Pilgrimage of National Interest

The oppressed and abused of Africa and their friends and sympathizers are making their voices heard high above the globe that President Obama refrain from legitimizing dictatorship and human rights abuse in Ethiopia. This is not a casual visit but a preplanned trip for which arrangements were made. to pave the way for diplomatic pampering of the most brutal regime in the area a long time guerilla friendly ambassador was appointed in addition to a visit by Assistant Secretary for African affairs. The rulers of Ethiopia were among those that Clinton democrats branded as “New breeds of African Democrats”. Many have now fallen out of line. These ones are also starting wavering. This visit of the President may keep them in line before they jump to another bandwagon. Obviously it is not a pilgrimage of democracy but that of “NATIONAL INTEREST”.

Democracy is an ideal which all human being aspire to attend. So far we have seen attempts not commitment to it. It is a principle well defined by persons like Abraham Lincoln, “Government of the people for the people ...” But in most cases it remained in principle not in practice. Otherwise it is assumed that democracy is standard of political governance which has at least as ingredient equality, freedom, fairly elected officers and freedom of speech and expression. Any of this missing there could be no democracy. As once an Assistant Secretary of State said America believes in “NO DEMOCRACY NO COOPERATION”. Ethiopia lacks even the few ingredients of democracy mentioned. Cooperation has never been lacking for quarter of a century. It is alright to delay one to three years, but not to abide by ones promise for so long, for the greatest country of the world is tantalizing. If peoples’ sovereignty were respect there was no need to petition a far off power for one’s internal affair. Their problem could be solved within the region. But that remaining a wish, expecting fairness and impartiality from those interfering is not too much. Considering their position they have moral responsibility to do that.

On part of the abused people, the assumption that democracies of the world will come to their rescue should have been given up long ago. But unfortunately protest is made through social media and demonstration marches, written materials etc. opposing the continued cooperation. It is all in vain, world powers are blinded by national interest. Hence the poor and oppressed peoples of Africa are left solely to themselves to fight for their rights. The real “survival of the fittest” theory is being practiced by the world against Africa. Africans have come so long on their own; they have to continue gallantly defending their land, interest and dignity not to perish silently. Whatever they are doing, world powers are doing knowingly and convinced that they are doing the right thing. Thousands could go hungry, rot in prison, forced to flee their country, and thousands could die and disappear, they do not worth severing friendship relations with perpetrators of genocide.

Obama is going to tie knots with TPLF-EPRDF, the poorest country on the planet on behalf of the richest and the most powerful country of the world. That is his right. Forget the stereotype consolation of discussing human right and democratic governance. The main purpose is economy and security. Again forget about the highest economic growth rates fanned by financial institution. That there is no growth can be seen with necked eyes. Million are hungry and destitute. This trip will try the deregulation of remaining sectors, like banking, telecoms, land etc. As far as the peoples of the Ethiopian empire are concerned, these were already deregulated, but monopolized by TPLF business conglomerates. International corporations want their big share.

As for security the TPLF is “the key ally of the US” in hunting down terrorism. Already many Ethiopian empire recruits have perished unaccounted for in Somalia. TPLF is ever ready to engage whenever the US pays without any limit to geography in their deployment. The visit may encourage the continuation of this relation. As for terrorism TPLF is manufacturing them at its convenience killing thousands and terrorizing and imprisoning numberless. Yes, the people have risen and are rising further against the TPLF terror. It is a rise for “liberty equality, freedom and peace” which no body claims to know its cause and effect more than America. But since terrorism is not defined the whole population of the empire is branded as terrorist and is subject to persecution. It is without consideration to redefine that the package is going to be discussed to strengthen the relation. The peoples of the empire, in particular the Oromo and journalists are going to continue being terrorized.

Let alone a big power the tiniest being knows no limit to defending its interest. But for human beings there should have been moral restraint. Here our concern is not that for now. It is a lesson from history. During the past regimes and under the present one whenever there is an occasion the destitute in towns are rounded up beaten and taken to unknown places. There they live in crowded enclosure without enough food and water in a deplorable hygienic environment. Many perish unreported. Now that a leader of the most powerful country is coming and since the coming is unprecedented an unprecedented measures are certainly going to be taken. What makes this time different is that thousands were recently uprooted from their homes by land grab and policy to deOromize and expand Finfinnee (Addis Ababa). The evicted are the majority of thousands of homeless in Finfinnee. A fate worse than that of the infamous Shoolaa Camp under the emperor is awaiting them. Then very few mothers, children and the elderly were saved from typhus epidemic after university students discovered them accidentally. In addition to rounding these up much more harsh measures are to be expected to impress US intelligence that certainly will be there to bolster their efforts.

Many complain that the visit amounts to recognizing the atrocities committed by the notorious dictators of the Horn of Africa. Had Africa not been ruled by autocrats pretending to be elected democrats, the visit would not have happened. Only those types can serve as partners in plundering the wealth and service of the continent during this period of the New Scramble for Africa. Whether the President visits or not, his administration had already recognized legitimacy of the illegitimate. The endeavors made to “democratize and the free and fair election” to be was praised by frontline cadres months ago. Was it true? What they should complain about must have been their not been ready to defend their interest as peoples. Assuming democratic values are intrinsically universal and no double standard for it, it would have been just if the President did not make the trip his predecessors had avoided. Healthy human and political development could have eventually served the interest he is after better and for longer time to come. But the world had never been just.

If the president does not come out with a conclusion that he was dealing not with hooligans but legitimate rulers the agony of the peoples of the Horn is going to be double fold; for the hooligans will be more encouraged with their brutality. We wish the President a good trip to his father’s land and back to the White House. Here in Habashaa land his Lou people are going to be considered as Americans for his participation in American administration, as Oromo are considered for Tafarii’s participation in Ethiopian administration. This trip will give the Wayyaanee a moral boost. We will see the leaders gleaning sitting around this powerful leader of the world to get photographed for the last time. People of the empire will wake up to another miserable day worse than before. Bon Voyage Mr. President! Viva Oromiyaa! The struggle shall continue!

Honor and glory for the fallen heroines and heroes; liberty, equality and freedom for the living and nagaa and araaraa for the Ayyaanaa of our forefathers!

Ibsaa Guutama
July 2015

Email: (if you would like a response) Invalid format.

Comments:

A value is required.