Saturday 12 December 2015

ኣዲስ ኣበባ መሃሉ ገና ምንም ባልለማበት ሁኔታ ላይ እያለ ከዚያ ውጭ ብዙ ኪሎሜትሮች በመሄድ የኣርሶ ኣደሩን ህይዎት ለማናጋትና ከገዛ መሬቱ ለማፈናቀል የተፈገበት ምክንያት እንደተለመደው ለውጭ ባለሃብቶች ለመሸጥና ለመክበር ካልሆነ ሌላ እንዳልሆነ ማንም ያውቃል። በዚህ ማስተር ፕላን ሰበብ የኦሮሞ ህጻናትን በመፍጀት “ታላቁ መሪያቸው” ያስቀመጠውን “ብዙሃንን ኣናሳ ማደረግ ይቻላል” የሚለውን ተግባራዊ በማድረግ ላይ ናቸው። ይህ መንግሥት ባለፈው ኣመት በኣምቦ፣ በኣዳማ፣ በባሌ ሮቤ ወዘተ የበርካታ የኦሮሞ ተማሪዎችን ያለ ርህራሄ ፈጃቸው። ይሄው ዘንድሮም ካለፉት ጊዜያት በከፋ መልኩ የኣንደኛ ደረጃ ተማሪዎችን በእናቶቻቸዉ ፊት ሳይቀር በሳንጃ እየቀደዳቸው ሬሳቸውን በየሜዳው በትኖ በማሳየት ላይ ነው። እንደዚህ ኣይነት ድርጊት የሃገሪቷ መንግስት ነኝ ከሚል ኣካል ቀርቶ ከውጭ በመጣ ጠላትም ኣይፈጸምም። እድሜ ለዘመኑ ቴክኖሎጂ ይህንን የግፍ ኣገዳደል ለመደበቅ ቢሞክርም ፈጽሞ ኣይችልም። ሁሉ ነገሩ ገዳዮቹ በቦታው ላይ ጭፍጨፋ ሲያካሄዱ ለኢትዮዽያ ህዝቦችና ለኣለም ህብረተሰብ እየደረሰ ይገኛል።

በቀለ ጅራታ:- በኢትዮዽያ የትምህርት ቤት ህጻናት በመንግስት ሃይሎች ደማቸው ሲፈስ እየታዬ ዝምታን የሚመርጥ ኣንጀት ሊኖር ኣይገባም።

