By Elias Kifle
Some Eritrean friends are asking me why is it necessary for Ethiopian Review to start a public discussion on concerns regarding the disappearance of Ethiopian patriots in Eritrea and problems facing Ethiopian opposition groups. They are urging me to work behind the scene to find solutions. That is also my preference. For over a year, my colleagues and I were engaged in intense behind the scene discussions with Eritrean authorities regarding Ethiopian opposition groups inside Eritrea, and particularly the Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF). As a strong advocate of cooperation between the Eritrean government and Ethiopian opposition groups, I would not want to jeopardize the progress that has been made in the past couple of years despite enormous difficulties. However, a corrupt mid-ranking Eritrean official named Col. Fitsum, who is assigned to advise Ethiopian opposition groups, has ran amok and it seems the Eritrean government is unwilling to control him. The rogue colonel has been trying to block the effort to revamp EPPF — an organization that has not moved an inch in its 10 years existence — and when he noticed that he is losing ground, he has launched a disinformation campaign using the Asmara-based EPPF radio and web site. He has also tightened his grip on EPPF more than ever. A few months ago, I and several others had finally decided that locking horn with a rogue, albeit powerful Eritrean intelligence officer in Eritrean territory is not worth it and decided to take a different route. This move seemed to have threatened the colonel even more and he started to take desperate actions, including the arrest of those who are thought to be involved in the new movement. He has also called an urgent meeting and ordered the dismissal of several EPPF central council members, including those who had already withdrawn themselves.
We will take a more in-depth look at EPPF another time. Here, I will try to illustrate that EPPF is not the only organization that is facing difficulties in Eritrea. In Ginbot 7’s case, for example, Col. Fitsum has dispersed most of the soldiers who had defected from the ANDM wing of Woyanne and arrived in Eritrea in early 2009 to join the new movement by turning them against each other. He forced the few who remained in Eritrea to create a new group named Amhara Democratic Force Movement so that they would not join Ginbot 7. With the exception of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), all the other Ethiopian groups are in the same boat. The only reason ONLF is facing little or no problem in Eritrea is that Col. Fitsum cannot get involved in their affairs. As a result, ONLF is the only opposition group that has been able to carry out serious military actions against Woyanne.
One of the Ethiopian armed resistance groups that seems to be by far the strongest is the Tigray People’s Democratic Movement (TPDM). I visited one of the TPDM shelters in Oct. 2009, and I was impressed by the sheer number of its troops. The first question that came to my mind while visiting the TPDM army was, why are we not hearing about any major military offensive by the TPDM forces against Woyanne? TPDM could easily make Tigray ungovernable to Woyanne if it is allowed to fight. ONLF doesn’t have 1/10th the number of fighters TPDM has, and yet it is consistently bleeding Woyanne’s nose until every one in the world knows about it.
I asked the TPDM leadership this very question. They were too afraid to give me an answer, but it was not necessary. I could read the frustration in their faces. Instead of fighting Woyanne, TPDM fighters currently spend their days toiling on farms without pay. The fighters want to fight. The leaders want to fight. But fortunately for Woyanne, they are put on a short leash by their Eritrean “adviser.”
130 thoughts on “TPDM on a short leash”
wow Elias whats wrong with you? it is not good to post like this kind of story. i hope everything will be solved soon
Then,what is the option ?
It makes a lot of sense to me, why the Eritrean governement would be reluctant in actually allowing any of the armed resistance groups to start fighting against woyane. Which is, if they actually do start fighting, the Eritrean governement knows 110% what exactly the action the Ethiopian governement will take, it will not waste time fighting this groups, rather it would directly go to the source and attack Eritrea. Now let us face it, you think Issays is about to make a second mistake and dare cross melese and risk any chance of war? Issays knows very well, another full blown war with ethiopia means the end of his leadership. And we now how much he loves his leadership and he is not going to let go of it, especially not for the sake of armed resistance groups. The ogaden liberation front is far and distant in time and space from Eritrea, so Eritrean governement has nothing to do with that group, they have a place in somalia where they can run and hide if pressure mounts on them. But the others are all parked in ERitrea or border btn ethiopia and Eritrea which means any provocation from them, Ethiopian government would have no choice but to take it on Issays. So what Issays is doing is simply buying time, by pretending he is helping this groups, he is using them as propaganda that there is armed resistance groups more like a deterent to scare Melese, but exactly just that nothing more. It also allows the Issays government to give the illusion that it is with the rest of the Ethiopian people, becuase it gives them free air time in their tv and radio programs, other ethiopian would feel that issays is sympthasising with their cause, but if you carefully look at exactly what he is doing for them, it is clear in 10 years time, not even one lousy village has come under the armed resistance occupation. It is almost as if there is no armed strugle, they have been highjacked by issays. The other possible theory I would like to throw in here for discussion is, that may be just may be behaind all the hateful rethoric that Issays spits against MElese and vise versa, this two dictators might be, in hidden communication where, they are exchanging informations and are staying in power by treaking all of us in to thinking they are enemies when they actually are working togther to strengthen their grip to power. Really look at both leaders, they both have gotton rid of any one that was assoicated with the true foundation of their particular party, both leaders have the final say in their government, and both enjoy