Spokesperson of National Movement of Amhara (NaMA), Christian Tadele, is released from police custody, according to a report by BBC Amharic Service on Saturday.
He was arrested on Friday in Sekela district of West Gojjam, North Western Ethiopia. He went to follow up the case of NaMA member who was arrested by the local authorities.
BBC Amharic quotes Christain as saying that local police took him out of public transport and told him that he is “wanted” and was ordered to board in an ambulance which he resisted, according to the report.
Then the police changed mind and agreed to take him in public transport, added the report.
Regarding why he was arrested, he said police told him that he was not cooperative during searches at checkpoints and that their (the spokesperson and two other colleagues) presence in the area could lead to instability, as reported by BBC Amharic.
He also told the BBC that two district level and one region level leadership are still in custody.
Amhara regional state disclosed this week that it has detained more than 300 individuals in connection with the alleged coup d’etat on January 22, 2019.
NaMA has disclosed this week that dozens of its members are arrested in different parts of the country.
Habtamu Ayalew offers his view of the situation surrounding the Bahir Dar incident and the aftermath of it.
Habtamu Ayalew
borkena June 30, 2019
Ethiopian politics has been dividing for decades, if not more. And in most cases developments are analyzed in the context of plot politics.
The recent incident in Bahir Dar which the Ethiopian government described as ‘coup d’etat’ and claimed the lives three of the top leaders of Amhara Democratic Party and also head of the region’s peace and security, Asaminew Tsige, is not an exception.
Most Ethiopians have entirely rejected government narrative of the June 22 development in Bahir Dar. Major factor for utter rejection of the narrative is the circumstances under which Chief of Staff of the Defense Force, General Seare Mekonnen, was killed in his residence in the capital Addis Ababa three hours after the incident in Bahir Dar, among other things.
Majority of Ethiopians now seem to believe that the Bahir Dar incident was set up in a plot to weaken political forces in Amhara region including ADP and National Movement of Amhara (NaMA). Measures that Prime Minister Abiy’s government is taking including arrest of members of Baladera council and members of NaMa are indications that Oromo nationalists under the umbrella of Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s ethnic oromo party, Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) and radical elements in it are up to weakening ethnic Amhara parties which is perceived to be a major threat for Oromo supermacy project, according to skeptics of government narratives of the Bahir Dar incident.
In the June 30 edition of the current issue analysis, Ethio360 analyst Habtamu Ayalew delves into the issue of the alleged coup d’etat and the events that unfolded in the aftermath of it. Take a listed to the audio file (from Ethio360 YouTube channel) below and share your thoughts responsibly in the comment section below. Alternatively, you may send submissions to info@borkena.com.
Needless to say, some politicians including Oromo politicians who were once in the radical ethno-nationalism quarter have discussed the situation in different platforms. Waltainfo interview which was released on Saturday is available HERE
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appeared at the Ethiopian parliament today to present work report for the ending fiscal year.
Economic matters, security issue, internal displacement, rule of law and the recent tragic twin incidents in Bahir Dar and Addis Ababa which claimed the lives the chief of staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force General Seare Mekonnen, and his friend, Gezai Abera – a retired general, and president of Amhara region, Ambachew Mekonnen and two other top officials, were among the issue that he talked about.
Abiy also claimed that 94 percent of internally displaced persons have returned to their places. Human rights activists and donor groups have been warning against the return of IDPs before the security situation is fully under control. For example, in an interview with borkena, Canadian Ambassdor to Ethiopia, Antoine Chevrier, said that Canada advised Ethiopia not to return IDPs before issues that drive conflict are addressed.
Abiy Ahmed’s popularity has plummeted in recent months as more and more people began to believe that his actions and/or inaction as prime minister of Ethiopia are informed by subtly fostering Oromo ethno-nationalism at the expense of the rest of Ethiopians.
