BY SOLOMON DIBABA
Looking into the various concepts on freedom, democracy and liberty expounded by various scholars and philosophers and schools of thoughts, one can understand the extent to which the views are polarized, multifarious and at times contradictory. The writer of this contribution believes that freedom and democracy in Ethiopia and political democracy and freedom at large is being misconceived and misinterpreted in conjunction with several factors including the rights of nations, nationalities and peoples to determine their own fate up to and including secession as provided in article 39 of the constitution as well as freedom of expression and the press freedom.
Unfortunately these freedoms are not only being manipulated but also practiced in a derogatory manner for insults, defamation of elected leaders, insulting a specific ethnic group, fabrication of false propaganda, fomenting of distracting agenda to agitate for civil disobedience, war mongering, economic sabotages, elitist politicking in the name of political analysis and character assassination of federal and regional leaders of the country.
The strategies and tactics that are being employed by those who are disgruntled with the current political order are much similar to what the US intelligence forces have employed in Latin America particularly during the widespread conspiracy that led to ousting Salvador Allende from power by coup d’etat in Chile on September 11, 1973. The collaboration of ultra-ethno nationalists, mainstream and social media outlets, conspiracy ridden political organizations and hate speech mongers are all orchestrated apparently against the political order but in fact against Ethiopia as a country.
The issue now is what is to be done to save the country from the doom and bloom that is being designed for the country at larger scale? In the first place media war on the government does not in any manner help to develop in this country and if the opposition has any concrete solution to the current problem they need to spell it out instead of posting undesirable comments that is of help to nobody. It must be clear that change of government is not a solution because this is elected government and will leave office at the end of its term.
Bakunin type riots and creating chaos on outdoor public holidays is serving the interest of those historical enemies of the country for destabilization. Criticism must be concrete analytical and also with applicable solution and not emotionally charged political fuming, rage and anger. The current political atmosphere is infested with subjective hatred and gossip on anything the government is doing and registered political parties must directly confront the ruling party and spell out differences instead of wasting time on press releases that only show positions and not concrete solutions.
Opposition parties are meant to strengthen the government by providing strategic support in the areas they choose and not just blame the government. They need to point out concrete evidence based on well researched challenges rather than empty generalizations that would help only to further polarize differences. Ethiopia is in very serious socio-economic challenges from within and without. The opposition parties are addressed as competing parties and there is no concrete evidence that show they are actually competing but always remain at loggerheads with the government. They need to employ a strategy of appreciative inquiry in which they can understand what the government is doing and also show the gaps and possible solutions for the challenges the country is facing.
For instance, although most of the opposition parties or so called activists are formed based on ethnicity, they need to comment on the basis of the federal state and not necessarily about the ethnic based regional states. What is their concrete comment on investment, agricultural development, health and other strategic needs of the country? What solution can they bring about? The country belongs to every registered political party and citizens and they are constitutionally obliged to take concrete measures and contribute their part in the development of this country. Press releases with flowery words mean nothing but concrete suggestions and proposals are expected of them.
Ethnic extremism is destroying the very fabric upon which the unity of the people of this country is based. This could develop and is already developing into some kind of quasi-terroristic balkanization of the country. Parties and other political groups in the country must learn to live and act under current circumstances of the country and stop living in the past history of this country and do something about the challenges from today. National politics is not like a semi-final soccer game in which those who are defeated are out of the game. This is a national issue from which no political party should be left behind.
The government formed by the party that won a landslide election has gigantic tasks to accomplish and all electorates are obliged to positively criticize and support its initiatives wherever possible. Democracy prevails only when two things are effectively implemented. They among other things include the rule of law and accountability.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH 2023