tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191669112024-03-05T15:29:21.016-08:00Oromo Views & Headline NewsLocation:
Horn of Africa; in what is today Ethiopia. Oromia is approximately located between 3 degree and 15 degree N latitude and 33 degree and 40 degree longitude.
Size
375,000 Square Miles, or, 600,000 square kilometers; Larger than France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium & the Netherlands combined.
Population
40 million; 3rd. largest nationality in Africa; single largest nationality in East Africa.Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-61425772587885373722012-10-15T18:59:00.001-07:002012-10-15T19:37:59.369-07:00Oromo Dialogue Forum: A personal reflection<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://oromopress.blogspot.com/2012/10/oromo-dialogue-forum-personal-reflection.html"><span style="color: blue;">Oromo Dialogue Forum: A Personal Reflection</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Observer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Given the pitiful state in which the
Oromo struggle for liberation finds itself today, I am always eager to listen
to anyone who has any idea or suggestion on how we can surmount the complex
challenges we are faced with. When I heard that “Waltajjii Marii Oromoo” or
“Oromo Dialogue Forum” would be coming to a city near me on 9/22/2012, it was
an easy decision for me to drive a few hours and hear what they had to say for
two reasons. First, as a firm believer in dialogue among Oromo political actors
and public, I wanted to contribute my two cents worth on the challenges we are
facing and possible solutions and listen to other compatriots’ ideas and
suggestions. Secondly, I was attracted to one of the topics of the forum which
was “A new vision to renew the Oromo liberation struggle.” This particular
topic brought many questions to my mind: What would this new vision be? Would
it be a vision to bring about unity among Oromo political actors and
organizations? And many more! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, having attended the meeting, did I
get a chance to contribute my two cents worth? Did I hear a new vision? What
follows is my personal reflection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The “dialogue” forum</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I may have misunderstood what
is meant by the word Dialogue in “Oromo Dialogue Forum”. To my knowledge, a dialogue
is a two-way communication between persons who hold differing views on a
subject(s), with the purpose of learning more about the subject from the other
to try and come to a consensus. The notion is that neither side has a total
grasp of the relevant issues, or a monopoly on the truth, pertaining to the
subject under discussion. Through dialogue, a two-way communication, each side
listens to the views of the other side in search of the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, the Washington DC ODF
“dialogue” forum was hardly a forum for dialogue in the true sense of the word.
If the purpose was to have a true dialogue to identify the deeply divisive
political and other issues among Oromo political actors, to listen to competing
views and to build a more constructive and collaborative relationship among
them, then the OFD Washington DC forum has failed miserably. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The format of the “dialogue” forum was
no different - in form or in content - from gatherings usually organized and
conducted by political organizations such as the OLF, ULFO and others. Not that
there is anything wrong with the way OLF and ULFO run their meetings. Unlike a
proper dialogue forum where the purpose is to increase mutual understanding and
build a more constructive and collaborative relationship by encouraging the
airing of differing views, such gatherings are “convert-making” lectures by the
“truth-holders”. They do not lend themselves to entertaining various differing
views and therefore cannot be called “dialogue” forums in the true sense of the
word. On such meetings, all presenters would have the same views that they
present to the audience, one after another, in an effort to garner support for
their views from attendees. No retention is made to present the gathering as
anything other than a partisan political proselytizing meeting. No differing
views from, or contrary to, that of the organizers are presented from the
podium or from the floor. If ever a contrarian view is expressed from the
floor, it would be in a form of question which the organizers would attempt to
answer in an effort to convert the person who posed the question. But, for
organizations like the OLF and ULFO, this is by design and they don’t
misrepresent their meetings as “dialogue” forums.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ODF meeting I attended in
Washington DC was no different from the ones conducted by the OLF and other
Oromo political organizations except in two regards. The first is that they
called their meeting a “dialogue” forum which it was not for reasons provided
above. Secondly, they claimed that they have not formed an organization nor do
they have any intention to form one. I find these two assertions very
misleading which I will address a few paragraphs down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unlike facilitators and/or participants
in a dialogue forum, the ODF leaders appeared to me as being quite convinced
that they have all the truth on the subject of the Oromo struggle and its
challenges. The audience was there to receive the ODF “truth”. There was no
solicitation of others’ views on the root causes of the challenges of the Oromo
struggle or possible solutions which a true dialogue forum is expected to do.
All presenters were the “truth-holders” on the subject and the way forward.
This was not a dialogue at all, not a two-way communication, but a one-way
lecturing which obviously is not meant by the term dialogue. I could not help
but wonder if the leaders of ODF have a basic misunderstanding of the term
dialogue or deliberately engaged in an opportunistic manipulation of the term
and misleading the Oromo public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
whether the ODF is a political organization or not </span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to the opening
remarks by one of the presenters, the ODF traces its genesis back to
“Bu’ureessitoota fi miseensota buleeyyii ABO”. This is a group consisting of a
couple of founders and some longtime members of the OLF that was formed in Dec.
2008 purportedly to try and reconcile the various factions of the OLF. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many suspected the
true intention of this group at the time. The fear was that they might be using
the reconciliation effort as a pretext to form another political organization.
This was feared because it is widely believed by Oromos that there are already
too many political organizations (basically little fiefdoms) and breeding more
would worsen an already bad situation. By limiting or reducing the number of
Oromo political organizations, the Oromo hope to reduce their internal
squabbles which have consumed their time and energy that should have been
expended on fighting the enemy. They are also mindful of the fact that the
mushrooming of organizations would be to the detriment of pulling Oromo scarce
resources together to give the nation a fighting chance against their
colonizer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the formation of ODF was
announced, Oromo’s worst fear was realized. Regardless of the leaders’ claim
that ODF is not another Oromo political organization but a dialogue forum,
there is no mistaking that it is one. If the Washington DC “dialogue” was any
indication and with its manifesto of democratizing Ethiopia, it is, in fact,
one itching to join the fray of Oromo little fiefdoms a.k.a political
organizations. This was particularly evident from the speech made by the last
speaker via a video conference in which he bitterly complained about being
dismissed from the OLF and that they will not take it lying down any more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is obvious to all intelligent
attendees of their meetings that they are already a political organization to
which they have the right. <span style="color: red;">In the Washington DC
meeting, they presented their political manifesto; they even distributed survey
questionnaires that asked attendees whether they agree with their views or not
and whether they would like to become members or just supporters</span>.
However, when asked if they already are, or in the process of forming, an
organization, they denied that they are or plan to. There was no need to insult
their audience’s intelligence. What happened to telling the truth and earn the
trust of those they are targeting for recruitment? As it is, trust is in short
supply in the Oromo struggle. Why make it worse, if they are really trying to
make a difference? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ODF’s “New Vision”</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The ODF manifesto presented at the
meeting consisted of seven points. <span style="color: red;">The points range
from struggling for citizenship rights in the Ethiopian empire to accepting
federalism and re-interpreting the Oromo right to self-determination. The
current Ethiopian federalism, according to ODF, is one without democracy. In
order to realize true federalism, the ODF will struggle for democratic changes
in Ethiopia.</span> <span style="color: red;">The way to do that, says ODF, is by
re-interpreting the Oromo question of self-determination as a question for
citizenship rights thereby closely mirroring the questions of other nations and
nationalities in the empire, including that of the Habasha</span>. By so
interpreting the Oromo question, ODF hopes to gain sympathy and support for the
Oromo struggle from Habasha and other groups. In other words, for ODF, there is
no difference between the demand or question of the Oromo nation and, say, that
of the Habasha groups. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But this is exactly what Oromo
Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM) and Oromo People’s Congress (OPC) (now
merged into Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) have been advocating for many years
to no avail. Even, OPC, a proponent of “one-man-one-vote” for close to two
decades has gained no sympathy or support from these groups that ODF wants to
solicit support from<span style="color: red;">. Having failed to learn from
history and current affairs, the General Kemal Gelchu Group – former comrades
of the ODF - has been promoting the same ideal since January 2012. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what is ODF’s new vision? Nothing
new, I should say – for someone who has been following OFDM, OPC and the Kemal
Gelchu group and leaders of the ODF. If there is no new vision, then what is
the purpose of forming another organization to advance the same ideal? Why not
join, or merge with, the Kemal Gelchu group or the OFC? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seeking a second chance at leadership</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The organizers and presenters
of the ODF in Washington DC were all former leaders of the OLF. In fact, some
of them are founders. Each of them held positions of leadership including
chairmanship, deputy chairmanship, membership in the central committee and
spokesmanship of the organization and heading the foreign affairs department at
different times and for extended periods of time. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In effect, these are
former leaders campaigning for a second chance to lead an Oromo liberation
organization. Whether that organization is one to be formed soon or another
faction of the OLF to be announced only time will tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This group of former leaders
agrees on two things: (a) that the OLF has failed to rally the Oromo people to
achieve its objective; (b) that they don’t share any blame in OLF’s failure.
While their first assertion has some truth – that the OLF has failed in its
mission – I find it a turnoff that former leaders of their stature blame their
organization’s failure on circumstances (the usual old excuses) and their
former comrades in arms while exonerating themselves. They have made themselves
self-appointed judges, jury and the prosecutors in the OLF failure saga. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is very well known that failure
defines ones character as a leader. When leaders refuse to take responsibility
for their organization’s failure under their watch, it shows their lack of
character. As <span style="color: red;">Norman Schwarzkopf once said “Leadership
is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without
one, be without the strategy." </span>Not without character! Leaders
deserve a second chance when they admit failure and have learned during the
process of failing. Leaders who hold someone else accountable for their
failures and blame the circumstances to deflect criticism for a failed outcome
deserve no more chance at leading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sitting through over two hours of
speeches by leaders of the ODF, I heard not a single admission of mistake on
their part much less their role in getting the Oromo struggle to this pitiful
point that it finds itself in today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If they would like to be taken
seriously, then they would admit their personal failures, stop scapegoating and
blaming others and circumstances, take responsibility as longtime leaders and
learn from their mistakes and failures before asking the Oromo public for a
second chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Failure can be turned into an
opportunity to learn and grow. I say it can because it requires a particular
mindset to benefit from your failure. Without that mindset, all your failures
will go to waste. This is true in politics as it is in personal life for a
leader as well as a follower. So what is that mindset?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is a mindset that is willing and
able to reflect on past experience – past actions and their outcomes. It is
only through such reflections that one learns one’s strengths, weaknesses and
the environment and conditions in which actions were undertaken and what could
have been done differently that could have resulted in a positive outcome. It
is not enough to admit collective failure. One needs to evaluate one’s role in
the failure. This is even more so if one is a leader under whose watch an
organization – business or political – failed. Denying (to one self and others)
failures and personal accountability and scapegoating or blaming on “globalization,
end of cold war, etc.” will not do. Leaders without such a mindset cannot learn
from past failures and therefore deserve no second chance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In summary</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dialogue among Oromo
political actors and organizations is long overdue. The purpose and objective
of such a dialogue should not be partisan political proselytizing which the ODF
Washington DC “dialogue” forum was, but one that is open to entertaining
competing views</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ODF has all the makings of an
active political organization vying for Oromo attention. With its manifesto of
democratization of Ethiopia, it shall be sharing Oromo political space with
OFC, the Kemal Gelchu group and other forces. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t insult your audience’s
intelligence. Don’t present it as a “dialogue” forum which it is not. Come out
and introduce your organization for what it is—a budding political
organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your (ODF) manifesto contains
no new vision. Recognize others who presented that vision before you; join and
strengthen them. Don’t create another fiefdom. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Oromo struggle for liberation will
not benefit from another group of a few individuals claiming to speak on its
behalf. Unity is strength. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As former leaders of the OLF,
admit personal failure for the organization disintegrated under your watch. </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tell us what you have
learned from your failures and what you would do differently before asking the
Oromo people to follow you again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nagaa Oromummaa wajjin,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-21136794495782596392012-02-20T23:52:00.000-08:002012-10-15T19:35:54.230-07:00Iyyaa Iyya Dabarsaa<div align="center" class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span lang="NO-BOK" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Duula Oromummaa fi Gaaffii Oromoo Irratti Baname of Irraa Qolachuun Dirqama Eenyummaa fi Uumamaati!</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="NO-BOK" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Duulli Qabsoo Bilisummaa Oromoo (QBO) irratti bifa dhokataa fi mul’ataan qindaawee gaggeeffamaa ture, ammas itti jira. Yaaliin diinaa otoo addaan hin citiin tokkoffaa karaa mootummaa Gooleesituu Wayyaanee yeroo ta’u, lammaffaan ammoo ilmaan nafxanyootaa fi namoota isaaniif ulee ta’uuf dhaaba bixxilaa oolan dha. Qaamoti kun ummata Oromoo akka uummataatti akka jabaatee mul’atu hin fedhan. Karaa isaanii danda'ame hundaan Oromoo bittaa isaanii jala akka turu tolchuuf tattaafatu. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="NO-BOK" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tarkaanfii isaanii keessaa inni duraa dhaaba ummata Oromoo dammaqsu, ijaaree qabsootti bobbaasuu dhabamsisuu irratti bobba'uu dha. Wayyaanees ta'ee dhaabota maqaa Itophiyaa of dura qabatanii ijaaraman hundi ABO irratti duula bifa tokkicha geggeessaa turan har'a illee itti jiru. Akeeki isaanii inni guddaan ABO fi hundee Oromummaa akkasumas gaaffii oromoo irratti bobahuudha. Shirri jarri Oromoo irratti bara dheeraaf xaxaa turan osoo bakka hin gahin turulle yeroo ammaa kana garuu sababa namoota tokko tokko bolola aangoo, fi fedhii matayyaan boji’aman ofitti qabatani kaayyoo Oromummaa fi ABO irratti ololli addaan hin citne banamee jira. Ololli isaanii kunis basaasota diinaaf qaawwaa banee jira.<br />
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Wayyaaneen ummata Oromoo fi ABO adda baasuuf sadarkaa duraatti dhaaba maxxannee OPDO jedhamu ijaartu illee ummata Oromoo biratti fudhatama waan dhabeef yeroo tokko ammoo ’salaamaawii Oneg’ kan jedhu ijaaruuf yaalaa akka turte beekamaa dha. ABO garuu ummata Oromoo biratti fudhatama guddaa waan qabuuf, ummatni Oromoos dhaaba kana malee gara biraa kan abdutu waan hin qabneef akeeki diinaa bakka hin gahin hafee jira. </span><s><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ammas namooti qubaan lakkaawaman maqaa ABOn dubachuu heeraa fi seera itti hin qabneen of mogaasani murna G-7 jedhamu waliin dibbee reebuuf bakka bakkatti walgahii qopheessanii turjumaana nafxanyaa ta’uuf of qopheessaa jiraachuu isaani Oromoon marti hubachuu qaba. Dhaabni G-7 jedhee of waamu akeeki isaa Oromoo walitti buusuun ilmaan Oromoo meeshaa tahanii kooraa aangootti akka deebisu kaadhimmachuu ta’uun hubatamaa dha. Akeeka isaanii kana galmaan ga’uuf G-7 namoota hagoo ofitti qabuun ABO sagantaa siyaasaa isaa jijjiirsisne jedhanii bakka bakkatti walgahii waamanii sirbuu fi olola oofuuf sagantaa baafatanii qophiitti jiru. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">OPDOn Wayyaanee keessa turte, har’a OPDO G-7 taatee tajaajila haarawaaf of qopheessuun, Oromoo guddoo dinqu hin qabu. Jarri kun gaaffii Oromoo kan mirga hiree ofii ofiin murteeffachuu haaluun, dhimma Oromoo ofumaa murteessanii gaaffiin Oromoo impayera Itiyophiyaa keessatti furama jedhani garee mirga hiree murteeffannaa Oromoo dura dhaabbatan waliin shubbisuun hiikkaa ergamummaa isaani garsiisu yoo ta’e malee kan adda biraa hin qabu. Garagarummaan jaarmayoonni Oromoo adda addaa kan hanga ammaa qaban kan toftaa dha malee kan tarsiimoo hin turre. Warri ammaa kun ammoo OPDO birallee achi taranii gaaffii mirga Saba Oromoo haaluu fi sarbuun Oromoof murteessuf yaalu. Dhaabni G-7 jedhamu Oromoo akka sabaatti jiraachuu isaatu kan mormu akka tahe beekkamaa dha. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yaa ilmaan Oromoo! Akeeki qabsoo keeti hiree kee ofiin murteeffachu fi abbaa biyyummaa kee mirkaneessu dha. Qabsoon kee ummata kami iyyuu miidhuuf kan akeekkate osoo hin taane sirna diina kan garee bicuu Impayera Itiyophiyaa, kan barabaraan itti wal jijjiiraa as gahan fi lafa kee sirratti hawwan bakkaa kaasuu dha. Kana bakkaan gahuufis saboota Impayera kana keessa jiraatan warra mirga hiree murteeffannaa sabootaa dura hin dhaabbatne wajjin wal taanee hojjechuun akeeka keenya keessa isa tokko. Ololli sobaa har’a oofamaa fi shirri xaxamaa jiru akka naannoo wal irraa adda ta'u illee akeeki isaa waan tokko duwwaa dha. Kunis, ABO dadhabsiisuuf yaaluu fi akka hin sochoone tolchuu dha. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Egaa yaa ummata Oromoo kallacha qabsoo kee kan ati ilmaan kee itti wareegdee, qabeenyaa kee itti dhangalaaftee, dafqaa, dhiigaa fi himimmaan facaasaa har'aan geesse shira namoota aangoof bololanii fi shira diinaatin sharafamaa jira. Gochaan jara kanaa dura hin dhaabbatamuu taanaan mirga oromoon dhiigaa fi lafee ilmaan isiitiin argamsiifte illeen shakkii jala gala jira. Oromoon haga amma sochii ABOtiin kabajamee jiraachuu jalqabe dhabamee Oromoon cunqursaa daran hadhaawaaf saaxilamuuf deema. Ilmaan nafxanyootaa wal ijaaraa, warri wal dhabee ture illee araara buusanii aangootti deebi'uuf wal qopheessaa jiru. <br />
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Oromoon biyya alaa kaayyoo ABO tiksuuf tokkummaan socho’uun kan ilamaan Oromoo hedduu boonse dha. Tokkummaan Oromoo har'a ala kanatti mul’atus kan abdii namaaf kennu dha. Ammas ilmaan Oromoo bakka jiranitti sochii G-7 fi ergamtooti isaanii bakka bakkatti afaanfajjii uumuuf tattaafatan waliin fashalsuuf toftaa itti baasee socho’uun yeroo isaati. Waan taheef, osoo yeroon hin dabarre ilmaan Oromoo bakka jiranitti duula, ABO fi QBO irratti baname kana gamtaan bira dhaabbachu qabna. Duula hundee dhabama Oromummaa fi gaaffii Oromoo irratti baname ta’uu hubachuun; of irraa qolachuun dirqama eenyummaa fi uumamaati! </span></span></div>
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<b>Injifannoo Ummata Oromoof!</b></span></span></div>
Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-80160559339731181282012-02-12T01:01:00.000-08:002012-02-12T01:01:18.372-08:00Meles Zenawi: Where the truth liesB<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">y Janice Winter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="DE"><a href="http://ayyaantuu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Janice-Winter.jpg"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><img alt="http://ayyaantuu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Janice-Winter-150x150.jpg" border="0" height="188" src="file:///C:/Users/Odaa/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="188" /></span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span lang="DE"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">February 11, 2012 (Daily Maverick) - Daily Maverick’s </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2012-01-29-the-au-summit-a-rare-ring-of-truth"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The AU Summit: A rare ring of truth</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> by Kevin Bloom lauds Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi as being unique in speaking “trenchant truth” at an AU gathering in the 49 years since its establishment (initially the OAU). Taking exception to this interpretation, JANICE WINTER exposes where the truth lies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">The speech in question was made at the inauguration of the new AU headquarters funded by China, where </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.ethiotube.net/video/17684/PM-Meles-Zenawis-Speech-at-The-Opening-Ceremony-of-the-18th-AU-Conference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meles Zenawi talked </span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">of an African renaissance underway, characterised by economic surges, social progress, improved governance, diminishing violence, the banishment of the one-party systems and the ability of Africans to make choices about their lives and societies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">The ‘evidence’ Bloom cites for the veracity of Zenawi’s promises of African growth and development: the cranes he sees scattering Addis Ababa’s skyline, impressive buildings alongside the city’s informal settlements, and touted plans for an impressive transit system. These anecdotal observations are unfortunately not trustworthy snapshots of the health of the economy of the capital city, or Ethiopia more broadly. The cliché about how looks can deceive is particularly germane in informationally closed authoritarian societies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">So, if not evidence of Ethiopia’s economic health, what else could such urban development indicate? Practically, that Zenawi’s regime has borrowed and printed a lot of money – and the evidence for this truth is Ethiopia’s runaway inflation rate that rose above 40% in 2011, with food inflation peaking above 50% and the ratio of debt to exports reaching above 130%. The regime recently imposed extensive price controls that caused severe shortages in various food items and left long queues of people waiting to buy cooking oil and sugar, redolent of the days of Mengistu Hailemariam’s dictatorship. The country is also beset by a series of currency devaluations, acute shortages in foreign currency reserve and a widening trade deficit. This is patently unsustainable, as leading economists have </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-08/ethiopia-s-investment-plan-may-be-unsustainable-world-bank-official-says.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">repeatedly warned</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">. Ethiopia is a macroeconomic disaster, despite Zenawi’s unwarranted image as economist king. Yet despite the economy’s vulnerability, this runaway borrowing and spending has secured him political stability, at least in the short term, by providing a means with which to buy the loyalty of military leaders and co-opt members of the urban elite.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Zenawi spoke of Africa’s access to new centres of finance, which have indeed brought significant investment in infrastructure and development, and celebrated the continent’s declining dependence on the West. However, while such investment might bolster the incumbent regime in their ‘struggle for survival’, Global Financial Integrity </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.financialtaskforce.org/2011/12/05/illegal-ethiopian-capital-flight-skyrocketed-in-2009-to-us3-26-billion/"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">explains</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> that as a result of corruption by the ruling elite, “The people of Ethiopia are being bled dry. No matter how hard they try to fight their way out of absolute destitution and poverty, they will be swimming upstream against the current of illicit capital leakage.” A bit of conversation with locals and a few minutes spent googling would give any interested journalist numerous appalling anecdotes about the generals, members of the ruling party and party-affiliated, rent-seeking companies that own the lion’s share of Addis Ababa’s glittering buildings. While not all of the stories and studies can be assumed trustworthy, they surely provide substantial food for scepticism.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Zenawi has forecast a staggering 14.9% average economic growth rate between 2010 and 2015 and claims to have achieved “double digit” growth over the last seven years despite a global economic recession. There is </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.economics.ox.ac.uk/members/Stefan.Dercon/Ethiopia%20paper%203_v5.pdf"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">credible scepticism</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> of these figures by some international economists and substantial discrepancies in conclusions about the country’s performance and progress toward the MDGs. No independent institutions in Ethiopia exist to check the veracity of his government’s figures.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">What confounds me is why the international community continues to accept Zenawi’s claims about the regime’s economic record, while taking for granted that he has lied repeatedly on human rights issues and consequently rejecting his official line on Ethiopia’s human rights record. That his statements on human rights, democracy, foreign threats, opposition groups, journalists and a host of other topics and issues are manifestly and consistently false should indicate that other information taken from the same source also has a high likelihood of being untrue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">But even if we choose to take his contentious economic figures at face value, does it suggest that his brutal authoritarian capitalism constitutes a model to be condoned, endorsed or even celebrated within Africa for its remarkable economic results? Do we really agree to overlook repressive prisons if they’re built along with impressive new road networks? Bloom understandably found it “kind of hard” to forget the AU memorial that has been erected to honour victims of human rights violations in Africa, considering that the AU’s current chair is a despotic dictator responsible for widespread human rights violations in Equatorial Guinea. Yet despite the monument being erected in Ethiopia’s capital, the article made no mention of the pattern of arrests, torture, rapes, forced removals and political manipulation of development aid that characterises Zenawi’s </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/docs/ngos/HRW_Ethipia45.pdf"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">abysmal human rights record</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">In fact, the one rare ring of truth in Zenawi’s speech was his opening line, which celebrated that the new AU headquarters “is built on the ruins of the oldest maximum security prison” known by Ethiopians as Alem Bekagn, which, loosely translated, means, “I have given up on this world, on this life”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Intended as a metaphor for a world that had given up on Africa, those familiar with Ethiopian current affairs would note the analogy’s ironic aptness: the AU event took place in Addis Ababa at the same time that </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://cpj.org/2012/01/ethiopia-sentences-blogger-to-death-2-journalists.php"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">two Ethiopian journalists</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> each received 14 years imprisonment, an exiled journalist received his second life sentence in absentia, while the world was talking about </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/27/world/africa/ethiopia-swedish-journalists/index.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">two Swedish investigative journalists </span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">condemned to serve 11-year prison sentences in Ethiopia, and as journalist and dissident </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/jan/12/case-eskinder-nega/?pagination=false"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eskinder Nega</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> faces the death penalty.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">More than 114 journalists and opposition members have been imprisoned (some of whom may face the death penalty) in the past 11 months, in an environment that </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AFR25/011/2011/en/368804d9-61cb-417a-842e-bbd246761903/afr250112011en.pdf"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Amnesty International</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> describes as “the most far-reaching crackdown on freedom of expression seen in many years in Ethiopia”. Even the UN – usually cautious of condemning its member states – has criticised this recent </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-04/un-rights-advocates-criticise-ethiopia-s-use-of-anti-terror-law.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">escalation of repression</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Where are these political prisoners being held? In Alem Bekagn’s replacement, the infamous Qaliti Prison, located just two miles from its predecessor and the new AU headquarters and thus effectively hidden from the view of most visitors. All that’s really changed is a strategic shift in its position, and not the experience within its walls. The same could be said of Meles Zenawi’s dictatorship, which, while less overt to outsiders than that of his predecessor, is largely the same in substance.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">In short, his statement that “out of the decades of hopelessness and imprisonment, a new era of hope is dawning and that Africa is being unshackled and freed” is far from true in the context of Zenawi’s tyrannical leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">In fact, a striking parallel can be made between Zenawi’s Ethiopia and Mubarak’s Egypt. EPRDF, like Mubarak’s NDP, has a crushing dominance of the country’s political scene, using a mixture of co-option, manipulation, electoral fraud and repression. In 2010, the party declared that it won 99.6% of the country’s parliamentary seats, which was down from the even more ludicrous 99.9% sweep in local elections in 2008. Such Soviet-style electoral statistics would embarrass even some of the nastiest dictators in the world. Since 2007, the party has recruited 7-million members, nearly 10% of the population – a figure that trumps what the Communist Party of China accomplished in its entire existence. Some of these members are students and college graduates who have no opportunity to get government jobs (accounting for the overwhelming majority of urban employment) or to receive micro financing services without party membership. As in Mubarak’s Egypt, Ethiopia’s economy is controlled by very few people who have links with the army, the ruling party or Meles Zenawi’s family. Another similarity is the use of anti-terrorism laws and extensive torture to silence all forms of political dissent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Indeed, in an article entitled </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/opinion/sunday/kristof-whats-he-got-to-hide.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What’s He Got to Hide?</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> published in the <i>New York Times </i>(coincidentally, also last Sunday), Nicholas Kristof describes Zenawi’s “increasingly tyrannical” rule and condemns the dictator’s attempts to prevent public scrutiny of his “worsening pattern of brutality” by silencing those who seek to tell the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">Thus it is surprising to me that a publication whose open endorsement of liberal values such as freedom of expression, civil liberties and economic rights is as central to its identity, as is the case with the <i>Daily Maverick</i>, would run an article that celebrates a dictator’s dubious words as truth and that fails to include even a single caveat about his long record of lies. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"><a href="http://dailymaverick.co.za/page/about-us#covenant"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As you tell readers</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;"> that “we expect you to call us out when we screw up”, this riposte is one reader’s attempt to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">It seems to me that Bloom has not done the research needed to do basic justice to this story. Kristof’s column could be a good place to start: he concludes that “the only proper response” by journalists “is a careful look at Meles’ worsening repression”. </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: DE;">I agree.<o:p></o:p></span></div><a href="http://www.1800jonesact.com/" id="all-free" target="_blank"></a>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-21896365561453945252012-01-16T02:32:00.000-08:002012-01-16T02:32:10.202-08:00Duula Siyaasaa Kaayyoo QBO irratti Banameen Balaa Boru Hordofuuf Maluuf Kan itti Gaafatamu Warruma Duula Kanatti Bobbahe<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Infoo Deeskii ABO irraa)<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dhaabni Ginboot 7 jedhamu diina afaaniin akka diinummaatti himatu Wayyaanee gamatti<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">dhiisee mooraa QBO diiguu irratti xiyyeeffatee jira. Dhaabni kun mooraa QBO keessaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">namoota qubaan lakkaawamoo kan yakka dalaganiif gaafatamoo tahan bobaa jala qabatee<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">akka meeshaatti dhimma bahuudhaan, guddina ABO ittiin xiqqeessuu fi kaayyoo ABO<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ittiin karaa irraa maqsuuf firoota kaayyoo isaa daboo/guuza waammatee duulatti seenee<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">jira. Sana biras dabree, mirga abbaa biyyummaa ummata Oromoo bal’aa irra<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ejjechuudhaan, maqaa fi kaartaa biyya Oromoo, Oromiyaaf jibba qabu saalfii tokko<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">malee ifatti ibsachaa jira.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dhaabni maqaa tokkummaa Itoophiyaatiinin sosso’a jedhu kun miidiyaa harka isaa jiru<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>ESAT </i>jedhamu irratti, miidiyaalee Afaan Amaaraa dubbatan biroo hunda daboo baafatee,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ABO fi hoggana ABO irratti xiyyeeffachuudhaan, duula ummatoota wal ficcisiisuuf<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">deemu bal’inaan oofuu filateera. Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo dhugaa fi heerawaa tahe<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">irraa jibbaa fi sodaa guddaa qabaachuu irraa, namoota qubaan lakkaawamoo kan dhaaba<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ABOs tahee kaayyoo QBO walii galaa bakka bu’uu hin dandeenye bobaa jala qabatee<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ibiddaan taphachaa jira. Duula diiggaa eegale kana irraa akka of qusatu yeroo adda addaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">hubachiifamu illee gurra ittiin dhagahu hin qabaanne.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Akka duula ololaa G7 geggeessaa jiruutti, Oromoon biyya bal’oo Oromiyaa jedhamtu<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">qabaachuu fi falmachuun yakka tahee dhihaachaa jira. Kaartaan Oromiyaa kan bal’ina<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">qubsuma lafa Oromoo agarsiisu humna kana biratti balaa Itoophiyaa diigu jedhamee akka<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">hamaatti balaaleffatamaa jira. Oromoon mirga hiree murteeffannaa isaa hojii irra oolfatee<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">fedhu kophaa jiraachuu, fedhus ummatoota ollaa isaa waliin tokkummaa siyaasaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">jaarrachuuf mirgi qabu humna G7 jedhamu kanaan akka yakkaatti fudhatamee bal’inaan<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">irratti duulamaa jira. Gabaabumatti, dhaabni kun duula diiggaa QBO ABOtiin<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">hogganamu irratti geggeessaa ture yeroo ammaa gara ummata Oromoo bal’aa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">diinomsachuutti ol guddisee jira.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Humni kun mirgoota ummanni Oromoo qabsoo isaa hanga har’aantanaatiin kabajsiifate,<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">kan sirni Wayyaaneeyyuu hanga tokko amanee fudhachuuf dirqame haqee sirna abbootii<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">isaa duriitti deebisuuf akka ifaajaa jiru ifaan ifatti lallabataa jira. Yeroo itti ummanni<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oromoo mirgoota harka isaa gahan jabeeffachaa kanneen isa hafan guuttachuuf qabsoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">hadhooftuu geggeessuu itti fufee jiru kanatti, humni maqaa G7 jedhuun of jaare<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">injifannoo ummatni Oromoo hanga har’aatti argateyyuu of duubatti deebisuuf hawwii<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">qabu ifatti mul’isaa jira. Oromoon hiree isaa murteeffachuun ummatoota Itoophiyaaf<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">balaa guddaa dha jechuudhaan, ummatoota biyyattii hundumaa Oromoo irratti kakaasuuf<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">sagalee ol fuudhee lallabaa jira. Oromoon ummatoota Itoophiyaa hunda biratti akka saba<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">bulguutti akka laalamuu fi irratti duulamuuf waamichi godhamaa jira. Hogguu kun tahu<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ummanni Oromoos mirga isaa mulqamuuf dhaadatamaa jiru kana dhabama irraa oolchuuf<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">jecha tarkaanfii fedhe fudhachuuf dirqamuun waan hin oolle. Wal diddaa kanaan balaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">bor dhalatuu maluuf ammoo kan itti gaafatamu, G7, mediyaa isaa <i>ESAT</i>, miidiyaalee<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">isaaf daboo bahanii olola farra Oromoo kana oofaa jiranii fi yakkamotoota mooraa QBO<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">keessaa isaanitti gananii akka meeshaatti tajaajilaa jiran tahuun ifaan ifatti beekamuu<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">qaba.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Keessumattuu TViin <i>ESAT </i>jedhamu kan akka arraata G7tti tajaajilu, duula farra<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oromummaa oofaa jiruun qooda <b><i>Radio Mille Collins(RTLM) </i></b>wajjin wal fakkaatu akka<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">taphataa jiru yaadachiisuu feena. Raadiyoon <i>Mille Collins </i>jedhamu bara 1994 keessa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">balaan <i>Duguuginsa Sanyii Ruwaandaa </i>(<i>The Ruwandan Genocide</i>) akka dhalatuuf sababa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">guddaa tahuun isaa ni beekama. Ololoota hahhamoo miidiyaa kana irraan oofamaa turan<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">tu duguuginsa sanyii suukaneessaa san dhalche. <i>ESAT</i>is akka amma Oromoo fi<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oromummaa irratti fuulleffatee tooftaa adda addaatiin duulaa jiru kanaatti, Itoophiyaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">keessatti rakkoon akka kan Ruwaandaa fakkaatu sun akka dhalatuuf bu’uura isaa buusaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">akka jiru ammumaan hubachiifna. Kanneen duulaan G7f daboo kana bahanii afarsaa jiran<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">illee gaafatama jalaa bahuu hin danda’ani.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Akkuma olitti tuqame, G7 ABO dadhabsiisee sabboonummaa Oromummaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">dhabamsiisuuf hawwii qabu dhugoomfachuuf jecha, miidiyaalee Afaan Amaaraa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">dubbatan kan maqaaf walaba jedhaman mara daboo baafachuu irratti argama. Kanneen<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">sirna duraanii keessatti hiree barnootaa addatti laatameefitti dhimma bahuudhaan<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">miidiyaalee idil addunyaa kutaa Amaariffaa keessatti mindeeffamuuf carraa argatan<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">hundi, bakka jiran maratti dhaamsa walii dabarsanii akka itti Oromummaa doomsanii<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Itoophiyummaa abbootii isaanii durii bakkatti deebisan irratti wal tumsanii hojjechaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">jiran. Duula farra Oromummaa, farra ABO fi farra mirga ummata Oromoo bal’aa tahe<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">kana hojii irra oolchuuf jecha, hiree miidiyaa harkaa qaban akka meeshaa guddaatti yoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">dhimma bahan mul’atu. Sagalee yakkamtoota bicuu kan QBO keessaa gananiidhaa gurra<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">guddisanii, sagalee ABO kan ummata Oromoo bal’aa biratti fudhatama qabuudhaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">ammoo dhoksuuf saalfii tokko malee hojjechaa jiran. Raadiyoolee, TV, marsaalee<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">interneetaa fi maloota wal qunnamtii leellistoota sirna duriin geggeeffaman hundumaa<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">irratti duula kana fakkaatu tu qindeeffamee deemaa jira.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Duulli hanga kana itti caphamee geggeeffamaa jiru garuu ummata Oromoo gowwoomsuu<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">hin dandeenye, hin danda’us. Murni yakkamaan hawwitoota sirna duraaniitiin<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">dhaadeffamaa jiru ummata Oromoo biyya keessaa fi alaa cufa biratti abaaramaa dha.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marsaaleen interneetaa, manneen paltalk, raadiyooleen hawaasaa fi maloonni<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">walqunnamtii Oromoo walaba tahan kamuu murna dantaa Oromoo irra ejjetee Oromoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">irratti duula bane kana afaan tokkoon salphisaa jiran. Hanga ammaatti hawaasa Oromoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">keessaa akka namtokkeettis tahee akka gurmuutti tarkaanfii G7 kana kan deeggare tokko<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">illee hin galmeeffamne. Kanaafuu duulli diinummaa hogganummaa G7tiin Oromoo irratti<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">baname maayyiin isaa kufaatii, salphinaa fi gaabbii qofa. Akkuma dhaabni dhihoo kana<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">akeeke, duula geggeeffamaa jiru kanaan G7 fi tumsitoonni isaa ABO fi ummata Oromoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">moohachuu gonkumaa akka hin dandeenye irra deebinee hubachiifna. Humni sirna<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">duraanii deebisuu abjootu kun bu’aan duula kana irraa argatu yoo jiraate, akkuma olitti<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">eerame, balaa sababa duula kanaatiin dhalachuuf deemuuf suduudaan kan itti gaafatamu<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-size: small;">tahuu qofa!<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Infoo Deeskii ABO</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-56436897670344045792012-01-08T22:34:00.000-08:002012-01-08T22:34:40.548-08:00Oromo Youth Condemn a Radical Political Shift Declared by B/General Kemal Gelchu’s OLF Group.<span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">We, the Oromo youth, want to express our disappointment and issue this press release in rejection of the so-called “New OLF Program” made public on January 1, 2012 by the OLF Change/Jijjiirama group led by B/General Kamal Gelchu.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">According to the press release, the group had a two-day Oromo National Council Conference that resulted in the decoding of the OLF’s long established political program and affirmed their dedication to the struggle and to establishing a new Federal Republic of Ethiopia. The group called to reverse the Oromo political program that was deeply rooted in Oromo people’s political interest, which embraced the right to self-determination as an Oromo nation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">We, the Oromo youth, oppose and condemn such a political paradox within Oromo political affairs for the following reasons: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">1. The minority clique within the the OLF-Jijjiirama group does not symbolize the view of<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Oromo people and their political struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">2. The introduced program undermines a century long Oromo struggle for self-rule and selfdetermination, including ultimate sacrifices that have been paid by countless fallen heroes and heroines.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">3. The program disregards the complex Oromo political evolution, changing the entire<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">course of the Oromo struggle overnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">4. The new political vision is poorly constructed, paradox, and leaves the future in doubt.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">5. The program devalues the mission and objectives of the Oromo Liberation Front, thus<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">compromising the interests of the Oromo people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Therefore, it has become a historical responsibility for us to publicly send a strong signal of opposition to those who compromise the interests of Oromo people and disregard a history of political suffering. We call upon each and every Oromo, especially Oromo youth, to stand against a political vision that undermines the Oromo people’s rights to self-determination. Like any other youth in the world, the Oromo youth have their share in building a nation, being a voice for voiceless, defending their nation from internal and external enemies, promoting their culture and language, and fighting for the freedom of their people. Be part of history in defending Oromia, and may we never, ever, let down our martyrs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">Organizers:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Hashim Adam</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Former President of OSU and IOYA<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Edao Dawano</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Former President of OYA; Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Merertu Geleta Kitila</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Former Vice President, Secretary, and PR of IOYA<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Negassa Ayana</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Former President of OYA; Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Nadhii Haji</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Active Member of IOYA and OYA; Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Abdurahman Hassen</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Active Member of IOYA, OYA, and OYA Hawwisoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Surraa Tolasa</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Active Member of IOYA and OYA; Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Gutama Habroo</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Secretary of IOYA<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Jireenyaa Yaadetaa</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Miesso Wako</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Active Member of OYA and OYA Hawwisoo<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Ibrahim Ansha</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Dawit Baisa</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Former President of IOYA<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Mayra Kusa</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMT;">Oda Abdisa</span></b><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">, Oromo Youth Activist<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TimesNewRomanPSMT","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-bidi-font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT;">The above organizers can be contacted at this e-mail: OromianYouthVoice@gmail.com</span><o:p></o:p></div><a href="http://www.1800jonesact.com/" id="all-free" target="_blank"></a>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-67919779697571292722012-01-01T13:24:00.000-08:002012-01-01T13:27:11.210-08:00IBSA EJJENNOO HOOGGANOOTA FI MISEENSOTA ABO<b><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">KAAYOON BILISUMMAA OROMIYAA GURGURAMUU HIN HAYYAMNNU</span></u></b><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 120%; margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Umanni Oromo eega biyya Oromiyaa humna waraana habashootan saamame, waggaa dhibba caalaa tahun beekamaa dha.Weerara habashoonni Oromiyaa irratti banan ifirraa ittisuu dhaaf wareegama gudda fi qaalii kan akka harka, miila, harma fi mormaa muruu kafaleeti jira. Akkasumatti kiyyo gabrummaa jalaa bahuu dhaaf hanga ammaatti wareegama qaalii kana kafalaa akka jiru seenaan diddaa gabrummaa sirritti ibsiti.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Habashootiin gargaarsa meeshaa baranee biyyoota alaa irraa arkataniin Oromiyatti dulanii eega cabsan booda, Oromoon gabrummaa jalatti kufe, biyya isaa irrattti alagoomee, gabrummaa hamtuu adunyaa irratti hiriyaa hin qabne mudate. Oromoon araddaa fi qe'ee isaa keeysatti akka bineensa bosonaatti aloolame ajjeefame, akka beeyladaatti dhimma itti bahame. Gabra fijaa hin qaabne ka hojjatee nafxanyaa Amaara gabbaru, kan osoo ilmaan isaa beelaa, daaraa fi doofummaan hubamanii, ilmaan nafxanyaa nyaachisuu fi barsiisuu dhaaf dirqamu tahe. Walumaa galatti roorroo fi miidhaa ilma namaa mudachuu hin qabne nafxanyoonni Oromo irraan akka gahan seenaan ni mirkanneysiti.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Haa tahuu malee, ummanni Oromoo hiree argamte hundaatti dhimma bahee, gabrummaa habashootaan isaan mudatte fonqolchee ifiraa kaasuu dhaaf, yaroon qabsoo irraa harka maratee taa'ee hin jirtu. Arralee, qabsoon Oromiyaa harka gabroomfataa habashaa jalaa walaboomsu dhaaf godhamtu itti fufaa jirti. Hanga Oromiyaan walaba taatuu, hanga ummanni Oromoo bilisa tahe hiree isaa dhiibaa takkaan maletti murteeyfatu qabsoon Oromiyaa walaboomsuu fi ummata Oromo bilisoomsuu dhaaf, kaayoo ABOn labsamte wareegama qaqqaalii kamillee yoo gaafattee hamma galiin fiixa baatuu qabsoon itti fufti jenne amanna.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Akkuma beekamutti, nuti miseensotiin ABO, bara 2008, keessa rakkoolee dhaaba keenya fuula dura deemuu dhoorkan irra aanuu dhaa fi furmaataas itti barbaadu dhaaf dhaaba keessatti jijjiirama hundee labsuun keenya ni yaadatama. Labsa jijjiirama kana irra kan ka'ee miseensota fi hoogganni dhaaba bakka lamatti qoodamuun, ABOn rakkoolee addaa keessa seenuun waan beekkamaa ti. Rakkoolee jaarmaya keessatti nu mudatan tanneen wal’aanuu dhaaf tattaafiin adda addaa godhamanillee haga ammaatti raakkoolee tanneen irra aanuun hin dandayamne. Kun tahuun qabsaawota, sabboontotaa fi ummata Oromoo bal'aa hamilee caphsuun waan dhokataa miti.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Dhugaan jirtu osoo tana taatee jirtuu, nu miseensota jijjiiramni hundee ABO keessatti arkamuu qaba jenee kaane, haallan ifirraa hin eeyne, haallan ni taha ja'amee hin yaadamin nu mudatee jira. Haallan kanneenis haallan gaddisisoo fi haallan murnoota maqaa ABO himatan kamillee irraa hin eegamne.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 120%; margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt;"><b><u><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Hallan Kanneeniis:</span></u></b><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Hoogganootiin hagoon ABO (Jijjiirama) geggeesan,</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "@Gungsuh","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">1</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-font-family: "@Gungsuh";"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Kaayoo Adda Bilisummaa Oromoo tan (Kora Sabaa tiin bara 2004 tumamte) heeraa fi seera dhaabatiin alatti jijjiiruun, </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "@Gungsuh","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">2</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-font-family: "@Gungsuh";"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Kaayoo Itoophiyaa dimokraateysuu akka kaayoo dhaabaatti fudhachuu dhaan qabsoo ummata Oromoo xurree irratti jaaramte irra fageeysuu dhaaf, afanfaajjii hammana hin je'amnne ummata Oromoo keeysati akka uumamu godhuun. </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "@Gungsuh","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">3</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-font-family: "@Gungsuh";"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sabboonummaa Oromoo kolaasanii, Habashaaf guggufanii, qabsoo bilisummaa Oromiyaa dura dhabachuu dhaaf murteefachuun,</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "@Gungsuh","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">4</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-font-family: "@Gungsuh";"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Fedhii saba Oromoo irra fedhii Habashoota mirkaneeysuuf, Habashaaf irree tahuu filatani waan murteeyfatanif jecha,</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Nuti, hooggantoonni fi miseensoonni dhaaba tarkaanfiilee asi gaditti tareeyfaman fudhanee jirra.