The top leadership of Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ), including the chairperson, Wzt. Birtukan Mideksa, went to the resort town of Sodore (130km southeast of Addis Ababa) on Monday to relax and also try bring harmony among the different factions of the leadership that are currently at loggerheads.
The Sodore retreat had often turned into series of heated debates particularly between those who believe that Kinijit made the right decision NOT to enter the rubber-stump parliament, and those who violated the party’s decision and resent that they are being looked down on by the others as untrustworthy.
Meanwhile, the top leaders of UDJ are currently being courted by the American Ambassador Donald Yamamoto and other Western ambassadors to take part in the 2010 elections without any preconditions.
As we reported last week, Ambassador Yamamoto invited Wzt. Birtukan and four other top leaders of UDJ to a lunch on July 8 to discuss elections.
According to Ethiopian Review sources, Yamamoto told the UDJ leaders that he will stay as ambassador until after the 2010 elections and has tried to assure them that the road will be paved for them to freely participate in the elections.
The ambassador admitted that there is a one-party system in Ethiopia, and the U.S. Government wants to movement toward a multi-party system, according to ER sources.
The American ambassador also told the UDJ officials that the U.S. policy towards Ethiopia is being transformed, in that terrorism is no longer a dominant factor in the decision making process. He advised Wzt. Birtukan and friends that the U.S. will start focusing on good governance and human rights, and that UDJ needs to take advantage of this transformation of U.S. policy.
The UDJ officials also met with French diplomats and held similar talks.
In all of this, the party seems to have forgotten about the people as if they have no say. Currently, UDJ is completely detached from the people of Ethiopia.
60 thoughts on “UDJ leaders take a retreat in Sodore”
NOT DETACHED FROM ME BUT FROM THE DIASPORA
elias i do not know why you are getting very silly this days.please,be gentle.how can you be a democrat by insulting and campaigning against people who are a different view than you.even weyane medias do not go this much low. ………yasazenal
Elias, you are the one detached from the reality. The more you talked, the more we knew you. You are a big time loser, whatever your mission has been.
Elias I truly appreciate your effort to inform us. However, your effort to manipulate public opinion is a uncalled for. We now know that you support armed struggle and Ginbot 7. Why don’t you leave others to make their own choice. Dictator’s dictate our lives and don’t seem to accommodate difference. I’m glad you will never be an Ethiopian leader with your intolerance for the choices of others. Don’t make a mistake! The reason people visit your website is because your tabloid journalism tickles and makes a fool of your self. Don’t forget that there are so many people out there who are much better that a self-annoint cyber bully like Elias Kifle.
I hope they( UDJ) are smarter than offer. They should not fall for their trick. They should wake up join Dr. Brehanu his way is the only way will bring change in our country. Meles hand is full of inocent blood of Ethiopians and Somalis.
she did good d job. keep it up Birtukan.
They are not still legal to talk with the people Mr Elias.
Why you do you rush to judge these Heros.
They are doing their best to serve the country,…so let you give them time and encourage them. You have ample time in the furture to criticize.
Elias, you are detached from your brain!
UDJ is a phantom party. When the money collected by Diaspora Ethiopians for Kinijit runs out, UDJ will run into the ground, unless it receives money from uncle Yamamatu. It’s sad to see that because I like all of the people who are leaders of UDJ. They are good guys.
Exactly Mamo! This site has a lot in common with sleazy tabloid chock-journalism. That is what tickles. I don’t think many readers take it seriuously.
Anyway, no political party’s programme is the sum total of the target population’s political views. That is not the role of a political party. If you don’t like UDJ’s programme, don’t vote for it. But if you want a saying in the formulation of the programme, you better join the party.
Don’t, sit in ameriKKKa and complain that the people of Ethiopia has no saying in drafting it, just because you don’t.
Are you telling me Elias is a Journalist. Not for a moment with his garbage thoughts and gutter printing. I can not understand how a journaist can go to the extent of personally attacking/insulting individuals (Prof. Mesfin, Birtukan et al)(not their views)because they think differently. All these individuals and parties oppose the TPLF and its atrocious rules. However, they chose their way of struggle just as Ginbot 7 has done, which Elias supports. That is fine. But what has got to do bashing these people and tryig to twist and report all sorts of inundeo and allegations againt them. I can not imagine how Elias can run a free press and be “Minister of Information” in Ethiopia when ginbot 7 is in power.
