Ethiopia’s khat-addicted dictator continues to throw wild accusations of terrorism against journalists and critics even as Wikileaks is exposing (read here) that the regime has been orchestrating bombings and blaming them on others.
Yesterday, Meles Zenawi’s injustice minister announced that it is filing terrorism charges against two Swedish journalists, Ethiopian Review editor, Awramba Times deputy editor, and others. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalist described the accusations as ridiculous.
The following is how the Woyanne-controlled ETV and ENA reported the charges.
VIDEO
Federal Prosecutor Files Charges Against Terror Suspects
Addis Ababa, September 7, 2011 (ENA) – The Federal Prosecutor has filed charges against persons suspected of terrorists act including two Swedish journalists who were arrested during a fight with Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Ministry of Justice said.
In a news conference he gave here on Wednesday, State Minister for Dispute Affairs with the Ministry of Justice, Berhanu Tsegaye said the Federal Prosecutor filed charges against the suspects under the file, Elias Kifle.
It has also filed suit against two Swedish journalists who were arrested during the fight with ONLF under the file, Abdiwoli Mohammed Ismael, he added.
According to Berhanu, the Federal Prosecutor has charged the suspects of attempting to dismantle the constitutional system through organized armed group.
He said the Prosecutor charged the members of the group operating under the mastermind, Elias Kifle, in collaboration with five organizations which are regarded as terrorist groups, and the Government of Eritrea with attempting to commit terror acts.
Berhanu said the suspects, who were organized in underground terror group in 2003 EC, were also charged with an attempt of destroying electricity and telephone as well as fiber networks existing in Addis Ababa City, Dessie, Woldiya, Harar, Hawassa, Assosa, Wollega, Jijiga and Gondar by collaborating with foreign terror groups.
The suspects include Elias Kifle, Zerihun Gebreegziabher Tadesse, Woubshet Taye Abebe and Hirut Kifle Woldeyes.
According to Berhanu, the defendants were accused on four counts of charges.
The charges include involving in terror act, commit terrorist act and using fraudulent money for terror act and extending financial support to terrorist acts.
Berhanu said the suspects, Elias Kifle and Hirut Kifle, were also found guilty of committing terror acts previously.
He said the Federal Prosecutor has also filed charges on members of ONLF and two Swedish journalists arrested during the fight with ONLF.
The Swedish journalists were charged with advancing and supporting ONLF’s subversive acts and participating in terrorist organization and violating the sovereignty of the nation.
According to the State Minister, the government has concrete evidence for the charges.
The Federal High Court, which received the suits, has adjourned the case for October 17 2011.
45 thoughts on “Khat-crazed regime throws wild accusations (video)”
This is a very fishy. Clue, if these ‘journalists’ get released from “jail” anytime soon (within the next 2-6 months), then chances are they were CIA/spies and someone ‘forget’ to inform the relevant Woyane agencies about the plan to spy on ONLF. And Woyane now has to throw a disctraction to get time to share intelligence data (so they have to be in “jail” for that). Common practice.
It surprises me that Elias is using chewing or using Kat(miraa)as a crime or as insult, by the way do you know most ethiopians these days back at home are using Kat. I my self one of them when i go back home for visit i injoy kat man especially the Awedai and Wolkete.
What i want to say is Elias you are offending hell a lot of ethiopians in and out side the contry, stop using this term again, please.
I am really angry and sad because of the situation in my home land. For how long the TPLF lead EPRDF government throws a fabrication accusation against helpless Ethiopians. Ethiopians are smart enough to figure out who are the TPLF thugs. Please Melse Zenawi stop this lie and madness. I am praying now for regime change. I thought Meles is going the right direction, but not !
congradulation elias as you have beaten to death the weyane coward elements where they are using every possible way to accuse you by using a number of fabricated lies, bravo elias kifle we will be on your side as you are a way better than million selfish and retarded worthelss eprp, mead and other few gangesters as you are a threat for weyane as same as brave ginbot 7, olf, onlf and other strong groups…shame on those who are attacking elieas, onlf, olf and ginbot 7 …..
I am not totally caught off guard, at woyanes accusations. but, i admit, a little bis surprised.. they getting a little crazier. i remember in 2005 VOA journalists were listed as Terrorists. It is not the first time for Elias too.this just tell us they do not have any room at all for dissent. every journalist, nation, country, people has to praise woyane and meles like they are gods.you have to worship them,sing for them, say hallelujah,our savior meles,you are the only way,brilliant, intelligent, ….blah..blah…it reminds me of the history of Uganda president Idia min. he made his people to call him,the intelligent, brave, brilliant…winner of every thing.
It is just same old story. the language of dictators all the same. since the dawn of time they may come in different forms, but dictators are dictators, they will never listen to reasoning. they live in fear and terrorize people and at the same time labeling others as terrorists.
They will never get a lesson from history. sometimes i do not understand how their brain function. look Gadafi, after 42 years of dictatorship now he is running in the desert for his life. It is too late to salvage himself. he thought after 42 years no one will dare him. he planned to anoint his son for the throne. even when the revolution started in Libya, he did not think will be pushed down from his throne. he was in his own fantasy world. same to Woyanes. the years come and go by,still they are in power. they surprised themselves. they convinced they will rule Ethiopia for the next 100 years. They believe as long as the military and police is same as TPLF/EPRDF, nothing can stop them. That was just stupid.
