Ethiopian natural resources at risk

Shiferraw has been ringing the alarm for months, calling for due attention to protect Ethiopia’s unique flora and make good use of its genetic resources.

February 27, 2014 (World Bulletin) — A long drawn out patent row between Ethiopia and the Netherlands concerning teff – a highly nutritious ancient grain variety – has made headlines in Ethiopia, but a local official is worried that not only teff is in danger of being “looted.”

“A great many genetic resources of Ethiopia are in perpetual danger of being looted,” Aweke Shiferraw, communication director at the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office, told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.

Shiferraw has been ringing the alarm for months, calling for due attention to protect Ethiopia’s unique flora and make good use of its genetic resources.

Teff is indigenous to Ethiopia, where it accounts for one quarter of total cereal production. It is believed that teff originated in Ethiopia between 4000 BC and 1000 BC.

Exceptions to the democratic rule: Sweden is not Ethiopia, but pretending that they have nothing in common does no one any favours

The Swedish journalists were released after 438 days in an Ethiopian jail [AFP]

February 27, 2014 (Ajazeera) — In 2012, after having been sentenced to 11 years in prison for “terrorism” for illegally entering Ethiopia from Somalia in the presence of the Ogaden National Liberation Front, Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye took the advice of their legal council, confessed to their “crimes” and requested an official pardon. It was a pragmatic move – both journalists vehemently denied the charges and considered any confession to be a charade – taken to save their own skins.

The request was granted, and the journalists were released after 438 days in jail. Their capture, trial, imprisonment and subsequent release were, as one would expect, all big news stories in Sweden. As told in the media, the Persson/Schibbye story followed a standard trope: Backward, undemocratic Africa versus progressive, democratic Sweden.

ETHIOPIA 2013 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT

BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR

2013 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

Report

February 27, 2014

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Ethiopia is a federal republic. The ruling Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), a coalition of four ethnically based parties, controls the government. In September 2012, following the death of former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, parliament elected Hailemariam Desalegn as prime minister. In national parliamentary elections in 2010, the EPRDF and affiliated parties won 545 of 547 seats to remain in power for a fourth consecutive five-year term. Although the relatively few international officials allowed to observe the elections concluded that technical aspects of the vote were handled competently, some also noted that an environment conducive to free and fair elections was not in place prior to the election. Authorities generally maintained control over the security forces, although Somali Region Special Police and local militias sometimes acted independently. Security forces committed human rights abuses.

Diddaan baratoota Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaa jabaatee itti fufuu irraan Mootummaan Wayyaaneen humna Poolisa dabalataa itti bobbaase.

Gabaasaa: Guraandhala 27,2014 Jimma

Yuunivarsiitiin Jimmaa tajajiila baranootaa kennuu irra gara tajaajila Waraanaa kennuutti darbee jira. Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaatti goototni baratootni Oromoo guyyoota shaniif haala itti fufinsa qabuun diddaa sirna abba irree Wayyaaneef qaban itti fufanii jiru. Goototni Baratootni Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaa hanga gaaffiin keenyaa karaa nagaa nurraa fuudhamee deebiin nuu hin kennamnetti FDG jabaatee kan itti fufu ta’uu hubachiisuun diddaa isanii nyaata dhaabuun, barnoota dhaabuuni fi qabsoo FDG Qeerroon gaggeessuu itti fufuuf murteeffatan.

Haala kanaanis mootu

Magaaloti Oromiyaa guguddoon bulchiinsa Federaalaaf Kenname,Baadiyyaan Oromiyaa ammo Dureeyyii halagaaf gurguramaa jira.

Gurandhala 27,214 Finfinnee

Mootummaan gabroonfataa uummata Oromoo qe’ee fi lafa isaa irraa buqqisuu aadeffate har’a illee saalfii tokko malee magaalota naannoo FF kan akka L/Xaafoo L/Daadhii,Burraayyuu,Sabbataa fi Duukam fa’aatti lafa qonnaan bulaa irraa saamee maallaqattii

Ethiopia’s Karo people decorate their faces and bodies with chalk and ochre to boost chances of finding love – and scare off rivals

• The Karo tribe use red ochre and white chalk to create intricate designs on their faces and bodies
• Both sexes do it as a way to be more visually appealing and attractive, while looking intimidating to rivals
• American photographer Vicente Pamparo visited tribe to capture their beauty and learn of their way of life

February 26, 2014 (Daily Mail) — Wearing make-up to feel more confident and attractive is common practice for Western women. And although they live in a world far removed from urban life, it’s the same for women of the Karo tribe in Ethiopia.

