Book Discussion
The Crown and the Pen: Dr. Bereket Selassie
Sep 15 2008 2:30pm
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Description
The Mortara Center for International Studies and the African Studies Program invite you to a book discussion on The Crown and the Pen: The Memoirs of a Lawyer Turned Rebel
featuring
Bereket Habte Selassie
Distinguished Professor of African Studies and Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Former Chairman of the Constitutional Commission of Eritrea (1994-97)
The discussion will focus on Dr. Bereket’s memoir, which recounts the extraordinary story of a man straddling two worlds – a progressive lawyer and high-ranking official of the government of Emperor Haile Selassie who struggled for justice within an archaic system. Dr. Bereket took part on the pan-africanist formations of the 1950s and 60s, joined a revolutionary front to fight for Eritrea’s independence, and helped to write the constitution of the new nation.
Reception and book signing to follow.
To RSVP for this event, please visit the link below.
By Joe Michael
One of the unfolded issues in the mysterious government of Ethiopia is how much money the so-called elected leaders are earning. Ever since the TPLF rebel fighters took over the leadership, their earnings have never been disclosed. There has never been a single elected public servant who registered his/her assets prior to taking public office. The former CUD leaders disclosed their assets before the controversial 2005 election in an attempt to be role models of good public servants. Unfortunately, all good things must come from TPLF that CUD leaders were considered as hateful for disclosing their own assets. Until today, the public has been kept in the dark and don’t know how much the TPLF leaders are making and how much assets do they have.
Such objectionable ignorance has been forcing many of us to raise rational questions such as, why do TPLF leaders keep their assets undisclosed? How much money these leaders are earning? etc.
When TPLF controlled the country in 1991, it had nothing much than the weapons it confiscated from the Derg. The Prime Minster, then President, himself stated in 1991 that they took over the country’s leadership with zero capital. Today, TPLF owns a number of businesses; factories, enterprises, etc. Where did the money come from? Billions of dollars have been invested in the party’s name and few individuals are in charge of huge money transaction. Those, who have direct benefit from these investments, including those inside the country and their agents throughout the world, never want to see TPLF questioned because they will be deprived of their benefits.
Elected leaders and appointed officials must file declaration of their assets. By doing so, when ever they decide on the issues of public policy, their personal interests will not cloud their judgment that their decisions will be based solely on what is best for the public as a whole. Thus, it is of paramount importance for TPLF leaders to disclose their personal and business assets. Otherwise, it is difficult to believe that the policy they are making is to the best interest of the country and its people.
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The writer can be reached at [email protected]
Flower production in Ethiopia and in the world’s poorest countries is blooming. Horticulture, flowers and fruits and vegetables, brought in $125 million in export revenue in 2007.
With the recent crisis in neighboring Kenya, Africa’s major flower exporter, Ethiopia is becoming increasingly interesting to investors.
Radio France International correspondent Daniel Singleton travels there to report on the country’s flourishing flower industry. Listen below >>
[podcast]http://www.zikkir.com/audiofiles/songs/france24_Crossroads_Flowers_from_Ethiopia_09092008.mp3[/podcast]
By Dagnachew Teklu, APA
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The price of chicken in Ethiopia is up by 100% this week while the country is gearing up to celebrate the Ethiopian NewYear-Enkutatash (gift of jewels) on Thursday.
Ethiopia, which follows its own calendar, will officially celebrate its New Year (2001) on Thursday-11 September 2008.
However, the price of various commodities remains a challenge for the majority of the people, particularly for the poor who constitute around 40% of the estimated population of 80 million.
However, only the price of chicken has dince Monday registered a dramatic increase of 100%. The new price is $8, when it was only $4 a few days ago.
“We are really confused as to what to do. The price of chicken has become almost equal to a price of sheep. This is really worrying,” Almaz Mitiku, 45 told APA.
Like Mitiku, many people are complaining about the sudden rise in the price of chicken for the New Year holiday.
“This is a New Year and the end of our New Millennium celebrations. That is why these merchants are making things expensive. The government should do something to control the market. How can I pay $10 for a chicken?” Meheret Bekalu complained.
She said that she was considering buying meat for the holiday if the situation continues like this until Wednesday evening, the eve of the New Year.
Chicken is one of Ethiopia’s traditional foods along with raw meat. “Many people have been forced this time to buy chicken due to the rising price of meat. That is why these chicken merchants have also increased the price by 100%, which is a bad omen for this New Year,” Bekalu said.
One kilogram of meat currently costs between $6 and $7 in many parts of the country, when it was $4 less than a month ago.
“We have no alternative for the New Year. The prices of both chicken and meat are up by 50 and 100 per cent respectively. We are really confused as to what to buy,” Tesema Mamo, 67, and a retired man told APA.
For the majority of Ethiopians, it is a must to have raw meat at home for the holiday, as people have the habit of eating raw meat in normal days.
However, the rising cost of food still continues to be the major challenge for the majority of the poor people.
The government is distributing subsidized wheat, edible oil and other food items for the poor in many districts in the country.
Ethiopia will also end its yearlong celebrations of its New Millennium, which was declared by the African Union as an African Millennium, which has been celebrated in and outside the country for the past 12 months.
Based on the Orthodox Julian Calendar, which is different from the Western or Gregorian calendar, the new Ethiopian year of 2001 begins on September 11, 2008.
On Wednesday 10 September 2008 (on the eve of its new year-2001), Ethiopia will officially end its New Millennium celebrations with various ceremonies across the country.
The Ethiopian calendar consists of 12 months of 30 days and the 13th month, called Pagume, has only five or six days depending on whether or not it is a leap year.
The Ethiopian calendar is seven years and eight months behind the Western calendar.
Enkutatash, which means “gift of jewels,” occurs in September with the clearing of the skies following three months of heavy rains.
The highland fields, covered with Meskal daisies, become golden. Meskerem (September) is a month of celebrations in which Ethiopians transition from the old to the new, expressing their hopes and dreams of the future.
On the first day of the New Year (Enkutatash), children usually in groups of five to ten visit their neighbors, wishing them a happy New Year. They sing a New Year song with cultural drums, who in return give out various gifts to the visitors.
Ethiopian Review will release its annual list of ’25 Most Influential Ethiopians’ on Thursday, September 11 (Meskerem 1), marking Ethiopia’s New Year.
The list is about 25 persons who are the most influential (good and bad) in the Ethiopian society.
The list is currently being discussed at ER’s ‘Ethiopian Progressive Forum.’ Click here to the read the feedback we have received so far from participants of the forum.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Don’t the European politicians have any thing better to do with their money? The African dictators like Meles Zenawi will steal most of the fund. What Africa needs is accountable governments, not handouts.
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – The European Union has set aside 1 billion euros to fund power generation in several African states under a two-year partnership deal with the African Union to enhance investments in the sector.
Experts say Africa needs to spend an estimated $560 billion by 2030 to generate an additional 260,000 megawatts (MW) of power.
Countries to benefit from the EU windfall will include Senegal, Namibia, Ethiopia and Kenya, EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel told a news conference.
EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said the agreement, which runs from 2008-10, would also promote energy interconnection projects between Africa and Europe.
