Skip to content

Audio: Interview with Nigat Radio’s Demis Belete

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

Click below to listen.
Click here to listen

Why did the EPPF International Committee fall apart?

To answer this and other related questions, Ethiopian Review interviewed Nigat Radio host Demis Belete Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007.

Ato Demis had witnessed every thing from the beginning — how the EPPF Int’l Committee was formed, its relations with the EPPF leadership in the field, what went wrong, who is responsible for what, etc.

What necessitated the interview is that some individuals and groups knowingly or naively are bent on destroying any effort by patriotic Ethiopians to help the people of Ethiopia defend themselves against the Woyanne fascist regime by creating alliances with friendly forces such as the Government of Eritrea.

Ethiopia is currently alone without friends. Even the U.S. Administration — the beacon of democracy and freedom — is fighting tooth and nail to stop a legislation in the U.S. Congress that would make Woyanne accountable for its crimes against the people of Ethiopia.

In a strange twist of fate, the Government of Eritrea is the only force that is currently willing and capable of supporting the Ethiopian people’s struggle against the Woyanne regime. Let’s remember from history that the successive U.S. administrations were working against the South African people’s struggle against Apartheid, while Libya was one of the main financiers of Mandela’s African National Congress. The U.S. foreign policy makers are blinded by temporary political gains to the detriment of America’s own security and economic interests.

Eritreans, on the other hand, understand that Woyanne is a source of instability and suffering in the whole Horn of Africa region. It is to the interest of Eritreans that a peaceful party such as Kinijit comes to power. They have correctly reached the conclusion that they can solve disagreements with a genuinely elected Ethiopian government on a mutually beneficial basis. They have also witnessed that the people of Ethiopia look at Eritreans as brothers and sisters, and when Woyanne displaced hundreds of thousands of Eritreans in 1999 and 2000 in an act of ethnic cleansing, it was the people of Ethiopia who sheltered and saved many Eritreans.

Concerned by this realization on the part of Eritrean authorities and some Ethiopian opposition forces, Woyanne, with the support of its opportunist supporters, as well as naive politicians, has launched a massive propaganda effort to derail alliances between Ethiopian pro-democracy and unity forces and the Government of Eritrea.

To clearly understand this issues, it is important to look at what had transpired inside the EPPF. There is no better witness to the whole thing than Ato Demis Belete, a professional journalist and the host of Nigat Radio.

Click here to listen the interview with Ato Demis Belete

29 thoughts on “Audio: Interview with Nigat Radio’s Demis Belete”

  1. Elias,

    You are right. “Creating alliances with friendly forces such as the Government of Eritrea” is the only option we have regardless of all the shortcomings of working with Eritrea. Some people have an unacceptable thinking that Meles is Eritrean and he is working for Eritrea and they are trying to divert the attention from the Tigreans to the Eritreans. Meles is Ethiopian. I mean bad Ethiopian and he is working for Tigreans. Not for Eritreans. Whatever the Eritrean President does, the Tigrean technocrats are responsible for the mess in Ethiopia.

    Berta,
    I will come up with a very useful information about this Tigreans who are promoting the idea that Eritrea is what the EPPF mentioned in its posting. That is only half a truth.

  2. Eliase,
    I really appreciate your result oriented struggle!! Apparently, the EPPF support goup in diaspora is infected with Solomon Tekalgne virus. I beleive Demis is a man of integrity who believes in facing the vampires of Addis in the language they understand. Demis has the balls and he is not the type of guy who will waste his time weeping and begging Woyannes. He worked hard to help EPPF have a strong hold. Unfortunately, EPPF went through turbulance and that is not unexpected in any gurrila warefare. Woyannes have the money and power to find gullible memebers and used them to its own end! But now the new front is tasted with fire! What the new allaince of four fronts need to do create a new diaspora support group. And select few committed Ethiopians like Demis Belete and grow slowly!! And the people must be appointed by the alliance itself and must have full control of operation. Demis, you are expected to give this new allaince a ground in the diaspora and expose those who are Woyanne agents that are issuing damaging statements under the pretext that they are EPPF support groups.

