www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
Addis Ababa - Nine members of the Oromo Liberation Front - blamed for bomb attacks in Addis Ababa - were sentenced to prison terms of 10 to 17 years on Tuesday, the justice ministry said.
In a statement carried by the Ethiopian News Agency, it said they had committed acts of treason in the capital and in the southern Oromiya region in 2006.
"The convicts were accused of collecting firearms, soliciting funds for the terrorist organisation OLF, trying to create chaos among the public and mobilising the public against the constitution," it said.
The Ethiopian authorities have repeatedly accused the OLF of carrying out several bomb attacks in the capital in recent years under the tutelage of Eritrea.
The OLF, designated a "terror organisation" by the Ethiopian government, has waged a low-key struggle for self-determination since 1973. - Sapa-AFP
Ethiopian Restaurants worldwide
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www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Rwanda: Rwandair Strikes Code Share Deal With Ethiopian Airlines
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
Saul Butera
7 September 2009
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Kigali — Rwandair, the national carrier of Rwanda yesterday signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines on all flights where Rwandair cannot reach.
The agreement will allow Rwandair to sell tickets as well as allowing its customers to book seats on flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines. According to the CEO of Rwandair, Gerald Zirimwabagabo, it is a great opportunity for the airline and Rwandans to have this partnership.
The partnership comes months after Rwandair announced it will purchase two CRJ aircrafts of it own by end this year and also the opening-up office in Nairobi, Kenya. "Rwandair has ambitious goals and with flying under Ethiopian Airlines wings we will be able to archive a lot and we can grow better with working with them," Zirimwabagabo said.
"This is a milestone step made by the two carriers of bringing Africa together and connecting it to the rest of the world," Tedessa Adane, Ethiopian Airlines' commercial Vice President said shortly after signing the agreement. "I think this agreement will make even the business between the two countries improve more compared to the previous days."
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Central Africa
East Africa
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Transport
Business
The deal is poised to bring convenience to the clients of both airlines and give value to their money. Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. Over the past sixty years it has become one of Africa's leading carriers and this year it was named as the best carrier of the year.
Rwandair also has code sharing agreements with a host of airlines including, Delta Airlines , Kenya Airways, KLM , Brussels Airlines, Air Tanzania , Precision Air, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Qatar Airways and Air Namibia.
The carrier began operations on December 1, 2002 as the new national carrier with a concession to carry out airport ground handling at Kigali International Airport, Kanombe.
Saul Butera
7 September 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Email|Print|Comment(1)
Share:
Kigali — Rwandair, the national carrier of Rwanda yesterday signed a code share agreement with Ethiopian Airlines on all flights where Rwandair cannot reach.
The agreement will allow Rwandair to sell tickets as well as allowing its customers to book seats on flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines. According to the CEO of Rwandair, Gerald Zirimwabagabo, it is a great opportunity for the airline and Rwandans to have this partnership.
The partnership comes months after Rwandair announced it will purchase two CRJ aircrafts of it own by end this year and also the opening-up office in Nairobi, Kenya. "Rwandair has ambitious goals and with flying under Ethiopian Airlines wings we will be able to archive a lot and we can grow better with working with them," Zirimwabagabo said.
"This is a milestone step made by the two carriers of bringing Africa together and connecting it to the rest of the world," Tedessa Adane, Ethiopian Airlines' commercial Vice President said shortly after signing the agreement. "I think this agreement will make even the business between the two countries improve more compared to the previous days."
Relevant Links
Central Africa
East Africa
Rwanda
Ethiopia
Transport
Business
The deal is poised to bring convenience to the clients of both airlines and give value to their money. Ethiopian Airlines is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. Over the past sixty years it has become one of Africa's leading carriers and this year it was named as the best carrier of the year.
Rwandair also has code sharing agreements with a host of airlines including, Delta Airlines , Kenya Airways, KLM , Brussels Airlines, Air Tanzania , Precision Air, South African Airways, Ethiopian Airways, Qatar Airways and Air Namibia.
The carrier began operations on December 1, 2002 as the new national carrier with a concession to carry out airport ground handling at Kigali International Airport, Kanombe.
Growing climate related disasters in Africa justify Meles Zenawi’s threats
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
Over 70 people have been killed and about 430 000 others displaced from their homes after several weeks of torrential rains. The UN fears a looming humanitarian catastrophe. African leaders believe that this unusual outburst of nature is linked to the effect of greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming and are demanding compensation from rich countries, the principal polluters. Africa, the hardest hit by the consequences of climate change has contributed little to this phenomenon. This issue will be raised by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, at the global environmental summit scheduled to take place in Copenhagen at the end of the year.
The death toll, following record floods of the rainy season in West Africa, is heavy. Over people seventy have been reported dead. In recent weeks, torrential rains have hit seven countries in the West African sub-region; Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Guinea and Burkina Faso. The raging waters left ruin in its wake, affecting houses, grain reserves, farms, roads and telecommunications. Some 430 000 people in six countries have lost their homes.
Last Tuesday, Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso recorded 330 millimetres of water. A level never reached in the country. Ten hours of uninterrupted rains killed several people and destroyed 24 000 homes, making 150 000 people homeless. In an effort to salvage the housing crisis created by the floods, several thousands of people have been accommodated in schools, under a government programme. The Burkinabe government says that stadia around the country will be mobilised to hold the ever increasing victims. According to the UN, the displaced live in deplorable conditions. The main hospital in the country, Yalgado hospital, with some 600 beds was evacuated after it was affected by the floods, further complicating the treatment of the injured. According to Prime Minister Tertius Zongo, it is the worst disaster ever experienced by the city.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed fears of a looming epidemic and food crisis in the sub-region.
Meles Zenawi threats justified
A cycle of droughts and floods causing serious humanitarian problems including food crisis, health issues and displacements, among others have caused a lot of hue and cry among both African environmentalists and politicians. They argue that although Africa’s contribution to the greenhouse emissions, that have led to the climate disaster, is largely insignificant, the poor continent is paying for the excesses of richer nations. In 2007, similar floods killed 300 people and affected some 800 000 people in West Africa alone. This year, the Southern African region was hit by the worst floods in 50 years, according to estimates from the Red Cross, which affected over a million people and killed hundreds of people. In 2006, the horn of Africa was hit by severe floods, which the UN estimated as the worst in the region for 50 years. It affected over 1.8 million people. Two years later, the same region suffered a severe drought affected about 13 million people, according to Oxfam (a UK-based humanitarian group) estimates.
It is to the effect that African leaders are demanding a cause and effect link to be recognised at the Summit on Climate Change scheduled to take place in December in Copenhagen, the Danish capital. Their objective is to seek financial compensation, which, according to some experts, could be around 200 billion dollars per year. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi recently warned that if this request were not taken into account, representatives of Africa would walk out of the Copenhagen conference. "If needs be we are prepared to walk out of any negotiations that threaten to be another rape of our continent," he said. Chosen as the African mouth piece for the Copenhagen summit, Mr. Zenawi, whose country has suffered repeated droughts, the cause of long periods of famine, says “Africa will not be there to express its participation by merely warming the chairs or to make perfunctory speeches and statements.”
Meanwhile, as Africa’s chances of survival are lessening by the minute, total indifference expressed by some so called experts have served to give a voice to critics of climate change who have all but explored the human disaster related to climate change, and instead explored the related commercial financial repercussions. Jay Timmons, executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers in the US, has argued that a legislation that was narrowly passed in by U.S. lawmakers in June to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions will cost the U.S. economy a lot of money and benefit China and India. According to him an environmental bill would do more economic harm than environmental good. He also indicated that "the bill’s new taxes and regulations would penalize American businesses, putting them at a disadvantage in competing with those countries". Mr. Timmons avoided any mention of the positive effect the bill could have on dying poplations in Africa, while basing his arguments on economic gains.
Last year, the Ethiopian premier stated that while "the hope is that we will do enough to avoid global warming from crossing the tipping point, our (Africa) contribution to global warming is negligible. The impact it has on us is far from negligible," saying that his country, like most African states, were left to deal with the adverse effects of climate change, which created an increment in tropical diseases such has malaria and the sleeping sickness. Ethiopia is demanding that the rich countries, whose industrialisation has created the effects of climate change, immediately take responsibility for their action. "We will never accept any global deal that does not limit global warming to the minimum unavoidable level, no matter what levels of compensation and assistance are promised to us," Mr. Zenawi said at the Africa Partnership Forum, which took place last week.
