By Taye Yohannes
Since the so-called reform in 2018, which sent TPLF forces from Addis Ababa to Mekele, there has been a clear competition between Abiy Ahmed Ali of Jimma and Mr. Jawar Mohammed of Arsi. Mr. Jawar Mohammed even openly claimed that there were two governments in the country: one led by Abiy Ahmed Ali, operating from 4 Kilo, and the other, the so-called Kerro government, led by Mr. Jawar himself. To provide a little context, Jawar Mohammed claims that he was part of the digitally inspired Arab Spring movement in 2012. He believes that, just as social media played a role in revolutions across the Arab world, including in Egypt, Tunisia, Syria, and elsewhere, similar methods could be used to bring about political change. Some argue that Western intelligence agencies were behind these movements as part of an effort to destabilize the Middle East. Mr. Jawar claims that he was involved in that movement and spent years organizing Oromo youth against the government. He often acted as though political power in the country belonged to him. Eventually, a fierce struggle between these two rivals erupted in the country. Some Oromo elites and politicians aligned themselves with Mr. Jawar, while others sided with Abiy Ahmed Ali. The power struggle ultimately culminated in Abiy Ahmed Ali having his rival, Jawar Mohammed, imprisoned. Jawar Mohammed remained in prison until he reportedly negotiated his release through the involvement of a secretive group of individuals.
Similar Background of Abiy Ahmed Ali and Jawar Mohammed
Both Abiy Ahmed Ali and Jawar Mohammed have Muslim backgrounds. Mr. Jawar Mohammed has clearly stated in a video shared on social media: “Our area is 99% Muslim, and anyone who is different and tries to do something, we will cut him with a mencha.” That is why some people say that he practices what they call Mencha Politics. Mencha is a special type of curved knife used to cut the leaf called Kaht. Similarly, Abiy Ahmed Ali was born and raised in Jimma, a place where prominent Muslim communities live. As children, their identities are shaped by their faith and culture. These areas have also been known for producing religious extremists who emerge from time to time in the country.
For example, right now, there is a serious series of massacres taking place in Arsi, where Orthodox Christians are being killed nonstop. This pattern reflects what Mr. Jawar claimed when he was young: “In our area, we dominate, and whatever is different from us, we cut with mencha.” This is why so many innocent Christians are being killed. The point is that there is a credible history of violence and extremism in both Arsi and Jimma. Such incidents also occurred during the TPLF regime. Even in Jimma, Abiy Ahmed Ali used to be part of the government team responsible for establishing and facilitating negotiations. Therefore, Abiy Ahmed Ali has a deeper understanding of such forms of extremism. That is why he has acquired thousands of suicide drones to annihilate whoever he wants to kill. So, Mencha Politics belongs to Mr. Jawar, while Suicide Drone Politics belongs to Abiy Ahmed Ali. These two share the same mindset and the same goal, but employ different means to achieve their ends.
Ethiopian Muslim – exemplary for the world
It is good to clear the air. One thing that is famous and respectable about Muslims in Ethiopia is that they have coexisted with Christians, especially Orthodox Christians, for centuries without any major catastrophe. There may have been occasional problems here and there, but such issues were usually addressed by the elders in the respective communities, and there were no major problems between the two faiths. When the rest of the world was grappling with terrorism over the past few decades, Ethiopia did not experience such disasters, except for Al-Shabaab, which originated from the Somali side, not from Arsi, Jimma, or Kemise in Amhara. For the past several hundred years, Ethiopian Muslims have lived peacefully in Ethiopia. They are an example to the whole world. Therefore, it is important to make this point clear and preserve this culture in the country.
