borkena
May 18,2018

Development Bank of Ethiopia (DBE) president, Ato Getahun Nana, reportedly submitted resignation letter, according to a report by The Ethiopian Reporter.

The source did not have the detail as to why the president decided to tender his resignation letter. However, it noted that his action came after what the source described as “tense board meeting.”

Shiferaw Shigute, former minister of Education and head of EPRDF office, was appointed as board chairman of Development Bank of Ethiopia in 2016.

His resignation is submitted to the office of the prime minister, and prime minister is in the Gulf for an official visit to Saudi Arabia from where he headed to United Arab Emirates.

Ato Getahun Nana was appointed after the long serving president, Esayas Bahre, was dismissed as president following a decision by Public Financial Institutions Supervision Agency in 2016. The reason for the termination of the former president was not disclosed either.

A year or so ago, US based Ethiopian news outlet, Ethiopian Satellite Television, reported that Development Bank of Ethiopia was unable to recover billions of birr issued as loan to “investors.” About forty investors affiliated with Tigray People’s Liberation Front borrowed money from the bank on for investment in agricultural sector,for which they were given land in Gambella region of Ethiopia, but the money was spend in Addis Ababa for building rental condominiums.

Development Bank of Ethiopia is believed to be one of the institutions in Ethiopia that is highly squandered by TPLF officials and affiliates.

More than $11 billion dollar is believed to have left Ethiopia in illegal ways in a matter of ten years or so, according to transparency international report.

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The post Development Bank of Ethiopia president resigning appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Abiy Ahmed made his fourth trip abroad since taking the office of the prime minister, and this time to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is not clear at this point in time if his bilateral agreements represent a success but he is exploiting his trips to achieve humanitarian objectives involving Ethiopians living abroad.

borkena
May 18,2018

Last week prime minister Abiy Ahmed captured the attention of Ethiopians, including some of his critics, when he phoned Yisma’ake Worku who is the author of 13 acclaimed Ethiopian novels, now critically sick. Ethiopians were able to see the compassionate side of him.

Today, Ethiopians once again witnessed, despite all the skepticism about making much needed change in Ethiopian politics due to what many tend to see as inevitable usurping of power by TPLF, the emotions of the prime minister on matters related to humanity and Ethiopian patriotism.

Abiy took his entourage to a hospital in Saudi Arabia, where he traveled to yesterday as a response to King Salman bin Abdulaziz invitation for an official visit, to visit an Ethiopian boy who happened to be victim of medical error and who has been in a comma for more than twelve years. Mohammed, the boy, was taken to Dr.Sulaman Fakih hospital, in Jeddah, for what was believed to be a minor surgery to remove skin tag on the nose. His mother, Halima, suffered all these years without any support. She won the legal battle in court while caring for her son but no restitution was made years after court ruling. As per the court ruling, the hospital that made the medical error to the boy was to pay SR 2.4 million in restitution.

Nebiyu Sirak, an activist and a champion of Ethiopians who live in Saudi Arabia, among other things, has been relentlessly mobilizing. Struggling tears, he explained to Abiy as to what happened and about the struggle made to get justice for Mohammed, he calls him “Blatena”

State media in Ethiopia reported that prime minister Abiy Ahmed discussed the situation of the boy and his mother when he met with the Saudi prince and he has his word that the woman will soon get justice.

Apart from that, Abiy raised the issue of Ethiopians who are thrown to Saudi jail and reportedly secured the word of the prince who ordered the release of 1000 Ethiopians of which 100 are women.

Ethiopian government communications Affair minister, Ahmed Shede, is cited by government affiliated media as saying that the Saudi government will release the one thousand Ethiopians starting tomorrow. Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians are believed to live in Saudi Arabia as immigrants and it is also believed that many more Ethiopians are in prison.

In terms of bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia, agreement has been reached in trade. The Saudi government is reportedly to invest in sectors like Agriculture and tourism, among others.

Upon concluding the visit to Saudi Arabia, which is Abiy’s first trip as prime minister outside of Africa, he traveled to Abu Dabi, capital of United Arab Emirates, where he was received by high ranking UAE officials. It is rumored in social media that Eritrean president Isayas Afeworki is also in Abu Dabi but it is not covered by major media outlets at this writing.



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The post Abiy Ahmed visited medical error victim boy in Saudi Arabia hospital appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 21,2018

According to a report by CW39, an Ethiopian pastor based in Missouri is in custody in connection with either soliciting or compelling prostitution.

Pastor Alemayehu Demissie’s is one of the was 34 suspects whose names is released by Houston police Department. He served as a minister at the Ethiopians Christian Fellowship Church in Missouri City

The crime was apparently committed sometime in April of this year.

