TPLF, the main actor in the regional states affairs, as usual put itself openly in SNNPR. It was to be recalled that TPLF was controlling through Bitew Belay, Solomon Tsimo and Hilawi Yesuf in South, Oromia and Amhara regional states respectively. TPLF used to perform different dramas in the so-called self-administrative regional states. The TPLF life is full of Drama. One can cite the court drama, the anti-terrorist drama, the self-administration drama, the election drama & etc.
Now another drama is started in Awassa. Awassa is now facing TPLF’s ill-studied March 2006 drama.
The Sidama people urged the Woyane regime for full practice of self-administration in the Sidama Zone in 2001. The Woyane dictators answered the Sidama people question of self-administration with gunshot and killed more than 30 people. The chapter was assumed closed by the Woyane regime by its ruthless killings. But after the 2005 election when the Woyane realize that CUD, UEDF and others parties won the election in SNNPR in general and in Sidama Zone in particular, they directly ordered the Sidama cadres (as it did with the other EPRDF DOs “ EPRDF Democratic Organizations ”) to agitate the people to ask regional status question for Sidama Zone which was buried in 2001 by the Woyane itself. But after the Woyane regime feels ”successfully ” rigged the 2005 election and arrested the people elects, they turned 180 Degree and denied the Sidama people question once again which they themselves brought to the scene. This time the Sidama people started struggling the Woyane regime fiercely. The Woyane PM then visited Awassa to give direction to its cadres in the region about the situation in February 2006. He discussed the matter with some of the cadres who were selectively chosen by the Woyane itself. The Woyane’s leader and the Sidama cadres then in the name of the people of Sidama canceled out the state status question of the Sidama people. The PM played his act by becoming a good lover of the Sidamas. The cadres also performed their part in by raising question to the PM that were believed to be circulated to the cadres by the Woyanes for media coverage and to mislead the people.
Some of the funniest questions raised by the cadres were,
To change the Name of the South University to Awassa University
To release Abate Kissho , who was the president of the SNNPR
To allot land to Sidams
The above three questions were answered with speed of light after the meeting. As many witnesses Abata Kisho is now released, the South University and other institutions with South prefix changed to Awassa (ex. South University changed to Awassa University). Land alloted to more than 1500 Sidama within a week period in Awassa (the Capital city for more than 3 dozens ethnic groups) . Investment Licenses are given to Sidamas.(more than 100 Licenses were given in 15 days). All governmental posts except those that requires professionals are given to Sidamas.
The TPLF continued the drama by calling cabinet meeting in Awassa. The main agenda was clear for most of the participants. It was to give a presidentail post to the Sidams in SNNPR. As many expected before the meeting, the drama come to an end by replacing the President HaileMariam Desalegn (from Wolayita Ethinic Group) by its Vice-President Shiferaw Shigute (from Sidama ethnic Group). For EPRDF gambling, Hailemariam Desalegn is expected to become an ambassador or to be given an office in the Woyane Federal Government. The Cabinet meeting which was scheduled to be held for nine days adjourned after three days on March 2006.
Now it seems that the March 2006 TPLF drama was well-accomplishedn for the actors. And they departed Awassa with Sidama cultural clothes (Guffayya) hoping that one day they will do it with new actors.
The ironic part here is that, SNNPR is not only for Sidama. It is the home for more ethnic groups including the Kembattas, Wolayitta, Sidamas and Guraggies. But for TPLF, now the agenda is only Sidamas. Because they raised real self-administration issues The TPLF knows that it will transfer the power one day to the others turn by turn. But now the main point for Woyane is to change the Sidama people agenda in the expense of the other ethnic groups in the region. The drama is expected to continue in the same way one day when the Gurragie, Wolayita or Kembatta raise regional state question. Woyane knows it will not be a big job for TPLF to perform the drama again except nominating new actors . The newly elected president Shiferaw one day follows the Hailemariam’s path!!!
