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Medrek and the Ethiopian election

By Yilma Bekele

I am sure most of you have heard or read that the leaders of Medrek are on a tour of North America. They have held town hall meetings in Seattle, San Jose, Las Vegas, Washington DC and Atlanta and are coming to Los Angles this coming weekend. The delegation consists of Ato Seye Abreha, Ato Gebru Asrat, Dr. Negasso Gidada and Ato (engineer) Gezachew Shiferaw. All four gentlemen were ex members of TPLF, OPDO or AEUP.

For those not familiar with the alphabet soup, TPLF stands for Tigrai Peoples Liberation Front and OPDO is Oromo Peoples Democratic Union. OPDO is the brainchild of TPLF. That is neither paranoia nor a figment of my imagination. Other TPLF subsidiaries include ANDM (Amhara National Democratic Movement) SEPDM (Southern Ethiopia Peoples’ Democratic Movement) and other minor parties. They call them Teletafi (ተለጣፊ) They are organized as EPDRF (Ethiopian peoples’ Democratic Revolutionary Front).

The current Ethiopian Parliament is composed of 526 members and EPDRF controls 326 seats. That is actually not a true statement. TPLF Party control extends to all the so-called political parties organized as an independent for ‘Ferenjis’ consumption. Thus in reality the Parliament is TPLF’ Party’s’ private playing field. As the Chilean dictator Pinochet said ‘”Not a leaf moves in Chile if I don’t know about it”, nothing in Ethiopian Parliament happens without the permission of the one party state.

If you will forgive me I will start our current story with the 2005 general election as a background. To a majority of Ethiopians May 2005 is day one in the hope of our people for democracy and a better future. May 2005 left the Meles regime physically naked mentally dead and spiritually void of values. The total rejection of ethnic politics and cadre rule unnerved the regime. Meles and company panicked. They communicated with the Ethiopian people with snipers on every roof and concentration camps in every Kilil. The aftermath of 2005 election ushered the quest for a new understanding of the struggle for liberation under a totalitarian state.

Kinijit leaders were forced to forge a new path based on the experience of the 2005 debacle. Kinijit the dragon slayer was an amalgamation of different organization united for the purpose of elections. The two years in Kaliti jail dealt a heavy blow on the young party. The TPLF machine used every evil means at its disposal to create mistrust, mis-information resulting in disarray. Kaliti did a favor to the movement. It differentiated the men from the boys. Ledetu was officially recognized as a subsidiary. Hailu was exposed as spoiler. Merera and Petros became inconsequential. Berhanu reloaded and Bertukan decided to re-calibrate.

Our story revolves around Bertukan Mideksa. Upon her return to Ethiopia from her North American tour, she embarked on the formation of a new political party modeled after Kinijit. If you remember Ato Meles’s court have already handed Kinijit to some obscure individual named Ayele Chamiso. Thus Weizero Bertukan labored tirelessly to form Andenet Party. Despite the many hurdles thrown on her path she was able to dot the I’s and cross the t’s and form Andenet. It was a proud accomplishment that will be told and retold for a long time. Birtukan’s Andenet is a multi national party based on equality and resting on a strong bedrock of Democracy as its foundation.

Weizero Bertukan criss crossed the country forming headquarters in every region and managed to win the trust and respect of the Ethiopian People. Her rising star was eclipsing the faint candlelight of the TPLF cadres. That did not go well with TPLF. Chairman Bertukan was re-hauled back to Kaliti on some funky charge to be kept away until the 2010 election is over.

Her imprisonment created a void in the new party. It was not long before factions were formed and an all out war was declared. The young party was left without a rudder to steer the party in the TPLF shark infested ocean. The battle tested TPLF leaders exploited the weakness of the rookie leaders to the maximum. TPLF was not interested in killing the Party. It just wanted to deliver a crippling blow. It was not long before things degenerated to the extent that Andenet was forced to appeal to the TPLF regime for protection from its own members. Shame is an understatement. It was under these strange circumstances that Andenet joined what is known as Medrek. What exactly is Medrek?

