Ghana is at it again. They insist on trailblazing. Not that we complain, no we just envy Ghana. Ghana envy is spreading all over Africa like a wild fire. It is not the first time Ghana is leading the way either. What is it about Ghana that makes a grown man cry with joy? What exactly did they do this time?
Ghana has a peaceful transfer of power. Yes, in Africa that is considered a miracle. Ghanaians are special people. Like their cousins the Ethiopians on the East Coast of Africa, Ghana has always occupied a special place in the annals of African history.
Present day Ghana is named after the medieval Ghana Empire of West Africa. It was later absorbed to the Great Mali Kingdom of West Africa. It was no other than the great African leader Sundiata that united the warring kingdoms to form what came to be known as the Mali Empire around 1307. The Portuguese came to West Africa around the 15th. Century. They found so much gold by the mouth of the Volta River that they named the place Mina or Mine.
The arrival of the Portuguese opened the floodgates and ushered in the destruction of Africa. The English, French, Dutch, Danes and the Scandinavians followed to loot, rape and pillage the wealth of Africa. The slave trade decimated the population kidnapping the young and able. The traders hauled Africa’s treasures to Europe and the Americas leaving a trail of despair and destruction.
The so-called civilization of Europe with their ornate buildings, superb Universities, and advanced industries was built on stolen treasures from good old Africa. Their children have the time and means to contemplate the mysteries of the universe due to free labor and free resources stolen from Africa.
Ghana became the first of the British colonies to gain its independence in 1957. The founder and first president was none other than the great son of Africa Kwame Nkrumah. Nkrumah was educated in the US and highly influenced by the teachings of Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois the giants of African American leaders and thinkers. Nkrumah was one of the first African leaders to plant the not realized dream of Pan-Africanism.
Together with such African leaders as Emperor Haile Sellasie and President Sekou Toure of Guinea he laid the foundation for the creation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in Addis Abeba in May 1963. It is interesting to note that Malcolm X as an observer representing the 22million African Americans in the Diaspora attended the second OAU meeting in Cairo.
President Nkrumah was overthrown by the military in 1966. It is rumored but not proven that the British and the US played a role in this act of getting rid of an African nationalist. Ghana was thrown into succession of military leaders. A constitution allowing multi party system was set in place in 1992 and the then sitting military leader was elected in a free and democratic election. He was again elected for a second term in 1996. In a third national election John Kufuor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)Won.
Mr. Kufuor served for two terms with great distinction. He is loved and respected by all Ghanaians not to mention his pivotal role in settling the election conflict in Kenya. He served the two terms allowed by the constitution. This general election was a contest between the ruling NPP and the opposition organized under National Democratic Congress (NDC) led by John Attar Mills. It was a lively and open contest. The two main Parties were allowed to debate their vision on Television, radio and newspaper. The citizen was able to make an educated decision to choose the next national leader. As there has to be a winner after any contest, the opposition NDC carried the day. The loser accepts defeat with grace and is scheduled to hand power on January 7th.
The winner Mr. Mills said “”I would want to congratulate all other contestants, especially Nana Akufo-Addo, for giving us a good fight. It is my hope that we will be able to work together to build a better Ghana… I want to assure everybody that I will be president for all. There will be no discrimination,” Akufo-Addo conceded defeat. “Our nation is at a crossroads and we must work together to build it peacefully,” “John Atta Mills’ victory and the conduct of the people of Ghana provides a rare example of democracy at work in Africa,” Kenya’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga aid in a statement.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was mum on the subject. We have a saying ‘fes yalebet zelai aychelem.’ Democracy and elections are not the vocabulary of the minority regime.
If Ghana can do it so can we. If Ghana can build a robust and united democracy there is no reason why we cannot be able to do it. If Ghana a nation composed of several ethnic groups can build a united country based on equality without Kilil and apartheid so can we. Here is a comparison between Ethiopia and Ghana. You be the judge of what works. An open multi party system where the citizen exercises his God given right to choose his leader or a closed system of one party rule where the leader is chosen by terrifying and coercing the citizen. An economy based on free enterprise or an economy directed by a few cadres and geared to loot and steal. A society where the media is free or a government monopoly with the highest number of journalists in prison.
2007 2008
Country Ethiopia Ghana Ethiopia Ghana
Population 76 Million 22 Million 82.5 Million 23.3 Million
Electricity production 2.86 Billion kWh 6.64 Billion kWh 3.2 Billion kWh 8.2 Billion kWh
Telephone – Land 725,000 356,000 880,100 376,500
Telephone -Cellular 866,700 5.20Million 1.21 Million 7.60 Million
Internet Hosts 89 2,899 128 24,018
Internet Users 164,000 609,800 291,000 650,000
Radio AM 8 0
Radio FM 1 86 0 86
Radio Short Wave 1 3 1 3
TV Stations 1 7 1 7
It is not enough to say I love what is happening in Ghana. The secret is to make it happen in Ethiopia. It will not happen in Ethiopia without the participation of the Ethiopians. Those in power are not going to wake up one morning and say ‘ I am going to let my people go free’. It does not happen like that. Dictators never concede power without struggle. There are many forms of struggle to get rid of dictators. In the Ethiopian context we have a few working hard on our behest to bring democracy and the rule of law to our beloved ancient land. We have a choice to involve our selves and work for the common good.
