Questionable facts and figures behind the Yara-Prize … Norwatch
Prime Minister of Norway declined invitation to attend Yara Award ceremony for Meles Zenawi … Gunnar Magnus
The people of Ethiopia don’t want to be under the Meles regime for five more years, according to representatives Ato Muche Admas, Bahr Dar; Ato Berhanu Ayele, Debub Zone; Wzrt Minyisha Girma, Arsi Zone… Aug 28 – audio
Propaganda minister Bereket Simon says Ana Gomes is responsible for the June 8 violence… ENA, Aug 26
To Ambassador Brazeal: At a time when all responsible groups, including the European Union election observers and members of the US Congress, are agonizing over ways of respecting the votes of the people of Ethiopia, you stepped out of the bounds of fundamental diplomatic decorum, and counseled the opposition to betray the voters’ trust and to perpetuate Mr. Zenawi’s autocratic rule … EAD, Aug 29
Despite significant efforts by the election administration to establish a complex system to deal with complaints, overall the process failed to provide an effective remedy to the parties. Re-runs of elections went peacefully and orderly, albeit without opposition representation and with militia and security forces present around and inside polling stations of some sensitive constituencies… EU Election Observation Mission will present final report with recommendations on September 23 … full statement, Aug 25, pdf
UEDF calls for nationwide conference, demonstration … resolution, amharic, pdf
Ethiopia’s national elections failed to meet international standards for democracy in key areas, the European Union’s (EU) chief observer said on Thursday. Ana Gomes said post-polling day irregularities, delays and questionable vote counting, as well as flawed handling of complaints and re-runs of elections in some constituencies had undermined the electoral process… IRIN, Aug 25
Daylight robbery of people’s vote… audio
US Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal: “Let me tell you what ordinary Ethiopians tell me… They tell me Ethiopian society historically has not valued compromise and accommodation but yet they yearn for these traits for their children and for their country’s leaders. They tell me they want the political parties to accept election results, join Parliament, and work from within the system.”
… Farewell Speech, Aug. 23
Ambassador Brazeal, you are an embarrassment to the American society that values freedom and democracy.
UEDF’s top leaders held a public meeting in Washington today, Aug 28. A large number of Ethiopians attended the meeting. In the minds of most of the participants was whether the opposition parties will enter the parliament and allow EPRDF to rob the people’s vote. UEDF chairman Prof. Merera Gudina said that they need to consult with CUD before making such a decision, but indicated that UEDF does not believe entering parliament will be a good idea. The participants expressed strong support for UEDF’s plan to hold nationwide demonstrations on October 2 jointly with CUD and civic groups.
Letter to Pope Benedict XVI
Oromiya region president Junedin Sado and his cadres are harassing and intimidating Wzrt Minysha Girma, 21, who soundly defeated him at the May 15 elections. She is now in hiding after her house had been fired on. Wzt Minysha will be one of ER’s guests at tomorrow’s teleconference … Aug 27
Ethiopia’s first multi-party ballot was anything but free and fair. In fact, it turned out to be what many cynics have come to expect from African elections — vote-rigging, intimidation and even murder – name your electoral poison. And the aftermath of the election has been no better. Olivia Rousset reports on why things have gone so sadly wrong in Ethiopia… Aug 23
Destaw Kasse explains why he boycotted Sunday’s reelection in Bugna Woreda… VOA
Tensae Radio’s web site is back online: www.tensae.net
Ethiopian Mennonite leader delves into politics… Ekklesia
Interviews with representatives of CUD in Gonder, Awassa, and Sheka Zone (lllubabor)… Aug 21
CUD DC in a state of paralysis … comment
CUD held a public meeting in Addis Ababa’s Woreda 17 today to consult on the party’s next move. The views expressed at this heavily attended meeting are, for the most part, encouraging the CUD leaders to do every thing necessary to make sure the people’s choice is respected. The meeting was moderated by Ato Gizachew Shiferaw, a member of CUD’s council and PM-elect at Woreda 17. The meeting participants told Ato Gizachew that if CUD calls peaceful actions such as demonstrations and general strike, they are ready to participate… Aug. 21
The European Union (EU) has defended its chief election observer, Ana Gomes, against accusations in the Ethiopian state media that she favoured opposition parties… IRIN, Aug 23
