A delegation representing various Ethiopian groups in the Washington DC area participated in the 2010 Eritrean Festival in Washington DC Saturday night.
The Ethiopian delegation led by Ato Neamin Zeleke took part in the festival in a show of solidarity with the people and government of Eritrea and to express appreciation for the humanitarian and moral support Eritrea has been providing to Ethiopian freedom fighters, as well as political refugees.
Eritrean Ambassador to the U.S. H.E. Ghirmai Ghebremariam and organizers of the festival have warmly welcomed the Ethiopian delegation.
The festival, which was held at the Washington Convention Center, included Eritrean cultural shows, music and food.
The participation by Ethiopians in the annual Eritrean festival indicates the rebuilding of relations between the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia, despite the effort by the fascist tribal junta in Ethiopia that is working hard to sow discord between the two people.
38 thoughts on “Ethiopians attend Eritrea Festival 2010 in Washington”
There are not enough words in the english vocabulary to express the way I felt when I participated the Eritrean Festival last night. At the same time, I was wondering why we had to be separated from this lovely people of ours. God willing, one day, we will become one.
Amantu,
The WORD you are looking for is: Don’t get to excited
Eritrean need to overcome their sickness known as: Entitlement Syndrome” caused by inferiority complex… before engaging in a serious dialogue and reconciliation.
I hope I helped
Good news for both people and I am happy Ethiopians were there.
Amantu,
call it splitting hairs if u want but as far as I´m happy ethiopians attending eritrean festivals and vice versa, can u pls clarify what u mean by “separating from this lovely PEOPLE OF OURS” part? Can u explain when we were one before? Do u mean one after ethiopia illegaly abrogated the federation of the 50´s? I´d like U to clarify that incase I misunderstood U. I´m for african countries in general becoming one, one day as the european union for.ex. but if u mean only Eritrea and Ethiopia to become one in the future as it was before eritrean independence, then I can assure u that´s almost an impossibility because the sacrifice eritreans paid for independence would mean has been for nothing. And I can´t accept that. I´ve this feeling a lot of ethiopians have still a hard time understanding our point of view which i believe has to change if we´re to go somewhere.
melaku replies:
July 8th, 2012 at 4:04 PM
ane…u r correct sir..i dont understand why we ethiopians keep talking as we are one..which we have never been..ethiopians are humble hard working independent ppl while eritreans selfish uneducated mindless inferior and have been slaved and abused by the italians, arabs and britsh..also..we came from two different places..as of eritreans u guys were originated from arabs turkish and some italian while we have a true african blood..we have never been colonized but u r..now look at any eritrean over 45 years old, notice them while they sit..they sit in there half ass..because they were sodomized by the italians for so long..none of them walk straight..so my ethio bro..just leave them alone..deport the rest of them out of ethiopia and built a wall like the mexican fence
Look what I found on ethioforum!!!!an article by the weyane tesfaye habiso who recently told us the election result is the people’s verdict!!!! Are the editors of ethioforum homesick?? Is this their way to go visit family members in ethiopia?are they going ben’s way???
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The Significance of Ethnic Identification:
The Significance of Ethnic Identification:
Clarifying the Essentials and Dispelling the Illusions (By Tesfaye Habisso)
“The conflicts that have occupied most men over the past two or three decades and which have led to the most horrendous outpouring of blood have had precious little to do with ideological divisions… In a world of the jet engine, nuclear energy, the computer, and the regionalized organizations, the principal conflicts are not ideological but tribal [ethnic]. Those differences among men which were supposed to be swept away by science and technology and political revolution are as destructive as ever.” [Said & Lerche, 1995:247].
The Eritrean and Ethiopian people,understanding,trust, friendship and co-operation is progressing well. I appreciate very much for the individuals who are working hard to make such happening.
It seems that, deep down the peoples of Eritea and Ethiopia have more love and respect to each other. As far as I am concerned, we have to cherish this love and be vigil to defend both nations from its evil wishers. Our brothers and sisters from both nations are going through a lot of hardship all over the world. Something has to be done to avert the mass exodus of our people. I recently found out that Countries like Saudi are treating our people like dogs. The number of people dying by simply being off-loaded from boats is sickening. Bottom line, I am pleading to the able compatriots of Eritreans and Ethiopians to do something about the matter immediately.
A desperate man marries a pregnant woman.