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">1.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Hoogganoota dhaabaa kanneen kaayoo Itoophiyummaa filatan arra irraa jalqabee akka hoogganoota dhaabatti isaan hin beeynu. </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">2.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Kaayoo Itoophiyummaa tan farra bilisummaa Oromiyaa ta namoota waa xiqqoon maqaa ABOtiin labsamte tana waan dandeenyu hundaan dura dhaabanna.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">3.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Nuti miseensoota fi hooggantoonni tarkaanfii tana fudhanne, dhaaba keenya akka kaayoo isaa irratti deebi'ee qabsaawu miseensota dhaaba waliin taanee qabsoo teenya ta Oromiyaa blisoomsuu,ta ummata Oromoo abbaa biyyaa taasisuu itti fufna.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">4.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Namoota Kaayoo dhaaba jijjiiranii kaayoo Itoophiyummaa (kaayoo Habashootaa) Oromoo irratti deebisanii mootomsuu filatan miseensotiin dhaaba, sabboontotiin Oromoo fi ummanni Oromoo bal'aan akka dura dhaabatan yaamicha goonaaf.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Dhaamsa:</span></b><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Dhaabni keenya dhaabolee Oromoo walaba tahani fi moraa qabso bilisummaa oromiyaa keeysa jiran wajjiin qabsaawuu dhaaf qophii dha. Tanaas hujiin mirkaneeysuu dhaaf <u>Koonfirensi Araaraa fi Dadaa Tokkummaa</u> hatattamatti akka godhamu dhaaboolee bilisa tahani fi qabsaawoota hundaafuu yaamicha keenya ulfinaan dabarsina.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Nuti miseensoonni maqaan keenya armaa gaditti tareeyfame murtiin tun teenya akka taate mirkaneeysina.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">1.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Ibrahim Muumme, Miseensa gumii sabaa fi miseensa KHR, Dubbataa Dhaabaa.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">2.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Damsho Ali, Miseensa gumii sabaa, itti gafatamaa Birkii Siyassa.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">3.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Abdi Ibrahim (Rushi), Miseensa Gumii Sabaa, Itti gaafatamaa <b>B</b>irki Jaarmaya Biyya Alaa.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 120%; margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">4.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Samiya Usman, Miseensa Gumii Sabaa itti gaafatamtuu Dhimma Dubartootaa.</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">5.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Ahmed Ibroshee, Miseensa Birkii Siyaasaa</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">6.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Abbaa Abdii miseensa Koree Jaarmayaa</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">7.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Diriba Hordofa, Miseensa GS, </span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">8.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-size: 7pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Ahmed Yassin, Miseensa Koree Aadaafi Beeysisaa (waraabi)</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="ecxmsonormal" style="background: white; line-height: 120%; margin: 0in 0in 16.2pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Injifannoo ummata oromootif</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Oromiyaan ni Bilisoomti</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Amajjii (January) 1, 2012</span><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-57776098922863685042011-12-06T21:49:00.000-08:002011-12-06T21:49:28.116-08:00Corruption Currents - Ethiopian Illicit Outflows Doubled In 2009, New Report Says<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;">By Christopher Matthews<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ethiopia lost $11.7 billion to outflows of ill-gotten gains between 2000 and 2009, according to a coming report by <a href="http://www.gfintegrity.org/"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">Global Financial Integrity</span></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That’s a lot of money to lose to corruption for a country that has a per-capita GDP of just $365. In 2009, illicit money leaving the country totaled $3.26 billion, double the amount in each of the two previous years. The capital flight is also disturbing because the country received $829 million in development aid in 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">According to GFI economist Sarah Freitas, who co-authored the report, corruption, kickbacks and bribery accounted for the vast majority of the increase in illicit outflows.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The scope of Ethiopia’s capital flight is so severe that our conservative US$3.26 billion estimate greatly exceeds the US$2 billion value of Ethiopia’s total exports in 2009,” Freitas wrote in a <a href="http://www.financialtaskforce.org/2011/12/05/illicit-financial-outflows-from-ethiopia-nearly-doubled-in-2009-to-us3-26-billion-reveals-new-global-financial-integrity-report/" modo="false"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">blog post</span></span></a> on the website of the Task Force on Financial Integrity and Economic Development.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The report, titled “Illicit Financial Flows from Developing Countries over the Decade Ending 2009,” drew on data from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on external debt and trade mis-pricing to calculate illicit capital leakage. The study, which will be released later this month, measures the illicit financial flows out of 160 different developing nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries on earth as 38.9% of Ethiopians live in poverty, and life expectancy in 2009 was just 58 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="background: white;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“The people of Ethiopia are being bled dry,” Freitas wrote. “No matter how hard they try to fight their way out of absolute destitution and poverty, they will be swimming upstream against the current of illicit capital leakage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><a href="http://www.1800jonesact.com/" id="all-free" target="_blank"></a>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-88192958119203003152011-12-01T23:21:00.000-08:002011-12-01T23:21:44.452-08:00Ethiopia's crackdown 'a threat to democracy'By Jenny Vaughan (AFP) | December 1, 2011<br />
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A spate of arrests and terrorism charges leveled against opposition politicians and journalists in Ethiopia this year raises fears of a government slide away from democracy, analysts warn.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"The sheer numbers of arrests and prosecutions this year indicate a systematic crackdown, a systematic dismantling of the last few independent voices," said Amnesty International's Ethiopia researcher Claire Beston.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"The democratic process has been made a mockery by the events this year," she added. In November, 24 people were charged with terrorism and three journalists fled the country, citing fear of prosecution or imprisonment.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Local media also reported in November that an Ethiopian man called on his compatriots to fight for freedom, before torching himself to death.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"This is indicative of the desperation that people are starting to feel in Ethiopia," Beston added. The case follows several mass arrests: over 150 opposition members and journalists have been jailed since January, the worst crackdown since the country's bloody 2005 elections, according to rights groups.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Scores, including two Swedish journalists arrested after entering illegally into Ethiopia, are charged with terrorism. "We have reached a seminal point, which unfortunately we hit in the 2005 post-election crisis," said Tom Rhodes, from the Washington-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).<o:p></o:p><br />
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"We were always afraid of reaching those dark days again and I feel now in 2011, six years later, we've reached them," he told AFP.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Political science professor Merera Gudina said the unrest is a popular reaction to a worsening economic climate in the country, where basic costs are rising. Food prices have jumped 63 percent from last year, according to the World Bank.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"The cost of living is really dramatically increasing and many people are going hungry," the Addis Ababa University teacher said. "Hostility from the population can be expected."<o:p></o:p><br />
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But government spokesperson Bereket Simon insists the ruling party is "trying its best" to address social and economic inequality.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"The government is moving in the right direction, there might be problems here and there, but we are solving problems as we go along," he said. Ethiopia is one of Africa's fastest growing economies and has seen great improvements in the areas of child mortality and malnutrition.<o:p></o:p><br />
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But some say these improvements are not enough to stave off popular discontent. Beston said the surge in arrests is driven by a fear of an Arab Spring-style social uprising. "The government has indicated they fear those protests and a mass-scale uprising moving to Ethiopia, and they have taken measures to prevent that from happening," Beston said.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The political environment is too tight to allow for mass protest, said Ben Rawlence from Human Rights Watch (HRW). "It's not a question of whether the Ethiopians might follow the Arab Spring. They had a spring (in 2005) and it didn't bloom into summer, it went back into winter," he said.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Bereket insists most Ethiopians want to see the government develop, not topple it. "We see cooperation being the rule rather than the exception. Most Ethiopian are cooperating to fight poverty and support good governance," he said. Bereket added this year's arrests are in response to legitimate threats from both inside Ethiopia, and not as means to stifle dissent.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"These arrests are made because government had special evidence to incriminate the suspects," Bereket said. But both Amnesty and Human Rights Watch in November accused the government of using anti-terrorism legislation to stifle peaceful dissent, while Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been accused of condemning suspects before trial.<o:p></o:p><br />
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In October, local media reported that Meles told parliament concerning those accused that "we know in our hearts that they are involved in terrorism acts." Some maintain Ethiopia's strategic importance in the region -- a relatively stable state in the volatile Horn of Africa bordering war-torn Somalia -- allows the government to clampdown with little objection from donor countries.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Ethiopia, one of the top recipients of foreign aid in Africa, also provides bases for US surveillance drones reportedly monitoring Shebab insurgents, the Al-Qaeda linked group based in southern Somalia.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"It's the same old story, (donors) believe quiet diplomacy is the best way of maintaining their access and their influence, they don't want to endanger their relationship with the government," HRW's Rawlence said.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Some fear the tight political climate could spark an angry reaction from those angry at the crackdown.<o:p></o:p><br />
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"Sooner or later, really things can go horrid," Merera said. "We can reach what you call a breaking point."<o:p></o:p><br />
<a href="http://www.1800jonesact.com/" id="all-free" target="_blank"></a>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-28411647627130715992011-11-24T00:05:00.001-08:002011-11-24T00:05:32.200-08:00Ethiopia: Stop Using Anti-Terror Law to Stifle Peaceful Dissent<span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><strong>Human Rights Watch (Nov. 21)</strong> The Ethiopian government should cease using its overly broad anti-terrorism law against journalists and peaceful political activists, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said today.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">On November 23, 2011, the trial of 24 people charged with terrorism offenses on November 10 will continue. Those charged include six journalists and two members of the opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) party. Sixteen of the 24 are being tried in absentia. Several other terrorism trials of journalists and opposition activists are ongoing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The Ethiopian government is exploiting its vaguely worded anti-terror law to crush peaceful dissent,” said Rona Peligal, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">The Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of 2009 includes an overbroad and vague definition of terrorist acts and a definition of “encouragement of terrorism” that makes the publication of statements “likely to be understood as encouraging terrorist acts” punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison. These provisions mean that critics of government such as journalists and political opponents could be charged for encouraging terrorism, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">The organizations urged the Ethiopian government to facilitate systematic monitoring of the trials by the diplomatic community. The times and locations of hearings have been altered at the last minute at least twice during the ongoing trials. The government should ensure that key information, including location and time of hearings, is available to the public.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also urged diplomats stationed in Ethiopia to carry out systematic monitoring of the ongoing terrorism trials and the trials of members of the Oromo political opposition arrested during 2011. This is particularly important in the absence of independent human rights organizations, which the Ethiopian government has effectively banned. While diplomatic representatives have attended several remand hearings and trial sessions of terrorism cases, none were apparently present at the November 10 confirmation of charges hearing, following a last-minute change of location, nor at the subsequent hearing on November 15.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Ethiopia’s foreign partners closely followed a series of trials from 2005 to 2007, in which treason charges were brought following contested elections. The Council of the European Union appointed a full-time trial observer, although the findings of its report were never made public. EU embassy staff monitored these trials on a rotating basis, and a US embassy staff member was also present.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Diplomats’ systematic monitoring of these trials is essential,” said Michelle Kagari, deputy director for Africa at Amnesty International. “Without the presence of local civil society, diplomats can play a vital role in witnessing whether or not the suspects’ right to a fair trial is respected.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">None of the defendants detained and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation during 2011 had access to a lawyer during the pre-trial period. Three of those charged have complained in court of mistreatment in detention.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Public comments by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the government spokesman, Shimeles Kemal, have undermined the defendants’ presumption of innocence, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said. Their comments might also exert political pressure on the courts in a country where the judiciary lacks independence.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Since June 2011, the Ethiopian government has charged at least 33 people under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of 2009.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">In addition, in 2011, at least 98 members of the two main Oromo political opposition parties, the Oromo Federal Democratic Movement (OFDM) and the Oromo People’s Congress (OPC), have been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code on the basis of alleged involvement with the Oromo Liberation Front, a banned rebel group.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Seven of the people charged on November 10 had previously been charged during the trials that followed the 2005 elections. All had been given presidential pardon. Three of the seven are among the defendants who are now in custody, two others fled the country after their earlier release, and two were already living in exile when they were charged in the earlier cases.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have long called for the anti-terrorism law to be amended to bring it into line with Ethiopia’s domestic and international legal obligations.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The anti-terror law itself is a huge problem,” Peligal said. “The international community, especially the European Union, United States, and United Kingdom, should ask the Ethiopian government hard questions about why it is using this law to crack down on peaceful independent voices.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-89751159520515983172011-11-13T13:18:00.000-08:002011-11-13T13:18:33.986-08:00Landgrabbing in Ethiopia: Legal Lease or Stolen Soil?<a class="news" href=""><span style="font-family: Arial;">By Philipp Hedemann* | November 13, 2011</span></a><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><b>ABABA, Nov 12, 2011 (IPS/Street News Service) - Kneeling in the middle of a sugar cane field in blistering 40 degree heat, a young boy is digging up weeds while an Indian worker stands over him to make sure he does not miss any. Red is eight years old and earns 73 pence for one day’s work - less than the cost of using pesticides.</b><br />
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By exporting food produced by child labour in Ethiopia, an Indian farm manager hopes to earn millions within three years. "It's still total wilderness here, but we will soon start growing sugar cane and palm oil and everything will look tidy," explains Karmjeet Singh Sekhon as he drives in a Toyota 4x4 through the burning bushland on his farm. <o:p></o:p></div><br />
The 68-year-old Indian is the manager of a huge farm, which covers an area of 100,000 hectares in Western Ethiopia. Soon he wants to farm 300,000 hectares, an area bigger than Luxembourg.<br />
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Since 2008 there has been an unprecedented <a href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=51018" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">rush to secure farmland</span></a> in Africa, South America and Asia. This is a result of the rise and fluctuation in food prices on world markets, which has seen food riots in a number of countries. Countries such as India, China and the Gulf states want to feed their growing populations, but are also looking to position themselves in the race to produce bio-fuels.<br />
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The World Bank says 45 million hectares of <a href="http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=105657" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">farmland were leased</span></a> in 2009 - up from only four million a year between 2006 and 2008. It is estimated that by 2030 another six million hectares will be leased annually in developing countries, two-thirds in sub-Saharan Africa and South America. <br />
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Maize, rice, wheat, soy, sorghum, sesame, sugar cane and oil seeds are the main commodities. The World Bank sees both opportunities and risks. <br />
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"These large land acquisitions can come at a high cost. The veil of secrecy that often surrounds these land deals must be lifted so poor people don't ultimately pay the heavy price of losing their land," said former World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.<br />
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In the world's thirteenth poorest country, the race for the country's most productive agricultural land has only just begun and the social and environmental consequences are unforeseeable. According to the U.N., 4.5 million people in Ethiopia are currently in need of aid as a result of a devastating drought. The majority of the food aid is imported from abroad. <br />
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"No problem," says farm manager Sekhon. "Some parts of our production remain in the country, and through the export Ethiopia gains hard currency to buy at the world market." <br />
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There is no law in Ethiopia to ensure that a certain percentage remains in the country. Karuturi marketing and logistics boss Birinder Singh makes no secret of the fact that his company is commercially orientated. They will sell to those who pay most, whoever that may be.<br />
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Eighty-five per cent of Ethiopia's population of 80 million live off the land, and little has changed over the past 100 years: most of the tiny fields are still worked using ox-drawn ploughs and the yields are low. <br />
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The government hopes that leasing farmland to foreign investors will lead to a wave of modernisation. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation, food production needs a 70 per cent boost between 2010 and 2050 to meet global needs.<br />
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All Ethiopian land – 111.5 million hectares - belongs to the state. According to the government, three-quarters of it are suitable for agriculture, but so far only 15 million hectares are cultivated. <br />
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The government has now assigned 3.6 million hectares to foreign and domestic investors. One hectare of land costs between six and 231 dollars a year to rent, and the contract periods are between 20 and 45 years. Critics say the developing world is being sold off.<br />
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But Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi rejects the attacks as "ill-informed" or even "ill-intentioned." "We want to develop our land to feed ourselves rather than admire the beauty of fallow fields while we starve," Zenawi said.<br />
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It is not surprising that the Ethiopian government has become the darling of international agribusiness investors. "There is plenty of good land, enough water, a cheap labour force, and a stable government that ensures law and order", says Karuturi's Singh. <br />
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According to Esayas Kebede, head of the state agency which is responsible for the land leases, Ethiopia benefits in many ways from the deals. "By exporting food, we will receive dollars, the farms provide jobs, they import know how, they will help us to boost productivity and therefore to improve food security," says Kebede.<br />
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But many local farmers are not convinced. Ojwato is one of them. It only takes him a few minutes to cross his two acre field on foot, while Sekhon takes several hours to cover his by jeep. <br />
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The idea that his neighbour's harvests are being exported while he and his country regularly receive food aid makes Ojwato angry. "The foreigners promised to bring electricity, water and hospitals. But in the end only a few of us have worked in their fields and the pay was poor," the farmer says. <br />
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"We always pay the national minimum wage," Singh claims.<br />
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"Nobody is forced to work on the farm," Kebede says. However, many children labour on the fields.<br />
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Though his family could use some extra money from child labour, Ojwato forbids his children to work on the Indian farm. One day they shall become doctors, teachers or engineers, he says. But therefore they need to go to school, instead of working on the fields. <br />
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Not all parents are as far-sighted as Ojwato: "Sometimes only five out of 60 students are attending class. The others are working at the fields," says Tigaba Tekle, deputy headmaster of a school near the Karuturi farm.<br />
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Officially, only uninhabited land is used for the giant farms, but human rights groups fear that people are forced to leave their land. As a matter of fact, a state-run relocation programme is currently taking place in Western Ethiopia.<br />
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According to the government, there is no link between the relocation and the farm projects; everybody moves voluntarily. Human right groups doubt this, and the author was obstructed several times during the research for this article. The official reason given was: "We don't want you to gather politically unwanted information."<br />
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As well as human rights organisations, environmentalists also have a problem with the farms. Some four decades ago, 40 per cent of Ethiopia was covered by forest, but today it is less than three per cent - and the bushland in Gambella is burning. <br />
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Farm manager Sekhon does not hide his lack of interest in environmental concerns. For him, it is important to develop the farm, and he is behind his ambitious schedule. To catch up, little Red and his friends must continue weeding.<br />
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* Published under an agreement with Street News Service.<o:p></o:p>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-45202473607239236802011-11-12T17:30:00.000-08:002011-11-12T17:30:39.366-08:00‘Itoophiyaa Keessa Hongee Malee Beelli Hin jiru’ Jechuun<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">‘Itoophiyaa Keessa Hongee Malee Beelli Hin jiru’ </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Jechuun<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Lubbuu Ummatootaatti Qoosuu Dha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">Sirni Wayyaanee beela hamaa ummatoota miiliyoonota gaaga’e haaluudhaan <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘hongee malee beelli hin jiru’</i> jechuun kijiba. Balaa beelaa sababaa hongeetiin dhalachuuf ture irratti dursinee qophii gahaa waan gooneef lammiin tokko illee beelaan hin miidhamne jechuun lubbuu ummata miiliyoonotaatti qoose. Fiilmii dokmantarii <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">kan</st1:state></st1:place> haqa irraa fagoo tahe qindeessee miidiyaalee isaa irratti dhiheessuun sirna gaafatamni itti hin dhagahamne tahuu isaa dabalee mirkaneeffate. Balaa hongee fi beelaa dhalate kanaan akka malee <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">kan</st1:state></st1:place> miidhaman lammiilee Oromoo Kibba Oromiyaa tahuun beekamaa dha. Fiilmiin Wayyaaneen eega lafti itti guyya’ee booda miidiyaatti baafatee garsiifatus miidhaa guddaa jiraattota Oromoo naannoo kanaa mudate haguuguuf yoo tahe malee miidhama ummataa amananii fudhachuun fala barbaachisu faluuf <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">kan</st1:state></st1:place> qophaawe miti. <o:p></o:p></div><br />
