Ethiopia’s EPRDF- Cleaning the Augean stables
By Muluneh Hailu *
September 12, 2006 — Recently, leafing through the pages of the Ethio-centered websites, I ran against an interesting communication: the ruling party EPRDF is to hold its sixth regular conference on the first week after the Ethiopian New Year, in the new Metropolis, in Mekelle, Tigray killil – a serious event for all Ethiopians, taking in to consideration the very fact that it directly affects every aspect of their lives.
Reading through the accurately written one and the same statement on different pro-government websites I got the impression: the issue of public relations will remain the Achilles hill of the ruling party for long.
I also came to the conclusion that this is a clear signal: we are set to witness another dull conference where boring reports about the successful accomplishments of all tasks against all odds and obstacles will be read; More populist and ambitious extensive development plans adopted to be forgotten right after the conference; The irresponsible and ungrateful opposition resolutely denounced; EPRDF and its far-sighted leaders feted and hailed, with no open debates or deliberations allowed. Colonel Mengistu can remember good old days and be proud of his successors.
Naturally, the participants of the conference have to leave to return home to reality. The reality, however, as we all know, is far from being festive. To put it mildly, the sun is setting on the ruling party.
If any decent Ethiopian who bears the brunt of the day-to-day life and the wrath of the agonizing regime will be in a hurry to say – the sooner it sets the better – I would be the last person to throw stones at him, as, at first sight, this is the only possible solution in terms of tactics.
Nevertheless, I reserve the right to doubt the expedience of such a decision in terms of strategy. The downfall of the EPRDF will not bring the long-awaited lasting stability the nation and its citizens are yearning for. It may only be the beginning of yet another vicious circle with unpredictable consequences. I assume the main actors in the political field are well-known to the public; We have the embattled, wounded and cornered EPRDF faltering in its each and every step; An “opposition” in the parliament effectively marginalized by joint efforts of the incumbent and the radical opposition, with a zero capacity to change the weather; And the radical opposition currently positioning itself as a force capable of snatching power from the EPRDF in no time.
In the absence of the legal jailed CUD opposition leaders with whom the government could patiently and with no serious risk negotiate, the chances of this radical amalgam with its headquarters in Asmara to oust the ruling party drastically grows every hour. If it succeeds in its intentions, its method of solving political differences will not be far from the ones exercised by the EPREF. Hence, a mechanical repetition of the “exemplary deeds” of the government like internal feuds, disbanding the army, extrajudicial murders and arrests of officials of the ruling party, dismantling the political structure of the government etc. In short, we will be back in 1991 – and that is in the best circumstances.
In order to prevent such course of events and avoid any possible havoc to which decent citizens may fall prey to, we are forced once again and against our will to appeal to each member of the EPRDF and delegate to do their utmost to return their party they served loyally up to now, and planning to serve further, to the path of law by removing the obstacles deterring their way to such a goal. The so-called sixth regular session, in this stance, becomes one of the last platforms for such an endeavor.
As said afore, the challenges facing the EPRDF are immense. They need to be addressed with due attention in order for it to recover from the severe blow received in the may 2005 elections and the aftermath, and return to dialogue with the nation. Needless to say it must emerge with an absolutely new image. A new image in the first place is possible with a new leadership. The current leadership in charge for the last fifteen years solely bears the responsibility for the objective/ subjective decisions passed, the success achieved and failures committed. The ruling party must unilaterally distance itself from these deeds thereby giving the nation a clear notion that its grievances through the ballot-box are heard, the sacrifice of lives was not in vain, a one-man rule is over, and a peaceful transfer of power, at least within the framework of the ruling party, is possible. The EPRDF must start cleaning its Augean stables to confirm its readiness to meet the plights and aspirations of the people, prove that the stability of the nation remains on the top of its agenda, and the political future of its top officials is no hindrance when it comes to the well-being of the state. It must assure its electorate that warlords are no more the bone of content between the party and the citizen.
Only and only such a genuine sacrifice, not promises about good governance, better public relations etc. may capture minds and soften hearts, and appease the nation.
Of course, the rank-and-file members of the party may prefer to bury their head in the sand waiting for a miracle till the judgment-day. They may choose the easiest way – the way to hell.
In this instance, all that can be done is pray for their lost souls.
* The author is a former Soviet Union student. He can be reached for comments at [email protected]