BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
Today’s Guest Getachew T. Million is a Board Secretary General for Council for Ethiopian Diaspora Action (CEDA). He was born and raised in Tepi Town of the then Illubabor province. He then went to Jimma and Wollega towns to attend primary and secondary school education.
After completing high school education, Getachew joined Hurso Military Academy which trained cadets. He had been engaging in the 46 war fronts including JigJiga, Togo Chale, Wardare, Kebrdehar. While he was in the Ethiopia Defense Force, he had been operating heavy weapons such as Cannon, 122 mm howitzer 2A18 (D-30), 130 mm towed field gun and BM21. He attended surveillance training that was offered by high level Russia and Cuba experts. He then had been preparing maps and scales for mechanized regiment operated in Eastern Ethiopia during the Derge regime.
He was injured four times and paid a lot of sacrifices for his country. After he survived, he also discharged national duty in Awash Arba Combat Technique School. He trained the Sudan Liberation Front (SPLA) army in Gambella, Assosa, Gizen, Debazine according to the instruction given to him by the then government.
Getachew also assisted Somali National Movement (SNM) members to ensure freedom in their country. As per the instruction given to him, he had discharged high level reconnaissance tasks in various parts of Sudan and Ethiopian border areas in a bid to protect the national sovereignty of his country.
The Ethiopian Herald made a short stay with Getachew to know more about Diaspora participation in the overall political and social economic affairs of the country. Have a nice read.
Would you tell us the reason that strained you to migrate from Ethiopia?
I was good at my schooling. Later on, I had thorough knowledge in operating a Cannon that required applying various mathematical calculations in order to make it fall down going far beyond its limited capacity. Together with other soldiers, we had a bitter struggle with terrorist TPLF fighters in the Chilga front. At the end of the day, many of our friends sacrificed their lives. Seven of us migrated to Sudan in order not to yield hands to our enemies. I then joined the Ethiopian People Democracy Alliance. I went to Khartoum as the situation had not been giving me comfort. Considering the reconnaissance experience that I did couple with my educational background, the Canadian government facilitated conditions for me to go there as urgently as possible.
Following the Gulf war, all the embassies in Sudan left the country as Sudan mainly had been supporting the Iraqi government. I took the last flight together with many of the ambassadors.
I have attended technical education from various universities. I spent my time studying on the issue which made my country more beneficial. I studied the method of transporting and operating nuclear and ballistic missiles
What is your responsibility in the Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF)? Would you briefly explain your role please?
I was not interested in going out of Sudan; instead, I had the desire to fight against the TPLF. Before I left for Canada, I had been giving medical assistance for Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU) soldiers. Some people who knew that I adore my country advised me to go to Canada. However, I had worked in an international organization found in Sudan. This experience and the document I submitted to the embassy made my journey to Canada painless.
I started the struggle being a member of the Ethiopia Medhin Democratic Party which led by Colonel Goshu Wolde and General Taye Tilahun. I also have participated in Toronto Charter. I repeatedly came to the Ethiopia border and made a military map for some strategic places. Then, I began to Support General Haile Melese participating in various military operations.
I was military and intelligence advisor for Engineer Kitaw Ejigu’s Ethiopia National United Front. I had played a critical role for the release of Ethiopian soldiers from Eretria. Following the downfall of the Derg regime, the Addis Ababa University students who had gone to war were scattered. By then I was the first to appear in person loading various funds and clothes to the student together with Melaku Seyome who represented the party in Canada. We also provided satellite phones and other military equipment for freedom fighters in front in order to sustain the struggle.
As my task was a reconnaissance one, no one could see it vividly. Finally, considering that TPLF has not been able to fall down, we established a party called-Core Ethiopia.
Would you mention some of the sacrifices you paid during the struggle against TPLF?
Prison and attempt of assassination were common during TPLF regime. While I was in the struggle against T-TPLF, they poisoned me. As I was hospitalized in serious condition, I immediately went out of Ethiopia to Canada through Kenya. I had been paralyzed due to the stroke I faced. Even though I was in a position to accuse the government of Ethiopia, I refused it. Thanks to the government of Canada, I survived. I then returned home and had been getting holy water treatment until regained my health. I am now fully recovered from the disease. From the time I was poisoned, I am very careful in every activity that I do.
