During the past few months the country has been challenged by multiple critical issues. The Covid outbreak, the postponed elections with their impending constitutional impasse and the simultaneous GERD issue are all hot on the agenda. The government seems to realize that each one of these issues needs careful attention and follow up. Meanwhile, economic issues deriving from the impact of the pandemic need urgent responses so that inflationary tendencies with various pretexts are nipped in the bud and the economic lower class is not jeopardized by them.
Regarding the pandemic, we had the advantages of the later comer, but it cannot be said that it was an outstanding success. True, significant advances were made but the adamancy of certain circles of society and some irresponsible people seem not to heed the recommendations of the health authorities.
Complacency and denial are mortal enemies! Some people seem to have made up their minds that Covid cannot overwhelm us. But the latest indications lead that dangerous path. So many nationals are being repatriated adding extra pressure to the situation. Movements are increasing and all this is extra risk. The figures are bound to increase with the increase in the testing. Proportionately one can only expect the numbers to skyrocket and the situation needs extra precaution.
The so much fancied ‘make or break’ election is now pushed back by Covid provoking the complaints of some political forces. But clearly, these complaints fail to reckon the evidence on the ground except their presumed short term gains. Can valid elections be held in a ‘state of emergency’? Which now needs urgent priority: the pandemic or the election?
A responsible government must keep the priorities well in focus and act accordingly; and for all we can observe that is what has been happening for months now. Clear guidelines have been drafted and measures adopted such as closures of the borders, travel restrictions, including the national air carrier. Although Ethiopian Airlines seems to have managed to cope with the crisis avoiding the devastation of other airlines, the other related sectors such as the tour and travel and hospitality industry have suffered huge blows. Ethiopia’s tourism industry will need huge stimulus package from the government in order to survive the effects of the pandemic! Overwhelming debts by hotels have necessitated extension of repayments. So many jobs are lost and the future does not seem bright.
On the other hand, the fact that the government did postpone the elections with the advice of the National Electoral Board provoked complaint among some political forces who allege the decision is being used as a pretext for the incumbent to ‘perpetuate its rule’.
There were even calls that once the mandate of the government ends by October, the current government would be in the same footing as the rest of the political parties. Their argument is hence they would be entitled to ‘share power’! There were some ‘funny’ arguments made just because a party was formed it had a claim on power, without demonstrating that indeed it has a constituency ready to vote it in.
Meanwhile, at least one regional government, the TPLF administered Tigray, seemed to flirt with the idea of holding ‘its own regional election’ in apparent disregard to the authority of the National Electoral Board, the only legitimate body to carry out elections at any level. This was understood as an attempt to ‘test the waters’ in its feud with the federal government. Others have considered it as a move to return to pre-2010 days when reforms deprived them of much of their influence in the ruling coalition.
Furthermore, the other critical issue that rocked the country was the case of potential ‘power vacuum’ and what to do when parliament ends its term without being substituted in time.
The declaration of the state of emergency issued to face the threat of Covid 19 was understandable and accepted politics or government comes only under healthy conditions and a pandemic is an exclusive, crucial issue on its own.
This issue becomes susceptible of getting ‘thorny’ where political parties hesitate to be positively responsive. Hence, the need to find out a hint or guidance in the Constitution, acceptable to all political contenders. The idea of interpreting a constitution and seeking vacuum filling principles is valid. Interpreting legal provisions is common in legal practice and the government’s resort to such move was logical. The controversy that some forces tried to create can only lead the country to a dangerous dead end. Many observers have noted that the nation is facing multiple challenges at the same time and adding an extra issue that could be easily addressed seemed not motivated by good faith.
Their argument that the elections need to be carried out by all means seems to contradict with their approving and declaring the state of emergency. Many wonder: Can holding a crucial election under such circumstances facilitate their eagerness to grasp power? What will change if things are pushed for a year? A sort of recklessness seems to transpire from some of these pressures while we need to act in unison in such dire circumstances.
The need to seek some suggestion as to how to go about during the time when the legislature expires and the government with it based on the constitution was thus a prudent move upheld by the majority of political forces that seem to have at heart the existence of ‘the polity Ethiopia’ rather than what sort of government will it be led by.
A panel of experts, professionals as well as legal practitioners was invited to present their ideas in an open setting and interesting discussions were held. And we were exposed to a few days of ‘live’ transmission on TV with the president of the Federal Supreme Court presiding over the discussions. The members of the constitutional inquiry were allowed to ask questions and take notes.
Despite criticisms of the constitution it was noted that it is the only document that keeps the country going with the Federal status. That was why everyone resorted to it for legitimacy as things stand now. Willy-nilly the incumbent is administering the country based on this document. As long as we have this law, everyone needs to abide by it to avoid any further complications not excluding ‘chaos’.
A few flirted with the idea of ‘a transitional government’ but it was immediately dismissed on the grounds of it being ‘utopia’ because there simply does not exist neither the maturity nor the tradition of civilized and pondered political discussions in our country other than toxic stances between ethnicity and nationality ideologies that would only lead to paralysis of the entire country.
Following certain ‘extremist’ statements made by some individuals engaged between ‘activism’ and ‘politics’, the government had to warn them not to flirt with chaotic proposals endangering peace and stability. It asserted that until a valid election is to be carried and results are known to form a new government, it remains the sole responsibility of the incumbent to continue as it is ‘internationally established practice’. No one else can claim power nor oppose the incumbent, the warning went on.
In the meantime, another important national issue is the filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam come July. Egypt’s tabling the usual opposition needs timely and careful response. It is here that the country needs to be compact and dismiss the negative propaganda that some destructive forces try to conduct. Attempts to profit politically from such situation siding with Egypt can only be labelled dangerous and some observers have been recommending severe measures against such treacherous moves.
The GERD is too important to be an issue in internal politics! Any force that tries to ally itself with Egypt in search of financial or moral support to attack the government in Addis should be considered treason. Ethiopians never accept any party that is ready to barter its sovereignty and dignity for political advantage! Mercenary tendencies are a part of our history, but these have always failed, seeking pardon in subsequent epochs. Collaborators (or locally known as ‘banda’) of invading Fascist forces in the nineteen thirties were one demonstration.
The ‘Banda’ are infamous and are despised by all Ethiopian patriots. But who knows if there is a new generation of these? Is history repeating itself? Personal greed may be one part of human nature, but those who are in this category are always in the wrong end of history. They are the most discredited and despised class of people in our society!
Ethiopians should say in unison: Egypt’s attempts to fish in troubled waters eternally cannot succeed this time because the times have completely changed. They need to realize that soon. The livelihood of one hundred fifteen million people cannot be determined at Cairo. Ethiopia will go ahead with its popular project legally, but resolute to exercise its long overdue rights on the Nile, its own child.
Egypt must rather be grateful for the graciousness accorded by Ethiopia and others that it benefited from the water exclusively. But it is now time that it realizes such monopoly cannot endure eternally. Ethiopians are resolute to fight drought, famine and darkness and for this they need to employ all of their natural resources wisely. Nile is definitely one of them!
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition June 7, 2020
Fitsum Getachew
