A MUST READ ARTICLE FROM ANDARGACEW TSIGE ABOUT KINIJIT DIASPORA

The name KINIJIT is about transparency, democracy, accountability, participation, inclusiveness, individual freedom, equality with diversity, and more....for this Kinijit is a name associated with all of the above. The modern organization of kinijit has no place for corrupt, egoist, backward, feudal minded individuals. Recommended read Andargachew Tsige's very fine analysis about kinijit in diaspora.

Ethiopia conflict and coopration

A MUST READ UPDATED ABOUT CURRENT SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA

Political Violence and Democratic Uncertainty in Ethiopia

Summary
• The pardon and release of thirty-eight political detainees, mostly from the leadership of the main opposition party, may give impetus to political negotiations in Ethiopia after more than two years’ crisis and stalemate.
• Contentious and previously unresolved national issues, such as land and economic development; the institutional and constitutional structure of the Ethiopian state; and the best way to ensure equality of ethnic and religious communities, were brought to the fore during the past election cycle. However, after the election, much- needed national dialogue on these matters ended. It must be reinvigorated now that the political opposition’s leaders have been freed.
• Citizen discontent has grown with the caretaker administration in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa and repressive local administrations. Elections for city and local government
must be held. Further delays will undermine any democratic progress.
• The current Parliament includes members of several opposition political parties, though not the leaders who were imprisoned. Both the ruling party and the main opposition parties should make as many visible and meaningful concessions as possible
to their political opponents.
• Ethiopia’s military intervention in Somalia in December 2006, its ongoing military presence in that conflict, and its unchanged, tense border stalemate with Eritrea have contributed to growing violence in the Horn of Africa and stymied domestic democratization.
I

THE REPRESSION IN THE OGADEN MUST BE STOPPED

Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners (SOCEPP), August 14/2007

The regime in Addis Ababa is benefitting from the diplomatic and political support of certain countries that have liked its role as a foot soldier in the so called "war on terror" and it has taken this opportunity to spread terror among the people in Ethiopia. One of the main targets of its wrath are the Ethiopian Somalis living in the Ogaden.

Alleging that it is trying to stamp out an insurgency waged by the Ogaden National Liberation Front and claiming (for the benefit of the West) that the ONLF is allied with the Islamic Courts Militia in Somalia (where the troops of Meles Zenawi are waging a brutal war as an invading force), the soldiers of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi are virtually on a rampage--burning settlements, shooting down cattle and camels, killing innocent civilians. Reports coming from the area highlight gross violation of rights. The regime has expelled the Red Cross from the area and restricted journalists from going to the front to report on what is going on. This is a situation that the ruling front loves with passion-- to commit atrocities away from the public eye. But its crimes have not been covered up.

Certain actions of the ONLF have also been severely criticised.Yet,the main responsibility falls on the regime as its counter insurgency has proved to be nothing less or more than brutality and terror on the people at large. It is worse than its action in Mogadishu and deserves vigorous condemnaton.
SOCEPP calls on peace loving people to call for the immediate cessation of the State Terror against the people in the Ogaden. SOCEPP calls on all Ethiopians to oppose the actions of the regime against the Somalis in the Ogaden. Insurgency is not crushed by indiscriminate violence against innocent people. On the contrary, such violence fans more resistance and compounds the initial problem to no end.
STOP THE REPRESSION AND VIOLENCE IN THE OGADEN!

INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS INJUSTICE EVERYWHERE
SOCEPP, POSTFACH 51213, BERLIN 13372,GERMANY
E MAIL: SOCEPP @AOL.COM
WEB SITE: WWW.SOCEPP.DE

Posted on 14 August 2007 @ 22:59

PRESENTATION AT THE OGDEN YOUTH NETWORK CONFERENCE

August 11, 2007 St Thomas University, St Paul, Minneapolis

Berhane Mewa, former Member of the Kinijit International Leadership (On a personal capacity) breemewa@gmail.com
My Reflection
My appearance today in this gathering is a privilege and an opportunity to meet with concerned,
determined and energetic Ethiopians, I am delighted in many senses. I have lived for the last three years in
the United States and addressed several meetings in different places. In the last two years I was honored to
serve my party Coalition for Unity and Democracy, being a member of the Kinijit International Political
Leadership, which was delegated to execute political and organizational affairs of the Party.
My audience has been all the way supporters and members of the opposition, sympathizers and members of
the EPRDF, critics and even adamant opponents of the party I use to represent. This is my first appearance in
a sub‐regional issue based conference. This is also my first presentation in the last two years, with the
freedom of not being a party delegate and not worried of my political correctness. What excites me most is
that this meeting is called by the youth, the future of the world, the future of Africa and the future of
Ethiopia. What else can make me and all committed citizens happy than the concern and involvement of
the Youth in the affairs of our motherland Ethiopia? Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be
part of this gathering.
Today I am not representing the CUDP party, I am participating on my own

By Ewnetu Ashenafi

Our indifference towards Ethiopia Somalis in Ogaden who suffer from the barbaric acts of genocide perpetrated by the TPLF regime is likely to have a long-term impact on freedom, democracy and Ethiopia’s unity

It is a sad and regrettable fact that Eritrean independence is the result of lack of freedom and democracy in Ethiopia. Are we repeating the same historical mistakes in the Ogaden? One of the historical mistakes that led to the secession of Eritrea from Ethiopia is the lack of statesmanship and political maturity of the then Ethiopian leaders. It seems that we have not yet taken the lessons of the past. What is currently unfolding in the Somali region of Ethiopia is indicative of this fact.

