On January 17, 2012, I read an interesting interview given to the
Ethiopian Observer website by Dr. Ghelawdewos
Araia. Generally, if we look at it from the standpoint of art, a discourse between a journalist and an interviewee is very intriguing. But, what was amazing to me was the relevance of the questions used by the interviewer
(Ethio-observer). They caught my
eyes, vibrated my brain, and highly motivated me to read and examine the content of the interview process and learn from the interviewee.
Africa's Most Successful Women: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
Forbes
Every now and then, I profile outstanding African women who’re making giant strides in business, politics, technology, entrepreneurship and leadership on the continent and elsewhere around the world.
This week, I profile the spectacular Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, an Ethiopian entrepreneur and the founder of SoleRebels, a thriving eco-sensitive footwear brand that pundits hail as Africa’s answer to brands such as Nike, Reebok and Adidas.
Entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu was born and raised in Zenebework, a small, impoverished rural community in
Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. As a child, she discovered that people of her community were living in abject squalor because there were very few jobs available.
Interview
on contemporary Ethiopia January 17, 2012 Ethioobserver has conducted a comprehensive interview
on major issues and current affairs pertaining to Ethiopia with Dr.
Ghelawdewos Araia, and while we are pleased to present a discussion forum
to our subscribers, we also like to extend our deepest gratitude to the
interviewee for his cooperation and his time.
Ethioobserver: How
about the question of dominant nationality in Ethiopia at present? Some
Ethiopian observers, in particular the Diaspora Ethiopian opposition,
believe that the TPLF is the dominant party in the ruling EPRDF party and
hence the Tigray nationality is a dominant nationality and therefore
Tigray is the most privileged regional state.
Ethiopia gunmen 'kill five foreign tourists' Five foreign tourists have been
killed in Ethiopia in an attack by unknown gunmen, state TV reports. The
attack was carried out late on Monday in the northern Afar region of the
country by gunmen who had crossed from neighboring Eritrea, the TV said.
Schadomsky’s censorship as a tacit approval of tyranny
By Tesfay Atsbeha
I wrote an article under the title: “forced indoctrination” in August 2011 and sent it to
several Ethiopian websites. I made the following remark in relation to Mr.
Schadomsky on the last page of the article: “It is unbelievable that some individuals even in the voice of America and the Deutsche Welle
(DW) are importing the habit of stifling critical voices from Ethiopia. The DW organized a
successful international conference under the title: “Human Rights in a Globalized World,
challenges for the Media” (June 20-22, 2011 in Bonn) for about 1600 participants from more than
100 countries.
Russia Abroad: In Ethiopia, Russian Is the Language of Healing
17 January 2012
By Derek Andersen
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Mention Russia to Ethiopians and their first association is likely to be with medicine.
"We have Russian doctors at Dejazmach Balcha Hospital," said Melaku Tenew, licensed guide in the historical city of Gondar. "I was there last month for my ankle. They are very good and so kind. Tell them if they come to Gondar, I will take care of them."
I
strongly believe that Africans, in particular those who are engaged in
bloody conflicts or are susceptible to ethnic infighting, must seriously
consider to reinstate, revitalize, and implement Zande-type blood
brotherhood. One major problem with most African countries is their
suspension between traditional customs and modern values, and in due
course they have lost their traditional institutions that enabled them
settle disputes amicably in the past.
A coordinated regional alliance to snuff out the Somali militants
By FRED OLUOCH Posted Sunday, January 8 2012
The war in Somalia has led to closer intelligence collaboration between Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Uganda that is thought to have thwarted plans by Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militia to launch terror attacks in the region over Christmas and New Year holidays
In a very recent wise article, (Ethiopians Must Garner A Higher Form of Unity in
Light of Kebede Michael Vision, Ghelawdewos Araia December 27, 2011) Dr. Ghelawdewos Araia advises us to aim at discovering our higher selves and garner
a higher form of unity in light of Kebede Michael’s Vision, and disembark from
the destructive path of hammering on obsessions with the psychological makeup
of our leaders. He alternatively suggests that:
Ethiopians Must Garner A Higher Form of Unity in Light of Kebede Michael Vision
Ghelawdewos Araia IDEA
December 27, 2011
This essay is intended to further reach out Ethiopians at home and in the Diaspora in an effort to emancipate themselves from narrow ethno-politics that has virtually gripped the minds of political groupings, apparently vocal and avowed opposition but that altogether lacks
unity
Abstract
Over the years, either self-initiated or by funding from development agencies, a number of developing countries have implemented various programs to tackle poverty. This case study was inspired by the One Village One Product (OVOP) movement initiated in the Oita Prefecture region of Japan and successfully transferred to other developed or developing countries through the initiative of local talents, the emancipation of local wisdom, the participation of local people, the rediscovering of indigenous products (services or history), and viable entrepreneurship. As a result, local communities were able to create job opportunities and generate income to improve the livelihoods of the poor segments of their population. Given the positive aspects of the OVOP movement, some possible community-based endogenous projects have been suggested to revitalize the town of Adwa, Tigrai, Ethiopia.
Editor's
Note: Behind
the facade that the Ethiopian PM presents to the outside world, there is a
darker and harsher reality of his past.Ato Gebremedhin, on his latest interview on ESAT, is a chilling
reminder of the Orwellian type of leadership that existed. The manner in
which George Orwell addressed the state of humans possessing power was
amazing, and it drew great attention to his concern with the use of power.
In order to illustrate the issue, George Orwell had pigs take power,
distort all the laws they made, and force everything to work for their
desires without caring about the animals that worked painstakingly to
fulfill their orders. "In dealing with power, George Orwell tried to have
the leaders become aware of how they ruled because he believed that the
leaders should have been capable of ruling with more equality". No other
political movement has come to symbolize both nepotism and secrecy than
TPLF.
Still
echoing loudly in our minds are those who have perished questioning the
Orwellian style of leadership for justice. However, individuals who are
part of the political game are trying hard to carve, distort and fabricate the true
history in their own version. For now the truth never rang to their
ears. Pressure has been mounting increasingly since Ato Gebremedhin, Ato
Aram Maru and other concerned citizens unveiled the dark side of past
legacy. It is important to establish the truth. Gebremedhin's word isn’t
the last, but only a very important step helping to come to terms with
TPLF past. For those who think it is a closed chapter, the end is still
far from the future. We have to go deeper and find closure until full
justice is done.
Ethiopia's partnership with China
By Deborah Bräutigam Source: The Guardian
China sees Ethiopia as a land of business opportunities, but the African country remains in charge of any deals
In late November, Habros Seguar, an Ethiopian industry ministry official, told me how the ministry had just landed a major Chinese investment. During his August trip to China, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had visited the Pearl River Delta, where higher costs are driving manufacturers offshore.
Editorials
Reporting Is Not Terrorism VOA
Two Swedish journalists face up to 11 years in prison after a court in Ethiopia convicted them of supporting terrorism.
The United States is concerned about the court’s ruling. The journalists conceded that they had entered Ethiopia illegally. We recognize the authority of the Ethiopian judicial process, the legitimate concerns about terrorism, and the government’s need to protect the country’s national security.
In famine-stricken Ethiopia, a Saudi company leases land to grow and export rice
PRI Public Radio
In famine-stricken Ethiopia, a Saudi company leases land to grow and export rice
Famine has swept through much of Ethiopia in the past year, but a new project will see a Saudi Arabian country convert one of the most fertile areas to produce rice for export. The idea is it's better to have people employed and making money.
The Achievement Gap That Isn’t Racial: Ethiopian Students in Seattle Public Schools
Disparities Found Among Black Students
New data from Seattle Public Schools show that the district’s black students whose first language is English fare significantly worse academically than black students from immigrant or refugee households.
Black students who speak Amharic (Ethiopia’s official language) at home posted the most impressive scores: 62% passed a state math test, while 74% passed the reading test. By contrast, African-Americans passed at rates of 36% for math and 56% for reading.
