Such an alliance, which takes such groups as OLF, ONLF and other nationalist groups in its bosom, seemed impossible not only by the TPLF but also by third party observers, albeit for different reasons. For TPLF, such an alliance was unthinkable simply because it feels confident that the group’s long time strategy has succeeded and stood the test of time. Third party observers, on the other hand, thought such alliance unthinkable because the groups represent diametrically opposing views, at least in their assessment. But the new alliance seems to be disproving both. For the TPLF though it will not be viewed simply a matter of an other calculation went wrong, but a huge homework to do to disrupt such alliance. (You bet me, by now TPLF is forging its own cheap versions of OLFs, ONLFs and CUDPs).

Many Ethiopians has been not only starved for this kind of coalition and dialogue between the various forces that are working for democracy but also openly calling for it. Many commentators, editors, civil right groups and scholars had called several times for such a group to be formed and start dialogue not only on the current situation but also on issues pertaining beyond, sooner rather than later. I, for one have written extensively on this issue, particularly in April, May and June last year.

The last fourteen years have thought Ethiopian several lessons and seems that we have started heeding many of them. Among those lessons, there were some histrorical facts that we heard of, but never openly mentioned; either to keep political propriety or simply the right moment was not ripe.

One of the biggest agenda TPLF has been busy on during the last fourteen years was that of driving a wedge between various groups in the country. Many political commentators have tried to draw our attention to the fact that TPLF was not established as a mainstream political movement of its own but as a strategy for an other grand political aim, that of the independence of Eritrea. My point here is not to dwell on this over trodden-issue, but something else.

Few months after the TPLF/EPLF victory over the Dergue a close acquaintance of mine confided to me that he has been a clandestine TPLF member for a long time before they took power. This guy, who later became a TPLF big-shot, shared it to me that they [TPLF] did not consider the independence of Eritrea or the overthrow of the Dergue as their most important victory. I asked him what then was they considered the most important victory. He said in brief that “we cut the hand off its spear”. My acquaintance who immediately noticed my confusion went on elaborating his “wise adage” of which he was visibly proud. Decoding the puzzle, he told me that the “hand” represent the Amhara and the”spear” represent the Oromo. Since I was more confused by his elaboration than I was by the adage, he said that the Amhara had dominated the North using the Oromo Generals and soldiers. Therefore, he said, “our eternal achievement is that we have succeeded in decoupling the two groups for ever”. At the time, I didn’t want to argue with him by saying that, in a democracy every group, major or minor, are equally powerful, as I had to sound naïve to hear more of what he could say along the line of his own theory.

The strategy seems sound for those who believe in the premises. The premises true or not, that was what Meles Zenawi has been doing over the last 30 years. In fact over the last 15 years, the coverage of the strategy has been expanded to include the entire constituent parts of the country.

In spite of that, the election last year and its surrounding circumstances have displayed that Meles’s effort has been in vain. Infant it turned out to be counter productive for his group. Moreover, the voice we have been hearing form various opposition Groups over the last several months, especially from the CUD, OLF and ONLF, has been encouraging to say the least. It seems they have understood that the only salvation to our country is dialogue and a coordinated effort.

In deed coordination and dialogue is critical not only for the current problem of the country but also beyond. We Ethiopians have to consider the formation of this alliance between the most important groups is a political watershed in the recent history of the country.

However, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. We Ethiopians have to take the success of this coalition as a home work for each and every one of us. We should be aware that Meles’s group surely is already busy concocting its habitual schemes, this time on a grand scale, on how to disrupt this kind of alliance, since such an alliance sounds doomsday for TPLF.

Not only had the groups forming the alliance but also their members and supporters had to make every effort for the strategy of the coalition to come to fruition. The blood of those 100s, possibly thousands, of young Ethiopians murdered by the TPLF Jangeweed cries that we see the big picture. Those who demand for justice must understand similar demands by other groups. We owe it to those infant martyrs that we have to fight myopic views and think beyond our own group interests, whatever that group may be, and how strongly we fill towards the positions we think our respective group holds towards the solution to the various problem of our country. Any group could not have moral standing to call for justice and democracy until that group understands similar aspiration from other groups.

All those political groups that are forming the alliance must be encouraged, in fact openly urged, to show more solid wisdom and maturity behind the head lines and the fanfare of a two days celebration. Those groups like the CUD and others must disprove Woyane’s bray that you are a “bunch of ultra- nationalists who are bent on returning the hegemonic systems of the past”. On the other hand, the groups on the other end of the spectrum including OLF and the ONLF must similarly disprove Woyanes that you are too hostile to other groups to start dialogue with them. As important as the support of as the support and approval of your respective members and constituencies may be, the parties must display leadership and stand firm on what they believed to be in the best interest of their country and the people they stand for.

We know that plurality of views in your respective ranks and supporters is inevitable, one way or the other. This is not only foreseeable but also healthy in any society aiming for democracy. Nevertheless, our country’s future can not be held hostage to one or an other extremist group on either side. Those parties involved and their leaders should not abdicate on their leadership role in the using members and supporters as a pretext. What Ethiopians are demanding and where their support lies is manifestly clear and no party could hide behind any kind of rhetorical argument. As far as we the members and supporters are concerned, we are aware that anything short of fervent support for coalition, coordination and strong leadership among our parties, is nothing less than a wholesale endorsement of the vampire regime gripping our country.