Monthly Archives: July 2007

What next for Ethiopia’s freed leaders?

By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC News, Addis Ababa

Ethiopia’s opposition leaders, freed from jail last Friday, have now had a few days to enjoy their freedom.

They have been receiving the congratulations of their friends and neighbours, meeting new grandchildren for …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopians in DC celebrate the freedom of Kinijit leaders

Press Release by Kinijit DC Chapter

Kinijit DC Metro Ethiopian community turned up en mass to celebrate the freedom of Kinijit leaders. Even though the meeting was called at short notice, the Washington Plaza Hotel was filled to capacity. The …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Atse Haile-Selassie's 115th Birthday – July 23, 2007


Haile-Selassie I

Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of justice when it mattered most; that has made it

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Mesgana Dancers of Ethiopia to Perform in New York

By Liben

In commemoration of the upcoming third African millennium, the Mesgana Dancers of Ethiopia are back on their second tour in the United States.

The group of ten dancers (ages 7-12), will present a program of cultural dances and …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian Refugees facing an involuntary repatriation from Sudan

SOCEPP Canada

Reports reaching SOCEPP Canada indicate a new wave of mass arrests and possible refoulment of Ethiopian refugees suspected of having affiliations with opposition political groups such as Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), Ethiopian People Patriotic Front (EPPF) and others.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Yamamoto needs to take a course in U.S. history

Ambassador Donald Yamamoto
American Embassy
P.O.Box 1014

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E-mail: [email protected]

Dear Ambassador Yamamoto:

Your recent assertion1 that suggests a parallel between the democratic path followed by the Founding Fathers of the USA and the destructive course chosen by …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ephrem Isaac and the Elders Committee interview

Prof. Ephrem Isaac and members of the Elders Committee talk about their mediation effort to have the political prisoners released. The interview was conducted on July 21, 2007, by the Woyanne regime-controlled Ethiopian Television (ETV). Watch the video below.

.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Can Ethiopian Diaspora Contribute to Democracy in Ethiopia?

Can the Ethiopian Diaspora Contribute to Future Political Stability and the Development of Democratic Institutions in Ethiopia?

By Prof. Maru Gubena

This article is part two of my contribution entitled, “The Dubious Path of the Resistance: Can the Ethiopian

Posted in Ethiopia News

For Ethiopia's Rastafarians, a promise still not fully kept

By Paul Salopek, Chicago Tribune foreign correspondent

SHASHAMANE, Ethiopia — The promised land of the world’s Rastafarians can be found along a narrow highway in Ethiopia’s ancient Rift Valley, a landscape of scattered trees with boles the size of houses …

Posted in Ethiopia News

For Ethiopia’s Rastafarians, a promise still not fully kept

By Paul Salopek, Chicago Tribune foreign correspondent

SHASHAMANE, Ethiopia — The promised land of the world’s Rastafarians can be found along a narrow highway in Ethiopia’s ancient Rift Valley, a landscape of scattered trees with boles the size of houses …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Woyanne troops raid a hospital in Mogadishu

By Mohamed Abdi Farah

(SomaliNet) The Ethiopian [Woyanne] forces raided one of the privately owned hospitals in the Somalia capital Mogadishu on Sunday taking out some suspected patients visitors.

Witnesses told Somalinet that Woyanne forces along with interim …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Holy Synod congratulates the people of Ethiopia

Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s Holy Synod in exile congratulates the family, kinijit members and the people of Ethiopia on the release of their elected leaders from jail.

The Holy Synod also renewed its call for the unconditional release of thousands of …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The true disciples of democracy

By Aie Zi Guo

To Kinjit leaders

In November 2006, I wrote an article indicating that true disciples of democracy should be free. Finally, eight months later you are free. Ethiopians and the international community are rejoicing your release. For …

Posted in Ethiopia News

We've just won the Battle but not the Victory

By Obang Metho

My Fellow Ethiopians: We’ve just won the Battle but not the Victory.