Ambassador Vicki Huddleston comments on Ethiopia, Horn of Africa: ESAT
Tigray Announces Acquisition of the 795 Square Kilometre Harvest North Properties in Ethiopia Press Release: Tigray Resources Inc. – Mon, Dec 19, 2011
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire -12/19/11)- Tigray Resources Inc. (TSX-V: TIG.V - News) ("Tigray" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a non-binding agreement with respect to a three-year option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Harvest North properties from an arm's length party. The Harvest North properties cover 795 square kilometres immediately adjacent north and west of Tigray's existing Harvest project in Ethiopia.
One
year ago today (December 17th), Mohamed Bouazizi, a man
who had a simple produce stand in Tunisia, set himself on fire to protest
his government's repression. His singular sacrifice ignited a revolution
that toppled Tunisia's dictator and launched revolts in regimes across the
Middle East.
Deal draws Kenya closer to tapping Ethiopia power Kenya has inched closer to clinching a deal to tap electricity from Ethiopia following a pact between the two governments.
Daily
Nation By ZEDDY SAMBU Friday, December 16 2011
Kenya has inched closer to clinching a deal to tap electricity from Ethiopia following a pact between the two governments.
Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi and his Ethiopian counterpart Alemayehu Tegenu reached a power purchasing deal and instructed bosses of power transmission firms Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) and Ethiopia Electricity Power Company (EEPCO) to inter-connect the national power grids so that Kenya can tap from the line by 2016.
monumental task in trying to unseat what he calls "dictators" bent on silencing dissent. The party held leadership elections even as some of its top officials are being tried on terrorism charges.
Hundreds of regional party leaders clapped in approval as former Ethiopian president Negasso Gidada was elected head of Unity for Democracy and Justice, the largest faction of the Medrek (Forum) opposition coalition. The election was the first since former UDJ leader Birtukan Mideksa fled into exile earlier this year after being freed from prison, where she had been serving a life sentence.
For Some Arab Revolutionaries, A Serbian Tutor
by Deborah Amos Srdja Popovic, who runs the Center for Applied Nonviolent Action and Strategies, speaks in Belgrade in February. He played a prominent role in ousting Serbia's dictator in 2000, and has worked with Arabs involved in uprisings in their countries during the past year December 13, 2011
Srdja Popovic, a lanky biologist from Belgrade, helped overthrow a dictator in Serbia a decade ago. Since then, he's been teaching others what he learned, and his proteges include a host of Arab activists who have played key roles in ousting Arab autocrats over the past year.
"This is a bad year for bad guys," Popovic says with a broad grin in a New York cafe.
The Arab uprisings, which began when a frustrated Tunisian fruit seller, Mohamed Bouazizi, set himself on fire last December, caught the world by surprise. Yet young would-be Arab revolutionaries had been beating a path to Belgrade since 2005, learning Popovic's tactics of peaceful revolt and waiting for the moment when they could apply them.
Wind farm fuels Ethiopia's green power ambitions ASHEGODA, Ethiopia — Villagers in Ethiopia's arid north live as they have for centuries surrounded by cattle and donkeys; only the rows of towering white wind turbines look out of place.
It is not the first place one might expect to find the sleek new structures. The unpaved roads around the site are lined with donkey-drawn carts lugging firewood and bushels of wheat.
Ethiopia: Intimidation or imprisonment by 'democratic instruments'
By Mesfin Negash/CPJ Guest Blogger Source: CPJThus, the public suspicion is aimed at sensitizing the public, or at least ruling party members, about the legal action the government is going to take using "democratic instruments." It is often based on fabricated or half-baked conspiracy plots. Some of the allegations against independent newspapers and journalists in Ethiopia paint them as dangerous elements posing a threat to the country: the agents of foreign forces or enemy states; operatives of the CIA; members or supporters of opposition or extremist groups; advocates of anti-ethnic or religious groups; advocates of anti-state ideas, and more
The journalist as terrorist: an Ethiopian story Abiye Teklemariam Megenta, 7 December 2011
source: Open Democracy
Meles Zenawi’s greatest trick has been to convince a lot of people in the west that he is an intelligent and prudent leader. The basis for such an image is ever-shifting. In the 1990s, it was based on his ability to stabilise a war-ravaged country. When the Ethiopia-Eritrea war undermined his claim to be a peacemaker, he adopted the guise of a pro-western and pro-democracy reformer, advising Tony Blair on how to nurture civil society and free media in Africa and using Bushisms such as "enemy of freedom" to attack "jihadists".
DURBAN, South-Africa, December 11, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On the closing of the latest round of UN climate talks in Durban Greenpeace today declared that it was clear that our Governments this past two weeks listened to the carbon-intensive polluting corporations instead of listening to the people who want an end to our dependence on fossil fuels and real and immediate action on climate change.
As winter begins, an African Spring heats up Dec 8, 2011 By John Lloyd
The opinions expressed are his own.
The Arab Spring’s effects continue to ripple outward. As Tahrir Square fills once more, it gains new momentum. For months now, the autocrats of Africa have feared it would move south, infecting their youth in often-unemployed, restless areas.“The self immolation of Yenesew Gebre is an extraordinary thing,” he said. “The more so since it’s absolutely not in the tradition of Ethiopia to take one’s own life like this. It is an expression of how far people are prepared to go, how frustrated they are.
That fear has come to the ancient civilization of Ethiopia, the second-most populous state (after Nigeria) in Africa. There, since June, the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has cracked down hard on dissidents, opposition groups and, above all, journalists, imprisoning some and forcing others into exile.
The Death of a Prominent Rwandan Journalist in Kampala and what it means to Media Freedom in Great Lakes Region.
Last week, Ugandan news Papers reported information about the Death of a prominent Rwandan Journalist, Charles Igabire by gun shots in one of the Suburbs in Kampala. Igabire was president Kagame’s critic especially on policies and human rights abuse, it’s also believed that Igabire had touched a very sensitive issue of power transition in Rwanda in his publications; in fact it’s alleged that Kagame is using moderate Hutu’s in Rwanda to push for constitutional amendment so as to, lift the term limits and when Mr. Igabire raised some of these sensitive issues, Kagame started hunting for him to an extent that Rwandan government wanted him dead for his criticisms.
Illicit Financial Outflows from Ethiopia Nearly Doubled in 2009 to US$3.26 Bln, Says New GFI Report
African Nation Lost US$11.7 Billion in Illegal Capital Flight from 2000 through 2009, Writes GFI Economist
Ms. Freitas wrote: An upcoming report by Global Financial Integrity finds that Ethiopia, which has a per-capita GDP of just US$365, lost US$11.7 billion to illicit financial outflows between 2000 and 2009. More worrying is that the study shows Ethiopia’s losses due to illicit capital flows are on the rise. In 2009, illicit money leaving the economy totaled US$3.26 billion, which is double the amount in each of the two previous years.The
full article can be read
here.
to glimpse the legendary Ark of the Covenant.
That's because the claimed home of the iconic relic - a small chapel in Ethiopia - has sprung a leak and so the Ark could now be on the move.
The Ark - which The Bible says holds God's Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai - is said to have been kept in Aksum, in the Chapel of the Tablet, adjacent to St Mary of Zion Church, since the 1960s.He believes the moving of the Ark could be one of the best ways to discover if there's any truth in the claims of the East African state.
Tim said: 'During my most recent visit to the church, I was surprised to see some ground adjacent to the ''Chapel of the Tablet'' being cleared and levelled by workmen, and some quantities of building stone being assembled nearby.
In May 2000, the front page of The Economist magazine ran the words “hopeless
continent” above an image of an anonymous black man holding a weapon cropped in the shape of African map. More than a decade later, the December 3rd issue of the Economist magazine has a front cover page titled "Africa rising".
The paper talks about the achievement of many of Africa's economies in the past 10 years including that of Ethiopia. It talks about Ethiopia getting its economic development right despite becoming politically noxious and autocratic. Ethiopia is expected to grow by 7.5% this year, without a drop of oil to export. Once a byword for famine, it is now the world's tenth-largest producer of livestock. The paper said, Ethiopia's wealth is not monopolized by a well-connected clique.
