Thank you for pointing out the mentality of these CUD supporters. They claim to be so against ethnic politics. However they do not realise that they think that way. Thanks again for pointing that out Andrew. These people are biased and introverted in their thinking.

Ohhhh, get you, Mr. MGH- you're so enlightened and insightful yourself .
This incident just goes to show that any incident is an excuse to clear the streets of even more harmless civilians. Those camps must be full by now. The main point though is that we shall not surrender to ethnic strife, no matter what the politics is aiming at, implying Interhamwhe when clearly those who have the means and will are those in power- ergo they want to start ethnic conflict? We have to be united against those who still want to divide and rule.

I think the worst part of the story is the reaction of the man that said “these Tigrayans”… so evil and racist! The sad part is, most will never admit that they think that way. and they just blame the ethnic division on everything else but themselves.

I wonder how "Mamitus Geremews' Husband" related this story to CUD?

Dear Andrew,
I am sorry you didn't like my post but I guess you do not want to loose your Journalist's visa, I understand that. But in light of the post that someone claiming to be my hubby trying to post I want to write a reply and also repeat what I said after rewording it.

Ethiopia started going down the Ethnic strife 15 years ago when the Government started the road of pitting one Ethnic group with the other, to what end? I have my own ideas but I do not think that a country will exist if the government propagates ethnic differences and alienation of groups of people. In the country of my residence where a part of the people were not allowed to vote till the 1960's so much has and is being done to get rid of Race divides and hatred in the interest of building the country. I hope the government of Ethiopia would learn a lesson or two from that instead of fanning the fire that would consume that part of Africa. And that is the opinion of many Ethiopians I know.

I hope you will be kind enough to keep my post.

Ethnic politics should be abolished from Ethiopia for whatsoever good reason. You have seen it yourself. What can you do? The fight is not against a particular tribe , it is the politics of tribal thinking that the people of ethiopia is fighting but it is imposed forcefully on the people. Italy imposed it on ethiopia for five years for its divide and rule and it was a big problem when Haileselassie came back. TPLF imposed tribal politics for fifteen years and we are now seeing the fruit of that. What can we do?

Everyone knows that there has been anti-Tigrean and anti-Eritrean sentiment in (the rest of) Ethiopia ever since the EPRDF began its dictatorial reign in 1991. The anti-Eritrean sentiment has decreased as Eritreans were removed from a position of power after the 1998 war.

Go anywhere in Addis, Oromia, or elsewhere, and you'll here about 'these Tigrays' abusing power and so on.

'He got the job.'
'Is he a Tigrean?'
'Of course!'
'I'm tired of these blighted Tigreans.'

goes a typical conversation.

Add to the typically Third World parochial nature of Ethiopian society dictatorial rule by what is perceived as a Tigrean clique, and this is what you get.

Ethiopia will never be peacefully governed by an ethnic dictatorship.

But the EPRDF is a multi-ethnic party, you say. Well, the previous two governments were multi-ethnic, too, for that matter. But because they were dictatorships, people quickly latched on to the fact that their leaders spoke Amharic and labelled the regimes as 'Amhara'. That is how the EPLF and TPLF rose to power.

It's the same now. The people of Ethiopia, in every corner of the country, rightly or wrongly perceive Tigreans to be the ruling class. This perception was not created recently, but was there from day one in 1991.

The only way to remove this perception is to genuinely democratize and allow the people to finally have in their leaders what they think is a reflection of themselves.

Otherwise, history will - is repeating itself.

Dear Gooch,
You have perceived something correctly. "The people of Ethiopia, in every corner of the country, rightly or wrongly perceive Tigreans to be the ruling class. This perception was not created recently.."
Except with the 'the people of Ethiopia ' generalization I agree with what you said.
But how was that perception created? I don't think it was created in 1991. The perception was deliberately created before that with the Dergue propaganda. And after 1991 most prominent opposition ‘politicians’ and 'free presses’ had worked hard to keep that propaganda alive in people’s mind. So the sayings like ‘balegizie’, ‘royal family’,’woyane’ and others have been targeting the Tigreans ever since. And before that in the dergue regime Tigreans used to be called ‘deldie aferash’, ‘asgentaie’ etc…

And another factor that adds up to this is that we Ethiopians never truly believed in ‘ unity in diversification’. We always claim we are a country of harmony and love. But truly we have been going around even calling each other in offending and humiliating names for centuries.