We Ethiopians are rejoicing, wherever we are—in or outside of Ethiopia, at the release on Friday of the Opposition leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, political …

Posted in Ethiopia News

We’ve just won the Battle but not the Victory

By Obang Metho

My Fellow Ethiopians: We’ve just won the Battle but not the Victory.

We Ethiopians are rejoicing, wherever we are—in or outside of Ethiopia, at the release on Friday of the Opposition leaders, journalists, human rights defenders, political …

Posted in Ethiopia News

On "the clemency" of the Meles regime – Dr Paulos Milkias

I concluded my latest book entitled Haile Selassie, Western Education and Political Revolution in Ethiopia, under the subtitle TPLF Doublecross – Democracy Versus Dictatorship, bitterly lamenting the jailing of Ethiopia’s best and brightest. I knew they would soon …

Posted in Ethiopia News

On “the clemency” of the Meles regime – Dr Paulos Milkias

I concluded my latest book entitled Haile Selassie, Western Education and Political Revolution in Ethiopia, under the subtitle TPLF Doublecross – Democracy Versus Dictatorship, bitterly lamenting the jailing of Ethiopia’s best and brightest. I knew they would soon …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Meles regime to block food to rebel region in Ethiopia

The International Herald Tribune
By Jeffrey Gettleman

NAIROBI — The government of Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia is blockading emergency food aid and choking off trade to large swaths of a remote region in the eastern part of the country that …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Dr Yacob Hailemariam family celebrate his release from jail

By MATTHEW BOWERS, The Virginian-Pilot

Former Norfold State University professor is among 38 political prisoners freed in Ethiopia

Amanuel Mengistu, 30, from left, Tegist Hailemariam, 58, Seyenie Yacob, 31, and Sefonias Yacob, 23, pray before dinner, thanking God for the release of their father and husband, Yacob Hailemariam.

Amanuel Mengistu, 30, from left, Tegist Hailemariam, 58, Seyenie Yacob, 31, and Sefonias Yacob, 23, pray before dinner, thanking God for the

Posted in Ethiopia News

Woyanne troops opened fire at a crowed of Somalis

By Aweys Osman Yusuf

Mogadishu 21, July.07 (Sh.M.Network)- One person was killed and number of other people has been wounded after Ethiopian [Woyanne] troops opened fire at a crowd of Somalis in Yaqshid neighborhood, north of the capital, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

EWPD welcomes the Release of the Political Prisoners

Press Release

The Ethiopian Women for Peace and Development (EWPD) is delighted about the release of the political prisoners in Ethiopia and the restoration of their political rights. We commend the political prisoners and the government for taking a positive …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. Congressman Lantos welcomes release of Ethiopian political prisoners

The United States House of Representatives
Committee on Foreign Affairs

Press Release

Washington, DC (July 20, 2007) – U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the release by the Ethiopian government of 38 …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.N. chief calls Ethiopia-Eritrea peace process stalemate

UN News Center

Pledging the support of the United Nations in efforts to resolve the stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the two countries to uphold their commitment signed agreements.

They must “respect the ceasefire and …

Posted in Ethiopia News

How to move toward a win-win outcome in Ethiopia

By Messay Kebede

Both the farcical kangaroo court and the use of blackmail to extort guilt and demand for forgiveness reflect one goal and one goal only, namely, the resolution to humiliate CUD leaders. We must ask the question of …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Four Journalists Convicted of Treason are Freed

RSF
PRESS RELEASE

(Paris – July, 2007) — Reporters Without Borders voiced relief on learning that the Ethiopian government today heeded international pleas and pardoned 38 opposition members, including four journalists, who had been given jail terms ranging from six …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Amnesty Int'l Welcomes Release of Prisoners of Conscience in Ethiopia

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

(New York, July 20, 2007) — Amnesty International today welcomed the release of 38 Ethiopian opposition party officials, prominent human rights defenders and journalists who had been detained since November 2005. They received a pardon …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Amnesty Int’l Welcomes Release of Prisoners of Conscience in Ethiopia

