October 09,2019

German chancellor Angela Merkel is on a trip to Africa -apparently to discuss migration and terrorism. Mali, Niger and Ethiopia are the countries that she is visiting.

Ethiopia is her last destination if she plans not to cancel it due to the state of emergency that went into effect starting yesterday.

State of emergency was declared on grounds that, says prime minister Hailemariam Desalegne, security and stability in Ethiopia deteriorated. Ethiopia is facing unprecedented threat, in his words.

Ethiopian local newspaper, Ethiopian Reporter, reported that Amgela Merkel turned down invitation to speak at the Ethiopian parliament during her visit. Reason? Merkel does not see, according to the report, a meaning in speaking to the Ethiopian Parliament since it is entirely controlled by one party. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at the parliament when he visited Ethiopia in July of this year.

Angela Merkel is expected to arrive in Ethiopia on Monday – in the evening. During her stay, she will visit the African Union in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa -among other things.

As well, she will be speaking with government officials including Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne. Talks will focus on human rights particularly use of excessive forces by government security against unarmed protesters. In a matter of one year, more than 1000 civilians are killed across the country.

What makes Chancellor Merkel’ s visit to Ethiopia unique is that she will also be talking to opposition party figures and civic society leaders – perhaps an indication of emphasis she placed on human rights issue in Ethiopia. Many political activists and journalists are thrown to prison on trumped up charges “terrorism” – a topic that she is expected to talk about.

Last month,Merkel took a glance,from her office balcony, at Ethiopian Protesters who were demanding the government of Germany to condemn the killings of civilians in Ethiopia. Germany has been one of the donors to Ethiopia for a long time now and has development projects in the country.

This is not her first visit to Africa.

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ESAT
October 12, 2016

Two members of the Agazi forces, the special paramilitary widely accused of committing mass killings, torture and detentions, were killed in a grenade attack Tuesday in the northern city of Bahir Dar, according to two witnesses who spoke to ESAT.

The red beret soldiers were patrolling the subdivision of the city called Kebele 05 when their convoy came under attack. Two soldiers were also seriously wounded.

No one took responsibility for the deadly attack but residents said a group called the Justice and Freedom Forces might have carried out the attack.

Bahir Dar has been the scene of violent protests since July where anti-government protests turned deadly as the Agazi forces opened fire at protesters while thousands were detained.

The grenade attack came a week after the Ethiopian regime declared a state of emergency which drew sharp criticism from the international community and mainstream media. The marshal law is an excuse to perpetrate an even brutal crackdown on protesters and dissenters of the regime, according to human rights groups.

Residents of Bahir Dar has been on strike this week despite the state of emergency declared by the regime on Sunday.

The regime is reportedly trying to disarm the people in the Amhara region where armed farmers and groups have been taking retaliatory attack against regime forces.

Hundreds of people lost their lives in the hands of government security forces as months of anti-government protest in Ethiopia show no sign of dying down.

Cover Photo : Agazi forces
Source : Social Media
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Check ESAT for more information about this report

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borkena
October 13,2013

Yemen authorities say over 1000 Ethiopian inmates in a prison in Shabwa town in northern part of the country are freed in an apparent coordinated operation by unknown armed groups and taken to a different location, according to Ethiopian Satellite Television.

Intelligence authorities are said to have told media in Yemen that freed Ethiopians are taken to Marib and Bayda region of Yemen.

These areas are reportedly under the influence of al-qaeda. There seem to be a precedence that terrorists use freed inmates for war.

Ethiopians were arrested on alleged grounds of illegal presence in Yemen. Claimant refugees often times face abuse in the hands of police and arrest on grounds of “illegal presence” while it is clear that claimant refugees could not posses legal documents when they are running away from Ethiopia.

ESAT report indicated that Yemen intelligence authorities avoided disclosing details as to why Ethiopians are taken to these towns.

Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians are believed to live in Yemen. Even at a time when Yemen is living ravaging civil war that involved powers in the region, among others, Ethiopians still flee to Yemen to escape desperate political and economic situation in Ethiopia.

Cover photo : Ethiopian migrants in Yemen
Source : Mereja.com/file
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ESAT
October 14,2016

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi denied on Thursday Ethiopian regime’s accusations that his country was supporting groups trying to overthrow it.

Al-Sisi’s response came after Ethiopian officials repeatedly accused Egypt and Eritrea of backing rebels and revolutionaries struggling for regime change.

