Editor’s note: The following is ARDUF (Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front) statement on “forthcoming Nations, Nationalities and People’s Day celebration in the Afar Region.”
Contact e-mail arduf1978@gmail.com

Do the Ethiopian Nationalities have cause to celebrate their so called “Day” in the Afar Region?

October 5,2017
borkena

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This year’s Nations, Nationalities and Peoples “Day” is to be celebrated in December 2017, in Samara, the capital city of the Afar Region. The forthcoming is the 12th round of those Jamborees prepared in the name of Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples “Day”. A brochure issued by the federal authorities’ states that Nations, Nationalities and Peoples day is celebrated in “commemoration of the people of Ethiopia’s ultimate triumph against the repressive and oppressive regime that had deprived them of their rights in their own nation”. They are of course, referring to pre-1991 oppressive regimes and not the present regime. The Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples are being deprived of their legitimate rights and fundamental freedom and liberty by the current regime in their own nation. This is the tip of the ridiculous mockery that provoke outrage and wrath in those regions in particular and the whole country in general. It is not only” the peace between its people” that is conspicuously and unmistakable absent in those days between Ethiopian peoples.




This huge Carnival Festivities of this round of Nationalities “DAY” will be celebrated massively, while 99% of the Afar population do not have basic necessities of life, such as water, food, clothing, shelter, housing and healthcare. Meanwhile, thousands of Oromo citizens who were displaced from Ethiopian Somali Region are being tracked in Lorries and freight to safer places in their home region, namely; Oromia. It is reported that 50,000 Oromos were so far displaced from Ethiopian Somali Region. The scene looks like any African civil war dramas we are all familiar with. Somalis are displacing Oromos from Jijiga only but from neighbouring Somali Republics like Somali-land & Punt-land. Here in Ethiopia Konsos fight Burjis, Afars fight IssaSomalis, Amharas fight Tigrais in Wokayet-Tsegede and Neuers fight Anwaks and so forth. It looks as if it is every body’s war against everybody. Settled farmers against cattle herders, natives versus new-comers and so forth. Everybody seems to be at each other’s throat. Allowing the so called Liyu Hayle (Liyu Polis) armed militias of every regions to engage in illegal acts of armed aggression to occupy each other’s territories by use of force is a serious disaster especially when the local militias are under ambitious and out of control local prospective war lords are in collusion with greedy TPLF army Commanders. The so called Liyu Hayle forces, in all regions, have categorically failed to maintain law and order, peace and security within their local jurisdictions. As a result of TPLF failed policy and bad governance the recurrent clashes are crossing the threshold into fullblown bloody civil war.

In spite of all those upheavals, the preparation in Afar land is being finalized for the forthcoming “Day” of Nationalities under the slogan “peace among its Peoples.” The Festival flyer states that the stadium, collection hall, internal roads and other infrastructure constructions continue to be build. The Festivities Preparatory Committee making the poor Afar people to donate money and livestock. The Committee announced that 701 camels, 10,513 goats and sheep and 175 cattle were received from Afar herders. This is from a Region where people live on handouts from the central government because of the recurrent drought, man-made hunger, oppression, discrimination, gross human rights abuses and deprivation of economic and social development packages. The ruling officials of the Afar region are proud to build “1 Stadium” for 1 billion and 600 million Ethiopian Birr, while their people are facing unprecedented severe economic and social hardship and health problem. Afar region is the most neglected, marginalised and underdeveloped regions in the country. Investors are called upon to invest in the Afar Region. The Afar Diasporas are also invited to come to celebrate the big “Day”. We are told delegates were even sent to European capital cities, such as Brussels and London to convince the Diasporas Communities to attend the Festival. Everything is ready for the big Jamboree but the only conspicuously absentee is the “peace and development” which they are supposed to “celebrate” on “their Big Day”.

The Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples have little to “celebrate”. Above all, the Afars of all groups have definitely little cause to celebrate. Afars will join their fellow Ethiopians in Samara in displaying their music and dancing in their traditional dress and decoration but having little to pay tribute to. On the contrary, today they are all busy in bundling together to get rid of this called TPLF, while TPLF which in turn is busy in hoodwinking everybody in its irresponsible behaviour of instigating one group against another group to maintain its divide and rule policy. They are deliberating in Mekelle City, the capital of Tigray State on how to refine their “divide and rule” machinations. But, the Ethiopian Nations, Nationalities and Peoples have too little “to celebrate on the so called “Nationalities Day” but every cause to stand and rebel in unison to uproot TPLF/EPRDF, the cause of all their misery and calamity.

Victory to ARDUF (UGUUGUMO)
Long live the Struggle of Ethiopian People!

Military Command Centre (MCC)
Information Desk of ARDUF
Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF)
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The post Do the Ethiopian Nationalities have cause to celebrate their so called “Day” in the Afar Region? : Afar Party statement appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena, Ethiopia News
October 18,2017

As protest continues in Oromo region of Ethiopia, two more civilians are reportedly killed in Fiche, a town in Northwest of Addis Ababa, when Ethiopian security forces fired at the protestors. About eight civilians were killed last week during the protest in Shashemane and Booketi in Harar,South East Ethiopia.

Based on reports on social media, it was also reported by US-based Ethiopian broadcaster (ESAT), roads leading to Debremarkos and Bahir Dar from the capital through Fiche were closed by protestors.

