I know it is the information age, but, it is not difficult to understand how the information traveled from Tigray to Addis Ababa with a “speed of light” on Tuesday March 2, 2010. Within minutes, the reason for the killing of Mr. Aregawi Gebre-Yohannes reached Addis Ababa. Initially Mr. Shimles Kemal, and later the Ethiopian Government Communication Minster Mr. Berket Simone announced to the entire world that Mr. Aregawi was killed because of the quarrel he had with six fellow Tigryans in a bar that he owned and operated.
For those who know how the EPRDF operates, it is not difficult to know that the information got so fast to Mr. Berket Simone’s desk because he knew in advance what was going to happen. This was a clear political assassination and for any one who wants to see it, the TPLF “Finger Print” is all over the statement made by Mr. Berket.
As representative of the government, Mr. Berket did not say “we are waiting for an investigation” or “the local police is still looking into it” etc, etc. He jumped right at it and provided what seems to be a justification for the murder that took place in Tigray. You do not need an active imagination to know that Mr. Berket knew in advance that the killing was going to take place. Minutes later, he was ready to face the press and provide the denial that the killing was not politically motivated. For those who doubt that the killing of Mr. Aregawi was preplanned, they may need to borrow a corrective eye glass to have a clear vision what the TPLF is all about and to “read the finger print”.
Sadly, Ethiopians have lived with “True Lies” of the current regime in power the last 19 years. Assefa Maru and Tesfaye Tadesse in late 1990s were assassinated with a brute force and the regime scrambled to justify the murder of these innocent citizens. The similarity of the response between Mr. Melese’s statement in 2005 and Mr. Berket’s on March 2, 2010 is striking. In 2005, when The EPRDF security forces massacred innocent Ethiopians after the aftermath of the election, Mr. Meles stated that the police killed some of the protesters because some of them were trying to rob banks and some assaulted the police with a deadly weapon. His response did not wait for any investigations because it was clear that Mr. Meles had already given his brutal security forces “a shoot to kill order”. He knew that he would have the blood of innocent youngsters on his hand, thus he was ready to con the world and to respond defensively when the criticism comes.
I know that Prime Minister Meles is accredited for being a smart man by his supporters, but he has never been wise in his leadership of Ethiopia. Mr. Meles did not seek any evidence from any investigative body if what he alleged was true because he was already prepared in advance for response. His response at that time reflected his function as a merciless despot instead of a leader of a nation. Tuesday’s action is not any different. This incident took place few weeks after Mr. Meles spoke in Tigray in what clearly was a threat to the Tigrean people in particular and to Ethiopians in general. Sadly, on March 02, his threats became a reality. Though, this is not the first time that the TPLF thugs took such brutal action against innocent citizens, this merciless act is the 2010 first high profile incident related to the election.
My fellow citizens, brace yourselves because more action like this is coming to the regions near you. As we have witnessed time and again, despite the enormous opportunity that Mr. Meles got to lead our nation with peace and harmony; despite the repeated plea by the Ethiopian people for peace and reconciliation, Mr. Meles had failed to listen to the heart beats of his nation. In 2007, on the newspaper I published, I asked Mr. Meles “You are working hard to bring various Somalia factions to reconcile their differences so peace can reign in Somalia; this is commendable, what I failed to see however is, why you have failed to envision such wisdom for Ethiopia”. I think this question applies even today.
In 2005, ardent supporters of the TPLF in order to justify the rigging of the election have said privately “we fought for the power we have got, you are not going to take it simply by putting a card in a box”. Of course, such statement reflects the ignorance of these individuals for they have failed to see the purpose of the struggle and the vision of those who gave their lives. The sacrifice was made so people could change their government by a ballet box instead of by hail of bullets. When the TPLF resort to kind of brutality that took place in 2005 and now in March 2010, it is important to recognize that the sacrifice made by children of Ethiopia has been in vain so far. Henceforth, the question becomes are you willing to live with such intimidation and the exercise of reckless act by a government that has such an enormous disregard to the rule of law? Is the opposition going to allow the sacrifice made by those who fought for democracy, justice and freedom to be in vain?
