THE REGIME IN ETHIOPIA CONTINUES TO WIN MORE BATTLES BEFORE LOSING THE WAR

By Yohannes Kifle 


The abduction of Andergachew Tsige was the latest drama the regime in Ethiopia was able to stockpile in its backyard in an effort to prevent the inevitable. The regime in Ethiopia, with no substantial victory to claim since 1991, is eager to score small victories against its rivals to prolong its existence. Those victories are proved to be short-lived with diminishing return. In fact, it is those types of mini victories that are the cause of widening the regime’s vulnerability.


Furthermore, the regime’s main supporters, be it politically or financially, may not be able to circumvent the well-deserved criticism. The British government is one of the staunch supporters of the regime. Given the fact that Andergachew Tsige is a British citizen, one would expect the country that offered him a citizenship would protect him just like any other citizen would be protected. The British government miserably failed its own citizen, Andergatchew, by negotiating unofficially and asking the regime to spare his life. In other words, the British government take on this is that “do what you have to do just don’t execute him”. It wasn’t long ago the British government demanded access to its citizens that were found breaking the law by entering illegally the sovereign Eritrean territory while armed. One should expect the British government to exert the same amount of pressure against the regime in Ethiopia while asking clarification from the government of Yemen behind its illegal action against a British citizen. You do not handover a citizen of one country to another without consulting the home country. The question is: Was the British government consulted about the possible handover? Those who are blessed with commonsense would think that is the case.

The ramifications of the regime’s action, for the past few years, were well documented as the political bankruptcy to the regime and its supporters has become more evident. The question is: How much of the latest stunt it managed to pull off, with the help of the Government of Yemen and the British government looking the other way, is going to expedite to its demise that is inescapable. For the regime in Ethiopia, a collection of small battles here and there against its enemies will become a road map to the ultimate defeat. Andergachew’s abduction may bring instant gratification and bragging right to the regime in Ethiopia. While the Yemenis and the British governments may have to deal with the nuisance it comes with the baggage for their actions in foreseeable future, once the instant gratification is worn out and the thrill is gone, what is to follow behind should be a concern to the regime in Ethiopia and perhaps to its supporters.

Winning the battle but losing the war is the regime’s modus operandi.