On its part, the World Meteorological Organization is more concerned with a preventive measure, which involves a billion dollar investment required to upgrade meteorological services, including, early warning systems and tools to facilitate data collection, to enable African countries anticipate the effects of climate change.
Priority: Disaster assistance
But in the meantime, affected countries are more concerned with disaster relief. Burkina Faso has appealed to national and international aid. Rehabilitation will require about 106 million euros, says the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso. The ECOWAS Commission has promised to lend its support to member states affected by the flood. But so far, no money has been disbursed to this effect.
Over 70 people have been killed and about 430 000 others displaced from their homes after several weeks of torrential rains. The UN fears a looming humanitarian catastrophe. African leaders believe that this unusual outburst of nature is linked to the effect of greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming and are demanding compensation from rich countries, the principal polluters. Africa, the hardest hit by the consequences of climate change has contributed little to this phenomenon. This issue will be raised by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, at the global environmental summit scheduled to take place in Copenhagen at the end of the year.
The death toll, following record floods of the rainy season in West Africa, is heavy. Over people seventy have been reported dead. In recent weeks, torrential rains have hit seven countries in the West African sub-region; Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Guinea and Burkina Faso. The raging waters left ruin in its wake, affecting houses, grain reserves, farms, roads and telecommunications. Some 430 000 people in six countries have lost their homes.
Last Tuesday, Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso recorded 330 millimetres of water. A level never reached in the country. Ten hours of uninterrupted rains killed several people and destroyed 24 000 homes, making 150 000 people homeless. In an effort to salvage the housing crisis created by the floods, several thousands of people have been accommodated in schools, under a government programme. The Burkinabe government says that stadia around the country will be mobilised to hold the ever increasing victims. According to the UN, the displaced live in deplorable conditions. The main hospital in the country, Yalgado hospital, with some 600 beds was evacuated after it was affected by the floods, further complicating the treatment of the injured. According to Prime Minister Tertius Zongo, it is the worst disaster ever experienced by the city.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed fears of a looming epidemic and food crisis in the sub-region.
Meles Zenawi threats justified
A cycle of droughts and floods causing serious humanitarian problems including food crisis, health issues and displacements, among others have caused a lot of hue and cry among both African environmentalists and politicians. They argue that although Africa’s contribution to the greenhouse emissions, that have led to the climate disaster, is largely insignificant, the poor continent is paying for the excesses of richer nations. In 2007, similar floods killed 300 people and affected some 800 000 people in West Africa alone. This year, the Southern African region was hit by the worst floods in 50 years, according to estimates from the Red Cross, which affected over a million people and killed hundreds of people. In 2006, the horn of Africa was hit by severe floods, which the UN estimated as the worst in the region for 50 years. It affected over 1.8 million people. Two years later, the same region suffered a severe drought affected about 13 million people, according to Oxfam (a UK-based humanitarian group) estimates.
It is to the effect that African leaders are demanding a cause and effect link to be recognised at the Summit on Climate Change scheduled to take place in December in Copenhagen, the Danish capital. Their objective is to seek financial compensation, which, according to some experts, could be around 200 billion dollars per year. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi recently warned that if this request were not taken into account, representatives of Africa would walk out of the Copenhagen conference. "If needs be we are prepared to walk out of any negotiations that threaten to be another rape of our continent," he said. Chosen as the African mouth piece for the Copenhagen summit, Mr. Zenawi, whose country has suffered repeated droughts, the cause of long periods of famine, says “Africa will not be there to express its participation by merely warming the chairs or to make perfunctory speeches and statements.”
Meanwhile, as Africa’s chances of survival are lessening by the minute, total indifference expressed by some so called experts have served to give a voice to critics of climate change who have all but explored the human disaster related to climate change, and instead explored the related commercial financial repercussions. Jay Timmons, executive vice president of the National Association of Manufacturers in the US, has argued that a legislation that was narrowly passed in by U.S. lawmakers in June to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions will cost the U.S. economy a lot of money and benefit China and India. According to him an environmental bill would do more economic harm than environmental good. He also indicated that "the bill’s new taxes and regulations would penalize American businesses, putting them at a disadvantage in competing with those countries". Mr. Timmons avoided any mention of the positive effect the bill could have on dying poplations in Africa, while basing his arguments on economic gains.
Last year, the Ethiopian premier stated that while "the hope is that we will do enough to avoid global warming from crossing the tipping point, our (Africa) contribution to global warming is negligible. The impact it has on us is far from negligible," saying that his country, like most African states, were left to deal with the adverse effects of climate change, which created an increment in tropical diseases such has malaria and the sleeping sickness. Ethiopia is demanding that the rich countries, whose industrialisation has created the effects of climate change, immediately take responsibility for their action. "We will never accept any global deal that does not limit global warming to the minimum unavoidable level, no matter what levels of compensation and assistance are promised to us," Mr. Zenawi said at the Africa Partnership Forum, which took place last week.
On its part, the World Meteorological Organization is more concerned with a preventive measure, which involves a billion dollar investment required to upgrade meteorological services, including, early warning systems and tools to facilitate data collection, to enable African countries anticipate the effects of climate change.
Priority: Disaster assistance
But in the meantime, affected countries are more concerned with disaster relief. Burkina Faso has appealed to national and international aid. Rehabilitation will require about 106 million euros, says the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso. The ECOWAS Commission has promised to lend its support to member states affected by the flood. But so far, no money has been disbursed to this effect.
Ethiopians Offered Free AIDS Tests by Text Message
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia is sending text messages to mobile phone users offering free HIV/AIDS tests ahead of New Year celebrations, in a drive to have more people checked in sub-Saharan Africa's second most populous nation.
"New Year! New Life! Test for HIV, test with your partner, get your children tested and brighten the future of your family! Free testing. Happy New Year!" says an SMS message which is being sent in batches ahead of this week's celebrations.
Ethiopia follows a calendar long abandoned by the West that squeezes 13 months into every year and entered the 21st century in 2007. It will become 2002 in Ethiopia on September 11.
The text messages are being sent to all of Ethiopia's 2.5 million mobile users and have been hitting handsets for the last week in the capital Addis Ababa and most of the country's major towns. There is also a billboard campaign offering free checks.
"About half a million a year used to be tested," Meskele Lera, deputy director of Ethiopia's Federal HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Office told Reuters.
"But that has been increasing every year and, with the help of the publicity campaign we started with our Millennium, we tested 5.8 million last year," he said.
An estimated 1.1 million people in Ethiopia are infected with HIV, according to the government. The United Nations children's fund (UNICEF) estimates that more than 900,000 Ethiopian children have been orphaned by AIDS.
The Horn of Africa country, which has a population of some 80 million, normally heavily subsidizes HIV/AIDS testing as well as offering free testing in some public hospitals.
About 33 million people globally are infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and most of them live in Africa and other developing countries.
(Reporting by Barry Malone; Editing by David Clarke)
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia is sending text messages to mobile phone users offering free HIV/AIDS tests ahead of New Year celebrations, in a drive to have more people checked in sub-Saharan Africa's second most populous nation.
"New Year! New Life! Test for HIV, test with your partner, get your children tested and brighten the future of your family! Free testing. Happy New Year!" says an SMS message which is being sent in batches ahead of this week's celebrations.
Ethiopia follows a calendar long abandoned by the West that squeezes 13 months into every year and entered the 21st century in 2007. It will become 2002 in Ethiopia on September 11.
The text messages are being sent to all of Ethiopia's 2.5 million mobile users and have been hitting handsets for the last week in the capital Addis Ababa and most of the country's major towns. There is also a billboard campaign offering free checks.
"About half a million a year used to be tested," Meskele Lera, deputy director of Ethiopia's Federal HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Office told Reuters.
"But that has been increasing every year and, with the help of the publicity campaign we started with our Millennium, we tested 5.8 million last year," he said.
An estimated 1.1 million people in Ethiopia are infected with HIV, according to the government. The United Nations children's fund (UNICEF) estimates that more than 900,000 Ethiopian children have been orphaned by AIDS.
The Horn of Africa country, which has a population of some 80 million, normally heavily subsidizes HIV/AIDS testing as well as offering free testing in some public hospitals.
About 33 million people globally are infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS, and most of them live in Africa and other developing countries.
(Reporting by Barry Malone; Editing by David Clarke)
Burka hoping to put fall behind her
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
Watch IAAF World Athletics Final LIVE Sept. 12-13 at 11:15 a.m. ET
Not many athletes get the chance to adorn themselves with an entire nation without winning a race, but middle distance runner Gelete Burka commanded the sympathy of the athletics community and millions of her compatriots after the World Championships in Berlin.