To Ana Gomes: In the past, you were the voice of courage and this has made your name a household word among the rank and file. We understand you may have to pay the price for being forthright. As you approach the release of your final report, we plead with you, in the name of 72 million Ethiopians, to tell the truth. We are sure you will be pressured by various parties to hold back. The pressure comes in the name of stability or to protect the interest of the national governments of the observer teams… EAD, Aug 22
The UEDF leadership conference was adjourned last night after coming to an agreement on what course of actions to take next. The two-day conference has rejected the election result that was announced by the Election Board and passed a resolution calling for a peaceful popular struggle to have the people’s choice respected. The resolution will be posted shortly. The UEDF leadership will also hold a public meeting next Sunday, Aug. 28, at the Unification Church starting at 3 PM… ER, Aug 22
The UEDF leadership conference is underway in Rockville, Maryland. UEDF leaders from Ethiopia and around the world have been debating since yesterday on what course of action to take now that the Election Board declared EPRDF a winner. A debate is raging between those who advocate joining the parliament, and others who advocate rejecting the result and conduct peaceful popular protests. The two-day conference may be extended if an agreement cannot be reached… Aug. 21
To Congressman Smith: “We believe there should not be separate measures of democracy for Europeans and Africans. What was good for the Ukraine should be good for Ethiopia” … EAD, Aug 19
Ethiopia’s main opposition began legal action on Friday against the election board to suspend re-runs of polls in 31 constituencies, officials said. The vice chairman of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, Berhanu Nega, said lawyers had filed an injunction at the federal high court to halt the poll … IRIN, Aug 19
Egypt donates food to Ethiopia … comment
Code of Ethics for the Salvation of Africa
YaRa – they do really care!! … Sereke Berhan, Aug 3
Ethiopian Veterans Association speaks out, sends a message to the armed forces
… pdf
CUD started holding public meetings on the election … Reporter, Aug 3, amharic
An opposing idea to the CUD merger plan… Dawit Kebede pdf
Bereket Simon has been found after disappearing from the public view for over ten days. He’s in Awassa harassing the people there to accept EPRDF rule for the next five years… Aug. 21
The EPRDF-controlled media is going after EU observers
… Walta … Addis Zemen (amharic)
The newly elected members of the Addis Ababa City Council convened today (Aug 20) and elected Dr Berhanu Nega, Mayor; Dr Admasu Gebeyehu, Deputy Mayor; Ato Assefa Habtewold, Speaker; and Wzr. Shewaye Kiros, Assistant Speaker.
After the 2000 elections, the Addis Ababa City Council elected the city’s leaders in a similar way, but a few months later Meles Zenawi disbanded the Council, fired the mayor, and appointed his own mayor and other officials. The same thing will happen again unless Meles is forced to resign and a democratic government is in place at the national level.
UEDF leaders from Ethiopia and around the world are in Washington DC for a two-day conference that will start Saturday, August 20, in Rockville, Maryland…
MEISON’s proposed agenda for UEDF’s conference … amharic
What’s the obssession with NUG? Please come up with workable ideas.
We have learned with great dismay that distinguished members of Columbia University are associated with the selection of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi for the Yara Prize …. EAD Aug 19
Reception for the victorious athletes yesterday in Addis Ababa stadium turned into a protest rally against EPRDF … more in Amharic
Interview with U.S. Congrssman Chris Smith on Ethiopian election …IRIN, Aug 17
US congressman criticizes delays in probing Ethiopia’s violence… AP, Aug 17
Three opposition parties in Ethiopia say they will boycott the forthcoming election in the Somali region… They say their supporters have been harassed and thousands of voter cards stolen … BBC, Aug 16
Ato Destaw Kasse is boycotting the re-election in Lalibela… Armed EPRDF cadres, supported by Federal Police, are rounding up and detaining young people throughout out the Lalibela area ahead of the August 21 re-election that was called by the Election Board to help Ato Bereket Simon regain his seat… Ato Bereket and his heavily armed cadres are terrorizing the people of Wollo … ER, Aug 15
Mr Patrick Mazimhaka, Deputy Chairman of the African Union Commission told VOA today: “I think the country handled itself very well, both the government and the people. There was indeed a scary moment…when the opposition tried to resort to violence and the government had to come in and stop that, unfortunately with the loss of some individuals. But following that, calm returned to the capital.” (Aug. 12)
This is unbelievable coming from the Deputy Chairman of the African Union. He is blaming the murder of unarmed protestors on the opposition parties… the fruit of empty diplomacy. We need to infom this guy that he is promoting state violence in our country and we do not appreciate that.
