NGOs fear for human rights defenders in Ethiopia

25 September 08 - Ethiopia recently launched a project of legislation, known as the Draft Proclamation on Charities and Societies, which could dramatically limit human rights activities in the country if signed into law later this year.
Yet, human rights organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) are worried that this new bill signals a trend in Ethiopia’s crackdown on human rights over the last several years. Read

Three dead, 15 injured in Ethiopia blast

AFP

Three dead, 15 injured in Ethiopia blast
AFP

ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — At least three people were killed and some 20 injured Sunday in an explosion in Ethiopia's eastern Somali province, which local authorities believe was a terrorist attack, the police chief said.

"We now have some 20 people injured in addition to the three dead ones," Yusuf Mahmud Mussai, the police chief of the Somali province, told AFP by telephone.

"It definitely was a terrorist attack, a bomb was planted in the area," he said, adding that so far one suspect has been detained.

The blast occurred near a hotel in Jijiga, Ethiopian federal police spokesman Demsash Hailu told AFP.

"I suspect it is a terrorist action because we have some problems in this area. But there is an investigation opened. We'll look into the matter to confirm if it is a terrorist action or an accidental explosion," Hailu said.

The Somali province includes the region of Ogaden, which has been hit by a series of attacks attributed to separatist rebels in recent years.

The Ethiopia military launched in May 2007 an operation against the Ogaden Nation Liberation Front (ONLF), which is seeking autonomy for the remote region bordering Somalia.

Related news: Reuters South Africa

UN seeks $460 mln to feed hungry Ethiopians

NAIROBI, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The UN World Food Program (WFP) on Monday appealed for 460 million U.S. dollars to feed 9.6 million hungry people affected by drought and high food prices in Ethiopia through to March next year.

"The Horn of Africa region is facing the worst humanitarian crisis since 1984, and Ethiopia is caught in the middle," said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran in a statement issued in Nairobi.

"We know what needs to be done - we just need the funds to go out and do our job, protecting the hungry."

The world's largest humanitarian lifeline said around a quarter of those in need, some 2 million people, live in the arid Somali Region of Ethiopia where it has not rained for three years.watch video

The communities in the region have already lost half of their cattle herds. People are skipping meals and parents are pulling children out of school so that they can help to beg in towns or scour the countryside for food.

"Millions of people are in extreme distress and urgently need food and nutrition," said Sheeran.

WFP said it's also facing a similar humanitarian challenge in neighboring Somalia, where 3.25 million people, almost half the population, have been affected by drought, high food prices and conflict.

Ninety percent of WFP's food deliveries to Somalia arrive by sea, but attacks by pirates are disrupting supply lines and discouraging ship owners from making the journey.

A Canadian naval vessel that has been escorting ships carrying humanitarian

Abaa Biyya Highlights the Role of Students in the Oromo National Struggle

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

September 19, 2008

Discussing in various articles the preparatory work and the endeavours needed to be undertaken by Oromos in view of the liberation of Oromia and the institutionalization of an independent state for the Oromo Nation, I certainly imply that the Oromo youth, and more particularly the students, will be the main pioneers of the effort.

For every Oromo, becoming the leader of the struggle for National Independence is not a figure of speech; it is a down-to-earth reality that consists in an urgent need of the Oromo Nation. Instead of expecting everything (or almost everything) from leaders who are exposed to all sorts of pressure and blackmail, weaknesses and compromises, every Oromo should take the example of Oromo student activism and contribute – according to his/her possibilities – to the struggle for national independence. Read more

Ethiopian needy 'not getting aid'

By Elizabeth Blunt
BBC News, Addis Ababa

A new system of aid delivery is being put in place

Emergency food aid is not getting out fast enough to the people who need it in Ethiopia's troubled Somali region, a top US official says.

Michael Hess, of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), says only 41% of the food allocated for July has reached its intended recipients.

The US supplies nearly all of the aid, and Mr Hess says such distribution is not good enough.

Ethnic Somali rebels have been fighting an insurgency in the region for years.

In a drought like this one, Ethiopia depends heavily on food aid - and that means that it depends on the generosity of the US.

As the man in charge of this aid, Mr Hess has been to see for himself how the system is working.

Big changes expected

Ethiopia's Somali region does have particular problems.

An armed rebellion and an army counter-insurgency operation have been going on for more than a year across the centre of the region.read more

Groups of Oromo Liberation Activity (GOLA) and the Liberation of Oromia (Part V)

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

September 15, 2008

In four previous articles (´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part I´ http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72787 / ´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part II´ / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72897 / ´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part III´ / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/73014 / ´Every Oromo: A Leader in the Oromia Liberation Struggle (Part IV)´ / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/73524), I focused on the weaknesses of the traditional political leadership, and I deployed an effort of identification of the Oromo Nation in 2008. Subsequently, I expanded on foe identification and concluded that the Oromos have fallen victims of Amhara Abyssinian expansionism and English colonialism.

Finally, I emphasized on the need for all the Oromos to take the initiative of leadership, and just put aside any discussion about, and consideration of, the current political formations, liberation fronts and independence movements that proved definitely unable to materialize the supreme goal of the Oromo Nation: Independent Oromia.

In a series of 15 questions, I presented a picture of missing endeavours and projects that the existing liberation fronts and independence movements failed to either completely materialize or partly promote. The ensuing result was visible in a dire comparison of online references (searched in Google) to Palestinians and Oromos: although triple in terms of population, the Oromos remain mainly unknown to the rest of the world.