Why they don’t look back to the soviet era. no one ever thought the unthinkable will happen, ever! Woyanes think they have chinese now. the new colonizers in Africa. well, it doesn’t matter they can run everywhere.try to grab every opportunity to cling to power.But, the bottom line nothing can help them to win the peoples heart,simply because dictators do not have ears to listen to peoples voice.
All dictators in history, however, long they stay in power never had a good ending. because, they are against the people. no fire arms,propaganda and terror will crush the power of the people. As always, sooner or later The people will rise and give the woyane dictators a lesson once and forever.
#2melbournian,
How pathetic! What is wrong calling a Khat addicted person–“khat addicted”. Woyanes want people like you to keep on chewing Khat all day and stay high all the time, that way you are too high to notice when your country is vandalized and your friends victimized. Why do you think Khat is illegal in Tigrea province?
The two English words the Woyanes know are lousy and Terrorist.
Mr. Melbournian#2,
as most Ethiopians know it, may be you too, khat is a drug which is depressant. Therefore, it is not something which is to be appriatiated.
Dear melbournian:
I hear you and your concern is founded. But what Brother Elias was specific about is on the nature of khat where it can change the behavior of certain individuals adversely and drive them into madness. I am sure you can recall how some individuals back home become ‘jezbaas’ or ‘fukraas’ due to their addiction to khat. Some of them turn sociopaths. If they have the means or power, they will not have a 2nd thought about killing another human being. That is what khat did to this ugliest creature that ever crawled on this mother of all of us earth. The current arrest of a veteran stage actor as a terrorist is an example. I am sure Brother Elias knows that there are millions of farmers in Hararghe, Arsi, Jimma, Shewa and Wello who can afford one meal only(ven that is a big if) because they are condemned to a destitute standard of living by this midget from Adwa while he, his harlot consort and his closest tribe have their house gushing with whiskey and filet mignon, have to resort to nature-given herb to curb their appetite so they can work on their farms. Brother Elias is not insulting those poor farmers who have no choice. That is my opinion and I don’t think Brother Elias will differ on that. There is no question that this croc face from Dedebit has lost his sanity, if he had one to begin with.
Viva Elias, here we go we can understand how your works shake the Weyanes. Keep up the good works you will be victorious.
It is Khat that is distroying the country. Khat is a drug that is distorting the thinking of the leaders and people of Ethiopia. Farmers are planting Khat instead of food crops, they are using the water available rivers and lake to grow the drug. Khat cultivation has spread like wild fire in the country. The farmers spend all day chewing Khat and try to cultivate his land at night with moon light. The leaders have become paranoide, they see every citizen as terorist. They day dream of “Eritrea or Shabia” bombing evey street, very building every conference rooms. Meles and his followers are halicunating chewing Khat and fabricating stories of terrorism. The arest citizens and plant their evidence on the premises of their victim and claim that they have prove of conspiracy of trrorist plot. They arrest journalists, teachers, artists, farmers, young and old. No wonder our country has become a begger nation, chewing Khat while the Eritreans are bussy building dams,farms, roads, digging gold, and have no time left for the childish game of ‘Terrorism’.
Elias…WE ARE PROUD OF YOU ALWAYS
KEEP DOING WHAT you ARE DOING LET ALL OF US DO THE SAME AND WIPE OUT THE LAND TAKERS AND GIVERS
Hey Elias, I agree chat is bad, but you never call him alcohol addicted. I wonder why? Are you playing religion war?
I am sincerely asking.
Listen Elias!!!
You are one of those coward Amhara chauvinists. We are the ones who liberated you from barbaric Mengistu. You should stoop down and bow to us for making you a free man. You see Meles is almost an incarnation of the great American liberator – George Washington. When you insult Meles you are insulting George Washington. You and people like Astatke above will never set you foot on a millimeter soil of our country, Ethiopia. To be honest with you, we don’t really need any of your land. We have the all beautiful Tigray. That is if you don’t let us live in peace with people like you. But for now, you can say ‘good bye’ to our Ethiopia. You will live a refuge life mulching on your hamburgers for the rest of your life.
But one quick note. Meles is not like you. He does not hold grudges. If you ask the people of Ethiopia for forgiveness and the people’s desire is to do just that, he will not interfere with the peoples’ decision. Do you remember Birtukan? She committed the most heinous crime and was justly sent to prison for life. But she regretted and asked the Ethiopian people for forgiveness. Meles agreed and she is now a free woman happily pursuing her advanced education in the USA. He is not a bad man. He is just a victim of defamation by losers. There fore, if you contrite and decide to be a part of nation building, he and the Ethiopian people may think about giving you a chance. Otherwise, you will live the rest of your life as usual, a loser.
And I dare you to post this comment.
Thanks for your reply fellow ethiopians, you guys are still offending millions of ethiopians. do you know most ethiopians use khat for religious and spritual purposes please think twice before writing comment,when you guys stop drinking vodka millions of ethiopians will stop using khat.
