Ethiopian social movement must begin now

Ethiopian social movement must begin now.

By Teodros Kiros


The Ethiopian people do know what they are against, but do not know what they are for.  The first kind of knowledge is an essential property of the Ethiopian people’s instinctive right to revolt against tyranny.  The second form of knowledge is the property of leaders and active intellectuals.  We will soon have spontaneous social movements in Ethiopia, but we do not have a well-articulated vision of a new Ethiopia.  Before it is too late, we must begin articulation  of a vision of a new Ethiopia organized by a genuine principle of Ethiopianity cleansed of the DDT of Ethnicity and cultural decadence.  I for one, am making a modest attempt at cultural transformation and our leaders and other active intellectuals must begin preparing a manifesto for an Ethiopian social movement, which ought to work hand in hand with the people’s social movement, which SMNE can mobilize in the Diaspora and link it with the people’s movement in Ethiopia.
The people are ready to spontaneously rise as their brothers and sisters are doing in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and many more.   Spontaneous uprisings are the necessary engines of social movements.  They are infact the necessary conditions for the possibility of organized and disciplined revolutions.

Spontaneity has its strengths but also its weaknesses. We must positively exploit the strengths and protect the people’s movement against its weaknesses.  The strengths of the Ethiopian people, particularly the country people, are their generosity, patience, and loyalty. They will respond to our call in record numbers. They will join the struggle body and soul; and we in return must be ready with an alternative vision of Ethiopianity freed from the DDT of Ethnicity and the corrosive effects of cultural decadence through acts of cultural transformation.  I continue to address these themes through my weekly columns and my new books, Philosophical Essays and Ethiopian Discourse, which were recently reviewed by our renowned Professor Tecola Hagos.Read More