It was with great delight that I read the interview with General Tamene. The source of my joy was finding out that the Lord has been kind to him and he is alive and well.
My old Kebele ID card from 1977-1979 (K 18 Kebele 35) still bears his rubber stamp and signature (then Lt. Colonel Tamene Dilnessahu). I was an 8th grade student during the Red Terror (1977-1979). It was a time when even a young kid like me could never be sure that he would make it back home from school safe.
Every mother in my Kebele and Kefitegna knew the Colonel’s house and how to reach him. Every time one of us kids was snatched from the street or their homes by cadres, Hizbdehininet or Abyot Tibeka’s (Revolutionary Gaurds), particularly from other “jurisdiction”, mothers used to rush to the Colonel’s house. He would jump onto his Jeep in full military gear, and with his body guards, rush to the “Jail” which usually was in a different Kefitegna. He would confront the jailers with questions how they dare take his “children” from his Kebele without his knowledge (witness’s account). He would return with the kids back home to our Kebel’s detention camp where he would keep a safe eye on them. Many a life has been saved in this manner by this man. Being handed over to Colonel’s group was getting a new lease on life.
I remember one early morning when I was on my way to school. One of the main roads I cross was full of people: young and old, mothers, grandmothers, sisters etc. They all had their white Gabi and Netela (garb) neatly laid on the ground right in front of his house to prevent him from going to work. I found out later that Colonel Tamene had resigned from the post of the Chairmanship of the Kebele/Kefitegna and people were there to beg him to remain in the position one more term so that he will continue to protect their children.
During those dark times, when on my way to school I forced to pass by a dead body, step over some girls platform shoes left from the previous night’s “Afesa” or side step a blood socked placard, scared out of my wits as I often was, the one comforting thought was that if I ever got picked up and taken to the Hyena’s den, the Colonel would be on my side. All I need to do was to let it be known that one of his “Kids” has been snatched by the wolves. I am thankful for the few people like him that the Lord scattered amongst us in those desperate times. For this reason, of all the great names I had to learn during my formative years, his will be one of the few that I will never forget for the rest of my life. Some may have had a different experience with the man, but this was mine. May the Lord continue to bless his life.
