It would certainly not be wrong to argue boldly that the current Ethiopian Diaspora resistance has been made more and more complicated, or even entangled to the point that it has become for most of us difficult, if not impossible, to explain as effectively as possible -– and in a fashion that are acceptable and palatable to the majority of the Ethiopian community –- what exactly went wrong with us. It would also not be wrong to insist that it is of little or no use, and can even be senseless, to discuss or debate about who have been and are still partly or fully responsible for the dashing of our hopes – hopes that most of us had expected would soon be flourishing in our minds and hearts, and hopes that if realized could have led to an increasing role and contribution for us in the political stabilization and democratization process, including the cultivation and development of democratic institutions and the improvement of living conditions for our people at home. This is especially true since the Ethiopian Diaspora community lacks the organizational and accommodative tools, legal mechanisms and rights to punish or even question those who might possibly have been responsible for clouding the path of the Ethiopian resistance. It is also undeniably true that due to the exceptional growth in divisions and animosities and the persistent sectarianism and parochialism among opposing groups, particularly among their disorganized supporters who engage so incoherently and so aimlessly in daily incriminations and counter-incriminations against each other, confusion and chaos have continued to dominate and disgust the entire Ethiopian Diaspora community.
Too much had already been said and written, mostly irrational, unsubstantiated words and statements, just intended to offend, hurt and isolate critical individuals from the Ethiopian community and from the resistance. In the process, a disproportionate number of knowledgeable and skilful Ethiopians who could have played an indispensable role in the politics of the Ethiopian Diaspora have been appalled, and have distanced themselves from the struggle. The damage inflicted upon the unity and the future of the Ethiopian Diaspora resistance by Ethiopians themselves, especially those permanent participants in Paltalk Discussion Forums who consider themselves staunch supporters of certain political activists, has been and continues to be incalculable, to a point that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to repair. It is indeed most unfortunate to witness that these resentful and most vicious individuals who spend their days and nights behind computers, tirelessly sending out strange, uncivilized and distasteful words and statements directed at many innocent Ethiopian intellectuals, are succeeding not only in clouding the path of the Ethiopian Diaspora resistance, but tragically, they have also been able to impose upon the rest of us a period of complete confusion and mistrust, to the point that the members of the community become unable to distinguish between what is fact and what is fiction. This period has been marked by illogical arguments and falsely invented charges and counter charges, which has forced a good number of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia to be alert and suspicious about everything we hear or otherwise receive, looking with doubts and suspicious eyes at news and developments, whether transmitted through the Ethiopian Diaspora media or posted on Ethiopian web sites. Most don’t take in this information, don’t accept it as based on fact, without double checking or verifying it with the help of additional information from other media outlets.
It is also true that many of my compatriots, especially those who are permanently and incurably addicted to yelling at their own countrymen through their Paltalk rooms, appear to have little or no interest at all in logic and facts. What they require is information that fits their ideas and views. For them, it does not matter whether the information comes from a staunch enemy of Ethiopians, such as the unelected TPLF leadership, or from the Aiga Forum -– the right hand of the TPLF -– as long as Mr. Meles Zenawi and his cadres acknowledge the existence of the EPPF or AFD. This is what the patriots of the Ethiopian Current Affairs Discussion Forum, who call themselves not ignorant and parochial but “true sons of Ethiopia,” love so much to hear, not just once but repeatedly and tirelessly.
It is indeed most tragic that we are in a period in which the politics of the Ethiopian Diaspora are ruled not by the essence of reason and logic -– verifiable arguments -– but rather, by personal emotions, family and group interests and by parochialism. Yes, this is a remarkable period we are today – in which we seem to have lost our minds.
A great number of Ethiopians, including myself, bother themselves with questions such as how on earth is it possible that we find ourselves in such a remarkable period, in which we all seem to have lost our way? How can it be that while we are all convinced that we are products of our Ethiopian forefathers, we have not kept even a trace of their sense of wisdom or judiciousness? How do we explain the sources for the rapid spread of the disease of animosity within the Ethiopian Diaspora community? More importantly, given the worsening socio-political relations among us in the Ethiopian Diaspora, can we contribute to future political stability and the development of democratic institutions in Ethiopia? Isn’t the current path of the resistance, which I see as dubious and unlikely to succeed, in that it determined by a small group, without consulting the individuals concerned – the presumed backbone of the political organization to be established – partly or fully responsible for the growing feuds and hostilities among opposing groups and their supporters within the Ethiopian Diaspora community?
