Sibhat Nega says Ethiopians not ready for democracy

Oct. 23 (ESAT News) One of the veteran TPLF bigwigs has told German parliamentarians in Berlin that Ethiopians are not ready for democracy.

According to Sebhat Nega, who is currently director of the Ethiopian International Institute for Peace and Development, the death of Meles Zenawi would not usher in any policy changes.

Speaking at a symposium held in the German Parliament (Bundestag) last Saturday, Sebhat claimed that the TPLF led government exerted efforts on the last two decades to cleanse out the regime from remnants of the Derg and the feudal system.

Sebhat also noted that Meles Zenawi’s death does not signify the prospect of any policy changes as he was only one man that had no control over the policies of the TPLF. Sebhat added that despite the government’s best efforts, Ethiopians are not still ready for democracy.

A number of Ethiopians who attended the meeting were angered with his presence in the German parliament and the inflammatory messages he tried to relay at the event. An Ethiopian attendee at the event criticized Sebhat for being one of those people who have imposed tyranny over the poor people of Ethiopia and misusing the media for negative propaganda.

Another protester told Sebhat that people like him have too much blood on their hands and must face justice sooner or later.

A number of Ethiopians protested Sebhat’s presence at the German parliament. They chanted anti-government slogans while carrying the heart wrenching images of those killed and maimed during the 2005 national elections.