Together with Eng. Kitaw Ejigu, you planned to destroy the TPLF once and for all. What was that?
Eng. Kitaw who had an excellent vision to ensure prosperity in Ethiopia. The party led by him was a pioneer in developing its own political programs. He, for instance, had also devised a military strategy which would enable the country to be powerful in the Horn of Africa. What Engineer Kitaw and I were asked by donors was to merge with other parties that were struggling against TPLF.
In Ethiopia, many political party leaders had been struggling to hold power instead of fighting for the respect of people’s interest. If they had been fought for the public interest, many results would be gained. During the time, we had fruitful discussions with various governments and some of them provided various assistances. However, Eng. Kitaw, renowned in his excellent scientific knowledge, lost appetite in unifying parties that had been struggling against the ruling TPLF.
Would you say something about the Ethiopian Science Museum which was inaugurated recently? What would be its significance for a nation’s development?
We visited the Science Museum as soon as we arrived here in Addis. After I saw the space given to national intelligence which is very astonishing, I concluded that Engineer Kitaw is not dead. Terrorist TPLF had opened a psychological war disseminating baseless allegations as if Eng. Kitaw was not a scientist.
The task that has been done so far elevates the level of science and technology. (Who knows?), in the next five to ten years, Ethiopian youths will be reaching to the highest level in science and technology.
What makes things arduous in this country was, we (Ethiopians) do not know the nation’s resource potential. The Science Museum, which runs under the Science and Technology Institute, has significant importance in terms of minimizing high cost of living, accelerating the working system and advancing the technology. It encourages the youth to come up with innovative ideas that can develop the country. I am very happy after visiting the museum. This, by itself, is a stepping stone for the advancement of the country.
About four elapsed since the reformist leaders came to power. What was your feeling when you heard a regime change in Ethiopia?
Here, it is imperative to note one important thing. Both the Derg and EPRDF regimes were known in cultural genocide apart from creating chaos in social, economic and political arenas. Specifically, the terrorist TPLF led government had been deliberately bulldozing the nation instead of advancing it. The party overshadowed one culture on the others and opened doors for some western governments who needed to see the disintegration of Ethiopians.
Assuming that war had been ignited between the reform government and T-TPLF forces, Core Ethiopia had a vision of bringing deep-rooted change in the country. T-TPLF group has never slept unless it sees the disintegration of this country. As we clearly recognizing this fact, we did not support the reform which is taking place in this country since its inception. I would rather prefer to support 80 percent of the job done by PM Abiy and even if the remaining tasks are not convenient for me. However, the PM has been doing various socioeconomic rehabilitation tasks which satisfied me. I believe the remaining issue would be addressed through time if the people at large support PM Abiy so as to realize his dreams.
What is your take when you think of the intended negotiation between the Ethiopian government and T-TPLF?
I want to respond your question-in-question. Why do you think some western governments raised the issue of negotiation at times when the defense force was on the verge of destroying the TPLF? Why did they remain silent at times when TPLF controlled some towns near the Capital and the PM decided to go to the war front? I think the time is over for some western countries which had played on Ethiopia’s sovereignty.
Negotiation is promising but I cannot support it if it is with terrorist TPLF. The willingness of the government alone will not make the negotiation effective. Inherently, terrorist TPLF will not able to apply give-and-take principles. We have to consider how much of the country’s economy was destroyed due to the attack ignited by the T-TPLF group. Primarily, the government had allowed them to leave in peace, they instead attack the defense force, destroyed infrastructures, looted properties of civilians and social institutions and made gang rape and other war crime in Amhara and Afar states. How could we negotiate with this terrorist group? Who is responsible for the death of civilians both in Amhara and Tigray States? We know that some western countries, who do not want Ethiopia’s progress, are behind T-TPLF. All in all, I will not support the negotiation with TPLF.
How do you evaluate the contribution of the Ethiopian Diaspora especially in terms of reversing the influence of some western countries?
We have been making various activities so as to defend Ethiopia discussing with American congress members and Canadian higher officials. We made various demonstrations against the T-TPLF. The council also raises awareness of the media practitioners telling the reality on the ground.
