AFP
February 14,2017

Addis Ababa (AFP)- A huge newly-built Ethiopian dam is cutting off the supply of water to Lake Turkana in northern Kenya, rights group Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.

The Gibe III dam, along with a network of sugar plantations, has caused the depth of Lake Turkana to drop by 1.5 meters from its previous levels since the dam’s reservoir began filling in 2015, according to a HRW report.

In one part of Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake, the shore has receded by nearly two kilometres, threatening the livelihoods of fishing communities.




“Ethiopia is in such a rush to develop its resources that these downstream individuals, who are completely marginalised, just aren’t part of the equation,” said Felix Horne, a HRW researcher.

Built at a cost of 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion), Gibe III is the third-most powerful dam in Africa and the highest, at 243 meters (800 feet) in height.

The dam, which has already caused some controversy, is expected to double the electricity output of Ethiopia.

The country was the continent’s fastest-growing economy in 2015, but GDP is expected to take a hit due to a series of anti-government protests that targeted foreign businesses, and to an ongoing drought.

Environmentalists and the UN cultural body UNESCO have condemned Gibe III, saying they fear the dam will staunch the Omo River, which provides 80 percent of the water flow into Lake Turkana.

HRW has also criticised Ethiopia’s government for uprooting people along the river to make way for sugar plantations.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn dismissed criticism of the dam in a speech inaugurating the project, saying Gibe III satisfied Ethiopia’s power demands and allowed it to export electricity.

Ethiopia also plans 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) of sugar plantation in the Omo River valley, along with factories to process the cane.

Tens of thousands of hectares have already been cleared, but Horne says the development should be reduced to preserve Lake Turkana’s water level.

“I think the most important thing by far is that the sugar plantations, which are very water-intensive, that those be cut back,” Horne said.

At Turkana, communal clashes have broken out over access to scarce water supplies.

Should the lake drop further, Horne worries conflict will intensify.

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 14,2017

Deutsche Welle journalist Yohannes Gebregziabhier was detained for hours by police in Afar region of Ethiopia,according to a report by VOA Amharic.

He was in Samara,the region’s capital, to report on drought and its impact in the region. He told VOA reporter, Meleskachew Amha, that he went to the region’s Disaster Prevention Office Head and got appointment for an interview on the matter.




In the mean time, he heard reports that President of Samara University in the region was arrested. The editor, says Deutsche Welle reporter Yohannes Gebregziabhier, instructed him to do a balanced report about it by contacting relevant bodies including police. And that is where,it seems,he run into trouble.

As he comes out of the region’s Disaster Prevention office, special police forces with AK 47 were waiting for him outside and told him to get into their car at gun point which he refused, he says. Then, head of the special forces came out from his car and told the journalist to follow them driving his own car,which was parked in the premise of the Disaster Prevention Office, to where they are going which, he says, refused again, and challenged them to tell him what he has done, who they are and where they want to take him. The answer from the head of the special force was, “You will know about it. follow us.”

As it turns out, the journalist was following them to a police station where he was harassed and detained. He had to give his laptop at police station for the officers wanted to make sure if he has any report about the arrested University President – who,says the reporter, was already released on bail. Finally, according VOA Amharic report, he was told that he can report about the drought but not the arrest of the University president, and released from hours of detention at the police station.

Government’s Communication Affairs minister, Dr Negeri Lencho, reportedly said that he is following the matter closely.

VOA Amharic reporter’s effort to get remark from Afar region’s police commission commissioner was unsuccessful as the commissioner failed to respond to repeated phone calls.

Ethiopia is in the lists of countries for abuses of journalists and repression of freedom of expression. And many journalists are thrown to prison on alleged charges of “terrorism.”

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 14,2017

Rio Olympic Silver Medalist Feyisa Lilesa is reunited with his family after six months, reported the Associated Press. He met his wife Iftu Mulia, his five years old daughter,Soko, and his three years old son,Sora,at Miami International Airport.

Speaking through translator, he is quoted by the Associated Press as saying “The biggest gift is us seeing each other again — and me seeing them again…It’s all been very tough.”

From what he is told the Associated Press, the past six months were not easy. “I come from a very big family, and I’ve never lived alone…I’ve always been surrounded by people I know. This has been the complete opposite. Here, I’m removed from all of that,” said Feyisa.

Feyisa Lilesa refused to return home after he showed protest sign to demonstrate his opposition to the government in Ethiopia for killing civilians.

