I have read pieces in which some have vocally aggrandised and flattered
Dr. Berhanu Nega. Having read them, I have have come to realize that a
concerted campaign of promoting the image of Dr. Berhanu Nega as a
visionary leader is going on. I detect striking similarities between the
promotion pieces I have read and that is the writers are simple marketing
or sales agents in the network of cliques who sow the seeds of discord
within Kinijit. It is obvious that there could be many naives who are
easily carried away by Dr. Berhanu`s eloquence and rhetoric with out
being able to grasp the main message and substance in his speeches.

Before joining the cheering group, we have to be able to separate the
kernels from the chaff so as to avoid succumbing to clique politics and
personality cult. The marketing agents are out to sell to us, their
intended political clients and a product or and  individual who is not
fit and can not serve our purpose of liberating our country from tyranny.
The political figure they are promoting had been the sympathizer and
associate of the ruling clique and is not trustworthy. It is premaature
to exalt him to such a high level and cheer him as the promising figure
in Kinijit. Their favorite fgure, Dr. Berhanu Nega looks a person with
divided loyalty and does not seem to have totally broken from his former
buddies in the TPLF.

First, he should be tried, tried enough and earn the
solid trust of the public in Ethiopia. It is then that we rally behind
him as a seasoned and trusted leader. I doubt the possiblity of finding
the qualities for good leadership in him since he was at least partly
reponsible for calling off the October 2005 upprisals and breathing life
into the regime of Meles Zenawi. His apparent hesitations and reluctance
to boycott Meles Zenawi`s bogus parliament are fresh in the minds of
millions of Ethiopians who have rejected the ethno-apartheid ruke of
Meles Zenawi.

This decisive moment has proven that Dr. Berhanu Nega is
devoid of the determination and vigour to lead a democratic struggle
aimed at ending the ethnocratic rule in our country. The barrage of
beautiful and promising words he utters in meetings are misleading and
can trap the naive amongst us. The campaign based on clique politics and
fixation on personality cult does not advance the causes of democracy and
freedom in Ethiopia.

It is true that Dr.Berhanu is an able communicator
and has been articulating his own ideas and visions vis-a-vis the
struggle and the opposition politics in Ethiopia. But we do not find the
stamina and valour in him and has avoided mentioning concerns and topical
issues. I have not been able to note any call for the respect of our
votes and justice for the murdered innocent civilians in his speeches.
Nor these issues of paramount importance were raised by his associates or
followers. It could be possible that he could be duty bound by the
conditions of the so called pardon and release from prison. I would like
to ask his marketing agents, how can we trust and embrace Dr. Berhanu
Nega and his associates who have not dared  to raise these burning
issues?. Mere articulations and eloquence with out dealing with National
and public issues do not qualify a person to be a leader as the marketing
agents would have us believe. Any person, including Dr. Berhanu who is
able to shower meetings with words and speaks volumes may not possess the
desired capability, qualities and valour to lead a costly popular
struggle like that of ours. The reality about his track records speaks
the contrary and he is one of the weakest links in the CUDP.

If one is attentive and critical enough and see beyond his eloquence and
rhetoric,he or she will find out that all is about appeasing and working
with his former buddies, TPLF. The dissection of his speeches reveal this
and put him under the spotlight of suspicion as to his direction and
motives. Besides, he is a novice in the Ethiopian opposition movement and
just popped up lately and is waging an aggressive but camouflaged campaign
to profile himself and broaden his support base. He is engaged in what he
refers to as the arada or treacherous politics of taking over, disarming
and converting Kinijit into an impotent loyal opposition meant to
accompany the rejected despot Meles Zenawi.

It is undeniable that the sacrifices, selfless organizational and
mobilizing efforts of others, specifically that of ato Hailu Shawel have
laid the foundation and fertile ground for the emergence and popularity of
Kinijit as we all know and witness. Credit and respect should be given to
all those who deserve and are devoted to our popular cause of abolishing
tyranny in Ethiopia. Individuals who vacilitate,waver and do the talk but
not the walk, do not deserve admiration or promotion.  Dr.Berhanu Nega
does not have the organizing and mobilizing qualities that are of crucial
importance in the struggle for democracy and freedom in Ethiopia.Nor does
have the firmness and stamina required for the kind of struggle Ethiopians
are engaged in. I have found his speeches dampening the strong spirit of
resistance against the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi ans softening the opposition to it. It is also regrettable to witness his close associates in Kinijit
including Ms. Birtukan Midekssa failing miserably in their mission to unite
the Ethiopian Diaspora in North America.

The ongoing direct or indirect political marketing of Dr. Berhanu Nega and his faction within Kinijit shows the relentless power struggle he is engaged in and the intriges
played to sabotage the struggle against tyranny. Dr. Berhanu Nega looks to
be the shadow leader of the apparently break away or splinter group who
has been the source of embarrassment in the past couple of months. The
flirtation with and groundless apology to the die hard supporters of the
TPLF who are well organized and defending their privilege and supremacy in
Ethiopia is not justifiable and warranted. Nor is it in the interest of
our struggle. It will erode public confidence in Kinijit and undermine the
struggle. This political course could alienate the majority and could have
a negative mpact on the struggle.  He can not challenge or face the TPLF
outright and pursue the public cause. I am not prescribing physical
confrontation with the TPLF but doing away with appeasing and coaxing brute killers.