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

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...

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

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...

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

Responsibility!

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)

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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)

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)

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)!

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:

1. 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;
2. To enact and execute the state constitution and other laws;
3. To formulate and execute economic, social and development policies, strategies and plans of the State;
4. To administer land and other natural resources in accordance with Federal laws;
5. To levy and collect taxes and duties on revenue sources reserved to the States and to draw up and administer the State budget;
6. 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;
7. 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

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!

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...

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

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.