Dr. Negasso Gidada and Ato Seeye Abraha were not featured speakers at the Conference, but they fully participated during the extensive “Question and Answer” session. To begin with during the Question and Answer session there were precisely only two men who raised the issue of the past association of Gebru, Negaso and Seeye with the TPLF and/or the Government of Meles Zenawi, with the suggestion that those Medrek leaders should not be there addressing the attendees. The reaction to such questions from the audience was very lukewarm and I could even say hostile and disapproving. The audience did not want to go into such disruptive rhetoric and clearly showed its disapproval through its silence and scattered and faltering clapping. On the other hand, the response of the audience was a thunderous clapping after answers were given by Negasso, Gebru, and Seeye in response to such questions. It was very clear that most of the members of the conferees were supportive of Negasso, Gizachew, Gebru, and Seeye and the process of unity that Medrek was fully representing in the Opposition.
I underscore here the fact that the audience was overwhelmingly supportive of the Leadership of Medrek and eagerly participated in a most constructive manner in the discussion. Through out the conference a number of individuals asked questions first stating their great admiration of all three Medrek leaders who were former high officials in the Government and the EPRDF. The one individual statement that had a subtle criticism of the TPLF fighters that the attendees clearly appreciated was made by a former member of the Ethiopian Navy who stated in a moving and highly restrained voice that he did not fight in the desert up north in Ethiopia as Derg’s soldier, but as a proud member of the Ethiopian Army honorably fighting subversive “bandits” protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. Reporting or commenting on Medrek Conference may easily be misunderstood even may be labeled as some form of propaganda piece because of the sensitive issues discussed at that Conference. I state here with great sincerity that the Conference was the most positive and well attended conference that I had attended in Washington DC area in a long time.
It was clear from the number of questions asked that there were four specific areas of concern to Ethiopians at the Conference. First and foremost was the concern about the continued Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. It did not seem to be that much of a concern the form of Unity that may be necessary to maintain that Sovereignty and territorial integrity. The second focus of the many questions from the audience was the state of the economy of Ethiopia. The third concern of many of the people present at the conference and those who were able to call in from outside of the United States dealt with the strength of the Unity within Medrek itself. The fourth set of questions focused on foreign relationships and the issue of Ethiopia having seaports and the statues of all international agreements entered by the current Ethiopian Government.
A. National Security and Unity
Most of the questions focused on issues dealing with the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia was in connection with the fact that the current Government of Meles Zenawi did not represent the best national interest of Ethiopia. These questions were often tied to the problem of national unity. The issue of national unity cannot be delaminated with the strategy and tactics to maintain that unity. Thus, comments and questions seem to mix the two.
One poignant question by an individual who identified himself as Gebré captured my attention fully. He asked a rhetorical questions leaving much to the imagination of the audience, “Do you have ‘game changer’ strategies?” Seeye used that question in several of his statements in responding and explaining the form of struggle being waged by Medrek. What the attendee was asking deep under was a direct inquiry how far the leadership of Medrek is committed to the struggle. He was euphemistically asking whether the leadership is ready to play “dirty politics” to use smear politics, for example, though he did not give any indications about such “game changing” tactics.
The challenge from some of the members of the audience was directed at Seeye questioning his patriotism or loyalty to the Ethiopian cause. More importantly additional questions from the audience focused on the harm done by the EPRDF in causing the secession of Eritrea and the landlocking of Ethiopia. Judging by the number of times those two questions were raised, it seems most of the audience wanted to hear some form of an apology one more time from Seeye about his role as a TPLF fighter and later as a Defense Minister for the Transition Government of Ethiopia. Mind this is not the same type of question raised by two members of the audience who challenged the very idea of Seeye being in the opposition with Medrek. Seeye was up to the task.
Seeye stated with great clarity and honesty that he did recognize the concern of the audience which was legitimate. He further elaborated that very many individuals in the audience were former Meison, or EPRP, or Derg Members, and are responsible for much of the harm on the people of Ethiopia and the State of Ethiopia. Seeye being active participant and military commander with the TPLF took full responsibility for his participation and would answer to all accusations at a time where Ethiopia had resolved its crises of governance. The task at hand, Seeye pointed out vigorously, was to establish through peaceful political involvement a new Government that would be working for the people of Ethiopia rather than against them.
B. Article 39
The Constitution of 1995 has several vexing problems and none more troubling than Article 39 that seems to set not only the most unusual principle in the history of Constitutional Law but also affirmatively instigate the people of Ethiopia to break up the nation into ethnic enclaves and dissolve the very State (Ethiopia) out of existence. It is only natural for any organization or a human being to fight destructive processes. Thus, most of the most emphatic commentaries and questions focused on Article 39 of that controversial 1995 Constitution. Often the questions and commentaries challenged the current administrative and political structure as a deliberate act of disunity. It also seems to suggest the legitimacy of the current EPRDF Government.
