The whirlwind visit by the Ethiopian PM is real in case you doubt your senses on the events of the last few days. It really happened. An Ethiopian leader came, sat with the ever-disparaged ‘Diaspora’ and left without insulting, putting down or offending us. I am happy to say the new PM’s visit did not leave us upset, exhausted and depressed. On the country it forced us to ask what we as the lucky ones that survived Woyane madness can do for our country. We thought no one would ask that question. We are humbled.
Simply put Ethiopia is born again. Being an Ethiopia is in vogue inside Ethiopia. It has always been like that with us that left. Ethiopia was the only thing that made our exile bearable. Deep inside we knew we have a home, a family, a culture and a place we call our own. Woyanes assault on our core value only made us appreciate our Ethiopia more. We stood Woyanes logic on its head. Forgive our elation. When I heard ‘Elleta’ in the International airports in every continent I knew Ethiopia is on the move. The last time I heard that was the welcome of Kinijit leaders from Woyanes dungeon. It was yesterday but it feels like a long time ago.
Once again Ethiopians danced on every continent to usher a new day. Our visitors gave voice to all what we were screaming about the last few years but thought no one heard. We were heard. A lot sacrificed and paid to wake us up. The struggle took many forms and shapes but the goal was the same. Free Democratic Ethiopia. Our humble request for freedom and democracy was echoed by our new PM the last few days. It is music to our ears. Not because we get anything personal from it but we have come to realize only Democracy and respect for the sanctity of human life to be the key to build a harmonious future.
Those that love Ethiopia, those that worked hard to bring their community together, those that stayed close to the struggle, those that made a point to serve their community made our PM’s visit successful. The necessary connections to city government that enabled the declaration of Ethiopia Day in every city our guest traveled were cultivated the last few years. Mayors, Congress representatives, city council members were lobbied by activist Ethiopians advocating freedom for our people.
It is good to note that country-loving Ethiopians laid the foundation for the wonderful visit by the PM. It is fair to conclude the job of organizing a welcome fit for such a charismatic leader would have fared better, run smoother and would have elevated the conversation to a higher level if it was run by those that have proven their worth during the Woyane resistance campaign. It is sad some thought allowing ‘Woyane Embassy’ personnel and turncoat Ethiopians that have been loyally serving the minority regime inclusion in the decision-making would reflect the new mood in our country. It does not. We have a long way to go.
The wonderful concept of Medemer is still evolving. Our understanding of the term has even created some hilarious situations. I have noticed those that pair ‘forgiveness’ and ‘Medemer’ have something in common. They want to slide under the guise of Medemer to wash away their twenty-seven years collaboration stain stamped on their forehead. The fact is the vast majority of us have nothing to ask forgiveness for unless may be for not working harder to bring peace to our people. What more could I have done is what keeps us awake.
I am happy our PM’s visit was very successful. We were thrilled to experience the feelings of love, unity and common purpose that the Ethiopian people have been enjoying the last hundred days here in America. I have to confess I was skeptical at first but faced with what I witnessed I believe Dr. Abiy accomplished a lot with his short visit.
The real work of building a new society based on the rule of law has already started. The EPRDF under Dr. Abiy has made changes to accommodate the new reality in the country. The extent of his power and the reach of his authority is not clear at the moment. He has used surprise cleverly to disarm his opponents. Within a few months he has grown to be a seasoned professional politician. His approval among his people must be the envy of every leader. Dr. Abiy has achieved messianic proportions.
He has used his visit to share with us the road map he is following. When it is distilled down to its basics he has indicated what he wants for Ethiopia is a Western-style multi party democracy. He has shown his agreement to hold elections in two years as specified by the Constitution. We will put our trust on him and his team to do what will go in history as a transformation moment for our ancient land. We always reserve the right to do what is necessary to reach our goal if promises are not kept or dictatorship tendencies manifest themselves. Today Ethiopians believe we have passed that watershed moment in our quest for freedom. There is no turning back.
It is left up to the citizen to organize and make their voices heard. In order to help Dr. Abiy and his team a truly organized party, civic association, professional organizations and such groups can facilitate intelligent discussions and help citizen participation. That is the foundation for the new and improved Ethiopia. It is a minor enhancement to make the union serve the 21st century citizen. It should be crafted carefully to serve generations to come.
The preparations by Arbenoch Ginbot 7 to return home from exile is a game changer. AG7 is a seasoned and battle tasted movement that has deep roots in Ethiopia. Its members and sympathizers are deeply embedded inside the country. Its leadership is stocked with educated and experienced Ethiopians that have operated in high-level positions both inside Ethiopia and the International arena. The presence of such highly respected organization with Professor Berhanu at the helm will add value to the conversation about building a strong and united Ethiopia.
