By Engidu Woldie
ESAT News
August 27, 2016

Bure and Quarit have become the latest towns in the Amhara region to join the protest against the brutal regime of TPLF that has now faced resistance from all corners of the Amhara and Oromo regions of Ethiopia.

One person was killed by TPLF forces on Friday in Bure while at least three others sustained injury as the forces rained bullets on the crowd of protesters, according to sources who spoke to ESAT. But the number of people killed in Bure could be two, sources told ESAT.

Stone throwing protesters in Bure attacked businesses affiliated with the regime, while in Quarit, protesters set a portrait of the late dictator, Meles Zenawi, on fire sending a message that they had enough of the regime. They have also hoisted the Ethiopian flag, replacing the loathed flag of the regime.

Sources said the local police were just watching and did not attack the protesters. In the Amhara region, local police and militia do not shoot at protesters. Armed Special Forces of the TPLF from Tigray were the ones perpetrating the killings, according to witnesses who spoke to ESAT.

In the town of Abdrafi, Special Forces from Tigray shot and killed a respected businessman Ato Tayachew as well as a member of the local force, Ato Berjalew who sided with the protesters and refused to take orders from the Tigrayan commanders. TPLF agents had kept an eye on Ato Berjalew and had been followed closely before he was killed on Friday.

Having heard the news, residents of Abdrafi quickly picked up their arms and perused the forces from Tigray who took a hide in the nearby forest. One person who goes by the name Kiros was killed in the shootout. The exchange of fire between the two sides continued throughout the day, according to witnesses.

Meanwhile, a member of the 24th division of the regime’s defense force confided to ESAT that Oromo and Amhara commanders of the army in north Gondar have quit their posts refusing to give orders to shoot at protesters. Their decision came after the killing of three commanders and the desertion by a group of seventy members of the army. Similarly, according to the source, army members of Oromo and Amhara origin have told their higher ups that they would not shoot at protesters. The Oromo and Amhara members of the army were confronting the Tigray commanders saying the role of the army should be to defend the sovereignty of the nation, not to shoot at protesters.

The source said the TPLF regime brought Special Forces from Tigray and dress them in the army’s uniform to carry out the killings of protesters in the Amhara region.

There has been an increase in the number of desertion in the army over the last several weeks. Military gears and other arms have been found in the bushes in Woleka and Genet localities which sources say belonged to the deserting soldiers.

Protest against the TPLF regime in the Amhara region has been spreading quickly to more towns; and some localities have been freed from the regime’s administrative control. They had set up their own administration that is comprised of respected members of the community.

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For more, check ESAT

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August 27,2016

Addis Ababa Federal Police is stopping residents randomly and searching back-bags and brief cases this afternoon.

There is no planned protest in Addis Ababa for this weekend. Not clear as to what motivated random searches.

Many neighbourhoods in Addis Ababa have reportedly experienced similar situation today.

Neighbhourhoods like Qechene and ares adjacent to the British embassy were totally rounded by Federal police and roads were blocked.

The political situation has been tense in Ethiopia for several months now and as many as 1000 civilians are killed in all parts of the counrty.

Meanwhile, protest in Gojam continued. Today, the town of Dembecha witnessed massive protest.

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August 22,2016

Almaz Ayana made history at Rio Olympic by shattering world record in 10,000 meters distance when she finished the distance in 29:17:45 minutes slicing off 14:33 seconds from the world record set in 1993 by a Chinese athlete.

Many Ethiopians expected that Almaz Ayana will do same in the 5000 meters distance. Almaz herself expected to win gold medal. In some cases, the talk was whether Almaz could break world record in 5000 meters as well or not. The result turned out to be different.

Two laps into the finishing line Almaz Ayana could no longer maintain her lead, it was about 50 meters ahead of the rest of the athletes, and was passed by Kenaya athlete Vician Cheriout who claimed gold in the distance.

Almaz had to settle for Bronze medal in the distance which many Ethiopians rather consider it to be decent performance owing to her exhausting races in the 10,000 meters final and 5,000 meters preliminary heat. She dominated most of the laps by leading even the leading athletes during the 5000 meters event at Rio.