A number of questions and commentaries were directed at Gebru Asrat, especially questioning the fact that his political organization, Arena, is ethnic based party, which seems to contradict his support of the unity of Ethiopia as a viable single nation. He was further challenged by one attendee to show the difference between Arena and the TPLF. Gebru explained the fact that his party is supportive of the minimum political program of Medrek therein claiming it is an Ethiopian unity supporting party. He also explained the strategic necessity to have Arena as a challenger to TPLF’s unchallenged hold on Tigrie as its exclusive fiefdom. Although I am supportive of a national party established on the basis of economic, political, and social factors that has nothing to do with ethnic identity, I see also the strategic value of having Arena compete in Tigray. However, the leadership of Arena and all other non-national Parties that are members of Medrek must have a progressive agenda to dissolve their ethnic based Parties at the right time in order to build a single national party.
In this regard several questions were directed at Seeye Abraha also challenging him to state clearly where his loyalty might be, whether to promote the interest of Tigrie or to correct the mistakes committed against the State of Ethiopia. Seeye in addressing such questions paused to the Members of the Conference his own challenge whether to keep bringing up past mistakes or to be forward looking and face the challenge of the future to build a democratic and prosperous Ethiopia. He reassured the audience his commitment is not temporary or opportunistic but genuine and for the duration. He emphasized along Negasso and Gebru that they all had had great positions with the current EPRDF controlled Ethiopian Government. If their desire was for power and the acquisition of wealth they would not have chosen the arduous route with poor constantly harassed political opposition Parties. All four Medrek Leaders emphatically affirmed their commitment to the cause of the democratic aspirations of the people of Ethiopia and the Sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia.
C. The Economy of Ethiopia and Land Ownership
The concern for most Ethiopians at the Conference was the current state of the economy of Ethiopia. The poor economic system in place in Ethiopia on one hand and the exaggerated report of fabulous economic growth by Meles Zenawi on the other has become fabric of all kinds of jokes. Even after the Conference was over I heard in small groups of the audience, as they spill over in the lobby of the Hotel, discussing the seriousness of the looming national famine because of several serious corrupt economic structure setups of the Government of Meles Zenawi. Engineer Gizachew and Ato Gebru emphasized the fact that there need be major changes in the economic policies of the country. The connection between economic growth and the empowerment of the Farmers of Ethiopia go hand in hand with the guiding principle of liberal democracy.
The land ownership and proper use of such land is part of the problems affecting deeply the economy of Ethiopia, thus it is only appropriate to emphasize how very dearly the members of the Conference paid attention to the Ethiopian Government policy and Constitutional provisions dealing with the ownership of land. It was a disappointment to many of the attendees that I had a chance to discuss that the Medrek leadership has not as yet fully resolved such key economic policy. I tried to explain the consultative and consensus building in the decision making of Medrek. I admit that I did not succeed in convincing anyone, the problem was that I was not convinced myself either. Let the market determine who the “best farmer” is in tending his land and making it highly productive. The Government ought to restrain itself from interfering in that process. Of Course, the Government has serious role to play like making credit available even for small farmers and helping them to market their product by building feeder as well as main road systems throughout the countryside.
All the leaders of Medrek stated in various forms that Ethiopia had been deprived of its coastal territories and the Port of Assab. Some members of the Conference expressed to me after the Conference was over, why Medrek leaders are limiting the legal rights of Ethiopia to Assab only, but should not they be claiming all coastal areas including the Port of Massawa as the historic part of the Ethiopian State. Prior to the Italian occupation of Eritrea in 1890 the Port of Massawa only was occupied by the Ottoman Turks. Nevertheless Ethiopia had never relinquished its Sovereign right on the whole of Eritrea during that same period and had levied Taxes and appointed officials as administrators and garrison commanders. I believe that Medrek Leaders must freshly study all international applicable principles and norms in far wider perspective that take into account the history and demography of the region.
IV. Role Models: The Distinguished Judge Frehiwot Samuel and other Attendees
I hear often lamentations from a number of Ethiopians that we as a people are in decline losing our sense of self identity and pride as a people. One of the reasons for such loss of identity that is often identified as lack of inspiring national role models. It is in fact ironic for a country that had ancient linage and thousands of years of history with great warriors and pioneering civilization to feel a sense of lose for lack of national role models. We have distinguished scientists, educators, innovators, writers, et cetera anyone of whom could be great role model for our young. It is our responsibility to seek out these great Ethiopians and publicize their work and their contributions to society.