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</div>Ololli ‘Itoophiyaa keessa hongee malee beelli hin jiru’ jedhu yeroo kanatti akka dhihaatu maaliif barbaachise? Deebiin gaaffii kanaa ifaa dha. Balaa beelaa hongeen wal qabatee Kibba Oromiyaa, Kibba Baha Oromiyaa, Baha Oromiyaa, naannoo Ogaadeenii fi naannoo Ummatoota Kibba Itoophiyaa miidhe irratti amma dura baay’ee dubbatameera. Gabaasaaleen dhugaa kana ragaa bahan miidiyaalee idil addunyaa tokko tokkoo fi miidiyaalee arraata dhaabota siyaasaa <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">kan</st1:place></st1:state> akka Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo (SBO) irratti dhihaatanii turan. Miidiyaaleen kunis haala sirna Wayyaanee garmalee rifaasisee fi aarseen dhugaa jiru gurra addunyaan gahanii jiru. Maddeen oduu idil addunyaa bebbeekamoo keessaa tokko <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">kan</st1:place></st1:state> tahe BBCiin sagantaa isaa Newsnight jedhamuun dokmantarii dhugaa irratti hundaawee dhiheesseen Wayyaanee mataa wareersuun beekamaa dha. Akka gabaasaa BBC kanaatti beelli Itoophiyaa keessatti dhalate irra guddaatti namtolchee dha malee <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">kan</st1:state></st1:place> uumamaa qofa miti. Warra beela’eef gargaarsi biyya alaa irraa dhihaatus gara dabarfamee dantaa siyaasaa mootummaaf oolfamuu miidiyaan kun ragaa bahuun beekamaa dha. Ummata beela’e keessaa warri paartii aangoo irra jiru hin deeggarre gargaarsa dhowwatamanii adabamuu tu saaxilame. Arjoomtonni addunyaa waggaa waggaatti doolaara biiliyoona 3 ol Itoophiyaaf kan gumaachan tahu illee, horiin guddaan hangana gahu kaayyoo gumaachameef osoo hin taane akka sirnichi deeggarsa siyaasaa ittiin bitatee aangoo irra of tursuuf tajaajilaa jiraachuu tu ifatti ragaa bahame. <o:p></o:p><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;">BBC qofas osoo hin taane miidiyaaleen akka VOAs, balaan beelaa keessumattuu Kibba Oromiyaatti dhalate, hangam akka ulfaataa tahe, balaa kanaanis lubbuun namootaa fi beeyladaa akka gaaga’ame saaxilanii jiru. Hagabaasaan VOA Sagantaa Amaariffaa Heenook Sammaagzeer torbaanota lama caalaaf naannoo Kibba Oromiyaa keessa sosso’ee gabaasaan dhiheessaa ture balaa ulfaataa sirnichi dhoksuu barbaadu BBCtti aanee <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">kan</st1:place></st1:state> saaxile ture. Akka gabaasaa kanaatti Kibba Oromiyaa keessatti hongee dhalateen lammiilee fi beeyladdan isaanii akka malee hubamuu tu saaxilame. <span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Mootummaan Wayyaanee garuu hongee tu dhalate malee beelli hin jiru jedha waan taheef gabaasaan kun isa wareersuun hin hafne. Akka gabaasaa VOA kanatti omisha isaaniitiin kan beekaman loon Booranaa keessaa harka 70 ol kan tahan balaa hongee hamaa kanaan du’uu isaanii tu mirkanaawe. Kibba Oromiyaa, Boorana keessatti ilmaan namaa beelaan hubaman waan afaanitti qabatan dhabanii baala boqqolloo hongeedhaan goggoge beeyalada wajjin wal saamaa yoo nyaatan VOAn ragaa viidiyoodhaan deeggarameen saaxile. Sirni Wayyaanee garuu balaa beelaa suukaneessaa hangana ulfaatu dhoksuu barbaada ture. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Itoophiyaan loon horsiisuuudhaan addunyaa irratti 10ffaa, Afriikaa keessatti ammo 1ffaa jedhamuun beekamti ture. Baay’ina loonii kan sadarkaa guddaa kana irratti Itoophiyaa waamsise keessatti ammoo lakkoofsi loon Booranaa qooda guddaa qaba ture. Loon Booranaa kana keessaa har’a harki 70 caalaan balaa kanaan dhumaniiru. Kun silaa Itoophiyaa keessatti gadda ulfaataa uumuu fi xiyyeeffannoo miidiyaalee biyya keessaa harkisuu tu irra ture. Haa tahu malee akkuma hagabaasaan VOA naannoo sana deemee gabaasaa kana qopheesse ragaa bahe, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayta balaan gaddisiisaan kana fakkaatu Kibba Oromiyaa rukutee jirutti miidiyaaleen mootummaa dubbii kana yoo xis ximbis jedhan hin dhagahamne. Balaa gaddisiisaa hangana gahu dhiisanii waa’ee misoomaa fi hidha laga Abbayyaa irratti xiyyeeffachuu waan filatan fakkaata. Yeroo itti Kibba Oromiyaa keessatti lammiileen beela’anii lafee qofatti hafan waan afaanitti jiifatan dhabanii qarree du’aa irratti argaman, Finfinnee irraa ayyaana bara haaraa kabajuuf dhiichifama ture.</i>’ <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Dhugaa dha! Yeroo itti lammiileen kumni kudhanoonni garmalee beelaan hubamanii qarree du’aa irratti argaman, loon kumni kudhanoonni dhumanii raaqni isaanii goggoee dirree keessa ciisu, dabballootni mootummaa Wayyaanee Finfinnee irraa ayyaana jedhanii cooma murachuu fi wiskii unachuu irraa kan hafe yaaddoon lammiilee Oromoo kun dhimma isaanii akka hin tahin hubatamaa dha. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Sirni Wayyaanee dhugaa dhoksuu yaalaa ture kana tu jalaa saaxilame waan taheef har’a reef akka waan irriba irraa dammaqee dhimma hongee Kibba Oromiyaa rukute irratti waa munaaguuf dirqame. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘Itoophiyaa keessa hongee malee beelli hin jiru’</i> jechuun soba adii yoo sobu hin qaanfanne. Kijibni Wayyaanee kun gabaasaalee ragaa irratti hundaawanii miidiyaalee alaatiin dhihaatan haaluuf kan akeekkate tahu illee itti hin milkoofne. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Fiilmii sobaa Wayyaaneen dhimma kana irratti qindeessee dhiheeffate wantoota fudhatama dhabsiisan keessaa hanga tokko tarrisuun ni danda’ama. Fiilmii kana keessatti namootni beelaan miidhaman tahe jedhamee akka kaameeraa duratti hin mul’anne taasifameera. Naannoo hongeen dhawamu kamuu keessatti namootni beelaan miidhaman qaamni isaanii maal akka fakkaatu beekamaa dha. Fiilmii Wayyaaneen dhiheeffatu <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keessatti garuu, tahe jedhamee namoota coraa cululuqaa qaban kan qubaan lakkaawaman<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tu barbaadamanii dubbifaman. Jaras yoo tahe haasawa isaan Afaan Oromotiin haasawan jallisanii Amaariffatti hiikuudhaan akka waan isaan mootummaa galateeffataniitti dhiheeffame. Naannoo hongee fi beela hamaadhaan miidhame dhiisanii gabaa midhaanii magaalaa keessaa, akkasumas kuusaa midhaan gargaarsaa irratti xiyyeeffachuu tu fiilmii kana keessatti bal’inaan mul’ata. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Kana malees kaameeraan fiilmii sobaa kanaa loon coraa wayyaa qaban qofa barbaadee irratti xiyyeeffate. Loon kumni kudhanoonni dhumanii lafeen isaanii dirree keessa guute akka fiilmii kana keessatti mul’atan hin barbaadamne. Fiilmiin dokmantarii Wayyaanee kun osoo dhuguma laalaa balaa mudate kanaa agarsiisuuf akeekkatee dhugaa bal’inaan mul’atu kana bira dabree loon coraa wayyaa qaban qofa barbaadee mul’isuu irratti hin xiyyeeffatu ture. Garuu fiilmicha tu fiilmii Wayyaanee ti. Fiilmicha tu fiilmii dhugaa haaluuf qophaawe. Fiilmicha tu fiilmii ololaa sirna gaafatamni itti hin dhagahamnee fi madaan ummatootaa isa hin dhukkubnee ti. Kanaafuu fiilmii Wayyaanee keessatti dhugaa barbaadanii arguu dhabuun waan nama raaju hin tahu. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Wanni hubatamuu qabu garuu, Itoophiyaan Wayyaanee Itoophiyaa miidiyaalee walaba addunyaatiin ibsamaa jirtu malee Itoophiyaa miidiyaalee sirnichaatiin dhaadeffamaa jirtu miti. Ummatoonni biyyattii keessaas namoota miidiyaaleen wayyaanee kumoota keessaa tokko lama filatanii kaameeraa fi maaykraafoona dura qabaniin kan bakka bu’aman miti. Haalli ummatoonni biyyattii keessa jiranis dabballoota paartichaa kan akka lammii leexaatti of ibsanii miidiyaa sirnichaa duratti dhihaatanii kijiba munaaganiin hin ibsamu. Har’a lammiilee wayyaba imaammata farra-namoomaa sirnichaatiin toora namummaatii bahanii jiran miidiyaatti dhiheessanii agarsiisuu fi laalaa keessa isaanii dubbachiisuun hojii ulfaataa dha. Miidiyaaleen biyya alaa walabni biyya keessa deemanii hojii ragaan deeggarame akkasii akka agarsiisan sirnichi hin eehamu. Inumaa kanneen yaalii hojii akkasii irratti argaman himata ‘gooltummaa’ jedhamuun yakkamanii hidhamaa jiru. Gaazexessitoota lammii Siwiidin lama kan dhihoo kana Ogaadeen keessaa qabamanii hidhaman akka fakkeenyaatti kaasuun ni danda’ama. Kana malees miseensonni hogganaa paartiilee Oromoo biyya keessaa gaazexessaa BBC fi qorattoota Amnestii Internaashinaaliif yaada kennitan jedhamanii hidhamuun dubbii kanaaf ragaa dabalataa taha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Beelas tahee hongeen Itoophiyaa har’a addunyaan irraa dubbataa jirtu balaa uumamaa qofa akka hin tahin jala muranii ifsuu barbaachisa. Balaan kun balaa namtolchee ti yoo jedhame dhugaa irraa fagaachuu hin tahu. Jecha kanaaf fakkeenya gabaabaa tokko lafa kaayuun ni danda’ama. Sirnoota lamaan dabran keessa beelli deddeebi’ee Itoophiyaa keessatti mul’achaa ture naannoolee har’a balaan hongee fi beelaa irraa dubbatamaa jiru irraa fagoo ture. Akka fakkeenyaatti kaa’uuf, sirnoota dabran lamaan keessatti bakkoota balaa hongee fi beela hamaan dhawaman keessaa Tigraay toora duraa irra turte. Har’a garuu sun seenaa ta’ee dabree jira. Tigraay keessatti har’a waa’een hongee fi beelaa akka seenaatti dubbatama. Sababni isaas, Tigraay har’a mootummaa misoomaa fi badhaadhina isiif dhaabbate qabdi. Kana jechuun Tigiraay maaliif har’a beelaa fi hongee irraa baraaramte jedhanii qurramuuf akka hin tahin jala muruu feesisa. Ummatni Tigiraay kan sirnoota dabran keessatti beelaa fi hongee hamaadhaan dhawame har’a balaa kana jalaa dandamachuun oduu gammachiisaa dha. Dhalli namaa kamuu biyya lafaa irratti balaa suukaneessaa kana akka mudatu kan arguu hawwu hin jiru. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Haa ta’u malee hojii lubbuu oolchuu irra darbee misooma dinqisiisaa jedhame kana naannoo tokkoof qofa qoodanii kaan immo tahe jedhanii beelessuu fi beelas meesha sanyi-ballessaaf itti fayyadamamuu dha kan nama wal gaafachiisu. Mootummaan har’a aangoo siyaasaa Itoophiyaa dhunfatee jiru lafa dhaloota isaa kan taate Tigiraayiif mararfannoo addaa qabaachuun isaa nama hin ajaa’ibu. Wanni nama ajaa’ibuu fi gaddisiisu yoo jiraate, sirni kun naannoolee dur jiidhinaa fi xaahummaa isaaniitiin beekaman har’a lafa beelaa fi hongee hamaatti jijjiiruu isaa ti. Akka fakkeenyaatti godinaan Arsii baroota dabran mara hunda keessatti akka tayee daabboo (bread basket)tti laalamti ture. Dachii Arsii jiituu fi gabbattuu irraa midhaan qotamu ummatoota Itoophiyaa mara sooree akka irraa hafuu danda’u bal’inaan irraa dubbatamaa ture. Har’a garuu dachii badhaatuu tana fakkaattu fa’a tu beela’e. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Lafootni har’a balaa beelaa fi hongee hamaan dhawamuun isaanii qorannoo walabaan mirkanaawe Arsii qofas miti. Onootni Harargee Dhihaa fi Harargee bahaa baay’eenis balaa kanaan dhawamoo dha. Akka fakkeenyaatti Onni Fadiis dur fakkeenya dachii quufaa ture. Akka makmaaksaatti illee ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rabbi duubaan Fadiisi’</i> jedhama ture. Har’a bara Wayyaanee kanatti garuu ummata Oromoo lafa badhaatuu akkasii fa’a irra ture tu hongee fi beelaan dhawamee gargaarsa harka alagaa kadhachuutti jira. Sababni isaas Oromiyaa tu akka Tigraayitti mootummaa isiif quuqamu hin qabdu. Balaan hongee fi beelaa Oromiyaa keessatti miliyoonota gaaga’aa jiru balaa namtolchee ti malee kan uumamaa miti. Yoo kan uumamaa tahe balaa hamaa kan dur irraa qabee gama Kaabaa ture sanis irra aanuun hin danda’mu ture. Bakki dur hongeedhaan beekamu har’a badhaadhee bakki dur badhaadha ture har’a hongaawuun seera uumamaa osoo hin taane gochaa hammeenya ilma namaa ti. Mootummaan har’a Itoophiyaa bulchaan jira ofiin jedhu mootummaa naannoolee biyyattii hundumaa ija tokkoon hin laalle tahuu isaaf fakkeenyonni kaabaa kibbatti wal bira qabnee eerre kun ragaalee quufsoo dha. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imaamanni sirna Wayyaanee imaammata farrummaa fi tuffii ummatootaa akka tahe ragaa tarrisanii fixuun ulfaataa dha. Mootummaa ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Itoophiyaa keessa hongee malee beelli hin hin jiru’ </i>jedhu caalaa sirni ummatoota bulchaan jira ofiin jedhuuf tuffii hamaa qabu addunyaa irra kan jiru hin fakkaatu. Tuffiin kun ammoo jibba irraa madda. Jibbi kunis diinummaa sirnichaa qullaa baasee mul’isa. Diinni diinuma. Har’a humna harkaa qabutti gargaaramee gateettii ummatootaa irra qubatee dhiiga isaanii dhugaa jiraachuun hin haalamu. Guyyaa tokko garuu gateettii ummatoota walabaa irraa akka buniitootti buqqifamee darbamuun isaa waan hin oolle. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL-BE" style="mso-ansi-language: NL-BE;">Kun immoo gurmuu, kutannoo fi warraaqsa ummata Oromoo fi ummatoota madaa wal fakkaataa qabaniin mirkanaawa.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Haqni ni injifata!<o:p></o:p></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Info Deskii ABO<o:p></o:p></b></div><a href="http://www.1800jonesact.com/" id="all-free" target="_blank"></a>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-12342167719905101002011-11-12T17:24:00.000-08:002011-11-12T17:24:02.346-08:00TheFrustrating Situation of Refugees in Somaliland<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #0819b8; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">HRLHA Appeal and Urgent Action<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>November 12, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;">The Frustrating Situation of Refugees in Somaliland<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoTitle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Your Excellency Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">President of the Republic of Somaliland. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dear Honorable President, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">First of all, Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) would like to express its appreciation to the people of the Republic of Somaliland and to its government for their hospitality and kindness towards thousands of refugees who have fled their homes to escaped government persecutions in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and other neighboring countries and now living in Somaliland. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="header1" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333;">However, what has been happening to refugees in Somaliland over the past two and three weeks is contrary to the expectations of the HRLHA and those of international communities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 1.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">According to information obtained by HRLHA through its correspondents in Hargeisa, Somaliland, the refugees in the country, most of whom are from Ethiopia have been subjected to different kinds of harassments and intimidations in a very unsafe situation. <span style="color: #333333;">According those reports, </span>the refugees have been (and are being) indiscriminately evicted from their rented temporary shelters; and, as a result, more than 700 refugees have been forced to live on the streets. They are temporarily gathered at a place know as Social welfare Centre near the UNHCR office in Hargeisa. At this place, only those who could afford to buy are using tents; while those who couldn’t are living in open air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confiscations of properties, documents in particular, take place along with the kidnapping happens at their temporary shelter on street. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The refugees uniformly claim that their tenants told them that the evictions were on the order of the government of the Somaliland. Making their situations worse, those refugees have been denied any kind of accommodation and help from the local UNHCR office. The refugees add that they were told by the local UNHCR office that they will not get any help or support from the office unless and until they go back to their shelters (rented place), which is where they have been evicted from, and have been told they were not welcome back. The refugees also say that the local UNHCR office is aware of this situation. However, it has been difficult for the HRLHA to confirm this complaint with the local UNHCR office. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">A very young child has died as a result of this unfriendly situation in which the refugees are; and, according to those refugees, more lives might have been lost especially due to lack of basic needs such food and water, had it not been for the some kinds of humanitarian gestures from local people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The other frustrating situation is that there have been two very recent cases of kidnappings and disappearances by who were described as armed agents of the Ethiopian Government. HRLHA has confirmed that, in the first case of kidnapping which took place during the first week of this month (November 3 – 4, 2011), four refugees (all of whom were Oromo nationals from Ethiopia), have been kidnapped and taken away to currently unknown destination; but believed to be taken back to Ethiopia. They were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shek Abdurrahman Qabatoo</b>, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. Riyaad Kamal, Mr. Ali Dabbal</b>, and another refugee who was with Shek Abdurrahman at the moment. In the second case of kidnapping and disappearance, which happened on the 10<sup>th</sup> of November, 2011, two other refugees, namely, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. Abdushukuur Mahammad (RF/06/055</b>), and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mr. Hassan-nuur Mahammad Suleeyman (REC /361/08)</b> have become victims of this illegal action; while a refugee named <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mohammed Bushura Gurrachaa</b> escaped the kidnapping by running away from site. The hunting and attempts of kidnapping the refugees has continued even while this urgent action is being compiled. Originally, the refugees were targeted at their rented places of stay; and now (after evictions) at the Social welfare Centre near the UNHCR office in Hargeisa.<span style="color: red;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">According to eye witnesses, the armed team/group that is engaged in hunting and kidnapping the refugees drives around in a truck, approaches specific individuals it has targeted, or picks randomly, forces them onto the track, and drive away without any interference from the local government, or any other party. The fact that the vehicles were supplied by the local government makes the whole operation look like a joint work of the governments of Ethiopian and the Somaliland. It is important, here, to remind each other that such incidents and experiences of refugees are happening repeatedly; and that, in most cases, (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">as hinted at above through the UNHCR reference numbers provided</i>) the victims of such illegal actions are refugees who are already under the UNHCR mandate. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="header1" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Mr. President, even if those refugees are not protected by the UN mandate, what is happening to them is blatantly in breach of the 1951 International Refugee Convention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this (1951) document, it is stated that:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="header1" style="background: white; line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333;">“No Contracting State shall expel or return (“refouler”) a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers where his/her life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b><span style="color: black; letter-spacing: 1.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The overall situations taken into consideration, the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) is highly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of hundreds of those refugees who are now in a socially, economically, and politically unfriendly environment in Somaliland.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">So, the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) requests the government of the Somaliland to make efforts to honour its both local and international obligations, and ensure the safety of people within its jurisdiction. We specifically request that the Somaliland Government prevent such illegal actions as kidnapping from happening to innocent and defenseless people, and refrain from sending refugees back to a country that they fled because their lives were at risk. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) calls upon regional and international humanitarian and diplomatic communities to join us in making and sending these requests to the government of Somaliland. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The HRLHA is a non-political organization which attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the people of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa. It works on defending fundamental human rights including freedoms of thought, expression, movement and association. It also works on raising the awareness of individuals about their own basic human rights and that of others. It encourages the observances as well as due processes of law. It promotes the growth and development of free and vigorous civil societies<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">RECOMMENDED ACTION:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Please send appeals to the Somaliland Government officials as swiftly as possible, in English, Somali, or your own language:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">v<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Urging the Somaliland Government<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reverse its decision of expelling refugee from Somaliland <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">v<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Your Concerns at the apprehension and fear of Torture if they return to their home country <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">v<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Urging the authorities of Somaliland to ensure that these refugees are protected depending on the </span><span style="color: #333333;">1951 refugee convention.<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;">His Excellency<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333;">President of the Republic of Somaliland <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333;">TEL/FAX: 252-225-3871 <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;"><span style="color: #333333;"> <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> </span><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:president@somaligovernment.org"><span style="color: blue;">president@somaligovernment.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">United Nations Office at Geneva 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Fax:</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>+ 41 22 917 9022<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">(particularly for urgent matters) E-mail:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>tb-petitions@ohchr.org</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>This e-mail address is<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">International Committee of the Red Cross</span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">19 Avenue de la paix CH 1202 Geneva<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tel:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">+41 22 734 60 01<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Fax:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">+41 22 733 20 57<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">E-mail</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:webmaster@icrc.org"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">webmaster@icrc.org</span></span></a></span></strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">African Commission</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> </span></b></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Human</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Peoples</strong>‘<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><strong>Rights</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>(ACHPR)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">48 Kairaba Avenue, P.O.Box 673, Banjul, The Gambia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Tel: (220) 4392 962 , 4372070, 4377721 – 23 Fax: (220) 4390 764<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">E-mail:</span></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"> </span></i></span><em><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><a href="mailto:achpr@achpr.org"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">achpr@achpr.org</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></em></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><em><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">U.S. Department of State</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Tom Fcansky –</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><em><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Foreign Affairs Officer</span></em><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Email;-TOfcansky@aol.com><em>Washington, D.C. 20037</em><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Tel: +1-202-261-8009</span></em><span style="background: white; color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Fax: +1-202-261-8197<o:p></o:p></span></em></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Amnesty International – London<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Tom Gibson<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Telephone: +44-20-74135500<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Fax number: +44-20-79561157<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Email;- TGibson@amnesty.org<em>This e-mail address is being protected from spambots.</em><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><em><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">You need JavaScript enabled to view it</span></em><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Human Rights Watch – New York,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 150%;">Leslie Lefkow<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><strong><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><a href="mailto:lefkowl@hrw.org"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue;">lefkowl@hrw.org</span></span></a>; <o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-78874850852159442702011-10-13T22:04:00.000-07:002011-10-13T22:05:34.771-07:00The Macha-Tulama Cooperative and Development Association (MTA), USA, Inc.<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Press Release October 12, 2011 <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Illegal imprisonment of Macha-Tulama officials <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As all its predecessors, the current dictatorial and terrorist regime of Ethiopia came to state power and managed to stay in office through brutal force for twenty years. Since it grabbed state power by force, the main target of its hidden war and terrorism is the Oromo people. This Tigrayan-led regime has been employing all means of violence, terrorism, intimidation, torture, harassment, throwing thousands of innocent people in prison camps by branding them with unsubstantiated labels. Furthermore, thousands of Oromo peasants, artists, intellectuals and students with any political dissent have been forced into exile. Independent political and civic associations were outlawed. Only those who bowed down to the will of the regime have been spared and they are used by the government as pawns. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Macha-Tulama Self-help and Development Association are among many independent Oromo civic associations that have been surviving under the continuous attack by the brutal state machinery of Meles Zenawi. Sadly, the international community had been watching silently while the Ethiopian regime raided the Macha-Tulama office in Finfinnee (Addis Ababa) and confiscated its property and thrown the leaders into jail in 2004. Continuing its crimes against Oromo leaders, recently in September 2011, the Ethiopian dictatorial regime repeated with impunity the same fiasco once again. Regrettably, the international community has not raised its voice against this heinous crime against humanity. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Macha-Tulama high officials Mr. Laggese Deti Dhaba, Mr. Mulugeta Riqitu and Sisay Sarbesa are all held incommunicado at the Maikelawi Torture Center in Finfinnee as of today. Mr. Dhaba was the Secretary General of Macha-Tulama Self-help Association for the year 2002- 2003. Mr. Dhaba has also served as the Chairman of History and Culture Committee of the association. He is a cultural expert of Oromo society, and hence imprisoning and attacking him is tantamount to destroying Oromo cultural resources and foundations. Similarly, his colleagues who have been imprisoned with him have deep interests in promoting Oromo history and culture. They are Mr. Mulugeta Rikitu, School Director and Board Member of MTA; and Mr. Sisay Serbesa, 3rd Year Student at Addis Ababa University. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">These Oromo notables were detained on August 24 on their way home returning from a celebration of Gubaa Ceremony, one of the oldest Oromo original holidays celebrated in connection with the beginning of the New Year in early September. They are mainly targeted for showing respect and interest in Oromo cultural festivals and for showing mental independence in Oromo cultural renaissance. There is a serious concern as to the safety and well-being of these detainees. The Ethiopian regime has well documented history of using torture on detainees and extrajudicial execution in cold blood. The Macha-Tulama Cooperative and Development Association, USA, Inc. appeals to the US government, European governments, human rights groups, the UN, political leaders and the international community to urge the Ethiopian regime to release Mr. Legesse Deti Dhaba, Mr. Mulugeta Rikitu and Mr. Sisay Serbesa immediately and unconditionally, and to stop its ongoing war of intimidation and terror on the Oromo people. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="Default" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Board of Directors <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Macha -Tulama Association, USA, INC.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a href="http://www.1800jonesact.com/" id="all-free" target="_blank"></a>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-86834707871146703172011-10-12T22:51:00.000-07:002011-10-12T22:51:58.210-07:00Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa/HRLHA<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><strong> </strong></span>Press Release<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong>Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa/HRLHA<o:p></o:p></strong></span></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>October 2011 - </strong></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 150%;"><strong>Somalia - Peoples’ Free Will; Not Coercions<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa strongly condemns the heinous and deadly terrorist attack carried out in the Somali Capital, Moqadisho<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on the 4<sup>th</sup> of October, 2011, in which 70 plus innocent civilians were killed, and more than one hundred others wounded. Among the dead were students who were waiting for scholarship application results at the office of the Ministry of Education. It is so saddening and so shameful to hear that a group who claims to have been fighting in the name of the Somalis targets innocent civilians in such an indiscriminate manner, and kills students (the younger generation) in the hands of whom is the future of the country and the people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In today’s world of the 21<sup>st</sup> century, when the maximum advancement, growth and maturity have been achieved in all aspects of human lives, and when all forms of communication, dialogue, negotiation, and peaceful resolution of conflicts are possible, it is difficult to find a reason as to why such deadly and destructive acts of terrorism are committed so indiscriminately. One of the reasons why Somalia has become an example of a failed state is because none of those groups who have been operating in the name of the Somalis has attempted to allow the ordinary Somalis to exercise their free will to make choices of their own, and be part of the decision making processes. The Somalis undoubtedly have a lot of socio-economic issues to be concerned and think about. Particularly at the present time, hard hit and taken up by severe drought and starvation, they are looking out into the hands of international communities for food - which they need to save as many lives threatened by the catastrophe as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Any form of terrorist act is aimed at forcibly imposing one’s own wills and interests against the targeted group’s free will and/or consent. It would in no way bring a lasting solution to war torn countries and societies like Somalia. It is instead very likely that it would give rise to other different or similar forms of coercive systems.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">HRLHA calls up on the Al-Shabab, the group that has claimed the responsibility of carrying out the deadly attack, to refrain from such terrorist acts against one’s own people, and engage in peaceful means of finding lasting solutions to the internal conflict of Somalia that has already caused enormous destructions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The HRLHA is a non-political and non-profit organization that attempts to challenge abuses of human rights of the people of various nations and nationalities in the Horn of Africa. It works on defending fundamental human rights including freedoms of thought, expression, movement and association. It also works on raising the awareness of individuals about their own fundamental human rights and that of others. It encourages the observances as well as due processes of law. It promotes the growth and development of free and vigorous civil societies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-20839079484334448992011-10-11T21:53:00.000-07:002011-10-11T22:01:49.481-07:00Resolution of the Oromo Liberation Front National Council Fifth Regular Session<div style="text-align: center;">ADDA BILISUMMAA OROMOO </div><div style="text-align: center;">OROMO LIBERATION FRONT </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Resolution of the Oromo Liberation Front National Council Fifth Regular Session </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Oromo Liberation Front National Council (OLF-NC) has successfully completed its fifth regular session held from October 3 - 10, 2011. The NC, during this session, addressed wide ranging issues including organizational matters, the situation of the Oromo people and its struggle, the unparalleled brutality of the TPLF/EPRDF regime against the peoples in Ethiopia in general and the Oromo people in particular, peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and other regional and global issues. After thorough deliberation the NC concluded its meeting by passing several important resolutions. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Oromo liberation struggle for freedom and sovereignty, led by the OLF, continuous to enjoy popular support of our people, who continue paying immense sacrifices. The ongoing popular uprising led by the Oromo youth, the Qeerroo, which is gaining wide spread support from the Oromo and other peoples, is shaking the regime to its foundation. In the course of the struggle, our organization has encountered and overcame various internal and external challenges. The council reaffirms its unfolding commitment to the achievement of the Oromo people’s right to self-determination up to and including independence. At this junction, we call upon all Oromo political forces to join hands with us in the continuous effort to liberate our people. We are committed to peacefully resolve tactical differences that might have existed between us. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The TPLF/EPRDF regime has continued targeting the Oromo people through brutal repression to extend its grab on power. Accordingly massive human rights violations, extreme economic exploitation and blatant discrimination has become the lot of the Oromo people. The recent ‘Anti Terrorism Law’ by the rubber stamp parliament has worsened the condition of Oromo individuals of all walks of life. This law is being used to suppress fundamental human rights including the right to assembly and freedom of expression. Today more than any time in the past the Oromo people are subjected to extrajudicial killings, disappearance, torture, mass arrest, harassment and imprisonment in villages, workplaces, towns and cities. Imposition of exorbitant taxation on the farmers and small businesses, eviction of peasants from their ancestral farm lands for leasing to foreigners under obscure terms, denial of job opportunities and dismissal of employees from their jobs on flimsy excuses is a daily experience of our people. Oromos and Oromia are discriminated against in employment, promotion, education, and other social services. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Millions of people are facing famine due to deliberate wrong policies in Oromia. However, the fact that the existence of famine is denied and access to the area by outsiders is blocked by the regime, the people are not receiving the life saving assistance necessary from the international community. Therefore, we urge the international community to pressure the regime to open up the areas for access and provide necessary assistance. Because of the sever repression in Oromia, thousands of Oromos have sought refuge in the neighbouring countries like Somalia, Kenya, Sudan, Djibouti and beyond. Many have perished trying to cross the Indian Ocean to the Arabian Peninsula. Others have faced the same fate trying to cross the Sahara and other deserts. The Ethiopian security agents have crossed international borders to assassinate, abduct or harass the refugees. We call upon the hosting countries and pertinent international agencies to assist the refugees in accordance with the relevant international law. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The regime has been maintaining itself in power by habitually instigating conflicts between the romo people and its neighbors using the defunct ‘divide and rule’ policy. The latest such tragic episode took place between Oromo and Gumuz people in western Oromia and between the Oromo and Somalis in the East. In addition, the regime has been working hard to incite religious conflict in the Oromo society and elsewhere by destroying the traditional tolerance among religious groups. Incidents like burning churches and holly books including the Qur’an, that have never been heard in the long history of peoples with different religions living side by side, have recently surfaced in some localities of Oromia with apparent connivance of the authorities. We call upon the Oromo and neighboring peoples to resist the enemy instigation and resort to the traditional way of resolving their differences peacefully. Similarly we call on Oromo and other religious communities to adhere to the long held tradition of practices of tolerance. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ethiopia which shares border with all the IGAD countries except for Uganda, lies at the centre of the security complex of the Horn. Consequently the situation in Ethiopia should be of a serious concern to the IGAD member states. The instability in Oromia, which lies at the centre of Ethiopia, affects the stability of the whole region. The case of thousands of refugees in all the member countries and the cross border incursion by the Ethiopian security forces is one of the cases in point. Therefore, the Council urges the IGAD member states to support the genuine Oromo Liberation struggle for justice and freedom and dissociate themselves from the baseless and false allegations of the Ethiopian regime against the OLF. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The international community is turning blind eye to the injustices perpetrated by the TPLF/ EPRDF regime against the peoples in Ethiopia. Despite credible report of Human Rights Organizations Media Reports about the misuse of the assistance given to the regime some governments particularly from the west are actively continuing to support the regime by providing the means of oppression. The National Council calls on these governments to review their policy towards the oppressive brutal regime and instead support the genuine struggle of the Oromo and other peoples for freedom and equality which could serve for lasting peace in the region. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Tigrian political elites ruling Ethiopia today are the enemy of the peoples in Ethiopia including the Tigrian people. The regime has slammed the door on peaceful means of resolving the perennial political conflict with resistance groups and closed the political playing field of legal oppositions. The OLF is ready to cooperate in the struggle against this regime. Therefore, we call upon all forces opposed to the dictatorial minority regime and struggling for liberation, equality, freedom and peace to rise up in unison to get rid of these autocrats. </div><br />
Victory to the Oromo People! <br />
Oromo Liberation Front-National Council <br />
October 10, 2011Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-89407687091746624552011-09-30T21:13:00.000-07:002011-09-30T21:13:15.414-07:00<span style="font-family: "Courier New";">New Statesman (Sept. 29) The powerful NGO says the international development secretary has been "disingenuous" and "misleading". <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Andrew Mitchell, the International Development Secretary, of being "disingenuous" and "misleading" about the misuse of aid in Ethiopia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Last month, an investigation by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Newsnight revealed that the Ethipian government was using long-term development aid for political purposes. It found that communities considered loyal to the opposition had been denied food aid, seed and fertiliser.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Appearing on Newsnight last Wednesday, Mitchell stated that no British development support goes through the government of Ethiopia. He also said that officials had conducted an on-the-ground investigation and found no evidence of the systemic misuse of food aid.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">This is where HRW got involved. Jan Egeland, the deputy executive director for HRW Europe, has written an open letter questioning Mitchell's comments. It uses exceptionally strong language, and is unprecedented in accusing a secretary of state of being misleading, and implying he has bowed to pressure from the Ethiopian government. Here are the highlights:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">You said in the Newsnight interview that DFID officials had investigated the allegations but, "found no evidence at all of systemic misuse of food support." However, a proper investigation capable of drawing conclusions about the nature of abuses by the Ethiopian government would need to be conducted at the field level, and our understanding is that no such investigation has been undertaken.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Your claim that no British support goes through the Ethiopian government is disingenuous. The vast majority of British support to Ethiopia passes through the government.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">We recognise that the Ethiopian government is extremely resistant to scrutiny. Nonetheless, the British government and other donors to Ethiopia should not allow the Ethiopian government to dictate the terms on which public British money is monitored, and every effort should be made to prevent British development aid from strengthening authoritarian rule and repression.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">The letter goes on to explain that the Ethiopian federal government is responsible for administering and monitoring the largest development programme, which the British Ambassador to Ethiopia said was "budget support in all but name".<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Mitchell has replied:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">As I have made clear, the British government does not agree with all of your assertions nor your conclusions. We also do not believe the report is methodologically sound.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Human Rights Watch is an organisation for which I have profound respect and admiration.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">But it is important not to overstate criticisms in an unbalanced manner, the effect of which will be to undermine the vital work HRW carries out in other parts of the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">You point out in your letter that the Ethiopian government must not dictate the terms on which British public money is monitored. I am happy to confirm that this is not the case.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">After Mitchell's Newsnight appearance, a DfID official confirmed that the investigation he referred to was actually a desk study conducted from Addis Ababa. It looks as if the matter will not be resolved until a full on-the-ground investigation is carried out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">UPDATE - 3.20pm: I've been contacted by DfID, who said that the statement read out on Newsnight (regarding the desk study) was inaccurate. The following clarification was read out on Friday's programme:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">The Department for International Development has confirmed that, as Secretary of State Andrew Mitchell made clear on Wednesday's programme, DFID officials in Ethiopia did make regular field visits to look into the allegations of aid distortion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New";">Those field visits -- and dozens of similar visits by other donor agencies -- made clear that there was no systemic distortion for political reasons in the distribution of aid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-89657530510696799652011-09-18T03:19:00.000-07:002011-09-18T03:19:36.944-07:00Qeerroo Press Release<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br />
Email: Qeerroo2011@gmail.com<br />
Facebook: Qeerroo Bilisummaa<br />
Website: </span><a href="http://qeerroo.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: navy; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">http://qeerroo.wordpress.com</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Just to point one, like the Woyane regime did in the past; we are observing organizations like Ginbot 7 are trying to take the invalid shortcut to their own goal.”</span></strong><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">- Qeerroo</span></strong></span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Press Release: Crackdown and campaign of mass imprisonment can never stop the struggle for freedom and Self Determination</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The bitter struggle for freedom, democracy and self determination have come a long way from the day of the empire formation while to the contrary the response from the consecutive Ethiopian regimes happens to be mass imprisonment, looting, exiling and killing. What is special about the current regime is that, the life of these imprisoned and the other individuals, who are in principle free, are almost the same. It became customary to imprison, kill and confiscate the property of the people who have come up with legitimate discontent and spoke about their rights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The reality dictates uniting efforts to topple the two decades long Woyane dictatorship as the only option on the ground. It is also the will of every nation in the country to join hands to erode the unspeakable tragedy of the people and to see the country on right path to development and equality. The clear goal after the days of the current dictatorship should also be to unchain the people and to open a new path of history whereby the people of the country decides freely on their future. The Oromo people is working for a system and a government that respects its rights and aspirations. It is against the other version of dictatorship whereby the Oromo continues to serve the interest of other hidden agendas and all sort of marginalization. The youth and people of Oromo is keenly and actively working to rebuff any sort of fake and ungrounded partnership even if we are open to democratic and credible partnership which is in line with the aspiration our people.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Having said that, we have not yet seen any credible support for our people ongoing struggle for freedom and democracy from these organizations who claims to have been fighting against Woyane regime. At a time when the Oromo people is suffering from mass imprisonment, killing, looting and land grabbing, not a single Pro Ethiopian organization have voiced against the injustice going on. Even if these things are all unfortunate, the Youth movement of Qeerroo still believes in the necessity of partnership and solidarity in the struggle that can secure the freedom all peoples in Ethiopia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Just to point one, like the Woyane regime did in the past; we are observing organizations like Ginbot 7 are trying to take the invalid shortcut to their own goal. At a time when the imprisonment and killing in the country was intensified not only against the Oromo but also against other nations who started to say NO to the regime on power, avoiding the real way of dealing with the issue and engaging in a political game and show-off for simple political consumption is very disappointing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">As we all remember, the regimes on power have been doing all nasty tricks to divide the opposition camps. These tricks have brought nothing but intensified the problem in the country. It is a recent memory how the regime in power used individuals like Asefa Chamisso to divide and weaken the opposition camp on the CUD. Likewise the Ginbot 7 leaders look as if they are big fun of this nasty game. Rather than putting a credible and tangible struggle on the ground, they are busy to show the face of some individuals who have been proved to lack organizational discipline but claims to represent the Oromo people. This is not a fashion show and the Oromo clearly understand the terrible agenda behind the scene. This old and ugly way of struggle, which is the main reason for the failure of the Ethiopian politics so far; can never stand to the current need and aspiration of the people. The right answer is to engage in a serious and credible partnership in a bid to topple the dictatorship in Ethiopia once and for all and to work for freedom, democracy and self determination. It is the defining moment for these type of organization to clearly spell and tell their stand on solidarity, partnership and their understanding of right to self-determination in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It is important to note that the objective of partnership is not to install new form of dictatorship which disregards the right to self-determination on empire mentality but to realise it and build the country on a democratic, justified and equal footing. By eroding the dictatorship in Ethiopia, we should be able to address the plight of the different peoples in Ethiopia, underline the unalienable right to self determination and open new era of bright future. There is no short cut to the realization of self determination but to accept and to deal with it. But if there are still some organizations that are not ready to accept the unalienable right to self determination in any form, they can not be seen different from the Woyane regime on power.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Qeerroo believes in the potential of new generation to realise freedom, democracy and justice in a sustained struggle against dictatorship. What is more, Qeerroo would like to assure that it will work for struggle that take all stake holders on board that can come up with a convincing and preferred option to solve the problems in the country.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Finally, the usual way of Woyane regime mass arrest and violence against people who raises a legitimate right, in a bid to take its regime forward can not work anymore. As we can understand from history Imprisonment and killing have never answered a clear political problem. Likewise the current unspeakable violence and inhuman treatment against people with legitimate demands can not stop us from struggle and can never deter us from realising self determination and democracy in Ethiopia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Victory for the subjugated people!<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Freedom and Democracy Shall Prevail!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">National Youth Movement for Freedom and Democracy (NYMFD)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">17th of September 2011<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Adama<o:p></o:p></span>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-70765039126588253392011-09-17T17:13:00.000-07:002011-09-17T17:21:07.970-07:00Ethiopia 'using aid as weapon of oppression'<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="storycontent"><tbody>
<tr> <td colspan="2"><div class="mxb"><h1> </h1></div></td></tr>
<tr> <td class="storybody"><br />
<div class="videoInStoryB"><div class="emp" id="emp_9556904"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwRFAiXDEsl6djmHuXz7BWw9bKSinKvWdZEpe9OnYKY2K6f86KHAkeU4KobAAvJRxSp3i1I17KlMrE' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div class="caption">Watch Angus Stickler's full report and Ethiopian and UK responses</div></div><br />
<b>A joint undercover investigation by BBC Newsnight and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has uncovered evidence that the Ethiopian government is using billions of dollars of development aid as a tool for political oppression.</b><br />
Posing as tourists the team of journalists travelled to the southern region of Ethiopia. <br />
<br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 231px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="5"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif" width="5" /></td> <td class="sibtbg"><div><div class="mva"><img alt="" border="0" height="13" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif" width="24" /> <b>We are just waiting on the crop, if we have one meal a day we will survive until the harvest, beyond that there is no hope for us</b> <img align="right" alt="" border="0" height="13" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif" width="23" /></div></div><div class="mva"><div>Villager in southern Ethiopia</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There they found villages where whole communities are starving, having allegedly been denied basic food, seed and fertiliser for failing to support Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. <br />
The investigation has also gathered evidence of mass detentions, the widespread use of torture and extra-judicial killings by Ethiopian government forces. <br />
Yet Western donors including Britain - which is the third largest donor to Ethiopia - stand accused of turning a blind eye by continuing to provide aid money despite being warned about the abuses. <br />
The aid in question is long-term development aid, not the emergency aid provided in response to the current drought in Ethiopia and its neighbours in the Horn of Africa. <br />
<b>Government response</b><br />
Ambassador Abdirashid Dulane, the Deputy Head of Ethiopia's UK Mission, has rejected the allegations saying that the Newsnight/Bureau report "lacked objectivity, even-handedness". <br />
