By Robele Ababya, 10 February, 2012

Mr. Prime Minister,

This letter is prompted by your short speech at the inauguration of the new African Union Headquarters built by the government of China at a cost of 200 million US$ as a ‘gift’ to Africa.

In that speech you said “China, its amazing re-emergence and its commitment to win partnership is one of the reasons for the beginning of the African renaissance,” adding “Over the past decades, China-Africa cooperation has gone from strength to strength. The future prospects of our partnership are even brighter.”

I would yes your ‘partnership’ with China is serving you well in blocking freedom of access to information from independent external sources. Communist China and your regime have a stake in denying media freedom to their citizens; respect for human rights is irrelevant!

Jomo Kenyatta once said something like this: European missionaries came with their Bibles in their hand to preach the word of God and while Africans were gazing towards the sky for mercy, the ‘holy men’ surveyed the land for the purpose of colonizing. I would like to add that the shrewd Chinese traders would do no less than the former colonial masters to protect their US$ 150 billion investment on the African continent. So, Mr. Prime Minister, the warm relation with China of which you spoke in adoration could prove detrimental to the healthy development of democracy in the third world. Go no further than the recent veto by China and Russia to stop UN resolution calling Bashar Assad to step aside in order to end the carnage being meted out by his armed forces to civilians demanding dignity and freedom.

It is high time, Mr. Zenawi, that you desist from brain washing our children and stop acting like a hired salesman of the resurgence of China for the benefit of Africa. As it were birds of the same feather go together and so no wonder that China was embellished with accolade in your short speech.

Mr. Prime Minister,
The founding fathers of African Unity including Emperor Haile Selassie and Dr. Kwame Nkrumah would not have accepted the Chinese ‘gift’. They would have rather advocated for contribution from member states to build the Headquarters at the right time when the goal for unity is clearly within sight. For now AU is a very distant dream as long as its leaders are mere puppets.

In that speech you also said that the building stood on a plot on which the infamous and oldest former prison known as “Alem Bekagn” (enough of the world for me) once stood. You certainly meant to denigrate former Ethiopian regimes accusing them for letting prisoners rot in hell.

I should point out to you that all the dignitaries listening to your speech pretty well know that maximum security prisons no less infamous than Alem Bekagn exist in their own countries symbolizing the deficit in human civilization. They (diplomats and dignitaries} also know about the infamous filthy and congested Qaliti dungeon built by the TPLF regime is located a few kilometers away, to the south of the new AU Headquarters; there political prisoners are tortured mentally and physically like in the most inhumane atrocity to which the icon judge Birtukan Midekssa was subjected. Are you not ashamed of your infantile attempt in trying to underestimate the intelligence of diplomats and dignitaries in the Hall?

The former and only prison house in Addis Ababa was always officially referred to as “Wehnie Beit”. Alem Bekagn was coined and popularly used by ordinary citizens to underline that it was a prison house among others for criminals sentenced to life imprisonment or death by the judges in the high court. The people meant it was wrong to do crimes.

Perhaps I should remind you at this juncture that Ethiopia is one of the first, if not the first, civilized countries in the world to develop systems of laws by which to govern the country. Europeans were barbarians but have now reached a level of enviable civilization where no one goes to jail for his/her political views or activity.

So, I would characterize your speech as a cheap shot by a tyrant whose heinous crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and betrayal of vital national interests is unprecedented in the history of Ethiopia. Your speech was simply another manifestation of your hatred for Ethiopia. I wonder what political capital you have made out of your inordinate tarnishing of the image of Ethiopia at every opportunity. Given that you are on the final unholy act of selling or ceding historically and rightly priceless Ethiopian lands at cheap price, you have no legitimacy or moral authority to blame past regimes at all; you have lost the trust of the Ethiopian people.

Mr. Prime Minister,
You are an illegitimate ruler of Ethiopia who took power by the barrel of the gun; your agazi force, bolstered by tanks clearly marked “Libya” invaded Addis Ababa (Shagar) walking over the corpse of the children of peasants strewn across its path socked with the blood of the dead heroes defending their country, Ethiopia.

It is well documented in the public domain, that your regime had stolen every election in the last 20 years of your misrule. The memory of 2005 and 2010 elections is in particular unforgettable, the former for the overwhelmingly convincing and humiliating defeat of your party at the polls; the latter case, the 99.6% ‘win’ was a grand lie too big to hide thus putting to shame even the Western donors which had been keeping you, and still do, your tribal and genocidal regime afloat.

In the aftermath of election 2005, you declared a state of emergency and your party claimed ‘victory’; the real victors were thrown into the infamous Qaliti jail – to the graveyard of democratic values; in Addis Ababa, close to 200 unarmed protesters against the daylight robbery of votes were killed in cold blood by security forces under your direct command; tens of thousands of supporters of the opposition mostly young were incarcerated in various environmentally harsh locations in Ethiopia with their heads shaved with a single unsterilized blade used on several detainees. I ask, as millions of fellow Ethiopians do, has there ever been a regime as cruel as the TPLF in Ethiopia?

In conclusion, Mr. Prime Minister,
Here is a famous quote by William Shakespeare: “What is the city but the people?” Given the rampant severe limitation of civil liberties by your government and abject poverty inflicting the masses of Addis Ababa, boasting of the high rise buildings and wide roads in the city amounts to nothing. Chuck out the scary and infamous Anti-Terror Law. Revise your land policy radically. Open up the political space and embrace the opposition as partners in development. I am saying this because I strongly believe that people-centered participatory development in a free democratic society must come first. Otherwise, I assure you that the time has come for a popular uprising and you have no one but yourself to blame. Think about it.

I recall that my first article way back in 1996 was about peace and reconciliation emulating the example of South Africa. Your regime ignored it. Do consider it again before it is too late or else the tsunami of change will sweep your regime out of power. I urge you to release from hostage the valiant people of Tigray in whose name you are trading to deter reconciliation; let them freely savor the sweet fruits of genuine democracy.

You are swimming against the current of history, as it were battling against an “idea whose time has come” in the 21st century in which values of dignity, freedom, democracy and above all respect for universal human rights go hand in hand with socio-economic development in a free society. I urge you to heed the message and embrace peaceful change in order to avert bloodshed. To that end, I urge you to release all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally.

Sincerely,

Robele Ababya
robele_ababya@yahoo.com

The task force against forced repatriation to Ethiopia

Norwegian police using brutal force against female Ethiopian refugee. April - 2011

It is with a profound disappointment and sadness that Ethiopians living in Norway in general and the rejected asylum seekers in particular received the official news of this repatriation agreement. The Ethiopian Community in Norway arranged and held a meeting in which different Ethiopian communities and political groups participated and set up this task force entrusted with the task of working against and stopping the implementation of forced repatriation. The task force is composed of members drawn from the Ethiopian Community in Norway (ECN), the Democratic Change in Ethiopia Support Group in Norway (DCESON), Ethiopian People`s Revolutionary Party (EPRP- Norway), Oromo Community, Ogaden Community, Ethiopian Asylum Seekers` Association in Norway and other individuals. The formation of the task force with such a composition demonstrates solidarity and unity for a common goal.

Ethiopians living in Norway as a whole express their disapproval and opposition to this repatriation agreement because there is enough and convincing evidence to show that Ethiopia is not a safe country to seekers who have fled the country for fear of persecution. Moreover, the overall humanitarian situation in the country does not justify or speaks against the repatriation of these asylum seekers. Moreover, many of them have lived, worked in Norway for many years and integrated themselves into the Norwegian society, which we mean needs humanitarian consideration. We are also deeply concerned about the lack of proper consideration of the rights and wellbeing of children in the processing and reviewing of asylum applications.

The grave human rights violations and ever deteriorating socio-economic condition in Ethiopia is well known to Norway and the rest of the International community. International Human Rights Organizations such as Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the United States (US) State Department have documented and reported the widespread and serious human rights abuse the dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi is committing against citizens. As of late the regime has been escalating its repression and closed the political space even to the legal opposition operating in the country. It has enacted laws such as its anti-terrorism law to prohibit freedom of expression and penalize dissent. It has imprisoned and sentenced journalists, opposition figures and human rights activists as part of its intensifying crackdown on dissent and opposition. As a consequence, a potentially explosive situation of desperation, fear and resignation has prevailed in the country in the past few years. We have also known through the Norwegian media that the Norwegian Embassy in Ethiopia has communicated to the Norwegian government the ever deteriorating political situation and mounting repression in Ethiopia.

Against this backdrop of a dire situation in Ethiopia, we call on the Norwegian government to reassess and reconsider its decision to repatriate the rejected Ethiopian Asylum seekers and allow for the review of their applications on both political and humanitarian grounds.

The task force against forced repatriation to Ethiopia

by Yilma Bekele

The last few months I have been inflicted with a Herman Cain (HC) moment. You remember his interview with a newspaper publisher and when asked his opinion regarding President Obama’s policy on the uprising in Libya? My good old friend was completely stumped. After crossing his legs, shifting in his seat, clapping his hands and squirming in his chair all he could come up was ‘I got all this stuff twirling in my head.’ and display a near meltdown situation. I found it to be very interesting. Let us just say it was ‘a revealing moment.’

It just so happened that things have been twirling in my head. It is not a good idea to have so many things twirling in your head. Lack of clarity is not a good state of mind to be unless one of course wants a certain amount of fogginess or blurred vision. It is possible we do that to avoid making hard decisions, shift responsibility or distance ourselves from our actions or choose to be comfortably numb to justify inaction.

