U! U-tachin
U- U Tachin!
Hell hath no fury than a Melesocrasy scorned.
Ethiopians in Addis Abeba wanted to show their protest against the government by screaming and wailing at a certain hour, and also honking their car horns. For that, Prime Minister’s government shot and killed 10 people. This is how a ‘democratic’ government handles protest. It is a follow up to the June 8 massacres where 42 people died for speaking out.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Meles showed the world again that he does not take rejection well.
What kind of government kills its people in response to peaceful protests? The kind that knows it is on its way out and is hell bent on taking down the country with it.
The playbook has not changed. Prime Minister Meles continued to blame the opposition parties for his killing spree.
No one ever said that killing unarmed people was ever a challenge for the Ethiopian government.
Here is a devastating quote:
Whatever measures? I guess the jungle mentality gets lost in translation when you try playing ‘I am a Democrat’ in the real world.
The Wonqville Meles Terror Alert has been duly raised to “I am on a Killing Spree” Red.
When he eventually falls from power, Ato Meles better pray that the Ethiopian people are kinder to him that he has been to them.
In the meantime… egziyooo!
Hell hath no fury than a Melesocrasy scorned.
Ethiopians in Addis Abeba wanted to show their protest against the government by screaming and wailing at a certain hour, and also honking their car horns. For that, Prime Minister’s government shot and killed 10 people. This is how a ‘democratic’ government handles protest. It is a follow up to the June 8 massacres where 42 people died for speaking out.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Meles showed the world again that he does not take rejection well.
Hundreds of heavily armed riot police were deployed across the city as the sound
of heavy machine guns and loud explosions rocked the city.
…
The injured
include a seven year old boy who was shot in the hip.
What kind of government kills its people in response to peaceful protests? The kind that knows it is on its way out and is hell bent on taking down the country with it.
The playbook has not changed. Prime Minister Meles continued to blame the opposition parties for his killing spree.
Information Minister Berhanu Hailu played down the violence.
"The violent
situation is continuing in some parts of the city, but it's not a big challenge
to the government," he told reporters, blaming the CUD for instigating Tuesday's
clashes.
No one ever said that killing unarmed people was ever a challenge for the Ethiopian government.
Here is a devastating quote:
"We are protesting because the government stole the election. People are angryAto Meles’ government is not just cruel. It is vicious.
because the police are very cruel," said Ghebremichael Ayele, dragging pieces of
wood to block a road leading to the capital's biggest hospital.
"The government will not tolerate these actions, and it will take whatever
measures [are necessary] to keep law and order."
Whatever measures? I guess the jungle mentality gets lost in translation when you try playing ‘I am a Democrat’ in the real world.
The Wonqville Meles Terror Alert has been duly raised to “I am on a Killing Spree” Red.
"To blame us for this violence is madness. The trouble was incited by the
government simply because people were supporting us by hooting their car horns,
the measures that the police took ... were excessive," [opposition member]
Gizachew said.
When he eventually falls from power, Ato Meles better pray that the Ethiopian people are kinder to him that he has been to them.
In the meantime… egziyooo!
posted by ET Wonqette at Wednesday, November 02, 2005
26 Comments:
Wonk, I appreciate the change of tone on your blog. Now your are as always sensible, but like most of us mad, mad at the world that allows this to happen in broad day light, mad at the powers that be to proclaim as keepers of democracy and spend billions of dollars in Iraq, but failing to even recognize the plight and terror Ethiopians are going thru. For more than a hundred year Europe and the US has continually ignored for whatever reason the cry of the Ethiopians for freedom from external repression and now from internal repression. What we need to understand is only us can keep the flame of freedom burning until we get it. For those of us outside the country this is the time to put our money where our feeling is. It is now or never.
