OPPOSITIONS’ AND SUPPORTERS’ ENDLESS
SMEAR CAMPAIGNS
PART 14
By Mathza
Most of the
oppositions’ leadership and their handful supporters, particularly the minuscule
vociferous Diaspora, and some individuals obsessed with lust for power and
hatred against Prime Minister Meles Zenawi have been and are doing anything to
get rid of him, the TPLF and the EPRDF. They are intimidated and demoralized by
his intelligence, capability, competence and the respect he commands in the
international community. Their hatred is limitless. In their obsession and
desperation to snatch power, they have crossed the line of treason by
compromising and endangering the sovereignty, security, territorial integrity
and national interests of Ethiopia. The following are examples supporting this
statement:
·
They condemn Ethiopia’s defense against jihadists;
·
They praise, congratulate, defend, encourage and support—instead of
denouncing—the atrocities committed by separatists and jihadists;
·
They condemn Ethiopia’s reaction to such atrocities;
·
They collaborate and scheme with the Eritrean government which has been and is
trying hard to destabilize and disintegrate Ethiopia;
·
They belittle EPRDF's sound government policies and strategies, which have
proved successful;
·
They deny and ridicule the double-digit economic growth, a remarkable progress
and performance in socio-economic development in the last five years; and
·
They unashamedly accuse the Prime Minister of being a stooge of developed
countries because of, among others, his success to mobilize foreign assistance
(For example: by not giving in to pressure from such countries to allow foreign
banks to operate in Ethiopia he not only shielded the development of local banks
but also saved the country from the devastating impact of the current global
financial crisis).
In short, these
hate-mongers and anti-Ethiopia elements do not care at all about Ethiopia and
Ethiopians. Their only desire is to be in power by any means—in the driver’s
seat—without any concern on how that might impact Ethiopia and its people, enie
kemotku serdo aybqel.
One of their tactics is a
negative smear campaign portraying the country's image and, in particular, it’s
dedicated Prime Minister with all kinds of monstrous adjectives and pictures.
Among the methods used include politicizing everything, outrageous allegations,
lies, exaggerations, wild generalizations, spinning, misinterpretation and
spreading rumors. Practically all of the writings of these-diehards are replete
of despicable descriptions and character assassinations, all intended purely to
bring down the government. This writing ferrets out examples of statements that
do not make any sense, are illogical, are concocted, or are not supported by
facts—purely intended to misinform and mislead readers, particularly the
Diaspora silent majority. It is a modest attempt to expose those bigots who have
been hoodwinking and continue to hoodwink the Ethiopians and the international
community. (In the future, there will be a series of matrixes like the one
below, each preceded by the current two paragraphs).
|
Title/Source/Date |
Author’s
Statement |
My Comments |
|
1.
Meles & his interviews: Reading between the lines, by Yilma Bekele,
ethiomedia.com, July 17, 2009 |
So you [PM Meles]
said you want to retire in peace and rest. Well let me tell you what the
opposition have in store for the future of our country upon your departure
to Kaliti. Here are the top ten:
|
New
constitution, abolition of Kilils and removal of the emblem on the Ethiopian
flag are among the ten in the wish list of the writer and his likes. He,
apparently, thinks that tampering with these would have no adverse
consequences. He and his likes are grossly mistaken. The Ethiopian nations
and nationalities who are savoring their autonomies will not, as in the past
regimes, be onlookers. They will defend their hard won self administrations,
use of their languages, enjoying and developing their traditions and
cultures, practicing their religions, developing their regions, representing
their regions at the federal parliament level and being part of senior
federal government officials, including the opportunity to occupy the top
most position in government. There is a lot
at stake. Abolishing Kilils means losing all of the above and more. The same
applies to the removal of the emblem and the writing of a new constitution.
The emblem represents inclusiveness of all nations and nationalities,
religions, traditions and cultures. Its addition was a compromise solution
to the vehement objection to the tricolor flag which the nations and
nationalities considered represented oppression and oppressive
regimes. In this connection, it should be noted that the All Ethiopia
Unity Party’s (AEUP) intention to do away with the emblem is simply asking
for trouble and threat to its very own existence. The recent resentment
expressed by the SNNP’s government, the reaction of the Dire Dawa supporters
of AEUP itself and others to the above AEUP's intention are indications of
the consequences of removing the emblem from the flag. Besides, the fact
that the AEUP is the only party that advocates for the riddance of the
emblem shows the futility of AEUP’s effort. By the way many Ethiopians think that the original flag has been
there for many centuries. I am not sure this is true. When was it adopted?