However, it is equally important to call extreme elements by their names before a major problem erupts across the country. People like Jawar Mohammed and Abiy Ahmed Ali are bad examples. They are engaged in destroying and terrorizing people across the country, albeit from different positions and using different means. One uses social media to mobilize people who obey him and send them out to commit massacres. A recent example is the incident he allegedly ordered in Kiremu, Wollega. He asked those mobs to dress like members of the militia and the army and go on to destroy people’s homes and lives in the region. Abiy Ahmed, on the other hand, is obsessed with drones. He even tells his generals that it is not their military knowledge or leadership that has saved them, but his drones. Abiy uses drones to kill women and children and destroy schools, clinics, and farmers’ homes, relying on drone technicians he has brought in from the UAE. Imagine, he has thousands of SUICIDAL drones. What a tragedy. These two individuals are bad apples within the Muslim community in Ethiopia. They do not represent the vast majority of Muslims, who are peaceful and constructive members of the country.
There will be some foolish people who will say, “Abiy Ahmed Ali is a Prosperity Gospel believer. How can you refer to him as a Muslim?” It is not about what he professes now; it is about what he does. There are many false prophets and preachers who act as though they belong to one religion or another, but their actions speak differently. Abiy Ahmed Ali cannot be a follower of Jesus Christ, who teaches his disciples to turn the other cheek when someone does wrong to them. Besides, as the Catholics say, “Give me your child for the first six to seven years, and I will make him a Catholic forever.” This saying is not just about religion; it is also about how the core of a person’s childhood is formed, how that person grows up, and what kind of upbringing he receives. All these factors shape a person’s entire personality. The personality disorder found in Abiy Ahmed Ali was formed during his childhood. That is why he is bringing a country that he inherited in a relatively peaceful condition closer to the brink of disaster. Even though he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, he did not understand what it meant. He acted against the very principles represented by that prize and waged a two-year war against Tigray that killed one million people. So, do not be deceived by a deceptive man. He is not even a peaceful Muslim, but an extremist who is now in competition with the other one.
Competing for power between Abiy Ahmed Ali and Jawar Mohammed is still alive
Abiy Ahmed Ali is in power, while Jawar Mohammed is trying to find a way to take power from him. This competition for power is not yet over. Some may think that Jawar Mohammed is now helping Abiy Ahmed with his so-called social media skills. Maybe. Since Abiy has reportedly paid him millions again, Mr. Jawar seems to have aligned himself with his former opponent. However, Abiy Ahmed Ali knows that the moment Jawar Mohammed gets an opportunity to overthrow him or remove him from office, for example, through a coup involving some generals or by using other forces, he will not hesitate to do so. That is why Abiy did not allow Mr. Jawar Mohammed to re-enter the country. The problem for Ethiopia and Ethiopians is that these two individuals are reckless. Just to remain in power or to gain power, there is seemingly nothing on earth they would not do. These are two extremists Ethiopians should never have entertained them around power.
Who is empowering these two extremists?
The question is a million-dollar question: Who is empowering these people? Who are the powers behind these individuals? Is it the Muslim world, such as the UAE, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey? Is it the Western world, including the USA, the UK, or Israel? Or is it the BRICS countries, such as Russia and China? Or perhaps the people who control the world through hidden societies? What are their intentions? Have they decided to reduce the population and weaken the country’s economy, or do they want to divide the country? Ethiopians are confused. The African Union is a dead organization, with no backbone and no life. No meaningful help comes out of it.
Of course, similar patterns have emerged in the region, in Sudan, Yemen, Libya, and many other countries. The situation resembles what happened in Syria a few years ago, when the country became divided into different groups fighting against one another. Abiy Ahmed and Jawar Mohammed appear to be working daily to create groups that could eventually fight each other. These days, Jawar openly speaks about destabilization in the Horn of Africa and the possibility of war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. He has even reportedly said, “Now is the right time to invade Eritrea.” Who is behind these people? Why is no one in the international community taking seriously what these individuals openly say on social media? The power struggle between these two individuals is destroying the country. This is similar to what contributed to the destruction of Syria and what is currently destroying Sudan. Of course, the UAE, a country accused of sponsoring terrorism, is involved. But this goes beyond the UAE. Even Israel might be involved as well. This will be a topic for another day.
Editor’s Note: Views in the article do not necessarily reflect the views of borkena.com
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