It is obvious AG7 is out of the gate running so to speak. It shouldn’t take long to transform itself from a movement to a party. It starts with a well functioning mass base. Its ability to raise funds is legendary. One of the key ways AG7 is different from others is its working relationship with the Social Democracies of Western Europe developed during the resistance. It gives the organization an edge in stature when compared to the competition. AG7 today is present in every continent and well organized with volunteers that have shown staying power compared to many Diaspora groupings. It has more sympathy and muscle than the recently departed (evaporated) Diaspora Woyane sympathizers. It has proven that making resulting in TPLF’s trip abroad a stressful situation for its officials and running dogs.
A strong opposition is vital for building the future Ethiopia. The current group led by Dr. Abiy is not a lasting design. It is clear he is not comfortable with it. He wants to be a national transformer while his group tries to make him a village force. Can he transform EPRDF to think big; OPDO to dream wide is a good question. A formidable opponent like AG7, Semawi, ODF, and others emerging will give a chance for Dr. Abiy to reform his party. A newly organized EPRDF will force the new parties to find ways to work together and challenge the status quo.
All looks simple and doable but the reality is different. Twenty-seven years of dictatorship does not wash away that easy. Institutions have been built, books written, movies produced to imprint Woyane lies and revised history. Boundaries have been drawn and a lot of wealth looted. It is enough to make little people think building a new nation out of thin air is even possible. The top in Addis Ababa has been replaced but that change to travel to the village level is a Herculean task. Those that constructed the old order are still around though in self imposed exile are still a threat. Not that they will bring the old order back but they will pose a bump on the road.
What we are observing today is their stubbornness in the face of imminent defeat. That is the negative trait that has led them to their current dilemma. They thought by setting Ethiopians against each other they will rule for a hundred years. They believed ethnic cleansing and pushing people from their ancestral land would prolong their rule. They wrongly concluded selling land and using the bank as their ATM and their conglomerates arrayed as EFFORT will dazzle and quiet their people. Obviously it did not work. So today with their own violation they have moved to their Kilil.
What it is doing is creating unnecessary and vulgar side talk about the people of Tigrai and Ethiopia. They are trying to make an issue of a non-issue. Let us see, upon arrival as liberators they decided we should draw boundary based on ethnicity. There is no record any Ethiopian asking such question. They proceeded to take over every available position in the country. All important and key positions went to Tigreans. If another ethnic group is put in position of authority his assistant is always a Tigrai cadre and he is basically in charge. They hyped their heroism and never failed to mention our indebtedness to their gallantry and special god given warrior gene. Mind you they are the one that waved their ethnicity like a flag and used it to intimidate and den\mean others. Thus they ruled for twenty-seven years with an iron fist and many fell victims to their dark urges. Many people in Ethiopia do not look kindly at Woyane rule.
They lost. Now they are upset. They are preaching to Tigrai people Ethiopians hate them. We refer to them as Hyenas and under the circumstances they even threaten seceding from Ethiopia. It is clear to anybody that knows Ethiopia it is far from the truth. We have proven we are beyond ethnic loyalty. It is not because we thought and pondered a lot regarding the futility of raising such question but simply it is because the vast majority of us are intermixed and we really don’t have loyalty to one. I don’t know about you but I feel safe as an Ethiopian rather than being an Amhara, a Gurage and an Oromo that I am made from.
There is no organized group that is anti Tigrai, the term Hyena is crafted to refer to all that abused, looted and behaved dishonorably. Regarding secession I doubt the people of Tigrai will look at this stupid idea of going it alone as an idea from well working brain. Debretsion, please us a break. It looks like according to Tigrai prominent figures like Dr. Aregawi TPLF Woyane is on its own. They are telling Seyoum, Abbay, Debretsion, Sebhat and their comrades to resolve the issues with the Ethiopian government and not involve Tigrai people in this volatile situation.
If they truly love Tigrai, if they truly mean good for our country they will refrain from destabilizing activities, return to Addis Ababa to respond to outstanding questions and face the music like honorable men and woman. Hiding behind the skirt of Tigrai is unbecoming of such heroes that for twenty five years told us we are useless, unable to unite and old fashioned Ethiopians that are too feeble to challenge them. What Dr. Abiy is telling them in a very kind way is do not disturb the hornet’s nest. If you persist he is saying he might not control the rage of his people plus there are a few things you have to return before you exit the stage. To put your mind to rest you see we are not very vengeful people but when pushed we are very nasty. Keep that in mind.
