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SOME THOUGHTS REGARDING WALELEGN'S ARTICLE "ON THE QUESTION OF ETHIOPIAN NATIONLITIES" of 1969
OR
WALELEGN AS ROMAN PROCHAZKA
by Aleme Eshete (June 2008)
Walelegn's article on Ethiopian nationalities written in 1969 was impressive for a University College fourth year student. That is why we have chosen to consider the article and evaluate it in the context of
1.international developments at that date ,
2. national Ethiopian developments
In the international context of 1969 we have reason to ask whether Walelegn wrote his paper on Ethiopian nationalities, and introduce the issue of self determination of Ethiopian nationalities , up to secession, in 1969 , an issue which will politicise Ethiopian history and society ever after, which will poison Ethiopian unity and serve as an important instrument in the hands of the CIA and American imperialism for the break up of Ethiopia. We have reason to ask whether Walelegn raised that issue alone or in collaboration with others, particularly foreign agents. We have dealt at length with the issue of the origin of the idea of self determination as an instrument to break up Ethiopia in our article on the Austrian Nazi Baron Roman Prochazka who in his book "Abyssinia the Powder Barrel " (Vienna 1935, translated in the all the major Western languages , including American English,) before the Fascist invasion of 1936, had written
"The numerous peoples and tribes who inhabit the territory of the Ethiopian State and which differ in race, language , culture and religion from the ruling minority of Abyssinia proper, would long ago have thrown off the Abyssinian yoke if they had been given the right of self determination. Instead they are being forcibly kept from European influences and from the advantages that progressive colonisation could confer upon the country. The final aim of (Abyssinian) policy of antagonism to the white race in cooperation with Japan , is nothing less than to act as the champions of all coloured peoples of Africa....It is incumbent on the legations of the civilised nations in Abyssinia to warn their governments to take a definite stand before the Abyssinians attack and destroy Western culture and civilization in its entirety ."
"There is no such thing as a united Abyssinian people. The greater part of the non-Christian tribes in Abyssinia has no more burning desire than to be freed from the tyranny of the Amhara.
"(Referendum?) : "If they vote freely they would certainly prefer a European protectorate to universally hated extortioners and slave drives. This country is cracking at all its joints and has only kept together up to the present by methods of ruthless coercion."
With all the CIA talk and its policy of the right of self determination of nations and nationalities up to secession for the break up and dismemberment of Ethiopia " since the 1960's would you not agree that CIA's policy has been copied word for word from the Nazi Baron Roman Prochazka?
1969 was the highest point of CIA involvement in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, with Miles Copeland and others mascarading as followers of a Socialist movement, manipulating Nasser, then recruiting that same year Issayas Afework as a CIA agent to wage a guerrilla war for breaking out of Ethiopia with all its Red Sea coast, the year when Nimeiry in the Sudan, Siad Barrre in Somalia were recruited. The veteran CIA agent Paul Henze the principal promoter of self determination and the break up of Ethiopia was assigned to Addis Ababa in 1969. It will not be absurd to think that Walelegn's s article the hot bed of anti-Ethiopian self-determination for the break up of Ethiopia may have been the work of foreign agents. We also found a striking similarity between Walelegn's article and Baron Roman Prochazkas's text on the subject of self determination and the break up of Ethiopia.
