Unjustly bullying and intimidating Kinijit leaders

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By Netsanet Gadissa
November 8, 2007

It is with great trepidation and shock we hear yet another unfounded and wild accusations by the current Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Seyoum Mesfin, concerning the Kinijit delegates currently on working visit in the United States.

In light of Mr. Seyoum’s track record of sheer lack of comprehension of legal documents, we should not be surprised by his misinterpretation of H.R. 2003. It was not long ago, this same Minister, erroneously announced that the Ethiopia Eritrea Border Commission granted Badme and other disputed areas to Ethiopia.

To date, there is no apology, clarification or taking responsibility on the part of Mr. Seyoum for his flagrant deceptive announcement that led people to take to the streets to celebrate the non-existent court victories. Needless to say, whatever is said by Seyoum Mesfin is not credible, or should not be given any weight. It comes as no surprise that the Minister, once again, is completely wrong regarding H.R. 2003, and the involvement of Kinijit leaders’ alliance with what he called “armed groups.”

Still, Seyoum Mesfin and the government-controlled media have stepped up their assault on Kinijit leaders and their activities in the United States. Mr. Mesfin claims that Kinijit leaders have been seen working with groups waging armed struggles, i.e. groups such as the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) by lobbying for support of the U.S. Congress. It is imperative to note that Mr. Seyoum cites no specific event, incident, or example to support his claim of Kinijit leaders’ affiliations with armed groups. Seyoum Mesfin’s assertion of linkage between Kinjit leaders and what he calls “terrorist groups” cannot be further from the truth.

First, Mr. Seyoum seems not to have any clue as to how the U.S. Congress works. The U.S. congress does not hold hearings on similar issues separately. Congress is not in the business of wasting time and resources by summoning each interested group for a hearing arising out of the same occurrence.

Thus, when U.S. House of Representative holds a hearing on Ethiopia, then it will require all interested groups to be heard and given an opportunity to voice their opinion. Dr. Berhanu Nega, Judge Bertukan Mideksa and Ms. Fowsia Abdulkader, Chair of the Ogaden Human Rights Committee, Canada, were advocating and testifying for issues pertaining to them or their respective organizations. I guess this glaring fact has escaped the Honorable Minister. By the way, Mr. Seyoum, have you yourself watched the hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives?

Second, H.R. 2003 can be summed up to mean “Respect the Ethiopian Constitution.” Simple and clear. The Bill unambiguously and expressly asks the Ethiopian government to respect its own Constitution. Can Mr. Seyoum or the few other opponents of the Bill show us any provision in the Bill that is not compatible and not in comport with the Ethiopian Constitution? The answer to this inquiry is an astounding no. Wait, yes, in fact there is one small provision that is not in the Ethiopian Constitution, and can only be found in H.R. 2003. That is, the U.S. government will give training, assistance and money ($20,000.000) in 2008 and 2009 to help promote democratization in Ethiopia.

Therefore, Mr. Seyoum is implying the released Kinijit leaders are violating their so called “pardon” and its “conditions”, by advocating for the respect and full re-instatement of the Ethiopian Constitution. If Kinijit leaders were found to be lobbying and supporting the passage of H.R. 2003, then it will only mean that they are more committed to the Ethiopian Constitution than the regime of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Thus, Mr. Seyoum is highly mistaken about the bill and its effect on Ethiopia. More importantly, he erred by implying that the Kinijit Leaders are in violation of their “conditions” (whether the conditions and the pardon is legitimate and lawful is another issue in and of itself) because H.R. 2003 is a spitting image of the current Ethiopian Constitution. Again, Mr. Minister, have you read HR 2003?

Third, conduct unbecoming of a diplomat on the part of Mr. Seyoum has been clearly manifested in his recent interview. Let’s put aside the fact that the belligerent Foreign Minster has no evidence to back up his accusations against Kinijt Leaders and their activities, let’s put aside the fact that he did not read, understand, or appreciate the articles of H.R. 2003, let’s put aside the fact that Mr. Seyoum is a product of the rebel movement without formal training, experience, or education for his position, and let’s also put aside the fact that the Minister is not known for his oratorical skills.

But, how could we accept or expect the top diplomat representing us in the International arena, and the face of Ethiopia in the world political stage to conduct himself as a thug, employing thuggish words, and behaving as though he is the leader of a hate group. The manner and attitude in which he was referring to the Kinijt Leaders is beneath a high level official, that at the very least, should have respect for the Office and the Ministry he is supposed to lead. For instance, responding to a leading question about Kinijit Leaders and H.R. 2003 he claims “…Silfalefu…cheaply selling out…bankrupted political leaders…” Alas, how we long for diplomatic decorum, eloquence and sophistication. His tone and demeanor shows his lack of a scintilla of diplomatic etiquette. Yes, 16 years on the job training and this is the best we can get!

At any rate, Mr. Seyoum could have been a bit tolerable had he been fully apprised of what H.R. 2003 is all about, had he gathered evidence about the activities of the Kinijit Leaders in the U.S., and not engaged in wild, unfounded, and completely egregious accusation against the Kinijit leaders.

In sum, there are no facts, evidence, or circumstances to suggest Kinijit Leaders have been negotiating, discussing or pleading with armed struggle groups. I challenge Mr. Mesfin to offer specific and factual evidence for his accusation in lieu of making up stories that are figments of his imaginations. The Minister and everyone else knows that there no nexus between Kinijit Leaders and the armed struggle groups, except the general and unsubstantiated accusations by the Ethiopia’s dictatorial regime. Accordingly, Mr. Seyoum’s threats, ranting and raving, and allegation against Kinijit Leaders is without merit, and certainly does not hold water.

Clearly, the Ethiopian government, through the Foreign Minister, is persisting in harassing, bullying and intimidating Kinijit leaders without any factual or evidentiary basis. The government is doing so, perhaps, hoping to dissuade Kinijit Leaders from returning home, or perhaps hoping to limit or restrict their successful campaign for democracy and rule of law in Ethiopia. Fortunately, the much loved. truly respected, and elected leaders of Ethiopia- Kinijit leaders- have abandoned fear from their minds and hearts long ago. They will go back to Ethiopia and will continue the honorable task of fulfilling the mandate given to them by the people of Ethiopia.

Borrowing from Mr. Seyoum’s own phrase, what will be true “political bankruptcy” would be for the Meles regime to imprison, assault, continue to intimidate and bully the Kinijit Leaders upon their return to Ethiopia. If Ethiopia’s top International envoy, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is unable to imagine the further outrage, wrath, and protest that the regime will encounter from Ethiopians and non-Ethiopians alike for any malicious action against Kinijit leaders, then we will be forced to fully believe the allegations against Seyoum Mesfin, total ineptness, lack of sophistication, and judgment. Mr. Seyoum and the Ethiopian government, please do not live up to your reputation. Please disappoint us occasionally by being civil, statesmanlike, thoughtful and reasonable. Is that too much to ask of you and your government?

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The writer, Netsanet Gadissa, can be reached at ngadisssa@gmail.com

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