You guys are dreaming Issayas is going to hand you over power in Ethiopia. Before you crossed the border to Ethiopia soil, Issayas will be gone from power for good and so you.
Is it surprising that Ethiopians are finally participating in Eitrean festivals…? Noooooo. After-all our peoples do respect and love each other. The weyanes and other war mongers can go hang themselves, that will not change. To the Ethiopians who have extended the hand of friendship without prejedice and with respect for Eritrean independence and sovereignity they deserve a historic congratulation for trailing a new track to peace. We will hold hands and extend our arms to our Somali brothers, then to our Sudaneese brothers and beyond.
Peace
sami replies:
June 19th, 2012 at 6:37 PM
Mr .tesfa
what track of peace u talk about? all anti ethio group from Alshebab leader to other sittin in asmara and plan to distroy ethiopia..with sick man issayas blesseng….no one trust askaris…we learn it from italin fashist time …so keep ur peace track on your pocket and if u have free time just hold issays hand and sing kumbaya with him.
It is great that Ethiopians attended the annual Eritrean Festival in DC, it is always a great gathering, I am glad that Mr. Neamn Zeleke and more Ethiopians like him are empowering the majority of Ethiopians by rejecting the Woyanne policy of fostering animosity between Eritreans and Ethiopians in the diaspora. Woyanne exploited the unfounded fears and even hate by some of Eritreans in the Ethiopian community for too long, now Ethiopians are wising up and realized who the real enemy of the Ethiopian people is, not the people and government of Eritrea but Woyanne.
Anonymous,
You are doing a piss poor job of spreading Woyanne lies in this forum, as everyone knows by now the group with inferiority complex is Woyannes, they know they are neither Ethiopian nor Eritrean despite wanting to be both desperately. To your chagrin Ethiopians are slowly but surely figuring out your divide and rule tricks. I advise you to join Ethiopians in the diaspora before it is too late, otherwise you will be discarded like an unwanted utensil. The joke is on you now, not Ethiopians or Eritreans in the diaspora.
good job guys
I have always said that. There is no body but nobody that could separate the natural kinship of the Eritrean and Ethiopian people no matter how hard they may try. But we, Ethiopians, especially in the Diaspora, need to be vigilant against some sweet talking criminals that want us to remain in the status of no peace. The Eritreans are the closest relatives we have and as far as I know, the Eritreans are there for us anytime we need them as we are there to cooperate with them in ALL fields. Governments may change and they do, but people stay for ever. Let the foolishness stop and let us wise up and hug each other instead of bleeding each other.
Death to all governments and entities who want to see the Eritreans and Ethiopians kill each other. But before we blame outsiders, the buck starts with us. Let’s not be fools any more! Enough stupidity is way beyond enough!
Halafi Mengedi, don’t worry about Isyas. It is a matter of time before we eritrean and them ethiopian join hand come after you.
It is apparent from the news and event cycles that Ethiopia remains continuously under the strong hold and influence of several mini norther kingdoms. Why subvert other important and valid issues with such unimportant topic and disappoint us and discredit yourself? All of our current problems are deliver to us from the north. The key to normalizing is to change our behavior and lessen any norther influence.
And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” Then the LORD said to me, “Out of the north evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land. For, lo, I am calling all the tribes of the kingdoms of the north, says the LORD; and they shall come and every one shall set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, against all its walls round about, and against all the cities of Judah. –Jeremiah
#2 engaging,reconciliation for what. One thing you have to know is this are two different countrys,but for mutual benefit they are working togther ,and we are looking fruit full autcome,especially the armed stragl for Ethiopian freedom is pushig for word.
“ye hail mizan talewtewal lezihm now America wyanen yezorebr”, “slezeh akamhn astekakl” long live the friendship of Ethiopia and Eritrea people!
This is a good start. Ethiopians accepting Eritreans and just asEritreans accept Ethiopians is a good start. In few years time both people will enjoy each other’s company on other places and cooperate for further enhansing relations and shaping the futrure of the region.
before runing, you should walking.it is good!step by step we come the point.
Anonymous,
Very accurate to what you said. “entitlement”. This is of course propaganda, Eritreans know it, we know it, but by beating the drum of being as victim of Ethiopia, entitlement, people actually believe it. What happens? Ethiopians see themselves as oppressors, they start giving concessions and in the end, we are left empty handed and exploited by Eritrea/Shaebia and Weyane. This is exactly what is happening. Again, I am not saying we should not reconcile with Eritrea, by all means that is my dream. However, with what price? Is the questions. So, be ware of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. We should be on equal terms not by Ethiopians giving concessions.
