Dr. Dagnachew Assefa’s comment on world press freedom day in Addis Ababa.

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – The new Addis Ababa and Oromia Integrated Development Master Plan which was proposed by the Addis Ababa City Administration has sparked a deadly protest in several universities of Oromia regional state last week.

According to the government, 11 people were killed and a branch office of the state owned Construction and Business Bank in Ambo town was also partially destroyed. Please watch the following video produced by Benyam Kebede, editor of Ethiopiafirst on the saga of the deadly protest.

Eng. Gizachew Shiferaw, President of UDJ party (photo: Awramba Times)

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Awramba Times interviews Eng. Gizachew Shiferaw on current political events and the way forward.

The issue of the so-called “Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam” has proven very tricky for all those Ethiopians who oppose the present regime. On the one hand, no Ethiopian wants to see Ethiopia’s right to use the waters of Nile for its own development contested so that any interference from external countries appears as an unacceptable assault on its sovereignty. On the other hand, many Ethiopians are understandably apprehensive of the detrimental ecological and social impacts of such a huge project and are skeptical about its economic benefits, a skepticism based on the failures of the experience of huge dams in other African and non-African countries.

Recently, three eminent Ethiopian scholars, namely, MingaNegash, MammoMuchie, and my dear friend Seid Hassan wrote an article in which they argue that Ethiopians must engage in a cost-benefit analysis instead of opposing the project based solely on its alleged negative consequences. They find that the dam will provide “valuable economic benefits,” but they also admit that it will have several negative “side-effects.” This admission led them to say that “Ethiopians may legitimately ask questions and raise concerns about the manner in which the Government of Ethiopia is handling the project.” Accordingly, while concerns are legitimate, a simple one-sided opposition is not.

Since the article was obviously written to help Ethiopians resolve the dilemma in which they find themselves, I must confess that I remain as perplex as before. After reading the article, I still wonder whether the opposition to the dam project is really misplaced. Precisely, the cost-benefit analysis that they advocate seems to show an imbalance in favor of cost because even if we concede that the dam will be economically beneficial, the question remains as to who will benefit from the project and at what costs. The three scholars are right when, dismissing the validity of colonial treaties, they defend the sovereign right of Ethiopia to use the waters of the Nile. Unfortunately, the question is not only about sovereignty, it is also about the misuse of the right by a ruling clique whose records in the defense of Ethiopian interests have been so far nil.

It is fair to say that people should not expect anything good coming froma ruling elite that so wholehearted landlocked Ethiopia. Moreover, the fragmented nature of Ethiopian society thanks to the ethnic divisions implemented by the TPLF puts us in no position to antagonize further our enemies. There is no doubt that Egypt will engage in destabilizing policy, short of a military attack, to either stop the construction or makes it very costly for Ethiopia. True, as concerns ecological consequences and social adversities, such as displacements of people, palliatives can be found to mitigate the damages. Nonetheless, can one seriously expect that the ruling elite, assuming that it is capable of such concerns, will take the necessary measures to alleviate the harmful downsides of the dam?

It is also true, as noted by another dear friend, TecolaHagos, in a recent article, that the existing government was successful in removing the traditional opposition of Sudan. The question is, at what cost? Is the seceding of Ethiopian territories, which happen to be in the Amhara region, the price for the Sudanese support? Who has any idea of the secret deals between the Sudanese and the Ethiopian governments? Clearly, to change the dam into a project in which benefits would outweigh costs, the condition is to have in place a nationalist and democratic, that is, accountable, government.
Last but not least, is the project really economically viable? I am no expert in this matter, but plenty documented studies on the real benefits of grand dams exist that invite caution, if not outright skepticism. Caution is all the more advised since the project originated from the former prime minister whose dictatorial ethos and aspiration to personal grandeur have left Ethiopia in a state of shamble. As pointed out by Alemayehu G. Mariam’s article, dictators are consumed by vanity and the need to justify their rule. As a result, they launch grandiose projects whose purpose is both to flatter their aspiration to grandeur and hide the misery and pettiness of their rule.