It was the convergence of three unrelated happenings that yanked me out from that dark, wet, suffocating ‘Idiot Woyane’ state of mind. My friend Kirubeal’s constant nagging, Abebe’s timely revelations (I am still not over ‘Mamo kilo in Arat Kilo’), Professors Al’s relentless tickle of my discarded conscience, my dear hero’s ECADF’s energetic enthusiasm and Ethiopian Review’s smart ‘Policy Research’ papers was what kept me from going into deep freeze. Some folks don’t take no for an answer.

The four items that made me realize that all is not lost are the first Anniversary of ‘Arab Spring’, the death of Vaclav Havel of ‘Prague Spring’ and the passage of Kim Jung-il owner of ‘perpetual winter’ and a not so likeable human being and the sacrifice of Yenesew Gebre of Ethiopia.

A single spark starts a prairie fire was just another saying. Our hero Mohamed Bouazizi of Tunisia lit a single match to say ‘enough’, Beka! and set the world on fire. Gaddafi is poster boy for the ‘inferno’ Mohamed started. It engulfed the planet and still shows no sign of slowing down. The 99% are asking a fair share of the pie. Tunis, Cairo, Tripoli, Sanna, Bahrin, Damascus, New York, Moscow, Wukan (China) have become battlefields. What happens the next year is bound to realign the balance of forces in society. There is no doubt the playing field will be leveled a little better in favor of the many. How each system works out the conflict depends on how it was designed to self- correct.

You drive south from Tunis, capital of Tunisia on Hwy 37 follow P3 South, take P13 and you are in Sid Bouzid. A little dusty town in the middle of nowhere. Nothing of consequence has ever happened in Sid Bouzid. Exactly a year ago Mohamed Bouazizi was selling produce when he was slapped by a Policewoman in front of everyone for not having a license for his vegetable cart. What he did next, for some reason, touched humanity. What he did was he went in front of Sid Bouzid City Hall, doused his cloth with petrol and set himself on fire. He said Tunisia is not fit to live for a person of dignity. It is a very unique, dramatic and loud response to injustice. He made his point and it echoed.

The question became how does a government deal with its population’s legitimate demands? Gaddafi’s way is definitely proven unacceptable, Mubarak’s blindness have him in the slammer, Ben Ali is in virtual prison, Assad is squirming, Saleh is finished, damaged and grasping, Putin is at a loss… the carrot or the stick is the dilemma and as a confirmed Marxist he can’t even pray to God for guidance. The Chinese Central Committee is mulling over on how to respond regarding Wukan, Gunadong Province, and Obama is watching, observing, waiting to see if ‘occupy’ is a real or virtual force. May all the Gods welcome Mohamed Bouazizi’s soul with drums and trumpets fit for a hero. I am sure those in authority have slapped many before him but the fact is Mr. Bouazizi said enough in a unique way in the age of Social Media and did it ever spread like a prairie fire!

The death of Vaclav Havel was another defining moment. He was the product of Prague Spring of 1968. Prague Spring was the forefather to Arab Spring. Things were different in 1968, the time of ‘Prague Spring’. Europe was divided between the Socialist East under Soviet influence and the Capitalist West under the US umbrella. Czechoslovakia was one of those unfortunates stringing along without due consent. The Soviet Union used Czechoslovakia as buffer. In 1968 Alexander Dubcek was elected as First Secretary of the Communist Party and set in motion reform polices granting the citizen certain Rights. The Soviet Union did not take such transgression lightly and used its Warsaw Pact forces to invade Czechoslovakia and end freedom.

The little open space granted by Dubcek inspired people like Vaclav Havel. His work was banned due to his opposition to the invasion. He was declared UN desirable person in his own homeland. He never wavered. His plays and poetry were published elsewhere and smuggled in. They were read on short wave radios. He was imprisoned. He persisted. In 1979 Havel and his comrades published Charter 77 Manifesto, a plea to the Communist Party and Government to abide by various International conventions including its own Constitution and open the space for political dialogue.

The Soviet puppet regime reacted angrily. The Charter was deemed ‘anti–state, anti-socialist and those who signed the document were branded ‘traitors and agents of imperialists’. The official press described the Manifesto as “an anti-state, anti-socialist, and demagogic abusive piece of writing,” and individual signatories were variously described as “traitors and renegades,” “a loyal servant and agent of imperialism,” “bankrupt politicians”. The regime also organized their own ‘anti-charter’ movement and used famous musicians and artists to denounce ‘the traitors.’[i]

The problem percolated for twenty years and gave birth to what came to b e known as ‘The Velvet Revolution.’ On 19^th of November, 1989 the fire was lit by student demonstrators in Prague and on November 28, 1989 the Communist Party withered away. In June 1990 the Czechoslovakian people have their first democratic election since 1946.  Vaclav Havel was elected the first President and ushered in an era of peace and democracy to his beloved country. He did not use his newfound power to hound his enemies, settle score with his abusers or use his position to enrich family and friends. Vaclav Havel the playwright, the poet, the dissident and the first democratically elected President of Czechoslovakia died last week. He died in body but left such a beautiful legacy behind his people will talk about him for a long time to come. He was a beautiful human being.

My third wake up call was rung by no other than Comrade Kim Jung-il of North Korea. His life was shrouded in secrecy and he died mysteriously. In fact no one knows how and when he died. What he left behind is a life full of garbage that cannot be recycled because of its toxicity and a history that will be buried deep and denied by his people. North Korea has been ruled by the Kim family since its founding. The Kim family in consort with the Military and a few Hodams control the economy thus the nation. What Stalin envisioned, Mao attempted has been realized by the Kim family.

North Korea is where we see how fragile we humans are. The Kim family has been able to reduce twenty four million Koreans into walking zombies. Using denial of all outside input like Television and Radio using censoring and blocking, starvation, physical degradation like imprisonment, torture, televised confessions and bullying, the Kim family has proven to the world that they are worthy successors to Stalin. The little dictator fancied himself as an intellectual and his newspapers and propaganda outlets referred to ham as ‘The Dear Leader, The Fearless Leader, The General’ and other outrageous titles to bully his population. He left behind a legacy of fear, poverty and a people that were never allowed to enjoy the fruits of their existence. We Ethiopians are familiar with that.

We say ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’ regarding Kim while we fondly remember Mohamed Bouazizi and Vaclav Havel. Their stories fill us with hope and love they have bestowed on us. Are they special or just like us? But they made their presence felt. They rose a little higher. Where did they find that inner strength to keep going when all seemed hopeless? Vaclav Havel had that quality. He was imprisoned. His work was banned. He was hounded by the security force. But he kept focus on his dignity and freedom. By fighting for his rights he stood for all of us. He named one of his essays ‘power of the powerless.’ Mohamed Bouazizi did not have an army. Not even an association. He was just trying to eek out a living selling vegetables. A common man like the rest of us. He challenged us by his act. He was willing to end it all so we see what has been done to us. The people of Tunisia heard him. The world eavesdropped.

You probably don’t know what happened on Friday, November 11, 2009. A young Ethiopian named Yenesew Gebre, set himself on fire in Dawro, Waka Southern region of Ethiopia.[ii] It did not revebrate like Mohamed Bouazizi’s. It was not heard around the world. We Ethiopians the message was sent to heard it clear. In my opinion, Yenesew spoke to us very loud. It requires much courage and untold amount of rage to compel a young man to sacrifice himself. Death on behalf of others is the ultimate sacrifice.

If it mattered at all Yenesew was a very educated person. But that is not the issue here. He was a human being working hard to reach his potential and help himself and his family. He has done his part. By becoming a teacher he has acquired a skill that is in very short supply in Ethiopia. A job and a decent living is what come with such achievement. But Yenesew has that other quality that is also in short supply in repressive societies. Yenesew has conscience. Moral compass. Call it what you want, simply put, he cared about you and I. That made him very unhappy. That also made the authorities very unhappy. Yenesew can see and that is a crime in the village of the blind.

Like Vaclav Havel Yenesew dissented. He was fired from his job, his family hounded and his associates bullied. That is the way of ‘Revolutionary Democracy’ in Ethiopia. Like Vaclav Havel Yenesew was jailed, shunned and black listed. The more they bullied him the better he saw them. When they spoke he saw the lie they live, when they shouted he saw the fear that is wrecking their soul, when they stole and consumed to excess he saw the full but always hungry belly they carried, when they bullied he saw the insecurity lurking behind them. What he saw was not what he wanted for his homeland and his people.

Mohamed Bouazizi and Yenesew Gebre have become the conscience of humanity. The two felt the indignity they suffered in their country and home at the hands of those in authority made then realize life is meaningless without free will. If it is not worth living then why live. Thus they decided to make their death count. To their people they said ‘the pain is too much to bear’ for the rest of us they said ‘dignified death at your choosing is better than physical and mental slavery.’ They said the two countries Tunisia and Ethiopia were not conducive to human dignity. One of the seeds has sprouted and the other will too. No reason to think otherwise. The Prague Spring gave rise to the Velvet Revolution that begat The Orange Revolution that begat the Rose Revolution that led to Arab Spring – there is no end to human thirst for freedom and equality.

