Welkayit - Tegede

Genocide On Welkayit Tegede

2010-08-29T12:55:00.004-04:00

Ginbot 7 Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy conducted a couple of interview with Vice Chairman of Voice of Victims Ato Abay Mengistu. They have also aired a commentary on the issue of Welkayit Tegede.

To listen please go here or you can clik and listen from the player below which has both parts of the interview.

Ethnicity and Identity: More complex than recognized by the Ethiopian Constitution

2009-08-30T19:12:00.002-04:00

Dagmawi, of Ethiopian News and Views is one of my favorite bloggers on the web when it comes to Ethiopian issues. He is is very well informed and objective in his commentaries and new analysis. I am a frequent reader of his commentaries and follow through any articles he is discussing. ENV is a very resourceful blog to dig through.....I wish Dagmawi had a feature in which I and many others could express our thanks to his contribution to a mature and civilized and discussion...

Today, Dagmawi has posted an interesting article titled, Neither Ethiopian nor Kenyan, just Gabra, Garre or Borana which is about communities South of the Ethiopian (Northern Kenyan) border who are at Limbaugh of their citizenship. Their case is similar to what is happening to the people of Welkayt Tegede.

Dagmawi puts his analysis in an eloquent comment in a way that he can only do.

"The Ethiopian constitution does not recognize the Boran, Gabra or Garre. Nor does it recognize the rights of individuals to choose how to express their national identity themselves. The constitution has taken that power away. It establishes pre-defined Oromo and Somali nations and assigns all Boran, Gabra, or Garre political membership in either of these nations. These are the only identities that are given national political rights. There is no other option. Thus, key issues regarding the livelihoods of these people are now wrapped up in the agenda of ethnic nationalist elites in far-away Jigjiga or Addis Ababa.

The primary objective of these Oromo and Somali ethnic nationalists is to preserve the territorial integrity of their nation. This objective is translated into reality in the mixed ethnic regions inhabited by the Borana, Gabra, and Garre. These ethnic groups have had a long-history of interaction and two-way assimilation. They are now being forced to "purify" themselves and reduce their identity to either Oromo or Somali. There is no middle ground.

The Ethiopian constitution does not recognize regional identities. It does not recognize the existence of mixed communities sharing the same area. Thus ethnic boundaries are being sharpened and the ideals of harmony between ethnic groups and peaceful coexistence are threatened. The cut-and-paste application of Soviet nationality theory to the Ethiopian constitution is having deadly results,"

As Dagmawi stated it above the indigenous people of Welkait Tegede did not get a chance to choose to which administrative region to be part of. The only single reason for TPLF to annex this regions into to Tigray was simply because the people spoke Tirigna. All other factors such as culture, social identity, historical background and and above all the right of the people to express their choice was simply never even considered.

Letter to the UN

2009-07-18T14:21:00.002-04:00

The following is an open letter to the UN regarding the territorial integrity of our homeland. Also, a statement from on the same border issue. Both statements are from Gonda Mutual Association - Seatle, USA.

Historical Accounts from Goshu Gebru of Welkait

2009-07-18T14:14:00.001-04:00

Click here to read a statement from Goshu Gebru, son of Kegnazmach Gebru G/Meskel.

Interview with Arbegna Shibabaw Abebe

2009-06-21T10:20:00.003-04:00

Click here to watch an interview of Arbegna Shibabaw Abebe of EPPF conducted with EriTV. Watch the whole program but if your just interested in the interview you can forward to 00:33 minute.

Brave Arbegnoch!

2009-05-31T17:06:00.004-04:00

Part One

Part Two

Source: EPPFOnline.org

VOA Interview with Ristey Mebrahtu - On Welkayt Tegede

2009-05-09T19:09:00.006-04:00

Recently the Voice of America Amharic Service has given some attention to the burning issue of Welkayt Tegede by providing Mrs. Ristey Mebrahtu an opportunity to voice her opinion in Woizero Ristey Mebrahtu is a native Welkayt Tegede who has been a member/sympethizer of TPLF for a very long time. She currently resides in the United States (Washington D.C.) and is a frequent guest caller to the various ethiopian radio stations broadcasted in the washington D.C. area defending the brutal actions of TPLF. Moreover, she is closely associated to a few TPLF sympathizers such as Kahsay Tafese and Assfa Golla who reside in Columbus, Ohio and she also a close relationship to Ferede Yeshiwondim and Tsegaye Asimamaw (TPLF officials in Tigray).

A few yeas ago, when the TPLF issued its 50 page report of subduing the Diaspora, Ato Ferede and Ato Tsegaye visited the Welkayt Tegede community in Columbus, Ohio in an effort to fulfill the strategy of dividing this community. However, the community stood strong and challenged their divisive agenda with the exception of the usual suspects who are closely associated to Ristey and Azeb Mesfin/Golla (wife of the dictator in Addis).

The two cadres gave promises that if the Diaspora decided to invest in their community back they would be able receive investment incentives including free farm lands. Taking this promise literally few of their supporter sold-off all their assets in the United States and went back home to only find their hopes dashed and promises broken. When the cadres returned home they were both striped off their positions by TPLF officials who were upset by the promises they made to the natives in the Diaspora. Ato Ferede was the head of Kafta Humera wereda and Ato Tsegaye was head of Tigray Security Service.

In light of what happened to Ato Ferede and Ato Tsgaye their few supporters in the United States including Weizero Ristey were fumed and decided to pressure the TPLF to reinstate these two cadres to their positions by speaking ainst its actions towards the natives of Welkayt Tegede. However, not surprisingly the TPLF did not even bother to respond forcing Weizero Ristey to speak out against TPLF.

I am more or less satisfied with what she said in the two interviews she conducted with the VOA. She at least has used the opportunity to voice the grievances of the Welkayt Tegede people to the rest of Ethiopian people. I do not agree with her statement that the Welkayt Tegede people should be administered under the ANDM instead of TPLF for two reasons. First, TPLF/ANDM are one and the same - the change in political name is nothing but what the Ethiopians say "Gulicha bilewawet..." Second, neither she nor I have the authority to chose which political party should the people or the region be administered. Should the natives on the ground who are facing all the suffering for once have the opportunity to decide their choice in a democratic manner. (By the way, when I say natives I mean those who are the true bread of Welkayt Tegede and not the hundreds of thousands TPLF has transplanted in the region in the guise of "resettlement")

Comment on VOA Amharic Reporting:

As much as I am appreciative and thankful of the VOA Amharic service, I am disappointed in that they have not thoroughly vetted Weizero Ristey's background and the real issue/problems the people of Welkayt Tegede are having. VOA has twice interviewed Weizero Ristey identifying her as the Chairwoman of the Welkayt Tegede Community in Columbus Ohio. However, as I know there is only one association in Columbus, Ohio named "Cooperative Association of Welkayt Tegede Ethiopians in North America." This association is non-political and non-profit 501(c) organization aimed in tackling the social problems of the Diaspora community.

Meanwhile, there is another group that is loosely structured or organized aimed at addressing the political problems of Welkayt Tegede people. The group led which the VOA is reporting as led by weizero Ristey is nothing but a few people that propagate and push TPLF agenda and are not by any means inclusive of all Welkayt Tegede people in North America. She is not an elected representative of the community other than being a spokesperson to the few people she belongs to.

I am not suggesting that the VOA shouldn't interview her nor am I condemning Weizero Ristey from voicing her opinion. In fact I am glad with part of she had to say. We (the people of Welkayt Tegede) have never had such an outstanding opportuity in voicing the suffering of our people. However, the VOA should not recognize her as the chirwoman of the community - and the reason being that she is not a chairwoman of the any association she claims and is promoted as.

In fact efforts were made for the VOA to give the same opportunity to another group I discussed above who are wise and old enough to discuss the subject matter thoroughly. There are elderly people here in Columbus, Ohio that can precisely communicate the history of the Welkayt Tegede people. Instead of interviewing the same person over and over, the VOA should at least come over to Columbus, Ohio - speak with the people, learn their history and their grievances beforehand. If they can send a reporter to Ethiopia and end up being banned from reporting by the dictator in Addis, I don't see any reason why they can make a 45 minute flight to Columbus, OH and present a factual information that is directly of interest to the Ethiopian audience.

I hope that the VOA would give us another chance to expand the discussion and voice the suffering of our people.

I will try to find the links for the interviews and post them here once I find it. If you do find the link please forward it to me.

Obama: 'Elections Aren't Democracy'

2009-01-19T13:33:00.002-05:00

Monday, January 19, 2009; Page A19

An excerpt from President-elect Barack Obama's Jan. 15 meeting at The Post.

Question: To what extent is the promotion of freedom or democracy something that you think should be part of the foreign policy and, if it is a part, how would you do it differently than it has been done in the past eight years?

President-elect Obama: Well, I think it needs to be at a central part of our foreign policy. It is who we are. It is one of our best exports, if it is not exported simply down the barrel of a gun.

And one of the mistakes, I think, [that] has been made over the last eight years, and, by the way, I'm not somebody who discounts the sincerity and worthiness of President Bush's concerns about democracy and human rights, and I think a lot of the ways that he spoke about it were very eloquent, but I think the mistake that was made is drawing an equivalence between democracy and elections.

Elections aren't democracy, as we understand it. They are one facet of a liberal order, as we understand it. And so in a lot of countries, you know, the first question is, if you go back to Roosevelt's four freedoms, the first question is freedom from want and freedom from fear.

If people aren't secure, if people are starving, then elections may or may not address those issues, but they are not a perfect overlay.

And, you know, issues like arbitrary arrest or corruption may or may not be addressed by an election. So I think what we need to be thinking about is, in various countries, and I use my father's home country of Kenya as an example, what we should be spending more time thinking about is, how can we provide them tools so that somebody doesn't get stopped on the street by a police officer and shaken down, or how do we create a system in which you don't have to pay a large bribe in order to get a job or get a phone installed?

And if we ignore those things, then oftentimes an election can just backfire or at least won't deliver for the people the kinds of -- it may raise expectations but not deliver what they're looking for. And, you know, so we will be working with -- you know, one of the things that I have pledged to do in foreign policy is to ramp up our State Department and restore some balance between the civilian and the military side, to -- and right now we have already begun conducting a thorough review of our various aid programs, our democracy programs, how do these all fit together and how do we view it through a lens that it is actually delivering a better life for people on the ground and less obsessed with form, more concerned with substance.

Source: washingtonpost.com

What do majority of Ethiopians have in common?

2008-09-13T17:09:00.003-04:00

We never acknowledge our weaknesses!

I think this is one of the root causes for the dismal state of the nation. Just check out the response of these ELITISTS to the question: "What has been your worst business decision?" More than half out of the 18 business leaders that were question by Fortune failed to honestly respond to what they think is their worst business decision was. Even the once that responded, they did so in a vague and general terms that can't be considered a full acknowledgement of failure. I think this is at the heart of the problems why we Ethiopians are failed citizens and why our nation is a failed state by all measures. I think the below so-called "leaders" responses are a reflections into our society's failure to accept failure and work hard to fix those failures. It is specially troublesome when our leaders in all sectors (politics, religion, business, or otherwise) FAIL again and again to stir the public in the right direction by acknowledging their mistakes publicly and honestly and attempt to correct them.

To be fair, there are few that appear to have honestly answered this question and I have a lot of respect for such people and leaders.

Anyways, here snap shot of the responses this leaders gave to Fortune. To read the complete responses please go here.

1. Ambachew Abraha, managing director, Ethiopian Shipping Lines

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. There has not been one.

2. Begziabher Alebel, general manager, Ultimate Plan Plc

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. Nothing that I recall.

3. Biniam Berhe, general manager, Country Trading PLC

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. There is not one that I recall.

4. Berhanu Getaneh, president, United Bank

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. ----- (I don't think he even bothered to answer this one!)

5. Getu Gelete, owner, Getu Commercial Centre

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. I do not hastily make business decisions. Rather, I make decisions after careful evaluation. (This guy seems to self aggrandizing!)

6. Habte-Selassie Tafesse, general manager, International Business Plc

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. A decision the consequences of which affect negatively people other than myself.

7. Muluwork G. Hiwot, general manager, Brehanena Selam Printing Enterprise

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. It's not my worst decision, but the hardest is to discipline staff and sack them, knowing that they may not find another job easily. That part is hard.

8. Salvatore de Vita, general manager, Salvatore de Vita & Family PLC.

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. I have been lucky: I do not think I have made one.

9. Tadesse Tilahun, CEO, National Oil Company (NOC) Ethiopia

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. Though unavoidable, firing people is the decision I hesitate to take.

10. Tsegaye Abebe, general manager, Ethio Flora PLC

Q. What has been your worst business decision?
A. I do not have one I made and call it worst but I consider the worst kind of business decision would be entering a short-term and baseless business.

ጩኸት ከምድረ ወልቃይት!

2008-05-09T18:56:00.009-04:00

በጎንደር ክፍለ ሃገር በተለይም (በወልቃይት ጠገዴ, ጠለምት) እና በትግራይ ሕዝብ መካከል እስከ 1970ዎቹ መጨረሻ ድረስ ከነበረው ታሪካዊ አንድነት ባሻገር፡ በመፈቃቀድ የተመሰረቱ ግቢዎች የንግድ ልውውጦሽ በጋራ የተፈጥሮ ድንበር የሆነውን የተከዜ ወንዝ የመጠቀም ወዘተ…. የመሳሰሉ ጠንካራ ግንኝነቶች እንደነበሩት ይታወሳል።

በተልይም የተፈጥሮ ድርቅ በተደጋጋሚ በትግራይ ክፍለ ሃገር በተከሰቱባቸው ወቅቶች እጅግ በርካታ የሆነ ሕዝብ ወደ ጎንደር ክፍለ ሃገር (ወልቃይት ጠገዴ) በመሻገር የተፈጥሮ ርህራሄ ቸርነትንና ለጋሽነትን ተለይቶት ከማያውቀው ወገኑ ጋር በመቆየት ጊዝያዊ ችግሮችን እንዲወጣ፤ እዲጠናከር በማገዝና ከተጠናከረ በኋላም የሥራ እድል በማመቻቸት የመልሶ ማቋቋሚያ ገንዝብ ይዞ እንዲመለስ ሲደረግ ቆይቷል።.......
ሙሉውን ለማንበብ እዚህ ይጫኑ - Read More

ተዛማጅ ዜናዎችና ሪፖርቶች፡

1. ጩኸት ከምድረ ወልቃይት
2. የሱዳን ጦር ዘመቻና የወያኔ ድብቅ ሴራ
3. በጎንደር የሱዳኖችን ጥቃት በተመለከት
4. ዳርፉር በኢትዮጵያ
5. ጠንቀቅ እንበል! ፕሮፈሰር መስፍን ወ/ማርያም
6. ሊቀ መአምራን አበባው ይግዛው ከኢትይጵያዊነት ሬዲዮ
7. German Radio Report የጀርመን ድምጽ ሪፖርት
8. Ethiomedia.com Report
9. TPLF Betrayal
10. Violation of Ethiopian Territorial Integrity
11. VOA Interview with Local Farmers & Proff. Mesfin W/Mariam
12. Kinijit NA Press Release
13. SOCEPP Press Release
14. EPRP Press Release
15. Eastern Sudan Farmers Get Back Ethiopian Farm Lands
16. Proff. Tecola Hagos Analysis
17. Shrinking Ethiopia (Map)
18. Ethiopians Bravely Defend their Border - Capturing 8 Sudanese Soldiers
19. የሱዳን ጦር ድባቅ ተመታ! 8 ወታደሮች ተማረኩ!!

More reports and opinions will be added as they become available.

Electoral Frustrations

2008-04-29T20:30:00.002-04:00

Two weeks of elections have come and gone, and I have not yet experienced a more comic election process than the ones just completed in the capital as well as across the country. I suppose the word ‘farce’ would be the best way to describe the events of the last two Sundays and the obvious results that they are to yield.

To begin with, the only active and well organized political party that participated in the race was the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which registered nearly four million candidates, an outrageous number as far as I am concerned, considering that they did not have much competition. The main reason, for this is the simple fact that many opposition parties decided to abstain or withdraw from the process because the requests they made to the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEB) for transparent, free and fair elections with as equal coverage time on public media as the incumbent has, were not even considered, let alone met. Many of the parties also claimed harassment, which some international human rights organizations, such as Human Rights Watch, have agreed existed.

The Oromo Federal Democratic Movement (OFDM) withdrew its candidacy after the initial elections had already taken place, claiming intimidation and a lack of fairness and transparency. The United Ethiopia Democratic Front (UEDF) did not have its name on the ballot to begin with; they withdrew two days before the elections began two weeks ago. The Ethiopian United Democratic Party (EUDP-Mehdin), in one of their most famous manoeuvres, tried claiming that they should retain the seats that they had won three years ago. The Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), or what used to be the CUD, did not participate, although the new bearers of the name were asking for voter support “just like they had in 2005” on public media, despite the fact that it was not their victory.

But it is not just the drama on the side of the political parties that makes this quite a funny situation; it is rather the reaction of the voting public. To begin with, I do not believe voter turnout was far from being the same as it was in the last elections, although the NEBE claims otherwise.

I received a knock on my door from someone reminding me that it was Election Day. I made it a point to remind him that I had not registered to vote. I was given an account of voters writing notes like “we are tired”, “please step down”, and “we want someone else”, on the ballot papers, instead of voting for the candidates on them.

I am not entirely sure what the Revolutionary Democrats were thinking of when preparing for these elections. We, as a political public, are not happy with the leadership that is currently being offered to us. This should have been our rightful time to put into position the people that we felt would take us out of the crippling rise in daily expenses and general discontent that has taken over our city. As a political public, we were not given a choice; rather we were mocked in the same manner as when one is invited to the theatre and then offered a puppet show instead.
To be honest, I do not blame opposition parties for not taking part in these elections, despite their shortcomings; this decision certainly was not one of their making. Rather, I blame the utter and total failure to bring about significant and tangible change on the part of the Revolutionary Democrats, because it was their responsibility to restore voter confidence. It was, after all, they who had lost them to begin with.

Aside from being the dominant party in the parliament as well as on regional, woreda and kebelle levels, it is the responsibility of those in power not only to restore, but also to implement the transparency and fairness of the state’s affairs. Not only has this not taken place, those in power have gone so far as to use those very means to ensure that they strengthen and consolidate their power instead of listening to the pulse of the people who they are trying to rule.
I have stated before in this column that I did not think that our country and people were ready for democracy. I take that back, it is not the people who are not ready, but rather it is the government, and to a certain extent the opposition. If indeed free and fair elections were the aim and final goal of all the players in the political sphere, then I would like to believe that there would have been a lot more compromise, better achievement and a lot more improvements.
On the contrary, we find ourselves in a throwback situation; it is like some bad story out of 20th Century African politics. Military leaders eras, times that we do NOT like to talk about in public. Since we are going to be having EPRDF as our leader for some time, I think it is time that they begin working a hell of a lot harder to make the political situation in the country more coherent to global standards.

At least, they should make the political space in the country more accessible to the public and more susceptible to change, energy and transparency.
BY Lulit Amdemariam

Source: Addis Fortune

እናንተ ዓይጋዎች፤ ተጃጅላችሁ ባታጃጅሉን ምናለበት!?

