By: Lelisa G.
December 20, 2011, Sheraton Addis’s fabulous Lalibela grand ballroom was glamorous as usual, with its lustrous mahogany walls, and impeccably clean carpets well lit by hanging chandeliers. The corners and the podium set for the event were decorated with larger than life posters, inscribed on them pages from the book and the blurb at the back of it. The audience who filled the hall earlier than the opening hours was treated with a drink of its choice as a live trio violinist‘s play entertained the pack with exquisite instrumental music. The event has gathered dignitaries of all strips including high ranking officials, ambassadors, journalists and other celebrities. What brought all to the ballroom in that point in time was a launch of a book titled ‘Yehulet mirchawoch weg “which literally means “The tale of two Elections” authored by, Bereket Simon – a stalwart politician, known for his iron will in his tenure as a minister and in the 17 year struggle against the Dergue. The title of the book was an alteration of Charles Dickens’ famous classics “The Tale of Two Cities” alluding to the defining nature of the times covered by the book.
The event was attended by a large number of high profile dignitaries as the news of the launch was received with much speculation, largely because it stands as a break with a tradition granted the fact that practice of writing a book while in office is a rare occasion in our past history. Truth to be told ,If one is keen to turn pages in our history or even African history perhaps one of the most unmistakable fact about those who had a chance to hold office is their reluctance to pen down their thoughts. As an exception to this categorical statement, one may cite few leaders such as Nyeree, Sengore and Nkrumah for their write-ups which still enjoys wide readership both at home and abroad. However, by and large, most African leaders and prominent political figures were reticent to write their thoughts which made modern African history largely reliant on secondary sources and at times on extrapolation of facts and assumptions.
Perhaps, the reluctance to write while in office is even stiffer in our case since the legacy of the office of the chronicler who relieves office holders from the drudgery of scribbling seem to have hobbled us for long. This reluctance was further reinforced by the 17 years of brutal rule by the military junta which decimated thousands of citizens in a bit to crush dissent. In this era of tyranny, freedom of speech was Dergue’s prime target to stifle dissent and regiment the public as clearly evinced in its deadly measures towards its own members attempt to critique the system shrouded in historical novels not to mention the fate of those who stood against it.
The immediate effect of such measures was the entrenchment of fear to pen down one’s thoughts and to some extent the increase in appeal of using underground writings as a vent to continue the struggle against the brutal tyranny.
With the coming of EPRDF’s government, particularly in the past decade, the constitutional guarantees of freedom of speech has brought in significant change in this regard. Many politicians has churned dozens of books to advance their cause, though much is left be desired as far as their content is concerned. In all this, however, few office holders were bold enough to come up with a book. In what may be cited as a pioneering exercise, Bereket broke this tradition with his book ‘The Tale of Two elections” that tells the tale of the two epochal elections-the 2005 and 2010 elections. It seems that it is the aforementioned unusual scenario that filled the ballroom with a bustling crowd who appeared anxious to attend the event and get a copy of the book
The event started with dejavu’s of book launching as it started with book signing and recitals by prominent Ethiopian actors and actress .The artists read a page of their likings from the “tale of two elections”. Apparently, every recital ended by a resounding applause from the audience. The book recital event was seconded by the guest of honor’s short speech. The guest of honor Minister of education, Demeke Mekonnen, started his statement by praising the author for his exemplary tenacity to write such a book while he was burdened with enormous tasks both in his tenure as a minister and as a leading figure in ANDM and EPRDF. He further remarked that as the book is a chronicle of EPRDF’s struggle in those trying times, he expressed his high hopes that it will serve as a valuable input to all those who are interested in conducting academic researches in the development of democratic institutions in our country. He further added that it should be noted that the book is written in memory of those who in their early youth hood dared to champion the cause of peace, development and democracy.