Posted: Muddee/December 4, 2015 · Finfinne Tribune | Gadaa.com | Comments (3)
በበቀለ ጅራታ* | (የኦፌዴን የቀድሞ ዋና ፀሐፊ)
ይህ የኣሁኑ መንግስት ስልጣን ከያዘበት ጊዜ ጀምሮ ያለ ሟቋረጥ የበርካታ ዜጎችን ህይዎት ኣጠፍቷል። በተለይም በኦሮሞ ተወላጆች ላይ የተፈጽሙት ግዲያዎች፣ የጅምላ እስርና ማሰቃየት ተነግሮና ተጽፎ የሚያልቅ ኣይደለም። ይህ መንግስት የኦሮሞን ህዝብ በተለዬ ሁኔታ ሆን ቢሎ ነገር እየፈለገ በሰላም እንዳይኖር በማድረግ በገዛ ሃገሩ ግፍ እየፈጸመበት ይገኛል። የዛሬ ኣስራ ኣምስት ኣመት ኣካባቢ ሆን ቢሎ የክልሉን መንግስት ዋና ከተማ ከኣዲስ ኣበባ ወደ ኣዳማ እንዲቀየር በማለት በማናለብኝነት የወሰነውን ውሳኔ በሰላማዊ መንገድ በመቃወማቸው በርካታ የክልሉ ተማሪዎችን በግፍ ጨፈጨፈ።
በሺዎች የሚቆጠሩትን በተለያዩ እስር ቤቶች በማጎር በድብደባና በህክምና እጦት በርካቶች በእስር ቤቶች ውስጥ እንዲሞቱ ተደረገ። ከዚያም ጊዜ ወዲህም ምክንያት እየተፈለገ በርካቶች በእስር ቤቶች እየታጎሩ የበደሎች በደል ሲፈጸምባቸው ኖረዋል።
ከቅርብ ኣመታት ወዲህ ደግሞ በልማት ስም የገበሬውን መሬት ለውጪ ባለሃብቶች በመሸጥ ከኖሩበት በማፈናቀል ለከፋ ችግርና መከራ ሲዳርግ ቆይቷል። ይህንን ህገወጥ ድርጊት የተቃወሙትንም በእስር ሲያንገላታ ኖሯል። ካለፉት ሁለት ኣመታት ወዲህ ደግሞ ኣዲስ ኣበባን ለማስፋት የሚል ኣዲስ ምክንያት በመፍጠር በኣዲስ ኣበባ ከተማ ዙሪያ ያሉትን የገበሬውን መሬቶች ወደ ከተማው ለመቀላቀል የወጠነውን የማስተር ፕላን እቅድ በሰላማዊ መንገድ የተቃወሙትን ህጻናት ሳይቀሩ ያለሟቋረጥ በጭካኔ በመፍጀት ላይ ይገኛል። የኦሮሞ ተማሪዎችም ሆኑ መላው የኦሮሞ ህዝብ የሚቃወሙት በማስተር ፕላን ሰበብ ነባሩ ነዋሪ ህዝብ መፈናቀል ኣይገባውም፣ የሃገር ልማት ህዝቡን ለዘመናት ከኖረበት ቄዬ በማፈናቀል ሳይሆን መከናውንያለበት ህዝቡን ጭምር የሚያለማና ኑሮውን ወደተሻለ ደረጃ የሚያሸጋግር መሆን ኣለበት በሚል ነው እንጂ ልማትን በመቃወም ኣይደለም።
ኣዲስ ኣበባ መሃሉ ገና ምንም ባልለማበት ሁኔታ ላይ እያለ ከዚያ ውጭ ብዙ ኪሎሜትሮች በመሄድ የኣርሶ ኣደሩን ህይዎት ለማናጋትና ከገዛ መሬቱ ለማፈናቀል የተፈገበት ምክንያት እንደተለመደው ለውጭ ባለሃብቶች ለመሸጥና ለመክበር ካልሆነ ሌላ እንዳልሆነ ማንም ያውቃል። በዚህ ማስተር ፕላን ሰበብ የኦሮሞ ህጻናትን በመፍጀት “ታላቁ መሪያቸው” ያስቀመጠውን “ብዙሃንን ኣናሳ ማደረግ ይቻላል” የሚለውን ተግባራዊ በማድረግ ላይ ናቸው። ይህ መንግሥት ባለፈው ኣመት በኣምቦ፣ በኣዳማ፣ በባሌ ሮቤ ወዘተ የበርካታ የኦሮሞ ተማሪዎችን ያለ ርህራሄ ፈጃቸው። ይሄው ዘንድሮም ካለፉት ጊዜያት በከፋ መልኩ የኣንደኛ ደረጃ ተማሪዎችን በእናቶቻቸዉ ፊት ሳይቀር በሳንጃ እየቀደዳቸው ሬሳቸውን በየሜዳው በትኖ በማሳየት ላይ ነው። እንደዚህ ኣይነት ድርጊት የሃገሪቷ መንግስት ነኝ ከሚል ኣካል ቀርቶ ከውጭ በመጣ ጠላትም ኣይፈጸምም። እድሜ ለዘመኑ ቴክኖሎጂ ይህንን የግፍ ኣገዳደል ለመደበቅ ቢሞክርም ፈጽሞ ኣይችልም። ሁሉ ነገሩ ገዳዮቹ በቦታው ላይ ጭፍጨፋ ሲያካሄዱ ለኢትዮዽያ ህዝቦችና ለኣለም ህብረተሰብ እየደረሰ ይገኛል።
ይህ መንግስት ከላይ እንዳልኩት ባለፉት ሃያ ኣምስት ኣመታት ያለሟቋረጥ በማን ኣለብኝነት ሃገሪቷን ሰላም እየነሳ እዚህ ደርሷል። ሆኖም የሃገሪቷ ህዝቦች ተባብረው በቃህ ልሉ ኣልቻሉም። ምንም የማያውቁ ህጽናት በግፍ መንግስት ባሰማራቸው ገዳዮች ሬሳ በየሜዳው ወድቆ ማየትን የሚያክል ኣሳዛኝ ነገር ይኖራል ብሎ ማሰብ ይከብዳል። ይህ ኣሰቃቂ የግፍ ግዲያ የማንንም እናትና ኣባት ኣንጀት ያቆስላል። ሆኖም እስካሁን ድረስ ከኦሮሞ እናቶችና ኣባቶች በስተቀር ድምጻቸውን ያሰሙ ኣልታዩም። በተለይም በሃገሪቷ ይህን መንግስት እንቃወማለን የሚሉ ተቃዋሚ የፖለቲካ ፓርቲዎች ኣንዳችም ድምጽ ኣለማሰማታቸው ይገርማል፣ ያሳዝናልም። ሁላችንም ይህን መንግስት በማስወገድ ፍትሕ ሰላምና እኩልነት በሃገሪቷ እንዲሰፍን እንፈልጋለን። ነገር ግን መሰረታዊ የሰዎች ልጆች መብት ላይ እንኳን ለመስማማትና ለመተባበር ኣልቻልንም። ይህም ተደጋግሞ እንደተነገረው ለኣፋኙና ጸረ-ዲሞክራሲ ለሆነው ቡድን ምቹ ሁኔታን ፈጥሯል። ይህ መንግስት ሊወገድ የማይችለው በጥንካሬው ሳይሆን በእኛ በተለይም ፖለቲከኞች ኣለመስማማት ነው። ቢያንስ ቢያንስ ኣምባገነኑ መንግስት ህጻናትን በጠራራ ጸሃይ መርዝ እየረጨባቸው ተንገዳግደው ሲወድቁ በጥይት በሚጨርሳቸው ጊዜ እንኳን ኣለመቃወም ማለት የተቃዋሚነት ትርጉሙ ምን እንደሆነ ለመረዳት ያዳግታል። ይህ በኣዲስ ኣበባ ዙሪያ በሚኖሩ የኦሮሞ ገበሬዎችን ከተማ ለማስፋት ተብሎ የሚወሰደው የማፈናቀል እርምጃን መቃወም ሁሉንም የሚመለከት ጉዳይ ነው። ምክንያቱም በዚህ ኣካባቢ የሚኖሩት ሌሎች ኣማራ፣ ወላታ፣ ከምባታ፣ ሲዳማ ወይም ሌሎች ቢሆኑ ተመሳሳይ ግፍ ስለሆነ የሚፈጸምባቸው ለመብታቸው መቆማቸው ኣይቀርም ነበር። ስለዚህ ኦሮሞ ይህንን ህገወጥ ወረራ መቃወሙ ማንኛውም ሰባዊ ፍጡር የሚያደርገው የመብት ማስከበር ጥያቄ ነው እንጂ የሌሎችን ጥቅም የሚጎዳ ተደርጎ ሊታይ ኣይገባም።
የኦሮሞ ህዝብ በገዛ ሃገሩ ላይ በሰላም መኖር ካልቻለ በምንም መልኩ ሌሎች በሰላም ሊኖሩ ኣይችሉም። ስለዚህ ኣምባገነኖችንና ጸረ ሰላም የሆኑትን ገዢዎች ከኦሮሞ ህዝብ ጎን ቆመን ካልተቃወምነውና ካላስወግደነው ሰላምም ሆነ እድገት ለሁላችንም ኣይመጣም። ምናልባት ገዢው መንግስት ኣሁን ባለው የወታደር ብዛትና መሳሪያ ተመክቶ የህዝባችንን ተቃውሞ የሚያቆም ሊመስለው ይችላል። የህዝቦችን ሃይል በወታደር ብዛትና መሳሪያ ለማቆም እንደማይቻል ኣሁን ያለው ገዢው መንግስት በሚገባ ያውቃል። መተማመኛው ሃይል ሳታሰብ ኣንድቀን ይከደዋል። ያኔ ሁሉም ነገር ከቁጥጥር ውጭ ሲሆን የኢትዮዽያ ኣንድነትም የኦሮሞ ፌደራሊስት ኮንግሬስ ሰሞኑን ባወጣው መግለጫው ላይ እንዳስጠነቀቀው ኣደጋ ላይ ይወድቃል። ምናልባትም ታሪክ ሆኖ ይቀር ይሆናል። ስለዚህ ስለ የኢትዮዽያ ኣንድነት ብቻ የሚጨነቁ ወገኖች በኦሮሞ ህዝብ ላይ የሚፈጸሙ ጭቆናዎች እንዲቆምና ይህ ሰላማዊ ህዝብ በተፈጠረበት ምድር ላይ ሙሉ መብቱ ተጠብቆለት ከሌሎች የሃገሪቷ ህዝቦች ጋር በሰላም እንዲኖር መደገፍና ከጎኑ መቆም ተገቢ ብቻ ሳይሆን ኣስፈላጊም ነው።
በመሆኑም በሃገሪቷ በኦሮሞ ህዝብ ላይ የሚፈጸመው ይግፍ ኣገዛዝ ወደት ሊያመራ እንደሚችል ቆም ብሎ የማሰቢያ ጊዜ ኣሁን ነው። የኦሮሞ ህዝብ ለተፈጥሮና ህጋዊ መብቶቹ መከበር መታገሉን ያቆማል ብለው የሚያስቡ ካሉ ተሳስተዋል። ገዢው መንግስትም በሃይል ኣስቆማለሁ በማለት ህጻናትን እየፈጀ ይገኛል። ግን ፈጽሞ ሊያቆመው ኣይችልም። የማን ህዝብ የመብት ትግል እንደቆመ የኦሮሞ ትግል ይቆማል? ስለዚህ ሁላችንም ለኦሮሞ ብቻ ሳይሆን ለራሳችንም ጭምር ስንል ይህን ኣምባገነን መንግስት በለጋ ህጻናት ላይ የሚያካሄደውን ጭፍጨፋ ማውገዝ ኣለብን የሚል እምነት ኣለኝ። የሁላችንም መብት መከበርና እንደ የኣለም ህዝቦች በነጻነት፣ በእኩልነትና በመከባበር መኖር የሚንችለው ተባብረን ይህን ኣምባገነን መንግስት ሲናስወግድና ዳግም ለኣምባገነኖች ላለመገዛት ሲንወስን ብቻ መሆኑን ተገንዝበን፣ የፖለቲካን ትርፍና ኪሳራ ማስላት ትተን ለዘመናት በሁዋላ ቀር ኣገዛዞች ምክንያት ለም ሃገር እያለ በረሃብ ኣለንጋ ሲገረፉ ለኖሩትና እየ የኖሩ ላሉት ህዝቦች ስንል ግፍን ለማስወገድ መተባበር የውዴታ ሳይሆን ግዴታ ነው።
ከደብተራቸውና ኣሬንጓዴ ቅጠል ሌላ ነገር ባልያዙት ህጻናት ተማሪዎች ላይ መንግስት ባሰማራቸው ገዳዮች ጭፍጨፋ ሲካሄድ እያዬ ዝምታን የሚመርጥ አንጀት ሊኖር ኣይችልም፣ ኣይገባም።
በቀለ ጅራታ (የኦፌዴን የቀድሞ ዋና ፀሐፊ) – ከስዊድን

