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Police reportedly arrested activists in the capital Addis Ababa

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borkena
September 19,2018

Unconfirmed social media reports say that activist Berhanu Tekleyared, who was previously charged for being a member of Arbegnoch Ginbot 7, is arrested in the capital and his house was searched without court search warrant.

The reasons he is arrested this time around remains unclear.

In the mean time, the Federal police seems to have suspended rights to demonstrate in the capital Addis Ababa.

This week, police killed five protesters during demonstration called to denounce the killings in Burayu.



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Ethiopia’s pop star Teddy Afro donated 1 million birr to Burayu massacre victims

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borkena
September 20,2018

Teddy Afro, Ethiopia’s most celebrated pop star, donated 1 million Ethiopian birr to victims of Burayu massacre today. He has also visited the victims including those who are displaced.

“What we have done is nothing compared to the magnitude of the crisis. We did it just to do what we can on our part,” Teddy Afro told Walta journalists.

He added “what has happened is absolutely inhuman. It is something that has drifted away from Ethiopian value and from the moral code of humanity. It is saddening.”

Teddy Afro planned earlier a concert at Millenium Hall in the capital Addis Ababa but he cancelled the concert following barbaric massacre in Burayu that has shocked Ethiopians in the country or abroad.

Amnesty International report says that 58 civilians were killed over the weekend in Burayu. Oromo regional state police authorities put the figure under 25. More than 12,000 Ethiopians are displaced.

The massacre happened in the outskirts of Addis Ababa in the Oromo regional state. Some members of the region’s police force were involved in the savage attack. Oromo regional state Communication Affairs Head, Dr. Negeri Lencho, reportedly said today that police officers who were involved in the attack in one way or another are arrested.

In a similar development, Global Alliance for the Rights of Ethiopians, a not-for profit organization based in the United States whose director is Tamagne Beyene (he was tearful when he visited the victims in Addis Ababa), launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe to help the victims of attack. The campaign raised well over $325,000 in less than three days. The campaign aims to raise $400,000.

Video credit : Walta Information
Source : Social Media



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“ODP restructured in a way to move Ethiopia forward,” Abiy Ahmed

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ODP 9th congress introduced fundamental structural changes to the party. Abiy Ahmed and Lemma Megersa remained in the top leadership position.

ODP- Oromo Democratic Party
Photo : Fana

borkena
September 21, 2018

Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) 9th congress concluded today. It was underway since Wednesday. The party re-elected Abiy Ahmed as chairman and Lemma Megersa as deputy chairman of the party.

Also, the party has named nine executive committee members; Addisu Arega, Adanech Abebe, Berhanu Tsegaye, Workeneh Gebeyehu,Shimeles Abdisa, Alemu Semie,Fekadu Tesema, Lemma Megersa and Abiy Ahmed.

The other high important body of the organization is central committee has also got mostly new members. Of the 81 members central committee that served the organization in the past three years, only 16 will retain their position and the rest are new faces; mostly young and educated, according to the report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

“Oromo Democratic Party has reorganized itself bringing young and educated leadership in a way to move Ethiopia forward,” Abiy Ahmed, chairman of the party, is cited as saying.

The 9th congress of the party has also introduced new name for the party (Oromo Democratic Party) and a new logo.

Abiy Ahmed is also chairman of the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) which is poised to have its of congress towards the end of this month.




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Addis Ababa City Administration cancelling 154 land lease for “public use”

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borkena
September 22,2018

Addis Ababa City _ Takele Uma
Acting Mayor, Takele Uma
Photo : FBC

Addis Ababa City Administration is reportedly cancelling 4.1 million square meters of land leased and/or granted to the private sector, government bodies and diplomatic entities.

Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported that the City administration decided to cancel 154 leased lands and intends to use them for “public use” – which is not spelled out as to what exactly it is. These lands were leased since 2005 were not developed to date.

Takele Uma, who is appointed acting Mayor of the city, chaired the meeting that passed the decision today. Lands leased out but not yet developed are part of the reason for slow pace of the city’s development, Takele is cited as saying.

He vowed the city will follow up private and public entities that are given land lease in the city but have not yet started redevelopment.