What about the Ethiopian Diaspora media outlets, especially those who see themselves as belonging to one or another political group and who insist on highlighting not only views critical of the unelected regime of Meles Zenawi, but also positive aspects regarding the activities of certain opposition groups -– even if these views are extremely remote from the reality on the ground? This is despite the continuous turmoil within the Diaspora community itself -– the very foundation of the Diaspora opposition groups. The question then becomes: is it really the time, is it desirable and helpful for us to entertain ourselves by considering only the so-called “positive news and positive thinking” about the activities of the opposition groups, at a time when we are confronted by a series of internal and insurmountable crises? Do we really believe this is the right track to travel? Can’t the current Ethiopian Diaspora political path be characterized not only as dubious but also as putting the cart before the horse? Don’t the Ethiopian Diaspora media outlets have a shared responsibility for the heated and deteriorating socio-political condition of the Ethiopian Diaspora community?
The Dubious Path of the Ethiopian Diaspora Resistance: Does the Ethiopian Diaspora have a Meaningful Role in Ethiopian politics?
Even though it is at present extremely difficult to put together one’s thoughts and reach a state of mind conducive to speaking or writing anything meaningful having to do with the politics of the Ethiopian Diaspora and its future roles and contributions to the process of political stabilization and the development of democratic institutions in our country, it is, however, worthwhile to attempt to briefly recapitulate some of the sources that in my view have been paramount in fashioning and disseminating the winds of socio-political turmoil and chaos within the Ethiopian Diaspora community.
Congressman Donald Payne has re-scheduled mark-up of H.R. 2003 for July 18, 2007, at 10:15 a.m. We thank Congressman Payne for his commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia.
On June 26, 2007 (the initial scheduled date for mark-up of H.R. 2003), Zenawi tried to pull the usual “fast one” on Congress by threatening to take the Kality political prisoners hostage. He effectively blackmailed the
members of the Committee by threatening to indefinitely jail the Qality prisoners should the bill be marked-up. At the time, Zenawi’s regime had requested a 2-week postponement of the mark-up so that a negotiated release of the Kality prisoners could be effected. The regime had calculated that it could derail the bill by removing it from the June 26 calendar.
Liar, Liar…
The Qality prisoners were supposed to have been released on or before July 9, 2007, the date set for their “sentencing” by Zenawi’s Kangaroo Kourt. That date, as usual was continued to July 16. With the rescheduled mark-up date, it appears crystal clear that both Payne and the numerous co-sponsors of the bill are no longer willing to put up with Zenawi’s “horsefeathers.”
Our Grassroots Advocacy Efforts Are Working!
Don’t Stop Calling! Don’t Stop Writing! Let’s Get One-Half of the Members of the House to Co-sponsor! There Has Been a Dramatic Increase in the Number of Co-sponsors This Week!
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE ZENAWI’S DETERMINATION TO DEFEAT H.R. 2003!
The massive telephone call and letter writing campaign we started this week is WORKING. DON’T STOP CALLING, WRITING!
Zenawi will spend millions to defeat H.R. 2003, and deny the people of Ethiopia the opportunity to enjoy freedom, democracy and human rights. He has already spent countless millions to defeat this bill and influence
American policy makers. He has unlimited amount money to pay lobbyists and others to defeat H.R. 2003.
Supporters of H.R. 2003 do not have millions of dollars to lobby in support of the bill. The only things we have in our struggle for human rights and freedom in our homeland are: TRUTH, JUSTICE AND THE HOLY CAUSES OF LIBERTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
We are standing up against the giant lobbying firm of DLA Piper. As David has defeated Goliath, we shall also defeat the mighty lobbying firm of DLA Piper. But we must struggle in every way to win. Our grassroots efforts in Congress are working! But we can not afford to let up! Zenawi’s boys are working double overtime to defeat H.R. 2003.
We must work harder than ever to defeat the merchants of misery who will lobby as long as they are paid a hefty sum for their services. KEEP CALLING ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. ASK THEM TO CO-SPONSOR H.R. 2003. WORK CLOSELY WITH THE OFFICE OF YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND GET THEM TO CO-SPONSOR THE BILL. ASK ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO VOTE FOR H.R. 2003 IN COMMITTEE, AND RECOMMEND IT TO THE FLOOR FOR PASSAGE.
To Those Who Have Not Joined the Struggle for Human Rights in Ethiopia
If you are sitting on the fence thinking that your participation or contribution will not make a difference, or feel success in this legislation is unattainable, take heart in what President Abraham Lincoln said: “The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”
The cause of freedom, democracy and human rights in Ethiopia is a Just Cause. Embrace it for yourself! Uphold and preserve it for generations yet unborn! Treasure it forever!
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SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE
Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515-0128
Donald M. Payne (NJ), Chairman
July 12, 2007
TO: MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
You are respectfully requested to attend an OPEN meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, to be held
in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building, for the purpose of marking up the following
legislation:
DATE: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
TIME: 10:15 a.m.