The police department is quoted as saying :

“We hope by publishing these suspects’ photos we will raise awareness of the issue that is human trafficking and put the community on notice that we will no longer tolerate these crimes in our neighborhoods”

This news is not however confirmed from other sources and it is not clear if the pastor has so far spoke out to tell his side of the story as to why his name was among people caught by police in connection with soliciting prostitution.

Photo source : http://cw39.com

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The post Ethiopian pastor in custody for allegedly soliciting prostitution appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 22,2018

Ethiopian born Saudi billionaire Mohammed Al Amoudi,who is said to be in a Saudi Arabia maximum security prison after he was caught in November of 2017 along with high ranking government officials and royal families in connection with alleged corruption, could soon be released.

It was prime minister Abiy Ahmed who broke the news when he was speaking to a big crowd at the Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa soon after his arrival from a two days state visit to Saudi Arabia. However, he did not spell out the time frame as to how soon the Al Amoudi will be released and be back to Ethiopia. He is believed to have nearly US $3 billion business empire in Ethiopia and one of the most lucrative business was a gold mine in Lege Dembi whose mining license was suspended by Ethiopian government a fortnight ago following relentless protest from residents in the area on grounds of environmental pollution. Government is to conduct environmental impact assessment study before renewing the license again.

As well, Abiy disclosed that he negotiated with Saudi princes for the release of Ethiopian prisoners from prisons across the Islamic Kingdom. As per the negotiation, and based on the words of the prime minister, about 1000 Ethiopians of whom 900 are men and the rest of them women will be released. So far more than 800 prisoners are released.

It is to be remembered that Abiy Ahmed initiated similar negotiations with the government of Sudan and the government of Kenya when he was visiting the two countries in the last two weeks and secured the release of over two thousand Ethiopian prisoners.

While the effort to secure the release of Ethiopians from prisons in different countries is commended in the opposition quarter as constructive and positive step from the new prime minister, his administration is criticized for the latency of the release of prominent and selfless Ethiopian patriot like Andargachew Tsige who was abducted by the Ethiopian government while in transit in Yemen.



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The post Al Amoudi could be released from Saudi prison appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 22, 2018

(Toronto) – The Ethiopian church, otherwise known as Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church, which is one of the oldest churches on earth has been divided into two patriarchates for over twenty seven years now.

The division has nothing to do with,at the time it happened, with divergence from theological point of view. The schism was rather about politics.

There are different theories about it. What is widely believed is that when Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) ended their guerrilla existence of seventeen years following the collapse of Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam in 1991, they considered the Ethiopian church to be one of the areas useful to consolidate their political power and they felt the need to place a loyal figure at the top of the Ethiopian church.

The then patriarch of the church, Abune Markerios, was compelled to leave the country and ended up in the United States there by paving the way for TPLF leaders, primarily the late Meles Zenawi, to put their own man Abune Paulos as patriarch of the church in 1992. And then some bishops who opposed the intrusion of the rulers on the Ethiopian church and those who believed that no new patriarch could be appointed while an ordained patriarch is alive and capable of carrying out the spiritual functions and administration of the church, as in the traditions and doctrines of the church, decided to follow the church tradition by reorganizing Abune Markerios’ patriarchate in exile. And the church ended up to split into two.

Abune Paulos passed away weeks after news of Meles Zenawi broke in Ethiopia some time in August 2012. And he was later replaced with Abune Mathias who turned out to be another loyalist for TPLF.

For many years now, there have been efforts to reconcile the two patriarchates but without notable success.

Recently, the new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed,stepped in the matter and reportedly encouraged Abune Mathias to resume talks and work on reconciliation with the patriarchate in exile.

Sources seemingly with an insider information from the patriarchate in exile say that there is a progress in the talk and the reunification of the patriarchate could be a reality in the near future.

However, no official statement is issued from both sides yet.



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The post Hope sprouts for the reunification of Ethiopian church as reconciliation effort shows progress appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 23,2018

Andargachew Tsige, leader of an Ethiopian opposition movement, Patriotic Ginbot 7, who was abducted from Sana’a international airport while in transit to Eritrea, will be released next week. He will be released along with some unnamed investors who are behind bards.

It was rumored weeks ago that the government will release him and Ethiopians have been speculating as to when the government will release the respected Ethiopian whom they see as a hero.

Yesterday prime minister Abiy Ahmed who ended the speculation during a consultative meeting with Ethiopians of Tigray origin at the National Palace by unveiling that Andargachew will be released sometime next week.

Abiy Ahmed is cited as saying that Ethiopia did not benefit from arresting Andargachew Tsige other than losing billions of dollars from donor countries like the United Kingdom. Andargachew has a UK citizenship and the UK government has been demanding for the release of Andargachew for several years now.

