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TPLF vows to fight any moves against unity within the party

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TPLF
TPLF central committee meeting
Source : EBC

borkena
August 27,2018

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) central committee has concluded a three days meeting today and has issued a statement.

The statement, which is sent to government media outlets, says that meeting focused on “regional and national issues,” and has discussed matters pertaining to development, political and social affairs.

It also disclosed that the committee put direction for the implementation of plans to bring about good governance in the region.

In the statement, TPLF vows to vehemently fight any form of moves against unity within the party leadership, among party members and between the party and the people of Tigray to obstruct the upcoming congress of Ethiopia. However, the statement did not overtly state if there are entities working to create division within TPLF leadership, party members and with the people of Tigray.

At the same time, the statement says that the party is ready to work with political parties, apparently, in Tigray, that prioritize the task of defending “the constitutional order,” interest and dignity of the people.

The statement also called on the people of Tigray to stand in guard of the security of the region, constitutional order and for the Federal system of government.

Some notable elites from Tigray region, for example Former chief of staff of the defense force,Tsadkan Gebretensae, have been saying that the claim by TPLF leaders that the people of Tigray and TPLF are one is not right.



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Ethiopian government cracked down black market currency exchange

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dollar_Ethiopia
borkena
August 28,2018

Ethiopian government cracked down black market currency exchange today in the capital Addis Ababa. Small stores in the vicinities of historic Ethiopia Hotel, Gandhi Hospital, American Gibi and Tele Bar were among focus areas.

Police sealed many stores in the area.

Ethiopian government media reported that police recovered US $56,000, UK £ 4000, € 2,000 and AED 6,000 during a random search.

The Ethiopian government recently claimed that it seized tens of thousands of dollars as it was leaving the country through illegal way.



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“China is the leading development partner,” PM Abiy Ahmed told Xi Jinping

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China wants cooperation with Ethiopia on regional and international issues

Ethiopia _ China
Ethiopian Prime Minister meeting with Chinese President
Photo : SM ( Fitsum Aregaa Twitter)

borkena
September 2,2018

Ethiopian prime minister Abiy Ahmed met with Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of China-Africa Cooperation Forum which is under way in Beijing.

The Primer reportedly told Mr. Xi Jinping that China is the “leading development partner of Ethiopia” and that Ethiopia would like to share China’s experience of administrative practices.

Abiy also expressed gratitude for what China has been doing to Ethiopia in recent years and that Ethiopia will be an active participant in China’s Belt and Road initiatives.

Xi Jinping on his part said, “China is willing to continue support projects that ensure mutual benefit for both countries” He also pointed out the relation between the two countries is elevated to the level of strategic partnership. He also requested the Ethiopian Prime Minister to work in cooperation on regional and international matters.

In addition, leaders of the two countries discussed topics ranging from Human Resource Development to Foreign Direct Investment to Agro-Business and natural gas.

China is the leading FDI investor in Ethiopia which amounts to nearly 20 % of Foreign Direct Investment in the country.

Prime Minister Abiy also met with the presidents of Rwanda, Sudan and Egypt and discussed bilateral issues, according to a report by Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.



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Lemma Megersa named winner of Bego Sewu Award

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Lemma Megersa _ Award
Lemma Megersa after the award ceremony
Photo : Fana

borkena
September 2,2018

Oromo regional state president Lemma Megersa is awarded “Yeametu Bego Sewu award” which translates to Person of the Year Award.

Winners of the award are disclosed at the end of Ethiopian new year. Ethiopians celebrate their new year on September 11.

Ethiopians believe that Lemma has played a crucial role in the effort to bring about reconciliation after twenty-seven years of divisive politics in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia was in a dangerous situation immediately before Abiy Ahmed became prime minister. Lemma Megersa along with Gedu Andargachew and Demeke Mekonen have contributed for the election of Abiy Ahmed as Chairman of the ruling coalition and later as prime minister of Ethiopia.

Lemma Megersa is perhaps the most popular politicians outside of the region he is in charge, Oromo region.



