Ethiopian Diaspora should vote in upcoming elections By Halefom G. Selassie: Feb 3, 2005

In May 2005, The Ethiopian people will also be going to the ballot. It is imperative that the Ethiopian Diaspora should be given the opportunity to exercise their national right of participating in the election process. No one has the illusion on whether or not there will be a free and fair election in Ethiopia in May. Several significant obstacles still remain despite of any changes that may or may not have been made in recent times in regards to the electoral law. The ruling party has refused to consider the more crucial changes proposed by the opposition, including the need for reforming the electoral board (appointed by the government). The opposition has called for the creation of a neutral or a more balanced electoral body drawn from both sides – the government and the opposition. Given the tight control of every aspect of political and social life in Ethiopia, by the ruling party, a neutral or a balanced electoral board is the minimum requirement for an election if it is to be of any credibility at all.

One cannot also ignore the glaring fact that 85% of the population lives in the countryside, dependent on the subsistence agriculture sector, where the government has a total control over the land, and like any landlord has a free hand on who uses it. The city dwellers are also at the mercy of the government, as majority of them are tenants of the regime, as the latter owns most of the real state in the towns and cities, where acute scarcity makes citizens captive voters, as they have to bow to the whims and demands of the regime, for fear of losing their lease. Add to this the entire apparatus of state machinery, like the police, the various local militias and cadres, readily available to intimidate voters and opposition candidates alike, as they did during the last two elections.

In spite of such obstacles, going through the election exercise is better than boycotting it, especially, in the absence of a united and strong opposition. Had we had a united and a strong opposition, the option of boycotting the election, due to the absence of the criteria for free and fair election process would have been fruitful, because a united and strong opposition could then be in a position to mobilize the population to bring pressure on the government to liberalize the election process and failing at that, could push for a popular uprising, as occurred in the Philippines and some East European countries, such as the resent one in Ukraine.

It is to be remembered that compared to the first election, in the last election, candidates and their supporters were better organized and showed more resistance to the intimidations and arm twisting of the state apparatus, especially in the south, where they exposed the undemocratic workings of the regime. Though not to the level of expectations, today’s opposition is bigger and seems to have garnered some experience. Also, do not forget the carrot and stick game between the ruling party and the donor countries. The stick here is, not having your cookies when the big guy in the west is unhappy with your behavior. In addition, the international community is paying a more heightened attention this time around, primarily, out of the belief that unless some kind of change comes to Ethiopia, the accumulated weight of misery can undo the country, and the entire region, and the more attention they pay the more they are learning about the Prime Minster’s mastery of trickery. Some still argue that participating in an election where the odds are stuck against the opposition due to the absence of a fair playing field would only give legitimacy to the regime. It is a valid argument however, since elections in themselves require a learning process by the public and the opposition, every election is a learning curve. Besides, the public and the international community supports and recognizes an active and striving opposition, despite all the odds against it, rather than one abstaining due to obstacles placed by the ruling entities.

Going back to the Diaspora, if going through the election process is considered acceptable, in view of the struggle for democracy in the long run, the Diaspora should participate in the upcoming election, and have its voice heard and in the process lend moral support to the Ethiopian people.

It is incumbent on the regime in Addis Ababa (just as the Iraqi interim government did), to organize election process through its embassies in collaboration with host countries wherever Ethiopian communities exist. Easily well over a million Ethiopians (perhaps even millions) live in the Diaspora. This constitutes a significant number of potential voters, as every Ethiopian should have the right to vote. The Diaspora makes significant contribution to the country in so many ways, including as a big source of foreign currency in terms of remittance in a consistent manner. Moreover, the Ethiopian Diaspora is highly committed to the country and as such maintains an incredibly strong cultural, psychological and spiritual connection to the nation of Ethiopia.

In regards to the election, there are two categories of Ethiopians in the Diaspora: Those, carrying Ethiopian passport, and those who assumed nationality of their adopted countries. Not only should those holding Ethiopian passports be allowed to vote, but also the regime should make it possible for those born abroad and holding other passports as well, because if they want to be Ethiopians, the fact that they do not have a passport should not be the sole factor to cancel out their natural roots of origin. Passports can be issued if they seek them.

We demand that the regime makes it possible for Ethiopians holding other countries’ passports to have the option of obtaining dual nationality, because when born an Ethiopian or of Ethiopian roots one is always Ethiopian. People should not be denied of their identity either because they have gained another citizenship or because they were born and raised abroad. If they want to be Ethiopian, the regime should allow them to exercise they natural right of being Ethiopian. As a matter of fact, it is in Ethiopia’s favor to seek all its children, wherever they might be, to encourage them to return home permanently or otherwise. Many of the present Diaspora did not leave their homeland at will, they were victims of the fallout in the 1970s and subsequent years. Ethiopians who love Ethiopia should be allowed to be Ethiopians.

Long live Ethiopia!