Yearly Archives: 2006

Unity of Purpose & Sustaining Democratization in Ethiopia

By E.K. Yalew

The Importance of Pursuing a National Agenda

The dream France is fostering is one of vision… a powerful concept that moves countries, leaders and people to accomplish great things, especially in transforming their lives and those who …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Unity of Purpose & Sustaining Democratization in Ethiopia

By E.K. Yalew

The Importance of Pursuing a National Agenda

The dream France is fostering is one of vision… a powerful concept that moves countries, leaders and people to accomplish great things, especially in transforming their lives and those who …

Tagged with: , ,
Posted in Ethiopia News

The Changing Face of Kinijit: Constructive self-criticism on the way we work can help to prevent self-destruction

By Maru Gubena

As many Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia have repeatedly stated, only the TPLF leadership and its cadres have persisted in telling God-fearing, honest, innocent and starving Ethiopians – and the international community – that the tireless efforts …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin: Ethiopia's poet and playwright of the common people

By Yohannes Edemariam and Aida Edemariam

The poet and dramatist Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin, who has died aged 69, was considered Ethiopia’s poet laureate. He was one of the most important literary figures that country has produced in the last hundred years, …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Why the Kinijit office in DC looks so shabby and messy?

By Adera Kinijit

I came to the USA from Ethiopia two months ago on a business trip. Since I am an active member of Kinijit back home I decided to pay a visit to our office in Washington DC a …

Posted in Ethiopia News

What happened in the past twelve months?

By Donald N. Levine (aka Liben Gebre Etyopiya)

1. The Ethiopian polity was transformed from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy. I am trying to think of one other polity where such a transformation took place with the same …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

An overview of the history, practice and philosophy of civil disobedience and nonviolence

Part I

By Alemayehu GebreMariam

There is rumor of mass civil disobedience in Ethiopia. Over the past month, the U.S. Embassy has been reminding and urging Americans in Ethiopia to “avoid demonstrations intended to be peaceful [which] can turn confrontational.” …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Lessons for us from the downfall of US-supported dictators: An urgent need for mature mechanisms

By Dr. Maru Gubena

Given the image that major western leaders, financial institutions and NGO communities have had of Meles Zenawi as a progressive leader, and given the massive moral, financial and military support he has received from donor nations …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

April 6, 2006: A day to remember

By Kebede D Gashaw

April 6, 2006 is one of those days that will long be remembered as the day the tide has finally shifted against the Meles government by Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia. HR 4423 the bill drafted …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Two tales of one city

By Liben Gebre Etyopiya (Donald Levine)

Commenting on the current political state of affairs, a knowledgeable journalist said to me in Addis: “People here have been attacking one another all year. But they never talk about things they are really …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Appeasement At Dabre Sultan?

By Daniel Alemu, Jerusalem

On March 16, 1935, under the direct orders of Adolf Hitler, Germany re-armed itself, introduced military conscription and built an enormous navy, in a clear violation of the Versailles Treaty. These concerning developments went unnoticed by …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The music of Zeritu Kebede

By Irena Knehtl, Buzzle.com

Zeritu Kebede’s songs are different. I became her fan after few minutes of listening tp her songs. Young Ethiopian artist Zeritu Kebede, nicknamed ‘Baby’, first burst into public attention when she impressed every one with her …

Posted in Ethiopia News

FREZER NEGASH UPDATE – Jailed since Jan 27, 2006

March 10
Frezer has been released today after languishing in jail for 41 days!

March 8
A judge ordered yesterday that Ethiopian Review correspondent in Addis Ababa Firezer Negash should be released as there is no evidence to keep her …

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USA should use same scrutiny on Ethiopia as it does on Uganda and Zimbabwe

By Scott A. Morgan

The Congressional Human Rights Caucus recently took steps to address a growing problem in the Great Lakes Region of Africa. The bi-partisan lobby had a two- day series of briefings on concerns regarding the situation in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The moral high ground

At the moment, the exemplary work for the respect of the peoples vote in Ethiopia is being carried out by the European Union representatives, while US foreign policy is being driven by a single issue, “war on terrorism”, in the

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Should the United States rein in Ethiopia?

By Scott Morgan

It is now apparent that the State Department is very cautious in its dealings with the Ethiopian Government. Sadly it appears that being timid and cautious are more important than addressing abuses and maintaining peace.

