Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Send your question to US Secretary of State John Kerry

 

BBC HARDtalk will be in Ethiopia for a special programme with the US Secretary of State John Kerry.

He will answer questions put to him by a live audience of young people from all over Africa.Mr Kerry's trip to Africa comes as the African Union celebrates 50 years.
And he will take questions sent in by BBC viewers and listeners from around the world. HARDtalk’s Zeinab Badawi will host this special event in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa on Sunday, 26 May 2013.
Mr Kerry’s trip to Africa comes as the African Union celebrates 50 years.
The organisation is holding a summit in Addis Ababa as part of the commemoration.
The week-long trip also takes Mr Kerry to the Middle East. He is hoping to help find solutions for both the Syrian and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts.
This is your chance to ask the US Secretary of State your question about Africa, United States foreign policy and about his country’s relationship with the rest of the world.
The special HARDtalk programme will be broadcast on BBC World, News Channel and BBC Two on Tuesday 28 May and on World Service Radio on Wednesday 29 May 2013.
Tweet your question incorporating the hashtag #hardtalk #youthconnect or email your question to hardtalk@bbc.co.uk by Saturday, 25 May 2013.

Which Way Ethiopia: Revolution, Civil War, or National Reconciliation?


by Messay Kebede
Since the death of Prime Minister Meles, the political situation of Ethiopia has entered a phase of uncertainty with no clear momentum toward stabilization. Despite predictions of the imminent collapse of the EPRDF, either under the pressure of a popular uprising or splits within its ranks, the political situation shows no sign of heightened challenge to the regime. In fact, it remains a mystery that no political upheavals of any importance occurred following the death of Meles, who was after all the center and the driving force of the whole system. On the other hand, however, notwithstanding an orderly succession, the uncertainty has not been removed and symptoms of unresolved internal conflicts transpire occasionally. Above all, the extent to which the new prime minister is really in charge being anything but assured, the vacillation of the system lingers, given that the entire government was designed to function under the leadership of a strong and unchallenged prime minister.
One thing is sure: the uncertainty cannot go on indefinitely and nothing can be done to improve the political climate and the economic conditions of the country without some reforms. This is to say that change is inevitable and that it will come sooner or later. The question is: which direction is the change likely to take? For my part, I have no desire to play the game of predictions. Instead, I want to present some possible scenarios and invite political leaders and activists who care about Ethiopia to reflect on them so as to be ready for various eventualities instead of being fixated on the outcome that they long for.
Given the amplifying state of frustration of the county, the only way of avoiding ominous developments is not only that the prime minister really exercises power, but that he uses this power to correct some of the glaring derailments of Meles, especially by easing the repressive policy adopted by him. Meles effected the reversal of democratization because he could count on the complete obedience of the repressive machine of the state. Haile Mariam does not have the same control and cannot have it without further empowering the very men who command the repressive apparatuses. In other words, failure to promote reform is for Haile Mariam to give more power to the TPLF instead of reducing it. By contrast, the political choice of easing repression, better still, of initiating reforms reduces the importance of the repressive forces and creates momentum toward the gathering of the popular support and legitimacy that Haile Mariam needs to prevail over Meles’s old clique.
The dilemma of the prime minister is thus clear enough: in order to assert himself, he has to correct Meles’s policy, but in so doing he runs the risk of antagonizing the TPLF and hence of losing his position altogether. Conversely, if he upholds the policy of his predecessor, he simply feeds on the image of a puppet of the TPLF, which image underlines his irrelevance, thereby instigating his removal. Surely, since the longer the policy of Meles continues, the more repressive the state must become, the TPLF will be better off to do the job on its own than to use the cumbersome mediation of a puppet. The dilemma shows that Haile Mariam’s best bet is to go in the direction of easing repression, which at least promises the prospect of him becoming his own man.
The huge unknown is whether Haile Mariam has the right political ambition to want to stand by himself and the political skill to outmaneuver the TPLF and other challengers. I must admit that I have no a ready answer for this question. I also confess my pessimism, even though I recognize that more time is needed before one makes a final judgment. True, I am encouraged by his open condemnation of the displacement of the Amhara settlers, but remain skeptical because of the lack of any practical follow-up to correct the injustice. Moreover, the appalling dismissal of the appeals of Eskinder Nega, Andualem Arage, and other political prisoners by the higher court did nothing to reduce my skepticism. To sum up my position, in light of the time needed for consolidation, I say that Haile Mariam still deserves the benefit of the doubt even if the performances of his government are not, so far, promising.
In case Haile Mariam remains submerged by the TPLF, the scenario of an increasingly repressive government that could only further aggrieve the Ethiopian masses presents itself. My contention is that unless the TPLF takes the rightful place of being a party among others within the coalition of the EPRDF, it cannot maintain the hegemonic role it has played so far without pushing repression to a point far exceeding that of Meles. By force of habit and because of his political shrewdness, Meles was able to rise as the unquestioned leader of the EPRDF. After successive purges of all those who could threaten him, none among the remaining leaders of the TPLF has the stature or even the capacity to command the same authority. Various competitors both within the TPLF and the EPRDF

