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Ethiopia and Human and Democratic Rights
With Dr. Mekdes Mesfin and Elias Kifle,
Secretary of Ethiopian
Democratic Action League
Wednesday, June 6, 2001; 10 a.m. EDT
The United Ethiopian Civic Organization has organized a 24-hour vigil,
rally and demonstration to draw international attention to the imprisonment of human rights activists and prominent scholars in Ethiopia. Chief among them: Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam and Dr. Berhanu Negga, leaders of Ethiopian Democratic Party, Ato Lidetu Ayalew and Ato Tamrat Tarekegn -- and all the political prisoners in Ethiopia who are languishing in jail under inhumane conditions.
Talk about the human rights situation in Ethiopia with Elias Kifle, secretary of Ethiopian Democratic Action League, a human and democratic rights advocacy group, and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin, daughter of Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam.
The 24-hour vigil/rally will start on Wednesday, June 6, 2001 at Noon and end on Thursday, June 7, at Noon. The vigil will be held outside the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., at the corner of 23rd and C Streets NW.
Kifle is also the publisher of Ethiopian Review magazine, an English language quarterly publication focusing on the political, economic, and social conditions in Ethiopia. He immigrated to the U.S. 15 years ago.
Mesfin came to Massachusetts from Ethiopia about 11 years ago. She currently
works for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, in violence prevention and intervention services.
Below is the transcript.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Good morning. I would like to thank the Washington Post for giving this opportunity to explain to its readers the terrible human rights situation in Ethiopia under the U.S.-backed regime of Meles Zenawi. Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, founder of Ethiopian Human Rights Council, and Dr Berhanu Negga, a renowned economist have been released yesterday after languishing in jail since May 8, accused of inciting student demonstrations in April. The President of Ethiopian Teachers Association, Dr Taye Woldesemayat, leaders of Ethiopian Democratic Party, Ato Lidetu Ayalew and Ato Tamrat Tarekegn, and thousands of other innocent Ethiopians, including journalists, human rights activists and members of political parties continue to languishing in jail under inhumane conditions. We are appealing to the Government of the United States for its intervention regarding these political prisoners.
Washington, DC:
I some times wonder why people like you who seem to be very intelligent, articulate, and able bodied will fail to see that what ever you are doing in good intention is hurting the very people you are trying to help.
As you know the effect of your protest or complaint to the highest authority (USA, Canada..) will have an effect on cooperation, and other agendas that Ethiopia will conduct with the world. People will quote you to death to make a point.
Wouldn’t it be better if all oppositions work together and built on what ever is in place and go on with normal life?
Do you think the so-called Democracy can be achieved in Ethiopia? If the answer is yes can you tell me how you are going to have an election conducted in a nation that barley have road access to 10 % of its territory, with 7% literacy?
I am not disapproving your effort, method or tenacity and devotion to help your country, but I think the status quo should change and we all should rethink about what is needed to help our people to feed them selves before we worry about who we should have as prime Minster or president and when and how he or she is elected.
Wouldn’t it be marvelous first to wage war on poverty, illiteracy and then after the people build confidence, knowledge with a full stomach, we think about democracy?
I have seen it all, heard it all and witnessed so much lie, deceit and hypocrisy when it comes to this notion of democracy, with the exception of Ghana, and South Africa almost all leaders that are on power get their telling the world how miserable the leader who is on power was. Once they get what they want, the helm, they become worth than their predecessors.
I don’t know what the future hold for Ethiopia, But I know this much who ever is going to be the next leader will be worth than the present regime. You might ask, how I come to know this, I have talked to people in the city, I have talked to people in the desert, and I have talked to people in the remote villages of Ethiopia, Believe me their concern and their question is not democracy, That is just an issue for few who are half baked and confused in knowing who they are and where they belong.
Lets say that the majority of the Ethiopian people are disgusted with the present regime, why do you think they up rise and overthrow the Government and put some one they wanted on power?
That is the last thing they wanted to do, raise tax and you will see them revolt.
