Is CUD party the reincarnation of the AMHARA hegemony on old Ethiopia

[NASSIR]

The Derg reincarnated in the form of the CUD

By: A. Duale Sii'arag

 

November 12, 2006

 

Editor’s Note:

 

A. Duale Si’arag, a contributor at large to WardherNews, dissects in this poignant piece, with much condemnation and vitriolic verdict, the political irrelevancy of Ethiopia’s opposition party, who has proven to the ruling Ethiopia Tigrean dominated Wayane a tough lot to crack down. The writer argues that the opposition party, CUD, is a re-assembled Derg cadres and Amhara ethnic chauvinists, whose un-comporomising ethnic superiority to the rest of the country’s multiple nationalities could succumb this country of over 70 million people into a frightening ethnic conflict. WardheerNews welcomes an opposing viewpoint to this indicting piece.

 

 

The Derg reincarnated in the form of the CUD

 

What are the Coalition of Unity and Democracy (CUD) in essence? What does it stand for in reality? Is it a brand new entity or a regeneration of a ruthless old band that hadn’t vanished as expected but remained clandestinely operational in the course of the past 14 long years? Who are the core constituents of the resurrected CUD? To better understand the CUD phenomenon and get the comprehensive picture, let us take a quick look at the political background of the group.

 

Taking advantage of the new federal system in Ethiopia and EPRDF’s initial policy of magnanimity towards its former archenemies, the much-despised Ethiopia Workers Party (EWP), the notorious communist party of the Derg Regime that committed horrendous crimes against humanity, has been resurrected in the form of yet another sinister entity, the CUD. During the reign of the military dictatorship, members of the EWP inundated the entire edifice of the civil service. Recruitment of personnel for the civil service was then subjected to stern and rigorous vetting performed by the infamous Indoctrination Branch of the EWP and its loathsome affiliate, the Secret Service Department of the EWP, which were groomed both by KGB operatives and secret service agents of then East Germany. Employees of international aid agencies and foreign diplomatic missions based in Ethiopia were also subjected to similar process of vetting and background checks.

 

Consequently, the ever-suspicious and over-sensitive EWP had retained numerous undercover moles within these establishments. Regardless of their professional background or qualifications, no one was indeed allowed to join either the civil service or staff of foreign missions based in Ethiopia without obtaining prior clearance from the communist party apparatchiks. In the absence of equal employment opportunities, only loyalist and devoted party stalwarts gained access to the civil service, including line ministries and departments, financial institutions, national corporations, commissions and boards. From telecommunication to customs to electricity and Ethiopian Airlines, the entire system of government was hence crowded by loyalists and collaborators of the military dictatorship. The bulk of these loyalists who took firm control of the establishment, state machinery and the bureaucracy hailed from a single ethnic stock, the Amhara.

 

Subsequent to the downfall of the Derg regime in 1991, the EPRDF has inherited the entire workforce of the EWP excepting its commander-in-chief, Mengistu Haile Mariam and some senior officers who fled the country. Ironically, many of the hardhearted Marxist zealots and high-ranking officials of the Derg who played awful roles in the military dictatorship have sought sanctuary in the most unlikely of all places, the United States, and not the most-favored Soviet Union. Such apparent vault-face would have been far-fetched without the development of extraordinary historical events in far a field. Phenomenally, the Derg’s downfall coincided with the demise of the Soviet Union.

 

Apprehensive of being prosecuted for crimes committed against the peoples of Ethiopia, the bulk of the active members of the EWP assumed a low profile existence in the formative years of the EPRDF revolution. Spared from the anticipated retributions, many turncoats quickly infiltrated into the EPRDF party; with no intention to either embrace the ideals of the EPRDF or to assimilate. Having implanted themselves fully into the system, they started to clandestinely operate from within the EPRDF establishment, with the view of derailing the EPRDF machinery and undoing its functions. In the ensuing years, the charlatans of the EWP continued their quiet penetration into the system of government, flourishing under the shadows of the EPRDF. Hence, the remnants of the Derg have gained a new lease of life.

 

To vandalize the system, the members of the EWP communist party were painstakingly rebuilding a network of secret cells in the workplace to undermine the authority of key institutions and distort the real picture. Consequently, in the course of the past decade, using a vast network of disguised subversive cells, the EWP insiders were engaged in leaking and distorting vital government information, in sabotaging many of the progressive and innovative policies of the EPRDF and in plotting bloodless coup from within the EPRDF.

 

Through protracted subversion, the EWP has succeeded in resurrecting the dead. Resurrected, the EWP has finally transformed itself from a seemingly defunct entity to a fully revamped party. Regrouped and reoriented, the card-carrying members of the EWP have finally resurfaced with vengeance, in the shape of CUD. The born-again EWP has a new three-letter abbreviation, but its content, composition and substance remains unchanged. Its old-fashioned aims and objectives are unaltered.

 

CUD’s rage against the Federal System

 

In order to redress age-old injustices, exploitation and marginalization suffered by various communities in Ethiopia, the EPRDF has introduced a federal system of government that gave birth to several autonomous regional administrations, in early 1990s. The federal system was initiated to enable communities to govern their local affairs and put an end to single-ethnic domination of state. The federal order has since enjoyed wide-ranging popular support from most of the Ethiopian communities, particularly those that dwell in previously neglected peripheries or those fated in the past to bear the brunt of state-orchestrated inhuman atrocities, injustice, discrimination and widespread public humiliation and mistreatment.

 

In the past decade, communities have gained tremendously from the new order and are determined to defend it. The rule of law that protects the rights of the erstwhile-neglected or marginalized minorities is enshrined within the parameters of the federal order. Each and every ethnic group in the country is aptly trying to make the best use of its hard-won constitutional rights and enjoy all the trappings of the federal system. The federal system is thus sacred to the public. It is thus inviolable and irreversible.