  4. Dear ER

    “Creating alliances with friendly forces such as the Government of Eritrea” is a weaked political calculation that suggests we haven’t learned from the past and present experience of the Shabya regime. The entire EPPF army was dismantling while systematically killing young and brave Ethiopians who were the fool solider for EPPF movement in Asmara.

    We have to keep in mind that Shabya gave birth and provided the necessary military training for TPLF thugs to ensure Ethiopia is crippled socially and economically. On the surface Woyane and Shabya may seem enemies yet they are true cousins who are determined to destroy Ethiopian from history book.

    I am a firm believer that the liberty of Ethiopia will come at the expense of true Ethiopians by destroying Woyane and Shabya from the Horn of Africa.

    Both Shabya & Woyane are African Terrorists groups!

    ————————-
    Belay,

    That is a very simplistic way of looking at things. It is said that in politics, there is no permanent friend or enemy; only permanent interest. At this point in time, Shabia is the best friend Ethiopia has. – Elias

  6. Dear Ato Elias,

    First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to your lone effort to let us follow the day to day activities of the CUD delegation visiting North America back in September and October. That was quite an achievement and I salute you for working very hard.

    I am, however, very concerned about the position you are taking regarding the so called EPPF and its association with the Eritrean regime. It is good you are planning to interview Ato Demis Belete, but we all know that this person went to Eritrea to “meet the EPPF fighters” with Artist Solomon Tekalign. I happen to be close to Solomon (our friendship transcends his recent mishaps) and have first hand information about what he saw during his visit to Eritrea. I was amazed by the similarity of the events reported recently in an article published in EthioMedia regarding EPPF and what Solomon told me a few days after he returned from Eritrea. If you really want not to take side about this story and want your readers and/or listners to find out the truth, I challenge you to invite Artist Solomon Tekalign along with Ato Demis Belete.

    With best wishes,

    Yigermal Tariku

    —————————————–
    Yigermal,

    I would like to invite Solomon Tekalign for interview. If you are his friend and still maintain contact, please get him in touch with me.

    Elias

  7. I find the above analysis to be very realistic that is based on rational and honest consideration of the historical facts that have contributed to the present state of affairs. What Ethiopia needs right now is not another ethnic facist war monger regime, but a sane leadership that respects the rights of its own citizens regardless of ethnicity and is able to live in peace with all of its neighbors. No doubt, that it is going to be a huge task that may take generations to achieve, but if we are going to avoid the disintegration of the country as we know it, there simply is no other alternative. The reckless regime in power has done an extensive damage that may take generations to overcome. To undo the rift created among the people of the region Ethiopia must address the divisive issues in a matured and democratic manner.

  8. Elias,

    Let us think the long term solution. Eritreans have never been and will never be part of the solution. They are like the woyanes. The solution is to use every means to make the election fair and transparent. And the people will decide who will lead the country. I am sure we will see this happen, the woyanes sitting on the opposition bench.

  9. Eliase,
    Apparently, you have already touched many Woyanne agents’ nerve! Whenever a formidable armed struggle begins, they try to find something that could curtail the struggle? Would they be happy if the new allaince or EPPF was supported by Sudan? Or USA? First and foremost, examine the mission and objectives of the organization. Where it gets its support to achieve its obejctive is secondary! They want the so called status-quo to continue and stay at the mercy of the tyrant meles and beg till the sun comes down. But true Ethiopians know what is at stake and they will continue to help anyone who sheds his/her blood for sake of Ethiopian unity!!

  11. Elias,

    I really commend u on your examplary reporting and persistent effort to unravel the evils the woyane regime is unleashing on our beloved people. Since recently you have been alining the struggle of the ethiopian people aginst woyane with that of shabias pledge to put the full puissance of its nation to overthrow the TPLF. But I think the convergence of interest we have with Eritrea concerning Ethiopia ends right there. I personally don’t believe that the eritreans have Ethiopias best interest at heart that goes further an beyond toppling the current regime. Besides Eritreas track record plainly shows that it is not a nation that wants to see a stronger robust Ethiopia. While I understand the enthusiasm you show towards the enemies of the woyane evils, I also fear that you are unwittingly letting yourself and others be commisioned as instruments of convenience to the total avail of another brutal and wicked kindred of meles Zenawi.

