Dear Compatriots,
The long-overdue and long-demanded National Dialogue for Reconciliation, initially advocated by the late Professor Mesfin Woldemariam before the fall of the Derg, has evolved over the years into a major national issue. Professor Mesfin was mocked by Derg leader Mengistu Haile Mariam, who dismissed the idea by saying that the problems of a country were not like a dispute between a husband and wife.
Years later, the former OPDO, now the Prosperity Party, adopted National Dialogue as an agenda, but unfortunately used the familiar political tactic of presenting it under the banner of “Ethiopianism.” Instead of producing genuine reconciliation, the process ended with a deeply divisive outcome, including the rejection or exclusion of opposition parties ally of Prosperity such as EZEMA and the Amhara faction of the opposition.
The late Professor Mesfin was a senior and highly respected but lost respect and trust conscience of the Ethiopian diaspora and of progressive forces throughout Ethiopia. His assistant, Hirut Oda, however, has demonstrated a troubling failure to learn from the mistakes of her predecessors, including Bezawork Sahle. Her conduct brought disgrace and embarrassment to many of the genuine participants who came to the conference with sincere hopes for reconciliation.
I would say that we should not lose faith in God or in Ethiopia. As former Air Force leader General Taye has bravely stated, we must continue demanding that this essential national issue be addressed through a truly inclusive and genuine dialogue.
Professor Aklog Birara deserves much appreciation for his latest appeal. All those who genuinely believe in a true National Dialogue should insist on creating a free, independent, and non-partisan forum, both inside Ethiopia and in the diaspora. Such a forum should bring about lasting reconciliation—not among politicians alone, but among the Ethiopian people, who have lived together, intermarried, shared communities, and built this country together for centuries but began to be misled by hostile ethnic politicians recently.
Our political differences should not be allowed to destroy the social bonds that have united Ethiopians for generations. The people of Ethiopia deserve a genuine process of reconciliation based on truth, justice, inclusiveness, and mutual respect.
“Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto God.” — Psalm 68:31
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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