Going to the final of the women's 1500m after cruising through in the heats as one of the pre-race favorites, Burka led for a lap in the final before Spaniard Nathalia Rodriguez, who would go on to win the race, pushed her to the ground 150m from the finish. Burka picked herself up in a desperate bid to catch the front runners, but could only finish 10th. Rodriguez was later disqualified following an appeal by the Ethiopian federation, but it did little to help Burka's medal aspirations.
"It was really painful and I don't know if I will ever forget this," she recounted in a recent interview. "I feel I could have won that race if the Spanish girl did not push me."
But Burka's efforts did not go unnoticed by hundreds of fans at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. A few hours after the 1500m final, they gathered at the home of the Ethiopian Ambassador in Germany for a victory party where the daughter of one of the Ethiopian diplomats presented Burka with a medal uttering, "They may have pushed you, but you are always the champion for me."
A cheerful Burka talked at length with members of the Embassy about her loss and was given a round of applause by attendees and an encouraging message by the ambassador.
"For us, you are the winner," said Ambassador Kassahun Haile. "You are a champion. Let this not put you down."
Upon the team's return to Ethiopia two days later, the Ethiopian Minister for Youth and Sport Aster Mamo spoke about Burka at the official welcome back ceremony, saying, "You may have lost the race, but for us, you are the gold medalist. Ethiopia is really proud of you."
Fans were not the only ones who sympathized with Burka. So did archrivals.
"I really feel sad for Gelete," said Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal, the eventual race winner. "What the Spanish girl did was wrong and she deserves to be disqualified. What happened to Gelete could have happened to any one of us in the race. If she had not been tripped, I am sure she would have won a medal."
Burka said the support she has received is inspiring.
"Such things urge me to run more and to give 110% to my country and our national flag," said Burka. "I have learned that life needs to continue and that the next race is more important than the previous one."
The next race for Burka happens to be an important one. She will again be one of the medal favorites in the 1500m at the World Athletics Final, the culmination of the IAAF Grand Prix circuit, in Thessaloniki, Greece this weekend.
While Burka says she is now ready to go, getting back to training and recovering from the effects of the Berlin fall, however, were not quite easy according to her husband Tadele Gebremedhin.
"It was really difficult for her," he said. "She got back home and cried for two days. It really worried the family because we had never seen her upset like this."
After taking four days to recover, Burka started training with the goal of regaining some success before the end of the season. And following discussions between her manager Jos Hermens and organizers of the Memorial Van Damme, Burka penciled in a world-record attempt at the seldom-run 2000m.
"She could do it because she is full of frustration," says Meert. "Apart from the fact that she could not win in Berlin, Burka was in very good shape."
Thanks largely to cold and windy conditions at the King Badouin stadium in Brussels, Burka was nearly five seconds off the mark set by Irishwoman Sonia O' Sullivan in 1994, although she improved the African record at the event when clocking 5:30.19.
"If you go for a world record, you can't be happy with this time," Burka told reporters after the race. "Of course the weather is not ideal and I'm still in very good shape.
Thanks to a season's worth of stellar performances, which include victories in Hengelo, Eugene, and Lausanne and sub-4-minute clocking in the 1500m in Hengelo and Monaco, Burka finds herself amongst the gold-medal favorites for the World Athletics Final.
But Burka knows -- perhaps better than most -- that victory will not come easily.
"It will be difficult to run fast in Thessaloniki," she said. "The race will be like a championship without pacemakers and so it will give me the chance to win a tactical race. It is not the same, but it somehow makes up for Berlin if I win there."
While many athletes will finish their seasons in Greece, Burka will make the long trip to Shanghai, China for the Golden Grand Prix and a possible crack at the Ethiopian record over the 1500m.
"I still want to do something special this season," she said. "I still feel that I can run the Ethiopian record (3:58.43 by Kutre Dulecha in Monaco 1998) or get close to the African record (3:55.30 by Hassiba Boulmerka in Barcelona 1992)."
Watch IAAF World Athletics Final LIVE Sept. 12-13 at 11:15 a.m. ET
Not many athletes get the chance to adorn themselves with an entire nation without winning a race, but middle distance runner Gelete Burka commanded the sympathy of the athletics community and millions of her compatriots after the World Championships in Berlin. Going to the final of the women's 1500m after cruising through in the heats as one of the pre-race favorites, Burka led for a lap in the final before Spaniard Nathalia Rodriguez, who would go on to win the race, pushed her to the ground 150m from the finish. Burka picked herself up in a desperate bid to catch the front runners, but could only finish 10th. Rodriguez was later disqualified following an appeal by the Ethiopian federation, but it did little to help Burka's medal aspirations.
"It was really painful and I don't know if I will ever forget this," she recounted in a recent interview. "I feel I could have won that race if the Spanish girl did not push me."
But Burka's efforts did not go unnoticed by hundreds of fans at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. A few hours after the 1500m final, they gathered at the home of the Ethiopian Ambassador in Germany for a victory party where the daughter of one of the Ethiopian diplomats presented Burka with a medal uttering, "They may have pushed you, but you are always the champion for me."
A cheerful Burka talked at length with members of the Embassy about her loss and was given a round of applause by attendees and an encouraging message by the ambassador.
"For us, you are the winner," said Ambassador Kassahun Haile. "You are a champion. Let this not put you down."
Upon the team's return to Ethiopia two days later, the Ethiopian Minister for Youth and Sport Aster Mamo spoke about Burka at the official welcome back ceremony, saying, "You may have lost the race, but for us, you are the gold medalist. Ethiopia is really proud of you."
Fans were not the only ones who sympathized with Burka. So did archrivals.
"I really feel sad for Gelete," said Bahrain's Maryam Yusuf Jamal, the eventual race winner. "What the Spanish girl did was wrong and she deserves to be disqualified. What happened to Gelete could have happened to any one of us in the race. If she had not been tripped, I am sure she would have won a medal."
Burka said the support she has received is inspiring.
"Such things urge me to run more and to give 110% to my country and our national flag," said Burka. "I have learned that life needs to continue and that the next race is more important than the previous one."
The next race for Burka happens to be an important one. She will again be one of the medal favorites in the 1500m at the World Athletics Final, the culmination of the IAAF Grand Prix circuit, in Thessaloniki, Greece this weekend.
While Burka says she is now ready to go, getting back to training and recovering from the effects of the Berlin fall, however, were not quite easy according to her husband Tadele Gebremedhin.
"It was really difficult for her," he said. "She got back home and cried for two days. It really worried the family because we had never seen her upset like this."
After taking four days to recover, Burka started training with the goal of regaining some success before the end of the season. And following discussions between her manager Jos Hermens and organizers of the Memorial Van Damme, Burka penciled in a world-record attempt at the seldom-run 2000m.
"She could do it because she is full of frustration," says Meert. "Apart from the fact that she could not win in Berlin, Burka was in very good shape."
Thanks largely to cold and windy conditions at the King Badouin stadium in Brussels, Burka was nearly five seconds off the mark set by Irishwoman Sonia O' Sullivan in 1994, although she improved the African record at the event when clocking 5:30.19.
"If you go for a world record, you can't be happy with this time," Burka told reporters after the race. "Of course the weather is not ideal and I'm still in very good shape.
Thanks to a season's worth of stellar performances, which include victories in Hengelo, Eugene, and Lausanne and sub-4-minute clocking in the 1500m in Hengelo and Monaco, Burka finds herself amongst the gold-medal favorites for the World Athletics Final.
But Burka knows -- perhaps better than most -- that victory will not come easily.
"It will be difficult to run fast in Thessaloniki," she said. "The race will be like a championship without pacemakers and so it will give me the chance to win a tactical race. It is not the same, but it somehow makes up for Berlin if I win there."
While many athletes will finish their seasons in Greece, Burka will make the long trip to Shanghai, China for the Golden Grand Prix and a possible crack at the Ethiopian record over the 1500m.
"I still want to do something special this season," she said. "I still feel that I can run the Ethiopian record (3:58.43 by Kutre Dulecha in Monaco 1998) or get close to the African record (3:55.30 by Hassiba Boulmerka in Barcelona 1992)."
Cases of deadly diarrhoea mount in Ethiopian capital, warns UN
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
8 September 2009 – The United Nations emergency humanitarian relief wing today warned of an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea rife in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa that is threatening to continue its spread across other regions of the country.Local health authorities reported a total of 2,330 new cases of the disease and 22 deaths between 17 and 23 August, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
In response to the epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has committed $30,000 for surveillance, case management and training activities, while the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pledged $100,000 for training and operational costs.
