Ghana International Airlines and officials of the Ghana government are indeed talking to Ethiopian Airlines.
Officials of Ethiopia Airlines have confirmed to Joy News that they are in negotiations.
The talks are about the possibility of Ethiopian Airlines having a stake or owning part of the new airline company to be set up when Ghana airways officially winds up.
A report in the Statesman Newspaper had indicated that an Ethiopian team, which was in the country last week to negotiate with government officials, reached an understanding which may see the Ghana government with a 25% share in the new airline and 40 percent to Ethiopian Airlines and GIA.
The move has become necessary following Ghana International Airlines’ inability to raise the almost 3 million dollars, as part of its 30% stake to help the new national airline begin operations in June.
The Public Relations Manager of Ethiopian Airlines, Kagnew Fesaha, says the issues on the negotiation table are broad but the discussions concentrated on how the two airlines can cooperate in various areas to possibly acquire a share in Ghana Airways.
Asked if Ethiopian Airways is interested in a 40 per cent share in Ghana Airways he says, “ I cannot comment on the exact number of shares Ethiopian Airlines is buying but generally I will say that it is one of the things on the table.”
ghanaweb.com
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Four Injured by Landmines Along Border with Eritrea
Four Ethiopians have been injured along the disputed border with Eritrea after a spate of blasts from freshly planted landmines, a senior UN official said on Thursday.
Phil Lewis, head of the UN’s Mine Action Coordination Centre (MACC), said three anti-tank mines had exploded and damaged vehicles in the last month. Another landmine was discovered before it exploded.
They were the first of newly planted landmines along the 1,000 km contested frontier that has separated Ethiopia and Eritrea since early 2004.
"These are all newly laid landmines," Lewis told reporters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "They are of a concern because there have been four of them in the last month. These weapons are indiscriminate so anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time could be killed."
He said they were unaware who had planted the landmines.
All of the incidents had taken place close to Humera, in the far western border region, some 850 km north of Addis Ababa.
One landmine was planted on a road used as a supply route for the Ethiopian army, who are dug in opposite Eritrean forces along the border. The others were planted on side roads.
"There have been four of these anti-tank mines discovered since 25 March," he said. One was discovered freshly covered. Three others detonated under a water truck and a truck picking up stones, Lewis said.
"They are all on side roads," he noted. "They have not been put on main roads; they have been put on agricultural roads."
The landmines are Belgium-made and were used during the two-and-a-half year conflict that broke out in May 1998 and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
IRIN Africa
Phil Lewis, head of the UN’s Mine Action Coordination Centre (MACC), said three anti-tank mines had exploded and damaged vehicles in the last month. Another landmine was discovered before it exploded.
They were the first of newly planted landmines along the 1,000 km contested frontier that has separated Ethiopia and Eritrea since early 2004.
"These are all newly laid landmines," Lewis told reporters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "They are of a concern because there have been four of them in the last month. These weapons are indiscriminate so anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time could be killed."
He said they were unaware who had planted the landmines.
All of the incidents had taken place close to Humera, in the far western border region, some 850 km north of Addis Ababa.
One landmine was planted on a road used as a supply route for the Ethiopian army, who are dug in opposite Eritrean forces along the border. The others were planted on side roads.
"There have been four of these anti-tank mines discovered since 25 March," he said. One was discovered freshly covered. Three others detonated under a water truck and a truck picking up stones, Lewis said.
"They are all on side roads," he noted. "They have not been put on main roads; they have been put on agricultural roads."
The landmines are Belgium-made and were used during the two-and-a-half year conflict that broke out in May 1998 and claimed tens of thousands of lives.
IRIN Africa
Crocs, Floods, Hit Ethiopia
Ethiopian authorities on Friday pleaded for help in dealing with devastating floods that have swept through the country's southeast as the death toll from water and crocodiles rose to at least 107.
At least 99 people have drowned in the flooding that began at the weekend and another eight have been devoured by crocodiles that have taken to raging waters of the Wabe Shebell river since it burst its banks on Saturday, officials said.
"We need some support mainly in small boats to move people to safe and high lands, more blankets, plastic sheeting and cooking utensils, including cups and plates," said the regional disaster chief of Ethiopia's southeastern Somali state, 1 380km from Addis Ababa.
In one area alone, near Kelafo in Somali state's Godie district, eight people were eaten by crocodiles and seven washed away by the waters which submerged 84 villages, said the official, Abdullahi Mahdi, from the regional capital of Jigiga.
"Due to the continuing of heavy rain in the highland up north and within the affected areas... the death toll has increased in the lowland areas down stream in Deghabur," he said.
Deghabur is about 800km southeast of Addis Ababa.
About 60 000 people have so far been displaced in the region, but continued heavy rains and breakdowns in communications have hindered updates from humanitarian teams so the death toll and number of homeless may be higher, officials said.
The downpours have also affected travel as roads have been closed and bridges cut off, they said.
news24.com
How You Can Help
Contribute to the World Food Programme.
Did You Know?
The Wabe Shebelle stretches for over 1,340 km and is Ethiopia's largest river, with a water catchment area of 200,000 km.
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Nile Falls
At least 99 people have drowned in the flooding that began at the weekend and another eight have been devoured by crocodiles that have taken to raging waters of the Wabe Shebell river since it burst its banks on Saturday, officials said.
"We need some support mainly in small boats to move people to safe and high lands, more blankets, plastic sheeting and cooking utensils, including cups and plates," said the regional disaster chief of Ethiopia's southeastern Somali state, 1 380km from Addis Ababa.
In one area alone, near Kelafo in Somali state's Godie district, eight people were eaten by crocodiles and seven washed away by the waters which submerged 84 villages, said the official, Abdullahi Mahdi, from the regional capital of Jigiga.
"Due to the continuing of heavy rain in the highland up north and within the affected areas... the death toll has increased in the lowland areas down stream in Deghabur," he said.
Deghabur is about 800km southeast of Addis Ababa.
About 60 000 people have so far been displaced in the region, but continued heavy rains and breakdowns in communications have hindered updates from humanitarian teams so the death toll and number of homeless may be higher, officials said.
The downpours have also affected travel as roads have been closed and bridges cut off, they said.
news24.com
How You Can Help
Contribute to the World Food Programme.
Did You Know?
The Wabe Shebelle stretches for over 1,340 km and is Ethiopia's largest river, with a water catchment area of 200,000 km.
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Nile Falls
Human Rights Should Be on the Election Agenda
Amnesty International is calling for the 15 May 2005 elections to be a new start for respect and protection of human rights in Ethiopia
In a report published on 29 April 2005 about the imminent Ethiopian elections and human rights issues, Amnesty InternationaI urges the government and its security forces, election officials and all political parties, to make clear commitments to respect and protect the human rights of all Ethiopians during the elections, including the human rights of women. The organization calls for impartial investigation by the authorities and election observers of continuing reports of human rights abuses against members of opposition parties.
On 15 May 2005 Ethiopians will elect a new federal parliament and regional and city councils, with elections in the Somali Region to be held in August. It will be the third general election under the 1995 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Amnesty International is not an election observer, either in Ethiopia or elsewhere, but it calls for human rights to be protected in the election process and for human rights issues to feature prominently in it.
Amnesty International's representatives visited Ethiopia in February-March 2005 to assess the human rights situation impartially and independently in relation to the upcoming elections. They met the chair of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the National Human Rights Commissioner. They also met opposition party representatives, UN officials, diplomatic representatives, Ethiopian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), journalists, women's organizations and other human rights defenders.
Amnesty International's representatives visited certain rural areas to investigate allegations of election-related human rights violations. In East Gojjam in the Amhara Region, two opposition party members had recently been killed by local government militia, and in the Southern Region there were reports of arrests and intimidation of opposition members. Opposition parties have recently reported two more killings and many arrests of opposition supporters in these regions, which Amnesty International is unable so far to confirm.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition and its affiliated parties control the current federal parliament and regional and city councils, having gained over 95 percent of all seats in the previous elections in 2000. In the May 2000 elections, there were several reliable reports of election-related human rights abuses.
In the current elections, the contest is between the EPRDF group and two opposition coalitions, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), and independent candidates. The Prime Minister has said that the EPRDF will work alongside opposition parties and the international community to ensure a "flawless election". Opposition parties claims their members have encountered human rights and politically-motivated restrictions on their activities in recent months and during the election campaign.
The government has allowed election observation by invited or accredited election observers. In addition to the diplomatic community, there will be international election observers from the European Union, the African Union and the Carter Centre in the USA. However, not all those who want to observe, assist or study the elections have been accepted by the government. It is still unclear whether Ethiopian NGOs and human rights groups, who are currently engaged in voter education, will be accredited as election observers.
The elections take place against a background of widespread violations of human rights in Ethiopia in recent years. Amnesty International has been concerned about the prolonged detention without charge or trial of several thousand people arrested for political reasons, particularly on account of suspected links to armed opposition groups in the long-running armed conflicts in the Oromia and Somali Regions. There have been cases of imprisonment of prisoners of conscience, and reports of torture, "disappearances" and extrajudicial executions. Journalists of the private print media have been frequently imprisoned under the 1992 Press Law. No journalist is currently in prison under this law, but over 20 journalists who were earlier freed on bail might yet be brought to trial. A new Press Law is being prepared which could be used to arrest, try and imprison editors and reporters in violation of their right to freedom of opinion and expression. Human rights defenders have also been at risk.
In Gambella Region in south-western Ethiopia, the right to freedom of opinion and assembly is still severely affected by the killing of large numbers of members of the Anuak ethnic group (or "nationality") by civilian mobs and soldiers over three days in December 2003. In March 2005, six soldiers were charged with involvement in the killings.
The report concludes with Amnesty International's recommendations to the government, election observers and political parties:
* The government should make a clear public statement that human rights violations in the election context will not be tolerated. The security forces at all levels including local militia should act with due impartiality to protect voters' rights and the rule of law.
* Election observers, both international and local, should include a human rights component in their mandate. They should observe and report impartially, accurately and publicly on any election-related violations of human rights, including the human rights of women, and bring these to the attention of the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
* All political parties and candidates, whether pro-government, opposition or independent, should publicly commit themselves to promoting and protecting human rights, participating in the elections peacefully and fairly, and not tolerating any abuses by their supporters.
Read the report on Amnesty International USA
In a report published on 29 April 2005 about the imminent Ethiopian elections and human rights issues, Amnesty InternationaI urges the government and its security forces, election officials and all political parties, to make clear commitments to respect and protect the human rights of all Ethiopians during the elections, including the human rights of women. The organization calls for impartial investigation by the authorities and election observers of continuing reports of human rights abuses against members of opposition parties.
On 15 May 2005 Ethiopians will elect a new federal parliament and regional and city councils, with elections in the Somali Region to be held in August. It will be the third general election under the 1995 Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Amnesty International is not an election observer, either in Ethiopia or elsewhere, but it calls for human rights to be protected in the election process and for human rights issues to feature prominently in it.
Amnesty International's representatives visited Ethiopia in February-March 2005 to assess the human rights situation impartially and independently in relation to the upcoming elections. They met the chair of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the National Human Rights Commissioner. They also met opposition party representatives, UN officials, diplomatic representatives, Ethiopian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), journalists, women's organizations and other human rights defenders.
Amnesty International's representatives visited certain rural areas to investigate allegations of election-related human rights violations. In East Gojjam in the Amhara Region, two opposition party members had recently been killed by local government militia, and in the Southern Region there were reports of arrests and intimidation of opposition members. Opposition parties have recently reported two more killings and many arrests of opposition supporters in these regions, which Amnesty International is unable so far to confirm.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition and its affiliated parties control the current federal parliament and regional and city councils, having gained over 95 percent of all seats in the previous elections in 2000. In the May 2000 elections, there were several reliable reports of election-related human rights abuses.
In the current elections, the contest is between the EPRDF group and two opposition coalitions, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), and independent candidates. The Prime Minister has said that the EPRDF will work alongside opposition parties and the international community to ensure a "flawless election". Opposition parties claims their members have encountered human rights and politically-motivated restrictions on their activities in recent months and during the election campaign.
The government has allowed election observation by invited or accredited election observers. In addition to the diplomatic community, there will be international election observers from the European Union, the African Union and the Carter Centre in the USA. However, not all those who want to observe, assist or study the elections have been accepted by the government. It is still unclear whether Ethiopian NGOs and human rights groups, who are currently engaged in voter education, will be accredited as election observers.
The elections take place against a background of widespread violations of human rights in Ethiopia in recent years. Amnesty International has been concerned about the prolonged detention without charge or trial of several thousand people arrested for political reasons, particularly on account of suspected links to armed opposition groups in the long-running armed conflicts in the Oromia and Somali Regions. There have been cases of imprisonment of prisoners of conscience, and reports of torture, "disappearances" and extrajudicial executions. Journalists of the private print media have been frequently imprisoned under the 1992 Press Law. No journalist is currently in prison under this law, but over 20 journalists who were earlier freed on bail might yet be brought to trial. A new Press Law is being prepared which could be used to arrest, try and imprison editors and reporters in violation of their right to freedom of opinion and expression. Human rights defenders have also been at risk.
In Gambella Region in south-western Ethiopia, the right to freedom of opinion and assembly is still severely affected by the killing of large numbers of members of the Anuak ethnic group (or "nationality") by civilian mobs and soldiers over three days in December 2003. In March 2005, six soldiers were charged with involvement in the killings.
The report concludes with Amnesty International's recommendations to the government, election observers and political parties:
* The government should make a clear public statement that human rights violations in the election context will not be tolerated. The security forces at all levels including local militia should act with due impartiality to protect voters' rights and the rule of law.
* Election observers, both international and local, should include a human rights component in their mandate. They should observe and report impartially, accurately and publicly on any election-related violations of human rights, including the human rights of women, and bring these to the attention of the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
* All political parties and candidates, whether pro-government, opposition or independent, should publicly commit themselves to promoting and protecting human rights, participating in the elections peacefully and fairly, and not tolerating any abuses by their supporters.
