Management of crisis

Anonymous | September 23, 2007

Jubilant Ethiopian opposition leaders greeting their audience upon arrival at the Marriot Hall in Arlington, VA on Sept 16, 2007 (Tewodros Mekebeb, Ethiomedia)

Those who do not learn from history will repeat the same mistake. Not every family problem is the same. No problem of any political organization is the same. The nature of any crisis at any gives time within or between political groups differ. What was a problem yesterday is not a problem today and time is a big factor.

From our short life and very short political life for that matter, we have seen a lot of problems and some major crisis within and between political groups. If we travel through time, we are forced to question, were there problems in political organizations? Too naive a questing? No. Regardless of time, geography and socioeconomic structure, there were differences and major divisions in political parties. However, it is admissible that not all differenced lead to division.

If not chronologically arranged, the two major political parties, the GOP (Grand Old Party) and the Democrats in the US use to be one political organization for decades. The main political party in the process of the revolution of the early 19s was one political organization which divided into Mensheviks, the majority, which did not succeed and Bolsheviks, the minority, which finally control state power. In the current ruling party of China, there were differences in the early sixties where few were purged. One can keep on writing about a large number of them. Instead, the question becomes, was there any political organization which was not marred with differences and faced the demise of split, descent, faction or division?

The first political organization in Ethiopia is the EPRP which is still active and involved. There were differences in this political organization and, some joined the then dictatorial system and the majority persisted in their struggle. This is only to cite an example. There were differences in almost all including the Derg “Seded” and the rest of the smaller political parties. The core of the current tyrannical system has seen its historical moment too. No one is spared

Currently even within the last three years, we have witnessed a large number of differences, some which had major repercussions. The difference between the founding members of HEBRET. The difference between the winner of the current election and the differences which we see now.

In the recent past, the major source of difference was ideology, East and West. After the end of the Cold War, this difference doesn’t look to matter much to say the list. There are differences in the line of perusing the future. There are differenced in principles and even out of political thoughts, there are differences which are rooted in Ethical, Moral and Religious backgrounds. The rest fall in smaller categories of irrelevant and trivial petty pitfalls of hunger for power, money, fame etc. but are sources of problems.

There are differences and categorically, one can divide them in to two. Reconcilable and irreconcilable differences. The irreconcilable differences were differences based in ideology, which we do not have at least for now. There is a difference between two people, almost inevitable. If there were no difference life will be meaningless. The origin of progress itself rests in differences. Without difference life will be stagnant and boring. The friction of ideas and differences in the same and different schools of thought bring new ideas, trends and improvements. No one avoids the existence of differences. It is in the nature of Humanity. Political parties are composed of dynamic individuals, involved in conflicting ideas. It is the field and personalities. If there is a difference between two individuals, in a family, a society, the existence of differences in political organizations is expected to expands in scope and magnitude.

There is a reason for narrating this much, of the vast history of political parties. Just one small reason but very relevant and important. As mentioned above, do all differences lead to divisions of political parties/groups? Are all differences supposed to end in division of political parties/groups? The simple answer is no. Not all differenced lead or are supposed to lead to a division of any political group or organization. If this is the case why do all the above and the current political organization divide? One has to think twice to find the answer. If some and trivial differences are not handled with care, they will lead to division and the collapse of any one political organization. Small differences which look irrelevant can cause major problems. At any given time, in any political organization or for that matter in all organizational structures, if there is no mechanism of ‘management of crisis,” it will be repeating the same mistake which all the above organizations have committed.

There are differences and differences from misunderstanding and miscalculations which can lead to bigger problems. One has to think again to see when a problems become a “Crisis”. In an open savanna, small fire becomes a devastating blaze, mainly from the wind. In nature, so far, there is no means of controlling the wind but in politics there is. Either or both the flame and the wind can be controlled.

When such problems arise where do we start? In order to proceed there has to be a systematic approach to management of problems (crisis).

Suggested, as a starter, steps to consider are:-

1. Recognition of the existence of a problem

The basic and first question is, do we have a problem? Most of the mistakes originate from the lack of recognition and admittance of the existence of a problem or problems. When problems are covered up, through time they will get compounded and will be difficult to untangle. There are affairs of the people which do not need the involvement of every individual. Some affairs don’t need to come out to the public. Some need public recognition and remedy. If there was no problem there is no need even to proceed further. This area is subjective. Recognition do not need much work but proper communication within or between members of any organization.