Yenesew saw beyond himself. He felt the pain and sorrow of his neighbor. What he was about to do goes against his religion, his value system and his culture but the importance and timeliness of the message must have outweighed all other considerations. It was not an easy decision. He was at a physical location where he was beaten down but mentally he knew there is more to life and as a teacher he should do his duty and teach. He went every legal way open to no avail. It was never about the law. Thus My dear little brother decided to use the planet as his wall board and write his message to humanity in general and his people in particular. This Human said Beka! Enough! Rest in peace my friend. Your people heard you.

Land in Ethiopia is being leased to agro-industry investors on very long terms and below market rates. The beneficiaries have good political connections. But then land has been the play-thing of centralising authoritarians throughout Ethiopia’s recent history.

Ethiopia is the world champion of “land grabbing” – the practice of renting out vast expanses of farmland to local and, in particular, foreign investors. In 2011, 3.5 million hectares were allocated, while the projected figure for 2015 is 7 million hectares, an area twice the size of Belgium.[i] By way of comparison, 12 million hectares are farmed by the same number of smallholders, who make up four-fifths of the Ethiopian workforce. It is not hard, then, to imagine the anticipated leap forward in agricultural output, especially given that the productivity of these new mechanised farms should be much greater than that of traditional peasant farmers. As a first approximation, medium sized yields and export of just half of their production should, in the medium term, bring in about US$ 10 billion in foreign currencies, at a time when the deficit in the balance of payments is the Achilles heel of the Ethiopian economy and its GDP currently stands at US$ 30 billion. Read full article

The Korean people are no different than the rest of humanity. There is no outward sign that sets them apart from the rest of us except the system they live under. That is the key to their dilemma. The Kim family and the system they perpetuate is the cause of all this freaky display being beamed out.

The Korean people are kept in ignorance by design. The Kim family motto is ‘Military first.’ It is not because North Koreans have enemies ready to conquer them. In fact North Korea have no enemies other than the Kim family and those aligned with them. The military ‘s mission is to bully, frighten and intimidate the Korean people into submission. The people are the enemy.

There is no independent Television broadcaster, no independent Radio station, no independent Newspaper and no independent Internet provider in the Kingdom of Korea. The Kim family and friends control all of the communications media. They figure that ignorant people are easier to control. You can’t argue with sixty years of success. I was looking and marveling at this phenomenon when I heard the news that Ato Bereket has written a book. You know me I was delirious with joy with the news. I have found my own Kim in my backyard. For some reason Kim of Korea and Meles of Ethiopia converged.

Mind you Ato Bereket have no compelling reason to stick his neck out and display his normal unfamiliarity with rational thought process and his utter contempt for facts and put all that down on paper for all to see. The only explanation I have is this disease of contempt for truth, self-aggrandizement, ego trip and simple garden-variety madness.

I have not read the book yet. To tell you the truth, I have no intention of reading it either. Judging from the inaugural ceremony when the book was made public I figured reading is not a requirement to talk or write about it. I am not going against convention here and read the damn book. My sincere hope is Ato Bereket himself has read the book.

The setting for the unveiling (Addis Sheraton, Lalibela Room) more than made up for the pedestrian quality of the content. It is reported that ‘who is who’ of the Ruling Party was present. The most esteemed benefactor of our motherland, Dr. Sheik Al Amoudi was there. The report does not say if Ato Meles was present or was watching from a remote site. I know from sources that videotaping is standard procedure. The First lady was not present either. I assume they were watching from their bunker.

The book is titled ‘A tale of the two elections.’ The dilemma faced by librarians all over is which category to file the book under. Fact or fiction is a valid question. It purports to be based on facts but from the reviews I get the feeling there is no research and data to support the thesis presented but rather it is a matter of taking the authors assertion as facts. Simple faith is what is called for.
Dr. Sheik Al Amoudi paid for the printing that was done in Kenya for quality purpose. According to the Dr. Sheik who confessed that he has not read the book it is a work of such importance that he recommended it as a ‘must reading’ for our youth. Judging by the glossy cover, beautiful fonts and pretty soft paper its function, as a doorstop will be invaluable. I know I am hating but deservingly.

Next to give his lofty recommendation was none other than Ato Demeke Mekonen, Minster of Education. Unfortunately he has not read the book either but it did not stop him from offering his praise and opinion. In fact he went a step further and added stuff that was not even in the book. Ato Demeke was glad and praised the author for dedicating the book to his comrades from the liberation movement when the reality is that Ato Bereket dedicated his book to his brother. Needless to say the Minster is in favor of adapting it as a textbook for our children.

I knew my friends at Aiga would add their share of cheerleading to this work of historic proportion. I am grateful to Ato Reta Sisay for his blind review. No adjective was spared in his haste to pile the accolades. He boldly compares and equates the book to the work of the celebrated English author Charles Dickens. I have no idea how and why. The only reason why Charles Dickens would be mentioned can only be due to the similarity of the title because the two works have nothing in common what so ever. The Englishman’s book is a work of fiction while Ato Bereket’s book purports to be a historical analysis of what happened yesterday in front of all of us. Ato Reta got carried away.

In my opinion the best un read review is done by none other than Ben of Ethiopia First. He wanted to stay true to the theme of fiction and continued to weave his own tale. When the book was unveiled in Addis, Ben said he was visiting the Great Wall of China. We are grateful he stopped his tourist activity and stayed in his room to write his Blog. How he got hold of the book in China is not clear and to top it all he was writing a testimonial before he even finished reading the book. He said so himself. Ben, Ben, Ben, how many times have you been told to not make shit up!

I found the review written by an individual named Daniel Berhane to be mildly interesting. He seems to be a Party functionary and goes out of his way to show Ato Bereket in a good light despite his failings as the ‘main strategist’ for the 2005 elections. Daniel seems to take advantage of his ethnic affiliation and gives us inside information regarding the Prime Minster’s plan to be called Doctor and the many fiction he has written and are awaiting publication. Ato Daniel states that there was no need for Ato Meles to review the work since Bereket is a premier ‘spin doctor’ in his own right. It is a little confusing when Bereket claims that Ato Meles is the busiest person in the service of his country and Ato Daniel asserts that the PM is busy studying for his Phd. We got a part time student and Prime Minster, and a part time spin-doctor and historian author.

May be I should also mention the write up by Addis Fortune newspaper ‘gossip’ columnist. We are after all in Ethiopia where a few papers are allowed to function pretending all is honky dory and normal while some are hounded out of existence. Our Columnist took a different take on the whole issue. The concern was not what was in the book but rather the perception. It boldly claims the ‘recently released book, the launch of which, at Sheraton Addis, caused so much furor among members of the public.’ Over the top statement considering ‘members of the public’ are eighty million of which seventy nine million nine hundred thousand are not aware of the book nor do they give a damn. Furthermore the Columnist was ticked off and wrote ‘there has been a passionate disapproval by many after seeing a well-heeled businessman speak of a senior government official in a manner that was distasteful, if not repulsive.’ I am sure this disapproval was not followed by not eating the lavish dinner, not drinking the free booze and not lining up to buy an autographed copy. A room full of spineless sycophants is what it looks like. A little harsh but you know what I mean.

The following paragraph from the Fortune article I would like to leave it intact and you the reader be the judge of this madness:
‘Equally, he has been criticised for reaching out to a businessman while his own party, the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), could have paid for the printing of the book. He could have received the services of Mega Printing, a subsidiary of the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray (EFFORT), a party-affiliated company, others criticised.’ I have nothing to add to this crap. The fact that in an ethnic centered arrangement by TPLF how Ato Bereket /Mebrehatu ended up as a leader of an Amhara based Party is not lost on us but we will gloss over that. No need to go there.

It will be considered rude to finish without saying something about our dear friend, newly minted author and Head of Government Communications Minster good old Bereket Semeon. I will start from the beginning and rely on Ato Tesfaye Gebreab’s first hand description of the times and events. I have no reason to doubt Ato Tesfaye’s meticulous research and incredible memory. We are lucky.

Ato Bereket was born in Gondar to Aboy Gebrehiwot and Weizero Werknesh. He was named Mebrehatu Gebrehiwot. He came of age when our country was in turmoil. Like the youth of his time he joined the struggle to topple the Military regime or Derg. Young Mebrehatu was dispatched on the Derg’s ‘Edget’ program before he even finished high school. He has an older brother named Kasahune and the book is dedicated to him. Kasahune was born in the province of Eritrea and grew up in Gondar. He joined the EPRP to liberate his country. In my opinion history will show EPRP to be the first modern multi national movement that understood the richness, diversity and strength of the new Ethiopia to be built. Ato Kasahune died in a battle between EPRP (EPRF) militia and TPLF army.

History will also show TPLF was established, formed and founded to liberate the province of Tigrai. George Orwell wrote ‘to see what is in front of one’s nose needs a constant struggle.’ The folks of TPLF have the whole of Ethiopia under their nose but they choose to liberate a small sliver of land. This myopic vision never left our fearless leaders.

Back to our tale, upon joining TPLF Mebrehatu changed his name to Bereket. This was a common practice at the time but Mebrehatu went a step further and changed his fathers name too. He wanted a complete transformation I guess. He choose the name of an EPRP combatant from Eritrea that has mysteriously disappeared. It was normal to assume that he might have been killed in battle. It is good to know that the real Ato Bereket Semeone is still alive and was even the Ambassador to France representing the State of Eritrea. Not even Hollywood can dream of such a tale.