A considerable number of activists based in Ethiopia and abroad seem to think that the alleged coup d’etat is actually a plot by Abiy Ahmed’s administration to weaken Amhara Nationalism by dividing Amhara political forces and also by mounting crackdown ethnic Amhara parties like National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) and Baladera council an activist group advocating the case that Addis Ababa should be for all Addis Ababans, not just one ethnic group, a view which rejects Oromo ethno-nationalists claim that ethnic Oromo has exclusive ownership right over Addis Ababa.
Watch his speech in the video below (Amharic)
Video : embedded from FBC social media page Cover photo : screenshot from video
The number of people infected with Cholera in Ethiopia is not 871, Fana Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday citing Ethiopian Public Health Institute.
Dr. Getachew Tolera who is the deputy director of the Institute reportedly said that the plague is present in five regions and the city-states of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa.
Distribution of the 871 cases is as follows:
Oromia-360, Amhara-202 Tigray-19 Afar – 131 Somali- 33 Addis Ababa-125 Dire Dawa – 1
So far 17 people have died of Cholera, according to Dr. Getachew and most of the deaths are in the Amhara region of Ethiopia where 14 infected people died. Two of the deaths are in Oromia and one in the Afar region of Ethiopia.
26 Isolated treatment centers have been prepared across the country and nutritional and medical supplies are being distributed in areas identified as Cholera infected, according to FBC report.
In Oromia region of West Hararghe Zone, about 291,000 residents in Cholera affected districts have been vaccinated. And over 191,000 residents have been vaccinated in Dollo zone of Ethiopian Somali region.
The report did not say if there were vaccination programs in Amhara and Tigray regions.
On Sunday, January 30, 2019, in the evening, Israeli police officer, who was said to be off duty, shot dead an 18 years old boy of Ethiopian descent near Haifa city in Northern Israel. The victim is identified as Solomon Tekah.
Ethiopian Israelis are outraged by the killing and are staging demonstrations in several Israeli cities. Haifa, Tel-Aviv, and Jerusalem cities have seen furious demonstrations.
The furious demonstration came a day after the funeral of slain Ethiopian-Israeli teen and has entered its third day.
About 111 Israeli police are reportedly wounded during the protest and 136 protesters are arrested.
Parents of Solomon Tekah are reportedly calling for protesters to pause the protest which is rocking the country.
The off-duty police officer who killed Solomon claimed that he was trying to break up a street fight. Police issued a statement claiming that the police opened fire after “feeling that his life is in danger,” as reported by BBC News.
However, it does not seem to be the case that the policeman was attacked as Israeli Media has cited witnesses who testified that the police who shot Solomon Tekah was not attacked.
In 2015, for example, Ethiopian Israeli IDF soldier was beaten by Israeli Police in unprovoked racist attack- an incident which caused an outcry at the time. In the same year, there had been a widespread protest by Ethiopian Israelis against racism.
Tens of thousands of Ethiopian Jewish were flown to Israel in the 1980’s and 1990’s as aliyah through Operation Moses in the 1980’s and 1990’s. ___
Video : embedded from RT YouTube channel Cover photo : screenshot from video
Let. Gen.Mohammed Hamdan Daglo and Isaias Afeworki in Asmara. Photo source : FBC
borkena July 3, 2019
Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Military Council of Sudan Let. Gen.Mohammed Hamdan Daglo arrived in Eritrea and held talks with President Isayas Afeworki on Tuesday, according to information from Eritrea’s Ministry of Information.
This is a second visit by the Transitional Military Council of Sudan in less than three weeks. In mid-June of this year, Chairman of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) of Sudan, Let. Gen. Abdul-Fattah, visited Eritrea and had held discussions with the Eritrean leader.
Sudan Tribune reported that bilateral issues, including the progress of the relationship between the two countries, were discussed and an agreement has been reached reopen the border between the two countries which was closed under President Omar Hassan Al-bahir’s presidency sometime in 2018 on alleged grounds of controlling cross-border illegal firearms trade.
The two sides have also agreed to establish a joint committee, “to chart out the modalities and monitor the implementation of the agreement,” as reported by Sudan Tribune.
