iyassu Alemayehu) has been lately out of control damaging the credibility of EPRP and tarnishing its image. EPRP has been bleeding to death. Today action is an ambulatory action that is needed and long overdue to save this organization that many died for.

    At least now I see hope that the sacrifices of our older brothers ands sisters may not be in vain. I welcome this development. Surely the new leadership will have my full support in its effort to move EPRP to the 21st century so that it can be more open, democratic, transparent, vibrant, and creative.

    Some may call this as a sad day. Well they are wrong. So far EPRP has been dying. At least know cool-headed people have prevailed. At least now people are determined to save EPRP. That is a good thing for the struggle and for Ethiopia.

    I have heard that the majority of EPRP activists in America are behind this new reform. There will be more statements I hope coming soon to explain further. I hope the new leaders will come out to the public and share their vision. They need to place on the table concrete and achievable policies. They must highlight their differences with the CUD and put pressure on the CUD. There is no reason why they would have to follow CUD. WE DO NOT WANT EPRP TO FOLLOW THE CUD. WE WANT EPRP TO CHECK AND CHALLENGE THE CUD. (With civility)

    On matters they agree with the CUD, they should get rid all the past barriers and work hand in hand for the common good of Ethiopia.

    ETHIOPIA SHALL PREVAIL.

    GK.

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  24. I think we should not waste time discussing about the statement; the split of EPRP is irrelevant any ways to this day I did not know whether or not EPRP exists in this world.
    The People of Ethiopia has no appetite for EPRP.
    During the late 70th EPRP started a struggle in the urban area which has caused a total destruction, death to thousand young students whom were brain washed by the poor and lack of leadership whom their agenda was to gain power by all means and put the young man and women on the front line. Therefore due to this today the parents and others whom lost loved ones doesn’t want to see or hear EPRP. EPRP has no place in Ethiopia.

  27. I still don’t believe people who took this long to change. I think they want to infiltrate CUD after they simulate a fake split to join parties like CUD, and then damage it gradually. Note that the have built-in bad habits such as spy, killings, sabotage…

    So no more EPRP, period! I prefer any other party created after dergu than anyone during or before dergu; they still think as feudal; their children are much better.

  28. dear mr editor,

    i have been reading and enjoying the articles and news on your website for quite awhile now.for the most part i have been appreciative of all the care and dedication you have in providing updated and relevant iformation to your readers. however, i have observed a very sad trend in some of your articles as of late. especially the use of derogatory, unprofessional and angry languge has disconcertd me a lot. a professional and decent journalist (paper as well) does not need to resort employing such shallow and blantly rude vocabulary to get its message across. you should not use words like “denkoro” to point out someones short sightedness. such an unqualified expressions don’t contribute the slightest bit to your mesage, beside trivializing the issues discussed and giving your webpage a tabloid feel.

    wishing you all the best

    wossen a

  32. I totally agree with Wossen a. Use of rude words such as “denkoro” undermines your credibality, and makes you taboild website in the eyes of many people. Having said this your effort to inform the public have been valuable.
    Regards,
    Dinber

  33. EPRP has never been a viable political organization for over thirty years. However, its few followers took it as a RELIGION since so many lives have been lost for the cause that was not ment to be. EPRP owns businesses and real estate holdings in Sudan and elsewhere amassed while creating havoc in Ethiopia. CAN THE AUDITOR, MR. TESFAI ASMAMAW STEP FORWARD PLEASE????????????????

    Iyasu Alemayehu and his late brother have the monopoly and the big FIGHT now is going to be how to claim and counter claim this wealth.

