Letter to Ben on his outrage on Coalition for HR 2003(Ethiomedia)

You see, Mr. Ben, Ethiopia needs principled friends, more so because of the hostile geophysical location in which she finds herself. Whether you like it or not, Congressman Donald Payne and Congressman Chris Smith are illustrious leaders who will be remembered for their sterling contribution to HR 2003. So the activists in the Coalition for HR 2003 are right to say that its approval marked the �Finest day for Ethiopia in US Congress�. The Ethiopian people would have greeted the news joyously out in the streets if the repressive regime would have allowed it. Then, the truth would have come out in the open as to which side enjoys the support of the majority � the vocal few in the Diaspora or the �silent majority� that you are blaming for its inaction. Against the vocal few....more

Congress Should Condition Military Aid to Ethiopia on Human Rights (Huffington Post)

Our government's support for abuses by the Ethiopian government has not received prominent media attention. But advocates for democracy and human rights in Ethiopia have been lobbying Congress. Now we have a chance to change course from a destructive policy in Africa based on the "global war on terror" towards a policy based on democracy and human rights....more

HR 2003 approved unanimously!(Ethiomedia)

All Ethiopians should take this opportunity to thank Congressmen Donald Payne, Chris Smith, Tom Lantos and Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer for their support in getting this legislation passed. When we needed their help, we called upon them . NOW IT IS TIME TO CALL AND SAY: “THANK YOU.”..more

Final action on H.R. 2003 scheduled for Oct. 2 (Ethiopianreview)

H.R. 2003 was referred to the floor on a special House procedure known as “suspension of the rules”. This procedure is used generally to act swiftly on relatively non-controversial legislation. The procedure is set forth in clause 1 of House Rule XV. When a bill or some other matter is considered “under suspension,” floor debate is limited, all floor amendments are prohibited, and a two-thirds vote is required for final passage. The equivalent calendar in the Senate is called the consent calendar...more

Gebrselassie sets marathon record (BBC)

Haile Gebrselassie broke the marathon world record in Berlin on Sunday, posting an official time of two hours, four minutes and 26 seconds....more

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/27/AR2007092700082.html (Washinton Post)

Ethiopia boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites but decades of hunger, conflict and political instability have kept the country and its fabled palaces, obelisks and castles off the beaten track for most visitors to Africa.

Tourism represents a mere 2.5 percent of its gross national product -- something the government is keen to change....more

Ethiopia Legislation Moves Forward in US House of Representatives (VOA)

A key congressional committee has approved legislation supporting democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill, where consideration by the House Foreign Affairs Committee was marked by some disagreement over how best to help bring about change in Ethiopia....more

-VP of Kinijit Birtukan Mideksa Speech - VIDEO

Open Letter to the Kinijit or CUDP LeadersAnuak Justice Council

September 22, 2007 - Dear Chairman Mr. Hailu Shawel and Executive Members of the Kinijit: I am calling on you Kinijit leaders to reconcile within Kinijit and then to reach out to others. I ask the Kinijit leaders to do this for the sake of those who lost their loved ones whose killers still walk free, for those begging on the streets, for the young child who is selling her body on the street because she has nothing to eat, for the sake of the Ethiopians who are burying their dead children because of water-born diseases, for the sake of the Ethiopian children who are raising their siblings because their parents have been taken away from HIV/AIDS. (pdf) read...

Winners don't falter at faulty moments (Ethiomedia)

This is the time for realizing the dreams of our people. This is the time for beefing up one�s organizational, material, human and financial capabilities. In fact, CUD should reach out to all concerned Ethiopian organizations and build up the ingredients for national reconciliation. It should do this to all, including the EPRDF, and invite participation in charting consensus on the future of Ethiopia.

The ENC urges all concerned, leaders, members or supporters inside and outside CUD to:

• Immediately cease directly or indirectly airing the differences within CUD.
• Set up an independent and ad-hoc committee that can mediate and recommend binding solutions to both It is time for all concerned, especially a popular opposition party, to work hard to build up national consensus to shape the future political directions of Ethiopia. CUD should realize that falling out over manageable internal administration and politics is bound to disillusion members and supporters. The public expects popular opposition parties to remain united, overcome controversies, and deliver firm leadership. No one has the stomach for yet another round of in-fighting, in yet another Ethiopian political movement. To allow division within the party by failing to compromise over internal differences is in nobody�s interest. Apart from causing public withdrawal from political engagement nationally, such behaviour presages the dangerous postponement of the date for realizing democracy in our country....more

Kinijit delegation issues a statement 9ethiopian Review0

Sep 22, 2007

The Kinijit delegation that is currently on a working visit in the U.S. has issued this statement today [Amharic, pdf]

To CUDP members, supporters, and to all concerned Ethiopians (Enset)

By Ephrem Madebo

As we all sadly heard, CUDP, the foremost Ethiopian opposition party seems to be in a deep trouble, as once were the Democrats and the Republicans here in the USA and the Bolsheviks in Russia almost a century ago. Political parties are not problem-prone; they have their high and low times. Today, CUDP is going through a series of internal corrections, a process that consumes time, affects human temper, and temporarily halts operations. However, when the outcome of the correction process settles, I am confident that CUDP shall shine again, not only for its members and supporters, but also for the entire opposition camp and for our country at large.

When the CUDP leaders went to jail we made a continuous local and international cry for their release, we won! Now the party finds itself in a jail of itself. If we need another victory, let’s constructively be engaged with CUDP leaders and behave in the same way we behaved when they were in jail. Let us learn from the American economy. When markets are in deep trouble, the first and the most reliable choice is to tell the government to take its hands off the economy and let the market correct itself. Here the logic is very simple i.e. self correction is efficient than government interference. But, this doesn’t mean the government would sit and watch the correction forever, it will interfere if the economy deteriorates further. Let us not aggravate the CUDP situation by acting like the government in the above analogy. Let us give a chance to CUDP leaders to solve their differences and stand as a single entity again. Mind you, I am not saying we need to keep quiet and wait for outcomes, we have the responsibility of being a constructive critique, but we should not by any means make an attempt to solve their problem in our own way, or be the devil’s advocate!

