For eighteen days, We witnessed with awe and great hope the people of Egypt conduct the most peaceful, the most courageous civil protest and topple the �Pharaoh� from his throne. You inspired us all with your sacrifices and nobility of spirit, and we admired your unwavering democratic commitment to the rights and dignity of Mankind. Egypt is a mosaic of Humanity. We hope every member of the Egyptian society, men and women, young adults and children, Moslems, Coptic Christians, Jews, and those belonging to other religious persuasions would ever live in equality, respect, love, and peace. We share in the glory of your great victories. We are confident that you have both the wisdom and courage to complete the process of democratization as you have already started your wonderful journey. Today we are very proud of your historic victory. Today we all are Egyptians. Our heartfelt wish that you live in Peace with all of your neighbors. Long live the People of Egypt and Glory be to each and every one of you.
Tecola W. Hagos, Editor
February 11, 2011
Bangladeshi Rape Victim Flogged To DeathBy Anushay Hossain, February 7, 2011
Hena Begum, a 14-year-old old Bangladeshi girl, was publicly flogged recently in Shariatpur, 35 miles outside of the capital, Dhaka�after being
accused of having an affair with her 40-year-old old married cousin. According to the BBC, a village court made up of Islamic clerics and elders sentenced Begum to 100 lashes under Islamic Sharia law. The girl lost consciousness after 80 lashes and her family, who were also ordered to pay 50,000 taka (approximately�$700), took her to the hospital where she died six days later.
Remembering the Ethiopians who died on the Streets of Addis
By Teodros Kiros
Revolts and revolutions are world historical events in which birth and death
occur. Some humans are born on revolutionary streets. Other are born to the
streets to which they flood in defense of their dignity, in defiance of tyranny, and for the sake of a dream, a vision and a plan of life.
PM Meles Zenawi�s responses to Ethiopia�s economic malaise are getting funnier
By Genet Mersha, 5 February 2011
he making of the current frustrations in Ethiopian society have been brewing over a long time. Their origins lay in the political crises that remain unresolved, not that the regime would admit. Then there are the ubiquitous economic crises that have been afflicting over 90 percent of the population. The only solution the government favours has been complete shut off of public space, as a primary step, politics by force and economics by decree,
Revolution and Discipline in Egypt; A lesson for Ethiopians
By Teodros Kiros
We Ethiopians, however, must stand with the aspirations of the heroic Egyptian people and support them in body and spirit. Their struggles are our very own.
Let us learn from their passions and work for their success.The revolution must succeed, as we too plan our own very soon, with the backbone of our youth, our country dwellers, and those millions of round Ethiopian eyes, impregnated with unshed tears of poverty and hopelessness.
Conversation with the Creator as an exercise of Care of the Self
By Teodros kiros, January 27, 2011
Two Ethiopians are engaged in a passionate conversation on the idea of
forgiveness and how it applies to the jailed Derg officials. The conversation
leads both to an impasse, and they both say that they are going to leave the
matter to the Creator.
FORGIVENESS,
RECONCILIATION, AND PARDON:
A
CHALLENGE TO A JUST SOCIETY*
PART
TWO:
FORGIVENESS AS POLITICAL, ETHICAL, AND LEGAL ISSUE
By
Tecola W. Hagos
The best argument usually offered in support of �forgiveness, pardon, and
reconciliation� has to do with the possibility of settling irresolvable political conflicts through compromise and giving the parties to such conflicts new beginnings to live together in peace. The subjects of forgiveness are individuals or groups. Often, such criminal offenders are government officials or members of opposition political organizations. Usually the situation leading to such compromise is the possibility of resolving a political stalemate between such contending groups.
Justice and Atonement
A Statement by Le�ul Ermias Sahle-Selassie Haile-Selassie,
Grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie I
Washington, DC: January 24, 2011
The recent activities by some respected Ethiopian Religious Leaders and others to plea for the pardon and the release of the former Derg (Military Officials) officials came as dismaying and perplexing news. It goes without saying that forgiveness and atonement are the moral duty of all of us, but equally adherence to our laws makes society function impartially and fairly. We each have a duty to be forgiving but not forgetting as we strive to uphold the law.
The Problem of Pardon
By Waltenegus Dargie , January 24, 2011
The article is based on the last three articles of three persons, namely, �The way to forgive and pardon the Derg� by Eskinder Nega (Ethiomedia, January 14, 2010); �Reconciliation? With whom? For whom? To what end?� by Mekonnen Endalkachew (Ethiomedia, January 19, 2010); and �Forgiveness, reconciliation, and pardon: a challenge to society�, by Tecola W. Hagos (Ethiomedia, January 19, 2010). The articles express the insight and philosophy of people whose age, educational background, location, and past history are diverse. While the level and timing are different, all of them have experienced pain at a scale that cannot be considered small.
he Care of the self
By Teodros Kiros
The care of the self demands that the individual attends to her soul by developing an internal relationship between self and self, and not self and the church. The latter relationship is remote and external to the soul. The soul must be activated from the inside and the relationship between self and self is internal to the soul. The activity of the soul is a conversation that the self enters into privately, as a conversation between the creator and the lost soul, or the soul, which wishes to become virtuous, become good. The internal parts of the soul, which must be activated, are reason, the desires and spiritedness.
Ghelawdewos
Araia, Ph.D.
Paper
presented at the SOCEPP Canada Conference, January
15, 2011
What is to be done then? The
first thing the Ethiopian Diaspora should do is
reaching a consensus on some definitional issues
with respect to democracy. What is democracy and
could it be realized in Ethiopia given the
prevailing deficient political culture and the
domestic and global parameters that may preclude
or promote the development of democracy in
Ethiopia?
FORGIVENESS, RECONCILIATION, AND PARDON:
A CHALLENGE TO A JUST SOCIETY*
By Tecola W. Hagos
Recent proliferation of articles and comments on the issues of forgiveness, reconciliation, and pardon concerning the convicted Derg Officials, some facing death sentences and others long prison terms, have brought out the confusion, misunderstanding, misapplication, and anger in many of the participants in the discourse and in the general public both in the Diaspora and back home in Ethiopia. I have contributed my fair share to that state of affair.
Reconciliation? With whom? For whom? To what end?
By Makonnen Endalkachew | January 19, 2011
While the purpose of my desire to make public my views on this very sensitive and wrenching issue was never to get into a one-on-one public spat with any group or individual, but rather to share views which I felt needed to be shared (and potentially resonated with many Ethiopians), I have been forced to respond (very briefly, mind you) to one riposte that I received from Ato Mulugeta Aserate, who published a piece entitled �Forgiving, Not Forgetting, in Pardoning Convicted Former Derg Officials,� (Fortune, Vol. 11, No. 557, Jan. 2, 2011).
Wife
of deposed Tunisian leader despised by many
TUNIS, Tunisia � Tunisians couldn't stand her even more than they couldn't stand him.
The end of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's iron-fisted, 23-year rule brought joy to many ordinary people in this North African nation � and they were especially elated at the prospect of life without his wife and her rapacious family.More world news New Tunisian government, but some old faces
Tunisia's interim leaders on Monday announced a new national unity government following the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali amid massive street protests. Full story
Cultural Decadence
By Teodros Kiros January 14, 2011
One way by which to correct this deadly cultural decadence is to engage in thinking and attending to the fundamental condition, of our souls, that I suggested in my recent article, � Regime change without cultural transformation is empty� (Ethioquest, Ethiomedia, Ethiosun, ECAD, Addis Voice, Ethiosun, Tecolahagos.com and Ethiopian unity Diasporaforum.com) That question is; what is the condition of my Soul? I strongly suggest that we examine this question, every single day.
MENGISTU HAILE MARIAM (EX-PRES.) GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER! (1) ARE THE UN AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC) ALIVE?
By Kidane Alemayehu, January 13, 2011
In the final analysis, dictator Mengistu Hailemariam�s main victims were the Ethiopian
people who should, therefore, be the ones who ought to be most keen in bringing him to
justice. At the same time, it must be noted that for obvious reasons, the UN, ICC and the
international community at large also have at least the moral responsibility to do their
part to consider the gross impunity perpetrated by an Ethiopian dictator wherever he
might be hiding. The notion that only a particular government should initiate with ICC a
case against a dictator like ex-Pres.
Concern for Victims Outweighs Compassion for Derg Officials
By The Kassa Family*
January 13, 2011
However,
our compassion for the perpetrators of these crimes against humanity
cannot outweigh our concern for their victims, or our determination to
prevent the atrocities of the Derg from ever being repeated. �When we
neither punish nor reproach evildoers, we are not simply protecting their
trivial old age, we are thereby ripping the foundations of justice from
beneath new generations,� said A. Solzhenitsyn
Is genocide vs crimes against humanity at issue today?
By Assefa Gultu | January 12, 2011
Nor
is it fair to say that the likes of Professor Tecola's argument are out of
line simply because he did so passionately. Both have made their case
convincingly and, their difference to me is a matter of emphasis, not of
substance.
Regime change without cultural transformation is empty and cultural
transformation without regime change is Blind
By Teodros Kiros
Every Ethiopian ought to know that our country is contaminated by cultural
decadence, which is going out of control. Friendships, marriages and collegiality are infested by the DDT of cultural decadence, that we are not
even aware of, but which we must attend to as the activity of the soul.
Aida, Verdi�s opera, stands out as reminder of the on-going Nile dilemma
By Keffyalew Gebremedhin, 10 January 2011
At a time of terrible slump in the global economy, when millions of workers and families across countries have been visited by its adverse consequences, the watchmaker Rolex f�ted the international public with six famous opera performances, via CNBC, transmitted at intervals from 24 Dec on. A good gesture as it was, the treat became part of the Christmas celebrations and best wishes for the New Year.
THE FUTILITY AND DAMAGING EFFECTS OF ETHIOPIAN PRICE CAPS
Seid Hassan - Murray State University
January 9, 2011
[email protected]
The government of Meles Zenawi announced that it was imposing price caps on select merchandize goods, the first round of the imposition affecting 18 food items as of January 6th, 2011. After gathering several hundred local merchants at the meeting hall of the PM Office, Messrs. Zenawi, Melaku Fanta who is the general director of Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority and State Minister of Trade, Ahmed Tusa, accused the businessmen and businesswomen of price gauging, hoarding and engaging in unhealthy competition.
Editor�s Note:
There is no doubt in my mind that Journalist Eskinder Nega is a highly
capable and dedicated professional. My criticism of his recent articles on
the forgiveness-pardon issues dealing with convicted Derg Officials ought
to be read in that limited range of discourse. Nevertheless, without any
condescension but only with my sincere appreciation, I would say that
Eskinder Nega has shown us all the right behavior and comportment when
facing writers, even rude ones, with his great restraint and professional
discipline one can see in his response to my sharp (maybe even
belligerent) criticism of his articles dealing with the pardon issue of
convicted Derg Officials.
Ethiopia:
The politics of imagined genocide
By
Eskinder Nega | January 7, 2011
|
|
|
Top leaders of the Derg minus Col.
Mengistu H. Mariam appear before court on January 11, 2007 in Addis
Ababa (AP Photo/Les Neuhaus)
|
The
cries of �Shame on you!!!� by groups of protesters occasionally
resonate outside the offices of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
A wide range of issues irk the protesters. Sometimes it would be the
ACLU�s spirited defense of the First Amendment rights of the Ku Klux
Klan. At other times, it would be the no less passionate defense of
Neo-Nazis and scores of other fringe groups.
Eritrea executed 17 Ethiopian fighters: Report
Ethiomedia | January 5, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - 17 members of the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF), including a former EPPF secretary general, have been summarily executed and buried in a mass grave in a remote part of Eritrea, according to a report by EPPF fighters who fled to Ethiopia.
The rebels who had sought Eritrean support in their fight against the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi were murdered shortly after the end of a general congress held in February 2010 in rural Eritrea. The report couldn't be verified independently.
Those killed were singled out for raising questions like:
Genocide and the unfinished debates
By Abebe Gellaw | January 4, 2011
s a matter of fact, I hold both writers in high esteem and have no desire to take sides except for the content of the arguments made with regard to genocide in the Ethiopian context. I would, however, be disingenuous if I fail to point out the fact that Tecola�s argument seems to make a pointed attack on the validity of Eskider�s analysis. Moreover, the writer used accusatory statements and phrases that have negatively impinged upon the quality of his points.
Editor's
Note: With his usual eloquence and incisive honesty and clarity, Prof Messay Kebede has presented us with an alternative explanation to the relationship between TPLF and EPLF, which also points out the contradiction in Asgede Gebre Selassie's main theme of conspiratorial stance of the Leaders of the TPLF. Messay has also challenged aspects of my take of Asgede's book, which I welcome greatly. This is the type of discourse and engagement of ideas that our Website greatly encourages. As Editor, I am grateful and thankful to my distinguished friend Messay and to all who share with us views and ideas critical or otherwise. We all benefit from such criticisms and insights. This is one reality in life where no one loses. TH
About
Asgede Gebre Selassie�s Gahdi I and the TPLF
By Messay Kebede
January 3, 2011
Ethiopian ethnic federalism: grooming regions for independent statehood or a genuine coming together?
Firew Kebede Tiba, PhD January
2, 2011
Commitment to a federalism project has to be full-hearted. I do not think that the makers of the constitution were fully committed to the modern federal Ethiopia project. The Constitution is based on the assumption that if this daring experiment succeeds, that is fine, if not we can pack up the willing pieces and move on and establish our independent fragmented states until the next bus stop. One either wants to be with Ethiopia or not, and that has to come out loud and clear in the constitution. It is important to look at the history of the TPLF to understand this half-hearted modern federal Ethiopia
project.
Coptic
Church bombing in
Egypt
is latest assault on
Mideast
Christians
By
Borzou Daragahi and Amro Hassan,
Los Angeles
Times
January
1, 2011, 3:39 p.m. Reporting from
Beirut
and
Cairo
The violence lately has taken an ominous turn. In November, the militant
group Al Qaeda in
Iraq
announced that Coptic churches in
Egypt
would be targeted until two priests' wives who were allegedly locked up in
Coptic monasteries after converting to Islam are freed. Al Qaeda militants
in
Iraq
have also referred to the women in justifying attacks on once-vibrant
Christian communities in
Baghdad
and around
Mosul
.
Ethiopians should be united when it comes to the Nile but avoid placation
Given the deeply held unholy Egyptian bitter resentment against Ethiopia, what would democrats, who happen to disagree with the current regime, do if Egypt launches punitive actions against Ethiopia�s newly built projects? Would the democratic forces ally themselves with Mr. Zenawi, even though they know that he is a despicable despot and has committed several treasonous crimes against the interests of their beloved country, if Egypt happens to trigger havoc against Ethiopia? My answer: �All things considered, and when push comes to shove:
January
1, 2011
Eskinder
also took issue with whether the number of victims fulfilled the threshold
for genocide and obliquely referred to the jurisprudence of the
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia to support his
argument. This could pass for a respectable argument in defense of the
suspects before any court of law if pursued rigorously but nonetheless,
must fail. The essence of the law against genocide is not about numbers.
Re: Derg Members (Mahal Sefaris) in the Name of Free Press
From: Dereje Biru Yadete
Letter to the Editor:
Mengistu,
after the killing of all those people, is laughing and smiling. One of the
things he said in his interview is this " who was I supposed to live
power to? Woyane?" and then he laughs. He laughs because, for him
what a normal human being would call a �person", is an ant in the
colony whose purpose in life is nothing but serving his master.