Andargachew has been held in a solitary confinement since he was abducted in June 2014 and Ethiopians around the world have been demanding for his release.

Campaigns to secure this freedom is one of the issues that has been making headlines among Ethiopian and international media outlets.

Last week, Meskerem Abera, a notable activist and an educator based in Ethiopia, launched a successful three days of “free Andargachew Tsige” cyber campaign which was joined by Ethiopians living abroad.

The release of political prisoners is part of the new government reform measures to “promote” reconciliation and national unity in the country.

Apart from the release of Andargachew Tsige, Abiy Ahmed also unveiled his plans to exhume remains of Ethiopians who were beheaded by ISIS terrorists in Libya and were buried in Egypt when he travels to the country next week for an official visit which was initiated by Egyptian president Abdul Fetah al-Sisi. The remains are reportedly to be laid to rest in Ethiopia in a dignified burial ceremony.

In the past three weeks, Abiy Ahmed negotiated and secured the release of more than two thousand Ethiopian prisoners from Kenya, Sudan and Saudi Arabia.

The release of Andargachew Tsige will certainly earn him respect although some critical voices warn that the release of political prisoners, who should not have been in prison in the first place, is not tantamount to change.

Politicized Ethiopians rather encourage Abiy Ahmed’s government to make fundamental structural changes capable of draining possibilities of ethnic based conflict in the country. However, many doubt if Abiy’s government is capable of doing that, at least at this point, in view of the base of his power and the prominence of ethnic based political ideology.



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The post Prime minister confirmed Andargachew Tsige will be released next week appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 24.2018

Five leaders of the ethnic-based opposition group, Oromo Democratic Forum (ODF), which is based in exile, arrived in Ethiopia yesterday, reported state media.

Chairman of the organization Lencho Letta, vice chairman, Dima Negao, Lencho Bati and Beyan Asoba were received at Bole International Airport by Abadula Gemeda, security adviser to the prime minister,and Ahmed Shede, government communications minister.

Leaders of the organization told government news outlets upon arrival at Bole international airport that the political situation and activity in Ethiopia influenced their decision to travel to “homeland.”

Lenco Letta, who is also among the pioneers of ethnic Oromo political movement more than forty years ago, is cited as saying that armed struggle does not lead to democracy and called on political movements who resorted to armed struggle to opt for peaceful struggle in view of what he said is “change” that is happening in Ethiopia.

Last year the party joined became a member of Ethiopian National Movement when it was founded in the United States.

Although the government seems to take the planned “talk” with the party as an achievement, political analysts in the country or abroad do not seem to give weight to it as ODF is not considered that relevant.

Others claim that chairman of ODF, Lencho Letta, is a criminal responsible for the massacre of ethnic Amharas in Bedeno and Arbagugu some twenty-five years ago and believe that he should rather be held accountable for it.



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The post Oromo Democratic Front leaders arrived in Addis Ababa appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 25,2018

Undoubtedly Ethiopia’s popular and selfless opposition leader, Andargachew Tsige could be released over this weekend or latest early next week.

The amnesty letter from the Federal Attorney General Office is reportedly submitted to the office of the president of the republic, according to media source close to the ruling party.

The Attorney general is reportedly to have a press conference tomorrow.

Experience from recent processes involving the release of political prisoners, amnesty request letter is signed within a day after submitted to the president’s office.

Confirmed news of decision to release Andargachew Tsige came from Prime minister Abiy Ahmed when he was speaking to Ethiopians of Tigray origin in a consultative meeting organized at the National Palace this week.

Venerated leader of Arbegnoch Ginbot 7 movement, Andargachew Tsige was abducted by Yemen intelligence and security forces in 2014 at Sana’a International Airport, and handed over to Ethiopian government on the same day.

It is believed that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) spent millions of dollars to make the arrangement with Yemeni security forces for the abduction of Andargachew. However, the government, then under total control of TPLF, denied the allegation and claimed that his abduction has got to do with security pacts that the government signed with the government of Yemen.

Abiy Ahmed admitted this week publicly that the capture of Andaragachew Tsige brought about political and economic challenges to the government.

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The post President Mulatu Teshome to sign Andargachew’s Amnesty letter appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
May 29,2018

It is confirmed that Andargachew Tsige is now in his father’s home in Bole, Addis Ababa. In a remark he gave, he said the sacrifice paid in the last four years in view of what is happening to Ethiopian people is nothing. He added that he told his TPLF tormentors that he prefers to die rather than seeing the suffering of what the Ethiopian people indulged in. Video footage below (in Amharic) is from AbbayMedia.

Crowd control in the premises of Ato Tsige Habetemariam’s, Andargachew’s father, home was problematic. Euphoric supporters of Andargachew Tsige were yelling out of happiness so much so that Andargachew Tsige was unable to speak.

