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Human beings are uniquely endowed with an ability to
look back and analyse times with a keen interest to
learn the results of their actions and explain why
things happened. Sensitivity for the times and the
ability to associate them with major events that
took place in the past is a typical human behaviour.
That was what Bereket Simon, chief of the Government
Communications Affairs Office, under the rank of
minister, did in his recently published book,
titled, A Tale of Two Elections. He revealed the
internal scuffles and conflicts between opposition
parties and the actions, reactions, and sometimes
inactions of his party before the upsurge of the
2005 opposition party-led riots. The book also
disclosed an insider’s view of the landslide defeat
in Addis Abeba and lessons learned by the ruling
party that resulted in complete control of the
Federal Parliament after the 2010 election.
Indeed, the general public passed through the 2005
election with excitement, fear, sorrow, and later
with some relief. Yet, only insiders can rightly
tell of the journey through the intense negotiations
that took place in the five-star hotels of Addis
Abeba. It is no less fortunate to get elaborations
on the aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses of the
EPRDF from the horse’s mouth.
Opposition parties had followed the wrong path of
hateful politics and had had no vision of how to
lead the country, apart from the hastily organised
coalition, the book states. It did not even hide the
weaknesses of the EPRDF in inadequately preparing
for the debates and its coyness in talking about
what it had accomplished.
The pre-election period was distinct in its media
coverage, debate organisation, and participation of
the public. However, it can be discerned that the
debates were full of bad sentiment that was
sometimes marred by hateful words. Both sides left
no stones unturned and went beyond the popular
tradition of peaceful neighbourliness by making the
election process a life or death battle, predicting
doomsday.
Multiple factors contributed to this unique social
phenomenon. It is undeniable that the benefits of
group rights along ethnic lines were not fully
acknowledged, and that this created considerable
fear within different segments of society. Even so,
the growing respect, trust, and collaboration
between nationalities was bearing fruit and, at
least, reduced enmities, despite some groups still
claiming that they were fighting for freedom.
Although the EPRDF is a multiethnic front, the fact
that a large number of its high-level members come
from one area has led others to see it with
suspicion. In addition, the radical polices followed
by the front compared to the former unitary
government has not pleased some. Not in the least,
opposition parties have used the EPRDF’s support for
Eritrean independence against it by reviving public
emotions.
Mitigating the terrible poverty and unemployment
deeply rooted in major cities was given only
marginal attention by the ruling party. It
redesigned its policies and made efforts to improve
the economic conditions of the lower class only
after 2005.
It was too late to save the ruling party from facing
defeat. Nonetheless, the public had some kindness
for the pre-election city administration in Addis
Abeba.
At the time, opposition parties seemed to have no
strong foundation and were only loosely united.
Interparty strife in the coalitions contributed to
their subsequent breakdown.
Analysing and understanding the implications of
policies of the contending parties was very
difficult for the general public because of the many
voices and the swiftly propagated election
campaigns.
Ethnicity also helped many to be elected. Added up,
these factors interplayed to fill the 2005 election
with bad sentiments and finally plunged it into an
undesired realm.
Nevertheless, Bereket wished all the best to his
compatriots and concluded his book by quoting the
Prime Minister’s promise to work with opposition
parties.
Surely, the future is of Ethiopians. The public has
transcended party politics, yet it is also eager to
see promises being fulfilled. No doubt that the days
go by faster than ever.
Crises may come and go as globalisation has
interwoven the world. It is also recognisable that
awareness about the past and present will only be
useful if it is used as an input to predict the
future.
In view of that, the public expects the ruling and
opposition parties to work together, build trust,
and finally accept the public’s verdict no matter
what it chooses. After all, elections are the means
to put into practice one’s policies. They are not
merely for the sake of winning. |