<br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 226px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td><div><img alt="Starving villagers in southern Ethiopia" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54435000/jpg/_54435925_bbcwoman1.jpg" width="226" /> <br />
<div class="cap">The team found villagers eating leaves in order to survive</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>"The sole source of the story was opponents of Ethiopia who have been rejected by the electorate, and time and again it has been shown that their allegations are unfounded". <br />
Our reporters visited one village in southern Ethiopia with a population of about 1,700 adults. <br />
Despite being surrounded by other communities which are well fed and prosperous, this village, which cannot be named for fear of reprisals, is starving. We were told that in the two weeks prior to our team's arrival five adults and 10 children had died. <br />
Lying on the floor, too exhausted to stand, and flanked by her three-year-old son whose stomach is bloated by malnutrition, one woman described how her family had not eaten for four days. <br />
"We are living day to day on the grace of God," she said. <br />
Another three-year-old boy lay in his grandmother's lap, listless and barely moving as he stared into space. <br />
"We are just waiting on the crop, if we have one meal a day we will survive until the harvest, beyond that there is no hope for us," the grandmother said. <br />
<b>'Abandoned'</b><br />
In another village 30 km (19 miles) away it was a similar story. <br />
<br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 231px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="5"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif" width="5" /></td> <td class="sibtbg"><div><div class="mva"><img alt="" border="0" height="13" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif" width="24" /> <b>Almost all of the aid goes through the government channels... in terms of relief food supply and some of the safety net provisions, they simply don't get to the needy of an equitably basis</b> <img align="right" alt="" border="0" height="13" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif" width="23" /></div></div><div class="mva"><div>Professor Beyene Petros, opposition politician</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There our team met Yenee, a widow who along with her seven children is surviving by begging, eating leaves and scavenging scraps from the bins in the nearest town. <br />
"The situation is desperate," she said. "We have been abandoned... It is a matter of chance if we live or die." <br />
The two villages sit just 15km (9 miles) either side of a major town, surrounded by other communities where the populations are well fed and healthy. They are in desperate need, but no-one is helping. <br />
According to local opposition members they are being punished for failing to vote for the ruling party, the Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which Mr Meles leads. <br />
Further north a group of farmers alienated by Mr Meles' government met the BBC/Bureau team at a secret location on the edge of a remote village. <br />
One farmer described how he had been ostracised for failing to support EPRDF: "Because of our political views we face great intimidation. We are denied the right to fertiliser and seeds because of political ideology," he said. <br />
<b>'Buying support'</b><br />
The Ethiopian federal and regional governments control the distribution of aid in Ethiopia. <br />
Professor Beyene Petros, the current vice-chairman of the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Forum, an alliance of eight opposition parties known as Medrek, told our reporters that aid is not distributed according to need, but according to support for the EPRDF: <br />
<br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 226px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td><div><img alt="Meles Zenawi" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54435000/jpg/_54435855_meleszenawi_afpgetty.jpg" width="226" /> <br />
<div class="cap">Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi took power in 1991</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>"Almost all of the aid goes through the government channels... in terms of relief food supply and some of the safety net provisions, they simply don't get to the needy of an equitably basis. <br />
"There is a great deal of political differentiation. People who support the ruling party, the EPRDF, and our members are treated differently. The motivation is buying support, that is how they recruit support, holding the population hostage," he said. <br />
Mr Beyene said that the international community, including the British government, is well aware of the problem and that he has personally presented them with evidence: <br />
"The position of the donor communities is dismissive... they always want to dismiss it as an isolated incident when we present them with some proof. And we challenge them to go down and check it out for themselves, but they don't do it." <br />
<b>Accountability</b><br />
The UK International Development Minister Stephen O'Brien issued a statement in response to the allegations raised by the investigation, saying: <br />
"We take all allegations of human rights abuses extremely seriously and raise them immediately with the relevant authorities including the Ethiopian Government, with whom we have a candid relationship. Where there is evidence, we take firm and decisive action. <br />
<br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 231px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td width="5"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif" width="5" /></td> <td class="sibtbg"><div><div class="mva"><img alt="" border="0" height="13" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/start_quote_rb.gif" width="24" /> <b>They raped me in a room, one of them was standing on my mouth, and one tied my hand, they were taking turns, I fainted during this</b> <img align="right" alt="" border="0" height="13" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/end_quote_rb.gif" width="23" /></div></div><div class="mva"><div>Ethiopian woman from the Ogaden</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>"The British aid programme helps the people of Ethiopia, 30 million of whom live in extreme poverty. We demand full accountability and maximum impact on the ground for support from the British taxpayer." <br />
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and Newsnight also gathered evidence of a crackdown and human rights abuses in Ethiopia's Somali region, the area bordering Somalia and Kenya, also know as the Ogaden region. <br />
Ethnic Somali rebels from the outlawed Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and Ethiopian government forces have been fighting for control of Ogaden since the 1970s. <br />
The media and most aid agencies are banned from the region. <br />
Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries of the world, is currently suffering from horrific drought. <br />
Many of those fleeing the ensuing humanitarian crisis have headed to Dadaab refugee camp in northern Kenya. <br />
It is the largest refugee camp in the world, and the vast majority of the 400,000 people there are from Somalia, but among them are an increasing number of Ethiopians from the Ogaden. <br />
<b>'Revenge killings'</b><br />
Abdifatah Arab Olad, an Ogaden community leader, told our reporters that up to 100 refugees are arriving every month with tales of killings and the burning of villages by government troops. <br />
<br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 226px;"><tbody>
<tr> <td><div><img alt="Dadaab refugee camp" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/54435000/jpg/_54435856_sunsetoverrefugeecampdadaab_reuters.jpg" width="226" /> <br />
<div class="cap">Ethiopians from the Ogaden are fleeing to Dadaab refugee camp</div></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>"Whenever fighting has taken place between the rebels and the army, for each army member that is killed, the military go to the nearest town and they start killing people," he said. "For each army member killed it equals to 10 civilians losses." <br />
In the corner of a makeshift shack in the camp, an old woman who had arrived from Ogaden three weeks earlier described being arrested along with 100 others in her village. <br />
She said they were taken to a jail where they were locked up in a shipping container, and picked out on a nightly basis to be tortured: <br />
"They beat me then started to rape me; I screamed and fought with them... I tried to bite them... they tied me this way," she said, gesturing to her legs. <br />
"They raped me in a room, one of them was standing on my mouth, and one tied my hand, they were taking turns, I fainted during this... I can't say how many, but they were many in the army," she said. <br />
<b>'Assaulted when pregnant'</b><br />
Other women in the camp also said they had been arrested and accused of being members of the OLNF. <br />
They included one who said that she was eight months pregnant when she was detained and raped by eight soldiers: <br />
"They were beating me while I was being raped, I was bleeding," she said, describing how one soldier stamped on her stomach and beat her with the stock of his rifle: <br />
"I fell unconscious when I saw my baby... a man jumping on your stomach, you can imagine what happened to the child, very big kicks blows with the back of a gun. As a consequence of that the child died." <br />
We cannot substantiate these individual allegations. But other credible sources have reported similar stories of the widespread use of rape by Ethiopian security forces against women in the Ogaden. <br />
Speaking on Newsnight, Ethiopia's Ambassador Abdirashid Dulane said that the claims of rape and torture were a "rehash" of old allegations that the Ethiopian government had answered time and again. <br />
"The Ethiopian government is governed by the rule of law, and human rights and democratic rights are enshrined in the Ethiopian constitution," he said. <br />
<br />
Source: BBC</td></tr>
</tbody> </table>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-31334355766917214452011-09-17T16:28:00.000-07:002011-09-17T16:28:36.411-07:00Wikileaks Ethiopia Files: Ethiopia Bombs Itself, Blames Eritrea<b><span style="color: #888888; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">by Thomas C. Mountain<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">September 6, 2011 (Foreign Policy Journal) - Recently released Wikileaks Ethiopia files expose how Ethiopian security forces planted 3 bombs that went off in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on September 16, 2006 and then blamed Eritrea and the Oromo resistance for the blasts in a case that raises serious questions about the claims made about the bombing attempt against the African Union summit earlier this year in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">In a <a href="http://wikileaks.org/cable/2006/10/06ADDISABABA2708.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #000099; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">report</span></a> from 2006 marked “Secret ; Subject: Ethiopia: Recent Bombings Blamed on Oromos Possibly the Work of GOE [Government of Ethiopia]” “Classified By: Charge [d’Affairs] Vicki Huddleston”, “An embassy source, as well as clandestine reporting, suggests that the bombing may have in fact been the work of the GoE security forces.” (Cable reference id: #06ADDISABABA2708.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">At the time, the western media reported the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) claims that the bombs were “part of a coordinated terror attack by the OLF [Oromo Liberation Front, the oldest national liberation movement in Ethiopia] and Sha’abiya (Eritrea) aimed at disrupting democratic development”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The Wikileaks report goes on, “a typically reliable information source” who “contacted Post to report that” the bodies of three men found at the bomb sites “had been picked up by police a week prior, kept in detention and tortured. He said police then left the men in a house and detonated explosives nearby, killing 3 of them.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.25pt; margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">This exposes the history of how the Ethiopian regime has planted bombs and then blamed Eritrea and the Ethiopian resistance. The lies that make up the official version of this alleged terrorist attack raises serious questions about the credibility of the recently released report by the UN via its US State Department affiliate, the Monitoring Group for Eritrea and Somalia, which blames the Eritreans and the OLF for the January bombing attempt at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Identical lies about a nearly identical “terrorist attack”, all accepted as fact by the western media. This should also deliver another body blow to the Obama White House and its claims that Eritrea supports terrorism in the Horn of Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10pt;">So once again the bellowing against Eritrea by the USA and it lackeys at the UN going back to 2006 is exposed as complete bunkum and an identical frame up of Eritrean and the Oromo resistance in Ethiopia that has been regurgitated by the UN and its truth challenged Monitoring Group on Eritrea and Somalia must be subject to a more critical scrutiny. Based on this expose’ it can only be hoped that the UN inSecurity Council, which has yet to decide whether to pass severe sanctions against Eritrea, will refrain from doing so.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: whitesmoke; line-height: 15.6pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="Description: http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/8ed817904356e622a46b0d14074f7c85?s=39&d=http%3A%2F%2F0.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D39&r=R" border="0" height="49" src="file:///C:/Users/Odaa/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.png" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1" width="49" /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 9pt;">Thomas C. Mountain is an independent western journalist based in the Horn of Africa, and has been living and reporting from Eritrea since 2006. He was a member of the 1st US Peace Delegation to Libya in 1987. Read more articles by <a href="http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/author/thomas-c-mountain/" title="Posts by Thomas C. Mountain"><span style="color: #000099; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Thomas C. Mountain</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</div>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-426711893028222322011-07-31T00:28:00.000-07:002011-09-15T01:52:40.211-07:00IBSA IJJANOO MISEENSOOTA ABO KUTAALEE USA FI KAANAADAA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjm8kzEg3xOgWn7yVSlsBRzJFYW9lfEw9nzkmZxFIHT_n7G_v2I9rlsbyCVYafrwNq1FKnjIgX_amD65d-IvGBUED5Njhd2LloLVj1Y1jHLV1a_JgcpH-PngD1Gzjvd3TLDt_/s1600/DSCN0940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjm8kzEg3xOgWn7yVSlsBRzJFYW9lfEw9nzkmZxFIHT_n7G_v2I9rlsbyCVYafrwNq1FKnjIgX_amD65d-IvGBUED5Njhd2LloLVj1Y1jHLV1a_JgcpH-PngD1Gzjvd3TLDt_/s320/DSCN0940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nuti miseensoonni ABO kutaalee USA fi Kaanaadaa kora miseensootaa Adooleessa 20-21 2011 fi <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>guyyaa yaa’ii Ummataa Adooleessa 22/2011 magaalaa Minneapolis keessatti<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gaggeeffame injifannoon xumuranne. Walgahii kana irratti Ibsa HD ABO J. Dawud Ibsaa irraa karaa teleconference fi Hoggnoota ABO SHGS fi GS walgahii kana irratti argaman<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>irraa ibsa kenname dhaggeeffanee gaaffiilee qabnuus erga gaafanee booda xinxilaa fi marii bal’aa QBO fuldra tarkaanfachiisu erga gooneen booda ibsa ijjannoo fi murtiilee armaan gadii kana dabarfanne. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miseensoonni hujii dhaaba keenyaa kan biyya alaa kanatti hojjachaa jirru ilaalchisee xinxila fi marii gaggeesine irratti dhaabbannee, hujiilee biyya alaa kanatti hojjannu hunda kan durii caalaa galmaan gahuuf dirqama nurraa eeggamu hundaa <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gumaachuuf wa’aada <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keenya haarayoomfanne. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Qaceelfamaa fi murtii<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>dhaabni keenya fudhatu hundaa ni deeggara. Hujii irra oolchuufiis dirqama nurraa eeggamu guutummatti<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>baanee argamuuf qophii dha. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hujiilee dhaaba keenyaa, kan caayaalee fi hawaasaa hunda keessatti gaggeefamaa jiru irratti ciminaan hojjanna. Keessattu qooda dubartootaa, dargaggootaa fi shamarranii olkaasuuf jabaannee hojjachuuf murteefanne. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WBOn haala rakkisaa tahe keessatti tarkaanfii halleellaa diina irratti fudhachaa jiru hedduu dinqisiifachaa, WBOn haleellaa diina irratti fudhachaa jiru, daran jabeessee <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bilisummaa sabni keenyaa hawwaa jiru akka argamsiisu taasisuuf<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>tinnisa WBO goonu fi waan nurraa barbaachisu hunda dacha dachaan godhuuf murteefanne. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">FDG Ummanni keenya Oromiyaa guutuu keessatti gaggeessaa jiran guutummati deeggara. Gama keenyaan, FDG kana galmaan gahuuf<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>jabaannee hojjachuuf murteefanne. Ummanni Oromoo biyyaa fi biyya ambaa jiru hundinuu FDG biyya keessatti belbalaa jiru kana cinaa akka dhaabbataniis waamicha goona. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tokkummaa qabsaawootaa kan dhiigaa fi Lafee jaallan QBOf wareegamaniin argame diiguuf warra hojjatan hundaa ni balaalleefanna. Gochaa farra Ummata Oromoo fi QBO kana irraahiis akka dhaabbatan janna. Diina qofa irratti xiiyyeefachuun waan yeroon gaafatu tahuus dhaamanna. Karaa keenyaan tokkummaa saba keenyaa fi dhaaba keenyaa tiikfachaa qabsaa’uuf murteeffanne.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jaarmayoota Oromoo hunda jiddutti Araara buusuu fi mooraa QBO keessatti nagayaa fi tasgabbii uumuuf imaammta dhaabni keenya hordofaa jiru guutumatti deeggarna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imaammata kana hujoomsuuf qaceelfama dhaaba keenyaa hujoomsuufiis<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>murteefanne.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mootummaan farra namoomaa fi dimokraasii tahe kun aangoo irra turuu kan danda’een gargaarsa mootummoota gurgurdoo Adunyaatiin waan ta’eef, gargaarsi mootummoota kanaa ummata ajjeesuu, hidhuu fi hiraarsuuf akka Wayyaaneen dhimma itti bahaa jirtu hubatanii, gargaarsa mootummaa kanaaf godhaa jiran akka dhaaban gaafanna.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Haalli baqattoota Oromoo biyyoota ollaatti baqatanii jiraatan yaachisaa dha. Mootummonni itti baqatan tikaa fi gargaarsa<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>isaan irraa eeggamu godhuufi hanqachuu irraan kan ka’e balaa guddaan irra gahaa jira. Waan taheef, Mootummoonni, dhaaboonni mirga dhala namaaf dhaabatanii fi dhaaboonni <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>baqatoota gargaaran hundi<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gargaarsa barbaachisu akka yeroon godhaniif qofa otuu hin tahini akka biyyoota keessa jiraan keessatti<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mirga baqatummaa isaanii eegamuuf dhiibbaa godha gaafanna.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mootummaan shorarkeesituun Wayyaanee daangaa dabruun,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>baqatoota Oromoo roorroo fi hacuucaa biyya isaanii keessatti irra gahaa jirurraa baqatanirratti gaggeessaa jiru ni balaaleefanna. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">11.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Haala QBO, haala WBO fi ummatni<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keenya kan biyya jiru keessa jiran yeroo<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bal’inaan xinxille, QBO bakkaan gahuuf haalli keessa jirru<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mijjaawaa ta’uu hubanna. Haala kanatti gargaaramanii QBO bakkaan gahuufiis dirmannaa dhala Oromoo hunda kan gaafatu waan ta’eef Ilmaan Oromoo harka wal qabannee tinnisa nu irraa eeggamu akka gumaachinu waamich akeenya dabrfanna.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">12.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ilmaan Oromoo fi ilmaan Saba cunqurfamoo biiyya sanii kanneen diinaa waliin dhaabbatani ummata isaanii miidhaa jiran <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hundi, gochaa farra namoomaa ummata ofii irratti gaggeessaa jiran kana irraa dhaabbatanii ummata isaanii waliin diina kana fonqalchuu irratti qooda isaanii<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>gumaachan waamicha goona.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">13.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maayyii irratti nuti miseensoonni ABO kutaalee USA fi Kaanaadaa murtiilee kora gamtaa kana irratti dabarfanne hunda hujii irra oolchuuf murteefanne<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Injifannoo Ummata Oromoof!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gadaan Gadaa Bilisummaa ti!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-48171523240439241872011-02-19T15:54:00.000-08:002011-02-19T15:56:15.801-08:00The trifecta of civil resistance: unity, planning, discipline<p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/author/hardy-merriman"><span style="color: blue;">Hardy Merriman</span></a>, 19 November 2010</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Three attributes can make the difference between success and failure for nonviolent movements around the world: unity, planning, and nonviolent discipline. </span></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">About the author </span></p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hardy Merriman<br />
<br />
was director of programs and research at ICNC from 2005 to 2007. He edited the book "<a href="http://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/learning-and-resources/resources-on-nonviolent-conflict?bTask=bDetails&bId=7"><span style="color: blue;">Waging Nonviolent Struggle: 20th Century Practice and 21st Century Potential</span></a>" by Gene Sharp and also co-authored "<a href="http://nonviolent-conflict.org/index.php/learning-and-resources/resources-on-nonviolent-conflict?bTask=bDetails&bId=262"><span style="color: blue;">A Guide to Effective Nonviolent Struggle</span></a>".<o:p></o:p></span></p$1></p$1></div></p$1></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What makes nonviolent civil resistance movements effective? </span></p$1></p$1><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If we accept the axiom that in politics “power is never given, it is always taken”, the conclusion necessarily is that historic nonviolent movements were successful because, somehow, they wielded power that was greater than that of their opponents.</span></p$1></p$1></div></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This conclusion conflicts with, and opens up a direct line of questioning about, the widely-held assumption that power ultimately originates from control of material resources and capacity for violence. If this assumption were entirely correct, nonviolent movements would categorically fail against better-armed and -resourced opponents. What history reveals, however, is a timeline of many successful nonviolent struggles, extending back for more than a century, with protagonists and causes as diverse as humanity itself. To list some examples: </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the 1930s and 1940s, Indians won their independence by engaging in massive noncooperation (economic boycotts, school boycotts, strikes, tax refusal, civil disobedience, resignations) that threatened to make India ungovernable and eventually convinced the British to leave;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">During the 1950s and 1960s, the US Civil Rights Movement won equal rights through nonviolent campaigns such as the Montgomery bus boycotts and the Nashville lunch-counter sit-ins that exploited weaknesses in the institutionalized segregation system and attracted supporters nationwide;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From 1965-1970, the United Farm Workers union grew from a small, practically unfunded local organization to a national presence through their successful use of strikes and boycotts against California grape vineyards;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In 1986 in the Philippines, activists joined with military defectors to rally millions to demonstrate against the US-backed dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. With his options quickly diminishing in light of this nonviolent uprising, Marcos fled the country;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In 1988, Chileans overcame the fear instilled by the brutal dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet and campaigned and demonstrated against him. These actions so undermined Pinochet’s support that even his fellow military junta members were no longer loyal to him at the peak of the crisis,<br />
and he was forced from power;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From 1980-1989, Poles organized an independent trade union as part of the Solidarity movement and took back their country from Soviet rule;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In 1989, protests and strikes that became known as the Velvet Revolution led to a peaceful transition from communism in Czechoslovakia. Similar actions led to peaceful transitions in East Germany, and in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia in 1991; </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience and external sanctions beginning in the 1980s played a major role in ending apartheid in South Africa in the early 1990s;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In the following decade, Serbs (2000), Georgians (2003), and Ukrainians (2004) ended autocratic rule by mobilizing to prevent or resist fraudulent election results;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In 2005, Lebanese ended the occupation of their country by Syrian troops through massive nonviolent demonstrations;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In 2006, Nepalis engaged in mass disobedience and forced the restoration of civilian rule;</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 31.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From 2007-2009, in the midst of violent insurgency and in the face of a military ruler, Pakistani lawyers, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens successfully pushed for the restoration of an independent judiciary and a repeal of state of emergency laws.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">If people do not obey, rulers cannot rule</span></b></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">These and other movements of civil resistance succeeded because they were based on a fundamental insight about power: that nearly all institutions, organizations, and systems in a society depend on the ongoing consent, cooperation, and obedience of large numbers of ordinary people. Therefore, if people choose to withdraw their consent and cooperation in an organized and strategic way, they can wield coercive power. When people do not obey, then presidents, mayors, CEOs, generals, and other “power holders” can no longer rule with unchecked power. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nonviolent tactics, such as strikes, boycotts, mass demonstrations, civil disobedience, the establishment of parallel institutions, and literally hundreds of other creative actions, were the instruments used to do this. They were not used necessarily for moral reasons, but rather for pragmatic ones. Some who adopted civil resistance had seen similar strategies work in other countries or in their own histories, and recognized that this type of resistance had the best prospects of success of the options available to them.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Skills and conditions</span></b></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Amidst these inspiring nonviolent movement victories, however, history and the contemporary<br />