The Reflection of the Legacy of Zenawi in London

 

Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: The Reflection of the Legacy of Zenawi in London
The recent information disseminated by Aiga forum (TPLF controlled Web Site in Ethiopia) as statements of the attendees of the so called “Reflection of the Legacy of Zenawi in London” is irresponsible and outrageous. Such declaration for a renowned mass murderer and notorious Ethnic based junta will create confusion and negatively affect credible testimonies and information flows in this golden era. This biased and distorted information will agonise millions of Ethiopians who have lost their loved ones and suffered unbelievable tortures by Zenawi and his criminal group.
Meles Zenawi Gets a Taste of His Own Medicine
Meles Zenawi
Who should give testimonies about Zenawi? The people of Ethiopia, the Media, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have been reporting the gross Human Rights Violations for the last 21 years. In 2005 Ethiopians voted against the regime and it is in power through force and intimidation. Zenawi does not deserve respect and represents neither Ethiopia nor Africa. Ethiopians will not allow this notorious mass murder to be remembered as a hero in their name. He has been accused of genocide and his file is still active in the International Criminal Court (ICC). Honouring Zenawi is an insult for those innocent Ethiopians who had perished by his direct order.
It will be ridiculous to talk about development when millions are starving and tens of thousands are displaced from their farmlands. Zenawi and his ethnic group have looted 11.7 Billion Dollars only between 2000 and 2009. This fact has been reported by Global Financial Integrity (GIF) in 2011 and as usual the incumbent continued to beg money from donors to date. We cannot talk about the development of Ethiopia when the population has been undergoing an immense Human Rights Violations. Zenawi’s regime has marginalized and impoverished the large part of Ethiopia while he has been investing in railways, heavy industries, roads, electrification, education and health services in Tigray only.
The Amhara, Oromo and other highly populated and resourceful areas has been neglected and 2.8 million Amharas have been disappeared (killed?) in the most recent census. Ethiopians need justice! Any individual or group who wants to glorify the dictator with imagined praises and false statements will be remembered in history as unfair and fraudulent. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We strongly denounce the statements made by the speakers in the Zenawi commemoration meeting in London and demand restating of the reality so as to stop confusion, cynicism, and Human Rights Violations in Ethiopia and the rest of the world.
All Violations of Human Rights should be condemned in the strongest of terms and not condoned as in this so called commemoration.
Yours sincerely,
Ethiopians & British Citizens of Ethiopian Descent in the United Kingdom
Represented by:
1. Mr Getachew Alemayehu
2. Mr Kefale Alemu
3. Dr Ermias Alemu

Open Letter to African Heads of States & Ambassadors

 


