[Read also speeches in Amharic, Dr. Negasso, Mr. Seye, Eng. Gizachew]
By Barry Malone - November 26, 2009 (Reuters) — A former Ethiopian president and a former defense minister have joined the same opposition party, strengthening it against a government accused of suppressing critics before national elections in May.
Negaso Gidada, president from 1997 to 2001, and Seye Abraha a former rebel leader who became defence minister for four years from 1991, joined the Unity for Democracy and Justice party (UDJ) on Thursday.
The UDJ is part of an eight-party coalition called Medrek, or the Forum, that most Ethiopians view as the most significant threat to the government at the ballot box. The UDJ’s leader Birtukan Mideksa, 36, has been in prison since last December.
“Our joining the UDJ sends a signal that we have to work hard for the unity of the country and the Ethiopian people,” Negaso told Reuters, adding that if Ethiopian political parties were not ethnically diverse then the country could split.
Ethiopia has about 80 ethnicities and parties have traditionally been formed along ethnic lines. UDJ leaders now come from the three most prominent groups.
Seye was jailed for corruption in 2001 after falling out with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and, after his release in 2007, he became a vocal opponent of the government, which has been in power for nearly 20 years.
“POLITICAL PRISONERS”
Meles and Seye come from the Tigrayan ethnic group, who make up just 6 percent of the population but dominate politics.
Most analysts agree Meles’ Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) will win easily at the ballot box, despite growing allegations of squashing political criticism.
“They say that because the landscape is unfavorable for free and fair elections,” Seye told Reuters. “There are laws that can be used against voices of dissent. We will be making the release of political prisoners a campaign priority.”
Meles says the opposition is trying to discredit an election that it has no chance of winning and therefore provoke the West into stopping the aid which the poor country relies on.
Opposition leaders told Reuters this month that their members were being refused food aid to force them to join the ruling party. The government denied it.
Ethiopia’s last national elections in 2005 ended violently when security forces killed about 200 protesters in the capital Addis Ababa after the opposition said the government rigged the poll. Seven policemen were also killed.
Birtukan was jailed after a 2005 poll, pardoned in 2007 and sent back to prison for violating the terms of that pardon.
The country has never seen a peaceful change of government. Meles took power in 1991 after rebels led by him, Seye and others overthrew a Soviet-backed regime.
November 26th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I am spectical about so called MEDREK. siyee is in the heart of Mederek. our struggle should marginalize Tigrians.
November 26th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
It would be a great move if the election is fair and free. Unfortunatly we are not blessed to see fair and free election in that country. unless we get united and remove woyane, there will not be peacfull transtion of power.
Happy Thanks Giving!!
November 26th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
አቶ ሰየ ና ዶክተር ነጋሶ ያደረጉት በታም የሚደነቅ ነው ፕሮፈሰር መስፍን ከዚህ በመማር ደርጅቱን ማተናከር አለባችው
November 26th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
I am laughing out loud. This is the most comical thing I have ever heard. Two deperados join a bunch of no-goods. Hahahaha!
November 26th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Their decision to join UDJ is a great step forward at this time of critical situation in which all democratic ( national or multinational) opposition forces are trying to create a democratic Ethiopia in which all her citizens can live and prosper together. This political breakthrough has to be recognized as part of the great accomplishment of these two political figures as well as the eight political parties who formed a very remarkable coalition (Medrek).
Yes, the very meaning of forming a coalition such as Medrek is to bring about the desired change that would eventually lead to the strong and real sense of unity with in diversity. To this end, Dr. Negaso and Ato seye can play a significant role.
Some of the very serious problems of African politics in general and Ethiopian political culture in particular were/are: fragmentation, disorganization, avoidance of criticism, exclusive and intolerance behavior, egoism,ethnic -based hatred. To change all these and other undesirable and destructive political realities, the step taken by these two political figures deserves critical and rational support/encouragement. Unqualified criticism and complaint will take us no where.
