Blog Archives

Not a safe planet to be an Ethiopian.

Not a safe planet to be an Ethiopian. By Yilma Bekele
The terrorist group ISIL murdered twenty eight Ethiopians in cold blood in the deserts of Libya. In Durban South Africa two Ethiopian brothers aged twenty two and twenty four …

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Tecola and his crocodile tears.

Tecola and his crocodile tears. By Yilma Bekele
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) are a false, insincere display of emotion such as a hypocrite crying fake tears of grief. That is what it felt like reading the gentleman’s article after …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Elections and helicopter-an Ethiopian drama

Elections and helicopter-an Ethiopian drama. By Yilma Bekele

I am thinking you must have read my last report on Ethiopian helicopters that made an unauthorized trip to Eritrea. I felt I left the story hanging out there and it is …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Marriage proposal to Mighty Awash and HMD comes to the US.

Marriage proposal to Mighty Awash and HMD comes to the US. By Yilma Bekele

Our elders know how to tell a story. The way they do it could be compared to like pealing an onion, you have to go thru …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

2007-A year of decision

2007-A year of decision by Yilma Bekele

Happy New Year Ethiopia (መልካም እንቁጣጣሸ) Meskerem is a special month. We love and honor Meskerem so much that we name our children by it signifying a new beginning for the long journey …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Getting to know me better.

Getting to know me better. By Yilma Bekele
I am in the process of weaning myself from my daily dose of reading about the madness of Woyane. It is not easy. After over two decades of being visually, mentally and …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The Ethiopians and their leaders

By Yilma Bekele

Ato Andualem Aragie Andenet Party (2011)
Ato Bekele Giriba – (OFDM) Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (August 2011)
Ato Olbana Lelissa – (OPC) Oromo People Congress Party (August 2011)

Ato Yeshiwas Assefa – National council Blue Party (2014)…

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The shameful act of OPDO

The shameful act of OPDO. By Yilma Bekele

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I came across a clip of a VOA interview from Ethiopia. It is about the unveiling of a new statue in Oromia Kilil (Bantustan), Arsi Zone, Hitosa Wereda named Anole Statue and …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopian (Woyane) Airlines hijacked

Ethiopian (Woyane) Airlines hijacked. By Yilma Bekele

The Name is Ethiopian but that particular property belongs to our Woyane masters. It is there for the TPLF to do what it wants. It started with such promise and grew up to …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Et tu ESAT?

By Yilma Bekele

‘Et, tu Brute?’ is what the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was heard to have said when he saw his dear friend Marcus Brutus in league with his assassins. In English he was saying ‘you too, Brutus?’ It …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

How to honor Mandela in Ethiopia.

How best to honor Madiba in Ethiopia. By Yilma Bekele

President Mandela was inspired by the history and people of a place called Ethiopia and today we Ethiopians look at the life of this great man as an inspiration and …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Welcome to Ethiopia, let me have your bag

By Yilma Bekele

I hope you are sitting down while reading the story I am about to tell you. Unfortunately it is a true story and it couldn’t have happened anywhere but in good old Ethiopia. When it comes to …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Woyanne bringing the war to America

‘Things come apart so easily when they have been held together with lies.’ Is what comes to mind when we see the behavior of the Ethiopian government and its response to the Ethiopian tragedy taking place in the Kingdom of …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The angry children of Ethiopia.

The angry children of Ethiopia. By Yilma Bekele

We really are a special people. No matter how far we go one eye is always on Ethiopia. The last few days we saw something we did not like. Ethiopians on all …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The kingdom from hell and Ethiopians

By Yilma Bekele

Today it is said that there are over a quarter of a million Ethiopians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The vast majority are young economic refugees working as maids, chauffeurs, and house servants. Women outnumber men …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The last Ethiopian standing.

The last Ethiopian standing. By Yilma Bekele
That is exactly what I feel like now. Who died and left me with this burden is not clear to me but believe me I feel like I am all alone and it …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Proving them wrong – the Ethiopian way.

Proving them wrong – the Ethiopian way. By Yilma Bekele
They say all kinds of bad stuff about us. It is said so many times and so often some of us start to believe the lie. That is always the …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The Oromo issue on Al Jazeera

The Oromo issue on Al Jazeera. By Yilma Bekele
There was a half hour discussion on the Oromo issue in Ethiopia on Al Jazeera Television Network. It was one of those situations where you go ‘what just happened’ after an …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Keep your eyes on the prize.

Keep your eyes on the prize. By Yilma Bekele

We are witnessing a flurry of news from the TPLF party that calls itself the Ethiopian government. Why is the Woyane party so busy and why is the party pushing its …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Mengistu Hailemariam and our moral compass

Mengistu Hailemariam and our moral compass. By Yilma Bekele.
Today I felt like crawling under the blanket and just hide. I know that is what children do. They think hiding under the blanket makes them invisible. It give them a …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

ESAT and messengers of peace in Jose, Ca.