Elias,
I am seeing some contradiction in your writing – you said that Yamamoto is courting UDJ leaders “to take part in the 2010 elections without any preconditions.”
But then you mention this same Yamamoto “assured them (UDJ leaders) that the road will be paved for them to freely participate in the elections.”
If he is telling them to participate in the 2010 election without any precondition, how can he assure them that they can freely participate in the election? Or is he trying to confuse Dr. Yacob (the lawyer), Dr. Hailu (the linguist) or even the JUDGE with some American type of English which is too explicit to trick a kindergartner?
I hope you will explain this to us – your devout netters.
Thanks
Mulu
Let Yamomoto vote for them when the time comes because the starving and displaced people of ethiopia want action now not conversing with the very western reps who are financing the killing and the starvation of ethiopia.
I am sure ER will be proven right again.
I do respect brtukan and co. but the fact is anyone connected with the party espacially those who live in villages and far off places will be killed by the ADWA Mafias with the support of the USA & UK govs.
God save Ethiopia
You said “the party seems to have forgotten about the people as if they have no say. Currently, UDJ is completely detached from the people of Ethiopia.”
They are with the people and the people are with them. They are guarded and cared for by the people. It it elias kifle who is oil-and-water mix with Ethiopians. back off!!!
I woud have given the money used for Sodere retereat to a charity to be used to build Democracy and Human wrights rather than use it for a retereat.The discussion could also take place in their office no need to travel away to Sodere.
Elias!
HOLD YOUR HORSES
Mr Elias,
It is your brain that is ditached from your skull, not the UDJ people who are trying to form a party under difficult cicumstances.
Instead of writing your psychopatic garbage from your comfirtable life in america, why dont’t you go home and face the music like everyody else if you think you can change anything by any other means.
Liar!
Elias unlike some who stay away fearing retaliation Birtukan and her friends are doing just fine.Elias “According to Ethiopian Review sources, Yamamoto told the UDJ leaders that he will stay as ambassador until after the 2010 elections and has tried to assure them that the road will be paved for them to freely participate in the elections” I like that and you also said “The ambassador admitted that there is a one-party system in Ethiopia, and the U.S. Government wants to movement toward a multi-party system, according to ER sources.
The American ambassador also told the UDJ officials that the U.S. policy towards Ethiopia is being transformed, in that terrorism is no longer a dominant factor in the decision making process. He advised Wzt. Birtukan and friends that the U.S. will start focusing on good governance and human rights, and that UDJ needs to take advantage of this transformation of U.S.Policy.”
Ende Elias what is wrong with you he didn’t say let the people be where they are today brother,the Ambassador admitted there should be change wake-up.
you pple leave elias alone he is great man, and he knows every thing before most of you even have a clue,
one example, can any of you tell us what will be the difference between 2005 election and 2010 election? we allready tested woyane democratic nervous, i have been in ethiopia at last election and this woyane were saying in public they will never abonden the chair they gain a bullet on a palott,
so i don’t know why some of you are blaming elias in this matter, coz one thing is for sure if any of you bear his/her mind this tugs will respect the ethiopians leadership choice it will never happen unless we remove them by force.
UDJ spending the money collected in the U.S in the resort of Sodere? UDJ’s Umbilical cord has been detached from Ethiopians thanks to the randy professor and Woyzerit Birtukan who tells us in a daily basis , TPLF is not Ethiopias Enemy
Elias,
It is now an open secret that the UDJ is a brainchild of the US Embassy. In fact one thing missed to be mentioned is that Ambassador Yamamato often refer to Ato Temsgen Zewdie and those who join parlamient are low abiding citizens and good examples.
The move by the US Embassy and Zeanwi to incorporate UDJ as another Beyen type opposition may buy time for the TPLF government but will never stop the tide against Zenawi.
Shame on the opportunist UDJ officials.
Good journalism! Please penterate the leadership circle of UDJ and get an inside story. The US Embassy has already paid substential amount of money for the UDJ – can you get to the bottom of it?
UDJ is a party closer to the people of Ethiopia than all those who prefer to struggle from outside. The other point that makes them one is they all struggle to throw Woyanes out of power.
But you, Elias, are moving to make the oppositions fight eachother. You are widening the gap among the opposition. By doing this you are giving enough time and space for Woyannes to lead longer.