“Egypt does not conspire against anyone,” Reuters quoted Al-Sisi as saying in a speech to the Egyptian military.

“I want to assure the brothers in Ethiopia that Egypt has never ever offered any support to the opposition and will not carry out any conspiratorial action against Ethiopia.”

A tsunami of anti-government protests hit the Ethiopian regime in the last one year resulting in the death of hundreds, over one thousand by some estimates, as security forces shot live bullets and used excessive force against peaceful protesters.

The two countries have been at loggerheads since Ethiopia began the construction of a mega dam on the Nile, over which Egypt and Sudan enjoy a monopoly.

Cover photo : File

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Check ESAT for more information about this report.

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Reuters via The Washington Post

The Washington Post
Published on October 14,2016

The October 11 World article “Ethiopia imposes state of emergency amid unrest” highlighted the widespread and proactive dissent that the undemocratic government is facing and the desperate measures it is taking. The situation is a consequence of the ruling party’s 25 years of dominance and its brutal suppression of human rights and political opposition.

Every segment of Ethiopian society, regardless of ethnic affiliation, has been victimized by the government’s unfair and misguided policies. The people of Ethiopia, therefore, in unison, are saying enough to a quarter-century of abuse. That is the reason there are active opposition movements throughout the country. This should not overshadow, however, the destructive presence of secessionist groups and liberation fronts that will further threaten Ethiopia’s unity and stability. Such groups and their agendas will add only unmanageable chaos to the situation.

The current popular movement can become effective only if it is channeled through a unifying, not a separatist, leadership. The people of Ethiopia are demanding that type of leadership to bring a sustainable, democratic change to their nation. Promoting and fighting for the interests of a single ethnic group will never be the solution for Ethiopia’s persistent political problems. Unity is the key to establishing freedom, equality and justice.

Tewodros Abebe, Accokeek

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borkena
October 15,2016

Regime in Ethiopia announced regulations that govern six months long sate of emergency which was declared last week. It will be administered by what the government described as “command post” – supposedly and nominally under Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalgne but practically under elites of the ruling Tigray people’s Liberation Front at the Federal level of government.

The regulation impacts the mobility of diplomatic community as it restricts travel outside of 40 kilometers radius from the capital Addis Ababa. In the event that Diplomats have to go outside of Addis Ababa, the regulation requires them to obtain permission from the “command post.”

The regulation is harsh, probably as anticipated, on Ethiopians. It goes to the extent of restricting, this is not exaggeration, what Ethiopians are supposed to wear.

It also lists media outlets that Ethiopians are not allowed to use to get information or news. Accordingly, accessing information from Ethiopian Satellite Television and Oromia Media Networks( both are based community news networks based in the United States) is strictly prohibited. They are labelled as media that work with what regime call “terrorist” organizations.

Public gatherings and demonstrations are prohibited as they have been for at least a year now.

Furthermore, in what seem to be an apparent move to avert stay at home protests and strikes by business owners and other service giving entities , the regulation lists prohibited activities by employing phrases like “not providing service to the public.” For example, if a cafe is not open for some reason, it could possibly be politically interpreted as denying service to the public.

As ludicrous as it is, and with all the satirical consumption of it, there are truly worrisome aspects to it. More than anything else, it could make extrajudicial killings more prevalent all over the country. Apart from infringing on freedom of expression and imposing restrictions in a range of areas, the new state of emergency regulation grants security forces authority to take any measure they deem “necessary.”

In the past few months, more than 1000 Ethiopians have already been killed in different parts of Ethiopia. Angela Merkel offered skills training for the security forces during her visit this week in order to avoid deaths of more civilians.

Earlier during the week, United States’ State Department issued statement asking clarification from the government of Ethiopia. Similarly, Canada “urged restraint” when it issued a statement this on Wednesday.

It remains to be seen as to how the diplomatic community will react to this draconian regulations.

Written by Dimetros Birku. Tweets : @dimetros

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borkena
October 17,2016

More than 1000 Ethiopians are reportedly arrested in Sebeta, just outside of western outskirts of the capital Addis Ababa,in connection with what the government describes as vandalism.

Angry protesters over the Irrecha stampede, which claimed the lives of over 700 Ethiopians, burned down vehicles and factories not long after funeral procession of victims from the town was completed.

Vandalism targeted, from citizen reports on social media, properties owned by locals related to,one way or another, Tigray People Liberation Front. However, state media reported that foreign firms in Sebeta were also attacked.