Another point to consider in the international context is the absurdity to-day to see Walelegn quoting Lenin, the Bolsheviks etc as models of truth and what he calls science, with our background knowledge of what has happened to the Bolshevik revolution, the rise of Stalinism, the fate of the Soviet Union and the end of Soviet communism in general, the fate of North Korea and Albania, Romania etc. the rise of U.S imperialism as a sole world power with the end of the Cold War, and finally , under pressure of U.S imperialism , in light of present day transformation of Western democracies - (U.S and Europe) into Big Brother Police States since 9-11 , with the proclamation of Bush's Patriotic Act and the so called war against terrorism (article forthcoming) . Walelegn's article, as that of Baron Roman Prochazka, was an ideological propaganda intended to achieve a specific objective -the destruction of Ethiopia . It is marked not only by a lack of an iota of Ethiopian nationalism but also lack of knowledge of the available literature at that date on the peoples of Ethiopia. In general we observe a lack of a balanced, critical view and Orwellian foresight, on the part of Walelegn and his EPRP-OLF-TPLF-EPLF disciples dominated by what Hagos Gebre Yesus called self -hatred, and animated by simple generalisation and dogmatism characteristic of the half-baked Ethiopian student politics of those days.
In the national context the problem with Walelegn's article as with all others after him is that they have a strange view of the history of peoples of Ethiopia, not as a dynamic living phenomenon but as permanentlyas static, fixed unmoving and undeveloping inert phenomenon continuing in closed impervious situation for centuries and centuries to the end of time , separated by huge walls, never mingling with eachother in a give and take process and transforming themselves. Our present knowledge of the history of the peoples of Ethiopia - of the Tigrai, of the Amhara, of the Oromo etc. do not allow single separated linear developments of the peoples of Ethiopia but of the Ethiopian nation made up of cultures, languages and values ever pulling each other. We do not know in history any original Amhara language, religion or culture. The so called Amhara have inherited all from the Axumites - language, script, religion culture etc. and have carried over the Axumite culture as an Ethiopian , language, religion ...The Amhara have never existed as a tribe but are the result of the evolution since Geez Axumite times of the linguistic transformation of the Kushitic Agaw into Semitic , as well as the amalgamation of the cultures and languages of other peoples of Ethiopia since Axumite times. There is also no such tribe, culture, language or religion called Oromo but an amalgamation of several Ethiopian peoples who have been absorbed during the Galla conquest , from the 16th century to the middle of the 19th century or the rise of Tewodros, during which process the original Galla have been ethiopianised -their culture, language and religion being transformed . Linguistically, the Galla may even have been transformed during the long process and contact with Ethiopian Kushitic peoples, into Kushitic , according to Professor Andrezejewski of the London School of Oriental Studies.(The Position of the Galla in the Cushitic language group" published in Journal of Semitic Studies, Vol.9, 1964. See also my paper, Galla Kushitic? In EEDN debates 2002.)
Waleelegn's ideological anti-Ethiopian propaganda had a wide following among anti-Ethiopian student politics -EPRP, MeiSon, OLF, TPLF, EPLF. With the rise to power of the TPLF(EPLF) in May 1991 as an American proxy colonial regime, the Walelegn-Prochazka provision of self determination up to secession of the Ethiopian nations and nationalities was promoted to become the backbone of Weyane's Ethiopian Constitution (Article 39), for the dissolution of Ethiopia.
These are some of the thoughts that come to mind when one reads to-day Walelegn's article of 1969 on the question of Ethiopian Nationalities. You may spread and use my views as you think fit.
Aleme.
Aleme
(Enclosed, the text of Walelegn's article on Ethiopian nationalities of 1969)
ON THE QUESTION OF NATIONALITIES IN ETHIOPIA[1]
By Walleligne Mekonnen
Arts IV, HSIU
Nov. 17, 1969
The main purpose of this article is to provoke discussions on the "sacred", yet very important issue of this country-the Question of Nationalities. The article as it was prepared for a special occasion (where detailed analysis was due time and other inconveniences impossible) suffers from generalizations and inadequate analysis. But I still feel it is not mediocre for a beginning. I expect my readers to avoid the temptation of snatching phrases out of their context and capitalizing on them. Instead every point raised here should be examined in the light of the whole analysis.
We have reached a new stage in the development of the student movement, a level where Socialism as a student ideology has been taken for granted, and reaction with all its window dressing is on the defensive. The contradictory forces are no more revolution versus reform, but correct scientific Socialism versus perversion and fadism.
