Oct 2, Ottawa – Ethiopians and Ethio-Canadians hold a demonstration in front of the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, Canada. Over 200 Ethiopians braved the smouldering heat and chanted respect the vote of the people, stop killing and arresting opposition members, down with dictatorship, release unconditionally all opposition party members and respect the rule of law, stop the law of the jungle, etc.. They also requested the government and people of Canada to stand behind the Ethiopian people and stop supporting a tyrant regime in Ethiopia. The representative of the organizing committee gave a detailed update on the situation of the political stalemate in Ethiopia and Melese’s demand to start negotiation with the opposition.
At the end of the demonstration the demonstrators unanimously agreed to sustain the demonstration until democracy and the rule of law prevails in Ethiopia.
Oct 2, Geneva – Today, despite the short notice and a rainy afternoon, Ethiopians in Switzerland gathered in front of the UN head quarter in Geneva and marched towards UN Human Rights Office Headquarters in solidarity with our beleaguered people who are muzzled under the tottering dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi that at gun point robed the May election result. The demonstrators vowed to remain solid and united until our people’s vote is respected. photo
Oct 2 – Ethiopian Jews and Ethiopian community members from different parts of Israel have gathered today in front of PM Ariel Sharon’s office in Jerusalem. They expressed solidarity with the people of Ethiopia in its struggle against Meles’s dictatorial regime. They also plead from the Israeli government to assess the situation in Ethiopia as it is declining and exert pressure on US government through the powerful Jewish Lobby. A letter of plea was also submitted to the government. Photos will be available soon.
Oct 2 Washington DC candle light vigil photo
Sep 29 – Due to massive repression and threats of violence by the Meles regime against the people of Ethiopia, the CUD/UEDF joint task force decided to postpone the Oct 2 nationwide pro-democracy rally.
Seattle – Sunday, Oct 2, starting at 2:30 PM, Place: West Lake, Mall Park, Downtown, Seattle, Tel: 206 240 8266
Jerusalem – Rally of Ethiopian Jewish and Ethiopian community in Israel to express solidarity with the Ethiopian people in their struggle against the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi. March will start from the Prime Minister’s ofiice through Israeli Parilament and Foreign Ministry, Oct. 2, Contact info: Abrham
050-7686237
Sep 22, Brussels – Thousands of Ethiopians from all over Europe gathered in Brussels on Sep 22 for a pro-democracy rally. They appealed to the European Parliament and European Commission to stand with the people of Ethiopia whose vote have been robbed by the Meles regime. Representatives of the protestors met with EU officials during the rally. www.ethiogermany.de
WORDWIDE
Geneva
The Ethiopian Association in Swiss is going to hold
demonstration on Sunday October 2 2005 at 14:00 local
time. Starting from the UN HQ in Geneva to the office
of the UN Higher Commission for Human Rights.
Contact info: +417997768773
+41788750678, +41794798904
Vancouver
Place: Robson Square
Date: Sunday October 2, 2005
Time: 6:00 pm
Contact: 604.767.4352
Houston
Rally is being organized at the Galleria, in front of Dillard’s, at the corner of Westheimer and Post Oak. Oct 2 at 2 PM
Contact: 713-446-5222
Toronto
Date: October 2, 2005
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: Dundas Square
Flyer
Seattle
Sunday, Oct 2, starting at 2:30 PM, Place: West Lake, Mall Park, Downtown, Seattle
Tel: 206 240 8266
Washington DC
Sunday Oct 2, candle light vigil at the White House starting at 6 PM, and Monday Oct 3, march from Congress to the State Department
San Francisco
Monday Oct 3, rally at the Federal Building, 450 Golden Gate Ave., starting at 10 AM
Contact tel: 408 483 2913, 925 829 0529
London
Oct 2 at Marble Arch, starting at 1 PM
Stockholm
The Stockholm rally is on Monday, Oct. Starts from Sergel Square and march to the Parlament. Contact tel:
+46-8-43747496
46+73 767 0148
Ottawa
Oct 2, at Parliament of Canada, 1 PM
Jerusalem
Rally of Ethiopian Jewish and Ethiopian community in
Israel to express solidarity with the Ethiopian people in their struggle against the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi.