There have been protests across the Oromiya Region in recent weeks, including at a number of universities. Some have reported casualties. There are also reports of related demonstrations that have caused severe disruption to roads and traffic. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations

UK: Foreign travel advice in Ethiopia

Latest update: Summary – there was an explosion at the Anwar Mosque in the Merkato area of central Addis Ababa on 11 December; you should keep clear of the Merkato area and remain vigilant at this time
FCO 284 - Ethiopia Travel Advice Ed2 [WEB](GOV.UK)–The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to:
  • within 10 km of the border with Eritrea, with the exception of the main road through Axum and Adigrat, and tourist sites close to the road (e.g. Debre Damo and Yeha)
  • areas off the principal roads/towns within 10 km of the borders with Sudan and Kenya
  • within 10km of the border with South Sudan
  • the Nogob (previously Fik), Jarar (previously Degehabur), Shabelle (previously Gode), Korahe and Dollo (previously Warder) zones of the Somali region.
  • within 100km of the Ethiopian border with Somalia and Kenya in the Afder and Liben zones of Ethiopia’s Somali region
  • the Danakil desert area: north of the Mille-Djibouti and Mille-Chifra roads, and east of the towns of Bere-Ale, Shehet, Didigsala and Chifra
  • the four woredas (districts) (Akobo, Wantawo, Jikawo and Lare) of the Nuer zone and the Jore woreda of the Agnuak zone of the Gambella region
The FCO advise against all but essential travel to
  • Jijiga town
  • Three woredas of the Agnuak zone of the Gambella region that border on South Sudan (Dima, Goge, and Etang) and the Gambella Wildlife Reserve (taking into account the advice against all travel to within 10km of the border with South Sudan)
There was an explosion at the Anwar Mosque in the Merkato area of central Addis Ababa on 11 December. You should keep clear of the Merkato area and remain vigilant at this time.
There have been protests across the Oromiya Region in recent weeks, including at a number of universities. Some have reported casualties. There are also reports of related demonstrations that have caused severe disruption to roads and traffic. You should avoid large crowds and demonstrations.
There were reports of a shooting incident in the Mago Park in the Omo Valley in December 2014. No injuries were reported. Take extra care if you’re in this region.
There is a high threat from terrorism. There are credible reports that Al Shabaab plan, and have the capability, to attack targets in Ethiopia. On 14 October 2014 the US Embassy in Addis Ababa issued a travel warning advising “those in Addis Ababa to avoid areas where both Ethiopians and westerners frequent”, and citing threat reports of Al Shabaab’s intent to target the Bole area of the city.
You should be vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas and public places like transport hubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and places of worship and during major gatherings like religious or sporting events. There is a high threat of kidnapping in Ethiopia’s Somali region, particularly in the eastern areas to which the FCO advise against all travel. See Terrorism
Crime levels are low, but you should avoid large gatherings and public demonstrations and be alert to the risk of street crime. See Crime
The Ethiopia-Eritrea border remains closed. Several security incidents have taken place along the border. The risk of cross-border tensions remains. There is a threat of kidnapping along the border. See Local travel
Owning ivory is strictly prohibited in Ethiopia. Anyone caught in possession of ivory can expect to be detained by police. See Local laws and customs
Around 20,000 British nationals visit Ethiopia every year. Most visits are trouble free.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.

