Call from Ethiopians and Ethio-Norwegians living in Norway

After the shameful 2010 election (99.6% in favour of Zenawi’s party), political, economical and social situations in Ethiopia are worsening. Domestic free press and media are restricted and independent international media are frequently jammed.

Aid money and the meager resource of the country is invested to crackdown the opposition. Corruption is widespread in the country and members of the regime and their associates deposit billions of Dollars in foreign banks and are becoming owners of big investments.
Fertile farming land is taken away from farmers and sold to foreign investors like, from China and India. Farmers are systematically punished, accused for supporting and voting for opposition parties. Fertilizer, seed and different social service supply to farmers is based on the sympathy to the ruling party.
University graduates are deprived of job opportunities if they fail to be member of the ruling party. Civil servants lose their jobs for the same reasons. The government enacted different restrictive laws including anti-terrorism law to crack down dissents and silence activists.
Journalists, members, and supporters of opposition parties are thrown into notorious prisons without credible charges. This is deliberate act and systematically muzzling critical voice in fear of the inevitable uprising that may spread from Northern Africa. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has repeatedly accused the Ethiopian opposition and prominent journalists for ‘engaging in terrorist activities’ as a pretext.
In March this year, 370 oppositionists have been arrested, among them 217 members of the ‘Oromo Federal Democratic Movement’ (OFDM) which is known for being critical of the government. Journalist Wobshet Taye of Awramba times and Reeyot Alemu of Feteh newspaper were detained in June 2011. In August 2011, opposition members Bekele Gerba and Olbana Lelisa were arrested, following a meeting with representatives from Amnesty International. The delegation was expelled from the country by the government shortly after the meeting.
In September the same year, journalist Sleshi Haggos, contributor to the Addis Ababa-based radio station was arrested and five days later Eskindir Nega, well Known journalist and dissent blogger.  Andualem Arage, UDJ’s Vice president and head of public relation, Nathenael Mekonnen and Asaminew Berhanu, council members of UDJ, and Zemenu Molla, general secretary of the Ethiopian National Democratic party were arrested. Debebe Eshetu, a well-known artist and spokesperson of the UDJ, has also been detained 10th of September. As torture is a routine practice in the current Ethiopian prisons, it is inevitable that these detainees may be exposed to maltreatment.
The imprisonment continues targeting young prominent political leaders and independent journalists, critical to the regime.
According to sources like CPJ, HRW and AI, in the past four months, the prime Minister Zenawi’s regime has used the ‘anti-terrorism law’ to detain independent journalists and opposition members accusing for involvement with Ginbot 7 and Oromo Liberation Front, lately considered as ‘terrorist organizations’ by his parliament.
Ethiopians are currently suffering from an unacceptable inflation and food shortage. The political repression and fear of imprisonment and intimidation is widespread. The regime terrorizes its own people and labels others as terrorist. Such a deteriorating political, economical and social situation in Ethiopia is worrying billions of Ethiopians, including us living abroad.
We members of Democratic Change in Ethiopia Support Organization-Norway therefore:

• Request donors and all members of the international community (including Norway) to re-evaluate the relationship with Ethiopian regime and put pressure on the regime to respect human rights, rule of law, and release all political prisoners.
•  Strongly condemn collaboration of e.g., Chinese and Indian governments and investors in the massive fertile land grab and deforestation programme, evicting poor farmers.
• Condemn China’s collaboration with the Ethiopian regime in jamming and blocking independent media, like Voice of America (VOA), and the Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) and denying Ethiopian people access to alternative media.
• Call up on all Ethiopians and political and civic organizations working for democratic change in Ethiopia to come together and work I unison to realize democracy and rule of law in the country.

Democratic Change in Ethiopia Support Organization-Norway

 

Activists in DC to protest October 12 against World Bank, IMF

The World Bank in Washington, DC

WASHINGTON, DC -- Activists who have been accusing the World Bank and IMF of financing tyranny in Ethiopia will protest here in front of the headquarters of the World Bank on Saturday.
Poor Ethiopian farmers as well as indigenous people are being uprooted from their ancestral lands so as to pave the way for corrupt tycoons and foreign corporations, the activists said in a press release sent to Ethiomedia. In Gambella more than 3 million hectares of Annuak land was sold to foreigners to produce food for their own people. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations claim securing land to feed their people for future. More than 70,000 Annuaks have already been removed from their land and another 150,000 will be displaced in the coming few years.