Read the report on Amnesty International USA
Ethiopia Opposition Accuses State of Abuse
Ethiopia's largest opposition group accused security forces on Wednesday of killing eight of their supporters and arresting 240 during a campaign to scare their supporters ahead of May 15 elections.
The group of five parties and coalitions said it was also concerned that the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi may try to rig the results of the polls in the country of almost 70 million, which his party is widely favoured to win.
Hailu Shawel, chairman of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy, told a joint news conference held with the other four main groupings that they would not bow to threats.
"We would like to tell the ruling party that we are not the running type. If the worst comes we are ready to die for our principles and causes," he said.
There was no immediate reaction from the government, which has always denied harassing opposition members.
A statement issued by the grouping said government militia were killing, beating or arresting people who refused to denounce opposition parties and join the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front.
"We are not here to conspire, to boycott the election. What we are demanding is that the government stops its supporters obstructing the election process and rectifies the situation, which makes peaceful campaigning impossible," said Beyene Pedros, vice-chairperson of the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, one of the five parties in the group.
IOL: Africa
The group of five parties and coalitions said it was also concerned that the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi may try to rig the results of the polls in the country of almost 70 million, which his party is widely favoured to win.
Hailu Shawel, chairman of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy, told a joint news conference held with the other four main groupings that they would not bow to threats.
"We would like to tell the ruling party that we are not the running type. If the worst comes we are ready to die for our principles and causes," he said.
There was no immediate reaction from the government, which has always denied harassing opposition members.
A statement issued by the grouping said government militia were killing, beating or arresting people who refused to denounce opposition parties and join the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front.
"We are not here to conspire, to boycott the election. What we are demanding is that the government stops its supporters obstructing the election process and rectifies the situation, which makes peaceful campaigning impossible," said Beyene Pedros, vice-chairperson of the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces, one of the five parties in the group.
IOL: Africa
Authorities Sound Alarm as Non-stop Rain Pounds Southeast Ethiopia
Ethiopian authorities warned of new deaths and damage as non-stop rains pounded parts of southeastern Ethiopia where devastating weekend floods have left at least 88 people dead and nearly 60,000 displaced.
The rain, which started early Thursday barred humanitarian assessment teams deployed in the affected Godie region of Ethiopia's remote Somali state, 1,380 kilometers (860 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, from returning to compile reports, officials said.
"It has been raining since morning and this has complicated the efforts of the assessment teams that was sent to the affected areas," regional disaster prevention chief Abdullahi Mahdi told AFP from the regional capital of Jigiga.
"At the same time, the volume of the river is increasing in some areas and we are afraid that areas such as Mustahin, Kelafo and Ferfier (in Godie) will be submerged by water and this could bring the damage and deaths to people and now," he said.
At least 66 people were killed, 36,000 made homeless and more than 4,000 goats, 2,000 camels and several hundred cattle swept away in 36 villages in the two districts by raging waters from the Wabe Shebell river that burst its banks at the weekend after days of heavy rains, according to official figures.
In the Kebri Dahra area, some 1,040 kilometers from Addis Ababa, where 15 villages were submerged, 16 people have been confirmed dead, 900 others displaced and 1,000 domestic animals missing in the floods.
Around Mustahil, 1,480 kilometers from Addis Ababa six people were killed, several villages completely destroyed, some 20,000 people displaced and 317 head of cattle and 17 donkeys washed away, the figures, released on Wednesday, showed.
At least two people, among the dead, have been devoured by crocodiles the appearance of which are posing a new threat to the displaced, with survivors in some parts of the region still clinging to trees in desperate attempts to avoid being eaten.
Yahoo! News
The rain, which started early Thursday barred humanitarian assessment teams deployed in the affected Godie region of Ethiopia's remote Somali state, 1,380 kilometers (860 miles) southeast of Addis Ababa, from returning to compile reports, officials said.
"It has been raining since morning and this has complicated the efforts of the assessment teams that was sent to the affected areas," regional disaster prevention chief Abdullahi Mahdi told AFP from the regional capital of Jigiga.
"At the same time, the volume of the river is increasing in some areas and we are afraid that areas such as Mustahin, Kelafo and Ferfier (in Godie) will be submerged by water and this could bring the damage and deaths to people and now," he said.
At least 66 people were killed, 36,000 made homeless and more than 4,000 goats, 2,000 camels and several hundred cattle swept away in 36 villages in the two districts by raging waters from the Wabe Shebell river that burst its banks at the weekend after days of heavy rains, according to official figures.
In the Kebri Dahra area, some 1,040 kilometers from Addis Ababa, where 15 villages were submerged, 16 people have been confirmed dead, 900 others displaced and 1,000 domestic animals missing in the floods.
Around Mustahil, 1,480 kilometers from Addis Ababa six people were killed, several villages completely destroyed, some 20,000 people displaced and 317 head of cattle and 17 donkeys washed away, the figures, released on Wednesday, showed.
At least two people, among the dead, have been devoured by crocodiles the appearance of which are posing a new threat to the displaced, with survivors in some parts of the region still clinging to trees in desperate attempts to avoid being eaten.
Yahoo! News
Brad Pitt Meets Orphans of AIDS Pandemic
Photo Courtesy: AP
Actor Brad Pitt spent three days in Ethiopia meeting with orphans of the AIDS pandemic that is devastating Africa, a spokesman said Tuesday.
The star of "Troy" and "Fight Club" also visited projects offering AIDS treatment as part of a campaign to get more lifesaving drugs for victims of the HIV virus that causes AIDS.
Pitt's trip was organized by DATA, a Washington-based lobby group co-founded by rock star Bono, which campaigns to improve trade and debt terms for poor countries and raising awareness about AIDS in poor countries.
Pitt was in Ethiopia from Saturday to late Monday.
"We have met some incredible people, incredibly poor people who are fighting back against AIDS and extreme poverty with help from Americans," said DATA Executive Director Jamie Drummond.
It is 41-year-old Pitt's second visit to Ethiopia, where 1.5 million people are infected, making it the fifth highest population in the world living with the HIV virus.
The country has 540,000 children who have been orphaned because of AIDS.
"We have seen lifesaving anti-AIDS drugs in action, drugs that are only here because of the action of concerned people from all walks of life in the USA, from churchgoers to punk rock fans," Drummond said.
"Now we must turn the trickle into a flood of effective aid to help Ethiopians and poor people across Africa help themselves," he said.
ABC News
Pitt's trip was organized by DATA, a Washington-based lobby group co-founded by rock star Bono, which campaigns to improve trade and debt terms for poor countries and raising awareness about AIDS in poor countries.
Pitt was in Ethiopia from Saturday to late Monday.
"We have met some incredible people, incredibly poor people who are fighting back against AIDS and extreme poverty with help from Americans," said DATA Executive Director Jamie Drummond.
It is 41-year-old Pitt's second visit to Ethiopia, where 1.5 million people are infected, making it the fifth highest population in the world living with the HIV virus.
The country has 540,000 children who have been orphaned because of AIDS.
"We have seen lifesaving anti-AIDS drugs in action, drugs that are only here because of the action of concerned people from all walks of life in the USA, from churchgoers to punk rock fans," Drummond said.
"Now we must turn the trickle into a flood of effective aid to help Ethiopians and poor people across Africa help themselves," he said.
ABC News
Monday, April 25, 2005
Ancient Tomb Network Found in Ethiopia
Experts have discovered a major network of underground funerary chambers and arches near the original site of an ancient obelisk in Ethiopia, UNESCO said.
The discovery was made last week during a surveying mission in the east African country in preparation for the return of the final piece of the 1,700-year-old Axum obelisk from Italy, the agency said.
Teams from the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation found the chambers using high-technology imaging equipment.
"It is likely that some of the tombs identified through underground imaging are intact," said Koichiro Matsuura, UNESCO's director-general, in a statement.
The Axum site was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980. The obelisk - a symbol of African civilisation - was stolen in 1937 under orders from Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
The vast chambers, part of a royal necropolis predating the Christian era, are located beneath a parking area built on the site in 1963, UNESCO said.
Italian researchers were examining images and were creating three-dimensional models of the royal tombs, the agency said.
seven.com.au
Update
An archaeologist has warned that re-erecting Ethiopia's ancient obelisk in the northern city of Axum could endanger the area's many royal tombs.
A new vast network of burial chambers has been discovered under a car park near the site where the Axum obelisk was to be restored in September.
(continued on BBC News)
The discovery was made last week during a surveying mission in the east African country in preparation for the return of the final piece of the 1,700-year-old Axum obelisk from Italy, the agency said.
Teams from the Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation found the chambers using high-technology imaging equipment.
"It is likely that some of the tombs identified through underground imaging are intact," said Koichiro Matsuura, UNESCO's director-general, in a statement.
The Axum site was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1980. The obelisk - a symbol of African civilisation - was stolen in 1937 under orders from Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
The vast chambers, part of a royal necropolis predating the Christian era, are located beneath a parking area built on the site in 1963, UNESCO said.
Italian researchers were examining images and were creating three-dimensional models of the royal tombs, the agency said.
seven.com.au
Update
An archaeologist has warned that re-erecting Ethiopia's ancient obelisk in the northern city of Axum could endanger the area's many royal tombs.
A new vast network of burial chambers has been discovered under a car park near the site where the Axum obelisk was to be restored in September.
(continued on BBC News)
Ethiopians Say They Can't Get into TAU, Hebrew University
The Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University are closing their doors to Ethiopian students, especially those wishing to study in prestigious programs, Ethiopian activists and university graduates say.
These two universities consider the psychometric exam as the decisive factor in accepting students, thus significantly reducing the number of Ethiopian students compared to the other universities.
Immanuel Hadana, a prosecutor in the military advocate general's office, graduated in 2000 with a first degree in law from TAU. The law program initially refused to accept him because his psychometric grade was lower than required by the entrance threshold. Only after repeated appeals - appearing before a committee and approaching the top university officials - did the program agree to accept him.
"My attempts to enter the law study program in TAU took more time than the studies themselves," he says.
Hadana was recently invited to speak at the Knesset's Immigration and Absorption Committee about the success in the absorption of the Ethiopian immigrants.
He told the committee that the university management had asked him to praise its success in accepting immigrants from Ethiopia at a talk to university contributors and trustees.
"I was the second student (of Ethiopian origin) at the university. I remember a conference where they wanted me to say there was a 100 percent rise in the number of Ethiopian students at TAU. I objected," he says.
TAU, with its 28,000 students, is the largest university in Israel. In 2002-2003, only 32 Ethiopian students studied there. At Hebrew University, the second largest, there were 26 Ethiopian students at that time. The number of students at the Technion in Haifa, which is considered a relatively small, elitist institution, was 49. Altogether, 441 Ethiopian students studied at the six large universities in 2002-2003, 30 percent (128) at Bar Ilan and some 40 percent (174) in Haifa.
"I am not ashamed to say that Hebrew University and TAU are `snobbish' universities that refuse to accept the immigrants from Ethiopia," Israel Radio's Amharic program director Zaga Malko told the Knesset committee.
Haaretz
These two universities consider the psychometric exam as the decisive factor in accepting students, thus significantly reducing the number of Ethiopian students compared to the other universities.
Immanuel Hadana, a prosecutor in the military advocate general's office, graduated in 2000 with a first degree in law from TAU. The law program initially refused to accept him because his psychometric grade was lower than required by the entrance threshold. Only after repeated appeals - appearing before a committee and approaching the top university officials - did the program agree to accept him.
"My attempts to enter the law study program in TAU took more time than the studies themselves," he says.
Hadana was recently invited to speak at the Knesset's Immigration and Absorption Committee about the success in the absorption of the Ethiopian immigrants.
He told the committee that the university management had asked him to praise its success in accepting immigrants from Ethiopia at a talk to university contributors and trustees.
"I was the second student (of Ethiopian origin) at the university. I remember a conference where they wanted me to say there was a 100 percent rise in the number of Ethiopian students at TAU. I objected," he says.
TAU, with its 28,000 students, is the largest university in Israel. In 2002-2003, only 32 Ethiopian students studied there. At Hebrew University, the second largest, there were 26 Ethiopian students at that time. The number of students at the Technion in Haifa, which is considered a relatively small, elitist institution, was 49. Altogether, 441 Ethiopian students studied at the six large universities in 2002-2003, 30 percent (128) at Bar Ilan and some 40 percent (174) in Haifa.
"I am not ashamed to say that Hebrew University and TAU are `snobbish' universities that refuse to accept the immigrants from Ethiopia," Israel Radio's Amharic program director Zaga Malko told the Knesset committee.
Haaretz
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Make Poverty History
The G8 summit: In July 2005 the UK will be hosting the G8 summit in Gleneagles, in Scotland. Poverty in Africa will be a main topic for discussion and we plan to ensure your voice is heard there.
The EU Presidency: In the second half of this year the UK will be holding the chair of the European Union.
20th Anniversary of Live Aid: takes place on 13th July and will draw the public's attention back to issues of poverty in Africa and encourage western governments to take urgent action. The original Live Aid has been described as the greatest musical event of all time and the simultaneous concerts in London and Philadelphia raised millions for famine relief.
The Commission for Africa: launched by Tony Blair in February 2004 to help generate action for a strong and prosperous Africa. Its report released in March 2005 forms a key focal point of the British Chairmanship of the G8. Read the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY statement on the Commission for Africa report here.
UN General Assembly Special Summit on the Millennium Development Goals: takes place 1st - 5th September 2005 to review the progress since the 2000 Millennium Declaration of the MDGs to halve the proportion of people living in poverty by 2015.
www.makepovertyhistory.org
The EU Presidency: In the second half of this year the UK will be holding the chair of the European Union.
20th Anniversary of Live Aid: takes place on 13th July and will draw the public's attention back to issues of poverty in Africa and encourage western governments to take urgent action. The original Live Aid has been described as the greatest musical event of all time and the simultaneous concerts in London and Philadelphia raised millions for famine relief.
The Commission for Africa: launched by Tony Blair in February 2004 to help generate action for a strong and prosperous Africa. Its report released in March 2005 forms a key focal point of the British Chairmanship of the G8. Read the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY statement on the Commission for Africa report here.
UN General Assembly Special Summit on the Millennium Development Goals: takes place 1st - 5th September 2005 to review the progress since the 2000 Millennium Declaration of the MDGs to halve the proportion of people living in poverty by 2015.
www.makepovertyhistory.org
WorldSpace Sets Stock Offering
Seeking to piggyback on the growth of satellite radio in the United States, WorldSpace Inc., a District-based satellite radio service provider with licenses to broadcast in Asia and Africa, last week registered an initial public offering of $100 million of stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Founded in 1990, WorldSpace sells subscriptions to its radio service and receivers and leases broadcast capacity on satellites it owns. It does not compete with XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., based in the District, and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. of New York, which hold the only two U.S. satellite radio broadcast licenses.
WorldSpace aims to apply the business model pioneered by XM and Sirius in the United States to India and China, both markets with burgeoning middle classes.
The date and target price for the offering will depend on an SEC review and investor response to the company's presentation of its business plan, said Donald J. Frickel, WorldSpace's general counsel.
Last year, WorldSpace reported revenue of $8.5 million, down from $13 million for 2003, according to SEC filings. It posted net losses of $577 million in 2004 and $217 million in 2003.
WorldSpace was one of XM's original investors in the mid-1990s and licensed technology to XM. It sold its stake in XM in 1999 for $75 million. WorldSpace continues to program four channels for XM, Frickel said.
washingtonpost.com
Founded in 1990, WorldSpace sells subscriptions to its radio service and receivers and leases broadcast capacity on satellites it owns. It does not compete with XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., based in the District, and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. of New York, which hold the only two U.S. satellite radio broadcast licenses.
WorldSpace aims to apply the business model pioneered by XM and Sirius in the United States to India and China, both markets with burgeoning middle classes.
The date and target price for the offering will depend on an SEC review and investor response to the company's presentation of its business plan, said Donald J. Frickel, WorldSpace's general counsel.
Last year, WorldSpace reported revenue of $8.5 million, down from $13 million for 2003, according to SEC filings. It posted net losses of $577 million in 2004 and $217 million in 2003.
WorldSpace was one of XM's original investors in the mid-1990s and licensed technology to XM. It sold its stake in XM in 1999 for $75 million. WorldSpace continues to program four channels for XM, Frickel said.
washingtonpost.com
Kenya Looks Underground for Power
Photo courtesy: BBC News
On a chilly hilltop high above Kenya's Rift Valley, Jackson Chipyagon, 40, chops up wood to keep a small fire smouldering outside his shack.
Modern amenities like electricity have not yet reached his home. But even if he had power, he is not sure how useful it would be.
"Sure, we want electricity," he says.
"But it's expensive for us. We only have meagre earnings. So even if we get electricity, it's hard to afford it."
Mr Chipyagon's farm overlooks Africa's Rift Valley, a giant fissure in the earth's crust running 6,000 miles from Lebanon to Mozambique. The plumes of escaping steam, and bubbling lakes, hint of volcanic turmoil beneath the surface.
Experts from the United Nations say if this geothermal energy were harnessed, it could provide power to some of the world's poorest nations.
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, even Zambia have the potential to tap in. But so far, Kenya is the only nation which has made headway.
Some 200 kilometres from Mr Chipyagon's farm is the Hell's Gate National Park, with its strange rock formations and spouts of hissing steam.
But even stranger is the mixture of wilderness and industrialisation.
But the fumes belching from the chimneys are not polluting petrochemical smoke. They are eco-friendly water vapour, which drifts off into the blue sky.
The Ol Karia station is the continent's biggest geothermal power-generating plant. It takes its name from a nearby volcano, which erupted 150 years ago and is still active.
There are 22 wells across the site, piercing the earth's crust, and tapping into molten rock as hot as 345C, deep below the surface.
Water pumped into the well produces steam, which powers the turbines.
BBC NEWS
Minnesota's Anuak, Worry About Conditions In Homeland
Abang Ojullu can't stop crying when she thinks of two of her brothers, killed by the Ethiopian military.
Ochwor Ojulu calls relatives in his native Ethiopia every week to check on his brother, who has been jailed and tortured by the government for more than a year.
Obang Okello worries whenever he thinks of his parents, forced to live in a shed they built under some trees after their home was taken by soldiers.
All three are Anuak, an ethnic minority from western Ethiopia, who now live in Minnesota. They say their stories of family and friends being terrorized by the Ethiopian government are part of a larger picture outlined by a Human Rights Watch investigator last month.
That report said Ethiopian troops have committed widespread killings, rapes and torture of the tribal Anuak population in the southwestern corner of the country since late 2003. Hundreds were killed and thousands driven from their homes after numerous attacks by soldiers and civilians from other ethnic groups, it said.
WCCO
Ochwor Ojulu calls relatives in his native Ethiopia every week to check on his brother, who has been jailed and tortured by the government for more than a year.
Obang Okello worries whenever he thinks of his parents, forced to live in a shed they built under some trees after their home was taken by soldiers.
All three are Anuak, an ethnic minority from western Ethiopia, who now live in Minnesota. They say their stories of family and friends being terrorized by the Ethiopian government are part of a larger picture outlined by a Human Rights Watch investigator last month.
That report said Ethiopian troops have committed widespread killings, rapes and torture of the tribal Anuak population in the southwestern corner of the country since late 2003. Hundreds were killed and thousands driven from their homes after numerous attacks by soldiers and civilians from other ethnic groups, it said.
WCCO
Up to 40 Dead as Ethiopia River Bursts Banks
A river swelled by non-stop rain burst its banks in eastern Ethiopia, killing up to 40 people and leaving many homeless, officials said on Sunday.
"Many are still hanging on to trees for dear life," Mohammed Admi Abdi, district administrator of West Emi in Ogaden province, said by telephone.
He said the Wabe Shabelle river had burst its banks on Saturday night after 48 hours of continuous heavy rain, flooding or washing away 35 villages in one of the most remote regions of the Horn of Africa country of more than 60 million.
Government officials and voluntary organisations were trying to move the survivors by helicopter, as all roads leading to the area 700 km (440 miles) east of Addis Ababa were under water and impassable. "
The flood caught the people in 35 villages along the banks unawares," Abdi said. "Up to 40 died in their sleep while those were were awake were able to escape."
He said officials of the government, the United Nations and voluntary organisations were meeting in the Ogaden capital of Gode to plan relief operations.
Ethiopia, which was hit by intense droughts during the 1980s that killed nearly a million people, is in the midst of a rainy season.
Reuters AlertNet
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Nile Falls
More on Hydropolitics in the Horn of Africa...
"Many are still hanging on to trees for dear life," Mohammed Admi Abdi, district administrator of West Emi in Ogaden province, said by telephone.
He said the Wabe Shabelle river had burst its banks on Saturday night after 48 hours of continuous heavy rain, flooding or washing away 35 villages in one of the most remote regions of the Horn of Africa country of more than 60 million.
Government officials and voluntary organisations were trying to move the survivors by helicopter, as all roads leading to the area 700 km (440 miles) east of Addis Ababa were under water and impassable. "
The flood caught the people in 35 villages along the banks unawares," Abdi said. "Up to 40 died in their sleep while those were were awake were able to escape."
He said officials of the government, the United Nations and voluntary organisations were meeting in the Ogaden capital of Gode to plan relief operations.
Ethiopia, which was hit by intense droughts during the 1980s that killed nearly a million people, is in the midst of a rainy season.
Reuters AlertNet
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Nile Falls
More on Hydropolitics in the Horn of Africa...
Thompson Devastated at African AIDS Toll
Actress Emma Thompson told yesterday how she was moved to tears by the plight of Aids victims in Ethiopia.
The Oscar-winning star visited the country on a fund-raising visit for the charity ActionAid.
Emma, 45, spent a fortnight in the country, devastated by famine and now gripped by an HIV and Aids epidemic.
She said meeting the country's prime minister Meles Zenawi humbled her.
he said: 'He thanked me for taking time off from making millions of dollars. I told him he was overestimating my earning capacity.'
The actress, who became an ActionAid ambassador last year, said she had also been amazed by the determination of a people intent on helping themselves.
Emma, who has a five--year-old daughter Gaia, said: 'A 17-year-old girl told me how her mum had died from HIV.
'On the day she died, the teenager went out to look for people who used to be her mother's friends but they all refused to bury her.'
The star, whose films include Howard's End and Love Actually, was delighted to discover schoolchildren being taught the facts about HIV.
She said: 'They all know how it is transmitted - even the little ones - and it is such a relief to hear and see them discussing it so openly.
sundaymail
"These people are not just the have-nots, they’re the haves as well. They have resilience, the like of which you or I could never dream of. They have commitment, drive, grit, they have intelligence and they have ideas," said Emma.
ActionAid’s Head of Individuals Marketing, Imelda McGuigan said: "Emma spent time with the community explaining what it was we were trying to do. She asked them how they would like to be represented, what issues they wanted to highlight and who they wished to speak on their behalf. The result is a moving, yet positive appeal with 100 per cent involvement from the community."
One of the villagers, who featured in the commerical, Fanaye Woju said: "Our pregnant women used to walk miles to reach hospital. Many gave birth on the way. Now, thanks to support from ActionAid, our women are training as midwives."
Emma has been an ambassador for ActionAid since 2001 and has spoken out publicly about her support for the work the charity is doing, in particular, to address the HIV and Aids epidemic that continues to sweep across Africa. She has travelled to Uganda, Mozambique and Ethiopia to find out what poverty means for men, women and children and the steps they are taking to overcome it.
ActionAid is part of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY – the largest coalition ever assembled in the UK – which is calling for an end to global poverty. Over 200 charities, trade unions and celebrities are demanding that world leaders deliver trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid.
VISIT www.emma-thompson.net; MAKE Poverty History.
Ben & Jerry's Sports 'Fair Trade' Label
Products offer consumers peace of mind
Ben & Jerry's newest product arrived in supermarket freezers this week, offering a less-guilty pleasure for consumers who worry about who labored to make their ice cream.
Their Coffee; Coffee Heath Bar Crunch; and Coffee, Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz! flavors have been designated "Fair Trade Certified' by Transfair USA, an Oakland-based nonprofit group that audits the books of U.S. companies to ensure that ingredients come from farmers who get fair prices for their goods
"Fair trade is about making sure people get their fair share of the pie,' said Ben Cohen, co- founder of the Burlington, Vt. ice cream maker. "The whole concept of fair trade goes to heart of American values and the sense of right and wrong. Nobody wants to buy something that was made by exploiting somebody else.'
...Even a small price premium means a lot to the producers, who are mostly small family farmers. While most bean growers receive about 20 cents per pound, the fair trade price is $1.26 a difference that can provide a decent life in countries such as Colombia, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
SGVTribune.com
Previous post: Java War -- Ethiopia Challenges Brazil
Ben & Jerry's newest product arrived in supermarket freezers this week, offering a less-guilty pleasure for consumers who worry about who labored to make their ice cream.
Their Coffee; Coffee Heath Bar Crunch; and Coffee, Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz! flavors have been designated "Fair Trade Certified' by Transfair USA, an Oakland-based nonprofit group that audits the books of U.S. companies to ensure that ingredients come from farmers who get fair prices for their goods
"Fair trade is about making sure people get their fair share of the pie,' said Ben Cohen, co- founder of the Burlington, Vt. ice cream maker. "The whole concept of fair trade goes to heart of American values and the sense of right and wrong. Nobody wants to buy something that was made by exploiting somebody else.'
...Even a small price premium means a lot to the producers, who are mostly small family farmers. While most bean growers receive about 20 cents per pound, the fair trade price is $1.26 a difference that can provide a decent life in countries such as Colombia, Ethiopia and Indonesia.
SGVTribune.com
Previous post: Java War -- Ethiopia Challenges Brazil
China, Ethiopia Ties Further Consolidated
Visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Lu Guozeng said in Addis Ababa Friday that the bilateral cooperation between China and Ethiopia has been further consolidated.
During his talks with Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tekeda Alemu, Lu said the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors have been strengthened in particular after Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawei's visit to China.
The increasing trade volume between the two nations and the success of the development activities being carried out by Chinese investors operating in Ethiopia are some indicators for the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, he said.
The relations between the two nations have been strengthened since the first ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, said the Chinese official.
People's Daily Online
During his talks with Ethiopian State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tekeda Alemu, Lu said the cooperation between the two countries in various sectors have been strengthened in particular after Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawei's visit to China.
The increasing trade volume between the two nations and the success of the development activities being carried out by Chinese investors operating in Ethiopia are some indicators for the enhancement of bilateral cooperation, he said.
The relations between the two nations have been strengthened since the first ministerial meeting of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum in 2000, said the Chinese official.
People's Daily Online
United States Adds $19.5 Million to Food-Aid -Support for Ethiopia
The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced an additional pledge of 47,320 metric tons (MT) of wheat valued at over $19.5 million (168,675,000 birr) to Ethiopia through the World Food Program (WFP) to meet the needs of Ethiopia’s Emergency Appeal.
The pledge responds to the joint appeal of the Government of Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) and the United Nations, which estimates that 2.2 million people will require emergency assistance in 2005.
To date in 2005, the U.S. Government has responded with a total of 103,999 MT of food aid valued at $49 million (423,850,000 birr).
Earlier commitments, provided through WFP and non-governmental organizations, included cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, and corn-soya blend.
USAID provides food assistance to vulnerable populations through direct distribution, food-for-work programs, maternal and child health programs, and therapeutic and supplementary feeding programs.
CommunityDispatch.com
The pledge responds to the joint appeal of the Government of Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission (DPPC) and the United Nations, which estimates that 2.2 million people will require emergency assistance in 2005.
