Ethiopian Current Affairs Discussion Forum (ECADF), a major Ethiopian discussion group with several hundred active members, has published an editorial today clarifying its position on the relation between Ethiopian opposition parties and the Government of Eritrea.
After several months of heated debates, ECADF has said today in its editorial that Ethiopians who wish to remove the parasitic dictatorship of the Tigrean People Liberation Front (Woyanne) from Ethiopia do not have the luxury to chose who to cooperate with or receive assistance from.
ECADF also acknowledges that the Government of Eritrea can play a positive role in bringing down the Woyanne tribal junta in Ethiopia. Click to read ECADF‘s editorial here.
8 thoughts on “Major Ethiopian forum clarifies position on relation with Eritrea”
this is the way¡¡¡ go ECADF woyane will go down
Brothers and sisters the ultimate solution between the people of Eri-Ethiopia is A MUTUAL RESPECT: ERITREANS FOUGHT FOR THEIR INDEPENDENCE FOR SO LONG AND LET THAT BE RESPECTED BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR WISH AND IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. The weyanes betrayed their x-professors at the expense of nearly 120,000 innocent lives which have nothing to do with the hidden agenda of weyanes except lies and lies about the Eritrean people. It is finally clear who weyanes and their agenda is: IT IS TO CREATE ABY TIGY AT THE EXPENSE OF ANOTHER INNOCENT ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE AND EVERYBODY MUST BE AWARE OF WEYANES HIDDEN AGENDA. The people of Ethio-Eritrea deserve peace because they have been bleeding for so long! LET THE WEYANE DREAM BE A KNIGHTMARE!
I think what ECADF stated is correct. But, I believe ECADF may be missing an important ingredient on why any democratic movement in Ethiopia would do well to work “hand and glove” with the Eritreans – the government of Eritrea – that is.
The GOE appears to be very sincere in wanting to work with Ethiopians for the benefit of all our people and I believe they are walking the talk in that sense. This is not some hear say or conjectures, they have demonstrated that during the 1991-1998 by not interfering on how to use their assets until our chigaram Weyane myopically decided to boycott anything Eritrean. Those included the ports, Ethiopian Airlines among others! Eritreans are, by far the closest most logical kinship we have based on geography, culture, linguistic and religious ethics.
The question that every Ethiopian, who values the friendship with our next of kin, should ask is how strongly would the GOE help us once it is free from the undeclared economic embargo that has been in place by the US for more than ten years? I assume the help would be more sabstatial. But, that is conjecture. However, the reality TODAY is that Eritrea is not only a true friend we have, but that friendship is to grow further for we need each other. That is the reality – simply stated.
So, why wouldn’t any normal thinking Ethiopian want to have a rock solid friendship with Eritrea? I can’t think of anything short of meaningless emotional burst – nothing less than some childish tantrums!
I think the days of Weyane are numbered. A government without the peoples support will last only so long, even with heavy superpower support.
The real and more important question for Ethiopia is what will follow the demise of the current regime. What are Ethiopians doing in preparation for Nation building. Nation building is sacrifice and hard work. Who is preparing and working for the peace and security that the Ethiopian people (and the Neighbourhood) soo very much deserve.
Let us all remember it is easier to criticize, demonize and demolish than to work hard and build. Let us all do our homework so future generations can be saved from our plight.
Peace
Tesfa
Way to go,ECADF! You are moving in the right direction and in the right way. The weyanne regime is a vampire regime. It survives on vampire instincts, sucking blood and wanting to liquidate everything that is not weyanne. Clearly, something must be done before our country is being sucked dry or put up for auction by the Tigraian vampires.
ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian government has the legal right to revoke the “Algiers Agreement” which has become invalid because of Eritrea’s violation of the security zone, and the government should demand for the international recognition of Ethiopia’s right of access to the sea, a former air force general has said in an interview.
Former Major-General Abebe Tekle Haimanot, who was commander of the Ethiopian Air Force during the 1998-2000 Ethiopia-Eritrea War told Dehai, a Tigrinya-langauge publication, that there were ample opportunities – from legal perspectives – for the government to address the vital issue of respecting Ethiopia’s right of access to the sea.
A law instructor at Addis Ababa University, Abebe said the Algiers Agreement was a slap in the face that it treated the aggressor and the aggressed on equal footing. But more than everthing else, he added, the Algiers Agreement was an accord that handed over Ethiopia’s victory to the enemy.
Asked what he expected after the war, Abebe said the agreement should have forced the Eritrean regime to acknowledge that it a) has invaded a sovereign country b) would never try to attack again c) would only have a small army, pay war compensation, and of course recognize Ethiopia’s right of access to the sea.