Security Council expands sanctions on Eritrea over support for armed groups
5 December 2011 –
The Security Council today placed additional sanctions on Eritrea for continuing to provide support to armed groups seeking to destabilize Somalia and other parts of the Horn of Africa, building on the arms and travel embargoes it imposed exactly two years ago.
The new measures are contained in a resolution which received the support of 13 of the Council’s 15 members. China and Russia abstained. It follows an earlier meeting today at which the Council heard a briefing from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
I’ve been through so much. My daughter’s made life complete
Says famine survivor Birhan Woldu
By OLIVER HARVEY, Chief Feature Writer Dec 03, 2011
HER face lit up by a huge smile, Birhan Woldu proudly shows off her tiny daughter.
It marks the start of a new chapter in what is a remarkable story of the tenacity of the human spirit and survival against the odds.
For aged three, Birhan's ghostly image was seen staring from the TV screen at the 1985 Live Aid concert as her life ebbed away.
The starving toddler became one of the heartbreaking symbols of the Ethiopian famine.
But miraculously, she pulled through — and this week, at the age of 30, gave birth to her first child.On a crackly phone line from her neat home in Mekele, high in the Tigray mountains in northern Ethiopia, Birhan said last night: "I wept tears of joy when she was born.
UN Council refuses to delay Eritrea sanctions vote
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE on December 3, 2011 UNITED NATIONS, Dec 2 – The UN Security Council on Friday refused to delay a vote next week on taking sanctions against Eritrea so the isolated country’s head of state can make his case, diplomats said.
The vote is set for Monday but President Issaias Afeworki does not have enough time to get to New York, according to the UN envoy for the impoverished nation, which is accused of plotting an attack on an African Union summit this year
Ethiopia's Anti Al-Shabab Push Sparks Concerns of a Backlash
Nico Colombant
U.S. officials recently acknowledged they are sending drone aircraft from Ethiopia to conduct surveillance in Somalia, and there have also been reported U.S. drone strikes against al-Qaida linked al-Shabab targets.
A former U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, Tibor Nagy, currently working as a provost at Texas Tech University, says he would like to see more support coming from the United States for the anti al-Shabab operations to quickly succeed.
Africa’s doctor brain drain a home-made problem By MUNIINI K. MULERAPosted Wednesday, November 30 2011
Dear Tingasiga: “Doctor brain drain costs Africa $2 billion.” This headline, supplied by Reuters News Agency last Thursday, hopefully raised an alarm to the rulers of Africa and to the leaders and other policy makers of developed countries that enjoy the services of expatriate African doctors.
What is saddening above all is that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who, under oath, has taken the responsibility of protecting and respecting the Constitution, said in a speech in Parliament on October 20, 2011, that there was no one among the accused against whom hard evidence had not been obtained. He went further to emphasize, with his usual arrogance and disdain and in a manner that could make him criminally liable, that it was because all of the accused were found to be criminals according to adequate and guaranteed evidence that they were arrested.
Eritrean diplomat defects to Canada
Stewart Bell Nov 21, 2011
The Immigration & Refugee Board rejected his refugee claim because he had been a member of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF), a rebel group it said had committed terrorism and crimes against humanity.
Now,
in retrospect, the phrases “we may not figure out the definite
trajectory of the movements,” and “we must be cautiously
optimistic,” could be argued, they were statements in anticipation of
the second gathering of the Egyptian people at Tahrir Square in the last
week of November of 2011 to demand democratic civilian rule in
Egypt.
Choke point Bab el-Mandeb; Understanding the Strategically Critical Horn of Africa
by Thomas C. Mountain
November 19, 2011
The Horn of Africa is one of the most strategically critical regions in the world with the narrow passage where the Red Sea joins the Indian Ocean, the Bab el-Mandeb, being a potential choke point for much of the worlds commerce
President Obama Honors Outstanding Science, Math, and Engineering Mentors
WASHINGTON, DC - President Obama today named nine individuals and eight organizations recipients of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. The mentors will receive their awards at a White House ceremony later this year. Solomon Bililign, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, NC
WHY THE WEST SHOULD GO SLOW ON SYRIA.
Elamu Denis.
With the fall of strong men like Ben Ali, Hosni Mubarak who was propped up by the West due to strategic interests like for Egypt, her power and historical ties with Israel in the Middle East made her a strategic ally of the USA. On the Syrian question, the fact that the west is still stuck with what to do on Syria with her strategic location and influence in the Middle East growing over time, Damascus is not Libya.
Dawit Kebede joins Ethiopia's exiled journalists
New York, November 21, 2011--Dawit Kebede, managing editor of Awramba Times, one of Ethiopia's two remaining independent Amharic-language newspapers offering critical analysis of local politics, announced today that he was forced to leave the country after he received a tip last week about alleged government plans to re-imprison him. Kebede also said that the paper was unlikely to continue
publishing.
The African Union Must Devise A Long-Term Somalia Redemption Project
IDEA Editorial November 20, 2011
The troubled Horn of Africa Region, epitomized by the torn-apart Somali nation, whose people seem to have opted for an intriguing and paradoxical decision to dismember their own country. For all practical purposes, at this juncture of history, the Republic of Somalia that prevailed as an independent nation on the political map between 1960 and 1991 does not exist now. Sadly, now we have three Somali nations, namely Somaliland, Puntland, and Mogadishu (the beleaguered Somali proper), and soon we may witness a fourth Somali nation: Jubaland.
The hidden agenda was to become operational when the TPLF ostensibly called upon Ethiopian progressive forces in the so-called Addis Ababa Charter in 1991, where Isaais was also present. Isaais’ presence in the conference was not merely symbolic or a sign of solidarity; it was in fact meant to help and encourage Meles and the TPLF stay the course in Addis Ababa, because both of them were not sure whether the Ethiopian people would accept or reject the TPLF.
The Conference of Political Leaders of the Ethiopian People’s Forum at Seattle By Bereket Kiros ethiopianobserver staff
The Seattle Forum like the other ongoing efforts here in North America and Europe has accurately envisaged the right direction and put its efforts on the noble mission to pave the road for the formation of a unified force containing all Opposition Parties and the Ethiopians in the Diaspora which are part and parcel of the giant movements in the homeland.
Ethiopia:
BBC picks up the story about the self-immolation of Yenesew Gebre
The
news about the self-immolation of a 29-year old Ethiopian man is spreading
despite the media blackout by the regime in Ethiopia. BBC's World Service
which has millions of listeners around the world is the latest to report
the news. BBC
- A teacher in Ethiopia has died after setting fire to himself
Thousands protest in Egypt's Tahrir against army rule
Fri Nov 18, 2011
By Marwa Awad
CAIRO (Reuters) - About 50,000 mainly Islamist protesters flocked to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to press Egypt's military rulers to transfer power to elected civilians after the cabinet launched a move to exempt the army from parliamentary oversight.
The protesters chanted Islamic songs before Friday prayers while others handed out flyers demanding the withdrawal of the constitutional proposal and that presidential elections be held no later than April 2012, instead of at year end or in 2013.
Dr.Aregawi
called upon the Ethiopian people, regardless of their ethnic background,
to strive for the rights that were denied under the repressive Ethiopian
governments and set up a state where lasting peace, democracy and unity
based on equality could regenerate, rather than opt to secede and head
towards yet another cycle of wretched living where the damage will turn
out to be irreparable and the country will disintegrate. Countries that
fall into the hands of tyrants pay a price. It is already apparent what
our choice will be.
Ethiopian man sets himself on fire in protest against government
By ARGAW ASHINE Thursday, November 17
An Ethiopian man has died from his injuries after he set himself on fire in a protest against the government following mass arrests of youths from his local area."I want to show to all that death is preferable than a life without justice and liberty," he is reported to have said before setting himself alight.
Ethiopian Journalists Flee as Others Tried for Terror
Peter Heinlein | Addis Ababa
Two newspaper columnists known for sharp criticisms of Ethiopia's government are reported to have fled into exile, just as other journalists being tried on charges of treason and espionage.
