Free Jawar Mohammed, a political prisoner in Ethiopia
Free Jawar Mohammed, a political prisoner in Ethiopia
The Issue
The ‘Transition Phase’ of any Nation may be her most delicate phase. The need for a whole leader cannot be overemphasized. Ethiopia is very much at the transition phase in her history and if this phase is not well managed it may extend further than usual or even end in a catastrophe. In 1991, many heralded the dawn of the Federal Democratic Republic, when Meles Zenawi became the first Prime Minister of Ethiopia, after the first multiparty election in her history. An end to the Era of Emperors, Communism, and Dictatorship, a new dawn for the Ethiopian people.
However, after numerous election rigging troubles, the Zenawi administration held on to power until his death, when Hailemariam Desalegn came into power – via appointment not election. It was expected that the Desalegn administration would hand over power to an elected president, but it was not to be so. After numerous protests against the government broke out, especially the 2015-2017 protests, with Ethiopia declaring a state of emergency from October 2016 to August 2017, and scores of protesters killed, the pressure on the Desalegn administration continued to mount.
On the 16th of February 2018, Desalegn became the first ruler in modern Ethiopian history to resign or step down from office. Again, a state of emergency was declared and Abiy Ahmed was appointed Prime Minister, the first Oromo man to become Prime Minister, this was to clear the way for reforms. Reforms, it appeared when Ahmed appointed many females into his cabinet, including the Current President – Sahle-Work Zewde. Reforms, it appeared again when Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the two-decade-long war with Eritrea – a stark irony to everything he believes and has done in regards to the Ethiopia transition. Reforms, it appeared when he released numerous political prisoners of the previous administrations and made many censored websites accessible again. Reforms, it appeared when he promised free and fair elections in 2019.
“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”
- Socrates
Socrates couldn’t have bemoaned better. The truth remains that Ahmed’s administration has focused its energy on fighting the old and every milestone of his administration has been hinged on fighting the old achievements – which may not be wrong, as they have brought in peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, for genuine change to happen in the transition phase of Ethiopia, the focus has to be on building the future, not fighting the old. It is as clear as day that Ahmed’s administration has failed when it comes to focusing on the future. Their laurels have only been earned on abolishing ugly landmarks, but that will not suffice the transition of Ethiopia. It is again vividly seen in the inability of the current government to hand over power peacefully and fairly.
The Ahmed’s administration may appear to be fighting the old, but their principles are largely hinged on the same old principles particularly in the use of force, and many have indicated the Nobel awarded him was ironical; Ahmed clearly stated regarding the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that “…if there need to go to war, we could get millions ready.” This may sound patriotic but is an indication of his insistence on the autocratic style of government. He has ordered the arrest of numerous political prisoners, goes against the same policies that seemed to have heralded a breath of fresh air in the country. At this time, it is clear we need a new leader, a revolutionary leader that will take Ethiopia through this transition to a safe landing – a multinational Democratic Federation.
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy”
- Abraham Lincoln
Suffice it to say Communism can never work in a multinational State like Ethiopia, it may last long, but it cannot work as we have seen, neither can Autocracy. Federalism, which supports equity and justice for all persons, is what Ethiopians need and Jawar Mohammed is just the right man for the job. Mohammed (along with the late Hachalu Hundessa) was a focal point in the anti-government movement that led to the resignation of Desalegn. He also played a huge role in bringing Ahmed into power. In fact, The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) that brought the former and the current Prime Minister into Power has its roots in the former Marxist-Leninist rebel movement, the said coalition that was paraded as a merger between four parties was indeed a single party – the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF, that ruled the country for 3 decades) with its 3 satellite arms, to once again deceive the people. Ethiopians are tired, she wants the right to vote and be voted for and to be led by an autocratic grasp to the seat of government by a minority group.
Jawar Mohammed is an ardent antagonist of the cruel and archaic authoritarian ideology of a superior race that simply cannot work in multinational Ethiopia. Oromo is the largest ethnic group, and Mohammed an Oromo man, clamoring for race equity should be an exemplar for other ethnic group leaders. It is also worthy of note that Mohammed is not fighting for the superiority of the Oromo nation, that would be fighting the old and is simply a change of problem rather than a solution, instead, Mohammed is fighting against the marginalization of Oromos and any anti-democratic government policy or actions in favor of autocracy. Having once been a critic of the Oromo Liberation Front (ORF) when necessary, it is clear that he will only take side with the truth – an earmark of a notable leader.
Mohammed had also made it clear that “the uprising he has been a key part of is never about creating an Oromo state, but about Oromo asserting their rights”. In his opinion, a free, fair, and credible election is the answer, not the enthroning of a popular government by appointment, but “the consenting of every Ethiopian to their choice expressed through the ballots”. Unsurprisingly, a few months to the proposed elections, the Prosperity Party (PP) was formed. The PP is not only flawed in structure and intent but is plagued by institutional challenges that still undermine and very much antagonize the common interest of a multinational Republic. Though they profess it, they cannot achieve it and are rather luring the nation to a wilderness of hope and chasm where the youths will continue to clamor and protest for the change in oppression status quo they need and the transition to democracy they deserve – Jawar Mohammed may be the answer.