  12. I wonder if any one of the EPPF International leadership group and those who support their ideas has a real field life experience. We should not attempt to shut the only one outlet available for the ‘Arbegnoch’ who are already out in the field. If a better alternative is worked out let me know and I would kindly apologise for my ignorance. Otherwise, for those of us in the cities it is better to support the ‘Arbegnoch’ without major involvement in their military strategy. It makes more sense to expect genuine support for the ‘Arbegnoch’ from ‘Shabiya’ than expecting democracy from Woyanie; and the later seems to be more wishful than the former.

  13. This is the only sound solution that proposed by Mr. Elias. Believe or not the war between Eritrea and Woyanne is inevitable. By knowing this fact Ethiopian opposition especially you waged armed struggle must reorganized yourself to take the advantage of the situation. First allay with the Eritrean government.

  14. All possiblities must be employed to dethrone woyane. i consider eritreans as my brothers(not shaebya)and they can deliver the needed removal of woyane.’ishohen Bu ishoh nuw’

  15. Elias,

    It seems your proposal is already having an effect on Woyannes. They know that if Ethiopian opposition groups start to fully collaborate with Eritreans, it would mean a death blow to them. By the way, most Ethiopians inside the country have reached the same conclusion that you are talking about a while ago. It is the political parties who are lagging behind the public opinion, as usual.

  16. Dear all:

    The gentleman who wrote comment 14 is not “zagol” of seminawork. Ethio Zagol of seminawork is a man of peace who advocate peace and non-violent struggle.

    I don’t understand why this gentleman use deceptive nick names.

    GK

  17. selam Elias,
    When many of us opposed struggling from Eritrea right from the beginning, the major argument was that the last thing Shabia wants to see in Ethiopia is a nationalist force that stand firm to safeguard Ethiopia’s interest. Many of us argued that Shabia will never allow such force to take off, and what we know so far has proved us right. Do we have to continue as if nothing happened, and be part of Shabia’s propaganda knowingly or naively ? How many more innocent people have to die to understand Shabia’s objectives.
    Regards,
    Selamu

  18. LET us support the newly created alliance . forget what http://www.eppf.infro. where have they been solong time? They have no legal right to release any statement about EEPF any more. the releasement of such outragious statement on their web site in the same time when the alliance was created implies that some of them are working with Woyanne. We need to support any armed forces via offically elected by the front.

  19. It sad that some of you believe Eritrea is simply siding with the Ethiopian people for their own gain. I bet some of you also think Eritrea is siding with the Somalis for their own gain. Or maybe the Eastern Sudan people as well. If this is the case, then I feel sorry for you. The government of Eritrea helps these people because it is their responsibility as a neighbor and it is within the benefit of both parties to see peace. The history of the EPLF/PFDJ more than serves as a testament to this. Meles was put in power by the EPLF with the expectation that he would UNITE (not divide) Ethiopia and share power under the banner of the EPRDF. Don’t you guys know that the only reason why the TPLF didn’t secede from Ethiopia in the first place was because the EPLF would not allow them to do so. Many Ethiopians never understand this point. This is one of the main reasons why there was tension between the two groups in the late eighties but the EPLF mistakenly didn’t do enough to ease the tension until war broke out in ’98. Be thankful for that. The EPLF never wanted to see the destruction of Ethiopia. How does that benefit Eritreans?