Watch out Elias
Dear Elias Kifle (and/or “Tegbar”)
please please leave our UDJ/Kinijit leaders alone, retire from your journalism stint and stick to tabloid/comedy.
if you have any care or love for ethiopia left in you, just leave our leaders alone!!!!!!
What no one is trying to explain is why it is acceptable to bash Lidetu Ayalew, Dr. Merara Gudina & Dr. Beyene Petros because of their position & believe in the democratic process in Ethiopia and question the same treatment of UDJ.
Have clarity like Elias & Ginbot7 or accept all oppositions who are believing in the democratic process in Ethiopia as one and the same. You cannot have it both ways.
1) Lidetu=Merara=Beyene=Birtukan=EPDRF
You cannot curse Lidetu & Co. and adore UDJ for their
position except their policies.
2) Elias=Ginbot7=OLF=ONLF=whatever means
You cannot curse Elias and adore whatever means.
Choose one otherwise hypocrisy will take you nowhere.
Cheers
eliyas be wise don’t go personal . she is people elected chier women what is the problem with you if she get sodere.she have life like you to live .hhhmmmmm!!!!!
Elias as usuall you are the light of the ppls in the dark and every real person agree with you. For those of you who are impersonating like a democrat it is better to stop your fulishness. We know you are those savage woyane and please don’t west our time by pasting gibrish. If you write 100 times with 100 diffrent name still you will be spoted out because the the innocents blood is smeeling badly from your hand.
I strongly belive we should always give a warning signal to UDJ leaders that the people is fóllowing each and every step of their move and we should always tell them the 8 preconditions set by KINGIT should be fullfilled before participating in any election.Yamamato endezi ale kibrtiseyo endezi ale teblo wede mircha lemegbat memoker tilik sihitet kemehonum belay yewayanen yesiltan zemen marzem bicha new yemihonew.Silezih wegenoch minim enkuan gize linsetachew bigebam mastenkekum aykefam elalehugn.
Please Mr Elias leave these peopel alone they doing everthing right you need to take deep breath.
If the USA or other foreign forces decide who should replace Meles, Dr Berhanu and DEPRP are their choice than Birtukan and co. But if it is needed to end tyrany and poverty from Ethiopia (I know that war and poverty is their main business), Kinijit lead by engineer Hailu is people`s choice.
sh
Elias, what UDJ is doing is agood system ,why the people of Ethiopia have a leadership to defend hailu shoule& his pupets. AS the same time to stand as oppostion to Wayane good, WE know they have no free condition but to stand also!!! because of this reason let WE give them time don’t oppose them!!!!
ER seems detached from the reality.Go UDJ under the leader ship of Birtukan.
It is silly postings and innuendos like this one that makes ER and in turn Elias Kifle irrelevant in Ethiopian politics. What Elias needs to understand is people have brains and can see through his thinly disguised blind support for armed struggle. That is well and good, but trying to paint everyone else with a wide brush as anti Ethiopian will come back to haunt Elias in the end. The sad part is, once this was a vibrant and thought provoking forum and now it has become a caricature of itself. Shame on you Elias!
Why not use both peaceful and Arm struggle? Arm struggle is self explanatory one has to lose to get some form of change. Normally it’s used as a last resort. On the hand, peaceful struggle easy and preferred but it is very susceptible to out side influence making it’s out come irrelevant to the people’s need.
In Ethiopia the world witnessed 90% poll of 2005 election and we lost. Now we are having people go for another election. If it were 90 % win in 2005, it will be 99% in 2010. The point is not what we need because we made our wishes clear for the last 17 years and the 2005 election. But do our opponents afford to lose and hand over power to us? It will be very important to see from the point of view of the beneficiary of This Gov. We have two beneficiaries of TPLF.
1, People of Tigray
2, USA.
So how is people of Tigray can’t afford to lose. The people of Tigray made to believe and die for the dream of “Greater Tigray”. it is a fact that the new map they implemented after they took power is to please Tigray people. And they have tried poking and tearing the horn region to get that dream in to reality. Unfortunate for them it didn’t happen. Since then, frustrated and angry, they start disrespecting, jailing and killing innocent Ethiopians . It is unacceptable for Tigray people to be left with nothing after 30 years of struggle and for sure they see their life ending up worse than they were under Derge regime. if you were in their shoe you will understand. they need to stay in power as long as it takes. That is exactly prof Mesfin’s point;they will do anything to stay in power and we (95% of Ethiopian people) should be nice and obey them.