Metu, a beautiful small city in southwestern Ethiopia, was quiet for a long time. Today, it broke its silence to join the anti-government protest in the region. People took to the street in huge numbers.

Gebregurecha town was a scene of a very stern protest against the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front government. At least four lorries that belong to the ruling party were sent on fire. (See picture above). Houses were also set on fire and security forces were unable to control the situation.

The funeral of a young man killed by Ethiopian government security was held in Chancho and it was attended by thousands of people.

Bedele town also saw a huge protest. Located on the way to Jimma and Metu, cities in South Western Ethiopia, Bedele is home to a big beer factory that is named after the town.

Oromo activists, radicals and moderates alike, claim that the ongoing protest in the region is coordinated by a youth group that calls itself “Qeerro Billusuma.” Theoretically, these organizers claim that they are independent of any political organizations. However, the flag of radical ethnic Oromo nationalist party ( Oromo Liberation Front) is often hoisted during protests in various towns.

So far the “Queero Billusuma” demonstrate neither interest nor capacity to make their movement a pan-Ethiopian movement with aims to bring about change in Ethiopia.

In fact, last week, 200 Oromo youth traveled to Bahir Dar to help fight aquatic weed on lake Tana but there are rumors that the OPDO initiated the move.

Skepticism from the rest of Ethiopians

While Ethiopians demonstrate outspoken resentment, even hate, towards the dominant political group in the ruling EPRDF coalition, TPLF – which controls key government institutions including the army and security apparatus -, and seek change, there is a visibly considerable skepticism towards the protest in Oromo region on grounds of the influence of radical groups whose ambition is to secede ethnic Oromo from Ethiopia. The radical groups claim Addis Ababa, whose more than 90 percent of its resident is multi-ethnic non-Oromo Ethiopians, as an ethnic land of Oromos. The position of Qeerro Bilusuma is murky on issues like that.

Besides, Ethiopian flag is never used during the protest in any one of the towns in Oromo region so far.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Addis Ababa issued a statement and called for a national dialogue on”matters important to Ethiopian citizens.”
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The post At least two more killed as protest in Oromo region continues today appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena, Ethiopia News
October 19,2017

Ethiopian parliament is discussing a draft law to make changes in the hiring practice in the public service. If it is to become law, merit and competence will no longer be as important as ethnic backgrounds of candidates in Ethiopia. The intention, according to the draft tabled at the parliament, is to “diversify” ethnic composition in the workplace.

Federal Civil Service proclamation 515/2007 ( part three, section 1) has a provision that restricts discrimination in the hiring practice based on ethnic origin, sex, religion, political outlook, and disability, among other things.

If the current draft under discussion in the parliament is to consider ethnicity as part of the qualification, it clearly contravenes the proclamation.

Discrimination in the hiring process has been rampant for many years under the ruling party. But in most cases, it was based on political views. Graduates who are members of the ruling party and the champions of the ideology ( developmental state and ethnic politics) have been favored in the hiring process. Citizens with opposition political view to the ruling party have been denied employment opportunity in the federal government.

There have even been cases when public servants were fired because of their political views.

On the other hand, the ruling party is criticized that it gave an unfair advantage to ethnic Tigray candidates when they constitute about six percent of the total population of Ethiopia.

Most of federal government jobs are in the capital Addis Ababa.

The unemployment rate is over 19 percent this year.

Critics see a political motivation in the new draft legislation that is going to make ethnicity as a sort of qualification in the public service hiring process.
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borkena, Ethiopia News
October 19,2017

It was in the news for weeks now that conflict in areas adjacent to Oromo and Somali regions of Ethiopia caused an unprecedented crisis in the the country. Unprecedented because the ethnic conflict of that magnitude existed before.

The number of Oromo speaking Ethiopians dislocated from Somali region is now well over 600,000. Although government admitted that the condition of those affected by the conflict is appalling, it claims that it is providing them with basic necessities.

In a presser to local media on Tuesday, Dr. Negeri Lencho, government communications minister told journalists that the conflict caused obstruction of import and export route, according to report by a local newspaper, Ethiopian Reporter.

Local farmers are unable to supply market and the volume of export of certain cash crops dwindled following the conflict. Rural households that depend on the production of those cash crops are also affected, added the Communication Minister.

Supply of Khat, a stimulant plant that grows in the conflict zone, for export is affected. And the country is losing foreign earning as a result of it.

Dr Negeri also added that the Federal ministry of commerce is contacting regional authorities in Oromo and Somali regions to resolve the problem.

The commercial town of Aweday, where farmers sell their khat productions, was severely affected by the conflict; at least 50 Oromo speaking Ethiopians were killed in the town by forces deployed by, according to reports from the opposition, president of Somali region of Ethiopia, Abdi Mohamoud Omar.

Oromo activists tend to see the conflict as a manufactured one. They believe that the ruling Tigray People Liberation Front created the problem and that the Somali region president simply implemented a plan by TPLF government.

Generally, the Ethiopian government is accused of creating and exploiting ethnic conflicts as a means to maintain a hold on power.
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The post Khat export negatively impacted by Ethnic conflict between Oromo and Somali regions, says government appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
October 19,2017

Nine people killed when a passenger bus overturned while traveling from Warder City to Jijiga city in South Eastern Ethiopia, reported Chinese news source -Xinhua.