Silly
Hair Splitting: No Pardon for
Genocidal Criminals
The
Crime of Genocide vs. the Crime of Politicide
By
Tecola W. Hagos
There
seems to be a confused understanding of the interplay of international
agreements with domestic sovereign power in Eskinder�s analysis. First
of all, one must acknowledge the fact that a State�s national
sovereignty and independence is reflected in its power to prosecute and
punish crimes committed within its territory. In recent developments that
fundamental power has been expanded with the concept of
�extraterritoriality� having been incorporated in very many national
laws to prosecute and punish crimes committed against the citizens or
interest of such a nation else where in the world.
I
too am aggrieved by DPM & FM Haile Mariam Desaleng�s interview on
the nifty ITMN
By Genet Mersha, 29 December 2010
It is natural for every people to expect to see an accomplished and informed diplomat representing their nation on the world stage. Unfortunately, most people are not aware that diplomacy requires quick thinking, ability to relate to reality and history, a sense of international law, economics and familiarity with precedents in international life. Ato Haile Mariam could be a good cadre, a loyal ally, and a good person for that matter. But he is not material for diplomacy. I would not worry much about the language side of his deficiency; in fact, it is quite all right. He can get by. The tragedy is that he lacks the facility for quick thinking,
On the Interview: Hailemariam Desalegn on India's ITMN TV
By Ephrem Madebo | December 28, 2010
The Ethiopian Diaspora knows unequivocally that the land grab has sparked fear and anxiety in Ethiopia and the Diaspora is worried that there are many troubling questions raised by the land acquisitions, particularly in terms of impacts on small farmers, their land, and their livelihoods. The Diaspora also knows that there is a lopsided power relation in Ethiopia that small farm holders have no political voice, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
Revisiting �Two concepts of Ethnicity�
By Teodros Kiros
What is Ethipianity other than syntheses of all the ethnics and language groups
in modern Ethiopia? An Oromo is merely an Ethiopian who lives all over the vast
stretches of the Ethiopian lands, so it the Tigrean, the Gambellan, the Shoan,
the Gurage and the Southerners and all the others. The list is long but Ethiopianity is short
A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR�(EUDF)
December 25, 2010
We, the Founding Members, are all Ethiopians who have come together for the purpose of upholding, defending, and promoting Ethiopia�s fundamental interests and nationhood. We hail from different social, religious, regional, and professional backgrounds. We are economists, educators, engineers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, physicians, military officers, enlisted men, and so on.
THE MISREADING OF THE CONCEPT OF PARDON AND FORGIVENESS
By Tecola W. Hagos [December 25, 2010]
Introduction
I read the heart wrenching recent letter of Mekonnen Endalkachew, the son of the last Prime Minister of Emperor Haile Selassie I, Endalkachew Mekonnen, who was murdered along with about sixty high Ethiopian Government Officials by the order of Mengistu Hailemariam. The decision to execute the Officials, which included retired Patriots who fought the Italians five years occupation, was taken by a unanimous vote of the 109 Derg Members that included individuals who are at the present time either waiting execution or serving their prison sentences.
Pardoning Derge Officials? Time to Reflect in Due Course
Getachew Mequanent
We all acknowledge that Derge had brought about fundamental change in Ethiopian society including radical land reform and establishment of autonomous local administration. In my experience, many Ethiopians also blame all political groups for creating the 1970s political anarchy and civil strife. Yet, Derge leaders adopted a policy that resulted in the arrest, torture and murder of not only their political opponents, but also innocent people including government bureaucrats. The practice of throwing the dead bodies of young people in front of their parents� houses, and asking parents to pay for bullets (wasted to kill their children),
Unity or Ethnic Federalism: A brief response to Professor Andreas Eshete�s The
uses and Abuses of Cultural Diversity: African Past and Ethiopian Present.
By Teodros Kiros
This response is sketch of a longer scholarly article, in which I
woul like to invite Professor Andreas to engage in a democratic dialogue on the
behalf of the Ethiopian public. I know Professor Eshete loves his country as much as I do, and that we are
merely expressing this love differently, a function of our human diversity and
our sincere understanding of our Ethiopianity.
What price justice? What value life?
By Makonnen Endalkatchew
December 23, 2010
For those that are actively pursuing this issue and suggesting that justice has been already served, I have but one thing to say��SHAME ON YOU! Using this very sensitive issue to advance whatever personal agenda you might have is despicable and a major disservice to this blessed country of ours, and shows great disrespect for the many valuable Ethiopian lives which were lost during those dark 17 years of Dergue repression.
Iraqi Christians cancel Christmas amid threats
'We cannot find a single source of joy that makes us celebrate,' archbishop says.
KIRKUK, Iraq � Iraqi Christians on Wednesday called off Christmas festivities across the country as al-Qaida insurgents threatened more attacks on a beleaguered community still terrified from a bloody siege at a Baghdad church two months earlier.
People traffickers kill Orthodox deacons in Sinai DesertChristian Solidarity Worldwide calls on Egypt to take decisive action after two deacons murdered by people traffickers
by Brian HuttPosted: Wednesday, December 15, 2010, 17:12 (GMT)
Fears for hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers being held captive in the Sinai Desert have intensified amid reports of the murder of two deacons.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide heard of the killings in a report from Italian human rights group Agenzia Habeshia. The two deacons were among 100 Eritrean refugees separated by their captors from a larger group which also included Sudanese, Somalis and Ethiopians refugees.
Book
Review and Miscellaneous Comments
- Teodros Kiros,
Philosophical Essays,
Trenton
, NJ: The
Red Sea
Press, 2011, pages 101. $19.95.
- Teodros Kiros, Ethiopian Discourse,
Trenton
, NJ: The
Red Sea
Press, 2011, pages 236. $24.95.
By
Tecola Worq Hagos
It
is not an exaggeration when I state that there is much animosity and hate
in the lives of Ethiopians, especially in the political lives of
Ethiopians back home and/or in the Diaspora. Teodros�s essays are like a
breath of fresh and clean air wafting down the stale and stinking writings
of bloggers and chat-room intellectuals and those who write ad nauseam
with a single theme of �I hate Tigrayans or Woyanes,� in hundreds of
variations. Writing in the best interest of the public without biases or
prejudices is a mark of a wise person, but it requires also moral courage
and excellent academic training and native intelligence.
Obama's man on global development
From Edvige Jean-Francois, CNN | December 14, 2010
CNN STORY HIGHLIGHTS
For a year now, Yohannes has headed the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. government agency that gives grants to select countries to aid in their development.
Born in Addis Ababa, the self-made businessman who came to the United States in search of a better life says his background helps inform his work at the MCC.
"One thing you learn in growing up in Ethiopia and Africa at the beginning is poverty is dehumanizing," said Yohannes.
The MCC's specific mission is to reduce poverty through long-term economic growth. To achieve that goal, the MCC is run "just like a business."
It makes sure the countries that are on the receiving end of financial aid are creating a sustainable environment for growth, Yohannes says.Tapped to lead the agency by U.S. President Barack Obama, Yohannes says the role has given him an opportunity to give back to his adopted homeland.
Book
Review
Jane
Anna Gordon and Lewis R. Gordon, Of Divine Warning; Reading Disaster in
the
Modern Age (Paradigm Publishers, 2010)
Book
Review by Teodros Kiros
Jane
Gordon and Lewis Gordon have produced a masterpiece on reading disasters
in the modern age. The book is at once analytic, historically sensitive
and imaginative, feature that we have come to expect from these two
committed writers, each time they collaborate and produce books of
enduring quality.
የመለስ �
ጉዞ �ሸውራራ ብትኳል ለትዝብት�
ከአረጋዊ በርሀ
THE METAPHYSICS OF FRACTAL POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY*
By Tecola W. Hagos
From the outset, let me make it absolutely clear that the new Fractal Political Philosophy I am introducing into our discussion is not a diversionary tactic. My writing of this Article is not an underhanded and confusing intellectual endeavor aimed to divert the attention of heroic Ethiopians struggling against the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi and his Mehale Sefari supporters. They are equally responsible for the loss of our human rights and dignity. I believe Meles Zenawi and his Mehale Sefari supporters have committed treason against the Sovereign State of Ethiopia and Ethiopians.
A NEW BOOK AND MOVIE DVD BY DR. FIKRE TOLOSSA
Dr. Fikre Tolossa has released his book, The Hidden and Untold History of the Jewish People and Ethiopians, and his feature film, Multicolored Flowers, both in print and electronically.
Did you know that Melchizedek,
builder and King of Jerusalem, the father of Ethiop, the forefather of Ethiopians, and Abraham, the forefather of the Jews, were friends as far back as 4000 years ago? Did you know that Abraham and kings in Palestine bowed to Melchizedek, the High Priest and King of the Most High God, and paid him tithes in return for his blessings?
Did you know that in the veins of the Lord Jesus Christ did flow Ethiopian blood because he descends from King David whose mother, Adoli called by us Hable�, and whose great grandmother, Ruth, were Ethiopians?
Institute for Horn of Africa Studies
San Diego, California
www.ihasa.org
Ethiopia in Transition: War and Peace and the U.S. Role
Special report by the Institute for Horn of Africa Studies and Affairs (IHASA)
Dec 01, 2010
The discourse of the panelists focused on the historical and political manifestations of the nationality question in Ethiopia and its impacts on regional stability. Professor Edmond Keller, a re-known scholar in the affairs of the Horn, and a keen observer of ethnic politics in Ethiopia, presented a critical and historical evaluation of elections in the last few years in the Somali region under Ethiopian jurisdiction.
Thanksgiving:
Thank You �The Good Old
USA
�
By
Tecola Worq Hagos
There
is no substitute for the wonderful feeling of fulfillment I had in the 
simple act of walking down to Lafayette Park, secure in my person without
fear of any abuse by anyone, from my apartment a few blocks up 16th
Street NW near Scott Circle, walking around for few hours on Weekends
reveling in the Red, Yellow, and White tulips in full bloom and admiring
the majestic trees surrounding the great statue of Lafayette, the hero of
the great revolutionary war for independence. Of course, there, in the
distance, is the White House with its classic Greek fa�ade (front), even
though I prefer the back fa�ade. I always thought of the White House not
being grand enough for a President of a powerful and wealthy country like
the
United States
.
Ethiopian
observer Editorial
An
Image of Ethiopia: Racism in Santon's dark heart
November
18, 2010
Our
motive was none other than the best interest of our country and defend our
ethnic identity as true Ethiopians. Your organization needs innovative
discourse in order to get off the credibility tracks it is currently on.
As a President you must have vision and wide and far-reaching; but how can
that vision be brought into action while you are advocating violence and
havoc. A leader should not only be but luminously and unmistakably appear
to be noble you are totally disconnected in every act of what your
organization claim to become. The outcry against it as unduly and unwisely
vindictive and we strongly condemn it.
HAILE
GEBRESELASSIE:
Second
Thoughts on a Legend
Mitiku
Adisu
Book
Review and Commentary
Asgede
Gebre Selassie, GAHDI 1, Signature Book Printing, 2007. Pages 240.
$20.00
By
Tecola Worq Hagos
The
importance of the book is not for its literary beauty or eye-popping
drama, but for more important pursuit of truth and understanding of the
events that shaped and continue to shape our current Ethiopian political
and economic life. In essence, this book is a record of the day to day
dairy of a warrior, which was compiled later in a readable narrative form.
Asgede included also a brief autobiography at the end of the book that
helps his readers to place him in the historic sequences that shaped us
all as Ethiopians of the Generation that came to its own in the 1960s and
1970s. Asgede was one of the eleven original founders of the TPLF.
Aklog Birara
Ph.D., WAVES: ETHIOPIA�S ENDEMIC POVERTY THAT GLOBALIZATION WON�T TACKLE,
BUT ETHIOPIANS CAN, Signature Books, 2010, pages 497. $25.00.
By
Tecola Worq Hagos [October 28, 2010]
As
I have stated many times, Waves
is truly a remarkable book that must be read by everyone capable of
handling a complex, highly intellectual, deeply provocative, and
analytical book. Aklog is a very optimistic individual as one can see his
personality reflected and embedded in his brilliant book, and despite the
fact that he ended his book with a pessimistic sentence:� The bleak
socioeconomic reality presented in this book makes it urgent.� The
effect of this monumental book on me, however, is to lose totally my hopes
for
Ethiopia
. I was depressed for days, dazed, and brooding over some of the
statements of Aklog in his incredible book, which ideas seem to have been
glued to me. The truth about the fragility of
Ethiopia
is simply unbearable to me�obviously, a person of weak constituency. How
could a nation buried under so much suffering and poverty, and horrible
governmental policies, and corruption ever find its way out from such
nightmare? One may think of
that overwhelming unvarnished truth presented by Aklog as the one
deficiency of this great work for it forces us to look at ourselves and
lose hope.
National
Reconciliation and National Development in Ethiopia
Ghelawdewos
Araia, PhD.
October
22, 2010
On the other
hand, if the EPRDF initiates a more inclusive politics, iron out its
differences with the opposition, especially with the opposition that is
eager to contribute to Ethiopia�s development, the newly restructured
Ethiopian politics will dialectically reveal new opportunities and it may
even deliver unexpected but promising vistas for future generations of
Ethiopians.
Press Release
October 19, 2010
Ethiopian Community are fighting for justice at the savage Murder of Ali Mohammed in Washington, DC
By Advocacy for Ethiopia, Ethiopian-American Civic Advocacy (For further information please call: 301-326-7469 or E-mail:
[email protected])The unarmed man, Ali Ahmed Mohammed, had already been apprehended,
tackled to the floor, and effectively restrained by the four DC9
employees, and thus couldn�t have caused any physical harm to them nor
fled. Nevertheless, the DC9 employees proceeded to repeatedly stomp him in
the head, kick him, and beat him in cold blood, killing the young
27-year-old man
Welcoming �Eritrean� Students at Addis Ababa University
Tecola Worq Hagos [October 14, 2010]
I read the news that Addis Ababa University has accepted almost two hundred students from �Eritrea.� This is one decision that I applaud greatly. I applaud the President of the University of Addis Ababa for making such a bold and wise decision. This is the type of political decision that endears the leadership of the Ethiopian Government to the People of Ethiopia that includes Eritrea. Despite the harsh reality at home of a brutal and violent Government of Meles Zenawi, the People of Ethiopia still have great decency and human compassion. At times, such benevolence rubs on to Meles Zenawi too.
Over 100 Eritrean students enrolled at Addis Ababa University
We,
at this Website, are very Happy
at the release of Judge Birtukan Mideksa from prison. She should never
have been imprisoned in the first place. We are absolutly supportive that Birtukan
is home with her family (daughter and mother). We hope Meles Zenawi will
release the thousands of political prisoners all over Ethiopia. There is
no justice at all in imprisoning anyone for purly personal political
reasons. God Bless Ethiopia!
By Zeg Fanta
mailto:[email protected]
Finally, a prediction: Today, Ethiopians have to bury their grief and sorrow deep into their
hearts and watch from distance a few men and women in the same league celebrating the
crowning of another Meles in Seattle. Ethiopian-Americans and defenders of American
democracy shall celebrate their own commemoration of defiance and victory together with the
Ethiopian people at Home when their time comes around. Tomorrow will not be like today for
we shall be on the other side of the river, and as the Greek Philosopher Herodotus once said
about the Fair and Just Men, the Ethiopians shall also be judged only by fair and just people and
societies.
Towards a Policy of Engagement with Eritrea
Getachew Mequanent
The downfall of Issayas could result in the disintegration of this apparatus and the emergence of powerful military lords who will fight to protect their economic and power turf. It could result in a horrific situation more like that of Somalia. Al-Qaida could enter lowland Eritrea and Ethiopia will be faced with another security threat from the North. The consequences are serious.
