Repression as a Renaissance: TPLF/EPRDF Hollow

1 The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life in the
early modern period. Beginning in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its
influence was felt in literature, philosophy, art, music, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of
intellectual inquiry. Renaissance scholars employed the humanist method in study, and searched for
realism and human emotion in art.

TPLF/EPRDF version of renaissance as we have witnessed it over the last two
decades is a renaissance of collective trauma, division and suffering of the Ethiopian
people. It is an open secret that in TPLF/EPRDF’s Ethiopia where political descent
equals terrorism and those who dare to think and imagine more inclusive, more just
and more equitable society are considered a threat and languish in the dungeons of
“Makelawi” and other prisons across the country the prospect for renaissance is
nothing more than tyrannical joke.

In the infantile brains of TPLF/EPRDF ideologues renaissance is simply a few shiny
buildings or some imported technologies or endless propaganda machinery that
repeats the same lie over and over again. This simplistic understanding of complex
social phenomenon is certainly a glance into the immature and uninformed
consciousness of the ruling group. In today’s Ethiopia under TPLF/EPRDF the
conditions do not exist for renaissance. All evidence shows that Ethiopia today is
under a totalitarian security surveillance state.

The renaissance of Ethiopia indeed is a dream and hope of all peace loving
Ethiopians who have been struggling for the realization of economically just,
politically inclusive and socially cohesive country. The truth is that almost all
Ethiopians know that such a dream will not be realized under the corrupt, divisive
and brutal leadership of TPLF/EPRDF. The night mare that the Ethiopian people
have endured for over two decades has deepened the collective trauma. A regime that
killed more than 200 people on the streets of Addis Ababa, a regime that rounded up
tens of thousands of innocent civilians to jail, and tortured, maimed killed thousands
doesn’t have the moral ground to speak of renaissance or social change in Ethiopia.

If the building of a few bridges, roads and schools equates to social renaissance the
people of Africa who suffered under the yoke of colonialism would have accepted the
presence of colonial powers in their lands. The fact of the matter is they didn’t. In
fact, they rejected colonialism and fought for their independence. A few roads,
bridges and apartment buildings are not replacement for human dignity and freedom.
The ultimate human need is freedom and justice, to respect and be respected to live
life without fear of persecution. These are the non-negotiable and values of
Renaissance.

In today’s Ethiopia there is no single independent media out let that provides free and
balanced information. Those who dared to do so are being labeled as “terrorists” and
are being locked up in jail. Let alone the free flow of ideas, any political discussion in
Ethiopia is fully monitored and watched by the brutal security and surveillance
agencies of TPLF/EPRDF regime.

The rebirth or renaissance of societies is deeply intertwined with the presence of
institutions that safe guard and guarantee the fundamental freedoms and rights. In the
absence of such institutions, social, economic, political and cultural renewal and
rebirth are impossible. No society in history of human kind has collectively traded its
freedom for material compensation. There might be a few who sold their soul for
crumbs as it is the reality with the current TPLF/EPLF followers. In general however,
vast majority of the people of Ethiopia have chosen to continue struggling for the
true realization of Renaissance that guarantees freedom in its complete forms. Indeed,
that day will come when we all proclaim the truth – Free at last! Free At last!
Thank God Almighty we are Free At last!