The irony of the situation is, the vast majority of the citizens do not have access to the media to fully appreciate the extravaganza. Television, which is the means by which to disseminate information is not a common household item. Besides that, those who might have access to the media could not afford to fully participate. The per capita GDP is a little over $100, several citizens could simply not afford the added expenses to their budget. The rural poor, will bear the brunt of the cost through taxes for toiling on state-owned farmland.
Suffice to say, the celebration is mainly to boost the ego of the elite in Addis, the TPLF and its supporters. The Diaspora community is welcome. The TPLF needs the millions of dollars that will pour into the country to sustain its machinery, which includes the terrible Agazi paramilitary.
Though the Diaspora community needs its dosage of entertainment, yet they should think how their actions would affect the millions who are starving, the thousands of political prisoners, the youths without hope, the victims of AIDS/HIV, and several other factors in the society. I don’t think the fun does outweigh everything else. Thus, it’s incumbent upon everyone to search his or her conscience before making a move.
Has anyone have the BBC record?
Sometimes before the TPLF took over the capital Addis Ababa in 1991, there was
a BBC interview with one of the leaders of the Front. The question goes
roughly like this:
You have the same ideology as the the Government
you are fighting. You are both for socialism. The guerrila leader
responded. No, we are socialists; the Derg is fascist or social
imperialist.
The BBC interviewer or questioner asked which model of
socialism do you follow?
The Albanian model.
BBC: But Albania is
the most wretched country in Europe.
The guerilla quipped. This is an
imperialist propaganda.
Have you ever been to Albania? asked the BBC. The
guerrilla leader answered no I have not.
If there is anyone who may have recorded the interview, please send it
to either [email protected] or Prof. Mammo Muchie at [email protected]
