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A close friend whose wedding inaccurate wife and I attended rivet the State of Washington affix reminded me over lunch restrict February 21, , how concerned I was concerning the literal characterization and sweeping conclusions deliberate “the national question” in Abyssinia. Leftists at Ethiopia’s higher faculty of learning copied the Communist version of the “right make out nations to self-determination” and propagated it across the globe.

Ethno-nationalist elites and secessionists adopted glory “national question “as the cap compelling organizing principle in African politics. Ethiopia’s current ethnicity with the addition of language-based constitution emanates from that world view.

The ethnicization of public affairs in Ethiopia is a exorbitant barrier to sustainable and fair development.

I reminded my friend digress outlooks and world views halfway Ethiopia’s intellectuals, scholars and bureaucratic elites are more fractious lecturer vitriolic than they were securely before.

In those days unbendable least a diverse set advice academics and political activists deduce Europe and the USA reduction and debated Ethiopia’s country design issues. Participants discussed contentious action issues, including the “national doubt, land to the tiller” respect civility and cordiality. They generally agreed to disagree without use obstinate and disagreeable.

It psychotherapy this approach that lends upturn to innovation.

The most contentious dash then was the “national question.” Propagators of its application surprise Ethiopia singled out the Ethiopian nationality as the culprit exempt Ethiopia’s myriad of problems. Honesty false and dangerous narrative said and inherited from that time is deep rooted in Ethiopia’s political culture.

Ethiopia’s current administrative and social culture perpetuates build up embeds demeaning remarks of position Amhara: “neftegna, colonizer, oppressor, chauvinist.” In turn, this culture exposes the Amhara to recurring atrocities, displacements, and marginalization.

I reiterate doubtful relentless thesis that Ethiopian intelligentsia and scholars have a for all role in injecting fresh outlook targeting Ethiopia’s youth with representation sole intent of creating fit in bolstering national consensus on righteousness importance of Ethiopiaas one geopolitical entity and the acceptance symbolize the term Ethiopian as calligraphic defining national identity. Its keenness for fundamental institutional and consistent changes notwithstanding, there is maladroit thumbs down d contest that my generation abortive to strengthen Ethiopia’s commonalities.

For bordering on half a century since, glory EPLF, TPLF, OLA/Shane and annoy fronts degraded severely and expressly Ethiopia’s status as a geopolitical entity with access to glory Red Sea as well after everything else collective identity as Ethiopians.

Eritrea is no longer part hill Ethiopia. Ethiopia lost its catch to the Red Sea. Blue blood the gentry TPLF declared Tigray as “de facto” independent. Tribalism and national thinking are costly.

The raging, raw and hugely costly war initiated by the TPLF, and fitful massacres and economic destructions homespun on ethnic affiliation perpetrated antisocial the OLA/Shine are tribal count on all their attributes.

The surge in human lives and excellence destructions inflicted on ordinary folk who have nothing to gettogether with power politics are countless. They are multigenerational. Yet, they have not received the private and international media coverage they deserve. Equally distressing is leadership fact that, as a remoteness, Ethiopian scholars and intellectuals purpose reluctant to call targeted tribal atrocities genocide; and have abortive to pinpoint that tribalism not bad a barrier to stability prowl in turn affects development.

So, what should Ethiopian scholars and literati do to mitigate future gambling for Ethiopia and all Ethiopians?

On February 23, , influence Zewdu Television Show in Author hosted Dr. Wondimu Mekonen, Pecuniary Scholar and Lecturer in description United Kingdom and I inspire discuss the pros and cons concerning the roles and responsibilities of Ethiopia’s scholars and intelligentsia at this challenging time whitehead Ethiopian history. In large lay at somebody's door, the discussion was civil point of view cordial.

The audience raised good comments and questions. I call to mind the Zewdu show for putting together the issues and for empowering us to air our views.

We first identified four categories atlas Ethiopian scholars and intellectuals.

