When the TPLF leader Meles Zenawi was promoted by Tony Blair as a progressive leader we thought the statement was too dishonest and reflected negatively on the British Prime Minister’s character. As we continue to learn more about how Meles operates however, we are starting to feel that maybe we were a little too harsh on poor Mr. Blair. We had totally underestimated Meles’ capacity to intimidate not only Ethiopians but also those whom he begs. It seems the theory works both ways; if Ethiopians can be used to beg westerners for money why not use the same people to intimidate westerners as well.
Almost any rational person already knows that the recent explosions in Ethiopia were orchestrated by the TPLF. This would be completely in line with how TPLF has historically threatened to disintegrate the country and start inter-ethnic strife if forced out of power. No political force that would like to come to power in Ethiopia would have an incentive to blow up civilians riding in Taxis. It would be the worst PR campaign ever waged by such a force.
It is clear that all western officials on the Ethiopian scene also understand this from the various statements that they have made in the previous few years. That Meles can go from simply threatening westerners with the destruction of Ethiopia to actually acting it out seems to have rattled many of these officials who are now speaking his propaganda like parrots. Tony Blair recently helped Meles to reinstate all the aid that he had lost under the same old guise of fighting poverty, and now elements in the more powerful and principled US government seem to be cowering under Meles’ threats too.
We do not know much about the new political alliance, the AFD, that was recently created. But we do know that its stated objectives and tasks are far from the accusations implied in a recent news piece published by the State Department. We also know that a pretentious CUDP was created by Meles – this is not the first time that TPLF has created duplicate parties in order to fight legitimate political forces. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto’s recent surprising statements about AFD being bad and Meles-CUDP being good are starting to sound very similar to Tony Blair’s old mistakes. With Blair it became obvious that there was some personal friendship and the stated intimidation to motivate him to blunder, but we have yet to determine if Yamamoto is reacting to intimidation by Meles contrary to his own beliefs.
The message is simple and clear. It is time for western officials to stop beating around the bush due to intimidation by Meles. It is evident that he remains with no more legitimacy to rule Ethiopia. Making TPLF’s inevitable demise take a few years longer can only hurt western interests by creating more TPLF induced violence. It is time to support political forces that understand that Ethiopia needs change immediately and are getting together to achieve it.
To Ethiopians inside and outside the country this is the time to give courage to Ethiopians and western leaders by writing more, demonstrating more and informing all concerned that we are behind all peaceful political forces that are trying to stop TPLF's intimidation campaigns. No privilege can be more important than a safe and democratic Ethiopia.
Almost any rational person already knows that the recent explosions in Ethiopia were orchestrated by the TPLF. This would be completely in line with how TPLF has historically threatened to disintegrate the country and start inter-ethnic strife if forced out of power. No political force that would like to come to power in Ethiopia would have an incentive to blow up civilians riding in Taxis. It would be the worst PR campaign ever waged by such a force.
It is clear that all western officials on the Ethiopian scene also understand this from the various statements that they have made in the previous few years. That Meles can go from simply threatening westerners with the destruction of Ethiopia to actually acting it out seems to have rattled many of these officials who are now speaking his propaganda like parrots. Tony Blair recently helped Meles to reinstate all the aid that he had lost under the same old guise of fighting poverty, and now elements in the more powerful and principled US government seem to be cowering under Meles’ threats too.
We do not know much about the new political alliance, the AFD, that was recently created. But we do know that its stated objectives and tasks are far from the accusations implied in a recent news piece published by the State Department. We also know that a pretentious CUDP was created by Meles – this is not the first time that TPLF has created duplicate parties in order to fight legitimate political forces. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto’s recent surprising statements about AFD being bad and Meles-CUDP being good are starting to sound very similar to Tony Blair’s old mistakes. With Blair it became obvious that there was some personal friendship and the stated intimidation to motivate him to blunder, but we have yet to determine if Yamamoto is reacting to intimidation by Meles contrary to his own beliefs.
The message is simple and clear. It is time for western officials to stop beating around the bush due to intimidation by Meles. It is evident that he remains with no more legitimacy to rule Ethiopia. Making TPLF’s inevitable demise take a few years longer can only hurt western interests by creating more TPLF induced violence. It is time to support political forces that understand that Ethiopia needs change immediately and are getting together to achieve it.
To Ethiopians inside and outside the country this is the time to give courage to Ethiopians and western leaders by writing more, demonstrating more and informing all concerned that we are behind all peaceful political forces that are trying to stop TPLF's intimidation campaigns. No privilege can be more important than a safe and democratic Ethiopia.
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