When Ato Gebremedhin (formerly Aba Paulos) recently erected his statue in Addis Ababa, he has drawn widespread condemnation. Even some religious Woyannes were unable to defend his action. The erection of his own statue, however, is just one part of the self-promotion campaign Aba Diabilos has been waging at the expense of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Ethiopian Review Intelligence Unit has learned that Orthodox Churches in Ethiopia are being forced to display larger-than-life size posters of the fake patriarch as shown below.
Ancient Ethiopian monasteries are falling apart due to lack of funds needed for maintenance, and yet, the Church’s scarce resources are being used to erect bronze statues and display posters of a gun-totting Woyanne cadre who claims to be a pope.
Such self-promotion is also considered sacrilegious among followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Ato Gebremedhin has been trampling upon Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s rules, traditions and customs ever since Woyanne chased away the legitimate patriarch and installed him as head of the Church.
Upon taking over the church, he started to wear a white robe instead of the black robe Orthodox priests traditionally wear, show off a large gold cross necklace, and carry a handgun. Now he orders the erection of his statutes, and churches are being forced to display his posters like a Hollywood celebrity. What’s next?
Leading up to the fake “demonstration” the TPLF or Meles Zenawi’s supporters conducted earlier this month (August 5), they run an ad detailing the reasons for the event. The sign read, “Come for a peaceful demonstration. A huge turnout Demonstration at the White House and State Dept is planned for August 5, 2010 at… in support of Ethiopia’s effort to make poverty a thing of the past, continuous Economic growth and its right to use the Nile River, and in opposition to the recent terrorist acts against our people in Uganda.”
Where to start; so much to ponder?… But first, let’s look at the statement of “peaceful demonstration.” What would “peaceful” mean to a group that put a nation in shackles, committed major crimes on Ethiopians in the Ogaden, Gambella Oromo and roasted civilians in Somalia like roaches; deported thousands of Eritreans after they stole their hard-earned wealth? What would “peaceful demonstration” mean to Meles Zenawi and his Aigaforum criminal partners that shot direct hundreds of innocent civilians in front of the whole world?
Let’s look at what it would mean to “Demonstrate to support their efforts to make poverty a thing of the past.” How will demonstration at the State Department alleviate poverty? Is it not US that provides the largest financial, material, military and diplomatic support of the defunct Meles Zenawi’s TPLF regime? By all accounts, Ethiopia is and has been the largest recipient of US and Western aid. Meles Zenawi has enjoyed more access to Western and US leaders than any other African leader in history. He attends all the G-8, G-20 and many of the other major international leaders’ gatherings. He has befriended such major proponents of aid for Africa as Geoffrey Sachs and others. They support him on his endeavors to collect major funding for all types aid by applying their theories, methodologies or schemes, if you will. In other words, he never lacked support of those enablers that give him aid willingly. In fact, he remains the poster child of aid handlers. He has been the choice spokesperson for foreign aid and funds generated, supposedly for the “poor” in underdeveloped countries. Then, why did he need to demonstrate outside the doors of the State Department for aid, all of a sudden? It is curious to see Meles, who bombarded the world and Ethiopians with rosy economic growth-figures, which should have placed Ethiopia in the top of developed countries categories by now, begging outside the State Department.
The second stated reason for the demonstration was, “Continuous Economic growth and its right to use the Nile River.” Here again, more questions than answers. Why would a country that claims to have successfully organized Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya and signed an agreement need, the US regarding the right of the Nile river use? Why did Meles need to demonstrate when he has signed an accord with Egypt in July 1993 in Cairo? Article 6 of the accord states:
“The two parties agree on the necessity of the conservation and protection of the Nile Waters. In this regard, they undertake to consult and cooperate in projects that are mutually advantageous, such as projects that would enhance the volume of flow and reduce the loss of Nile Waters through comprehensive and integrated development schemes.”
In addition, Meles Zenawi signed another agreement with Cairo acknowledging Egypt’s quota over Nile River in December of 2009. Therefore, why is he demonstrating after the fact? How is US involvement going to change the agreement? Furthermore, why would the US put itself in a position to have to choose between Egypt and Ethiopia? Why would the US antagonize Egypt who has been a staunch ally and key supporter of Israel and US policies in the Middle East for decades? Is Meles Zenawi giving the US an ultimatum you are either with Ethiopia or with Egypt?