Frustrated Eritrean soldiers are defecting in their droves to Ethiopia through the Afar region, it was learnt. Eyewitnesses told The Reporter that the young soldiers, who are poorly fed, cross the border into the Afar region. Some 30 km inside the Ethiopian border there is a small Afar village called Hamedela hear Dallol where there is an Ethiopian military post. The Eritrean soldiers and young civilians who had travelled long distances in the desert fell down from exhaustion right after crossing the border. Some of them who are too weak to cross the border had left behind their bare belongings.
Landgrabbing In Ethiopia: Legal Lease Or Stolen Soil?
by Philipp Hedemann* - IPS/Street News Service (Addis Ababa)
Saturday, November 12, 2011 Inter Press Service
Kneeling in the middle of a sugar cane field in blistering 40 degree heat, a young boy is digging up weeds while an Indian worker stands over him to make sure he does not miss any. Red is eight years old and earns 73 pence for one day’s work - less than the cost of using pesticides.
An
Accidental Monument to African Ambivalence
By ALEX DE WAAL The
New York Times
ADDIS
ABABA, Ethiopia — The African Union is now putting the finishing touches
on its shiny new home — a calabash-domed conference hall and a curving
blade of a tower — right on the site of the city’s former central
prison. Known to Ethiopians as Alem Bekagn, or “farewell to the
world,” this plot of land has been a symbol of human rights abuses for
three generations.
Ethiopia inflation slows to 39.8 pct in October
ADDIS ABABA Nov 11 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's year-on-year inflation rate slowed to 39.8 percent in October from 40.1 percent a month before, though food prices rose, driven by cereals, the statistics office said on Friday."The total price index of cereals ... has increased by 63.1 percent as compared to similar month last year which significantly contributed to the rise in the indices of food and the general consumer price index," the agency said in a statement.
Abadi Zemo, the CEO of the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray (EFFORT), a consortium of companies linked to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF, hard core of the governing Ethiopian coalition) has been appointed his country’s ambassador to Khartoum, leaving his number two in control.
PANAFRICAN MOVEMENT-GLOBAL INSTITUTIONS CHAPTER (PAM-GIC)
OPINION
THE RESOURCE CURSE AND AFRICA’S PARADOX OF PLENTY.
Many times Africans have always wondered, why they sit on gold and wealth yet they cannot
fully take advantage of their resources instead of being a blessing it has turned out to be a curse
due to simple issues of management.
THE
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS JOURNAL OF GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY Fom Tahrir to the Banks of the River Nile
By Fasil Amdetsion
The 1929 and 1959 agreements are also inapplicable to former British colonies, on whose behalf the British signed the agreements. Under international law, it is generally accepted that upon independence, new states do not inherit treaties other than those dealing with boundaries [12].
A favorite strategy was support for disgruntled Ethiopian aristocrats who could foment disorder along Ethiopia’s frontiers. Thus, the Egyptians provided money, arms and a Turkish title to Dejazmach Walde Mikael of the Hamasien district in Eritrea after his desertion on the eve of the battle of Gura.
Ethnic Groups in African Countries
Source: Afribiz
Africa is a very diverse continent with a rich tapestry of ethnic groups, both indigenous and through migration. The following table highlights some of the ethnic groups found in each African country.
Inequality
Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%
ByJoseph E. Stiglitz
Americans have been watching protests against oppressive regimes that concentrate massive wealth in the hands of an elite few. Yet in our own democracy, 1 percent of the people take nearly a quarter of the nation’s income—an inequality even the wealthy will come to regret.
Eritrea: Portrait of a Failed State At Odds With Neighbours
Murithi Mutiga 5 November 2011Daily Nation
Young Eritreans are fleeing their country in droves, the economy appears to be in a death spiral, Eritrea’s prisons are overflowing, and the country’s unhinged dictator remains cruel and defiant. Is the country ‘on the brink of disaster’
This is how one woman, Habtu Zere Maram, summed up her reasons for fleeing Eritrea in a BBC interview in a camp in eastern Sudan: "I realise there are political problems everywhere, but in Eritrea it is unique. It's like the Middle Ages. Now we are in the 21st century; how can we live like this? You can't speak, there is no freedom, you cannot say whatever you want to say. I dreamt of leaving, because I want to live free. Most of the Eritrean people think the same thing."
Eritrea raising money in Canada, financing terrorists to attack Canada
Stewart Bell Nov 5, 2011 National Post
The government of Eritrea, which the United Nations accuses of supplying a long list of armed groups including the al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Shabab, has been raising money in Canada by taxing Eritrean-Canadians, interviews and documents show.
For
starters the just concluded elections in Zambia, in which another
opposition leader took over the reigns of power, Michael Sata’s
Patriotic Front’s win over President Rupiah Banda’s, Movement for
Multi party Democracy (MMD) in the elections that exhibited a lesson to
the opposition in Africa.
Is Ethiopian strongman Meles Zenawi shooting in the dark?
By ARGAW ASHINEPosted Tuesday, November 1 Is Meles Zenawi becoming paranoid? Or is he laying the ground for a new round of crackdowns on his government's favourite targets--the media and the opposition?
Ethiopia observers were left groping for answers after the country's prime minister recently launched into a tirade against perceived enemies, leaving no doubt that something had unhinged him.
The October 20 outburst seemed to have been inspired by the capture of Col Muammar Gaddafi just an hour before the Ethiopian premier was scheduled to address parliament.
Economy - Ranked 104th
Ethiopia’s economy faces severe challenges. Inflation runs at over 8% and the gross domestic savings rate is only 4% of GDP, comfortably placing Ethiopia in the bottom 30 of the Index on the latter variable. The unemployment rate is almost 21%, which is the sixth highest rate, globally**. Ethiopia places 69th* in terms of affordability of food and shelter, and only four out of 10 people* are satisfied with their standard of living, which places the country 91st in the Index on this variable.
Eritrea arming Al Shabaab By Standard Team and Agencies
The possible role of Eritrea in supporting Al Shabaab insurgents has come into sharp focus after the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) confirmed that two aircraft landed in Baidoa with a consignment of arms for the rebels.
Although KDF did not name the origin of the aircraft, chatter on many Somali Internet sites, quoting Al Shabaab, said they were Eritrean.
TPLF buried Secrets Part II
By Aram Maru November 1, 2011
If reconstruction of history is to fail, one of the preconditions is to muzzle and discourage all those who are living testimonies and by discrediting and linking them as terrorists than admitting ones own guilt. By now it has become clear the missing links and vivid illustration of the abuse of human rights and the subversion of the interests of Ethiopia and Ethiopians. Bob Marley’s lyric "you can fool some people sometimes, but you can't fool all the people all the time" is the right expression for the present and past history of the elite sitting at the helm of power.
Dr.
Oz reveals the foods, supplements and his #1 method for lowering your bloodpressure.Dr. Oz wants you to know your numbers.Click here to learn
about your 5 lifesaving numbers.
Grabbing Gambela from EJOLT on Vimeo.Grabbing Gambela is a short video documentary about a massive takeover of agricultural lands in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Since 2008, the Ethiopian government has signed deals with investors from India, Saudi Arabia, China and other countries for large-scale agricultural projects in the region. The deals give foreign investors control of half of Gambela’s arable land. In this documentary, local people affected by the land deals speak about their experiences.
Grabbing Gambela is produced by the Anywaa Survival Organisation, EJOLT, and GRAIN.
ITstarted with MAHHAMED BOA
AZZIZ a Tunisian graduate, frustrated on the streets of Tunis trying
to make life through the hard policies of a three decade dictatorial Ben
Ali regime which is seen today as the
genesis of this new wonderful modern warfare. The people who were
in a hard mood to move we
ignited by the appropriate necessary measure of the young man in an
Arabic world that doesn’t believe in the values of democracy which are
characterized with the west and Christianity finally saw the long serving
leader flee the country.