Ethiopians will gain nothing from seeing Eritrea slide into anarchy. Nor would it matter if the Ethiopian government later agrees to host displaced Eritreans or constructively engage with any post-Issayas governing entity. The time is now to help the Eritrean people.
President Girma W/Ghiorghis, Can You Feel the Family's Pain?
Revisiting Birtukan Mideksa's Re-incarceration Case
By Tesfaye Habisso
In politics, the pardon granted the culprit (who sometimes is but a vanquished adversary) produces the happiest effect in favour of the power granting it; it impresses the minds of the people with the spectacle of power and greatness, and at the same time disarms the parties. The grantor of pardon has so much to gain by clemency, he derives so much glory from it, that in almost every instance it is a piece of good fortune to have an opportunity to exercise clemency. Clemency, it is true, may have its dangers, but neither is implacable severity without its dangers; the latter produces terror, which offers but an unsteady basis to power, and provokes retaliation. If we cannot help going to extremes it is better to sin by an excess of clemency.
"The delimitation (ድንበር
መተለም) and demarcation (ድንበር
መትከል) of the Borders of
Ethiopia
: The subtlety or illusions of international law and international
relations, with focus on the Western Borders of
Ethiopia
with the
Sudan
, and the question of Badme and Port Assab."
By
Tecola Worq Hagos [September
26, 2010
The
case or situation of the border dispute between
Ethiopia
and
Eritrea
should have been left to mature and for the fog of confusion of legal
principles and factual matters to clear up. The main reason for all the
controversy surrounding the decisions of the two Commissions has to do
with immature and rushed process for adjudication a controversy that had
its source in hundreds of years of history and rivalry. Temporary peace
would have been maintained without the rush to settle the controversy in a
legal forum. The Framework
Agreement of 1999 and Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities of 2000, even
with their limitations did provide such breathing space. The creation of
the Boundary Commission was a serious failure of statesmanship of Former
Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
EPRDF�s
plot to undermine our resolve to build democracy in our countryshall be
foiled by the peaceful struggle of our people
A press statement from MEDREK
One of the defining characteristics of the EPRDF regime, as observed in the last 20 years, is that it is highly erratic in its positions and as the result of the unpredictable nature of its system, we find it difficult to trust it and to plan anything in any meaningful way either individually or in group. �Despite this reality, EPRDF prides itself in being led by plan and continues to boast that it is bringing us �rapid growth.� Without explaining adequately what happened to the promises it had made to us five years ago, the EPRDF is currently engaged in a propaganda campaign telling us that it will enable us to be self-sufficient in food within the next five years, that the economic transformation will be fully realized and that it will be time for the economy to be led not by Agriculture but by Industry. This EPRDF habit of lining up an array of false promises in the economic sphere is becoming prevalent in the political field as well.
They don�t give a dam about development
Spiked.on-line, a conservative UK opinion website
Recently, a group of international NGOs has been leading a campaign to stop the building of the Gibe III hydroelectric dam in Ethiopia. They say the dam will disrupt the local ecosystem and the traditional lifestyles of �indigenous people�. So why are these groups, normally so vocal about geographical displacement, not up in arms about the tragedy that has unfolded in Ethiopia over the past few weeks? At least 19 people have died and 25,000 have been displaced because of floods.
Shame
on You Senators Feingold and Leahy [Draft Bill S. 3757]
By
Tecola W. Hagos
September
5, 2010
The real reason for the
draft Bill �Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of
2010,� S. 3757 sponsored by Sen.
Russell Feingold (D-WI) with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as a co-sponsor
(August 5, 2010) is to benefit Eritrea through the scheme that was
part of the Clinton Administration�s fraudulent involvement as a broker
of �Peace� while promoting the single interest of Eritrea and its own,
by setting up a corrupt arbitration entity called the Ethiopia-Eritrea
Border Commission where the outcome of any of its decision was already
predetermined by the Algiers Agreement of 2000 concessionary provisions
that resurrected long dead and defective colonial period international
instruments of over one hundred years ago. In section 3 (5) of the Senate
draft Bill it is clearly stated:
More Questions For Colonel Mengistu & Leadership
Criteria
By Fikre Tolossa, Ph. D.
Editor�s
Note: This article by Dr. Fikre Tolossa is highly readable and pertinent to the on going focus on Mengistu Hailemariam, a brutal savage that ought to be hunted down like a rabid dog for the countless murders he committed and for the hundreds of thousands Ethiopians who died and suffered due to his direct or indirect orders. Although, I appreciate Fikre�s courteous language, I do not agree with his assessment that Mengistu Hailemariam was not corrupt. Even when Mengistu Hailemariam run away in fear in 1991, abandoning his loyal supporters, into Kenya and on to Zimbabwe, he stole millions of dollars and the national property of Palace limousines and furnishings of the old Imperial Palace. When it comes to pedigree, Mengistu Hailemariam is not even an Ethiopian. Just being born in Ethiopia does not make one automatically an Ethiopian for leadership of any kind in Ethiopia. One must be historically connected with the Ethiopian population for generations. Both of Mengistu�s parents were directly from Turkana area of Kenya and the Southern Sudan boundary region before they came into Ethiopia as first generation immigrants (to use a polite term). He has no real connection with the people or history of Ethiopia. Evidence: he does not have a single blood-relation, such as uncles, aunts, and/or cousins of what ever degree in Ethiopia on either of his parents� sides. Mengistu Hailemariam is just an apparition and a nightmarish character from the depth of Hell. I would also add long family history of decency and service to any Ethiopian community as criteria for leadership in addition to those enumerated by Fikre. TH
Arundhati
Roy on Obama�s Wars, India and Why Democracy Is "The Biggest Scam
in the World"
Click the link below to watch the
video:https://www.democracynow.org/2010/3/22/arundhati_roy_on_obamas_wars_india
ANJALI KAMAT: We spend the rest of the hour with acclaimed Indian writer
and activist Arundhati Roy on the dark underbelly of India, a country that
prides itself on being known as the world�s largest democracy.
Earlier this month, when Forbes published its annual list of the world�s
billionaires, the Indian press reported with some delight that two of
their countrymen had made it to the coveted list of the ten richest
individuals in the world.
Energy
and Security Issues in the Red Sea Transforming as the Age of Gas Begins
in Earnest
Written by Gregory R. Copley
Thursday, 26 August 2010 13:56
Major new energy issues are about to transform still further the strategic
balance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, with foreseeable
consequences for the global energy market over the coming decade.
Soon-to-be-evident new wealth in the Red Sea/Horn of Africa region will
transform the intensity of conflict there, which in turn will affect not
only the region, but the world�s most important trading route: the Red
Sea/Suez sea line of communication (SLOC)
Fyodor
Konyukhov preparing for an expedition to Africa
Voice
of Russia, Read More
The famous Russian traveler Fyodor Konyukhov has become the first European
to see with his own eyes the legendary Arc of the Covenant that preserved
the Scrolls received by Moses on the Mount Sinai. 
This
is the holiest relic of the Coptic Christianity. It has never been shown
to any non-consecrated person. Most likely, this may be the reason that
led to many theories about the place where it is being preserved. At a
chapel in the ancient capital of Ethiopia, Aksum, the Ethiopian priests
showed the Arc of the Covenant to Fyodor Konyukhov who has recently been
ordained deacon by the Russian Orthodox Church, and is preparing for an
African expedition with the blessings of the head of the Russian Orthodox
Church Kyrill. Sharing his impression Fyodor Konyukhov has this to say.
Crying
in Silence
During the last 35 years more than half a million Ethiopians have settled
in Western Europe, North America, and Australia. Many Ethiopians in the
Diaspora have been uprooted and exposed to various challenging social
adjustments which are emotionally taxing starting from the very start of
the flight and all the way to the safe haven that the West represented.
Life as an immigrant in the West is never easy but comes with many daily
challenges and existential insecurity.
The
Time is Right to Unify the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
By
Getachew Mequanent
Finally,
we hope that Diaspora interest groups would take the initiative created by
the Council of Peace and Unity of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
positively, and restrain themselves from making negative remarks or taking
sides. We all know that the Ethiopian Diaspora clergy consists of
intellectuals who adhere to strict discipline and no one in the right mind
should think that they would be swayed easily by anything less than the
unity of this ancient church and addressing the interests and aspirations
of the Diaspora masses.
Tamagn Beyene: The Artist as Critic exposes the interiors of hate inside the crucible of TPLF.
By Teodros Kiros (PhD)
The artist heroically advised the audience to fight this vision through a counter vision of a genuine Ethiopianity, which ought to be promoted through the new media of Esat, the harbinger of change, unity and brotherhood of Ethiopians of the new generation.
BOOK REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Ye Colenel Mengistu Tizita, Volume II (The Reminiscence of Colonel Mengistu Haile-mariam)
Published by Kibru Publishers. Addis Ababa. 2002 (Eth. Cal) Pages 183 Author, Genet Ayele.
Reviewer, Fikre Tolossa, Ph. D.
A
NATIONAL CALL: A Reminder From
The
Ethiopian Border Affairs Committee
July
7, 2010
The
Ethiopian Border Affairs Committee is delighted to express its
satisfaction with the substantive discussion carried out by the Conference
on Good Governance, Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in
Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, held at Crystal City, Virginia, from
April 9-11, 2010.
World's first illustrated Christian bible discovered at Ethiopian monastery
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:33 PM on 5th July 2010
The world's earliest illustrated Christian book has been saved by a British charity which located it at a remote Ethiopian monastery.
The incredible Garima Gospels are named after a monk who arrived in the African country in the fifth century and is said to have copied them out in just one day.
Beautifully illustrated, the colours are still vivid and thanks to the Ethiopian Heritage Fund have been conserved
Watch Where You Point That Finger, Madam Clinton
July 07, 2010
By Tesfaye Habisso
What are American soldiers doing in Iraq today? Bringing peace, democracy and prosperity to the Iraqi people as often trumpeted by the occupiers, or dehumanization, exploitation of oil and other natural resources, mass destruction and havoc upon millions and millions of innocent civilians day in, day out, since they invaded Iraq? The U.S. public should know that the rest of the world does not hate Americans and America (as people from the whole world ardently yearn to immigrate to the USA, the land of freedom and great opportunities) but the arrogant and satanic policies of successive U.S. governments.
Editor�s
Note:
I do not know who ጎማ እግሩ
is, but the struggle he was engaged in and the many brave young Ethiopians
he led may be very well known to me. He might have been in some command
position when EPRDF finally entered Dessie. My own brother, Freedom
Fighter Tekleabib Hagos (Tekleai) now deceased, was one of the fighters
who came through that region and stationed in his place of birth, Dessie.
This narration by ጎማ እግሩ
is of particular significance and importance to me and to all, I hope.
What we have in ጎማ እግሩ
is a truly great Ethiopian, a patriot, a liberator, and someone with
humility, and above all who had transcended petty ethnicism and envisioned
the whole of
Ethiopia
with all of its people as a great single family of impressive history and
in the process of transformation. The reason for posting ጎማ
እግሩ�s
fabulous narrative here is to remind us all that there is something worth
fighting for in our
Ethiopia
even when we are greatly discouraged, as I was due to the results of the
2010 National Elections. And when the dust settles, we are after all a
band of brothers and sisters. Thank you ጎማ እግሩ
for your sacrifice and faith in the
Ethiopia
we all love. TH
Harvard student won't be deported
Undocumented 19-year-old gets immigration reprieve
Editor�s Note: At this Website, we are most gratified and ecstatic about Harvard�s support of one of its brightest students, Eric Balderas, who was to be deported by the immigration authorities as an illegal alien residing in the United States without proper documentations. Harvard is not just the best and the greatest University in the World, but an institution with high moral and ethical standard of conduct. I wish other institutions of higher learning will adopt such moral and ethical standards that transcend mere technicalities and look at the real human condition with compassion and understanding. Hooray for Harvard! TH
Editor�s Note: The distinguished sociology professor, author of numerous articles and books, and the great patriot on behalf of Ethiopia, Professor Donald Levine of the University of Chicago had written a short note on his reading of the essay by Tecola W. Hagos titled �New Version, Bonsai Ethiopia: Aesthetic Beauty and Artistic Beauty [A Diversion from Fixation on Politics]� posted on May 10, 2010 in this Website. Professor Levine has graciously permitted me to share his precious insights with my readers. I have herein posted the short but profound comment of Levine. I invite all to participate in a discourse on Aesthetics and Philosophy using this Website as a Forum. Many thanks to you all.
TH
Ijjig betam woud Tecola!I am glad you wrote this piece let alone shared it with me. It touches many spots where I live, as you doubtless intuited. My own particular affinity for aesthetics used to lie with music, yet I have enormous if ungratified yearnings to immerse myself in all the worlds of aesthetics as of art.
The
Quagmire of the Opposition and the Way Forward
Messay Kebede
Before
reflecting on the way ahead, it is imperative to assess correctly the
outcomes of the recent parliamentary election. People have reacted
diversely to my previous article concerning the election (see �Yes, a
Fake Election, but for what Purpose?�), with many disapproving my
characterization of the outcome as a �defeat of the opposition.�
According to my critics, the blame should be put on Meles, who rigged the
results, intimidated both voters and candidates, and repressed the voice
of opposition in more than a thousand ways.
THE WORLD FULLY EMBRACES DEMOCRATIC SOUTH AFRICA
By Genet Mersha, 11 June 2010
I am enamoured by the glory South Africa has brought to Africa, much as by the greater attention this has focussed on the region. That should facilitate introspection and more outside eyes, especially in the light of the emergence of new crops of oppressive single party authoritarian states of latter concoction, which in the name of democracy are further damaging the already poor image of Africa with their undemocratic and corrupt practices.
Ethiopia�s Missing Opposition: What Is To Be Done?
by Tesfaye Habisso, June 08, 2010
We are still at the stage of democratization, embarking upon a process which, we hope, will lead us to a more open, participatory, less authoritarian society sooner rather than later. We have not yet reached a stage where we can claim to have realized a stable and sustainable democratic system of government which embodies, in a variety of institutions and mechanisms, the ideal of political power based on the will of the people. Further, little in the present or the past in Ethiopia promises the success of any such thing, yet people want democracy and many believe it is the only possible solution to the twin ills of poverty and misrule.
�War Clouds
Gather��* Over the Nile
By
Challa Gudina
�War
clouds gather as nations demand a piece of the Nile� is how the UK based
Times-online has titled a recent article on the Nile issue. For several
generations now, Egypt has been engaged on saber rattling and using
various tactics to bully and control the waters of the Nile. It has been
waving an old and moth bitten rag of a Colonial treaty paper giving it
veto power on the River by Great Britain. The fact of the matter is that
the Nile River, 85% of which come from Ethiopia, never belonged to
Britain, and therefore, Britain had no right to give it away in the first
place.
Rigging election legally: What you should know about Ethiopia�s election system?
By Zekarias Ezra
The government has allowed EU observers. I for one would like to commend for that. I believe as a government they do not owe the international community or any one except the Ethiopian people to conduct a fair and open election. Having lived for so many years in the States, I have found that American election itself cannot be called fair and open in the true sense of the word.
CONSISTENCY
WITH THE ENTIRE PROCESSES AFFIRMS NOTHING
UNUSAL
IN ETHIOPIA�S MAY 23RD
ELECTORAL OUTCOME!
By
Genet Mersha, 30 May 2010
The government has allowed EU observers. I for one would like to commend for that. I believe as a government they do not owe the international community or any one except the Ethiopian people to conduct a fair and open election. Having lived for so many years in the States, I have found that American election itself cannot be called fair and open in the true sense of the word.