Using white chalk and red ochre, the women create intricate circle, spiral and cross-hatched designs in order to look more beautiful and stand out of the crowd.

What’s more, it’s not just the women who use this technique in a bid to be more visually appealing to the opposite sex. The men also paint their faces and bodies to boost their sex appeal.

Barattooti Mooraa Kolleejjii Barsiisota Kotobee Diddaa Gabrummaa Eegalan.

Guraandhala 26 mooraa Kolleejjii barsiisotaa kutaa magaalaa Finfinnee Kotobeetti argamu keessatti barattootni Oromoo dhimma qabxiin wal qabsiisanii diddaa kaasuudhaan mootummaan Wayyaanee diddaa kana qabbaneessuuf  jecha tikoota isaa mooraa kanatti remade jedha Qeerroon koollejjii mooraa barsiisota Kotobee irra.

Dhiha Oromiyaa Wallagga, Ona Limmuu Ebantuu fi Aanota Adda Adda Addaa Keessatti Gaaffiin Mirgaa Barattootaan Ka’e Daran Jabaachuun Beekame.

Gurandhala 26,2014 Naqamte

Saboontootni baratootni Oromoo manneen barnootaa sadarkaa 2ffaa Onotaa Wallagga Bahaa manneen barnoota akka: M/B Haroo Limmuu sadarkaa 2ffaa, M/B Leeqaa Dullachaa sadarkaa 2ffaa, M/b Ukkee sadarkaa 2ffaa, M/B Jimmaa

Ethiopia: Technology sees al-Shabaab emerge to become a regional threat

February 25, 2014 (The Africa Report) –Security experts and government officials from more than a dozen Middle East and Horn of Africa countries are meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to find ways to counter violent extremist groups.

The meeting brings together security officials and experts working on how to counter extremist messages being disseminated in the Horn of Africa.

The meeting, themed “Countering Violent Extremist messaging in the Greater Horn of Africa”, brings together the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the U.S. Department of State and the Near East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies.

USAID Sponsored Innovation LAB to Improve Chickpea Production Launched in Ethiopia

USAID, UC Davis, and EIAR collaborate on international research program to benefit farmers

For Immediate Release

February 25, 2014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (USAID)—The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the University of California Davis (UC Davis) launched the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Climate Resilient Chickpeas housed at the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR). The 5-year, $4 million genetic research program will create more and stronger varieties of chickpea to increase smallholder farmer productivity.

Qabsoon Qeerroo Bilisummaan Oromoo Godinaalee Iluu A.Boraa fi Jimmaa daran Itti Fufe.

Guraandhala 25,2014 Yeroo irra gara yerootti,FDG’n godina dhihaa Oromiyaa keessattuu Godina Kibba dhihaa Oromiyaa Jimmaa fi Iluu Abbaa Booraa keessatti qeerroon gaggeessaa jiru jabaachaa adeemuun hawwannaa uummata argatee jira. Mootummaan abbaa Irree Wayyaanee TPLF fi EPRDF warraaqsa qeerroo bilisummaa Oromoo ija uummataa keessa seenee jiru kanatti rifatuu guddaa keessa seenun waan qabee gadhiisuu dhabee Oromoon hin baratiin jechuun Wayyaaneen baratoota Oromoo barnoota irraa arii’uu murteeffatte jirti. Haaluma kanaan:

Gaaffiin Mirgaa Ummataa fi Barattoota Oromoo Godina Jimmaan Qabsiifame Dhaamsuuf Waraanni Wayyaanee Heddumminaan Bobba’e.

Gabaasaa FDG: Guraandhalaa 24/2014 Godina Jimmaa, fi Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaatti FDG haalan jabaata ta’ee Qeerroo bilisummaa Oromoo gootota baratoota Oromoo fi hawwaasa Oromoo Magaalaa Jimmaatiin bifa adda addaatiin itti fufee oole .