I think it will be prudent to fight poverty, illiteracy, and disease. That is also doable from a far away place, than to try to unseat a government.
I am willing to learn.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Mekdes: The question is not about "unsitting" a government. It's about achieving the same goal you seek: eradication of poverty and disease. That can only happen when basic individual rights and freedom are respected. That is where democracy come into play.
Glenolden, Penn.:
After getting the news that Dr. Birhanu and Professor Mesfin were released from jail your call for a vigil to free the two prominent scholars sounded meaningless. It could be that I am a late comer to your page. How about for Dr. Taye and others still in prison? Hailu
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: It is with pleasure that we receive the news that Prof. Mesfin and Dr. Berhanu are released on bail. Efforts are not made exclusively for any prisoner of conscience. There are others left. The effort continues. In addition, The two have only been released on bail.
Germany:
Hello Elias,
Does United Ethiopian Civic Organizations have a branche in europa,country like Germany.
I think the same kind of activities have to take place in Europa too to draw the attention of European community to the unjust imprisonment of human rights activists and all the political prisoners in Ethiopia.
If you don't have branch in Europe please try to have a branch in other part of the world too.
God bless your effort
Thanks.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: United Ethiopian Civic Groups is working with Ethiopian civic organizations in several cities in Europe, such as London, Stockholm, Geneva... Well-coordinated efforts are being carried out in Europe, and the European governments have been receptive to our calls. About two weeks ago, the European Parliament issued a strong resolution condemning the gross human rights violations in Ethiopia. However, we are having a difficult time with the U.S. Government, I am sorry to say. We have yet to see any strong public statement coming from the U.S. Government condemning the Meles regime's atrocities in Ethiopia.
Guildford, England:
The US, IMF and the World Bank have been extremely supportive of the Woyane dictatorship. Could you explain to me why this is so? Surely they have nothing to gain from helping and proping up this pseudo-democray yet they do! In many ways the US and the international communinty are, either actively or discretely; through their silence, aiding and abetting Meles - why?!
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: MEKDES:The laws written in the books are impressive in their guarantees of basic rights and freedoms. The consitutional rights that one reads about can satisfy any challenge. The problem, it seems is in the respect of these rights, or rather their violation.
Moreover, the existence of some vague provisions in some, statutes, such as the press law, does not help.
London, England:
Dear Elias,
Firstly I would like to congratulate you on all the work that you have been doing in the name of Ethiopia and Human Rights.
Could you explain to us why the US government has been such a staunch supporter of the Woyane regime? It just doesn't make sense. Meles Zenawi is a communist and the US has no national, economic or political interest in supporting him.
The equation just doesn't make sense. Can you clarify the current US-Ethiopian relationship?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: I think the U.S. Government is supporting Meles Zenawi's regime in Ethiopia because it wrongly believes that the Meles regime can maintain stability and peace in the region.
Takoma Park, Md.:
Dr Mekdes: Are you satisfaied by Ethiopian effort for the relise of you father?
Mr Elias: Do you think this is the result of international pressure on Meles' Adminstration, If so how this will work for other Ethiopian behind the bar for just speaking on behalf of Ethiopian people interest?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: MEKDES:Their release is obviously a step in the right direction and, and therefore quite welcome. It is the result of the effort of many many people.
My father, Mesfin WoldeMariam, is quoted in a Reuters piece as saying, "The law's been vindicated". We would definitely want to see more of such steps being taken.
ELIAS: I believe that the release of these two human rights activists is a result of worldwide efforts such as the twenty four hour vigil we are holding today starting at twelve noon in front of the US Department of State.
Fresno, Calif.:
Dear Ato Elias,
I would like to ask you if the good news about the release of Prof. Mesfin and Dr. Berhanu I heard today from various listbot sources is in fact true. We are extremely
happy if they are in fact released on bail.
I taught at Addis Ababa University from 1983 to 1991 and have followed recent events in Ethiopia with great concern.
Thank you for your work in journalism toward
keeping the public informed of news and events in Ethiopia.
Thank you in advance for any news you have on
our two friends for whom we have been praying.