An American post-doctoral researcher from UC Davis, identified as Sharon Gray, was killed in Sebeta wehn the van she was in with other foreigners was attacked by protesters. However, the incident was noted as suspicious for some in view of past records of the regime.

Mulatu Teshome, a rather despised political, or apolitical in light of ceremonial nature of the presidential position, figure, announced the intention of the regime in power to provide all forms of support for investors whose property was attacked by protesters. His statement triggered speculation that the regime is probably intending to arrange bank loan for “investors” with links to TPLF.

State media claims that “suspects” arrested in Sebeta are mostly from other towns of Omoria region of Ethiopia. Last week, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation reported that 17 Ethiopians were arrested on grounds of alleged links with Oromo Liberation Front (OLF)

Handling of detainees is usually inhuman; in most case subjected to excruciating torture including sleep deprivation and hunger -among other torture methods.

Ethiopia is under state of emergency since last week. There are assertions that the state of emergency is meant to mount an even more brutal crack down on dissent with the aim to weaken and control popular movement for fundamental political change in the country. For these group, the mass arrest in Sebeta is seen as an evidence of projected crackdown on the movement.

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Sudan Tribune
Published on October 17, 2016

KHARTOUM – Arrangements are underway between Sudan and Ethiopia to launch a single border crossing between the two countries to ease international trade flows and combat cross-border crime.

A four-day workshop to develop the legal framework for the border crossing has commenced in Khartoum on Monday with the participation of legal experts from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

Sudan’s Minister of Presidential Affairs and head of the higher committee for border crossings Fadl Abdalla Fadl, who addressed the workshop, said the workshop seeks to develop a draft agreement between Sudan and Ethiopia on the border crossing.

He stressed that the single border crossing between Ethiopia and Sudan would facilitate efforts to combat cross-border crimes such as illegal drug trade and human trafficking.

For his part, the director of Sudan’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) Abdel-Hafiz Salih Ali pointed to the need to develop a legal framework to regulate the border-crossings through the implementation of the joint border station and the coordinated border management systems.

He stressed the importance for join work with the neighboring countries to achieve the optimal use of resources, increase the volume of international trade and combat cross-border crime.

Ali pointed that the GAC and the concerned government and private entities seek to benefit from the international trade facilitation standards by integrating work of international organizations such as the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization besides the regional economic and political blocs such as COMESA and IGAD.

He pointed that several African countries including Zambia, Zimbabwi, Rwanda and Burundi have applied the joint border station system which led to enhancing international trade flows.

Last year, the Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir said his country is determined to promote the existing relations with Ethiopia within the shared strategic vision the two neighbours stride together in order to open wide horizons for joint cooperation in all fields.

He stressed that Khartoum will aggressively engage to transform the large shared borders of Ethiopia and Sudan into a comprehensive economic integration.

As well as energy linkages, with Sudan’s oil and Ethiopia’s hydro-power processed electricity exchange, the two countries currently have an ongoing joint projects aimed to link their borders with roads and rail ways.

Cover Photo: File/Sudan Tribune

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For more information about this report, check Sudan Tribune

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borkena
October 19,2016

New Democrats Party, one of Canada’s opposition parties, expressed concern over the situation in Ethiopia. Statement released by Hélène Laverdière,NDP Foreign Affairs Critic, and Cheryl Hardcastle, NDP Vice Chair of the Subcommittee for International Human Rights, disclosed that “New Democrats are deeply concerned about the ongoing political and human rights crisis in Ethiopia.”

Noting the fact that Canada is the third major donor to Ethiopia, the statement urged the government of Canada to influence change in Ethiopia.

As well, New Democrats’ statement bent on seeing ethnic and language diversities rather as a strength : “Ethiopia is renowned for its rich cultural traditions and is blessed with over 80 different ethnicities. All Ethiopians deserve peace, security and a democracy that is truly representative of all the peoples within the country” remarked the statement.

Full statement is available here

Universal Health Care in Canada is the legacy of New Democrats. The party is currently mobilizing supporters to repulse threats on health care. Major concern in that regard is privatization.Chances are New Democrats Party could win the support of many more Canadians in the fight to keep universal health care public.

Written by Dimetros Birku. Tweets : @dimetros
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By David Gilbert
Vice News
October 21,2016

The Ethiopian government has declared a state of emergency in the country as it intensifies a crackdown on widespread anti-government protests born of frustration that’s been fomenting for decades. In the past two weeks alone, authorities have arrested thousands of protesters, overwhelmingly young people by some accounts.

