Ideas
to Win the Cause of Ethiopia
Gemechu
Megersa
We are in precarious position now as we are facing
as once www.Ethiomedia.com noted it Meles as “The Perfect
Enemy”. We have reached at a point of no return. It is not
important to dwell as some still try to do on the past mistakes
and criticize each other for everything we have not done. It is
also time to forge forces towards the same direction and stop
to outdo each other.
Therefore, I have attached some rough sketches that I did back
in June. The most important point being the sites I listed bellow
that may help us to solicit some support if you have not already
done so. One of the most important pressing issues that we may
get solicits funds from the sources being to support media like
www.Tensae.com and publicity with in foreign countries. It is
highly imperative that we do not compete against each other and
waste our chances of obtaining some funds. It will equally counter
productive if we do not try to consolidate our efforts by supporting
like media like Tensae.
Blueprint of World Wide Advocacy for Cause of Ethiopia
• Write down concrete plans or objectives
of the group
• Approach individuals, groups, institutions,
etc that have potential genuine interest in promoting the cause
of Ethiopia.
• Approach (recruit) the young generation
that are in the Diaspora to advocate the cause of Ethiopia. First,
arm them with the tools of information they need to address adequately
how issues related to Ethiopia
• Approach (recruit) artists, celebrities
who can champion the cause of Ethiopia; for instance Pit Brad
is doing something about children. We must also think our artists
to consistently depict and present our culture to the Ethiopians
as well as others to captivate the interests of the audience potentially
translate in to awareness and appreciation. This is crucial because
it can reach a great majority of audiences. People like Teddy
Afro or Tamagne, Solomon etc. can play definitely significant
role. The most important point to remember the artists must have
clear idea that what they are doing resurrecting Ethiopiawinet.
I like what I saw in Atlanta two weeks ago but it must continue
everywhere. People ought to use whatever tool of expression available
to deliver a message to our own, or someone else. Consistency,
persistency and innovative approach can deliver the goods
• I mentioned above that finding a celebrity
that may be willing to champion Ethiopia’s causes can be
a daunting task but really can start with a medium celebrity.
This is a long-term strategy because once we find him/her, we
must feed the information and must cooperate with him/her otherwise
it will be disappointing. Enough preparation has to be done
• Avoid any individual who cares more for
their own ego than the bigger cause. One of the most damaging
to all the struggles we are making has been the fact that people
seem to forget about the meaning of commitment and achieving a
goal that they aim.
• The medium that deals with advocacy should
promote various activities and lead to resolve issues of current
interest to the nation of Ethiopia.
• We must understand/anticipate some of
the obstacle we will face from the outset. Design a plan that
will get us towards a goal.
• Diplomacy must start with one person and
it must continue to expand
• The easiest diplomacy an Ethiopian can
do is prepare good Ethiopian dinner and invite some influential
people from the city where the inviters live. Luckily, Ethiopia
has wonderful food and this is potent weapon to get these foreigners.
This strategy does not cost that much and usually four five friends
can throw the party. Probably can be done in one of the friends’
house so that it looks less formal and be attractive. Never raise
to help Ethiopia in the first one or two parties. Just talk about
Ethiopia and make them at ease and let they be interested in.
Once these people on board, they will do anything in their power.
(Remember what Ambassador Kassahun is doing-dinner every week
with diplomats!) The party can be done in various cities, once
or twice a year. Usually make it during the Ethiopian New year
or Ethiopian Easter etc. Just make an excuse! Avoid suspicion!
Remember, any Ethiopian of common sense can do this at least once
a year whether he/she lives in big or small city in the diasporas.
The invitation can goes like this: “Have ever had Ethiopian
dish? Would you be interesting to come over for dinner that we
annually celebrate? You can invite a friend or two. Do not bring
anything, just come and we will treat in Ethiopian style.”
However, the people are purposely doing it this way have to understand
the cause and the potential for winning the hearts minds of these
people. My motto is kill two birds with one stone. Enjoy the party
with the people and help your country for generations!
• The group can utilize a network of Ethiopians
who have side stepped due to various reasons like those who have
retired, or have more time to work with as well as the youth to
connect to their roots.