What is currently happening to Ethiopia Somali’s in the Ogaden is totally catastrophic. It is really shocking when one imagines living in Somali region at this time. People are being killed, houses are being burned, women and girls are being raped, young people are routed, kidnapped and killed and the list goes on and on. Oh my God! It is really shocking! The people of Ogaden are paying a high price alone due to the divisive political arrangements of the incumbent regime in Ethiopia.

The issue has now made headlines in the New York Times thanks to the brave work of its journalists. Thank God, the hidden dark work of the Woyanne forces has now come out into the open. It has also entered into the minds of some concerned U.S. officials such as Senator Patrick Leahy. Shouldn’t we be even more concerned about it as Ethiopians?

TPLF is using a combination of war and starvation strategies to force the Somali people to abandon supporting ONLF fighters. TPLF is causing immense damage to the people of Somali region as well as to the unity of Ethiopia in general.

What is even disconcerting is our indifference to the cause of the impoverished Somali people in Ethiopia. Our indifference is due to the wrong perception we have towards the just cause of the people of Ogaden resulting in poor response that do not go beyond mere lip service so far. If our indifference continues, the current crises will escalate to form the basis of another war of independence that is difficult to reverse in its advanced stages. This reminds me of an Ethiopian joke. A hyena came to a group of donkeys lying and sleeping in the dark night. As the hyena starts eating one of them, the victim whispers to others: you guys be quiet, the hyena starts eating me from my legs, not knowing that the hyena would not rest until he sees each one of them devoured one at a time.

The enemy we face is an angry hyena that will pursue each one of us one at a time. The divide and rule tactic is working closely with the divide and hit tactic. TPLF will not rest until it finishes its job of making Ethiopia the then Soviet Union. Meles Zenawi is the Gorbachev of Ethiopia. His Revolutionary democracy is the perestroika that is on its way to complete its job if a regime change does not happen in the short term.

The TPLF would like us to believe that the Ogaden problem is an issue of secession and as such it should be condemned and fought. Surprisingly, many Ethiopians who even oppose the current tyranny fell into this trap. The best way to avoid session is to tackle it at its root. Think of what happened to Eritrea because of the same old war policy of Mengistu Haile-Mariam. The TPLF policy is in fact aimed at fueling the conflict and exacerbating the struggle for session. What is being done has happened and will definitely happen in Oromia, Amhara, the Southern Region, Gambella and other regions of the country. Woyanne is an evil force and anti-Ethiopian in its nature. Its control of governmental powers in Ethiopia makes it even more dangerous not only to Ethiopia but also to east Africa in general.

What we need is a proactive approach to counter the divisive propaganda and action of the Meles regime. We should stand alongside the peace loving people of Ogaden, as they are Ethiopians as we are. We need to identify with them and cry for them before the international community to get attention and support. We need to coordinate our struggle with them for freedom and democracy.

We need to change our perception towards the Somali region of Ethiopia. Let us see the cause of freedom and democracy behind their secessionist movement. Let us not grossly condemn them like we did to Eritrea. The problem in the Ogaden region is part of a larger problem in Ethiopia. It is the lack of democracy and rule of law in Ethiopia.

Let us make it clear to the people of Somali region of Ethiopia and to the international community that what is being perpetrated in Ogaden is the work of TPLF regime. It does not represent the wishes of the Ethiopian people who sees the people of Ogaden as Ethiopian equally subjugated to tyrannical rule in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Somalis urgently need our help in this critical moment. The barbaric acts of TPLF in Ogaden should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. As such, condemning, not supporting, the terrorist acts of TPLF in Ogaden is standing up for human rights, democracy and Ethiopia’s unity.

Ogaden's downward spiral

Rising tensions in the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia, combined with chronic instability in neighbouring Somalia, Eritrean enmity, and human rights concerns, are testing US support for the Addis Ababa government led by Clinton-era good governance pin-up Meles Zenawi.

The Bush administration welcomed the recent release of 38 opposition politicians detained after violent protests over the conduct of elections in 2005. But it has kept quiet over Ethiopia's subsequent expulsion of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) workers from Ogaden's Somali regional state, following claims they were aiding Ogaden National Liberation Front separatists (ONLF).

The ICRC condemned Ethiopia's action, warning it would have "an inevitable, negative impact" on an already impoverished, largely nomadic population. The ONLF claimed the expulsions, and a ban on foreign media, were an attempt to prevent the international community witnessing "the war crimes taking place against the civilians of Ogaden at the hands of the Ethiopian regime".

The rebels also blamed Ethiopian government forces for the killing in a roadside attack on July 29 of two leaders of the main indigenous relief organisation, the Ogaden Welfare and Development Association. Despite Ethiopian denials, the ONLF says the government continues to enforce "a virtual blockade against aid and commercial goods in Ogaden". It has repeatedly called for UN intervention.