Saudi Star Settles Debt Before Hearing
The contract was to clear the 4,000ht plot which was covered with juniper trees of medium density and other indigenous trees. Despite Saudi Star, formed by Mohamed Ali Al-Amoudi to grow food in Ethiopia for Saudi Arabia, admitted that it owed the money...
By
Abebe Gellaw
Thursday, October 27, 2011 Source: Addis Voice
According to Bisrat’s Hawaraya story, Meles Zenawi is a power-hungry pathological liar and deceiver who can never be trusted. Bisrat says that Meles took control of the TPLF after he set up the Marxist Leninist League of Tigray (MLLT), an anti-democratic and cultic dictatorial group that has committed untold atrocities against innocent civilians and TPLF fighters. One of the enablers of Meles that betrayed the original leaders of the ethnic front, according to Bisrat, was Abaye Tsehaye, whom he describes as someone who goes with the wind of the day. Another enabler of Meles, Bisrat claimed, was Sibehat Nega.
Ethiopia steps up terrorism allegations against journalists
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 Addis Voice
"Zenawi’s remarks to parliament came one day after state-run daily Addis Zemen (“New Era”) published a scathing attack against independent weekly Awramba Times in what appears to be part of prolonged smear campaign against the paper and its chief editor, Dawit Kebede. The Amharic-language daily published an opinion piece entitled “How long shall we tolerate violence-mongers,” that urged security forces to “take action” against Kebede, according to a translation of the article commissioned by CPJ."
Ethiopia's Hydroelectric Program - Boon or Folly?
Written by John Daly Oilprice.com Monday, 24 October 2011
Zenawi in Cairo and agreed to set up a technical team to study the impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam while Zernawi, on an obvious charm offensive to secure international financial backing, agreed to host Egyptian and Sudanese officials to prove that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will not be used to irrigate any of the large corporate farms the Ethiopian government has leased to foreign investors in recent years, but instead be used solely to generate electricity, adding that his government will delay ratifying the 2010 Entebbe Agreement.
Many African leaders will learn from
his fall in two ways either they carry out internal reforms or they learn
to play their cards well because the cold war is back in one way or the
other with the crisis of global capitalism, soon those who are smart will
survive the threats and take advantage of the changing patterns of the war
on terror.
WOLLO: Microcosm Ethiopia and Exemplar of Ethiopian Unity
Ghelawdewos Araia, Ph.D.
October 22, 2011
Literally and figuratively speaking, Wollo is the central locus and the heart of Ethiopia. By virtue of its geographical location, Wollo, both in the distant past and the annals of contemporary Ethiopia, served as the rendezvous point for major Ethiopian nationalities, and by way of reflecting on this reality, on November 2, 2005, in a brief Amharic article entitled ‘The Question of Nationalities and Ethiopian Unity’
The
so called embedded journalism is nothing more than one sided reporting.
Only a fool can believe that journalists embedded in military operation
would report about human rights abuse committed by the group in which they
are embedded.
It
is always, I repeat always, better to listen to the needs, choices and
aspirations of the common people on time and address them with all
justice, fairness and equity than to postpone them with impunity and later
regret that we were mistaken when the time is already past the eleventh
hour. Let us always not lose cognizance of the stark reality of political
life that "Power Corrupts, and Absolute Power Corrupts
Absolutely", whether Lord Acton said it or not. This lesson should be
learnt by each one of us, wherever and at whatever echelons of power we
may be at present. Those who do not learn from the mistakes of others are
doomed to repeat them, as the old saying goes.
African land grab: what Indian companies do in Ethiopia is what they are not allowed to do in Inida
posted 10/21/2011 By Keffyalew Gebremedhin
The question of land grab in Ethiopia and indeed in other developing countries would remain a topic of national and international conversations. The Ethiopian government is fully aware of this and has been fighting to influence its direction, although unsuccessfully to date. What it is doing is to deny traction to the criticisms against its policy of doling out Ethiopian lands to foreign investors.
It’s
worth noting that the dilemmas and nuances of Africa’s political and
social strife are deeply inherent in the colonial rut and dilapidation.
This scenario did not only distort the social cohesion and coherence of
the African population, but it laid the foundation for protracted
conflicts and violence based on social stratification. The colonial policy
of Divide and rule was used by the colonial authorities to penetrate their
vested interests in the African communities. This policy had the effect of
invoking Tribal and ethnic animosity. To date, Post-African conflicts and
wars have been perpetuated along historical colonial divides.
We
believe the important of free speech and press; however Addis Zemen
editors became human parrots regurgitating what the regime cadres have
written to them. It sank to
the bottom and lost its code of professional responsibility if they have
one. Addis Zemen duty is to keep informed its readers on issue that
touches the people and the nation. It has been a while the decline of the
news paper its traditional role. “I
disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to
say it.” Voltaire As
a news paper Awramba Times has been on the radar screen of the regime,
opportunist and apologist can’t stand it. You judge for yourself, after
reading the inflammatory article published in Addis Zemen.
The
Divisive Trends of Some Opposition Ethiopian Diaspora, OLF, ONLF, Shabia
& Al-Shabab By Tezera
AseguLondon_England
Ethiopia: Return of the African Lion
JSL-TIMES
With a GDP of $32.3bn, Ethiopia is currently Africa’s fourth-largest economy, having surpassed Kenya to become the largest economy in East Africa. The country’s spectacular growth over the past six years has been driven largely by services sector, which has seen substantial investment by government and the private sector.
The new Growth and Transformation Plan (2011-2015) anticipates that industry will grow at an average of 20%, while agriculture and services continue to register growth. Some analysts project GDP rising to $472bn in 15 years and per capita income rising to $4000 over the next decade making Ethiopia one of the three most powerful economies in Africa.
Kenya's move into Somalia is brave
Simon Tisdall The Hindu
The West is at a collective loss over dealing with the Islamist militia, so Nairobi's bid to tackle this African problem should be applauded.
UN draft resolution would hit Eritrea mining
Tue Oct 18, 2011
* Draft would ban minerals investment, imports
* Eritrea denies it supports Somali Islamists
* Opposition in Security Council could dilute resolution By Patrick Worsnip Reuters
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 18 (Reuters) - Mining companies would be banned from investing in Eritrea's potentially booming minerals sector under a draft U.N. resolution that Security Council members are due to start negotiating on Tuesday.
LAND TO INVESTORS: Large-Scale Land Transfer in Ethiopia
Dessalegn Rahmato
Forum for Social Studies
The catch-phrase, “global land grab”, refers to the rush for commercial land in Africa and
elsewhere by private and sovereign investors for the production and export of food crops as well
as bio-fuels, in which the land deals involved stand to benefit the investors at the expense of host
countries and their populations. The phenomenon has attracted international activist
organizations and the world media since much of the land transferred is in poor and food
insecure countries that have long been dependent on Western financed food aid and other support
programs.
Comment:
While forgiving former Derg officials, why is Meles treating Seye Abraha, a person who spent most of his life and energy for the development and growth of the TPLF, in such cheap and childish manner? It is very difficult to understand those Tigrayans that support an Eritrean culprit called Meles who is mistreating our heroes and other indigenous Tigrayans while Eritreans are given red carpet reception all over Ethiopia.
We Tigreans, the price of not
speaking up have been huge against TPLF leaders. Many innocent lives are
lost and huge sacrifices are paid. The struggle for accountability has
been replaced by fear, reprisal and loyalty to muzzle the untold
brutality. Ato Gebremedhin
emboldened to tell his personal knowledge, unburdening himself of his
horror by sharing his memory to whoever will listen. His story is likely
to stay in our collective memory and affirms our previous suspicions. As for the TPLF's buried
secrets, nearly 27 years or more had gone by in silence. Who is responsible? A
bedrock of facts is pouring about who did what to how many. Crucial facts will
not fade or be concealed even for many years.
Ethiopia’s ‘Distorted’ Monetary Plan Needs Reform, IMF Says
October 13, 2011
Oct. 13 (Bloomberg) -- Ethiopia’s “highly distorted” monetary policy requires urgent reorganization because it is stunting growth and undermining macroeconomic stability, the International Monetary Fund said.