Almaz felt somewhat guilty for not winning gold in the 5000 meters and asked apology from Ethiopians. She’s already very respected. And her apology got Ethiopians talking about her humility and sense of responsibility. Response of Ethiopians? “No Almaz, you actually did everything you could and made history; we love you.” Indeed, Ethiopia seem to be happy about her performance.

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August 27,2016

Addis Ababa Federal Police is stopping residents randomly and searching back-bags and brief cases this afternoon.

There is no planned protest in Addis Ababa for this weekend. Not clear as to what motivated random searches.

Many neighbourhoods in Addis Ababa have reportedly experienced similar situation today.

Neighbhourhoods like Qechene and ares adjacent to the British embassy were totally rounded by Federal police and roads were blocked.

The political situation has been tense in Ethiopia for several months now and as many as 1000 civilians are killed in all parts of the counrty.

Meanwhile, protest in Gojam continued. Today, the town of Dembecha witnessed massive protest. One person is reportedly killed.

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August 29,2016

Chair man of All Ethiopian Unity Party, Adane Tilahun, told voice of America Amharic services six civilians are killed in a fresh attack on civilians in two towns in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Debretabor where three of the victims are killed has been under stay at home protest for the past several days.

On the other hand, Durbete where another three civilians are killed led a street protest ; condemned the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front. As in many other protests in many other towns in the region, protesters in Durbete trashed flag introduced by TPLF government and hoisted Etiopia’s historical flag.

In a similar development, protesters in Dembecha blocked road leading to Debre Markos city. Reports in social media says the town of Dembecha was under attack by Agazi forces for most part of the day.

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Cover photo : Debre Markos protest/file

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August 29,2016

According to Breaking News coverage by ESAT and social media report on facebook, a huge street protest broke out in Bahir Dar – capital of region three of Ethiopia.

Agazi forces are apparently deployed in different parts of the city and gunshot is heard -anonymous eyewitnesses from Bahir Dar told ESAT on the phone.

The extent of causality is not known at this writing. On August 7, at least 40 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured following a shoot-to-kill violent attack by loyal Agazi forces of the minority regime in Ethiopia.

For the past couple of days, Bahir Dar was under strict stay at home protest. Today’s massive protest was not known beforehand.

Similar protests happened in smaller towns in the region yesterday. Durbete and Dembecha towns say big demonstration. At least three civilians were reported killed in Durbete town.

Debre Tabor, a bigger town in Southern Gonder saw similar protest following three days of organized stay at home protests. Like in Durbete, three civilians are reported dead yesterday.

According to prominent activists from the region, the movement in Amhara region of Ethiopia is about ensuring that Amhara people are not more exterminated by the minority regime. The demand about Wolqaite is a core message in the movement.

Research based study released sometime in 2015 revealed that an estimated 2.5 to 3 million Amhara people were systematically exterminated over the period of two decades after the minority Tigray regime took power in Ethiopia.

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Cover Photo : Bahir Dar protest /file

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August 29,2016

A truck on its way to the town of Adiarqay in North Western Ethiopia carrying 550 cases of beer is stopped by protesters.

Protesters used plastic beer cases to block road in an apparent move to impede mobility of ruling party’s most loyal tool of violent repression – Agazi forces.

In a related development, according to ESAT news, authorities in Bahir Dar seem to be escaping from the city after massive protest broke out yesterday. Individuals who are believed to be serving the minority regime seem to be threatened by protesters.

Those who have a role in the killings of civilians in some form are losing their homes to arson by angry protesters.

Meanwhile, some sources claim that more than 10 civilians are killed in the last two days in Bahir Dar. But ESAT reported only 4 cases of death in Bahir Dar.

Despite widespread killings and deployment of TPLF loyal forces, protests in North Wesetern Ethiopia is getting momentum and getting furious at the same time.

Five days of meeting by the ruling party failed to come up with concrete positive response to legitimate demands of people.

Check back for more updates.

