“Shemaglewoch”

I liked the civil discussion on shemaglewoch in this forum and after a long time of self exile from the cyber debate I thought I should add my two cent worth in this innocuous discussion,  with persons whom I think are  well meaning and thoughtful group. I admired Gurmesas arguments and his reasoning, and Kelemu's notion of it doesn’t hurt but help the EPRDF and the democratization process argument, for recommending a discussion or negotiation between Medrek and EPRDF. However I agree more with Delwenberu and Aiga's view, although there are compelling arguments in the two former views also.

In my humble opinion the EPRDF should not engage in a one to one discussion (only) with Medrek, as that will undermine the democratic process underway.

After all the discussion on the "code of conduct" during the election is not on how EPRDF should deal uniquely with each party but rather a discussion to draft a by law that protects and promotes the rights and privileges of each party and that governs the conduct and actions of each party under the law of the land, during the election period.

How does then one party, for that matter a party of the disenfranchised presume to have the privileges to negotiate a different code of conduct only for itself or may be on behalf of all the 65 parties, while excluding the same stake holders (the 65-1) parties?

What do you think the EPRDF or the country will get, if EPRDF goes and accommodates this untenable demand of Medrek that the EPRDF should talk, only with Medrek one to one excluding the remaining 65 parties, because, after all Medrek doesn't like one or two of the opposition parties that were sitting in the discussion with EPRDF in good faith? Do you; in all honesty think that, that will promote democracy in Ethiopia? If Medrek in its baby days as an opposition party has the gall to demand exclusion of the other parties, in the talk, to build democracy or demands, special attention only to itself, what is it going to do if it controls power? How about if some of the more prominent parties demand the same should the EPRDF negotiate how differently it will treat each party or should it hold each party equal under the law? After all the draft code is to apply to all parties, affiliates and individuals involved.

Gurmesa's point of view that if Medrek participates in the election that it has a chance of winning in Tigray and Oromia, is farfetched idea but interesting and intriguing discussion. Medreks potential for winning the election or not is a mute issue, as the measure of a healthy democracy is not whether one or the other party can win, but rather a right of the people to elect and be elected complying to the law of the election process. I think that should have been a motivation for Medrek to come aboard in the discussion together with the 4 heavy hitters and the 61 more. Still with or without Medrek being a partner to the discussion, Medrek can benefit from the by law that will be drafted by the 65 parties and approved by the parliament as long as Medrek governs itself according to the law of the land and participate in the election.

We should all not be carried away and think that, this party or that party's consent is indispensible in drafting the law, as long as the law is good and promotes democracy, in content and spirit that it is written to serve.

We have had tumults times and unique situations, that I believe, there was a time when the Shemaglewoch were indeed valuable but I think, we have to go beyond that and start thinking in terms of working to transform the country in to a country bound by law and that the influence of prominent persons should be relegated to lobbying rather than a tool for redemption after committing a serious crime or offence. Neither should we allow diplomats the so called "partners" who are stationed to serve the interest of their own respective countries dictate when or how we should run our business. As much as their countries do not like interference by another in their internal affairs we should show them, however gently, we do not have the palate either.

Tariku Tadese 11/21/09