How and why? Who was the originator? Could anyone, particularly AEUP and the
writer, enlighten readers by answering these questions and providing more
information? |
|
2. "Ethiopia
signed away Nile to Egypt in 1993" By Habtu Mesfin, ethiomedia.com, July 17,
2009 |
1. Please be aware
that Melles Zenawi has already signed an agreement in 1993 which is still
hidden from the public. 2. It's widely
believed Meles Zenawi has signed away Ethiopian interests over the Nile
River to Egypt… 3…it is many times
observed any Ethiopian delegation Meles Zenawi sends out to a Nile water
conference stands overtly and covertly behind Egypt and the Sudan. |
The first sentence of the
write-up is an extension of the title. It is different from that in the
caption. The three statements in the middle column are blatant lies. There
is a difference between “has already signed” (1) and “widely believed…has
signed” (2). The first is indicative that the information is 100 per cent
factual (which is not) while the second, a probability, at best. It is
obvious that the writer was contradicting himself thereby proving he is
unreliable.
Let us assume the four items under the Cairo cooperation framework of 1993
(so-called agreement) cited by the writer are correct. The framework is a
mere memorandum of understanding, not an agreement. It is nothing but a
basis for detailed discussions which could eventually result in agreements
on sharing the waters of the Nile. Besides, it is in line with international
law regarding working relationships between and among riparian states. The
understanding was subsequently manifested in the establishment and operation
of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) in 1999 encompassing all riparian states.
The writer seems to have based his argument on the first item of the
framework which reads “Both countries have committed not to implement any
Nile water activity which might cause harm to the interests of the other.”
One could safely assume that this refers to a temporary situation. The
writer should, however, understand that it is a double-edged sward. The fact
that Egypt is expanding its irrigated area, the harm already done to
Ethiopia and the chronic drought Ethiopia experiences are in its favor.
Reciprocity, the key concept in the above quote, would mean Egypt, despite
its past and current warmongering, would have to make concessions to
accommodate Ethiopia’s long overdue right, needs and equitable utilization of the Nile waters. The devil is in the
detail that is being worked out under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). So, the "Ethiopia
signed away Nile to Egypt in 1993" is untrue and was meant to deceive
readers. Other facts that
expose the writer and his likes as liars include the following: - To support the
writer Ethiomedia came with the following quote from Sudan Tribune of July
22, 2009: “An unidentified Sudanese official at the Water Resources and
Irrigation Ministry emphasized to Al-Akhbar newspaper that neither
his government nor Ethiopia will join the effort to sue Egypt.” Note that in
the first sentence of the article a government official makes the same
assertion in regard to the Sudan only. Who are we to believe, the identified
or an unidentified official? - According to AFP
Ethiopia is among the Nile basin countries that objected to the so-called
1929 and 1959 treaties and demanded equitable water sharing.
- At the
Extraordinary Meeting of the Nile Basin Council of Ministers held in
Kinshasa in May 2009 the riparian states except Egypt and the Sudan signed the Cooperative Framework Agreement. The Council will hold
a follow-up meeting at the beginning of 2010. - In connection
with the above meeting the Ethiopian Minister of Water Resources stated “the meeting was successful in protecting Ethiopia’s
interest.” This, obviously, makes none sense of the third item in the middle
column. |
|
3. UN: bigger
state role needed to help poor countries, Reuters, 07/16/09 |
Policy changes: In
the long term it [UNCTAD] urges LDCs to adopt an alternative development
model, which should involve a reconsideration of the role of the state. It says that
countries should put an emphasis on public investment in infrastructure such
as roads, bridges and electricity systems, as well as managing exchange
rates and capital flows. But it argues that
the crisis shows that the state will have to play a bigger role in ensuring
that poor countries diversify and develop their industry, especially in
Africa. |
The policy changes
suggested by UNCTAD exonerate PM Meles. He resisted some of the neoliberal
advices/pressures of the IMF, the World Bank and bilateral and multilateral
donors. Those who have
been following developments in Ethiopia can attest that the UNCTAD advices
on the left column coincide with what the Ethiopian government has been
planning and implementing. As a result the country managed to register
impressive progress in the social and economic sectors. An alternative
development model has, therefore, been at work in Ethiopia for many years
now. It is thanks to the state’s policies, strategies and role that
sustained double-digit economic growth rate was achieved since the adoption
of the model. The development we have witnessed and continue to witness
would have not been possible without the development of infrastructure. UNCTAD’s
recommendations confirm that the path Ethiopia followed was the right one.
