ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s commodity exchange plans to trade coffee through a new electronic system, starting next month, the exchange said on Monday.
“Coffee trading will be conducted in the afternoons, beginning October, so as to link it with the New York market,” Eleni Gebremedhin, Director of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) said.
To participate in the electronic trade, sellers will be required to produce warehouse receipts and buyers will have to show a pre-trade deposit in banks.
Ethiopia has won trademark rights for its specialty Sidamo, Harar and Yirgacheffe coffees and has signed agreement with 70 global companies to promote its coffee brands.
Ethiopia is Africa’s largest coffee producer and prides itself as the birth place of the beans. Last season, it exported 170,888 tonnes and earned $525.2 million.
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — A U.N. official says the number of Ethiopians needing emergency food aid has more than doubled.
World Food Program spokesman Barry Came says 9.6 million people need emergency food. This is more than twice the estimate of 4.6 million people released in June.
Came says the rise in Ethiopians needing food aid includes people not accounted for in previous assessments.
He said Monday that the increase comprises about 2 million residents of Ethiopia’s southeastern Somali region. The figure also includes 3.2 million people who had been covered by a plan intended to stave off chronic food shortages but now need emergency food aid.
Aid workers say this year’s drought is the worst since 2003.
Back in 1920, H.L. Mencken, “the sage of Baltimore,” made a chillingly nightmarish observation about the future of the American presidency:
“The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying even the mob with him by force of his personality. But when the field is nationwide, and the fight must be waged chiefly at second and third hand, and the force of personality cannot so readily make itself felt, then all the odds are on the man who is, intrinsically, the most devious and mediocre — the man who can most easily adeptly disperse the notion that his mind is a virtual vacuum.
The Presidency tends, year by year, to go to such men. As democracy is perfected, the office represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. We move toward a lofty ideal. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
While pundits may argue the truth of Mencken’s prophesy, it is self-evident that over the last 8 years, the White House has been a “virtual vacuum.” Sure the lights were on, but it did not seem like there was anybody there. At least in the Oval office. Somebody was asleep at the switch; and America has been sleepwalking. In Afghanistan, Iraq, the Middle East and Latin America. John McCain says it is possible for America to remain in Iraq “may be for 100 years.” In the meantime, mean ole Osama and his crew of suicide bombers are enjoying life (no pun intended) somewhere in the tribal areas of northern Pakistan. Americans are not. They are having a hard time. With massive foreclosures, high gas and food prices and creeping unemployment. The pillars of the American economy are crumbling. Freddiemac, Fanniemae, Lehman Brothers, Merril Lynch, AIG have bitten the dust. Many others are expected to follow suit. John McCain says, “The economy is fundamentally sound.” He wants Americans to give him four more years of the past eight years, as Hilary Clinton aptly put it. What to do?
The Fight for the “Inner Soul” of America
Do we want four more years of the past eight? That is, more wars, more conflict and instability in the world. More radicalization and desperation among the world’s poor, less respect and security for America and a more hostile global environment? Do we want more economic turmoil at home and a rapidly deteriorating standard of living?
There is a lot at stake in the 2008 presidential election. It is the most important presidential election in several generations. It is an election about the “inner soul” of America. That inner hard core, I believe, is Liberty. Its soft outer covering is compassion and generosity. Most Ethiopians in America should know all about it. Liberty was the first thing we tasted when we walked through the Golden Door. It was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore… Send these, the homeless, the tempest tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door.” We were welcomed in America when our homeland became an open prison for our people and a playground for bloodthirsty thugs. America embraced us. When our people suffered through man-made famines for decades, Americans were the first to extend a mighty helping hand.
But that American passion for Liberty writ large for the world was expressed concisely by President Franklin Roosevelt in the Atlantic Charter: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. There was a time when America was regarded as the beacon and lighthouse for humanity. Nation after nation adopted significant elements of the American Constitution by copying the very words of the American Founders. Those ideals of liberty were expressed by John Kennedy in 1963 when he stood at the Berlin wall and declared, “Ich bin ein Berliner.” Ronald Reagan returned in 1987 and shouted: “Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” And the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The spirit of liberty had triumphed. George Bush has been asking, “What ideals? Bring’em on!” We’ll knock their teeth out!
Why Elect Barack President?
For the past eight years, the Bush Administration has squandered golden opportunities by insisting on a series of unilateral actions. Today, America’s reputation is in tatters throughout the world. The world is hurting and blaming America. Barack said, “the war in Iraq has not just cost lost lives and treasure but also influence and respect.” America needs to regain influence and respect in the world. Barack can fix it. He has a realistic vision and a real understanding of the world. He understands we live in a global village, not a fortress or a garrison. He knows village life must be handled carefully and thoughtfully. You can’t go around bullying everybody particularly when you depend on the villagers so much. The Chinese, Japanese, Brazilians, the Middle Eastern oil producers and others hold 25 percent of U.S. debt. Like it or not, those villagers own quite a bit of us. We need them as much as they need us.