being in power. Short of inflamatory words, what exactly has any one has done to hurt the other person?? what?? the answer is NOTHING, abslotely Nothing. So while we talk and say this and that, the joke really has been on us. the people of Ethiopia and ERitrea have been dooped and been tricked in to beliving there is enemity between this two leaders, when there is none what so ever. What is there is, a clever and a well thought plan to stay in power, by keeping all opositions in check. Even melese has over 11 oppostions groups that say they want to over throgh issays, but have not made one single attack that is meaningfull. So guys truly if you really want to get serious with figthing and taking your chance against woyane, first and formost, you need to not have to do any thing with issays that is the first thing, second isyou must keep united and create one united armed strugle, cause that is the only way to seriously engage the woyane army. Only when people realize the past 10 years melese and issays have been seceretly meeting and working togther, that progress can be made, truly when ever I see an armed resistance group to Eritrea, I just lough becuase, it is the last place where any Ethiopian reistance group should go cause you will not get any help from Eritrea that will be able to get you what you want. IN the end there is still time, for what is worth, to start fresh, away from issays and his mid or high level so called generals. And begin a real resistance againstthe tyrant regim of Melese. Same goes to Eritreans, they must stay away from melese if they truly want to get rid of issays, cause melse is not goign to help you guys, you need to do it alone, or better yet, we need to creat a new resistance armed grouop called EEFF (ERITREAN ETHIOPIAN FREDOM FIGHTERS)This new party can work jointly to bring down Melese and Iissays and creat an atmospher where this two people can leave in peace and harmony. So please join me in creating this party as it is the only way forward for the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia to succed in their strugle to a better tomorrow. Stay strong, victory will be ours.
Thank you for your time.
Dear Elias;
You still put the blame squarely on the so-called Colonel named Fitsum.By so doing,you remind me of some die-hard cadres from the Mengistu era who exonerates him and blame all the woes of Ethiopia on his subordinates.There is no blinking the fact that Isais Afeworki never wants to see a strong Ethiopian opposition group that not only removes Woyanne but puts the necessity of Ethiopian unity into the right perspective.
Brother Elias,
You hit the nail on the head when you explain the lack of progress with EPPF in Eritrea. I hope everyone learns something from this lesson expecially those responsible puting our brothers and sisters on danger. We let TPLF and Shabia deceive us again and again and again.
My Friend the war is going to be in South Ethiopia or Addis Abeba. Not in Tigray!
One day they will be transported to the South. No more war in Tigray-Eritrea Border. Our Problem is not Tigray people but WEYANE!
Remove Meles Zenawi!
Do you know the cost of war!
No more war in the North.
No more breeding like dogs in the South while north people suffers!
I strongly believe the colonel in question is doing what the government wants him to do.There is no way he is acting by himself,it just doesn’t make any sense to me that he is left alone to do whatever he wants to do with out his bosses.
This is a big issue for the Eritrean government to just let it go that way.The point is, the Eritrean government doesn’t want to see patriotic opposition elements than surrogate once.I think it is high time for all freedom loving Ethiopians not to be driven by our wishes and invest our energy on other remaining alternatives,however few they might be, to avoid unnecessary sacrifices.
Good news, then there will not be any war, any distabilization.
Strange, very strange. Do you think you are helping to solve the situation? You are becoming part of the problem.
Elias,
Why do you make noise about the colnel? Esayas and his party are runing the show and Fistum is doing his job given by Esayas.
The next 40 comments will be coming from shaebia puppets, advising Elias how to do journalism.
Shaebians stay out of our discussion, and go find the generals that are hiding inside the trenches since badme war.
Your I know it all attitude is disgusting.
This discussion is for Ethiopians.
I am always for the truth. Whether the matter concerns me or not, truth shall always be told. For a serious reader, this story tells many things. Though Elias euphemistically put the blame on a rogue Colonel, there is nothing this colonel can do without the approval of his boss. The state of affairs clearly shows the shitty project the Eritrean government is trying to accomplish in collaboration with their cousin in Ethiopia. They are encouraging an Amara movement and TPDM is the largest and strongest group. They seem also friendly to OLF.
I would like to tell both Shabia and Woyane that though they are emboldened by the so called ‘victory’ against Derg (which by and large should be credited to the Ethiopian people) it doesn’t mean that they will be able to achieve their crazy dreams. Ethiopia will prevail. The world has already seen that you know nothing of development, progress and civilized life, but looting, cheating, and killing. You can’t create wealth with your own effort and creativity, but you must cling to others as blood sucker parasites to survive. That is the fact we witnessed in the past 20 years.
It is against all odds to expect that Isayas Afeworki needs a strong and democratic Ethiopia. All what he wants is a weak and ethnically divided Ethiopia. After all both tyrants either Meles or Isayas care less for their people and country they are supposed to serve or rule.
I think for the above article speaks loud about Ethiopian Review and its founder. No substance, no credible evidence, no new information, full of accusations that do not make sense, no conclusion, absolutely hilarious! – The worst ever article I have read in this site!
God bless Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Kewle
Shabia is not stupid, unlike most of Ethiopian opposition. They know any provocation in the North means a full scale war with Weyane for the last time. They will never risk their own existence for clumsy malfunctioning Ethiopian opposition.
Besides, how would Shabia justify that all or most TPDM are actually Tigrians but not Kebessa Eritreans ?
