By Alemayehu G. Mariam* | 08 February 2010
Reporting on the eerie silence of Western diplomats in Addis Abeba on Birtukan Midekssa, the first woman political party leader in Ethiopian history and Ethiopia’s # 1 political prisoner, Xan Rice, a reporter for the Guardian wrote last week:
That foreign embassies, including Britain’s, which have been refused permission to visit Mideksa, have barely made a public complaint about the case appears to back opposition complaints that when it comes to Ethiopia, donors favour stability over democratic reforms or human rights… ‘The [Ethiopian] government says the more we make noise the more difficult it will be to get her [Mideksa] out,’ said one Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. ‘Are we going to risk our entire aid budget for one person? No.’”
Rice questioned in the caption to his piece whether Birtukan is “Ethiopia’s jailed victim of Western realpolitik.”
What kind of double doubletalk is this phrase, “speaking on condition of anonymity?” Is the climate of fear and loathing so oppressive and pervasive in Ethiopia that even emissaries with full diplomatic immunity are scared pantless to mention Birtukan’s name in public? Are these anonymous diplomats so afraid of calling a spade a spade that they have themselves become virtual political prisoners in their own embassies? Has a segment of the Western diplomatic community in Addis turned into pusillanimous pussyfooters and gossipy nabobs of cowardice?
One speaks “on condition of anonymity” when the situation justifies it. For instance, police sometimes “speak on condition of anonymity” to provide information of value to the community as part of their criminal investigations. During policy negotiations or in formal decision-making settings, stakeholders may engage in anonymous disclosures to obtain strategic advantage. Whistleblowers often report corruption, criminal wrongdoing, fraud, waste or abuse in government anonymously to avoid retribution. Could it be that these anonymous informants are actually diplomats-cum-whistleblowers? One really wonders about the palpable diplomatic rationale for speaking about Birtukan behind a veil of diplomatic anonymity. The fact of her notorious imprisonment is well known to the world. Many Western governments have publicly condemned her imprisonment and called for her immediate release. Just last week, the new U.S. ambassador-designate to Ethiopia, Donald Booth, told Senator Russ Feingold, chairman of the Senate subcommittee on Africa, that he will aggressively take up the case of Birtukan and other political prisoners with the dictators in Ethiopia. Yet some of the resident Western diplomats in Addis choose to cloak themselves in anonymity while pontificating about “realpolitik.”
It seems these gossipy diplomats have adopted a version of “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” game plan. Everybody knows many nasty and raunchy things happen in Vegas, but no one will care enough to tell about them. Gross abuses of human rights are daily occurrences in Ethiopia and the jails are full of political prisoners, but no diplomat dares speak openly about them or finger the criminals and abusers. Rather, the Western diplomatic community has ensconced itself around this obscene question: “Are we going to risk our entire aid budget for a bunch of nameless, faceless, hopeless, moneyless and powerless nobodies? Hell, No!”
The real reason for invoking anonymity, while enjoying full immunity, is diplomatic omerta — a conspiracy and code of silence, not unlike that time-honored tradition of the criminal societies in southern Italy where no one will tell the truth in public or finger the criminals because they are afraid of the Capo di Tutti Capi (boss of all bosses). The conspiracy of silence has transformed these anonymous diplomats into the proverbial wise monkeys who “see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil”. This odious culture of diplomatic omerta in Addis must end!
The “realpolitik” (pragmatic) justification of the diplomats to “speak on condition of anonymity” is flawed and logically untenable. The principles of “realpolitik” apply in the relationship between powerful nations who find it advantageous to deal with each other in a practical and pragmatic manner so as to avoid costly conflict. It is silly to conceptualize the relationship between Western countries collectively and one of the poorest countries in the world in terms of “realpolitik”. Without the budgetary support and massive economic and humanitarian aid of the West, no dictatorship in Africa can survive even for a single day. These anonymous diplomats now want to convince us that “realpolitik” prevents them from exercising their political will on the dictators. Poppycock! We know, “He who pays the piper calls the tune.”
On the other hand, if the diplomats are “speaking on condition of anonymity” because they believe they can finesse the dictators with reason and logic, they are tripping (or in diplomatic parlance, “it is lunacy”). They ought to know (as they pretend not to know) that they are dealing with some of the rock-hard, dyed-in-the-wool, unyielding and incorrigible ideologues in modern Africa history. These dictators are impervious to reason and common sense; they are driven by the maniacal and insatiable hunger for power. The lessons the dictators draw from the invocation of diplomatic anonymity is that they have succeeded in intimidating the Western diplomatic corps into silence, not that they are buying time to negotiate and craft a fair resolution to the fundamental political problems of the country. Let’s put it bluntly: The dictators are convinced that on the whole Western diplomats in Addis are a klatch of spineless, wimpy, double-talking, forked-tongue equivocators who would rather grovel and wheedle than stand up for principle.