Source: Enset blog

Free At Last, Kinijit Leaders Continue in Ethiopia's Fight for Democracy (Pholslin)

The elections in May 2005 were supposed to be democratic. Independent newspapers set up shop and opposition parties campaigned openly, debating the ruling party on television. Millions showed up to vote. Yet on the day of the vote, the EPRDF claimed victory before half of the votes for parliamentary seats were counted. Then Meles Zenawi declared a state of emergency. Berhanu refused to give up his mayorship and other CUD members protested instead of taking Parliament seats, so the government threw them in jail....more

Ad hoc committee vs Kinijit delegation's visit to the US (Ethiomedia)

It should be noted here that the role of the Ad Hoc Committee members is strictly one of general coordination of the support groups so that they can work more effectively with the Delegation. Indeed, the Ad Hoc committee has spent countless hours interacting with the support groups for this purpose. However, it appears that some in the general public may have had the misimpression that the Ad Hoc Committee is a “road manager” for the Delegation. That view is wholly inaccurate. To be sure, it is the support groups that made it possible for the Delegation to visit the U.S. by making substantial commitment of money, time and energy. They are entirely responsible for the implementation of the Delegation’s itinerary. They deserve all of the credit....more

Somalia: Fresh Ethiopia forces deployed in Mogadishu (GaroweOnline)

t is not clear whether or not the fresh troops will replace comrades who have been serving in Somalia since last December. Unconfirmed reports said more troops from Ethiopia are preparing to deploy into southern Somalia.

There are no certain facts and figures for the number of Ethiopian soldiers in Somalia, particularly in Mogadishu where they are helping defend the interim government from insurgent attacks....more

Ethiopian Gov.Press statement In Response To United Nations Fact Finding Mission Report(relief Web)

19 September 2007 Ministry Of Foreign Affairs Addis Ababa. The United Nations humanitarian assessment mission conducted from 30 Augusl to 5 September 2007 in the Somali National Regional State of Ethiopia has submitted its report to the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Mission prepared its Report following its visit to Jijiga, Dhegehabur, Kebridhar, Code, Shekosh, Denan, and ten smaller villages. Based on this Report discussions were held between high officials of the Government of Ethiopia and leaders of the mission....more

O.N.L.F Statement In Response To United Nations Fact Finding Mission Report(ONLF)

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) shares the views of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission of the need for an "Independent Investigation" into human rights conditions in Ogaden....more

Ethiopian political dispute comes to United States (The Hill)

The CUD members were among a group of 38 who were pardoned in July after being imprisoned since November 2005. They had been arrested after months of unrest in Ethiopia that followed elections in May of that year.

A report written by the European Union called the election the “most competitive” Ethiopia had ever held, but said it was “marred by irregular practices, confusion and lack of transparency.” The report credited the government for allowing relatively unbiased campaign coverage in the weeks before the election but said support of Democratic institutions waned in the weeks following the disputed vote....more

United we stand, divided we fall!(Ethiomedia)

All of us want to hear a message about the end of the era of tyranny, and the beginning of the epoch of democracy in Ethiopia. We want to know how we can overcome artificially created divisions in our society, and strengthen our common bonds of family, culture, religion and tradition. We want democracy and human rights to reign supreme in Ethiopia so that we may pass on to the next generation a legacy of hope and harmony. These are the things that are on the minds of the good people of the Ethiopian Diaspora. And the Delegation is prepared to have a conversation with you....more

Somali opposition alliance begins fight against Ethiopia(AFP-Google)

ASMARA (AFP) — Somalia's new Islamist-dominated opposition alliance said Thursday its forces have launched a bid to oust Ethiopian troops from their country.

"The alliance is undertaking every effort to get rid of Ethiopia," said spokesman Zakariya Mahamud Abdi. "We plan to spread the resistance in Mogadishu, and we have already sent people inside Somalia. This is our job."

The Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia (ARS) was formed last week in the Eritrean capital Asmara, vowing to drive Ethiopia out of Somalia and nominating Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed as its chairman...more

U.N. calls for rights probe in Ethiopia's Ogaden (Reuter-UK)

The team said it received "reports and direct accounts of serious violations of human rights, including substantive protection concerns for the civilian population"....more

Ethiopia's Opposition Wants US Support for Democracy Struggle (VOA)

“You know we have been in prison for almost 21 months, and the Ethiopians in the Diaspora have been helpful, so supportive in many ways such as diplomatically, financially and so on. So we wanted to come to this country to meet them face-to-face and say thank you to them. The other thing is there is a struggle going on in Ethiopia to establish democracy there, and this democracy needs the support of the people not only in Ethiopia but also outside Ethiopia. And we are here to discuss with them how best we can work together to promote the struggle for democracy in Ethiopia,” he said. ...more

DED: Letter to the Editor (Ethiomedia)

As part of the German Development Cooperation we also work closely together with the Ethiopian Ministries of Agriculture, Education and Trade & Industries, from where we receive the approval of our personnel offers; the final permit is granted by the Ministry for Capacity Building....more

Eye doc helps Ethiopians (WinnipegSun)

"They have the knowledge and skills in Ethiopia, but they just lack resources," said Brodovsky. The aid mission was led by Orbis, an organization dedicated to reducing avoidable blindness in developing nations. There are more than 28 million such cases, and roughly a million are in Ethiopia...more

UN calls for probe into alleged eastern Ethiopia rights abuses (Google)

