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A resurgent Ethiopian opposition in a new form

Posted on , Updated on by EthiopianReview.com

By Elias Kifle

Ethiopian Review held a highly successful town hall meeting in Washington DC Saturday afternoon, overcoming Woyanne scare tactics, boycott campaigns, and so many difficulties. I was pleasantly surprised by the high attendance after the Woyanne junta in Ethiopia and its cadres abroad did every thing it could to intimidate Ethiopians to not show up at such meetings. The 4-hour town hall meeting was a show of defiance against the fascist junta in Ethiopia and an expression of solidarity by Ethiopian patriots in the Washington DC area.

The participants at the meeting were happy to see representatives of 5 major independent Ethiopian media organizations coming together to share their views about the media’s role in bringing change to Ethiopia. There seems to be a growing appreciation and understanding that the media can play a leading role for positive change. However, as one of the panelists, Dereje Desta of ZEthiopia, said, the change must start from us. The problem is not just Meles Zenawi’s Woyanne junta. There are a number of things we Ethiopians must change if we are to free ourselves — and the most prominent among them is conquering our fear of, and obedience to dictatorships. There are many Ethiopian journalists who reside in free countries such as the United States and yet they are afraid of freely expressing their ideas.

The other panelists, Esayas Lisanu of Netsanet Le Ethiopia Radio, Abebe Belew of Addis Dimts Radio, and Abebe Gelaw of ESAT, all took turn to share their views and answer questions from the audience. There was a persistent call from the audience for the media to cooperate on common issues if they want to get stronger support from the community. One of the suggestions from the audience that has received the loudest applause is for the 5 media organizations that were represented on the stage to hold a joint fund raising event.

Following the Woyanne junta’s all out campaign to dismantle and eliminate any opposition to its rule, hundreds of Ethiopian journalists and political leaders are forced to either go into exile or underground. Currently in Ethiopia it is impossible to operate an independent newspaper, hold opposition party meetings, and organize protest demonstrations. Woyanne’s campaign extends beyond Ethiopia’s borders. It is pouring millions of dollars into a campaign to infiltrate and control every Ethiopian institution in the Diaspora, including places of worship, sports and cultural groups, and the media. It recently allocated $2 million to regain control of the Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA) after the board kicked out the Woyanne hoodlums from the executive committee.

There are a lot of Ethiopians who have fallen prey to the Woyanne campaign. But yesterday’s meeting in Washington DC shows that there is a resurgent opposition that is led by not just political parties alone, but coordinated and facilitated by civic groups, youth groups, the media, political parties, religious leaders and others. The Ethiopian media in particular is playing an increasingly leading role in opposition to the Woyanne rule.

Woyanne acknowledges the power of the media, and has been relentless in its attack against us. Even those of us who are 20,000 kms away from Ethiopia are not spared. But since there is no single target Woyanne can come after, it will be impossible to defeat us. And the growing recognition of the importance of the media in the struggle will hopefully prompt the public to help us build our capacity.

Ethiopian Review will hold similar events in Atlanta, Las Vegas, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and others cities in the coming few weeks as part of our 2012 program to build our information infrastructure inside Ethiopia and around the world. We have also launched a sponsorship program where we ask supporters of Ethiopian Review to contribute $5 per month. Please read the details here. Additionally, we are in consultation with the other media to organize a joint fund raising event in the near future.

I would like to get your feedback. Please write in the comment section below.

31 thoughts on “A resurgent Ethiopian opposition in a new form”

  1. We have to fight our freedom and protect our people from Woyaane who have no mercy.but the only thing that we can overcome Woyanne is that to come and stand up for Ethiopian unity.
    I`m from Ogaden and came back a month ago from Jijiga,Gode ,gabridahar so believe me people are fed up Woyane and Current regional President Abdi Ilay who was a child street and grow up in vry difficult live so he tortured,killed,displaced a hundreds of thousand of inoccent people he is war criminal, but people are scared, i have seen In ogaden unreported history,but people will tell you only when they knew that you are from abroad.
    before i went to Ogaden ,i was a not supporting any kind of opposion groups what so ever,so i went to invest my country but my parents were first who advise me not to invest here as long woyanne and Abdi Ilay are there so please we have to stand up for our people and share informations,ideas and contribute to free our people