I am not saying things will go OK very soon. I am sure there will be all kids of comments on this new development including the idea that Dr. Negaso and Ato Seye are agents of destruction, etc…. It is Ok to have our opinions as long as we make them in a civilized manner.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
This is a very good news for freedom and democracy fighters in Ethiopia and abroad. I believe the two new members could bring progressive sectors from EPDRF and independent thinkers. Bravo UDJ, Nigasu and Siye for this step.
November 26th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Dear Folks,
Negaso’s and Seye’s joining of the UDJ is really a “significant” move and has a national reverberation to re-ignite the unity of the Ethiopian people. They finally, dusted off the “Woyane Killilstan Thinking” and started a new political path after learning from mistakes of the past.
We’ve advised these folks long a while ago to exactly take this type of political course of action. I still personally call upon Dr Beyene Petros and Prof Merera Gudina and Obo Bulcha to follow suit i.e. forget their ethnic thinking/organisations and re-organise themselves under the common Ethiopian Flag and Umbrella. That will be a leaser treatment for the Woyane’s ethnicity based “Federal Primitivism”. This kind of bold move will have the impact of dismantling the Woyane Empire, and lay the grounds for genuine democracy. If these folks galvanise their energy in this way, they have won the hearts and minds of Ethiopians and they have also earned my vote and the votes of people like my-self.
For now, let us support and guard Negaso and Seye from eventual Woyane attacks. The angry Woyane supporters have already started launching their swords attacking Seye that he has left ARENA etc.
God Bless These Guys for Finally Waking Up!
God Bless Birtukan Mideksa – The Symbol of Ethiopian Unity!!
Death to the Dilmenderus, the Voracious Hodams, and the Murderers!
November 27th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Now, I start to belive that both Dr. Negasso and Ato Seye have determined for real Ethiopia. Unless and otherwise we unite, woyane remains mimicing the country for decades to come. I am hoping Birtukan will be released soon and join the group. Cher yaseman!
November 27th, 2009 at 6:26 am
I do not mind seeing Negasu operating with in the frame work of UDJ. Doubts still alive when it comes to the other guy called Seye. I think he would not take this risky step knowing what TPLF is all about without a certain a green light to advance TPLF’s cause. I am afraid that this might bring a step closer to the complete demise of UDJ. Let us see…
November 27th, 2009 at 6:47 am
It is really great move. I dont even relate their move with removing EPRDF from power. The message that this leaves to Ethiopians is the most important one. The message of unity! intellectuals from all tribes working to make better Ethiopia. If they continue to work hard, they may even beat EPRDF. I hope UDJ will use this oppertunity wisely.
Dr. Negaso and Seye, thanks for showing us something different and positive. that was brilliant decision.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:21 am
አቶ ስዬ አንድነት: አቶ ገብሩ አረና: መለስ ዜናዊ ህወሀት: ምን ዓይነት የፖለቲካ ምስቅልቅል ነው? ምንም ሆነ ምን ለኢትዮጵያ አንድነት የቆመ ኅይል ብዙ ስራ ይጠብቀዋል:: መለስና ህወሀት በ 18 ዓመት ያጨማለቁትን የሚያጸዳ ; ቁርጥና ግልፅ የሆነ ዓላማና ተግባር የሚፈልግ ትልቅ ሥራ ይፈልጋል:: እስቲ እናያለን
November 27th, 2009 at 7:35 am
The two guys are well known in their respective ethnic groups. The Woyanes were labelling UDJ as an Amhara party to scare the Oromos and the Trigians. Now what are they going to say?