Helmut
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: Yes, it's true. Thank you for the kind and encouraging words. We need to continue with our efforts to help secure the release of Dr Taye Woldesemayat, the president of Ethiopian Teachers Association, and the other thousands of prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia.
Alexandria, Va.:
As you know Woyane released Prof. Mesfin and Dr. Birehanu from prison. What is your next step?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Eias: The President of Ethiopian Teachers Association, Dr Taye Woldesemayat, leaders of Ethiopian Democratic Party, Lidetu Ayalew and Tamrat Tarekegn, and thousands of other innocent Ethiopians, including journalists, human rights activists and members of political parties remain in jail and are suffering inhumane prison conditions. We need to intensify our efforts until all of them are released.
Augusta, Georgia:
Dear Ato Elias,
Some of us, for various reasons, will not be able to participate in the planned vigil, rally and demonstration to be held in Washington D.C. later today. However, please be informed that we are in full support of your efforts regarding this matter. We hope that this will be a long-term goal and activity of the Organization in which you are involved. In the future, however, it would be useful if you let us know how we can make our share of contribution to your efforts in any other ways possible. As there are so many political parties and groups nowadays expressing their views againsts the ruling group in Ethiopia, we would appreciate it if you could also enlighten us about your Organization. Such information would help clarify some of the confusions the exist around opposition parties/groups. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: Thank you for offering to contribute to our efforts. One way you can help from where you are is by making financial contributions to those organizations inside the country that are challenging the dictatorial regime on a daily basis. We are currently conducting a fund raising drive for the Ethiopian Democratic Party and the organizations in Ethiopia. Over 110 of its leaders and members of EDP are in jail. The families of these prisoners are in suffering. We are trying to help them. To send contributions, please check out our web site where you can find our mailing address and other contact information. Our web site address is: http://www.tegbar.org
Washington, D.C.:
Why do the U.S., world bank and IMF continue to support a dictator like Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: We are saddened by the intentional community’s silence regarding the atrocities of the Meles regime in Ethiopia, including the recent massacre of over 40 students, opposition party members and other civilians on April 17 and 18. The Meles dictatorial regime in Ethiopia has been encouraged by the reluctance of the international community, and particularly its financial and political supporters such as the United State Government, the European Union, the World Bank and others, to forcefully speak out against last month’s and previous atrocities and gross human rights violations. The Meles regime is intensifying its repression and terrorizing our people. We appeal to the people of the Unite States to tell the their government to stop supporting the Meles regime until it improves its human rights record.
Bethesda, Md.:
To Dr. Mesfin or Mr. Kifle
It has been reported that hundreds of students who were peacefully demonstrating for academic rights have been murdered and that thousands more have been imprisoned. Is there any hope that they will be released any time soon? Will they be able to return back to school?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: The students, the thousands of human rights activists, members of political parties, journalists and others who are languishing in disease infested jails will not be released until the international community breaks its silence and take appropriate measures. The U.S. Government, one of the strongest backers of the Meles regime, has a moral responsibility, if nothing else, to pressure the Meles regime to respect human rights in Ethiopia.
Chicago, Ill.:
Can you tell us anything about the US delegation that went to Ethiopia last week? Why did they go? What were the outcomes? Do you think the US may be rethinking about its failed policy toward Ethiopia and the horn of Africa in general?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: I'm not sure yet what was the mission of the high-level U.S. delegation that recently traveled to Ethiopia. I hope that human rights were top in its agenda. There is a strong sign that the U.S. Government is fed up with the Meles regime, which is at war with its people.
London, Ontario, Canada:
How severe do think the human right violation in Ethiopia, what are the most common human rights which are being violated?
Which groups of people do you think are the main targets( if there is any), or what critria are being used to identify these fellow vectims?
What do you think the main motives behind to put those prominent scholars in jail?
How does (in what way does) the human right violation affects the daily life of the victims(in general ethiopians), the country's development process, the stability of the region?
What are some of common reason used to cover up these open right violations?
What should be done to improve the situation, or what posible practical mechanisms are there to convince, or obliged the leaders to respect the basic human right?
