Does EPRP Match a Good Example of Leadership and Lives up to Its Name?
Yelfiwos Wondaya
The worth, the virtue and the effectiveness of the party in question is in the horizon for anyone to examine and have a clear understanding of what consistency is all about. The party in pursuit of achieving its goals against all odds remains an all time potential rival of all tyrannies in Ethiopia and continues to be so until it makes sure that sweeping political, economic, and social changes take place in Ethiopia as opposed to so-called traditionally supported movement by some quarters to keep the status in quos alive. In other words, EPRP is not in favor of reforming the existing ethnocentric political institution and joining the tyrant regime to share power in Addis. Until then, one may attempt to marginalize the role of the brave, and can act as substitute for its leadership, and may well continue to undermine its conspicuous influence in our national struggle but will not succeed in persuading the public to change its mind about EPRP and prove the party a failure. Never! This is something that is so clearly true about EPRP and must be put in such a way as stated above if one can say in all truth about the work of EPRP and affiliates. Isn’t that a blow for any political group who purposely presents arguments that run counter to the work of EPRP? And also, one would question whether or not those quasi-support oppositions are capable of being as enduring, courageous, bold, daring and fearless as EPRP and affiliates are in the real sense. In their method of struggle, however, Narrow Nationalists together with reformers believe that radical change is a sin because of radicals’ failure to obey so-called international system led by the west, which is why they fell at the first fence in their attempt to prove EPRP non-existent and make it feel like a failure. Do they have what it takes to be broad-minded, decisive, enthusiastic, strong, brave, genuine, self-confident and all-inclusive so to suit the personality of EPRP and affiliates especially, in a movement that requires the qualities mentioned above?
Be that as it may, honesty, competency, consistency and the ability to inspire his/her constituency are basic leadership qualities. Isn’t that what many of quasi-support groups together with Narrow-Nationalists mentioned above lack to acquire? Without doubt, unlike WOYANES, and false profits alike, Ethiopians have a tendency to praise individuals and public figures not based on what ethnicity or religious conviction they are from but based on their political position and mind-sets they hold towards Ethiopian unity. That is all there is to it. In the end, a leader with all Ethiopian sentiment and wisdom at his/her heart shall win the hearts and minds of the vast majority of Ethiopians. Likewise, a senior politician who is widely respected for integrity and impartial concern for the public good, a statesman and also a selfless nature that prefers to live above and apart from the material world is an ideal one we expect EPRP to offer to Ethiopia .
True, unlike narrowly based ethnocentric organizations, such transcending leaders from such broadly based political parties as EPRP are bound to have joint expression of aims common to the vast majority of Ethiopians. Neither Ethnicity nor religious conviction could discourage them from doing what it takes to be great in a world of leadership, outlooks and visions. So ethnicity, religious conviction or how much rich or poor he/she is could not be part of the characters we seek to see from a future leader of Ethiopia . Such characterization aside, however, what we need to see most out of our leaders is ability, the ability to combine ideas and the ability to make unusual connection with others to use whatever potential there is at their disposal to utilize it on time and accomplish their objectives. After all, all is done both in the best interest of all ethnic-groups regardless and of course, for the betterment of our people and permanent interest of our country. This is basically an inherited character we need to see from our contemporary party leaders that would have something in common with Theodros, Minilik, Yohanes and other great leaders Ethiopia ever had in the past.
When he is a leader, he is a public figure looking after the huge responsibility he bears and the highest office he holds. So, much so, such leaders are not bound to be parochial in their views and would not be limited within the boundary of a home turf like that of Meles of TPLF. To that end, I believe EPRP is in a position to show a good example of such all-inclusiveness as being comprehensive in its content, knowledge, experience, ability and application.
Every organization in Ethiopia is not an isolated entity working for an isolated instance, so long as it stands for unity and territorial integrity of our nation. in that case, they must be forced by the people to broaden their horizons and to get into the center space to fit in and join the mainstream rather than hanging out of balance to go downhill due to some sort of defective ideology they carry on that goes against our unity and due to some bad influences from some bad elements as well. It is a public pressure and constrictive criticisms we need to conduct in order to bring organizations of diverse views together and to be productive in their political works in today’s Ethiopia .
In summary, in our modern times, also, a leader who involves his party members, and constituency in a decision making process is what we seek out to see from our leaders. A leader who has the willingness to exert high levels of efforts to reach our goals and objectives is what we seek to see from our contemporary leaders as well. Ethiopians expect not egomaniac, but gentle, compassionate, selfless and of course politically humorous leader. In short, we need a new breed of leadership, ingenious and enterprising by nature that is full of initiative and good at problem-solving processes especially, at times like this and more. A leader that has the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, and pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. A leader that can make decisions quickly, firmly, and clearly on time, and moreover, a person of conviction who is led to believe to win the mother of all battles is a kind of leader we need to see taking headship in our national parties including EPRP today. I believe EPRP can deliver that and will continue to live up to its name.
Justice shall prevail in the land of Ethiopia.
CALL ME BY MY NAME: The SYMPOSIUM, XXX
Obo Arada Shawl alias Wolde Tewolde (July 1, 2008)
Head-to-Head of EPRP Collective leadership
Heart-to-Heart of EPRP Membership
Face-to-Face of EPRP Army
Soul-to-Soul of Ethiopians
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ONE DAY EVENT
To reach consensus on how to fight for the release of Debteraw Tsegeye
Two ways to look at Debteraw’s a One Day Event. The Inward and the Outward.