Dargaggoonni baratootni Oromoo Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaa utuu waraannii mootummaa Wayyaanee lakkofsaan kumaan lakka’amu mooraa Yuunivarsiitii Jimmaa keessa qubsiifamee jiruu guyyaa har’aa ifatti nyaataa fi barnoota dhaabuun mormii sirna wayyaaneef qaban ifatti argisiisuun FDG finiinsaan.

Sababaa Qorannoo Jedhuun Qondaaloti Wayyaaneen Jiraattota Magaalaa Sulultaa Guyyaa 5f Walgayii Gaggeessaa Jiru!!

 

Gabaasaa Qeerroo Guraandhala 25 godina addaa Finfinnee Sulultaa irraa addeessuun mootummaan wayyaanee yeroo ammaa ABO qofa osoo hin taanee sodaan isaa miseensotuma isaayyuu shakkuudhaan sodaa keessa galee jira,seelii ABO fi seelii keenya adda baafachuu qabna jedhani labsii labsaa jiru magaalaa kana irratti,kaleessa;guraandhala 24 irraa kaasanii

Trauma of Ethiopia’s needless baby deaths – Kate Garraway reports

February 24, 2014 (Mirror News) — Daybreak’s Kate Garraway visits Ethiopia and sees firsthand the heart break of needless baby deaths.

Emotion: Kate holding Zewdit’s hand on the ward. Jiro Ose / Save the Children

Lying in her hospital bed, Zewdit Mekonen looked up at me with a bereft, haunted expression that I will never forget.

I listened as she recounted how she had gone into labour at her home. But then, sensing something was going badly wrong, she had started on the three-hour walk to her nearest hospital.

She was expecting twins and as she walked the first twin began to emerge. Zewdit feared he was dead as he was so quiet. In agony and terrified that she had already lost one baby, she staggered on, desperate not to lose the second.

After her horrific ordeal I hoped that the doctors at the Dessie Hospital in Ethiopia had been able to save at least one of Zewdit’s babies.

Statement from the Leadership of the Oromia Media Network (OMN)

Oromia Media Network will be inaugurated on March 1, 2014.

Oromia Media Network (OMN) is a product of the unwavering spirit of the Oromo people, and their firm belief in freedom of expression and freedom of thought. We believe that the primary purpose of any media establishment is to offer thoughtful perspective on various issues. Cognizant of this, OMN is our grand step towards reclaiming our voice, the voice of truth and fair representation. We are elated to announce that Oromia Media Network will be launched on March 1st, 2014 in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

MARAAMMARTOO SIYAASAA IRRAA OF TIKISAA !!

SEENAA Y.G(2005) | Guraandhala 24, 2014

Ummati mirgi isaa dhiibame yk xuqame mirga isaa kabachiisuuf falmachuun ykn mormuun yk diddaa isaa mul’ifachuun mirga. Dirqamas. Mormii fi diddaan kun garuu, Ajandaa qaama biraa yk diinni qalbii keenya gara dabarsuuf yk waan keessa jirru hubachuuf waa tokko uumuu isaa irraa qofaan kaanee , waan yaannu hundaa irra buufannee, yaada diinaa sanas fashalsinee qofaa kan manatti gallu yoo taate, MARAAMMARTOO DIINAA nuuf kiyyeesse keessa seennee jiraachuu keenya hubachuu qabna. Diinni maraammartoo siyaasaa kan namaa qopheessuuf, joonja’anii akka kufaniif. Kana ragaadhaan deeggaruun barbaada.

Tirfi Tsegaye wins women’s and Dickson Chumb wins men’s marathon in Tokyo

February 23, 2014, TOKYO (AFP): Dickson Chumba of Kenya won the men’s race at the Tokyo Marathon on Sunday in a meet record of two hours, five minutes and 42 seconds as Kenyan and Ethiopian runners dominated the event.

The 27-year-old Kenyan was followed home by Tadese Tola of Ethiopia at 2:05:57 and fellow countryman Sammy Kitwara at 2:06:30.

Chumba broke his own personal best time of 2:05:46 he clocked in winning the Eindhoven Marathon in 2012.