“The leader is one who, out of the clutter, brings simplicity… out of discord, harmony… and out of difficulty, opportunity.”
- Albert Einstein
By contrast, Abiy Ahmed, though an Oromo man is championing the course of his dictator-predecessors is giving the Oromo nation further uppercuts of marginalization. How on earth is he in favor of expanding the Finfinnee border to discommode and further cheat the Oromos in their land – a sharp contrast to what a Nobel Peace Laureate should stand for. He had gone on to erect statues of the previous dictators at the National Palace. Elsewhere in the world, like in Bristol, UK, statues, or symbols of oppression have been thrown down but are being erected in Ethiopia, it is clear he upholds the very principles that the people will keep fighting against. Mohammed on the other hand has been raised in democratic societies and is no party to autocracy. While Mohammed – like every true Democrat – is open to questions and interrogations as regards his leadership and vision, Ahmed has repeatedly avoided any situation that will warrant him to answer to questions including shunning the Nobel Committee and International Press, the Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute described this as “highly problematic”.
It is time for Ethiopia to elect their new leader, one who is no offspring nor follower of autocracy and dictatorship. The people of Ethiopia along with their choices have longed been imprisoned, denied, and starved of what is theirs – a multinational democratic State; and even though Ahmed has unconstitutionally postponed the general elections under the camouflage of COVID-19, flaring political tempers across the country, the people will neither be oppressed nor suppressed. Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous nation, with a population of over 100 million, and as at when Ahmed made the move to artificially extend his tenure in office, Ethiopia had recorded less than 100 COVID-19 deaths, surprisingly, even now, Ethiopia is one of the least affected African states with less than 300 deaths as at July 23rd; thus the agenda is hardly about the pandemic.
Now, with all prominent opposition leaders are in jail the administration announced to hold an election. Elections belong to the people. It's their decision to make but options should be open for them to elect and to decide.
The people need a leader like Mohammed (who believes in a free and fair election), one who will finally push the agenda of the Multinational Federation of Ethiopia and successfully lead the transition voyage to its safe harbor – democracy!
“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other man’s consent.”
- Abraham Lincoln
#freeallpolitical prisoners
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:COVID-19_pandemic_data
The Issue
The ‘Transition Phase’ of any Nation may be her most delicate phase. The need for a whole leader cannot be overemphasized. Ethiopia is very much at the transition phase in her history and if this phase is not well managed it may extend further than usual or even end in a catastrophe. In 1991, many heralded the dawn of the Federal Democratic Republic, when Meles Zenawi became the first Prime Minister of Ethiopia, after the first multiparty election in her history. An end to the Era of Emperors, Communism, and Dictatorship, a new dawn for the Ethiopian people.
However, after numerous election rigging troubles, the Zenawi administration held on to power until his death, when Hailemariam Desalegn came into power – via appointment not election. It was expected that the Desalegn administration would hand over power to an elected president, but it was not to be so. After numerous protests against the government broke out, especially the 2015-2017 protests, with Ethiopia declaring a state of emergency from October 2016 to August 2017, and scores of protesters killed, the pressure on the Desalegn administration continued to mount.
On the 16th of February 2018, Desalegn became the first ruler in modern Ethiopian history to resign or step down from office. Again, a state of emergency was declared and Abiy Ahmed was appointed Prime Minister, the first Oromo man to become Prime Minister, this was to clear the way for reforms. Reforms, it appeared when Ahmed appointed many females into his cabinet, including the Current President – Sahle-Work Zewde. Reforms, it appeared again when Ahmed won the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the two-decade-long war with Eritrea – a stark irony to everything he believes and has done in regards to the Ethiopia transition. Reforms, it appeared when he released numerous political prisoners of the previous administrations and made many censored websites accessible again. Reforms, it appeared when he promised free and fair elections in 2019.
“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new”
- Socrates
Socrates couldn’t have bemoaned better. The truth remains that Ahmed’s administration has focused its energy on fighting the old and every milestone of his administration has been hinged on fighting the old achievements – which may not be wrong, as they have brought in peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, for genuine change to happen in the transition phase of Ethiopia, the focus has to be on building the future, not fighting the old. It is as clear as day that Ahmed’s administration has failed when it comes to focusing on the future. Their laurels have only been earned on abolishing ugly landmarks, but that will not suffice the transition of Ethiopia. It is again vividly seen in the inability of the current government to hand over power peacefully and fairly.