To date in 2005, the U.S. Government has responded with a total of 103,999 MT of food aid valued at $49 million (423,850,000 birr).
Earlier commitments, provided through WFP and non-governmental organizations, included cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, and corn-soya blend.
USAID provides food assistance to vulnerable populations through direct distribution, food-for-work programs, maternal and child health programs, and therapeutic and supplementary feeding programs.
CommunityDispatch.com
Ethiopia Says Somali Insurgents Killed
A security chief said his forces had killed 41 men and captured 36 more over the past five days while they were crossing the border into Ethiopia's Somali state.
"We are still chasing the remaining ones," Jemiel Hajji Mohammed, the chief security officer for Ethiopia's Somali state, said on Saturday.
He added that hundreds of firearms had been recovered from the fighters.
Mohammed said the insurgents were allied to two groups from neighbouring Somalia: Al-Ittihad, a religious group based in Somalia, and the National Liberation Front (ONLF), which is based in southeastern Ethiopia.
According to Mohammed, the captured insurgents all claimed they were trained by Eritrea, a country that fought a two-year border war with Ethiopia that started in 1998 and claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Aljazeera.Net
"We are still chasing the remaining ones," Jemiel Hajji Mohammed, the chief security officer for Ethiopia's Somali state, said on Saturday.
He added that hundreds of firearms had been recovered from the fighters.
Mohammed said the insurgents were allied to two groups from neighbouring Somalia: Al-Ittihad, a religious group based in Somalia, and the National Liberation Front (ONLF), which is based in southeastern Ethiopia.
According to Mohammed, the captured insurgents all claimed they were trained by Eritrea, a country that fought a two-year border war with Ethiopia that started in 1998 and claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.
Aljazeera.Net
Friday, April 22, 2005
Ethiopia May Seek Return of 19th-Century Child Prince's Body from Britain
thiopia may soon demand the repatriation of the remains of an 19th-century prince who died in Britain after being spirited away by invading British troops, a senior official said Friday.
Encouraged by its success in winning the return from Italy of the stolen third-century BC Axum obelisk, Ethiopia is hoping other European countries will send back similarly plundered pieces of its heritage, including the body of the prince, the official said.
"Prince Alemayu is still in Great Britain," Deputy Information Minister Netsannet Asfaw said. "I would like to get the body back."
She said she was not making an official request but felt it was now time for the prince, who was taken to Britain at the age of eight in 1868 after the overthrow of his father emperor Theodor of Ethiopia, to come home.
"As a mother, I think he should come home," she said. "He was a child when he died and he was far away from his country."
Sudan Tribune
Encouraged by its success in winning the return from Italy of the stolen third-century BC Axum obelisk, Ethiopia is hoping other European countries will send back similarly plundered pieces of its heritage, including the body of the prince, the official said.
"Prince Alemayu is still in Great Britain," Deputy Information Minister Netsannet Asfaw said. "I would like to get the body back."
She said she was not making an official request but felt it was now time for the prince, who was taken to Britain at the age of eight in 1868 after the overthrow of his father emperor Theodor of Ethiopia, to come home.
"As a mother, I think he should come home," she said. "He was a child when he died and he was far away from his country."
Sudan Tribune
Voting is a Duty, a Right, Ethiopian Catholic Bishops Say Ahead of Polls
Catholic bishops in Ethiopia have urged their faithful and fellow compatriots to exercise their "responsibility" to vote in elections slotted for May 15, 2005.
They said that eligible voters should not be swayed in their conscientious choice, neither by political indifference nor by political or economic persuasion.
Their 'Message of the Catholic Bishops on the Occasion of the Third Elections in Ethiopia 2005' is signed by Abune Berhaneyesus D Souraphiel CM, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia.
"Some might be tempted to adopt. . .an attitude of political indifference and apathy because they are skeptical about the utility of their individual vote," the bishops said, explaining that "to abstain oneself from voting is not to fulfil one's responsibility as citizen."
They reminded voters "of policies which safeguard their noble human values such as the sanctity of life from conception, family integrity" as well as "freedom of conscience, respect for human life, freedom of religion and freedom of human rights."
allAfrica.com
They said that eligible voters should not be swayed in their conscientious choice, neither by political indifference nor by political or economic persuasion.
Their 'Message of the Catholic Bishops on the Occasion of the Third Elections in Ethiopia 2005' is signed by Abune Berhaneyesus D Souraphiel CM, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Ababa and President of the Assembly of the Catholic Bishops of Ethiopia.
"Some might be tempted to adopt. . .an attitude of political indifference and apathy because they are skeptical about the utility of their individual vote," the bishops said, explaining that "to abstain oneself from voting is not to fulfil one's responsibility as citizen."
They reminded voters "of policies which safeguard their noble human values such as the sanctity of life from conception, family integrity" as well as "freedom of conscience, respect for human life, freedom of religion and freedom of human rights."
allAfrica.com
Second Obelisk Part in Ethiopia
The second part of a 1,700-year old stone obelisk looted by Italy nearly 70 years ago has arrived back in Ethiopia.
The Axum obelisk is regarded as one of Ethiopia's national treasures and there were huge celebrations when the first piece arrived on Tuesday.
The final piece is expected on Monday but the monument is not due to be re-erected until September.
Italian troops took the obelisk to Rome in 1937, where it stayed despite a 1947 UN agreement for its return.
The top arrived in Axum on Friday, after the middle piece was sent on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is expected to travel to Axum to lead national celebrations on Monday, when the final, bottom, section is due to return, reports the AP news agency.
BBC News
The Axum obelisk is regarded as one of Ethiopia's national treasures and there were huge celebrations when the first piece arrived on Tuesday.
The final piece is expected on Monday but the monument is not due to be re-erected until September.
Italian troops took the obelisk to Rome in 1937, where it stayed despite a 1947 UN agreement for its return.
The top arrived in Axum on Friday, after the middle piece was sent on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is expected to travel to Axum to lead national celebrations on Monday, when the final, bottom, section is due to return, reports the AP news agency.
BBC News
Humanitarian conditions to get worse in Ethiopia - UNICEF
Humanitarian conditions in Ethiopia are set to get worse now that a scheme to end aid dependency has been delayed, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned on Thursday.
According to UNICEF, malnutrition was increasing due to "difficulties" with the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), and funding shortfalls were holding up measles and polio vaccination campaigns.
A lack of support from the international community in areas like health, water and nutrition was also hampering the humanitarian response, it added.
Thursday's warning came as the Ethiopian government prepared to make a new appeal for support on 2 May, to help the growing numbers needing food aid and emergency assistance. It expected to announce an increase in the number of people needing aid this year – which currently stands at around seven million.
In December, the UN and the Ethiopian government appealed for US $112 million for health, nutrition, water and sanitation, but have so far received less than a quarter of that. Some $159 million was also requested to help feed 2.2 million people facing hunger.
Reuters AlertNet
According to UNICEF, malnutrition was increasing due to "difficulties" with the Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP), and funding shortfalls were holding up measles and polio vaccination campaigns.
A lack of support from the international community in areas like health, water and nutrition was also hampering the humanitarian response, it added.
Thursday's warning came as the Ethiopian government prepared to make a new appeal for support on 2 May, to help the growing numbers needing food aid and emergency assistance. It expected to announce an increase in the number of people needing aid this year – which currently stands at around seven million.
In December, the UN and the Ethiopian government appealed for US $112 million for health, nutrition, water and sanitation, but have so far received less than a quarter of that. Some $159 million was also requested to help feed 2.2 million people facing hunger.
Reuters AlertNet
Ethiopia Says Kills 32 Eritrea-Trained Raiders
Ethiopia said on Friday its army killed 32 armed men sent by former foe Eritrea to raise havoc before Ethiopia's May elections, a charge Eritrea denied saying its policy was to stay out of other countries' affairs.
There was no independent word available on the motives and identity of the 32 dead, nor of the 33 other people an Ethiopian security official said were captured in the clashes on Monday.
Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed 70,000. An independent commission awarded Eritrea a disputed border town, but Ethiopia has only accepted the ruling in principle and the frontier has yet to be demarcated.
In recent months rhetoric over the border situation has been heating up and the United Nations said Ethiopia had moved troops closer to the U.N.-patrolled security zone separating the two.
Reuters AlertNet
There was no independent word available on the motives and identity of the 32 dead, nor of the 33 other people an Ethiopian security official said were captured in the clashes on Monday.
Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed 70,000. An independent commission awarded Eritrea a disputed border town, but Ethiopia has only accepted the ruling in principle and the frontier has yet to be demarcated.
In recent months rhetoric over the border situation has been heating up and the United Nations said Ethiopia had moved troops closer to the U.N.-patrolled security zone separating the two.
Reuters AlertNet
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Washington DC Rally Denounces Expulsion of U.S. Groups from Ethiopia
Ethiopians in the United States will stage a rally in Washington DC to protest against government expulsions of three U.S. democracy groups and the rising tide of government attacks on members of the opposition parties in Ethiopia, rally organizers have announced in a press release.
Supporters of the popular opposition United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), a coalition of 14 opposition parties, reported the April 27 rally would also call for US Congress members to expedite the passage of Hr 935, a bill if endorsed would enable the U.S. Congress to monitor Ethiopian elections would be free and fair.
Concerned by the growing popularity of the opposition parties, the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has continued to harass, imprison and kill opposition party supporters in various parts of the country. Such crimes are committed in the company of sudden expulsion orders of democracy groups from the U.S. and a senior election observer from the European Union.
The Ethiopians called for legal action against the perpetrators of state-sponsored crimes, the release of imprisoned opposition activists, and the return of expelled groups to Ethiopia.
Ethiomedia
Supporters of the popular opposition United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), a coalition of 14 opposition parties, reported the April 27 rally would also call for US Congress members to expedite the passage of Hr 935, a bill if endorsed would enable the U.S. Congress to monitor Ethiopian elections would be free and fair.
Concerned by the growing popularity of the opposition parties, the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has continued to harass, imprison and kill opposition party supporters in various parts of the country. Such crimes are committed in the company of sudden expulsion orders of democracy groups from the U.S. and a senior election observer from the European Union.
The Ethiopians called for legal action against the perpetrators of state-sponsored crimes, the release of imprisoned opposition activists, and the return of expelled groups to Ethiopia.
Ethiomedia
How Poverty is Pushing Teenagers to Prostitution
She was approaching her teens when her elder sister came up with a suggestion. "Why don’t we use the beauty we are blessed with to make money and grow rich?" Rahe, who only wishes to be identified by her first name, recalls her sister asking her.
They were fetching firewood on a hill overlooking Moyale Town, sweat dripping down their young faces. The two girls marvelled at each other’s beauty as they digested the idea.
They had seen their agemate and neighbour cross the border every evening and within a short time, her family members all had new clothes.
Now aged 17, Rahe and several of her friends from their remote village in southern Ethiopia joined some local girls in selling their bodies at the Kenyan border town of Moyale.
Rahe’s father was killed on suspicion of being a member of the proscribed Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) fighting the Ethiopian Government. Their mother is a peasant farmer barely able to put food on the table.
About three years into the business, Rahe’s decision on that hot afternoon has often returned to haunt her.
The Standard
They were fetching firewood on a hill overlooking Moyale Town, sweat dripping down their young faces. The two girls marvelled at each other’s beauty as they digested the idea.
They had seen their agemate and neighbour cross the border every evening and within a short time, her family members all had new clothes.
Now aged 17, Rahe and several of her friends from their remote village in southern Ethiopia joined some local girls in selling their bodies at the Kenyan border town of Moyale.
Rahe’s father was killed on suspicion of being a member of the proscribed Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) fighting the Ethiopian Government. Their mother is a peasant farmer barely able to put food on the table.
About three years into the business, Rahe’s decision on that hot afternoon has often returned to haunt her.
The Standard
"The major factor fuelling the worst forms of child labour is poverty. And when you have unemployment here of around 25 percent, the parents themselves sometimes force their children into this as a survival strategy. So you can see living in Addis Ababa there are a lot of children living on the streets and there is child prostitution."
-Michel Gozo is the head of the UN’s International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Ethiopia, 2003
Ethiopia Rejoices as Italy Returns Plundered Obelisk
Ethiopians yesterday welcomed home the first of three giant sections of the 1,700-year-old Axum Obelisk, one of their most prized antiquities looted by Italy's fascists in the 1930s.
Priests chanted and church bells rang out as a huge Antonov cargo jet returning the monument's first 60 ton chunk landed safely after flying over the runway four times, watched anxiously by a crowd of thousands.
The 80 ft obelisk has stood in Rome's city centre since it was plundered in 1937 but is being returned piece by piece. Italy is paying the entire £4.3 million bill ($7.7m) for the operation.
Telegraph
Courtesy: Reuters
Did you know?
Benito Mussolini's Italy used mustard gas in Ethiopia and Libya. SEE the effects of mustard gas.
Ethiopia never received an official apology. The question that begs an answer is: Where was the Vatican during this time?
Also, the late Pope John Paul II has visited more than 125 countries in his 26 years as the Pope, but never visited Ethiopia...
Priests chanted and church bells rang out as a huge Antonov cargo jet returning the monument's first 60 ton chunk landed safely after flying over the runway four times, watched anxiously by a crowd of thousands.
The 80 ft obelisk has stood in Rome's city centre since it was plundered in 1937 but is being returned piece by piece. Italy is paying the entire £4.3 million bill ($7.7m) for the operation.
Telegraph
Courtesy: Reuters
Did you know?
Benito Mussolini's Italy used mustard gas in Ethiopia and Libya. SEE the effects of mustard gas.
Ethiopia never received an official apology. The question that begs an answer is: Where was the Vatican during this time?
Also, the late Pope John Paul II has visited more than 125 countries in his 26 years as the Pope, but never visited Ethiopia...
Ethiopian NGOs to Sue Electoral Board over Restrictions on Local Observers
Over 30 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) working in Ethiopia announced Tuesday they are to sue the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) over a new directive, excluding some of them from sending domestic observers.
They said that the new directive, issued six week before the May 15 national elections, has restricted the definition of " domestic observers" given in the recently amended electoral law and clearly infringes the constitutional right of Ethiopians to monitor election in their country.
According to the directive, only Ethiopian NGOs and CSOs that have specifically listed election observation as one of their objectives up on registration before the Ministry of Justice can be considered for accreditation.
"Where the very concept of election monitoring by domestic observers is just starting to gain some momentum and where most local CSOs and NGOs are less than ten years old, such requirement is simply illogical," they said.
Heads of the coalition of the NGOs and CSOs told journalists that the decision was made at a general assembly meeting of the coalition held on Saturday.
China's People's Daily
They said that the new directive, issued six week before the May 15 national elections, has restricted the definition of " domestic observers" given in the recently amended electoral law and clearly infringes the constitutional right of Ethiopians to monitor election in their country.
According to the directive, only Ethiopian NGOs and CSOs that have specifically listed election observation as one of their objectives up on registration before the Ministry of Justice can be considered for accreditation.
"Where the very concept of election monitoring by domestic observers is just starting to gain some momentum and where most local CSOs and NGOs are less than ten years old, such requirement is simply illogical," they said.
Heads of the coalition of the NGOs and CSOs told journalists that the decision was made at a general assembly meeting of the coalition held on Saturday.
China's People's Daily
Monday, April 18, 2005
Veterans Want Skulls of Heroes Returned
Ethiopian veterans demanded Sunday that Rome return heads severed from their fallen heroes by fascist Italian invaders in the 1930s, saying the expected return of an obelisk this week was not enough.
Ethiopian and Italian officials in the northern Ethiopian city of Axum say the first part of the obelisk, plundered nearly 70 years ago, is due to be flown back to the city in a giant cargo plane Tuesday after repeated delays.
"We welcome the belated return of the Axum obelisk, but the present Italian government must return the skull of Hailu Kebede and of others which Italian fascist forces brutally severed from their dead bodies and displayed in Italian military museums in Rome," Workineh Tegegne, vice president of the Ethiopian Patriotic Association of guerrillas, told Reuters.
"The return of the obelisk is a historic occasion because it heralds the final defeat of fascism and its relegation to the dustbin of history," he said.
Reuters.com
Ethiopian and Italian officials in the northern Ethiopian city of Axum say the first part of the obelisk, plundered nearly 70 years ago, is due to be flown back to the city in a giant cargo plane Tuesday after repeated delays.
"We welcome the belated return of the Axum obelisk, but the present Italian government must return the skull of Hailu Kebede and of others which Italian fascist forces brutally severed from their dead bodies and displayed in Italian military museums in Rome," Workineh Tegegne, vice president of the Ethiopian Patriotic Association of guerrillas, told Reuters.
"The return of the obelisk is a historic occasion because it heralds the final defeat of fascism and its relegation to the dustbin of history," he said.
Reuters.com
Ethiopia's Negussie Wins Boston Marathon
Hailu Negussie of Ethiopia ended Kenyan men's dominance of the Boston marathon on Monday by becoming the second Ethiopian winner in the history of the world's oldest annually contested marathon.
In the women's race, defending champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya became the first four-time winner of the marathon, coming from behind to overtake Ethiopia's Elfenesh Alemu.
Negussie, fifth last year, finished the 109th edition of the Boston marathon in an official time of 2 hours 11 minutes 45 seconds. The course record of 2:07:15 was set by Cosmas Ndeti of Kenya in 1994.
Yahoo! News
In the women's race, defending champion Catherine Ndereba of Kenya became the first four-time winner of the marathon, coming from behind to overtake Ethiopia's Elfenesh Alemu.
Negussie, fifth last year, finished the 109th edition of the Boston marathon in an official time of 2 hours 11 minutes 45 seconds. The course record of 2:07:15 was set by Cosmas Ndeti of Kenya in 1994.
Yahoo! News
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Mubarak, Ethiopian PM Discuss Joint Nile River Projects
Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Sunday discussed joint projects to allow their respective countries to benefit from the waters of the Nile River, Ethiopia's ambassor to Egypt said.
The two leaders agreed to "encourage the formulation of joint development projects to ensure the optimal exploitation of hydraulic resources within the framework of the Nile Basin Initiative, notably involving countries east of the river: Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan," Amare Girma said after the talks in in the Egyptian Red Sea resort.
Colonial-era agreements imposed by Britain prohibited Nile basin states other than Egypt from undertaking projects that would reduce the river's flow.
But in 1999 Egypt finally agreed with the other nine littoral states to thrash out a new framework for sharing the river's resources.
More than 95 percent of Egypt's water needs are covered by the Nile but according to official estimates the country, whose population has increased at least three-fold since 1959 bringing it up to 72 million, now registers a deficit and needs to develop new hydraulic resources.
Some 85 percent of the Nile's flow comes down the Blue Nile from Ethiopia.
Egypt's independent press regularly writes about dam construction projects underway in Ethiopia, allegedly in cooperation with Israel, which could slacken the flow of water and affect Cairo's Nile water supply.
A meeting gathering all 10 Nile basin states is scheduled for May in Uganda, Amare said.
Sudan Tribune
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Niles Falls
Courtesy: AFP
The two leaders agreed to "encourage the formulation of joint development projects to ensure the optimal exploitation of hydraulic resources within the framework of the Nile Basin Initiative, notably involving countries east of the river: Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan," Amare Girma said after the talks in in the Egyptian Red Sea resort.
Colonial-era agreements imposed by Britain prohibited Nile basin states other than Egypt from undertaking projects that would reduce the river's flow.
But in 1999 Egypt finally agreed with the other nine littoral states to thrash out a new framework for sharing the river's resources.
More than 95 percent of Egypt's water needs are covered by the Nile but according to official estimates the country, whose population has increased at least three-fold since 1959 bringing it up to 72 million, now registers a deficit and needs to develop new hydraulic resources.
Some 85 percent of the Nile's flow comes down the Blue Nile from Ethiopia.
Egypt's independent press regularly writes about dam construction projects underway in Ethiopia, allegedly in cooperation with Israel, which could slacken the flow of water and affect Cairo's Nile water supply.
A meeting gathering all 10 Nile basin states is scheduled for May in Uganda, Amare said.
Sudan Tribune
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Niles Falls
Courtesy: AFP
Ethiopian Opposition Vows to Change Constitution if Elected
The opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), the umbrella organization of four multinational opposition parties, has proposed sweeping changes to the constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) as one element of its election platform in the Election Manifesto it released on Wednesday April 6, 2005.
The proposed changes are said to have been made with the view to making the constitution more friendly to human and democratic rights, curbing the powers of the executive and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
The coalition, which is composed of the All Ethiopia Unity Party (AEUP), the Ethiopians Democratic Union Party-Medhin (EDUP-Medhin), the Ethiopian Democratic League (EDL) and Rainbow Ethiopia: Movement for Social Justice and Democracy (Rainbow), has proposed an extensive list of amendments to make in the current constitution, including the most obvious one to Article 39 which provides for the rights of peoples, nations and nationalities, including and up to secession.
CUD's Election Manifesto says that the way these rights are provided for in the present constitution fails to take into account and balance the multitude desires, interests and views of the Ethiopian people.
"Therefore," says the manifesto, "it will be amended in a way that will ensure the rights of citizens both in their individual and collective capacity to self-determination with the view of making it consonant with the desires not only of those who want to secede but also those who want to stay together."
The coalition intends to modify the regional administrative arrangement that is being followed by the present government and which has subsequently been enshrined in the constitution as well. According to the manifesto, the basis for these modifications would be the observance of the wishes, interests and desires of the people. The criteria, thus, would be the wishes of the people, the strength or otherwise of historical and cultural commonalties, language, settlement patterns and geography, etc.
The manifesto also makes clear that the leaders of the coalition will definitely go on to scrap the constitutional provision that makes land, both urban and rural, the property of the state as they have promised repeatedly to do.
CUD's proposals also include changing the voting system to proportional representation, stripping the power to interpret the constitution off the House of the Federation, limiting the tenures of the prime minister to two terms, amending the various constitutional stipulations to ensure the independence of the judiciary, and so on. CUD also promised the scrapping of laws proclaimed in violation of the supremacy of the constitution (Article 9).
The coalition's Election Manifesto deals also extensively with the various reform programmes in the social, economic, political and other spheres.
Sudan Tribune
Ethiopian artists gathered together at fund raising event on March 12, 2005 at the Washington Convention Center, Washington DC.
Ethiopian Human Rights Organization Reports Pre-Election Abuse
The Ethiopian Human Rights Council Friday released a report accusing local government and election officials of harassing members and supporters of opposition parties ahead of next month's general elections.
The head of investigation at the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, Birhanu Tsigu, tells VOA his group has documented what he calls "election abuses and irregularities," which he says were committed mostly by low-level government officials operating in local communities.
"Most of these abuses have been committed against members, candidates and supporters of the opposition parties,” he said. “The kinds of violations range from extra-judicial killings, unlawful imprisonments, beatings and eviction from land, and different sorts of abuses. Most of the abuses have been investigated by our investigators who have been deployed to the sites of these violations, and we do have first-hand information, first-hand evidence, on all of these incidents reported."
The most serious incident described in Friday's report occurred in January in the Amhara region, where, Mr. Tsigu says, two people were killed and six others injured by local government officials. Mr. Tsigu says the victims were members of an opposition party and were deliberately targeted.
VOA News
More on Human Rights Issues in Ethiopia (Human Rights Watch)
SUPPORT H.R. 935 – FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN ETHIOPIA
The bill (H.R. 935) introduced in the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress on February 17, 2005 by U.S. Representatives Michael M. Honda (D CA) and Edward R. Royce (R CA) and referred to the House Committee on International Relations urges the Government of Ethiopia to hold orderly, peaceful, and free and fair national elections in May 2005 and authorizes United States assistance for elections-related activities to monitor the Ethiopian national elections.
Past experiences as well as recent developments indicate that the Ethiopian Government would do everything possible to derail and defraud the upcoming national elections and the democratic process. To achieve lasting peace and democratic progress in Ethiopia, the United States and other democracies around the world need to put pressure on the regime to respect human rights, restructure the National Election Board in a manner that makes the Board impartial and independent, allow independent international observers to monitor the May 15, 2005 elections, respect the rule of law, and help ensure a genuine and transparent election process.
Democracy-loving people around the world respectfully request, with utmost urgency, that all efforts be made to ensure the passage of H.R. 935 by the U.S. Congress as soon as possible so that the noble and democratic purpose of this bill is realized and Ethiopia begins a new, fresh path toward peace and democracy.
Please sign this petition and also write to President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Congress, the House Committee on International Relations, and the Congressional Black Caucus, in support of H.R. 935 (Free and Fair Elections in Ethiopia) and the spread of genuine democracy around the globe.
Sign This Petition
The head of investigation at the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, Birhanu Tsigu, tells VOA his group has documented what he calls "election abuses and irregularities," which he says were committed mostly by low-level government officials operating in local communities.
"Most of these abuses have been committed against members, candidates and supporters of the opposition parties,” he said. “The kinds of violations range from extra-judicial killings, unlawful imprisonments, beatings and eviction from land, and different sorts of abuses. Most of the abuses have been investigated by our investigators who have been deployed to the sites of these violations, and we do have first-hand information, first-hand evidence, on all of these incidents reported."
The most serious incident described in Friday's report occurred in January in the Amhara region, where, Mr. Tsigu says, two people were killed and six others injured by local government officials. Mr. Tsigu says the victims were members of an opposition party and were deliberately targeted.
VOA News
More on Human Rights Issues in Ethiopia (Human Rights Watch)
SUPPORT H.R. 935 – FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN ETHIOPIA
The bill (H.R. 935) introduced in the House of Representatives of the U.S. Congress on February 17, 2005 by U.S. Representatives Michael M. Honda (D CA) and Edward R. Royce (R CA) and referred to the House Committee on International Relations urges the Government of Ethiopia to hold orderly, peaceful, and free and fair national elections in May 2005 and authorizes United States assistance for elections-related activities to monitor the Ethiopian national elections.
Past experiences as well as recent developments indicate that the Ethiopian Government would do everything possible to derail and defraud the upcoming national elections and the democratic process. To achieve lasting peace and democratic progress in Ethiopia, the United States and other democracies around the world need to put pressure on the regime to respect human rights, restructure the National Election Board in a manner that makes the Board impartial and independent, allow independent international observers to monitor the May 15, 2005 elections, respect the rule of law, and help ensure a genuine and transparent election process.
Democracy-loving people around the world respectfully request, with utmost urgency, that all efforts be made to ensure the passage of H.R. 935 by the U.S. Congress as soon as possible so that the noble and democratic purpose of this bill is realized and Ethiopia begins a new, fresh path toward peace and democracy.
Please sign this petition and also write to President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Congress, the House Committee on International Relations, and the Congressional Black Caucus, in support of H.R. 935 (Free and Fair Elections in Ethiopia) and the spread of genuine democracy around the globe.
Sign This Petition
Malaysians Ask Ethiopian Government for Oil Exploration License in Ogaden
Representatives of the Malaysian oil company, Petronas, last month asked the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines for oil exploration rights that would enable them to prospect for crude oil in the Ogaden basin in the Somali Regional state.
Petronas, one of the top ten leading international oil companies in the world, signed a petroleum exploration and development agreement with the Ministry of Mines to prospect for oil in the Gambella basin, western Ethiopia. The agreement was signed in April 2003. And the Chinese company contracted by Petronas began to undertake geological survey in the Gambella basin last September.
Two years ago Petronas signed another agreement with the MoM that granted it a one-year exclusive study right in the Ogaden basin, which latter was extended for another one year. In the past two years, experts of Petronas were analysing the geological data collected from the Ogaden basin in the company’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The MoM has been assisting the company in providing all the necessary information.
