Bekele is always ready to speak truth to power. He loves Community Organising. Building the power of civil society is important for Bekele as he believes that organised Civil Society is the backbone of democracy. Bekele believes we should do a lot to make the world a better place to live in; a place of tolerance and respect. Bekele writes about different issues on different platforms, especially about Ethiopia. This blog reflects Bekele’s personal views. One Love! አለፎ አልፎ ይህችን ብሎግ ጎብኘት ያድርጓት።
Many of us strongly feel there is a coordinated attack on our country Ethiopia by the Mainstream media and western political apparatus
to portray Ethiopia as if it is full of crises and a no-go-zone. That is not
what Ethiopia is. Most of Ethiopia is peaceful. People are living their daily
lives without any challenges. It is business as usual in most parts of
Ethiopia.
We have to remember that Ethiopia is a country of more than
115 Million people and 1.104 million km² in size. There are more than 90
distinct ethnic groups in Ethiopia. It is also vital to remember that Ethiopia
is not only about Tigray, where the current conflict emanated from. Ethiopia is
bigger than any region or any ethnic group.
There is indeed a conflict in the North of Ethiopia due to
the belligerence act of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (Sanctioned by the
Ethiopian Parliament as a terrorist organisation). This organisation has
extended its belligerence acts and invaded the Amhara and Afar regions. It has
massacred 1000s of innocent civilians. Destroyed livelihoods. Displaced more than
a million people. Most of us feel the pain on a daily basis. We still
suffer from the trauma of this organisation’s cruelty when it was in power. Many of us in the diaspora left Ethiopia because of this organisation, as it did not
tolerate dissenting voices when it was in power. In fact it does not tolerate
dissenting voices even today.
Today, Ethiopians feel dismayed; Ethiopians feel frustrated
by the false narratives of the Mainstream media which are not representatives
of the situations in Ethiopia. And those of us who live in the western world feel very sad to see totally biased reports on Mainstream media
outlets including the BBC and The Telegraph. To see intentional
misinterpretations and mistranslations of the Prime Minister’s speeches and writings,
is even frustrating and disheartening. To see Mainstream media and western
political forces ganging up to pressurise a proud black nation is even
heart-breaking. And to see this in the era of black lives matter movement is
extremely saddening. One would expect to see an honest and ethical translation
with accountability when one sees articles on Mainstream media. That is not
what has been happening. We have seen photoshoped pictures used by the
Mainstream media. We have seen photos of different stories and times used
totally for unrelated stories. We have seen those who have no clue at all about
Ethiopia being given platforms to speak about Ethiopia – more catholic than the
Pope himself? The list is endless.
We just question if there is ever true journalism at all?
Most of us have lost our confidence in the Mainstream media and have resorted
to citizen journalism using our own means.
The situation in Ethiopia is affecting every Ethiopian for a
number of reasons. Those of us in the diaspora see our home country portrayed
as a war zone. As if it was a hell on earth. Mainstream Media carrying totally
flawed and biased articles. Heart-breaking to see the Mainstream media ganging
up on Ethiopia. Very depressing. Hence those who support the law enforcement by
the federal government of Ethiopia demand equal treatment of the media.
In the meantime, we use social media to expose the hypocrisy of the Mainstream Media using Social media.
I am in #AddisAbaba and everything is normal. There's no need to panic about the #CNNFakeNews and attempts by some western governments and media to create public panic and concerted regime change plan in #Ethiopia. We must meet this moment of national and global challenges. pic.twitter.com/T4S2SPupWn
Despite attempts by the western political apparatus and Mainstream Media to discourage foreigners and nagging them to leave Ethiopia, those in Ethiopia have a different story.
Late 2018 and
early 2019 was monumental for Sudan. The people of Sudan were defiant in their persistent
struggles for change. Their struggles to bring change was mostly led by young
people and women. We remember the iconic Alaa Salah, whose photo went viral
globally. She was just inspirational.
Following
the removal of long-time dictator Omar Al Bashir, Ethiopia supported the people
of Sudan as they worked on their transition. Ethiopia indeed played a
significant role in those days. The people of Sudan had hopes and aspirations. Civil
society started to flourish. There were many positive developments. Young people and women, who were very
instrumental in bringing down Al Bashir were confident Sudan was on the right
track.