Apart from the border issue, President Isaias Afeworki reiterated Eritrea’s commitment for “the smooth and peaceful consummation of the transition process…”
As well, Isaias Afeworki underscored the responsibility of the Transitional Military Council for the peaceful transition.
New Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia, Alemayehu Tegenu, presenting credential to President Putin at the Kremlin. Photo source : FBC
borkena July 4, 2019
Russia is determined to strengthen partnership with Ethiopia, Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday, according to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC).
It was on the occasion of the presentation of the accreditation letter of the new Ethiopian Ambassador to Russia, Ambassador Alemayehu Tegenu that President Putin spoke about his country’s strong interest in taking bilateral relations with Ethiopia to the next level.
The reception ceremony for Ambassador Alemayehu Tegenu and 17 other newly appointed Ambassadors to Russia took place at the Kremlin Palace, Alexander Hall, in Moscow, as reported by Ruptly TV.
Pointing out that Ethiopia and Russia have diplomatic relations for over 120 years now, Mr. Putin expressed Russia’s strong interest and determination to strengthen regional, international and bilateral relations.
Ambassador Alemayehu Tegenu on his part said that he will work to strengthen the relation between Ethiopia and Russia during his tenure as Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Russia.
The Ambassador expressed his hope that he will get the necessary support during his stay in the country.
Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, started his job in Ethiopia in May 2019 and he is a fluent Amharic speaker. Watch his interview in Amharic here.
On Friday, the Ethiopian government has announced that an avenue will be named after General Seare Mekonnen-Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force who was assassinated by his bodyguard in his residence on June 22, 2019.
The avenue from Bole Rwanda to Atlas hotel in the capital Addis Ababa will be named General Seare Mekonnen Avenue.
As well, a memorial park is to be named after him in the part of Addis Ababa where he planted trees, along with Addis Ababa City’s acting Mayor -Takele Uma, among others, in the morning of the day he was assassinated.
General Seare (right) shaking hands with Tefera Walwa during tree planting in the city. General Seare was killed same day. Photo : Addis Ababa City Administration
In the memorial park, a statue of him will be erected, according to state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) report on Friday.
Based on the report, it is Addis Ababa City administration that passed the decision to name the above-mentioned parts the capital after General Seare – one of the few revered figures in the country. And the city administration will also pay for the cost of building and erecting the statue.
As a member of a guerrilla group, general Seare fought for the cause of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and has made a significant contribution to the military success of the organization. TPLF people tell the story that Seare, as a rebel, was given a mission to free prisoners at Mekele, which is now the seat of TPLF led administration (otherwise known as Tigray regional state) and Seare was successful in the mission. There are also other military victories of TPLF that are attributed to Seare Mekonnen’s military leadership.
But what Ethiopians remember him and revere him is not for his contribution to the military successes of TPLF. What he is revered for is for his unflinching stance on the question of Ethiopian identity and Ethiopian Unity.
During the funeral farewell at the Millennium Hall, one of his colleagues in the military, General Abebew Tadesse (now retired) made it public that TPLF leaders treated General Seare Mekonnen as a traitor on grounds of his stance on the unity of Ethiopia and his determination for the cause of Ethiopia, as opposed to the causes of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) leaders, after he was appointed as Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force.
As Chief of Staff of the Defense Force, General Seare Mekonnen inculcated the principle that a soldier does not have an ethnicity. A soldier has only a country and people to fight for. In light of growing ethnic nationalism that is ravaging the country, General Seare’s principle is right and needs to be enshrined in the years to come.
General Seare died as an Ethiopian hero, not as TPLF hero, and the decision of the city administration to honor him by naming an avenue after him is commendable, to say the least.
That said, it is important to note that details of the circumstances under which General Seare was killed, along with an old comrade Bri. Gen. Gezai Abera, in his residence, and how his killing is linked to the alleged “coup d’etat” in Bahir Dar which happened on the same day is still not entirely clear and the government has the responsibility to make details available to the public.