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Arbegnoch Ginbar splits from Ginbot 7 soon after returning home

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Patriotic Front
Source : Fana

borkena
September 23,2018

Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 is reportedly split not long after returning home for a peaceful struggle. A report by pro-government media outlet says that Arbegnoch Ginbar disclosed today that it has ended its relationship with Ginbot 7.

Chair of the Front, Mengistu Woldeselassie, is cited as saying the reason for the break up is related to leadership difference and financial matters. No further detail is given about incompatibility within the leadership of the coalition on issues regarding financial practices and other issues.

Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 was a coalition of two opposition groups which were operating in Eritrea; Arbegnoch Ginbar and Gibot 7. They formed coalition in Eritrea were operating as guerrilla group in Eritrea.

Ginbot 7 is led by Berhanu Nega who used to be professor of economics at Bucknell University in the United States. He and the secretary of the party, Andarchagew Tsige who had been in jail after he was abducted in Yemen in 2014 until May of this year, returned to Ethiopia on September 4 – just two days before the Ethiopian New Year.

Ginbot 7 has a considerable support base in urban centers in most parts of Ethiopia where as Arbegnoch Ginbar was mostly active as an armed rebel operating in the Northern parts of Ethiopia.



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Ethiopia: Mass arbitrary arrests and detentions threaten a new era of human rights gains (AI)

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Ethiopia _Amnesty International

Amnesty International
Press Release
September 24,2018

Responding to a statement by Addis Ababa’s police commissioner Major General Degefe Bede that nearly 3,000 youths were arrested in the capital Addis Ababa over the weekend, and that 174 would be charged and 1,200 others would be detained at the Tolay Military Camp for a “rehabilitation education”, Amnesty International’s Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes Joan Nyanyuki said:

“While the Ethiopian authorities have in recent months made a commendable attempt to empty the country’s prisons of arbitrary detainees, they must not fill them up again by arbitrarily arresting and detaining more people without charge. The government must renew its commitment to a new era of respecting and upholding human rights.

“The majority of people were arrested for perceived offences which are not recognised criminal offences under international law, such as smoking shisha or consuming khat. They must be either charged with a recognizable criminal offence or released. Those arrested for taking part in protests on the recent ethnic clashes must all be released immediately and unconditionally.

“The authorities must also ensure that all the detainees have access to lawyers of their choice, and to their families, as well as ensure that not a single detainee suffers torture and other ill-treatment while in detention.”

Background

At a press conference in Addis Ababa, Police Commissioner Degefe Bede claimed that weekend raids by the security forces were a response to rising criminality in the city and were targeted at robbers and thieves resulting in the arrest of almost 3,000 people.

According to the Commissioner, more than half of them – 1,459 people – were arrested in bars and shisha smoking dens. Ninety-four people were arrested for chewing khat, a mild narcotic leaf, and 31 others were arrested in gambling houses. Some of these arrested for chewing khat and smoking shisha have been released.

Another 1,200 youths were arrested for taking part in the 15 September protests on the ethnic violence in Burayu and transported to Tolay military camp in southwestern Ethiopia, where they are being arbitrarily detained with the pretext of “rehabilitation education”.
____
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact Catherine Mgendi on:
+254 737 197 614
email: catherine.mgendi@amnesty.org



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Gambella : At least six killed as people demand change

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Gambella region -government officials forged credentials
Photo : File

borkena
September 24,2018

At least five people are reportedly killed and well over 20 wounded today in Gamebella, South Western Ethiopia, when police fired live bullets on protesters.

According to US based Ethiopian Satellite Television report, protesters were demanding for a political change in the region.

Disenchantment is seemingly on the rise in the region as people are feeling that they are left out from changes introduced in the country in the past six or so months.

Protesters demanded the resignation of the region’s president, Gatluak Tut.

Other media outlets seem to see ethnic rivalry between Nuer and Agnuak in the political crisis in the region.

The situation in Gambella city is reportedly tense.

A prominent human rights defender, Obang Metho, visited the city this week after more than 16 years in exile.




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Ethiopian flag could be changed, says government

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Ethiopian Flag

borkena
September 25,2018

“Ethiopian flag can be changed if an idea that will bring about national consensus in proposed in the house of representative and the constitution is amended [to reflect the new consensus]” says Ethiopian Federal parliament deputy speaker, Woizero Shitaye Manaye.