Ato Bereket/Mebrehatu did not bother to go into these matters. His book is about the 2005 election and the 2010 Coronation. It is very strange that TPLF folks are trying hard to revise history right under our nose. They have this guilt feeling if at all possible mixed with real fear and are constantly working hard to make us believe they were the victims. I have this strange notion this fiction is authored by none other than Ato Meles/Legesse Zenawi. I consider myself a skilled observer of The TPLF in general and the Politburo in particular. In fact I specialize on three and half individuals as my object of interest.

Based on extensive review of the reviews I have concluded Ato Meles to be the author. The tone and language is vintage Meles. The length (over 300 pages) is standard Meles diatribe and the evil ways he attacks perceived opponents is familiar to us. The book was written to whitewash the crimes of 2005 settle scores with ‘enemies’ and gauge the reception from the one percent. The 99 percent are not part of the equation. I believe Ato Bereket is not wired to come up with such absurd tale and commit it to paper. It requires someone with a lot of time in his hands and the expertise to think smart and act damn. It is a worthy digression from the current malaise. But it is temporary. The economy is stuck, the remittances are still anemic, the constant jabbering of “Spring” is unnerving and the Gadaffi picture is difficult to shake. Most of all I truly enjoy their paranoia regarding Dr. Berhanu. They imprisoned him again and again, they exiled him and they still obsess about him. The more you hate him the more I love him. Bring it baby let us have some more fiction.

I have a few suggestions to our authors. It is easy to talk trash when you are the only one allowed to speak. I will fight for your right to write any book you want but please let others tell their side of the story too. You see your denial of the same rights to others cheapens your work. No one will believe it. What is the point of writing it if it doesn’t shed some light? You might think forcing schools, work places and associations to buy it might give you boasting rights but what is the point if everyone knew it is fake. It will be like your Tehadso project. You call a meeting of the faithful you give them money to donate and you shout how successful it was. This Mamo Kilo moment is not a wining strategy. I will read Ato Bereket’s fiction when he allows others to write their version of reality.

Let Eskinder out of prison, he will show you how to write. Let Reiyot Alemu and Zerihune Gegziabeher out of your dungeon and they will show you how to publish using their blood, toil, tears and sweat. Let Andualem Arage out of his confinement and he will teach you how to organize without using force and bribery. This trash publishing business using welfare is not the way of the Ethiopia we envision. I suggest Ato Bereket read his book if nothing else to know what is being said in his name. He will need it during his trial. Please refer to Mubarak and Ben Ali for further information.

In its historic meeting held in Minneapolis, Minnesota [on Dec 30 and  31], the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) National Council, led by General Kemal Gelchu, made a significant decision that adds the much needed energy to the struggle of the Ethiopian people against the ethnic dictatorship of Meles Zenawi’s regime.

Alliance for Liberty, Equality, and Justice in Ethiopia (ALEJE)

Press

Release

 A Historic Decision that Brings People Together

In its historic meeting held in Minneapolis, Minnesota [on Dec 30 and  31], the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) National Council, led by General Kemal Gelchu, made a significant decision that adds the much needed energy to the struggle of the Ethiopian people against the ethnic dictatorship of Meles Zenawi’s regime. In its two day meeting, the OLF National Council examined and amended the long standing political program of the OLF and made a call to all Oromo and non-Oromo forces of Ethiopia to work together and realize the

common goals of the Ethiopian people.

Alliance for Liberty, Equality, and Justice in Ethiopia (ALEJE) appreciates the moral strength of the OLF leadership to reach to this game changing decision and applauds the decision that opens the door for a joint struggle. ALEJE also encourages other political forces of Ethiopia, the Oromo political forces in particular, to create a collective leadership and bring years of human suffering to an end in Ethiopia.

Since its establishment in 2010, ALEJE has hoped and worked diligently to bring together the two factions of the OLF. Unfortunately, the much awaited reconciliation of the two factions did not materialize due to different internal and external factors. However, ALEJE strongly believes that despite the failure of the reconciliation, the decision of the OLF National Council is a very important outcome of the two days meeting that gives confidence and an added momentum to the Ethiopian people’s struggle for freedom, justice and democracy.

Alliance for Liberty, Equality and Justice in Ethiopia appreciates the ground breaking decision of the OLF and takes this opportunity to remind the Ethiopian people to commend the historic decision of the OLF. At this momentous juncture, ALEJE urges all Ethiopians inside and outside the country to put pressure all political forces of Ethiopia to put aside their differences and join hands in making Meles Zenawi the last dictator of Ethiopia.

ALEJE strongly believes that sharing a common vision and working together towards a common goal is not just an option but the only option to correct past mistakes and create a country where peace and justice prevails. The historic decision of the OLF and its willingness to join other democratic forces of Ethiopia is a significant progress in our struggle. However, as important as the recent assessment and resolution of the OLF is; it’s just the start of a much longer journey that must expand to include many other political forces of Ethiopia. Therefore, ALEJE urges the different factions of the OLF to immediately start and complete the stalled reconciliation process. In   the meantime, ALEJE also extends its invitation to all democratic forces of Ethiopia to create a collective leadership and lay the foundation for a new era of a free, just, and democratic polity in Ethiopia.

Let us rise up in unison to win our freedom!

Victory for the people of Ethiopia!

ALEJE Member Organizations:

Ginbot 7 Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy

Afar People’s Party (APP)

Ethiopian Unity and Justice Movement (EUJM)

Contact address: pr@timret.org

By Ayele D.Habte

For me it is a big step ahead in the OLF Political program to get such a press release and the general outcome of the party meeting in January 1, 2012.  As I heard in ESAT Radio I share Mr Teklemickael’s View that it could be seen as a nice gift to the true Ethiopians.

I will try to support it by some arguments,

Firstly, it would be wise to ask as to why the regime of Meles Zenawi focuse on imprisoning, torturing, raping and taking the life and properties of peoples in oromo and ogaden region than other places?

In my view there are political parties such as OLF and ONLF. Unfortunately these parties struggle towards the freedom of the Oromo and Ogaden to the extent of secession. Accordingly, I believe these parties create a favorable condition for the long term agenda of TPLF: to establish “The Great Tigray” as a country and in between to abuse the resources of Ethiopia for the betterment of the life of their families and themselves but not for the whole people in Tigray.

Hence, TPLF found it a best opportunity to manipulate and marginalize the people in the oromo and ogaden region so that: they feel punished because they are part of Ethiopia, they are targeted because other ethnic group in Ethiopia do not want to respect their rights, they are cornered because of their identity and the like.  Thus, TPLF want to push the secession agenda’s in OLF and ONLF by getting the voice of the marginalized peoples leaving in the region of oromo and ogaden.

For shroud and self centered TPLF gangsters Ethiopia should be dismantled and every ethnic group should be busy being engaged in war so that they together with their families can leave in their so called “Great Tigray”. 

The funniest thing here is so long as TPLF exist in power will not implement its agenda of  establishing “The Greater Tigray” but rather being in power try to maintain abusing resources of Ethiopia as a whole for the only betterment of peoples in power. It is their final strategy to try their best to establish “The Great Tigray”. This is of course, not for the betterment of the whole peoples who are leaving in Tigray region but just to create safe haven for them to hide. Because, when other forces come to power they know that they will be prosecuted for their guilt.

• Therefore, knowingly or unknowingly some of us had contributed to TPLF mafias to stay in power for 20 years. That is why the press release of OLF lead by General Kemal Gelchu is a gift since it has got the necessary attention that has been sought for years by many Ethiopians.

Secondly, it is a very nice progressive thinking that is required from this century politicians especially from Ethiopian Politicians’. Because, by now what Ethiopia needs is a progressive politicians not politicians who see politics as “dogma” without any achievement in practical terms. For me as well said by one of the leaders in the general meeting the decision of OLF has well recognized the objective reality of the Ethiopian Politics. Ethiopia is a country where different ethnic classes have integrated through marriage and other social togetherness under the umbrella of “ETHIOPIAWINET”.

• Progressive thinking is of course a nice gift for the true Ethiopians.

Thirdly, for the last twenty years most of the time it was TPLF always taking the lead in Ethiopian politics even if for its own shroud agenda. Most of us were very busy in self contradiction than focusing on TPLF itself. Ethiopians in the Unity Forces as well as OLF and ONLF were playing favorable games for TPLF’s lead in the Politics of Ethiopia. Now came time not for TPLF but for the real people who believe Ethiopian unity to lead the Ethiopian Politics. Thus, TPLF will play fire fighting and suffer from the damage of that kind of tactics.

• That is why we should call it a nice gift that enables us to take the lead in Ethiopian Politics.

Fourthly, I believe it should be underscored that many Ethiopians have scarified their time, money, energy and life to come to this kind of outcome in the Ethiopian politics not only in the OLF but also in other unity and/or non unity force/s, civic societies and individuals as well. Accordingly, true Ethiopians should be thankful to all peoples involved and especially those who play the leadership role.

• What a nice gift can we get in the Ethiopian politics than to see the effort of many true Ethiopians be fruitful?

Finally, True Ethiopians will expect and encourage others who believe in Ethiopian unity to play their role in making a great alliance movement of Ethiopians come true. In addition it is also expected and encouraged from ONLF and others to come up with such a progressive thinking.

To the contrary, I believe there could be a counter attack not only from the TPLF, but also from extremist OLF members and from some unity forces whose only motives is power as well. All true Ethiopians should watch out and struggle towards the success of the new progress.

To conclude, Meles’s shrude game will soon be over since it has got the necessary attention that has been sought for years by many Ethiopians.