What happened at this year’s IAAF Diamond League in Lausanne in the men’s 5000 meters race is bizarre.
Hagos Gebrihwet was leading the pack in the final rounds and he thought he won the race and started to celebrate as the bells were ringing. In reality, there was one more lap.
Yomif Kejelcha seized the opportunity and cruised his way to the finishing line to claim the title. What happened to Hagos there after? He had to settle for tenth place.
Hagos Gebrihwet is an experienced athlete and the mistake he made sounds weird in that sense.
What is consoling for Ethiopians is that the winners of the Diamond League are Ethiopians. It is in fact a race dominated by Ethiopians.
Finishing times are as follows, according to IAAF Diamond League :
Yomif Kejelcha, ETH, 13:00.56, First Place Selemon Barega, ETH, 13:01.99, Second Place Telahun Haile Bekele, ETH, 13.03.09, Third Place Habos Gebrihwet, ETH, 13.09.59, 10th Place
Video : embedded from the YouTube channel of International Association of Athletics Federation Diamond League (IAAF Diamong League) Cover photo : screenshot from video
The Ethiopian Defense Force said it has finalized preparations to sue individuals and media organizations whom it says are engaged in spreading hearsay, defamation and false information, The Ministry of Defense disclosed on Monday, as reported by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation.
Major General Mohammed Tessema, Director of Indoctrination Division in the army, is cited as saying that “enforcing the rule of law has become the Defense Forces’ key mission.”
In a press conference he had on Monday regarding the situation in the country, he said that the Defense Force undertook the task of restoring stability and peace following the killings of senior government officials in Bahir Dar and Chief of the Defense Force in Addis Ababa.
He added that the Defense Force is also working with other relevant government authorities to hold those who participated in the killing and suspects accountable.
A task force is established at the national level to identify as to who was behind the killings and what the motive work, Major General Mohammed noted. The Defense Force is working on it as well, he said.
Individuals and organizations “who are working to create mistrust between the army and the people” through the dissemination of “false information and hearsay have been identified, and that the Defense Force will bring them to justice, according to the Director of indoctrination division of the army.
However, the names of the individuals or media organizations who are allegedly involved in such activities are not disclosed.
Apart from that, the army is also hunting what it called “terrorists” working to bring about conflict along Amhara and Benishangul regions of Ethiopia, and that they will be brought to justice, according to Major General Mohammed who is cited by FBC.
Chairman of Amhara Democratic Party said “attempt to restore hegemony” description attached to what government calls “coup attempt” is intended to perpetuate oppressor-oppressed narrative.
Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Amhara Democratic Party, Demeke Mekonen. Photo : FBC
borkena July 8, 2019
Ato Demeke Mekonnen, Leader of Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), dismissed rumors of division within the party following the killings of three top party officials in Bahir Dar, the seat of Amhara regional state, on June 22, 2019, according to Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) report on Monday.
The Amhara Regional State itself has issued a statement on Monday dismissing the rumor of division as the “works of long arms of enemy forces.”
Amhara regional state and ADP party structures are carrying out their regular functions, Demeke told local journalists during a press conference on Monday.
While describing the June 22, incident in Bahir Dar, as “an effort to topple the regional government and take power through a shortcut,” he remarked that the narrative that depicts the incident as an “an attempt to restore hegemony” by individuals and some media outlets as an interest to ensure the continuity of the flawed “oppressor-oppressed” political narrative and that it needs to be corrected, according to a report by Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA).
The narrative about restoring the so-called “Amhara hegemony” was also amplified from overseas by foreigners. Among others, Former United States’ assistant secretary of state for Africa, Mr. Herman Cohen, passionately remarked about the incident in his tweet on June 24, 2019 : “Failed coup in #Ethiopia‘s Amhara state was an attempt by ethnic nationalists to restore Amhara hegemony over all of Ethiopia that existed for several centuries prior to 1991. That dream is now permanently dead.”