 

That sacred cow, the federal system, is currently under intense attack. The assault emanates from the traditional enemies of decentralization, democracy and the federal order. Centralists and members of the old guard have joined forces to reverse the federal order. The Amhara chauvinists, who constitute the backbone of the Coalition of Unity and Democracy (CUD), would like to forcibly resurrect their ethnic hegemony on Ethiopian politics. The CUD has adopted the Machiavellian doctrine: The goals justify any means. So it is determined to seize power by fair means or foul. They have publicly announced that they will abolish the constitution and nullify the federal system, if they return to power. They are ferociously trying to reverse the gains of the EPRDF revolution that brought about real and positive changes in the lives of millions of Ethiopians. If the CUD has its way, it will stoke the flame of extremism and ruin the hope nurtured in the hearts of the people during the past decade. If it succeeds, all the progress of the past decade would be reversed, too.

 

The CUD’s narrow, single-ethnic-based agenda and the aristocratic mindset of its leadership is its major Achilles' heel. Fanatical and narrow-minded extremists of the CUD believe that they belong to a “Super ethnic” that is divinely mandated to rule the peoples of Ethiopia. Based on false presumptions, they regard themselves as hailing from a superior ethnic and look down on other ethnics as inferior and insignificant. They see themselves as the embodiment of the traditional rulers of Ethiopia. They believe that they have a right of tutelage over others. They are unable to appreciate that Ethiopia is a country of blissful diversity: multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-linguistic and multi-creed - an idyllic platform where a rainbow of miscellaneous customs and creeds converge to cultivate symbiotic co-existence. Detached from the ground reality, the CUD leadership has the tendency to view its immediate environment with tainted spectacles of self-righteousness and bigotry, shielding against fundamental values of democracy, liberalism, social equality, and human rights. They are preoccupied with unfounded and unrealistic myopic myths and are unable to grasp the objective political realities in the country.

 

In a culturally and ethnically heterogeneous country like Ethiopia, the CUD postulated concept of a “super ethnic” is simply anathema to most people. The “super ethnic” supposition is akin to that of the Master Race (Herrenrasse) concept in the Nazi ideology and the contemporary White Supremacy movement that upholds the notion of a superior “race” or “ethnic” with a birthright to rule. It is a dangerous, divisive and destructive credo that is likely to trigger bloody ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia. It also defies logic and commonsense.

 

The politics of Ethnocentrism

 

Another troubling aspect of CUD phenomenon, which is likely to determine the significance and longevity of its politics, is its entrenched ethnocentric policy credentials. Terms such as ethnocentrism, prejudice, stereotype, xenophobia, and racism stem from deep-seated believe in imaginative mythical sense of supremacy embedded in the mindset of certain groups afflicted with superiority-complex syndrome. Attitudes of superiority and ethnocentrism also stem from ignorance of other ethnic groups and assumed insecurity. Ignorance nurtures suspicion, ambiguity and stereotypical impressions of other ethnics which only increase feelings of superiority. Moreover, feelings of hostility and superiority towards others result from deep sense of insecurity. Ethnocentrism triggers insecurity as a defensive response to divergence or ethnic difference. In reality, ethnocentrism parallels racial chauvinism, and is indeed anathema to diversity. It elevates one ethnic above others as superior. Hence, the ethnocentric venture of the CUD is a major threat to the harmonious ethnic diversity of Ethiopia.

 

From Rwanda to Yugoslavia and Darfur, ethnic chauvinism is often the cause of ethnic conflicts. Ethnocentric political leaders prey upon the lurking fears and disgruntlement of their constituencies to galvanize support for their political aims. Ethnocentric and over-ambitious political leaders ruthlessly encourage ethnic discord for personal political and financial gains. Exploiting the latent ethnic passions of unsuspecting ordinary citizens, political opportunists have the tendency to portray themselves as the sole champions of public interest, whilst determined to further a narrow agenda of specific interest to certain privileged groups.

 

Propelling forward a purely ethnocentric agenda, the CUD leadership is currently pursuing a two track policy: 1) agitation and radicalization of youth in their constituencies, 2) dissemination of hostile, divisive hate messages intended to wage rift between communities, ethnic and tribal groups and undermine the prevailing peace and stability in the country. Borrowing a fateful leaf from their likeminded counterparts in Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Darfur and elsewhere, they are inculcating their members with false, misleading and provocative misinformation. Unsuspecting ordinary citizens are the potential easy preys for CUD’s glossed over statements, hollow rhetoric and unrelenting propaganda campaigns. The politics of hate has been given a free rein.

 

There is grassroots opposition to CUD’s policies. The unpredictable agenda of the CUD and its deceptive political manifesto is already unnerving ethnic minorities across Ethiopia. The people are too conscious to be fooled. They know that the CUD is a snake in the grass. The CUD should therefore understand that if it continues to disregard the sanctity of the constitution, the federal system and the rule of the law, it will have no place in Ethiopian politics. The CUD should uphold the supremacy of the rule of law by rejecting violence and subversion as a means of effecting change. The CUD should know that hysterical nostalgia for lost grandeur is not a substitute for a political program. And its day of reckoning is nearing.

 

By A. Du'ale Sii’arag,

E-Mail: baxaal@yahoo.com

WardheerNews Contributor at Large

[General Duke]

Camir thanks for the article.

[NASSIR]

I enjoyed reading it and honestly learned from it tremendously. As a person who doens't follow much of the politics in Ethiopia both past and present, it is interesting to note the superioirty notion of the Amhara and their pursuit to return the old rule, which places one ethnicity above another.

 

It seems the Federal system is beneficial to the ethnic Somali in the Somali region of Ethiopia(formerly known as Og.aden). Then, why are there uprisings and sporadic clashes between the Somalis and the Tigrey-led regime? If Somalis were content of the system, what is making them pull foward to effect a change in their favor? I sometimes frequent Oga-den sites, albeit clannish sites, they transmit updated reports and news of what is happening down there. The picture doesn't appear totally good.

 

I enquired the author by an e-mail that if some segments of our people in Ethiopia are ignorant of the benefits of the Federal system? and the never-ending problem with that region.