CONSISTENCY
WITH THE ENTIRE PROCESSES AFFIRMS NOTHING
UNUSAL
IN ETHIOPIA�S MAY 23RD
ELECTORAL OUTCOME!
By
Genet Mersha, 30 May 2010
I
was quite surprised to read in the EU preliminary report of 25 May a
reference to the Association of Families of the Derg as a part of
the Coalition of Ethiopian Civil Societies for
Election Observation (CECSEO). I strongly support the role of local civil
society organizations observing the election, only if they are allowed to
be free and independent. For instance, how free and independent could
members of that association of family members of former government who
already live in fear. If not about that, I was doubtful about the whole
idea, as I indicated in my article of 30
March 2010, �TPLF
(EPRDF)�HARDLY GOOD MIDWIFE FOR THE FUTURE DEMOCRATIC ETHIOPIA� (www.tecolahagos.com). I used the following words to express that scepticism:
Sudan hands over 46 rebels to Ethiopia
Saturday 29 May 2010
The Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) said on Thursday in a statement aired by state-TV the opposition members had planned to launch attacks during the election in order to sabotage it
[Updated]
A
Perfect Fit: Meles Zenawi and the People of Ethiopia
By
Tecola W. Hagos [May 25, 2010]
I
reject the result projected by the Election Board of the Government of
Ethiopia as a matter of principle. I heed the many statements by the
opposition and international journalists and civic organizations that
repeatedly claimed that there was going on systematic marginalization of
the opposition coupled with the implementation of repressive legislations
against the opposition since the aftermath of the massacre of unarmed
demonstrators after the Election of 2005.
Yes,
a Fake Election, but for what Purpose?
Messay
Kebede
From
such a resounding demonstration of force, we can even expect a timid
opening of the political space. Now that things have been straightened
out, the game of �free election� can resume with the understanding
that the right to oppose��a gracious gift of the victor��must
never include the goal of defeating the TPLF.
EU monitors slam Ethiopia polls
EU observers said the elections were conducted on an "uneven playing field" and favoured the EPRDF [Afp
The European Union's chief election observer in Ethiopia has said that last weekend's poll was conducted on an "uneven playing field" that favoured the party of the prime minister.
Ethiopia's ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) won the elections, according to preliminary results.
Ethiopia: Government Repression Undermines Poll
International Election Observers Should Condemn Voter Intimidation
May 24, 2010
Ethiopians vote inside a polling station in the capital Addis Ababa on May 23, 2010.
� 2010 Reuters..Related Materials: �One Hundred Ways of Putting Pressure�.Behind an orderly fa�ade, the government pressured, intimidated and threatened Ethiopian voters. Whatever the results, the most salient feature of this election was the months of repression preceding it.Rona Peligal, acting Africa director.(Nairobi) - Ethiopian government and ruling party officials intimidated voters and unlawfully restricted the media ahead of the May 23, 2010 parliamentary elections, Human Rights Watch said today.
Plunge
In, No Straddling a Political Fence
By
Tecola W. Hagos
We
Ethiopians in the Diaspora need to pledge our loyalty to our Motherland in
the manner the Hebrews directed their dedication every year promising to
return one day to their Motherland from wherever, as lamented by King
David in Psalms 137: 5-6: �If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right
hand forget her skill. May my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if I
do not remember you. If I do not exalt
Jerusalem
above my chief joy.� By the same token let us pledge and dedicate our
lives to unite, and to solidify our patriotism in promoting the
Sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Ethiopia
. To that end let us all
pledge to continue our struggle against the oppressive anti-democracy
regime of Meles Zenawi at all times. Support and Vote for Medrek!
Why
Ethiopians Must Support Medrek and Aspire for A Democratic and Peaceful
Transition
Ghelawdewos Araia
If
the EPRDF acts in the same manner as it did during the 2005 election and
grabs power by force, it should not be a shocking revelation, for it has
become standard practice in EPRDF�s operations to stifle any democratic
process that is perceived as threat to the status quo. The Ethiopian
people knew too well about this kind of scenario and it is no longer a
mystique obscurity. But they could be scared of government forces
including the intimidating cadres, the police, the secret service, and the
military forces.
Food For Thought
I would like to share with you all, at this time of great tribulation in the life of our Motherland and our People, the soothing words of John Donne. John Donne addresses
both the universality of human aspirations as a community and the suffering of each individual in society. He gives us hope too, for he portrayed our activities are all in the presence of God. These thoughts of John Donne are appropriate for us to ponder at this point in the political life of our Motherland, for in a Week there will be a National Election in Ethiopia where our parents and brothers and sisters will go to the polling stations to enter their choices of our future leaders, with nothing more than their deep faith in the humanity of those who are in charge and in power, who have been rigging votes and oppressing the nation for years. TH
From
John Donne (1572
� 1630)
Meditation
XVII: No man is an
island...
Letters
to the editors
Lemlem Tsegaw
I
read the article titled "Meles Zenawi and His Distortion of Ethiopian History by Tecola W. Hagos May 15, 2010" with great interest and excitement. I was not disappointed. As a matter of fact I was proud and delighted that some one of his
(Proffesor, Hagos� caliber) responded to such gross generalization and politically manipulated response by Meles. To me Meles sounds still angry with a sense of compassion as though he is still in his gorilla fighting status - defending Eritrea.
Meles
Zenawi and His Distortion of Ethiopian History
By
Tecola W. Hagos May 15, 2010
I
watched a truly despicable video of an interview given by Prime Minister
Meles Zenawi of distorted representations of
Ethiopia
�s history, comments on the decision of the United Nations in regard to
the disposition of Colonial territories, and on issues and concepts
dealing withself-determination, as part of his bid for Office in the 2010
elections. In lue of the fact that Ethiopia�s historians and
international relations experts are not engaged to correct such
distortions and are quietly allowing Meles Zenawi to keep propagating his
lies and distortions of Ethiopian History and vital interests without
proper challenge, I have stepped in to defend Ethiopia�s illustrious
history and its historical and legal rights to all the territories that
had been alienated through illegal means.
Quo Vadis Ethiopia? (Ethiopia Wodet?)
A personal opinion: By Ayal-Sew Dessye
(Note: This article was to be presented at the "Horn of Africa Conference" held at Pentagon City in Virginia. I'll state my observation about it at the end).
PART I
I. Background:
Why should, at this point and time, any Ethiopian care about where Ethiopia is heading? What exactly is at stake for Ethiopians as a people and Ethiopia as a country and why? What are Ethiopians' fears and hopes as individuals and as a people? Does the future of a country entirely depend more on a certain generation or generations than others and at a certain time under certain circumstances? Which generation's responsibility is it to care about the future of a country?
Ethiopian
Reality: Quo Vadis* Opposition? [Ethiopian Reality: Where to From This
Point On?]
Tecola
Hagos - (June
13, 2005)
In
order to build the Ethiopia of our future, we need to be cognizant of our
past and current history in order to learn to avoid similar mistakes of
our predecessors. We need to use history in a creative manner to solve
future problems. We should not be held hostages by our history or put in a
straightjacket of history. We should be able to communicate with each
other in a non-confrontational manner to resolve political and economic
problems. Our national security depends on how well we work with each
other. This seems to be a new beginning for all of us. Some of us have
hurt Ethiopia much more than others; nevertheless, there need be a change
of attitude from feelings of being victim to feelings of empowerment. For
whatever has happened in our past, in some way, we all are collectively .......
A short response to Dr. Tecola Hagos's Endorsing Medrek
Liberal Democracy vs. Participatory Democracy vs.
Revolutionary Democracy
14 May, 2010 | By Teodros Kiros (Ph.D)
I applaud Dr. Tecola Hagos�s characteristically honest response to my recent
article, �in defense of Participatory Democracy and against Revolutionary
Democracy" and Liberal Democracy".I think Dr. Hagos is very much mistaken
in judging the article as neitherenlightening nor timely. I think it is both,
depending on the reader�s mood.
Endorsing
Medrek:
Liberal
Democracy vs. Participatory Democracy vs. Revolutionary Democracy
By
Tecola W. Hagos
We
call upon all Ethiopians to set aside their ethnic based affiliations and
their animosities, and support Medrek in all legally acceptable ways. This
is the one chance, among many we had unnecessarily squandered, where we
could be able to channel the course of our future history. Our single
enemy is in the Person of Meles Zenawi, with his close associate. I even
dare to say the Members of the TPLF are not our enemies, they are simply
trapped in a mafia type
structure where they are unable to exercise their democratic rights as
Ethiopian Citizens. They are forced into adopting a divisive Ethnic
identity that challenges and fractures our historic Motherland. The same
could be said to each member of the other political Parties in the EPRDF.
All such Members must know that there is a great life after Meles Zenawi
and his criminal organization setup.
Medrek
Support Group North America (MSGNA)
May
13, 2010
In just ten days, the Ethiopian people will be
heading to the polling stations to cast their votes and in all likelihood
the majority will vote for candidates of the opposition party, Medrek or
Forum. The ruling party, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic
Front (EPRDF), chaired by the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, is terrified
and trembled than ever before in the face of Medrek, the voice of the
Ethiopian people.
In Defence of Participatory Democracy and against
Revolutionary Democracy and Liberal Democracy:
9 May, 2010 | By Teodros Kiros (Ph.D)
The historic nation of Ethiopia is populated by a historic people, who produced the Obelisks at Aksum, the churches of Lalibela, the classical songs of King Yared, the literary productions of Emperor
Zara Yacob, the philosophical orature of the Oromos, the art works of Gambella, the lash and green of the south, and of course, the philosophical masterpieces of Zara Yacob.
All
the way with Medrek driven by the vision of Birtukan
By
Robele Ababya | May 11, 2010
The
top leaders who represented Medrek � Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, Ato
Seye Abraha, Dr. Negaso Gidada, Ato Gebru Asrat, Dr. Hailu Araya and the
young and vibrant Secretary General of UDJP, Ato Andualem Arag� - held
their ground so well proving their worth in Medrek. I have some more to
say here about Ato Seye to respond to some of my virulent critiques in
respect of my article entitled �A question to ask � actions to
take�. One of my critiques asked �Is Seye worth defending?� and
another one demanded I should give up my name. But I will never give up my
name given to me by my Oromo parents and I am proud to keep my Gobenite
psyche of which OLF supporters accuse me.
New Version
Bonsai
Ethiopia
: Aesthetic Beauty and Artistic
Beauty
[A Diversion from Fixation on Politics]
By
Tecola W. Hagos [May 10, 2010]
Political
courage is also sublime when practiced against an entrenched power
structure and the leadership thereof. There were exemplary instances in
history where sublime act of courage is manifested by few under most
daunting situations. For example, the three hundred Spartans facing off
half a million Persian soldiers at Thermopile, the throng of very poorly
armed patriotic Ethiopians standing firm against well-equipped modern army
of Italy in several parts of Ethiopia, or the handful Ethiopian opposition
political parties engaging the violence of Meles Zenawi�s Government and
its security machine in 2005 and now et cetera. Such are acts of sublime
courage. Of course, the ultimate courage is to forgive those who do harm
us, as the Christ did forgive from the Cross, in great pain, those who
were responsible for his suffering. Such a life would be authentic and
sublime. When Abraham expressed in our discourse at the Arboretum about
his dream of becoming a �park ranger,� what he was seeking was
precisely an authentic and sublime life, fully expressing the notion of
�the courage to be.�
The Bonsai Nation: Stunted Ethiopia[Unwarranted Analogy]
By Tecola W. Hagos May 2, 2010
Except for the very few lucky Ethiopians, growing in Ethiopia is a process that is akin to the training of Bonsai trees. We, Ethiopians in general seem to suffer delayed maturity; we are made to feel that we are in perpetual teenage years. This is a cruel distortion of our growth, no different than binding us down with wires and feeding us with minimal social responsibilities. This is not how one creates responsible citizens. This cruelty in the deformity of our personality, in the inhibitions and stunting of our mental growth can be observed in the many chat postings in the Internet.
WHAT
AFTER THE ELECTION?
By
Genet Mersha, 1 May, 2010
PART II
The
past weighs heavily on the forthcoming election
In
its conversations and policy approaches, the regime has always boxed the
question of internal conflicts into a quixotic policy framework of denial.
Mentioning of this problem is confronted with attacks, intimidation and in
fact nowadays are used as subterfuge to discredit and subdue the legal
opposition or independent minded critics. The problem is still there,
despite denials. Innocent citizens are thrown to prisons for alleged
support of insurgents, or being one.
We
have been informed by reliable sources about the ongoing registration by
EPRDF members forcing voters to register to cast their vote for EPRDF
ahead of the election. Such action may be considering as an election fraud
a crime that corrupts the process. Please
see the registration form.
�
Ethiopia�s Abundant Farming Investments Leave Many Still HungryJamming
in Ethiopia Virtually Silences Free Voice, Experts Say �Cruel Ethiopia
New
York Review of Books, US
Helen
Epstein
May
13, 2010
The
Western Renaissance helped to democratize �the word� so that all of us
could speak of our own individual struggles, and this added new meaning
and urgency to the alleviation of the suffering of others. The problem
with foreign aid in Ethiopia is that both the Ethiopian government and its
donors see the people of this country not as individuals with distinct
needs, talents, and rights but as an undifferentiated mass, to be
mobilized, decentralized, vaccinated, given primary education and pit
latrines, and freed from the legacy of feudalism, imperialism, and
backwardness. It is this rigid focus on the �backward masses,� rather
than the unique human person, that typically justifies appalling cruelty
in the name of social progress.
[Part
Two] The Rebirth of
Ethiopia
: Medrek the Winner
By
Tecola W. Hagos [April 23, 2010]
Instead
of skepticism and cynicism, all of us ought to rejoice by the fact that
one or several of Ethiopia�s errant sons found their way back home to
Mother Ethiopia and are ready to serve their fellow Ethiopians, even
sacrificing their lives if need be. It requires great courage to admit
ones mistakes and even more so to take a positive step to correct that
mistake.
Debate
# Six: Another Miscalculation or Ignorance? The Fog over Ethiopia�s
Two-Decade Old Foreign & National Security Policy
By
Genet Mersha, April 22, 2010
The
Rebirth of
Ethiopia
: Medrek the Winner
By
Tecola W. Hagos [April 20, 2010]
Negasso
identified
Ethiopia
as �a wreath of flowers,� whereas each flower is beautiful on its own,
but in the garland connected as one by strong ties all the diverse flowers
transcend their individual limitations and become a field of greater
beauty. I pondered that image long after the conference was over, and it
still is fresh in my memory as I write, and I am ecstatic in having that
profound image in my arsenal of love for our Motherland when I think of
Ethiopia
. Thank you my brother Negasso for such profound insight.
Ethiopian athletes make convincing victories at Paris, Daegu marathons
Saturday, 17 April 2010
Atsede Baysa and Tadesse Tola produced an impressive Ethiopian double victory at the 34th Marathon de Paris in the French capital on Sunday. Other Ethiopian athletes Deressa Chimsa and Yeshi Esayais of Ethiopia took convincing victories at the second edition of the Daegu International Marathon on Sunday.Baysa broke the women�s race record with her 2:22:04 performance, the fastest in the world this year while Tola smashed his personal best by more than nine minutes to take the men�s title in 2:06:41.
The
past of Seye Abraha et al in perspective
By Eskinder Nega |
April 16, 2010Seye
Abraha�s commanding presence and well delivered speech on foreign
affairs in last week�s televised debate between political parties has
vexed EPRDF leaders, say sources. Their only solace is Seye�s rather
brash characterization of the recent row between the EPRDF and the Obama
administration as �staged drama�; which went down well with the public
but will hardly endear the opposition with the diplomatic community in
Addis.
