Ethiopia’s government has launched a crackdown against a powerful and increasingly autonomous regional security force, in a bold, and potentially risky move to extend central control over a fractious nation …These new measures by Ethiopia’s prime minster are designed to clip the wings of an increasingly strident nationalist movement in Amhara …” (BBC, “Ethiopia unrest: Sudden arrest of 4,000 spells fear in Amhara”, May 27, 2022).
There you have it. The BBC’s Amharaphobia can’t get any clearer than this. According to the BBC, Abiy Ahmed’s vicious campaign against the Amhara people is “to extend central control over a fractious nation” and, therefore, is a noble campaign which should be supported in any way possible, whereas a similar campaign against Tigrayans is an “ethnic cleansing” campaign which should be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
According to the same BBC, the mass arrest of Amhara civilians, politicians, journalists, and key militia leaders all over Ethiopia is “to clip the wings of an increasingly strident nationalist movement” and, therefore, is justifiable mass arrest, whereas the arrest of Tigrayans in Addis Ababa is an “ethnically targeted arbitrary mass arrest” which should be condemned by the UN. The UN obliged and issued its strongest condemnation on November 16, 2021.
According to the BBC, the Amhara regional force (which is the least armed of all regional forces and whose leaders are appointed by Abiy Ahmed) is “a powerful and increasingly autonomous regional security force” which Abiy Ahmed should crackdown “to extend central control over a fractious nation”, whereas the Tigray regional force (which is the best armed regional force and whose leaders are openly calling for secession from Ethiopia) is a force defending Tigrayans from “ethnic cleansing” by Amhara regional force.
According to the same BBC, Fano is “a collection of armed youth groups accused by human rights organizations of atrocities during the unresolved civil war in Tigray”, whereas the TPLF is a force “Tigrayans from all sections of society joined to protect their dignity”.
The question is why is the BBC so brazenly – so obviously and so shamelessly – Amharaphobic? The answer lies in the anti-colonialist, black nationalist, Africa centered Amhara nationalism western neocolonialists love to hate, for obvious reasons.
Amhara nationalism is another name for Ethiopian nationalism, solely because the Amharas are by far its largest, if not its most ardent, adherents. The Amharas religiously adhere to Ethiopian nationalism so much so that, in their attempt to belittle the anti-colonialist, black nationalist Ethiopia the Amharas are passionate about, Tigre and Oromo tribalists as well as their western backers often refer to Ethiopia as “Amhara Ethiopia”. For instance, the rallying cry of Oromo tribalists is “Ethiopia out of Oromia”.
And yet, nobody (not even the most fanatics of these tribalists) could deny that most of the leaders as well as the high government and military officials of this so called “Amhara Ethiopia” were partially, if not totally, non-Amhara, and that Amharas are, at least economically, the least beneficiaries of this “Amhara Ethiopia”. If anything, these tribalists often contradict themselves, one day claiming that anything and everything Ethiopian is theirs and theirs only, and the next day declaring that they are not Ethiopians and have nothing to do with Ethiopia.
As an avowed Oromo tribalist, Abiy Ahmed launched a crackdown against Amhara forces, not “to extend central control over a fractious nation” as the BBC claims but to realize his wild dream of building an Oromo empire over the grave of dismantled Ethiopia by defeating the only force that could frustrate his dream. However, the only way he can defeat this fervently Ethiopianist force is by colluding with his western backers under the pretext of ethnic cleansing. Therein lies the reason for the vilification of Amhara forces by the BBC and its likes.
The Ethiopian nationalism proudly espoused by Amharas and scintillatingly epitomized by Emperor Menelik insured the very survival of Ethiopia by marshalling all of the country around it, enabled the country to crushingly defeat European colonialists at Adwa, paved the way for decolonization of the entire continent of Africa, initiated Pan-Africanism, and laid the very foundation of black pride and black nationalism for blacks all over the world. No wonder why western mainstream media, especially those of the UK like The Guardian, The Times, The Economist, and The BBC have been and will always be anti-Amhara. The Amhara people should always treat them as well as anybody and anything affiliated with them accordingly.