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL USA
PRESS RELEASE

(New York, July 20, 2007) — Amnesty International today welcomed the release of 38 Ethiopian opposition party officials, prominent human rights defenders and journalists who had been detained since November 2005. They received a pardon …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Negotiator Calls Release of Opposition Leaders a Welcome Development

By Ashenafi Abedje – VOA

Report on release of detained opposition leaders (MP3) audio clip

Washington, DC – After months of negotiations, the government of Ethiopia has released 30 opposition leaders, human rights activists and journalists. They had been convicted …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Congressman Mike Honda applauds the release of Ethiopian opposition leaders

Congressman Mike Honda

For Immediate Release
July 20, 2007
Contact: Selam Mulugeta: 202-225-2631
[email protected]

Congressional Ethiopian American Caucus Celebrates the Ethiopian Millennium upon release of Political Prisoners

Washington, DC – Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Members of the Congressional Ethiopian American …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. Dept of State on pardon of opposition leaders

U.S. Department of State
Press Statement
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
July 20, 2007

The United States appreciates the efforts of Ethiopian elders and civil society leaders that resulted in today’s pardon by the Ethiopian Government of 38 opposition …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Open letter to Beyone Knowels

OPEN LETTER TO MS BEYONCE KNOWLES – DO NOT COLLIDE WITH MURDERERS

MS Beyonce Knowles,
Music World Entertainment,
1505 Hadley Street
Houston,TX 77002
tel: 713 772 5175 fax: 713 772 5175

Dear Ms Knowles,

SOCEPP is a non political human …

Posted in Ethiopia News

EU statement on release of opposition leaders

Presidency of the European Union

Declaration of the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the release of the members of opposition and others in Ethiopia

The EU welcomes the release of the members of the opposition following the pardon …

Posted in Ethiopia News

A Call for Renewed Vigor in the March towards Democracy and the Rule of Law

Press Release
Kinijt International Leadership

Kinijt International Leadership (K.I.L.) expresses our earnest delight and enquan des alen to our gallant and towering elected leaders, their families and all Ethiopians.

The release of our leaders after 20 months of illegal incarceration …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Opposition leaders released – Washington Post

By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post Foreign Service

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced Friday that 38 of his country’s top opposition leaders were being released from prison after being convicted on sedition charges in a trial that critics labeled a …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Forbes Confirms Liya Kebede Is A Top Model

Mimi Magazine

Not that we needed any confirmation of Liya Kebede’s top model status, but, this week Forbes released its list of the 15 most highly paid models in the world, and none other than Ethiopian beauty, Liya Kebede made …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kinijit leaders' parliamentary seats expired, Meles told the press

Meles Zenawi said at a press conference today that the released leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) cannot take their seats in parliament. He said that their seats have expired and that they can participate in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kinijit leaders’ parliamentary seats expired, Meles told the press

Meles Zenawi said at a press conference today that the released leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) cannot take their seats in parliament. He said that their seats have expired and that they can participate in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia's freed leader defiant – BBC

BBC

Ethiopia’s opposition leader has hit out at the government just hours after being pardoned and released from a life sentence in jail.

Hailu Shawel said he had signed a document admitting to organising violent election protests in 2005 and …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia’s freed leader defiant – BBC

BBC

Ethiopia’s opposition leader has hit out at the government just hours after being pardoned and released from a life sentence in jail.

Hailu Shawel said he had signed a document admitting to organising violent election protests in 2005 and …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Hailu Shawel said he signed apology under duress

Ethiopian opposition leader condemns government, just hours after pardon and release

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) – Ethiopia’s opposition leader condemned the government Friday, just hours after he and 37 others were pardoned and released from jail, saying he signed a …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian leaders and journalists are out of jail

Today around 3 PM local time, 38 of the 71 Kinijit leaders and journalists who have been in jail since Nov 2005 wakled out of the disease-infested Qaliti prison. As three minibuses carrying them exited the prison ground, they were …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian anti-poverty campaigners stay in jail