The accident happened yesterday in the evening.

Twenty-six other people are left injured. The news source cited Dekene Hussein, chief of traffic accident investigation division in the Somali region, to report police is investigating the causes of the accident.

An eight-year-old boy survived the accident with no injuries. Traffic accident has become a serious problem in Ethiopia in recent years.

Photo above : File from ESAT

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Abune Mathias to resign as the patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church

borkena,Ethiopian News
October 20,2017

The last two weeks witnessed the resignation of Speaker of Ethiopian parliament, Aba Dula Gemeda, and the advisor to the Prime minister, Bereket Simon.

Now Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church told his aides and loyal within the church administration that he is resigning starting next week, according to a report by Wazema radio which cited seemingly well-placed sources within the church.

He is expected to present his resignation letter next week at the Holy Synod meeting.

Why Abune Mathias is resigning

According to the source cited above, the patriarch did not have an easy time during the 36th Sebeka Gubae meeting ( annual meeting of congregations of the Ethiopian church across the country) where administrative bodies including bishops present evaluative reports about planned projects and implementations and other administrative issues.

Abune Mathias’ apparently felt that he is not exercising his power due to disobedience by members of his administration in the church and that his directives and decisions are not implemented.

Added to that is feud he developed with Mahibere Kidusan, an association which was established more than twenty fives years ago with authorizations from influential bishops, which was later recognized as a legitimate body by the synod.

While Mahibere Kidusan is endorsed by many bishops in the Holy Synod Patriarch Mathias sees it rather as a “colonizer” with a hidden agenda. It carried out many projects that are relevant to the Church’s gospel service and many bishops rather see this body as defenders of the Ethiopian church faith.

Recently, the association started transmission on Alef Television but the patriarch was not too happy about it and he banned the new TV. But his directive was not holding root and the TV program was not banned.

Lobbying government authorities to secured the closure of the television station did not bear fruit either.

On the patriarch is criticized for being too lenient to defend the faith of the Ethiopian Church and resist politicization of the church through the intervention of the ruling party.

Apparently, it was the government that reacted first to the news of the resignation of the patriarch. It sent a delegation to the patriarch to reconsider his decision in view of the crisis that the country is in. The government delegation advised the patriarch to resolve issues with discussion, according to Wazema.

He is also criticised for the inability to reverse corrupt practices and ethnicization of church administration which was started during the tenure of the late Abune Paulos.

Background of the problem

The seventy-six-year-old patriarch was placed as the six ( there is controversy surrounding it) patriarch of Ethiopian church (Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church) in 2013 after the sudden death of Patriarch Abune Pawlos.

Abune Mathias served as bishop of the Ethiopian Church in Jerusalem for so many years before assuming patriarch position – a process which was not without controversy and political intervention from the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front government.

Although the political aspect of the way he became a patriarch was criticised, many members of the church hesitantly accepted his election in view of pious religious life he led at Jerusalem. Things started to go wrong when he kneeled down to the political intervention of the ruling party and ultimately embraced their ideology.

After the fall of the imperial government, which was in a way seen as a defender of the Ethiopian church, attempts to make the church as a propaganda tool for the government never succeeded. After the 1974 Ethiopian revolution, Abune Tewoflos was murdered by socialist Derg government. There were attempts to make succeeding patriarchs champions of Colonel Mengistu’s government but it never succeeded. After the fall of the military government, the 4th patriarch was, it is alleged by the patriarch and confirmed by former prime minister Tamirat Layne, compelled to leave the country and the synod that was formed in the United States excommunicated the 5th patriarch, Abune Paulos, who is believed to hold power because of involvement of Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Like the late Meles Zenawi, the fourth patriarch Abune Paulos was from Adwa town, Tigray region.

Ethiopian Church is one of the ancient church on earth and is in communion with oriental churches including Syrian church, Armenian church, Alexandrian church (Egypt), Eritrean Church (used to be one church with Ethiopia), and the Malankara Orthodox church in India.
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-Half a million dollar seized from two individuals in Oromo region to be donated to displaced people
-More than 100 people outside of Orom region arrested in connection with protest in Oromo region

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 20,2017

Ethiopian state media (EBC)reported that a court in Oromo region of Ethiopia sentenced two individuals who were caught in possession of over half a million US dollars, allegedly for illegal circulation in the border area, to prison terms.

The report identified the individuals as Habane Arab and Ahmed Mohammed.

They were caught with 541,771 US dollar in the border town in Bordode zone of Harer, South Eastern Ethiopia.

The individuals are sentenced to eight years in jail with no parole. In addition, they were fined 100,000 Ethiopian birr each.

The recovered amount of USD 541, 771 is deposited to an account opened to help out people displaced from Somali regional state.

It is to be recalled that more than 500,000 Oromos are dislocated for reasons of security concern and forced evictions following attacks by deployed special police (Leyu Police), according to reports from social media sources and the regional government.

In a separate development, Oromo regional state communication bureau head – Addisu Arega- told Voice of America Amharic service that more than 100 people who came from outside of Oromo region to join the protest in the region are arrested. He added that there were also people who came from the same region, Oromo region.

Those captured are from southern peoples nations and nationalities, from Amhara region and from Addis Ababa city, added Addisu Arega.