"The mission received reports and direct accounts of serious violations of human rights, including substantive protection concerns for the civilian population," the panel said in a report....more

Saving Hailu Shawel's legacy from the Shaleqa mafia (Ethipian Review)

This is what will happen in the next few weeks:

1) Ato Hailu and friends (the shaleqa group), with the help of the EPRP media, will start labeling members of the Kinijit executive committee as Woyanne agents and sympathizers. They will say that Ato Hailu signed the apology letter that got him and others out of jail after being pressured by the other officials. They will talk about howAto Hailu is the only leader with conviction who is standing up to Woyanne, bla bla bla…...more

Teddy Afro Rocks Out Millennium in Jimma (AddisFurtune)

Even in the face of all these vital commercial activities going on that centred Jimma, the town has not progressed or became urbanised in a modern sense. Most of the road infrastructure in Jimma were last repaired or built some 15 years ago. This is not to mention the shortage of residential houses in the town as well as the commercial buildings in use for business activities that visibly lack periodic renovation over the years....more

Ancient Ethiopian city seeks tourists,(Yahoo news)

But the city, which lies some 250 miles from the capital, Addis Ababa, lacks modern amenities and suffers from a chronic water shortage. With only a handful of hotels and the nearest airport more than an hour's drive away, moving Harar into the future is an ambitious plan....more



AP Photo: A Harar bride poses before a mass wedding, July 21, 2007 in Harar, Ethiopia.

Eritreans Deny American Accusations of Terrorist Ties (NTTimes)

More than that, said Ali Abdu, Eritrea’s information minister, if Ms. Frazer was trying to make “Eritrea kneel down in front of her,” she had better learn what he called a basic Eritrean fact.

“Eritreans kneel on only two occasions,” he said. “When they pray and when they shoot.”...more

Why We Don't Hear About the Conflict in the Ogaden, (State)

The U.S. government considers Ethiopia an important ally in the war on terror, since it shares borders with Eritrea, Sudan, and Somalia, the latter invaded by Ethiopia this past Christmas with Washington's approval. Ethiopia has not been able to extricate itself from Somalia, and the military has been accused of possible war crimes there. Mogadishu even has a new nickname: "Baghdad on the Sea."

In addition to sending nearly half a billion dollars in aid money to Ethiopia every year, more than to any other sub-Saharan African country, the United States also supplies the Ethiopian military with funds, arms, and special forces training from Army Rangers.

Yet with all the recent negative attention focused on Ethiopia, it is easy to forget that the country had been on the right track. In 2005, poverty was down, growth was up, the local press was flourishing, and the capital, Addis Ababa, was brimming with hope and excitement about upcoming elections. ...more

SOMALIA: "What have we done to deserve this?", (Alertnet)

"I don't know what we have done. It is as if we are being punished by God for sins we have committed. I pray that all this will stop and we will have peace and go back to our lives."...more

Disease alert in flood-hit Africa, (BBC)

Scores of people have died and much of the continent's most fertile farmland has been washed away in what is being described as a humanitarian disaster.

The UN said more rain was expected and warned that the need for food, shelter and medicine was urgent.

Some 17 countries have been affected in West, Central and East Africa....more

Ethiopian festival enlivens Trafalgar Square of London, (Ethiomedia)

We Muslims of the World owe you, Ethiopians, for our own very existence. When our forefathers were persecuted, you took us in. We the Muslims of the World are here today because of you, Ethiopians. Your "Negus" refused to hand over the early Muslim refugees whom the Prophet Himself instructed to go Ethiopia to save our faith from extinction. Not only once did you save the lives of the Muslim refugees, but twice. When the persecutors demanded to hand over the Muslims under his protection the Negus said: "even if you give me a mountain of gold, I will not surrender these men to you." Therefore, I would like to thank Ethiopians for what they did 1,500 years ago and wish you today a happy new year and a happy millennium....more

Ethiopia Rejects Eritrean Ethiopian Boundary Commission's Authority (again)!, (Africanpath)

If Ethiopia will not abide by the decisions of a commission convened under its own authority, the suggestion by its Premier that another may be necessary in the future lacks credibility. Further, as the decisions of the EEBC are "final and binding," no changes are allowed to be made without the expressed approval of both parties, however, Eritrea has stated numerous times, "we will [not] compromise our sovereignty or territorial integrity."...more

Eritrea: New strategies on Ethiopia’s affairs (Africanpath)

One important thing is, Isayas will not try to humiliate Ethiopian EPRDF government in the north of Ethiopia, like in Afar because it will affect Eritrea in the long term. Isayas knows that gaining short term benefits in expense of long term damages has been the mistakes of many Ethiopian governments. So his focus will be in southern Ethiopia for a long time. Especially I am sure he will never support the Afar liberation movements. But one thing that I don't understand is, if he helps the Ogadenis separate from Ethiopia wouldn't he start a chain of unstoppable events towards more and more ethnicities seeking secession? If this chain of events moves north and to the creation of Tigrai and Afar republics, the existence of Eritrea will be in deep danger! This indirectly harms Eritrea’s interests. Maybe Isayas already have a plan for that. No body knows....more

INTERVIEW-Ethiopia says deaths do not deter Sinopec, (Reuter)

The attack was one of the worst on Beijing's growing energy interests in Africa, which range from Angola to Sudan and Ethiopia....more

Hailu Shawel to face angry supporters in Washington when he arrives today (Ethiopian Review)