I will sign the petition to free the courageous leader of Andenet Judge Bertukan. I will march in my town to let the American people see the injustice in my homeland. I will not invest my hard earned money in Ethiopia and give foreign currency to the minority regime. I will not fly Ethiopian Airlines and contribute to the debasement of my people. I will contribute money to Ginbot7 so they can do what is necessary to get rid of the Apartheid regime. It is up to me to bring the liberation of my country. I will do my part to bring change so my children can live in a free and democratic Ethiopia. I am beyond talk. I am into doing what is necessary, now! today! Can you say that? If the answer is no, please shut up and sit in the corner. Let those committed do the job. Merry Ethiopian Christmas to our hero Judge Birtukan Mideksa who is in TPLF jail for working tirelessly for our freedom.
It was gratifying to see the disclosure regarding the contributors to the former president Clinton’s foundation. It is the price he paid to have his wife nominated to be Secretary of State. As a private citizen the law does not compel him to make his contributors public. He only had to tell the IRS which by law would keep it confidential.
To be Secretary of State requires confirmation by the Senate. That entails answering a lot of question regarding competency, temperament and financial situation. There should be no hint of conflict of interest and personal gain. The appearance by itself is a sign for caution. It requires a strong argument to win over skeptics.
The Clinton Foundation disclosure shows a name that is very familiar to all Ethiopians. It is no other than Dr. Sheikh Mohammed H. Al-Amoudi. He is reported to have given from one to five million dollars range. The fact that the so-called “the Unofficial Mohamed Al Amoudi” web page claims that he donated $20 million is a lot of hot air. Looks like all his other purported donation to regions and groups back home. The bark is louder than the bite at least that is what is being reported by our newfound friend “The Reporter” from Ethiopia. We are always hasty in declaring someone friend or foe.
The fact that government officials in the US have to go through such a grueling process to assume power to serve the people is a good sign. The legislative branch takes its duties seriously. The people’s representatives have a responsibility to make sure that officials understand the gravity of the office they assume in the name of the nation. They are not a rubber stamp to the wishes and demands of the executive body.
What is the significance of this news to us Ethiopians is a good question to ask? That will require us to answer the question why the Sheikh felt compelled to donate such a large sum to the Clinton Foundation. Of course as a rich international mogul he definitely have many reasons to support the foundation. He has business interests across the globe requiring intervention and support from the former President. We are not privy to that.
Our one and only interest is if our country is part of this equation. Did the TPLF regime somehow manage to be part of the understanding in this alliance? Or is it possible that as usual we are making a mountain out of a molehill? We as a people have an inbred love of paranoia.
It is a fact that the individual plays a very significant role in both the economic and the political life of our nation. He has managed to build a formidable economic empire. Some claim it is positive and honorable. They mention the thousands of jobs he has created and his philanthropy that includes gifts to our very own ESFNA. On the other hand there are a lot that are uncomfortable by the cozy relationship between a government and a single corporation. His close relationship with an illegal undemocratic regime is a cause for concern. His investments have emboldened the tyrants to ride rough and practice their apartheid system with impunity. His wealth gives him undue advantage to the up coming new local budding capitalists. Capitalism requires a level playing field. It is futile to ask a small businessman to compete with an international financier. That is not fair. It is unequal competition. The US discovered the pearls of monopoly capitalism and enacted laws to safeguard society from predators. It is old news.
It is also true that the Sheik’s investments are geared towards developing an unsustainable economy. It is good to the TPLF mafia since it generates immediate cash, but our country does not need lavish hotels and Soviet style concrete buildings. Money generated from Ethiopians in the Diaspora and used to build monstrous villas with imported concrete, metal, glass is not our idea of building the future Ethiopia. I am sure our Universities are capable of graduating able Ethiopians that will utilize local material and resources and build beautiful habitats cheaper and better. Our foreign exchange will be used to buy computers, solar panels, tractors, harvesters and other useful products instead of vanity items with little or no vale. The one and only item mentioned by all Ethiopians that visit the homeland is the proliferation of buildings everywhere you go. We now read reports that over 90% is paid for by the Diaspora themselves. Why is Woyane taking credit for that as if it is some accomplishment? Where is the double-digit economic miracle?
