Ethiopia is at a critical juncture in its 3000-year history. The long
and
arduous journey towards democracy and human rights is seemingly is at a
crossroads. The maturity of the political consciousness of the
Ethiopian
people has taken the life of its own. The desire for a democratic and
a
meaningful political, social and economic change, which began in the
early
1970s, as we all know, was hi-jacked by a few army officers and their
opportunistic “intellectual” cliques. What happened during the 17
years of
military dictatorship is an open secret to the Ethiopian people and the
world at large.

The brutality of the military regime however, never dampened the spirit
and
resilience of the people of Ethiopia. We all resisted by all means
available, at the end the regime collapsed joining the fate of fellow
dictators, who chose to govern by coercion not compromise.

In 1991, the popular resistance that demanded a democratic change was
once
again hijacked by a group of Stalinist ethno-elite calling itself
TPLF/EPRDF. The regime’s divide and conquer ethnic policy pushed the
country into an unprecedented degree of polarization. Such a policy,
which
is based on using ethnicity as an ideology, only benefited the regime
and
its cadres not the people of Ethiopia.

At the end the patience, political maturity and discipline of the
public was
demonstrated on May 15, 2005 at the polling stations. The people of
Ethiopia voiced their choice through a ballot box and the majority said
enough is enough, and the time for a real change has come. This
clearly is
the evidence, which shows the level of a mature political consciousness
of
the Ethiopian people. Furthermore, it shows that how far the people of
this
nation have come and is a manifestation of the fact that the regime is
falling behind the populous. The people of Ethiopia have spoken they
are
demanding change. They are asking for new leadership and new political
formula for the country’s social, economic and political challenges.

The TPLF/EPRDF response to this “mini revolution” (as one western
diplomat
in Addis Ababa put it) is critical to the security and stability of the
nation and the region as a whole. The message of the Ethiopian people
is
loud and clear. On May 15, 2005 the patient and the resilient people of
Ethiopia said: ‘we are tired of watching our popular struggle and
demand
being hijacked by a few gun-toting gangs.’ Thus, they launched a
peaceful
revolution using their right to vote, for which they have fought for
decades.

From a land far away here in North America, I watched the sea of people
lining up to vote, the old, young, men women from all walk of life and
background. As, I watched all of this; I couldn’t help but be chocked
with
tears. In seeing the suffering and anguish of my fellow Ethiopians,
their
desire to remain united, their determination to bring about change no
matter
how long it takes. I said to myself I wish I were there with them in
this
historical time where the people of Ethiopia are taking a leap to a new
height in their struggle for democracy.

Putting aside my personal emotions however, I am summoned to admire and
appreciate the calm and mature leadership provided by the senior
leaders of
Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) and the United Ethiopian
Democratic
Front (UEDF). They have successfully defended the interest of Ethiopia
and
its people and I take my hat off to their remarkable work. Viva Dr.
Berhanu
Nega!! Viva Dr. Merera Gudina!! Viva Dr. Beyene Petros!! We are with
you.

Now, the ball is on the TPLF/EPRDF side. They have a clear choice to
make.
They can behave like many other despots by trying to quash the verdict
of
the people and cling to power, Or simply be swept away by the
methodical
revolution that is blowing in the four corners of the country. I hope
the
regime will come to its senses and chose what is best for the country
and
its own survival. Any other alternative, rather than respecting the
will of
the people, is futile and it could have serious consequences to the
country
and the region. Finally, whatever the cost may be, the people of
Ethiopia
will prevail in their quest for democracy, human rights, economic
prosperity
and justice.

The people of Ethiopia have spoken and its time to listen!!!