Ethiopia: South Sudan Government, Rebels to Hold Talks

December 31, 2013 (VOA News) –Ethiopia says South Sudan’s government and rebel leader Riek Machar are sending delegations to Addis Ababa for peace talks.

The Ethiopian government announced the negotiations Tuesday, the day the East African bloc IGAD had set as a deadline for the two sides in South Sudan to hold face-to-face negotiations.

More than two weeks of violence in South Sudan continued Tuesday with fresh fighting in the key city of Bor, which government forces recaptured from rebels last week. The French news agency quoted a rebel spokesman as saying fighters backing Machar had re-taken control of Bor.

“OF ILAALLEE” GAAFFII OF GAAFACHUUN , ULAAGAA NAMUMMAATI !

Y.G(2005), kutaa 3ffaa                                                                          | Mudde 31, 2013

Kutaa 2ffaa barruu koo kanan xumure, Hawaasa Oromoo Biyya alaa/hambaa irratti yaada eegaleen ture. Isuma irraan itti fufa.

Hawaasi Oromoo Biyyoota hambaa keessa jiran sochiin isaanii dabalaa deeme moo, hanqachaa deeme ? jenne yoo kaafne, maqaa Biyyootaa fi Magaaloota adda addaa kaafne sochii turee fi jiru tarrisuu dandeenya. Hawaasi Oromoo Biyya hambaa  jireenyaan wal qabatee, dhimma Ummata isaanii waliin qindeeffatanii deemu irratti rakkoon akka jiru ni dubbatama. Irra jireessa garuu scohii itti fufiinsaa taasisaa turan irraa laafachuu argina. Sababaan ammo, waanuma ifa jiruudha. Akka walii galaattii garuu , amaloota siyaasa keessaa hubachuu dhabuu fi yeroo qabsoo keessatti rakkon yeroo dhalatu , sassaabbatanii manatti ol deebi’uu fi kkfn ni komatamu. Wanni akka walii galaatti hubachuu qaban, yoo xiqqaate yk yoo wal dhaggeeffetanii waliin dubbachuu toobbatan (waan aadaa Oromoo keessa hin jirreen) muuxannoo saboota biroo irraa fudhachuu isaan barbaachisa.

Battles rage in South Sudan as ceasefire hopes fade; Uganda interferes

December 30, 2013, Juba (AFP) — South Sudanese rebels allied to ex-vice president Riek Machar sought to retake control of a key town Monday, the army said, as hopes faded that an upcoming ceasefire deadline will be obeyed in the violence-wracked nation.

United Nations peacekeepers said they were concerned over claims thousands of armed youths from Machar’s Nuer tribe were readying to attack Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, amid international efforts to stop two weeks of violence spiralling into all-out civil war.

Amajjii 1, Guyyaan WBO golee Oromiyaa bakkeewwan garaa garaa keessatti qophiilee garaa garaan kabajamuu eegale

Muddee 30,2013

Guyyaan WBO Amajjii 1 fi Barri Haaraan 2014 Golee Oromiyaa bakkeewwan garaa garaa keessatti Uummata Oromoon haala hoaan kabajamaa jira. Guyyaan WBO Amajjii 1, Magaala Finfinnee keessattii fi Yuunivarsiitii Finfinnee keessatti haala hoaan ayyaaneffatamee jira. Miseensotni Qeerroo, Sabboontotni Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Finfinnee keessaa maadhee maadheen walitti dhufuun alaabaa ABO qabachuun, dungoo diimaa magariisa diimaa ibsuun ayyaaneffatanii jiran.

South Sudan’s Tribal Militia Known As ‘White Army’ Marches To Fight

Displaced people walk inside a United Nations compound which has become home to thousands of people displaced by the recent fighting, in Juba, South Sudan Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday urged South Sudan’s leaders to resolve their political differences peacefully and to stop the violence that has displaced more than 120,000 people in the world’s newest country, citing the example of the late Nelson Mandela and saying there is “a very small window of opportunity | ASSOCIATED PRESS

December 28, 2013, JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — Twenty-five thousand young men who make up a tribal militia known as the “White Army” are marching toward a contested state capital in South Sudan, an official said Saturday, dimming hopes for a cease-fire.

