By TOBIAS HAGMANN | New York Times
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA — Next time I travel to Ethiopia, I may be arrested as a terrorist. Why? Because I have published articles about Ethiopian politics.
I wrote a policy report on Ethiopia’s difficulties with federalism. I gave a talk in which I questioned Ethiopia’s May 2010 elections, in which the ruling EPRDF party (Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front) won 545 out of 547 seats in the Parliament. As part of my ongoing research on mass violence in the Somali territories, I interviewed members of the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a separatist rebel group in eastern Ethiopia that the government has designated as a terrorist organization.
In the eyes of the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, my work is tantamount to subversion. Not only do his officials have zero tolerance for criticism, they consider people who either talk to or write about the opposition as abetting terrorists.
In recent years the government has effectively silenced opposition parties, human rights organizations, journalists and researchers. On June 27 a federal court convicted the journalist Eskinder Nega and 23 opposition politicians for “participation in a terrorist organization.” More than 10 other journalists have been charged under an anti-terrorism law introduced in 2009. Among them are two Swedes, Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, who are serving an 11-year prison sentence in Ethiopia. Hundreds of opposition supporters languish in prisons for exercising the very democratic rights that the Ethiopian Constitution nominally protects.
Most people outside Ethiopia associate the country with famine and poverty. They know little about the country’s history and politics — for example that Ethiopia was never colonized, or that it has Africa’s second biggest population. Nor are they aware that Ethiopia is a darling of the donor community, receiving more aid than any other African country. Over the past year alone, the U.S. Agency for International Development has given Ethiopia $675 million in aid. The United States closely collaborates with Ethiopia in covert missions against radical Islamists in neighboring Somalia.
Much of this support comes from the portrayal of Ethiopia as a strong and stable government in a region riddled with political upheaval. The problem, however, is that Ethiopia is plagued by too much state control.
When EPRDF came to power in 1991, it promised to democratize the country. Two decades later the party has a tight grip on all public institutions, from the capital to remote villages. Formally a federal democracy, Ethiopia is a highly centralized one-party state. No independent media, judiciary, opposition parties or civil society to speak of exist in today’s Ethiopia. Many of the country’s businesses are affiliated with the ruling party. Most Ethiopians do not dare to discuss politics for fear of harassment by local officials.
As I found out in dozens of interviews with Ethiopian Somalis, security forces indiscriminately kill, imprison and torture civilians whom they suspect of aiding Ogaden rebels.
How have donors who fund about one third of Ethiopia’s budget and many humanitarian programs reacted to this? They haven’t. They not only continue to support the Ethiopian government but in recent years have increased their aid. The West, most prominently the United States and the European Union, have concluded a strange pact with Meles Zenawi: So long as his government produces statistics that evince economic growth, they are willing to fund his regime — whatever its human rights abuses.
This policy is wrong, shortsighted and counterproductive. It is wrong because billions in Western tax money are spent to support an authoritarian regime. It is shortsighted because it ignores the fact that the absence of basic rights and freedoms is one of the reasons Ethiopians are so poor. It is counterproductive because many Ethiopians resent the unconditional aid and recognition given to their rulers. In Ethiopia — and also in Rwanda and Uganda — the West is once again making the mistake of rewarding stability and growth while closing its eyes to repression.
({www:Tobias Hagmann specializes in East African politics. He is a visiting scholar at the Department of Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley}.)
22 thoughts on “USA-EU’s strange pact with Ethiopia’s dictator (New York Times)”
Good article.) I think much has writen about the tplf occupation of ethiopia and at the end of the final anylisis, however, the only viable solution for us is to engage Meles and the adwa mercerneries the language they fear most … with armed struggle. the rest is rubbish. Right now, there is road and other construction of 20 billion birr in tigray, this amount even excell the amara oromo and the south development project combined. So do not blame aiga for its full support of tplf …they know thier beloved tigray is fed on the loot of ethiopia. They don’t want to loose that bounty. however, history teach us that at the end of the day a minority loose and price of the loss is high. see to sadam, Gadafi and al assad of soriya.
The western blindness to the abuse will hunt them later. They are supporting few dictators but they lose millions on the way and thier evil stratagy will collapse.
