The deafening noise, the irritating chatter, the
incoherent hate induced mumbo jambo of an "illegal election" in
Tigray has suddenly been silenced by no other than over two million people with
only a ballot card in the right hands. The success of the election may just be
the first step in the march towards mature democracy. However, any first bold
step towards a noble end is counted as half of the job done.
We celebrate the election not because it is perfect but
because it is the granite foundation for the building of a democratic culture
in the future. As we celebrate the determination and discipline of the people
with a vision of a bright future we regret that those parties which did not
participate in the elections have lost the challenges and pleasures from the
maiden election which will be remembered and observed for many years to come.
This is a people's election. It is a huge insult for
the millions of voters, who know what freedom means not from theory but from
practice, to refer to them as passive actors in the TPLF "drama of
democratization" in Tigray. TPLF has only yielded to the people's demand
for more democracy in Tigray. It was not TPLF that ordered the people to vote
against their will; but it was the people who ordered TPLF to hold a more
participatory election. If there is anyone to be "accused" for the
election it is only the people of Tigray. Parties can go wrong, but entire
people never!
As we celebrate the leadership, which did not flinch as
it has become a tradition against those who want to impose their will on
the people, we have to keep in mind that the future is tougher than the past
and the present. The election is a means not an end. Difficult days are ahead
of us. Patience, perseverance, knowledge and skill to be innovative are needed
for a straight walk on the tortuous path into the future. The elected parties
must celebrate with a heavy burden on their shoulders about how they can
deliver the people from ages old poverty amd marginalization. The sustainable
development of Tigray has a number of complex environmental, economic, social
and geopolitical challenges. It is crucial to handle such issues with wisdom
and farsightedness. The elected leaders must avoid hasty reactions to
provocations, which are intended to demoralize and paralyze.