March will start from the Prime Minister’s office through
Israeli Parliament and Foreign Ministry, Oct. 2, 15:00 local time. Contact info: Abraham
050-7686237
ETHIOPIA
Rallies in Ethiopia postponed
Nazreth
Harar
Dire Dawa
Jijiga
Awassa
Negele Borena
Kibire Mengist
Shashemene
Mekele
Hosahna
Woliso
Wolqite
Jima
Metu
Nekemt
Gimbi
Fiche
Ambo
Debre Markos
Bahr Dar
Gonder
Dessie
Woldia
Extrajudicial acts of the EPRDF against CUD members and supporters
North Gonder
Kebele militia men: Ato Kidane Gebrehawariat, Ato Awisew Worku and Ato Zinnaw Worku Beat Ato Daniet Ayenew until be fell unconscious on September 15/2004 at 6:00 p.m
Youth Habtamu Sissay was abducted by the police and jailed on September 16/2004, for no reason
Ato Dache Molla, CUD representative at Kolla Dibba, was taken by the police from his house at 4am and cruelly beaten on September 18/2005 He is still under police detention.
Noth wollo
Kobbo Wereda: Ato Amare gedamu, was shot and wounded by the police on September 15/2005.
Weldia Wereda: The following members of CUD at the Zonal level were imprisoned.
1) Ato Belete gebre
2) Ato Adane Tilahun
3) Lieut Yohannes Deribew
4) Ato Goshu Getahun
5) W/ro Gennet
6) Youth Abubeker Kemal
Eight members of the police broke into the office at night and look the party seal.
Fogeral Wereda: On September 17/2005. Ato Adsdeme Asfaw, Ato Abraham Bogie and Pastor jAbebe Gelaye were abducted by militia men for conducting a meeting in the CUD office. Their where about are not known.
In Gurramba sub-kebele the CUD office was ransacked by armed men. The members were abducted. Their whereabouts are still unknown.
Ato Abate Addis Alem, a CUD member is still in prison.
Ato Asefa Getahun Besetegn a CUD member was severely beaten on (9/1/98) and died the next day.
South Gonder
Libo Kemkem wereda: Youth Tigistu, a member of CUD, was beaten sevefrely by militiamen on September 20/2005. He is also still in jail.
On September 21/2005 the CUD office was, under cover of darkness, broken into. The door was smashed. property was ransacked.
Ato Tesgaye Tarekegrn, wereda secretary was arrested and put in prison on September 22/2005.
In Yefag sub-wereda, Ato Melaku Tefere was taken from his house, beaten and put in prison by the police. His crop was distrroyed by deliberately rurnning a pack of cattle over his plot.
Ato menderdu Yelma, chairperson of Yefag sub-wereda was adducted from his house and his wereabouts is unknown.
An attempt of abduction was made on Ato Adisu Geremew, chairperson of the wereda office, by the wereda militia. they threatened to kill him. He escaped and is currently reporting to the wereda office of the CUD.
As the result of the problems enumerated above, CUD wereda offices in Libo Kemkem and Yedgen have lowered their flags and been closed down.
Estie Wereda: The CUD office was broken into and ransacked.
Lay Gayint Wereda: Militia men are harassing election observers for CUD in the wereda. Their houses are searched and ransacked. }
Farta Wereda: On September 25/2005 Ato Negash Yihune was imprisoned.
Awi Zone
Zeegem Wereda: CUD member and supporters are being subjected to intensive harassment, beatings and imprisonment:
1) Pastor Abyot Negussie
2) Ato Tamiru Alemayehu
3) Ato Asfaw Melese
4) Ato Bogale Gadie
5) Ato Demelash Mulu
6) Ato Abate Sharew
7) Ato Shittunesh Ayele
Not only are they severely beaten but they are also still in jail.
