<
http://www.ethiopianreview.net/index/?p=44775> The 'miracle revolution'
EthiopianReview.com | September 15th, 2012
http://www.ethiopianreview.net/index/?p=44775
With selection of Hailemariam Desalegn from Wolaita and Demeke Mekonnen from
Amhara as prime minister and deputy prime minister, Meles Zenawi's and
TPLF's dream of ruling Ethiopia for at least 50 years has ended today.
Meles Zenawi had never intended for this to happen. His intention was to
retire in 2015, after making his wife the prime minister and continue to
rule behind the scene while residing at the 100-million-birr residence he
built inside the National Palace. The family dynasty he plotted to establish
went into flames when he was hit with an 'unknown' illness some time in May
or June this year.
Nevertheless, what has happened in Ethiopia today is a 'miracle revolution,'
because for the regime's two most visible figures, the prime minister and
his hand-picked patriarch, to die in a period of two weeks is nothing short
of a miracle. Their death is now creating opportunities for positive changes
in the country. We will soon know if there are going to be changes by the
kind of actions that Hailemariam will take in the coming few days and weeks
- primary among them are the immediate release of all political prisoners.
In ceding power, the TPLF, the leading party in the 4-party coalition
(Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front [EPRDF]), had been
out-maneuvered and out-played by Bereket Simon in the absence of Sebhat Nega
and other more experienced leaders who were purged by Meles Zenawi from the
TPLF politburo. Their attempt to return to the TPLF leadership was blocked
by Bereket's allies in the TPLF in 2010.
Most of what has transpired inside the regime since the death of Meles in
July, including the 12-day zombified funeral, was managed and orchestrated
by Bereket. He promoted Hailemariam from SEPDM and Demeke (his protege) from
ANDM to save his own skin, because if the hardliners in the TPLF hold on to
power, his fate could be ugly. Until the inexperienced Hailemariam is
situated in his new position and develops leadership skills, he will depend
on Bereket, who will remain the most powerful person in the regime.
On the TPLF side, they all know Bereket, who is an Eritrean, is behind their
demise, and the TPLF cadres are now saying that they have been pushed aside
by the Eritrean wing of TPLF/EPRDF. They argue that without the Eritreans in
the TPLF, namely Berhane Gebrekiristos, Teodros Adhanom, Neway Gebreab,
Isayas Woldegiorgis (the deputy chief of security) and others, TPLF would
have fought to keep the premiership for itself. Bereket was able to build a
coalition of ANDM, SEPDM, some from OPDO and the Eritrean wing of the TPLF
to get Hailemariam elected.
The influence of Eritreans in the TPLF/EPRDF cannot be discounted, but the
TPLF presents an immediate threat to Ethiopia and thus it must be quashed
and obliterated for there to be any chance of real change. Let's not forget
that it is TPLF that has a plot to dismember Ethiopia and create Greater
Tigray.
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Received on Sat Sep 15 2012 - 16:40:40 EDT