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The post Video Footage : Andargachew Tsige’s first message from his father’s home in Addis Ababa after he was released appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Who would expect that Andargachew Tsige would be released before the collapse of the regime in power let alone imagining him having a political discussion with the prime minister of Ethiopia? It all happened.

borkena
May 30,2018

The political situation in Ethiopia is changing fast and what happened today is a clear testimony to that reality. Secretary of Ginbot 7 movement, Andarghachew Tsige, who was behind bars for about four years after he was abducted in 2014 and released yesterday met with prime minister Abiy Ahmed today and discussed politics.

Images of Andargachew Tsige shaking hands with Abiy Ahmed was released on social media. Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) confirmed that Andargachew has indeed discussion with Prime minister Abiy Ahmed regarding a range of issues in Ethiopian politics but restrained himself from giving out details.

Executive committee of the ruling party met in December of 2017 amid relentless anti-government protest in the country and decided to close down notorious torture camber, Maekelawi,and release political prisoners although the government advanced the position for too long that there are no political prisoners in the country. Releasing political prisoners was not an end in itself. It was rather a means to achieve national reconciliation, which the party rejected for a long time as irrelevant, through broadening the “democratic space” in the country. Many political prisoners are released but it is believed that there are still political prisoners.

The release of Andarchew Tsige was not an easy undertaking for the ruling party as was the case when he was captured four years ago; a huge sum of US currency is believed to be paid out to Yemeni security officials. Political discussion within the ruling party regarding the release of Andargachew Tsige has caused further division, according to media sources who claim to have information from insiders.

Amhara People’s Democratic Movement( ANDM) is the party that initiated the issue of the release of Andargachew Tsige on grounds that if the national reconciliation agenda is to involve Ethiopian living abroad, it will be problematic without the release of Andargachew Tsige. On the other hand, TPLF faction within the ruling coalition opposed the idea arguing that releasing Andargachew Tsige would be tantamount to encouraging “Terrorism,” according to Wazema radio.

Once agreement was reached on the release of Andargachew Tsige, the difference between TPLF and progressive forces in the ruling coalition came down to the question of as to whether Andargachew has to leave the country in no time or allow him to visit his father who was the only person allowed to visit him during the four years of his incarceration. Apparently, TPLF wanted Andargache Tsige to leave Ethiopia for the United Kingdom. The motive behind TPLF position was to avoid what it thought to be a political defeat. As it turns out, TPLF lost that position too. Andargachew was released and allowed to visit his father in the capital while the UK embassy process travel arrangements.

Activists and youth group in Addis Ababa organized event to celebrate Andargachew as he arrives to his father’s home in Bole area. Outside of the country Ethiopians cross cities in North America,Europe and elsewhere organized similar events to celebrate a man who was charged with “terrorism” and put on death row. The events have clearly caused anger among TPLF elites and some have been even calling for the rearrest of Andargachew Tsige on grounds of making “political rallies without valid visa” in the capital.

Andargachews’ meeting with Abiy Amhed came as a surprise in that light. The new prime minister is capitalizing on the agenda of creating national consensus and has been meeting with different opposition groups. Last week, leaders of Oromo Democratic Front leaders who were among the pioneers of ethnic based political parties in Ethiopia arrived in the country “for political dialogue” and held discussions with the prime minister.



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The post Andargachew Tsige met with prime minister Abiy Ahmed, discussed politics appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

ESFNA board of directors to consider Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s request to make a speech to be considered for future tournaments.

borkena
May 31,2018

Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA) announced today that the Board of Directors voted not to accept Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s request to make a speech at this years’s tournament which is organized in Dallas, Texas. Apparently, the prime minister didn’t directly wrote the board. It was the Ethiopian Embassy in North America which submitted the request.

The Board thought the prime minister’s request came in a short notice given the preparations for the tournament is already finalized. The other justification of the decision is that the prime minister’s presence in the tournament could attract huge crowd for which, the Board thinks, the venue will not be a fit. The Board also considered liability and security arrangement issues to reach at the decision.

Ethiopians have been debating the issue on social media for nearly a week now. In view of what Prime minister Abiy Ahmed has been doing in Ethiopia and for the sake of, many believe, making national reconciliation effort bear fruit, a considerable number of Ethiopians supported Abiy Ahmed’s request and expressed opinion that ESFNA should honor the request.

Others point to Board regulations that no politician is supposed to make speech at the event and say that the Board should invite one politician from the opposition ( and Andargachew Tsige who is released from prison this week is singled out) if it is to accept the prime minister’s request.

Still others think that no concrete measure is taken on the part of the government of Ethiopia to broaden the political space other than the release of political prisoners who should not have been in prison in the first place.