[General Duke]

^^^I think the Somali's are only bent on Independence and nothing else. There is also the rebel movements who were created long before the new system or tribals states. Though the problem is more complex than that.

 

Camir, in the Ethiopian charter every region has a right to secede from the union, this is what makes the Amhara pissed, they belive the Tigra has sold out on the idea of a united Ethiopia...

[Chimera]

article 39 is a scam

 

ONLF tried to start a referendum in 94' and the tigres started targeting high ranking members

[Waaheen]

Thank you Caamir for this oustanding posting. It is an interesting article indeed, but I am afraid that the Somali’s in Ethiopia have lost this golden opportunity to use it to their benefit. They are as much divided as we are on this side of the border. The only ways out for them is to work for the unity of the Somali’s in the region and resurrect the nowadays moribund Somali nationalism.

[Waaheen]

Thank you Caamir for this oustanding posting. It is an interesting article indeed, but I am afraid that the Somali’s in Ethiopia have lost this golden opportunity to use it to their benefit. They are as much divided as we are on this side of the border. The only ways out for them is to work for the unity of the Somali’s in the region and resurrect the nowadays moribund Somali nationalism.

 

Waaheen

[Ahmed_Guree]

Below is an extract that fully explains inside the mind of Xabashi.

 

It is quite a drama to watch. "The fox outfoxing the fox" game that is being played between the Weyane in on hand and the Amhara on the other is quite intriguing; worthy of deep study and analysis. While we all are watching for Eritrea with an eagle eye for any eventualities from all enemies, be it domestic of foreign; let us see, take a look, and follow closely the state of politics and intrigues that are unfolding in the "accurse land", Ethiopia.

 

The age-old "the fox outfoxing the fox" political game that is being played in Ethiopia these days is quite fascinating. The 21st Century "Neftegna", the Weyane, on one hand and the 20th Century "Neftegna", the Amhara, on the other are the players and actors. It is quite a drama to watch. In fact, the "game" is quite intriguing worthy of deep study and analysis. I could say, some one who is a Ph.D. candidate in "Political Science" could write a "Dissertation" and on it and he could end up with a masterpiece.

 

To those who do not know the meaning of the new English word, "Neftegna", defining the word and its ramifications in Ethiopia is in order. There; in this word, lays the root-cause of the "hell on earth" that you witness in Ethiopia today. In this word resides the "cancer" that is eating Ethiopia form within to a point of no return and that is why "Ethiopia" is now synonym to "hunger" and human misery of biblical proportion. Driven from an Amharic word "Neft" (type of gun), its usage and practice goes back to 19th Century Ethiopia when King Menelik of Ethiopia sent out conquering forces from the Amhara and Tigrai region with "Neft" (gun) and rewarded them with the very land, properties, and people they conquered. But since the "Neftegna" did not cross borders or the oceans and since the pigment of the color of the skin of the "conqueror" was similar to that of "conquered', this kind of social, economic, and political adventure has never been looked at as "colonialism" or "slavery" in their true definition or manifestation. But it was taken as the internal subjugations of nationals and entities.

 

By all accounts, the actions and the practices of a "Neftegna" are not different from your traditional "colonizer" or "slave driver", if not worst. In essence, "Neftegna" means organized forces who go on conquering other tribes and nationals and reduce them to "Chissegna" (conquered) or a property, which are not different from your traditional "slaves". The "Neftegna" typically do not only end up owning the land and property they conquered but they reduce the original rightful landowners to tenants, "Chissegna", to labor on the fields and make them pay from 30% to 40% of the annual harvest or income. The "Neftegna" invariably is a "slave master" that operate from a distance or in absentia and the only time he shows up is to collect the fruit of labor and sweat of the "Chissegna".

 

Adding insult to injury, these "Chissegna" were also reduced to be canon fodders in all the subsequent wars of the "Neftegna". Going back in time, history shows that there was not a single war the "Neftegna" to have won on their own except by tears, sweat, and blood of the "Chissegna" class. A case in point, the Battle of Adwa. Despite the claims and ear-deafening "Zeraf. Zeraf.." of the "Neftegna" about it, the Adwa Battle was fought between 5000 Italians and 80,000 Welliatta (canon fodders) who were driven by the "Neftegna" to the Italian frontlines in "human waves". Any person with average intelligence could easily conclude that after over 70,000 Welliatta were slaughtered in the hands of the Italians, it is logical for the Amhara/Tigrai came to win the "trophy" by pushing the numerically reduced and logistically drained Italian soldiers. In essence, if there is any body who can claim victory at the Battle of Adwa, it is the Welliatta, and not the "Neftegna" (Amhara/Tigrai). That is a historical truth.

 

True to this historically tried and proven method of "canon fodders" and "human wave" warfare tactic and engagement; the Weyane were arrogantly confident that a repeat of the Adwa Battle will unfold when they told the whole world that they are marching in to "enter Asmara in four days" in June 2000. How arrogant and how confident must Meles has been to even sent 10,000 donkeys to bring back war booty from Asmara; just like the traditional "Neftegna"!! To that effect, over 400,000 "fengiregach" (modern day canon fodders) were driven at gunpoint to march to machinegun nests and mechanized brigades of the Eritrean defense forces. Alas, over153, 000 "fengiregach" were slaughtered and an equal number where put out of commission within such a short time under such Eritrea firepower. After every thing is said and done, the Eritrean landscape was littered with bodies of poor Ethiopian soldiers leaving the "fengiregach" families with no son, or husband, or father. Remember, this is not the era of "Neft" but an era of machine guns and machinegun nests whose annihilation capability is beyond measure and beyond fathom. Despite this callous and colossal losses, in terms of innocent Ethiopians' life and resources, what is so disheartening and cruel about it is the Weyane still think it is a war tactic they could repeat over and over. Why? When a Weyane top official boasted, laughingly I might add, and said some thing to the effect that it was only the "Shankilla" and "Gala" that perished while the children of Tigrai are spare or saved; that summed up nature of Weyane and the nature of "Neftegna". Such was and still is the practice the age-old mode of operation of the Neftegna (Amhara and Tigrai). Incidentally, "Shankilla" and "Gala" are derogatory terms used by the "Neftegna" to describe or define the rest of the Ethiopian nationals.