North Shoa, Chancho, Illubabor, Bedelle, Nekemte, Shashemane, Gebregurecha, and Booketi were some of the cities where people took to the street to oppose the government.

From different Ethiopian media and social media reports, at least ten people are killed in the past two weeks and more than 10 vehicles are burned.

Some Oromo activists, for example Jawar Mohamed – as he told the VOA Amharic service, trade accusations that they did not call the protest. Nor the qeerro called the protest.

The regional government is also saying that some of the protests were not authorized and there seem to be no clarity as to who called the protests.

Protestors, however, were clearly calling for an end to the TPLF administration level while they seem to have shown sentiment to support the leadership of the regional government.

There protests are still going on in some parts of the region.
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By Paul Schemm
The Washington Post
October 21,2017

ADAMA, Ethi­o­pia — A largely hidden war in remote areas of Ethiopia has killed hundreds of people, displaced more than 100,000 others and raised the specter of ethnic cleansing, potentially destabilizing an important U.S. partner in the fight against terrorism.

With the strongest army in the Horn of Africa and second-largest population on the continent, Ethiopia has been a major ally in battling regional terrorist groups such as al-Shabab and a pillar of stability between two disintegrating states, South Sudan and Somalia.

But that hard-earned reputation has been thrown in doubt by weeks of fighting between rival ethnic groups in Ethiopia’s neighboring Oromia and Somali regions and by accompanying reports of massacres and expulsions.

“They started to burn our houses, the Liyu police,” said Mohammed Nur Jamal of the Oromo ethnic group, referring to a paramilitary force from the neighboring Somali Region. With several dozen others, Jamal, a portly middle-aged man who wears an embroidered Muslim cap, now lives in a makeshift camp near the Oromo city of Adama. The camp is one of dozens that have sprung up to house those who have fled their homes.

“We lived like brothers and sisters for many years,” Jamal said. “We never fought like this. We even married together and owned properties together.”

Local media say at least 150,000 Oromos have been expelled from the Somali Region and are now living in camps. The federal government has declined to give exact figures, pending an investigation, but admitted that “hundreds” have died.

The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa said in a Sept. 19 statement it was “disturbed by the troubling reports of ethnic violence and the large-scale displacement of people living along the border between the Oromia and Somali regions.” It called for an investigation into which groups were behind the violence.

Ethiopia, while long a centralized state, is made up of at least 80 different ethnic groups. Under an emperor and later a communist regime, it presented itself as a unified Amharic-speaking nation, with little attention paid to different ethnic groups with their own languages and histories.

In an attempt to recognize the aspirations of the country’s main ethnic groups, the rebel movement of Tigrayan ethnicity that overthrew the communist regime in 1991 reorganized Ethiopia into a federal state made up of nine ethnically defined regions with a degree of autonomy.

Two of those regions now appear to be at war with each other. The nearly 1,000-mile border between the mainly agricultural Oromia Region and the more arid Somali Region has historically been the scene of minor conflicts over resources. But those tensions have exploded since September with allegations that regional security forces are involved, especially the Somali Region’s paramilitary “Liyu” (special) police.

Jamal, who had lived among the Somalis for 15 years, said the attacks took him by surprise. “There was hate, but it was hidden. They didn’t show it for many years because they were afraid of the federal government,” he said.

“Only Oromos are being targeted,” said Jaafar Mohammed, who spent 20 of his 25 years among the Somalis. “There are many other ethnic groups there — Somalis, Gurages, Amharas and others. But they targeted Oromos. It’s a puzzle for us.”

Read full story on The Washington Post
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Robert Mugabe’s appointment as goodwill ambassador for WHO brought headache to Tedros Adhanom

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 21,2017

Terdos Adhanom, Head of the World Organization, is “rethinking” appointment of President Robert Mugabe as a “goodwill ambassador” of the World Health Organization.

The social media savvy former Ethiopian foreign affairs minister tweeted ““I’m listening. I hear your concerns. Rethinking the approach in light of WHO values. I will issue a statement as soon as possible.”

It was at the conference on non-communicable diseases in Uruguay that Tewodros Adhanom Gebreyesus announced that he agreed President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe to be “good will ambassador.” Tedros thought that Mugabe could use the role “to influence his peers in his region.” In his speech at the conference, Tedros Adhanom described President Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe as “a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the center of its policies to provide health care to all.”

The decision caused outcry and “disappointment” from leaders it the sectors and politicians as well.

Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Director of Welcome Trust -a British charitable foundation, said that “The decision to appoint Robert Mugabe as a WHO goodwill ambassador is deeply disappointing and wrong… Robert Mugabe fails in every way to represent the values WHO should stand for.”

The United States does not seem to be happy with the decision too.

Despite condemnations and sanctions from the West, Mugabe, now 93, is still leading Zimbabwe and has a considerable support base in his country and millions of fans in Africa.

Apparently, it is after Tedros Adhanom bumped to critics after civics that he decided to reconsider his decision. It is questionable, however, if it is going to be seen lightly by African countries should he change his mind. Tedros Adhanom is the first African to lead World Health Organization.

Ethiopians mounted a persistent resistance against the election of Tedros Adhanom as director general of World Health Organization.
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Billionaire Mohammed Al-‘Amoudi pledge to buy machines to remove water weed on lake Tana

borkena,Ethiopian News
October 21,2017

Saudi-Ethiopian Billionaire Mohammed Al-‘Amoudi is finally reacting to the fight against water hyacinth on Ethiopia’s precious lake, Tana, which is the source of the longest river in the world – Nile.