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By Engidu Woldie
ESAT News
August 30, 2016

The blue skies over the city of Bahir Dar were covered in smokes on Monday, on this deadly day of protest against TPLF oligarchy, as people in the Amhara region of Gondar and Gojam intensified their defiance against the Tigrayan minority rule. Trails of smokes were rising all day into the skies of the city of Bahir Dar as protesters burnt tires on the streets and set ablaze businesses affiliated with the regime as well as houses of officials and spies of the regime.

Several towns and localities in the Amhara region were declared free of the control of the TPLF regime and the people in these areas have established their interim administration and security led by religious figures and elders.

In Gondar, between Hamusit and Wereta, on a bridge called Gumara, 7 members of the federal police and 4 farmers were killed in a gun battle on Monday. Four people were also reportedly killed by regime forces in Simada.

The stay-at-home protest in Bahir Dar turned into a street protest when regime forces attacked a group of vigilante youth who were raising funds and helping the poor in the city. The residents then took to the streets and burned tires and attacked businesses affiliated with the regime. At least four people were shot and killed by regime forces in Bahir Dar on Monday and several others were wounded.

Main roads connecting Bahir Dar, the political and business hub of northern Ethiopia and the seat of the Amhara regional government, were closed on Monday and gunfire could be heard all day, according to sources who spoke to ESAT. High ranking officials of the region and their families flew to Addis Ababa on Monday, according to a source who spoke to ESAT.

Details are scanty but in Tis Abay, in a place called Genji, 30 kms from Bahir Dar, armed farmers have engaged regime forces in gun battle.

In Meshenti town, two horticultural farms were set on fire by protesters, turning the flower fields into ashes. One
person is feared dead in Meshaenti in Monday’s protest. The town of Merawi declared itself free from the TPLF rule as local officials and police have left the town. Protesters burnt the houses of the officials and police as well as businesses affiliated with the TPLF.

Similarily, in Dangla, protesters burnt houses and businesses belonging to the local administrators and search by the protesters into the house of a notorious police known for his cruelty found that he has hidden 50 quintals of sugar, 50 containers of edible oil as well as 4 weapons. Residents set the officer’s house and vehicle on fire. Also burnt to the ground was a house belonging to a member of the TPLF who shot and injured several people.

In Gondar, Amba Giorgis, residents stopped a truck loaded with 500 cases of beer, dump the beer and used the plastic cases to block the highway. Two trucks carrying 32 cattle were also stopped at Amba Giorgis. The trucks were let go after the residents confiscated the cattle. The beer and cattle trucks were targeted by the protesters as the businesses belong to the regime business empire.

In Belesa, armed farmers in 11 buses were heading to Maksegnit to back up the residents of the town who were under attack by regime forces. A standoff ensued and continued for hours on Monday when regime forces stopped the buses.
North Gondar, South Gondar, West Gojam, Awi and East Gojam are areas in the Amhara region that were freed from TPLF control over the weekend. Protesters in theses towns and localities have replaced the regime flag with the Ethiopian flag.

The regime meanwhile sent over 2000 Agazi Special Forces to the Amhara region over the weekend to squash the ongoing protest. The people in the Amhara region were alerted on the coming of the forces and they have blocked main highways reaching several towns in the region.

What began few weeks ago as a protest against the forceful incorporation of the people of Wolkait, Tegede and Telemt, and their land into the Tigray region has now grown into a demand for the removal of the brutal regime in Addis Ababa, where Tigrayans control every aspect of the lives of the people. Protesters in Amhara and Oromo regions demand for the end of a complete domination of the country by one ethnic group that represents only 5% of the population.

At least 700 people in the Oromo region and 200 in the Amhara have been brutally murdered by TPLF forces.

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For more information, please check ESAT

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September 1,2016

By Engidu Woldie
ESAT

An over 250 regime soldiers deserted the army in Sanja, Amhara region following a brief gun battle with local farmers. A source who spoke to ESAT on the phone said some of them have actually surrendered during the fight with the farmers. The soldiers deserted with dozens of artilleries and medium range rifles and have now sided with the locals who are fighting the TPLF forces.