In other words, UNCTAD, in effect, is telling developing countries,
particularly the LDCs, to adopt their own development models as did
Ethiopia. The successful experiment in Ethiopia should serve as a source of
inspiration for other developing countries to heed UNCTAD’s advices and to
adopt their own brand models based on their own unique circumstances.
Banking and telecommunications were among the areas targeted by the donors.
Those from Ethiopian Diaspora who thought they could be millionaires
overnight by taking ownership of telecommunications they considered “cash
cow” formed another pressure group. The government decided to run the show
itself as it did with other infrastructures and plough back the high profit
(2.4 billion Birr in 2008/2009) to spread telecommunication services
throughout the country—which would not be the case with profit motivated
private companies. As a result Ethiopians in all corners of the country will
soon have access to telecommunication services. |
|
4. Lidetu the Inquisitor and the Quest for accountability! By: Teshome
Abebe, ethiopiafirst.com, July 2009 |
MP Lidetu Ayalew …
who was responsible for leaving Ethiopia dark and cold during the current
rainy season? PM Meles: simply
stated, he placed it on poverty. |
The PM and other
government officials have, on different occasions, given reasons for the
shortage of electricity. The short answer in the middle column is a succinct
summary of such reasons. Historically the
rate of increase in demand for electricity has been low. The current
shortage would not have, perhaps, happened had the traditional rate
continued. The rate increased tremendously in recent years because of
unprecedented development and double-digit economic growth. As
we are all aware of, traditional enemies and their supporters have for
centuries been and continue conspiring against Ethiopia harnessing its water
resources. The recent clamor against Gilgel Gibe III development is a case
in point. Add to this the fact that the World Bank reportedly did not see
the necessity of huge investment for developing the generation of electric
power as it, apparently, thought the growth of demand for electricity did
not justify it. It considered government projection of electric demand
unrealistically high. The poor country was thus handicapped in obtaining
loans (after the World Bank negative comments) for implementing
hydroelectric power projects which would have started operation long before
the onset of the shortage of electricity. Under the circumstances, the
government decided to finance the Tekeze project which, unfortunately, met
technical problems that delayed its coming into operation by about two
years. The shortage (partly due to inadequate and erratic rainfall) would
not have materialized had there not been such problems. The accusation that
the government did not anticipate shortage is, therefore not true and
unfair.
Because of the long gestation period required bringing new hydro-electric
power projects into operation the government resorted to supplement the
shortfall by replacing electric bulbs by more efficient ones and setting up
a thermal electric generator. These solutions were not adequate as the
growth of demand for electricity in tune with fast development accelerated
to over 24% last year.
Conclusion: lack of access to finance—which resulted in delay in earlier
start of construction of the Tekeze and other hydropower projects—and
therefore poverty was the main culprit for the current electric blackout. It
is apparent that all the repeated clamors by MP Lidetu and many other
oppositions and their supporters are nothing but attempts to score cheap
political points. (Note that I admire MP Lidetu’s rational approach to
politics.) |
|
5. ETHIOPIA:
The Liberators Going North or Coming South, By Zewge Fanta, ethiolion.com, July 23, 2009 |
1. Ethiopia was once a powerful nation
with considerable diplomatic influences among the Third World nations. It is
now an invisible body and a timid observer in every diplomatic arena. 2. Ethiopians have to
dissolve the Ethnic Federalism…The boundaries of the former provinces (See
Fig. 1) can help establish the new Federal States…based on the thirteen
provinces. It may also be practical to combine the provinces (See Fig. 4)
and create seven (many or fewer) Federal States. …establishing the economic regions…run by regional authority. |
In his introduction the writer tells us that he has
come up with “conceptual models” of “economic and political administrative
regions [a new Federal System of Government]
based on the natural and cultural features of the
country.” From the outset he made it clear that he, unlike many of his
likes, is against cooperating with the enemy of Ethiopia, Isayas Afeworki.
