Iron Empires and Iron Fists in Ethiopia

March 03, 2013 | The New York Times

By:  THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN

What has been going on in Ethiopia is unbelievable, and it has been on my mind ever since it began. It is impossible not to be tantalized by the potential of these events to change the course of Ethiopia's history. What's important, however, is that we focus on what this means to the people. The media seems too caught up in spinning the facts to pay attention to how their people are doing. Just call it missing the myths for the lie.

Ethiopia: Academic Institutions Are Meant to Teach; Not to Serve As Political Tools

HRLHA* Appeal and Urgent Action

March 2, 2013

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) strongly condemns the academic dismissals and suspensions of ten students of Addis Ababa University from their studies on February 21, 2013 upon their return to the University to resume their studies after a two-week break following the end of the first term exam. According to information obtained through HRLHA informants, this purely racial and politically motivated decision handed down by what is known as the discipline committee of the University was connected with the incident that took place in January 2013 between the Tigre and Oromo students. Various sources, including the HRLHA, have reported that the clash between the two groups of students was triggered when some students of Tigre nationals posted posters containing derogatory messages that aimed at the Oromo people. In connection with this incident, HRLHA had then reported, under an urgent action entitled, “Beatings, Arrests and Detentions at Addis Ababa University”, that more than 100 Addis Ababa University students, the majority of whom were Oromos, were arrested and detained.

Progress Report on Obbo Admassu Regassa

Dear brothers, sisters and friends of the Oromo people:

The timely support and encouragement you manifested for Obbo Admassu Regassa has shown some positive outcomes. Dedicated prominent Oromo leaders in the Washington D.C. area have created a non-profitable Trust Fund under the name of “REHABILITATION CORPORATION FOR ADMASU REGASSA.”

Sababaa Gaaffii Mirga Oromoo Kaasaniif Jecha Barattooti Oromoo 19 Yuuniversitii Amboo Irraa Hari’aman

Bitootessa 01, 2013 | Qeerroo Amboo

Barattooti Oromoo Birmatnaa Barbaadu!! 

Barattootni Oromoo gaaffii mirga bilisummaa kaasaniif mootummaan Wayyaanee hidhaa,ajjeechaa fi barnoota irraa arii’uun dura dhaabbachaa kan turee fi itti jiru barattoota Oromoo yuunivarsiitii Finfinnee kiiloo 4 barnoota irraa arii’uun yakka hiriyyaa hin qabne ummata Oromoo irratti dalaguu dha jechuun barattooti Oromoo Ammboo dura dhaabbachuu isaanii yeroo beeksisanitti tuffii abbaa irrummaa muldhisuuf jecha ammoos barattoota Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Amboo barnoota irraa arihaman.

Dhalachuun Balleesse, Sanan Dogoggore (Walaloo)

Abbaa Qorichoo* Irraa

Social minister stops adoptions from Ethiopian orphanage

March 1, 2013 | The Copenhagen Post

By: Ray Weaver

Fact-finding mission finds multiple violations of laws regarding the treatment of children 

A recent visit by members of Ankestyrelse, the national social appeals board, to the Enat Alem orphanage in Ethiopia revealed conditions so deplorable that the social and integration minister, Karen Hækkerup (Socialdemokraterne) has instituted an immediate and seemingly permanent halt on adoptions from the home.

Raadiyoo Simbirtuu Qophii Dhuma Baatii Guurraandhala 2013

                           

Canadian oil firm defies Ethiopian rebel threats

March 1, 2013 | The Globe and Mail

By William Lloyd George

This harsh region, thought to be rich in natural gas, is beginning to attract foreign investors after years of separatist violence and attacks on oil facilities.

The latest to defy the threats from rebels is Africa Oil Corp., a Canadian oil and gas company that on Sunday announced it had signed a petroleum exploration and production agreement with the Ethiopian government.

Displacement, Intimidation and Abuse: LAND LOYALTIES IN ETHIOPIA

March 1, 2013 | Counter Punch

By: GRAHAM PEEBLES

Land grab (and associated water appropriation), Oxfam states, occurs when “governments, banks or private investors buy up huge plots of land to make equally huge profits”. Since 2008 such speculation has vastly expanded; in 2009 alone the OI recorded that “foreign investors acquired 60 million ha of land [worldwide] – the size of France – through purchases or leases of land for commercial farming,” up from an annual average, pre-2008, of 4 million ha. Three quarters of all land deals take place in sub-Saharan Africa, in some of the most food-insecure, economically vulnerable, politically repressive countries in the world; precisely, some say, because of such advantageous commercial factors.

Ethiopia’s Tigray state pardons hundreds of prisoners

February 28, 2013 (MEKELLE, Ethiopia) - In connection with the 38th founding anniversary of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has freed hundreds of prisoners who have been serving prison terms.

Accordingly, a total of 965 prisoners who met criteria set by the state Pardoning Board are freed. Among the released 33 were women.