Demeke claimed that people’s activities in the region are now peaceful and people should not be diverted with malicious agenda that individuals create.
ADP’s chairman and Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke, also said that suspects in connection with the June 22 incident are arrested and the task is entirely carried out by the region’s security forces. However, he did not deny that Federal authorities are involved in the investigation process based on constitutional power.
However, he denied that no individual with a dissenting political view is detained with the pretext of arrested suspects.
His remark in that regard seems to stand in sharp contrast with the claims of some activists and opposition political forces like the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) who claim that government (apparently the Federal one which is increasingly being linked to Oromo Democratic Party which in turn is believed to be under total influence of radical Oromo ethno-nationalists) is exploiting the incident to weaken and attack Amhara organizations and individuals.
Meanwhile, Demeke disclosed that ADP is working on the task of replacing leaders who were killed on June 22, 2019.
Embassy of the United States of America, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July 10, 2019
The U.S. military, in partnership with the Ethiopia National Defense Force, militaries from the nations of Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Djibouti, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Netherlands, Rwanda, Somalia, Uganda, United Kingdom and participating international organizations such as the United Nations offices, African Union, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Institute of Peace and the International Committee of the Red Cross, will conduct Justified Accord (JA) 2019, a command headquarter and company-level field training exercise, July 15-31.
JA19 is an exercise designed to enhance the capacity and capability of participating staff and forces in peacekeeping operations in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Approximately 1,100 military and government personnel will participate in the annual, combined, joint military exercise. Ethiopia, a significant contributor of peacekeeping troops to United Nations and African Union peacekeeping missions on the African continent, previously hosted Justified Accord in 2017.
The exercise will include headquarters staff training, land force maneuvers and culminate with a platoon-level demonstration. This exercise will increase interoperability and help participating military forces enhance readiness and the skills required to support peacekeeping operations and promote regional security.
Once the exercise is complete, all exercise participants will return to their home countries and stations.
Concurrent with JA19, the United States Government is also conducting a Medical Readiness Exercise (MEDREX) 19-4 where medical military and civilian personnel from Ethiopia and the United States will share and learn from each other’s medical procedures and best practices to build and strengthen their medical treatment capability and capacity. Through this program, Ethiopian medical professionals can enhance the Ethiopian healthcare system’s ability to deliver effective general surgery and trauma response in support of regional U.N. and African Union missions.
The United States Government will be infusing nearly $6 million directly to the Ethiopian economy because of these exercises.
Slain Amhara Democratic Party leaders are commemorated. Families of the victims to be given land in the capital Addis Ababa for construction of residential homes
An aspect of the memorial ceremony at Sheraton Addis. Photo credit : FBC
borkena July 10, 2019
Addis Ababa Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) Committee and leaders, including chairman of the party – Demeke Mekonnen, organized on Wednesday a memorial event for three slain ADP leaders.
It was organized at the Sheraton Addis and was attended by the families of the victims, the leadership of ADP and other senior government officials
The event was also meant for consoling family members of the victims. ADP Addis Ababa committee has raised 5.4 million birr from members and supporters in Addis Ababa, and some organizations and the fund is donated to the families of the victims.
The fund was equally distributed to the families of three victims, according to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).
Addis Ababa City Administration reportedly pledged land for the construction of a residential unit for the three families, as reported by FBC, but no detail is given regarding the size of the lot and the locality of the city.
Amhara regional state president, Ambachew Mekonnen, the region’s prosecutor, Migbaru kebede, and advisor of the region’s president, Ezez Wasse, were killed on June 22, in Bahir Dar City, in the office of the president while they were having a meeting.
The regional and Federal government claimed that it was an attempted coup d’etat.
In the same evening, three hours after the Bahir Dar incident, Chief of the Defense Force, General Seare Mekonnen, and his longtime friend, Maj. Gen. Gezai Abera, were killed in the residence of the former in the capital Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services, the Largest Cargo Operator in Africa, has connected Chongqing, the largest municipality in Southwest China with Africa and South America with a weekly cargo flight as of 26 June 2019.