But Barack represents a paradigm shift, a complete change in approach. He will work his damnest to bring peace to the village. Villagers and village elders will be talking to each other once again, not lectured or threatened. Imagine Mahmood Ahmedinejad fretting over what he will say to Barack when it’s time to meet and talk. Imagine the shock on Kim Jong-Il’s face when Barack tells him America will honor its obligations to provide aid but he has got to permanently abandon his futile effort to become a destabilizing nuclear power in the region. The masters of terror will finally have to deal with someone who uses the power of American ideals to neutralize the power of hate. They don’t stand a chance. They know Barack will chase them to the ends of the earth, even if that is the craggy caves of Waziristan. Barack will make the White House a symbol of hope and peace throughout the world once again, and not arrogant and heedless militarism.
Why Support and Vote for Barack
We should support Barack not because he is African American or black. To do so would be wrong, very wrong because it diminishes him and us. As Dr. King has taught us, we do not judge a person by the color of his skin but the content of his character. Barack is much more than his skin color. He is an extraordinary American. He is the very personification of core American values that others merely parrot. He is honest, hardworking, thoughtful, civic-minded, intelligent, tough, humble and compassionate. He is also ambitious, not for personal ego or gain, but to serve his country. There is no question Barack has got the character thing down pat. But he also has a vision for America. It is certainly not a vision of Fortress America. It is not a vision of reach out and crush someone in the world today. It is not a vision of America where sleaze is elevated to a civic virtue. His vision is to lead America and the world by persuasion and principle, by bringing Americans together at home and working for peace, understanding and justice abroad. That is the CHANGE he is talking about.
Obama’s Audacity of Hope for America
Obama believes in America. He knows America’s best days are yet to come with the right leadership. That’s why he said:
“I still believe that America is the last, best hope of Earth. In today’s globalized world, the security of the American people is inextricably linked to the security of all people. Whether it’s global terrorism or pandemic disease, dramatic climate change or the proliferation of weapons of mass annihilation, the threats we face at the dawn of the 21st century can no longer be contained by borders and boundaries. There is no doubt that the mistakes of the past six years have made our current task more difficult. World opinion has turned against us. And after all the lives lost and the billions of dollars spent, many Americans may find it tempting to turn inward, and cede our claim of leadership in world affairs… We must neither retreat from the world nor try to bully it into submission – we must lead the world, by deed and example…
And America must lead by reaching out to all those living disconnected lives of despair in the world’s forgotten corners… This will require a new spirit – not of bluster and bombast, but of quiet confidence and sober intelligence, a spirit of care and renewed competence. It will also require a new leader. And as a candidate for President of the United States, I am asking you to entrust me with that responsibility.”
Barack’s Message for Ethiopians
Barack understands the problems of Ethiopians and all oppressed peoples in the world. He understands that American security in the world is directly proportional to America’s role in ensuring freedom, democracy and human rights throughout the world. His understanding is not mere repetition of platitudes about democracy and freedom. It is much deeper than that:
“We have heard much over the last six years about how America’s larger purpose in the world is to promote the spread of freedom – that it is the yearning of all who live in the shadow of tyranny and despair. I agree. But this yearning is not satisfied by simply deposing a dictator and setting up a ballot box. The true desire of all mankind is not only to live free lives, but lives marked by dignity and opportunity; by security and simple justice.
Delivering on these universal aspirations requires basic sustenance like food and clean water; medicine and shelter. It also requires a society that is supported by the pillars of a sustainable democracy – a strong legislature, an independent judiciary, the rule of law, a vibrant civil society, a free press, and an honest police force. (Isn’t that what H.R. 2003 and S.B. 3457 are all about?) It requires building the capacity of the world’s weakest states and providing them what they need to reduce poverty, build healthy and educated communities, develop markets, and generate wealth. And it requires states that have the capacity to fight terrorism, halt the proliferation of deadly weapons, and build the health care infrastructure needed to prevent and treat such deadly diseases as HIV/AIDS and malaria… The corruption I heard about while visiting parts of Africa has been around for decades, but the hunger to eliminate such corruption is a growing and powerful force among people there. And so in these places where fear and want still thrive, we must couple our aid with an insistent call for reform.” (Isn’t that what H.R. 2003 and S.B. 3457 call for?)
