Strategic and Cleaver-Politick: A Response to Tedla Asfaw

By Tecola W. Hagos

October 14, 2009

I read the recent article by Tedla Asfaw, �Medrek, the last hope of Kilil Politics in Ethiopia,� in Abbay Media, with great interest. Tedla Asfaw encapsulated in one very short essay the most important divide in those who want to effect fundamental changes in the system of government and bring about new leadership in Ethiopia. Though the patriotic intention of the article is quite clear, it lacked subtlety and simple political strategy. I understand the political agony the author is going through being in a situation of no choice, incapacitated by dictatorial political power structure, being a distant observer (not by choice), completely barred from involvement locally in the political process et cetera in Ethiopia. I understand also the cynicism in the title of the article itself, I do hope, in the long run, we all would avoid hopelessness.

I wish the author had shown some restraint from labeling the leading members of the opposition who have formed Medrek as �TPLF known loyalists,� a phrase that simply discredit his otherwise profound concern about the �politicks� of Ethiopia. The people named as �loyalists� by Tedla Asfaw in his short essay are not newcomers to the political scene of dissent or controversies in Ethiopia. Just like all great politicians, they have evolved. We may say other unflattering things about them, but it is absurd to label them as TPLF loyalists at this point. Another factual error by Tedla Asfaw is to identify Gebru Asrat as the �real force behind Medrek.� This is simply a statement of panic and maybe an expression of anti-Tigray sentiment. Gebru Asrat has limited support even within his Kilil constituents, although enough to give him a national voice. In no way he can be described as �real force behind Medrek.� I do not appreciate the statement of Mesfin Woldemariam (on VOA) accusing Gizachew Sheferaw (Andnet) of abandoning the principles of Unity, as quoted by Tedla Asfaw in his article. I think Gizachew Sheferaw and Andnet leaders made a wise decision when they joined Medrek. I believe the leaders of Andnet have understood real politick and are using what ever little political power available to them wisely.    

I am one thousand percent opposed to the �Kilil� structure formally introduced and implemented by EPRDF that was spearheaded by TPLF and Meles Zenwi and close associates. One must consider the legislative history of the 1995 Constitution that formally established the Kilil system of state structure in order to have reasonable understanding of the process that was used to have the system in place. Even then that would be also a partial look at the process, for we have to go all the way to the time of Emperor Haile Selassie I who had effectively destroyed regional traditional autonomy and unnecessarily used force and intimidation to destroy the traditional structure of what modern day political scientists would call nascent federal structure. Simply to label the end result of a long drawn process that ended up in a most destructive phase (Meles Zenawi�s Kilil) as the only cause of our current political and economic problems does not help Ethiopians, especially those who are most concerned about the unity and integrity of Ethiopia, to save Ethiopia from civil war and disintegration.

Medrek has come a long way than most of us, in its thinking, and both in its strategy and vision. People seem to forget that the Members of Medrek are functioning in real-time and physical proximity to the dictatorial often brutal Meles Zenawi and his enforcers.  Moreover, it is the minimum requirement that all political parties accept the current Constitution that formalized the Kilil system. No political organization will survive or even get registered if it formally opposes the provisions of the Constitution. Because of such restrictive process of allowing the creation and registration of political organizations, all registered political organizations have a blanket acceptance of the provisions of the Constitution. If there is change to be made, it is anticipated to be made in accordance with procedures laid out in the Constitution itself. All registered political organizations may effectively use that process if they succeeded to have a certain numbers of representatives and take leadership away from the EPRDF. Nothing could stand in their way from trashing such divisive articles that created already rifts between people. Here is where strategy, tact, political savvy, and courage may play a decisive role.

It is absolutely impressive and worthy of applaud that Medrek in its recent release of its draft political program did not mention once Article 39 of the Constitution in adherence, but countered the principles contained in that Article 39 of secessionist principle by stating in no uncertain terms that Medrek Members work for the singular principle and goal to maintain the Unity and integrity of Ethiopia. Of course, their stand does not go as far as I would have liked them to state, but I can afford to be idealistic to the n^th degree without any personal risk to my life or belonging, for I am living in the United States safe from the brutality of Meles Zenawi and his enforcers.   