Located in Southwestern China adjacent to Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces, Chongqing serves as a node of China’s Belt and Road initiative linking the country to its western neighbors. The route passes through Shanghai – Chongqing – Delhi – Addis Ababa – Lagos – Sao Paulo – Quito – Miami, connecting the main destinations of the three continents which cover a population of more than 3 billion people.
Ethiopian will be operating B777-200F freighter on the route and initially fly once in a week.
Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, remarked: “We are excited to have launched a freighter service to Chongqing, Southwest China. We are among the veteran carriers that started serving the People’s Republic of China back in the early 1970’s, a long-standing and multi-faceted ties which has translated into a flourishing trade and investment, cultural and bilateral cooperation between Africa and China.Our new cargo service augments the development of China-Africa bilateral trade and expands on China’s already growing “Belt and Road” initiative, while supporting our strategic initiatives to expand our global cargo operations.”
Operating next generation freighters and with Africa’s largest trans-shipment terminal, Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services facilitates the export of perishables, garments, mining products, and the import of high value industrial products and inputs, pharmaceuticals, among others across its global network.
Setting overarching goals under its 15- year strategic plan, Vision 2025, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services envisioned to become a full-fledged profit center of Ethiopian Airlines Group with annual revenue of US$ 2 Billion, 19 dedicated aircraft, annual tonnage of 820,000, and 57 international destinations. However, eight years into the roadmap, Ethiopian Cargo has reached 57 international destinations with award-winning cargo and logistics services. ____
For more information about Ethiopian Airlines, check here
TPLF has issued a statement after two days of meeting in Mekelle. In the statement, it has raised a number of issues including the next national election and the demand for statehood in Southern Ethiopia – on which it warned the Federal government to avoid taking forceful measures.
However, TPLF’s statement emphasized more on Amhara Democratic Party (ADP).
While calling for an independent investigation into the killings of the chief of staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force in the capital Addis Ababa just three hours after the assassination three of Amahra regional state senior official in Bahir Dar, TPLF blames Amhara Democratic Party for the problem and it wants the party to take responsibility for it, and ask apology from the Ethiopian people.
If Amahra Democratic Party (ADP)”externalizes” its own problem, says the statement from TPLF, TPLF will find it difficult to work with ADP – which is a member of the ruling coalition – Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).
Take a listen to Andafta media report on the issue below.
Audio/Video : from Andaafta Media YouTube Channel Cover photo : screenshot from the audio file
Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) calls up on sister parties and partner organization to continue to struggle to retain gains of the reform movement in Ethiopia
borkena July 11, 2019
It was on Wednesday this week that Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) organized a memorial service at Sheraton Addis for three senior party leaders who were slain on June 22 in the office of the region’s president when an armed group, allegedly coordinated by Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige, stormed it during a meeting.
And it was Wednesday that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) issued a statement after concluded a meeting regarding the current situation in the country. In the statement, TPLF blamed ADP for the assassination of Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, Seare Mekonnen and his longtime friend – Brigadier General Gezai Abrea, which happened barely three hours after the assassinations of two ADP leaders, Ambachew Mekonen and Ezez Wasse, (Migbaru Kebede was not dead at the time.)
TPLF’s statement had a provocative tone. It said it is difficult for TPLF to work with ADP (both are members of the ruling coalitions) unless the later accepts responsibility for the killing of the chief of staff, General Seare, and his friend. TPLF also wanted ADP to ask apology from the people of Ethiopia.
TPLF’s statement, needless to say, has angered ADP leaders who seem to still mourn the deaths of three of their colleagues and the chief of staff. The statement is available here.
ADP executive committee was having a meeting and this time felt, apparently, that it should ignore the provocative allegations from TPLF. In a statement it issued on Thursday and making a reference to TPLF’s statement, ADP boldly asserted that “TPLF is exploiting the current situation in the country to cover up the crimes it had committed for years.”