የበረከትን መፅሃፍ አነበብኩት…

በእውነቱ ህትመቱ ቆንጆ ነበር። ሽፋኑ እንደ ሃብታም ጉንጭ ይለሰልሳል። ከቻርልስ ዲክንስ ታዋቂ መፅሃፍ የተኮረጀ ቢሆንም ርእሱም ቢሆን አሪፍ ነው – የሁለት ምርጫዎች ወግ። የበረከትን መፅሃፍ ያሳተመው መሃመድ አላሙዲ የተባለው ነጋዴ መሆኑን ፍትህ ጋዜጣ ላይ አንብቤ ነበር። መፅሃፉ 314 ገፆች እና 10 ምእራፎች ይዞአል። ዋጋው 90 ብር ነው።

ሪፖርተር በዜና ዘገባው፣ ሼክ መሃመድ አላሙዲ የበረከት ስምኦንን አዲስ መፅሃፍ ሳያነቡ፣ “መፅሃፉ ለወደፊቱ ትውልድ ጠቃሚ ነው” ሲሉ መናገራቸው እንዳስገረመው ፅፎአል። ምን ችግር አለው? ገንዘብ ወይም ስልጣን ካለህ የሚያዳምጥና የሚስቅልህ አታጣም። “ሃብት ያለው! ልብ አለው!” እንዲሉ። በረከት የመፅሃፉን ርእስ፣ “የሁለት ምርጫዎች ሞት” ቢለው ይሻል እንደነበር አስተያየት የሰጡም አሉ። ይልቁን ይቺን አስተያየት ወድጄያታለሁ።

እና በአንድ አዳር አነበብኩት…

ከዚህ ሁሉ ክምር መካከል ገፅ 312 ላይ ያሰፈረች አንዲት አረፍተነገር ይበልጥ ትኩረቴን ሳበችው። ሌላው ገለባ ነበር። ይህቺ አረፍተነገር የወደፊቱን የኢህአዴግ እቅድ ትጠቁማለች። በርግጥ በበረከት ስምኦን የህይወት ታሪክ ዙሪያ ጥቂት ድብቅ ነገሮች አሉ። ለአብነት እነዚህን መጠየቅ ይቻላል….

-          የበረከት ወንድም በማን ተገደለ?

-          የበረከት እውነተኛ ስም ማነው?

-          በረከት የአባቱን ስም ለምን ቀየረ?

-          ለመሆኑ አቶ ስምኦን ማናቸው?

-          ካሳሁን ገብረህይወት እምነቱ ምን ነበር?

ከላይ ያሉት ጥያቄዎች የበረከት ስምኦን አዲሱ መፅሃፍ ውስጥ አልተካተቱም። እኔ ግን በዚህች አጭር መጣጥፍ ሁሉን እንደወረደ አወጋችሁዋለሁ። ያንን ከመግለፄ በፊት ግን በመፅሃፉ ዙሪያ አንዳንድ ነጥቦችን ላንሳ…

በረከት መረጃ ከመስጠት ይልቅ ትንታኔ መርጦአል። መተንተኑ ባልከፋ። የሚሰጠው አስተያየት እና ትንታኔው ግን በውሸት ላይ የቆመ ነው። ለምሳሌ እንዲህ ሲል አስፍሮአል፣

“…የኢህአዴግ አመራርና ታጋዮች ህዝብ ሲበደል አይወዱም። ኢህአዴግም ከህዝቡ ሌላ ጌታ የለውም።”

በረከት ስለየትኛው ህዝብ እንደሚናገር ግራ ያጋባል። እንዲህ ፃድቅ ሆነው የተገኙት በርግጥ የኢህአዴግ አመራር አባላት ናቸው? በረከት ተቃዋሚዎችን በተቻለው መጠን ሁሉ ተሳድቦአል። ወይም ለመወንጀል ሞክሮአል። ሜድያዎችን ወርፎአል። ኢሳት ቴሌቪዥንን በተመለከተ፣

“…ሎርድ ሜየር እና የጥፋት ባልደረቦቹ እነ አና ጎሜዝ ከግብፁ የናይል ሳተላይት በተከራዩት ጣቢያ የምርጫው እለት ስርጭት ጀመሩ…” ይላል።

የኢትዮጵያን ባለሃብትና ነጋዴ ደግሞ እንዲህ ሲል ያዋርደዋል፣

“…ሁለት ባላ ትከል፣ አንዱ ሲሰበር ባንዱ ተንጠልጠል…የሚለው ብሂል ዛሬ ገና የተገለጠለት ይመስል ለኢህአዴግ በግራ እጁ ከሰጠ፣ ቀኝ እጁን ለቅንጅት ይዘረጋል…”

ስለ ቪኦኤ ጋዜጠኞችም ፅፎአል። አንዳንዶቹ በኢህአፓ ትግል ውስጥ አብረውት እንደነበሩ ይገልፃል፣

“….በአሜሪካ ድምፅ የአማርኛ ክፍል ኢህአፓ እያለን አብረናቸው የታገልን፣ ነገር ግን በሂደት በአቋም የተለየናቸው ሰዎች ይገኛሉ።” ካለ በሁዋላ “….የኢትዮጵያ ህዝቦች ከአምባገነኑ ደርግ ጋር ሲፋለሙ፣ ለህይወታቸው ፈርተው ሸሽተው አሜሪካ የገቡ!” ሲል ይዝትባቸዋል። ጌታሁን ታምራትን ማለቱ ሳይሆን አይቀርም።

በረከት ሲፅፍ ተራ ብሽሽቅ ውስጥ ይገባል። ነገደ ጎበዜን፣

“….ቀይ ሽብር ይፋፋም! የሚለውን መፈክር የፈለሰፉ” ይላቸዋል። ማስረጃ ግን አያቀርብም።

መረራ ጉዲናን፣ “…ወደ ጥፋት የሚያመሩ አደገኛ ቃላትን ከማምረት የማይቦዝን…” ይለዋል።

አንድ ቦታ ደግሞ፣ “አደገኛ ቦዘኔ’ ያልነው ስራአጡን ሳይሆን ስራጠሉን ነው” ሲል በቃላት ቁማር ሊሸውድ ይሞክራል። ለምን እንዲህ ይጨነቃል? “ተሳስተን ነበር። ይቅርታ” ብሎ ባንድ ቃል መገላገል በተሻለው። አንድ ቦታ እንኳ “ተሳስተን ነበር” ብሎ ሳይናገር መፅሃፉን ጨረሰው። በረከት ቢያንስ ‘ታሪክ ያነበበ ሰው ነው’ ብዬ እገምት ነበር። እንደማየው ግን ያጠራጥራል። ታሪክ ያነበበ እንዴት ከታሪክ መማር አይችልም?

ዶክተር በየነ ጴጥሮስን በተመለከተ እንዲህ ይላል፣

“…ዶክተር በየነ ‘ስልጣን አይበቃችሁም ወይ? ለምን ለወጣቶቹ አታስረክቡም?’ ተብለው ሲጠየቁ፣ ‘ዛሬ ምን ወጣት አለ ብላችሁ ነው፣ ወጣት ድሮ ቀረ’ ብለው መለሱ…” ሲል ይወርፋቸዋል። እዚህ ላይ ታዲያ ስለ ኢህአዴግም በተነፃፃሪ ያነሳል። “….ወጣት አመራሮች የትግሉን በትረሙሴ ከነባሩ አመራር ትውልድ እየተረከቡ ነው” ይለናል።

ኢህአዴግ ስልጣኑን ለወጣቶች ማስረከብ ጀምሮአል እንዴ? አልሰማሁም ነበር። ዜናው አምልጦኝ ይሆናል። እነማናቸው ግን ወጣቶቹ? ሬድዋን ሁሴን እና አዜብ መስፍን? ወይስ ቻይና ትምህርት ላይ ያሉት የአመራር አባላቱ ልጆች? ግልፅ አላደረገም…

ስለ ብርሃኑ ነጋ፣

“ዶክተር ብርሃኑ ይቅርታ ጠይቆ አሜሪካ ከመሸገ በሁዋላ የስራ ባልደረባውን አንዳርጋቸው ፅጌን ወደ ኤርትራ እየላከ ከኢሳይያስ አፍወርቂ ጋር ሴራ በመጎንጎን…” በሚል ያጠቋቁረዋል።

አንዳርጋቸው ፅጌን በተመለከተ፣

“…አንዳርጋቸው ከለንደን፣ ‘መደራደር ለምን? ፓርላማ መግባት ለምን? የተዳከመና በህዝብ የተጠላ መንግስትን ገፍትሮ መጣል ነው እንጂ’ እያለ በእሳት ላይ ነዳጅ በማርከፍከፍ ላይ ነበር…”

ስለ ብርቱካን ሚደቅሳ ሲገልፅ ደግሞ፣

“…የብርቱካን ነገር በሞኝ እጅ የዘንዶ ጉድጓድ ይለካል የሚሉት አይነት ነው። የቅንጅት መሪዎች በብርቱካን መታሰር ደስታ ተሰምቷቸዋል። መታሰሯ የመንግስትን ክፋት ለማጋለጥ የሚያስችል አንድ መልካም አጋጣሚ ሆኖ ተሰምቷቸዋል…”