Opposition should stop the blame game.
Sawa, The cost of the recent Badme war 1998=2000 alone in human terms is more than 70,000 Ethiopian dead. Do not forget the majority who died on that war were from the South. On Christmas war of TPLF with Al Shabab four years ago thousands of IPLF soldiers who died too were from South Ethiopia.
TPLF has brought a lot of war, destruction to South of Ethiopia is that by accident or design ? Maybe as you claim to cut down the high population rate of South, by the way AIDS and starvation is all killing the Southern Ethiopians too.
You must be ashamed of yourself for your hateful rhetoric of the South that has been A GOLD MINE of EFFORT for two decas now. Without South TPLF is dead and surely Ethiopians have to expose and fight exploitation under the cover of Federalism, It is an “FFF” Federalism. Fake and Fools Federalism like the fake animosity between Shabia and TPLF, Yoi can add another F it is all FFFF. F has nothing to do with Freedom.
I really appreciate what Elias Kifle is trying to made a positive change in both Ethiopia and Eritria which are a two faces of a coin for me. In Eritria they have a government whatever policy it follows is an Eritrean government lead by Eritreans. In the case of Ethiopia we have nothing but only enemy. The ruling group in Ethiopia is anti-Ethiopia. Meles and his group from the very beginning until now are anti-Ethiopians and they remained until now. When TPLF was created by EPLF, TPLF was an instrument to weaken Ethiopia. EPLF trained them, indoctrinated them. Especially fortunate for Ethiopia the leaders on the top of both organizations didn’t agree how to manage the power they processed over Ethiopia. I think top leaders of Eritrea are more sensible that the two brotherly people could live together in cooperation not as enemies. Although a fight broad down between this groups because there was and still is a conflict of interests, the common TPLF and EPLF members are still friends and as I could imagine have a kind of communication among them. Col. Fitsom who was maybe is a comrade of TPLF members would not allow their defeat by any Ethiopian national movement like EPPF or Ginbot 7, even not by OLF. Please, let us not be naïve trying to wage a war against Weyane from Eritrea. Start building a strong organization within Ethiopia and integrate it with the Diaspora movement and fight Weyane within Ethiopia.
God bless Ethiopia
Bezabeh Belachew
#6
Can you tell the world the name of one of your leaders in Woyane camp who said that future wars will not affect north of Maichew (he meant Tigray)?
The one and the only reliable option is peacefull stugle.Join MEDREK.
I never thought, even for a second, that Issayas would want to see a strong Ethiopia. I am not sure why you believe that, Elias! Your article clearly demonstrates what I have suspected for a long time. The main problem is Issayas. Please call the spade a spade and get it over with. The colonel that you describe as rogue would not do any thing without Issayas’s nod.
If the armed struggle got problem in Eritria, then which country can be used as a spring board? Kenya, Djbutie are most probably not help full. Sudan, the newly to be formed south Sudan? or Somalia….or what other options are there?
Ok Elias, this type of information on your website is not going to foster any harmony between the Ethioian opposition groups themselves and also with the Eritrean governmnet. It seems to me the Ethiopian opposition groups are now between a rock and hard place, and particularly since they are prone to being infiltrated by Woyane/Alamoudi mafia gang. The strategy must now be changed. Personally, I would not inflame the good relationship that prevailed between Ethiopian opposition groups and the Eritrean government as Eritrean will alwasy and for ever reamins to be our neighbor. I would say let’s revisit the strategy and adjust it according to reality on the ground.
Let’s not give up and also let’s not inflame the current situation. Let’s just huddle up and develop a new and smart strategy to fight the Woyane/Alamoud gand….
The Truth????
Elias,
I wonder how your mind operates? This is not something you can solve by the usual bla bla. You are just like yejib chikul kend yineksal aynet. You have no tactic at all. Your ultimate outcome is always failure. Learn to act wisely.
Dear Elias
I really admire your determination and commitment to fight for the freedom of our people, but sometimes I see you walking around in confusion in your effort to find the right solution. Let me illustrate my point by taking the role of Isayas’s in this story.
First and foremost, we should all acknowledge, even though it is very hard for some, that Isayas is not a mentally balanced individual. Like any other ruler bent on dictating his wish on his subjects, he is as ruthless as they come. This is not a new phenomenon for Isayas, it was just so since he joined the Eritrean struggle in the early 70’s. Thousands of Eritreans have been murdered for standing up to him even within the EPLF. There is no other option as far as Isayas’ is concerned except his own way. That’s why you don’t hear of any opposition inside Eritrea because Isayas does not approve of that. Millions of Eritreans have bought his lies and worshipped him believing he will lead them into the promised land; and it was only a matter of time before everything turned into a fantasy. Eritreans are now running away from their home and seeking refuge everywhere, de ja vu all over again. And what was the cause of all this? There might be other valid answers, but what is very clear is that some of us are not looking the reality as it is presented but projecting our own fantasy in hopes of getting into the promised land.
Elias, I am sorry to say, but Isayas played a nice trick on you as well he did on millions of his own people. He played you like a fiddle and you took all the crap and crowned him man of the year for your website because you believed the end of Woyane is through him. But let me give you a brief about the position of Isayas on Ethiopia and hopefully it will change your mind about what needs to done and search other options rather than trying to justify and find meaning in everything Isayas does.
