Union urges help for Oromia
By Elizabeth Giorgi
December 9, 2005
A student group on campus hopes to make changes overseas by bringing awareness to the Twin Cities (St Paul Minnesota).
The Oromia Student Union is working on campus to bring an understanding of the political and educational issues concerning the current Ethiopian dictatorship of Meles Zenewi.
The group is organizing workshops and peaceful demonstrations at the University and around the Twin Cities.
Congratulations to Aadee Makkooddi fi Dr Tadassa on their marriage in Oromia!
Although we had not attended your union in body, the community was with you in spirit.
Ethiopia opposition OFDM accuses Oromo ruling party of violence
Sudan Tribune, Sudan - December 3, 2005
The Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), one of the opposition political parties with wide popular support in Oromia, said ruling OPDO -led killings, harassment and jailing of its supporters and members was on the rise.
"The indiscriminate killings have led to a complete no-peace situation, where several schools have been closed and parents were unwilling to send their children to schools owing to prevalence of insecurity," a statement the party issued on Thursday read.
Three killed in new clashes in central Ethiopia
Sudan Tribune, Sudan - December 1, 2005
Two students and a police officer were killed yesterday following an abrupt demonstration of protest staged by students in Jeldu District, western Shewa zone (central Ethiopia), the district branch official of the opposition Oromo National Congress (ONC) party noted.
According to the Addis Ababa based The Reporter in its Amharic edition, the district police station on its part admitted the killing of the police officer but said it has not investigated the damage inflicted during the violence.
Ethiopia - The Oromo protest in Oromia on its fifth day
Thursday 17 November 2005 01:52.
Oromo Liberation Front
Press Release
November 14, 2005
As has been widely reported over the past week, the Oromo people are engaged in a nation-wide protest against the Ethiopian repressive government. The popular uprising is ignited as a response to the call made by the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) urging the people to protest against Meles Zenawi’s regime.
As a continuation of this recent popular uprising, several demonstrations took place in various parts of Oromia over the last few days:
'Treason' rises in Africa
A winner-take-all political paradigm still prevails across Africa, even in countries that have made significant democratic strides.
By Abraham McLaughlin and Blake Lambert
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA AND KAMPALA, UGANDA In Africa, 'tis the season, apparently, for treason.
In recent days and weeks a number of high-profile politicians across the continent have been accused of great acts of disloyalty. But critics say the charges often have less to do with national betrayal than stifling dissent, and observers say the practice is exposing how a winner-take-all political paradigm still prevails across Africa, even in countries that have made significant democratic strides.
World Bank Considers Reducing Aid to Ethiopia
By VOA News
16 November 2005
The World Bank is considering reducing aid to Ethiopia in the wake of current political unrest.
In an interview with Voice of America, the Bank's country director in Ethiopia, Ishac Diwan, said if governance improves, aid will likely rise. If it deteriorates, he said assistance will be scaled back over a period of time.
The World Bank currently gives $400 million to $500 million a year, making the lending institution Ethiopia's largest donor.
Ethnic Conflict Spills Over to Campaigns in the North
The Nation (Nairobi)
November 13, 2005
Muchemi Wachira And Gakuu Mathenge
Nairobi
Religion and ethnicity are likely to influence significantly how the people of Upper North Eastern Kenya - Isiolo, Marsabit and Moyale districts - vote in the referendum.
The recent skirmishes that hit Marsabit district caused a major poltical shift, in which all the four MPs from the Borana community in the region moved to the Banana camp.
Regimes Which Stay Too Long in Power Face Bitter Opposition
New Vision (Kampala)
OPINION
November 10, 2005
Dr. Tajudeen
Kampala
Since the May general elections in Ethiopia the country has been gripped by political and security conflicts. The country is only slowly returning to normal this week after a week-long stndoff called by the opposition who believed that the government robbed it of victory through unfair means.
Both in June soon after the elections and now several people have been killed and many more imprisoned. While elections are supposed to indicate where the wishes of the people lay and both winners and losers are expected to respect them it is not often that easy in situations where neither is prepared for the result.
Two dead in student demonstrations
OLF - November 9, 2005
AT least two people were killed overnight when rioting students clashed with police in southwest Ethiopia, one week after deadly street riots hit the Horn of African nation, diplomats said.
The diplomats, citing police sources, said that the two died of bullet wounds in violence that occured in Ambo town, some 200km southwest of the capital Addis Ababa.
But other diplomats said up to five people may have been killed and 17 others injured in the fresh skirmishes that erupted after a five-day lull.