It would be disingenuous in my part if I fail to mention that the suspicion and the contempt that we have for the general population in Tigray. Such ethno-centrist mentality must change if we want our struggle to be effective. The opposition had failed to win the hearts and the minds of the Tigrean people thus far. Unfortunately some extremists have categorized Tigrayans as “enemy”. Such poor judgment, ladies and gentlemen, is a disaster in the making. The fate of the Tigryan people is not any different from the rest of us. They may seem to ally with the TPLF because the TPLF has full control of Tigray and has sowed a seed of suspicion in Tigray. And again, the opposition too has failed them by leaving the political field for the TPLF to do as it wishes in Tigray. It is sad to know that people in Tigray are not even allowed to read a private news paper. Journalist Tefera Asmare in his brilliant article titled “Fascism in Tigray” years ago wrote what was happening in Tigray. Most of us gave that article deaf ears, and the reign of “fascism” in Tigray has continued. The subject I am writing about is not knew, it has been talked about to death; unfortunately however, we have not listened and acted upon it. Therefore, I find it necessary to bring this thorny issue to the table once again.
I am not thrilled with Mr. Gebru Asrat, nor do I have that much faith on Mr. Seye Abraha. Their motive may be getting back at their former comrades for injustice that they have subjected them personally. However, they are willing to provide rare opportunities for the opposition to work in Tigray. Let us grab this opportunity. Let us not condemn Mr. Gebru and Mr. Seye for life for what they have done in the past. Let us allow them to repent by their deeds instead of by their words. I remember the frustration of Mr. Aregawi Berhe when we both worked for the Coalition of Alternative Forces for Peace and Democracy support committee in North America. Very few people trusted the organization he established; thus, he could not be effective. Let us not close our hearts and minds and drive away Tigryans form the opposition simply because the ruling party leadership is made up of Tigryans.
The killing of Mr. Aregawi is a clear indication that the TPLF doesn’t care for the people of Tigray. It is clear that it is saying that ‘Tigryans do not deserve choices and that no matter what we do to you, we are not going to allow you to change course of our directions’. Is this what your brothers and sisters died for? I will live the answer to you. We all have the opportunity to contribute our fair share in the struggle to establish a system of government that allows us to change a government by a ballet box instead of by a bullet. We need to move together hand in hand for our fate is together; the struggle should not be to replace one political organization by another one but to establish a system of government that will be cherished for years to come. We cannot do this if we follow the path that the TPLF has paved for us to view one another as Tigryans, Amharas, Oromos, Wolaytas, etc. instead of Ethiopians. If the opposition continues to see Tigryans with suspicion and treat them with contempt, then, we are headed for disastrous failure. Let us make the merciless act that took place Tuesday to be one of the Uniting factor for the struggle ahead. Let us not allow TPLF’s True Lies to continue to divide us.
The TPLF, is riding this “power Wave” on the back of the Tigray people not for the benefit of the people of Tigray but for the benefit of few greedy blood sucking elites. The children of Tigray sacrificed their lives so their can be peace, freedom, the protection of democratic rights and most of all, their desire was to establish a government by the people, to the people and for the people. Unfortunately, the TPLF leadership has violated the promise and the sacrifice made by Tigryans. Instead of establishing a democratic system of government, the TPLF is building global economic power institutions that serve the self interest of very few Tigryans.
Repeatedly, some have stated that the Tigryans are benefiting unfairly compared to the majority of Ethiopians. There is no question that Tigryan Millionaires are popping out all over Ethiopia. However, it would be dishonest not to mention that we see destitute Tigryans all over the country in great disproportion too. If we are able to see the top, we should also recognize the bottom. Some have tried to use the same formula that the TPLF used to galvanize support to their cause. I do not think it would be wise to follow similar discourse. TPLF may have won the battle but it is yet to win the war. There is no question that the TPLF have not won the hearts and minds of the Ethiopian people. The TPLF leadership has already forgotten that half of the battle is winning the minds and hearts of the population. Though the TPLF put a façade as a multi ethnic organization when it came to power by “naming itself as “EPRDF””, the façade has melted and its true nature is standing before us naked and we cannot miss its ugly nature.
