Ethiopian government, give us something good
Why we oppose Ethiopia’s EPRDF – Direct response from a Pro-democracy website
By Sintayehu Tefera and Paulos Dandego
December 1, 2006 – Although the Ethiopian Government and its sympathizers
consider our site (ETP) – and others like it – enemies, in truth, most of us – for a long
time – have been dying to write something good pertaining to the Ethiopian
administration. However, the EPRDF led government, so far, has not given us cause
to do so. Economic growth, democracy, freedom of speech, are things we one day
hope to attribute directly to the government; that is when they become noticeably
apparent in Ethiopia. The difference between pro-democracy websites like ETP and
others is that we are not willing to garnish the truth with false statistics and
exaggerations to make the government look good, when it absolutely deserves no
such treatment.
Since the EPRDF’s take over fifteen years ago, few high-rise building have been
built in Addis, and several pubs, clubs and luxury hotels have sprung up. Some
would have us believe that this equates to economic growth. Nevertheless, in
reality, our country is still an example of extreme poverty, we are still beggars
unable to support our food needs, and on top of that (Beinqirt La’y Joro Degif) the
massive emphasis on ethnicity is leading our country towards an insurmountable
abyss.
We have fought inconsequential wars, lost thousands of our brothers devoid of any justification at all in Badime, sherraro and Zallambaesa with out achieving anything of importance. Furthermore at this moment we are preparing to enter yet another, what is sure to be, a prolonged, protracted war for no apparent reason. We are spending millions in military expenditures while our academic, health and social sectors operate in the negative.
Professors and teachers are viewed as Enemies of the state, persecuted and
prosecuted, banished and sent to prisons. As a result, the country’s education system
is going down the drain. As the Prime Minister himself recently admitted, students
are graduating with out the proper tools needed for acquiring long lasting careers. Young kids are becoming a burden on society in their most productive years.
Instead of nurturing, coaching and getting them ready to take the reigns of
leadership, the government sees Ethiopia’s young as a threat. They are constantly
spied on, harassed and imprisoned.
During the past few years we have seen Ethiopia rise to the top of the list when it
comes to things like – the jailing of journalists, infant mortality, HIV infection and
illiteracy. The ONLY good news Ethiopians can look forward to these days is, Haile’s
Marathon wins or Meseret’s long distance achievements.
Our request to the government and all its apologists is simple; give us something
good to talk and write about and we ASSURE you we will. Free the political leaders
languishing in quality, abolish ethnic politics and all that it entails, cut military
spending, save the money wasted on lobbying for anti-democratic causes and invest
in education, health and social services. Support freedom of speech where a citizen
of Ethiopia is free to say, think and write about what is important to him/her. When
and if these things happen, we assure you we will not only commend the government
but come next election we may even vote for it.
But until these things come to pass, we will be a thorn on the side of the
government; one way or the other, we will have our voices heard. EPRDF will not
get rid of us by simply blocking websites, shutting down newspapers or censoring
radio stations. And to quote a judicious gentleman who once fought tyranny in his
time; “we know we shall eventually win, as we are confident in the victory of good
over evil.”
* Sintayehu Tefera and Paulos Dandego are the
Editors of ETP website and blog
www.ethiopolitics.com
http://ethiopianpolitics.blogspot.com.