Gasha for Ethiopians

Pro-democracy activist Negasi Beyene vs EPRDF Cadre Wahede Belay - VOA - Interview in Tigrigna Reflections of a "Netch Lebash" (Eritrean agent)
By Eskinder Nega / April 29, 2011

There was something in the air on Tuesday, April 14, 2011. Intrigued by news of Ethiopian protesters in North America against the frivolous and mechanically hyped GTP, the glee on the faces of Addis residents was transparently noticeable ......full text

Open letter to US State Department
ESAT / April 26, 2011

In her remark at the release of the US State Department 35th Annual Report to Congress on the State of Human Rights around the World, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, said: “The struggle for human rights begins by telling the truth over and over again.”......full text

Ethiopia: We went, we saw, we got chased out...
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 25, 2011

Ethiopian men and women, Christians and Muslims, young and old, professionals and service workers, students and teachers and members of various political groups and parties showed up in a united front to confront and challenge Zenawi’s henchmen......full text

Bonds of fraud
March4Freedom Activist / April 23, 2011

There may be one thing that otherwise disparate-seeming people can agree on: government supporters, regular folks who are looking for investment opportunities, the gullible who trust any information as long as it comes from an "official" government source, and the Ethiopians with a conscience and love for country who are trying to give back: They all have no interest in losing their hard-earned savings where financial gain was promised them......full text

Exporting 'kilil' to America
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 23, 2011

They came with their ethnic baggage in hand; we waited for them as one. They came to divide, we ended up together. They came to saw hate and discord but they made us see how beautiful our diversity is. They are programmed to think as one while we celebrate the many voices that enrich our discussion. It was obvious we were like oil and water. Woyane and Ethiopia don’t mix......full text

Ethiopia :FreedomHouse 2011 Report
April 20, 2011

Although Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most populous countries, poor infrastructure and a government monopoly on telecommunications have significantly hindered the expansion of digital media......full text

Zenawi in his phantom dream to avert uprising in Ethiopia
By Robele Ababya / April 20, 2011

...Regard the TPLF regime as a colonizer and a mercenary that does not care about the interests of Ethiopia;......full text

The end game of African dictators
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 18, 2011

These are heady days on the African continent. These are days of joy. Africa’s thugdoms are crumbling like clumps of dirt underfoot. These are days of grief and tribulation. After one-half century of independence, Africa continues to sink deeper into a quagmire of dictatorship, corruption and extreme violence......full text

Meles Zenawi savors fiasco number one
By Ephrem Madebo / April 15, 2011

I didn’t really want to go to Saturday’s Growth and Transformation meeting here in the Nation’s capital because I was already disgusted by its hysteria and exaggeration. Though I badly wanted to confront the high profile gluttons form Addis Ababa, the little doubt that abruptly crossed my mind made me look hopeless and nervous. But, I quickly woke up from the hallucination and asked myself . . . to hell Ephrem!…. ...full text

Our Achilles' Heel
Abraha Belai, Ethiomedia.Com editor / April 14, 2011

Unless we acknowledge that Ethiopia is under a mercenary rule, we will remain vulnerable to the machinations of Meles, and unity among opposition groups may remain elusive because they mistake him for a Tigrian from Adua, and hence an Ethiopian dictator, which is profoundly wrong......full text

Ethiopia: The art of war by mass distraction
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 13, 2011

Lately, Meles Zenawi, the dictator-in-chief in Ethiopia, has been beating the drums of war. He charged......full text

The international community has a responsibility to avert further tragedy in Ethiopia.
SOCEPP Canada / April 11, 2011

During a televised address to the rubber-stamp “Parliament’ on March 15, 2011, the dictatorial PM of Ethiopia – Meles Zenawi, issued a public warning and threat against the opposition parties and their supporters to sit still or face persecution if they were to attempt any public protest similar to that of Tunisia and Egypt......full text

Meles Zenawi's threat against opposition parties
By Eskinder Nega / April 9, 2011

A respectable crowd gathered to listen to him in a popular café in the middle of Piazza on Tuesday, March 15, 2011. They usually do, about once every three months, when he appears on televised sessions of Parliament. But this is hardly an assemblage in anticipation of a grand or an important speech. The irremediable draw is the battle of wills that ensues with fleeting looks, embroidered smiles and exchanges of pained or delighted expressions between his supporters and detractors......full text

Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi: Seller of Borderlands and Fertile Farmlands
Press Release - Ethiopian Border Affairs Committee / April 6, 2011

As the focal point of the border issue between the Sudan and Ethiopia, the Ethiopia Border Affairs Committee continues to champion the legitimate and irrevocable rights of the Ethiopian people to 1,600 kilometer-long border of fertile farmlands, valleys, meadows and water basins that the Ethiopian Government led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, and his ruling party ceded to the Sudanese government through secret deals only known to the top leaders of the Ethiopian Government......full text

Africa: Democracy by Civil War
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 5, 2011

If the Ivory Coast, one of the most prosperous African countries, can be considered a template for political change on the continent,democracy can replace dictatorship only by means of a civil war......full text

Time to say no in unison is now
By Ayal-Sew Dessye / April 4, 2011

Calls for cooperation and unity of action among and by opposition groups have been every so often heard since TPLF/EPRDF usurped state power. And patriotic and democratic Ethiopians have answered every call unfailingly......full text

Meet Meles Zenawi: "World's poorest leader"
By Eskinder Nega / April 2, 2011

I gather this is the loyal troops’ rejoinder to the recent news from Spain about an alleged shopping spree in Europe by first lady Azeb Mesfin, wife to Ethiopia’s PM Meles Zenawi......full text

Zenawi exports his “Divide & Conquer” Policy to the Last Frontier
By Ephrem Madebo/ April 1, 2011

...Zenawi’s toxic divide and rule strategy has ruined families, diminished our sense of national pride, forced young female Ethiopians to seek “slavery” in the Middle East, and has forced a large number of Ethiopians to leave their country. Under the leadership of Meles Zenawi, self expression and political dissent have increasingly been criminalized, and as a result the prison population of Ethiopia has grown astronomically......full text

Poor Azeb Mesfin and her grand new palace
By Abebe Gellaw / March 30, 2011

...What was even more interesting to most Ethiopians was ABC Internacional’s revelation that our first lady of corruption, Azeb Mesfin, has been siphoning off millions of dollars from the starving people of Ethiopia. According to Molano, Meles Zenawi’s wife spent 1.2 million Euros just in one of her shopping sprees in Europe. But Meles had recently told the nation that his salary was 6400 birr......full text

Ethiopia: Country for Sale
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / March 28, 2011

...But this is no time to despair and submit to the arrogance of power and the power of arrogance. The trials and tribulations of the indigenous people of Gambella and their 80 million compatriots shall come to pass soon; and the bright sun that is lifting the darkness over North Africa and the Middle East is dawning just over the horizon over the land of 13 months of sunshine. "...Let them all stand up, hold hands, march together and cast away their fears into the fierce blowing winds of change." Let them all stand up, hold hands, march together and cast away their fears into the fierce blowing winds of change. ....full text

Meles Zenawi's doctrine of self-preservation
By Ayal-Sew Dessye / March 27, 2011

What one may find quite incomprehensible is the fact that dictators are never short of people who readily avail themselves to be at their service. Some may be committed to the same overall causes, ideology or philosophy that those dictators espouse; others may have different reasons like rendering what their professions require of them......full text

Meles Zenawi's war threat against Eritrea
By Eskinder Nega / March 25, 2011

Much to the amusement of Addis’ increasingly politically astute public, peace-dove-on-Eritrea Meles Zenawi has abruptly vanished from the public arena. In place of this familiar persona has come the new war-drumming-on-Eritrea Meles Zenawi......full text

Robbery of Land and Resources Incites Mounting Call to End Meles Regime!
SMNE Press Release / March 25, 2011

Meles and his TPLF regime are their own worst enemies. As they attempt to hang on to power, they are fomenting large-scale rebellion against their own iron-fisted rule and seem incapable of altering their selfdestructive path. Meles knows his time is coming to an end as his survival instincts sound out loud alarms to the rising danger of an entire nation of discontented people.......full text

Meles Zenawi and his rhetoric
By Hanna Tadesse / March 22, 2011

Supporters of Ethiopia’s PM Meles Zenawi may admire him for his oratory, unrelenting rejection of his opponents’ views despite their worth, and his ever improving English. They would not, however, seem to realize that if his politics were to be defined by a word, it is nothing but denial. All the decisive socio-political failings and sad states of affairs that the nation has witnessed ever since he came to power, he denied them before or/and even while they have actually taken place. Cases are too many to exhaust but examples are easy to enlist......full text

Ethiopia: Broken Contract, Broken Faith, Broken Country
By Alemayehu G. Mariam / March 21, 2011

Over the past week, Meles Zenawi has been waxing eloquent on contract and leasehold law. Asked by a local journalist whether the winds of change blowing in North Africa could make a detour to Ethiopia, he said that was impossible because he and his party have a five-year “contract” with the Ethiopian people. He explained: ......full text

The prospect of popular uprising in Ethiopia and the hurdles
By Ayal-Sew Dessye / March 19, 2011

Popular uprisings are collective responses to injustices, undemocratic, suppressive and oppressive systems that deny people equal treatment and deprive them of equal opportunities and rulers that fail to be governed even by their own laws, lack human decency and fairness......full text

Ethiopia: Protest and Addis Ababa University
By Eskinder Nega / March 18, 2011

Imagine a student movement’s hall of fame, and two countries in Africa, Ethiopia and South Africa, would be its uncontroversial inductees. But whereas rowdy, angry and not particularly ideological students dominated the South African movement, disciplined, focused and highly ideological university students towered prominently over that of Ethiopia. ......full text

The Moral Hazard of U.S. Policy in Africa
By Alemayehu G. Mariam / March 14, 2011

The concept of ‘moral hazard’ in politics may be used to explain a situation in which a government is insulated and immunized from the consequences of its risky, reckless and incompetent behavior. For instance, a regime that is heavily dependent on the safety net of foreign aid, sustained infusion of multilateral loans and perpetual supply of humanitarian assistance will behave differently if it were left to its own devices to deal with the consequences of a mismanaged economy, debilitating corruption and proliferating poverty......full text

Open letter to US Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton
By Ayal-Sew Dessye / March 12, 2011

The world is fixatedly watching the news unfolding in Libya that it has even overshadowed raging civil wars in Somalia and elsewhere and a budding genocide in the Ivory Coast. The on-going exceptional popular movements in North Africa and the Middle-East, led mainly by enlightened young revolutionaries that aspire for a dignified life, democracy and human decency have been phenomenal and an inspiration to people everywhere......full text

Ethiopia: Protest and “danger of Military Government”
By Eskinder Nega / March 11, 2011

The announcement of Mubarak’s fall was greeted with the loudest cheer in Egyptian history. People power had come and triumphed in the Arab world’s most important country. There was every reason to celebrate. And with their live images broadcast around the world, celebrate they did for a whole night. ......full text

How How to overthrow the Meles Zenawi regime
By Abebe Gellaw / March 9, 2011

The winds of change that has been rocking the Arab world have once again confirmed the fact that every tyranny is a house built on sand. Unlike rock solid democratic systems that are built on the consent of the people, evil tyrannical regimes are founded on brutality, oppression, corruption, domination, intimidation and abuse of power......full text

Ethiopia: The Sun Also Rises
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / March 8, 2011

"When the sun rises, it rises for everyone," goes the old saying. The sun that rose over tyranny in North Africa will not set at the edge of the Sahel; it will shine southward on the African savannah and rainforest. The wind of change blowing across the Middle East will soon cut a wide swath clear to the Atlantic Coast of West Africa from the Red Sea. The sun that lifted the darkness that had enveloped Tunisia, Egypt and Libya for decades can now be seen rising just over the Ethiopian horizon. The sun rises to greet a new generation of Ethiopians......full text

The power of no: the prospect of popular uprising in Ethiopia and the hurdles
By Ayal-Sew Dessye (Part III)(Part II), (Part I)

One of the ills of allowing people to stay in power for too long is that, in addition to encouraging nepotism and enabling systemic corruption, those in power would start to have difficulty distinguishing between themselves and the country they rule, and consider any call for change, no matter how genuine, legal and legitimate, to be one against the interests of the people and the country......full text

Bereket and Seif El Gaddafi – birds of a feather
By Yilma Bekele / March 3, 2011

...We are gentle, loving people. Hate have no place in our Ethiopia. Woyane’s are planters of hate. The only thing they will harvest is this colossal tsunami of rage directed at the thousand or less Woyane dogs.......full text

Ethiopians Unite Against the Meles Dictatorship
Enough! Beka! Gaye! Bass! Yiakel!
Press Release / March 1, 2011

We call upon all Ethiopian civic organizations world wide to engage in consultations with all democratic forces inside and outside of Ethiopia and provide moral and material assistance to bring about a democratic change in Ethiopia......full text

Thugtatorship: The Highest Stage of African Dictatorship
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 28, 2011

If democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people, a thugogracy is a government of thieves, for thieves, by thieves. Simply stated, a thugtatorship is rule by a gang of thieves and robbers (thugs) in designer suits. It is becoming crystal clear that much of Africa today is a thugogracy privately managed and operated for the exclusive benefit of bloodthirsty thugtators......full text

The prospect of a popular uprising in Ethiopia and the hurdles
By Ayal-Sew Dessye / February 26, 2011

A few months ago a relative of mine and I were discussing the power, significance, importance and impact of the word 'no'; both in the individual and societal context. This simple sounding word with otherwise negative connotations is also a powerful expressive signifier of a definitive personal decision that is firmly grounded in determination and resolve the source of which is an immeasurable internal strength......full text

Libya’s Gadhafi and Ethiopia’s EPRDF
By Eskinder Nega / February 25, 2011

Strange as this may sound, there is a mainstream in the unsanctioned confederacy of dictators. Whether of the present times or from the distant past, the mainstream dictator is usually decidedly understated, more often than not a loner, eccentric in private habits, and almost as a trademark, lives in a complex world of paranoia......full text

How to bring down Meles Zenawi (Part II)
By Abebe Gellaw / February 23, 2011

Before I try to make my points, I would like to offer two contrary views that come from the minds two different people. The first viewpoint was made by Bereket Simon, one of the ugly faces of tyranny in Ethiopia. According to Meles Zenawi’s Goebbels, the kind of changes that have swept away dictators in Tunisia and Egypt are impossible in Ethiopia. He told Capital newspaper recently that in Tunisia and Egypt “there are desperate people, people who have nowhere to turn to.” ......full text

Out of touch in the Horn of Africa?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 21, 2011

Zenawi has demonized a major opposition group as a "terrorist" organization bent on "creating a rift between the government and the people of Oromiya." In his pursuit of the opposition, he has "used extreme force trapping the civilian population between the insurgents and the government forces."......full text

36 Years of the TPLF and 35 Years of Meles Zenawi:The reign of a serial mass murderer
By Tesfay Atsbeha and Kahsay Berhe / February 20, 2011

For the TPLF the month of February is officially a month of its birth day celebrations. The real celebration behind the veil of the birth day is actually the propaganda of the regime to exploit the emotions of Ethiopians, especially Tigrayans who lost their loved ones during the armed struggle, play the big benefactor for removing the military dictatorship and justify its “entitlement” to stay in power......full text

Ethiopia: Threats against journalist are another attack on freedom of expression
Amnesty International / February 19, 2011

Amnesty International condemns threats made by the Ethiopian authorities against Eskinder Nega, a journalist and former Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience. Eskinder has been issued a warning to cease writing articles that the government considers to be inflammatory, or face imprisonment. Amnesty International is seriously concerned that Eskinder Nega is at risk of detention or of physical harm......full text

African youths united can never be defeated
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 14, 2011

A specter is haunting Africa and the Middle East - the specter of an awesome army of youths on the move, in revolt, marching for freedom, chanting for democracy and dying for human rights and human dignity. Millions of youths are standing up and demanding dictators to stand down and leave town......full text

How to bring down Meles Zenawi
By Abebe Gellaw / February 12, 2011

As ordinary Egyptians have erupted in jubilant euphoria at Tahrir Square and on the streets of Egypt after the fall of the three-decade long dictator Hosni Mubarak, Ethiopians in and outside of the country have been keenly watching the wind of change from North Africa. We have witnessed history unfolding once again......full text

Ethiopia: Are we ready for the revolt?
SMNE Press Release / February 8, 2011

Like Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak, when cornered, Meles -- like any other typical dictator -- will likely use the “same-old” tactics (see below) both he and others have used before, but to a more intense degree now; especially division, all of which should be publically exposed, especially to the western donors, and immediately countered......full text

A Declaration in Defense of Human Rights in Ethiopia
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 7, 2011

John F. Kennedy said, “Those who make peaceful change impossible, make a violent revolution inevitable.” The English colonial government made peaceful change impossible in the American colonies leading to the American Revolution in 1776, an event memorialized in the American Declaration of Independence and celebrated annually on July 4......full text

SOCEPP Canada concluded a successful public forum in Ottawa (Canada)
February 5, 2011

On January 15, 2011, a public meeting called by the Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners Canada (SOCEPP Can) took place in the presence of concerned citizens, invited guests,parliamentarians and human rights groups in Canada’s capital – Ottawa.......full text

The deadly sins of the educated Ethiopian
By Natnael F. Alemayehu / February 5, 2011

The question of: “Who to call in Ethiopia?” or rather, “Whom can Ethiopia call on?” in times of chaos and tyranny has not been answered in recent history. Despite the context of the question, or to whom it might have been directed to, it is imperative that someone capable should answer......full text

Egypt's and General Tsadkan's lesson to Ethiopian Gener
By Eskinder Nega / February 4, 2011

What the world did not see was how hard Mubarak fought Egypt’s youthful protesters before they attained critical mass last Friday. Arrayed against them in the first few days of the protests were a remarkably huge and mostly invisible complex of police and security agencies; 1.4 million strong, according to Wikileaks’ leaked US diplomatic cables......full text

The virtue of solidarity with the Egyptian people
By Robele Ababya / February 2, 2011

This is a good omen for Ethiopia because what was so far a bastion of Ethiopia’s woes is vying for democracy as a matter of necessity. Democratic Arab world would pose no danger to Ethiopia and a mutually beneficial relation would evolve once we get rid of our own genocidal despot, Meles Zenawi and his brutal security apparatus under his direct command......full text

After the fall of African dictatorships
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 31, 2011

What happens to Africa after the mud walls of dictatorship come tumbling down and the palaces of illusion behind those walls vanish? Will Africa be like Humpty Dumpty who “had a great fall” and could not be put back together by “all the king's horses and all the king's men”? What happens to the dictators? ......full text

Countdown to dethroning Meles Zenawi
By Robele Ababya / January 29, 2011

Zenawi is one hell of a cruel dictator in the twenty-first century kept in power by the immoral flow of funds ironically from powers which profess guardianship of democracy and defenders of freedom of expression and respecters of fundamental human rights. He was invited to a red carpet treatment at the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, by ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair......full text

As Egypt and Yemen protest, wither Ethiopia's opposition?
By Eskinder Nega / January 28, 2011

The news headlines are invariably dominated by the protests in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen. Egypt in particular is at the core of international suspense. If Mubarak is successfully ousted, the protests will most certainly spread to other countries......full text

Bread to the hungry, land to the tiller
By Abebe Gellaw / January 27, 2011

It is a proven fact that those who have been claiming to be leaders of Ethiopia’s quest for freedom, justice and dignity have failed time and again. In Ethiopia as well as in the Diaspora, the self-anointed leaders have only succeeded in being leaders without a cause for their little groups brandishing big names......full text

Price-fixing causes chaos in Ethiopia
By Peter Heinlein, VOA / January 25, 2011

Price controls on many staple food items ordered by Ethiopia’s government early this month have reduced grocery bills for many low-income families. But now shopkeepers are upset and some basic items are disappearing from store shelves. Economists are concerned about the long-term effect of the government’s price-fixing strategy......full text

As African tyrants fall
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 24, 2011

Mohandas Karmachand Gandhi (The Mahatma or Great Soul) is today revered as a historical figure who fought against colonialism, racism and injustice. But he was also one of the greatest modern revolutionary political thinkers and moral theorists......full text

Tunisia woke up and said: "Enough!" Might Ethiopia be next?
By Zekarias Ezra / January 21, 2011

I know and I feel in my heart that sooner than we think Ethiopians will rise up like a single person to say no to a degrading and shameful subjugation and thereby get rid of their despot leaders to reassume their dignity under a pure sun......full text

Legitimacy before pardon of Derg & TPLF officials
By Robele Ababya / January 20, 2011

The ongoing debate whether pardon should be granted to the Derg officials is very interesting; and if so whether the illegitimate Zenawi regime has the moral authority to manage the process of granting the pardon holistically on behalf of the Ethiopian people is mind boggling given the shameful records of the regime in terms of betrayal of vital national interests and gross violations of human rights, including genocide, on a scale unprecedented in the history of Ethiopia......full text

Dictators are giants with a feet of clay- they will collapse
By Dula Abdu / January 19, 2011

In more recent times, Meles has ratcheted up his penetration of the Ethiopian community from churches to investors, who are kept as hostages. Besides sending to America or recruiting quite a number of Tigrean cadres to vociferously support the Woyane system, Meles has heavily invested in recruiting Ethiopians, who are susceptible to such opportunities......full text

Referendum for Sudan, Requiem for Africa
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 17, 2011

It is the best of times in the Sudan. It is the worst of times in the Sudan. It is the happiest day in the Sudan. It is the saddest day in the Sudan. It is referendum for the Sudan. It is requiem for Africa......full text

Is genocide vs crimes against humanity at issue today?
By Eskinder Nega / January 14, 2011

What Price Justice? What Value Life?) “Due process was followed, and justice according to the Ethiopian Code of Law was delivered. That is more than can be said of the mock justice meted out by these individuals during their long time in power......full text

Is genocide vs crimes against humanity at issue today?
By Assefa Gultu / January 12, 2011

I am puzzled by the recent line of debate among our respected public scholars regarding dreg officials' pardoning by the criminal government of Meles Zenawi which was in large part sparked following the piece written by Eskinder Nega......full text

Looking for Bob Marley and Fela Kuti
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ January 10, 2011

It is said that "music is a universal language." Using a few notes and inspiring lyrics, musicians and song writers have waged relentless battles against the perpetrators of tyranny, oppression, inequality and injustice......full text

Ethiopia: The politics of imagined genocide
By Eskender Nega / January 7, 2011

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......full text

The cable from Meles Zenawi to Laurent Gbagbo: A satire
By Fekade Shewakena / January 6, 2011

...One big mistake you the leaders of ECOWAS member countries make is that you have not manufactured terrorist groups of a threshold size in your neighborhood. You see, the West would care less about democracy in areas where Islamic terrorism is reported. The anti terrorism bandwagon is not only a good cash cow but also a good shield against the wrath of your own angry people. In my case, poor Somalia is a gift from God......full text

What has become of us?
By Natnael F. Alemayehu / January 4, 2011

What has become of us? I ask you. I grew up believing, and due to this day, that Ethiopia should be honored and cherished. We are a people descended from generations who not only defended but died for their nation, passing on the true meaning of national pride and “Ethiopianism” for generations to follow......full text

Why do things always fall apart in Africa?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 3, 2011

Ethiopia, May 2010. Meles Zenawi said he won the parliamentary election by 99.6 percent. The European Union Election Observer Team said the election "lacked a level playing field" and "failed to meet international standards". Translation from diplomatic language: The election was stolen. Ditto for the May 2005 elections......full text

Ethiopia’s Derg: Guilty of GENOCIDE or POLITICIDE?
By Eskinder Nega / January 1, 2011

Remarkably small and frail for his famed ferocity, imprisoned Major Melaku Tefera almost always stood in the proud poise of a solider half his age, utterly expressionless -- the picture perfect stoic -- as he listened attentively to multitude of witnesses’ account of his dreaded years at the helm of Begemder and Simen, one of Ethiopia’s twelve provinces in the '70s......full text

Ethiopian Groundhog Year 2010
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / December 27, 2010

In December 2008, I wrote a weekly column entitled "Groundhog Year in Prison Nation" summarizing some of my weekly columns for that year. I used the "groundhog year" analogy following the title of the motion picture "Groundhog Day" in which a hapless television weatherman is trapped in a time warp and finds himself repeating the same day over and over. I wrote:......full text

Horrendous atrocities in Ethiopian prisons
By Assefa Negash (MD) / December 26, 2010

Dear readers, it is while I have been on vacation in a county located thousands of kilometres from my second home country, Holland where I live as exile, that I read this horrendous account of the atrocities perpetrated on fellow Ethiopians......full text

Ethiopia: Forgiving Derg officials for Christmas
By Eskinder Nega / / December 24, 2010

Come January 1974, Ethiopia was quiet as a calm sea. The low-key insurgency in Eritrea, the only organized political movement in the country, was going nowhere. Having successfully confined the insurgency to the peripheral low-lands, the army’s casualty figures (after more than ten years of fighting) were still remarkably low......full text

Ethiopia: "So what!"
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / December 20, 2010

"So what! Soo what!! Sooo whaaat!!!" was the repetitive mantra of dictator Meles Zenawi recently in response to pesky questions lobbed at him in parliament about his so-called Growth and Transformation Plan[1] (GTP), which will presumably make Ethiopia self-sufficient in food production in the next five years and expand the "industrial-led export sector", infrastructures and what have you. It was vintage Zenawi......full text

Ethiopian Donors May Further Probe Allegations That Government Misused Aid
By William Davison,Bloomberg / December 20, 2010

Major donors to Ethiopia may renew a probe into claims the government has used aid to silence the opposition after Human Rights Watch called on them to investigate its allegations further......full text

Thoughts on chauvinism in Ethiopia
By Eskinder Nega / December 17, 2010

“What is it about this (new) cabinet that attracts so much attention?” asks Tsegaye Chama in an article posted on Ethiomedia (Attacks on fair cabinet, ethnic minority group, Tsegaye Chama December 1, 2010)......full text

Ethiopia Football: Legendary Footballer Mengistu Worku has died
EthioSports / December 16, 2010

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Mengistu Worku 70, Ethiopia’s greatest footballer of all time and the last head coach who took the Ethiopian national football team to the African Nations Cup in Libya in 1982, has died here today.Mengistu recently returned home after undergoing medical treatment in Bangkok, Thailand for the two years.The 3rd African Cup winner has been in Bangkok for two years undergoing medical treatment but his condition has worsened. Mengistu was said to have returned home along with a medical doctor and special medical equipments for follow-up treatment......full text

Land grab fears for Ethiopian rural communities
By Ed Butler , BBC World Service/ December 16, 2010

Opposition activists claim that a number of arrests and the killings of 10 local farmers are as a direct result of the new policy."You cannot speak freely about the land issue now," one local man told me on condition of anonymity."You can be arrested or even killed for this."This is a dark period for all indigenous people living in the south-west of the country."......full text

Ethiopia: The Anuak's forgotten genocide
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / December 14, 2010

As you know November and December are very sad months for Ethiopians. In November 2005, following the election that year, hundreds of unarmed demonstrators were massacred in the streets. The world knows a lot about those crimes......full text

WikiLeaks' censorship on Seye and Berhanu controversial
By Eskinder Nega / December 12, 2010

The excision of entire passages from a leaked US embassy cable on Seye Abraha, a former Defense Minister turned opposition politician, and Berhanu Nega, a former mayor-elect turned leader of a clandestine opposition based in the US, has stirred bewilderment and disappointment here in Addis Ababa, the nation’s capital......full text

Internal cohesion key to advancing our Nile interest
By Jawar Siraj Mohamed / December 11, 2010

For Ethiopia, if there is a single war worth sacrificing the blood of its children, it is the fight to break open Egypt’s century-old blockade of the Nile River. More than 90% of the water and 96% of the transported sediments carried by the Nile originate from Ethiopia;......full text

Payback time for the children of Blue Nile
By Robele Ababya / December 08, 2010

...Unfortunately, the TPLF regime and the Egyptian government are hindrances to fostering the requisite political environment conducive to rational solution. Mubarak and Zenawi are both determined to fish in troubled waters in a bid to stay in power......full text

Lidetu Ayalew's pitiful politics
By Fekade Shewakena / December 07, 2010

Many people seem to be angry by Lidetu Ayalew’s political actions, his unqualified Diaspora bashing, and his attempts to belittle and badmouth people who don’t agree with him. I am among those who feel sorry for him and pity him rather than feel angry......full text

The "fantastic Somalia job
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / December 06, 2010

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive," said Sir Walter Scott, the English novelist and poet. It looks like the U.S. of A is really in a pickle tangled in a web of lies, deceit and diplomatic chicanery about its role and involvement in the 2006 invasion of Somalia by the dictator in Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi......full text

