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Eritrean colonel causes havoc among Ethiopian opposition

Posted on , Updated on by EthiopianReview.com

The government of Eritrea needs to act promptly to stop its rogue mid-ranking officers who are causing havoc among Ethiopian opposition groups if it is genuine about building a strong relationship with Ethiopians. The following information is intended for such purpose, since private communications have been left unanswered so far.

It was with shock and disbelief that a few days ago we learned about the disappearance of Col. Tadesse Muluneh, one of the founders of Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF). We have requested Eritrean officials for an explanation. It’s now been over 2 weeks and we have not received any official response so far. Ethiopian Review sources in Eritrea, however, have informed us that it is not just Tadesse who is arrested. Several individuals in EPPF’s central committee have been rounded up in the past few months.

The arrests have been orchestrated by Eritrean adviser to Ethiopian opposition groups named Col. Fitsum, according to our sources.

This week we have also learned that current EPPF chairman Meazaw Getu’s movement has been restricted and his vehicle has been taken away by the same colonel.

During the past few months, at least two central committee members have been killed and several have fled. Hundreds of fighters have also left their units.

After rounding up Col. Tadesse and others, last week Col. Fitsum convened an EPPF meeting and forced the leadership to summarily remove several individuals, including six in the Diaspora, from the central committee for opposing his illegal actions. He then appointed a hotel-owner in Philadelphia named Tilahun Gelaw as head of EPPF in the Diaspora over the objection of the chairman, Meazaw Getu, and several central committee members.

EPPF is not the only group that is currently facing problems in Eritrea. We have also learned that hundreds of OLF fighters under Gen. Kemal Gelchu who are stationed in Eritrea have been immobilized. Gen. Kemal is currently placed under a virtual house arrest.

Col. Fitsum has also arranged some individuals to kidnap and beat up Ginbot 7 Secretary General Andargachew Tsige when he visited Eritrea a few months ago. To cover his track, Fitsum sent the attackers to Ethiopia where Woyanne shot them dead as soon as they arrived.

The turn of events in Eritrea regarding Ethiopian opposition groups is deeply worrisome to those of us who have been promoting cooperation with Eritrean government. Strong opposition figures are currently being silenced and in their place those who act and behave like puppets are being hand picked and installed as leaders by Col. Fitsum and other mid-ranking Eritrean military and intelligence officers.

We believe that all this is the work of rogue elements in the Eritrean military who might be secretly working to re-establish relations with the Woyanne regime in Ethiopia without the knowledge of the president. We believe that these Eritrean officers are purposefully undermining Isaias Afwerki’s agenda to build good relationship with Ethiopians based on mutual interest.

One of the tactics Col. Fitsum uses to keep Ethiopian groups weak and their members at each others’ throat is to identify corrupt individuals (some who are suspected of being Woyanne agents) and promote them while undermining and planting disinformation against those who are thought to be strong and free of corruption. That is what he has been doing against Col. Tadesse, who is in good terms with almost every one in EPPF, including the current chairman EPPF, Meazaw Getu. As a matter of fact, Meazaw has repeatedly expressed his wish for Tadesse to return to the EPPF leadership. It was Fitsum who chased away Tadesse from EPPF at the barrel of a gun. Fitsum turns around and informs his superiors that he is keeping Tadesse away from EPPF because the rank-and-file members will mutiny if he comes back.

Some question whether individuals like Col. Fitsum are acting on their own, or their actions are sanctioned by higher-ups. We will find out the truth in due course.

Our suspicion regarding the likes of Col. Fitsum has been strengthen by the recently leaked U.S. diplomatic dispatches from the American embassy in Asmara that has been released by Wikileaks.

In one of the diplomatic cables, the U.S. ambassador indicates that some military officers are working to bring down Isaias Afwerki. Could sabotaging the activities of Ethiopian opposition groups who are friendly with the Eritrean government by the likes of Col. Fitsum be part of a campaign of sabotage to undermine President Isaias? We could be wrong, but for now that is our assumption based on what we know so far.

If we look at EPPF, for example, every movement by EPPF units in the past year has been leaked to Woyanne forces in advance. As soon as the units make a move, Woyanne forces, along with ETV crew, capture them. Despite repeated warnings, the EPPF fighters are given mobile phones, which makes it easy for Woyanne to track them down.

At the Feb. 2010 EPPF general assembly a serious effort was made to revamp its leadership and establish an inquiry committee that would investigate allegations of corruption that has plagued the organization. The plan included bringing strong individuals such as Col. Tadesse to the central committee. All the efforts were blocked by Fitsum.

There were also credible reports that EPPF has been infiltrated by Woyanne with the full knowledge and collaboration of Col. Fitsum.

One of these infiltrators is Tilahun Gelaw who has given tens of thousands of dollars in cash and several mobile phones to Col. Fitsum during the past several months. Col. Fitsum has kept most of the money for himself and distributed the mobile phones to the EPPF fighters.

The above cases are just a few of the acts of sabotage against the EPPF and other Ethiopian opposition groups who are provided shelter in Eritrea.

The arrest of Col. Tadesse and several other Ethiopians is a reckless act as far as the Ethiopia-Eritrea relationship is concerned. Does the Isaias government want a genuine relationship with Ethiopians, or a master-puppet relationship?

If the answer is the former, to mend the situation, President Isaias can do the following promptly:

1. Order the release of Col. Tadesse and all other Ethiopian patriots.
2. Remove Col. Fitsum from his position as an adviser to Ethiopian opposition groups. There are many other Eritreans who can do the job in a constructive way.
3. Appoint an inquiry panel that investigates the alleged sabotages by Col. Fitsum and others against Ethiopian groups.

