Burtukan’s Journey: From Dawn to dusk

Pre- election 2005

The vaguely known naïve lawyer came to the light of publicity when she released one Tigray mafia on bail. She released a hardliner Tigrean mafia named Siye Abraha on bail from detention and as a result made herself a deadly enemy of another Tigrean mafia which ruled the country. That gave her immediate popularity in the empire, particularly among power hungry Abyssinians whose spirit of ruling the country was irreversibly crushed during the socialist revolution in Ethiopia.
That was when ruminants of the feudal children, who at the time mobilized themselves under the name CUD, saw opportunity in the young naïve Oromo lawyer, to come back to throne. Father Naftenyas used Oromos for their political goals since the time of Menelik. It is unforgettable that Menelik himself used prominent Oromo leaders and horse mensuch as Gobana and Habtegiorgis Dinagde to crush the Oromo nation to effectively colonize them. After helping Menelik crush all Oromo forces and Sothern nations, Gobana was systematically eliminated. At this time in history again, the CUD leaders needed a mobilizing leader from among the Oromo, or at least with an Oromo blood, a leader that not only rally Abyssinians, but also certain section of the ’defiant’ Oromo mass.

Birtukan has been picked as a mobilizing candidate for various reasons from zero ground. First, the Oromo nation has been infected with Oromo nationalism and no body seems to listen to the unity and “Emiye Ethiopia’ cries of father Naftenyas. Second, she gained immense support from Siye supporters, potentially deadly to the mafia on power. Third, she was a young and educated woman with good political future. Thus, she could be effectively used as pawn on a chase board for Abyssinians planned action against the TPLF government. Indeed she played excellent role in rallying youth in Addis and many other major cities in Ethiopia for the 2005 election in which CUD won considerable parliamentary seats.

The scenario in which Birtukan found herself was but different from what happened to Gobana. In her case, her handlers failed long before waging war against TPLF. Long before they even made sure of taking power from Meles, Father Naftenyas were having internal dispute over who takes which ministerial dock. Sources close to high level party leadership says, the closed door war between the Fit-awuraris (naftenyas) did not involve Birtukan

Post 2005 election

After TPLF outmaneuvered them in the 2005 bloody election and put most CUD leadership in detention on charges of treason, coup d’état and genocide against the Tigrean race, their inflated ego was soon deflated and it took them only few months to apply for pardon. One by one, they kissed the King’s( Meles- Yohannes II)feet and collected their latter of pardon. Technically they have admitted to all charges brought against them by the state. Thus, repeating the same mistakes is ending up in jail for life time, which means all of them technically resigned from politics, well except for the heroine, now given a status of Mandela. If only this ignorant people knew what Mandela stood for, they wouldn’t dare this shameful parallelism.

The CUD leadership was smart to ask for state pardon. Why should they suffer in jail!?After all, their goal had never been serving the interest of those poor Ethiopians whom they rallied only to abandon them in the shower of TPLF bullets!!!! Their ultimate goal had been riding the wave of hope that ordinary Ethiopians dreamed and come to power. They have exploited the misery and hopelessness of unfortunate Ethiopian youth who were unemployed and eager for a better day. They impressed these unfortunate class of society with empty hope that they could never able to fulfill, because it was proven when they requested for pardon from a government that accused them of crimes that they claim they did not commit. These are forces who dreamed to bring back the past glory for few divinely blessed people who were legitimate ruler of Ethiopia. They were not leaders who were there for common people. If Birtukan is a leader that she claims to be, a leader with better vision for Ethiopia, then she had been with wrong group in the first place.

Birtukan’s Empty Bravado

After all CUD leadership sought pardon and left Kalitti, they all kept their mouth shut and never dared to speak the terms of their release. They all acknowledged they sought pardon not only by signing their terms of release, but by shamefully bowing to the prime minster, in the presence of elders and full coverage of media. Apparently, there seems to be only one exception, one woman was stubborn like a mule to acknowledge her terms of release. She, in public, denied presence of such terms, and actually said she never signed nor bowed to the prime minster. I think that was a clean lie and it constitutes an offence to the trust and innocence of Ethiopian people. It is simply not in Meles’s nature under such circumstances to make exception and he has never released her without forcing her sign that letter.

She travelled from continent to continent, from North America to Europe, telling friends and foes that she had never asked for pardon, and had been released without confessing the crimes she was charged with: treason, genocide, and coup d’état. She even gave interview with VOA and reached to the Ethiopian public telling them that her party had actually won the election and that the government in Addis Ababa was an illegitimate government. Empty Abyssinian bravado!
Second Level of excitation and Burtukan’s madness

The father Naftenya , who recruited Birtukan for the holy war against TPLF promoted Birtukan now to the highest national honor. They clapped hands for her, throw red carpets and glorified her at all stages. Little did the naïve politician knew that they were only preparing her for next round of war, were she might simply become pawn causality in the political war between Yohaneses and Meniliks.

