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Short list of Ethiopian Review’s “Person of the Year”

Posted on , Updated on by EthiopianReview.com

The following is a short list of the Ethiopian Review “2009 Person of the Year.” The choice will be made from among these five individuals on December 31.

Listed in alphabetical order:

Ali Abdu, Ministry of Information, Eritrea, for giving voice to the voiceless people of Ethiopia

Andargachew Tsige, Secretary General, Ginbot 7, for having the courage to leave his comfortable home in Europe and join Ethiopian freedom fighters in the desert, while his 80-year-old father is held hostage in Ethiopia by the tribal junta

Birtukan Mideksa, Chairperson, UDJ, for having the courage to stand on principle, and leading by example

Isaias Afwerki, President, Eritrea, for standing with the people of Ethiopia while the international community continues to ignore their plight and the West collaborates with the genocidal regime

Sileshi Tilahun, U.K. Representatives, EPPF, for helping remove some chronic obstacles in the armed resistance group and contributing to its emergence as a viable political organization; also for playing a major role in the ongoing constructive dialogue between Ethiopians and Eritreans

The person who will be chosen as “Person of the Year” is believed to have contributed the most to the betterment of Ethiopia during the past 12 months.

130 thoughts on “Short list of Ethiopian Review’s “Person of the Year””

  4. well!
    OFFCOURSE my vote goes to mr.Andergachew tsige for his utmost sacrifice and his determination to join the front while most of us including me still living in our confort and lay our vote as if it doesnt belong to us.I AM ASHAMED OF THAT! i must admit bcs admition is not submition but it is the first step forward and i think i feel like Mr andergachew has already fired his freedom bullet and a sound call to all concerned people who strongly believe in freedom and human dignity.
    i know also mr.Ali Abdu in collaborating with ethiopian patriots has been strongly advocating and persuing and sticking to their notoriose but effective principles against the tplf and reaching the one time unreachable people due historical facts(mostlly exploited by oppressers),but i apreciate the courage of mr.ali abdu for his part.
    my appriciation goes also to mr.sleshi and elias kifle for their for their determination and conviction to reach out the front line and show the tplf and the armchair analysts that thy are very serious and ready for any eventualities.

    hail to liberty!!!!!

  7. Thanks Elias!

    The choice is incredibly tough between Andargachew and Birtukan.

    Birtukan is a woman of principle who has no fear to the evil jaws of injustice perpetrated by the woyane mafia. She is a clear symbole declaring what is going on in Ethiopia is an absolute travesty of justice, freedom and humanity. These qualities of her are deservingly worthy of recognition by all Ethiopians.

    Andargachew, on his right, is an incredibly moving force of what Birtukan and all of us would like to prevail in Ethiopia. He is amazingly a seasoned politician. His words are highly weighted.His commitment to the betterment of Ethiopia is deeply heartfelt, practical and more than any thing including himself and his family.His firm stance against the woyane has not softened (rather strengthened)by the mockery of justice against his father.
    The Meles Zenawi junta dreads Andargachew and colleagues’ galvanizing move and that is why he passed unjustly a death sentence on him.

    I think Andargachew should be the PERSON OF THE YEAR with full acknowledgement of the extremely appealing candidacy of Birtukan.

    Thank you.

  8. I agree with Ethioian (#32) reasons given and that Andargachew Tsge should get this one.

    with that said, the most deserving persons of this recognition are Elias and Sleshi. I hope other ethiopian media will select them.

    Elias and Sleshi, you realy are genuine heroes and contributing a lot for the good of humanity in both countries.

    Thanks fo reading

  12. My choice :
    “To have contributed the most to the betterment of Ethiopia during the past 12 months”
    out of the five persons is
    Sileshi Tilahun.
    firstly, his choice of struggle to liberate Ethiopia from Woyane domination by patriotic means.
    Secondly, his courajous decision to collaborate with Ertrean state and create a kind of Trust among the Eritrean state and the people of Ethiopia, so that a friendly relationship among both countries would emerge after victory.