    many thanks

    Anonymous replies:
    February 7th, 2012 at 2:24 AM

    My Ethiopian Brother, Elias Kifle keep up the good work. I am behind you 100%. I hope you won’t succumb to Woyane’s scare tactics. Trust me,
    when all the Ethiopian Forces become united in the same way our Forefathers did in preserving our longstanding independence from foreign invaders,we will once again reclaim Our Motherland from the jaws of the Woyane Mafia. The way I see it, everything points to a United Front in the coming years. We have very little time for squabbles and treading blames among Opposition Parties. Woyane’s Destruction of Our Country goes on unabated as we ponder what sort of action we need to take in order to save Our Country for The Next Generation. We find ourselves at this critcal juncture of our history,
    and it’s the responsibility of our generation to come up with a very
    srategic and swift action against the Blood Thirsty Woyanes in no time
    soon by any means necessary. I promise to support ER, ESAT, and all the
    Ethiopian Democratic Forces of Change. I can assure you that as long as
    I see some tangible evidence that our united effort does appear to bear
    fruit in the near future. The Destruction of Woyane has to be our ultimate goal. Long Live My Motherland, Ehiopia, The Birth Place of Mankind, The Cradle of Civilization, The Cultural Mosaic of 80 Ethnic Groups that make up The Sovereign Nation of Ethiopia.She continues to be The Envy of The World. How many countries could claim such great prominence as being mentioned by Prophet Mohamed in The ” Koraan ” and
    42 times in The ” Holy Bible ” Wouldn’t this give every Ethiopian Citizen a Great Stature in The Eyes of The World. Forget The Famine, we all know that by enlage, it was man-made and politically motivated.
    I hope and pray that I live long enough to see The Rebirth and Cultural
    Renaissance of My Once Beautiful Ethiopia.
    Belay Zeleke

  4. Congratulations! A RESURGENT ETHIOPIAN OPPOSITION that makes it a priority on its own progress is promising. I agree with Ze Ethiopia’s publisher Dereje. The tone of your message is sound, optimistic and realistic. The monthly contribution at the minimal $5.00 could also become not only easly affordable but also a link as a reminder for a committment for a cause. You need to high light ways of submiting such recurring contribution.

    The following suggestion is not that you may have not considered it, but still it is an idea from an Ethiopian observer at a distance.

    -A goal towards an organiational structure as in Ethiopian Opposition Democratic Journalists Organization ( Association, Committee ) can serve as a rock foundation.

    -Each of this panel’s media serves in differnt forms/ways, and invites and accomdates a much bigger following collectively. By creating membership of choice as a sub group (eg. one individual could be a member of ESAT and Ethiopian Review and technicaly support the collective role of the EODJO ( or what ever you want to name it ).

    -Establish a far sighted symbol as in a flagship office. It can be started with an affordable rental office, volunteers who fill hours for clerical and desk covers. Such physical symbol allows a state of stablity,unity and accountablity. Start fund raising towards that goal as well.

    -I believe fund raising can go with an offer for membership ( however it would be defined ). Make space for it that it is always there sprinkled with invting posters on line.

    -It is a powerful union: two veteran radio stations, a satalite TV and two publications that have had the staying dedication.

  5. Re: Ethiopian Review website
    ER is most likely associated with provocative commentaries, its embrace of the Eritrean issue, the publisher’s identity as a firm opposition, activist and a hunt for his life behind bars.

    I don’t know about other readers; personally I go through selected topics of interest from the top news section and occasionaly glance at the Amharic section. Last night I saw posts from Prof. Mesfin and Dr. Yacob and that took my interest. Then explored the rest of what ER has. I was surprised to discover a wide range of topics and services including, health, time in Ethiopia, calander, Zekir etc.

    Most likely because the entire web site is in one standard ink, all these sections could get neglected and missed to have been well utilized. The eyes and the mind are obviously well connected in association. ER might have to renovate its web presentation to commlement all the wide range of staff it offers.

  8. Dear Elias,

    I have known of you for the last 20 or so years. While I acknowledge your writing acumen and most times your analysis of events, I am chagrined by your modus operandi when it comes to your treatment of people with whom you disagree.

    We are not too far removed from Kinjit and the 2005 elections.Your treatment of most of the actors of that era is still fresh in our minds.How can we reconcile this and the treatment you have accorded Isayas Afewerqi and his platoon of murderers and still participate in joint ventures with you?