Because of his age and worsening health condition, Ato Hailu may retire in a matter of few months. It would be sad if he leaves Kinijit in disgrace after contributing so much for the struggle to bring freedom and democracy to Ethiopia. Great leaders often have sad endings. After leading the U.K. to victory against Nazi Germany, Winston Churchill was defeated at the post-war election, and later on he was forced out of his party’s leadership. Our own Atse Haile-Selassie’s fate was even worse — he was murdered by his own officers and buried unceremoniously. These leaders could have made a graceful exit at the right moment. But they chose to be forced out. There are examples of great endings, too, such as Nelsen Mandela of South Africa. History now remembers these leaders’ positive achievements more than the mistakes they made at the sunset of their career. No matter how Ato Hailu decides to end his political career, when the dust settles he will be remembered in the history books as a national hero who worked tirelessly to bring a better future for Ethiopia....more

Some modesty, please, (Al-Ahram)

With a few exceptions, the West is wrong about the Arabs just as the Arabs are wrong about the West. This is true in politics as in culture. Muslims number 1.4 billion or so around the world. They are a majority in 57 countries (hence that number of members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference) and a substantial minority in many others, including India and Ethiopia. There are 16 million Muslims in Russia alone. One out of five people on this planet are Muslims. One out of every three countries is dominantly Muslim. So I ask you, are all these people guilty of terror?

It is wrong to lump all Muslims together or reduce Islam to one of its many strands. It is wrong to identify all Muslims with Islamists, or a small minority within them. But this is exactly what those who speak about the "Islamic threat" or "Islamic peril" do. Those who speak of Islam in tones of hostility forget that it is a creed embodying the cultural heritage of hundreds of millions of people.

There are people in our world who say that Muslims have a natural "penchant" for terror and aggression. They say so because they overlook the subtleties of Islamic beliefs, law and systems. They fail to recognise the diversity and varied spectrum of communities that live under Islam. ...more

Ethiopia detains three men linked to opposition politician( Sudane Tribune)

Bazezew said the only connection between the four men was fundraising efforts to buy a car for Birtukan Mideksa in August. Birtukan, a top opposition politician, was among 38 opposition members released from prison last July. They had been held for more than two years after security forces shot 193 civilians protesting electoral fraud. The trial attracted international condemnation and strong pressure from the United States to free the accused, who emerged from prison with strong support in many of their neighborhoods. Such support motivated a group in the neighborhood to buy Mideksa a car, Bazezew said....more

Eritrea backs Somali opposition against Ethiopia (Reuter)

ASMARA (Reuters) - Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has backed a new Somali opposition alliance, saying arch-foe Ethiopia's fight against insurgents in Mogadishu was doomed to fail, state media reported on Saturday.

The formation of the group, including top Islamist leaders, in Asmara this week has generated yet more friction between Ethiopia and Eritrea after their border war of 1998-2000....more

Ethiopia's Meseret Defar sets world record in women's 2-mile, easily beats own mark

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) — Meseret Defar set a world record in the women's 2-mile at the Van Damme Memorial meet Friday, smashing her own mark by almost 12 seconds.

The Ethiopian finished in 8 minutes, 58.58 seconds, shaving 11.89 seconds off the 9:10.47 mark she set in May at Carson, Calif.

Defar already has set two world records - in the 5,000 outdoor and the 3,000 indoor - early in the season. And last month she won the 5,000 at the world championships in Osaka, Japan.
The Associated Press

Ramadan begins across Muslim world( Al-Jazeera)

Ramadan, a month of day-long fasting, spiritual reflection and sometimes night-long revelry, has begun for most of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims....more

Ethiopia: Ogaden Leaders Accuse Govt of 'Genocide'

In July, a Human Rights Watch statement accused the government of widespread rights abuses. "Ethiopian troops are destroying villages and property, confiscating livestock and forcing civilians to relocate," said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director of Human Rights Watch. "Whatever the military strategy, these abuses violate the laws of war."

In the same statement, Human Rights Watch said that the ONLF targets civilians in their attacks. The OLNF representatives denied the charges during the interview. They acknowledged that civilians sometimes die, but contended that the government had armed civilians and said Human Rights Watch does not have full information....more

Mixed emotions in their year 2000 (chicago tribune)

More than 20 years after images of starving children with bloated bellies captured the world's attention, Ethiopians still suffer from chronic food shortages. Ethiopia ranks 170th out of 177 on the U.N. Human Development Index, which measures life expectancy, literacy and education for countries worldwide. Border disputes with neighboring Eritrea and rebel uprisings are challenging security in the country.

"You celebrate when you achieve something. What are we going to celebrate for?" asked Gebriel, 44, who left Ethiopia 24 years ago and returned in April to see his relatives in the capital city of Addis Ababa. "I have seen new roads, I have seen buildings, but I measure development if the government can provide the basic necessities for the people. That's what I call growth."...more

Ethiopia accuses Norway of aiding terrorists - paper(Reuter)

Norway contributes development aid to all three impoverished African countries, but Oslo has said its direct aid to Ethiopia would be cut by about a third, or by around $5.3 million, as its embassy will not have the manpower to manage the full amount...more

Ethiopians in Washington, DC Celebrate Their Millennium (VOA)

Among the organizers of the five-day events is area resident Neamin Zeleke. He says, “the occasion serves as an opportunity to reflect on our past, assert our present and envision a better tomorrow.”

Neamin rejects critics who say any form of millennium celebration at this time is inappropriate, given the political and economic conditions Ethiopians face back home.

“The millennium celebration here is not only about chifera or dankira or festivities and merriment. We have several events that deal directly with the suffering of our people,” he says....more

Norway contributes development aid to all three impoverished African countries, but Oslo has said its direct aid to Ethiopia would be cut by about a t

"A thousand years from now, when Ethiopians gather to welcome the fourth Millennium, they shall say the eve of the third Millennium was the beginning of the end of the dark ages in Ethiopia," he said.

Because it was never colonised, Ethiopia has always had a special significance for the rest of Africa - which was summed up by the chairman of the African Union, Alpha Oumar Konare.