The third reason for the demonstration was “Opposition to the recent terrorist acts against our people in Uganda.” Again, questions, questions and questions yet, no explanation. First, why tie poverty alleviation to anti terror campaign? Secondly, Ethiopia is the number one beneficiary of the billions spent on the war on terror. Then, why did Meles see a need to demonstrate? Is he looking for additional funding? Did the US stop providing him with the funds? Why demonstrate in opposition to a terror act in the US in front of the State Department? Is the US not supportive of Ethiopia’s efforts everywhere? Curiously, is the terrorist Al Shabab, sanctioned by the US? Is the US harboring and providing sanctuaries to Al Shabab?
Furthermore, the demonstration was, “In opposition to the recent terrorist acts against OUR people in Uganda.” How about those Eritreans that died in the blast in the Ethiopian restaurant? It is ironic; of all the people that died in that Ethiopian restaurant that evening, nearly all were Eritreans and yet, there is no mention of them. What is curious is Aigaforum is claiming their Eritrean friends will come and join the demonstrations while they failed to acknowledge Eritreans that died in the blast. The reality however, Meles-ovich or his criminal gangs of Aigaforum do not have Eritrean friends.
The Scoop
Meles Zenawi and his friend Yoweri Museveni believe that they can continue on receiving the financial gains they used to get during the Bush Administration. There are some in Meles’ circles saying, “Why farm when all you need is boots.” Sending troops for peacekeeping missions yields good cash for these despots. In 2007, the average cost per troop for the UN was as follows: $1,028 for pay and allowances, $303 supplementary pay for specialists, $68 for personal clothing gear and equipment and $5 for personal weaponry. These does not include logistical and troop transportation expenses, the further the distance and the rougher the road the more the money. Therefore, there is no incentive for the troop providing countries like Ethiopia to use shorter routs. For example, the distances from Addis Ababa to Port Mombassa is 1804, Addis Ababa to Port Sudan 1696, Addis Ababa Mogadishu 1520, Addis Ababa to Berbera 943 and Addis Ababa Djibouti 910 kilometers.
It is ironic that the bombings in Uganda happened just days before the African Union was to meet in Uganda. Ethiopia and Uganda are the countries that desperately wanted to change the Somalia Mission mandate and escalate the troop numbers to about 20, 000. They heavily relied on the bombings to convince the US and AU into changing the mandate from peace- keeping into active peace-enforcement. Their aim was to try to make the bombings into a 911 type of mandate that propelled the ouster of the Taliban from Afghanistan. That would have given them opportunities to unlimited funds and for extended period to hunt Al Shabab door to door. That failed and failed miserably because the US and AU rejected it outright.
Over the last five years, IGAD essentially replaced the African Union. Meles and Musevini used IGAD to pass their agendas using all kinds of trickery and went crazy thinking that they can keep hijacking African matters but run into a wall during the last AU session in Kampala. The dynamics have changed completely. The AU members have decided to take back the AU. The Community of Sahel-Saharan States CEN-SAD came with one voice and decisions to put a stop to it all and there was nothing any power could do to change that collective advantage..
Most importantly, in pursuing to change the mandate, Ethiopia and Uganda made the miscalculation by thinking that they can take ownership of the so-called “War on terror” from the US and the US rejected it. In other words, these despots let their greed and ill-perceived senses of confidence guide them into their failures. They failed in Somalia miserably. The TFG they tried to screw on to power failed to make a dent let along establish itself. Some analysts have said,” The idea that 8,000 or 10,000 ill equipped African troops are going to be able to defeat the insurgency is utterly delusional.” That is the reality. Meles and Museveni are mercenaries that could only take orders not the other way around. Their aim was to try to make money-using peacekeepers in Somalia not to bring peace or stability there.
As for the Nile, Meles-ovich is using the Nile as a wedge issue in order to change the subject from his domestic issues in the same manner that he used the Eritrean port of Assab for a while! That will not work because Ethiopians have outsmarted him and rejected his devious ploys. In fact, time has come that Ethiopians, Eritreans have started to work together, and it is certain that it will bear fruit.
Conclusion
What the demonstration exposed was that Meles-ovich and his cronies are in the outside looking in. They are about to get layoff notices. It is a sign of a shift in US policies. It was unthinkable for a while for Meles-ovich who enjoyed unfettered access to the State Department to send his cronies in a blues T-shirts (which looked like prisoners shirts) to shout outside the doors of the State Department. It is a true sign of desperation. After he “Won” the landslide victory, 99.6% to be exact, he was trying to show the US he has that type of support in the Diaspora. However, he was not able to bring enough people to fill a small restaurant. Meles-ovich and his Aigaforum cronies conveniently forgot that the US has expressed its disapproval of the election and stated that it did not meet international standards. That is also a reflection of the international community’s views. Meles went as far as the US and their Western allies could take him. However, at this point, Meles has become more of a liability than he is worth. In other words, he is increasingly isolated, loosing grip and sliding downward fast.