ActionAid UK

In a long-running trial in Ethiopia, the anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie are among the last few defendants still trying to establish their innocence in court, after they declined to sign a document which might have …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Meles regime frees 38 opposition members

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s [dictatorship] on Friday freed 38 opposition members. “The pardon is total. They are being freed with their constitutional rights restored. They have committed themselves to adhere (to) and respect the rule of law as well …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kinijit leaders to be released this afternoon

Family members of the jailed leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) and the journalists are heading to Qaliti prison this morning to receive them when they finally get out this afternoon. Members of the media have …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Forcible return of several hundred Ethiopians from Sudan

Amnesty International
PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 54/038/2007
20 July 2007

Urgent Action 190/07 Forcible return/Fear of torture/Arbitrary/detention

Hundreds of Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals have been arrested since the beginning of July, and are at risk of being forcibly returned to …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Another step down in Somalia’s devolutionary cycle

A Compromised Somali National Reconciliation Conference

By Dr. Michael A. Weinstein

(PINR) – On July 15, the long awaited, thrice delayed and seriously compromised National Reconciliation Conference (N.R.C.) — aimed at beginning to resolve Somalia’s multiple conflicts — was kicked …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Open Letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Concerning Ethiopia

U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-6225
___________________________________________
Like our Statue of Liberty, she reminds us that the flame for freedom burns in every human heart, and that it is a light that

Posted in Ethiopia News

Mortars rock Woyanne-sponsored talks in Moqadishu

At least six mortar shells on Thursday slammed near the area where the Somali national reconciliation conference reopened in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, as heavy fighting between security forces and insurgents occurred in and around the main Bakara Market hours …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia’s democracy is on paper only – WSJ Editorial

Ethiopia needs to take seriously democracy and human rights

Editorial, The Wall Street Journal

Let’s play name-that-state. After the EU declared its 2005 elections flawed, this country’s troops killed 193 protestors and arrested 20,000 more. Last week, 42 of the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Woyanne soldiers ransack mosque in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia (Garowe Online) – Woyanne troops leading security operations in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, searched through a mosque in Yaaqshiid district Wednesday, witnesses said.

After searching for weapons at al-Sadiiq mosque, the Ethiopian [Woyanne] soldiers destroyed the women’s …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia’s dictator writes a new book

Meles Zarkawi’s latest book

a new book by meles

[Attn: illiterate Woyannes. This is just a satire]

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……

Posted in Ethiopia News

Gunbattle rocks Mogadishu ahead of peace conference

By Mohamed Olad Hassan
ASSOCIATED PRESS

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A 30-minute gunbattle rocked the capital in the hours before a long-awaited Somali peace conference was set to begin Thursday. At least two people were killed, officials said.

The battle between …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Somalia: Reconciliation is as elusive as ever – The Economist

From The Economist print edition

AN ATTEMPT at national reconciliation finally sputtered into life this week in Somalia’s battered capital, Mogadishu. Insecurity had delayed proceedings several times before. The place is as dangerous as ever, but the transitional government sounds …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Donald Payne Bill on Ethiopian Democracy Moves Forward

Congressman Donald Payne, Tenth District – New Jersey

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kerry McKenney (202) 225-3436

Washington, DC (July 18, 2007) – The US House of Representative’s Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health today approved HR 2003, the Ethiopian Democracy …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Meseret Defar Wins African Games 5000M

By David Monti

On the first day of the athletics competition at the 9th African Games in Algiers, Meseret Defar took the gold medal in the 5000m, crossing the finish line in 15:02.72, a Games record. Her teammate Meselech Melkamu …

Posted in Ethiopia News

US Legislation on Ethiopia Moves Forward – VOA

By Dan Robinson, VOA

A U.S. congressional panel has approved legislation aimed at supporting democracy and human rights in Ethiopia, sending the bill to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. VOA’s Dan Robinson has this report from Capitol Hill.

Lawmakers concerned …

Posted in Ethiopia News

H.R. 2003: Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 passed the first hurdle

The U.S. House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Africa has unanimously approved H.R. 2003 (Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007) today.