Thumbs up for his patriotism! 1. His assertion of Ethiopia as a “powerful nation” now reduced to an
“invisible body” is outrageous. The only time Ethiopia could be dubbed
“powerful” was during the Axumite era. What does powerful mean in this
modern era? Does it mean power derived from wealth, from military might, or
from trading, none of which seem to apply? Does it make sense to describe
Ethiopia as a “powerful nation” during the previous regimes? It seems that
he is putting Ethiopia at par with, say, the UK and France, the USA and the
USSR being the superpowers in those days. In the diplomatic arena present
day Ethiopia’s position is not very different from—if not better than—that
of Emperor Haile Sellassie’s rule. This is true despite the incessant
negative portrayals of Ethiopia and its PM, sabotage by diehards and
remnants of the feudal era, Derg, EPRP and other vocal Diaspora within and
outside the government and the country. Whether he admits it or not, the
fact is PM Meles commands respect not only among his peers in Africa but
also worldwide for his numerous outstanding achievements. The latest
achievement: his African colleagues unanimously selected him to represent
and seek benefits for Africa at the crucial G-8 and G-20 Summits and
continues to do so with great success. Recently, African governments decided
to speak with one voice at the forthcoming Copenhagen Conference on climate change. And whom they relied upon as their
spokesman—no one other than PM Meles.
2. The writer wants to abolish the
ethnic-based federal system. He wants to revert to the provincial structure
(model I, 14 entities, including Eritrea) that the nations and nationalities
abhor. His alternative to model I is decreasing the number of entities to
seven administrative regions. His model II comprises five economic regions
to be created by combining contiguous states. The nations and nationalities,
understandably, do not want to go back to a system that, they say,
discriminated, exploited and oppressed them. Besides, these alternative
solutions will certainly open a Pandora box. Delineating boundary is one example. The boundary problem we have been
witnessing would pale in comparison with the havoc that implementing the new
structure would create. In any case, as I have
repeatedly stated in some part of the series there is no going back. The
change that has taken place is irreversible. The predictable dire
consequences are not worth it. What he and his likes are trying to do is
desperate and futile. |
|
6.
Working with Isaias Afwerki: A pragmatic necessity or the height of folly? By
Ayal-Sew Dessye, ethiomedia.com, July 24, 2009 |
Do we agree on the following points? 4.
The opposition is dismally divided, has incapacitated itself, so far lacks
well thought-out and practicable strategy, and to the dismay of the people
of Ethiopia lamentably continues to be incapable of getting its acts
together and form a principled coalition, alliance or any such common
platform to coordinate its efforts. 5.
Because of internal, regional and international factors, Ethiopia's
stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity are at an ever increasing
danger. 7. The predatory government
of Isaias Afewerki is playing a destabilizing role and is among the forces
that are working to undermine Ethiopian national interests. |
With regard to this article of 50 pages I, will, for a change—leaving aside the familiar negative images on PM Meles, the Ethiopian government, EPRDF and TPLF—direct my observations to some issues related to Ethiopian oppositions and President Isaias of Eritrea. By his own admission the writer is a member or supporter of an opposition (UEDF). I appreciate his patriotic stance on the national security and territorial integrity of Ethiopia. He, in no uncertain terms, condemns his likes for their support to Somali jihadists and atrocities committed on Ethiopians by ONLF and their likes. He condemns collaboration of Ethiopian oppositions with Ethiopia’s enemy President Isaias. Let us now examine three out of the eight
items the writer listed under “Do we agree on the following points?” Item 4. Dismally divided opposition: How true! Leaders of most
oppositions are dictatorial and vying for the post of premiership. Day and
night they accuse the government for lack of democracy and yet it is this
lack of democracy within their circles that is the main reason for the
schisms that look like family trees. The question is if they cannot practice
democracy within their parties (as exemplified by the series of recent
revelations regarding the UDJ Party) and will depend on Isaias to usurp
power for them why would the people bother about them? By the way, an article
titled Democracy (in Amharic) in Aiga Forum (07/31/09) reveals the intention
of TPLF/EPRDF to introduce democracy in Ethiopia before their arrival in
Addis Ababa. It is authored by a tegadaly who himself went through training
in preparation for implementing democracy in Ethiopia. Item 5. Ethiopia's
stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity: Oppositions and their
cohorts falsely think they can get rid of the EPRDF with the help of Isaias
whose hidden agenda is to disintegrate Ethiopia. Let us assume the unlikely
situation of EPRDF being toppled. What will be the fate of Ethiopia then?