UDJ could become a big challenge to woyane whether or not they participated in the next sham election. They have to use their cards properly and the release of Birtukan will cement their position. Imagine Birtukan as the head of UDJ now. Unfortunately, a strong UDJ may mean that it is unlikely woyane release Birtukan at least for the time being.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Negasso and seye
You are very well come gentlemen you guys are brave enough to confront this (SEW BELA )gangster group even though the hope for free fair election is absolute zero in the meantime the so called foreign ambassadors are giving green light for these mafia group shows how they undermine the Ethiopian peoples for whom they were always showing respect for the last 100+ years and shows they have very few interest of africans in general as long as the one in power is a slave for their hidden agendas. The only solution for this proud nation is to bring it back to its respected standard by wiping out this jungle monsters back to their caves by any means possible and by our own,and to ask the so called donors to stop being part of the crime against the peoples if they believe in their own long lasting interest, and not to repeat the failure they have done before.
November 27th, 2009 at 7:40 am
This is the first step in the right direction. We have to organize on country level as in all other countries. Tribally organized groups should not be a political factor. We should not allow tribal groups to take power because they will work against the unity of our country. Arena, OLF, ONLF should join Mederek or form another national party. My advice to EPRDF is also to change and form one organization on a country level. TPLF, ANDM, OPD could form one ethiopian organization and contest for a seat in parliament.
We have to stand for fair and free election. Meles Zenawi should understand that any destructive action against MEDREK will only hasten his fall. MEDEREK has shown that it does not want to be a puppet of Meles. I hope Meles and his supporters have insight and smell the development. Using any force to kill the movement is wrong. The ethiopian army does not want to kill the citizens because the army and it’s leaders want peace for themselves and their families. The ethiopian army is not in the service of Meles Zenawi, but should protect the people of Ethiopia.
The so-called of ” code of conduct” is a cover to abuse the election process and should be withdrawn. A nationa charter, where a civilized political discussion, is the foundation, should be drawn. Foreign countries should not be allowed to participate in the discussions. The diplomatic corps is intervening too much in our internal affairs. This should not be allowed.
November 27th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Seye was in prison for 6 years. and now I read some comments(only few actually) doubting Seye may be working for TPLF. It is not fair to think like this. The man has learned his lesson and regreted openly on news papers. He wants to do things right at the moment. you can even see the process these guys have come through to join UDJ. They did not join the first time they were asked. They took time, They made enough discussion and the leaders got to know well with each other before they make their decision. All of us have to understand that this is an important step forward. Those of u who want to marginalize Tigrians, You can never do anything use ful to Ethiopia with out them As EPRDF is not doing good with out some ethnic groups. If you dont care about Tigray because it is poor area, but you care about Eritrea because it has port, your issue is not nationalism. it is colonialism. so, we Ethiopians have to learn to be true Ethiopians what Ethiopa wants. Ato Seye and the Doctor are doing their best. let us help them or atleast let us not discourage them!
November 27th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Please those of you who are still embeded in the lack of trust against people who are contributing their effort for the freedom and democracy of Ethiopia, shut your mouth and enjoy your life in diaspora. Do not discourage the attempt of farsighted people like Siye and Dr Negaso. It is not your trash on the web that makes difference, rather it is the effort that these two people and their like are contributing for the country.
November 27th, 2009 at 9:33 am
ታላክ ድል ነው ለእትዮፕያ ጎበዝ ፕሊስ ያለፈወን እረስተን ወደፈት እናሰብ እየተራበ ያለወን ወገን እንስታወሰ . የአቶ እሰየን የዶክተር ነጋሶ ወሳኒ የዘእር ፖልተካ እንዳበካለት የምያሳየ ነወ ለወያነ ሞተን ወርደት ነወ .ለወያን የዘር ፖልትካ ኩማር ወድከት ነወ.ፕሊስ ጎበዝ ዬትዮፕያን አንደነት የመንፈለግ የ ዘር ፖልትይካን የመነተላ ለዘህ ለተከደሰ ተገባር አበሬን እነኩመ
ደል ለእትህዮፕያ
ደል ለቡእርትካን
November 27th, 2009 at 10:16 am
It is good to have party members coming in for UDJ. After they came in are they going to be executive members. What is the status of their membership. How about the vaccum left by Bertukan and Seiye. Is Bertukan forgotten. UDJ should fight for her and all of us for that matter.