Although the decision of the board does not seem to be please quite a considerable Ethiopians living in and outside of the country, it brought about relief to many others.

From the statement of ESFNA, it seems the case that the Board could accept the request sometime in the future.

The 35th edition of the tournament is kicking off in Dallas on July 1 and will run till July 7. The event draws Ethiopians from across North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, among others.

Full text of the statement from ESFNA Board reads as follows

Dear Fellow Ethiopians,

After days of deliberations regarding the request from H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed delivered by the Embassy of Ethiopia in Washington, D.C., the ESFNA Board of Directors have voted not to accept the Prime Minister’s desire to address Ethiopians in North America during the Dallas tournament in July, but request it to be at a future tournament. There were multiple pressing factors that led the Board to postpone the invitation, most importantly:

1. The request was received too close to the tournament and there were too many variables introduced by the prospect of the Prime Minister’s attendance—specifically to ensure the safety of all guests and attendees;

2. The size of the venue is not large enough to accommodate the potential audience the Prime Minister’s presence would create (an unscientific poll posted on ESFNA’s Facebook page reached over 140,000 people organically);

3. Most of the tournament-related particulars—including liability insurance—have already been in place, and the time constraint to rework those particulars will make it improbable if not impossible to guarantee the necessary changes would be accomplished in time.

However, the majority of Board Members were honored by the request. This is the first time an Ethiopian head of state has ever requested to attend any ESFNA’s annual tournament. It is a testament to ESFNA’s contribution to the North American Ethiopian community, and the North American community at large.

ESFNA is cognizant of the wave of change occurring in Ethiopia. Our hope is these reforms continue and become more participatory of every stakeholder of the nation. ESFNA is acutely aware of the energy and vigor with which the Prime Minister is harvesting from the Ethiopian people. We encourage everyone, including Prime Minister Abiy, to continue to engage with the Ethiopian community through peaceful dialogue so that current and future generations of Ethiopians will continue to come together.

It is our hope that the office of the Prime Minister and ESFNA will have an opportunity to revisit this outstanding invitation at a later time.

In conclusion, we would like to thank our fellow Ethiopians from across the world who e-mailed, called and used every form of media and social networks to voice their opinions on the letter of request.

We hope to see you in Dallas this summer.
ESFNA




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The post Why ESFNA didn’t accept PM Abiy Ahmed’s request to make a speech at the tournament appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

The state of emergency could be lifted as early as this coming week as draft bill from Council of Ministers is sent to the parliament

borkena
June 2,2018

Upon completing its regular meeting today, the council of ministers decided to lift state of emergency. The council reached the decision after evaluating the security situation in the country and the council believes that peace and stability is restored, according to Fitsum Arega, Chief of staff in the office of the prime minister.

he tweeted :

“The council of ministers in its today’s regular meeting reviewed the security situation of the country. It noted that law and order has been restored. It has approved a draft law that lifts the state of emergency. The draft will be sent to parliament for consideration”

The Council of Ministers in its today’s regular meeting reviewed the security situation of the country. It noted that law & order has been restored. It has approved a draft law that lifts the State of Emergency. The draft will be sent to Parliament for its consideration #Ethiopia

— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) June 2, 2018

The state of emergency was decreed for a second time in mid February of this year following the resignation of Prime minister Hailmariam Desalegne which gave rise to power struggle within the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which was culminated with the coming to power of Abiy Ahmed as chairman of the coalition and prime minister of Ethiopia.

Despite strong opposition from Ethiopians, government introduced the state of emergency claiming that it was unable to maintain peace and order through the regular law enforcement mechanism.

A body named as “Command Post” was organized, mostly composed of TPLF affiliated military generals, to preside over the state of emergency.

However, the new prime minister sounded like he was in charge and took measures in the direction of releasing political prisoners and creating conversation for national unity. Despite some notable gains, there seem to be still a challenge in terms of defending the rights of Ethiopians to live and work anywhere in the country. Emerging reports in social media claim that ethnic Amhara Ethiopians who have been living in Oromo region of Ethiopia for decades are being displaced after they are dispossessed of their small land holdings.

The Ethiopian parliament is expected to ratify the draft bill to end the state of emergency. The issue of lifting the state of emergency has been perceived by Ethiopians as one of the litmus test if the prime minister exercises real power.

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The post Ethiopia to lift state of emergency rule after over three months appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
June 2,2018

As reform measure focusing on fighting corruption and improving service delivery continues, heads of agencies and ministries are being reshuffled or removed from their positions altogether.

According to reports by the Ethiopian Reporter, Yohannes Ayalew (Phd), Deputy governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, is removed from his position. The source added that he is appointed as director of Ethiopian Development and Research Institute.

