ESAT: The quest to take apart the institutions of lies

The truth will set you free. But first it will piss you off! And ain’t that the Truth?
by Teshome Debalke
The struggle for freedom and democracy in Ethiopia will always be the battle between truth tellers and liars. The rest of the sideshows are hideout for liars to justify their existence. Whether Woyane tyranny running its mouth or the so called neutral parties desensitize to swallow the lies for whatever reason, the fact remains they live a life of lies; making them more and more dangerous for society and the democratic movement.
They say “a mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Indeed, we Ethiopians like most Africans waste it plentifully. Likewise; lies are terrible nutrition to feed the mind. Indeed, we Ethiopians are fed lies in abandons and for too long. Therefore, the struggle for freedom is the battle to neutralize the institutions of lies in society, noting more to it.
As far as Ethiopians are concerned the one-and-only grand institutions of lies in existence is run by the ruling regime Woyane led by Berket Simon. The Government Communication Affair Office is where the lies are prepared and delivered all the way down to the distribution chain for Mass-consumption of massive lies. This nuisance in society is the means-and-ways of ethnic tyranny and the primary cause of political turmoil, poverty, corruption, poor governance and hopelessness. It must be dealt with systematically and sooner than later.
Zero-in on the Institutions of lies
In the 22 years rule, Woyane did more damage through its institution of lies than by the barrel of the gun, unlike many led to believe. The self-declared minority tyranny’s security apparatus simply reinforce the institutions of lies, not the other way around. This fact is evident when we explore the infrastructure of the lie factories run exclusively by TPLF operatives; starting from the Ministry, the Media and all the way to the national, regional and international distribution networks.
For too long political oppositions and civic organizations react to Woyane’s lies and the atrocities and the corruption that follows. Instead of proactively neutralizing the institutions of the lies they deal with the symptoms over-and-over again. For example, there are hardly any civic organizations that advocate freeing information institutions from the grip of the ethnic tyranny and neutralizing the lie factories but, reacting to one lie or another after the fact. Likewise, there was no a single independent Mass Media to counter the regime’s lie Mass-Medias until ESAT was established three years ago to neutralize it.
The need for independent advocacy group to proactively free the public institution from the jaw of ethnic tyranny and to advocate for free flow of information is needed now more than ever. There are Non Governmental organizations in other countries that can be examples of advocacy work.  The Media Right Agenda in Nigeria, The Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP) in Liberia and Institute of Mass Information of Ukraine are some we can learn from to advocate the free flow of information and Media freedom protection by exposing the lie factories of the regime and its operatives to Medias like ESAT.
Absence of opportunity to do it inside the country under Woyane tyranny Ethiopians in Diaspora can take the initiative to establish Freedom of information advocacy rescue public Media from the grips of the Woyane that use it to destabilize the population and inciting conflicts. In fact, ESAT is the best forum for advocacy group in all areas, including freeing information from the jaw of tyranny.

There are many organizations that assist Media advocacy group. Center for Media Assistant provides a list of organization to that end. Freedom of Information, the global network of freedom of information is good sources of networking opportunity for advocates and The Africa Freedom of Information Centre, a pan-African NGO is a resource centre to assist advocates in the rights of access to information, to mention the few.
Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT)
The establishment of ESAT is the long awaited beginning of truth telling and the beginning and the end of taking apart the institutions of lies. The daunting responsibility ESAT undertook for the first time in history shouldn’t be taken lightly nor reduced to only taking apart the factories of lies of the brazen Woyane tyranny that has been leech on society for too long. It is much…much more than we can imagine; as we are all causalities of the institutions of lies and its surrogate that live of off lies.
Simply put, ESAT is the end of tyranny as we know it and the beginning of liberty in peruse of happiness of our people. It is the means-to-the-end of individual freedom and responsibility. It is the way of mass cleansing of lies from mind and body inflected on our people. It is the public’s Weapon-of-Mass Distraction and a nightmare for tyrants, double-dealers, criminals and much more. It is also the dawn of civil conversation in the PUBLIC INTEREST. Love it or hate it, there is no way out of facing that truth.

