Ethiopia’s transition misrepresented. Reply to Obang Metho

… To set the record, Mr. Obang, my self as part of his admirers and supporters, started out his career in search of justice for his own people, the Agnawa, who were massacred cold bloodedly by tplf in 2003.

… It is indeed baffling to read such a negative characterization from a leader like him often associated with an inclusive patriotism under the auspices of Ethiopia as our common home and heritage. Mr. Obang writes about the recent law enforcement in Tigray in a way that distances himself, downplays the treasonous attack on Ethiopia by tplf and hint to blame the Federal government. Reading Mr. Obang’s text make me….

OPINION BY MR LEMMA DESTA

Lemma Desta[1]

On 7^th April social justice and human rights activist Mr. Obang Metho published an alarmist article that mispresent the transformation taking place in Ethiopia. It is indeed baffling to read such a negative characterization from a leader like him often associated with an inclusive patriotism under the auspices of Ethiopia as our common home and heritage. Mr. Obang writes about the recent law enforcement in Tigray in a way that distances himself, downplays the treasonous attack on Ethiopia by tplf and hint to blame the Federal government. Reading Mr. Obang’s text make me wonder what happened to his conviction of TPLF as the culprit of many of the pain in our country of the last 30 plus years. Mr. Obang’s account of the law enforcement operations downplays the treasonous and dangerous nature of the threat. Moreover, its fails to recognize the unavoidable nature of the response of the federal government. Worse is the claims of accusations that federal government blocked access, shut down internet and telecommunication make Mr. Obang opportunistically aligning himself to the narratives of forces wishing to pressure Ethiopia to succumb.

Mr. Obang rightly claim that recent and unabated spiral of violence destroying and disrupting life as well as causing worry in larger parts of the country. But unfortunately, Mr. Obang, fails to address the intricate nature of source of violence in our society. True that he lists out places and incidents where violence has occurred but leaves to make readers understand the threats a society in transition is facing. We have a deep-seated injustice, maladministration but also are facing extreme pressure of power grab via polarizing identity-politics and radicalization from within and forces of divide-rule from outside.

When Ethiopia is facing so enormous challenges from all sides, the least we need is Mr. Obang adding more doubt and benzene on the fire of distrust. Yes, it is true violence is taking lives in Oromia, Benishagul-Gumuz, in the adjacent areas of Afar-Somali region, in parts of SNNPR region, while hit and run crimes in Addis Ababa and the emerging terror style violence in Tigray. Sudan and Egypt are also beating drums of war, while one can not rule out the Atlantic powers could anytime make up their mind to find any excuse to bomb Ethiopia and Eritrea. Yes, the brave, patriotic, peace-loving Ethiopian people of all walks of life, ethnicity or faith, are not the source of the violence, nor the Federal government entities are killing people at will, as we used to.

Much of the ongoing threat of violence in Ethiopia are orchestrated by invisible forces utilizing our vulnerable entry points. In such a desperate hour for our county and our society, the least we expect is one of us to echo the same claims of our enemies and distractors. Our motherland might be struggling, facing mounting pressure from inside and outside, but there is an impressive resilient side amid challenges. Ethiopia is standing up for her just cause and defining her sovereignty, integrity and ability to deal with her domestic affairs without orders from London, Brussels or DC.

Our leaders have taken principled stand to defend not only our country but also our continent in the GERD negotiations proving the fact that our world must get used to the fact that Ethiopia and Africa are rising. Much of the violence on the ground, boarder, in diplomacy or on twitter is aimed to weaken Ethiopia from inside and outside. It is aimed to cause us to fight each other, become enemies of each other. Singing out one group to attack or to favor is part of the game of causing us distrust, divide and kill each other. Ethiopians expect the leader like Mr. Obang understand this and work to rally to unify Ethiopians. In many countries, when tragedies occur leaders across the political divide unite to focus to defend and address the problem as a nation. When Americans go to war in the name and for the interest of the American people, at least at the starting phase, all Americans rally behind the nation. I still have high hopes Mr. Obang makes up his mind towards rallying all our people to stand in unity towards among others

ending the instability in all parts of the country specially Tigray
heling the reconstruction and healing trauma in Tigray
securing our interest in GERD negotiations
debunking misinformation causing undue international pressure
manage the rising COVID-19
completing the political reform by conducting a peaceful, credible parliamentary election

To set the record, Mr. Obang, my self as part of his admirers and supporters, started out his career in search of justice for his own people, the Agnawa, who were massacred cold bloodedly by tplf in 2003. His search for justice led him start the Anuak justice council, from where he realized the need to advocate for the rights and freedoms of all Ethiopians, even all humanity. It was those convictions that led to the establishment of the organization “solidarity movement for a new Ethiopia” with the overarching motto of “humanity before ethnicity and no one is free until we all are free.” Mr. Obang must return to promoting those values ushering the emergence of a new Ethiopia where we no longer be divided and kill each other on the account of ethnicity.

[1] Engaged for Ethiopia, a former member of SMNE, reside in Norway working as advisor in the field of migration and multiculturalism.

https://zehabesha.com/ethiopia-is-at-risk-of-becoming-a-failed-state-what-will-you-do/