‘Migration of Beauty’ Exposes Risk of Ethiopian Descent Into Tyranny

by David Calleja

June 3, 2009

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David Calleja graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science and Master of Social Science from RMIT University in his home city of Melbourne, Australia. He has taught English in China, Thailand, South Korea and Cambodia, where he worked for a local NGO, Sorya, based in Tropang Sdok village. In addition he has also volunteered as a kindergarten English teacher, tutor and a football coach to male orphan students in Loi Tailang, Shan State. He has narrated and produced a video biography of Cambodian students learning English entitled I Like My English Grilled. His video documenting life at Stung Meanchey, Cambodia, A Garbage Life, can be viewed online. Contact him at david_calleja@foreignpolicyjournal.com. Read more articles by David Calleja.

24 Responses to ‘Migration of Beauty’ Exposes Risk of Ethiopian Descent Into Tyranny

m
June 3, 2009 at 3:38 pm
David,
Thanks for this piece. It it people like Vicki Huddlestone who have been rooting for the minority regime in Ethiopia and misleading the American public. Here is a quote from Huddlestone’s op-ed in NY [Nov.15, 2007]
“Ethiopia has already freed opposition leaders, reformed parliamentary rules to give opposition parties greater legislative responsibility and approved a new media law that meets international standards. By singling out Ethiopia for public embarrassment, the bill puts Congress unwittingly on the side of Islamic jihadists and insurgents.
A far better approach would be to buttress Ethiopia against threats to its survival — by helping it resolve its border conflict and ensuring that it reopens negotiations with insurgents and traditional leaders and permits international investigation of reported military abuses (including allegations of rape and murder). Ethiopia has begun this process by allowing the United Nations and humanitarian aid agencies to assist civilians in the Ogaden. ”
I hope Obama Administration would recognize the disservice of such individuals early on and assign ones that are less ideological and able to think outside the box.
Sean Fla
June 3, 2009 at 5:20 pm
It’s time someone finally stood up aganist Ethiopia’s corrupt government. I hope his film sheds more light on the government’s corrupt cover-up in human rights abuses.
Michael
June 4, 2009 at 8:24 am
It is good that independent film makers such as Chris Flaherty are interested in Ethiopia’s past and present. However, his comments in the interview indicate that his source of information is one-sided and one dimensional. I do not question his motives or intentions for I do not have the basis to do so. However, it is always good to seek sources from both sides of any conflict. How can one expect to have a balanced view if he is advancing only one side of a story/history?
I am not a big fan of the current Ethiopian regime and I see many things that could be better handled. However, this talk about the government being similar to the dictators of Burma is not consistent with facts. The killings of post-election 2005 are not justifiable by any means and no matter who might have a role in instigating such a disaster, the government in power will always have to take responsibility since these people were killed by its men. But the situation in Ethiopia is a whole lot more complicated than appears to the uninformed observer. There are ethnic hatreds on both sides – especially those in the opposition that accuse the government about such things. You don’t have to believe me. Just browse the opposition blogs and forums for 15 minutes and you can see that such hatred is spewed openly and repeatedly. How can one accuse the government of ethnic hatred and vehemently practice it themselves? I dread to think about what these folks will do if they had power.
Ethnic federalism is not a crime. Several other democratic countries practice it and one may arguably say that it is not illogical to believe that this form of government actually made sense to keep the peace in Ethiopia after Mengistu’s regime. Let’s even say it is not good for Ethiopia. But who decides that? Have anyone ever asked Ethiopians from under-represented ethnic groups (that together constitute a significant block) who were always under the foot of the majority or are we only basing our opinion by the cries of those Ethiopians who happened to be from the ruling ethnic groups in Ethiopia’s recent past (during the reigns of Emperors Hailesellassie, Zewditu, and Menilik)? Ethiopia’s dilemma is partly this ethnic power struggle among the larger ethnic groups and outsiders that are misinformed or with ulterior agendas fuel such problems for the worse (unwittingly or otherwise). Partly it is a struggle for economic deliverance. Partly it is a misguided fantasy by “lost in translation” diaspora that are neither here nor there.