After the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Why Meles CAN NOT Weather the Political Storms

By T. Mesfin

On February 15, 2005 C. Bryson Hull of Reuters wrote a curious piece under the heading, “Ethiopia’s Meles can weather political storms.” The “analysis” is very likely a well-timed plant.

Hull may not have done it deliberately, …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Sharing the sources of my anxiety

A critical look at the responses and strategies of Ethiopians to decades of political repression, divisive ethnic policy, continuing impoverishment and territorial disintegration

Before embarking on the issues to be explored in the coming article, let me make a few …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Doctors Without Borders Responds to Meningitis Outbreak in Southern Ethiopia

MSF Field Report

Cases of meningitis were reported during the first week of January in the Welayita region of the Kendo Kocha and Bolo Sore woredas (administrative units), in southern Ethiopia. In four weeks, the total number of cases reached …

Posted in Ethiopia News

From the perspective of a political prisoner’s sister

By Elizabeth Nega

What is next?

We have read multiple articles by scholars, citizens and political groups about the May 15/05 elections and its aftermath. Ethiopians are united in their desire to see the democratic process continue and to stop …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Meles Ready to Trade Prisoners for Aid

By T. Mesfin

Reliable European Union sources tell us Meles Zenawi is in dire straights. He is putting up a brave, tough face in public while desperately pleading with European and American donors to keep the aid money flowing.

The …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian Review reporter held without charge in Ethiopia

(CPJ) New York, January 30, 2006—Ethiopian security forces have detained a correspondent for the U.S.-based Web site Ethiopian Review, its publisher Elias Kifle said today. Journalist Frezer Negash has been held without charge in Addis Ababa since Friday, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

State Department to Ethiopian Opposition: We won’t make changes

By Scott Morgan

There was a glimmer of hope for the Ethiopian Opposition last week. The British have asked for the Government of Ethiopia to allow for an independent investigation into Human Rights Abuses. Now the ultimate player in world …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Dr Berhanu Nega's wife turned away from Qaliti

Dr Nardos Minase, the wife of Addis Ababa mayor-elect, Dr Berhanu Nega, was prevented from visiting her husband yesterday at the Qaliti prison where he is detained.

Dr Nardos was told that she needs Kebele ID, even though she explained …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kinijit Oakland briefs members of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus

Representatives of Kinijit’s Oakland Chapter meet with members of the Congressional Black Caucus and U.S Congressman Michael Honda at Laney College in Oakland, California, on Friday.

Representatives Sheila Jackson-Lee of Texas, Barbara Lee of California, Al Green of Texas, and …

Posted in Ethiopia News

State Department to Ethiopian Opposition: We won't make changes

By Scott Morgan

There was a glimmer of hope for the Ethiopian Opposition last week. The British have asked for the Government of Ethiopia to allow for an independent investigation into Human Rights Abuses. Now the ultimate player in world …

Posted in Ethiopia News

State Department to Ethiopian Opposition: We won’t make changes

By Scott Morgan

There was a glimmer of hope for the Ethiopian Opposition last week. The British have asked for the Government of Ethiopia to allow for an independent investigation into Human Rights Abuses. Now the ultimate player in world …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Student protests continued through out Ethiopia

Student protests continued through out Ethiopia today. In Addis Ababa, Menelik II school was forced to postpone exam because of protests. There were protests in Ayer Tena and other schools. Most schools in Dessie, Ambo and Nekempt are closed. Ethiopian …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Canadian Labour Congress condemns abuses against teachers, journalists and trade unionists

In a letter to Meles Zenawi, the Canadian Labour Congress condemns press freedom violations and the repeated attacks on the integrity and human rights of the Ethiopian Teachers Association leaders and rank and file members:
_______________

January 27, 2006

Meles …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Some Western donors try to circumvent EU's cut off of aid to the Meles regime

Some Western donors plan to channel the withheld $375 million direct budget support to Ethiopia’s Woreda administrations, according to sources at the Ministry of Finance. The plan, which is supported by UK’s Department for International Development and the World Bank, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Some Western donors try to circumvent EU’s cut off of aid to the Meles regime

Some Western donors plan to channel the withheld $375 million direct budget support to Ethiopia’s Woreda administrations, according to sources at the Ministry of Finance. The plan, which is supported by UK’s Department for International Development and the World Bank, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Federal police arrest Tikur Anbessa students

Several students at the Tikur Anbessa school in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa have been rounded up today and taken to jail. Ethiopian Review spoke with the family of one of the detained students tonight (local time). They said their son …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Hailu Shawel denied medical treatment

Leader of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit), Ato Hailu Shawel, has been denied medical treatment for the past 20 days, according to a family member who spoke with Ethiopian Review.

Ato Hailu’s communication with the other Kinijit …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Minisha Girma, elected legislature from Arsi, kidnapped by security forces

Transportation and Communications Minister Junedin Sado’s opponent during the May 15 elections, Wzt Minisha Girma, has been kidnapped by security forces.

Minisha had defeated Junedin in the Oromiya regional elections, but he accused her of cheating and asked the Election

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Nationalwide boycott of school exams underway in Ethiopia

The nationwide boycott of elementary and high school exams that is underway is succeeding in transforming the student-led struggle from an ad hoc to a well-coordinated nationwide movement with a well-defined message.

Even though not all the schools in Ethiopia’s …

Posted in Ethiopia News

African Union denounced the Meles regime's human rights abuses

EITB24

In Ethiopia it called for the release of political prisoners and said it “deplored the death of civilians during confrontations with security forces”.

An African human rights commission has criticised the continent’s worst rights offenders, including Sudan and Zimbabwe, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

African Union denounced the Meles regime’s human rights abuses

EITB24

In Ethiopia it called for the release of political prisoners and said it “deplored the death of civilians during confrontations with security forces”.

An African human rights commission has criticised the continent’s worst rights offenders, including Sudan and Zimbabwe, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Bomb exploded in front of Addis Ababa University

A bomb exploded in front of Addis Ababa University’s Sidist Kilo campus this morning around 11 AM local time. Roads in the area are closed. There is no report of casualty or major property damage.

The university students and residents …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Nationwide call for boycott of exams succeeding

The nationwide call for boycott of exams and classes is more successful than expected by the organizers. ER is able to confirm that all schools in Dessie have heeded the call and walked out of class today even though the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

CPJ condemns expulsion of leading foreign journalist

New York, January 23, 2006—The Committee to Protect Journalists is outraged at the Ethiopian government’s weekend expulsion of The Associated Press correspondent in the country. Anthony Mitchell, who reported news on Friday of renewed clashes between police and protesters in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Unrest widespread in Addis Ababa

Ethiopian Review has received a confirmed report from an eyewitness that Ayer Tena High School students have walked out of their classes. They were shouting “leba!” and demanding immediate release of their friends and opposition leaders. There is no heavy …

Posted in Ethiopia News

AP correspondent Anthony Mitchell is expelled from Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 21 (Xinhuanet) — Ethiopia’s Ministry of Information announced Saturday it was decided that the Associated Press correspondent in Ethiopia leave the country in 24 hours for “tarnishing the image of the nation, repeatedly contravening journalism …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian candle light vigil continues in London

London VigilIt was good news to hear Secretary of State, Hilary Ben, announcing from Addis Ababa, the withdrawal of direct budget support to the regime of Melese Zenawi. While appreciating this first step taken by the British Government, the campaign organized …

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Meles Zenawi, senior U.S. diplomat hold talks

Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi has held talks with visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer on the upcoming African Union summit in Khartoum and Ethiopia-Eritrea border situations, officials said Saturday.

Meles and Frazer on Friday discussed …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Addis Ababa calm but tense

Addis Ababa is calm but tense today. There is no confirmation of how many people the security forces murdered yesterday. But eyewitnesses told Ethiopian Review that many people were shot dead by the Federal Police during the religious processions which …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Congress must act on HR 4423 to restore U.S. Credibility

By Scott Morgan

Once again a US ally in a troubled region has an image problem regarding Human Rights. And the United States does not know how to best handle the situation. The problem spot is the horn of Africa. …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Ethiopian Monastery of Debre Sultan and the Black Christian Presence in the Holy Land

The monastery of Debre Sultan (Deir es-Sultan), which is situated on the roof of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem has been long in dispute between the Coptic Church and the Ethiopian Church and it symbolizes the last …

Posted in Ethiopia News

US to Sacrifice Democracy in Ethiopia?

By T. Mesfin

Jendayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, is on a crucial mission to Ethiopia. Her mission may be a turning point and a very bad news for those fighting for democracy in Ethiopia.

Here …

Posted in Ethiopia News