Ginbot 7’s Response to EPRDF’s Request for “Negotiation”

The authoritarian system that has been built by the Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is in crisis.  There are ample evidences that the anxiety within EPRDF has increased due to the ultimate demise of their leader, the enhancement of the multifaceted popular movements and the fact that the next national election is fast approaching.  Recent Ethiopian political history shows that whenever EPRDF finds itself in a difficult situation, it uses negotiation as a stress-alleviation tactical tool. We believe that the current call, through various messengers, for “negotiation” is aimed at serving the same purpose.

Ginbot 7: Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy (Ginbot 7) has repeatedly affirmed its strong allegiance to democratic changes in Ethiopia thorough peaceful negotiation.  It is EPRDF’s stubbornness and arrogance that has pushed Ginbot 7 to adopt complex strategy.

The Executive Committee of Ginbot 7 has thoroughly discussed the call for “negotiation”. The committee has reached to a conclusion that this issue concerns the Ethiopian people as a whole, not Ginbot 7 in particular. It has direct impact on the struggle and sacrifices the Ethiopian people pay for democracy. Therefore, the committee decided to use the opportunity to pronounce Ginbot 7’s stance on negotiation with EPRDF.

1. On negotiated change

As we have repeatedly made it clear to the Ethiopian people, it is our primary preference that democratic changes in Ethiopia are brought through peaceful negotiations.  We are forced to consider other strategies due to EPRDF’s arrogance.  We have made it clear that if we were given a choice between leaving in slavery and serfdom on the one hand, and death with freedom and dignity, on the other hand, we will choose the second hand. We deeply believe in this stance; and it is the fundamental principle that attracts our members in Ethiopia and all over the world.

Our principal standpoint on negotiations has two aspects. The first is process. It shows that we are always open for negotiation. The second is the expected outcome. The outcome of the negotiations should lead to genuine democracy at lower cost. Ginbot 7 is not interested in negotiations that will jeopardise the aspiration of the people for justice and democracy. We welcome negotiations that can insure the sovereign power of the Ethiopian people.  We cannot negotiate against our principles and the will of the Ethiopian people.

Therefore:

1. Full recognition of the sovereign power of the Ethiopian people and laying foundation for democratic political system should be the ultimate the outcome of negotiations. This being the major goal, there might be several other minor goals such as immediate release of all political prisoners. However, any number of minor goals cannot substitute the major goal. Supremacy of the will of the Ethiopian people is not negotiable. Ginbot 7 will never negotiate with EPRDF unless it respects the will of the Ethiopian people.
2. Such negotiations should be conducted not only between EPRDF and Ginbot 7; other political and civic organisations also have stake. EPRDF’s preference to negotiate with individual organisation emanates from tactical calculation; it does not show that it seeks long term sustainable solution to our country. There is no democracy that is good for one organisation only. All efforts to establish democratic order should incorporate other political and civic organisations in Ethiopia.  Deciding who should run the country, or who should get how much power should not be the objective of negotiation. The negotiation should be how to empower people to elect their own leaders. The issue should not be power grab but instilling an acceptable, just and democratic system of governance.
3. As explained above, this is a national issue and cannot be conducted behind closed doors. There is no reason why it should be kept secret from the Ethiopian people.

1. Actions to be taken in order to avoid negation errors committed in past

Base on our past experience in negating with EPRDF, which were insincere from EPRDF’s part, negotiations should take the opponent’s behaviours into account. Negotiating with a trustworthy individual and with untrustworthy individual are different types of negotiations. Whenever we have to negotiate with a subject we do not trust, we need to assure ourselves that effective system of verification and implementation mechanism are put in place. Otherwise, that negotiation should not be taken seriously.

This is not the first time that EPRDF seek negotiation. So far, we do not know single instance when EPRDF restrained itself to the agreements reached at negotiations.  Rather, we have observed time and again when it cherishes violating negotiations as bravery and mastery.  Nothing is more important to EPRDF than clinching on power.  It is not willing to sacrifice even a fraction of its power for the long-term benefits of the country.

We, people in Ginbot 7, do have first-hand experience with EPRDF’s bogus negotiations. We cannot allow this to happen again.  Therefore, we need to make sure that the following actions are taken in order to get some assurance that the call is serious and genuine.

1. All political prisoners, journalists, human right activists should be released. This should include those who are detained in secrete prisons.
2. Intimidating people, especially members of the opposition political parties should stop immediately.  The rights of every Ethiopian should be respected and protected.
3. All politically motivated verdicts of the Kangaroo court should be nullified. Files that are on process should be dropped.
4. All repressive laws that are aimed at terrorising and silencing people should be terminated.
5. Negotiations should be conducted in the presence of third party mediators. All the process should be filed and kept in hands of the independent mediators. The negotiation place itself should be negotiated. The whole process should be open to the Ethiopian people.

If EPRDF is not willing to take these actions, we would not believe that it has any genuine interests in any negotiated settlement. Until then, Ginbot 7 and other democratic forces will continue their struggle in line with their respective strategies. Ginbot 7 will not be distracted by phony negotiation proposal.

December 2, 2013.

The Executive Committee

Ginbot7: Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy.