The past successive two weeks have registered remarkable achievements in the Ethiopian politics; two catch-all parties emerged in the political scene. By all standards, the practical steps taken by the politicians are encouraging and exemplary. We repeatedly argued that a country, home to over a hundredmillion people, is sure to host a range of interests which may be closely matched by the existence of a number of political parties.
That means the increasing number of political parties seems to help address the needs and interests of the larger public. But this is unrealistic on the ground. If we see, for instance, in terms of the required supplies which are important to run day-to-day activities of the parties, the fragmentation causes the dwindling of the share of subsidies the government may allocate for parties.
In the same vein, potential members that could financially support the parties also thin as the parties’ number swells. In addition, competent politicians and scholars would be scattered here and there owing to trivial differences and interests; hence, the human capital of parties attenuates substantially, crippling the effort of democracy and democratization. Now some of the parties merged themselves to represent the interest of the public in their big tents.
“Heavy weight” politicians also left their previous parties and has formed a new umbrella party. Ethiopian Citizens Party for Social Justice (ECPSJ) and Hibir Ethiopia Party have now come to the fore. The question one should raise here is that the new “catch-all” parties must stand the test of time. Previous experience tells us that coalitions formed merely to defeat the ruling and take office ended up being fruitless.
No matter what the reason might be; these parties had wide popularity but short life. Their legacy also left its scares on the general electorate—scooping up the scare from the public’s psyche, and building trust is one big task awaiting parties today. Particularly reigning intraparty democracy must come top on their agenda. Previous popular parties’ died of lack of intraparty democracy, without also ignoring the ruling’s role in weakening the parties in various ways.
Rattling one another over petty issues, and baffling the populace with conflicting opinions coming from the parties that even degenerates to splits is surely what the Ethiopian competing politics is fade up with. We need genuine politics and we deserve true representations! We do not need politicians that serve themselves and work for their short-lived gains! Also, politicians and other pertinent bodies must avoid that old-fashioned trend, character assassination.
The time favors genuine politics and politicians. Our generation should make history than rattling over past history, and the floor is now open than ever. This is not, however, to undermine the eminent challenges that roll in the political space. Conflicts originating both inside and outside the parties may hinder their day to day practices.
Despite an ancient state, our institutions are still at their infancy stage. It is up to people of this generation to be tolerant, innovative and far-sighted; otherwise, the path is not a bed of roses. We have ample experiences to beat the unbeatable. The ever glittering victory of Adwa can present important lessons.
Also, we can learn endurance from our long distance runners that no matter how tough the race might be, they are sure that they get to the winning post, often with victories. Yet, other political parties that are either in the process to form coalition or to go through merger ought to make it sooner than later. The bottom line is, however, the process of merger and coalition must go legally and transparently.
The Ethiopian Herald May 24/2019
