Atlanta raises fund to keep Ethiopia’s only opposition party newspaper alive

Ato Girma, who is also vice chairman of Andinet Party,emphatically affirmed that the current situation in Ethiopia is very conducive to bring about change. Referring to multifaceted dissatisfaction by the people, the Parliamentarian said “Ethiopia has now became a country where its young generation opted to board in desperation, onto the sinking yacht rather than staying at home. It is not uncommon to wait for 6 months to acquire a passport and if such situation is left unchecked, the demise of Ethiopia could be much faster than expected in 2030, said Ato Girma.

With respect to the ever growing of fear and passive attitude by the general public, the MP said, the people have become more and more submissive and “in fact, more than the ruling party’s ability to silence the masses.” He further noted that such lack of courage has made the people more vulnerable and weak in the face of the sinister plots by EPRDF. Citing an example from his party’s experience, the vice chairman said, hotels and printing companies refuse to provide them assembly halls or print the party’s newspaper, Finote Nesanet, with a single telephone call from government officials. The most challenging and tough homework that Andinet currently facing, he said, is to disengage the people from sudden and unnecessary bondage of fear.

Regarding the constitution, he said Andinet Party advocates for the respect of the constitution particularly by members of the ruling party while at the same time rejects government’s interference in religious affairs, promulgating other decrees that over ride the constitution. “Government officials have never been accountable for various offences they commit. It is only when certain friction appears between and among the ruling class that we see an official being dismissed from his/her portfolio” he added.

Ato Girma also touched upon the various strategic plans of the party and threw a piece of advice for Ethiopians throughout the globe to continue their two-fold struggle until victory is achieved. He went on to say that as part of its strategic plan, Andinet Party envisages to work closely with the Diaspora for the common cause.

The other agenda for the day was to raise funds for the revival of the official organ of the Party, Finote Nesanet. Pre-printed tickets of different denomination, (ranging from $100-$1000) were bought by participants in addition to auction of Ato Girma’s necktie that fetched one thousand dollars. Later the organizing committee announced that about $ 6000 was collected during the fund-raising drive.

Earlier, Ato Girmaye Gizaw, Chairman of Andinet Atlanta Support group addressing the gathering pointed out that Ethiopia is now at the most critical stage in history. After posing a question as to how the Ethiopian people could attain freedom, he asserted that it is only when the entire society, from farmers to industrial worker, from students to teachers and professors stand in unison for the respect of their rights as well as when all political parties form a common front that the nation could only enjoy freedom and democracy.

A number of issues were raised during question and answer session. Arguably, knowing the nature of the beast,what would be the chances for the paper to survive even after a printing machine is bought, was one of the questions raised by many participants. Unlike the majority of the audience, the MP reflected optimistic feelings saying that the worst thing to do is doing nothing. The party expects, according to the vice chairman, all kinds of obstacles by the ruling party including exorbitant cost of printing paper. The newspaper which at one time has 30,000 circulation, reaching up to 120,000 readers is currently available only on line, Ato Girma disclosed.

Some members of the audience felt uncomfortable with opinions aired by Ato Girma regarding certain pertinent issues. In fact, many were stunned especially during the discussion over dinner at Ghiion Restaurant and wondered whether that was his personal view or that of Andinet– the party which he leads as vice-chairman.

At the beginning of the meeting participants observed a moment of silence in honor of those Ethiopians who sacrificed their lives while fighting for justice and rule of law in Ethiopia as well as for those who were unlawfully evicted from their generation-old inhabitants and for all those prisoners of conscience currently facing untold misery and hardship at the hands of EPRDF.

The initial venue for the meeting was cancelled due to unforeseen problem, according to the manager of the Jade Event Hall. However, the hard-working support group in a very short period of time, has done a commendable job in fixing an alternative venue and be able to run the show.