  34. Please read the following I read from another blog by some one called Negede Habesha.
    I have such a weird experience that there are a group of people dedicated to bash and trash anything EPRP or even a passer-by around EPRP. In fact I had lost an elder brother who dedicated himself for the common good of the Ethiopian people under the banner of EPRP. I remember my brother who was selfless, hard working and bright. He was by far older than his age in analyzing and synthesizing complicated issues instantly. Along his friends, he was a devoted everything for the benefit of his country under the leadership of EPRP.
    With such background I am not green about EPRP and the painstaking struggle it accomplished. It is noteworthy that somebody can’t simply preach fallacies or brain-wash me nor dent my respect to my gallant brother and his glorious abode, The EPRP. Indeed the more I saw they corner EPRP (the party that rallied millions, the party that pays in blood and flesh, the party that never ever betrayed Ethiopia and the party that commands extraordinary persistence), the more they grow depreciating, rustic, asinine and hoodlumish to my sense of judgment. The rush to denigrate Getachew Reda’s soul-searching article purely demonstrates the rough behavior of some elements who simply wished to see failed EPRP at any cost.
    Dear Ethiopians, when I came across a dictionary, I found amazing parallel with those groups who are dedicated their life for one purpose – bashing EPRP. I found them fitting at least up to stage 5 and time will tell us for the remaining part. Here you are:
    A hate group is an organized group or movement that advocates hate, hostility, or violence towards members of competing interests.
    Hate groups usually assert that the targets of their attacks are harmful to society, malicious, less fit to be members of society, or are operating some hidden cabal. The evidence hate groups present for these assertions is usually poorly corroborated, and is often based explicitly on the hate group’s negative beliefs about the social groups to which the target is or is imagined to belong.
    The hate group continues to propagate assertions, myths, narratives and rumors, playing upon fear, xenophobia, blame or jealousy, with the aim of harming the individuals and groups they target, and inciting others to distrust or hate them also. The ultimate aim of a hate group is commonly the delegitimization, elimination, and exclusion of groups, or of individuals. Hate groups often use their victims as scapegoats to blame for discontent in society.
    According to a report published in 2003 in the FBI Law Enforcement bulletin, a hate group, if unimpeded, passes through seven successive stages of hate. In the first four stages, hate groups vocalize their beliefs and in the last three stages, they act on their beliefs. The report points to a transition period that exists between verbal violence and acting that violence out, separating hard-core haters from rhetorical haters.
    Stage 1: Grouping
    Haters feel compelled to have others hate as they do. Through peer validation, they get a sense of self-worth and at the same time prevent introspection. Individuals who otherwise would be ineffective become empowered when they form or join groups. In addition, groups provide a welcome anonymity in which to express hate without being held accountable.
    Stage 2: Self-definition
    Hate groups create identities through symbols, mythologies, and rituals, designed to enhance the members’ status and at the same time, degrade the object of their hate.
    Stage 3: Disparaging the target
    By verbally debasing the object of their hate, haters enhance their self-image, as well as their group status. Researchers have found that the more often a person thinks about aggression, the greater the chance for aggressive behavior to occur. Thus, after constant verbal denigration, haters progress to the next stage.
    Stage 4: Taunting the target
    Time cools the fire of hate forcing the hater to look inward. To avoid introspection, haters increase their use of rhetoric and violence to maintain high levels of agitation. Taunts and offensive gestures serve this purpose.
    Stage 5: Attacking without weapons
    This stage is critical because it differentiates vocally abusive haters from physically abusive ones. Violence coalesces hate groups and isolates them from mainstream society. The element of thrill-seeking appears in this stage. The adrenaline “high” intoxicates the attackers. Each successive hate derived thought or action triggers a more violent response than the one that originally initiated the sequence. Anger builds on anger. Adrenaline-high combined with hate becomes a deadly combination.
    Stage 6: Attacking with weapons
    Some attackers use firearms to commit hate crimes, while others prefer close-contact weapons. Requiring the attacker to be close to the victim, shows the personal-anger aspects of hate. Some attackers choose to discharge firearms at a distance, thus avoiding personal contact. Personal contact empowers and fulfills the deep-seated need of the hater to have dominance over the object of their hate.
    Stage 7: Destroying the target
    The ultimate goal of haters is to destroy the object of their hate. With the power over life and death comes a great sense of self-worth and value; however, the ultimate destiny of hate is the physical and psychological destruction of both the hater and the hated.
    Terrorism link
    If the group continues to increase in membership, and at the same time increase their power and popularity in Stage 7, they may then be classified as a terrorist group, which is when the hate group has the ability to control the political climate. As terrorism is defined as using violent acts to achieve one’s goal using fear, some hate groups have now increased to having that ability, and they become terror groups. These groups are typically characterized as being increasingly dangerous and extremist. Alleged terror groups such as the Nazi Party in Germany from 1933 to 1945 began as small groups that followed the steps of the typical hate group.
    Hate groups on the Internet
    In the mid-1990s, the popularity of the Internet brought new international exposure to many organizations, including groups with beliefs such as white supremacists, Holocaust deniers, anti-Islamic and other groups. A number of authority figures stated publicly that the Internet allowed hate groups to introduce their messages to a widespread audience, and it was feared that their memberships would gain in popularity and numbers as a result. Some scholars suggest that the information overload brought forth by the Internet may be manipulated for the purpose of damaging specific groups or organizations.
    Since the advent of the Internet, a common tactic by hate groups is the use of Cyberstalking. Several white supremacist groups have founded Web sites dedicated to attacking their perceived enemies, such as Ken McVay, founder of the Nizkor Project; or Morris Dees, founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
    Using the pervasiveness of the Internet, hate groups are promoting a more “professional” veneer which may appear as more scientific and intellectual than hateful. This apparent normalization is considered a dangerous trend in the United States:
    “..the hate movement in the United States has taken on a new, modern face. The strength of the contemporary hate movement is grounded in its ability to repackage its message in ways that make it more palatable, and in its ability to exploit the points of intersection between itself and prevailing ideological canons. In short, the hate movement is attempting to move itself into the mainstream of United States culture and politics.”
    Dear compatriots,
    I feel every Ethiopian citizen has compelling responsibility, to protect our heroes and heroines if we aspire to see a better Ethiopia for our children and grandchildren.
    No wealth and position can long endure, unless built upon truth and justice; therefore anyone shall engage in no transaction which doesn’t benefit all whom it affects. We’ve to succeed by attracting to us the forces we wish to use, and the cooperation of other people. We’ll induce others to serve us, because of our willingness to serve others. We shall eliminate hatred, envy, jealousy, selfishness, and cynicism, by developing love for all humanity, because we know that a negative attitude toward others can never bring us success. We shall cause others to believe in us, because we will believe in them, and in us. There is nothing come out to be positive from someone who is always negatively conscious.
    The majority of people who fail to succeed are generally easily influenced by the opinions of others. They permit the Newspapers and the gossiping neighbors to do their thinking for them. Opinions are the cheapest commodities on earth. Everyone has a flock of opinions ready to be wished upon anyone who will accept them. If you are influenced by the opinions of others, you will have no desire of your own. You have a brain and mind of your own. Use it and reach your own decision based on truth, justice and common sense.

    Protect our HEROES and HEROINES to protect our Nation – ETHIOPIA
    Negede Habesha

  35. Elias;

    You are done with CUD. Now EPRP is your agenda of splitting!!! It is really amazing and heart-breaking what you and the likes are doing to the opposition!!!! Ahmed from Addis Ababa.

  36. Ato Mershas move to rename EPRP as “Democratic Eprp” is a wise decission and I hope Ethiopians will support him as long as the new faction does not interfere in CUDs or any anti-TPLF political organisation’s internal affairs.Eyassu Alemayeho and his followers proved to be agents of EPRDF and anti Ethiopian forces.They were created by EPLF and even supported Siad Barre in his invasion of Ethiopia in the 70s.If they are not traitors then who is?

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