2008-04-18T19:36:00.005-04:00

በአንድ በኩል ታማኝ ተቃዋሚ ነን ዬምንንሻው ስትሉ ይሰማል፣ ዞር ብላችሁ ደግሞ እነዚህ ታማኝ ተቃዋሚዎች ግን መንግስትን ከማሞገስ ባለፈ ሲቃወሙ ወይም ሲኮንኑ ከተገኙ ግን ፀረ-መንግስት እንደሆኑ አድርጋችሁ ትወነጅሏቸዋላችሁ። እንዳው ነገረ ስራቹህ ሁሉ ግራ ቅጡ የጠፈበት ነው። በርግጥ እውነታው ምን እንድሆን ሳትረዱት ቀርታችሁ ሳይሆን አይናችሁን ጨፍኑ ላሞኛችሁ እንድዲሉ ስለሆነ ብቻ ነው።

ይህም ሳያንሳችሁ ተቃዋሚዎቹ ምንም የተሻላ አማራጭ የሌላቸው አክራሪዎችና ብቃት የሌላቸው እያላችሁ ስታወግዙ በአንጻሩ ደግሞ ተቃዋሚዎች ይህንን ብቃታቸውን እንዳያጎለብቱ የማትፈፈነቅሉት ድንጋይ የለም። ለምሳሌ ፓርቲያቹህ (ወያኔ) ከኢትዮጵይያ ሕዝብ በዘረፈው ሀብትና ንብረት በልጽጎ ራሱን የቻለ የፓርቲ ሕንጻ ለማሰራት ሢንቀሳቀስ፣ ፓርላማቹህ ደግም ተቃዋሚዎች የገንዘብ ምንጫቸው እንዲያስታውቁ የሚል ሕግ አውጥቷል። በርግጥ ይህ ሕግ ተፈጻሚነቱ ሕግና ዴሞክራሲ በሰፈነበት አገር ቢሆን አግባብነት በኖረው። ሆኖም ግን ራሱ ገዢ ፓርቲው ለህግ ተገዢ ባልሆነበትና ምንም ዐይንነት ዓርዓያነት ባላሳይበት ሁኔታ የሕጉ ቅንነት አጠራጣሪ ነው።

በቅርቡ ደግሙ ከ4 ሚሊዮን በላይ ሕዝብ ይኖርባታል ተብላ በምትገመተው አዲስ አበባ በመቶዎች የሚቆጠሩ ዴጋፊዎቻቹኅ በሥርቆት የተገኘን ድል ለማክበር ስለተገንኙላችሁ ብቻ ከተማዋ የወያኔ ሆነች ማለታችሁ በጣም አስቂኝ ነው። አባይን ያላየ ምን ያመሠግናል ነው የሚባለው እንኳን!? እስኪ ወደ ኋላ መለስ ብላችሁ በ1997 በመስቀል አደባባይ የተከሰተውን አስትታውሱ።

ቢቻል መጀመሪያ ራሳቹህን ሳታሳምኑ ሌላውን ሌላውን ለማሳመን አትሞክሩ!

Quote of the Day!

2008-04-13T18:10:00.007-04:00

The following paragraph is quoted from this article posted at Nazret.com by Golto Aila. I really liked how s/he put the mentality of the Eritrean liberation and the rest of liberation fronts in Ethiopia today.

When Eritrea got independence, the calculation from its leadership was obvious – they’ve got Ethiopia where they wanted - by the scruff of her neck! They had decapitated Ethiopia, it would not survive and if it did, it would be at their mercy! Miraculously, don't ask me how but Ethiopia sprouted another head/heads and survived - after some fashion! Little did the Eritrean leadership know of the fact that a head without a body to nourish it cannot survive either! No strategy of mutilating Ethiopia will work for anybody! It is simply foolish because it amounts to a deliberate self mutilation! Also it pays to understand that the task of retrieving Ethiopia from this anarchy and rehabilitating it is squarely on the shoulders of all Ethiopians. It will be Ethiopians who will determine whether or not the country and its peoples will be free and democratic. “Liberation movements” whose strategies are based on exploitation of peoples’ emotions based on past experiences, instead of using those experiences to craft solutions for challenges of tomorrow, are movements towards doom for the country and its entire population! Friends, however well meaning, can only help Ethiopia achieve what Ethiopians set out to do."

The Hypocrisy of Aigaforum....

2008-04-10T20:33:00.003-04:00

The apologists of the TPLF dictators would like us to believe that the people of Kelesha Emni had the opportunity to choose the adminstrative region (Afar or Tigray) in which they would like to be governed and that the people made their decisions based on their language. While there is no proof to back their claim, the TPLF dictator redrew the administrative map of Ethiopia without any consent or referendum of the Ethiopian people. One of the first victims of these act were the people of Welkayt Tegede, Telemt, and northern Wolo regions.

The propagandists at Aiga unashamedly state that, "The Kelesha Emni were asked to decide who they wanted to identify with when Ethiopia redrew its political map. Since the people spoke both Tigrigna and Afar, there was no unanimous decision. Hence those who spoke Afar chose to join Afar and those who spoke Tigrigna chose Tigrai. The issue was settled and the people that chose Tigrai had their area included in the Tigrai region." How did the people make their decisions? Did the TPLF cadres went door to door asking the people of their choice? Was any sort of election or referendum conducted seeking the people's approval? Again, how exactly were those decisions to redraw Ethiopian administrative decisions made?

For argument's sake let's agree that the people of Keslesha Emni were provided with opportunity to make the administrative choices. How come the people of Welkait Tegede, Telemt, and Northern Tegede were denied these rights? Don't the Welkait Tegede Ethiopians have the same rights as their fellow citizens of Keshela Emni? The truth is neither the people of Welkait Tegede nor the people of Kelesha Emni were provided with opportunity to exercise their right. Had these people been provided the opportunity to make their decisions in a free and fair referendum, we would be in the current mess our Ethiopia is today from east to west and north to east. People who for generations lived in harmony are now cutting each other's throat day-in and day-out. The sole cause of all this is none other than the TPLF led dictatorship that has instilled an ethnic based political and adminstrative reconfiguration of Ethiopia.

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Here is the Aiga diatribe..........

VOA and Girmai Gebru and News from Tigrai

(Aigaforum April 09, 2008): - The Voice of America Amharic has been churning all kinds of news about Ethiopia . Most if not all of its stories on Ethiopia has been biased news in support of the dissolved Kinjit (CUD) which notoriously aligned itself with anti EPRDF forces. With the current fast disintegration of CUD, the VOA has come up with a fabricated new story. This time the story is targeted to undermine EPRDF and the focus now is Tigrai instead of Addis Ababa and Wollega. Their correspondent is none other than Girmai Gebru whose sole intention is to disseminate biased inform ation.

There was a recent story aired by VOA of some individuals being jailed in Tigrai. The VOA report does in no way reflect the reality on the ground. We spoke to officials from Tigrai region and found out that there is no one jailed for speaking up their mind or exercising their constitutional right. The two stories that perhaps can come close to VOA story are the story of the Kelesha Emni and Atsbi. The area Kelesha Emni the Kushet (neighborhood) is found in the border area between Afar and Tigrai region. The Kelesha Emni were asked to decide who they wanted to identify with when Ethiopia redrew its political map. Since the people spoke both Tigrigna and Afar, there was no unanimous decision. Hence those who spoke Afar chose to join Afar and those who spoke Tigrigna chose Tigrai. The issue was settled and th e people that chose Tigrai had their area included in the Tigrai region. Though there has been sporadic disagreement in the area, there has not been any incident of magnitude worth reporting. In the case of the Atsbi, there is land issue and the dispute has been going on for over three years. There has been an effort to resolve the issue but so far the issue has not reached amicable closure. These issues as well as others are now being exploited by opposition forces with the help of VOA and their reporter in Tigrai.

The real story that needs coverage is the apprehension of individuals that have caused the death of innocent travelers in the Humera region. Sources tell us that the security forces effectively and quickly were able to break and get information into the workings of terrorist trained individuals who are managed by the Eritrean one man regime.

2008-02-08T20:07:00.000-05:00

The Following is an excerpt of sveral questions asked by Concerned Ethiopian Students that was addressed to PM Meles. Bellow is the open letter addresses to the Dictator in Ethiopia. To Read All the interesting questions CLICK HERE. (You might need a Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word 2007 File Format, which you can download HERE)

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"You claim to be guided by “the principle of self-determination. “ Why did you then annex by force of arms Raya, Azebo, Alamata and Ofla from Wollo Province, and Humera, Wolkait, and Tsegede from Gondar Province, which have never been part of Tigrai, and evicted the natives and settled some 700,000 Tigrean farmers and soldiers on their land? Why are hundreds of them languishing in dungeons in Tigrai? Why is land which belongs to Ethiopia being constantly transferred to the Sudan? It is estimated that over the last sixteen years, some $3 billion worth of agricultural produce has been marketed from these regions and pocketed by your friends and TPLF business concerns. The people of Gondar Province, for instance, are exploring the possibilities of taking the case to court. They not only want the release of all those whom you still keep in prison, and the return of their land, but also the retroactive payment of some $3 billion as compensation for what they have lost from their farms. Could you comment?"

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January 31, 2008

When governments fear the people, there is liberty.
But when the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson.

H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi,
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

It is often said that in a situation where there are no checks and balances, transparency and accountability, or an enlightened free press and civil society, those who hold power cannot wield it without instilling tyranny, or master corruption without being corrupted.

We have heard very many conflicting views about your government. As a result, we, a group of Ethiopian students in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Ethiopia who have no reason to fear your government, want to give you the benefit of the doubt. In that context, we have formulated the following series of questions for your consideration. We are also inviting Ethiopian civil society groups and discussion forums to study the questions. Your Excellency can be assured that your response to them will stimulate more discussion and research to the good of the country and your government. It is in this spirit that we took the initiative to forward the questions. Since we live in a globalized village, we have also sent copies of the questions to certain governments and international organizations of our interest.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the students,
Tadessese Abbebe ,
[ethiopianstudents@gmail.com ]

Cc:
Dr Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State;
Representative Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House;
Senator Joe Biden, Chair, Foreign Relations Committee;
Representative Tom Lantos, Chair, House Committee on International Relations;
Representative Donald Payne, Chairman, House Sub-committee on Africa;
Representative Chris Smith, U.S. House of Representatives;
Senator Russ Feingold, Chair, Sub-committee on African Affairs;
Ambassador Donald Yamamoto;
Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union;
Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union;
Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2007-12-19T01:08:00.000-05:00

Wishing a Happy Holiday Season to You, Your Family, and to All Ethiopians All Over the World!

Please check out this piece from our esteemed sister and poet Lemlem Tsegaw. Thanks for sharing Lemlem!

Unlike Ethiopian Refugees...

2007-11-15T17:14:00.000-05:00

Unlike Ethiopian refuges
Elephants, Giraffes
And other animals
Are protected
From random killers
By Kenyan laws
Funded by Europeans

Unlike Ethiopian refuges
These animals are free
To room all over
Cross boarders
Any where
Among African countries

How is it
Kenyans chose
To gun dawn
Ethiopian children on daylight
Who have no where to go
But be temporary guests
Don’t the refuges
Merit equal right
To those animals
In the eye of Kenyans

** Lemlem Tsegaw, November 7, 2007, Dedicated to all “Ethiopian … killed and wounded in Kenya” per EthioMedia, November 5, 2007

Click here to read the poem in Amharic

The Detention of Atanaw Wasie...

2007-11-01T15:31:00.000-04:00

On 27 September, the Sudanese authorities forcibly returned 15 recognized refugees to Ethiopia, handing them over at the Ethiopia-Sudan border. Their whereabouts are now unknown and Amnesty International believes they are at risk of enforced disappearance, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, torture and unfair trials.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on 11 October that the 15 had been part of a group of more than 30 Ethiopian refugees arrested in early July 2007 by Sudanese intelligence officers in Khartoum and Blue Nile state.

Among the 15 was Atanaw Wasie, who has chronic asthma for which he needs medical treatment. He was a leader of the Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU) political party, which opposed the Dergue government thatwas overthrown in 1991, but is no longer active. He was arrested on 7July 2007 in the eastern town of Gedaref and held incommunicado.

Others who were returned and detained are reported to be alleged members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which is fighting the Ethiopian security forces in the Oromia Region. Several thousand members of the Oromo ethnic group have been arbitrarily detained and tortured in Ethiopia in recent years. Read more here...

Also see:
SUDAN: Forcible return/Fear of torture/Arbitrary detention of several hundred Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals

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What is the Population Size of Wolqait-Tegede?

2007-10-27T16:11:00.000-04:00

The above table shows a partial population statistics by sex for "Kafta Humera," Welqait, and Tegede from 2004 to 2005. You can see the full statistics here

My questions in regards to these numbers are:

If these numbers accurately reflect the population size on the ground?
If these numbers show the population size of the native inhabitants only or if they include the settlers (Tigrayans) too?

I don't have any other (independent) statistics to question the numbers. However, from what friends and close relatives who have visited the areas in recent years, the population on the ground is perhaps maybe two or three times of what is being reported by the Central Statistical Agency.

It is estimated that the population size of the native inhabitants is around 300,000. In recent times, particularly since the annexation of this areas into Tigray has caused a major influx of new Tigrayan settlers that have overwhelmed the local population. Some say that more than 300,000 Tigrayans have settled in Wolqait-Tegede (more than 1 tgrayan for every 1 native inhabitant). Most of these Tigrayans have taken over the fertile low-land agricultural farm lands in and around Humera and the native inhabitants have been forced to resettle in the highlands where farmlands are infertile.

There is fear on some parts of the native community leaders and elders of the local inhabitants that this massive influx of Tigrayan settlers is diluting the unique linguistic heritage and sense of identity of the native inhabitants. This is in addition of the economic burden that have been levied against the locals. Moreover, the population increase has a significant environmental damage that has reached a breaking point. Many of native plants and wildlife are in brink of extinction.

***Also notice that the population has increased by only 6,607 from 2004 to 2005. How is it possible for a population of that size to increase only by 6,000? I wonder if the Chinese 1 child policy has been instituted in those areas!

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Petition to the Sudanese Gov't...

2007-10-24T13:42:00.000-04:00

To: Sudan Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Mohammed Ali Almardi

Ministry of Justice

PO BOX 744

Khartoum

Fax: + 249 183 78 07 96

October 23, 2007

Dear Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mr. Mohammed Ali Almardi:

Please Stop Detaining and Deporting Ethiopian Refugees!

First and foremost, we, the undersigned, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of the Sudanese people and government for their kindness and hospitality to Ethiopian refugees over the years since the ascendancy to power of the dictatorial military regime in Ethiopia. People living along the border of both countries have lived in peace and exemplary neighbourliness for generations. However, the last few years have seen a growing collaboration between the governments of the two countries, often to the detriment of the interests of the Ethiopian people and to freedom and justice, especially with regard to Ethiopian refugees. Reliable news coming out of Sudan reveals constant harassment, imprisonment and deportation of Ethiopian refugees.

In the beginning of July, over 30 Ethiopians were arrested by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service. On September 27, at least 15 of them were handed over by Sudanese officials to Ethiopian authorities in violation of the principle of non-refoulement. As Your Excellency knows, this principle is the cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention in which refugees will not be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be at risk. A similar deportation that took place early in August 2007 aroused the complaint of the UNHCR to your government, but to no avail. The whereabouts of the deportees is not yet officially known and they may be subjected to physical and psychological torture under extremely inhumane prison conditions in their native country. The remaining group of Ethiopian refugees in detention in Sudan will also face the same risk of deportation and the same tragic fate awaits them in Ethiopia. As a contracting party of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention and as a member of the UN Human Rights Commission, your government is committing a breach of its obligations under international law. Confident that you will do everything in your power to save the lives of the victims and their families:

We, the undersigned, humbly appeal to you to use your position as Minister of Justice and Attorney General to take action and bring an end to the involuntary repatriation of Ethiopian refugees.

We call upon the Sudanese government to cease arbitrary detainment of innocent Ethiopian refugees and release those in jail without delay.

We request that you use your good offices to urge the Ethiopian government to account for the whereabouts of the deportees, who might be subjected to extreme ill-treatment and torture.

Sincerely,

Click here to sign the petition

Sudan Illegally Deported 15 Ethiopian Refugees

2007-10-12T16:39:00.000-04:00

Click on the image above to read and listen German Radio Amharic Report on the deported prisoners.

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....We have now received reliable information that on September 27, 2007 the Sudanese Government handed over the 15 Ethiopian political refugees suspected of being members/supporters of the said armed groups allegedly sponsored by Eritrea. Our sources have also confirmed that the deportees are being held in the notorious MAKELAWI (Central) Prison located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Among the deportees is the elderly - Atanaw Wasse, who was also highlighted in our August 7, 2007 letter to you.

SOCEPP Canada is gravely concerned about the welfare and security of the repatriates who may have already been subjected to inhumane treatment in this notorious prison. We sincerely believe that this action of the Sudanese Authorities constitutes a flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention on Refugees and the UN Declaration of Human Rights for which the Sudanese government must be held responsible. We are also deeply concerned and disturbed by the fact that your good offices failed to intervene to save these refugees from this unfortunate incidence of involuntary repatriation without any guarantee of safety in place. We anticipated that our appeal would have alerted the international community to take proper steps as to provide the necessary protection to these refugees. Read more.....

More News reports on this matter...
** Amharic Report from Khartoum, Sudan
** SOCEPP Press Release
** UNHCR Report on the deportation

Historical Facts and Personal Accounts of Ethio-Sudan Border

2007-09-22T15:30:00.000-04:00

This insightful article by Ato Solomon Getaneh provides an interesting perspective on the Ethiopian and Sudanese border along Gondar (Quara and Humera). The author of the article sites historical facts and personal accounts of local farmers and community elders from the region.

Read the article here

Happy New Ethiopian Millenium!

2007-09-08T18:33:00.000-04:00

Wishing you and your family the Happiest New Ethiopian Millenium! May the coming new millenium be a millenium of peace, unity, democracy and unity to our beloved Ethiopia!

Happy New Year!

Gondar

2007-08-24T15:38:00.000-04:00

Gross Human Rights Abuses Against Ethiopina Civilians

2007-08-23T12:04:00.000-04:00

The Ethiopian American Civic Advocacy (EACA) calls upon the international community to demand for the immediate halt to the atrocious and gross human rights abuses taking place against Ethiopian civilians in the Ogaden by the Ethiopian authoritarian regime.

Click here for the press release

Resolution of Ethiopians in Ohio

2007-08-20T17:50:00.000-04:00

To read the resolution passed by Ethiopians in Ohio on the August 18, 2007 meeting in Columbus, Ohio please click here (amharic, pdf). Also, you can read an earlier statement on the issue.

2007-08-19T00:47:00.000-04:00

Woyane’s Mission of Manipulating Ethiopians of Wolqait and Tegede Origin Failed Miserably

Two TPLF officials who called for a meeting on August 18, 2007 in Columbus, OH failed to reach their goal of dividing the people of Wolqait and Tegede. After an hour or so of diatribe and exaggerated statistical report on developments on the region, the participants took the advantage to maneuver the attention to the most dire and urgent issues of freedom and democracy in their homeland.