Ane,
You are right every nation has a right what it wants to do and should not be forced. Can you explain this to me that many Eritreans fail to explain? In fact I had an Eritrean store owner explaining to me all the food is imported from Ethiopia to the U.S. He was honest enough also which is really rare from Eritreans to say this that there is nothing in Eritrea. Pray tell and please explain to me then if you believe in Eritrea, shouldn’t you be self sufficient? Why do you need Ethiopia for your economy? You sacrificed to be independent, are you too proud to realize that economically Eritrea is not viable? What is the goal with interacting Ethiopia economically then. As a separate country, shouldn’t you be paying high tarrifs, using Ethiopia’s or U.S currency to import goods from Ethiopia? (After reconciliation then this should of course happen after Weyane is gone the paying of tarrifs, etc, to Ethiopia, in addition, as a sovereignty issue, an Eritrean disguising as Ethiopian should be checked also so that they can by pass tariffs) So like any “independent” nation these things should be implemented if Eritrea wants to use Ethiopia economically. In return also, there should be a question of Assab for Ethiopia that should be negotiated. As a patriotic Ethiopian, any Ethiopia not supporting Assab issue or tarrif issue is then will be laughable because this means you are enriching other country in expense of Ethiopoia therefore, keep on residing in U.S to build fake relationship with Eritrea or better yet in Eritrea and see if you can be treated any better. Again, I wish reconciliation more than anyting but must know with what price?
Let us know this however, both Weyane and those in the Diapsora have one thing in common. Both want to woo Eritrea by sacrificing Ethiopia for either peace, against opposition groups, or their own reasoning. In the mean time, Eritrea is getting the best of the both with nothing left for Ethiopia. Weyane is for its own selfish reason while the Diaspora want a real reconciliation which I agree however caution must be taken with what price. Everyone is saying we are getting along, we are friends. That is fine and dandy but there will be time to talk seriously what the relationship is based on.
Over all,
I support the interaction at the event very much. This is where it starts! There has never been a problem from Ethiopia’s side and fear build among Eritreans to be taken over by Ethiopians that is why they are still into their identity. Remember I want to use this slogan do not accept that Ethiopians as the bad guys, do not give such concessions. It is time Eritreans admit to focus on their problems, their collaborations with leadership past or present but not Ethiopians.
Again, I am not Weyane, I am Ethiopian who care for my country and I care the safety of Eritrea as well but not in expense of Ethiopia. I have yet to hear what each Eritreans feelings are on this matter.
Zewzew (No. 18)
Your comment (if it can even be considered a comment) is nothing but word-salad. Look it up in case you’re not familiar with that term. Not that your nonsensical remarks represent that of anyone’s with a functioning brain (much less that of the decent people of Ethiopia), but did you fail to see your own contradictory statements within the same paragraph?
Perhaps you might consider keeping your “political” opinions where they belong – in your deluded brain. Assuming you have one, that is.
we can only win , and join hand to defeat the main enemy, weyane/tplf
viva
To Halagi megedi:
Anta tsatshi kem zebi Enderta. Beka tezarobon tegebron tefika. Yes, the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia one day after the Weyane’s gone forever will live in peace and harmony.
I sometimes wonder if these diaspora Ethiopians who claim to be fighting for justice and democracy have a genuine and legitimate ground for their claim or a principle to fight for justice and democracy when they unequivocally associate themselves with one of the worst enemy of democracy and justice.
By now leave alone our Ethiopian brothers and sisters,the whole world know who Issaias Afeworki is and what he did or is doing to the people.
Let me highlight some of the crimes and atrocities committed against Eritreans.
In 1994 he ordered the massacar of disabled veterans in a place called Mai habar who were simply demanding a kitchen table issues.21 veterans were shot and killed on the spot and many more were wounded.
Today human rights violation, imprisonment without the due process of the law,no freedom of press,arbitrary killings and worse disappearance without trace are the order of the day.
More than 30000 political prisoners have been jailed so far and none of them had made it to the door steps of a court and that includes parlamenterians and former state officials.
It is also a country with no private press,functioning parliament and has never held an election since its independence.
So to sum it up,the street gang leader and its cronnies have committed unpredictable and immeasurable atrocities against our defenseless people.
