The Ethiopian people struggle has reached to its pinnacle. The oppressive TPLF regime is to crumble. Ethiopians of all walk of life have to be prepared what is to unfold.
The Fascist TPLF in its 25 years of brutal regime has saw seeds of hate, suspicion, disunity, false identity and history. It has established a structure that facilitate its minority regime while majority are left divided, disunited and paranoid of each other. These would create obstacles for smooth transition even after TPLF’s death.
Ethiopians have to be smart, measured, matured and human on tackling this uneven road. We have to make sure and work whatever possible to guarantee the next administration should offer equal opportunity for all of us, treat us equally under the law and ensure genuine citizenship with all our human, economic, social rights and responsibilities respected. We should make sure that any regime that follows shouldn’t be on power without our will ( genuine election) and the power should be also curbed.
While we are under such new challenge defining our future, we should remain committed and united not to let any gap where our historical enemies (local or far away) and opportunists to interfere in our country and our fate.
TPLF is not ready to negotiate for peaceful transition and ignored concerned intellectuals and elders call for transition and handover of power. It preferred resolution by force and proclaimed state of emergency law to further stifle the human rights of Ethiopians and engage in killing spree.
The following are my suggestions for the way forward to spearhead the challenge we face and pave the way for democratic and compassionate nation building.
While TPLF is still on power, we have to do some of the following ,
To convene International conference where all opposition parties, civic organisations, religious institutions, respected elders, trade unions and responsible organisations to draw road map for the transitions and come up with “Transitional Charter” for the transition government.
Strong emphasis on national reconciliation and resolution through peaceful means which would avoid further bloodshed and pave for the matured transition.
A council made of all political parties, civic organisations, respected elders, religious leaders, intellectuals, trade union, higher educational institutions representative to be formed.
To avoid further internal struggle and potential bloodshed among these parties, the executive branch of this council which will replace the TPLF ministerial cabinet should be non political aligned respected elders, intellectuals, activists and technocrats.
The main responsibility of the council and its cabinet should be first and foremost,
ensure peace and stability in the country.
national reconciliation and peaceful resolution of conflicts and differences.
establish commission to investigate the atrocities made by TPLF on the massacres and human right abuses it made in the last 25 years with International organization participation.
release of all political prisoners.
ensure free press, media and peaceful demonstration
establish independent court free from political interference.
establish new apolitical police and army. For the time being the current army and police force ( excluding TPLF members and those above the rank of Major) can be considered with addition of opposition armed members to form transitional government police and army forces.
bring to justice those who are responsible for the crime committed by the TPLF/ EPRDF.
nationalise the economic mafia organisations that belongs to TPLF and its branches …(like EFFORT and others).
to compensate those who lost their family members, land and businesses due to TPLF atrocities
maintain Ethiopian sovereign territory and continue the developmental works that are of national interest including projects started by previous regime.
to create new constitution which treats every citizen equally and ensure the fundamental human right respected and grantee full citizenships with its right and responsibilities.
to organise genuine election with in 2 years.
to make sure first past the post and also proportional representation election outcome in the new parliament ( ideal for country with different ethnicities and political views, it will deny one party full or 100% control like TPLF))
Handover of power to elected government and resolve the council.
We need the international bodies (UN, OAU, EU, USA, UK and other organisation like Amnesty international, Human Rights and other relevant organisations) to help us during this transition which is also in their best interest.
For the implementation of such, we need every parties and Ethiopians to be far sighted and work for the better to make TPLF’s regime the last oppressive regime in the history of our country. We have to stand together and treat each other as brothers and sisters of one mother land. We need to be not deflected by selfish motives of ethnicity or religion which we belong to define our common country and future. We need to build a common country responsibly where we all are treated as equals. we need to build a country of peace and equality of which we will be proud of.
“..Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God” Psalm 68:31.
May God help us!