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Call to Action: Open Letter to All Ethiopian

Dear Fellow Ethiopians,
I wish you all a peaceful 2009 (Ethiopian).
Dont expect rocket science from this piece. I would like to try to outline facts and honest
recommendations. I dont have a lot of backgrounds to share. Many have written history,
analysis, witnesses, etc. and the majority of them serve as a context for this outline. Many of you
agree that we need action now more than ever.
If you decide to read this, I know you would like to know who the writer of this piece may be. I
am a middle age ordinary Ethiopian who never wrote articles for public consumption and with
no affiliation to any political or civil rights groups. My lifetime wish is to see a peaceful Ethiopia
that is equally and unconditionally shared and owned by all Ethiopians.
I am calling all Ethiopians to Agree to Build and Rebuild Ethiopia, our country. Ethiopia is Ours.
We are responsible to build and rebuild our country. I am calling for a positive action by all of us;
party leaders, parties, activists, intellectuals, active social media users, students, teachers, taxi
drivers, civil servants, women, men, young people and adults, religious leaders and elders. The
core actions are outlined below.
Hope Ethiopia will be better soon. Believe that change is coming and get ready to meaningfully
contribute to build and rebuild our country. Now Ethiopians are empowered to claim their
country and it is inevitable Ethiopia will be owned by all of its own citizens. Please remember
ownership also embodies responsibility.
Celebrate what Ethiopia achieved to date. Recognise that Ethiopias economy demonstrated
significant growth. Health outcomes have improved, education enrolment increased and
agricultural productivity showed upward growth. Ethiopia has been a relatively stable country
for some time and provided opportunities for formal and informal private business growth.
Moreover, Ethiopia has been implementing large scale public infrastructure projects that provide
employment and facilitate future growth in the transition to urbanization and industrialization
to mention some. Ethiopia extraordinarily passed the challenges of a potential ethnic conflict.
Now Ethiopia is at a point where all its people understood (except it leaders) that they all equally
own their country. After a long time, Ethiopia saw ethnic Amhara as an ethnic group recognising
and making efforts for recognition. I am saying that lets celebrate the gains with all of their
imperfections.
Manifest fierce compassion: Please demonstrate honest compassion for victims, opposing views,
people on duty, etc.

For people who lost their lives, their families and friends and for the community. Express
sincere condolences, accomplish something worthwhile such as release prisoners, respond

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to their demands, etc. to commemorate their lives. Promise that such killings will never
happen again. Promise to bring those who have done it to justice.
For the people of Tigray. Recognize that the people of Tigray are in a very difficult situation
at this point in time. They are associated to all the bad occurrences caused by the ruling
party. They feel like (are told) the people of Amhara is acting (will act) against them. They also
have a treat from Eritrea. They have to submit to EPRDFs ideas and leadership because of
lack of options. Give the honest assurance that the people of Tigray are not alone. Tell them
that all Ethiopians need each other for each others security and growth. No one ethnic group
will be better of without the other.
For EPRDF. Recognise the ruling partys official name and call them by their name. Recognize
that EPRDF admitted that the administration is in a big trouble and its making efforts to
address the situation. Communicate alternative ways for reconciliation and peaceful
resolution of the current crisis in a way that benefits the Ethiopian people. Suggest options
that address the concerns of officials and those who think their world would end if the current
administration is dissolved.
For opposition parties and civil rights groups. Recognize that all of opposition and civil right
groups are Ethiopians and work hard to ensure an equal share and ownership of their country.
Declare that they are not terrorist organizations and individuals. Call them by their
organizations and given names. Respect their courage, their commitment and their dream
for Ethiopia even though you are in disagreement with their perspective.
For the regional and federal security and defence forces. Recognize the challenges of the
security forces. The local and national security and defence forces are responsible to protect
and serve citizens. Support the forces in their effort to prevent actions that are not acceptable
by any standards.

Agree on the current reality in Ethiopia. Honestly tell and accept that there is problem in
Ethiopia. The following are true and need everyones attention and action.