ETHIOPIA AND
UNITED STATES HISTORY, DIPLOMACY AND ANALYSIS
BY GETACHEW
METAFERIA
NEW
YORK:ALGORA PUBLISHING, 2009 208 page.The
book is available at Amazon.com and also at Barnes and Noble
From the Editor: I ask forgiveness for taking the privilege of an
editor in imposing on my readers and visitors by reposting an article from some five years ago. The article is one thousand percent relevant to our own time, especially for the 2010 National Election. I could not have stated our historic dilemma any better a second time, Please, read carefully and critically. TH
Ethiopian Reality: Quo Vadis* Opposition? [Ethiopian Reality: Where to
From This Point On?]
Tecola
Hagos - (repost, April 14, 2010)
In
order to build the Ethiopia of our future, we need to be cognizant of our
past and current history in order to learn to avoid similar mistakes of
our predecessors. We need to use history in a creative manner to solve
future problems. We should not be held hostages by our history or put in a
straightjacket of history. We should be able to communicate with each
other in a non-confrontational manner to resolve political and economic
problems. Our national security depends on how well we work with each
other. This seems to be a new beginning for all of us. Some of us have
hurt Ethiopia much more than others; nevertheless, there need be a change
of attitude from feelings of being victim to feelings of empowerment. For
whatever has happened in our past, in some way, we all are collectively .......
Ethiopian
Airlines 'Interested' in Report of Bomb Aboard Crashed Jet
Source:
A report on a U.S. Internet Web site says British intelligence agents have reopened their investigation into the mysterious crash of an Ethiopian Airlines jet January
25.The "G2 Bulletin" Web site, which calls itself an independent online intelligence newsletter reports an operative of the group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula told interrogators the aircraft was destroyed by a suicide bomber trained in Yemen.
National
Consciousness,
Nation-State and the Problem of Economic Development
Discussion
Paper for Seminar presented to the Conference on Good Governance,
Peace,
Security, Sustainable Development in Ethiopia & the Horn of Africa,
from April 9-11
By
Fekadu Bekele, April 9,
2010
The present Ethiopian
government which has sold its soul for the international financial
oligarchy has thrown our country into an economic system which is mere
service oriented. According to the philosophy of the regime, only trading
activities and export of unprocessed agricultural products must be the
basis of economic development. Ethiopia must not build a strong home
market on the basis of science and technology.
Seattle Welcomed Medrek political Leaders
Assefa Gebrewold (Our Reporter from Seattle) April 10, 2010
Medrek leaders from Ethiopia namely Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, Dr. Negaso Gidada, and Ato Gebru Asrat conducted a crucial meeting with more than 200 Seattle
Ethiopian residents and residents from neighboring areas on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Garfield Community Center. The meeting was very civil and familial.
My observation came to mind during the meeting that was thrown as question and comment to the leaders of Mederk. The leaders expressed that politics is not static but dynamic force that frequently tune to the local and global contemporary politics. It is true at one historical junction we lead to dismantle the brutal regime of the Derg to its demise, than after we changed our views on a number of key issues. Experiencing this difference can cause thoughtful people to change their views, while still holding onto principle. Today Ethiopian politics to accommodate various forces it become an ideological tug-of-war.
Ghelawdewos
Araia, Ph.D April
10, 2010
Abstract: This article critically examines the
current politics in Ethiopia pertinent to the rule
of law, governance and the broad range of
philosophical foundations of justice. Above all,
the article discusses the ongoing pre-election
debates, and as a matter of interest to the
Institute of Development and Education for Africa
(IDEA, Inc.), the focus will be on the education
debate.
Ethiopia
and the United States: Hot and Cold Relationship � A Challenge to
the Future of Ethiopia
By
Tecola W. Hagos April 10, 2010
What
is ironic is the fact that it was
Ethiopia
that committed its modest resources on behalf and in support of the
interest of the
United States
first. After the reestablishment of diplomatic relationship and exchange
of Ambassadors for the first time in 1949, a year later in 1951
Ethiopia
sent its heroic soldiers to serve in
Korea
in support of the policy of the
United States
. They served from 1951 to 1954.
Ethiopia
sacrificed its brave sons (121 dead and 536 wounded) in that military
engagement supporting the
United States
. [Getachew, 45] Nothing comparable had happened from the American side up
to that point in time or later. Unlike the
United States
, the honorable Korean people and Government erected a monument to the
brave Ethiopian soldiers that sacrificed their lives safeguarding
Korea
from the ravages of communism.
Time
to Move On?
Donald
Levine (Liben Gebre Etyopiya)
Gwadotchu
had big dreams and lived them out.
Schools
built�count them! Clinics made�count them!
Industries
stoked! Roads laid! Universities established!
"And
when we suffered in the bush,
One
thought, one dream, kept me going:
To
see the common people of my
Country
going to the polls and voting, freely."
Abune Zenamarkos: His Apostolic Mission Preparing Ethiopians
For the Challenges in the New World
By Zewge Fanta Seattle, U.S.A
The
Ethiopians in the Diaspora and the Ethiopians in the homeland cannot exist
without each other. The well being of
Ethiopians in the homeland is detrimental to the well beings of Ethiopians
in the Diaspora. Ethiopians� human dignities were grossly violated in
their own country and so, people in the outside World have acted the same
way towards Ethiopians.
Editorial:
Most Pleasing Posting From Warka:
The Great
Ethiopia
I
have taken the liberty by posting what appeared in Warka
(April 3, 2010) as one of the most profound statements I have read in
years about the hope of
Ethiopia
�s renaissance. By reposting such wonderful insights in my Website, I am
imposing on my readers my deep commitment to bring back the glory of
Ethiopia
into the minced and fractured lives of Ethiopians despite the racist
policies and activities of Arabs and the United States Government to
divide and destroy
Ethiopia
. All Glory to
Ethiopia
and all of its diverse People. TH
Ethiopia
and the
United States
: Unhealthy Relationship
By Tecola W. Hagos
April 3, 2010
The
reality on the American political stage was that Roosevelt as a consummate
predatory politician was thinking of his own political life with an eye on
the votes of the Italian-Americans most of whom campaign in support of
Italy against Ethiopia. The Mafia of Sicily by way of
New York City
and
Chicago
had a hand in all that anti-Ethiopia and anti-black rhetoric in shaping
the
US
policy of the time. �In the 1930s, the �Italian vote,� which had
fluctuated between the two parties, became solidly Democratic in support
of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal.�
Happy
Easter to All, Ethiopians and the
World at Large
By
Tecola W. Hagos
Easter represent to me of renewed hope and renewed life. It is a symbol of the undying human spirit. It affirms the resilience of man, as symbolized by the death and resurrection of a simple and humble Jewish man, Jesus. The poet Shelley put it in a universalized symbolism fabulously by stating that �If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" It is the resurrection of the Christ that he was alluding to, but it is also the resurrection of the human spirit. For us Ethiopians, this particular Easter has special significance. We have suffered nineteen long years under the brutal yoke of oppression of Meles Zenawi and his anti-Ethiopia subversive Mafia-like organization. Meles Zenawi is the son of a banda traitor, who in turn had betrayed our national Sovereignty and territorial integrity. He is looting our gold and treasure to the tune of at least five billion dollars since 1992 in collusion with a greedy con man called Mohammed Al�Amudi.
Move
On?
Donald
levine
"HURRY
UP PLEASE IT'S TIME"
The
Waste Land lends me words, all I can think today
As
sweet Ethiopia wades through swamps that choked it so long.
"If
you don't like it you can get on with it."
Please
don't say that to me. For I
have watched,
While
the best and brightest of ten generations
Have
bled, screamed, groaned, died. My
friends, my brothers and sisters.
I
have tried, these fifty years, to show the patterns.
Symposium on Ethiopian Current Issues March 27 2010፡Report
March 31, 2010
Sponsored by the Ethiopian Unity Diaspora Forum
(EUDF), the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), and the Ethiopian People�s Revolutionary Party � D)
TPLF (EPRDF)�HARDLY GOOD MIDWIFE FOR THE FUTURE DEMOCRATIC ETHIOPIA
By Genet Mersha, March 30, 2010
PART II
At the end of Part I of my article, The People vs. TPLF�Tigrai�Addis Ababa Scale up Defiance of March 23, I closed with an idea from democratic law and legal precedents that voting is a form of free speech. This second part would pick up from there to state my reasons for denying my approval and support for the TPLF (EPRDF). Already the election environment is strained by shenanigans, widespread fears and undue pressure on voters by unfair and illegal vote canvassing. Widespread are ill-treatments, harassment and imprisonment of opposition candidates, party members and their supporters, so report news sources.
[Is
Ethiopia the worst country for women? Read below for contrast.]
The
World's Best Country for Women
By
Marie Claire
If
you want to be happy, healthy, and powerful, you might consider packing
your bags and moving to a picturesque country on the other side of the
Atlantic. According to a new report, Sweden tops out as the #1 place for
women to live. Is it the year-long maternity leave? The chance to date
four men at once? The unisex public bathrooms? (Ewww!)
THE PEOPLE vs. TPLF (EPRDF)�TIGRAI (ADOWA, AXUM, MEKELE, TEMBEIN), ADDIS ABABA� SCALE UP DEFIANCE
By Genet Mersha, March 23, 2010
As the countdown to May 23rd election
is ticking, the month of March has witnessed the most intense political
activities in Ethiopia to date in this election season. We see a
questioning public mood; we hear lots of accusations and counter
accusations by the parties. There is no doubt that March has not been a
favourable month for the governing party. The tide has been beyond
the capacity of TPLF�s well-greased propaganda machine. It has failed to
dispel the attack by opposition political parties in three out of four
debates to date. Nor does the TPLF image appear well shielded from the
arrogance of power that has now linked it to some horrendous crimes and
scandals that it desperately is trying wash off Nonetheless, some appear
too sticky to whitewash and may even have serious repercussions going
forward, whether the Front wins the election or is booted out by popular
decision.
Symposium
on Current Ethiopian
Issues
The
joint Committee consisting of the Ethiopian Unity Diaspora Forum (EUDF),
the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Ethiopian Peoples
Revolutionary Party (EPRP � D) extends its invitation to all
Ethiopians in the Diaspora and Friends of Ethiopia to the Symposium on
Ethiopian Current Issues, of March 27, 2010 to be held at Meriden Hill
Hall, Howard University.
Opposing
Meles Zenawi and the EPRDF: A Moral Imperative
By
Tecola W. Hagos, March 21, 2010
International
accolade for Meles Zenawi is a slap to the opposition in Ethiopia, and an
undeserved promotion of Meles Zenawi as an international statesman. Such
irresponsible acts by the Secretary General and the leading Western
Nations had dealt Ethiopia�s local political challenges to Meles Zenawi
a devastating blow. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
selected Meles Zenawi and Gordon Brown to co-chair the Advisory Group on
Climate Change Financing, on the World�s environmental issues, for
funding and for the purpose of distribution of billions of dollars worth
of funding, has given Meles Zenawi a new golden armor of invincibility.
But the World Community that is held hostage by the powerful nations knows
as much as Ethiopians do, the corruption and treason as well as crimes
Meles Zenawi has committed against tens of thousands of Ethiopians and the
State of Ethiopia itself. The leading Western Nations and the Secretary
General of the United Nations owe us an apology
Was 1915 Massacre of Armenians by Ottoman Turks Genocide?
By Andre de Nesnera | Washington 18 March 2010
The Ottoman Empire sided with Germany "And they then carried out systematically, deportations of Armenians from eastern Anatolia, first demobilizing the Armenian soldiers who were serving with the Ottoman army, forcing them to dig their graves and shooting them. And then women and children, deporting them into the deserts of Syria, massacring them along the way and ultimately killing thousands and thousands when they reached Dayr az Zawr, the end point in the Syrian desert," he added.
Debates and the 2010
Ethiopian Election:
Report and Philosophical Reflection
By
Teodros Kiros (Ph.D)
In
direct contrast, living democracy builds on the hidden resources of
individuals. Clarity, creativity, courage and internal power, the
potential virtues of democratic citizens turn toward life.New Ethiopianity
needs Living democracy with new eyes. We need to begin seeingdifferently,
by engaging our clear, creative, appropriately fearful and internally
powerful senses. Living democracy as a way of life, demands that we engage
ourselves with life� challenges in a concrete way. Change is
fundamentally an inner experience, which then spills over the external
world. A changed individual can then seek to change the external world.
The inner world is a world of fear, impossibility, but also hope and
change. Living Democracy is dynamic cycle of hope and fear, fear and hope.
The
joint Committee consisting of the Ethiopian Unity Diaspora Forum (EUDF),
the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), the Ethiopian Peoples
Revolutionary Party (EPRP � D), and extends its invitation to all Ethiopians in the
Diaspora and Friends of Ethiopia to the Symposium on Ethiopian Current
Issues, of March 27, 2010 to be held at Meriden Hill Hall, Howard
University.
Kaleb
Gebremeskel March 12,
201
Given
the brutality and intolerance of Meles and his party, the 2010 election,
like the 2005 election before it, may end up in the bloody attack of the
opposition by police forces. But if things go well and a relatively civil
electoral process is conducted, Medrek may not capture state power but it
would definitely secure sizable seats in the parliament and could enjoy
legitimacy as the main opposition in the legislature.
Meles
Zenawi's Action Plan for 2010
By
Fekade Shewakena, March 11, 2010
The
stabbing of an opposition
parliamentary candidate and the brutal beating of another in Tigrai by
Meles Zenawi�s thugs last week, only days after the latter made a code
loaded speech at the TPLF anniversary in Mekele, where he referred to his
opponents as the mud, the riffraff, and the enemy, fall perfectly in line
with the tactic and strategy set out for �winning� the May 2010 election.
All indications, including the rush by government officials to explain how
the victim died before even any preliminary police investigation,
show that Meles Zenawi�s finger prints are all over the killing. Some
ferenjis may be willfully fooled. We Ethiopians know the drill and we get
it.
ፕሮፌሰር
ዶናልድ
ሌቪንና
ፖለቲከኞቻችን
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
በየማነ ናግሽ
ሌቪን
እንደሚሉት፣
በተለያዩ
ወገኖች
የተለያዩ
ጥፋቶች
እየተፈጸሙ
ቢሆንም፣መንግሥት
"የአንበሳውን
ድርሻ"
ይወስዳል፡፡
በተለይ
የተቃዋሚ
ታርቲዎች
አባላትና
ደጋፊዎችን
ማዋከብና
ማንገላታት፣
የምርጫው
ሒደት
ላይ
የሚፈጸሙ
ስህተቶችና
ክፍተቶችን
በመሙላት
ፕሬስ
ከፍተኛ
ሚና
እንደሚጫወት፣
ነገር
ግን
በጠላትነት
እየተፈረጀ
ስለመሆኑ፣
ግልጽነትና
ተቀራርቦ
አለመነጋገር፣
የመሰብሰብና
የመደራጀት
መብቶች
አለመከባበር፣
ወዘተ
ይዘረዝራሉ፡፡
ገዢው
ፓርቲ
ኅብረተሰቡን
በሴቶች፣
በወጣቶች
ፎረሞችና
ሌሎች
ሊጎች
እያጨናነቀ
ስለመሆኑ፣
ሁሉን
ሰው
አባል
ለማድረግ
የሚያደርው
ሩጫ
በዘላቂነት
ዴሞክራሲ
ለመገንባት
ያለውን
ቁርጠኝነት
አጠያያቂ
ያደርገዋል
ይላሉ፡፡
ሌቪን፣
ኢህአዴግን
ብቻ
አልወቀሱም፤
ተቃዋሚዎችም
የአካሄድ
ለውጥ
ያስፈልጋቸዋል
ይላሉ፡፡
መግሥትንና
ተቋማቱን
ዕውቅና
መስጠት፣
ቅሬታቸውን
ለዓለም
አቀፉ
ኅብረተሰብ
ከመናገር
ይልቅ
አገር
ውስጥ
ላሉ
ሕጋዊ
አካሎች
ማቅረብ፣
መንግሥትን
ከማጥላላትና
ለማሸነፍ
ብቻ
ከመሮጥ
ለመተጋገዝና
ለመነጋገር
መሞከር
እንዳለባቸው
ይመክራሉ፡፡
Who
was Nicolae Titulescu?
