Why is Ato. Lidetu Ayalew a coward? Please explain it to me.

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 07:16:00 -0400

This is all we read and hear about the Ethiopian parliamentary member Ato. Lidetu Ayalew, “Lidetu is a coward”; “Lidetu is a traitor” and other comments along those lines. Here is my question: Why?

As most of you would know, in the 2005 parliamentary election, a group of opposition parties to the current Ethiopian ruling party (EPRDF) join hands, I believe, to make changes and make Ethiopia a greater democratic country. Ato. Lidetu Ayalew was an icon in this movement. Ato. Lidetu and the other opposition parties swept about 200 parliamentary seats in just one election against EPRDF. In this same election they have also won all the seats in Addis Ababa. Now, it is claimed that the election was a fraud and that the opposition parties, that were called “Coalition for Democracy and Unity” all together, have won more seats than what National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) declared. Then came a big shock: members of Coalition for Democracy and Unity refused to accept the parliamentary seats they had won.

In November 1, 2005 a bloody protest led by Coalition for Democracy and Unity exploded in Ethiopia. During and after the protest many were arrested: among those were leaders of Coalition for Democracy and Unity.

Leaders of Coalition for Democracy and Unity refused to take their minority but still significant number of parliamentary seats: They were not satisfied with the 200+ parliamentary seats they had won. They wanted it all at once. It must have been thirst for Power, Power and Power. This greed lead to many Ethiopians being arrested and others dying (not that I’m blaming it fully on the Coalition for Democracy and Unity, but they could have avoided it). During all this chaos, I believe, came an epiphany and the light bulb in Ledetu’s mind lit, making him change his mind and accept the parliamentary seats his party has won. Lidetu’s party is called United Ethiopian Democratic Party-Medhin Party(EDUP-Medhin). Because of the last minute decisions it made Lidetu’s party (Medhin) is now in a position were they can challenge the ruling party in the parliament. Not only that: they are also in a position where they can pass number of laws that can help change the date to date life of Ethiopians.

So let me ask again, why is Ato. Lidetu Ayalew a coward? Is it the fact that he accepted the opportunity that enables him now to grill Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and EPRDF in the Ethiopian Parliament like you can see in the video below? Or is it the fact that he hasn’t fled out of Ethiopia like Dr. Berhanu Nega?

Please help me understand!!

Click here to watch Ato. Lidetu Ayalew speak strongly against EPDRF --- Video 1 & Video 2

Ethiopia, We Love!!

- The King-

What is going on in Ethiopia?

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:42:00 -0400

It’s a bit confusing. I don’t know if it is just me but the things I hear and read about Ethiopia and the current situations back home are as opposite as front and back, or like my people would say “Hodena Jerba”. I read some of the popular Ethiopian blogs, most of which are written by exiles, but only to finish reading feeling depressed because of the negative image they paint in my head. And then I tune into the Ethiopian media (Ethiopian TV or Radio Fana) to find myself wanting to read, listen or watch more because of the happy sensation, the “good news” by the Ethiopian media creates deep inside me.Now, I’m realistic enough to understand that all that the Ethiopian media portrays is not the whole picture of my country. I’m also optimistic enough not to believe all that is reflected of Ethiopia by the anti Ethiopian government blogs. Here lies my question, where can we find a clear image of our country from where ever we are? As I’ll be waiting for suggestions from you, I believe that asking our relatives from back home in person can help clear the fog a little bit. I will be asking some question to those back home and write another blog about my opinion in the Ethiopian politics next time. For now I’ll be waiting for your replay either suggesting a way to clear the fog about the reality in Ethiopia or stating the truth (from those of you who know what is going on in Ethiopia). Thank you for reading….

-- The King --