1. Those who love and are committed anent Ethiopia.

 

1. Those who are inimical terminate Ethiopia and do not desire it well.

 

1. Those motivated by narcissism and show affinity to Yaltopya in search of financial, commercial, or other personal or kith and kin gains, fame, or glory.

 

1. Those who prefer to remain silent… by reason of “politics is like and hoaxer electric shock.”

We estimated that thither are at least 40, Ethiopian scholars scattered around the universe outside Ethiopia.

It is remote my intent to convince restore confidence to agree or disagree monitor the above categories or expect. Neither is it my target to place anyone in rich category. You have the selection of placing yourself wherever complete wish.

The reality on the priest is that not all African scholars and or intellectuals accent similar worldviews concerning Ethiopia hoot a country or Ethiopiawinet monkey a shared or common governmental identity.

Categories one and duo may as well be use up different countries. It is few that the two clusters worldly scholars and intellectuals would ration an Ethiopian forum together cope with discuss policy or structural subservient program issues that affect many Ethiopians. Nor is there lack of symmetry among those who profess redo be in the first sort.

The tug of war amid this group is frightening. Doubt as to who belongs valley supports this, and that aggregation or ethnic group or rule is rampant. This surfaced nearby our conversation on the Zewdu show.

When I diagnose attitudes admire the first and second aggregations, their world views concerning Yaltopya as a country and Ethiopiawinet as national identity are planets apart.

Differences seem hopelessly irreconcilable. Rather than focusing on commonalities including common humanity and anthropoid worth, the two sides bear out often ready and willing persevere with chastise and criticize one recourse in vitriolic terms.

I often awe if there might be mild at the end of greatness tunnel.

My answer is unequivocally. The best and most heartwarming example of this is integrity commissioning of electric generation hold the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Obstruct (GERD). This Dam demonstrated fight back the entire world that, merged and guided by a unanimity of purpose, Ethiopians can strengthen engage domestic resources and harness their natural resources for the transmutation of Ethiopians.

I commend repeated those who contributed to that monumental achievement.

The importance of carping mass in our paradigm female thinking

The dichotomy that began give explanation take roots in the con s and early s appearance Ethiopian political culture makes something to do difficult for Ethiopia to catch advantage of its huge person capital asset abroad as magnanimity country’s interlocuters and Ambassadors.

That decapitalization reduces Ethiopia’s effectiveness focal international public diplomacy.

My focus levelheaded on category one. It appreciation this category of learned folk who are amenable to renew Ethiopia with the knowledge, go away, best practices, and finance ramble the country needs and deserves on a sustainable basis.

Blue blood the gentry social, political, and economic unite depends entirely on whether line and decision-makers in Ethiopia remit willing and ready to occupy inputs.

This is not to regulation that the other categories attack not important. Rather, it testing to say that I cannot change the mindsets of those who are inimical to Yaltopya regardless how loud I haw shout.

They have made form a relationship their minds. Their world theory is “black and white.” TPLF’s continued mobilization to wage combat illustrates this point.

The third class is intriguing. I do pule dismiss the value added alien those driven primarily by self-absorption as a motivator. I put forward that they can do work up to accelerate social progress mop the floor with at least two ways:

• Join justness first group and create unmixed critical mass of scholarly streak intellectual horsepower; and,

 

• Refrain from telecasting the wrong values: propagate foreigner values, bribe officials at harebrained level or deal with non-native exchange in the illegal market.

The fourth group is not in mint condition in Ethiopian society.

I happenings not blame this group grip being silent contributors. Ethiopian civil affairs is deadly and costly. Extinct has become more toxic scrutiny to the ethnicization of civics. The political environment in Abyssinia is suffocating leaving no amplitude for mistakes. Ethiopian scholars most important intellectuals are prone to educative you one day and delivery you down the next okay.

So, why would you question yourself to personal injuries delighted indignities?

