Why I Am not Voting this Election – Mengistu Musie (Dr)

I find myself troubled by the prospect of voting for the Democratic Party due to its historical and ongoing policies concerning Ethiopia, the country where I was born and where many of my extended relatives still reside. My concerns stem not only from the party’s apparent imperialist tendencies but also from the Republican Party’s isolationist approach, which I don’t fully endorse either.

For many Ethiopians who are now U.S. citizens, including myself, the Democratic Party’s support for ethnic-based politics, particularly the TPLF and OLF-originated constitution, is problematic. This constitution has weakened Ethiopia by promoting divisions that serve the interests of a few at the expense of national unity. Prominent Democratic leaders, such as those in the Biden, Obama, and Clinton administrations, have shown support for these divisive policies, which have had lasting negative impacts on Ethiopia.

One of the most significant reflections of this policy was the Democratic Party’s support for the secession of Eritrea, which led to Ethiopia becoming a landlocked nation with 120 million people. In contrast, Eritrea, with only 5 million people, claimed a large portion of the Red Sea coastline. Similarly, Djibouti, with a population of less than a million, was granted access to the same coast. These decisions, supported by the U.S. and Great Britain, beginning with the Carter administration and continuing to Biden, have contributed to a weaker and more fragmented Ethiopia.

Ethiopia is currently grappling with a dire situation where ethnic fascists, namely the TPLF on one side and Oromo nationalists on the other, have instigated a devastating conflict. This conflict has resulted in the loss of millions of lives and the displacement of countless others. Yet, despite the severity of the situation, the U.S. Democratic Party continues to pursue a policy of reconciliation between these two ethnocentric groups, effectively enabling them to maintain their destructive influence on Ethiopian politics. This approach and the support these ethnic-based organizations receive from the U.S. and Great Britain indicate a broader strategy to keep Ethiopia weak and divided. The underlying reason for this, it appears, is that the Amhara people, who generally advocate for a more robust, united Ethiopia, are perceived as a threat to the interests of those currently in power and their international backers.

The United States’ apparent lack of interest in assisting Ethiopia in becoming a more robust and more stable nation begs the question, given the country’s crucial position between the Red Sea route and the Horn of Africa. Supporting U.S. Interests in the area, a robust Ethiopia has the potential to be an essential partner in preventing extremism and preserving regional security. But every Democratic government since Jimmy Carter has worked to diminish Ethiopia’s potential as if they would rather see the country fractured and weaker than flourish.

Why is the United States, especially under Democratic leadership, so fascinated with the TPLF, the very organization that established the present political system that has thrown Ethiopia into anarchy? This is a question that many Ethiopians and outsiders have asked. Members of the Democratic Party are particularly guilty of this double standard, and it is disturbing. Some notables such as Michael A. Hammer who have mediated disputes between the TPLF and the Ethiopian government include former Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman. They have recognized the human need to help the displaced and war-affected Tigrayans, but they have paid little attention to the plight of the Amhara, who are also victims of this terrible war.

The last few days in the most egregious case of this double standard, U.S. officials went to great lengths to visit Mekelle, the Tigray region capital, to mediate a truce between the rival TPLF groups. In the meantime, nobody paid much attention to the Amhara people’s terrible plight, which is made worse by the military aggression of Abiy Ahmed’s and the so-called Pretoria Agreement. The Amhara people are at risk of more attacks by the TPLF and Oromo nationalist groups since this pact, which was praised as a peace settlement, has not dealt with the underlying reasons for the war.

The United States’ current foreign policy stance has far-reaching consequences. By continuing to sponsor ethnic-based groups that foment discord, the United States and its allies are contributing to the destabilization of the Horn of Africa area and weakening Ethiopia’s sovereignty. When Ethiopia is divided along ethnic lines, it weakens the country and reduces its ability to stabilize the area. Many of Ethiopia’s surrounding nations are already dealing with political instability and internal strife; this would only make their problems worse.