ADP also said that it has ignored TPLF provocations in the past out of respect for the people of Tigray and stated that TPLF is responsible for the problems in the country.
It also accused of TPLF indulging in plot politics out of the pursuit of selfish motives of the party. ADP called on the people of Tigray not to succumb to TPLF’s effort to divide the people of Tigray and Amhara who share history, culture and religious values, and are intermarried.
ADP is upset by TPLF’s tendency to characterize Amhara people as “chauvinists” which the party sees as part of TPLF’s plot and has called on Nations and Nationalities, and sister organizations to continue struggling for the reform measures.
Reactions
Reaction to TPLF’s letter was more of outrage. That is not the case with ADP. Most Ethiopians in social media hailed ADP’s measured, in their words, response to TPLF statement.
Yet, there are critical voices that seem to be concerned about the war of words between the two member organizations of the ruling coalition, EPRDF, for they tend to see it as “an indication of possible civil war.”
There are also few voices in social media – seemingly supporters of ADP – who think that ADP should have discussed its own internal affairs rather than discussing TPLF’s statement and indulge in exchanging “insults.”
One of Ethiopia’s newest opposition movement,National Movement of Amhara (NaMA), is experiencing government harassment and repression. Its spokesperson is arrested for a second time in less than two weeks. The party also says that hundreds of members are arrested across the country.
NaMa headquarter in Addis Abeba. Photo credit : NaMA
borkena July 12, 2019
National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) spokesperson, Christian Tadele, reportedly appeared at Arada Court, in the capital Addis Ababa, on Friday, July 13, 2019, the movement announced on its social media page.
Without giving further details as to what happened in the first court appearance, the movement disclosed that Christian will appear in court again on July 18, 2019, and he is still in custody.
He was arrested on Thursday in the capital Addis Ababa while visiting arrested members of the movement, as disclosed by his party. According to the movement, Christian was arrested by intelligence officers who were on site while he was visiting detained NaMA members.
Chairman of the movement, Desalegn Chane, was on the scene when the intelligence officers told Christian Tadele to stay behind as they were leaving the premises of Third Police Station in the capital, according to a report by BBC Amharic.
NaMA has also disclosed that over 500 members of the movement, including Christain Tadele, are arrested in different parts of Ethiopia. Most of the arrests are made in Addis Ababa, Benishangul Gumuz region and Oromia region.
“The arrest is illegal. I think the intention is to intimidate and weaken NaMA so that it will retreat. Such political arrests will make NaMA stronger and do not intimidate or make it back off,” BBC Amharic quotes Desalegne Chane as saying.
Christian Tadele was arrested late last month in Gojam, Amhara regional state, and released the following day.
Citizen report with links in Bahir Dar says four militia members deployed to capture a criminal are killed.
Bahir Dar City – Ethiopia
borkena July 14, 2019
There was an exchange of fire in the morning of Sunday, in Bahir Dar, the seat of Amhara regional state in North Western Ethiopia reported DW Amharic citing eyewitnesses in the city.
Security forces were involved in the exchange of fire in the locality known as Abay Mado.
Based on the eyewitness account from the city, who spoke to DW Amharic reporter – Alemnew Mekonen, security forces opened fire in Abay Mado to capture ” a suspected bandit” in the region.
The suspect and an unspecified number of security forces are killed during what looked like a security operation, according to DW report.
The region’s police commissioner, Abere Adamu, said “he was in a meeting and did not get a report regarding the situation,” as reported by DW Amharic, in a way confirming that the incident happened.
On the other hand, activists on social media who seem to have a connection in the city reported that there was an exchange of fire in Zenzelma Kebele of Bahir Dar area due to an operation to capture a suspect. According to this account, four members of Militia deployed to capture the suspect, including head of Abay Mado Militia office, are killed.
Leader of the June 22 incident which government described as “coup d’etat”, Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige, was reportedly killed in this area of Bahir dar in the days following the killings of the region’s president, his adviser and the region’s attorney general.