In a related development, US based Ethiopian news outlet Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) cited what it called internal sources from the bank that Governor of the National Bank of Ethiopia,Teklewold Atnafu, is accused of making illegal loan arrangement the Endowment Fund for the Rehabilitation of Tigray (EFFORT). The report added that the new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, is firing him.

ESAT cites its sources as saying “eight months ago, Atnafu, against his mandate, has given a guarantee for 100 million USD foreign loan borrowed by Almeda Textile, which is one of dozens of companies under EFFORT. The sources added that the 100 million USD loan was taken from a Chineses bank by the former CEO of EFFORT, Azeb Mesfin, who is also the widow of the late Prime Minister meles Zenawi. The sources added that Atnafu was a trusted confidante of the late Prime Minister.”

But it is not clear if the soon to be former governor of National Bank of Ethiopia, if the reports are true, is facing corruption charges.

It is widely believed that TPLF conglomerate, EFFORT, which is estimated to be worth at least US $6 billion has ravaged state banks in the country. President of Development Bank of Ethiopia resigned recently.

So far Abiy Ahmed’s administration has not detained or charged any government officials in connection with corruption. He has only claimed that his government is trying to investigate government officials if they have funds in foreign banks and that his government has requested cooperation foreign governments to recover graft related funds.

Some government officials who are believed to be highly corrupted were made to retire and are promised by prime minister Abiy Ahmed, who declared Zero tolerance on corruption, that they will not be charged.



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The post Deputy governor of National Bank of Ethiopia removed appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
June 4,2018

A protestant church pastor is reportedly attacked and devoured by a crocodile at Lake Abaya which is close to Arba Minch city, some five hundred kilometers to the south west of the capital Addis Ababa, according to eye witnesses accounts who took the news to social media.

The pastor who is identified as Doche was reportedly baptizing members of his congregation in the Lante locality of the shores of lake Abaya around 4 pm local time when he was suddenly attacked by a giant Crocodile which reportedly devoured him as members of his church watch helplessly in tears. Members of the church are said to be devastated by what has happened.

Lake Abaya which covers an area of 1,162 km² is known to have a huge Crocodile population.

This horrifying news is widely shared among Ethiopians in social media although Ethiopian state and affiliated media didn’t report about it so far.

borkena staff would like to expresses heartfelt condolences for the families of the pastor and members of his church congregation.

Photo Credit : Social media



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The post Ethiopian pastor devoured by Crocodile while baptizing faithfuls appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

In what seem to be effort to reverse shortage of foreign currency in Ethiopia, on the surface, the ruling party is embarking on huge privatization scheme. TPLF and affiliates are expected to win big out of it.

borkena
June 5,2018

Ethiopia’s ruling coalition, EPRDF, announced that it is poised to partially and fully privatize state owned factories and service sector enterprises.

The decision to embark on privatization was made today at the thirty-six members Executive Committee meeting of the party which is expected to end tomorrow.

In a statement sent to state and affiliated media in the country, the highest body of the ruling party said that railway service, sugar plants industry parks, hotels, maritime transport and other enterprises will be transferred to the private sector fully or partially.

The 750 kilometers Ethiopian Railway which runs between Addis Ababa and Djibouti was opened in 2016 after it was completed at a cost of US $3.4 billion with loans from Chinese banks.

Ethiopian Airlines, one of the leading and most successful airlines in Africa, is also be be partially privatized as per Ethiopia’s ruling party’s decision. it is not known at this point as to what portion of the enterprise is up for sale. However, the party announced that it will be sold to local and foreign investors.

Ethio-Telecom, another giant state owned service providing enterprise, and Hydro plants are in the to be privatized list.

These economic policy measures, says the ruling party, are necessary to reinforce the “fast economic growth.”

However, the government party seem to be in ideological dilemma as it says that implementation of the privatization scheme will be in line with “tenets of Developmental State” and lasting interest of Ethiopia.

The implementation of it is to be subject to tight control although details of the planning is left to experts in the field, says the statement from the executive committee of the ruling party.

Reaction from the public

Abiy Ahmed has been cheered so far for many for the measures he took especially for releasing political prisoners at home and for negotiating the release of Ethiopian migrants in other countries.

News of privatization (“partial”) of the national carrier, Ethiopian Airlines which is more than seventy years old now, has angered the public and critics are venting their anger in social media.

In a status update entitled “Ethiopia and Ethiopians Cannot Be Sold!” Birhanemeskel Abebe Segni, who has been a cautious supporter of Abiy Ahmed’s move, wrote :

“….It is very puzzling, unbelievable and incomprehensible to see the EPRDF Executive Committee declare the privatization of Ethiopian people’s tax-money-built manufacturing and service sector national economic establishments and institutions including the Ethiopian Telecom and the Ethiopian Airlines into the hands of private domestic and foreign agents in what could be considered the greatest wealth and resources transfer from the Ethiopian people into the hands of the EPRDF connected, mainly TPLF robbers and thieves….”

