Wolde Tewolde, alias Obo Arada Shawl, November 7, 2007
Up Front – Help Wanted. Qualified candidate to promote democracy within EPRP!
This is EPRP’s end game, halfway to forming a true political community. As it gets under way, notwithstanding earlier battles within itself, EPRP will have to do more for its citizens to accept not only its discussions but also its agenda. The agenda is READ, READ and READ.
Call me by my name. What is my name?
EPRP.
E = Ethiopia
E = ERITREA
P = PEOPLE = KINET
R = REVOLUTION = DEMOCRACIA
P = PARTY = POLITICAL
EPRP teaches its members to stand up for their beliefs and values. EPRP’s shared goals are to exercise the right to practice to change the government through peaceful and democratic means. Peaceful and democratic were and are unacceptable to the people in power.
On the contrary, the opponents and the enemies of EPRP label the party as militarist/anarchist and undemocratic, YE’MYEN EKEK WEDE ABYE L’KK. In order to test whether, EPRP was or is undemocratic, I ask readers to carefully understand the following events in the life of EPRP.
ANJA: When the majority of the CC of the party made the decision concerning the form of leadership, two individuals, by the name of Berhane Meskel Redda and Getachew Maru have attempted to abort the decision using their Celebes names to discontinue the operation of EPRP’s programs. Essentially, they were against the collective leadership concept but they did not spell it. As it turns out, even their own prominent brothers who were members of the party were against them. EPRP was not and still is not based on family, friend or food (FFF) business. In short the two individuals have disgraced themselves, their party and country by creating a party (a new eprp) that ultimately brought havoc and disaster. The first test of democracy within the party was to “kill the party” as was communicated to Menghistu in writing by the new eprp. Anja was not only an act against vote and decision but it was about “Kick it Away.”
BITENA: In order to rectify the destruction that was initiated by these individuals, the representative leaders of the Party and the Army had assembled for assessment, evaluation and rectification. While these important discussions were going on, many members became impatient and abandon the struggle to go to different directions. Some have surrender locally while others surrender internationally. It was ironic that some top leaders blame the party for allowing democracy to the rank and file and left for Europe, Canada, and America. But the true leaders agreed to continue the struggle. Those who chose to continue the struggle have done so in the hope that others will join them at later stage or continue the struggle by any other means necessary but parking. And so the struggle of EPRP has been going on by any other means necessary. But what many members do not know is the fact that why and how the name of Betena label turned into reality. I believe some leaders have encouraged other members not to continue the struggle. It is a cultural thing. It was not EPRP’s fault. All those who wanted to leave the struggle have left peacefully and honorably. EPRP has to be commended for this type of DEMOCRACIA – a solution for everyone and everybody. The second test of democracy within EPRP collective leadership has been solved without a fight in a civil manner. It was about “Stay Away with or without parking.”
COMMITMENT: The recent congress has been a different kind of the same thing that has been done in the past, a complaint about the lack of democracy. It is only different in the sense that it happened in America where nobody is afraid of threat. Do we have to conclude that the democracy at home was better off? How come leaders walk out? What about the conviction, the persuasion and commitments? Does it mean that EPRP was more democratic under duress? What happened to the HE’S GLE HE’S method of resolving issues? That was something unique to EPRP. Actually EPRP is well known to be a breeding ground for democracy as testified by many individuals and groups. Ethiopia and Eritrea should be thankful to EPRP for teaching its children to be peaceful and democratic, civil citizens. Once again the choice according to DEMOCRACIA is among Ethinicization, Democratization or Nationalism. “ Walk away” is not a democratic option. EPRP is on the verge of becoming a Democratic Institution for everybody and everyone. Has anyone heard that EPRP collective leadership has done dealing behind the back of its members, and supporters without mandate? I haven’t. I have seen individuals making attempts to duplicate EPRP as an organization by even sacrificing comrades’ lives in order to get some financial, economic or political reward. But in the end, they all regret to leave EPRP.
Concluding Remarks: Collective leadership is not synonymous with collective bargaining. EPRP has a long history of collective bargaining with the Labor Union as well as with political and civic organizations. Politically, EPRP’s collective leadership does not mediate or arbitrate neither for the release of prisoners nor for the bargain of sovereignty of anybody. The purpose of EPRP’s existence is to struggle for liberty and freedom and negotiate if feasible for justice, faith, love, and hope.
As a political Party, the organization of EPRP has been solid and true to its name. The main tree is always the same with many roots and branches.
I appeal to all debteraw website readers to take a deep look into this week’s first page. Let us see if we can synchronize the three dimensional phenomenon within the same page.
· On the top of the page: pictures depicting small voices from victims.
· On the left: see DEBTERAW himself radiating the laser guide.
· In the middle: see the essence and focal point for our living in DEMOCRACIA
Let us immortalize Debteraw and his colleagues. The release of Debteraw and his colleagues is the basis for moving forward.
For comments and criticisms: woldetewolde@yahoo.com