2, USA. USA doest have a soul. They have known us for 100 years and our life is getting from bad to worse. USA and UK are using the Ethiopian people until they get their mess in the horn region in order. No country is willing to put its army in Somalia except Ethiopia. At this point and time USA will not give up well trained and discipline army doing their job. It is a critical and dangerouse time for US because losing 2010 election is more devestating to them than to TPLF. Meles knows that too well. In their road map for 2010 election, we will have fake opposition(Birtukan) and TPLF in our parliament to do US’s job in Democratically elected government of Ethiopia.
Go G7
Regards.
The comments for this are article says it all. Elias is alone; And UDJP has big supporters in Diaspora, let alone in Ethiopia.
The insult and complaint by some Ginbot-7 supporters indicates that Ginbot-7 support in Diaspora is lower than expected. And they are working 24/7 to force UDJ diaspora supporters into G-7 supporters. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WOYANE IS DOING. FORCING THE PEOPLE TO SUPPORT TPLF!
The diaspora people are tired being pushed by few “extreme vocal” individuals with radio, website, and Do-nothing Party. The Diaspora said Enough is Enough.
Elias and co. should desist from attacking other parties and promote the party they support.
Elias, wake up and smell the coffee!
eliase, you are detached, not UDJ
We will never forget the sacrifies paid by our people in 2005. If Brtukan and the likes want to make business on human flesh and blood we never forgive them. let them go and join the crimnal woyane and they will see the result!!!
God bless the innocent people of Ethiopia
Mr. elias you have preched multi party government for our country for long but nowadays you are trying to priscribe us a one party support,only ginbot 7. please let udj to push the peacfull struggle and support ginbot 7 in other way, so that bth group will finally lead us to democracy, justic and geniouine development. please elias, don’t be short sighted.
ወንድም ኤልያስ በዚህ ወራት የምታደርገው ሁሉ አነድ የሀገሬን ሰዎች አባባል አስታወሰኝ።
“እዩኝ እዩኝ ማለት ደብቁኝ ያመጣል። ድሀ አንድ ብር ሲያገኝ ማስቀመጫ ያጣል።”
አንተም ያለችህን የጋዜጠኛነት ዕውቀት የምታስቀምጥበት አጣህ አይደል? ቖይተህ ደግሞ ደብቁኝ ይመጣል። ከዚህ ያውጣህ!
Dear Zenash,
A ‘randy professor’ is not a term I will use to describe Professor Mesfin. I really don’t know how old you are, but the good professor could be at least your father and judging from your juvenile generalizations, even your grandfather. It is not in our culture to demean our elders. Look, no one is preventing you from worshiping your ‘G7 Jedi Knights’ but please refrain from insulting your elders and betters. Remember, war is sweet only to those who have no experience of it.
well done our hereo w/t Birtukan medkessa. just take our party’s legitmacy and you will take the right decission based on the reality on the ground in the future. We know the narrow the elfish and corrupted yammamoto will bounce from his post as soon as the wrong USA’s party which is in the white house under the leadership of the well known criminal on earth [BUSH] will be bounced from whitie house since 2009 after election. Elias, your sources know every thing about UDJP.may be yammamoto is your reporter ?
Mr. Elias you have a long way to go to help so many people in the diaspora who think that somehow Woyanne will allow the UDJ to take power. Your reporting of the communication between the UDJ “leadership” and the American ambassador to Ethiopia clearly shows who is running the show in Addis. The US state department know only Woyanne is suited to serve their interests, now their job is to make Ethiopia look like a “multi party democracy” by letting a lame opposition party in their payroll participate in the facade 2010 elections.
Despite the wet dreams of some Ethiopians in the diaspora there is no such as multi party democracy anywhere in the third world specially Africa. Any African party is an ethnic or religious party in disguise, that is one fact many so called educated diaspora can’t understand no matter how transparent the so called multi party democracy is. Look at Kenya, the two parties represented two large ethnic groups yet had catchy names, when the elections happened you saw what transpired, now the west managed to make peace with the “leaders” of those ethnic groups to create a temporary peace that won’t last. Most Ethiopians should learn a lesson from Kenya and other countries and not get fooled into thinking they can live in a “multi party democracy”. It won’t happen and anything that might resemble it is a mirage.