Medrek is a coalition of different parties that include UEDF (United Ethiopian Democratic Forces led by Dr. Beyene Petros and Dr. Merera Gudina) OFDM (Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement led by Ato Bulcha Demeksa) A.R.E.N.A. Tigrai led by Ato Gebru Asrat, and Andenet led by Ato Gezachew Shiferaw. Please note Andenet is the only multi national party in the group. Andenet under the leadership of Chairman Bertukan is the only party with representation in all parts of the country and support organizations in the Diaspora.

The two independent individuals Ato Seye Abraha and Dr. Negasso Gidada joined the weak and wounded Andenet at this critical time. The void felt in the party due to the expulsion of some founding members created a fertile ground for the two ex-officials to assume positions of leadership upon arrival.

Thus, this is the Medrek that is currently touring North America. Some of my esteemed friends have used such expressions as ‘the rebirth of Ethiopia’ and ‘a new political culture in Ethiopia’ to explain the tour. Is this really a Hallelujah or Alhamdulillah moment? It is possible that both declarations are heavy on the cheerleading side but lacking in the friendly but critical assessment option.

The American expression ‘friends don’t allow friends drive drunk’ comes to mind, especially when one is a passenger in the vehicle. We are all passengers in this ship called Ethiopia. The action of the pilot affects the welfare of the passengers. The current tour leaves many questions unanswered and the timing is a puzzle to all well-wishers. The question of raising money is out of the question. The Diaspora is fighting a life and death battle to retain jobs, pay mortgages and raise expensive children. The Diaspora does not vote. Is it possible the expenditure of thousands of hard earned dollars in transporting, lodging and feeding the delegation is not a smart investment?

What exactly is Medrek trying to accomplish in the current election? The short answer is of course win. The next question will be is that possible? The simple answer is a resounding no. That leads us back to the first question, why participate in an impossible, rigged game where the outcome is pre determined? That the TPLF started the preparations for this election way back in May of 2005 is obvious to all. Meles and company vowed not to be caught with their pants down again. Thus the vibrant independent media was destroyed, capable leaders were killed, exiled or jailed, the Constitution was amended to include curbs on NGO activities, a law defining any opposition as terrorism and a new code of conduct was put in place.

In Election Ethiopian style the opposition cannot hold unauthorized meeting, cannot hold a rally, and cannot raise money from outside sources including the Diaspora. It is enough for you to say what a cockamamie idea? Wait there is more; according to the PM candidates cannot criticize the regime under threat of being charged with incitement or sedation. In emerging democratic Ethiopia the opposition cannot campaign except in a few large cities like Addis Abeba and Bahir Dar. Being a candidate or supporter of the opposition is a hazardous duty in most of the Kilils. The only exception seems to be Tigrai where the ex TPLF members can campaign in a limited areas.

Medrek has sacrificed plenty of candidates in this election. Human right activists, foreign correspondents such as VOA, Bloomberg and many others, have recorded party members being prosecuted, hounded in their villages, denied government controlled necessities and even murdered. Ethiopian politics is not for the fain hearted.

The 2005 election was proof that the minority-based regime is a paper tiger. It was resoundingly defeated where the ballot boxes were opened under the watchful eyes of the people and international observers. Thus the lesson learnt was it is not about the campaign but it is all about the counting of the ballots. What we see today is that the regime still controls the election board, recruited trained and is ready to deploy its own cadre observers and have drawn up a strict code of conduct for the Ferenji observers. It is like meet the new situation same as the old situation.

The simple question to Medrek is why do you exactly expect a different outcome when nothing has changed? The truth of the matter is actually things have change in a negative way as far as the opposition is concerned. With its star leader behind bars and its candidates and supporters terrorized by government goons how is it possible to contemplate winning when even trying has become a crime?

