My last and brief personal encounter with Dr Berhanu Nega happened back in 2005 just couple of weeks before the Ethiopian historic election took place. It was on my uncle’s funeral, the late veteran journalist Kebebew Gebeyehu, who was a columnist on Tobiya newspaper and a contributor for The Reporter.

The circumstances around the death of Ato Kebebew had the conspiracy theorists raving their engines saying the government had its hand on his sudden death. Since no autopsy was conducted, the family had to find some comfort by agreeing to the conspiracy theory.

Dr. Berhanu, as you might remember Ato Kebebew was a strong voice in denouncing the government and supporting the opposition. You, alongside Dr. Beyene Petros, paid respect by attending his funeral. I still remember how the conversation switched from my uncle’s sudden death to how good it is having our future leaders doing an everyday Ethiopian thing amongst their people with no fear. I do remember that hope and positive spirit was on everyone’s mind as many were flashing the V sign with their fingers. It was at that moment I approached you and introduced myself being a reporter for EthiopiaFirst Online Radio.

When I asked you whether you would be available to be interviewed for my reporting, you agreed whole heartedly (as some of the readers might remember I was covering the election and reporting the developments from Addis Ababa on this very web site.) Unfortunately the interview never materialized due to a tight schedule you all were running in the last few days before the election. But we managed to have a brief off-the-record type of conversation and I asked you one question which left me puzzled when I try to relate it to your latest words and actions.

I asked....

What would be the fate of Kinijit if the opposition loses this election democratically or otherwise? ....

Your response....

" . . . this is not a struggle we started that is going to die just because one election is lost; democracy is a process that takes time, energy and resources. We are prepared to pay the ultimate price to bring about change to the people of Ethiopia."

Now let me ask you another question....

Were you trying to be a typical politician that preaches to the voters what they want to hear instead of what he/she really believes on?

If that was the case, you should know that kind of politics only works in the so-called 1^st world countries where they can afford to lie to their people and the consequences would be only a less surplus. When one talks the way you did in a place like Ethiopia, (with no consideration to keep your words) there is a lot at stake! Doctor, the stakes are so high that it causes loss of lives, massive property damage and worst of all it shatters people’s hope. Unfortunately that is what we witnessed in the wake of the historic election dispute. When the dust finally settled, you’re now peacefully camping on the stunning hills of Pennsylvania Mountains while we remember those poor kids - you incited to hit the streets of Addis - only as “193 civilian victims”!

As mentioned above the interview never took place; so I can't pull out my archive and ask you to put your money where your mouth is. However, now that I think of it, I don't have to because the wordings may be different but you gave similar suggestions on more times than we can count or more occasions than we can name.

Dr. Berhanu, I know that I am speaking for millions of your followers when I say we expected a lot more from you. Honestly speaking our expectations were so high that we’re now asking ourselves is this the same Doctor we saw during election time? Is this the person who we believed would take us to the promise land? If what we see today is the real Dr Berhanu, not the one we saw pre-May election days, I mean you deserve Oscar! That was the best acting skill next to Denzel Washington.   Dr Berhanu, I was shocked when I listened to the response you gave for the Diaspora when you were asked why you don’t go back home and help the peaceful struggle. Your impolite answer was “… So What, Why Don’t You Guys Go Back?”

“So What”, Doctor? So people died because they believed you would lead the country to a better future.... So people were thrown in jail because your speeches and election campaign gave them hope and they got involved in a struggle against a regime with a security force whose primary job is to shoot and kill. Don't you think those poor young people would rather be poor and alive than losing their lives in vain? What would you answer to the poor mother that raised her son doing whatever she can to put food on the table? Would you tell her “So What”? Who is going to voice a concern to the people still languishing in prison because of the movement that you promised to pay the ultimate price for, while you are enjoying life in the comfort of United States of America? I didn't think it is a kind of job that you can quit when working conditions are not favorable any more. The quitting time had expired when close to 200 people died. That is when the point of no return was reached for everyone involved.

Doctor, you wrote and spoke in length even before the 2005 election as to how we in the Diaspora can and should contribute to the development of our country. We applaud you for talking the talk and walking the walk when you decided to get involved in the political process. Your passion inspired a lot of people and some even took actions and are working to make a difference.

That was the kind of Dr. Berhanu Nega we knew until you were released from Kality and came to America. There are circumstances that could make us not be able to live up to our promises and convictions that is when a logical explanation is due. You could have a valid reason for coming up to your decisions, but the arrogant “So What!” is hardly what we your admirers, supporters and followers would expect to hear from you.

Doctor, this is not the appropriate approach unless you really don't care how you would like to leave a legacy in the history lane. Whether you like it or not you name is going to be written in one of the chapters of Ethiopian politics. Thus, the million dollars question is how would you like that chapter to record your name? Think about that doctor. May be then you will realize that when the going gets tough, the tough should have kept going, instead of hiding in the wilderness of America!

God Bless Ethiopia

The opinion stated in the articles submitted to EthiopiaFirst (EF) are those of the writers and not EF or the publisher of EF.