Ethiopia: Who Is More Ethiopian?
COLUMN In every way, the political opposition parties of the 2005 elections were irresponsible hooligans who did not even know their own goals. Given their smear campaign, I have always wondered how they could have undertaken the job of governance had they succeeded in their quest for power. They were dividing the nation even before gaining votes. They were contradictorily promising tax cuts, whilst still planning to increase public spending. They lacked the minimum internal stability necessary for smooth administrative functioning. Amazingly, they also invited the international community to interfere in the internal affairs of the nation they were seeking to administer, with little concern for its sovereignty. I am always surprised to hear people lamenting about the 2005 elections, as if it was the turning point for Ethiopian democracy, whereas, rather, it was the point where our aspirations for democracy were crushed. By and large, Ethiopian minorities were deeply concer