201 thoughts on “Eritrean colonel causes havoc among Ethiopian opposition”

  1. Dear Elias I can’t wait to see you in Addis preaching about EPRDF.Meles is smart enought to forgive your sin.May be in 2012 person of the year for Ethiopian Review will be beloved PM Meles Zenawi.

  2. This is a good opportunity for the common civilians to really learn about factionalism in an organization. I feel modern history of the national movements starting from student movements and all other parties and fronts have not been well studied and analyzed and put to work.

    We need to understand that and come up with a new paradigm. Now and soon. Rigid solutions for fluid problems is unacceptable vision.

    Big, big, big, big and huge problem. Please study history. Study TPLF. Study OLF. Study EPRP. Study DERG. and study EPDRF. Even study EPDM and EPDO. Learn about ELF, EPLF and TLF and MLLT.

    All boils down to fratricidal actions in the name of wrong and correct political stands. Let us learn how to communicate and dialogue. The goal is to save human lives but the saviors become victims because of simple and complex disagreements that are always very transitional in their characters.

    Take actions taken by Mengistu Hailmariam. He undone himself. Take Isayas he is destroying what he had built over half a century. Take Melese Zenawi; he is destroying what he had been working on for the last
    forty years. Organizational stabilities and national stabilities and internal and external peace for a nation and an organization are very crucial. The people and our countries expect that from our current and past leaders.

    It boils to one thing the black men and women of modern Eritrean and the Ethiopian empire do not understand the current conditions of their respective people. They are not selfless leaders and they keep fighting over power and fame without accurately solving our historical problems. All opposition leaders are all the same characters who fight each other for power and money.

    When does factionalism stops and dialogue and reconciliation starts? Why do we need to destroy our brightest and learned people over problems that could be solvable. Communicate. Communicate with each other instead of running for guns and bullets. Unite to work together harmoniously. Our people are hunger y and angry. I may say that basically people who would have been better of if they are united yet they seem to go for opposite to eradicate our species from the face of Horn Of Africa. Guess who is happy our common enemies.

    “ A bird that is free cannot free if it preys on another free bird,” and “ The evils that men do lives after them.” and “ Separate. Evil and good do not mix.” Let us be good for our next generations. History will judge us.

  3. #33 Gashaw, & Elias Kifle,

    There are the fourth and the fifth plausible explanations (conspiracy theories) as to why Isayas is trying to flash-out all woyane opposition.
    4th) there might be underground negotiations, woyane with shabiya on Legesse’s principle of give and take, and if isayas saw an advantage he will throw the bargaining chips (opposition) under the bus. It would be naivety to ever think like, immature and erratic elias that col fitsum is doing what he does without the approval of that lunatic dictator.
    5th) CIA might come into picture between both dictators order them to make peace by promising them what they want in order to prepare both neighbors (stakeholders) of Sudan incase some thing goes wrong on South Sudan referendum in which America is watching closely and with interest.
    6) If they are willing to sale themselves to the CIA plot, facilitating the referendum in Sudan, Legesse and Isayas are digging their own grave. Once, South Sudan is stable sovereign state, Americans will be at the center of that new nation, the north will be sandwiched between Egypt (the beneficiary of annual allotted American tax payers millions of dollars) and south Sudan and the importance of Legesse will be diminished and if he tries to use the China as a lever on Americans they will not hesitate to overthrow him and his new Chinese friends will not sacrifice their interest with US for a dog like Legesse…. The list could go on and there are many plausible explanations behind the action of that lunatic dictator from Asmara. However, Elias the other dictator of the media is trying to hush me and trashed my comment just because the bare fact and truth I wrote is not in line with his deceptive agenda. I sent my comment on 12/18/2010 at about 12:15am and the number was 20th comment # 100474 and again I send after 6 hours the same comment on the 38th and # was 100505. Can you see how many comments that he trashed in the past 6 hours? 13 and he published 18 out of 31 comments. i.e. 42% of the comments are not approved by Elias. What a journalist he is promoting the silencing of dessent or different opinions?

  4. Fithawi #16 & #22
    your propaganda. Is tired and recycled……. Your claim that Isayas is from Temben, Tigray is a recycled & knackered propaganda that we Eritreans call it “Zereba gedifkas zereba gwal-mengedi” …. Meaning talking of a non-issue while the main issue is covered up. You can even go to the wikileaks cable where amb McMullen so psychotic were talking about Isayas and his roots….. I hope you should, at least, believe your financiers, if not beleive what you have been told long ago. All the lies and name calling you spew out like a hell of fire will run its course…….
    I’m happy Elias is reporting on what he does best….. Reporting the news as it is and following up on it….. He’s like a true investigative journalist…… Digging every facts available and let the people do their own analysis. What the docile “Frthawi” is doing is a futile effort to set theagenda in his Glenn Beck type of monotribe of childish tantrum. His tantrum might create a mountain of bubbles only, that will eventually pop one at time to leave you back on your ground…..
    I’m, for one, very keen in the story and I have always been aware of some corrupt colonels in Eritrea’s rank & files & in the past when they get jailed, the quisiling league of assembled weyane’s puppet & its western financiers always jump to their defense, claiming they are prisoners of conscious….. Beleive me ….. Some of them are in fact jailed for not having any humane conscious towards their subordinates…… Two years ago Gen Sebhat Ephrem said in an interview with “TE’ATEQ” that the military has introduced 12 values that the rank & files of the militry brass should be evaluated with ….. Along with introducing evaluation of superiors by the subordinates including the low level soldiers. Sebhat in the interview stated that some officers disagree being evaluated by their subordinates. We knew that this new measures were introduced help
    stem off corruption that is encouraged by natural greed or compromised from outside. We have modernized our military to stem
    off corruptiion and sabotages despite resistance from some. What we need is the same form of mechanism within a EPPF,
    OLF, TPDM & etc…. For now, Elias is doing the noble job of reporting news while it’s still hot. Good on ya, Elias. Your comitment to your country & people should not be questioned by the servant weyane regime and their sub- servants. So called ” free press” might not be exist in Eritrea but everything the press throws is on the Internet and Internet service has never been restricted in Eritrea including the dead ETV , weyane’s dead TV, has never been hampered from broadcasting in Eritrea.
    Fithawi…. You know what the weyane will do to you if they cach you watching EriTV which the weyane has been jamming it along with EthioSat, VOA Amharic & Deusche Welle . Even the US Who has always been defeaning our ears on freedom of press & expression cannot handle the wikileaks websites that it has been bringing it down so many times and pressuring the corporate media to undermine wikileak revelations & even using companies like VISA, PayPal, MasterCard, Amazon.com to deny service to wikileak, the very basic service they provide even to the most evil & disturbing organisation like the racist white suprimacist KKK.
    Fithawi, ,….. your blame game could not have been misplaced.
    As far as I’m concerned Elias is doing a great job and he doesn’t have to prove his patriotism to anybody, least of all to servant weyane & its sub- servants & hodams.
    This revelation is good for everybody & those who killed any member of EPPF should never escape accountability.
    As I have said so many times, I’m not a “Shaebia supporter”…… I’m SHAEBIA, myself. I beleive in the ideal of shaebia….. People need to learn what shaebia stands for and what its visions & goals are. Beleive me, Everyone who claim to be a “Shaebia supporter” not necessarily is Shaebia…….. If I’m allowed to bring a parallel
    analogy to that from the bible…….Mathew, chapter 7, verses 21-23…… it said …..” not everyone calls out to Lord will be saved…..”
    Fithawi……..read the whole chaper in context …. That will help bring about to life your dead conscious and get rid off your inflated ego & and arrogance.
    Have a great weekend.

