Divergence in ideas does not mean enmity

African politics continues to be polarized across the political aisle often opposition and government rhetoric comprise of allegations of one side being unpatriotic or engaging in outright treason. The sentiment that politicians in the democratic process are ‘either against us or with us’ continues to dominate politics in Africa which often is reminiscent of the one party dictatorial era of Africa which was prevalent during the post independence period.

Improvements in governance in Africa should be coupled with a new mindset that is geared towards accepting differences in opinion. The situation in Ethiopia is a case in point: the government continues to hint that the opposition’s criticism and lack of support for the government’s intervention in Somalia as bordering treason is a dangerous path that needs speedy remedy. There should be a need for allowing time for wounds sustained during the post election hangover to heal. Rhetoric based on accusations and counter accusations will take us nowhere if we are to see positive changes for the present as well as future. In fact, that is the sentiment that we are all trying to bring about with the Ethiopian millennium celebrations – reinvent Ethiopia’s tarnished image.

The parliament going for break for a month should be an opportunity for our parliamentarians to brood over the work they have done for the past five months as they go around and consult with their respective constituencies. Very often parliamentarians tend to forget the huge responsibilities they are entrusted with by their constituencies to be agents of change in the country. These responsibilities are not light ones in which one can shun away from or even look at lightly, they are promises of a better future for the people of Ethiopia.

As regards to the conduct of politicians on both aisles of the political divide much remains to be desired where parliamentary proceedings were dominated by empty rhetoric and witty jabs aimed at scoring points at public opinion whenever possible. It is understandable that the current parliament is by far the most inclusive [relatively speaking from past parliaments] in regards the proportion of opposition and government parliamentarians and that trying to adjust to the current realities tend to be confusing as well as frustrating. Also there is a need for amendments to be made in regards to the holding of the proceeding in parliament that would allow more debate time as well as opportunities for members of parliament to exhaust all deliberations in regards to matters of the state. Hopefully, the proposal from the international consultants in regards to the parliamentary proceedings comes up with the necessary amendments that would further enhance the process in parliament.

In addition, the parliament needs to incorporate the concept of fair play in regards to the workings of parliament. Of course, in the rules of democratic nations where winner gets all, this concept cannot hold any clout. But we have to understand that the Ethiopian parliament is in a transition, which requires all of us to tread cautiously. What happens during the current tenure of this parliament will become a sort of reference for other parliaments to come. Bipartisanship should eventually become an integral part of Ethiopia’s parliament. Decisions cannot be made solely based on party groupings but should be based on whether or not it is beneficial to the 70 million strong Ethiopian population. Parliamentarians should not forget that it is not their parties that Voted them into parliament but the people. We should all come to grips with the reality, gone are the days where the burden of governance rested on an individual or on one party. Plurality has arrived and is going to stay; the sooner we accept and come to terms with the better.•

February 9, 2007