Ugandans discuss Zenawi legacy

A host of scholars and human rights activists have taken a dim view of former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s legacy during a special forum organized by the Makerere Institute of Social Research.

Organized under the theme; “Reflecting on Zenawi’s legacy: Past and Possible Futures”, the symposium attracted a sizable number of Ethiopian academics, émigrés and the Ethiopians in diaspora.

While acknowledging Zenawi’s laudable commitment to economically develop Ethiopia through sound infrastructural development, Dr. Melakou Tegen, an Ethiopian himself, chided Zenawi for what he called “sacrificing the human spirit and individual liberties at the altar of development.”

“I have nothing against Zenawi and I therefore have no reason to denounce him in death. But development is not only economic but also social and political”, Tegen said as he went on to reel off a spate of human rights abuses committed during Zenawi’s 21 reign as Ethiopia’s Prime Minister.

Tegen decried the shrinking of the political space in Ethiopia through enactment of laws that hampered activities of the civil society especially the media, NGOs and political parties representing dissenting voices.

Tegen also scolded what he called the “personification of the state” warning that it could leave Ethiopia prone to instability typical of societies with no sound institutions.

Another Ethiopian academic, Derese Getechew noted that under Zenawi, the opposition has been almost “wiped out” with only one opposition legislator in the Ethiopian parliament.

However, Dr. Phillip Kasaija of Makerere University’s department of Political Science noted that Zenawi’s resolve on the war on terror in the region had endeared him to the West and will be one of his most enduring legacy.

“Whoever follows in Zenawi’s footsteps will have to continue with his policy of close cooperation with the West on terror,” Dr. Apuuli.

Ethiopia under Zenawi has been central to wresting control of war torn Somalia from the Al qaeda linked Al shabaab Islamic militants.

Zenawi passed away late last month after being at the helm of one of Africa’s most populous country since 1991.

However, his intolerant streak to dissenting voices which has earned his government rebuke from human rights organizations like Amnesty International has drawn parallels with the iron fisted regime of the tyrant he toppled, Mengistu Haile Mariam.