Wikileaks and papers to censor Ethiopian cables
By Eskinder Nega / December 03, 2010

“(Soon) Everywhere there is a US post (embassy or consulate), there is a diplomatic scandal that will be revealed,” wrote Bradely Manning, 22, from a US army base outside of Baghdad, to his online friend, Adrian Lamo......full text

Harnessing Ethiopia’s rivers for development
By Robele Ababya / December 01, 2010

“Thirsty child of the Nile” is a popular proverbial irony in water-rich Ethiopia where hunger and thirst are rampant amid plenty......full text

Reflections on Thanksgiving in America
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / November 29, 2010

In 1620, one hundred and two prospective settlers left England and set sail for over two months to come to the New World. They landed in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. Nearly one-third of them were religious dissenters escaping persecution......full text

The midget emperor" (አፄ ጎደሎ) and injustice
By Geletaw Zeleke / November 27, 2010

As that wise old man calls them "አፄ ጎደሎ" Atse Godolo “the current Ethiopian leaders have completely lost their passion for justice......full text

Berhanu Nega and Lidetu Ayalew's controversy
By Eskinder Nega/ November 26, 2010

Somber faced Ethiopians stared in rapt attention as Dr Berhanu Nega’s voice resonated with pronounced intensity. As he dramatically details a 2005 discussion between CUD leaders, his face is noticeably flashed with emotion......full text

Ethiopia: the aid-politics trap
By By Tom Porteous / November 24, 2010

Ethiopia is the largest recipient of western development assistance in Africa. In 2005-08, aid to Ethiopia more than doubled - from $1.9 billion to $3.4 billion. Yet the country’s domestic politics are becoming less democratic and more repressive. Could there be a link between aid and repression?......full text

Ethiopia: Talking trash; Speaking truth
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / November 22, 2010

Last week, dictator Meles Zenawi ripped the final election report of the 2010 European Union Election Observer Mission to Ethiopia (EU EOM) as "trash that deserves to be thrown in the garbage". He said, "The report is not about our election. It is just the view of some Western neo-liberals who are unhappy about the strength of the ruling party. Anybody who has paper and ink can scribble whatever they want."......full text

Abay Tsehaye: Minister of Sugar & Salt
By Abebe Gellaw / November 20, 2010

Meles Zenawi’s game of succession is getting more and more bizarre. He preached about the urgency of giving the mantle of power to the “younger generation” and the accomplished Machiavellian removed almost all the veterans and promoted his own wife as second in command in the TPLF oligarchy. Zenawi has not stopped there.......full text

Haile Gebreselassie: Politics and Retirement
By Eskinder Nega,/ November 19, 2010

Ask Haile Gebreselassie about his manager, Josephus (Jos) Hermens and his emotion is easily stirred. “He is not only my manager,” Haile likes to say of Hermens. “We are more like a father and son team. We love and trust each other.”......full text

Profiles in journalistic courage
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / November 16, 2010

I often write about the trials and tribulations of Ethiopia's independent journalists, sometimes in tones of lamentation[1], other times in wistful philosophical reflection[2]. I have always defended the constitutional and human rights of Ethiopian citizens "to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through other media of their choice......full text

Why Are We Supporting Repression in Ethiopia?
By William Easterly and Laura Freschi / November 15, 2010

Foreign aid observers have often worried that Western aid to Africa is propping up autocratic regimes. Yet seldom has such a direct link from aid to political repression been demonstrated as in “Development without Freedom,” an extensively documented new report on Ethiopia by Human Rights Watch......full text

Profiles in journalistic courage
By Ephrem Madebo / November 15, 2010

The EPRDF/TPLF exclusive pre-election campaign and the extremely lop-sided and disproportional results of the 2010 election are indicatives of a growing trend in Ethiopia where institutional rules including the constitution are largely irrelevant......full text

Haile Gebreselassie: Politics and Retirement
By Eskinder Nega,/ November 12, 2010

No doubt this was not the reaction Haile was expecting. By the time he uttered those words, he had long become unused to being ignored. But evidently, the world saw in him no more than an inspiring athlete. He, on the other hand, had taken himself far more seriously and wanted the world to acknowledge him for that. This was palpably turning into an uphill battle. And Haile, living embodiment that he is of the triumph of the mind over body, is barely a quitter. After all, only a patient man could conquer the marathon.......full text

EPRDF and its army of parasitic cadres
By RobeleAbabya/ November 11, 2010

It is widely argued the philosophical works of Jean-Jack Rousseau, one of the most influential thinkers during the period of the Enlightenment in the 18th century Europe, gave significant impetus to the onset of the French Revolution of 1779 – some even go as far as saying it could not have started without Rousseau’s brilliant thoughts......full text

Additional notes on the 2010 election and the post-election situation in Ethiopia
By Dr. Negasso Gidada/ November 11, 2010

The pre-election situation and the process of the election itself and the position taken by Medrek [the opposition coalition aka Forum] after the election have been publicised broadly. Much of this note may be similar to what has been public already......full text

Remembering the November slaughter (2005)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / November 08, 2010

For the past three years, I have chosen to bear witness for the hundreds of massacre victims of dictator Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia.......full text

Foreign Aid for Scoundrels
By William Easterly / November 08, 2010

...the support that aid donors give to Ethiopia’s tyrant Meles Zenawi, who has roughly matched Biya in aid receipts in a shorter period of time.7 Peter Gill in his excellent recent book Famine and Foreigners: Ethiopia Since Live Aid (2010) documents Meles’s misdeeds further, which rise to the level of war crimes .......full text

Ethiopia: Submission to the UN Committee against Torture
Human Rights Watch / November 7, 2010

This memorandum provides an overview of Human Rights Watch's concerns and recommendations regarding serious patterns of torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopia: Education Unbanned!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / November 1, 2010

Last week, it was quietly announced that the official wholesale ban on distance learning educational programs in Ethiopia has been lifted. In August 2010, the ban was imposed out of the blue "because of quality concerns"......full text

Overseas aid is funding human rights abuses
By Peter Oborne/Telegraph.co.uk/ | October 29, 2009

The facts are grim. Ethiopia is in effect a one-party state whose president, Meles Zenawi, has a shocking record of human rights abuse. Last May’s general election, in which the ruling party secured some 99.6 per cent of the parliamentary seats after a long, vicious campaign of intimidation, provides ample evidence......full text

Remembering the November massacre
By Eskinder Nega / October 29, 2010

WITH THE BENEFIT of hindsight, Meles Zenawi’s repressed thread of thought in 2004 and 2005 that led to a brief phase of political liberalization is markedly apparent:......full text

Ethiopia: Feed Them and Bleed Them
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / October 25, 2010

The helping hand that feeds Ethiopians is the same hand that helps bleed Ethiopia. Every year, the U.S., U.K, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, Japan and other Western countries hand out billions of dollars in "humanitarian" and "economic" aid to the regime of dictator-in-chief Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia......full text

Pleased to see Ms. Birtukan Mideksa as a finalist in the Sakharov Prize
Press Release / October 25, 2010

The European Parliament announced the winner of the coveted Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on 21 October 2010......full text

Meles' new cabinet: The real story
By Eskinder Nega / October 22, 2010

Ideally, a Prime Minister is only a first among equals in a cabinet. The cabinet, the traditional name allotted to a Council of Ministers, is a collective decision-making body which formulates government policy......full text

Meles Zenawi’s new best pal
The Economist / October 21, 2010

THE release of Ethiopia’s best-known political prisoner, Birtukan Mideksa, seems to have been calculated to distract attention from a reshuffle of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)......full text

Ethiopia: Donor Aid Supports Repression
Human Rights Watch / October 19, 2010

(London) – The Ethiopian government is using development aid to suppress political dissent by conditioning access to essential government programs on support for the ruling party, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Human Rights Watch urged foreign donors to ensure that their aid is used in an accountable and transparent manner and does not support political repression......full text

Let Ethiopians Hear America's Voice
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / October 18, 2010

So many lessons to learn from Columbia University! When dictator-in-chief Meles Zenawi spoke unceremoniously at Columbia on September 22, he was talking trash about the Voice of America (VOA)......full text

Open Letter to Birtukan Mideksa
By Eskinder Nega / October 15, 2010

One of the drawbacks of living in Ethiopia is the limitation it imposes on reading. The New York Time’s bestsellers list is actually further away than the mere eight thousand physical miles that separate the US and Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopia: Birtukan Unbound!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / October 11, 2010

The great American novelist Thomas Wolfe wrote: "All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken......full text

Mideksa--an Emblem of Ethiopia’s Hope for Freedom
EAC Press Release / October 10, 2010

On October 6, 2010, Birtukan Mideksa, a prominent Ethiopian political prisoner was released from prison after being forced to make a public confession admitting to have broken the law. This wellorchestrated political theater was shown live on the government ran media to humiliate Mideksa, and to demonstrate the regime’s supremacy over the opposition camp......full text

A few minutes with Birtukan Mideksa
By Eskinder Nega / October 8, 2010

Birtukan shook her head sideways as I spoke: "We are proud of you," I told her. "You are our hero." There was pained expression on her face. Something is visibly bottled up in her, pushing to explode......full text

Birtukan Mideksa: The leader we have been waiting for
By Abebe Gellaw / October 7, 2010

The unjust incarceration of Birtukan Mideksa was cruel, inhuman and purposeless to say the least. Despite his best effort, dictator Meles Zenawi miserably failed to break the resilience and spirit of the heroine who refused to kneel down, to budge and surrender......full text

Birtukan freed! Accorded a hero's welcome
By Eskinder Nega / October 6, 2010

Birtukan Mideksa, prominent Ethiopian political prisoner, was freed today from almost two years of absurd imprisonment---a blatant abuse of power by the EPRDF, specifically PM Meles Zenawi. She was accorded a hero’s welcome by family, relatives, friends and supporters......full text

The arrest of Birtukan Mideksa was a criminal act in the first place
Press Release / march4freedom/ October 6, 2010

Ethiopian civic, political and media groups as well as activists in the Diaspora held a meeting on Wednesday and issued the following statement on the release of Birtukan Mideksa......full text

SOCEPP Canada welcomes the release of Miss Bertukan Medeksa
SOCEPP Canada / October 6, 2010

While we maintain that the release of Bertukan Mideksa is welcome news, we like to state in strong terms that there are today too many Bertukans who continue to languish in prisons throughout Ethiopia. Many more have been “disappeared” and are unaccounted for.......full text
SOCEPP Canada welcomes the release of Miss Bertukan Medeksa ---( SOCEPP Canada , October 06, 2010 )

Lessons from Columbia University
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / October 4, 2010

Following Meles Zenawi's speech at Columbia University on September 22, Prof. William Easterly of New York University expressed his delight in seeing Ethiopians "participating in a debate about Ethiopia." In his AID WATCH blog under the title "Lessons after the Meles Speech at Columbia:......full text

Azeb Mesfin and EPRDF's 8th Congress
By Eskinder Nega / October 2, 2010

Pronouncing himself a “TPLF/EPRDF supporter”, Zegye (last name not given), could not help exploding over the Internet: “First, I would like to declare that I was a strong supporter of the TPLF/EPRDF......full text

Acute poverty amidst "double-digit economic growth" - contradictions in terms
By Getachew Begashaw / September 28, 2010

Despite the glaring poverty of the people of Ethiopia, excepting the power players, the government of Mr. Meles Zenawi, for political reason, has continued to issue inflated figures of economic growth in the country......full text

After the Dust Settled
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 27, 2010

After the dust settled following Meles Zenawi's speech at Columbia's World Leaders Forum, a dark shadow and glowing light were visible on stage to behold......full text

Bravo, the heroic Anti–Meles demonstration!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 27, 2010

Meles has at last made his speech at Columbia University against mounting opposition that may have forced the University officials to move the venue from the stately Low Rotunda to the class-room-like Roone Arledge Auditorium.......full text

The New York Manifesto
Press Release / September 27, 2010

WHEREAS, On September 22, 2010, Ethiopians in the Diaspora staged an extraordinarily successful demonstration against the invitation of Meles Zenawi to Columbia University in the City of New York; and......full text

Veni, Vidi, Orator, Fugio!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 24, 2010

In 47 B.C., the Roman Emperor Julius Ceasar sent his senators news of his military victory in a simple declaration: "Veni, Vidi, Vici." (I came, I saw, I conquered.) "Emperor" Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia's dictator-in-chief,......full text

Abebe Bikila - A flourishing legacy
By Tewodros Abebe / September 24, 2010

It was fifty years ago. September 10, 1960. An unknown Ethiopian runner dazzled the world that day by winning the gold medal in the marathon, the crowning sports event of the Olympic Games......full text

Mr. Zenawi goes to college
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 21, 2010

Fresh on the heels of shutting down all private distance education, including distance higher education, and "winning" the parliamentary election in May by 99.6 percent,dictator-in-chief Meles Zenawi......full text

Columbia’s invitation to Zenawi sparks outrage
By Amber Tunnell, Columbia Spectator / September 20, 2010

Zenawi -- who has allegedly intimidated voters at polls, detained political opponents, and been labeled by the New York Times as an example of “autocratic repression" ......full text

Open Letter to President Lee C. Bollinger, Columbia University
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 18, 2010

On September 22, 2010, Mr. Meles Zenawi is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at an event sponsored by Columbia University's Committee on Global Thought......full text

Relying on Ethiopian history to cure ethnic ills
By Robele Ababya / September 16, 2010

Unity has eluded us for the last four or so decades to find common ground to deal with our divisive political ills through genuine dialogue on the basis of credible history of Ethiopia. It is long overdue to recognize the immorality of twisting history thus misguiding the young generation for cheap political gains;......full text

Happy New Year, Birtukan Invictus (Unconquered!)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ September 11, 2010

The great Nelson Mandela said, "In my country we go to prison first and then become President." He assured the masters of the apartheid system, "You may succeed in delaying, but never in preventing the transition of South Africa to a democracy." ......full text

New Year wishes for Ethiopia: Release Birtukan Mideksa
By Eskinder Nega / September 10, 2010

Some readers have wondered if a reasonable array of New Year wishes representing the collective aspiration of a nation could be formulated. Why not? It’s perfectly feasible; though only the input of varied people, and not the reflection of only one person, would make a complete list......full text

I'd suggest this: It's not the rains, it's the rulers
By William Easterly, WSJ/ September 8, 2010

Ethiopia is a classic example of Amartya Sen's dictum that famines don't occur in democracies, only under tyrannies. The "foreigners" in Mr. Gill's story either didn't know about this sad fact of life or chose to ignore it. In any case, the celebrities and humanitarians who rushed to the aid of starving Ethiopians in the mid-1980s unwittingly supported the very people most responsible for those grim days......full text

Ethiopia: Indoctri-Nation
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ September 6, 2010

This past week Ethiopia's Ministry of Education issued a "directive" effectively outlawing distance learning (or education programs that are not delivered in the traditional university classroom or campus) throughout the country......full text

Ethiopia: The latest in the incessant self-serving lies of TPLF regime
By Robele Ababya / September 6, 2010

Botswana and Japan are paragons of democracy in our global community; both have achieved truly enviable results in socio-economical and political spheres in a short time – the former since its independence in 1966 and the latter since the end of the raging flame of World War II in which it was an aggressor......full text

Re-writing TPLF's history
By Eskinder Nega / September 3, 2010

The much anticipated book about Meles Zenawi, 'Meles Zenawi and the Voyage of the TPLF' (Meles Zenawi ena YeHewat Yetegel Guzo), hit the main thoroughfares of Addis early Monday morning, with vendors confidently displaying dozens of copies for passersby to pickup. (Up to 5% of EPRDF’s 5.6 million “members” are Addis Ababans.) ......full text

U.S. Senate introduces new bill on Ethiopia

.... in the run up to elections, Ethiopia saw a `narrowing of political activity . . .’ and that `the government cracked down on operations of nongovernmental organizations and . . . a series of arrests of opposition figures’......full text

It's the development, stupid!
By Ephrem Madebo / September 1, 2010

Just days after the ground invasion of Iraq, 90% Americans approved President Herbert Bush's job performance. In just a little over a year, President Bush's job performance rating was 29%; and he eventually lost his re-election bid to Bill Clinton. Why? It’s the economy, stupid. President Barak Obama enjoyed 69% job approval rating in 2009, in August 2010; his approval rating was 42%. Why?......full text

Ethiopia: Why can't we just get along?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ August 30, 2010

Rodney King's videotaped brutal beating by members of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) eventually triggered the L.A. riots of 1992. Rodney made a public appearance on the third day of the anarchy and pleaded in his inimitable style:......full text

Seye Abraha and the Ethio-Eritrean War
By Eskinder Nega / August 27, 2010

“I never thought that the war (the Ethio-Eritrean war) would lead me to permanent fallout with my lifelong friends,” ponders Seye Abraha of his lost camaraderie with Meles Zenawi and his allies in a book that was released in Addis on Tuesday. “But so apprehensive was I to become of the ideas they promoted, I lost hope in them in due course.” ......full text

Reinventing Kenya
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ August 26, 2010

In February 2008, following the ethnically-driven post-election violence in Kenya, I wrote an editorial commentary entitled "The Ethiopianization of Kenya":......full text

The great controversy: Abune Paulos' statue
By Eskinder Nega/ August 23, 2010

Clad in the distinctive black robe of the Orthodox clergy, Abune Petros, one of Ethiopia’s four native-born Abuns (equivalent to Bishops) under an Egyptian Copt Patriarch, stood in a manifestly noble pose before an Italian military tribunal in 1936, the year that Fascist Italy invaded Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopia faces an era of one-party rule
By Peter Heinlein /VOA / August 21, 2010

Ethiopia's 2010 election all but wiped out the country's once vibrant political opposition. This means that Ethiopia faces the prospect of one-party rule for the foreseeable future......full text

Gambling: Meles Zenawi's new foreign policy
By Jawar Mohamed Siraj / August 18, 2010

In recent years, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been pushing hard to signal to the West that they cannot use their leverage to pressure him into undertaking economic and political reforms that threaten his power. At times, he propagandizes his seemingly anti-imperialist “nationalism” against this so called “neoliberal” pressures......full text

Ethiopia: Beware of Those Bearing Olive Branches!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 16, 2010

"Beware of Greeks bearing gifts," goes the old saying. I say beware of those bearing fake olive branches. In many societies, "extending an olive branch" symbolizes an act of reconciliation, goodwill and peace. In ancient Greece and Rome, people gave each other olive branches as tokens of their intention to bury the hatchet and make up. The ancient Greeks are also remembered for the hollow wooden horse they used to outwit their Trojan enemies and destroy their city......full text

Mission impossible: Repackaging Meles Zenawi
By Eskinder Nega / August 14, 2010

“There are times when I have to flutter an eyelid several times to make sure that all this is not a dream,” says Meles Zenawi, marveling at the miracle of EPRDF’s successful insurgency that propelled him to the helm of the nation. “In milieu of the Derg’s superiority in arms and numbers, and the distressing poverty of the people we mobilized to fight it, I am amazed that we prevailed,” ponders Meles in a new book......full text

Steel Vises, Clenched Fists and Closing Walls, (Part IV)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 10, 2010

In June 2008, when presidential candidate Barack Obama was a few months away from electoral victory, I warned those dictators who survive by pickpocketing the American tax payer of the arrival of a "new sheriff" in town and advised them to clean up their acts and "shape up"[1]: "A new sheriff is coming to town......full text

Help us identify the 'hodams'

March4Freedom / August 10, 2010

We’re asking you to help us identify the people who were at the TPLF demonstration on Thursday 5. August in front of the White House and State Department in Washington DC!......full text

EPRDF’s Myth of Invincibility
By Eskinder Nega / August 6, 2010

Medrek announced plans to transform its loose coalition to the elevated status of a “front” at the end of last week. Its constituent members dipped to six from the original eight, after dropping one of its two Pan-Ethiopian groupings and its lone Somali based organization. The rotating presidency has now gone to UDJ’s deputy, Gizatchew Shiferaw; a position he will hold for four months......full text

Defeat divisions to see the miracles of unity
By Abebe Gellaw / August 6, 2010

Yesterday two Ethiopian groups with conflicting interests held two different rallies in Washington DC. The first one was organised by tyranny lovers, those mostly associated with the ruling party with an ideology called opportunism......full text

Activists deplore China’s role in Ethiopia
August 6, 2010

Washington DC. (AV)– A coalition of Ethiopian American civic and humanrights activists have condemned Chinese government’s destructive interference in Ethiopia......full text

Steel vises, clenched fists and closing walls (Part III)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 2, 2010

President Obama has been sharply criticized for his "inability" to deliver on his human rights "promises." Some say his support for the cause of human rights and those struggling against oppression has been rhetorical, and lukewarm at that. He has been unable to translate lofty words into concrete actions to improve human rights......full text

Mengistu Haile-Mariam speaks
By Eskinder Nega / July 31, 2010

Ethiopia’s impenitent ex-dictator, Mengistu Haile-Mariam, is back in the limelight -- nineteen years after his ouster and just before the publication of his much anticipated memoir in the US......full text

US to seize money stolen from Africans
By Angelo Izama / July 28, 2010

The United States will not provide a safe haven for money stolen from Africa by its corrupt leaders, US President Barack Obama said yesterday. Addressing at least 23 African leaders attending the African Union summit in Munyonyo, Obama’s Secretary General Eric Holder said Washington would seize money stolen by corrupt leaders and hidden in America and the West......full text

Steel vises, clenched fists and closing walls (Part II)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 26, 2010

If the silenced majority inside of what has become Prison Nation Ethiopia (PNE) could talk, what would they tell President Obama and Secretary Clinton about U.S. human rights policy? Would they pat them on the back and say, "Good job! Thank you for helping us live in dignity with our rights protected."? Or would they angrily wag an accusatory finger and charge, "You speak with forked tongue......full text

A new opportunity for the opposition
By Eskinder Nega / July 25, 2010

Ethiopia’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, this week passed a ruling against Medrek’s legal bid for a re-run of the election in unyielding words: “No substantial case for a re-run has been presented.” The ruling put an end to Medrek’s 80-page petition, concurring in almost exact words with an earlier ruling by the Supreme Court......full text

Stalin statue bad omen for Meles Zenawi
By Robele Ababya/ July 24, 2010

The two monuments of Stalin erected in his life time in his home state of Georgia were removed from public squares in Georgia with effect from June 2010......full text

Ethiopia, where food aid sustains hunger
By Abebe Gellaw / July 23, 2010

Live Aid, which celebrated its 25th anniversary earlier this month, was conceived after heart wrenching TV footages of dying children and emaciated adults weeping for the dead, as well as the abhorrent misery they had to face, globally brought into sharp focus the forgotten horrors of war and famine in Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopia's election: all losers
By René Lefort / July 21, 2010

'I really feel totally betrayed by the system,’ confessed Beyene Petros, one of the most respected leaders of the Ethiopian opposition, a few days after its crushing defeat in the general elections on 23 May 2010. ‘I thought that, if we competed in the elections, there would be a door ajar that could be made use of by competing parties. This assumption of mine was totally misplaced.’ .......full text

Steel vises, clenched fists and closing walls (Part I)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 19, 2010

Teddy "The Rough Rider" Roosevelt, the twenty-sixth president of the United States, had many faults, but one of them was not inability to distinguish between talk and action. The old warhorse understood that "Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric.......full text

Remember Lady Liberty on Mandela Day
By Abebe Gellaw/July 19, 2010

July 18 marks the first Nelson Mandela International Day. It was last November that the United Nations General Assembly adopted a special resolution declaring July 18th an international Mandela day to be observed annually......full text

The politics of appeasement and EPRDF
By Eskinder Nega/ July 16, 2010

History will always remember British PM Neville Chamberlain waving a piece of paper, on which rested the signatures of Hitler and himself, as he proclaimed to an eager world, “peace for our time......full text

Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) Resumes Service
Press Release www.ethsat.com. / July 15, 2010

For the past 24 days, Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) broadcasts and transmissions in Ethiopia have been disrupted by external interference to its satellite signals from sources that we are still continuing to investigate. This occurrence has triggered considerable not only public outrage among our viewers in Ethiopia but also internationally......full text

Let us Mourn for the Precious Lives Lost in Kampala!
SMNE Press Release / July 14, 2010

Washington, DC – Most of us have heard about the 74 people killed and some 70 more wounded in Kampala, Uganda when three bombs exploded that had been planted at an Ethiopian restaurant and rugby field......full text

The truth about the hummingbirds
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 12, 2010

...Social change depends a great deal on the circumstances of social forces in a given society. Political change in Ethiopia today seems improbable not because of the invincibility of the dictatorship but because of the lack of unity and commonality of purpose among the opposition. This calls for the establishment of a new political culture of cooperation, collaboration and coalition-building among anti-dictatorship elements, who now seem to have retreated into passive spectatorship of the dictatorship......full text

A NATIONAL CALL: Ethiopian Border Affairs Committee
July 9, 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......full text

To donors: Time to stop aiding EPRDF
By Eskinder Nega/ July 9, 2010

Coming only six years after the Watergate calamity, Ronald Reagan was almsot literally “the man on a horseback” who rode triumphantly into Washington to save the disconsolate Republican Party (and the country, many of his partisans insist)......full text

Election 2015: History or farce?
By Maimire Mennasemay (Ph.D.)/ July 8, 2010

In his victory speech on May 25, 2010, Meles said, “We will work day and night to obtain your support in the next election”, that is, in 2015. The question is: Will the democratic opposition work as hard to ensure a historically significant political outcome in 2015, or would it continue indulging in interpassive activities, as it did between 2005 and 2010, and make itself irrelevant? The democratic opposition could choose to be a force for advancing democracy in 2015.......full text

Speaking Truth On Behalf of Ethiopian Women
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 5, 2010

Birtukan Midekssa, Ethiopia's foremost political prisoner and first woman political party leader in Ethiopian history enjoyed talking about an allegorical "future country of Ethiopia" that would become an African oasis of democracy and a bastion of human rights and the rule of law in the continent......full text

To EPRDF: Dissolve new parliament (It's legal!)
By Eskinder Nega/ July 3, 2010

The preparation for the elections in May 2010 was more than a year in the making in the PM’s office. Abay Tsehaye, once a fixture in popular imagination as one of several mystic leaders who were really running the EPRDF behind the public persona of Meles Zenawi, but later to be demystified, publicly humiliated and now a grateful underling with a ministerial portfolio as national security advisor approached the PM’s office every morning with a judicious expression......full text

Why Ethiopia is not the voice of Africa
By M. G. Zimeta, Prospect /July 1, 2010

Last week the leaders of the world’s largest economies met at the G20 Summit in Toronto. The key items on the agenda were global economic recovery, sustainable and environmentally-friendly growth, and the impact of the recession on social justice......full text

Toronto witnesses largest ever anti-Meles protest rally
June 28, 2010

Greater Toronto Area and surrounding region is home to thousands of Ethiopian Canadians. Early settlement began in great numbers in the early '80s - when the Derg's Red Terror campaign and armed rebellions started to displace local populations. The influx of refugees to Sudan from Gondar, Eritrea and Tigray in thousands prompted western governments to implement an unprecedented resettlement programs on a large scale. The Canadian people have since hosted at least fifty thousand immigrants of Ethiopian origin who have chosen this great vast country as their home for starting and raising families.......full text

Speaking the truth to the truth seekers
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 28, 2010

...Today, the dictatorship of Meles Zenawi is busily implementing a master plan to "own" Ethiopia's youth in a futile attempt to perpetuate itself for a thousand years. Zenawi's strategy is straightforward. Force the best and the brightest of Ethiopia's youth to make a Hobson's choice:......full text

Nightmarish problems facing tyrant Meles

By Robele Ababya/ June 28, 2010

Thirty-six years after the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution, the political chaos then generated hit rock bottom on May 23rd when the ruling TPLF/EPRDF party claimed to have won 99.6% of the votes - effectively becoming a one-party rule with Stalinist features.......full text

Message to Medrek: Boycott parliament
By Eskinder Nega/ June 26, 2010

Barely a month after the nonsensical 99 % “win” by the EPRDF in this year’s election, gloom has set in stalwartly even in the midst of EPRDF’s happy-go-lucky adherents. The extremist’s dependably silly proclivity for melodrama is also considerably diminished. (EPRDF extremists constitute an amorphous entity unofficially steered by Bereket Simon.) And with federal police and kebele officials shamefully avoiding eye contact with Addis residents, the distressing impact of the election’s “results” seem to be more perceptible on EPRDF’s grassroots than either the opposition or the general public......full text

Africa is drifting toward a new age of authoritarianism
By Jason McLure, NewsWeek / June 22, 2010

To a casual observer, the tens of thousands of people who poured into the central square of Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on May 25 to peacefully celebrate the country’s elections might have been mistaken for a massive symbol of democratic progress in a poor and troubled part of the world. In fact it was quite the opposite.......full text