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borkena, Ethiopian News
February 14,2017

Citing governor of the Sudanese state of Gadaref, Sudan Tribune reported that Mekele is hosting what is said to be the 18th “Sudanese-Ethiopian borders conference” this Thursday.

The conference will discuss issues relating to farming communities , to use the words of Sudan Tribune, “in joint borders.” Trade and smuggling issues are also on the table for the two days conference.

The report added that the conference will be attended by four border regional states on the part of Sudan (Gadaref,Blue Nile,Sennar and Kassala) and two regional states on the part of Ethiopia namely Amhara regional State and Benishangul-Gumuz regional state.




According to the report, governor of Gadaref State, Mirghani Salih Sid Ahmed, hinted that his state “would seek to retrieve the agricultural lands confiscated by Ethiopian farmers.” He added that “delegation would raise the issue of preventing Ethiopian farmers from growing Sudanese lands according to the 2004 agreement between the two countries.”

Also, the report indicated that “Farmers from two sides of the border between Sudan and Ethiopia used to dispute the ownership of land in the Al-Fashaga area located in the south-eastern part of Sudan’s eastern state of Gedaref.”

Ethiopians have been accusing the TPLF led government for handing over a long stretch of Ethiopian land to Sudan illegally.

The land dispute caused skirmishes that claimed lives on both sides in the recent past.

During the recent anti-government protest in Ethiopia, protesters in Gonder raised the issue of land given to Sudan in addition to Wolqaite issue. However, the Ethiopian regime denied in the past that there was no land given to Sudan and that whatever is taken belongs to Sudan. It is not clear as to why Mekele is selected to host the conference.

Regime in Ethiopia and Sudan have signed joint military agreement along the border.

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borkena, Ethiopian News
February 15,2017

We would like to clarify the most recent developments regarding U.S. visa issuance in Ethiopia. Rumors that limitations have been placed on the issuance of visas in Ethiopia are false and we continue to process visa applications as usual.

Applicants whose visa expired less than 12 months ago are eligible to reapply through the interview waiver program, although they will be subject to the same rigorous security screening and may need to appear for an interview if requested by a consular officer.

All other applicants between the ages of 14 and 79, with the exception of certain classes of official visas, must apply in person. Foreign nationals from the seven countries subject to restrictions under Executive Order 13769, which did not include Ethiopia, may also continue to apply for visas as usual as the State Department has complied with the federal court order barring enforcement of several provisions of the Order.

We will provide further updates if new information becomes available. The Department of State is committed to facilitating legitimate travel while ensuring the security of U.S. borders and the American people. Additional information on the visa process can be found at travel.state.gov.

Source : US Embassy in Addis Ababa

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borkena, Ethiopian News
February 16,2017

For quite sometime now since the deceleration of state of emergency in Ethiopia, the anti-government movement in Gonder took a new turn. Government move to annihilate peaceful struggle in the region has the unintended consequence of compelling the movement to evolve into a scattered guerrilla movement organized by leaders known in the tradition as “Ye gobez Aleqa” – non-hierarchical egalitarian structure with a focus to facilitate resistance operation.

However, the rest of residents; the elderly, women and children are not sparred from the brutes of the regime in power. Activists with close links on the ground in the region claim that the onslaught is under reported.




Muluneh Yohannes is a US based Ethiopian activist with links in the region. He grew up in the town of Debaq – just one of the many towns in Gonder that are living all forms of atrocities from Tigray People’s Liberation Front led government.

In the latest report he shared on his facebook page, Muluneh says that military contingent was sent to Anqash and Wogera in the last few days. Based on his account, it was tasked to hunt down those scattered guerrilla movements in the area.

Rebels were nowhere there to be traced. They are more familiar to the wildernesses and terrains in the area than government forces and their mobility is not traceable for the regime. Although intelligence unit of the regime managed to induce individuals in the region to work for government in exchange for sordid, they are not proving to be helpful as they are left out from information flow on matters of the resistance movement.

In consequence, the regime is indiscriminately brutalizing people in the entire region of north Gonder. “The locals are reporting a genocide in the making which calls for the immediate intervention of the international community,” wrote Muluneh.

Looks like the situation in Gonder is under-reported in part due to what seems to be orchestrated information blackout by government and in part because mobility to the region is obstructed with too many check points so much so that even people from the region are abused when travelling from one area to another in the region.

So far Human Rights Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch do not have,apparently, a report regarding the situation in Gonder region of Ethiopia.

