Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Why I chose to be a Kinijit supporter and why I will continue to be one.

Like any other decent citizen I have always taken interest in the affairs and wellbeing of my country. An article I contributed to my high school magazine some forty years ago advocated the cause of human right and democracy and reminded me of the awareness level we had attained at the time. Yes, we had school magazines back then, and yes the memory of the 1953 coup and the inspiration of people like Germame Neway on our generation were still fresh.

Decades have elapsed since the 1953 coup-de-tat and though I maintained some degree of interest in politics it was somewhat in disconnected fashion. Politics seemed unrelated to my way of life and political activity was the exclusive domain of scoundrels and cold- blooded murderers.

Then 2005 happened. The period leading to the 2005 election was laden with hope and excitement. It was unlike any other in our lifetime for it sucked the most skeptics out of self imposed exile and the most indifferent out of centuries old slumber. Ethiopians for the very first time started to believe democracy was possible and that governments can change through the power of the ballot. This shift in paradigm was the making of several phenomenons, both national and international. On the national level the government dared to take a chance at democracy and scored some credit for without some degree of goodwill the ball wouldn’t have started to roll as early as 2005. It mattered very little whether the motivation grew out of conviction, national or international pressure. The largest chunk of credit, however, goes to those Ethiopians who despite the associated fatal risk dared to take chances, formed political parties, sparked national debates and managed to glue an entire population to the TV set, the radio and newspapers. How could one ever forget several events of enormous political significance and words like “Tsunami” that became part of the Ethiopian vernacular?

That was when I also started to believe democracy was indeed possible and Ethiopians, who I believe are the most politicized humans in Africa, were behind this movement for real. In essence, I took the lead from the average Ethiopian. I lined up behind the “Yichalal” national wagon authored by no other than Haile Gebre Selasssie. Who could blame me for that? I can assure you my support for Kinijit did not spring out of a lottery draw or from previous association with its component parts which I had none. Due diligence was involved in my choice of Kinijit. Without going into what I do or do not like about the other parties, I will bullet my rationales for being a conscious Kinijit supporter and the basis for my continued support.

Kinijit is a decidedly multi-ethnic party. Take a look at the diversity of the leadership and the statistical result of the 2005 election which transcended ethnic and regional boundaries. No amount of negative propaganda aimed at portraying it as an ethnic party will change the fact.

Kinijit chose peaceful political struggle as the only salvation for a war and strife weary Ethiopia. Among other things, the path chosen considered the level of political consciousness in Ethiopia, the fragile nature of relationships and international political experiences.

Kinijit strongly believes Ethiopia’s democratic aspirations will forge ahead if and only if stake-holders breakout of their intransigent positions and discuss their visions and fears in a round table setting. Kinijit does not have enemies per se save bad ideas, as aptly put by its V/Chairperson Bertukan Mideksa.

Kinijit is unequivocal on an important core democratic value. Individual right forms the cornerstone of its political platform. A country that does not guarantee individual right cannot be trusted to provide group rights. This party is very much sensitive to the concerns of minority groups and is determined to put policy measures that will inspire confidence.

Kinijit subscribes to a market driven economy and recognizes individual ownership of land and capital as the engines that drive a vibrant economy and a great nation.

Kinijit is aware of Ethiopia’s current and evolving international responsibilities in a region that continues to originate numerous global challenges.

Kinijit does not believe in ethnic politics and submits that dividing regions along ethnic boundaries goes contrary to economic, social and international logic. Kinijit challenges the ruling party’s motive and is opposed to the policy as it restricts the unleashing of the full potential of human and national resources.

Kinijit is committed to the exercise of internal democracy as it, along with other parties, strives to cultivate democratic culture in Ethiopia.

Kinijit is a dynamic and vibrant organization, always cognizant of the ever changing nature of society, the changing priorities of our nation and of the world. It is adept and is determined not to fall prey to paradigm paralysis.

This, in short, is the Kinijit I chose to support and the basis of unwritten contract signed between the two of us. As a side note; I am not overly concerned about the current internal crisis for no organization worth its salt grows to be wiser and stronger without enduring growing pain.

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Overdue homage to Mulatu Astake
Kuchiye: March 8, 2006Bold
kuchiye@gmail.com


I grew up swinging to the tunes of Tilahun Gessesse, Alemayehu Eshete, and Bizuneh Bekele (as arranged by musical geniuses like Sahle Degago). The Degago era took strong elements of Ethiopian music and gave it international flavor; most notably far-eastern as the Imperial Guard was heavily influenced by far eastern music when it served in the Korean War.

The nature of the music in the 50s and 60s called for significant instrumental input. In other words, the louder the instrument the better. We enjoyed the Saxophone as much as we enjoyed the singer but at later years man and instrument competed against one another so much that we started leaving concerts with serious headaches.

Out of nowhere (actually I think from England), surfaces a person by the name of Mulatu Astatke. He was a God-sent; the right person at the right time for by then Ethiopian music was in real bad shape. The greats like Sahle Degago had retired or passed away and there was no musical godfather left to fill the vacuum. It was also time for Ethiopian music to get a shot in the arm, to move to the next level, to add new and fresh flavors in order to meet the changing taste of people and time. In short, Ethiopian music was yearning for a renaissance.

I remember like it was yesterday when Mulatu first appeared on Ethiopian TV attired in Harambee shirt, surrounded by African/Caribbean drums and funky xylophone, totally strange equipments in the Ethiopian musical landscape. As much as I wanted to consider myself receptive to new ideas, I was kind of skeptical towards his attempt of fusing the tunes that I grew up listening to with African/Caribbean/Jazz flavors.