Seeking an end to the nearly two-week crisis in which an estimated 1,000 people have been killed, leaders from across East Africa announced on Friday that South Sudan had agreed to a “cessation of hostilities” against forces loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar, whom the government accuses of leading a coup attempt Dec. 15 that erupted into spiraling violence.

But Machar rejected that, saying in an interview with the BBC that any cease-fire had to be negotiated by delegations from both sides. The government in the capital, Juba, seized on that statement to further condemn Machar.

HORN OF AFRICA: Humanitarian Situation Deteriorates as New Year comes and goes

                                                                  December 28, 2013

HRLHA’s 2014 New Year Message

Dear friends,

Time does seem to pass ever more quickly. Has it really been a year since the HRLHA office last shared its thoughts on the occasion of the 2013 New Year? The fact is our attention is totally consumed by the job we are doing. For those who are languishing in prisons simply because they hold different political views from those of the ruling party of Ethiopia, for those Ethiopians and others who escaped from fear of persecution and are in refugee camps or live on the streets of the countries they took asylum in looking for their daily slice of bread, even a minute is too long. Soon we all will be joining together to welcome a new year with another new hope to do better. We must recognize the fact that doing better doesn’t happen simply because we wish it to be true. Rather, first we need to take our time and assess this year’s achievements or losses and compare them against the promises we made as this year began. In short, it is a time for “self-analysis”.

TVOMT: Gaafif Deebii Obboo Abbaa Caalaa Lataa, MSG ABO Waliin Goone Hordofaa (K/ 1ffaa)

BoycottBedele campaign catches fire on social media

                                                                                                        Muddee/December 27, 2013 ·

(OPride) – A hyperactive social media campaign to boycott Bedele Brewery’s exclusive sponsorship of controversial Ethiopian singer Tewodros Kassahun has garnered more than 13,000 supporters in less than 24 hours.

Diddaa Uummatni Oromoo Godina Gujii saaminsa warqee dura dhaabbataniin wal qabatee hojjettootni 3000 ol tahan hojii dhaabuun shira wayyaanee fashalsan

Muddee 26,2013

Diddaan mootummaa wayyaanee irratti gaggeeffamu daran jabaachaa dhufe. Godina Gujii Oomisha Warqee Adoolaatti ilmaan Oromoo saaminsa qabeenyaa fi lafa Oromiyaa dura dhaabbachuun saaminsa mootummaan wayyaanee gaggeessaa jirtu dura dhaabbachuu irratti argamu. Haala kanaanis hojjettootni baasa warqee irratti bobbaan diddaa kanaan wal qabachuun 3000 ol tahan hojii kan dhaaban yoommuu tahu mootummaan wayyaanee hojiitti hin deebitan taanaan miindaan jiaa isinii hin kaffalamu jechuun doorsisa jabaa gaggeessaa jira.

Tedy is a modern Minelik II weapon to wage genocide against Oromo

Itana Guteta |  26 Dec 2013

Oromo have their own country Oromia

Oromia is Oromo country annexed by Abyssinian- the modern Ethiopia in 1890s. The Abyssinia got help from supper power of that time: USA, Russia, France, and Italy. Since then, Oromo people have been struggling in different ways to get back their country. Thus, about 45000 Oromo political prisoners are serving in Abyssinian colonial jail as Dr. Troman reported.

When Oromo activists claim their God given rights, the Habasha ( Abyssinian) defile the name of Oromo activists as narrow nationalists or extremists. I can take the current ongoing debate about Tedy, the Habasha musician who supported the genocide made by Menelik II whose target was to demolish the Oromo from the face of the earth. Tedy said that the war Minelik waged against Oromo people which resulted in 5 millions of death of Oromo heroes and heroines is holy war. But Oromo human rights activists like Jawar Muhammad, Abdi Fixe, Garsuu Tufa and others are seen as extremists and condemned as Anti-unity by colonizers ( Abyssinian).