Epherem Eshete, who also seems to be a cautious supporter of Abiy Ahmed, seem to equate the move to privatize enterprises like Ethiopian Airlines and Ethio-Telecom, among others, as economic slavery. Translation of the status update he wrote in Amharic today partially translates :

“No slavery is preferable. But if there is a situation that compels to chose from political slavery is better than economic slavery…”

Based on overwhelming negative reaction to the news of privatization, it seems the case Ethiopians could take to the street to oppose the proposed privatization.

Why government opted for privatization?

Chronic shortage of foreign currency reserve is said to be one of the caused for the decision to privatize enterprises.

However, issue of productivity and efficiency, ironically inline with theoretical assumptions of neoliberalism, are among the reasons.

Whatever, the case is , Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) which owns giant business empire in the country is expected to benefit from the privatization trend if it is not reversed by Ethiopians.



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The post Ethiopia to undertake huge privatization venture ; Ethiopian Airlines in the list appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
June 6,2018

In a speech at anti-corruption coalition event in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopian prime minister says his administration is challenged by economic sabotage and it is happening after he took the office of the prime minister. And he called on the public to fight it. However, he did not name names or the names of the department other than pointing out that form of sabotage and corruption is an organized one.

The prime minister also talked about policy initiative along the line of privatization and normalization of relations with Eritrea which he described as progressive ones. As opposed to the conventional description of the state of relations between the two countries, Abiy discarded the notion of “no peace-no war” and described it rather as state of war with no causality.

The video below,from state affiliated media, is in Amharic.

It was yesterday that the Executive Committee of the ruling coalition in Ethiopia announced major privatization plan in the key service and manufacturing sectors of the economy as a response to chronic shortage of foreign currency and high debt levels.

Analysts, however, tend to see the privatization plan with skepticism. They think that it could legitimize TPLF’s move to dominate the Ethiopian economy and that, they, goes the argument will perpetuate political slavery in the country.



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The post Prime minister Abiy Ahmed talks about economic sabotage within his administration appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

More than 7000 migrants use the Gulf of Aden every month. In 2017, more than 100,000 took
the route, says Mohammed Abdiker, Director of Department of Operations and Emergencies, who described the journey across Gulf of Aden as perilous.

borkena
June 7,2018

At leas 46 Ethiopian migrants are reported dead in the Guld of Aden after a boat carrying 100 migrants is capsized near Yemen yesterday morning, according to a report by United Nations agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM). 37 of the victims are men while 9 are women,added the report.

16 other migrants are reported missing and are presumed to be dead.

The ICRC and Yemen Red Crescent organized the burial of those whose body has been recovered.

The UN agency said that its staff members were onsite and provided assistance to survivors who were reported to be traumatized.

IOM cited survivors to report that smugglers boat carrying 100 immigrants left the port of Bossaso, Somalia, a day before the accident ( June 5) and approached the shores of Yemen around 5 a.m yesterday. The smugglers did not give passengers life jacket. Survivors recount boat experiencing trouble as high wave struck as it approached the shore.

Mohammed Abdiker, Director of Department of Operations and Emergencies of the organization is quoted as saying “The Gulf of Aden’s shameful migration tragedy is one that is hidden in plain sight.”

The Associated Press reported in August 2017 that about 250 migrants were thrown to the sea of the coast of Yemen.

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The post 46 Ethiopian migrants reported dead after smuggler boat is capsized in the Gulf of Aden appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Are the changes made to National Intelligence and Security Agency and the Defense for relevant to achieve intended reforms?Is Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s reform agenda thwarted by reactionary forces who seem exploit power struggle between ethnic parties that constitute the ruling coalition?

borkena
June 7,2018

One of the most powerful men and Long time Director of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), Getachew Assefa, is removed from his position effective today.

Although the change has been rumored for a long time now following reports by US based Ethiopian news outlet (ESAT), it was made public today and covered by state and affiliated media in Ethiopia after the office of prime minister announced it. Getachew was highly secretive and has been known to the public as faceless officer. No official picture of him was ever in the media to-date.

Who is took-over his position?

Abiy Ahmed picked General Adem Mohamed to take over as the new Director of the intelligence agency. And he is charge of the country’s security and intelligence effective from today.

The prime minister’s office stated that General Adem was appointed in “consideration of his work experience.”

During Hailemariam Desalegn’s term in office, he was appointed as deputy chief of staff of the National Defense force of Ethiopia. Furthermore, he served as head of the Ethiopian Air Force until today.