"We thank Ethiopia for keeping up the flame of African unity," he said. ...more

Ethiopia gets set for new Millennium, (BBC)

The official feel to the Millennium has been reinforced by the fact that none of the independent events originally planned for the New Year period will actually be taking place.

An offer by the Rastafarian community to bring over reggae stars from the Caribbean was not encouraged.

A project by a restaurateur to feed 2,000 hungry children did not get permission to go ahead.

The Taste of Ethiopia exhibition is not happening either; the tourism and culture minister said darkly that it had failed because the organisers did not work with the concerned body and took a course of their own.

And the organisers of the Great Ethiopian Run, an annual event which had been timed this year to coincide with the Millennium and which was expecting more than 30,000 participants, were told less than two weeks before the race that they had to postpone it until after the New Year celebrations. ...more

Ethiopian Diaspora Begins Millennium Celebrations, ( VOANEWS)

Ethiopia is a multi-ethnic country with Amhara the predominant ethnic group. Ephrem Madebo, systems engineer for the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration addressed the topic “Democratic Response to what he called the national question in Ethiopia. He proposed a decentralized federal government.

“I brought two alternatives. It could be federalism but not ethnic federalism. It could be interpreted in a way that the Ethiopian masses agree, or it could be kind of regional autonomy. Those are my two alternatives,” Madebo said....more

Tearful joy greets CUD leaders, (Ethiomedia)

The CUD delegates who arrived in Washington DC on Saturday are scheduled to tour major cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta and others. The Europe-bound CUD delegation is also on schedule to do likewise. A third delegation has travelled to South Africa, which is also another home to a considerable size of Ethiopian community.

...more

US, UN concern over Ethiopian rebel crackdown (AFP)

Human rights groups have accused the army of razing villages, displacing thousands of civilians and imposing an economic blockade on the region, which has suffered flooding and drought...more

The Struggle for Democracy in Ethiopia:

Illegal Ethiopians on way to an uncertain future back home, (Gulfnews)

While Ethiopians in the UAE are certainly not alone in falling victim to illegal agents, according to members of the community, it is the isolation of some of their compatriots scattered around the country, as well as a language barrier that have made them more vulnerable....more

Ethiopians in Washington and London welcome Kinijit leaders (Ethiopian Review)

Members of the Kinijit delegation that arrived in Washington are now resting in their hotel after spending some time greeting Kinijit representatives from several chapters. Ato Aklog Lemeneh, chairman of the Kinijit North America chapters and Ato Yilma Adamu, Kinijit DC Metro chapter chairman introduced the representatives to Wzt. Bertukan and the other members of the delegation. Then they posed for photos (will be posted shortly). Tonight the delegates are scheduled to attend a small dinner reception organized by members of the welcoming team Ato Tamagne Beyene, Dr Alemayehu Gebremariam, and Dr Solomon Alemu, in collaboration with Kinijit North America and Kinijit DC Metro. After holding a series of meetings with officials of Kinijit North America chapters throughout the week, the next major public appearance for the delegates will be a town hall meeting next weekend. It is expected to be the largest Ethiopian gathering ever in the Washington...morre

Millennium Festivities Expose Deep Rifts, ( Washington post)

"The people are still suffering from disease and dictatorship, there are still people in prison," said Zewdu, 32, a taxi driver. "Having that in mind, I wouldn't think of going and having a party."

The Washington region, the U.S. hub for Ethiopian immigrants, will attract thousands of Ethiopians from across the country for the nation's biggest millennium events. On deck is an explosion of concerts, lectures and celebrations that are meant to show off Ethiopia -- but that also lay bare the community's deep political cleavages...more

Ethiopia: Free Oromo prisoners - OFDM & ONC,(Africanpath)

However, Mr. Bulcha Demeksa gave the harshest condemnation of this problem saying “no one has ever seen these prisoners carrying a weapon, committing a crime or killing any one. But they were simply
suspected of being a member of the OLF.” Demanding that the government set a new policy, Bulcha said that almost half were imprisoned without due process of law and government regulations clarifying which group qualifies for what do not exist.

“There are around 30-35 million Oromos in Ethiopia. These people… how do they know OLF is an illegal or outlawed group? They are imprisoned for something they don’t even know. Has the Ethiopian government ever created a law that specifically indicates any of this? The government has never, in detail, publicized the definition of which group is an outlawed, or which stands for terrorism and it should make this list so that people know which organization is identified as a terrorist and why.”...more

Ethiopia Briefly Detained 4 US Soldiers, (Townhall)

Ethiopia earlier this year briefly detained what it said were four U.S. soldiers trying to contact a rebel group that has been fighting for greater autonomy for eastern Ethiopia, government officials said Friday.

Bereket Simon, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, declined to say when the soldiers were detained or give any further details.

Asked about the U.S. soldiers, he told The Associated Press: "Four soldiers, or some soldiers, were detained. They were trying to contact the ONLF (the Ogaden National Liberation Front). That was not permitted."...more

Tales of horror from Ogaden,(sundaytimes)

"Two of my brothers who were ONLF members were hanged from a tree," says Fardosa. "It’s worse than hell what is happening in Ethiopia." Osman Hassan Ahmed, a 27-year-old from the eastern Ogaden town of Werder arrived in Bosaso on September 1....more

Coptic millennium celebrations fall flat for some Ethiopians, (iht)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: As Ethiopia approaches its third millennium, the most popular joke in the capital city goes like this: How do you say "millennium" in Amharic?

The pun of an answer — "menem yellum," which means "there is nothing" — sums up how many in Ethiopia's largest city feel about the festivities for Ethiopia's third millennium, which begins after midnight Tuesday on Ethiopia's Coptic calendar.

With the calendar of events changing and security concerns in the capital reaching fever pitch, many ordinary Ethiopians feel the remaining celebrations — which include a concert with tickets that cost an average Ethiopian nearly two months' salary at 1,500 birr (nearly US$170) — are beyond their reach.