After two decades on the throne with no real threat or opposition, Meles Zenawi desired elevation to the status of Cuba’s Fidel Castro, an invincibility that comes with longevity and cockiness. It explains why he arrested the Swede journalists. The Westerns never forget, as evidence in their “long arm of justice” and “justice will be done” remarks. The chimps from East Africa (Mengistu & Meles) never figured it. Mengistu ranted about Imperialism and Meles crossed the line when he arrested two white guys thinking, in that bad imagination of his, that he was absolutely a sovereign, a Chavez. In the end, it was the Westerns who turned the table on each. Meles would never link the the case of the Swedes with Esknder Nega. The Irony is that both Mengistu’s and Meles’ undoings by the Westerners were for minor and trivial offenses. In other words, the iradication of M&M by the West were not really over the killings, looting, raping etc., but for disrespecting their masters. True sovereignty? Duro Kere!
Mamo replies:
July 11th, 2012 at 5:43 PM
Your dictator is falling right infront of your eyes and all you can say is that. I am enjoying it very much.
Aha replies:
July 12th, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Annonymus
Duro Yekerew your narrow view new, I give zenawi a maximum of half a year if he survives his chronic sickness of the time,and Ethiopias souvernity will be very much bigger than ever and those proxy slaves like zenawi will never ever see this proud nation again after pay back
in a civilized grand Ethiopian court and there after Den Hague ICC, and i advice you to stay tuned.
What else is new. Obama is the worst of all. He fooled a lot of people with his, Yes we can, catch phrase. I hope he loses. He betrayed Ethiopia and all Africans. And again, America’s policy hardly change when it comes to their interest. It makes sense and clear now, it is better USA government doest like you than loves you. I hope the next gov be independent of the WEST.
Regards,
I will start to believe when the billions of dollars given to the dictator are denied and given directly to the people in need. And all economic data is calculated with the aid taken into account. As long as the vicious cycle of aid->economic growth ->aid is there to help the tyrant in power, these articles amount to nothing more than intellectual exercises.
Thank you, Tobias. The consequence of US/EU policy is to radicalize us Ethiopians the 2nd time and possibly creating a new front for extreme politcs including anti-US, anti-EU true terrorism. The more the West supports the Tigrian minority killers, the more the nation is falling into violence and chaos. Such is the wisdom of the west – unimaginable stupidity!
Mr. Hagman of the New York Times has let the cat out of the bag. He has exposed the love affair between the West and the Government of Meles Zenawi. Meles can kill 200 Ethiopians at will or dispossess hundreds of thousands indigenous people from their land and he will still receive more aid from the West.
There is no doubt that if Mr. Hagmann goes to Ethiopia he will be jailed for interviewing someone from the Ogaden, even if the person is not from a rebel group. Any person who has an unfavorable view of, or criticizes Meles Zenawi’s government, risks being jailed under some fictitious laws, or else he will most likely be sent out of the country within 24 hours.
Ethiopians no longer wonder about the strange relationships of the US and the EU, especially of the UK, with Meles Zenawi. Ethiopians have pleaded with the West to re-examine their relationship with the TPLF government, but to no avail. What really pisses us off here in the West is that our tax dollars/euros are funding the autocratic rule of Meles Zenawi. To us Ethiopians, this is tantamount to giving Stalin, the former Russian dictator, the funds needed to support his authoritarian rule. This strange relationship between the West and Meles is also a form of ‘colonization’ by proxy. The Ethiopian people are like pawns in a Chess game, disposable by Meles and the West.
What’s the news? Americans suppport a puppet third world dictator and ignore how he and his people repress the country and rob its people. Meles is developing Tigray at expense of rest of Ethiopia and America has a reliable puppet.
There is no news here folks.
Elias! keep hummering the scumbacks of earth weyanes maffia family; including while they are being taken care by their masters West in Intecive Care Unit-ICU. I can see peace and tranquility in the horizon in the whole region of Africa ones these scumbacks are eradicated from the face of the planet and the rest being sent back to their aiga jungle. Finally I hope Melese/legesse/abebe and his boss Mebrahtu G/hiwot chained together by the true Ethiopian authorities and serve time in the same cell.