It is important that we resist the temptation of separating the dam from Meles’s megalomania if only because it gives the reason why alternative proposalsthat would be less costly and more in tune with the environment and the interests of surrounding peoplewere discarded in favor of the Grand Renaissance Dam. I am not convinced by the argument that economic benefits are dependent on the size of the dam, and not on a smart, efficient, more manageable use of the water.

To the argument of economic benefits, Tecola adds that projects like the grand dam can work as antidotes to the ethnic division of Ethiopia. Projects with a national dimension counter the fragmentation of the country and serve asachievements around which people can rally and repair their torn unity and national identity. As a harsh critic of Meles and his regime, Tecola knows that national projects are not enough to patch up Ethiopian unity. Centuries of common existence did not deter the Tigrean TPLF from advocating and implementing an ethnonationalist agenda. To counter the trend, we need a government that expressly dismantles the institutions created to divide Ethiopia and promotes a national culture that permeates ethnic identities.

That is why Tecola supplements his support to the dam with the argument that “the current Government of HailemariamDesalegn seems to be engaged in a subtle fight to reverse such disastrous course of national disintegration.” In thus making his support conditional, Tecola joins all those Ethiopians who have serious concerns about the good use of the dam, the only but important difference being that concerned Ethiopians, in which I include myself, are not as optimistic as Tecola in the belief that the actual prime minster has the necessary power to reform the regime. In light of this uncertainty about the reformist agenda of the prime minister, I maintain that it is still reasonable to oppose the construction of the dam.

The upshot of all this is that the mentioned articles, despite their good intention and estimable arguments, do not do the job of appeasing my original concerns. To support the construction of the dam, I require an open debate about the pros and cons and the release of all relevant official and secret documents. By debate I do not mean the defense of the project by the officials of the government, but the presentation of alternative projects. The goal must not be to obtain endorsement, but to allow people to exercise their free and enlightened judgments with no attachment of political significance that would be construed as supporting or opposing the regime. Of course, some such condition amounts to nothing else but a change of government, given that the present regime will never subscribe to an open debate. Anyway, the construction of the dam is on its way so that the time for open debate has already passed. Even so, I reserve the right to oppose a fait accompli if only to show that the dictatorial regime did not fool me a bit.

The second issue I want to deal with is the riots caused by the expansion plan of Addis Ababa into Oromo territory. University students from various towns located in Oromia have expressed their opposition to the expansion plan by engaging in peaceful demonstrations. Undoubtedly, a number of legitimate questions can be raised against the plan, the most important being the utility of such an expansion. Why expand Addis Abba further when already its disparity with other towns is only too wide? Why not use the available resources to expand other towns that badly need to grow? This focus on Addis Ababa seems to be a continuation of the policy of make-believe, so dear to dictatorial regimes. It is more about impressing tourists, foreign visitors, and supporters than implementing a policy of development that really benefits the country as a whole. More importantly, the plan does no more than expand what Addis Ababa has effectively become, namely, the secluded island of exclusive enrichment for the cronies of the regime.
Another legitimate concern has to do with the fate of the Oromo peasants who surround the town.

Unsurprisingly, the government insists that the plan promotes the integrated development of Addis Ababa and its surroundings. But seeing the government’s previous records of forced displacement of peasants with no or inadequate compensation in other regions of Ethiopia, there is no reason to suppose that a different fate awaits Oromo peasants. One more time, what matters is not the declared good intention, but the reality of an implementation devoid of established process of accountability. Any more than in the case of the dam, Oromo students have little reason to take at face value what the government is saying or promising.
The irony of the whole case is that the regime is reaping what it has sown. The creation of ethnic regions and their definition as sovereign nations could only backfire at the plan to expand Addis Ababa into a territory considered as the exclusive property of the Oromo. In principle, the invention of nations within the Ethiopian state considerably limits the authority of the central government so that Oromo students are within their rights accorded by the ethnonationalist constitution of the TPLF. The crackdown on the students is just another proof that the TPLF has done nothing but trample its own constitution since it came to power. Accordingly, what is absolutely unacceptable is the violent repression of the students who did nothing but use their recognized right to express their demands in a peaceful way. This savage repression, which caused many deaths, should be emphatically denounced by all Ethiopians.