THE OUTWARD is about engaging with others. We have to share our vision, we have to tell our truth, and we have to ask tough questions to the Ethiopian Mass media, Religious and civic organizations about the fate of Debteraw. EPRP has to own its contributions to the past, the current and the past situations in Ethiopia, Eritrea and in the Diaspora Community.
Having done that, we have to honor the outsiders by seeking to understand their situation and their fears, hopes and dreams of unity, peace and stability via DEMOCRACIA – a legacy and a hallmark of EPRP.
WHO IS DEBTERAW?
The question of self-determination including up to secession as addressed by Walle Mekonnen and now being abused by TPLF was not Debteraw’s forte. (This will be addressed in future articles). Instead Debteraw as a literary giant, as a true Revolutionary and a Prisoner of Conscience should be told to the whole wide world. There are many different kinds of people in the world and we can never assume that everyone will react to the situations of Debteraw Tsegeye. Debteraw is a unique person in a unique position.
There are wolves in lambs’ clothing, when deceived or outmaneuver they will spend the rest of their lives seeking revenge. For that matter, we have to choose our victims and opponents carefully. Above all we should be careful not to offend or deceive the wrong person. In our lifetime, we have come across many breeds of opponents, suckers and victims. Debteraw taught me about the art of power. He used to tell me that we have to be able to distinguish the wolves from the lamb, the foxes from the hares, the hawks from the vultures. The distinction of these categories will lead us to success without coercing anyone too much. But if we deal blindly with whoever crosses our path, we would have a life of constant sorrow. Being able to recognize types of people and acting accordingly was very critically to Debteraw.That was my first lesson that I have received from Debteraw Tsegeye Gebre Medhin. In the revolutionary parlance, it used to be called N’IK’AT, the first step for the Long March.
My second lesson from Debteraw was about ORGANIZATION. Debteraw first introduced me to Godjam province. When I joined the Highway Authority, I criss-crossed the streams, the valleys and mountains of Godjam and have discovered for myself that it is the center of or for the Eway Revolution. Debteraw and history books have taught me that Godjam Kifle Hager was and is the heart of Ethiopia. Debteraw had felt the spirit of the source of the Nile when he was teaching in Bahr Dar. However the then authorities forced him to be transferred to Chagnie aka Kehas Ber – a remote and inaccessible town. It was like banning him to asylum. However, Debteraw without complaint has taught children of Chagnie the fundamentals of knowing thyself. I am sure there are many of these children who are now working at various organizations and ministries. Thanks to Debteraw’s analytical and geographical teaching about Ethiopia.
As far as self-determination including up to secession, Debteraw likes to teach by example. That concept was only applicable to Godjam province for one of the criteria for self-determination was a complete separate territory. Abay alias-Blue Nile and Dinder Rivers surround Godajm completely. The only natural access to Godjam is through the Sudan.
My third lesson would have been to join the Army of EPRA to which I was reluctant to discuss at length. Nevertheless, we have discussed and he proved it in hindsight that he was correct, the concept of ENCIRCLEMENT as opposed to coup d’etat and Insurrection.
If the entire so-called secessionists accept the logic of SELF-DETERMINATION and DEMARCATION using the model of Godjam, we could have saved millions of lives, and resources. God has already demarcated the Region of Godjam. Tana was clean and harmless. Now, Bahr Dar has been polluted by the fake Amhara center.
WHERE IS DEBTERAW?
That is a million dollar question. Inasmuch as the Americans are looking for the CRIMINAL Osama Bin Laden, Ethiopians should look out for the whereabouts of the INNOCENT Debteraw Tsegeye G. Medhin.
WHY DEBTERAW TSEGEYE GEBRE MEDHIN ARAYA?
Outsiders see the TRUCE within EPRP collective leaders, party members and ex-members of the army as hopeful and necessary, but skeptical elements of EPRP senses failure and angry. That is understandable. We have to clear the confusion before the truce.
Debteraw Tsegeye, the Ethiopian scholar, the man of Kinet and the Prisoner used to explain to us all about the human heart of our body. He did not study science but he understood the function of the heart. But he studied the Head and the Soul. As Debtera (Ethiopian scholar), DEBTERAW used to:
- Listen to divergent point of view
- Find common ground
- Build visionary ideas
I believe that Debteraw would have solved problems that nobody is willing to solve and that his EPRP is the most important party organization to bring the country and the people together. Debteraw had the passion to love people and to die for a cause. Let us fight for his FREEDOM.
By the way can any one tell us why this Ethiopian icon for new Ethiopia is mixed up with Tsegeyae G. Medhin (laureate) and Tsegaye G. Medhin Araya also known as Mulugheta Lule?
CONCLUSION
For several decades, some of EPRP’s fiercest supporters, most of them educated have been struggling with a defeat that burns and a question with no soothing answer; what next?
Sometimes anger settles in the mind like sediment waiting to be shaken or stirred. The story of Debteraw Tsegey properly understood is an anger-shaker. No one finds “faulty” analysis with the historical records of EPRP. Moving forward as proposed by Assimba’s evolving approach is the way to reconciliation and healing a la DEBTERAW’S way.
Debteraw wanted to show the Ethiopians how to live with love and how to die honorably. As there is no honor in AETHIOPIA today, I believe Debteraw is not dead!!! He cannot be dead! He is alive and let us fights to free him to free us.
DEMOCRACIA is missing
TRUST is missing
POLITICIANS are missing
I hope the ONE – DAY- EVENT for Debteraw to be held on the eve of the American Independence will lead us to many heads, one heart, one army and many souls.
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