Other “changes”

The office of the prime minister also announced the appointment General Seare Mekonnen as the new chief of staff D’etat major of the defense force. Seare is replacing the General Samora Yenus who was a close confidant of the late Meles Zenawi and who served as chief of staff for well over two decades. Seare is believed to be an ultra ethnic Tigray nationalist and a die hard TPLF member as is the case with Samora.

There has been critics among analysts the change, which is meant to be the new prime minister’s reform measure to entrench transparency and accountability as solid principles of governance, is focusing on personnel rather than institutional reform. Yet, even the change in leadership in some institution does not constitute change in the real sense of the term and that is what the removal of of Samora only to be replaced by Seare did not make much sense for critics and Ethiopians in the opposition quarter.

In a related development, Abadula Gemeda who served as speaker of the house of representative for a long time and who was appointed a few weeks ago as adviser on national security to the prime minister is made to retire. Perhaps, Abiy Ahmed was under pressure from TPLF officials. Abadula resigned as speaker of the house in September 2017 ,at the height of internal wrangling within the ruling coalition,claimed that “his people and his party” were disrespected. Months later, he rescinded his resignation and briefly worked as speaker of the house before his appointment as security advisor to the prime minister.

Girma Birru who served as Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States for more than seven years since 2011, currently Chairman of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation’s (EEPCo) Board of Directors, is made to retire as well. He served as Minister for Economic Development and Cooperation between 1995 and 2001 and as minister of Minister of Trade and Industry between 2001 and 2010.

Abadula Gemeda and Girma Birru are members of Oromo People’s Democratic Organization, one of the four ethnic based parties that constitute the ruling coalition, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

Raison d’etre for the reform minded new prime minister in making changes to various government institution is fighting corruption and bringing quality and efficient public service but making that happen seem to be difficult, to say the least, due to power struggle within the ruling coalition.

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The post Ethiopia removed National Intelligence and Security Agency Director appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
June 9,2018

2.38 kilograms of mercury is captured in Mekelle, says a report by government affiliated media – Fana Broadcasting Corporate.

It was captured at Alula Aba Nega Airport and was meant to be on its way to Addis Ababa. The report, however, didn’t release the identity of the suspect, where the smuggled mercury,seemingly, originated from or the circumstances under which it was captured.

Fana Broadcasting cited Ephrem Mekonen, education and communications affair director of Ethiopian Revenue authority, to report that the person who was in possession the liquid metal ( it is also sometimes known as quicksilver) was not detained as the authorities were trying to establish if the substance is real.

After experts in Geological survey and ministry of mining and natural gas established that the captured substance is indeed mercury, authorities are going after the individual who smuggled it.

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The post Over two kilograms of smuggled Mercury captured in Mekelle appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena
June 9,2018

Abiy Ahmed arrived in Egypt on Saturday evening for an official two days visit in the country. He was reportedly received warmly upon arrival in Cairo by Egyptian president Abdul Fetah Al-Sisi.

Abiy traveled to Egypt from Uganda where he received “The Pearl of Africa Grand Medal” Award from Ugandan President Yoweri museveni on Heroes, a national holiday in the country, “for his reconciliatory leadership in achieving peace & stability in Ethiopia & for extending Olive Branch to #Eritrea,” as tweeted by his chief of staff Fitsum Arega.

Abiy is accompanied to Egypt by high level delegation and is expected to hold discussion with Egyptian president Sisi on matters of bilateral relations,trade and regional issues, according to Ethiopian government sources. River Nile and Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam project, which has been a controversial issue between to two countries for the last few years, is also expected to be in the agenda for discussion between the two leaders. Egypt Today was specific as to what exactly is the agenda item regarding the talk on Nile ; “the potential negative impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the downstream countries (Egypt and Sudan)”

Abiy Ahmed and Abdul Fetah al-Sisi are scheduled to hold a joint press conference on Sunday after a bilateral meeting.

Ethiopia and Egypt have been trading war of words sometime back after Egyptian president ranted “Nile is a matter of life and death for Egypt” – connoting that it is a red line. Ethiopian authorities responded to what was then understood as a form of “threat of war” in like fashion asserting that The Grand Renaissance Dam, estimated to cost well over US$ 5 billion, is a matter of life and death. When completed the Dam is expected to generate 6000 MW of electric power.

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been holding tripartite talks on the dam following “concerns” from Egypt that the Ethiopian dam project reduces the flow of water to Egypt.

Despite the three countries agreed on hiring a private firm from France to complete impact assessment, no agreement was reached until last month on the terms of reference as Egypt wanted to make Ethiopia accept the 1959 agreement on Nile to which Ethiopia was not a party.

More than 85 percent of the Nile water originates from Ethiopia.

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The post Ethiopian PM in Egypt for an official visit ; met with Sisi appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.