world also offer examples of failed or inconclusive movements. The world watched Poland’s and Czechoslovakia’s nonviolent revolutions in the same year that it saw the Tiananmen Square massacre. In the last decade, large numbers of people used nonviolent tactics in Burma, Zimbabwe, Egypt and Iran, but movements' goals have not so far been achieved. In the successful self-determination struggle in East Timor, civil resistance was indispensable, but while it has helped propel civilian-based movements against occupiers elsewhere—in Palestine, West Papua, Western Sahara and Tibet—those<br />
struggles remain unresolved.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What accounts for the discrepancies among these and other cases? </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The factors that made these and other movements succeed or fail is a subject on which reasonable and well-informed people can disagree.<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/hardy-merriman/trifecta-of-civil-resistance-unity-planning-discipline#_ftn1"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></a> Each situation is highly complex and establishing direct causality is difficult at best. The arguments I most often hear by scholars, journalists, and others are that the trajectories and outcomes of these and other predominantly nonviolent movements were largely determined by structures, conditions and exceptional circumstances in which each movement operated. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For example, arguments have been made that nonviolent movements are effective only in societies in which an oppressor is unwilling to use lethal force. Others may claim that certain economic criteria (i.e. economic ideology, income levels, wealth distribution, the presence of a middle class) and educational levels are critical for successful movements. Still others claim that the role of superpowers and regional hegemons supersedes the importance of other variables in determining a vement’s outcome. The number of additional structures and conditions a person can cite—i.e. ethnic diversity, political and cultural history, population size, land area—are numerous, and to be sure, many of these conditions can influence the course of a given movement.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As a counterpoint to structural and conditional factors are factors based on a movement’s skills in waging conflict, i.e. what academics call “agency”. Skills and agency refer to those variables over which a movement has some control: what strategy of action the movement chooses; what language it uses to mobilize people and keep them involved; how it builds coalitions; where and how it targets its adversary; and a myriad of other decisions involved in engaging in civil resistance.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In my view, these skill-based factors are often significantly underemphasized or overlooked by those who come into contact with and analyze nonviolent movements. Why this is so is beyond the scope of this article, but one reason may be that people doubt or do not know the premise on which nonviolent action is based—that through shifts in collective behavior, power can be re-allocated from entrenched and oppressive adversaries to people’s movements. Instead, they assume that there must have been exogenous variables or extraordinary circumstances that made this possible in the cases in which it has occurred.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">However, we can respect the role of structures and conditions in influencing nonviolent movements' trajectories and outcomes without downplaying the importance of agency and skills. Indeed, agency and skills make a difference, and in some cases have enabled movements to overcome, circumvent, or transform adverse conditions.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The importance, and sometimes primacy, of skills and agency are considered common knowledge in<br />
other disciplines such as business or military thinking. Why should nonviolent struggle be any different in this regard? A military general or corporate CEO would laugh if they were told that strategy was of marginal importance to the outcome of their endeavors. Sun Tzu’s classic <i>The<br />
Art of War</i> would not be so well known if people thought the outcome of contests and contentious interactions were always foreordained by material conditions. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To return then to the opening question of this article—what makes nonviolent movements effective?—we can start to find answers by looking at strategic choices and best practices gleaned from historic movements. There are a variety of agency-based factors and skills that can influence a movement’s outcome, but (for the sake of simplicity) if we distill those down to a few essentials, three attributes of successful nonviolent movements emerge: unity, planning, and nonviolent discipline.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Unity, planning and discipline</span></b></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At first glance the importance of such attributes may seem self-evident. Yet the profundity of these attributes and their overarching implications sometimes are missed when one views movements at a predominantly tactical and granular level. Each merits elaboration. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Unity</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> is important because nonviolent movements draw their strength from the participation of<br />
people in diverse sectors of society. Put simply: numbers matter. The more people a movement has supporting it, the greater its legitimacy, power, and tactical repertoire. Successful movements therefore continually reach out to new groups in their societies, e.g. men and women; youth, adults,<br />
and elders; urban and rural populations; minorities; members of religious institutions; farmers, laborers, business people, and professionals; wealthy, middle class, and lower economic stratas; police, soldiers, and members of the judiciary, as well as other groups. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Successful movements also continually reach out to their opponent’s supporters, understanding that one of the strengths of sustained civil resistance in the service of a unifying vision is the ability to induce loyalty shifts and defections among its opponent’s ranks. For example, the South African anti-apartheid movement’s ongoing civic disruption combined with its call for national reconciliation was able to garner widespread support and create unity for the cause of change, even among some white supporters who had previously supported the apartheid state.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Participants in nonviolent movements must also make complex decisions about the course their<br />
movements should take. <i>Strategic planning</i> is of central importance in doing this. Regardless of the merit of one’s cause or the morally indefensible acts of one’s opponent, oppression is usually not overcome solely through spontaneous and improvised acts of resistance, even if such acts are<br />
well-executed. Instead, movements gain traction when they plan how civil resistance can be systematically organized and adopted by people in society to achieve targeted and focused goals. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Deciding what tactics to use and how they should be sequenced; developing galvanizing<br />
propositions for change based on the aspirations and grievances of the people who the movement aims to represent; planning what individuals and groups to target with tactics and what short-, medium-, and long-term objectives to pursue; and building lines of communication so that coalitions can be<br />
negotiated and built are just some of the issues around which nonviolent movements must creatively strategize. Doing so requires a holistic analysis of the situation in which the nonviolent struggle takes place. As part of their planning process, effective movements formally or informally gather information, listen to people at the grassroots, and analyze themselves, their adversaries, and uncommitted third parties constantly through the course of a conflict.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, a strategy is only effective if it is executed in a disciplined way. The largest risk for a failure of discipline in a nonviolent movement is that some members may become violent. Therefore, <i>nonviolent discipline</i>—the ability of people to remain nonviolent, even in the face of provocations—is<br />
often continually instilled in participants. There are practical reasons for this. Violent incidents by members of a movement can dramatically reduce its legitimacy while giving the movement’s opponent an excuse to use repression. Furthermore, a movement that is consistently nonviolent has a far greater chance of appealing to a broad range of potential allies—including even an adversary’s supporters—through the course of its struggle.</span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A full exploration of these attributes could fill books, and the subject of nonviolent resistance merits and is continually receiving further systematic study. Each movement that emerges adds a body of knowledge to the collective understanding of this phenomenon, yet there is still much about the<br />
art and science of this form of political and social action that remains to be mapped and developed. </span></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">But these three attributes—unity, planning, and discipline—are timeless, and as such provide a<br />
general framework through which members and supporters of movements, as well as those who report and study them, can quickly assess a movement’s state. Is it unified? Does it have a plan? Is it disciplined? The actions of those who embody these principles in nonviolent action have already blazed a path towards a more peaceful and just world. The future will be shaped by those who continue to do so.</span></p$1><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><hr align="center" size="1" width="100%" /></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/hardy-merriman/trifecta-of-civil-resistance-unity-planning-discipline#_ftnref"><span style="color: blue;">[1]</span></a> For he purposes of this article, I am defining “successful” movements as those that achieve their stated objectives and “failed” movements as those that do not achieve their stated objectives. There is a temporal element in this definition as well.<br />
<br />
A successful movement may achieve its stated objective (i.e. the Orange movement in Ukraine in 2004) but challenges in ensuing years to that movement’s achievement may cause backsliding (for more information on the Ukraine case, see the November 17, 2010 article “<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-ukraine/issue.jsp"><span style="color: blue;">The struggle after people power wins</span></a>” by Olena Tregub and Oksana Shulyar on openDemocracy). Conversely, a movement that fails to achieve its stated objective (i.e. the Chinese pro-democracy movement in 1989) may create collateral effects in ensuing years that constructively advance the movement’s cause (for more information on the China case, see the November 17, 2010 article “<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/lester-r-kurtz/repression’s-paradox-in-china"><span style="color: blue;">Repression’s Paradox in China</span></a>” by Lester Kurtz on openDemocracy). While not necessarily changing the classification of a specific movement as “successful” or “failed”, these subsequent effects can be powerful and therefore are noteworthy in their own regard.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></div></p$1>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-3081197304657784872011-02-07T23:59:00.000-08:002011-02-08T00:33:04.911-08:00Statement of Protest Against Zenawi’s Criminal Regime Participation on 47th Conference of Global Security<p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><img alt="Gadaa.com" height="143" src="http://gadaa.com/OromoMunich2011_4.JPG" width="275" /></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">We, members of the Oromo Communities in Germany and other countries in Europe, appreciate the objective of Munich Security Conference that aims to address the main global security issues through the approach of constantly looking ahead so as to take up future issues at an early stage. However, the participation of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia on the 47th International Global Security Conference has disappointed us. It is doubtful whether you are concerned about peace and security of the Horn of African peoples in the global perspective.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"></div></p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">The regime of Meles Zenawi, known as the Tigray People’s Liberation Front or Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (TPLF/EPRDF), is by any means morally not qualified to deliver a significant role in order to achieve sustainable peace and security in the region of Horn of Africa because his regime is the major part of the problem. The regime’s anti-peace characteristics are demonstrated by systematic gross human rights violations, the 1998-2000 border war with Eritrea, the 2006 war crime in Somalia, environmental degradation, eviction of peasants from their land without compensation, perpetrating aggravation of conflicts in the Horn, and etc. For example, the Oromia Support Group in United Kingdom, a non-political organization to raise awareness of human rights violations in Ethiopia, has<br />
reported four thousand two hundred seventy nine (4,279) extra-judicial killings and 987 disappearances of civilians in Ethiopia from 1994-2010. Also, Meles is now best known for his latest mock election in which his TPLF/EPRDF party won 99.6%. He has not been willing to peacefully transfer political power within<br />
last twenty (20) years.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">We believe it is necessary to refrain from sponsoring racist and anti-peace policies of the TPLF regime in order to realize sustainable peace and stability in the Horn of African region if the principle of security for<br />
humanity is applicable for the human beings in that region. Therefore, we appeal respectfully to families of international communities and democratic governments to stop acting against the struggle of the Oromo people in particular, and the oppressed peoples of the Horn of African region. We would like to remind you that objectives of the struggle of the Oromo people are to overcome century-old injustice, to live in freedom, to build peace, to practice democracy, and to achieve stability.</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Justice and Peace Shall Prevail!</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
Oromo participants of peaceful demonstration</span></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 16.8pt; margin: 0.2in 0in;"><p$1><p$1><p$1><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">5tth of Feburary 2011, Munich, Germany<o:p></o:p></span></p$1></p$1></p$1></div><br />
</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-44757370356150162222011-01-27T23:26:00.001-08:002011-01-27T23:26:48.858-08:00Sochii Ergamtoota Diinaa Kaaba Amerikaa fi Biyyoota Alaa Keessatti<p$1><div class="ecxMsoBodyText3" style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-style: normal;">Shira kan Hawaasa Oromoon Dhabama!! </span></b></span></div><div class="ecxMsoBodyText3"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoBodyText3" style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;">“Barruun gabaabaa kun ergamtooti Wayyaanee sochii biyya alaatti taasisan qabatamaan muldhisa”</span></b></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span>Mootummaan wayyaanee ummata Oromoo qabsoo mirga isaa kabajsiifatuuf gaggeessaa jiru irraa <br />
gufachiisuudhaan bittaa sirna gabrummaa isaa hundee jabeeffatuuf yeroo adda addaatti shira xaxaa akka ture beekkamaa dha. Sirnichi QBO<span> </span>ABOn durfamaa jiru dhabamsiisuuf tahuufii baannaan ammo laaffisuuf adda durummaan kan irratti fuuleffatu hawaasa Oromoo biyyoota ambaa keessa jiruu dha. Akeeka isaa farrummaa kana galiin gahatuudhaafis Ministeera Haajaa Alaa jalatti, <b><i>Dhimmoota Diyaaspooraa</i></b> kan jedhuun Damee utubuun maallaqa biyyattii miiliyoonaan itti dhangalaasaa ture; ammas itti jira. Ergama wayyaanee qabsoo Oromoo diiguun Oromoo fi Oromiyaa gabrummaa jalatti hambisuu akeekkate kana fudhatanii raawwataa kan turanii fi jiran ammo lukkeelee sirnichi ramadate <br />
keessattuu OPDOta. </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span>Murni bicuu TPLF ergama isaa kana wayta lukkeeleetti laatus akka hawaasa biyyoota alaa salphaatti <br />
gowwoomsanii fi irraas deeggarsa argataniif jecha maqaa baazaarii misoomaa, ijaarsa bu’uraalee adda addaa fi tinnisa Waldaalee maqaa Oromiyaan dhaabbataniitin akka sossohan golgaa uuma. Kanaaf ammo dabaa-shirri sirnichi maqaa WMO jedhamuun biyyoota alaatti addatti USAtti gaggeessaa jiru akka fakkeenyaatti kaasuun ni danda’ama. Icitiin dhiyeenya kana keessa wayyaanotaatii nu dhaqqabes kan dabaa-shira sirnichi karaa lukkeelee isaa, maqaa Waldaa Misoomaa Oromiyaatin Kaaba-Ameerikaa keessatti hawaasa Oromoo keessatti gaggeessuuf jiru bal’inaan kan saaxile dha. Nutis Sagantaa har’aa keessatti akeeka ergama wayyaanee kanaan duuba jiruu fi namoota hoji-raawwachistummaan akeeka diinaa kana galiin gahuudhaaf sossohaa jiranii raga qabatamaa arganne <br />
irratti hundaa’uun saaxilla.</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span>Ragaan gola wayyaanotaatii nu dhaqqabe kun akka hubachiisutti, mootummaan wayyaanee QBO ABOn durfamu dura dhaabbachuu, diiguu fi dabrees madda galii isaa gogsuuf karaa dhaaba maxxannee isaa taate, OPDOtin, hojjetaa jira. Hojiin shiraa kun jaarmota Oromoo biroo kanneen sirnicha irratti qabsa’anis ni ilaallata. Sirnichi garaaf bultootaa fi lukkeelee ergama diinaa fudhatuun lammii isaaniitti umrii gabrummaa dheeressuu filatan bakka bakkaa walitti qabuudhaan golgaa Waldaa Misooma Oromiyaa-Kaaba Ameerikaa (ODA-NA) jedhuun ergama isaa itti laatee jira. Haaluma <br />
kanaan gareen ergamtoota maallaqa guddaa wayyaanee irraa fudhachuun hojii shiraaf bobbaafamanii maqaanii fi hojiin isaanii kana gaditti ibsamu kunneen akka waan Waldaan ijaaramanii misoomaaf sossohanii fakkaatuun walgahanii ajandaa Wayyaaneen itti laatte akkaataa raawwatan irratti marihatan. Akka raga kanaatti Kutaalee Ameerikaa adda addaa fi Kaanaadaa irraa dabalatee ergamtoonni kan <br />
keessatti argaman Koreen tokko maqaa Waldaa kanaatin kan ijaarame yoo tahu, Muddee 12, 2010 walgahii gaggeeffataniiru. <span style="color: black;">Hirmaattoti dabaa-shira wayyaanee kana qindeessuudhaaf maqaa Boordii kanaatin walgahii karaa telefoonaatin gaggeeffame kanarratti argamanis maqaa, teessoo fi gaafatama isaanii waliin kanneen armaan gadii ti.</span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">1. Nugusee Birraatuu (DC) Dura taa’aa Walchiaa<span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">2. Abdulwaasii Raabsaa (MN) I/A D/T</span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">3. Abdurahman Umar (MN) Barreessaa<span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">4. Mohammed Jafar(Philade.) Horii-qabaa <span> </span><span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">5. Abbaa Duulaa Muussaa (MN) I/G Q- ummataa<span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;"><span></span></span><span style="color: black;">6. Feysal Abraahim (DC) Imbaasii wayyaanee irraa</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"> </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">7. Fiqaaduu Bayyanaa (DC) Imbaasii wayyaanee </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">8. Hussenur Hassan (DC) Miseensa<span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">9. Adaaene Bashule (DC) <span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">10. Muhammad Daawud fi </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">11. Najii Ibraahim (MN) Miseensota</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">12. Muhammad Jaafar (Philiy) Horii-qabaa<span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">13. Aman Kadir (Seatle) Miseensa </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">14. Yassin Yasin (Seatle) Gargaaraa Barreessaa </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">15. Daani’eel Yaadataa (Chicago) fi </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">16. Muhammad Ibsaa (Atlanta) Miseensota. </span></div><br />
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Kanneen malees, namoonni 6 walgahii Koreen QBO fi hawaasa Oromoo biyyoota ambaa keessatti argaman irratti shiruuf golgaa waldaa misoomaatin wayyaaneen sossoosu Muddee 12, 2010 gaggeessite kanarratti hin argamne. Isaanis: </span></div><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">1. </span><span style="color: black;">Seyfu Begashaw (Ohio) I/A D/T </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">2. Darajjee Mul’ataa (S/ Dakota) Miseensa<span> </span></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">3. Ibsaa (Toroontoo) I/G Qunnamtii Ummataa </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">4. Shimelis Hailu fi Jifar Miseensota yoo tahan namni 6ffaan maqaa isaa hin ibsamne.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Akeekni ijoon mootummaan wayyaanee karaa OPDOtaa Koree kana maqaa waldaa Misooma Oromiyaatin ijaaree sossoosaa jiruuf hawaasa Oromoo biyya ambaa keessa jiran kanaan qabatee keessa seenuun diiguudhaafi. Kanaan alas olola oofuu fi shira xaxuun ilmaan Oromoo biyyoota ambaa keessa jiran QBO ABOn durfamaa jirtu keessaa akka qooda hin fudhannee fi jala hin hiriirre taasisuu dha ergamni haaraan lukkeelee kanneenitti kenname. Kanaanis madda galii ABO gogsuudhan sochii QBO gufachiisuun ummata Oromoo fi Oromiyaa cunqursaa wayyaanee jalatti hambisuuf diinaaf marxifatanii hojjechaa jiru ergamtoonni olitti ibsaman. Gama kaaniin ammoo, hawaasa Oromoo gowwoomsuudhaan maqaa misoomaatiin maallaqa irraa saamuuf akeekkatan. Ergamni wayyaaneen bifa haaraan lukkeelee maqaa Boordii WMO jedhuun ijaare kanatti kenne, dhaaba kallacha qabsoo Oromoo ABO irratti olola oofuu fi shira xaxuudhan falmaa bilisummaa gaggeeffamaa jiru gufachiisuuf yaaluu qofaan kan daangahee miti. </span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Oromoo fi Oromoon akkasumas jaarmayaaleen Siyaasaa Oromoo sirna isaa irratti qabsoo gaggeessaa jiran dabaa-shira inni xaxuun gufatanii akka waldura dhaabbatan gochuu fi diiguu dhas dabalata. Kana </span><span>malees, karaadhuma koree maqaa waldaatin ergama abaaramaa baattee deemtuu kanaan Oromoon sirna wayyaanee jalatti mirga guutuu qaba jechuun lallabbii dharaa dhageessisuun alagaa biratti jaarmiyaa Oromoo laafisuu kkf keessatti argama. Egaq ergama kana bifa icitaawaa taheen hojiirra oolchuuf lukkeelee armaan olitti maqaan isaanii ibsame dirqamni adda addaa itti kennameera. Gaafatamtoota Koree kanaa ti kan jedhamanii fi hirmaattonni walgahii Muddee 12 bara 2010 sa’aatii 9:00 WB jalqabe kanaa ajaja gooftolii isaanii irratti erga haasa’anii booda ergama diinummaa kana qooddataniiru.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span>1.<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Waldicha galmeessuu fi seera qabeessa fakkeessuuf ID waraqaa TAKSII baasuuf kanneen ramadaman Abdulwaasii Raabsaa fi Abbaaduulaa ti.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span>2.<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Akkaawuntii Baankii akka bananiif Feysal Aliyyii fi Fiqaaduu Bayyanaa. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span>3.<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Chaappaa fi Asxaa Waldaa hojjechiisuuf<span> </span>Feysal Abraahimii fi Fiqaaduu Bayyanaa. </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span>4.<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Weebsaayitii baasuuf(Website development)<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span>Feysal Abraahimii fi Abdulwaasii Raabsaa </div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span>5.<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Waldaalee fi jaarmayaalee akeeka kana tumsaniif cimsuu Feysal Abraahimii fi Fiqaaduu Bayyanaatin kan raawwatamu yoo tahu ergamoota kana olii hunda yeroon akka xumuramaniif wayyaanotaan beellamni qabameef kan maayyii Muddee 19,2010 akka ture icitiin gola wayyaanotaatii nu gahe kun ni addeessa.</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span>6.<span style="font: 7pt normal normal normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span>Miseensota galmeessuun akkasumas miseensi kabajaa jedhamee waldaa kana keessatti galmaahu eenyu fi akkamitti galmaaha kan jedhus miseensotaan dalagama akka ergama wayyaanee kanaatti.</div><br />
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Koreen ergama wayyaanee fudhate kun dhimma Dokumenteeshinii irratti kan hin marihanne tahuu kan hubachiisu ragaan nu gahe, hojiin inni xumuraa fi ijoon akeeka farrummaa kana akkaataa itti hawaasa Oromoo keessa facaasan qabxii 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">ffaa</span></sup> jalatti tarrisa. Haaluma kanaan waa’ee Koree golgaa WBO-KA (ODA_NA) jedhuun dhaabbate kanaa ilaalchisuudhaan ibsa akka baasuuf ergamticha Nugusee Birraatuu jedhamutti kan dirqamni laatame. Barruu, waraqaalee fi Kaalaandara fi kkf maxxansuudhaan akeeka cubbamaa kana ilmaan Oromoo biyyoota ambaa jiran biraan gahuudhaaf ammo namni itti hin ramadamne. Gaaffii fi deebii adda addaa Raadiyoo irratti taasisuudhaan olola oofuuf ammo ergamtoonni itti gaafatamtoonni qunnamtii ummataa koree kanaa fi kanneen biroo akka raawwataniif kan kaahame tahuutu ibsame. Kana malees, ergamtoonni kunniin hundeeffamuu waldaa kanaa ilaalchisuudhaan xalayaa adda addaa erguudhaafis<span> </span>kan karoorfatan tahuu dokumentiin kun ni ibsa. Mootummaan wayyaanee karaa ergamtoota walitti qabee kanaan saamicha maqaa misoomaatiin amma gaggeessaa jiru malee, fuula durattis teletoonii qopheessuu fi koreen kunis kanarratti hawaasa Oromoo ala jiraatu akka sossobuuf dirqama itti laatuutu ibsame.</span></div><br />
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</div><div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Walumaagalatti egaa akkuma olitti icitiin dabaa-shira wayyaaneen hawaasa Oromoo biyyoota alaa fi QBO fi qabsicha kan hoogganu ABO irratti xaxuuf saganteeffate saaxile kun dhala Oromoo qalbifateef waan hubachiisu qaba. Inni duraa mootummaan wayyaanee ammallee sirna gabrummaa isaa itti fufsiifuu fi Oromoo fi Oromiyaa akkuma cunqursaa jiru itti fufuus karaa lukkee isaa, OPDO, hojii farrummaa itti fufuu dha. Addatti ammo hawaasa Oromoo biyya ambaa keessa jiru gamtaa fi waliigaltee dhoowwee akka isaan qabsoo saba isaanii hin finiinsine diinagdee fi waan dandeettii isaanii maraan hin tumsine gochuuf rafee kan hin bulle tahuu dha. Inni lammafaan ammo kannen maqaa Oromoo baadhatan, maallaqaan bitamanii biyyoota ambaa keessa sossohan farreen siicoo hawaasaa tahanii fi ergama diinaa bakkaan gahuun saba isaanii miidhuuf golgaa adda addaan sossohaa jiraachuu isaanii ti. Hawaasni Oromoo biyya ambaa jiru keessattuu kan Ameerikaa Kaabaa jiru kana hubachuun ergama wayyaaneen lukkeelee kanneenitti maqaa WMO-KA (ODA-NA) jedhuun itti laatetti dammaquun dura dhaabbachuun fashalsuu qabuun dhaamsa keenya.</span></div><br />
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<p$1></p$1></p$1>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-67538877966337286162011-01-22T14:26:00.000-08:002011-01-23T03:35:39.774-08:00Ethiopia: Monitoring of conflict, human rights violations and resulting displacement still problematic<p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt -13.5pt;"> </div><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><p$1><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">January 20, 2011 - Internal Displacement monitoring Center (IDMC) <br />
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<i>An estimated 300,000 to 350,000 people remained internally displaced within Ethiopia in late 2010. There were reported displacements related to violence and human rights violations in Gambella and Somali Regions in 2010.</i><br />
