Comments on: Obama and the prospects for democracy in Ethiopia

By: Child of ETHIOPIA

Child of ETHIOPIA — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 03:42:13 +0000

This is for KOROJO. iF WE DON’T STAND UP AND UNITE FOR OUR NATION WHO ELSE WILL? It should be the top job we got to do. I was raised in the U.S and i never leaved through his adminstration but I know he has not done anything to make our country better. He is another Mangstu in my opinion. I do not respect the fact that you are being sarcastic…if you were. Well I did not say just through means of violence so you can stop the nonsense because i’m willing to die for ETHIOPIA.

By: mekeda

mekeda — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:45:14 +0000

which ever wins the election, most probably Obama, is not going to remove our tyrany EPRDF its our unity,and wise strugle against dictatorship that wins, plus affects their policy towards our country.

By: Sebeta

Sebeta — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:58:50 +0000

A very good article. Thank you Miss(?)F. Hagar for the excellent analysis.
Most of us like what we hear from Obama about issues concerning the U.S., and want to vote for him. He sure deserves our vote and our total support, I think. However, like any other community, we are not one issue oriented one. We who have obtained US citizenship do not and shouldnt cast our vote based on the candidate’s view on EPRDF. We have to look his or overall policy in order to support the candidate. If it so happens that we agree on all fundamental issues regarding the States but disagree on how to see the Ethiopian Government, then we should still vote for Barrack but work hard to influence the candidate to change that particular offensive policy. Hager is right in warning us that supporting Obama means supporting his overall policies and not necessarily his Ethiopian stand. For that we have to prepare, to unite and work hard in order to influence him and the people around him. Otherwise we are in for a big disappointment. That seems to be F. Hager’s message and I totally agree with her/his message.

By: korojo

korojo — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:48:39 +0000

this must be the top job that we must do .let us stand up and fight the ruthless weyanes every where at any time and by all means.

By: Child of ETHIOPIA

Child of ETHIOPIA — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:34:07 +0000

Why are we expecting other leader or Nations to stabilize the political structure of our country???We are Ethiopian, lets stand up for our nations and help our people. No one will ever make the changes for us. We have to be the hope and inspiration for our country people and for other generations to come. Every democracy and constitutional government was created by the people who consist of that nation. Che led Cubans to freedom, Mendela, Martin Luther King Jr and Gundi. The last 2 people achieved freedom and equilty only by means of peace. However,we all know that is near impossible in Ethiopia. We have to gain our own democracy by any means necessary and stop waiting for the next U.S president to achieve our goal.

By: Gabra

Gabra — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:42:44 +0000

I have been telling you all that the modus operandi of the State department will not radically change toward the Horn of Africa. It may go for the worse if Somalia stabilzes or turns into totally incapacitated society to a point it will not be suitable to be a haven for terrorists that can threaten the West and their allies. It seems looking at the latest path where things are going over there indicates such a scenario. Then the US and European governments will have no reason to spend their scarce resources in this very austere day and age for no cause for conerns. And no one has the right to criticize if the US policy is not changing with the new president. They are not the solution because they are not part of the problem. In fact, the have been pouring hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid into that country. They have the right to protect their interest and way of life when they are faced with threats. It is up to our own hardened as concrete heads to find solutions. Stop blaming others for own faults. It is just an execuse that should not be execused!!!

By: Senedu

Senedu — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:24:46 +0000

I agree with KOKO in that “American foreign policy is always based on their own interest regardless who is the president..”
and “…instead of depending American law makers it is better to coordinate our struggle against the common enemy and continue the struggle.” statements.
The question raised by Hager, in my opinion, highlights just that and does not contradict it at all.
We should always have our eyes on the struggle back home but while here lets do something to effect some change, however minute, in the policy of the American Government. This is not equivalent to depending on the laws of the United States, but creatively using it to our advantage. Let the people at home do their part, ie liberating themselves and lets do our share of help by coordinating our efforts to achieve same.
Though not novel or new, Hager’s proposals are good. We should rather concentrate in implementing them.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:04:55 +0000

While you got some of the people correct there was one mistake, Susan Rice has a bad relationship with Meles. During the 1998 war with Eritrea, she was the undersecretary of state for African Affairs. At the beginning of the war, Meles agreed to sign cease fire agreement but once he started willing the war he changed his mind and Rice went nuts and clearly made a statement that the US can’t work Meles.
One thing we shouldn’t underestimate is also the Biden factor. Joe Biden will play a major role in US foreign policy and we know his position against Meles and all the letters he wrote and I doubt he will be changed by any lobbying group. So, I think the future is bright to see the US – Ethiopia relationship change any may be even the 2010 election in Ethiopia.