  5. Mr.Elias, you trusted Essayas, despite a massive protest among genuine Ethiopians. I admire your bold and heroic effort you have done so far. Don’t give a damn for laptop heroes who know nothing except negatives.

  6. Elias must now admit that Isaias and Meles are one coin with two faces. Let ER rectify its mistakes of the past and change its strategy in order to decimate Shaebia and TPLF.

  7. This article is rather interesting and an eye opener to some. To me it seems politics as usual. I read so many comments that are totally misguided and immature. Granted Issays is a dictator that has ruled Eritrea with a strong hand, but to accuse him of all evils that is happening to Ethiopia is to not shoulder your own failure in doing what ever it is you want to accomplish. There is no shred of evidence where Issays has ever done to divide or harm Ethiopia not a single shred of Evidence. He fought against what he considered a colonizing country, and he won and liberated his people, for that he deserves a medal. As for helping various Ethiopian opposition, it does not mean he wants to disintegrate Ethiopia, actually contrary to that, He wants all Ethiopians to have an equal opportunity and have their say, because he has a first hand experience what happens when your rights as a group is taken away from you and are subjected to practically no less than slavery. So if he helped this groups, it is only because he feels he is doing a good thing, to build a strong united healthy Ethiopia. But those who don’t Know the facts, and don’t know him, keep repeating the same old and tired propaganda speech of hate. You may not like how he runs Eritrea, but he is a man of work and as such, as has been witnessed by those who hate him, the western media such as the economist have predicted by 2011 His Government will be among the fastest growing and this is another place where he should get a Medal. For him to be able to do this, with all the adversities and enemies he is surrounded by, is amazing. For those of you, who are filled with hate, I hope the progress he is making , won’t make you die out of sheer hate and jealousy. So you need to take it easy and of course focus on your own issues. Last but not least, if he is clamping down on some or all Ethiopian opposition, I say GOOD FOR HIM for that He will need a GOLD MEDAL!!!!, because the opposition had almost 10 years to make something, some useful and meaning full progress until now, and what have we seen from this people? Have they even taken one lousy village??? I don’t think so, so it is time Perisdent Issays puts Eritrea first and knows his priority and responsibility is to take care of Eritreans and not some good for nothing disgruntled opposition groups. And Since Eritrea is on track with economy boom, as is the Ethiopian government, the sensible thing to do, is for him to start normalization with the Government in Addis and work toward changing the lives of Eritreans. I hope and pray, Perisdent Issays and Priminster Melese using their wisdom, as they are one of African intelligent and great leaders in many aspect, need to put their differences behind and it is time they start working together and that is the dream we need to cheer for. Dream for peace, prosperity and brotherly neighborhood. It is time Ethiopians stop talking garbage about Persident Issays and it is also time Eritreans stop talking nonsense about priminster Melese, this are two individuals who have given their lives for a struggle and made it, the rest of us, we are hiding behind computer while eating burgers and accusing them of this and that, what have we done in our life to bring about a change to our people? At least this two great leaders have done what ever it is they did and have made it, so before we are quick to call people names, we should look at our selves and give the respect that this people deserve. In the end weather we like it or not, the growing and exploding economy of both country dictates that normalization comes in 2011. !!!!!!!!! Knowing this reality on the ground, all oppositions parties of Ethiopia will be in their best interest to start negotiations with the Ethiopian government and start working toward united Ethiopia, instead of wasting time raising arms against your own people. Isn’t it irony that you guys support this rebels who are practically fighting against another Ethiopians and killing their own brothers, and yet you have no shame you want to blame Issays for dividing you?? you guys need to check where your marbles are. First stop killing each other and realize that you are on people, and what ever it is you are not happy about, do it peacefully. Ethiopia is on the path to great success, don’t let your time wasted in hate and false dreams, of toppling a government. The government of Melese is here to stay.!!!!!! Victory to all peace loving Eritreans and Ethipoians.