Yet
things have been complicated for over a year now. The Sudanese leadership was
unpredictable. Sudan's stand on the Grand Ethiopian
Renaissance Dam (GERD) was very confusing and unethical. At times Sudan was
not defending its own interests and was not ready to compromise despite calls
from concerned Sudanese intellectuals. It was rather acting to satisfy the demands of Egypt,
which was very unfortunate for Sudan. To make Sudan’s relationship with Ethiopia
even worse and complicate things further, Sudan has been accused of supporting TPLF
terrorist group that is waging war on Ethiopia, an important strategic neighbour
of the Sudan. In short Sudan’s policy on Ethiopia was very confused depending
on the civil or military leadership. Initially it sounded that Sudan’s civil
government led by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok wanted to work with Ethiopia constructively,
although it had challenges from the military, which has strong ties with Egypt.
The
past one year therefore has been a challenge for Sudan’s Prime Minister, who
was going through lots of pressure not only internally but also from western
powers, especially the United Sates. USAID’s administrator Samantha Power was
one of those putting undue pressure on Sudan and pushing it to the edge. For Administrator
Power, it was all about getting what she wanted to achieve, not about Sudan’s
strategic interest. It was about the Humanitarianism pretext and demanding
changes at a pace Sudan was not able to cope with.
October
2021 was full of protests and unpredictability for Sudan. It is to be recalled Mr.
Jeffrey Feltman, United States special Envoy for the Horn of Africa has
been in the Sudan twice in a month time. Mr. Feltman who is not trusted by many
in the Horn Of Africa had just departed the Sudan, when the military deposed
the Civil government of Prime Minister Hamdok. To make it even worse, the military has now
declared state of Emergency and once again showed that it is not ready to hand
over power to a civilian led government. The hopes of those who sacrificed a lot in
2018 and 2019 and most recently are still on the air.
What
does this change mean for Ethiopia?
The
relationship between Ethiopia and Sudan has been very fragile for over a year
now. Ethiopia and Sudan have yet to work on their boarder disputes, especially
that of al-Fashaga. That would undoubtedly take time and patience to resolve.
Ethiopia also wants Sudan to stop offering shelter to TPLF fighters, who fled
to Sudan but have been training in the Sudan and trying to return to Ethiopia to
join the TPLF terrorist group. Ethiopia is keen to see positive cooperation and
a win-win situation on the stalled negotiation of the GERD. Ethiopia is keen to
see a stable and prosperous Sudan that is ready to work with its neighbours
constructively. That is why the Ethiopian
Foreign Ministry Issued a statement following the coup in the Sudan.
In
the meantime, Ethiopia has to be cautious and follow the situation in the Sudan
very closely, whilst preparing itself for every eventuality. One thing is for
sure, a strong and united Ethiopia is vital for the stability of the region as Ethiopia
is an anchor country. That is what western powers ignore intentionally and
support all those against Ethiopia.
Ethiopia
could play vital roles as in the 2019 negotiation between the military and
civil society if the need arises once again.
See
how Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was hailed for brokering the Sudan deal in 2019.
#Ethiopia supported the people of Sudan as they worked on their transition. It played a significant role. That is why we say a strong & united Ethiopia is vital for the stability of the region as an anchor country.
Deeply saddening that @antonioguterres & @IOMchief resorted to silencing black woman, instead of sorting out the United Nations. Suspending black woman of courage, who exposed the unprincipled nature of the @UN is unacceptable.
Here we go again: UN recalled a 2nd senior UN official from #Ethiopia.This time it is Dennia Gayle, the UN Population Fund representative. Yesterday, UN put the IOM representative, Maureen Achieng, on admisrraive leave. UN is recalling the wrong people. https://t.co/ki3lwHXHXm
On
Friday 29th January 2021, The Middle East Policy Council held its 103rd Capitol
Hill Conference virtually. One of the speakers of the event was Ambassador
Jeffrey Feltman, Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.
Although
the event was about the Middle East, Feltman wanted to start with what he
referred as ’ the alarming developments in the Horn of Africa’ as he is
convinced that there is a very strong connection between the Horn and the
Middle East. Agree with him on the connection.
