Tedla Asfaw
I read Obang Metho open letter to British Prime Minster Gordon Brown, and the G20 members dated March 24, 2009 on behalf of Solidarity Movement of Ethiopians, posted on many websites. The letter is brief but very effective. It is loaded with language of diplomacy which is rare in the Diaspora politics. The only thing I have reservation on this letter is about the coming " 2010 election" Obang mentioned for which TPLF has already started buying the urban young and rural peasants while closing all avenues of free speech and assembly, the basic requisite of any democracy.
The letter should be forceful and make it clear that even with the release of Judge Birtukan and other political prisoners Obang demanded on his letter and we tirelessly call for, discussing "election 2010" in Ethiopia is premature at present or near future.