“All this eviction and ethnic cleansing is financed by World Bank. The Ethiopian dictatorial minority rule cannot do this eviction and ethnic cleansing without the support of the World Bank and IMF financing it at all levels including paying salary for those who are killing the poor people,” the press release said, adding Annuaks are now an endangered species so are the Mursi people who have been chased away from South Omo Valley hunting ground to clear the land for a sugar company run by the regime. Mursi’s who resisted are murdered in large numbers.”
We all know that the World Bank denied loan for Cambodia in summer of 2011 for the government displacing its farmers. Why should it be different for Ethiopia in 2013? We demand the World Bank to come clean by distancing itself from the crime committed by the tribal mafia and junta of TPLF. What was good for Cambodia is good for Ethiopia!! We endorsed the demand of the Human Rights Watch on its recent press release on Ethiopia for the World Bank to do its own internal investigation on the eviction issue in Ethiopia and make it public. Thousands of Ethiopians were and are evicted, many children, women and elders die during this terrifying time. The World Bank has either to condone or condemn this human rights violation and crime against humanity. “We will continue to protest until the Bank stops financing ethnic cleansing and forced eviction of indigenous people of Ethiopia,” said the activists, while demanding for an official response from the Bank immediately. We also call for the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to give support for the thousands who were evicted, ethnically cleansed and dispersed various parts of Ethiopia.

Tactical battle expected, will the hawkish Sewnet Bishaw out fox the sophisticated Keshi?

The Horn Times sport
by Getahune Bekele-South Africa

From left Sewnet Bishaw and Steven Keshi

Sewnet Bishaw’s coaching pedigree and game management skills will be once again put to the test come this weekend when he leads his troops, the black lions against African champions, the super eagles of Nigeria. Millions of soccer-mad black lion fans are eagerly waiting to see if the highly regarded gaffer Sewnet Bishaw has indeed transformed himself from a smash- and- grab type boss of a lower ranking team to a modern day manager of a potential championship-winning outfit.
The pressure is now back on Sewnet after grinding out positive result against C.A.R away and his critics are waiting to capitalize on any blunder by pointing out what should or could have been since he is the only coach who does not have a settled eleven after managing the black lions of Ethiopia for such a long time.
“Who said not having a settled eleven is a disadvantage? No player is guaranteed a place in the starting eleven under Sewnet Bishaw. Every player is there on merit and has to earn a starting berth. The competition for places keeps the players on their toes. That has been Sewnet’s work ethic and it really yielded massive result. Look at the likes of the young Salahidin Bargecho, Sewnet gave him his first taste of international soccer away from home and the boy did not disappoint. Much to our surprise he came through unscathed.” A member of the black lion’s technical team told the Horn Times by phone from Addis Ababa asking the magazine not to divulge his name.
“Phone me on Sunday evening to see who will hang his head in shame between Steven and Sewnet. Having said that we understand the concern of the free media when you people say that we must stop striving for mediocrity. Of course, we have let down the nation at AFCON and wrongfully celebrated mediocrity. Nevertheless, we are ready to redeem ourselves. ” the confident sounding former player added.
On paper, it is delicately poised and very difficult to predict which team will win even when altitude and home ground advantage strongly favors the dribbling wizards of African football, the beautiful black lions of Ethiopia.
The maverick gladiator Aynalem Hailu is a nightmare for any opposing striker and as a result South African sport writers call him “the bully.” He is a unique defender who plays football with patriotic fervor just like yester year super black lion Asrat Adugna. Millions of soccer lovers across the vast continent will witness on 13 October 2013 an epic battle for world cup berth between Turkey based Nigerian super star Eminike and the resolute Aynalem Hailu, the young man who epitomizes Ethiopiawinet on and off the pitch.
He forms an ironclad defense with fellow hard man Biadeglgn Elias, set pieces specialist Abebaw Butako and the new discovery, 19-year-old black lion Salahdin Bargecho with crowd favorite, the burly Birhanu Bogale giving cover from the bench.
In the midfield, the talent at Coach Sewnet Bishaw’s disposal is the envy of several African managers. He can dispatch what Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho often calls physical miracle, the powerful Yared Zinabu alongside the effervescent street fighter type genius who has been praised for his efforts and dynamism, Addis Hinsa. The combination of the two will not only win the midfield battle for the black lions, but also eases the pressure on the defenders.
However, the Horn Times learnt the exclusion of Yared with shock and that means the lanky Asrat Megersa will have to protect the back four if the black lions employ the traditional 4-4-2 formation or if the coach prefers to pack the mid-field with five players to avoid conceding an away goal.
The top entertainers when it comes to one touch soccer, trickery and artistry, the black lions are no longer closed books to their opponents. Flying Liverpool winger Victor Moses knows that Abebaw Butako who marked him out of the game for 80 minutes during the AFCON tournament in South Africa will be a hard nut to crack. Chelsea superstar Obi Mikael is also well aware of the massive battle he has to overcome against the combative black lion, Addis Hinsa.
In that ill-fated game characterized by Alula Girma’s defensive blunder and Sisay Bancha’s goal keeping calamity, the black lions were forced to use eight fringe players due injuries and suspensions. This time they are at full strength and at home.
With veteran box- to- box utility player Adane Girma winning and protecting possession and controlling the tempo of the game, a convincing win which will make the next away game just a formality is achievable.
According to those who observed the intense preparation, the mighty black lions are set to steal the limelight and put one foot in Brazil.
The only worry that lingers is the inability of Sewnet to find a reliable shot stopper. The man with the most polished CV both as a coach and as player, Steven Keshi is certain to approach the game with caution, getting ten players behind the ball and bombard the black lion’s defense with long balls for Victor Moses to chase.
Whoever is chosen between the acrobatic Jemal Tassew and the hulking Sisay Bancha, he must double up as sweeper by confidently clearing balls landing behind Aynalem Hailu and Elias Biadgelgn. In addition, Sisay and Jamal need to apply the basics when facing a striker one on one. “Make yourself big, narrow the angle, and force the attacker wide.”
Although Eminike might not be playing, the Super Eagles have some speedy and physically superior players to cause serious damage on the Ethiopians.
The game will be a tactical battle between Keshi and Bishaw. While Keshi deeply worries about black lion goal machine Salhadin Said, Bishaw has to find a way of cutting the supply line to Victor Moses by completely shutting down Obi Mikeal.
The Horn Times predicts a 2-0 home win for the black lions and a 1-1 away draw. Brazil here we come…
infohorntimes@gmail.com

