Meles Zenawi has presented in the rubber stamp parliament in Ethiopia a new election law that would prevent political parties from receiving financial contributions from their supporters abroad.
The new law would prevent contributions from nongovernmental organizations, foreign governments, religious groups, prisoners, and unknown sources.
The political parties must also disclose the identities of all their contributors, according to the proposed law that is expected to be approved by the Woyanne-dominated parliament.
The law will effectively bankrupt all or most of the opposition parties since they rely on Ethiopians in the Diaspora for financial support instead of the poverty-stricken population at home. Woyanne, which owns numerous companies that generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, will not be affected by the law.
There is no doubt that Woyanne came up with this new election law to further weaken opposition parties in Ethiopia, particularly Kinijit, in preparation for the next election.
This is one more evidence that Woyanne is closing down every little window and door that were open to wage peaceful political struggle in Ethiopia.
It is about time that Ethiopians around the world give a chance to OLF, ONLF, EPPF, TPDM, and other armed groups who speak in the language Woyanne understands — the sound of guns.
39 thoughts on “A new election law prevents contributions from abroad”
This is very ridiculous but expected!
In this modern days where some African countries like Ghana allow their citizens who live abroad to vote electronically from wherever they live, Woyanne is blocking Ethiopians abroad from supporting the party of their choice. Woyanne has never been in a peaceful struggle and never understand what peace means. This child killer, murderer, and whatever you can call them leaders still do not get back to their senses. Woyanne is the all times worst, most cruel, most hated, most evil, and mindless ruler of Ethiopia. However, what makes me feel happy is that Woyanne’s days are getting shorter and shorter and he is sensing that. Remember what Derg used to do in its last couple of years. Woyanne is doing similar desperate moves. His soul is in great distress. It reached the level that it cannot breath; Ogaden, Somalia, Kinjit, OLF, Eritrea … Like Woyanne used to say “bisot yeweledachew” sons and daughters of Ethiopia are getting closer to its throat and Woyanne couldn’t get air. It will not be long before we see Woyanne take its last breath!!!!!!
The armed groups need to merge under one command and come up with an acceptable agenda on how the post-woyane ethiopia will look like to get support of Ethiopians.
that’s is so unfortunate for the people of Ethiopia. a movemnet for a change that is under a war will destroy the country and the economy of Ethiopia. The only reason the Europeans and western countries stopped the war is because of the damage that would follow after a war ends. we might be able to defeat Woyane by war but it will takes us years and years to build it. In addition, assuming we do win againest Melese Zenawi how stable is our country is going to be following the new leaders. I just hope and pray that we don’t have to go through nother war and win this terouble leader through another strategy.
love Ethiopia and the people of Ethiopia.
What a blatant blow to the already compromised little hope of peaceful struggle! This still favors the huge need of armed struggle. Nothing else.
This must be Znawi’s couterattack against HR2003.
Thank you to Hailu Shawl and his friends. the government has got the chance to retaliate and further weaken Kinijit in any possible means. the very effective one is to put the party under financial constraint. with the local contribution for kinijit, the party could not move an inch. the people can only give their time and life as had been witnessed earlier. but, the diaspora,has to get going to assist. at this time, i like the promotional phrase ” when going gets tough, the tough gets going’.
thank you.
yigermal
12.20.2007.
Elias,
The reason why we should support the various armed opposition groups is because that is the ONLY available route that makes sense at this time whether the Mekele boys enact a “Law’ or not. They have already abused the universal declaration of being one’s nationality, in this case Ethiopian. What do we expect from these people? Sadly, there are some Tigrians who are, in my opinion, foolishly sympathizing with perhaps some of the most criminal leaders Ethiopia may have seen. I believe it is way-past-time that there is no room for compromise with these bandits of Dedebit. They must go and they can only go by the combined forces of the Ethiopian people and I suspect the Eritreans would collaborate as well. I hope so anyway. Otherwise, it is going to be I am afraid, uncle Sam’s show and if by now w are not convinced that the Americans are not our friends, then, I suppose we have some unenviable naivety to put it mildly. In the long run we have nobody to blame but us (not US but us like Igna) and our murmuring thereof does not make an iota of difference and frankly we should not be surprised if nobody gives a darn or even feels sorry for us for the sorry state is us.
My fellow friends, do not worry about this Woyanne joke. “If there is a will, there is always a way”. I cannot believe Woyanne is this much “little thinking”. We can give the money to our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia who can give it to kinijit anyway, as simple as that.