The Socialist forces in the student movement till now have found it very risky and inconvenient to bring into the open certain fundamental questions because of their fear of being misunderstood. One of the delicate issues which has not yet been resolved up to now is the Question of Nationalities-some people call it ridiculously tribalism-but I prefer to call it nationalism. Panel discussions, articles in STRUGGLE and occasional speakers, clandestine leaflets and even tete-a-tete groups have not really delved into it seriously. Of course there was indeed the fear that it may alienate certain segments of the student population and as well the fear that the government may take advantage of an honest discussion to discredit the revolutionary student movement.
Starting from last year, a small minority began to discuss this delicate issue for the most part in secluded places. Discussions, even private, leak out and because they were not brought into the open they normally led to backbiting, misunderstanding and grossly exaggerated rumours. I think students are mature enough to face reality even if they are very sensitive. And the only solution to this degeneration, as witnessed from some perverted leaflets running amock [amok] these two weeks, is open discussion.
What are the Ethiopian peoples composed of? I stress on the word peoples because sociologically speaking at this stage Ethiopia is not really one nation. It is made up of a dozen nationalities with their own languages, ways of dressing, history, social organization and territorial entity. And what else is a nation? It is not made of a people with a particular tongue, particular ways of dressing, particular history, particular social and economic organization? Then may I conclude that in Ethiopia there is the Oromo Nation, the Tigrai Nation, the Amhara Nation, the Gurage Nation, the Sidama Nation, the Wellamo [Wolayta] Nation, the Adere [Harari] Nation, and however much you may not like it the Somali Nation.
This is the true picture of Ethiopia. There is of course the fake Ethiopian Nationalism advanced by the ruling class and unwillingly accepted and even propagated by innocent fellow travellers.
What is this fake Nationalism? Is it not simply Amhara and to a certain extent Amhara-Tigre supremacy? Ask anybody what Ethiopian culture is? Ask anybody what Ethiopian language is? Ask anybody what Ethiopian music is? Ask anybody what the "national dress" is? It is either Amhara or Amhara-Tigre!!
To be a "genuine Ethiopian" one has to speak Amharic, to listen to Amharic music, to accept the Amhara-Tigre religion, Orthodox Christianity and to wear the Amhara-Tigre Shamma in international conferences. In some cases to be an "Ethiopian", you will even have to change your name. In short to be an Ethiopian, you will have to wear an Amhara mask (to use Fanon's expression). Start asserting your national identity and you are automatically a tribalist, that is if you are not blessed to be born an Amhara. According to the constitution you will need Amharic to go to school, to get a job, to read books (however few) and even to listen to the news on Radio "Ethiopia" unless you are a Somali or an Eritrean in Asmara for obvious reasons.
To anybody who has got a nodding acquaintenance with Marxism, culture is nothing more than the super-structure of an economic basis. So cultural domination always presupposes economic subjugation. A clear example of economic subjugation would be the Amhara and to a certain extent Tigrai Neftegna system in the South and the Amhara-Tigre Coalition in the urban areas. The usual pseudo-refutation of this analysis is the reference to the large Amhara andd Tigrai masses wallowing in poverty in the countryside. For that matter during the heydays of British imperialism a large mass of British Workers had to live under inhuman conditions.
Another popular counter argument is that there are two or three ministers of non-amhara-Tigre Nationality in the Cabinet, one or two generals in the army, one or two governors and a dozen balabats in the countryside. But out and out imperialists like the British used to rule their colonies mainly by enlisting the support of tribal chiefs, who were much more rich than the average citizen of the British Metropolis. The fact that (Houphet) Boigne and Senghor were members of the French National Assembly and the fact that they were even ministers did not reduce an iota of Senegalese and Ivory Coast [Ivoirians] loss of political independence.