What do you think the role of international community in achieving the required human right condition in Ethiopia. What can the international community be doing to help the victims?
Can you see some relation between the economcal situaltion and human right condition in the country? Are there any ways that could favor the leaders to impose more human right violation? For example, the present university student crises? there has been report that the gevernment is forcing the student to sign agreement not to participate in any kind of anti-govermental action again, using the fact that university education is given for free, unless they comply with this agreement it will take this previlage away. Are there similar situation exist in any other areas?
How does the culture assist (help to improve, if any) human right violation?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: MEKDES:
Public reports from organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the recent Resolution of the European Parliament speak to an escalation of human rights abuses. I do not have the statistics on WHICH rights are violated and I am not sure that anybody does.
The victims, as far as I am aware, are identified as just that.....victims..... by what they have encountered in violation of their right(s). They are varied, and various reports exist to that effect. The Human Rights Watch Web page,and the Ethiopian Human Rights Council reports are a good source.
I would like to give you back the question of how arbitrary and indefinite detentions, illegal searches, trumped up charges, inhumane treatment, even up to extrajudicial summary killings --in other words, human rights violations of all sorts--------affect the daily life of the victims(in general ethiopians), the country's development process, the stability of the region.
The only "practical mechanisms"open to human rights activists, are exposure, exposure, exposure. Activists are engaged in the process of educating the public about rights. In a society like ours, where repression has been the norm for decades, it becomes internalized as normal that some are jailed, beaten, killed and exiled for having been born to a particular family, thinking a particular way, being associated with an entity, and the list goes on. The victim gets blamed. Human rights activists engage in dispelling those notions, working not just with the public, but also with the state when the environment allows. They also investigate, document and publicize violations of human rights.
One needs to note that human rights violations are violations by the state. Such activists and organizations are not in the business of exposing atrocities committed independently by individuals or groups. This becomes the scope of criminal (police)investigation. This distinction is very important in our case, where government officials question the fact that the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) is impartial, because it only discusses abuses by agents of the state.
The international community can play a significant role by paying attention to what goes on in the human rights front in Ethiopia. This is the only enforcement that human rights laws have. States are not known for bringing their own agents to justice for having violated the rights of citizens.
I would like to mention that this will at least partly explain why human rights advocates and organizations by their very nature, are independent from any government affiliation.
Duluth Minn.:
With the change from a Republican to a Democratic majority in our Congress... may this reflect a more enlightened policy switch; pressuring our State Department and the Bush administration to recognize the injustices by Ethiopian present administration.
I will write my Senator, Paul Wellstone (who is 'congressman of conscience') to advocate for such changes.
Thank you for pursuing the effort to liberate your country. All nations need to constantly watchdog injustice or it grows like a fungus and contaminates the substance of a democracy, even in a democratic society.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: Thank you for the support. Please continue to write and update your congressman and senators about the atrocities in Ethiopia. They have the power to change the U.S. anti-human rights policy towards Ethiopia. If you need any information about the situation in Ethiopia please check out our web site: www.tegbar.org or call me at 703 866 0709 (USA).
Atlanta, Georgia:
1.The Ethiopian govt. said Dr. Mesfin has passed the law assuming that he won't get arrested since he has a lot of ears from international organizations. How much this is true? And if not, why the TPLF govt. primarily targeted toward eliminating educated Ethiopians who usually oppose the ruling in Addis?
2. The constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the right to discuss issues that someone believes is wrong and hurtful to our country. Why EPLF throw people in jail on the pretext to law violations? It seems there is a one party and dictatorship govt in the country that say people are wrong and the party is right. How can we say there is a democratic govt?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: Let me quote for you what the Human Rights Watch has said: “The government’s detention of Prof. Mesfin and Dr. Berhanu appears aimed at crippling the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), the only openly operating human rights monitoring group in the country,” HRW, May 19, 2001, report. EHRCO is not the only independent organization the Meles regime is trying to dismantle. It has been at war with the Ethiopian Teachers Association for the past several years, and put several of its leaders, including its president, Dr Taye Woldesemayat, in jail.