Runners from the two African countries swept the top seven spots in the men’s race and the top five in the women’s.

Tirfi Tsegaye Beyene won women’s race in a meet record of 2:22:23. Born in Bekoji in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region, she comes from a town renowned for producing world class runners such as Kenenisa Bekele and the Dibabas sisters.

Fellow Ethiopian Berhane Dibaba finished second at 2:22:30 and Lucy Kabuu of Kenya third at 2:24:16.

‘Humanitarian Crisis’ for Ogaden Living Near Ethiopia’s Oil Fields

February 23, 2014, Addis Ababa (All Africa) — New allegations of scorched earth evictions of the Ogaden people have raised concerns that a lack of benefit sharing could escalate instability in the region and reinforce separatist tensions as foreign energy companies prepare to extract oil and gas from troubled southeastern Ethiopia.

“The resources in this region will make Ethiopia rich but will keep us impoverished. A settlement is all we can hope for to protect our claim to some of the economic advantages of our natural resources,” Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) founder Abdirahman Mahdi told IPS.

The demise of Ethiopian dictator Hailemariam Mengistu in 1994 triggered a two-decade conflict between the government of Ethiopia and the ONLF. The ONLF has been fighting for self-determination of the eight to 10 million Somali ethnic population living in the Ogaden basin within the Somali National Regional State (SNRS).

Opposition parties held mass demonstration in Bahr Dar, on Feb 23, 2014

February 23, 2014 – UDJ and AEUP held a large protest rally this morning in the city of Bahir Dar. One of the messages the protesters voice is their outrage over the recent ethnic slur against the Amhara people by Alemnew Mekonnen, a senior official of the ruling EPRDF/TPLF junta.

UDJ Suspension from MEDREK

Another interesting development is that MEDREK on its 9th Congress held in Finfinnee yesterday, February 22, 2014, unanimously suspended UDJ (Unity for Democracy and Justice) for undermining the activities of MEDREK and unanimously accepted the Sidama Liberation Front as a new member.

BUQQIFAMA OROMOOTA SHAGGARII fi NAANNOO ISAA – Kutaa Tokkoffaa

Taammanaa Bitimaa irraa | Guraandhala 22, 2014

DURADUBBII

Barreeffamni matadureen isaa: “Stop Clearing Oromo from their Land in the name of boosting economic development – Who will stand for the Oromo’s living on the outskirts of Finfinnee?” jedhamu, kan  maqaa “Sabbontoota Oromoo” jedhun, gaafa 11. 02. 14 mandhee Oromoo “ayyaantuu.com” irratti maxxanfamee baye, akkan ani amma waraqaa tana dhiyeessuuf na kaase. Wanni barreeffama sana keessatti kaafame kan hedduu nama naasisu, kan hedduu aariin nama bobeessuu fi kan xiiqii fi booree-dhaan ol nama kakaasu! Barreeffamni sun qorannoo fi xiinxala hunde-qabeessa irratti kan bu’ureeffame. Kan nama dhibu garuu, Oromoonni biyyambaa (“diaspora“) jiran dubbii cimtuu fi dubbii lafee tanaaf, qalbii fi xiyyeeffannoo hin kennineefi. Ani gaafan waraqaa sana dubbise, waan xiyyeeffannoon keenya akkuma waayee wallisaa Teddy Afroo jedhamuu fi waayee Biiraa Baddallee sanaa natti fakkaateyyu.

Koollejjii Seeminara Naannoo Kutaa Magaalaa Finfinnee Makkannisaa jedhamu Irratti diddaan jabaachuu irraan tikoonni Wayyaanee ramadaman

Gabaasa Qeerroo Finfinnee Gurraandhala 22,2014

Gabaasaa Qeerroo Finfinnee kutaa magaalaa Makkannisaa jedhamu irraa gabaasuun, Guraandhala21 mana barumsaa barattootni oromoo itti baratan koollejji Seminarii jedhamutti jala bultii guyyaa boruuf fincilli kauu mala jedhuun tikoota isaa naannoo mana barumsaa kanatti ramaduudhaan ganama saa 8:00 irraa kaasee guyyaa guutuu meeshaa guutuu dirree waraanaa fakkeessee jiraachuu isaa Qeerroon gabaasee jira humna waraana isaanii nannoo kana buufatanii jiran suuraan kaafame kan addeessu barattoota shakkuun barattoota naqaa

Finfinnee: The urban hyenas that attack rough sleepers

February 22, 2014 (BBC News) — Urban hyenas are becoming a dangerous problem in the Ethiopian capital, where they attack rough sleepers.

