Ethiopia – The saddening crisis in Kinijit Diaspora leadership

A Note to my Niece about Efforts that are Likely to Harm both Ethiopian Activities and the Future of Democratization

By Maru Gubena *

My dear Kanchiwodia,

August 31, 2006 — Although our talk of last Sunday was brief, as you will undoubtedly agree, I enjoyed it especially since it is such a contrast to other feelings that I have at present: I am disappointed and even saddened by the persistent crisis within the Kinijit International Political Leadership (to which I often refer as “Kinijit Diaspora leadership”) and the Kinijit Support Groups or Chapters. The current predicament, which began to take root soon after the jailing of Kinijit leaders by the unelected tyrannical regime of Meles Zenawi, is worsening by the day despite many serious early warnings and advice from concerned Ethiopian media outlets and individuals. What is saddening and frustrating above all else is that while we live here in the western world, while most of us are said to be relatively well educated, while our wishes and desires are just to help and contribute to the resistance of our people at home, and while we have no one here to rule us, the emerging power struggle within the Kinijit Diaspora leadership and the various Kinijit Chapters – the desire of a few to rule the rest of us without our consent and approval, and indeed, our incapability to even agree and put our ideas on paper with a sense of togetherness and confidence in each other as a common strategy for our resistance – has put us all in a difficult situation.

Although this might seem to be in direct conflict with some of my writings, it is in fact my strong and long held conviction that that without democratizing our own state of mind, without committing ourselves to seriously and collectively organizing ourselves with the aim of waging a new war against our deep seated differences, resentments and hostilities towards each other, without demolishing the heavy, immovable wall that stands between us, and without even the will to understand the basic meaning of “democracy” – which is simply, above everything else, living together side by side, peacefully, in a given community or society with tolerance and respect for the values and views of one another – the conviction that democracy can take root in Ethiopia and that our people can enjoy its fruits is an illusion. And the many scattered efforts currently in the making among various groups and individuals in an attempt to implement democracy in Ethiopia are likely to damage both the day-to-day activities of Ethiopians and the future process of democratization itself. To begin with, or concurrently, it would be helpful for us to focus intensely on our own behaviours and make every possible effort to correct them, including our carelessness, recklessness and a huge amount of arrogance, which is completely out of proportion, considering our economic and military position within the international community.

I am however, encouraged and very happy at the news you gave me during our telephone conversation, that everything is all right with you, and that the children are doing quite well at school. I am particularly pleased and excited about the idea of seeing your new baby. When I would be able to come over there to hold and kiss this lovely child is a question of organizing my engagements and daily activities. For the time being, however, I am enjoying looking at the photos you sent me soon after our telephone conversation. As soon as I can manage to set a time to come, I will definitely let you know.

Further, you probably will not believe me, but to be honest with you, your active engagement, the enormous energy you, a woman and mother of three children, have and the hard work you are doing, including your practical contributions to the resistance of the Ethiopian people, are not only encouraging – they should also be seen by all peace-loving Ethiopians, especially women and others determined to do everything in their capacity to fight against the uninvited, self-installed dictators and oppressors of our people, as a source of inspiration and motivation. What makes you particularly unique and most courageous, above everything else, is your immovable determination to move tirelessly from place to place and from country to country in an effort to add your voice to the struggle, even though the Ethiopian Diaspora resistance is currently faced by increasing divisions and frustration, and is engaged in war, not with the common enemy of Ethiopia and its people, but with itself.

Finally, I want to let know that I am, as always, extremely proud of you, my dear. I am also very grateful to your husband, Zenaneh, for his unlimited cooperation and simply for being a good and loving father to your children – one of the main things all children need.

With love,

* Dr. Maru Gubena, from Ethiopia, is a political economist, writer and publisher , Readers who wish to contact the author can reach him at [email protected]