Raleigh, N.C.:
Once they are bailed out do you think they may be imprisoned them again? Or the bail does not guarantee their freedom?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Well, as was said, the law was 'vindicated" and they are out on bail. They are due to appear in court some time later this month or early next month. I am not sure about the date. I have no reason to think that they would be imprisoned again, if what we are witnessing is due process in action.
Farnham, England:
We all know that the person pulling all the strings in Ethiopia is Meles, who is currently serving his second and final term in office. What do you envisage for the future for Ethiopian leadership?
I must admit that this is one of my greatest fears. This government has done everything possible to divide the Ethiopian people with their blatant ethno-aparthied policy. And now it seems that even the TPLF itself is coming undone. There is no question in my mind that Ethiopia requires a leader who will unite all the people of Ethiopia regardless of tribe or religion. But, and it is with deep sorrow that I say this, I do not see any such leader. Ermias
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: The Meles era must end as soon as possible. The Ethiopian people have suffered enough. Ethiopians from around the world held a worldwide teleconference recently and have reached at this conclusion. Here is a quote from the resolution they passed: "Recalling Meles Zenawi’s disastrous rule during the past 10 years, which brought economic, health, environmental and other calamities in our country and enormous suffering to our people, and in light of the ongoing crisis inside the Meles regime which has fully exposed the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front’s corruption and anti-Ethiopia policies, we, leaders and representatives of civic associations and political parties, scholars, professionals, journalists, human rights activists and other concerned Ethiopians around the world, who held a conference on April 1, 2001, call for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s regime and the setting up of an all-inclusive transitional government, to be followed by a fair and free election."
Silver Spring, Md.:
Selamta Ato. Elias
Don’t you think that it is prudent for an organization like yours to work together with other Ethiopian political organizations who are striving to bring democratic changes in Ethiopia?
What effort is being taken to include other Ethiopian groups who are currently not in concert with you?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: We are reaching out to all Ethiopian organizations around the world to join us. Ours is a civic movement dedicated to the promotion of respect for human rights and the establishment of a democratic governance. The groups I belong to, Ethiopian Democratic Action League, is part of a coalition composed of five other civic groups. If you come to today's vigil at the State Department, please look for me and we can talk more about the issue you raised. We need every help we can get.
New York, New York:
Dr. Mekdes or Ato Elias,
I remember reading a while back that of all African countries, Ethiopia has the highest number of journalists in prison. This suggests that freedom of speech is non-existent in Ethiopia. How is the free press doing currently?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: The free press in Ethiopia continues to be under attack. As you may have heard, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists named the Meles regime the number one enemy of the free press in Africa and number three in the world.
washingtonpost.com:
Dr. Mekdes Mesfin,
How has the imprisonment and release of your family affected your family? What is the latest that you have heard about him and what is your next step in the trial process?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: MEKDES:
I cannot even begin to describe the anxiety and disruption that this experience causes. My heart goes out to all those who have had a similar and even more severe experience. The personal and emotional cannot be framed in the dialogue of rights, as significantly large as that is.
My father is doing incredibly well. I have spoken to him twice in the last twenty four hours. We have to wait and see what the procedure is. I understand there is a hearing in a few weeks.
I would like to thank the Washington Post for this opportunity to give the Ethiopian Human Rights context some exposure. I would also like to personally thank those that have given me and my family support on a human and personal level, as well as those who have given immense support to the cause. It is because of you all that we are celebrating today.
With your help and continued involvement, nothing other than the rule of law will be the norm in Ethiopia, and people like my father will find little to do.
Thank you.
Springfield, Massachusetts:
Dear Elias and Mekdas:
In addition to the violations of the basic human rights of the Ethiopian people, the Meles regime seem to arrogantly consign to the dust bin, the most dangeroug practice, it seems to me, is their conscious effort to institute ethnic division in the Ethiopian psyche. Unfortunately, this last point has the blessing of many Western countries. Could you comment on this and what your organization plans to do to reverse this dangerous trend in Ethiopian politics?
