Why PM Meles should stay in office: my take!

(By Tizibt M.S.)

There has been a shift of discourse in the past week to whether Prime Minister Meles should leave office or stay in power since he gave press briefings to international and domestic media personnel. When the issue of PM Meles’ intent to quit office surfaced in the past (following his interviews with Jonathan Dimbleby and a certain Aljazeera journalist among others), I was one of those who posted an article strongly insisting and imploring the Prime Minister that no matter what, he should relinquish power in the 2010 national elections. My primary reason at that point in time was that he would not only make history over another, but also demonstrate to the Ethiopian people and the whole world that peaceful transfer of power is truly possible in Ethiopia, which country loving Ethiopians would like to see in their life time. I was also persistently arguing with some of my friends taking that position.

The same issue has floated up again due to the premier’s recent press release. The political divide is evident in the nature and content of articles appearing in Ethiopia-related web sites. Having been following the arguments back and forth in the past few days posted on major Ethiopian web sites, I wanted to share my views regarding the ongoing discourse. For some this would be a source of disappointment and may elicit insult and name calling, but I boldly affirm that I subscribe to the idea that PM Meles should stay in his position for yet another term for the following reasons. First, the Ethiopian-Eritrean border issue has not been resolved due to the stubborn nature of the dictator to our north, who knows pretty well that he has been outwitted by the eloquence and sharp mindedness of our Prime Minister. The way the border dispute is resolved (in hindsight it was known to be not a border dispute in the real sense) will have serious ramifications of national importance. It would be changing horses in the middle of the river, as the saying goes, to see another Prime Minister deal with it. It, however, doesn’t mean that PM Meles should stay in power no matter how long the border conflict lasts. We hope that Eritreans will eventually deal with the Eritrean dictator who has been a menace to the country and people he claims to love and lead, to our country and the entire horn of Africa region.

Second, the geo-political situation in the horn of Africa is very delicate and overly complex requiring matured leadership. We cannot for sure see how the conditions would evolve. The situations in Somalia, the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and the Darfur region of the Sudan are far from predictable. It is public knowledge that PM Meles has been actively involved in ways of dealing with some of these challenges for the purpose of regional peace. He knows much more than anyone else the intricacies and what picture the niceties may take and it would make sense to argue that he should stay in power in order to deal with these issues of regional concern. Again, it would be changing horses in the middle of the river to replace PM Meles. Hence, another reasoning to contend that he should stay in his position for five more years assuming that EPRDF would win the next national elections since we don’t see any signs of hope from the fragmented opposition political parties, who like the proverbial eucalyptus tree kill others in their camp and eventually dig their own grave.

Third, our Prime Minister is at the peak of his unequalled service as a fascinating statesman. At these difficult times and complicated state of affairs our country is in, it would make sense for sane and reasonable Ethiopians to say that he should stay in office because the consequences can be dire to have some one to have on the job training as some bloggers put it. A corollary to this (which is of lesser importance, though) is captured by the Amharic saying, ‘kematawk’ew mel’ak, yemitawk’ew sey’ta’ at these capricious and volatile circumstances in the horn of Africa. The intent of the Amharic adage should never be misconstrued. Our Prime Minister is well positioned and likened with makers of history. He has demonstrated his capability to govern the country in his terms in office. It is quite optimistic that our country’s economic development and all accompanying facets of progress under his leadership are at take off and we don’t want to see them slowed down.

Fourth, our Prime Minister is not only representing our beloved country Ethiopia, but the entire African continent. Whenever there is a need for a representation of Africa, our Prime Minister is at the forefront and he has been a source of pride to the country he has been governing since the fall of the military government. For instance, he was a member of Tony Blair’s Commission for Africa. He was also one among four other prominent figures like Tony Blair arguing in unequivocal terms about what the developed world should do to Africa at a panel in the Clinton Global initiative conference moderated by Tom Brokaw of NBC News. He co-chaired the Sino-Africa Summit along with the Chinese President Hu Jintao. In fact, he addressed the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit. In the recent Delhi Sustainable Development Summit, our Prime Minister was the only African leader representing our continent. He is not only an Ethiopian but also an African pride. He is very articulate and all rounded personality who we should be proud of. This doesn’t involve the fogey and hateful diaspora, because his prominence has always been a source of headache and annoyance to them, and it will continue to be.

Fifth, we have witnessed that he is a highly esteemed and respected leader locally. It suffices to watch the kingly welcome accorded to him whenever and wherever he holds public meetings with Ethiopians from different walks of life in various regional states of the country. This is unheard of in the history of our country. He is confronted with all sorts of questions from his audience live which he successfully addresses to the satisfaction of the people. What is more, there is no constitutional article which he would break if he were to stay in the PM’s office for another term.

Lastly, if he quits his position in 2015, he would still make history. The difference between now and then is that he would make that same history only five years later. This may be painful to the diehard vocal diaspora, but it would be to the good of our country; and so far as it is to the good of our country, it wouldn’t really matter what form the matricidal acts of the vocal diaspora take and how they respond to his continued service.

Arguing that PM Meles should stay in office for another term doesn’t undermine the capacity of the EPRDF at all. If the EPRDF believes that there is a very competent replacement, no one should have any objection to it and it is up to the party to decide. Despite his personal preference, I hope that PM Meles, as a soldier to his party, would receive orders should it be recommended that he continue as a premier. Before closing, I want to make a last remark: I do not espouse the assumption that PM Meles is irreplaceable as some argue, but at this point in our country’s history, I’m convinced that it would be a little premature and doing disservice to our country to curtail PM Meles’ premiership in 2010 while he is still young and at the climax of his leadership maturity. His expertise is highly needed to our country at this crucial time and that is why I contend that he should serve the country in the same capacity for another term and quit in 2015 instead.

Tizibt M.S.

February 23, 2009