“… to throw the Ethiopian pro-democracy opposition into confusion …” …. What exactly does this mean? I am sure you know better than I do and I will not dare to start talking about democracy if not for your note which is more confusing than what you really intend to say, I believe? Here we go:
In my opinion a democratic system is a system with in which people respect opinions of others that they do not concur with. It is a system where individuals irrespective of their background including political orientation and believe, have the right to disagree with opinions or interpretation of facts by others. It is a system where opinions are respected and matured political tolerance of each other thrives. It is a system that provides an equal footing platform for individuals to come up with their own interpretation or counter argument of facts and attempt to persuade opponents or be prepared to be persuaded by others without reservation. It is a system where an idea is promoted for the good of the society. It is a system where an idea directly or indirectly promotes or translates itself within the system as a catalyst or active ingredient to further alleviate society to a higher level of living either with respect to democratic freedom or material well being. It is a process that endows people not only the right but the obligation and duty to obey the rule of the land and promote their ideas for the good of the society. It is an entity that inherently provides individuals the ultimate freedom (even if point of argument is out of the norm of the expectation of the majority) to promote ideas and actions and earn consensus of others through a democratic process in order to prevail and materialize their idea and change the status-qua of modus operandi for the better.
Well, dear editor, I am lost and could not believe it to see your note explaining the reason why you have removed the article on “Debating the Nile Dam”.
Now the question I ask you is who are Ethiopian pro-democracy opposition groups? Are they pretentious democratic entities who in the name of democracy try to impose their will and interpretation of facts on others? Are they opportunistic entities who wait their turn to become another dictatorial ruler of Ethiopia? Are they amalgamation of disgruntled former Derg or current x-TPLF/EPRDF or OLF, ONLF members or Eritreans stirring animosity amongst Ethiopians to serve themselves? I am sure for this and the like questions your answer, I bet my money on it, is a resounding NO NO NO … If not, I hope you agree, you will be exposing yourself and the so called democratic camp for what you guys really are. whatever that means ….
To me you have already committed the ultimate sin in modern politics by throwing the basic tenants of a democratic system out of the window. You have acted as a gangster group that despise other gangster groups for petty feuds on immaterial issues rather than acting as a matured political media outlet that represents one of the most respected site for being unbiased at least so far.
I am not a supporter of the government, and I oppose the government on a number of points but when it comes to Nile Dam I am right with them and will contribute as much as I can even if it means all my savings for the successful completion of the dam. And wherever I go the consensus is this.
Note that the construction of Nile dam is not politics. It is economics. It is a patriotic duty call from poor mother Ethiopia, albeit and it happened to be from EPRDF. It represents an ideal and dream of all Ethiopians, since the idea and concept of damming Nile is inculcated in our people. This is not one of Melese’s tricks to divert an imminent popular uprising that threatens his power, as some would like us to believe? People like Melese including all of us will come and go but the dam is her to stay for the generation to come, glorifying our country and giving the people a much need chance to a better living condition.
The timing has nothing to do with popular revolt in the Arab countries. (Which no one can prevent it if it is supposed to happen?)
If one bother to look into the history of the preparation of the construction of Nile dam, one can find that the process started some 10 years ago when negotiation started to nullify Egypt’s monopolistic power by treaties signed during colonial era. The treaty happen to be internationally binding contract that prevents downstream countries from individually acting to construct a dam or other project on the river that will affect its flow.
If anyone bothers to collect facts it is hardly a secret that the government was covertly in preparation long ago for teh construction of the dam. As indicated, it is due to the complication of previous Nile related treats that the government cannot come out officially. It is Burundi’s last signature that allowed and made it possible for the government to declare legally its intention to build the dam to the world on a solid internationally binding legal base.
From ground zero where the dam is going to be constructed, one can clearly observe that the works have been going on for some time; including feasibility study long before it is officially announced.
In my opinion the project has the backing of the majority of Ethiopian people. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is the X factor that is beginning to unite Ethiopians for the first time after a bumpy journey with Melese’s regime for the last 20 or so years.
Noting this, If you are not going to ignore me as another government stooge with a mission to confuse the “Democratic Camp”, I have got a challenge for you.
Before that I strongly urge you not to consider this as another pro government proposition. I give you my solemn word that this has nothing to do with TPLF/EPRDF, it is a simple fact finding proposition, it is a simple democratic process to give voice to all in particular to those who strongly feel that supporting Nile is their patriotic duty and are being unfairly labelled and named as selfish egocentric individuals who is only interest is to amass wealth using this opportunity.
The proposition is:
Allow your site to accept and publish all arguments for and against the construction of Nile dam;
There should be no bias or unfair treatment of articles from both sides.
Allow the exchange of these arguments for a fixed period of time giving chance for people to respond to arguments in due time.
For fairness avoid providing undue advantage for one or another group. To avoid this you can for instance stipulate a faire rule that you might think will allow each group to present arguments fairly. For instance labelling or categorising arguments within the most contentious aspects of the announcement and start of the construction of the dam. Such as Why the dam now? Economic viability? How the constructions of the dam possibly serve the Melese regime? Its political implication if there is any? Its implication within the context of overall strategic development of the economy? If not now when? What are the contributions of the dam to the stability of the region? … etc. I believe this will allow participants to clearly and fairly exchange arguments on topics at hand rather than willy-nilly jump around with rhetoric’s that digress from the main topic at hand and turn the argument into pointless bickering amongst undemocratic and immature individuals.
Finally, after an equal number of published articles from both sides, prepare a voting system for people to vote for or against the construction of the dam. To make the voting interesting you could add Support/Not Support, Buy Bond/Do not Buy bond. Even to give chance to OLF and ONLF affiliated individuals you could add more options reflecting expecting optional responses from these groups.
Announce the winner.
The message after this fact I believe will send a clear and unbiased message of what the
Diaspora’s stand is. It will not confuse either the democratic camp or government. Above all our
people who well bear the brunt of the cost of the construction will understand where we are on
this albeit in its own miniscule way.
Dear Editor, if we follow this or the like processes to put forward our arguments on major events
in Ethiopia not only Nile Dam but others as well, I believe this will give us a solid ground to
convey a clear message to current government and our people. It will make us to act in unison.
It will bring us more closely. It will instil a democratic foundation and will give us chance to
transform ourselves to a more matured political force. Otherwise if we blindly reach to a
conclusion on the bases few demonstrations here and there, we will remain divided and will be
used by others to promote their own interest.
I really wish the Diaspora start changing itself from an old fashion 60’s and 70’s style of politics
to a more mature fact based political movement. I really wish we start understanding what
really democratic system is rather than trade with its name to promote our interest.
Hope you agree with my proposition. Note that you have the right to ignore this albeit, in my
opinion, for a wrong reason namely, not to “… throw the Ethiopian pro-democracy opposition
into confusion …”. Good luck if this is your believe and stand on the issue. In my opinion, for
better or worse the government, I predict, will manage to galvanize substantial number of
support from the Diaspora, simply because their proposition is patriotic, appealing and
convincing unlike the democratic camp that started to avoid discussing the issue simply because
