ECADF Ethiopian News Home Video Amharic ESAT VOA Live Music Action More… Home » Ethiopian News » “Ginbot-7 our party, our voice and our hope!” The dramatic Durban meeting declares… “Ginbot-7 our party, our voice and our hope!” The dramatic Durban meeting declares… August 12, 2013 The Horn Times Newsletter 12 August 2013 by Getahune Bekele-South Africa “We have to work in unison to end the brutal repression currently blighting Ethiopia. Join Ginbot-7 now. Embrace Ginbot-7; join the political party of the people. All peace loving Ethiopians, join us in our struggle to bring about a nascent democracy our country deserves.”- Dr Birhanu Nega.Ginbot-7 as a party of epic patriots and intrepid soldiers “I compare the current Ethiopian rulers with the fascist Italian invaders who wanted the fertile land of Ethiopia without her people. When today’s rulers commit genocide in Gambella, Oromyya and Amhara areas they are re-visiting the horrific crimes of Benito Mussolini on our people.”- Aba Haileeyesus. “The recent mass killing of Ethiopian Muslims and the continued assault on our religion is nothing but a crime against humanity. Where is justice? Where is justice…”- Sheik imam Khalid Omar. To the genocidal Ethiopian evil junta that violated every norm of how a national government should behave or conduct itself, the message was loud and clear. Hoist the white flag and surrender now before the inevitable institutional collapse takes place. In a country, that has known only autocracy and tyranny, the cry for change is ringing. A time of unprecedented stress for the criminal warlords. Moreover, if last night’s (August 11) eventful meeting of Ethiopians is anything to go by, the divide and rule classic junta’s 22-year effort of trying to create a major ethnic and sectarian fault lines between the people has dismally failed. In addition, Ethiopia will never become a byword for ethnic hatred and political intrigue as the dead tyrant Meles Zenawi once fervently wished; or a nefarious desire his peers often said he harbored for more than three decades. The Meeting was simply a massive endorsement for Dr Birhanu Nega personally, the man who was arrested for winning the 2005 elections and casted off to exile by force of arms. Homesick refugees described his party Ginbot-7 as a party of epic patriots and intrepid soldiers of the revolution. At 9:30 pm, when he appeared on the big screen at the sun coast casino conference room and conveyed greetings, the enthusiastic crowd reciprocated by giving him a four-minute standing ovation. “Am overwhelmed by emotions to see the future leader of my country whom I voted for in 2005.” A sobbing woman who declined to give her name told the Horn Times reporter. Dr Birhanu, a distinguished orator who strongly condemned the Eid day slaughter of Ethiopian Muslims by the junta’s Trojan horses, said in his twenty-five minute speech that it is up to the people of Ethiopia to close the bitter chapters of 22 years of history steeped in blood and usher in a new one. His call on the participants and all other Ethiopian exiles to join G-7 was again well received with thunders applause. The Horn Times watched in astonishment as young men immediately starting to fill up forms and distribute leaflets to newcomers. “Am tired of turning the other chick. The body count is mounting while we amble about undecided which party to join. For me Ginbot-7 is the way to go.” Deriba Habebe, 41, said with excitement and sheer joy. Next, to speak was Aba Haileeyesus of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Johannesburg under the Holy Synod in exile. The venerated monk reminded Ethiopians that how the violent persecution by the Italian invaders (1936-1941) refined and purified the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church known for its unique theology, traditions and customs; with martyrs like his Holiness Abune Petros paying the ultimate price. According to him, the ongoing persecution of the ancient faith by the minority junta is the second and the most brutal one. “The Italians tried to encourage sectarian violence but failed. Instead of fighting against each other Ethiopian Muslims and Christians formed a united front and defeated the Italians as one people. The Italians, after toiling in barren and parched deserts of Libya and Punt land, said they wanted the fertile land of Ethiopia without the population. What we see today is the direct copy of that criminal practice. In Gambella, the land is needed but not the people. Amharas must be deported because the rulers want the land not the people.” At the end of his touching and meticulous teaching, the monk urged unity and expressed his deep sadness to the Muslim community of Ethiopia for the loss of lives they suffered during and after the holy month of Ramadan. Thanking Aba Haileeyesus, the well-known Muslim scholar who is also living in exile, sheik imam Khalid Omar told the refugees that in the nearly two years of bitter but peaceful struggle for religious freedom, Ethiopian Muslims have suffered very heavy causalities but bullets will never brake the vivid spirit of the people. The peaceful resistance will continue until the regime stops its unconstitutional interference in religious affairs. Finally, the meeting ended by dissident artist/activist Tamagne Beyene’s wise words that lit up the screen. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for the opposition to have a dialogue with such arrogant and an implacable regime. Unite and rise up for change.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Aug 2013 19:27:11 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015