  8. To Those hypocrites who promise heaven & earth to the poor people of the world when you can’t wven plug your own hole……..2nd Petros 3:19 describes such people as “Wicked people”  & the verse says, “……. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sins & deception. For you are a slave of whatever controls you….”
    And 1st MSG to Peter 3:17 says…..
    “…. Remember, it’s better to suffer fo doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong……”
    Just as did all the slave traders, the colonizers & now the hegemonic US empire ransacking the resources of the countries of the poor people by creating propaganda and continuous lies…..just as the bible reminds us in  2nd Peter 2:3…… “….. In their greed, they will make up clever lies to get jol of your money…..” 
    Does that ring a bell?….. The despotic monstrous Weyane accepted as a stateman in the West despite killing, jailing, torturing so many. The clever lies are the promotion of democracy, human right & freedom of expression which, ironically, weyane itself claims to defend that won it 99.6% of the votes. Weyane and its foreign investors reap profit while the people of Ethiopia becomes poorer, more disfranchised & dispossessed everyday.
    When we refused to believe all the lies, we get targetted. 
    A film on all these is being worked and hope that it will be premiered in the Canne’s film Festival in the near future. Remember the film Faraniht 9/11 denied to be premiered in US but won as the best docu film in the Cannes film Festival….. We have interview of Michael Moore saying how an American film is shown all over the world and even an international acclaim but not slowed even to be screened in his own country, US. The film was later shown there….. So much for all the defeaning lectures they continue to tell us.
    God bless your struggle for a Just justice.
    Have a lovely weekend.  

  9. Elias the brave and smart Ethiopian that gives a heat for woyanne criminals like no one, you are a real nightmare for dedebit cocroaches,every time you come up with a burning issue woyanne ministry of foreign affairs sends its hand out survivers after foreign wellfare to respond or defend their structural crimes financedby solen Ethiopian money recieved from the donors,no matter for this temporary joy as the strugglle moves in a bigger dimension with the participation Ethiopians from all walks of life and around the world.Elias woyannes survival is only the looted money and a very few who puts themselves in the crime world and could not see no other way out except going to the limit, woyannes days are really numbered and i assure you all freedom loving Ethiopians are with you
    God save Ethiopia
    Death to woyanne cocroaches

  10. I always thought that Elias kifle was an eritrean disguised in ethiopian skin, anyhow if the story is true i hope that you learn from your mistakes of trusting those people from then north, it should be the last thing to do for an ethiopian to colaborate with isayas or any other eritrean for that matter because never in history have we learnt that they have done something positive for ethiopia. Its not too late elias you can always join the real opposition who are figuring it out to promote peace in ethiopia and for the bright future of our children.

  11. Elias tells the truth.

    1-Col.Fitsum kicked you out of EPPF central committee membership.
    2-Eritrean Government in DC cut-off your lousy pay cheque.
    3-You have a problem/divorce/ with your Eritrean wife.

    The truth, nothing but the truth.

  13. I am with shabia on this-we are just making noise from DC as usual and confusing Elias who has been trying his best to forge a winning alliance to end woyane’s rule.
    I was shocked to learn that the commander of EPPF fighters has been in asmara driving,not in the bush fighting and leading the fighters.I am equally surprised by the reaction of the EPPF supporters when the Colonel took away the commander’s car and told him to go to the bush and fight woyane.Thank you Colonel,good job,why didn’t you do it even before.I have never heard of a rebel commander driving in a beautiful city (probably womanizing….)which has become successful.
    I am sure this shake up will make EPPF strong and their leaders will start doing what we want them to do:go to the bush and fight,don’t sit in asmara(stay away from temptations).
    When it comes to winning a war,no one knows it more than Isais,he knows what he is doing.

  15. Elias,

    You deleted two posts I made in response to your articles, by now it is clear that you are showing your true colors. I think it is time for you to expose yourself totally and hold hands with Abreha Belay and play fake opposition to Melles while you are serving him behind closed doors.

    Trust me on this one, no matter how much dirt you throw on the Eritrean government, all you will do in the end is expose yourself, that is just a friendly advice, time and again it has been proven that weak minded Ethiopian politicians in the diaspora try to make themselves feel good by ranting and raving against the Eritrean government but in the end they all eat the dust and in due time you shall too.

  16. I have never trusted shabia to do any good to Ethiopia and Ethiopians. My frustration with Elias was/is his support and trust for shabian leadership which will never ever bear fruit. OLF is the witness for that for over four decades.

  17. I am eritrean. I believe that ethiopian & eritrean must work together to bring the tigrain government. the tigrain government is #1 enemy of ethiopian and eritrean.

    please ethiopian contact Eritrean Embassy in DC tell what is going on with Col. Fitsum. Col. Fitsum might be working with weyane & out side agent.
    he might be weyane agent.
    believe me anything is possible.
    please inform eritrean officals with what is going on with ethiopian oppostions

  18. I have a couple off recommendations for you Mr. Elias; you ought to stick with you journalism. Don’t get involved in politics; you are too sentimental with it. Even that, I believe you need to take some more communication policy. At lest you will be able to learn more about clear and present danger. You may be right with your information, but the timing of your report is absolutely harmful to your organization.

