BY EYOB BELACHEW
Abiy Ahmed (PhD), Ethiopia’s 4th Prime Minister, has been a notable figure since taking office in 2018. He was previously well recognized outside of the country for his reformist ambition and winning the Noble Peace Prize for his efforts to “achieve peace and international cooperation” and, in particular, for resolving the long-aged Ethio-Eritrea animosity.
Unfortunately, in the months after the outbreak of the confrontation with the Tigrayan rebels in November, that image was shattered. He also seems to have gone from being a darling of the international community to becoming a target of condemnation in a short period of time.
As Ethiopia’s law enforcement operation in the northern part of Ethiopia was distorted and at best misrepresented in the big media outlets in the West, I am afraid that the collaboration of the US and its western allies as guardians of TPLF has caused a massive damage to the image of Ethiopians and their young leader. However, one thing is very obvious that the political establishment has never been ambitious to admire and support conservative African leaders like Abiy Ahmed. On the other hand, they will support any rebel if that suits their interest in the country even if it means bringing regime change!
Even though, the Tigray conflict had a bad effect on his international reputation and raised thorny questions about his government, on the contrary, Ethiopians have continued to unreservedly support him and have the most astonishing belief in their young leader. Interestingly, he is more adored for his law enforcement operations in Tigray, which ended in the killings and capture of many TPLF leaders who were the nucleus of the clique.
One must ask this question: Why would tens of millions of Ethiopians supported Abiy’s administration in one voice to act against the Tigrayan-based political party? Why did not a single non-Tigrayans question its designation among the terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda or Al-Shabaab? Why do Ethiopians hate the TPLF so much?
The Former US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Herman Cohen seems to the answer for that. Twitted recently, quote ‘it is not surprising that Ethiopian regions are sending troops to support the government against the Tigray rebels. These very rebels, formerly known as the TPLF, controlled all of Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018 as a corrupt authoritarian regime’.
In his interview with ESAT, five years ago, Amb. Cohen, said that he believes the current crises in Ethiopia was a result of domination by Tigrians over the economy and politics of the country as well as putting in place a “fake” federal political arrangement. He pointed out that the TPLF government failed to deliver economic benefits to the vast majority of the country and its people. “The benefits come mainly to Tigrians,” he asserted. He also said “It looks to me that the government does not understand there are major grievances among large groups of people especially younger people who graduated from the university and unable to find unemployment. Also, the fact that members of the TPLF dominate the economy, have monopoly over economic activity. So, there is major frustration there.”
These Herman Cohen’s remarks are fundamental to ignore. As one of the godfathers of TPLF who brought them to power has the first-hand knowledge about the clique and their ruthless mission that was supported by western governments at the expense of the people of Ethiopia. Now, it makes sense why Ethiopians fierce-fully standing against this old regime and support Abiy Ahmed’s reforms and unifying agenda.
Jamal Osman, Africa correspondent for Channel 4 News, visited Tigray and four regions of Ethiopia this year, travelling widely throughout the country. Following his trip, he took to twitter to share his thoughts about TPLF vis-à-vis Ethiopia: quote “… the war in Tigray has damaged Abiy’s image in the west. But it’s made him popular in many parts of Ethiopia. Reason? “People hate the TPLF so much…”
If it is indeed true that hatred of the TPLF is great and widespread throughout Ethiopia, what will be the long-term repercussions for the allies that have backed the TPLF against the wishes of the Ethiopian people? We will see what will happen.
But against all odds and narrative biases, Ethiopians and their reformist prime minister have pledged to uproot the TPLF saying, “We will work to remove the chaffs, but while doing so, we will try our best not to damage the grain!” Despite being misquoted, the Prime Minister’s statement demonstrates that Ethiopians, including “Some Tigray Ethiopians,” have no stomach for the TPLF anymore!
The Ethiopian Herald July 24/2021