Forgota Lokoma Wereda: On September 12/2005, the following members of the Keble Peasant Association were imprisoned:
1) Ato Mekonnen Arega
2) Ato Workeneh Teshale
3) Pastor Tsegabizu
4) Ato Bitew Mengistie
Goangua Wereda: The following members of the Jemere Peasant Association were imprisoned:-
1) Tesfaye Mengesha (student)
2) Ato Abere Mengesha
3) Ato Azenega Mengesha were imprisoned together with their mother.
Dangila
1) On September 25/05 Ato Mulat Ammene was imprisoned.
2) The CUD office at Agew Gimja Byet was closed by armed militia men.
Western Gojjam
City of Bahar Dar: The following CUD members of the zonal committee were imprisoned.
1) Youth Daniel A
2) Ato aNega Abeje
3) Ato Fantahun Anbaye
4) Ato Andarge Bezu
Western Gojjam (September 25/05)
The following leading members of the Zonal CUD office have been imprisoned
1) L/t Yohannes Abate – chair person of the zonal CUD office.
2) Ato Gashaw Ayele, chair person of the Enemai Wereda party Committee.
3) Ato Walta Negus Asnake – leading member of Degen Wereda CUD.
4) Ato Ayele Belete, leading member of the Wereda party Committee.
5) Ato Wendemeneh Desalegn, leading member of the Degen party Committee.
Central Zone
North Shoa, Sululta, Mullo Wereda
1. On September 8/05, Ato Alemu Guta, CUD member, was abducted by the wereda police. He is still under detention in the Chancho police station.
2. On September 12/2005. Ato Habtamu, a CUD organizer, was detained by the Wereda police and held in the Wereda police station.
3. On September 8/2005, Ato Atnafu Wegayehu, was detained by the Wereda police and he is still in detention in the fiche police station.
4. Ato Yimenu Gochel was detaikned by the police on September 8/2005. He is still in detention in the fiche police station.
Semien Shoa – Amhara
1. Ato Solomon Tenaye, CUD secretary in Minjar (Arerti) wereda, was abducted by the wereda police on September 12/2005 and is still in detention in the Arerti police station.
2. On September 12/2005. Ato Belete Woldemariam was detained by the wereda police and is still being held in the Arerti police station. On the night of the same day, police riddled the door of the CUD office with bullets.
3. Ato Emkullu yiheyyis, CUD youth organizer, was abducted by the police on September 14/2005. He is still detained kin the Debre Sina police station.
4. On September 13/2005, Ato Getaneh Woldemihael was detained by the police and is being held in the Debre Sina police station.
5. Ato Wondwessen shigferraw, CUD organizer and election observer, was detained by the police on September 14/2005. He is still in person in The debre Sina police station.
6. Ato Hailu Mammo. Was detained on September 21 and is still in police custody in Fiche police station.
Southern Ethiopia
Awassa Town
1. The corrugated iron roof of the CUD office was stormed with stones for three nights (September 15-17/2005). On September 18/2005, the main door of the office was broken. The owner of the house was told is at present sealed.
2. Anonymous person are phoning CUD representatives and harassing them these callers threaten our representative saying they would take ”The last measure”.
3. The house of CUD representative in Awassa, Ato Zekios Ashebo, was repeatedly hit with bullets and stones throughout the night of September 2/2005. The house window was broken with bullets.
Gamo Gofa Zone
Zala Zone
Vengeful acts are being taken against the people because they had refused to vote during the rerun election.
Ato Halemicheal Zijita, a candidate for the House of people’s Representatives, as well as 7 of our representatives, have been imprisoned in a police station as of September 2/2005.
CUD representative of Gofa special Zone, Ato endrias Ero, was taken from Gofa town to Zala wereda by an escort of 7 policemen and imprisoned. His family could not see him.
The owners of the house we have rented as an office have been called individually and warned that serious measures would be taken against them if they did not cancel the rent contract with us. As a result, four people are asking us to leave their houses.