Just because one has thirty two teeth one cannot chew thirty two items all at once. In fact, there is a much better Ethiopian proverb than this, �Yechekole afso lekeme.� In other word, we need be cautious and reflective, and holistic in our statements in connection with opposition politics. Tedla Asfaw picked the wrong group for his criticism. The individuals that deserve our contempt are Hailu Shawel, Lidetu Ayalew, and sadly Mesfin Woldemariam (in his juvenile like public political tantrum). I am saying this not so much on the issue of principles these gentlemen espouse, but for their lack of foresight. They are now being used by Meles Zenawi in ways that are not much different than he used his thugs. What a tragic conclusion for a couple of them, especially in the life of Hailu Shawel and Mesfin Woldemariam who are near eighty years old. For all of them should have been part of Medrek and reform it if there are some outstanding political millstone to be overcome.

There is this wonderful Ethiopian proverb that I suggest Tedla Asfaw to consider, and maybe revise his black-white dichotomy between political players: �Eshohin bashohe.�  Let us all take a fresh look at the current political situation in Ethiopia this way. Ethiopia has one single formidable and very destructive enemy in Meles Zenawi, the rest of his supporters are just �lol�s.� Meles Zenawi is at the pinnacle of his power, from hence he can only go down. In other words he is at the crest of this political wave that carried him to potion of power, which point is also the most unstable position.  What is needed at such point is a power contender that will dislodge such powerful leader, thus lowering the concentration of power. For the people of Ethiopia it is much easier to push out of office  or dictate democratic principles to a newly formed government of Medrek and coalition than it is right now to reform or push out of office Meles and his group. Let Medrek help us get rid of Meles, after that we can dictate our terms to Medrek or whosoever takes over. What we need to do in the mean time is to organize ourselves through both political organizations and civil associations of every kind.   

Tecola W. Hagos

October 14, 2009  

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Appendix: From Abbay Media

Medrek, the last hope of Kilil Politics in Ethiopia

Posted in October 14th, 2009

by Editor in Analysis

by Tedla Asfaw

The TPLF known loyalists, Beyene Petros, Merara Gudina, Negasso Gidada and others  will never retire from political circus until their master Meles Zenawi is forced out of the political stage by peoples revolt or �Yegodan Newte�. Well if you do not subscribe to kilil politics and force TPLF from  power, Ethiopia will brake apart like the former Soviet Union or Yugoslavia according to the current chairman of Medrek, Dr. Merara Gudina.

The TPLF �kilil� is an arbitrary drawn line that has no legitimacy in the Ethiopians eye and we are not going to be scared by what will happen after the demise of TPLF and its servants. The real force behind Medrek, However,  is Gebru Asrat, Arena party leader who is preparing himself to be the first  Sovereign Tigray Republic leader after the �disintegration� of Ethiopia.

So called  �prominent� individuals like Dr. Negasso Gidada and Seye Abraha are known Kilil politics defenders who failed from Meles� favor on personal agendas. They wanted to replace TPLF by Arena, EPRDF by Medrek. Professor Mesfin Woldemariam on VOA Amharic yesterday denounced few  UDJP members and leaders  like Giizachgew Sheferaw who is the vice president of Medrek  for abandoning their party principle of Unity, Democracy  and Justice to the Kilil lords of Gebru, Seye, Merara, Beyene, Bulcha etc.

There is no difference between the current tribal warlords and the one who are conspiring to replace it by using  poor Ethiopians �vote�.  TPLF did not ask the support of Ethiopians to topple Mengistu Hailemariam and is right for not asking the peoples vote to stay on power. TPLF is expected to rule for many years as reward to its sacrifice. It has also been true that TPLF will not allow anyone or organization who has not endorsed the Kilil politics to come to power in a free and fair election.

The cry of �no level field� we heard from Dr. Negasso Gidada recently travelling to Dembidollo his birthplace by talking to few people is not about �no level field� it is about �no field�. People are not allowed to speak, organize freely and those who are allowed to speak their opinion are only those who bought the philosophy of  Kilil.

Ethiopians in Dombidolo and other places what they demand is real freedom to choose their representatives and condemn all who have been conspiring with  TPLF for more than two decades including Negasso Gidadda who is now complaining about no level field that has been true for more than twenty years including his time as a President of Ethiopia. People over there might have told Negasso that he is part of the problem too.

The option our people have is to reject both TPLF/EPRDF and its clone Arena/Medrek. Let them organize their election circus paid by donor nations. We know the divide and rule of Kilil politics is on its last breath and it is up to us to deny them the remaining available Oxygen by saying no to Kilil Politics and rejecting their election circus this coming summer.