Since you pose questions as an exposé to make us reconsider whether Eskinder is worthy of representing the Amhara cause, let us examine each point to make an informed decision in the interest of the Amhara people.Misraq wrote: ↑22 May 2024, 08:22Brother Right,Right wrote: ↑22 May 2024, 08:02Misraq,
There must be something that we don’t know but you know for you to come out here and insult Eskinder Nega. Share it with us if it is a legitimate concern. Eskinder has given everything he possibly can to the freedom of the Ethiopian people. They may be some disagreements among comrades but just leave it for them to sort it out. If we are trying to genuinely support the struggle then it is better to stay out of their operational disagreements without taking sides.
I am really tired of the Amhara society who follows individuals just like a cult system. The same society was singing for Birhanu Nega, Professor Mesfin, Abiy Ahmed and now Eskinder Nega. The common denominator of all these are "unionists and hidden identity interests at the expense of Amhara".
I would like you to ask yourself the following
1) why is Eskinder kicked out of Gojjam
2) why is every organization Eskinder created will fail
3) who are behind Eskinder?
4) which medias propped Eskinder and why?
5) ever since Eskinder moved to Shoa, why are the two shoan ዕዝ (Meketaw vs Asegid) forces are at odds
6) Eskinder Ethiopianist or Amhara Nationalist?
7) Does Eskinder command a large force? If so, where did his forces fight?
why did the G7 hoodlums all of a sudden become Eskinder messengers and supporters
9) Do you really think the folks surrounding Eskinder work for the best interest of Amharas?
10) Do you think G7 & Ezema ideology which Eskinder follows will stop Amhara hate through out Ethiopia?
Let's rationalize the above first. Also ask yourself on why Shaleqa Dawit and Lig Tedla melalu including Zemedkun suddenly distanced themselves from Eskinder? Isn't it because of Eskinders balderas buddies effort to get foothold in this business?
We know that the Amhara, as a group, have faced both an existential threat and exclusion from political power proportional to their demographics. This has left them at the mercy and goodwill of hostile forces—first the TPLF (Weyane), and now under radical Oromos, who are orchestrating ethnic cleansing with their newfound power. Before achieving their broader objectives, the Amhara must first guarantee their very survival. Let us review what Eskinder has accomplished on both fronts.
Eskinder is praised as a human rights advocate and journalist but criticized as a politician. This criticism assumes that the principles that made him a good human rights advocate do not apply to politics. However, what Eskinder has done over the past two and a half decades is a matter of public record. As a person of action and a mortal man, he may make mistakes, but his record shows that he acts thoughtfully.
First, why was Eskinder kicked out of Gojjam? For this, we need only listen to Zemene’s statement. It is clear that Zemene resented Eskinder announcing the establishment of the AP force while Zemene was in prison, in a region Zemene claims as his turf. From his public statements, Zemene accused Eskinder of being a second coming of EZEMA. This was about ego, not about harm done to the Amhara struggle by Eskinder. How can Eskinder function in Gojjam while being accused of being surreptitious to the Amhara struggle?
Second, why do some claim that every organization Eskinder creates will fail? The organization he established was Balderas, to attempt a peaceful struggle if possible. He left it after countless attempts for an armed struggle. So, there were not many organizations as some allege.
Third, who supports Eskinder? At this time, he is supported by the Amhara Fano forces he joined to fight with and possibly die with. Many unionists support the Amhara struggle and his principled stand to defend Amharas by all means. The so-called “one Amhara” camp is doing all they can to discredit him because he is both an Amhara nationalist and an Ethiopianist, as if these are mutually exclusive identities.
Fourth, which media outlets support Eskinder and why? Eskinder is not someone who can be propped up by the media. He has a long history of accomplishments on his own without media support.
Fifth, ever since Eskinder moved to Shoa, why are the two Shoan factions (Meketaw vs Asegid) at odds? Eskinder is not an empty vessel. He holds firm to the human rights principles that you praise, and if those principles are challenged, he will not abandon them for the sake of acceptance. Instead of asking why he left Gojjam or why the Shewa Fanos are not united, we should investigate the root of the problem and seek enlightenment. scapegoating has never been a solution to real problems.
Sixth, is Eskinder an Ethiopianist or an Amhara nationalist? He can be both. From what I have heard from the leaders of Fano, they claim their Amharanet and Ethiopianess simultaneously and are ready to die for both.
Seventh, does Eskinder command a large force? If so, where did his forces fight? He joined the Fano movement as a member, not as a leader, but Fano members believe he can serve better as a leader than a member. He certainly has leadership qualities if they choose to make him one.
In the midst of the struggle in Addis Ababa, he publicly declared that EZEMA and Prosperity are one and the same. You know that Berhanu siding with the government has used the same words Abiy used to discredit Eskinder. Why do you use the EZEMA card to discredit Eskinder? It appears to be a visceral hate towards anything Ethiopianist.
Do you really think the people surrounding Eskinder work for the best interest of Amharas? Can you name them so that we can make a judgment? He has made mistakes in choosing the right people before, but he is likely to learn from these mistakes.
Do you think the G7 and EZEMA ideologies, which Eskinder follows, will stop Amhara hate throughout Ethiopia? He should not be a leader if he doesn’t understand the Amhara question and cannot bring a lasting solution to it. If he cannot do that, he shouldn’t be an Amhara leader. I believe he is politically astute and capable of articulating the Amhara cause for Amharas in all regions, not just in specific areas. So far, there is no evidence to the contrary.
Lastly, Shaleqa Dawit’s gaffe was unexpected from an experienced politician. It was disappointing. Lig Tedla Melalu nor Zemedkun are supporters of the Fano struggle, but they are not in the thick of the struggle where the real action happens. They can change their positions depending on the circumstances. We will see what they say if Eskinder’s acceptance grows among the Fanos.
In conclusion, nothing you have said questions Eskinder’s commitment to the Amhara cause. Amharas are at a stage of struggle where no one can prevent them from righting the wrongs against them. However, attacking supporters of the Amhara struggle because of their mixed heritage needs to stop. The ideology pushed by the so-called “one Amhara” camp is deadly and does not benefit the Amhara struggle. Fanos in the field seem to be more mature than those imposing a blood test requirement to support the successful accomplishment of the Amhara struggle. If a politician has a checkered history, it is possible to keep him/her at arm's length, but this blind campaign of exclusion needs to stop.
“He who fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. Nietzsche