So for me the root cause of the problem and solution lies in the society itself. We should be able to differentiate politics and politicians from people. And we should identify those that are trying to lead us to this kind of alienating attitudes. We should also learn to respect each other no matter what.

Hey, this is a very serious issue. 6 million Jews did not die because of Hitler only. 1 million Rwandans did not die because of the Hutu government only. Societies played major roles in those tragedies.

in a poor country like Ethiopia i think it is very normal to regard the ruling party whatever ethnic group that party is dominated by as a traitor ethnic group. I am a Tigre but i am sure people will leave me alone if CUD takes over...as everyone I know thinks I am where I am because of the advantages I get from my relatives, what a joke, .... but then my Amhara friends will deal with everything that I and other Tigrayns are going through.

Oromo ruling people will say ‘deros galla”
Amhara “neftegna hulu”
Afar “zelan bcha tesbsebo” etc

Therefore am not worried so much about me it will go away as soon as EPRDF leaves power. But then what! That worries me.

Tazabi,

If you say there was a strong top-down element in the creation of anti-Tigrean sentiment, then you would have to say the same about the creation of anti-Amhara sentiment by the TPLF, EPLF, and OLF.

Andrew may not be aware of this in his short time in Ethiopia, but we all know that since the advent of the guerilla wars, the image of the Amhara in Tigray and Eritrea has been one of a wild and scary animal eager to kill all Tigrigna. Who hasn't met a tegadelti (TPLF or EPLF guerilla fighter) who, after the war, found out to his surpise that the Amhara were not the monsters he thought they were!

Rather than point to politicians who may be fanning the flames, I prefer to look at the fire itself, and that's the reality at the grassroots level.

The reality is that the people, without prodding from the elites, perceive that they do not rule themselves. Any amount of cajoling and rationalization will not change this reality. The only thing that will is genuine democratization.

As selam said, in an underdeveloped society, any dictatorship will be seen not only as a dictatorship, but also in ethnic terms. Amharas have been through this already, now its Tigreans, and God knows who'll be next.

I'd like to add that every country is different, and there's one nuance to ethnic politics in Ethiopia I'd like to mention.

There has been significant inter-ethnic integration in Ethiopia. A consequence of this is that Addis Ababa is the least parochial region in Ethiopia (which is not saying a lot), probably because of its heterogenous population, and its urban, integrationist nature. Addis is a city composed of 48% Amharas (1994 census), and yet voted about 81% for one party, not on ethnic lines. Ethnic animosities in Addis rarely rise beyond grumbling and name-calling, but of course, things could get worse.

Enjoyed your blog

Well, Andrew did not post a new post and I have something to say to Gooch’s last comment.

1. About inter-ethnic integration: I don't think we need to be ethnically integrated to respect each other. We first have to learn to appreciate the diversity we have, give value and respect to the way each and every individual or ethnic is.
2. And as to Addis Ababa being the least parochial region in Ethiopia: well that guy at Kaldis, that Andrew heard saying "These Tigreans..", is, I guess, in Addis. And I am sure there are many that think and talk that way. Moreover, their targets may not be Tigreans only. So, I say let's not deceive ourselves, let's talk reality.
3. "Ethnic animosities in Addis rarely rise beyond grumbling and name-calling, but of course, things could get worse."
I think this kind of name-callings are not something that you would just dismiss away as they are bound to create dissent and animosity. Especially, if they are said loudly for all to hear some unwanted circumstances may result .
4. One more point on "anti-Amhara sentiment ". I don't think the “sentiments” are solely targeted at the general Amhara people or individuals nor were they only created because previous “leaders spoke Amharic “. I think those “sentiments” are targeted at a certain system or way of thinking that does not recognize or respect the diverse identity, history, culture, language etc that we have in Ethiopia. But as usual there are some that take it to an unnecessary level.