Ethiopiawinnet: Council for the Defense of Citizen Rights (PRESS RELEASE)

 Silver Spring, Maryland (USA)
July 4, 2013

Ethiopiawinnet was established in December 2012 following the ENPCP convention held in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2012.  It is to be an independent, rights-based organization which is committed to peaceful struggle for Ethiopian democracy.   Honoring the resolution to create a united global organization of individual members, four rights-based CSOs (Ethiopian National Congress, Hdafe Kitet, Dejen Le Democracy, and Ethiopian Forum for Peace, Democracy and Development) dissolved to become the founders of Ethiopiawinnet:  Council for the Defense of Citizen Rights.
We believe that a dense network of civic organizations is the foundation of a healthy democratic system.  At the conclusion of our first year of existence and day-long deliberations, we are proud to announce to the public a number of accomplishments and initiatives underway.  They include:
A first-class website (www.ethiopiawin.net or www.ethiopiawin.org) which, inter alia, contains the Citizens Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia, the Bylaws, Chapter Guidelines, an active Blog, and major documents issued by Ethiopian and international CSOs).
An unambiguous defense of core values that express the collective will of the Ethiopian people and whose support is a pre-requisite for joining Ethiopiawinnet:  respect for Ethiopia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the inviolability of the unity of the Ethiopian people, a freely and fairly elected government, and respect for internationally recognized human, civil and political rights—including equality of all citizens before the law, security of private property, and checks and balance among the major organs of the Government.
A two-stage strategic plan of civic activism:  build a united civic movement first, and then forge coalitions with political and civic groups meeting the criteria in item #2.
A Citizens Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia, the first by a civic movement in Africa, which outlines the rights and obligations of free citizenship, the foundations of the trans-ethnic identity of Ethiopiawinnet, and the major issues to be tackled in a post-EPRDF Ethiopia.
A plan to establish a large number of chapters throughout the Diaspora  and strong connections with the CSOs in Ethiopia in order to mobilize tens of thousands of members who care deeply about the plight of Ethiopia.
An action plan that includes legal and legislative actions, a new financial model to provide predictable support for our activities and for activists in Ethiopia, and civic education and training with a focus on effective methods of non-violent struggle for human rights.
Expanded public forums for discussing the state of human rights and civil society organizations in Ethiopia, lessons of experience in pro-democracy struggles from comparable countries, and the shared values and historical experiences of the diverse people of Ethiopia.
A duly elected Board of Directors of Ethiopiawinnet on the basis of the new Bylaws.
We thank the outgoing transitional board of directors, ESFNA, the many sister rights-based organizations, and the media for the support they given to us in this endeavor. We invite you to regularly visit our website to join as members, access documents, participate in discussions, or to offer suggestions for improvement.  Long live Ethiopia and Ethiopiawinnet.
(Amharic version overleaf)
ኢትዮጵያዊነት፦የዜጎች መብት ማስከበሪያ ጉባኤ July 11, 2013

PRESS RELEASE
Silver Spring, Maryland (USA)
July 4, 2013
Ethiopiawinnet was established in December 2012 following the ENPCP convention held in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2012.  It is to be an independent, rights-based organization which is committed to peaceful struggle for Ethiopian democracy.   Honoring the resolution to create a united global organization of individual members, four rights-based CSOs (Ethiopian National Congress, Hdafe Kitet, Dejen Le Democracy, and Ethiopian Forum for Peace, Democracy and Development) dissolved to become the founders of Ethiopiawinnet:  Council for the Defense of Citizen Rights.
We believe that a dense network of civic organizations is the foundation of a healthy democratic system.  At the conclusion of our first year of existence and day-long deliberations, we are proud to announce to the public a number of accomplishments and initiatives underway.  They include:
A first-class website (www.ethiopiawin.net or www.ethiopiawin.org) which, inter alia, contains the Citizens Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia, the Bylaws, Chapter Guidelines, an active Blog, and major documents issued by Ethiopian and international CSOs).
An unambiguous defense of core values that express the collective will of the Ethiopian people and whose support is a pre-requisite for joining Ethiopiawinnet:  respect for Ethiopia’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the inviolability of the unity of the Ethiopian people, a freely and fairly elected government, and respect for internationally recognized human, civil and political rights—including equality of all citizens before the law, security of private property, and checks and balance among the major organs of the Government.
A two-stage strategic plan of civic activism:  build a united civic movement first, and then forge coalitions with political and civic groups meeting the criteria in item #2.
A Citizens Charter for a Democratic Ethiopia, the first by a civic movement in Africa, which outlines the rights and obligations of free citizenship, the foundations of the trans-ethnic identity of Ethiopiawinnet, and the major issues to be tackled in a post-EPRDF Ethiopia.
A plan to establish a large number of chapters throughout the Diaspora  and strong connections with the CSOs in Ethiopia in order to mobilize tens of thousands of members who care deeply about the plight of Ethiopia.
An action plan that includes legal and legislative actions, a new financial model to provide predictable support for our activities and for activists in Ethiopia, and civic education and training with a focus on effective methods of non-violent struggle for human rights.
Expanded public forums for discussing the state of human rights and civil society organizations in Ethiopia, lessons of experience in pro-democracy struggles from comparable countries, and the shared values and historical experiences of the diverse people of Ethiopia.
A duly elected Board of Directors of Ethiopiawinnet on the basis of the new Bylaws.
We thank the outgoing transitional board of directors, ESFNA, the many sister rights-based organizations, and the media for the support they given to us in this endeavor. We invite you to regularly visit our website to join as members, access documents, participate in discussions, or to offer suggestions for improvement.  Long live Ethiopia and Ethiopiawinnet.
(Amharic version overleaf)
ኢትዮጵያዊነት፦የዜጎች መብት ማስከበሪያ ጉባኤ