Writer could be reached on twitter : @dimetros

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 16,2017

Too many foreigners have studied and loved Ethiopia but none like the British historian Richard Pankhurst. News of his death at the age of 90 shocked Ethiopians. He passed way this morning in his residence,Addis Ababa, reported Voice of America Amharic Service.

He served as professor of history at Addis Ababa University and was a founding member of Institute of Ethiopian Studies – housed at former Emperor Haile Selassie Palace at the main campus of Addis Aabab University, an institution with great reputation which was engaged in the creation of knowledge base on Ethiopia through research and organized annual conferences that attracted researchers from other parts of Africa, Europe and North America -among others.

His mother ,Sylvia Pankhurst of Manchester, was a patron of Ethiopia and a passionate activist against the invasion of by Fascist Italy. She went to the extent of founding a newspaper as a voice for the freedom of Ethiopia. Richard Pankhurst was clearly influenced by his mother’s activism on Ethiopia. He came to Ethiopia in the mid 1950’s and spent the rest of his life studying and writing about Ethiopia. He has produced well over 20 books on the history of Ethiopia and co-authored many others. In his research, he covered a range of historical periods in Ethiopia, including ancient time. As well, he wrote more than 400 articles on the history,culture and traditions of Ethiopia.

Just like Richard was influenced by his mother, his son,Alula,who is named after a notable figure in Ethiopian history, was raised in Ethiopia and speaks Amharic like native, was influenced by his father, studied and taught anthropology at Addis Ababa University for many many years.

The Pankhurst famliy service to Ethiopia is second to none. When TPLF entrenched ethnic politics in Ethiopia after taking power in 1991 and asserted that the history of Ethiopia is only 100 years old,ironically the British are said to be advisers to TPLF on a range of issues, it was Richard Pankhurst who reacted to it in an interview with local magazine in Ethiopia. “If we only see Lucy [3.2 million years old fossil that was discovered by scientists in Ethiopia in 1974], Ethiopia is millions of years old,” he answered.

Richard Pankhurst is survived by his daughter Helen Pankhurst and his son Alula Pankhurst. VOA Amharic cited family sources that his funeral will take place at Menbere Tsebaot Trinity Church on Monday.

Writer could be reached on twitter : @dimetros

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borkena, Ethiopian News
February 17,2017

Of the 349 members of Swedish parliament, Riksdag, a single voice is bothered by the level of atrocities in Ethiopia.

Anders Österberg, member of Social Democratic Party whose constituency is in Stockholm, spoke out against gross human rights violations.

Ethiopian Satellite Television reported that Andres called on the government of Sweden and the lawmakers at Riksdag to put pressure on the regime in Ethiopia to respect human rights.




He seems to have, based on ESAT report, a good grasp of the very nature of the ruling TPLF government in Ethiopia in that he noted the regime is “using the tactics of divide and rule and pitting one ethnic group against another to hang onto power.”

Highlighting the long-standing relation between Sweden and Ethiopia, Andres reportedly said “we must also tell the truth to our friends even when it hurts.”

Government killings in Gambella where 400 Ethiopians were killed a few years ago and the more recent massacre during Ireecha festival in Debrezeit (Bishoftu) are cited by Andres to demonstrate the gruesome level of human rights violations in Ethiopia.

As well, he noted that that reputable human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are banned in Ethiopia in addition to restrictions on other non-governmental organizations working on human rights issues.

Meanwhile, state media in Ethiopia reported this same week that Ethiopia and Sweden reached consensus to “enhance their relations and reinforce bilateral cooperation.” The report cited a meeting between Hirut Zemene, Foreign Affairs State Minister, and Ambassador Anna Karin Enestrom, Swidish Director-General for political affairs, on February 14,2017, apparently in Addis Ababa.

Ambassador Anna Karin is cited by the state media, EBC, as saying that Sweden “fully recognizes Ethiopia’s commitment and significant contribution toward ensuring peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region and beyond.”

Given Swedish political values and commitment to human rights, some Ethiopian political analysts are skeptical if Ambassador Anna Karin did really say what the state media reported, and if so, if she said what she means.

Whatever the case is, Ethiopians in the opposition quarter seem to appreciate Anders Österberg that he captured very well the situation in Ethiopia and added voice against repression. Remains to be seen if his words would strike Swedish parliamentarians not just to call a “call a spade a spade” but also make some necessary policy changes as it relates to Ethiopia in a way that reflect Sweden’s history and commitment to social justice and democracy.

Writer could be reached no twitter: @dimetros

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 19,2017

Yetakit 12 martyrs day commemorated today around the world. In Addis Ababa, there was memorial at Menbere Tsebaot kidist Selassie (Selassie cathedral).

As well, Ethiopians in the diaspora commemorated the day. In DMV area, there was a prayer at St. Michael Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Different broadcasters prepared special program in commemoration of the day.

Eighty years ago on this day (Yekatit 12), more than thirty thousand Ethiopians were massacred in three days after two young Ethiopians threw grenade on Italian military commander, Graziani.

Nearly one million Ethiopians were killed during the invasion of Ethiopia by Fascist Italy. Apart from indiscriminate killings by fire squad, Ethiopians were bombed with mustard gas in violation of international conventions. The Vatican is implicated with involvement. The government of Italy has not yet apologized for the massacre. A campaign is underway by “Global Alliance for Ethiopia” to make Italy apologize for the massacre and pay for the damages it caused.

After five years of protracted bitter resistance, Ethiopian patriots managed to defend the independence of Ethiopia.

Ancient Ethiopian Patriots Association members and Addis Ababa city administration officials attended a ceremony at the Memorial Statue in Siddist Killo, Addis Ababa.

Public relation of the association, Hailemicheal Abay, conveyed message to the young generation that Patriotic fathers defended Ethiopia in unison without any division along linguistic, religious and ethnic lines, says a report published by Mereja and that the youth should emulate Ethiopian patriots.

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Reprieve
February 20,2017

The UK Government is training senior members of Ethiopia’s security sector, despite the illegal detention of a British father on the country’s death row. The news comes as 53 MPs and peers call on the Foreign Office to secure Andy Tsege’s return from unlawful detention.

A freedom of information request by international human rights organisation Reprieve has shown that senior members of Ethiopia’s police, military, justice ministry and diplomatic corps are studying for an MSc in Security Sector Management, as part of a UK-aid funded program.

The revelations come amid growing concerns for British father of three Andy Tsege, who is on death row in Ethiopia.

53 MPs and peers from across the political spectrum have written to the Foreign Office to request that ministers “make representations – privately or publicly – for Mr Tsege’s release.” The politicians, representing the Conservatives, Labour, SNP, Lib Dems, Greens and SDLP, criticise what they say is a set of “limited demands” that the government has made to Ethiopia so far, in relation to his case.




Mr Tsege has been imprisoned unlawfully in Ethiopia since 2014, when he was kidnapped at an international airport and rendered to a secret Ethiopian prison. Mr Tsege is a prominent critic of Ethiopia’s ruling party, and his ordeal is thought to be linked to a wider crackdown on dissent in the country. In 2009, while Mr Tsege was living in London, an Ethiopian court handed him an in absentia death sentence.

The Foreign Office has stopped short of requesting Mr Tsege’s return to the UK, instead focusing on a regular consular and legal access for him. However, the Ethiopian authorities have only agreed to sporadic consular access, while Mr Tsege has been prevented from contacting a lawyer. Ethiopian officials have said Mr Tsege faces no prospect of appealing his death sentence.

In 2014, the Department for International Development told Reprieve that it had cancelled a similar MSc programme because of “concerns about risk and value for money”. However, the programme was restarted several months later under the £1bn Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF), with the oversight of the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence.

This month, a Parliamentary committee on the National Security Strategy issued a report that heavily criticised the government’s use of the CSSF, saying the Fund was dogged by a “fundamental lack of transparency”. They also warned that CSSF projects carried a risk of UK complicity in abuses.

Ethiopian officials told the ‘Ethiopian Reporter’ newspaper in 2016 that “some 90% of the senior officials currently serving in Ethiopia’s intelligence institutions have completed their masters degree in the UK on subjects related to security.” They added: “The courses are fully financed by the UK government.”

Commenting, Harriet McCulloch, a deputy director at Reprieve, said:

“It’s shameful that the UK is funding Ethiopia’s security sector, when Ethiopian forces are holding a British dad illegally on death row. MPs are right to express serious concern over the government’s approach. Boris Johnson must explain why his department is training Ethiopian security officials, but refusing to negotiate Andy Tsege’s return home to Britain.”

ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Reprieve is an international human rights organization. Reprieve’s London office can be contacted on: communications [AT] reprieve.org.uk, or 0044 7792 351 660. Reprieve US, based in New York City, can be contacted on katherine [DOT] oshea [AT] reprieve.org.
2. The Freedom of Information request and MPs letter are available on request.

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More information about this report is available on Reprieve

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borkena, Ethiopian News
February 20,2019

Noah Ashene, Ethiopian man who was an employee in a jewelry store in Memphis, was stabbed to death last week on Thursday afternoon in front of his one year old son.

He was stabbed from the back. The killer was reportedly in a mask.The little boy was found next to his fathers’s body soaked with blood.

People who knew Noah describe him as” family oriented sweetest man.” Noah has two other kids.

A fundraising is underway on GoFundMe to help the family.

More report is available on Local Memphis

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borkena, Ethiopian News
February 20,2017

Ashenafi Bekele is selected as the new coach for team Ethiopia. Yohannes Sahle and Gebremedhin Haile were coaching the team after Portuguese coach,Mariano Barreto, was terminated.

However, Gebremedhin Haile had issues with Ethiopian Football Federation and was terminated last year.

The new coach was previously in charge of Adama Kenema club.

Ethiopian Football Federation considered thoughts from technique committee and mandated yesterday, according to Fana Broadcasting, Ashenafi Bekele as the new coach. He is authorized to pick assistant coach and other staff members to the coach team.

Full details of the contract between Ashenafi and the Federation does not seem to be available and the appointment is yet to be made official after agreement between the Federation and the coach is signed.

The new coach is cited by DW Amharic as saying that his ultimate goal is not just to qualify team Ethiopia for the Next African cup of Nations but also ,at least, to reach quarter final.

Ethiopia is in group “F” of the qualifying matches for the 2019 African Cup of Nations and will play against Sierra Leone, Kenya and Ghana.

The earliest game is against Seirra Leone this June.

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 20,2017

Citing report by Radio Dabanga, Ethiopian Satellite Television says a court in Khartoum sentenced 65 Ethiopians to be whipped forty times. Their crime? Protesting at the embassy of Ethiopia in Khartoum.

Ethiopians protested last week against new increase in fees for permit to stay in Sudan. Fee increased by more than six fold to $308 from $48, according to the report.

Apparently, Ethiopians were protesting at the Ethiopian embassy to ask the government of Ethiopia to intervene. Ethiopians often complain about abuses and mistreatment in Sudan.

Meanwhile, Sudanese regional authorities were in Mekele,capital of Tigray regional government, for a two days conference on Ethio-Sudanese border last week which coincided,apparently, with TPLF’s its 42 anniversary which was celebrated in Mekelle.

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 21,2017

Richard Pankhurst, British academic who researched and wrote extensively about Ethiopian history, is laid to rest at the Holy Trinity Menbere Tsebaot – where dignitaries and patriotic Ethiopians are laid to rest. his mother Sylvia Pankhurst is also laid to rest there.

Richard passed away last week in Addis Ababa at the age of 90. The news made headlines nearly in all Ethiopian media outlets in addition to coverage by foreign media outlets.

Funeral was attended by patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Abune Mathias, current president of Ethiopia,Mulatu Tesome,other Ethiopian government officials, notable Ethiopians like Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, British Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti,Susanna Moorehead,dignitaries and members of the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa and residents of Addis Ababa.

Hirut Woldemariam, tourism and culture minister, read out letter sent by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne who didn’t attend the funeral.

Richard Pankhurst lived in Ethiopia with his wife Rita for well over four decades. His contribution to the study of Ethiopian history is unrivaled. He was the founding member of Institute of Ethiopian Study (IES) and has taught history at Addis Ababa university for a long time.

Furthermore, he was was a key player in the struggle for the return of Aksum Oblisk from Rome, which was taken away from Ethiopia with a personal order of Benito Mussolini during the periods of Italian Occupation in the early 1940’s.

As well, Pankhurst was part of the struggle to recover British loot, artifacts and manuscripts -among other things, from Maqdala, where emperor Tewodros committed suicide after losing the battle with well armed British expeditionary force under Robert Napier in the second half of the 19th century.

Pankhurst is survived by his wife Rita Pankhurst and his children Alula and Helen Pankhurst. Ethiopians both in and outside of the country were paying tribute to Richard Pankhurst in recognition of his life long service and his great respect to the history of Ethiopia.