The Horn of Africa country’s five-year economic-development plan that starts in the fiscal year beginning July 8, 2010, and targets annual growth of 11.2 percent is “very ambitious,” the Washington-based lender said. The IMF projects output for the period will range from 6 percent to 8 percent a year.
Is China a currency manipulator?
Oct 11th 2011 The Economist online
The yuan/dollar exchange rate and America's trade deficit with China
President Obama's administration has already passed on two opportunities to label China a currency manipulator, out of a well-founded fear of sparking a trade war. Senators should do the same (while hoping that China responds to their sabre-rattling by letting the yuan rise a little more, as happened the last time the Senate came close to passing a similar measure, in 2005).
One can ask how many of our compatriots did disappear this way without someone telling their pain and suffering. I think those who were involved, should tell the true story so that those responsible for crimes are brought to the court of justice. Ethiopia and especially Tigray also need a truth and reconciliation commission to handle issues of the numerous cruel acts of the state-bearing party, namely the elites within the EPRDF and primarily the prime minister of the country.
What I wanted to say to Gebremedhin is that, I appreciate his bold step in this open book exposé of the deeds of the leaders and cadres. But his attempt to wedge a clear distinction between Ethiopians using ethnic differences by aligning one against each other is totally pointless.Please
refer: Bisrat
Amare, Sebhat Nega's special agent in the Diaspora.
Arrests of journalists show Ethiopia's sterner side
From the arrest of more than 100 Ethiopian opposition activists, journalists, and columnists, to the arrest of two Swedish journalists, Ethiopia's government is showing its intolerance of dissent.
By William Davison, Correspondent / October 4, 2011
Ato
Girmay T.Giorgis eloquently articulated about Afar and Seaport on his recent article titled “Circumstances
Hindering Ethiopian Stability and Peace”. Many distinguish scholars and writers have expressed their viewon
question of Afar people and have been ridiculed by the mouth pieces of the
regime. EPRDF absolute political leader imposed his twisted version of
history to deny Ethiopia’s right access to the sea and the salvation of
the Afar people quest to unite with motherland. Yet such cruel betrayal
towards the powerless in not fundamentally different from colonial
attitude to reject what is ours. In deed we have to keep the memory
of our access to the sea alive the time will come when there would be a
far-sighted and responsible government.
Since
it was from Eritrea that Italy has launched its main invasion in 1935,
consideration of national security must be dominant in Ethiopia's quest
for the return of Assab. But this argument may be insufficient by them to
convince the EPRDF. The problem with Eritrea can not be solved in a round
table, without addressing the question of security concerns more than
anything else. Ethiopia as the victor should set the conditions and
dictate her own terms on Eritrea (as the defeated nation), as has been the
case in all wars that has been won. Eritrea must not be the exception. In
the long run Ethiopia may lose more than what could possibly hope to gain
by feigning to ignore the security concern of her survival as an outlet to
the sea.
The
problem of Eritrea once again became the main issue like a rash that never
goes away. Eritrea has been a security treat to Ethiopia's survival ever
since its inception. The initiative to give autonomy to Eritrea was
basically the main issue for lasting peace in the region according to
EPRDF's political doctrine. But the unfair political stance for not
securing Ethiopia's interest has persistently frustrated many concerned
Ethiopians. The war is producing growing discomfort due to the lack of
securing Ethiopia's vital interest in an outlet to the sea. So many lives
are lost during the war; dissent is being voiced far more openly than it
was eight years ago. The main obstacle to restore is still some EPRDF
official for not wanting to hammer the illusive past agreement on the
interest of Ethiopia's geographical disadvantage that our country can face
if it is land locked.
Circumstances Hindering Ethiopian Stability and Peace
By Girmay T.Giorgis October, 2011
The question of sea access should stay high on the agenda of Ethiopian political parties. And, in my opinion, the question of Assab should not be seen separated from Afar people and their land. Concerns for all citizens and for all parts of the nation should be reflected in the political
parties strategy and public expressions. Advancing national agenda where every Ethiopian would feel included is absolutely necessary. All leaders and citizens must have a collective consciousness of nationhood. Localized ventures will not get us anywhere.
Editors
Note
I applauded Ayte Gebremedhin Araya
for coming forward to share his memoir. People who care deeply about
justice should come forward and exposed the atrocity committed in the name
of political
squabble to seize power. For those who have been
contemplating to write the time has come to back up, the facts and data.
It is my hope Ayte Gebremedhin article will empower and allow many
ex-fighters to speak truth with greater conviction, credibility and
courage. Our brothers and sisters you are not forgotten to quote Martin
Luther King Jr. is right that the arc of history is long, but it bends
towards justice, and a new era has come to keep up with the past deeds.
Table Talk
Benefits of flaxseed touted at new spot in downtown Columbus
By Gary Seman
ThisWeek Community Newspapers A new beverage-and-snack spot catering to flaxseed devotees has opened in downtown Columbus.
Flaxella Cafe & Deli, 89 E. Long St., puts the ground seed in everything from fruit drinks to espresso.
With more and more people espousing healthy lifestyles and diets, it made sense to introduce Flaxella to the local market, owner Godofai Tgiorgis said.
“I think it’s about time,” Tgiorgis said. The place will start out with a beverage menu of five or six different styles of coffee per day, including a house blend. Most of the coffees are supplied by Café Brioso. The coffees will not have flaxseed added, but the seed will be added in the other beverages, including fresh-fruit smoothies and fruit drinks, plus espresso, latte and cappuccino. All are in the $2.99 to $3.99 range
Derg officials released from jail .
Reporter
Wednesday, 05 October 2011 By ZEKARIAS SINTAYEHU
Among the 23 Derg higher officials, who were convicted for crime against humanity and put into jail from life imprisonment to death penalty, 16 of them was released yesterday from Kaliti penitentiary Facility.
Those 16 Derg higher officials convicted of crime
againsthumanity and jailed for the past 20 years was freed on parole
Of the freed higher officials, the former Derg Prime Minister, Major Fikire Sillasie Wegderes, Vice President, Colonel Fiseha Desta, Major Legese Asfaw, Colonel Endale Tesema, Major General Wubshet Desei, Lieutenant Colonel Nadew Zekarias, Sergeant Petros Gebre, Sergeant Sileshi Menesha, Captain Dejene Wondimagegnew, Eshetu Shenkute, Lisanu Mola, Brigadier General Legese Belayneh, Gesgis Gebre Meskel, Abebe Eshetu, Berihun Mamo and Major Desalegn Belay. The Reporter has learnt that the rest of the officials will be released when they serve 20 years of jail service.
Andrew M. Manis Asks ‘When Are WE (White People) Going to Get Over It?’
For much of the last forty years, ever since America “fixed” its race problem in the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we white people have been impatient with African Americans who continued to blame race for their difficulties. Often we have heard whites ask, “When are African Americans finally going to get over it?
We white people have controlled political life in the disunited colonies and United States for some 400 years on this continent. Conservative whites have been in power 28 of the last 40 years. Even during the eight Clinton years, conservatives in Congress blocked most of his agenda and pulled him to the right. Yet never in that period did I read any headlines suggesting that anyone was calling for the assassinations of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan, or either of the Bushes. Criticize them, yes. Call for their impeachment, perhaps.
DUPONT APPLAUDS ETHIOPIAN GOVERNMENT PLANS TO IMPROVE ITS ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
05 October 2011: The Ethiopian Government has been lauded following the announcement of a five year Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) to improve its national road infrastructure in aid of fostering economic growth in the country.
Ethiopia’s current GDP is set to grow 7.5% in 2011
and is ranked among the top 10 fastest growing economies in the world. Ntombela says that the country’s current road infrastructure is not sustainable in supporting the landlocked country’s needs.