Tazabi, we agree, and I think everyone does, that we don't need to be ethnically integrated to respect each other!!

My point, that ethnic integration, which could be but is not necessary assimilation, facilitates harmony. Especially in an inherently parochial country. This is a sociological fact known by the ancients who were keen on intermarriage as diplomacy and so on, and that is seen today in immigrant communities throughout the world.

As for Addis being the least parochial region, I mean, it's self-evident. Least parochial, by the way, does not mean not parochial, in case you misunderstood. I meant, and it is, the best of a bad lot. Again, it is a sociological fact that rural populations tend to be more parochial. If you've travelled around Ethiopia, you'd have shortly realized that this is indeed reality. The rural population, which is more locally ethnically homogenous, is not very accepting of newcomers, and this is in every corner of Ethiopia.

The reality is that any Ethiopian of any ethnicity, if he had to travel outside his own ethnic region, would prefer Addis. It's actually quite evident, isn't it?!

On your point 3 we agree completely. "... things could get worse," of course, and have gotten worse, precisely because of this. But there's absolutely no way in the world the people of Addis will overcome their resentments, which is of course the reason behind their name-calling, outside getting democracy.

On your point 4, just substitute Tigrean for Amhara, and decide whether you agree with what you wrote or not, if that helps. The poor farmer in Shire who thought Dergue=Amhara=monster was not 'directing his thoughts at a certain system' any more than the people at Kaldi's. Or were they both?!

O.k I also agree to some extent with your first three points. Though, I don't want to generalize about the situation in rural areas. Since, I really don't have a first hand information on living in other regions.
Coming to the 4th point, I think there was no "Dergue=Amhara=monster " there was only the "Dergue=monster " situation. The Shire farmer knows that Dergue=monster because the Dergue bombed his home and family because they wanted to clear the area from some rebels.

Well, the Gonder youth of the 1970's also thinks
Dergue=monster because he had witnessed the massacre of so many of his friends because they were thought to have an unwanted political thinking.
But, I don't think there is an Ethiopian that thinks "Dergue=Amhara=monster". If there is, it is totally wrong.
So, what was that system that I was talking about?
Well, suppose you have your own language, which you are so proud of. Well, it is some how linked to your identity. And suppose the system around you does not allow you to use that language the way you want it. You can't fully express yourself with the language that the system forces you to use. You can't teach your kids with what you call your own language; you can't use it in your daily work life, and so on. Wouldn't you be thinking like "hey, I am loosing my identity"? So, you start to blame the system.
That is the system and "sentiments" I was talking about. And there are different dimensions of this system and "sentiments”. In addition, these "sentiments" are a "sociological fact" that exist all over the world and are not new to Ethiopia alone

Well, it's good that we're moving towards an understanding, Tazabi. Just a couple of loose ends...

First, it's undeniable that in Tigray and Eritrea, "Dergue=Amhara=monster". The fellow in Gondar or Addis considered the Dergue to be an evil government, but the fellow in Tigray saw it as an evil Amhara government. Like I said, quite understandable given human nature.

Second, I agree fully with your description of the factors behind the alienation and disenfranchisement of the population. But it's incomplete. Not being allowed to work in one's own language is but one symptom of being in a totalitarian state. The fundamental problem is the totalitarian state! If the government were representative of its people, then whatever the people wished with regard to everything, from language to taxes to secession, would be reflected by the government.

People grumble when their wishes are not reflected in their leadership. This is the definition of disenfranchisement and alienation. This is what we are seeing in Ethiopia now, the same as we saw during the Dergue.