The Black Eyed Peas, a hip-hop act from Los Angeles, will perform Tuesday night at a brand new, US$20 million temporary exhibition hall built by Ethiopia's richest man, and the Hilton hotel will host a US$100-and-up gala.

"The millennium, it's nothing for me," said Mulugeta Demssie, 23, a taxi driver, who said he thought the concert should be free, or at least cheaper.

"Because I don't have money, I can't enjoy it."...more

Ethiopia: U.S. Donates Fund for Restoration of 130 Year Old House,(allafrica)

Founder and CEO of Addis Wubet, Mariam Senna Assefa Wossen, granddaughter of Emperor Haile Sellassie I said on her part that the restoration of Mohammed Ali house which she noted is featured on the World Monuments Watch List, forms part of Addis Wubet's pilot project for the Piazza District Mohammed Ali Shaikh Sharafally was an Indian born business tycoon of the 19th century owning a company going by the name of Mohammed Ali&Co., who established his head office in Harar in 1888....more

NTERVIEW-Ethiopian opposition leader takes fight abroad ,(Alternet)

"Most of the institutions that are necessary for democratic order don't seem to be operating right now," he said, adding that Ethiopia's judiciary, security forces, and election boards were all under control of Zenawi....more

Ethiopia: Horn of Dilemma, (Times)

War is not certain, of course. Despite Meles' saber-rattling speech to parliament in June, in an interview with Time he described times in the past when his party forced him to adopt a more aggressive line with Eritrea than he would have preferred. "There were a number of times when I found myself in a minority and implementing decisions I was uncomfortable with."...more

Somali opposition to discuss anti-Ethiopia military strategy, (MEtimes)

"There will be discussions about this issue [fighting Ethiopia]," said conference spokesman Zakariya Mahamud Abdi in response to reporters' questions.

"People who are specialists in the area of military operations will handle this issue - it will not be for Tom, Dick, and Harry." ...more

High attrition cripples Ethiopia's health sector, (Afrol)

Ethiopia is described as the worst African country affected by brain drain. In fact, the study revealed that currently there are more working Ethiopian doctors in the United States than in Ethiopia. Many Ethiopian doctors also left for Botswana, South Africa and the Middle East in search of good pay....more

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1659389,00.html

Secretary general of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit), Ato Muluneh Eyoel, gave a press conference to Ethiopian Review, Ethiopian Media Forum, Addis Dimts Radio and Netsenet LeEthiopia Radio yesterday. During the 1-hour press conference, Ato Muluneh discussed the scheduled working visits by Kinijit high-level delegations to the United States and other countries....more

From Ethiopia, with love, (Peacearchnews)

The Streifels describe their new daughter as a bright, cheerful and outgoing little fashion diva who changes her clothes five times a day (apparently she hasn’t realized the clothes in her closet are hers for keeps, so she’ll often try to wear them all at once)....more

UN team returns from Ethiopia's troubled Ogaden (Reuters)

The mission primarily assessed the food, water and health needs in the remote area, said Paul Hebert, head of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Ethiopia.

"Considering this was not an investigative mission, we gathered enough information to enable us to draw preliminary conclusions on the humanitarian situation in the region and on protection issues," Hebert told Reuters.

"The government facilitation was good," he said, adding that the mission would brief the Ethiopian authorities next week before reporting to donors and non-governmental organisations....more

Kinijit leaders arrive in Washington, DC on Sunday (Ethiomedia)

Kinijit Chairman Ato Hailu Shawul is not expected to arrive with the delegation. He has not received an entry visa from the U.S. Embassy as of the date of this press release. The Committee is informed and believes that even if Ato Hailu were to receive his visa at the present time, he will be unable to join the Delegation on a U.S. tour due to ongoing health care needs. The U.S.-bound Delegation fully supports Ato Hailu in his decision to attend to his immediate medical needs. The Delegation is hopeful that Ato Hailu will regain his health speedily and join them on the tour.....more

Somali opposition leaders unite against Ethiopia, (MEtimes)

The Islamist movement's other top leader, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, urged Ethiopia to pull its troops out of Somalia, and criticized its US ally in his opening speech.

"We hold this conference to establish a political organization that liberates the country, and ends the violence and chaotic situation," he said. ...more

Why Ethiopia's Millennium is seven years late, (BBC)

Ahmed Zakaria, professor of history at Addis Ababa University says the reason is that the Roman Church amended their calculation in 500 AD - adjusting it by seven or eight years...more

Ethiopia detains 107 people over the past 2 monthsv (USAtoday)

Bulcha told The Associated Press he suspected the detainees have been held on suspicion of belonging to the Oromo Liberation Front, which has been fighting for greater autonomy in southern Ethiopia. One of the detainees, he said, was a 63-year-old man.

The Oromo make up a third of Ethiopia's 77 million people, and have been the center of dissent against the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front....more

Humanitarian crisis hits Ethiopia (Guardian)

Aid workers also reported seeing soldiers chasing women and children away from wells where they were drawing water. Mr De Filippi said the government had refused even to allow MSF a window of 24 hours to take drugs to an area called Fiq, which has not received medical supplies for six months....more

Ethiopia: Millennium for Whom? (Sudan Tribune)

