A New Addition to the List of Pathological Hypocrites

We have a new addition to the already overcrowded list pathological liars (EPRP/MEISON (UEDF), TPLF/EPRDF, EPLF(PFDJ), OLF, Aigaforum.com, Walta). This time it is not a political organization or group but rather an individual who finds himself in contradictions and in bizarre situation. His name: "Artist" Solomon Tekalign.

On October 15, 2006, Solomon hosted a public meeting that was highly publicized by websites and political groups that find themselves out of the equation of Ethiopian politics and whose political ideologies is not different from that of the '60s and '70s imperial years of Ethiopia. They make their living out of defamation and fabrication of false accusations.

The entrance price for this 'show' was initially set at $40, however due to low audience turnout it was scaled back to $30. Even at this price the total turnout was estimated at about 150 to 200 fanatics who consistently aligned themselves with the above listed pathological liars. No surprise there.

The 'show' was intended to discredit the age old EPPF, and armed group that was initially formed by the gallant Ethiopians of Wolqait-Tegede under the name of Kefagn. Kefagn started out as a group of concerned Ethiopians for the Unity of Ethiopia and were engaged in fighting the EPLF/ELF fronts of Eritrea and later the TPLF (hence, the EPPF is older than TPLF).

However, the pre-scripted show changed its course and focused on accusations against the EPLF (Shaebia), TPLF and the OLF and how he was mistreated by cadres of the EPLF. It seems to me that our so called 'artist' or call him 'azmari' had had high anticipation of himself and that 'red carpet' would rolled for him upon his arrival in Asmara. As soon as he found this was the case, he (Solomon) came into confrontation with Journalist Demis Belete of Negat Radio and forcibly confiscated some electronic materials (videos and cameras). These are the videos that Solomon showed during the $30 show on October 15.

Here is EPPF's press statement that was released prior to this show making its case point by point against Solomon Tekalign.

So, what did the 'azmari' say? Here are few points that I was able to gather from his fabricated accusations.
1. "He EPPF leader Commander Meskerem Atalay can not speak English and hence should not lead the EPPF. "

• I suggest Solomon Tekalign to be the leader since he is fluent in Amharic, English, Spanish, French, Oromigna, Tigirgna, Shabeiagna.....Moreover, he is talented to sing zeraf-zeraf and liberate our country without any bloodshed!

2. "EPPF does not Exist!"

• He Claims that upon arrival in Eritrea he did not see thousands of people armed head to toe but few hundred unarmed people. If he had the balls he should have requested to be smuggled in deep into the frontlines inside Wolqait-Tegede and Armachiho, where brave Ethiopians are sacrificing their lives.

3. "Commander Meskerem Atalay stole EPPF's seal."

• If "EPPF does not exist," what is to be stolen Mr. Solomon? Don't you think you are contradicting your own statement?

4. "Commander Meskerem Atalay sought asylum in Germany."

• In contrary, the gallant Commander is in Germany not because what the shameful 'artist' is claiming but due to personal issues that I can not am not willing discuss at this moment.

5. "There is no EPPF liberated land."

• Hello!! why do you think the EPPF is taking Eritrea as a safe heaven at least for a while? It is true that there are no fixed military camps of EPPF within the mentioned areas, however, this does not mean that the EPPF do not operate military activities. In fact, the armed Arbegnoch of EPPF freely move in the highlands of Wolqait-Tegede and have mass support of the Wolqait-Tegede and Armachiho people. Today, the are no organized militias of the TPLF that freely operate within the lands of Wolqait-Tegede and if there are any, they operate only at limited capacity or within the small towns such as Humera and Bahiker. In order to save the lives of the Tigrayan soldiers/militias, the TPLF has instead armed local residents of Wolqait-Tegede is by force or through treacherous bribes.

The 'azmari' has many more baseless and fabricated accusations that do not hold water. It is true that the EPPF operate having Eritrea as a base, which is not surprising. This is a strategic alliance, which the EPPF skillfully took to its advantage. Today, the EPLF and TPLF are sworn enemies and thus it is wise to use Eritrea as a base military safe heaven until some lands within Ethiopia are liberated. It is also true that the EPPF might give-in to some of EPLF's concessions in order to take the advantage of operating within Eritrea. There are no other options/countries, that can be used as military base. Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia are either directly or indirectly under the controls of the TPLF. Therefore, it is understandable to go with the only remaining option: Eritrea.

The fact is that the EPRP's attempt to operate inside Eritrea has miserably failed. Moreover, EPRP's effort to try to bring the EPPF under its direct organizational control has also failed. In my understanding, the EPPF is willing to work with any and all political groups that are concerned about Ethioipa and that wish to work the democratization of our country. EPPF do not have the interest to seize power but rather to defend the territorial integrity of Ethiopia and to transfer power to whom it belongs: to the PEOPLE of ETHIOPIA!

Dil le Ethiopia Hizb ke EPPF gar!

For those who are homesick

I came across these two pictures of the city Setit Humera, which is located in the northwestern most part of Ethiopia in the province of Wolqait. The city of Humera is widely known for its exceptionally fertile soil that produces numerous types of cash crops and many other agricultural products. It has boundaries with the Sudan and Eritrea.

The city of Humera and the Wolqait-Tegede region in general have been home to many Ethiopians who come from across all the country. During these times, people respected and appreciated the identity and the culture of the native people. However, today, the minority dictatorship from Tigary annexed these region and instead resettled hundreds of thousands of Tigrayan ethnic people by evicting hundreds of thousand native residents. Moreover, its ethnic based system of divide and rule has blockaded other Ethiopians from coming in to these areas and live as they once did.

Not only these, the large influx of Tigrayans (estimated up to 500,000) in the cover of resettlement and that was conducted without any consideration or will of the native residents has caused a adverse demographic, cultural, socio-political, and psychological changes. Approximately it is estimated that the total population of the local inhabitants is between 200,000 and 300,000 excluding those who have been forced flee for their lives and currently residing in Gondar, Armachiho, Abderafe, and the remaining who have migrated to other countries.

I will come back to that in other postings. Here are a couple of photos that I found to be really interesting.......

The first picture dates back to 1962 Ethiopian Calendar during the imperial period. I don't have much recollection of the place but I thought it might bring some old memories of some people. Even though the picture is badly damaged, one could see little huts and building scattered here and there.

Photo 1: Aerial view of city Setit Humera, Ethiopia in 1962 (Click on the pictures for a magnified view).

The second picture is in a much better condition and it was photographed in 1992 Ethiopian Calendar. This picture shows the newly renovated St. Marry's Church in Setit Humera. Much of the funding for the renovation was obtained (donated) from the Diaspora Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians.

Looking at these photo I can almost feel the HOT weather of the city during the day and imagine people sitting under the shades of the large trees. If I am not mistaken the trees on this picure are locally known as "Nim" or "Mim." It is believed that sometimes the temperature could reach more than 45 degree celicius. Luckily, with the help of the trees and the breath coming from the nearby Tekeze river the city cools down a little bit.

Qegnim nefese gira, Ende Hager yemiYakil Yelem!! (East - West, Home is the Best) bilo yelem nechu sewuye.
Photo 2: St. Marry's Church, Setit Humera, Ethiopia in 1992 E.C. (Click on the pictures for a magnified view).