Speaking the truth to the truth seekers
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 21, 2010

The Greek philosopher Diogenes used to walk the streets of ancient Athens carrying a lamp in broad daylight. When amused bystanders asked him about his apparently strange behavior, he would tell them that he was looking for an honest man......full text

Election rigging in Birtukan Mideksa's woreda
By Eskinder Nega/ June 18, 2010

Perhaps the crudest claim by the EPRDF in its bungled-rigged-election saga this year is its “triumph” in Birtukan Mideksa’s wereda where she was born, raised and resided until she was imprisoned in 2009. Popularly known as Ferencay Legasion, the area was first settled by two prominent nobles of Haile Selasie’s era -- Ras Seyoum and Ras Kassa -- and the French embassy; which is said to sprawl on over eighty acres of land allotted to it by a jubilant Menelik who had just overwhelmed the Italians at Adwa in 1896......full text

Speaking truth to strangers
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 14, 2010

In the criminal law, an accessory is a person who assists in the commission of a crime without actually participating in it. Those who are "accessories before the fact" assist in the commission of a crime. "Accessories after the fact" help the criminal conceal his crime and escape liability......full text

The electoral board's unjust ruling against a re-run
By Eskinder Nega/ June 11, 2010

The election board’s emotionally charged rejoinder to the opposition this week, in which it brusquely rejected a rerun of the election, surprised no one; least of all the opposition that in the words of one of its leaders, Merera Gudina, was soothingly testing the “integrity of institutions” in full view of the public and the international community......full text

Decades Decent election in the UK and vote robbery in Ethiopia

By Robele Ababya/ June 10, 2010

One would first ask why democratic elections in Europe go so well and ours in Ethiopia go so embarrassingly bad given that we had been one of the oldest civilizations? ......full text

The human-rights abuser on the G20 guest list

By Ahmed Hussen, National Post / June 9, 2010

Later this month, leaders from Ethiopia and Malawi will be in Toronto as invited guests of the G20. While it is to be expected that the Malawian President would be invited in his capacity as the Chair of the African Union, it is more surprising to see an invitation extended to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopia: Speaking truth to the powerless

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 7, 2010

Always speak truth to power; but sometimes it is necessary to speak it to the powerless too. Truth must be spoken not only because it renders naked the hypocrites and villains, but also because it has a cathartic (cleansing) effect on its defenders. Above all, it must be spoken because it is the quintessential requirement of freedom: "The truth shall make you free." ......full text

The muggery that was named election in Ethiopia

Fekade Shewakena / June 7, 2010

Nearly everybody including Meles has lost this election. Peaceniks like me and many Ethiopians who have been sitting on the fences have also lost the argument that there is hope in democratizing Ethiopia though a peaceful process. In a perverse way they have made it easier on all of us now. The unnecessarily fragmented Ethiopian opposition should cease this opportunity to rethink its tactics and strategies, find its voice, and mount a vigorous common resistance to this inhuman system......full text

A citizen's plea to opposition leaders

By Eskinder Nega/ June 5, 2010

Mengistu Haile Mariam was livid with fury. This was in February 1990, days after the EPRDF (but really the TPLF) seized Debre Tabor and Baher Dar, the latter the fourth largest city in the country. “You are hereby ordered to head straight to Addis Ababa and report to the Ministry of Defense,” read a stern radio telegram delivered to Brigadier General Abebe HaileSelaise, commander of the 603 Corps, which was responsible for the defense of the two cities. ......full text

Decades Backlash from the 99.6% TPLF win

By Robele Ababya/ June 3, 2010

The point is well taken that readers are interested in the way forward in the aftermath of the massively rigged election 2010. An immediate and overriding course of action is to reflect on the failure to create a formidable unity that has eluded opposition forces for decades. It is imperative now more than any time before to ask the cardinal question whether each of us have put Ethiopia first over and above personal or group interests in order to prevent extinction of democracy on the watch of all of us who really love our Motherland, Ethiopia......full text

Of Elections and Diapers in Ethiopia

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 1, 2010

For the past year, I have been predicting that the 2010 Ethiopian “election” will prove to be a sham, a travesty of democracy and a mockery and caricature of democratic elections.[2] Without my literary and rhetorical flourish, that is now the exact conclusion of the international election observers......full text

Ethiopia's embarrasing elections

By Abebe Gellaw/ June 1, 2010

Today, Meles has comfortably joined the list he derided and despised. By the end of his new term, Meles will have ruled the poor nation that survives on food aid for a quarter of a century. For now, he has bought relative silence from the West by continuing to serve as a key ally in the war on terror. But in Ethiopia, totalitarian rule remains a serious act of terrorism that goes unchallenged. Ethiopia’s elections have turned out to be more embarrassing for its Western sponsors than their daredevil African ally, which shows no remorse over the death of democracy.......full text

ESAT services disrupted, board says working to resolve crisis

Ethiomedia/ May 29, 2010

SEATTLE - Ethiopian Satellite Broadcasting Service (ESAT) programs have been disrupted since Thursday and the board said negotiations were underway to resolve the crisis. ......full text

Response to Meles Zenawi

By Eskinder Nega/ May 29, 2010

Imprinted in popular imagination is the image of Meles Zenawi quivering, focused, and clearly at one of his heights of oratory as he ranted against the Algiers Technical Arrangement in one of his most -- he has several -- press conferences. “We will not relent until Shabiya (the Eritrean government) leaves our land without any precondition. No negotiation before then. We reject the Technical Arrangement put forth by the international community to avert war.”......full text

Decades of setbacks for democracy in Ethiopia and beyond

By Robele Ababya/ May 28, 2010

Ethiopia's tyrant Meles Zenawi has crossed the finish line of election 2010 by setting a new world record - sweeping over 99.6% of the votes. Right. Indeed, he set a new world record that eclipsed the drama of other despots, including his own predecessor, former dictator Mengistu Haile-Mariam, who was an old hand at producing 'landslide' victories over elections where there were no political rivals......full text

Ethiopia election win tainted, observers say

The Glob And Mail/ May 27, 2010

...Government officials and militia members went house to house in recent weeks to warn Ethiopians to vote for the ruling party or face reprisals that could include the loss of their homes or jobs, Human Rights Watch said......full text

Ethiopia's leader creates a repressive one-party state

By Jonathan Manthorpe/ May 26, 2010

Ethiopia's current leader, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who led the rebellion that deposed Mengistu in 1991, has not been quite so utilitarian in how he disposes of his opponents......full text

No level playing field for opposition, says EU chief observer

By Eskinder Nega/ May 25, 2010

ADDIS ABABA - European Union (EU) chief observer of the Ethiopian elections, Thijs Berman, said on Tuesday this year’s election fell “short of international standards in some respects.” While he praised the electoral board’s handling of the technical side of the election, he repeatedly stressed that the absence of a level playing field “in favor of the EPRDF” has affected both the process and outcome of the election.......full text

Ethiopia: Government Repression Undermines Poll
Human Rights Watch / May 24, 2010

(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.In assessing the polls, international election observers should address the repressive legal and administrative measures that the Ethiopian ruling party used to restrict freedom of expression during the election campaign, Human Rights Watch said. ......full text

Ethiopia: At the crossroads of history

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / May 24, 2010

There is an old morality tale of The Emperor's New Clothes about a king who is so self-absorbed, vainglorious and obsessed with his appearance that he hired two suit makers and gave them vast amounts of money to sew him the finest silk robes. They agreed to make the robes but warned the king that the types of robes they make are invisible to anyone who is unfit for their official position or hopelessly stupid......full text

ESAT Advisory Board: Declaration of Principles

Press Release / May 24, 2010

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day observed on May 3, 2010, President Barack Obama reminded the world of the “critical importance” of a free press “in challenging abuses of power, identifying corruption, and informing all citizens about the important issues that shape our world.” He noted:......full text

Ethiopia: Interview with Birtukan Mideksa

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / May 17, 2010

I had the great honor and privilege to meet Birtukan in the Fall of 2007 when she led a delegation of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (Kinijit) party leaders visiting the United States. On numerous occasions, I have publicly expressed my highest respect, greatest admiration, deepest gratitude and boundless appreciation for Birtukan’s sacrifices in the cause of democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law in Ethiopia......full text

The irksome issue of land to the tiller dismantling TPLF

By Robele Ababya/ May 16, 2010

This piece is meant mainly for the young generation born the 1960s and growing to adulthood in the aftermath of the Ethiopian Revolution of 1974 who now carry the burden of the political chaos created by my generation......full text

Ethiopia’s notorious campus wars: causes, goals, and impacts

By Jawar Siraj Mohammed / May 16, 2010

The last ten years have seen increased ethnic-based conflicts among university students in Ethiopia. Many of my own friends have become victims of these spontaneous eruptions. After interviewing several students involved in these conflicts and witnessing two violent episodes in Haramaya and Adama universities in 2006, I have come to the conclusion that lack of academic freedom at the universities and infiltration by agents of Ethiopia’s secret police are the major sources of conflict......full text

The first election 2010 poll -- EPRDF loses debate series

By Eskinder Nega / May 15, 2010

No poll has been conducted on election 2010 to date, not even by the little read English weeklies, which have broader leeway than the closely-monitored (by the state) Amharic newspapers. But whether sanctioned or prohibited, this would have been inconceivable if pre-2005 newspapers were around. Defying the EPRDF (and paying the price), so passé for existing newspapers which have been massively rejected by the public, as their circulation numbers sadly show. But I read them.), was in fact the raison d'être of existence for pre-2005 newspapers......full text

Foreign aid subsidizes repression in Ethiopia

allAfrica.com / May 12, 2010

A month ahead of national elections, the Ethiopian government has come under critical Western scrutiny in an article which accuses foreign donors of "subsidizing a regime that is rapidly becoming one of the most repressive and dictatorial on the continent." ......full text

All the way with Medrek driven by the vision of Birtukan

By Robele Ababya/ May 12, 2010

I would like to start this piece by paying tribute to the opposition parties such as Medrek on home soil for their stellar performance in the debate in which they have succeeded in driving the brutal TPLF Party to the corner, defenseless on every issue raised. They have articulated burning issues with courage against draconian odds......full text

Elections: Ethiopia versus California

By Yilma Bekele / May 11, 2010

I would like to start this piece by paying tribute to the opposition parties such as Medrek on home soil for their stellar performance in the debate in which they have succeeded in driving the brutal TPLF Party to the corner, defenseless on every issue raised. They have articulated burning issues with courage against draconian odds......full text

Ethiopia: Happy Mother’s Day, Birtukan!

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ May 09, 2010

As Mother’s Day is celebrated in Ethiopia on the second Sunday in May, I feel privileged to share with my readers a testimonial tribute honoring Birtukan Midekssa, the first female political party leader in Ethiopian history and the most famous political prisoner in that country. Let me say up front that Birtukan needs no tribute or praise from me or any other person......full text

Open letter to President Barack Obama ---( Chris Flaherty )
Chris Flaherty goes on hunger strike to raise awareness - A laudable challenge we must all support ---( SOCEPP Canada , May 03, 2010 )

Ethiopian Opposition Says Campaign Has Become War

By Jason McLure,Bloomberg / May 07, 2010

Ethiopia’s ruling party has increased harassment of opposition supporters before a May 23 election in the Horn of Africa country, opposition coalition leader Merara Gudina said.Activists loyal to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front have thrown stones at his car, breaking its windows and puncturing its tires over various occasions while campaigning in the Oromiya region in the past two weeks, said Merara, who is a parliamentary candidate......full text

EPRDF, Medrek, AAU students and Election 2010

By Eskinder Nega / May 07, 2010

The title of the most famous book about the First World War says it all: All is calm on the Western Front. And so it is in Addis these days as the election season comes to a close: All calm. Not even the nudge at Addis Ababa University’s sidist kilo’s campus, where a scuffle between two students escalated into group fights that shut down the campus was able to alter the broader setting: too eerily calm for many; no less, confirm sources, for the increasingly restless (and thus dangerous) EPRDF executive committee......full text

What next for VOA Amharic?

By Hindessa Abdul / May 05, 2010

In what seems to be a brazen move against a major donor, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi decided to jam Voice of America (VOA), a voice that was part of the Ethiopian airwaves for almost three decades. The PM accused VOA of “engaging in destabilizing propaganda.” He even went as further as comparing the Washington DC based broadcaster to Radio Mille Collins of Rwanda of the early 1990s which is considered to be the voice of génocidaires......full text

Tigray, a 'Battleground State' in Ethiopian Elections

By Peter Heinlein ,VOA / May 05, 2010

MEKELLE, Northern Ethiopia - Ethiopia's sparsely-populated Tigray region is shaping up as the focal point for the May 23rd elections for parliament. Tigray contributes only 6 percent of Ethiopia's 80 million people. But, it could hold the key to the country's political future.Tigray might well be called Ethiopia's battleground state, in more ways than one........full text

Open Letter to Ladies in Power in the Obama Administration

By Robele Ababya/ May 04, 2010

I have the audacity to write this letter on this day when Mr. Christopher P. Flaherty is on hunger strike in front of the White House, which is a symbol of the rule of law and universal human rights recognized as such by the global community upholding the fundamental values of Liberty Freedom and pursuit of Happiness.......full text

Ethiopia: The fire next time

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ May 03, 2010

It is the same two-act play (farce) of May 2005. The stage is the same. The director is the same. The stagehands are the same. The script is the same. The players are the same stage veterans. The stagecraft (lighting, makeup, props) is the same. The audience is the same. Act I, last scene, “End Game”. (Kick the propaganda machine in overdrive and pump up the media volume! Ethiopian opposition leaders, enter stage right.)......full text

Beyene Petros, Professor Mesfin and Election 2010
Eskinder Nega/ May 01, 2010

Many political leaders, big and small, have come and gone over the past two decades. Few have remained a permanent fixture though, firmly placed in public consciousness as embodiments of the post-Derg years. ......full text
Election 2010 and the Situation of Human Rights and Democracy in Ethiopia ---( SOCEPP Canada - May 01, 2010)

Election 2010 - A question to ask and actions to take
By Robele Ababya/ April 28, 2010

There is much talk that election 2010 is stolen by tyrant Meles. TPLF Party might dismiss complaints with the simple rebuff: Oh yah? So what are you gona do about it? So what are we in the opposition going to do about it? This piece attempts to answer the question beginning with the following true story for a start......full text

Ethiopia: Information Without Interference
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ April 27, 2010

“Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets,” fretted Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, as he summed up the informative powers of an independent press. All dictators and tyrants in history have feared the enlightening powers of the independent press because, as Napoleon explained, “A journalist is a grumbler, a censurer, a giver of advice, a regent of sovereigns and a tutor of nations......full text

Medrek: Missed Opportunities and Political Miscalculations?
By Oromsis Adula / April 27, 2010

At all these well attended gatherings, Medrek was hailed as the new face of Ethiopia, the rebirth of Ethiopia – and as the Menfes (spirit) that Kinijit once was. An informant close to the organizers tells us that the delegation didn’t adjourn their official tour. But with public meetings still scheduled around the states, only Seye Abraha, the spokesperson for the coalition, remains in the United States. Seye is also scheduled to do a signing ceremony for his forthcoming book “Netsenat Ina Dagninet Ba Ethiopia”, roughly translated Freedom and Justice in Ethiopia......full text

On Meles Zenawi,Lidetu Ayalew and election 2010
By Eskinder Nega / April 23, 2010

Meles Zenawi’s mother first encounter with the media was on the day of Eritrea ’s referendum in 1993, when she was confronted by a BBC journalist in Adwa as she came out of a polling station after casting her vote......full text

Medrek and the Ethiopian election
By Yilma Bekele / April 23, 2010

I am sure most of you have heard or read that the leaders of Medrek are on a tour of North America. They have held town hall meetings in Seattle, San Jose, Las Vegas, Washington DC and Atlanta and are coming to Los Angles this coming weekend. The delegation consists of Ato Seye Abreha, Ato Gebru Asrat, Dr. Negasso Gidada and Engineer Gezachew Shiferaw. All four gentlemen were former members of TPLF, OPDO or AEUP......full text

Tesfaye Gebreab and his grudge on the role of Seye et al Andenet/Medrek
By Robele Ababya/ April 21, 2010

This piece, which is written without fear or soliciting favor, is prompted by the recent slur on Seye Abraha et al and by extension a veiled attack on Medrek with a motive to divide it, which is unfortunate at this time when unity of opposition forces against tyrant Meles is needed more than ever. The attack on Medrek and its popular leaders at this time is a much needed respite for TPLF, which is running out of ideas and therefore doomed to die at the polls......full text

The voodoo economics of Meles Zenawi
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ April 19, 2010

“There are lies, lies and implausible lies,” to quote Meles Zenawi, the dictator-cum-economic spinmeister of Ethiopia. Last week, Zenawi told a snickering Parliament a story that is the equivalent of the proverbial bull that gave birth to a calf (or in Amharic “bere welede”): “We will be seeing an economic growth rate of 10.1 percent this year, while inflation will fall to 3.9 percent. This is the result of sound economic policy." (Sorry, but this is the result of voodoo economics!)......full text

The Virginia Declaration and Its Impact
By Robele Ababya/ April 19, 2010

The successful holding of “Ethiopia and Horn of Africa Conference” is a laudable achievement given the desperate effort of TPLF to subvert it. The Conference drew “several hundreds of Ethiopians, experts, scholars from the United States and Europe, men and women of the Arts, former diplomats and leaders of civic organizations, with Honorable Ana Gomes of the European Parliament, speaking over the telephone from the Sudan”......full text

The Past of Seye Abraha et al in perspective
By Eskinder Nega, Addis Ababa / April 16, 2010

Seye 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......full text

"Comment on Demise of the TPLF regime in the process of election 2010"
By Robele Ababya/ April 14, 2010

A few historical accounts of power of the people in crushing or shaking the foundation of totalitarian governments, no matter how colossal, are briefly presented in this piece of writing. The examples under the captions below are meant to dispel any fear of the much vaunted propaganda that the TPLF regime has five million registered party members, loyal special security organs and army. At the end of the day the regime shall collapse because the poor and hungry Ethiopian peasants will be unable to feed the huge army, security agents and party operatives;......full text

Ethiopia: The Truth, the Whole Truth and…
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ April 12, 2010

“Lies, lies and implausible lies,” blasted Meles Zenawi, the enfant terrible of Ethiopia, in describing the March 11, 2010 U.S. State Department’s “Reports on Human Rights Practices” on Ethiopia. Apparently, the U.S. State Department is not worth a damn when it comes to lying: “The least one could expect from this report, even if there are lies is that they would be plausible ones,” snarled Zenawi. “But that is not the case. It is very easy to ridicule it [report], because it is so full of loopholes (sic)......full text

'Beneath the Lion's Gaze': A tale of Ethiopia's brutal revolution
By Abebe Gellaw / April 12, 2010

Since the 1974 revolution, Ethiopia has witnessed cycles of unimaginable violence. City streets as well as remote villages that are normally far from the influence of the brutal political elites in the center have been washed with blood and littered with the bones of tormented men and women......full text

Silence Not Golden In Ethiopia
VOA / April 9, 2010

With national elections in Ethiopia fast approaching, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi appears intent on controlling both the medium and the message. Reports of the harassment of opposition political figures and interfering with international media broadcasts into the country undermine the image of his government, and if the polling is to be credible, it must be an open process......full text

EthiopiaExporting tyranny to Washington, DC
By Abebe Gellaw / April 9, 2010

The audacity of Meles Zenawi and his vultures has reached a new low. In his recent press conference, the tyrant was not hesitant to declare his disdain for the basic rights of the people of Ethiopia. After jamming the Voice of America, the charlatan ruler felt no shame whatsoever when he accused VOA of trying to instigate genocide, an idea that is dangerously playing in his evil heart......full text

Ethiopia: “C’est la Vie? C’est la Vie en Prison!”
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ April 4, 2010

When Meles Zenawi, the arch dictator in Ethiopia, was asked about Birtukan’s health in his prison on March 23, 2010, he was comically philosophical about it. He said Birtukan health is in “perfect condition”, except that she may be putting on some weight......full text

Protesters call on Gordon Brown to stop financing Ethiopia's ruthless tyrant
Ethiomedia / March 31, 2010

LONDON - Hundreds of Ethiopians on Wednesday said Ethiopia's ruthless tyrant Meles Zenawi deserves to stand before the International Criminal Court in The Hague and not represent Africa at the Climate Talks.The protesters called on Western governments to stop extending aid to a man who has held a nation of over 80 million people hostage to his divisive and destructive politics of ethnicity......full text

Ethiopia: Boycotting 2010 election as an option
By Robele Ababya / March 31, 2010

The best bullet is the ballot to remove tyrant Meles from power for at this time the ballot is equally available to all who opt to get it in accordance with constitution imposed by TPLF. Ethiopians and the opposition democratic forces might once again perhaps for the last time try to beat tyrant Meles at the ballot box. But of course registered voters can abstain by staying at home and opposition democratic parties can exercise their powerful option to boycott the election at any time in a coordinated manner for good reasons, thus exposing the repressive ruling Party for any foul play.......full text

The ABC's of stealing an election
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ March 30, 2010

It is a staple of the criminal defense bar to represent thieves, robbers, burglars, muggers, pickpockets, shoplifters, embezzlers, con men, fraudsters and swindlers. It is also the ineluctable lot of the defense lawyer to learn about the M.O. (modus operandi, techniques) of the criminal classes with professional detachment. But few defense lawyers could claim the dubious honor of representing criminals that specialize in election heists. So, when the Carter Center issued its post-mortem “Ethiopia National Elections Observation Mission 2005 Final Report”1 recently, a unique academic opportunity became available to learn about how an election is actually stolen......full text
Conference on Good Governance, Peace, Security, Sustainable Development in Ethiopia & the Horn of Africa - April 9 & 10

The Desperate Acts Of a Dying Regime
Ginbot 7 / March 26, 2010

Five years ago, when the TPLF regime lost ground in the general elections, Meles Zenawi went out of his mind and compared the captivating Ethiopian opposition to the “Interahamwe”, a group of young Hutu males who carried out the [1994] Rwandan Genocide......full text

Ethiopia's donors asked to condemn 'attack'
CBCnews / March 25, 2010

The Ethiopian government is waging "a co-ordinated and sustained attack" against its opponents ahead of May elections and countries like Canada that send aid to Ethiopia should condemn it, a new report says......full text

A challenge to all Ethiopians
By Magn Nyang/ March 25, 2010

Emperor Yohannis IV, my hero, was killed at the Battle of Mettema, on March 11, 1889 fighting the Mahdists who had invaded Gojam and Begmdir (Gonder). Emperor Yohannis never gave up a piece of land. He fought the Italians and Egyptians, even died for it. After his death, on May 2, 1889, the so-called the Treaty of Wichale was signed by Menilek II. The negotiator of this Treaty was an Italian by the name of Count Pietro Antonelli who had imperialistic ambitions for Italy. ......full text

Ethiopia: Repression Rising Ahead of May Elections
Human rights Watch / March 24, 2010

(Nairobi) – The Ethiopian government is waging a coordinated and sustained attack on political opponents, journalists, and rights activists ahead of the May 2010 elections, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. On May 23, 2010, Ethiopians will vote in the first parliamentary elections in Ethiopia since 2005, when the post-election period was marred by controversy and bloodshed......full text

Ethnic Federalism and One Party Rule in Ethiopia - By Ephrem Madebo

Ethiopia: In defense of the Voice of America
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ March 22, 2010

Meles Zenawi seems to have a morbid fascination with genocide. Whenever the going gets tough -- bad news, tightening election campaigns, stiffening political opposition -- he whips out the specter of Rwandan-style “interhamwe” (which in Kinyarwanda or Rwanda means “those who stand, work, fight, attack together”) in Ethiopia to change the subject. Predictably, as recent news of his rebel group’s use of famine aid money in 1984 for weapons purchases received massive international coverage, the opposition stepped up its campaign for the so-called May elections, the U.S. State Department issued its condemnatory human rights report on his regime and Bob Geldof went bananas, Zenawi resurrected his favorite “interhamwe” bogey man to justify his decision to jam the Voice of America:......full text

Democracy versus obstructionist TPLF
By Robele Ababya / March 22, 2010

Democracy is all about freedom of choice of each and every individual living in a free, tolerant and compassionate society without infringing on the right of others. Only a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” can sustain such a society, whereas the very opposite is true in a government run by thugs such as the ones holed up at Menelik’s Palace in Addis Ababa. The word “choice” does not appear in the TPLF lexicon. Anyone who does not fall in line with TPLF political views shall do so at his/her peril because Stalinism does not allow opinions different from official diktat. Adios freedom of choice! ......full text

Debates and the 2010 Ethiopian election
By Teodros Kiros (Ph.D.) / March 18, 2010

Debates are by definition cantankerous, although they should not be. The recent debates were not cantankerous. On the surface, they were smoothly organized.The first three rounds of the recent debates invite an objective analysis, which I modestly attempt. I will organize my reflection on three foundational debates, (1) Is the ruling regime democratic? (2) Is the ruling regime governing well? And (3) My vision for Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopia: "Grow up!" Bob Geldof
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ March 15, 2010

Sir Bob Geldof told Meles Zenawi to “Grow up!” when he found out that security forces directly under the control and command of Zenawi had massacred hundreds of unarmed protesters following the 2005 elections. It looks like Sir Bob may have to take his own advice and do a little growing up. In the days after the BBC reported its findings some ten days ago on a scam that diverted $95 million from famine relief to weapons purchases by Zenawi’s rebel group in Ethiopia in 1984, Sir Bob has been throwing temper tantrums on the talk show circuits......full text
2009 Human Rights Reports: Ethiopia
March 12, 2008

Human rights abuses reported during the year included unlawful killings, torture, beating, abuse and mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces, often acting with evident impunity; poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of suspected sympathizers or members of opposition or insurgent groups; police, administrative and judicial corruption; detention without charge and lengthy pretrial detention; infringement on citizens' privacy rights, including illegal searches; use of excessive force by security services in an internal conflict and counterinsurgency operations; restrictions on freedom of the press; arrest, detention, and harassment of journalists; ......full text
The 2005 Ethiopian Election Final Report - The Carter Center

US Rights Report Lists Ethiopian Opposition Leader as Political Prisoner
By Peter Heinlein, VOA/ March 12, 2010

ADDIS ABABA - The U.S. State Department's annual human rights reports says Ethiopia is holding several hundred political prisoners, including the leader of one of the country's largest opposition parties. Ethiopia has reacted strongly to past U.S. criticisms of its rights record. ......full text

Meles Zenawi’s Lessons of the 2005 Election and His Action Plan for 2010
By Fekade Shewakena/ March 12, 2010

The stabbing to death 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......full text

Geldof should be held accountable
By Alem Mamo / March 10, 2010

The year was 1984. A famine of unimaginable proportions was ravaging the northern region of Ethiopia. Besides the famine, that part of Ethiopia was also in the midst of a multi dimensional bloody civil war that took so many lives and destroyed infrastructure. The fighting parties were the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF), operating in a close alliance, launching a coordinated political and military operation against the regime in Addis Ababa......full text

Ethiopia: Licensed to Steal
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ March 8, 2010

Last week the secret world of Meles Zenawi’s kleptocracy, famine aid-sharking and money laundering in Ethiopia was exposed by two of his former comrades-in-arms in the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Gebremedhin Araya, a former treasurer and TPLF co-founder Dr. Aregawi Berhe, detailed the scam used to swindle, hustle and con millions of dollars from international famine relief organizations in the mid-1980s. The two former top leaders accused the TPLF leadership, including Zenawi, for taking tens of millions of dollars earmarked for famine relief in the Tigrai region to buy weapons and enrich themselves. ......full text

BBC holds firm over Ethiopia famine funds report
By Sam Jones, Guardian.co.uk / March 7,2010

The BBC is standing by a report that 95% of the $100m aid raised to fight famine in northern Ethiopia in 1985 was diverted by rebels and spent on weapons, despite denials by Bob Geldof and leading charities......full text
Press statement - Canadians and Ethiopians cannot be duped to serve the cause of a repressive regime in Ethiopia --( March 4, 2010,SOCEPP Canada)

Ethiopia famine aid 'spent on weapons'
By Martin Plaut, Africa editor, BBC World Service / March 3,2010

Former rebel leaders told the BBC that they posed as merchants in meetings with charity workers to get aid money.They used the cash to fund attempts to overthrow the government of the time.One rebel leader estimated $95m (£63m) - from Western governments and charities including Band Aid - was channelled into the rebel fight.......full text

Waiting for Godot to Leave?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ March 1, 2010