The regime in the last two days have sent over 2000 soldiers and Agazi Special Forces to the Amhara region; but their journey came to an abrupt stop at Checheho, Gaint where locals demolished a bridge, halting the movement of the troops further into Gojam and Gondar where over 200 people were killed by the TPLF forces in the last few weeks of uprising.

In Metema, a border town with the Sudan, several houses belonging to officials and spies of the regime were set on fire. At least 10 people were killed and 20 others injured as regime forces shot indiscriminately at protesters.

In Debark, Gondar, 4 people were killed and 17 injured by TPLF soldiers who went on a revenge attack against protesters who on Monday set on fire a truck loaded with flour and oil heading to Tigray. On Wednesday, following a burial for the deceased, protesters set ablaze the houses of the mayor, the security chief as well as others who took part in beating protesters.

In the town of Gondar, 21,000 students of Gondar University left the campus and went home quitting classes for the rest of the semester in protest for the killing of two students by the regime and to show solidarity with the people of Gondar.

In Amba Giorgis, a town which saw the brutality of TPLF forces this week, a mother searching for her lost child was shot and killed in the street, igniting a gun battle between the militia and police on one side and the local farmers on the other. Eight police and 12 farmers were found injured after the dust settled in Amba Giorgis.

In Bahir Dar, farmers, whose land was given to foreign companies by the regime, set two horticultural farms and machineries on fire. There was an eerie of silence one minute and deafening gun shots in another in Bahir Dar on Wednesday where residents generally continued their stay-at-home protests.
Debre Markos, a town that is completely besieged by regime forces, residents have begun a five day stay-at-home protest.

Several towns and villages in the Amhara region have removed local administrations which were accountable to the regime and replaced them with interim administrations run by religious leaders and other respected members of the community.

Weeks of uprising in the Amhara region continues as the Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn said he had ordered regime forces to squash protests in the Amhara region in what many see as a war declared on the Amharas.

The chief of staff, Samora Yunis is in Gondar holding meetings with local officials, it was learnt. Close observers of the crises say the regime military officials might have mulled over setting a military administration in the Amhara region.

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For more, check ESAT
Cover photo : Screenshot from ESAT video

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By Engidu Woldie
ESAT
September 2,2016

The TPLF regime is using a civilian airlines, The Ethiopian Airlines, to transport its army to the Amhara region where hundreds of people were murdered by TPLF snipers in the last few weeks alone. The TPLF forces got the shoot to kill order by regime officials including the Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, who said on Wednesday that he had ordered security forces to use deadly force against protesters in the Amhara region who demanded an end to the tyrannical regime. A number of Ethiopian bloggers and political commentators say the Premier’s statement tantamount to a war declared on the people of Amhara.

A source from Bahir Dar who spoke to ESAT said over a thousand troops have arrived at the city airport on Thursday and had received instructions from the Chief of Staff, Samora Yunis, who established a command post in the city two days ago. The forces were warned against mingling with the public, the source said.

Meanwhile, the killings by TPLF forces against civilians in the Amhara region continued on Thursday as dozens of people lost their lives in the hands of the brutal forces.

In Amba Giorgis, TPLF forces shot and killed at least 26 people in the last two days alone. An eyewitness told ESAT that he suspect some of the soldiers were mercenaries bought by the regime to carry out the massacre. The source did not say about the origins of the mercenaries but residents of Amba Giorgis believe they were Sudanese border security turned mercenaries by the TPLF. The forces also went door to door, beating residents. Most of the youth in Amba Giorgis were hiding in nearby forest to escape the massacre, the witness said adding that the town was under a complete siege by the forces.

In Metema, a town bordering Sudan, regime forces killed at least 10 and wounded 20 on Wednesday. Telephone lines were cut on Thursday and ESAT could not reach its sources for updates.
In Chagni, Awi zone, 2 people were killed and 7 injured as TPLF forces shot indiscriminately at the residents.
The town of Abderafi with 20,000 residents was totally besieged by the forces. Roads were blocked by the forces who moved artilleries and tanks into the town.

Prisoners escaped from a prison in Debretabor as it caught fire on Thursday. It was not clear how many of the prisoners had managed to escape but prison guards were seen shooting at the detainees who were running away from the fire. Gun fire could be heard all day in Debretabor.