    Don’t be foolish and conjure up naive conspiracy theories. Some like to believe that the TPLF was put into power to serve as a puppet regime for Eritrea. How foolish. With or without the TPLF, Eritrea was going to gain independence. It was EPLF tanks that escorted EPLF-armed TPLF troops to Addis Ababa to take power. Meles rushed the political process and didn’t let other Ethiopian parties get involved, against the wishes of the Transitional Government of Eritrean. Now what you have is Eritrea trying to put the Ethiopian people back in power because the government of Eritrea knows that if THE PEOPLE were truly in power they would never go to war with Eritrea for such a foolish reason. At the end of the day, when the people’s voices are heard they know that the government will be a righteous one. That is how the the EPLF came to power so it is only natural that they feel that the same needs to happen in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. So quit thinking this an “enemy of my enemy is my friend” type of alliance.

    And I’m sick and tired of Ethiopians saying that Eritrea can do this and that for us. The only people that can truly liberate the Ethiopian people are the Ethiopian people. Period. Eritrea can only serve as a good neighbor, providing support when needed. It is also positive mentally to know that you were able to unite and liberate yourselves from tyranny.

    Lastly, don’t think that Eritrea is under tyranny. Unlike the corrupt Woyanne regime which rushed the political process to have fake elections, Eritreans understand from previous African failures that political development takes time. The political process was interrupted immediately following the ratification of the constitution in 1997. There isn’t even a press law or political party law in Eritrea yet. In addition, high treason by government officials opening up a direct liaison with the Ethiopian regime with the help of America really was a big blow to Eritrea. Woyane agents are infesting Eritrea and the country is understand under tight watch. When this whole chaotic episode on “the border” is quelled the Eritrean political process will continue on. And hopefully the Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali and Sudanese people will be living in peace.

  20. It is true that Ethiopian forces need friendly negibouring country for any successful outcome. It is also true that the greedy criminals of the woyane junta would like to continue controling the entire economy and starving the people of Ethiopia. It is also true that they will never transfer power for legally elected oppostion party peacefully. For them it is like asking them to give up their wealth and crimnal financial activity. The only way freedom comes is through talking to them in the language they understand and respect, and I commend Elias in his relentless and truthful struggle to bring down the criminal thugs.

    What worries me however is why the Eritrian government is still insisting on keeping ethnic armies with their own flags? They are all Ethiopians. So why not help them to be under one Ethiopian liberation army and one Ethiopian flag? Why not help them to disolve the destructive and dangerous ethnic organizations? I saw the vedio on the newly established united front. Why is that the ethenic armies are allowed to continue with 4 different flags? Are Tigrians not Ethiopians? Are the Benshanguls not Ethiopians? Eritrians and Ethiopians are brotherly people and they will have no problem in living with peace and harmony in the future. But the Eritrian governemnt has to come clean. No surprises, no hidden agenda. We have paid too high price for trusting the woyane in the past. We can’t afford to make the same mistake again.

  21. Tilahun before you write volumes , you need to do your research on the need to have an emblem for a front to distiguish itself from others. However, they all have one flag and that is Ethiopian. Infact, the new allaince is composed of forces that arestruggling for democratic change in ethiopia not for self detrmination!!

  22. To all the Ethiopian participants of this forum:

    Since you seem to hate the idea of working closely with the Government of Eritrea, GOE, once and for all, I like to prove you wrong to the point of embarrassment. But, I need brother Elias to ask Demise the following critical questions (more or less in his own words):
    1) What is your observation (feeling) when you visited Asmara as to the TRUE POSITION of the GOE in regard to “Ethiopian unity”?
    2) Do you feel the Eritrean people have a built in hatred towards the people of Ethiopia.
    3) How do the OLF, ONLF leadership see their struggle towards the emancipation of their part of their country as it affects positively/negatively towards the establishment truly democratic and united Ethiopia?