It looks those who hate or undermine just because someone using khat those who come from the high land of amhara or tigray area and those conservative orthodox religion followers and those who are slightly backwards sorry for my word, those who think their way of life or thinking is write and others is wrong and those who wants impose their way on others.again sorry for using ethnic names i hate ethnic bla bla.
bye for now
This just shows how small and fragile woyane is…If not what is the point of picking a fight with individuals like Elias who happen to have a different opinion than woyane. 2004 is the end of woyane…
Dear melbournian,
I am sorry to say this but you need to dissociate your selfish reasons and not use this forum to fuel ethnic arguments. Just because you have Khat now and then it doesn’t mean you are included in the insult, once again think of the youth who is made Jezba by chewing khat day in day out! and you will be sad to notice that the decent eastern cultural significance of khat, where people gather around and have coffee and khat and discuss social issues is not actually what is happening right now, its just some people eating khat wherever they find it or it finds them, its not about the ceremony or the social values anymore, people are downright addicted to it. i am sure that is not the trend you want for your country is it? and about the highlanders and alcohol,don’t forget that there are a lot of Muslim communities in the north and in your effort to divide people you are actually shooting yourself in the foot, yilik.. they say they used to have some kind of drug in the monasteries that help them pray, would you agree if people all of a sudden want the whole of Ethiopia to do it? and say ah… its just the lowlanders who doesn’t want it? think before you say stuff. you very well know the difference between a person who chews khat for its social values and the one who is so addicted to it ..and becomes a jezba! you don’t want a jezba leading your country!
LOL ataklti,
atakiltih yitfana… didn’t you read wikileak lately? birtukan’s apology was a sham.. they were forced to let her go. and so nice of you to insult one of the nationalities in Ethiopia in bulk! you can’t just hide how zeregna you are, can’t you? Mengistu fail because the people didn’t want him, and because Shabia helped you, they trained you and got you here, i hope you realize that when the Ethiopian people say Beka there is no place for you. that is the day when Ethiopian integrity will fall back into place, including our sea port! you traitors! lucky for you its 20th century if it was the 16th you would be hanged for treason against your country, unfortunately now is the time when people get rewarded for looting their country! its almost time so enjoy the few days you have!
I belive the root cause the problems in Yemen and Somalia is Khat which made the countries failed states in the region. Ethiopia could be next if the youth and farmers keep using the drug. Rastafarians use Marijuana claiming as a relgious practice, I believe vodka is not good for the health of a nation. Using drugs as a religious excuse is crazy.
To you Ethiogirl:
You must be ashamed of yourself for posting such pointless comment. I never said I9We) hate Elias and people like him. The purpose of my comment and message was that to tell thinks as they are. You are wasting your valuable time and productive years by just slacking off here in the West. You should sincerely apologize to the Ethiopian people in general and the Tigrayan people in particular and come back home so we can build our country. Since 1991 75% of poverty has been eradicated from our country and the middle class has grown for 0.005% of the society to 55% of all working people. If you had flown over our country any time before 1991, you will see nothing brown and dark spots in all countryside. Those were the raggedy thatched homes of the peasantry. And if you do the same now, you will see white dots all over the countryside from North-South and East to West. These are bright tiles or tin-roofed houses of the peasantry. I am not lying to you. You just go there and see yourself.
And a lot of people like you think every Tigrayan is a Woyanne. But that is not true. I am from Tigray with both parents Tigrayans. But I am not was never a member of a Woyane group. I wholeheartedly support the program and plan they have for the country and I consider Ato Meles to be a God-send Messiah for the peoples of Ethiopia. His stature stands shoulder to shoulder with George Washington, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Reverend Marin Luther King and those gallant patriots of our country from the 30’s who fought Fascist Italy.
So quit slacking off here in the West and go back home so you can be productive. It is not like you hear from the losers. There is an unfettered freedom of expression. There are more than 30 dailies that print derogatory remarks about the government and its leaders. Nobody is bothering them. There is not a single political prisoner in our jails. But it houses the most dangerous criminals, terrorists and those who were sentenced for petty crimes like pick-pocketing(that includes those jailed for corruption). I can successfully debate this issue on an open public forum in front of a packed auditorium if people like act civil. That is if you debate the issue and not pelt me with personal insults. And don’t even dare call me a Woyane. I am a proud Ethiopian from Tigray.
Hi guys you didn’t get my point, why it is acceptable the high landers AREKE(qunduftu)culture and what is wrong with using khat,simple as that i need explanation. By the way brother elias and fellow commenters in such attitude and mentality i don’t think you guys get chance to rule ethiopia, i don’t think ethiopian wants to go back backward again, “MAREGNE PM MELESSE”.
By the way do you know how many european countries are legalised the use of marjuana and how many other western countries are contempleting the legalisation of marujana leave alone the minor stimulant khat.
Just advice for those who against khat users(berchologist)becareful when you travel to ethiopia especially to eastern part particularly Harerghe, don’t stand infront of fellow oromos carrying MENCHA. hahaha………haha.
Yarada lejoche they tell you off and call you “FARRA” if they know you are against khat users. hahahaha…………………………hahahahahahahaha.
LoL lol Lol kkkkkkkkk Atalti (Typical primitive woyanne) You still did not finish your evolution so do your chimp and midjet whom you are trying to praise ,to make sure that he is in your level just
ask some inellectuals from your neighbourhood which is not woyanne pick out some of your best official show up of the chimp and ask the one to tell you what this guy is all about you dont need a rocket science to analize that your hero is not even fill a normal human standard had it not been Ethiopia that he hold hostage by the help of C.I.A Paul Hinzes help ,enjoy your rest looting time as it is near to end which will be decisive for your future cause each and every woyanne and sympetheisers are very few it wont be that hard to tell and at most the attrocities done during the woyannes occupation of Ethiopia
Nothing, but conspiracy of tax evaders. They have to. All of them stink. They shrink.