ስለ ስዬ አብርሃ፣

“….በቅርቡ ባሳተመው ‘ነፃነት እና ዳኝነት በኢትዮጵያ’ በሚለው መፅሃፉ ላይ በተሃድሶው ዘመን አቶ ስብሃት ላቀረበለት ጥያቄ፣ ‘ስማ ስብሃት! የኔን ወንድነት እና ሱሪ ትጠራጠራለህ እንዴ?’ በማለት እንደመለሰለት የሚገልፀው ስዬ ጀግንነት በሱሪና በቀሚስ የሚለካበት የእነእምዬ ምኒልክ ዘመን እንዳለፈ ዛሬም የገባው በማይመስል አኳሁዋን ስለራሱ ጀግንነት አውርቶ አይጠግብም…”

የመፅሃፉ ዋና የጥቃት ኢላማ ብርሃኑ ነጋ ነው ማለት ይቻላል። ሆኖም ብዙ ሊመታው ሞክሮ ምንም ሳይነካው መፅሃፉ አለቀ። ትልቅ ነገር ብሎ ያነሳው፣ “ብርሃኑ ከአና ጎሜዝ ጋር የፍቅር ግንኙነት ነበረው” ሚለውን ነው። ቀደም ሲል ከነገሩን የተለየ ማስረጃ ግን አላቀረበም። መለስ ለአና ጎሜዝ በፃፈው ደብዳቤ ላይ ግን፣ ከቲና ተርነር የዘፈን ግጥም አንድ መስመር ተውሶ፣ what’s Love got to do with it.’ ብሎ አሽሙር ቢጤ ጣል ማድረጉን አስፍሮአል። በረከት በዚህ በመለስ አሽሙራዊ አፃፃፍ ተደንቆ ከጣራ በላይ መሳቁንም ይነግረናል። እንዲያው ለነገሩ አና ጎሜዝ በብርሃኑ ፍቅር ወድቃ እንደነበር ቢረጋገጥስ? በውነቱ የ97 ምርጫ መጭበርበር በዚህ መረጃ ምክንያት ሊሸፈን ይችላል?

(…መለስ እንዲህ የፍቅር ነገር መፃፍ ከጀመረ ጥሩ ነው። በቅርቡ በፍቅር ስንኞች የተሞላ አንድ መፅሃፍ ጀባ ይለን ይሆናል። “አብዮታዊ ዴሞክራሲ” እያለ ከሚያንገላታን፣ “አብዮታዊ ፍቅር” የተባለ ተከታታይ ድራማ ቢጀምሩልን በተሻለ። መለስም ግን እንደ በረከት አንዳንድ ጊዜ ወሰድ መለስ ያደርገዋል። በቅርቡ፣ “መለስ ከልጅነት እስከ እውቀት” የተባለውን በትኩእ ባህታ የተፃፈውን መፅሃፍ ሳነብ፣ ገፅ 150 ላይ “የመለስ ጥቅስ” ተብሎ የቀረበ አገኘሁ። “የአፍሪቃ ውድቀት ሁሌም የግለሰቦች አምልኮ ነው” ካላ በሁዋላ የእነዚህ አምባገነኖች ስም በ“M” ፊደል እንደሚጀምር ይገልፃል። “መለስ ከታምራት ገለታ ጥንቆላ ተማረ እንዴ?” ብዬ በጣም ገርሞኝ፣ ስማቸው በ“M” የሚጀምረውን አምባገነን መሪዎች መፈለግ ጀመርኩ። መንግስቱ፣ ሞቡቱ፣ ሙጋቤ፣ ሙሴቪኒ፣ መለስ፣ ምቤኪ፣ መሃመድ ጋዳፊ፣ በጣም ሳቅሁኝ። ኢሳያስ ግን ስሙ በ“M” አይጀምርም። መለስ ለካስ መስፍን ወልደማርያምን እንዲህ አጥብቆ የሚፈራቸው ስማቸው በ“M” ስለሚጀምር ኖሮአል? መለስ ጨዋታ ጨምሮአል። እንዲህ አልፎ አልፎ ቢያዝናናን ጥሩ ነበር…)

በረከት የፕሮፓጋንዳውን ስራ አልቻለበትም። ጋዜጦች እንደገለፁት ከበረከት መፅሃፍ አስገራሚ አላማዎች አንዱ በ1997 የምርጫ ፉክክር ወቅት በአደባባይና በሕዝብ ፊት ያሳፈሯቸውንና ባዶነታቸውን ያጋለጠባቸውን ዶክተር ብርሃኑ ነጋን መበቀል ነው።

በረከት በመፅሃፉ እራሱን ሲያደንቅም ሃፍረት የሚባል አልፈጠረበትም። እንዲህ ይላል፣

“….በኤሊ ሳይሆን በአቦሸማኔ ፍጥነት በመለወጥ ላይ ያለች ኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ እንኖራለን። ትልቅ ምስጋና ይህን ለውጥ አቅደው ላስፈፀሙት የልማት መሪዎች…” የስምኦን ልጅ በጣም ደፋር ነው። እንዲህ ሲል አስፍሮአል፣ “..ሶማሊያ ውስጥ ‘ፊልም አየህ ተብሎ ሰው በጠራራ ፀሃይ ይገደላል’…”

ጤና ይስጥልኝ በረከት!!

አሰፋ ማሩ ለምን በጠራራ ፀሃይ ተገደለ? ኦቦ ደራራ ከፈኔ በጠራ ጨረቃ ለምን ተገደሉ? በረከት ስለሶማሊያ እስርቤት በመፅሃፉ አንስቶ ነበር፣ “…የሶማሊያ አክራሪዎች እስርቤት ውስጥ የዜጎችን ጀርባ በጅራፍ በመተልተልና ህዝቡን በሽብር ሸብበው…” እያለ ሲተነትን ‘ይሄን መፅሃፍ የፃፈው ሌላ በረከት ስምኦን ይሆን እንዴ?’ ብዬ ተጠራጥሬያለሁ። አዲሳባ እስርቤት ምን እንደሚፈፀም አያውቅም? ይህን ሲል አብረውት የሚሰሩትን እንኳ አያፍራቸውም? “….የኢትዮጵያ ፍርድ ቤት ዳኞች ከየትኛውም የመንግስት አካል አንዳችም ተፅእኖ ሳይደርስባቸው ብይን እንደሚሰጡ የተመሰከረለት ነው…” የሚለው ገፅ ላይ ስትደርሱ ልብ ድካም ያለባችሁ አደራ ተጠንቀቁ።

በረከት በመፅሃፉ ተቃዋሚዎችን ርስበርስ ሊያጋጭ ይችላል ያላቸውን ለቅሞ አትሞአል። ቆርጦ የመቀጠል ልምዳቸው እዚህም ተደግሞአል። ገፅ 236 ላይ እነ ብርሃኑ ለሽማግሌዎቹ ፈረሙት የተባለውን የይቅርታ የፊርማ ወረቀት ለመለስ እንደተፃፈ በማስመሰል ሁለት የተለያዩ ደብዳቤዎችን አጣብቆ አትሞታል። በቅርቡም ይህን አይነት የመቀጣጠል ድራማ ደበበ እሸቱ ላይ ፈፅመውታል።

በጥቅሉ የበረከት መፅሃፍ በቅጥፈት ትንታኔዎች የተሞላ ነው። አንዳንድ የሚጠቀምባቸው ቃላት ግራ ያጋባሉ። መለስ በፖሊት ቢሮ ስብሰባዎች ተናገረ ብሎ ያቀረባቸው አረፍተነገሮች ያበደ ወይም የመንፈስ ጭንቀት ያለበት ሰው የሚናገራቸው ነበር የሚመስሉት፣

“…ስራ አስፈፃሚው ሩጫ ከመጀመሩ በፊት ለራሱ፣ ‘ምን ያህል ጊዜ አለን? በምን ያህል ፍጥነትስ ልንሮጥ ይገባናል?’ የሚሉ ጥያቄዎችን አቀረበ። ከኤሊ ወይም ከቀንድ አውጣ ትንሽ ሻል በሚል ወይም በአቦሸማኔ ፍጥነት መጓዝ በሚቻልበት ሁኔታ…ተሃድሶው በከፍተኛ ፍጥነት ከሚወርድና በየደቂቃው በፍጥነት ከሚጓዝ ናዳ አምልጦ፣ ጠንካራ ከለላ ለማግኘት…” እንዲህ ያሉ የሚንኳኩ ድንጋያማ ቃላት የሞሉበት መፅሃፍ ሲሆን፣ ቃላቶቹ እንደ ቢንቢ ጆሮ ላይ ይጮሃሉ እንጂ ምን እንደሚናገሩ መረዳት ያስቸግራል…

ስለ አዲሳባ የተረከው ክፍል በጣም አስገርሞኛል፣

“…አዲሳባን ሲያስተዳድር የቆየው አመራር እንዲቀየር ከተወሰነ በሁዋላ ከየክልሉ ከተማ ቀመስ ሰው እየተፈለገ ተመልምሎ አዲሳባ እንዲገባ ተደረገ።” ይላል።