I am a little skeptical.
Seiye would bring TPLF DISSDENTS TO UDJ. Some may come in to vengefully retaliate TPLF. Some of them may do that.
It all depends how Seiye would rally the Youth and especially convince he is not TPLF now.
I hope things change. Let us dream good for the Country.
Almoudi took our Gold. Meles smuggled a lot and still embezelling by selling the would be unsold land.
I do not know what we would expect next time from the TPLF Government. What in the heavens do you expect from all this. Nothing
Our hope is never to lose hope.
November 27th, 2009 at 11:00 am
ህምምም አንድነት….ትክክል አንድነት …. ኦሮሞ (ነጋሶ) + ትግሪ(ስዪ) + አማራ(ግዛቸው)+ ሊሎች…..
November 27th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
ዶ/ር ነጋሶ እና አቶ እስየ እንኳን ደህና መጣችሁ:: እኔ ደስተኛ ነኝ::
I support the decisions of the two gentlemen and UDJ. It is a positive move.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
A deception politics of a second kind ater the precursor to the formation of UDJP and a reshufle of party affiliation to what ultimate end, a report by foreign correspondent, rather by correspondents from Ethiomedia.
I do not think Ato Seye Abraha has shifted membership to bear the torch for Unity, Territorial Integrity, Sovereignty of of Ethiopia and Ethiopians. He might influence as celebrity member of TPLF/eprdf dissident to stablize the current turmoil of UDJP members of joining Medrek and that of UDJP wearing two hats, that of national agenda and ethnic agenda pertaining to Mederk into an alignment towearing one hat. Is that hat of national agenda or the ethnic agenda? I live that for you to make that assessment.
Yet from ultimate focus of contention with TPLF/eprdf regime is the release of political prisoners to Reuters correspondent, as if that aspect of negotiation is not included within the the frame work of Code of Conduct by KAEUP along with other points of pre-conditions for fair and free conditions. To say the least there is no mention as to this is being implemented.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
The future is orange, bright!!!!!!
November 27th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
ሁለት አልሞት ባይ ተጋዳይ::
Let study the itinerary of these 2 desparados:
Siye Abraha
- > Launched his carrier by joining TPLF in order to liberate the ጭቁን Tigrean people from the Derg/Amhara/Neftegna ቀምበር and divide Ethiopia into ethnic banthustans
- > Joined Medrek which stands for a somewhat stronger union
- > Joined UDJ which stands for a united Ethiopia
Negasso Gidada
- > Started his career with OLF which denies the existence of Ethiopia and promotes the creation of a new country called Oromia
- > Opportunistically joined OPDO to become Ethiopia first puppet president
- > After he fell out of favor with Meles, started his lengthy journey through the political desert as an independent MP
- > Joined Medrek
- > Joined UDJ, a party that promotes a strong national unity
In summary, the 2 gentlemen, who started out their political career with an extremely anti-Ethiopian agenda ended their journey in the motherly arms of እምዬ ኢትዮጵያ!
Did they finally come to their sense or is this another instance of cold opportunism and deceit?
Only time will tell….
November 27th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I believe they have a good chance to challenge the govt.What we need is an opposition that represent Ethiopian as a whole not a particular ethnic group like kinijit and likes.I wish both these men good luck.
November 27th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Ex-Ethiopian president, Negaso Gidada’s political move: backward or forward?
I read a news about Negaso Gidada, the ex-president of Ethiopia joining the oppostion party UDJ, with the feeling of ambivalence. Is his move constructive or destructive to the liberation movement of his own nation, Oromo? Is his current political development a backward move or a forward move? To answer these questions, we need to look at the conflict between the interest of the nation Oromo, to whom he belongs, and the interest of the region called Ethiopia composing many nations, in which the two Abyssinian nations aka Amhara and Tigaru were exchangeably dominant in the past about 150 years. In short we need to look at the complementarity and contradiction between Ethiopian “democratic movement” and Oromian liberation movement.