In a speech in Amharic during the funeral ceremony at Selassie, Alula , son of Richard Pankhurst, expressed his ‘s gratitude to the people of Ethiopia for recognition of his father’s service and commitment to Ethiopia. “As my grandmother Sylvia Pankhurst passed to her son her great love and admiration to Ethiopia,” said Alula,” my father, on his part, passed on to me and my sister Helen his respect to Ethiopian history and culture.” Alula himself is an academic in Ethiopian social anthropology but he currently lives in the UK.

Ethiopians fondly remember Richard Pankhurst and he will be missed.

Writer could be reached on twitter : @dimetros
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Cover Photo: Screenshot from Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation Video on YouTube Channel

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borkena,Ethiopian News
February 22,2017

As delegates of four regional governors from Sudan concluded a two days conference in Mekelle on the “border” issues, residents in “West Tigary”, to use Fana Broadcasting’s description, demanded Hailemariam Desalegne that “his government” build roads and health centers for, apparently, “western Tigray” and Sudan.

Residents put forward their demands during a meeting with Hailemariam Desalenge in the town of Humera. In addition, residents demanded animal fattening project constructed in the be operational.




they also demanded government to take action on what they call “terrorists”, apparently a reference to Ethiopians in the region who are championing the cause that Wolqaite and Humera are not parts of Tigray and should be restored as part of Gonder the way it used to be.

Hailemariam reportedly responded positively and, on his part, called on ,according to Fana, residents to continue participation in the development and peace of the region.

In a related story, federal deputy prime minister and senior leader of the Amhara National Democratic Movement, member of the ruling coalition party in charge of governance in what is now called Amhara region, and his colleague Gedu Andargachew held discussion with residents of Gondar city. During the discussion, Wolqaite and Humera question was raised by participants. Demeke reportedly told residents that Federal government is working to resolve it in the interests of people from both regions, which does not seem to be the case.

Ethiopians are suspicious of Tigary authorities increased engagement with Sudan and the claim is regime in Ethiopia ceded a considerably big stretch of land to Sudan against the interest of Ethiopians.

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Ethiopia News
borkena
February 23,2017

Merera Gudina,Chairman of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, is finally charged after months of detention. According to a report by Addis Standard, two other figures are also charged in absentia ; Berhanu Nega, former Bucknell University economic professor, now chairman of Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 movement based in Eritrea, and Jawar Mohammed, Head of Omomia Media Network , US based ethnic Oromo nationalist media.

Merera Gudina,arrested on November 30,2016 , is facing three charges one of which is inciting violence and threatening the “constitutional order.” This particular charge implicated Merera and the other two defendants in the year long anti-government protest in most parts of Ethiopia. It is to be recalled that government in Ethiopia initially admitted governance problems including corruption and related anti-government protests to failure on its part to address what it understood to be economic and administrative needs of Ethiopians in the areas where there were fierce anti-government protests.




The second charge against Merera relates to provisions in the legislation enacted to execute the state of emergency which was declared in early October of 2016. In connection with this, article 12/1 of the legislation is cited against him, according to report by Addis Standard. That particular article of the state of emergency legislation banned contact with individuals who are involved in what the government describes as terrorist organizations. Just to make this part clear to readers, Merera Gudina met with Berhanu Nega and Olympic athlete Feyisa Lilesa during a hearing at the European parliament and Feyisa to the European Parliament meeting. These individuals were not invited to the EP by Merera. It was Anna Gomes, a member of EP who initiated it (watch her video below)

The third charge against Merera is that he gave “false and damaging statement about government” to media. His interview with the Voice of America is cited in the charge. however, Addis Standard report indicated that it was not clear as to whether it is the Amharic Service of the Voice of America or Afaan Oromo Service that was cited in connection with this particular charge.

Apart from Merera and two other individuals who are charged in absetia as indicated above, Ethiopian community media outlets based in the United states,ESAT and OMN, are implicated in the charge related to terrorism. These media are charged for serving, as per government allegations, two outlawed political entities – Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Patriotic Ginbot 7 – and for fueling protest. This ,too, is apparently related to anti-government protest in Ethiopia which led to the state of emergency.

Merera is yet to appear before court as his hearing for today is cancelled following what is made to appear like the courts’ internal house keeping issue. And he is still in Maekelawi, as per Addis Standard report.

His arrest caused,what seemed back then, diplomatic row between the regime in Ethiopia and some of its major donors like the United States. US State Department, for example, condemned the detention and called on the government to release Merera. In all its responses, the regime claimed that his arrest is related to state of emergency (in fact, there were voices that argued he should not be arrested even in light of the state of emergency legislation.)