Thousands dead in South Sudan violence, UN says

The BBC’s James Copnall explains the fighting gripping the world’s newest state, South Sudan – in 60 seconds

December 24, 2013 (BBC) — Thousands of people must have been killed in the past week of violence in South Sudan, the top UN humanitarian co-ordinator there has told the BBC.

Toby Lanzer, who is in Bentiu in northern Unity state, said it had been “a devastating week for South Sudan”.

Earlier President Salva Kiir said his forces had recaptured the key town of Bor days after it was seized by rebels.

The rebels are led by Riek Machar, of the ethnic Nuer, who has been battling President Kiir, of the Dinka.

Gumii Aadaa fi Afaan Oromoo /GAAO/ University Finfinnee Diiguuf Mootummaan Wayyaanee Shira Xaxaa Jiraachuun Beekame.

Muddee 25,2013 Finfinnee

Mootummaan Wayyaanee diigumsa waldaalee maqaa Oromoon ijaaraman irratti aadeffate har’as qaanii tokko malee itti fufee jira.Haala kanaan Gumii Aadaa fi Afaan Oromoo /GAAO/ University Finfinnee keessatti hundeeffamee waggoota dheeraaf ture shira Wayyaaneen diiggamuuf tattaaffiin godhamaa jira.Kuniis sodaa gumii kana irraa qabaniin Koree gumii kanaa yeroo yeroon waamuun gumii kana diiguun gumii saboota kaanii waliin walitti maknee gumii biyyooleessaa/national/ tokko dhaabuun barbaachisaadha,kun garaagarummaa babal’isaa jira malee tokkummaa guddisaa waan hin jirreef diigamuu qaba jechuun doorsisaa jiraachuun beekame.

ONLF and Ethiopian Troops clashes in Ogaden

By Mohamed Faarah

24 December 2013 (Ogadentoday Press)- Ogaden National Liberation Front, ONLF and Ethiopian Military along side with Regional Paramilitary Forces known Liyu Police have clashed in several Zones in Ogaden, according to reports.

According to sources in Dhagahbour, Korehay and Fik Zones, the clashes have left 70 Ethiopian Troops meanwhile a doze of ONLF has been killed in fighting.

A weekly report issued by ONLF commanders in the field said that they have killed hundreds.

There is no comment from The Ethiopian Government and the regional administration.

Qophii Kabaja Guyyaa WBO Calgary, Canada, Amajjii 01, 2014.

South Sudan rebels control oil-state capital Bentiu

December 22, 2013 (BBC) — The capital of South Sudan’s oil-rich Unity State, Bentiu, has fallen to troops supporting former Vice-President Riek Machar, the army has confirmed.

“Bentiu is not in our hands,” said military spokesman Philip Aguer.

Clashes erupted between rival troops a week ago. President Salva Kiir accused Mr Machar of attempting a coup.

A UN official in the country told the BBC of an atmosphere of fear and desperation as violence escalates, and summary killings on the streets.

Toby Lanzer, the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator in South Sudan, said that as well as people seeking refuge in UN compounds there were many more hiding out in the bush.

“I’m quite concerned that in a few days’ time we won’t be talking about tens of thousands, we’ll be talking about hundreds of thousands directly affected,” he said.

“OF ILAALLEE” GAAFFII OF GAAFACHUUN , ULAAGAA NAMUMMAATI !