Abebe, who studied intenational law at Georgia University in the United States, said the last straw that broke the camel’s back was basing the the Algiers Agreement on colonial treaties that Italy had violated and become defunct several decades ago.
The following are excerpts from a very long interview in Tigrinya:
Why was the Algiers Agreement signed then?
I wouldn’t say the government signed the agreement to help Eritrea. But rather I’d say the Algiers Agreement was the product of our ignorance and arrogance. ‘Ignorance’ because we didn’t examine existing international laws; ‘arrogance’ because we dehumanized Ethiopian scholars as “chauvinists, Assab-seeking war mongers,” and kept them at bay.
Though some intellectuals were provocative than trying to engage us, I’d say mainly it was our own problem. If one is ignorant but has the desire to learn, one can make progress. But if one is both ignorant and arrogant, that is hopeless.
Abebe said the knowledge of TPLF central committee members was limited that they were raising hands for approval whatever the politburo passed down as laws or directives. There may be a few individuals who had read well but that was insignificant to effect change across the TPLF board, he said. I, for one, like most others, had concluded Assab as Eritrea’s. But when I went to school, and studied law, particulary international law, I found the whole story completely different. I’m now convinced – and this is not to settle a political score but from a pure international law perspective – that Ethiopia has a legal right of access to the sea.
When the United Nations federated Eritrea with Ethiopia in 1952, three of the most outstanding criteria were first the decision was based on the interest of the Eritrean people, second it was based on Ethiopia’s right of access to the sea, third it was meant to ensure lasting peace in the region.
After the end of the Second War War, there were occasions when the Allied Forces wanted to divide Eritrea in two or three regions. But all had one thing in common: they ensured Ethiopia’s right of access to the sea. Therefore, if Eritrea had to break away from Ethiopia, it should have been carried out while considering Ethiopia’s right of access to the sea. Here comes the reason to revoke the Algiers Agreement.
Back to the war. How was the role of the Ethiopian Air Force (1998-200)?
The war came abrupt. We were taken by surprise because we never thought Eritrea would attack us. For that matter, Eritrea had no potential to invade such a big country like ours. But above everything else, we never expected invasion from post-independent Eritrea. We were expecting cordial relations. We had military agreement as well. Once war broke out, however, there were two things that helped those of us in the Air Force: that we’ve been training people, and that we were able to recall experienced veterans of the Air Force to duty.
Abebe during graduation at Georgia University in the United States
I’d say members of the Air Force – both former members as well those from the ranks of the EPRDF, defended their country heroically. Both shed blood in defense of their country. Therefore, after the war, we abandoned profiling members as “former members” and “rebels” (tegayoch). The war provided us with many lessons. During the war, it was not an issue of what is useful or what was not. We were invaded, and everyone was determined to win the war, and the war was won.
Even today, given the geopolitics of the region, including the geopolitics of the Nile, I’m of the conviction that Ethiopia should have a powerful defense force. But what does this mean? An Ethiopia that doesn’t have a strong economy cannot have a strong military. We have to balance our economy and military buildup. In the case of the war with Eritrea, for instance, we had taken the economic issue to the extreme – to the point of ignoring the army – because we thought if we build a powerful economy, we can manage to build a powerful defense later on. Though it is correct in principle, but building an economy at the expense of the military had also unwanted consequences.
Again about the war with Eritrea. Ethiopia had an uppherhand in the war. Given that you were a ranking member of the defense forces, what was your position as far as finishing the war with Eritrea was concerned?
Our stand was the stand of the Central Command. The decision was to destroy the Eritrean army completely. Here there was no ambiguity over Eritrea’s sovereignty. Eritrea is an independent nation, but the stand of the Central Command was that Eritrea should be stopped being a threat to Ethiopia. To ensure this, most Central Command members agreed the Ethiopian Defense Forces should destroy the Eritrean army as much as they can. The outcome was not as we had expected. We had to continue the war to the finish, and we had the potential, the means to carry on the war to the end.
“Why did it stop?”
History will answer that, though it was very clear we had the power to finish it.
You had a good name in the Air Force. And what were your goals for the Air Force?
Thank you for the compliment, but I used to think that all pilots should be encouraged to be trained as flight engineers. Accordingly, we prepared a curriculum to help train the pilots. I was also in the process of training the technicians, particularly senior technicians, to be trained as engineers. We had other goals as well but were disrupted because I was out.
How did you learn that you had lost your job?