 

Would you be shocked in this time and age the "Neftegna" is still alive and well? To these date, the "Neftegna" are still the rulers and "landlords" while the conquered are still the "Chissegna" (the tenants) that supply the free labors and "fengiregach", on demand, with no political rights and privileges. In essence, slavery of a different kind is what "Neftegna" practiced and that practice and social order is still alive and well in the 21st Century Ethiopia. Shocked? Do not be. That is the very "cancer" that is eating Ethiopia these days and what you have in Ethiopia at this hour is worst than the much publicized and criticized "slavery" in the Sudan.

 

Ever since Ethiopia, as we know it, came to be some 120 years ago, these two "Neftegna" took Ethiopia as if Ethiopia belongs to them and as if it was created for their use and abuse. While there rest of the Ethiopians such as the Oromo, the Somali, Afar, Sidama, Debub Hizboch, and Beshangul are reduced to "squatters" and "new comers" with no political and economic rights and privileges what so ever; these two have used the blessing of Ethiopia to fill up their bottomless stomach without impunity and shame. Even at this hour, if you see all the so-called Ethiopian "opposition" making a lot of noise from within and without Ethiopia, you will be able to see that they are the very children of "Neftegna" trying to keep the status quo unchanged and unchallenged. Watch all the so-called Ethiopian opposition; they have one common denominator that binds them. All of them are the very heirs of the "Neftegna" trying to hold on that social, economic, and political status. A case in point, take and follow Dr. Beyen Petros. Dr. Beyen Petros is supposed to be the chairman of "Debub Hizboch" and yet these person is a product of "Neftegna" trying to keep the status quo. In all honesty, can you let the "hyena" be the sheepdog for a day and expect the sheep to come home at night alive? Can you let the fox in with the chickens and expect to have chicken in the morning. By the same reasoning you could not possibly expect Dr. Beyene Petros, the child of a "Neftegna", to work or to advocate for the betterment of "Debub Hizboch", which are your typical "Chissegna".

 

The marginalized Ethiopians; that is, the Oromo, Somali, Sidama, Welliatta, and others are not your typical "minorities" that are doomed to live and survive at the mercy and benevolence of the "majority". These are 55,000,000 strong Ethiopians that have been used, abused, and reduced to nameless and faceless type of "slavery" by less than 10,000,000 Amhara and Tigrai for over a century. What is shameful about all this is, even in this time and age, the Amhara and Tigrai, from the common man on the streets to the educated class, still see and take the rest of the Ethiopians as squatter and unwelcome guests who are only there at the benevolence of these "Neftegna". While "time" was supposed to educate and to enlighten the Amhara and Tigrai; blinded by economic and political greed, the Amhara and Tigrai could not or would not learn or change. "Time", the relentless teacher, has given up on the Amhara and Tigrai and both are doomed to face the wrath of "time". I mean the Amhara and Tigrai are doomed to face the wrath of the rest of Ethiopia for the rest of Ethiopians are saying "enough is enough" and they are up in arms to reclaim their dignity and their pride. In an era of equality, justice, individual rights. and freedom from colonialism or slavery, be it an African or European origin, it is a must that the rest of Ethiopians have to rise and they have already risen to break the backbone of these age-old bloodsuckers and merciless killers once and for good.

 

Ever since Ethiopia, as we know it, came to be some 120 years ago, these two merciless "Neftegna" (Amhara and Tigrai) did not only use and abuse Ethiopia and Ethiopians but they are also antagonistic towards each other and they butchered each other in their quest to politically and economically dominate the social fabric of Ethiopia. The Amhara and Tigrai are antagonistic and bitter enemies to the grave, and yet they cannot live without each other. You heard the saying, "You cannot live them and you cannot live without them", this is it folks. When it is to subjugate the rest of the Ethiopians and when it is to blood-suck the resource and the blessings of Ethiopia; the Amhara and Tigrai are bedmates who practice a perfect "symbiotic" relationship. The Amhara-Tigrai relationship is your typical "hyena and the "fox" relationship from the jungle. This is a relation of between the "hyena" (the hunter) on one side and the "fox" (the scavenger) on the other. While the "hunter" hunts and the "scavenger" strives or lives on the leftovers and the spoils of the "hunter". If the "hyena" is to hunt, the "fox" is sent out to scout an unassuming or unguarded "prey". Never trusting each other, for over 120 years, this was the political and economic arrangement that kept them together. The "hunter-scavenger" symbiotic relationship between the Amhara and Tigrai is still alive and well in the accursed land.

 

Up to 1991, the Amhara was the "hyena" that did all the hunting expeditions and Tigrai was the "fox" that went on scouting on weak and unsuspecting prey and picked up the leftovers and the spoils of the "hyena". However by 1991, the roll of the "hyena" and the "fox" was reversed and now Weyane is the "hyena" (hunter) and the Amhara are the "fox" (scavenger). Incidentally, it is quite interesting to see how the Amhara have adapted to their new roll as scavengers while the Weyane are promoted to the status of the hunter. Frankly, given their out of this world chauvinism and ear-deafening "Zeraf.Zeraf.", no body would have thought the Amhara will play a second fiddle and settle for this new status after they have enjoyed hundred years of power, fortune, and glory. Who would have thought the self-acclaimed and self-promoted gallants and "warriors" would end up to be that weak to accept their current status without raising a finger. To settle for this current status without raising a finger is what is not expected of the Amhara; given their "Zeraf.Zeraf.."