The 2005 election and particularly the “Tsunamis” Protest that took place in Addis Ababa in April 2005 had sent a petrifying message to the TPLF. The TPLF and its surrogates may think it is wise to continue to use the same method to win the 2010 election. More over, the daring competition in Tigray has made the TPLF leadership nervous. Mr. Meles in his speech of “YEKATIT 11”, pleaded with the people of Tigray not to join any armed struggle. This is the man, in his immanent wisdom, which used to say to the rest of Ethiopians “if you want to take arms against us, you are welcome to do it”. He believed, as long us he is riding on the back of the people of Tigray, he will always have young Tigryans to die for his evil empire.
Now, there is an opportunity for the people of Tigray to express their displeasure with the TPLF. They are aware and are angry that their children have died in vain. As far as I am concerned, there is a great deal of difference between the rank and file of the TPLF and the leadership which is skimming “la cream of la cream” from the wealth of Ethiopia. The majority of Tigryans have been watching silently when atrocities are committed in their names. Let us show our solidarity and say you are with us and we are with you. The TPLF leadership doesn’t represent your interest and your best interest and your fate is with us. Let us not give-in to the temptation of short term political gains. STOP the MADNESS of DIVISION along ethnic lines.
The opposition needs to work in a grass root level to bring the majority of Tigryans to its wing. The fate of the Tigryan people is not any different from the rest of the country. In my opinion, the Tigryan people do not have a special burden from the rest of us to bring about a democratic change and to take the power from the jaws of the TPLF. The opposition failed to genuinely address the concerns of the Tigrean people and left the field for the TPLF to play on their fears. Mr. Meles being the “Father” of dubious claims and unfounded allegations declared that the opposition is as brutal as the Interahamwe in Rwanda. Though the players are different the game is the same. Despots always exploit the “fear” of their people; unfortunately, the opposition could not be the alternative that could say to the Tigrean people your fate is with us and you have nothing to fear from the rest of us. We have failed time and again, to counter the extremist elements false accusations and dangerous propaganda that condemned the Tigryans as cohorts of the TPLF leadership.
Now, Arena Tigray is in Tigray and working with the opposition, the TPLF is reawakening its mercenaries to harass and destroy those Tigryans who are beginning to stand against the exploitation of Tigryans. In the Orchestrated beating of an opposition candidate in Tigray and merciless murder of Mr. Aregawi Gebre-Yohannes, the TPLF leadership is sending a deplorable message not only to the opposition but also to the people of Tigray. In a clear and unwavering message, the opposition should campaign in Tigray by stating that the children of Tigray died for justice and democracy not to unjustly enrich TPLF’s leadership on the back of Tigrayans. The people, of Tigray should be angry that the TPLF is using them to prolong its brutal rule.
Some Tigryan elites have been saying for quite a while that the TPLF is using the people of Tigray and in order to free Tigryans from these despots, we must not alienate them. Unfortunately, their voice was received with suspicion and cynicism. When Aregawi Berhe and his comrades established Tigryan Alliance for National Democracy (TAND), some in the opposition acted with contempt instead of understanding that TAND could be used to erode the perceived and actual support that TPLF was enjoying among Tigryans. Now Tigryans are openly ready to join the rest of Ethiopians to say “Enough is enough”. Such solidarity is terrifying the ruling elites. At this juncture what we need is an opposition that is wise enough to use this ample opportunity to work with the people of Tigray. As Artist Tamange Beyene said on the 114th anniversary of Adwa’s victory, we must not think of ourselves as Tigryans, Amharas, Oromos, etc but only as Ethiopians. It is only when we stand together as Ethiopians that we will honor the enormous sacrifice of our forefathers and expose the True Lies of the TPLF. Let us not forget the murder of Mr. Aregawi and other innocent Ethiopians by the people who have no decency and who lack wisdom and vision to realize that the well being of our nation is also in their best interest.