1. Isayas is an absolute dictator; he is the head of the only party in town; he is the head of everything in Eritrea, period. The colonel is just taking orders from the boss and, Elias, the sooner you believe that, I believe the fewer headaches for you as well.
2. Isayas has never been a friend of Ethiopia anytime in his life and I don’t believe he will start to be one anytime soon. In the 70’s, EPRP did everything to appease and support him in his cause and he did everything to destroy it in return. Isayas had the opportunity to bring peace and stability to the whole region when he brought down the Derge with the TPLF, but instead, he chose to steal everything in his sight and send it to Eritrea. And that was not even for him, he tried to control everything and lost the fight.
3. Isayas instigated wars among all his neighbors as the first order of business when he separated from Ethiopia. The Sudan, Yemen, Djibouti, Ethiopia were at the receiving end of this adventure; and everyone knows what he did in Somalia. The Sudan and the Arabs (Yemen) provided all the support that Isayas needed when he was in the jungle and look how he wanted to treat them as soon as he sat in the throne. If this is the way he treats his friends who were at his side during his needs, what kind of treatment do you think is in store for his Ethiopian friends? We have already seen part one of that when he had the opportunity, what is the reason now to give him a second chance?
4. Right now, Isayas and his group, are very close to being out casted as a rogue regime by the international community because of his role in the Somali quagmire. And Eritrea is on the verge of total collapse because of economic problems and social disharmony. Isayas may be a luny, but he is not a fool; he does not want to see any additional problems and add to his misery. Therefore, helping EPPF, Ginbot7 and OLF is not at the top of his agenda if ever at all.
I could go on and on and write why it is not a right course of action to make alliance with Issayas, but Elias, you have to make the hard decisions yourself and find the place where the light is shining. I believe you made your choice in desperation and haste the first time around, and it is my hope that you do not make the same mistake again.
The problem are for a few time and we can solve soon between two sides. But don’t give to Woyane a chance. hell no. We know there are many Woyannes here to hear any bad news from the two front. My idea is it is not time to fight to Woyane in that area but by west and east then at last in north then no way out for Woyane. He will out as he was.
While, the diplomacy is accetable, the reality is only ‘alsheshum zewer alu’. Col. Fistum has no aothrity by himself. Let alone a government like that of Essayas’s any organization has a chain of command rule. He could do something a one time or two time action without the consent of his boss but not so many things for so many lenth of time. But keep on blaming the colonel for a while. Ther is no use to include Essayas in the blame game. But we should not forget the reality.
I bet the Eritreans are not clueless in what they are doing. Whatever they do, they have Eritrea’s interest at the center. One point is to raise their bargaining chips/power higher and save their chips for an ideal time. Now they may think that the political situation is not a time when you just send the soldiers you have accumulated to perish in the objective situation. TIMING is of the essence. The fact that you have many soldiers does not mean you run berserk and finish them off without the ideal political, military and …situations. So let’s not be quick to say that numbers equal victory. TIMING and COORDINATING WITH OBJECTIVE REALITY MATTER.
I really appreciate Elias’s vigilance and purposeful communication.
I also appreciate his daring initiation of relationship forming with the good Eritrea in order to strengthen the Ethiopian opposition on the basis of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” as well as dealing with each other for the advancement of each party’s own mutual interests.
To be fair, ERitrea is in the relationship simply to promote its own Eritrean national interests while Elias and the Ethiopian oppositions are also in the relationships in order to advance their own national interests. That is really normal and is a globally practiced political strategy between nations and governments across the planet.
In reality however, the one most benefiting from such relationships is the one least dependent and more powerful on the other. In these sense, there is no question that Eritrea as a state and host to all of these opposition groups is the one most powerful and least dependent on its guests. These condition of least dependency and and having the boss relationship over the guest oppositions allows Eritrea to pursue its own unilateral national agenda at the complete expenses of the guest opposition groups. The more all of these opposition groups are dominated, dictated and, heated hot and bent to the unilateral interests of the Eritreans, the more they become powerless and frustrated and keep divided and conducting factional internal battles while losing their original visions and missions.
To really dream for an organized strong norther army coming to conduct a successful battle against the Wayane dictatorship with the help of Eritrea is a strategy doomed from the start. Eritrea does not want Wayane to lose power but wants that Wayane changes its unfriendly Eritrean policy to that of friendly policy and joint ruler ship of Ethiopia. And for that, Eritrea needs to keep up the ever present threat of the opposition being completely under the control of the Eritrean leadership.
I like Eritrea and the Eritrean leadership as well as the fact that it is also taking care of the Eritrean interests in the best ways it knows.
With the same logic, I also like all those opposition groups who are committed to replace the brutal human rights violating and impoverishing Wayane dictatorship with out the undue and all encompassing Eritrean interferences meant to use the opposition as mere useless bargaining CHIP for the advancement of the unilateral Eritrean national interest rather than the advancement of balanced mutual interests.
HERE COMES THE QUESTION OF BALANCE OF POWER!
Under the circumstance, Elias need not be soft and silent, otherwise his voice will be swallowed in silence with no much fuss while the other party will get away with its plan with out any opposition and exposition even during this golden days of information and telecommunication technology revolution.