I haven't been this speechless and heartbroken for a long time -- goes all the way back to my mom's funeral well over a decade ago! and I used to be the first to say, hold your fire boys, to all the supporters of the opposition -- well, times have changed! WHATEVER it takes!!! Those of us who have been preaching Mahtama Ghandi style of revolution against TPLF, we got our calls answered yesterday, and if in case it wasn't clear enough, more clarification today. The boys of the summer of '91 who dared discuss how to secede before the "constitution" is changed in the aftermath of the election are surely determined to take down the whole country with them. Anonymous, you can't be more right, it's NOW or NEVER! But, let me say it succinctly, it's either the TIGRIANS or the rest of ETHIOPIA --to those who would love to be politically correct and curse me for being blunt and playing the ethnic card, you can kiss my skinny ass! The Tigrians have set the rules of the game and now they have to play by them -- it's the fourth quarter and the bottom of the 9th inning, you can't change the rules in the middle of the game and there's no REPLAY in life and death! Yes, it's either the new generation of Tigrians who "fought" for "their" freedom and realized their being Ethiopians in 1990 when the renamed themselves EPRDF, or the rest of US, who have always been Ethiopians first regardless of our ethnic background.
I am hoping all these blood is shed so that Ethiopia regain her sovergnity and sea outlets. I hope all is not to make someone or some party come to power. In this era of neo-conservatism power struggle are being conducted in the name of the People.
Ye Filwiha Lij...
It has nothing to do with being politically correct. It has to do with being a human being. The minute you assign behavior to ethnicity you have lost the "wiha" in your "fil." You confer an "iqa" status to your foe. I refuse to label another human as "iqa."
Just in the past thirty years we've had similar labels such as adhari, jemala, somali, tsere-abyotegna, shabia, amarayti.... Let's refrain from playing those tunes, again and again and again! Especially in moments of crisis when it's essential that we discern issues clearly. Otherwise, we’ll wallow in the same mud pool in perpetuity.
The bloodshed that we witnessed in the last couple of days is spilt by a band of THUGS (which include many individuals who do not hail from Adwa). Let's unleash our wrath and vituperations against the thugs and not against a population who happen to come from a particular region.
In the classic conflict resolution model opposing sides need to display willingness to address each side's needs and concerns. EPRDF, despite appeals by Ethiopians and the international community, showed nothing but arrogance and was adamant about even negotiating on the watered-down 8 point plan presented by the opposition. CUD had bent backwards to a accommodate EPRDF.
Ethiopians now have every right to define their enemy squarely even at the risk of being labeled politically incorrect. The ruling clique is deliberately Tigrean with clearly defined hegemonistic interests that can only be realized through a destabilized and fractured Ethiopia. They are sworn to shade blood, give up territory and maim citizens to realize their evil dreams.
How else could you fight such an obvious enemy but through a struggle that should rise to the next level?
Dear Wonketters -- a Plea to All!
Here's a call from an "iqa" as anonymous just slighted me (anonymous, trust me I was like you and it's not without reason why I said what I said - but nevermind that for today).
I just noticed that Jimmy Carter will be on Larry King Live tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST on CNN, and they say he would take calls.
I'm definitely going to call the producers and call Carter on his assessment about the Ethiopian elections in light of not only the June 8th but also these two days massacre (I don't mind cajoling the producers and call screeners on Carter's "great accomplishments" in "spreading democracy" in Africa, as long as they put me on the air). If successful, it puts our appeal on the air for at least a couple of minutes - though in the end it may still not mean much.
The reason for my post here is, I happen to know how producers and call screeners of such highly rated (in this case, overrated show) work. They will very likely not put any one with accent on air, and the only Ethiopian girl I know without accent is not returning my calls (damn her)!
So, may be if more of us try, they may put one of us on air. If you're gonna try calling, it is a good idea to have your statement and question prepared; and if put on air, immediately lower the volume of your TV to the minimum or may be even just turn the caption on - the standard tips to any first time caller!
P.S. Wonki, hope you won't feel that I'm "usurping" your medium and clout here.
Kuchiye,
The implication in your Ethiopians/EPRDF or Ethiopians/their enemies dichotomies is clear. Again, like my good neighbor from the borough of Filweha, you frame your argument through the faulty “politically correct/incorrect” prism.
If you cannot accept EPRDF’s preposterous conceit that attempts to corner us into racial enclaves, you, by the same token, cannot define the EPRDF leadership by something as random, fickle and ephemeral as ethnicity. While it is true that Meles and many of his top brass define themselves as Tigreyans first and foremost and that during the 1970s many of our urban youths branded themselves as Internationalist Marxist first and Ethiopian second, it does not follow that all Tigreyans are xenophobes from Adwa or that all young cosmopolitans are Internationalists.