Almost all the participants including those who support the TPLF repeatedly expressed their dismay at the officials who tried to ignore the human rights and freedom concerns of Wolqait Tegede people. The participants expressed their opposition to article 39 and the demarcation of their homeland with Tigray on the basis of language and demanded their lands to be reunited with Gonder. The participants also stressed that the most urgent issue for the people of Wolqait-Tegede as it is for the rest of Ethiopia is the respect of human rights and democratization and that they will not blindly fall into the TPLF trap of “investment” and “development” designed stifle individual rights and hold the people hostage to their oppressive policies of divide and rule.

The participants demanded the release of their countrymen languishing under the TPLF concentration camps. Moreover, they reminded the TPLF to immediately stop from giving away lands that rightly belong to Ethiopia to the Sudan.

The officials (Ferede Yeshiwondim, Administrator of Wolqait and Tsegaye Asimamaw. Tigray Security Representative) denied and dodged many of the questions and concerns raised by the participants. Also, in many cases they blatantly lied to the face of the participants on the current condition of the region and attempted to paint everything as peaceful, stable and that there are no problems or prisoners.

Even though the meeting organizers attempted to give more time and opportunity to their supporters and shut down the dissenting voices, the brave Ethiopians used the advantage to forward their opinions. To the surprise of the dissenting Ethiopians and even to the officials many of their supporters expressed their opposition to what TPLF is doing to the people of Wolqait and Tegede. As such, the people of the region who previously were at odds in previous times came out stronger and united than ever to expose TPLF’s atrocities committed against the people of Wolqait and Tegede. Other than presenting their boring statistical report the officials failed to divert the people’s attention.

A press statement and other supporting documents from the community organizers of the dissenting Ethiopians will shortly be released to the public.

Community Organizers
August 18, 2007

Ethiopian Demand Explanation...

2007-08-09T14:41:00.000-04:00

The characteristic peculiar to our country, which distinguishes it from other countries, is the fact that it played an exemplary role in fiercely defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity at the time when powerful foreign powers were on the rampage to subjugate most lands on the globe.

Indeed, there have been periods in our history where our country had land mass many folds more than of the present one and trade relations and influence extending into the interior of the then neighboring Nubian Empire. This glaring history has been attested by innumerous literary works of ancient and modern scholars, both foreign and local origins.

Virtually, all Ethiopian governments prior to that of the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF ), although rightfully criticized for their autocratic and repressive leadership style, decidedly took preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the nation as their primary undertaking. Under their leadership, and largely because of it, our country repulsed powerful invaders such as the Ottoman Turks, Egyptians, Italians and Mahadists.

And it has now become the historical burden of this generation to carry on the great tradition of keeping the territorial integrity of the nation as the best way of commemorating the sacrifices of our forefathers. However, recent international media coverage of giving away another part of our country in the making is in circulation. read more...

Press Release in Amharic pdf

Also read a poem by Lemlem Tsegaw

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Update on the status of Ethiopian refuges in the Sudan

On July 20, 2007 SOCEPP Canada issued an urgent action appeal regarding the new wave of mass arrests and possible involuntary repatriation of Ethiopian refugees suspected of having affiliations with and/or support opposition political groups such as Oromo Liberation front (OLF), Ethiopian People Patriotic Front (EPPF) and others.

Following a massive protest by the international community as well as by Human rights groups from within Sudan, it now appears that some progress has been achieved. It is reported that many Ethiopian refugees who were rounded up and placed in detention are now freed with bail. It is anticipated that the remaining will be freed soon. read more...

Azeb Golla on a Mission to Divide People of Wolqait-Tegede in Ohio

2007-08-06T19:30:00.000-04:00

Uncofirmed statements indicate that Azeb Golla, wife of Meles Zenawi along with Ferede Yeshiwondim, Head of Security for Wolqait and Tsegay Asmamaw, former TPLF parliamentarian and judge are planning a trip to the U.S. According to sources, the delegate is expected to arrive in the U.S. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Though the purpose of the trip is not clearly known, some speculate that this a continuation of TPLF's plan to divide the diaspora community along ethnic and religious lines. It is to be remembered that Addisu Legese made a similar trip to the major U.S. cities including Ohio where he was humiliated by Diaspora Ethiopians.

The same handful individuals who hosted Addisu Legesse are now running up and down in preparation to host a meeting with Azeb Golla and her conscripts. Ferede Yeshiwondim is an individual who is terrorizing his own people and recently made a trip to the Sudan in an effort to identify those individuals suspected of supporting the EPPF which the arest of dozens. Azeb Golla was rejected by the people of Wolqait in her bid for election in 2005 and chose to run in Humera instead where there is a high concentration of Tigrayans.

It is despicable that these people are willing to travel thousands of miles in the name of discussing the problems of Wolqait while they have muzzled and failed to give the same opportunity to the people they claim to represent. The Wolqait people here in the Diaspora do not expect anything good to come out from the TPLF who annexed their land, displaced its people, killed and tortured thousands and kept thousands more in secret underground prisons. This same people who are working day-in and day-out to erase Wolqait identity, culture, a unique dialect, social norms and psychs expect us to believe that they would actually listen to us.

We suggest that thy should give this opportunity to the people back home, restore all their rights, return their lands and properties unconditionally, stop the illegal resettlement of Tigrayans and finally return and reunite Wolqait-Tegede and its people with it historical identity of Gonder! After that the people of Wolqait will leave with the Tigray people peacefully!

***************

26 Refugees Still Under Arrest in Sudan

Sources from Sudan reveal that 26 Ethiopian refugees are under arrest in Khartoum, Sudan in a prison called Kober. Two people, have been released on August 3. The sources indicated that all of the prisoners are have been question by security forces and have been treated fairly well. However, They added that they were beaten on the head during the early roundups on July 2nd.

Thanks to the effort and outcry of concerned Ethiopians in Sudan and abroad as well as the UNHCR, Amnesty International and other organizations the whereabouts of these people is known and they have been spared from being deported to the dictators in Ethiopia. It is hoped that more people will be released soon.

Read an Amharic report from Debteraw
Also previous reports
VOA Interview with Ato Wondimagegn

Remembering Aba Melakeselam Sisay Ayele

2007-07-31T17:24:00.000-04:00

Click on the image or here to read the poem by Ato Lakew Hiruy in rememberance of Aba Melakeselam Sisay. To read the obituary in Amharic, please click here.

VOA Amharic Interview on the Case of Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan

2007-07-27T13:05:00.000-04:00

VOA Amharic July 26, 2007 (Hamle 19/1999) Program

Voice of America's (VOA) Amharic program reporter Surafel Fantaye interviewed Ato Wondimagegn Getaneh, Deputy Chairman of Ethiopian Refugees Committee in Sudan. According to Ato Wondimagegn heavily armed Sudanese security forces conducted house to house searches beginning July 2, 2007 and arrested many Ethiopian refugees who have been granted legal refugee status. Ato Wondimagegn stated that many of the arrests took place in Khartoum with few others being in Umrakuba and Gedarif of eastern Sudan. He also told VOA that the where abouts of most of the detained is unknown and the Sudanese authorities are unwilling to disclose why and where the prisoners are being detained.

Ato Wondimagegn added that there are rumors circulating which suggest some of the prisoners being handed over to Ethiopian Authorities though there is no hard evidence to backup those claims. He also said that Ato Kenaw Dilnesaw an Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF) member/supporter is believed to have been to Ethiopian authorities and the where abouts of Ato Achenefe Alemu also a supporter of EPPF is not known since he was detained two months ago.

Listen VOA interview with Ato Wondimagegn Getaneh

SOCEPP-CAN Urgent Action Alert

2007-07-24T16:09:00.000-04:00

Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners - Canada (SOCEPP-CAN) released the following press release regarding detained Ethiopian refugees in Sudan. Click here to read the report.

Read related articles:

Sudan: Forcible return / Fear of torture / Arbitrary detention

2007-07-23T10:21:00.000-04:00

URGENT ACTION
Sudan: Forcible return / Fear of torture / Arbitrary detention
PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 54/038/2007 20 July 2007
UA 190/07 Forcible return/Fear of torture/Arbitrary detention

SUDAN: Several hundred Ethiopian and Eritrean nationalsHundreds of Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals have been arrested since the beginning of July, and are at risk of being forcibly returned to their countries of origin. Many of the Ethiopian and all the Eritrean nationals would be at risk of immediate arrest, torture and indefinite detention without charge or trial if forcibly returned.

In mid-July several hundred Ethiopian and Eritrean adults and children were arrested in the capital, Khartoum. At least 14 Ethiopian nationals, whose names are known to Amnesty International, had been arrested on 5 July in Khartoum and in the east of Sudan. Arrests are continuing.

Many of those detained are understood to be asylum-seekers or recognised refugees. Some are in Omdurman prison in Khartoum, but the whereabouts of most is not yet known, or has not been disclosed by the authorities. Some have been taken to court, charged with illegal entry and summarily sentenced to imprisonment or immediate deportation as illegal migrants. It is understood that no-one has access to them in custody.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Sudan is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, all of which oblige the authorities not to forcibly return any person to a country where they risk torture or other serious human rights violations.

The government has generally abided by these treaties and worked closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect the rights of both long-term refugees and new refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea. However, this policy appears to have changed recently because of the government’s changed political relations with both the Ethiopian and the Eritrean governments. For many years Sudan had hosted and supported political opponents of both governments, some of them belonging to armed groups. The recent detentions of Ethiopians came immediately after the Ethiopian foreign minister visited Sudan in June 2007, indicating new friendlier relations with Ethiopia. A similar change appears to have been made in the Sudan government’s political relations with Eritrea.

Many of the detainees have been living in Sudan as refugees since the late 1970s, having fled from the Dergue government that was in power in Ethiopia at the time. Some were unwilling to return when the Dergue government was overthrown in 1991, and the current government of Meles Zenawi seized power in Ethiopia and Eritrea gaining independence under the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF). Some of the detainees are said to be opponents of the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia or President Issayas Afewerki in Eritrea, who arrived in Sudan in the 1990s or more recently to seek asylum. Thousands of Eritreans fled to Sudan in recent years to escape political repression or military conscription.

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Source: Amnesty International

Let Freedom Shine All Over Ethiopia Again

2007-07-20T14:14:00.000-04:00

Let the freedom that shone over the CUD leaders also SHINE ALL over other Ethiopians suffering in and out of prison camps throughout Ethiopia!

MAY GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA AND ITS PEOPLE!

Update on Condition of Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan

2007-07-19T14:47:00.000-04:00

Hundreds of Ethiopians face forced return to Ethiopia where they are at high risk of being tortured by the Ethiopianm government. For more information please click here to read an Amharic report from Khartoum, Sudan.

Ethiopian, Eritrean Refugees Appeal

2007-07-18T14:24:00.000-04:00

Sudanese government urged to treat refugees as fellow human beings
WAEER Press Statement July 17, 2007

The relationship between the people of Sudan and Ethiopia dates back to thousands of years. Despite occasional political differences and sometimes conflicts between successive governments, the relationship between the two peoples has never been affected and had always been nothing less than excellent. Without going too far back in history, if we examine their history since the WWII, it can be characterized as a relationship bonded by a common culture, common security, shared natural resources, drinking from the same water, a liking to each others food and music.

One does not have to research a lot to understand how profound this bonding is. The streets of Khartoum, the towns of Gedraif, Port Sudan, Kassala, the bars, restaurants and public ceremonies in several Sudanese towns demonstrate how close the two peoples are. Nowadays it is common to have Ethiopian bands in Sudanese weddings. Many well to do Sudanese families employ Ethiopian or Eritrean maids or guards. Sudanese feel at home in Ethiopia and Eritrea and vice versa. During the Second World War, Ethiopians fleeing the fascist invasion and persecution found refuge in Sudan. They were welcomed with open arms and lived in Sudan until the liberation, without ever feeling that they were indeed refugees.

Ethiopian generals who led the liberation war were educated in Sudan military academy, then in Soba. After graduation they led Ethiopian patriots under Emperor Hiale Sellasie and the combined Sudanese and British forces. Emperor Haile Sellasie lived in Sudan for a long time prior to the final push to liberate Ethiopia. Thousands of Sudanese troops sacrificed their lives fighting for the liberation of Ethiopia from fascist Italy. The cemetery at Keren is a living testimony of this. More recently the Eritrean Liberation Front (EPLF) and the Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF) which is currently in power in Ethiopia, were trained and oragnised in Sudan. They were both supported and encouraged by the then governments and Sudan was used as the staging ground for these guerrilla forces which eventually overcame the government forces and created a new reality in Ethiopia and Eritrea. However misguided these polices of arming and supporting guerilla movements against a neighboring country, they may have been, the relationship between the two people remained unaffected. The armed guerillas and their families lived in peace welcomed by the people and without being harassed by the government. Ethiopians and Eritreans are deeply grateful for this unconditional non political affection and sympathy accorded to them by the people of Sudan.

However, in the last few years there are disturbing signs that this compassion and traditional ties among the people of the three countries are being eroded through certain segments of Sudanese bureaucracy. None of us believe that the Sudanese government has instituted deliberate policy to intimidate and harass the Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees and migrant workers. There are currently thousands of Ethiopians and Eritreans who have crossed the borders in search of better life and or protection. Some come to Sudan for economic reasons and others come here for political reasons with the aim of being registered with the UNHCR and hopefully resettled in Europe, Canada or Australia. They work in restaurants, in individual homes as house maids, guards, in hair salons etc...Some use Sudan as transit point on their way to Mediterranean coasts with the intention of crossing over to one of the European countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and have different ambitions. But one thing is certain. Except perhaps a few, none are involved in criminal activities. They donâ€™t rob, steal, cheat or beg. They work hard and live a decent life. They respect the law of the country and adjust to the culture and way of life of Sudanese.

It is true that most of the migrant workers cannot afford to pay the annual 400 dollars required by the government for the extension of their stay and work permit. Almost all the Ethiopians who enter Sudan do so with legal visas. But once they arrive, most find it difficult to extend their permits because they are required to pay 400 dollars every year. This is truly exorbitant for people who, if lucky, earn 100 or 150 dollars a month. It is very unfair to apply the same rules for an oil company executive from abroad seeking stay permit and an ordinary economic migrant who earns 100 or 150 dollars a month. Because of this, many of our people are being arrested and abused. The governments position is understandable but it is our opinion that this situation can be handled differently. It has now become common for Ethiopians and Eritrean homes to be raided and people arrested form the streets, work places and homes and herded like cattle and taken to unknown places, some deported and some released after some negotiations.

In reference to this people the question that concerned people ask is: "Why is there no decent way of conducting inquiries on the status of these people besides raiding their homes, arresting them on the streets, beating and humiliating them?"

If the labors of these people are wanted and they have legally entered the country why is it not possible to fix a reasonable fee for their stay or work permits? The second group of people are those who have come here for political reasons and who are registered as political refugees. Even though for the last several years Sudan has been hosting many kinds of political armed groups it is the common position of most Ethiopians living in Sudan now that it would be wrong to abuse the hospitality of this country and use Sudan once again as a staging place for armed struggle inside Ethiopia or Eritrea. Situations have changed and the only alternative to bringing about change is through the new political process and pressure.
Armed struggle is not an option and is furiously opposed by many decent Ethiopians and Eritreans across the world. However these dissidents some of whom have been here since the times of Haile Selasie, meet and discuss the political situation in their respective countries. To the best of our knowledge there are no armed and oragnised forces in Sudan operating against the security of Eritrea and Ethiopia. But this does not mean that there are no people who talk politics and discuss the prevailing situation in their countries. These discussions are held in their homes and in community gatherings and never go beyond that. Political refugees in Sudan have not even conducted any political demonstration against Ethiopia or Eritrea like they d so frequently in Europe and America. Why then are some simple activists who have done nothing more than probably talking about the politics in their own country , being arbitrarily arrested ,their homes raided and ransacked, beaten, abused and raped. The families of many of these helpless prisoners are not informed and they rot in jail without charges and without the knowledge sometimes of the senior government officials. Ethiopians and Sudanese people living in Sudan believe that these acts are very much un-Suadnses and should be rectified both for the sake of the helpless voiceless migrants and refugees and for the sake of the image of this country who all of us love and respect.

The question that is being asked regarding this group of people is:
- If there are some suspicious activities why are these people not inquired through the agency
that protects the rights of refugees, the UNHCR?
- If the address of these dissidents are known, why are they not properly invited to report to the police and questioned properly?
- Why are the families not informed on their whereabouts?
- Why does not the government take actions regarding these arbitrary arrests?
- Why are rape cases in prison by prison guards not being investigated when the evidence has been brought to the attention of the government officials?
- Why are Sudanese officials so quiet on this shameful act by people who do not represent the true culture and traditional values of Sudan? Should these inhuman acts be allowed to continue?

Please Sudanese people speak out and defend the rights of your brothers, sisters daughters and sons from your good neighbors.
-----------------------------
Concerned members of the World Wide Association of Ethiopian an Eritrean Refugees (WAEER). WAEER is an association established to protects the rights of refugees under the Geneva Convention and International law of Human Rights. Source: Ethiomedia

Ethiopian Detainees in the Sudan

2007-07-06T10:53:00.000-04:00

The following names are few of those refugees imprisoned in Sudan By the Sudanese government in the last two days.

From Khartoum
1. Mr. Beyene Aligaz
2. Mr. Alemayehu Malede
3. Mr. Tsegaye Alemu
4. Mr. Yimenu Mengstu
5. Mr. Abate Degago
6. Mr. Jumua Rufael
7. Mr. Mamay Tiruneh
8. Mr.Muley Serebe
9. Mr. Asfaw Malede

From Emrakuba (Gedaref)
10.Mr. Abebe Gebrey
11. Mr. Alemayehu

The following people are in hiding .Their residents were searched and are wanted by the Sudanese Security Officers.

Khartoum
1. Mr. Abera Atalay
2. Mr. Solomon Mekonen
3. Mr. Asheberegn Berhe
4. Mr. Miruts Tadese
5. Mr. Genanaw Mengste
6. Mr. Kifley Mamay
7. Mr. Aman Shiferaw
8. Mr. Girmay Tesfay
9. Mr. Shibabaw Asefa

It is widely believed that more than 89 Ethiopians suspected of being opposition supporters are imprisoned as a trade in for our fertile lands.

Please contact your state representatives and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch about this issue and seek their attention in this regard.

Amnesty International:
International Secretariat
Web site: www.amnesty.org
Telephone: +44-20-74135500
Fax number : +44-20-79561157
Address:
1 Easton Street
London, WC1X 0DW, UK

Amnesty International USA
5 Penn Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Tele: (212) 807-8400
Fax: (212) 627-1451
Email: aimember@aiusa.org

Human Rights Watch
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
USATel: 1-(212) 290-4700,
Fax: 1-(212) 736-1300
Email: hrwnyc@hrw.org

Contact your congressperson in the U.S. House of Representaives and the U.S. Senate

Mass Arrest of Ethiopians in Sudan

2007-07-05T12:58:00.000-04:00

Following the news of the Ethiopia handing over its lands to Sudan, the Sudanese government has started door-to-door search arresting Ethipoians suspected of sympathising with opposition political groups such as the EPPF. Many people particularly those of the Wolqait-Tegede origin have been targeted and are currently in detention by Sudanese authorities. Some have managed to escape this crackdown and are currently in hiding.