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Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam workers called off strike

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Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam workers are now reportedly back to work
Government pledged to address their demands

Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 3,2018

Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam workers called off their strike after nearly a week, reported state broadcaster Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC).

Workers at the project site were on strike since August 28 demanding for pay raise and better living condition in the project site which is located in an area of arid climatic condition.

They demanded the government to fix issues related to maladministration, provision of poor meal and payment which they claim is unfair. Based on information from striking workers, there has been no pay raise since the project was launched some seven years ago.

Striking workers are mostly under Italian Construction Company, Salini Contractors. And there are other contractors working in the project, like METEC.

Officials of Ethiopian Electric Power and Project Managers have been negotiating with striking workers and an agreement has been reached, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation cited Misikir Negash, who is the public relation director of Ethiopian Electric Power Authority, as saying.

The report added that a committee is established to address to demands of the workers.

Over $4 billion worth of Ethiopia’s grand project over the Blue Nile, which has caused controversy with Egypt, was intended to be completed within ten years. Based on recent speech by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, it is unlikely that the project will finish within intended timeframe.
METEC, Ethiopian government owned contractor, is reportedly part of the problem in the delay of project completion.

Simegnew Bekele, project manager of GERD, was found dead inside his car at Meskel Square in the center of the city on July 26 as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was on his way to the United States to meet with Ethiopians in three US cities.

“They can kill Engineer Simegnew. But they cannot stop completion of the Dam,” Abiy told Ethiopians in the United States.

The Ethiopian government is yet to disclose the findings of an investigation into the death of Engineer Simegnew Bekele while Ethiopians are impatiently waiting for it.

The Ethiopian government vows that the project will be completed no matter what.



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Ten killed in a fresh violence in Benishangul-Gumuz Region

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Benishangul-Gumuz regional state to cooperate with Oromo regional state to investigate the killing

Benshangul  _ Ethiopia Kamashi zone -
File / Kamashi Zone – Benshangul
Source : Google

borkena
September 3,2018

Ethiopian government media reported today that ten Ethiopians are killed in Benishangul-Gumuz regional state in Western Ethiopia. Four others have sustained serious and non-life threatening injury and they are in a hospital.

The killings seem to be ethnic-based and happened in Beldig District in Delati town. This time the victims are ethnic Oromo.

Ethnic Amharas and Oromos have been repeatedly attacked in the region before in this year and thousands were compelled to be displaced and seek refuge in churches in Bahir Dar, capital of Amhara Regional state. It took the involvement of the regional state to resolve the ethnic-based attack targeting Amharas in the past.

Like in the past, the violence that left ten people dead is allegedly started as a conflict between two individuals but no explanation was given on the part the government as to how it evolved to what looks like a fully fledged ethnic-based attack.

Oromo regional state has issued a statement today regarding the killing. It says that it will investigate the cause of the violence in cooperation with Benishangul regional state and bring perpetrators to justice.

The statement added that people from the two regions have lived for ages as brothers and that the regional state will work on ways to foster the relationship.

An ethnic-based federal regional arrangement has been criticized for well over a decade on grounds demonstrated tendency to make relations between Ethiopians difficult but no omen is noticed so far if the federal government is restructuring it in a way to mitigate ethnic based violence, and in the interest of promoting the unity of Ethiopia.

The existing federal arrangement is also breading human rights violations as Ethiopians are harassed and mistreated as aliens by radicalized youths and locals due to manipulations by radicalized ethno-nationalists.



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Ethiopian Ship “Mekelle”to dock at Eritrea’s Massawa port

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Ethiopia Ship _Mekelle
Ethiopian Commercial Ship Mekelle
Source : EP

borkena
September 4,2018

A report by Eritrean Press says an Ethiopian ship named “Mekelle”, named after the seat of Tigray regional State in Northern Ethiopia, will dock at the port of Massawa today.

This is for the first time happen in twenty years.

According to the source, the Ethiopian Commerical Ship, with its 166 meters length and 27 height, will be heading to China with 11,000 tonnes of Zinc from Eritrea and is reportedly making $618,825 from the trip.

