BY SILEWUNET BEL
In our free and modern society the craving for political vengeance and political supremacy has led myriads of political elites influence the minds of the people to their own ends or instigate them to engage in lawless acts to protect their own political philosophies and businesses. And this happens everywhere and every time.
The past week has showed us analogous situation where by the US president was impeached for a charge of incitement of an insurrection. It was a historical moment in the US politics, the first ever impeachment trial of a former president, Donald J. Trump, for the charge of inciting a coup which ended, though, in the president’s acquittal.
The house managers desperately tried to convict Donald Trump; even though thorny questions were raised by republicans on the constitutionality of moving forward with an impeachment trial after a President has left office and become a private citizen, which sucks the oxygen out of Democrats’ efforts to convict him.
Since there was no legal ground to bring an impeachment trial to former presidents which impeachment only serves to remove the president from office, the senate pronounced Mr.Trump not guilty.
One may ask why would democrats wanted to convict Trump even if it means against the constitutional order. The answer may not be simple and convincing for all, but they are still trying every possible ways to charge him with incitement of an insurrection.
The failed insurrection
On the other side of the story, there was an actual insurrection in Ethiopia back in November which was more deadly than what has happened to Capitol Hill on Jan. 6. These weren’t just unarmed rioters but hundreds of thousands of heavily armed, well trained and determined militias and defence forces led by former insurrectionaries and government officials who once again trying to overthrow the government by force; destroying the democratic reform in the country and bringing back the detested regime again.
Here is what happened! On November 4, 2020, after months of rising tensions between the TPLF leaders and the federal government, the latest military action was precipitated by a proven Intel of a night-time attack on a major Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) base in Tigray by the TPLF Junta that aimed at the killing of non-Tigrayan soldiers and the attempted looting of heavy artillery, including weapons for the purpose of insurrection.
However, since the beginning of the law enforcement operation, the reality of the insurrection was deliberately disregarded and accoumpied by mega media campaign of disinformation, exaggerated UN reports and EU statements questioning the relevance and constitutionality of the law enforcement operation in Tigiray region.
All the statements and news that were made public were not only failed to reflect the reality on the ground but also turned a blind eye to the efforts exerted by the Government to save the country from a deadly insurrection.
Why Ethiopia?
The main striking argument that produced this article is that if democrats go this farto a failed impeachment trial for incitement of insurrection; how far should Ethiopia go to convict or destroy the actual insurrectionist? If they tried hard to incriminate the ‘inciter, what would they do if the rioters at the Capitol Hill were armed, ready to start war and well networked to overthrows the government?
If an insurrection happened in the US the insurrection act of 1807 will be applied without further notice. Here is the statement from the insurrection act of 1807.
The Insurrection Act of 1807 is a United States federal law that empowers the President of the United States to deploy U.S. military and federalized National Guard troops within the United States in particular circumstances, such as to suppress civil disorder, insurrection, or rebellion.
In addition to this act Article I, Section 8, Clause 15: clearly provides the provision to deploy troops and repel invasions.
‘[The Congress shall have Power . . .] to provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; . . .’
Similarly, the insurrection act in other countries also states a similar fate to any rebellious individuals or groups. For instance, Statute Law Revision Act 1863 of the United Kingdom gives a similar decree of insurrection.
‘It provided that if any person was convicted of conspiring to seize or destroy any castle or fortification held or garrisoned by the Queen’s forces, then they and any associates were to be JUDGED FELONS AND SUFFER THE DEATH PENALTY WITHOUT BENEFIT OF CLERGY OR SANCTUARY.’’
The above acts and articles clearly give the mandate to the countries to act against any internal or external threat that put the sovereignty of the country in jeopardy!
My question is, was it not what Ethiopia had done to protect, the constitution, the democratic principles, the people and the country in general? Where is the crime here? Why is it considered as irrelevant to take trouped action when it comes to Ethiopia? Which nation would tolerate such an attack on their national defence? Certainly None!
No country is more than their national defence! Or Should the Noble Prize Winner PM Abiy keep preaching peace to the insurrectionists? Really? Did they expect him to act like sheik or a pop so that he can pray when his country’s sovereignty is compromised and the majornational defence wing is under sever attack by the local armed militias? It is insane, ridicules, and irresponsible to condemn the lawful act against a coup!
The climax of tolerance
It is much better to comprehend the background scenario to have a clear picture of why the law enforcement operation was under taken. For almost three years; the federal government showed a heroic act of tolerance when the elite leader of TPLF openly inciting violence, organizing troops unconstitutionally; conducting their own unlawful regional election and repeatedly issuing statements of violence and sponsoring of local terrorist that were causing thousands of deaths across the nation, massacred thousands of innocent citizens….Was it not a treasonous act andimpeachable?, it definitely was!
However, war was the last and a forced choice for Abiy’s administration. Before that he tirelessly tried to convince them, repeatedly and publicly asked for peace. He even sent respected elders and religious leaders to convince the TPLF leaders for reconciliation! But that didn’t work either, the elders were return back rebuked and insulted!
Leaders of TPLF kept inciting and enabling violence; leaving thousands dead and displaced. That didn’t even make the federal government launch a military action against them until they crossed a redline by attacking the Northern Command of ENDP. Consequently, Ethiopia’s act of law enforcement in Tigiray region was a forced choice, and only aimed at restoring the constitutional order in the country. Hence, it should be recognized as a legitimate and critically relevant operation for the survival and sovereignty of Ethiopia as a nation.
In conclusion, Abiy Ahmed’s administration tolerance and unceasing effort for peace alone proves that he is the ambassador of peace. No wonder, he is a Nobel Prize winner! And thus, it is illogical to think that a man and his administration that let go a huge piece of land as peace offering and broke a long-lasting hostility to normalize ties with Eritrea, will go against his own people for any reason that seems worthy to secure his political advantage.
The Ethiopian Herald March 3/2021