 

Do not be fooled by the current "hyena-fox" arrangement, though. This was not meant to be itched or engraved in rock-solid tablet not to change. In the ever-changing rolls of these two merciless killers, there was and there is a game of "the fox outfoxing the fox" still to be played. In their quest to hold on to the "hyena" status or to ascend to that status, as the case may be, Tigrai and Amhara are playing their game at this very moment. These days, the "outfoxing" game have reached to a higher level of sophistication and intensity. This is because there is a good possibility that the roll of the "hyena" and the "fox" could be reversed in the near future; give or take eighteen (1 months. Given the next Ethiopian election is supposedly due in eighteen (1 months; the battle of dominance between the "Neftegna" is becoming more pronounced and more heated by the hour.

 

Within the next eighteen (1 months, a new development in the dynamics of Ethiopian politics is expected or anticipated to unfold. In light of the upcoming Ethiopian election, there is an urgency from the Amhara to snatch power from Tigrai because Meles would not be reelected for the third time. On the other hand, there is a dire need to hold on to power by the Weyane; if the Weyane are to fulfill their dream. Bear with me; I will explain the "dream" or "Hilmi Abai Tigrai" in a moment. If the he Ethiopian Constitution is to uphold, Meles will not be up for reelection. Meles can only have two 5-years terms in the office. Therefore, it can be concluded that the Ethiopian politics at this hour is duel or fight between the Amhara (current fox) to snatch power and the Weyane (current hyena) to hang in there. The Amhara have calculated or concluded that, with a small help from Eritrea, they are now in a position to snatch power from Tigrai where as Weyane are trying to hang is there until they are ready to give birth to "Abai Tigrai". Thus, the duel or game between the "Neftegna" is already being played with such sophistication and intensity.

 

Mark my word though; Meles will nullify the Ethiopian Constitution before the next scheduled election. There are two compelling reasons as to why Meles will void and nullify the Ethiopian Constitution. First, Weyane still need a few more good years before they declare free and sovereign "Abai Tigrai" and they do not have a viable candidate that can be presented as a replacement to Meles, if election is to be held. Bear with me I will explain as to why the Weyane need "a few more good years". It is doubtful if Weyane have a candidate for the top position who is as merciless killer, deceitful, canning, and an out to out liar as Meles Zenawi is. Second, it is being reported that Meles is being pushed by outside forces to scrap the "Ethiopian federalism based on ethnicity" all to together. True, "ethnic based federalism" ala Weyane style has been termed as the "balkanization" of Ethiopia to a point of no return not to mention it is the making of a second African "genocide". Western nations, driven by their obvious economic interests are pushing Meles to reverse this "balkanization" trend. To meet the needs of Western nations and to have "few more good years', Meles have no recourse but to void the Ethiopian Constitution and nullify all political parties in the process. Voiding the Ethiopian Constitution is a blessing in disguise for Meles. Such a move is not necessarily for the welfare of Ethiopia but it provides the Weyane the badly needed time to get ready for the birth of "Abai Tigrai".

 

This is the state of the Ethiopian politics at this hour. Interestingly enough, Eritrea is in the equation or is in this "foxing" game. How can Eritrea be in the picture and in the equation, did you ask? To both players, Eritrea is the "winning card". Who ever a uses Eritrea effectively will emerge as a sure winner, both have concluded. Both the Amhara and Weyane are trying to use Eritrea to achieve their objectives. That is why both are not ready yet to accept the "final and binding" verdict. The recent rejection of the "final and binding" verdict from both camps has this inertia that dives it. Both are pushing for more bloodshed to achieve at their respective objectives; albeit they have bloody and antagonistic objectives.

 

The Amhara will push for war, not necessarily Ethiopia will be able to turn the clock back to pre-1991 and not because the have the legal or military might to get part of Red Sea by force. But if the Weyane are to be broken beyond repair, then Shaebia is the one to do it for them, the Amhara calculated. If the Amhara are to come back to power in a lightening speed and if their ascension to power will be a smooth sailing without shedding blood on their part, then Eritrea is the one that is designated as the sacrificial lamb. The Amhara know Eritrea is gone, Assab is gone, "Badime" is Eritrean, and the famous "Straight Line" will remain straight line. But for once for the last time they like to use "Eritrea" as the fuel that drives the Ethiopian politics until Weyane is broken beyond repair and deformed beyond recognition. Thus, the Amhara have calculated that they have to push Weyane to continue on a "suicidal mission" against Eritrea until the last nail to nail-shut the Weyane coffin will be driven once and for all by Shaebia. That is why the Amhara are calling for the rejection of the "final and binding" verdict.

 

On the other hand, the Weyane will push for war against Eritrea for two compelling and complementary reasons. If "Hilmi Abai Tigrai" is to be a reality, the Weyane need (1) a few more good blood-sucking years in Ethiopia and (2) they like to see a "balkanized" Ethiopia to a point of no return so that the upcoming "Abai Tigrai" will face no challenge from the rest of the Ethiopians. If the Weyane could have good ten years after seceding from Ethiopia, they have calculated that by that time they will garnish enough support or recognition from African countries and the world community to legitimize their secession. The Weyane have done they homework and they have concluded that an economically devastated, a military weak, and a politically "balkanized" Ethiopia will not be in any shape or form to challenge the upcoming "Republic of Greater Tigrai" for at least ten years by which time they think they can get away with Ethiopian lands from Begemidir and Wollo.

 

Make no mistakes about it; Weyane is on trimester to give birth to "Abai Tigrai". In fact, had it not been for the "bloody Shaebia" standing on the way, by now "Abai Tigrai" would have been up and running. To give birth to "Abai Tigrai", Meles needs few more good years in Ethiopia and to weaken Eritrea. To do that, Meles has to convince the Ethiopians that he is true son of "Ethiopia" and the loss of 36,000,000,000 Birr in arms and armament and 153,000 "fengiregach" in the process the "Badime" adventure was indeed for something and there might be a need for more money and "fengiregach" from the "South" in the future. That is why Weyane are still crying "Badime" even at after the "final and binding" verdict is rendered. As a byproduct of this adventure, such salesmanship of the part of Meles is intended to by him a badly needed leverage and time to nullify the Ethiopian Constitution and make him self the "Prime Minister" for some more years until such time "Abai Tigrai" is born and running. Otherwise, for Weyane to go to labor to give birth to "Abai Tigrai" at this hour is "suicidal" or to give birth to a stillborn "Abai Tigrai".

