The
Ethiopian opposition saga at least those of the vociferous and
scandalous Diaspora, whose economic and material contribution
created crisis during the election 2005, looks definitely to go
toward its end. This was the type of “support group”, “task
force”, “intellectuals”, fanning hatred and discord among
Ethiopians using radio stations and meetings, collecting huge
amount of money to help ascend “yegna sewotch or our people”
to power and lobbying politicians in many countries not to cancel
debt, give aid or credit to the poor in Ethiopia as well as
aspersing politicians or using violence against other Diaspora
Ethiopians. Strangely, this shameful and disgruntled group has
gone so far as to impose sanctions by the so-called H.R. 5680
“Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights Advancement Act of
2006” by inviting congressmen of the USA to pass this bill and
interfere in the internal affairs of Ethiopia as if the country
were under the colonial rule of the US. The turn of events before
and after the current election in the US, however, has shown that
this bill looking to the traditions of the US foreign policy does
not belong its priority area.
While the Diaspora
community in many countries such as India, China, Italy, etc.
played or plays a big role in the development of their countries,
some Ethiopians still remain in their primitive and violent
culture of disseminating rabid hate and ill will, despite their
years of stay and exposure to the civilized and democratic
traditions of the West. Instead of trying to portray the negative
image of Ethiopia and its people, this people would have used
their ability to forestall schism, help the Ethiopian people to
extirpate poverty, diseases and other social evils through direct
investments, transfer of knowledge and other partnerships with
foreign firms and organizations.
We have recently
among the supporters and factions of CUD in the Diaspora read and
heard accusations and counter accusations of unlawful money
withdrawal and theft, the dictatorial leadership by the ex EDU
member and ex officer of the kinijit international leadership (kil),
his suspension from his chairmanship or the dismissal of the other
members from the leadership as “weyane” agents or for their
illicit actions, etc. Scandals and secrets are leaking out now and
then on how collected money is misused by the upper echelons of
the “support committees” and “sister organizations”. All
of a sudden a letter handwritten by the invisible hand of the
mother kinjit in Ethiopia from Kaliti prison came out to settle
the ever-raging conflict in support of one group by ordering them
to set up a new organization in the name of kinijit global council
(kgc). A sop to a dying patient by equally profligate person,
responsible for the riots, disturbances and destructions cannot do
miracles at the last minute. By the way wasn’t the CUD had a
list on the death rows of Ethiopian politicians including its own
members? Such a father such a son! These diehard groups already at
cutthroats are going to end up in total collapse with no future at
all. Money extorted and under deceit of power and position as well
as for arming a non-existent army of a so-called EPPF through the
pariah state of Eritrea has dwindled or apportioned among the
leaders in Diaspora.
The whole idea of
kinijit (CUD) from the outset was factually based not on sincere
politics of opposition but on deliberate manipulation, deception
and dishonorable behavior. A party patched up from different
groups and backgrounds with different ideas and views
(conservatives, fundamentalists, ex-derg officials and centrists)
and whose sole aim was power by any means possible without
extensive and well-thought party program was doomed to failure.
The way the election campaign was conducted among the populace
with the subsequent rabble rousing as an end result has been given
as evidence by those observers of the election. How can one
explain when CUD campaigners going to villages and telling people
that there is no government in Ethiopia and that the only thing
left for them is to elect the CUD? In a country where people were
devoid of multiparty culture for many years and people do
associate the authority of government and state intermingled as
one and the same, it was insincere bordering to criminal act to
assert such mischievous to our rustic population. The same also
applied true to the unemployed youth by tantalizing hopes of
immediate solutions to their conditions, though the leadership of
the CUD knew that these promises were simply illusions or castles
in the air not to be realized for a country with enormous
economic, political and structural challenges and problems.
We know that
Ethiopia needs a credible and responsible opposition to be able to
have a check and balance in government and where people can elect
or unseat their representatives. This process can only become true
if all who have stakes to form opposition or government are
genuinely dealing the issues with arguments, follow the
savoir-faire of our society, show wisdom and responsibility.
Ethiopia is now on its way towards materializing this ambitious
line with independent and opposition members occupying more than
30% of the parliamentary seats. EPRDF as the party bearing the
government should also be open to views, ideas, opinions,
suggestions, etc. and positive critics in order to involve and
work together with the parties, represented at the Parliament,
with the civic organizations and individuals. The majority of
Ethiopians in the Diaspora have also to contribute positively
towards uplifting the positive image of Ethiopia by informing
their communities, local politicians and investors so that we
pride upon a strong and democratic Ethiopia.