Simple logic but one that needs to be stated over and over and over and over again until we’ve purged ourselves from Meles & Co.’s inane but lethal ethnic epidemic.
Whether you or I like it or not, members of EPRDF are…Ethiopians. Just like our butcher-on-the-run in Zimbabwe! We can condemn their motives, curse the day they saw the light of day, make them accountable for their savagery (hopefully, very soon) but we cannot strip them of their nationality. I find this attempt from all sides to be hubristic. Nobody has that right except for the person him/herself.
hate breeds hate.. stop spewing poisoneous propaganda if you really wish to fix Ethiopian problems.. it is the culture of intolerance, messafint mentality that is behind all the strife. Politicians (and ethiopians are no exception)do not deserve our worship.. keep regurgating hatred.. and the ever elusive ethiopian peace will remain as elusive.
I am a tigrian and I do not take pleasure in what's happening. However, I do not see hopeful signs from the other side either.. certainly not from the hate propaganda spewed by the kinds of yefil..
Dear anonymous:
Funny you speak against poisonous propaganda and yet speak in terms of your side and "the other side"
CUD tirelessly urges citizens not to fall victim to EPRDF's propaganda and harbor hatred against Tigreans. It tirelessly appeals to all Tigreans to join hands with their brethren in fighting dictatorship.
On the other hand, the Tigrean ruling gang has nothing to show pursuing the cause of reconciliation and harmony. In fact the records show that the group is bent on sawing the seeds of discord and ethnic conflict.
Does this remind us of the case of the whip (Jiraf) that lashes and yet cry with a shrill?
ETW said...
Ye Filwuha,
Meles and Co. would be as vicious if they were from Brooklyn. The momement we define the situation in the Meles perfected tribalization paradigm is the moment we lose the intellectual argument. And you, dear Filly-wuha, are way way above that. Our side-- the side that is appalled by this kind of murder-- doesn't play that. And I refuse to be that.
In the meantime, E'gziyo.
How come word verification's not working with IE?
Anyway, just let it all out people. Scream and shout and let out your anger so that we can return to the rationality which is the only means to achieving our goal, which, I gather, is democracy in Ethiopia.
CUD was, is, and forever will be a 100% peaceful movement. The reasoning behind this has been outlined a million times, but just in case the latest rush of anger has dimmed our memories:
1. An armed movement will retard social development and result in another dictator.
2. It will retard economic development.
3. It will result in death and destruction, and not a few dozen or hundred.
4. It requires tremendous resources, including time.
5. A peaceful movement, in order to succeed, must first advance social development.
6. Since the root of Ethiopia's problems is social underdevelopment, a peaceful movement by addressing it directly will advance the cause of democracy.
7. A peaceful movement will be supported by the international community to a much larger extent than an armed movement.
Just a refresher, ladies and gents.
And the funny thing is that we've barely cobbled together a decent peace movement! One can't seriously say we've tried our best, not by any stretch of the imagination.
The opposition are severely underfunded. There is tremendous infighting. Their organizations are infants when it comes to efficiency.
The day we have an umbrella peace and democracy movement with one stop shopping in the diaspora where people give money and assert accountability, with one lobby organization, that will be the day. We are a long way from that. But we'll get there.
I am so mad I can't even think straight. I am mad at this goatfaced piece of shit meles monster. I am mad at his mehayim henchmen and murderers and I am mad to think that passively allowing those assholes to oppress us was not an option my people were willing to take.
I'm just a feri bitch I guess.
But I know not to fight with stones against a fucking psycho with guns.
[URGENT]
Wonq,
The BBC is asking for Ethiopian bloggers to participate on a programme on BBC World Service Radio, called World Have Your Say. Today, they're devoting a chunk of their broadcast to Ethiopia. They're going on the air at 1800GMT. PLEASE STEP UP AND SPEAK FOR ALL OF US. Email me at blogs@admas.net or beyene@tezeta.org and I will put in contact with the presenter.