M. Agonafer
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: The ethnic apartheid policy that was imposed on Ethiopia by Meles Zenawi's regime is causing so much devastation in our country. Just recently, over 12,000 people in western Ethiopia have been killed and displaced as a result of the regime's instigation of ethnic clashes. This destructive ethnic apartheid policy has full backing of the U.S. Government.
Washington, D.C.:
I have heard that the underlying cause of the assassination a few weeks ago of the government minister (I believe the interior minister?) was corruption, someone(s) were not getting the payoffs they expected or such, rather than a matter of principle. What is your perspective on the role of corruption in the present running of Ethiopia?
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin:
Elias: I'm not sure if corruption was the cause of the assassination of Meles Zenwi's security chief, Kinfe Gebremariam. It may have some thing to do with the recent split in the ruling Tigray People Liberation Front. Regarding corruption, officials of the Meles regime spend most of their time running their private business enterprises than carrying out their public duties. Here is a statement we issued a while ago, just to give you some idea about the extent of the Meles regime's involvement in private businesse:
EPRDF-Owned Companies Raise Abuse of Public Office to a New Height: It has been all too familiar in post-colonial Africa that new rulers have resorted to a system of patronage whereby the loyalty of followers is purchased with public assets and appointments to high offices. Appointees with modest conomic means and expected short tenure in office have the incentive to amass personal wealth through bribes, theft, cronyism and nepotism. This privatization of public office has proved a stumbling block to the emergence of good governance in Africa.
Ethiopia has not been altogether immune to this trend. In fact, it has recently fallen victim to a rather virulent form of abuse of office. The Ethiopian bureaucracy has been known for its professionalism and competence under the monarchy, petty corruption notwithstanding. The nationalization of private property by the Derg rendered the state an even more attractive economic prize. It opened the way for widespread corruption for the first time. The warlords that replaced the Derg have upped the ante by coming up with an ingenious and shamelessly devious formula for converting political power into "private" economic power. Erstwhile sandal-clad socialist guerrillas now sit at the helm of
multi-million dollar conglomerates!
They did have some prior experience and seed money, for sure. The necessity to finance the guerilla armies had impelled them to establish a network of small commercial ventures in the territories under their reach, including the cross-border trade with Sudan and in the Diaspora. This was supplemented by the occasional looting of banks, and extortion of money and tax from defenseless citizens. Party affiliated NGOs such as the Relief Society of Tigray were also used as fund raising decoys. The result is a brand new model of Party-led mafia-type capitalism in the Horn of Africa. The model combines underground and above-ground activities in the forms of theft of state property, export and currency scams, insider privatization, and crony capitalism.
EPRDF's Emerging Conglomerates are Large, Networked and Savvy
The extent of the ruling party's instantly sprouted business empire is hard to ascertain exactly because of the shadowy nature of these ventures. But the facts are slowly becoming alarmingly clear. These corporations, most of which are owned by the TPLF, are now among the largest enterprises in the country. They reportedly boast between 1 billion birr (US$130 million) and 3 billion birr (US$380 million) in paid-up capital.
One notable fact about this financial-industrial oligarchy is that it is organized under two holding companies fronting as NGOs: EFFORT (for TPLF) and ENDEAVOR (for ANDM). EFFORT, for example, has five major divisions each of which is headed by a senior party cadre: Industry by Abadi Zemo, Mining by Tedros Hagos, Finance and Trade by Sebhat Nega, Construction and Transport by Arkebe Uqbay, and Agriculture by Tsegaye Taiyallew.
Among the largest TPLF companies are Wegagen Bank, Guna Trading, Almedia Textiles and Garment, Africa Insurance, Beruh Chemical, Express Transit, Hiwot Agricultural, Mega-Net, Mesebo Building, Sheba Tannery, Meskerem Investment, Mesfin Industrial, Sur Construction, and Trans-Ethiopia. ENDEAVOR, as a junior partner, has more modest holdings which include Dashen Brewery, Zeleke Agricultural, and Blue Nile transport. The other EPRDF member fronts are in the early stages of mastering the get-rich-quick scheme.