Ethiopian Reporter
Petronas, one of the top ten leading international oil companies in the world, signed a petroleum exploration and development agreement with the Ministry of Mines to prospect for oil in the Gambella basin, western Ethiopia. The agreement was signed in April 2003. And the Chinese company contracted by Petronas began to undertake geological survey in the Gambella basin last September.
Two years ago Petronas signed another agreement with the MoM that granted it a one-year exclusive study right in the Ogaden basin, which latter was extended for another one year. In the past two years, experts of Petronas were analysing the geological data collected from the Ogaden basin in the company’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The MoM has been assisting the company in providing all the necessary information.
Ethiopian Reporter
Djibouti: Incumbent Wins One-Man Presidential Poll
Djibouti’s incumbent president, Ismail Omar Guelleh, won 100 percent of the vote in Friday’s presidential election - in which he was the sole candidate – according to the official news agency, Agence Djiboutienne d'Information (ADI).
Guelleh will now serve a second and final six-year term as leader of the tiny Horn of Africa nation.
ADI reported that 78.9 percent of approximately 197,000 registered voters cast their ballots - at 200 voting booths - across the country. Some 5.7 percent of the votes cast were reported void.
International news agencies said that police had used tear gas on Friday morning to disperse a crowd of between 300 and 500 pro-opposition demonstrators outside the headquarters of the umbrella opposition movement, the Union of Democratic Alliance.
IRIN Africa
Guelleh will now serve a second and final six-year term as leader of the tiny Horn of Africa nation.
ADI reported that 78.9 percent of approximately 197,000 registered voters cast their ballots - at 200 voting booths - across the country. Some 5.7 percent of the votes cast were reported void.
International news agencies said that police had used tear gas on Friday morning to disperse a crowd of between 300 and 500 pro-opposition demonstrators outside the headquarters of the umbrella opposition movement, the Union of Democratic Alliance.
IRIN Africa
Saturday, April 16, 2005
EU Concerned Over "Harassment" Ahead of Ethiopian Elections
The European Union on Saturday expressed concern over reports of "harassment" in the Horn of Africa nation, ahead of general elections scheduled for next month, officials said.
"Reports of harassment, imprisonment, and other activities of intimidation are worrysome," said Rob Vermas, the Dutch ambassador, representing the EU in Ethiopia, while welcoming about 50 EU observers who arrived on Friday.
EU officials said the decision by the Ethiopian government on March 30 to expel three US democracy groups, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) was disappointing.
"The recent issuance of a directive on local observers is disappointing," Vermas explained.
"The NEBE's (state-run National Election Board of Ethiopia) directives will virtually exclude many local NGOs (nongovernmental organisations) from observing the election," Vermas explained.
The election will be the third since the governing EPRDF's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi came to power in 1991. It will however be the first in Ethiopia to be held under international scrutiny amid complaints that local observers have been unfairly denied access.
There are 1,845 candidates representing 36 political parties and independent candidates running for the 480 seats up for grabs in the 547-member federal parliament, only 14 of which are held by the opposition.
About 100 more EU election observers are expected to arrive on May 10.
Sudan Tribune
"Reports of harassment, imprisonment, and other activities of intimidation are worrysome," said Rob Vermas, the Dutch ambassador, representing the EU in Ethiopia, while welcoming about 50 EU observers who arrived on Friday.
EU officials said the decision by the Ethiopian government on March 30 to expel three US democracy groups, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI) was disappointing.
"The recent issuance of a directive on local observers is disappointing," Vermas explained.
"The NEBE's (state-run National Election Board of Ethiopia) directives will virtually exclude many local NGOs (nongovernmental organisations) from observing the election," Vermas explained.
The election will be the third since the governing EPRDF's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi came to power in 1991. It will however be the first in Ethiopia to be held under international scrutiny amid complaints that local observers have been unfairly denied access.
There are 1,845 candidates representing 36 political parties and independent candidates running for the 480 seats up for grabs in the 547-member federal parliament, only 14 of which are held by the opposition.
About 100 more EU election observers are expected to arrive on May 10.
Sudan Tribune
Friday, April 15, 2005
Ethiopian Election Campaign Goes Digital
Two political parties contesting in Ethiopia's May 15 national elections have been making effective use of mobile phone short message service to campaign.
The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF) and the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) have been campaigning via mobile short message service (SMS), calling people to vote for them.
Some residents in Addis Ababa said that the short messages request receivers to forward it to up to 10 other mobile users.
The ERPDF message reads, "Hi! I am confident enough that you love Ethiopia. No doubt, the future is too bright. Vote for EPRDF. Please send this message for 10 supporters of the party."
On the other hand, CUD's campaign message reads, "The moment of truth has come, vote for Kinijit (Coalition). Freedom is on the way. Ride with Kinijit."
Another CUD message also reads, "Vote Kinijit. I know you love Ethiopia. Pass this message for at least five Ethiopians who love their country."
Some residents of the capital appreciated the use of modern technology for the purpose of election campaigning.
People's Daily Online
CHECK out Wired News on SMS messaging in Ethiopic characters.
The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF) and the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) have been campaigning via mobile short message service (SMS), calling people to vote for them.
Some residents in Addis Ababa said that the short messages request receivers to forward it to up to 10 other mobile users.
The ERPDF message reads, "Hi! I am confident enough that you love Ethiopia. No doubt, the future is too bright. Vote for EPRDF. Please send this message for 10 supporters of the party."
On the other hand, CUD's campaign message reads, "The moment of truth has come, vote for Kinijit (Coalition). Freedom is on the way. Ride with Kinijit."
Another CUD message also reads, "Vote Kinijit. I know you love Ethiopia. Pass this message for at least five Ethiopians who love their country."
Some residents of the capital appreciated the use of modern technology for the purpose of election campaigning.
People's Daily Online
CHECK out Wired News on SMS messaging in Ethiopic characters.
Landmine Challenges Peacekeeping Operation in Ethiopia, Eritrea
The United Nations on Thursday expressed deep concern over rising landmine accidents in the border areas between Ethiopia and Eritrea, where over 3,000 UN peacekeeping forces are monitoring.
Gail Sainte, spokeswoman of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), told journalists that the problem is becoming worse in the western sector of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), created four years ago to monitor the two countries' border, where over 70,000 troops were killed in a bloody war.
"In a period of less than two weeks, four mine accidents reported from the western sector. The UNMEE mine action coordination center (MACC) continues to closely monitor the mine threat in the western sector," said Sainte.
It was reported that one civilian was killed last week by landmine in the area while others were wounded.
According to a UN mine threat assessment report in September 2004, the mine threat situation in the area is rated as high.
People's Daily Online
Previous post: Danny Glover on Ethiopia's landmine challenge
Gail Sainte, spokeswoman of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), told journalists that the problem is becoming worse in the western sector of the Temporary Security Zone (TSZ), created four years ago to monitor the two countries' border, where over 70,000 troops were killed in a bloody war.
"In a period of less than two weeks, four mine accidents reported from the western sector. The UNMEE mine action coordination center (MACC) continues to closely monitor the mine threat in the western sector," said Sainte.
It was reported that one civilian was killed last week by landmine in the area while others were wounded.
According to a UN mine threat assessment report in September 2004, the mine threat situation in the area is rated as high.
People's Daily Online
Previous post: Danny Glover on Ethiopia's landmine challenge
Ethiopia, Italy Sign 220 Million Euro Loan Agreement
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Italian Embassy signed an intergovernmental agreement for a soft loan worth 220 million Euro.
According to a press release sent to The Daily Monitor, the loan is to be used to co-finance a new hydroelectric power plant on Gilgel Gibe River.
The Italian funding was officially announced during Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's visit to Rome in November 2004, when it was agreed that energy will be one of the main sectors in which Italy supports Ethiopian development. It is envisioned that the new hydropower plant will play an unprecedented role in harnessing the huge hydroelectric potential of Ethiopia by increasing the country's generation capacity by almost 40 percent and making the tremendous benefit of electricity available to approximately 800,000 new customers, it said.
allAfrica.com
According to a press release sent to The Daily Monitor, the loan is to be used to co-finance a new hydroelectric power plant on Gilgel Gibe River.
The Italian funding was officially announced during Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's visit to Rome in November 2004, when it was agreed that energy will be one of the main sectors in which Italy supports Ethiopian development. It is envisioned that the new hydropower plant will play an unprecedented role in harnessing the huge hydroelectric potential of Ethiopia by increasing the country's generation capacity by almost 40 percent and making the tremendous benefit of electricity available to approximately 800,000 new customers, it said.
allAfrica.com
Letter from Senator McCain and Secretary Albright to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Washington, DC
Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your Excellency:
We write to express our concern and dismay over the recent expulsion from Ethiopia of representatives of the International Republican Institute (IRI), IFES, and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) by your government. With support from USAID, the three organizations sought to assist the democratic process and preparations for your May 15 general elections. These organizations carry out nonpartisan programs and support a democratic environment in which the integrity of the election process can be ensured and all parties understand their rights and responsibilities.
IRI, IFES, and NDI were coordinating with the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia to support the work of the election commission, dialogue among political parties and election authorities as a means of enhancing confidence and participation in the electoral process, political party pollwatching, and the creation of a code of conduct for the elections. All three organizations have been making good faith efforts to gain registration in accordance with established laws and procedures and were assured by representatives of your government that their registration would be approved expeditiously.
In over 20 years of working around the world, until now no government has expelled NDI, IRI, and IFES. We are particularly perplexed by these expulsions at a time when your government has stated its intention to organize an open and democratic election process. This action will only raise questions about the credibility and transparency of these elections.
The United States and Ethiopia have a history of friendship and cooperation. We continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people, and look forward to returning to Ethiopia to assist with future elections. Until then, we urge the Government of Ethiopia to work towards creating an environment conducive to increasingly free and fair elections.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator John McCain
Chairman of Board of Directors
International Republican Institute
Hon. Madeleine K. Albright
Chairman of Board of Directors
National Democratic Institute
This letter was delivered to the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, D.C. April 13, 2005.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Your Excellency:
We write to express our concern and dismay over the recent expulsion from Ethiopia of representatives of the International Republican Institute (IRI), IFES, and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) by your government. With support from USAID, the three organizations sought to assist the democratic process and preparations for your May 15 general elections. These organizations carry out nonpartisan programs and support a democratic environment in which the integrity of the election process can be ensured and all parties understand their rights and responsibilities.
IRI, IFES, and NDI were coordinating with the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia to support the work of the election commission, dialogue among political parties and election authorities as a means of enhancing confidence and participation in the electoral process, political party pollwatching, and the creation of a code of conduct for the elections. All three organizations have been making good faith efforts to gain registration in accordance with established laws and procedures and were assured by representatives of your government that their registration would be approved expeditiously.
In over 20 years of working around the world, until now no government has expelled NDI, IRI, and IFES. We are particularly perplexed by these expulsions at a time when your government has stated its intention to organize an open and democratic election process. This action will only raise questions about the credibility and transparency of these elections.
The United States and Ethiopia have a history of friendship and cooperation. We continue to support the democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people, and look forward to returning to Ethiopia to assist with future elections. Until then, we urge the Government of Ethiopia to work towards creating an environment conducive to increasingly free and fair elections.
Sincerely,
U.S. Senator John McCain
Chairman of Board of Directors
International Republican Institute
Hon. Madeleine K. Albright
Chairman of Board of Directors
National Democratic Institute
This letter was delivered to the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, D.C. April 13, 2005.
Ethiopia Authorises Gold Trade to Combat Smuggling
Ethiopia's central bank said on Thursday it will start buying and selling locally mined gold, seeking to combat the loss of more than 1,000 kg of the metal smuggled across its borders each year.
Small-scale mining in Ethiopia dates back centuries, but due to a lack of official marketing outlets tens of thousands of peasants who rely on mining for their livelihood tend to sell their produce illicitly, traders say.
Seife Desta, Director of the Banking Services and Foreign Exchange Department of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), said the new regulations will be effective from April 18, 2005.
"Under the new regulations, NBE will purchase locally produced gold from licensed traders and producers based on current international prices," Seifa said. "NBE will then sell gold to gold ware shops in the country," he told reporters.
Seife said the NBE is also prepared to offer loans and collateral to businessmen who would like to export gold.
Sudan Tribune
Small-scale mining in Ethiopia dates back centuries, but due to a lack of official marketing outlets tens of thousands of peasants who rely on mining for their livelihood tend to sell their produce illicitly, traders say.
Seife Desta, Director of the Banking Services and Foreign Exchange Department of the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), said the new regulations will be effective from April 18, 2005.
"Under the new regulations, NBE will purchase locally produced gold from licensed traders and producers based on current international prices," Seifa said. "NBE will then sell gold to gold ware shops in the country," he told reporters.
Seife said the NBE is also prepared to offer loans and collateral to businessmen who would like to export gold.
Sudan Tribune
Sting in Addis Ababa Yields Ivory Stash
Ethiopian authorities have seized more than 500kg of illegal ivory, stuffed animals and ostrich eggs that were destined for collectors abroad, a police officer said on Thursday.
Police raided more than 66 shops in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where they found the illegal wildlife products in January, but had only just finished assessing and cataloguing them, Inspector Tesfaye Eshete said.
All the shop owners were arrested and then released on bail. They face a $550 fine and two years in jail.
"This is one of the largest raids we have ever conducted," said Mohammed Abdi, a senior expert with Ethiopia's Wildlife and Conservation Authority.
Independent Online
Police raided more than 66 shops in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where they found the illegal wildlife products in January, but had only just finished assessing and cataloguing them, Inspector Tesfaye Eshete said.
All the shop owners were arrested and then released on bail. They face a $550 fine and two years in jail.
"This is one of the largest raids we have ever conducted," said Mohammed Abdi, a senior expert with Ethiopia's Wildlife and Conservation Authority.