Ethio Pundit said:
"We're not buying any of the rumors of war - the issue of war is a sideshow to distract from the real issues that Ethiopians and Eritreans have to deal with."
19-year-old Tigest Daniel, whose mother suffered gunshot wounds: “How can they shoot women? Don’t they know that women are mothers?”
C’mon Tigist, you young Ethiopians are a new breed of so doggone ungovernable hooligans, what’s left for a “new breed of a reformist leader” to do but shoot your mothers?
Precedent.
“One who breaks an unjust law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect of law.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” in “Why We Can’t Wait” (1963)
“Power and violence are opposites; where the one rules absolutely, the other is absent. Violence appears where power is in jeopardy, but left to its own course it ends in power’s disappearance.”
- Hannah Arendt, German-born U.S. Political philosopher. “Crises of the Republic, ‘On Violence’” (1972)
“Fascism is not defined by the number of its victims, but by the way it kills them.
- Jean-Paul Sartre
“Every country has its own constitution; ours is absolutism moderated by assassination.”
- Anonymous Russian. Quoted in: Count Münster, “Political Sketches of the State of Europe 1814-1867" (1868).
“Like all weak men he laid an exaggerated stress on not changing one’s mind.”
- W. Somerset Maugham. “Of Human Bondage,” Ch. 39 (1915)
All I can say is that I am totally outraged. There’s nothing more heart wrenching than watching fellow Ethiopians being shot indiscriminately and lying in pools of blood. The anger, anguish and feelings of total helplessness demonstrated in the faces of mothers whose sons and daughters are being blown away by government troops. What kind of government is? And what kind of government allows this to happen? I tried to reason with myself and failed miserably. I tried to see the situation from the other person’s perspective – but any empathy that I might have had just went out the window.
It didn’t have to come to this. May this be a lesson to all of us. The price to be paid for not listening to each other and not treating each other as equals is too great.
It is my sincerest wish that this situation would be not repeated. I am praying that people would come to their senses and get beyond their rage and anger and deal with the problem for what it is. The problem might be surpressed for now but this is a black cloud for generations and generations to come. Wenetim E’gzyio.
Dear Kuchiye,
How can you hold me responsible for the actions of the government? Am I guilty by association? You don't get it, do you? It shouldn't take too much to figure out, should it.. Anyways it doesn't matter what I say.. you are probably dept on finding some group guilty.. it is easy to mobilize people when you tell them the cause of their suffering is some tigrians..
Having said as much.. my heart bleeds for all that died. We have the luxury to talk, make unrealistic congenctures.. mean while people are really getting hit, someone's son, daughter is getting killed. Someone's dad is not coming back home.. for those victims I grieve. No amount of politics will compensate their loss. I grieve for our people, be they Oromo, (God I hate I have to use these words!), Amara, Tigre, Gurage.. they are all our people. I grew up, went to school, lived with them. They are my people.. and I can't help but grieve..
Ye filwiha:
I absoulutely agree with you I am mad as hell by the bloody and barbaric repression unleashed by the clique in power. They have once again shown they will stop at nothing to remain in power.
But what is this lashing out at all Tigreans? Did not Hailu Shawl say the majority of Tigreans in Addis voted for CUD?
We have to be careful not to fall into the hands of the enemy.
Thank you for all that you do to give us a voice online. Keep up the good work.
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Dear anonymous:
My hearty apology if I had implied all Ethiopians of Tigrai origin are responsible for the barbaric acts of a “ruling clique” that is predominantly Tigrean and whose core political philosophy is based on outdated narrow nationalism.
Without sounding patronizing I know of many like you who have the best interest of Ethiopia and Ethiopians at heart.
While I am on the subject I would like to take issue with a bewildering trait of far too many Tigreans who seem to have gotten stuck on narrow ethnic tendencies. Considering the head start Tigreans have over their Ethiopian folks with regard to civilization, religion and culture, is it unreasonable to expect them to have a more global outlook? Is it unreasonable to expect them to be Ethiopians first and Tigreans next? I can assure you this bewildering narrow tendency of not too few Tigreans is perplexing for many in Ethiopia.