Meles-ovich thought that he cleaned house in Ethiopia and it was time to focus in the US by changing the subjects from domestic to terrorism, The Nile and poverty. He figured Ethiopian communities in the Diaspora would play dead and allow him to own their agendas. He was wrong, because they came roaring. They did not give him a chance. They held their own demonstration and took away from the attention he desperately thought to get. In reverse, he actually reinvigorated the Ethiopian communities and all his opposition. In other words, as always he miscalculated.
This was a great opportunity not only for Ethiopians but also for all peace loving people that want to rid this despot. By holding the failed demonstration, he hinted to all that he is not receiving the attention he needs from the US. That means, it is a great opportunity for the people of the region to press the US more into completely dropping him. Because, without US support he cannot survive a month even with China’s support. China will not go to war for him and certainly, China would not want the US to stop supporting Meles because they do not know what the alternative would look like. Therefore, it is time for all the people of the region to join hands and show the world what they feel and urge them to change their failed policies in the Horn of Africa.
I am astounded and disturbed by a gratuitous vilification, denunciation and resentment of Ato Shiferaw Abebe towards OLF. One can feel the fury of his pen and his unmitigated rants and bristling just to rebut a simple resolution by OLF inviting all stakeholders in the Empire for united front against the Wayannee controlled regime.
Unnecessary and pointless demagoguery is not a panacea to the Empire’s complex, intractable, social and political dilemmas. Ato Abebe inveighed against OLF with predictable rants of a grieved nefetegna instead of a sober analysis of the crisis confronting the region. Surely, OLF has its own foibles and shortcomings; however, it is the only credible entity in that wretched region who can act as an intermediary with good faith and authenticity among the contentious and quarrelsome organizations in the Empire. It is very difficult to put forward an idea for consideration in the present dysfunctional political culture that is prevailing in Ethiopia. The shrillness and savagery of the attack that was lobbed at OLF when it organized the AFD by the cacophonous bunch from EPRP was deafening. Ato Abebe’s canards have a familiar tone and genre spewed out by those who do not have a scintilla of civility nor intellectual integrity to offer a viable dialogue to remediate the exasperating ethnic and political chasms in the country.
If one scrutinize the totality of OLF’s contribution to the generic social and political struggle in Ethiopia for the past few decades, some minor setbacks notwithstanding, I have no doubt that history will absolve OLF as one of the major contributor to the struggle of all Ethiopians for freedom and dignity.
On the issues of national unity and the role of Oromo nation in general and that of the OLF in particular, there is a need to sketch a brief history of the Empire. Ethiopia was forged as an Empire in the last half of the 19th century by successive Abyssinian Emperors and warlords from the north. Emperor Menelik the II, as the most notable and in the case of the Oromo and other southern polities, he and his generals conquered and annexed a large stretch of land and population in the territories what is now regarded as southern Ethiopia. The grossly cruel atrocities that were committed against the Oromo nation and other nationalities in the course of empire building were very appalling. For the Abyssinians, these Imperial marches of conquest and annexation may be viewed as nation building of glory and gallantry. For the polities in the south, it was rivers of blood and tears. Menelik’s campaign against the Oromo and others in the south is well documented and even dubbed by some historians as the Southern Marches of Imperial Ethiopia, (books by Harold Marcus, Mohammad Hassan, Wendy James, and several other scholars on Ethiopia could be consulted). Even the vilest European subjugation of African peoples did not parallel the pillaging and desolation committed by Menelik’s raiding army in the conquered South. Through an extended and forceful subjugation/colonization from garrison towns that were established by the Imperial Army, the fate of the south in general and that of the Oromo nation was doomed and sealed to be part of the grand Imperial design of Emperor Menelik’s. “Greater Ethiopia”
It is against these historical contexts that we must embark when we engage in dialogue to sort out the complexities of “national /Oromo question”. Oromo Nation predates the onslaught of Abyssinian and European conquest and colonialism. It was not a modern nation with all the entrapments of a structured nation state. However, it existed like most African polities of the period, including that of many Abyssinia regions (i.e. Gonder Gojjem, Tgray, etc.) independent and self reliant of its resources, governed by republican legislative governance called Gadda democracy. Democracy permeated every aspects of Oromo culture. Gadda is a system that has an organizing structure of thoughts, concepts, doctrine and tenets which provided the basis for and –upon which identities constructed by the Oromo people.