It looks like it was all smoke and mirrors like other TPLF pronouncements. It is surprising to all of us that the billionaire friend was using our own money to finance these worthless projects. When our banks lend those millions to Midroc Corporation it dries up the money supply to local small business that is the main engine of economic progress. When Woyane was showcasing the miracle they just forgot to mention it was the product of the dreaded Diaspora. Our investment was fueling the inflation and hurting our own friends and relatives at the same time creating foreign exchange for the regime to buy guns to silence our people. That is what is called being pistol-whipped by your own gun.
The question is what do we do with our newfound knowledge? Our options are one to inform the Obama administration regarding the presumed conflict of interest regarding the Clintons or waste our energy being an alarmist or impinge on her new assignment. I believe we should give her the benefit of doubt but at the same time keep our eyes open to point out any undue influence. Our job is to inform the Obama administration that if the US stands for freedom and democracy then both are lacking in our homeland. Our duty is to unite and present a true picture of the dire situation in Ethiopia for all to see. The war against our Somali citizens, the plight of peasants all over the country, the suppression of freedom of speech and media and the imprisonment of political dissidents should be exposed for all to see.
This brigs us to the case of former Prime Minister the infamous Tamrat Layne’s release from Kaliti prison. He is informing us that he has found religion and will not be part of the political process no more. Our response, “not so fast Ato Tamrat, we are not done yet.” There is this little matter of the Ethiopians you have caused harm and misery. If you remember when our liberators arrived in the capital and set up shop, Ato Meles took the office of the Presidency and Ato Tamrat was crowned 2nd in charge. Ato Meles was representing the Tigrai tribe and Ato Tamrat supposedly stood for the Amharas. Ato Meles has his army while Ato Tamrat has his big mouth. We will not forget his despicable acts in Harar, Arsi and Bale among other Southern regions. Ato Tamrat was inciting the local population to rise up against ‘Neftegnas” the TPLF code word for Amharas, Gurages and others and settle perceived wrongs done against them in the years past. Many of our innocent citizens were murdered and others were forcefully evicted from their ancestral homes with nothing but their cloth on their back. It was done with the tacit approval and support of the TPLF regime. Dr. Asrat paid the ultimate price with his life fighting this catastrophe brought on his people by despicable bastards like Tamrat and company.
It was strange to see Ato Meles telling us he was the son of the “golden” people of Tigrai while Ato Tamrat was seeking others to kill and hurt the Amharas he represented. It is great that he found religion to cleanse his troubled soul, but on the other hand we require a little bit more from Ato Tamrat to put a closure on his crimes. It is not much to ask Ato Tamrat to confess to his crimes and ask for forgiveness from his victims. It will be good for us if all those TPLF converts will give us a little bit detail regarding the skeletons in the closet. If he was to atone for his ugly actions in the past we suggest full confession so we learn and set up safeguard for the future. In the mean time if I was Ato Tamrat I will sleep with my eyes wide open. His past associates are watching him like a hawk regarding the knowledge he has of their illegal deeds. He knows where the bodies are buried, and that is knowledge full of liability. Start praying, Ato Tamrat!
Here in the US, the Governor of the State of Illinois is in hot water. Law enforcement agencies tapped his phone with court order of course and have evidence showing the Governor trying to sell the Senate seat vacated by President elect Obama to the highest bidder. Most people are not surprised that the governor is a crooked politician.
The average citizen is resigned to the fact that most politicians are not trustworthy. But politicians are not included in the category of stupid; ethically challenged may be but definitely not a moron. Thus it was surprising to hear the Governor daring the FBI to ‘go ahead and tap my phone’ as if he has nothing to hide.
Those who cannot come to terms with the Governor’s bizarre behavior are now suggesting may be he is crazy. To some that is the only sane explanation to such brazen act of lawlessness. It is also possible his lawyers are preparing the grounds for the inevitable ‘insanity defense’ for the upcoming trial.
My favorite explanation was the one advanced by Mr. Dick Cavett in the NY Times. In an opinion piece titled ‘How is that again Gov?’ he wrote:
‘Is humor out of place on this subject? Probably. In Blagojevich, we are dealing with a sick man. Or, in medical terminology, extreme pathology.
I felt the need to get some expert opinion… I sought the counsel of the eminent Dr. Willard Gaylin, longtime practitioner and author on such matters —He filled me in.
He described what would now be called a “sociopath,” a modern-day term for the older “psychopath.” It’s a complex, hard-to-treat ailment, and “anti-social” is the key phrase here. Among the prominent traits of one so afflicted is the absence of any sense of guilt or shame. Empathy is unknown. The truth may be told, but only when it serves the often-bizarre purposes of the teller. Never for its own sake.
The governor’s astonishing dare — Go ahead and tap my phones —is explained by the sociopath’s absolute conviction that he is somehow immune from being caught.
