Revolution or regime change is definitely a decisive slogan; but, for whom, by whom and at what cost exactly?
These are concepts considered empowering to some, and frightening to others. They entail strong messages that overwhelm one’s attention.
How many of us actually care to deeply think through the trials and tribulations and ultimate sacrifices revolutions demands?
It requires uncompromising will for uncertain results. It calls on us to be aware the interests of those bravado voices advocating for ‘regime change’ are not echoed from faraway places. And they are not rather commitments aired through the Internet from air-conditioned corridors. I feel a sense of concern when I hear or read some say, “We must bring a regime change in Ethiopia with whatever means possible”.
I have tremendous respect and admiration to those who stand for what they believe in. They not only preach of high moral values, but are also willing to sacrifice their own life for a cause they believe is worthy.
I am not suggesting there are no worthy causes that demand of us such sacrifices. After all, I stand here proud of those who came before me and paid greatly for the safety and dignity of our people and Ethiopia’s sovereignty. They did so for us to walk with our heads up and continue to preserve what is rightly ours.
Patriotism at its highest form is a matured love soaked with wisdom. It does not reflect temperament, revenge or vengeance. It certainly does not emanate from one’s political ambitions.
Recently, I read an excerpt of Russian oligarch, Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s, interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. Khodorkovsky, a staunch critic of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said, “I do want regime change in Russia, but not a revolution.”
Khodorkovsky, who now lives in Zurich, spent years in Russian prisons on tax evasion charges. International scholars and Russian experts say that, the charges lacked merit and that he was really prisoner of political conscience for eight years.
One of the richest Russian who still wields a lot influence in Russian politics, Khodorkovsky does not want to see a lot of lives wasted to see regime change. He wants to see Putin go more than anyone else, but he does not believe the situation is worth sacrificing so many lives. As I read on, I thought to myself, a man weighting his words carefully knowing that his followers could act on them. What a patriot.
Sometimes a revolution might be a necessary evil, as a last resort when and if all other peaceful means have exhaustively ran out their course. Otherwise, it is too heavy a burden to recklessly spew it out callously. It costs lives, tears down families and displaces communities.
Ethiopia certainly needs a lot of changes, but revolution just is not one of them. Not now. Not here.
Millions are still trying to heal from the last one we had. It is still a painful vivid memory for millions, not a blur from a distant past.
Thousands, if not millions, still mourn from their loss. Many displaced and disintegrated communities have not reintegrated. The fabric that held the country together was worn and torn apart.
It is not unusual for political leaders in undeveloped political systems to conspire political upheaval and irresponsibly herd their followers into costly violent confrontations, often hoping to engulf crisis that demands the involvement of outsiders. Their goal is an eventual peace deal and power sharing to be brokered by their proxy outside supporters.
What is more unpatriotic than herding ones people into a line of fire in hopes of springboarding to the throne? This tactic does not work in developed democratic systems, because people have faith in their election processes and system.
Believe not in the good will of outside forces readily available to throw out regimes and replace them with the people’s choice. No one should be naïve enough to believe in that.
Lets us look at the Syrian Civil War for example. Since the civil unrest began in March 2011, there has not been shortage of incoming outside support. The West and many Arab countries, both for and against the Bashir Al-Asad government, have contributed and continue to contribute their share.
Sadly, none of it has helped bring the war to an end. The incoming assistance has only managed in sustaining the war. Pushing the country further into a complete destruction and letting it bleed inwardly.
Reports from the United Nations (UN) show that well over 220,000 have already died. Including the citizens of more than 30 other countries’ who went in to Syria to join the war. Close to seven million have been internally displaced and over three million Syrians forced to out-migrate. Imagine, the entire Addis Abeba population having to migrate.
Whether or not the Syrian war is worth the cost is a question for the Syrians and Syrians only. But it is clear now that the war is no more a Syrian war only. It has become a battlefield for proxy powers sending in foreign fighters and weapons, turning the country into one of the most horrifying places in the world.
Ethiopia is only four months away from its next fifth general election. Many of the opposition parties seem to be dealing with a lot of infighting and having to organise prolonged last minute meetings, where they should be working on sharing and educating the public with their policy ambitions.
With the absence of dominant opposition party challengers and free access to the state owned media, it can be opined that the ruling party – EPRDF- has an advantage in various measures. Therefore, it is actually for its own best interest to make sure the election will be fair and as transparent as possible.
Doing so will validate and give a node of confidence from both domestic and foreign fronts. It cannot be emphasised enough that the government ought to carry its responsibilities of insuring the citizen’s rights diligently and uphold their confidence on the rule of law.
For Ethiopia, a country tirelessly trying to attract foreign investors, people’s views matter. Let us all do this right for peace to triumph long after the elections and continue the sparkles of economic growth.
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