Monday 27 July 2015

arack Obama has met the Ethiopian prime minister on the first visit by a serving US president to a nation with one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa but which has often been criticised for its rights record.

US president, after meeting PM Hailemariam, says political inclusion makes a country “stronger and more successful”.
Obama, who arrived from Kenya on Sunday, wants to boost business ties with Africa [Reuters]
Obama, who arrived from Kenya on Sunday, wants to boost business ties with Africa [Reuters]
(Aljazeera) — Barack Obama has met the Ethiopian prime minister on the first visit by a serving US president to a nation with one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa but which has often been criticised for its rights record.
In a joint press conference on Monday in the capital, Addis Ababa, Obama urged East Africa’s most populous country to curb its crackdown on opposition members and limits on press freedom.
“We had a frank discussion, in a global economy increasingly driven by technology and the internet, continued growth in Ethiopia depends on the free flow of information and open exchanges of ideas.” Obama said.
“I believe that when all voices are being heard, when people know that they are included in the political process, that makes a country stronger and more successful and more innovative.” Obama added.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, whose government swept all seats in May’s disputed parliamentary election, attempted to counter the criticism of his government.
“Our commitment to democracy is real and not skin deep,” he said. “This is fledgling democracy, we are coming out of centuries of undemocratic practices,” he added.
Ethiopia’s ruling party, in power for a quarter of a century, has turned the once famine-stricken economy around.
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Ethiopia: Development at the cost of growth?
On Obama’s first stop in Kenya, his father’s homeland, he urged Kenyans to deepen democracy, tackle corruption, and end politics of exclusion based on gender or ethnicity. He also promised Kenya more security assistance.
“We are strongly committed to partnering with African countries to increase their capacity to address the immediate threats posed by terrorist organisations,” the White House said in a statement on Monday.
Ethiopia contributes troops to an African Union peacekeeping force battling al-Shabab in Somalia. The group has often launched attacks in Kenya, but diplomats say Ethiopia’s state security apparatus has spared it similar assaults.
Obama will hold talks with regional leaders about the conflict in South Sudan late on Monday. Warring factions have ignored pressure to end fighting, and talks may consider possible sanctions if a mid-August deadline is not met.
Trade ties
Obama, who many Africans claim as their son, is seeking to expand business links with the continent, where China overtook the United States as the biggest trade partner in 2009.
“Africa is on the move. Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world,” Obama told a conference in Nairobi on Saturday that sought to encourage African entrepreneurs and match them with investors.
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Listening Post Feature – Ethiopia: Journalism under anti-terrorism law
Ethiopia, brought to its knees by communist purges in the 1970s and famine in the 1980s, has won praise for pushing growth into double digits and spreading development with a range of rural health programmes and other initiatives across the nation.
But it has relied largely on state-led investment to drive growth, which economists say is squeezing out private business. It remains one of the world’s biggest recipients of aid and is still among Africa’s poorest nations per capita.
The government has often turned to China to help build new roads, railways and dams in its bid to expand the industrial base in the largely agrarian economy. The new metro line that snakes through Addis Ababa was built by a Chinese firm

Friday 24 July 2015

We write to urge you to prioritize human rights during your upcoming visit to Kenya and Ethiopia. Minnesota is home to a large Ethiopian and Somali diaspora that adds rich cultural diversity to our state. We are proud to represent them and ask that when you visit Africa you address issues of concern for our Ethiopian and Somali communities. Specifically, we ask that you urge the Kenyan government to prevent discrimination against Somalis and call on the Ethiopian government to address reports of troubling human rights abuses.

Minnesota Congressional Leaders Call on President to Prioritize Human Rights on Trip to Kenya and Ethiopia

