By Asehnafi Alemu
Mistrust Obstructing our Common Sense
The current situation within the opposition leadership and the public reaction that followed are a true mirror into the “post-revolution” make up of Ethiopians: blinded by mistrust and ignoring the light of basic common sense.
I have followed all the reports since the first rumors came out concerning the split/disagreement within kinjit. As it should be, my analysis is based on media articles and especially on the interviews and public meetings directly conducted with the leaders in question. Not many have friends and relatives within party circles; the majority has to restrict itself to public sources of information. However, in a society characterized by low level of trust, the value of such public information becomes less significant. Chasing rumors and wild sagas that support our conspiracy theories become more important. We tend to forget basing our views on direct interviews and communiqués that are publicly available. We get blinded by mistrust ignoring the light of basic common sense.
I will take side this time
If not for such widely prevailing poor level of trust, why should we cast doubt on the touring Kinjit leadership’s and specially that of Dr. Berhanu Nega’s intentions? Thanks to the independent media, we have heard all the concerned individuals. Engineer Hailu Shawel, Dr Taye W/Semayat, Professor Mesfin , Birtukan Midieksa, and Dr. Berhanu Nega have all spoken out. Talented journalists have asked them all the relevant questions and we have heard their answers. Is it so difficult to decide who we should side with?
Many have already scrutinized the unsubstantiated and empty words of accusations that were targeting the 22 delegates. The meeting of October 14th in Washington DC, organized by Engineer Hailu’s camp, was a special eye opener. The level of political sophistication, or the lack of it, was marked with pure trash talk and kindergarten like discussion of “why a certain Ms. X did not get a car while another Ms. Y got a car?” For any well reasoning person, the defamatory speeches toward the 22 delegates of Kinjit and especially towards Dr. Berhanu were not to be expected from any leader that aspires to lead a nation. Do not forget, I only base my conclusion on public sources of information. Here, I would like to remind us that, if we indeed one day have genuine democracy in Ethiopia, we will be limited to base our choices on information that is publicly available. I guess by now you know who I am siding with. I do not know Berhanu; he could be a devil in an angel’s costume. Rumors aside though, he has appealed to me and many others. He appears to be an honest Ethiopian who is committed to the Ethiopian cause. Nevertheless, there is no assurance that he might not fail us in the future. Any leader is prone to failure, but we would have to support and follow their leadership until they prove otherwise. In their struggles for freedom, Neilson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi could also have failed their constituencies; however their constituencies did not wait till the death of these freedom fighters to admire and respect their leadership.
If we based all our analysis on what has publicly happened so far, in which way did Berhanu show his lust for power? On the contrary, besides his obvious commitment for genuine democracy, he has proven that he is well spoken than many others, he is more likeable than the average Ethiopian Politian, and most importantly he is appealing to the youth of Ethiopia. To the disappointment of his critiques, may be he does not need nasty political manipulations to shine as one of the leaders of the new Ethiopian millennium. However, 40 years of mistrust in Ethiopian politics has blinded us from basing our judgment on our common senses.
Personalization of politics
I believe some shine more than others, and Berhanu has been shining. I guess we will be mistaken if we claimed that the Mahatma paid the ultimate sacrifice that was ever paid for Indian independence. Many before him had paid much bigger sacrifices. However, timing, personal skills and his vision made his contribution monumental. We should refrain from worshiping personalities, and by all means, we should not hand out our struggle to the mercy of few individuals. However if our common sense dictates us to respect and side with certain individuals, we should go ahead and do it, until they prove otherwise. We need leaders with character that appeal to a wide spectrum of our society.
Let’s not get blinded by mistrust ignoring the light of basic common sense.
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The writer can be reached at: [email protected]