At abebe’s comparison of OLF with TPLF and other Abyssinian organizations and their politics unmasks the convoluted and often arrogant political disposition of the Abyssinian elites. The notion that OLF is a failed and rudderless organization is risible. OLF, with all its shortcomings, is a major political organization that represents at minimum, forty percent of the Empires citizens. All things considered, OLF may not even need to coalesce with any group to be a contender in the Empire’s politics. However, to mitigate the chronic conflict of the whole region in general and the dysfunctional political culture of the Empire in particular, it behooves any adroit organization to embark up on some sort of rapprochement among all the stakeholders in the Empire. OLF’s call for a united front is a genuine and honest gesture. I know for a fact that OLF has a long and enduring cooperation with the stakeholder of the Southern polities, (i.e. Sidama, Somali, Afar, and Benenshagul.etc.). Hopefully, in the future the polities from the north will be comprised in as part of this pan-Ethiopian canopy to unify the Empire on the equal footing to all.
OLF is a product of contemporary Ethiopian history. Unlike multiple Ethiopian organizations that were formed by the political left of the 1970s or the innumerable Ethiopian political parties formed by the Diaspora leisure class, the OLF was given birth as a reaction to the abusive and opprobrious treatments Oromo nation was subjected to by successive Abyssinian rulers including the present Meles regime. It was and is the manifestation and aspiration of the Oromo to a long history of betrayal, treachery and unimaginable cultural and political oppression by the Abyssinian state and its apparatus. The OLF, for an ordinary political observer, may look just another liberation organization, for the Oromo, it represents our indomitable virtues and unyielding spirit to rectify century old degradation by the Abyssinian rulers, and hence we even jokingly say every Oromo is an OLF!
Further more, OLF never gave false claims or hopes to its rank and file. Successive leadership of the organization warned us, due to the level of development of our nation, the struggle will be a long and arduous one; there will be ups and downs, conflicts and betrayals within the organization itself and in the political milieus of the Horn of Africa. It really does not matter how many Abyssinia rulers usurps the state power in the Empire, for us, the focus should be to organize, win the hearts and minds of the Oromo people throughout Oromia and strength the unity of conquered peoples in the Empire. Comparing OLF with TPLF is a bogus proposition! TPLF was the creation of EPLF, it trained, indoctrinated and ushered it to Tigray so that it alone would not bear the brunt of Ethiopian army in Eritrea! One should not look into the growth of TPLF in isolation from that of EPLF’s objectives. At its inception, as well as it matured to level of a credible fighting force, TPLF had the backing of Eritrea rebels. OLF, on other hand, never benefited from any outside assistance, or have had a benefactor to mentor or motivate in the art of guerrilla warfare. Whatever achievement it had, it was home grown and reflected the meager resources and improvised resistance against the powerful Ethiopian state apparatus.
When most Guerrilla movements in the Empire were massacring each other in the name of revolutionary justice, (TPLF is a poster child of these vile and sordid acts) the OLF never engaged in any sort of “self cleansing” to advance any political views or disagreements among its members or leadership. Those who felt that the life of a guerrilla is an intolerable task and could not endure the discipline and the sacrifices were allowed to withdraw from the organization and were bade farewell with out any consequences. The OLF and its history bear no comparison to all the indictments hurled against it by ato Abebe. His gloomy prognostication that “ it will remain an exile secessionist organization forever giving false claims and hopes to its ever fractured membership” is yet a familiar derision and abusive invectives only ato Abebe and his ilk conjure-up to malign OLF about its visions and conviction of liberating the Oromo nation. He is hardly qualified to assess the present status of OLF and its activities. We, in the Oromo resistance look at the Ethiopian history and culture as that of colonizing structure that did hold-down our societies’ potentials and our nation-hood. Unlike Ato Abebe who views the Oromo quest for freedom and dignity as “secessionist”, we spent the bulk of our adolescent and adulthood years in the jungles of Oromia and some of us in exile struggling and hoping one day our people will be free to govern themselves. The struggle continues!
If on the other hand, his characterization of the organization had been true, I have no qualm to add my criticism of the OLF to his, but it is not true and his is just a craven canards!
The entire hullabaloo by ato Abebe about OLF is perhaps a result of social and political alienation of Abyssinia intellectuals from what is transpiring within non-Abyssinian communities. This hatred enhanced intellectual commentary and stance vis-à-vis OLF and other colonized peoples in the Empire is a craven screed and will not elevate the debate or the unity of the Empire. The social forces that kept Ethiopia as an empire crumbled and if we continue to advance and maintain bankrupted views, there will be many mini Ethiopias, not one! A serious debate should have not been marred by virulent distortions and ridicule by ato Abebe and other characters. The inability of these “elites” to understand the rising tide of resistance in the Empire in general and that of Oromo nationalism in particular illustrates the primitive stage of their creativity and an underdeveloped democratic culture. For all their erudition, these “elites” will not save the Empire as it is politically arranged now. They write vacuously with content less platitudes about the glories and indivisibility of the Empire. The shrillness and mordancy of their tone in their commentary is quintessentially feudal Abyssinian intolerance for other people’s choices and views. If ato Abebe’s attempt is to persuade Oromo nation to abandon the struggle for Oromo rights, dignity and identity, and feel more Ethiopian solely on the basis of the present structure and political arrangements, his arguments fails miserably. The travesty of his writing about OLF illustrates the hypocrisy and ultimately the intellectual bankruptcy of his range of vision.