Learn from Eritrea, no foreign nation no matter how strong they think they will tell the Eritrean people how to run their country, they don’t allow fake political parties based on ethnicity and religion, that is why Eritrea is considered a dictatorship by the leaders of west because they know Eritrea will not be another failed state with fake democracy. Yet when you look at Eritrea there is no ethnic or religious division among its people, they suffered together and they are enjoying internal peace together, they won’t allow any western power to tell them how to run their country. Keep it up Elias, the more you challenge the uninformed in the Ethiopian diaspora the more you will force them to think because no one can live all their life deluding themselves and getting fooled by the west and their puppets forever.
Yamamoto is lying through his teeth that he controls Meles or the U.S. defense department that is running the foreign policy.
Yamamato may support human rights, but he has never delivered against the Woyanes.
He has limited ability and limited influence. He has yet to speak against Woyane human rights violations or the massacres.
So if UDJ believes anything Yamamato says, they are going to creek and they will suffer the same consequences like 2005.
The bottom line Meles will never reliquish power without a fight. If he feels threatened, he will mow down without mercy the population of Addis and more.
There has to be other military, guirella or other threats for him to acquise to any rule of law or peaceful transfer of power.
Dear Eritrawi,
What can I say? I am really dizzy and speechless by your rosy and breathy description of your motherland to the north; as a bastion of democracy, freedom, peace and tranquility. I blame no one but Elias for making us suffer indignities such as yours on an Ethiopian forum. Looks to me you are a PFDJ mouth piece whose motto is: ‘tell a lie, make it a big one, repeat it often enough, and a lot of people will believe it’. My brotherly advice to you is, please tell the truth and shame the devil.
I hate it when somebody talks on a matter by saying “THE PEOPLE”. What do you mean by “detached from the people”? Did you take poll? You are not even in Ethiopia. How do you know what everybody feels about UDJ. Just discuss matters without putting blind conclusion.
one cannot have a democratic institution from top down – and you cannot have a party without the support of the people – the UDJ is just like OPDO – OPDM etc since – you cannot name yourself as representative as long you are supported by the tplf cadres to have you registered as a party – where are they getting all the money and we know their supporters here who are busy collecting money just to sustain their own living. The Burtukans are a facade for opposition they have betrayed to democratic movement and the train has already left them where they are – the people back home have no respect for them.
Don’t even think for a second you can transform power from woyane to the people through Democracy,election votes etc. Woyane came to power through armed struggle over 20 years. Do you think woyane will disapear just like that? I am not a war monger and I don’t want to see my brothers and sisters die of war. unfortunately, war was the story of our life as far as I remember. But at this present danger looming in ethiopia, armed struggle is the only option to protect Ethiopian sovernighty and its people from those traitors and bandas.Today, Ethiopia is dying slowly through divide and conquer policy placed upon us. Our country is loosing its land and resources in which our fathers and grandfathers had fought and protected in their blood for years.The woyane regime either doesn’t care or their heart and mind are some where else. It is outrageous that tigraian people (woyanes core constituence) don’t see that. They are blinded by their ethnic association which serve nothing. In my opinion, If we want to bring woyane atleast to the table,we have to flex some muscle… that way we will get their undivided attention. They will start to respect the people only if they feel treatned to lose their power.
Ato Elias,
I like to congratulate you that there are plenty of people who tried to offer you their advice, if only you heed to it. Some think you are stupid and silly. I personally think you are not that silly. Some others think you shabias agent. I am not sure about that. Others think you are as intolerant of different views as a viscious dictator. I can not refute that.
How far is Amanual Hospital? you have friends, no family, no one to help you. I am so sorry Elias, I far far away I can’t help. Please some one, I beg you in the name of God, Take Elias to Doctors. please, Please. After all he is or brother.
Elias,
UJD have choosen their way of fight and others (including Ginbot 7) have opted for another means of struggle. That should be fine with us. Respect people’s choice. That is what democracy means. Attacking individuals personally when you don’t agree with their idea is a thing of the past, the failed EPRP style bad politics.
Smear campaign is not going to earn you respect among your readers. Try to get better. At least UJD people are battling the woyane regieme on the front line-inside the country- and they deserve respect.
Elias, U better commit suicide.