  19. Elias before I get to my point please do not go to Eritrea or do not trust anyone there are people that can harm you, oh I am sorry I for got to say Good Morning brother Elias how are you taking the bad news I am steel beyond belief sad however I am sure this situation will bring a better way of fighting mechanism of the Tigrean Mafia invaders. Such as instead of going far away we can fight TPLF and the Tigrean Mafia from our own home from Ethiopia that was what we did during the Italian battle so let us do from the cities, hamlets, valleys and mountains of Ethiopia. We should treat this fight as an outside force attack we should not see the Tigrean Mafia as a fellow Ethiopians because there are no many of them. We should not run for the fear of these rats. We can suffocate them with their evil work before they harm us with in our country. Trust me it can be done that is what the Etiopian heroes did to the Italians so let Ginbot 7 and others do their base everywhere in Ethiopia even at the backyards of Meles and his Mafia’s place 4 killo. For instance if we want to attack the Mafia we can use everything from cars to guns as well as money to finance the struggle we should take or snatch from those filthy Tigrean Mafias after all that was our property from the start. we should not run for fear of these bastard and idiots let us avoid them or let us not associate with them because many of them are spies for the TPLF Mafia most of them ar proud of being Tigrean than being an Ethiopian in short let us avoid them from being friend and other social activities just like a bad habit. If we do that they can not find what we do and think so they will not attack us let us delay their move for every action if we do that I am sure it will be a successful struggle let us not be late from doing everything. Last not least let us shame the Hodams like Niguse and Solomon etc. let us ignore them with in Ethiopia and outside of Ethiopia.

  20. What Elias did is tried to blackmail the government of Eritrea. But in doing so, he exposed himself and hurt his standing with the Eritrean government and people that he worked with. Elias also showed his immaturity by falling into the trap the TPLF or Ethiomedia set for him. Elias is also making a huge mistake into believing that he is the sole representative of the Eritrean Ethiopian relationship equation. He isn’t. He also is myopic in his approach by thinking that Eritrea will jump because he requested it. Elias is truly a fool that is full of him. But what is even more disgusting is that many believe any thing they want to believe without the facts in. Eritreans are not crazy to take actions hastily as he did. What Elias did is irresponsible plain and simple but he will not change a thing.

    Disgusted

  21. As An Eritran I am willing to bet President Afework has nothing to do with this . The president is busy building the country. Did you know that
    1- He didn’t know about badme conflict until some one called him to break the news
    2- According to Interview he gave, he didn’t know about the arrest of the G15 until some one broke the news for him (he was a sleep before the news)
    3- He didn’t know about the Djibouti conflict until Qatar officials broke the news about the conflict.
    And more…

  22. The way you wrote this article is masterful. You have accomplished three things: 1) you established yourself without a doubt that you are not a hired gun for any one and that you do not hesitate from taking a stand when it comes to defending Ethiopia and Ethiopians, 2) you brought to light why Ethiopian freedom fighters are floundering in Eritrea with no tangible progress, and 3) instead of condemning the whole Eritrean government, you presented a reasonable request. If the Eritrean government rejects your request, you will still come out the winner. If they accept your request and fix the problem, it is a win for every one except Woyanne. The ball is now on Eritrean government’s hands.

  24. Folks, the rush to judgement is what makes people confuse and do or say unnecessary stuff. Elias before your write your own he said she said analyses, you should have investigate and find the correct information form GOE or from EPPF official in Asmara. Your information is baseless and you want the GOE to look bad and crule. I hope we find the truth sooner than later.

  25. Elias Kifle kudos to your courage, I am your regular,and know where I stand in this issue but not interested to state it here at this time.However,I want to respond to melese’s pay dogs who seem to think that Ethiopia is in dire straight because of what is this news.

    First of all, the Ethiopian people are God fearing, wise, patient, and long suffering citizens. It is this long suffering attitude that allow melese’s rule to take root in the country. It is this faith in good will, trust and taking people’s words for what it is that allow our people to separate foe from real friend.
    This is the only proven and miningful path that was expected of us to tread.After all desire to settle differences through negotiation rather that through a barel of agun is a mark of noblity. So far, Ethiopians have patiently attempted to settle our differences amicably. Just because the methods we followed doesn’t bring succefull results doesn’t mean that we have accomplished nothing.
    The fact still remains that TPLF regime is incrisingly becoming isolated from the world community and its remaining hope is to lean on the arm of red China. This state of affair tplf is intering was possible because of the sacrifices made by many citizens. mean while this new developments in Asmara need to be regarded as set back and not as defeat.Neverthless, many government supporters, who care less save to fill their bellies are already celebrating. If that be realistic assesment good for them.
    As to Ethiopians,we will never run out of options,if there is a will there is a way.
    Somali is one option S.Sudan,kenya,S.Africa,and the Land of Israel are all previously discussed viable choices.Weyane need to be reminded that its undue reliance on her military super structure is unwarranted.Because the foundation of that strucvture is on what I call REMET-a fire coverd under the ashes.

  26. All is just infighting and some hodam ,disgrantled EPPF commanders who are unhappy about having Tigrayan Commander in Cief in the newly formed merger.
    But to be honest,Tigrayans are naturallly gifted in millitary strtegy and I don’t blame the Coronel if he promoted the Tigrayan Commander to that position.
    Amharas are naturally the best in law, journalism,theatre…and they are the worst people to lead a freedom fight.
    The proof is rebel Tigrayans from Eritrea and Tigray bit the largest Amhara led millitary with the most letal ground,naval and air weapons of the time ever seen in the history of the horn of africa.

  27. I agree with Fed-Up.
    I would even add the following points about our dear president:

    1- did you know that someone broke the news that Eritrea was independent in 1991? Infact, at first he wasn’t even aware that Eritrea was about to split from Eritrea.

    2- did you know that he didn’t even know referendum was being conducted in 1993 to have Eritrea secede?

    3- did you know that he wasn’t even aware of Meles being in power in Addis until the war broke out in 1998?

    So you all stop blaming our president for things he has no knowledge of.

  28. Though I do not trust Esias completely.I still bleive he is genuine with his support of Ethiopian oppostion groups.This news may be fabricated by weyane agents.Remember Elais it is Weyane who condemed you to die by hunging not Esaias.Weyane is an enemy of God.Period.This may have also been fabricated you know by those peudo opposition groups.