As I was a university student some years back, I and one of my friends were sitting in a bus and looking throught the window a nice city we were touring and accidnetally we saw one of our teachers (lecturers) walking. This lecturer was a bit elderly, light skined, had bald hair with full beard. My funny friend just watched and asked me, whether the teacher is walking forward or backward. Because of his bald head and full beard on his chin, we couldn’t differentiate his face from the back of his head. That was very funny indeed, so both of us laughed. Since then, this episode remaind to be a joke among our circle of friends. As I read Negaso’s decision to join the “multi-national” UDJ instead of the national party OFC, I just remembered this joke and laughed at the measure taken by the ex-president. A question came to my mind was: is this backward or forward political move?
To look at the political career of the ex-president, first he was OLF activist who used to believe in liberating Oromia from Abyssinian colonialism; then he joined OPDO believing in ethnic federalism; after he left OPDO I heard him demanding Oromo’s right to self-determination per referendum; now he joined a party which rejects the right of Oromo nation to self-determination and even wants to dismantle Oromia with a pre-text of preferring xeqilaygizat-federalism in contrast to the kilil-federalism, which is supported by Oromo people. Is this move a backward or a forward move for one Oromo intellectual, who wrote his desseration on Oromo history and who used to struggle for the right of Oromo in the past 40 years?
No question the Oromo liberation movement is getting momentum, slowly but surely, so that many stakeholders in the region are in a big worry (firstly Habesha elites, secondly the Western allies of Habeshas who used to support them in suppressing Oromo and thirdly few elites of the small nationalities in the empire, who are mistakenly in fear of Oromo’s “future domination”). These anti-Bilisummaa (anti-freedom) forces are now doing every thing under the sky to inhibit and hinder the Oromo liberation movement. One of the “modern and 21st century” move to hinder Oromo from achieving Bilisummaa (freedom of) Oromo and Walabummaa (sovereignity of) Oromia is playing the game of the fake democratization of Ethiopia.
The opponents of Oromo liberation movement know very well that genuine democratization of Ethiopia is the best MEANS to achieve the END of the Oromo liberation movement, that is why they only give lip service, but never allow it happen. Conservative and old-mode (faaraa) Amhara elites with the mind of the 20th century Nefxenya (rule using nefx or gun) already showed their alliance with the 21st Nefxenya Tigarus now in power with the Zenawi-Shawel-handshake. The smart and modern (araadaa) Nefxenyas of both Habesha nations are re-organizing themselves in UDJ and G-7. That is why I am not surprised by the raised handshake of Siye Abraha and Gizachew Shiferraw, but the raised handshake of Negaso Gidada and Gizachew Shiferraw made me to be sad and at the same time to laugh, that is the ambivalence of emotion I had. Fact on the ground is that araadaa way or faaraa way, all the handshakes are about saving the empire! The faaraa Nefxenyas try to keep the empire with old method like talking about the “history” that Debteraa Bahirey and Aleqaa Taye wrote about Ethiopia and demanding directly to dismantle Oromia. The araadas use totally other methods, for example to reduce the danger of dismantling the empire domination system, which is coming from Oromo, they use the following theories as postmodern approachs now applied to fight against Oromo’s right to self-determination in order to save the empire from disintegration:
- “All Ethiopians including Tigrayans are Oromo, so Oromo liberation in a form of Oromian autonomy or Oromian independence is not necessary”, this is the theory constantly preached by Habesha elites in forums and paltalks.
- “Oromos as a majority can rule Ethiopia, so let’s fight for democracy together, no need of Oromo liberation movement”, this is an approach of the modern Habesha movement which tries to instrumentalize Oromo individuals like Birtukan Midhagsa, now joined by Negaso Gidada.