From the national radio. I was at home with [former chief of staff] Tsadkan [Gebretensae]. We were waiting to go to the review session known as gimgema.That was about the war with Eritrea. In the meantime, we were listening to the news on the radio. We heard the news that we’ve been removed. After half an hour, I received a letter that I’ve been purged.
How did you feel?
We were aware that at one time we had to step aside. We [Tsadkan and I] said let’s slow down because the country is in danger [due to the conflict among TPLF leaders]. We were saying let the country first stabilize, and then we will go about our plans. When the order came suddenly, we were a little surprised. When I requested resignation earlier, my request was that the TPLF dissidents should not be mishandled; they deserve proper treatment. Later on, the trust was being eroded fast, and our resignation would have been inevitable. We were waiting for mass review (gimgema), and it was about Eritrea. We had finished another review session (gimgema). We were waiting for the gimgema over Eritrea. Suddenly the radio broke the news that we have been expelled, and the letter (that we’ve been removed) also arrived within a difference of half an hour.
Were you expecting that type of dismissal?
It was becoming clear there was no trust between us the army and the commander in chief [i.e. Meles]. If there was no trust, we had to resign. But the conditions in the country were volatile. We thought it was wrong to leave the country and army in that precarious situation. Otherwise, our resignation was a matter of time because of the differences we had with the PM. It shouldn’t have been the way they did it though.
Have you ever tried to talk to them in person?
We have been fighting together for a long time [i.e. pre-1991 rebel days]. But later on, it was clear we had become friends and enemies. Our political culture became nasty even our social ties were destroyed to the point you seeing each other as enemies. I’m blaming both sides [therefore, there was no need for talk].
Question: The politics of TPLF has become dangerous that it judges you either as a friend or enemy. The current situation reflects this serious trend. But here we are young folks; we want to learn lessons from our seniors like you. What can we expect from the older generation? How is it possible to change what you described us a “nasty political culture?”
Members of the young generation shouldn’t wait for instructions from us. For instance on campus, I see young students have a culture of tolerating differing views. This is a positive development indeed. It is unlike my generation on campus. Ours was kind of monolithic thinking, saying I’m right and those having different views are wrong.
What is gratifying is the young generation is well educated, and has better technological help (like the Internet for research etc). Young Tigrians should join their fellow Ethiopian compatriots, form groups, and conduct debates. TPLF was formed to conduct a guerrila war, not to run a country. When TPLF split in 2001, the reason is because the organization was stagnant; it couldn’t move forward. It had finished its lifespan. It was suspicious of outsiders, and for that reason, never invited intellectuals to change itself for the better. The time now is for the young generation to assume new responsibilities for a better tomorrow.
The young generation should discard the scare tactic that Tigrai is sandwitched between Eritrea and hostile chauvinists in Addis. This is very highly dangerous. This doesn’t mean there are no exremist, hateful individuals. There are. But look at the big picture: the majority of the Amhara, Oromo and other Ethiopian people. The young generation should discard the dangerous notion of saying Tigrai would be wiped out if Meles resigns. This is like telling you Tigrai was created after TPLF.
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The Tigray intellectuals, like Abreha Belay of Ethiomedia, are in full gear to demonize Eritrea and soften Amharas attitude towards TPLF. The interview with former air force general posted on Ethiomedia today is part of that propaganda.
They are talking about Ethiopia’s right access to the sea. They believe that talking about Ethiopian “sovereignty” is the only thing that hypnotize amhara and make them blind followers.
Their objective is to create a great Tigray with sea outlet at the expense of Ethiopian wealth and lives. We shouldn’t be stupid enough to get trapped by their old trick.
New Ethiopia is designed for disintegration at any moment by Tigrean elites and their handlers. The ethnic wall erected by the same people is getting taller and stronger as the day goes on.
Ethiopia is fallen under the mercy of TPLF handlers. The handlers have no mercy for Ethiopia. They let us dye an agonizing death. Once the TPLF mission accomplished, they let Ethiopia disintegrate into pieces. The mission is to creat many small states in East Africa. Eritrea is encompassed in that grand design. The Tigary intellectuals know this reality very well but they are hopping to grab the big share out of the pieces.
I guess by doing this, the only thing the Ethiopian opposstion will gain is shortening the life of the worst dicator in the face of the earth, allying with Issias will not bring any kind of change in Ethiopia at all, please learn from history and try some other way,…..I know you do not like to hear this but trust me.. Issias is on his Dead bed. Read my lips you are not going to achieve nothing, I am alwyas wondering how come the Ethiopian goverment leadership is much smarter than you people.. it is better for me to stay away from politics anyway