The American Moment
We need to turn around the American ship of state that is now adrift on an ocean of confusion and self-doubt. We need someone who will substitute the drumbeats of war with the rhythm of international peace and harmony. We need someone who can show us how to beat the swords into ploughshares and restore America to its rightful place of leadership in the world. We need someone who will hold accountable those who have played fast and loose with the economy. Barack is absolutely right: “The American moment has not passed. The American moment is here. And like generations before us, we will seize that moment, and begin the world anew.” Let’s take our first step into the brave new world by electing Barack Obama, President of the United States!
CARPE DIEM!
P.S. Every vote counts. Register to vote, NOW! Every dollar counts. Contribute online today to support Barack Obama for President!
By Allan Odhiambo and Zeddy Sambu
Business Daily Africa
As the race for contract stakes in the planned seven billion dollar new railway lines to link Kenya with key regional capitals begins in earnest, groups of international investors are now angling to be incorporated in the initial design study.
Though no concrete deals have been reached so far, sources in Government said a team of Chinese investors have already expressed interest in the design study of the planned new line between the Port of Mombasa and Nairobi while another group of investors from Russia are eyeing to carry out the task on the section between Nairobi and the Addis Ababa.
“The offers are coming through, the interest is great but no agreement has been reached with any group so far. Some thing will be on the table soon,” a senior official at the Transport ministry told Business Daily.
According to plans, Kenya envisaged to have a detailed design study for the phase one Mombasa to Malaba railway section by July 2009 to pave way for a decision on funding and operational structure.
The project implementation is scheduled to kick off by end of 2009 as part of a wider East Africa infrastructure development venture that targets to build 15 new railway lines connecting at least seven countries.
CAIRO, Egypt – Sudan heads to the United Nations this week to push a behind-the-scenes lobbying effort to avert the prosecution of the country’s longtime president on charges of genocide in Darfur.
But prospects seemed dim at a time when Sudan has shown little willingness to compromise and launched an expansive military offensive against rebels in western Darfur region.
Efforts by African countries, the tiny Gulf state of Qatar and France to solve the crisis also have not yielded tangible results.
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has asked judges to issue an arrest warrant against President Omar al-Bashir on charges he carried out genocide in Darfur. Up to 300,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million have been chased from their homes in the region since fighting between goverment-backed janjaweed militia and rebels began in early 2003.
The court is expected to make its decision before the end of the year, and the Sudanese goverment has been lobbying African and Arab countries to support its attempts to evade al-Bashir’s prosecution.
The African Union has asked the U.N. Security Council to freeze the ICC case against al-Bashir, which can do so if it deems the prosecution as a threat to peace and security. While the Security Council took note of the request in July, it had said it would revisit it later.
But it appears Sudan is now shying away from asking the council to halt the case, as it becomes increasingly less likely that it would be able to avert a veto within the council.
The council initially asked the ICC to investigate the Darfur crisis and freezing the process at this point could be seen as not only undermining the court but also emboldening the Sudanese government.
Sudan also lost one of its biggest supporters in the council, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who announced Sunday he would resign, effective as soon as a new president is chosen. He sent his foreign minister instead to the U.N. General Assembly meeting this week.
For now, Sudan plans to focus its attention on the General Assembly, which it will address on Tuesday.
Al-Bashir’s spokesman, Mahfuz Faidul, said the Sudanese delegation, headed by Vice President Ali Osman Taha, will tell the assembly about Sudan’s efforts to reach a peace deal in Darfur.
Taha will hold talks with several leaders including French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Qatar’s crown prince, the U.N. funded radio Miraya reported, quoting Sudan’s ambassador to the U.N. He is also expected to meet U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, according to Sudanese media.
Faidul said Khartoum has taken measures to show it is serious about peace in Darfur, including appointing its own Darfur-based prosecutor to look into complaints of violence and reaching out to different Sudanese factions.
A day before flying to New York, Taha made amends with a disgruntled ex-rebel leader who had signed a peace deal with the government in 2006 but returned to fighting early this summer over what he saw as failure to implement the deal.
Faidul said Sudan’s security forces have also gone after bandits in Darfur who endanger the joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission and aid workers.
But Faidul stopped short of saying Sudan will request a freeze of the case. He also renewed warnings that attempts to prosecute al-Bashir would backfire.
Sudan is ready to “go further than what most imagine if the United Nations and the Security Council leave us facing the ICC,” he said. “It will be nothing less than ending all our agreements with the United Nations.”
There are outside efforts to resolve the crisis to avoid further turmoil in Darfur.
Qatar has offered to mediate between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebels, though it has given few details on the effort.
Khartoum has come out in support of the Qatari initiative, though rebels have been lukewarm.