Congress's Africa committee endorsed legislation last month that could oblige President Bush to withhold US financial and military assistance to Ethiopia's government unless all political prisoners are freed, freedom of speech and information are respected, and human rights groups can operate unhindered.

"Ethiopia's authoritarian prime minister Meles Zenawi was once a darling of the Clinton administration and has forged close ties the Bush administration. With Washington's blessing, Meles sent troops to Somalia in December to expel the radical Islamic Courts movement linked to al-Qaida," a Washington Post editorial noted. But the paper said the "preposterous" charges against opposition activists, abuses in Somalia and reported atrocities in the "internal war" in Ogaden meant ties might have to be reviewed.

A recent report for the international watchdog Human Rights Watch quoted witnesses describing how Ethiopian troops burned homes and in some cases, killed fleeing civilians.

Human Rights Watch said the separatists were also guilty of serious abuses, a refrain vigorously pursued by the Ethiopian government. "The ONLF, a terrorist group acting in collaboration with the defunct Islamic Courts (in Somalia) and the Eritrean government, has been committing atrocities and human rights violations, including indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians," the foreign ministry said.

Obang Asks, "If Woyane can unify us, why can't we?

"What was very absent [at the OromoConf. in Minnesota] was any sight of the Ethiopian flag, even though Ethiopia was repeatedly referred to in the signs as not having peace, justice or freedom. Instead, almost everyone had an Oromia flag." Community

"I am not disclaiming the horrific injustices that have been done to the Oromo people, but there is another way we can approach this. An example is to have an Oromo flag as well as an Ethiopian flag for I believe that what has happened in Ethiopia cannot be solved by isolating ourselves from Ethiopia as a whole. Ethiopia is like a hut in which we live. If we get hurt inside our hut, we do not have to burn down the entire hut or abandon it, but instead, we work to change or move the thing that hurt you inside the hut.

"If we want to survive as a people, we have to put our humanity before our ethnicity...Until people shed the nation-state reference in Africa, divide and rule and playing off one group against another will prevail." -Obang Metho.

---

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.

I was very pleased to participate because I am fully committed to speak up for the betterment of the Oromo, who I know have been the targets of countless human rights abuses for many years, based on their ethnicity and the desire of each consecutive government to subdue and control this largest of ethnic groups, accounting for 40% of all Ethiopians. These abuses include extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions, torture, disappearances, false imprisonment and threats and intimidation along with more subtle forms of repression reflected in the lack of health services, infra-structure and access to economic, political and educational opportunities.

I was very aware that like the Anuak in the Gambella region, our Oromo neighbors, whose land nearly surrounds us, have suffered so greatly that many Oromos have formed a liberation front and have sought for their independence from Ethiopia in self-protection and in a desire for self-determination. Even though I personally believe in a non-violent solution to the crisis we face, I also would have been very willing to come if the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) had been the ones to invite me to speak as I understand how committed they are in working for the betterment of the Oromo after suffering so greatly and for so many years - first under Haille Selassie, then Mengistu and now under Meles Zenawi! This kind of government that destroys large segments of its own civil society in order to advance their own self-interests, cannot continue and we must look for immediate solutions.

I thank the Oromo political and civic groups for giving me the privilege and honor of presenting my own views on how I believe this war for freedom and justice can be fought. As I make my comments, I do not speak as an expert, an elder or as an Oromo scholar who has been studying this for years. I know that some of you may disagree with me, but this should not interfere with us continuing to struggle together to find common ground where we can work together. We must recognize the truth that as humans, none of us is ever 100% right - only God can be that. I accept that limitation myself so that I may also be open to others as well, just like I am asking of you.

We can easily agree when the Oromo tell us that they have been colonized, hated and enslaved within Ethiopia. We can also agree when the Oromo tell us that they have been denied their rights and called Galla - or slaves, across the country, just like the Anuak or the other darker-skinned ethnic Ethiopian people have been called Baria - or slaves. It is not even necessary to debate this as everyone knows it and these people know it better because they are the ones who have felt the pain! However, if we focus on the past too much, we can never move on as we will never forgive or let go of many justifiable reasons for our anger.

On the other hand, if we forget our past, we will repeat it as we will never learn from our mistakes. Both can lead to a destructive cycle of oppressing or being oppressed - exactly what we have been living with for many years and centuries. Neither option will ever free us. Instead, the question for today is - how can we move on without forgetting, finally getting out of this downward cycle and moving on? I think this conference is a good starting place to have this discussion and this is why I look forward to talking more with you.

After I arrived in the Twin Cities, I met for supper with a number of leaders in the Oromo community, along with non-Oromo westerners. It also was my first opportunity to meet the former President of Ethiopia, Negasso Gidada, an Oromo himself who grew up in Dembedollo about 45 kilometers from Gambella and who is now an elected independent parliamentarian from that area. We all talked, not about politics, but about life in general.