Those that accept and tolerate deplorable living conditions for Ethiopians (saying under the circumstance of the country it is acceptable) expect first-world democracy to magically appear in a country still struggling to feed its citizens.
It is sad that we never give time to fully understand situations in poor countries but prescribe “solutions” with potentially disastrous results.
A genuine opposition is always good to keep in check those in power. However, what Ethiopia needs even more are more doctors, more engineers, more teachers. No matter who is in power, such “heroes” can make a difference in the lives of Ethiopians and their contributions to their country (former country, fellow human beings) will be greater than the misguided advocacy on the streets of Washington, the halls of congress, or the pages of New York Times.
Instant opposition “leaders” are not what the country needs. Remember that most of the current regime’s leaders fought Mengistu for 17 years. That doesn’t by itself justify their ascent to power and staying in power. But they seem to have been more dedicated to their cause than most of the opposition. Just do a good research on most of the “opposition leaders” of the last election and see what they were doing just a couple of years before the election and now after the election and you will find out that many of them may have been in the election to ride the wave of popular discontent into their own power.
Ethiopians should be able to advance opposition politics without seeking a zero-sum political game. And Westerners should give Africans the respect they deserve and allow them to be respectful of each other. This prodding to demonize anyone with whom we do not agree is not helpful. We can have vigorous debates and even political confrontations but don’t expect us to fight to death every time we have political differences. Surely, that is not what you expect for your country and its politicians.
In every political showdown in the West, comments (just comments) of politicians that are deemed below the belt are categorically rejected by all (the press, the populous, and one’s own party members). Why do we then advocate and promote bitterness and vileness when it comes to the politics of developing countries? I am not even touching the fact that no foreigner will be allowed to “interfere” in anyway in the politics of a Western nation.
m
June 4, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Michael, the last commenter, has delivered the classic government response. He starts by admitting that he is not sympathizer of the current government. He approves the writer’s [Ethiopian Descent into Tyranny] “good intentions” BUT goes on to criticize that it is one-sided. Foreigners, he suggests, are not capable of analyzing such a complex “internal” matters.
He fails to tell us that it does not take a rocket science to conclude a stolen election is wrong and unconstitutional no matter how look at it or that for an ethnic minority to remain in power for 18 years is no help in democracy building.
Michael admits that the 2005 elections were not fair nor was the killing of nearly 200 unarmed protestors. He does not, however, tell us why the government having been implicated by the result of an investigation had not taken any action yet! He rather deceptively puts the blame on all parties.
No matter how much he tried Michael miserably failed to hide his true color. Read this: I quote, “A genuine opposition is always good to keep in check those in power. However, what Ethiopia needs even more are more doctors, more engineers, more teachers. No matter who is in power…” [end quote]
He concludes by requesting that “foreigners” not “interfere” with his party’s politics [just as those "foreigners" would not allow interference from outsiders.] In other words, no one should talk about democracy and human rights as universal principles that need to be nurtured and guarded. Michael wants to build a world divorced from reality. Just read his comments to see how much he himself meddles in the politics of the West!
Josh
June 4, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I agree with M. The comment Michael posted sounds like the same old tired lines coming from the Ethiopian government. Michael makes the statement that the Opposition is always mired in tribal politics. I have been to Ethiopia a few times and am well read on the tribal history there. It just blows my mind how one particular tribe which represents less than 20% of the entire national population controls the base of government power. It’s no wonder many of the other tribes are frustrated. Flahertry got it right. Ethiopia despratley needs a sense of national identity to bring them together as ETHIOPIANS not Amharas, Tigryey’s, Oromo’s or anything else. Ethnic Federalism only keeps everyone apart much to the benefit of the ruling party. Like Burma, the Ethiopian government is revealing their fear of their own people. They are afraid of democracy because they know it would be the end of tribal rule as they know it. And as Flaherty said- they will kill their own people to stay in power just like Burma. Ruling by the gun is the same no matter how you slice it. With democracy it’s government for the people by the people- no bull. I dont think michael understands the concept.