It is late evening in Addis Ababa. Stephen Brend, a zoologist with the Born Free Foundation, is driving me to the airport to catch a flight back to London.

“Have you got time for a ten-minute detour?” he asks, as we passed the British embassy. “Of course,” I reply.

So he turns off the road and up a dirt track between some rough shacks and a collection of battered old jalopies that passes for a taxi rank in Ethiopia’s capital.

Ethiopian Airlines Co-pilot’s elder brother speaks out

Dr. Endalamaw Abera

February 22, 2014 (The Reporter, Pro Ethiopian government website) — This week the hijacking of an Ethiopian Airlines plane, flight number ET-702, and the first officer behind the hijacking, Hailemedhin Abera, have dominated the news.

After it was revealed the mainstream and social media have been speculating as to why he did it. Reasons include doubts about his mental health up to resilience against injustice and oppression. Some compared him with the former Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) leader, Berhanemeskel Redda, who hijacked an airplane, while others said that he was a troubled individual. Family members have responded on social media, like Facebook and Twitter, that their brother is a good man and not a criminal. Regarding these speculations and other pertinent issues, Tibebeselassie Tigabu of The Reporter spoke with Endalamaw Abera (MD), the oldest brother of Hailemedhin. Excerpts:

MOYALE CONFLICTS: The Actors, the Contests and the Interest

                                                                                               February 20, 2014 (Ardaa Jilaa)

THE STORY BEHIND STORIES

AUTHOR: Anonymous  

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The content of this paper is based on observations and outcomes of discussions the author had with various people from Marsabit County in general and mostly with those from Moyale. Included in this paper are also information gleaned from local media reports on Moyale conflict and write-ups posted on various websites. This paper is not an objective research work as such but it is more of personal reflection and interpretation of the information received which seem to lean more on perspective shared by most people who are sympathetic to Borans cause in the on-going conflict.

The author begins by giving a brief historical overview of Marsabit County with focus on fluctuating relationships between its communities at various times. He goes to narrate highlights of key events that fed directly into escalation of current conflict. An insight analysis of key actors in the conflict including their role and objective are aptly captured. After pointing out what he sees as the limitations and shortcoming of past attempts at resolving conflicts in the north, he offers the suggestions on possible resolutions mechanism with immediate shot term and long term time frame.

Israel Begins Deporting African Asylum Seekers to Uganda

In this Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014 file photo, African migrants chant slogans during a protest in Rabin’s square in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dozens of Africans have accepted an Israeli government offer to relocate to Uganda, an Israeli official said Wednesday, part of the Jewish state’s efforts to cope with an influx of migrants from the continent. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit, File)

February 20, 2014 (Mint Press News) — The secret program, meant to lower the number of African immigrants flocking to the country for a better life, reportedly includes a $3,500 cash incentive to each deportee.

Due to intense pressure by the Israeli government and harsh living conditions, immigrants seeking asylum from several African nations have agreed to leave the state of Israel and relocate to a third-party country on the African continent, according to various reports.

Is Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam viable?

Ethiopia’s Great Renaissance Dam is constructed in Guba Woreda, some 40 km (25 miles) from Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, June 28, 2013

Not only are there grave technical dangers to Ethiopia’s proposed Renaissance Dam. It could prove an economic white elephant, writes Maghawry Shehata

February 20, 2014 (ahram Online) – In a previous article on Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam I discussed a number of serious problems associated with this project. Specifically, I focussed on a number of geo-engineering issues involved in the construction of a hydraulic project of this size and reservoir capacity in the proposed location near the Ethiopian border with Sudan and the potential dangers these issues pose, if not properly addressed, to Sudan and Egypt, as well as to Ethiopia itself. Today, I will focus briefly on the economic feasibility of the project and its funding, drawing on available information and statistics, particularly those furnished by Ethiopia.