UNICEF also sent 20,000 bottles of water guards to the Addis Ababa health bureau to enable the same number of households to access clean water for one month. The agency is also finalizing preparations to establish sanitation facilities in a number of areas in the coming two weeks
Meanwhile, the lack of food in many areas in eastern Ethiopia has prompted the World Food Programme (WFP) to underscore the need for an immediate and comprehensive contingency plan to feed the vulnerable people, especially given the prospect of poor food production in the coming months.
Ethiopia’s drought survivors need urgent help to avert health crisis – UN
8 September 2009 – The United Nations emergency humanitarian relief wing today warned of an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea rife in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa that is threatening to continue its spread across other regions of the country.In response to the epidemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) has committed $30,000 for surveillance, case management and training activities, while the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pledged $100,000 for training and operational costs.
UNICEF also sent 20,000 bottles of water guards to the Addis Ababa health bureau to enable the same number of households to access clean water for one month. The agency is also finalizing preparations to establish sanitation facilities in a number of areas in the coming two weeks
Meanwhile, the lack of food in many areas in eastern Ethiopia has prompted the World Food Programme (WFP) to underscore the need for an immediate and comprehensive contingency plan to feed the vulnerable people, especially given the prospect of poor food production in the coming months.
Ethiopia’s drought survivors need urgent help to avert health crisis – UN
Failed Bush Administration Diplomat Advising The Obama Administration on Africa?
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
September 07, 2009In reaction to Secretary Hillary Clinton´s visit to Africa, former Bush Administration Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, Dr. Jendayie E. Frazer wrote an op-ed on Wall Street Journal -"One Way to Help Africa"- prescribing four specific actions the Obama Administration needs to take to help Africa. This is coming just eight months after the Obama Administration has taken office amidst some of the greatest challenges this country faces since the great depression economically, politically, militarily, diplomatically and a host of major problems. Her op-ed is not only ill timed but a reflection of the internationally rejected Bush policies that was brazen, inconsiderate, brush, hostile, undiplomatic and disregarding of how their actions impacted US image and credibility.
Dr. Frazer´s op-ed is a vivid insight into her aggressive diplomacy that was based on threats, intimidation, sanctions and the use of military power to pursue ill conceived hegemonic agendas. Dr. Frazer´ was the least effective representative the US has ever sent to Africa. She acted as a Dictator to Africans and helped destroy good will Africans accorded Americans for decades following World War II.
That good will was partly as a result of a call that President John F. Kennedy made to the nation to serve for the greater good by incorporating Peace Corps and other programs that cemented the image of America that is well intentioned, full of descent and God loving people that meant good for the world. The Bush Administration (which ironically run for office on a religious platform) with Dr. Frazer on the helm has damaged that good image and credibility in Africa.
Damage to image and loss of credibility is difficult to measure. It could be subjective and subject to spins for political expediency. But in this case, there is one measure that Americans can-not spin-away by asking one simple question. Can any American serve in the Peace Corps today as they have in the past in remote places in Ethiopia or other African countries with out fear? The answer is no. There are many factors that play into that. However, the main reason hinges on the fact that the US is not a trusted good ally any more as a result of poor representation and policies. Unfortunately, Americans are viewed within that paradigm. It is a fact that Americans cannot venture out on the streets of most African countries unprotected, taking away a vital freedom and connection.
Moreover, for decades, the US owned a moral high ground above any nation for ideals that the whole world believed was international standard. These standards are based on various principles, freedoms and rights that America was founded on. Dr Frazer destroyed that in Africa. As a result, those who believed on these ideals were demoralized, rendered helpless and turned away from the US and those ideals are regarded as tools to US hegemonic agendas.
For example: the election of 2005 in Ethiopia brought a sense of optimism that was unparalleled by any period or event in Ethiopian history. Ethiopians took to the streets expressing their new found freedom and went to the ballot boxes. The events that followed that exercise and the US reactions to it have changed the way Ethiopians view the US for good! In a nutshell, represented by Dr. Frazer, US dumped the people of Ethiopia and sided with Meles Zenawi, unquestionably the worst leader Ethiopians have ever experienced by any standard.
After many arrests of opposition leaders, atrocities in the Ogaden, Gambella, Oromo and many regions throughout Ethiopia, the people in the region have concluded the US to be the culprit to the injustices the region experiences under US client-regimes. For those who follow the politics of the region it is easy to conclude Ethiopians in particular and the people of the region have given-up on the US to be judicious arbiter!
Dr. Frazer, while giving lip-service to democracy, she made a mockery of justice, the rule of law and a process Ethiopians built-up their hopes-on to bring about changes that can make a difference in their lives. Ethiopians truly believed democracy had finally reined over Ethiopia. However, in the name of fighting terror and to pursue what the US erroneously believed to be its interests, Dr. Frazer gave all the political cover the regime needed in the US Capitol while ignoring the Ethiopian people who are long time allies of the US. Ethiopians pleaded with the US and received little or no attention. And when they made any progress, heavy lobbying by former Congressman Dick Army and others stood on the way to protect the criminal regime. These are the people of Ethiopia a country the US boasted to have a special relationship with for decades.
On the contrary, Meles Zenawi was given more aid and a green light By Dr. Frazer to invade Somalia, kill thousands, displace millions and created a human calamity "The Independent", a British news paper on its 17th of October 2007 edition called, "Somalia , Ethiopia ´s "own Darfur." In the name of fighting terrorism, the US and Ethiopia invaded Somalia and unleashed unparalleled military power against a Somali rug-tag militia forces. The US was actively engaged on the bombings. As a result, Somali women and children were forced to flee the cities but, they were stranded on the borders of Kenya because they were refused entry as refugees and died from thirst and starvation on the deserts of Somalia by the thousands. This took place under direction and watchful eye of Dr. Jendayie E. Frazer!
Furthermore, the opinions Dr. Jendayie Frazer expressed in her op-ed is full of contradictions to be taken seriously both on the merit and in the disingenuous spirit. Dr. Frazer confidently rendered her advice to the Obama Administration to hold a conference with African leaders and create legislative approaches that can open markets for Africans. However, in her watch, China held the largest gathering of African leaders outside Africa, ever. The Chinese did not dictate to Africans. Instead they gave real unconditional opportunities to develop their infrastructures making serious difference in their capacities to develop future markets for Chinese products and create viable partnerships with China. That was the reality. Dr. Frazer lacks credibility in this matter.
She also prescribed to put Africom headquarters in Liberia and to punish Eritrea for Eritrea´s alleged but unproven support of what she arrogantly calls "Somali terrorists". Her op-ed was called, "One way to help Africa." The question one must ask is how does putting military structures in Africa or punishing a country like Eritrea that is struggling to get her people out of poverty help Africa? But worst, that prescription is not based on truth, the reality on the ground, but a cover-up for her failed approaches. Eritrea is not the enemy of the US or in any way positioned to threaten Americans. Eritrea´s belief remains the national reconstitution of Somalia as the only way forward by allowing all Somalis to come to terms on their own, by solving their own problems and without outsider meddling.
Eritrea is not in a position to impact the situation in Somalia because it is physically impossible since Somalia is bordered by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Indian Ocean that is littered by US warships. On the contrary, it is Dr. Frazer actions that worsened the problems in Somalia by infusing Ethiopia, Somalia´s historical arch-enemy, and destroyed the relative stability that reined in Somalia for a brief period courtesy of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) that Dr. Frazer ejected by force. But what is ironic is the fact Dr. Frazer placed as a leader, the very individual the US and Ethiopia hunted as a terrorist and captured in the military campaign.
At the wee-hours of the Bush Administration, Dr. Frazer created a non-inclusive Djibouti process with her yes-men and organized a new Transitional Government (TNG) and appointed Sheik Sharif Ahmed the leader and pushed for him to be accepted by the UN.
Under the watch of Dr Frazer, the situation in the Congo and Darfur was exacerbated. And while Jendayie-Bush alienated former allies with unparalleled belligerence the Chinese with their smooth carrot approach have essentially taken over the region.
Dr. Jendayie E. Frazer should not have called her op-ed "One Way to Help Africa" because her intention is not to help Africa. In her confused op-ed, she explicitly stated, QUOTE "But U.S. policy in Africa is not about love it´s about advancing America's core interests: promoting economic growth and development, combating terrorism, and fostering well-governed, stable countries" END OF QUOTE.