The bill, if passed by the full House and the Senate, would restrict, among other things, military assistance to …

Tagged with: , ,
Posted in Ethiopia News

H.R. 2003: To encourage respect for human rights in Ethiopia

110th CONGRESS
1st Session

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced: April 23, 2007

Mr. PAYNE (for himself, Mr. HONDA, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Ms. WATSON, and Mr. CLAY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Amnesty Board visits jailed opposition leaders

The Amnesty Board led by Woyanne Minister of Justice Assefa Kesito visited the jailed leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) yesterday at Qaliti prison.

The purpose of the visit, according to the Board, was to verify …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Coaxing pardons from opposition leaders? – VOA

By Howard Lesser, VOA

This week’s sentencing of 35 Ethiopian activists to life-in-prison has been followed by reports they are accepting blame in exchange for their freedom. The dilemma of signing a government release in exchange for a reprieve invites …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. exasperated by Ethiopian regime backsliding on democracy

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON: Both the Bush administration and Congress are growing exasperated over Ethiopia’s backsliding from democracy but are wary of applying too much pressure against a country that has become an important anti-terror ally in East Africa.

Members …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian protester released from Washington DC jail

Lishan Akuma, an Ethiopian lady who had been arrested by the police while protesting in front of the White House yesterday, was released this afternoon after appearing in court.

Two other protesters, Dr Meqdese Fekade and Ms Zelekash, had also …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. Congresswoman denounces the sentencing of Dr Yacob Hailemariam

U.S. Representative Thelma Drake (R-Va.) today released the following statement after it was announced that Dr. Yacob Hailemariam, a former Norfolk State University Professor, had been sentenced to life in prison in Ethiopia:

“This is a very disappointing development in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

ONLF statement on sentencing of CUDP leaders

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) strongly condemns the sentencing of the leaders of the Coalition for Unity & Democracy (CUD) member of the Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (AFD)to life imprisonment. Both the arrest and the sentencing of the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Barry F. Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy
Testimony Before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs
Washington, DC
July 17, 2007

As prepared for delivery

Chairman Feingold and Members of the Committee, thank you for holding this …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The humble beginnings of the beverage from Ethiopia called "Coffee"

By Connie Limon

Do you realize the intricate and varied history of coffee as you sip on a cup of coffee? There is a long and entertaining story of how coffee was invented, how it migrated to your particular cup …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The humble beginnings of the beverage from Ethiopia called “Coffee”

By Connie Limon

Do you realize the intricate and varied history of coffee as you sip on a cup of coffee? There is a long and entertaining story of how coffee was invented, how it migrated to your particular cup …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian protester is arrested outside the White House in Washington

An Ethiopian female protestor is searched following her arrest by members of the uniformed secret service during a demonstration against the detention of political prisoners in Ethiopia, outside the White House in Washington July 16, 2007.  Reuters/JASON REED

A female …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Relocation in Ethiopia of 4,000 Somali refugees by UNHCR

Kisut Gebre Egziabher in Teferi Ber, Ethiopia
Source: UNHCR

TEFERI BER, Ethiopia, July 17 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency has reopened the Teferi Ber camp in eastern Ethiopia and begun relocating some 4,000 Somali refugees there from an overcrowded …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Human tragedy in Ogaden, Eastern Ethiopia

SOCEPP Statement on the unfolding reports of Human Tragedy in Ogaden, Eastern Ethiopia

Increasingly disturbing news is trickling out of the Ogaden region in Eastern Ethiopia. In addition to varying reports by different media sources, on July 4, 2007, Human …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Andargachew Tsige and Martin Hill on BBC to discuss the sentencing of political prisoners

CUDP senior leader Andargachew Tsige and Amnesty International representative Martin Hill discuss the sentencing of political prisoners in Ethiopia

BBC TV, July 17, 2007
Part I

Part II

.…

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian protestors in Washington DC arrested