Last week, election violence claimed the lives of at least 46 people and more than 200 others injured when police dispersed rioting mobs in the capital and four other towns outside Addis Ababa ...
Irland demands Ethiopia to explain poll deaths
Sudan Tribune, Sudan - November 9, 2005
Irish Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan has asked the Ethiopian charge d’affaires in Dublin to meet him this week so that the official can "give his government’s view of recent disturbing events".
An estimated 46 people died in Ethiopia last week in clashes arising from the disputed results of last May’s multiparty election, the first in the country’s history.
Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Committee in Leinster House yesterday, Lenihan said: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of lethal force by the Ethiopian security forces." He said Ireland’s charge d’affaires in Addis Ababa was "currently looking into the conditions under which those who have been arrested are being held".
Lenihan appealed for restraint on both sides: "There is also an onus on the opposition parties to respect the rule of law. We urgently call upon all political parties and the Ethiopian people to desist from further violence" ...
Violence in Ethiopia leaves Britain facing aid dilemma
Times Online, UK - November 8, 2005
TONY BLAIR’S campaign to foster democracy and development in Africa, his great theme of the summer, is threatened by violence in Ethiopia, one of the biggest recipients of British aid.
The Government of Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister, has used “wholly disproportionate means” to suppress protests about the May elections, Lord Triesman, the Africa Minister, said yesterday.
Britain is now trying to exert pressure with a barrage of phone calls to Addis Ababa, by calling for condemnation by the United Nations Security Council and by withholding £20 million of the £90 million it was due to give Ethiopia this year. But the crisis highlights the vulnerability of the high hopes that Blair, helped by Bob Geldof, raised at the Gleneagles G8 summit in July ...
Five killed in Ambo; protests erupt in Jimma, Ghimbi, Alemaya
EthioMedia - November 9, 2005
AMBO - AT least five people were killed and 17 others injured overnight when rioting students clashed with police in southwest Ethiopia, one week after deadly street riots hit the Horn of African nation, diplomats said.
The government admitted about the killings but said two protesters died of bullet wounds in the violence in Ambo town, some 200km southwest of the capital Addis Ababa. CNN has also reported fresh protests in the southern town of Jimma.
The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which in its November 8 press release called for the intensification of the struggle against the Meles regime, confirmed on Wednesday five were killed in Ambo, and 17 injured.
Speaking on the telephone, OLF Information Department head, Abubeker, said anti-TPLF protests were intensifying in Bako, Gedoo, Ghimbi, Jimma, and Worre Jarso areas. In the eastern front, Abubeker said, the political unrest has engulfed Alemaya, Chirro, Herna and Gelemso towns ...
Report Lists Nation's Detaining Journalists
Tuesday December 13, 2005 11:16 PM
By AMY WESTFELDT
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - China, Cuba, Eritrea and Ethiopia kept the most journalists in jail this year, together accounting for two-thirds of the 125 editors, writers and photojournalists imprisoned around the world, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Tuesday.
Focus on Boran Pastoralist
© IRIN/Anthony Mitchell
Guuyo Goba, the next Abbaa Gadaa.
YABELO, 13 Jul 2004 (IRIN) - Guyo Goba has just turned 30. In a matter of weeks he will be installed as leader of Ethiopia’s 500,000 Boran pastoralists a role he has spent the past 17 years being groomed for.
His appointment could not come at a more turbulent time for the Boran, a nomadic group inhabiting southern Ethiopia along the porous border with Kenya. They are threatened by dwindling lands, pressure on their way of life and deepening poverty. Moreover, an ancient tribal prophecy predicts their imminent demise.
Growing marginalisation of groups like the Borana is fuelling those fears. "It is a heavy responsibility for me and it is constantly on my mind," said Guyo, whose youngish features belie his age and responsibilities. His reticent responses to questions put to him about the role awaiting him do not reflect unease or shyness, but the strict training that teaches future leaders to quietly observe without making judgements.
This nationalist Oromo artist gunned down
--Oromo Proverb
by TPLF thugs. He was a threat to their
authority because he was very popular and
charismatic nationalist Oromo Artist."The world needs . The world often continues to
allow evil because it is not angry enough". --Bede Jarrett
Indigenous Struggles Continue in Eritrea And Ethiopia
On May 25, 1993, Eritrea became an independent state, after fighting a war for independence against Ethiopia for 30 years. Ethiopia had controlled and dominated Eritrea since 1952. Some 98.5 percent of the electorate participated in the referendum which determined Eritrea's liberation; some 99.8 percent of those who voted chose secession from Ethiopia as the path to self-determination.
