
BY BEKA BELACHEW
At the beginning of 2022, many Diasporas were traveling to their home country by responding to the call by the government. The enthusiasm was so high that even the Ethiopian airlines were overwhelmed by the number of Ethiopian diaspora traveling back to their home country. However, the diaspora, which used to support the home country, seemed distracted and divided for over seven months.
This happened after the cancellation of the # NoMore movement rally planned to be held in Addis Ababa by the government of Ethiopia; the diaspora became distracted and discouraged. The government may have its reason, but the propagandist of the TPLF and the country’s enemies capitalize on this and work hard to divide the people. This article reflects on how some Diasporas become victims of revenge and propaganda. In addition, it challenges the well-respected and country-loving diaspora to reconsider its position.
Captivated by revenge
As mentioned, some Diasporas are trapped by two realities. The first comes from their offense against the government. Many asked why they did not allow the #NoMore rally to go as planned. It could be a diplomatic strategy, or it could also be a conspiracy against the new movement. But the decision has had a clear impact on the engagement and involvement of the diaspora in the country’s affairs constructively. Some Diasporas give the benefit of the doubt to the government and its decision to reduce the #NoMore movement’s tone systematically.
In contrast, others stumbled on this step and have never forgiven and forgotten that. They felt betrayed. At the time, it was reported that, some Diaspora started to revenge on the govt in many ways they could. For example, some went to the black market to get exchange services instead of going to the central bank to change the dollar to the Ethiopian birr. Some shorted their stay and went back to their country of residence. Few others canceled their planned trip to their homeland at that time.
They protested in many ways. The most consequential protest happened after these people returned home; they damped their engagement and commitment to a lower level than the previous status. As a true citizen of one nation, it is understandable that people are not satisfied with some of the government’s steps. But it is not fair to be trapped with them is calculations of the government and stuck on it. One must move on by looking at the bigger picture: the nation and the people’s well-being. One has to try to be unstuck oneself. It is time to move on!
Victims of propaganda
The central tragedy we saw in the past six or seven months after that unfortunate event is division among the enthusiastic and country-loving diaspora. This was hardened by the T-TPLFites propaganda. These enemies of the country got a huge opportunity to divide and conquer the diaspora. As a result, it was heard later that some conspired to collect money and support a few groups of armed people here and there. They even tried to corrupt one of the most respected Ethiopian indigenous wisdom to defend the country and the people from any aggression: Fano (ፋኖ). They manage to buy with money some culprits on the ground and they asked the diaspora to send dollars to these groups instead.
In Twitter spaces and other social media platforms, where the diaspora community people gather and share their ideas, the discourse shows the rift between the communities. Some were aligning along ethnic lines: Amhara, Oromo, etc. The equations that brought TPLF to its knee, like the Oromara, seem to weaken. Another category, the Ethiopian camp, was also created as a separate group, attacked by different ethnic groupings. The Ethiopian camp tried to hold everyone together, but it was cumbersome as the propagandists of TPLF and other countries’ enemies intensified their war among the diaspora community.
The Diaspora wing of TPLFites infiltrates different groupings. They act asif they are Amhara, who is concerned for Welkait or Wello Raya, Kobo even Dessie and Kombolcha, some act as if they care for Fano, others act as if they care for Gurage people, others act as if they are the actual members of this or that ethnic groups and so on. But they had one thing in common: against the government, not necessarily TPLF. Even some sympathize for TPLF, as if it is the victim.
The consequence of the trapping
These victims of the TPLF propaganda and the unfortunate missteps of the government
started to attack any high-caliber individual who stands for the well-being of the country and the people in general. They started to challenge and reject anyone who reasons well. If one value the sovereignty of the country more than the politics, he/she are labeled as cadre by these people. One may argue that these Diasporas exhibited a low level of critical thinking in many ways.
First, they did not identify the real source of the problem. They think that it is only TPLF that the country is facing. Yes, at face value, the TPLF is creating trouble inside the country: forcing the people of Tigrayto go on marching on their neighbors Amhara and Afar as well as Eritreans. But TPLF is not alone. The historical enemies of the country have used TPLFites. They sponsored and enabled them with many things: food, weapon, logistics, communication system, medicine, moral support, media coverage, propaganda, and so on. When people say #NoMore, it includes all those forces behind T-TPLF.
Second, these victims of propaganda of TPLF think that if TPLF is defeated in the second round of the war, it means this wicked party will be defeated forever. As a matter of fact, TPLF seemed defeated at that time. But from its nature, as far as it is not disarmed (#DisarmTPLF) completely; as far as the Tigray people are under its control; as far as it is supported and sustained by the neo-colonialists and other enemies of the country, it will regain its momentum and come back again.
Third, they quickly forget that the best way TPLF thrives in Ethiopia is by dividing the people. That is why they started to say to beg country loving Amhara and Afar people to allow them to pass to Arat-Killo. This cannot happen unless the TPLFitesalign the people of Afar and Amhara against the government. To be the devils advocate, they managed manage to divide some members of the diaspora and turned them against the government.
Now we can see that TPLF is engaged in the third round of war. It came with the human wave: composed of children, youth, and old. They have marched over Kobo and other places with the same devouring and destroying actions proving the diasporas who tried to sympathize for TPLF wrong. This shows how those diaspora members were deceived when they thought TPLF was no harm anymore.
The good thing for the country is that the people at the ground know the misdeeds of TPLF very well. Though there were some signs of misinformation,the majority understood the propaganda and the band as within the society on the ground, and the plan of TPLF was not successful. Understanding the true nature of TPLF and the patterns of its propaganda and action is vital for victory. Only moving by emotions will lead to being trapped and complete defeat as in the 27 years of surrender.
Break free of the trapping
Today, T-TPLF seems to be losing the war against the Ethiopian people again. But it has started a narrative that it is not an enemy to the neighboring people after such devastation in the past two years. No one in their right mind can believe them. Action speaks more than words. However, some diaspora members should move on by breaking free from trapping propaganda and disappointment by the central government. Of course, the government should act wisely to bring back the disappointed diaspora. Capitalizing the efforts of uniting figures like Ambassador Saileshi and others. Minimizing the influence of some familiar figures who demonstrated untrustworthiness and the like.
Move on
Diaspora, even the majority of Ethiopian people, should move on in life by looking at the bigger picture: Country and People. It is not about government and politicians. These we can change democratically via elections. But the country and the people of Ethiopia’s well-being should be the main focus. When this is at stake, other differences should be set aside. Priorities should be set up based on that.
This should be the focus of each person in the country and those Diasporas abroad to galvanize and revitalize nation-building. Now Ethiopia and Ethiopians need help: help the conflict-affected communities, the wounded soldiers and their families, help GERD to bring to successful completion, and so on. We need to move on pursuing the commitment that transcends temporary and recurrent circumstances!
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald October 1/2022