March
5, 2010
By
Professor Richard Pankhurst
Nicolae
Titulescu, with whom we are concerned in this article, was a Romanian
scholar and statesman who devoted his life and career to the principles of
the League. Born in 1882 he undertook his primary and secondary studies in
his native Romania, after which, graduating with distinction, he travelled
to Paris to read international law, and was awarded a doctorate. He was
also active at this time in the Romanian National Committee which worked
for Romanian national rights
�The
Democracy Paradox�: Electoral Preparations Hint Gearing up Towards Known
Outcome
By Genet Mersha, 5 March 2010
The opposition sees devolution of power in
Ethiopia as counterfeit. EDP started right from the centre, saying that
the division of powers itself in the centre is not a true constitutional
division between the three branches of government. It equated the present
reality to cooperation between the powers. It accused EPRDF of hindering
the true devolution of power to the regions through such an arrangement.
It said that is designed for the TPLF to ensure its hold on power. The
guise used for this is ethnic issues and group rights, which contradicts
the rights of the individual citizens.
የመለስ
ዜናዊ ገደብ
አልባነት
ካሕሳይ
በርሀና ተስፋይ
አፅብሃ
የሕወሃት/ኢሕአዴግ
ታጣቂዎች
በትግራይ
የመድረኩ
ተወዳዳሪዎችን
መግደል
ጀመሩ
March
3, 2010
አቡጊዳ
� የካቲት
23 2002
የኢሕአዴግ/ሕወሃት
ካድሬዎች
በትግራይ
ከፍተኛ
ሽብር
እየፈጸሙ
እንደሆነና
የአገሪቱ
ሕገ-መንግስት
መድበለ
ፓርቲን
የሚፈቀድ
መሆኑም
እየታወቀም፣
የአገዛዙን
ጸረ-ኢትዮጵያና
ጸረ-ሕዝብ
ፖሊሲዎች
በመቃወም
በሚንቀሳቀሱ
ወገኖች
ላይ፣
ከማስፈራራትና
ከዛቻ
ያለፈ
የኃይል
እርምጃ
በመዉሰድ
ላይ
እንዳሉ
ከስፋራዉ
የደረሰን
ዜና
ያመለክታል።
Ethiopia
Opposition Rethinks Election Campaign After Candidate Killed
Peter Heinlein
| Addis Ababa
02 March 2010
Ethiopia's main opposition bloc is reconsidering whether to contest the May parliamentary elections following brutal attacks on two candidates, one of them fatal. Opposition leaders are blaming Ethiopia's ruling party for inflaming passions in the tense Tigray region, where the attacks occurred.
Arena-Tigray Party leader Gebru Asrat says candidate for parliament Aregawi Gebreyohannes was stabbed to death by intruders in his home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Medrek
Support Group North America (MSGNA)
February
22, 2010
The
EPRDF and the Meles regime represent a corrupt system and they preside
over patronage politics that have ignominiously devastated the Ethiopian
political and social milieu. Medrek, on the contrary, represents an ideal
of a democratic transformation of Ethiopia through the democratic process
and not by the barrel of gun as the EPRDF does. While the EPRDF regime
enjoys at suppressing freedom of expression and jails journalists and
politicians of the opposition, Medrek, as its name implies, favors
democratic dialogue.
�DEMOCRACY AND MULTIPARTY ELECTION IN ETHIOPIA��DEBATE EXPOSES DEEPENING DISTRUST OF RULING PARTY
Genet
Mersha February 25, 2010
What
is astonishing is that how much between November 4 and early February
things have turned 360 degrees, despite high hopes the agreement has
aroused amongst the signatories. Instead, it has now become vindication of
Medrek�s refusal to be a part of, despite the hounding from every corner
that it should sign. If AEUP�s threat becomes real, undoubtedly it would
become the first serious verdict against the behaviour of the ruling party
that the nation has known all along and that international observers
cannot go against this time around.
Meanwhile,
this initial warning shot by the AEUP leader has turned TPLF/EPRDF into a
beaver trying to salvage the situation before the case is made against the
electoral processes. Surely, one of these days we may read in the news
about a new split within AEUP or EDP, for which the ruling party has
achieved unmatched notoriety. The fact that the electoral processes are
not controlled by an independent electoral body simply means, as in the
past, anything less than victory for the TPLF/EPRDF, God forbid, would end
up turning the situation into a bloodbath and greater human sufferings.
The Great Confusion - The Poverty of Development
Economics
Fekadu Bekele
In order to build a harmonious society, we must abandon such kinds of buildings that are common in many Arab and Asian countries. Such kinds of buildings do not reflect the wishes of the masses and they disturb the human mind. We must turn to city buildings which incorporate all aspects of human life, and bring imaginations to human soul. Forty or fifty story buildings are not necessary in Africa, and maintenance costs cannot be affordable. For an aesthetical building style we can use the knowledge of foreign forces that are ready to work and live in Africa. We can go to the extent that we can invite those gifted individuals with all kinds of practical knowledge to come, to live there and teach us. Instead of inviting those so-called experts who until now distort the African economy, it is by far better to invite those Europeans who have practical knowledge, like handicraft activities of all types. Only this way Europe could develop.
Article
Follow-up and Response: If I were �
By
Tecola W. Hagos
If
our goal is to modernize our beloved
Ethiopia
, we will not be able to do it where our export is less by three times
than our import. We will not be able to do it wearing three piece suit of
expensive wool. We need to adopt Mahatma Gandhi�s concept of self
reliance and humility. We need to wear with pride our homespun and ride gharis or walk to work. We need to develop our mass transport and
cut drastically our conspicuous consumption of manufactured Western goods.
These are recommendations easier said than done because they demand
attitude changes: they require new and profound patriotic commitment on
most Ethiopians
WE GRIEVE AT THE PASSING OF HIS GRACE ABUNA ZENA MARKOS, OUR GREAT CHURCH FATHER OF THE ETHIOPIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Tewahdo)
Abuna
Zena Markos died on Saturday February 13, 2010.
We
celebrate the exemplary life of Abuna Zena Markos, a life of service and
compassion, of one of the great Fathers of our Ethiopian Orthodox
Christian Church. Let us all remember the life he lived and be lifted from
our daily grind in the glory of God�s infinite grace for favoring us
with the service of one of his most dedicated and humblest servants, Abuna
Zena Markos. Let us not be discouraged in his passing, but be uplifted by
his Christian life�s work. For he had dutifully followed in the
footsteps of the Christ in the service of his fellow man, he continues to
live in the heart of all of us. We thank also ethiomedia.com and
several other media for posting in timely manner the sad news of the
passing of our much loved and admired Spiritual Father, His Grace Abuna
Zena Markos. Requiem Eternum.
Growth
& Unt Growth & Unrest Said To Taunt Ethiopia in 2010: The Contradictions the Nation Has Become�
By Genet Mersha, February, 13, 2010PART V
The
World in 2010�s testimony of positive growth
prospects
in Ethiopia is likely to arouse expectations amongst citizens. However,
notice that beyond the headline and the details of the numbers, its
forecast is deliberately accentuated with implied concerns over its
sustainability and the economy�s lack of internal dynamism. It states,
�As the global economy emerges from recession most of the leading
performers in 2010 will be minor emerging markets, especially aid-driven
countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.� It then attributes Ethiopia�s to
IMF�s financial support on one hand and favourable weather for
agriculture on the other that could make it �one of the world�s
fastest-growing economies� this year.
Barking
Up All Kinds of Trees: A Response to Tesfaye Habisso
Donald
Levine
I
find it difficult to imagine that many EPRDF members accept this claim.
Apart from the peculiarity
of blaming the United States for instigating Ethiopians' violence
following the 2005 elections, just voicing such a claim stands to
discredit international concerns about human rights violations and modern
electoral standards�which Tesfaye staunchly supports as has the
Ethiopian Government.
Rural
Industrialization in Ethiopia: Time for Action
Getachew
Mequanent
On
behalf of the Ethiopian Diaspora
Eighty-three
perecent of Ethiopians live in rural areas still deriving their
livelihoods from subsistence agriculture. The concentration of crop and
livestock productions in the highland areas, coupled with population
growth and inappropriate land use, has resulted in the depletion of
resource bases (land, water and vegetation). Despite the gains in
agricultural production in recent years, Ethiopia still remains faced with
the problem of food insecurity. The time has thus come to consider
concerted efforts that support rural industrialization which would lead to
a reduced reliance on subsistence agriculture as a main source of
livelihoods while transforming the economy and promoting long-term food
security.
EFFORT emptied Development Bank of Ethiopia
By Abebe Gellaw | February 5, 2010
In mid-January, the ailing Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) declared once again that it is in need of rescue fund. The business weekly, Addis Fortune, reported that the bank called on the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) to inject more capital to refill its empty cash registers.
INCREASED
ROLE OF PARTY-OWENED ENTERPRISES IN BUSINESSES & THE ECONOMY RAISES
SEVERAL SERIOUS CONCERNS. FOR MANY, THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS HAPPENING TO
THE EXPRESSED NATIONAL OBJECTIVES OF:
By
Genet
Mersha
It
is extremely troubling why the ruling party is so driven about pushing new
visible and invisible policy doors. It has opened immense political and
legal support to its business enterprises, including the country�s banks
made to give them priority over others. Could
that be the reason why only TPLF/EPRDF members preside over the boards of
party-owned businesses and major government enterprises including banks?
The Politicization of Food Aid Under One-Party Rule in Ethiopia
By Seeye Abraha
February 1, 2010
The West has provided hundreds of millions of dollars of food aid to Ethiopia in the past several years. However, donor countries have placed few monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the aid provided is delivered to the target populations. As a result, the ruling party has been able to effectively use relief aid to mobilize support for itself and undermine support for its opposition.
Press Statement
The
United Nations Human Rights Council officially declared
that
UDJ Chairperson W/t Birtukan
Mideksa is among those
prisoners
who
are arbitrarily arrested
UDJ will continue to pursue its course of
peaceful endeavor to see our leader Birtukan Mideksa and other prisoners
of conscience released and freedom and democracy become a reality in
Ethiopia. We call upon the international community to stand on our side in
the pursuit of this noble and common cause. It would be a serious mistake
to believe that anyone�s interest could be protected in an environment
where repression rules.
WHY
IS THE
VATICAN
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY ON
ETHIOPIA
?!
Kidane
Alemayehu.
I
feel sure you're aware of the fact that the Vatican is in the process of
beatifiying Pope Pius XII into sainthood although it is well known that he
was a major supporter of the Italian Fascists who committed genocide in
Ethiopia. The Jewish community is expressing its serious objections
because of the Pope's collaboration with the Nazis. Ethiopians have more
cause for objections to the process.
Ethiopian
Banker Leads Development Agency for Obama Administration
As
chief of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Daniel Yohannes, is the
highest 
ranking
Ethiopian American in Obama's government.
An Ethiopian
immigrant is making history as the highest Ethiopian-American official in
the Obama administration. Daniel Yohannes was born in the Ethiopian
capital. He completed his elementary school at Addis Ababa�s Nativity
Boy�s School and later transferred to St. Joseph�s, a prestigious
Catholic high school in Addis Ababa. �In those days people of my
generation were idealistic, full of energy, with a lot of love for each
other, as well as love and respect for our parents, elders, and teachers,�
Yohannes says Yohannes tells about some of the successes. Ghana, he points
out, is making commercial agriculture more profitable and reduce the cost
of transporting food from rural areas to markets.
Residents
of Addis Ababa crying out for freedom
By
Astway Yared
According
to residents of Addis Ababa, the regime has put in place multiple
controlling mechanisms, which are designed to control the daily activities
of citizens. Currently, the regime has established new structures called
Urban citizens� league (�Yeketema Newariwoch League�), �Women
League�, �Youth League�, and �Youth Forums�. League and forums
are a newly introduced organizing techniques intended to control citizens.
One woman said �if citizens decide to abandon these League and Forum
meetings, they will be under the threat of receiving no social services
from their Kebele, including wheat�.
Protecting
Ethiopia?: On Outside Support for Human Rights
By
Donald Levine
It
is in this age-old spirit that some Ethiopians warn today of new dangers
of encroachment in their country and in Africa generally. This fear may
well be exacerbated by recent leases of expanses of land to Saudi Arabia,
India, and Egypt, and by published reports that some 50pc of Chinese
businesses reportedly operate in Ethiopia illegally.
Haiti:
Our Great Friend in Need
Tecola W. Hagos January
18, 2010
We urge our Ethiopian
brothers and sisters to give and help as much as possible to the victims
of this horrendous devastation. The suffering of every single Haitian is
ours as well. Let us remember how our Haitian brothers and sisters,
without exception, helped our cause during the Fascist Italian aggression
and occupation of our beloved country
Ethiopia
in 1935-41.
Please, participate actively in every way you can by denoting money to
charitable organizations, and by volunteering to Work in the recovery
process in
Haiti
. Please, contact the Red Cross, the Haitian Embassy et cetera for such
humanitarian purposes. Let us use our wide network of families, friends,
neighbors, colleagues, and community members for such purpose. It is our
duty to help our fellow human beings in time of their greatest needs, and
it is also our obligation of gratitude to the kindness shown to us by
Haitian in our time of great need.
Passion and Interest: The Faking of
Tigrean Nationalism
Messay
Kebede
January
18, 2010
Our
surprise should decrease even more in light of ethnic discourse
authorizing oppressive behavior. The clear message of ethnonationalist
discourse in Ethiopia is that there is nothing common between Amhara,
Oromo, Tigreans, and other groups. They are all different nations that the
Amhara state held together by sheer force. Given this image of Ethiopia as
a �prison-house of nations,� what can we expect from TPLF fighters
when they land in Wollega, Gondar or Wolaita? Obviously, they come as
conquerors and occupiers since no bonds exist between them and the
indigenous people. In denying the existence of a country called Ethiopia,
the TPLF fighter is thereby invited to behave as a foreigner occupying an
alien land that he/she will ransack without the slightest
hesitation.
AS
ETHIO-EGYPTIAN ACCORD TAKES EFFECT,
AL
AHRAM RUBS SALT ON OLD WOUNDS
By
Genet Mersha, January 12, 2010
In
fact, Mr. Nikrumah insinuates as though Ethiopia has said, �take
whatever you want, but make sure you cooperate with me in the economic
field. Even then, the best he could is to state, �Egypt, too, [compared
with Israel] stands poised to prove that it can offer technical assistance
to Ethiopia. Though no small challenge, it is one that can be met.�
POLITICS HAMPERS
PROGRESS ON POVERTY ERADICATION,
BALANCED GROWTH, FAIRNESS,
DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE
By
Genet Mersha, January 4, 2010
In
Ethiopia�s case, the slogan is growth with distribution. To that end,
numerous actions have been undertaken. Nonetheless, in spite of these and
significant GDP growths, the data suggest loud and clearly that poverty is
on the rise, instead of declining. This speaks of a strategy anchored on
shifting grounds. This could be the outcome of growth processes hijacked
by the dictates of political interests rendering pro-poor growth
toothless. Obviously,
the desire to break out of the shackles of poverty is there, although
priorities have changed to overcoming the damage the tragic 2005 election
has caused. As the French would say
Journalists facing supreme court vendetta
By Abebe Gellaw*
The people at the helm of the Federal Supreme Court know the difference between justice and vengeance. They know that justice is blind, a concept that underlines the neutrality of the judiciary. But blinded by political and ethnic interests, the Supreme Court judges have preferred to dispense injustice with vehement vendetta against the perceived political enemies of the regime.