No amount of explanation based on the Marxian world outlook of nations and nationalities is acceptable. Thanks for the chat.
Dear Kuchiye... I am not a nationalist and i wouldn't attempt to answer your question.. simply because I don't know. I hope you'll share it when you get it figured out.
But the behaiour you described is not unique to Tigreans.. Just look around among the various groups.. they tend to feel more comfortable among their members.. sometimes shamelessly alienating others.
You probably are very lucky if had no such experience.
No - I am not a 'marxist'. I don't know enough to be or not to be one. I leave that to you discerning intellect.
Case closed!
Thank you so much!
Who should govern this nation? CUD? Or should we attempt to hold another election? Is it realistic to even dream of fair elections in one of the poorest countries in the world? Or are we sticking to what we know best: killing to gain power?
Is replacing the current govt with another questionable govt really the answer to Ethiopia’s problems?
Do you really think the CUD will be any different from the current govt? If history is any indicator of the future, they probably wont be b/c we still haven’t changed our mentality or the power structure. The only real difference is which ethnic group will benefit from the new dictators.
It also amazes me that there is so much political discussion around ethnicity but not about the political agenda of the various parties. Not to mention, that we never speak or comment on what they have to offer Ethiopia. We should be focusing on their education, their experience and thier skills for governing such a large nation.
In my opinion, our problems are not the fault of the current govt but rather the inability to have a smooth transition of power. As far as I know, Ethiopia has never had a transition of government/leaders without bloodshed. We need to have intelligent dialogue on how we can move from one political party to the next without it being an allout ethnic war.
Its disheartening to see how much hate we have for one another based on our ethnicity. What’s really shocking is the ignorance amongst even the most educated Ethiopians. If we continue to side with ethnic based idealogies then we are headed for a disasterous future. We have so many real issues (AIDS, faminie, proverty) to deal with that we need to get past the ethnic division that is so blatant in our politics. We need to look to nations with diverse populations, that have been successful in achieving equality and respect for all ethnic groups if we ever want to live together peaceful under one Ethiopia (or, if we decide to be neighbors).
We should, at the minium, be capable of respecting and embracing our differences. What good does all this hateful language do? We are one of THE POOREST countries in the world and all we do is fight. It’s even more disgusting listening/reading the ignorance that comes from our educated class. So many of us have been privileged to recieve higher education all over the West, but it seems that few of us have been able to apply it in an effective and constructive manner to truly help our country grow and prosper.
We have an extremely self-destructive mentality that needs to be addressed. As an activist in DC, I have attempted to bring light to some of the real problems of Ethiopia, such as AIDS, and it’s always shocked me the lack of concern and the lack of motivation to even attempt to address the epidemic. I would be suprised if I was ever able to find 100 interested and concerned Ethiopians attend an event concerning AIDS. But if you’re holding a social event then you’ve got thousands of Ethiopians lined up.
We need to wake up and examine ourselves and the hate many of us hold in our hearts….
p.s. Black informant, there’s (at least) 2 sides to every story. Why not print an article from both perspective or at the minium acknowledge the other side. Additionally, you should be careful what you print. Many Ethiopians are promoting an ethnic war which would have a devasting effect on all Ethiopians.Ethiopia has a very complicated and polarized history.
So please do a little more research before you make your statments.
please disregard the ps .. not applicable here.
Anonymous,
With all due respect, you meander through issues and lob off non sequiturs with alarming craftsmanship.
“Do you really think the CUD will be any different from the current govt?” Absolutely YES! And if they end up not delivering on their promises, then we will make room for others to lead.
It also amazes me that there is so much political discussion around ethnicity
HUH? The dots to your logic are a little on the hazy side. Tribalization is the EPRDF’s game. Maybe you should preach this to them?
In my opinion, our problems are not the fault of the current govt but rather the inability to have a smooth transition of power.
No. We are having an un jagged transition of power because of this government.
If we continue to side with ethnic based idealogies then we are headed for a disasterous future.
Oh, I get it. Unfortunately, this forum won’t allow you to irgo zinb your way through broad, half-masticated hyperbole. But nice try.
Ke akbrot gar.
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