ESAT and messengers of peace in Jose, Ca. By Yilma Bekele

Tamagne was here. I wrote that and felt I have said enough. Well since you asked I guess I will tell you the rest of the story. I thought …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The selling of Ethiopia to the highest bidder.

The selling of Ethiopia to the highest bidder. By Yilma Bekele
Actually that statement might not be true. We do know our country is being sold but we have no idea if the bidding has been open or closed. We …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: Where Do We Go (or not go) From Here?

On the road to democracy and unity?

For some time now, I have been heralding Ethiopia’s irreversible march from dictatorship to democracy. In April 2011, I wrote a commentary entitled, “The Bridge on the Road(map) to Democracy”. I …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Violence and the Ethiopians.

Violence and the Ethiopians. By Yilma Bekele
We always think of our people to be so loving that welcome a stranger into their homes and share what little they have. Our language is full of sayings about being a good …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

TPLF and the culture of violence

TPLF and the culture of violence. By Yilma Bekele.
According to ESAT the FBI has foiled an attempt by the Ethiopian government to assassinate Ato Abebe Gelaw. Goosh Abera and his accomplices are under custody. Please note here I said …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The role of higher education and Ethiopia

The role of higher education and Ethiopia. By Yilma Bekele
My beautiful and brilliant niece graduated from college a few days ago. We are all proud and happy with her accomplishment. It gave the whole family an opportunity to get …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: A New Prime Minister in a New Year

By Alemayehu G Mariam

hmEthiopians had their new year on September 11. It is now 2005. On September 21, they also got a new prime minster. How delightfully felicitous to have a new prime minister in the new year! Heartfelt …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ato Seye and his politics

By Yilma Bekele

Mr. Charles Krauthammer is an American syndicated columnist, political commentator and is considered a highly influential conservative voice. He is critical of President Obama’s policies and supports the election of Mr. Romney to be President. As a …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

An Ethiopian with election envy.

An Ethiopian with election envy. By Yilma Bekele
The US is getting ready for presidential elections. 2012 will be the 57th time elections have taken place. The first election was held in 1788 and there were five contestants and it …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Why are they making us cry?

By Yilma Bekele

The Ethiopian people have been told to show grief regarding the death of Meles Zenawi. This is sadness by government decree and it is not unique to us. We just witnessed it happen in North Korea but …

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A chance to build a new Ethiopia

By Yilma Bekele

The Ethiopian TPLF Prime Minister Meles Zenawi died three weeks ago. He died at St-Luke University Hospital in Brussels, Belgium. His Party kept him in the freezer while trying to determine what to do regarding the rules …

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Ethiopia: The quiet before the storm

By Yilma Bekele

It has been forty-eight days since we saw or heard from Meles Zenawi. Some are convinced the tyrant is dead while the regime insists he is recovering, on vacation or just hanging out, depending on Ato Bereket’s …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Meles Zenawi and his health

Ethiopia, Ato Meles and his health. By Yilma Bekele
Ato Meles Zenawi, Chairman of Tigrai People Liberation Front (TPLF) and Prime Minster of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is not in good health. I became aware of that fact …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Skype and Ethiopia

By Yilma Bekele

The origins of the Internet can be traced to ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) that was funded by the US Department of Defense (DARPA) for use by its research labs in the 1960’s. The Internet as …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The Great Renaissance Dam as a wedge issue

By Yilma Bekele

The Ethiopian government was peddling its ponzi scheme of selling bonds for the pie in the sky project named The Grand Renaissance Dam’ on the Abbay river here in the Bay Area. It was not as lavish …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Waldeba in my heart

Waldeba in my heart. By Yilma Bekele

Truth be told I was not aware of Waldeba Monastery until quite recently. Today I live Waldeba, I breathe Waldeba, and I believe Waldeba has taken over my soul. Mind you I am …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

When we were the achievers

By Yilma Bekele

I am always harking back to the pleasant years of our past. Believe me it not being nostalgic rather it is the lack of good news that makes me reach deep to salvage a little bit of …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: The Bedtime Stories of Meles Zenawi

Alemayehu G Mariam

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At the “World Economic Forum Meeting” in Ethiopia last week, dictator Meles Zenawi lectured:

…. My view is that there is no direct relationship between economic growth

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Posted in Ethiopia News

A note to President Obama

By Yilma Bekele

Dear President Obama,

I am sure you do not have time to read my letter nonetheless it gives me a certain amount of release from the pain I am feeling and the little chance of this letter …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The giant shows signs of life

By Yilma Bekele

I feel energized. Our freedom tree is bearing fruits. It is the result of the tireless effort of thousands if not millions of us working together in harmony. Due to the miracle of the Internet such as …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: The Bridge on the Road(map) to Democracy

Alemayehu G Mariam

Last week I had an opportunity to address a town hall meeting in Seattle sponsored by the Ethiopian Public Forum in Seattle (EPFS), a civil society organization dedicated to promoting broad dialogue, debate and discussion on Ethiopia’s …