Atakilti
which kat r u chewing awedai or w….. You have every symptoms of kat’s high. It seems you are in a state of euphoria where you are seeing things vividly. Keep on hallucinating as there is no cure for your disease, addiction. The only hope you have is too quit if you have the will which I doubt.
Wishing you a happy nu year in your vivid world. I hope these lines will not be complicated to muster for you.
to Atakiliti weyanew
stop your shameful lies. nobody wants to debate with you. this is not about your tigray. 75% of poverty may have been eradicated in your tigray using the looted money from the rest of us. your middle class may be growing, again with our money. get lost.
the guy called melbournian is a weyene. he is just doing his job.
Atakilti,
Your opinion about Ethiopia in general and the future relationship of her people is based on your murky subjective view. The LORD, Ethiopians and the world clearly know what havoc and depredation Melese led Wayne has done to Ethiopia in the last twenty years. And all the crimes that are committed by Tplf are in the public domain. I am not speaking in gray, but in black and white that can easily be supported with facts.
Among these crimes, by no means is the list exhaustive, the following are included.
1- The secret sell of 1,600 K.M fertile Ethiopian lands to the Sudan. Read the following fact about this matter.
http://ethiopiantimes.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/ethiopias-meles-zenawi-seller-of-borderlands-and-fertile-farmlands/
The criminal melese of whom you like admire as good leader and seem to think he is a “victim of defamation by losers” is world class criminal who has sold his soul for the devil long ago and is out to accomplish his master’s very purpose.
2-Melese administers Ethiopia by dividing her people among ethnic lines. And the ethnic based parties in the coalition of EPRDF don’t have any right to make independent decision concerning their region.
First of all they work under Mlesee appointed watch man. And strictly follow federal mandate. In other words they have to do what their weyane boss has told them to do without raising any question.
3-Melese has committed crime against humanity; at various times the regime has committed atrocities in Beneshangul, Gambella, Somalias, among the dispersed Amharas in various places, and the people of Oromo.
4-The cash starved weyane continue to lease Ethiopian fertile land to foreign governments so that it can stash away the cash received from such deals in foreign banks.
5-The regime owns everything in the country, land minerals, and is effectively running state capitalism there creating an opportunity for EFFORT and Medoc to amass the nation’s wealth.
6-The regime incites violence among the people; Amharas over Oromos, Muslims over Christians; it burns properties and blunders national treasures, and blame it on others. Yet all along, from its very days up to the present TPLF is anti democratic front. As such it perpetrates hatred among members, foments violence, and spreads mistrust among the people. Therefore we may clearly say Melese and his weyane are the very criminals that use legitimacy to foment terror and violence .Consistent to the principle and adherents of weyane you wrote,
“He is not a bad man. He is just a victim of defamation by losers. Therefore, if you contrite and decide to be a part of nation building he and the Ethiopian people may think about giving you a chance.”
The wenbedew and vagabond weyane party have repeatedly used forced confession upon its alleged opponents, to defame, incriminate and humilate.Beside, weyane has used the same tactics to many innocent Ethiopians including to political opposition leaders, and to the group of faction that left Weyane in 2001.
After twenty years of miss rule and humiliation of the majority of Ethiopians you seem to believe that your party is still is invincible, and that events will continue as it is indeinitely.And that the only valid argument, according to you, is to categorize events in to two camps: winners and losers. And that the question of democracy, justice and rule and law by the Ethiopian masses is just the day dreams of fanatics. And that the only option left for the Ethiopian people is to blindly obey the command of the “enlightened “Adwa boys.
Judge for yourself how this thinking puts weyane and her ardent followers at odd with the Ethiopian people. Think soberly, you implied that if things get out of hand you won’t will move to tigray.Is it realistic? Under such circumstances will Tigray prove to be a peaceful sanctuary? The world has begun to admit the truth about the nature of weyane, what we Ethiopians all along have been saying.There comes a time though where Ethiopians might be forced to say enough to the twenty years spectacle , drama ,and political circus of weyan.
This what I am talking about. Some of you have been very civil in countering my comment and others have no idea or the discipline to debate. They must have been listening to violent and rude rap music all day long.
To Helena, Ahadu and their dead-neck entourage!!! That means dead neck up!!!!!
