Meles Zenawi – how do I mourn you?
By Joseph Tumushabe
27th Aug 2012: Meles Zenawi’s Ethiopia is a mixed bag. The infrastructure and modernisation within and outside Addis is apparent. This is a country where they are building industries.
Travel to the East to Nazareti through miles and miles of new factories or Dire Dawa and you will notice development. Go Tigray region and visit the city of Mekele or go to Godar etc. you will be amazed.
But have you ever noticed how difficult it is to get access to mobile phone services in Ethiopia? This is one country where it is nearly impossible for a one-month visitor to get access to a telephone chip for calling out!
Have you noticed how many Ethiopians are in exile as a result of his governance style? There over 2 million Ethiopians in America, about the same number in Europe and 1000s die every year as they try to run away to neighbouring countries for security and economic reasons.
I really wish Meles had timed his departure earlier and built institutions to do even better than him. Instead he built a personality cult and everything around a persona of Meles.
In 2005, he stole an election and killed people around Meskel Square and gave a node to the death of opposition supporters around Merkato Market.
Meles you did not have to do the killing personally, but failing to prosecute and condemn those who did, was a sinful and evil mean oversight!
Meles your regime locked up many opposition leaders, tortured to death several. No matter how much good you do as a leader, nothing is as terrible as human rights abuses, especially of the people that oppose you.
Adieu Meles. It is a pity you did not give a better chance to democracy or were not as lucky as your predecessor Mengistu Haile Mariam, or Ghana’s JJ Rawlings to see a better country after you. May your soul rest in the World you created.
And finally, may those who have done worse than you learn from your demise and make it easier for the World to know how to mourn them. END. Login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories mid-week for our updates
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