Ethiopian parliament is expected to approve three ministerial appointments on Thursday, according to a report by state broadcaster, EBC.
The ministerial appointments are not disclosed so far. But it is known to the public that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vacant position after Workeneh Gebeyehu left several weeks ago to take a position with the United Nations office in Nairobi.
There are circulating rumors on social media that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed could be appointing Lemma Megersa, who is vice-chair of Abiy’s Oromo Democratic Party and currently president of Oromo region of Ethiopia, as his next foreign minister.
If the rumor is true, it means that the Oromo region of Ethiopia will get a new president too which may mean a significant political change in the region that is rattled by radical-ethno nationalism.
Gedu Andargachew, who served as Amhara regional state president until he was replaced by Ambachew Mekonen recently, is also expected to be appointed for a ministerial position.
Gedu and Lemma are painted as team member during the internal struggle within the ruling coalition that brought about the end of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — Amelga, LLC announces Ermyas Amelga’s debut book Ethiopia: Tipping Point, available worldwide at Amazon.com.
“Ethiopia is at a critical juncture in terms of where it is heading as a political entity, an economy, and a people. The risks and the stakes have never been higher and may even rise to the level of existentialism.” – Ermyas Amelga
Written from a jail cell in Ethiopia, Ethiopia: Tipping Point, examines the current economic state of the nation and offers a glimpse into the mind of its author, Ermyas Amelga.
About the Author Ermyas Amelga is an Ethiopian economist and entrepreneur. Ermyas was born in Ethiopia and left the country in the 1970s, to pursue his education in the United States.
During his time in the States, Ermyas earned an M.B.A. degree in Finance from Boston University, an M.A. degree in International Economics from Boston University, Graduate School of Economics, and a B.A. degree in Economics and Political Science from Amherst College in 1980. He spent 12 years as an investment banker in the United States before he returned to Ethiopia in 1996, where he went on to open a myriad of companies including Highland Springs Mineral Water, Zemen Bank, and Access Real Estate.
Ethiopia: Tipping Point is available on Kindle on Amazon.com.
Tadesse Kassa (left) and Bereket Simon (right) Photo : file
borkena
April 22,2019
Four months after detention in Bahir Dar, capital of Amhara regional state, former government communication affairs minister and one of the most powerful persons during Meles Zenawi’s administration, Bereket Simon, is charged on Monday with corruption and three other offenses-related to corruption.
His colleague and comrade, Tadesse Kassa is also charged with same cases.
The corruption allegation is linked to their position as leaders of Tiret, Amhara Regional State Conglomerate, which is said to have lost billions of Ethiopian birr. The regional government says they have inappropriately executed the transfer of Dashen Beer Share while led to the loss of 1.8 billion Ethiopian birr.
They are also charged with using the conglomerate’s fund to pay for personal debts from government and private banks. Squandering about 46 million birr by paying for a private company bank loan is another charge that they are facing.
Defendants have submitted written defense, according to a report by Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA)
The ESFNA family is mourning the loss of its longest serving board member and ESFNA icon, Million GebreYesus. Million was associated with ESFNA since the early 80’s as a member of 2 Los Angeles area soccer clubs, founder of the Abebe Bikila Sports Club, influential board member and Finance Chair in the ESFNA Executive Committee.
Million was a memorable and recognizable figure within the ESFNA family and Ethiopian Community, as he related easily and colorfully with individuals, young and old. Million was compassionate, generous, funny and a staunch advocate for soccer players; who as a leader of his club gave many, many aspiring soccer players an opportunity to play for the AbebeBikila club and participate in ESFNA tournaments.
Million was unafraid to speak his mind and or express his beliefs adamantly, yet always remained connected to everyone that he met. Others also related to him in much the same manner because they understood him to be genuine and one who embodied the true Ethiopian spirit.
Several hundred ESFNA friends, family and community members are preparing to attend his funeral services in Los Angeles planned for May 4th to pay their respects and give him the warmest send off. A more in-depth article about Million and his impact will also be featured in an upcoming ESFNA annual magazine.
We will truly miss our Million…May he Rest in Peace!
Ethiopia is extraditing an Ethiopian-American man who is linked to the deaths of two Ethiopian-Americans some time in December 2016 in Fairfax County, Virginia.
According to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Yohannes Nessibu, is currently in police custody and preconditions to extradite him are being finalized.
The Ethiopian Federal Attorney General decided to hand over the suspect after verifying that the suspect is charged in a court in FairFax county, Virginia.
The bodies of Henok G. Yohannes and Kedest Sileshi Simeneh ,couples, was found two days before Christmas in 2016. The US government has been working on extradition of the suspect since police authorities in the country found out that the suspect has left the US.