Ethiopian protest rally in Washington DC - photo by ReutersHundreds of Ethiopians in Washington DC held a protest rally in front the White House on Monday. The protesters demanded the immediate release of opposition leaders and journalists who were sentenced to life in prison by a kangaroo court in …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Court sentences journalists to prison – CPJ

CPJ, New York — Ethiopia’s High Court today handed down harsh criminal penalties, including life prison sentences, against six journalists and three publishers on anti-state charges in connection with critical coverage of the government during the deadly unrest in the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Opposition Figures Get Life Terms in Widely Faulted Case

By Stephanie McCrummen
Washington Post

An Ethiopian judge handed life sentences instead of the death penalty to 30 of the country’s top political opposition leaders Monday in a trial the prisoners have called a sham.

The defendants were among an …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Beyonce to perform at Ethiopian millennium

Source: African Press Agency

American popular singer Beyonce Knowles will stage a day-long concert for the Ethiopian millennium to be celebrated on September 12 in Addis Ababa.

Beyonce, who won the Grammy Award in 2001 and 2002, has been invited …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kinijit letter to Meles Zenawi

This is the letter allegedly written by jailed leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) to Meles Zenawi asking forgiveness. Source: The state-run Ethiopian TV. (Click here to enlarge)

Kinijit letter to Meles Zenawi

Posted in Ethiopia News

EU election observer denounced jail term for Ethiopian opposition leaders

BBC

The head of the European Union 2005 election observers in Ethiopia has said she is “appalled” at the life sentences given to 30 opposition leaders.

Ana Gomes told the BBC the sentences were “farcical” and “inhumane” and urged the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. urges clemency for Ethiopians sentenced to life in prison

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON: The United States on Monday urged Ethiopia to grant clemency to 35 opposition politicians and activists sentenced to life in prison for inciting violence in an attempt to overthrow the government.

The prosecution had called for …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Six journalists get jail terms ranging from 18 months to life

Reporters Without Borders
Press Release

Reporters Without Borders voiced outrage at the federal high court’s decision today to sentence six journalists to jail terms ranging from six months to life. They are part of a group of 43 government opponents …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Political prisoners case referred to Amnesty Board

Shortly after the court in Ethiopia sentenced the leaders of the country’s main opposition party, the state-run media reported that the case has now been referred to the Amnesty Board chaired by Minister of Justice Assefa Qesito.

ETV reported that …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian prisoners of conscience jailed for life

Press Release

Amnesty International today expressed dismay at the life sentences handed down to 30 Ethiopian opposition party leaders, journalists and one of the country’s most prominent human rights defenders.

The 30 were also stripped of their right to stand …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ex-Norfolk State University professor sentenced to life in Ethiopian court

By ANITA POWELL (AP)

Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA – A court sentenced 35 opposition politicians and activists, including a former Virginia professor, to life in prison and denied them the right to vote or run for public office for inciting violence …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Court sentenced Ethiopian opposition leaders to life in prison

The kangaroo court in Ethiopia today sentenced the elected leaders of Ethiopia to life in prison.

Among those who were sentenced were chairman of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) Ato Hailu Shawel, vice-chair Bertukan Mideksa, secretary general …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. expanding its embassy builiding in Addis Ababa

Source: Addis Fortune

The United States government is soon to erect perhaps its largest single structure in Africa, in the compound of its Embassy in Addis Abeba, which is also one of the three largest embassies it has on the …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Mesgana Dancers 2007 Tour

The Mesgana Dancers are returning for their second USA tour presented by Children of Ethiopia Education Fund (COEEF) and Ethiopia Reads. This year’s tour has been expanded to include many more cities and venues so more people can see these …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia out of the women soccer at All-Africa Games

Ethiopia and Senegal had to pack their luggages for home after both suffered another defeat on Sunday in their respective group matches at the ninth All-Africa Games, being held in the Algerian capital.