Birtukan
Mideksa:
Ethiopia
�s Freedom Supernova
By
Abebe Gellaw, January 1, 2010
Those
who have been consumed with self-destruction and bickering even within her
party in stead of unifying against the rise of Stalinism and Apartheid in
our homeland should remember a woman, who has chosen to suffer in harsh
jails than kneeling down to despotism
Book
Review: Tadesse Tele Salvano�s Ay Massawa!
By
Messay Kebede, December 31, 2009
The book presents an encircled army defending with courage and determination the port of Massawa against the ferocious attacks of the EPLF�s military forces assisted with units of the TPLF. This army unit of 17000 men resisted for ten long days even though it had no other choice than death or mere surrender: it could neither retreat as the Red Sea blocked any backward move, nor receive reinforcements given that the EPLF firmly controlled the road to Asmara. The book is all together an epic, an immense tragedy, and a great tribute to Ethiopian nationalism. Many combatants were killed on both sides although the book does not offer figures of the dead, the wounded, and the prisoners.
EDITORIAL:
UN
Sanction against Eritrea is ill Advised,
Not
Beneficial to Ethiopia
�Ahyawin
tito Dawlawoon�
By
Tecola W. Hagos, December 29, 2009
Both China and Russia in some ways may act in their own self interest, which may restrict the ever growing imperialistic and hefty decisions of the West. My dissatisfaction of the decisions of the powerful Western nations is not an opposition to their economic structure that had brought about unheard of wealth to the World in general, but their poor foreign relations and terrible foreign policies. I particularly resent their subservient relationship and difference to Saudi Arabia, which should not even be considered as a government, but a family business with abominable and absolutely dictatorial primitive system of law and system of management. It is laughable that the West would be imposing on little and poor Eritrea sanction for �destabilizing� the Horn region, while Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Emirates, and Egypt, the main forces that have caused havoc in the region for the last half century are held in reverence.
UN DATA INDICATE ETHIOPIA�S PROGRESS
ON MAJOR MDG TARGETS HAS LONG WAY TO GO
By Genet Mersha, 27 December, 2010
Part I of this article rang the bell that poverty and inequality have deepened in Ethiopia. With the help of data, it showed where Ethiopia stands in respect of attaining the three targets of Goal One of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The internationally defined objective of Goal One is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
PART FIVE:
Lacrimosa for Ethiopia: Political Liquidation of EPRDF/TPLF
By Tecola W. Hagos [December 23, 2009]
There is an Ethiopian aphorism that is always a source of
fascination to me every time I think about Meles Zenawi and his close associates: When Totit (a young agile ape) was asked what type of contest-game she liked best, she answered, �Ye zaf ly tigle.� [trans. �Wrestling on tree branches.�] What Meles does best in politics is the equivalent of wrestling on tree branches metaphorically speaking, where he is adept with arboreal acrobatics of lies and deceptions. To counter his form of contest is not to go after him to tree tops up in the air, but to pull him down to Earth with pragmatic strategy and short term tactics. Medrek is a group I believe destined to rescue Ethiopia from destruction. It is the best aggregation of politicians and intellectuals that could effectively transform Ethiopia into a unitary and multi-ethnic nation-state and on to a strong rich and humane country in the near future.
The
Honorable Judge Birtukan Mideksa,
We at the Website www.tecolahagos.com
are wishing you Melkam Genna and Year 2010 of Justice. We
want you to know that you are never far from our thoughts
every single Day. We Protest your illegal and barbaric
imprisonment by the Government of Meles Zenawi and his
Close Associates, in the strongest terms possible. We
offer you as part of our greeting a Poem by Dr.
Ghelawdewos Araia. TH
Birtukuan,
Tell Me!
By
Ghelawdewos Araia
What
have you done my dear
To
be thrown into the jail of Qaliti
Is
it your elegant appearance?
Or
your formidable political stance
Oh Africa!
By Haileselassie Girmay
What is this thing I carry - empty sack,
Funny enough
It is tough,
It weighs me down
Like no other thing has done,
I have no use for the paunch,
Whatsoever none,
Please take it if you can.
This grey matter
Inside the skull,
Ideas together it could not pull.
The Beauty of Faith: The Lalibela Ethiopian Cross -
The Most Beautiful Cross in the World
By Tecola W. Hagos, December 18, 2009
Reprint as Season�s Greetings, Melkam Genna and a Happy New Year
www.tecolahagos.com
In this one design, the Christian dogma and the history of the Church are both encapsulated in an exquisitely balanced expressive design. [The first Lalibela Cross depiction at the top herein in this article is the base for all Lalibela Cross variations.] The Cross is based on two elongated circles intertwined with each other, where one simply continues or merges into the other, symbolizing the temporal and the eternal, or Heaven and Earth, or the Spiritual and the Physical aspects of Creation.
Eternal flame�.
Locke me in a fridge
I will not get cold
And my blood clot.
If I hold on to you - eternal flame
Death will not triumph and claim.
By Haileselassie Girmay
IMF/World Bank & the Clientele of Failing States: The case of Ethiopia�s chronic famine syndrome
Laeke Gebresadik December 12, 2009
The problem of food crisis has its deep
roots in the structural changes of the farming sector since the 1984
famine. The commercialized food aid and austerity programs of the
IMF/World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) on the agricultural
sector, and the economy at large, are the forces that have failed Ethiopia
to achieve food security for its people since the great famine.By
the year 2004, twenty years after the great famine, farmers and their
families in Ethiopia trapped in a cycle of draught and government
mismanagement became established customers of human misfortune for rich
farmers and mill companies in the United States.
POVERTY & INEQUALITY DEEPEN, DESPITE ECONOMIC GROWTH:
IS IT SYMPTOMATIC OF POLICY FAILING THE POOR, OR GROWTH?
By Genet Mersha, December 17, 2009
In making this conclusion, this writer declares her awareness that accelerated economic growth in Ethiopia has begun from a low base, and real growth is only six years old, out of the eighteen, since the regime has been in power. Even then, unfortunately, the momentum of growth and national development has been taking place in a climate beset by policy inconsistencies, political polarization, uncertainty and corruption. At the individual level, rife is state-inspired fear and insecurity and public resentment against curtailment of civil liberties.
Remarks
by MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes at the Public Outreach Meeting after the
December 2009 Board Meeting
December
10, 2009 - As prepared
I�m
grateful for the Senate�s swift confirmation of my nomination. Congress
is an important partner for us, and I am looking forward to working with
the many men and women on Capitol Hill who are dedicated to MCC�s
mission of reducing poverty. I am also looking
forward to getting to know, and working with, all of you. This is my
second week on the job and this is what I know for sure: MCC is expanding
opportunities for the world�s poor through a system built on
transparency, results, and new thinking in development.
grapeshot
of the Ethiopian Revolution
By
Aymro
Ato
Meles, cuts a similar figure to Louis Napoleon, the same arrogant pride,
deceitfulness, monarchic aspirations (overt in Louis & covert in
Meles) and bloody-mindedness. They both turned out quite costly to
the countries they misruled; Louis Napoleon foolishly conquered Mexico
with disastrous consequences and was then manipulated by Bismarck into
declaring war on Germany and then soundly beaten. Ato Meles, has given
away the seacoast, fought a foolish war with Eritrea and invaded Somalia a
few times. All these wars have been disastrous to Ethiopia�s economy
with no benefit to anyone.
The
Mystery and the Glory of Ethiopia
A
leap of faith to Ethiopia's ancient holy sites
By
Mark Sissons | December 12, 2009
The
mind tends to wander when you're trying to catch a glimpse of the only man
on Earth who's allowed to see the Ark of the Covenant, the shiny gold box
said to hold the tablets of the Ten Commandments. How
do you get that job? Is there a security clearance? Does it come with
medical and dental, or is your well-being pretty much overseen by the
Almighty? I couldn't help but think:
Indiana Jones would have loved Axum.
Press
Release: U.S. URGES FURTHER ETHIOPIAN ACTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The United States considers a vibrant and independent media to be one of
the pillars of a strong democracy. As
such, we are concerned about the recent closure of the Addis Neger newspaper,
and the allegations of harassment and
intimidation of private media. The outstanding charges against
private journalists, editors, publishers, and media houses may also
contribute to a perception that space
for independent media in Ethiopia is constrained. Ethiopia�s
constitution guarantees freedom of the
press and that the press shall enjoy legal protection to ensure its
capacity to entertain diverse opinions.
A
MANIFESTO FOR UDJ: Moral Economy, an Alternative to Capitalism and
Socialism
By
Tewodros Kiros, PhD
When
famines occurred and deep inequalities became a way of life, it was the
duty of the rulers to uphold Maat and measure the depth and extent of the
suffering. Not that this ideal was perfectly upheld, particularly when
nature overwhelmed the rulers ideals, but there was at least an absolute
and objective standard by which social/ political life was judged and
measured.
EDITORIAL:
Addis
Neger
[victim
of Meles Zenawi's
Oppression]
By
Tecola W. Hagos
December
9, 2009
Nothing infuriates me more than the
mistreatment of mothers and children. I could easily go into epileptic
convulsion when I hear about harm done to the most valuable and yet the
most vulnerable members of society. The next groups of people that I
believe deserve all the protections we can muster are reporters, editors,
and publishers, people who inform, educate, and galvanize us. Without free
press and open communication, a nation and a people have no life and no
future. Of all the fundamental freedoms, the right to free speech and
expression is the most foundational and cannot be delaminated from the
right to life.
UDJ
Press Statement
December
7, 2009
In
a matter of one week, open lawlessness wins twice in Addis Ababa. On 29
November 2009, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) had called an
Extra-ordinary Congress scheduled to be held at the Imperial Hotel. The
meeting was permitted by the Addis Ababa City Administration in writing.
The permit was copied to the relevant security and law enforcement bodies.
UDJ also had delivered a copy of the permit to the Police Command, under
whose jurisdiction Imperial Hotel is, to make sure that it had reached the
immediately responsible body. The Extra-ordinary
Congress was openly disrupted by a group of individuals who
were dismissed from the party for disciplinary reasons and UDJ asked for
police help. No help came. The government failed to uphold the rule of law
and lawlessness reigned at the Imperial Hotel.
Do
You Remember Me?
Ethiopia
.......!
�Do You Remember Me? �
��Yes! I do! How couldn't I!
I am the river you found me dry.
Your parched throat about to crack,
Water, plenty that I have & that I don't,
Was what you were heard cry!
Poems
from Arsenic and Humor: A Book of Verses [manuscript]
By
Tecola W. Hagos [Phineaus] (three poems)
From Abbay
Media
Addis Neger ceases
publication
Posted in
December 4th, 2009
by Editor
in Press
Freedom, Press
Release
LETTER
TO THE EDITOR
On
Professor Mesfin, UDJ, and Medrek
The
test of a difficult time can hardly be overcome by slicing one another
By
Genet Mersha
Lately the actions of the man I respect have reminded me of the words of the famous economist Paul Samuelson. He emphasized that, in a changing world, the risks are too many, especially as �customs may be so unyielding that societies become extinct defending their traditions.� Ethiopian pride comes to mind, cherished as it is. However, I mean no disrespect in saying I turned into the Doubting Thomas the day Prof. Mesfin pushed further into political activism as his latest vocation. For all I understand, his well-recognized trademark has been opposing whatever everyone supports, the type of which he has unwisely demonstrated now. It seems his frailty�not in the least in the physical sense�has become more evident now than anytime before.
PART
FOUR
Lacrimosa
For
Ethiopia
: Medrek and the �Code of Conduct�
By Tecola W, Hagos � December 1, 2009
How many Ethiopians, among the opposition or in general, would have the type of personal individualized courage as some of Ethiopia�s heroes from our past, such as Abraha Deboch, Moges Asghedom, Belai Aschenaki, Zerai Deres, Abuna Petros et cetera? I am not advocating here recklessness or terroristic activities, but focusing on the mental preparedness and courage of such individuals. By contrast, I find Ethiopian politicians in the opposition camp in general (I know or heard about) to be not forthcoming and secretive. However, I do not want to be misunderstood here, for there are very heroic Ethiopians like Judge Birtukan Mideksa and others who are facing the brutal Government of Meles Zenawi with exemplary courage.
Part
Three: Lacrimosa for
Ethiopia
Hailu Shawel�s Posse
By Tecola W. Hagos, November 27, 2009
The
claims of Mankelkilot and of chat room vulgar amateur politicians, who
hide behind strange false names, that I helped in the conceptualization
and drafting of the Kilil system are patently and utterly false and silly.
I had already left the country when the 1995 Constitution was being
drafted. I was already in friction with Meles Zenawi and his support group
for a year by then (1992-1993).
Event at Ghioni
(Amharic &English)
Although I realize that there
are many remaining tasks that have to be carried out to make
UDJ even a strong national party and an inviting common home for all Ethiopians, I
would like to assure you all that I am in full agreement with the pillar values enshrined in
the draft programme. I have full confidence that, based on these fundamental pillars
values, we can make this party with great potentials, a truly strong party.
Dr.
Negaso's Speech
Eng.
Gizachew Speech
Ethiopia: Meles Zenawi's Ploy for Copenhagen Conference
By Selam Beyene, November 23, 2009
The
dictator has instituted draconian laws to restrict the activities of NGOs
who work in the field of human rights and other areas that are
incompatible with the corrupt and repressive policies of the regime. In
particular, the law has severely curbed the
ability of environmental NGOs to educate the public
at large on climate change issues and to expose the destructive
environmental policy of Zenawi�s deceitful government.
U.S.
Senate Confirms Daniel W. Yohannes as CEO of Millennium Challenge
Corporation
Washington,
D.C. -- Today the United States Senate unanimously confirmed President
Barack Obama�s nomination of Daniel W. Yohannes as the new Chief
Executive Officer of the U.S. Government�s Millennium Challenge
Corporation (MCC). As CEO, Mr. Yohannes will undertake MCC's mission
to reduce poverty through economic growth.
Much Ado about Nothing
Messay Kebede
Articles
fulminating against Hailu Shawel�s signing of the code of conduct
proliferate on Ethiopian websites. For these articles, the unilateral and
hasty agreement with Meles while other opposition groups, such as Medrek,
are still in contention about some important issues, constitutes nothing
less than betrayal on Hailu�s part. This act of sabotage suggests,
according to some articles, a prior agreement with the Meles regime
promising Hailu a post in the future government in exchange for his
contribution in dividing and weakening the opposition.
ELECTION
2010: WHO WOULD WIN�POLITICS OR THE PEOPLE?
By
Genet Mersha, November 17, 2009
Even
then, nothing irks Eng. Hailu Shawl as much as Medrek�s complaints about
the imprisonment of its members. His advice to Medrek is not to waste its
breath (The Reporter, 8 Nov), as
his party also continues to suffer similar fate. He says, �We do not cry
loud. We follow up with letters. Sometimes we get positive responses,
sometimes not. They [the EPRDF] do not like it when one is loud about such
things
PART
TWO
By
Tecola W. Hagos November 15, 2009
III.