That said, it must be at the same time clearthat the condemnation of repression does not mean the endorsement of ethnic politics and borders. Indeed, from what I have read so far, Oromo students oppose the expansion because it violates the sovereignty of Oromia. For unionists, this is not the right reason and they should say so openly. They must condemn the violation of Oromo students’ right to protest peacefully, but they also must make quite clear that the condemnation is not an approval of killil politics.

I take this opportunity to ask unionists to become more aggressively engaged in favor of Ethiopian unity. It is high time that unionists drop their timid approach to unity in the hope that their timidity will decrease the secessionist tendency of Oromo nationalists. Especially, the Amhara elite must shake off their sense of guilt over the marginalization and mistreatment of Oromo under the previous Amhara dominated regimes. The fall of these regimes, which would not have been possible without the active and multifarious participation of Amhara elites and people, exonerates, so to speak, the Amhara and celebrates their decisive input in the rise of a new Ethiopia in which ethnic groups with their language and characteristics will flourish in conjunction with their Ethiopianness. EPRDF and other ethnonationalist groups present the new Ethiopia as a political reality born against the will of the Amhara when we all know that nothing would have been possible without the primary rise of Amhara students and elites against the imperial regime. Indeed, the time has come to raise the mere defense of Ethiopian unity to the offensive level and this change begins with the work of unifying the unionist base and laying out a clear vision of what the new Ethiopia will be. Our rallying motto should be: unity in diversity versus diversity in disintegration!

Wake Up Unionists!

Redwan Hussein, Minister of Ethiopia’s Communication Affairs Office (Photo: Awramba Times)

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Redwan Hussein, head of Ethiopia’s communication affairs office under a ministerial portfolio has said the recent arrest of Ethiopian bloggers was not a political decision and had nothing to do with their profession.

“We didn’t arrest anyone because of his/her profession but with serious criminal activities,”. Redwan said at a press conference in Addis Ababa on Friday.

“Most of them are not journalists but activists … if someone engaged in criminal activities, he will face prosecution regardless of his profession” he added.

Redwan also spoke out about the cause and effect of the deadly protest sparked in several universities of the Oromia region last week.

Please watch the press conference highlights below

By William Davison and Mading Ngor

Rebel leader Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir

(Bloomberg News) – South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed a peace accord that seeks to end more than five months of fighting, as they met for the first time since the clashes began.

The agreement signed in Ethiopia’s capital late yesterday commits the sides to “cease all hostile activities within 24 hours,” and create a “transitional government of national unity,” former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin, who helped mediate the deal, told reporters in Addis Ababa. Earlier peace talks had led to a truce in January that failed to halt the conflict.

In the agreement, the leaders recognize “that there is no military solution to crisis in South Sudan and that sustainable peace can be achieved only through inclusive political dialogue,” Seyoum said. He said African monitors will verify the implementation of the truce within a week.

Fighting erupted in the oil-producing nation on Dec. 15 after Kiir accused his former deputy of plotting a coup, a charge Machar denies. The violence has left thousands of people dead and forced more than a million to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.

South Sudanese government and rebel forces may both have committed crimes against humanity such as murder and rape during the conflict, the UN mission in the country said this week. Civilians were targeted for violence based on their ethnicity, the organization said in a report.

‘Without Fail’

Both leaders said at yesterday’s ceremony they would honor the agreement.

“I want to assure you that I on my part, the party I am leading, the army that I am leading, will implement this agreement without any fail,” Kiir said.

Machar said he was signaling his intention to end the conflict peacefully and he hoped “the other side will also be serious on this matter.”

Humanitarian groups are seeking to provide aid to South Sudan to help avert a hunger crisis.

“The symbolism is important,” Alexander Rondos, the European Union’s Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, said at the signing. “Now we hope it translates into a reality for all citizens of South Sudan.”