• Build a media that will hammer/deliver
a consistence message to Ethiopians at large via radio to Ethiopia
and other means in the Diasporas.
• Communicate with various groups that write
and disseminate information either NGOs or private companies to
think through their actions that must recognize “they are
the ambassadors to Ethiopia”.
• Address the ethnic/language differences
that the TPLF has created in a constructive ways. This include
community/church leaders be involved in talking and doing. I know
this is the biggest shortcomings we have but need to start from
grass roots level.
• Once the contact and friendship is build
among foreigners, the Ethiopians must take the next step and in
sharing the help, they need by first putting forward an accurate
account of events and situations of Ethiopia. In this way, even
if it is classmate, roommate, colleague, acquaintance, public
representative, local media, international media, elected official,
important business person etc. must be informed the truth about
the Ethiopia with the greatest plan to convince that individual.
• Use various expertises of people to create
the media and expand the network with a clear plan for success.
• Expect the unexpected. Be prepared for
surprises- not every one may share what you want. Focus on the
positives rather than the negatives as it is a common practice
in our society such things.
• There are numerous electronic media like
forums, bloggers, e-groups etc. Some of these groups are open
to anyone who wants to read, join. This makes it difficult to
know if people are genuinely caring for Ethiopia. The government
in power has been very clever in using the money that is plundered
from the Ethiopian people in buying out these deceiving people
in every corner. Some of these people are like secret service
their duty is to keep us get confused and lose focus.
• We note also, how many of the sites who
pretend to be opposition but their true color became evident during
the killing of the students in Addis on June 6-8. Money buys anything
and there are always selfish individuals who can be sale outs.
This means that those who are going to be on the driver’s
seat ought to be people of vision, high integrity, devoted for
the cause of Ethiopia. The rest can follow the lead. Ethiopians
are known following their leader and this is the reason why many
people begin to attack a good person who can be a leader. Partly
it is jealously of the person who potentially becomes a leader.
The solution would be better to have a person who has all the
qualities but not interested as for power rather for things he
makes a difference. I admire Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam who did
not seek political office but lead the CUD research division.
• Let us not hold grudges against any whom
we may not agree as we usually do. There are certain things we
can do together by focusing we can agree. We need to repeatedly
hummer the things that matter and live what we preach.
• The Royal family and former nobles are
in real shambles as they fight among themselves for crown power
that does not exist. Recently, I ran in to a person form Haile
Selassie Foundation in Ethiopia, a group of people that are sponsoring
talented and poor students in Ethiopia. Currently they are supporting
100. The person who represented the organization told me that
how difficult it became to have royal family to be of any value.
They have one young person in the board. Again, we can work on
that front to work good things and contribute in Ethiopia’s
Lobbying effort.
• Financial resources that will support
free press and dissemination of accurate information that empowers
the Ethiopian public by building public institutions. For example
http://www.soros.org/initiatives/regions/africa This is a very
important financial resource as well as to share experiences
• Continue Providing Well thought intellectual
argument from Ethiopian in various parts of the world. For example:
the Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES) - Scandinavian Chapter
• It is highly imperative that even if the
opposition takes power, there is no guarantee that true democracy
will come for Ethiopian; therefore, the Advocacy for Ethiopia
should continue and stir governments that come to power deliver
on their promises. Critique is easy but advising them and directing
them is also necessary.
• Whatever we do, to detach ourselves and
disengage from any process despite all the barriers those we face
does not help the cause of Ethiopia.
• At last, let every Ethiopian remember
is an ambassador to his country, thus whatever and wherever he/she
is or does reflect up good/bad of Ethiopia. Let us remind of that
fact and let every Ethiopian act as such!
•The two groups below are not overlapping
as stands for now: http://www.ethiomedia.com/newpress/open_letter_to_leaders.html
http://www.ethiomedia.com/newpress/letter_to_us_eu_ambassadors.html
Use these approaches to mobilize what you have.
• The Opposition should hammer when there
is clear weakness on the PM side like the interview with BBC.
Now one can use the Yara Foundation. We must try international
media to investigate and write about this “Bribes”
to PM Meles.
•
In the USA, more Republicans will support such group as ours and
hence we must use them. Of course, the more allies we have the
better.