Hassan al-Turabi, a powerful Sudanese opposition figure accused by Sudan’s ruling party of masterminding the rebellion in Darfur, arrived in Qatar on Sunday and was expected to meet with the emirate’s leadership.
France has also encouraged Sudan to hand over two midlevel officials who were indicted by the ICC in 2007 on crimes against humanity something Khartoum has refused to do.
But French officials have denied reports they’re negotiating any deal with Sudan that would freeze a future warrant against al-Bashir. Faidul described the Paris efforts as a “bargain deal” and dismissed it.
Sudan expert Alex de Waal said Khartoum has little confidence that any sort of deal to avert the prosecution will be worked out.
The current military offensive against strategic rebel targets in Darfur is a sign that Sudan’s powerful security apparatus is taking “preventive measures to secure themselves,” said de Waal, the author of numerous books on Sudan.
Rebel groups said the offensive was an attempt by the government to change the “balance of power on the ground.”
Former U.S. diplomat warns against deferring Sudan president indictment
(ST) WASHINGTON – The former US envoy at the UN said that the world must allow the judicial process of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the case Sudanese President Omer Hassan al-Bashir to proceed.
Richard Holbrooke in an article at the Financial Times titled ‘The arrest of Sudan’s Bashir should proceed’ dismissed views that the Al-Bashir indictment will hurt the prospects for peace in Darfur.
“Those advocating this step argue that it would give negotiators leverage to produce results in Darfur. Yet they have never produced evidence for this, nor defined what the benchmark for success would be at the end of the 12 months. Mr. Bashir is simply playing for time, offering nothing. Mr. Milosevic did the same. Give Mr. Bashir a year and he will take it – and ask for more” he said.
The ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo announced in mid-July that he requested an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir.
Ocampo filed 10 charges: three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder and accused Al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign to get rid of the African tribes in Darfur; Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa.
Holbrooke who was the special envoy for the Balkans during the civil war said that when Serb officials were indicted by the Yugoslav tribunal in July 1995 for war crimes in Bosnia the same arguments were brought up on peace vs. justice.
“Less than five months later, an agreement was reached in Dayton to end the war…. What had seemed an insurmountable obstacle turned out to be an unexpected opportunity” he said.
Sudan and a number of regional organizations including the African Union (AU), Arab League, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) condemned Ocampo’s request and called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution under Article 16 of the ICC Statute deferring Al-Bashir’s indictment.
Last week the Guardian newspaper said that France and United Kingdom are quietly backing efforts to stall Al-Bashir indictment.
But the former US diplomat warned against such a step saying it sends the wrong signal to war criminals.
“The US and the EU must resist efforts to suspend ICC prosecutions. Peace negotiations have been stalled for nearly a year for reasons unrelated to a possible warrant against Mr. Bashir. Suspension may seem a safer course to follow in the short run, but it will embolden him and other future suspected war criminals” he said.
“Bringing perpetrators of international crimes to justice is undeniably difficult when trying simultaneously to end a conflict, but it is the right choice” he added.
Holbrooke was in a center of a controversy when the Serb leader Radovan Karadzic alleged the US diplomat made a deal with him promising him that he would be immune from prosecution if he steps down from power.
However Holbrooke vehemently denied the story.
The Sudanese 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha is in New York to lobby world countries to support his country’s demand for a deferral.
No country in the UNSC has tabled a formal resolution which needs 9 votes with none of the permanent members using the veto power to block it.
In March 2005 the UNSC triggered the provisions under the Rome Statute and referred the Darfur case to the ICC for investigations.
Woyanne ambassador in London, Berhanu Kebede, responds to this report that was posted on Channel 4 and Times Online. Read below what he writes. What a scumbag!
Sir, From the outset, the Ethiopian Government has put on record the extent of the current food shortages and has been working along with partners to resolve the problem (“Ethiopia accused of hiding famine”, Sept 18). There are longstanding institutional mechanisms established by the Ethiopian Government; Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency, UN bodies and bilateral partners continuously monitor the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and report to the international community.
The article contradicts the statements made by Sir John Holmes (UN humanitarian representative) who, during his recent visit to Ethiopia, voiced his appreciation of the Ethiopian Government’s response to food shortages and the comprehensive approach it has taken to address the problem of pockets of malnutrition in our country — we offer short-term food and other provisions to address the immediate humanitarian problem, and are implementing long-term development strategies to address the structural dimension of the problem.
The article gives the impression that relief agencies are not operating in the Ogaden, but the regional government there is working with more than 30 agencies to provide food and medical assistance.
The Western media cannot be more concerned than the people and government of Ethiopia are about the people of the Ogaden who are our brothers and sisters and whom we want to see prosper.
