The high level delegation of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) arrived at Oslo International Airport in Norway on the 20th of September 2007 at 10:00 PM. The delegation was received and accorded lively and warm welcome upon their arrival. And a brief but colourful reception ceremony was held in honour of the delegates and the sacrifices the CUDP leadership is paying to build a democratic system in Ethiopia. The ceremony was filled with emotions of joy and jubilation and it was uplifting to see the crowd singing and expressing their unwavering support to the causes the CUDP stands and struggles for.
Friday, September 21, 2007
The delegation started its official working visits by holding meetings with the Norwegian Immigration Officials at 10:00 p.m. The meeting deliberated on the problems Ethiopian asylum seekers are facing and the delegation brought the volatile political situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the Norwegian immigration officials. The delegation stated that the return of asylum seekers under the prevailing situation in Ethiopia is not recommendable.
The next meeting of the day was at the Royal Norwegian Foreign Ministry which began at 13:00 or 1:00 PM local time. Two officials of the ministry received the delegation and the deliberations commenced after a brief introductory speech.
The delegation briefed the officials of the Norwegian foreign ministry on the prevailing political situation in Ethiopia and the horn of Africa. Absence of the rule of law, political freedom, capability build up of parliamentarians and democratising the political space were among the issues highlighted in the briefing dwelling on the domestic arena. The delegation also briefed the officials on the prevailing situation in the horn of Africa with specific emphasis on the lingering border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. They emphasized the importance of seeking just and peaceful resolutions to all regional issues. The officials of the foreign ministry on their part, mentioned the current roles Norway is playing in Ethiopia and posed relevant questions that were responded to by the delegation. The discussions were cordial and the meeting was held in an atmosphere of mutual interest and understanding.
The delegation devoted the afternoon of Friday the 20th of September 2007 to the general meeting with the members of Kinijit Support and Development Organization in Norway (KSDON). The chairman of the KSDON opened the meeting by making a brief speech of welcome and the secretary of the KSDON presented an extensive report on the organization covering its activities since its formation. The delegation expressed their heart felt gratitude to and briefed the members of the support chapter on the objectives of their working tours and the current political situation in Ethiopia. They reaffirmed CUDP`s commitment to the democratic and peaceful struggle. The forum was open for discussions and exchange of opinions and views. Wide ranging questions and views pertaining to the political situation in Ethiopia and the CUDP were addressed.
Saturday September 22, 2007
The wider Ethiopian public and friends of Ethiopia were campaigning and protesting to bring about the release of the CUDP leaders and all political prisoners in Ethiopia. Thus, the public meeting was arranged to offer the delegation an opportunity to thank Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia, explain the objectives of their mission and exchange opinions and views with the wider public. The meeting was cordial and was conducted in the spirit of cooperation and understanding. In the end, the chairman of the fund raising committee announced the collection of over 135, 000 Birr to be donated to the party for use in Ethiopia and thanked all who contributed.
Sunday September 23, 2007
An informal occasion meant for meeting with the public figures in the Ethiopian community and representatives of other opposition parties was arranged. The delegation had lunch with the individuals who showed up for the occasion and got the chance to be acquainted with them.
Monday September 24, 2007
This was the last date of the working visit of the delegation in Norway. The pre-noon part of the date was used to hold meeting at the Peace and Human Rights Center and Norwegian People’s Aid where the delegates briefed the officials of the respective organizations on the political situation in Ethiopia and their visits. The Peace and Human Rights Center is headed by Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, the former Prime Minister of Norway and the current UN special envoy to the Horn of Africa. The discussions at the center focused on conflict resolution, the Ethio-Eritrean border conflict and human rights.
The delegation concluded their working visits successfully and left Norway in the after noon of this date.
The KSDON was very happy to play host to the delegation and expresses its heart felt gratitude to all who had contributed to and cooperated to make the stay and visit of the delegation fruitful and successful.
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Kinijit Support and Development Organization in Norway.
The successful Kinijit fund raising in Boston last Saturday is putting the spotlight on Kinijit chapters in the San Francisco Bay Area (Oakland-San Jose) and Dallas, Texas.
The Kinijit delegation led by Vice President Bertukan Mideksa will arrive in the Bay Area next Thursday (Sept. 27) and Dallas (Sept. 30). Although it is said that Boston is Kinijit’s stronghold in the U.S., much more Ethiopians reside in Dallas and the San Francisco Bay Area. So these cities must raise at least $50,000 each, or else the officials of the support committees may have to cough up the money themselves to reach the goal.
When the Kinijit leaders return back home, they face the monumental task of reorganizing the party through out the country. They cannot do that without money. As Americans say, “money is the mother’s milk of politics.”
