Ethiopia’s Minister of Defense, Siraj Fegessa, has told the country’s legislators that his ministry is prepared to shield the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) from any attacks.

He relayed this information while presenting his ministry’s bi-annual performance report to the National Assembly this past week, according to the Foreign Ministry.

However, Fegessa added that he thought the possibility of such a scenario playing out is quite low.

Recently, Egyptian presidential candidate and head of Zamalek Sporting Club, Mortada Mansour, revealed that he will use military options to stop Ethiopia’s construction of the dam and protect Egypt’s freshwater supply.

A report quotes Mansour explaining that “Just like they showed off and brought their generals around the dam and said if Egypt can come. Now we also have generals and planes O’ Ethiopia that can reclaim Egypt’s rights because we will not allow a drop of water to be cut, to have drought in the country, in agriculture, people can’t find a drop of water. This is vital for us. I thought that for subsequent Egyptian administrations that the issue of water is a life or death issue. This is not up for discussion.”

Meanwhile, several Ethiopian online commentators have dismissed the threat as being unwarranted.

Last year, former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was caught on national television along with other top officials detailing plans to subvert the dam’s construction, which he alleged is connected to America and Israel – whom he described as enemies of Egypt.

Negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan broke down earlier in the year reportedly due to the failure to reach a consensus on the process of implementing the recommendations of a panel of experts assigned to study the dam in 2012.

Egypt’s request for a new ‘neutral’ study into the effects of the dam on the environment has reportedly also been a source of division.

Last month, however, Ethiopia’s and Egypt’s Irrigation Ministers voiced their willingness to resume the talks over the dam.

In the wake of an international smear campaign against the construction of the dam, the GERD National Panel of Experts have charged the International River Network (IRN) with systematically preventing Ethiopia from utilising its water resources for development.

The group notes that “It would be unconscionable for us as professional Ethiopians well versed with and advising on GERD related issues to keep on looking at these people with bemusement and indifference when they peddle, clearly siding with Egypt, distorted, unsubstantiated and hostile mercenary propaganda against GERD and the Ethiopian people.”

Despite numerous attempts to stifle the dam’s progress, reports indicate that the $4.3 billion facility is over 30% completed and is on track to be finished by the deadline in 2017.

Source: Zegabi.com

Ethiopian Diaspora in the UK mark 3rd Anniversary of the launching of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in London

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Serbian football manager and former player, Goran Stevanović won’t be taking charge of the Ethiopian National Football Team.

The 47-year-old Stevanović had been close to filling the head coach’s position after holding talks with senior officials of the Ethiopian football federation. However the federation disclosed on Tuesday “we didn’t reach a final agreement due to lack of consensus on the coach’s demand to have foreign assistant coaches as well as on issues of his refusal to permanently settle in Ethiopia upon contractual obligation”.  Click here to read the statement

Spotlight on ethnic composition of Ethiopian Defense Forces

Siraj-Fegessa, Minister of Ethiopian Defense Forces

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Nine civilians lost their lives on Wednesday morning as unidentified armed men sprayed bullets on a civil car in Benishangul Gumuz, Sherkole woreda, a press statement from the government communication affairs office said.

“Unknown armed men opened fire on a car in Sherkole woreda, Teyba village 100 km south west of the region’s capital city, Assosa, leaving nine passengers dead, and six others were wounded, on Wednesday morning 6:00 am local time” the statement added.

The assailants escaped from the site of attack unchallenged and the motive behind their attack is not known as yet. The statement said, adding search operations are underway to locate and bring those behind the bloody incident to justice.

By Daniel Berhane

The last two months have seen an escalation of anti-gay rhetoric in the Ethiopian media.

Local anti-gay activists, who are thought to be funded by American Christian fundamentalists, stepped up their activities after the controversial tweet by a senior official two months ago. The tweet by the Minister of Youth, Women and Children, denouncing Uganda’s recent anti-gay legislation – which she later retracted with a vague and unconvincing claims of “hacking”. Later, she deleted her twitter account all together.

The incident apparently emboldened anti-gay activism which has been low-key for about four years, besides to the seldom alarmist news and articles on local papers.

Days after the controversial tweet, however, a youth group, affiliated to the ruling party, and a religious grouping, under the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, jointly announced their plan to hold an anti-gay rally in the capital city at an undisclosed date.

For once, nothing made sense.

In fact, at the time, I was bold enough to tell two correspondents of western media (from Reuters and Radio France International) that the planned anti-gay rally won’t take place.

My logic was simple: Ethiopia has already got a Crime Code that punishes same-sex practice of two consenting adults with up to three years imprisonment. Though, the law enforcement agencies largely ignored such cases. Where there is an aggravating ground – involving a child or rape or coercion, etc. – the punishment could reach up to fifteen years of imprisonment. In those circumstances, even foreign NGOs were not spared from the prosecution.

So, why would the government wish to stir emotions? Especially a public demonstration will put the government in a difficult situation of having to launch a witch-hunt or be accused of leniency. Not to forget that, in a highly conservative country like Ethiopia, one can have any sort of anti-gay legislation passed without having to agitate the public. Read more from hornaffairs

Thousands of Ethiopians are celebrating Easter in Ethiopia, commemorating the day when according to Christian tradition Jesus was resurrected in Jerusalem two millennia ago. Please watch the video below that shows the EVE of Ethiopian Easter in various parts of Addis Ababa.

Egypt is threatening Sudan’s safety by blocking international loans for Ethiopia’s hydro-dam, said Sudan’s top official of Eastern Blue Nile State Hussein Ahmad. According to the Sudanese mp, cash-strapped Ethiopia will end up shortcutting the hydrodam construction to avoid rising costs which could lead to long-term structural issues for the dam and flooding.

The Blue Nile State is located at the Sudanese border directly by the western Ethiopian region where the GERD hydrodam is currently under construction. In a scenario where the dam collapses, analysts say Sudan’s Blue Nile State could be devastated with flooding.

The Sudanese official said “Egyptian racism toward Africa” played huge part in Egypt’s blocking of international financial aid to Ethiopia. He said Cairo cares more about control than safety since Egypt originally wanted to finance the Ethiopian dam itself. According to the SIS, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy “offered to finance the construction of the Ethiopian Renaissance dam.”

The Sudanese official added that Khartoum will “hold Egypt fully responsible if structural failure of the dam results in Sudan’s flooding.”

He said Egypt should diversify its economy instead of total dependence on the Nile river shared by ten countries. ”No country opposed the construction of Egypt’s Aswan Dam even though that dam hurt the livelihood of indigeneous Nubian people and destroyed ancient artifacts,” he claimed. Read more

By Aaron Maasho

(Reuters) – ADDIS ABABA: Ethiopia have named Portugal’s Mariano Barreto as coach, the head of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) said on Wednesday.

Barreto, a former Ghana coach and assistant manager of Dynamo Moscow, was given the job after the EFF failed to reach an agreement with first choice Goran Stevanovic of Serbia.

“(Barreto) fits well in our plans. He has experience at all levels,” EFF chief Junedin Beshah said.

The 57-year old Barreto signed a two-year deal on Tuesday on a salary of $18,000 a month.

“Our primary aim now is to qualify for Morocco,” Junedin said, referring to next year’s African Cup of Nations. “We need to better our previous record.”

Ethiopia – nicknamed the ‘Walyas’ after an antelope endemic to the Horn of Africa country – were previously managed by Sewnet Bishaw, who was sacked in February after a dismal run at this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Under Sewnet, however, the Walyas last year qualified for the African Cup of Nations for the first time in three decades.

They also reached the final knockout round for a place at this year’s World Cup in Brazil in what would have been east Africa’s first-ever spot at the finals but they lost over two legs against regional heavyweights Nigeria.

The draw for the African Cup of Nations qualifiers will take place this month with Ethiopia among 21 countries with a bye to the group stages.

The Walyas won their maiden African Cup of Nations in 1962 but have not lifted the trophy since.

Benyam Kebede, editor of Ethiopia first website highlights the remarkable economic developments and challenges of the booming city, Addis Ababa what he described as “light at the end of the tunnel”

Please watch

ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on Thursday called on Egypt to stop what he described as “unnecessary noise” about a Nile dam project.

“Ethiopia has been working with riparian countries towards bringing about fair and equitable utilization of the Nile waters,” Desalegn told the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Ethiopia’s lower house of parliament.

“Egypt should come on board instead of making unnecessary noise,” he said as he presented a report about his government performance to the parliament.

Ethiopia is building a $6.4-billion dam on the Blue Nile, which represents Egypt’s primary source of water.

The project has raised alarm bells in Egypt, the Arab world’s most populous country, which fears a reduction of its historical share of Nile water.

Water distribution among Nile basin states has long been regulated by a colonial-era treaty giving Egypt and Sudan the lion’s share of river water.

Desalegn said that Cairo has launched an international campaign against the Grand Renaissance Dam.

“Egypt we know is preparing to take the case to the United Nations, but Ethiopia is ready for that,” he said, going on to say that the 31 percent of the dam project has completed.

The Ethiopian premier said that his government has been lobbying upper riparian countries to ratify the Comprehensive Framework Agreement, known as the Entebe agreement.  Read more

US Secretary of State John Kerry ( Photo: Rex Features)

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Ethiopia and two other African nations  from April 29 to May 5 to encourage democratic development, promote respect for human rights, advance peace and security, spokesperson of the State Department said in a statement.

According to the press statement,  Secretary Kerry will co-convene the Fourth Session of the U.S.-AU High-Level Dialogue and will meet with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros Adhanom on the possibilities of  advancing peace and democracy in the region, and strengthen important areas of bilateral cooperation with Ethiopia.

The statement added that Secretary Kerry will also be accompanied by Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of the Congo Russell Feingold, Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan Donald Booth, and Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issue Catherine Russell.

Last May, Secretary of State John Kerry spent most of his Memorial Day weekend in Ethiopia, attending a summit marking the 50th anniversary of the African Union and discussing with Ethiopian officials on important areas of bilateral cooperation.

PRESS RELEASE

Ethiopia: Multiple arrests in major crackdown on government critics 

The Ethiopian government is tightening its suffocating grip on freedom of expression in a major crackdown which has seen the arrest of numerous independent, critical and opposition voices over the last two days, said Amnesty International. Six members of an independent blogger and activist group and a freelance journalist were arrested yesterday 25 April. Another journalist was arrested this morning. Meanwhile 20 members of the political opposition Semayawi (Blue) party have been arrested since Thursday. “These arrests appear to be yet another alarming round up of opposition or independent voices” said Claire Beston, Ethiopia researcher at Amnesty International. “This is part of a long trend of arrests and harassment of human rights defenders, activists, journalists and political opponents in Ethiopia.” Six members of the independent blogger and activist group ‘Zone 9’ were arrested on 25 April in Addis Ababa. Group members Befeqadu Hailu, Atnaf Berahane, Mahlet Fantahun, Zelalem Kiberet, Natnael Feleke and Abel Wabela were arrested from their offices or in the street on Friday afternoon. All six were first taken to their homes, which were searched, and then taken to the infamous Federal Police Crime Investigation Sector ‘Maikelawi’, where political prisoners are held in pre-trial, and sometimes arbitrary, detention. At around the same time on Friday afternoon freelance journalist Tesfalem Waldyes was also arrested. His home was also searched before he was taken to Maikelawi. Another freelance journalist and friend of the Zone 9 group, Edom Kasaye, was arrested on the morning of Saturday 26 April. She was accompanied by police to her home, which was searched, and then taken to Maikelawi. “The detainees must be immediately released unless they are charged with a recognisable criminal offence” said Claire Beston. “They must also be given immediate access to their families and lawyers.” The detainees are being held incommunicado. Family members of those arrested reportedly went to Maikelawi on the morning of Saturday 26 April, and were told they could leave food for the detainees, but they were not permitted to see them. The Zone 9 group had temporarily suspended their activities over the last six months after what they say was a significant increase in surveillance and harassment of their members. On 23 April the group announced via social media that they were returning to their blogging and activism. The arrests came two days later. It is not known what prompted Waldyes’ arrest, but he is well known as a journalist writing independent commentary on political issues. In further arrests, the political opposition party, the Semayawi (Blue) Party, says that during 24 and 25 April more than 20 of its members were arrested. The party was arranging to hold a demonstration on Sunday 27 April. They had provided the requisite notification to Addis Ababa administration, and had reportedly received permission. The arrested party members, which include the Vice Chairman of the party, are reported to be in detention in a number of police stations around the city, including Kazanchis 6th, Gulele and Yeka police stations. The Chairman of the party, Yilkil Getnet, was also reportedly arrested, but was released late on Friday night. Over the last year, the Semayawi party has staged several demonstrations, which have witnessed the arrests and temporary detention of organisers and demonstrators on a number of occasions. In March, seven female members of the Semayawi Party were arrested during a run to mark International Women’s Day in Addis Ababa, after chanting slogans including “We need freedom! Free political prisoners! We need justice! Freedom! Don’t divide us!” The women were released without charge after ten days in detention. “With still a year to go before the general elections, the Ethiopian government is closing any remaining holes in its iron grip on freedom of speech, opinion and thought in the country” said Claire Beston.

Awramba Times (Bahir Dar) – Field Marshal Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, President of the republic of Sudan voices his solidarity for Ethiopian intellectuals in utilizing the Nile water for development.
In his keynote speech at a symposium organized by the Blue Nile Water Institute, aiming on Ethiopian intellectuals’ role on the imperatives of utilizing the Nile water for development, Al-Basher spoke out that he didn’t hesitate to attend the gathering visioned by the late prime minister, Meles Zenawi whom Al-Bashir named the father of the new Ethiopia. “I wish all success for the workshop to achieve the goals that you are aiming at” the president added.
According to analysts whom Awramba Times spoke to, Al-Bashir’s presence as a keynote speaker at the symposium alone can be considered as a massive incentive for Ethiopia’s move to finalize the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance dam. Please watch the video below

In General

A week ago I read a stupefying long article by Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam titled “Dam! White Elephant in Ethiopia?” posted in several Ethiopian Websites. The article is about ten pages long, mostly of quoted material from an article titled “A Proxy Campaign against Ethiopia?: a response by GERD National Panel of Experts (NPoE)” posted in several Ethiopian Websites. In his article, Alemayehu expressed his anger as follows:

“The regime’s nameless, faceless and conscienceless ‘experts,’ hiding behind the anonymity of  ‘professional Ethiopians well versed with and advising on GERD Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam related issues,’ unloaded a torrent vituperative diatribe against International Rivers in the vintage style of their late hate master of name-calling, cheap shots and put-downs, Meles Zenawi. In a hatchet job polemic entitled, ‘A Proxy Campaign against Ethiopia?’ the “GERD national panel of experts” (“GERD experts”) jumped on International Rivers like a pack of hungry junkyard dogs on a squirrel”

Prof. Al Mariam and Prof. Tekola W, Hagos

First of all, the National Panel of Experts may not have listed their individual names but they are not without identity; they have a corporate presence as members of the Ethiopian International Professional Support for Abay (EIPSA) [http://www.eipsa1.com/cms/news] that was established on 22 June 2013 “in response to the timely need for an organized and independent professional Ethiopian voice surrounding the issue of the Nile River.” Writing as members of a group is not something unusual, and in no way should excuse any writer to unleash an avalanche of vulgarity, as can be observed in Alemayehu’s article quoted above. And ultimately Alemayehu did the unthinkable: he committed treason against Ethiopia by siding with Egypt. He had the temerity to call the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam a “White Elephant” and a “wasteful vanity” project. No matter who laid the first stone for the construction of the Dam, it is now our Dam, our national effort of the people of Ethiopia, our precious act of patriotic zeal and love of country. Above all else, it is both the moral and physical antidote to the Kilil ethnic fracturing of Ethiopia. In situations of this type, one must look beyond one’s own frustration and personal ambition.

The first unusual feature of Alemayehu’s response article is that it jumps out at any reader due to the extreme vulgar language Alemayehu used in his comments. Reading the whole article, both quoted material and the insertions, I am left scratching my head for the article does not make much sense despite the fact that I tried to find even some tangential merit that would help clear the fog that has descended on the legal and political regime surrounding international rivers in general and the Abay River (the Blue Nile) and the building of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in particular. To say Alemayehu quoted extensively in his article is a gross understatement; it is more like he reprinted the original article titled “A Proxy Campaign against Ethiopia?” reinforced with his own straw insertions here and there. Read more

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – US Secretary of State John Kerry should emphasize human rights on his three-nation trip to Africa, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today in a press statement.
Secretary Kerry will travel to Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola to encourage democratic development, promote respect for human rights, advance peace and security. And Human Rights Watch said that during his visit, Mr. Kerry should emphasize that rights, development, and security are inextricably tied.

“Kerry should call on officials to release unconditionally all activists and journalists who have been arbitrarily detained or convicted in unfair trials, including the six bloggers and three journalists arrested on April 25 and 26″  HRW statement added.
According to the statement, Kerry should also press the Ethiopian government to amend or repeal two repressive laws on association and terrorism that have been used to oppress activists, independent organizations, and the media, and to bring politically motivated prosecutions.

On April 25, police in uniform and civilian clothes conducted what appeared to be a coordinated operation against members of a group known as the “Zone9” bloggers – Befekadu Hailu, Atnaf Berahane, Natnael Feleke, Mahlet Fantahun, Zelalem Kibret, and Abel Wabela – were arrested at their offices and in the streets. Tesfalem Weldeyes, a freelance journalist, was also arrested during the operation. Edom Kassaye, a second freelance journalist, was arrested on 26; the circumstances of her arrest are unclear but all eight individuals were apparently taken to Maekelawi Police Station, the federal detention center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his concern over Ethiopia’s crackdown against Zone9 bloggers and journalists.

In a press conference held in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa today, Secretary Kerry said “I shared my concerns [to Ethiopian officials] about the arrest of young Ethiopian bloggers”. The top US diplomat also named Natnael Feleke whom he met last year.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (Photo credit: State Department)

On April 25, police arrested members of a group known as the “Zone9” bloggers – Befekadu Hailu, Atnaf Berahane, Natnael Feleke, Mahlet Fantahun, Zelalem Kibret, and Abel Wabela. Including freelance journalists, Tesfalem Weldeyes and Edom Kassaye.

According to media reports, all were apparently taken to Maekelawi Police Station, the federal detention center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

International right groups, such as human rights watch were blatantly asking Kerry to emphasize the issue of detained bloggers ahead of his official visit to Ethiopia. Please watch the video below

Ben’s Point of View on Aanolee Memorial Monument

(BBC) Ethiopian security Forces opened fire during the Oromo students nonviolent protest rally at Western Oromia Ambo town. Eye witnesses said more than 30 people including 8 students killed and several wounded by security forces. The peaceful protestors opposing the alleged “Integrated Master Plan of Addis Ababa”. The peaceful protest continued in a different Oromia region.