Yohannes Nessibu reportedly escaped to Ethiopia same day he committed the crime paying $US 3000 for a one way ticket.
Tigray police soccer team is attacked by “unknown gunmen”, as reported by state broadcaster Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation which cited Tigray region police commission, on its way back to Tigray.
The team was returning from matches in Addis Ababa and Debre Berhan (120 kilometers North of the capital Addis Ababa).
At least one team member is killed and five others sustained wounds,one of the cases life threatening,according to the report. Ethiopian Defense Force stationed in the area airlifted those wounded in the attack and transported them to Bishoftu hospital.
The attack happened on Thursday near Endiftu area along the Awash Mekelle road in Afar regional state.
Ethiopian Parliament declared today one day national mourning day for the late Negasso Gidada who served as the first president of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
The national mourning, which will be in effect across the country, is to be announced at a later date.
The parliament has also decided a state funeral with full honour Military March.
Task force assigned to organize the funeral has announced that Negasso will be laid to rest on Sunday at Petros Wo Paulos Church.
Before the funeral, there will be a ceremony at the Millennium Hall.
High ranking government officials will be attending the funeral.
Addis Ababa police commissioner, Getu Argaw, said in a press statement on Tuesday that over 10,000 handguns and several illegal firearms are seized over the past nine months, as reported by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC).
According to the report, the firearms were destined to the capital Addis Ababa.
Apart from the handguns, 30 AK 47, 4 machine guns and over 19,000 ammunition are seized. As well, over US $180,000 and currencies from other countries are seized which the commissioner linked to what he called forces with the intention to cause violence in the capital. But he declined to specifically disclose the identity of the group.
The commissioner also claimed that 1,680 suspects who are believed to have involved in organized crime are arrested. Over US$ 100,000 and 200,000 Ethiopian birr is reportedly seized from the suspects.
As part of the effort to enforce the rule of law in the country and reduce traffic accident, Addis Ababa police also mounted a crackdown on drivers violating rules.
In a similar development, Addis Ababa police commission arrested today 15 suspects allegedly involved in different crimes in the capital.
The city’s police also undertook house searches in five selected kifle Ketemas, city divisions, in the capital, and seized 23 handguns and one AK 47, among other things.
There have been recurrent complaints from residents of Addis Ababa against the city’s police in connection with organized crime in the city and lack of security.
The police commissioner hailed contribution of the public in the fight against crime and he called on residents and journalists to continue to work with the police in the fight against crime.
Global Alliance for Ethiopia, a not-for-profit organization based in the United States, donated on Wednesday 31 million Ethiopian birr to help ethnic Gedeos who were displaced from Guji area following what many say is targeted and organized attack from radicalized ethnic Oromo in Guji area.
The fund was raised online from Ethiopians around the world through GoFundMe plat form. The fundraising campaign came after the plights of displaced Gedeo people, including starvation, in Southern Ethiopia came to the limelight through activists.
Abiy Ahmed’s administration was criticized for the way it handled the humanitarian and security crisis for most Ethiopians believed that his government not only ignored the condition of ethnic Gedeo’s but also tried to cover up the extent of the crisis.
President of Global Alliance for Ethiopia, Tamage Beyene, handed over the cheque to World Vision. The handling in ceremony took place at Skylihgt hotel in Addis Ababa.
Nearly one million ethnic-Gedeos were displaced from their place following attacks by radicalized ethnic-Oromo groups in Guji area.
The money will be spent on returning displaced Gedeos to their places, according to a report by government-affiliated media. World Vision itself has allocated 5.7 million birr for the project to return displaced people to their place.
Michael A. Raynor, US Ambassador to Ethiopia, speaking at “Ethiopia Partnership Forum” Photo : courtesy of US embassy in Ethiopia
US Embassy Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 17,2019
The U.S. Department of State hosted the “Ethiopia Partnership Forum”, an economic engagement platform organized in by the Secretary of State’s office of Global Partnerships in collaboration with the Corporate Council on Africa, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and Citi in Washington D.C.
In remarks at the opening panel discussion, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor stressed that these opportunities for investment are made possible by Ethiopia’s political & economic reform measures. He also encouraged U.S. companies to “expand and evolve the way our businesses and investors view Ethiopia, so that they can be a part of what is shaping up to be one of the world’s great stories of economic success.”
The Forum brought 400 business leaders together with Ethiopian and U.S. government officials to learn about investment opportunities and discuss a variety of areas including issues including access to capital, infrastructure in the telecom and power sectors, agriculture and smarter value chain, startups as an engine of growth, and the economic role of creative industries.