Feltman
thus discusses Ethiopia. He says, “Ethiopia's population alone is more than 4
times that of pre-war Syria. 110 million people in Ethiopia. Conflict in the
Horn could make Syria look like child's play by comparison.”
We
disagree. Ethiopia & Syria are totally different. We disagree because Syria
has been led ONLY by the al-Assad family since 1971 with an iron fist whereas
Ethiopia is being led by a new and dynamic leader, who only took power in 2018.
Furthermore the conflicts in the two countries are completely different in
nature.
In
Syria it was public uprising as part of the Arab Spring, whereas in Ethiopia it
is a disgruntled group wanting to take power by force against the will of the
majority of the Ethiopian people. Syria’s president has been extending his
term, which is not the case in Ethiopia.
Feltman
continues. He says, “We need to engage the gulf countries Egypt and Turkey to
stabilize the Horn of Africa.”
Disagree
again. How could Egypt, a country that has openly vowed to destabilise the Horn
be trusted to stabilise the Horn? Egypt cannot be trusted at all.
Feltman
says, “The Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed military assault in the Tigray
region has opened a Pandora's box.”
Here
Feltman accuses the Ethiopian government as if it started the war. He shifts
the blame from TPLF to ENDF. This is dangerous & misleading statement.
Feltman
continues his analysis of Ethiopia. He says, “Ethiopia's Oromo region is
restive”
Disagree
again. Feltman does not know and cannot know how the majority Oromos and the
Oromia region feel and operate. Does he know that nearly 15 million people
voted for the PM's party in Oromia?
Feltman
continues. He says, “Somalia's president shares Abiy Ahmed’s desire for very
strong central control putting him at odds with powerful provincial leaders.”
Feltman
wants to frame Prime Minister Abiy as a leader who has centralised power and
Somalia’s president replicating Prime Minister Abiy.
Feltman
continues. He says, “ Ethiopia’s Elections scheduled in 2021 of this year are
likely to provoke violence.”
We
disagree again. Does he know that nearly 34 million voted without a single
violence? Does he accept the results of Ethiopia's historic democratic
election?
Feltman
says, "Ethiopia has brushed aside African Union mediation efforts."
This
is an absurd accusation. Ethiopia is the only country that has been keen to see
African solutions for African problems unlike Egypt & Sudan, who pushed the
#GERD
issue to Arab League and UN.
Feltman
says, “IGAD, the intergovernmental Authority on Development has been severely
weakened as authoritarian leaders in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia draw closer
at the expense of the wider collective.”
We
disagree again. Labelling leaders as authoritarian because they don’t agree
with you is unacceptable.
Feltman
continues his wrong and biased analysis on Ethiopia, the Horn and wider Africa.
He concludes that Horn of Africa cannot sort its crises on its own and needs
support from the Gulf and Arab states.
As
Feltman was on his way to meet Ethiopia’s leaders, which took place on 17th
August, Ethiopians
across the world resorted to social media to tell him and the Biden Administration
that Feltman was not welcome as he had already lost credibility.
During
his talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Froegin Minister of Ethiopia, he was
told that ‘Ethiopia expects that the U.S. would properly condemn the
destructive acts of the invading TPLF forces. Feltman said the U.S. understands
how the people of Ethiopia see TPLF.’
DPM & FM, H.E. @DemekeHasen, meets #US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Jeffrey Feltman & said #Ethiopia expects that the U.S. would properly condemn the destructive acts of the invading TPLF forces. Feltman said the U.S. understands how the people of Ethiopia see TPLF. pic.twitter.com/X67plAfL03
The late Sekuture Getachew exposed TPLF's crimes of attacking the Ethiopian National Defence Force in November 2020.@nytimes exposed #TPLF’s use of #ChildSoldiers
Ethiopian P.M. Abiy is fooling himself if he believes his inexperienced army can defeat the battle hardened TPLF military, even with Eritrean support. To keep #Ethiopia unified, it must be truly decentralized through unprecedented constitutional dialogue.