    Because, sadly, it is pathetic how some Ethiopians refuse to see the light at the end of the tunnel (and believe me, that light is not from on coming freight train). That light is a light of peace and tranquility when BOTH Eritrea and Ethiopia would co-exist side by side with MUTUAL cooperation and for the benefit of their people and not for some foreigners interest who came from literally thousands of miles away. I happen to believe as I hope many of you would, if you were not blinded by emotive and irrational hatred of what the Weyane and Weyane supporters refer as “ShaEwya”. While I believe there is nothing wrong with PFDJ regarding the interest of Eritrean and Ethiopian people, what one needs to think is that the “Destruction” of PFDG may not be to the interest of United Ethiopia for I know, to use the weyane’s term again, ShaEwya” has never hurt Ethiopian interest in any way shape or form. Even, in hindsight, the escorting of Weyane in to Addis to defeat the Dergue army remnants was the right thing to do considering the alternatives at that time. To discuss as to why didn’t the Weyane decided to declare their dreamland of “Republic of Tigray” in 1991 requires a volume in itself. But, I can tell you, that was one of the issues that EPLF and TPLF did not seeing eye to eye. But that is for historians to document. For now, what we need to address is not history, but, what is the best thing that needs to be done for our peoples welbeing and I believe the journalist can enlighten to some of us who had refused to see the light.

  23. Armed struggle is the only solution to free ethiopia and it’s ppl from weyane and protect from up coming bloody feudal dictator like king hailu. by any account guad[ comrade] hailu is the worst dictator. even melse is far better than this evil dictator. he borned from the low level families, our people collected evil hailu from some where a small village from his poor families and gave him free education , now he under estimated our ppl. deha tegibo yadere elete manenetun yiresal.

  24. Please be informed that the Eritrean Governement (EG) has spent efforst (at times personally the president), and hard erned money to organize EPPF. Does it make sense to simply distroy it after a while…the problem is on part of the leadership of the EPPF and some people who are not willing to be on the for-front. People like the cheep Solomon Tekalign. To think that EG is twisting the hands of EPPF is simply naive and it comes from people who are not ripe in politics… and believe me there are plenty of them these days!

  25. MOST EEPF’S represetatives in diaspora were lack of leadership quality, power mongers and alubaletgnas.they were un matured politically and short sighted . ye jib chikule kende yinekessal

  27. The lesson for EPPF is that fronts have to grow from inside to outside, i.e., first the coalition has to strive to score impressive victory aganist Woyannes. It has to prove that it is a force to be reckon with. Untill then get few effective personalities like Demis and Elias and people with influence. Don’t open your doors to hodamoch like Solomon Tekalegne! Those who oppose getting help from Eritrea, it is not about Eritrea, it is about opposing the armed struggle. They use Eritrea as escape goat to curtail the armed struggle! Same one wolf in sheep skin who said we could fight from abay wenz. Mind you, how could you fight from without outside support? It is all execuse to support the Woyannes!

  28. Elias – Needless to say that I like many Ethiopians appreciate your commendable and continued patriotic vision for the democratic republic of Ethiopia to be erected on the destruction and subsequent death of Woyane.

    It is however very unfortunate that detractors or woyane cadres continue to use this forum to change the subject at hand or promote their chauvinist agenda. Hope you will give it your utmost attention not to allow the Ethiopian agenda derailed by the hurdles put forth by woyane thugs.

  29. Look people I don’t get the point of this article. What I want point out is that we Ethiopians and Eritrians need to be one. I don’t mean Eritria has to come back to Ethiopia but we just need to love one onother. Afterall we ware familes whether we like it or not. We share history, culture, food and everything. We stil are marying eachother. Noone can came to our rescue,but us. We need to wake up and look aroun. We are responsible for our countries ans for the next generation. Stop hatting eachother. How come one hates him/herself? We are one. We need to know that. If we contnue what we are doing right now think of the next generation of both countries. What will come out of them? I just ask you whether you are Eritrian or Ethipoian reading this, please forget what had happend and lets work for beter relationship. leave the goverments and lets love eachother. You know if the people of both countries unite the goverment has no choice except to unite which i mean work on better relationship leving blaming oneonther for things that happen. We were one and we are one we will be one and we are becoming one. Unity is powerfull. Peple of ZEritria and Ethiopia wake up stope fighting, hating and blaming oneonther. Its time to love and work for a better future of thse two beautiful countries. We have a lot to work on and a lot be propud about. If we work we will accomplish.
    I love both Ethiopian and Eritrians. I am an Ethiopian who wshs for Ethpia and Eritria to work on a better relationship.

Leave a Reply