In the meantime, 3,500 members of the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), a member of the ruling coalition EPRDF, walked out of a meeting called by officials of the regime. The meeting in Dessie was presided over by Amb. Genet Zewdie and Minister of Industry, Ahmed Abitew who said the irredentism by the people of Wolkait, Tegede and Telemt was orchestrated by outside forces bent on removing the regime by force. Angered by his remark, the over 3,500 members walked out of the meeting.

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Check ESAT for more information

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September 3,2016

Toronto – In an update Popular singer Abby Lakew wrote on her facebook page, she announced that Ethiopian New Year concerts in cities in the United States are cancelled.

Abby won so thousands of fans after she released her Amharic single “Yene habesha” -translates to “my habesah.” Although some people demonstrate reservation in the use of the noun habehsa on grounds related to perception of the name in the Middle East, majority of Ethiopians use it with passion and think of it as a name that represents pride and invincibility.

Seemingly tickets were ready for sale and advertising works well under way for concerts in Dallas, Chicago,Atlanta and Las Vegas. Ethiopian New year falls on September 11 of the Gregorian Calendar. A week before and after the new year day are normally festive. But this year Ethiopia is stricken by tragedy following armed forces killed hundreds of civilians.

“Prayer is the best answer against all trials and now it’s time to pray! Let’s all pray for Ethiopia. Let’s all play for my people…” wrote singer Abby.

In what appears to be outrage about civilians killings that has been going on in most parts of Ethiopia, recently intensified in Amhara and Oromo regions of Ethiopia, Abby wrote what regime supporters could understand as a political statement : “All people should be treated equally, with the same rights, dignity and human rights.”

Armed forces with heavy weaponry, artillery and tanks, were mobilized and deployed to Amhara region of Ethiopia against popular revolt with the demanded for an end to corrupt and tyrannical Tigray Peopole Liberation Front (TPLF) led government. Many activists accuse the regime of committing genocide against Amhara people.

In the past couple of days alone at least 40 civilians are killed. Many more cases of unreported causalities are expected due of communication black out imposed by the regime in the area.

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Associated Press
Published on September 5,2016

JUBA, South Sudan – The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says her country has raised “grave concerns” about what it calls excessive use of force against protesters in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Samantha Power spoke to reporters late Sunday as the U.N. Security Council ended a visit to South Sudan. It moves on to Ethiopia on Monday for talks with African Union officials.

Power called the violence in Ethiopia “extremely serious” and called for a transparent and independent investigation. She said the U.S. has asked the government to allow people to protest peacefully.

Ethiopia has seen months of sometimes deadly protests calling for wider freedoms, while the government has been accused of killings, beatings and internet blockages.

The AU last week for the first time expressed concern about the recent unrest in its host country.

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Cover Photo : File/borkena

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By Engidu Woldie
ESAT
September 8, 2016

Families of Qilinto prisoners who demanded the regime to disclose the identities of political prisoners who were reportedly shot and killed by security forces on Saturday at the prison were beaten and briefly detained by regime’s security forces. The families who went to Qilinto on Wednesday also demanded the prison administration to disclose the whereabouts of the thousands of inmates who were transferred to other federal prisons and undisclosed locations following the killings and arson at the prison.

According to reports reaching ESAT, security forces have beaten and detained the families who went to Qilinto having heard that an announcement with names of the prisoners and their current locations have been posted. The families were met with brutal force before they reach Qilinto and were severely beaten and some detained, while others held a rally demanding information about their loved ones.

A mother of a prisoner who spoke to ESAT on the phone said she was beaten and detained for nine hours for demanding the whereabouts of her son and inquiring if her son had been one of the prisoners killed on Saturday. “I was just asking them to let me take my son’s body if they had killed him already,” the weeping mother told ESAT. “It has been five days and I don’t know where my son is and if he is alive or dead.”

A mother of a deceased prisoner told ESAT that she was given the body of her 18 year old son by a hospital in Addis Ababa with no explanation whatsoever as to the cause and the manner of the death.

