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A choice of political leadership for Ethiopia
Real estate news By Nazret.com
October 14, 2007
Introduction: A little bit of political history For Leadership to hold, legitimacy is the single most important element. The Monarchy legitimizes authority from God, the Almighty; The Military legitimizes its authority from the Gun and political parties claim their authorities from party mandates. In our case, the legitimacy for the Monarchy and the DERG was clear as the day light. However, the legitimacy of the TPLF is blurred. There was/is a lot of lies and deception. Some of us believe TPLFs legitimacy emanates from the State Department and some of us believe that their legitimacy comes from the people of Tigrai. Others believe that it comes from the ethnic nationalities of Ethiopia. But EPRP has gone through these assumptions and realities. EPRP has fought against all these elements of imperialism (both of American and Russian), has fought against narrow nationalism and has fought against distorted thesis of Shaebias colonial theory. There is nothing new for EPRP to regret and to lament for todays Ethiopian situation.
The issue of legitimacy is of paramount importance to everyone and everybody. Let us have clarity on this issue before we fight on paper, on the streets, in bars, in churches and in assemblies. The Eway Revolution was about legitimacy that emanates from individuals who will have a choice during recruitment, voting or election. Without working from bottom up and vice versa, there will be no legitimacy for power. Based on this fundamental principle, EPRP has taken a bold and an arduous process to empower individuals. A clear case in point was about Berhane Meskel Redda. Mr. Redda was indeed a revolutionary par excellence. He has spent an insurmountable amount of time, energy and resources to organize EPLO (Ethiopian Peoples Liberation Organization), the precursor of EPRP. Because of his talent and celebrity, many students and professionals wanted his leadership. In fact, many joined EPRP solely on his name recognition. Too many individuals have associated with EPRP because of Berhane Meskel Redda (BMR). But do s this acronym of BMR resonate with this individual reality? With Berhane, there was no light, he did not believe in the Cross and he did not help individuals. So his name was a misnomer from the beginning. Call me by my name. What is my name?
The current discourse for political opposition leadership has been around two individuals, Ato Hailu Shawl and Ato Berhanu Nega. Both individuals have different experiences albeit with complementary education, that of cost and benefit. But what is at stake at the present time? Are Ethiopians looking for political leaders in the form of individuals or political parties? If so, are these two individuals apt to the leadership position? What do they stand for? Who are their constituents? Can they solve the ethnicity and the nationality question? What is their stand on War and Revolution? Globalization versus Free Trade? Demarcation versus Mass Deportation? How can they solve poverty and prosperity? And by what means? My readers should answer these questions for themselves. I for one want to express something of relevance to leadership 101 as follows.
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