It is encouraging that a very small Ethiopian community in Upstate New York has been able to raise $10,000 on Sunday. By that standard, the huge Ethiopian communities in Dallas and the San Francisco Bay Area can easily top $100,000 each. But it would be great even if they are able to raise $50,000. That will put the delegation on track to raise over $1 million by the time it complete its U.S.A. tour.
The delegates will arrive at Oakland Airport on Jet Blue Thursday, September 27th at 6:00 PM. Ethiopians from the greater Bay Area will give them a heroes’ welcome.
The delegates will spend Friday taking a rest and meeting with representatives of community groups.
The main event [see poster], may be the largest Ethiopian political event in the Bay Area, is on Saturday. The Kinijit Oakland-San Jose chapter has organized a town hall meeting and dinner from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Place: Greek Orthodox Church, 4700 Lincoln Ave Oakland, CA 94602
For Information: (510) 575-7931
The renown journalist, artist and the host of Addis Voice Radio, Abebe Belew, from Washington DC will accompany the delegates to Oakland and Dallas. Ato Abebe Belew will be the MC for Saturday’s meeting.
Early Sunday morning, the Kinijit leaders will fly to Dallas, Texas. They will arrive at 11:30 AM. Kinijit Dallas representative Dr Aziz Hassan is urging Ethiopians in the Dallas area to come to Dalls-Forth Worth (DF) Airport, Terminal A, at 11:00 AM to welcome the leaders.
Dr Aziz told Ethiopian Review that Kinijit Dallas has invited Ethiopians from neighboring cities and states, including Oklahoma. Artist Abebe Belew will join the delegates in Dallas as the master of ceremony (MC), Ato Aziz said.
Ato Dejene Assaye, Kinijit Dallas-Fort Worth chairman, told Ethiopian Review that Kinijit supporters in the Dallas area are excited and eagerly awaiting the arrival of their leaders. On Sunday, DF Airport will look like Meskel Square during Timket.
A Grand Public Gathering
Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007
Time: 3:00 PM to 8:00PM
Place: The Radisson Hotel
1981 N Central Expressway Richardson, TX 75085
For more info: 972 375 1334 or or 214 727 9995
Ethiopian Review will live live coverage of the events in both cities.
After attending a fund raising dinner in Boston Saturday night, Kinijit Vice President Bertukan Mideksa and Spokesperson Dr Hailu Araya headed to Upstate New York on Sunday. The senior Kinijit leaders received an an enthusiastic welcome from the small Ethiopian community in Upstate New York when they arrived at Rochester Airport.
After the welcoming ceremony, the delegation headed to a public meeting organized by Kinijit supporters in the Buffalo area. After the meeting, the participants contributed $10,000 for Kinijit’s activities in Ethiopia.
Kinijit leaders in Upstate New York [Photo: Alyou Tebeje]
The Kinijit delegation to Europe has arrived in Stockholm, Sweden, yesterday, Sept. 24. Several Ethiopians who reside in Sweden warmly greeted the Kinijit leaders when they arrived at the Arlanda Airport in Stockholm.
The delegation, which includes Kinijit Secretary General Muluneh Eyoel, and executive committee members Ato Abayneh Berhanu, Dr Yacob Hailemariam, Ato Kifle Tigneh and Ato Aschalew Ketema, started its European tour in London on Sept. 9.
While in London, the delegates held meetings with representatives of Kinijit support committees and members of the Ethiopian community in the U.K. The delegation has addressed some organizational issues in regards to Kinijit U.K. and Europe.
The Kinijit leaders then headed to Finland and Norway before arriving in Sweden yesterday.
Unlike the delegation to the United States that is currently immersed in controversy, the Kinijit delegation’s visits in Europe is going smoothly and has so far been able to achieve all of its objectives.
Kinijit leaders arrive in Stockholm [Photo: Kinijit Sweden]
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Kinijit leaders arrive in Stockholm [Photo: Kinijit Sweden]
The controversy and heated debates caused by the recent dictatorial behavior of Hailu Shawel, instigated and promoted by the EPRP-Shaleqa unholy alliance, will soon be dwarfed by another issue — the upcoming local election in Ethiopia.
Next April, in about 7 months from now, there will be kebele, woreda and zonal elections in Ethiopia. Kinijit has not decided whether to participate in the elections. The leaders have put off the decision until they return from their worldwide tour. But Ethiopian Review believes that the discussion must start now, and Ethiopians in the Diaspora must take an active part in the debate.