The next day, we went to the rally - “Oromia Shall Be Free,” sponsored by the International Oromo Youth Association with support from other groups as well. The purpose of the rally, as they stated in their literature, “was to address the injustices and hidden ethnic cleansing directed at the Oromo” and “to get fair and balanced media attention on the situation of Oromo refugees in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.” When I arrived at the rally, close to a thousand Oromos were already walking by the Minnesota State Capitol building.

U.S. Senator Feingold writes to Secretary Rice on abuses in Ogaden

Aug 2nd, 2007

U.S. Senator Russ Feingold, chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs, and a bipartisan group of his senate colleagues, sent this letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice regarding human rights abuses committed by the Meles regime's military in the Ethiopia's Ogaden region.

Dr. Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C St. NW
Washington, DC 20520

July 31, 2007

Dear Madam Secretary:

We are deeply concerned by reports of systematic human rights abuses being committed by the Ethiopian military in Ethiopia's Ogaden region. We believe it is the moral and legal duty of the United States to promptly and vigorously investigate these allegations and send clear, consistent messages that there will be serious consequences if these violations of national and international law are proven to be true.

As you know, last month the Ethiopian government announced a crackdown on Ogaden National Liberation Front rebels operating in Ethiopia's eastern Somali region after the rebels attacked a Chinese-run oil exploration field in April. While the threat posed by the rebels is real and increased security measures in the area are warranted, the military's operations appear to go far beyond what can be justified by national security concerns.

A New York Times article published on June 18, 2007, described "a widespread and longstanding reign of terror, with Ethiopian soldiers gang-raping women, burning down huts and killing civilians at will." Although aggressively denied by Ethiopian authorities, reports of murder, torture, rape and village burnings have been corroborated by independent observers and aid groups struggling to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

On July 4, 2007, Human Rights Watch released a statement accusing the Ethiopian military of forcibly displacing thousands of civilians from rural areas to large towns to deny support for the rebels. The Ethiopian government has also imposed a commercial blockade on parts of the region, preventing both normal commercial exchange and the delivery of food aid and other essential humanitarian assistance. The blockade has already provoked serious food shortages and large sectors of the population may face a severe emergency if commercial and humanitarian access is not immediately restored and preserved as the coming rainy season brings the threat of renewed flooding.

For years, the State Department's own Human Rights Country Reports have cited unlawful killings and arbitrary detentions by Ethiopian security forces and police, most of which have never been investigated or resolved. In the meantime, the United States Government has been providing increased non-humanitarian assistance to Ethiopia, with a request to nearly double that support next year.

We understand that the United States has a valuable strategic relationship with the government of Ethiopia. However, we believe it is of fundamental importance to ensure that in our relationships with all governments on the African continent and around the world, the United States demonstrate a steadfast commitment to human rights, good governance, and justice.

We urge you to intensify pressure on the Ethiopian government to respect fundamental human rights norms even as it pursues critical security objectives. We expect that you will keep us appraised of new information regarding the Ethiopian military's operations and conduct in the Ogaden and how the United States is responding.

Thank you for your attention and timely action on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI)
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Senator Joe Biden (D-VT)
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD)
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO)

CC: Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer
CC: Ambassador Don Yamamoto

Ethiopia turns its critics into untouchables

ZOE ALSOP AND NICK WADHAMS

Special to The Globe and Mail

July 27, 2007

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA -- Dressed in a black Adidas track suit and seated amid a comfortable clutter of term papers and political science tomes in his modest office at Addis Ababa University, Prof. Merera Gudina hardly looks like a menace. But, ever since he was elected to parliament two years ago, people have been avoiding him.

There was, for example, the time that local mechanics were too terrified to repair his car when it broke down on the way back from his mother's funeral east of Addis.

THEY ARE OUT

Breaking News

USA - (5:00 AM EST) KIL source announced Kinijit leaders have been released at last. The source said, thousands of people are at kality right now. When Kinijit leaders are being taken from Kaliti by mini-buses, people were flashing the V sign and the traditional 'Eleleta' was heard. The source assumed kinijit leaders have been taken to Sheraton Addis where press conference is taking place.

Ethiopia needs to take seriously democracy and human rights

Editorial, The Wall Street Journal

July 17, 2007 — Let’s play name-that-state. After the EU declared its 2005 elections flawed, this country’s troops killed 193 protestors and arrested 20,000 more. Last week, 42 of the accused were convicted of inciting violence to overthrow the state (down from an original charge of genocide and treason). Thirty-five were condemned to life in prison and forbidden to vote on Monday. Some of the accused were journalists, so their publishing houses were fined and closed.

Did you guess Ethiopia? Probably not, since this African state has often been held up as a pillar of good governance on a troubled continent. In just over a decade, Ethiopia went from military rule to a parliamentary system. But this democracy is on paper only.

The convictions are not an isolated incident, nor are the 42 defendants just any opposition figures. They include the elected mayor of Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, a former Harvard scholar and a former U.N. envoy. They’ve been condemned to the same fate, life in prison, as ousted military strongman Mengistu Hailee Mariam, who is held responsible for the murder of 150,000 academics and university students in two decades in power.