Dr. Frazer showed in action, letter and spirit that it is not "about love" when she displayed callous disregard to the women and children of Somalia who died for lack of water while Kenyan authorities denied the refugees access. Dr. Frazer downplayed the atrocities Ethiopian soldiers committed in the Ogaden region. On December of 2008 the Human Rights Watch released a report called "So Much Fear" detailing genocides committed by Ethiopian troops throughout Somalia and the Ogaden giving detailed-vivid pictures as evidences of the devastated areas and torched villages. While she boasted that she played a role in stabilizing the Ogaden, Ethiopian authorities blocked food entry-ways in many parts of the Ogaden starving thousands to death.
All the steps she took to prop up the minority regime in Ethiopia led by Dictator Meles Zenawi will not bring stability and economic development in Ethiopia. On the contrary it is dividing Ethiopia along ethnic and religious lines a sure bet for future conflicts, which could impact peace and security in the region.
In his book "Surrender Is Not an Option," former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton stated "For reasons I never understood, Frazer reversed course, and asked in early February to reopen the 2002 [Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission] decision, which she had concluded was wrong, and award a major piece of disputed territory to Ethiopia. I was at a loss how to explain that to the Security Council, so I didn't."
That will not bring peace, stability and economic viability in the region, he concluded.
What Jendayie Frazer wrote in her op-ed shows lack of judgment and serves as an example of her undiplomatic ways. She didn´t have the decency to lay low and give time to the Obama Administration to frame the issues in accordance to what their objectives and goals are. It also shows why the other actor´s at-play, mainly China, took advantage of her brazen tactics that turned off many and literally infiltrated all aspects of the African continent.
The problems Africa and particularly the Horn of Africa faces today are all up in the air unresolved in large part due to belligerent approach Dr. Frazer followed. She ignored the rule of law and made ethics, morality and humanity irrelevant. She ignored cultures and the way of life of the people in the region when she threw her weights around. She ignored religion and the role it played in the cultures. She was unpolished and unfit. The saddest part is she did it representing the good people of the US.
President Obama is right to want to open up markets in order to provide real opportunities for Africans. It is also pragmatic for the US to be able to compete the right way because China is not going to be pushed-around by any one since they have invested a great deal on Africa. It a sad fact, while Dr. Frazer made enemies, China and others were signing investment agreements throughout Africa with long term implications. That is the reality!
But what is interesting is, to see the worst aspects of the Bush Administration coming back, (ala Dick Cheney) not only to defend their past actions but to promote it as if they flourished. That is because Americans have not decided to hold them accountable for their failures, decisions and actions. Millions are in dire situations in Somalia as a result of poor decisions Dr. Frazer pushed. For a country that pledges allegiance to the flag under God, that must not be acceptable.
One Way to Help Africa:
President Obama has said "we will not dictate." And we should not. We need to engage, open markets, help develop infrastructures and create educational exchange programs. Africans are ready for change and they have the resources if allowed to exploit it properly. The old exercise of using dictators at the expense of the people needs to stop for Africa to flourish. Genuine effort must be exerted to bring about real change. There is no reason President Obama can not dream of Africa that is in line with Europe in standard of living. YES HE CAN! He should. Because it is time to drop hubris and ill conceived national interest and do the right thing to serve for mutual interests. We can do it by allowing people to solve their problems without meddling in their affairs, by respecting the rule of law and sovereignty of nations, by allowing countries to use their resources in accordance with their needs and most importantly we need to make genuine efforts to bring peace! YES WE CAN! And the role of those concerned must focus on helping to induce positive changes and make sure The Obama Administration and US Congress take notice when they return from their August vacations
September 07, 2009In reaction to Secretary Hillary Clinton´s visit to Africa, former Bush Administration Assistant Secretary of State for African affairs, Dr. Jendayie E. Frazer wrote an op-ed on Wall Street Journal -"One Way to Help Africa"- prescribing four specific actions the Obama Administration needs to take to help Africa. This is coming just eight months after the Obama Administration has taken office amidst some of the greatest challenges this country faces since the great depression economically, politically, militarily, diplomatically and a host of major problems. Her op-ed is not only ill timed but a reflection of the internationally rejected Bush policies that was brazen, inconsiderate, brush, hostile, undiplomatic and disregarding of how their actions impacted US image and credibility.
Dr. Frazer´s op-ed is a vivid insight into her aggressive diplomacy that was based on threats, intimidation, sanctions and the use of military power to pursue ill conceived hegemonic agendas. Dr. Frazer´ was the least effective representative the US has ever sent to Africa. She acted as a Dictator to Africans and helped destroy good will Africans accorded Americans for decades following World War II.
That good will was partly as a result of a call that President John F. Kennedy made to the nation to serve for the greater good by incorporating Peace Corps and other programs that cemented the image of America that is well intentioned, full of descent and God loving people that meant good for the world. The Bush Administration (which ironically run for office on a religious platform) with Dr. Frazer on the helm has damaged that good image and credibility in Africa.
Damage to image and loss of credibility is difficult to measure. It could be subjective and subject to spins for political expediency. But in this case, there is one measure that Americans can-not spin-away by asking one simple question. Can any American serve in the Peace Corps today as they have in the past in remote places in Ethiopia or other African countries with out fear? The answer is no. There are many factors that play into that. However, the main reason hinges on the fact that the US is not a trusted good ally any more as a result of poor representation and policies. Unfortunately, Americans are viewed within that paradigm. It is a fact that Americans cannot venture out on the streets of most African countries unprotected, taking away a vital freedom and connection.
Moreover, for decades, the US owned a moral high ground above any nation for ideals that the whole world believed was international standard. These standards are based on various principles, freedoms and rights that America was founded on. Dr Frazer destroyed that in Africa. As a result, those who believed on these ideals were demoralized, rendered helpless and turned away from the US and those ideals are regarded as tools to US hegemonic agendas.
For example: the election of 2005 in Ethiopia brought a sense of optimism that was unparalleled by any period or event in Ethiopian history. Ethiopians took to the streets expressing their new found freedom and went to the ballot boxes. The events that followed that exercise and the US reactions to it have changed the way Ethiopians view the US for good! In a nutshell, represented by Dr. Frazer, US dumped the people of Ethiopia and sided with Meles Zenawi, unquestionably the worst leader Ethiopians have ever experienced by any standard.
After many arrests of opposition leaders, atrocities in the Ogaden, Gambella, Oromo and many regions throughout Ethiopia, the people in the region have concluded the US to be the culprit to the injustices the region experiences under US client-regimes. For those who follow the politics of the region it is easy to conclude Ethiopians in particular and the people of the region have given-up on the US to be judicious arbiter!
Dr. Frazer, while giving lip-service to democracy, she made a mockery of justice, the rule of law and a process Ethiopians built-up their hopes-on to bring about changes that can make a difference in their lives. Ethiopians truly believed democracy had finally reined over Ethiopia. However, in the name of fighting terror and to pursue what the US erroneously believed to be its interests, Dr. Frazer gave all the political cover the regime needed in the US Capitol while ignoring the Ethiopian people who are long time allies of the US. Ethiopians pleaded with the US and received little or no attention. And when they made any progress, heavy lobbying by former Congressman Dick Army and others stood on the way to protect the criminal regime. These are the people of Ethiopia a country the US boasted to have a special relationship with for decades.
On the contrary, Meles Zenawi was given more aid and a green light By Dr. Frazer to invade Somalia, kill thousands, displace millions and created a human calamity "The Independent", a British news paper on its 17th of October 2007 edition called, "Somalia , Ethiopia ´s "own Darfur." In the name of fighting terrorism, the US and Ethiopia invaded Somalia and unleashed unparalleled military power against a Somali rug-tag militia forces. The US was actively engaged on the bombings. As a result, Somali women and children were forced to flee the cities but, they were stranded on the borders of Kenya because they were refused entry as refugees and died from thirst and starvation on the deserts of Somalia by the thousands. This took place under direction and watchful eye of Dr. Jendayie E. Frazer!
Furthermore, the opinions Dr. Jendayie Frazer expressed in her op-ed is full of contradictions to be taken seriously both on the merit and in the disingenuous spirit. Dr. Frazer confidently rendered her advice to the Obama Administration to hold a conference with African leaders and create legislative approaches that can open markets for Africans. However, in her watch, China held the largest gathering of African leaders outside Africa, ever. The Chinese did not dictate to Africans. Instead they gave real unconditional opportunities to develop their infrastructures making serious difference in their capacities to develop future markets for Chinese products and create viable partnerships with China. That was the reality. Dr. Frazer lacks credibility in this matter.
