However, and perhaps sadly, the analysis of the problem and the cause, do not end with those hailing from the left aisle only. The issue begs for a fuller explanation and the equation cannot be satisfied with a partial solution alone. We have seen and still see problems of “civility”, “tolerance”, and political discourse gone awry with those political leaders who not only are/were not affiliated, but also disdainfully dismiss the Marxist tradition and legacy. We can start with Colonel Goshu Woldie – a one-time Medhin leader and go through Lidetu Ayalew, Hailu Shawel and Professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam.
Citing Col. Goshu in this category might be perhaps problematic as he might have once belonged to the Workers Party of Ethiopia; so, we may set his case aside for now. Moving on to Lidetu, based on the public record, it is clear that he is instrumental in the breakup of Kinjit, particularly in obstructing the effort of CUDP to be legally registered as one wholesome organization. Further, he is now engaged in targeting his firepower more on the opposition than on the regime.
As to Ato Hailu Shawel, again basing our arguments on the public record, we have read and seen that he has obstinately and adamantly dismissed the attempts of his colleagues and followers to keep Kinjit together as one organization. Instead, he opted to travel solo and separate. Contrary to the wishes of millions of poor Ethiopians [who are disproportionately the victims of the EPRDF regime], for the opposition to stand together to bring them a better future, Ato Hailu’s AEUP and Lidetu’s EDP have continually elected to ignore the call. No difference is big enough to prevent any home-based political party from coalescing around Medrek. Whatever minor differences there maybe, they could be postponed for deliberation in post-Meles Ethiopia.
The irony of it all is the fact that EDP and AEUP, although they have essentially the same political program, have not merged as one party which requires only one of their leaders to be the leader of the merger. When parties decide to travel solo, the saddest development is the likelihood of them feeling a need for a security cover and unwittingly allying with the regime they are supposed to fight. At this time it appears that the parties that signed the Code of Conduct may be poised to come down on Medrek using EPRDF’s state instruments of suppression on issues surrounding the coming election. We hope it won’t happen.
Rounding up the list, Professor Mesfin’s latest role as an opposition to a viable opposition party in UDJ is at the same time theatrical and tragic. With government media in tow to fan the gap between the splinters and UDJ, Professor Mesfin is reveling in his new role as a spoiler and UDJ is forced to fend off the assault on its organizational unity and promote its political functions despite the stark absence of state security forces to offer it what they are required by law to offer. I am certain that Dr. Yacob is more familiar and in tune with these facts more than I am as he has been affiliated for a few years with these political actors. Therefore, to say that our Marxist tradition is the culprit for the lack of civility in our political discourse is to start to tell the story and not finish it.
In fact, ideology seems to be playing a fading role in Ethiopian politics today. What may afflict us all is what Bahiru Zewdie, among others, says “ while tolerance and accommodation were not entirely alien to the Ethiopian culture, there were two tendencies that militated against this culture. The first was a deeply ingrained militarist tradition …and second, in cases of doctrinal differences, opposition tended to assume a total character”.1
Nowadays, in the waning days of ideology, personal bahri [personality, or behavior] of the political leaders rather than their ideological pedigree plays a bigger role. Some of the important criteria the masses of Ethiopians must insist upon for their leaders to possess include 1) humility; 2) holding the collective’s interest above individual desires; 3) perseverance and a distinguished record of militancy ; 4) untiringly working for alliance formation and hanging together.
In fact, surveying the Ethiopian political kaleidoscope shows that in the last two decades, tremendous gains have been made and many antagonistic parties have developed a culture of working together. However, to see a democratic Ethiopia, a lot remains to be accomplished through opposition alliances, and the emergence of young leaders.
— 1The Ethiopian Red Terror Trials, edited by.K. Tronvoll, C. Schaefer and G. Amene, p.22