Independent Online
Thursday, April 14, 2005
TV: Family Food Brings Love, Comfort, Memories
The meaning of food in our family truly is a way of expressing love, comfort, and memories just as Marcus Samuelsson says in the three-part series The Meaning of Food. The series is scheduled to air on PBS television stations at 10 p.m. beginning Thursday and continuing April 14 and April 21. It features the award-winning chef of New York City's Aquavit and Riingo traveling across America breaking bread with Americans of all backgrounds.
Chef Samuelsson says in Episode Two: Food and Culture that "America is called a melting pot, but I think it's more like a stew where individual flavors are still present yet create a whole." He was born in Ethiopia but was adopted and reared in Sweden and then became an acclaimed chef in New York City.
Chef Samuelsson says in Episode Two: Food and Culture that "America is called a melting pot, but I think it's more like a stew where individual flavors are still present yet create a whole." He was born in Ethiopia but was adopted and reared in Sweden and then became an acclaimed chef in New York City.
Ethiopia Vents Anger as Obelisk Stays in Italy
It took Benito Mussolini only two years to cart Ethiopia's most revered ancient monument from the ancient city of Axum to a busy traffic junction in central Rome. It has taken his democratic successors 58 years and counting to do what they promised and give it back. And it is still stuck in Rome.
This week the return of the Obelisk of Axum to Ethiopia, pledged by Silvio Berlusconi in the first flush of his election victory four years ago, was postponed yet again. It was supposed to take place yesterday. Foreign journalists gathered at the site of the ancient city. Anticipation was high.
Then came the news that for "technical reasons" the return had been postponed yet again.
One angry Ethiopian told the Daily Monitor in Addis Ababa: "This is a decision that would make no one happy. We have waited all these years to have our identity back. But now they are coming up with every small reason not to do so. That is a shame."
The 24-metre high monolith, weighing 180 tons, is the finest of more than 100 obeslisks which stood in the ancient city of Axum, birthplace of the Queen of Sheba. Ancient Rome was littered with monoliths removed from Egypt and other corners of the world and that now punctuate many of the city's piazzas. Mussolini wanted one of his own. For the best part of six decades it stood outside the building that is now the headquarters of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation in central Rome.
The Independent
This week the return of the Obelisk of Axum to Ethiopia, pledged by Silvio Berlusconi in the first flush of his election victory four years ago, was postponed yet again. It was supposed to take place yesterday. Foreign journalists gathered at the site of the ancient city. Anticipation was high.
Then came the news that for "technical reasons" the return had been postponed yet again.
One angry Ethiopian told the Daily Monitor in Addis Ababa: "This is a decision that would make no one happy. We have waited all these years to have our identity back. But now they are coming up with every small reason not to do so. That is a shame."
The 24-metre high monolith, weighing 180 tons, is the finest of more than 100 obeslisks which stood in the ancient city of Axum, birthplace of the Queen of Sheba. Ancient Rome was littered with monoliths removed from Egypt and other corners of the world and that now punctuate many of the city's piazzas. Mussolini wanted one of his own. For the best part of six decades it stood outside the building that is now the headquarters of the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation in central Rome.
The Independent
20 People Killed in Ethnic Clashes in Southern Ethiopia
Members of two ethnic groups have clashed in remote areas of southern Ethiopia, killing at least 20 people and forcing others to flee their homes, aid workers said Tuesday.
Clashes broke out after an ethnic Guji man killed a member of the Gebra community whom he accused of beating his wife. The conflict quickly sucked in other members of the two communities near Hagere Mariam, a town 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.
The two communities are part of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos.
Sudan Tribune
Clashes broke out after an ethnic Guji man killed a member of the Gebra community whom he accused of beating his wife. The conflict quickly sucked in other members of the two communities near Hagere Mariam, a town 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.
The two communities are part of Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos.
Sudan Tribune
Ethiopian Expert to Discuss Population Growth, Environmental Damage, and Poverty at Wilson Center
Decades of population growth in Ethiopia have contributed to overfarming and deforestation, which have degraded the environment and undermined development. According to Sahlu Haile, senior program advisor and Ethiopia country representative for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, "The key to achieving sustainable growth lies in reducing the rate of population growth, managing the environment, and building the platform for development.
What: Population, Development, and Environment in Ethiopia
Who: Sahlu Haile, Senior Program Advisor and Ethiopia Country Representative, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
When: Thursday, April 14, 2005, 12:00-2:00 pm
Where: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5th floor conference room. The Woodrow Wilson Center is located in the Ronald Reagan Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Environmental Media Services
What: Population, Development, and Environment in Ethiopia
Who: Sahlu Haile, Senior Program Advisor and Ethiopia Country Representative, David and Lucile Packard Foundation
When: Thursday, April 14, 2005, 12:00-2:00 pm
Where: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 5th floor conference room. The Woodrow Wilson Center is located in the Ronald Reagan Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Environmental Media Services
US Study: Ethiopian Death Toll from AIDS May Double in Three Years
"The total population lost to AIDS was about 900,000 in 2003 and is projected to reach 1.8 million by 2008 if the present trends continue," it said, describing a dire situation in the impoverished Horn of Africa nation.
The disease is now responsible for about a third of all adult deaths in Ethiopia and will devastate the economy if left unchecked, said the study, conducted under the auspices of US President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
"The loss of Ethipian citizens in the most productive years of their lives, and related HIV/AIDS morbidity has a detrimental impact on economic growth," it said.
Yahoo! News
The disease is now responsible for about a third of all adult deaths in Ethiopia and will devastate the economy if left unchecked, said the study, conducted under the auspices of US President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
"The loss of Ethipian citizens in the most productive years of their lives, and related HIV/AIDS morbidity has a detrimental impact on economic growth," it said.
Yahoo! News
Ethiopia Battles Deadly Meningitis Outbreak
At least 40 people have died and more than 430 taken ill with highly infectious meningococcal meningitis in Ethiopia over the past five months, the country's health ministry said on Wednesday.
"Since November 4 2004, 40 deaths have been reported out of 433 cases of meningococcal meningitis," said Tiruwork Tafesse, the director of the ministry's health-monitoring unit.
"We still have cases but vaccinations have started and we hope that the disease will be under control within 15 days," she said.
The affected areas include the northern region of Tigre, the eastern region of Afar, the western region of Benshangul-Gumuz and the eastern portion of the southern region of Oromo, the ministry said.
Hardest hit has been Benshangul-Gumuz, where 167 cases have been reported, it said.
Mail & Guardian Online
"Since November 4 2004, 40 deaths have been reported out of 433 cases of meningococcal meningitis," said Tiruwork Tafesse, the director of the ministry's health-monitoring unit.
"We still have cases but vaccinations have started and we hope that the disease will be under control within 15 days," she said.
The affected areas include the northern region of Tigre, the eastern region of Afar, the western region of Benshangul-Gumuz and the eastern portion of the southern region of Oromo, the ministry said.
Hardest hit has been Benshangul-Gumuz, where 167 cases have been reported, it said.
Mail & Guardian Online
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Ethiopian PM Heads for France to Strengthen Economic Ties
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is due in Paris on Thursday for his first-ever official visit to France, aimed at boosting languishing economic ties and trade now dominated by coffee exports.
Meles, the first Ethiopian government chief to travel to France on an official bilateral tour since the reign of former emperor Haile Selassie, wants to see Paris move up from 11th position as a trading partner, officials said.
"One of the main purposes of the visit will be to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries, achieve more markets for Ethiopian goods in France and have more French investment in Ethiopia," said Grum Abaye, an Ethiopian foreign ministry official.
Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to some 64.4 million dollars (50 million euros) compared to 200 million dollars (155 million euros) between the impoverished Horn of Africa nation and China.
Both sides would like to see those numbers improved.
The Tocqueville Connection
Meles, the first Ethiopian government chief to travel to France on an official bilateral tour since the reign of former emperor Haile Selassie, wants to see Paris move up from 11th position as a trading partner, officials said.
"One of the main purposes of the visit will be to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries, achieve more markets for Ethiopian goods in France and have more French investment in Ethiopia," said Grum Abaye, an Ethiopian foreign ministry official.
Last year, trade between the two countries amounted to some 64.4 million dollars (50 million euros) compared to 200 million dollars (155 million euros) between the impoverished Horn of Africa nation and China.
Both sides would like to see those numbers improved.
The Tocqueville Connection
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Ethiopia: Election Board Criticised for Barring Local Observers
Ethiopia's National Election Board (NEB) was criticised by a local watchdog on Monday for barring thousands of domestic observers from monitoring the country's parliamentary elections in May.
Netsanet Demissie, director of the Organisation for Social Justice (OSJ) - an umbrella group of 35 Ethiopian organisations - said new rules imposed by the board would exclude at least two-thirds of their planned observation team.
"This is going to have a very negative impact," Netsanet, whose body was hoping to field around 3,000 observers for Ethiopia's third-ever democratic ballot, told a news conference. "This is definitely a setback for holding free and fair elections."
Under new rules, local organisations wanting to monitor elections must meet two criteria: they must have registered with the government as election observers when they were originally founded, and they must also prove that they are independent.
Netsanet said only a handful of groups hoping to monitor the elections would have originally registered as observers because the idea was a new phenomenon in Ethiopia.
Reuters AlertNet
Netsanet Demissie, director of the Organisation for Social Justice (OSJ) - an umbrella group of 35 Ethiopian organisations - said new rules imposed by the board would exclude at least two-thirds of their planned observation team.
"This is going to have a very negative impact," Netsanet, whose body was hoping to field around 3,000 observers for Ethiopia's third-ever democratic ballot, told a news conference. "This is definitely a setback for holding free and fair elections."
Under new rules, local organisations wanting to monitor elections must meet two criteria: they must have registered with the government as election observers when they were originally founded, and they must also prove that they are independent.
Netsanet said only a handful of groups hoping to monitor the elections would have originally registered as observers because the idea was a new phenomenon in Ethiopia.
Reuters AlertNet
Saturday, April 09, 2005
UN Warns of New War in Horn of Africa
International failure to break the border stalemate between Ethiopia and Eritrea could lead to a renewal of conflict, a senior UN official warned yesterday.
The brutal 2½-year war ended with a December 2000 peace agreement under which the parties agreed to abide by the ruling of an independent boundary commission.
After initially accepting the peace deal, Ethiopia rejected the commission's April 2002 findings and prevented the physical demarcation of the border.
Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, head of the UN mission, said: "I'm urging the international community to wake up to the reality that, if the stalemate continues, we are going to run into problems."
FT.com
The brutal 2½-year war ended with a December 2000 peace agreement under which the parties agreed to abide by the ruling of an independent boundary commission.
After initially accepting the peace deal, Ethiopia rejected the commission's April 2002 findings and prevented the physical demarcation of the border.
Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, head of the UN mission, said: "I'm urging the international community to wake up to the reality that, if the stalemate continues, we are going to run into problems."
FT.com
American University Shows Interest in Water Resources Management in Ethiopia
A four-man team, that includes the President and CEO of SkyBuilt Power, an Energy Company and lead by Professor Ben O. Latigo, Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of the District of Colombia, has been visiting Ethiopia with the purpose of establishing a working relationship with Ethiopian institutions, including Addis Ababa University, Government Ministries and NGOs in addressing issues related to water resources management and the application of renewable energy technology.
"We are here purposely to talk to those potential partners as well as to do fact finding to allow us when we get back to Washington DC to see what we can do to address these issues," Professor Latigo told Addis Tribune in an exclusive interview.
While here the team had the opportunity to talk to pertinent officials at the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Mines and Addis Ababa University.
"Our team has been well received. We have been able to request and secure appointments with government Ministries, NGOs, and USAID on very short notice. I think we have been extremely well received," says Professor Latigo, adding, "At the end of our visit, as a fact-finding mission, we are hoping to have obtained data and information to allow us to design renewable energy technology to be used for the application in the various regions of Ethiopia."
Addis Tribune
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Nile Falls
"We are here purposely to talk to those potential partners as well as to do fact finding to allow us when we get back to Washington DC to see what we can do to address these issues," Professor Latigo told Addis Tribune in an exclusive interview.
While here the team had the opportunity to talk to pertinent officials at the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Mines and Addis Ababa University.
"Our team has been well received. We have been able to request and secure appointments with government Ministries, NGOs, and USAID on very short notice. I think we have been extremely well received," says Professor Latigo, adding, "At the end of our visit, as a fact-finding mission, we are hoping to have obtained data and information to allow us to design renewable energy technology to be used for the application in the various regions of Ethiopia."
Addis Tribune
Previous post: The Destruction of the Blue Nile Falls
Two Killed As Ethiopians, Eritreans Clash in Abha
Two people were killed and seven injured yesterday in an armed fight between two groups of Eritreans and Ethiopians in Al-Sheikha village in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Fifteen people were arrested.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment while the two bodies were moved to Asir General Hospital.
A large number of police and special forces surrounded the area where the fight took place. According to security sources, the police managed to arrest 15 people after many of the belligerents had fled to nearby valleys away from their sight. What triggered the fight was not immediately known.
Addis Tribune
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment while the two bodies were moved to Asir General Hospital.
A large number of police and special forces surrounded the area where the fight took place. According to security sources, the police managed to arrest 15 people after many of the belligerents had fled to nearby valleys away from their sight. What triggered the fight was not immediately known.
Addis Tribune
Ethiopia's Private Candidates Call for Access to Media Coverage
Hundreds of private candidates demonstrated Thursday demanding access to media coverage and fair fund distribution donated by the donors' community to all candidates for the May 15 elections.
The private candidates said that the concerned bodies denied them to give airtime on radio and television to introduce their programs and agendas to their supporters.
They said that they are unable to introduce their agendas even in the kebele's hall and public gathering areas.
"We have been asking the concerned bodies to have access to media and public gathering areas. But they refused to give us any cooperation yet. That is why we have organized this demonstration today," they said.
Major Sisay Tsegaye, chairman of the private candidates, said that the private candidates are currently at the crossroad to fairly compete for the May elections.
"We are in a very difficult situation at the moment. Even the NEBE (the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia) closed its door to talk us about any issue we are demanding," Sisay said.
