Remembering Addis massacre Day
Sene 1 is a week away. It was on Sene 1 last year that 42 people were murdered by EPRDF's Agazi forces. That day changed my life too. It was the day that forced me to abandon the benefit of doubt I used to give for EPRDF. It was this day that woke me, a lethargic civil servant, to dedicate my life to the pro-democracy movement. There may be democratic and nationalistic elements in EPRDF. Yet as a party, Sene 1(as plenty of dates afterwards) was a testament to the fact that the party lacked a cause for its existence and a purpose for the nation. EPRDF killed almost the same number of people in riots four years ago. What made Sene 1 different were the manner of the killing and the profile of the dead. Young and old who were bread winners for their family were shot on their head and throat by well-trained snipers. Unlike the riot four years ago, there was no looting, no destruction of property on Sene 1. The protestors were armed with a single question; and their focus was the government, not banks and shops.
In the next seven days, I will remember the fallen heroes of Addis Ababa. I will write the profile of some of the dead and the tragic stories of that day. One year after Sene 1, "how are the families coping with the loss of loved ones?" I ask.
If you have stories on Sene 1, please e-mail me.

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