She spoke about it today during a presser about the upcoming Flag Day in Ethiopia which will be celebrated until October 15 with the motto “our flag for democratic unity.”

Government encourage people to use the “legal flag” during the course of celebration of flag day. Yet, Ethiopians are permitted, says the deputy speaker, that they can use the flag they prefer without violating the rights of others to hold the flag that the prefer.

The Ethiopian government admitted that there is no consensus on the existing flag although it has been in use for nearly 24 years now after it was constitutionally approved.

The current flag horizontally placed green, yellow and red colors with a pentagram on blue background in the middle has been passionately detested by Ethiopians across the country. Government had to outlaw any other Ethiopian flag so as to legitimize the unpopular flag but it did not help much.

When the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, essentially the champions and sponsors of the unpopular flag, weakened in the central government leading to new administration by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in April of this year, Ethiopians openly rejected it and hoisted the Ethiopian flag that patriots carried during the struggle to maintain Ethiopia’s independence.

The deputy speaker seem to have noted that when she remarked “Ethiopia has a long history of using flag as a symbol of sovereignty.



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Meskel colorfully celebrated across Ethiopia

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Meskel Demera (bonfire) is one the Ethiopian Church holidays that attracts thousands of tourists to the country.

Meskel Bonfire - Addis Ababa
Meskel celebration in Addis Ababa
Source : EBC

borkena
September 26,2018

Ethiopians have colorfully celebrated Meskel holiday today at Meskel Square in the capital Addis Ababa and across the country. Open-air bonfire is among the many attractive features of the holiday. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Ethiopia and is registered as a heritage with UNESCO.

In the Ethiopian Church traditions, Meskel is a commemoration of the rediscovery of true cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. A piece of the cross is believed to be in Gishen Mariam, Wollo, in north central Ethiopia.

What makes the celebration unique for the Ethiopian church this year is that the division within the synod is ended and the fourth Patriarch of Ethiopia, Abune Merkorios, attended it after 27 years in exile.

Abune Mathias, the sixth patriarch of the Ethiopian Church, conveyed a message of Unity. “The teachings of the Holy Cross are love, forgiveness, and unity,” he told millions of faithful who gathered at Meskel square for the celebration.

He also called Ethiopians to avoid mistrust, suspicion.

President of Ethiopia, Mulatu Teshome, and acting Mayor of Addis Ababa, Takele Uma, joined followers of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church followers at Meskel square and were part of the bonfire lit ceremony.

The celebration happened a week after a deadly ethnic-based massacre in Burayu, outside of Addis Ababa, which perhaps influenced the mayor’s message at Meskel square.

“Ethiopia is not a kind of country that will disintegrate as some would think. It has a strong foundation. It is not possible to make us find ourselves in conflict. The fabric that holds us together is millennium years old. When we look as if we are cloudy like kiremt [Ethiopian winter], we radiate like the flames of the bonfire,” said the Mayor insinuating that recent violence are the works of those who would like to see Ethiopia fail and disintegrate.

Politicians lit the bonfire along with Patriarch Abune Mathias
Photo : EBC




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TPLF : “struggle is to create a country rich with science and technology”

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TPLF _ 13 congress _Debretsion
TPLF chairman , Debretsion Gebremichael
Photo : Fana

borkena
September 26,2018

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) started its 13th organizational congress in Mekele, Tigray regional state capital, today. Representatives of “sister organizations” from within the ruling coalition (EPRDF) and representatives from Chinese Communist Party attended the opening ceremony.

Debretsion Gebremichael made an opening speech. He “hopes that the Congress will pass a decision that is in the interest of the country and the region,” as cited by Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).

Asked if TPLF will change its name, like the rest of the organizations, Debretsion replied that there is no reason to do that and the “name works; no problem with it.”

The party intends to elect new leadership and help young people hold leadership positions in the party.
Tackling good governance challenges and fighting poverty are among the top agenda for the struggle for the party, according to Debretsion Gebremichael.

