Ethiopia, a way forward

By Awoke Dollisso*

Dec 31, 2005 — The last six months have been very anxious for Ethiopia and friends of Ethiopia. I always follow event in Ethiopia with great interest. Every good news I get about Ethiopia warms my heart. I was truly excited about the May election. I still think it is an excellent beginning for democracy in Ethiopia. The campaign and elections were impressive achievements by the government, opposition and the people. Citizens had participated in debates and millions voted in a peaceful and orderly manner. By any standard, these are spectacular political achievements. We all know mistakes have been made by both the government and the opposition after voting was over. The purpose of my article is NOT to review/revise what took place and place a judgment and help one side over the other to make a political point. I am rather interested in a way forward in the “interest” of the people and the country. I am not associated with government, opposition or any other political entity.

Politics shouldn’t be win-all or lose-all game. Once the campaign is over, political practice in a democracy is a process of negotiation, debate, deal making and getting on the job and serving the interests of the people and the country. Negotiations and debates allow expression of agreements or disagreements on issues. How imperfect it may be, parliament is the institution where debate takes place. In a democracy, the ultimate power is in the hands of the voters. Four or five years later, people will have a chance to vote again. The contract is up for a review. The politicians have to account for their time and show results if they want to win voter confidence. Individuals judge for themselves and give their votes to their choices. The cycle goes on. For Ethiopia, the next election is not too far away. Three years from now, parties will be gearing up to begin election campaign. In a Democracy, there will be opportunities to compete again and again.

We should understand that there is no such a thing, as “Perfect Democracy.” In a democracy, the majority rules or sets agenda. Groups or companies allied to the winning party benefit significantly. This is not a secret. If the majority party had an opportunity, it would pass a law/laws that favor its voting block or view of the world. Businesses, big and small spend time and money lobbying to push their agenda. The action may not be right, just or even not in the public’s interest, but it is legal. We should not forget, not too long ago, people (human beings) were considered legal properties of other humans in western democracies. People went to churches on Sunday mornings and bought and sold their fellow humans on Monday mornings. Race based segregation was legal for many years, and women were not allowed to vote. Democracy is simply a better governing system when it is compared to autocracy (one person rule) form of government. Again, democracy is not a perfect system at any given time and in any country.

In the case of Ethiopia, campaign is over. Election has taken place. We may or may not agree with the process and the outcome, but we have seen clear indication of significant progress. It is time to move on. We can’t afford to wallow on that for too long. One of the many things I admire in western democracies is that even after a bitter campaign and inconclusive election results, the defeated will call and congratulate the newly elected president/or prime ministry and work within that government system. The elected government has responsibility to work for all of its citizens regardless of its party affiliation. It is like sports, you do every thing you can to prepare for the game, and play the game the best you can and accept defeat or victory with grace. Then assess your gain or loss, learn from it and begin preparing for the next opportunity.

I am of a believe that Ethiopia has a good chance to pull itself out of poverty if we all resist and reject negative energy and divisive politics. We should not buy into any form of ethnic hatred. Instead, we should pour our collective positive energy towards building our own lives and our country. I see Ethiopian glass ?half-full” not “half-empty.” It is sad that lives have been lost. We all are affected by that. It is understandable that people are upset and frustrated. But anger and resentment should not guide our thoughts and actions.

Government at this juncture of our history has a great responsibility to create a condition for the people and the country to move on. Here are my humble suggestions:

1. Let us find political solution for current problems between the government and opposition. Although some people may have committed crimes during protest, the fundamental issue stems from political disagreements. In the greater interest of the people and the country, government should rise above these issues and give the political process another chance.

2. The opposition should accept the May election results and get on business. Let us not drag the people and the country into further division. We should talk, make deals and move on. Campaign is over. Election is done. It is time for deal making and working hard in the interest of the people and the country.

3. All Ethiopians within or outside of Ethiopia should refrain from engaging in activities that may create mistrust and instigate unrest and potential violence and let the political system work the issues out.
4. Donor aid to Ethiopia should be kept out of political wrangling.

5. Media should remain neutral and present the two sides of all issues. Media should serve as public’s eyes and ears and scrutinize both the government and the opposition.

6. Let us organize support for the families that lost loved ones during the recent political violence regardless of their sides and rebuild destroyed properties. I am not a rich man, but I commit to contribute towards that goal whatever I can.

* Awoke D. Dollisso, Ph.D., is an agriculture professor at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Iowa, which is located at the heartland of United States.