                                                                                                     Y.G(2005) | Mudde 21, 2013

Gootummaan Maandeellaa sadarkaa Addunyaattu dorgomaa akka hin qabne, du’a isaan booda huabachuu kiyyatti ofittan gadda. Akkuma koo kana, Maadibaan nama akkasii turee ? jedhee kan of gaafachuu eegalee fi hubannoo kanaa qabaachuu dhabuu isaatti kan of gaafatu hedduu natti fakkaata. Maandeellaan Umurii isaa guutu of kennee murannoon waan inni raawwaten, eenyummaa isaa mirkaneessee jira. Namni na argaa na argaa hin beekne kun, Addunyaa keessa lo’ee seenaa amma kana hojjachuu isaa fi Addunyaa guutuun isatti amanuu isaa , du’a isaan wal-qabatee amma dubbatameef kana, lubbuun wayita jiru, kan dubbatame natti hin fakkaatu.(hanqinni jala bu’uu keenyaa akkuma jirutti ta’ee) Waan maraafuu Maandeellaa irraa kan barachuu barbaadu yoo jiraate, jalqaba adeemsa isaa waliin of madaaluu, itti aansee, adeemsi Bilisummaa maal akka fakkaattu fi barbaaddu ilaalanii  of qopheessuudha.

Ethiopians in Nigeria Protest Abuse in Saudi Arabia

While thousands are decrying the reported abuse of Ethiopian migrants in Saudi Arabia, one woman hopes to stir more activism in Africa

An Ethiopian worker argues with a member of the Saudi security forces as he waits with his countrymen to be repatriated in Manfouha, southern Riyadh, Nov. 11, 2013. (photo by REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser)

December 20, 2013 (Huffington Post) — “I couldn’t sleep. If you see the pictures… ” Meseret’s voice cracks before it trails off, before she lets out an exasperated sigh and swipes away the loose strands of hair around her face.

“As I am talking to you. They are suffering. Imagine, a woman getting raped by 20 men.”

At that point tears flow down her cheeks. She wipes a few of them away. More fall down.

Against the heaviness of her sorrow, her voice rises in an attempt to regain composure. “The human rights community is sleeping on this,” she says.

Over the last several weeks, Meseret Assefa, an Ethiopian expat living in Nigeria, has spent countless moments watching shaky, amateur footage posted on YouTube and Facebook walls of Ethiopians, assumingly in Saudi Arabia, lying in blood, being yelled at by police forces, confessing incidents of rape at the hands of Saudis.

Oromia at Federation Square

Where: Main Square, Melbourne, Australia

When: Sunday 22 December, 2013 @2:30pm – 7pm

Price: Free

Oromia @ Federation Square is one of the biggest Oromo Community festivals held every year.

Tuttuqqaan Wayyaanee Uumata Itti Heddummaachuun Qabsoo Oromoo Cimsa Malee Hin Laaffisu Jedhu Qeerroon Qellaam Anfilloo

Gabaasa Qeerroo Anifilloo Muddee 18,2013

Sirna bittaa isaa kan gita hin qabne fedha isaa guutachuuf jecha saboota biyyattii jiran irratti humna fayadamee baroota 22 gargaaramee jiraachuun isaa ifa-gala kan tahe,yeroo hedduu irra deddeebiidhaan kan gabaafamu uummanni Oromoo ABOf deggersa jabaa fi hundee qabeessa qaba,Qeerroo ABOtiin hoogganama kan jedhuun Wayyaaneen TPLF yoomiyyuu jala deemtota isaan dhaamsa gahuun hordoffii cimaa jiraachuu isaa yeroodhaa yerootti kan dhaammata jiruudha. Kallattii garagaraatin of jalatti dhuunfachuu yaaluun uummatatti dhiyaachaa jira.

Walgahiin Ummataa Magaala Phoenix tti Gaggeessame Milkii Guuddaan Xumurame!!

                                                                                                                  Mudde 18, 2013

Walgahiin ummataa guyyaa 12/08/2013 magaala Phoenix, Arizona tti taa’ame injifannoo guddaan xumurameera. Walgahiin kuun kan qophaahe dargaggoota oromoo Phoenix jiraataniin yeroo ta’u kaayyoon isaas Haawaasa Oromoo haala adda addaan faca’ee turee deebisani ijaarudha. Walgahi kana irratti ummatni heeddumminaan bahee qooda kan irraa fuudhate yeroo ta’u senaa haawaasa Oromoo naannoo kanaa keesatti qophiin guuddaa akkasi qophaahuun waggaa heedduun booda isa jalqabaa ta’u hirmaattoonni sagantichaa ibsani jiru. Ummata walgahi kanarratti argameef keessuummaa kabajaa ta’udhaan kan haasaa goodhan Obboo kediro Amme fi Dr. Warquu Buurraayyuu tuuran.