Last week, a couple of interesting political statements grabbed the cyber headlines. One was a truly entertaining piece entitled “Letter from Ethiopia,” by the indomitable Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega. Eskinder’s “Letter” sought to make sense of the power jockeying that is apparently taking place backstage to replace dictator Meles Zenawi. The other was a bombastic speech given by Zenawi to a captive audience in Mekele in observance of the 35th anniversary of the founding of his liberation movement. In that speech, Zenawi unleashed a torrent of vitriol against his opponents and critics to rival Hugo Chavez’s, and indulged in a little bit of megalomaniacal braggadocio and self-glorification for democratizing Ethiopia and inundating it with prosperity......full text

"The enemy of my enemy"
By Tibebe Samuel Ferenji / March 1, 2010

A few months ago, I had a lively debate with a friend of mine regarding the relationship a few Ethiopians in the opposition camp are establishing with Mr. Issaias Afeworki. My friend, whom I didn’t see for a long time, and whom I knew for more than 30 years, was debating ardently in support of these individuals. Though I was surprised with his view, I was more mesmerized by his justification than anything else. After my recent postings on Ethiomedia website, among the barrage of e-mails, one of my friend’s......full text

"The Meles regime has held its grip on power the past 18 years through the use of genocide,ethnic cleansing, gulag prisons, a sham court system, medieval property laws and the jailing,torture and lawless execution of civilians and political opponents." Doug McGill

Letter from Ethiopia: Overview on Election 2010
By By Eskinder Nega / February 25, 2010

Ask me what the distinctive trait of the opposition is in this year’s election apart from the provocative imprisonment of Birtukan Mideksa, and my response would not be amidst the proverbial list: weak organization, lack of preparedness, appallingly low finance (pundits estimate that only slightly over half a million US dollars is available for the entire opposition this election season, excluding the miserly electoral board finance) and an assortment of other secondary factors......full text

The Hand That Rocks the Broken Cradle (Part II)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ February 23, 2010

When I wrote Part Iof “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” nearly a year and eight months ago1, the heartbreaking and outrageous scandal in the broken adoption system in Ethiopia was a shocking molestation crime committed against two recently adopted Ethiopian children -- one barely 2 and the other 4 years old -- by their French parents. The father was jailed for rape and violence, and the mother for failure to report a crime. The attitude of the Ethiopian adoption officials interviewed in that case was a nauseatingly indifferent, “S_ _ t happens!” ......full text

Ethiopia's Christian world bids farewell to Abune Zena Markos
By Muluneh Yohannes/ February 22 2010

SEATTLE - Hundreds of Ethiopian bishops, priests and clergymen who had come to Seattle from as far as New Zeland, Australia, South Africa and Europe in addition to the entire churches in America and Canada that were represented by their delegates attended the memorial service for His Eminence Abune Zena Markos, who died on February 13 at Swedish Medical Center. He was 72. ......full text

35 years of the TPLF and 34 years of Meles: The Tyranny of a Traitor
By Tesfay Atsbeha and Kahsay Berhe / February 18, 2010

The TPLF started the armed struggle on 18 February 1975. We would like to remember the tens of thousands of Ethiopians of all groups who lost their lives on this occasion. We would also like to raise the questions why the legacy of the martyrs of the TPLF has degenerated to tyranny, why their suffering has led to the perpetuation of suffering, why the people for whose freedom and welfare the young people gave up their lives are not free to join any organisation of their choice and why the people are not free to elect their own representatives......full text

Tear Down the Stonewall of Secrecy!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam/ February 16, 2010

It has been said that Africa’s natural resources -- oil, diamonds, minerals -- have often proven to be sources of woe, suffering and misery than wealth, prosperity and progress for the people of the continent. What should have been a blessing for Africa’s poor has become a curse of corruption, malfeasance and bad governance. Could Africa’s new found wealth in farmlands prove to be a curse once again? If so, how could it be averted?......full text

Child: U.S. Adoption Agency Bought Me
By Armen Keteyian , CBSNEWS / February 16, 2010

Three children, sisters from Ethiopia are shown in a video - ages, you are told, 7, 4 and 6. Their mother is dead, their father dying of AIDS. A life of prostitution is all but assured - if not adopted - saved - by a loving American family......full text

The 2010 Parliamentary Election And The Neocolonial State of Ethiopia
By Girma Bekele| February 16, 2010

It is no accident that the person who subscribes and practices Hoxha’s twisted ideas today, Meles Zenawi, baptized and christened as “the new breed of African democrat” by the West, is an admirer and student of the former Albanian fascist leader. Alike Hoxha Meles, Zenawi has put in place the entire instrument of oppression to extend the life of his rule in Ethiopia. He is due to hold another Parliamentary election in May, 2010. According to foreign diplomats, political observers, and an article in the Economist magazine, the outcome of the scheduled election is a foregoing conclusion that no matter which party will be the people’s choice, Meles and his TPLF regime will remain in power for another five years. Simply put the dictatorial regime will not relinquish its iron grip on Ethiopia through peaceful means.......full text

The Failing Better the 2010 Elections
By Maimire Mennasemay (Ph.D.)| February 12, 2010

We have a historical obligation to keep alive the spark of democracy that Ethiopians ignited in 2005, and for which many lost their lives and freedoms. Every conceivable opportunity, however bleak the circumstances may be, must be seized. Only with such persistence will the crushed democracy of 2005 be reborn stronger. One such moment is looming ahead of us: the 2010 elections. True, the TPLF/EPDRF has made it clear that it will fabricate another electoral victory. It has muzzled Ethiopians with laws, decrees, codes of conduct, and its omnipresent security forces......full text

Western Diplomatic Omerta in Ethiopia
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| February 8, 2010

Reporting on the eerie silence of Western diplomats in Addis Abeba on Birtukan Midekssa, the first woman political party leader in Ethiopian history and Ethiopia’s # 1 political prisoner, Xan Rice, a reporter for the Guardian wrote last week:......full text

Western diplomats versus their rhetoric
By Girma Kassa | February 8, 2010

Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) Secretary General Andualem Aragie accused western governments of failing to stand by their rhetoric and support human rights and democracy in Ethiopia. “They are following the old way of doing business. They are partners in development with the Ethiopian government but I don’t think they are partners in freedom and democracy,” Andualem told Jason McLure’s of Bloomberg News recently......full text

Misplaced Rage
By Fekade Shewakena | February 6, 2010

The harrowing experience of Ethiopians over the doomed Ethiopian airliner in the Mediterranean Sea last week, and the racist ways in which grieving Ethiopians who were trying to know the fate of their loved ones were treated in Lebanon, could have been used to raise important questions and start a more important discussion......full text

The two elections of 2010
By Maimire Mennasemay (Ph.D.)| February 5, 2010

The TPLF/EPDRF is currently imposing, as it has always done since its capture of state power, a frame of reference that limits the 2010 elections to the issues and questions that allow the regime to give itself a democratic façade while totally controlling the electoral process......full text
Proud Teddy at the Proud Bird in L.A.
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| February 4, 2010

It is really great to be young; but for those who are not, the next best thing is to be at a Teddy Afro concert and jam late into the night with a ballroom full of irrepressible and euphoric young Ethiopian Angelinos. On January 30, Proud Teddy brought his triumphant “Love Conquers All” world tour to the Proud Bird, a well-known LA institution for one-half century themed around vintage WW II war birds. Teddy was in top form belting out one hit after another as he almost levitated on stage. His Abugida Band and backup singers bellowed flaming rhythms and roots-style music combining traditional Ethiopian melodies with reggae beats. Teddy was on fire at the Proud Bird, as was his enraptured audience......full text

Ethiopia's jailed victim of Western realpolitik
By Xan Rice | February 2, 2010

At noon every Sunday an old Toyota sedan donated by supporters of Ethiopia's most famous prisoner pulls up near a jail on the outskirts of the capital......full text

Putting lipstick on a pig, Ethiopian style
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| February 1, 2010

Last week, there was a great deal of teeth-gnashing, knuckle-cracking and gut-wrenching by Ethiopia’s dictators over Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) 2010 report. The dictators belched out much sound and fury that signified nothing. Their fury had to do with HRW’s conclusion that “Ethiopia is on a deteriorating human rights trajectory as parliamentary elections approach in 2010.” In blunt and unequivocal language, HRW whipsawed the dictators with the facts: ......full text

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... ...full text

Bracing to weather political storms amid hunger
By Robele Ababya| January 26, 2010

This Part II under the title “Bracing to weather political storms amid hunger” is a sequel to my article entitled “Jailed icon Birtukan and brewing political storms amid hunger” that was posted on democratic websites starting from 12 January 2010. I would like to precede it by the following extract from my article written in March 2008 entitled: “The folly of dubbing Ethiopia a ‘black colonizer’”:......full text

The democracy before democracy in Africa
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| January 25, 2010

Since the dawn of African independence from colonialism in the early 1960s, African liberation leaders and founding fathers qua dictators, military junta and “new breed” leaders have sought to justify the one-man, one-party state — and avoid genuine multiparty democracy — by fabricating a blend of self-serving arguments which converge on the notion that in Africa there is a democracy before democracy......full text

Retooling the 2010 election as a weapon of democracy
By Maimire Mennasemay, Ph.D.| January 21, 2010

Whatever one’s position on the 2010 general election, a number of things are certain. First, the election will take place. Second, the democratic forces are fragmented and at loggerheads with each other, but almost all of them—those who signed the Code of Conduct and those who did not -- are participating in the election. Third, the history of the TPLF/EPRDF makes it certain that it will use fraud, intimidation, arrest, imprisonment, and violence to win the elections......full text

Reinventing Ethiopian politics [Part II]
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| January 19, 2010

Aristotle wrote that “man is a political animal” to suggest that the defining characteristic of human beings is involvement in the civic life of their communities. Today, many Ethiopians across the board are strangely disengaged and alienated from Ethiopian politics. For the “alienated majority”, the disengagement is justified......full text

Google vs China: Lessons for Ethiopia
By Yilma Bekele | January 19, 2010

Google is at war with the Peoples Republic of China. Google is a worthy adversary. If I was a betting person I will put all my money on Google. There is no question Google will win. The Peoples Republic is playing the old game of bullying. Too bad for the Chinese those days are gone. It is a new age, a new game and winning comes from using your smarts not your brute force......full text

The ultimate chess game: Meles and the 2010 "election"
By Golto Aila | January 15, 2010 ethiomedia

The game of chess may not be the best metaphor for the political games Meles plays, but it is the best I can think of. It is not my intention to demonize or insult anybody in this piece, but as Ethiopia moves toward what Meles calls an "election", I feel I must share how I see him and the game he plays in the clearest way I can! It is clear to me the there is one true chess player at the table and the rest have, either knowingly or inadvertently, decided to be pieces on the chess board. I hope this analysis will help you re-evaluate your perspectives and expectations of the process he is currently conducting......full text

Ethiopia's "silently" creeping famine
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| January 12, 2010

But there is manifestly a “silent” famine and a “quiet” hunger haunting the land under Zenawi’s “watch.” In April, 2009, Zenawi gave an interview to David Frost of Al Jazeera in which he openly admitted that famine is rearing its ugly head once again in Ethiopia and other parts of Africa. Frost asked: “Is there any danger that as a result of this [current] crises there could be famine like there was famine in 1984?” Zenawi responded: ......full text

Tigrean Nationalism: From Revolutionary Force to Weapon of Repression
By Jawar Siraj Mohammed | January 12, 2010

...The Ethio-Eritrean war seems to have intensified Meles' identity crisis. As a leader of Ethiopia,he had to defend his power and the country's sovereignty against an attack by his maternal relatives. His adversarial faction made his identity a major issue, and publicly questioned his loyalty both to Tigray and Ethiopia. The EPLF, which earlier thought that it was installing a friendly regime in Finfinne, felt betrayed by Meles' willingness to succumb to Tigreans‟ pressure and refused to submit to Asmara's demand.......full text
"Birtukan's imprisonment without charge is an affront to justice and is totally unacceptable" --(Hon.Jack Layton, Leader , The New Democratic Party of Canada) ---(pdf)

The future of the future country
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| January 5, 2010

“Ethiopia is the country of the future,” Birtukan Midekssa would often say epigrammatically. Ethiopia’s No. 1 political prisoner is always preoccupied with her country’s future and destiny. Her deep concern for Ethiopia is exceeded only by her boundless optimism for its future. For that reason, her maxim echoes not only a manifest general truth, but also makes a profound and complex historical argument that calls for a paradigm shift in the way we understand contemporary Ethiopian politics and envision the future......full text

Journalists facing supreme court vendetta
By Abebe Gellaw / January 4, 2010

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......full text

The winning ways of a paper tiger
By Golto Aila / January 4, 2010

If there is one gift God has given Meles it is the ability to divide his enemies against each other so that he always emerges as the winner! If there is one curse God has cast against Meles' enemies, it is their failure to appreciate this one weapon that Meles consistently uses against them to win! From the day his army marched into Addis Ababa and took power by force to this day, Meles has used this method along with other supplementary measures to completely vanquish his opponents and ultimately the country we call Motherland. Just to recapitulate here are some examples, not exhaustive by any stretch, of what I mean......full text

The case for war
By Yilma Bekele / January 1, 2010

There are three things important in real estate: location, location, location. Agents never tire mentioning this important fact. What exactly does it mean? Simply put what matters most is not the structure of the house as much as its physical location. It is smart to buy the ugliest house in a good neighborhood than a beautiful palace in a rough area. It is much easier and cheaper to remodel a bad and decrepit structure rather than moving it to a new location......full text

Birtukan, Invictus! (Unconquered)
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| December 28, 2009

I remember the 29th of December, 2008. Almost a year ago to the day, the only woman political party leader in Ethiopia’s 3,000-year history was manhandled and abducted to prison. Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, founder and former chairman of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, was an eyewitness to the crime.......full text
Press statement - regarding the death sentence against the leaders and alleged members of the Opposition G7 in Ethiopia --( Dec.24 ,2009,SOCEPP Canada)

Why Zenawi betrayed Africa in Copenhagen
By Selam Beyene (Ph.D.) | December 23, 2009

African diplomats, most of whom had brashly stood by Zenawi when he violently crushed a pro-democracy movement in 2005, naively expressed shock and incredulity at his betrayal of their trust at the recent Copenhagen Climate Conference......full text

The raw machismo of dictatorship
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| December 22, 2009

It was a remarkable display of raw machismo: “My way or the highway… or jail!” It was a one-man political theatre, a monologue about absolute power, domination, toughness, brawn and pugnacity. It was a demonstration of sang froid machismo calculated to taunt and sneer at the opposition, and bombard them with contempt and derision. It was an ostentatious public vindication of the ignoble principle “might makes right.” ......full text

Corruption:Sarkozy,Obama pressure Meles Zenawi to betray africas future
December 16, 2009

NGOs and civil society groupings are reacting with anger and disappointment to a joint appeal by France and “Ethiopia, representing Africa” for a so-called ‘Copenhagen Accord’ to result from the current COP15 negotiations being held in the Danish capital......full text

The art of war on Ethiopia's independent press
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| December 15, 2009

Use a sledge hammer to smash a butterfly! That is the exquisite art of war unleashed on Ethiopia’s independent press by the dictatorship of Meles Zenawi today......full text

Meles Zenawi rejects US criticism, says ties with Washington 'solid'
Peter Heinlein, VOA | December 14, 2009

Speaking at a council meeting last week, Ambassador Griffiths questioned Ethiopia's contention that there is a fair representation of nationalities in government institutions. He said independent observers note that most senior government positions are represented by one ethnicity.The dominant role of ethnic Tigrayans in the government, especially in the military, has often been a contentious political issue in Ethiopia. Tigrayans make up about six percent of the population......full text

The toxic ecology of African dictators
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam| December 8, 2009

The inconvenient truth about Africa today is that dictatorship presents a far more per ilous threat to the survival of Africans than climate change. The devastation African dictators have wreaked upon the social fabric and ecosystem of African societies is incalculable......full text

A doomed continent picks up Meles Zenawi for Copenhagen
By Alem Mamo | December 7, 2009

There was a time in African history when visionary leaders defeated the unjust hegemony of colonialism. They envisaged a peaceful, developed, united and self-reliant continent that lives in peace with itself and others. Their commitment and quality leadership uplifted the spirit of the continent from the shackles of European colonialism and ushered the dawn of a new era. The central message of these leaders was unity over division, forgiveness over revenge. They stood strong and committed in the face of aggression and domination......full text

Ethiopian Despot Hijacks Copenhagen Leadership Role
By Doug McGill | December 3, 2009

In the six years that I’ve written about Ethiopian immigrants and politics in Minnesota, I’ve never editorialized directly against the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi.Instead, I’ve limited myself to reporting on the experiences, outlooks and opinions of Ethiopian immigrants who live in this state, a hub of the global Ethiopian diaspora.Today I’m making an exception, though, because of what strikes me as the exceptional danger posed by Meles’ most recent global political moves — a grave danger for Ethiopians and Africans, and possibly far beyond......full text

Implications of the land grab in Ethiopia
By Fekade Shewakena| December 3, 2009

If you are wondering why the government of Meles Zenawi is doing the secretive land deals with Arab and Asian tycoons and agribusiness corporations in secret and without any public discussion and scrutiny, and why the officials are handling it in much the same way like thieves who sell their stolen stuff on street corners and dark alleys, you have asked a serious question and probably have almost gotten some of your answers.......full text

Ethiopia is a nation held at gunpoint by evil forces
By Dr G Bekele| December 3, 2009

...My fellow Ethiopians, I always write too much and too often because our country is extremely badly run at the moment because of problems at the heart of EPRDF and their total incompetence. We are all crying and our martyr’s bloods are crying too........full text

The Great Ethiopian Run to Freedom
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /November 30, 2009

In his epic autobiography, the great Nelson Mandela used the metaphor of the "long walk" to describe his decades-old struggle against apartheid and minority rule in South Africa. In Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela described, among other things, his labor of love trying to steer his nation away from racial and fratricidal war by using dialogue and negotiation to achieve national reconciliation and build a multiracial, multiparty system. His long, hard walk to freedom across the veldt, the cities and townships eventually led South Africans to trade in their fears and tears for hope and faith in a free South Africa. In the process, Mandela became a formidable moral force and an exemplary teacher in the fight for human rights and racial equality throughout the world. ......full text

Report : The state of Human Rights and the election 2010 in Ethiopia
SOCEPP Canada/November 30, 2009

Organized by the Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners in Ethiopia – (SOCEPP-CAN), a member of The Canadian Peace-building Network (Peacebuild), a panel discussion of invited parliamentarians, civic society organizations and other guests was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (Canada) on November 18, 2009 on two important agenda items: The state of Human Rights and Election 2010 in Ethiopia......full text

Ethiopian ex-president, ex-minister join opposition
By Barry Malone / November 27, 2009

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - A former Ethiopian president and a former defence minister have joined the same opposition party, strengthening it against a government accused of suppressing critics before national elections in May ......full text

The dominant executive in Ethiopia
By Magn Nyang / November 24, 2009

Another indicator of executive dominance in Ethiopia is the degree to which Meles Zenawi manipulates constitution by engaging in electoral irregularities to remain in power beyond the end of his legally prescribed term of office. After first telling the whole country that he is stepping aside for the upcoming 2010 election, he pushed through constitutional amendments to only come back and announce that his party had nominated him again to stay in power until 2014. In Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi jails political opponents and holds them for years without trial, closes down newspapers, and suppresses public dissent. He censors the press and jails his opponents for simple acts of dissidence. In all, at least 100,000 dissidents are now sitting in jails and in prisons across Ethiopia......full text

AfriCorruption, Inc.
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /November 23, 2009

Transparency International (TI), the global coalition against corruption, has just released its 2009 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Once again, Africa has the dubious honor of being Kleptocracy Central, the continental home of the most corrupt governments in the world. Leading the parade of kleptocracies are the regimes in Ethiopia, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya and the warlords of Somalia.......full text

Human Rights and the year 2010 election in Ethiopia
SOCEPP Canada/November 19, 2009

SOCEPP Canada had a very successful meeting in Ottawa, Canada Nov 18, 2009 where seven Members of Canadian Parliament and a number of Canadia government and non government official attended.......full text

Witness for the future
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /November 16, 2009

Following the May, 2005 Ethiopian parliamentary elections, paramilitary forces under the direct command and control of regime leader Meles Zenawi massacred 193 innocent men, women and children and wounded 763 persons engaged in ordinary civil protest......full text

Eng.Hailu Shawul chose a shameful defeat
By Captain Woldemikael Dagnachew/November 16, 2009

It is too sad that Engineer Hailu Shawul has joined the corrupted EPRDF too? For him, betraying the loyal AEUP Members and Supporters was, yet another symptom of moral decay, of the 21st Century Ethiopian Political Disease that could not be treated or cured......full text

Blood coffee - coming to a café near you
By Alem Mamo / November 15, 2009

Much has been said about the curse of natural resources in the African continent. From the suffering of the Ogony people and subsequent murder of environmentalist and human rights activist Ken Saro-Wiwa in the Niger Delta, along with eight fellow activists, to the displacement of millions of citizens across the continent so that tyrannical regimes and multinational corporations can exploit and benefit from the riches that cover the beautiful landscape of Africa......full text

The joy and sadness of November
By Yilma Bekele / November 15, 2009

November 9, 1989 is a special day for the German people in particular and for the rest of humanity in general. It is a day that one more system designed to treat fellow humans as lesser beings is shattered and discarded. On November 9, 1989 the ‘wall’ that was built to keep people in fear and agony was finally breached and then there was light. It was celebrated with great fanfare. The enabler of this heroic act, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and current German Chancellor Angela Merkel held hand and crossed the border to cheers and tears accompanied by thousands of fellow citizens. Angela Merkel said “This is not just a day of celebration for Germans. This is a day of celebration for the whole of Europe; this is a day of celebration for all those people who have more freedom.”.....full text

J'Accuse
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /November 9, 2009

“No alternative in the opposition,” they whispered anonymously. What a disgusting phrase to use in justifying support for a ruthless dictatorship?......full text

War criminals as a "Statesman leading Africa"
By Robele Ababya/November 6, 2009

So, the gruesome deeds of the dictator we know are desperately being camouflaged by building an aura of respectability around him in advance of his diplomatic missions abroad, including the climate change conference in Copenhagen. On the domestic side, the ‘Code of Conduct’ for election 2010 has been signed. But Ethiopians know that declaration of a landslide victory for the brutal ruling party is certain and preparation is in full swing to crown tyrant Meles in a stage-managed ‘tumultuous’ inauguration ceremony.......full text

Famine and the Noisome Beast in Ethiopia
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /November 2, 2009

It is hard to talk about Ethiopia these days in non-apocalyptic terms. Millions of Ethiopians are facing their old enemy again for the third time in nearly forty years. The Black Horseman of famine is stalking that ancient land......full text

Can Ethiopia's Electoral Code Guarantee Fair Elections?
By Peter Heinlein / VOA /November 2, 2009

...The International Crisis Group recently issued a report concluding that "the contradiction between [the EPRDF's] de-facto one-party state and its promises to deliver multi-party elections ... has been a defining trait of politics since [it came to power] in 1991."......full text

Millionaires were born out of famine aid
By Tedla Asfaw /October 26, 2009

Gebre Medin Araya's, Ye Tigrai Be Telat Ejj Mewdeq... (The fall of Tigrai into the hand of the enemy, and the repercussions in the rest of Ethiopia) part one and two, fourteen pages in Amharic, is a timely piece on this 25th anniversary of the famine in our country. Sadly, another famine is unfolding at this very moment and those who want to make money out of it are well organized as usual. The author of two books in recent times, Asgede G. Selassie's "Saw Berasu Samba... (People are muzzled) also exposes what he knows about the current situation in Tigrai, famine and politics.........full text

The madness of Ethiopia’s 2010 “elections”
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /October 26, 2009

....Free and fair elections are best guaranteed if certain basic principles are accepted and fully adhered to in the relationship between the political parties, candidates, their supporters and other stakeholders. The first pillar is the principle of co-equality. In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, “All Animals are created equal but some are more equal than others.” Not so if we are to have free and fair elections in Ethiopia........full text

Teddy Afro: The invincible messenger
By Abebe Gellaw /October 14, 2009

There are some people blessed with an unbreakable spirit. They can turn adversities into triumph and setbacks into progress. These kinds of people have a deeper understanding of life as a rollercoaster with ups and downs, turns and twists, gains and lose, defeats and victories......full text

No level playing field for the 2010 election
By Dr. Negasso Gidada /October 12, 2009

...My general conclusion is that the OPDO/EPRDF totally controls and dominates the local political arena, and therefore, there could be no level playing field for the opposition in the Dembi Dollo area. Unless the situation changes dramatically in the next few months, I do not expect the 2010 election will be fair, free or democratic.......full text

Ethiopia - a country you can never stop worrying about
By Brian Stewart, CBC /October 10, 2009

The Ethiopian government has said it doesn't expect this year to be much worse than last, and it is "confident it has done everything it can to feed its hungry people."This almost blasé attitude in Addis, gives no comfort at all to aid officials who tend to agree with an Economist magazine's characterization of Ethiopia's government as well-meaning but "one of the most economically illiterate in the modern world." ......full text
Who is in power? --(By Ethiomedia)
...The guys who fought and turned Ethiopia into a landlocked nation, the guys who fought on the Eritrean side against Ethiopia during the 1998-2000 War, have neither the legal nor the moral right to rule Ethiopia even for a day. They have to go......full text

Patriots and trying times
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /October 5, 2009

“These are the times that try men’s souls,” said Thomas Paine, one of the Founders of the American Republic, at the onset of the American Revolution. It could be said equally that these are times that try a nation’s soul......full text

In contempt of ... the truth
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /September 28, 2009

Commenting recently on an International Crisis Group (ICG) study dealing with rising ethnic tensions and dissent in advance of the “May 2010” elections, Ethiopia’s arch dictator wisecracked, “This happens as some people have too many billions of dollars to spend and they feel that dictating how, particularly, the developing countries manage their affairs is their God given right and to use their God given money to that purpose. They are entitled to their opinion as we are entitled to ours.” .......full text

The prisoner worthy of a liberty award
By Abebe Gellaw /September 28, 2009

The Cato Institute, a respected libertarian public policy foundation in the United States, has been searching for the fifth recipient of its liberty award. Named after the late Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman [1912-2006], the award is “presented every other year to an individual who has made a significant contribution to advance human freedom.”.......full text

Déjà vu: Much ado about an already won election!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam /September 21, 2009

Last April, we commented that the whole business of elections in Ethiopia is “much ado about nothing”. We offered a catalogue of reasons why the whole election rigmarole and ritual under the current dictatorship was an exercise in futility and absurdity.......full text

Washington march launches new campaign for change
March for Freedom press release /September 15, 2009

On Sunday, September 13, 2009, many Ethiopians and others gathered in front of the US Capitol building to bring attention to the ongoing genocide and other human rights crimes being perpetrated against the people of Ethiopia by the repressive authoritarian government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The event was a success and we believe it will lead to many new opportunities. One of these will be the possibility of working together in collaboration to map out a strategic plan for the future......full text

Ethiopian War Heroes honored in Washington DC
September 15, 2009

Several hundred Ethiopians over packed the hall of Trinity Church located at 6000 Georgia Ave, NW, Washington, DC. They were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2009 honorees of the event, Brig General Tesfaye Habte Mariam and Brig General Kassaye Chemeda......full text

Save Lake Koka First Before Saving the Continent of Africa!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 14, 2009

Last week Ethiopia’s arch dictator was in tears, crocodile tears that is, over the unfair and shameful treatment of Africa by the heartless Western imperialists on the issue of global warming and climate change. Frothing at the mouth and brimming with moral indignation, the dictator threatened to go all out Ghandi on the West at the December climate change talks in Copenhagen. With sanctimonious and self-righteous rebuke, he railed:......full text

Woyane's economic growth: rhetoric vs reality
By Tesfaye Kebede / September 11, 2009

The very common way that Woyane and its agents try to shift the public attention from lack of human and democratic rights and the daylight looting of the country’s resource is by referring to the ‘impressive’ economic development registered in their rule. If they are talking about the only region that they are exclusively devoted to develop they are absolutely right. The reality in other regions of the country, however, speaks quite the opposite......full text

Invicible power of quest for freedom
By Robele Ababya / September 11, 2009

Here is a quotation from the speech by Sir Winston Churchill in 1940 during the raging flame of World War II: “Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory here is no survival”. Hitler lost the War leaving a memory of gruesome crimes for humanity and especially for the civilized German people living with regrets and determined that such crimes perpetrated by dictators will not happen again......full text

Zenawi will never go away peacefully
By Joe Michael / September 9, 2009

William Wallis, a Financial Times journalist recently debated with Zenawi regarding his confusing statements he has been giving about his resignation. While Zenawi was trying to confuse the whole world and particularly the Ethiopian people by giving imprecise answers, the sharp journalist throw at him a key question that will always be remembered by Ethiopians and the rest of the world......full text

