From: Ojulu Nyanggilo (olwaro@yahoo.com)
Sent: Thus 8/11/2006 10:30 AM
To: webmaster@anyuakmedia.com
Subject: Respond to Dawit Aberu

Dear Dawit Aberu,

Thank you very much Dawit Aberu for your idea. It is a brilliant thought to have a united Ethiopia as you are dreaming for. As you have put it to Magny you have said that “how you have painfully fallen in to the venomous trap Woyane and Meles set up for us, and how you (knowingly or not) seem to be woefully ensnared by their poison.” Let me ask you what united Ethiopia that ruled by Menlik II up to the reigned of Communist Mengestu H/Maria have done to the prosperity, wellbeing and development of all citizens of united Ethiopia? Please would you recount of any development activities that have been done in those days for Gambella people?

I think Gambellians have been naive enough for almost a century clinching to unity of Ethiopia which others Ethiopians did recognized as sign of integrity and respect to the sovereignty of Ethiopia, but was considered us our backwardness, insanity and slavery. I don’t know how old are you Ato Dawit Aberu? I asked this question simply to know how far you recall events in Ethiopia history because the reality is not written on books we are learning in our education system. Always our politicians or leaders do write our history according to their interest which never reflects the true picture of the country. I think if you are mature enough, your experience could tell you how leaders in Ethiopia has treated South and South West Ethiopia.

To come back to your point of view to see Ethiopia a land of mutual dignity and respect for all of us no one like secession than unity in the world where people are treated equally and no one with full capacity of understanding would choose animosity rather than friendship and love. One of these does happen if one of them falls to be materialized which is what had happen already and probably will take place in Gambella again. Are you really honest about unity? How far you change have or others Ethiopians have changed their mind?

I think Gambellians have got sick to their stomach about unrealistic unity you are preaching about. None of are not unity lover than Gambellians. As history tells us Gambella seceded to Ethiopia by British in 1902 without our consent and we accepted and considered other Ethiopians as brothers/sisters and friends. However, Menilk who amazed with free gift responded to unification by saying “wey baroch” which remain as a name to river Openo the present Baro till today. Our leaders asked for respect and self administration after they felt they were ignored, however, H.E majesty Haile Selesse responded by waging war against Anuaks in May 26, 1934 led by Kanyazmatch Majid Abud in a battle of Pinykaw the present day Gambella district. The 1974 revolution led by Mengistu H/mariam destroyed the power of Anuaks (the monarchy) which is the same act all over the country. However, the worse is the assimilation attempt which is the beginning of genocide process done in the pretext of 1984 drought when more than 70,000 settlers were brought to Gambella and dispossessed the Anuaks of their land and left the Anuak vulnerable to hunger, deceases and displacement in their own land. Dergue has empowered settlers to dominate the Anuaks ignoring the generosity of Anuaks of welcoming brothers/sisters who were the victims of the drought after they have helped them built huts for them together with colleges/universities students.

Gambella peoples who felt the climax of this oppression started to struggle along side others democratic forces to topple the Marxist government to bring democracy that will respect human right which is the sign of unity and to build federation and self-determination to Ethiopia’s peoples. As we all witnessed, it’s turned out to be a tyranny administration and to the worst the fortune of Gabmella peoples in the so called democratic nation became the genocide of December 13, 2003.

Generally, the four regimes in the country have denied Gambella’s peoples rights, citizenship, respect and social services intentionally. The only opportunity available to Gambella peoples was national militaries services to participate in both wars between Ethiopia and Somalia, Eritrea and North Ethiopia.

Ato Dawit, Gambella peoples have done what needed from fellows citizens to respect their country integrity and sovergnity, but none leader or others Ethiopians give a damn to what they are doing nor listening to their grievances. To mention the recent event in what our politicians called it ethnic federalism, we remain loyal to one united country principle accepting every nation and nationalities in Ethiopia to work, live, participate in regional government of Gambella and allow national language to remain a media of communication which is something none of the regions have done. To my surprise, the beneficiaries of our generosity the highlanders Ethiopians became the perpetrators of December 13, 2003 genocide orchestrated by EPDRF without considering the heart felted welcome of the people who allowed them to come and live, work and participate regional government. Are we nuts for not doing the same like the practices in Oromia, Amhara and Tigeray where none regional language speaker has no right to work. Is this the unity Ethiopians are looking for? A unity that favor one or three nationals and ignore the rest? What option is available to the Peoples of Gambella if the four regimes I have mention above failed to give a reasonable solution? Will CUD, OLF, EUDF, ENUDF or whoever is coming to power tomorrow give full federation or self-determination under one united government? I think these are questions to be answered by new politicians of Ethiopia and fellow citizens with view of united Ethiopia to avoid what worries you. As far as there is special race that consider itself as a pour blooded citizen with divine authority to rule over the country and the so called “medere shankela” ignoring the respect of human right, equality and dignity the question of self-determination or cession is inevitable. The effort of Menilk II to have one country will fall apart because of personal hegemony. If I could give you one example after genocide that clamed more than two thousands lives in two months in Gambella town and surroundings, except few Ethiopians who express their concern about the Gambella peoples in writings, the majority choose to remain silent. To the contrary, when eighty people lives lost in Addis Ababa massacre, Ethiopians from all over the world was organizing rallies and made a voice to the world including me. However, Gambella’s people were left alone struggling without any support from others citizens or political parties for two years. It is recently after the election when cleavers political parties attempt to use the Gambella’s genocide as a strong blow to the face of Meles and they have started inviting Anuak justice council (AJC) to have speech among Ethiopians in political camping meetings. Is this a heartfelt sympathy after two years have past? Is it what you call a unity?

Ato Dawit Aberu, there are words of insanity that echoes the wisdom. Magny is not insane nor splitting the venom of Meles. He is after reality which we don’t like to hear. Please keep preaching about the unity in real sense so that we will save the country from evil doers together. Otherwise, we don’t have options left except cession.

Thank you,
The writer Ojulu can be reached by writing to olwaro@yahoo.com

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Dawit Aberu's reaction # 1
Dawit Aberu's reaction # 2