Mereja.Forum

All these, are different political actors but they all have one thing in common, they all believed they could convert their popularity and influence into power and take Ethiopia in their desired direction. But in Ethiopian politics you can be as popular as a Saint, if you don't command an army, you amount to a big fat zero. Jawar, Eskinder and Lidetu all found out the hard way. Their longevity and supposed supirior strategic manuovers didn't save them, they were thrown in prison by the upstart Abiy, why because he commands an army, they all lost a lot of weight and after a two year workout they are released as when the upstart PM desires for them to be. Right now Abiy is negotiating with TPLF as if they were his equals, why because they also command an army. the moral of the story is, in ethiopian politics, if you ain't strapped, don't bother. I have no sympathy for any political actor, activist or journalist who ends up being tossed to kerchele by the current regime since if they haven't realised by now, I will spell out the formula they ought to tattoo in their memory: no amount of popularity, righteousness or popular ethnic backing can get you anywhere meaningful except a two year stint in prison with a decent weight loss plan.