The vessel is sailing from Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopia has reportedly 12 Cargo and two container ships and they are named after the seats of the regional states.




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Eritrea,Ethiopia and Somalia sealed development cooperation deal in Asmara

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Eritrea,Ethiopia and Somalia soaring friendship for a purpose

Ethiopia_Eritrea_Somalia
Left to right : Farmajo, Isayas and Abiy
Photo : Yemane Gebremeskel Twitter Page

borkena
September 5,2018

The Horn of Africa represents a different security and geopolitical reality after Ethiopia and Eritrea ended their twenty years of war in July of this year.

Unlike the allegations in the past and despite sanctions, Eritrea is seemingly playing role in terms of transforming the region into a region of cooperation – away from one that is an area of contesting interests.

Today, Prime minister Abiy Ahmed, President Isayas Afeworki and President Farmajo met in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital, to seal a tripartite agreement in the direction of fostering partnership in the region, which they did. Ethiopian and Somalian leaders arrived in Eritrea on their way back from China where they went for China-Africa Cooperation Forum.

The leaders from the three counties have agreed to enhance economic, political, social, security and cultural cooperations. At the core of the trilateral initiative is to attain mutual development.

After the agreement, Somalian president President Farmajo tweeted that development can be achieved through cooperation.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Ethiopian Prime minister Abiy Ahmed is spending one more day in Eritrea and is expected to hold talks with president Isayas Afeworki on ways of implementing agreements reached between the two countries.

Before the trilateral summit, Abiy and members of his delegation visited the port of Massawa, the port of Assab and the 71 kilometers road between Asab to the Ethiopian border.

Tomorrow, he will witness the official opening of the Ethiopian embassy in Asmara.



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Diaspora Agency to be launched under Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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Diaspora Agency will have head quarter in Addis Ababa
Branch offices across Ethiopia
Representatives in Ethiopian embassies

Diaspora Agency _ Ethiopia
MoFA spokesperson – Meles Alem
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 6,2018

As part of the effort to engage Ethiopians abroad, Ethiopian government announced plans today that it is opening Diaspora Agency.

The decision reflects the special attention that government is giving to Ethiopian Diaspora, Meles Alem who is spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia is cited as saying according to a report by Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.

When launched, the agency will be able to facilitate the participation of Ethiopians in the Diaspora, which the ministry of Foreign Affairs thinks is enhancing due to improving political situation in the country, in the overall affairs of Ethiopia.

In terms of organizational structure, Diaspora Agency will be under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, it will have its own budgetary and human resources.

Headquarter will be based in Addis Ababa while it will also have branches across the country. Outside of Ethiopia, the agency will have agents within Ethiopian embassies wherever they are.

“There are many countries with advanced experience in coordinating Diaspora participation and that Ethiopia intends to share experiences from those countries,” Meles Alem told journalists during the presser called to announce the decision.

The spokesperson also noted that remittance from Ethiopian Diaspora is now close to $5 billion per annum and that the Ethiopian Diaspora has over $7 billion investment in hotel and tourism in the capital Addis Ababa alone.

In July of this year, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed led a delegation to three US cities (namely Washington, Los Angeles, and Minnesota) for the sole purpose of meeting Ethiopians and encouraged them to visit Ethiopia and participate in the development on the country.

Prime minister also canvassed Ethiopians in the Diaspora to contribute at least a dollar a day to help the effort to develop Ethiopia.

His administration already established accounts for Diaspora Trust Fund. He also named fifteen members Advisory Council for the Trust Fund to ensure accountability and transparency in administering the funds to be raised.



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Ethiopia reopened embassy in Asmara, Eritrea

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Ethiopia Embassy _ Eritrea
The newly opened Ethiopian Embassy in Asmara
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 6,2018

Ethiopia re-opened its embassy in Eritrea in a ceremony held in Asmara.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Isayas Afeworki raised the Ethiopian Federal government flag in the premise of the embassy during the ceremony.

Eritrea offered a building which used to be a government ministry and Prime Minister Abiy admired the location of the embassy as well.