The Ambassador told participants, “The shift away from a state-led model of economic development, toward one that taps more fully into private sector growth and creativity, is rapidly opening new opportunities. And these economic reforms are part of a broader reform agenda that has, with incredible speed, established Ethiopia’s strong commitment to true multiparty democracy, which is already underpinned by strong respect for individual rights and the rule of law, as well as an inclusive political landscape.”
The Ethiopian Partnership Forum seeks to build on the already vibrant U.S. commercial representation in Ethiopia – the American Chamber of Commerce boasts 41 member companies, and is expected to grow to more than 50 in the coming months.
The “Ethiopia Partnerships Forum featured panelists from the United States and Ethiopia, including Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States Fitsum Arega; Mr. Mamo Mihretu, Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Abiy and Chief Trade Negotiator; Mr. Skip Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Agreements and Compliance at the U.S. Department of Commerce; Mr. Eric Meyer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa, U.S. Department of Treasury; and Mr. Scott Eisner, President of the U.S. Africa Business Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; among others.
Seized cannabis in Assela. Photo credit : Fana broadcasting Corporate
borkena May 18, 2019
4,000 kilograms of cannabis is seized as it was heading to Nazareth (Adama), a city 100 kilometers southeast of the capital Addis Ababa, reported on Saturday state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.
It originated from Shashemane and was caught in Asela town, according to Commander Tesfaye Degefa, head of the town’s crime control head, who spoke it Fana broadcasting.
Smugglers attempted to conceal the 40 quintals of cannabis with loads of furushca, cattle feed made from oilseed byproducts
The driver and his assistant are in custody for investigation.
Drug and illegal firearms trafficking have become a serious challenge to prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration so much so that the Ethiopian parliament had to legislate a tougher law in recent weeks.
The regular session of Ethiopian Parliament ratified law on Tuesday to establish an authoritative agency that oversees the supply and distribution of petroleum and by-products.
The legislation sees petroleum as a strategic product necessary for the development and prosperity of Ethiopia.
According to Fana Broadcasting Report, Ethiopia spends more than $U.S 2.8 billion per annum on the purchase of petroleum and is one of the products highly subsidized by the government, and that is why Ethiopian parliament believes in the importance of regulating the product.
Accordingly, the new authority will, among other things, ensure that petroleum products are of acceptable quality and used in a way that will not cause community health issues and environmental pollution.
As well, the authority is given legal power to follow up distribution and supply of petroleum products and take corrective measures whenever there is a violation of the law.
There have been complaints that suppliers purposely create shortages of the product so as to manipulate the price – something that the new authority is expected to do away with.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during the performance evaluation meeting on Tuesday. Photo credit : Office of the Prime Minister
borkena May 21, 2019
The office of the prime minister disclosed on Tuesday that Abiy Ahmed is overseeing performance evaluations of ministerial departments and organizations that are accountable to his office.
This is the second 100 days evaluation of the ministeries and agencies accountable to the office of the prime minister since they were appointed.
Policy and performance evaluation unit within the Office of the Prime Minister is carrying out the task of evaluating performances. The unit also undertakes undisclosed visits and consultation with government service users and other stakeholders, according to a report from the office of the prime minister.
Abiy Ahmed’s administration pledged to Ethiopians quality public service delivery and public service from corruption, or theft as he calls it.
Berhanu Nega used to be leader of Ginbot 7, later Arbegnoch-Ginbot 7, before before his party ceased existence after forming alliance with other parties in Ethiopia to form the party he is now leading, Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Party
It is not too long ago when Ethiopia is praised as a country without journalists in prison as freedom of expression and press freedom showed a remarkable improvement from pre-Abiy Ahmed Era Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
But that seem to be changing fast. Citizen report on social media on Wednesday say that a journalist who works for a private newspaper, Ethiopis, was severely attacked by Addis Ababa police and was later arrested.
The journalist who is identified as Misgan Getachew was deployed to Arat Kilo area to cover stories related to demolition of houses. He was particularly tasked to get the reactions of residents whose houses were demolished in the above mentioned area.
However, he was intercepted by Addis Ababa police who dispossessed him of his photo camera, attacked him and took him to nearby police station – social media sources reported citing eyewitness accounts.
Eskinder Nega, who was a prisoner of conscience until he was released last week and who is currently spearheading a movement to defend the rights of residents of Addis Ababa owns the private newspaper for which the attacked journalists works.The story is not covered by state and affiliated media outlets by the time this story was published.
Andargachew Tsige, who was secretary of Ginbot 7 – a party that later merged with Arbegoch Ginbot 7, is revealing something unheard, or not known to many Ethiopians at least, regarding Arbegnoch Ginbar, an armed rebel group that used to operate in Eritrea.