Change of strategy
Question: Why we need money? How much we need for what? I think we can split the workload that is supposed to be done there back to the Diaspora. For example most of the money need during election time is for campaigning but there are different campaigning mechanisms so if the government says no fund form outside source we have to do the job form here.
Gorges
The best solution is not to rely on the old fighters who haven’t shown anything since they were created.
The right solution is to CREAT A NEW PATRIOTIC FRONT with a new vision and strategy who can have FULL support from all Ethiopians. Then Meles will loose.
Bye.
woyanes are stupid. now our money will go to armed groups.
Meles also should stop begging the Westerns.
Dear Tesfa,
What u did not understand by this new legislation is that TPLF cadres want to trace those individuals who play a role in the opposition and destroy them by killing forcing them to exile and blah blah like they did since they came to power by gun…. an i am sure u don’t want ur brothers and sisters get killed back home. DO U? Any ways, nothing shall stop Ethiopians from fighting the most sadist killer Meles Zenawi.
Here comes another stunt, by King of aduuwa. Gobez, we have been dancing to wrong tunes at divergent unharmoneous ways.
As a consequences some wanted to try peaceful ways, others still out there with their ways to disintangle Ethiopia from the webs of devil. These had costed dear lives and money.
Hence, King of Aduuwa, has a key to democratic clocks to wind and unwind back and forth as he wishes, which is totally a signs of billigerance, inferiority complexes evident from his tiny but lethal circles.
His last moves have slammed door to those who wish to play any peaceful political activities once and for all.
Don’t be shocked when your hard earned money you wired to your mother/father/ brother/ sister would land them in kangaru courts where after 20 years your sibilings would be charged/linched/ tortured and looted be judged by judge adil and co.
Those who are abroad and have political and leadership skills want to make a change in Ethiopia, must unite all oppositions under one and fund one strong opposition as people at home have no money nor ability to even afford a knife.
Woyanne is bad for Tigray, for Ethiopia, bad for Africa make a note of it and approach all countries to open door for refugees, while the heat of struggle intesfy.
Yihch Bakela taderech atkorretamimna.
Does this law also prohibit woyane from getting foreign aid (US contribution to TPLF) which they use to run elections and everything else? Woyanes are truly funny!
It is expected from a party rejected by people and have no puplic agenda.In ethiopia now No freedom of speech,no free media ,no public gatherings and no free elections.
Opposition party like CUD’s money its public support not cash.
Woyane is fool and wants to run in an empty stadium and wants to become first. Woyane is incompetunt party by any standard.
This is crazy. What is going on ?
I dont believe this law will work. there is differnet ways to contribute. please dont be so sad about the news. we can do if we want. nothing can stop us. After all, we are not terrorist to hide our identity when we contribute to peaceful struggle.
EPRDF turned to an absolute dictatorship!!!
#7 said it right. If there is a will, there is always a way.
Peaceful struggle is the best way to take power.
I think may be we have to give the armed struggle a chance. Since almost 16 years, we have supported and gave a good deal of chance to peaceful struggle. But the regime has shown us again and again, that it is not prepared to allow a genuine opposition let alone to accept the peoples vote.
So I think it is time that we may turn our energy to support and give a chance to armed struggle. It seems the only and only and only solution the current regime will understand, accept and respect. Enough is Enough is Enough is Enough!
with or without this law, who said free elections will ever happen in ethiopia. AYMOQAYM AYBARDAYIM INEEN. this is all nonsense. I am more angry with those who responded to this as if it matters.
If the majority of Ethiopians are supporting Kinjit, only the local contribution is enough. 77 million multiplied by 10 cents is 7.7 million. So, how much did the diaspora contributed during the highly promoted tour of the delegates?
Elias, you said “… world give a chance to OLF, ONLF, EPPF, TPDM, and other armed groups who speak in the language Woyanne understands — the sound of guns”. For the last couple of months you have been telling us about how great Berhanu’s group is. Now you said the above. I see a lot of disorganization in Diaspora. Shouldn’t you, the Diaspora, and Berhanu group have expected this? It is about time that the oposition have a plan rather react. Meles did the right thing for himself and you should not be shoked. The question is shouldn’t you, the Diaspora, and Berhanu group expected this from Meles. Now the Diaspora is irrelevent as I see it. If Berhanu group group doesn’t build a strong party at home it will be irrelevent. Hailu on the other hand has never depended on Diaspora as he is showing us by not responding to the Diaspora. Does the mean that Hailu thinks he can survive without the Diaspora? Time will tell…
The crunch is in REGISTERING CUD as a legal party. After that, we will find ways of circumventing this. Don’t lose attention: get the registration first, under whatever name. We know what to do after that, now that we have been relieved of this burden called Hailu Shawul.