Given the government’s recent record, it’s odd to say the least to see Prime Minister Meles Zenawi advise Tony Blair’s Commission for Africa in 2005 on the future of the continent. Or to hear that the Bush Administration considers Mr. Meles a "staunch ally" in the war on terror for searching out al Qaeda suspects during Ethiopia’s messy military intervention in neighboring Somalia and makes the country a priority recipient of U.S. assistance. (The world last year sent $1.6 billion.)

America needs to work with all kinds of regimes and military cooperation doesn’t always have to be tied to democratic progress. But if Ethiopia wants to become a real ally of the U.S., possibly playing host to the new African Command, it needs to take seriously democracy and human rights.

Human Rights in Ethiopia: Another Casualty of the "War on Terror"?

An Ethiopian court sentenced 35 opposition politicians and activists to life in prison on Monday, AP reports. The prosecution had asked for the death penalty against the defendants, who included Ethiopia's top opposition leaders.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include the leader of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, Hailu Shawel; Berhanu Nega, who was elected mayor of Addis Ababa; former Harvard scholar Mesfin Woldemariam; and former U.N. special envoy and former Norfolk State University professor, Yacob Hailemariam.

Human rights groups condemned the trial as an attempt to silence government critics, and opposition leaders have claimed it was politically motivated.

Where is the U.S. State Department in all of this? Absent without leave. It seems that since Ethiopia is doing the State Department's bidding in Somalia, the U.S. is turning a blind eye to the Ethiopian government's crackdown on dissent. That's what some of the relatives of the prisoners believe. The Washington Post reported on June 12:

The prisoners' families and others have accused the U.S. government of softening criticism of Ethiopia's human rights record in light of the country's recent military intervention to oust a radical Islamic movement in Somalia. The U.S. government supported that intervention.

"The U.S. government will not pressure the government here because they have an interest in Somalia," said a relative of one of the prisoners, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of being harassed by Ethiopian security forces. "It really is a big disappointment."

There is an effort underway in Congress to reform U.S. policy towards Ethiopia to put concern for human rights back on the table. H.R.2003, introduced by Representative Donald Payne, now has 77 sponsors. It would encourage democratic reforms in Ethiopia, beginning with the release of political prisoners. Human rights groups are pressing Congress to take action on the bill before the summer recess.

Unfortunately, the crackdown in Ethiopia hasn't received a lot of attention in the U.S. press. Your Representative needs to hear from you.
...
Take action here.

Breaking news: Court sentences CUD leaders to life imprisonment

Monday, July 16, 2007

Breaking news: Court sentences CUD leaders to life imprisonment

The Federal High Court today sentenced all CUD leaders who were convicted of outrage against the constitution to life imprisonment. The other nine who weren't in CUD leadership got sentences ranging form 1 year and six months to 18 years imprisonment.

The court also decided to take away the political rights of CUD leaders to elect and be elected. It decided that the judicial interdiction is absolute. It means the interdiction is applicable throughout their life time.

Ethiopians in Transformation: Becoming People of Action!

(Part I of a report on the Ethiopian movement for peace, justice and freedom in Europe)
July 14, 2007.
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy
honors God.”
Proverbs 14:31
=====================
In May, I received an invitation from Ana Gomes, the EU Chief Election Observer of the 2005 Ethiopian
National Election to speak at the 13th Session of the African-Caribbean-Pacific- European Union (ACPEU)
Joint Parliamentarian Assembly that would be held in Wiesbaden, Germany, from June 25 to 28.
Ana Gomes told me that it would be a very strategic meeting where approximately 200 parliamentarians
from Africa, the Caribbean Islands, the Pacific Islands and from the European Union would be
represented. She invited me to speak to the group at a general session about human rights and injustice in
Ethiopia, what she believed would be an excellent opportunity because most of the participants would be
coming from Africa. She indicated that the Ethiopian Speaker of the House of Parliament, Tesohme Toga
would be there, along with some others from 179 countries, including the Ethiopian Ambassador to the
European Union, Berhane G. Kirstos.
She said that even though she could speak about the crisis of democracy and human rights problems in
Ethiopia herself, it would have more impact for someone else to address them as an Ethiopian. The
previous year, she explained, someone from Zimbabwe had addressed the assembly regarding the human
rights abuses in that country.
The main topics to be covered at the assembly would include the Millennium Development goals, good
governance, transparency and accountability in relation to the exploitation of natural resources in African,
Caribbean and Pacific countries and human rights and conflicts—such as in Darfur. Other topics would
include HIV, property eradication, the migration of the skilled workers from their respective native
countries and its impact on the country’s national development.
I told her I would come if we could find funding for the travel expenses. We then started searching for
funding. We had sent a letter and word out to the Ethiopian community, seeking funds for the European
trip. The letter was even posted on some of the major websites, such as Ethio-media, but the response was
very disappointing as it resulted in less than $600 being given. However, Ana kept calling and urging me
to come. After a number of Ethiopians in Europe had attempted to find funding without success and when
the meeting was only a few days away, it appeared there was no real prospect of going. In order to get to
the meeting on time, I would have to leave no later than June 23rd. However, by June 22nd, it was obvious
that there was no chance of going, but little did I know, God had a different plan!

Threatened Execution of Ethiopian Opposition Should be Opposed

Washington, D.C.

