Ethiopians suffer under government corruption
By Dean Jacobs/ Letters to America
Fremont Tribune /
July 31, 2007
Our conversation stops as silent eyes glance to the knock that came from the door, a student appears to ask a question and leaves.Talking about politics is a dangerous undertaking in Ethiopia.Those who are willing to speak about such things, only do so under the agreement of remaining anonymous. Stories of people being harassed by the federal police are common. It generally starts with a warning phone call about a comment or activity that they call into question.A newspaper publisher tells me about an opinion column he runs in his business newspaper. He heard once on a BBC TV interview with the current Ethiopia Prime Minister that he doesn't plan to run again, and he shared that statement in his newspaper. He was called about it, and warned to write only about business, not politics, even though that decision would affect business. After the student leaves, my office companion, whom I will call David says: “Did you see the marks on his eyebrows, that means he comes from the Tigrai region where the ruler is from.”This communicates a potential loyalty to the current government.Elections in 2005 were marked with irregularities, according to international officials observing the process. The irregularities are thought to be changed ballots or switched ballot boxes. After the election, the word got out that the sitting government rigged the election.“It was so obvious that everyone knew,” so students began to demonstrate peacefully, David says.Another knock on the door, and our conversation once again stops. This time it is a student David wants me to meet.“She's very clever and understands what is happening,” he says.This student, whom I will call Tigist, shares some of her thoughts about the current situation.“The people are frustrated, and because it is not safe to express one's opinion, they continue to swallow those frustrations. But one day, people will not be able to swallow any more, and we will explode like a volcano,” Tigist says.When asked about the timing of that explosion, she pauses and says, “the economic situation is not good in Ethiopia. ------------------------------------
Dean Jacobs is a former Fremont Tribune photographer and a world traveler. Follow his latest journey each Monday in the Tribune.
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