The cunning dictators understand the wishy-washiness of the diplomats and take advantage of their apparent timidity. They carefully orchestrate a program of manipulation, subtle intimidation, vague threats of expulsion and clever misdirection to string them along. “Sure, we let Birtukan out, mañana (tomorrow). Excellencies! Don’t worry, be happy! Did you say ‘Stop human rights abuses’? Not a problem. Consider it done, mañana. Clean elections? Hoo-Hah! Check out our Election Code of Conduct. Any other questions?!”
As Joseph Stalin sarcastically observed, “A sincere diplomat is like dry water or wooden iron.” We are not foolish enough to believe that Western diplomats will work sincerely to help bring change, democratization and hope in Ethiopia. But they need to know that their diplomatic chicanery and double-dealing will not go unchallenged in the court of international public opinion. Let us look at their do-nothing, kiss derrière policy in Birtukan’s case. The anonymous diplomat speaking to reporter Rice said that the West would “not risk [its] entire aid budget for one person.” This is not an idiosyncratic attitude or the view of a single diplomat. It is a wrong-headed outlook widely shared in the general diplomatic community in Addis.
But we should set the record straight: The issue of Birtukan is not a matter of one individual political prisoner. Birtukan is a national symbol of thousands of political prisoners that are held in detention in official and secret prisons throughout the country without due process of law. Birtukan is not a lone dissident on a moral crusade against a dictatorship. She is the head of the principal opposition party in the country and the leader of the largest coalition of political parties. On a level electoral playing field, Birtukan is the kind of leader who could easily beat the pants off the ruling dictatorship. By not raising her righteous cause in public and repeatedly, these veiled diplomats enable and embolden the dictators to remain bullheaded and continue in their gross human rights violations spree. In the end, these diplomats show themselves to be toothless tigers who are afraid of their own shadows and would rather meow than speak the truth in public.
Western diplomats in Addis have the choice of speaking up and standing up for the principles they advocate so passionately and vociferously at the cocktail parties, or remaining silent. It is their right to remain silent to the thundering screams of the torture victims, the faint whimpers of the political prisoners rotting in the dungeons, the cries and lamentations of the opposition leaders and the tormented wails of journalists who flee the country. They can even game us by shedding a few crocodile tears and assuring us that they are doing everything they can to help change things. We know in the final analysis they will wring their hands, pat themselves in the back and tell each other everything is fine and dandy and things in Ethiopia will definitely change, mañana. But they should spare us the crock of anonymous palaver because all they are doing is prove to the world that they do not possess the least scrap of conscience or integrity.
There is a price for silence, which is loss of credibility with the people of Ethiopia. That may not mean much to the hoity-toity excellencies; but they should know that their empty cocktail party rhetoric about democracy and rule of law has as much credibility with us. Diplomatic hypocrisy built on a foundation of anonymity, in our book, is called complicity and compounding a crime. Ethiopians understand and like straight talk, not anonymous talk (and not silence). They don’t like those who talk with “butter on their tongues and dagger in their hearts” (አፉ ቅቤ ልቡ ጩቤ). We hope these invisible diplomats will emerge from the dark side and muster the courage to speak on the record and call a spade, a spade. If they don’t, we will understand. Silence in the face of inconvenient truths is a hallowed tradition in the Western diplomatic corps.
Excellencies, never mind if the dictators say, “the more [you] make noise the more difficult it will be to get Birtukan out.” Go ahead, make a whole lot of noise, not silence. Birtukan and the thousands of Ethiopian political prisoners are on pins and needles (no pun intended) waiting to hear your rapturous noise.
I have said it before1, Excellencies, and I will shout it out again: J’Accuse!
1huffingtonpost.com/alemayehu-g-mariam/
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* Alemayehu G. Mariam, is a professor of political science at California State University, San Bernardino, and an attorney based in Los Angeles. He writes a regular blog on The Huffington Post, and his commentaries appear regularly on pambazuka.org, allafrica.com, newamericamedia.org and other sites.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:54 am
The mission of the western diplmats is not to promote democracy and economic development in Ethiopia. It is to strengthen the surrogate racist rule in the country. The British Ambassor who was present as an invited guest in one TPLF meeting in Makelle was quoted as saying ” the people of Tigray have many common features with the British people”.
Many western diplomats believe in and work for the exclusion of the Amharas from power. I have come to know the prevailing anti-Amhara sentiments in the western diplomatic community through my own private discussions with some British, German, Norwegain and Swedish diplomats. The west will do all they can to prevent any Amhara based political party from coming to power. But this anti-Amahara position of the west shold not be used as the justification for supporting and working with the fascist and racist governmnt of Meles Zenawi. This is a clear approval of and support to the fascist and racist rule of Meles Zenawi. Many of the western diplomats in Addis Ababa (Finfine) have close personal relationships with Meles Zenawi and his officials.