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) is the link between Oromo masses and defiant resistance against the Meles’ regime. Correctly perceiving this historical role, OLF members continue to risk their lives to organize, mobilize, agitate and educate Oromos everywhere.
Indeed, it is necessary that we make a profound reassessment of both the military and political concepts of the national struggle and the call for unity against the entrenched Wayannee regime undoubtedly constitutes one of the essential processes of this solidarity.
From our perspective, in our struggle, there must emerge a tested and visionary leadership supremely confident of its ability to shape the destiny of the Empire and its people. And from it, too, there must spring a tolerant, creative, modern and democratic Ethiopian state endowed with rich experiences and convinced of the rights of its citizens.
Finally, the Oromo nation’s resistance is a momentous process that cannot be stopped by Meles and his thugs. The quest for freedom and the willingness to pay any price will continue to shape the political environment of the empire, either through ballot or bullet, the self-determination of our people will come. It is an historical inevitability that the struggle of the Oromo and all peoples of the Empire will succeed. The courage, the vigilance and the commitment of our people will determine the distance. For sure, we will go to any length to free our people.
(Dumeessa Q. Diimmaa is an Oromo activist. He could be reached at [email protected])
Ethiopia’s genocidal warlord Meles Zenawi has told reporters at a press conference today that his regime is ready to talk with Ginbot 7.
Responding to a question by EthioChannel newspaper reporter, Meles said that Ginbot 7 and all the other opposition groups, including OLF and ONLF are welcome for dialogue as long as they accept the constitution.
EthioChannel is a supporter of the ruling party, and it is suspected that the question about Ginbot 7 was discussed in advance.
Asked whether his regime jammed the independent Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT), Meles said he doesn’t want to give an answer to that.
A group of Ethiopians who took part in the Woyanne fake march in Washington DC last Thursday have expressed deep regret and offered their heartfelt apology to the people of Ethiopia and Ethiopians in the Washington Metro Area after finding out the real objective of the march and who were behind it.
Some of the individuals were brought from Ohio and other states and had been misinformed that the march was organized by a coalition of all Ethiopian civic and political groups in DC. When they arrived at the demonstration site they were shocked to see the ugly Woyanne flag all over the place and Solomon Tekalign singing about Meles Zenawi’s eyebrows. They later found out that the whole thing was financed by Abinet Gebremeskel, Al Amoudi’s assistant, and coordinated by Woyanne cadres and thugs.
One of the individuals who expressed regret is named Fikru (click here to read about him).
Addis Dimts Radio’s Sunday program has a segment on both the Woyanne fake march and the protest rally in front of Chinese embassy that was organized by Ethiopians in the DC area on Thursday. Click below to listen.
[podcast]http://www.addisdimts.com/archive/Mp3/08-07-10.mp3[/podcast]
Disappointed by the low turnout, Negussie Woldemariam of YeHod Fiker Radio on his Sunday program asked the Woyanne regime to confiscate land and houses given to those Ethiopians in the Washington DC area who have failed to attend the rally.
A delegation representing various Ethiopian groups in the Washington DC area participated in the 2010 Eritrean Festival in Washington DC Saturday night.
The Ethiopian delegation led by Ato Neamin Zeleke took part in the festival in a show of solidarity with the people and government of Eritrea and to express appreciation for the humanitarian and moral support Eritrea has been providing to Ethiopian freedom fighters, as well as political refugees.
Eritrean Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. Ghirmai Ghebremariam and organizers of the festival have warmly welcomed the Ethiopian delegation.
The festival, which was held at the Washington Convention Center, included Eritrean cultural shows, music and food.
The participation by Ethiopians in the annual Eritrean festival indicates the rebuilding of relations between the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia, despite the effort by the fascist tribal junta in Ethiopia that is working hard to sow discord between the two people.
Ancient Ethiopian monasteries are falling apart due to lack of funds needed for maintenance, and yet, the Church’s scarce resources are being used to erect bronze statues and display posters of a gun-totting Woyanne cadre who claims to be a pope.