He says aforementioned rebel group has executed 65 combatants of its own. And he explains the circumstances under which they measures is taken. Watch the video below.
Arbegnoch Ginabar is yet to respond to the claim.
Cover photo : screenshot from Abbay Media video Video is from AbbayMedia YouTube channel.
Addis Ababa acting Mayor Takele Uma. Photo : Addis Ababa City Administration Social Media
borkena May 23, 2019
The same day that Addis Ababa city council had its second regular congress of the year to evaluate nine months of performance and to consult on major happenings in the city, the acting Mayor, Takele Uma, vows to take measure what he called illegally appropriated land in the city.
And usually, it means the demolition of houses.
“The city administration will take measure on organized illegally misappropriated land,” Addis Ababa’s controversial mayor told journalists.
In consultation with stakeholders, he has identified the direction to deal with the “illegal misappropriation of land and illegal settlement” according to a report on Thursday by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (EBC). However, the report did not give a clue as to what the direction is.
The Mayor claims that illegal appropriation of land is increasing in the capital. He added that “All residents in the city have a legal right to live in a healthy environment.”
Yeka, Bole, Kolfe, Nefas Silk and Akaki districts of Addis Ababa have seen trends of “organized, illegal misappropriation of land” in recent weeks, says Take Uma. Yet, it is unclear how these areas became targets and it is unclear, too, as to the size of land in these areas that are illegally misappropriated in recent weeks.
He accused “investors,” brokers, government executives and “foreign powers with a political agenda of their own.”
Apart from demolishing houses, City administration will hold the above-mentioned entities legally accountable, he added.
How soon is the city taking measures? Well, only two weeks of notice is given to those who are considered by the city as “illegal” land owners. It means that if they are not demolishing it on their own within two weeks, the city administration will do so.
Apparently, there is an anticipation of resistance on the part of Takele Uma’s city administration which has got detractors who challenge its legitimacy on grounds that he was appointed Mayor against bylaws of the city regarding the appointment of Mayor. His administration has been accused of altering the demographic composition of Addis Ababa residents by planning to settle thousands of ethnic Oromo in the capital Addis Ababa.
He told journalists, “In addition to misappropriation of land, those who take part in any activity that disturbs residents’ peace will not be tolerated”
In February 2019, Oromo regional state administration demolished tens of thousands of houses in towns surrounding the capital Addis Ababa – like Legetafo. The houses were demolished on alleged grounds that they were constructed illegally although residents produced evidence that they have been paying property taxes to the regional government.
Ethiopian Federal court ordered that a court order be delivered to former intelligence chief, Getachew Assefa, and three other National Information and Security Agency officials.
The Federal Prosecutor has charged 26 individuals but four of them including Getachew Assefa are not yet in custody. They are charged in connection with egregious human rights violations against individuals.
It is for the second time for Ethiopian court to issue the court order to be given to those individuals who are not yet in custody.
The Federal police say, as reported by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate, received the court order only on May 22 and that it needs time to deliver it as it has to be delivered in Tigray region where Getachew Assefa and the other suspects are believed to be hiding.
And the Federal court wants the suspects who are not still in custody to appear before the court on June 10.
Unconfirmed reports on social media, on the other hand, say that Federal police members who have been dispatched to Tigray region to deliver the court order have been detained by regional security authorities but no other mainstream media sources in the country confirmed the news.
The task of capturing Getachew Assefa has become a test case for the Federal government to prove if it still has a monopoly of power and hence a power to enforce the rule of law. On the other hand, the case has turned out to be a matter of politics in Tigray region. Elites and supporters of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) went to the extent to planning “I am Getachew Assefa” protest rally in the regional capital, Mekelle, but was later canceled.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed meeting military leaders at Emperor Menelik’s Banquet Hall Photo credit : Office of the Prime Minister
borkena May 24,2019
High ranking commanders of the Ethiopian Defense Force have visited construction projects in the office of the prime minister, seemingly this time with an invitation from the prime minister. It is to be remembered that hundreds of special commandos of the Ethiopian Defense forces showed up at the prime minister’s office in October 2018 – a phenomenon which caused a serious concern back then.
In today’s visit, it was all smile and the Cheif of staff General Seare Mekonen was among the visitors. After the ceremony, the military commanders had a meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, according to a report by state broadcaster – Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.
Abiy reportedly briefed the military officers about his project of “beautifying sheger” – for which organized a $173,000 per plate fundraising dinner last Sunday which happened in the 19th-century Banquet Hall Emperor Menelik. And it was in the same hall that Abiy Ahmed met with the military leaders on Friday.
The project to beautify sheger is expected to be completed, if all goes well, in three years time and it will cost 29 billion Ethiopian birr which is equivalent to $US 1.1 billion.