Mr Parick Mazimhaka’s email is full. Now let’s flood the AU chairman’s email and phone line:
Mr. Alpha Oumar Konare
Tel: (251) 1 514554 / (251) 1 51 77 00 ext 120
Fax:(251) 1 513036
[email protected]
Mr. Patrick Mazimhaka
Tel: (251) 1 51 77 00 ext 124
Fax:(251) 1 51 78 44
e -mail: [email protected]
… comment
Information Minister Bereket Simon is trying to rob the people of Bugna Woreda their votes using violence and terror. The people are resisting. Interview with Ato Destaw Kasse, CUD parliament member-elect from Bugna Woreda
… part 2 (part 1 was deleted by mistake)
Senior US Congressman meets political leaders over election stalemate … IRIN, Aug 15
The Congressman tells the opposition parties not to boycott parliament … AFP, Aug 15
Letter to Congressman Chris Smith from UEDF-UK
The EPRDF Stalinist rule must not continue, CUD chairman Ato Hailu Shawel told Ethiopian Review today. A member of the UEDF leadership, MetoAleqa Ayalsew Dessie, told ER that UEDF will not accept the election result
… part I … part II … part III
Civic associations demand respect for the people’s choice … amharic, pdf – Aug 14
Addressing the issue of access to the state media, Meles Zenawi said that the opposition had to refrain from spreading hate propaganda and preaching violence on the internet and some other private newspapers in order to have access to the public media… Reporter, Aug 13
Q to Meles: what do you call shooting down unarmed teenagers with high caliber guns?
Ato Lidetu and Dr Berhanu on German Radio – audio, August 9, 2005
The Federal High Court today sentenced to death Colonel Tesfaye Woldeselassie, who served as Minister of National and Public Security, and General Leggesse Belayneh, who was head of Central Investigation Department during the former military regime… Abera Yemane-ab, the head of Urban Dwellers Associations Organizing Department, is sentenced to 10 years in prison … ENA, Aug 10
EPRDF said it would form a new government on tomorrow (Thursday)… Opposition parties are due to announce tomorrow how they intend to challenge the election results… Reuters, Aug 10
CUD chairman Hailu Shawel told AFP “It is the most illegitimate process I have ever seen in my life, even in a beginning democracy, where the winner is declared the loser and the absolute loser is declared the winner.” “It is not rigging as some call it, it is simple burglary,” Hailu Shawel said… AFP, August 10, 2005
The latest results announced by the election board gave EPRDF 296 parliamentary seats–past the 274 it needs for a majority … Reuters, August 9, 2005
The main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) said it would not accept the result. “We will not accept it. We will challenge it in court,” CUD’s Berhanu Nega said … Reuters, August 9, 2005
“The parties should accept the final results which have come after an investigation process that was long but also transparent,” said electoral board chairman and chief of the supreme cout Kemal Bedri.
… comment
CUD needs to take immediate corrective measures … ER, August 8
August 4 – The EPRDF regime continues to harass and violate the civil rights of opposition leader Ato Lidetu Ayalew. Currently, the minute Ato Lidetu steps outside of his house, he is followed every where by EPRDF security personnel in unmarked cars. Also, Ato Lidetu is still prevented from traveling abroad for any purpose.
UEDF people’s representatives through out Ethiopia met in Addis Ababa last week and passed resolution – amharic, pdf
An Ethiopian was shot by a suspected gang member in Los Angeles
… LA Times, Aug 10
Support the families of fallen heroes. Join ShiBire Desalegn’s E-mail group
From Hard Choices to One Choice: Here goes the NEBE again … NES, Aug 9
Silencing the media abroad … EFPJE, Aug 9
Meles & Co. to sue Tensae Radio producers in a U.S. Court … ENA, August 8
Statement of the Ethiopian community against terrorist actions in London …
– ECB
Ethiopian Review and Tensae Radio teleconference with Ato Lidetu Ayalew …
– audio
Ato Lidetu Ayalew, member of the CUD Central Council, told Ethiopian Review and Tensae Radio yesterday that the CUD leadership did not approve any proposal that calls for power sharing with the EPRDF regime. Ato Lidetu said the CUD leaders have assured him that no such proposal has been presented by CUD… Aug. 8
Thank you Capital News 9 for removing the insulting remark about Ethiopia from you page. Also thank you ER readers who wrote to the News 9 editors.
Mississippi, “America’s Ethiopia”, Jesse Jackson
The sad thing is that the source of the insult is Jesse Jackson
Ethiopia: Shocking hunger stats … SA
Methods of nonviolent protest for political change
AUGUST 2005
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