Saudi expulsions leave broken dreams in Africa and Asia

December 18, 2013, Riyadh/Dubai/Addis/Ababa (Times of Oman): More than a million people from across the world – managers, maids, accountants and labourers – have left Saudi Arabia since March, after years or even decades working in the Gulf Arab state, which sustains its own citizens with oil revenues.

Around 120,000 Ethiopians have been deported in the past month alone as part of a visa crackdown aimed at pushing more Saudis into employment to ensure future political and economic stability.

“We were kicked out of our homes and our jobs,” said Mohamed Ahmed, 27, waiting with thousands of other Ethiopians at a transit centre behind Addis Ababa’s Bole Airport after disembarking with a few bags from Saudi Arabian Airlines jets.

South Sudan President Says He’s Willing to Hold Talks With Ex-VP

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir

Former South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar

December 18, 2013 (Bloomberg) — South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said he’s willing to hold talks with former Vice President Riek Machar, who is being sought by national security forces on accusations he helped lead a failed coup this week.

Ethiopia: Djibouti Gives Ethiopia Cargo Ultimatum

December 17, 2013 (All Africa) — Release of cargo will change come January, according to the ultimatum, which some believe to be in breach of a bilateral agreement

The government of Djibouti has given a deadline of January 15, 2014, for challenging the manner in which cargo is released from its ports. The new rules will state that no cargo inbound to Ethiopia will be released until the clearing agent in Djibouti produces a note from banks stating that foreign exchange to pay for transport, transit and forwarding services has actually been transferred.

A circular instructing offices in Djibouti to this effect has been distributed by the government, according to diplomatic sources in Djibouti.

Letter to South African Government from Oromo residents in Ottawa

December 13, 2013

Oromo Resident of the city of Ottawa

Ottawa, ON

South Africa High Commission

15 Sussex Drive

Ottawa ON K1M 1M8

We, the Oromo residents of Ottawa, would like to express our deepest condolences on the passing away of Nelson Rolihlahal Mandela, a visionary leader and fellow Africa freedom fighter.

Madiba is not only a champion for human dignity and freedom, peace and reconciliation but also a global icon of unparalleled grace and compassion. He is remembered not only as a freedom fighter but also a beacon for perseverance, hope forgiveness.

We are grieving Madiba’s death; however, we are comforted by the fact he lived and departed as a hero and a great leader. Indeed, humanity is better off because of this universal message of love, peace, harmony, understanding, human rights and democracy.

Gunfire Erupts in South Sudan’s Capital Juba After Coup Bid

December 17, 2013, Juba (AFP) –  Fierce battles raged on Tuesday in South Sudan’s capital Juba, witnesses said, as troops loyal to the president fought rival soldiers accused of staging a coup in the world’s youngest nation.

The continued gunfire, including the sporadic firing of heavy weapons, resumed in the early hours of Tuesday as terrified residentsbarricaded themselves in their homes or attempted to flee the city.

South Sudan’s Under-Secretary for Health Makur Korion said on local radio that at least 26 people had so far been killed in the violence. At least 130 more are reported to have been wounded.

“We can still hear sporadic shooting from various locations. The situation is very tense,” Emma Jane Drew of the British aid agency Oxfam told AFP by telephone from Juba.

A Response to Teddy Afro’s Holy War

            By Jalata Lami                                                                            | December 16, 2013

Currently, we are hearing that different individuals, groups and political parties as well as St. Marry Church(Located near National Palace around Arat Killo, Addis Ababa) are preparing to celebrate or are celebrating the 100^th year of Menilik II death. It is shocking that Orthodox Christian Church is organizing a ceremony to officially celebrate the 100^th year of Menilik II death. Different comments are being given on the celebration from different perspectives. From advocators side, Tewodros Kassahun  gave his response about the celebration on Inku Magazine Number 107 published on December 2013.  I found it necessary to provide responses to his interview on the magazine. Before directly commenting on his responses, it is better to have background information.