Press
Release
Date
for the Holding of the National Conference Finalized It
is to be remembered that the ENCDC has during its 2nd regular
meeting agreed that the National Conference be held at the end of the
month of October 2011. Based on this and taking into consideration the
time for the overall preparation and groundwork, the Executive Office of
the ENCDC, would like to announce to all who aspire for democratic change
that the decision has been taken that the long-awaited Conference shall
take place 22-31 October 2011 in Ethiopia.
Egypt's New Democrats Ready to Defend Nile
VOA
If Egypt and Sudan join the Nile water partnership, the decisions the basin makes will be difficult, and will require new relationships among those who feed Lake Nasser and those who take from it.
Ethiopia recently agreed to host officials from Egypt and Sudan to prove that the dam, now called the Renaissance Dam, will not be used to irrigate any of the large corporate farms the Ethiopian government has leased to foreign investors in recent years. Though Ethiopia’s funding of the dam’s construction is uncertain, Egypt remains concerned and suspicious.
“What we have been assured is that this dam is for hydro-electric and that it has no irrigation schemes in it,” said Abu-Zeid. “On the other hand, we have heard about irrigation schemes in Ethiopia and we’re not sure if any of them are in the Nile Basin.”
Ethiopia uses anti-terror laws to silence critical journalists
The Guardian
The Ethiopian government is using sweeping anti-terror laws to crack down on journalists critical of the regime. In the last three months, six journalists have been imprisoned, according to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
Many publications were shut down and 13 editors imprisoned. Today, most of the media in Ethiopia is state-owned. Even the international media are not immune to political interference.
The
Ethiopian Observer staff morns the bus accident that took the
lives of beloved gallant fighters and artists near Kobo in the morning of
9/26/2011. According to reliable resources the injured bodies were
evacuated from the area by helicopter. Tigray Culture and Tourism Bureau
confirmed , all of them were members of the Tigray Cultural Squad who
played outstanding roles in the bitter struggle educating the mass about
the bitter struggle in home and abroad. They are Berhane Gebremeskel (Gano),
Berhane Gebrehiwot (handebet), Berhane Andey (Kunama), Letemeskel
Gbrehiwot (Agew), Tekie Tesfamariam, Haile Gerlasie, Berhane Gebremichael,
Ashenafi Mengistu and Habtome. May their soul rest in peace.
Press freedom in Ethiopia A tightening noose
Sep 27th 2011, 6:42 by J.L. | NAIROBI
BAOBAB recently penned a piece on the decline of the importance given to human rights. It ended with a call for greater resolve: "when anybody feels strongly enough about a cause to make a sacrifice, that compels a certain respect. Lofty, cost-free moral lectures count for less and less."
This is particularly true of press freedom in Africa. According to the African Federation of Journalists, many African countries have accelerated their abuse and imprisonment of journalists. Eastern Africa is the worst affected, with the assassination of journalists in Somalia and the disappearance and torture of journalists in Eritrea. Indeed, in the Eritrean case the mistreatment is evidence of the brutality and paranoia of the regime
Kenyan heroine Wangari Maathai dies in hospital
September 26, 2011
NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 26 – Kenyan environmentalist and the 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner Wangari Muta Maathai has died while undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.
Her Personal Assistant Lucy Wanjohi said Maathai succumbed to ovarian cancer, for which she was being treated. She was diagnosed with the cancer last year.
“She passed on at 11 pm last night after a long battle with cancer. She has been in and out of hospital several times now. It is very sad that she has left us,” Wanjohi told Capital News on telephone on Monday morning.
Triggering revolt: Impoverished Eritrea financing, arming African militants
Stewart Bell Sep 25, 2011
The United Nations imposed an arms embargo on Somalia in 1992 but weapons continue to flow to groups like Al-Shabab, al-Qaeda-linked militants who recently awarded AK-47s to the winners of a children’s Koran competition.Where the guns come from is no great mystery. The UN committee that monitors violations of the arms embargo has repeatedly blamed nearby Eritrea, one of the world’s most backward and repressive states.
In its latest report on violations of the arms embargo, released July 18, the UN monitoring group said Eritrea was training, financing and arming an array of African militant groups, including Al-Shabab.
Zambia - One of the few democratic nations in Africa.
LUSAKA (AFP) - Populist opposition leader Michael Sata was named Zambia's new president Friday, after a campaign promising to help the nation's poor majority enjoy the country's recent economic growth.
"Speaking for myself and my party, we will accept the results. We are a democratic party and we know no other way," Banda said in his farewell speech at State House.
"I have no ill feelings in my heart, there is no malice in my words. I wish him well in his years as president. I pray his policies will bear fruit," Banda said.
Journalist Ashine’s fate exposes Ethiopia's tyranny
By KIFLU HUSSAIN
There is no need to introduce to Ugandan men of letters who Mr John Nagenda is. Yet, since this publication is also read by non-Ugandans, a word or two about the gentleman is appropriate.
Nagenda is known more as a regular columnist in one of the Ugandan dailies, Saturday Vision. It is through his column that I also got to know him or rather about him.
Apparently, Mr Nagenda juggles as a regular columnist with his other important job: he is a Senior Adviser on Media and Public Relations to President Yoweri Museveni.
The United States is building a series of secret drone bases in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to launch an aggressive campaign against al-Qaida-linked groups in Somalia and Yemen, the Washington Post reported Tuesday night. One of the bases for the Drones will be based in Ethiopia according to the report.
Ethiopia Police Deny Using Anti-Terror Law to Stifle Dissent
Peter Heinlein | Addis Ababa
VOA News
Ethiopian police have rejected accusations that the recent detentions of several high-profile government critics were politically motivated. The arrests are coming under increasing criticism from opposition parties and international rights groups.
Ethiopia and Egypt agree on new chapter in relations
Source: Al Ahram
Egypt's Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and his Ethiopian counterpart Meles Zenawi agrees to start from scratch in regards to the Nile basin file after an era of strained relations
Egypt and Ethiopia have agreed to open a new chapter in relations that were strained under the regime of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak over disputes on Nile water sharing.
Human rights
The compass fails
Loss of moral authority, competition and distraction weaken Western clout in promoting human rights. Fighting corruption (see article) is another story
ACCORDING to a cable leaked last month, the European Union’s man in Ethiopia told his masters that “basic human-rights abuses are being committed by the government on a daily basis” and “the EU must respond firmly and resolutely.” That was in 2005. Neither the EU nor any other Western donor has done anything of the kind.
Ethiopia reporter flees, other opposition arrested
By ANITA POWELL, Associated Press
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — An Ethiopian reporter has fled the East African nation after being named in a WikiLeaks cable, a journalists' rights group said, in what they said was the first instance of a leaked cable causing direct repercussions for a journalist.
We don’t have to tolerate the intolerable but we should tolerate others even if we don’t agree with them. We should be able to disagree with them without being nasty and disagreeable. If we don’t, we are, deliberately or unconsciously, sabotaging our efforts to build a democracy. That is why irresponsible people can never attain or build a democracy.
Egypt and Ethiopia to review Nile river dam
Egypt says Ethiopia's planned Nile project "could be source of benefit" as two countries open new chapter in relations.
Ethiopia and Egypt have agreed to review the impact of a planned $4.8bn Nile river dam, which Addis Ababa announced in March, in a bid to open a "new chapter" in once-strained relations.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his Egyptian counterpart, Essam Sharaf, made the announcement at a joint news conference following talks in Cairo on Saturday.
All
those who terrorize people are themselves in constant fear and terror
A
press statement issued by Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ)
Starving for Coverage
Unlike the 1980s, journalists pay little attention to famine ravaging the Horn of
Africa
By James Fahn
What a difference a generation makes. Back in 1984-85, groundbreaking media coverage of the terrible drought and famine that affected around eight million people in Ethiopia spurred an outpouring of Western relief efforts. A harrowing report by BBC broadcaster Michael Buerk is often cited as the spark that led to Band Aid, a supergroup of British and Irish musicians who recorded a pop album for charity, and eventually Live Aid, a group of American pop stars who performed likewise.