Press Release
obamminnesotaWASHINGTON (Ellison House)—Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN), and Reps. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Tim Walz (D-MN) sent a letter today calling on President Barack Obama to prioritize human rights during his upcoming trip to Kenya and Ethiopia.
The text of the letter is below and a signed copy can be found here.
Dear President Obama,
We write to urge you to prioritize human rights during your upcoming visit to Kenya and Ethiopia. Minnesota is home to a large Ethiopian and Somali diaspora that adds rich cultural diversity to our state. We are proud to represent them and ask that when you visit Africa you address issues of concern for our Ethiopian and Somali communities. Specifically, we ask that you urge the Kenyan government to prevent discrimination against Somalis and call on the Ethiopian government to address reports of troubling human rights abuses.
After nearly two decades of violence and famine, Somalia is making steady progress towards stability. A provisional constitution and the political will for progress have helped Somalia reestablish a central government. The United States has provided critical assistance, enabling Somalia to make security gains against the terrorist group al-Shabaab. Despite important progress, recent terrorist attacks in Mogadishu and Garissa, Kenya remind us that Somalia still faces enormous challenges. Kenya has been deeply impacted by the instability in Somalia; Kenya is home to more than 350,000 Somali refugees, and al-Shabaab continues to pose a security threat to the region.
As the Kenyan government continues to battle the threat of terrorism, Somali refugees in Kenya are often targeted for detention or deportation, and Somali neighborhoods are frequently raided by Kenyan military and police forces. Recently, Kenya temporarily suspended the licenses of 13 Somali money remittance firms. While the licenses have been restored, the threat of disruption in remittance services remains. Cutting off remittance services compounds the humanitarian crisis being face by Somalis in their home country.  This could reverse the limited gains that the Somali government and the international community have made against al Shabaab and lead to increased terrorist activity in Somalia and the greater Horn of Africa.  We ask that you raise these issues during your visit.
In Ethiopia, we ask that you urge Prime Minister Desalegn take stronger action to improve human rights. Amnesty International and the U.S. State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights have documented the Ethiopian government’s crackdown on freedom of the press, arbitrary arrests, politically-motivated prosecutions, and the use of excessive force by security forces. While we are happy to hear that the Ethiopian government has released five journalists from detention, legislation restricting nongovernmental activity remains in place and is contrary to international standards. We also urge you to address the very serious concerns that have been brought to us by Ogaden and Oromo groups. As the first U.S. President to visit Ethiopia, this is a historic opportunity for you to press for meaningful and long-lasting change. 
We urge you to use your time in Kenya and Ethiopia to persuade policy makers to prevent discrimination and prioritize human rights. Thank you for your commitment to improving economic growth and security in Africa.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Obama is going to tie knots with TPLF-EPRDF’s Ethiopia, the poorest country on the planet – on behalf of the richest and the most powerful country of the world. That is his right. Forget the stereotypical consolation of discussing human rights and democratic governance. The main purpose is economy and security. Again forget about the highest economic growth rates fanned by financial institutions. That, there is no growth can be seen with necked eyes. Million are hungry and destitute. This trip will try to accomplish the deregulation of remaining sectors, like banking, telecoms, land, etc. As far as the peoples of the Ethiopian empire are concerned,