    Thank you

    Elias replies:
    February 7th, 2012 at 2:26 AM

    Is that how you appraise Ethiopian Review’s 20 years of service?

    Aariam replies:
    February 7th, 2012 at 11:46 AM

    Dear trust;
    Isaias is gone and save the rest of Ethiopia now.Our point are there then we can see if the option are there with our brothers and sisters Eritreans.Mark my word the only our enemey in new day Ethiopia are Woyanowch like Gheziea Haile who are in both side.Here and on Awete.com Jihadist website.Behlet ieage yemibela banda.
    Ethiopia Tikdem Woyane YiWdem
    Berta Wendem Elias Kifle

    Anonymous replies:
    February 8th, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    Trust,
    like you, I was also angry, mad and frustrated with Elias until I finally figured out and assumed what Elias’s intentions and well thought plan was to work with the enemy of Ethiopia, Isayas, for the sake of Ethiopian Freedom Fighters.
    Elias, tried the motto of the enemy of your enemy is my friend with Isayas, but Elias found out that Isayas has never been a true enemy of Meles, in fact, the two evil cousins still work indirectly to divide Ethiopians and dismantle Ethiopia. As soon as, Elias found out that tyrant Isayas was giving false hope to the Ethiopian freedom fighters and the bravest Ethiopian Freedom Fighters started to disappear in Eritrea, Elias, dropped the hatemonger Isayas like a dead rotten rat.
    Am I wrong brother Elias?

  9. Dear ER:

    It is good that many media groups have come together for a common cause. However one must not forget that the struggle is back home. Radio stations or TVs that are mostly listened and watched in the Diaspora, cannot by themselves bring any change.

    “Currently in Ethiopia it is impossible to operate an independent newspaper, hold opposition party meetings, and organize protest demonstrations. ” you wrote.

    I disagree. It is difficult but not impossible. Addis Neger, Awramba Times had functionned under difficult circumstances for years . Currently Feteh , Finot gazettas are doing good jobs. They are at least reaching thounsands of Ethiopia. The UDJ/MEDEK parties, a new party called ‘Semayai” …are trying their best to oragnize the people, as I said under very difficult circumstances.

    Therefore, I recommend that diaspora activities such as what you are doing now , focus on empowering our fellow brothers in Ethiopia. THE STRUGGLE IS BACK HOME. UNLESS ETHIOPIANS IN ETHIOPIA ARE ORGANIZED THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE.

    If we do not support those who are trying their best at home, there is no way DC radio stations or ESAT alone can bring results in Ethiopia !!! NO AT ALL !!!!

    Regards

    GK

    Heroes replies:
    February 7th, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    Hi Suziki,

    “If we do not support those who are trying their best at home”
    Can you please tell us how? Those who have any contact to out side world are labeled as a terrorist and thrown to person. Who will sacrifice at home to fight for the freedom of the people? Do you have one in mind?
    I will be the first one to support a honest organization and/or group which stands for the people.

  11. The rotten TPLF goons will face the wrath of the Ethiopian people. Soon they will realize that they will not have any power from any Evil to extinguish the flaming Ethiopian nationalism. The true son and doughtier of Ethiopia finally have got the sense what needs to be don’t to uproot the cancerous TPLF from the Ethiopia land. First we have to alienate Those hodams who mingle with us to neutralize us from focusing from deadly enemy TPLF by spreading rumors in our midest. We Ethiopians need to have to gut to stop theme on their tracks when they make excuse For meles tribal government. Call theme for what they are –gutless parasites who are willing to trade of with Ethiopian people blood. It is refashioning to see that the Ethiopian Sport Federation cleanse it self from bandas who sale their country for few Pennies. What happens in DC and in Atlanta is finally the dormant nationalism that was behind cafe shops is being channeled to its target.TPLF. Don’t pass those who are Meles cadres in our midst they are the best instrument of division.
    Long live Ethipia
    We will live in our country with dignity
    Ethipia is not a hand out for serving TPLF . It is ours and it is time we claim it with all our beings.

  13. at one time it was said “gfu gfu gena new”. Yes i admire what happened in DC. We need more such tasks until the freedom we seek is attained. What we need further now is cooperation among all the medias, civic organizations, political groups, including the constituencies of our struggle.