As it turns out,the arrest is not entirely related to it. In fact, it has a lot to do with one of the ways the ruling TPLF deals with opposition voices – through incrimination with terrorist charges. At the same time, there is a claim of negotiation with “Opposition parties” in Ethiopia.

The US government and European Parliament are yet to remark on the terrorist charges against Merera.

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borkena,Ethiopia News
February 24,2017

Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael is appointed as head of United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), according to a report published yesterday by the United Nations .

Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael will takeover Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa,also Ethiopian, who reportedly completed his designated time as head of the military component of the mission on January 17,2017.




United Nations report has the following succulent bio of General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael :

Major General Hailemichael has had a long and distinguished career with the Ethiopian Armed Forces spanning over 33 years. He graduated from the Ethiopian Defence Command and Staff College in 1995 and is currently the Head of the Defence Logistics Department in the Ethiopian Armed Forces since April 2014. He previously served as Corps Commander (2011-2014). Prior to this, he was Deputy Army Corps Commander (2009-2011), Division Commander (2003-2007) and Brigade Commander (1997-1998), among other appointments within the Ethiopian Armed Forces. He has been a member of the Defence Council since 2011 and holds various decorations.

Ethiopian government has published similar report on work experience of the newly appointed general.

Tigray People’s Liberation Front dominated Ethiopian government is accused ,by Ethiopian opposition both in and outside of the country, of filling more than 98 percent of high ranking military positions in the Ethiopian army by ethnic Tigray – a political base of TPLF to which Major General Tesfay Gidey Hailemichael belongs ethnically. However, the regime seem to be responding the allegation, in view of the year long protest across the country,and planning a change in the composition of military commanders although the plan is not taken seriously. Military officers defect from the army on grounds of ethnic based discrimination by TPLF government.
(Video below is outgoing Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa of UNISFA’s )

United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) was established by the Security Council in 2011 when it passed resolution 1990 in response to what was said “urgent situation in Sudan’s Abyei region” – following a dispute in the oil rich region between Sudanese army and South Sudanese army.

Sudan Tribune report indicates that UNISFA force was started with 4,000 Ethiopian forces but currently has 5,326 troops. It is tasked with supporting operational activities of border monitoring as per the 2012 agreement between Sudan-South Sudan.

Cover photo : Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa (From YouTube Screenshot)
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borkena,Ethiopian News Video
February 24,2017

Berhanu Nega is charged,in absentia, by Ethiopian court this week along with Merera Gudina,Chairman of Oromo Federalist Congress and Jawar Mohammed, head of Oromia Media Network.

He is accused of attempt to overthrow government and constitutional order through violence in addition to causing destruction of property estimated to be over one billion Ethiopian birr. Needless to say, the charge against Berhanu,and the two other persons mentioned above, insinuate that the year long anti-government protest is organized by opposition. And the obvious assumption, on the part of the ruling TPLF, is that Ethiopians do not have political questions,political awarness or problem with the government- which is not only unrealistic but also demeaning as far as Ethiopians are concerned.




As far as Berhanu Nega is concerned, it is not first time for him to be charged by Ethiopian court in absentia. In 2009, he was accused in connection with allegedly attempted coup d’etat along with General Tefera Mamo, among others, who was subjected to inhuman torture at Maekelawi and still languishes in prison. As it turns out, Berhanu Nega was sentenced to death.

That was not it. He is sentenced to death in absentia again when he was accused along with renowned journalist Eskinder Nega – who is in prison serving long prison terms for trumped up charges.

Berhanu Nega is currently chairman of Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 – a rebel group operating along the Ethio-Eritrean border. Sisay Agena of ESAT spoke to him online to get his remarks about the new charge laid this week. Asked what he felt about it, he replied “I don’t take it seriously.” He has a story to depict predictability of unpredictability of the regime in power in terms of its legal system. “This is,” he continues “a government that has ordered the arrest of a judge from his bench in the court room.”

But why is the government charging Berhanu Nega this time around is another question that Sisay Agena posed to him. He thinks that it is not intended to intimidate him rather to further intimidate resistance at home. In his eyes, the regime is despaired due to, apparently, mounting legitimacy crisis and that, at times,it does not even know what kinds of measures to take. He also cited the alleged division within the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front.Overall, Berhahu seem to be optimistic about the struggle he is leading as chairman of Arbegnoch Ginbot 7.