Ethiopia _ Eritrea embassy

Ethiopian embassy remained closed for the last twenty years due to the state of war which officially ended in July of this year as leaders from the two countries reached an agreement to do so.

Ethiopia has named Redwan Hussien, who used to be Ethiopia’s ambassador to Ireland, as the new Ethiopian Ambassador to Eritrea.

Eritrea, too, has reopened its embassy in Ethiopia when President Isayas Afeworki visited Ethiopia in July.

Ethiopia and Eritrea are also enhancing political, economic, social and security cooperation, among others. Yesterday, Ethiopian ship, named Mekelle, loaded Eritrean Zinc to be delivered to China after winning Eritrean government contract.

Ethiopia is also cooperating with Eritrea to undertake road maintenance both Assab to Ethiopia and also from Zalambessa direction in northern Tigray.

The effort to transform the horn of Africa into a sphere of cooperation so as to bring about development and security in the region is noticeable.

Eritrea is playing a crucial role in that regard despite the sanctions from Western countries, which seem to be bringing Eritrea to powers like Russia.

Yesterday, a trilateral summit was held in Asmara between Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. And the three countries have reached an agreement to enhance their cooperation.

Today, Eritrea sent a high-level delegation to Djibouti with the aim to iron out differences that led to conflict between the two countries.



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Raya question and why Tigray’s denial need to end

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Raya Question _ Ethiopia
Photo : Screenshot from Abbay Media video

borkena
Editorial
September 9,2018

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has a caused many problems for the people of Tigray and the Raya question is not the least of it.

As many Ethiopians, certainly including Tigreans, know very well, Raya was part of Wollo, one of the regions of what is now Amhara regional state, before it was annexed as part of Tigray after 1991.

Of course, the people of Raya did not ask for a Tigrean identity nor they were consulted when the ethnic based Federal arrangement included Raya in a way to be party of Tigray.

That was when and how identity question was created in Raya. Obviously, it was suppressed for well over twenty years but simmering underneath. In recent years, the question is resurfacing when the time came for it. The movement to throw away imposed Tirgrean identity and get back Raya identity is becoming bolder and stronger in recent months so much so that the regional state in Tigray had to deploy security forces to crack it down.

A young man was reportedly killed last month but Tigray regional state communication head, Redai Halefom, virtually denied it as he came up with a new narrative to make the killing sound like a homicide case rather than a politically motivated killing.

There was a protest for Raya in the capital Addis Ababa this week condemning the killing and demanding the government to address the Raya identity question.

Again, Tigray regional state communication head had to trivialize the question so that it does not sound a denial on the part of the regional state. Redai called those who protested for Raya, and most of them are from Raya, as groups “with their own political agenda advancing their cause under the cover of Raya people.” He even went on to call the protest “unconstitutional” and the Raya Idenity question has nothing to do with Raya people.

That is where the problem lies. TPLF elites do not seem to have learned from their past mistake. In view of the circumstances under which Raya was compelled to live under Tigray Region about two decades ago and on grounds of social justice, Ethiopians seem to recognize and support that Raya belongs to Wollo as is the case with Wolkait which was Gonder proper until TPLF included it as part of Tigray after 1991.

Through out its 27 seven years rule, all over Ethiopia, TPLF suffered from crisis of public trust. One of the factors that reinforced skepticism towards TPLF was Tigray expansionist agenda which manifested in the form of annexing lands in the west and south under the guise of Federal government regional state restructuring.

Tigray regional state need to know that scapegoating the identity question, both in the west and in the east, as works of political forces from outside of these regions is simply baseless while it is the only political entity that is responsible for creating the problem in the first place.

Rather than radicalizing the people of Tigray on this identity question, TPLF need to know that it is in the interest of people in Tigray to resolve the identity question in the interest of people who are demanding their idenity back and help in the struggle to make Ethiopia livable for all its citizens in all parts of the country without fear of being attacked based on identity.

People in Tigray, on their part, need to realize that it is time to stand up on the side of the Idenity Question of People Raya and Wolkait, and that TPLF agenda regarding these regions represents pure repression and is inevitably a risky business as it leaves the people with no option other than continuing resistance. Again, the Raya question is a just one and has the support of the Ethiopian people.