seifu
June 5, 2009 at 3:15 am
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/video-interview-with-eppf-fighters-2/
Gashaw
June 5, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Michael, thank you for your wonderful comment. It was well said. There will always be individuals who have no clue about the reality of the things they write/say, but think they know ‘every thing’. Mr. David Calleja, certainly, is one of them. I’ll just hope he will one day wakes up and realize that he was out to lunch, when it comes to the true face of the current Ethiopian politics. For now, his heroes will continue to be the reactionary forces and the enemies of CHANGE in my beloved country, Ethiopia.
- Jeremy R. Hammond
  June 7, 2009 at 4:12 am
  Gashaw, kindly quote Mr. Calleja where he indicated that he knows “every thing”. And if you feel Mr. Calleja is so “out to lunch”, kindly quote where he got any facts wrong or asked any questions based on mistaken assumptions, etc. Thanks very much.
Tigist
June 5, 2009 at 9:15 pm
For those that dont know Ethiopia has experienced a lot of bloodshed through the years. I think we are just tired of all the politics and the killing. My brother was killed in the Durgue. Mr. Flaherty seemed to be very perceptive about our past and how it relates to our future. I am afraid now because I dont know where we are headed. I want my own children to see an Ethiopia that is free but I dont know if that will ever happen. Very few seem willing to make the sacrafice. I dont believe the party in power represents the interest of my people. Gashaw and Michael on this page speak only for themselves not for the majority of Ethiopians. The majority would like to see them go.
David Calleja
June 6, 2009 at 11:17 am
Thank you to everybody who has responded so far. It is great to see that such an important issue can be discussed in an open and mature manner, and I sincerely mean that. One of the greatest freedoms that we all enjoy is to contribute freely without fear of violence or intimidation. That is one of the underpinnings of democracy.
Michael and gashaw, your points regarding are well-taken,and I thank you both for your respective contributions. I am interested to hear your views in further detail. If you are willing to share your version of the true situation, then please email me at: david_calleja@foreignpolicyjournal.com
I will write up an article based on your responses to a similar number of questions and answers and post it here too. Every version has two sides to the story, and I would like to hear yours.
David Calleja
Pete
June 6, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I think that’s fair David.
I also suggest that Michael respond to M’s request for clarification.
Pete
June 19, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Gashaw and Michael may be consulting with H.Q. In the meantime, I want to inquire why a wrong information [not an oversight] is posted in the Library of Congress page. http://memory.loc.gov/frd/cs/ettoc.html
Scroll down to
1. Ethnic Group and Language and Relgion: it is stated that “Amharic, formerly the official language” [the fact: Amharic was formerly the national language and now the Constitution says in Article 5:1. The official language of the Federal Government shall be Amharic]
2. “the Tigray, who speak Tigrinya and account perhaps 14 percent of Ethiopia’s people”. [the fact: population for Tigray is approx. 4.5 million of 80 million; you may check the 1994/2007 censuses report put out by the government.] What is interesting is that the 2006 updated document in pdf read Tigray population was “perhaps 10 percent” of Ethiopia’s population.
3. Check also the discrepancy in regard to religion. The 2007 census put out by the government states Christians are about 63% [Orthodox: 43.5%; Protestant: 18.6%] and Muslim: about 33.9%.
4. If you have the time and the stomach for it check also the disinformation put out through foreign consulates [China, Canada, UK, etc]
5. Check who is in charge of updating the country document at the Library of Congress and on what basis these figures are provided. Integrity of the Library is on the line.
6. Why the ethnic minority government in Ethiopia is succeeding in disinforming the public [especially the international community] is because no thinking person would suspect even for a moment that a sitting government could go to such lengths to engage in deceit; anothe reason is that hardly any foreigners understand the official language to compare documents.