Mesfin Arega
mesfin.arega@gmail.com
The BBC is a British government institution and as such has to support the British project of “Tigray-Tigrigna” that is meant to dismantle both Ethiopia and Eritrea. TPLF is an embodiment of this British desire and strategy and that is why it has been a darling of the British governement. The desired result is for the fertile Eritrean lowlands, Welkait, Metekel, Gambella etc to fall into British neocolonial possession. If the BBC unrelentingly demonizes pro-Ethiopian forces and cleverly spews ethnic conflict, it is merely supporting a British government policy to dismantle the Ethiopian and Eritrean nations. An overview of the BBC reporting and coverage in Ethiopian languages as well as English in the past 4 years, clearly reveals this disruptive and destructive intent.
The BBC is merely carrying out the job it was created for.
.One Shegitu Dadi, a very forward looking Oromo woman has the following to say on confederation. I’m copying and pastion her write-up without her authorization hoping that she’ll not mind.
“Here is how to save Amharas, Oromos and the country.
Once again in our recent history, Amharas have emerged as the holders of the MASTER key to solve Ethiopia’s multifaceted problems . How? By opting for confederation.
Amharas have no choice but to move for confederation simply because federation in the Ethiopian context does not work.
As a polirized multi-ethnic country, Ethiopia will not have a fair and free election without the opression of one or another ethnic group. Hence, democracy is an illusion that cannot be realized. The way Oromo rose to power and now control the entire country through proxy regional governments is the proof. Tigreans did it for the last thirty years and Oromos have stepped in Tigreans shoes to impose similar one ethnic group rule. With their number and size of their region, Oromo opressive rule will be much worse than Tigrean`s. Give another ten years to Oromo rule, Ethiopia will be the tail of the world by all standards of measure.
So, it is time for Amharas to exercise their constitutional right to self-determnation and vote on confederation. If they adopt conederation, it will give them the opportunity to attract direct foreign investment since confederation will enable them to have economic diplomats and even have embasies abroad cutting the Oromo controlled foreign ministry diverting foreign investment to Oromia and other favoured regions. Amharas can also have a defense force which will protect them from foreign invaders including ethnic Oromo organizations.
The Belgian model of confederation which appears to hep advance Amhara interests is something to explore.
In any event, Ethiopia needs vast decentralization resembling confederation since the federalism the country has adopted is notheing other than unitarism in disguise. Controlled from the centre, it has miserably failed to develop the country let alone prosper and ensure safety and security of its citizens. The chaos we see in the country right now has much to do with lack of development (in all sectors) and security. Both have proven beyond the capacity of the federal government to provide.Change of government at federal level is not the answer for these problems.
Tigreans have floated the idea of confederation, Amharas must follow. Tigreans know that they will not be fairly treated under Oromo rule; as a result, their choice of confederation appears just. Amharas must seize the opportunity to decide their destiny via self-determination as well without wasting another decade under incompetent Oromo rule. Despite all the atrocities they have committed, Tigreans are being heard and embraced by the Oromo rule since Oromos now feel tobe the savours of Ethiopia.
Folks! Don’`t be fooled!. Oromos pretend to be “savours” only if they rule the entire country as one piece. Like any other ethnic group that aspire to oppress and dominate , they are after resources. If Amharas want to be heard and embraced as Tigreans, they have to go for confederation. If confederation does not work, they have to say good bye to the Ethiopian state.
It is outdated for Amharas to hang on “mama ethiopia” cry since nobody in the country is interested in it any more. What Amharas got from this cry is atrocotoes, redicule and shame. All these on Amhara because they gave Oromos and other ethnic groups a country which they are not ready and willing to let go. If Amhara Insist on confederation, Oromos might call the army on it to protect the unity of the country! That will make them a laghing stock since they were in the forefront to weaken the unity of the country. Now they cannot be alllowed to reverse gear.
Amhara! Wake up and smell the coffee. Tell Oromos that you want confederation – if not confederation then separation. Oromo crack down will soften even disappear as it did for Tigreans if Amara opt for confederation. But the idea is not to see Oromo softening on Amhara, it is to seek real confederation as a wayout from decades long quagmire. Oromo softeneing does not take Amharas anywhere.
Try it! It will work and catapult Amhara development and growth to the sky and ensure their security. It will eventually liberate Oromos too from their bloody distructive path poised to takie everybody else down with them.
For us, Oromos, conederation is also the answer. ”
GREAT!
