The Solidarity Movement for New Ethiopia (SMNE), in {www:conjunction} with the Anuak Justice Council (AJC), has launched a petition drive to beseech the International Criminal Court (ICC) and ICC Prosecutor, Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, to open an active investigation into the genocide of the Anuak people of the Gambella region in Ethiopia, which began on December 13th, 2003 and continued for over two more years. Genocide Watch, an organization that “exists to predict, prevent, stop, and punish genocide and other forms of mass murder,” has independently confirmed this genocide along with a litany of other criminal acts, including crimes against humanity, committed by Meles Zenawi’s regime… [read more]
The land grab in Ethiopia is not limited to “investors” from China, India, and Saudi Arabia. In fact, TPLF members are grabbing more fertile land in southern and western Ethiopia than China, India and Saudi combined, according to Ethiopian Review sources.
In investigating land grab by the TPLF members, Ethiopian Review Intelligence Unit has stumbled upon a particular evidence that shows how a person named Dr Te’ame Hadgu Embaye took over a land almost half the size of Washington DC for a monthly rent of about $8 per square kilometers, the first payment to be paid after 3 years of signing the contract. (Click here to read the agreement).
The massive land was given to Dr Teame Hadgu Embaye, who resides in Minneapolis (USA), to grow cotton and peanut for export to the Middle East. Because of the heavy use of chemical fertilizers, the land will be rendered useless within a few years, i.e., before Dr Teame starts paying rent for the land. The people of South Omo, whose land Dr Teame is profiting from, will receive little or no benefit. They will be left with a destroyed, barren land.
While we focus on land grab by China and Saudi Arabia, we seem to have ignored the equally devastating land grab by the TPLF mafia that is displacing local farmers and residents.
It is also important to note that TPLF members heavily invest in companies such as Karturi, the king of Indian land grabbers, but their names are kept off the books.
Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America
PRESS RELEASE – February 29, 2012
In a show of solidarity that is common and expected in the Ethiopian Diaspora community, the Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America (EHSNA) has agreed to defer its Ethiopian Heritage Festival so that it does not conflict with the sporting events being promoted by the Ethiopian Sports Federation of North America (ESFNA).
Because of timing conflicts, many Diaspora Ethiopians came forward to express that they did not want to miss either event. The EHSNA Heritage Festival, going on its second year, was initially held in the first week in July in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. ESFNA is approaching its 29th year of holding its annual sporting events in early July in Dallas, Texas. In a show of support, the younger of the two organizations, EHSNA, has agreed to move it’s Heritage Festival to the Labor Day weekend.
The Ethiopian Sports Federation will hold its sports events in Dallas from July 1 to July 7. The Ethiopian Heritage Festival will be held in September, using the three-day, Labor Day weekend to its full advantage. Exact times, dates, and places will be announced. The festival, now entering its second year, will probably be held in the D.C. area, as it was in the preceding year.
Praise for the Ethiopian Sports Federation
The Heritage Society takes this opportunity to praise and celebrate the Ethiopian Sports Federation for its longevity – this will be its 29th year of holding the sports events. The Heritage Society also praises the Sports Federation for its efforts to thwart the reach of the illegitimate TPLF government now in power in Ethiopia.
That regime had been trying to reform the Sports Federation to work on its behalf. The Federation has managed to fend off the regime’s efforts to subvert their organization. The regime wanted to make the Sports Federation a satellite from which to influence or spy on other Ethiopian Diaspora organizations and communities.
The Ethiopian Heritage Society Approaches a Second Year of Success
The Ethiopian Heritage Society held its First Annual Ethiopian Heritage Festival in early July of 2011, with the theme, “Celebrate and Discover Ethiopia!” The festival showcased the historical, cultural, artistic, athletic, and culinary treasures, creativity, and talent from the Ethiopian community for the enjoyment and education of the public at large.
After the festival, the Heritage Society hosted Camp Agelgel the following September. Camp Agelgel was a thanksgiving event with many participants and many activities. It was held to thank the businesses and individuals in the Ethiopian Diaspora who helped make the first Ethiopian Heritage Festival such a success.
Second Ethiopian Heritage Festival Promises an Even Better Experience
Details for the Second Annual Heritage Festival, to be held this year around Labor Day, will be announced as soon as possible. The Washington Metro Area will probably be the site. Those wishing to attend should keep their calendars open for the first weekend in September. This second annual festival will set the tone for future festivals in that it will be bigger and better than the last. Not only will there be fantastic entertainment, but also events that will reflect the Ethiopian heritage and solidarity within the Ethiopian Diaspora community. Youngsters are especially welcome so that they can understand and appreciate their Ethiopian heritage.
Keeping Ethiopian Heritage Alive
Diaspora Ethiopians should also look to join the Ethiopian Sports Federation in Dallas, Texas. Participants can enjoy and partake in their sporting events and their celebration of the heritage of the Ethiopian Diaspora Community. Friends and members of the Ethiopian Heritage Society of North America and the Ethiopian Sports Federation of North America, ask all interested folks to attend and enjoy both events.
If you are an appreciator of Ethiopia and its peoples, or if you love your heritage and seek to preserve it for yourself and for our younger generations, this is an easy way and a fun way to become or to remain involved. We may not be able to call Ethiopia as home right now, but we still can retain our heritage and our love of the land. Both EHSNA and ESFNA are working to sustain that love and that heritage.
A controversial resettlement program in Ethiopia is the latest battleground in the global race to secure prized farmland and water. Correspondent Cassandra Herrman reports as part of the Food for 9 Billion series, a PBS NewsHour partnership with the Center for Investigative Reporting, Homelands Productions and Marketplace.
Ethiopian Heritage Society North America (EHSNA) is organizating a special event to commemorate the 116th anniversary of the Adwa Victory this coming Saturday starting at 5:00 PM.
Address: 4250 Harewood Rd NE Washington DC 20017
More info: ehsna.org
By William Davison
ADDIS ABABA (BLOOMBERG) — An imprisoned Ethiopian opposition leader needs urgent medical attention 12 days after being assaulted in his cell, former President Negasso Gidada said.
Andualem Aragie, head of public relations for the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party, was kicked in the head and beaten by a fellow prisoner on Feb. 15, Negasso, the chairman of the party, said by phone today from Addis Ababa, the capital.
Andualem, who is being tried on terrorism charges, had to be supported by prison guards when his wife went to see him, Negasso said. “He complained yesterday he has a headache and has problems with his balance,” the ex-president said. “He needs urgent treatment and examination by a private medical doctor.”
Andualem could not be examined when taken to a police hospital because the equipment was not working, according to Negasso. A prison doctor saw him last week and said he was suffering from low blood pressure, said Negasso. “No serious medical attention has been given,” he said. “His wife is very much worried. We are also very worried.”
Ethiopia’s human rights commissioner, Teruneh Zenna, said today that he would again contact the “relevant authorities” about the case, Negasso said. Teruneh did not answer his mobile phone when called seeking comment. The party also plans to write to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Negasso said.
The trial of Andualem and 23 others is scheduled to resume next week.
