Ethiopia: Let the healing start with reconciliation

By Aie Zi Guo,

October 2006 — Ethiopia is a land of contrast where war and peace, poverty and abundance, highland and lowland,
Islam and Christianity, nationalism and heroism, traditionalism and modernity coexist in all its
forms. It is unique with its alphabet and manuscripts, 13 months calendar, unique cuisine, rich
Orthodox with Yared’s lyrics, original immigrants of Islam, ancient civilization amid poverty, flora
and fauna as divers as its ecology. This complex metamorphosis of the country remained an enigma
to outsiders from biblical times of queen Sheba to the first immigrants of Islam.

To undue the mysteries of this ancient nation, foreigners have time and again tried to control it
either by force or with wild diplomacy. However, Ethiopians were steadfast and united to foil the
aspirations of aggressors and colonizers. So much so Ethiopia inspired African, Asian, Middle
Eastern and L. American nations to demand independence. There has been no reference of history
where Ethiopians initiated war against other nations. If there is, it is a war waged to defend their
faith, sovereignty and national integrity.

In the midst of this isolation internal struggle for power and resources between traditional rulers,
regions or ethnic groups were commonplace. As power monger elephants fight, Ethiopia got
crashed in the stampede for power keeping it in the status quo of traditions.

With the emergence of modern education, new breeds of educated Ethiopians armed with different
schools of taught and ideology mushroomed. Eager to modernize the political, social and economic
system, the elite began to challenge that status quo from within and without. Political discourse
among the elite continued unabated aiming to craft a political system that best serves Ethiopia’s
interest. For over 40 years, ferocious debates were made on two diametrically opposed schools of
thought Re: Communism/Socialism and Capitalism. Behind the Façade of ideological divide one
commonality has remained authentic i.e. the universal determination and commitment to liberate the
country from poverty, famine and underdevelopment. What is troubling, though, is that the debate
has no insight of striking a middle ground. Even when democratic pluralism dwindled and
communism died down in the ex-Soviet Union and China, Ethiopians continued their own cold war
politics. Now the political and ideological discourses focused on revolutionary and liberal
democracy and socialism. Modern day Ethiopia is engulfed with war of ideologies that leads to
political unrest and confusion. This has made the country a perfect political laboratory of ideological
wars in Africa.

The opportunity cost of these debates and struggles has been immense. Innocent lives of the
brightest sons and daughters of the country were lost. Society has been highly divided and
polarized. Suspicion and coercion increased. Liberty and precious time for development lost.
Incalculable amount of resources wasted. Millions opted to live overseas. The country remained
stranded in the chambers of poverty.

Interestingly the ideological war never articulated the objective realities of the country. Discussants
have never tried to make their theoretical and ideological arguments spasmodic to the short and
long term needs of nation building. As the world makes unprecedented social, economic and
political advancement, Ethiopia remained at the goal post of underdevelopment. More importantly
the majority of Ethiopians remained bystanders on matters that concern them. The biggest causality
of all is Ethiopia as a nation and Ethiopians as a people. Nevertheless, Ethiopians gave the benefit of
the doubt to the intelligentsia. For the majority the elite remained to be the beckon of hope and the
salvation army of growth and development. In the process the people raised their level of political
consciousness simultaneously assessing their choices.

In the late 90’s the political geography of the country started to shift from elite based to mass based
movement. The multiparty election of May 15, 2005 was reminiscent of that change. On this day
Ethiopians overwhelmingly demonstrated their wishes and expectations from the political
establishment of the country. At the ballot box the electorates spoke unambiguously their readiness
to accept a Communism, Socialism or Capitalism or in short the “ISM” that works for them. And
what works for them is the “ISM” that brings the Rule of Law, Peace, Security, Democracy, Good
Governance and Representative Leadership. Ethiopians voted for real change and rejected the
abuse of power and mal-administration. They wanted a system that guarantees their proper
functioning and especially that impact on their living conditions.

