By T, Staffer of De Birhan Media
September 12, 2012
Ethiopia
is Primeministerless! Since the date of
sickness of the late Ethiopian Prime Minister i.e. mid of June up to this day, September
13, 2012, the country doesn’t have any sworn in Prime Minister. Although the
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Hailemraim Dessalgne, has “reportedly
been agreed to be the Acting Prime Minister by the Council of Ministers”, he has been addressed by State Media and officials
as with his previous portfolio since. In the back door, 37 new military officers
have been upped as Brigadier and Major Generals. All from one ethnic group (Tigre)
but just less than 12 of them from other regions and ethnic groups. Article 71
of the current Ethiopian constitution says,
He
(The President) shall, upon recommendation by the Prime Minister and in
accordance with law, grant high military titles.
However,
in the absence of any sworn in Prime Minister, State media had reported that
President Girma Woldegiorgis “granted high military titles according to the Constitution”.
While
De Birhan had few days
presented a comprehensive paper urging that Ethiopia needs an immediate
Security Sector Reform, the regime continued with business as usual the following day. The ruling party Ethiopian
People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) is set to meet this week and elect its Chairperson and his
deputy and nominate the Prime Minister too before parliamentary approval. What
reports and scenarios suggest is that Hailemariam Dessalgne is likely to become
(aside rumors of power struggle) the next Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
Hailemariam
is wholly different from the old guard EPRDFs except one thing i.e. he is one
EPRDF himself. He comes from the academia not the bush; he is so mannered and
highly cultivated. He brings a new breed of technocrats with little politico-ethnic
dilute. He is stands alone in an ethnically netted regime. There are many who
hope and expect changes from him; there are also many who say he is just a “Medvedv
among many Putins”.
But Can
Hailemariam Dessalgne be our General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar?
General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar
General Sani Abacha was the
president of Nigeria from November 17, 1993 to June 1998. He recorded some
economic gains and was denounced for “human rights violations”. Abacha suddenly
died in June 1998 at his presidential villa in Abuja, some say he was “poisoned”.
He was succeeded by Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Nigeria's defense chief of staff, who was sworn in as the
country's Head of State. Many feared that this new President is the same
military Joe and is going to continue the junta. However, the next day, June 9,
1998, he promised the following:
- Called for a national reconciliation and peace
- A new constitution will be adopted
- All inclusive, free and fair elections will be held in one
year time
- All political prisoners will be released including Moshood Abiola, who by most accounts was the winner of
Nigeria's last presidential election in 1993.
- Solemnly invited all Nigerian opposition in the Diaspora/exiled
- Changes in economy- freeing up markets
- Establish an Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC)
To the disbelief of his
own military, cynics and his family,
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar kept his word, fulfilled
all his promises and transferred power to
president-elect Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29,
1999. He just led one
transitionary year and he did reconcile and pacify Nigeria, adopted a new constitution,
held an all inclusive multi party election, freed all political prisoners, allowed
back banned Diaspora, freed up the economy and put the nation under a civilian
rule. Abubakar received multiple honors, including the Rainbow/Push Coalition Peace Prize, the Economic
Community of West African States International
Gold Medal, and the Star Award of Ghana and also played role in African peace
processes.
Hailemariam’s disadvantages
Hailemariam
is capable of doing what his Nigerian nick had done but perhaps two reasons:
Military: Hailemariam did not come from the military
and had no direct control and experience of military administration. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar was at an
advantage because he has been Chief of Staff for long and had direct
relationship and control over the military for a long time. Importantly too,
Ethiopian Security sector is dominated by a one ethnic army making Hailemariam
an elephant in the middle of lions. These two points put Hailemariam at a
disadvantage. However, once he is sworn in as Prime Minister, he will be the Commander
In Chief of the armed forces giving him full leverage and power over the military.