  29. This the most betrayal of all time. What a stub in the back! I hate to say I told you so, but all along I knew we should never trusted the creater of TPLF Isayass. It looks like Isaass’s days are numbered and he is irelevant. As I predicted, Melass is on his way to occupy Eritrea and expand that Greater Tigrea and leave our country Ethiopia dismantled after TPLF robbed us for 20 years. It extremely disapointing to know that Obama administration are tolerating tyrant Melass.

  30. What a pathetic plea from a desperate man intended to evoke sympathy from an equally desperate and cruel Eritrean government. The fact that the opposition is at the mercy of an Eritrean mid-level dictator speaks volumes about the organization.

  31. Mr.Elias’ news and comments may have some grain of truth/fact. Unfortunately, the way he presents his views and analysis is highly overshadowed by a very deliberately and meticulously designed emotional and sensational thoughts. I wonder how this kind of personality is useful and desirable in dealing with a very deep and worisome general ( political,economic,social and moral)crisis we are facing. It is very ,very difficult to predict the real-self of Mr. Elias. I hope he will take all the the comments he receices from all his readers.

  32. Elias!!!!!!!!!, you are one of the most outstanding heroes of Ethiopia of present time. By your posting above you are even shown us how a metal-solid of Ethiopian you are! As you know, a credible political future is primarily based on trust. i assure you have got that one nailed down. I personally had doubts before. we now trust u!
    most of the people who post on your site are woyanes and people who dont make any contribution to the struggle but like to talk. So, don’t give them the mind at all. Keep up with the good work.
    just to mention a few, you have done the following -:

    1. Stood firmly strong against weyane: aligning yourself with the majority of Ethiopians who are silenced.

    2. At this difficult time of Ethiopian history, you are continually searched for a solution to safe our mother land from disintegrating by weyanes: this means doing whatever it takes!, which you have done a great job with our support.

    3. Dedicate/sacrificed your life to do all you have done and continue doing.

    4. motivated so many with your consistency. (personally, i have run into many young Ethiopians that said that they love you and what you stand for: “ elaisn betm new yemiwedew”)

    Now, you are resurfacing with a new approach. People have the right to tell you not to repeat mistakes but cant not to tell you not to make mistakes, given the severity of the Ethiopian’s problems.

    You have a great future: meanwhile keep exposing weyanes and any one that affiliates with them.

    Thank you for your hard work!!!

  33. Elias do not harry to acuse some one whether be Eritrean Government or Indivisuale Col. Futsum at this moment!Elias why is two weeks so long to you to have a response from the concerned ones? Elias is that what you call it building a healthy Relations between the two peoples? Let me say one thing to you if you are a genuine Tagai think twice or more before you bomb the whole relation.
    I would like to advise you to BE COSUISE AND WISE NOT EMOTIONAL!!!!!!

    Peace to All !!!!!

  34. Two years ago, your mission, dear Elias, to the beautiful city of Asmara to establish peace and good working relationships between Ethiopia and Eritrea should be considered a fact-finding mission. Since that daring mission of yours, we have learned so many facts about the two unpredictable leaders: Isaiah Afeworki and Meles Seitanawi (Zenawi).

    Isaiah Afeworki has told us in one of his interviews with you that he welcomes every organization that works for bringing change in Ethiopia. Economically, he believes the growth and prosperity of Ethiopia is good for his country, Eritrea, and he continues to tell us the two countries, Ethiopia and Eritrea, can work side by side without fear, with much freedom, and without border. His concluding remark about the futures of Ethiopia and Eritrea is: “The sky is the limit.” However, after I have gathered some information about the arrest of Col. Tadesse Muluneh and the mistreatments of the other EPPF officials, I have concluded such inhuman activities could not be done without the blessings of the Eritrean President, Isaiah Afeworki. He may have his own reasons why he wants to disintegrate the organization of the Ethiopian Freedom Fighters after he gave them some shelters to stay in his country and work hard to bring down the Woyanne government and replace it with a democratic government. One of the facts we have learned so far about Isaiah is that he hates the two words: democratic government. When he sees EPPF is working to establish a democratic government in Ethiopia, he feels he is threatened since he, his people, and the rest of the world know very well he has been in power for many years without a second party that challenges him. In this case, the sky is not the limit; Badime is!

    By any means, Elias mission to Asmara is a success in interviewing the most feared dictator in the Horn of Africa, Isaiah Afeworki, and in finding out his intentions about the futures of Ethiopia and Eritrea; his plans about Ethiopia and Eritrea during the interview were positive; nevertheless, he has miserably failed by the recent developments in his country for humiliating the Ethiopian Freedom Fighters by arresting their leaders and confiscating their properties such as their cars and their other essential belongings.

    How can a person in his right mind punish his guests who are living under his protection, under his permission, instead of pleasing, supporting, and wishing them success in their missions to liberate Ethiopia from another worst dictator, Meles Seitanawi (Zenawi)? He has betrayed them, and, very soon, who knows, he may send them back to Ethiopia to be shot and killed, and that will be the end of any person who tries to liberate Ethiopia, living inside or out side the country. Ethiopia is facing two enemies who speak the same language, believe in oppressing and exploiting their own people, and who never think someone, one day, will rise up and bring them down.

    I am very sorry for the two oppressed nations: Ethiopia and Eritrea! May the good Lord, Jesus Christ, bring them a leader who sacrifices himself/herself for the people of Ethiopia and Eritrea!