You are the one who are really lost and confused. Meles did not give away sea ports and made our country land-locked. It was your idol Emperor Menelik who signed away the whole Red Sea coast and the rest of Eritrea. You can see his signature yourself in the archives of the Italian government. Meles did not divide our peoples on ethnic lines. Terrorist groups like OLF, ONLF, EPRP, MEISON, Gim-bot7(stinky), Elias Kifle, Al. G/M, Haile Selassie, Mengistu H/M and EPLF did that. We took what they left for us to fix and we fixed it like the best classic car restorer to frame off restoration. And look at it now. Every ethnic group is very happy and all eager to master the national language of Ethiopia – Amharic. Amharic is not a language of Amhara chauvinists any more. It is a working national language that belongs to everyone from the East to West and from South to North. You Amharas think the Amharic language was invented by you. But it was us, we Tigrayans who created Amharic as the palace language in 12th century. You see people like you all dead-necks don’t know the history of your own country. Stop whining at Apostle Meles. You see Meles is not a Messiah to our country only but to the entire continent of Africa. His leadership quality does not have peers in the history of mankind. He has that sacred touch. During the liberation years, his mysterious power was known to have withered away the heavily armed Derg soldiers without a single shot being fired. Their fingered refused to pull the triggers of their rifles and rockets. He has never lost a single fighter in any mission he led. And also, a friend told me this about the day he was born and I believe it. And the story was told by a saint priest who baptized him. That priest is long dead now. He told a story of what happened a week before Meles was born. All of a sudden it started raining and kept raining for 5 days. And on the day he born, the surrounding hills and valleys all of a sudden were covered with yellow and white lily flowers. And that is a sign of reincarnation and a reincarnation of all good and genius people before him. And he never gave orders to kill 190 people and the police force that was sent to keep orders in the aftermath of the 2005 election did not kill a single innocent civilian. The demonstrators were made up of hooligans and violent criminals. They were firing hand guns in all directions and even lobbed hand grenades at the police men who were there to lead their procession. You see the so-called opposition does not tell you this. Those hooligans killed each other. As I told you before, I can successfully debate these and other complaints you and your groups may have on a public forum if and only if you folks act civil for a change. My advice to you and other slackers remain the same. You should contrite and go back home so you can be productive. Nobody, I say, nobody will bother you because you made some rude remarks about the country and its leaders. Just look at Solomon Tekalign. Wasn’t he one of the most outspoken opponents of our leaders? He did that in his songs and interviews packed full of virulent words. He even went to Eritrea to give moral support to groups hell-bent on killing civilians. But when he asked the Ethiopian people forgiveness our benevolent leader Meles bestowed the most coveted pardon upon him. And his pardon did not pass unnoticed and unrewarded. Just look at him now. He has been a man of goodwill and patriotic fervor. He has turned a good man that our country wants. Empty vessels make the most noise because there is nothing useful in them. So stop whining and do something constructive for the people you claim to love, you fool!!!!
Here is a proof that shows I am civilized and cultured: I thank Ethiopian Review(Even though he is a wanted terrorist in Britain and back home)for daring my comments posted so we can hash things out in a civilized way and not in a rap concert fashion.
Dear melbournian,
can you give me one example where drinking Areke is respectable in Ethiopia? no body respects a drunkard, or a constantly high person, as both are out of their minds half the time, The Oromo people in harerghe, they are still doing their job even if they use khat. can you say the same for the youth loitering in Addis, Nazreth(Adama), Bahir Dar etc…? why are you trying to make this a tribal issue? about legalizing Marijuana, it is all in the cloud its only legal in Holland and you can’t have more than 5mg even then, try using it anywhere else and you will find yourself in Jail, just because Sean Paul sang “legalize it… ” it doesn’t mean countries are in a move to legalize it. anyway you and Atakliti are just trolling to make us lose focus!!!
Ataklti.. i can see how proud Ethiopian you are, by breaking off our legal sea port right and giving it to the Eritreans in a parcel! if you knew how much Ethiopian Blood has been spilled in Assab, but it wont’ matter because you don’t care! generations to come will question you for what you did! Atse Yohannes will turn in his grave if he knew what came out of his land. traitors!!!!
Ataklti,
to be honest, i didn’t even contemplate that you are from Tigray, i am not like you i don’t care where people come from, i respect them as long as they stand for the integrity of Ethiopia! you are the one who is happy insulting people by their nationality! and if you think all this wrath is unto Weyane just because they are from Tigray, then you really need to think again, people have valid reasons why they are mad at Woyane its not race.. we became landlocked which for sure is bound to increase inflation as we had to pay loads of money for our port access now! Jesus its not rocket science how does anyone in their right mind give sea access and say “Gimel yatetubet”? and then of course the dominant party -Japan style.. so that we only have one party system because they chose it for us! tell me how is this different from Dergue’s “e se pa”? you guys always talk about the economics whey you are asked about freedom of speech and political freedom, so who told you these things are mutually exclusive? i mean let’s say the economic figures are right and Ethiopia is really growing.. so is that a valid reason not to give political right to the people? why is it that when election rigging is discussed you talk about the double digit economic figure( which is cooked like crazy anyway)! so now tell me if our problem with Meles is his race or the things he is doing wrong by Ethiopia! please dont’ jump on Economic figures and give me answers for the 1) why we lost our port 2) lack of freedom of speech 3)why no real opposition party is allowed in the political arena. then tell me if this is a zer issue or real issue that affects our country.
Ataklti,
my God you lie, with no inhibition, I was in Addis when the shootings happened i saw what happened, you said the people were throwing hand grenades? my God i’ve nothing to say to you anymore, you just either believe whatever they tell you or you are one of them. and about the port i am not talking about Metswa which if you must bring the Menelik agreement, was included.. i was talking about Assab which was under Ethiopian stronghold and was a rightful Ethiopian Port. either way now i see that is no point trying to discuss with you. you are a blind supporter. but just before i leave what is your take on the series of bombs Weyane detonated in Addis staging it as if it is from OLF? we knew from the beginning but now its on wiki leaks so let’s hear your side :)
Tewbalew,
thank you for articulating that very well!
