On the need for alternative leadership in Ethiopia
By Magn Nyang
Decemeber 20, 2007 — In Ethiopia, there are those who consider themselves mainstream Ethiopians and there are those who are considered non-mainstream Ethiopians by the mainstream ones. Since the birth of modern Ethiopia, the so-called “mainstream” Ethiopians have led the country one after another. For centuries one mainstream leader is replaced by an alternative mainstream leader. However, the fact that they are framed as alternatives, only served to reinforce the dominance of the status quo. And as a result, we kept seeing leadership failure after failure in Ethiopia.
Mainstream Ethiopian leaders and their likes refused to encourage the equal participation of all Ethiopians. And over the years, they developed a view that there is only one truth; and that they alone hold that truth. This led them to think that they alone know the truth, and therefore; why waste their time listening to non-mainstream Ethiopians on how to better lead the country. These leaders and their mainstream supporters developed an attitude that says we are the strongest, therefore we are the best; and our way, which is right, works for us, therefore it must work for you too. And if you do not see that, we may have to help you, perhaps even force you to see things our way. This attitude by mainstream leaders and their mainstream supporters toward non-mainstream Ethiopians led to continues killing of the Anyuaks of Gambella, the Southern people, and the Somalia of Ogaden region by current regime in Ethiopia. The Oromo also are being killed by the same government.
These leaders are less incline to listen to others because they believe that they are better, wiser, and more advanced. They impose their own view of the world upon others not knowing that their perception of their rightness is merely a reflection of their own socialization within their cultural contexts. They do not know that individuals socialize in different contexts of reality and truth. They do not know that what they see as their own reality and truth may not be relevant to others.
The only way to break with these kinds of outdated attitudes is by having leaders who will immerse Ethiopians fully and exclusively in a radically different perspective that challenges mainstream ideology. We need leaders who will challenge the status quo and leaders with desire to understand and honor all existing cultures in Ethiopia, while supporting exchange of ideas and views of all Ethiopians. We need leaders who will strive to understand other’s (not only of so-called mainstream Ethiopians) perspectives and who are prepared to be flexible in their leadership style to accommodate the masses.
And for us ordinary Ethiopians, we need to learn to understand each other’s viewpoint so as to come to an agreement. We need to know that understanding each other’s viewpoint is very essential to our existing together and crucial barrier against the total collapse of Ethiopia. As long as we live in association with others, and as long as we accept that our lives are better without constant conflicts and disputes, then understanding each other’s viewpoint or/and not imposing ones viewpoint upon others is required.
As people, we can claim to be engaging in democratic process only when we learn to come to agreement. Good democratic process depends on everyone contributing, on everyone having the fullest right to voice their opinion, and on everyone being accepted as equal. Taken together, we can use these rules to judge our political leaders.
We have so many leaders wannabe running around today trying to be alternatives to current regime in Ethiopia. Well, I hate to break their heart, what we need in Ethiopia today is not just an alternative leadership. We need a leadership that will bring radical change to the status quo (mainstream ideology). I call on all Ethiopians who hope to see a prosperous Ethiopia to learn to distinguish between propagandizing and a genuine statement of deeply held views, or to recognize those times when apparent truthfulness masks coercive intent from each of those leaders wannabe (alternatives wannabe) before lending them support.
Magn Nyang is a son of Gambella and can be reached at [email protected]
Iwunatu Yiwuxa
On the need for alternative leadership in Ethiopia
What Mr. Magn Nyang is telling us about the Ethiopian political/ leadership crises is really one of the main causes for miserable lifes of the majority of the Ethiopian population. As indicated in this article, the mainstream leaders always think that what they perceive is right and can fit for all other subject people of the empire. To break through this vicious circle of crises of leadership, the Ethiopian people must be able to decide their fate to freely elect their own leaders in a presidential type of election; but in the form it has been practised so far.
By the way there has never been opportunities for the oppressed people to freely elect their leadrers. But nominal participation of people to decieve the public that fair and free election has taken place.
So, there is no other options to democtratize Ethiopia other than resorting other alternatives leadership away from the mainstream leaderrsip styles used so far.
Bye.
Berhan Sebhat
On the need for alternative leadership in Ethiopia
The comments of Magn Nyang are timely and in direct conflict to those who fight to preserve the centerist view of what Ethiopia is. Democracy in itself does not assure liberty which is the most important ideal that any society can achieve or aspire for. American government for over hundred and eighty years had been populist or “democratic” but until 1920s women right and until 1960’s civil right had not been the law of the land. Last year Hamas won the right to govern Palestine through a democratic election and yet it gave no right to those who lost th election. The thought of democracy with out liberty or minority right is unsustainable and unacceptable to the oppresed. The classical thought of one Ethiopia under the Kibre Negest inspired unity is the banner as Magn states used to litmus one mainstream with another mainstream leader. A progressive new thesis is needed to contnue the fragile unity in Ethiopia. The reality is that the state of Ethiopia was established and sustained in an exact manner of a colonialist system; by force and marginalization. Forced integration under a dominant culture is as purely Ethiopian as it was French or English during the colonial era… and why not, the Ethiopian leaders learned it at the footstool of the colonialists in Berlin when they were present as observers during the partition of Africa. Menelik sold Eritrea to Italy in order to advance his Empire to Lake Rudolph where he made a deal once again with the British to draw yet another border. If that was not “partitioning” to some then Meles’ massacer of the Anuaks was not genocide to those chauvenists. As the Ethiopian saying goes one will never wake those who are pretending to be asleep. So, all of you mainstreamers, sweet dreams…we will wake you up again when another part of Ethiopia succeed just like Eritrea.
Berhan Sebhat, North Carolina