The Process and Challenge of Peaceful Struggle in Ethiopia and Balderas’ Unwavering Stand on It
Peaceful struggle is a method to achieve social, economic, or political objectives through non-violent and conflict-free means. It is characterized by public participation, adherence to law, principles of human security and dignity, and similar values. Throughout history, peaceful struggle has grown and expanded, from the ancient Chinese, Greek, and Roman eras to the modern era of information science. According to Mahatma Gandhi, a veteran of peaceful struggle, “Peaceful struggle is a great tool for change in the hands of mankind and can be used at any time.” Similarly, Martin Luther King Jr., another prominent figure in global peaceful struggle, said, “A peaceful fighting style is a powerful strategy that can heal not only physical conflict but also the inner spiritual conflict of human beings.”
In general, peaceful struggle has become widely accepted around the world for its fairness and effectiveness. Some experts in the field suggest that there are more than 100 ways to conduct peaceful struggle. If we focus on the primary methods of managing peaceful struggle, we can identify more than a dozen strategies, including civil disobedience, public and street protests, boycotts, hunger strikes, refusal to cooperate on inappropriate issues, interference in unjust processes, communication and persuasion, media campaigns, diplomatic efforts, societal mobilization and organization, peace-building and reconciliation, negotiations, election participation, lawsuits, signature campaigns, and more.
If we evaluate the peaceful struggle attempts during the 27-year rule of the EPRDF and the current Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s regime, it’s hard to say whether the effort has failed or started. Especially under the current administration, aside from weak election participation, uncoordinated and unresearched media campaigns, and denial of permits for peaceful protests, there hasn’t been a significant peaceful struggle.
However, Ethiopia’s political landscape remains highly restrictive, making it difficult for political parties to operate freely, particularly those committed to peaceful struggle. Political figures, their parties, journalists, and human rights activists face direct harassment and imprisonment by the ruling government. This repression has intensified over the past six years, despite the government’s initial promises to liberalize the political environment and grant greater freedoms to journalists. The government does not encourage robust political parties, active party members, or influential media organizations, which creates a breeding ground for conflict and war. The ongoing conflicts in Oromia and Amhara, as well as the bloody civil war in Tigray, are direct outcomes of these political practices. The mistrust between armed groups currently fighting the government stems from the lack of space for peaceful protest and the absence of strong political entities to compete with the government.
Despite these significant challenges, the Balderas Party has chosen to persist in peaceful struggle. Following the recognition of Balderas for True Democracy as a national political party, it is crucial for patriotic Ethiopians to support and help implement this peaceful strategy.
Written by Ameha Hailemariam from the North America Support Group.