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.
Jul 31, 2007
Remembering Aba Melakeselam Sisay Ayele
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.
Jul 27, 2007
VOA Amharic Interview on the Case of Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan
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 GetanehJul 24, 2007
SOCEPP-CAN Urgent Action Alert
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.
Jul 23, 2007
Sudan: Forcible return / Fear of torture / Arbitrary detention
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.
------------
Source: Amnesty International
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.
------------
Source: Amnesty International
Jul 20, 2007
Let Freedom Shine All Over Ethiopia Again
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!
Jul 19, 2007
Update on Condition of Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan
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.
Jul 18, 2007
Ethiopian, Eritrean Refugees Appeal
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 don’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
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 don’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
Jul 6, 2007
Ethiopian Detainees in the Sudan
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
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
Jul 5, 2007
Mass Arrest of Ethiopians in Sudan
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.
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.
Jul 4, 2007
Eastern Sudan farmers get back disputed lands from Ethiopia
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!
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!
Jul 3, 2007
The Great Father Abba Melake Selam Sisay Ayele Yimer Passed Away
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
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