This appears to be connected to the sociopath’s trait of confusing his lies with reality. Unable to distinguish between the two, he proceeds on his brazen way…
Gaylin reminds us that sociopaths are not always obvious misfits, as evidenced by their being found, for example, running major institutions. Often they have the acting skills of award-winning thespians, can exhibit great charm (though not in this case) and can fool even experts.’
I believe Mr. Cavett is on to something. The sociopath personality fits the behavior of most African leaders. It definitely explains the bizarre behavior of a few of our illustrious leaders that have managed to create havoc in the lives of our people. What else can be said about such notorious punks as Idi Amin, Jean Bidel Bokassa, Mengistu Haile Mariam, Mobutu Se Se Seko and Charles Taylor except example of mad men in charge? And today we have Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe ready to carry the torch of absurd but lethal behavior by a head of state.
The Zimbabwe general elections were held on March 29, 2008. By all credible accounts the opposition Party Movement for Democratic change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai won. The ruling party refused to accept the verdict of the people by claiming Mr. Tsvagirai did not receive a majority and a run off election was scheduled. Those in power used the interim period to murder, harass, exile and imprison leaders of the opposition. Second round of voting were held June 27, Mugabe was declared a winner and sworn in June 29 for a sixth term in office. No one accepted this farce except fellow African dictators. Why this all seems familiar to us Ethiopians is not difficult to guess. We have seen it all.
The downward spiral accelerated in Zimbabwe. Inflation surged beyond comprehension, (officially 231 million percent, meaning a loaf of bread costs 1.6 trillion Zim. Dollars) the outward migration went on UN abated, internally displaced people skyrocketed and there currently is a complete breakdown of basic function of the state.
It is with this as a background that ‘a ferocious cholera epidemic, spread by water contaminated with human excrement, has stricken more than 16,000 people across Zimbabwe since August and killed more than 780.’ As is customary with a dysfunctional government there is no end in sight. To protect its citizens South Africa closed its border with Zimbabwe and the UN, WHO and health experts ‘are warning that the number of cases could surpass 60,000, and that half the country’s population of 12 million is at risk.’
What do you think the response of the senile leader is faced with such grim news? In a televised speech on Thursday December 11th he announced that the cholera epidemic is over. “I am happy to say…that there is no cholera.” He blamed the West for the baseless rumor in an attempt to justify a military intervention thus he concluded, “Now that there is no cholera, there is no need for war.”
Again we Ethiopians are familiar with this line of thought. If memory serves us right it is only a few months back that UNICEF was warning about famine in our country. They were trying to ring the alarm bells so the world will pay attention and do something about it. Unfortunately it run counter to the claims of the Ethiopian government that has been crowing about double digit growth and prosperity in unprecedented manner. They defined famine as mal nutrition. Majorities of our people now rely on food aid for basic survival. No region of the country is immune from this man caused catastrophe.
Two years ago the regime in order to curry favors from the Bush administration committed Ethiopian troops into Somalia to fight what they declared to be Islamic Jihadists ready to invade our country. The Prime Minister compared those opposed to this adventure to ‘Donkeys’ and in a lecture in his Parliament said, “Both have big eyes, but suffer from myopia; and have big ears, but don’t hear.” Well the two weeks jaunt across the border turned into a two years misadventure that has caused the death of thousands of our Somali brothers and sisters, death of peasant Ethiopian solders and millions of tax dollars that could have been spent to alleviate poverty and hunger. With no end insight and the treasury empty the government is trying to find a face saving way to exit. The Islamic Court have surrounded Mogadishu, the Ethiopian troops are prisoners in their camp, and both the UN and the African Union are not willing to get involved in this mess created by Ato Meles and company.
Is it any surprise that Ato Meles went in front of Parliament and declared ‘mission accomplished’ in Somalia? The only thing missing in this picture was a big aircraft carrier and a huge banner to go along with this empty bravado. Come to think of it, Ethiopia does not have a port nor own an aircraft carrier, but on the other hand a small dingy in lake Langano would have served the purpose. We all know that form trumps essence when it comes to TPLF regime.
I will leave you with the official Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) used as a psycho-diagnostic tool to assess psychopathy. Each item is rated on a score from zero to two. The sum total determines the extent of a person’s psychopathy.
Factor1: Aggressive narcissism
1. Glibness / superficial charm
2. Grandiose sense of self-worth
3. Pathological lying
4. Cunning / manipulative
5. Lack of remorse or guilt
6. Shallow
7. Callous / lack of empathy
8. Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
9. Promiscuous sexual behavior
He is in our face. We cannot avoid his gaze. The report said that he looked serene as he left that hellhole of a room they call ‘Court House’. Does he know something we don’t? Why is he still defiant as he is led away to serve six years for a crime he did not commit? Is he shaming all of us? Is he our mirror?
It is so curious that we are more upset than the victim. Is our anger a cover for our impotence? A blanket for our indifference? I still have not met any one who is not saddened by the whole affair. That is the positive aspect of the situation. On the other hand when one is upset it is natural to take action to show grievance. Well, where is the rage?