Fana Broadcasting also cited Debretsion as saying “…people in the rural and urban area are getting out of poverty and backwardness and attaining a better living standard.” And the motto of the struggle, the chairman says, is not only getting people out of poverty but also to create a country rich with science and technology

In terms of the existing political condition in Ethiopia, Debretsion Gebremichael thinks that “citizen’s right is violated and there is a need to fight forces that incite violence between ethnic groups.” The other problem he sees is that “the constitution is being eroded by forces within the country and from abroad.”

Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) waged a 17 years guerrilla war against the military government of Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam. In 1991, took power in Addis Ababa leading the umbrella coalition organization that it crafted and dominated Ethiopian politics for 27 years.

Most Ethiopians believe that the party has looted the country so much so that Ethiopia has lost tens of billions of dollars.The party’s parastatals alone are worth well over $6 billion dollars. The party is also criticized for ruthless rule and for entrenching ethnic politics in Ethiopia as a means to maintain a hold on power, as many Ethiopians seem to believe.



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Gunmen shot dead four Benshangul region authorities in Wollega

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Benshangul region
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 27,2018

Tension is high in Kamash zone of Benshangul regional state following killings of four high ranking authorities of the zone, says a report by Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. Police is deployed to the region to ease the tension in the zone.

According to the report, which cited the region’s police commissioner Seyfedin Haroun, the authorities were killed on September 25 near Ghimbi in West Wollega region of Oromo regional state. The report added that the authorities were on thier way back from a discussion forum of joint security committee between Oromo and Benshangual regional states.

Security forces are searching the gunmen who carried out the attack. EBC did not name names of the authorities killed in the attack. Identities or affiliations of the attackers is not established either.



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SEPDM 10th congress underway in Hawassa

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Concert for continuity of change seems in the air as SEPDM 10th congress is underway

SEPDM 10th Congress
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 28,2018

South Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM) started its 10th organizational congress in Hawassa today. It is expected to be finalized in four days.

Muferiat Kamil, Chairman of the organization and Speaker of the Federal Parliament, made an opening speech.

“It makes the congress historic it happened at a time we entered to an in-depth revitalization stage to overcome challenges that have been piling up from time to time while there is a concern to ensure its continuity[of change],” Meferiat is cited as saying by Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.

President of the region, Million Matheos, on his part, said, “…since people are owners of the unfolding changes in our country, it is important that we work together to make the effort to build democracy a reality.”

Representatives of other member parties within the ruling coalition have also attended the opening ceremony of the congress and conveyed messages for their respective parties.

As in all other parties within Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), SEPDM is expected to bring many young leaders to the front as part of the effort to ensure continuity of the change. On the contrary, leaders who served for a long time in the party are expected to step aside “with honor.”

Unlike the rest of ethnic-based federal states, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region constitute of a multi-ethnic region and is seen as a truly Ethiopian region, as noted by Muferiat in her opening speech.

Yet, there has been a reported wrangle within the party for many months now between those who support the reformist administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and those who are loyal to the old masters – Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

TPLF is still said to have a strong presence in the party and there is a possibility for the party to break up, according to some analysts like Ermias Legesse who used to be an insider in the EPRDF government.



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IMF foresees 8.5 percent economic growth for Ethiopia this fiscal year

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borkena
September 27,2018

IMF _ Ethiopia report

International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts 8.5 % economic growth for Ethiopia this fiscal year.

The multilateral financial institution says economic reforms introduced by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration have stimulated the economy.

End of the conflict with Eritrea followed by normalization of relations, opening of government-owned enterprises for the private sector and the diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in the region will have a positive impact on the economy, IMF report added.

Yet, the organization warns unemployment and foreign debt could hamper the growth unless job creation measures are taken, according to a report by EBC which cited Reuters.

The growth rate for last year was 7.5 %, according to IMF.



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Irreechaa – Oromo religious holiday welcomed a new Abba Geda

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Irreechaa for “Love and Unity” concluded peacefully as per state media report

Ireecha 2018 _ Hora Arsidi
Ireecha celebration at Hora Arsidi, Debrezeit
Photo : EBC

borkena
September 30,2018

Irreechaa, an ethnic Oromo religious holiday, is celebrated today in lake Hora Harsadi, in Debre Zeit (Bishoftu) which is located about 44 kilometers south east of the capital Addis Ababa.