እነዚህ ከተማ ቀመሶች ደግሞ አርከበ ኡቅባይ እና ህላዌ ዮሴፍ መሆናቸውን ይነግረናል። ይሄ እውነት አይደለም። አሊ አብዶ አዲሳባን መምራት ያልቻለው ከተማ ቀመስ ስላልሆነ አልነበረም። አሊ አዲሳባን እንዲመራ ነፃነቱ አልተሰጠውም። በወቅቱም አዲሳባ እንድትለማ ፍላጎት አልነበረም። ሁዋላ ግን የአዲሳባን ህዝብ ልብ ለማግኘት ታቀደና ለአርከበ ከሙሉ ስልጣን ጋር የፌደራሉ ሙሉ ድጋፍ ተመረቀለት። ስለዚህ ከአሊ የተሻለ ስራ ሰራ። አርከበ ከለቀቀ በሁዋላ ለኩማ ደመቅሳ ሙሉ ስልጣን አልተሰጠውም። በረከት ይህን ያውቃል። እያወቀ ግን “አርከበ ከተሜ በመሆኑ አዲሳባ ላይ ለውጥ አሳየ” ይለናል። ለመሆኑ የአርከበ ከተሜነት የት ነው? መቀሌ ወይስ አድዋ? ህላዌስ ቢሆን? የ18 አመት ጎረምሳ ሆኖ አዲሳባን ከለቀቀ በሁዋላ አያውቃትም። አዲሳባ ላይ የኖረ ቢሆንስ? ከተማን ለማስተዳደር የብቃት መመዘኛ ይሆናል? የበረከት አገላለፅ፣ አርከበና ህላዌ በቀጥታ ከለንደን ከንቲባነት ወደ አዲሳባ መዘጋጃ ቤት የተዛወሩ ይመስል፣ “ከተሜዎች ተመርጠውና ተፈልገው አዲሳባ እንዲገቡ ተደረገ” ይለናል።

እንዲህ ይላል ደግሞ፣

“…ኢህአዴጎች ጥገኛ ዝቅጠት ከተንሰራፋ ሊከተል ስለሚችለው አደጋ የሚሰጡት ምላሽ አርማጌዶን የሚል ነበር። የአርማጌዶን አደጋ ፈጦ በወጣበት፣ አገሪቱን ወደ ህዳሴ ሊያመሩ የሚችሉበት ልማታዊና ዴሞክራሲያዊ ፖሊሲና ስትራቴጂ በተነደፉበትና ለተግባር ምላሽ ሊሆኑ በሚችሉበት፣ አመራሩም አገሪቱን ይዞ ከአደጋው ለማምለጥ በከፍተኛ ፍጥነት ለመሮጥ በተስማማበት ወቅት የኢትዮጵያን ፈጣንና የማያቋርጥ እድገት እውን ለማድረግ የሚያስችሉ ምቹ ሁኔታዎች…”

ከላይ የተገለፀውን ደጋግሜ ባነበውም ሊገባኝ አልቻለም።

በረከት ምንድነው ሚያወራው? ስለ ኢትዮጵያ ነው ወይስ ስለ ፉጂ ደሴት? በተለይ፣ “አመራሩ አገሪቱን ይዞ ከአደጋው ለማምለጥ በከፍተኛ ፍጥነት ለመሮጥ” የሚለውን በምናብ ለማየት ሞክሬ ነበር። አይኑ እንደ በርበሬ የቀላ ሰው፣ ኢትዮጵያን በነጭ ከረጢት ውስጥ ከቶ፣ በጨለማ ውስጥ እየጮኸ ሲሮጥ ነበር የታየኝ። ጭንቀት ያለበት ሰው የቅዠት አለም ውስጥ ገብቶ የፃፈው የተዘበራረቀ ዶሴ ሆኖ ተሰማኝ።

እነሆ! የበረከት መፅሃፍ እንዲህ ባሉ ቃላት የተሞሉ ናቸው።

ይህን መፅሃፍ ለማንበብና ይህችን አስተያየት ለመፃፍ በጥቅሉ 21 ሰአታት አባክኛለሁ። ከበረከት ስምኦን ጋር መስራት ካቆምኩ 12 አመት ሆኖኛል። ምንም አልተለወጠም። አሁንም ያገኘው ሰው ላይ እንደ ግንድ መገንደሱን ቀጥሎአል። አሁንም ለሌሎች ትክክል የመሆንን እድል አይሰጥም። አሁንም ክብሩን አይጠብቅም። መሃመድ አላሙዲ የተባለው ሲራራ ነጋዴ፣ እንደ ማንቆርቆሪያና ጀበና “ከሆስፒታል አንጠልጥዬ አወጣሁት” እያለ ሲናገር በረከት ቁጭ ብሎ እየሰማ እስከ ጆሮው ይስቃል። በዚህ እድሜው እውነት መናገር አልቻለም። ሌላው ሁሉ ቀርቶ ለተሰዋ ታላቅ ወንድሙ እንኳ ታማኝ መሆን አልቻለም።

የበረከት ቅጥፈት ገፅ አንድ ላይ ይጀምራል። ገና መፅሃፉን ስትገልጡት፣

“መታሰቢያነቱ ለወንድሜ ለካሳሁን ገብረህይወት” ይላል።

ይሄ ውሸት አይደለም። በረከት ካሳሁን የሚባል ወንድም አለው። የበረከት የልጅነት ስም ከእነአባቱ፣ “መብራህቱ ገብረህይወት” ይባላል። ወደ ትግል ከወጣ በሁዋላ ስሙን “በረከት ስምኦን” ሲል ቀየረው። ስሙን ከእነ አባቱ ለምን እንደቀየረው ብዙ ሰዎች አያውቁም። በትግሉ ጊዜ ስምህን እንጂ የአባትህን መቀየር የተለመደ አልነበረም። ለምሳሌ መለስ፣ ስብሃት፣ ስዬ፣ ሳሞራ፣ ሃየሎም፣ ህላዌ፣ የመሳሰሉትን መጥቀስ ይቻላል። ስማቸውን እንጂ የአባታቸውን ስም አልቀየሩም። ምክንያቱም ስም መለወጥ ያስፈለገው ለቤተሰባቸው ደህንነት ሲባል ብቻ ነበር። የአባት ስም ለመለወጥ ምክንያት አልነበረውም። እንዲያውም ብዙዎቹ ደርግ ከወደቀ በሁዋላ ወደ ልጅነት ስማቸው ተመልሰዋል። በረከት ከእነዚህ ሁሉ ተለይቶ ስሙን ብቻ ሳይሆን የአባቱንም ስም ቀየረ። በዚያውም ፀና።

የአባትህን ስም ለመቀየር የግድ አንድ ምክንያት መኖር አለበት። ምናልባት አባትህን የምትጠላ ከሆነ፣ ዲቃላ ሆነህ በእንጀራ አባትህ የምትጠራ ከሆነ፣ የመሳሰሉ ምክንያቶች የአባትህን ስም ሊያስቀይሩ ይችላሉ። ስትቀይርም የእውነተኛ አባትህን ስም ታደርጋለህ። ወይም አባትህ ስሙ የማይታወቅ ከሆነ የእናትህን አባት ስም ልታደርግ ትችላለህ። አሊያም ደግሞ እንደ በአሉ ግርማ በአሳደገህ ሰው ስም ልትጠራ ትችላለህ። ይሄ ተለመደ ነው።

በቅርብ እንደማውቀው በረከት ወላጅ አባቱን በጣም ያከብራል፣ ይወዳልም። በጎን የተወለደም አይደለም። መልኩም አባቱን ነው የሚመስለው። ወላጅ አባቱ አቦይ ገብረህይወት ባህላዊ መሃንዲስ ነበሩ። በጎንደር ዙሪያ የሚገኙ ቤተክርስትያናትን በአብዛኛው የገነቡት እሳቸው ናቸው። ቤተሰባቸውን አጥብቀው የሚወዱ፣ ልጆቻቸውን ለመስተማር እና ጥሩ ደረጃ ለማድረስ የደከሙ አባት ነበሩ። እና ታዲያ በረከት ስምኦን እንዲህ ያሉ ድንቅ አባቱን ከስሙ ላይ ፍቆ ለመጣል ለምን ወሰነ? ታሪኩ አስቂኝ ነው…

በረከት ስምኦን የሚባል የኢህአፓ ታጋይ ነበር።

አዲሳባ ተወልዶ ያደገ፣ ሊሴ ገብረማርያም የተማረ ኤርትራዊ ነው። በትግሉ ወቅት ይህ ልጅ ባልታወቀ ምክንያት ከትግሉ ሜዳ ተሰወረ። ድንገት ስለተሰወረ ብዙዎች የኢህአፓ አባላት በረከት ስምኦን የተሰዋ መሰላቸው። በዚህ ጊዜ መብራህቱ ገብረህይወት በረከት ስምኦን የተባለውን የተሰዋ የትግል ጓዱን ለማስታወስ ስሙን በስሙ ሰየማት። እናም በረከት ስምኦን እየተባለ መጠራት ጀመረ።

የሚያስገርመው ታሪክ ግን እውነተኛው በረከት ስምኦን አልተሰዋም ነበር። እውነተኛው በረከት ስምኦን አሁንም በህይወት ፓሪስ ይገኛል። በህይወት እያለ፣ በጠራራ ፀሃይ ስሙ በመዘረፉ በጣም እንደሚበሳጭም ሰምቻለሁ። እውነተኛው በረከት፣ ሩት እና ሃና የተባሉ እህቶች አሉት። ሃና ስምኦን ፓሪስ ላይ የኤርትራ አምባሳደር ነበረች። አሁን የት እንዳለች አላውቅም።  ሩት ስምኦን የሻእቢያ ታጋይ እና ጋዜጠኛ ስትሆን፣ አስመራ ትገኛለች። ባልተሰዋ ሰው ስም፣ በአላማ በማይገናኙ ሰው ስም፣ ራሱን የሚጠራው ታሪከኛው መብራህቱ  አማራ ሳይሆን አማራ ነኝ ይላል፣ በረከት ስምኦን ሳይሆን በረከት ስምኦን ነኝ ይላል። ይሄ ሰውዬ መቼ ነው እራሱን የሚሆነው? ጤነኛ የሆነ ሰው የራሱን ስም ሙሉ በሙሉ ሰርዞ፣ ያልሞተን ሰው ስም ከእነ አባቱ እንዴት ይዘርፋል?