The second fact about these conglomerates is that their network spans the entire Ethiopian economy. Moreover, their financial activities and cross-holdings are coordinated by member banks. Their assets are protected, and their underhanded contracts enforced, by the party militia.
Another of their notable characteristics is that they employ an aggressive, multi-pronged strategy of expansion. These include favored access to government and foreign aid contracts, blackmailing private firms with profitable niches, and forming joint ventures with domestic and foreign investors. They are said to have strategic alliances with the other business empire of Midroc Ethiopia (controlled by the Saudi-linked Al-Amoudi) which, for example, contributed 1.6 billion of the 2.5 billion birr of privatization proceeds to date.
Finally, these companies generate a substantial economic base for the ruling party. Senior cadres and their cohorts have become instant millionaires. The party has amassed substantial commercial assets to add to the mountain of war materiel already under its control. With these resources, its all-consuming vision of industrializing TPLF's home province of Tigray may have come closer to fruition. In sum, the EPRDF's politico-economic apparatus aspires to nothing less than "a government within a government."
Party-owned Businesses are an Ominous Danger to Ethiopian Renewal
The very existence, let alone predominance, of these entities is a cancer on a body politic that is struggling to recover from three decades of foreign-inspired destabilization. To begin with, the wealth being amassed by them is nothing more than the ill-gotten property of the Ethiopian people. It completes the erosion of the people's already tenuous faith in government. Even worse, it sends the disquieting message to the young that organized violence is the quickest (and now legitimized) way from rags to riches. The systemic nature of this corruption sets a more pernicious precedent than the misappropriation of public funds by individuals like Mengistu Haile Mariam and Tamrat Layne.
This practice also stifles the emergence of a competitive market economy, not to mention the unfair disparity in the distribution of wealth. In effect, this practice undermines the rule of law by encouraging extra-legal methods of conducting business. The only competition it is likely to foster is the one among the laggard members of EPRDF (notably ANDM, OPDO and SEPDC) as they seek to emulate TPLF in the project of giving an economic backbone to the official ideology political tribalism.
Finally, the existence of well-endowed parties constitutes an insurmountable barrier for newcomers into the political arena. In the absence of a level playing field, even the cleanest and fairest of elections is bound to produce a predictably unfair outcome. It is to avoid such results that political parties in democratic countries are banned from owning profit-seeking businesses.
Sustained Campaigns of Exposure, Economic Boycott and Legal Action are Essential
The Ethiopian Democratic Action League (EDAL) calls on concerned Ethiopians, and civic and political organizations to resist the economic and political strangulation of Ethiopia. Among the most effective methods of peaceful struggle, we recommend the following:
1. A methodical campaign of exposure of the relevant facts concerning EPRDF's business empire.
2. A relentless campaign of economic boycott against key products of these companies that are widely sold at home and abroad.
3. Using the existing Ethiopian law that bans ownership of for-profit companies by registered political organizations, legal action to expose this bare-faced mockery of the rule of law.
4. Appeals to donor countries and international agencies to end their indifference to and participation in the widespread practice of inequitable allocation of aid programs across regions, and the issuance of rigged contracts to party-connected businesses or partisan NGOs.
Addis Abeba, Ethiopia:
Halloo Dr. Mekdes Mesfin, Ato Elias Kifle
Dr. Mekdes my congratulations on the release of your esteemed father. Ato Elias, my congratulation to you and all those who have staunchly defended human rights.
I am a member of a network of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia, the Crownfriends network.
As part of now a discontented majority of Ethiopians care to comment what role you would see the traditional Ethiopian institutions such as the Crown council playing in this area. I understand you were able to attract the support of this institution and Prince Ermias during your vigil.
Andualem
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: Selam Ato Andualem. I believe that the Crown Council and other traditional Ethiopian institutions can play a great role in bringing peace, stability and prosperity in Ethiopia. Prince Ermias has been actively participating in promoting human rights in Ethiopia.