Tedla Hailu
June 24, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Thank you Chris,
Journalists like you are voices for the oppressed. I was there close to Tikur Anbessa Hospital in front of the Swedish Embassy when you were surrounded by the Woyane (TPLF) security on that fateful dark day on June 2005. I saw you ran away with your camera to the Swedish Embassy and the Ambassador or someone form the embassy staff gave you the necessary protection. To my amazement you were taking photographs at the office of the Electoral Board when Kinijit (CUDP) and Hibret (UEDF) leaders were signing a memorandum of understanding with Woyane (TPLF) representative on the same day in the afternoon. God be with you. We Ethiopians at present could only say THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
Tedla
Timb
June 25, 2009 at 10:27 am
Hey, Timb hula Telba binchacha beand mewkecha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Long live with Meles and EPRDF!!!!!!!!!!!
Tazabi Minale
June 25, 2009 at 11:22 am
TPLF has truly disrespect for women. Why are they treating Birtukan so mean and rough even when they know that she is a peaceful person? Birtukan is simply such a brilliant, generous, and selfless to her people. TPLF proved itself that it can no longer lead Ethiopia; so the sooner they fall the better. TPLF has managed to successfully tune each ethnic group to become tribal minded and fight against each other and remain suspicious of one another. There is quite a cliché causing further disunity. Instead we need leaders like Birtukan Mideksa to take over power in the 2010 election.
Josh
June 27, 2009 at 3:03 am
Tazabi, you are so so right. Ethiopia needs leadership that is not paranoid about anyone who isn’t of the Tigray persuasion. While their dethroning of Mengistu Haile Mariam was essential and justified, years later they have degenerated into tribal protection of their power. Why is it that nearly all the top notch positions held within the ruling party are people of Tigray identity? I’m not afraid to call it the way it is. Anywhere else in the World this would be called blatant discrimination or even racism. And yes, I do understand the situation, regardless of how complex some would claim it to be. Comments like the one Timb posted here prove my point.
alemayehu
July 6, 2009 at 1:52 am
I don’t know why the article begins with the sentence “In May 2005, the ruling Ethiopian Revolutionary Patriot’s Democratic Front won elections” The murderous regime of Woyane did not in fact win the elections, they stole it. This has been openly acknowledged by the EU. The allegations were proven enough for the government to concede to a recount. Then, during the the recount Woyane, emboldened by US backing, stole more votes. These are the facts that need to be told. the opening sentence is misleading.
Also, when Flaherty says in the interview that Ethiopians are angry with CUD for making deals there was no deal. The imprisoned leaders were simply forced under duress to beg for pardon for their release. They signed a partial acceptance of blame for the killings conducted by Woyane. One of the four CUD leaders got scared of being in prison, succumbed and joined parliament to avoid prison. He is reviled for his actions. THat is all in a nutshell. Flaherty says “From what I have been able to access” there appears to be tremendous anger with the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party. What did FLaherty have to “access” that led him to this very wrong conclusio? How can people be angry with a faceless party, either they are angry with CUD leadership and that would include Birtukan Berhanu Shawil and Lidetu (a.k.a. khidetu meaning traitor) or there are those that still support all 4 of these leaders albeit dissappointed the leaders of the four parties that formed CUD. If Birtukan enjoys tremendous support it then follows that the other former leaders of CUD do to. In any case whatever Flaherty “accessed” has yeilded incorrect info. The truth is CUD, the princples it stood for remains a beloved covenant amongst Ethiopians, not to mention the glorious victory of CUD in the not so distant collective memory of the nation. Because of its Victory, the victory that the author of this article, and Flaherty continue to deny or ignore. It was the Ethiopian people in Ethiopa who achieved that victory and they will defeat Woyane again by any means necessary with the Diaspora or without it.
alemayehu
July 6, 2009 at 2:01 am
Talking about genocide, you mention genocide in the 1970s and Mengistu Hailemariam but what about Meles and genocide today. I hope to God Flaherty’s film has included the heroic and sustained efforts of US Activist Obeng Metho who looks for justice regarding Ethiopians in Gambella who were exterminated, yes genocide, by Meles’s US trained and armed forces. I am amazed that the honoruable Obeng Metho is not metioned in this article or seen in the trailers for this film IS OBENG FEATURED IN MIGRATION OF BEAUTY, if not then i would conclude that there has been a migration of sanity when making this film.