Mugged on "K" Street?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / September 7, 2009

Do you remember H.R. 2003 (“Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act”)? That was a bill sponsored by Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) to promote the “advancement of human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, peacekeeping capacity building, and economic development in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.” It passed by a unanimous vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on October 2, 2007. A motley crew of human rights advocates and defenders, grassroots activists, international human rights organizations and others toiled long and hard to help get that bill passed. While we were pounding the pavement on Capitol Hill, guess what the other side was doing?.......full text

Welcoming the New Ethiopian New Year
By Robele Ababya / September 7, 2009

Eighty million Ethiopians in the larger prison in their own country are preparing to usher in the Year 2002 on the 1st of Meskerem (11 September 2009). This date is a reminder that we have our own calendar comprising 13 months - a significant achievement bearing evidence that Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations......full text

Gasha For Ethiopians Condemns Discriminatory Call for Public Meeting
Press Release / August 31, 2009

Gasha for Ethiopians is shocked and appalled to see an advertisement, on one of the websites which supports the regime in Ethiopia, calling for “all Tigreans in the Los Angeles area” to meet with Twedros Hagos, TPLF politburo member.”.......full text

Thugs gone wild in Kilil-istan
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 31, 2009

In a recent piece entitled “Mob Disrupts Political Meeting in Adama,”former Ethiopian President Dr. Negasso Gidada described how “an organized mob disturbed a public political meeting of the Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) in Adama, Oromia, and forced the discontinuation of the meeting.” Dr. Negasso explained:.......full text

Free market without freedom
Abebe Gellaw / August 25, 2009

It was about two years ago that Dr. Eleni Gabra- Madhin, an economist with a declared mission of eradicating famine in Ethiopia, forcefully entered the debate on Ethiopia’s fragile and dismal economy that has been stunted by the misguided policies and interventions of succeeding regimes. In June 2007, she appeared at TED Global1 in Arusha, Tanzania, and on a recent PBS documentary, The Market Maker.2 At a personal level, she is intelligent, articulate and clearly ambitious.......full text

Portrait of a dictator with a thousand faces
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 24, 2009

Last week, The Economist magazine painted a chilling journalistic portrait of Ethiopia’s capo dictator. The magazine described the ironfisted ringleader of the dictatorial regime that has “run Ethiopia since 1991” in starkly contrasting terms. “Meles Zenawi, still only 54, has two faces,” proclaimed the Economist. One is the face of a poverty buster, builder of “new roads, clinics, primary schools” and undertaker of “an array of agricultural initiatives.” The other is the face of a rehabilitated “Marxist with a dismal human-rights record who is intolerant of dissent,” whose “police shot dead some 200 civilians” and who jails his opponents on “trumped-up treason charges.”......full text

Remembering Ethiopian political prisoners
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 18, 2009

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends,” said Dr. Martin Luther King. The silence and indifference of our friends could be just as harrowing. Thank you Gasha (Shield) for Ethiopians for remembering the thousands of political prisoners languishing in Ethiopia today. Nothing is more important and uplifting to political prisoners than knowledge of the fact that they are not forgotten, abandoned and forsaken by the outside world. Remembrance gatherings at town hall meetings such as this one serve to remind all of us who live in freedom the divine blessings of liberty and the unimaginable suffering of those trapped in the darkness of dictatorship. Thank you Gasha for organizing this event to remember Ethiopia’s voiceless, but not forgotten, political prisoners......full text

Loan Sharking Ethiopia’s Future!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 10, 2009

Ethiopia’s “Ministry of Education”, (or more appropriately, the Ministry of Loan Sharking) has adopted a “new scheme” (new scam) of official extortion to professionally incapacitate young Ethiopian college graduates. According to a report by Addis Fortune, “Students graduating in the year 2008-2009 from all governmental higher learning institutions have been prohibited from collecting their academic credentials including the student copy until they find jobs which enable them to refund the cost sharing expenses utilized at the universities.” The ministry’s public relations officer, Derese Kitila, explained: “Students pledged to pay back the expenses for any of the services they consumed either in the form of cash or recourses. However this has never been effective from the way it had been projected. But with this new scheme the government might be able to raise back those expenses and handle human resources going abroad.”......full text

Aigaforum challenged on racist slur
By Abebe Gellaw / August 10, 2009

An Ethiopian who took a screenshot that has embroiled the pro-TPLF Aiga Forum in a race row involving U.S. President Barack Obama has challenged the website either to make a formal apology or make itself available for a formal investigation.......full text

U.S. Policy Shift Needed in the Horn of Africa
By Bronwyn E. Bruton / August 7, 2009

...But the Ethiopian government's behavior in recent years, both domestically and in bordering states, poses mounting difficulties for the United States and its long-term goals in the region. Washington must be prepared to press its partner to alter its strong-handed approach to political dissent and counterterrorism or consider ending the relationship........full text

Ethiopia: Orwellian Democracy
By Ayenew Haileselassie, Daily Monitor / August 6, 2009

Addis Abeba — Ethiopia's once major opposition party members are once again pitted against each other, and this time they have no plausible scapegoat to point their fingers at. Whether they will survive their conflict and remain one, or break down in to two parties, or even walk out of it all and be content just being dissidents is yet to be seen........full text

Experts say Nile Basin countries may fight over water
By Muhammad Yamany, Wael Naguib / August 3, 2009

CAIRO (Xinhua) — Some Egyptian experts accused the United States and Israel of raising differences among Nile Basin countries to affect Egypt and Sudan, warning that Nile Basin countries may fight for water in the future........full text

Deserting a sinking ship or doing the right thing?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / August 3, 2009

Over the past month, there has been a spate of reported official “defections” from Ethiopia. The alleged “defectors” said to be seeking asylum in the U.S. include a high level official attached to the “State Minister of Government Communications Affairs”, an individual identified as the “Director of Ethiopian Telecommunication Agency” and another person said to be a member of Ethiopia’s rubber-stamp parliament. A well-known Ethiopian novelist is also reported to be seeking asylum in the U.S......full text

An Islamic history is a vital part of Ethiopia's richness
By HA Hellyer / July 31, 2009

"We are sorry if you get woken up by the Muslim call to prayer in the morning.” Those were some of the first words I heard at my hotel when I arrived in Addis Ababa, on my first trip to Ethiopia. I confess – I was a bit confused. Call to prayer? In the capital of a “Christian country in a sea of Muslims”, as Ethiopia is sometimes called? Perhaps I was in a Muslim quarter of Addis Ababa that had been recently established?........full text

Rulers and the resignation gamesmanship
By Jawar Mohammed / July 26, 2009

In recent months, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi repeatedly stressed his preparedness to step down after two decades of absolute dictatorship. Although it seems that the man has had enough misadventure and might be ready to replace himself with a loyal puppet, the vast majority of the public has been pretty sceptical. What is quite interesting to me, however, is the discussion this announcement has generated amongst Meles' supporters who are apparently divided between those who want him to leave and those who asks him to remain in office.......full text

Now is the time to end tyranny
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 22, 2009

“No person wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the rule of brutality and bribery. That is not democracy, that is tyranny, and now is the time for it to end.” Thus spoke President Barack Obama last week to Africa’s tin-pot dictators using the Ghanaian parliament as a sounding board ......full text

Barack Obama and Africa: How different is his policy?
The Economist / July 16, 2009

Barack Obama said all the right things about Africa—and left a few ticklish ones unsaid. The tone may shift a bit but the policy will be similar to George Bush’s......full text

TPLF Plc. – Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
By Azmera Tesfaye / July 14, 2009

This is a glimpse into the inner workings of the TPLF Plc. - how the machinery has increasingly evolved into a business empire, corrupted by the convenience of power; lubricated by the decadent slogan that this is our historic moment to prosper and the reckless greed that breeds more insatiable and bottomless want. What is sad is that the TPLF Plc. Is engaged in entrenching itself as the next class of Ethiopian capitalist at the catastrophic expense of the poor Ethiopian people in a manner only a colonial conqueror sabotages its subject’s wellbeing and wealth.......full text

Birtukan Mideksa and the law
By Mesfin Woldemariam / July 14, 2009

Whatever the consequences Birtukan became famous in a country where people were extremely eager to see a courageous judge. But precisely because she took the law seriously and courageously, she became unexpectedly famous as the judge who stood stubbornly for the rule of law. She could not pursue her career on the bench. She became a lawyer instead.......full text

No rest for the wicked!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 13, 2009

According to Reuters’ guessing game, the dictator could “get permission to leave” at the party congress in September, but that is unlikely “a year before Ethiopia has its next national election due in June 2010.”......full text

In Ethiopia, prime minister's words, actions not in step
By Mohamed Hassim Keita/Africa Research Associate (CPJ) / July 12, 2009

This week, in an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, Meles Zenawi suggested that the press in his country freely expresses dissent. In fact, that is hardly the case. The Horn of Africa nation remains one of the world's worst backsliders of press freedom.......full text

Obama declares to Africa: End tyranny, corruption
By Mark S. Smith, AP Writer / July 11, 2009

ACCRA, Ghana – An American president who has "the blood of Africa within me" praised and scolded the continent of his ancestors Saturday, asserting forces of tyranny and corruption must yield if Africa is to achieve its promise......full text

Why the Real Ethiopian Flag Scares Tyrant Meles to Death
By Robele Ababya / July 9, 2009

Legendry heroes, Colonel Abdisa Aga and Zerai Deres, upheld the honor of the real Ethiopia flag on the Italian soil. Both are distinguished true sons of Ethiopia; the former is an Ethiopian of Oromo origin from Wollega and the latter hails from Eritrea.......full text

The naked lies of Sebhat Nega
By Robele Ababya / July 2, 2009

Ethiopia is a museum of ancient history characterized by uniquely diverse cultures. All that one has to do is delve into this rich history made by multiple ethnic groups over several centuries to find answers to ones questions or solutions to ones problems. We need no outsider to tell us who we are!......full text

Hero vs. Zero
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / July 1, 2009

George Orwell may have understated the situation in the Big Brother totalitarian state of Nineteen Eighty-Four: “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” He would be amused to learn that in the police state of Two Thousand and Nine Ethiopia, Big Brother has been unceremoniously replaced by THE P-R-O-C-E-S-S!......full text

Seizing the moment to end TPLF misrule
Robele Ababya / June 25, 2009

The acronym TPLF is a trade mark that Meles uses to plunder and destroy Ethiopia. The valiant people of Tigrai will not fall prey to his deception; they realize the urgency to act in earnest to defeat his evil deeds hidden under the canopy of “Revolutionary Democracy”......full text

Ethiopia and Zenawi's gangaster capitalism
Abebe Gelaw / June 23, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, Sebhat Nega, the man who is credited to be the father of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, flew to Washington DC to inspect whether the VOA Amharic service can join the self-congratulatory band of the tyrannical regime. In the course of his mission, he told VOA Amharic listeners that he was disappointed with the performance of VOA Amharic section which he referred to as a stable for dissidents......full text

In Defense of Classical Ethiopianity and against Ethnocentricity
By Teodros Kiros (Ph.D.) / June 18, 2009

Guided by the Transcendent, proud of my Ethiopianity, motivated by the thinking heart, and seasoned by the teaching of time, lately, I have been quietly consuming the massive literature produced by our able scholars, our committed columnists, our rightly embittered politicians, and the reading public- and I have come to the inescapable conclusion that, however, incorrect I may be, we are agonizing about the paths that our country must take, as the next election looms large, and Ethiopians will once again either perish by the votes that they make, or flourish precisely because they have deliberated carefully, uncontaminated by prejudice, unaffected by fear, and un weakened by the fact that they will have choose between bread and freedom. Ethiopians must choose freedom against bread, and dignity over servitude. ......full text

Echo Chamber for Dictatorship?
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 15, 2009

Are we becoming an echo chamber for the dictatorship in Ethiopia by repeating its never-ending political babble and lies?......full text

An open letter to my fellow Tigrians supporting the TPLF
By Obang Metho / June 12, 2009

Anyone who says that Tigrayans, not all, but many, have not benefited under Meles, are lying to themselves. We all know that the key positions in the government, in the military, in the economy, in the judicial system, on the national election board, in banking and finance, in education and in any other sector of society are mostly held by Tigrayans who are loyal to Meles. For the most part, those from other ethnic groups are given certain positions by the TPLF only to fool the outsiders so they can look better......full text

Sebhat Nega's capitalism and power
By Tedla Asfaw / June 11, 2009

Ato Sebhat Nega's thirty minutes interview (June 9 and 10) with Adissu Abebe of VOA Amharic was much informative than the recent one we heard on Hagerfiker radio and the paltalk room. The questions were short followed by short answers on many categories and the follow up questions also helped us to learn from the interview. Sebhat Nega and his multimillionaire Woyane clique were trying their best to build "capitalism" on backward Ethiopia......full text

Inside the barley republic
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 8, 2009

A while back, the capo di tutti capi (the “boss of bosses”) of the dictatorship in Ethiopia rebuked Congressman Donald Payne for pushing H.R. 2003 (“Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act”). He quipped with his signature sarcasm, “Ethiopia, this government and this country, are incapable, unwilling and unable to be run like some kind of banana republic from Capitol Hill or anywhere else.” That is not exactly true today. The evidence shows that “Ethiopia and this government” are “capable, willing and able to be run like some barley republic from Jeddah or any of the other Gulf states.” It has been widely reported that Saudi and other Gulf “investors” have spent over two hundred million U.S. dollars to buy (“lease”) fertile Ethiopian farmland free of local taxes and other requirements to supply themselves with a cornucopia of agricultural commodities which, oddly enough, they could purchase on the world market at competitive prices. It seems the desert sand has trumped the fertile land in the barley republic.......full text

Endgame!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / June 2, 2009

For the past several weeks, the noise machine of the dictatorship in Ethiopia has been in overdrive reacting to human rights findings made against it in the February 29, 2009 U.S. State Department Human Rights Report.......full text

Minority ethnic domination of the military in Ethiopia
By Neamin Zeleke / May 28, 2009

Several Ethiopian scholars and political commentators alike have argued in the past that the TPLF regime in Ethiopia has been promoting the domination of a minority ethnic elite, i.e., the Tigreans, in all spheres of the nation’s life — economy, military, intelligence and security services, foreign affairs, etc. Much has been said and many have commented upon the blatant nature of the drive to ensure the domination of Tigrean elites who claim to represent only 6% of close to 80 million Ethiopians.......full text

Ending the culture of impunity
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / May 26, 2009

David Dadge, Director of the Vienna-based International Press Institute, the oldest press freedom organization in the world, recently wrote a compelling commentary in The Guardian which should be of special interest to all Ethiopian human rights advocates.1 He suggested that the current dictatorship in Ethiopia operates in an entrenched culture of impunity (not to be confused with the equally gripping culture of corruption that afflicts it) in which gross human rights abuses are committed routinely without legal accountability of the abusers and active complicity of officials. He argued that this culture could be brought to an end or significantly curtailed by donor countries and international lending institutions......full text

TPLF cannot be reformed; like apartheid, it should be dismantled
Ethiomedia / May 24, 2009

...Well, what about those Ethiopians who lost their property in Eritrea? At the port of Assab? What happened to the brave Ethiopian soldiers who pre- and post-1991 Shaebia took as POWs to the Sahel, and have never been heard from? What about the fate of those over 100 Ethiopian citizens who were abducted by Shaebia from Irob Alitena, and have never been seen again? What happened to the ruling of the Claims Commission at The Hague? Well, this is a difficult question to answer, and we've to wait until Ethiopia falls into the hands of an Ethiopian.Here it should be noted that we have no qualms against Eritreans who rebuild their lives through just hardwork. What we are opposed is the time-bomb Mr. Meles is burying between Eritreans and Ethiopians. His strategy to build a privileged class of Eritreans over the ruins of Ethiopia should be condemned not only by Ethiopians but also fair-minded Eritreans. ......full text

Ethiopia's new climate of fear
By David Dadge / May 19, 2009

...But for all this generosity, an authoritarian government rules Ethiopia with virtual impunity. Prime minister Meles Zenawi, in power for 18 years, has crushed the opposition. His ruling party dominates public institutions. Worse still, in a vast and predominantly rural country, the prime minister's underlings control broadcasting and maintain a choke-hold on other media......full text

Crimes of willful ignorance
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / May 18, 2009

This past week, the attack dogs of the dictatorship in Ethiopia were unleashed against Amnesty International (AI) because that organization had requested publication of the names of suspects arrested for allegedly conspiring to assassinate high officials and blow up government buildings......full text

Democracy at bay!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / May 12, 2009

“When the people fear the government, you have tyranny. When the government fears the people, you have freedom,” said Thomas Paine, one of the inspiring figures of the American revolution. On May 15, 2005, for the first time and for a fleeting moment in Ethiopia’s millennial history, government was forced to kneel down before the people, bow its head in trepidation and submit to their will and awesome power......full text

Meles Zenawi's regime recent panic is not without cause
Ginbot 7 Press Release/ May 7, 2009

The recent accusation by Meles Zenawi's clique of an alleged “coup” attempt led by Ginbot 7, which in a matter of days, was revised and heralded as an “assassination” attempt is a vivid indication of a very serious internal danger that the regime has begun to face. The only objective of the confusing and the constantly changing statements coming from the Prime Minster’s office is to distract Ethiopians and the international community from seeing the real crisis engulfing the regime.......full text

Terminal Paranoia!
By Alemayehu G. Mariam | May 5, 2009

The latest saga of brutal repression in Ethiopia comes in the form of an alleged “desperado” conspiracy to “overthrow” the dictatorial regime. Leading the phalanx of “desperadoes” include an 80-year old grandfather, a young man and an active duty officer.......full text

Woyane/EPRDF tightening grip on Ethiopia ahead of poll
By Fred Oluoch, The East African | May 5, 2009

The government has closed all democratic space by monitoring and intimidating the media and civil society.It has tightened its control on free speech, forcing observers to question whether it will be possible to hold a free and fair election under the prevailing circumstances .......full text

Ethiopia Denies Coup Plot, Calls 40 Detainees 'Desperadoes'
By Peter Heinlein, VOA / May 3, 2009

EPRDF/Woyane officials say 40 people arrested over the past week had been plotting a campaign of assassinations and strategic bombings aimed at disrupting public order. Most of the suspects are said to be current or former army officers.......full text

The pathology of the dictator's mind (Part I & II)
By Girma Tassew (MD) / May 3, 2009

Let me first recap the Malign narcissistic grandiosity that is characteristic of all dictators and tyrants. Typical symptoms of grandiosity that can be observed in your typical autocratic ruler/megalomaniac like Meles Zenawi are: .......full text

Canada has officially expressed concerns to the Government of Ethiopia
SOCEPP-Canada / April 30, 2009

In a response to SOCEPP-Canada, dated April 23, 2009, the Honorable Lawrence Cannon wrote “The Government of Canada shares your concerns as regards to increasing restrictions being placed on political space and reports of worsening human rights conditions”. He further stated that “the recently passed Charities and Societies Proclamation may hamper the participation of independent civil society organizations in promoting human and democratic rights, conflict prevention, and the rights of vulnerable groups in society”. .......full text

Message in a Bottle
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 27, 2009

Dr. Hailu Araya: Ethiopian patriot. Political prisoner. Educator. Poet. I am not writing to talk about Dr. Hailu, the Ethiopian patriot, the man who gave the brutal former military dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam a passionate six-minute discourse on democracy, freedom and human rights 18 years ago to the month.1 Who would forget that historic showdown between the patriot and the tyrant. Thus spoke Dr. Hailu: .......full text

Ethiopia bids farewell to legendary singer

Millions of Ethiopians on Thursday paid their last respects as the flag-draped casket of legendary singer Tilahun Gessesse lowered into the cemetery of the Trinity Cathedral here in the Ethiopian capital. ............full text

The popular Ethiopian singer, Tilahun Gessesse, has died at the age of 68.
BBC , April 20, 2009

He had been the most dominant figure in Ethiopian music for more than half a century ............full text

The Arc of Justice
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 20, 2009

In 1965, in a commencement address at Oberlin College, Ohio, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about the ultimate victory of good over evil, justice over injustice, right over might, truth over lies and human rights over government wrongs. “We shall overcome,” he said “because the arc of a moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice… No lie can live forever…. Truth crushed to earth will rise again…. ‘Truth forever on the scaffold, wrong forever on the throne, yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the demon known, stands a God within the shadow, keeping watch above his own.’” .......full text

Ethiopians rally in rare protest
BBC / April 16, 2009

Ms Birtukan is a former judge and was one of the younger and more charismatic leaders of the coalition which did well against the ruling party in the 2005 elections.Our correspondent says that while in jail facing charges of treason, she became even more of a heroine, attracting widespread sympathy as a single mother separated from her baby daughter. ...........full text

With a friend like this
By Jonathan Tepperman / April 11, 2009

Few people outside Ethiopia have ever heard of Birtukan Mideksa. And that's just how the government wants it. Since December, Birtukan has been kept in solitary confinement, one of hundreds of political prisoners there. Her apparent crime? Organizing a democratic challenge to the increasingly iron-fisted rule of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi...........full text

The lion of Aiga too scared to roar at G20
By Abebe Gellaw / April 4, 2009

It may be too disappointing for some folks to be told that a hyena or a fox is not expected to behave and act like a lion. If a poor hyena gets a chance to mix up with decent lions, the hyena may get puffed up and try to roar and walk like a lion. But all the effort is futile as no great cosmetic surgeon or a revered magician can do a miracle of transforming the poor beast into the king of the jungle. This is a reality of life that even the most ardent admirers of the hyena, those like the silly cheerleaders and propagandists blowing trumpets from mount Aiga, should live with...........full text

Fleecing the G-20
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / April 3, 2009

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown wants the G-20 (or Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the world’s largest economies) to help cash-strapped African countries manage their balance of payments (money going from one country to all others) as their incomes from foreign investments and aid, remittances and commodities prices vanish in with the collapsing global economy. In mid-March, Brown invited a number of African leaders to meet with him in anticipation of the scheduled G-20 meeting in London on April 2. The hype preceding the G-20 meeting was full of hectoring moralism by the designated panhandler-for-Africa, the dictator in Ethiopia: .............full text

Ethiopia's famine: deny and delay
By Rene Lefort / March 25, 2009

In 2008 famine struck Ethiopia. Now, at the start of 2009 it is looming again. According to the “Humanitarian Requirements” released on 30 January 2009 by the government in Addis Ababa and their “Humanitarian Partners”, 13 million Ethiopians - one-sixth of the population - are in need of aid.............full text

E-20
By By Golto Ayla / March 24, 2009

It is now about three years since I first started making public, my opinions about politics in our motherland. Politics has never been my cup of tea, and the decision to make my views public was out of pure frustration. Now, three years later, the sense of disillusionment and frustration is only worse. I have read the profound observations by Dr Maru Gubena; Dr. Messay Kebede; the many profoundly insightful and analytical articles by Prof. Seid Hassan; and today, an even more emotional write-up by Dr. Daniel Kendie. The common sentiment by all, in addition to the statements of facts, is that of anger, frustration, and even despair. Comforting is not the right word, but I feel the sense of companionship with them! .............full text

The accounting and accountability of Ethiopia's dictators
By Fekade Shewakena / March 19, 2009

MELES ZENAWI's economic statistics and the platitude with which he presents it remind me of the statistician who puts your head in the oven and your legs in the ice and conveniently tells you that you are fine on the average. At a time when Nobel prize-winning and top-notch economists around the world are unable to tell what the world’s economy would look like in two months, Meles Zenawi boldly declared that the Ethiopian economy will grow by a fantastic 11.2% this year. This is only slightly less than the phantom number given to us for the past year............full text

For Whom The Bell Tolls
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / March 10, 2009

.....Last July, in one of my weekly commentaries I wrote, “For as long as there are determined and unrelenting prosecutors like Moreno-Ocampo, the likes of al-Bashir, Zenawi and Mengistu can be sure that one day the long arm of international law will catch them and bring them to kneel down before the altar of justice...........full text

ICC warrant raises questions on leaders targeted
Michelle Faul, AP / March 8, 2009

In Africa, those considered possible targets of the court are leaders in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Chad, Ivory Coast, Rwanda and Central African Republic.........full text

ICC: Bashir Warrant Is Warning to Abusive Leaders
Human Rights Watch / March 5, 2009

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) issuance of an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan signals that even those at the top may be held to account for mass murder, rape and torture, Human Rights Watch said today. ICC judges granted the warrant for Bashir, its first for a sitting head of state, on charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes for his role in orchestrating Sudan's abusive counterinsurgency campaign in Darfur. ...........full text

Remembering Adwa: The Decisive Ethiopian Victory on March 1, 1896, Halted Italy’s Imperial Ambitions in Africa
By Ayele Bekerie / March 2, 2009

On March 1, 1896, eleven years after the Berlin Conference or what historians call ‘the Scramble for Africa’, the Ethiopian army led by Emperor Menelik II decisively defeated the Italian army at the Battle of Adwa. Adwa is a town located in the northern part of Ethiopia, near the Ethiopian and Eritrean border. Virtually all the regions, religions, linguistic groups, aristocrats and peasants pulled their resources together to formulate and execute a strategy of victory. By their actions the Ethiopians were not only affirming the power and immense possibilities of unity in diversity, but they were placing issues of freedom and internal reform at the top of the national agenda...........full text

Birtu-Can! Yes, We Can!
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / March 2, 2009

Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia throughout the world are taking to the streets today to protest human rights violations by the ruling regime, and to demand the release of all political prisoners. The preeminent political prisoner and the undisputed symbol of democratic resistance in Ethiopia today is Birtukan Mideksa, chairperson of Andenet party (Unity for Democracy and Justice party). Over two months ago, Birtukan was strong-armed, manhandled and whisked away to the infamous Kaliti Prison by armed thugs..........full text

Wiring the Ethiopian Diaspora through civic dialogue and consultation
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 24, 2009

At the beginning of the year, we pledged to help initiate and sustain an Ethiopian Diaspora dialogue and consultation process with the aim of building broad consensus for collective action. We expressed our hope that with the proper groundwork it is possible to clearly identifying a set of issues over which pro-democracy Diaspora Ethiopians could take a unified position and speak in one thundering voice. We boldly proclaimed the inspirational theme, “Ethiopian united can never be defeated!” ..........full text

EU should not tolerate Ethiopia's repression
By Lotte Leicht / February 19, 2009

On 30 January, European Union policymakers sent a clear signal to Ethiopia: no matter how repressive the government becomes, vast sums of aid will continue to flow. This is emerging as a case study in bad donor policy..........full text

Attacks on the Press in 2008: Ethiopia
CPJ / February 16, 2009

The small vanguard of independent media that emerged from a brutal 2005 crackdown struggled in the face of continuing government harassment. Although authorities issued licenses allowing a handful of independent political newspapers to operate, they continued to use imprisonment, threats, and legal and administrative restrictions to suppress coverage of sensitive issues.........full text

Morgan Tsvangirai’s “Fierce Urgency of Now”!
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 15, 2009

A year ago, Morgan Tsvangirai won the first round of presidential elections in Zimbabwe. He refused to participate in the run-off calling it a “violent sham” for which his supporters risked death by voting for him. Last week, Tsvangirai became prime minister in a power sharing agreement fabricated by southern African regional leaders. In his inauguration speech, Prime Minster Tsvangirai spoke of the fierce urgency of now for the people of Zimbabwe: ........full text

AEthiopians united can never be defeated!
By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / February 10, 2009

There are some who are working double overtime to make sure Ethiopia is strewn across the African continent like shards of broken ethnic glass. They have spent the last 18 years sleepless devising ways of defeating the people by separating them along ethnic, religious, cultural, regional and class lines. Now, we say emphatically: “Enough! Not This Time!” This is our time to come together and unite against a divisive, dastardly and devilish dictatorship. This is the time to stand up and declare: “Ethiopians united can never be defeated!” ........full text

A row over human rights
The Economist / February 6, 2009

INDEPENDENT voices in Ethiopia are finding it ever harder to be heard. Suffocated by an irascible government, the country’s newspapers are now the least informative in east Africa. Journalists deemed critical of the prime minister, Meles Zenawi, are pilloried. And they are not alone. ........full text

Ethiopian Border Affairs Committee Press Release --( January ,2009 )

Jailed – judge who refused to say sorry
By Daniel Howden, The Independent / February 4, 2009

Birtukan Mideksa has been sentenced to life in prison. She spends her days and nights in solitary confinement in a two-metre by two-metre cell. She cannot leave it to see daylight or even to receive visitors. Previous inmates say the prison is often unbearably hot. .......full text

The right and wrong sides of history
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 26, 2009

