By Kinijit North America Support Editorial Board, April 2007
The Ethiopian people are of varied ethnic groups who lived together for centuries. Well over 80 different ethnic groups peacefully coexist within the geographical boundary of Ethiopia share common Ethiopian nationality and citizenships.
The past and present political leaders of Ethiopia, however, have committed errors by adhering to misguided politics and philosophy. As a result, the poor citizens of Ethiopia are suffering from starvation, malnutrition, and seemingly endless political instability. The suggested causes of wars and perpetual poverty of Ethiopia are controversial. However, everybody agrees that these shocking calamities have afflicted huge numbers of peoples irrespective of geographic regions. The political and economic damage the various governments committed have impeded the development of sustained peace, stability and economic progress. Asian and Latin American countries who have been in a similar predicament are now progressing faster than Ethiopia is in the 21st century, for a simple reason; they managed to establish stability and peace and implemented comparatively fair democratic policies. The people of those countries are now seeing the opportunities of development and a hope of ending their economic misery.
May 15, 2005 was a watershed date in Ethiopia’s history. Seventy-seven million Ethiopians hoped May 15, 2005 was the beginning of a new era for Ethiopia, where repression and injustice would all be replaced by democracy. Hard work from all sides and corners of the country helped make May 15th a historic date. Several months before May 15th a series of exciting events took place in Ethiopia. Opposition parties and the incumbent presented and debated the vision they have for Ethiopia in front of the public. To the dismay of the enemy of Ethiopia, during that period of public debate, Ethiopians maintained harmony, friendliness, and a sense of community that are great assets of a nation. Those who have been at the opposite ends of the aisle including the members of EPDRF government walked tall with their heads held high. All political competitors earned respect from Ethiopians for mere participation in the democratic process.
In contrast, what subsequently happened after May 15th is catastrophic to nation building as it reversed the democratic process. Ethiopians were horrified as they witnessed their hopes blow up in their face. Emergency curfew was declared, ballot box stolen, voters stifled and intimidated, winners arrested and a nation suppressed under the barrel of the gun. As a result, hope evaporated The subversion and intimidation of voters, the incarceration of political leaders and supporters of the oppositions decimated Ethiopians hope for peace and stability. After the crack down of the opposition taken by the incumbent, EPRDF members who were proud and walked tall during the debate, have since shriveled and are covering their faces from the public in humiliation.
Looking forward, the eight-preconditions for democratic governance that Kinijit provided to EPRDF, in order to join parliament, are actually a historic bridge between the deeply divided tyrannical political culture on one hand and democratic political culture envisioned on the other. The historic conditions are all inclusive and are the foundation for the recognition of human rights, democracy and peaceful coexistence of all Ethiopians. Genuine Ethiopians have no justifiable reasons for not wanting the implementation of all items of the preconditions. Kinijit is committed to the objectives entered…, the Eight- preconditions that triggers forgiveness and initiates the building of a just nation.
The Eight-preconditions are covenants that can make all Ethiopians including the EPRDF win over injustice. We leave you with announcements of The Eight-point Principles of Kinijit.
Kinijit Council has unanimously agreed to present an Eight-point precondition to the ruling government of Ethiopia as a precondition for Kinijit to enter parliament.
Kinijit Executive leaders announced the Council's decision to the press today.
On the issue of whether to join parliament or not, it was decided that the people’s questions have to be answered satisfactorily.
The necessary and sufficient conditions for joining the parliament include:
1. The Election Board needs to be restructured and be able to operate independently
2. All forms of media should be free and available to all political parties.
3. The legal system must be able to operate independently without any coercion from the ruling party.
4. An independent commission to be established to investigate the June 8, 2005 killings of innocent Ethiopians.
5. Ensure the police and armed forces do not get involved in politics and take sides.
6. Recent laws that have been passed at the concluding sessions of the last Parliament that deal with parliamentary procedures and governance of the City of Addis Ababa should be rescinded.
7. All political prisoners should be released, and opposition party offices that had been closed should be opened.
8. Establish an independent commission, that is acceptable to all parties, to follow up that the above mentioned issues are resolved on a timely manner.
In order to ensure that the above eight-point principles are fulfilled, the Meles government had agreed to establish an independent commission which would be charged with such responsibilities.
Four members of Kinijit Executive Committee have been assigned to submit these necessary conditions to the Prime Minister.
Clearly the government has fumbled and it should pick up the ball it and roll it in the direction that favors Ethiopian Democracy. Incarcerating the Kinijit leaders won’t do.
Kinijit North America Support Editorial Board
, April 2007