Adding to the woes of poverty in Africa, made worse by the now ongoing globalization, is the pattern of sadistic men and women at the helm of state power who, if there is normality, should be put behind bars. They are benefiting from a pattern of global brutalization going on across continents. The war on terror is serving Anglo-American capitalism as never before in its systemic attempt to undermine or, if possible, even erase the idea and the reality of class awareness and struggle as to destroy class solidarity among the exlpoited and thereby discredit Carl Marx entirely. Not only did 9/11 take the anti globalization agenda off the world stage, but it ushered in a new era of systemically whipping up and spreading old suspicions and hatreds among major religions.
In the soviet era many Muslims did willingly serve the American imperialism in mobilizing Jihad against ‘godless’ communism in Afghanistan. Not just because communism was godless but mainly because key figures among them were friends of the worst form of capitalism who hated the ideas of class struggle or social justice.
The logic seems inverted since 9/11. But it is not in reality. What is going on is forms of an inter capitalist conflict. It is high time to wake up before it is too late, before we become overwhelmed and engulfed in what looks like a medieval religious conflict. I firmly think all this conflict is being played out between and in the service of different forms and versions of capitalism which are bitterly at loggerheads with each other. Capitalism is indeed a leveler but its development has never been equal or even for historical reasons. Wars are raging in it even in peaceful times. Knowingly or unkowingly, many seemingly pious Muslims, Christians and Jews are sadly serving willy-nilly American imperialism practically in obfuscating the ideas of class struggle and issues pertaining to social realities. They clearly divert attention from the real issues and concrete human needs of daily life everywhere. Are they not engaged in destroying social consciousness, concord and solidarity among ordinary people? Are they not confusing and dividing the exploited masses by adding fuel to the flames of dogmatic religious fanaticism and intolerance directly and indirectly? Can ignorance today serve as an excuse? On their part, the cynically clever Arab leaders, monarchs and military dictators are playing successfully with these seeming contradictions to their best interests, feeding today religious extremism at different levels. They are determined to prove to the world that democracy is not workable in their part of the world and that they should be left alone unmolested by something like the Arab spring. Do we see here the connection between them and the Abyssinian political elite between whom no love is apparently lost? It is a great pity that human beings are too ready to blieve things, credulous, and easily brainwashed, even among the so-called civillized nations.
Some readers may think now that I am preaching some form of communism as an immediate program of action? Certainly not. Human freedom comes first. Capitalism with human face is possible. Many leftists here in Germany, France and other West European countries are struggling right now for such a cause. They are realists and not just dreamers. I include among them many socialists and social democrats. I would like to think even many genuine ordinary Christian democrats in the CDU do support the idea of capitalism with a human face. The Anglo-American version of capitalism, I believe, will lead to another world war if it is left to its own cherished ways and devices.
Let me repeat what I said in my last article. The Germans will do well if, broadly speaking, they take care that their country will not be a battle ground again in yet another major inter capitalist conflict.
Now, Abyssinian political and military elites in Ethiopia are at the forefront of African countries serving the Anglo-American version of capitalism. That is why they quickly jumped on the bandwagon of war on terrorism. They are presented to the world as respectable statesmen and diplomats. Their claims of double digit growth is advertised by world celebrities and institutions. Their systematic violations of basic human rights and their disrespect for human lives are sidelined.
The high priests of modern Abyssinian chauvinism such as Sebhat Nega and Dr. Yakob Hailemariam, both of them former Marxists, are now leading political campaign to achieve national reconciliation with the regime unconditionally. That is to say the regime does not need to make any democratic concession. In other words, they are asking opposition groups to worship the regime in the usual Abyssinian fashion under the slogan of saving Ethiopia from disintegration. The patchwork is clearly supported by international circles. Not only Abyssinian groups but also many of our traditional OLF figures particularly in the so-called ODF at some point are falling for the idea. Personally I do not consider men such as Dima Nego as genuine Oromos. They are working for Abyssinia, selfishly diluting the struggle of the Oromo people to the satisfation of the ideologues of a united Ethiopia, which I would like to call a united myopia. In this light, the so-called abduction of Endargachew Tsige by the regime could be part of a well orchestrated agenda by the Anglo-American circles to rally forces around the regime and to bolster its sagging morale. Is it possible that the Eritrean dictator is also persuaded to join the war on the so-called terror alongside the regime in Ethiopia? He has been purging Muslim loyalists in his organization since the coup attempt. If he gets his Badime, and Ethiopia the port facilities in Asab what then? The truth is there are no real points of difference among the Abyssinian elites bent on dominating other peoples. Their internal power struggles and their dramatizations will never bring any essential change, nor their repugnant reconciliation. Is it necessary for me to point out constantly that the Abyssinan minorities will never accept democratic option?
One of the ironies of bourgeois politics in Ethiopia is, some academics from Ethiopia based in America, who seem bitterly opposed to the regime in Ethiopia, keep constantly praising the American system as the best that mankind has ever invented. They clearly know that this system is in reality fully standing behind the brutal regime in Ethiopia and is responsible for helping the TPLF fascists to power, in the first place, while making sure at the same time that Mengistu Haile Mariam lives in peace unmolested.
What is the use of democracy if you cannot criticize superpower aggression and arrogance? I have in mind, for example, men such as Alemayehu G Mariam to say nothing of the likes of Tecola W Hagos. It amazed me that both of them quickly distanced themselves openly for the first time from Endargachew Tsige. On this point I think they may be right. Abyssinian intrigues are fathomless. Abyssinia is still at heart a brutal animal kingdom where the powerful are constantly engaged in muzzling the powerless. The Tigray dominated regime is using Tisge to unravel the alleged secrets of the opposition groups to disqualify them from participating in the so-called coming election.
Coming back to my point about the use of democracy, even our own recent hero Jawar Mohammed whose activism I still endorse is still unable as yet, to my knowledge, to pronounce and proclaim clearly the right of the Oromo people to self-determination even if he has difficulties in calling it a colonial question for whatever reason.
In general, I can understand if these intellectuals are really afraid for their academic careers. But I would like to think that America is not a complete tyranny as yet. I think the real problem is pure fear. Perhaps, there is something more sinister.
The American people need to be more aware than ever of the possibility of their government gliding imperceptibly into imperialist fascist absolute tyranny. Or has it already? During my short stay in America I was really touched by the kindness and friendliness of ordinary Americans. At one point, let me confess, it made me weep on the road. Such nice and really hard working people not aware of the destruction and sufferings in America itself and in the world that is caused by a system beyond the control of ordinary human beings. I think I owe it to them as well not to lie to them as some of our academics do.
I believe this universe or nature is activated mainly by a positive spirit or, if you like, call it positive energy. If we can open ourselves to this positive force it will activate and unite us going beyond our traditional thinking so that oppressive systems bent on misusing nature, sowing division in mankind, the exploitation of human beings and disrespect for human lives will not have the upper hand even momentarily. Is this really difficult to see and impossible to achieve? I just wonder.