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Amhara Democratic Forces Movement (ADFM) fighters return to Ethiopia

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borkena
September 9,2018

Amhara Democratic Forces Movement
Photo : AMMA

Amhara Democratic Forces Movement (ADFM) forces have arrived in Gonder today, according to a report by Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA).

Shortly after, they proceeded to Bahir Dar – seat of Amhara regional state.

The rebel forces terminated their armed guerrilla operation from Eritrea after the Ethiopian government negotiated their return to the country for a peaceful struggle.

The Ethiopian government has unveiled a project last week to demobilize and reintegrate rebel fighter to the society and the office of the prime minister is overseeing the project



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2 ethnic Oromo parties strike deal to ally on”Oromo and Oromia”issues

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Oromo Liberation Front
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 10,2018

Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) leaders have agreed to work together on “Oromo and Oromia” issues.

The two parties officially announced the formation of their political alliance in a joint press conference they organized today, according to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

The move to work together is a response to the demand from the public, party officials are cited as saying.

Ensuring genuine federal form of government, the rule of law and the right to self-determination are some of the political ideals identified for which OLF and OFC will work together.

Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has been working for well over forty years for the secession of the Oromo region from the rest of Ethiopia. It pursued armed struggle in the past. It was only in August that the party declared an end of hostility to the government of Ethiopia and an end to armed struggle from where it was operating – Eritrea. Spokesmen of the party and some party officials have already returned to Ethiopia. The Chairman of the party, Ibsa Dawud who is said to be commanding 1300 rebel army, is expected to arrive in Ethiopia on September 15.

Oromo Federalist Congress, on the contrary, mobilized ethnic Oromo for an ethnic-based federal form of government. The party entirely pursued a peaceful form of struggle and has a considerable support base in the ethnic Oromo region of Ethiopia.



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Ethiopian New Year brings new hope and optimism

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Ethiopian New Year

borkena
September 10,2018

This Ethiopian New Year is certainly uniqe in that it brought about hope the future of Ethiopians as decades-old repression is ended.

The Ethiopian government has organized has been mobilizing to celebrate the Ethiopian New year with the motto “Befikir Endemer ; Beyikrta ensahger” – it translates to “Let’s unite in love; let’s take the strike with forgiveness.”

New Year eve party is organized in at Millennium Hall in the capital Addis Ababa is paid for by the Ethiopian government.

More astounding is that political leaders who were exiled for years due to their political views are not just back to their country but they were the government’s guest of honor during the event.

No wonder Ethiopians are optimistic, or at least cautiously optimistic, about the year ahead and the future of Ethiopia.

Ethiopian New Year falls on the 11th of September and this year almost it coincided with Jewish New Year Rosh Hashana and the Islamic calendar.

Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s speech at the Millennium Hall is available HERE




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Belachew Mekuria resigned as Ethiopian Investment Commission head

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Dr. Belachew Mekuria _ Investment Commission
Belachew Mekuria (PhD)
Source : Addisfortune.net

borkena
September 12,2018

Dr. Belachew Mekuria was appointed as Head of the Ethiopian Investment Commission to replace Fitsum Arega, who is now Chief of Staff in the office of the prime minister, only four months ago.

A report by pro-government media, Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC), reported today that Dr. Belachew has resigned from his position as Commissioner of one of Ethiopia’s key institution, Investment Commission.

Public Relation Director of the Commission, Mekonen Hailu, has told FBC that the Commissioner is resigning as of September 11, 2018. Belachew has served as Deputy-commissioner before he was promoted as Commissioner in April of this year.

Investment Commission did not disclose, apparently, the reason that the commissioner is resigning. However, other sources say that he is resigning to reunite with his family in the overseas.

Speculations expressed in social media reflect opposing views. Some tend to think that Dr. Belachew is resigning probably because he is facing a situation that has something to do with corruption and that he didn’t want to be part of it. Others speculate that he probably got better employment opportunity elsewhere.