What would be the wisdom for people who claim to be advocates of democracy and justice to associate themselves with one of the worst tyranny in the world?
For the record,there has never been any animosity between the two people and will never be.The ones that seemed to be animosities were short lived and they were masterminded by the ruthless leaders like Afeworki.We have never considered Ethiopia as our enemy and thats why our people cross the border in thousands each month flee from injustice at home.Our only enemy is Issaias and his cohorts and we will fight until dictatorship is history.
Show your solidarity with the oppressed people of Eritrea by standing on its side in the fight against tyranny. Injustice for one is injustice for all.
Death to the dictatorship,
Justice and democracy will prevail,
Peace for Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Al, please respect someone’s opinion and argue his point of view instead of insult. i can see your insult coming at me. but that is fine.
Zewzew as much as i disagree with you you have a point Eritrean independent govn. have done this with the collaboration of weyene in the past. but that is in the past. There is no worst parasitic anti ethiopian in the world than the tribalist mafia dictator Legeses Zenawi’s govn in the world. today what we should be working on is the solution and for this solution we need to reconcile and work together with Eritrea. there is no other alternative. we can point all our misdeeds on both our past government and theirs as well for the sake of our country and our future.
zewzew,
What is it that makes you think Eritrea needs Ethiopia for its economy? Maybe you are confused about the concept of “economy” but an Eritrean importing food from Ethiopia to sell in the US to Ethiopians and Eritreans has nothing to do with the Eritrean economy.
Eritrea’s GDP has been rising steadily and has been higher over the last few years than it was pre 1998 when there was economical relations with Ethiopia. If Eritrea is economically unviable, what does it make Ethiopia who has about the same GDP per capita and that is with the billions it receives in foreign aid?
The question of Assab is non-existent and forever settled. Assab is part of Eritrea and always will be. Except for the period of the illegal annexation of Eritrea by Ethiopia your nation has always been a landlocked nation. Looks like you are the one suffering from the entitlement syndrome.
So my confused friend, Eritrea does not need Ethiopia, Ethiopia does not need Eritrea, but any cooperative relations based on territorial integrity, mutual respect, and for the betterment of both people will go a long way to helping both nations be prosperous one day.
I see no point for peace loving Ethiopians to cooperate with the so called Eritreans while most of them have filled their mind with Jealousy on Ethiopia. All we can harvest working with them is trouble, and it is up to them to shape their mind towards Ethiopian people or suffer the consequence. there is no need for Ethiopia to unite Eritrea as its regional state. 5 million hungry mouth will retard our economic growth
Wele, weyane boy. we ethiopians are coming after you
WELE #25
Which 5 million hungry people are you talking about, the one you have in Tigray or in Oromiya? Eritrea is a self-relient country, with all Humanitarian offices closed since 2004. So far we are doing good for the last 6 years and every year our agriculture product is growing up and up. Regardless that we are happy about our brothers neighbours, if they stand like us without AID. and develop our respective country by helping each other.
Long live Eritrea and Ethiopia, hell to Woyanne group who are looting Ethiopian resources and jamming web sites and media.
As much as those who are striving day and night to see a normalized relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea positively witness ever changing attitudes and awareness, those who have been building walls that divide the two sisterly nations are scrambling to contain their wall of deception from eroding further. It has not been an easy challenge even to think where to start challenging the negative attitudes and perceptions formed after years of systemic misinformation campaigns by the mercenary TPLF and its by far far-reaching foreign masters.
The Washington Eritrean community, which has been carrying the long tradition of the Eritrea Festivals in North America, now hosting formally progressive Ethiopians, is yet a sign of what is on the horizon resulting from the hard work and tact of the forces of progress and cooperation among the peoples of the Horn.
Times are changing, and to the advantage of those who have been challenging deception and blackmail. The anti-TPLF camp is getting sharper and stronger and no doubt would have the full support of Eritrea, which is well positioned from the vantage point of experiencing and directly challenging the external forces who have been supporting the mercenary TPLF state for decades.
The presence of progressive Ethiopians—-progressive, at least,in their out-of-the-box thinking mind-set on the relationship between the two states— is just a window into what is being done on the ground where the actual cooperation is worked out to dismantle the mercenary TPLF regime. As such, like minded Ethios and Eris in the Diaspora should support such exchanges in formal or informal settings, of course, taking into consideration all the sensibilities. Again, we congratulate the Washington Festival organizers in hosting , simply, the good Ethios like Ato NeAmin Zeleke and fellow compatriots.