Wolayta Zone
1. Ato Gebre Gema, who was q candidate for parliament from Kindo Koisha, was evicted from his land. He now lives in exile.
2. Two CUD members from Soddo Zuria and 4 from Damot woydye weredas are imprisoned in their respective weredas as of September 14/2005.
Haddiya Zione
Ato Abebe Eriso, chief organizer, has been forced to leave his locality due to intense and prolonged harassment. Other members have been beaten and imprisoned.
Eastern Ethiopia
Harar city
On September 12/2005 CUD Eastern Hararge organizers Ato Tefera Mengeste, Major seifu Bekele and Ato Adugna Aseffa were imprisoned. The next day, they were freed on bail. The day after they were abducted from their houses undue flimsy pretext and put back in prison. The house of Ato Tefera Mengeste was searched with out warrant.
On September 21/05 Meregeta Lesanework Getu and Ato Dagem Eyasu, both members of CUD were abducted by Ato Zelam, a security officer and taken by a police vehicle. Both of them were severely beaten. Since they received heavy injury they are currently being hospitalized.
The landlord of the house rented by CUD as the Harar city office was farced by the security to terminate his lease contract with the city CUD. On September 22/05 he requested that CUD leave his house, outside of the contract agreement. The same day he imposed a farced evacuation of the CUD office.
Oromia Region
Arsi ZoneUB
Political Cadres of the ruling oarty are coercing landlords to farcefully evict tenants, in this case CUD officers, from the following wereda.
– Assela Zone coordination office
– Abomessa ” ”
– Iteya ” ”
– Dera ” ”
– Sagure ” ”
– Becoje 1 ” ”
– Shereka wereda office
As a result of the farced eviction CUD offices at the above places are being closed down.
Addis Ababa – Wereda 9
The following members of CUD were today (September 26/2005) taken to the Nefassilk Lafto sub-city police station and questioned.
1) Ato Yimer Birru (elected member of Addis Ababa council)
2) Ato Alemayehu Kiflemarkos (elected member of A.A. City council)
3) Ato Lemessa Bayesa
4) Youth Abbayneh (taken from home)
5) Youth Mulugeta (taken from home)
The above people were asked information on their age, work, address and friends. Their pictures were also taken and were forced to sign a self-incriminating form letter before they were releases. This action is taken also too many residents of Addis Ababa who were suspected of supporting the opposition parties.
6) Ato Birkayehu Mekecha (professional party operative working in our head office) arrested by federal police in the early morning hours of Tuesday September 27/005.
From other opposition organization that we know Oromo National Congress (ONC).
– Harar office closed down.
– Nekempt office closed down and members arrested.
– Two offices in Addis taken over by hooligans supported by security forces.
– Twelve wereda offices closed in Addis
Extrajudicial acts of the EPRDF against CUD members and supporters
North Gonder
Kebele militia men: Ato Kidane Gebrehawariat, Ato Awisew Worku and Ato Zinnaw Worku Beat Ato Daniet Ayenew until be fell unconscious on September 15/2004 at 6:00 p.m
Youth Habtamu Sissay was abducted by the police and jailed on September 16/2004, for no reason
Ato Dache Molla, CUD representative at Kolla Dibba, was taken by the police from his house at 4am and cruelly beaten on September 18/2005 He is still under police detention.
Noth wollo
Kobbo Wereda: Ato Amare gedamu, was shot and wounded by the police on September 15/2005.
Weldia Wereda: The following members of CUD at the Zonal level were imprisoned.
1) Ato Belete gebre
2) Ato Adane Tilahun
3) Lieut Yohannes Deribew
4) Ato Goshu Getahun
5) W/ro Gennet
6) Youth Abubeker Kemal
Eight members of the police broke into the office at night and look the party seal.
Fogeral Wereda: On September 17/2005. Ato Adsdeme Asfaw, Ato Abraham Bogie and Pastor jAbebe Gelaye were abducted by militia men for conducting a meeting in the CUD office. Their where about are not known.
