August 1, 2015
How the “War on Terror” Stole Democracy in Ethiopia: Dispelling the myth of the US claim as a “guardian of liberty and freedom” in the world
by Alem Mamo
“It would be unjust and deplorable for foreign powers to intervene and frustrate the Salvadorian people, to repress them and keep them from deciding autonomously the economic and political course that our nation should follow.”—Archbishop Oscar Romero, 1980
“The greatest weapon in the hands of an oppressor is never his guns and armies, but the mind of the oppressed.”—Steven Biko
“It is counterproductive to hold Ethiopia up as a model of good governance when the current government has created one of the most oppressive regimes in Africa and has largely shut down civil society and the independent media. It is questionable, however, whether progress on economic indicators can be sustained as long as a repressive one-party government, largely representing a minority group, continues to exercise power by force” —The Irish Times
Once upon a time, not too far in the distant past, countering the expansion and influence of the USSR was the most important driving force of US foreign policy. It is in this context that the Cold War “friendly state” list included the most brutal and corrupt authoritarian regimes who committed heinous acts of genocide, mass murder, and crimes
against humanity. The list of such brutal regimes include Suharto of Indonesia, Mobutu Se Se Seko of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), General Augusto Pinochet of Chile, and during the Vietnam War, the US administration supported and collaborated with Vice-President General Nguyen Cao Ky of South Vietnam, who idolized Adolf Hitler as his hero. Even, the most degrading and appalling white supremacist regime in Apartheid South Africa was an ally of the West, while Nelson Mandela, the giant of human dignity, freedom, and justice, was marked as a “terrorist.” These are just a few; the list is long and full of despots with abhorrent human rights records and bloody legacies.
In South and Central America, paramilitary death squads, mostly trained and supported by the US government, roamed the streets, villages, and towns terrorizing, raping, killing, and maiming innocent civilians. Millions have fallen victim around the world in the raging blaze of the Cold War. In Africa, Asia, South, and Central America, countless mass graves hold the open secrets and bleeding wounds of many nations. In El Salvador, for instance, the pain and suffering of the Salvadorian people was remembered recently at a ceremony of the beatification of the man they called “the voice of the voiceless,” Archbishop Oscar Romero, an ordinary man with an extraordinary dedication and unwavering service to the poor, the marginalized, and neglected.
On February 17, 1980, Archbishop Romero wrote a letter to President Jimmy Carter lamenting the US government’s collaboration with the military junta in El Salvador and its impact on the Salvadorian people: “I am very concerned by the news that the government of the United States is planning to further El Salvador’s arms race by sending military equipment and advisors to ‘train three Salvadoran battalions in logistics, communications and intelligence.’ If this information from the papers is correct, instead of favoring greater justice and peace in El Salvador, your government’s contribution will undoubtedly sharpen the injustice and the repression inflicted on the organized people, whose struggle has often been for respect for their most basic human rights.”
President Carter never responded to Archbishop Romero’s letter. A week later, on March 24, 1980, the humble servant of the people, Monseñor Archbishop Oscar Romero, was assassinated while he was celebrating mass. His dedication to the poor and marginalized was so pure and creative that the Archbishop began to read the names of those who were snatched from their homes by paramilitary forces: the desaparecido – the disappeared, as they became to be known. Such a simple act of weekly reading of the names on the radio reached into every household in El Salvador infuriating the military junta. His legacy and commitment continues to inspire many around the world.
While most countries are still trying to recover from the Cold War trauma, the so called “War on Terror” has emerged as the sequel of this tragic chapter in human history. The US and the West once again have forged an alliance with murderous regimes who do not flinch for a second from terrorizing and murdering their own people. Regimes, who do not have an ounce of legitimacy from the people they proclaim to rule, have been endorsed and applauded by the West for their “outstanding contribution in the fight against terror.” Such utter neglect and cruel brutality endorsed and oiled by the West is nowhere more evident than in Ethiopia. For the last twenty four years, the people of Ethiopia endured the most horrendous and indiscriminate form of brutality.
As many international human rights organizations reported torture, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances under the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) ethno-kleptocratic regime are daily occurrences. Civil society and independent media outlets are effectively shut down. Journalists are risking their lives to tell the truth. Elections are held under tight control of the ruling elite where opposition leaders and members are arrested and intimidated. For example, in the most recent election, the regime declared itself 100% “winner” effectively becoming the first in Africa to win 100% of the seats. It is worth noting that the well-established percentage of victory in Africa is often between 94- 99%; the TPLF regime’s 100% election “victory” is unfamiliar to most authoritarian regimes on the continent. And yet, the US and the West continue to call such a regime “democratically elected” ignoring the cries of the people. President Obama’s lavish praise for such brutal regime has left many bewildered and shocked.
Thwarting democracy in the name of fighting terror is not only wrong and misguided, it could have multiple negative implications in the long run. First, it actually submits to the objectives of terror groups, such as Al-Shabab, who are committed to disrupting and blocking the establishment of secular, free, and democratic systems in the region. In this regard, they have effectively stifled the democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people. Second, US and Western policy of collaborating with the TPLF ethno-kleptocratic regime is already radicalizing different groups in Ethiopia forcing them to give-up on peaceful and non-violent struggle and opt for other forms of resistance. As humiliation, lack of economic and social mobility, and political exclusion escalates, citizens will risk their lives to reclaim their dignity and humanity. This inevitable path, presents dangerous and horrifying scenario with regional and continent wise ramifications.
The twentieth century, in terms of human warfare, was the bloodiest and the most violent century in history. In what Jose Marti called the “hour of the furnaces,” Oscar Romero, Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Martin Luther King Jr., and many others accompanied those who were in the sights of the men with guns. In their unwavering commitment, they made the journey full of hope with anticipation of better future. They made the journey and the struggle stronger as they burned brighter. Who would be the ones who will follow in the path of these giants of the 20th century and shine a light on what already appears to be a violent and tumultuous century. Once again, the call has gone out for a leadership not only to lead, but also to listen to the pain and anguish of those excluded in the current global political and economic order. Those who say “this is not about me” will emerge as true leaders. Those who proclaim the role of “après moi, le deluge” will take citizens into the edge of the abyss – a new century old fight for freedom, justice and democracy.
So, how many more innocent civilians have to die? How many more journalists have to endure imprisonment and torture? How many peaceful pro-democracy activists have to be killed in broad day light? How many children must grow up without parents? How many more mass graves have to be discovered? How many more mothers have to bury their children killed by TPLF security forces? How much blood? How many more lives must we lose before the world wakes up and says enough!
Alem6711@gmail.com
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