She also prescribed to put Africom headquarters in Liberia and to punish Eritrea for Eritrea´s alleged but unproven support of what she arrogantly calls "Somali terrorists". Her op-ed was called, "One way to help Africa." The question one must ask is how does putting military structures in Africa or punishing a country like Eritrea that is struggling to get her people out of poverty help Africa? But worst, that prescription is not based on truth, the reality on the ground, but a cover-up for her failed approaches. Eritrea is not the enemy of the US or in any way positioned to threaten Americans. Eritrea´s belief remains the national reconstitution of Somalia as the only way forward by allowing all Somalis to come to terms on their own, by solving their own problems and without outsider meddling.
Eritrea is not in a position to impact the situation in Somalia because it is physically impossible since Somalia is bordered by Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and the Indian Ocean that is littered by US warships. On the contrary, it is Dr. Frazer actions that worsened the problems in Somalia by infusing Ethiopia, Somalia´s historical arch-enemy, and destroyed the relative stability that reined in Somalia for a brief period courtesy of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) that Dr. Frazer ejected by force. But what is ironic is the fact Dr. Frazer placed as a leader, the very individual the US and Ethiopia hunted as a terrorist and captured in the military campaign.
At the wee-hours of the Bush Administration, Dr. Frazer created a non-inclusive Djibouti process with her yes-men and organized a new Transitional Government (TNG) and appointed Sheik Sharif Ahmed the leader and pushed for him to be accepted by the UN.
Under the watch of Dr Frazer, the situation in the Congo and Darfur was exacerbated. And while Jendayie-Bush alienated former allies with unparalleled belligerence the Chinese with their smooth carrot approach have essentially taken over the region.
Dr. Jendayie E. Frazer should not have called her op-ed "One Way to Help Africa" because her intention is not to help Africa. In her confused op-ed, she explicitly stated, QUOTE "But U.S. policy in Africa is not about love it´s about advancing America's core interests: promoting economic growth and development, combating terrorism, and fostering well-governed, stable countries" END OF QUOTE.
Dr. Frazer showed in action, letter and spirit that it is not "about love" when she displayed callous disregard to the women and children of Somalia who died for lack of water while Kenyan authorities denied the refugees access. Dr. Frazer downplayed the atrocities Ethiopian soldiers committed in the Ogaden region. On December of 2008 the Human Rights Watch released a report called "So Much Fear" detailing genocides committed by Ethiopian troops throughout Somalia and the Ogaden giving detailed-vivid pictures as evidences of the devastated areas and torched villages. While she boasted that she played a role in stabilizing the Ogaden, Ethiopian authorities blocked food entry-ways in many parts of the Ogaden starving thousands to death.
All the steps she took to prop up the minority regime in Ethiopia led by Dictator Meles Zenawi will not bring stability and economic development in Ethiopia. On the contrary it is dividing Ethiopia along ethnic and religious lines a sure bet for future conflicts, which could impact peace and security in the region.
In his book "Surrender Is Not an Option," former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton stated "For reasons I never understood, Frazer reversed course, and asked in early February to reopen the 2002 [Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission] decision, which she had concluded was wrong, and award a major piece of disputed territory to Ethiopia. I was at a loss how to explain that to the Security Council, so I didn't."
That will not bring peace, stability and economic viability in the region, he concluded.
What Jendayie Frazer wrote in her op-ed shows lack of judgment and serves as an example of her undiplomatic ways. She didn´t have the decency to lay low and give time to the Obama Administration to frame the issues in accordance to what their objectives and goals are. It also shows why the other actor´s at-play, mainly China, took advantage of her brazen tactics that turned off many and literally infiltrated all aspects of the African continent.
The problems Africa and particularly the Horn of Africa faces today are all up in the air unresolved in large part due to belligerent approach Dr. Frazer followed. She ignored the rule of law and made ethics, morality and humanity irrelevant. She ignored cultures and the way of life of the people in the region when she threw her weights around. She ignored religion and the role it played in the cultures. She was unpolished and unfit. The saddest part is she did it representing the good people of the US.
President Obama is right to want to open up markets in order to provide real opportunities for Africans. It is also pragmatic for the US to be able to compete the right way because China is not going to be pushed-around by any one since they have invested a great deal on Africa. It a sad fact, while Dr. Frazer made enemies, China and others were signing investment agreements throughout Africa with long term implications. That is the reality!
But what is interesting is, to see the worst aspects of the Bush Administration coming back, (ala Dick Cheney) not only to defend their past actions but to promote it as if they flourished. That is because Americans have not decided to hold them accountable for their failures, decisions and actions. Millions are in dire situations in Somalia as a result of poor decisions Dr. Frazer pushed. For a country that pledges allegiance to the flag under God, that must not be acceptable.
One Way to Help Africa:
President Obama has said "we will not dictate." And we should not. We need to engage, open markets, help develop infrastructures and create educational exchange programs. Africans are ready for change and they have the resources if allowed to exploit it properly. The old exercise of using dictators at the expense of the people needs to stop for Africa to flourish. Genuine effort must be exerted to bring about real change. There is no reason President Obama can not dream of Africa that is in line with Europe in standard of living. YES HE CAN! He should. Because it is time to drop hubris and ill conceived national interest and do the right thing to serve for mutual interests. We can do it by allowing people to solve their problems without meddling in their affairs, by respecting the rule of law and sovereignty of nations, by allowing countries to use their resources in accordance with their needs and most importantly we need to make genuine efforts to bring peace! YES WE CAN! And the role of those concerned must focus on helping to induce positive changes and make sure The Obama Administration and US Congress take notice when they return from their August vacations
International Crisis Group Warns of Potential for 'Violent Eruption' in Ethiopia
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
By Peter Heinlein
Addis Ababa
07 September 2009
A new International Crisis Group report says Ethiopia is becoming an authoritarian one-party state, and warns that government policies there could lead to a violent eruption ahead of next year's elections. The report also faults the international community for downplaying Ethiopia's weak democracy.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi (File Photo)
The 40-page report by the International Crisis Group says that despite its democratic rhetoric, the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is unwilling to give up power. Moreover, it says the government's cornerstone policy, known as "ethnic federalism," has heightened tensions and sparked growing discontent in Ethiopia, with potentially explosive consequences.
The government says that its federalism policy is designed to give Ethiopia's many ethnic groups equal power. But critics say that the country's Tigrayan minority effectively controls most of the levers of power at the expense of the larger Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups.
Government spokesman Bereket Simon declined immediate comment on the report, saying he would schedule a news conference in a few days.
The Crisis Group report says authoritarianism in Ethiopia is a legacy of the government's origin as the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, that ousted former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in a 1991 coup.
The study notes that the decision-making and organizational principles of Prime Minister Meles's ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, or EPRDF, reflect the Marxist-Leninist philosophy that has guided the TPLF from its beginning.
Political scientist Merera Gudina at Addis Ababa University is an expert on Ethiopia's competing ethnic nationalisms, a member of parliament and leader of the Oromo People's Congress.
He accuses the government of using terms like "democracy," "federalism," "rule of law," and "free and fair elections" to satisfy Western donor countries, while it tightens its grip on power.
"The EPRDF is not committed to multi-party democracy," said Merera Gudina. "The multi-party democracy the EPRDF is doing is really to play American music and to do their own dance. They play American music, multi-party democracy, free and fair elections, rule of law. All that is good in the Western books of democracy. They want to play it, but they never dance it, that means implement it. So 'Revolutionary Democracy' is really the hegemony of one, one group."
The Crisis Group report also has harsh words for Western countries that, it says, consider food security more important than democracy. The United States is the largest single donor of food assistance to Ethiopia, giving hundreds of millions of dollars in aid last year.
The Crisis Group report calls on the international community to take Ethiopia's governance problems more seriously and adopt a more principled position toward the government of Meles Zenawi.
Merera Gudina warns that Ethiopia's outward calm could break down unless the people's aspirations for democracy and federalism are fulfilled.
"In a modern sense, you can say there is no federalism without democracy," said Gudina. "In fact, you know what destroyed the USSR and Yugoslavia? False federalism and false elections. The real danger in Ethiopia is false federalism and false elections. You simply call people to elect, but you deny people to elect whom they want. You say federalism and then deny it; praise federalism, but the reality on the ground speaks differently. That is the danger."
Merera says given Ethiopia's recent history of election-related violence, the best outcome for next year's election might be a power sharing agreement. He points to Zimbabwe and neighboring Kenya as examples.
The author of the report, the International Crisis Group, is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Brussels. The group is involved in 60 areas of conflict or potential conflict on four continents.
Its board includes many prominent figures, including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It is co-chaired by former European Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patton and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Thomas Pickering. Its President and Chief Executive Officer is the former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and International Criminal Tribunals Prosecutor, Louise Arbour.