EPRDF requires change, real change. We know EPRDF is talking about reform from within.
However, please accept that a system will never reform itself, never in the history of
humankind. If EPRDF wants reform, it has to bring other ideas and views into the table. If it is
for Ethiopia, the country of all of us, all of us should participate. EPRDF has to accept that it
is time to open up and work with Ethiopians. Ethiopia is mother for 100 million people. EPRDF
tried several reforms including BPR that actually weakens some strong institutions. You are
doing the same thing and expecting a different result like a mad man. Doing the same thing
over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of a mad man. You need
change, change with an unconditional inclusive process. This is the reality. Face it.
EPRDF should announce a call for participation of opposition of all kind now. We need EPRDF
to surprise Ethiopians by taking leadership in opening up, giving up power to the people and
facilitating genuine transition to building and rebuilding the country.

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o Apologize, apologise, apologise! It is okay, people will respect you for doing the right
thing. It is the right thing do.
o Have respect for the people. Yes, respect us! We deserve respect.
o Stop killing protesters now.
o Release all prisoners you arrested in masses now.
o Free politicians, journalists and activists who are in jail.
o Reinstate the regional security forces to maintain peace and protect people.
o Order the defence force and federal police to be in their camps and their regular
service areas.
o Respectfully and truthfully tell the people what the plan is and how it is going to be
implemented.
Opposition and civil rights groups should share responsibility for the crisis. All of us have a
role for the current crisis.
o Apologise, apologise, apologise!
o Have respect for the people. Yes, respect us! We deserve respect, at least.
o Admit your contribution in the creation of the politics of hate.
o Express readiness to collaborate with EPRDF and others to build and rebuild the
country, our country.

Respect young Ethiopians fight. Ethnic based politics, power greed and arrogance are not the
young peoples dream and fight. The young Ethiopians constitute 70% of the population (data
from EPRDF). They need opportunity and freedom. Open up the space so that young people are
free to use their potential to create, participate in and decide their future. Ethnic based politics
and the fight for power on the basis of your 1970s circumstances is not the fight young people
want to pursue. Get over it and give the country to the young people now.
Leave the political space for people who can do the job. EPRDF leadership and opposition
politicians who have been in the party or outside for many years, please respectfully leave the
political space for those with fresh ideas. People are tired of your same old argument and rigid
political view. Please retire and join ordinary life. I assure you Ethiopia will be fine without your
involvement in party leadership and influence. Please also know that you are not in this world for
ever. If you want to do a favor for the Ethiopian people, please leave the politics for the younger
generation. It is okay.
Protect the gains to date. Any reform process has to protect the gains the country recorded to
date. Building on the existing promising practices should be considered a guiding principle. For
example, the expansion of power generation, construction of roads, the community based health
program, etc. are tremendous achievements that one should build on. Starting from scratch will
be very expensive and unacceptable.
Take radical action. EPRDF leaders have to accept that no other option but inclusiveness is on
the table. Figure out how to be inclusive. This is the only way to help all Ethiopians stand together
and build and rebuild Ethiopia. Otherwise the People of Ethiopia will do it for you. I dont think
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you will like that. It is going to happen no matter what. Please accept the reality, do it and be
proud of yourself. Here are a few specific actions to consider.

Prime Minister Hailemariam; please tell the people that you are resining from your position
and your party because your party won 100% vote, Oromia region protested for 10 months
now, 61% of the population protested, over 1000 people including children and women are
killed and countless young people are mass arrested in Oromia and Amhara regions during
your premiership. There is no reason for you to stay in power. People would admire you and
love you if you do this. This is the right thing to do for you. You are not alone; PM David
Cameron did the same. If you dont do it, EPRDF will do so soon. Be smart!
Opposition leaders in country; please be sensible once in your life time by either resigning
from politics or telling what you believe in. If you dont resign, join the armed struggle if there
is one since your way never worked. You know what the right action at this point is except
you dont want to die. People are now dying for you. You are being a shield for EPRDF you
like it or not. That should end.
Parties that are created by EPRDF (counterfeits); your era is over. Just disappear. You are a
disgrace. We dont need your apology and we dont have hard feelings. Please leave the
space.
Private pro-government media; at least show respect for the people. You cannot continue
insulting people and disrespecting us. Please keep quite.
Religious leaders and institutions; focus on your prayers. If you teach what the Bible/Quran
teaches, you will be in good shape. We hope you will change and do the right thing when you
know what you teach.
Businesses; stop making too much profit from the people. At this difficult time, your support
for the people is critical. Follow the Gondar and Bahir Dar example.
The people of Tigray; stop pretending that you dont know what it feels like when you have
someone killed from your family. Many Oromo and Amhara mothers are receiving bodies of
their kids in the day light. These kids did nothing but asked for opportunities. It is very difficult
to comprehend why you support killing. I was disgusted to see you smile (that smile) when
the Somali region donated your region 10 million ETB when you never expressed condolences
for lives lost in Amhara and Oromia and when you know the donation is set up by your
dearest, EPRD, to fool you. You are great people. Please stand up and at least oppose killing
and mass arrest and demand government response to the protesters instead. Just do that,
nothing else!