Teddy is just another episode in our continuous tragic drama. Let us just say we are in sensitized to injustice. We reacted when the Kinijit leaders were imprisoned. For two years we kept up the heat on the regime. The bullies were forced to back down. It was temporary. The war crimes in Ogaden intensified. We kept quiet. The famine became public. The government denied the extent of the suffering. We kept quiet. They carried out a sham election. We kept quiet. The corruption is wide spread, the country is for sale and the poverty is unbearable. We shrug our shoulders.
But we were always happy to dance to Yasteserial. We understood what he meant. When he said
be asra sebat merfe betekomew kumta,
lelwet yalmertew zufan lai seweta
adis negus engi lewet meche meta
We all knew what he was talking about. Oh how much we loved him. We danced thru the night. Those in power were not amused. The dye was cast. He has to be punished as an example.
The regime is not that concerned about the Diaspora anymore. The chaos created by the demise of Kinijit succeeded in demoralizing the popular protest. The void created by the lack of leadership helped the dictatorship intensify the repression at home and intimidation abroad. Teddy Afro is the candidate chosen by the regime to teach a lesson to the rest of us.
Teddy is the voice of our bandira. In all his concerts our flag is part of the festivity. Ethiopia and Teddy are inseparable. He makes us swing in strange ways. It is just not the music. The lyrics are so vivid you can feel them enter your inner self. Teddy was Woyane’s nightmare.
Ezhe ga degmo lela tekusat,
Wegene aleke be wose bizat esat esat esat
ere aynegam wey aynegam wey letu
etyopiayee emamayee
You can feel the pain in Yasteserial. It was a song of both the past and the future. He sings our pain but he also gives us hope regarding our future.
Kerb new ayreekem yeetypia tensae
Band lai kegebane ye fikir tensae
Thus those in power are doing what they have to do to stay in power. That is their job. That is their interest. No one has relinquished power without being asked to. In the civilized West they are not left with any choice. They usually leave peacefully. Our case is much different. They dare us to force them. They put us in a nasty dilemma.
Others, when put in a situation like we are in today fought back. Freedom is won not given as a gift. Human history is testimonial to such an assertion. The fight for freedom and dignity takes many forms. There is no one and one only prescribed method. Our forefathers fought the Italians when they tried to colonize us. Weapons were used in that struggle to avoid subjugation. The Students in the 60’s used marches, pamphlets and other peaceful means to expose the inequality in our society. EPRP, TPLF, OLF and others raised arms to demand for justice.
We find ourselves back to square one. Our freedom is taken away. Our human right is violated. We are made second-class citizens in our own land. If we value freedom we have no choice but to fight back. The Ethiopian people will decide the form of struggle suitable to their circumstances. Those of us outside the country commonly referred to, as the ‘Diaspora’ will have to contribute our fair share.
The struggle waged after the 2005 general election is a proud moment in our history for freedom.
The violent response by the Government of Ato Meles Zenawi drew the wrath of the Diaspora. It erupted like a volcano. There was an angry protest held in every major City in the world. We managed to gather, find the biggest Ethiopian flag there is, hand write or print some placard and march to City Hall or a major intersection in our town. We all felt the injustice and did something about it. We told the world that the universal ‘Declaration of Human Right’ as adapted by the UN is denied to the Ethiopian people by their government.
That was three years back. The same regime is still in power. The repressive organs have been upgraded and are functioning perfectly. Both physical and spiritual needs are denied to our brethren. In other words it is more of the same.
The behavior that shows a marked difference is our indifference to the silent cry of our people. For whatever reason, we have decided to bear witness to our own humiliation. The unjust imprisnment of our dear son/brother is a wake up call. If we value human dignity we have to act. It is not up to the West or any other well-meaning organization to demand our freedom. We are the only legitimate body to make such a demand. It does not require a force of a mob to protest. Each and every one of us is a mob. Our demand is both simple and direct. We demand freedom so we can prosper and build a strong Ethiopia. We have the capacity, the know how and the means to transform our country to the 21st century.
Being outraged is not enough. Acting on the outrage is the proper response. Our rage shows that we care. We should translate our care into actions. Signing the petition for Teddy is a start. We can investigate the many Ethiopian civic organizations and offer our services to one close to our way of thinking. The “Ethiopian Freedom Act’ is bound to come for a vote in Congress, we can lobby. We can call our Representatives and remind them of the lack of freedom in our homeland. We can make an effort to support those who are working on our behalf to teach the new Obama administration regarding conditions in our country. Most of all we can try harder to stay true to Teddy’s message of love and respect for each other. We have to stop this destructive habit of tearing each other down. Teddy is our hero, cowards fear his message of peace and love.
“Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” was the order given by the first American Admiral, Admir. David Glasgow Farragut at the Battle of Mobile Bay. The entrance to the Bay was heavily guarded when he ordered his fleet to steam ahead. Despite heavy loses; he took over New Orleans leaving the Confederacy with no port on the Gulf of Mexico. Loss of a port was a strong blow to the Confederacy. Loss of a port in no small matter.
Senator Mc Cain’s decline in the polls started when he uttered these fate full words “the fundamentals of the economy are strong!’ It showed that the candidate was clueless. Things were falling around him and he was in his own bubble. That morning in Florida started his melt down. It was clear that this was not a “Full Speed Ahead!” moment.
President Bush took a note of this and adjusted his response accordingly. His administration shouted ‘the sky is falling’ in unison. We all agreed with this assessment. Gas was $4.60 a gallon, home values were dropping, lay-offs were common and the stock market was tanking. Yes, for a change Mr. Bush was right. Mind you his failed policies caused this catastrophe, but he was decent enough to warn people of the predicament he got them into.
The Bush administration suggested a $700 billion rescue package. Congress rejected the proposed solution. After a lengthy discussion both the Senate and the House approved it with some amendments. The jury is still out regarding its effects on the economy. Big problems require constant adjustments.
President elect Obama is smart enough to admit that the situation does not look good. His advisors are floating different ideas to gauge citizen’s reaction. He is surrounding himself with highly skilled and diverse advisors. Party affiliation is not an issue. Race, color or gender is not a factor. Personal achievement and character are the defining points.
The President elect is faced with myriad of problems. He is meeting the challenge head on. As a true leader he is uniting his people. He is asking for some sacrifice and a lot of ingenuity. He is working hard trying to rally the people behind his ideas and actions. He is aware that without their consent and cooperation there is no solution. He knows that he has four years to deliver what he promised. The clock has already started ticking.
Thus the whole planet is in the midst of an economic recession verging on depression and governments all over the world are trying all kinds of cures and solutions and what do you think the Ethiopian government is doing? This is what Ato Meles have to say about it in a speech to his kangaroo Parliament.
“…In general, we don’t expect drastic effects on our economy, our financial structure is not as liberalized as those of affected countries and the economy is not intertwined to Western economies to face a crisis…..the whole situation goes hand in hand with economic recession, which could lead to a decrease in foreign investment and aid. On the other hand, we could benefit from a decrease in petrol price.” (Source: AFP).
As a layperson I have a few problems with this assessment. First of all we live in an integrated world. World economy is intertwined as never before. Ethiopia is not some isolated island floating all by itself. In fact when the west sneezes we catch the flu. Regardless Ethiopia is a welfare state. What this means is that the Ethiopian budget cannot stand on its own with out foreign assistance. Development assistance by European Union, UN agencies, Nordic countries or foreign investment is dependent on the health of International economic situation. Surely there will be a decrease in aid and economic activity. (http://www.ethiomedia.com/aurora/9121.html)
One of the biggest incomes enjoyed by the government is remittance by the Diaspora. It is a billion dollar bonanza. But again the decrease in economic activities is definitely going to impact the amount and frequency of remittances. Who is going to build all those concrete behemoths littering the country?
We are a raw material exporter while others manufacture it and make more money than us. We sell our coffee to Starbucks for pennies and they roast and brew it and make a buck. World recession will negatively affect that. Who is going to buy those flowers grown on farmlands after displacing the poor peasants?
Furthermore Banks are ground zero of this catastrophe. They are not lending, not even to each other. Ethiopia depends on loans and grants from World Bank and the IMF and other private banks to finance all those projects the TPLF regime is proud of. It is definite that the cost of borrowing will skyrocket. Isn’t the additional finance cost going to impact us negatively?
As for the ‘not liberalized financial sector’ the chickens are in the process of coming home to roost. The whole fiasco regarding the missing 4 billion Br is both sad and comical. The line of demarcation is very blurry when it comes the pockets of the Ethiopian National Bank and the TPLF endowment companies. (http://www.geocities.com/~dagmawi/Zebenya/Zebenya.html)
The decrease in the price of gas is seen as a silver lining in this dark picture. It is difficult to see why? We need petrol to transport goods to foreign markets to earn foreign exchange so we can buy food and other products. On the other hand if there are fewer foreign buyers we will not have enough currency to buy oil even if the price plummets further down. In other words it is conceivable that even free is nothing to celebrate.
We are in the midst of our recurring famine. The official inflation is nearing 60%. The war in Somalia is draining our resources and creating enmity with our Somali brethren. The no war no peace situation with Eritrea is costing a lot of money in troop deployment along the so-called border. The imposed one party rule is causing economic stagnation, rampant corruption and is paving the road towards a failed state status.
