This is a sad story about an Ethiopian Air Force officer, Captain Teshome Tenkolu, who was forced to spend two years in underground jails by the regime of the Tigrean Peoples Liberation Front ({www:Woyanne}). When he was released after two years, he was told that he is innocent and that his country needs him now. They asked him to return to the air force as a pilot, which gave him a chance to escape to a neighboring country with an air force plane.
Captain Teshome is currently residing in a foreign country as a political refugee. Click here to read the full story: Amharic – pdf, 33pp.
(Originally posted on Aug 2, 2007)
26 thoughts on “‘Moto menesat’ – a harrowing experience of Ethiopian pilot”
Why did you not tanslate into English and send it to international human right organisations?
A very unforgettable story. The Captain’s recollection of his two years in captivity and his style of writting even makes peoples psych to remember forever. Ethiomedia.com left the story posted for almost a month on its web site and for may be a logical reason.
What a mind bugling? I read the whole history of this heroic pilot (I did not put it down till a finish the last word of the writing). I could not stop my tears. It is very fascinating what this person had to put through. I, as a person I do not wish any person to go through this kind of atrocity. It is shame on every Tigrean ethnic group to be a part of killing Ethiopia and Ethiopians!
I just don’t understanding what this people are doing to innocent Ethiopians. Why? I don’t have an answer. I do not think this people are Ethiopians, I do believe they are vicious animals and uncivilized back word people. We Ethiopians have to do some thing to stop this.
How many innocent Ethiopians have faced this kind of atrocity? Time will tell. I believe in millions!
Ethiopia for Ethiopians!!!
TO ONE ETHIO;
I know TPLF is a killing machine; they were/are killing the same way for over 30 years now. I know also they are anti-Ethiopia(ns). Do you know that for the 17 years before TPLF come to power they were torturing Tigreans the same way they did to Toshome. As a mater of fact as we speak there are many Ethiopians in the same conditions that Toshome was in, when I say Ethiopians I mean including Tigreans who oppose TPLF. I understand when a cruelty such as this happens to any human being you can feel it to your bones and this breeds anger. However, the anger should be directed at the people who are committing this crime, not the people of Tigray as a whole. TPLF wants the Tigray people to be isolated from the rest of Ethiopia so that it can use them for its crime. If we are going the same channels as the TPLF does, then we are not better than TPLF. Our country and people should overcome the TPLF’s misrule and tyranny, if only we are united and standing up against TPLF. If only prosecute the criminals not innocent people who are under the same yoke as the rest of Ethiopians, I even can say the worst is for Tigray people because they are brain washed, tortured, killed, disappeared, humiliated for over 30 years.
kiros,
Kiros you are woyane your self every tigrawian are responsible they have supported woyne now there time is getting closer every tigrian is responsible.
Kiros,
I have personally nothing against Tigrays. In every ethnic group of Ethiopia, you find different versions of Ethiopians at its best, worst, indifferent etc. When power and politics is involved, the clan mentality can take effect for a similar purpose defensively, to divide and rule, or for an optimistic higher purpose. According to Ethiopian Airforce pilot, Shambel Teshoma’s account, the ethnic/ Tigrays authority in charge of the conspiracy, set up, betrayal, imprisonment, torture and dehumanized humiliation he suffered, all took place in Tigregna language by Tigray TPLF cadres, however trusting he could be. I doubt if Tigrays will be the WORST VICTIMS of TPLF.
One consistent voice in the public media that has made us not forget that there are Tigrays who value Ethiopiawinet as well as the their big role as part of the country, has been ethiomedia.com’s Abrha Belay. Tigrays who oppose TPLF openly and consistently could have their own power play and goals as there are other ethnic segments who thrive the same way.
I agree with Aden in most cases, however when I say Tigreans worst under TPLF rule because they have been under the rule of TPLF for over 30 years vs. 16 years. Don’t take me wrong, even one day of misrule is too many. The dark under ground prisons were there for over 30 years and most prisoners were Tigreans (students, farmers, and elderly people) in the first 17 years. All what is happening now all over Ethiopia was happening to the Tigrean people and are made by force to submit to TPLF. Those who oppose are either in prison, killed, or not body knows their where about. That is the reason why Tigreans are passive; they endured the unbearable rule for too many years. Go see the rest of Ethiopians why they are not getting rid of TPLF if that is possible? Because TPLF kills and arrests for all people who try to oppose them. By the same token there are Tigreans who worship TPLF and who are benefiting from ruling. At the same time there are other non-Tigrean Ethiopians who worship TPLF only to fulfill their stomach. As Aden put it there are bad and good people from every ethnic group.
As to Alemu’s comment, if I were to support TPLF nobody can stop me, but I never supported TPLF in my life, never. I believe the problem is common to all Ethiopians and the solution should come from united effort. Mainly I oppose any undemocratic rule and one-Ethnic base rule. That will not be a solution to the problems Ethiopia faces.