Sure the degree of totalitarianism is far less than that during the Dergue. And that's what the EPRDF's banking on. Hey, everyone's okay save for a few chauvinists. Exactly what the Dergue was saying. Except for that pesky EPLF, all's well!

Well, I think anyone who thought so before the election now knows better. The familiar pattern has been revealed.

Imagine if we had a healthy and informed debate like Gooch and Tazabiw (with a good moderator like Andrew) ...we would have a better Ethiopia.

I agree completely with Gooch, of course, and disagree with Tazabiw.

However,

... you both deserve congratulations!

I am really surprised by the fact that a minority group can cause such chaos and hatred amongs Ethiopians, i myself come from an Amhara family who even my own relatives are the ones that preach an "Amhara Supremacy" and claim that the current government is dividing the country, did different nationalities and ethinics in Ethiopia started 15 years ago? did they learn thier language and culture 15 years ago as well? or they just should forget who they are and become all Amhara, dont get me wrong, i am a neutral citizen who also condemns the ill wills of this government, but it is also this government that gave freedom to all the ethnics in Ethiopia without conditions, its is very sad that Tigriyans are targeted in this political entifada, what does Hailu Shawel belikve that the people of Oromiya, Afar, Somalia, and Southern People think of him, (dont tell me they voted for him!!) his runs a party that claims fraudalent elections before ballots were counted, while the NEBE announced that the kinijit won in Addis, a clean swip, i realy regret the fact that i voted for the idiotic CUD, i hope my mistake and lots of my fellow Ethiopians mistake does not cause more problems,
And this is also a call for the diaspora who are fueling nothing but hatred which brings instability in the country while they are safe and comfortable in thier Washington D.C. homes, and offcourse i call upon those who followers of Solomon Kebede the main finanier of the CUD who claims to be a true patriotic Ethiopia who actually left Ethiopia after embezelling public funds, so much for someone who claims to care for his fellow Ethiopians, i say he should be prosecuted here in Ethiopia where politics is a luxury for him, well for those of us who are currently residing here in Ethiopia CUD is a party that history will never forget, and lets not forget who better to stabilize Ethiopia from our traditional enemies bordering us, from the fundamentalist group, Al-Itihad. People lets really think about this!! Its not as honky donky as it seems for the diaspora, this is serious bussiness, and let's really think about this!

I am an amhara and happy about it,not because of any feeling of superiority or anything but just because i like the way my relatives especially the ones in the rural area live and think,i can also objectively view their deficiencies.
For me the whole issue of belonging to this or that ethnic group was blown out of proportion when the present regime came to power.
So people blame the tigreans for a lot of things,ofcourse all of us want to be fair,not judgemental,not generalize etc...but to be honest aren`t we denying the truth that we see everyday especially us living in Ethiopia.Isn`t a tigre favoured by the gov`t not because of anything but just because of ethnicity?if we deny this then i call everybody liars.But for me that is not the big issue,what i fail to understand is why do most tigre`s that i know; of good intellegence,sound mind etc..blindly support woyane,this is what i struggle to understand,when they see the atrocities which are commited everyday ,they somehow find a person to blame for it ,and that is always somebody other than the government.Is it associated with their identity of being a tigre?is it fear of retribution in the future?I think most ethiopians[including myself] started blaming tigres for this and that not the past 14 years but the past few months after the elections because of their reaction.And why do they lie so much?why do they have to defend a wrong? ,what makes them incapable of boldly saying this is wrong ,or this is right?I have heard only very few prominent tigre politicians saying that in the media.Why can`t the rest of the tigres be like them?Why do they defend this government just because it is tigre[and forget the joke about the govt being multiethnic] BTW for me and i believe most people ,it used not to matter that it is tigre,what mattered was good governance.
Most of my tigre friends are above average intellegence and their rural ancestors are lovely people,so what the hell is wrong with this generation of tigre`s????Do you really blame the people for passing judgment on tigres?
I hope this government resigns before it commits more crimes so that we will be able to forgive and forget and work towards a better country for the next generation.