The TPLF regime has so far refused to disclose the identities of those shot and killed on Saturday and the list of prisoners who were transferred to other federal prisons and secrete locations.

Reliable sources allege the arson on Saturday had actually been deliberately started by the prison security after they shot and killed four prisoners. The majority were shot dead by snipers from a guard tower as the inmates run away from the flames to save their lives. Some were actually shot and killed as they try to dowse the fire that gutted down the maximum security prison where an estimated 3000 prisoners were held. Prison sources said the fire was started as a cover-up for the extrajudicial killings at the prison. The fire was said to be raging for eight hours even when there were fire departments close by.

Hospital sources on Monday told ESAT that they have received 60 bodies from Qilinto prison on Saturday and doctors confirmed that all of the victims died from gunshot wounds. Their bodies were riddled with bullets, according to the doctors.

The regime said in a statement on Sunday that only one person was killed but in a contradicting statement on Tuesday, it disclosed that 23 prisoners were killed in the arson.

This is the third time in a year when a prison filled with political prisoners catches fire. A prison in Gondar and Debretabor caught fire as the brutal forces of the TPLF shot at inmates who were trying to run away from the fire. Prison sources said the arsons were deliberately set by TPLF prison security as a cover-up to the killings of political prisoners.

A fire that broke out at the Kality prison nine years ago killed at least 150 prisoners. Hundreds of political prisoners including the then leaders and members of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, a.k.a Kinijit were jailed in Kality after they won the national election in a landslide. The regime was accused of rigging the election. Security forces killed 198 demonstrators in Addis Ababa who demanded their votes be respected, and opposition political leaders were put behind bars following the election in 2005.

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Check out ESAT News for more information about this report.

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By Engidu Woldie
ESAT
September 8, 2016

The Oromo Democratic Front (ODF) and Patriotic Ginbot 7 for Unity and Democracy (PG7) said on Thursday that removing the tyrannical regime and replacing it with a democratic government is the ultimate goal of the ongoing struggle by the Ethiopian people.

The parties said in a joint statement that there was no other option for the Ethiopian people than strengthening the struggle against the iron fist regime and replace it with an all-inclusive government.

The statement recalled the killings perpetrated against political prisoners in Qilinto prison last week, calling it an act of cruelty. It said the vicious killings in Qilinto was the latest in a series of crimes committed by the regime against the people it claimed to represent. That act, the statement said, should galvanize the people to accelerate their struggle against the ruthless regime.

The statement said the regime has been pitting the people against each other for the last 25 years to stay in power, but the people in the Oromo and Amhara regions have, in recent protests, shown solidarity rejecting the divisive policies of the autocratic regime.

The two parties said it was high time that other Ethiopian opposition groups came together and join the struggle launched by the people to remove tyranny once and for all.

ODF and PG7 announced last month that they have formed an alliance to move the struggle to the next level and bring other parties under one umbrella.

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Check ESAT

Cover Photo : Patriotic Ginbot 7 and ODF logo
Source : ESAT. Only about 5 years old, ESAT has become primary source of information in Ethiopia and for Ethiopians outside of Ethiopia as well.

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September 9,2016

Toronto – For nearly a year now, fans and Amharic music lovers alike were anticipating that Teddy Afro – arguably most talented and respected singer of this generation – would release song in the Ethiopian new year (just three days away).

Today, Teddy Afro made news ,somehow this was expected too,that he postponed new CD release which was meant to happen in the Ethiopian new year. The decision resonated well with Ethiopians and earned Teddy Afro an even more respect.

Reason? Ethiopians are mourning brutal killings of hundreds of civilians in the Amhara and Omoria regions of Ethiopia after the ruling Tigray People Liberation Front party deployed armed forces with “shot to kill” order against civilian protesters.

The belief that it is not time for music and celebration ; it is time to mourn fellow Ethiopians who are indiscriminately killed for protesting peacefully seem to have taken root.

Nearly all renowned singers in Ethiopia and outside of the country have cancelled their Ethiopian New Year concerts owing to a grief hovering in Ethiopia.

