In this month’s issue we present Sultan Ali Mirha. He is currently one of the most intriguing political leaders in Ethiopia. The article about the Sultan is intended to introduce him to our readers. In a future issue we shall present articles which discuss other issues concerning the Afar people and the Sultan’s role in Ethiopian national and regional politics.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the past few months some of ER’s readers have asked us where the magazine stands on the important issues facing Ethiopia. As a publication, ER doesn’t take any side on any issue. ER is a forum for all Ethiopians despite their social, economic, political or other views. It is a stage where various viewpoints and issues concerning Ethiopians are discussed. ER believes that tolerance of unorthodox and even disagreeable views is necessary to advance the cause of intellectual freedom and free speech.

Ideas are indeed powerful; but their power rests in their ability to move the listener. Weak ideas fail for lack of merit; and the better ones prevail because they address some aspect of the social or political reality and in a unique way captivate the listener.

Debate in the open forum will always expose the fraudulent and harmful ideas. In the final analysis, our belief is that only the individual is singularly competent to pass judgment on the merits. A statesman from an earlier generation once observed: “Everyone is in favor of free speech … but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage.”

Elias Kifle
MANAGING EDITOR