  36. This sound EPPF is standing with one leg, poor EPPF and Elias. Although EPPF has a lot more problems than the allegations against Col Fitsum, rather EPPF love to blame others for their failed in everything they do. EPPF has no mission and without mission, there would not be any success. EPPF stands for EVERY PERSON in any way POSSIBLY to FAIL miserably. In addition, EPPF would love to see Ethiopia to remain poor for their personal mission to meet.
    Ethiopia shall prevail and prosper country and Failed to EPPF and their puppets.
    Power to the people
    Viva Ethiopia

  37. Poor Elias, You are having a big problem with your friend, your man of the year, Isayias “the redmeer”. How are you going to resolve this situation now? We have been telling you that for Ethiopians neither Isayias nor Woyane would bring freedom, democracy and justice. They are both determine to dismantle and destroy the Ethiopian nation and “Ethiopiawinet. I hope you now have learned the lesson.

  38. It is is interesting to notice comments coming from Eritreans is so bitter in tone now. You people are so selfish and into yourselves. I also wonder why you even come here and crowd every Ethiopian site and bitch about being mistreated or misrepresented. Last time I checked, you are “independent” nation.

    As guests, I don’t mind if you come here or any Ethiopian site/venue and argue your case in good faith. However, all I see from you is defend the indefinsible. Lie at all costs and make others beleive that you and your governement is doing the ‘right’ thing, when most of you know full well that is not true. To a typical Eritrean, it appears that everyone is always ‘wrong’ and that they are always ‘right’. I have yet to see an Eritrean critcizing their officals or their government. Do you think this is healthy, even for your own good? I don’t think so. We Ethiopians are not afraid to critcize our government, past and present. Most of us here in Diaspora are anti-weyanne and openly speak about it. Even differences between the opposition is widely discussed openly. You people need to learn to be reasonable and bold enough to speak the truth of what is going on in your own homeland first and foremost. You are not even capable of seeing the obvious misery of your own people, and of what is going on Eritrea, yet you seem to follow every move ethiopians make and are making. I hate to generlize, but you people will never change or learn to live in the real world.

    Most of you seem educated (at least from your writings) and I beeieve most of you live in the Western world, however, all you do is pontificate by lying and deceit.

    I have a feeling most of you frequenting Ethiopian sites and writing comments are payed cadres, much like the die-hard cadres of the weyannes among us. And you also think you are making an impact on readers by writing all these convoluted one-sided comments. However, what this does is put your case very weak and make you look foolish at same time. I advise you to stop meddling in our affairs un invited and start looking into yourselves first. Then, lets see if we can trust you, and that we can truly cooperate and work together.

  39. Eritrea is an independent country. The problem of within Ethiopian opposition is not Eritrean problem. We have so many Eritreans attending higher education and living freely like it was before 1998 right now. We donot want to loose this privilege that was given back to us after 12 years of waiting . We want to work and diversify our businesses in Ethiopia and we can do that now . We got our main objective . We associated with EPPF in the first place to get back to Ethiopia. Now EPRDF opened the door for Eritreans we donot need EPPF anymore. EPPF can work with us and we Eritreans can get EPPF officials a place in the business other oppositions like KINIJIT officials had done. As for Ethiopian Review you can start a journalism business in Ethiopia and help mend the business relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea. We know You are good on being vocal . The past 12 years thought us a lot , this time we are working to a common goal with all involved.
    Get ready Ethiopia !! Eritreans are back wiser and stronger that before !!!

  40. Thank you number 80 gudi I agree with you 100% I also agree with mister Assta B. Gettu Today I was listening Hodam Niguse and Belanesh radio Hager Fikir just to know what they would say with this new breaking news of EPP situation as I have guessed just like anyone the 2 idiots were barking with joy. By this news the victims will be the realation of Eritrea and Ethiopia however it has helped Elias as a true champion of the Ethiopian struggle trust me.

  41. Hello elias. since when do isayas care for ethiopia? he allign with tplf and plant woyane in ethiopia forever. you are one sick person i ever saw in ethiopia oppositions including tamagn and al mariam. i am happy to hear that.

  43. As one who cautioned against trusting Essayas I am not surprised at this latest revelation. Although very intesligent, Elias,emotions seem to get the better of you ! I remember many Eritreans were very pro Meles until the Ethio-Eritrea war and subsequent expulsions. It is incongrous that people who are anti Melles for Human Right abuses support Essayas who is equally if not more guilty of Human Right abuses. ( Betu Yikterow) Recently I saw a fascinating documentary on Aljazeera a true story of a couple in Eastern Europe who belonged to a radical party which violently attacked Jews. Then recently they discovered they had Jewish origins both tried to hide it from each other at first! however once revealed the man actually gradually became a Rabbi !
    This seems to be what we ( Ethiopian & Eritreans) are doing! our judgments are based not from genuine humanity but tribal alligieance and self interest. God Help Ethiopia and Eritrea the future is bleak with so many so called politicians and their supporters with similar mentality!
    (Racists )

  44. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT MELESE ZENAWI AND ISAIAS AFEWORKI ARE ALIKE AS FAR AS THE COUNTRY CALLED ETHIOPIA IS CONCERNED. BOTH LEADERS WILL DO ANY THING TO DESTROY ETHIOPIA. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT A MEMBER OF ANY POLITICAL PARTY, I DISAGREE WITH eppf AND OTHERS WHO MAY THINK eritreans WILL SUPPORT THE CAUSE OF ETHIOPIANS. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MELESE AND ISAIAS IS THE ISSUE OF SUPERIORITY. THEY HAVE NO INTEREST AT HEART FOR THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA AND MAKING ERITREA A BASE FOR A CHANGE IN ETHIOPIA IS LIKE EXPECTING A BULL TO GIVE BIRTH. I FEAR FOR THE LIFE OF ANY ETHIOPIAN WHO IN THE NAME OF olf OR eppf FUNCTIONING FROM ANY PLACE IN ERITREA.