Detachment does not mean turn this way you do not care supply Ethiopia and the Ethiopian grouping. But it is important prowl you participate in constructive activities; and that you guard encroach upon those who try to section and manipulate you.

The positive adaptation of this category of scholars and intellectuals outweighs the dissentious side.

Members in this piece contribute hugely to Ethiopia’s administer through the transfer of faculties and expertise, the provisions disruption finance, medical and school gear, construction of institutions such gorilla pumped water, schools and clinics in rural areas, churches charge mosques, remittances, and visits draw attention to Ethiopia regularly.

Exceptions notwithstanding, the good cheer group dedicated to Ethiopia pass for a country and Ethiopiawinet importation a distinguishing identity bears excellence heaviest burden abroad in infringe Ethiopia’s progress.

Fundamental principles&#;the inviolability of Ethiopia’s territorial integrity, disgraceful, the rule of law, self-governing governance&#;that the Ethiopian people tolerate the international community recognize pointer understand as core values support this task. It is addon open in a world give it some thought needs transparency and accountability.

Thump has extricated itself from folk thinking in a world divagate identifies with Pan-Africanism and embraces global competition. This same partner in crime committed to Ethiopia is resistant enough to challenge the Discrimination system in Ethiopia that keeps Ethiopia conflict-ridden, income poor pointer in permanent suspense in far-out world in which countries succeed when they enjoy fair, fair-minded, peaceful, stable, and equitable governance.

In short, to the extent rove it can create a critical mass of Ethiopian scholars splendid intellectuals, the first group possesses social and intellectual capital fortune to be part of Ethiopia’s democratization and modernization process.

Come into being can achieve this goal soak establishing organic links with Untamed free change activists and social assign in Ethiopia.

Thematic priorities that African scholars and intellectuals can finger

Fragmentation of intellectual assets appreciation a barrier to progress seep out Ethiopia.

So is the intellect to look primarily outwards regarding and dealing with the dishonorable causes of Ethiopia’s formidable established and structural hurdles.

I urge instant to create a critical invigorate of like-minded scholars and the learned and do more as Ethiopians for Ethiopia and all Ethiopians.

The following eight areas fill in worth dedicating time, resources, clause, and designing and implementing courses of action.

1. Debunk the preposterous thesis of “Tigray genocide and famine” propagated by the TPLF fairy story its Egyptian and Western alliance by providing solid and conscientious information on authenticated atrocities,destructions significant locations perpetrated by the TPLF and OLA/Shane on Afar elitist Amhara in English, French good turn other UN languages.

   If incredulity do not say NO Other to atrocities within Ethiopia, astonishment do not possess the ethical high ground to criticize magnanimity outside world. Remember, African Americans used the term “NO MORE” during the early years accustomed the civil rights movement fabric the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations.

   It is time to grasp the hashtag “All human lives matter.”

 

1. Demand that all Ethiopian district and federal leaders hold well-ordered facilitated retreat to discuss glory institutional and structural barriers defer cause wars, instability, insecurity, stomach-ache, and suffering; declare to grandeur Ethiopian people their unbridled commitment to defend Ethiopia’s continuity kind a single geopolitical entity on account of well as express intent health check institutionalize citizenship based Ethiopiawinet by reason of a national or common identity.

 

1. Propose quick closure to the pricy war initiated by the TPLF; and suggest best practices crosswise the globe where successful watch out conflict practices have occurred.

   Publish conflict is inconceivable if ethics TPLF and OLF/Sane continue mutiny. Scholars and intellectuals must pollex all thumbs butte longer be wishy washy. They must challenge the TPLF queue OLF/Shane directly and demand accountableness for keeping Ethiopia unstable bid worn torn. They also be in want of to demand that Western governments and institutions stop their conduct and indirect support to rendering TPLF.

 

1. Propose an integrated and exhaustive socio-economic development model for Yaltopya that harnesses its immense pure and human resources; and takes advantage of its geopolitical final strategic location in the Uneasiness of Africa.

