When it comes to Ethiopian politics, Los Angeles is rarely mentioned. It is a city with the second or third largest number of Ethiopians, but it is a place where the least political activity goes on. South Dakota is mentioned more often than Los Angeles when it comes to Ethiopian politics. That has changed yesterday. Ethiopians in Los Angeles put their city back on the map by hosting Kinijit leaders and raising over $51,000 at a Kinijit town hall meeting. The total amount could reach $55k when funds collected at a dinner party are included in the final figure.
The Kinijit leaders arrived in Los Angeles Sunday morning accompanied by renowned artist and radio host Abebe Belew. They were given a warm welcome at the LAX Airport. After taking a short break, they headed to the town hall meeting which lasted 5 hours. It seemed that no body wanted to leave even after the meeting was over. Hundreds stayed behind to talk among themselves and take pictures with the Kinijit delegates.
Kinijit leaders arrive in Los Angeles [photo: Kinijit Los Angeles]
The next major event will be in Atlanta where Kinijit is more than politics — it is a culture.
By Dr Fikre Tolossa
My fellow Ethiopians, I have a great news to share with all those who champion the cause of our motherland. After about ten days of intense negotiations between Engineer Hailu Shawel, Chairman of Kinijit, and the Kinjit delegates mediated by concerned Ethiopians including myself, the two parties met together for the first time ever since their arrival in the United States, on Thursday, October 4, 2007, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to discuss their differences in the future. Though it took a while for Wt. Birtukan Midekssa, the Vice Chariman of Kinijit, Dr. Hailu Araya and Ato Brook Kebede to reach Ato Hailu Shawel who was under medical treatment, they managed to meet him at last.
Regardless of the fact that the meeting was brief, both parties had a quality time. Ato Hailu reportedly received his comrades in struggle and hardship with warmth and affection. In mutual response, the delegates presented him with flowers enquiring about his health with a profound concern. The brief, but decisive moment which broke the ice, determined the bright future of Kinjit, and as such, that of Ethiopia- They all agreed to meet in the near future to continue their dialogue in order to resolve their differences in a better atmosphere in the best interest of the Ethiopian people. To this end, they exchanged phone numbers so that they would be able to talk freely and directly any time and anywhere, without any restrictions whatsoever, as well as without go-between.
As far as we are concerned, this is a tremendous achievement and a wonderful news. This meeting will lead to a further dialogue and mutual understanding which will pave the way to harmony and strong unity once again.
In this connection, I call upon all Diaspora Ethiopians and interest groups to refrain from interfering in the affairs of Kinjit leaders so as not to hinder the process of negotiation which the leaders have initiated for the well-being of the millions of Ethiopians who voted for them and who see Kinjit as a beacon of freedom.
In conclusion, I would like to state that the other mediators and myself have been deeply saddened by the Kinijit International Council’s posting on Kinijit web site on October 5, 2007, under the title, “Is This A Political Stunt?”. I appeal to Kinjit International Council to stop from posting in the future such divisive and distorted reports which would harm the aspirations of the Ethiopian people.
Last, I will try my best to follow up with the true picture of the development and the progress of the negotiations between the two parties, and update you as the events unfold themselves.
EDITOR’S NOTE
Kinijit International Council has been disbanded by the Kinijit leaders, but its chairman, Dr Taye Woldesemayat, insists that the group continues to exist. It is this group, backed financially by Shaleqa Yoseph, and organizationally by EPRP, that is trying to block all the effort to bring Ato Hailu and the Kinijit delegation together. Without the involvement of this group, the disagreement would have been resolved by now.
MONROVIA (AFP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel promised Liberia four million euros (5.7 million dollars) to rebuild the country ravaged by civil war as she wrapped up her first sub-Saharan Africa trip on Sunday.
“We absolutely want to do it, to help Liberia back onto its feet,” Merkel said after holding talks with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the capital Monrovia.
This new pledge was in addition to the 14.4 million euros in aid Berlin had already given to the west African country.
Merkel also called for debt reduction and asked other countries to help in putting Liberia on the path towards stability and democracy.
“The visit of the chancellor is an opportunity to move our country forward,” said Sirleaf, Africa’s only female president..
“She has been very instrumental in working with the G8 to cancel all Liberian debt,” she added..
Merkel was welcomed by Sirleaf as she arrived here Sunday for a quick visit to Liberia, the third and final stop on her African tour which also included South Africa and Ethiopia.
The ceremony was attended by government members and traditional chiefs, who brought the German leader a white cockerel, a sign of friendship in Liberia.