A report by Addis Fortune noted that Belachew studied land management and international human rights law. He has also received a PhD in Philosophy from University of Surrey

Belachew is educated in Sweden, in land management and international human rights law. He also has earned a doctoral degree in philosophy from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom



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EPRDF council meeting to commence over the weekend

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borkena
September 12,2018

EPRDF_ CouncilEthiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) council is poised to have its regular meeting since Friday this week, reported government media – Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.

The council is composed of 180 members equally drawn from four ethnic-based parties which constitute the ruling coalition- EPRDF.

It will be discussing decisions the Executive Committee of the party from the last meeting sometime last week. As well, it will discuss the report to be presented at the 11th congress of the party which will take place in two weeks time.

The council meeting is intended for two days unless there emerges disagreement on meeting’s agenda which may mean that additional time is needed to debate differences.



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Addis Ababa Youth clashed with OLF supporters in the capital

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Addis Ababa Youth
borkena
September 12,2018

Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) supporters who are expecting their leader to arrive from Asmara on Saturday reportedly clashed with youth from Addis Ababa in Medhanialem area.

Government media did not report about it. However, Social media reports says that the clash broke out as OLF supporters in the name of Querro, youth movement in the region, started painting streets in Medhanie alem area with flag colors of OLF.

Furthermore, OLF supporters reportedly removed Ethiopian flag to replace it with OLF one which aggravated the clash.

Police did not step in to control the situation when OLF supporters and Addis Ababa Youth from Medhanialem area though rocks at each other.

While Ethiopians seem to have respected the rights of OLF supporters to hoist the radical secessionist organizations flag, they are outraged by the move that OLF supporters dared to remove Ethiopian flag from the streets, based on social media reports.

Analysts seem to think that this is just the tip of the iceberg. And the Ethiopian government does not seem to be acting to against anarchy like moves of OLF supporters.

The party declared that it has ended armed struggle and is in the country for a “peaceful struggle.”



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Addis Ababans condemn Burayu Killings; demand gov.t to protect citizens

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borkena
September 17,2018

A day after barbaric massacre of innocent civilians in Burayu, residents of Addis Ababa, mostly young people, took to the street to condemn it.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, state media, building in the capital to condemn the killings by radical ethno-nationalists.

Protesters see ethnic politics, like most Ethiopians, as the major cause for ethnic based attacks and killings in different parts of Ethiopia.

“Addis Ababa is for all Ethiopians!” chanted protesters. They also demanded government to hold perpetrators of the attack in Burayu accountable and investigate the cause, and to stand taller to protect the safety and security of Ethiopians.

Ethiopian activists are increasingly calling for the government to look for ways of outlawing ethnic based politics in the country as it is deepening and spreading ethnic based violence and conflict across Ethiopia.

However, that seems unlikely at least in the life time of the ruling party as it is itself in a coalition of four ethnic based parties.

Government media outlets confirmed today that at least dozens of innocent civilians were killed in Burayu yesterday. Hundreds were displaced to the capital to take refugee in churches.

However, Oromo regional state officials including the police commissioner Alemayehu Ejigu describe the attackers as “organized robbers” – a statement that is rather seems to be more offending to the public.

Jemal Zeinu, the Federal Police Commissioner, says over 600 individuals are arrested in connection with the violence in “Addis Ababa and its environs.” There was no reported violence in the capital Addis Ababa yesterday, however. Clash between Addis Ababa youth and supporters of radical Oromo-ethno nationalist opposition, Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), was on Wednesday last week and it was sparked by the latter’s move to paint streets in the western parts of the city with colors of OLF flag.

The police commissioner added that five people are killed today in the capital as police took measures on groups which it says were in Merkato and Piazza for “looting,” and that a hand grenade is recovered.

Explaining the circumstances under which five people were killed, he said that “there was attempt to wrest rifle from law enforcement forces” and that police took the measure “to protect civilians. “

Lemma Megersa, Oromo regional state president, issued a statement today saying that at least 300 civilians are returned to their homes in Burayu and that the regional state will take full responsibility in the effort to help support and rehabilitate victims.