  14. As a regular Ethiopian woman and not being a politician i can not say enough how happy I am to see the media playing such a pivotal role in bringing change to this country i love dearly. I love my country like millions of people in other parts of the world because it is the source of my strength, my belonging and love. Those of you who don’t love your county where ever you are from i feel sorry for you. It is understandable to hate a certain system of government but you don’t hate your country. The leaders of Ethiopia who currently are engaged in business of selling the country never loved it. They hate Ethiopia, they hate the Amharas,Oromos, Gurages, Afars, Somalis etc. Their dream county was at one point “liberating and forming a Peoples Democratic Republic of Tigray in the image of Albanian Communism”.This was the dream of our so called “smart” leaders of Ethiopia. The best idea they came up with was Albanian style communism. For those of you who don’t know what i am talking about this was what Meles said years ago. Now, they are “changed” and became business people with shek Al Amoudi ( i don’g even care if i spelt his name wright or wrong) as their financial adviser.

    Just look at the politicians in United States they could hate each other or the other party but they never hate their country. I even doubt it if you get a job let alone to be a leader of the county if you hate the United States.But in Ethiopia, You can hate the country,its flag, and people and still you can be a ruler. Of-course they love the coffee and the gold that bring in cash into their pockets.
    In order to keep selling the country they have to destroy the opposition where ever it is coming from. I do not understand why some Ethiopians living in America fall for their trap. Don’t they know that their country is being sold and their people betrayed and killed. How come even people who are not Ethiopians fight for a land that is not even their country? It is because they see the injustice that is happening everyday. The rulers do not even care if you are Ethiopian or not. if you do not agree with every thing they say and they do you are an enemy. That is why they are pouring so much money to even bribe Ethiopians to keep quiet. otherwise their income will be cut off if they are overthrown. But little they know that when the wind of change becomes a hurricane they will not be able to stop it.Thanks to the great subject called history we have seen it before, now and we will see it in the future.
    I have written a short note before regarding the necessity of forming a guerrilla journalism in Ethiopia that comprises of journalist engaged in informing the public what the government is doing from an undrground hide out. In the absence of a free media they would be a useful tool to guide the public what to do and speed up the new uprising in the country.These journaliste will not be representing no political party but their role is to inform the public.

    A short message to Elias. Please find some way to organize the voice of lawyers and judges in Ethiopia. They can also play a great role in bringing about change in the country exposing the illegality of the government’s acts.

  15. Girma Kassa and his colliques sharing the same passion of supporting Woyane could never be advisors of the true son of Ethiopia, Eliase Kefle and other determined citizens who are in acton to topple the current brutla regimein Ethiopia from where they are.We would never let you to make trouble in the diaspora struggle against woyane to librate our mother land once and for all.

    Mr Kassa your intention is to convey a message that peaceful struggle is the only way possible to practice in Ethiopia which Melles prefers. Dont you know that such option is over since 2005 where innocent citizens are massacered in the broad day light by your boss Meles. So,Are you still desire or curious to see more bodies lying on the streets of Addis and other cities like Dessie(my town) Gonder, Bahirdar, Ambo,Jimma and others excluding Togray? Shame on you!

    Please get back to Aiga and post whatever you like who cares for you guys trading for innocent bloods to gain blood money. You are utterly absurd.

  16. Ato Elias,
    It’s always worth the investment one opening his/her wallet/paurse for a noble cause which personally i don’t mind doing so according to my means like most patriot Eritreans do to rebuild their nation of immense sacrifices. Because as the Eritrean journalist mr. Amanuel Bedemariam correctly wrote on one of his article that the EPRDF/woyane gangs are indeed ‘the enemy of Africa’. In fact, no hard feeling but col. Mengstu was lesser evil than the mafias leader Meles. At least he was honest dictator.
    peace&love!

  17. Trust says:
    Dear Elias,

    I have known of you for the last 20 or so years. While I acknowledge your writing acumen and most times your analysis of events, I am chagrined by your modus operandi when it comes to your treatment of people with whom you disagree.

    We are not too far removed from Kinjit and the 2005 elections.Your treatment of most of the actors of that era is still fresh in our minds.How can we reconcile this and the treatment you have accorded Isayas Afewerqi and his platoon of murderers and still participate in joint ventures with you?

    WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW. FREEDOM IS NOT WITH THOSE WHO DESGISE IN THE SHIPS SKIN AND DEVIDE, BUT WITH THOSE WHO SHOW THEIR SOLDIERTY FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. ELIAS IS ETHIOPIAS TRUE SON! NOTHING LESS. ETHIOPIA HAD MANY BRAVE SON/DAUGHTERS AND FEW BANDAS (I SWEAR TO GOD MELES AND HIS PARENTS ARE WITHEN THE FEW)

    GOT THE POINT? Trust YOU MAY NOT. BELIEVE OR NOT ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME TO REALITY AND BELIEVE WHAT YOUR OWN EYE SEE. BUT I KNOW FEW LIKE YOU WILL DO EVERYTHING TO DISCREDIT THEIR OWN EYE AND BELIEVE FANTASY SOME THING LIKE 11% GROWTH, 99.6 SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLES VOTE…

    DEAR ELIAS,
    ALLOW ME TO THANK YOU. YOU ARE OUR HERO. YOU ARE ETHIOPIS TRUE SON. YOU ARE WITH US AND WE ARE WITH YOU. IT MAY SEEM A LONG BATTLE BUT TIME AGAIN AND AGAIN IT SHOWED IT TAKES ONLY A MATCH TO BURN A HOUSE, THE WOYANE GANGISTERS HOUSE, THE DEVIDE AND RULE HOUSE, THE THIVES HOUSE, THE DICTATORS HOUSE. THE WORLD SAID YOU START IT WE WILL MAKE SURE THEY PAY FOR IT (LIBYA,TUNIZIA,EGYPT,SIRYA…)

    $5.00 A MONTH? FOR ETHIOPIA? IF WE CAN`T DO THIS AND SHOW OUR SUPPORT, THEN WE SHOULD CONSIDER TO CHECK OUR OWN INSIDE. ARE WE REALLY WITH THOSE WHO SACRIFY THE LITTLE THEY HAVE AND THEIR TIME FOR THE POOR BACK HOME OR ARE WE ON THE SIDE OF MURDERERS?

  18. This is encourageing news to united Ethiopians for one major goal that is free Ethiopians from dictatorsip as well as to kick out our own feers. We are living in a free society but our voice was deeply tightened by the Woyane propganda of separating each other in our ethinc egos. Now thanks for Dr, Brehanu Nega, Elias Kifle and other dedicated individuals who entirely comitted their time to narrow the gap and united OLF and other freedom lover groups to work togther to free our people from the crminals Woyane group. Now this is the time to work for the common goal with the help of GOD towards liberity, justice and to united our country.We heirs to the promise and God will lead us to the gates of the holly land.
    GOD bless Ethiopia!!!

  19. Regardless of Woyanne opposition, a well balanced, firmly established and consistent press office is neccessary in the diaspora. It is the future; but if it neglects the multitude of Ethiopians who live abroad, its worth may not as well be fully exercised.

    It is a fact that the role of opposition out side Ethiopia is to support those inside country ; but the press can fulfill its freedom by channeling information to the country. In my opinion, ESAT is the best thing that has happened since Kinijt for in and out side of Ethiopia. To find it share a platform with other diaspora media is a welcome news.

  21. HURSO,
    Well said. Elias is Ethiopias true son (as our parents call’jegena’). Ethiopia will be free because of her sons` like Elias. Proud to be on your side Elias.

  25. Congra!!

    2012 has shown us a bright light at the end of the tunnel. It started with the death of Dawid Ibsa (Old olf) and his narrow minded, hateful and barbaric friends. Now 99.99% Oromos become proud of the new and visionary leaders of OLF; who came up with a game changing, smart and 21st century style struggle to librate oromo and all poor people of the region.

    Asmara, Eritrea

  26. Elias, your parents have given Ethiopia a JEGNNA son like you, I thank you for your strength, bravery and patriotism. I also like to thank your parents for raising you to be honest, to be a kind human being and be the voice for the voiceless, to defend the defenseless Ethiopians and to fight the homegrown enemy that is looting, killing our people and our country. God Bless you and your family!

    Meles on the other hand was born from a banda grandfather and father who taught him to hate his country and be a heartless monster, killer and a professional thief to get whatever he wants even at the cost of human-life. And the last twenty one years is the proof how dictator Meles was raised to be a tyrant, a liar, a thief and a merciless killer subhuman that hates Ethiopia/ns with everything in his body. Ethiopians must unite and remove the merciless poisonous snake Meles and his tplf servants who are trained like dogs to do what their master tells them to do. Deaths to Meles and his mad dogs!

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