Sadly the current leadership that attempted to institute democracy due to diplomatic and
international pressure abused it from the outset. A regime that miscalculated the outcome of the
people’s vote and quest for democracy was grossly humiliated. Consequently, it incarcerated the
opposition indiscriminately and took undemocratic measures to stay in power. To the wider world
the regime is worse off from the one it ousted 15 years ago. Several actions of the regime, prior and
after the election kindle the way to ethnic sectarianism and possible dismemberment of the nation.
No doubt the country is at a critical political crossroads. Appropriate measures need to be taken to
undo the political jigsaw that endangers the country’s unity in diversity. In the face of inaction,
Ethiopia as a nation and a symbol of independence might have unpleasant ending.

It is high time that the ruling party recognizes the seriousness of the problem. The regime must start
working with the Ethiopian people and opposition parties to ensure that the country’s epicenter
holds water. If not, when the center holds no more, things fall apart. And one should not wait until
the center disintegrates and things fall apart. Surely the Ethiopian train that carries Ethiopiawinet
will continue its journey to destination. Unlike the past, Meles’ regime must be prepared not to miss
this train and do things differently. It is regrettable that golden opportunities of healing the wounds
of the nation through reconciliation were lost. The fall of the Derg and the Bademe war would have
been wonderful rally points to bring the divided nation together. The best opportunity has been pre
and post May 15, 2005 election. Knowing election results, the EPRDF should have accepted the
verdict given at the ballot box. It is sad that this did not happen. Meles and EPRDF have missed a
chance of getting their names engraved with gold at the political books of the AU. In the face of
EPRDF’s arrogance, Kinijit and UEDF’s proposal for a negotiated settlement would have been a
blessing in disguise for a humiliated and wounded regime. Ethiopians would have given clemency to
EPRDF’s wrongs.

After the election and crackdown of opposition parties, Ethiopians remain defiant of the regime from
coast to coast. Government propaganda machines are boycotted. Defection of senior diplomats,
military officers, journalists, artists, professional bureaucrats etc are becoming routine. Secret
documents are leaked from the regime’s administrative machinery. A terminally ill regime is loosing
its grip of power by the day. To garner support from the outside world taxpayers’ money is used to
hire lobby firms as mediators between the regime and western powers. EPRDF’s system has
decayed from within. Its death is eminent. There will be no meaning of clinging to a sinking ship. It is
time to reconcile with the Ethiopian people who are the true captains of that ship. And the sinking
ship must be saved by collective wisdom. The people’s silence in the face of repression must not be
misjudged. This silence is a lull before the storm. When that storm comes it sweeps away all the evil
dust on the way. It is true to say that the current government is in doldrums. The ground remains an active volcano ready to kick off anytime. Mr. Zenawi’s EPRDF won’t gain anything by limping from
one disaster to another. It is only wise, sober and informed decision that brings tremendous gain to
both sides of the political equation.

There is a calculated risk to let people go to ballot boxes when one allows what he does not believe.
If the ruling party and the opposition jointly call for national reconciliation, the calculated risk is
extremely minimal. Calling everyone for collective wisdom on the country’s future will offset risks.
We note that this avenue of problem solving has been proposed and documented by opposition
parties repeatedly. The ball is in the ruling party’s court with three options to choose. The decision
to choose any one of the options entirely depends on Meles and his team.

Option one would be for the government to take confidence building measures such as dropping all
fabricated charges against elected opposition leaders, civic organization leaders, journalists and
opposition supporters. Release them from government dungeons with out preconditions. Call for an
all-inclusive national or international conference to resolve the political impasse through
reconciliation. Arrange a caretaker government that includes the entire political establishment, civic
organizations, religious and traditional leaders, and youth and women organizations. Appoint
independent international organizations as monitors of the reconciliation process. If the regime
chooses to follow this avenue, Meles and his team will become part of the solution than to be part of
the problem. This is the best option to anyone with a sober mind. Recent political events in Nepal
would be a good example for Ethiopia.

Option two is to continue the status quo of defying the will of the Ethiopian people and the
international community. Keep the entire 70 million people hostage at the barrel of the gun. Rule the
country with an iron fist. Ultimately the regime will be over thrown by a popular uprising or come to
its end by attrition. If EPRDF wants to follow the path of repression then it is its own choosing. The
life of Ethiopians will continue with a new leader who will listen to people’s demand. In this situation
the only looser will be Meles and his cohorts.

