Crisis in Ethiopia

“The answer they got from the government was bullets”: Zegeye

Tessa Vanderhart, Staff

The People’s Republic of Ethiopia is currently experiencing widespread political unrest over a contested election. So far, 52 people are dead, and the only hope for peace is a resolution between the government and the opposition to re-examine election results.

Ethiopia held an election on May 15, 2005. On the eve of the election the incumbent government declared a state of emergency, rescinding rights to public gatherings and free speech, as well as restricting media coverage, by law, for one month.

The next day the incumbents declared victory, but with explicit signs of corruption in the election, 299 of a total 547 seats are currently being contested.

Ethiopians attempted to peacefully influence the government in the nation’s third election, demonstrating unusually high voter turnouts of (90 per cent) and strong support for the united opposition, particularly in the capital city of Addis Ababa. But it was not long before citizens became infuriated with widespread corruption.

Strong opposition to the government’s declaration of victory led to protests on university campuses. On the first day of the riots, a female student was killed. Since then, the combined total of student and youth killings has escalated to 26. In addition, an MP from one of the opposition parties was killed earlier this week by these government forces that have been newly strengthened by soldiers brought in from other nations to suppress the people. In total, it is estimated that 52 people have died from gunshot wounds as a result of government mercenaries.

Taye Zegeye is president of the Ethiopian Students’ Group on campus, the Ethiopian Society of Winnipeg, and a graduate student at the University of Manitoba. He worries about the situation in his home nation.

“This is what the situation looks like, even after a so-called peaceful election,” said Zegeye. “The answer they got from the government was bullets . . . the walls of the dormitory were bloodied . . . .This brings nothing but suppression of the freedom of expression.”

It is only because of the cooperation of the opposition, Zegeye says, that worse things have not happened thus far. However, the state of emergency was recently extended for a second month.

The corruption in the voting system has been largely confirmed, he adds, but there has been no progress towards a recount or re-election. However, discussions between the political leaders are ongoing.

Along with hospitals, volunteer international observers (primarily from Europe) are a main source of information regarding the voting process. They are responsible for the information that has penetrated the mainstream media. Without this influence, Zegeye says, the aid that supports the incumbent government would not have been suspended.

Although these occurrences have been largely ignored in international media, the UK has suspended $30 million in aid to Ethiopia, and U.S. President George Bush has condemned the actions of the Ethiopian government. Canada has made no comment or action, despite petitions and international rallies.

“Shame on Canadian media: when you don’t cover it, you are tacitly supporting the current government . . . and I know some strong CBC people were for this government,” said Zegeye.

Fasil Demsash, now president of the African Students Association at the U of M, left Ethiopia after political unrest broke out at his university several years ago. He advocates a new government for Ethiopia, one that will listen to the people, learn from previous mistakes, and integrate all ethnic backgrounds.

“Unfortunately we have this government who changes its constitution based on personal interests,” said Demsash, “Unfortunately, they are not willing to accept the voice of the people.”

Zegeye is afraid that there will be consequences if the government remains in power the common people have gained nothing from the government, and the profitability of farming in Ethiopia has been impaired.

For a nation that could produce up to three crops each year but is known for famine, the paradox of good government remains difficult to resolve. The Ethiopian community in Canada hopes that weekly meetings and a rally will increase the awareness that is sorely lacking in North America. The rally is scheduled for 12 p.m. on June 24 at the Manitoba legislature.