Be that as it may, and hoping that this time the call for unity based on democratic principles
that is inclusive and unambiguously Ethiopian in every aspect, could be heeded, and Ethiopian
political organizations along with civic and professional groups could come together before it is
too late to do anything, there now is an urgent need for all of us to act in unison to abort the
planned aggressive campaign by the Meles regime to further divide and weaken opposition to its
ongoing anti-people and anti-Ethiopian predatory and destructive policies.
Given the popular revolts unfolding in North Africa and the Middle-East, the regime of Meles
Zenawi is obviously unnerved by the very prospect of similar popular uprising in Ethiopia. In an
effort to preempt any possible popular uprising, the regime has embarked on its renewed efforts
that it is best at; on one hand creating an environment of fear and acrimony among our people by
inciting religion and ethnic-based strife, and on the other, divert the attention of and divide and
slice Ethiopians abroad (in the Diaspora) in order to render them powerless. The recent church
burning in Jimma area is a clear manifestation of what these ruthless rulers are capable of doing
and the extent to which they are ready to go in their effort to cling to power and delay their
inevitable demise. Their callous disregard for human life and their willingness to do anything to
stay in power are well established facts.
The pro-democracy Ethiopian community outside of the country has been staunchly anti-
TPLF/EPRDF and remains to be a constant irritation and a thorn in the rulers’ neck. Following
their crushing defeat in the 2005 general elections, curbing opposition coming from this
community was one of the rulers’ top priorities. As we all know, soon after they brutally
suppressed the aspirations of Ethiopians for a democratic system in 2005, the regime launched a
systematic campaign designed to divide the Ethiopian community overseas (the “Diaspora”).
Even churches were not immune to this sinister campaign. In the name of “investment
opportunities for Ethiopians in the Diaspora” and a meaningless “dialogue and overture”, they
lured some and deceived many. To a greater extent, they succeeded in creating division among
Ethiopians, which in turn, as designed, contributed to the overall weakening of the opposition.
While the regime is fully engaged in uprooting Ethiopian peasant farmers in the process of its
massive land sale to foreigners, and when Ethiopians are experiencing economic deprivation and
political suppression on a colossal and unprecedented scale, talk of “investment and
transformation” in Ethiopia is ludicrous and very insulting. By first compelling Ethiopians living
abroad who have property in the country to personally re-register, which required detailed
personal information about each individual home/property owner including finger prints, the
regime believes that it is now in a position to “expect” any cooperation it asks of them; simply
put, it believes that it can blackmail them. It should be noted that, although the regime owns all
land in Ethiopia, as it does everything else, it is every Ethiopian’s birth right to own property or
do business in his/her country of birth, and directly supporting the regime and its detrimental and
injurious policies just because they own a house, a business or a piece of property is demented
and unconscionable. It is an insult and Ethiopians should be aware of the implications of
allowing, let alone participating in this diabolical political maneuvering. Ethiopians everywhere
should be outraged that a repressive regime that is uprooting peasant farmers and denying their
basic rights of ownership at home is engaged in a charade campaign of “investment and
transformation”. This is a campaign of sheer treachery that is aimed at buying the support and
cooperation of Ethiopians who live outside of their country, and a dubious effort to drive a wedge
between them and Ethiopians at home.
As someone who is not eager or is not predisposed to oppose for the sake of opposing and who
had not even shied away from openly supporting some selective measures of this regime in the
past, I am convinced that Ethiopians in Europe and North America should foil this latest
orchestrated campaign of deceit and disinformation. The stakes are high if we allow it to even
partially succeed. Failing to do so would be a prelude to further weakening of the opposition
abroad. As it would be easily interpreted for being a support to the regime and its derisive
policies, it could send a deeply poignant message that is injurious to the morale of the Ethiopian
people. Why is the regime eager to talk to Ethiopians abroad about “investment and
transformation” at this time when it is denying even the courtesy of basic consultation with the
peasant farmers whose land it is giving away to foreigners? Why does anybody in the Diaspora
believe that this regime would allow the freedom to “invest” freely when it is denying Ethiopians
their basic rights to ownership without necessarily associating themselves with the regime or
becoming at its total mercy? Can there be any guarantee for free investment as we know it under
a restrictive system that controls every aspect of political and economic life?
We know that what the regime is attempting to do is dividing Ethiopians to facilitate its efforts
to fully control the Diaspora community. In these times of popular empowerment, Ethiopians in
the Diaspora should not only expect their countrymen and women to rise up against the Meles
Zenawi tyranny and for the respect of their democratic rights, but should show their concern
about and solidarity with them by saying No to the regime’s planned North America and Europe
meaningless and poisonous “investment and transformation” devious political campaigns.
Anyone wanting to participate in these farcical and sinister campaigns, whose only mission is to
further divide Ethiopians and bolster support for the beleaguered regime, should know the
implications. This political mission on “investment and transformation” is aimed at sending a
clear and misleading message to the Ethiopian people that the regime’s policies are accepted and
supported by their compatriots in the Diaspora and that they should keep quiet. It is equally aimed
at sending a misleading message to foreign governments that the regime has the support of
Ethiopians both inside and outside of the country.
Needless to say that, because of our dismal failing to act together in a sober, principled and
continuous manner, we have allowed this brutal regime to be confident enough and to have the
nerve to come where we are, launch an aggressive campaign and ask us to “invest”. Let us show
our resolve and unity by standing together and saying NO! If we fail to say No and shame them,
we should know that we are not only sending the wrong message to our people inside the country
that we do not care about them and about what they are going through, but our inaction could be
misinterpreted to mean that Ethiopians in the Diaspora agree with the murderous policies of the
regime, we are in cahoots with their tormentors and they should be happy with the regime! If that
is not what we want, I urge every political organization, civic and professional group and all
patriotic Ethiopians to join the counter campaign and act in unison to say NO to treachery and
tyranny! And NO to fake investment! (I am glad Ethiopian Democratic Hibrehizb Unity
Movement (EDHUM) has called for unity of action, and hope others will do the same, not only
by issuing statements but more importantly by acting too). Ethiopians know how and where to
invest once they are FREE. We cannot bargain away our freedoms for unrealizable and malicious
talk of “investment” and empty promises of “transformation”. The one urgent transformation
Ethiopians want and need is democracy.