By: Sith Belew

Sith Belew — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:44:43 +0000

Woyannes are raising money for McCain-Palin Ticket. Amazing!!

By: Well-infomed Somali

Well-infomed Somali — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 22:08:39 +0000

My bro and sisters here, I solute you first. Secondly, not only Somali and Ethiopia, but the entire Horn of Africa including Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti is setup. The west is keeping an eye on the Natural Resources and the strategic location of these countries. We have been setup because we are killing each other for the last fifty years. So, no matter who wins the White House, our despair and agony will continue. And don’t be mistaken, the west is not run by the Presidents nor Prime Ministers nor Chancellors; It is run by establishment. I hope I am wrong but until we realise that we will truly loose. Just ask yourself, how much money all of the countries in the Horn Africa region spent on Military in the last fourty years and then compare that how much money was spent on education. If you do the research, that should give you the bigger bicture. With respect to Meles’s invasion of Somalia, just ask yourself, who is paying for it? I know the first answer is US. That may be half-way true but in all honesty, they are not the only ones who have paid for it. Just look at the across the red sea and you know which country. It is all about energy and making sure we, the peoples of Horn Africa, do not take advantage of our Natural Resources. The global Western Elite does not have boundaries. They are in US, Europe, and the Middle East. The Horn of Africa region is a reserve for the Western economies and we are set to remain in perpetual wars, despair, and lack of full understanding of who is behind all of these misery that we are in including our own stupidity.

By: Koko

Koko — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:24:27 +0000

You idea is noble; however, American foreign policy is always based on their own interest regardless who is the president and I am sure there would not be any change of their policy even if Obama win the election.
American rhetoric of spreading democracy is a cover up, but the truth is not further than advancing their own benefit and protecting the tyrants who advance American interest in the region.
I personally think that instead of depending American law makers it is better to coordinate our struggle against the common enemy and continue the struggle.
Nothing is mightier than the power of the people and I am sure if we be able to coordinate our struggle and minimize our difference for the sake of the common good we will be victories.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:22:19 +0000

I think it’s been almost two years since everybody talking about the 2008 election. Majority Ethiopians believe that, if McCain win the white house, it will be anther 3rd term of gorge bush administration. I feel the same way. But how come no body talking about if Obama win the white house we are going to face most probably anther bill Clinton administration? Maybe most of you going to asking me what is wrong with that? If you say so, I think you have bad memory. But if you asking me I don’t like to see anther similar to Clinton administration after what they did to Africans, especially to Ethiopia and Rwanda. How money of you remember when Clinton parsing fascist meles zanawe and issays? He was saying that how we Africans so laky to have this two yang and democrat leaders. While these tow fascists are killing million Ethiopians lift and right, especially thousands incent amharas. Clinton was talking shit despite human right watch report. I feel like Obama will do the same thing. If he is not worse. Anyway do you guys understand English Language? Or you gust lessening only pro Obama media like NPR, CNN.etc. I think that’s why you guys messed up. Obama supporters do you understand when Obama say “if I am president we American will never invade any country gust because they are dictator, we only going to war if our interest in danger “so whets make you to think Obama scarifies American interest for us. For Obama sadam husine (who kill millions Iraq) is gust a dictator so live him alone. If you do remember Obama was strongly against the removing of sadame husine. For Obama those two (black Hitler) fascist meles and issayas (who kill millions Ethiopians) are gust a dictator so live them alone. Even thou I hate those terrorist Somalis, I am so happy what they did to fascist meles zanawe army (the agzi). See my brother the Somalis did not weight tile Obama taking over the white house and stop the money giving to fascist meles zanawe then fascist meles cut and rune. No no no baby they start fighting as soon as fascist mele army (agzi) landed in their soil. Instead of doing the same thing. We cry almost the last 20 years. Stop blaming the united state of America for everything. Thinks god our grandparents did not weight outside help to fight fascist Italy. Can you imaging by now we will be head down whenever we walk in front of white people like fascist shabiy children.

By: zed

zed — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:45:22 +0000

Hager i realy apriciate your consern. i was dicused with friends about DR. susan right will became a forigen minister for Obama adminstatin. She is realy pro meles and scary for ethiopians. we shoud do something through ethiopian for obama group befor things getting wrong