Why is Medrek giving legitimacy to a dictatorial regime by its involvement in a rigged game? Some will say half a loaf is better than no loaf, is that Medrek’s philosophy too? Is the idea to win a hundred or so seats in Parliament? Is that considered good whereas the regime with its majority control will continue the abuse of the few opposition members seated for show?

These are the questions Medrek have not addressed both at home and abroad. It was only last October that Ato Gezachew declared ‘The release of Birtukan Mideksa and all Political Prisoners is the main agenda for joining the 2010 Election’. What ever happened to that bravado? How come the political prisoner population of Kaliti and the Kilils has gone up let alone secure the release of our leader?

The lessons of 2005 should not be forgotten. Repeating the same mistake is definitely not a winning strategy. The Ethiopian people have paid a heavy price for an inferior and ugly outcome. We worry that what was done to us five years ago is in the process of being repeated. We ask Medrek to consider the ramifications of kowtowing to a totalitarian state that is hell bent in winning at all cost. We urge Medrek to listen to its constituents that wish it well and include their concerns in its deliberations. We have a very sick regime that considers politics as a game where winning is the only acceptable outcome. They have shown that they will kill to secure their ill-gotten power and wealth.

We feel the pain of the opposition candidates that have sacrificed trying to get involved in the affairs of their nation. We are horrified to witness the death of Ato Aregawi Gebre Yohanes, Ato Beyanza Deba and many other nameless Ethiopians whose crime was wanting to be free. We hope Medrek will take its role seriously and observe the Hippocratic oath like doctors that states ‘do no harm’. Our hope is that they contemplate if their actions bring good or harm on our people.

It is a good possibility the regime will orchestrate an election worthy of an African standard. It is also true that the US and the Europeans will declare ‘a few irregularities’ but ‘an essential first step’. Just like what happened five years ago Ato Meles and company will continue the rape and pillage of our country and sell what is left of it to the highest bidder. We hope Medrek will not be one of those parties that will sit silently in the kangaroo parliament and preach the gospel of ‘working together’ and such crap while dining with killers, psychos and future guests of the International Criminal Court.

12 thoughts on “Medrek and the Ethiopian election

  1. I think we should give these gentlemen at least the benefit of the doubt. That country does not have a rich and matured culture of democracy for peaceful transfer of power. And enough with wars. I don’t really know these gentlemen personally and did not have the chance to be at any of their presentations. From what I have read on this esteemed website and others alike, they seem to be poised to chip away some of the seats from the ruling party during the next election. In the meantime, I will keep praying that there will be no more bloodshed during and after the next election. Insha’Allah!!!

  2. well said.I have no hope at all there will be any positive outcome from this election. What I dont underestand is that why dont the opposition party stop being the instrument for these thugs regiem. I would rather sit in Addis and wait for the real men do their job to tell the weyanes with the languge they know. I am tired of this approch of we dont have no option other than peacefull strugle. Ethiopia still have sons and daughter who stand for real democracy and rule of law. I dont think there is any doubt in the heart and mind of each and every ethiopian that if they rise up to the cause, we can send this thugs into ash. i pray for our unity first. And next I will do any thing I can to fight this regiem.

  3. The question is not whether Mederek or other oppositions win, the question is how many Ethiopians will be massacred by AGAZI and how long will the Ethiopian people will tolerate woyane/Meles tyrany.

    It is very unfortunate that a group like TPLF claiming to fight and pay sacrificies for freedom are denying freedom others. In reality they fought to kill and loot not for democracy and freedom as they are claiming.

  4. Ato Yilma,

    Good analysis regarding so called Medrek. I would have taken you an honest person if you try to give credit for the genuine struggle of AEUP. What made you an enemy to AEUP?