Of course the economic and cultural subjugation by the Amharas and their junior partners the Tigres is a historical accident. Amharas are not dominant because of inherent imperialist tendencies. The Oromos could have done it, the Wellamos [Wolaytas] could have done it and history proves they tried to do so. But that is not an excuse for the perpetuation of this situation. The immediate question is we must declare a stop to it. And we must build a genuine national- state.
And what is this genuine national-state? It is a state in which all nationalities participate equally in state affairs, it is a state where every nationality is given equal opportunity to preserve and develop its language, its music and its history. It is a state where Amharas, Tigres, Oromos, Aderes [Harari], Somalis, Wollamos [Wolaytas], Gurages, etc. are treated equally. It is a state where no nation dominates another nation be it economically or culturally.
And how do we achieve this genuine democratic and egalitarian state?
Can we do it through military? No!! A military coup is nothing more but a change of personalities. It may be a bit more liberal than the existing regime but it can never resolve the contradiction between either classes or nationalities. The Neway brothers and Tadesse Birus could not have done it. Talking about Mengistu and Tadesse, one cannot fail to remember the reaction that the Mengistus coup though a family one and at that by a sector of Shoa Amharas (with few exceptions, of course among the Workeneh) was very popular just because it was staged by "Ethiopians"-Amharas. With Tadesse, it was automatically a tribalist uprising. Why? Tadesse an Oromo cannot stage a nationalist coup but Oromo Supermacist [supremacy].
I am not equivocal in condemning coups, but the Tadesse coup had at least one significant quality and a very important one too. It gave our Oromo Brothers and Sisters self-respect. And self-respect is an important pre-requisite for any mass-based revolution. Even the so-called revolutionaries who scoffed at the coup just like the mass of the student body, could not comprehend this quality. You can clearly see in this instance the power of the Amhara-Tigre supremacist [supremacist] feelings. They clearly proved that they were nothing more than the products of government propaganda on this question.
Can the Eritrean Liberation Front and the Bale armed struggle achieve our goal? Not with their present aims and set-up.
Both these movements are exclusive in character, led by the local Bourgeoisie in the first instance and the local feudal lords in the second. They do not have international outlook, which is essential for our goal. They are perfectly right in declaring that there is national oppression. We do not quarrel with them on this score. But their intention is to stop there. They do not try to expand their struggles to the other nationalities. They do not attempt to make a broad-based assault on the foundations of the existing regime. They deliberately try to forget the connection of their local ruling classes with the national oppression. In short these movements are not led by peasants and workers. Therefore, they are not Socialists, it would only be a change of masters for the masses. But for the Socialists the welfare of the masses comes first.
The same can be said for the Gojjam uprising. But I would like to take this opportunity once again to show how much Amhara supremacism [supremacism] is taken for granted in this Campus.
To applaud the ELF is a sin. If anything favourable is written out, it is automatically refuted by both USUAA and NUEUS. But the Gojjam affair was different. Support for it was practically a show of identity to the so-called revolutionaries.
Mind you, I am just saying that these movements are not lasting solutions for our goal-the set-up of a genuine Nationalist Socialist State. I am all for them, the ELF, the Bale movements, the Gojjam uprising, to the extent that they have challenged and weakened the existing regime, and have created areas of discontent to be harnessed later on by a genuine Socialist revolution.
One thing again is certain. I do not oppose these movements just because they are secessionists. There is nothing wrong with secessionism as such. For that matter secession is much better than nationally oppressive government. I quote Lenin, "...People resort to secession only when national oppression and national antagonisms make joint life absolutely intolerable and hinder any and all economic intercourse. In that case the interests of the freedom of the class struggle will be best served by Secession. I would also like to quote the resolution on the question of nationalities from the London International Socialist Congress of 1896 attended, supported and adopted by the Bolsheviks who brought about the October revolution, "This Congress declares that it stands for the full right of all nations to self-determination and expresses its sympathy for the workers and peasants of every country now suffering under the yoke of military, national or other absolutism."