According to the news report by Sudan Tribune, the Ethiopian government has agreed to hand over the lands to the Sudan while Sudan would return the favor by imprisoning Ethiopians suspected of sympathising with Ethiopian political opposition groups.

Sources close to me indicate that some of my family members and relatives have either been incarcerated or are in hiding at the moment.

Ethiopians in the Diaspora (USA, Europe, and Australia) should contact their respected representatives and senators and demand to voice their concern and halt of this human rights abuses.

Eastern Sudan farmers get back disputed lands from Ethiopia

2007-07-04T20:15:00.000-04:00

Wednesday 4 July 2007 05:00.

July 3, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — A joint Sudanese-Ethiopian committee would start today to hand over agricultural lands to residents of more than 17 Sudanese villages located in eastern Atbara River along the Ethiopia-Sudan border.
The agricultural lands remained a source of dispute for more than 100 years.
Governor of Al-Gadarif State, in eastern Sudan, Abdelrahman al-Khidir told Akhir Lahzah that this step came as an implementation of 1971 agreement which stated re-demarcation of the border between the two countries.
He added that technical arrangements have been finished and a committee of seven experts from each side would give the Sudanese farmers their lands, pointing out that his government is ready to append these farmers with the current agricultural season.
He said that with the end of the committee’s work which might last for a week, the lands would be back to their owners.
He explained that they have formed 17 cooperative societies in addition to other previous societies in order to support the farmers within the framework of the agricultural campaign on one hand and to consolidate the Sudanese land on the other.
Furthermore the governor called for dealing with the border issue with a good spirit between the two countries, adding that people should look at the border issue as an area of integration not of conflicts.
He explained that the final operation of border re-demarcating which might conclude after the autumn season would put an end for all kinds of security breaches and instability situation in the area. [Source]

Comment: About a year or so ago I commented on a similar article from Sudan Tribune in which the online magazine reported the possible handing over of Ethiopian territories to Sudan. I am outrageous today as I was then. I don't understand what this people (the TPLF) are thinking. They have no regard to securing the sovereignty of the nation that they control. What I found striking from the above article is found in the last paragraph, "He explained that the final operation of border re-demarcating which might conclude after the autumn season would put an end for all kinds of security breaches and instability situation in the area." So, the TPLF is willing to go as far as giving chunks of Ethiopia's fertile lands to the Sudan for the sake of preventing the operation of Ethiopian opposition/rebel groups inside Sudan and in order to stay in power as long as they can at the cost of Ethiopia!

The Great Father Abba Melake Selam Sisay Ayele Yimer Passed Away

2007-07-03T11:06:00.000-04:00

Abba (Father) Melake-Selam Sisay Ayele Yimer, the devoted Servant of the Almighty God; the true son of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo faith; the gallant Ethiopian nationalist; treasurer of the legal Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Holy Synod in exile and the founder and administrator of the Great Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Debre Medhanit Medhane-Alem Cathedral of Columbus, Ohio passed away after five months of ailment and hospital care at the age of 80 in the city of Columbus, Ohio, USA on Friday, June 29, 2007.

Religious Services and Funeral Arrangement Schedule:

** Beginning Friday, June 29 His Holiness Abune Merkorios, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church along with other Arch-bishops, Bishops, Fathers, and Dignitaries have started arriving in Columbus, Ohio, USA for the funeral services.

** Beginning Monday, July 2, prayers will be conducted from 6:00 Am to 7:00 AM in the morning and from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM in the evening at Debre Medhanit Medhane Alem Cathedral.

** On Wednesday, July 4, starting 10:00 AM Holy Mass and Tselote-Fithat (wake) will be conducted at Debre Medhanit Medhane Alem Cathedral, under the leadership of His Holiness Abune Merkorios, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

** On Saturday, July 7, starting 9:00 AM the last and final Tselote-Fithat (wake) will be conducted at Debre Medhanit Medhane Alem Cathedral, under the leadership of His Holiness Abune Merkorios, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. After the Tselote-Fithat (wake), eulogy will be read and the burial ceremony will be performed at:

** Cemetery Address: St. Joseph Cemetery * 6440 South High Street * Columbus, OH 43137 * Phone (614) 491-2751.

** Church Address: Debre Medhanit Medhane Alem Cathedral * 610 Neil Avenue * Columbus, OH 43215 * Church Telephone: (614) 280-0626

** For more info : (614 ) 622-5922 or (614) 332-8002 or (614 ) 989-4777

Click here for Amharic

Hager Malet

2007-06-13T12:56:00.000-04:00

Click on picture to view enlarged version or go here

The 2007 Census: A Continuation of an Ongoing Scheme of Social Engineering

2007-05-27T20:58:00.000-04:00

Brief Background on Repatriations from the Sudan

It is to be remembered that many Ethiopians, most of which consisted people of Welkayt-Tegede and the environs migrated to the Sudan as early as 1960s and ‘70s due to the civil war. They settled in refugee camps located in Derabil, Safawa, Umrakuba, Tewawa, Umgurdja and some in towns and cities such as Gedarif and Khartoum. Some managed to escape to third host countries such as USA and European countries but for most they had to live the harsh conditions and Sudanese government abuse until today. (This is is a topic of its own. I will come back to it some other time)

In mid-1990s, the TPLF led government with the help of the United Nations carried out a massive repatriation program of Ethiopian returnees from Eastern Sudan. In the 1990s the TPLF led regime started a repatriation program that was carried out under divisive ethnic lines of resettlement and that favored its supporters. Those that supported the TPLF and the once that were from the Tigrayan ethnic group were rewarded with generous compensations, fertile land, housing and free transportation to whichever destination they chose. Most of the Tigrayan returnees along with ex-TPLF fighters were resettled in places such as Humera and Rawyan, which are localities that rightly belong to the people of Welkayt-Tegede. Today, the Tigrayans residing in these areas have made a fortune and are big business owners. They are also, the most extreme hardcore TPLF supporters and financiers. Since they they are primary beneficiaries they are willing to do what ever they can to defend the TPLF and hence, their interests.

Unfortunately, for those who opposed the TPLF, particularly for the people of Welkayt-Tegede, the story was a whole lot different. Although, the UNHCR was supposed to carry out the registration and repatriation program (in cooperation with the TPLF gov’t), most of the insider work was run by TPLF hired cadres that made sure they opponents were left out by creating loopholes of filtering. One of these techniques was to impose Tigrayan ethnic identity on the people of Welkayt-Tegede. If an individual of Welkayt-Tegede native chooses to resettle in Welkayt-Tegede, they were required to state they ethnicity as Tirayans, since at that time the TPLF has annexed these regions into Tigray.

Nevertheless, many people were unhappy and outraged by this measure and began looking for alternative means of reaching their homeland. Others helplessly fell for the TPLF’s ill conceived and manipulative scheme of imposing new identity and arrived at their destinations. Those that were aware of TPLF’s poisonous plan chose to resettle in the “Amhara” region namely in places such as Gonder, Armacheho, Abderafi, and so on in an attempt to avoid that evil plan. Some of this people later moved to Welkayt-Tegede through the back-door, while other remained in the named towns and villages and started a new life maintaining their identity and dignity. Today there are thousands of Welkayt-Tegede natives living in Abderafi, Amachiho, and Gondar alongside the people with whom they share a common culture, psych, and identity for hundreds of years.

The 2007 Ethiopian Census and Imposed Ethnic Identity

The third national census is expected to be conducted starting May 28, 2007 in much of the country with the exception of Afar and Somali regions. According to Addis Fortune, (through AllAfrica.com), Ethiopia’s population was 39.5 million in the first census conducted in 1984. This number increased to 53.5 million in the 1994 census. Today Ethiopian population is estimated around 77 million. The third census was initially scheduled to take place in 2005 but was postponed as a result of the general elections that coincided in the same year.

In the same Addis Fortune article, Professor Beyene Petros and chairman of the opposition UEDF cautions the census to be carried out properly asserting that, “It is sensitive and has a serious implication on budget, identity and territorial issues." It is due to this fact and for reasons that I discuss above that I raise my suspicion in the process of the census. Are people allowed to freely state or declare their identity without any retribution of any form from the governments’ cadres? Even though the article states that teachers would conduct the data collection, I have no doubt that the government has a hand in manipulating the outcome in a way that favors its agenda.

In today’s Ethiopia where people are highly sensitive about their identity and where the political structure is based on ethnic identity, population census cannot be carried out clearly and freely. This is also true in Welkayt-Tegede, where there is a high tension between the Tigrayans and the native inhabitants. The Tigray people and the native inhabitants as well as the TPLF elites know that there is a clear sense of difference in their identity and socio-cultural makeup. However, these elites minimize/ignore all these factors and attempt to restructure the issue along language similarities, i.e. both groups speak Tigrinya.

In fact it is interesting to see TPLF’s absurd in way of dividing the people of Tegede. In an effort to legitimize its annexation of Welkayt-Tegede, the TPLF looked at the language pattern of the local people to determine how fluent they are in either Tigrinya or Amharic. Since, the people of Welkayt speak Tigrinya fluently their annexation to Tigray was assumed to be unquestionable, however the people of Tegede showed mixed patterns. The people residing in northern part of Tegede were leaning to Tigrinya, while those in the southern part were leaning toward Amharic. Thus, according to TPLF, those people who leaned toward Tigrinya language were considered of the Tigrayan ethnic group and consequently were incorporated into Tigray and the rest who leaned toward Amharic were left with the Amhara region.

As such, to the people of Welkayt-Tegede, this year’s census is nothing but a carefully orchestrated social engineering of redefining the identity of the local people in a standard that fitted their (the TPLF's) long-term goal of systematic and silent ethnic cleansing. It is saddening and humiliating to see the TPLF intentionally promoting the domination and extinction of minority people in a world in which humans are fighting for the preservation of extinct animals and plants. Today we are in a world where a larger and stronger group tries to respect and protect the rights of a minority group and where diversity is preferred to forced assimilation. Nevertheless, the TPLF has none of these good characteristics and these are the deficiencies that will ultimately bring its catastrophic demise.

Greetings to Our Gonder

2007-05-21T14:18:00.000-04:00

Please take a moment to read the following two interesting poems authored by Lemlem Tsegaw. The first poem is titled "Anch yeGna Gonder" and the second one "Adowa." Both poems remind us of the condition our beloved Gondar and its people as well as the Ethiopian populous in general are going through under the current curse of the TPLF led ethnic dictatorship of divide and rule.

To read each of the poems in their entirety, please click here for "Anch yeGna Gonder" and here for "Adowa."

Many thanks and appreciation goes to the Author of both poems Lemlem Tsegaw. Again, than you so much for sharing Lemlem, and please keep it coming. Will gladly entertain it here.

****** "Adowa" *******

ye-Habtam deHa! Where is the dollar going?

2007-05-18T13:50:00.000-04:00

The following two pieces of news articles are a little bit old, nevertheless, as you can read, millions upon millions of dollars are generated from sesame seed export from just the Wolqait area of our country. I am dumbfounded to learn that there is almost no basic development of infrastructure in this part of Ethiopia. Compared to the rest of Tigray where there are constant development of roads, hospitals, clean water and electric services, schools including universities are being built in every corner of Tigray with the exception of Wolqait-Tegede. I also read another news article with the same message as the once attached below. This article which came out just a few day ago (I could not find the source, but will post it as I find it), indicate that export of sesame seed has overtaken export of coffee in terms of the overall GDP of Ethiopia's export. The news indicate that China is the major importer of sesame seed from Ethiopia.
**************************
Ethiopia town exports more sesame to int'l market
UPDATED: 07:59, July 27, 2006
Kefta Humera, north Ethiopia's Tigray state, garnered over 38 million U.S. dollars from export of sesame during the just-ended fiscal year (July 8, 2005-July 7, 2006), customs officials said Wednesday.
Aklilu Lema, senior officer with the Ethiopian Customs Authority, said in a news release that the revenue was obtained from the export of over 510,700 quintals of sesame to international market, 183,000 quintals more than the previous fiscal year.
During the past fiscal year, Ethiopia earned 142 million dollars from export of sesame. At present, the product has a 30 percent share of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), exceeding coffee that contributed a 60 percent share to the GDP three years ago.
The product was shipped to China, Canada, Middle East, Europe and United States and China took the lion's share in Kefta Humera's export of sesame, Aklilu said.
The growing demand of sesame in global market and the increase in exporters engaged in the sector are the major factors for the increase in the volume of export, he said.
Located in the equatorial belt, Ethiopia has an ideal climatic condition that helps in producing sesame. Also, sesame produced in Ethiopia is of top quality.
Ethiopia is among the least developed countries where the economy is primarily agriculture based and quite backward. Like many other nations in Africa, Ethiopia relies greatly on the trade of primary goods.
Source: Xinhua
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China becomes Ethiopia's major export destination
Updated: 15:49, April 23, 2006

Ethiopia said Saturday China has become one of the Horn of Africa country's major export destinations this year.
Tekle Gebre-Hiwot, a senior official of Ethiopian Customs Authority, told journalists that Ethiopia exported to China 175, 000 tons of agricultural products, worth 123 million U.S. dollars, from July 2005 to March 2006.
Ethiopia's export to China before July 2005 was at a low level but it jumped following China's declaration of duty-free market access to African goods, said Tekle.
China has granted Ethiopia and other African countries the right to export 187 varieties of goods produced in the country duty-free, starting in 2005.
During the nine months, Ethiopia's total export to China included 142,825 tons of sesame seeds worth 112 million dollars, 28,594 tons of leather goods, hides and skin worth 10.4 million dollars and 3,712 tons of natural gum worth 275,850 dollars.
Source: Xinhua

SOCEPP On Findings of Secret Prisons in Ethiopia

2007-05-15T19:51:00.000-04:00

Of Secret Prisons and Labor Camps in EthiopiaSolidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners (SOCEPP) Newsletter, April 2007

The recent issue of SOCEPP Newsletter discloses that the regime of Mele Zenawi, in Ethiopia, runs concentration camps in many places. The well known labor camps are in Dedesa, Zwai and Bir Sheleko. In these camps, the beating of prisoners is routine. Prisoners are starved and subjected to force labor. One reports that most of the hoards and wardens in Zwai hail are from ethnic group of the Prime Minster. Psychological torture and humiliation of the prisoners are also routine in these camps. Secret prisons have been identified in Quiha Tigrai, Welkait, Metekel, Holeta and other places. Prisoners are held incommunicado, denied medical treatment, beaten severely and mistreated daily. Reports indicate that such prisoners who die are buried in secret.

Source: http://www.debteraw.com/

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I wish the newsletter had more details, however, the fact is that the TPLF had established these secret prisons commonly known as "Bado 6" by the local people since early 1970s when this TPLF first occupied Welkait. To this day, thousands have been incarcerated in these underground torture chambers. Saddly, many do not make it to come out of it alive. Many of the youth from the native people (Welkait-Tegede) are still being incarcerated without the due processes of the law and for every minor or no reason. Some are are arrested for speaking out against the injustice committed on the Welkait-Tegede people, and others are detained because of a baseless suspicion of sympathising with the Ethiopian People's Patriotic Fron (EPPF).

TPLF: On a Mission of Antagonizing Ethiopians

2007-05-04T12:35:00.000-04:00

As it has been mercilessly displacing the people of Wolqait-Tegede for the past 16 years, the TPLF is yet again displacing hundreds of thousands of Afaris from they own homeland. The recent report by Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners (SOCEPP), indicates that Woyane has been resettling thousands of Tigrayans in the fertile Awash river basin in the Afar region at the expense of displacing countless Afaris and imprisoning those who opposed the occupation of their homeland without their consent. This is indeed an outrageous act that should be resisted at all costs. The ARDUF should continue it armed resistance by attacking TPLF military posts and soldiers. Similarly, we see the people of Wolqait-Tegede and the environs raising arms against the occupying and unwelcome oppressors. Albeit, it is sad to see the division of the Ethiopian people in general, what the TPLF is doing is an excusable. Because of its shameful act and claim of representing the Tigrayan people, many non-Tigrayan Ethiopians particularly the people of Wolqait-Tegede and Afar have developed deep resentment and hatred against the Tigrayans. Yes, what all Ethiopians need at this time is unity, love, and peace amongst each other, however, it is almost impossible to achieve this things under TPLF's blunt oppression of Ethiopians.

The diary of Agazi soldier

2007-04-30T13:31:00.000-04:00

(By an Agazi Soldier in Humera Shaleka) - Translated by Meqdela

It was one hazy dawn in the month of March. It had been more than three weeks since we got back to Ethiopia after completing our mission in Somalia. I am a member of the Humera Regiment of the Agazi Division which was at the forefront of the war in Somalia. Read More

Fighting Erupts at Adi-Goshu

2007-04-18T11:40:00.000-04:00

According to local people we contacted in Wolqait, fierce fighting has erupted between the EPPF fighters and TPLF (Woyane) army. Sources claim that tensions between the TPLF army and the EPPF have increased in recent times and assert that these tensions have increased to an out-right conflict around a local village of Ad- Goshu. Adi Goshu is located in northern most of Wolqait to the northeast of Kafta bordering Tigray and Eritrea.

We will post more info as it becomes available.

Sudan says Ethiopian rebels cause tension on joint border

2007-04-11T14:46:00.000-04:00

April 10, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan has acknowledge for the first time security tensions on the border with Ethiopia over activities by the Ethiopian rebels which it said is receiving training in neighbouring Eritrea that has a long-standing border dispute with Ethiopia.

The governor of Gadharif State, eastern Sudan, Abdelrahman al-Khadir, admitted that the Ethiopian rebels is active on the border. He said the opposition received its training in Eritrea and crossed Sudanese territory to carry out forays in Ethiopia. This is distinct from activities by the highway robbers known as Al-Shafta gangs who menace both Sudanese inhabitants and foreigners in the region, the London based Asharq al-Awsat reported on Tuesday. (Read More)
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Comment: I think the build up of tensions between Sudan and the Woyane junta is a good news for Ethiopia People's Patriotic Front (EPPF) as it opens new opportunity for the Front to re-establish itself and attack Woyane. It is also an important development as it allows the Front to free itself from Eritrea which deliberately has been a hindrance to the growth of the Front by putting to many restraints. The EPPF International Committee should seriously take this opportunity and build military alliances with the Sudanese before it is too late.

Our Father Melakeselam Sisay Ayele

2007-04-10T17:43:00.000-04:00

Father Melakeselam Sisay Ayele was born in 1919 in a small village called Bel Amba Michael found in Wolqait of Gondar province. He was raised by his mother and Grand father. At the age of seven he started attending a local spiritual school where he studied the bible. However, few years later the education was disrupted as a result of the Italian invasion and many of the children went back to assist their parents in farming practices. After the defeat of Italians his grand father persuaded him to go back and continue pursuing his spiritual education. Father Melakeselam was married in 1943 and few years later in 1949 he received his priesthood from Abune Michael of Gondar.

In 1988 Father Melakeselam helped establish the Debre Medahit-MedaheAlem Ethiopia Orthodox Tewahedo Church along with other community elders and leaders. He also recently published a book with his Fatherly advices referencing the Holy Bible.