Duguuggaan Sanyii Minilik Oromoorratti Oofe “WARAANA QULQULLUUDHA”

    OromoPress                                                                                 | Mudde 16, 2013

Fuulduree barruulee Afaan Amaaraa “Inquu” jedhamu irratti Teweedroos Kaasaahuun ykn Teedii

Ethiopian women pay high price for US aid abortion restrictions

Reproductive health has risen up aid donors’ agendas, but USAid rules mean NGOs are shying away from abortion work

By Claire Provost, Addis Ababa

The Kirkos clinic, which performs abortions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photograph: Marie Stopes International

Dec 16, 2013 (The Guardian) — Just 1km away from the African Union conference centre, and the international evangelical church in Addis Ababa, the Kirkos health clinic feels far from the politicking and religious opposition that continue to stalk abortion – one of the most contentious global health issues.

Outside, a blue and white sign displays the range of services on offer. Safe abortion tops the list, stenciled in big bold letters, followed by HIV testing, family planning and infertility treatment. Inside, the clinic’s orderly waiting room is already full. It’s 8.30am. Most visitors are young, between 18 and 25 years old, and nurses talk candidly about sex.

Noble Park woman secures over $50,000 in crowd-funding to help save an African language

Toltu Tufa has managed to raise over $50,000 to enable the printing of children’s books to keep an African language alive. Pictures Angie Basdekis Source: News Limited

December 15, 203, Australia (Herald Sun) — A CROWD-FUNDING campaign launched from Noble Park to save an African language ended yesterday with more than $50,000 in the bank.

Called simply Afaan, which means ‘language’ in Oromo, the month-long campaign to raise $20,000 on pozible.com was the brainchild of Noble Park resident Toltu Tufa.

The 27-year-old, who works in clinical governance at the Royal Women’s Hospital at Carlton, will use the money to print 12,000 children’s books in the Oromo language, which was banned in parts of East Africa until 1991.

Ms Tufa said the penalty for speaking the language was 10 years in prison, which an Oromo refugee now living in Noble Park had served.

Oromo as a victim of hate crime at homeland and abroad

                                   By Hara Olani                                                           | December 15, 2013

In its broad meaning, hate crime is a category of crime used to describe bias-motivated violence: “assault, injury and murder on the basis of certain personal or group characteristics that include different appearance, different color, different religion, different nationality, different identity, etc.

For more than a century, the Oromo in Ethiopian empire specifically targeted and injured, killed, forced to flee their homeland, and even continuously abused verbally abroad by Ethiopian politicians, media, activists, and individuals that think being a true Ethiopian is being denying oneself’s identity.

OLF Condemns the Ethiopian State-Terrorism Along the Oromia-Kenyan Border

                                                                          Muddee/December 13, 2013 · 

The following statement is from the Ormo Liberation Front (OLF).

——————————-

Date: 10 December 2013

Ref: 003/OLF/13

PRESS RELEASE

OLF condemns Ethiopian state-terrorism along the Oromia-Kenyan border

The Ethiopian regime has, once again, orchestrated a widespread unrest and carnage on both sides of the border between Kenya and Oromia.

ወቅቱ የኦሮሞ ህዝብ በይበልጥ ታጥቆ ራሱን የሚከላከልበት እንጂ ባህላዊ ትጥቁ ሳይቀር በጠላት የሚፈታበት ወቅት ሊሆን ኣይገባም

December 12, 2013 

OLF Info Desk

የወያኔ መንግስት የኦሮሞን ህዝብ ዋነኛ የጥቃት ኢላማው በማድረግ ካለፉት ስርኣቶች ሁሉ የከፋ ስለመሆኑ ኣያጠያይቅም።

Saudi investors leave Ethiopia

An Ethiopian worker argues with a member of the Saudi security forces as he waits with his countrymen to be repatriated in Manfouha, southern Riyadh, Nov. 11, 2013. (photo by REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser)

December 11, 2013 (AlMonitor) — Saudi agricultural investor has warned about the failure of Saudi agricultural investments in Ethiopia and the liquidation of businesses due to the conditions set by the [Saudi] Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) to support and lend to investors in Ethiopia.