One of the highlights at that memorable Medrek Conference was the public declaration of support of Medrek by the Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Ethiopia, the most honorable Judge Frehiwot Samuel. It is to be recalled Judge Frehiwot headed the Commission of Inquiry that was established to investigate the violence in the aftermath of the fraudulent election of the 2005 results declaring victory by the EPRDF. Even though relentlessly pressured by the Government officials including Meles Zenawi to rewrite the investigation report that supports the lies and perversions of the violence committed by the Government on the order of Meles Zenawi, the righteous Judge courageously condemned the actions of the Government and the murder of civilians and the repression that followed where tens of thousands were detained and brutalized by the Government security and the EPRDF party apparatus. He preferred to suffer the indignity of being a refugee than compromise his integrity and the interest of Ethiopia by doing the corrupt agenda of Meles Zenawi and his functionaries. Judge Frehiwot is the kind of role model that young Ethiopians should know about. And Judge Birtukan, who is in prison for life for exercising her fundamental right of speech and self expression under the draconian and primitive rule and governance of Meles Zenawi, is another courageous role model that young Ethiopians already know about.
I totally discount and strongly disagree with the famous statement of Lord Palmerstone dealing with the self-interest of a state is all that matters and nothing else. Accepting the fact that the national interest of a state to paramount; nevertheless, as far as I am concerned, a nation without some great ethical standards is no better than a den of wolves or a pit full of vipers. Great historians affirm to that fact whether it is Thucydides writing about the decline and destruction of the Peloponnese, or Gibson pointing out the fall of the Roman Empire or Toynbee writing about the destruction of all great civilizations, and each great scholar pointed out the fact that such civilizations died from the inside out due to moral decay of their respective communities. Ethiopia is rotting from inside, and the decline of social responsibility is alarming. This is truly the time when we need moral leaders and great role models.
V. 2010 Election and After
Professor Mesfin Woldemariam is the most destructive and stubborn individual who is holding an entire movement hostage to his esoteric views of political life in Ethiopia. This man is an old man with his closet full of skeletons of opportunism, betrayal, and criminal participation in support of the bloody Derg. Mengistu Hailemariam, the blood thirsty dictator, pointed his finger at Mesfin for the murder of many of Ethiopia’s senior Government Officials after the report of the Commission of Inquiry of which Mesfin and Bereket were Members. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. It is a fact that Mesfin was an eleventh hour critique of the Military regime and Mengistu Hailemariam. I just hope some one close to him would explain to him that he does not have singular authority to present himself as the flag bearer of justice. Mesfin has no right to block membership in Andenet to anybody. And how Mesfin would think he has the temerity and the impudence to judge others, especially Seeye Abraha and Negasso Gidada, both freedom fighters who actually defeated Mengistu in battle and not just pontificate in Parliament, is beyond any rational thinking.
It is incredible to think that an individual, who never ventured outside of the safety of a class room setting is now trying to sabotage a people’s movement to get rid of Meles Zenawi. It is hypocrisy on the part of Mesfin to use Birtukan Mideksa as a subterfuge to carry out his political perversions and try to use flimsy procedure in order to pursue narrow narcissistic goals. His recent antidemocratic and disruptive meeting in Addis Ababa and the pronouncements thereof is utterly juvenile and serves no national purpose. [See Appendix II] He is now promoting knowingly or unknowingly Meles Zenawi to continue his oppressive and abusive Government. The timing of the disruptive public gathering of Mesfin and his deviant supporters is meant to inflict maximum harm to Medrek and is not aimed to promote positive gain to his political ambition. Here you have an individual who is motivated by hate and without any regard for the welfare of Ethiopians at a crucial time. I always had respected his effort in the creation of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission that had done a lot of good by recording the brutality and violence of Meles Zenawi and his thugs on the people of Ethiopia. However, his recent activities had totally tarnished his great contribution in that regard.
It would be political naïveté to expect a single election to bring about total victory over the EPRDF and Meles Zenawi and the disastrous legacy they are leaving behind. Even if the formal counting of the number of Representatives clearly leads to the formation of a new Government composed of the Opposition, it will still require fortitude and a slow corrective process to transit peacefully to a democratic system of government. I am not undermining the value of holding elections, but pointing out the great value of participating in elections even a rigged one. For example, if Kinijit had accepted the number of seats ascribed to it by the Election Board of one hundred seventy two seats, a great many number of positive changes would have been forced on the EPRDF in the last five years. Instead what transpired was infighting and destructive self mutilation of the leadership of Kinijit that benefited Meles Zenawi and the EPRDF. The final insult to the suffering people of Ethiopia is the signing of a Code of Conduct, a document of suppression and devaluation of the election process, by three splinter groups of Kinijit with EPRDF—a clear betrayal of the aspirations and hopes of the Ethiopian people.