Obama’s Pilgrimage of National Interest

By Ibsaa Guutama | July 2015
ibsaa-gutamaaThe oppressed and abused of Africa, and their friends and sympathizers are making their voices heard high above the globe that President Obama refrain from legitimizing dictatorship and human rights abuse in Ethiopia. This is not a casual visit, but a pre-planned trip for which arrangements were made to pave the way for the diplomatic pampering of the most brutal regime in the area; a long-time Guerrilla-friendly ambassador was appointed in addition to a visit by the U.S. Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. The rulers of Ethiopia were among those that Clinton’s Democrats branded as the “new breeds of African Democrats.” Many have now fallen out of line. These ones are also starting wavering. This visit of the President may keep them in line before they jump to another bandwagon. Obviously, it is not a pilgrimage of democracy, but that of “NATIONAL INTEREST.”
Democracy is an ideal which all human beings aspire to attend. So far, we have seen attempts, not commitment, to it. It is a principle well defined by persons like Abraham Lincoln, “Government of the people for the people …” But, in most cases, it remains in principle, not in practice. Otherwise, it is assumed that democracy is the standard of political governance – which has, at least, as ingredients equality, freedom, fairly elected officers, and freedom of speech and expression. Any of this missing, there could be no democracy. As the Assistant Secretary of U.S. State Department once said, “America believes in ‘NO DEMOCRACY NO COOPERATION.’” Ethiopia lacks even the few ingredients of democracy mentioned; however, cooperation has never been lacking for the last quarter of a century. It is alright to delay one to three years, but not to abide by one’s promise for so long, for the greatest country of the world is tantalizing. If people’s sovereignty was respected, there was no need to petition a far off power for one’s internal affairs. Their problem could be solved within the region. But, that remaining a wish, expecting fairness and impartiality from those interfering is not too much. Considering their position, they have the moral responsibility to do that.
On part of the abused people, the assumption that democracies of the world will come to their rescue should have been given up long ago. But, unfortunately, protest is made through the social media, through demonstration marches, through written materials, etc. to oppose the continued cooperation. It is all in vain; world powers are blinded by national interests. Hence, the poor and oppressed peoples of Africa are left solely to themselves to fight for their rights. The real “survival of the fittest” theory is being practiced by the world against Africa. Africans have come so long on their own; they have to continue gallantly defending their land, interests and dignity – not to perish silently. Whatever they are doing, world powers are doing knowingly and convinced that they are doing the right thing. Thousands could go hungry, rot in prison, forced to flee their country, and thousands could die and disappear, they are not worth severing friendship relations with perpetrators of genocide.
Obama is going to tie knots with TPLF-EPRDF’s Ethiopia, the poorest country on the planet – on behalf of the richest and the most powerful country of the world. That is his right. Forget the stereotypical consolation of discussing human rights and democratic governance. The main purpose is economy and security. Again forget about the highest economic growth rates fanned by financial institutions. That, there is no growth can be seen with necked eyes. Million are hungry and destitute. This trip will try to accomplish the deregulation of remaining sectors, like banking, telecoms, land, etc. As far as the peoples of the Ethiopian empire are concerned, these were already deregulated, but monopolized by TPLF business conglomerates. International corporations want their big share.
As for security, the TPLF is “the key ally of the U.S.” in hunting down terrorism. Already, many Ethiopian empire’s recruits have perished unaccounted for in Somalia. TPLF is ever ready to engage whenever the U.S. pays without any limit to geography in their deployment. The visit may encourage the continuation of this relation. As for terrorism, TPLF is manufacturing them at its convenience – killing thousands, and terrorizing and imprisoning numberless. Yes, the people have risen and are rising further against the TPLF terror. It is a rise for “liberty equality, freedom and peace” – which no body claims to know its cause and effect more than America. But since terrorism is not defined, the whole population of the empire is branded as aterrorist and is subject to persecutions. It is without consideration to redefine that the package is going to be discussed to strengthen the relation. The peoples of the empire, in particular the Oromo and journalists, are going to continue being terrorized.
Let alone a big power, the tiniest being knows no limit in defending its interests. But, for human beings, there should have been moral restraints. Here, our concern is not that for now. It is a lesson from history. During the past regimes, and under the present one, whenever there is an occasion, the destitute in towns are rounded up, beaten and taken to unknown places. There, they live in crowded enclosure without enough food and water in a deplorable hygienic environment. Many perish unreported. Now that a leader of the most powerful country is coming, and since the coming is unprecedented, unprecedented measures are certainly going to be taken. What makes this time different is that thousands were recently uprooted from their homes by the land grab, and the policy to de-Oromize and expand Finfinne (Addis Ababa). The evicted are the majority of thousands of homeless in Finfinnee. A fate worse than that of the infamous Shoolaa Camp under the emperor is awaiting them. Then very few mothers, children and the elderly were saved from typhus epidemic after university students discovered them accidentally. In addition to rounding these up much more harsh measures are to be expected to impress U.S. intelligence that certainly will be there to bolster their efforts.
Many complain that the visit amounts to recognizing the atrocities committed by the notorious dictators of the Horn of Africa. Had Africa not been ruled by autocrats pretending to be elected democrats, the visit would not have happened. Only those types can serve as partners in plundering the wealth and service of the continent during this period of the New Scramble for Africa. Whether the President visits or not, his administration had already recognized legitimacy of the illegitimate. The endeavors made to “democratize, and the free and fair election” was praised by frontline cadres months ago. Was it true? What they should complain about must have been their not been ready to defend their interests as peoples. Assuming democratic values are intrinsically universal, and no double standard for it, it would have been just if the President did not make the trip his predecessors had avoided. Healthy human and political developments could have eventually served the interests he is after better and for a longer time to come. But, the world had never been just.
If the President does not come out with a conclusion that he was dealing, not with hooligans, but legitimate rulers, the agony of the peoples of the Horn is going to be double fold; for the hooligans will be more encouraged with their brutality. We wish the President a good trip to his father’s land and back to the White House. Here inHabashaa land, his Lou people are going to be considered as Americans for his participation in the American administration, as Oromo are considered likewise for Tafarii’s participation in the Ethiopian administration. This trip will give theWayyaanee a moral boost. We will see the leaders gleaning sitting around this powerful leader of the world to get photographed for the last time. People of the empire will wake up to another miserable day worse than before.Bon Voyage, Mr. President! Viva Oromiyaa! The struggle shall continue!
Honor and glory for the fallen heroines and heroes; liberty, equality and freedom for the living, and nagaa and araaraa for the Ayyaanaa of our forefathers!