The People Have Spoken… “We cannot be bought”

 

 

by Meron Ahadu
I got back yesterday to my hometown Los Angeles after spending an amazing 4 days and having a blast with thousands of my people at the 30th anniversary  of Ethiopian Sport Federation cultural Festival.  This year’s theme was “Celebrating Ethiopian women” and what a celebration it was.

I have to set the record straight right from the beginning.  For almost 10 years I have been a very vocal critic of Ethiopian Sport Federation (ESFNA). I was relentless in my attack of ESFNA.  The reasons for my criticisms were the organization’s lack of accountability and transparency, the organization’s complete disregard and insensitivity to the needs of the community that supports it.  Their dependence on millionaires to finance their yearly soccer tournament etc. etc. the list goes on.
In 2010, I completely gave up on ESFNA after a small minority within the organization overturned the majority Board members vote to honor Judge Birtukan Mideksa at the 2010 July Festival. I decided the organization was corrupt to the core, would never reform and the Ethiopian community in North America needed an alternative that would be responsive to the community’s voice.  Initially, when I was approaching people with this concept of an alternative competitor to ESFNA, it seemed very far and not achievable to a lot of people.  Ten people bought the idea and Ethiopian Heritage Society (EHSNA) was born. The principle behind EHSNA was simple it would be everything that ESFNA was not, it would be accountable, transparent and responsive to the community. The growth and viability of EHSNA is another story and I will maybe address that at some future date.
Getting back to ESFNA’s 30th anniversary, I can honestly say it was one of the best few days I have had in a very long time. I have seen tremendous improvement in almost everything I used to criticize about ESFNA.  I can sincerely say that ESFNA is on the path of positive organizational transformation.  The organizational culture of ESFNA of years past that used to have an antagonistic relationship with the community it was serving has turned around 360 degree in a positive way.  It was very apparent at the 30th year anniversary ESFNA had worked hard to change its image and had walked miles to build bridges with the community.
The organization that I am a member of, Center for Rights of Ethiopian Women (CREW) has been communicating and collaborating with ESFNA the last 6 months. The courtesy and support that all the Board members have given our organization has been and continues to be overwhelming.
The positive cultural transformation has not only been directed towards our organization but to the community at large.  ESFNA seems to have understood that the people will support them if they are responsive to their needs and treat them with respect and dignity. Thousands of people showed up day after day at Byrd Stadium starting June 30 until July 6 the closing date.  It was a time of joy and happiness, the young and the elderly waving their homeland green, yellow, red flag. Thousands of people being happy just being together in one place.  Thousands of people by their presence at the Byrd Stadium affirming their solidarity with ESFNA. Thousands of people with their presence at Byrd Stadium stating loudly and clearly… ”we cannot be bought.” How proud I am of my people.
The community has shown its commitment, in turn, ESFNA has also shown it is taking steps towards positive organizational transformation.  What is next? How can ESFNA move to the next level and continue on the positive path. Much needs to be done, as much as there was a lot of positive things at the 30th anniversary there was also a lot of room for improvement.  One thing that ESFNA Board members have to understand is that ESFNA has reached a level where professionals with strong marketing and financial backgrounds need to be recruited to manage the day to day affairs of ESFNA. The organization has to have a permanent office. Another suggestion would be to create an Advisory Board comprised of individuals from community based organizations; this will allow the Federation to have a direct link with the community. Having surveys and getting feedback is a good way to get an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses and I would encourage ESFNA to utilize this tool to make improvements in the coming years.
I congratulate the leadership and Board members of ESFNA for prevailing and putting together a memorable 30th anniversary festivity and truly bringing Ethiopians together.