Representatives of Kinijit support committees and chapters in the United States held a two-day conference in Washington DC on August 19 and 20. The conference initially was called by the Kinijit North America Support Committee (KNASC) chairman, Shaleqa Yoseph Yazew, and those who opposed the Kinijit International Political Leadership (IL). Those who supported the jailed leaders’ decision to form the IL had objected to holding the conference and expressed their opposition in a petition letter submitted to the chairman before the conference. But later on, they decided to take the opportunity to solidify support for the IL, and to also confront the KNASC officials with the serious problems facing the party. There was a great deal of worry that the conference could endanger Kinijit unless the IL takes control of the situation.
The first day and part of the second day were spent in heated debates, accusations and counter accusations. The participants, who were attending the conference representing various localities, accused the KNASC officials of being inactive and incompetent, and of mishandling the party’s resources. At times the meeting almost turned into a riot as some tried to defend the KNASC officials and bully those who were expressing their dissatisfaction. The decision earlier by KNASC officials not to allow the auditor to present a report added more fuel to the fire. Finally, the chairpersons who presided over the conference, Dr Moges Gebremariam and Ato Solomon Bekele, carefully guided the meeting towards resolutions, by first tackling the debate over whether the auditor should present a report. The conference promptly reversed the KNASC’s (6-4 vote) decision and allowed the auditor to present his report.
The auditor presented his report on the second day of the conference. The report, as anticipated, was powerful and compelling. We will not go into the details here, but the auditor practically gave the KNASC leadership a failing grade in both leadership and accountability. The shocking effect of the auditor’s report changed the mood of the conference. Even those who were recruited by the chairman and other officials to provide blind support were left speechless. After the auditor’s report was heard, the conference formed a 7-person inquiry commission to investigate the auditor’s allegations and submit a report with recommendations at the next conference of all representatives, which will be held shortly. The conference gave the Inquiry Commission full power to look at all documents, and subpoena the officials for questioning.
The conference demanded that those individuals who took control of Kinijit’s official web site to hand over the site to the appropriate Kinijit authorities immediately. One of the individuals who had the control agreed to unconditionally hand over the web site.
The conference approved a proposal that was presented by Ato Andargatchew Tsige on the relationships between the KNASC and the IL.
A proposal to eliminate dual responsibilities in the KNASC and the IL was supported by the conference. In support of this proposal, the secretary general of both KNASC and IL, Ato Berhanu Mewa, voluntarily resigned from his KNASC position. But the chairman, Shaleqa Yoseph Yazew and others decided to remain in their dual positions until a detailed plan is submitted and decided on.
The conference decided that all funds that are raised in the name of Kinijit but diverted to unknown accounts controlled by unauthorized individuals to be returned to Kinijit’s official bank account.
Most importantly, the conference decided to not only support the IL, but to also provide the necessary material and financial support to help the IL carry out its political decisions.
At end of the conference late Sunday, it was difficult to find any participant who was not happy about the outcome. The news of the conference’s success will be a source of joy and hope for Kinijit’s supporters around the world, and a reason for worry to its enemies.
Ethiopian Review would like to indulge in a little self-congratulatory for shining a light on the problems inside Kinijit, informing and pushing its members to find solutions. In the eyes of many intelligent readers, particularly those who believe in promoting a democratic culture inside Kinijit, ER’s way has been vindicated.