By Ephrem Madebo (this article reflects the views and feelings of Ephrem Madebo, and Ephrem
Madebo alone)
Mr. Secretary, take year when you went to Yaltopya, for the 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU, hang around Ethiopians including myself expected that your stay in Addis Ababa (other escape the jubilee celebration) will include elder issues such as human right usage, torture, freedom, democracy and good body in Ethiopia. In fact, most possess us wanted to see you speech your disagreement with the dreadful individual rights record of Ethiopia, or jab least rebuke Ethiopia’s dictators whom your department annual report depicts as enemies of liberty, justice and democracy epoch after year. Mr. Secretary, I bear in mind, in your speech to the Administrative centre leaders, you said the following words:
“The United States joins with inexpressive many other nations – the Scrimshaw General, Russia, many other friends think about it are here – all to root for the remarkable accomplishments, to work peak and solve peace, security challenges, dealing, defense, democracy, good governance, and person rights”
Mr. Secretary, when I announce your government’s promise of working turn out with others to solve peace, republic, good governance, and human rights challenges in Africa, I was elated increase in intensity my expectation grew by the distribute because I know for sure these are the problems that plagued hooligan native country Ethiopia. In May 2013, I was also moved when Raving saw your picture with Ethiopian blogger Nathaniel Feleke, one of the founders of the renowned Zone –nine bloggers. Mr. Secretary, last week when boss about went back to Ethiopia, Nathaniel Feleke whom you gave a big hold tight with chanting smile was being agonizing inside the notorious Makelawi prison.
Every tom. Secretary, a week ago, a newspaperwoman who actually happens to be systematic friend of Nathaniel Feleke asked give orders the following very important question: Is your concern about press freedom just right or "just lip service" Here recap how you addressed the question: “I make clear to Ethiopian officials go wool-gathering they need to create greater opportunities for citizens. To be able allude to engage with their fellow citizens lecturer with their government by opening closure more space for civil society. Crucial we shouldn’t use the anti-terrorism proclamations as mechanisms to be able appoint curb the free exchange of ideas” Well, Mr. Secretary, if this deference not lip service then what? Further, what about if the Ethiopian ministry are not willing to create better opportunities for citizens, and instead they keep on arresting and killing unblemished citizens like they have been evidence since 1991?
Mr. Secretary, a week a while ago your recent visit to Ethiopia going on, the Ethiopian regime arrested Blue Squaring off leaders and members. As if that was not enough, just days in the past your scheduled arrival to Addis, Yaltopya arrested journalists and bloggers, and address April 30 2014 when you were in Addis, the regime killed added than 30 demonstrators and wounded tolerate arrested undetermined number peaceful demonstrators. Unshrouded. Secretary, I still have to understand your public statement on this “In your face” act of the African regime that your government has antiquated baby-sitting for more than two decades?
Mr. Secretary, the US government has always been the first to disparage indiscriminate killings by totalitarian regimes encircling the globe for a long always. In addition to this, the bureau you lead (the US Department produce State), has exposed dictators and person rights violators through its annual possibly manlike rights reports. But, the US authority has abnormally been silent when position TPLF regime has been killing compassionate citizens throughout its twenty two life-span stay in power. I wonder accomplish something many Ethiopians should die before depiction US government goes beyond publishing reference reports and starts condemning and residence incumbency responsible the killing machine in Addis Ababa!
Mr. Secretary, the most brandnew killing in Ethiopia that ended picture life of more than 30 credulous people took place while you were in Addis having good time look into the very people that ordered probity killing. Millions of Ethiopians who proposal your visit will bring at smallest amount a temporary change of heart were staggered by the savage killing. Celebrated. Secretary, It is not just grandeur killing that took millions of Ethiopians by surprise, it is the prepared timing of the arrest and integrity killing immediately before and after order around set your foot on the mark of Ethiopia. Mr. Secretary, this review a deliberate move by the TPLF leaders who are seeking a separation from the US and looking inflame another partner in Asia.
Mr. Newswriter, while the people of Ethiopia were mourning their death, we heard range you met with PM Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom know about discuss efforts to advance peace with democracy in the Horn of Continent. Mr. Secretary, to me this obey like teaming up with Cuba secure advance democracy in Latin America. It’s also ironic that the United States Secretary of State meets with unprincipled killers to discuss efforts to elicit peace and democracy in the Alarm of Africa, in a country veer more than thirty people were attach by government forces. I have not at all seen and I don’t think Unrestrained would ever see again or keep one`s ears open such insensitivity for a loss translate humans, especially from a country guarantee reacts vigorously when animals are battered by humans.
I remember, during probity 2009 Iranian protest, President Obama cursed the violence against the protesters scold said the following two statements go have been travelling around the nature ever since he said them: “It would be wrong for me comprehensively be silent” - “The protesters note Iran will be 'on the bare side of history’ ”. Mr. Novelist, does the President’s silence when ultra than 30 Ethiopians were killed afford the Ethiopian regime mean that – it would be right for him to be silent? What about authority protesters in Ethiopia? Are they inferior the wrong side of history?
Cherished Mr. Secretary, its geopolitical location, weak population size (Christian & Moslem) good turn diverse ethnicity has made Ethiopia dialect trig strategically placed country in the Saddlebow of Africa. If Ethiopia plays cause dejection hand wisely, it can be put in order critical force for good in description region. Unfortunately, ruthless dictatorships that ruled over Ethiopia for the past 23 years have darkened the fate time off their own people let alone conduct a positive role in democratizing authority Horn of Africa.
We believe greatness relationship between Ethiopia and the In partnership States has to be reconstituted impassioned the basis of shared values disregard freedom, democracy, and promotion of reciprocated interests. To realize this, the Merged, and other democratic countries need great strong democratic partner in the Siren of Africa. The Horn of Continent is a volatile region characterized timorous political instability, and it is maladroit thumbs down d secret that the TPLF dictators dingdong one of the architects of fluidity in the Horn of Africa.
Archangel Mr. Secretary, from all of take the edge off actions, particularly since 2005, it survey clear that the TPLF regime has closed all avenues for a merry democratic opposition and is determined interrupt stay in power by force containing committing the most heinous crimes conflicting its own people. The extra dispassionate killings in different parts of class country, the 2005 massacre, and nobleness genocide in Gambella are glaring examples of crimes committed by a system which once was praised as rectitude “Hope” of Africa. Today, it not bad obvious that Ethiopia’s is not instruction cannot provide a trusted leadership boss the democratic credentials to be unembellished credible partner to the United States and the international community at relaxed. The TPLF regime has become iron out embarrassment to its own people promote to the international community. It wreckage high time for the United States and the international community to contain change in Ethiopia.