Ethiopia inflation jumps to 40.6 pct in August
Tue Sep 13, 2011
Ethiopia's year-on-year inflation jumped to 40.6 percent in August
ADDIS ABABA, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's year-on-year inflation jumped to 40.6 percent in August from 39.2 percent a month before as food prices rose, especially for cereals, the statistics office said on Tuesday.
Food prices account for 57 percent of the consumer price index."The total price index of cereals in August 2011 has increased by 52.3 percent as compared to the similar month last year which significantly contributed to the rise in the indices of food and the general consumer price index," the statistics office said in a statement.
"Relative rises were observed in the indices of most of the components of
food.
Ethiopia says plans to build more Nile dams
By Aaron Maasho
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia has announced plans to construct two dams along its share of the Nile, six months after embarking on a 5,250 MW power plant that rankled Egypt over concerns it might affect the flow of the river.
The Horn of Africa nation aims to produce 20,000 megawatts (MW) of power within the next 10 years, part of a plan to spend $12 billion over 25 years to raise power generating capability.Officials estimate the hydropower potential of the nation -- blessed with cascading rivers flowing through rugged mountains -- is around 45,000 MW.
Betrayal
or selling off the country or its borders stands out in every article and
story they narrate. This blame starts with the reign of Emperor Yohanes IV
and continues to this day. The extremists allege that the Italian
occupation of Eritrea and Tigray is the result of an alliance of Tigreans
with the invaders. The giveaway of Eritrea is attributed as the fault of
Tigreans and Eritreans jointly.
“King weeps from his grave,” says Cornel West, and tells us further that MLK “never confused substance with symbolism.” I agree with the latter statement and West is right that we must indeed be careful not to settle down with symbolism only, but we must also be careful not to make simplistic dichotomies as if substance and symbolism could not be expressed in tandem. In this context, thus, I argue that MLK would have been elated but not completely satisfied if he was still alive and be able to witness the progress African Americans have made since his departure in 1968.
Wikileaks - Meles Adviser Gilkes confirms Meles gave "LARGE CHUNK OF TERRITORY" to Sudan
Seeye suggested that the dissenters may be frustrated by the pre-eminence of the TPLF in the Ethiopian Government (GoE) and EPRDF without giving the ANDM a larger share of the pie. He also argued that on-going tensions between Ethiopia and Sudan, which has cost the Amhara region a large chunk of territory, combined with the GoE's response of sweeping the issue under the rug may be another aggravating factor driving the dissenters. Gilkes confirmed this information to Pol/Econ Chief on December 18.
Wikileaks: Ethiopia - Seeye Opens up about EFFORT & control over resources by super-rich Meles and Azeb
Upon taking power in 1991, the ruling Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) liquidated non-military
assets held by the movement to found a series of companies whose profits would be used as venture capital to
rehabilitate the war-torn Tigray region's economy.Sebhat Nega's removal from the TPLF Central Committee in
2006, his removal as CEO of EFFORT in late 2008 likely reflects tensions between Sebhat and Prime Minister Meles'
wife Azeb Mesfin. While former regional Vice President of Tigray Abadi Zemo has taken over the CEO position at
EFFORT, Seeye argued that Azeb's ascendance to the EFFORT Vice Chairmanship reflects an increasing consolidation of
influence within the party and control over resources by Meles and Azeb.
WikiLeaks: Ethiopia - Meles tells US to "remove the Bashir regime."
Meles offered that if he were the United States, he would look at two options. First, which he clearly conveyed
as the preferred choice, would be to "remove the Bashir regime." Acknowledging that such an option was unlikely,
Meles advocated for making a clear representation to the GoS that the United States is not/not "out to get them" and
laying out clear benchmarks of actions expected of the GoS on both Darfur and South Sudan that would be necessary to "avoid
continued challenges" with the U.S. Meles concluded the discussion by highlighting that "they don't trust the Obama
Administration," and "they trust the Obama Administration less than the Bush Administration," and with a clear
reference to U.S. Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice and former Senior NSC Director for Africa Gayle Smith "...especially
some friends of mine."
Born
the son of Mercha the Shum of Tembien and his wife Woizero Silass Dimtsu (Amata
Selassie) of Enderta, Dejazmatch Kassai could claim Solomonic
blood through the line of his paternal grandmother
Right
on the heels of our time with Surf
Is Where You Find It author Gerry Lopez, we have more good book
news to share with you this week.
DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions of
the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect
ethioobserver position. ethioobserver does not exercise any
editorial control over the information therein.
ethioobserver cannot accept any responsibility or liability for
any actions taken (or not taken) as a result of reading the
material displayed.
Notice:
Blatant personal attacks are not permitted. Each contributor
of an article must maintain a valid e-mail address. Comment
on ideas, not people. Those that consistently ignore these
guidelines will be blocked from posting further comments.Please
do not use vulgar or profane language or language intended
to defame. ethioobserver may remove or exclude offensive
language to ensure a civil and professional atmosphere for
all participants.
We promote ethics by encouraging honest interaction.With
your cooperation, we can keep this website clean.
This week, I profile the spectacular Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, an Ethiopian entrepreneur and the founder of SoleRebels, a thriving eco-sensitive footwear brand that pundits hail as Africa’s answer to brands such as Nike, Reebok and Adidas.
Entrepreneur Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu was born and raised in Zenebework, a small, impoverished rural community in
Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. As a child, she discovered that people of her community were living in abject squalor because there were very few jobs available.
to glimpse the legendary Ark of the Covenant.
That's because the claimed home of the iconic relic - a small chapel in Ethiopia - has sprung a leak and so the Ark could now be on the move.
The Ark - which The Bible says holds God's Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai - is said to have been kept in Aksum, in the Chapel of the Tablet, adjacent to St Mary of Zion Church, since the 1960s.He believes the moving of the Ark could be one of the best ways to discover if there's any truth in the claims of the East African state.
Tim said: 'During my most recent visit to the church, I was surprised to see some ground adjacent to the ''Chapel of the Tablet'' being cleared and levelled by workmen, and some quantities of building stone being assembled nearby.
Is Meles Zenawi becoming paranoid? Or is he laying the ground for a new round of crackdowns on his government's favourite targets--the media and the opposition?
Ethiopia observers were left groping for answers after the country's prime minister recently launched into a tirade against perceived enemies, leaving no doubt that something had unhinged him.
The October 20 outburst seemed to have been inspired by the capture of Col Muammar Gaddafi just an hour before the Ethiopian premier was scheduled to address parliament.
A new beverage-and-snack spot catering to flaxseed devotees has opened in downtown Columbus.
Flaxella Cafe & Deli, 89 E. Long St., puts the ground seed in everything from fruit drinks to espresso.
With more and more people espousing healthy lifestyles and diets, it made sense to introduce Flaxella to the local market, owner Godofai Tgiorgis said.
“I think it’s about time,” Tgiorgis said. The place will start out with a beverage menu of five or six different styles of coffee per day, including a house blend. Most of the coffees are supplied by Café Brioso. The coffees will not have flaxseed added, but the seed will be added in the other beverages, including fresh-fruit smoothies and fruit drinks, plus espresso, latte and cappuccino. All are in the $2.99 to $3.99 range
againsthumanity and jailed for the past 20 years was freed on parole
Of the freed higher officials, the former Derg Prime Minister, Major Fikire Sillasie Wegderes, Vice President, Colonel Fiseha Desta, Major Legese Asfaw, Colonel Endale Tesema, Major General Wubshet Desei, Lieutenant Colonel Nadew Zekarias, Sergeant Petros Gebre, Sergeant Sileshi Menesha, Captain Dejene Wondimagegnew, Eshetu Shenkute, Lisanu Mola, Brigadier General Legese Belayneh, Gesgis Gebre Meskel, Abebe Eshetu, Berihun Mamo and Major Desalegn Belay. The Reporter has learnt that the rest of the officials will be released when they serve 20 years of jail service.
17
Born
the son of Mercha the Shum of Tembien and his wife Woizero Silass Dimtsu (Amata
Selassie) of Enderta, Dejazmatch Kassai could claim 
Vertical
Ethiopia: Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa