ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – The former residence of the first post-imperial acting head of state of Ethiopia, General Aman Mikael Andom, was partially demolished on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, in an Addis Ababa City Road Authority (AACRA) expansion project.
General Aman Mikael Andom
The house, located in the western part of the city behind the Ministry of National Defense Hospital, partly lies in the space where China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is constructing a roundabout.
Fekade Hailu, head of AACRA, told Capital that demolition was carried out in accordance with the master plan and no objections had previously been raised.
“Though 1.5 million birr was offered to the current owner of the house, she is complaining it is not enough,” said Fekade.
Aman Mikael Andom (1924 -1974) was appointed head of state following the coup d’etat that deposed Emperor Haile Selasse on September 12, 1974, and served until his death in a shootout with his former supporters.
His official title was ‘Chairman of the Provisional Military Administrative Council’ (better known as the Derg), and he held the position in an acting capacity as the military regime had officially proclaimed Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen as “King Designate” (an act that would later be rescinded by the Derg, and which was never accepted by the prince as legitimate).
As commander of the Third Division, General Aman had been beating back the encroachments of the Somali army on the eastern border earning him the nickname “Desert Lion.” However, in 1964 the Emperor dismissed him when he began to advance inside Somalia in violation of his order and Aman afterwards served in the Ethiopian Senate in “political exile”.
History books indicate General Aman had contacts with the officers of the junta as early as February and March of 1974, but by July he was appointed chief of staff to the military junta. Three days after the junta removed the Emperor from his palace to imprisonment at the headquarters of the Fourth Division; this group appointed him their chairman and president of Ethiopia. At the same time, this group of soldiers assumed the name “Provisional Military Administrative Council” Derg.
From the first day of his presidency, the general found himself at odds with a majority of the Derg’s members over most major issues, including whether he was ‘chairman’ of the ruling military body or simply its ‘spokesman. Aman fought the majority of the Derg over three central issues: the size of the Derg, which he felt was too large and unwieldy; the policy to be taken towards the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF); and over the punishment of the numerous aristocrats and former government officials in the Derg’s custody.
His refusal to sanction the execution of former high officials, including two former prime ministers and several royal family members and relatives, put his relations with the majority of the Derg on bitter footing.
As an Eritrean, General Aman found himself fiercely at odds with the Derg leadership. He wanted to negotiate a peaceful settlement; his opponents hoped to crush the ELF by military force. Aman went as far as making two personal visits to Eritrea giving speeches stating that the end of the Imperial Regime was also the end of old practices towards Eritrea, that a government dedicated to national unity and progress would restore peace and prosperity to Eritrea, and lastly that he would begin investigations concerning crimes that the army had perpetrated on Eritreans and punish the guilty.
However, at the same time the Derg had begun eliminating opponents within the military. The three significant units were the Imperial Bodyguard, the Air Force, and the Corp of Engineers; of the three, the most recalcitrant were the Engineers.
Eventually, soldiers loyal to the Derg stormed the Engineers’ camp, killing five, wounding several and detaining the rest.
General Aman died in a battle with troops sent to his home to arrest him. The actual cause of his death remains unclear, whether he was killed or committed suicide.
That same night, the political prisoners that the Derg had marked for execution were taken from Menelik prison, where they had been held, to the Akaki Central Prison where they were executed and buried in a mass grave.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Turkey is now planning to join the mining and energy development sector of Ethiopia after years of investing in the textile sector.
Last week, a Turkish business delegation led by Turkish Minister of Transport, Binali Yyidrym, visited the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines and Energy and held a meeting with senior officials of the ministry.
The delegation was briefed by Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of MME, about the investment opportunities in the mining and energy sector. The Minister discussed with the delegation about the precious and industrial mineral resources and the immense hydro-power potential Ethiopia has.
Gold, marble, limestone, and small amounts of tantalum are among the major natural resources mined so far in Ethiopia. Of these minerals, gold, which provided US$12.5 million to the economy in 1996, and is expected to generate a total of 1.6 billion USD up to 2020, is among the most significant contributor to export earnings of the country.
In addition, several foreign companies have signed exploration of natural gas and product sharing agreement with the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines and Energy and are currently drilling wells in different parts of the country.
The Turkish delegation arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday to participate at the fifth Ethio-Turkish joint economic commission meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Trade and Industry Grma Birru said the bilateral trade between the two countries had grown by 46 percent between 2000 and 2007 to $182 million.
Investments
Ethiopia mainly exports sesame and leather to Turkey while Turkey exports steel and steel products, electronics and other industrial products. The number of Turkish companies, particularly those dealing in textile and garments, investing in Ethiopia is increasing.
From January-June 2008 alone, some 19 Turkish companies with an aggregate capital of 3.79 billion birr (around $379 million) have received licenses to engage in business in Ethiopia.
Relations
Relations between Ethiopia and Turkey, which go as far back as 1557, was strengthened in the early 20th century and weakened in 1975 with the closing of the Ethiopian Embassy.
However, they strengthened in 2005 with the visit of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, which led to the reopening of the Ethiopian consulate in 2006; that same year, Turkish Airlines started flights to Addis Ababa.
The aim is to raise trade between the two nations, which is currently at 200 million USD, to 500 million US$ by 2011.
Last month, a Turkish businessman won a contract worth 90 million USD; this increased the average trade balance between the two counties from 200 million to 300.
The increase in the export of Ethiopian agricultural products, such as green lentils and hides is expected to scale up the trade relation between the two sides to reach the 500 million mark.
According to Yusuf Adeniz, Chairman of Ayka Addis textile and Investment Group, Ethiopia is in a position to capitalize on the knowledge sharing and investment support being given to it by Turkish businessmen, who would add value to the nation’s manufacturing sector, particularly textiles.
Ayka is currently constructing a textile company in the town of Alemgena – located on the outskirts of Addis Ababa – with an investment of over 100 million USD. Once operational, the company envisions increasing its current 800 employees to 10,000.
Textile player
Briefing members of the Ethiopian media who were visiting Istanbul last month, Adeniz noted that for Ethiopia to really become a global textile player, policies and procedures should be fine-tuned to help meet projections. According to the chairman, red tape, lengthy custom clearance and financing problems impede Ayka’s target export of $200 million annually.
According to the chairman, red tape, lengthy custom clearance and financing problems impede Ayka’s target export of $200 million annually.
Contrasting the incentives given for exports in Turkey, Adeniz pointed out the need for Ethiopia to re-examine the existing policies in regards to customs and financing and make adjustments to create an environment where textile export potentials could be tapped into.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (APA) Meles Zenawi’s regime in {www:Ethiopia}, which recently dissolved its ministry of Information, on Tuesday established a new Communication Affairs Bureau to take its place.
In December 2008, the Meles regime officially dissolved the Ethiopian Ministry of Information saying that there was no need to continue the work of the ministry. Instead, the government decided to establish a new bureau at a cabinet level.
Accordingly, the [rubber-stamp] Ethiopian parliament on Tuesday endorsed the appointment by Prmie Minister dictator Meles Zenawi of Bereket Simone as minister of the new Communication Affairs Bureau.
Simone, who was a public relations advisor to Prime Minister Meles, also served as minister of the defunct Ethiopian Information Ministry a few years ago.
The new bureau is expected to undertake various communications activities, including the dissemination of government policies and strategies at national level.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (U.S. Embassy) – Minister of Trade and Industry Girma Birru and U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Yamamoto today joined the board of the newly established American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia for the organization’s official launch. The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ethiopia aims to promote economic development by strengthening Ethiopian-American business partnerships and trade and investment between the two countries.
At the launch, AmCham President Getachew Ayele, said, “AmCham Ethiopia is committed to supporting Ethiopia’s development ambitions by promoting two-way trade and investment relations between Ethiopia and the United States.” He pledged that AmCham would foster a positive environment for the business communities in both countries, and work to bring commercial relations to their full potential.
U.S. Ambassador Donald Yamamoto praised the newly formed organization, saying, “The establishment of an American Chamber will create a new paradigm for how we do business in Ethiopia. This is a milestone in our two countries’ partnership, and it shows our commitment to a more prosperous tomorrow for all Ethiopian citizens.”
American Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AmChams) are voluntary associations of American companies and individuals doing business in a particular country, as well as firms and individuals of that country who operate in the United States.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Ethiopia is the fourth AmCham in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ambassador Yamamoto noted at the launch, “The fact that AmCham Ethiopia is only the fourth of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa shows the importance that the United States places on its relationship with Ethiopia.”
AmCham Ethiopia is a not-for-profit, non-political, independent and voluntary business membership organization registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and affiliated with the U.S Chamber of Commerce. It will focus on increasing bilateral trade and investment activity, providing support and services to members businesses, and fostering a favorable business environment. As AmCham President Getachew stated today, “We will work diligently to encourage American investment of all kinds in Ethiopia, while promoting a positive image of our country in the United States.”
Following its official launch, AmCham Ethiopia is actively recruiting new members. Interested parties should contact the AmCham headquarters at 011-553-1990 or [email protected].
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Meto Aleqa (Lieutenant) Alemayehu Yeneneh, a national council member of the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ), has died today after suffering stroke.
Following the May 2005 elections, Lt. Alemayehu, who had worked as southern Ethiopia coordinator for the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (Kinijit), was arrested twice. On June 5, 2005, he was arrested and sent to Ziway prison, 200 km south of Addis Ababa. He was tortured by the Federal Police while in detention. His cellmate included Kinijit campaign strategist Andargachew Tsege, who was also savagely beaten up by the Federal Police. Both were released in August 2005. Again, on November 2, 2005, Lt. Alemayehu was arrested along with all the top leadership of Kinijit. This time he spent 21 months in prison. Conditions in prison, and the constant harassment by the Woyanne regime’s security while out of jail, had no doubt taken a toll on his health.
When UDJ was formed in October 2007, Lt. Alemayehu became a full time staff member of the party and an organizer of for southern {www:Ethiopia}.
Lt. Alemayehu, 45, was survived by his wife and 5 children.
TORONTO, CANADA – Kemer Yousef, who escaped Ethiopia on foot with nothing 24 years ago, has scored an unprecedented video hit with Nabek, a seven-track DVD showing him singing from a yacht in Toronto Harbour and dancing on the steps of Casa Loma. Clamour for his return has become so great that the central government [a political ploy by the hated dictatorial regime] is helping to arrange a six-concert homecoming tour that opens Dec. 7 at Ethiopia’s largest indoor venue – Addis Ababa’s 20,000-seat Millennium Hall.
For Kemer Yousef the tour in Ethiopia means seeing his family for the first time since he escaped across the desert to Somalia at the age of 20. His mother is in her 70s. His father is 103.
The tour also means singing to former enemies.
Kemer belongs to the Oromo ethnic majority, long oppressed by successive ruling minorities, who are now as swept up by the pop phenomenon as anybody else. [What a crock!]
VIDEO: One of Kemer Yousuf’s latest songs that have made him popular. Nice music, but poor video and terrible choreography
“Ethiopia has more than 70 ethnic groups and languages,” tour co-producer Bumiden Abdul Wahab explains by phone from the city of Adama [Nazareth]. “Normally people only listen to their own music, follow their own traditions. [Not necessarily true.]
“Kemer shook up the country,” he says. “He broke the barrier. Every time you turn on the radio – in whatever language – you hear his music.
“If you ask 10 people, at least nine have his CD.”
Kemer is a broad-shouldered man with a magnetic grin and a warm, tender way of expressing himself.
He grew up in an oral and singing culture in the village of Golu, near the town of Deder, in east-central Ethiopia. Villagers had enough to eat, he says. The famine regions lay elsewhere.
But throughout his childhood, the successive governments of Emperor HaileSelassie and Mengistu Haile Mariam relentlessly persecuted the Oromo. [The current dictator, Meles Zenawi, is the worst of all. He has turned Ethiopia a large prison camp for Oromos, according to his own former defense minister. Kemer owes his fans to point out this tragic fact.]
“You cannot even call yourself Oromo,” Kemer says of the HaileSelassie period. “If you dress as Oromo, if you write Oromo language, you will be killed.” [This is a lie. HaileSelassie was not like that.]
