God save Ethiopia from the mafia!

Op-ED by The Reporter.

The Ethiopian government is not a mafia government; however, mafia groups which are intent on using the government as an instrument to further their agenda, dream and greedy self - interest are popping up.

The courts and law enforcement agencies are not appendages of the mafia; however, mafia groups which stop at nothing to subvert the course of justice are emerging.

Government organs at all levels - federal, regional, local - are not mafia institutions; however, mafia groups which know well that they cannot have their way unless they control these institutions are trying hard to put them under their thumbs.

Our culture, traditions and experience are not suited to the ways of the mafia. But these vermins are slowly changing this; they are bent on changing the very fabric of our society so they it advances their selfish interest. If things continue like this, it will spell danger for all. God save Ethiopia!

Though the mafia have not managed to buy off and control the government and government apparatus across the board, they can do pretty much whatever they want as they have some government officials in their pocket. They arrange for documents in the custody of government offices to be illegally removed, stolen or destroyed; they cause criminal charges to be instituted or dropped, speeded up or dragged, or decided in their favour. Money is the chief instrument they use to buy off someone. If money does not work, they resort to intimidation and assault.

Their victims may think that they are unable to get justice on account of their gender, ethnic background or religion. But they are wrong. The mafia can "buy" justice. For them the question is, "How much?" The currency can be in Ethiopia birr, the US dollar, euro.

Apart from using their financial clout to intimidate, buy off, cajole and organize people, they have become so emboldened as to "proudly" claim that they are powerful as well as to hire and deploy "publicists" who sing their praise. They are acting as if government institutions, which are run by taxpayers' money, should actually serve them and them only.

The public is not happy with how things are proceeding and being handled. It is expressing amazement that the persons whom it knows or suspects to be mafias are being undeservedly feted. It is grumbling that a separate set of procedures and privileges apply to them. It is fearful that Ethiopia is becoming the playground of the mafia.

The government should reassure the public that its fear will not come true and that it stands by its side. It needs to back up this with practical steps.
In the state the world currently is in, it is proving difficult to overcome challenges even if one is strong and not tainted by the mafia leave alone where they pose an impediment to development and have infiltrated every sphere of life.

Presently, it is common to see hanging at or posted on visible places in all government institutions a typed up reminder or placard listing "principles of ethics." These principles are: transparency, confidentiality, integrity, serving the public interest, legitimate exercise of authority, impartiality, respecting the law, leading by example, honesty and loyalty.

But what is being witnessed is the opposite of these lofty principles - serving one's own interest and that of the mafia rather than the public's; abusing power and neglecting one's duty rather than exercising legitimate authority; transgress the law rather than respect it; set a bad example rather lead by example; resort to corruption, betrayal and dishonesty rather than demonstrate honesty, loyalty and integrity; intimidating and assaulting persons who expose wrong doings rather than ensure accountability; sell or hand over confidential documents rather than keep them in confidence, etc.

These mafia groups should be nipped in the bud if they are not to become as dangerous as those in Italy, Mexico, Russia. If the government does not take decisive measures to rein them in, they will feel that they can go as far as trying to topple it or bring down its officials through whatever means necessary.

Therefore, we call on the government to do whatever is in its power to stop the mafia in their track before they wreak havoc on the country. The sooner the better. God save Ethiopia from the mafia!!

This editorial is reprinted with permission from the Reporter.