People's Daily Online
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
EU Poll Observer Quits After Ethiopia's Bias Accusation
A senior European Union election observer monitoring Ethiopia's third democratic ballot has quit after the authorities accused him of bias, an Ethiopian official said Monday.
Siegfried Pausewang pulled out after the chairman of the National Election Board said he had been unjustly critical in the past and "lacked objectivity."
Pausewang, who said he had been observing elections in Ethiopia since 1991, insisted he would of remained objective, but he concluded it would be better that he leave at the end of the week
Three U.S. organizations helping to improve democracy in Ethiopia were ejected from the country last week after the government accused them of operating illegally.
All the elections have been convincingly won by the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front. The EPRDF and affiliated parties hold 519 of 548 seats in the federal parliament.
More than 25 million of Ethiopia's 71 million people have registered to vote.
Opposition parties have already accused the government of not providing a level playing field for the May 15 national elections.
SudanTribune
Siegfried Pausewang pulled out after the chairman of the National Election Board said he had been unjustly critical in the past and "lacked objectivity."
Pausewang, who said he had been observing elections in Ethiopia since 1991, insisted he would of remained objective, but he concluded it would be better that he leave at the end of the week
Three U.S. organizations helping to improve democracy in Ethiopia were ejected from the country last week after the government accused them of operating illegally.
All the elections have been convincingly won by the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front. The EPRDF and affiliated parties hold 519 of 548 seats in the federal parliament.
More than 25 million of Ethiopia's 71 million people have registered to vote.
Opposition parties have already accused the government of not providing a level playing field for the May 15 national elections.
SudanTribune
Network of African Water Journalists Launched
A network aiming to boost the quality and quantity of reporting on water issues in African countries was launched on 22 March in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Africa Water Journalists Network brings together more than 1,000 journalists who will be able to share information and story ideas through a forum on the network's website.
Later this year the network will begin producing an Internet-based newsletter called the Water Chronicle. Through this, the network's organisers intend to provide contributing journalists with on-the-job training.
James Dorsey of the Wall Street Journal, a US newspaper, and Rupert Wright of the UK-based Sunday Times will act as editors.
Speaking at the network's launch, Dorsey said that without access to clean water and sanitation, a developing country could not progress.
SciDev.Net
The Africa Water Journalists Network brings together more than 1,000 journalists who will be able to share information and story ideas through a forum on the network's website.
Later this year the network will begin producing an Internet-based newsletter called the Water Chronicle. Through this, the network's organisers intend to provide contributing journalists with on-the-job training.
James Dorsey of the Wall Street Journal, a US newspaper, and Rupert Wright of the UK-based Sunday Times will act as editors.
Speaking at the network's launch, Dorsey said that without access to clean water and sanitation, a developing country could not progress.
SciDev.Net
Ethiopia to Get Obelisk Back
Italy will return to Ethiopia the first piece of the ancient Axum obelisk on April 11, a government spokesman said Monday, ending a dispute over the religious monument taken to Rome 70 years ago.
The top piece of the 1 700-year-old obelisk will leave Rome by cargo plane on April 10 and be flown directly to Axum, Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesperson Solomon Abebe said.
news24.com
The top piece of the 1 700-year-old obelisk will leave Rome by cargo plane on April 10 and be flown directly to Axum, Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesperson Solomon Abebe said.
news24.com
Ethiopia Plans Internet Expansion
Ethiopia may be one of the world's poorest nations but it plans to become information-rich with a massive investment in internet access.
Prime minister Meles Zenawi believes information technology has the power to counteract poverty. He is planning to provide universal net connectivity for the country over the next few years.
The government is working with US technology firm Cisco to make this a reality.
Ethiopia may be one of the world's poorest nations but it plans to become information-rich with a massive investment in internet access.
Prime minister Meles Zenawi believes information technology has the power to counteract poverty.
It will invest around $40m (£21m) in developing its internet service, which will involve laying 2,500km of fibre optic cables.
"We are fully committed to ensuring that as many of our poor as possible have this weapon that they need to fight poverty at the earliest possible time," Mr Meles said at a conference attended by government ministers and technology experts.
This will include access to the tens of thousands of rural districts over the next two to three years, he said. Currently there are around 30,000 internet lines serving a population of 71 million. Within six months that figure will be expanded to 500,000 lines.
BBC NEWS
In Related News, business.iafrica.com reports:
Paris- and New York-listed communications firm Alcatel announced on Monday that it had signed a turnkey contract valued at more than 14 million euros ($18 m) with Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation, to extend the existing transport network in certain parts of the east African country.
The project will enable ETC — Ethiopia's leading telecommunications services operator — to expand the delivery of fixed, mobile, Internet and multimedia services to its subscribers.
Prime minister Meles Zenawi believes information technology has the power to counteract poverty. He is planning to provide universal net connectivity for the country over the next few years.
The government is working with US technology firm Cisco to make this a reality.
Ethiopia may be one of the world's poorest nations but it plans to become information-rich with a massive investment in internet access.
Prime minister Meles Zenawi believes information technology has the power to counteract poverty.
It will invest around $40m (£21m) in developing its internet service, which will involve laying 2,500km of fibre optic cables.
"We are fully committed to ensuring that as many of our poor as possible have this weapon that they need to fight poverty at the earliest possible time," Mr Meles said at a conference attended by government ministers and technology experts.
This will include access to the tens of thousands of rural districts over the next two to three years, he said. Currently there are around 30,000 internet lines serving a population of 71 million. Within six months that figure will be expanded to 500,000 lines.
BBC NEWS
In Related News, business.iafrica.com reports:
Paris- and New York-listed communications firm Alcatel announced on Monday that it had signed a turnkey contract valued at more than 14 million euros ($18 m) with Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation, to extend the existing transport network in certain parts of the east African country.
The project will enable ETC — Ethiopia's leading telecommunications services operator — to expand the delivery of fixed, mobile, Internet and multimedia services to its subscribers.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Ethiopia Takes on Polio
Ethiopia on Friday launched an emergency campaign to immunize nearly 15 million children from polio amid fears of an outbreak of the disease after two cases were reported near the Sudanese border.
Some 100 000 volunteers and health workers will go house-to-house across the nation inoculating 14,7 million Ethiopian children under the age of five in the first part of the drive set to end on Tuesday, officials said.
news24.com
Some 100 000 volunteers and health workers will go house-to-house across the nation inoculating 14,7 million Ethiopian children under the age of five in the first part of the drive set to end on Tuesday, officials said.
news24.com
Getting to Ethiopia
GETTING THERE: At least six airlines, including KLM, Northwest and Ethiopian airlines, fly from Washington Dulles to Addis Ababa, mostly with two stops. Round-trip fares start at about $1,700.
GETTING AROUND: Many travelers book tours -- not a bad idea. Bus rides are often grueling (the trip over dirt roads to Lalibela from Addis can take two days), but the excellent Ethiopian Airlines (said to be one of the best airlines in Africa) has frequent flights throughout the entire historical circuit -- and in-country fares are very economical, especially if booked ahead in the United States. (I did not book ahead, but my circuit of flights from Addis to Lalibela to Aksum to Gonder to the lake resort of Bahar Dar and then back to Addis cost only $318.)
WHEN TO GO: There is a rainy season from mid-June to mid-September, but Ethiopian weather is otherwise stunning -- in the low 70s during the day with brilliant sun. The great religious holidays, Christmas and Epiphany or Timkat, come during the January high season.
WHERE TO STAY: The Sheraton Addis (Taitu Street, 011-251-1-171717, www.Sheraton.com) is reputed to be the best hotel in Africa, with rooms starting at $181 a night for a double. Economical alternatives are the centrally located Ghion Hotel (011-251-1-513222 or -510240, www.ghionhotel.com.et, $60), with a nice pool -- or, in the Piazza district, the Taitu (011-251-1-553244 or -560787, $10-$25), thick with atmosphere. I loved the Baro (001-251-1-559846), also in the Piazza, with a leafy courtyard; a basic room with bath cost me $6 a night. In Lalibela, Harer, Gonder and Aksum, the hotels are often humble but clean and friendly, averaging $10 a night.
WHERE TO EAT: In Addis, real splurges at $20 a person are Dashen (behind the main post office), a great Ethiopian restaurant with a nice garden, chic decor and fantastic food, and Castelli (in the Piazza area), an Italian place as good as almost any restaurant in Rome. Blue Tops (opposite the National Museum), where I had lunch with Tigist Bekele (who has sung at Dukem Restaurant on U Street NW in Washington), serves fine Ethiopian and Italian food in a relaxed atmosphere. Good Ethiopian food is plentiful in the cities and towns for $5 to $8; in Addis you also find Italian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and the not-quite-recommended Burger Queen.
INFORMATION: The Web site of the Ethiopian Embassy is helpful: www.ethiopianembassy.org. The Ethiopian Tourism Commision offers good information on both historical and natural sights: www.tourismethiopia.org.
washingtonpost.com
Sheraton Addis
Regal Palace in Africa's Capital
by A Yahoo! User from New York City, NY, USA.
PROS:
Everything about this hotel is down right regal
CONS:
The contrast with the poverty at it's very gates
GETTING AROUND: Many travelers book tours -- not a bad idea. Bus rides are often grueling (the trip over dirt roads to Lalibela from Addis can take two days), but the excellent Ethiopian Airlines (said to be one of the best airlines in Africa) has frequent flights throughout the entire historical circuit -- and in-country fares are very economical, especially if booked ahead in the United States. (I did not book ahead, but my circuit of flights from Addis to Lalibela to Aksum to Gonder to the lake resort of Bahar Dar and then back to Addis cost only $318.)
WHEN TO GO: There is a rainy season from mid-June to mid-September, but Ethiopian weather is otherwise stunning -- in the low 70s during the day with brilliant sun. The great religious holidays, Christmas and Epiphany or Timkat, come during the January high season.
WHERE TO STAY: The Sheraton Addis (Taitu Street, 011-251-1-171717, www.Sheraton.com) is reputed to be the best hotel in Africa, with rooms starting at $181 a night for a double. Economical alternatives are the centrally located Ghion Hotel (011-251-1-513222 or -510240, www.ghionhotel.com.et, $60), with a nice pool -- or, in the Piazza district, the Taitu (011-251-1-553244 or -560787, $10-$25), thick with atmosphere. I loved the Baro (001-251-1-559846), also in the Piazza, with a leafy courtyard; a basic room with bath cost me $6 a night. In Lalibela, Harer, Gonder and Aksum, the hotels are often humble but clean and friendly, averaging $10 a night.
WHERE TO EAT: In Addis, real splurges at $20 a person are Dashen (behind the main post office), a great Ethiopian restaurant with a nice garden, chic decor and fantastic food, and Castelli (in the Piazza area), an Italian place as good as almost any restaurant in Rome. Blue Tops (opposite the National Museum), where I had lunch with Tigist Bekele (who has sung at Dukem Restaurant on U Street NW in Washington), serves fine Ethiopian and Italian food in a relaxed atmosphere. Good Ethiopian food is plentiful in the cities and towns for $5 to $8; in Addis you also find Italian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and the not-quite-recommended Burger Queen.
INFORMATION: The Web site of the Ethiopian Embassy is helpful: www.ethiopianembassy.org. The Ethiopian Tourism Commision offers good information on both historical and natural sights: www.tourismethiopia.org.
washingtonpost.com
Sheraton Addis
Regal Palace in Africa's Capital
by A Yahoo! User from New York City, NY, USA.
PROS:
Everything about this hotel is down right regal
CONS:
The contrast with the poverty at it's very gates
Expanding into Africa, China Seeks Trade, Status
The Chinese government had a different reaction. Beijing saw the war - and the reduced U.S. presence - as an opportunity to expand its influence. It dispatched even more diplomats, engineers, executives and teachers to Ethiopia. New aid grants soon rolled in, followed by bank credits for Chinese companies operating there.
Today, China's influence in Ethiopia is overwhelming. Its embassy is among the largest in the country and hosts more high-level visits than any Western mission. Chinese companies have become a dominant force, building highways and bridges, power stations, mobile-phone networks, schools and pharmaceutical plants. More recently, they have begun exploring for oil and building at least one Ethiopian military installation.
It is all part of Beijing's broad push into Africa. Aiming to secure access to the continent's vast natural resources, China is forging deep economic, political and military ties with most of Africa's 54 countries.
www.dailystar.com
Today, China's influence in Ethiopia is overwhelming. Its embassy is among the largest in the country and hosts more high-level visits than any Western mission. Chinese companies have become a dominant force, building highways and bridges, power stations, mobile-phone networks, schools and pharmaceutical plants. More recently, they have begun exploring for oil and building at least one Ethiopian military installation.
It is all part of Beijing's broad push into Africa. Aiming to secure access to the continent's vast natural resources, China is forging deep economic, political and military ties with most of Africa's 54 countries.
www.dailystar.com
Israel Envoy to Ethiopia Dies of Wounds
Israel's envoy to Ethiopia Doron Grossman, 49, died from his wounds on Sunday morning several days after attempting suicide in Addis Ababa. Grossman shot himself last Tuesday apparently as a result of learning he was ill with an advanced stage of cancer.
Haaretz
Haaretz
Germany Earmarks Big Funds for Ethiopia
Germany said here Sunday it has agreed to allocate 80 million euros (about 104 million US dollars) to finance development projects in Ethiopia during the coming three years.
Ernst Axel Momber, country director of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), told journalists that the governmentsof Germany and Ethiopia concluded an agreement three weeks ago in Berlin.
He said that one-third of the stated sum would be used for technical cooperation while the balance for capacity building, good governance, natural resources conservation, and other development projects.
Xinhua.com
Ernst Axel Momber, country director of the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), told journalists that the governmentsof Germany and Ethiopia concluded an agreement three weeks ago in Berlin.
He said that one-third of the stated sum would be used for technical cooperation while the balance for capacity building, good governance, natural resources conservation, and other development projects.
Xinhua.com
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