“Abiyotawi Decmocracy” made simple–r

a.k.a. Meles’ Ethiopia

Whether we like it or not, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is here to stay. YaLssemah sima! Yessemah leGoreBet assema! But most Ethiopians don’t even know what the term “revolutionary democratic” really means. Separately, they make sense. Put together, not so much. So if you, like me, are one of those Ethiopians who simply feel their way through the dark world of politics using [only] their unreliable senses for a guide, you’d grab at anything with the promise of illuminating the darkness and brining to light the hidden works of politicians mysteries with both hands.

[Who, after all, said a country belongs only to politicians, cadres and those who win their daily bread through/of/with it? Who minus who, I ask you? 🙂 ]

So, when I came across the following article on my favorite Amharic Newspaper Addis NeGer‘s 1st year Vol. 045 (Nehase 24, 2000 E.C), I took it with both hands. Took it and snatched at it as would a hungry dog the free meat he found hanging outside a careless butcher’s shop. Then, I decided to share my findings with fellow political naives. So we could all have some idea as to what’s going on in this country of ours.

Now, I’m not sure if I got every thing down right, or if they did, yet attemptes have been made to translate the article word for word & in a layman’s language – the only type of language this blogger knows! Any confusion, misrepresentation or headache caused by and after reading this article are therefore results of this blogger’s political-ignorance and/or lack of interpretational skill. Which is why you should take what you are about to read with the preverbal grain of salt. Neither let the post title trick you. The reportage itself ended with the question “So seriously.. What is Revolutionary Democracy?”.

Can’t say fairer than that!

Revolutionary Democracy & EPRDF’s Power Hegemony

Ethiopians vs. Democracy

This article was written 3 years ago. I believe the rules still apply. Would appreciate a comment.

And the winner is..

On Wednesday 21 May 2008, the Caretaker Administration of Berhane Deressa handed over Addis Ababa’s key to the new administration of EPRDF. Kuma Demekssa, Ex-Minister of Defense and (according to Fortune newspaper) father of Seven, was sworn in as the 29th Mayor of Addis in 122 years. And where did this handing-over take place? At the “Addis Ababa Theatreina Bahil Adarash”!!

How fitting, won’t you say? 🙂

I mean, I’ve repeatedly stated how I threw my ballot in favor of, or voted for, EPRDF at the 2005 Hagerawi election. And I’m not about to apologize for it! I still love Meles, the person, and believe if EPRDF had as good Head of propaganda department as War Strategy, it would have gotten away with more than it did/or didn’t!

However, the recent by-election drama in which EPRDF took control, “stole” some might say but I ain’t one of those some ;-), of Region 14 (as if we could have had it any other way :-)), was too comical to pass off. The final touch, however, was exquisite! The icing on the cake, you might say! Confirming, once and for all, the almost cultural trend Ethiopian politics followed (KeEndalkachew Kabine jemiro, I might add) and the theatrical way they tried to cover it up.

Theatre and Culture, there you have it!