July 11, 2007

Efforts by the Ethiopian government to sentence 38 Ethiopian opposition activists to death are anathema to democracy and should be opposed by the United States and other democracies in the African Union and around the world, Freedom House said today.

The 38 politicians and activists were convicted last month of “breaching the constitution” during a period of unrest following disputed elections in 2005. They will be formally sentenced next week, and the prosecutor of the case has now called for their execution. Included among the 38 are leaders of the main opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, as well as several members of parliament and the mayor of Addis Ababa, Mr. Berhanu Negga.

“Any government that suggests sentencing its opposition leaders to death in response to legitimate demonstrations of dissent cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, call itself a democracy,” said Paula Schriefer, director of advocacy of Freedom House. “Ethiopia, the seat of the African Union, must demonstrate respect for the rule of law by allowing full freedom of expression and association for members of the political opposition, as well as other citizens.”

While Ethiopian leaders have presented the country as an emerging democracy in an otherwise tumultuous region, the government has been sharply criticized for its response to the protests following the 2005 elections. Scores of civilians aligned with the opposition were killed and thousands more were arrested. The U.S. government has been muted in its criticism of Ethiopia, however, and considers the country an ally in the war on terror.

“The U.S. government clearly needs allies Horn of Africa, but as with all alliances, there is room for criticism,” said Jennifer Windsor, executive director of Freedom House. “The Bush administration’s engagement with Ethiopia should enable it to persuade the Meles government to refrain from such a heinous act of retribution.”

In the 2007 version of Freedom in the World, Freedom House’s annual survey of political rights and civil liberties, Ethiopia was ranked Partly Free. The country received a rating of 5 (on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the lowest) for political rights and a 5 for civil liberties, and was given a downward trend arrow for the government’s repression of opposition protests.

The report also notes that freedom of association in Ethiopia is very limited, and most of the country’s NGOs are reluctant to advocate for policies that may bring them into conflict with the government. Similarly, the press environment is extremely restricted. Freedom House’s Freedom of the Press 2007 survey notes that “the broader political crackdown which began in November 2005 continued to have extremely negative implications for the media” in 2006.

Freedom House, an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expression of freedom around the world, has monitored political rights and civil liberties in Ethiopia since 1972.

Ethiopians in the Ogaden Need Our Help—Let Us Stand United Against the Terrorism of Our People!

By Mr. Obang O. Metho / July 10, 2007 As most Ethiopians come out with outrage to the guilty verdict against the Opposition leaders and other political prisoners, we should come out with outrage to the killing going on in the Ogaden against our fellow Ethiopians living there.

Human Rights Watch and a few others in the international media, like Jeffrey Gettleman of the New York Times, have reported on the numbers of women and children being killed daily by the EPRDF-controlled military. Although the EPRDF Minister of Foreign Affairs, Seyoum Mesfin, used the website Ethio-media—blocked within Ethiopia by his own administration—to berate Gettleman’s report as being outrageously false, we know differently! Lies, in the company of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, are nothing new for this regime!

In that article that appeared on the front page of the Times, Gettleman reported that in addition to women, children and elders being killed, any men—even elders and the young—are seen as a threat. As a result, numbers of them are being killed or arrested for only “looking suspicious.” Villages and homes are being burned and property is being destroyed. Their cattle—the main life support of these nomadic people—are being killed, creating certain suffering and hardship that has led to a humanitarian crisis where many other innocent Ethiopians will die. Now, many thousands are displaced, without food and basic necessities, and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces are preventing humanitarian supplies from reaching them.

Justifying their actions because of the recent attack on the Chinese oil workers by the ONLF, the EPRDF-controlled military, with all their weapons and equipment, are now intensifying their attacks on helpless, unarmed and vulnerable people. They seem not to care that they are merely targeting proxy victims rather than those in the ONLF. Do not think that such killing of innocent civilians was not going on preceding the attack on the Chinese. Instead, this aggression against the Ogadenis by the EPRDF has been going on for 17 years, but with much greater intensity in the last months and year since the invasion of Somalia and the discovery of oil and petroleum in their region.

It is not surprising that the ONLF resistance movement has taken more serious steps in an attempt to stop the destruction of their people. In fact, some might make the case that the ONLF is acting in self-defense against government forces that are destroying them in order to gain access to their natural resources. They are not alone. During the Meles regime, many insurgency and separatist groups have arisen in response to the brutal oppression by the current regime of the EPRDF.

We strongly condemn this widespread killing, rape, torture, arbitrary detention and destruction of property that the EPRDF-led military troops are perpetrating against Ethiopians in the Ogaden region of our country. It is beginning to look like an ethnic cleansing. We condemn any violence against civilians by any groups, but what is shocking is the hypocrisy of the EPRDF who condemns the ONLF while committing worse atrocities itself! They have asked the US State Department to add the ONLF to the list of terrorist international organizations. Does the same apply to them?
Some day they may be standing in International Criminal Court for charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Therefore, we ask, on what moral authority can the EPRDF stand in accusation of others over the same terrorism that they are ruthlessly perpetrating against Ethiopian citizens?