Assertiveness: for all his positive CV of humbleness,
religious devotion, hard ‘workingness’, educational excellence, wisdom and
leadership skills with a positive track record, he is also critiqued for being
so sensitive and less assertive. He is feared to be a “yes sir” guy for a bunch
of old guards who would advise and cajole him saying “no you are young, this is
the way it is done kid” and so on. In fact, assertiveness and resolve evolve
through time. The corruption, pressure and repression that he sees, may fuel
him to be courageous and a change maker. We have not observed Hailemariam
enjoying full authority so far, we may have to wait a bit in deed.
Hailemariam’s opportunities
Constitution:
Despite all the disadvantages we mentioned above, Hailemariam is protected and
legally empowered by the Constitution. An Ethiopian Prime Minister is like a “Supreme
leader” according to the current Ethiopian constitution. Let us read what the
Constitution says regarding the “powers and functions of the Prime Minister”,
Article 74
Powers
and Functions of the Prime Minister
1.
The Prime Minister is the Chief Executive, the Chairman of the Council of
Ministers, and the Commander-in-Chief of the national armed forces.
2.
The Prime Minister shall submit for approval to the House of Peoples’
Representatives nominees for ministerial posts from among members of the two
Houses or from among persons who are not members of either House and possess
the required qualifications.
3.
He shall follow up and ensure the implementation of laws, policies, directives
and other decisions adopted by the House of Peoples’ Representatives.
4.
He leads the Council of Ministers, coordinates its activities and acts as its
representative.
5.
He exercises overall supervision over the implementation of policies,
regulations, directives and decisions adopted by the Council of Ministers.
6.
He exercises overall supervision over the implementation of the country’s
foreign policy.
7.
He selects and submits for approval to the House of Peoples’ Representatives
nominations for posts of Commissioners, the President and Vice-President of the
Federal Supreme Court and the Auditor General.
8.
He supervises the conduct and efficiency of the Federal administration and
takes such corrective measures as are necessary.
9.
He appoints high civilian officials of the Federal Government other than those
referred to in sub-Articles 2 and 3 of this Article.
10.
In accordance with law enacted or decision adopted by the House of Peoples’
Representatives, he recommends to the President nominees for the award of
medals, prizes and gifts.
11.
He shall submit to the House of Peoples’ Representatives periodic reports on
work accomplished by the Executive as well as on its plans and proposals.
12.
He shall discharge all responsibilities entrusted to him by this Constitution
and other laws.
13.
He shall obey and enforce the Constitution.
Article 60
Dissolution
of the House
1.
With the consent of the House, the Prime Minister may cause the dissolution of
the House before the expiry of its term in order to hold new elections.
This
article and the 13 sub sections of the Constitution unless amended in the
coming few days give Hailemariam a wide competitive edge. He just needs to employ
these powers and do the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar thingy. Haile could reshuffle the army leadership
and dissolve the parliament to call for a new all inclusive dialogue and
election.
The West: The second most
important advantage and opportunity that Hailemariam has is support from the
West. The US has repeatedly echoed that it would continue to work with
Hailemariam and the Constitution would be respected in the process of
leadership change. Hailemariam has also built a good relationship and track
record with many countries during his tenure as Foreign Minister. By combining
the support he has from the West and his Constitutional rights, Hailemraiam can
(may) make history.
Subsequently
If Hailemariam himself does not read this, I am sure one of his loved ones would and will show/tell him. Thus we say, for the sake of our nation's and region's peace, your legacy and ‘your’ own visions not others, attempt what Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar succeeded and live a peacefully comfortable life to earn the titles “Father of democracy, patriot and brother of the people”. This shouldn’t be a charm offensive but real one for your heart!
One Nigerian medium described, that post Abacha Nigeria had needed “... a man of peace, a fence-mender, a wound-binder, a man whose ambition was not vaulting, one who would steer Nigeria away from the knife-edge of danger” that Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar was able to be so when the time needed him. Don’t we need the same Hailemraim?