The Mahel Sefaris Back in Power
I
share in principle with Fayyisa the signing of the Code of Conduct by
Meles Zenawi on one side and Hailu Shawel, Lidetu Ayalew, and Ayalew
Chemiso on the other is a betrayal. The best way to learn the point of
view of an opposition group is to the source as far as possible and read
what the members and supporters write or state in public forums. The best
way to show how a stick is crocked is not by arguing about it, but by
laying a straight one next to it.
I
am using as my subsection title after my favorite book title The Oromo
of
Ethiopia
(1994) by Professor Mohammad Hassen. Without sounding divisive,
insincere, or patronizing, I cannot think of any other group of Ethiopians
of my parents and my generations as dynamic in heroic deeds.......
THE MEDUSA AND THE
NUDIBRANCH:
An assessment of
the political life of Ethiopians
Tecola W. Hagos -
May 22, 2006 [Reposted November 14,
2009]
If some Ethiopian Opposition leaders or supporters lash
out and take extreme positions and blame by association this or that
ethnic group along with the current or past political leaders, it is very
understandable. Nevertheless, I will try to point out where we failed to
bring about effective leadership and suggest further solutions to our
monumental problems. The decision of very many Ethiopians in the
Opposition to stand against an oppressive government is something to be
applauded and supported. However, even the slightest hint of using ethnic
difference as a political rallying tool is to be condemned and quashed in
its infancy. We have learned a very expensive lesson how the current
government has alleged against the Opposition leadership and supporters of
promoting ethnic animosity as their tool for political opposition, and
proceeded to arrest and charge them with treason and attempted genocide.
Lacrimosa
for Ethiopia
By Tecola
W. Hagos
November
10, 2009
The losers in the current game of the signing of the Code
of Conduct and realignment of the EPRDF with its newest Member Hailu
Shawel (AEUP) are the people of
Ethiopia
, not Hailu Shawel and his Party, not Medrek or anybody else. Meles Zenawi
has gained another day to prepare for far longer and devastating fight
against all those who are concerned about the vital interest of
Ethiopia
, the Opposition et cetera. He has extended his life to do more damage to
the state of
Ethiopia
entrenching his divisive Killel system, alienating Ethiopian territory,
selling/leasing huge chunk of Ethiopian land to foreign investors and
states while millions of Ethiopians starve to death. He will keep looting
Ethiopia
�s gold in collaboration with Alamoudi.
DIFFERENT
VIEW
Ethiopia
: The Zenawi-Shawel Handshake � the Anti-Thesis of Liberty &
Democracy (Analysis)
By
Fayyis Oromia [November 5, 2009]
What
do these two persons have in common? Why did the handshake happen? Why was
it surprising to most Ethiopians, in general, and �shocking� to
Amharas, in particular? Did the �Oromo factor� play a certain role for
the handshake to happen? What is the relation of this handshake to the
hitherto attempts made to achieve the necessary compromise between Amhara
democratic forces and Oromo federalist movements in the formation of the
recent alliance aka Medrek?
Major
General Demissie Bulto and the coup d��tat of May 1989:
a
book review
By
Teodros Kiros (PhD)
Great
books arrive on the reading scene at the right time and for the right
reason. So does Derege Demissie�s, Abate
Yachin Se�at: Major General Demissie Bulto and the Coup d� etat of May
1989. Such books create their own readers. The book is so
compellingly presented that readers cannot wait until they wrap themselves
around with it. It has created a new CULTURE OF WRITING and with it a new
breed of readers. The newness of the readers is unction of the literary
merits of the author. Derege writes well.
የአፍሪቃን
የጠለቀ ችግር
ለመወያያት
በአ.አ
ከ29-10 እስከ 31.10.2009
ስብሰባ
ተካሄደ
!
እኛስ ምን እየሰራን
ነው?
�A Guide for the Perplexed� (On the Future
of Ethiopia) Tecola W. Hagos
[Reposted October 30, 2009, originally posted May 10, 2002]
We
too, the �educated� few Ethiopians of the last fifty years, stagnated
within narrow wells of conformity, and hardly ever allowed original
thinking to seep in, which would have helped us move away from the
doldrums of political ideology. Even worse, we desperately tried to
imitate our aristocrats and feudal class in our personal behavior. We
never truly internalized any of the democratic principles we pontificated,
in our own daily lives. We are hypocrites and delusional. Whether we are
promoting universal suffrage, or democratic centralism, it seems we were
always the center of every political structure we intended to erect for
Ethiopia
. We seem to have no genuine respect of our fellow Ethiopians who toil
from Sun Rise to Sun Set maintaining the continued existence of our
nation. Even though most of us are the sons and daughters of such people,
we have no stomach for rural life or for work that requires physical
exertion.
የሚያድግ
ኢኮኖሚ ነገር ግን
የማይታይ
የማይዳሰስ
!
ፈቃዱ በቀለ
በአለፉት
አስር ዐመታት
በጠቅላይ
ሚንስተሩና
በፊናንስና
በኢኮኖሚ ዕድገት
ሚንስተራቸው
በአቶ ሱፍያን
አህመድ፣ እንዲሁም
ደግሞ አገዛዙን
በሚደግፉትና በልዩ
ዓለም ውስጥ
የሚኖሩት፣ በየፓል
ቶክ ውስጥ
የሚደነፉት
ጀግኖች፣ አገራችን
ከዚህ ቀደም
ታይቶ የማይታወቅ
ዕድገት የሚታይባት
አገር እንደሆነችና
ህዝቡም በኑሮው
እንደተሻሻለ
ሲምሉ ሲገዘቱ
ይሰማል። በተለይም
ደግሞ፣ አዲስ አበባ
እዚህና እዚያ
የተተከለው ህንፃና
የመጨፈሪያ ቤት
የአንድ አገር
ኢኮኖሚ ዕድገት
ምልክት ሆኖ
የሚታያቸውና፣
ይህንን
በቪዲዮ በመቅረጽ
ሊያሳምኑን
የሚሞክሩት፣
እዚያው በዚያው
ደግሞ ሺህ በሺህ
የሚቆጠረው
ህዝባችን በድህነት
ዓለም ውስጥ ዘፍቆ
በመኖር የዕለት
ምግቡን ከቆሻሻ
እየለቀመ
እንደሚበላ በመካድ
ነው። አገር ቤት
በየዐመቱ
እየተመላለሱ
ከጉብኝት ሲመለሱ
ስለአገራችን
ሁኔታ ከሚነግሩን
እህቶቻችንና
ወንድሞቻችን
የምንሰማው ግን
በስታትስቲክስ
ከተደገፈ
ማስረጃ ሺህ ጊዜ
እንደሚበልጥና፣
ስለሁኔታውም
አስከፊነት አንድ
የኢኮኖሚ
ምሁር ነኝ ባይ ከሚል
የበለጠ እየዘረዘሩ
የሚነግሩን እንደ
ህያው ማስረጃ
መሆኑን
ማረጋገጥ
ይቻላል።
Dropping
the Substance for the Shadow?
Messay Kebede
Jawar makes me say that �leftist ideology is responsible for
growth of �ethnic� nationalism, secessionist demand, and armed
struggle� and then contests my alleged statement by citing liberation
movements that are not leftist. Yet, my reference to leftist ideology was
only echoing his own analysis of the legacy hampering the OLF. To quote
him, �OLF is a foster child of the student movement that brought
the revolution; as such it shares some common organizational behaviors and
characteristics with all other organizations that came out that era, such
as the EPRP, TPLF and EPLF�; �the political forces that emerged from
the student movement were led by individuals who worshiped Mao Zedong and
Stalin, so they embraced such undemocratic, rigid and control freak
organizational model.� True, there are non-leftist nationalist
movements, but in the particular case of Ethiopia,
የኢትዮጵያ
ፋዯራሊዊ
ዳሞክራሲዊ
አንዴነት መዴረክ (መዴረ
2009 Laureate
Gebisa Ejeta
Editor's
Note:
We,
at this Website are very proud of the distinguished Ethiopian
Agronomist Dr. Gebisa Ejeta for his outstanding and pioneering scientific
work in developing "sorghum hybrids resistant to drought
and the devastating Striga weed" where by advancing the well
being of vulnerable millions of human beings in Africa and elsewhere.
We congratulate Dr. Gebisa for being the winner of the 2009 World
Food Prize. We hope the rest of the World applaud the great work of this
great scientist whose life work is dedicated to the service of
mankind. We believe if any one deserves to be awarded the 2010 Nobel
Prize for outstanding scientific work, the Nobel Committee would award the
Nobel to Dr. Gebisa Ejeta, under one of the categories such as
Humanitarian, Peace awards, or create a new one on Feeding the Poor;
Advancing Scientific Work et cetera. Let us start the nominating process
of awarding the 2010 Nobel to Dr. Gebisa Ejetaby by writing to the Nobel
Committee.TH
Strategic
and Cleaver-Politick: A Response to Tedla Asfaw
By
Tecola W. Hagos
October
14, 2009
I
wish the author had shown some restraint from labeling the leading members
of the opposition who have formed Medrek as �TPLF known loyalists� a
phrase that simple discredit his otherwise profound concern about the
�politicks� of Ethiopia. The people named as �loyalist� by Tedla
Asfaw in his short essay are not newcomers to the political scene
of dissent or controversies in
Ethiopia
. Just like all great politicians they have evolved.
Withdrawal
of Book Review and Commentary [Henze�s Book]
By
Tecola W. Hagos
As
a result of my rereading and reconsideration of material overlooked by me
and on the basis of new information as indicated below, I have withdrawn
my recent review and commentary of Henze�s book. [Paul B. Henze, Ethiopia
in Mengistu�s Final Years: The Derg in Decline, Vol. I, Shama Books,
Addis Ababa: Ethiopia, 2007; Ethiopia in Mengistu�s Final Years:
Until the Last Bullet, Vol. II, Shama Books, Addis Ababa: Ethiopia,
2007.] Moreover,
as an issue of regional policy, the whole scheme of fracturing and land
locking Ethiopia was absurd and against well established principles and
norms of international law�against principles of jus
cogens.
World�s
oldest human-linked skeleton found [In Ethiopia]
�Ardi�
predates Lucy by a million years, changes scientific view of origins
By Randolph E. Schmid
AP
October 1, 2009
WASHINGTON - The story of humankind is reaching back another million years with the discovery of �Ardi,� a hominid who lived 4.4 million years ago in what is now Ethiopia.
The 110-pound, 4-foot female roamed forests a million years before the famous Lucy, long studied as the earliest skeleton of a human ancestor.
This older skeleton reverses the common wisdom of human evolution, said anthropologist C. Owen Lovejoy of Kent State University.
Follow
up on Professor Messay Kebede�s Article �On
the Right to Self-Determination� of August 19, 2009. [Taken from
chat discussions.]
On
the Right to Self-Determination
By
Messay Kebede August 19, 2009
Let me begin by what amazes most: the defenders of the right to self-determination have rejected everything of Stalin (Lenin and the Soviet Union), except his view of nations and nationalities. It is for me next to impossible to understand how scholars and politicians stop short of being critical of the Stalinist doctrine of self-determination even as they know that Stalin has been entirely wrong in everything. What are the chances for a doctrine whose inherent perversion led to such disastrous consequences to be right on the crucial issue of nation-building? My contention is that, far from promoting free union, the right to self-determination actually blocks it. It is when union becomes unconditional that it forces peoples to find a form of accommodation that suits them all. Here is an illustrative analogy: if two competing individuals decide to build a house together, their cooperation makes sense if the house becomes their common interest, that is, if both intend to live in the same house. However, if one of the partners is at the same time building another house, whatever partnership they had becomes so suspicious that it comes to an end.
PRESS
RELEASE
August
17, 2009
ERITREA-ETHIOPIA
CLAIMS COMMISSION RENDERS FINAL AWARDS ON
DAMAGES
The
armed conflict between these two Parties caused serious injury and damage
to the people
and infrastructure of these two countries,
which the Commission recognized are among the
poorest on earth. While the compensation
awarded to each Party is substantial, the
Commission recognized that it is probably much
less than each Party believes it is due. The
Commission stated: �The difficult economic
conditions found in the affected areas of
Ethiopia and Eritrea must be taken into account
in assessing compensation here.�
Meles
Zenawi�s Laughable Democratic Process
Letter
Report from Former President Negaso Gidada, Disruption of a Public Meeting
16th
August, 2009
Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia
To All, Mob Disrupts UDJ public Meeting !!!!
Experts worry about negative consequences
INTERNATIONAL AGRCULTURAL LAND DEALS AWARD:
ETHIOPIAN VIRGIN LANDS TO FOREIGN COMPANIES
By Genet Mersha, 12 August 2009
During the last one year, the international media have reported with noticeable frequency on international agricultural land deals in Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, land is under government control and, therefore, cannot be sold or bought. Of the dozen or so African countries engaged in such deals, for varied reasons the cases of Ghana, Madagascar, Mali and the Sudan have also attracted similar attention.
Ethiopian Israeli Filmmaker Pulls No Punches
Shmuel Beru, who arrived in Israel in 1984 in the first wave of Ethiopian Jewish immigrants, tells his people's story in the award-winning 'Zrubavel.' But not that many white Israelis are listening.
By Edmund Sanders Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
August 14, 2009
Ethiopia's
resilient prime minister
Dear Editor:
I saw the article, "Israeli bus driver to Ethiopian: No blacks allowed", posted on your website www.tecolahagos.com. It is something we should all learn from. As far as the rest of the world are concerned we are all black, sometimes derogatorily called "niggers", "jungle monkey", "Kushite", etc. Nobody gives crap whether we are Oromos, Amharas, Tigres, Gurages, etc. All �niggers� according to many !!
Israeli bus driver to Ethiopian: No blacks allowed
Posted in August 12th, 2009
by Editor in Current News
Woman recounts humiliating experience in which bus driver told her, �Kushit, in Ethiopia you didn�t even have shoes and here you do, so why don�t you walk?�; Egged to investigate incident
A 23-year-old woman of Ethiopian descent claimed that the driver of an Egged No. 5 bus in Rishon Lezion refused to allow her to board his bus because of the color of her skin.
Speaking to Ynet, Yedno Verka recounted last Wednesday�s incident: �As I prepared board the bus, the driver suddenly shut the door. I banged on the glass, but he ignored me. Then a young woman came running towards the bus, and he opened the door for her. I stayed close to her and boarded the bus.
የሼክ
መሐመድ
ሌላው
የኢንቨስትመንትና
የማኔጅመንት
አካሄድ
ውጤታማ
ስላልሆነ
በወርቁ
ያለው
ውጤታማ
ሊሆን
ይችላል
ወይ
የሚል
ሥጋት
አለ፡፡ Reporter
The Dangerous Hype behind the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (or
Commodity Invasion?)
By: Seid Hassan, Murray State University
It is our hope that many Ethiopians have watched the PBS/WNET documentary film under the title of The Market Maker/Wide Angle, which was
broadcast beginning on July 23, 2009. This documentary followed the Ethiopian
economist, Dr. Eleni Gabre-Madhin who is the CEO of the relatively newly established Ethiopian Commodity Exchange. Many of us were waiting for the
documentary to show us how the ECX could �� transform the Ethiopian economy by
becoming a global commodity market of choice,� as claimed in the ECX�s main web
page. That was not to be.
Outrage
over EFFORT-led corruption
By
Abebe
Gellaw
ǀ July 27, 2009
In
response to Ethiopia and Zenawi�s gangster capitalism, an
article I published a few weeks back that tried to highlight the biggest
and most flagrant corruption scheme in Ethiopia, the Endowment Fund for
the Rehabilitation of Tigray [EFFORT], I received
numerous comments via email
4/23/05