In a Group A game with South …

Posted in Ethiopia News

U.S. rethinking its Somali Policy

By Shashank Bengali – McClatchy Newspapers

NAIROBI, Kenya — For the workmen racing to spruce up a bullet-studded police garage in time for a critical peace summit beginning Sunday in Somalia, the work got a little tougher this week when …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Families of dead Ugandan soldiers paid $50,000

By Hellen Mukiibi

FAMILIES of the fallen soldiers killed during peacekeeping duties in Somalia have received $50,000 each as compensation from the African Union.

Payments to the relatives of Privates Ojok Kilama Lagole from Gulu, Julius Peter Ongu from Pader, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

On Eritrea-Ethiopia border, Badme awaits fate

By Aaron Maasho

(AFP) – Stuck in the limbo of the bitter border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the town of Badme strives to grow even as fresh conflict brews.

Badme was at the heart of a bloody war that …

Posted in Ethiopia News

The Diaspora – On the right path

By Y. Bekele

Cambridge dictionary defines it as ‘the spreading of people from one original country to other countries.’ While MSN Encarta writes ‘scattering of language, culture, or people: a dispersion of a people, language, or culture that was formerly …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Kenenisa gets revenge over Australia’s Mottram

[AFP] – Kenenisa Bekele erased any doubts about his form ahead of next month’s World Championships in Japan with a record-breaking 3,000 metres win over Australia’s Craig Mottram at the rain-lashed British Grand Prix this morning (Australian time).

The Ethiopian, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Woyanne-backed Somali conference adjourned after mortar attack

By Guled Mohamed

MOGADISHU, July 15 (Reuters) – Suspected Islamist rebels fired mortar bombs at the opening ceremony of a Somali peace meeting on Sunday but missed their heavily-guarded target.

President Abdullahi Yusuf was addressing several hundred clan elders, ex-warlords …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Not the time to threaten the death penalty in Ethiopia

By Mammo Muchie

The Ethiopian millennium is a time to bring the people, nation and country into one!

In Ethiopia the millennium should be a time to bring the nation, the people and the country together by lifting their spirit …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia takes historical Steeplechase title in Ostrava, the Czech Republic

By Laura Arcoleo for the IAAF

Ostrava, Czech Republic – With nine finals, the Girls Heptathlon and qualification rounds on the track and in the field, the third afternoon session at the IAAF World Youth Championships here in Ostrava proved …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Does the Ethiopian Diaspora have a Meaningful Role in Ethiopian politics?

By Maru Gubena

It would certainly not be wrong to argue boldly that the current Ethiopian Diaspora resistance has been made more and more complicated, or even entangled to the point that it has become for most of us difficult, …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Congressman Payne re-scheduled mark-up of H.R. 2003

Congressman Donald Payne has re-scheduled mark-up of H.R. 2003 for July 18, 2007, at 10:15 a.m. We thank Congressman Payne for his commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia.

On June 26, 2007 (the initial scheduled date for …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

WHO Supporting Injury Prevention Initiatives in Ethiopia

Support to Building Multisectoral National Capacity on Road Traffic Injury Prevention

delivering key note addresses

Ato Kassahun H/Mariam (Right); Dr. Olusegun A. Babaniyi (center) and Dr. Zerihun Tadess

Disability and Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme (DPR) of the World Health Organization (WHO)-Ethiopia country office …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian runners withdraw from Golden Gala

ROME (AP) – Nearly all of Ethiopia’s long-distance runners were pulled out of Friday’s Golden Gala meet in Rome by their national federation to compete in the All Africa Games.

“It’s a very unpleasant situation. This issue needs to be …

Posted in Ethiopia News

More than 3 months and no charges in death of Ethiopian evangelist

Ethiopia (ICC) – ICC originally reported that Ethiopian Evangelist Taddesse was killed by Muslim militants on March 26, 2007 (see the previous report here).

We are alarmed to report that it has been more than three months since …

Posted in Ethiopia News

Nigeria beat Ethiopia in women’s soccer at All Africa Games

By Isa Amok

ALGIERS, July 12 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s Falcons rammed in three second half goals past Ethiopia to keep their title ambitions bright in a scrappy Group A women’s match at the All Africa Games on Thursday.

The victory …

Posted in Ethiopia News