Option three: EPRDF has amassed huge fluid and capital resources over the past 15 years. It has
built its army from one ethnic group and district of Tigrai. Militarily it is well fortified. To make the
region self-sufficient and govern it, big investments are made to build the socio-economic
infrastructures. Meles’ card would be to use this force to separate Tigrai from the rest of Ethiopia or
ignite an ethnic war with the rest of the nation. Given the demographic size and hostile terrain of
Tigrai, it would be difficult for this region to sustain itself without the southern neighbors. There will
be no developmental honeymoon in Tigrai while others are in trouble. For TPLF this should not be
an alternative. More importantly Tigreans are nationalist people who do not condone the
dismemberment of Ethiopia on ethnic lines. It would be impossible for the TPLF to continue as a
cohesive regime. In this case Meles and his cohorts will lose while Ethiopia continues to forge
ahead with a more determined spirit of democratization.

Cognizant of the proliferation of liberation fronts (Oromo Liberation Front, the Afar Liberation front, the Tigrai liberation front, the Sidama liberation front, the Kembata liberation front, the Anuka
liberation front, the Benshangul liberation front, the Southern People’s liberation front, the Ogaden liberation front etc..)
in the country, it is unclear who is going to liberate
who and above all from whom. Nevertheless this remains to be the unresolved saga of Ethiopian
politics. Meles’ rule has created fear among societies, making the future as scary as one can
imagine. While disintegration is a remote possibility one should not doubt that the country is in a
terminal political impasse. The political establishment and the public must remain absolutely vigilant
to the impeding danger of the problem.

It would be a pity to see a country, which was civilized while others were yet barbarians, the
elements of the arts and sciences to be the first one to disappear from the Guinness book of
Atlases. Hence indifference and silence are not options to Ethiopians who are diverse in ethnicity,
religion, political affiliation, or education. Break the ice of silence to build bridges from within and
not walls from without. A journey of one thousand miles starts with one stride. Every Ethiopian
must start that first stride from within and without to admit mistakes and give the spirit of
forgiveness a chance at heart. If every citizen is ready to accept and take this first stride, then the
journey of reconciliation is half done.

Therefore it is time to shade light on the right path of togetherness and growth. It is important that
the party in power and opposition parties create an enabling environment for truth and
reconciliation. The longer this takes the more the damage will be and the harder to fix. Supporters of
the various political establishments, civil society organizations, religious institutions, educated elite,
tribal and ethnic leaders, state and independent media, business men, youth and women
associations, must start to preach and work towards reconciliation by building trust on their cultural
bonds and strengths rather than dwelling on their differences. ‘It is high time that Ethiopian
patriotism and the spirit of unity ring laud and clear. It is only through concerted action and belief
that we can take the economic, political and social transformation of Ethiopia to the next level. After
all, the new Ethiopia has no appetite for violence, hate, and ethnic strife. Let us build our nation
Ethiopia by rallying behind the banner of peace, democracy, development and unity based on
justice, respect, tolerance and equality. Therefore, UTNA raises its hands aloft and extends them far
and near to work with groups or individuals towards the achievement of the lofty and grand ideals of
peace, democracy and development in our country, Ethiopia’

In conclusion the writer strongly believes that this has been long overdue for Ethiopia. In the current
circumstances of the country there is no other feasible alternative to overcoming the political
impasse. There should be no illusion that people have to leave the past for history. Let the wounds
heal through the process of truth and reconciliation. For South Africans, P.W. Botha and Apartheid
were their worst enemies. They reconciled with people who are different from theirs and lived
happily ever after. One can’t see why Ethiopians whose universe is governed by civil and religious
systems, who are from the first Homo sapiens and the people whom the British once called the
Nobel race of Africa can’t heal itself through reconciliation. What you THE MOST JUST MEN and
THE BLAMELESS RACE need is courage, wisdom and determination. You Can Do It We Can Help.

The writer would appreciate to receive your comments through [email protected].