Labour intensive campaign to remove the weed from the lake, was going on for weeks, has not been productive enough to save the lake. In addition to relentless campaign by residents, volunteers from others regions of Ethiopia travelled to Bahir Dar to help remove the weed.

With the federal government ignoring the challenge, activists have been questioning as to why Mohammed Alamoudi, who is known to donate for individuals and causes including support for the regime in power, is not stepping in to buy much needed machine to remove the water weed.

Today, Tadias Addis – local radio station – reported that Alamoudi pledged total commitment to remove water hyacinth from Lake Tana. The source added that the billionaire is ready to import machines. But no timeline is reported for the pledge.

Water hyacinth removal machine manufactures are available in Canada, United States and United Kingdom.

In a related news, Momammed Alamoudi donated 40 million Ethiopian Birr (about US$ 1.7 million) for Ethiopians displaced from South Eastern parts of the country due to ethnic conflict along the somali-Oromo regions. He handed the Cheque to Lema Megeresa, president of Oromo region of Ethiopia.

The Saudi-Ethiopian billionaire created his own business empire in Ethiopia and is active in the construction, energy, agriculture, mining, hotels, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

Despite he has his own fans in Ethiopia, too many people criticize him for working with the regime in power while others consider that as a necessity for his business.
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Ethnic violence on the rise in Ethiopia

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 22,2017

As pundits on Ethiopian politics are activating alarm bell about impending dangers of ethnic politics, ethnic violence is already consuming Ethiopia and spreading across the southern parts of the country.

Several Ethiopians of Amhara background are killed in a fresh ethnic-based attack in Buno Bedelle, Illubabor zone of Oromo regional state in south-west Ethiopia. Dega and Chora districts were scenes of the violence yesterday.

Addis Standard, which has been covering “Oromo protests” for years now, reported the violence in Dega and Chora as “communal violence”, confirmed the news citing sources from the region who spoke on condition of anonymity. Apparently, people who were believed to be not Oromo are hacked to death – which is what happened during the horrific Rwandan Genocide in the 1990’s. The targets were Amara people.

The sources who spoke to Addis Standard on condition of anonymity are cited as saying anti-government protest started “via cell phone messages sent out to many receivers calling for a protest against the recent displacement of Oromos from the Somali regional state,” and then “The protest quickly degenerated into fighting, then some young people started to go around killing people and burning houses.” The anonymous source, apparently male, added that “many of those who were killed and whose houses were burned down were ethnic Amharas.”

Communication Head of Oromo regional state, Addisu Arega, confirmed that there was violence in the above mentioned parts of Ethiopia and said that “eight Oromos and three Amharas” were killed during the violence.

Amhara activists who broke the news of ethnic violence in Illubabor yesterday did have a different figure of Amara victims. Muluken Tesfaw, who has authored books on the killings of Amhara – he currently runs Brana media, wrote yesterday that at least 20 Amhras were killed with a machete and disclosed the lists of six of the victims. Like Addis Standard, he cited sourced from the region.

Apart from the death of innocent civilians who are leading a subsistent farming lives, coffee farms and property were destroyed.

Addisu Arega blamed the violence on “rent seekers who are not happy with the revival of Oromia region leadership and its commitment to stand in guard of public interest and against rent-seekers who plunder resources in the region.” He added that it is intended to disorient the leadership and destabilize the region and the country. Without specifying details, he noted in his social media update that those who initiated the violence are in custody. On the other hand radical ethno-religious Oromo nationalist activists like Jawar Mohammed who are based abroad are now distancing themselves from the protests and that they did not call them.

This is the second major ethnic conflict in Ethiopia in less than a month. More than a million Ethiopians of Oromo speaking background were displaced from Somali region and at least fifty killed last month.

There have been several ethnic-based acts of violence in Oromo region of Ethiopia in the past. And this is not the first time for Ethiopians from other language background are attacked. Clearly, radical ethnocentric and ethno-nationalist sentiment is stronger in the region so much so that Ethiopians from other language origins who lived in that part of Ethiopia for generations are seen as outsiders and colonizers.

It is not to be disputed that radical activists based abroad put a lot of effort and resource in nurturing radical ethnonationalism in the region. And they had a remarkable success in terms of putting a flawed narrative of Oromo oppression on international media outlets. Who is covering the colossal funding for that is a question that many do not seem to deal with.

What many seem to agree with is that conducive conditions for current ethnic violence are laid by the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front -which actually looted resources from different parts of Ethiopia using its henchmen. There has been ethnic violence in Gambella region as well.
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borkena,Ethiopian News
October 22,2027

In an earlier borkena report, it was indicated that the violence in Dega and Chora districts of Buno Bedele zone in Illubabor started as anti-government protest to oppose those displaced from Somali region of Ethiopia and later turned into violence of ethnic nature.

Emerging reports seem to suggest,not conclusively confirmed yet, that the violence was rather instigated by TPLF agents and was deliberately made to appear ethnic conflict between Oromo and Amara.

The number of deaths from the violence is now 12 and 14 other wounded people are in hospital. About fifty-two houses are burned down but residents in the conflict district are reportedly providing support to attacked and displaced from the conflict.