Last week, US based Ethiopian singer Abby Lakew announced that she cancelled concerts in four US cities – Dallas, Chicago,Atlanta and Las Vegas – and called on Ethiopians to pray for Ethiopia. Thereafter, others followed suit.

Teddy Afro writes his own songs. Lyrics are very deep often times with messages of wisdom.

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Associated Press / Metro
By Elias Meseret
Published on September 10,2016

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Ethiopia’s chief prosecutor said Saturday that the country pardoned hundreds of convicts, among them Muslims jailed under anti-terror laws for opposing what they called government interference in their religion.

The president signed the pardon for members of the Muslim groups after they expressed regret, Prosecutor-General Getachew Ambaye was quoted as saying by the state-run Ethiopian News Agency.

Around 1,000 people have been pardoned before the Ethiopian new year and Eid celebrations on Sunday and 135 of them were serving a time on anti-terrorism charges and for religious extremism, Getachew said.

Ethiopia handed long jail terms to many Muslims who were involved in months-long protests in 2012, accusing the government of unconstitutionally encouraging a moderate teaching of Islam called Al-Ahbash and dictating the election of community leaders to support it at an Addis Ababa religious school.

Among those released was Yusuf Getachew, editor-in-chief of Ye Muslimoch Guday (Muslim Affairs), who has been imprisoned since his arrest in July 2012, a relative of the journalist told the Committee to Protect Journalists.

“We are elated that Yusuf Getachew has finally been released from prison, but he should never have been jailed in the first place,” said Angela Quintal, CPJ’s Africa program co-ordinator . “We call on the Ethiopian authorities to immediately release all other journalists imprisoned in the country for their work.”

Yusuf was serving a seven-year sentence on anti-terrorism charges, after being convicted in August 2015, three years after his arrest, according to CPJ. During a court hearing in 2012, Yusuf said he was beaten in custody, local journalists told CPJ at the time, according to the group.

Ethiopia is the third worst jailer of journalists in Africa, with 10 journalists imprisoned there at the time of CPJ’s last prison census.

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AFP / Via Yahoo
September 13,2016

Washington – Ethiopia faces potential tragedy — even ethnic bloodletting — if the international community looks away from repression there, runner Feyisa Lilesa warned Tuesday.

“We all yearn for peace, but the government continues its attacks. I fear that if the killing does not stop, people could abandon nonviolence in self-defense,” Lilesa said in an op-ed in The Washington Post.

The marathon runner made headlines during the Rio Olympics last month when he made a protest signal as he claimed silver in the men’s marathon.

The gesture — crossing his wrists, arms raised above his head — is a symbol of defiance against the Ethiopian government’s crackdown on anti-government protests that started in the Oromo region in November last year.

The defiant gesture is said to represent the handcuffed arms of political prisoners and dissidents in his home country.

Human Rights Watch estimates the Ethiopian security forces have killed more than 400 people involved in the protests.

“This includes at least 12 people that I know from my home district of Jaldu in Oromia,” Lilesa wrote in The Post.

The runner made the gesture twice — once while crossing the finish line and again on the medal podium. He said he feared his life would be in peril if he returned home.

Ethiopian authorities assured him he would not be punished, but he nevertheless skipped the Olympic team’s flight home. Reports have suggested he may seek political asylum in the United States.

And the United States, the 28-year-old runner said, can press Addis Ababa on human rights.

“Hundreds of my fellow Ethiopians have been killed by security forces only because they peacefully protested against injustice… I want to tell the world what is happening,” said Lilesa, who said he fears he will be killed if he returns home.

Regarded as one of Africa’s most repressive states, Ethiopia is struggling to contain the rare anti-government unrest unleashed by the protest movement, which has spread from Oromo in the center of the country to Amhara in the north.

Lilesa said he would ask the US government to demand an explanation from Ethiopia and to condemn its actions.

New Jersey lawmaker Chris Smith and Colorado’s Mike Coffman voiced concern about “the oppressive actions taken by the government of President Mulatu Teshome,” in a statement.