History has two sides. A right and a wrong side. Barack Obama is on the right side of history. He is on the right side of history because he was elected rightfully by the American people and became president in a peaceful constitutional transfer of power.......full text

Ethiopia curb on charities alarms human rights activists
By Mark Tran,The Guardian / January 26, 2009

Human rights activists have accused the Ethiopian government of tightening its grip on power through a new law on charity funding that they claim will criminalise human rights work and clamp down on political debate ahead of next year's elections........full text

Canadian party calls for Birtukan's unconditional release
By Socepp Canada / January 26, 2009

The New Democratic Party (NDP) of Canada calls for the Immediate and Unconditional release of Miss Birtukan Mideksa In his January 15, 2009 letter addressed to Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Canada?s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paul Dewar, MP, Ottawa Centre and the NDP?s Foreign Affairs Critic, stated that: ?NDP believes that the Government of Canada must call on the Ethiopian authorities to release Birtukan Mideksa immediately and unconditionally, unless she is charged with a recognizable criminal offence?. ........full text

Close Ranks, Open Hearts and Minds, Shake Hands and Get Busy!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 20, 2009

It is time to close ranks against an arrogant and abusive dictatorship in Ethiopia! It is time for all Ethiopians in the Diaspora to come together and stand up against Evil. As the old saying goes, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men and women do nothing." ......full text

Human Rights Watch 2008 Report
By Chris Albin-Lackey, Senior Researcher / January 15, 2009

The Ethiopian government’s human rights record remains poor, marked by an ever-hardening intolerance towards meaningful political dissent or independent criticism. Ethiopian military forces have continued to commit war crimes and other serious abuses with impunity in the course of counterinsurgency campaigns in Ethiopia’s eastern Somali Region and in neighboring Somalia........full text

US warns Ethiopia new law could curtail aid
AFP / January 11, 2009

ADDIS ABABA – The United States, Ethiopia's main donor, warned Friday that a new law adopted by Addis Ababa restricting foreign-funded aid groups may curtail its assistance........full text

In defense of Birtukan Mideksa
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / January 5, 2009

If you can’t beat up the big boys in Mogadishu, beat on the woman and the old man in Addis Ababa!That happened last week in Ethiopia. Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJP) President Ms. Bertukan Mideksa was strong-armed, manhandled and whisked away to the infamous Kality prison. In a VOA interview, Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, the aging human rights lion of Ethiopia, gave eyewitness testimony.......full text

Will 2009 be our year of independence from dictatorship?
Obang Metho - SMNE / January 4, 2009

Will 2009 be different from 2008 -- a year filled with increasing misery, repression and violence in Ethiopia and of apathy, disillusionment and division in the Diaspora? I say, yes, but only if we Ethiopians now demonstrate that we are prepared for new solidarity around shared goals, principles and values so we can speak with “one voice” that Congressman Chris Smith says has been missing!......full text

Ginbot 7: on the withdrawal of Meles Zenawi's troops from Somalia
Press Release / January 4, 2009

After 2 years of wreaking havoc in Somalia and suffering a humiliating defeat, the Meles regime in Ethiopia this week is forced to withdraw its invading army.......full text

Ethiopia's main opposition leader jailed
BBC / December 30, 2008

Ethiopia's main opposition leader has been sent to prison to serve a life sentence, after a pardon granted to her last year was revoked......full text

2008: Ethiopian Groundhog Year!
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / December 29, 2008

2008 in Ethiopia was Groundhog Year! It was a repetition of 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004… Everyday millions of Ethiopians woke up only to find themselves trapped in a time loop where their lives replayed like a broken record. Each “new” day is the same as the one before it: Repression, intimidation, corruption, incarceration, deception, brutalization and human rights violation. Everything that happened to them the previous day, the previous week, the previous month, the previous 18 years happens to them today. They are resigned to the fact that they are doomed to spend the rest of their lives asphyxiated in a Prison Nation. They have no idea how to get out of this awful cycle of misery, agony, despair and tribulation. So, they pray and pray and pray and pray… for deliverance from Evil!.......full text

The rise of the Shabab
Economist / December 21, 2008

FOR all its paradisal waters, golden dunes and swanky “eco-lodges”, life in Kenya’s coastal district of Kiunga, just a few miles from the border with Somalia, is hard. The place is remote, hungry and thirsty. The harvest and the wells have failed again. Fishermen have no boats, only frayed nets cast from shore. Their catch rots for want of refrigeration. But what makes the village elders more nervous than anything is their proximity to Somalia......full text

The Horn of Fear
By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / December 16, 2008

What a difference two years make! In December 2006, Zenawi invaded Somalia to save it from the “terrorist axis of evil” -- Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab and the Islamic Courts Union........full text

War crimes and the devastation of Somalia
Human Rights Watch (HRW) / December 10, 2008

...Beyond its own borders Somalia has had a reputation for violent chaos since the collapse of its last central government in 1991. When Ethiopian military forces intervened there in late 2006 the country already bore the scars of 16 conflict-ridden years without a government.But the last two years are not just another typical chapter in Somalia's troubled history. The human rights and humanitarian catastrophe facing Somalia today threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions of Somalis on a scale not witnessed since the early 1990s.......full text

The unintended consequences of the ordeals of Teddy Afro
By Selam Beyene (Ph.D.) / December 9, 2008

If there were any doubters about the viciousness and callousness of Zenawi's dictatorship, those doubts must now be dispelled by the recent conviction of Tewodros Kassahun (aka Teddy Afro) in the kangaroo court of the despot.........full text

Analyst Not Surprised by Ethiopia's Troop Pull Out From Somalia
By James Butty , VOA/ December 3, 2008

.....“In a normal political environment where there is checks and balances, where the media has a say, where civic organizations do have a say, it could have some negative impact on the prime minister. But the prime minister controls every aspect of life in Ethiopia. He can silence political parties and he can silence the media. So I don’t see an immediate threat to the prime minister. In other democratic societies, that could have called for a vote of no confidence and he could have been removed from office,” ..........full text

Other criminals behind the curtain
By Alemayehu Zemedkun / December 2, 2008

On November 26, 2008 I was amazed to learn the Ethiopian Television Amharic service dismissing the recent detailed Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on the atrocities committed by the government of Ethiopia on the people of Ogaden.........full text

The link between ethno-centric minority rule and corruption
By Professor Seid Hassan / November 26, 2008

Many observers, including those members of the Diaspora community who visit their homeland, Ethiopia, have observed that the level of corruption in Ethiopia is so unprecedented that it defies common sense. The outright theft that is going on in the country has many dimensions, which are:...........full text

The Second American Revolution
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / November 24, 2008

In the first American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson declared to a “candid world” that “when in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.” That revolution was against King George III............full text

Angels in November!
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / November 17, 2008

I remember November. And June, too. I remember 2005. It was our season of hope and redemption. As Shakespeare might have put it, 2005 was “the winter of our discontent/ Made glorious summer by the victory of Kinijit. And all the clouds that low'r'd upon our country/ In the deep bosom of the ocean buried.” Today, it is still winter in Ethiopia............full text

Time's up for dictators
By Joe Michael / November 13, 2008

The historical U.S. election is now over by electing Barack Obama as the 44th President. The landslide victory goes beyond making history. Obama’s administration is set to bring definite change for the entire world. It is a dream come true for millions of Americans who have never thought to see this day. It is also a hope for so many people and governments around the world who have been devastated by the wars and the economic crisis. ...........full text

Ethiopian Border Affairs Committee, Press Release, Nov. 12,2008 (Click Here)

The genius of America
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / November 10, 2008

The Barack Obama story can be told only in America. Nowhere else. He said it himself, “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.” But the struggle for equality, justice and freedom for African Americans spans centuries. In 1822, ...........full text

Hundreds of Thousands Cheer Obama's Presidential Victory in Chicago
VOA , November 05, 2008

Senator Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential election was celebrated in his home town of Chicago by hundreds-of-thousands of supporters who reveled in the history-making moment. In a large, open-air park, Obama thanked his supporters, and outlined the change he hopes to make as president. VOA's Kane Farabaugh has followed Obama's campaign, and files this report from Chicago............full text

Third anniversary of the suppression of Ethiopia's free press
By Eskinder Nega , Addis Ababa / October 31, 2008

am writing from the designated seat of the African Union, AddisAbaba, home to the headquarters of that prized ideal of ours: Africa Union. Because of the inimitable standing of Addis Ababa as the political capital of Africa, and thus a beacon of hope and all that is best in us as Africans, it will hardly be too much to expect this city to be a center of learning, culture, cosmopolitanism, tolerance, arts, innovation and creativity, equality, rule of law, democracy and freedom of expression. In other words, a city suited for the twenty-first century that all Africans could like, live in, identify with and be proud of. ...........full text

Biting the hands that feed millions
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / October 27, 2008

If you can’t feed your people, bite the hands that feed them. That seems to be the metaphysics (first principles that define reality) of the Zenawi regime. Oxfam, Save the Children, Food for the Hungry International, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, Medecins Sans Frontieres, the International Islamic Relief Organization, and hundreds of other non-governmental organizations will soon be out of business in Ethiopia or submit to one of the most repressive and anti-non-governmental (NGO) laws in the world............full text

Quiet riot in Ethiopia
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / October 22, 2008

This past week an official report on riot control entitled “Modernizing Internal Security in Ethiopia” was posted online1. The report, prepared for the ruling regime in Ethiopia in July 2008 by retired British colonel Michael Dewars, summarizes findings and recommendations of an “assessment” study completed under the auspices of an Anglo-Ethiopian “think tank”. According to Col. Dewars a “number of experts on Ethiopia, including HE the Ethiopian Ambassador in London and an ex-British Ambassador to Ethiopia” had been meeting on the subject at the Ethiopian embassy in London beginning in May, 2007. Regime official Tefera Waluwa, in a letter dated January 2, 2008, instructed Col. Dewars to “complete an initial assessment” and “make recommendations designed to create a modern security force that will function effectively by using strategies designed to pre-empt civil unrest which threatens the security of the State of Ethiopia and its People,… and on the equipping and training of such a Security force.”............full text

Sending Cash Home: The Political Economy of Remittances in Ethiopia
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / October 14, 2008

It is gratifying to know that Ethiopian Americans are carrying their fair share of the load in helping the economy of their homeland. It was an eye-opening revelation to learn that Ethiopian Americans contributed a cool $1.2 billion to the Ethiopian economy this past year. That is “only second to the amount generated by Ethiopia’s exports.” Last week Elias Loha, Manager of Reserve Management and Foreign Exchange Market of Ethiopian National Bank, fretting over “a cut in vital remittances from Ethiopians in the United States” told Reuters: “We are concerned and worried that as a result of the financial crisis... some of the Ethiopians may loose their jobs and as a result they may stop sending money to help their families back home.” Could that be a backhanded way of giving us teeny-weeny credit for the much vaunted stratospheric “10 percent a year economic growth” Zenawi gasbags about? Regardless, there seems to be manifest alarm in Zenawi’s officialdom that the Ethiopian-American goose may not be laying as many golden eggs as it has been previously because of the sub-prime mortgage debacle............full text

The End of Pax Zenawi in Somalia
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / October 6, 2008

The situation in Somalia has turned Code Red. Things are deteriorating very fast for Zenawi’s troops. The Al-Shabaab “jihadists” have taken over southern Somalia, and are ravenously eyeing Mogadishu. It is no longer “hit-and-run” guerrilla warfare. It is capture-and-stay. They have captured Kisimayo, a southern port town. They are staying. They are being “flooded with money” from supporters and backers throughout the Middle East. They have shut down the Mogadishu airport. Now they are vowing to do the same with the sea ports. The 2500 or so African Union peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi are holed up in their garrisons in Mogadishu as the insurgents rain rocket-propelled grenades on them at will. Bombings, assassinations, piracy, kidnappings and hostage-taking are a daily fact of life in Somalia...........full text

Woyane/EPRDF accused of hiding famine as millions starve
Jonathan Rugman / The Times / September 18, 2008

JIJIGA - Ethiopia has been accused of deliberately underestimating the scale of a deadly drought facing millions of its people, some of whom are being deprived of emergency food aid by the country’s military.........full text

Democracy key to furthering peace, rights and development, says Ban
UN / September 17, 2008

In an address to a General Assembly event marking the inaugural Day, Mr. Ban noted that democracy has its detractors, who believe that it has failed to help people or that it is propelled by interfering foreign influences........full text

Feingold introduces Ethiopia act in Senate
Press Release / September 12, 2008

The Coalition for HR 2003 has learned that Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs, introduced a bill entitled “Support for Democracy and Human Rights in Ethiopia Act of 2008”. We are grateful to Senator Feingold and his staff for introducing this legislation in the Senate.......full text

Millennium on ice: reflections on promises deferred
September 8, 2008

What a difference a year makes in a Millennium! A year ago, almost to the day, we celebrated a moment of triumph. It was the 9th of September. A day I will always remember. It was our day of jubilation. A day of pride. It was a day that embodied the strivings of the millions of Ethiopians who came out to vote in May 2005, hoping to build a free and democratic Ethiopia for the first time in history. It was also a solemn day of remembrance of the sacrifices of the innocent sons and daughters of Ethiopia who were cut down like blades of grass protesting stolen elections. It was a day unlike any other in the history of Ethiopians in America. On that glorious September day, we mustered a mighty force of humanity in a caravan of freedom riders that stretched from Dulles Airport in Virginia to Washington, D.C...........full text

Obang prayer at the Solidarity Symposium
September 2, 2008

We call on you today because you are our only hope for the future. We come to you as people you have created, but who have failed you. Yet, only because of your greatness, love, mercy and goodness have you continued to stretch out your arms to us, urging us to seek you and to turn from our destructive ways...........full text

The Artist as Hero: The Ballad of Teddy Afro
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / September 2, 2008

The great Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro) is Zenawi’s most famous political prisoner in Ethiopia today. Zenawi jacked Teddy on bogus charges of vehicular manslaughter, failure to assist the injured and driving without a license. Teddy was out on “bail” until April 2008, when his bail was revoked for no good cause and taken to the lice-infested Kality prison...........full text

Gotta know when to fold'em
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / August 26, 2008

Pakistan and Ethiopia are sisters in misfortune. First, for much of their modern political history, they have been the playgrounds of autocrats and tinhorn dictators. For over one-half of its 61 year existence as a state, Pakistan has been ruled by iron-fisted generals, including Mohammad Ayub Khan (1958-1969), Mohammad Ziaul Haq (1977-1988), Yahya Khan (1969-1971) and Pervez Mushrraf (1999-2008). Ethiopia languished long under the autocratic regime of Emperor Haile Selassie, followed by the murderous rule of a communist military junta. For the last 17 years, she has been plundered by a bloodthirsty dictatorship of thugs. Second, Pakistan and Ethiopia have two of the most corrupt governments in the world..........full text

The grammar of dictators
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / August 18, 2008

On August 7, 2008, Zenawi gave an interview to Time Magazine in which he flatly denied the existence of famine in Ethiopia: “We have pockets of severe malnutrition in some districts in the south and an emergency situation in the Somali region,” he explained, “but it is a manageable problem.” Zenawi said Ethiopia has not seen famine during his 17 years at the helm of power: “Famine has wreaked havoc in Ethiopia for so long, it would be stupid not to be sensitive to the risk of such things occurring.........full text

Save Addis Dimts Radio Broadcast to Ethiopia (Abbay Media Report ) ( August 03 ,2008 )

We've met the enemy!
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / July 29, 2008

Lately, there has been talk about “The Enemy." Some say, the Woyane regime of Zenawi is “The Enemy.” Others say it is not. If woyane is the “The Enemy," what to do? If it is not, then what? Does it matter whether one calls Zenawi's regime “The Enemy”?.......full text

What price have you and your motherland paid?
By Golto Aila / July 26, 2008

You may be an architect of the political order of the day, a professor of political science, an elementary school teacher, an administrator, a resident of another country, or an ordinary citizen living in Ethiopia, but you cannot escape the impact and consequences of the politics of your motherland!.......full text

" Bad Boys, What You Gonna Do When the ICC Catches You?”
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / July 21, 2008

In September, 2004 President George W. Bush lamented, “The world is witnessing terrible suffering and horrible crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan, crimes my government has concluded are genocide.” In July, 2008, President Omar al-Bashir officially became the numero uno wanted man for orchestrating genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and murder in the Darfur region of the Sudan.......full text

Why is "Ethiopia a failed state?"
By Prof Alemayehu Gebremariam / July 15, 2008

The Failed States Index for 2008 is out; and the Land of Famine, Gross Human Rights Violations, Stolen Elections and Poverty is re-certified as a “Failed State”, again! We have Zenawi and his corrupt regime to thank for this dubious honor. But there is a simple formula that can predict the evolution of a failed state in Ethiopia: FL+FR(k)/time =FS. Simply stated, Zenawi (FL) and his TPLF-EPDRF syndicate (FR(k)) operating a kleptocracy (government of thieves) over a period of 17 years (/time) have produced a failed state in Ethiopia (FS) ......full text

Martyrs are eternal treasures
By Robele Ababya , July 07, 2008

Exemplary sacrifices of our martyrs and patriots: lift us up when our apathy to burning national is intolerable; invigorate our spirit to fight back when our freedoms are abused; remind us of our duties as citizens to spur into action when our core common values are violated; appeal to our conscience to act in the defense of those values; urge us to retaliate in kind when armed aggressors cross into our land and persecute our fellow citizens on silent watch of their government; compel us to confront the government of the day that fails to defend the territorial integrity of our country and protect our fellow citizens. Above all, martyrs are credible evidence of who we are; they are an open book in which to read the noble causes for which our heroes and heroines sacrificed their precious lives. It should therefore infuriate us when traitors in the top echelon of the TPLF leadership ride roughshod on the fundamental value of independence bequeathed to us by martyrs who had made the ultimate sacrifice. ......full text

We must stand with the people of Ethiopia
Sen. Russell Feingold statement on Ethiopia /June 23, 2008

Over the past year, I have become increasingly concerned by reports coming out of the Ogadan region of Ethiopia regarding military attacks on civilians and Government blockades of essential humanitarian and commercial supplies. National and international aid organizations with field missions in the area describe security forces burning villages and Government officials ordering entire village populations to move to specific “resettlement” locations that lack sufficient......full text

Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) (Andenet) - Formed (click here)
June 18, 2008

Ginbot 7, strongly Condemns the Appalling Crime against humanity Perpetrated by the Meles Zenawi Dictatorial Regime in the Ogaden region.
June 17, 2008

Human Rights Watch, the most respected and credible human rights advocacy group, in its well documented and evidenced report has accused the tyrannical regime of Meles Zenawi to have had been committed crime against humanity in the region of Ogaden on a report issued June the 12th 2008......full text

Group accuses Ethiopia of war crimes in Ogaden

By Elizabeth A.Kennedy , AP/ June 17, 2008

Ethiopia's government is committing war crimes in its military campaign against rebels in the Ogaden region, a rights group charged Thursday in a report that complained the U.S. and other Western governments willfully ignored abuses.............full text

Letter to President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan

Ethiopian organizations / June 6, 2008
.....We wish to register our protest in the strongest possible terms that any attempted boundary settlement your government reaches with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), will neither bind the rest of the country, nor achieve a stable or durable settlement of whatever outstanding differences might exist between our countries regarding the location of our common boundary. On the contrary, any such settlement is bound to be a continuing source of friction and an unnecessary obstacle to furthering and deepening the economic cooperation and cultural exchanges that currently exist between our two countries.......full text

Border Demarcation with Sudan Causes Anger in Ethiopia

VOA , June 5, 2008
Residents and community leaders in western Ethiopia say thousands of people in several border regions have been displaced by Sudanese troops in recent weeks, following what they describe as a secret, illegal deal between the governments in Addis Ababa and Khartoum. Critics say the secret deal to demarcate the border gives Sudan the right to occupy areas Ethiopians historically consider sacrosanct. VOA Correspondent Alisha Ryu has details from our East Africa Bureau in Nairobi........full text

Death by kangaroo court

Editorial , Ethiomedia / June 02, 2008

What a mockery of justice! Meles Zenawi sending Mengistu Hailemariam and his lieutenants to the gallows for “serious crimes against humanity”! Imagine Adolf Hitler condemning Benito Mousollini to death for “war crimes against Ethiopians." Imagine the pot calling the kettle black! .......full text

Ethiopia’s humanitarian situation rapidly deteriorating – UN

May 25, 2008
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said today that it is concerned by conditions in Ethiopia and that the situation will deteriorate further without an immediate infusion of resources to carry out life-saving interventions.......full text

Meles admits the secret handing over of Ethiopian land to sudan

APA, May 21, 2008
Recent reports said that Ethiopian farmers were displaced by Sudanese troops at two border areas......full text

Worldwide Ethiopian march for freedom and democracy May 15-18,2008

May 13, 2008

The third anniversary of the failed Ethiopian National Election is a day away. Accordingly, worldwide events are on schedule to kick off in cities across North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Israel.These events will publicly demonstrate that the Ethiopian peoples’ thirst for freedom, human rights, justice and democracy will not die despite the hijacking of the last election and the increasing repression within the country. This has been a huge organizational task and will not be perfect, but it is the beginning. Let the sleeping giant—the freedom loving people of Ethiopia—awaken and rise up for truth and right!.......full text

Something is rotten in the state of Ethiopia!

Ethiomedia/ May 11, 2008

First, it was access to the Red Sea. Meles handed over the Port of Assab, along with everything else, to secessionist Eritrea, permanently landlocking Ethiopia. Next came Badme and all the areas we lost along the northeastern part of the country. Meles set the country up for a total diplomatic defeat from the jaws of absolute Ethiopian military victory, and delivered Badme over to Eritrea (after turning over documents weakening Ethiopia’s claim) in binding international arbitration. Then Meles invaded Somalia, a stateless country long in the throes of clan warfare. In just over a year, Meles created one million internally displaced people and the second most desperate humanitarian crises in the world today. Now, from all indications, it appears Meles has done it again! He has delivered Tach Armacho, Quara, Metema and Abdris on a silver platter to none other than the Butcher of Darfur, Omar Al-Bashir. Would somebody please tell us what in God’s name Meles is doing to Ethiopia? .......full text

Amnesty International accuses Ethiopian troops in Somalia of war atrocities

The Associated Press / May 06, 2008

Amnesty International said Tuesday that Ethiopian troops who support Somalia's UN-backed government are killing civilians, slitting people's throats and gang-raping women.The human rights group called on the international community to intervene to halt the bloodshed. It released a report Tuesday containing chilling witness accounts of indiscriminate killings - and even the intentional targeting of civilians - in the Horn of Africa nation. The accounts single out Ethiopian troops for some of the worst violations. .......full text

To be or not to be

Editorial , Ethiomedia / April 30, 2008

To be or not to be prime minister in 2010? That was the question put to Meles Zenawi by Newsweek a couple of weeks ago: “Will you stay as prime minister after your term expires in 2010? Meles: “This is likely to be my last term.” Such was the pithy and cryptic response of the normally pompous and bombastic dictator. “Likely”? What does that mean? Used as an adverb, the word “likely” is commonly preceded by a modifier such as “very”, “most” or “quite” as in “This is (most) likely to be my last term.” So used, the word conveys a measure of sincerity, good faith and certitude about one’s intentions, if not actual plans. Used in its adjectival form, the word “likely” could mean “probable” or “possible”, as in “It is probable or possible this could be my last term.” .......full text

Government's PR machine hides many brutal truths

By Dula Abdu ,Houston Chronicle / April 26, 2008

.....The concerns of Ethiopians in diaspora and at home have been marginalized by the PR machine of the regime in Addis Ababa, which denies the existence of human rights violations and record famine.While the Ethiopian government is spending millions in lobbying, American tax dollars are being used to prop up the regime and to ship weapons. At the same time, almost a quarter of the Ethiopian population is facing starvation. The United States is about to send more grain, but not as much as it once did.......full text

Ethiopians choose local officials in vote marred by opposition boycott

By Anita Powell, AP / April 20, 2008

Ethiopians chose local representatives Sunday in nationwide elections marred by a boycott by the two largest opposition parties and criticized by a prominent international human rights group.Government officials in the key U.S. ally touted the polls as a sign of Ethiopia's commitment to democracy after the bloody aftermath of the 2005 general elections, but opposition parties said a systematic campaign of beatings, arrests and intimidation forced out more than 17,000 of their candidates.. .......full text

Ethiopia's Election Panel, Opposition Trade Accusations
VOA / April 17, 2008

.............“As far as the board is concerned, it is just a fabrication,” said Merga. “There is no evidence for that. We have thoroughly discussed about the issue together with his excellency, Ato [[Mr.] Bulcha. We have attempted to solve the problems, and we have solved many of the problems. But when there is no evidence, it is very difficult for the board to solve what they are claiming, so we consider as fabrication.”..........full text

Power Politics Trumps Democracy in U.S.-backed Ethiopia
By Alex Stonehill and Sarah Stuteville / April 13, 2008

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia—Dawn in the Merkato breaks over a tangle of streets jammed with shouting hawkers and towering pyramids of ripe produce from Ethiopia’s fertile countryside. Today it is a popular destination for sunburnt foreign tourists, expensive cameras poised to capture lively scenes from one of Africa’s largest open-air markets.Few of them, unloading from tour buses today, know that less then three years ago these bustling streets were stained with the blood of murdered citizens who had flooded into the center of Ethiopia’s capital city to protest the contested re-election of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi..........full text

Etiopia: War crimes tribunal violated human rights
Appolon / April 08, 2008

The Ethiopian legal system has accused several thousands of brutal war crimes. Now the war crimes tribunal has itself violated fundamental human rights.........full text

Ethiopia and the United States - A loveless liaison
The Economist / April 04, 2008

THE alliance between the United States and Ethiopia was born of pragmatism. In another time, they might have been enemies. Ethiopians do not like American soldiers tramping on their soil. Americans dislike Ethiopia's bad human-rights record. Local elections due this month are a case in point. Ethiopia's opposition, emasculated by the long imprisonment of its leaders (most of whom were pardoned last year) and weakened by its own divisions, will almost certainly be crushed in an unfair contest. “It's going to be a stitch-up,” says a Western diplomat. “Control is what this government is all about.”.........full text

Zimbabwe Opposition Claims Victory in Presidential, Parliamentary Elections
VOA / April 02, 2008

The Secretary-General of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Tendai Biti, said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the presidential election with more than 50 percent (50.3) of the vote, while President Robert Mugabe received 43 percent.........full text

The folly of dubbing Ethiopia "black colonizer
Robele Ababya / March 27, 2008

”Land to the tiller” was a passion - a darling slogan for those of us involved in the period of the struggle leading to the outbreak of the Ethiopian revolution of 1974 G.C. In the aftermath of the revolution, various political orientations emerged including copycats of the works of Marx, Engel, Lenin, Stalin, Mao et al. The copycats made a mess of applying the works of Marx to the socio-economic conditions of technologically, scientifically and industrially backward Ethiopia. Self-styled ‘paragons’ of the communist ideology including EPRP (old) and TPLF ardently supported the ill-conceived theory that the Eritrean question is a colonial issue which must therefore be resolved in that context........full text

The black and white of civil disobedience and armed struggle
By Afura Burtukana / March 20, 2008

Despotic governments all over the world almost always face resistance. The forms of resistance range from civil disobedience to armed struggle. Philosophers and activists have argued for and against both kind of resistance. Their bases for the argument are the severity of casualties, the length of time elapse, and requirement of resources among others. The objective is the effectiveness of the resistance which by itself is a base for the argument.......full text

The Absent Media
By Mikael Deribe / March 15, 2008

I am among the thousands of Ethiopians who were astonished after reading an article entitled “33 years of TPLF and 32 years of Meles Zenawi: Suppression in the name of Liberation” posted on Ethiomedia.com on February 23, 2008 co-authored by Tesfay Atsbeha, and Kahsay Berhe who regret to have been members of TPLF before it was taken over by anti-Ethiopian elements. These two genuine Ethiopians have once again exposed the mobsters who have so far gotten away working in the name of Tigrayans, all out against the rest of the Ethiopian people. This well written and astounding article has hopefully re-stimulated our senses to the nature and daily actions of the clique in power. ......full text
U.S. DEPARTMENT of STASE - 2007 Human Rights Report: Ethiopia
March 12, 2008

Human rights abuses reported during the year included: limitation on citizens' right to change their government during the most recent elections; unlawful killings, and beating, abuse, and mistreatment of detainees and opposition supporters by security forces; poor prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention, particularly of those suspected of sympathizing with or being members of the opposition or insurgent groups; detention of thousands without charge and lengthy pretrial detention; ......full text