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<i>Armed conflicts and localised episodes of violence have continued to cause displacement in various areas. In particular, government forces have continued to fight insurgency groups including the Ogaden National Liberation Front in Somali Region and the Oromo Liberation Front in the south of the country. In Somali region, the government has made peacemaking efforts in recent months,<br />
but fighting has continued.</i><br />
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<i>In areas affected by displacement such as Somali, southern Oromiya and Gambella, food security, health, nutrition, and access to water were all of major concern to the humanitarian community in 2010.</i><br />
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<i>Despite the serious humanitarian need in areas of displacement, the government has restricted the access to conflict areas of international humanitarian agencies and the media. The government has also introduced draconian laws that restrict activities of human rights organisations and humanitarian agencies, making it difficult for independent bodies to monitor and document violations of rights.</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="anchor0"></a><b>Background </b><br />
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Armed conflicts over international boundaries, internal armed conflicts between government forces and insurgency groups operating in various parts of the country, and local conflicts over water, pasture resources and administrative boundaries, have all taken place in Ethiopia in the past decades. Ethiopia went to war with neighbouring Somalia (from 1977 to 1978) and Eritrea (from 1998 to 2000) over their shared boundaries. Ongoing internal conflicts with insurgency groups including the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) in the Ogaden area of eastern Somali Region and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) in the south of the country have continued to affect people’s lives and livelihoods (Sudan Tribune, 23 December 2010).<br />
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In the south, the OLF has fought for autonomy since 1970. The OLF has employed “hit and run” tactics and government armed forces have even pursued OLF fighters into Kenya. The government labels OLF as a terrorist group (Daily Nation, 6 August 2009).<br />
<br />
<br />
In pastoralist-inhabited areas of southern Ethiopia near the border with Kenya, violent conflict over water and pasture resources reportedly affected communities in 2010 (CEWARN, September 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
There were reportedly between 300,000 and 350,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Ethiopia in late 2010. However, these figures are difficult to verify because of the government’s reluctance to allow humanitarian agencies to conduct country-wide assessments (Interviews with humanitarian agency staff in Ethiopia, November 2010).<br />
<br />
<i>Displacement in Gambella</i><br />
<br />
Inter-ethnic conflicts and government interference in the local politics of Gambella Region have reportedly contributed to ethnic conflicts and displacement there (IRIN, 13 September 2010). In November 2008, police forces attempted to force villagers from Laare and Puldeng villages near the border with Sudan to move to a new area. When villagers refused, violence ensued, and police reportedly killed nine civilians and wounded 23. Police also reportedly set fire to homes and killed livestock (USDoS, 11 March 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
In April 2010, inter-clan clashes among ethnic Nuer groups drove thousands from their homes. Local leaders accused the government of not doing enough to facilitate reconciliation or provide protection and livelihoods. In 2009, thousands of Ethiopian Jikany Nuer were displaced from their land by Sudanese Lou Nuer groups who had crossed into the Gambella Region of Ethiopia. According<br />
to Gambella regional authorities, some 38,000 IDPs from that incident still remained displaced in September 2010. Another 40,000 people were displaced in 2009 in Gambella as a result of recurrent clashes over land, natural resources and vendettas between local agro-pastoralist Nuer and the mainly agrarian Anuak (IRIN, 13 September 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Conflict in Somali Region</i><br />
<br />
Since it was outlawed in 1994, the ONLF has engaged in low-intensity armed conflict with government forces. Human rights organisations, international NGOs, and the media have reported that both the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and the ONLF have been responsible for human rights violations and abuses, and have used violence to intimidate the civilian population. ONLF<br />
attacks on police and military targets over the years have led to severe disruption and loss of lives (BBC News, 13 September 2010; Press TV, 18 August 2010; Bloomberg news, 19 June 2010). <br />
<br />
<br />
In December 2010, attacks on villages by Ethiopian security forces reportedly led to the burning of villages, the death of about 20 civilians and the displacement of hundreds of families (Ethiopian Review, 20 December 2010; Sudan Tribune, 23 December 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
The regional conflict in Somalia that began in December 2006 spread to the Somali Region and the ONLF, reportedly aided by support from the Eritrean government greatly increased its armed activity. In 2007 another insurgent group with a limited presence in the region, the United Western Somali Liberation Front, engaged in armed violence against government forces (USDoS, 11 March 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
In 2007, the ENDF began significant counter-insurgency operations in the Ogaden in response to the killing of Chinese and domestic oil exploration workers. In 2008, Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Ethiopian government of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and reported that the ENDF had burned down villages and killed, raped and tortured civilians in its counter-insurgency<br />
campaign (HRW, June 2008). ONLF rebels also accused the government of pursuing a scorched-earth policy in the Ogaden which amounted to collective punishment (VOA, 16 November 2009).<br />
<br />
<br />
Since then, government interference in the economic affairs of the Ogaden population has aggravated the humanitarian crisis in the region. The government’s harsh policies have added to the marginalisation of Somali Ethiopians, who are effectively excluded from national institutions. Public infrastructure and the delivery of services in Somali Region are worse even than in Ethiopia’s<br />
nieghbouring highlands, in Somaliland or elsewhere in Somalia (ISN, 5 October 2010; Daily Telegraph, 17 October 2008).<br />
<br />
<br />
In 2010, the government increased peace overtures with some rebel groups in the Ogaden, but analysts expect the insurgency to continue in the absence of meaningful commitment from the government and major insurgent groups including the ONLF (ISN, 5 October 2010). Fighting continued in 2010 between the ONLF and government forces and government-affiliated militias (ISN, 5 October 2010; BBC News, 13 September 2010). Between September and December 2010, opposition sources reported that government forces had killed over 300 civilians, leading to the displacement of civilian populations in the region.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Reporting of conflict and human rights violations</i><br />
<br />
Conflicts in Ethiopia have often triggered widespread human rights abuses by all parties (USDoS, 11 March 2010). Human rights groups have accused the government of fuelling conflicts in different parts of the country, but especially in Somali, southern Oromiya, and Gambella regions (ICG, 4 September 2010; AI, May 2010; HRW, June 2008) and have published credible reports of violations.<br />
Deliveries of food and medicine were limited by military restrictions as well as insecurity and lack of capacity (AI, May 2010, p.141; HRW, 24 March 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
Since 2007, the government has continued to limit the access of diplomats, NGOs, and journalists to Somali Region, citing serious security concerns. The government has allowed some humanitarian access but restricted the investigation of human rights abuses. Human rights groups and others have<br />
asserted that the government denied access to the region to prevent the monitoring of ENDF operations. Most reports of human rights violations have come from interviews with second-hand sources or alleged victims who have fled the Somali region. NGO personnel have been forced by ENDF and police forces to report ONLF activity and have faced beatings and death threats if they did not comply. Some villagers reported that local authorities threatened to retaliate against anyone reporting ENDF violations (AI, May 2010; HRW, June 2008).<br />
<br />
<br />
In January 2009, the Ethiopian parliament enacted a law to control the work of civil society organisations. The Proclamation to Provide for the Registration and Regulation of Charities and Societies (the CSO law) has hindered independent human rights monitoring and reporting. The government has since refused to heed calls for independent, impartial and credible investigations to<br />
prosecute those responsible for human rights abuses (HRW, 24 March 2010).<br />
<br />
<br />
In August 2009, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) recommended that the government consider reviewing this legislation to ensure that due consideration is given to the important role of civil society organisations in the promotion and protection of human rights (CERD, 31 August 2009).<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="anchor1"></a><b>Protection risks in areas of displacement </b><br />
<br />
<br />
Food security, health, nutrition, and access to water in internal displacement-affected areas such as Somali, southern Oromiya and Gambella were of major concern to the humanitarian community in 2010 (OCHA, January 2010)<br />
<br />
<br />
An assessment by the Somali Regional Health Bureau in July 2009 showed that malnutrition rates in Somali Region had reached critical levels. Conducted in seven <i>woredas</i> (districts) between April and May, the assessment found global acute malnutrition rates of 14.5 to 21.9 per cent (a rate exceeding 15<br />
per cent reflects an emergency situation).The highest rate was recorded in Degehabour <i>woreda</i> of Degehabour zone. Five other <i>woredas</i> in the zone also exceeded the emergency threshold.<br />
<br />
<br />
The assessment noted that acute water shortages, poor access to safe water, low immunisation coverage, high rates of childhood disease and dependence on relief food had aggravated the situation. Household coping mechanisms had also weakened after drought (OCHA, 13 July 2009).<br />
<br />
<br />
In November 2010, UNICEF reported serious water shortages in the chronically water-insecure Somali Region (OCHA, 1 November 2010).<br />
<br />
<b> <br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="anchor2"></a>National and international responses </b><br />
<br />
<br />
The overall leadership of the humanitarian response remains the responsibility of the government at all levels, including federal, regional, zonal and <i>woreda</i>. The Government is also responsible for facilitating the active participation of relevant partners, including donor governments, UN agencies, national and international NGOs, civil society organisations and affected communities. <br />
<br />
<br />
Ethiopia is party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and other relevant international human rights standards. The inviolable and inalienable right to life, the security of person and liberty are enshrined in Article 14 of the<br />
<br />
federal constitution, and also in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. The government has signed, but not ratified or domesticated, the African Union Convention on Internally Displaced Persons (the Kampala Convention).<br />
<br />
<br />
The national response to conflict-induced displacement has been criticised by national and international agencies operating in Ethiopia. Nonetheless, international donors and aid agencies have continued to engage with the government. In December 2009, the United States, through its Embassy in Addis Ababa, urged the government to improve on its human rights record (Bloomberg, 11 December 2009).<br />
<br />
<br />
The UN’s Ethiopian Humanitarian Country Team, led by the Humanitarian Coordinator and comprising the heads of agencies including FAO, IOM, OCHA, OHCHR, UNDP, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO and WFP, as well as the country directors of CARE, Oxfam GB, and Save the Children/UK and the national NGO consortium CRDA, have continued to work with the government to provide overall coordination of the humanitarian response. <br />
<br />
<br />
Given the sensitivities around conflict and protection, there is no active protection cluster or government counterpart on protection issues (Interviews with humanitarian agencies, June 2010). Protection was also left out of the 2010 Ethiopia Humanitarian Requirement document.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Humanitarian access</i><br />
<br />
Aid agencies have regularly reported interference and severe restrictions by the government on their work. The government requires agencies to seek military escorts to deliver food aid to conflict areas, which, they report, has hindered their access (IRIN, 24 November 2009; Reuters, 17 November 2009; Daily Telegraph, 17 October 2008).<br />
<br />
<br />
International agencies usually face restrictions in areas of operations. The government forced ICRC to close down its operations in Somali Region in 2007, and Médicins Sans Frontières had to leave the region because of government restrictions (USDoS, 11 March 2010; MSF, 4 October 2008).<br />
<br />
<br />
If the government does not enable improved humanitarian access, affected IDPs and other vulnerable people will continue to face a protection and humanitarian crisis (ICG, 17 June 2008). USAID reported in March 2008 that “literally hundreds of areas… have neither been assessed nor received any food assistance”, with “populations terrorised by the inability to access food” (The Times, 18 September 2008). <br />
<br />
<br />
HRW reported in 2010 that the government had used foreign aid including food to punish regions seen to be opposition strongholds, with officials in the ruling party using their power to give or deny assistance to citizens based on their political affiliation (HRW, 19 October 2010). The government has been accused of limiting food aid to areas which it considers opposition strongholds to the detriment of its vulnerable populations (IRIN, 24 November 2009; Reuters, 17 November 2009). The British Channel 4 reported that the army had withheld food from villages in Somali Region as part of a “scorched earth” policy against the ONLF (BBC, 19 September 2008; The Times, 18 September 2008). Before the British Minister for International Development toured a hospital in the town of Kebri Dehar during a visit to Somali Region in October 2008, local officials reportedly forced starving infants out of the emergency ward and on to the street (The Telegraph, 17 October 2008).<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Response to disaster-induced displacement</i><br />
<br />
The government response to displacement as a result of natural disasters is more positive. A proposed disaster risk reduction policy has called for the mainstreaming of disaster risk management throughout government and greatly strengthened disaster management capacity at the highest levels of government. Debates continue within the government regarding the policy, and it is unclear if or when it will be adopted (ODI, June 2009). The policy has not been finalised or adopted as of December 2010.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is also unclear to what degree the new policy will deal with conflict-induced displacement. A study by the Feinstein International Center in December 2009 found that the policy was heavily focused on preventing or mitigating the risk of natural disasters, particularly climatic and environmental disasters, and made no reference to conflict (Feinstein International Center, December 2009).<br />
<br />
<br />
The new Disaster Risk Management Council is to be chaired by the Prime Minister. Humanitarian agencies are concerned that the government might downplay the impact of disasters to show the international community that it is self-sufficient. They have warned of a government habit of downplaying numbers of people in need and levels of malnutrition and disease, so as to minimise<br />
their political and diplomatic impact (IRIN, 27 September 2010).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p$1></div><br />
<br />
<br />
</p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1></p$1>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19166911.post-69873303070052542992011-01-19T23:22:00.000-08:002011-01-19T23:22:48.504-08:00After Sudan; World should Focus on Oromo<p$1><p$1><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">It has never known political stability after the colonial conquest and subjugation by Abyssinia. It has never enjoyed real prosperity in spite of being one of the richest nations in natural resources in the horn of Africa with a population estimated at 33 million. It is<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">Africa’s longest political conflict that appears to have been forgotten by the international community including IGAD and Africa Union among others. It has won the unenviable accolade of being the cradle of the world’s largest forced mass movement from one country in modern African history, namely the current exodus from Ethiopia. Welcome to Oromia, the country of the Oromo people (375,000 </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">square miles). </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">In the last four decades, the Horn of Africa, with Ethiopia as an epicenter, has experienced an unprecedented wave of refugee flows, resulting in large concentrations of displaced persons. Nearly all these displaced persons are from Ethiopia. Today there are an estimated over 10 million refugees originating from Ethiopia, second only to those from Afghanistan and Iraq put together. The influx of Ethiopians fleeing their country to Kenya has always hit headlines in the local and internal press. Ironically, most are apprehended by Kenyan authorities and handed back to the Ethiopian authorities or locked up in Kenyan prisons. Some of the refugees are said to be on transit to South Africa. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">The Oromo Liberation Front has for decades been embroiled in a protracted war for the liberation of the Oromia. The most striking aspect to political pundits and academics is the manner in which the international community has accorded the conflict a blind eye, and regional governments, IGAD and AU cannot explain why Ethiopians are fleeing their country in droves. Who will save the Oromo people from<br />
institutionalized oppression and blatant abuse of basic human rights by the Addis Ababa government? What is the IGAD and the Africa Union doing to resolve the conflict? The 140 years of continuous acts of cultural genocide by successive Ethiopian regimes is a remarkable testimony to the resilience of the Oromo cultural values and democratic heritage. Even as the international community remain silent in the face of the conflict that has claimed lives of millions of people, it is is important to note that as a geo-cultural bridge between Europe, Africa and Asia, the Horn of Africa has always been embroiled in some world-historic events, since the times of the Roman empire. The Horn remains important in security considerations of the Middle East and the increasingly </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">competitive global economy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">It is important to observe that the current Ethiopian regime is being sustained in power by foreign western powers for imperialistic reasons. Take the case of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), also known as Wayyane, which was promoted in 1991 by foreign governments, particularly that of the US, to fill the power vacuum created by the downfall of the Dergue regime. As expected, this led to replacement of the Amhara regime by a Tigrean power as was evident to those familiar with the Ethiopian political landscape.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">Under the pretext of opening the country for world market and democratization, traditional supporters and partners of the Ethiopian empire used the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to pump huge amounts of money into the coffer of TPLF. During the first four years of its rule, the regime received about US$3 billion in bilateral grants. The Paris Club member countries granted significant debt-cancellations and rescheduling. The TPLF regime used the multilateral and bilateral assistance to dismantle Amhara-centre state apparatus and to replace it by institutions that are nothing more than appendages of a tightly controlled party-apparatus of the Tigrean ruling class.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">Today, there is no public institution, be it the military, the judiciary, the civil service, the regulatory agencies, and financial institutions outside the control of the TPLF and its surrogate parties. Thus, the regime cannot claim democratic legitimacy by any standard. Most disturbing are reports of Kenyan Borana Oromo near the border being harassed and imprisoned in Kenya. These incidents are violating international law regarding refugees. They could have been taken to Kenyan courts, if suspected of any crime. The human rights crisis in Ethiopia is so worrying. No one seems to understand the scale of the violations. targeted and systematic tortures, disappearances and extrajudicial killings are common<br />
place in that country. There seems to be no hiding place for the victims of human rights violations under the current regime in Ethiopia. Peasants in certain areas are particularly targeted and expelled in broad day light from their farmlands for the sake of the officials and of TPLF-led government financial gains. “The peoples of Oromia and Kenya share a longstanding cordial relationship. In particular, Kenya, as a democratic and stable country, continues to provide safety for a significant number of Oromo refugees fleeing from persecution by the Ethiopian state. However, it is of also of grave concern that recently, a<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">large number of Oromo refugees have been handed over to the Ethiopian authorities by the Kenyan agents who have been recruited by the Addis Ababa spy network. More worrying is the fact that their operations are not sanctioned by the Kenyan government. These refugees are sent back to inhumane torture and certain death in the hands of the Ethiopian security agents,” says an OLF petition to Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">The petition, copied to the country’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga further notes: “We believe Kenya could play a positive and constructive role in supporting a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Oromia and Ethiopia and that would make Kenya a legitimate player in the international arena. We respectfully urge you to appraise the situation and reconsider your policy and assure supporting the just cause of the oppressed Oromo people rather than assisting the bloodthirsty regime in Ethiopia." In the recent months, Kenyans authorities have been accused of illegal rendition of Oromo refugees and Kenyans to Ethiopia under the pretext of cracking down on the Oromo Liberation Front ( OLP) militias. While in Ethiopia, the individuals are arraigned before special courts where they are handed heavy jail sentences ranging from death to life in prison. The ORA has accused the Ethiopian government and some </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">elements within the Kenyan government of gross violation of the basic human rights of<br />
the Oromo refugees and Kenyans shipped to Ethiopia.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">The Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) was established in 1973 by Oromo nationalists to promote the right to self-determination for the Oromo people against what they call "Ethiopia colonial rule." There are reports that the OLF has increased its activity following the general elections of 2005 and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Berlin. </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">The international community particularly IGAD and the AU ought to appreciate the<br />
fact that the fundamental objective of the Oromo liberation movement is to exercise the Oromo peoples' right to national self-determination and end centuries of oppression and exploitation by Ethiopian colonialism. The foreign policy of OLF stipulates that it respects the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Kenya and all neighbouring countries. Kenya, the host state to the refugees has been accused of violating the </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">1951 UN Convention and 1967 Protocol on the status of the refugees for handing over the <span> </span>Oromos who have fled their homes to escape persecution. It was through the initiative of IGAD, AU and the EU that a protracted peace deal was negotiated between SPLM and the Khartoum government,<br />
effectively putting an end to one of Africa’s longest conflict then. As the Southern Sudan people undertake a decision on the future of the nation through the referendum, it is important that the international community focus attention on the Oromo conflict to save the plight of the Oromia nation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">The Oromo people’s demand of self-determination is neither a question of secession from a country with whom they have willfully integrated nor a matter of a periphery struggling for decentralization or devolution of power from a central government. It is a demand by the Oromo people to restore the sovereignty taken away from them and to freely determine their own political status. This demand does </span><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">not, therefore, violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Khartoum government. The Oromo people have never been meaningfully represented in Ethiopian political process. There has never been a moment in the political history of the Ethiopian empire-state when the state possessed a government representing the “whole people.”Moreso, the Oromo people’s demand for self-determination is not an internal affair of Ethiopia. Many nations in the world including Kenya are shouldering the burden of refugees from the Ethiopia. UNHCR is spending millions of dollars to sustain refugees from Ethiopia. Much more too is spent on relocating some of the refugees to friendly countries in Europe. This indeed, makes the conflict a matter of interest and concern to the international community including regional bodies like IGAD, AU and relevant UN agencies. In the same vein, the liberation struggle of the Oromo people against successive Ethiopian regimes cannot be characterized as “an internal civil<br />
strife, banditry, terrorism, or civil war.” It is a struggle of people under alien domination.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">What the international community must realize is that TPLF regime constantly fabricates false accusations to criminalize and demonise Oromo political organisations as a smokescreen to conceal the regime’s acts of genocide against Oromo social and cultural life. An attempt by the regime to link the Oromo liberation movement with fundamentalism and international terrorism is a fabrication to discredit and garner international community’s sympathy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">By Kasembeli Albert <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "TT12o00","serif"; font-size: 8.5pt;">Kasembeli Albert is the Editor, Business Journal Africa, a regional business and finance magazine<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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</p$1></p$1>Oromiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09921215267919307258noreply@blogger.com0