With intra and inter party obsessions to be at the helm the leaders of each
party (within and without) will be at each other’s throats. Add to this the
obvious opportunities for separatists. Result:
situation that will be pale in
comparison to that which afflicted Somalia, a homogeneous (ethnicity, religion, language
and culture) nation, for 18 years and still going. In all likelihood, this
will be the end of present-day Ethiopia. Item 7. Isaias’s
destabilizing role: The writer’s evaluation of Isaias, the number one enemy of Ethiopia,
and his capabilities and limits is comprehensive and to the point. He
dissects him as never done before. By so doing he exposes how foolish those
oppositions and individuals that flock to Asmara are. Elias Kifle is one of
them. Addressing the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF) meeting in Washington, DC
he informed the meeting on “Eritrean government's role in preventing the
Woyanne tribal junta from dismembering Ethiopia
and implementing its Greater Tigray Republic manifesto.” What a travesty! The voracious and overly
ambitious nature of Isaias will surely haunt all of them sooner rather than
later, just like that happened to others. His drawing similarities here and
there between Meles and Isayas is, however, like comparing apples and
oranges. |
7. TPLF/EPRDF is eating itself Alive! By Yelfiwos Wondaya,
ethiolion.com, August6, 2009
|
Together they
[Ethiopians] manage to refuse to comply with the newly piece of legislation
against their flag passed by so-called Ethiopian parliament is a case in
point. So in this case, Ethiopian wisdom says it all that Ethiopians
embracing Ethiopian nationalism will come victor at the end as had had
happened in Adwa, Mekidela and many other battlegrounds wherein Ethiopians
of all walks of life engaged in an armed conflict and defended their common
territory against foreign aggressions in the past. Likewise, as ever before… |
When, where and how did the refusal take place? Was a poll conducted which is next to impossible in a country like ours? How can such a lie be cited as “a case in point”? The writer mentioned Adwa and Mekidela as examples of battlegrounds where Ethiopians were victorious over foreign aggressions. Mekidela does not fit in the category as it was the only battle lost to invaders between it and Adwa. The writer, unless he had ulterior motive, could have replaced it by anyone of about eight battles where Ethiopia successfully thrashed Ottoman, Dervish, Egyptian and Italian invaders. Note that Emperor Yohanes IV and Ras Alula were the champions in all such victories. As is often the case, reference to Emperor Yohanes IV’s successes and federal system of government is a taboo by the chauvinist writers. It seems this is the case here. |
|
8. “Let’s be like the free market”: Ethnicity and the market for myopia By Minga Negash, University of Witwatersrand, ethiomedia.com, August 26, 2009 |
In two recent articles Dr
Elleni Zaud Gabre Madhin, the CEO of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX)
traced her family roots and engaged in educating the Ethiopian Diaspora
about free markets and bigotry. First, it important to note
that Dr Elleni is not the first Ethiopian economist to write about the
benefits of liberalized markets. |
Many have
been speculating and concerned about the ethnicity of Dr Elleni Zaude Gabre
Madhin. Many assumed she could not be other than a Tigrayan. Rumormongers
went further and spread such an assumption. Dr. Elleni had to clear this
once and for all. And she did it with precise details that disappointed her
detractors leaving no room for them to spin. In any case, what has ethnicity
got to do with establishing and operating the ECX? Nothing whatsoever.
Dr. Elleni
did not claim to be what the writer wrote. Then, what is the purpose of
injecting this in his writing? Does he think that such a lie would help him
de-motivate and belittle her outstanding performance and therefore derail
the development of the ECX that he and his likes would not want to succeed?