Bethsdsa, Md.:
Elisa and Mekdes I will like to express my admiration and support what you did to teach us the dictator goverment in ethiopia did on the people. How is the health of Prof. Mesfin I heard that he need medical attention? The goverment used the court system to keep him from speaking about human right by hrassing him. Yesterday 11 high military officer asked asylum in Kenya. This shows The Melesa is in big trouble within his party and military. This is his down fall I am afraid the will kill more innocent people before taking million dollars and move to Denver, Colorado like Mengstu H. did.
Thank you Mekedes & Elisa to speak out behalf of Ethiopian people You have my support and Ethiopian people support!
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: Thank you for the moral support. Try to come to today's vigil, which is going on right now in front of the State Department. It will last until 12 Noon tomorrow, Thursday. The Meles regime is disintegrating as a result of its own misguided policies and misdeeds. The opposition political parties that are committed to democratic governance and respect for human rights have formed a united front and are ready to take over governmental power. Ethiopians inside the country and around the world need to mobilize around these opposition parties and help bring an end to the fascistic regime of Meles Zenawi. The international community has supported the removal of Milosovic in Yugoslavia, Suharto in Indonesia, Abacha in Nigeria. Meles Zenawi is worse than these dictators, and it's time for him to go. We ask the international community to support the immediate removal of Meles Zenawi's regime, and its replacement with an all-inclusive transitional government. The people of Ethiopia have suffered enough.
Gullsgate, Minn.:
Here on Tuesday, and almost midnight on this June, 2001...I have just read a report that the two human rights activists have been released; Professor Mesfin-Wolde Mariam and Berhanu Nega?
Would you credit public protest by civil rights groups--- or diplomacy and trade considerations pressuring; initiating their release?
I do believe, all it takes to make change is a few dedicated individuals.
Is this release the result of the protest of a few good men... or diplomatic/marketplace expedientancy? Or a combination of the two?
Your Wednesday vigil will now become an unexpected celebration to some degree...but may your protest also embrace a cry for justice for all those unjustly jailed and tortured...China comes to mind?
Please include in Wenesday's vigil, also a protest for the incarceration of one Native-American, Len Peltier and also African-American, Abu Jamal...whose trials here are a black mark that will not go away...their trials leave much to wonder about and many civil rights groups do demand a retrial to reaffirm their innocence or guilt. A fair trial would give a just closure.
I will drink a cup of "organic" Ethiopian coffee in honor of this 'midnight' good news.
Thank you who speak for those whose voices have been unjustly silenced.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin: Elias: The efforts of international human rights groups such as Amnesty international, Human Rights Watch, in addition to the demonstrations, vigils, rallies, hunger strikes and petition drives around the world by Ethiopians and other concerned individuals may have helped created enough pressure on the Meles regime to decide to release these human rights activists.
Elias Kifle and Dr. Mekdes Mesfin:
Elias: I would like to thank the Washington Post again for providing us with the opportunity to try to make its readers aware of the terrible situation in Ethiopia. I would also like to thank Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and every one who participated in the effort on behalf of Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam and the thousands of other prisoners of conscience. I appreciate the intervention of the European Parliament, and the governments of Sweden, and United Kingdom, in particular, in securing the release of the Prof. Mesfin and Dr Berhanu. The great efforts that are being made by Ethiopians in London, Stockholm and Frankfurt are paying off. Even though I am disappointed at the reluctance of the U.S. Government to make strong public stand against Meles Zenawi's abuse of human rights, American Embassy in Addis Abeba, and officials of the State Department in Washington DC, particularly Mr Robert Ward, have assured me and my colleagues that they are making a concerted behind the scene effort on behalf of the prisoners. I truly appreciate that. The Meles regime's violations of human rights has not let up. I urge Ethiopians and every one who stands for human rights to continue fighting. I urge those of you who reside in the Washington DC area to come to the 24-hour vigil today in front of the State Department, which is going on right now and will last until tomorrow, Thursday, 12 noon. Have a nice day.
© Copyright 2001 The Washington Post Company
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