“Unfortunately… moderation has not taken place — if anything, the actions of the government of Ethiopia have intensified in its effort to shut down political opposition and critics in civil society,” the US lawmakers said.
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For more information about the report, click here

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September 19,2016

Young lady in her early twenties is reportedly abducted in Gonder. Muluken Tesfaw, journalist by profession, who has been covering news of popular resistance in Gonder and Gojam ( it’s also known as Amhara Resistance has got the hashtag #AmharaResistance on twitter) reported that the young lady was abducted by regime security forces.

The report identified her as Nigist Yirga (pictured above). She has been very vocal and one of key self-motivated organizer of the resistance movement in Gonder and she is known in the in city. When regime forces came to abduct colonel Demeke Zewdu, one of the committee member of Wolqaite question, she was in the front line of resistance movement to defend defend him from armed militias of the regime in power who were sent to abduct him.

Nigist is reportedly taken to the notorious torture chamber, Qaliti, in the capital Addis Ababa. According to the report, she was abducted last Friday as she was heading to Sanja, where she lives, from Gonder.

The regime in Ethiopia intensified crackdown in the Amhara region. Thousands of youth are taken to detention centers simply because they took part in the popular resistance.

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HRW
September 19, 2016

Human Rights Watch continues to be concerned about a number of country situations that are not receiving the attention they require from the Human Rights Council.

In Turkey, since the coup attempt on July 15, authorities have jailed over 22,000 soldiers, officers, police, judges and prosecutors on suspicion of involvement with the coup. Up to 100,000 teachers and public servants have been suspended or dismissed. At least 131 media outlets have been shut down, and an estimated 116 journalists are in jail pending criminal investigation – the vast majority since the coup attempt. The state of emergency and emergency decrees have removed crucial safeguards against ill treatment and torture.

The Council should urgently support calls by the High Commissioner to allow access to places of detention for independent observers, and for an independent investigation into the violations committed in southeast Turkey.

Bangladesh has been hit by a series of violent attacks, culminating in the July 1 assault by armed militants on a café in central Dhaka. This was preceded by attacks on free expression and religious freedom: nearly 50 were killed including secularists, LGBT activists, and religious figures. Initially slow to respond, in reaction to rising international criticism authorities have arrested people seemingly arbitrarily and en masse. Many are being held secretly; some have been killed in raids.

Security forces have a long history of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture, but the targeting of the political opposition has escalated in recent years. We are increasingly concerned at the lack of basic due process rights, particularly given a politicized judiciary which hands down judgments leading to executions. We urge states to raise this situation at the Council and directly with the government.

In Ethiopia, in August security forces repeatedly fired on generally peaceful protesters, bringing the death toll to over 500 since the suppression of demonstrations began in Oromia in November 2015. Thousands more have been wounded and arrested. Since the government systematically restricts independent media and civil society, there has been limited reporting on the crackdown and inadequate international attention to this ongoing crisis. These human rights violations as well as the persistent denial of country visits by Special Procedures are not consistent with Ethiopia’s obligations as a Council Member and Vice-President. Human Rights Watch urges the Council to raise concerns over the serious abuses, particularly in the Oromia and Amhara regions, and support the High Commissioner’s call for an independent investigation into the unlawful killings and other violations.

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For more information about this report, check Human Rights Watch

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ESAT
September 19,2016

Residents of Gondar and Bahir Dar in the Amhara region went on strike for the third time in the last three months of protest against the TPLF regime demanding the release of jailed compatriots and calling for an end to the tyrannical regime.

Government offices and other institutions were shut down on Monday, the start of a six-day strike to show the continuity of their protest against the regime, organizers told ESAT.

Security forces in Bahir Dar tried to force businesses to open for service but was in vain as the owners the businesses refused to comply.

Gondar was at standstill on Monday after a similar strike hit the city for the third time, according to residents who talked to ESAT. The residents of Gondar called on the regime to stop the killings and release all political prisoners.

The protest against the TPLF regime that began in July in Gondar and Bahir Dar show no sign of dying down. At least 50 people were killed in July in one weekend alone as regime forces shoot at peaceful protesters indiscriminately.

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For more information about this report, check ESAT

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