Father Melakeselam has been one of the pillars of our community at all times, including at times when the TPLF juntas were forcing him to give up the Churches he was leading in the Sudan. If it were not for Our Father, our community could have easily fallen pray for the Woyane cadres.

It is heart-breaking to see Our Father's health conditions deteriorating in recent time. I personally and on behalf of my community would like to wish him a full and speedy recovery.

Dear Father: we all love you from the bottom of our hearts and we certainly pray for a healthy return to your daily teachings and services. Thank you and May God Bless You.

***P.S. All years above are in Ethiopian Calendar.

To read the .pdf articles in Amharic...
Interview with Gugsa Magazine (July 2002)
Interview with Voice of Unity Magazine (June 2003)

EPPF Intl. Cmte. Internal Assessment Report

2007-02-07T19:34:00.000-05:00

The Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front International has released a press statement and a summarized report on the recent internal crisis. For more information please go to http://www.eppf.info/.

Also, check out the following video clip showing EPPF members and supporters confronting Dr. Musse Tegegn. Dr. Musse is believed to be the main cause for the recent turmoil within EPPF and for his manupulative leadership and repression of EPPF supporters.

Appeal to the DPM Tamrat Layne of TGE, 1992

2007-02-01T12:00:00.000-05:00

On Hidar 11, 1984 Ethiopian calendar (November 19, 1992?) two respected individuals submitted a letter of protest to the then Deputy Prime Minister Tamirat Layne voicing their opposition towards the annexation of Setit Humera, Welkayt, Tegede, and Telemt by the Transitional Government of Ethiopia (TGE). The writers Ato Dagnew W/Selassie and Ato Fetihaye Assegu acknowledged the historical ties between the people of Gondar and Tigray. However, they condemn the illegal act of annexing the districts to Tigary and express their dismay at forcing the native inhabitants to be second class citizens of Tigray.

This two Honorable men were brave enough to question the government of TPLF at a crucial juncture in the history of our nation. Their courage to stand up in defence of their people was and still is commendable. They accurately foresaw the implication of the annexation of the districts on our people on relations between the people of Gondar and Tigray. Had there been the willingness to listen and act upon the advice of these elders our people would not have fallen in today's situation of animosity between the people of Gondar and Tigray.

It is saddening that we do not have such great heroes who stand up and fight in defence of their people today. These two Great individuals had the guts to express their opposition and expose the human rights violations that were committed by the TPLF on the native inhabitants. At times when not a single international human rights organization or even our own Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRC) reported the atrocities that were committed in these districts, Ato Dagnew and Ato Fithaye stood for us. It is heartbreaking to see these organizations continuing to give a blind-eye to what is happening in these districts. I wish that they extend their fact finding expertise to these and all such districts rather than just concentrating in Addis Ababa or just other major cities.

The real harassment and human rights violations take place in rural Ethiopia (note: this is not to say that cities are immune), where communication to the outer world is either limited or deliberately blocked by the TPLF/EPRDF regime. It is erroneous to assume that the indicated districts (Welkayt, Tegede, and Telemt) are in a good condition just because they are located in the Tigray regional administration. In fact it is there where the conditions are miserable and where gross human rights violation are silently taking place.

Click on "Read more" to view the Amharic pdf letter written by the two gentlemen.
Read more...

Free at Last!

2007-01-27T21:54:00.000-05:00

The hero fighter Gebrehiwot Gezahegn has been released after fifteen years of imprisonment by the TPLF regime. My sources indicate that fighter Gebrehiwot was set free this January of 2007 from the Woyane concentration camp located in Humera, northern Ethiopia. Fighter Gebrehiwot along with his compatriot Kasahun who currently is on death row were put to prison in 1992 for their involvement with the armed group Kefagn also known as EPPF.

I would like to congratulate fighter Gebrehiwot for his release and wish him all the best. I would also like to extend my best wishes to all of the fighters that are languishing in all the secret incarceration camps and to those who are sacrificing their lives at the moment.

The freedom of our people from the Woyane dictatorship is just around the corner. So, Keep the Faith and the Struggle!!

Oh Wolqait...

2007-01-10T13:53:00.000-05:00

Here is an article which seems is a response to the previous post given by certain individual nick-named Bitwoded Wolde-Negodiguad from Columbus, Ohio. You can read the previous article here.

Wolqait without Gonder?

2007-01-10T13:23:00.000-05:00

This article was published on Hawarya Newspaper a while back by an individual named Kebede Agegnehu from Portland, Oregon. To read the Amharic article in pdf please go here. I will post the response to this article in a couple of days.

Read more...

Ethiopia's Archaeologists Discover Ancient Relics at Ancient Town

2007-01-02T15:31:00.000-05:00

Town of Axum
Ethiopia's archaeologists discover ancient relics at ancient town
04/14/2006

The team also uncovered glassware and clay moulding tools, which indicate that glass technology was in use in ancient Axum.
Ethiopian Archaeologists have uncovered several ancient relics and building through excavations they conducted at the ancient town of Axum.
Coordinator of the archaeologists team Tekle Hagos told ENA on Tuesday that the team has been carrying out excavations beginning from February 8, 2006 on the tombs of Izana and Remhai around the Statue of Queen of Sheba in Axum town.
Tekle said the team has uncovered claywares, several metallic and stone-made relics as well as a four-pillar building.
According to the Ethiopian News Agency Tekle added that by the side of the ancient building was found a throne statue erected for a warrior named Hatsani Daniel.
"The script on the statue describes the victory of Hatsani Daniel at Kessela and Wolqait and his refusal to accept the appointment offered to him by the Axumite King," Archaeologist Tekle said.
The team also uncovered glassware and clay moulding tools which indicate that glass technology was in use in ancient Axum, he said.
More over, Tekle said, armaments, claywares, silver and bronze coins, bracelets and other ornaments have been found at the site, ENA reported.
The excavation, undertaken with a budget earmarked by the authority for research and conservation of cultural heritage, will continue by involving other pertinent organs next year.

Source: Eitb24 (via ENA)

Keep the Hope Alive!

2006-12-28T14:04:00.000-05:00

2007 is just a few days away and the Ethiopian Millennium isn't that far either. Nevertheless that country that we dearly love still languishes in the hands of few who have despise its history and continually undermine its territorial integrity. Now as we approach the western world's new year our country is immersed in yet another unnecessary and non-sense war. Now more than ever our country is surrounded by hostile nations and elements who wish its disintegration. The root cause of all these problems is none other than the so called dictators in the heartland of our country. Instead of hopes and new practical resolutions that could strengthen the unity and prosperity of our people, the so called leaders are fermenting tensions and conflicts to continue their repression and grip on power.

However, it is up to the individual Ethiopian to keep its hope alive and fight 'till the end when we all achieve our freedom. We can not back down from now on. We have to make sure that the next generation do not carry our burden, our problems, and our failures. Our forefathers have sustained these country of ours for thousands of years it is up to us to continue these legacy.

I hope and which 2007 and the many more years to come be years of freedom, prosperity, peace, and unity. I wish all our people to breath freedom and democracy. I wish all the imprisoned CUD leaders, civic leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, and all freedom fighter to be free and our Ethiopia to march forward together.

So, wherever you are Happy New Year 2007!

A New Addition to the List of Pathological Hypocrites

2006-10-16T12:17:00.000-04:00

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

2006-10-03T00:44:00.000-04:00

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).

On Relations Of Wolqait, Gondar, & Hamasen (Cntn'd)

2006-08-13T19:05:00.000-04:00

As I have said it in Part One, there is no evidence of Wolqait-Tegede having strong relations or ties with Tegray let alone to be ruled by Tegrayan governors. Even though I am not positively sure Dejazmach Nayzgi appears to be among the first if not the first rulers of the Wolqait-Tegede provinces. I will let Richard Pankhurst tell us the rest of the fascinating story.

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Iyasu I and Walatta Seyon

Emperor Iyasu I, the greatest of the Gondarine rulers, also had close associations with Hamasen, as is evident from his chronicle. In September 1683, a year after assuming the throne, he summoned the Patriarch, and asked him to marry him to Walatta Seyon, the daughter of Habta Iyasus of the Daq Asgade family from Baqla, a district of Hamasen. The bride was described as beautiful and gracious, but the monarch, it may be assumed, chose her at least partially because of the desirability of a political alliance with her strategically important province. The marriage was a long one, and came to an end only with Walatta Seyon's death in 1693. She was buried with much ceremony on the island of Mesraha in Lake Tana. Her brother Asma Giyorgis was (or became) a person of consequence: he was accorded the princely title of Abeto, and on his death, in 1700, his royal brother-in-law reportedly wept bitterly because he loved him much.

Oral Traditions of the Reign of Iyasu I: Gara Krestos

Relations with the Gondarine state during the reign of Iyasu I also figure in the Hamasen traditions. They state that Dejazmach Hab Sellus ordered his eldest son and heir, who held the title of Bahr Negash, to travel to Gondar to introduce himself to the Emperor, and present the customary tribute of the area, as he, Hab Sellus, had done before him. The young man, by name Iyasu, was, however, frightened of the journey. Pleading illness, he declined to travel. His younger brother, Gara Krestos, went in his stead. (He was probably the Gabra Krestos mentioned in the Chronicle whom the Emperor had addressed over the Murad affair). Speaking of his elder brother he said to himself, Since he has refused to go it is I who will become the chief.

On reaching the capital Gara Krestos, like his father a generation earlier, served for a long time as a palace guard. He thereby became well known to the Emperor, and was eventually given the title of Dajazmach. Iyasu, because of his regard for the young man's father Hab Sellus, subsequently gave him the hand of his daughter, Sabana Gargesh significantly enough the third reported marriage between the Hamasen and imperial ruling houses. On the occasion of the wedding the monarch promised his son-in-law that wherever Sabana Gargesh passed the night would be Gara Kresot's hereditary fief. At the same time he appointed the young man governor of Bambalo-Mellash, the position earlier held by Hab Sellus.

The appointment of Gara Krestos while his father was still alive caused considerable disquiet in Hamasen. The elders deliberated on the matter, but dispersed without coming to any decision. Their gathering was therefore likened to the croaking of frogs, and the place where it was held became known as May Mankae, i.e. the Water, or River, of Frogs.

News of all this duly reached Gara Krestos. Anxious to avoid any conflict, he sent messengers to his father and countrymen, telling them he had no intentions of opposing their wishes. He placed himself loyally under Hab Sellus, and seated himself at the latter's feet. On his father's death, however, he inherited the government, and ruled for thirty-eight years. He was by then a rich man, for as a result of the Emperor's decree he held many fiefs between Gondar and Hamasen, reportedly wherever his wife had spent the night. These estates were subsequently inherited by his children.

Tasfa Sen and Mammo

Gara Krestos, like his father, continued to pay taxes to Gondar. On one occasion he sent his son, Tasfa Sen to the capital, instructing him to bring the tribute, then leave. The young man, however, tarried instead at the palace, where, like his father and grandfather before him, he served as a guard, and won the Emperor's favor. Though his father was still alive, he persuaded the monarch to appoint him as governor. Observing, that Tasfa Sen was the son of his sister, Sabana Gargesh, the monarch nominated him to the rank of Dajazmach, and gave him Gara Krestos's fiefdom. Tasfa Sen thereupon returned to Saazzega, and elevated him to the rank of Dajazmach.

Mammo, a second son of Gara Krestos by Sabana Gargesh (and hence Emperor Iyasu's grandson), subsequently embarked, with imperial authorization, on a campaign to the south against the Oromos, probably in Wallo. He defeated them, baptized them as Christians, and himself their governor. The monarch rejoiced, gave him many decorations, and elevated him to the rank of Dajazmach.

Relations between Tasfa Sen and his deposed father had meanwhile deteriorated. The young man, so far from behaving in a filial manner, lorded it arrogantly over Gara Kresots. His father was so bitter that he rejoiced when his son fell ill, for he hoped that by the latter's death he would regain his title. When Tasfa Sen actually died, however, the old man was full of remorse. He passed away shortly afterwards, whereupon his son Mammo succeeded him as governor of Bambolo-Mellash.

Mammo subsequently fought once more against the Oromos, during which time his office was temporarily occupied by another brother, Reesa Haymanot. The latter obtained the Emperor's permission to wage war in Wajerat, far to the south in Tegray.

Dispute over the Tribute from Bambolo-Mellash and Walqayt

Mammo, according to the traditions, subsequently resumed his position as ruler of Bambolo-Mellash. He was involved in a long-remembered, and historically interesting, dispute with Dajazmach Nayzgi, the governor of Walqayt. It concerned the tribute they each paid to the Emperor. Nayzgi, it appears, had sneered at the taxes paid by Mammo, and in front of everyone at court declared by way of challenge, "Let us see who will pay the largest tribute, you or I!" Mammo replied, Alright, let us fix the day! Emperor Iyasu, who was no doubt well pleased with such competition between his liegemen, asked each how long they needed to collect their dues. Nayzgi disdainfully replied, "Six months," but Mammo, more cautiously, answered, "A year." They then left to collect their respective taxes, to be paid at the times proposed.

After six months Nayzgi arrived with his tribute. It consisted of cooking utensils (presumably made of pottery), cotton cloth, cloaks, guns, and silver coins (probably imported Austrian Thalers), three herds of cattle, white, black and brown, and a large number of cotton shammas, or togas. When Mammo saw these magnificent items he feared he might lose the contest, but gave orders that the most precious things, utensils and cattle, in his district be collected and brought to him.

The traditions, which thus far reflected the customary tribute obtained from the northern periphery, at this point begin to take on a fantastic character. They claim that Mammo was riding with some of his companions when his horse's hoof into the ground. Jumping off his steed he saw a small hole where his horse had placed its foot, and ordered his men to dig there. They soon came upon a magic house, where they discovered a gold mouse, a gold frog, a gold lizard, a gold snake, a gold royal coach, and many other objects of gold.

Mammo later set forth for Gondar taking with him all the taxes his people had collected. They consisted of ordinary tribute, as well as the fabulous gold objects he had discovered. His gifts all in all were so plentiful that while the first of his mules were being unloaded at May Saada the last was still at far-off Addi Baro.

On eventually reaching the Emperor's court at the appointed time he proudly displayed his presents. The first installment consisted of nothing but scarlet and striped cloth. Then came pieces of abugedid, or cotton cloth, carpets, jars, brelle, or glass bottles, lamps, cloaks and rifles. All this was followed by six herds of cattle, white, black, brown, brown speckled, black speckled and gray speckled, and a troop of monkeys. Finally came a herd of mules, carrying glass bowls, glass beads, precious stones, needles, tweezers for removing thorns from the feet, and solver coins, presumably imported.

Seeing all this wealth the monarch exclaimed to Mammo, "You have won!" and all his chiefs agreed. The victor, on hearing his triumph, then made a remarkable display of largesse, by offering gifts to all present. Addressing all the nobles he cried out, "Here is a meal for the chiefs!" after which he poured out of a bag some of the golden objects he had so miraculously found. A moment later, he shouted, "And there is a meal for the King's wife!" and proffered her a gold cat and cock. Then, proclaiming, "The meal of the King!" he produced a golden snake, its eyes glittering with fine pearls, and gave it to Iyasu himself. The monarch, we are told, was, not surprisingly, "much astonished" at this profusion of wealth.

Nayzgi, angered by his humiliating defeat, challenged Mammo to a duel. The two men fought, and Mammo was once more victorious, taking Nayzgi prisoner. The latter's domains thereupon passed to Mammo who in consequence assumed the government of Walqayt for seven years. Emperor Iyasu later interceded on the defeated chief's behalf. A pact was concluded, whereby Mammo gave his daughter in marriage to Nayzgi's son, while Nayzgi was allowed to resume his old government, albeit under Mammo's overall sovereignty.

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On Relations of Wolqait - Gondar - Hamasen (Eritrea)

2006-08-12T16:46:00.000-04:00

The following article is taken from Richard Pankhurst's book, The Ethiopian Borderlands: Essays in Regional History from Ancient Times to the End of the 18th Century. In the introduction to this book, Pankhurst states that, "Historical studies of Ethiopia, like those of other countries, often tend to concentrate on events at or near the center of political power, and devote far too little attention to other areas." I aggree with Pankhurst's assertion as studies regarding the Wolqait-Tegede provinces are almost non-existent. It seems that the TPLF regime has taken this to its advantage by trying to fabricate fictitious history in order to legitimize its illegal incorporation of the Wolqait-Tegede provinces into the Tigray region. This is a clear evidence to those of us who are naive about our history and to those that have knowingly or unknowingly tried to redirect history.

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The Establishment of Gondar

Contacts between the country of the Bahr Nagash and the interior became closer after the establishment of Gondar as the imperial capital in 1636. The city rapidly emerged as a major political, commercial and religious center, and because of its location in the north-west of the empire, and difficulties of communication with the Sudan, had particularly close ties with the coast.

The metropolis was visited over the years by many personalities from the Land of Bahr Nagash, as well as by merchants and others who passed through the latter while traveling between the coast and the rich countries south of the Blue Nile. Gondar was at the same time heavily dependent on the trade route via Hamasen to the coast, and it was through it that most of the capital’s imports, including fire-arms, had to pass.

Hamasen Local Traditions: Fasiladas, Emmha and Hab Sellus

Evidence of contacts between the land of the Bahr Nagash and the Gondarine monarchy, that is to say between the northern periphery and the central state, is preserved in the oral traditions of Hamasen, recorded in the early twentieth century by the Swedish scholar Johannes Kolmodin. They represent an amalgam of fact and fantasy, but are nonetheless historically revealing. They show that the Gondar monarch’s sovereignty extended as far as Hamasen, whose local chiefs they appointed, and from whom they received tribute, as well as military, guard or other service. The traditions, though concerned primarily with Hamasen, are of much wider relevance. They illustrate the traditional manner in which local rulers and dynasties of the periphery were often in personal relationship with, as well as Emperors and their families. The story applies to the north, but, as notably in Adal, Hadeya, Enaraya, and on at least one well documented occasion among the Afars.

The earliest Hamasen traditions about Gondar deal with the time of the first of the city’s rulers, Emperor Fasiladas. They tell the story of Gara Krestos Samson, a Kantiba, or governor, of the town of Sa’azzaga, who sent his son Emmha to “the country of Amhara” to hand over his tribute. The young man traveled to Gondar, where he presented himself to the monarch, and was given the duty of guarding the royal gate and serving in various other ways, for which he was rewarded with the title of Kantiba. The appointment was unusual in that Emmha’s father was still alive, and held the same title. However, the young man, on returning home, dutifully declared that it was improper for him to assume the post during the lifetime of his sire, to whom he accordingly transferred the title.

On Gara Krestos’s death, however, the rank of Kantiba reverted to Emmha, who unfortunately proved an arrogant and harsh ruler. Soon after assuming his office he was visited by his cousin, Gara Sellase, and the latter’s son Hab Sellus, who came to bring him a gift of a fattened goat and some honey. The proud Emmha refused either to receive the visitors or to accept their presents. Father and son waited three days, after which they left in a dejected mood. On the journey home Hab Sellus declared that he would like to have a nagarit, or drum (a traditional symbol of authority), but his father replied that there was little hope of this since those who had the power to appoint him, i.e. Emmha and his clique, obviously hated their sight. Hab Sellus, who was latter to emerge as a Hamasen folk hero, relied that it was “better to perish” than remain with such people. He accordingly left for Gondar, and, to show that he was a knight, took with him a fine iron bridle.

