Opposition politics is not a new phenomenon in the political landscape of Ethiopia. For almost the last two decades, people from various walks of life have subscribed to different political thoughts. People of various social views have different public opinions and therefore elect the representatives who have favourable bearing on their views and political aspirations. There have emerged numerous political parties with different colours and ideologies striving to establish their hold over the constituencies and, through them, state power. In a healthy setup of government, constituencies have to consider and accept the views of these opposition parties, provided that they come with persuasive choices. But the ability of the opposition politicians to lead and organise themselves to the best of their capacities is questionable.

There cannot be a true democracy unless citizens, who are sovereign in our constitutional democracy, have real choices about who they can vote for. They have to be empowered in order to hold those they vote for accountable for the kind of society they want to live in and for the kinds of goods and services only those in government can offer. This is believed to be weighed not only by the mere existence of opposition parties but by a real choice of alternatives offered by these parties.

The role of the opposition should never be opposition for the sake of opposition. The business of opposition politics is very serious.

Often people argue that opposition politics is not necessary because it creates favourable grounds for a country’s disintegration. This argument used to frequently be put forward in post liberation politics in Africa. But there have been experiences where this was not the case. As has been seen in the process of state formation, there can be a semblance of national unity.

If the quality of the democracy does not enable the minorities or, for that matter, groups of individuals, to have a voice in how the state should be run, that kind of pseudo unity is of no use.

What kind of leaders are needed in public office? How these leaders kept accountable for the kind of policies they promised before getting elected?

Citizens ought to have genuine political choices when it comes to elections. They can vote for the same party over and over again provided that they do not feel aggrieved and their interests are being taken care of. Otherwise the experience of how the ruling party lost all those votes for Addis Abeba in the elections of 2005 is a very good example.

What is particularly important to this nation’s case, where the majority of the people are yet to see the fruits of development that can lift them from abject poverty, is that the prime enemy is poverty. Political parties should keep this in mind rather than framing each other as combatant enemies. This will make the trauma of poverty a story of the past.

The role of opposition in a democracy is much more creative and crucial. Unfortunately that is not the case now in Ethiopia.

Simply having opposition politics that do not offer credible alternatives and display of morale will lead to disappointment and further trauma. This may be what we are witnessing from the behaviour of Ethiopian opposition parties. Opposition party leaders have to get into politics fully knowing that they have a great responsibility to offer real hope and alternatives.

It appears that the political platform is devoid of a robust debate. Our political discourse lacks depth and, thus, could not lead to a stronger democratic polity or heighten the quality of democratic governance, which is still in its infancy.

Opposition leaders should not hammer on every policy of the government, as that would hamper their credibility and status. They should not oppose all that the governing party does. They should not pick a bone and shout at every bit of useless matter like a nagging neighbour.

What is needed is a vision of opposition politics that puts quality in our democratic process. All need to see and make sure that the nation has the kind of leaders at all levels in the political divide who represent and respect the values of the law of the land, the constitution.

It is very easy to dominate the media on point scoring exercises during a debate with the ruling party on every issue that comes to the table for discussion. However, it will not necessarily lead to the kind of outcome that is expected or help people understand the value of having an opposition.

People do not want to see opposition parties dominated by an individual, which depend on the ethical manners of the leader rather than its institutional setup. They do not want to see personal egos reflected on the pages of every document the opposition parties come up with. They should know that their self-interests would be best served by serving the larger interests of the nation and its people.

Neither do the people want to hear what is wrong with Ethiopia’s urban development programme or with the education and health system. Instead they want to hear alternative policies that offer choices.

Ethiopia is now well positioned to be a great nation, thanks to the train whose engine was ignited long ago by the government to lead the nation into a developmental state. Nothing can be more important than laying the foundation for the democratisation process while contributing positively to building the nation.

The opposition should thrive in large numbers, and they should remember that they thrive because an atmosphere of liberty thrives.

The question is, do opposition parties have the will to do that?

Addisfortune.com

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