In Gurramba sub-kebele the CUD office was ransacked by armed men. The members were abducted. Their whereabouts are still unknown.
Ato Abate Addis Alem, a CUD member is still in prison.
Ato Asefa Getahun Besetegn a CUD member was severely beaten on (9/1/98) and died the next day.
South Gonder
Libo Kemkem wereda: Youth Tigistu, a member of CUD, was beaten sevefrely by militiamen on September 20/2005. He is also still in jail.
On September 21/2005 the CUD office was, under cover of darkness, broken into. The door was smashed. property was ransacked.
Ato Tesgaye Tarekegrn, wereda secretary was arrested and put in prison on September 22/2005.
In Yefag sub-wereda, Ato Melaku Tefere was taken from his house, beaten and put in prison by the police. His crop was distrroyed by deliberately rurnning a pack of cattle over his plot.
Ato menderdu Yelma, chairperson of Yefag sub-wereda was adducted from his house and his wereabouts is unknown.
An attempt of abduction was made on Ato Adisu Geremew, chairperson of the wereda office, by the wereda militia. they threatened to kill him. He escaped and is currently reporting to the wereda office of the CUD.
As the result of the problems enumerated above, CUD wereda offices in Libo Kemkem and Yedgen have lowered their flags and been closed down.
Estie Wereda: The CUD office was broken into and ransacked.
Lay Gayint Wereda: Militia men are harassing election observers for CUD in the wereda. Their houses are searched and ransacked. }
Farta Wereda: On September 25/2005 Ato Negash Yihune was imprisoned.
Awi Zone
Zeegem Wereda: CUD member and supporters are being subjected to intensive harassment, beatings and imprisonment:
1) Pastor Abyot Negussie
2) Ato Tamiru Alemayehu
3) Ato Asfaw Melese
4) Ato Bogale Gadie
5) Ato Demelash Mulu
6) Ato Abate Sharew
7) Ato Shittunesh Ayele
Not only are they severely beaten but they are also still in jail.
Forgota Lokoma Wereda: On September 12/2005, the following members of the Keble Peasant Association were imprisoned:
1) Ato Mekonnen Arega
2) Ato Workeneh Teshale
3) Pastor Tsegabizu
4) Ato Bitew Mengistie
Goangua Wereda: The following members of the Jemere Peasant Association were imprisoned:-
1) Tesfaye Mengesha (student)
2) Ato Abere Mengesha
3) Ato Azenega Mengesha were imprisoned together with their mother.
Dangila
1) On September 25/05 Ato Mulat Ammene was imprisoned.
2) The CUD office at Agew Gimja Byet was closed by armed militia men.
Western Gojjam
City of Bahar Dar: The following CUD members of the zonal committee were imprisoned.
1) Youth Daniel A
2) Ato aNega Abeje
3) Ato Fantahun Anbaye
4) Ato Andarge Bezu
Western Gojjam (September 25/05)
The following leading members of the Zonal CUD office have been imprisoned
1) L/t Yohannes Abate – chair person of the zonal CUD office.
2) Ato Gashaw Ayele, chair person of the Enemai Wereda party Committee.
3) Ato Walta Negus Asnake – leading member of Degen Wereda CUD.
4) Ato Ayele Belete, leading member of the Wereda party Committee.
5) Ato Wendemeneh Desalegn, leading member of the Degen party Committee.
Central Zone
North Shoa, Sululta, Mullo Wereda
1. On September 8/05, Ato Alemu Guta, CUD member, was abducted by the wereda police. He is still under detention in the Chancho police station.
2. On September 12/2005. Ato Habtamu, a CUD organizer, was detained by the Wereda police and held in the Wereda police station.
3. On September 8/2005, Ato Atnafu Wegayehu, was detained by the Wereda police and he is still in detention in the fiche police station.
4. Ato Yimenu Gochel was detaikned by the police on September 8/2005. He is still in detention in the fiche police station.