2. Identification of the nature and origin of the problem.

The identification of the problem is critical to its management. Ideological or philosophical problems are not main concerns and what are we left with? If ideology (east and west) which was the mother of all irreconcilable differences is out, we will be left with the rest. Namely, is the source of the problem on the line of the future, Ethical, Moral principle, religion, power, money? etc. This is the crux of the matter. To take time and analyze the nature of the problem is the main task. If the disease is not known, the medical Doctor can’t prescribe the medicine. Once this is identified, the big work of management will be easy to handle.

Resolution of the problem (Crisis) being the major task, once the nature and sources are identified, the first step to take is to control the problem” Damage Control”, before further damage ensues. If immediate steps are not taken, the next step of problem resolution will be more difficult. What are the areas which feed the fire? Can they be controlled or confined? Is there any possibility if minimizing what is to follow? etc.

3. Resolution of the problem.

There are no two problems in time which have the same nature. Any problem which creates a draw back even in the smallest amount of time possible, delay in activity, is a problem. Time is nothing but life itself, if you call it money, your life is money, simple as that. Bureaucracy is nothing but time. The tyrannical system survives in dividing the children of the people and buying time to create more problems and division.

Any political organization must have a mechanism of resolution of a crisis. This is where the rules and regulations of any political organization comes. There is no need to elaborate on this. If it is not been worked out, then there is more problem.

For every action an individual or group takes there is a consequence and repercussion. Some mistake are genuine, not premeditated and might arise from lack of or depth of knowledge. Misunderstanding, lack of communication are other sources. etc. Some are calculated, orchestrated pre-meditated and grave in their consequences.

It is important to stress that, some political organizations in the country and abroad are organized for one basic and cardinal principle. To help the poor of the country and for the main objective goal of safeguarding National Security and Integrity, now and in the future. If this is the case, any difference within and between political groups and organizations, in one form or another, will have an impact on the well being, the future of the people and the integrity and security of the a Nation. One doesn’t have to be myopic of the result of ones action. Care has to be taken not to ruin when trying to build.

All the major global wars and civil wars are the results of differences of ideology, principles and philosophies. The civil wars in the country for the last half a century are the results of political crisis between one or different political groups. War of words are just the beginning of the coming bigger conflict. The extension of a political conflicts is a crisis which can lead to wars. “War is the extension of politics” Or” War is a means of achieving what can’t be achieved by politics.”

This being the big picture, It is worth mentioning that one’s political life can cease or might continue in different form if crisis are not managed properly.

When the poor are dying, suffering, deprived of the basic Democratic and Human rights, when the People are eagerly waiting, expecting much from all organizations, when time is of the essence to alleviate their suffering, when Unity is the only way out of this tyrannical system, do the people deserve to hear as well as see what we are witnessing these days???

If it is money, we are far away from it. If it is power we didn’t conquer it. If it Ethical or Moral issues, we are bound by one noble principle of country and people. If it is religion we have lived in harmony before and even now. If it is philosophy, ideology it is not existent at least currently, then what???

If it is a question of line or methodology of pursuing the future, it can’t become a problem or a crisis which can lead to misunderstanding and what follows from it. It is time to come to ones sense!!

It has to be stressed again who the beneficiary is, from these differences. If we do the homework for the tyrannical system, when it does its real work, all have to expect more is in store for them. Unless it is the work of the tyrannical system, no one with the common sense of helping the poor, will think of inflicting differences and divisions among groups and organizations, and help the tyrannical system walk again and legitimize it, specially at this time of the heat of the moment.

At last, when handling affairs, it will be wise to think in terms of the poor of the country regardless of age, sex, creed, belief and affiliation. Think of the poor, for they come first. Money, power, personal interests and the rest are secondary. The People and the country first.

Management of crisis being wide and a broad subject, in depth analysis and suggestions are expected from the wise men of all political organizations and individuals and experience elders. This is not a concern of an individual , one or certain groups or organizations, it is much bigger than that.

Unity is power!