We will update readers as news become available.

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borkena,Ethiopian News
October 24,2017

Days after what appeared like an ethnic clash unfolded in Buno Bedelle zone in South West Ethiopia, federal and regional government officials are blaming local based media for “aggravating conflict and inciting violence” between Amara and Oromo.

The conflict in the above-mentioned region of Ethiopia caused the death of eleven Ethiopians, according to government and independent media sources, from Oromo and Amara language speaking groups.

Ethiopia News Network (ENN) and Zami FM 90.7 are the media that authorities are blaming for inciting violence between Amara and Oromo people whom the authorities describe as people with a history of intermingled and cherished living for together for generations.

Both media outlets are known to the public as having affiliations with Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a dominant power in the ruling coalition whose authority is being challenged than ever before.

Ethiopia News Network (ENN) was apparently airing European soccer match when it accidentally interrupts its transmission with “breaking news coverage” in which it reported about conflict in Chora and Daga ( Buno Bedele Zone) between Amara and Oromo – and some government officials believe that the news was covered in a way to incite one group over the other.

Dr Negerei Lencho, federal government communications minister, is of the view that under no circumstances press freedom and freedom of expression should be used in a way to cause violence among Ethiopian people. “It is unacceptable”, he sternly warns. “I have followed the coverage myself. We never had a media that covers news in a way done by the media [a reference to ENN]. It is not our culture,” says Dr. Negeri Lencho in a video clip released by state media, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (video below -apologies for not providing sub title)

Dr Negeri seems to question their practice from the professional ethics point of view. He says, they never contacted relevant authorities to find out the cause and learn what is being done. He also used the word “irresponsible” to describe the news coverage by the above-mentioned media outlets.

However, from what many Ethiopians seem to think the way the conflict in Buno Bedele, Illubabor, is covered by ENN and Zami- FM is not just a matter of malpractice. Rather, ENN these media seem to have a political motivation, perhaps somewhat in line with the interest of TPLF, as some say, in covering the news the way they did. ENN is new media network that is apparently funded by TPLF.

For many informed Ethiopians, Zami FM 90.7 exhibits the practices of Radio-Television Libre des Mille Collines (RTLMC) and it is tolerated because the radio station has connection with power (TPLF). When Mimi Sebhatu, who used to be VOA staff before she moved to Ethiopia after TPLF took over power in Ethiopia, is told about that communication bureau head of Oromo region is vowing to take the matter to court, there was scorn tone in her voice.

Addisu Arega, communication head of Oromo regional government, didn’t dare to relate Zami FM 90.7 to TPLF but he did not shy away from relating the media has having possible connections with what he called “rent seekers” who expropriated land from the region through a corrupt means. He too blamed Zami 90.7 and ENN for misrepresenting the conflict in a way to cause dangerous ethnic violence.

As it turns out,based on reports from different media source, the conflict that caused the death of eleven people is instigated by TPLF agents in the area but many do claim, rightly so, that TPLF exploited hate that has been propagated against Amara people for more than two decades. The argument runs the line that TPLF agents would not have caused the violence had there not been fertile ground for it in the region. It is for that reason that analysts suggest that part of task for the OPDO leadership, which seem to have a progressive tone , is to address the ideological base of hate which is partly informed by narratives on history prepared to serve radical ethno nationalism.

In a related development, a speech by Dr Abiy Abebe, who is the vice president of Oromo regional government, on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of South People’s Democratic Organization is misrepresented by EPRDF media – apparently deliberately. The motive was , some say, to make appear OPDO leadership – which seem to be transformed as far as challenging the unregulated power of the ruling Tigray people’s Liberaiton Front party is concerned -but it was prematurely foiled.
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Does the international call for Tedros Adhanom resign from World Health Organization Director position make sense?

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 24,2017

Tedros Adhanom, first African to lead the World Health Organization (WHO), is facing calls to resign over his decision to make Zimbabwe president, Robert Mugabe, WHO goodwill ambassador for communicable disease in Africa, which is already rescinded.

It was at a conference at Uruguay last week that Tedros Adhanom, as cited by The Daily Mail, announced ‘I am honoured to be joined by President Mugabe, of Zimbabwe, a country that places universal health coverage and health promotion at the centre of its policies to provide healthcare to all.’

His decision caused an international outcry by influential leaders in the health sector, politicians and “human rights defenders” on grounds of political behaviour and “human rights records” of president Robert Mugabe.

The director general didn’t take much time before he made a U-turn to change his mind. It took only two days after he announced the appointment to rescind his choice of Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador. His (WHO)statement partly reads as follow :

“…Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases in Africa. As a result, I have decided to rescind the appointment.

I have listened carefully to all who have expressed their concerns and heard the different issues that they have raised. I have also consulted with the Government of Zimbabwe and we have concluded that this decision is in the best interests of the World Health Organization…”

Despite rescinding Mugabe as a goodwill ambassador for communicable disease, he is facing pressure why proposed Mugabe in the first place. Calls for his resignation are mounting.