Semien Shoa – Amhara
1. Ato Solomon Tenaye, CUD secretary in Minjar (Arerti) wereda, was abducted by the wereda police on September 12/2005 and is still in detention in the Arerti police station.
2. On September 12/2005. Ato Belete Woldemariam was detained by the wereda police and is still being held in the Arerti police station. On the night of the same day, police riddled the door of the CUD office with bullets.
3. Ato Emkullu yiheyyis, CUD youth organizer, was abducted by the police on September 14/2005. He is still detained kin the Debre Sina police station.
4. On September 13/2005, Ato Getaneh Woldemihael was detained by the police and is being held in the Debre Sina police station.
5. Ato Wondwessen shigferraw, CUD organizer and election observer, was detained by the police on September 14/2005. He is still in person in The debre Sina police station.
6. Ato Hailu Mammo. Was detained on September 21 and is still in police custody in Fiche police station.
Southern Ethiopia
Awassa Town
1. The corrugated iron roof of the CUD office was stormed with stones for three nights (September 15-17/2005). On September 18/2005, the main door of the office was broken. The owner of the house was told is at present sealed.
2. Anonymous person are phoning CUD representatives and harassing them these callers threaten our representative saying they would take ”The last measure”.
3. The house of CUD representative in Awassa, Ato Zekios Ashebo, was repeatedly hit with bullets and stones throughout the night of September 2/2005. The house window was broken with bullets.
Gamo Gofa Zone
Zala Zone
Vengeful acts are being taken against the people because they had refused to vote during the rerun election.
Ato Halemicheal Zijita, a candidate for the House of people’s Representatives, as well as 7 of our representatives, have been imprisoned in a police station as of September 2/2005.
CUD representative of Gofa special Zone, Ato endrias Ero, was taken from Gofa town to Zala wereda by an escort of 7 policemen and imprisoned. His family could not see him.
The owners of the house we have rented as an office have been called individually and warned that serious measures would be taken against them if they did not cancel the rent contract with us. As a result, four people are asking us to leave their houses.
Wolayta Zone
1. Ato Gebre Gema, who was q candidate for parliament from Kindo Koisha, was evicted from his land. He now lives in exile.
2. Two CUD members from Soddo Zuria and 4 from Damot woydye weredas are imprisoned in their respective weredas as of September 14/2005.
Haddiya Zione
Ato Abebe Eriso, chief organizer, has been forced to leave his locality due to intense and prolonged harassment. Other members have been beaten and imprisoned.
Eastern Ethiopia
Harar city
On September 12/2005 CUD Eastern Hararge organizers Ato Tefera Mengeste, Major seifu Bekele and Ato Adugna Aseffa were imprisoned. The next day, they were freed on bail. The day after they were abducted from their houses undue flimsy pretext and put back in prison. The house of Ato Tefera Mengeste was searched with out warrant.
On September 21/05 Meregeta Lesanework Getu and Ato Dagem Eyasu, both members of CUD were abducted by Ato Zelam, a security officer and taken by a police vehicle. Both of them were severely beaten. Since they received heavy injury they are currently being hospitalized.
The landlord of the house rented by CUD as the Harar city office was farced by the security to terminate his lease contract with the city CUD. On September 22/05 he requested that CUD leave his house, outside of the contract agreement. The same day he imposed a farced evacuation of the CUD office.
Oromia Region
Arsi ZoneUB
Political Cadres of the ruling oarty are coercing landlords to farcefully evict tenants, in this case CUD officers, from the following wereda.
– Assela Zone coordination office
– Abomessa ” ”
– Iteya ” ”
– Dera ” ”
– Sagure ” ”
– Becoje 1 ” ”
– Shereka wereda office
As a result of the farced eviction CUD offices at the above places are being closed down.
Addis Ababa – Wereda 9
The following members of CUD were today (September 26/2005) taken to the Nefassilk Lafto sub-city police station and questioned.