  45. If you guys haven’t heard already, the nation of Eritrea is said to be the fastest growing economy on planet earth in the year 2011, with an anticipated economic growth rate of 17%. How did this happen to a nation that was being described as “impovrished”, “tiny”, “dictatorship” etc… by the corporate media as recently as a few weeks ago, while at the same time the same crew was describing Ethiopia as being as “budding democracy anticipating an economic growth rate of 11%, in the 2011 and government elected with 99.5% of the governed”. It’s time for the Ethiopian elite to wake up to the fact that Eritreans pity you for your predicament and only tried to help you out of pity.

  47. Elias,
    Shabia is still in bed with weyane. I am 100% certain we cannot fight weyane without fighting Shabia. Get the Hell out of Eritrea. Shabia hates the unity and strength of Ethiopia. Hell to them!
    By the way Elias, had you posted the article I sent to you a while back, lives could of been saved. You refused to post it, because you thought shabia was helping us fight weyane. Wrong!!
    I repeat – All opposition groups leave Eritrea immmediatly! Save your life now!!

  49. Bravo Elias at least you tried but you have to look at as to the main reason. You approach was right to save Ethiopia but the rest of Ethiopians in diasporas failed you.
    TPDM will liberate Tigray and declare Tigray independence. Meles will accept Tigray as independent country and will remain as an Ethiopian leader for the rest of his life. The new president of the republic of Tigray will be Mola Asgedom. As this guy was supported by Eritrean army, he will enjoy working to integrate this new nation called Tigray with some sort of Federation or confederation based on free border with Eritrea possibly with the afar region. Meles will loot Ethiopia till death to develop Tigray so that to cope with Eritrea. If you notice the trend the Tigrians watch EriTV 24/7 and will easily integrate as citizens in a free border. If they are loyal to Eritrea and its people they will not have any problem with Eritreans coz of shared culture and language. This is the ultimate objective of Meles. The Amhara population will be concentrated back to Tana Lake ONLY. All the history and culture will be gone to Tigray and Eritrea. 100% all Axumite Kingdoms will be in the hands of Eritrea and Tigray. This looks the trend for me. The power will be concentrated in Asmara. Slowly the influence of Addis Abeba will diminish in the continent just like Legos in Nigeria. The Oromo People will declare their new nation, the benshangul and Amara people will remain in Ethiopia. The tigreans want to be Eritreans more than the Eritrean people. Just their problem is inferiority complex but if they are rich and make adjustment to their dialect no one will notice in Eritrea and they can live side by side with Eritreans. So the Eritreans will not have a problem with them they are a shield from any force from the south. And the Eritreans will also use them as a counter balance of Arab influence in Eritrea like eastern part of Eritrea—Sudan and Yemen and so on… The entire history of Ethiopia which is about 90% will be gone forever after tigray seceded from Ethiopia. Abreha Belay will be happy as he is single till now (50 years) and he might find one Eritrean women from the border in Zalambesa and will live in Asmara and will stop commenting about Eritrea. He will be pro Shaebiya till death. The Oromo people will control Ethiopia and abolish Amharic and replace it with oromigna and the influence of Addis will decline and power will shift completely to the upper north where it starts. The people of Gonder have a chance to join tigray but will be difficult as it is going to create a problem with Tigrigna and Tigre (Eritrean) SUPRIMACY in the region. This is what I am predicting will happen. It is really BAD for us, Ethiopian. The main cause is that the Amhara elites obsessed with red sea and Eritrea. They don’t care about their country. This scares the Eritrean coz they know what the cost of war means. The same goes with Tigray people. They scare of war after war. The DC people or diasporas people are out of touch from the reality. Those educated people are also care about assab or Massawa. This land belongs to Eritreans but why they claim as theirs. This is really CONFUSING ME! We can claim Tana Lake or Gojjame but to go as far as Eritrea and Tigray as our own land is very misleading. Emperors etc that doesn’t work in 21 century. Just ask yourself that why most of the people are not pro UNITED ETHIOPIA! It is too late to reverse the direction but you never know may be one day.
    Recommendation to you is that — If any Eritrean hears the word access to the sea from any Ethiopian — you are just gone — from his heart he hates you too much. He might be friendly for the moment but you friendship with him done. The same with tigray people if you same something about they got advantage in addis – they are gone as well. All this lead them to a conclusion that Ethiopia means a place of evil people! Period. Nobody cares about Ethiopia or that history— in fact this history or that history does not make sense at this age of information. I think you did your best to reconcile two opposite thing but Shaebiya will not bend like other leaders coz they know how they get to the power and what price they pay to liberate their ancestral land from our colonial rul. The same goes to TPLF. We think Ethiopia is our land and Eritreans and Tigreans are aliens. That is rude. If fact our population is far more that theirs is due to war but you have to know that — They are the ancient people there. They are direct linked to AXUM. Where the queen of she was born and rule according to our traditions. This people are the original! Period! They have to deep attachment to their land. We have to know where our land is.

    Bravo Elias,

  50. I think what most of Ethiopians don’t understand is that Mr. Elias and the EPPF are simply in a very difficult position. My take on the fight against Weyane is that it could have been accelerated by joining the Eritrean forces had the regime in Asmara been one that could be reliable. Mr. Elias and the EPPF simply seized the available means in a given time which was the most conservable strategy at the time. Weather it was the right move is something to be debated. I see it as a political and logistical strategy. What I don’t see this scenario as is that the motive behind joining the Eritrean force against the Weyane regime is by no means one that was formulated for any personal gain but rather a patriotic move to oust the current corrupt regime in Addis.
    It is sad to see some of the bloggers above to blame and point finger to Elias , one who is very genuine in his endeavor and a very talented individual with guts to do the right thing as he sees it fit.
    My question to you all morons above is “what did you do to fight against the regime which is striping g your wealth and left you naked.” Oh yes, it is convenient to sit on the side and talk the talk but are you walking the walk as he and the organization is doing.
    Stop being cowardly and put your heads together as one people and simply change strategy if you have to

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