In Ethiopia, I believe we are in the initial phases of building a democratic society. But there are instances I doubt the commitment of the EPRDF to let the transition take place.

Not long time ago, EPRDF was a prime advocate of Eritrea's independence. Actually nothing irritated PM Meles, as did the questions relating to Eritrea. No body in EPRDF wanted to talk about Eritrea. I know some of you may argue EPRDF had no choice. You may say, the problem was handled so poorly by previous governments, for peace and stability in Ethiopia; EPRDF had to let Eritrea go.

I have no objection with that. I wish Eritrea was gone long time ago. But I have a problem when I see EPRDF leading the way and lending hands. Against the wish of the Ethiopian people, PM Meles led large delegation to Asmara and joined Esayas in the celebration. PM Meles went out of his way to please the Eritrean people at the expense of Ethiopia and Ethiopians.

The point here is not why PM Meles did that and why he tried to make peace with Eritrea. The point is he made it without regard or paying any attention to the heart of millions of Ethiopians. Always the people are right. The people know what is good for them and for Ethiopia. I would like to believe EPRDF is people's party. But they should listen to the hearts of Ethiopians at home and abroad. The have to speak out in stage what all Ethiopian hearts are saying.

Achieving the peoples wish is one thing, addressing it is another thing. The government may not be able to deliver what the people ask for. But it can at least address it. And that is why I precisely mean listen to the people. Why is it difficult for EPRDF to talk about Ethiopia's national interest?

There is no more important national interest than securing our sea access, which has been Ethiopian for thousands of years. Eritrea says all the time it has been Ethiopia's colony until 1991. Why is it difficult to argue the last colonial map is that drawn by Ethiopia? Hence Assab Administration State could never possibly be Eritrean. While millions of Ethiopian hearts could not sleep at this thought, why does EPRDF want us to believer Assab is not Ethiopian? Ethiopians are certain Assab is not Eritrean. Does EPRDF believe Assab is Eritrean? Why is it even lower level party officials are afraid to talk about Assab? In all recorded history, Ethiopia has never been without a port. Ethiopia has a port before the Italian came, has port during the Italian occupation of Eritrea and after. Why is all of a sudden we are without a port?

I believe the Esayas army had been decisively defeated and the Ethiopian Defense Forces are ready to give it a final blow if necessary. With this reality on the ground, why is it difficult for Ethiopian government to ask for Eritrea's surrender before halting offensive? That is a logical conclusion of a war fought so hard with such determination and 100% rear support. For Ethiopia to stop its advance, Eritrea had to admit defeat. Then Ethiopia would have to stop the offensive. Esayas should have been forced to admit his defeat on paper.

Remember history will only say Ethiopia won battles, not Ethiopia won the war, assuming history will tell the truth. If history puts the twist, lies and perjury from Asmara into record, our grandchildren may not even know what happened in Badme, Tsorona, Egela, Tokombia, Zala-Anbesa or so forth. Our grandchildren may not even know the heroism shown by so many young Ethiopians. If we let that happen, we will be failing Ethiopia twice.

Ethiopia and Eritrea are now negotiating in equal terms. The military victories do not have any weight. It only forced Eritrea to agree for negotiations. All these sacrifices made by our brothers just for this. Think about it. Yes we understand there is a lot of pressure on the Ethiopian government. But Ethiopia has been suffering from this injustice for two years. Ethiopia is now actually willingly getting itself to more injustice and punishment. If you think the cease-fire agreement will be good enough for the US and the UK to abate their pressure on Ethiopia, you are dead wrong. Think again. Now the US and UK have every reason to blame and punish Ethiopia if it responds military to Eritrean provocation. That is why the Ethiopian people are not excited about deal.

The people will be happier if the government can protect Ethiopia's interest and secure peace diplomatically. The peace negotiations are still at early stage. There will be lots of details coming. There is still room to address a lot of questions. Ethiopians all over the world are putting their faith on the Ethiopian government. The atrocities made by the Eritrean government is so grave the wounds so deep and the sacrifices so much, how will Eritrea compensate? How will the compensation PM Meles underlined be realized? The hundred thousands of Ethiopian in North Ethiopia whose property was looted, their houses destroyed, inhumanely herded like cattle, tortured, raped and killed; monetary compensation may seem reasonable. But where will the money come from? Poor Eritrea can not even pay for the goods it stole from Assab, let leave alone compensation for lives. What about the thousands of young Ethiopians who passed with unprecedented valor? Eritrea has to be held accountable. There has to be appropriate compensation for our martyrs. They died for cause and no money could pay that. The Ethiopian people deserve no less.

In conclusion, I would like to say EPRDF (especially PM Meles) has made a big mistake in 1993 by not listening to the Ethiopian people. And now Ethiopians are saying no deal with Esayas, no break for Esayas and Assab is inherently Ethiopian. If EPRDF do not listen to Ethiopian hearts, it would be repeating a mistake. Eritrea was a single point failure in EPRDF politics, and I am afraid it may again be.

Personally I wish the government would listen to the people, follow the people and stay in power for long time to come. After all they deserve credit for the changes happening in Ethiopia and the sacrifices they made. I wish peace and prosperity to the decent people of Ethiopia.

An Ethiopian from Brazil.