I’m afraid. I’m still scared that I might go back to prison… Maybe today, maybe this afternoon. “[Journalism here] is a very dangerous job, because there’s this red line that was marked by the government, and we don’t know when we crossed that red line,” he said

I’m still scared that I might go back to prison” says journalist Tesfalem Waldyes

Filed under: News,News Feature | 
(BBC) It’s never an easy decision: Should I interview someone who wants to talk in public, but who knows that a word out of line could mean arrest and imprisonment?
Tesfalem

I’ve wrestled with the issue before in Myanmar, also known as Burma, Zimbabwe, Iraq and elsewhere.
Ethiopian journalist Tesfalem Waldyes sat in a hotel in Addis Ababa last weekend, and decided it was necessary to speak out.
“I’m afraid. I’m still scared that I might go back to prison… Maybe today, maybe this afternoon.
“[Journalism here] is a very dangerous job, because there’s this red line that was marked by the government, and we don’t know when we crossed that red line,” he said.
‘Totally absurd’
Last week Mr Tesfalem was unexpectedly released from a remand prison outside the capital, along with four colleagues.
He and eight other bloggers and journalists had been imprisoned for well over a year, facing trial under Ethiopian anti-terrorism legislation – accused of working with forces seeking to overthrow the state.
“It’s totally absurd…. Our work has appeared in newspapers, magazines.
“We are only doing our jobs,” he said, declining to speculate on whether the timing of his release was linked to a big UN development summit being hosted in Ethiopia this week, or President Barack Obama’s visit later in the month.
Mr Tesfalem said he did not want to talk about prison conditions, for fear of provoking Ethiopia’s government, but he was motivated to speak out on behalf of the four journalists still in detention.
“I beg all the international community, all concerned people… to push, to keep pushing… for the release of our friends.
“The charges are very similar. There is no difference between me and those guys who are still languishing in prison,” he said.
Ethiopia is a de facto one party state, after the governing EPRDF won every parliamentary seat in May’s election.
Although it has presided over extraordinary economic growth, and a rapid reduction in extreme poverty and child mortality in the past decade, it is regularly criticised for human rights abuses, and is often ranked as one the world’s “most censored” countries.
- See more at: http://www.zehabesha.com/im-still-scared-that-i-might-go-back-to-prison-says-journalist-tesfalem-waldyes/#sthash.MZ1dmfDb.dpuf

In response to concerns that Hacking Team supplied tools to repressive states which could be used to hack into and spy on almost anyone, Vincenzetti said: “We did [sell tools to Libya] when suddenly it seemed that the Libyans had become our best friends.” He also admitted providing tools to Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco and Sudan, as exposed by the company’s email archive, though denied dealing with Syria.

Hacking Team boss: we sold to Ethiopia but ‘we’re the good guys’

Attack that revealed data exposing deals with dictatorships was on a ‘governmental level’ and ‘planned for months’, says David Vincenzetti in first statement
 Hacking Team founder speaks out about attacks that revealed company deals with dictatorships. Photograph: LJSphotography / Alamy/Alamy
Hacking Team founder speaks out about attacks that revealed company deals with dictatorships. Photograph: LJSphotography / Alamy/Alamy
(The Guardian) — The founder of cybersecurity firm Hacking Team has finally spoken out over the attack that saw 400GB of its data dumped on the internet, insisting: “We’re the good guys”.
David Vincenzetti, 47, founder of the Milan-based company, told Italian newspaper La Stampa that the cyber attack – which saw the code for companies hacking tools and its email archive published online – was not enabled by poor security or weak passwords and that it could have only been an organisation “at the governmental level”.
Vincenzetti said: “This is not an impromptu initiative: the attack was planned for months, with significant resources, the extraction of data took a long time.” But he did not explain how Hacking Team apparently failed to notice the attack while it was taking place.
In response to concerns that Hacking Team supplied tools to repressive states which could be used to hack into and spy on almost anyone, Vincenzetti said: “We did [sell tools to Libya] when suddenly it seemed that the Libyans had become our best friends.” He also admitted providing tools to Egypt, Ethiopia, Morocco and Sudan, as exposed by the company’s email archive, though denied dealing with Syria.
But Vincenzetti said: “The geopolitical changes rapidly, and sometimes situations evolve. But we do not trade in weapons, we do not sell guns that can be used for years.” He said that without regular updates its tools are rapidly blocked by cyber security countermeasures.
In the case of the Ethiopian government, which used Hacking Team tools to spy on journalists and activists, Vincenzetti said: “We’re the good guys … when we heard that Galileo had been used to spy on a journalist in opposition of the government, we asked about this, and finally decided to stop supplying them in 2014.”
Meanwhile, the impact of the Hacking Team data dump continues to affect wider cubersecurity. A further two vulnerabilities within Adobe’s Flash plugin have been exposed and are actively being exploited as a result of the attack, Adobe has confirmed.