Mr. Atakilt I am sure you are halucinating i am not what kind of mind altering substance you are taking. Not long ago you were complaing your treatment under Haile Selassie and DERG, and today you are doing exaxtly the same or worst to the Ogaden, Gambela and Oromo people and you think there is peace in the country. Once some equated’Amara’ and today you think Tigrai is ‘Ethiopia’ and the rest are enemy teritory that must be rulled and exploited by guns. You think your leader as Saint, you are right there was no African leader in Africa, who is selling Africans land and children left and right while starving millions destroying their homes and farms. The 12 millions starving Ethiopians and Somalis are the direct victims your saint drugist leader!He is the Judda of Africa who betrayed every one who helped him to reach where he is now.
##31 —> Ethiogirl Let me try to anser your (as far as to my knowledge) as to 1) Why we lost our port 2) Lack of freedom of speech 3) Why no real opposition party is allowed in the political arena.
It has been long time since I just tried to observe extreme people from both sides. Ethiopian review, as a very extremist website is totally dedicated for the people who are in the opposition side. And, since most of the people who visit this site are from the opposition side, it is normal to see some very unfair comments.
Whatever the case, for people who always sing of Ethiopian integration, it is valid as far as there is equality of people of every ethnic in the country. But, if people are not equally respected in the country, why would we simply worry about its integrity and unity? What is the unity and integrity if it is not for the people living in it? This is the point I persist in. No one is unhappy to see a very united Ethiopia, but this Unity and integrity shouldn’t be at the expense of eliminating the defining values of all the ethnic groups in the country. This is the solid fact there is in place.
I really feel unsatisfied when a country as big as Ethiopia is landlocked. But, if we investigate the facts behind this back from history, my point is that woyane alone shouldn’t be blamed for this. It is the result of bad governance toward Eritrea starting from Menelik, Haileselassie, and the dergue that has resulted in this catastrophe. If these kings and rulers of Ethiopia were able to handle the Eritrean situation very wisely, this should not have happened, and Ethiopia, as a united country would have enjoyed the Assab port now. Taking all these things into account, what woyane could have done is to take us into war with Eritrea over the ownership of Assab port.
About the Economics vs democracy issue, here is my point. I am very happy to see these two things coexist in Ethiopia. But, the democracy that few us in USA dream cannot be achieved in countries like Ethiopia in a short time where the mind set up of the people is no where compared to the mind set up of the Americans. Even if we want a democracy of this type, it would lead into another undemocratic situation. But, changes in public awareness, and spreading education are what have to be done right now. I don’t mean democracy is not necessary though.
In order to build a very democratic system, political parties which are transparent and inclusive are necessary in any country. Most of this part is done by the opposition parties and and what is needed from the government preparing a playing field. The playing field may not be a smooth as we expect, but it is enough for real political parties who want real change in the country. Failing to achieve this is not something that is fully blamed to the woyane government. In the 2005 election, it has shown us that members of the opposition group started completion for power, and some of them were involved in corruption. This indicates how establishing a healthy political party has been difficult due to problem of the parties themselves.
Free speech is directly related with the process of democratization. And, I don’t really support when people say there is no freedom speech in Ethiopia. I know it has some limitations, but to blindly say there is no freedom of speech is simply futile. If this was the case, why are the newspapers like Awraba Times, Fith, Addis Neger, and others printed and distributed in Ethiopia? It is pretty known that almost all of the contents of these newspapers are a direct attack to the government in power. I doubt how many of you guys know this fact.
So, instead of pointing our figures at somebody, let’s start to contribute something to our country if we really want to see the change we dream. It is not by blaming each other that Ethiopia can prosper. It is when we star acting leaving aside all the talks aside.
Best Regards,
Andargachew
No Body!! Ahhh!! Nobody wants to take up my challenge to a public debate? Wow!!!! That was I thought!!! You are a bunch of cowards!!! A crackpot of wussies!!! You know why? Because your convictions are corrupt and your ideology is bankrupt. Your friends and ‘idols’ like EPRP, EDU, OLF, ONLF, EPPF and other losers have even tried to raise arms against us. They had no idea what awaited them in the bushes. They did not find it as green as they were daydreaming before they left their comfy homes. They are not (were not) cut to be or run a guerrilla army. They put together enticing programs to much ado about nothing. They coined up glittering names for their so called base areas. One of the funniest of such names was called ‘Assimba’. In Irob language, ‘Assimba’ connotes a red mountain. And it is an actual mountain in Northern Tigray. To these day-dreamers, it meant that you don’t need to go through rigorous training and trying times as a guerrilla to become a seasoned fighter. You just had to go to that mountain and you are a part of a red army the minute you arrive there. Tens of thousands of the young flocked in droves as they were told just to become disappointed and bewildered. And as an insult to their wounds, their hapless leaders declared war on our tried, seasoned and gallant fighters. One by one they all floundered and did not even last a month. We had EDU for breakfast, EPRP for snack, OLF, ONLF, EPPF, the rest of the miscreants for desserts and the big enchilada ‘Derg’ for dinner. We did not even have enough left for lunch. Now the remnants of those losers has started house of cards like ‘Gim-bot (Stinky), OLF(Amhara hater bigots), ONLF(Pure and simple rag-tag terrorists) and EPLF ass kisser groups wondering aimlessly in Barka, Eritrea. I saw the photo of one of those ‘former’ EPRP leaders on some websites the other day. He looks like Willy the Wino, all wrong. What a sad sight. Others have grown bulky and ballooning beer guts with ravaging diabetes and hypertension. I once was told that one of their wives was wearing black dress daily for a long time as a statement to her past ‘struggle’ and ‘martyred pals. She needs to wear them for the rest of her life for her men sending those unquestioning young people to their wasteful deaths. Some of these survivors who recklessly sent tens of thousands of the young generation to their fruitless deaths have the audacity to write books about their ‘struggle’. As such, they profited from the blood and deaths of those innocent young people many of whom were the cream of the crop of the society. If it were not for us, you folks would be killing each other like mad dogs by now. Liberation front does not mean fighting only. It does not mean sending one or two soldiers just to kill low income local administrative clerks in the remote towns. It does not mean at all and can not be justified to plant explosives just to kill innocent people who are out and about to make a living. Those innocent people were denied the chance to go back to their family including children. Also liberation front means doing things that will benefit the people in the operating zone in a positive way. We used to manufacture sanitary soaps using rudimentary means in the liberated areas of Tigray in the 70’s. Antibiotic drugs, intravenous fluids etc.. We made them all. We can even claim that we started internet communication we back then. Don’t start with me now.