Consider truth and reconciliation process. End the denial that all Ethiopians are now treated
equally. Admit that there is injustice in wealth distribution, political power sharing and
opportunities. Admit the damages that occurred for a number of years and agree to end all of
these through reconciliation. Once and for all, show the courage to shake hands and accept all
Ethiopians, no mater what they believe in, for peace, fraternity and intentional solidarity to build

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and rebuild Ethiopia and to create and facilitate opportunities for young people to be able to
shape their future.
Plan on how institutions transition from serving the ruling party to serving the people. All
institutions are weak and created to fail. Develop a plan that prevents damage during transition.
I know EPRDF is capable of at least freezing functions until proper transition is in place. All of
them are weak. Accept it!
Engage the diaspora meaningfully and honestly for positive contribution. The diaspora should
be engaged to contribute in resource mobilization, image building and skill transfer after an
honest reconciliation within themselves. The diaspora community itself is divided. Until Ethiopia
is in the hands of its people and until the transition process is over, all Ethiopians (ethnic and
geographic interests aside) should hold hand in hand to contribute to the formation of the
government that is elected by the people. Building and rebuilding a country should stay away
from emotion and should be supported by reason. Yes, all of us should stand together and make
sure that there are institutions that will make the new government accountable to the people.
That is number one task.
Demonstrate some mercy to the weakening economy. Accelerate the change process so that
business start running again. We are observing projects put on hold, planned international events
cancelled and flow of tourists significantly reduced among many others due to the current
protests and the delay to respond to the peoples demands. What are you waiting for? Implement
the change and get the country Back to work.
Implement this and many more actions as appropriate and as soon as possible. This is
illustrative list from a very ordinary citizen. Please add to this list, make them work for the
purpose and implement them. The bottom line is action and action now!
I know some people from both the opposition and the ruling camps smile when they finish
reading this piece (if they read it at all). I know what that smile means. You may say, YEWAH if
you are very kind. You may also try to judge me on the bases of your assumption which camp I
may belong to. Honestly, it is about Ethiopia, the country all of us call home. It is about the young
people who are badly looking for those of us who the young people think can create opportunity
for them. Can we do something really sensible today? Can we just do it for the young ones? I
would like to challenge key EPRDF officials to go undercover in any urban area and have a two
hour stay on a street, coffee house, shops or neighborhood to observe how people are trying to
cope with the challenges of life. You would realize how you and your government failed to
address the simplest challenges and figure out that your government will never address them as
long as it is in power. What would you do if your child is taken by some security personnel without
any court or police notice and you have no idea their whereabouts for days and weeks? What
would you feel when you are told everything is okay by state media when you received the body
of your child who was shot dead right on his head by government forces ordered by your Prime
Minister? What would you feel the child you raised who is looked after by younger siblings and
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friends in the community is called messenger from Eritrea by a government official? Honestly,
what would you do? Would you wish this to happen for other people? Would you wish an end to
this? Do you believe your Prime Minister who ordered these atrocities will change?
I wish I wrote this in Amharic for wider readership. I really apologize for my failure to find a
software that works well ion my laptop. Moreover, I wanted to do it now than later. Please feel
free to share it with all if you think it is worth sharing. Please start taking positive action yourself
as of now.
Thank you for your patience to read this piece. If you have any feedback, please send them to me
via email.
Peace for our country and people!
AZ
(abebawz@mail.com)