The fair condition in the relationship is if Eritreans are prevented from too much interference and dictating terms and conditions of the struggle to their own national benefits alone when the opposition gains practically nothing out of it even after years of residence in Eritrea. Fore sure fragmented, bickering , blind and power thirsty parochial opposition groups are also partly to blame.
To counter balance the whole northern dilemma which in my opinion will only get worse as time passes by whether Elias talks about it discretely or publicly, is to try to base the struggle inside the country, away from the direct foreign influence, specially from the south. To do that, one needs to form discrete alliances, negotiations and unity within diversity, etc.
Otherwise, if you keep doing what you have always been doing, you will also keep getting what you have always been getting.
Elias, where is Issyas when all these going on under his nose? He gets involved in simple Ethiopian affair but this too big to ignore. The arest and abuse came from top not from a low ranking Colonel.
#22 said it all “Let’s revisit the strategy and adjust it according to the reality on the ground “
Elias, please stop making a fool of yourself in an attempt to cover up your loss in the power struggle between the lap top fighters like you and the real EPPF fighters in the field. To anyone with half a brain it is comical to read your constant blame of a “rogue colonel”. You are using this deceptive argument to cover up the fact that you refused to go back to the field when EPPF leadership asked you and your diaspora “lap top warrior” colleagues to abide by their rules. What you have been posting lately is nothing more than sour grapes and it is making you look even more pathetic.
Now you are trying to implicate TPDM for no reason at all, yes TPDM is the most organized and most effective anti-Woyanne force in the north of Ethiopia, all anyone has to do is go to demhit.com and judge for yourself if TPDM is as bad as Elias is making them out to be. I am starting to wonder if Elias was ever genuine about his political activities in the last two years. Now we know Elias is no better than most Ethiopian elite in the diaspora, who make a whole lot of noise from behind their computer screens but would never dare fight among their people inside Ethiopia.
for many ethiopians we rather see weyane or who ever is ruling ethiopia to continue than those who work with ethiopia sworn enemy shabia.
shame on ginbot 7. this is the first confession exposing their relationship with isayas afewerk and shabia.
Elias,
How the hell do think Shabia will assist Ethiopian unity? They are the very reason for the creation of TPLF and the demise of Ethiopian unity. Do you know Col. Fitum is on the pay roll of Weyane. In my view it is utter foolishness to trust Shabia. A true opposition group must be in a position to bleed Shabia and Weyane at the same time.
Hell and destruction to Shabia and Weyane!
Elias the Laptop warrior!
keep typing! toothless with confused identity!
elias, remember # 1 enemy of ethiopian & eritrean people is weyane. you must focus.
together we must defeat weyane/tplf.
weyane is # 1 enemy of eritrean & ethiopian people.
Brother Elias, you shouldn’t engage on any kind of behind the countrer discussion or agreements that are proven to fail on the cost of our people. That will be another betrayal to the Ethiopian people. The minute you start distancing yourself and tell the naked reallity about dictator Isayas, a fresh and united resistance will be started from North to south and East to west that can destroy the two dictators.
As commenter #3 has clearly put it, isayas is using our fighters for his political consumption to hide the blood on his hands and the capital crimes he has been engaged and still doing it on the Eritrean people just to stay in power. Isayas will keep using our fighters for this purpose and keep humiliating, dividing and killing them so that they will not be a real threat to meles not because he wants meles to continue but for his own existence. He knows it very well what meles is waiting, either it be from the north, south, east or west, any meaningful attack or threat on meles by any group supported by isayas will give him the altimate approval to go after isayas and remove him from power in a matter of hours if not minutes. Meles has most of the Eritrean people on his side to do the trick, 100,000 young eritreans on the name of refugees, thousands joining every month and hundreds of opposition parties in Ethiopia waiting terribley for that majic day.
He is just waiting for a good opportunity to win the international community so that he can do what ever he wanted and not being questioned as usual as he did in Somalia.
So knowing these realities and already speaking on the ground, waiting for a miracle not very different to waiting a calf from an ox especially at a cost of human life will be a terrible mistake for Elias to associate with.
In simple and cleat words, isayas is another body-guard of meles. He is shitting in his pants and will work day and night against any potential threat to meles, at the same time keeping the eritrean people hostage as he is still fighting with a bigger enemy for their good and wants them to stay in a house arrest until he die, for the next 3 to 4 decades as he openly said it.
Brother Elias, appologies for repeating myself, just edited a misspelling and added a bit to it.
Happy Holydays to you and your families.
Dr. Bekagn Alegezam has really outlined in his comments the reasons why Isayas is doing what he is doing and the poor colonel is just a simple soldier performing a duty that is assigned to him by his boss. Isayas is merciless and this issue is his bargaining chip and nothing happens with out his knowledge. Probably Elias is trying hard not to start a full blown accusation but to kind of warn the Eritrean leader. Elias please go back and look at the interview you did with Isayas and read his face. You will get your answer. Welcome back to the U.S.A. though. I am glad that he didn’t make you one of his bargaining chips. I was really worried about you.
There is a lot to learn from this recent debacle. And in the process for Ethiopians to re-think and lay down a working strategy than attempt a failed strategy.
Armed struggle in this day and age is quite different than armed struggle over 20 years ago. Times have changed and the so-called “cold war’ is over and done. We are in a new era of globalization, where is a new ‘world order’ is in place.