 

Therefore, the rejection of the "peace agreement" has two evil players behind it, each with their antagonistic objectives. Both of them know the verdict is "final and binding" and there is no recourse left but accept and live with it. But they have to try to get maximum mileage out of the war. In essence, Eritrea is being looked as (1) survival kit of Weyane or (2) as a "bomb" that could destroy Weyane once and for all; it all depends on which side of the game you are playing it.

 

"The fox outfoxing the fox" game between Amhara and Tigrai is being played in full swing. After every thing is said and done, who will emerge as the winner? None of these two will end up the winner. The winners will be the rest of the Ethiopians. The other Ethiopians are letting these two evils dig the grave of each other. After these are finished with each other, the rest of the Ethiopians will come to break their backbone for good and will be will peace in the Horn. It is ironic, isn't it? The very country (Eritrea) that was supposed to be destroyed and erased from the face of the map will be the one that will save the Ethiopians from these two evils for the third time. Eritrea saved Ethiopia from Hailesellassie and from Derg. For the third time, Eritrea will save Ethiopia from these two bloodsuckers at the same time in one go and there will peace in the Horn.

 

It can be concluded that every human misery that has been unfolding in Ethiopian, every war that have been fought by canon fodders, every social and economic disaster that have been recurring in the "accursed land", all the HIV epidemic that is sweeping the Ethiopian landscape like a prairie fire is a direct result of this unholy and unhealthy social and political order we call "Neftegna". The underlining reason as to why Ethiopia is synonym to "hunger" it is not due to nature induced calamity but for the most part it is due to this unhealthy social, economic, and political order the country. If Ethiopians are to live in decency among the civilized world, if Ethiopians are to save themselves form handouts and alms of benefactors, if Ethiopians are to break the tradition of "beggary", and if the Ethiopians are to walk with their heads up; then the first order of business should be to dismantle and destroy this Neftegna" social order or class. If not, it will be business as usual in the accursed land. Not only that, the expansionist policy of the "Neftegna" and their bottomless stomach will be the source of non-ending war and bloodshed in the Horn. In short, if the Horn is to have peace, this "cancer" should be eradicated and the backbone of the Amhara/Tigrai should be broken once and for all.

 

These two are the very enemies of Eritrea, which are on a mission to destroy Eritrea, if they could. God only knows how much these two players have squandered the meager sources of Ethiopia in war against Eritrea. Not only that, they have left millions of other Ethiopians to bear the brunt of the war for years to come. If these are the enemy of the Motherland, then what kind of Eritreans are those that are brewing "evil" against the country and people with Weyane? What kind of Eritreans are out there who are still begging the Weyane to put them in power in Eritrea; that is, if the Weyane are to put them in power? What kinds of Eritreans are out there that are sleeping in rat-infested motels in Mekele and "Iri Bekentu" to do more harm their own people? What kind of Eritreans are those who go on begging the Weyane, on their knees, for help or are sweeping the streets of Mekele? What kind of blinding hatred and vendetta against Shaebia could these elements harbor to practice "to kill the fish, drain the lake" doctrine against their own people? What kind of Eritrean could they be practice "scorched earth tactic" or "let no grass grow after me" against their kind with the sworn enemy? How strong is the backward mentalities and tendencies of the Eritrean elements to fall such low to this shame? What kind of Eritreans are those who wine and dine with Weyane in the middle of the war while the blood of our young ones is fresh? What kind of Eritreans are out there that go knocking the door so Western nations to economically and diplomatically strangulate Eritrea, while the Eritrea is in the middle of the war or the middle of far-reaching drought? Do these people really sleep at night after they have sold their soul to "devil" and after they have "bartered" Eritrea for bottles "Katikala" and for donated wheat", left over of Weyane, in the streets of Mekel?. Since when does an Eritrean went down, on his knees, to be beg from a "certified bagger" anyway? How could and Eritreans beg from born and certified "beggar and what do they expect to get? In all honesty, I doubt if these are Eritreans and how can they claim to be Eritreans doing unEritrean thing? "Mergem Weladi Ente Zei'Ketele Ye'Enenie" will be their story and their fate. What would the bigger than life giants and gallants of Eritrea from the distance past and recent past say when they are told that we have Eritreans that are being supported and sustained by Weyane in exchange of burning their churches, mosques, schools, and home? What kind of Eritrean could they be to sit there doing nothing while their own sisters and mothers were raped by Weyane in front of their eyes? Have these elements heard the latest song of the Eritrean mother, which goes like this: "Entai Eleyo Hadar Lomi Qine Ezi Weyane Hamed Kaisehane". Do they know what that song means? Help me understand the mentality and the nature of "Hatela" of the Motherland if you could! It is just unEritrean to betray your kind, especially at a time when your kind needed you the most! It is shame and disgrace not to be there for your kind when they needed you the most. Albeit few in number, we have those who betrayed the mothers and we know them one by one.

 

While the "outfoxing" game of the Amhara/Tigrai is being play, it is a must that Eritrea should stay on course, focused, alert, watch for Eritrea with an eagle eye, and be prepared for any eventualities from all enemies. As usual, the Eritrean determination, steadfastness, unbridled sacrifice for the cause of the Motherland; the unabridged love of Eritrea should be there if Weyane is to come to be cured from this insanity. If the "guarantors of peace" are to live up to their obligations and responsibilities, the ever-defiant nation should be ready for any eventualities more so now than ever. "God only helps those who help them selves" and "we have only us" to save ourselves. As the Eritrean mothers put it, may "Kidane Mihret Sembel" (God/Allah) continue protecting the "Halal Meriet"; Amen/Ensha'Alah!

Coclusion they are all the same.

''Waa Dhameer iyo labadeedha dhagood.''

[NASSIR]

Thanks Ahmed Guree, very enlightening read.