There are core pro-fascist diplomats who make up the so called Development Partners Group whose mission is raise as much aid money as possible in their respective countries. These diplomats also watch the opposition and use all their methods to divide it.
February 8th, 2010 at 6:10 am
The brutality of the Fascist Weyane Authorities was begun during the jungle life of the MARXIST LENINST LEAGUE OF TIGRAY. That means, Their ruling, regulations is based on Stalinism very experienced the same as the former Soviet Union spying agent systems (K G B), torturing in diffrent ways, prisoning, when they are scarring and hesitating.
If the prisoner being famous and respected Politician in public interest, They would be using Food as weapon to kill the Person giving small amount. That was done repeatdly in all Weyane Custodies.
The Western Diplomats, Governments recognized everything about the Weyane Authorities.
If they feel Humanity, Human right, They must help us with out delay, but the main right to demolish Fascist-Weyane brutality is on our Truth Ethiopian Hand.
LET US JOIN IN G7 MOVEMENT FOR JUSTICE, FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY.
Victory to Ethiopian!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 9:37 am
The resident US and European Union diplomats have close relationships with the racist regime of Meles Zenawi. Despite his serious human rights violations and brutal handlings of the opposition, the west do not speak against their loyal servant, Meles Zenawi. Some western diplomats (Greeks, Italians and Spaniards) are selling the so called Shengen visas to the members and supporers of the TPLF (Tigrayans) in order to enable the latter to travel to Europe and apply for asylum. These are false asylum seekers being sent by the TPLF to overwhelm the growing opposition to the ethnic fascist regime in the Diaspora. Ethiopians in the United Kingdom (UK) are preparing to inform the immigration officials of the increasing arrivals of the TPLF agents in the country. Strong Ethiopians in the UK have already helped expose the other TPLF channel, i.e. Tigryans applying for asylum as Eritreans. They are now trying to form a European wide network to expose the agents of the TPLF who are flocking to Europe as asylum seekers. There is information that Norway is one of the countries where the TPLF has planned to have a strong presence and sending its agents as asylum seekers of Eritrean origin. We are getting credible information that an increasing number of groundless Tigrayan asylum seekers are entering Norway on mission from their fascist and racist ruler, Meles Zenawi. I would like to remind the opposition groups in Norway to be on their highest alert and filter out the Tigrayan and other TPLF snakes and inform the country`s immigration officials as the brave Ethiopians in the UK are doing. The struggle against the TPLF fascists and racists must go on in the home as well as overseas fronts. The TPLF agenst must not be allowed to abuse the asylum systems in the west to establish themselves and intimidate Ethiopians.
Join the popular movement Ginbot7 and contribute your part to the right kind of struggle to get rid of fascism and racism in Ethiopia.
No to the sham elections of the fascist and racist,Meles!!
Yes to Ginbot7!!!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Can Africans law & order, court ruling be influenced and override by foreign aid ?
Such hypocritical immoral compromise may constitute indirect colonialism and dangeriously bad precedent to the national scurity stability and undermind the concept of free democratic nation. Beside, court ruling should be free of external influence and pressure, especially when the pressure coming from donor foreign countries.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
It a normal position in the western foreign policy to support and finance client regimes like that of Meles Zenawi as long as they serve their interests. That is why the west do not speak about the crimes of Meles Zenawi and even try to cover them up. Ethiopia is not a free country at the moment because about 60 % of the government`s annual budget is covered by the west. In turn the west use Ethiopian troops for their war on terror and the US uses parts of the country as forward bases to monitor Somalia and the region. All lies in the hands of Ethiopians and the increasing socio-economic crises in the country calls for their unity.
The fascistic Tigrayan elite pillaging the country and sucking the blood of its people will never give up power peacefully. In his recent meeting with his fellow Tigrayan pillagers, Meles has assured them that Tigray and Tigrayans will continue to enjoy all the privilges under his racist and discriminating rule. So it is time for all Ethiopians to narrow their difference and work for the removal of the fascist and racist Tigrayan elite from their country.
February 8th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
The Ethiopian elites in the US Diaspora do not use an integrated approach to tackling the crises in Ethiopia. They analyse and complain about individual piece of a bigger problem, as if it is the only problem to save Ethiopia from disintegration. It is like as the Ethiopians saying goes “yekotun Awerd billa yebibitan talech”. The pro-democracy movement has dropped the campaign to the passage of HR2003, S 3457 to be clamped down by DLA Piper and abandoned by the Diaspora elites of the pro-democracy movements, which if passed would change the foeign policy directives towards Ethiopia and East Africa and complement the KAEUP’s effort to negotiate for the 8-point preconditions for fair and free elections, US Ambassador testified in congress to uphold.
