We need justice and freedom!

by Abebe kassa

We need justice and freedom was one of the main slogans demonstrators held on June 2 peaceful demonstration in Addis Abeba. Peaceful demonstrations were de facto banned by the regime since the aftermath of 2005 elections. 

 

Semayawi party challenged that and organized one on June 2,2013. Depending on the source from tens to hundreds of thousands of demonstrators from broad section of the society took their messages to the streets of Addis abeba. They put forward 4 clear demands: release all political prisoners, stop forced eviction of Ethiopians from their settlements, stop interfering in religion and incarceration of Muslim leaders, and address skyrocketing cost of living and unemployment. They gave the regime 3 months to respond. If the regime does not listen, they promised to hold more demonstrations. The rally was seen as a warm up for what is to come and serves as a yellow card for the regime. Now the ball is on TPLF’s side.

The early signs are not promising. The regime does not seem ready to listen. Redwan Hussien the regime mouthpiece said in an interview that ” trying to stop cases which are under trials in the court system through peaceful demonstration and disturbances is unconstitutional”. His reply assumes that there is independent judiciary system in Ethiopia. We know that is a lie. The regime controls all 3 branches of the political system.Three out of four demands by the organizers are mainly results from lack of independent court system in the country.

 Believing his own regime lie, Redwan judges actions of peaceful demonstrators who asked the regime to stop using the legal means as a weapon to take away Ethiopians rights as unconstitutional. How he think of his regime forcing Muslim leaders to incriminate themselves in a fabricated video called ”Jihadawi Harekat” before the court makes any ruling?

Beyond his interview there is no official response by the regime to gauge their next move following June 2 protest rally. After 2005 election late PM Meles’s trademark response to public or opposition parties voicing against injustice and oppression had been ”to cut their fingers”. His style of leadership was first to frighten Ethiopians not to dare express their protests in public. Those who dared to do it has languished in prison and follow up with threats for those who might think to do it. 

The question now is what will be the figurehead PM Hailemariam response to the demonstrators demands and follow up demonstrations if demands are not met. More than once he affirmed his job is to follow on what his predecessor started. He continues to live in Meles’s shadow. Till this time there is no visible indication he can free himself and come up with his own doctrine. For some allowing the demonstration stimulate a faint hope that there could be a shift in the regime’s policy. We do not know why the regime allows it. We do not know how they are going to react when more protests are to follow. It is too early to suggest a shift in policy.

Abebe kassa, can be reached at : abkassa@gmail.com