Thank You Lord For Giving US The Benevolent Meles!!! Here is my song to him!!!!
Inde Matusala indene Abraham
Idmehin yadrgew Amlak zelalem!!!
So put up and shut up!!!!!
#15 Melbournian,
From reading your comments, I am sorry to say that chewing chat indeed has already affected your thinking capability. The sad thing is that, most of our young Ethiopians like you don’t see anything wrong with chewing chat and they are driven and encourage to chew chat by the enemy within and some neighboring Arab countries in order to rob Ethiopian land and her natural resources. Wake up, my friend! Please wake up and start the new year with clear mind and believe that nothing good comes out of chewing chat or drinking alcohol excessively.
On this New Year Holiday, I wish everyone here and back home success in all positive endeavors to benefit our peoples. I wish you all and your entire families peace, health and happiness!!!
Happy New Year!!!!!!!
Andargachew,
you know what i might not agree with some points like for people who had Gadaa system and knew what democracy meant that it is a new process and we need to slowly introduce it.. but saying that. I really appreciate the way you put somethings forward, i absolutely agree that awareness and education is the key to our problems, to begin with an educated armed force won’t fire on civilians even if ordered as we have seen in Egypt, aware people won’t easily be rigged out of their election. so let’s agree at least that education and awareness is the real key to the problem.
Ataklti,
I like how your true color came out, so now there you have it, as you did it for your people.. the rest of Ethiopians will do it for their people too, that is why they took up armed struggle.we will see if you are going to have them for your lunch. we will see….
ethiogirl:
If ethiogirl is not your real name, why do you lie about it on this public website? Atakilti is my real name. I am a devout Orthodox Christian who has all my bets on the Good Lord – The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. I am a loving father of wonderful grown up children. My daughter may be of your age. I don’t worry about what other people make or their private lives. I just got tired of some of you folks demonizing people like me with wholesale condemnation. You don’t give us even a sliver of credit for what we have done for the country. I have made quite a few trips back home and seen it myself. To be honest with you…I was a little skeptical at the beginning but years later I came to see and realize the progress attained/achieved. We all know that a lot of work still remains to be done in some areas such as bringing inflation under control. These days, inflation is everywhere. I am not saying all is well. But it takes a while, process and persistence. Do you remember the old time saying: Rome was not made in one day? When you heavy industries sprouting all over town and more importantly humming 24 hours a day, mint fresh automobiles rolling out of the assembly lines, thousands of KM’s of new roads being constructed and colleges and universities mushrooming all of the country- I call these signs of progress. If there are political improprieties they will be corrected in the process. The priority now should be, for all of us here or everywhere, to contribute what we can to transform the society from being too dependent of agrarian economy to being drenched by industries. There is no way out of the remaining misery that is bedeviling our people. You see it is very easy to sit here and complain or starting a blog just for that purpose. Because, it does not need or require any taxing effort. But it requires being a thinker endowed with endless farsightedness to transform a backward society. I know that from my own experience here in the USA working for private companies. I was part of teams more than once given the responsibilities of building and starting new factories. In some of them I was a team leader. I tell you that is not easy. Any such critical path comes with heart-breaking setbacks and unexpected problems. But persistence pays. That is why I see in this person whose name is Meles. And you can hang me for saying that if that is fair and just.
In the meantime, I have noticed that some of these websites are collecting IP addresses of all those who write comments on their sites. I have customized software installed on my computer that tracks and warns me of those sites that try to track down the IP address of my computer. They have accumulated a boat load of IP addresses of everyone who has posted comments whether the comment was to their taste or not. Why? Do they know that having a website frequented by the Diasporas comes with sacred responsibilities? Also, why do they need to spy on their audience? What are they going to do with their loot? I am not worried because I use my real name and I can tell you where I live. I have no entourage or body guards. But if some of these websites’ owners (editors) someday change their hearts…What will they do with it? Are they saving that for the rainy day to use it as a gift to whom? I don’t think Meles and the Ethiopian government will see that as a genuine contrition. Or are they passing along to groups and a government that have been to be a terrorist organization or supporting such terrorist organization? Therefore I am asking the editors of this website (they seem to be nice folks) to refrain from such acts if they have done that in the past. It is being dishonest to their dedicated audience. To all those you who have been posting any comment on any Ethiopian website, I urge you all to get a software that will protect your computers from such criminal acts. By the way, such acts are crimes here in the USA which carry stiff penalties.