“Most people outside Ethiopia associate the country with famine and poverty. They know little about the country’s history and politics — for example that Ethiopia was never colonized, or that it has Africa’s second biggest population. Nor are they aware that Ethiopia is a darling of the donor community, receiving more aid than any other African country.”
They know little about the history of Queen Sheba or about Kingdom of Axum or the only African country having own language and writing systems to give more examples.
Ethiopia has an amazing history and culture but has been poorly managed by fallible leaders for the past 37 years who have brought down the country to get associated with famine and poverty.
Yes! we all are Eskinder Negas and Abebe Gellaws. We are True Ethiopians and speak Truth to power… Eskinder and Menelik II are Tikur Sew. Because they are honorable men who honored their country and need to be always honored and be given the most coveted name “Tikur Sew” – thanks to our incisive music Guru – the Beloved Teddy Afro for coining the term.
Yes Tikur Sew is truly revolutionary and fights Bandas any where and every where ! Menelik did it in Adwa. Eskinder did it in Addis and Abebe did it in Washington DC. Reagan Building with style.
Yes Mr. Tobias Hagmann – you can pass as Tikur Sew if you consistently press and uncover the true intent of the West in East Africa vis a vis the hidden agenda of the “Ferenjis-the whiteman” which is being implemented by the so-called The Iluminati and the minority local mercenary bandas who masquerade as “leaders” of Ethiopia.
The long arm of history is haunting Imperialism in East Africa. Sir FYI the most sensibly radical anti-imperialist movement was fomented in Berkeley decades ago and the question of ethnicism and the national question was studied and long burried before the new renegade “leaders” came to the political scene with the help of the CIA, the Rand Corporation think-thank and the EU support. We can go on and on and discuss the fate of the reactionary forces in Ethiopia and East Africa at length. They are doomed to fail sooner or later.
But for the time being it will be a rewarding and honorable exercise on your part to connect the dots and reveal the true western plot in the spirit of journalistic integrity – like Eskinder and Abebe – defying fear and inviting Arrest. Then and then only can we call you Tikur Sew.
Yes! we all are Eskinder Negas and Abebe Gellaws. We are True Ethiopians and speak Truth to power… Eskinder and Menelik II are Tikur Sew. Because they are honorable men who honored their country and need to be always honored and be given the most coveted name “Tikur Sew” – thanks to our incisive music Guru – the Beloved Teddy Afro for coining the term.
Yes Tikur Sew is truly revolutionary and fights Bandas anywhere and everywhere ! Menelik did it in Adwa. Eskinder did it in Addis and Abebe did it in Washington DC. Reagan Building with style.
Yes Mr. Tobias Hagmann – you can pass as Tikur Sew if you consistently press and uncover the true intent of the West in East Africa vis a vis the hidden agenda of the “Ferenjis-the whiteman” which is being implemented by the so-called The Iluminati and the minority local mercenary bandas who masquerade as “leaders” of Ethiopia.
The long arm of history is haunting Imperialism in East Africa. Sir FYI the most sensibly radical anti-imperialist movement was fomented in Berkeley decades ago and the question of ethnicism and the national question was studied and long burried before the new renegade “leaders” came to the political scene with the help of the CIA, the Rand Corporation think-thank and the EU support. We can go on and on and discuss the fate of the reactionary forces in Ethiopia and East Africa at length. They are doomed to fail sooner or later.
But for the time being it will be a rewarding and honorable exercise on your part to connect the dots and reveal the true western plot in the spirit of journalistic integrity – like Eskinder and Abebe – defying fear and inviting Arrest. Then and then only can we call you Tikur Sew.
Mr. Hagman good job.
As a young Ethiopian woman, it is very painful to see the country going down so fast into the abyss of dictatorial rule that oppresses and exploits women more. My heart bleeds every time I hear those young Ethiopian modern day “slaves” that are serving in the Middle Eastern countries.