Kiros
I would like to know why the Tigreans are not on any public demonstrations with the Ethiopians against Meles. The away I see it we are the ones who give all kinds of excuses for them. I it is better to call a duck if it quacks like a duck or call a spade a spade.
It is very heart-breaking to visualize through the story what really happened to Captain Teshome. I really regret the killing of Daniel Beyene after passing through all those
hardships. May God put his soul in heaven…
This is a very cruel and inhuman act of Woyanne on innocent Ethiopians and one can imagine how many Ethiopians have been passing through similar incidents. May God help them all….
It is a self deception to believe that the majority of Tigreans are anti- Weyanes. Except few individuals, all Tigreans are behind TPLF. All our problems in today’s Ethiopia arise from the denial of this naked fact. I am wondering whether “Unity” is feasible in keeping United Ethiopia. The Tigrans will not bear the shame and live together with the rest when their actions what they did to fellow Ethiopians and Ethiopia is exposed and come to their Consciousness.
It is paramount for politicians, especially for non- tigreans start formulating how we can form the New Ethiopia or how we can make our disintegration less painful.
Not for diversion, please don’t misunderstand.
The whole world has gone through similar or worst during the past eight years in the name of fighting unsubstantiated “terrorism” which in one way or another most of vocal elites participated to get favour from
their masters. Even many still sing the same song as we have witnessed here and other websites/blogs in the case of Binyam release from Gont…
Anyways, even Captain Teshome Tenkolu’s case is related with any past misdeeds, he is not supposed to be tortured the way he suffered whether he is Amhara/Oromo or Dergist/EDUist etc…
Religion/any affliation or otherwise the first and foremost is violation of human rights must not be accepted by anyone.
What is the solution for these torturers?
Cheers
I can not believe why we Ethiopians hide this kind of inhuman story among ourselves. Why this person or many people do not translate into English and report to different world news organizations, like New Yorks times, Washington post, BBC or different TV and radio stations if he had hard time to translate the story why you Elias or someone like Ginbot seven and many other political organizations do not help him to translate in to English and expose for the world this Mafia TPLF. It is sad really I am sure now we have not used all avenues of the struggle because every story about this kind of crime doesn’t go outside it just stays with us why we have to know it we all ready know it, if we keep doing the same thing nothing will change. If I was him I would ask someone to translate for me the story in to English or other languages and send to all leaders including usa Canada even united nation and different human wrights groups and organizations. What is the point posting here I know it just I can not help him even myself. These Ethiopian political groups and intelectuals screw them their nobody they just cry like a baby for power instead of helping their country idiots. I am really tired reading this kind of sad story I might stop soon really reading the web. Even we do not take videos and pictures the crimes when they happen at home we just use our video and audio as well as phones to stupid things we do not use them to expose TPLF look how the TPLF Mafia used the stinky Hawzen story to expose the Derg look how they use audio, video and pictures when they want to destroy someone or people. So Please Elias if you can read my posting find someone good in English translating or yourself if you can and let him do send his story to important people and organizations.
Thank God! This brave, Ethiopian treasure came out alive and able to tell his story. I salute, my fellow Ethiopian. People like him deserve Medal of Honor not thrown in jail.
Wow! What an abuse of power. Every Ethiopian should read this story. It should be copied and distributed to all Ethiopians for all those who have no excess to the internet. My heart ached as I was reading the story of these talented Ethiopians ordeals. I am deeply touched by this story and I am fed up with and disgusted with these senseless ignorant Woyanes. Why in the world these sub-human woyanes hate Ethiopia and Ethiopians so much? It makes me sick and ashamed to be identified as an Ethiopian the same as these heartless TPLF cadres. German people have been tarnished because of Hitler; and I am afraid all Tigreas going to be tarnished because of Woyanes, unless Tigraes shout from the top of the mountain: – NOT IN OUR NAMES and send the message to Meles and reassure Ethiopians.
Everytime we bring up TPLF atrocities, a tigrian comes forward to remind us that the TPLF does the same to the tigres also. After that someone, supposedly a good Ethiopian, comes forward to tell us that the tigres are good Ethiopians.
Whether they are good Ethiopians or not is not for me or you to say, they have to prove it to us themselves.
One simple way of showing it here would have been to simply sympatize with Cpt Teshome and condemn the tigrian junta that did this to him. Not to trivialize the tragedy by bringing other unrelated issues
Dani R.I.P.. I have known Daniel for long time. A very innocent man who was just serving his country and a very good son to his mom and dad. Teshome we always are going to be with you man. I am glad you have going through all this and alive to testify infront of the dark world who still beleive Ethiopia under Woyane is democratic… Dani again R.I.P.