Agazi Atakliti
OLF is not Amhara hater. you played the ethnic card and lost. you subhuman agazi need to understand one thing. Ethiopians are uniting and are coming after you. it is just a matter of time. your killing spree will end soon. start digging your hiding holes.
I told you so, ha ha ha , the recent development in the case of fellow ethiopian Etana Shuremu DC shop owner court drug trafficing case, which is dismmissed by the judge as khat is not a drug of prohbition.
Sometimes white mans justice is fair and for those who denounce khat use you can file to DC court for retrial.
HaHa……………………….HaHaHa
You Megertu:
First, I did not want to respond to your nonsense. But I changed my mind.
You and your OLF should be ashamed of yourselves for trying to hand over the proud people of Oromia as a personal gift to waco Isias and his Shaebia cohorts. You don’t even have the skills of expressing your ideas eloquently. You should shut up and let onlookers think you are some kind of beast of burden made specifically for Shaebia. You cut and ran leaving more than 10,000 so-called fighters with out leaders. You did not even tell them where you running away to. But we know where you went. You went right back to your missionary mentors and munching missionary cakes. Now you are so sugar drunk and started babbling around with empty words. Again, you should shut up and show yourself as a dummy horse, that is, ‘getaba’ horse so worked up by Shaebia.
To Ataklti
I can feel your frustration but I also see that you are like a blind folded person running in the woods. At one comment you say that you are not a TPLF member and at another you say we liberated you and so on. First, you have to have a stand. My take from your comments is that you are Ethipian from Tigray who is a die hard woyane supporter. Nothing wrong with your opinion and support for woyane but like you many people may be on other side of the aile opposing woyane because they see what they want to see and some of it has obviously damaged Ethiopia. Woyane as a party is dead and the administration is corrupt and it has found it difficult to control inflation. Every thing is leading to crisis.
You on the other hand want to argue till the cows come home, feeding us false hope and bickering and harping on Meles’s capacity. Well, it is your right to worship a person instead of god but no body will buy yoiur crap. You preach civility and yet you use foul words. Can you go back to and read your comments. It is sad to see one breaking his own/her rule.
Leader ship by example. Specially, if you have worked for big companies and were a team leader in some, leadership should have taught you to be an example. At first, I thought you were angry Eritrean but I can see that you are ethnicist tigrayan. I personally can’t see any thing Ethiopian in your racist comments and this goes to some who are from other ethnic also. Ethiopian could be any one who loves Ethiopia and respects her and die for her. Alula has said some thing about Asab. I hope you find out. Meles said that “let the Eritrean camel drink the Asab water, that is the most they can do with it” but Alula said
that “I will make sure I throw the enemy in the red sea because that is the border line.” Do you see the difference between the two. He may have said this for politcs purpose but you have no way to prove that and force us to believe you. You can believe what ever you wat.
Thank You Tizibt
For Your comment To Ataklti.
Like their Master most woyane die hard supporters write rules to use it whenever it fits them orelse they are the first violators of the same rule that they try to govern others. There is no cosistency at all, they are something today for sure they will completely be different tomorrow.
I want to tell every one that there are only a few Ataklti who has benefited from the regime and are crying out loud. That doesn’t show or tell the interest of the majority of Tigrians at home who lives under the same situation like every other Ehiopians and also in the diaspora who are afraid of joining the opposition groups for fear of a severe punshiment of they relatives at home.
To Tezbit and Zalanbesa:
I don’t really care if you don’t believe me for not being a Woyane. A Woyane movement was a legitimate uprising launched by the people of Tigray in the early 40’s where thousands lost their lives. It was re-launched again in the 70’s but this time it gained support from all other nations and nationalities including Amharas, Oromos, Afars, Somalis, People of Southern Nationalities and Benishangul-Gumuz people. There were even Eritreans who fought along with our fighters of different nationalities. I was not there like most of you. There are no Woyanes now since they have all been working for the betterment of the entire state of Ethiopia. They all worked 18-20 hours a day to transform the society and we end up with this: An Ethiopia with one of the fastest growing economies in the world. I did not make this up or I don’t think Meles ever thought of making such a claim. Outsider economists did that. In regards to the fate of Assab, I want you to wear a spectacle of a genuine historian and look back at the development in the 3 years of 1989, 90 and 91. Make sure to be fair and an unbiased historian. I am not trying to convert people here. I you hanker your feet and keep on spewing hatred wholesale on any nationality, it will not be advisable and constructive. Just for a moment stop thinking of and looking at me as a ‘killer animalistic’ Tigrayan, but consider me a genuine Ethiopian who unashamedly preaching for the harmony/unity of the people of Ethiopia regardless of creed or ethnic background.
As far Ras Alula, he is also my hero and will remain so until I die. He lived in a different time in history and had dealt with circumstances he was confronted with intelligently and heroically. So I thank you for honoring him.