Remembering back to 2003 in the Gambella region, the situation is nearly identical to what happened to the Anuak. At that time, the human rights abuses against the Anuak started simultaneously with the oil drilling activities of the Chinese oil company, Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau (ZPEB). In a well-calculated plan, EPRDF-controlled military troops and militia groups massacred Anuak leaders who had spoken against being excluded from the oil development plans in their region. This followed many years of federal control over the affairs of the Gambella region.

Puzzled

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Puzzled

(by Ethio-Zagol)
Having read Sean McCormack's interview, I am asking linguistic wizards, analytical philosophers or even lawyers to tell me what the following really means:

We call on the Ethiopian government and High Court to take action in making a
final sentencing determination, which is consistent with the greater objectives
of bolstering the rule of law and promoting much-needed reconciliation.

Is there a possibility that punishment of "treasonous criminals" by death is consistent with the two objectives read together? If there is a theoretical possibility that the objectives of bolstering the rule of law and promoting reconciliation which is much needed- not necessary- read together are consistent with the punishment of "treasonous criminals" by death, I am wondering whether there is a possibility that the US may support, or at least not oppose, the decision of the high court, and then ultimately the Ethiopian government, if a death sentence is made?

Comment....Until Yammamoto can go in and out his office peacefully, the US will never be interested in justice or human rights in Ethiopia. In short, they are encouraging violence instead peaceful struggle.

Zenawi’s “Report to the House of People’s Representatives

An Analysis and Commentary
Alemayehu G. Mariam 7/2/2007

A Note of Full Disclosure to the Reader:

This analysis/commentary is written at the behest of numerous individuals and
organizations who wanted to hear my views on Zenawi’s recent speech presented in the
form of a “report” to his “House of People’s Representatives”1.
In the past, I have deferred to the commentary and scrutiny of independent local
media sources and opposition political groups for enlightenment on Zenawi’s
shenanigans. I reluctantly agreed to comment on this “report” now for two reasons. First,
since independent journalists and opposition leaders in Ethiopia -- that is, the voice of the
people -- remain muzzled in jails and prisons, I thought it my moral duty to “stand in” and
stand up for them, and let the world know that though they may be in the belly of Zenawi’s
dungeons, THEY ARE NEITHER ALONE NOR VOICELESS! WE ARE STANDING
BY THEM!
Second, I believe there will be wide-ranging conversation on freedom, democracy
and human rights within and without Ethiopia following the release of the prisoners of
conscience. I am acutely aware of the gamesmanship surrounding their release, and even if
they are not released, the GAME IS OVER for Zenawi. Beyond that, I believe it is
necessary to challenge Zenawi not only for his actions and omissions, but also for his ideas
and vision, if he indeed he has any, for Ethiopia. And so, here is my analysis and
commentary…
Zenawi’s Mantra: Peace, Development and Good Governance
The central themes in Zenawi’s report to the “House” consist of the trilogy of
clichés he has been tediously harping about for the last decade and half: peace,
development and good governance. The “report” is a self-graded, self-serving statement
intended to chronicle his achievements on these issues over the past year, and rationalize
the “government’s action plans” and “implementation of strategies for peace, development
and good governance.”
Let me say at the outset that this report-cum-speech is one of the most desultory and
confusing statements I have ever read by anyone purporting to be a political leader. The
“report” is full of platitudes about peace. It is unimaginative about development; and it
lacks fresh ideas about good governance.

PRESS LINK FOR MORE

ETHIOPIA-TREND AND CONFLICT MARCH-APRIL 2007

PLEASE READ THIS ARTICLE FROM SWISS PEACE. AN ORGANIZATION MONITORING TROUBLED NATIONS LIKE ETHIOPIA. IT IS A GOOD ASSESSMENT TO READ FOR MOST WHO ARE FOLLOWING THE POLITICAL SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA.

No negotiation with Kaliti prisoners" - Meles

Thursday, June 28, 2007

"No negotiation with Kaliti prisoners" - Meles

PM says prisoners will be sentenced

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says there has been no negotiation with the imprisoned CUD leaders. "Negotiation can only be made with two free persons. There can be no negotiation between an organ which has imprisoned the CUD members because they broke the law, and the prisoners on the respect for the rule of law, " Meles Zenawi said in Parliament today.
The Prime Minister was adamant that the issue of clemency can't be discussed in parliament before the court delivers its sentence on the prisoners as it affects the decision of the court.

EZ's view:
From Meles' statement, there is no possibility that the prisoners will be released before the sentencing which will either be a rigorous imprisonment or death. Last week, I wrote that the prisoners would be released this week unless Meles, the serial liar, backed down. He has done that again.

HR 2003 POSTPONED?????????????????????

THE OTHER SIDE

I can't believe that they have decided to postpone bill HR 2003!

According to sources, as soon as the remaining prisoners signed the negotiation statement, mediator Professor Ephrimim rushed to the United States for a meeting with the State Department, insisting that the bill be postponed in order to ensure the release of the prisoners.

This is truly amazing--Meles is holding his own people hostage while negotiating with the world's superpower. Even more remarkable--the US seems to be
actually negotiating with these tyrants (as if the prisoners themselves were American citizens)!

It makes no sense, and makes me wonder if the govn't had no intention of releasing the prisoners at all, intending to use the agreement as insurance in the face of future condemnation.