    I cannot vote for Birtukan, because the last twelve months of imprisonment by itself can not entitle her…
    Although I am strictly against her arbitrary imprisonment.
    So,
    1. Sileshi Tilahun
    2. Isayaas Afeworqi
    3. Andargatchew Tsige

  13. Lets face it, without the support from Eritrea and its leaders our opposition would be divided and weak. So I vote for the following persons:

    1. Isaias Afwerki

    2. Andargachew Tsigie

    3. Birtukan Mideksa

  19. Judge Bertukan Mideksa
    President Essayas Afeworki
    Ato Andargachew
    Dr Berhanu
    Pro Al
    Ato Obang Metho
    Ato Sileshi
    General Melaku Teffera and the others who gets death sentence and life by invaders and armed robbers kangaroo
    court

  21. I think Birtukan Midheqsa deserves to be person of the year for her courage and determination for the truth. She is a symbol of our struggle for freedom and justice!
    1. Birtukan

  23. Elias, i want to thank you first for what you are doing, you are real son of Ethiopia.
    all five of them are best on my opinion,
    since i must choose one, my hero is Birtukan Mideksa,

  24. 1. Birtukan Mideksa
    2. Andargachew Tsige

    I wish I were to see Dr. Birhanu Nega somewhere on the list and he would have taken the third spot.

    I duly respect the others: Isayas, Sileshi, and Ali.

  25. My vote goes to Esayas Afewerki. He is the only leader in the world who realy practically engaged and has a serious concern to work together with us to kick out Woyanes.
    The rest are Ethiopians in one way or another it is their obligation as a distinguished citizens of that country to do what ever their could. Therefore my next vote goes to
    Mr. Andargachew and
    W/t Birtukan.

    Great job Elias for initiating such a marvellous idea.

  32. My vote list :
    1.Mr. Sileshi Tilahun
    2.Andargachew Tsige
    3.Birtukan Mideksa
    4.Mr. Elias Kifle
    First of all, I applaud for both Pr. Isaias Afowerki and Mr. Ali Abdu for their continuous support of the Ethiopian people during these hard times to bring all Ethiopians to work together for a common goal and to see a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia.

    Peace for all…

  33. 1-Sileshi (thank you for your work to Chang the political platform between the Ethiopian and Eritrean people.)

    2-Birtukan (tank you for your courage and determination to go to jail for law.)
    3- Ali Abdo (Thank you for your contribution to give to the Ethiopian people the correct information.)

  36. 1. Bertukan Mideksa, not only being jailed once again but because of the firm stand she have proven to bleive in. that includes trying to bring Eng. Hailu Shawel back to his sense. MOST IMPORTANTLY LETTING THE PASST GENERATION KNOW THAT THE YOUTH OF ETHIOPIA IS DONE AND OVER WITH OLD WAY OF POLITICS AND ETHNICAL HATE.

    2. Teddy afro for proving to be a real artist who wont fail for political sides that wants to pull him their sides and for the concert he gave to help the helpless.

  38. Andargachew Tsige, Birtukan Mideksa and Esayas Afworki, Sileshi, and Abdu respectively, if it wasn’t ER, Elias would have undoubtedly been number one and Silesi, number 2,
    IN general, I agree with No 32’s comment

  43. To me the choice is between Andargachew and Isaias. Most of those who are calling for the selection of Birtukan are Woyannes. Their strategy is to make sure that HE President Isaias is not chosen. Elias, be aware of that.

  44. There is no if or doubt about it Burtukan Mideksa is by far person of the year. She has given up every thing dear and precious to her for freedom and justice for her people. She has shown the world the true face of Weyane, and she will continue to do so until she gets out of prison. For the rest of the nominees, I know they have done a lot, but truthfully they haven’t accomplished anything yet.

  45. Yaffet: you have only one voice. atleast try be democratic on this. People can choose whom they feel the award deserves. Do not try to distrupt the processs.

    I vote fot Birtukan, andargachew, sileshi, Abdu, Isaias in the order of ranking.

  49. I vote for Birtukan. I also believe that Elias Kifle’s name should be among the list. He has huge impact on Ethiopian politics in 2009. Among others, his trip to the field and interview with President Isias stands out. And ER is the Website of the year.

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