“Death is preferable than a life without justice and liberty… .” Those were the words on the lips of young Yenesew Gebre as he set himself ablaze at a public meeting that was being held in Waka Town in Ethiopia in hopes of settling some severe differences between the indigenous people of the region and Ethiopia’s oppressive regime. Yenesaw was protesting the ongoing brutal campaign against dissent led by the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF.).

As flames engulfed his body, Mr. Gebre issued an impassioned plea for his compatriots to fear nothing and to rise up to wrench their freedom and rights from the hands of local and national tyrants. The iconic act took place at a protest rally in the Dawro Community area of the country. The self-immolation occurred on Nov. 11. The news is just now being heard because the regime has sealed off Waka Town and cut phone lines to the area in an attempt to prevent news of the disturbing act of martyrdom from spreading across Ethiopia… [read more]

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