The Amhara people should start a long journey of tactical struggle to remove these ethnic despots both coming from Oromia and Tigray. The only way to do is to bring the government down by blocking all produces going to main towns from Amahara. Eliminate call sellouts working against amahara people. Training both rural and urban gorilla fighters including snipers that hit will down in the capital. Bring the Amhara suffering in from of the dots of these ethnic zealots. Sabotage every military and security movement everywhere you can, block Roda destroy comunícation infrastructure, make the country ungovernable and the sleeping people in cosmopolitan towns will do the rest once their privileges are taken. Destroy notary posts including drones because they are being used in Amagara children instead of declared enemy. All confrontation bounty keep it and never give it back to central government as is no ot a government that cares for Amharas but one that design the terrorising and extermination of Amaharas. Never trust them back ev n in peace deals as all is to gain time only and they are hell bent that are not ready to live side by side with Amharasvwith the same rights bit to abiua and exterminate amharas. This is a fight for survival..
Hi, Ethios!
Ethiopia does not have step-children! እኛን እየገደለን ያለው – “ከእኔ በላይ አማራ! ከእኔ በላይ ኢትዮጵያዊ(ት)! ከእኔ በላይ ፋኖ! ከእኔ በላይ X/Y/Z!” ነው! Let’s set the record straight:
1. On Abiy & His Ethnicity: (i). Mother: Amhara & Orthodox Christian; (ii). Father: Oromo & Muslim; (iii). Wife: Amhara & Evangelical Christian. Abiy once said: “እኔ እና ዝናሽ ስንጋባ – ፍራሽ እንኳን አልነበረንም! ሣር ጎዝጉዘን – አንሶላ አንጥፈን – ነው የተኛነው!” [ለእኔ – ዝናሽ – የምታኮራ – ድንቅ ኢትዮጵያዊት ናት!] Nazu Tube has videos on Abiy!
2. On Amharas: Some Amhara Ethnic Activists [AEA] keep fuelling inter-ethnic hatred! ይኼ አካኼድ – በሌላ ዞን የሚኖሩትን አማራዎች – ለጥላቻ እና ለጥቃት ያጋልጣል! Christian Tadelle once said [Walta TV with Siménèh (2019)]: “Over 15 million Amharas live in Oromia alone!” When we add the Amharas in other Zones, the Amharas in Amhara Zone make less than 50%. So, venomous AEAs put over 50% of Amharas in harm’s way!
3. On ‘Fannos’: Fannos are the back-ups of the Ethiopian Defence Forces [EDF]. The REAL ‘Fannos’ signed up with the EDF to get organized under the EDF’s command. However, the ‘Fannos’ affiliated with General Asamnew Tsigé, Negadras Eskinder Nega, etc. opened another war front on the already over-stretched EDF. Is there a better way to help the Enemy than fighting the EDF at a time Ethiopia is under domestic & international assault?
i_Mognu / don_Q
Hi!
So much for ZeHabesha’s “እውነት ያሽንፋል!” catch-phrase beside its YouTube logo! If Zehabesha practices what it preaches, why does it withhold my honest counter-argument?
Mesfin’s cherry-picking of whatever portrays Amharas as the persecuted and Abiy as the persecutor is typical of spin doctors. He started with “BBC’s Amaharaphobia” but spent the rest of it showering us with a sermon on Abiy! Alas, ZeHabesha withheld my counter argument that sets the record straight [on Abiy, Amharas, and Fannos]!
Mesfin’s harangue is dangerous! Sowing-and-promoting such an irresponsible and inflammatory inter-ethnic animosity will only put the lives of the overwhelming Amhara majority who live outside the Amhara Zone at risk!
Abiy’s regime has flaws and needs a fix but Mesfin’s one-sided propaganda is more destructive! If Mesfin has time for writing such destructive articles, what prevented him from devoting an iota of that to becoming part of the solution? At least, Abiy is trying [I was stunned when I saw the hurdles the TPLF laid before him on Nazu Tube].
Look, Abiy could have said “እኔ(ም) ከደሙ ንጹህ ነኝ!” and walked away from Ethiopia’s troubles as HMD did! So, for a change, let’s be part of the solution! One more thing: ኢትዮጵያ የእንጀራ ልጅ የላትም! ሁሉም ኢትዮጵያውያን እኩል ናቸው!
i_Mognu / don_Q