The recent articles on the ongoing clashes in Gedeo and Awassa bring to
mind
some of the key challenges for those of us who want to see a free,
democratic and Federal Ethiopia. This government established a federal
system, recognizing that there were historical wrongs committed against
some
of the different ethnic groups in the country. The establishment of the
new
regional structures was indeed a bold step, one that was supposed to
allow
people express their ethic identity and, at the same time be proud
Ethiopians. The Southern Region has no historical, geographical or
cultural
legitimacy at all. In fact it would be far more appropriate to
establish a
Northern Regional State which includes the present region of Tigray and
the
old provinces of Gondar and Wello.
The people in Gedeo have always had close historical and cultural links
with
the people of Sidama. The Sidamas, and many people from Gedeo, want to
see
the regional structures of the early 1990s re-established, especially
with a
Sidama regional state. In fact, in the run up to the May elections of
last
year, the ruling party in a state of panic, encouraged the Sidamas, in
particular, to demand their own region as is their right under the
constitution. The party leadership in Sidama, in particular Geremu
Garge,
Melesse Marimo and Shiferew Shiguxe led the people throughout the zone
in
favor of the region, saying that the people should never accept
anything
less. There is ample video evidence of their speeches at meetings,
especially in Awassa. The relevant bodies agreed to pursue the Regional
State and a petition was sent to the regional council, which was duly
accepted. The process was then put in place for the establishment of
the new
region.
Suddenly these three people, among others, under pressure form the
Prime
Minister, decided that it was not such a good idea after all!! The PM
went
to Awassa and met some elders, with translation from Shiferew [from the
local Sidama language to Amharic], which was at times less than honest
as
Shiferew tried to tone down the criticism and dept of concern about
this
issue from among the elders. Some cadre where removed from their posts
and
others simply imprisoned. Students who demonstrated were beaten and
some
killed. Even today, a large number are still in prison. Eventually the
so-called democratic EPRDF prevailed and the party voted to withdraw
the
request for a regional statue as inappropriate at this time.
The three puppets were well paid; Shirefew of course has been made
Regional
President in the so called southern region; Melesse Marimo has been
made
Ambassador to South Africa and true to form — the man who was in the
forefront in the killing of demonstrators in May 2002 – has organized
criminal gangs to intimidate Ethiopians in South Africa. The Prime
Minister
needs to watch him, as his charm offensive on the SABC and BBC will be
seriously undermined if the Ambassador goes too far. Melesse Marimo
with his
training in law should understand that eventually he will be held
responsible for his actions. Finally, of course Geremu Gerge was made
State
Minister at the Ministry of Revenue.
The irony about this of course is that the regional status will
come
about and these people cannot say they were forced to beat, intimidate
and
in some cases murder their own. They will eventually take
responsibility for
their actions.
Tsegaye Dirasha
On behalf of concerned Ethiopians in London