In an eerie twist of irony, in just over a week, on the same day when USA commemorates the 9-11 victims, Ethiopia will celebrate a Julian millennium. This celebration comes about seven years after the rest of the world celebrated Y2K. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government has already invested more cash on this single event than the Derg, annually celebrating its own rise to power, or Haile Sellasie celebrating his infamous birthdays while the people starved to death, literally. In this country, there is fondness to self-celebration without backing it with success of any sort. There is also a short memory to history; those who condemned the lavish birthday parties of Haile Sellasie and used this impropriety to rise to power later started more lavishly celebrating their own rise to power. And those who condemned the Derg for celebrating its murderous rise to power are now doing their own celebrations with even more glamour and cost. 16 giant LED screens have arrived from China and I also read that artist Beyonce will lead the New Year’s concert with pop-star Janet Jackson and rapper 50 Cent. Lavish indeed for a country that ranks 170 out of 177 in the United Nation’s Human Development Index. However, whether or not this millennium is a travesty or worthy event, whether or not this indeed is a good investment of the poor taxpayer’s money should generate an interesting debate which I am sure will be instructive. For now, let us focus more on the use of the calendar....more

Ethiopia rights group says government has detained activists (Google)

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) said three members of its branch in Nekemte, 220 kilometres (135 miles) west of Addis Ababa, were detained on August 23 after police came to search their homes....more

Ethiopians unwanted in Ethiopia; hard to believe but true (Ethiomedia)

In the name of all those affected by the embarrassing discriminatory action taken by the Ethiopian government against its own professionals and educated citizens, I hereby pose my request to the Ethiopian government and his minister for capacity building, Tefera Walwa:

"Why did you make this shameful secret agreement to exclude Ethiopians and German citizens of Ethiopian origin living in Germany from participating in their country?s development? How long are you going to depend on foreign aid whereas your educated people are longing for the opportunity to work in and for their country? What is the reason that made you neglect your own people?...more

GOSSIP (fortune)

Those around the Sheikh have gathered the usual suspects in the roster of their local performers: there is Aster Aweke and Amelmal Abate as Ephrem Tamru and Tsehaye Yohannes are included. If there is any new blood there, it is latest sensations such as Gossaye Tesfaye and Abinet Agonafir. Interestingly, there will be an exceptional presence of Teodros Tadesse, whose photograph is missing from the poster organizers published, who has been absent from the home turf for over a decade now.

And there is a giant missing from the group of local performers. Mahmoud Ahmed will not be entertaining his fans at home, travelling overseas for the Ethiopian millennium bash. Does this reveal any strained relationship between the singer and the Sheikh and those around him? The latter might have felt that Mahmoud became an international figure following recognition and his receiving of prestigious award from the BBC, according to gossip.

The number of people anticipated to dance the last day of the millennium is also subject of discussion at the gossip corridors. Only less than 10 days away from the New Year, the much talked about influx of Diaspora is disappointingly low. Judging from a mini-party held at the Sheraton on Friday night, it is rather limited number of people from the Diaspora that are making their presence felt; and majority of them are from European countries.....more

Ethiopia: Rate of Ethiopia Brain-Drain Alarming - Study (Allafrica)

In the case of Ethiopia where it said effects of brain drain have reached to an unaffordable stage, the study commended government efforts to attract and facilitate Diaspora engagement, but said more needed to be done.

The study found however poor provisions of accurate and timely information, weak efforts to improve Government-Diaspora relation and difficult bureaucratic procedures as major weakness.

"My question now is where do we go from here. We need to work strategically and coordinate our activities," said Temesgen Hailu, President of the Association for Higher Education and Development (AHEAD) "Africa has to take the lead. We need to identify, develop and implement projects that facilitate Diaspora engagement" he urged participants....more

Somali opposition figures to unite in Eritrea (Reuter)

"We need a common agenda, platform and vision. This conference will not solve all the problems of Somalia. We should create a consensus approach including those who disapprove of this conference," he told Reuters by telephone.

"The failure of the last conference (in Mogadishu) was that it ignored key political leaders and positions and the venue was not correct," he added.

Tussles over leadership posts in a new opposition umbrella group may surface in Asmara, analysts say. Organisers insist the new grouping will not be dominated by Islamists, whom Ethiopia and the United States have accused of having ties to al Qaeda.

"The policy and strategy of the new organisation will be decided by the new leadership and not by the Islamic Courts," Abdirahman Warsame, representative of Somalia's diaspora community, told reporters in Asmara...more

Ethiopia soldiers to stop delegates from attending opposition conference (Garoweonline)

The group that includes delegates plans to participate at a "reconciliation conference" organized by opponents of the Ethiopia-backed interim government in Mogadishu.

Fearing Ethiopian arrests, the group postponed their secretive trip to Eritrea, the sources said. Ethiopian military officers met with clan elders and local government officials in Dhusamareb to discuss security arrangements....more

MSF denied access to Somali region of Ethiopia (alertnet)

"Last week, we asked the authorities to grant us access at least for 24 to 48 hours so we could provide medications and material to Fiq health centre. We know that the health centre and the wider district are suffering from a serious shortage of drugs as the last supplies arrived six months ago" , said Loris De Filippi, operational coordinator for MSF Belgium in Ethiopia. "But once again, the authorities refused to let our team move from the capital city Jijiga to Fiq by road or even by plane"....more

Villages deserted, burned in Ethiopia's Ogaden - MSF (Reuter)

"In the three worst-affected areas now off-limits to MSF, he added, there was one doctor for 400,000 people. Drugs were scant, natal care was minimal, and there were problems of respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malnutrition and tuberculosis in an area already prone to famine, De Filippi said.

Ethiopia calls the ONLF -- whose numbers are estimated at several thousand -- a terrorist group backed by foe Eritrea.

ONLF rebels say they are fighting for greater autonomy for their homeland, an arid region on the Somalia border which is mainly populated by nomadic herdsmen....more

ETHIOPIA: Government denies ‘blocking’ NGO (Irinnews)

A spokesperson for the Ethiopian government told IRIN that MSF was "exaggerating the situation" and that the government had "never blocked any NGO" from the region.