I was a
great fan of the European Union; great admirer of the system. I believed it was
an institution that was for fairness, genuine human rights protection,
democracy and rule of law. As a British citizen, I had chance to travel visa
free across Europe; rights to work across Europe; European Health Insurance and
many good things, I thought the union was good for Europe and a good model for
other continents.
When the
United Kingdom went to the polls in June 2016 to decide on the EU referendum, I
voted to REMAIN. UK decided to LEAVE. I have many good friends who voted LEAVE.
When I asked them for their reasons for voting LEAVE, they often said, ‘EU is
autocratic and doesn’t listen to citizens on the ground’. I can see that.
All EU’s
actions on Ethiopia since the November 2020 conflict are unfriendly, immoral
and out of character. It looks it has lost a partner in the TPLF. It looks EU’s
attitude for Ethiopia and for Africa is different from its attitude for Europe
and other parts of the world. EU is trying to dictate a sovereign country. EU
is trying to say, ‘do it my way or I will suspend this or that’. We recall that
EU suspended developmental aid to Ethiopia following the
conflict in Tigray. It wanted to interfere in the internal affairs of a
sovereign state. When Ethiopia was bold and determined, EU changed its
attitude. EU for sure knows Ethiopia is an important and strategic partner in
Africa. That was why it once again made a statement on the strategic importance of Ethiopia for the
European Union and started to work with Ethiopia. EU also decided to send
observers to the June 2021 general election, which was a good sign of rebuilding
relationships. EU even sent a team to observe the preparatory work. All these
were welcomed by Ethiopia.
Although
Ethiopia welcomed EU’s decision to send observers to the June 5 general
election, we have now learned that EU is not sending observers. The reasons are clear.
Ethiopia is not bowing down to EU’s unconvincing demands. EU has put forward
unusual conditions to Ethiopia to observe the June 5 election. According to the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, EU has demanded
that it should bring in telecommunication equipment for VSAT services if it
were to observe the June general election. This has never happened; and why
now? Ethiopia is ready and capable to provide telecom services during EU’s and
indeed others’ stay in the country as observers. What makes EU so special to
put this as a precondition to observe an election? To insist that EU should
bring in equipment for VSAT services smells fishy; rather disrespectful and
unexpected. Do they want to give the equipment to TPLF remnants and resuscitate
TPLF from the ashes?
EU
shouldn’t forget that when it is in Ethiopia, it is only a guest, nothing more.
Another
demand by EU is very dangerous. EU has demanded that it wants to make public
comments and announcement about the general election before even the National
Board of Ethiopia. This is scandalous and seriously questionable. EU had
observed Ethiopia’s sham elections in the past. It knew the elections were not
democratic. Yet it didn’t have demands. So why now?
Whether EU
likes it or not, the June 5 general election will go ahead. Ethiopians don’t
need validation by EU on their most important democratic exercise. Ethiopians
decide, nobody else! Ethiopia will prevail and come out victorious in all
fronts. One thing is for sure, EU also will come back; it is a matter of time.
For the time being we say, thank you but not thank you! See you later, EU.
As Ethiopia prepares for the filling of its most important dam, we have seen
anger in some quarters in Egypt, which could be either intentional to create
tension or total ignorance of the situation. Whatever the challenge, Ethiopia
has to get its Dam done.
If the origin of the Nile was Egypt, then Egypt might find a tap to stop
the flow of Nile Waters. Fortunately that is not the case. To think as if the
source of the Nile to be Egypt is disingenuous.
No need to be angry at Ethiopia’s flagship project like 2 year old
toddlers crying for everything they see.
Egypt has to come to a negotiating table for a 21st century negotiation.
Ethiopia is contributing 85% of the Nile Waters and deserves fair share. We all
know Nile waters are more than enough for all.
Vital to remember that both the 1929 & 1959 agreements are void and
unacceptable as far as Ethiopia was concerned. Ethiopia is not a signatory to
the party.
Equally vital to stop intentionally ignoring the reality as it is for
the benefit of all to come to a mutually acceptable agreement. It is not time
for one side wins all and others remain bystanders.
After all it is about Mutual Benefits, Reciprocity, and Sovereign
Equality. This is 21st century, where we are interdependent on one-another and
should cooperate; but that cooperation should be mutually sought based on
mutual interests.