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borkena, Ethiopia News
February 25,2017
Video (Credit : VOA Amharic)

Ethiopia is certainly one of the African countries affected by anti-immigrant sentiment in South Africa. Voice of America Amharic service report on anti-immigrant protest in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday seem to suggest so. Ethiopian community leader in Pretoria,Tamiru Abebe,told VOA Amharic that stores belonging to Ethiopians and Somalians were looted in the ensuing circumstances after the protest.

According to Tamiru Abebe, South Africans complain about drug,human trafficking and prostitution and apparently, based on his testimonial, they tend to relate these social malaise with immigrants from other parts of Africa,specially Nigeria. Tamiru says it is not the case that all immigrants are involved in these kinds of practices. As a community, Ethiopians and Somalia do not engage in drug and prostitution and they work hard to make a living, he added.

The number of protesters in Pretoria yesterday was not to the level that was feared which indicates, seem to think Tamiru, that not many South Africans support the anti-immigrant protests.

From what we can tell based on social media reports, there is noticeable apprehension and anger among Ethiopians in the diaspora on the situation of Ethiopian immigrants in South Africa because of the anti-immigrant sentiment.

South Africa has been one of the destinations for Ethiopian migrants fleeing political and economic crisis at home.
And immigrants from Ethiopia constitute one of the largest groups of immigrants in South Africa. For example, according to StatsSA, cited by Africa Check, 65,000 refugees and 230,000 asylum seekers were registered in South Africa in 2014 and main countries of origin are indicated as Somalia, the DRC, Angola and Ethiopia. Of course thousands of Ethiopians were living in South Africa before 2014.

A fact sheet published by Africa Check ( on its website) indicates that about 75.3 percent of immigrants are from Africa. Also, a 2016 community survey suggests that there are at least 30,314 Nigerians in South Africa. Same Community survey also indicates that the number for UK is 56,412 in 2016 down from 318,536 in 2015.

South Africa experienced a violent anti-immigrant protests nearly two years ago and many African immigrants were brutally killed.

Even immigrants from same region, Zimbabwe,Malawi and Angola, have become targets of what many says is a Xenophobic attack.

On the other hand, from what South African president, Jacob Zuma, told South African Press this week, it seems the case that his government tends to think that that attack is not Xenophobic. His assertion is based on the assumption that majority of South Africans did not take part in the anti-immigrant protest.

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borkena, Ethiopia News
February 25,2017

Soon after South Sudan’s president Salva Kirr visited Cairo early in January of this year, rumors emerged that rift between Ethiopia and South Sudan unfolded over alleged agreement between South Sudan and Egypt that could compromise Ethiopia’s national interest which South Sudan presidency dismissed as “cheap propaganda”It is not still clear whether the rumor is untrue or whether there was a difference that is perhaps resolved now.

Salva Kiir was in Addis Ababa since last Thursday for a three days official working visit. According to Ethiopian government affiliated sources and state media the talk between Salva kiir and Hailemariam Desalegne focused on economic cooperation and “consolidation of peace and security.” And the two leaders have signed agreements and MoU in those areas.

In a report published on yesterday, Radio Tamazuj cited South Sudan’s presidential spokesperson,Ateny Wek Ateny, to report that border control and security are among issues to be discussed between Ethiopia and South Sudan. What exactly is the business of the deal in the area of security? According to Ateny, “…the security deal aims to stop hosting rebel groups in the two countries.”

Fana Broadcasting,close to government, report didn’t disclose details of agreement in the area of security or confirm the “agreement not to host rebels.” It however reported that Salva Kirr and Hailemariam reached agreement to form joint border administration.

Hailemariam Desalegne was in Juba in October 2016 after state of emergency was declared in Ethiopia and reportedly discussed matters related to “security and peace”, among other things.

In terms of economic cooperation, Salva Kirr and Hailemariam Desalegne signed agreements, in this weeks meeting in Addis Ababa, in the energy sector according to which Ethiopia is to import oil from South Sudan and South Sudan on its part is to import electric power from Ethiopia. Further more, agreement is reached to cooperate in the area of infrastructure development in the interest of cross-border trade activities. Road construction between oil supply point in South Sudan and Ethiopia is to be paid for by the government of Ethiopia, as per Fana’s the report by Fana which cited Hailemariam Desalenge.

by Dimetros Birku
Writer could be reached on twitter : @dimetros

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