Furthermore, the American government’s humanitarian and diplomatic initiatives in Ethiopia are tainted by its flagrant disregard for the Amhara people’s suffering. In their struggle for survival against the TPLF and Oromo nationalist movements, the Amhara have long been the lynchpin of Ethiopia’s drive for national unity and strength. Despite this, the powers that be who profess to be the defenders of democracy and human rights are disregarding their fight.

Also, it’s important to remember that the United States and Britain’s backing of these controversial groups in Ethiopia is nothing new. Over the years, these nations’ influence over Ethiopia’s politics has been substantial, frequently at the expense of the country’s cohesion and stability. Western governments have persistently hampered Ethiopia’s chances of becoming a solid and stable nation with their support for ethnic federalism and the independence of Eritrea, which rendered Ethiopia landlocked and greatly diminished.

Take Ethiopia as an example. The country lost access to the Red Sea, a crucial commercial route, when Eritrea seceded in 1993, a move backed by the United States and other Western nations. Economically and strategically, this hurt Ethiopia since it cut off a vital supply route to international trade. While the rationale for backing Eritrea’s independence was self-determination, the choice had far-reaching negative consequences for Ethiopia, leaving the country more open to outside influences and internal strife.

Similarly, the present war has its roots in the ethnic differences that have been further deepened by the TPLF-led government’s ethnic federalism, a policy that the United States and its allies have also backed. Despite its stated goals of fostering self-governance and local autonomy, ethnic federalism in Ethiopia has instead served to heighten tensions and hatred among the country’s many different ethnic groups. The nation is on the brink of disintegration because of the vicious cycle of violence and revenge.

Given this background, it is both shortsighted and risky for the United States to pursue its present strategy of bringing together the TPLF and Oromo nationalists while disregarding the valid concerns of the Amhara people and other Ethiopian organizations that advocate for national unity. It maintains the current system that helps a few at the cost of most Ethiopians, who are still dealing with the fallout from decades of strife and division.

It is more difficult for me and other Ethiopian Americans to vote for the Democratic Party because of their track record of undermining Ethiopia’s unity and authority. President Trump’s anti-immigrant solid rhetoric worries many first- and second-generation southern immigrants, but Republicans haven’t been as steadfast in supporting policies that harm Ethiopia as Democrats have. Assume that, in the future, a Republican candidate demonstrates their commitment to a foreign policy toward Ethiopia that is more inclusive and constructive. This strategy would prioritize a united and strong Ethiopia as a basis for stability. If that’s the case, I might switch allegiances from the Democratic Party, which I’ve supported for a long time, and cast my ballot for them.

In conclusion, the U.S. and Great Britain’s support for ethnic-based organizations in Ethiopia, particularly the TPLF and Oromo nationalists, reflects a broader strategy of keeping Ethiopia weak and divided. This approach has not only failed to bring lasting peace to the region but has also exacerbated the suffering of millions of Ethiopians, particularly the Amhara people. As an Ethiopian American, I cannot in good conscience support a political party that continues to pursue such destructive policies. Until there is a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Ethiopia, one that prioritizes unity and strength over division and weakness, I will abstain from voting in U.S. elections.

Now, the Amhara people are fighting not to dominate but for their very survival against these two ethnic fascist groups. However, as has been the case historically, the U.S. and Britain continue to ignore the plight of the Amhara people and the full-scale war being waged against them by Abiy Ahmed and his allies. These are just a few reasons I have decided to abstain from voting this year. However, I may consider voting for the Republican Party in the future, but only if they select a candidate more inclusive than those they have presented in recent times.

The current struggle for the Amhara people is not one of dominance but of survival in the face of these two ethnic fascist factions. But, as has always been the case, the American and British governments do nothing to stop Abiy Ahmed and his associates from waging a full-scale assault on the Amhara people. I have chosen not to cast a ballot this year for the above reasons and many more. But if the Republicans choose an inclusive candidate, I might swing my vote their way in the future—but only if that happens.

Mengistu Musie (Dr)
Mmusie2@gmail.com