Then the podium was taken by Sekouture Getachew – a long time comrade as told by Bereket reflecting on his recollection about the author which gave a rare insight to the author’s commitment in all of his undertakings be it in his private or public life .The statements waxed with humors made a good introduction of the man, whom, many knew him for his slicing comments in election debates to the opposition’s castigations. Following his speech as per the schedule of the event Sekotoure invited Bereket to present the first copy of the book to ANDM’s chairman Demeke Mekonnen, an event that was accompanied by a roaring applause from the audience.
After handing over the book to Ato Demeke, the master of the ceremony, Ato Sekotuore Getachew again invited the author to deliver speech to the audience. As the author took the podium the audience fell into a dead silence. Bereket started his speech with a sly humor. With half smiles, He told the audience that “today he is not speaking as a government spokesperson “ – a statement that cracked the audience in to a burst of laughter.
Relaxed and enthralling as he was, he told to the audience with a modesty befitting of such event “that as one of the principal protagonist in the two elections, writing a book would only be something deserving”. He further remarked that what instigated him to write the book is the urge he felt in sharing what he called the EPRDF’s version of what went through the apparently tumultuous 2005 and the rather calm and orderly 2010 nation election. Mindful of his role in those epochal elections, Bereket reiterated the above point in the preamble of the book in his statement that the book is written to those who want to understand that period far from bubbling emotions in an objective manner. Incidentally, the book happens to be more valuable not only because it was authored by one of the protagonists in the elections but also because of the importance attached to the topics covered. What is more, while numerous books have been churned out about the 2005 election and the turmoil that messed up the election process by the opposition block, so far the account on EPRDF’s side has never been presented in a book form. Hence, the book’s historical significance can not be overstated given the dearth of materials in the area.
Briefing the issues discussed in the book Bereket said that book is not only about the elections, it also dedicates considerable pages to the reform in EPRDF that has began in earnest in 2001. He added that the decade was marked by rapid economic growth centered on pro –poor development policy which also made significant inroads in ensuring peace democracy and better practices in electoral democracy. He also hailed the past decade as epochal citing the fact that we are witnessing the rebuilding of a new nation on the heels of dying old Ethiopia noted for the abject poverty, inequality, incessant civil strife and oppression that contributed to the misery of its people. He depicted the reform process as breath stopping, as he likened the need for reform in allegory that talks about the speed and a short cut a man has to choose in order to save his life from a rapidly falling avalanche. He further noted that in a country where the dynamism of change is so fast to beat our wildest imagination, his book is a modest attempt to tell the account of the reform within EPRDF – a reform that awakened in earnest our nation from its deep slumber, he remarked.
He finally stumbled on moments of praise that whom he said without their contribution the book project would not have been a reality. Making modest statements to his family, Bereket poured eulogies to EPRDF for letting him closely witness and take part in the dynamism of Ethiopian politics over the past two decades.
A shower of accolades was also due to PM Meles Zenawi for his unparalleled leadership quality and Sheikh Mohammed Al-Amoudi for his generous support in financing the publication of the book and the launching event. The event was rounded up by Al- Amoudi’s moving speech. Often interrupted by laughter and applause, Alamoudi’s humorous comments about the author brought the event to a joyful end. The crowd thereafter bustled to get their book signed by the author and take a picture with him.
In view of this author, the book which is presented in 314 pages which covers such issues as the Ethio-Eritrean war, the 2001 splinter in EPRDF’s leadership, the reform undertaken thereafter in EPRDF, the controversial election in 2005 and its aftermath and the rather calm and orderly 2010 election should be credited for its invaluable contribution to any systematic and objective study of the times as the discourse so far is largely dominated by the opposition bloc. One can not also stand blind to its value in fostering vibrant democratic culture for it is a positive stride towards a civil discourse. Also, the writer is of the view that the author should be credited for his book as he makes his private encounters public for this will understandably help us to examine those turbulent times where milestone changes has rocked the nations to its core. Along with these statement I find it very proper to make call for other officials to follow and tell their version of these epochal times. In our country where even academicians are not known for their prolific writings Bereket’s book should be taken as a ground breaking work worth reading by all who are keen to hear the two sides before they pass a verdict on matter that have such national importance.