South Sudan’s crude output has fallen by about a third to 160,000 barrels per day since the violence began, according to the Petroleum Ministry. Machar had vowed to seize oil fields in Upper Nile, the only state still pumping crude, to starve the military of revenue. Read More

ኢ/ር ይልቃል ጌትነት
(ፋክት መጽሔት ቁጥር 45 ግንቦት 2006

The Tesfalem Woldeyes I knew – Journalist Elias Gebru’s personal reflections on the arrest of bloggers and Journalists. Click here to read

Over the weekend, the South Sudan government signed an agreement with the rebels its been fighting for the better part of five months in a bid to finally bring the young country out of the civil war that has slipped below international headlines for months. Less than forty-eight hours later, the deal is in its death throes, leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced South Sudanese unsure of what’s next.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn

South Sudan president Silva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar on Friday signed an agreement that was intended to break the stalemate and end the crisis that has caused thousands to flee their homes in the face of the fighting. Under the watch of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development, a collection of African states that has been leading the talks between the two, both sides agreed that there was no military solution for South Sudan, ordered a new ceasefire between forces, and that a transitional unity government will be formed to usher in reconciliation between the sides.

Upon returning to South Sudan on Sunday, however, Kiir immediately denounced the deal, claiming that he was coerced into signing it through threats from the Ethiopian prime minister. “[Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Dessalegn] told me that ‘if you don’t sign this, I will arrest you here’,” Kiir said before a crowd at Juba International Airport. “I said ‘if you arrest me in this good place, I am sure I will get good food. So there will be no need to return to Juba. You will feed me for free here.’” Kiir claimed that the same threat was made against Machar, also announcing at the same airport visit that South Sudan’s next presidential elections will be postponed from 2015 to 2017 at the earliest.

Ethiopian Government Spokesperson denied the claim saying “We don’t pose threat on countries head”

Source: Thinkprogress.org

Press Release

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The fastest growing and most Profitable African Airline, Ethiopian Airlines is pleased to announce that its executive management and employees will visit the Grand Renaissance Dam from May 15-18, 2014.

The visit organized under the theme “we will complete what we have began” is planned with view to create awareness about this critical national and continental project and to show Ethiopian management and employees unwavering commitment to support the project, financially and in any other way, until its full completion.

“The Grand Renaissance Dam is the biggest infrastructure project in Africa. It is a special pride for not just Ethiopians but for the entire Africans. It is a testament to the will of the Ethiopian people to eradicate poverty through hard work and perseverance. It also clearly shows to those who had any doubts that the 21st century will be an Ethiopian and African century. As Ethiopian Airlines and personally as a citizen, it is a special privilege and honor to visit this historical and transformative project. It is our duty to continue to support both collectively and individually this critical project for the development of our country and the region until its full completion. We at Ethiopian Airlines pledge to continue to provide all our support to this project until it is fully completed.”, said CEO Tewolde Gebremariam of Ethiopian Airlines Group.

The Grand Renaissance Dam, when completed, will help the country in attaining 10,000 mega watts electricity generation capacity as per the country’s 5 year Growth and Transformation Plan. This will support the country’s and the region’s robust economic growth by serving as a critically essential energy source.

About Ethiopian

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 80 international destinations across five continents.

Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

Thousands of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia on Wednesday vowed to take up arms and join opposition forces in the struggle to remove the government in Asmara.

The decision by the Eritrean refugees comes as Eritrea celebrates its 23rd independence day. The Red Sea nation gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1991 after 30 years of struggle.

President Issaias Afeworki who has lead the country since independence turned the country into a one-party state which is considered as one of the most repressive regimes in the world.

In a joint communiqué extended to Sudan Tribune, the Eritrean refugees said the regime in Asmara has failed to bring democracy, human rights and freedom to its people and they don’t want to see the regime prolonging its grip on power.

Despite gaining independence, the refugees said the younger generation in Eritrea has during the past 23 years become the victim of executions, imprisonment, disappearances, harassment and intimidation.

“Eritrea was liberated but not its people” reads part of the statement adding that “tyrannical Eritrean regime is committed to further crimes and atrocities against innocent Eritreans” and it was time to take collective military action.

They said some hundreds of refugee at camps in Ethiopia have decided to join the armed struggle rather than remain as refugees in Ethiopia for an indefinite period of time.