UN policy in Horn of Africa questioned

By Cindy Saine, VOA / March 12, 2008

WASHINGTON - Democratic Senator Russ Feingold Tuesday delivered a scathing criticism of the U.S. policy in the Horn of Africa. At a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, he called on the Bush administration to do more to address the worsening security, political and humanitarian conditions in the region, especially in Somalia. VOA Correspondent Cindy Saine reports from Washington.........full text

Key leaders absent from Ethiopian elections

By Elizabeth Blunt,BBC News, Addis Ababa / March 3, 2008

Ethiopians will soon be getting their first chance to vote since the general election in 2005, which ended with violent protests and the jailing of most of the leaders of the opposition.The opposition CUD coalition won far more seats than any opposition party had ever won before, but they were convinced that the true result should have been even more in their favour. ........full text

Adwa’s Lessons to the Democratic Opposition

Maimire Mennasemay,Ph.D/ Feb.28, 2008

On March 1st, 2008, Ethiopians commemorate the 112th anniversary of the Adwa victory. Adwa is one of those historical events that tears apart the fog of politics and unveils a new horizon that reveals a people’s capability to become a master of its own destiny. But our rulers have reduced Adwa to a drum-and-trumpet event and emptied it of its liberating spirit. However, there is a living Adwa, critical of the mummified Adwa our rulers celebrate, which dwells in our history as an unfinished task that urges Ethiopians to complete the struggle for freedom their ancestors started in 1896. Openness to Adwa as a living experience could disclose a historical compass that could help the democratic opposition find its way out from its current disarray........full text

Solidarity Forum of Ethiopia

Press Release / Feb.28, 2008

Dear Fellow Ethiopians and Friends of Ethiopia: After working behind the scene and contacting various distinguished and ordinary individuals in our community (both for support and ideas) we, the coordinating committee of concerned Ethiopians, are pleased to formally announce the birth of the Solidarity Forum of Ethiopia. Although not finalized yet, the Forum’s Mission and its Bylaws are being drafted and nearing completion.........full text

33 years of TPLF and 32 years of Meles Zenawi
Suppression in the name of Liberation

By Kahsay Berhe and Tesfay Atsbeha / Feb.27, 2008

On the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of the TPLF, we pay our sincere and due respect to the tens of thousands of TPLF fighters, including our brothers, sisters, friends, schoolmates, neighbours and comrades-in-arms, who gave theirs lives, so that their remaining compatriots may lead a better life. To these fallen belong also fighters, militias and civilians murdered by Meles Zenawi and his collaborators. According to our information so far, the number of innocent people murdered by the TPLF in Tigray (with the exception of Hawzien and Wuqro) is more than those murdered by the Dergue in Tigray.........full text

US policy on African faulted on priorities
Security Is Stressed Over Democracy

By Stephanie McCrummen , Washington Post Foreign Service / Feb.22, 2008

NAIROBI -- In his tour of Africa, President Bush steered clear of countries where stability, human rights and progress toward democracy have degenerated during his tenure, among them Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Uganda and Kenya. In those countries, Bush's focus on counterterrorism has overtaken his other stated foreign policy goals of promoting democracy and human rights, according to analysts."While democratization has clearly been one of the three major stated objectives of the Bush administration -- the others being security and development -- democratization probably ranks third," said Joel Barkan, a senior associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "You can see it in several ways, but it's mainly the subordination of democratization to the so-called war on terror." .......full text

The Roosters are Crowing : It’s Time for Africans to Sweep Our Huts Clean of Dirty Politics

By Obang Metho / Feb.20, 2008

The African roosters are crowing from the north to the south to the east and to the west as the first rays of dawn’s light are cracking through the darkness hanging over Africa. From all over the continent, Africans are awakening to a new understanding of their God-given rights, their democratic rights and with them, to the desire to rule themselves. No longer are they willing to put up with a legacy of corrupt, greedy and power-hungry dictators, no different from the colonizers, who controlled the continent for years with their evil policies of divide and conquer.The people of Ethiopia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Chad, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda, the Congo - too many places to name, are challenging the status quo of dirty politics and dirty politicians, not with guns, but with their brooms! We are entering a new era and it is time to clean our huts of corrupt leaders who refuse to give up power while robbing and oppressing the people they are supposed to serve! This is the root of our suffering, misery and pain. .......full text

The ethiopianization of Kenya

Ethiomedia , Editorial / Feb.20, 2008

A few days ago the New York Times reported that Kenya is in the "throes of ethnic segregation." Following the highly disputed presidential elections there, hundreds of thousands of people have been internally displaced, resulting in a massive flight of Kenyans of all ethnic backgrounds to their "ancestral homelands." No one could have seriously predicted such decomposition of Kenyan society a few months ago.......full text
Who is in power? --(Ethiomedia)

Military, Diplomatic Tensions Peak as UN Peacekeepers Withdraw From Eritrea

VOA / Feb.16, 2008

The United Nations is halting peacekeeping operations in Eritrea, and closing its mission headquarters in Asmara. The pullout comes two months after the Eritrean government cut off vital fuel supplies and ordered the peacekeepers out. The entire operation is being relocated to the Ethiopian side of the two countries' disputed border. From the Ethiopian town of Mekele, VOA's Peter Heinlein reports the pullout points up the world body's impotence in the face of a tiny country determined to expel its blue-helmeted peacekeepers.........full text

China 'toxic for Africa freedom'

BBC / Feb.13, 2008

The increase in the arrest and imprisonment of journalists in Africa in the last year has been partly blamed on China by Reporters Without Borders. "The influence of China in African affairs has been very toxic for democracy," the media watchdog's Leonard Vincent told the BBC........full text

American law professor fired from Ethiopian university

The Sub-Saharan Informer / Feb.10, 2008

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – An American law professor, teaching at the Ethiopian Ministry of Education’s Mekelle University in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, had her contract terminated last week by university officials.The administration claims “incompetence” was the reason for her termination. But Professor Abigail Salisbury claims that her public voicing of alternative views on the U.S. House of Representative’s Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 (HR2003) got her fired.......full text

The Political Crisis in Kenya: A Call for Justice and Peaceful Resolution

Chairman Donald M. Payne / Feb.09, 2008

..........Remember the 2005 elections in Ethiopia? Did we condemn the abuses and killings of innocent civilians in Ethiopia after the elections? And where are those elected members of parliament and the mayor of the capital? Not in parliament. They were imprisoned for two years. The thinking may be: if Prime Minister Meles can get away with a stolen election and still remain a friend of Washington, why not Kibaki?......full text

Ogaden Crackdown Carries High Cost

By Jim Lobe, IPS / Feb.07, 2008

An intensified counter-insurgency campaign against Somali rebels and their suspected civilian supporters in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region is drawing growing criticism by human rights groups and concern from the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush, a staunch ally of Addis Ababa.The campaign, which some experts date to an April attack by the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) on a Chinese oil installation in which 74 people were killed, including nine Chinese, is causing immense suffering by the local Somali population, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW) which released a statement on the situation Wednesday..........full text

Tyranny in the Academy

By Prof Alemayehu G. Mariam / Feb.04, 2008

Welcome to higher education in the Land of Absurd-istan! In an incisive article posted on the web-based legal research service, Jurist, Abigail Salisbury, a law professor at Mekelle University recently painted a chilling and naked portrait of a university in a police state.........full text

Ethiopia: Human Rights Watch 2008 Report

HRW / Feb 01, 2008

The Ethiopian government’s human rights record remains poor, both within the country and in neighboring Somalia, where since early 2007 thousands of Ethiopian troops have been fighting an insurgency alongside the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.........full text

Making exceptions for Ethiopia

The Guardian / Feb 01, 2008

Western policy towards Africa is ill-informed and inconsistent. That's the message of Ethiopia's prime minister, Meles Zenawi, in his interview in the Guardian last week. And there's some truth in what he says. But Meles should be careful what he wishes for.If the west was better informed about the war crimes and human rights abuses committed by Meles' military forces in Somalia and Ogaden, western taxpayers might balk at the thought that their governments are providing Ethiopia with hundreds of millions of dollars of military and economic aid........full text

In southeastern Ethiopia, war leaves civilians dying, hungry in the middle

By Anita Powell , AP / Jan 29, 2008

DEGAHABUR, Ethiopia - In this remote Ethiopian trading town, people speak of the fight between the government and separatists furtively, in snatches. They are trapped in the middle, silence and anonymity their only shield.“We have problems with the (rebels) and the government, both of them,” said a woman crouched in a tailor’s shop, mending a pair of trousers. “They harm us. People have run away from the city because of the clashes between the two parties.”........full text

Ask now; praise later. What's the motive of Seye Abraha?

By Ebissa Ragassa / Jan 26, 2008

Modern Ethiopian politics is an illusion created to confuse and fool the mass through many possible ways of event control. This is a new method that the public has not been aware of yet; it is through controlling events (from the local to the national levels) that the TPLF employees manipulate the Ethiopian peoples. A false event is implanted by the government to create a chaotic state; when the public gets confused and becomes desperate for help, it runs back to the government and accepts any deals the government slaps on the table. In the process, freedom, progress and critical thinking are sacrificed, and the citizens become blind followers.........full text

Seeye Abraha's new thinking travels to Denver, Seattle

By Teodros Kiros (Ph.D.) / Jan 26, 2008

The melodic voice of Seeye travels nationally, and wherever he goes the Ethiopian people are embracing his call for the unconditional release of the prisoners of conscience, the majority of whom speak Oromiffa. Seeye is being embraced by the young and old, men and women, across the vast stretch of the Diaspora arena and beyond it to the heart of the interiors of Ethiopia.Some reputable journalists are reporting that Seeye’s New thinking is giving the prevailing regime massive headaches.........full text

Ethiopia’s Dirty War

By Jason McLure | Newsweek / Jan 23, 2008

It was early one morning in July when 400 Ethiopian soldiers came to Ridwan Hassan Zahid's village of Qorile, 120 miles southeast of Degehebur, Ethiopia, a dusty market town. The small settlement of ethnic Somalis in eastern Ethiopia was suspected of supporting separatist rebels from the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), and the government troops were out to exact revenge. They took Zahid, another woman, and eight men to the nearby village of Babase, where, she says, the soldiers chased away residents and burned the village to the ground. "I became like plastic," she says. "I couldn't feel a thing." ........full text

A Message of Hope for the New Year from the Anuak Justice Council

By Obang O. Metho,AJC / Jan 21, 2008

In the year 2007, the Anuak Justice Council has come closer to many Ethiopians from all over the country. This was not by accident. Despite the great marginalization and discrimination of the people of Gambella and despite the massacre of the Anuak people who have never really recovered from the losses from one of the worst atrocities planned and carried out by the EPRDF government and despite the indifference that kept most Ethiopians silent following these acts, we were convinced that we must reach out to other Ethiopians.........full text

The prison speaks Oromiffa

By Fekade Shewakena/ Jan 18, 2008

The phrase I used for the title of this article would pass for simple ethnic politicking if it was not spoken by a founder and former politburo member of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and a former Defense Minister of the regime now ruling Ethiopia with an iron fist.The headline is a direct quote of Mr. Seye Abraha, who was released recently after serving six years at the Qaliti dungeon on trumped-up charges of corruption for which his accuser, Mr. Meles Zenawi, could not produce any credible evidence. ...........full text

Stealing elections in Ethiopia casts bad omen over Kenya

By Robele Ababya / Jan 16, 2008

When Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Ethiopia last year, public expectations were she would rebuke the dictator, Meles Zeanwi, over his dismal record for violating human rights since he came to power in 1991. Instead, Secretary Rice took everyone one of us by surprise because she denounced HR 2003, the human rights and democracy act that was adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives. Why was Rice opposed to a bill that would only promote human rights, democracy and government accountability, among others? ...........full text

Bloggers are Africa's new rebels

By Paul Salopek, Chicago Tribune / Jan 14, 2008

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The man was nervous. He was afraid, he said, of the secret police. So he advised me to hire a random taxi. I was to park at a certain church. And there, I was to wait. A few minutes later he called again, this time on a different cell phone. He gave me directions to a nondescript house with an iron gate.“Sorry about these procedures,” he apologized, tapping away at a laptop in a shuttered room. “But I could spend years in prison for what I do.”............full text

Secretary Rice’s rebuff of HR2003 in Menelik’s City lacks decorum

By Robele Ababya / Jan 10, 2008

Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice made her maiden visit to Addis Ababa late last year, although the tyrant Meles Zenawi has since 11 September 2001 been a coalition partner on the war against terrorism as a matter of political expediency over principle. Her denouncing of HR2003 in Addis Ababa - lacked statesmanship and decorum and exposed her insensitivity to the agony, grief and wailing of mothers of the martyrs of June and November 2005 in the aftermath of the historic election decisively won by the opposition and ruthlessly stolen by the ruling party of the despotic ruler............full text

Kenyan vote exposes Africa's weak democracy

By By Leon Louw (Business Daily)/ Jan 10, 2008

January 10, 2008: I have been reading many contributions on the unfortunate developments in Kenya. Some addressed the fundamental issue of what could be done to enhance democracy as a peaceful process in Africa . The problem, as I see it, is a lack of appreciation for the fact that democracy not so much “fails” in Africa as that it hasn’t really been tried............full text

HR stands for human rights; let's stand up for HR 2003 in 2008

By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / Jan 08, 2008

The truth is finally out! The H.R. in H.R. 2003 stands for Human Rights! H.R. has become the special code for the Ethiopian people whenever they want to talk about the rule of law and due process and freedom of expression and association. It has become their special lingo to talk about the need for an independent press and an independent judiciary and for clean elections and the rest of it. And human rights were the rage in Ethiopia in the third quarter of 2007. From the barstools of the Sheraton and Hilton hotels to the tattered wooden benches of the tej, tella and katikalla bets, the talk was H.R. Farmers, day laborers and even listros (shoeshiners) wistfully talked about H.R. “This H.R. We need her! If only we had HeR., …” they’d pine away............full text

U.S. Engagement in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa

By Lahra Smith (CSIS)/ Jan 07, 2008

A reassessment of U.S. policy toward Ethiopia is very much in order. A year has passed since Ethiopia intervened in Somalia, and its troops are bogged down there in an ongoing low-intensity conflict that has created a grave humanitarian crisis. The invasion appears deeply unpopular with the Somali people, and the tide of battle could yet turn decisively against the Ethiopians. Meanwhile, the December 1, 2007 deadline set by the Ethiopia-Eritrea Boundary Commission (EEBC) for demarcation of the border between the two countries has passed without implementation by either party. Troops are massing on both sides of the border, and a renewal of the 1998-2000 border war is entirely possible. Finally, the human rights situation within Ethiopia remains poor, and the country’s long-term political stability is uncertain – prompting the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation intended to strengthen U.S. democracy programs in Ethiopia and ban “nonessential assistance” to the Ethiopian government...........full text

Ethiopia Denies Independent Newspaper Licenses

VOA News/ January 3, 2008

Ethiopia has denied licenses to three independent newspaper publishers who were jailed for 17 months in connection with media coverage of the country's 2005 post-election unrest. VOA's Peter Heinlein has details from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.Journalists and newspaper publishers Eskinder Nega, Serkalim Fasil, and Sisay Agena say they were notified by an Ethiopian information ministry official Monday that their applications for permits to practice journalism were denied. No reasons for the rejections were given."...........full text

'Genocide on a grand scale' in Kenya, opposition leader says

CNN / January 3, 2008

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- Children's bodies were piled in a Nairobi morgue, churches burned and police on horseback chased pedestrians through the streets as Kenya's political crisis stretched into a fifth day Thursday.Meanwhile, the country's attorney general called for a recount and independent investigation into the December 27 election in which incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared the victor over opposition candidate Raila Odinga...........full text
Who is in power? --( Ethiomedia,2007 )

HR 2003 is a bill of the decade with global ramification

By Dagnea Teshome / December 27, 2007

Dear Friends:We are writing this letter to inform you about what may well be the most important Human Rights bill of the decade – a single bill, specific to one country but with global implications. Once enacted in to law, this bill will have sweeping and global ramification in the exercise of United States Foreign Policy.The bill in question, H.R. 2003 - Ethiopia Democracy & Accountability Act Of 2007, was passed by the House of Representatives on October 2, 2007. The vote was unanimous! Now, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations must approve it.........full text

East Africa awaits historic Kenyan election

Daily Nation / December 27, 2007

THE EAST AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE WATCHing the Kenyan general election very keenly, as it is expected to have a major impact on the growth of democracy in the region.Particularly under scrutiny is the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), which has grown to be one of the most important institution of governance in East Africa..........full text

What's wrong with Ethiopia?

By Maimire Mennasemay/ December 23, 2007

Ethiopia was not made in a day; nor democracy. I would like to look at the Kinijit split from a historical and philosophical perspective. The birth of Kinijit in 2005 was a political earthquake of the like Ethiopia has never known. Its eruption surprised both its enemies and friends. It revealed to all that powerful democratic forces inhabit the interstices of Ethiopian society. And the surprise that is Kinijit is not yet over, for even its internal problems and splits are laying a solid foundation for the emergence, for the first time in the history of Ethiopia, of that indispensable condition without which democracy cannot exist – the public sphere.........full text

What's wrong with Ethiopia?

By Obang Metho / December 20, 2007

What is wrong with Ethiopia? What is becoming very obvious is that it all depends on who you ask. We speak to many Ethiopians every day who tell us about the desperate conditions of the people within Ethiopia. From Ogadenis and reporters like Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times, we hear of the horrific human rights abuses and an increasingly worsening humanitarian crisis surpassing that of Darfur in the Ogaden........full text

Democracy in Africa: For all its flaws, an example to others

The Economist / December 20, 2007

IN AFRICA, a hard-fought but fair election in a pivotal country is an example-setting event. No, this is not South Africa, where the election of Jacob Zuma as president of the ruling African National Congress on December 18th dealt a shattering blow to his rival, Thabo Mbeki. Although this puts Mr Zuma in a strong position to lead South Africa when Mr Mbeki's second term as president ends in April 2009, his succession is far from certain (see article). In Kenya on December 27th, however, power may very well change hands after the tightest electoral contest in the country's history.........full text

Military build-up heightens Ethiopia-Eritrea Border tensions in 2007

By Peter Heinlein , VOA / December 18, 2007

Tensions rose along the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea during the year in advance of a November 30 settlement deadline set by an international boundary commission. At year's end, the Horn of Africa rivals had a combined total of nearly a quarter of a million troops facing each other across the disputed frontier. VOA's Peter Heinlein in Addis Ababa reports the boundary commission deadline passed without incident, but the danger of war remains high........full text

In Rebel Region, Ethiopia Turns to Civilian Patrols

By Jeffrey Gettleman, New York Times / December 14, 2007

NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ethiopian government, one of America’s top allies in Africa, is forcing untrained civilians — including doctors, teachers, office clerks and employees of development programs financed by the World Bank and United Nations — to fight rebels in the desolate Ogaden region, according to Western officials, refugees and Ethiopian administrators who recently defected to avoid being conscripted. . .......full text

Remembering December 13th: A day for all of us!

AJC press release / December 13, 2007

The anniversary of the December 13, 2003 Anuak massacre is here again. Four years have now passed since the Anuak witnessed a horrific slaughter of their loved ones by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s military forces and some other pro-EPRDF government militia groups. The painful wounds from those losses will be reopened as many Anuak throughout Ethiopia and in the Diaspora observe the fourth memorial of this genocide that took place in Gambella. .......full text

Why does HR 2003 scare Meles Zenawi?

By Robele Ababya / December 8, 2007

The Meles Zenawi regime continues to intensify its last-ditch desperate effort to kill HR2003. It is doing so against the backdrop of mounting international demand for justice and respect for human rights. Meles is incessantly lamenting that the Bill will undermine his cooperation in the fight against terrorism if and when it becomes law. This brings to light that his jump into the bandwagon of coalition of the willing in the war on terrorism was not as a matter of principle but solely a calculated stratagem to be kept in power in exchange. He has unwittingly exposed his true nature of a thug who cares least about principles.......full text

Impossible to Rescue Ethiopia from Eritrea

EPPF News / December 6, 2007

Any Ethiopian group or organization with the good intention at heart and struggling to bring about positive changes to our nation, have the responsibility of protecting the interest of our nation, as well as exposing harmful situations which could be avoided if known in advance.We, EPPF International have been following developments which if not exposed and consequently halted could lead to be another damaging situation to our fight for democracy in Ethiopia.Below are facts, which we believe are crucial for all Ethiopians to be aware of. We ask all concerned media owners to use their medium and help us inform other concerned Ethiopians........full text

Addis Dimts Radio’s new website www.addisdimts.com

Rice's visit to Ethiopia puts focus on ally accused of human rights abuses

By Shashank Bengali | McClatchy Newspapers / December 6, 2007

NAIROBI, Kenya — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to Ethiopia this week puts a spotlight on the tight but troubled relationship between the United States and the volatile Horn of Africa nation........full text

Rice tells Ethiopia to ease tensions with Eritrea

By Sue Pleming, Reuters / December 5, 2007

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged Ethiopia on Wednesday to avoid acts that would raise tensions with Eritrea but got new promises from Africa's Great Lakes nations to end fighting in eastern Congo.In a rare public foray into African diplomacy, Rice spent a day in the Ethiopian capital shuttling between meetings with African leaders and ministers with the goal of tackling conflicts in eastern Congo, Somalia and Sudan and preventing a border war between Ethiopia and Eritrea.In a swipe at her Ethiopian hosts, Rice pressed Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to reduce tensions with Eritrea.......full text

Beggars and choosers

Ethiomedia Editorial/ December 3, 2007

Last week, Meles Zenawi explained to his parliament that the U.S. Congress bundled H.R. 2003 (Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007) with the “wheat we beg from them” thinking that “it may be a good thing to tell us how to administer our affairs.” He added, “If this is what the U.S. Congress intended, it would be an expression of its arrogance and hubris.” ......full text

Rice to Tackle African Conflicts

By MATTHEW LEE , AP / December 1, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hopes to try to cool several explosive African conflicts and shore up faltering peace deals when she travels next week to Ethiopia, headquarters of the African Union, the State Department said Friday.In meetings in Addis Ababa, Rice plans to explore prospects for peace in the Horn of Africa, where Somalia is ravaged by violence and humanitarian crises and fresh tensions between Ethiopia and arch-foe neighbor Eritrea threaten a 2000 peace pact that closed a bloody two-year border war, a senior official said...............full text

One people, one nation, one Ethiopia

By Zerihun Gebre-Meskel / November 28, 2007

November 17, 2007 marked the Ethiopian Millennium for some of us at the Anuak Justice Council Human Rights Conference. It resonated, the same hope felt by many during the months leading up to the historic May 2005 election. How is one left to feel when representatives of human rights activists under the leadership of Mr. Obang Metho himself sat side by side at the panelist table covered with the majestic green, yellow, red. It was an amazing sight that easily fed the soul. This memorable visual alone was the beacon of hope for those of us who had the privilege of witnessing this historical moment..............full text

Internet in Ethiopia - Is Ethiopia Off-line or Wired to the Rim?

By Samuel Kinde / November 28, 2007

Few things in Ethiopia cause as much frustration and despair than the ongoing and deteriorating dismal state of Internet connectivity in the country. Given how the country continues to struggle with fundamental issues of development for its 80 million people, this lack of progress - and in some cases complete reversal of earlier growth - tests the hope of the most optimist observers and stake-holders....................full text

The devil quotes Scripture

Ethiomedia / November 26, 2007

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek.” So wrote Shakespeare in the Merchant of Venice. Today, the villainous merchants of tyranny and dictatorship in Ethiopia quote the Treaty of Wuchale (Ucciale) to oppose a human rights bill (H.R. 2003) in the U.S. Congress..................full text

HR 2003 benefits all and sundry

By Fekade Shewakena /November 25, 2007

HR 2003 was conceived and developed in the aftermath of the historic Ethiopian election of 15 May 2005 that culminated in the unexpected decisive victory of opposition forces over the brutal regime of Woyanne, which in its 16 years of repressive rule, had betrayed vital national interests of Ethiopia, including rendering her the largest land-locked country on the globe...................full text

The difference between HR 2003 and Wuchale Treaty for dummies

By Fekade Shewakena /November 22, 2007

Obviously the TPLF and its cronies have realized that they have no merit based argument to make against the substance contained in HR2003, the Ethiopian Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007, that passed the US House with a unanimous vote and stands pending passage in the Senate. The substance of the bill is clear to anyone who can read it and I know translations of the bill in Ethiopian languages have now percolated to the hands of enthusiastic Ethiopians on the streets who write their Diaspora compatriots to work harder to have the bill become law. Many Ethiopians are waiting to see if America lives up to the ideals it preaches by passing this bill and help them in their fight to restore their humanity and dignity that is being violated with impunity by their brutal rulers. ..................full text

As Somali Crisis Swells, Experts See a Void in Aid

By Jeffrey Gettleman / The New York Times /November 20, 2007

AFGOOYE, Somalia — The worst humanitarian crisis in Africa may not be unfolding in Darfur, but here, along a 20-mile strip of busted-up asphalt, several top United Nations officials said.A year ago, the road between the market town of Afgooye and the capital of Mogadishu was just another typical Somali byway, lined with overgrown cactuses and the occasional bullet-riddled building. Now it is a corridor teeming with misery, with 200,000 recently displaced people crammed into swelling camps that are rapidly running out of food.....................full text

Remember, the Ethiopian martyrs of June and November 2005

By Prof. Al Mariam / November 16, 2007

The documented facts of the June and November, 2005 massacres are shocking to the conscience as they are incontrovertible.1 The Commission examined 16,990 documents, and received testimony form 1,300 witnesses. After analyzing this mountain of evidence, the Commission concluded that none of the protesters possessed, used or attempted to use firearms against the paramilitary forces. None of them possessed, used or attempted to use any type of explosives. No protester was observed carrying a stick or a club to use as a weapon. No protester set or attempted to set fire to public or private property. No protester robbed or attempted to rob a bank....................full text

First-week protest in Oklahoma City successful

By Ethiopians and Friends for HR 2003/ November 15, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY - Ethiopians and their friends campaigning for the promotion of the human rights bill HR 2003 held a demonstration in Oklahoma City on Tuesday and protested against Senator James Inhofe's reported move to block the Bill. Local TV and international media such as Associated Press covered the peaceful demonstration.The purpose of the demonstration was to protest Senator James Inhofe's opposition to H.R.2003, the "Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007." In a statement that Senator James Inhofe made on the Senate floor on October 17, 2007, he stated;...................full text

UN envoy says Somali war crime suspects should face ICC

AFP/ November 13, 2007

NAIROBI (AFP) - A United Nations envoy on Tuesday said Somali war crimes suspects should be prosecuted at the international Criminal Court in order to end impunity in the lawless African nation. "People perpetuating crimes and violence are not being challenged before the International Criminal Court," said Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN secretary general's special envoy to Somalia...................full text

Sovereignty vs democracy

By Solomon Terfa (Ph.D.) / November 12, 2007

In the last few months, there has been a vociferous call for democracy in Ethiopia. This call for democracy seems to give the impression that democracy is what will cure the problems that exist in the country. The denial of democratic rights by the authoritarian regime seems to have relegated the right of the people as the repository of power to a secondary importance. “Popular sovereignty” of the people has been downgraded and or shelved. In this short paper I argue that the paramount demand of the Ethiopian people should be their right to sovereignty. Towards that end, a short historical and theoretical survey is in order..................full text

Ethiopia-Eritrea Border Tensions Raise New International Alert (By Howard Lesser , VOA) --( November 7, 2007 )

A brittle Western ally in the Horn of Africa

The Economist / November 1, 2007

AS AMERICA surveys the map of eastern Africa, it finds little to take comfort from. Somalia is in anarchy, riven by competing warlords and a haven for Islamist militants. Sudan is involved in the bloody suppression of blacks in its western region, Darfur. Both countries are deaf to outside complaints and seem chronically unstable. America is thinking of putting Eritrea, briefly a beacon of hope after it split from Ethiopia in 1993, on its list of countries that sponsor terrorism. But between that grim trio stands Ethiopia, America’s hope..................full text
A farewell to champions (By Prof. AL Mariam ) --( Oct. 30 ,2007 )
Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of plotting to invade --( Oct. 27 ,2007 )
Excerpts from Rep. Smith's Newmakers Speech on Ethiopia and Human Rights --( Oct. 23 ,2007 )

We demand an apology, Senator Inhofe

By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam / October 22, 2007

am writing to demand an apology for the racist, scurrilous, truculent, degrading, offensive and manifestly untruthful statements you made on the floor of the Senate on October 17, 2007.I. Ethiopians Demand An Apology For Your Racist, Slanderous and Defamatory Statement That They Are Baby Killers, Child Abusers and Immoral People..................full text
The beginning of the end of a brutal dictatorship(By Selam Beyene) --( Oct. 19 ,2007 )

Oklahoma Senator threatens to kill HR 2003(Coalition for HR 2003 )- Watch Video here

--( Oct. 18 ,2007 )

War on terror trumps promoting Ethiopian democracy(By Janine Zacharia - BN ) --( Oct. 16 ,2007 )

One small step for the U.S. Congress, one giant leap for Ethiopian human rights (By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam ) --( Oct. 15 ,2007 )

Dismissive Ethiopia tests US indulgence (By Barney Jobson - FT) --( Oct. 11 ,2007 )
Intervene to save lives of Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan (SOCEPP-CAN) --( Oct. 10 ,2007 )
Thank You , Donald Payne and Chris Smith( By Aie Zi Guo ) --( Oct. 10 ,2007 )
US targets Ethiopia for sanctions (BBC) --( Oct. 04 ,2007 )
Payne Ethiopian Democracy Bill Passes House (Congressman Donald M.Payne) --( Oct.04 ,2007 )
Thank You, Congress for Passing HR 2003 (EAC) --( Oct. 03 ,2007 )
EACA Applauds the House of Representatives for Passing the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 (H.R. 2003) --( Oct. 03 ,2007 )
US House of Representatives Passes Ethiopia Human Rights Bill (VOA) --( Oct. 02 ,2007 )
Act Now to Stop U.S. Support for Human Rights Violations in Ethiopia (Coalition for HR 2003) --( Sep. 30 ,2007 )
Ethiopia Legislation Moves Forward in US House of Representatives (VOA) --( Sep. 27 ,2007 )

In politics, crisis is an opportunity

By Abebe Gelaw / September 26, 2007

The Vice President of Kinijit has shamed her critics with an extraordinary display of humility, magnanimity, maturity and wisdom in her very touching appeal to Engineer Hailu Shawel. Judge Bertukan Mideksa's appeal to the Honourable Hailu Shawel to heal the festering wounds, which has attracted all sorts of opportunists, fifth columnists, infiltrators, myopic extremists, conspiracy theorists and wolves in sheep's skin, just to mention a few among so many, is testimony to the fact that the leader has to rise up to the challenge of leading the most popular but vulnerable political party in Ethiopian history out of the terrible storms. Her words were measured; her voice unfaltering, her composure unfailing and above all her appeal came from the bottom of her heart..................full text
The House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee to mark-up H.R. 2003 --( Sep.26 ,2007 )

Ethiopian political dispute comes to United States

By Jim Snyder , The Hill / September 21, 2007

Members of an Ethiopian opposition party who were jailed for 20 months in connection with a disputed election are lobbying the Bush administration and Congress to pressure Ethiopia to support a more open and democratic society. Members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) delegation also plan to travel to various U.S. cities in an effort to continue to organize Ethiopian-Americans and to thank them for providing financial and political support during their incarceration..................full text
UN seeks Ethiopia abuses inquiry (BBC) --( Sep.20 ,2007 )
Ethiopia's Opposition Wants US Support for Democracy Struggle(James Butty, VOA) --( Sep.19 ,2007 )
Dr.Hailu Araya - on VOA
Woizerit Bertukan Mideksa and Dr.Hailu Araya on NPR

Ethiopia detains 3 men linked to top opposition politician

AP/ September 14, 2007

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Authorities have detained three Ethiopians linked to a top opposition politician, accusing them of trying to create a disturbance during the country's millennium celebrations, a fourth man who was released said Friday..................full text
Ethiomedia Editor on ETN
Support H.R.2003 by Asking Your Representative to Send it for Mark-up ...Sign the petition !