Kume
December 6, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Thanks Chris for document this for history.
If not today, tomorrow the Criminal meles zenawi and Mengistu face justice in Ethiopia or in International Court.
- Elsa
  December 10, 2009 at 8:51 pm
  Really, this is not Ethiopian history stop being your own enemy.
Amare
December 12, 2009 at 5:18 am
Chris,
Thanks for leting out this movie to shine some light on the suffering of the ethiopian people. The documentary like this may bring some clue to the many western states who are blind folded by the lies and misrepresentation of the current ethiopian government. We can spend so much time agreeing or disagreeing on this documentary just because of our difrences in ethnicity , race, level of understanding of various culture, however, one that can deny the equality of being human being is total ignorance. Being an Ethiopian, i can say that, no gevernment, in the history of that Thanks for letting out this movie to shine some light on the suffering of the Ethiopian people. I am not suggesting that we should continue to treat each other like that. At least, when we have a government that rules its people by totalitarian and lead the country just based on ethnicity, we all should stand together and tell this is wrong. I hope we all come together to understand the suffering of the Ethiopian people and be able to lend some voice to the voiceless and spare some power to the powerless.
God bless
- Amare
  December 12, 2009 at 2:38 pm
  My apology for the above corrupted posting. Here it is the correct version of it.
  Chris,
  Thanks for letting out this movie to shine some light on the suffering of the Ethiopian people. The documentary like this may bring some clue to the many western states who are blind folded by the lies and misrepresentation of the current Ethiopian government. We can spend so much time agreeing or disagreeing on this documentary just because of our differences in ethnicity , race, level of understanding of various culture, however, one that can deny the equality of being human being is total ignorance. As an Ethiopian, i can say that, no government, in the history of that nation treated its people fairly other than its own ethnic group. Fortunately, Mengistu was the only dictator who did not discriminate power sharing based on just ethnicity. At least, when we have a government that rules its people by totalitarian and lead the country just based on ethnicity, we all should stand together and tell this is wrong. I hope we all come together to understand the suffering of the Ethiopian people and be able to lend some voice to the voiceless and spare some power to the powerless.
  God bless
true
December 12, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Michael above,
Please tell us what TPLF stands for that is ruling Ethiopia today. Isn’t it based on pro Tigray ethnicity agenda? What does LF stands for, Liberation Front agenda. This government that still fully believes in such is the root cause of the problem. The very belief is by itself Anti Ethiopia and pro Ethiopia. So, how do you expect who have no regard for Ethiopia but Tigray region only expect to rule Ethiopia in fair and balanced manner? TPLF from its inception is anti Ethiopian, there is absolutely no patriotism of Ethiopia. Meles has said Ethiopia’s flag is a piece of rag. Imagine a Western president saying that to the flag of his country, he will be in treason probably will be sentenced to death or imprisoned for the rest of his life. So, people of the West, such party and Meles are ruling our beloved Ethiopia. Michael today blames Ethiopians being pro ethnic. TPLF had 2 decade to inject such evil belief of ethnic rule to divide and rule the country. You might ask now they got what they want why don’t they go? Well, they realize that through such manipulation, they are really getting fat in every sector you can think of economically. It is a sweet deal and they can’t avoid that therefore will do anything to stay in power and loot. I guess Michael forgot to tell you about that either.
Thank you Chris and David. Keep telling the truth about Ethiopia to the world!