“We don’t want to wait and see here for a miracle to happen that would bring a democratic system of governance in Eritrea.”

Over the last ten years hundreds of thousands of Eritreans including members of the army and navy have fled their country to neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti and Yemen.

In Ethiopia alone, there are 92,460 Eritrean refugees at end of April, Kisut Gebregzabiher a United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) representative in Addis Ababa told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday.

Gebregzabiher said that an average of 2,000 Eritreans cross into Ethiopia every month fleeing political repression or to escape military service which is mandatory to all citizens aged between 18 and 50 and can last a lifetime.

International human rights organisations say that Eritrea stands amongst world’s top worst human rights and press freedom records. The regime is also accused of turning the country into a “giant prison”.

Reports indicate that there are up to 10,000 political prisoners languishing in the country’s harsh and secret detention centers, which are sometimes shipping containers.

The Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia further called up on those forces of change within the Eritrean ruling party, including the army to join them in the struggle to topple the regime so that democratic change is achieved.

Source: Sudan Tribune

Ethiopian Australian Soli Tesema’s Great Performance of Beyonce’s Halo

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the delivery of its seventh Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Ethiopian was the first in the world outside of Japan and the first in Africa to receive the super efficient 787 Dreamliner back in August 2012.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in the world, providing passengers the best possible on-board comfort with greatly reduced noise, higher ceiling, the biggest windows in the sky, better humidity and air quality, unique lighting and an overall enhanced travel experience.

Ethiopian’s B787s can be enjoyed on routes to and from the US, Canada, Africa, Europe, Brazil and China.

Ethiopian will take delivery of three additional Boeing 787 aircraft in 2014.

“As Africa’s flagship carrier, Ethiopian has always been and remains an aviation technology leader by offering the most advanced aircraft to its esteemed customers,” said Tewolde Gebremariam, chief executive, Ethiopian Airlines Group.

“We currently have the youngest fleet of aircraft in Africa with an average age of seven years.

“In line with ‘Vision 2025’, our 15-year strategic roadmap for swift, profitable and sustainable growth, Ethiopian will continue to expand and modernise our fleet in order to continue to provide maximum comfort for our passengers.”

Ethiopian is a global Pan-African carrier serving 80 international destinations across five continents with over 200 daily flights.

The 787 aircraft will service select Ethiopian routes, while the airline’s award-winning service will be offered on all flights, helping passengers arrive to their destinations comfortably.

Source:  breakingtravelnews.com

Ibrahim Mehleb, Egyptian Prime Minister

CAIRO — The Egyptian government is leaning toward adopting new policies aimed at resolving its dispute with Ethiopia concerning its Renaissance Dam project. Egyptian officials and technical experts have espoused a calmer rhetoric calling for the adoption of good-faith policies and the advancement of mutual interests. This is despite the lack of actual arrangements for the holding of new political and technical negotiations between the two countries, subsequent to the collapse of the previous round of negotiations in January.

Ottawa, Canada – Yemane Adhane Tsegay  and Tigist Tufa gave Ethiopia a double victory at the Ottawa Marathon here today, when they won the men and women’s categories respectively by setting new course records.

Yemane’s time of 2:06.54 is a new course record. The previous record for fastest marathon on Canadian soil was 2:07.05 set at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in October 2013.

Tigist won the women’s race in a time of 2:24.31, a women’s record for the Ottawa course.

A total of 48,000 runners were registered for races including a 10K, half marathon and marathon over the weekend.

Source: ethiosports.com

Girum Tebeje

(DireTube) – The fire that broke out yesterday night at the Welkite University campus destroyed a dormitory building having twenty eight dorms. About 170 students’ properties are also destroyed in the blaze.

The university’s president Dr. Admassu Shiberu Shibiru told DireTube News that the possible cause of the accident might have connection with an electric problem though it is still been investigated.

He also told that mattresses, sheets, blankets and new dormitories are provided for students whose dormitories are burned down with their belongings.

No disruption on the teaching-learning process. Since the town doesn’t have its own fire fighting vehicle and fire fighters, the Addis Ababa city’s fire fighters have to travel 166 Kms to the town to control the blaze.

(Last updated at 02:24 GMT)
Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Elias Gebru, editor-in-chief of Ethiopia’s leading independent magazine, Enqu was arrested on Monday for publishing an opinion piece on the controversial Aanolee Martyrs memorial monument, which was erected in Arsi, Hetosa as a tribute to the Arsi Oromos who were victims of the Emperor Menelik’s imperial expansion, in the 19th century.

Ethiopia’s press law prohibits pre-trial detention, however during the court appearance at Arada first instant court on Tuesday, Police asked the judje more additional days to carry out investigations against editor Elias and the court accorded the police seven days for further investigation.

Read more

Please read Yared Tibebu’s introductory remark at the Annual SEED gathering to honor Professor Levine, Ambassador Zewde, and kids who are leaving for IV League colleges. Prof. Donald Levine is an American sociologist, educator, social theorist and writer. Levine is widely considered as a central figure in Ethiopian Studies.

The Unheeded Call of a ‘Servant of Ethiopia’

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks to the man of the hour, Professor Donald Levine, for selecting me to have the distinct honor of introducing him tonight.
Since Professor Levine’s written work will speak to posterity, I will focus on those studies that give direction to our political life today, and describe what his life and work has meant to Ethiopians of my generation.
I discovered Professor Levine’s works in 1987 just after I immigrated to the USA. I was soul searching and reflecting on my experience as a veteran of the Ethiopian revolution looking for answers to help me understand what went wrong.
I read Professor Levine’s Wax and Gold and Greater Ethiopia, two books that challenged & made me reconsider my understanding of the history and politics of my own country, and made me wonder which path I would have taken if I had read these works before my own engagement in the revolution.
Professor Levine warned almost 10 years before the 1974 Ethiopian Revolution that “the experience of history has demonstrated the futility of attempting revolutionary implementation of a clear and distinct ideal in human society…the most productive and liberating sort of social change is that built on continuity with the past.”
I had the good fortune of meeting Professor Levinein person when I interviewed him for my TV talk Show “MeweyayetMelkamመወያየትመልካም”. Then my wife and I became guests at his home in Chicago, and saw that Don and his wife Ruth, whom he lovingly introduces to guests asWeizeroHirut, havedecorated their living room, complete with Ethiopian musical instruments and art. The ambiance is highly reminiscent of the Ethiopian home we all would like to have, but have failed to achieve. Had it not been for his deep rooted love for Ethiopia, he could have surrounded himself with mementos of his Jewish heritage or American landscapes, but he chose to remain Ethiopian at heart time and again.Don signs his letters and emails as “LibenGebre Ethiopiaሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ”, fully cognizant of whatGebre Ethiopiaገብረኢትዮጵያrefers to,the servant of Ethiopia.Not a simple choice by any measure, it is deliberate, heroic, and noble to say the least.
In his book “Greater Ethiopia”, LibenGebre Ethiopia draws upon the testimony of classical Greek historians like DiodorusSiculus from the first century B.C. and Placidus from the sixth century so that we can feel at home with our past. He writes:
“Certainly [the Ethiopians] are loved by the gods because of justice. This even Homer indicates in the first book by the fact that Jupiter frequently leaves heaven and feasts with them because of their justice and the equity of their customs. For the Ethiopians are said to be the justest men and for that reason the gods leave their abode frequently to visit them”.
A few weeks ago when Oromo students went on protest at Ambo University, 1300 non-Oromo students had to seek refuge at an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church compound for three nights fearing violence from their own classmates. My heart bled when I heard this troubling news, and felt this may be one of those moments when we need the gods of Homer to break bread with us and tell us the justness of our forefathers so that we live in harmony. We need people like ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ(LibenGebre Ethiopia) to help us mend the social fabric that we have been adorned with as Ethiopians for millennia, for it has fallen through hard times, been imperiled by our misdeeds. Tonight we are gathered here to honor ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ (LibenGebre Ethiopia) and wish upon the celestial deities, for the effort he made to call Jupiter as a witness to our remarkable past, and help us in our arduous struggle to strengthen our unity through a shared vision of Ethiopia for a better and enduring future.
ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ (LibenGebre Ethiopia) had the following words of wisdom and a fair warning regarding Ethiopian studies being conducted in the area of ethnography. He said:
“To see Ethiopia as a mosaic of distinct peoples is to overlook the many features they have in common and the existence of discernible culture areas, and to ignore the numerous relationships these groups have had with one another. …it leads to the erroneous view that before the conquests of Menelik II in the late nineteenth century the other peoples of Ethiopia had lived independent and self-sufficient lives… the image of Ethiopia as a collection of distinct peoples neglects what these people have in common, how they interact, and the nature of Ethiopian society as a whole.”
According to Professor Levine, the people of Greater Ethiopia before 1300CE consisted of well over fifty separate societies. Had this continued,he surmises:
“Ethiopia today would indeed be no more than a museum of peoples, and would doubtless have succumbed to European rule in the nineteenth century. As it was, a small number of these groupshad the motivation and capacity to expand. Two of them, the Amhara and the Oromo, laid the foundations for Ethiopia’s transformation into a poly-ethnic national society.”
In “A Revised Analytical Approach to the Evolution of Ethiopian Civilization”, Professor Levine debunks the 100 year history and notion of Ethiopia being a ‘prison of nationalities:
“Far from the multiethnic Ethiopian state being the late 19C creation of an Amhara elite, as Prison House model proponents suggest, the Ethiopian state is of ancient origin and was multiethnic for most of its history. Known in antiquity first as the land of the Ag’azi, at some early point-probably as early as the 5th century CE-it became known as Ethiopia. … Only the coalition of battalions from the numerous regions and ethnic groups made possible the landmark defeat of Italian colonialist forces at the famous battle of Adwa in 1896.”
Professor Levine, attesting that Ethiopia developed a sense of national community that transcended the limitations of mono-ethnic nations elsewhere in the world argues:
Just as Jewish Diasporans never forgot Jerusalem, and the Europeans never ceased to revere Athens, so Aksum remained an object of devotion throughout Ethiopian history… Although the headquarters of Shoan and Gonderine royalty usually stood far from Tigray, Ethiopia’s Christian elite regarded Aksum as the right place for the coronation of kings. Royal chronicles record at least four Amhara monarchs-ZeraYa’qob (1434-68); SersaDingil (1563-97), Susneyos (1607-32), and Iyassu I (1682-1705)-journeying to Aksum for the ceremony.”
In a study he presentedto the Oromo Studies Association (OSA)ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ (Liben Gebre Ethiopia) advised:
“Although many Oromo occupy senior positions in the government and seem to be proud of this connection, part of the Oromo people remains obsessed with being an “oppressed” people. Without gainsaying Oromo hardships, fixation on victimhood has kept many from asserting themselves constructively and playing the enormous role in shaping Ethiopia’s future for which they are destined.
To make that contribution, the Oromo would be well advised to define their situation in a broader historical perspective, one acknowledging the many positive contributions Oromo groups and individuals have made over five centuries. Oromo groups invited themselves into vast areas–from Harar to Gojjam, from Hadiyya to Tigray–in many cases, no less aggressively than Amhara and Tigreans were to do against Oromo and many other ethnicities during the reign of Emperor Menelik. Once settled in those areas, many of them affiliated with the Ethiopian center.”
In 1992, in “Greater Ethiopia Reconsidered” LibenGebre Ethiopia ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ” warned us that “continuing to follow the Soviet model, as the USSR breaks up into increasingly fractious and hostile ethnic polities, promises further harm”.
ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ (LibenGebre Ethiopia) says the following remarkable words in his book Wax and Gold “It is spare vision to regard the Ethiopian past only as a matrix of primordial loyalties whose only issue can be discord and disruption. The Ethiopian past can be a source of identifications which are associated with specific virtues of national significance, and which Ethiopian cultural leaders can draw upon to help define for their country its unique composite character.”
An accomplished black-belted Aikido Master, and a warrior for non-violent conflict resolution, LibenGebre Ethiopia has time and again argued “ …if only part of the courage required to take up arms and fight authorities were converted into non-violent public discourse about societal problems, Ethiopia would have the beginnings of a truly productive and fruitful change.”
While the Ethiopian elite look for external models to solve Ethiopia’s problems, ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ(Liben Gebre Ethiopia) always guides us to search deep into our own traditions.He said:
“Dewey finds the template for American democracy to be the town meetings of New England. In that perspective, one could say that Ethiopia is exceptionally well endowed for forming a national public. Nearly all local traditions in the Greater Ethiopian culture area exhibit some form of public action, through which persons display habits of communal concern, mutual respect, effective conflict resolution, and public problem-solving. Their levels of communal responsibility and civility of conduct might put to shame many modern urbanized Ethiopians, at home and in the Diaspora–not to mention members of the United States Congress.”
LibenGebre Ethiopia time and again has reminded us the importance of forgiveness to lay the foundation for a shared future. He took the lead in asking us “in a country where nearly everyone counts as ‘ye-tewegga’, what is to happen?” And in response to that question he composed a “little gitim” in Amharic:
“Ye-weggabiressa “While the attacked may forget
Ye-teweggaayresa” The attacked one forgets not”
Endetebaleirgit new; Is an old saying, to be sure;
Ine gin yemilew: but I would like to say:
YiqirtakalgebbaWithout bringing in forgiveness
Selamimaygebba.There can never be peace.
Ladies and Gentlemen, even now,this tireless 83 year old son of Ethiopia has surprises for us. Tsehai Publishers is soon publishing his new book, “Interpreting Ethiopia – Observations of Five Decades”, a comprehensive book covering topics ranging from ‘Menelik and Oedipus” to “Savoring Ethiopia’s Past, Co-creating her Future”. Follow the release of thesenew reflections on our nation’s history, I urge you to read it, study it, and discuss it. It may help provide direction to us in moving forward to resolve the predicament we are in today.
“As a distinguished scholar and for his lifelong contributions to the advancement of Ethiopian History, his unique ability to promote “Ethiopianness” (ኢትዮጵያዊነት), and his remarkable dedication to preserving the history and culture of Ethiopia and Ethiopians through his writings and the higher esteem he is held in the Ethiopian community; SEED has elected to honor ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ (Liben Gebre Ethiopia) as the recipient of the 2014 SEED award.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to the Podium Ethiopia’s son par excellence and most distinguished Professor Donald Nathan Levine, ሊበንገብረኢትዮጵያ (LibenGebre Ethiopia).

(Broad Band Tv ) – Germany’s international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) protests against the intentional jamming from Ethiopia currently affecting satellite reception of the TV programmes of DW and other international services in large parts of the Arab world.

Satellite operator Arabsat has identified Ethiopia as the source of the strong jamming signals on all its three satellites also affecting BBC, France 24 and Voice of America. Ethiopian authorities have not responded to the incident yet.

“This is a gross violation of the internationally recognised right of freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” said DW’s director general Peter Limbourg. “Deutsche Welle, BBC, France 24 and Voice of America strongly condemn this action against the free flow of impartial information. We urge the Ethiopian authorities to immediately cease the jamming.”

While DW’s shortwave transmissions have been repeatedly target of jamming from Ethiopia, the current incident appears not to be aimed at specific broadcasters or programmes. According to DW, the jamming of satellite signals constitutes a violation of international agreements, but the practice is nevertheless on the rise. The most recent incidents occurred in 2011 and 2012 via Iran.

In the Arab world, DW is available through its TV channel DW Arabia. Selected radio programmes in Arabic are distributed via partner stations throughout the region.

Journalist Elias Gebru (Awramba Times)

Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – Elias Gebru, editor-in-chief of the independent weekly, Enku magazine speaks out on his unlawful detention.

Elias had been held at the Maekelawi police station without charge for publishing an opinion piece about the Aanolee memorial monument which was erected in Arsi.

The Committee to Protect Journalists had condemned the detention and called on Ethiopian authorities to release him immediately.

After his release, journalist Elias conducted an exclusive video interview with the Awramba times  today. Please watch below