There will be ways to give money for peaceful struggle, don’t brake apart and give up by every bad news you get from Ethiopia or personalities.We know EPRDF is not going to make the way Alga Balga for us to cross, it’s all up to us to be creative and mean it from the heart.as for armed struggle i don’t think it works to bring a true democratic change, because people who literally fought holding guns in the bushes will feel entitled to be the prime ministers, the ambassadors,foreign ministers no matter what their background in handling these jobs are. we are seeing it in EPRDF now, and if we say no to that entitlment they in turn will tell us to go to the bushes and fight to get any kind of power like they did. in other words the vicioious cycle will go on and on forever, so please for once and for all let’s try to bring change through peaceful means and get out of this culture of changing governments by bullets, peaceful struggle is not easy there will be obstacles but that’s the only struggle that will bring sustainable and true change.
Admin Please don’t sensor, because my previous remark was sensored to my surprise.
Any one who has a real dream of libirating Ethiopia shall focus on armed struggle.
The only alternative way to fight the Woayne government is armed struggle.It is time to support openly any organization fighting the fascist regime of Addis Ababa.That way we can get a cure from these cancers.
But doesn’t the USA has the same law. You have to disclose your contributors and also not take money from foreign sources (except citizens living outside the country)? Aren’t we trying to implement the same democracy as the USA’s in Ethiopia?
Calm down guys. Just to educate ourselves and compare this law to the US political contribution restrictions the Federal Election Commission (FEC) says the following.
The Prohibition
The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) prohibits any foreign national from contributing, donating or spending funds in connection with any federal, state, or local election in the United States, either directly or indirectly. It is also unlawful to help foreign nationals violate that ban or to solicit, receive or accept contributions or donations from them. Persons who knowingly and willfully engage in these activities may be subject to fines and/or imprisonment.
Who is a Foreign National?
The following groups and individuals are considered “foreign nationals” and are, therefore, subject to the prohibition:
Foreign governments;
Foreign political parties;
Foreign corporations;
Foreign associations;
Foreign partnerships;
Individuals with foreign citizenship; and
Immigrants who do not have a “green card.”
For those who would like to read more here is the link.
http://www.fec.gov/pages/brochures/foreign.shtml
So comparing it to the rules of the USA, I don’t see how it could be called undemocratic. I agree it is not good news for CUD, but it is doubtful that it is dectatorial
‘Yeferi Dulaw Bizu New’. This law only indicates that the ‘Woyanes’ have lost focus and things are going out of their control. The law means nothing as long as we are not expecting genuine election under ‘Woyane’. Our hope for peaceful way of achieving democracy rests on the implementation of HR2003 and the ‘Kinijit’ 8 points. Only then finance can be important for ‘Kinijit’ at home. If this is not going to work the alternative should be to give effective leadership to the people from outside. Only little propaganda is required to keep the Ethiopian people look forward in the direction of the light experienced during the May 2005 election. The May 2005 election was a good opportunity to let the people know who is who in Ethiopia. Whatever effort ‘woyane’ makes it can not get the heart of the people; and the people never get peace of mind unless ‘woyane’ dictatorship is overthrown.
The people have been longing for effective leadership. Opposition groups should be able to join hands and give a well coordinated leadership from abroad. All ‘kinijit’ support groups abroad should coordinate with other opposition groups. What ‘Woyane’ wants to do is not only to weaken ‘Kinijit’ at home, but also to kill the activities of the diasporas. Therfore, the struggle should be quickly moved from chat room discussion to practical action towards positive results.
Just for your information, the solution to current problems is a political struggle by COMPETENT PEOPLE!
Armed struggle has no more place.
We the Children of Ethiopia can change our Social movements by access to a variety of forms, either alone or in combination. This flexibility allows us to combine the demands of our Brothers and Sisters back home, we have to campaigns collectively and shift our focus both outside and inside. Such movements as ecology, civil rights, solidarity, it is very important for our fundamental goals
Peace out
Mezgebe, Well said.
Yetem Fichew Duketum Amchiew
Woyane can declare any new law. Ethiopia will be free of TPLF Mafia soon.
AMEN
NO 30 or TS:- Your way of presenting the case didn’t take into account the difference between the real condition of the political parties in USA and Ethiopia. Any law which is applicable to a developed country like USA, where the democratic experience is higher, cann’t necessarily be in effect in underdeveloped country like Ethiopia.These countries are in two extrems. Also EPRDF is a billion dollar investor and a monopoly in most products and services in the country, whereas the opposion party is just at the grass root level.