May 20, 2013
To Your Excellency:
I am Founder & President of SelassieStandUp.org, a US- based grassroots, Pan-African movement organized to promote and advance the interests of Africans and peoples of African descent. I am appealing to your Excellency, on behalf of the global black community, to endorse the erection of a statue of His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Emperor Haile Selassie center front of the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.erection of a statue of His Imperial Majesty (HIM) Emperor Haile Selassie
The Ethiopian Government, as well as several other AU member countries, have already expressed their endorsement of the SelassieStandUp.Org project as the Golden Jubilee will be celebrated on May 25, 2013. The project calls for a statue of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie to be erected center front of the AU Headquarters, alongside former Ghanian President Kwame Nkrumah. Please click on the following link to read the open letter I sent thanking President Girma Woldegiorgis of Ethiopia for endorsing the SelassieStandUp.Org project. The link also includes my article published on major Ethiopian news media outlets on May 8, 2013, calling for action for a statue of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie to be erected center front of the AU Headquarters building. [http://www.zehabesha.com/to-his-excellency-president-girma-woldegiorgis/]. The Ethiopian Government responded to my call for action by endorsing the SelassieStandUp.org project on May 11, 2013. Please click on the following link to read further. [http://www.thereporterethiopia.com/index.php/news-headlines/item/474-president-calls-for-the-erection-of-a-statue-for-haile-selassie-i].
Your Excellency can also support and be part of the SelassieStandUp.Org project by clicking on the following link, and signing the petition: [http://www.change.org/petitions/the-african-union-au-build-statute-of-his-majesty-emperor-haile-selassie-center-front-of-au-building]. HIM Emperor Haile Selassie deserves distinguished honor and recognition for his visionary leadership, and for the leading role he played in establishing the OAU/AU and advancing the global interest of Africa and peoples of African descent.
With the utmost conviction, we, Africans and peoples of African descent, believe HIM Emperor Haile Selassie should be accorded with distinguished honor and recognition. As such, on behalf of Africans and the Black Diaspora, SelassieStandUp.org calls for a statue of HIM Emperor Haile Selassie to be erected for his foresight, visionary leadership, and distinguished role in establishing the Organization of African Unity (OAU)/AU, and for his unparalleled contributions in struggling for the freedom, independence, and unity of Africa and peoples of African descent.
We look forward to your Excellency’s endorsement of the SelassieStandUp.org project, and collaboratively working with your Excellency in order for this project to come to fruition. Your Excellency’s support will help ensure HIM Emperor Haile Selasssie is accorded his rightful place in history. Let us join hands in the spirit of African Unity and make history by honoring our history.
Ager ena tarik aymotim; yetarikinim kibir yemeeTebiKew tewlid new!
A Nation and its history shall not perish; for it is each generation’s responsibility to preserve and respect the sanctity and honor of history!
-Emperor Haile Selassie
Sincerely,
Nebyat Aklilu
Founder & President
SelassieStandUp.Org

Bahr Dar and the wonderful art of silence

 

by Yilma Bekele
Last Sunday May 12 a Federal police officer opened fire and murdered twelve or eighteen people depending on who is doing the counting in the City of Bahr Dar in Ethiopia by the shores of Lake Tana. It was a random killing and the only reason he stooped shooting was because he run out of bullets. What makes this crime unique is that it was committed by some one that is trained to protect and serve. At least in most places that is what we think of the armed officers that move around with loaded guns amongst us. I said in most places, our Ethiopia is not such a place.Ethiopian Federal police officer opened fire and murdered twelve
The Federal Police serve the TPLF party that is in charge of our country. Meles Zenawi set up the Federal Police to be accountable to him and his party and used this force to quell down any kind of native unrest against his group. The Federal Police is the most fearsome weapon of the TPLF party. Like everything else concocted by the late criminal the Federal Police is a uniquely Ethiopian force supposedly created to resemble other Federal institutions in the developed West. The name is the same but the purpose and mission is different.
In Ethiopia the TPLF party’s Federal Police is an instrument of terror. Their motto is shoot first, ask questions later. You will not find a single Ethiopian that would not be engulfed with fear when the Federal Police is mentioned. The force was purposely designed to instill fear. From what I know of the Federal system here in the US the FBI does not involve itself in local matters. The local Police that are answerable to the Mayor or elected official is the first line of response. The State Police is under the elected Governor who is accountable to the citizen. There is a clear line of jurisdiction built into the system.
Meles Zenawi’s Ethiopia is different. The Federal Police force under him is the ultimate arbitrator of justice or injustice in this case. The Different Kililis or Bantustans have no power or authority on this rogue force. No sane Kilil head will challenge the power of the Federal Police. I can safely say that regarding all Killis except the Sovereign State of Tigrai. Abay Woldu would not allow a Kenbata, Oromo, Amhara or Somali Federal Police to roam around in his State with immunity.
When the late dictator copied the Kilil system from Mussolini with upgrades from the South African Bantustan system he made a few improvements of his own. Bahr Dar is the capital city of the Amhara Kilil. What in the world is a Federal Police doing in the streets of Bahr Dar with a loaded is gun is