In the unprecedented anti-government protests sweeping the country, this week alone has seen more than 2,600 people detained in the Oromia and Amhara regions, with 450 arrested in the capital Addis Ababa. Those detained include business owners who closed their shops and teachers who “abandoned their schools.” In June, Human Rights Watch reported that “tens of thousands” of protesters had been arrested since the unrest that began 11 months ago.

However, the number arrested is already likely much higher than the figure quoted by the government, according to Fisseha Tekle, the chief researcher for Amnesty International in Ethiopia. He told VICE News that arrests are ongoing and that the focus is on younger people.

“They must have some list, the security forces, because they are not arresting everyone, but they really target the youths, because it is the youths who have been protesting for the last year,” Tekle said. “They don’t arrest older people; students are the main target.”

Read full story on Vice News

Cover : File/Gadaa

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ESAT
October 22,2016

A two day conference kicked off in Washington, DC on Saturday to deliberate on “transition and constitution making in post-conflict Ethiopia.”

Political scientists, activists, representatives of political organizations and religious institutions as well as prominent Ethiopians would be deliberating and exchanging views on prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in a post-TPLF Ethiopia in a bid to prevent and resolve issues that might lead to instability in Ethiopia.

Welcoming participants, Prof. of economics at Harper College and President of Vision Ethiopia, Getachew Begashaw of Harper College and President of Vision Ethiopia, the organizer of the conference, spoke of the significance of the theme of the conference considering the current state of affairs in Ethiopia.

Also welcoming conference participants, Abebe Gellaw, Executive Director of ESAT, the co-organizer of the conference said the conference came at a time when “change is knocking at the door in Ethiopia.” He said the topic of the conference was of paramount importance as Ethiopians need to work “to clean up the mess that the demise of the TPLF regime would leave behind.”

A number of papers with particular emphasis on transition as well as managing and resolving conflicts in the post TPLF Ethiopia would be deliberated at the conference which is streaming live on ESAT.

Check Ethiopian Satellite Television Facebook page for more information on this report

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October 22,2016

EBC video from YouTube channel

Amid state of emergency, regime in Ethiopia hastened to transform relation with Sudan to a new level by signing bilateral agreements in a range of areas in the realm of trade and investment. Regime’s move stands in stark contrast to its current relation with Egypt which appears to be in a worst state in the entire history of the ruling party in Ethiopia.

Main cause for deteriorating relation with Egypt is allegation of intervention in internal politics by way of supporting ethno-nationalist groups, primarily Oromo Liberation Front, with the aim -according to regime’s narrative- to destabilize Ethiopia. Egypt,however,denied the allegation.

Regime’s narrative seem to be accepted by Sudan. State television, EBC, reported that Sudan’s vice president, Hassabo Mohamed said that Sudan does not accept Egypt’s “intervention” in the internal affair of Ethiopia(watch EBC video above.)

Sudanese delegation under its vice president was in Ethiopia this week to sign agreement trade agreement with the regime in Ethiopia. Livestock,transport,banking and railways are areas on which Debretsion Gebremichael (deputy prime minister and minister of communication and Technology , he is from TPLF party) and Sudanese vice president signed agreement. Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branch is to be opened in Khartoum,Sudan, as part of the agreement.

TPLF government and government of Sudan have relation that dates back to the guerrilla times of Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Two or so years ago, both parties have signed agreement on “border security” including formation of joint military forces.

Ethiopians accuse TPLF regime of ceding Ethiopia’s long stretch of land along the border to Sudan illegally. The result is sporadic skirmishes between Ethiopians and Sudanese along the border.Lives had been lost on both sides.

Regime’s agreement with Sudan this week rather triggered skepticism among Ethiopians. Many tend to think that it is motivated primarily by security interest rather than business. Tigray People’s Liberation Front has a special relation with Al-Bashir’s Sudan.

TPLF incorporated Wolqaite ,a corridor to Sudan, area of Gonder which is Amhara to Tigray regional state forcefully. Consequently, the opposition to imposed identity on Wolqaite which had been simmering for decades came to the fore openly rejecting Tigray identity. With its domination in the federal government, TPLF orchestrated a militarized response to the identity question ; defense forces is still deployed in the region.

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ESAT
October 25,2016

Ethiopia must be held accountable in the United States for an illegal malware and digital spying attack on an American citizen, who was spied on by the Ethiopian regime which claims immunity from liability for wiretapping a man’s Skype calls, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) told a federal appeals court on Monday.

