The authoritarian system that has been built by the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is in apparent crisis. It is now evident that panic and nervousness within EPRDF is increasing with the passing of each day, and there is ample evidence that indicates towards this major behavioural shift within the ruling EPRDF party. For example, the sudden death of its leader, the ever increasing popular resistance inside and outside the country, and the customary uneasiness of the regime as national elections approach are some of the main indicators. The long-standing political behaviour the EPRDF regime demonstrates that whenever EPRDF is cornered or finds itself in a crisis situation, it uses negotiation as a quick way out or crisis management tool. We believe EPRDF’s most recent call for “negotiation” is not different from its established political behaviour.
Ginbot 7: Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy has repeatedly affirmed its strong allegiance towards a democratic change in Ethiopia in a peaceful way through dialogs, discussions, and negotiations. It is EPRDF’s stubbornness and arrogance that pushed Ginbot 7 to look for alternative means and strategies of fighting for justice, freedom and democracy.
The Executive Committee of Ginbot 7 has thoroughly deliberated on EPRDF’s call for “negotiation”. The committee has concluded that this issue concerns the Ethiopian people as a whole, not just Ginbot 7 as a movement. Ginbot 7 strongly believes that the negotiation and its outcome has direct impact on the struggle for freedom and democracy that the Ethiopian people have already waged, and the sacrifices that they are paying. Therefore, Ginbot 7 has decided to exploit the convenience of this opportunity to reiterate its position on negotiation in general, and EPRDF’s current call for negotiation in particular.
- On negotiated change
As we have repeatedly made it very clear to the Ethiopian people, our primary choice or the most preferred way of struggling for democratic change in Ethiopia is through peaceful dialogs and constructive round table discussions. It is the arrogance of the EPRDF, and particularly its use of force to settle political differences that forced us to look for alternative strategies. G7 has made it clear, time and again, that if the choice presented to us is between living in tyranny and fighting for our liberty, our choice always is dying in dignity while fighting for liberty. We deeply believe in these sacred values, and it is this fundamental principle that attracts our members in Ethiopia and all over the world.