On arriving at the capital he made his way to the place, where he reputedly lived a life of poverty and humiliation for seven full years. During this period he spent his days and nights where he could, and was often obliged to sleep in the stables. He was in consequence soon covered with scabs, and became known as Hab Sellus “the mangy.”

Emmha meanwhile, having learnt that Hab Sellus was living at the capital, and fearing that he might establish contact with the Emperor, made his way once more to Gondar. As Kantiba he had the freedom of the palace, while the unfortunate Hab Sellus was obliged to sleep outside, and eat only with servants.

Some time later, however, an incident occurred which brought the young man to the monarch’s attention. Fasiladas had fierce horse which none of his soldiers dared mount. One day, while talking with Emmha – and perhaps recalling that Hamasen was renowned source of horses, he asked him whether anyone among the Hamasen people was expert at horse-riding. The wily chief, hoping to bring about Hab Sellus’s death, or disgrace, replied that his young cousin could ride admirably. Fasiladas, who had no idea of the Kantiba’s real motive, asked Emmha to summon his relative without delay.

Hab Sellus, dressed in tatters, but carrying his fine bridle concealed under them, appeared before the monarch, who, seeing the young man’s rags and scabs, looked on him with contempt. Astonished that such creature had been brought to him, he asked, “Can you really tide a horse?” “Certainly, my lord,” Hab Sellus replied, “and since you have commanded me to do so I will try.” The steed was then saddled, and brought to the young man. He jumped on it, released the rope tying it, and immediately disappeared on it.

As soon as he was out of sight he dismounted, removed the horse’s bridle, and replaced it with the one he had brought from Hamasen. He then rode the animal all day until, its spirit broken, it trembled with sweat and fatigue, after which, having once more changed bridles, he reappeared at the palace on horseback. The courtiers had spent the day discussing where the young man would be hurled to the ground, and Emmha had observed, in a seemingly disheartened tone, that his cousin had “without doubt been killed.” It was then that Hab Sellus, to everyone’s amazement, arrived triumphantly at a gallop.

Emmha, we are told, soon afterwards had resort to a further trick against Hab Sellus. Another Hamasen nobleman, Zamat Kefla of Ad-Takkle-zan, whom Fasiladas had invested with the title of Kantiba, was due to return to his village, and the monarch enquired whether there was due to return to his village, and the monarch enquired whether there was anyone brave enough to accompany the chief home and then return back. Emmha ingeniously asked the Emperor whether anyone was more capable than Hab Sellus. Fasiladas had the young man once again summoned, and asked him whether he felt able to carry out the mission. Hab Sellus answered, more or less as before, “Yes, since Your Majesty commands me to do it.” The monarch then presented Zamat with a golden ring, and told him that after Hab Sellus had conducted him to his village he should hand it to the latter. “If he returns with the ring,” he declared, “I would know you have reached your village; but, if he comes without it, I will not receive him anymore.”

The crafty Emmha then sent a message to the people of Sa’azzaga ordering them to kill Hab Sellus. However, the young man, suspecting his cousin’s wickedness, avoided the usual route through Seraye and Akala Guzay where his enemies were lying in wait, and passed instead further south by way of Wolqait and the country of the Bareya. The two men therefore arrived safely at Ad-Takle-Zan. When the people who were to kill him learnt this they planned to catch him on his return journey. They waited for him in the dessert passes, but he made his way back by the coastal route, and Agame, and thus arrived at the court without incident.

On the young man’s return Fasiladas interrogated him closely, asking him if he had really conducted the Kantiba to his village. Hab Sellus replied, “Yes, Sire, I have done as you ordered me.” The monarch then inquired whether he had brought proof of this, to which the messenger responded, “I have none.” The king, irritated by this response, demanded whether Zamat had not given him anything. He answered, “Nothing, except this ring,” which then he handed to Fasiladas. The Emperor, on hearing this, was much impressed. He presented the young man with many decorations, including a ceremonial shirt, and later gave him his daughter’s hand in marriage, nominated him a governor, and gave him permission to return to his country.

Fasiladas subsequently elevated his son-in-law to the rank of Abeto, a status normally reserved for princes of royal blood, and gave him control of Bambolo-Mellash, a term which covered not only the country of the Bahr Nagash, but also a large stretch of Tegray up to the Bambolo river. On the journey home it transpired that Hab Sellus’s wife despised him, and refused to accept him as her husband. Deeply angered by this he abused her so violently that she died, after which he made his way back to Gondar. On arriving at the Palace he paid his respects to the Emperor, and holding in his hand a sword and a rope, two symbols of punishment, addressed him, saying, “Your Majesty, in your great magnanimity, gave me your daughter, and appointed me; but when I wished to approach my wife in accordance with nature and the law, saying, ‘She is my wife’, she rejected my approach; whereupon I, incited by Satan, raised my hand and struck her; and she died as a result of my blow. Because of this misfortune I stand here before Your Majesty.” So saying he threw his sword and the rope before him.

Fasiladas, having heard all this, questioned one of his daughter’s slaves, who spoke up for her late mistress’s husband, declaring, “Everything Hab Sellus says is true.” The monarch, who, we may assume, had no wish to alienate the people of Hamasen, thereupon asked the opinion of the theologians at his court, inquiring, “If I pardon him would I be guilty?” To this they replied in the negative. He accordingly forgave his son-in-law, saying “You did to her what she deserved,” after which he allowed Hab Sellus to leave. However, he deprived him of the government of Bambolo-Mellash, and left him only with that of Marab-Mellash, i.e. a smaller fiefdom covering only land north of the Marab river. Further, declaring that the title of Abeto was appropriate only to members of the royal house, he demoted him from that rank, but declared that he, and his descendants, should bear the rank of Dajazmach.

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Trivia Q: Who is Nayzgi? The answer coming up in part two of this article. Stay tuned!

Woldie Yenehun: The Hero

2006-07-24T14:58:00.001-04:00

Woldie Yenehun was born in Kebtya, Wolqait in a small village of Ayessa Kidanemeheret. Woldie was a farmer and a business man and he was widely known for taking care and standing up for the cause of his family and community. He was a likeable individual and admired by many for his involvement in conflict resolution.

In early 1970s, when TPLF first entered Wolqait, Woldie was one of the first and few who embraced them as liberators from the Derg dictatorial regime. However, the murder of his nephew Asamerew Melese by TPLF cadres allegedly for hunting and killing a baboon broke his heart and could not continue to work for the TPLF. Later he was kept under strict surveillance by TPLF cadres that further forced him to rebel against the Woyane.

Eventually, Woldie organized the local use and started armed resistance against the Woyane, which became a catalyst for more uprisings throughout Wolqait-Tegede. The TPLF cadres were continually under attack and could not fully operate. Many TPLF soldiers were killed particularly near Kabtya, Woldie's hometown.

TPLF could not capture Woldie and often they were loosing every combat operation they conducted against Woldie's rebel forces. They even arrested and tortured his family members in order to force him to disarm. To the dismay of TPLF, this action energized his moral and motivation to fight the TPLF not just for avenging his brother or his family, but rather for the freedom of his community and Wolqait-Tegede at large.

In the later stages of the Ethiopian civil war, the TPLF strengthened its foothold in Wolqait-Tegede and there was no room for the rebel groups such as of that of Woldie Yenehun to operate in guerrilla warfare. Hence, Woldie and his compatriots fled to neighboring Eritrea and started to re-establish their life through trade with the Sudan. Meanwhile, the TPLF continued its search of Woldie and was able to conspire with corrupt Sudanese authorities who arrested Woldie and gave him up to Woyane.

In the process of transferring him to a prison facility, hundreds of residents were cheering Woldie for his bravery and his was emotionally carried away by the support he was receiving. Woldie was heard saying "Fukera" that he doesn't care if he dies and that he has done his fare share to the freedom of his land by killing many Woyane's in the valleys, jungles, and throughout Wolqait-Tegede. The TPLF cadres who were intimidated by this could not handle what he was saying that they brutally shot him right in front of the population. Furthermore, they dragged his body in the streets by a car without any respect to the dead or sense of humanity to further intimidate the local residents.

The death of Woldie may have had silenced the armed movements for a period as the TPLF wished however, hundreds and even thousands of brave young men and women have been born since then that many Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians have joined the Ethiopian People's Patriotic front (EPPF) in the struggle to free, democratize and maintain Ethiopia's territorial integrity.

As indicated in the previous post titled "Be Ware of the 'Referendum on Wolqait-Tegede' Propaganda," it is this mass movement of the youth to armed groups and the support of the Diaspora that have forced the TPLF to begin a false propaganda of giving the Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians a referendum on whether to achieve a self governing autonomous region or to join Gonder.

We should not fall for any of TPLF's deceptions and instead we should strengthen our unity and fight this dictatorial regime on all aspects and at all times until its demise. We should continue the fight and the spirit of our hero brother Woldie Yenehun until we achieve our freedom and the freedom our beloved country. Woldie has paved the way to our freedom through his life it is our responsibility that we make sure that all of the sacrifices made for the cause of our people and our land are realized.

***May Woldie Yenehun's Life and the Life of all Martyrs Rest in Peace***

Dil leEthiopia Hizb

Beware of the "Referendum on Wolqait-Tegede" Propaganda

2006-07-24T12:02:00.000-04:00

There is a new propaganda circulating by few TPLF agents backed by the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington, D.C. targeting diaspora Ethiopians of Wolqait-Tegede origin. Sources tell me that according to these agents the TPLF has a new memorandum on Wolqait-Tegede which promises the people of Wolqait-Tegede to conduct a referendum on whether to declare a self-governing autonomous region or reunite with its older province of Gondar.

These few TPLF agents are led by a diplomat who recently came to the United States from Germany under the cover of defection. He has been working on this memorandum for the past 2 to 3 months. This unidentified diplomat is currently residing in Columbus, OH where there is a large concentration of Ethiopians from Wolqait-Tegede.

This attempt of TPLF is most likely the beginning of its 52 page leaked document which aims to divide, harass and manipulate the diaspora Ethiopians. They have already began offering some incentives (such as agricultural land) for people who support them or break their opposition participation. Nevertheless, they haven't succeeded yet except for a few individuals or "hodams" who have no regard for hundreds and thousands of lives that have been lost because of the murderer regime.

The other probable reason for this move is in order to diffuse the armed struggle activities taking place by the gallant EPPF around Wolqait-Tegede. Many Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians in the diaspora and at home strongly support the EPPF financially, organizationally and even with their life. The TPLF regime that has grown highly concerned about this development is attempting all corners that will help lengthen its dictatorial and repressing regime by offering false incentives and promises to the diaspora Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopian in order to discourage the support to the EPPF.

The Ethiopian people for the past 15 years and the Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians for the past 30 years know the treacherous behavior of the TPLF and no one can fall for it again. The Ethiopian people including the Wolqait-Tegede people have out right rejected the Woyane regime on May 15, 2005.

I encourage all Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians to stand tall and say NO to any TPLF agent and their treacherous propaganda and to continue their support to our hero EPPF fighters. Also, contact and alert all Wolqait-Tegede Ethiopians about this scam and prevent another deception of the TPLF regime.

More information about this issue and the people behind it would be posted on this blog as soon as they become available.

Dil leEthiopia Hizb.

We Need Justice Now!

2006-07-19T19:29:00.001-04:00

In one of my previous posts I have published the names of some 27 people who were brutally murdered by the TPLF dictatorial regime. The TPLF has been killing innocent people and those that oppsed since it first set its foot in the lands of Wolqait-Tegede in the 1970. Since then hundreds up on hundreds of people have bean massacared. This ruthles regime has murdered young and old, men and women with out mercy. God know how many more have just banished and no one knows their whereabout until now. Thousands more are still languishing in secret underground prisons just for being Wolqaites and for opposing its dictatorial, ruthless regime.

A recent article headlined, "Can Meles Fight Corruption?" indicates that there are more than 40,000 people incarcerated in the Tigray region alone. It also states that the TPLF has built a prison that can hold upto 50,000 inmates in Shire, Western Tigary. Clearly, the reason for building such a prison in Shire is no other than to be close to Wolqait and to continue repressing the people.

Here is a list of 308 people that were murdered by TPLF that I manage to collect from various reliable sources. It is very sad these are only few of the hundreds if not thousands that were killed by TPLF.

	First Name	Middle Name		First Name	Middle Name
1	Abate	Eshetey	45	Asamerew	Asrese
2	Abaw	Tejineh	46	Asamerew	Woldie
3	Abebe	Yirga	47	Asefaw	Mengiste
4	Abeje	Kifle	48	Aseres	Takele
5	Abera	Haile	49	Asfaw	Worku
6	Abera	Alemayehu	50	Asgedom	Tiruneh
7	Abera	G/Meskel	51	Ashenafi	Wondu
8	Abera	Asires	52	Asimelash	Yigzaw
9	Abera	Hagos	53	Atalay	Abera
10	Abreha	Adane	54	Atalay	Zenebe
11	Abreha	Argu	55	Atalay	Amare
12	Abreha	Nega	56	Atinafey	Alemayehu
13	Abreha	Belay	57	Aweke	Zewdu
14	Achamyeleh	Shitaye	58	Ayahunegn	Wondoshal
15	Achenafi	Tsige	59	Ayalew	Semu
16	Adane	Derese	60	Ayana	Gebre
17	Adanew	Riste	61
18	Addis	Abetelew	62	Ayenew	Reste
19	Addisu	Abebe	63	Ayenew	Beyene
20	Adebe	Alem	64	Azanaw	Chere
21	Aderajew	Gebre	65	Azanaw	Yideg
22	Adisey	Lijalem	66	Azanaw	Tsige
23	Alachew	Lijalem	67	Azeneh	Lijalem
24	Alachew	G/Medhin	68	Bahita	Fantay
25	Alebachew	Defersha	69	Bahita	Mekuria
26	Alebel	Yirga	70	Bahita	Wondimagegn
27	Alehegn	Mesfin	71	Bahita	Reda
28	Alemaw	Tareke	72	Bahita	Ertib
29	Alemey	Kassa	73	Bahita	Mengistu
30	Alemu	Getachew	74	Bayew	Bahita
31	Alemu	Fentay	75	Bayew	Biyaregilign
32	Alemu	Legesse	76	Bayew	Lijalem
33	Alene	Kindishih	77	BeEdu	Wondimagegn
34	Amare	Fante	78	Belay	Mulu
35	Ambayehu	Abetelew	79	Belay	Tadesse
36	Andom	Kassa	80	Belay	Mekonen
37	Angereb	Tesema	81	Belete	Alem-Mebirat
38	Arefaynie	Mekonen	82	Beletew	Tesfay
39	Arefe	Belete	83	Belte	Wondimagegn
40	Arefe	Gidey	84	Bera	Yemane
41	Arega	Woldie	85	Bera	W/Selassie
42	Aregaw	Ayenew	86	Berhe	Hagos
43	Asamerew	Gidey	87	Berihun	Yirga
44	Asamerew	Melese


	First Name	Middle Name		First Name	Middle Name
88	Berihun	Yigzaw	131	G/Selassei	Reda
89	Berihun	Desta	132	Gebre	Hagos
90	Beyene	Firey	133	Gebrehiwot	Hayile
91	Beyene	Ayelign	134	Geremew	Dagnew
92	Biadgilign	Zewde	135	Gerima	Tekhley
93	Bilata	Abiraha	136	Getachew	Tegegne
94	Birhane	Mamo	137	Getachew	Bizuneh
95	Birhanu	Dagnachew	138	Getachew	Abreha
96	Birhanu	Shitaye	139	Getew	Tamre
97	Chakile	Gebeyehu	140	Getu	Telelew
98	Chalachew	Tadesse	141	Gidey	Mamu
99	Chalachew	Abere	142	Gidey	Kassa
100	Chalachew	Tadele	143	Gifachew	Dagnew
101	Chalu	Yezezew	144	Ginby	Getahun
102	Chene	Yirga	145	Woldie	Yenehun
103	Dagnew	Sisay	146	Girma	Yideg
104	Debilil	Zenebe	147	Girmay	Tikus
105	Deblil	T/Haimanot	148	Girmay	Tike
106	Degefa	Goitom	149	Goitom	Mihret
107	Desalegn	Warkaw	150	Goitom	Hadgu
108	Desta	Seretse	151	Gorfu	Gebru
109	Dirar	Gessessew	152	Goshu	Assefa
110	Endalkachew	Tejo	153	Goshu	Tirfineh
111	Endeshaw	Tafere	154	Guben	Fiahatsen
112	Engtey	Ayelegn	155	Guoy	Mebirahtu
113	Ertbey	Gebru	156	Guoy	Adane
114	Eshete	Ayalneh	157	Habtu	Yirga
115	Eshetu	Mesfin	158	Hafte	Zenebe
116	Fantay	Ayelegn	159	Hagos	Gebrey
117	Fantu	Sisay	160	Hagos	Mengistu
118	Feleke	Girmay	161	Hagos	Yisfa
119	Ferede	Zeray	162	Hailu	Leyuneh
120	Ferede	Filuy	163	Hayelom	Yirga
121	Fetene	Zenebe	164	Kahisu	Nigus
122	Fetene	Gebrey	165	Kahsu	Getaw
123	Firey	Twolde	166	Kasahun	Sisay
124	Ftalew	Tafere	167	Kassa	Mebirat
125	G/Hiwot	Bahita	168	Kassahun	Sissay
126	G/Hiwot	Gezahegn	169	Kassu	Nigussie
127	G/Mariam	Arefayine	170	Sisay	Abera
128	G/Medhin	Zerfu	171	Kesete	Yirga
129	G/Medhin	Yehuala	172	Kinfe	Kebede
130	G/Meskel	Tirfineh	173	Kinfe	Nahu