Security adviser to the prime minister of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh, is named as candidate to Amhara regional state president
Temesgen Tiruneh candidate for Amhara Region President, as the party calls him. Photo: AMMA
borkena July 15, 2019
The Central committee Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) concluded its meeting which was underway for the past three days in Bahir Dar city, seat of Amhara regional state in North Western Ethiopia.
The party has elected new officials to fill in party and government positions left vacant following the death of the regional president Ambachew Mekonnen, his advisor Ezez Wasse, and the region’s attorney general.
New president of the region is yet to be elected but the party has decided Ato Temesgen Tiruneh be a candidate for the position. He is currently serving as National Security Advisor of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. In the past, he served as Amhara Region Police Commissioner, Amhara Region rural roads construction agency director, head of East Gojjam zone administration.
He has also served as head of the information division within Ethiopian Defense Force, electronics and technical information department.
In terms of academic background, he has a degree in computer science and a masters degree in institutional change management, according to a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation (FBC).
Central Committee of ADP has also made an appointment. Head of the central committee office, Yohannes Buayalew (pictured left) , is appointed as deputy chairman of the party, as reported by Amhara Mass Media Agency (AMMA).
The party has also appointed Temesgen Tiruneh and Agegnehu Teshager to the executive committee member-
of the party, and to the executive committee of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Member parties of the ruling coalition elect as to who represents them in the executive committee position.
Agegnehu Teshager (pictured right) served as head of North Gonder zone administration head, Amhara region Management academy director, and trade and market development office head of the Amhara region. After the June 22 incident in Bahir Dar, he was appointed as the region’s pace and security head.
Based on reactions on social media to the news of the appointment, party supporters seem to have favored Yohannes Buayalew be president of the region.
It has been customary, at least in the case of the past two presidents of the region, that deputy chairmanship of the party and the region’s president position are held by a single person.
The party, with its regional governance structure, was shocked when a group of armed men stormed the office of the region’s president in Bahir Dar around 5 pm on June 22 and shot dead the region’s president Ambachew Mekonnen and his advisor Ezez Wasse. The region’s attorney general, Migbaru Kebede, died in hospital days later.
The party has sent briefs to state and state-affiliated media outlets in the country.
According to a report by Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), SEPDM said that it discussed in depth current political and security issues and has resolved to foster the ongoing “change” in the country.
The issue of statehood which has been rattling the region’s politics was also an agenda item during the central committee meeting of the party.
However, the party did not disclose details about the decision except saying that the central committee “took adequate time, had a mature discussion and identified direction [to implement it].”
About ten zones in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region, as it is known by the Federal government of Ethiopia, have demanded to have a state of their own.
However, ethnic Sidama demand for statehood sounds more radical as they have already sent an ultimatum for the Federal government that they will declare statehood on their own for which seemed to have angered Prime minister Abiy Amed when he appeared before the parliament early this month. Unlike the warning from the prime minister, radical Oromo ethno-nationalists who seem to have dominance over Abiy Ahmed are in favor of Sidama demands.
Political observers say the city of Hawassa could be a controversial issue even if ethnic statehood status is granted as ethnic Sidamas seem to claim ownership rights over it.
Existing Federal arrangement in Ethiopia mostly ethnic-based dominated by one ethnic group except in the case of Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region which is composed of nearly 50 language groups.
The brief from SEPDM also said, as reported by ENA, it discussed issues related to rule of law, peace, and security in the region and put directions in that regard.
It also said that the central committee reached consensus on ways of tackling challenges that the ongoing “change” is facing and resolved to work with determination and decisiveness on the issue of the unity of Ethiopia.
The party is yet to issue a detailed statement reflecting on the ten days meeting and key decision and is expected to do so this week.
Meferiat Kamil, Minister for Peace and Security at the Federal government level – which is the most powerful position, by design, of all the ministerial positions, is the chairwoman of SEPDM.