Surely it is very clear that this is not a “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” moment. In my humble opinion this is a complete stop and reassess your options situation. The problem calls for the assembly of a wide range of learned persons to recommend a cure before the disease reaches a point of no return. Both the host and the parasite will suffer. The parasite will not survive.
The whole planet is deliriously happy. It is possible that data from Hubble telescope will show a slight wobble by our planet at exactly 8:17 PM Pacific Standard Time on November 4th. 2008. It must be from the spontaneous dancing by the majority of living things on earth. I said living things, not just Humans. Even the Moose in Alaska approved. Neither Color nor Gender or Nationality mattered. We were all happy Obama won!
Why are we happy Obama won? The response to this simple question is as numerous as the stars in heaven. I have talked to so many people regarding Obama and no two have given me the same answer. But all answers share a certain common thread. It is a belief in the possibility of building a just world where humanity relates as one big family. For Africans in general and Ethiopians in particular he embodies our wish that this son of Africa will be the one to bring what has been denied to us, Freedom, Democracy and the rule of law.
These are not just words. They are the building blocks of a strong and vibrant Union. The US produced such a leader because the Constitution, as the foundation is embedded in granite rock. The founders based their new association on solid ground composed of ideas and principles. Individual Freedom, Democracy and the supremacy of the law were not open to negotiations. The constitution is a living document open to tinkering and modification, but the principles of liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness are nothing to trifle about. This guiding principle allows the Union to grow and accommodate the different demands arising as time goes by. The mostly forward movement is both gradual and peaceful.
Mr. Obama is the forty forth President. The first was George Washington. He took the oath of office in New York and the year was 1789. In a letter addressed to James Madison he wrote, ”as the first of everything, in our situation will serve to establish a precedent, it is devotedly wished on my part, that these precedents may be fixed on true principles.’ He served two terms and retired to his farm in Mount Vernon. He set the example for a peaceful transfer of leadership. He was happy to serve.
The two party systems emerged around this time. John Adams and Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists. Thomas Jefferson was the leader of the Democratic-Republican Party. John Adams won the election and became the second President of the new Republic. After two terms in office he retired to his farm in Quincy, Massachusetts. Thomas Jefferson followed him.
For the young Republic it was a time of nation building and charting of new courses. The two Parties were vying to define the road ahead. The two great powers of the time the British and the French were at war. It was Washington that advocated a neutral stand and John Adams continued his policy. Jefferson and his party were inclined to side with the French.
All three Presidents fought the British in the Revolutionary war. When their time was up all three Presidents left office peacefully. They did not fight the British to replace one kind of tyranny by another. They fought because they valued freedom for themselves and others. They did not use their offices to enrich themselves and reward their family. Nor did they question the patriotism and integrity of their opponents because of differences of opinion. After a healthy contest the loser wished the winner good luck and retired to a new life.
To think that this took place two hundred nineteen years ago and we still have a problem with this concept in Ethiopia is mind-boggling. Actually that is not true. All indications are the Ethiopian people stayed up until the wee hours waiting for the results. Mr. Obama’s victory was received with delight. They were happy to see the fruits of democracy in a far away land. They celebrated by knowing smiles and hidden signals. That is the way of a terrorized people.
On the other hand the good news was a source of terror and agony to the TPLF. Arat Kilo suddenly got frigid cold. Mr. Obama’s election is throwing a monkey wrench into the coercive machinery. It is taking them back to square one. The transition from Albanian type Communism to pretend free market system and make believe democracy was hard enough. Obama’s definition of Democracy and Human Right does not bode well for the future of TPLF and their partners in crime.
You see the problem is that a ‘Police State’ is not capable of change. A democratic system has laws, rules and regulation built in to it to handle change. The Police State knows one thing and one thing only. Use of force is the only option in the book. Thus when the possibility of Obama’s election became real the Ethiopian government drafted assortment of laws and measures to combat the disease known as ‘hope’.
· First they held their pretend ‘convention’ in Awasa. They mistook form for essence. They were willing to share regional dress but were unwilling to share power. They allowed their junior partners to talk, but they wrote the speech for them.
· They burned villages in the Ogaden, exposed millions to poverty and famine. As a solution they passed a law to control and intimidate NGO’s whom they suspected of leaking the news. Doctors without Borders were sent away packing and Human Right Watch was declared enemy of the State. Too bad they are not capable of blocking ‘Google Earth’ from exposing their ill deeds.
· The last ‘terrorist’ card was played with the rounding up of anybody and everybody with Oromo blood. Politicians, University lecturers, business people, students were all arrested and branded terrorist. The most prominent is Ato Bekele Jirata Secretary general of Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement a legally registered opposition party. The TPLF regime was cunning enough to convince the US embassy to issue an alert regarding a terrorist attack. Why the embassy doesn’t do that when the Ethiopian people are terrorized by their own government is a mystery.