Ato Hailu Shawel said in an interview with Abyssinia Radio on Saturday that unless Kinijit’s 8-point conditions are met by Woyanne, the party will not participate in the elections. As every one is fixated on the dispute between Ato Hailu and the executive committee, very few people may have paid attention to what he said. But it seems that Ato Hailu has already made a decision on this matter on behalf of Kinijit without the party’s central council had a chance to deliberate on it.
Putting aside for now Ato Hailu’s ongoing dictatorial behavior — which will be dealt with according to Kinijit’s bylaws when the leaders return home — should Kinijit participate in the upcoming local elections?
Ethiopian Review believes that Kinijit must take part in the elections for the following reasons:
1) If Kinijit wants to remain as an active political party inside the country, elections are the best way for it to communicate with the people and get its message across.
2) The Woyanne repression will be far worse than pre-2005 elections, but Kinijit leaders can bring international pressure to bare upon Woyanne to allow Kinijit access to the state-run media, open its offices through out the country, and organize its local chapters with less restraint.
3) Kinijit will lose local and international credibility if it decides to not participate in the elections.
4) Political parties are organized to participate in elections. If Kinijit is not willing to participate in the upcoming elections it will lose its raison d’être.
Participating in the election does not mean Kinijit has to accept the outcome if gross fraud is committed by Woyanne. Kinijit has correctly rejected the 2005 elections, and it should do so again if the next elections are also fraudulent. Also, by taking part in the elections, it doesn’t mean that Kinijit is accepting the legitimacy of the Woyanne regime, nor the election board, nor the judicial system, but if it chooses to operate inside Ethiopia, it must use every door and window that is open to it to challenge the Woyanne dictatorship.
The Kinijit leadership has learned a lot from the 2005 elections. Many of the mistakes that were committed then hopefully will not be repeated.
Obstacles to the debate
The EPRP losers are desperately trying to infiltrate Kinijit’s leadership through their agent Taye Woldesemayat, a self-proclaimed Kinijit hater. That is their modus operandi. They strive to influence public opinion through infiltration of their opponent’s organizations, fabrications of lies, and insidious propaganda. That is what they have attempted against the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD). They had demanded more than one seat in the table. When they could not get that, they walked out and tried to play the patriotism card. The funny thing is that EPRP is the least patriotic organization. In fact, in many occasions it has worked to undermine the national interest of Ethiopia by siding with enemy forces. For example, it is a well known fact that EPRP had collaborated with Somalia’s Siad Barre when he invaded Ethiopia in the late 1970s. It is to be remembered that EPRP agents were poisoning the food that was being prepared by kebele associations to go to Ethiopian troops at the battle front. Woyanne and EPRP had offices in Mogadishu at the time and were coordinating the attack on Ethiopia with Siad Bare. It is this same old EPRP that has been attacking Kinijit in the past few months for joining OLF, ONLF and other groups in calling for national reconciliation.
EPRP and their agent, Dr Taye Woldesemayat — who was kicked out of the Ethiopian Teachers Association last July for refusing to return the money he collected on the association’s behalf — are using to their advantage Ato Hailu Shawel’s poor health and shaky state of mind due to the numerous medicines he is currently taking. They are trying to tell us now that Hailu Shawel is their hero and the other Kinijit leaders are trying to oust him. These lumpens had been vilifying Ato Hailu just a few months ago when the rest of us were carrying his photo and marching in the streets of the capitals of the world demanding his release from jail. Their audacity knows no bound.
Taye and EPRP have already convinced Ato Hailu that he should not continue with the Kinijit leadership. Shortly, he will anoint Taye Woldesemayat as the chairman of Kinijit, or the faction that will follow him, and retire, as he hinted on Abyssinia Radio. It is a done deal as far as Hailu, Taye, EPRP and the shaleqa are concerned. Shaleqa Yoseph and his crooked friends will get what they want out of this — cover up of their corruption.
Let’s move forward
Ato Hailu said himself that he will not continue much longer. So why waste time arguing about him or with him? Let’s focus on other more important issues, such as Kinijit’s role in the upcoming local elections in Ethiopia. It is necessary for the delegations who are currently in the U.S., Europe and Africa to provide the forum for their supporters to express their opinion on this matter. Do the same thing in Ethiopia when they return. Then based on the opinions expressed by Ethiopians in the Diaspora and inside the country, let the central council weigh all the pros and cons and make a decision. What ever decision the Kinijit council makes, all the leaders must support it if they are indeed fighting for genuine democracy.
Kinijit leaders in Upstate New York [Photo: Alyou Tebeje]
Kinijit leaders arrive in Stockholm [Photo: Kinijit Sweden]
Kinijit leaders arrive in Stockholm [Photo: Kinijit Sweden]