By Peter Heinlein
Addis Ababa
07 September 2009
A new International Crisis Group report says Ethiopia is becoming an authoritarian one-party state, and warns that government policies there could lead to a violent eruption ahead of next year's elections. The report also faults the international community for downplaying Ethiopia's weak democracy.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi (File Photo)
The 40-page report by the International Crisis Group says that despite its democratic rhetoric, the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is unwilling to give up power. Moreover, it says the government's cornerstone policy, known as "ethnic federalism," has heightened tensions and sparked growing discontent in Ethiopia, with potentially explosive consequences.
The government says that its federalism policy is designed to give Ethiopia's many ethnic groups equal power. But critics say that the country's Tigrayan minority effectively controls most of the levers of power at the expense of the larger Amhara and Oromo ethnic groups.
Government spokesman Bereket Simon declined immediate comment on the report, saying he would schedule a news conference in a few days.
The Crisis Group report says authoritarianism in Ethiopia is a legacy of the government's origin as the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, or TPLF, that ousted former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam in a 1991 coup.
The study notes that the decision-making and organizational principles of Prime Minister Meles's ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, or EPRDF, reflect the Marxist-Leninist philosophy that has guided the TPLF from its beginning.
Political scientist Merera Gudina at Addis Ababa University is an expert on Ethiopia's competing ethnic nationalisms, a member of parliament and leader of the Oromo People's Congress.
He accuses the government of using terms like "democracy," "federalism," "rule of law," and "free and fair elections" to satisfy Western donor countries, while it tightens its grip on power.
"The EPRDF is not committed to multi-party democracy," said Merera Gudina. "The multi-party democracy the EPRDF is doing is really to play American music and to do their own dance. They play American music, multi-party democracy, free and fair elections, rule of law. All that is good in the Western books of democracy. They want to play it, but they never dance it, that means implement it. So 'Revolutionary Democracy' is really the hegemony of one, one group."
The Crisis Group report also has harsh words for Western countries that, it says, consider food security more important than democracy. The United States is the largest single donor of food assistance to Ethiopia, giving hundreds of millions of dollars in aid last year.
The Crisis Group report calls on the international community to take Ethiopia's governance problems more seriously and adopt a more principled position toward the government of Meles Zenawi.
Merera Gudina warns that Ethiopia's outward calm could break down unless the people's aspirations for democracy and federalism are fulfilled.
"In a modern sense, you can say there is no federalism without democracy," said Gudina. "In fact, you know what destroyed the USSR and Yugoslavia? False federalism and false elections. The real danger in Ethiopia is false federalism and false elections. You simply call people to elect, but you deny people to elect whom they want. You say federalism and then deny it; praise federalism, but the reality on the ground speaks differently. That is the danger."
Merera says given Ethiopia's recent history of election-related violence, the best outcome for next year's election might be a power sharing agreement. He points to Zimbabwe and neighboring Kenya as examples.
The author of the report, the International Crisis Group, is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization headquartered in Brussels. The group is involved in 60 areas of conflict or potential conflict on four continents.
Its board includes many prominent figures, including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan. It is co-chaired by former European Commissioner for External Affairs Chris Patton and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Thomas Pickering. Its President and Chief Executive Officer is the former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and International Criminal Tribunals Prosecutor, Louise Arbour.
Ethiopia shakes down its Minnesota refugees
www.nazrett.com Home of Ethiopian News and Blog Breaking News
Immigrants to Minnesota from eastern Ethiopia are being forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in ransom payments to support an Ethiopian security force that tortures and kills thousands of innocent Ethiopians.
Under an extortion scheme run by the Ethiopian army, soldiers in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia abduct men, women and teenage boys and girls, holding them without charge in one of scores of military jails in the region, which borders Somalia.
Knowing that many Ogaden families have relatives who live in Minnesota, the Ethiopian army tells the prisoners’ families that their loved ones can be freed upon payment of ransoms ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Hating to pay the money but having no other choice, the Minnesota refugees empty their personal bank accounts and pass the hat to raise ransoms to release their husbands, wives, sons, daughters and friends from overcrowded jails where torture, rape, beatings and killings are common.
Correction: Photo removed
For about 30 minutes on Monday evening, the Daily Planet ran a photograph of a man being tortured by two uniformed soldiers in a grimy cell. Along with the photograph, we explained that we had decided to publish the photograph even though its origin had not yet been conclusively proved. We did so because the photo had been provided by a usually trustworthy source, though we also welcomed anyone reading the story on the Internet to tell us if they knew anything about the photograph’s true origin.
Within minutes of publication, someone did. If you Google “torture in East Timor,” and click on “Images,” you will see the exact photograph that we published, along with several other photographs that appear to have been taken of men wearing similar uniforms, torturing individuals who look similar to the one in the photograph we published. These photographs are themselves not authenticated as to their source, as best we could tell immediately. But their appearance on Google Images immediately shifted the weight of evidence strongly towards the original photograph that we published not being from an Ogaden prison or in Ethiopia. Therefore, we removed it immediately.
We sincerely regret any damage the photograph’s publication did to the important work, now being undertaken by hundreds of people, to widely publicize crimes against humanity being committed in the Ogaden. At the same time, the nearly instant correction we were able to make, using information offered by readers worldwide, did illustrate a transparency of process that is a hallmark of online journalism and that we strive to maintain to the utmost.
Destruction of Villages
“It is a booming business for the Ethiopian army,” said Mohamed, a Minnesota school teacher who immigrated from the Ogaden in 1993. “It happens every day in the Ogaden, and every day someone in Minnesota is sending money.”
Mohamed and other Ogaden immigrants quoted in this story declined to give their full names for fear that their families and friends living in the Ogaden would be jailed, tortured or killed in retribution for their openness.
In recent years, one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises has unfolded silently in the Ogaden region, where a vicious counter-insurgency campaign by the Ethiopian government has wiped out scores of villages, killed thousands of civilians, and displaced tens of thousands or more to refugee camps in Ethiopia and northern Kenya.
About 5,000 Ogaden refugees have found their way to Minnesota, which has one of the largest refugee populations from the Ogaden crisis in the world. They Ogaden refugees in Minnesota are settled mainly in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Willmar, St. Cloud and Faribault.
Frantic Calls
The ransoming of Ogaden refugees in Minnesota is exacting a disastrous economic, psychological and social toll within the Ogaden community and the broader society, Ogaden immigrants here say.
“I cry every night, believe me,” said Abdi, an Ogaden refugee who has sent $600 ransoms on two occasions. “You are forced to do what is not right, you are forced to do the wrong thing. It’s horrible. It lives with us, it lives with us everywhere. No matter where I am, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, in the living room, I cannot hold back my tears.”
Being forced to spend thousands of dollars to free their relatives from jail in Ethiopia slows down the Minnesota Ogadeni refugees' attempts to learn English, to get an education and to successfully assimilate into U.S. society, they say.
“We get frantic phone calls day and night,” says Mustafe, an Ogaden refugee who works at Minneapolis employment agency. “Friends and family need money to be freed from jail. They say ‘Please send us money, please send us money!’ We send it, of course, but as a result we go into debt ourselves. I don’t even dream of going back to school to improve myself until the situation in Ogaden changes and improves.”
Financial Aid
In 2007, Mustafe sent $1,500 towards a $4,000 ransom collected in Minnesota to release a teenaged cousin who was jailed for three months, and was released after the ransom was paid. As a result of that and other ransoms Mustafe has paid, plus monthly support he sends back home to relatives, he is about $10,000 in debt.
The ransoming of Ogaden refugees is only one facet of an extreme humanitarian crisis involving countless crimes against humanity bordering on a full-scale genocide, that has been building in the Ogaden for more than a decade, but intensified sharply in 2007.
The roots of the Ogaden crisis lie in the fact that eastern Ethiopia is inhabited by ethnic Muslim Somalis at a time when the Ethiopian government has been waging war against Somalia. In December 2006, with financial aid and military training from the U.S., Ethiopia crushed the Islamic Courts Union, an Islamist government that controlled Somalia.
In 2007, the Ethiopia-Somalia war intensified in Ogaden, where the Ethiopian Army launched an all-out counter-insurgency against a separatist militia, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, which it calls a terrorist organization.
Collective Punishment
The ONLF conducts deadly raids against Ethiopian military, such as an April 2007 attack against a Chinese-run oil operation in the Ogaden which killed not only Ethiopian soldiers but several dozen Ethiopian citizens and nine Chinese nationals.