**I just received word that tomorrow's court session will be closed to the public and they will be meeting in chambers instead. Something very unsettling is going on here.
(I will post again when I get more information.)

Ethiopia rebels say govt kills 40 in air raids

NAIROBI, June 25 (Reuters) - Rebels in Ethiopia's remote eastern Somali region accused the government on Monday of using warplanes to bomb three villages, killing around 40 people, in an escalating offensive against the insurgents.

The government said it had the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) "on the run", but denied using planes during fighting in the poor and arid region on the border of Ethiopia and Somalia in the Horn of Africa.

An ONLF spokesman said as well as the victims of air raids, 57 more civilians had died in the past 10 days or so of battles.

"This is a big offensive, mostly targeting the population because they cannot beat us," Abdirahman Mahdi, an ONLF founder member and now its UK-based spokesman, told Reuters.

"We hear from our commanders that they carpet-bombed three villages -- Abaaqorow, Dar es Salaam, and Ayun -- with MiG jets last Thursday. About 40 civilians died. Another 57 died in other incidents."

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced a crackdown against the ONLF, one of several guerrilla groups fighting his government from remote corners of the vast nation.

The ONLF drew international attention with an April raid on a Chinese-run oil exploration field that killed 74 people.

That was one of the bloodiest attacks in a sporadic but long-running conflict between government forces and the ONLF, which seeks more autonomy for the underdeveloped region.

Jailed CUD Leaders 'to be freed'

A group of 38 Ethiopian opposition leaders Accused 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.

Their friends and relatives went on Monday morning to the town of Kaliti where they are being held but were disappointed when they were not freed.

The 38 were convicted earlier this month but have not yet been sentenced.

They were originally charged with treason and genocide - charges which sparked international outrage.

Secret deal

KINIJIT CANADA PRESS RELEASE

KINIJIT CANADA PRESS RELEASE REGARDING THE SITUATION WITH KIL

READ RESOLUTION IN AMHARIC

BREAKING NEWS

Friday, June 22, 2007

Agreed!

CUD leaders in prison have finally agreed to sign the proposal sent by Meles last week. If Meles doesn't, as he usually does, back down from his own proposal, our heroes will be out of prison next week. There are additional lines in the proposal including that the partial acceptance of responsibility and admission of mistake have no legal consequences.
This is a political agreement. Meles has got his face-saving agreement, and the prisoners have in turn got his admission that the court was wrong. And more; their release from the rotten concentration camp called Kaliti. Still we don't know whether Meles who is a serial breaker of agreements will uphold this one.
(fingers crossed...or may be not)

Not yet...Prisoners haven't signed release papers

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Not yet...Prisoners haven't signed release papers

Stephanie McCrummen of WaPo wrote today that some of the prisoners have signed Meles' proposal. Read it here. The report isn't very accurate. I think the American officials in Addis whom she quoted and EPRDF are trying to spin this even before an agreement is reached. I hope all will be resolved today. Meles has come some way in this last round. Although the terms are still short of what we expect ideally, and although negotiating under duress is unjust, I think this one is can be accepted without compromising basic principles.

It is 4:50 in the afternoon here in Addis Ababa. The mediators are in Kaliti right now talking to the prisoners. Now that it it is broken, this is what has really happened so far.

Friday, 15 June

Meles sent a proposal to the prisoners outlining his intention to use his executive powers to release them. There were two main points in the proposal which differentiates in from his previous terms.
1. The terms "fault" and "guilt" were substituted by "mistake". The proposal states that the CUD leaders admit that they have committed mistakes after the election, and that they take partial responsibility to the consequences of the mistakes including the violence in October.
2. Meles says that he doesn't accept the "guilty" verdict by the court.

Caveat: The proposal is a "take it or leave it."

Monday, 18 June

Representatives of the prisoners debated about the proposal. Hailu Shawel(the chairman of the CUD) and Birtukan Mideksa(Vice chairwoman) rejected it. Dr. Yacob Hailemariam, Birhanu Nega and Muluneh Eyuel, Gizachew Shiferaw and Hailu Araya were just debating the pros and cons of the proposal without making their decision known.

Tuesday, 19 June

Hailu and Birtukan haven't changed their stance. The others said that once the two had decided civility, solidarity and the idea of practical public reason won't allow them to sign the document unless there is a consensus among the prisoners. The legal and political debates regarding signing the proposal continued.

Wednesday, 20 June

Hailu Shawel and Birtukan haven't changed their mind, and the others weren't willing to sign the paper. Late afternoon, the talks seems faltering. With the mediators except Ephrem Isaac giving up hope.

Today

The mediators are still there. The morning went the same as yesterday. But in the afternoon, all of the prisoners(not only the representatives) have met to debate on the issue.

Again, I believe this is an agreement our heroes can take. Meles' statement that he doesn't accept the guilty verdict of the court creates a false division between the executive and the judiciary. However, it is very valuable politically for the CUD leaders and the pro-democracy movement. This is just my opinion. It has nothing to do with the decicion of the leaders. I know they will decide what is best for the country as they usually do.

I don't like the way it is spinned by the US officials here though.
(more to come...)