Diddaa barattoota Oromoo irraa sodaa kan godhate mootummaan Wayyaanee seera doorsisaa haaraa baase.

Gabaasa Qeerroo Yuniversitii Jimmaa Gurraandala 20,2014

Mootummaan Abbaa Irree wayyaanee FDG Qeerroon Bilisummaa Oromoo akka guutummaa Oromiyaatti gaggeessaa jiru fi addaatti immoo Godina dhihaa Oromiyaa keessaatti sochii Qeerroon irraa jiru irraa sodaa fi naasuu keessa seenuun seeraa itti gootota baratoota Oromoo ittin sodachiisuu bulee bulee baasuun FDG’ gaggeeffama jiru irra uggura ka’a jiraachuun ittuma gootota baratoota Qeerroo Bilisummaa Oromoo FDGf kan kakasee malee dubbatti kan deebisaa hin jirre ta’uu qeerroon waliif labsee jira.

Tension mounts in Moyale after latest clashes

February 19, 2014 (MSN Kenya News) – Tension remains high in northern Moyale following renewed inter-ethnic clashes on Sunday night between Borona, Gabra and Burji and left thousands of families displaced.

Isaiah Nakoru, Marsabit County Commissioner, said on Monday that the number of those killed and injured in the renewed inter-tribal clashes was still not clear and some of the families that fled into Ethiopia were vulnerable groups that included women, children and the aged.

“The clashes started on Sunday and we have not established the number of those killed or displaced but tension is high in the area.”

Address extreme violence in Central African Republic now: MSF

Video: Central African Republic, Massacre of Muslims

February 19, 2014 (CMAJ) — The Central African Republic’s deep and extremely violent sectarian crisis has been effectively abandoned by the international community, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) charged at a Feb. 11 media teleconference.

I’ve never seen such a high level of violence,” said Dr. Joanne Liu, MSF international president. “This needs to be addressed now.” The Montréal, Quebec physician criticized the “shocking lack of engagement and mobilization” from political leaders in the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and the limited response from African countries and the African Union to the crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR).

Qeerroon Bilisummaa Oromoo Dhihaa Oromiyaa kufaatii Wayyaanee dhiyaatee jiruutti xummura gochuu fi eeggannoo uummanni gochuu qabu irraatti ibsa gababa kenne.

Guraandhala 19/2014 Bakka buootiin Qeerroo Bilisummaa Oromoo Godina Dhihaa Oromiyaa Walitti dhufuun haala Sochiin Warraaqsa FDG itti jiruu fi haala Siyaasa yeroo irratti marii gabaaba gochuun ibsa qabxii shan of irraa qabu dabarsee jira.

1. Mootummaan Wayyaanee EPRDF fi murni TPLF biyya afaan qawween bitaa jirtu, yeroo amma kanatti burkutooftee wal diigaa fi jigaa waan jirtuuf, Manguddoonnii fi hayyoonni Oromoo jaarsooliin biyyaa fi Abbootiin amantaa wal ijaaruun naannoo jirtan cufatti hanga

Criminal complaints filed against Ethiopia in UK and USA for spying on members of the Diaspora

February 18, 2014

The case is the latest sign that the government of Ethiopia, an American ally with a history of repressing political opponents, journalists and human rights activists, has used sophisticated Internet technology to monitor its perceived enemies, even when they are in other countries.

“The Ethiopian government appears to be doing everything it can to spy on members of the diaspora, especially those in contact with opposition groups,” said Nate Cardozo, a staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil liberties group based in San Francisco that prepared the suit. Ethiopian officials did not respond immediately to requests for comment Tuesday morning. Last week, for a separate story about the government’s alleged use of spyware against Ethiopian journalists working in the United States, a government official said, “The Ethiopian government did not use and has no reason at all to use any spyware.”

Big Tent: Ethiopia’s Authoritarian Balancing Act

February 19, 2014 (World Politics Review) — When Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia’s leader of more than 20 years, died in August 2012, many anticipated significant and potentially destabilizing change. Past political transitions in Addis Ababa had been violent and settled at the barrel of the gun, so the precedents were worrisome. Meles’ eulogies emphasized his individual brilliance and his personal role in bringing development to the modern Ethiopian state. What would happen with the strongman gone? Could the strong and effective authoritarian developmental party-state engineered under Meles’ leadership sustain itself without him?