In retaliation for that attack, Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, launched a vicious crackdown on the ONLF, targeting not only ONLF fighters but their families, friends and other supporters throughout the region. In 2008, Human Rights Watch published a report, “Collective Punishment: War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in the Ogaden area of Ethiopia's Somali Region.”
The report documented hundreds of cases of torture, rape, executions and indeed the destruction of entire Ogaden villages on the mere suspicion that someone in the village was harboring an ONLF fighter. Human Rights Watch said the likely scale of the disaster was far larger than they were able to document in the report.
Since 2007 all foreign journalists and many aid organizations, including the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, have been forced by the Ethiopian government to suspend operations in the Ogaden.
Virtually all of the ransoms paid by Minnesota Ogadeni refugees to the Ethiopian military are to release friends and relatives who have been jailed on suspicion of knowing, sheltering, or aiding ONLF fighters.
Clan Elders
But in a region like Ogaden, where almost every village has at least one son or daughter who has joined the ONLF, to declare war on all people with even a slight relationship the ONLF is tantamount to declaring war on the entire Ogadeni people – on their society and culture. From an Ogadeni perspective, that is what has happened.
In Minneapolis over the past two weeks, I interviewed 18 Ogaden refugees. Every one confirmed knowledge of the frequent payment of ransoms by Minnesota Ogadenis to free imprisoned relatives held by the Ethiopian army in the Ogaden.
About half of the refugees I interviewed said they had personally paid ransoms to free relatives from jail, and some had done so many times.
The ransom amounts ranged from $300 to $1,500. In some cases those amounts were contributions to total collected ransoms of more than $10,000, which seems to be a typical amount needed to release Ogadeni clan elders who are held.
Here are four ransom stories I was told:
Immigrants to Minnesota from eastern Ethiopia are being forced to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in ransom payments to support an Ethiopian security force that tortures and kills thousands of innocent Ethiopians.
Under an extortion scheme run by the Ethiopian army, soldiers in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia abduct men, women and teenage boys and girls, holding them without charge in one of scores of military jails in the region, which borders Somalia.
Knowing that many Ogaden families have relatives who live in Minnesota, the Ethiopian army tells the prisoners’ families that their loved ones can be freed upon payment of ransoms ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Hating to pay the money but having no other choice, the Minnesota refugees empty their personal bank accounts and pass the hat to raise ransoms to release their husbands, wives, sons, daughters and friends from overcrowded jails where torture, rape, beatings and killings are common.
Correction: Photo removed
For about 30 minutes on Monday evening, the Daily Planet ran a photograph of a man being tortured by two uniformed soldiers in a grimy cell. Along with the photograph, we explained that we had decided to publish the photograph even though its origin had not yet been conclusively proved. We did so because the photo had been provided by a usually trustworthy source, though we also welcomed anyone reading the story on the Internet to tell us if they knew anything about the photograph’s true origin.
Within minutes of publication, someone did. If you Google “torture in East Timor,” and click on “Images,” you will see the exact photograph that we published, along with several other photographs that appear to have been taken of men wearing similar uniforms, torturing individuals who look similar to the one in the photograph we published. These photographs are themselves not authenticated as to their source, as best we could tell immediately. But their appearance on Google Images immediately shifted the weight of evidence strongly towards the original photograph that we published not being from an Ogaden prison or in Ethiopia. Therefore, we removed it immediately.
We sincerely regret any damage the photograph’s publication did to the important work, now being undertaken by hundreds of people, to widely publicize crimes against humanity being committed in the Ogaden. At the same time, the nearly instant correction we were able to make, using information offered by readers worldwide, did illustrate a transparency of process that is a hallmark of online journalism and that we strive to maintain to the utmost.
Destruction of Villages
“It is a booming business for the Ethiopian army,” said Mohamed, a Minnesota school teacher who immigrated from the Ogaden in 1993. “It happens every day in the Ogaden, and every day someone in Minnesota is sending money.”
Mohamed and other Ogaden immigrants quoted in this story declined to give their full names for fear that their families and friends living in the Ogaden would be jailed, tortured or killed in retribution for their openness.
In recent years, one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises has unfolded silently in the Ogaden region, where a vicious counter-insurgency campaign by the Ethiopian government has wiped out scores of villages, killed thousands of civilians, and displaced tens of thousands or more to refugee camps in Ethiopia and northern Kenya.
About 5,000 Ogaden refugees have found their way to Minnesota, which has one of the largest refugee populations from the Ogaden crisis in the world. They Ogaden refugees in Minnesota are settled mainly in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Willmar, St. Cloud and Faribault.
Frantic Calls
The ransoming of Ogaden refugees in Minnesota is exacting a disastrous economic, psychological and social toll within the Ogaden community and the broader society, Ogaden immigrants here say.
“I cry every night, believe me,” said Abdi, an Ogaden refugee who has sent $600 ransoms on two occasions. “You are forced to do what is not right, you are forced to do the wrong thing. It’s horrible. It lives with us, it lives with us everywhere. No matter where I am, in the bedroom, in the bathroom, in the living room, I cannot hold back my tears.”
Being forced to spend thousands of dollars to free their relatives from jail in Ethiopia slows down the Minnesota Ogadeni refugees' attempts to learn English, to get an education and to successfully assimilate into U.S. society, they say.
“We get frantic phone calls day and night,” says Mustafe, an Ogaden refugee who works at Minneapolis employment agency. “Friends and family need money to be freed from jail. They say ‘Please send us money, please send us money!’ We send it, of course, but as a result we go into debt ourselves. I don’t even dream of going back to school to improve myself until the situation in Ogaden changes and improves.”
Financial Aid
In 2007, Mustafe sent $1,500 towards a $4,000 ransom collected in Minnesota to release a teenaged cousin who was jailed for three months, and was released after the ransom was paid. As a result of that and other ransoms Mustafe has paid, plus monthly support he sends back home to relatives, he is about $10,000 in debt.
The ransoming of Ogaden refugees is only one facet of an extreme humanitarian crisis involving countless crimes against humanity bordering on a full-scale genocide, that has been building in the Ogaden for more than a decade, but intensified sharply in 2007.
The roots of the Ogaden crisis lie in the fact that eastern Ethiopia is inhabited by ethnic Muslim Somalis at a time when the Ethiopian government has been waging war against Somalia. In December 2006, with financial aid and military training from the U.S., Ethiopia crushed the Islamic Courts Union, an Islamist government that controlled Somalia.
In 2007, the Ethiopia-Somalia war intensified in Ogaden, where the Ethiopian Army launched an all-out counter-insurgency against a separatist militia, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, which it calls a terrorist organization.
Collective Punishment
The ONLF conducts deadly raids against Ethiopian military, such as an April 2007 attack against a Chinese-run oil operation in the Ogaden which killed not only Ethiopian soldiers but several dozen Ethiopian citizens and nine Chinese nationals.
In retaliation for that attack, Meles Zenawi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, launched a vicious crackdown on the ONLF, targeting not only ONLF fighters but their families, friends and other supporters throughout the region. In 2008, Human Rights Watch published a report, “Collective Punishment: War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in the Ogaden area of Ethiopia's Somali Region.”
The report documented hundreds of cases of torture, rape, executions and indeed the destruction of entire Ogaden villages on the mere suspicion that someone in the village was harboring an ONLF fighter. Human Rights Watch said the likely scale of the disaster was far larger than they were able to document in the report.
Since 2007 all foreign journalists and many aid organizations, including the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders, have been forced by the Ethiopian government to suspend operations in the Ogaden.
Virtually all of the ransoms paid by Minnesota Ogadeni refugees to the Ethiopian military are to release friends and relatives who have been jailed on suspicion of knowing, sheltering, or aiding ONLF fighters.
Clan Elders
But in a region like Ogaden, where almost every village has at least one son or daughter who has joined the ONLF, to declare war on all people with even a slight relationship the ONLF is tantamount to declaring war on the entire Ogadeni people – on their society and culture. From an Ogadeni perspective, that is what has happened.
In Minneapolis over the past two weeks, I interviewed 18 Ogaden refugees. Every one confirmed knowledge of the frequent payment of ransoms by Minnesota Ogadenis to free imprisoned relatives held by the Ethiopian army in the Ogaden.
About half of the refugees I interviewed said they had personally paid ransoms to free relatives from jail, and some had done so many times.
The ransom amounts ranged from $300 to $1,500. In some cases those amounts were contributions to total collected ransoms of more than $10,000, which seems to be a typical amount needed to release Ogadeni clan elders who are held.
Here are four ransom stories I was told:
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