Deeds Do Speak Louder

Still there are headlines difficult to push to the back of your mind.  Some are highly sobering and others quite flabbergasting.  

Street action, orange revolution, charges of treason hang in the air.  Surely there is pollution; a deadly pollution that should be wiped out to bring in serenity and tranquility for a healthy democratic system to thrive.  Rioters, the Trojan horses of the CUD, 'custodians of democracy', were once again on the streets to muffle the voice of the people that will never succumb to their hate politics intended to usurp power through violence in the name of democracy.  Civil disobedience they call it, and for sure we have seen their civility.  Yes, we have seen them brandishing machetes and they tell us they were branches of palm trees; houses were set ablaze, they tell us they have nothing to do with it; calls were made to socially alienate an ethnic group, groups with differing views and this in the interest of democracy.   

Severing the age-old tradition of familial feeling, friendship and solidarity, the trademark of Ethiopians, the CUD and its vocal supporters from within and outside the country were preaching excommunication and ostrasization of those ready the stand their ground against any form of chauvinism.  And this they have done to promote unity.  

Hardliners in the leadership of the CUD, since the run-up for the May elections were officially adhering to a strategy of dismantling an elected government through street actions.  Source of finance and logistics, definitely the vociferous Diaspora, comprising as its major component part proponents of red terror and functionaries of the regime of strongman Mengistu, still in hiding for fear of prosecution for their role in annihilating a generation considered to be the cream of the society.  

Highly suspicious and hostile to any type of dissent let alone from among their rivals but within their own ranks, the CUD leadership have proved to be a permanent menace to the nascent democracy in Ethiopia.  

Having caused mayhem and destruction that marred the image of the nation, now the time of reckoning has come for them though long overdue owing to the patience the incumbent displayed in the service of deepening democracy while seeking political solution to bridge the rift between itself and the opposition to promote pluralism in the centuries old East Africa nation. 

No one can break the law with impunity.  True, actions do really speak louder. "They (the hardliners) are accused of engaging in insurrection", says MP Meles, "they will have their day in court".