This is not to mention the negative impact of such conditions on the process of correcting the situation of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, including many Ethiopians. He revealed that some Saudi investors in Ethiopia have begun to sell their investments due to the impossible conditions set by the ADF for loans, in addition to the lack of facilities to export their produce to Saudi Arabia.

The head of the Saudi Agriculture Investors Association in Ethiopia, Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Shahri, told Al-Hayat that Saudi investors in Ethiopia have filed complaints to the Saudi king about the ADF conditions, which are in direct conflict with King Abdullah’s Initiative for Agricultural Investment Abroad.

In a Letter to the Deutsche Welle (DW) Broadcasting Board, Oromo Activist Announced Boycott of DW Amharic Service Over Ethnically-Motivated Biased Program Against the Oromo Nation

                                                                                                | December 10, 2013

      Dear Broadcasting Board

We, the Oromos allover the world, are deeply offended by DW’s Amharic Service racial/ethnic attack aired against the Oromo people of Ethiopia on December 8, 2013. The DW host invited two guests from Amhara ethnic group and one guests from the Oromo of Ethiopia. To make it easy for distorting history, the two Amhara guests were professors of history while the Oromo guest was an economist by profession. The two professors were making inflammatory remarks about the Oromo people. The host journalist, who is also from Amhara ethnic group, clearly took the position against the Oromos and involved in harassing the Oromo guest. What’s more disheartening was the fact that these inflammatory remarks fitted the editor’s one-sided editorial position on praising the controversial king Minilik of Ethiopia who masterminded the chopping off 3000 Oromo women’s breasts and Oromo men’s hands in a single day (Abbas 1995, Hassen, 2002, Jalata 1998 and Bulcha 2006). To put it in relative terms, it is praising Adolf Hitler to Jews community on air.

Waamich Kabaja Guyaa WBO, Washington, DC, Amajjii 25, 2013.

Col Fekadu Wakene: The man who taught Mandela to be a soldier

By Penny Dale

BBC Africa, Addis Ababa | December 9, 2013

Col Fekadu Wakene said Mr Mandela was a good student

In July 1962, Col Fekadu Wakene taught South African political activist Nelson Mandela the tricks of guerrilla warfare – including how to plant explosives before slipping quietly away into the night.

Mr Mandela was in Ethiopia, learning how to be the commander-in-chief of Umkhonto we Sizwe – the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC).

The group had announced its arrival at the end of 1961 by blowing-up electricity pylons in various places in South Africa.

Then on 11 January 1962, Mr Mandela had secretly, and illegally, slipped out of South Africa.

His mission was to meet as many African political leaders as possible and garner assistance for the ANC, including money and training for its military wing.

And to be moulded into a soldier himself.

Mourning the Departure of Freedom Icon and African Hero Nelson Mandela While Celebrating His Achievements

Press Release, December 9, 2013 

We, the Board of Directors and Staff members of the Human Rights League of Horn of Africa (HRLHA), would like to express that we are deeply saddened by the passing away of our African hero and freedom icon Mr. Nelson Mandela, also known as Madiba especially among his funs and lovers. It is everyone’s belief that this icon of freedom, although he is peacefully departing, has left behind an everlasting legacies of hope for the better future, perseverance in the struggle for equality, justice and dignity for all human beings as well as forgiveness. We could say that not only the South Africans but also the rest of African and other global communities are better off because of his priceless sacrifices, democratic achievements, spirits of hope, forgiveness, peace, harmony, and overall human dignity. HRLHA believes that those of us at all ages and generations who are staying behind are expected to take lessons from his legacies and carry on the torch of freedom that this freedom icon has ignited from where he has left it, and make Africa a much better place where political differences are settled through roundtable discussions, negotiations, and reconciliations, and policies are framed based on respect for human rights.