The Diaspora engagement has reached to the highest level. In this difficult time where Ethiopia has been struggling to stand on its feet, the Ethiopian diaspora together with Ethiopian defense forces have played a critical role in defending the sovereignty of their country. Apart from making various demonstrations, the Diaspora knocked the door of western politicians and officials to enlighten about the current situation in the country. We are not cruel-hearted to blank over our country. We have wealth, knowledge but we are always missing our country bearing in mind equivalent to our mother.
Some fans of the terrorist TPLF who reside abroad are now defaming the reputation of the true diaspora who work day and night to assist his country. The Ethiopian government has not prepared enough policy and strategy with regard to the Diaspora. If it was fulfilled, we can do even more. Israel, England, France are countries built by the due participation of the diaspora community. If this is so, we (Ethiopians) can develop our economy through involving the diaspora community in the overall economy. If the diaspora, were established an international bank, the foreign currency could not be manipulated by terrorist TPLF as money laundering will not have a space. The banks which will establish in the near future may not be dependent on foreign financial institutions. For how long we have been relaying on the aid of western countries knowing the fact they want to remain dependent on a penny throw from them.
The diaspora can have the capacity to change the country. If a network is established between the sons of diaspora and local youths, we can adopt many technologies. With this, the country will be developed and have a unified state that no one can stand against its sovereignty.
We have to change our culture of work. Now some of the diaspora has appeared in person and strived to participate in various development activities. However, a great number of diaspora communities with knowledge and financial capacity are still not showing interest to come home. The absence of lucid diaspora strategy discouraged them to come and invest at home.
We should not give little attention for the diaspora. Some of them are still serving foreign institutions such as universities, pentagon, and health institutions. Even if they have a desire to come home, they could not have clear understanding about political strategy of the government which needs to be working on it.
If all preconditions are fulfilled, do you think that it will arouse the interest of the diaspora to come home?
The Ethiopian Diaspora Council has planned to do three important things. We facilitate conditions for the diaspora and foreigners to invest in Ethiopia. Diaspora residing in Canada, France and Italy are able to create a network. Thus, this practice has to be replicated in other parts where many Ethiopians are residing.
The other important thing is building the country’s image through promoting tourism as Ethiopia is a country conducive for tourism. In this regard, PM Abiy’s various projects make me happy and no one denies the fact on the ground.
The message I want to convey for the Ethiopian diaspora is, instead of cursing the country, come and see what is going on in the country and give comments. The PM has been doing various tasks for the development of his country in order to transfer a civilized country for posterity.
The third thing is investing in posterity. This means protecting the coming generation from being addicted to Khat and drugs. These days, many of our cultures have been destroyed. Now, the culture of respecting elders has vanished. What we see in our night clubs is a cultural genocide. In order to save the coming generation, lawmakers have to devise laws in order to tackle cultural destruction.
If we change our culture of work and avoid unwanted practices, there is no pulling factor which prevents us from reaching the stage where some developed countries reach. The country has now going on the right truck and the remaining thing is ensuring peace. For this to happen, our defense force has been discharging various duties.
How did you see the international human right organization report which contradicted with the joint Ethiopian and UN humanitarian organizations report?
The diaspora council has not accepted the EU’s report. Many international organizations have released biased information about the situation in Ethiopia. They tarnish the reputation of the Ethiopian defense force. In my opinion, there is no army better than that of the Ethiopian Defense Force in terms of discipline. I had an opportunity to visit the defense force in Canada, Israel and the US and I have never seen an army disciplined like that of Ethiopian soldiers.
If the army is not disciplined, why does it treat soldiers who yield hands for it? The army is a disciplined one, known for discharging peacekeeping missions in different African countries. I have full confidence in our army. The report is a biased one. Why do they hide the crimes of T-TPLF instead of reporting to the UN? The Ethiopian army has never done the crime listed in the report.
There is a Go-fund-me platform which is carried out here and there in the name of Ethiopians. How can this be managed properly? What should be done to participate in the diaspora in development endeavors?
I, together with Core Dawit, have developed a system to solve issues related to Go-Fund-Me platform. Previously, there is a Go-Fund-Me platform which is carried out at personal level and abused by some coordinators of it. The person who collects the fund allocates half of the fund for its purpose and uses the remaining for his own. We can address the problem through opening a local account and anyone can support transferring money directly to the account. We need to establish a bank to transfer money in that way. This is a good system that accelerates the development of the country.
Thank you for your time.
You’re welcome
The Ethiopian Herald 15 October 2022
