Welde Mariam on Menkae I thank Weldemariam ... - Ehrea.org

That is when the 'Menkae' situation arose. They said one cannot be charged of regionalismand there should be a counter part to it. Who are these in the opposition? said Musie, and hemeant Isayas, Tewelde Eyob and Asmerom. Isayas a Hamassien, Tewelde an Akele Guzaiand Asmerom Serae, which region are they inclining to? That is when Tsegai could notcontrol himself and hit Musie. At this meeting, I was in sickbay and in a haili in the 65meeting.Since the sick bay was near the leadership's station, Musie came to us. There was AfwerkiAmharai from the news section friend to Musie, and because they were saying so much, I saidwhy don't you cool down and consider this as a comrade’s mistake. He said, “<strong>Welde</strong>mariam,this is not the case”, and told me the whole story.I said to him, “here are only 3 civilian families around this large area and you will not wintelling them this, and the leadership may crush you in the meantime. Wait until we move toKebessa and spread it to our people and keep it secret until then”. He agreed saying he did notthink of it earlier.Afwerki Tekle was called Amharay and used to use Amhric when he first joined us.As Isayas had plan in the 35 meeting, the outcome was spread out to the hailis. We all wereunderstandably interested in it. The rising of the Menkae was that we said the truth shouldcome to Isayas and Selomon's dislikes to each other. We did not rise against the leadership orthe front.When they realized the wave was going against them, Isayas gathered the veterans sayingthese students are exploiting us and let us forgive and forget amongst us. This way, Isayas,Selomon and Omaro made an oath. In no circumstances shall one rise against the others oroppose or give out secret on any one of them, and they vowed on blood. This was the start ofturning against the students.To clarify earlier, they used to say "Than 100 pens, 10 cheguar danga" cheguar dangameaning the peasant who having worked most of their lives would not tire climbing up amountain. If he dies in battle, he's history and if not, he does not ask questions. He dies notknow his rights and follows all orders. But a student is aware of his rights and asks manyquestions and harasses Isayas as they used to do so.In EPLF songs cassette nr 23, on side B,"lomi zi dekese..." which I have, is a song thatIsayas is from adi guana - foreigner, and was distributed, without the leaders awareness andmany still do not know it. Ibrahim Afa was head of Kifle Hailetat and is one of the reasons hewas killed.On the Menkae, the first imprisoning happened in 1st February 1974, exactly the date whenDerg rose against Haile Selassie. Was it a coincidence or not. At 5:30 pm at Arag Musie TesfaMikel and Mebrahtu Weldu were imprisoned.These were cast out of haili and were sitting. They were surrounded like guerrilla warfare.We were over them in a mountain near by and saw it all, we told this to our haili at nightwhile standing guard and asked for a haili meeting.