At the time when pardoned CUD leaders like Birehanu Nega were in exile and dreaded returning back to Ethiopia, Birtukan’s decision to fly to Bole was simply paranoid or she must have been acting under duress from the pressure put on her by Father Naftenyas, through excessive glorification. She was told “ you are the only one to save Ethiopia”. Money had been put into her bank account and she even does not know who put the money there! A brand new four wheel drive car awaited her on her first release from detention, just in remembrance of her sacrifices. An unknown source bought her a villa and the gifts she receives were simply endless! These are heavy burdens to ignore. She really owes too much to the Ethiopian public. In effect, they have successfully excited her for the holy war. A sacrificial lamb has been prepared! Orii Abdarii!!!

Second detention

Excited like an electron in the outer most shell of an atom, the naïve politician, a pawn on the chase board of Fit-awerari’s power game, returned home, thinking that TPLF would not point a finger at her. The reason for this misconception is the following. First she was convinced by grand Neftenyas that they can rally Ethiopians all over the world and at home, should TPLF dare detaining her. That, she was told, has a tremendous political advantage for a party she was leading. Second, she was convinced the international pressure groups will secure her release, should the TPLF detain her.
What she failed to figure out was that these feudal elements that misinformed her were ignorant of the reality in Ethiopia at the time. They were out of touch with the common Ethiopian people. They still see Ethiopia through feudalistic political, economical and social model of the emperor time, which miserably failed to explain even the 1960s needs, let alone solve that of this millennium.
Father Naftenyas had no idea that the Ethiopian people had already felt betrayed by the CUD leadership such as Birehanu, Lidetu, Hailu shawel and others , who surrendered to few days detention and sought pardon from a man who jailed them on what they claimed false accusations. Hundreds of civilians’ lives were lost in support for this traitor and defeatist group. Hundreds of thousands more were detained and made economically destitute. One must ask why these CUD traitors think they had the support of Ethiopian people after such shameful deceit. It is simply clear that these traitors had taken for granted the support of Ethiopian people, even when they changed their conviction several times in few weeks. These Naftenya elements think the great majority of Ethiopians are not aware of their power game. It should have been clear to them that CUD was dead; it was completely finished when the so called leaders sought pardon, confessed crime against state and the Ethiopian public.

Birtikan’s confidence in international pressure group was also in vain. The international pressure groups she confided in were no where to rescue her at the time she wanted them most. The reason was that Meles Zenawi knew 100% how the Western world democracy operates. Manipulating polls, rigging election, intimidating opposition parties and killing citizen are all allowable and justifiable when national security is under question. Tell the Westerners that it was a fight against terrorism. That takes care of every thing.

Every time his regime committed crime against humanity, Prime minster Zenawi justified by jumping onto the bandwagon of terrorism. He murdered thousands of Oromos and jailed hundreds of thousands under this simple phrase. The West had no problem protecting him. They are fighting the same evil. That is why they were in Iraq, and now they are fighting in Afganistan. Meles had been in Somalia and Kenya, Killing Oromo nationals under this war against the evil of terrorism. At one point he threatened the world power that Ethiopia would suffer genocide that would make Rwandan case just a small tribal clash, if his government is not elected. He also advised the West that Ethiopia and the entire region would fall under Osma bin laden if his Christian kingdom is not supported on her war on terrorism. The West listened, and they doubled their support, military support to crush the so called terrorists. Those who were labeled terrorists and massacred in Ethiopia were Oromo children who sought freedom from this dictator.

Meles become expert in manipulating Western media. He successfully used them for his advantage. Journalist from BBC and Reuters to CNN talked about his sharpness of tongue and his good leadership. Some American presidents named him as new breed of African leader. Others invited him to great summits such as G20 summit and Environment summit in Europe. This man became very aware that Western democracy values are void and null when it comes to national interests of nations.

Birtukan did not realize these!!!!! She felt she was protected. In any case, her decision to return home after denying state pardon resulted in her immediate detention and sharing of Kalitti prison with thousands of Oromo political prisoners for the past four years and feel their pain.

Birtukan Mandela

On her release some of her supporters who herd the name Mandela crowned Burte as Abyssinians Mandela. What do Mandela and Birtukan have in common? Honestly nothing or not much. Mandela was a freedom fighter. Birtukan is a king maker. And these kings were colonizers themselves and their struggle is to colonize free people once again. How can one compare the two?
I am happy that Birtukan is now free. All her supporters are rejoicing. Her families are glad to have their daughter back home.