I believe he knows that introducing some thing new is fraught with suspicion
of the unknown in any society anywhere, particularly in a society like ours
characterized by an archaic trading system. As often happens it is a matter
of time. The federal system of government is a good example. Despite
opposition from diehards and one opposition party the system is not only
accepted but also cherished.
Wisher pray want
I was
pleasantly surprised to note that the “matter of time” came so fast. I am
referring to “Ethiopia - Songs of Freedom, Stories of Change” by Dr.Elleni Zaude Gabre-Madhin (nazret.com,
09/10/09). Those of you fancying her project to fail what say you
when you read the success stories narrated in the article? You were counting
on her failure when you saw the video “The Market Maker” prepared by Wide Angle. What a shame
and disappointment! Kudos and thank to Dr. Elleni and her dedicated colleagues. You
deserve the honor of heroes of development which I predict will be bestowed
upon you sooner or later.
|
9. The summer of our discontent, By Yilma Bekele. Ethiopianreview.com, August 26th, 2009
|
Both internal and external
conditions are favorable to us. Internally the economic hardship is taking a
toll. Inflation is still in double digits, devaluation is rendering the birr
(Ethiopia's currency) a useless currency and remittances that have been
propping up the dying system have dried up. Externally the defeat of
the republican administration in the
US has dealt a heavy blow to ‘terrorist’ traders like the TPLF regime. The
advent of Mr. Obama has become a game changer event. Democracy is in
dictatorship is out… …The TPLF type of
leadership has run its course… |
The last
paragraph summarizes the two preceding it. It seems to be saying the EPRDF
is doomed. Inflation, devaluation, remittances and the defeat of the US
Republican Party are given as the reasons for the writer’s excessive
optimism. Yes, although still in double-digit, inflation is on the decline.
The other three are, however, exaggerations. The Birr is not a useless
currency as the writer claims. Based on rates of exchange prevailing during
the period January 2008-June 2009 its depreciation works out to about 22%.
This could have been worse because of the world financial and economic
crisis and the depreciating USD to which the Birr is related. As far as
remittance is concerned it has, according to the National Bank of Ethiopia,
been (and still is) growing at an average of 19.8% over the past five years.
Obviously, asserting that it has “dried up” is simply a lie. Such lies are
typical of nay Sayers and
doomsayers (see the excellent article “TO BELITTLE AND DEFAME ETHIOPIA IS HATE OR IGNORANCE-DRIVEN”
by
The wishful thinking of the Obama administration policy change in regard to
Ethiopia will be a disappointment to the writer and his likes. Whatever
change there will be will be cosmetic. It won’t enable the oppositions to
wrestle the power they covet so much with the help of foreign intervention.
As we all know the US government priority is looking after US interest. The
US will not take desperate action against an ally that is in the process of
successfully democratizing and developing good governance
and fast developing. Such is the type of ally that the US badly needs in this
turbulent time. Last week the US
Government announced $190 million assistance to Ethiopia. According to
Thomas H. Staaal, the USAID Mission Director in Ethiopia, “The fact that
this year’s funding goes well beyond USAID’s original commitment highlights
the importance of the relationship between the peoples of our two countries,
and the critical development challenges Ethiopia faces today.” More
significant is the fact that Obama has considerably increased, not
decreased, the aid commitment made under the republican George W. Bush. To
use the words of the writer, this dealt a heavy blow to him and his likes.
Evidently, there is a positive game change in favor of Ethiopia and its
government! |
10. 2 Ethiopian religious leaders arrive
in Eritrea opposing the prevailing
|
Moreover, Melake Tsehai Aba
Abiy Yohannes and Priest Tibebu Asefaw explained |
It is sad to
learn that two members of the clergy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo
church have joined the disgruntled elements from the laity in Asmara. I find
it utterly shocking these “men of God” accusing the Patriarch of preaching
against the Amharas and conspiring to kill religious leaders. How come these
accusations were not heard before? How come the private media that is known
to exaggerate and fabricate news did not print such hot news? Is it possible
that these two “men of God” are members of the renegade church in the
Diaspora? Is it also possible that the troubles the church experienced
recently emanates from conspiracies by the renegade church?
|