(እውነተኛው በረከት፣ ፎቶኮፒውን በረከት በመክሰስ ስሙን ማስመለስ ይችላል። በርግጥ የህግ ሰዎች አስተያየት ሊሰጡበት ይችላሉ። ፓሪስ የሚገኙ ጋዜጠኞችም እውነተኛውን በረከት ቢያነጋግሩት ጥሩ ነው። በህይወት እያለ በስሙ ይሄ ሁሉ ግፍ ሲሰራ ዝም ማለት ያለበት አይመስለኝም…)

ወደ ዋናው ነጥብ ልመለስና የመብራህቱ ገብረህይወት ታላቅ ወንድም ካሳሁን ገብረህይወት ይባላል። ስለዚህ መፅሃፉን “ለወንድሜ ለካሳሁን ገብረህይወት መታሰቢያ ይሁን” ማለቱ ውሸት የለበትም። ዝቅ ብሎ ግን እንዲህ ይላል።

“እነሆ በተለምክልኝ መንገድ እጓዛለሁ”

እዚህ ላይ በረከት እንደገና እውነትን ገለበጣት። ካሳሁን ለበረከት የፖለቲካ መንገድ አልተለመለትም። ካሳሁን ኤርትራ ተወልዶ ጎንደር አደገ። ከዚያም የኢህአፓ ታጋይ ሆነ። በኢህአፓ ውስጥ ሳለ የጎሳ ፖለቲካን የሚቃወም፣ እንደማንኛውም የወቅቱ የኢህአፓ ወጣት ህብረብሄራዊ አደረጃጀት እና መስመርን የሚመርጥ ነበር። በግልባጩ መብራህቱ በታላቅ ወንድሙ ተፅእኖ የብሄር አደረጃጀትና አስተሳሰብን የሚቃወም ሆኖ ነበር ትግሉን የጀመረው። ካሳሁን የተሰዋው ከህወሃት ጋር በተደረገው ጦርነት ነው። ማለትም ካሳሁን የተገደለው በህወሃት ጥይት ነው። በረከት ስምኦን ወደ ህወሃት የገባው ከካሳሁን መገደል በሁዋላ ነው። እንዴትና በየት በኩል ነው፣ ካሳሁን ይህን የወያኔ አላማ ለበረከት ያወረሰው? ካሳሁን ምንም እንኳ ወንድሙ ቢሆንም፣ በዚህ መንገድ ታሪኩን ሊያበላሽበት መብት የለውም…

በረከት በጣም የተምታታበት ሰው ነው።

ኢትዮጵያን ይዞአት ገደል ሳይገባ መሄጃውን ቢፈልግ ለዚህች አገር ትልቅ ውለታ እንደሰራ ይቆጠራል። ከበረከት የተምታቱ ታሪኮች ዋናው በዘሩ ኤርትራዊ ሆኖ ሳለ የአማራ ድርጅት መሪ መሆኑ ነው። ይሄ ከሞራል አንፃር ለአማራ ህዝብ ስድብ ነው። በረከት በህብረ ብሄራዊ ድርጅት ውስጥ እንደ አንድ ኢትዮጵያዊ ኢትዮጵያን ቢመራ ጥያቄ ባልተነሳበት። ሰው ተወልዶ ያደገበት አገሩ መሆኑ ይታመናል። የዘር ፖለቲካ የሚያራምድ ግን የግድ እሱም ዘሩን ግልፅ ማድረግ ይጠበቅበታል። “አማራ በዘሩ መደራጀት አለበት” ብለው ሲያበቁ፣ አማራ ያልሆነ እንዴት አማራን ይወክላል? ኢህዴን ወደ ብሄራዊ ድርጅት ሲለወጥ፣ በረከት ለራሱም ሆነ ለአማራ ህዝብ ክብር ሲል ራሱን ከአማራ ድርጅት መሪነት ማግለል ነበረበት። በረከት ስምኦን ስለዚህ ጉዳይ መፅሃፉ ላይ አላነሳም። ይልቁን በቀጣይ 20 አመታት እንዴት ኢትዮጵያን እንደሚያስተዳድራት ፍንጭ ሰጥቶናል። ይህን ማስታወሻ ለማስፈር የተነሳሁትም በመቋጫው መረጃ ምክንያት ነው።

“…(አሮጌው) የአመራር ትውልድ ቦታውን ለአዲሱ የአመራር ትውልድ የሚያስረክብበት ወቅት ላይ ደርሰናል። ስለዚህም ከፊት መስመር ገለል ብለን፣ ከሁዋላና ከጎን ሆነን መደገፍ አለብን በተባባልነው መሰረት የአመራር መተካካቱን ማስፈፀም ጀምረናል…”

የተሰመረበት አረፍተነገር የኢህአዴግን የ2015 እቅድ የሚጠቁም ነው። እንደተሰመረበት መረጃ ከሆነ መለስና በረከት መንግስታዊ የሃላፊነት ቦታቸውን ሊለቁ ተዘጋጅተዋል። ማለትም “ከፊት መስመር ገለል” ይላሉ። “ከሁዋላና ከጎን” ሆነው ይደግፋሉ። “እስከመቼ?” ለሚለው ጥያቄ ምላሽ የለውም። አስር ወይም ሃያ አመታት! በዚህ ስልት አገዛዙ ይቀጥላል። “መደገፍ” ሲሉ መንዳት ማለታቸው ነው። መርጠው የሚያመጧቸው እንደ ጋሪ ፈረስ ለመነዳት ፈቃደኛ የሚሆኑትን ይሆናል። መለስና በረከት ፑቲን የፈፀመውን አይነት ቁማር ሊጫወቱ የቤት ስራቸውን ሰርተው ጨርሰዋል። ይህንንም በቅርብ ጊዜ በተግባር የምናየው ይሆናል። “ከጎን መርዳት” የሚለው በምክትል ሚኒስትርነት የሚቀመጡትን የሚጠቁም ነው። ለአብነት ብርሃነ ገብረክርስቶስ ሃይለማርያም ደሳለኝን ከጎን ሆኖ እየመራው ነው። ስለዚህ ነባሮቹ የምክትል ሚኒስትሮችን ቦታ እየያዙ፣ አሻንጉሊቶችን በሚኒስትርነት ያስቀምጧቸዋል። “በተባባልነው መሰረት” የሚለው አባባል የኢህአዴግ ስራ አስፈፃሚ ውሳኔን የሚመለከት ነው። በቀጣዩ ያልታወቁ አመታት ኢትዮጵያን እንዴት መምራት እንዳለባቸው የደረሱበትን ውሳኔ ጠቁመውናል።

ርግጥ ይህ መረጃ ጥብቅ ምስጢር አልነበረም። ከሃይለማርያም መምጣት በሁዋላ በፑቲን ስልት በመጓዝ ላይ መሆናቸውን ስንገምት ቆይተናል። መተካካቱ፣ “ከሁዋላና ከጎን” እንደሚደገፍ (እንደሚነዳ) በአደባባይ ሲያረጋግጡልን ግን ይህ የመጀመሪያው ነው። ይህ የበረከት መፅሃፍ የመወያያ አጀንዳ እንዲሆንም ይፈልጉ ይሆናል። እዚህ ላይ መታለል አይገባም። መፅሃፉን ከአጀንዳ ውጭ በማድረግ ወደሚቀጥለው ስራ መግባት ብልህነት ነው።

በቅርቡ አዲሳባ ላይ ታላቁ ሩጫ ሲካሄድ፣ “ሳንፈልጋቸው – ሃያ አመታቸው!” እያለ የተቃውሞ ድምፁን ያሰማው ወጣት፣ “ሳንፈልጋቸው – አርባ አመታቸው!” እያለ የሚዘምርበት ቀን እንደሚመጣ እየቀለዱ ከጣራ በላይ ይስቁ ይሆናል። ሆኖም ረግጠው መግዛቱን ለመቀጠል ያላቸው ቁርጠኛነት ሊሳካ የሚችለው ትግል ባይኖር ነበር። ትግል ግን አለ። የመረረ ትግል አለ። ጥቂት አጋጣሚ ብቻ የሚጠብቅ፣ በቋፍ ላይ ያለ ያመፀ ህዝብ አለ። ያም ሆኖ መለስና በረከት ለልጆቻቸው፣ ለሃገራቸውና ለስማቸው ሲሉ የተበላሸውን ለማስተካከል አጭር ቀሪ ጊዜ አላቸው። ጋዳፊ ላይ የደረሰው ይደርስባቸው ዘንድ ማንም አይመኝም። ሊደርስ ግን ይችላል። ስለዚህ አንድ ነገር ማስታወስ ይገባቸዋል። በመጨረሻ የሚስቅ ረጅሙን ሳቅ ይስቃል…

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ፀሃፊውን ለማግኘት፣ ttgebreab@gmail.com