By Gentil Garçon (flickr)

Ethiopia, what a strange country! Fields seem in capacity to feed the people of Ethiopia, but at the same time we are faced with one of the worst famine in 20 years. The regime of Ethiopia (Meles Zenawi firstly) is one of the most useless in the world. [Mr. Garcon, corn and other crops grown in Ethiopia are being exported by companies affiliated with the ruling party while millions of Ethiopians are starving. That’s why we have been saying that the Meles regime is a vampire that is sucking the life blood of Ethiopia.]

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Garowe Online) – At least 1,700 Somalis have been rounded up in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa over the past 48 hours, Radio Garowe reports.

Sources in Addis Ababa said all the detainees were Somali men, some of whom were pulled out of their homes for questioning by Woyanne security agents.

“The Somali men who were arrested were here [in Addis Ababa] for different reasons, but mainly as transit” to other parts of the world, said Addis Ababa resident Mulki Mohamed.

She indicated that the men are being held at seven different locations, adding: “We do not know the real reason for the arrests.”

Addis Ababa has expressed increasing concern of terror attacks inside Ethiopian cities, with emerging reports indicating that the Somali detainees were asked questions about any links to Somali insurgent groups.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Woyanne exports corn while Ethiopians are starving.

BANGALORE, INDIA: Floriculture company Karuturi Global, which is in the process of diversifying into agricultural crops, expects to begin sales of corn from its Ethiopian operations in the first quarter of 2009 with sales of around 78,000 tonne during the three-month period.

“We are in talks with various buyers, especially in South America and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa. In both these markets, corn sees high human consumption. With global demand for corn being high, we are looking at increased sales for human consumption and production of animal feed. We expect gross sales of Rs 65-75 crore,” CMD Ramakrishna Karuturi said.

According to the London-based International Grain Council, the global production of corn in the 12 months to June 2009 is seen at 775 million tonne, a shortfall of 12 million tonne.

On the floriculture business, Mr Ramakrishna said Karuturi Global is seeing robust sales for Christmas and New Year, with shipments of 40-42 million rose stems.

“Contrary to popular perception that slowdown impacts sales, we find sales getting diverted towards flowers as they are relatively more affordable than other gift items such as apparel or perfumes,” he said. The company is hoping to ship some 12 million stems of red roses for Valentine’s Day in February and another 30-35 million of assorted colours.

Karuturi recently won orders for supply of flowers to two supermarket chains in Europe.

– The Economic Times

Menelik Wosenachew

One of the most legendary Ethiopian singers, Menelik Wosenachew, has passed away yesterday at the age of 69, ETV reported.

Menelik had started working at Addis Ababa’s National Theater in 1965. But he spent most of his career in exile.

Menelik’s peers included other legendary singers such as Tilahun Gessesse, Mahmoud Ahmed, and Alemayehu Eshete.

More at EthioTube.net

PRESS RELEASE

Ethiopians in Washington, DC metro area honored popular Ethiopian singer Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro) at the Washington Marriot on Sunday December 21, 2008. Nearly 500 Ethiopians attended the event

Teddy Afro is currently languishing in prison after the authoritarian regime in Ethiopia convicted him on trumped up charges.

The entertaining and educational tribute was presided by artists Tamagne Beyene and Alemtshay Wedajo who delivered the welcoming speech and Teddy Afro’s biography.

Artist Tamagne Beyene

Ato Alemayhu Zemedikun, former Deputy Attorney General and Prosecutor at the Ethiopian supreme court, provided an overview of the current regime’s abuse of the justice system to harass and try try to silence voices of dissent such as artist Teddy Afro, opposition party politicians, human rights activits, journalists and members of civic society.

Artist AlemTsehay Wodajo

Dr. Alemayhu Abebe discussed he history and sufferings of Ethiopian artists and heroes under dictatorial regimes for exercising their right to free speech, with special emphasis on the work of Teddy Afro.

All presenters expressed that the revenge-motivated charges against Teddy Afro are solely related to his songs for freedom and his criticism of the current authoritarian regime for failing to live up to its responsibilities, killing hundreds of citizens and promoting division among the various Ethiopian ethnic groups.

Attorney Alemayehu Zemedkun

Ethiopian poets and writers Tewodros Abebe and Behailu Mengesha read enlightening and inspiring poems dedicated to Teddy Afro.

Musical performances by various artist including the famous Shambel Belayneh and a new documentary film featuring Teddy Afro narrated by Tamagne Beyene made the event educational and extraordinarily entertaining.

Artist Behailu Mengesha

Throughout the event, participants were urged to understand the significance of unity in order to overcome the forces of injustice, human rights violation and oppression by reinforcing Teddy Afro’s vision towards peace, personal integrity, forgiveness, tolerance, national healing and the struggle against injustice.

The event was concluded by honoring Artist Tewodros Kassahun and calling for his immediate and unconditional release.

The cost of organizing the event was entirely covered by donations obtained from attendees.

For further information:
Organizers of the Tribute for Teddy Afro
[email protected]