Last but not least, we expect, from our ER folks, a video or picture clips of the Eri Dc Festival sampling those commendable Ethios. Elias, again thanks for all your efforts in this blessed endeavor.
Coordinated Peoples Struggle in the Horn against all sources of deception and blackmail!!
Truth Shall Prevail!!
This is outrageous, How dare you leave my picture out. And as for your silly threat of reporting those in this video to Homeland Security, what dimwitted legal advisor told you that taking a stand on the fair redistribution of the Nile is akin to supporting the Ethiopian government. But then again, what can be expected of a man who desecrates freedom and liberty in the name of defending freedom and liberty. It is indeed very sad to see the opposition descend to such depth of oxymoronic desperation. And for those of you who post mundane and irrelevant shtick on this site, do something useful and learn to write better grammar and master better diction. At least this way, the tragedy of writing from America while cooped up in some parking lot cubicle may be interpreted as poetic justice.
Al,
Your little brain needs tune up….
If the Eritrean dictator is a person to reconcile with,then Melese is Mather Teresa.Anyone who shake the hand of this thug is insulting those who died trying to defend our country.
AI,
This is exactly what some enlightened person Salaam I think was the author who wrote about dysfunctional behavior. In fact, I will post it here for you: http://ethioforum.org/wp/archives/2330 read it carefully it is good for both of us. You discussed nothing about what I wrote and what the article is about except character assassination. Focus on the process rather than being personal. Again it is not about me, it is about Eritrea and Ethiopia’s relationship. Apparently you have nothing to say.
Daniel,
I agree with your based on mutual cooperation. But, again we have to continue to remember that, and you seem to avoid mentioning, the contradictions such as yours and other Eritreans seem to have. You claim you don’t want Ethiopia in fact on Eritrean sites many say anti Ethiopian remark but then you turn around exploit Ethiopia economically. If you mean that is alright then any patriotic Ethiopian will oppose you because it is not on “equal terms” because, I am sure Ethiopians except those from tigray are not able to disguise in Eritrea and use Eritrea economically, will they? No. Then that is not equal terms right? So today under Weyane Eritreans may use and exploit Ethiopia, but the future Ethiopia will have laws and policies and very strict one if they want to use Ethioopia eocnomically. Again, you are avoiding the issue you are not using when I just gave you example of an Eritrean store owner and that sounds normal to you using Ethiopia with no accountability. Of course as an Eritrean, you want to be able to exploit and I am saying this will not happen. With your cousin Weyane you should thank them for Asab and find it odd you are against Weyane when they did you a favor on Asab so hard to trust Eritreans against Weyane whether Isayas exists or not. You seem to be this staunch Shaebia who wants to erase history and make your own version of whether Asab in history ever belonged to Ethiopia or not. Hisotry will judge that.
Wele,
When you said Ethiopia’s economic growth I guess you mean EFFORT, Weyane and its tooges’s economic growth. Didn’t you read the recent article by Oxford U and UN index on poverty that under Weyane Ethiopia is not 2nd poorest country in the world? Shame on you.
Doro manekia,
I agree with you 125%. A dictator is always a dictator and should be uprooted.But what is worse is that our Ethiopian diaspora seem to overlook and ignore the plight of their cousins north of the border every passing day caused by the same psychopathic man they seem to be in love with.Injustice for one is injustice for all and they should know that it is also a slap in the face of those selfless Eritreans who died for justice and democracy.
Zewzew,
I DID discuss what you wrote in the depth that it warrants, and called it what it is: WORD SALAD. I didn’t have anything positive or negative to say about the NEWS ARTICLE.
I doubt you know the meaning of the term ‘character assassination’. If you’re referring to my calling your brain “deluded”, it was because of the things you claimed; nothing personal.
I do admit that your response to me was a lot more coherent than your response to the original news article.
It is not about meles or essayas, it is all about the citizen of Ethiopia and Eritrea:we have to realize what kind of secret both government are keeping from us..let us love eachother we don’t know what the future is holding for us, don’t bother ur self with poletics, it is all about shabya and weyane business… I don’t want to offend anyone in any way, I have blood from both side, Eritrean mother and Ethiopian father, u guys may say I am Ethiopian but I concider both nations as mine, it is realy painful… Let us be together and stop this disaster…