EDP Leaders need to come down to earth if they want to win popular support

By Sissay A

While in Washington DC, I attended the meeting staged by EDP at the Unification Church during the 4th of July weekend.  I have been EDP's sympathizer and thought that it had a firm stand against Meles Zenawi.  Like most Ethiopians in the Diaspora, I had heard great things about Ato Lidetu.  All and all, I was looking forward to attending the public meeting.

After carefully and silently listening the entire speeches given by both Dr. Admasu Gebeyheu, the chairman, and Ato Lidetu Ayalew, the secretary general, felt as though EDP had come from a politically stable nation only to solicit financial support from the Diaspora.  After all, in the strongest tones possible, we were told that "Meles is not the enemy of Ethiopia: We can resolve our political differences through peaceful struggle with the 'government".  As an opposition group, we have accepted the constitution of the country…  We denounce all forms of arm struggle.  Only those who are power thirsty are
Waging arm struggle against the 'government'…" so declared the leaders of EDP.

I also expected a little civility from EDP's high-ranking officials. I, certainly, did not expect that Lidetu to sound rather politically immature and arrogant.  One of my friends from Mid-West who attended the meeting with me said "Lidetu sounds like Meles."  At one point, he outlined to us, for Ethiopians in exile, what our political role must be. He said,  "You cannot dictate political matters remotely.  Your role should be limited to assisting us.  Only the political parties inside the country should play important role."  When Meles used the same phrases to mock the opposition outside sometime ago, I said to myself "what a fool".  I don't wish to call Lidetu a fool. .  One of my friends from Mid-West who attended the meeting with me said " Lidetu sounds like Meles." I prefer to characterize him a politically unwise and hasty individual.  He seems to forget that most Ethiopians in the Diaspora are highly experienced people who are driven out of their nation.  If Lidetu and the rest of EDP's officials had any sense, they would have embraced  Ethiopians in the Diaspora to get their political and economic support.  But no, Lidetu wishes to create a dividing line between the Diaspora and the people inside; forgetting that we are one and the same and that our destiny  is intertwined.

As to the rest of the political rhetoric what I heard, particularly, regarding unity was downright upsetting. Ato Lidetu told us that EDP emerged into the political scene 21/2 years ago because the opposition groups were not meeting the demands of the public.  "Time and again, we hear from the public that unity with the opposition is important; however I am here to tell you that it is not a determining and essential factor".  We have the necessary public support to go forward.  We don't wish the other opposition groups to drag us behind…." So said Ato Lidetu.  

Here are the contradictions in Lidetu's rhetoric. In contradiction to what was said about unity and EDP as having popular support,  Lidetu told us in a very sympathetic voice that EDP is barely managing to pay the rent for its offices and that it does not even have one full-time staff member.  He also informed us that if Meles's regime collapsed tomorrow, there are no  groups ready to assume state power.  In my humble opinion, the fact that EDP is still struggling to survive under difficult circumstances should make a strong case for the party to work closely with other opposition groups.  But again, logic was not the prevailing phenomena at that meeting. It was all about "You vs. US"

At the end of the meeting, the EDP opened the floor to get suggestions from the audience.  The responses given to questions from the audience by EDP official, especially by Ato Lidetu Ayalew, where very arrogant and disrespectful. His tone sounded like the words and idoms used by Meles himself.  "Internet jungle" "a struggle by remote control"…were some of the expressions used by Ato Lidetu.

I did not say anything then, but I want to say this now to EDP leaders:

  1. You need to stop denigrating other opposition groups
  2. Since you are too weak to survive on your own, you need to work with others.
  3. Working with other opposition groups is a sign of strength, not a weakness
  4. Do not offend the Diaspora community by assigning our roles in our nation' affairs.
  5. It is up to each  individual's   capacity to determine in what capacity we should get involved to save our country from Meles Zenawi.
  6. Do not try to convince us that "Meles is not the enemy of Ethiopia". We know that Meles Zenawi  is an individual who is determined to destroy the country cannot be anything else but that.
  7. Tone down your political rhetoric and arrogant posture.  It is not helpful for the struggle, especially coming from a leadership of an opposition party.
  8. Decide if you are ready to become a formidable opposition to Meles.
  9. One way of showing such a resolve is by denouncing to Meles' constitution and himself; and presenting alternative political views.
  10. After all, if EDP has accepted the constitution and abiding by it and thinks "Meles is not the enemy"; well, how is it then an opposition to Meles? .  Ke Zingero konjo! Yilal yhager sew.

    I highly recommend that the public get a hold of the Video  tape to hear and see what transpired that eventful July 5th  in Washington DC.  Alas

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