The integrated approach, I was taking about with having to cordinate effort by the positive forces of integration istead of undermining each others moves and for those in the negative forces of disintegration, upholding the the ethnic and seccessionist agenda to unite over the common strategy for Unity, Teritorial Integrity, Sovereignity of Ethiopia and Ethiopians over strategies each fation has adopted to tilt the balance from the negative forces of disintegration to positive forces of integration. Currently with forces upholding the status quo, the balance is towards that of the negative forces. Ethiopians can only freed by the their own people, we do not have other countries to do the job for us, they could only come to our side if Ethiopians stand united over the common goals and strategies. When the dust settles, every faction with ethnic and/or seccionist agenda and those with national agenda may have to cmpaign with their platform to convince the silent majority of Ethiopians to govern by the consent of the governed. The western donors are there to promote and support the formation of democratic institutions, fair and free elections, monitor the elections and endorse the elected party to the Office and support the struggle for freedom of the individuals, human right and democracy through perhaps HR2003 S 3457.
February 8th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Dear Dr.Al
I think it is better to give up on any western or foreign intervention in Ethiopia’s internal affairs.They have a lot to lose and they don’t care. To direct your apeal to any foreign entity or gov. is naive at best and misleading.I think the issue in Ethiopia is not only a matter to Ethiopians it is an issue that the region must stand against. That could be done at the ballot box in virginia ad other swing state. We can’t tip toe around the issues expecting to remain in the good graces of Obama and expect o lead or achieve any thing meaningful. It pains me to see all your energy directed at the wrong things. Meles and his TPLF bodies are the cancer that need to be removed by the people in the region. You shouls join in that effort.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Professor , You have written very well and we all have to shout loud until all our political prisoners are released.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
The honorable professor has told to the “western diplomats” the fact and what should they hear from a true patriotic Ethiopian! This is what we say in our country “lek lekun negerew” or “Eske-angetu negerew”!
Dear professor I think this article would have impact on the coming so called “election”. at least we have told to the West what we believe befor the “Election” takes place.
“Ye Ethiopia amlak kante gar yihun”! Is my “Merekat”!
Thank you so much “Ye-Ethiopia Alegnta” dear Al-Mariam!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
The honorable professor has told to the “western diplomats” the fact and what should they hear from a true patriotic Ethiopian! This is what we say in our country “lek lekun negerew” or “Eske-angetu negerew”!Dear professor I think this article would have impact on the coming so called “election”. at least we have told to the West what we believe befor the “Election” takes place.
“Ye Ethiopia amlak kante gar yihun”! Is my “Merekat”!
Thank you so much “Ye-Ethiopia Alegnta” dear Al-Mariam!!!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Thanks Professor. Tell it like it is. The hypocracy and double dealing by Western diplomacy even at the age of Obama is so outrageous.
When it comes to human rights violation by the potentate tyrant in Ethiopia they are “pusillanimous pussyfooters and gossipy nabobs of cowardice” as Prof. Alemayehu call them. But when it comes to human right violations in Iran they got the courage and make this following bold statement:
“The large-scale detentions and mass trials, the threatened execution of protesters, the intimidation of family members of those detained and the continuing denial to its citizens of the right to peaceful expression are contrary to human rights norms,” they said.”
Read Full story at
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/02/08/iran.human.rights/index.html?section=cnn_latest
Where was this courage when 250 protestors were killed in streets of Addis, followed by mass arrest of tens of thousands of opposition party supporters? Haven’t they blamed the protestors, opposition party leaders and the Honorable Anna Gomez instead? What a bunch of shameless people. God will bring the day when they will be accounted to what they had said and had done.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:21 am
dear al mariam,
you write so many articles, however al just in vain because the audience is already aware of woyane atrocities.
I believe you should direct copy of your writings to amnesty international, ICC, genocidewatch, UN, whitehouse, senate, transparency international etc…
eventhough you claim to work in the field of law, you failed to bring the murderes legesse zenawi infront of justice. HR2003 also failed in last minute. Still now you kept quiet about it. how sad.
it is also very sad that so many so called lawyers and paper doctors like shakespear feyissa are just good for nothing.
god bless.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:12 am
tesfaye
why you rush to judge him with your small eye. He hasn’t failed in anything. what ever you expect from him, is expected from you too. you are both the same citizen.
do what you think he couldn’t do. Don’t lecture and judge him based on your mind set. Sitting behind doing nothing and commenting on what people do will do nothing other than belittling yourself.