In addition to this the diaspora is a stake holder in Ethiopia. He has the right to participate and make whatever contribution to the developement of all democratic rights in his country. Nobody has the legal right to deny his nationality and role in every activity. If they did that, I believe it would be a human right violation and a crime.
The last point is, the poverty or the income of the Ethiopian people. The fact that most of the workers are government employed, will definitly have the inevitable consequence of being fired from job.
So much so that, you can not impose a law on the Ethiopian people just to fullfil the interset of a party. This makes it dictatorial.
Some people say a bear at bay is more dangerous than the one at large.
All political parties who have been fighting day and night to bring down Woyanne’s regime have finally cornered this dangerous and untamed animal – Meles Zenawi – and rendered him more desperate, more dangerous, and more helpless than ever before.
Out of his desperation, no wonder, Meles has devised a scheme to purposely cripple Kinijit by prohibiting it from accepting financial aid from us who live abroad. If, however, the Ethiopian parliament miraculously, of course not reasonably because its head, Meles, does not think properly, disapproves Meles’ new plan as undemocratic, unlawful, and unpractical, then, Meles, a shrewd politician, may devise another law, worse than the first one. He would say that any Ethiopian citizen that has any connection with the outside world is ineligible to vote, and it is easy to track those Ethiopians who have connections with their friends oversea by alerting the Ethiopian Post office and the Telecommunication companies to check the names, the addresses, and the phone numbers of these Ethiopians. Scheme of this king is more damaging to Kinijit than the stoppage of foreign aid to Kinijit. It seems though that Ethiopia under Woyanne is following the darkest and the saddest history of America when women, slaves, and those who did not have adequate properties, or those who could not read and write were prohibited from voting.
So this is the right time for all of us, Ethiopians and Eritreans, to come together with a new and more sophisticated plan that supersedes Meles’ unwise device. We know from history that Mahatama Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. – both heroes of none violence movement – accomplished their goals – giving justice and freedom to their people. We also know in our generation, in this generation, that His Holiness Dalai Lama of Tibet, using none violence method, has not achieved his political goal – to liberate the Tibetan people from the Communist China’s rule. On the other hand, we have seen a number of countries who got their freedoms, not through none violence technique or through dialogue or reasoning but through arm struggles. For example, the United States got its independence from Great Britain by fighting the British army and defeating them badly. In the continent of Africa, we have seen Zimbabwe and Eretria, who struggled hard and fought against their colonizers, got their freedoms, using their bullets rather than their ballots.
After we have exhausted all our political efforts and failed to bring true democracy to our people in Ethiopia, after we have asked the United States and the European Union to support us in our struggle to improve the poor living conditions of our Ethiopian friends and turned back empty handed, and after we have appealed to the United Nations to examine the criminal records of Meles Zenawi and got unsatisfactory answers, we have no other choices left but to arm the young Ethiopians to fight our common enemy – Meles Zenawi – as the Ethiopians say: “yageru serdo bageru berie.” It is only the Ethiopians and the Eritreans, who know the innermost thinking of Meles Zenawi, who will bring him to justice.
Indeed, the most and proven weapons to bring down Meles’ regime and kill it is to be able to influence some of the Ethiopian army generals to rise up and over through their Prime Minister, and to do this type of noble job for one’s mother’s land, the Ethiopian civilians have no weapons because that crafty Meles has disarmed them, knowing that one day they may rise up against him, so our best choice is the army, and to convert the army into our political sphere, the Ethiopian University students should be first informed to willingly become our allies so that they can teach the army the value of democracy.
What else can we do? America is not willing to help us; Europe in not going to be with us; the Muslim world is not going to be on our side because it has an obligation from the Prophet Muhammad never to attack Ethiopia; perhaps Eretria is the only country willing to assist us. By any means, “If God is on our side, who is against us? (Romans 8:31)
I second what fitawrari wrote below.
fitawrari says:
woyanes are stupid. now our money will go to armed groups.
I have the impression that this move is to help the Hailu faction and weaken the real CUD leaders. You may ask how and why.. The substantially significant financial and moral supports have been coming from the diaspora. Hailu faction knows that he’s widely rejected by the damage he made on the CUD and the struggle of Ethiopians to fight operations by the ruling party. For that, Hailu’s faction needs the support of the ruling party to systematically achieve the will of the evil thought of Hailu’s faction.
“Gud sayisema meskerem aytebam” yibal yele.
No one has thought that Hailu was such a last minute cancer.