My fear and initial skepticism quickly evaporated for the guy instantly proved to his audience that his compositions were well thought after, that he was very sensitive to the preservation of the innate virtues of Ethiopian musical traditions, and that he, as a matter of fact, was actually going to acquaint us with our own tunes to which we had very little or no exposure. Along came the incredible beats and costumes from Wollaita, Gofa, Janjero and many others. He proved to us that man and instrument don’t have to compete against one another and that they can actually work in harmony complementing each other’s role. With great humility and skill, he integrated musical geniuses like Tilahun Gessese into the new era of music. He encouraged and tutored young musicians who started to adopt Mulatu’s creative ways adding their own twists. This one man took Ethiopian music to new highs, to greater sophistication.

I have no doubt that Mulatu Astatke is a household name in Ethiopia as he is in the musical circles of London. I do not, however, believe that we have a full understanding of his legacy and the impact he made on the Ethiopian musical landscape. His worth as a musical personality of global proportion is demonstrated once again in his being selected to provide funky sound track for the currently popular movie “Broken Flower” featuring mega actors like Sharon Stone and Bill Murray.

Way to go Mulatu! We are ever indebted to you!

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Ethiopia’s Political Parties- What really is wrong with them?
Kuchiye: February 8, 2006

All of us have pondered over the malaise of Ethiopia’s political parties. Over why they have not been able to deliver despite the thirty-something years of support poured into them, despite the opportune political moments they could have seized to alter the turn of events and despite a conducive international climate that champions democratic governance and the rule of law.

Let's face it; first and foremost we are products of our upbringing. Our cultures and traditions have medieval roots and quite naturally leaders embrace visible elements of medieval management behavior, whether in a household or at the helm of government. Unfortunately, this tendency seems more pronounced on leaders who are not so blessed with the opportunity of higher education. These leaders are all-knowing, they will be quick to give you the "how dare you?" stare, they will surround themselves with cronies, they will avert and isolate people with higher intellect, they will be more at ease in the comfort zone of the status quo, they lack the intellectual prowess to explore and manage paradigm shifts, they often display a siege mentality bordering paranoia thinking everybody is out to get them and most importantly they would rather perish defending the position they always espouse rather than embrace change.

It will not be outrageous to assert that most of the political parties or their leaders are products of the baby-boomer generation that swore Marxism-Leninism is one progressive world outlook to rid Ethiopia of its ills. As the parties organized themselves they combined the worst of the communist and the medieval traits of management. Truly, that had disaster written all over it. Because of their inherently archaic organization structure the parties failed to adapt to changing international conditions, they failed to prove in pronouncements and in deeds that they are parties of the 21st century, they failed to impress their own countrymen being unable to enhance membership, they were not eloquent enough to gain the respect of the international community and be considered a viable alternative to the current government.

All this said, one couldn’t fail to observe a trend that is developing quietly but surely. Whilst the stars of EPRDF, which was initially able to impress the international community that it is a dynamic organization committed to bringing good governance and democracy in Ethiopia are falling, those of the opposition parties’ are rising. This set of circumstance is a result of TPLF shooting itself in the foot and the opposition group doing a somewhat better job.

I will attempt to shade some light on what should be a priority task to usher in dynamism and result-oriented operation. I would even take CUDP America as my point of reference for convenience's sake. For all practical purposes, CUDP's America chapter can be considered the strongest arm of the party outside of Ethiopia. CUDP America operates in a free environment that also happens to be the center of global politics. It has access to the powers that shape the all-important American policy on Ethiopia, and is nurtured by a politically and financially committed community. As such, expecting management excellence and visionary leadership is not only fair but also just.

For starters, CUDP America should be run like any modern organization. Its structure could be modeled after any successful American company with similar mission. There is nothing wrong in emulating success and surely there is no virtue in hanging on to a system that has failed to deliver to the satisfaction of stakeholders. There should be a deliberate effort to inculcate a management culture that strives for excellence starting from the mundane task of conducting meetings to the grander mission of putting together a well-rounded political and diplomatic strategy. Key to this effort lies in deploying the services of qualified professionals at both line and advisory levels and in trusting their judgment.


Every department should have a written mission statement, description of tasks and responsibilities and an action plan against which performance will be evaluated on monthly bases.
An ideal starting point for the drive to management excellence will be the Washington DC chapter where a model branch operation can be built. Depending on the success, and there is no reason why it should not be successful, all other chapters will adopt the DC model taking their peculiar conditions into consideration.


Essentially, a party’s ultimate success is measured by the size and quality of members it is able to enroll. In turn, success in enrolment is a function of the party’s ability to sell its program, the quality of its leadership, the overall impression it creates being proactive, the efficacy it displays in managing crisis etc. In short success is a product of management excellence. If enrollment is stagnant, or if it is growing at a dismal pace one has reason to conclude that the management in place is inadequate and that change is overdue.

An opportunity that could propel CUD America into yet another chapter is at hand when it conducts new elections in May 2006. This opportunity should be used to demonstrate to the world that it is a party of the 21st century, that it is forward looking dynamic and democratic, that May 2006 will be a landmark in terms of committing to organizational and management excellence.


All who mean well for their country, for freedom, for democracy and for a united and prosperous Ethiopia should step up to help CUD in the transformation effort. I will certainly do my part.