As long as secession is led by the peasants and workers and believes in its internationalist obligation, it is not only to be supported but also militarily assisted. It is pure backwardness and selfishness to ask a people to be partners in being exploited till you can catch up. We should never dwell on the subject of secession, but whether it is progressive or reactionary. A Socialist Eritrea and Bale would give a great impetus to the revolution in the country and could form an egalitarian and democratic basis for re-unification.
To come back to our central question: How can we form a genuine egalitarian national-state? It is clear that we can achieve this goal only through violence, through revolutionary armed struggle. But we must always guard ourselves against the pseudo-nationalist propaganda of the regime. The revolution can start anywhere. It can even be secessionist to begin with, as long as led by the progressive forces-the peasants and the workers, and has the final aim the liberation of the Ethiopian Mass with due consideration to the economic and cultural independence of all the nationalities. It is the duty of every revolutionary to question whether a movement is Socialist or reactionary not whether a movement is secessionist or not. In the long run Socialism is internationalism and a Socialist movement will never remain secessionist for good.
To quote Lenin again, "From their daily experience the masses know perfectly well the value of geographical and economic ties and the advantages of a big market and a big state." From this point of view of the struggle as well, a regime like ours harassed from corners is bound to collapse in a relatively short period of time. But when the degree of consciousness of the various nationalities is at different levels, it is not only the right but the duty of the most conscious nationality to first liberate itself and then assist others in the struggle for total liberation. Is that not true of Korea? We do support this movement, don't we? Then, what is this talk of tribalism, secessionism, etc.....?
1 The above article was written by Walleligne Mekonnen 39 years ago, while he was a fourth year student in the Faculty of Arts, PSIR, and was published on STRUGGLE[ Vol. V, No. 2, November 17, 1969] by the University Students' Union of Addid Ababa ( USUAA).
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Martha, there are some key elements you should take into consideration.One of them is REVOLUTION, to gain political power. For whom? For the entire population. Who will lead the Revolution? The workers (proletariate) and who are the followers? The peasants. Now what was the percentage of the leaders and followers for Ethiopia? less than 10% were supposed to be leaders and the rest were supposed to be followers. Tell me the truth Martha. Who is leading who?
You may think I am crazy to tell you this. The Drs like Aleme Eshete should have led the peasants but the Alemes should be workers in the first place. Most of us educated forgot how to work. Now we are forced to be workers thanks to Wallelligne's article. What you are missing is that Mellese and his groups did not understand what it means to be workers. They had peasant background and feudal mentality. Their struggle was to be somebody at the top not to serve from the bottom. Think again !Who do you think Mellese relate to? Find it out for yourself.
Wallelligne and Martha were for Democratic Revolution. The way they envisioned the struggle was a peasant revolution not a nationalist revolution. Above all true Revolutionaries should lead the peasants. I do not have to tell you that the TPLF and EPLF leaders were not Revolutionaries (petty bouergoisie). The method they used is aggression and propaganda. The Tigreans were taught to hate the Amharas, the Hamasiens were taught to hate Agames and now in reverse order, the Amharas are hating the Tigreans and the Agames are hating the Hamasiens. This is only in the North. In the south, we will see in the future or you can tell me if you are inside the country as to what is happening. Ethnicity is worst than nationalism.
By the way, can you comment on these sentences that are right in the middle of the article in question. I quote "CAN THE ELF AND THE BALE ARMED STRUGGLE ACHIEVE OUR GOAL? NOT WITH THEIR PRESENT AIMS AND SET-UP."
Martha we cannot take pieces here and there, it is necessarty to debate on its true history and its impact on our societies. I truly believe that Melese and his groups have exploited the situation in a wrong way but it is also true that some ethnics have benefited from this propaganda and that people like Aleme have also exaggerated to score a point.
Let us have a sober discussion on this article or let us revisit the issue again. Thanks for your comment. Don't be 100% sure.