Like almost all leaders, Saddam had good and bad sides. Saddam had used Iraq’s oil money to build world-class schools, roads, hospitals and of course powerful defense force, to mention a few. In his reign, Iraq had been transformed to a modern Arab world with highly educated people and tolerant communities (where the Muslim, the Christians and the Jews lived side by side).Compared with other oil-rich countries in the region, Iraq’s oil money had been well spent, mostly, to economically benefit the country – rural to urban.
Saddam was also able to get the favor of the West, at least up until he invaded Kuwait in the early ‘90s. In particular, the United States had sided with him during the eight year war with Iran. In other words he was considered a US ally during the Cold War standoff.
The awful side of Saddam is that his hands were soaked with blood. He was a kind of person who was even merciless to his own in-laws. He ruled his people with iron-fist. He didn’t regret to use chemical weapons on innocent civilians. He was literally a ghost who haunted his people, his neighbors and even the powerful nations.
I don’t want to take this far to the issue of mass destruction the West accused him of possessing. But, he was a maniac who didn’t show any remorse about his action even after his capture. In the whole prosecution process he denied and tried to justify his killings. The noose around his neck didn’t bring any regret except taking his life.
What makes all dictators alike is their obsessive thinking of “my way or no way.” Because of this, tables after tables of negotiations do not work well for them. They would rather kill or jail their opponents rather than listen and “yield” to their views. Once they start doing these, of course, they won’t step down for the sole reason that facing justice would be to their disadvantage.
On the other hand, what makes all people alike is that they all want to exercise their God-given (human) rights. When these rights are denied, whether their economic wellbeings and other infrastructural facilities are improved or not, they are dissatisfied. The level of the violations of these basic human rights directly affects the level of the peoples’ dissatisfaction.
There are two basic arguments the current Ethiopian government (Zenawi) uses in the midst of huge human rights violations that reached its peak in the aftermath of the May 2005 election. He talks in public about improvements on the Economy and basic infrastructure. And we see that he didn’t fail from the grace of the West. I believe this gives him a sense that they he is okay. There are also some who are kind in their words and deeds to the present EPRDF government, thinking it is the lesser evil compared with the Derg regime.
Bottom line! Killing, whether a single individual or thousands of innocent lives, can not be justified before God, or before any the court of law. Nor the support of the West is eternal as the lesson from Saddam tells.
Beyond these general facts, there is one peculiar characteristic that makes Ethiopians unique. We are a forgiving people that believe in reconciliation. I believe genuine reconciliation heals the wounds of the hurt, the grief of the sad, and the fear of the perpetrators. We have had enough hate! We need change agents that are committed to end it. From my readings in different web sites I know that the oppositions (AFD) are calling for reconciliation. My sincere advice for the incumbent EPRDF government is to grab this opportunity before things go any worse. I am not in any case endorsing AFD’s agenda (rather I selectively appreciate the reconciliation call).
As a believer of true reconciliation I call upon all parties to work toward this end. My special reminder for the EPRDF government is that you can only do this while in power. Mengistu could have avoided the death of multitudes and all the ugly happenings if he had agreed for negotiations before the power balance went too far to the other side of the continuum. Saddam could have used his three decades of reign to come to his mind. Opportunities do not knock twice. I hope Meles Zenawi doesn’t miss the boat Mengistu and Saddam missed!!!