As a result, it is very hard for any group to successfully wage and launch an effective armed struggle. First and foremost, it is hard to get the necessary arms and military assistance, say, by a major power as in case of the cold war era. The TPLF and EPLF were lucky fighting the Derg, because the era was so ideal for armed struggle. That objective reality and condition does not exist now. Hence, armed struggle is quite different and not as conducive as it used to be.
I am not saying armed struggle is impossible, what I am saying it is way harder than it is used to be over 20-25 years ago.
To add insult to injury, the current armed struggle is based in the borders of an enemy territory making it more complicated and complex in nature.
In my opinion, an effective struggle is to re-think the whole struggle and utilize other means and perform that means by taking the struggle away from enemy territory. There is nothing better than conducting an independent and free struggle, no matter how many years it takes. Being at the mercy of your host country (and a host country that is really the enemy)is not what I call a free and independent struggle. So, the opposition patriots are between a rock and hard place.
Elias why not go to Eritrea and ask all these to the Eritrean president.Lets hear what he has to say.This colenel needs to be removed.I’m pretty sure Esaias was genuinly concerned about the progress of the Ethiopian oppostion groups and want to see a united Ethiopia regardless of the perception to the contrary
Elias!!!
Thank you for speaking the truth. You were accused of being pro Eritrean by the supporters of Ethiopian government but your recent articles show that you neutral and always searching for the truth.
God Bless You
Happy New Year!!!
Selam my internet warriors. You guys seem ready to fight to the last drop of someone else’s blood.When are you going to stop this foolishness and work for the interest of the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea and stop salivating for more blood. Just the fact that the freaking LFs think Mr.Esayas will support a real Ethiopian opposition is a contradiction in terms.I feel very hopeful in the fact that the old guard and all the LF’s are dying off and a new generation, free of baggage, will rule the future Ethiopia and Eritrea.I suggest all you old folks in here worry about your retirement situation and health-care issues and leave the next generation of Ethiopians and Eritreans to map out a positive future, free of animosity, where they can work and live together as neighbors/brothers for the benefit of both peoples. Happy New year to all my Ethiopian & Eritrean brothers and sisters, Let there be a lasting peace and prosperity for our peoples.
Well-once your start reducling yourself , you might go all the way as well! That is exactly what Elaise is doing. He started on a wrong note and now he is on slippery slop of misinformation. For intensive purposes , he is now offically infecte3d with Solomon Tekalgne Virus. EPPF failed because of its internal problems. Elaise knows it very well! How many times EPPF went reformation under Eliase’s watch and what were the problems….Now blaming Eritrea for EPPF’s ineffectivness is unfair and it only shows Elaise’s 180 degree shift toward the camp of Belay of Ethio-Media!
Elaise self-appointed himself to be spokesman for OLF,Ginbot 7 and other opposition groups now he added new task to his porotofilio and that is to be TPDM’s spokesperson and talk onbehalf of MOla Aghedom…it is indeed laughable!!Well what can I say Elaise is going through dangerous downward spiral..it was kinjit, hailushwel, now is Eritrea:-) Can we see any pattern here:-) the man is devoid of any political skill!! He is now burning the last bridge!!
@Dr Bekagn Alegezam……..
It’s quite to the contrary of your thinking actually. Weyane k OSS fully well that if a war erupted again, it would be the end of weyane….weyane couldn’t do it even in May 2000 despite the fact that Eritrea handicapped itself by declaring that it won’t fire the first bullet…… Which gave a massive military advantage to the marauding weyane only two days prior to the general election. Despite armed to the teeth & supplied with US satellite intelligent, weyane couldn’t achieve its stated aim. Believe you me, Dr….. This time it’s a different kettle of fish & you can bet your bottom dollar that shaebia will put your weyane in its place & finish it off. Put that in your pipe & smoke it, mate.
Eritrea fought in a barren desert & built underground facilities( schools, hospitals… In fact for your info the largest ventilated undergroun. Hospital in the world- it’s a fact….. & little factories, pharmacies & improvised radio station) but the EPPF, OLF, ONLF & TPDM can have its headquarters in but since you lot have a large space of jungle & forests inside Ethiopia …… Which can be used as the perfect hiding place for the gorrilla warefare against Weyane & its mig jets, your fighting commands need to be based in your land while continuing to engage & treat your mistreated people who would treat you & give you logistic support in return. But there is nobody who would show courage & brVery to sacrifice except OLF & ONLF.
Need a real soul searching…… Instead of jumping to shift the blame everywhere but yourselves. I hope we get to the bottom of this story.
@Elias
you told us of How you were impressed by TPDM and finally you made a conclusion based on your assumpton that you claimed to have read it from their face. All I say is…..more psychic Power to you, mate.
just a few weeks a go there was a post in front page about 74 Ethiopians were kill or harassed by Kenya. On this post you have 5 comment in almost 2weeks. So my question is don’t you care about the Oromo people to express youe concerns!! the some reaction with Ogaden, or other part of ETHIOPIA where ethiopians are killed and burn a life, however, you people cry like a bitch where eppf this and that . So, who is dividing ETHIOPIA , you amhara hudmoss liers and gut less cowerds , ethiopia to you is amhara ah!!!, now you bring us anther coffie talk that you cooked with your good friend BEN. what a human wast you are!!!!!!