Tedros Adhanom is a member of the ethnic-based political party, Tigray People’s Liberation Front TPLF, which ruled Ethiopia for the last twenty-seven years. He served as minister of Health between 2005 and 2012 and as a minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia between 2012 and 2016. His TPLF party ( in fact government ) spent millions of dollars in Africa and elsewhere to make him an African candidate for World Health Organization’s top position and ultimately make his candidacy a success. Running against the backdrop of relentless opposition from Ethiopians, he emerged as a winner. The party and his ethnic support base celebrated his win for director-general position with a mixture of rants and typical TPLF chauvistic rituals as it was rather considered even a political victory over the position at home and as hallmark of recognition internationally.

Ethiopians were opposing his candidacy for WHO director general position on grounds of his service and defence of the regime in Ethiopia which is known by reputable international Human rights organization as one of the leading violators of human rights. The regime even at one point rejected a call by UN human rights body to investigate killings of hundreds of civilians during a peaceful protest.

Now Ethiopians are questioning if the international outcry against Mugabe as WHO goodwill ambassador for communicable disease in Africa makes any sense in light of Tedros Adhanom’s own record of passionate defence of human rights violations in Ethiopia, much worse than the violations in Zimbabwe.
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Khat consumption is low in Tigray and Bensangul regions of Ethiopia

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 25,2017

A study conducted by Ethiopian Public Health Institute reveals that khat consuming population in Ethiopia is now 16 percent, according to a pro-government media in the country. Ethiopia’s population is estimated about one hundred million and according to the finding, 16 million people are affected by Khat addiction which is more than the total populations of some African countries.

While 16 percent is the average total for the country, there is regional variation in the number of people affected by the addition. Tigray and Benshangual Gumuz regions are regions with the least percent of khat consumer population. On the other hand, Harar has a high percentage of consumption. 61 % of the population in Harar consumes khat. The region is also known to be on of the leading producer of it. Away, a town in the region, an important Khat trading centre.

The study was part of research on risk factors for non-communicable disease. Among others, smoking and alcohol consumptions are considered in the study.

Another finding from the study is that alcohol consumption is soaring. 41 % of the population consumes alcohol.

Another trend that is apparent from the study is that the addition is affecting a potentially productive section of the society, the youth.

Although Khat addiction and alcoholism is not something new in the country, the problem was not at the level that threatens the country. Cities like Bahir Dar that were not known to be Khat consuming a few decades ago do now have a considerable section of youth population addicted to Khat.

In terms of alcohol, numerous beverage factories are opened in Ethiopia in the last two decades and there does not seem to be a regulation regarding consumption and promotion of alcohol products.

Currently, Ministry of Health and World Health Organization run a partnership rehabilitation program for alcohol and drug addicts.
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borkena, Ethiopian News
October 24,2017

Calm restored to Buno Bedele Zone of Illubabor after a conflict claimed lives last Thursday, reported DW Amharic. Government media in Ethiopia and opposition activists who broke the news seem to confirm the news.

The brutal attacks against Amharic speaking Ethiopians who lived in the region for generations happened last Thursaday in Dega and Chora towns when what started as an anti-government protest turned out to be violent with manifestations of ethnic-based hatred.

Initially, more than 1500 people were compelled to leave their house behind to take refuge in nearby towns like Bedelle. The residents have now started to move back to their house, according to reports by the regional government which is confirmed by sources like ESAT. Those whose houses were reduced to ashes are reportedly getting support from Oromo speaking Ethiopians of the region to build mud houses.

Voices the opposition quarter tend to think that the horrifying killing of innocent farmers was orchestrated by the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Local pro-TPLF media, namely Ethiopian News Network and Zami FM 97.1, are indicted for aggravating the conflict in the way they reported in a breaking news coverage. Government communication minister, Negeri Lencho, and Oromo regional government communication head, Addisu Arega blamed these media for the tendency they demonstrated to aggravate the conflict situation.

The regional government claims that it has arrested more than 200 suspects and that it is investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, there was a renewed protest in Ambo, West of the capital Addis Ababa. Protestors blockaded road and seized trucks of sugar which was meant to be transported to the capital.

There is a dire shortage of sugar across cities and towns in Ethiopia and the price is skyrocketing for many millions.
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Bereket Simon can resign as Abadula Gemeda might need to hang on a bit more

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 26,2017

Hailemariam Desalegne confirmed to members of parliament that government received resignation letter from Bereket Simon and this is not for the first time. He added that government accepted his resignation.

Bereket Simon served as minster of Ministry of information and later as minister of Government Communications office. Although a member of ANDM (Amara National Democratic Movement), he is known to be one of the most powerful government official during and after Meles Zenawi.

He was working as an advisor to the prime minister in a ministerial portfolio from within policy and research institute which is under the directorate of Abay Tsehaye, one of the top Tigray People Liberation Front elites.

A passionate human rights advocate who is a member of European parliament, Ana Gomes, tweeted that Bereket should be tried for crimes against Ethiopians.

Bereket Simon is 1 of the cynical & cruel totalitarians with whom I have dealt in #Ethiopia. Should be tried for his crimes agst Ethiopians! https://t.co/EmqicNUBST

— (((Ana Gomes, MEP))) (@AnaGomesMEP) October 16, 2017

Bereket did not disclose much about why he is resigning.

Hailemariam Desalegne also confirmed to parliament that the government accepted resignation letter from Abadula Gemeda, speaker of federal parliament. But Abadula’s resignation request is not accepted, apparently. What Hailemariam said about it is that the government is discussing Abadula’s request to resign. In fact, there have been rumors that government, mainly TPLF elites, lobbying Abadula to reconsider his resignation.

