By Elias Kifle
The Iyasu Alemayehu faction of EPRP has a new enemy — an independent Ethiopian publishing company named Tsehai Publishers. Why? Because it has published former president Mengistu Hailemariam’s book.
Iyasu wants to punish Mengistu by copying and distributing the book for free. What he doesn’t care to understand is that Mengistu doesn’t need the few thousands of dollars that the book may generate in royalty. What Mengistu wants is for his book to be read by every one, not the money. But Iyasu’s action will definitely harm Tsehai Publishers, and it will also set a dangerous precedent where other Ethiopian writers, scholars and publishing companies could face a similar threat of bankruptcy.
The interesting thing is that Iyasu and gang are NOT waging the same kind of campaign against the real enemy, such as Bereket Simon, who recently published a book. It is a normal practice for them to always target only innocent Ethiopians. But never Woyanne. Tsehai Publishers is their latest victim.
Elias Wondimu has put his sweat and blood into building Tsehai Publishers from the ground up during the past 15 years. He is one of the hardest working and most decent Ethiopians I know who loves his country. Tsehai Publishers is currently the only successful independent Ethiopian publishing company that has published over 50 books on Ethiopia. Any Ethiopian political leader who claims to fight for the interest of Ethiopia needs to support and nurture such enterprises built by Ethiopians.
I am singling out Iyasu Alemayehu in this case because after talking with some members and supporters of EPRP these past two days, I learned that they have no part in the action. The campaign to bankrupt Tsehai Publishers is being coordinated by Isayu Alemayehu and a small circle of friends. So I don’t want to accuse the whole EPRP of this despicable, criminal act.
It is this kind of destructive behavior by the likes of Isayu Alemaheyu against innocent, hard working Ethiopians that has made our country the poorest in the world. What a shame!
I urge all members of the Ethiopian free press to take a stand against Iyasu’s action and express solidarity with our colleague Elias Wondimu of Tsehai Publishers.
The book can be ordered online. Click here.