- “Every body in Ethiopia is blended with Oromo, so Ethiopia is Oromia and Ethiopian empire is in reality Oromo empire”, Siye Abraha’s approach belongs here based on the speech he made as he toured North America.
- “Let’s focus on development of Oromia, our Oromo people need more food rather than freedom”, TPLF’s and its puppets in OPDO approach this way to divert attention of Oromo from struggle for liberation and to pacify Oromo.
- “Oromo need unconditional national independence without regional union, but OLF is the first enemy who abandoned this goal; so first let’s focus on bashing, cursing, demonizing, discrediting and villifying OLF, specially its hitherto leaders”, Weyane cadres acting as the radical pro-Oromian-independence tried this method to devide and destroy the vanguard liberation front.
Be it they are faaraa or araadaa, till now there is no any Amhara party, which came to the middle ground to accept and respect kilil-(”ethnic”)-federalism as a compromise solution for the conflict between the pro-unitarity Amhara elites and pro-independence Oromo elites. By the way, I personally don’t believe that there is any “multi-national (hibre-biher)” party in Ethiopian empire. One of the fake and fiction stories we are hearing from Ethiopia now is that people try to devide political parties in that empire as “ethnic based” and “hibre-biher”. All Amhara parties like AEUP, CUDP, EDP, EDUM, EPPF, EPRP, G7M, UDJ and UEDF-diaspora try to sell them selves as all inclusive political parties. And they try to villify others like OFC, SEPDC, OLF, ONLF, SLF, etc as narrow minded “national (ye biher)” organizations. For their justification they try to show us that for instance UDJ is lead by people from all nationalities.
Here, I think there is no necessity to fool each other. People from other nationalities, who are active in Amhara parties are only hard-wares (biologically from other nations), but with Amhara soft-ware (Amhara mind persuing to keep Amhara interset). Just look at those in UDJ and G-7: Birtukan Midhegsa is Amhara soft-ware in Oromo hard-ware (she is Amhara in mind and Oromo in blood); Hailu Araya is Amhara in mind and Tigaru in blood; Berihanu Nega is Amhara in mind and Gurage in blood; Muluneh Iyuel is Amhara in mind and Hadiya in blood, etc. Just look at their attempt of stressing to use only Amharinya by all parties, they never dare to use Afaan Oromo, eventhough they try to get the support of Oromo. We can forget the other conservative “hibre-biher” parties like AEUP and EPRP, who talk only about one “Ethiopian people (ye Itiyophiya hizb)”, they never dare to say “Ethiopian peoples (ye Itiyophiya hizbooch)”! But let us all be aware of Amhara soft-wares in Other’s hard-ware. Here I just want to add my observation regarding the form of expression used by Merera Gudina and Negaso Gidada in the last few weeks. They hitherto used to talk about “ye Itiyophiya hizboch” till a journalist from Addis-dimts confronted Merera few weeks back in one of his last interviews. Since then both of them talk only about “ye Itiyophiya hizb”, which is loved by Habesha elites just to confirm their mantra of “only one people” in Ethiopia. To my understanding both expressions are not wrong, it only depends on the context. When they are talking in the context of Ethiopian govenment Vs Ethiopian people, it is right to use “ye Itiyophia hizb” i.e in relation to only one federal government, but when the discussion is about the right of nations in the empire, using the expression “ye Itiyophiya hizboch” is appropriate. So I just encourage Oromo politicians to use both expressions depending on the context.
Regarding the move of Oromo nationalists nowadays, I think there is a consensus on the route of the journey to our END. We have to keep the status-quo (a limited cultural autonomy) from any setback; we have to move together towards true Oromian autonomy, the goal set by OFC; then we have to finish the journey to self-determination per referendum leading to one of the two outcomes (independent Oromia with a union of nations in the region or independent Oromia without such a union). Otherwise, according to my hitherto observation, Abyssinian elites and Oromian elites preach democracy for the sake of two different and opposite ENDs:
- for Abyssinian elites, democratization of Ethiopia is a meanse for decimation of Oromia in to ten pieces. That is why they propagate geography-based or xeqilaygizat-federation on the contrary to the language-based or kilil-federation aka “ethnic” federalism. It is a move towards unitary Ethiopia, melting all nations in to Amharic speakers. Is Negaso now prefering this move?
