The recent developments in
Ethiopian politics are described by a young man from Tigray as “a fight among
kids who are goat shepherds trying to take a higher ground and throwing rocks
so other Sheppard’s won’t get to the top.” This may be true of the fight among
the sister parties in the EPRDF, but the problem with Ethiopian politics has
more to do with this narrative of making the other (mainly Tigray) less
Ethiopian than its historical rival.
As politicians employee
different methods to galvanize support among their base, there is no problem
when arguments are presented to show why the other (not people) but political
party is presented in a not so forgiving way, in fact that is part of the
normal discourse when you get into the arena of politics.
But unfortunately the lines
that should not be crossed are so thin and intentionally or unintentionally
politicians and their supporters sometime cross them and when that happens a
good leader knows how to change course and bring the conversation back.
Looking at what is going on in Ethiopia;the
current federal government seems to have crossed the line for political expediency.
Creating a boogeyman to rally support is fair game, but characterizing a group
of people or as we have seen in the recently released documentary, Tigrigna
speakers as perpetrators of crime is not what any reasonable minded person
supports, but if you think it is a good idea I say please stop.If you think how
you get to power is not as important as getting to power, then you are in for a
rude awakening. And if you still think TPLF or the people of Tigray are the
enemies, maybe you should see a doctor because your hate has lasted longer
than….