There is one think I want to know. She was detained denying state pardon. Did she request for one and now granted? Both during her first release and this time, elders were involved. How are the current terms and conditions, on which she was released, differ from those of the previous terms and conditions? Did she kiss king Zenawi’s feet, like Hailu Shawel and others? Didn’t she bow to the premier? How about having a cup of coffee with Qedamawit Emembet Azeb Mesfin Burteye?
It is a public secret that the first lady negotiated release of Teddy Afro, another ignorant CUD activist. Nothing is impossible.
In the whole drama of the Abyssinian politics, we see clear marginalization of the great majority, the Oromos. From the entire process of CUD leaders in general and Birtukan’s release in Particular, we observe Oromos are not only at odd with their Abyssinian rulers but also with the Western world as well.

The voiceless Oromos

a) Partiality of CUD supporters
The CUD camp is rejoicing on birtukans release. From her arrest to her release, Abyssinians in diaspora have done a lot in lobbying the Western power to put pressure on Ethiopian government for the release Birtikuan. We know that the Qalitti prison in which Birtikuan had been detained for few years is also home of thousands of Oromo prisoners who had been languishing there since the 1991 transition period. If these naftenya elements feel about the pain of all Ethiopian, Oromo or Amahara, how come they failed to say a word about these prisoners? Is that because they are Oromos who were detained for rejecting Abyssinians colonial system? If so, why don’t you Habash abandon the concept of one Ethiopia, for you cannot force Oromos to be one with you under such circumstances???

Engineer Mesfin Abebe, Engineer Tefahun Chamada , Parliamentarian Bekel Jirata, Journalist Lalise Wadajo….. and thousands of Oromo nationals whom TPLF sentenced to death and life in prison without parole have no single voice in this camp. Such are people who advocate for the unity of Ethiopia. It is a tragedy! I think they are talking about Ethiopia without any Oromo in it.

b) Partiality of Elders

Ever since the so called elders started negotiation with the Ethiopian government for the release of CUD leaders, they kept a safe distance from speaking about the case of OLF prisoners. Speaking about Oromos seems impractical for these elders. Are we not children of Ethiopia? If not why don’t these guys leave us alone? History will judge them in future for their inaction when they could have equally eased the pain and suffering of Oromo prisoners as well.

While the so called elders spent a lot of time and energy to secure release of CUD leaders, they paid no attention to Oromo nationals whose only crime was speaking about their freedom. The pro CUD elders who advocated for the release of the CUD leadership believe that whether under CUD or TPLF, Oromos are dangerous forces to Ethiopia. Otherwise, how is that possible for these elders to fail to feel the pains of Oromo girls and boys who suffer in almost all Ethiopian detention centers? Do they think Oromos are aliens in this empire? How long will this partiality continue? Oromos had been treated as second class during Menili, during Hailaselasie, during dergue and now during TPLF. The pain of the Oromo nation doubles when the so called elders ignore Oromo prisoners and advocate only for their children.

c) Partiality of the West

The West has been proven to favor Abyssinians since the time of the Berlin conference. Abyssinians have successfully played the Christianity and anti Arab card since then. At that time, nations such as France , England and many others armed Menelik against the Oromo and openly stated support for the Abyssinian Christendom over the ” pagan” south.
In this 21st century, the West has again sided with Abyssinians. Under the cover of fighting terrorism, they have been arming the Zenawi regime that kills Oromo children in this very name of terrorism. They promoted Zenawi as their important ally in the war on terrorism and gave an elephant’s ear to all brutal human right abuses and atrocities that this government has been perpetrating against the Oromo nation.

When thousands of Oromo nationals have been killed and detained, the media coverage the west gave to the sufferings of these Oromo nationals has been next to none. Yet, the detention of one opposition leader ( Birtukan Midhaksa)who poses almost no challenge to the Zenawi government has been given huge media coverage. It is clear that this preferential treatment resulted from long relationship between the West and the Abyssinian elites who has been dominating the empires political sphere since the fall of Oromo nation and integration into Abyssinia. It is also a kind of game to present Ethiopia as a country where democracy is taking root despite challenges that opposition parties face.

Message to all free Oromos

Abyssinians power struggle over Oromia resource will never end unless we put an end to it. In the past four decades, we as nation have identified our friends and our enemies. The World has no place for the weak. We have received clear message from Ethiopian powers and world powers. We are the only one who can define our future. Abyssinians and the West do not want to see free Oromia and free Oromo children. It is up to the Oromo sons and daughters to fight this century old evil. We are the only ones to set ourselves free. The overall political process in Ethiopia indicates that the only viable solution that relief the Oromo nation from its current misfortune and also from future political and economical tragedy under the Ethiopian empire is to succeed from Abyssinia. Many Oromo nationals have tried in vain to reform Ethiopia and it seems our problems are getting from bad to worse. It is time that Oromo nationals come together and redefine our position in the Horn Africa clearly. It is only because we agreed to disagree that some of our brothers and sisters are used against our own interest; our national goal. We must liberate our sisters in the enemy camp. We must liberate our brothers in the enemy camp. Let’s help them fight against their handlers. The future is in our hand. Oromia shall be free!!!!!

Garbi, The Dymistifier!