 

Neftenge's unceasing exploitation of Chissegna!

[Buur Cad]

Duale Si'aarag treats a whole ethnic group as a single person. He insults Amhara. Very misleading.

 

The other article is about an angry Eritrean who lost his house after Tigre over-run his town. He insults Tigre.

 

One insulting article for each, eh!

[Somali_Friend]

Caamir,

 

Thank you for bringing this informative article, but here are some of the facts on the ground that I feel are not reflected on the article.

 

1. The somali ethiopian has never been to this level of active participation, feeling of part of a solution in Addis Ababa, and seeing the results of that participation reflected in the federal ethiopian state. The somali is now one of the most important factors in ethiopia. He is also preferred as to be fair minded in other parts of ethiopia, being a rebel for a century and now he wants to give the federal system a try and give ethiopia to change. The results of this is very visible. The somali ethiopian is the guaranty that there will not be war the old way of greater somalia. If greater somalia is to be achieved, from here on it will only be when every part of it governs themselves, are confident in each of their areas.

 

2. Today's ethiopia is very different from the one east africans are so used to imagining. The northerners that are accused by the Derg, Haileslassie or Menelik followers of monopolizing power, is not true on the ground. The federal system is truly being developed and growing roots. As the article indicates most ethiopians welcome this development and most are prepared to defend it. People that had their culture, language and heritage almost driven to extinction can now revive it. All they have to do is work hard for it. The state in ethiopia today has no intention of suppressing anyone's identity and what the people hold dear.

 

3. Religion. The Tigray thats being accused by past ethiopian regimes followers, is home of Axum and home of Negash. They follow this to a tee. You may find past regime followers accusing Tigray of being most Islamic friendly of any regime, but it can be fairly said with certainity that the current ethiopian state doesn't have departments for either religion followers. You can readily and easily see a moslem general or chief justice (something thought impossible just few decades ago)in Addis Ababa as you can see a christian general in Somali or Afar states (These two states are with the highest percentage of moslems). There is a Sheria courts and actually it was the Sheria court chairpersons of Amahara, Tigray and Afar that spoke of the illegality of SSICC call for Jihad on ethiopia.

 

4. Unlike the old days the somalis have changed ethiopia and ethiopians have changed somalia. You may not hear or see this in Mugadishu and the diaspora ethiopians, but its everywhere to see for those who want to see. If you are standing in Bay and Bakool today, your first instinct would not be to consider ethiopians in a wholesale fashion as an enemy. Unlike yesteryears, now you know exactly even the cabinet ministers in Addis Ababa, its not some far off land anymore. If the TFG defence minister or army commander speaks to their counterparts in ethiopia, they both might even speak in somali, they both might say Wallahi to confirm their sincerity, the only difference would be the ethiopian might be from north or west geographically far from the somali.

 

Things have changed in a major way, some of them fundamentally. Thats probably why yesterdays slogans do not work in both countries.

[Ahmed_Guree]

^^^

Somali Eternal Enemy.

Tigray rulling class are the most anti-Islam

TPLF propaganda

Religion. The Tigray thats being accused by past ethiopian regimes followers, is home of Axum and home of Negash. They follow this to a tee. You may find past regime followers accusing Tigray of being most Islamic friendly of any regime, but it can be fairly said with certainity that the current ethiopian state doesn't have departments for either religion followers. You can readily and easily see a moslem general or chief justice (something thought impossible just few decades ago)in Addis Ababa as you can see a christian general in Somali or Afar states (These two states are with the highest percentage of moslems). There is a Sheria courts and actually it was the Sheria court chairpersons of Amahara, Tigray and Afar that spoke of the illegality of SSICC call for Jihad on ethiopia.

Situatuion in Tigray

Muslims in Axum, northern Ethiopia, were prevented by Christians of the town from preforming their Eid Prayer. Eid al-fitr is a culmination of Ramadhan and consists of among others congregational prayers. Eid was celebrated in Ethiopia as most in the Muslim world on the 23rd of October, 2006.

 

After receiving the above alert message, NEME contacted the office of the regional Supreme Council in Mekele hoping to get detailed information on the cause and extent of the incident. The representative at the office was however unwilling to shed any information beyond affirming the incident and suggesting to us to contact the administrationn in Axum. Its effort to reach its correspondents in the country was unsuccessful merely because of problem with tel. connection.

 

The information we already received from various sources indicate that the problem started on the eve of Eid when fanatic Christians entered a Mosque and began attacking Muslims who were performing Isha prayer. As a result two Muslims were wounded, one found in critical state.

 

Muslims in Axum are the most oppressed and most descriminated community in the country. They are harrased non-stop. Their rights not only to practice their belief but also their right of existence is seriously violated. They are denied of place to bury their dead or build worshinping place. Their calls to the governmet have never received any attention and repeatedly neglected.

 

It is to be recalled that in Sept. 2001, a more than 100 years old Mosque in Dura, a village just 20 km outside of Axum, was burnt by fanatic Christians. The government authorities failed to date to enforce the court’s decision to rebuild it.

 

In Addis Ababa

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- Riot police fired rubber bullets and tear gas Friday at hundreds of stone-throwing Muslims angered by the demolition of a half-built mosque in Ethiopia's capital, witnesses saidSeveral people were bleeding in the streets, but the extent of their injuries was not clear.

More than 100 protesters were taken away in military trucks. Another 100 were under armed guard on the street.

At least one car was overturned and several others had windows smashed during the clashes in the capital's Merkato district, the main Muslim area of Addis Ababa.

The disturbances broke out after some houses and the half-built mosque were demolished because they had been illegally built on city administration-owned land, Federal Police Cmdr. Hailu Demsash said.

"Muslim leaders were unhappy about the new site that was offered for the mosque," he told The Associated Press. "Some people in the community began to make problems. The police took action to displace the large crowds."

Ethiopia's population of about 77 million is about 45 percent Christian and about the same percentage Muslim, with the rest following indigenous beliefs.

source washingtonpost

In Diredawa the Somali city

Mosque was attacked in Dire Dawa, Muslims arrested!

