Fourteen years of injustice that our people have suffered would definitely have been made shorter had the various political groups inside and outside Ethiopia reconciled their differences, joined their leadership and fought in unity as happened with the formation of Kinijit-CUD. . Fourteen years later we were able to realize our dream of forming a formidable political organization in Kinijit-CUD. Through the small opening that it was able to get prior to the election, Kinijit succeeded in winning hearts and minds across Ethiopia and among all ethnic and religious groups.
We went out in full gear to stand with Kinijit and die if need be to break out of the repressive Stalinist regime of Meles Zenawi. We almost made it to democracy on Election Day passing through one of the most repressive systems of government on the face of the earth. Our votes were stolen but our hearts and minds are not. Our leaders are in prison accused of crimes they never contemplated of, let alone committed. The tyrants ruling our country are naked top to bottom. The world saw them for who they are – tyrants masquerading in democracy’s clothing. Their nightmare became true when Kinijit decided to become one organization by dissolving its component parts – AEUP, EDP-Medhin, Kestedemena, and EDL.
Yes, the organization of our dreams is now under persecution. Yes, renegade Lidetu Ayalew and his small clique have betrayed our trust and sold us on the critical days of our struggle and before the blood on our streets have dried up. But the large majority of EDP- Medhin members are still in Kinijit standing their ground and many are in the dungeons of Kaliti and the concentration camps around the country.
The TPLF gangsters now don’t want to see Kinijit. They say they want us separate and in our component parts as before. They want us divided. They are working hard to form their own Kinijit using a handful weak individuals and renegades. We know it is an old TPLF tactic. They want their “Teletafi” (surrogate) version of Kinijit. We and the people have refused. They may form one in our name. But we will stay with ours. The organization of our dreams and aspirations would stand up no matter the blood and tears we are made to pay. We will fight under Kinijit’s dream what ever it takes. We will join hands with everyone seeking justice and freedom. Kinijit is a party of social justice.
Some dangerous and divisive anti-Kinijit activities are not limited to the declared enemies of Kinijit. We fear this is even more dangerous than the open attack by Kinijit’s enemies. We worry that some well-meaning friends and supporters of Kinijit are also showing some signs of falling into the enemies’ trap without knowing it.
A recent letter written by Professor Getachew Haile, who lives in North America, is a good example. We know Professor Getachew is a well meaning person and a strong supporter of Kinijit’s cause. In a recent article he wrote under the title of “Yethipia Etta Tamra Shekim”, which is also read on Tensae radio, Professor Getachew has written a lot of wise suggestions. As usual he was eloquent and informative.
However, his suggestion and symbolization that one dissolved member organization of Kinijit, namely the AEUP as the main body of the organization and the rest of the dissolved member organizations, EDP-Medhin, Kestedemena and EDL as parts of the main body, is divisive and out of time and place. This suggestion on the part of Dr. Getachew is to some extent backward looking and reactionary. It is also insensitive to the majority of Kinijit members and supporters who do not belong to any of the now dissolved member organizations of Kinijit. Anyone who sees the profile of the leaders of Kinijit now sitting in prison wouldn’t dare suggest this insinuation. It is insensitive to a lot of us here who are dying on a daily basis. It is insensitive to the many who gave their lives. Most people in Ethiopia have now totally forgotten the former component organizations of Kinijit – which is a good thing.
The only people who want us to go back to the former component organization are the Woyane and the renegades who betrayed Kinijit. We don’t want to see wise and educated people like Prof. Getachew providing a helping hand to the enemy, although we understand that he is doing it inadvertently. We want everybody to look forward. The bulk of Dr. Getachew’s suggestion is correct. We are all Kinijit now. There is no condition or ifs and buts. We call on everyone inside and outside Ethiopia to fight back any attempt to drag us back. Kinijit is not only our dream organization but also a noble idea. This defines Kinijit than any of its components that formed it. Dr. Getachew may have seen some problems that we are unable to see. We suggest that we use open and frank discussion among members and supporters whenever problems arise. There is no doubt taht every single one of our leaders will be angry at any such suggestions.
Kinijit is a party of one. It will be made more solid cemented by our blood and tears.
