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Jul 31, 2005 - 3:12PM

If, as they claim, NEBE is not acting in a neutral capacity, why is it all right for them to accept

Our yo yo and moaning Opposition must yield to reason

By Mulugeta Aserate Kassa

London 31st July 2005.

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The only thing consistent about Ethiopia’s main Opposition parties has, unfortunately, been their inconsistency. Although the lion’s share of the blame rests with CUD, attempt should be made to understand the whys and the wherefores of its seemingly never ending yo yoing and moaning during the electoral process. CUD has, unfortunately, become the victim, as it were, of its meteoric rise to fame which in turn had prevented it from counting its blessings. In short, CUD has been inflicted for sometime by a grasp all lose all syndromes.

Here in Great Britain a migratory bird – the swallow – visits us in April and leaves for warmer climes in September. Many are fooled when they conclude that winter is necessarily over just because we have seen a swallow. The English proverb “one swallow does not make a summer,” by extension reminds us, therefore, that any single piece of evidence is not enough to prove anything. It may even be the exception. Addis Ababa’s mix of people may be regarded a microcosm of Ethiopia, but it would be wrong to conclude that the melt down of EPDRF’s vote in the metropolis has been repeated the length and breadth of Ethiopia. It is this perception, coupled, of course, with that incredible CUD exit poll which claimed 26 million, out of 29 million voters, voted CUD which is ultimately responsible for the continued shilly-shallying action of CUD.

As the electoral process edges to completion with NEBE’s announcement of the outcome of the transparent investigation, we not only see political developments that one dares not witness in any democracy, but actions that defy common sense are being unraveled. Understanding the two major Opposition parties had been problematic throughout the course of the electoral process precisely because they themselves do not seem to know what it is that they themselves want. This has been echoed by none other than the Head of the EU Ambassadors Tim Clarke when he is quoted as having said: “…but the Opposition, themselves have to be clear in their minds of what they want.” Now we know – courtesy of EFTIN – that what is dogma with CUD on Monday becomes a heresy on Tuesday, expect to see more twists and turns, as well as gobbledygook from the coalition of the ideologically disparate.

On Wednesday 27th July, CUD/UDEF issued a joint statement rejecting the outcome of NEBE’s investigation and calling re-election in the near 300 constituencies for which the Opposition had filed – what turned out to be - veracity deficient allegations. In the first instance the joint statement, itself, is flawed. If, as they claim, NEBE is not acting in a neutral capacity, why is it all right for them to accept the landslide victory in Addis Ababa and other cities, and reject losses? Hardly had the ink on the joint statement dried than we were made to witness, yet again, a volte-face on the part of the Opposition parties. Why meet the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, in the first place, if ones intention is to reject the will of the electorate. The pre planned meeting, on the very morrow of the rejection of the Election Results, between Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Dr Berhanu Nega of CUD and Dr Beyene Petros of UDEF was certainly a delightful scene, but a far cry from a break-through that the nation has been yearning.

EPDRF’s current flirtation with realpolitik may be a badge of competence, but unless it manages to extricate the nation out from the prolonged political stalemate that it finds itself in, precious little can come out from trying to tame the untamable. Already the effect of the prolonged political stalemate has hit hard on businesses and the flow of tourists has been ebbing. Inward investment, too, is unthinkable under such politically unsavory atmosphere. And, then, we are reminded of the current state of belligerency that exists between Ethiopia and the voracious State of Eritrea. All these indices point to the fact that Homeland Ethiopians would be forgiven for reaching the end of their thether with the machinations and Fabian tactics of the Opposition. The Opposition now finds itself on the cross-roads. The democratically noble course of action for the Opposition would be to accept deferred success now and continue to build on its remarkable success by becoming a proactive loyal Opposition of the Ethiopian people. All Ethiopians are equal, and all votes cast are also equal. No nation can, therefore, be expected to stand and stare when a vote is mugged by another vote.

Nestanet

Jul 31, 2005 - 3:23PM