O my brothers, it is so sad to see, how people have totally fail to see the reality on the ground. I tried to make it simpler before but the more I think about it, I think I should make it even simpler, so I am going to tell it like a child story, may be then People would realize the reality on the ground. A long long time ago, there was a man, who young, frail looking studying at the university of Addis Abeba 4 killo to be exact. this man was about 20 years old, shy very shay actually in appearance, who wouldn’t even utter a word among other students, though he was an engieenering student, he was bussy reading books that had to do with commusinm and social justice bla bla, filled his head with every thing what he thought was the right way for a society to be, and as he looked at the government, he saw the monarch system, he was very disgusted by it, why the kings lived like that while He had and others had to live poor, so his anger starts to build within him and when he was 3rd year student, his greads were failing as he was perocupied with this thoughts about revoution and ant-monarch sentiment, he unexpectedly droped college, and went back to his origin of province Eritrea, then finally joined a resistance group then lead by mouslim leaders. the resistance group he joind were happy with him, cause he knew how to read and write in english and was from the Christian background so they quickly made him commander of the chirsitan group, they though doing will help bring more christaians to join their group, they even sponsored him and sent him to china for 3 years military and communisim indoctrination, well he was on the edge but in china they did a number of brain washing on him. filled with all the hate for imperialisim and its way of life style, this young man returned to his armed resistance group, and he started teaching his theories, cause no on would listen to him, cause it was coming in direct conflict with the mouslims way of thinking, he had to separt from them and created his own party, well luck was on his side, he succeeded in deafting the mouslim group and created one party system, but he then quickly realized to bring his dream to reality, he needed a party from with in Ethiopia to help and advance his cause, not just for that time, but for the time after he liberated his country. after looking at all the different resistance group of the time, he set his eyes on TPLF, but the leaders of TPLF were not kind to him and were not following his prinicples so he found a young man ambitious of power and one that is filled with greed to no end, and to boo, he is half eritrean, he couldn’t have been any luckier in his life, that was the day ISSAYS met MELESE his life time friend and progedy. Issayas asked melese what it is the most he would like in his life, Melese replied I like to have lots of money, lots of every thing, the more issays knew melese, the more he realized that, to advance his cause no just for then but for ever, he knew there couldn’t be any better person than this man who was filled with an absloute greed. So this two men agreed for a life time partner ship, but and formed their alliance, again here I want you guys to know, this TWO MEN MED THE ALLIANCE not the parties or the people, THE TWO INDIVIDUALS, cause both had their own agenda, one driven by ultimate greed the other by failed commuisist idiologies. So long story short, they managed to make it and come to power and got rid of DERG, now while in power, life was so good, untill the group with in the TPLF woke up to what MElese was about, and start to question some of his policy and agendas, plus some also has been eying the priminstership for themselves, so melese knowing he was in trouble called his big brother issays, and advised him on the issue. Issays also told him, some of his party memebers have been sort of acting out and the people were not as he invistiond the country was gona be run, with an abosloute socialist program, for he had said to him self, socialism will work if it had a leader that knew and commited itslf to the principles of socialisim so he was out to prove the world that he was different than rusia or any other country for that matter, that was his delusion of grandiose which makes him think like that, any way, the only way out, melese tells him, you need to pretend you are attacking me,and will peretend we are going to war, ofcourse you can imiagin issays was very woried that, this might turn in to real war and might bring the end of his regim, but Melese convinced him it was just going to be a skrimish like the one you did with yemen, and dejbouti or sudan, just skrimish. well guys you know what happend there, it turned out to be a full scale war, that was becuase melese lost control, and his party memebers such as Esseye aberha and others, used the opportunty to get rid of issays and letter to get rid of melse, cause they found out the truth, well unforuntately, as you know the devil is always with his kids, on the 11th hr, Melese was able to save his big brother issays, after all, poor issays only started the war thinking it was gona be a minor skrimish, he had no knowledge of what the others had plan in store for him. But in the end, it ended up being more than they had ever dreamt off, cause Melese got rid of EVERY ELEMENT in his group, that threatend or even spoke badly of issays, well Issays for his part got rid of every element that had cohorted with this group of TPLF memebers to get rid of him, now the two men in total control of their party, had a final meeting, in this meeting, remembring their days of strugle, they once again agreed to forment their friendship for life and do what ever it takes to stay in power. NOW both realize they need each other, and the only way is, to stay in power, they have to create this no war no peace plan. This time issays asked melese a favor, you just have to seat and park your solidgers in badme, melese was reluctant to do that, cuase we are talking about over 200 thousand solidgers doing nothing, just seating getting paid, this will bleed the ethiopian economy, cause this solidgres are not really needed, plus melese can’t use assab as port for a while, this also will bleed the economy even more, so this was very difficult thing to accept, but knowing the fact that the war issays did as a favor, that was suppose to be skrimish almost coasted issays life, plus there was an incident that took in 1996, where issays came to visit melese and on his way home, his plan was set on fire, and had to made emergency landing, first issays thought it was melese but later the two found out it was actually the group of TPLF memebers that