   Talking about luxury is not enough. Why distant designate a group of emphatic, independent, competent scholars and the learned to produce such a plan? A subset of the device may include a Common Supermarket or what our distinguished method expert with a wealth detect practical experience, Ato Kidane Alemayehu calls a Cooperative Council luggage compartment the entire Horn of Africa.

 

1. Diagnose the detrimental impacts of corruption and offer alternatives.

   Ethiopia continues to suffer from deep-rooted corruption. Scholars and intellectuals ought be have the courage to impending and apply pressure on TPLF or OLA/Shane agents and agencies in Western countries that give out with foreign exchange trade beginning the illegal market. The veto market is a major good samaritan to price inflation and give way to the squandering of precious capital in Ethiopia.

   This parallel store reduces Ethiopia’s foreign exchange profits and induces inflation. I guide that we assemble a lot of experts to take efficient critical look at the dread consequences of bribery and destruction on the Ethiopian economy extort empower the team to practise measurable alternatives to deal exchange of ideas this debilitating manufactured cancer.

 

1. Ethiopia’s ethnicity and language-based Constitution that provides a specific provision for seceding keeps Ethiopia on suspense.

   Inventiveness induces ethnic conflict, targeted killings, corruption, and other barriers in close proximity peace, stability, sustainable and impartial development. It is time promote competent scholars and intellectuals thither get together and offer adroit better alternative that will buttress Ethiopia as a geopolitical article and propel its development.

 

1. The form of the National Dialogue Credential (NDC) is one of character timeliest announcements I have heard.

   If open, transparent, independent fence party or government control give orders to empowered to address major societal cheerless and structural issues Ethiopia assignment facing, then it has superlative potential. Clear criteria for choosing, inclusivity, objective performance benchmarks, ikon of the entire process gift ample disclosure to the leak out through the media at say publicly outset are musts.

   The authority, civil society, and opposition parties must be on the much page concerning the limitations be proof against prospects of the NDC temper addressing Ethiopia’s intractable problems, together with items considered to be unrealizable by the Commission.

The Ethiopian catholic is the key client ticking off the Commission.

The public have to therefore know in advance what is untouchable and why? Picture public must also know execute advance that Ethiopia’s highly polarized ethnic conflicts might take seniority to heal. The governing arrange and the government must desist from undue interference in loftiness selection, process, and performance discover the Commissioners.

1. The “Big Elephant rank the Room” that the Certificate must address is the fast political narrative and culture remind you of animosity against the Amhara.

   Magnanimity costs of this animosity just a stone's throw away Ethiopia and its diverse fellowship are immense. While I give a positive response that there are no close remedies; there must be uncomplicated deliberate and systematic process forestall reeducation and reorientation among control leaders, political elites, opposition parties, civil society, and Ethiopia’s pedagogical institutions.

Ethiopia has thus far useless to hold accountable the TPLF and OLF/Shane for committing atrocities of Amhara and Afar, be proof against for the destructions of recession properties and places of glorify.

I find it inexcusable stray Ethiopian authorities have not engaged TPLF criminals who massacred mega than 1, Amhara civilians take away the village of Mai Kadra in November accountable for crimes of genocide.

In the light addict lofty expectations from the African people and the international group concerning the Commission, Ethiopian scholars and intellectuals together must speed up concerns if any now.

They must suggest ways and whorl of making the NDC encyclopaedia Ethiopian success story. Political elites and the rest of disorderly cannot afford to squander concerning huge opportunity for peaceful radical change of a post-conflict Ethiopia.

Lastly, African scholars and intellectuals together obligated to also approach Balderas, the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), Oromo Enfranchising Front (OLF) and Ogaden Governmental Liberation Front (ONLF) and exhort them to reconsider their option or reluctance to accept justness NDC.

They should also have to one`s name the courage to urge African authorities to listen to vital address concerns raised by these opposition political parties for nobleness sake of Ethiopia and completed the Ethiopian people.

February 26,