Of the Mengistu period, he says: “I remember one night when they came and took my uncle and for no reason they shot him in front of the door. [The Meles dictatorship is committing genocide in some parts of the country. Why do you leave that out?]
“You cannot even grieve and not even scream,” Kemer says.
“If you scream, if you cry, they will kill you. Then they ask (your family) to pay for the bullet you get killed with.”
In 1984, Golu’s elders pooled their resources to help their young people escape. Thousands of people mobilized and with dozens of classmates Kemer caught a ride east to the rallying point of Jijiga.
He joined a camel caravan of about 200 people on a three-day march to the border. Most died on the way. Snakes killed some. Bandits killed many others, stole their animals, and raped and abducted many of the women, leaving 37 survivors.
In 1987, after much suffering, Kemer made it to Toronto. He now lives in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.
“I have a song in my language,” he recalled several years ago on CBC Radio’s Global Village.
“I say, ‘Thank you, Canada, for wiping my tears, for listening to my cry, for reaching for me with a long hand, far away in Africa, and giving me this opportunity to be a human being, to be somebody, to sing again for others.'”
Throughout the hard times, music remained important to Kemer. In refugee camps, he made up songs about refugee life. At a transient center in Rome, he sang as he mopped floors.
In Toronto, after learning English and taking an electronics course, he assembled a band from musicians he met mostly in subway stations.
In 1993, he found a role model. Ali Birra, the only Ethiopian Oromo star of the 1960s and 1970s, moved to Toronto.
“Ali Birra is a reference singer for all Oromo people,” says French musicologist Francis Falceto, the brains behind Ethiopiques, a hit world-music CD series mining the best of that golden era.
“I didn’t give Kemer much help, really,” Birra says at home in Pickering, where he now lives.
“He’s a very good learner. He watches. He picks things up and improves them.”
Kemer developed a niche, playing Oromo political and social events in Atlanta, Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis, Dallas and Washington, D.C. He played in Australia and travelled to Amsterdam, Oslo, Frankfurt and Rome. He married an Oromo woman he met in Munich.
He constantly innovated. Instead of standing still like most Ethiopian singers, he danced and ran. To enhance melodies, he mixed pentatonic and diatonic scales – “like Kenny G,” he says.
For the homecoming tour, he trained three Caucasian Toronto female dancers – Jennifer Dallas, Elisha MacMillan and Yaelle Wittes – to dance Oromo-style and sing backup lines.
“People are so excited,” he says. “They want to see how Canadian girls can dance Shaggoyyee, Ragada, Gattumi and Skista.”
In 1997, Kemer’s brother Redwan escaped to Kenya. Kemer got him to Canada. Within weeks Redwan landed a job in a variety store at Weston Rd. and Lawrence Ave., and on his first day at the cash register two thieves walked in and shot him in the back. He survived but remains traumatized.
“The bullet followed me from Africa,” Kemer says fatalistically.
About five years ago, Ethiopian Prime Minister dictator Meles Zenawi opened a dialogue with expatriate Oromo communities in Europe and North America. [This is a lie. Within the past 3 weeks alone, over 94 politicians and journalists from the Oromo ethnic group were rounded up and thrown in jail by the Meles regime.]
“The system changed, the people changed, I changed,” Kemer says of his broader themes in recent years of love between men and women, love for humankind, and love for Ethiopian village life. [The system changed?]
The changes brought a new infectiousness and universality to his songs, and opened him to the new, mass audience.
John Goddard is accompanying Kemer Yousef on his homecoming tour to Ethiopia. Follow their journey in the Star’s Entertainment section.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a good propaganda piece for the Woyanne dictatorship by the Toronto Star reporter John Goddard. It is Shame on Kemer for allowing himself to play into that. He didn’t have to praise the blood thirsty Woyanne junta in order for him to go to Ethiopia and sing. The things he said about Atse HaileSelassie is far from the truth. HaileSelassie had many weaknesses, but being racist was not one of them. The fact that Kemer fails to point out any of the injustices that are being committed by the current tribal junta in Ethiopia tells a lot about him — that he has sold his soul to the Woyanne murderous thugs.