RSF: Editor illegally arrested and removed from Addis

    

Reporters Without Borders is alarmed by newspaper editor Melaku Desmisse’s illegal arrest in Addis Ababa by police from the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State (SNNPR) and his subsequent illegal transfer to Awasa, the capital city of the SNNPR.
The editor of the Amharic-language version of the independent big-circulation weekly The Reporter, Desmisse was arrested for unclear reasons in his office on 9 October, taken to a police station in the Addis Ababa suburb of Bole, and from there was taken more than 250 km south of Addis Ababa to Awasa.
“The Ethiopian government reminds the media of the law so often that it is incomprehensible that it is allowing the police and judicial authorities to flout the law in such a blatant fashion,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The SNNPR police have no jurisdiction in Addis Ababa and it is completely illegal for them to seize a journalist working there.
“If Desmisse is accused of breaking any law, he should be brought before a federal court in Addis Ababa, which alone has the authority to try him. In the meantime, we call for the immediate release of this journalist, especially as the reason for his arrest remains puzzling.”
Desmisse’s arrest may be linked to the publication of an article on 4 September wrongly reporting the dismissal of three SNNPR’s vice-presidents. The newspaper retracted the story and officially apologised on 8 September. No one has been able to contact Desmisse since his arrest and he is reportedly being interrogated by the SNNPR police.
Owned by Media Communication Centre, the English and Amharic-language versions of The Reporter together constitute Ethiopia’s leading independent newspaper, one that is often the target of intimidation.
The newspaper’s Amharic-language website, which gets up to 30,000 visitors a day, was blocked in April 2012.http://en.rsf.org/ethiopia-leading-weekly-s-website-blocked-26-04-2012,42375.html
The Reporter editor in chief Amare Aregawi was illegally arrested and transferred outside Addis Ababa in August 2008. A few months after his release on bail,he sustained a serious head injury when attacked by unidentified individuals.http://en.rsf.org/ethiopia-leading-newspaper-editor-beaten-03-11-2008,29164.html
Ranked 137th out of 179 countries in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index, Ethiopia remains a very dangerous country for journalists.http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2013,1054.html