1) Ato Yimer Birru (elected member of Addis Ababa council)
2) Ato Alemayehu Kiflemarkos (elected member of A.A. City council)
3) Ato Lemessa Bayesa
4) Youth Abbayneh (taken from home)
5) Youth Mulugeta (taken from home)
The above people were asked information on their age, work, address and friends. Their pictures were also taken and were forced to sign a self-incriminating form letter before they were releases. This action is taken also too many residents of Addis Ababa who were suspected of supporting the opposition parties.
6) Ato Birkayehu Mekecha (professional party operative working in our head office) arrested by federal police in the early morning hours of Tuesday September 27/005.
From other opposition organization that we know Oromo National Congress (ONC).
– Harar office closed down.
– Nekempt office closed down and members arrested.
– Two offices in Addis taken over by hooligans supported by security forces.
– Twelve wereda offices closed in Addis
On August 1, 2005, Ethiopia’s eleven current top governmental officials, including the Prime Minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi, and his spouse Mrs. Azeb Mesfin, in two separate lawsuits, filed a defamation and conspiracy action in Virginia Circuit court against individuals associated with Tensae and others. The lawsuit arises out of a report broadcast that alleges the top officials have deposited money in foreign accounts.
Clearly, the lawsuit by the afore-mentioned Plaintiffs was frivolous and lacks strong basis either in fact or law. Hanton Williams represented Meles & Co., the same Law Firm, which lose the arbitration against Eritrea in Hague. Tensae law team aggressively and successfully defended the lawsuit.
Although Plaintiffs (Meles & Co.) have taken a Non-lawsuit (tantamount to dismissal) unable to handle or resist the legal pressure from Tensae’s legal team in both cases they filed, Tensae will continue to legally pursue the Plaintiffs for malicious prosecution and damages. Tensae would like to use this opportunity to thank the numerous local, national, international, and numerous organizations and individuals for their support and alliance throughout this short lived legal ordeal. The legal battle will continue and Tensae shall not yield to the harassment and intimidation of dictators. Further, let it be known to all, if the Ethiopian government or individuals associated with it make similar illegitimate attempt, Tensae and its legal team will unleash a legal torrent against these forces.
P.S. Should you have further question regarding this matter, please contact Tensae’s attorney at the following address:
September 29, 2005
Shakespear N. Feyissa, Esq.
1001 4th Ave. Plaza Suite 3200
Seattle, WA 98154
On May 15, 2005, the overwhelming majority of registered voters in Ethiopia voted for CUD. It was a vote of confidence for the coalition, particularly for AEUP and UEDP-Medhin, since the two received the largest vote by far. As it has been confirmed by the Carter Center and EU’s reports, the ruling party claimed victory by committing various forms of vote fraud. When students attempted to peacefully stage a demonstration to protest the rigged elections, the ruling party deployed its military force and savagely attacked and killed innocent civilians. To date, the country is under siege by Meles Zenawi’s special forces that are terrorizing the public. It is a testimony to the ruling party’s despotic nature.
The leaders of CUD have the responsibility to continue to fight on behalf of millions of Ethiopians whose votes were stolen by the ruling party. For his unwavering commitment to safeguard the interests of the voters, the Chairman of CUD, Ato Hailu Shawel, should be bestowed the highest honor. He is an example of a principled political leader who is willing to sacrifice every thing for the benefit of the people.
Ato Hailu Shawel is not only a Chairman of CUD but also AEUP, a party that brought the largest vote for CUD. His views and decisions represent a large majority of the people. The pronouncement he made on Sunday not to allow CUD to be used to give legitimacy to EPRDF parliament is timely and appropriate. The decision is not politically expedient, but reflects the public’s disposition. And we thank him for his leadership.
We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to all the political parties and civic groups to show solidarity with CUD Chairman Hailu Shawel.
A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party’s web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel’s announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD’s official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena’s web site against its chairman.
The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu’s statement doesn’t represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn’t have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large.
Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability.
The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda.
The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don’t want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people’s desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now.