The Ahmed’s administration may appear to be fighting the old, but their principles are largely hinged on the same old principles particularly in the use of force, and many have indicated the Nobel awarded him was ironical; Ahmed clearly stated regarding the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that “…if there need to go to war, we could get millions ready.” This may sound patriotic but is an indication of his insistence on the autocratic style of government. He has ordered the arrest of numerous political prisoners, goes against the same policies that seemed to have heralded a breath of fresh air in the country. At this time, it is clear we need a new leader, a revolutionary leader that will take Ethiopia through this transition to a safe landing – a multinational Democratic Federation.
“As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy”
- Abraham Lincoln
Suffice it to say Communism can never work in a multinational State like Ethiopia, it may last long, but it cannot work as we have seen, neither can Autocracy. Federalism, which supports equity and justice for all persons, is what Ethiopians need and Jawar Mohammed is just the right man for the job. Mohammed (along with the late Hachalu Hundessa) was a focal point in the anti-government movement that led to the resignation of Desalegn. He also played a huge role in bringing Ahmed into power. In fact, The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) that brought the former and the current Prime Minister into Power has its roots in the former Marxist-Leninist rebel movement, the said coalition that was paraded as a merger between four parties was indeed a single party – the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF, that ruled the country for 3 decades) with its 3 satellite arms, to once again deceive the people. Ethiopians are tired, she wants the right to vote and be voted for and to be led by an autocratic grasp to the seat of government by a minority group.
Jawar Mohammed is an ardent antagonist of the cruel and archaic authoritarian ideology of a superior race that simply cannot work in multinational Ethiopia. Oromo is the largest ethnic group, and Mohammed an Oromo man, clamoring for race equity should be an exemplar for other ethnic group leaders. It is also worthy of note that Mohammed is not fighting for the superiority of the Oromo nation, that would be fighting the old and is simply a change of problem rather than a solution, instead, Mohammed is fighting against the marginalization of Oromos and any anti-democratic government policy or actions in favor of autocracy. Having once been a critic of the Oromo Liberation Front (ORF) when necessary, it is clear that he will only take side with the truth – an earmark of a notable leader.
Mohammed had also made it clear that “the uprising he has been a key part of is never about creating an Oromo state, but about Oromo asserting their rights”. In his opinion, a free, fair, and credible election is the answer, not the enthroning of a popular government by appointment, but “the consenting of every Ethiopian to their choice expressed through the ballots”. Unsurprisingly, a few months to the proposed elections, the Prosperity Party (PP) was formed. The PP is not only flawed in structure and intent but is plagued by institutional challenges that still undermine and very much antagonize the common interest of a multinational Republic. Though they profess it, they cannot achieve it and are rather luring the nation to a wilderness of hope and chasm where the youths will continue to clamor and protest for the change in oppression status quo they need and the transition to democracy they deserve – Jawar Mohammed may be the answer.
“The leader is one who, out of the clutter, brings simplicity… out of discord, harmony… and out of difficulty, opportunity.”
- Albert Einstein
By contrast, Abiy Ahmed, though an Oromo man is championing the course of his dictator-predecessors is giving the Oromo nation further uppercuts of marginalization. How on earth is he in favor of expanding the Finfinnee border to discommode and further cheat the Oromos in their land – a sharp contrast to what a Nobel Peace Laureate should stand for. He had gone on to erect statues of the previous dictators at the National Palace. Elsewhere in the world, like in Bristol, UK, statues, or symbols of oppression have been thrown down but are being erected in Ethiopia, it is clear he upholds the very principles that the people will keep fighting against. Mohammed on the other hand has been raised in democratic societies and is no party to autocracy. While Mohammed – like every true Democrat – is open to questions and interrogations as regards his leadership and vision, Ahmed has repeatedly avoided any situation that will warrant him to answer to questions including shunning the Nobel Committee and International Press, the Director of the Norwegian Nobel Institute described this as “highly problematic”.
It is time for Ethiopia to elect their new leader, one who is no offspring nor follower of autocracy and dictatorship. The people of Ethiopia along with their choices have longed been imprisoned, denied, and starved of what is theirs – a multinational democratic State; and even though Ahmed has unconstitutionally postponed the general elections under the camouflage of COVID-19, flaring political tempers across the country, the people will neither be oppressed nor suppressed. Ethiopia is Africa’s second-most populous nation, with a population of over 100 million, and as at when Ahmed made the move to artificially extend his tenure in office, Ethiopia had recorded less than 100 COVID-19 deaths, surprisingly, even now, Ethiopia is one of the least affected African states with less than 300 deaths as at July 23rd; thus the agenda is hardly about the pandemic.
Now, with all prominent opposition leaders are in jail the administration announced to hold an election. Elections belong to the people. It's their decision to make but options should be open for them to elect and to decide.
The people need a leader like Mohammed (who believes in a free and fair election), one who will finally push the agenda of the Multinational Federation of Ethiopia and successfully lead the transition voyage to its safe harbor – democracy!
“No man is good enough to govern another man without that other man’s consent.”
- Abraham Lincoln
#freeallpolitical prisoners
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:COVID-19_pandemic_data
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Petition created on October 16, 2020