US recognises Ethiopian crisis

Financial Times / September 10, 2007

A senior US official has said for the first time that a “humanitarian crisis” is unfolding in Ethiopia’s Ogaden region, putting Washington at odds with the Addis Ababa government, which has rejected similar claims from aid organisations.
Jendayi Frazer, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, made the comment on Saturday following a trip to the region, where government forces are fighting rebels who this year stepped up a violent campaign for self-determination.................full text

Millennium celebrations fall flat

AP / September 7, 2007

(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 2,000th year, which begins Tuesday on Ethiopia's Coptic calendar.................full text

Ethiopian opposition leader takes fight abroad

By Timothy Gardner / September 6, 2007

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The man who was elected mayor of Addis Ababa said he is not sure whether he can hold public demonstrations there, so he is visiting the United States and Europe seeking support for a new era of democracy in Ethiopia. "It is very difficult to know what it means to be engaged in political struggles in Ethiopia," Berhanu Nega, deputy chairman of Ethiopian opposition party Coalition for Unity and Democracy, or CUD, told Reuters in an interview in New York. "Can you organize demonstrations, can you organize discussions? All this is not answered." ................full text

Humanitarian crisis hits Ethiopia

By Xan Rice, The Guardian / September 5, 2007

A humanitarian crisis has developed in Ethiopia's remote Ogaden region, where government forces are trying to quell a rebel insurgency, according to a leading international aid agency.Médecins Sans Frontières said 400,000 people, including thousands forcibly displaced when their villages were burned down, had little or no access to medicine due to a government-installed blockade. ................full text

Meles regime welcomes millennium, not its homeless

By Anita Powell / August 30, 2007

(Addis Ababa) - Thousands of homeless people will be moved from the capital to the countryside before next month's millennium celebration and provided help with food, shelter and medicine, a development group said on Tuesday. Homelessness is a huge problem in Addis Ababa, a city of five million where an estimated 90 000 live on the streets. Beggars are a common sight, with everyone from young children to the elderly seeking money or scraps of food.....The group said most are from the northern Tigray region and that Elshadai is simply sending them back home................full text

Norway to cut aid to Ethiopia

Aftenposten / August 30, 2007

Ethiopia's decision to expel six of nine Norwegian diplomats from the country means Ethiopia will lose around NOK 30 million in Norwegian development aid................full text

Norway to withdraw six diplomats from Ethiopia

AFP / August 28, 2007

Norway is to reduce its diplomatic presence in Ethiopia after Addis Ababa expressed "dissatisfaction" with Oslo's policies in the Horn of Africa, the foreign ministry announced Monday...............full text
Addis Ababa neighborhood honors Bertukan Mideksa....(pdf) / August 26, 2007

Ethiopia upset by U.S. bill

By Brian Blackwell
Washington Times / August 23, 2007

WASHINGTON DC - Ethiopian officials are disturbed by legislation pending in Congress that would restrict military assistance and travel to the United States by certain Ethiopian officials unless President Bush certifies that the Addis Ababa government is acting to address specific human rights concerns. The Ethiopians argue that it is unfair to lump them in with countries like North Korea and Iran at a time when their troops are acting as allies in the war on terrorism, defending an interim government in neighboring Somalia against Islamist extremists..............full text

Gasha and ITDA host a meeting in Washington, DC

Gasha-ITDA PR / August 19, 2007
Gasha and ITDA - on DW Radio with Abebe Feleke (Amharic)

WASHINGTON DC – The sovereign territory of Ethiopia was violated in 1991 when the current regime came to power, and handed over Ethiopia’s sovereign territories to Eritrea in violation of the legal and historical rights of Ethiopia, a noted Ethiopian scholar has told a meeting in Washington, DC. Organized by Gasha for Ethiopians and International Tigrian Democratic Association (ITDA) on August 11, Professor Negussay Ayele deliberated on how the Meles Zenawi regime dug up colonial treaties of the early 1900s and used them to violate the sovereignty of the country and reduce it to its current landlocked status. .............full text

U.S. considers putting Eritrea on terrorism list

By Arshad Mohammed
Reuters / August 17, 2007

WASHINGTON - The United States said on Friday it was considering putting Eritrea on its list of state sponsors of terrorism for allegedly funneling weapons to insurgents fighting the Ethiopian-backed government in Somalia.Putting Eritrea on the list would impose sanctions on the Horn of Africa nation, including a ban on arms-related sales, prohibitions on some U.S. aid and U.S. opposition to International Monetary Fund and World Bank loans to Eritrea.............full text

U.S. Policy in the Horn of Africa

James Swan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
August 14, 2007

As all of you know, the Horn of Africa is a rough neighborhood. At least one conflict – and frequently more – has raged in the region continuously since 1960. Inter-state conventional wars. Guerrilla-style liberation struggles. Coups. Revolutions. The Horn has seen them all.It is also a region that has suffered historically from poor governance -- from the brutal excesses of Ethiopia’s Derg, to authoritarian one-party systems in much of the region until the 1990s, to the lawlessness of the failed state of Somalia after the fall of Siad Barre. Winner-take-all politics and violent regime change have been the norm. And this historically unstable political and security climate has been a profound impediment to economic development.”............full text

Lies, promised joy, shimagles, pardons and bananas

By Prof. Al Mariam
August 6, 2007

Meles Zenawi was once the darling of Tony Bliar and Bill Clinton. He was lionized as one of the “new breed of African leaders.” There was boundless hope that Zenawi and a menagerie of other anointed African “new breeders” would lead the continent out of the darkness of authoritarian rule into the sunshine of freedom, democracy and human rights.But something went terribly wrong with the Blair/Clinton “African Renaisance”. In the poetic words of Robert Burns: “The best laid schemes of mice and men/Go often askew,/And leaves us nothing but grief and pain,/ For promised joy!”............full text

Obang Metho addresses Oromo Community in Minnesota

August 4, 2007

I was invited by our Oromo brothers and sisters through the Oromo-American Citizens Council to speak at the Second Annual International Oromo Human Rights Conference on “Conflict in East Africa and the Current Human Rights Situation.” I was to address the subject of human rights violations in Ethiopia with a special focus on the Anuak as well as to assess the risk of genocide and further human rights violations against other ethnic groups in the Horn of Africa.............full text

Senator Patrick Leahy on Assistance for Ethiopia

Statement
August 3, 2007

After the overthrow of Ethiopia's brutal former Prime Minister Mengistu, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi ushered in a period of hope and optimism. On May 15, 2005, Ethiopia held its first open multi-party elections. The international community praised the people of Ethiopia for an astounding 90 percent voter participation rate, an encouraging beginning to a new political process. The Ethiopian people deserve a democratic process in which opposition parties can organize and participate, and journalists can publish freely, without fear of arrest or retribution. Unfortunately, as it turned out, the 2005 election was not the turning point many had hoped for............full text

US Senators protest over human rights abuses in Ogaden

August 2, 2007

Washington, D.C. - The following is a letter sent by United States Senator Russ Feingold, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs, and a bipartisan group of his senate colleagues to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice regarding reports of human rights abuses committed by the Ethiopian military in the country's Ogaden region. The senators are urging Secretary Rice to intensify pressure on the Ethiopian government to respect fundamental human rights............full text

A New Battle in Congress: Lobbyists v Human Rights

Scott A. Morgan / August 1, 2007

WASHINGTON DC - We all noticed last fall when the American Voters decidely threw out an Incompetent Republican Congress and replaced them with the Democrats. But it is becoming clear that if WE expected a change in how things are run in Washington we were sadly mistaken.:...........full text
City Council of Takoma Park, Maryland passed resolution ,urging support of HR 2003...pdf) --( July 31,2007 )
ZENAWI TAKES MORE POLITICAL PRISONERS HOSTAGE IN H.R. 2003 MARK-UP BATTLE --(Coalition for HR 2003/July 31,2007 )
Fax letter to Majority Speaker Steny H. Hoyer --(Coalition for HR 2003/July 31,2007 )
Fax letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi --(Coalition for HR 2003/July 29,2007 )
Addis Dimts Radio with Prof. Ephrem Isaac and Prof. Al Mariam (Amharic)
Siye Abraha - 2nd Part with DW's Negash Mohammed (Amharic)
Siye Abraha - 1st Part with DW's Negash Mohammed (Amharic)
Kibrt Woizerit Bertukan Mideksa on DW Radio with Negash Mohammed (Amharic)

Lantos directed not to mark up HR 2003

Coalition for HR 2003 / July 27, 2007

WASHINGTON DC - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (San Francisco) and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Maryland) on Friday directed Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Tom Lantos not to mark-up H.R. 2003 on July 31, 2007, the Coalition for HR 2003 disclosed today. Preliminary investigations suggest that neither Chairman Lantos nor Chairman Payne were consulted prior to issuance of the directive...........full text

CUD leaders issue statement

CUD Press Release / JuLy 26, 2007

."...........full text(pdf)

Dr Yacob Hailemariam vows to finish what he started

By MATTHEW BOWERS, The Virginian-Pilot / July 26, 2007

Despite spending 21 months in prison with a life sentence looming, former Norfolk State University professor Yacob Hailemariam said Wednesday he has no regrets about his activism in his home country Ethiopia."Believe me, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life," Hailemariam said in a telephone interview from his apartment in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital."...........full text

Ex-Congressional Heavyweights Blocking Action Against Ethiopia

By Ken Silverstein, Harper's Magazine / July 25, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC - There have been a series of accounts out of Ethiopia recently that describe a nasty situation there, including a Human Rights Watch report earlier this month that said the Ethiopian military had ¡§forcibly displaced thousands of civilians in the country¡¦s eastern Somali . . . while escalating its campaign against a separatist insurgency movement.¡¨ Government troops were ¡§destroying villages and property, confiscating livestock, and forcing civilians to relocate,¡¨ according to Peter Takirambudde, Africa director of Human Rights Watch. ¡§Whatever the military strategy behind them, these abuses violate the laws of war.¡¨ Eyewitness accounts offered to Human Rights Watch said Ethiopian troops had been ¡§burning homes and property, including the recent harvest and other food stocks intended for the civilian population, confiscating livestock and, in a few cases, firing upon and killing fleeing civilians.¡¨ "...........full text

Problematic Ally : The moral hazards of dealing with Ethiopia's Meles Zenawi

Washington Post Editorial / July 24, 2007

MORE THAN once during the Cold War, the united states aligned itself with dictatorial or corrupt, but anticommunist, foreign governments, compromising democratic principles for perceived advantage against the Soviet Union. These choices were not necessarily wrong, but each one put the U.S. on a slippery slope, at the bottom of which lay a completely amoral foreign policy.

Chairman Donald M. Payne Welcomes Release of Prisoners in Ethiopia

Press Release/ July 21, 2007

U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos Welcomes News of the Release of 38 Political Prisoners in Ethiopia Ethiopia

Press Release/ July 21, 2007

A Call for Renewed Vigor in the March towards Democracy and the Rule of Law

Kinijit / July 20, 2007

...........for more info visit kinijitethiopia.org

Release all Political Prisoners! Account for the ¡§disappeared¡¨.!

(SOCEPP - CAN)/ July 20, 2007

SOCEPP Canada applauds the release of the 38 CUDP leaders, journalists of the free press, and others. It congratulates the ¡§freed¡¨, their families and friends.

Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus Celebrates the Ethiopian Millennium upon release of Political Prisoners

July 20, 2007

Washington, DC ¡V Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Members of the Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus celebrate the release today of 38 Ethiopian political opposition leaders, most recently sentenced to life in prison, and now fully pardoned. This news comes after H.R.2003 the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act (Payne) House mark up on Wednesday, July 18th. Caucus Members have traditionally supported legislation that reaffirms Ethiopia¡¦s role on the world stage. From H.R.935 Free and Fair Elections in Ethiopia Act (Honda), to monitoring negotiations between Starbucks and the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office (EIPO), the Ethiopia Caucus is based on the principle that if given the necessary tools, Ethiopia can truly be a lighthouse for Africa. Rep. Honda, Founder and Chair of the Ethiopia Caucus stated that, ¡§It is important, now more than ever, to celebrate Ethiopia with vigilance and genuine partnership.¡¨ "...........full text

Ethiopia's freed leader defiant

BBC
July 20, 2007

Ethiopia's opposition leader has hit out at the government just hours after being pardoned and released from a life sentence in jail.Hailu Shawel said he had signed a document admitting to organising violent election protests in 2005 and asking for clemency "under duress"...........full text

H.R. 2003 MARK-UP VOTE UNANIMOUS!

Coalition for HR 2003
July 18, 2007

On July 18, 2007, HR 2003, ¡§Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007¡¨, authored by Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), unanimously passed the Subcommittee on Africa and is forwarded to the Foreign Affairs Committee.A truly bipartisan bill (all members of the Subcommittee on Africa voted for the bill, 7 Democrats and 6 Republicans), H.R. 2003, is expected to be presented to the entire Foreign Affairs Committee for a vote before Congress recesses for the summer in early August, 2007....¡¨.......full text

U.S. Congress, Bush administration exasperated by Ethiopian backsliding on democracy

July 18, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) - Both the Bush administration and Congress are growing exasperated over Ethiopia's backsliding from democracy but are wary of applying too much pressure against a country that has become an important anti-terror ally in East Africa.Members of the Democratic-controlled Congress are under fewer restraints than President George W. Bush's administration, which has relied on the help of Ethiopian troops in ousting Islamic militants from power in parts of neighboring Somalia...¡¨.......full text

Commentary on Siye Abraha's post-release interview

By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam
July 16, 2007

Ato Seye Abraha was a former defense minister in Zenawi¡¦s regime. He was ¡§convicted¡¨ on ¡§corruption charges¡¨ in 2002, along with other officials. Informed sources say his ¡§conviction¡¨ had the usual fabrication stamp all over it: ¡§Made in Kangaroo Kourt....¡¨.......full text

75 HOUSE CO-SPONSORS AND STILL COUNTING¡K

Coalition for HR 2003
July 14, 2007

We have to continue to Call, Fax and visit our congressional representatives to enlist more co-sponsors for H.R. 2003, and to guarantee its ultimate passage once it is presented to the floor for final action..¡¨.......full text

Time to mark-up HR 2003!

Coalition for HR 2003
July 13, 2007

Congressman Donald Payne has re-scheduled mark-up of H.R. 2003 for July 18, 2007, at 10:15 a.m. We thank Don Payne for his commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia. The Kality prisoners were supposed to have been released on or before July 9, 2007, the date set for their ¡§sentencing¡¨ by Zenawi¡¦s Kangaroo Kourt. That date, as usual was continued to July 16. With the rescheduled mark-up date, it appears crystal clear that both Payne and the numerous co-sponsors of the bill are no longer willing to put up with Zenawi¡¦s ¡§horsefeathers.¡¨.......full text

Siye Abraha released after six harrowing years

Ethiomedia
July 12, 2007
Listen to VOA

ADDIS ABABA - Siye Abraha, a former defense minister many observers credit as the architect of the 1998-2000 War whose battle successes had brought Ethiopian forces closer to storming the Eritrean capital of Asmara, was set free on Wednesday after six years in jail. Siye and his four family members were charged with 13 cases of corruption but many agree his crime was to try to punish Eritrea for its aggression while leaving Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in power in Addis.......full text

Prisoners of conscience face death penalty, a call for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia

(SOCEPP - CAN)/ July 10, 2007

Time to mark-up HR 2003!

Coalition for HR 2003
July 9, 2007

(Coalition for H.R. 2003) -- On June 26, 2007, supporters of H.R. 2003 (Ethiopia Freedom and Accountability Act) were told that the House Foreign Affairs Committee will delay mark-up of H.R. 2003 by two weeks because of threats to prolong the detention of the Kaliti prisoners of conscience if the mark-up had proceeded on that date. The two-week delay expires in the next day, and we must demand the immediate scheduling of H.R. 2003 for committee mark-up.................full text

Ethiopian call for death penalty

BBC
July 9, 2007

An Ethiopian prosecutor has demanded the death penalty for a group of 38 opposition leaders found guilty of links to violent election protests. Prosecutor Abraham Tetemke said they had tried to bring down the government. Among them are several of the capital's elected MPs and city councillors, including Berhanu Negga, mayor-elect of Addis Ababa..........full text

Declaration to defend democracy, freedom and human rights in Ethiopia

July 4, 2007

In the history of all great nations, there comes a moment when the people must make a choice that will define them in their own time, vindicate the enormous sacrifices of their ancestors and enable them to bequeath an enduring legacy for generations yet unborn. They are often forced to make that choice by arrogant tyrants who use brute force to entrench and perpetuate their dictatorial rule, and unabashedly proclaim to the world their contempt for the rule of law, democratic principles and civil liberties ...full text

Meles Zenawi tries to hold US elected officials hostage, too

By Keif Schleifer, Executive Director, The Empowerment Inititative
June 28, 2007

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has issued a threat. If pushed to comply with human rights based financial assistance from the United States, he will hold hostage the already imprisoned democratically-elected opposition leaders. Perhaps that could be restated as:Prime Minister Meles Zenawi will continue to hold democratically-elected officials hostage, along with tens of thousands of innocent civilians, in direct defiance of basic respect for human rights....................full text

Zenawi holds prisoners hostage over pending US Congress bill

Coalition for HR 2003
June 26, 2007

But Caution, If It Becomes fanatical, Can Destroy the Trust

By Getachew Reda(Respond To Professor Tecola W/Hagos)
June 15, 2007

I don¡¦t know when the Professor will stop being too suspicious to every decent Ethiopian opposition leaders that comes out voluntary to lead the country out of the quagmire, but I found it very distractive, at times his critique is worst than that of the Banda in power when it come to the Kinijjit leaders currently in jail illegally.....................full text

Jailed Ethiopians 'to be freed'

BBC
June 25, 2007

A group of 38 Ethiopian opposition leaders found guilty of links to violent election protests is to be freed, they have told their families. They say they have signed a document to secure their release but it is not clear what this is....................full text

Dissenting a constitution that makes the prime minister a monster and emperor

By Berhanu G. Balcha
June 22, 2007

Meles Zenawi was elected from a district from which he has never lived for the last 30 years. It is clear that he has no legitimacy even from his own electoral district. However, the 1995 constitution in Ethiopia has made him a vicious emperor whose brutality has been ubiquitous, not only throughout the nation, but also expanding to the neighbouring countries. The constitution was drafted and ratified by a total control of Meles zenawi¡¦s party. Thus, it makes the power of the prime minister unrestrained or unchecked by the executive, legislative, judiciary and other federal or regional institutions in Ethiopia...................full text

ONLF Response To Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Release

ONLF Press Statement
June 21, 2007

ETHIOPIA HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTION PASSES

Coalition for HR 2003
June 21, 2007

The Coalition for H.R. 2003 is proud to congratulate the Ethiopian American Association of Oregon, Ethiopians, Ethiopian Americans and friends of Ethiopiain the Great State of Oregon for their successful efforts in passing Senate Joint Memorial 3 in the Oregon Legislative Assembly..................full text

Stand up Ethiopians! Each one of us is now a leader against state terror

By Obang Metho
June 21, 2007

We come out in condemnation of the unjust guilty verdict against our opposition leaders, journalists and human rights defenders! Yet, instead of it being a deathblow to our movement for freedom and democracy, we have now received our marching orders! We are declaring a new ¡§War on Terror: Ethiopia!¡¨ We Ethiopians are outraged with the injustice and brutal repression of the Ethiopian people, made more dramatically clear after the events of the last week! We are saying, ¡§Enough is enough! The terrorists in our midst must be stopped!¡¨ Stand up Ethiopians! Each one of you is needed in our war against terrorism being carried out against the people of Ethiopia by its own government!..................full text

Radio Interview with Tesfay Atsbeha and Abraha Belai of Ethiomedia - Amharic)

In Ethiopia's Ogaden desert, horrors of a hidden war

By Jeffrey Gettleman
June 17, 2007

IN THE OGADEN DESERT, Ethiopia: The rebels march 300 strong across the crunchy earth, young men with dreadlocks and AK-47s slung over their shoulders.Often when they pass through a village, the entire village lines up, one sunken cheekbone to the next, to squint at them.¡§May Allah bring you victory,¡¨ one woman whispered.This is the Ogaden, a corner of Ethiopia that the urbane officials in Addis Ababa, the capital, would rather outsiders never see. It is the epicenter of a separatist war in which impoverished nomads are fighting one of the biggest armies in Africa...............full text

Prof. Al Mariam interview on Chicago Public Radio

Lynn fredriksson - The leonard Lopate Show - NY

Regarding the Eritrean Che Guevara/s in Tigray

By Getachew Reda
June 15, 2007

As you now the innocent leaders from Kinijit, and other opposition group, individuals and media people are currently at the hands of the ¡§Eritrean Che Guevara/s¡¨ controlling the Ethiopian court of justice that found them guilty without any justification of legal or moral authority to judge them. Such shocking news is what all Ethiopians discussing on media currently. Our hearts and minds go to those our brothers/sisters/fathers who are currently languishing in jail unfairly, their only crime for being ¡§Ethiopians at Herat¡¨. That too should have been our first priority and condemned it in our Tigrayan community press releases for the historical records..............full text

Thank You, Great Patriots!
By Prof. Al Mariam
June 14, 2007

When I learned of the expected news of the ¡§conviction¡¨ of the Great Patriots in Zenawi¡¦s kangaroo court this morning, my initial reaction was not disappointment or sadness. It was a deep and overwhelming sense of pride in the personal sacrifices and extraordinary courage shown by these Great Patriots for their country and people.............full text
Joint Statement by Congressman Donald M Payne and European Parliament Member Ana Gomes on Yesterdays verdict
June 12, 2007

We are deeply shocked and dismayed to hear the guilty verdict of the 38 courageous human rights advocates, elected parliamentarians, and opposition leaders. This decision clearly demonstrates that the judicial process is controlled and managed by the ruling party in Ethiopia.The verdict by the Court also proves beyond doubt that the Courts lack the necessary and required independence from political influence. These prisoners were deliberately and systematically misled by the Prime Minster¡¦s office that a peaceful resolution was possible. In fact, on a number of occasions we were led to believe that an agreement between the prisoners and the Prime Minister was reached............full text

The viciousness of the rogue regime should be stopped

Kinijit Press Release
June 12, 2007

June 11, 2007 once again marks another episode, in a series of excessive lawlessness and brutality that had been the order of the day in Ethiopia, ever since the domination of the nation by the illegitimate regime of Meles Zenawi. It is on this day that the judiciary, known for being infested by the puppets of the brutal regime, handed down its guilty verdict on the democratically elected and popularly cherished heroes of the nation. These heroes of the Ethiopian democratic movement have genuinely and tirelessly charted a course that would have made repression and lawlessness on the one hand, disease, hunger, and poverty on the other, a thing of the past in our beloved Motherland...........full text

The verdict - BBC

June 12, 2007

.......Andargachew Tsege, convicted in absentia as he is in exile in London, told the BBC he fears that his colleagues could be sentenced to "the most extreme" sentence."This government... has no notion of the implications of its actions - it's very vindictive, it has no sense of the sanctity of law, with all the various atrocities it has committed," he said. ..........full text

Where are the TPLF dissidents?

By Getachew Reda
June 8, 2007

........ Alemseged, Gebru, Aregash, Tewelde¡K and the rest of the dissident group had a relatively better image than the Meles-Sebhat camp which is generally seen as inimical to Ethiopia. The dissidents were expected they would mobilize their comrades within TPLF and struggle come out of in defense of Ethiopia. But, that didn¡¦t happen.Not only their rhetoric gave the false hope limited in Tigray, but they pumped up the entire nation into euphoria when they asserted publicly on media saying: ¡§We have to struggle to reverse the trend¡¨. ..........full text

A historic Transatlantic legislative summit on human rights

Coalition for H.R. 2003
June 8, 2007

WASHINGTON DC - Congressman Donald Payne (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health and author of H.R. 2003 (Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007) and Ms. Ana Gomes, Member, European Parliament and Head of the European Union¡¦s Observer Mission to Ethiopia (2005) an extraordinary woman of courage, who has been at the forefront of the struggle for democracy and human rights in Ethiopia are among the scheduled speakers at the Joint Summit on June 8, 2007 in Washington, DC.Over the years, Congressman Payne, considered by his colleagues in Congress as one of the leading experts on Africa, has made several trips to Ethiopia to study and discuss improvements to the human rights situation there. He has extensive knowledge of human rights violations not only in Ethiopia, but also Darfur and Rwanda..........full text

Congessman Chris Smith Re-Introduces Human Rights Bill

By Coalition for HR 2003
May 15, 2007

On May 9, 2007, Republican Congressman Christopher Smith introduced H.R. 2228 (¡§Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of 2007¡¨) in the House of Representatives. H.R. 2228 effectively replaces H.R. 5680, which was prevented from getting to the House floor by then-Speaker Dennis Hastert. Introduction of H.R 2228 by Cong. Smith is significant because it demonstrates the extraordinary importance of human rights in Ethiopia not only for the Democrats in congress but also for Republican members of the House. Such extraordinary bi-partisan interest and support for human rights is a rare event in the U.S. Congress.......full text

Obang Metho addresses Gasha for Ethiopians conf. in DC

Director of International Advocacy, AJC
May 6, 2007

.....Consider this - Ethiopia would not be Ethiopia without the Tigray. Ethiopia would not be Ethiopia without the Orom