- for Oromians, democratization of Ethiopia is a meanse for liberation of Oromia from the empire domination system. That is why we want to convert the fake kilil-federation of Weyane to a genuine kilil-federation, which can be the best precondition to move to self-determination of Oromo.
Abyssinian elites theoretically preach democracy, but practically they walk against it. Oromo elites do have no fear from genuine democracy for it can lead us to liberated Oromia. At the same time we do have no fear from union of nations in the empire or region if it is based on our free will for it is the best way to Oromo’s leadership in the region as it is a biggest and strongest nation of the area. Based on the difference we do have among Oromo people in respect to the two possible outcomes of self-determination per referendum, I think “pro independence without union” Oromo, who do cry foul against “pro independence within a union” Oromo’s dedication to democratize Ethiopia, should stop their lamenting. Democratization of Ethiopia is not the END per se, but the meanse to the END i.e to liberation of Oromia. If we percieve it like this, then it is clear why Abyssinian elites get panic when ever genuine democratization is getting root in the empire!
Coming back to the raised handshake of Negaso with Gizachew and Siye, let’s look at the possible impact on our liberation movemnt. Just as Weyane cadres and their web-sites rejoiced and jumped because of the advantage they did get from the handshake between Meles Zenawi & Hailu Shawel, the handshake of NegasoGidada & Gizachew Shiferraw also made pro-unitarity Amhara elites to sing and jump with joy. Why? Because they percieved it as a triumph of their movement of unitarity over Oromo movemnt for liberty. To their pleasure, surprisingly Negaso made an analogy of a chicken in an egg-shell for “national movements” such as Oromo liberation movement. He just failed to percieve the smart Amhara national movement covered with “Ethiopian multi-national movemnt” in its true nature. Thus, in reality he just moved from his own egg-shell (Oromo liberation movment) in to the other one’s egg-shell (Amhara domination movment). Why did he do this? He already gave the answer: because of the “love and popularity” he got from Habesha elites! Interestingly this is the smart method Habesha elites used till now to weaken Oromo nationalists, i.e make them “friends”, give them “love and recognition” as far as they are in line with Habesha elites’ domination move and the same Habesha elites do the opposite (hate, denounce, despise, denigerate, etc) when ever such Oromo elites start to emphasize the importance of Oromo liberation from Habesha elites’ domination.
Anyways I hope that Oromo individuals in UDJ one day wake up and smell the coffee. Unless Habesha elites in parties like UDJ and G-7 are ready to accept and respect the God-given and Man-made right of Oromo people to self-determination, unless they at least decide to recognize Oromian autonomy in Ethiopian context, no araadaa manipulation of Habesha elites will stop Oromo people from pushing in the liberation struggle for our desired Kaayyoo (goal). But for the sake of fighting against fascist Weyane at the moment, I dare to support the move of both Negaso and Siye to strengthen the currently viable opposition aka Medrek. If UDJ in Medrek is for the true kilil-federation, I think Negaso’s current political move is a forward move, if UDJ is to prefer xeqilaygizat-federation, a pre-text for dismantling Oromia, Negaso just moved backward. The only thing that all stakeholders in the empire/region have to have in mind is that they can not fool Oromo people, who have no other wish and intention except securing our rigth to self-determination.
Galatooma!
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November 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
….Just as Weyane cadres and their web-sites rejoiced and jumped because of the advantage they did get from the handshake between Meles Zenawi & Hailu Shawel, the handshake of Negaso Gidada & Gizachew Shiferraw also made pro-unitarity Amhara elites to sing and jump with joy. Why? Because they percieved it as a triumph of their movement of unitarity over Oromo movemnt for liberty……