Former Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Army, Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae, said despite some positive developments and reforms being instituted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the country is still in transition defined by no clear direction at all. “Ethiopia is passing through a time of political transition, one that cannot and shouldn’t be taken for granted. Serious works are required to ensure a smooth and inclusive transition, sustain the process of reform and ensure its proper implementation,” he said in an interview with Walta Information.
Ten months after the inauguration of Abiy Ahmed, a viable and new sense of direction about the future of the country has yet to emerge, he said. “The party in power and opposition parties should come up with a clear road map that shows where we are heading and what steps to take to arrive to the destination. If there is already one, they should let us know about it. Otherwise, people would be at a loss about the country’s direction and destiny.
“If there is not yet, it should be drafted, not as a way to satisfy one group or another but in an inclusive manner, by participating opposition groups and the public,” Tsadkan said speaking in Amharic.
In a wide-ranging interview with Walta TV, the Tigrayan commander of the Ethiopian Army during the late 1990’s and who later established and headed the Centre for Policy Research and Dialogue lauded Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s political and economic reforms. “I wouldn’t in any way underestimate the significance of the peaceful change of order the country has experienced,” he said referring to the coming to power of Abiy on April 2018, after the departure of his predecessor following widespread protests. “I have been warning about the danger of the regime’s authoritarianism and state brutality and ways to come out of that conundrum,” he said referring to the article he penned three years ago. “Consequent events showed things were much worse than my diagnosis, the regime reached the brink of collapse, paving the way for current administration.
“I should say now the way that change occurred was really extraordinary. I could not think of any other better path for the transition. The scale of the problem, the risk for chaos, disorder was too big. The signs were ominous. Did the country has the capacity to resist the shock of forced and violent overthrow of the regime? Probably no. But the risk was there, for the country to fall in a state of disintegration,”
Tsadkan Gebretensae also said there are still some thorny issues to be addressed, in areas such as in the central government’s rapport with the Tigray region. “There are some alarming things happening. Hate politics has become legitimacy cause. Considering the damage done against the people in other regions by the old guards, some of the reaction and feeling of resentment is expected. However, when a road leading to Tigray region was blocked by demands in relation to Raya identity issue, it was baffling to see that the central government keping quiet about it.”
Tsdakan also said, whether justifiably or not, there is a strong feeling in the region that Tigray people were excluded by Abiy Ahmed in peace with Eritrea. “This is sensitive issue in Tigray because of the unprecedented scale of destruction the previous war wrought. The muddled nature of peace with Eritrea and the shuttle diplomacy has left people in the region concerned. The Prime Minister should not ignore this fact,” he said.
Image: The Reporter
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I am not sure why this is not clear to Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae. There is a clear direction where the country is headed. As Prime Minister Abiy and his administration clearly stated, he wanted the country to be governed by a party that is elected by the people in a free and fair election. He made it clear that the country will hold its national election in May 2020 and has established an election board that is impartial. The election board is also working with the ruling party and the opposition to how the election will be conducted and what the rules of engagement would be. It is up to all political organizations to get ready and compete for power. The administration has led a clear direction where the nation is heading despite the call from others to establish a transitional government. So, I am not clear what the assertion of Lieutenant General Tsadkan Gebretensae is.
Yes indeed. It seems to me that he wanted to say that Ethiopia has abandoned revolutionary democracy.
Let us keep matters in perspective. Tsadkan was part of the problem. As a leading member of Tigray front he agreed to Ethiopia losing a sea outlet. He led the nation to a bloody war with Eritrea. He and his party have yet to answer to the deaths of over 80 million youths on both sides, Ethiopia’s youth essentially recruited outside Tigray region. He disbanded Ethiopia’s national army and replaced it with the army of insurgency. He devised for Tigray front to form a loyal 4-ethnic party coalition that did not represent the welfare of the country. He had disagreements with Meles’s faction. His group was out-witted and lost power. He used his ethnic and military status (as chief of staff he it was who assigned all key positions in the army to his comrades) to enrich himself. Raya Brewry is one of his business interests. Now you understand why he pretends to be worried about “Raya identity!”
Tsadkan also wants us to think his analysis of events leading up to Dr. Abiy taking over the rein was spot on. Guess what? All he was saying was that with massive protests he came to the shocking conclusion that power was slipping from his “dominant” party.
I suggest that the honorable thing Tsadkan should do is a/ to convince his party leadership now fugitives from the law to hand over criminals within their ranks, b/ stop criticizing Dr. Abiy for not resolving what he and his comrades were deliberately dismantling in nearly three decades of corruption, smuggling, trafficking, money-laundering, and human rights abuses unparalleled in Africa save for Nigeria and DRC.
Dr Abiy is leading the country to the right direction with clear vision. It is the Tsadkan and his party unable to see the reality. The people of Ethiopia wants Dr Abiy to succeeded and willing to stay behind him. I do not think you have the moral or the integrity to criticize Dr Abiy. The Ethiopian people gave TPLF a chance but failed to Govern the country for 27 years. Dr Abiy saved your party and administration from disaster, he is trying to clean up after your mess. The least you can do is to say sorry and support the new administration.
Apologies, meant 80,000 border war casualties. Thanks to Samuel Tibebe for his clear rebuttal. We have to stand behind Dr. Abiy and clarify and broadcast his agenda even as the likes of Tsadkan work feverishly to convince the world community that Tigray front is being missed, that the constitution is being abused, that Tigrayans are being targeted (that is to say no one should question Tsadkan and his comradrs how they could be so wealthy on army salary), and that the country is on the verge of anarchy even as he and his comrades engage on fomenting proxy disturbances in border regions.
We heard him saying a couple of years ago that he is no more in politics but now he is a full time business man. what is his capital? who finance him? how is his business going on etc.., He should be summoned for corruption any one who knows him can tells you he was rich powerful business man in Juba who play by millions and millions money and this needs to be investigated. Now, he is trying a diversionary tactics to get away from accountability . He is a war criminal, He waged unjust senseless war on our brothers Eritrean people by misleading us with huge hate propaganda campaign. He directly ordered ww1 style military style attack, he should face a war crime court for using human wave tactics, He should not treated as neutral political analyst. This game should over. He is trying to cover the crimes of TPLF junta. simple questions. 1. Where is his money (Ethiopian people money)? How many young Ethiopian lives lost by his wrong military tactics?
There is an old saying,that you cannot solve a problem if you’re in the same level of thinking that have created! This is for everyone s guess!