It is shame to treat any human being like this. You need to fight in brining the Woyane Regime down now….do not seat in a foreign country and do nothing… you need to join the fighters who are based in Eritrea fighting the Woyane regime. Be courageous and do some thing about it. A dictator cannot be removed by complaining only.
What a sad history . to this day I never thought tigrian did really commit this kind of atrocity against humankind. What ashamed to those who fight the rightness of justice .I can’t control my tears when I read his mothers death cause by her action try to find his trial in front of the air force get, soldiers and general (). The picture really stick in my mined I can see her how she suffer to find her son… I feel so sad for him he lost his beloved mother. I’m sure the scar never go away from his mind.
This pilot is a chicken. What is life after such abuse and pain. If i were him, i would have blown the palace and die heroically or hide some where.
O’ My God!!! This is really incriminating. I hope and pray that Hillary and Obama will have the chance to read this report. In the era of ‘Yes We can’, this is not a type of a friend they want to be seen with. I also hope that all these alleged killings, disappearances and beatings are factual and well backed by credible witnesses. Africa!!! Cry O’ My Beloved Country!!!! I am saddened by this and depressed. It looks that the country is run by ruthless shadowy mob. If so, then it is too late. Just look at Nigeria and Kenya. Just look at them!!!
Elias, please keep this story on the front page for a while. This story as heart-breaking as it is, it is good enough for a story teller to make a TV movie. I hope someone in the movie business who cares about Ethiopia gets a hold of this story.
Tesfaye, my beloved Ethiopian hero,
I read your recounts of horrific expriences of Ethiopias current prison systems. Your articulate accounts worth zillions. OVER a millions did not get a second chance to add to your accounts, but you did it for them. You spoke for those
who are being marcilessly being butchered as we speak.
I WISH most of those who survived genocide in Ethiopia have your kind zeals, wisdom to elaborate their misery for historians and rights to decide that ETHIOPIANS are faced, clonized by one ethenic and their approaches are far worse than that of foreign powers.
Had our country colonized by Greeks or SOVIETS AND YOUR fate would not have been worse than what you went through.
I hope you are safe and able to change what God have given you to use the rest of your life, which is speak out for your good friend and an Ethiopia hero who died to save you from going back to that dark hell of Tigrean dungeons.
My bro. move foreward and speak for the rest of the country men/ women who were/ are being silenced by the barberians who
want to practice animalism and bistim onto the 96% the country.
your prayers did come to your rescue, yes, the power of prayers did make you the MUSE OF OUR COUNTRY AND YOU ARE called upon to speak for your nation, go on God is with you and I pray for your long life.
I KNOW DEBRE ZEIT, kNOW DANIEL, my tears wouldn’t stop for days as I READ YOUR NOTE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. Yes, not all Tigreans so evil minds, but majority do have twisted states of mind becareful and keep on.
God bless you.
YOUR BROTHER FROM A FAR.
to#18 Zinash
you are out of mind and chiken headed. if you were in the military you don’t advice some one to do this.first you have to know that when is the air plane loaded with ammunition and also there is an anti air craft in side the palace and a lot of things. doing some thing is harder than talking to some one to do it. and also the palace is not belongs to meles it is the property of ethiopians.
I do not know if Capitain Teshom’s ordeal is recoded by Human Right Organizations including USA State Department annual report ?
This vivid story is handy too for film producers to produce a film and those who are in this business should do it with the collaboration of Capitain Teshome.
Capitain Teshome should also tell his story for the world audience or publish it. Such personal suffering should not be gone without giving a lesson to all humanity.
I know Teshome. In fact I talked to him. For someone who knows how he grew up and how his mother brought him up, this story is unbelievablly heart wrenching. When I was reading the story, I felt like I was there (because I knew many places and people he mentions). I understood the Tigraian best fiends he had (I surely hope they are still friends). When I read the part where he says his mom died, It is like MERDO because I knew her. We called him Teshiye- Teshiye I hope you are stonger now.
True men never lose their humanity, even under such savage captivity which, tesfaye Tenkolu is one living proof. Tesfu may God bless you for your wise points. You could blow up Mekelle with a few hundred inhabitatnts and die or flew off but God did not call you for that but for higher places. YOU ARE CALLED TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHICH IS TO EXPOSE
CRIMINALS, THUGS AND HELP IN ESCORTING THEM TO JUDGEMENTS.
THAT DAY WOULD COME TWICE, ONCE ON THIS EARTH THE SECOND WOULD INFRONT OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD KEEP ON YOUR MISSION FIGHT FOR ALL.
TRANSLATE THIS ARTICLE IN ALL LANGUAGES AND POST IT EVERYWHERE.
THIS ARTICLE SPEAKS FOR ALL VICTIMS WHO DIED IN DEATH CAMPS OF MELES ZARKAWI.