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Ethiopia: Investigate police conduct after deaths of five people protesting ethnic clashes (AI)

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Ethiopia _Amnesty International

Amnesty International
September 17,2018

The Ethiopian authorities must thoroughly and effectively investigate the violent dispersal of demonstrators by police in Addis Ababa today in which five people were shot dead, Amnesty International said. Today’s deaths follow a weekend of ethnic clashes in which more than 58 people were killed.

The demonstrators had taken to the streets of the Ethiopian capital to protest government inaction over ethnically motivated clashes that also wounded and displaced dozens of people. It was the latest incident in a spate of ethnic unrest that has killed hundreds of people and forced 1.5 million more to flee their homes in the past year.

“There is no excuse for the use of lethal force against people who are peacefully protesting. The authorities must leave no stone unturned to identify and bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for these senseless deaths. The first step is to order an investigation into the conduct of the police force,” said Joan Nyanyuki, Amnesty International’s Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes.

The ethnic violence followed the return of exiled leaders of the once outlawed Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which had fought for self-determination of the Oromo, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group. Their return was marked by a mass rally of supporters, some of whom violently attacked non-Oromo groups, in particular the Guraghe and Gamo living in Burayu District, in the special Oromia zone encircling Addis Ababa, resulting in death and forced displacement of non-Oromo communities.

Amnesty International observed that social media was awash with hate speech against non-Oromo groups in the three days preceding the rally. However, the security forces did nothing to stop the incitement to violence, or to protect targeted communities despite their repeated pleas for help.

“The authorities must explain why they failed to respond to people’s distress calls and then shot dead peaceful protesters,” said Joan Nyanyuki.

“No one should die because of their ethnicity and neither should anyone die because they took a stand against the shocking violence and killings that the authorities failed to prevent.”

Amnesty International calls on the authorities to stem the ethnic violence besieging the Somali, Oromia, Benishangul and the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regions.

Background

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government delisted three opposition parties from a terror list in April and invited back their exiled leaders with a promise to expand the civic space.

In the last 12 months, there was a spike in ethnically motivated attacks across the country. According to UN OCHA, at least 1.5 million people have been internally displaced due to ethnic conflicts along the Oromia-Somali region, and Gedeo and Guji Oromo.

Federal Police Commissioner Zeynu Jemmal today said 400 people had been apprehended in connection with the weekend ethnic clashes.
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The post Ethiopia: Investigate police conduct after deaths of five people protesting ethnic clashes (AI) appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Ethiopian National Security council says”Anarchy will no longer be tolerated”

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After the lesson in Burayu, Ethiopian National Security council warns government is capable and ready to take appropriate measure against anarchy

Ethiopian National Security Council
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 18,2018

Following the atrocities committed in Burayu outside of the capital Addis Ababa a few days ago, Ethiopian National Security Council had a meeting today and has passed a resolution today.

The council says, according to a report by state broadcaster Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), it will no longer tolerate anarchy and illegal activities in the country.

In its statement issued after the meeting, the council noted that several reform measures have been taken in the past five months in the direction of broadening democratic space in the country which brought about hope and inspiration for Ethiopians to participate in the effort to create better future to the country.

However, says the statement, the task of building a democratic system is unthinkable without the rule of law. The effort on the part of the government to tackle challenges, in the past five months, without the use of force has given “forces of destruction” that maneuver the youth group to cause destruction the impression that government is weak which in turn contributed for the rise in the crime rate from time to time, added the statement.

The atrocity in Buryau, according to the statement, is a continuum of the effort to create violence in Somali Ethiopian region and elsewhere in Ethiopia in the past.

In connection with atrocities in Burayu, the council believes that subversive forces have plans to obstruct upcoming EPRDF congress which is due at the end of this month.

The forces are also intending to bring about a conflict between Ethiopian people, intend to jeopardize the ongoing change in the country and take the country into an endless conflict, the council said.

In light of that and in order to meet government responsibility to safeguard the lives and safety of citizens, “destructive forces” need to know that the government is ready to take decisive action and no anarchy will be tolerated hereafter, disclosed the council.

As well, the council encouraged the youth not to be a tool for destructive forces.



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