Dictators have proliferated, especially in postcolonial Africa, not so much because of their ingenuity but because of the nature and character of the opposition forces—both domestic and international—arrayed against them. To be sure, they are crafty, evil geniuses with awesome firepower at their disposal. They are also brutally efficient at intimidation, terrorism, and mass slaughter.
However, a force dominates because the counterforce is either nonexistent or weak. Despots have prevailed for decades because the opposition forces are weak or crumbling.
Therefore, the purpose of intellectuals should focus on strengthening the opposition.
Too many in the West have become complacent or tolerant of despots. The standard arguments are “They have no democratic tradition”;“Despotism is part of the political culture”; “Dictatorship is acceptable to them”; and “Africa is not yet mature enough for Western style democracy,” as French president Jacques Chirac once said. Such misconceptions resulting from false assumptions and mythology have informed many Western policies and foreign aid programs that have failed miserably after costing hundreds of billions of dollars. The intentions might have been laudable, but it is absurd to seek to help a people that doesn’t understand.
the offensive notion held by some in the West that “despotism is acceptable to these people.” is annoying and upsetting. It has never been acceptable! it frames the arguments against despotism in cultural terms, not the standard Western narrative. This approach invokes a sense of cultural betrayal and also inoculates the case for freedom against the charge of being “Western sponsored.” Casting the cause for freedom in a Western or religious framework polarizes the debate and detracts from the basic issue of liberty.
The West should not tolerate and support despotism in the developing countries; nor should despots use their traditional systems to justify their tyrannical rule in the name of “protecting the country” “fighting terrorism” etc.
Ethiopia is no different from other countries in the world where a one party system dominated and still dominates. It is absolutely laughable when one party claims it has won 99.6 Percent of the vote in a country where it controls the judicial system, the army built mainly from one ethnic group , the security machines, the economy and most of all
the media.
Guys I would like every Ethiopian to spend some time on the intention and plan of the illuminati in Africa and
Meles is systematically destroying Ethiopia from inside out in the same way as his cancer is eating away at his flesh. The hate monger fascist Meles has no national consciousness or pride in Ethiopia’s national identity, and he uses Ethiopia simply as a trademark for pecuniary wheeling and dealing, to loot and destroy. This man is a devil’s right hand man and the devil has stragled him and will devour him soon. May he suffer agony in death like those people he has made to suffer and murdered in cold blood.
It is indeed a shame, heart wrenching and unfortunate for the mother of Democracy and the super power of the world,the United States govt. knowingly ignoring the millions of Ethiopian victims and atrocities going on in Ethiopia as we speak at the hands of the brutal TPLF regime. I’ve no doubt that the CIA knows everything what Meles and his brainwashed tplf thugs are doing to Ethiopia/ns, but sadly, the United States government have chosen to look the other way while the bloodthirsty brutal dictator and his cronies loot the country and slaughtering innocent Ethiopians. How can any human being who believes in the merciful loving God/Allah and capable of stopping the human rights abuse choose to ignore the cries and agonies of innocent people? It is beyond me!
Tizibt replies:
July 12th, 2012 at 3:17 PM
Anonymous No. 16
You are not alone. I and millions of us feel your pain. You said: “I’ve no doubt that the CIA knows everthing what Meles and his brainwashed tplf thugs are doing to Ethiopia/ns, but sadly the United States government have chosen to look the other way while the bloodthirsty brutal dictator and his cronies loot the country and slaughtering innocent Ethiopians.” Of course the US knows what is happening in Ethiopia and is certainly not looking the other way, i.e. impartial. The US is actually providing the bloodthirsty brutal dictator with the funds, the means and the wherewithall to commit atrocities on the millions of innocent Ethiopians.
Elias Kifle,
Thank you for posting my comment. Bye, you have made me extremely solid.
“the West is once again making the mistake of rewarding stability and growth while closing its eyes to repression.”
The west are not making mistake, they are just doing the interest of their countries. We Ethiopians are the one making the mistake of waiting for some kind of miracles from, God or Western countries. If we do not stand up for our rights NO ONE would do it for us.
providing support for criminals to get more money ! the officials providing financial support but half of it turns to privet pocket.there is no humanity with such blind business. they only stop this help when corrupted government enable o stand