Skip to content

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”

  6. Hi Elias,
    Where are those individuals who cross the border with truth in their hands?? Alemayehu Zemedkun and Samuel and all of them. They are real hero’s for me who managed to slip out from the hands of the killers. Can you imagine what would have happened if they were caught with the video tapes in their hands?? Heros, they are! I will never forget their story as long as I live. I wish some one publish the story and will document it for the next generation to come.

    Many thanks.

  8. This year no one has contributed as Professor Alemayhu Gebremariam did for Mama Ethiopia. He is the man fighting for the right cause of all Ethiopians. I am not Andreas the guy from Addis Ababa University. But Andreas from Agew, great great great great… grandson of Yodit. Thank you Elias, Keep up the important task you are doing.

  13. Daud Ibsa is the best of the best. He is a true ethiopian and he is man of honor. He is the only person to bring One Ethiopia with different people that respected each other.

  14. This year Judge Birtukan came out as a shining star more than any one else. I am not a supporter of CUD, but I like the courage of the lady, she is for sure the emerging women hero! I believe she has something to offer to Ethiopians.

  25. ok let me say Birtukan Medkasa is great.

    She left her one year baby behind and was jailed for the good and wellness of Ethiopian people.
    Immagine, this young lady gave her life for all of us.
    She is just great.

  26. Prof. Alemayehu G.Mariam is my choice of the person of the year. He somehow transformed the silent majority to become active in Ethiopian politics. I wish if he were a prof at AAU teaching about democracy and human rights

  28. I have to say Alemayehu Gebremariam is an Ethiopian of the Year. He played a significant role in promoting Democracy, human right, freedom of speach and good governance for Ethiopian through his tireless effort to help HR-2003 pass the us congress. I am proud to have an Ethiopian brother like him.

  36. For me who comes on top of my list are those who died during the June crises. God you guys are so insane, how can you compare someone who live in a safe heaven and in a hell, and yet suruggle for the better government to come.
    Next to those who sacrifies their life comes Dr. Birhanu Nega, who struggle for truth among those who don’t know what they are doing or saying.

  38. Elias K

    The winners for the first round for the nomination for “Person of the Year” ER Award are the followings.
    1) Dr Birhanu Nega, Mayor-Elect of Addis Ababa (31%)
    2) Prof. Al Mariam, an Activist for HR2003 and a Lawyer (24%)
    3) Ms. Birtukan Midekssa, Vice Chair of CUDp (20%)
    4) Obbo Dawd Ibsa, Chairman of OLF (14%)
    5) Mr. Obang Metho, Activist (AJC) (10%)

    Based on the comments above, these five individuals got more attention/vote from your readers. Therefore, the winner for Person of the Year Award should be one of these five respected individuals.

  39. Prof. Alemayehu Gebre Mariam followed by Ms. Bertukan and Dr. Berhanu. I recognize the great works by Bertukan and Berhanu. However, the Prof. Alemayehu has done a lot and he deserves recognition.

  41. For some of us this may not be the year to vote for CUD politicians. As partisan line is emerging and what we like and accept in one wing, the same might lack other values and vice versa. So, something is in the process, and may not reveal the truth until after 2008. They are all probably in post Kality syndrome, varying from fast and the end justifies the means to steady and strategic.

    In 2006, the public atleast in the diaspora knew more about Birhanu Nega, Andargachew Tsege, Obang Metho, Alemayehu Gebre Mariam, Solomon Bekele, Mekdes Mesfin and two of the most visible activists of HR2003 Meron Ahadu and Mesfin Mekonen through the media. From Ethiopia, some of the messages of Birtukan Medekssa, Prof. Yacob Woldemariam and Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam, and the two judges and the third advocate who left with evidence of 2005 case. CUD’s chairman Hailu Shawel is an interesting politician as more is coming to be known about him in post Kality years. This definately is not a good time for him to be evaluated through polls, considering people have varied opinions about him until the process and resolution is concluded through the Independent Inquiry commission and the Supreme Council of CUD in Ethiopia (LMB).

    Through 2006 and late 20005, media platform that brought all sides ( both sides of the current faction) and drew the attention to the diaspora’s audience ( including the silent majority) was Nigat Radio, which played a critical role in making all sides introduced to the public and its own effective advocacy and a call for Ethiopiawinet. I agree with Lulit’s comment about the host of that radio program Journalist Demis Belete. The choices he takes in politics or the armed stuggle is his own, but does stand out as a person of courage, integrity and honesty. In the end, I believe that he will be justified in some ways.

    Prof. Alemayehu Gebremariam, God willing will continue to be a champion him self. My vote went for him as 2006 scholar of the year on this web site’s poll. and sense that, he will keep getting voted as on of the best in the future years. In 2007, he played a critical role in touring the states with Alemayehu Zemedhun, former judge Frehiwot and the their colleague in establishing the case of the victims of the 193 Ethiopins of 2005. That is one and very important turning point that also makes him a man of action. In a way, he stood for all in the process, not just for politicians. He is definately person of the year.

    If I can vote for both equaly, persons of the year for 2007 are, Prof. Ephrem Isaac and Prof. Alemayehu Gebremariam.

Leave a Reply