wanted to get rid of issays in coordination with the groups of Eritreans that Issays fired from his party. So melese felt bad that twice issays almost gave his life for him and for the cause, so he said, okay, okay to bleeding his country economy to help a friend. So guys there you have it, there friendship is deep, they will do any thing for each other. Once the no war no peace plan was agreed up on, the rest was just propaganda and make belive, Issays orderd the governement controled media to talk garabage on melese, while pertending to help this oppostion grouop, but in reality what he does is, give proper info back to melese, I will end this letter by giving you one information you have never heard before. When ginbot7 was created and they wanted some help with Eritrea, issays found out the list of their members back in ethiopia, ginbot7 thinking issays were their friend, gave him a list, to let him know they had help inside ethiopia, well, issays didn’t even last 24 hr he made a call out to melese and gave him the list, the next day 60 people in cluding high offical genearals and bussiness men in Ethiopoia were arrested and most are langusishing in prison and some have been sentenced to death. So my friends the friendship of issays and melese is much deeper than what you people think, and they will succed to stay in power as long as, this and other secertes are out in public, and to see us divided is the only way for them to stay in power, that is why i sugested and i continue to encourage Ethiopians and Eritreans alike, your enemies are TWO individuals, MELESE and ISSAYS, this two people, have outsmarted 90 million people and stayed in power for this long, well we can’t let them get away with this for another year. We must unite and take action. first and formost we must change our way of thinking, there is no SHABIA there is really no WOYANE, there is only ISSAYS AND MELESE that is it, the rest are just means to an end, where the two dictators use to stay in power. And we the people keep arguing about this or that and fight with each other, it is really this simple, i know many people don’t belive what I write here, but it is the truth and you have to see beyound the box to understand the danger we are facing, this two men made their pat 30 years ago, and they stayed with their plan, to the tea. What about US, can we make a pat to unite, get rid of this dictators and creat a harmony to our people, or are we going to be an instrument for this two dictators, i encourage any one with any information of secerte meeting of issays and melese to come forward and share with us, any thing you heard seen, is helpful, the truth must come out, victory in the end is ours!!!! KEEP THE STRUGLE ALIVE, stay focouse, for our enemeies (ISSAYS AND MELSE) have done their homework and have perfected the art of dividing us and rulling us, we must also do our homework, organize and take control of what is ours!!!!!!! happy new year to every one!!!!
That colonel is an obedient guy… So Elias, plz don’t be harsh on him.
Dr Beqagn:
You must be a clawn with your vision of EEFF lool
In the first place if the armed opposition groups launch offensive against woyane from whrever they are they will be supported by Ethiopians in urban and rural areas and it shall not be an easy fight for woyane to win.
Second if Meles Zenawi declares all out war on Eritrea the people of Ethiopia wont be behind him. The Ethiopian people have burned their fingers by the devastating war at Badime Tsorena. After sacrificing 100 000 compatriots and and 3 million dollar a day to wage the senseless war we ended up in nothing. Badime is now Eritrean land. So Dr do you think the Ethiopian people shall be dragged to war willingly. Never! Not even the army . Besides WOYANE does not have the luxury to spend millions on Arms from the meger foreign currency reserve.
My advice to those who have sheltered in Eritrean land should fight for their independant management of their own affairs. Shabya is evil by nature never trust it If you could mange your affairs by yourselves. If they deny you this right please leave to other countries and seek safe heaven in other countries. You can at least fight woyane freely be it in cyber or what have you That is much better than stinking in Eritrea in shelters and give free service. Even if a small scale war ignites tetween the two evil governments you innocent people could be used as buffer for shabya.
Eliase you are doing good job keep up the research till the tru story is revealed.
To many Ethiopians who have come in contact with Shabia jevha and weyane have never been deceived by the current news.They deemed it unworthy ,from the get go,to lean on the arm of Shabia to take out melese.Simple examination of to their secret records could have been a warning sign the utter impossibility of such prospect. The two fronts conceived and executed have fought hand in hand in order to execute their shared political vision and current geo-political orientation to the region.
To this end they used everything to turn the balance of power their favour.They even manage to deceived other Ethiopians in to believing that after the removal of Derg democracy will user in the country. If Ethiopians remain suspicious without faltering to the hidden agenda of the two fronts, there is no reason to believe that the two fronts could make it beyond the Tekeze River. Their motive left unchecked, through deceit they managed to forge their power along Ethiopians. Their by thwarting ability of the Ethiopian Army to resist as propaganda coming from the fronts led the public to believe the rural Ethiopians are against the Dreg and in favor of the shifts.
What else is there. It is said, “Blood is thicker than water “For years EPLF,had problem of forming Eritrian united resistance against Ethiopia.Eritria was represented by several factions,EPLF,ELF,EPLF-R.C led by Sabae.
For years the purpose of Shabia’s I.A is to eliminate the two fronts and to make EPLF the sole Erotrian voice.Hence the civil war between the two fronts. So much so Derg was able to arrange his encirclement against the fronts while they are in the midst of their own war. Thanks to the assistance of TPLF Elf has been annihilated by the two fronts.
You ask why? because the two have same objective. One can’t think terms of forming alliance with malignant Shabia ,in good conscious,in order to anahilate weyane.One has to be brain dead to entertain such anidea.Some deceived souls still think in termes of Eritrian/Ethiopian Democratic forces,I am against this one too.Etjhiopia alone on her own will stand against the enemy.How? I shall answer that one in the next message.