“Nothing new has happened which is not unusual” the governor of Axum told Muslims.

Christians have continued with publishing partially-true and biased reportings on the incident in Jimma, Illubabor and Wollega - a Video is also being circulated.

The well-known Oromiffa Menzuma composer, Raya Aba Mecha, is being sought by police, His no. 14 Audio Cassette has been prevented from sale.

*****

 

In a continued attack on Islam, Muslims and their values through out the country, a Mosque in Dire Dawa was attacked on the night of 24/10/06. In this latest incident, the attack was started when two Christians began attacking a Muslim who stood at the gate of the Mosque. The two were later joined by many others and they started to stone the Mosque. The Mosque sustained a significant damage where its doors and windows were broken.

 

The attackers could retreat only when Moslims from other nearby Mosques came and chased them away. Some angry Muslims who wanted to retaliate the attack on their mosque by attacking a church were prevented by other Muslims who found this to be inappropriate. A heavily armed force was later arrived and dispersed the crowd. Many Muslims were arrested. The number of those arrested, according to eyewitnesses, is estimated to be in hundreds. For the rest of the night one could hear gunfire every where in the city. It is not clear yet what the cause of the gunfire was as well as the extent of the damage it caused. No one from the attackers was reported to have been arrested.

 

 

 

It was already reported that Christians assaulted the only Mosque in Axum (a Mosque that has not Minara as it is forbidden to have any mark of Islam and Muslims in the town) on the eve of Eid al-fitr, (22.10.06 evening) and were prevented from praying their Eid prayer on the following day. The reaction of the regional Governor to this incident has come as irritant to Muslims and hurt them more than those fanatic Christians who attacked the Mosque a night before. Muslims asked the governor who came to the Mosque on the morning of Eid, 23.10.06, for how long they are to be attacked and that the authorities have the obligation to do some thing about it and to protect them. The governor responded by saying “nothing new has happened which is not unusual”. For those who heard this, it was a clear indication on where the authorities in Axum stand on the suffering of Muslims in the town.

 

 

 

In the mean time, Christian news papers in the capital have continued with their reporting of a partially-true and biased report on the incident in Jimma, Illubabor and Wollega. With such reporting and by publishing photos of burnt houses and Churches and Christians killed and wounded during the incident, they are calling people for reprisal. A Video is also being circulated. The aim of this initiative is believed to be motivating Christians to stand against Muslims.

 

While Christians are allowed to distribute their false assertion and inciting others to further attack Muslims, Muslims are prevented from presenting hard-core facts about the attacks being perpetrated for the last 10 months non-stop. The well-known Oromiffaa Menzuma composer, Raya Aba Mecha, dedicated his No. 14 Cassette which was presented to the public in Ramadhan to the abuses of Quran in the various Ethiopian higher institutions and the incident in Kemissie. The Cassette reminded Muslims further how they have to respond to such affliction by referring to the examples of the companions of the Prophet. However, the government has prevented it from being reaching the public, closed his shop and searching for him. His house in Addis is surrounded and being watched 24 hours a day by heavily armed police force. The government is claiming that the Cassette has provoked Muslims and the author is responsible for what happened in Oromiyaa. It is reported that Police has already taken away the Cassettes from all shops in the capital.

 

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 28th, 2006 at 5:20 am and is filed under General, Politics, Religion, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

 

[NASSIR]

Thanks Somali-Friend for the input and welcome to Somaliaonline. Are you Ethiopian?

[Somali_Friend]

Caamir,

 

Yes. I am an Ethiopian.

I support the Federal syayem which has given relative peace to the country like never seen in a century and half. It has also given many previously neglected and opressed peoples the right of self government.

Whereever there is confidence of self government now you see also confidence in the country as a whole. There is more respect among peoples, replacing the "elects of God" to rule ethiopia and the rest being "never to be ruling only to be ruled"LOL.

There is also peace in the cultural and religious front. Moslems that were seen as second class in the past are now confident citizens and leaders in the federal government.

The supporters of past regimes maybe noisy, because they were the only ones who had access to everything in the past, but the country is moving on. Children raised in the federal system, free to use their parents language and heritage are now graduating from universities that are going to 13 from just one with the old regimes.

 

For somalis its quite easy to see the changes. All one has to do is ask how much the somali ethiopian is active and pariticipant in the federal system, in addition to having his own state that is full fledged autonomous region. The only hold up is poverty and backwardness in today's ethiopia.

[Ahmed_Guree]

^^^

The Tigray instead of creating a better Ethiopia

has infact embroilled itself on

1.Engaging in a bloody war with Eritrea over merely Badme that so the death of 100000's of Ethios not forgeting the loss of Billions of Ethiopian Birr in revenue for the cost of maintaining it.

 

2.Engaged in the forceful displacing of Indigenous communities like Oromo,Gambella hence this lands were allocated to the squatters of Tigray.

 

3.Suppressing liberties, freedoms and converting the Federal system of Ethiopia into a single Ethnic dominated and affiliated(As most of the Cabinet posts are run by a single Ethnic group).

 

4.Incited interreligious as well as interethnic clashes with the sole objective of clinging to power.

 

5.Created Famine ( Groups that are seen to be against the TPLF policy experience harassing like burning of Grainaries,silos and confisication of livestock) they then use this situation to futher gain international attention by imploring western naions to donate food aid which will hardly rach the needy.

 

 

6.Massive corruption by Tigrayans as they believe this is the last chance in power hence Money designated to various regions for development are diverted to offshore accounts.

 

7.Their only survival is International Aid thats the biggest contributor to Ethiopias ailing Economy, hence the Ethiopias opposition have succeded in ensuring that most of the funds are frozen.

The only way out for the toothless & clawless Lion is to use Somalia as a spring board to oppen the window of opportunity under the banner of fighting 'Terror'.

 

Enemy of Ethiopia how realy freindly are you to Somalis

 

A fox is always a fox.