· TPLF made headlines by shuffling the cadres that dutifully pose as Ministers. Again form trumped essence. The policy is the same the face is different. Change Ethiopian style.
· They claim there is freedom of the press but they arrest editors for reporting the news. They imprison or fine reporters and editors for common mistakes. In Ethiopia you do not publish ‘corrections’ you go directly to jail. Names like Berhanu Nega or Teddy Afro are to be avoided. Remember it was illegal to quote Mandela or Miriam Makeba during Apartheid. Junior Apartheid is alive and well in Ethiopia.
· They invaded another country and spent thousands of lives and millions of needed money. They support all sides as long as the result is chaos in the neighborhood. An instable situation in the vicinity makes the TPLF look like a pillar of calmness.
After all is said and done responsibility has to be shared equally by all. As there is no end without a begining; there is no oppressor with out the oppressed. Wars are fought, soldiers are paid, informers are taken care of officials are bribed all with capital. Money makes all evil acts possible. Where does it all come from?
· Taxes from the Ethiopian people
· Loans from the IMF and World Bank
· Loans and grants from friendly governments.
· NGO’s
· Remittances from the Diaspora.
We cannot tell the Ethiopian people not to pay their taxes. It is not wise to tell NGO’s to pack and leave. On the other hand we have the power to influence the last four items on this list. We stand a good chance of being heard by both IMF and World Bank as long as we speak in one voice and we definitely can reduce our own investment. We have to learn to practice what we preach. If tyranny is considered bad and evil, we cannot go around helping and coddling tyrants, nor can we try to sneak in a quick profit at the expense of our own people.
Some might say ‘my investment help create jobs’. This is nothing but a fig leaf to hide behind immoral deed. The Western investors tried the same argument during the debate to ‘boycott’ the Apartheid regime. Foreign investment by the US and Europeans was creating jobs for the Black population in South Africa. Steven Biko and ANC advocated divestment because the tax and other income were propping up the Apartheid regime. Steven Biko wrote ‘those who professed to worry over Blacks suffering if the economy deteriorated had missed the point. We’re already suffering’ He often reminded us ‘those who live in constant fear of being shot, beaten, or detained without charge, for those whose children already live in abject poverty and near starvation, an economic downturn is not the major area of concern.’ Nobel Laureate Albert Lutuli, president of the African National Congress in one of his speeches said:
The economic boycott of South Africa will entail undoubted hardship for African. We do not doubt that. But if it is a method which shortens the day of bloodshed, the suffering to us will be a price we are willing to pay.
Please spare us of your sermon regarding your good deeds. The damage caused by your investment outweighs your so-called kind intentions. The land belongs to TPLF, the construction company is a subsidiary of TPLF, the Finance is controlled by TPLF, the materials supplier is TPLF and the only non-TPLF entity is you my Diaspora friend. So you send you hard earned money to the mighty TPLF and cause inflation for your poor cousins and as a bonus you fly Ethiopian Airlines and fatten the wallets of your tormentors. Ethiopians-Americans alone contributed $1.2 billion last year. What we got here is a merry go round of the ugly type. Talk about pistol whipped by your own gun.
Your million-dollar castle without water, sewer, electricity and unpaved road inconveniently located miles from transportation lines is nothing but a white elephant. Budget deficit and inflation has rendered your make believe million dollar home into a toxic investment. Thanks to you Woyane cadres have reinvested you generous donations in shopping centers and apartments in the West. Justice might be late but it is always around the corner. Thus, yesterdays highflying investors in stocks, bonds and western real estate are today’s confused and liquidity challenged shell-shocked dictators. The so-called infrastructure development is the ultimate ‘bridge to nowhere’.
We Ethiopians were not always like this, so they say. We used to be proud and brave people. Our fore fathers stood up against foreign invaders. It is only yesterday that our own friends went out marching to demand ‘land to the tiller’, and there was nothing in it for them. I guess the military junta was successful in castrating all our manhood and woman hood and left us as a shadow of our former self. We seem to have lost our backbone to stand up against injustice. No spine just ligament. The hope is that it is just a temporary condition. May be this financial meltdown and the assent of our friend Obama will inject some sense of self-realization into our collective heads.
It was James Monroe the fifth President of the US who wrote “It is only when the people become ignorant and corrupt, when they degenerate into a populace, that they are incapable of exercising their sovereignty. Usurpation is then an easy attainment, and an usurper soon found. The people themselves become the willing instruments of their own debasement and ruin.” The year was 1817. It is never too late to learn. Let us hope that we will go beyond this disease of denial and stand up for what is right and just for our country. Here is to overcoming the dissonance caused by this uncomfortable feeling of holding two contradictory thoughts simultaneously. Logic and mental health dictates rejecting one of the contradictory ideas. It cannot be done my friend. Just look at the actions of the TPLF mafia, they are grasping for answers to reconcile dictatorship and democracy.