The Ethiopian regime, by its own admission to the court, has been using malicious software to spy on journalists and dissidents based in America.

“Malicious digital surveillance and malware attacks against perceived political opponents, dissidents, and journalists have become all-too-common tactics used by governments with poor human rights records, such as Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam,” EFF said on Monday.

EFF believes when foreign governments governments carry out digital attacks on Americans, victims must be allowed to take them to court.

“Giving Ethiopia immunity for state-sponsored hacking would strip away one of the few protections Americans have against cyberattacks by foreign powers,” said Scott Gilmore, counsel at Guernica 37. “The invasion of our client’s home, through his computer, could happen to any of us. We all should have the right to seek justice.”

The Ethiopian American in question, Mr. Kidane, a placeholder name for the plaintiff in court, was sent a spying software . That software was later traced back to a server run by the Intelligence department of the Ethiopian regime.

The suit says that forensics experts found more than 2,000 files related to a spyware program called FinSpy, including evidence that it had accessed the plaintiff’s Skype calls, emails and Web-browsing history in violation of U.S. wiretapping laws, the Washington post reported in February 2014.

The report also said Computer researchers tracking the spread of spyware have named Ethi­o­pia among a list of dozens of countries that use such products.

The spyware typically can read e-mails, snatch documents and contact lists, record video chats, and remotely activate cameras and microphones, making a computer capable of spying on targets in their homes or workplaces.

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CCTV Africa
October 25,2016

Ethiopia’s government says it’s disappointed by a United States travel warning.

The State Department has urged American citizens to stay away from Ethiopia, citing recent unrest. However, the government in Addis Ababa is adamant the country is safe.

Video : CCTV

For more information, check CCTV Africa

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October 26,2016

Vision Ethiopia conference this past weekend was a huge success in terms of bringing together Ethiopians from different language groups to share their vision of post-conflict Ethiopia (Post-EPRDF)

Most importantly, the conference featured young and bright Ethiopians from variety of professional backgrounds. Among them was Zewudie Gudeta – who is introduced as an Oromo from Ambo town – one of Ethiopian towns where the current Tigray People Liberation Front faced stiff resistance on its way to power back in 1991. Ambo has been a headache to the regime in power virtually through out its 25 years of repressive rule. Political leaders like Merera Gudina are also from Ambo. In history, Ambo is home to valorous Ethiopian patriots who fought against fascist Italians.

Perhaps it is the Ambo effect that we see in the person of Zewdie Gudeta. At a time when radical Oromo groups are taking about disintegrating Ethiopia, Oromo Democratic Front emerged as a viable voice for the Oromo and is apparently working with other Ethiopian opposition parties to bring about positive change in Ethiopia : democratic Ethiopia where all of its citizens cherish equality,freedom and the prestige of being Ethiopian.

The message presented by Zewdie Gudeta is rather an embodiment of Oromo Wisdom and is truly Ethiopian. His message is taken in a positive note among Ethopians and brought about optimism among Ethiopians that young leaders like him would stand to the test of time to usher in victory.

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ESAT
October 26,2016

Ethiopian police arrested six Kenyan police officers over the weekend including a police chief at the border with Kenya, according to a report by the Kenyan Daily Nation.

The team of Kenyan police had crossed the border to secure the release of a reservist, Salim Kala, who had been arrested on October 21 for allegedly fishing along the shores of Lake Turkana on the Ethiopian side, the report said.

They were all armed but were placed in custody after their firearms were confiscated.

The Kenyan authorities said that efforts to release them were under way through a liaison officer in Moyale, a border town, and that they were in contact with the local administrator at Jinga Omarate district, where the officers are being held.

Marsabit County police commander Ben Kogo has confirmed the officers were arrested.

But he said officials were yet to be told why the officers were arrested.

Several incidents have been reported this year involving security agencies from both countries.

The report said on October 16, Kenya Defence Forces soldiers from the Oda Camp were deployed to Sololo after the Ethiopian army raided a village in Marsabit.

About 100 Ethiopian soldiers entered Kenya and surrounded Golole Village, about 9km west of the Sololo Police Station.

The soldiers claimed they were pursuing Oromo Liberation Front militants suspected to have killed police officers in Ethiopia.

In the process, a herder was killed by the Ethiopian soldiers, the newspaper reported.

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For more information about this report, check out Ethiopian Satellite Television Website

Cover Photo : Kenyan Police Logo / file

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October 27,2016

Pro-government Fana Broadcasting reported 5th regular congress of Tigray regional parliament is under way.Urban and rural investment and “good governance” are topics under discussion.