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Southern Ethiopia — the playground of Meles Zenawi

By Yilma Bekele

Most locations are just bland places. There is not much variation in the topography. Look at Google satellite map of Africa and you will see what I mean. Endless flat land, a stretch of desert, an occasional …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Loving Ethiopia to death – the Doctors

By yilma Bekele

On November 11, 2011, Yenesew Gebre was driven to kill himself on behalf of all suffering Ethiopians. He killed himself out of love for his people and country. He made the ultimate sacrifice to wake us up …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The Rule of Law in Ethiopia’s Democratic Transition

Alemayehu G Mariam

Rule of Law, Rule by Law, Rule by Unjust Law, Rule by Man

All of the weekly commentaries I have written over the years have been structured on a single fundamental principle: the rule of law. What …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The displaced Ethiopians

By Yilma Bekele

I am sure we are all familiar with what is known as the ‘melting pot’ concept when it comes to describing how America functions. The term is a metaphor ‘for a heterogeneous society becoming more homogeneous, …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia and Winds of war

By Yilma Bekele

War is upon us again. War defines the Ethiopian Government. Since it came to power it has been at war with its citizens. No region or ethnic group has been spared from this infection. The regime is …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia and Syria revisited

By Yilma Bekele

The Syrian regime is killing its own people to save the country from terrorists (ashebariwoch). The world is watching and keeping score. Thanks to social media such as Twitter and Facebook we are all witnessing this display …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

The art of bullying Ethiopians

By Yilma Bekele

‘Prime Minster Meles Zenawi said on Wednesday Ethiopia could pardon politicians and journalists arrested under a 2009 anti-terrorism law.’ That news was reported widely including inside Ethiopia. Normally what we hear outside and what the people are …

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We’ve met the enemy and he is us

By Yilma Bekele

‘…. he was feared far beyond his might and respected far beyond his support, both which in the end proved meager. … would play one official off of another, promoting sons above their fathers, pitting the members …

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OLF and Ethiopia

By Yilma Bekele

The news that the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has decided to struggle for freedom in consort with all Democratic forces in Ethiopia is the best Christmas present the Ethiopian people gave themselves. There is no question we …

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We are all prisoners

By Yilma Bekele

East Europe suffered under Soviet domination for over fifty years. While West Europe was marching forward, East Europe was engulfed in darkness and hopelessness. The Arabs with all their vast population and abundant natural resources stumbled around …

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What Should Starving Ethiopians do to Help Themselves?

Alemayehu G. Mariam

In 1987 when Time Magazine featured a famine-stricken Ethiopian mother on its cover page, it failed to ask the most important question of all: What should Ethiopians do and not do to help themselves?

It is the …

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The Diaspora as a teacher

By Yilma Bekele

There are a lot of Ethiopians outside of their homeland. I have not seen a reliable statistics to tell us the real number, but there is no hiding from the fact that we have become a Nation …

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Ethiopia’s ruling junta ramps up the fear machine

By Yilma Bekele

… within an established totalitarian regime the purpose of propaganda is not to persuade, much less to inform, but to humiliate. From this point of view, propaganda should not approximate to the truth as closely as possible:

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Meles blames the Ethiopian people

By Yilma Bekele

I am not making this up You can follow the link below and watch the four part video of the leader for life meeting with Ethiopian business leaders. It is a very interesting video. The video is …

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Encounter with gilgel Woyannes

By Yilma Bekele

It is only four weeks ago when a few of us drove down from Oakland to San Jose to attend the public meeting called by the Ethiopian regime. We don’t really recognize the current Ethiopian regime as …

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Meles and our BEKA! moment

By Yilma Bekele

By all accounts the minority based dictatorial regime in Ethiopia is in big trouble. Circumstances in the neighborhood are a bit disconcerting to Meles and company. You can tell from the flurry of activity being orchestrated the …

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Bereket and Seif El Gaddafi – birds of a feather

By Yilma Bekele

“When a leader’s only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving …

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Ethiopian ESAT is a game changer.

Ethiopian ESAT is a game changer. By Yilma Bekele

When you think things look bad and hope is fading something happens to boost the morale and compels you to get up and give it another spin. When the little tyrant …

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Posted in Ethiopia News

Ethiopia: Interview With Birtukan Midekssa

Alemayehu G. Mariam

Note: Except for elements inserted in the nature of narrative license, syntax and independently established facts, this “interview” is based on English or Amharic translations of public statements, hearing testimony, speeches and other declarations[ 1] of Birtukan

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Ethiopia: Waiting for Godot to Leave?

Alemayehu G. Mariam

Last week, a couple of interesting political statements grabbed the cyber headlines. One was a truly entertaining piece entitled “Letter from Ethiopia,” by the indomitable Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega. Eskinder’s “Letter” sought to make sense of the …

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