Meanwhile, a UN humanitarian assessment mission continues its visit to the area, which began on 30 August. International aid access to the remote and arid region bordering Somalia, where government troops are cracking down on the rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), has been limited, sometimes due to insecurity, for months. The ONLF has claimed the government has been intimidating communities before they meet the UN mission, but has also declared a ceasefire for its duration. ...more

Somalia's Islamic Courts movement "intact" (Reuter)

"When the Islamic Courts came in, things changed. Tribes were united, the port and airport opened, weapons were collected, we even stopped piracy," he said by telephone during a trip to Doha.

"The movement changed people's lives for the better...The Ethiopians and Transitional Federal Government have created violence and genocide...So the support for the (Islamic Courts) movement is more than before." Many in Mogadishu and elsewhere in south Somalia credited the Islamists last year for bringing peace to areas knowing little but warlord rule and anarchy since 1991, when the Horn of Africa nation descended into chaos with the fall of a dictator.

But Somalis, who are generally moderate Muslims, also complained of hardline practices by the SICC such as enforcing dress codes and banning public viewing of films....more

Ottawa declares Sept. 11, 2007, Ethiopian Millennium Day (Ethiopian Review)

As we prepare for the celebrations, it is with great joy and enthusiasm that we received the declaration of Larry O’Brien, Mayor Ottawa, of one of the most beautiful cities of the world, announcing September 11, 2007, as “Ethiopian Millennium Day.” (see the declaration here)

The Ethiopian Community Association of Ottawa seizes this opportunity to thank Mayor O’Brien for his recognition of the festivals of Ethiopians aPublish Postnd Ethio-Canadians in Ottawa...more

Ethiopia sets insignificant minimum wage, pension rise (Lemali)

Uncontrolled prices under the commonplace misinterpretation of Ethiopia's newly found free market economy make the minimum wage rise a drop in the ocean....more

ETHIOPIA-SOMALIA-YEMEN: People traffic set to escalate

The port of Bossaso has been widely documented as a point of departure for migrants and asylum seekers from East Africa, with some coming from as far away as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most are seeking employment in the Gulf states - particularly Saudi Arabia.

"Tens of thousands of people will pass through Bossaso in a single season," the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) head of office in Hargeisa, Iulian Circo, told IRIN. "This is not something that happens underground. The trafficking infrastructure is there, and the authorities in Bossaso are profiting from this route." ..more

Ethiopia rebels 'agree UN truce' (BBC)

The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says there are reported to be food shortages, disease outbreaks and serious human rights violations in some areas.

In its statement, the ONLF urged "mission team members to visit all parts in order to investigate war crimes and not limit their mission to the few routes approved by the [governing] regime".

But our correspondent says it is hard to imagine that the UN team will be either willing or able to travel in central Somali region, also known as the Ogaden, without security clearance from the Ethiopian armed forces....more

Ethiopia rebels call ceasefire for UN mission

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Ethiopian rebels announced a ceasefire on Sunday while a U.N. mission assesses their claims of human rights abuses in the remote eastern Ogaden region.

"Effective immediately, armed forces of the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) will cease all offensive military operations against regime troops and sponsored militias for the duration of the U.N. fact finding mission," the ONLF said.

In a statement, the rebels said all units had been told to react only if fired upon.

"The ONLF urges the mission team members to visit all parts of Ogaden in order to investigate war crimes and not limit their mission to the few routes approved by the Meles Zenawi regime."...more

Ethiopia’s Millennium Commemoration , a day of sorrow for the Oromo People.(Sudan Tribune)

The TPLF/EPRDF regime who boasts to have brought a good governance to the peoples of Ethiopia has discriminately left Oromo prisoners in jail and arresting many more while many non-Oromo prisoners are being released. What is more disturbing is that the regime is constantly harassing the rest of the Oromo people by the name of celebrating the so-called Ethiopian millennium to be celebrated on September 1, 2000 Ethiopian Calendar....more

Eritrea warns Ethiopia over border feud (Google)

"Provided the implementation of the ruling is carried out in its legality, there would be no issue for new crisis between the two countries," Issaias said, according to a statement in the government's Eritrea Profile newspaper....more

Ethiopia's Defar runs away with gold in 5,000 meters

"I wanted the gold medal, and today, I was 100 percent sure I would win," said the 24-year-old. "My tactics were to wait until the last two laps and then start my finish. In the last lap I controlled the situation in the first 200 meters and then started the kick."... Meseret Defar

MSF says blocked from Ethiopia's volatile Ogaden (Reuter)

"The government of Ethiopia has denied MSF access to the five zones of the Somali region under military operation, often referred to as the Ogaden region," it said in a statement...more

Ethiopia Celebrates, Without Bob Geldof (Time)

But Geldof's absence is also about pride. The Irish singer raised $100 million through BandAid, a supergroup of British pop stars that set the mold for charity records to come, and Live Aid, which did the same for worldwide charity concerts. The money was to help alleviate the devastating Ethiopian famine of 1984-5, in which more than a million people are thought to have died. But Ethiopia, a nation of nearly 80 million people, now boasts consistent economic growth of 10%, and in that context the famine, and Geldof, are remembered with more than a tinge of humiliation. Two years ago, Geldof stirred the pot more when, in a television interview, he told Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to "grow up" and "behave" when Ethiopian police shot dead 36 dead opposition protesters...more

Ethiopia finalizes studies for building two hydropower dams (Africast)

Andargachew Tsige talks about Kinijit's past and future (Ethiopian Review)

Ethiopia postpones annual Great Run race ahead of millennium security concerns (iht)

Beyonce will not sing at Al Amoudi's millennium party (Ethipian Review)

First Offshore IT Outsourcing Center in Ethiopia Opened by eVentive (Earthtimes)

Homeless Ethiopians Moved Out of Capital(Washingtonpost)

Norway to cut aid to Ethiopia (Aftenposten)