  5. “May 2005 left the Meles regime physically naked mentally dead and spiritually void of values. The total rejection of ethnic politics and cadre rule unnerved the regime. Meles and company panicked.”
    This was and stil is teh reality. Yet,

    “Medrek is a coalition of different parties that include UEDF (United Ethiopian Democratic Forces led by Dr. Beyene Petros and Dr. Merera Gudina) OFDM (Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement led by Ato Bulcha Demeksa) A.R.E.N.A. Tigrai led by Ato Gebru Asrat, and Andenet led by Ato Gezachew Shiferaw.
    Please note Andenet is the only multi national party in the group. Andenet under the leadership of Chairman Bertukan is the only party with representation in all parts of the country and support organizations in the Diaspora.”

    Others are just the same as TPLF does if not the worst for Ethiopia.

  6. I do not see Medrek and others campaigning for some seats to be given by the racist Meles, as part of the true opposition. The presence of these parties is enabling and helping Zenawi to appear a democrat committed to good governance. As the author Tesfaye Gebreab has indicated, the interntion of the fascist Meles is to stay in power through staging controlled or sham elections and implementing a false federation.
    The loyal or legal opposition taking part in Zenaw`s sham elections are becoming the partners for deception and collection of western aid cheques. The non-Tigrayan peoples of Ethiopia will continue to suffer and die of famine and poverty. It is simple to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of participating in these charades of Zenawi and point out that the disadvantage by far outweighs the advantage. We can not deny that the fascist Zenawi assigns some parliamentary seats individuals participating in the charade. These individuals are also receiving some economic benefits for their services to the fascist. Some self-centered individuals are making it a habit to form parties and cooperate with Zenawi for some economic benefits. The Beyene-Lidetu-Merera trio is the most common or known face in the rubberstamp parliament of Zenawi. It is disgusting to see this guys and their likes sniffing at the belches of the fascist and racist Zenawi.

  7. Medrek has been formed not to continue the democratic and legal struggle against the ethnical fascist rule of Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia. It is an alliance designed to take part in Zenawi`s sham elections and endorse and legitimize the existing rule in the country. Taking part in sham elections whose outcomes are predetermined is tantamount to partnership with fascism and racism. This is what Medrek and the other parties which are gearing up to participate in the farce are actually doing. Ethiopians can not expect with any alliance led by persons like professor Beyene Petros and Dr. Merera Gudina who have betrayed the struggle and joined the cadres of Zenawi (parliament). The membership of Dr. Negasso and ato Seye has enhance the urge to take part in the farce and legitimize the ethnical fascist system in the country. Generally speaking, the situation of the opposition in the country is disappointing since there are no credible anti-fascist forces operating to get rid of the fascist and racist rule of Meles Zenawi. So any support to the Mederk and others taking part in the farce is an indirect support to the discriminating rule of Zenawi.

  8. Personally I get very wary when people say my way is the only way to save Ethiopia. If there are groups that try to topple this illegitimate government by using different tactics, I am all for it as long as each group is democratic and respects others. Frankly, we don’t have the luxury to try just one thing, and if it fails then try another one. We all should fight this government by organizing ourselves in such a way that we think will make an impact. However, we should never forget or compromise our desire to be free, and respect freedom of others.

  9. It is niether Hallelujah nor Alhamdulillah moment. They are all foxes in sheep’s clothing. everyone with his own agenda to trick the one he can and threaten the other, so that he can impose his indeas for the real benefit of his particular ethnic. Becouse, the fact is, ethiopia is a land of completely different people who are only being held together by force not by love.
    that is why there is no base for justice and equility. every different person wants his different needs to be the best.

  10. my prayer is not about any parties whom opposing each other ,including the ruling party,but to see good governance which believes in democracy and peoples equality and also I pray that to see the great work of God with these bad times. my request for any Ethiopian is to seek peace and to work hard to see changes and unity in our country and to eradicate poverty,therefore, let us put our skills together and see the better and civilized Ethiopia in near future.
    God protect and Bless Ethiopia.
    Thom the great.

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