Faithful Oromos describe it as “Thanks Giving Day” – a day when the followers of Oromo traditional faith praise Waaqayyoo (God) for the blessings though out the year. The season which started on September 11 marked the end of rainy and cloudy months.

The procession started as early as 4 a.m. local and is completed after several hours of processions. Faithful followers of the religion hold freshly cut grass through out the procession and throw it to lake as an expression the “thanks giving.” More pious ones apply unsalted fresh butter to the bark of a tree and spread it.

Millions of followers of the traditional Oromo religion, which is neither Islam or Christian faith, and observers from other religious and ethnic background has attended the ceremony.

This year, motto of the celebration was “Ireecha for Love and Unity,” – a message that perhaps underscore serious challenges in the country.

Unlike the celebrations in the past few years, today’s celebration was reportedly not political in nature as participants in the religious procession which ends up in lake Hora Arsidi avoided carrying and/or featuring political messages. Some, including Minnesota based radical Oromo ethno-nationalist, Jawar Ahmed, have found a way to feature the flags of the radical Oromo Liberation Front (flag) but no trouble was reported.

A day before the holiday, Lemma Megersa, president of Oromo regional state, called on for an apolitical celebration as there was, apparently, a concern that the celebration could be marred by violence.

Ethiopian state media, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation, reported today that the religious celebration is concluded peacefully without any incident.

Another remarkable event in this years’ Ireecha is a transfer of “Abba Geda” power which is an eight years term to a new Abba Geda, Gobena Holla Erreso. Abba Geda is a title for Oromo traditional leader (overseeing socio-political matters).

Beyene Senbeto_Gobena Holla Erreso
Aba Gedda Beyene Senbeto greeting the new Abba Geda
Photo : EBC

The outgoing Abba Geda, Beyene Senbeto, embraced the incoming one, who will be serving for the next eight years.



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Amhara Democratic Party is the new name for ANDM

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ANDM seem to be taking OPDO path. It renamed itself as Amhara Democratic Party (ADP).

ANDM 12th Congress
ANDM 12th congress in Bahir Dar
Photo : AMMA

borkena
September 30,2018
Updated : September 30,2018 14:16 HRS Toronto Time

Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), which is undertaking its 12th congress in Bahir Dar, reportedly changed its name to Amhara Democratic Party (ADP).

The party is also changing its emblem, according to a report by Bahir Dar based Amhara Mass Media Agency. Proposal to change the emblem is approved by central committee of the party which is to be elected by the 12th congress. Accordingly, the new emblem is Green,Yellow and Red with the party’s logo.

The party’s also to reform a selected sections of party regulation and guidelines. However, it remains unclear for now as to which sections of the party’s regulation are going to be amended.

ADP is reportedly discussing controversial agenda including the border with Sudan and identity questions in the region. The party wants the Federal government to have a talk with Sudan regarding Delol region – a cultivable land that is given away to Sudan illegally.

The party is also expected to purge executive and central committee members who are linked to squandering of resources from parastatal that are owned by the regional government.

It is to be remembered that OPDO, one of the leading reform party within the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), changed its name to Oromo Democratic Party in its 9th congress only a week or so ago.



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PM Abiy Ahmed to visit Germany next month; will meet with Ethiopians in Europe

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Abiy Ahmed _ Dual Citizenship
Prime minister Abiy Ahmed
Source : Fana

borkena
September 30,2018

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is travelling to Germany for an official visit at the next month.

He will be meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and other government officials in Berlin on October 30, according to information from Ethiopian Embassy in Germany and consular office in Frankfurt, which is cited by Deutsche Welle Amharic service.

It is to be remembered that Chancellor Angela Merkel invited him to visit Germany when she phoned him a month or so ago to express her support for the ongoing change in the country.

The prime minister has planned his visit in a way to meet with Ethiopians in Europe. There will be events in Paris, France, and in Frankfurt, Germany.

On October 31, Ethiopians will be having a meeting with Abiy in Frankfurt, according to Ethiopian Embassy in Germany. The source added that representatives from more than 80 associations held discussion to coordinate reception for the prime minister and a committee is already assigned for it.

