The
ethnic cleansing that is being waged has become an international knowledge.
This is not the first time the TPLF regime has practiced such crime against
humanity. This is the first time it has been exposed for all to see. It is no
consolation to the victims’ but for what it is worth their fellow citizens and
the international community has recognized and felt their pain. We owe a debt
of gratitude to our brave Ethiopians at home that face danger but are
relentless in their pursuit of justice for their people. We thank our
Independent Web sites for their wonderful job of informing us and giving us a
forum where we can discuss our hopes, concerns, worry and try to find solution
for our motherland.
The
criminal activity being seen and documented in broad daylight did not please Meles. He reacted in a violent way. We saw his fingers curl
with anger and his veins stand with too much blood. We saw agony on his face
and fear in his soul. I heard him refer to our country by name for the first
time. Menor tru new. It was normally ‘Agritua’ and we
are referred to as ‘Hezbua’. He was forced to utter ‘Ethiopia” and
‘Ethiopiawinet.’ How could he point his hate finger at us without calling us by
our name? Interesting, don’t you think?
Here
is what he said. ‘Those that want to be famous for their stand on the unity
of Ethiopia, and claim Ethiopiawinet’ as their brand’ are attempting to paint a
picture as if the Southern Kilil, Benchi Maji Zone, and Gura Fereda Wereda as
declaring a campaign on Amharas in general and the people of Eastern Gojjam
people in particular.’ It was a strange statement. I searched to see if
anyone has made such claim. I could not find any one talking about a campaign
by the citizens of those localities against Amharas or any one else. The truth
of the matter is the issue is not whether it is against Amharas, Gambellans or
Somlais. We were against the practice of ‘ethnic cleansing’ against anyone. The
current crime just happens to be directed at the Amharas and that is a fact.
Why
did he say that? I saw two reasons for his convoluted logic. He has done this
before and it comes natural to him. First and foremost he wanted to foment hate
between the people of Benchi Maji and the Amhara community. Second he wanted to
cover his role in this criminal activity. He blamed it on the Administrations
of the Southern Kilil from the President to the Wereda boss. It is never his
responsibility for any thing bad happening in the country while good things are
due his brilliant mind and astute leadership.
Both
are not worthy of a statesman. The truth is there is no animosity between the
people of Benchi Maji and their Amhara fellow citizens. They are simple farmers
trying hard to make a living relying on sweat, determination and hard work.
They do not compete rather they cooperate due to their common quest to survive
in a very primitive environment. They have no time for hate and conflict. Life
is hard enough as is. It is not all right for a leader to peddle hate and
mistrust.
Second
The Southern President Shiferaw Shigute, the local Zonal and Wereda officials
are employees of Ato Meles. The buck stops at his desk. They would not even
fart without his permission. He got them elected in a rigged manner and they
owe allegance to him and to him alone. In case they try to get out of line he
has his Army and security ready to pounce on them and they are perfectly aware
of that fact. Their position is littered with the ghosts of jailed, exiled or
killed former employees.
What
I saw was a person finally coming to terms with his actions. It is a defining
moment for our attempt to make him accept responsibility. To make him
understand there is consequences to ideas, polices and style of governance. The
‘ethnic cleansing’ being practiced is the result of the philosophy of Kilil in
its pure sense. Kilil is the corner stone of Ato Melese’s style of leadership
and his never ending attempt to stay in power no mater the price. Kilil is
different from Federalism. Kilil is Apartheid in black. The language of Kilil
is not conducive to building a Multi National democratic country or
institution. The current incident from Benchi Maji will not be the last one. As
long as the concept of Kilil is imposed on our people incidents such as Bedeno,
Gambella, South Omo and Benchi Maji will be part of our future. We do not need
fortuneteller to know that.
The
Ethiopian Parliament is the perfect example of a dysfunctional body. It is here
Ato Meles shows up to inform them of his current dream. All Parliamentarians
except one are hand picked by Ato Meles and his associates. There is no one
sitting there except one that does not owe his position to anybody else except
Ato Meles and his TPLF Party. The vast majority will not be elected as a
dogcatcher let alone Parliamentarian in any normal setting. It is not because
our country lacks such worthy individuals to run and get elected but due to
lack of freedom and the yoke of dictatorship. Only the waste (zegach) rises to
the top in TPLF controlled Ethiopia. They represent no one except themselves.
They are happy to accept anything the master throws their way as long as they
go along with his misguided and dangerous vision. Control of over ninety-seven
percent of Parliament seats does not happen in a healthy society. It is a sign
of something that has gone wrong.
This
is what he told his choir regarding the ‘ethnic cleansing’ activity being
carried by his surrogates at his behest.
His
response, excuse or shifting the blame is not based on valid ground. There are
plenty of instances where such ploy has not worked at all. Hitler was
responsible for the crime committed against the Jewish people. Those who obeyed
his order and did the evil deed were judged as harshly as the architect of the
criminal act. The Yugoslav leader Millosevic was put on trial with his main
cleanser Karadzic and his General Ratko Mladic. I was just obeying orders is
not a valid defense. Shiferaw Shigute’s and other Kilil administrator’s crime
is not less than Meles Zenawi’s. The master and his servant are judged equally.
We are putting anyone that hurts our people on notice that justice might be
slow but it always happens. We all know the Ferenji sponsors of these misfits
are not reliable allies. Their motto is ‘don’t do the crime if you cant do the time.’ Recent events have proven that principle.
Gadaffi used to be a good friend of Tony Blair, Mubarak was a trusted ally of
the US, the Shah of Iran was the number one policeman in the Gulf and Saddam
was tolerated while Charles Taylor was a useful tool. Where are they now? You
hear that Meles Zenawi, how about Shiferaw Shigute?
Are we clear on this concept or are we self deluding?
As
I said our relentless struggle on behalf our people is showing signs of
momentum. It is not based on hate or directed at ethnic group or persons but
love for people and country. It is invigorating to see our work being
translated to action. The current discussion on waging peaceful resistance on a
higher level is both promising and shows the maturity of our movement. Boycott
is a tried and successful method of showing our disgust with the system. We are
flexing our muscle on behalf of our people. It is not an overnight success. It
takes time and requires patient explanation so our people know and understand
the important role personal responsibility plays in the search for freedom and
equality. Putting the needs of the many in front of self-gratification is not
an easy concept to master. But we are up to the task. I have no doubt with
that. When properly understood by many it will become natural as our love for
our ancient land.
Fighting
dictatorship takes many forms. Some use the power of the gun, others organize,
many utilize boycott, citizens resort to sabotage
among many other forms of making life difficult for the abusers. All are
respect forms of gaining self worth and dignity. It is the combination of all
these that bring the day of reckoning closer and the process of building a free
and harmonies society begins in earnest. Our love and respect for each other,
our commitment to equality and democracy will win over the hate and divisive
politics peddled by the dying regime. Each one of us is responsible for our own
actions as we hold the TPLF regime responsible for its actions. We each answer
for our own sins not our friends or neighbors. Shifting responsibility onto
others has not done us any good. It only makes us weak and the laughing stock
of the world around us. Today the sleeping giant known as the Diaspora is
stirring. It is showing signs of connecting the dots and at long last
understanding without our effort there will be no Ethiopia to go to. There will
be no Timket, no Fasika, no Ethiopian Eid Al-Fitir, no AdisAmet and no proud history. Our children will be dispersed
and no one will be there to tell our gallant history and the sacrifice of our
ancestors. It is a shame if we let that happen on our watch. Eskinder said no.
Andualem said no. Reeyot said no. What say you my friend?