	First Name	Middle Name		First Name	Middle Name
174	Kinfe	Kebede	217	Muluneh	Demoze
175	Lema	Tadesse	218	Nega	Tebeje
176	Leul	G/Meskel	219	Nega	Aseres
177	Lijalem	Taye	220	Nega	Getahun
178	Lijalem	Belay	221	Nega	Mitiku
179	Lilay	Hadgu	222	Nega	Hagos
180	Lule	Mesfin	223	Nega	Bebel
181	Malefia	Guoy	224	Nigshet	Hadgu
182	Malle	Zenebe	225	Nigussie	Kelemework
183	Mamay	Redate	226	Nigusu	Abreha
184	Mamay	Abirha	227	Pastor Belete	Tesfay
185	Mamay	Belay	228	Quwi	Tezera
186	Mamay	Ayelegn	229	Redai	Lema
187	Mamay	Mulu	230	Riskey	Haile
188	Mamay	Ferede	231	Riskey	Mintesinot
189	Mamay	Aleyu	232	Riskey	Yilma
190	Mamay	Belayneh	233	Riskey	Melese
191	Mamo	Desta	234	Roskey	Manjos
192	Mamo	Zewdie	235	Serebe	Reda
193	Mamu	Warkaw	236	Setegn	Endalemaw
194	Mamu	Chere	237	Setegn	Shitaye
195	Mamu	Tadesse	238	Shenqo	Belete
196	Mamuneh	Yideg	239	Shiferaw	Wubeneh
197	Mebirahtu	Yigzaw	240	Shiferaw	Nigussie
198	Mebirahtu	G/Ezgher	241	Shiferaw	Tesfay
199	Mehari	Adugna	242	Shihun	Kidane
200	Mekonen	Lewte	243	Shimuye	Mamu
201	Mekonen	Abere	244	Shimuye	Alemey
202	Mekuanint	Warkaw	245	Shimuye	Demisew
203	Mekuria	G/Mariam	246	Simachew	Mamu
204	Mengesha	Mulugeta	247	Simachew	Alemu
205	Mered	G/Mikael	248	Sissay	Tesfahunegn
206	Mesafinte	Dagnew	249	Tadele	Abate
207	Mirach	Tesema	250	Tadesse	Keshi
208	Mola	Telele	251	Tafere	Lilay
209	Mrs. LiElti	Wondimagegn	252	Tagel	Tedla
210	Mukotey	Tadesse	253	Talle	Gebre
211	Mulalem	Warkaw	254	Tasew	Asefa
212	Mulaw	Zofe	255	Tebeje	Melese
213	Mulu	Atalay	256	Tebeje	Bekele
214	Mulu	Amare	257	Tegegne	Nega
215	Mulu	Berhe	258	Tegegne	Demis
216	Mulu	G/Kidan	259	Tekalign	Abebe


	First Name	Middle Name
260	Tekalign	Mengistu
261	Tela	Haile
262	Tesfa	Tsegay
263	Tesfay	Hailu
264	Tesfay	Aberiha
265	Tesfay	Mekonen
266	Tesfay	Asfeha
267	Teshager	G/Medhin
268	Teshome	Ferede
269	Teshome	Telele
270	Tessema	Abkhelew
271	Tessema	Fireye
272	Tigabu	Mekuanint
273	Tilahun	Tewolde
274	Tiruneh	Tadesse
275	Tiruneh	Mebratu
276	Toga	Tegegne
277	Tsegay	Abebe
278	Tsegay	Yenehun
279	Tsegu	Zenebe
280	Tsyitey	Abirha
281	Wagnew	Menberu
282	Wegahtay	Bicha
283	Wereta	Gebru
284	Woldie	YeEbiyo
285	Woldie	Yenehun*
286	Wondim	Fisseha
287	Wondim	Telele
288	Wondim	Tega
289	Wondimhunegn	Tareke
290	Workey	G/Medhin
291	Workneh	Atalay
292	Yehualashet	Zeleke
293	Yeshalem	Berihun
294	Yeshialem	Tsige
295	Yeshineh	Yideg
296	Yezezew	G/Meskel
297	Yibeyin	G/Ezgiher
298	Yideg	Ayenew
299	Yideg	Ayalew
300	Yilaq	Tezera
301	Yirga	Demisew
302	Yisfa	Fantay
303	Zeleke	Girmay
304	Zeray	Mersha
305	Zeru	Belay
306	Zeru	Mersha
307	Zewdie	Sisay
308	Zewdu	Shibeshi

What Does "Wel-Lika-Eth" really Mean?

2006-06-19T19:32:00.000-04:00

In the following article, our new contributor Nebelibal Bekalu introduces us to what "wolqait" means and related issues that arise in regards to the identity of the native people.

So, to learn the hidden meaning of the word Wel-Lika-Eth please go here.

I thank Nebelibal for his contribution and I encourage others to follow his footsteps.

Origin of Tribalisation of Ethiopian Politics...

2006-04-21T13:14:00.000-04:00

The Story of Fascist Italian Incorporation Inside Eritrea of Gondar Territory North of Anghereb

Fascist Italy's tribal "goverenorato" of Amhara, written "Amara" in Fascist Italian literature, was again arbitrarily taken north of Abbai to be composed of Gojam and Gondar bordering on a separate Shoa "governorato", and Wollo, Wag, Bugna, Lasta and Angot - .This last region was of course the proper home and origin of the Amhara ! Let us concentrate on Fascist "Gondar." The Ethiopian Emperor had lost his capital in the south (Shoa) and had established his new capital in the north at Gondar from the 17th to the end of the 19th century, following the Oromo invasion and settlement in southern and eastern Ethiopia beginning in the 16th century. And as the capital and seat of the Emperor, Gondar had naturally soon expanded to bring under the direct rule of the Emperor a large territory divided by the Anghereb River. The region north of Anghereb (Welqait, Tsegede, Waldebba, Tselemt Semen, Wogera) as we indicated above has had throughout history its own independent cultural , religious and linguistic identity largely dominated by the Agaw Falasha. The original language of the people in these regions has been the Agaw and their religion Falasha (an Ethiopian version of Judaism to which they might have been converted since Axumite times.) Due to proximity with Tigrai on the other side of Tekezie commerce and communication has apparently been going on for centuries since Axumite times and hence the existence of important pockets of Axumite-Tigrai colonies spreading Geez-Tigregna particularly in Welqait. Tselemt with its own Shum Tselemt appointed by the Emperor and paying his allegiance directly to the Emperor had been at different periods of history appearing in the list of the negarits (provinces) of the viceroy of Tigrai until the end of the 16thth century.

But since the Gada-Galla nomadic pastoralist invasion of and settlement in southern Ethiopia as well as half of central Ethiopia including Angot-Amhara-Shoa, thus mutilating close to three-fourth of Ethiopia's ancient provinces, the entire Ethiopian population had to flee and cram in a small corner constituted of Tigrai and the territory north of Abai (Blue Nile). Consequently also, the Emperor whose dynasty originated in Amhara-Angot-Shoa, having lost his base population and his power base, had but to move the seat of his throne to the newly conquered and Christianized Agaw and Falasha regions north of Lake Tana between Dembiya and Welqait. This region will from now on be known as the new Amhara, signifying not Amhara tribe (as the region remained predominantly Agaw ) but the centrality of the region from where the Emperor ruled his empire, and consequently the adoption of Amharic - the "lesane Negus" or "the language of the Negus" - which will spread fast and establish its supremacy together with Orthodox Christianity. That was also where the Emperor founded his new capital at Gondar! And thus the new "Amhara" between Dembiya and Welqait has been thoroughly conquered, Christianized and Amharized permanently cutting out any more Tigrai influence west of Tekezie at that date. And that situation has lasted practically unaltered through even the Measafint Zemen, under Tewodros, under the Tigrai Emperor Yohannes IV, Menelik, under Iyassu-Zewditu, under the Fascist occupation period, Under Emperor Haile Selassie and the Derg. The administrative, cultural and linguistic map of Gondar had persisted even after Gondar lost its status as capital in favor of Addis Ababa . A Gondar administrative region composed of two parts north and south of Anghereb bordering on the Sudan is also what Fascist Italy found upon occupation of Ethiopia in 1936.

For military reasons of repressing Ethiopian nationalist resistance, Fascist Italy had temporarily annexed Gondar territory north of Anghereb as part of Eritrea in two steps, first by a decree of March 1938 when Welqait and Tseged were transferred to Eritrea and then by a decree of July 17, 1939. These temporary annexations undertaken for military reasons for the repression of patriotic resistance have served TPLF to annex to-day the same large chunks of fertile Gondar territories north of Anghereb as part of Tigrai.

The first transfer of Northern Gondar territory had been decreed by Mussolini's Fascist government on March 13 1938. The mountainous and tortuous land north of Anghereb and south of that river bordering on the Sudan in the west and the Setit-Tekezie in the north and east has throughout history been a land of rebellion and resistance to oppression and hegemony. North of Anghereb are found the famous mountainous regions of Semien, Tselemt, Welqait, and Tsegede. South of Anghereb is found the legendary Armachiho, the large territory estimated at 3500 sq. km. extending south up to Om Hager. The region north and south of Anghereb constituted among the centers of the highest resistance to Fascist occupation and brutality led by patriots like Fitawrari Wubneh (Amoraw Wubneh) and others among whom mention should be made of Bitweded Adane Mekonnen, Killed by the EPRP in cold blood in 1985 at the age of eighty four, a few kilometers beyond the Sudanese border engaged in fighting a guerrilla warfare as leader of EDU against the Derg.

Here is how an Italian officer during the Italian war of aggression described Armachiho: "Armachiho, thanks to its position, its difficult terrain, covered with a thick forest and inaccessible, has remained until to-day beyond any control. The population of Armachiho live surrounded by a legend of independence and inviolability of their territory, given that since times immemorial, they have never paid taxes to the Negus, and his troops have never penetrated in the region to claim sovereignty. In the recent past Armachiho was considered not only a safe asylum to outlaws and shiftas, but also was equally the storehouse of arms pillaged from passing caravans. It is also believed that a section of the Emperor's army while on retreat in April 1936 with 1000 guns was completely disarmed at the Dawa pass. Furthermore, it is known that a flourishing arms trade with distant countries is carried on in Armachiho.”Hence the major role Armachiho played in the resistance against Fascist occupation. That was the background of Fascist decision to modify the border of northern Gondar. On February 5, 1939 a high-level meeting of Fascist authorities in Eritrea (Asmara) under the chairmanship of General Teruzzi, Under-secretary of State in the Ministry of African colonies on the question regarding the temporary modification of the border between Eritrea and Amhara transferring the whole of northern Gondar, north of Anghereb, to the Eritrean government, outside the provisions of the "Legge Organica" as we have seen. Hence the specific statement on the cover page treating that meeting:"VERBALE DELLA RIUNIONE PRESIEDUTA DA S.E. IL GENERALE DI CORPO D'ARMATA ATTILIO TERUZZI, SOTTOSEGRETARIO DI STATO PER L'AFRICA ITALIANA IL 5FEBBRAIO 1939 - XVII° PRESSO IL PALAZZO GOVERNATORIALE DELL'ERITREA CIRCA IL TEMPORANEO PASSAGGIO AL GOVERNO DELL'ERITREA DEI TERRITORI A NORD DELL' ANGHEREB"

"MINUTES OF THE MEETING PRESIDED BY H.E. GENERAL OF THE MILITARY CORPS ATTILIO TERUZZI, UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR ITALIAN AFRICA, FEBRUARY 5, 1939 - XVII° AT THE GOVERNMENT PALACE OF ERITREA REGARDING THE TEMPORARY TRANSFER TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ERITREA THE TERRITORIES NORTH OF ANGHEREB"

The meeting was also attended by S.E. Enrico Cerulli -Vice Governor General of Africa Italiana, a leading Ethiopianist! At that meeting General Teruzzi explained the situation and the justification for such a temporary transfer of the Amhara territories north of Anghereb to Eritrea on military grounds as being commanded by the necessity to crash Ethiopian patriotic resistance in Amhara north of Anghereb! Referring to the example of Shoa where the nationalist rebellion was ripe, Teruzzi explained how by creating a separate Fascist government under one military direction and control of the centre - Addis Ababa the repression of the patriotic resistance has been much more successful. On the other hand, in the governorate of Amhara and Gojam the situation is different. Special operations of repression of patriots in Gojam is already underway under the direct supervision of the supreme Fascist military command in Italian Africa it was hoped it will be completed by the end of May. In the same way it was hoped to get a good politico-military result regarding the repression of patriotic resistance and "pacification" of the Amhara region through the temporary modification and transfer of Gondar territory north of Anghereb because of the lack of communication and the impossibility to conduct the repression of anti-Fascist rebellion in this mountainous and tortuous region from Gondar. Creating a "pacified zone" by crashing the patriotic resistance in the territories north of Anghereb will also help us to create a buffer zone between Eritrea and Amhara and protect ourselves from the risk of anti-Fascist resistance spreading into Eritrea.

TPLF or its consultants have done the necessary research, and have been good at copying Fascist tribal maps and borders. In this respect the most striking reproduction of Mussolini's Fascist Italian colonial map is that of the transformation of the Fascist map of Eritrea (including Tigrai) as the map of Tigrai alone in order to justify the annexation (and denomination as "Western Tigrai" of almost half of Gondar - the fertile regions beyond Anghereb (Welqait , Tsegede, Waldebba, Tselemt,) – separated from Tigrai by the Tekezie, as well as a large chunk of Wollo - extending to the river Alewoha (commonly called Ala in Fascist Italian maps) as integral parts of Tigrai. That is why we have written that that God had created the TPLF in 1975 with, in its belly or its head, the map (or evolving maps) of Tigrai and its borders already carved out. This appears so because, already in its first political programmes (see Map ?) TPLF presents a modified and aggrandized , almost doubled, Tigrai so that TPLF's Tigrai border reaches the Sudan in the west and the Red Sea hinterland in the southeast. And this is the Fascist Italian colonial map temporarily annexing to Eritrea, the Gondar-Wollo territory extending from Anghereb to Alewoha, now reproduced most faithfully by the TPLF as representing the historical map of Tigrai!This was also the Fascist map that the British inherited following their victory over the Fascist troops and which they made the basis of their colonialist Tigrai Tigregn project during the British administration period (1941-1952). The area north of Anghereb-Aleweha border was also the one indicated for the Tigrai-Tigregn project of the first Woyane in 1943. That is also the border the TPLF has arbitrarily and fascistically chosen to inherit from Mussolini invasion as the border of Tigrai! And yet even Fascist Italy had never denied that the regions west of Tekezie and north of the Angherreb were integral parts of Gondar. [See enclosed Fascist Italian map of Gondar]

The Tigrai-Tigregn project, which the TPLF has adopted, since its origin is made by trespassing the river Tekezie and annexing a large chunk of the Gondar region west of the river and extending the southern border of Tigrai north of Anghereb valley, to include Tselemt, Waldebba, Welqait, and Tsegede.

Thus aggrandized in the west and south , TPLF's Tigrai has been blown up from the traditional and official size of 65,000 sq. kms to 102,000 sq. kms "restoring" what the TPLF says was land taken away from Tigrai, on the basis of an entirely unfounded , unhistorical claim and assertion that following the Woyane revolt of 1943, "Haile Selassie . incorporated parts of Tigray to Amhara provinces." (see TIGRAY - A NATION IN STRUGGLE," a TPLF publication, October 1979). A glance at the administrative maps of Ethiopia in the twentieth century between 1900 and 194 , including even Fascist Italy's maps during the occupation period (1936-1941), is enough to discredit such a baseless claim intended to justify TPLF expansionist agenda. Christopher Clapham had thus exposed Meles territorial expansion and opportunism:

"The TPLF needs to define Tigray in such a way as to gain external access, and the two geographically most appropriate ways of doing so, by claiming a corridor to the Red Sea at Tiyo or Mers Fatma on the one hand, or to the Sudan between the Gash and Setit rivers on the other, are both closed off because they form part of Eritrea. The TPLF has, therefore, instead claimed, part of northern Gondar, asserting entirely fictitiously that for a couple of years in the early 1940's this was administered as part of Tigray. It has claimed Wag in northern Wollo on the same grounds."

Please go here to read more.

Letter to the Free Press

2006-04-14T16:43:00.000-04:00

Click here to read the letter that was sent out to some free press media outlets.

I am not exactly sure when this letter was released but I suppose it was one or two years ago. Regardless of the timing, we can see that our plight for help dates back long time ago. In fact it dates back as far as into the 1970s when the TPLF first took control of the areas.

Unlike to most part of the country, the TPLF led dictatorial regime has been killing, arresting, and torturing the people of Wolqait-Tegede for more than 30 years. Our people have fought day-in and day-out since the TPLF set its foot on our land. Nevertheless, there was no support from the other parts of the country to embrace our struggle and stand with us for the Ethiopian cause.

So, can we afford to stand still and watch while our next-door country men and women are fighting to death?

And LeEnatua....Shi LetelatuA...

2006-04-02T20:10:00.000-04:00

For more pics and news, please visit the new Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front website: http://www.eppf.net/

Responsibility!

2006-03-20T13:00:00.001-05:00

First, I apologize for not keeping my blog current and post the names of those that have been victimized by TPLF as I promised. I have been informed that there are hundreds more and I am in the process of compiling all the names. I will publish them as soon as possible.
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"Former residents of Wolqait, Humera, Tegede, Tselemt, all regions of Gondar were displaced and Tigrey Ethiopians were settled as Mr. Zenawi annexed that part of Gondar to Tigrey. He has done similar annexation of parts of Welo to Tigrey."

The above quote was taken from the Editorial Board of Kinijit (CUD) North American Support Branch titled "Who tries to rob Irob of her Ethiopian identity?" that was released on March 18, 2006. To read the full pres release please click here.

Now that Kinijit has began to share its views on the case of Wolqait, Tegede and the environs, it is important for the residents of these regions to intensify their struggle, particularly the information campaign. It is also important for pro-Ethiopia political parties not to ignore this part of the region and help expose the hidden atrocities committed by TPLF.

Responsibility...

TPLF's atrocities committed on Wolqait-Tegede people dates back since it gained control of the lands from the Derg in the late seventies. Thus, it is important to differentiate it from the post-election nationwide oppression; even though the TPLF regime has intensified its human rights abuses post May15, 2005 election. Moreover, the movement of some freedom fighters have contributed to further complicate and worsen the situations.

Even though Ethiopians in general and the Wolqait-Tegede people in particular are tolerant people. Political parties should refrain from thinking that the people don't know what is right for them. Our people have suffered enough, and what they deserve is someone who listens to them rather than dictate them.

My message to freedom fighters such as the Ethiopian Patriotic front (EPF) and others that operate around those areas is that, first, they need to win the hearts and minds of every citizen. They should make sure that the support they receive does not stem just from opposition to TPLF but also from the trust the people have on them to bring peace, justice and leadership towards a democratic transition. Moreover, it is important that military operations should be carefully be planned in order to minimize civilian casualties. Even though it is true that even the world's super power is not cable of eliminating such disastrous, the EPF should be responsible for its activities around civilian habitations that might cause human loses, economic or social deprivation. While it is true that the TPLF would not restrain from putting the people in harms way, the EPF should be one step ahead from TPLF and avoid such situations. In the case of unintended casualties on civilian population on the part of EPF, the EPF should come forward and provide a transparent explanation rather than engaging in a blame game with the TPLF.

Even one single life is so precious to Ethiopians as it is to Americans. Political parties and freedom fighters that operate around these provinces need to promise that they would not use the case of Wolqait-Tegede just for their political advantages.

Thus, responsibility, responsibility, responsibility is needed from all parties at all times!

Remembering the Victims of TPLF Genocide (I)

2006-02-14T19:43:00.000-05:00

...................................................................................................................

In the following and up coming several postings I will be publishing the names of the people of Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt who have been victimized by the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi and Co. For the past 20 some years the TPLF has been arresting, torturing and killing thousands upon thousand of innocent citizens for the main purpose of Tireanization of the Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt lands and people. Especially, those have resisted the Tigreanization have been savagely tortured to death. In fact, TPLF would rather capture this people and torture them in an underground cave known as "06," rather than killing them immediately. Not only this but they also have worked hard to destroy the culture and identity of these people. For instance, they are forced to learn Tigrigna and all other communications are forced to be conducted in this language. These is despite that Amharic being the native language. All of these are just some of the many atrocities the TPLF has committed on the people of Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt. Click on the following link to listen to an interview of two natives of Wolqait Tegede about the atrocities of TPLF.

