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Person of the Year – nominees

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

Ethiopian Review is resuming its tradition of naming “Person of the Year” at the end of every year. The man or woman chosen as person of the year is believed to have made significant contributions for the betterment of Ethiopia in the past 12 months. Readers’ opinion is heavily weighed in making the selection, so let’s hear from you. The following are the nominees:

[In alphabetical order]

Alemayehu Gebremariam
Andargachew Tsige
Berhanu Nega
Bertukan Mideksa
Chris Smith
Daud Ibsa
Donald Payne
Ephraim Isaac
Haile Gebreselassie
Issayas Afeworki
Meseret Defar
Mesfin Woldemariam
Mohamed Omer Osman
Obang Metho

The announcement will be made on December 31, 2007.

485 thoughts on “Person of the Year – nominees”

  2. Bertukan of course. I give most respect for all opposition members who painstakingly organize such a historical resistance and go to jail respecting the peoples voice and pay the price of incarceration. But, to show such a courage, determination and brilliance for a young woman, who is also a new mother, deserves even better than simply to be called “person of the year”.

  12. prof Al Mariam should be person of the year.
    He has done a lot for ethiopia, an archtect of HR2003. He is not a man running for power unlike many others.
    yeah, we need a person like him. Andargachewu Tsige is also my hero. I knew he has done a lot as well.
    Dr.Berhanu, so far he is a visionary and charismatic leader and has a big task in front. The same is true with Bertukan.
    Long live Ethiopia.

  16. I would go for Obang Metho, he is the real person that love his country more than anybody else despite the atrocities waged against his people. In his various speech , he extends a palm of peace to various ethinc extermistes and hard liners.His reconcilatory tone of speach and approa
    ch makes him one the best and right leader for our country for this time. He is an agent of change.HE IS THE BARRACK OBAMA OF ETHIOPIA. He can do a lot if he is given the chance and encouragement to heal the wound of our beloved country.

    Bravo

  22. since the evaluation is all year round, i will say Prof Alemayehu. Dr Berhanu followed by Ms Bertukan also played a singnificant role in the struggle as soon as they got released.

  24. Who else will be the man of the year besides Prof Ephraim Isaac? Man of integrity and genuine devotion to what he belives, PEACE. I might add the total opposite of ER and EMF. I say Prof Ephraim Issac.

  27. my number one man of the year is

    Prof. Al Mariam

    Reasons for my choice are the following

    1. He is not running for power
    2. He simply want his country to be free of medeviel dictators of any kind
    3. He is the most intellegent Ethiopian who challenge American law makers providing ample scientific evidence
    4. He teachs all of us to gather our effort in the fight against tyrany
    5. He want our land to be free from any form of injustice and one man rule
    6. the list will go on on and on ……

    when you chose a person do not be driven emotionally but evaluate from different angle

  29. For me the man of the year is: Andargachew Tsigie
    He is the one who brought a semblance of structure to the knijit support group in North American and Europe! Which otherwise would have been exploited by the Shaleqa Joseph and his group at will; A group very keen on Rights but none on Obligations.

  31. MOHAMED OMER OSMAN (Admiral): the head of the ONLF. our liberator and a man of impeccable integrity. I think ER is unfair that most people seem not to know him. that shows how determined he is to put his organisation before himself. That is what makes ONLF a reliable LF. We are proud of you Admiral. Forget about the doctors and novice politicians in Addis Ababa.

    Loath him or love him, you can’t take away from this man. HORAY U SOCO ADMIRAL! HA U JOOJIN!

  32. My vote goes to Dr Berhanu Nega. Dr Berhanu has helped start the kinijit movement, a social consciousness movement in Ethiopia. He is not only one of the founders of Kinijit and the one with the most determination to bring about change in Ethiopia towards democracy but he is also the main architect of the election campaign. His vision of a democratic Ethiopia is met with how to bring about that change. His played the highest role in making kinijit fully democratic.

    He has transformed Ethiopia’s Economic Commission into a multi million birr organization (from a budget of few 10’s of thousands) and his research known as Vision 20/20 was a serious accomplishment for him prior to election 2005.

    In addition to being the most responsible for Kinijit’s success during the election and in its success to be embraced by many millions of Ethiopians, he had written a book in prison that has helped the struggle tremendously. He has taught us to stand with individual rights and to fight for personal freedom and liberty.

    Dr berhanu Nega, in my opinion, has made the most contribution to bring about a positive change in Ethiopia. His contribution will impact generations to come.

  38. We should not forget those low profile leaders like Dr Yakob and Prof. Mesfin, who were the engine of the entire movement that we are talking today.

    I somehow agree with Fik #312 as we are the living testimonies in brink of split of Kinijit – shame on those selfish individuals!!!

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