DW Amharic also cited Mihreteab Muluteta, Consular General in Frankfurt, to report that up to 25,000 Ethiopians who support the ongoing reform in the country are expected to attend the meeting with Abiy Ahmed at Commerzbank-Arena stadium in Frankfurt.

Photo : File



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TPLF terminated twelve central committee members

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TPLF 13th congress poised to elect new chairman and executive committee tomorrow

TPLF 13th congress
Photo : FBC

borkena
September 30,2018

Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) terminated twelve central committee members. Some of those who are eliminated from central committee membership are former heavy weight politicians within the ethnic Tigray party whose base is in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

Number one in the list is Abay Woldu who served as chairman of the party and president of Tigray regional state. Kidusan Nega, who is Sebhat Nega’s, who was the most powerful man within TPLF and mentor of the late Meles Zenawi, sister is also terminated.

Some analysts seem to see the changes made within TPLF as a culmination of many months, if not years, of division.

The party passed the decision during the fifth day of its 13th Congress. The number of central committee members is increased to 55 which used to be only 45.

According to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporate, 65 members were nominated for the central committee membership position.

Tomorrow, the party will elect its chairman and deputy chairman as well as executive members for the party.

TPLF ruled Ethiopia ruthlessly for more than 27 years operating from within the ruling coalition, EPRDF, that it manufactured on its way to power.

Now at two of the four parties that constitute EPRDF cast aside name they were given either immediately before or after the overthrow of Colonel Mengistu’s government in 1991.

TPLF, which is still a “liberation Front,” insisted not to change its name.



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Demeke Will Remain in His Party Positions

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Demeke Mekonen_ ADP
Demeke Mekonen
Photo : FBC

Solomon Yimer, staff writer
borkena
October 01, 2018

After the 12th congress strongly opposed the proposal of his termination, Demeke Mekonne agreed to stay as a central committee member of Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), formerly known as ANDM.

At the Federal level of government, Demeke Mekonnen is serving as Deputy Prime Minister. He has also been leading his party,ADP (Amhara Democratic Party), as chairman. Within the ruling coalition (EPRDF), he has a role as Deputy Chair and is said to have an excellent team work with the chairman, Abiy Ahmed.

Yesterday, leaders in the congress proposed the termination of long-serving central committee members including Demeke Mekonnen, one of the prominent figures in the current nation’s politics.

According to a report from Fana Broadcasting Corporate, today the general assembly has approved the termination of 12 other former central committee members while it strongly argued for the exclusion of Demeke from the proposed list for termination.

A reports by Amhara National Mass Media Agency (AMMA) says ADP has identified three categories of termination including those who will “retire with honors” from their central committee membership.

Accordingly, Kebede Chanie, Mekonnen Yelewmwossen, Firehiwot Ayalew, Getachew Ambaye, Alemnew Mekonnen, Legesse Tulu, Getachew Jember, Ibrahim Muhammed, Desalegn Ambaw, Banchiyirga Meles, Kassa Teklebirhan, and Zenebu Tadesse are terminated from central committee membership.

ADP continued its 12th party congress today. Tomorrow, the party will elect its chairman and deputy chairman as well as executive members for the party.

In a similar development, South Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM) terminated 23 central committee members who have served the party for 15 to 17 years, according to Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

According to the report, Hailemariam Desalegn, the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Shiferawu Shigute, who recently resigned from his party leadership and ministerial position, Siraj Fegessa who also resigned from his deputy chairmanship of SEPDM and Ambassador Teshome Toga are some of the long-serving SEPDM central committee members whose termination is announced today.

TPLF, another member in the ruling coalition, completed its congress in Mekelle and has elected Debretsion Gebremichael and Fetelework Getahun as chairman and vice-chairman of the party respectively.



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The post Demeke Will Remain in His Party Positions appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

EPRDF member parties finalizing their Congress

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EPRDF_Ethiopia
Photo : SM

borkena
October 2,2018

Member parties of the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, have been undertaking party congresses with the intent to reinvigorate the party for “greater success”

Two of the member parties, Oromo Democratic Party ( OPDO in its old name) and Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) has completed their congress and the rest are expected to do so by tomorrow.