1. Girazmach Woldie Yenehun (an 84 years old elder, former Left Wing Brigadier-General)
2. Kegnazimach Sisay Abera (Former Right Wing Brigadier-General) and his son
3. Mr. Woldie Yenehun (dragged by car and killed)
4. Mr. Mamo Desta (savagely beaten to death)
5. Mr. Lijalem Taye and his son Adissey
6. Mr. Alene Kindishih
7. Mr. Ayalew Semu
8. Mr. Mered G/Mikael
9. Mr. Mulu Atalay
10. Mr. Endishaw Tafere
11. Mr. Mamo Zewdie
12. Mr. Getew Tamre
13. Mr. Fetene Gebrey
14. Mr. BeIdu Wondemagegnehu
15. Mr. Asamerew Melese
16. Mr. Abebe Yirga
17. Mr. Alebel Yirga
18. Mr. Guoy Mebirahtu
19. Mr. Nega Tebeje
20. Mr. Nega Aseres
21. Mr. Hagos Gebrey
22. Mr. Nigusu Abirha
23. Mr. Abeje Kifley
24. Mr. Gifachew Dagnew
25. Mr. Malefia Guoy
26. Mr. Tesfay Hailu
27. Mr. Kinfe Kebede

May their souls rest in peace!

Sad but more to come.

The Case of Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt (Part II)

2006-02-09T18:15:00.000-05:00

The following is part II of the article from Dr. Daniel Kinde's book: The Five Dimensions Of The Eritrean Conflict 1941 - 2004: Decephering The Geo-Political Puzzle. Continuation of Part I. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Daniel Kinde for his outstanding scholarly contribution.

...The annexed regions produce such crops as cotton, oil seeds, pulses, sesame, corn, millet, and sorghum valued in millions of dollars, and provided employment opportunities for millions of Ethiopians. If we take Humera, for example, it contains one of the best alluvial soils in the whole of Ethiopia. In the 1960s and 1970s, Humera became the second largest cotton producing region in Ethiopia next to the Awash Valley, and banks pumped millions of dollars in loans. Semi-mechanized, some 1,000 tractors were also deployed. Agricultural production was successful that for each dollar invested, the value of increase in crop production was $5.00. The labor force also increased from 13,000 in 1964, to 300,000 in 1972. Workers came from all over Ethiopia including Gondar, Eritrea, Shoa, Gojjam, and Tigrai.

Ever since Humera, Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt were forcefully incorporated to Tigrai, what was built over the years has been destroyed. An extensive ethnic cleansing** has also been going on. The native inhabitants have been subjected to excruciating experiences, ranging from arbitrary arrests to summary executions, and mass eviction from their ancestral lands, for the sole purpose of exploiting the resources of the region for the benefit of the supporters and hirelings of the regime, and for settling Tigrean soldiers and peasants on the land. Those who resisted have been killed in hundreds. Many have been tortured, maimed, and crippled. Others still languish in noxious and abominable caves turned into prisons. Some have gone into armed struggle. Others roam the streets of such towns as Gondar, Dessie, Bahir Dar, and Addis Ababa as beggars, and many have either became refugees oversees, or have temporarily settled down elsewhere marking their time. The language of instruction in schools have also changed from Amharic to Tigrigna. All this is being done in order to change the demographic composition of these provinces and to Tigrianize them.

Equally disturbing is that, in a country where millions are still starving, the proceeds generated from the farms of the annexed areas are partly hoarded in foreign private bank accounts, and partly disbursed to finance the lavish and exorbitantly luxurious life of the ruling oligarchy, which among other things, includes the latest Land Cruiser per oligarchy member, exclusive private schools and kindergartens for their children chauffeured fighter-turned-private drivers, classy private clinics and the best referral hospital in the country catering for the medial needs for themselves, their wives, and their concubines, as well as fashionable villas of high standard with modern gadgets never seen at all anywhere in the country. Yet, it is the same "revolutionary Marxist" leaders who are doing all this, and who were swearing by dialectical materialism and Albanian socialism until a couple of years ago.

An organization which call itself the Ethiopian patriotic Front (Kefagn) is still fighting for the liberation of Humera, Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt. This front may be either beefed up, or others may be organized. It is also possible that the people of Wollo and Gondar may carry out joint military operations against the TPLF, in order to liberate the forcefully incorporated provinces. There is no doubt that the people of the annexed provinces are determined to regain their lands as well as their local autonomy. It is most unfortunate that the innocent people of Tigrai are being blamed for the avarice and cupidity of the leadership. But if a bloody confrontation is to be averted, one hopes that the people of Tigrai do not share the insanity and psychosis of the TPLF leaders.

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**Coming soon: the names of the victims of Woyane genocide

The Case of Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt (Part I)

2006-02-05T23:42:00.000-05:00

The following article is taken from The Five Dimensions Of The Eritrean Conflict 1941 - 2004: Decephering The Geo-Political Puzzle by Dr. Daniel Kendie (p.117-120). I recommend my readers to find this book and read his interesting and historically factual arguments. Click here to contact and order the book from the author.

In part I of this article we will see what the author has to tell us about the historic background about the Wolqait, Tegede and Tselemt Provinces. In part II we will continue with the most current facts and happenings. Enjoy the reading!

Expansionist TPLF:

According to Alan Rake, the TPLF which is a mirror image of the EPLF, is busy building a Tigrean Empire at the expense of the neighboring provinces, imposing Meles Zenawi's will on everybody (190).

Having used the land and the people of Tigrai as geographic and human shields of Eritrea for nearly two decades, in November 1977 the TPLF leadership agreed to relinquish to the EPLF Tigrean lands, including Agela, Ahsee Bizet, Rama, Adi Arbate, Chila, Simena, Lower Adiabo, and Higher Adiabo, including Badime. Then to compensate themselves, in December 1977, the TPLF leaders forcefully and illegally anexed Humera, Wolqait, Tsegede, and Tselemt from Gonder, and Raya Azebo, Alamata, and Ofla from Wollo. Subsequently, the size of Tigrai increased from 65,000 sq. Kms. to 102,000 sq. Kms. In doing so, they were making a mockery of their own constitution, and paying the customary lip-service to the principle of self-determination which they claimed as their guiding philosophy.

For lack of time and space, if we restrict the discussion to Gonder Province alone, we should note that the annexed provinces have never been part of Tigrai. Nor do the people identify themselves with Tigrai. The popular songs that the common people of Gonder sing are about the ethos, beauty, culture, and bravery of the people of Wolqait, Tesegede and Tselemt, with whom they identify very strongly, and with whom they lived together for centuries. Indeed, when Gonder became the political and administrative center of Ethiopia (1569 - 1868), it naturally expanded, and among other regions, it brought under its administrative control arraying, Wolqait, Humera, Tegede, Tselemt, Begemidir, Chilga, Dembia, Semien, and Wogera. During the reign of Emperor Fasiledes (1632 - 1667), it was decreed that the Tekezie River serve as the boundary between Gondar and Tigray.

In view of this, what Manifested Parkyins wrote in 1856 is quite relevant. "Gondar extends from the Tekeze River to the border of Senar in the Sudan, and that the principal divisions of Tigrai consisted of Hamassien, Seraiew, Akele Guzaie, Shire, Adi Abo, Tembien, Enderta, Wojirta, and Shilawa" (191). Similarly, writing in 1868, T.C. Plowden observed that the principal sub-divisions of Tigrai consisted of Hamassien, Seraie, Akele Guzaie, Agame, Shire, Adi Abo, Tembien, Enderta, Waggirat, and Shilawa (192). No where do these authors observe that the territories that the TPLF leadership forcefully snatched from Gondar and incorporated to Tigrai have been part of that province. Indeed, as one of the noted authorities on Ethiopian studies, Christopher Clapham notes, the TPLF has claimed part of Northern Gondar, asserting entirely on ficticious grounds that for a couple of years in the early 1940s, the area was administered as part of Tigrai.

The truth is, since patriotic resistance to the Italians was gaining momentum in Gondar, thanks to the leadership of such celebrated guerilla fighters as Amoraw Woubneh (the eagle) and Adane Mekonnen, by a temporary decree of March 1938 and February 1939, Wolqait and Tsegede were temporarily transfered to Eritrean administration. This was done, in the Italian view, in order to crush the Ethiopian resistance. Tigrai too was amalgamated with Eritrea. However, the temporary two years arrangement made by the Italians, could not make these provinces part of today's Eritrea, and still less of Tigrai, even if in the unlikely event that the TPLF leaders profess that Tigrai has become the successor state to mussolini's Italy. But their crimes do not stop here. Among other things, they even dismantled a generator which used to supply the city of Gondar with electricity and installed it in Mekele. Such pettiness in leadership is unheard of. Ethiopia deserves something better.

The late Dagnew Wolde Selassie, great grandson of Ras Woube Haile Mariam (1800 - 1866), former Ambassador to Yemen, and later Governor of Gondar Province, and a lawyer named Fetaye Assegu, among others, had written to Meles Zenawi hoping to reason with him so that sanity could prevail, but in vain.
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Part II coming soon.

The Duality of TPLF (One but Two, Two but One)!

2006-02-03T20:05:00.000-05:00

At a glance the above title might give you the impression that my topic would be about cloning or something of that sort. You have guessed quite close except that the new form of cloning that we are witnessing today has taken a new shape by the dictatorial regime of TPLF.

Let me start by quoting Sudan Tribune's January 31, 2006 article.

"The Gedarif delegation led by Abdellrahman a- Khedir visited Mekele after taking part in the trade and investment forum held recently in Humera (part of Wolqait that was illegally annexed by TPLF)."

As far as my mini-tiny political understanding and how relations between two sovereign countries is conducted, the federal government has the authority to conduct bilateral agreements, negotiations that are of interest and concern of the whole nation.

In fact here are some examples how the TPLF manufactured constitution draws the "powers and functions of the States (and the Federal Government):

Article 51
1. It shall protect and defend the Constitution (up to and including murdering innocent citizens and those who oppose the almighty dictator).
2. It shall formulate and implement the country'’s policies, strategies and plans in respect of overall economic (indulging the country into aid dependent economy), social (while millions are getting infected with HIV/AIDS, millions have died with no sign of relief) and development matters (what can I say...down the hill every single day).
4. It shall formulate and execute the country'’s financial, monetary and foreign investment policies and strategies. (Do you see where I am heading?...hold on your breath here comes more...).
8. It shall formulate and implement foreign policy; it shall negotiate and ratify international agreements.
12. It shall regulate inter-State and foreign commerce.

Wheeeeeew...I will leave the rest of the reading for you. Article 52 by itselflf has 21 sub-articles. Now let's make a U-turn (it is not legal in my state, hopefully it is legal in yours...but who cares...) and see what the same constitution has to say about the "powers and functions of the states"

Article 52
1. All powers not given expressly to the Federal Government alone, or concurrently to the Federal Government and the States are reserved to the States.
2. Consistent with sub-Article 1 of this Article, States shall have the following powers and functions:

To establish a State administration that best advances self-government, a democratic order based on the rule of law; to protect and defend the Federal Constitution;
To enact and execute the state constitution and other laws;
To formulate and execute economic, social and development policies, strategies and plans of the State;
To administer land and other natural resources in accordance with Federal laws;
To levy and collect taxes and duties on revenue sources reserved to the States and to draw up and administer the State budget;
To enact and enforce laws on the State civil service and their condition of work; in the implementation of this responsibility it shall ensure that educational; training and experience requirements for any job, title or position approximate national standards;
To establish and administer a state police force, and to maintain public order and peace within the State;

Just looking at the above "powers and functions of states," I don't see any law that declares states to have the right to establish cross border or international relationship.

I wonder if this dictatorial regime is still under confusion as it was 30 years ago or if they are addicted to living in contradiction.

There are some rumors circulating saying that the TPLF is ready to declare Tigray's independce anytime now if situations in Addis Ababa and the whole country in general do not cool down as they wish. Thus, this recent love affair with the Sudan could be the first step in the process of their wishful dream of dismantling Ethiopia.

As I have said it in my previous posts, the people of Wolqait Tegede can not and will not be used to fulfill the failing evil intentions dictatorial regime and we would stand firm with the rest of our Ethiopian brothers and sisters for a united and democratic Ethiopia.

The TPLF is acting as two governments by cloning itself into one that operates through the front door and the other through the back door in order to implement its hidden agenda. As my country men Ethiopians beautifully said it "hulet eGir alegn tebilo : hulet zaf ayiwotam." It is not new for TPLF to blindly engage itself into a failure. It won't be long before their evil doings flush them through the drain once and for good (I can wait to see this happening to them).

Wolqait - Tegede: The Ticking Bomb

2006-01-22T18:22:00.000-05:00

It seems that the Woyane/TPLF, has totally forgotten that it is harboring a time bomb under its belt that will explode anytime soon if not later. They thought that by spraying their poison here and there through their cadres and those few that are related to his wife Azeb Golla (Mesfin) and some members of her close family and friends to radically change the cultural and social identity of the Wolqait Tegede people. But instead what they have been doing all along is fermenting pain and grudge amongst those true Ethiopian citizens.

As it is the case in almost all through out Ethiopia, all institutions from top to bottom are under the direct control of TPLF cadres of Tigraian origin. In fact the Tigrians have been heard saying that, " the land and the women" are what they want from Wolqait Tegede. This would also apply to the rest of the lands such as Telemt and Raya. I am not making up a local rumor but rather what my own uncle has witnessed during his recent visit to the area. This by itself is one component of that time ticking bomb. Moreover, this tells us that a silent genocide is taking place as we speak as people especially young men of this area are continuously being harassed and intimidated leading them to a forced displacement. Many people of this region nowadays have called the historic city of Gonder their home. On the other hand, thousands after thousands of Tigrayans are moving in from central Tigray to "Western Tigray" which mainly is the fertile land of Wolqait Tegede. Refer to the map for area of detail where the so called "resettlement" has taken place.

This tells us that the people have clearly rejected the woyane invasion and they are not willing to integrate with the rest of Tigray. In recent times news regarding the situation about this people is rarely hear as it is subdued by the hegemony of one party dictatorial regime. In the aftermath of the May 15 parliamentary elections most of the local and international news has focused mainly on the violence in Addis Ababa and the brutal murder of hundreds of Ethiopians.

With it comes the resentment by certain groups about the Tigraian people. Here, first I would like to remind my readers to disengage themselves from ethnic hatred at all times as it has done nothing to Burundi, Somalia or any other country that has experienced ethnic hatred. Second, do not include the Wolqait Tegede people under the assumption that they are under the fabricated Tigrayan map and they have not voiced their support for the democratic cause and against Woyane.

I assure you that the people of Wolqait Tegede people fully support the struggle for democracy and national unity. Moreover, they firmly oppose the illegal and mercenary woyane regime. It is their belief that one day Ethiopia will set itself from the hands of Woyane, Shabia and the western world and all Ethiopians would once again proudly and fearlessly identify themselves as PROUD ETHIOPIANS!

We Lost a Great Scientist!

2006-01-13T15:42:00.000-05:00

I was shocked and heart broken when I read the news report about the death of the great Ethiopian scientist Dr. Kitaw Ejigu on January 12, 2006. May God Bless his soul and my condolences to his family and loved ones.

Dr. Ejigu was not only a scientist but also an individual who was passionate about his motherland Ethiopia that he helped found the Ethiopian National United Front (ENUF) in order to contribute his share towards building democracy and democratic institutions in Ethiopia. He is also credited in helping Ethiopian students who fled in fear of the brutal Woyane regime atrocities.

It is sad that our Ethiopia could not take advantage of such great intellectual for the betterment of the society. It is unknown how many scholars are currently residing abroad and investing their brain power in a foreign nation but I would guess that it is more than the ones living in the country.

Let me take this opportunity to wish that one day all diaspora intellectuals would return back home and contribute in reviving that countries economy and provide solutions to most if not all of its social, and political problems. I also hope that God will Bless us with a government that strives to improve our social well-being and one that will protect national identity, pride and integrity.

Let us pray that our wishes will come true.

Woyane's New Year Gift to the Sudan...

2006-01-08T12:46:00.000-05:00

Christmas has become commercialised today more than ever before. Its religious significance seems to diminish year after year. Gradually I am also falling to this trap of capitalist holiday which is driving me spend my minimum wage earning rather than saving it.

Well, enough about my complaints about what the western hemisphere is doing to me, since we have our dictatorial regime in Ethiopia teaching us a new culture of gift giving. In his recent visit to the Sudan, the Meles has generously signed an agreement to demarcate the border with the Sudan and in the process handing over some of the precious lands to the Sudan.

The Sudanese who felt encouraged by this news formed a new organization called the Fashaqah Lands Liberation Organization (FLO) and began demanding even more lands deep inside Ethiopia. If you ask where these lands are, where else but the Wolqait Tegede region that is under the invasion of the Woyane.

What the Sudanese call Al-Fashaqah lands are the fertile lands of Ethiopia known as Mechach and Lugdi. In fact Ethiopian farmers such as Getachew Yirga, Fitawrari Serebe Lemma are among the many who own and farm these lands.

Previously the Sudanese border was limited to the west of the river Angereb but eventually they began to cross to the east. Despite the local cry of the local Ethiopians the Haileselassie regime turned a blind eye and deaf ears. Refer to the following map to witness the geographic location of what I am talking about.

So, Why is the Woyane giving up these lands to the Sudan? Well, as you might know the Sudan is a hostile nation to Ethiopia as it frequently has interfered in the internal affairs of Ethiopian politics. Therefore, the Woyane regime which is at its peak of collapse has to make some concessions with these nations in order to at least prolong its disastrous political existence. So, why not just give few lands to the neighboring dictator in order to protect the Sudanese government from harboring Ethiopian opposition groups and militants. After all it is not Tigray's land, it stole it from the provinces of Gonder.

So, I wonder what the problem is with every so called Ethiopian governments? Why are they always turning their backs on us? Why? They would come to us whenever they need to overthrow a government, but they are never to be found when we look for them to help us at our dire needs.

The Agony of Wolqait Tegede People

2005-12-31T18:49:00.000-05:00

Dear readers:

I started this blog as I can not bear the pain of my people caused by the dictatorial Woyane regime. The Wolqait Tegede, Tselemt and Armachiho people have specially been victims of carefully strategized plan to eradicate them from their native land. Woyane's strategy dates more than two and three decades ago but the brave people of this region have defended their land and kept the proud Ethiopian identity for a long time.

Since the Woyane regime climbed to power the atrocities committed against these people have been going on in the open air and their scrimmage for help has been silenced by Woyane and its band-wagon or 'achebchabiwoch'.

My dear readers, this is my first blog work. I will continue to expose the atrocities of the Woyane regime against the Wolqait Tegede people. I will continue to provide factual information and evidences to what is happening to the people of concern.

I would like to remind my readers that I believe the concerns and thirst for unity, democracy, and peace of Wolqait Tegede would be answered as the general concerns of the Ethiopian people are fulfilled. My intention in focusing in this particular region is in order to show the rest of the world and especially my Ethiopian brothers and sisters of what is going one in the other corner of Ethiopia.

Your comments are more than welcome and please let me know if you have any information regarding what these are going through.