By Admin

Today and once in every fortnight, I have decided to discuss and comment on issues that weigh most in my thought. Here after, I title these papers as The Last 14 Days In My Eyes.

In the last two weeks, a couple of events had taken place to catch my eyes. On 28th of September, Ginbot 7 Popular Force held a fund raising meeting in Oslo, Norway; as on the next day, 29th of the month, a group of Ethiopian Opposition parties staged a peaceful demonstration in the capital.

Ginbot 7 Public Meeting And Fund Raising Event:

Recently, every move of Ginbot 7 is under scrutiny by concerned people from both inside and outside of the country. Choosing Eritrea as a spring board to start armed struggle against EPRDF has become a controversy. Some described the move as “political prostitution,” though I see no outlawry matrimonial relation except a logical military cooperation. Any ways, I am not going to tackle Ginbot 7’s attack while playing Eritreans at the back. In this game, you can call me a naive fan but whoever played at defense or mid field, what I am cheering is the goal (booting out EPRDF.)

However, I shall say, they have to be very cautious as not always the end justifies the means. There are situations where the means fatally become THE END by itself; if you know what I mean. Ginbot 7 must have a radar view regarding this “war partner.” I have no doubt that the leaders are wise enough to analyze the very simple logic when Israel was kept aside while Iraq bombed Tel Aviv and other cities with Scud missiles; and why president Sadam badly wanted prime minister Shamir to take part in Operation Desert Storm. By the same regard, I wonder how much the Ethiopian dictators earn out of selling this bond. They might effectively use it to galvanize their weakness to bring the nation together. They could grab this opportunity to insulate the current high Celsius political heat. It is my personal opinion that forgetting history, undermining the old order, and racing to write a new political testament with the current Eritrean government could have a perfect boomerang effect.

When I come back to the relevance of the fund raising event, my stand is simple and direct. I never heard anyone in Ginbot 7 management board named “Dawit” to fight the “Goliad” with stone and slingshot. But, when Ato Andargachew Tsigie undermined the imminent war and said “TPLF is cracking inside out and we don’t expect it to get the gut to wage us war,” I said wait a minute. This sounds a dangerous premise. After all, any fighter who is out to cross swords should rely on his own muscle and strength, not on the opponent’s weakness. For sure, enemy’s weakness is one of the multipliers in the set of winning variables; yet, totally depending on adversary’s weakness could be disastrous. As activist and educator Effie Jones once said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Thinking about what we might face from our opponents and preparing ourselves in advance make us confident during counterattacks.

Besides this, the leader’s public confession to have insiders in EPRDF army is a threat to the Force’s profit. Regardless the value of the tip, that makes TPLF highly suspicious of those military men from the “side” race to start arbitrary arrest, firing, and even killing. One can assume it as a worthy propaganda while the actual and potential personnel in the targeted group questions Ginbot 7’s commitment to secrecy and size-up the desire to desert the military; as every military man’s move will pass through a fine comb. Whenever propaganda hits unstable power, there are also human costs to be paid. Any tips of military secret, whether it is right or not, especially in a country like ours where there is a struggle of power, could result a fatal jolt.

This is what I observed in the last 14 days. The truth is both Ato Andargachew Tsigie and the commander-in-chief of the popular force are courageous; and there is very little I can tell this people … except wishing all the best!

The United Peaceful Demonstration:

A leading Ethiopian opposition group gathered last Sunday to protest against so many injustices including the country’s anti-terrorism legislation. As it is the beginning, there is no much to say but I shall express my great admiration to those who put their life on wire to go out and shout. The united peaceful demonstration that took place in Addis is the first of its kind to emphasize the need for unity, and working in harmony to ransom the country. It is encouraging start to those who are on “peaceful” revolution side; who think and believe it is still possible for them to garner enough revolutionary strength and power to be able to dismantle the oppressive machinery roaring all over the country.

But, EPRDF is simply refusing to listen by denying the right of the demonstrators to gather at Meskel square. They have forgotten when the nation’s anger suddenly hit like a Tsunami, no place or square will fall in the hands of mercy, no mater being Mesqel Square, Janmeda, or Kality. It is impossible to stonewall a public demand in Janmeda. If EPRDF took a lesson from Tahrir square to block them from reaching Mesqel, it must not also overlook the final fate of those gun men on Tiananmen.

I genuinely admire the endurance of our brave demonstrators. No doubt they will be back in might! Till then, I request every one who was out on the street to pronounce this: put your armed men and vehicles out on the square, make a ring, and feel like you are masters of hacking; but, do not forget that I am the crowned king of cracking!

At last, during the weeks, I heard people jawing W/O Azeb is not being seen like before. Sure, she has never been a public figure more than a private banker. Don’t see me as a prophet but let me take a risk for one bet. Our “Imelda Maarcos,” W/O Azeb Mesfine’s luggage is almost packed to leave the country. The most likely, media endorsed reason could be “for medical treatment” though I, myself call it safety flight.

*Mrs Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines and the owner of 3,000 pair of shoe had embezzled about 10 billion dollar with her husband before being ousted in 1986.