MARKUP OF: H.R. 2003, Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007
NOTE: Measures may be added. By Direction of the Chairman
The Committee on Foreign Affairs seeks to make its facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. If you are in need of special accommodations, please call 202/225-5021 at least four business days in advance of the event, whenever practicable. Questions with regard to special accommodations in general (including availability of Committee materials in alternative formats and assistive listening devices) may be directed to the Committee.
Support to Building Multisectoral National Capacity on Road Traffic Injury Prevention
Ato Kassahun H/Mariam (Right); Dr. Olusegun A. Babaniyi (center) and Dr. Zerihun Tadess
Disability and Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Programme (DPR) of the World Health Organization (WHO)-Ethiopia country office has, in collaboration with the Ethiopian National Road safety Coordination Office (NRSCO), organized a national workshop on road traffic injury prevention training from 10-13 July 2007 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
The workshop objectives were to explore the multisectoral role and to create the opportunity for the development of shared responsibility on road traffic injury prevention.
The opening session was attended by high level policy planners and decision makers from the health, transport, roads and police sectors.
H.E Ato Kassahun H/Mariam, head of federal transport authority of Ethiopia; Dr. Zerihun Tadesse, head of diseases prevention and control department and representing H.E the minister of health; and Dr. Olusegun A. Babaniyi, WHO Representative to Ethiopia had jointly opened the workshop.
Senior experts in traffic injury prevention from the Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention at the World Health Organization joined the country team to facilitate this workshop
It was emphasized that road traffic injuries has multiple determinants and hence it calls for integrated response by all players.
ROME (AP) – Nearly all of Ethiopia’s long-distance runners were pulled out of Friday’s Golden Gala meet in Rome by their national federation to compete in the All Africa Games.
“It’s a very unpleasant situation. This issue needs to be addressed,” meet director Luigi D’Onofrio said Thursday.
“The dates of these events should be looked at more carefully in the future. The meet was counting on another world record attempt by Meseret Defar in the 5,000 meters. She set the mark of 14 minutes, 16.63 seconds at the opening Golden League meet in Oslo, Norway, on June 15.
Tariku Bekele was scheduled to lead the men’s 5,000.
D’Onofrio said that Tariku’s older brother Kenenisa Bekele was not called up by the Ethiopian federation and therefore will compete in Sheffield, England, on Sunday.
The All Africa Games started Wednesday in Algeria and run until July 23.
Long jumper Irving Saladino has another conflict. He is Panama’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony Friday at the Pan American Games.
Ethiopia (ICC) – ICC originally reported that Ethiopian Evangelist Taddesse was killed by Muslim militants on March 26, 2007 (see the previous report here).
We are alarmed to report that it has been more than three months since the killing occurred, but no one has yet been charged or imprisoned for the killing of evangelist Taddesse. The only action that has been taken is that Ethiopian authorities detained the guard of the mosque in which the murder occurred, but later freed him.
Despite efforts by Church leaders to call for the prosecution of those involved in the killing, the Muslim-dominated justice system in Jimma has refused to respond.
By failing to prosecute the killers of Evangelist Taddesse, Ethiopian authorities are violating their obligation to protect human rights and their commitment to do so in agreeing to international human rights instruments like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. They are also failing to abide by their own constitution which requires them to protect the human rights of their citizens.
This impunity is a major cause of concern for us because it emboldens Islamic militants who could strike again. The attack against Evangelist Taddesse is not a single incident but it is a part of growing pattern of attacks against Christians and Churches in Ethiopia since the May 2005 election in which Ethiopian government was challenged by strong opposition politicians.
ALGIERS, July 12 (Reuters) – Nigeria’s Falcons rammed in three second half goals past Ethiopia to keep their title ambitions bright in a scrappy Group A women’s match at the All Africa Games on Thursday.
The victory brought smiles to the faces of the team headed for the FIFA World Cup in China in September after they fought from behind to hold South Africa in the first match on Monday.
The Games second day saw the hosts win their first gold medal when Rachida Ouardaue beat Senegalese Mendy Gisel in the judo 70 kg category.
In men’s swimming, Tunisian Ahmed Mathlouthi’s set an African record of 3:58.44 in the 400m freestyle and Kenya’s Jason Dunford’s swam 53.45 seconds for a Games record in the 100m butterfly.
DR Congo surprised champions Angola in the women’s basketball with a 74-58 victory.
In other matches, rank outsiders Kenya upset Tunisia 58-56, Mozambique stunned Ivory Coast 63-39 and Nigeria slammed Zimbabwe 85-55.
In the women’s soccer at the Bologhine Stadium, Rita Chikwelu put Nigeria’s Falcons ahead in the 57th minute with a long range shot. Chejine Ifeanyi added the second in the 72nd minute after outsprinting the Ethiopian defence and Ekpo Effioanwan put the issue beyond doubt in injury time.