The Leaders of Medrek did address the issue of the future of their association in positive terms. They saw possibilities of far closer working relationship that might lead to the transformation of Medrek into a “front” leading into unity and a single political “party” formation. From the thunderous clapping every time Negasso, or Seeye, or Gizatchew and Gebru stated their commitment to forge ever closer ties with each other working in the national interest with ever more closer relationships, I am convinced what we are witnessing is a great history of the rebirth of Ethiopia in the making.
I hope people have learned the expensive lessons of the last thirty years. It is true that we are our own worst enemies. Every Ethiopian political Party whether in power or seeking power has both structural and leadership problems. The tendency to fracture and to form insiders and outsiders, by pushing out some members of the community or party organizations to the periphery or by totally eliminating them from the party organizations, is a typical process that one can easily witness in all Ethiopian Parties. I am not being fastidious or cynical of the nobler things that Ethiopians aspire to achieve, such as national reconciliation, forgiveness hurtful past deeds, unity and solidarity, working for the benefit of all members of the Ethiopian community et cetera.
Even in this very great moment of the success of the April 18 Medrek Conference, the fault lines of future conflicts can be discerned by any keen observer. It is our responsibility to prevent from repeating past errors leading to infighting and decomposition. One troublesome area of future conflicts may have to do with the fact of allowing few toxic individuals, usually former members of the inner core of past Ethiopian Governments, pulling political and ethnic strings to make the young generation of Ethiopian leaders to carry on their destructive manipulation for hegemonic power that they had lost for decades now. We are now in a real process of creating far more unitary and responsive political culture. Here is where we all must take political baptismal as born-again politicians working for the economic and political salvation of our society.
Conclusion
There are several lessons to be learned from the Medrek Conference of April 18, 2010. The most important lesson to me is the fact that there were individuals from all ethnic groups in large numbers. It occurred to me, for example, if it had not been for the presence of Gizachew, Negasso, Gebru, and Seeye the number of attendees with Amhara, Oromo, and Tigray ethnicity would have been very limited in its mix. Without the full participation of the three ethnic groups of Ethiopians, no democratic change is possible in Ethiopia. For that matter, one can safely extend the same reasoning to be inclusive of all other ethnic groups.
I am very satisfied that the April 18, 2010 Medrek Conference was entirely organized not by elitist “intellectuals” but by hard working Ethiopians from all walks of life. For our own benefit, the Medrek Conference is a lesson in the effective and rapid mobilization of the Ethiopian public. It is also a great lesson in humility and fellowship. Andenet’s support group in North America and other supporters of the Members of Medrek carried out what can only be seen the very best example of cooperative effort. When Ethiopians are inclined to do good deeds, they usually bring out the very best; and when they decide not to cooperate, they can also bring out the worst in our community. To me, it is a dream-come-true to witness such high quality organizational skill in truly young Ethiopians, my juniors in decades. I must confess in the last few days, I have been sleeping quite peacefully not worrying much, for I am convinced that Ethiopia will be in good hands in the future, in the hands of very talented and very patriotic young Ethiopians a glimpse of whom I witnessed at Medrek Conference.
Instead of skepticism and cynicism, all of us ought to rejoice by the fact that one or several of Ethiopia’s errant sons found their way back home to Mother Ethiopia and are ready to serve their fellow Ethiopians, even sacrificing their lives if need be. It requires great courage to admit ones mistakes and even more so to take a positive step to correct that mistake. Negasso, Gebru, and Seeye are all honorable men who realized their mistakes in associating with Meles Zenawi and the EPRDF and being a part of that political process and participating in the corrupt and harmful policies implemented therein in the past, and they are now committed fully to mend the many mistakes hurtful to the vital interests of Ethiopia and its citizens. To paraphrase Seeye, let us all help join hands to bring down what few had elevated to a great height of political power and economic might and wealth, for the good of our Ethiopia.
What is most important in a political process is being true believers. It is not the leadership but their followers that determine the nature and the mood of a movement ultimately. This is not to deny the subversive impositions all leaders tend to have over their followers. Of course, one must restrain oneself from making overreaching generalized statements. However, I do believe without generalized or generalizable concepts and guiding principles, we will suffer from lack of vision and disciplined activities. I am convinced the April 18 Medrek Conference confirms the fact of political development that is transcending ethnic limitations. I thank all who organized, participated in the Conference, especially Dr Negasso, Engineer Gizachew, Ato Gebru and Ato Seeye for lifting up our spirit and for planting the seeds of hope in our hearts and minds. Ω
Tecola W. Hagos
Washington DC
April 20, 2010
[The Author can be reached at [email protected]]