OLF sends condolence letter on Mandela death

                                                                                        

   His EXcellency Jacob G Zuma President

Republic of South Africa

Dear Mr. President:

It is with feelings of great sorrow that we in the Oromo Liberation Front and the Oromo people at large learned the passing of Mr. Nelson Mandela, the first elected President of South Africa and a true freedom -fighting icon. On behalf of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Oromo people, I wish to convey my deepest condolences and sympathies to you and the people of South Africa during this time of national mourning. The passing of Former President Mandela is a tremendous loss not only to South Africa and Africa alone but to the whole world.

Ethiopia accused of stoking Moyale clashes

Ethiopia accused of stoking Moyale clashes. Dec 08 2013 01:15 pm

December 9, 2013, Nairobi, Kenya (Standard) — MPs Ali Rasso (Saku), Roba Duba ( Moyale) and Mohamud Ali, a former Moyale MP, Sunday claimed Ethiopia was using its military and local militias to hunt down Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels.

Rasso, a former Kenya army colonel, alleged that about 400 militiamen fighting the OLF in Kenya were behind the anarchy in Moyale.

The leaders blamed the attackers for the burning of more than 100 houses in Butiye and Moyale town. Rasso said a gang in full military uniform went on a torching-spree of houses that belonged to senior Borana personalities.

Nelson Mandela In Ethiopia: A Peacemaker’s Beginnings As Guerrilla Fighter

                                                                                                                     By Jacey Fortin

December 6, 2013 (IBTimes) — ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Flags are flying at half-staff outside the African Union headquarters on Friday in honor of Nelson Mandela, whose death Thursday has the entire continent, and the world, in mourning. The activist, politician, scholar, husband, father and Nobel Peace Prize laureate fought against apartheid, a system of formalized segregation that saw black South Africans treated as third-class citizens, and helped to heal a fractured nation in the aftermath of minority rule.

Khartoum mediating indirect talks between Ethiopia and Eritrea

Dispute area

Dec 6, 2013 (Africa Review) — Ethiopia and Eritrea are in secret talks mediated by Khartoum with a view to end the historic conflict between the two nations.

Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir revealed Thursday that he had initiated indirect talks between the leaders of both countries, bringing them on the negotiating table to discuss border disputes, proxy wars in Somalia and other political issues.

“We started some efforts to normalise the relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea,” President Bashir said, in a joint statement with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia after a bitterly fought independence war in 1991.

Saudis expel 100,000 illegal Ethiopians

Ethiopia foreign ministry announces up to 50,000 more citizens to return after crackdown on illegal immigrants

London: Dec. 5, 2013 – A Call for Demonstration Against Refoulement of Oromo and Other Refugees from Saudi Arabia

A demonstration is organized to protest against arbitrary arrests, tortures, killings and extraditions of Oromo and other refugees and migrant workers from Ethiopia in Saudi Arabia.

All OROMOS and those who stand for human rights are invited to take part in this demonstration.

Date: 05 Dec 2013

TIME: 1:00 pm – 5:pm

Venue: Curzon Street London, W1J7TY

Dec 5, 2013 (Aljazeera) — Ethiopia has repatriated more than 100,000 citizens from Saudi Arabia following a violent crackdown on illegal immigrants, Addis Ababa’s foreign ministry has said.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom said on Thursday that up to 50,000 more citizens were still expected to return.

“Last night arrivals from Saudi reached 100,620,” Tedros said in a written statement.

“All citizens that were detained in Riyadh deportation camps are back”.

Ethiopia started repatriating its citizens from Saudi Arabia last month after a seven-month amnesty period for undocumented immigrants expired, sparking violent protests between Ethiopian migrants and Saudi police.

Foreign ministry spokesman Dina Mufti said repatriation efforts had been “successful so far.

“The number is increasing over time,” Mufti said.