The investment plan is reportedly aimed at youth unemployment in Tigray.

Micro finance arrangement seem to be available for Tigray youth in Urban centered.

In the country side,investment targeted agriculture. Specific areas of investment are irrigation agriculture and pastoral farming. Tigray is one of the arid areas of Ethiopia barely supports crop farming.

As part of the effort to bring about “good governance”, Fana report says, changes in executive structure are likely to happen at different levels.

Tigray region is ethnic, and consequently political, base of Tigray People’s Liberation Front -a party whose domination over the ruling coalition EPRDF apparently caused struggle from within.

Recent protest all over Ethiopia which led to deceleration of six months of state of emergency were fueled by,to a great extent, opposition to over domination of TPLF and Tigray in the politics and economy of Ethiopia.Over one thousand people are killed in the last six or so months only.

Under TPLF, Tigay region witnessed transformed infrastructure in all its forms so much so that it was ambitious to launch space station. There was a talk of space shuttle named after the late Tigray leader Zenawi.

Tigray constitute only 6% of the entire population of Ethiopia.

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October 31,2016

Human Rights Watch legal analysis of state of emergency in Ethiopia indicates that some provisions of directives are “overly broad and vague” and have negative impacts on human rights. According to Human Rights Watch news release which is published today on its website, some provisions seem to contravene international law and could trigger human rights crisis in Ethiopia, and calls for the provision be repealed.

“The government should promptly repeal or revise all elements of the directive that are contrary to international law” says the report.

It is to be recalled that prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne asserted that the state of emergency is in line with international legal norms when he appeared on state television to declare the state of emergency. However, the directives to implement the state of emergency were issued weeks after the state of emergency was declared. On October 27, regime in Ethiopia announced formation of parliamentary body to oversee implementation of directives – that is nearly three weeks after deceleration of state of emergency and weeks after the directive to implement it was announced.

“The state of emergency hands the army new sweeping powers to crack down on demonstrators, further limiting the space for peaceful dissent ” , noted HRW . In the words of Human Rights Watch, State of emergency “…signal an increased militarized response to the situation.”

The immediate cause for the deceleration of state of emergency appeared to be widespread protest in towns surrounding Addis Ababa following the tragic event after security forces responded to peaceful protest on October 2, in Debre Zeit (Bishoftu) which led to deaths of at least 600 Ethiopians during Ireecha, Oromo religious event, celebrations. Human Rights Watch called for independent investigation of security forces response to the protest that led to civilians in Bishoftu.

To access Human Rights Watch report, please click here

Cover Photo source : Human Rights Watch

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October 31,2016

Perhaps Aba Sereqe Birhan has been one of the most controversial figure in Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo patriarchate for many years now. Recently he held the position of special secretary to Abune Mathias.

Hara Ze Tewahdo, a blog with focus on Ethiopian Orthodox Church, repored that Aba Sereqe Birhan is removed from his position with effect from today.

He is removed from the position on grounds of incompetence, insubordination and celerity. Among other things, Aba Sereqe Birhan is known among many of his detractors for corruption and parochialism. A few years ago, he was mobilizing authorities within the church to take a stand against Mahibere Kidusan – an association of pious Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo followers,mainly from intellectuals, that provides a range of spiritual services to the laity in addition to its rigorous development projects in a range of areas across Ethiopia.

As in any other institutions, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church came under the command like structure of the ruling Tigray People’s Liberation Front and became a reflection TPLF government in many regards. For example, human resource allocation on grounds of ethnicity became rife practice in the church after the church came under TPLF influence.

Patriarch Abune Mathias, albeit he was initially viewed as politically neutral person in spite of controversial process through which he became patriarch, recently became increasingly unpopular due to a passion he developed for the politics of TPLF. Some go to the extent of saying that he has become a propaganda tool for the repressive regime.

Government intervention in the affairs of Ethiopian Muslims was fiercely resisted and gave rise to a movement called Dimtsachin Yisema ( translates to “hear our voices).

Regime in power still seem to have firm grip of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

Amharic report of Hara Ze Tewahdo on Aba Sereqe is available here

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Lifezette
by Brendan Kirby
Published on November 1,2016

A top Clinton Foundation official expressed reservations about former President Bill Clinton contacting a Saudi Arabian and Ethiopian billionaire to thank him for offering a plane ride to Ethiopia — unless it would mean a seven-figure donation.

Click here to read full story on LifeZette

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