Ethiopian woman gang raped by seven Sudanese men, denied from making a formal complaint of rape and instead charged with adultery and prostitution

February 18, 2014 (Sihanet) –The Ethiopian woman in Khartoum, Sudan, who was gang raped by seven men, has been denied by the Attorney General the ability to make a formal complaint of rape and thus instigate a full investigation. She has instead been charged with adultery which carries the potential sentence of death by stoning.

In August 2013, a young Ethiopian woman was lured to an empty property and then brutally gang raped by a group of seven men. The incident was filmed by perpetrators but was then distributed six months later in January 2014.

Ethiopia: Land, Water Grabs Devastate Communities

Satellite Images Show Devastating Toll on 500,000 Pastoralists

February 19, 2014 (Nairobi) – New satellite imagery shows extensive clearance of land used by indigenous groups to make way for state-run sugar plantations in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley, Human Rights Watch and International Rivers said today. Virtually all of the traditional lands of the 7,000-member Bodi indigenous group have been cleared in the last 15 months, without adequate consultation or compensation. Human Rights Watch has also documented theforced resettlement of some indigenous people in the area.

Godina Shawaa lixaa keessatti diddaan Uummataa fi barattootaa itti fufe. Wayyaaneen duula hidhaan Uummataa fi barataa dura dhaabbachaa jirti.

Gurraandhala 19,2014 Finfinnee

Diddaan Uummata Oromoo Mootummaa Wayyaanee irratti eegale haalaan jabaachaa dhufuun mootummaa Wayyaanee yaaddoo guddaa keessa buuse. Haalli kunis haalaan jabaachaa kan dhufe Yuunivarsiitii Amboo keessatti Wayyaaneen barattoota Oromoo isintu diddaa kana jabeessaa jira, Adda durummaan kan gaggeessaa jiru isini jechuun barsiisota mana barnootaa sadarkaa lammaffaa fi Hojjetoota dhuunfaa mana hidhaatti ukkaamsaa jira. Uummatni Oromoo naannoo Amboo 40 ol tahan mana hidhaa mootummaa wayyaaneetti kan ukkaamsaman yoommuu tahu, Ilmaan Oromoo mana hidhaa mootummaa wayyaanee keessatti ukkaamsaman keessaa

HRLHA: Message of Condolence on the Passing Away of Mr. Bekele Nadhi

The following is a statement from the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA).

———————

Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA)

It was with profound sadness and deep grief that the Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa (HRLHA) received the news of the passing away of Mr. Bekele Nadhi on February 11, 2014.

Mr. Bekele Nadhi was one of the founding members and the first Vice Chairman of the Board of the Human Rights League (HRL), when it was first formed in Ethiopia in 1996. Mr. Bekele Nadhi served the organization in this capacity until it was silenced by the EPRDF government of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia says hijacking ‘beggars belief,’ names hijacker, Co-Pilot Hailemedehin Abera Tagegn

February 17, 2014, ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (Rappler) – Ethiopia’s government on Monday named the co-pilot of an Ethiopian Airlines flight who hijacked his aircraft, describing him as “medically sane” and saying the incident “beggars belief”.

Information Minister Redwan Hussein named the hijacker as 31-year-old Hailemedehin Abera Tagegn, and said he had been working with the national carrier for 5 years and had no criminal record.

“So far it is known that he was medically sane, until otherwise is proven through the investigation which is going on right now,” the minister told reporters.

Oromia Region’s President Alemayehu Atomsa resigns

February 17, 2014

The President of the Oromia Regional State, Alemayehu Atomsa, has resigned. His resignation has been accepted by the Executive Committee of his party, Oromo Peoples’ Democratic Organization (OPDO).

Alemayhu has been battling with severe diseases for the past few years. ESAT Television had reported that close to two million birr has been spent in his treatment from the coffers of the Ethiopian government.

Executive Committee of OPDO

1. Alemayehu Atomsa
2. Muktar Kedir
3. Zelalem Jemaneh
4. Girma Biru
5. Abadula Gemeda
6. Kuma Demekisa