by Alem Mamo
The suffocatingly oppressive political rule of TPLF/EPRDF has continued to terrorize the people of Ethiopia, denying them their basic human rights to live in peace, dignity, and inclusive harmony. Since coming to power in 1991, the TPLF-led regime has implemented a deliberate system of permanent polarization and suspicion between and among communities. Obviously, the objective of this policy of permanent polarization and compartmentalized order is to weaken the ability of the Ethiopian people to resist and defeat this brutal totalitarian regime.
The genesis and history of TPLF/EPRDF is deeply tied with its addiction to violence, murder, torture, and mass terrorization. The events of the last two weeks in Addis Ababa, Ambo, and other parts of the country are a clear testament of TPLF/EPRDF’s violent nature and it’s disregard for the sanctity and dignity of human life. First, there was the arrest of nine Zone 9 bloggers for no other reason than reporting and speaking truth to power. These young members of Zone 9 are representatives of their generation, committed to taking their rightful place in history. They knew all too well that the regime’s intolerance and even disdain for press freedom could make them a prime target. However, these young budding journalists/bloggers continued to inform the public and expose the crimes of the regime to the world, even if it meant going to jail and facing all physical and psychological suffering that comes with imprisonment. Their arrest has reaffirmed the fact of the TPLF/EPRDF regime’s unflinching commitment to keeping the people of Ethiopia under its clenched fist, and their fear of what Zone 9 bloggers/journalists are doing to report and resist. As the bloggers/journalists have articulated, there are two types of prisons in Ethiopia: the notorious Makalawi (which is divided into 8 zones) and prison dungeons spread all across the county; and the open-air prison which is the entire country (and where the name Zone 9 comes from). The bravery of these young bloggers/journalists is a profound lesson to all who fight for democracy, freedom, and justice, and their message is clear – freedom is not free!
The other major event that took place over this past week is the demonstration and subsequent massacre of students at Ambo University in the western part of the country. The students were demonstrating against the TPLF/EPRDF proposed plan to expand Addis Ababa’s master plan into neighboring towns and localities. Like all of TPLF/EPRDF’s so called “development” and “ infrastructure building” projects, the expansion of the Addis Ababa master plan was received with suspicion and skepticism from the general public, as well as with the students at Ambo University and elsewhere. Truthfully, they have good reason to be suspicious because no project, no plan is hatched by TPLF/EPRDF without an ulterior motive that benefits their own inner circle and marginalizes vast majority of citizens. The so-called “New Addis Ababa Master Plan” could be another scheme by the regime to give members of their inner circle new business opportunities so that they can expand their economic and political control.
The broad daylight massacre of students at Ambo is in full violation of all laws, national and international, and is a fresh demonstration of the brutal and cruel nature of the regime that continues its reign of terror on the peaceful and law-abiding citizens. This endless state terrorism, however brutal and however cruel, has failed to break the will of the people. In the face of this indiscriminate state violence the Ethiopian people have continued to use every available means to voice their disapproval of the regime.
Despite this continued resistance for freedom, democracy, and justice, however, there is an observable weakness in how collective collaborations and partnerships are being fostered. It is a well-proven fact that compartmentalized concerns and group-based resistance hardly poses a strong threat to a regime as a brutal as TPLF/EPRDF. Throughout history, social justice and freedom movements only managed to achieve their objectives by building broad coalitions.
The growing bystander mentality because the issue is “theirs” not “ mine” in the end hands the weak and fragmented struggle to the oppressor. The leaders of all political entities resisting TPLF/EPRDF rule must be mindful that fragmented and self-contained resistance
only benefits the regime. In today’s Ethiopia, no group is spared from the wrath of TPLF/EPRDF terror except the inner circles of the regime and a select few. The masses of the Ethiopian people are victims and survivors excluded from participating in the political, economic, and social life of the country.
only benefits the regime. In today’s Ethiopia, no group is spared from the wrath of TPLF/EPRDF terror except the inner circles of the regime and a select few. The masses of the Ethiopian people are victims and survivors excluded from participating in the political, economic, and social life of the country.
Those struggling for true democracy, justice, and freedom must realize that the purpose of a permanent polarization policy as designed and implemented by TPLF/EPRDF is to weaken and quash any possible collective resistance b y the people of Ethiopia. It is by building a strong coalition and by realizing that the destiny of those marginalized and brutalized by the regime are inseparable from one another, hence building a united front and presenting a united resistance, that Ethiopians can speed up the dream of living in a free, just, and democratic Ethiopia.
As we mourn the brutal massacre of students of Ambo University, as we agonize the arrest of Zone 9 bloggers/journalist and many others languishing in TPLF/EPRDF dungeons, let’s remember that piece-meal struggle that focuses only on “my” part of the house prolongs the regime’s life expectancy and extends the suffering of the people. In the end the people of Ethiopia must come together to address the root cause and problem of their two decades of suffering: the undemocratic, brutal rule of TPLF/EPRDF that capitalizes on its strategy of permanent polarization. It is time to wake up, and it is time to unite. The whole TPLF/EPRDF political master plan is the root of Ethiopia’s problem and that must be addressed first and foremost. As the old adage goes, unity is power!
The author can be reached at Alem6711@gmail.com.