Abadula submitted his resignation a few weeks ago after he blamed the government for “disrespecting” his party (OPDO) and “his people.” But he was not specific as to how his party and his people were disrespected.

People who claim to have insider information say Abadula’s resignation request is related to government handling of ethnic conflict between Somali and Oromo in the south east Ethiopia. The conflict is believed to be,according to opposition voices, orchestrated Tigray People’s Liberation Front officials yet the impact of radicalized ethnic politics is not discounted.



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borkena, Ethiopian News
October 26,2017

Amid deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia, the US embassy in Addis Ababa continued to issue security alert for its citizens. In the latest statement issued today, the embassy updated citizens to be maintain vigilance.

The statement noted the situation in Ambo,Bako and Holeta towns and advised citizens of United States of America to “maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.”

A week or so ago, the embassy issued travel warning following the protest and road closure to Shashemene south of the capital Addis Ababa.

The statement issued today reads as follows :

The U.S. Embassy is aware of reports of violent protests and road closures in the areas of the region of Oromia near Ambo, Bako, and Holeta, west of Addis Ababa.

U.S. Embassy personnel are permitted to travel to these areas on a case by case basis only. If you are currently in Ambo, Bako, Holeta, or their surrounding areas, please use extra caution.

As always, review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.

For more detail, consult US embassy website.

The town of Ambo, west of the capital Addis Ababa, is carrying on with anti-government protest calling for the release of political prisoners including Merera Gudina who has a strong support base in the town. Two days ago, protesters blockaded road, seized trucks loaded with sugar and confiscated the sugar.

The US embassy in Addis Ababa issued a number of security alert and travel warning since the country wide protest in 2016
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It was bloody day for the defiant city of Ambo in Western Ethiopia

borkena, Ethiopian News
October 26,2017

Agazi force, the loyal TPLF forces mostly of Tigre origin, reportedly killed 10 and wounded more than 20 in Ambo city, west of the capital Addis Ababa.

Ambo city communication head, Gadissa Desalegne, told DW Amharic service that security forces entered the city from elsewhere and opened fire on protesters.

Addisu Arega, communication head of Oromo regional state of Ethiopia, confirmed the deaths of civilians and that many are wounded.

however, an updated report by DW Amharic rather indicates that the number of people killed following Agazi attak is 20. Fifteen are wounded.

A student at Ambo University reportedly left a voice message on DW Amharic WhatsApp account and he is quoted by the aforementioned media as saying “Agazi entered men’s dormitory and beating up students”

Regional special police became more affiliated with the grievances of protestors and perhaps that is why government deployed loyal forces to TPLF the city. Reports from social media indicates that there is heavy presence of security forces in city.

A renewed protest broke out three days ago and protestors demanded the release of political prisoners and an end to “woyane” – that is how TPLF is called by many Ethiopians – rule.

Lorries with sugar from Fincha sugar factory were blockaded in the city in the past two days and protesters confiscated tons of sugar.

The US embassy in Addis Ababa issued a security alert today noting the situation in Ambo.

Ambo has always been resisting the ruling party since it took over power in 1991. The city has also been carrying out an active anti-government protest for the last two years.

Historically, the city is home to many Ethiopian patriots who fought against fascist Italy. People who held an important government position in post-imperial Ethiopia, for example the late Tesfaye Dinka – who was Foreign Affairs minister, came from Ambo.

Ambo has also produced one of the most vocal opposition leader, Merera Gudina, who is thrown into prison upon arrival to Ethiopia from a working visit to Europe. Protesters are demanding his release.

Photo Credit : Africa News
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Consultation on migration begins in Ethiopia

UN
Published on October 26,2017

26 October 2017 – Although the debate on migration has largely focused on Europe, the global compact being negotiated must be adapted to the realities and peculiarities of each region, including Africa, where more than half of migrants moved to other countries on the continent, a senior United Nations official said Thursday.

“Today’s consultation is an opportunity to analyse migratory trends, challenges and opportunities at the regional and sub-regional levels,” the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for International Migration, Louise Arbour, told the African Regional Consultative Meeting on the proposed global compact, which opened in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

Ms. Arbour said that most migration takes place within the same region, noting that in Africa, 52 per cent of migrants moved within the region, mostly between neighbouring countries.

She also emphasized the importance of an increased variety and scope of legal pathways for non-refugee migrants to access labour markets.

Indeed, both the push factors, such as conflict, poverty and climate change, and the pull factors, including labour shortages and informal economies in destination countries, remain too strong for migratory flows to be significantly curtailed.

In such a situation, she said, “the impact of policies seeking to stop migration will only encourage recourse to irregular channels and increase the cost of the journey for the individuals concerned, including them engaging the services of smugglers – too often, fatally.”

“We must therefore better understand what compels people to migrate through irregular channels, and expand regular and legal pathways to better manage the supply and demand in the world’s labour markets,” she stressed.

Consultations at the African regional meeting, which runs through Friday, will inform the process leading up to the adoption of the global compact on migration by the UN General Assembly in 2018.

The process to develop this global compact for migration started in April 2017. It will be the first, intergovernmentally negotiated agreement, prepared under the auspices of the UN, to cover all dimensions of international migration in a holistic and comprehensive manner.

For more information about this report, please consult United Nations website
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