Oromo Democratic Party has already achieved remarkable political success in that it has become a voice with strong influence within the coalition and noticeably got considerable legitimacy even outside of its constituency although the public trust is now beginning to shake due to inaction on lawlessness from radical ethnology-nationalist quarter. The motto for its 9th congress was “better ideas for better success.” As part of pursuit to the state goal, the party made a sweeping change for the central committee member by bringing in mostly young leaders and terminating the old ones “with honour.” In what seem to be an effort to demonstrate complete break from the past, the party even trashed its old name and logo altogether. Now it is poised to work for glory by leading the struggle for establishing democratic country.

In the case of TPLF, the effort is rather to restore lost glory. Clearly, the party seems to have intent mostly to use same leaders that rather brought about much harm to the party. If executive committee members elections is somehow a measure of the degrees to which the party is ready for change, the election that TPLF undertook today rather suggest that the party chose to stay the course in terms of ideology. Most of the executive committee members are from the old guards in the party. In terms of agenda, Tigray is priority – as has been the case.

“The new leadership will give special attention for Tigray to address issues related democracy and development,” Debretsion Gebremichael who is elected as chairman of the party is cited as saying. At the same time, he said that he “wants to work with other groups to defend the federal system.”

What seem to have surprised Ethiopians most is that TPLF included Getachew Assefa, former head of Ethiopian intelligence who is allegedly responsible for numerous killings, torture and disappearance, on board of the executive committee of the party.

As far as Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM) is concerned, the party terminated 24 long time member central committee members, which is the main body that governs the party, of the party “with honour.” Former Prime minister Hailemariam Desalgne and Shiferaw Shigute, loyal and strong ally of TPLF within the party, are among central committee members made to retire. Door is wide open for young leaders.

Amhara Democratic Party (and this used to be Amhara National Democratic Movement) terminated 12 long time serving central committee members. Charmian of the party and Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonen was among members included in the list for termination. The 12th congress of the party, however, rejected the idea that he should not be included in the list of nomination for central committee members. His track record in the course of the struggle for democracy from within the ruling coalition was in his favor which pushed the congress to fiercely defend his candidature and he has agreed to it. Nomination for central committee members was completed today and the party is poised to finalize its election for executive committee tomorrow.

The next step is the congress for the ruling coalition (EPRDF) itself which will take place starting this week in Hawassa, South Ethiopia. And it is expected to be tense, as analysts see it.



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The post EPRDF member parties finalizing their Congress appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) Congress elected Demeke Mekonen as Chairman

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Amhara Democratic party - ANDM 12th Congress
ADP 12th congress in Bahir Dar
Photo : AMMA

borkena
October 2,2018

The 12th Congress of Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) elected executive committee members. This is the highest body of the party and will execute party agenda. It consists of 13 members.

Nine of them will join the 36-member executive committee of the ruling coalition, Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and three will remain only the party’s executive committee members.

Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA) reported that Demeke Mekonen and Gedu Andargachew are re-elected as chairman and vice-chairman of the party respectively. Gedu Andargachew is currently serving as president of Amhara Regional State while the chairman, Demeke Mekonen, is deputy-Prime Minister of the Federal government.

When the party identified central committee members to be terminated “with honour,” Demeke Mekonen’s name was included in the list. However, the 12th Congress voted against, and it was expected, it in view of Demeke’s contribution to the party.

Based on report by AMMA, the full list of elected executive committee members is as follows:

1. Demeke Mekonnen
2. Gedu Andargachew
3. Ambachew Mekonnen (Dr.)
4. Benalf Andualem
5. Tefera Derbew
6. Yinager Dessie (Dr.)
7. Melaku Alebel
8. Dagmawit Moges
9. Migbaru Kebede
10. La’ke Ayalew
11.Yohannes Boyalew
12. Nigussu Tilahun
13.Tsega Arage

The party congress also elected 65 members for the central committee members. Included in this election, among others, are Melaku Fanta and Bri. General Asamnew Tsige who were thrown to prison (even torture in the case of Bri, General Asamenew Tsige) which they say was politically motivated.



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The post Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) Congress elected Demeke Mekonen as Chairman appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

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