Who can help you, if they don´t know you?

To mend the situation, I suggested that all Oromos contribute to the formation of Groups of Oromo Liberation Activity – GOLA, which will be the vehicle to take the Oromos to the Independent Biyya Oromo. In this article, I will examine how the GOLA will be incepted, how they will function, and how they will keep Amhara intruders faraway.

Groups of Oromo Liberation Activity – GOLA read more

UIC fighters capture Somalia's Hiiran

Ethiopian troops in Somalia.

Fighters from the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Jabhad al-Islamiya have captured Somalia's Hiiran region from Ethiopian soldiers.

Ethiopian soldiers abandoned at least 17 positions in the town of BaladWeyn in Hiiran after the insurgents' attack, leaving behind military vehicles and caches of ammunition, Press TV correspondent reported. full report

Every Oromo: A Leader in the Oromia Liberation Struggle (Part IV)

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

September 08, 2008

In three previous articles (´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part I´ http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72787 / ´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part II / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72897 – A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part III / http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/73014), I focused on the weaknesses of the traditional political leadership, and I deployed an effort of identification of the Oromo Nation in 2008. Then, I expanded on foe identification, demonstrating that throughout centuries the Amhara Abyssinians have been the undisputed enemy of the Oromo Nation at the local – regional level.

Furthermore, I stressed the point that the Oromos have also been the victims of indirect colonialism, as the English urged the Abyssinians to expand at the prejudice of the Oromos and other Kushitic African nations, because of their open, democratic – and therefore impenetrable – sociopolitical sy6stems (Gadaa in the case of the Oromos).

Finally, I underscored the need to establish a differentiation among the colonial powers in an analysis of the colonial attitude and policy at both, the physical and the socio-behavioural – cultural levels. I concluded that, for the Oromos, Italy was (and was correctly considered as) a more ´preferable´ provisory foreign ruler than the Amhara and Tigray Monophysitic Abyssinians. I also affirmed that the Anglo - French colonial establishment has been the real arch-enemy of the Oromo Nation. read more

A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part III

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

September 03, 2008

In two previous articles (´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part I´ http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72787 / ´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part II´ http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72897), I focused on the Weaknesses of the Traditional Political Leadership, and I deployed an effort of Identification of the Oromo Nation in 2008. Then, I expanded on foe identification, demonstrating that throughout centuries the Amhara Abyssinians have been the undisputed enemy of the Oromo Nation at the local – regional level.

The Amhara anti-Oromo animosity reflects today a 2-millennium long opposition between the indigenous, African, Kushitic Ethiopians and the emigrant, Semitic, Yemenite Abyssinians. It should however be clearly understood that the Amharas are not the only enemy of the Oromos. Simply, the propinquity makes them more reviled.

For a subjugated nation, a faraway enemy can be more harmful and perilous; one can generally call the case ´colonialism´; however, this phenomenon is vast and nuanced. There can be direct and indirect colonialism. This is one point; the other point is that not all the colonial powers have been equally detrimental to the colonized peoples. It is essential to illuminate these two point before proceeding with the identification of the Oromos´ regional – global enemies.

Direct and Indirect Colonialism ...read more

Four die in Ethiopian empire bomb explosion

ADDIS ABABA,. A bomb explosion killed four people and wounded 24 others in the Ethiopian capital on Wednesday, police said.
The explosion went off in a bar near Addis Ababa's main bus terminal, Deputy Police chief Tesfaye Meresa said.
It was not clear who was behind the blast, but Tesfaye said "police have launched search to track down on suspects," state-run Ethiopian News Agency quoted him as saying, AFP informed.
Ethiopia has repeatedly accused its neighbour Eritrea of supporting those behind the bomb attacks that have rocked the country in the past, but Asmara has denied the charges.
Relations between Asmara and Addis Ababa have been frosty since they fought a devastating 1998-2000 border war that claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides. The dispute is yet to be resolved.Source www.focus-fen.net

The wreckage of a minibus that was destroyed by a bomb blast in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on May 20

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Gaafiif Deebii Hayuu Duree ABO duraanii J/Galaassaa Dilboo waliin godhame

Qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo kan ummata biraa wajjiin wal bira qabuun sirriimiti jedha..Hayyuu Duree ABO duraanii J/Galaasaa Dilboo

Gaafiif deebisaa RSO Hayuu Duree ABO duraanii J/Galaasaa Dilboo waliin haalaa amma mooraa qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo keessatti dhaltee fi adda fottoqiinsa Shanee keessatti deddebi'ee dhalatu gaafii jettuuf akkas jedhu ...Dhageefachuuf as tuqi

A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part II

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

September 02, 2008

In a previous article (´A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part I´ http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72787), I focused on the Weaknesses of the Traditional Political Leadership, and I deployed an effort of Identification of the Oromo Nation in 2008. The two issues are critical for young Oromos eager to become the leaders of the Oromo liberation struggle and thus bring forth an Independent Oromia.

I am absolutely confident that social activism and political volunteerism can do wonders if methodically and wholeheartedly pursued by many young Oromos, both in occupied Oromia and the Diaspora. Before expanding much on how cells of volunteerism and groups of activism can be established by anyone, there is one more issue to tackle: foe identification. Independent countries have enemies and get involved in wars; more visibly, subjugated nations can automatically identify their enemies as their country´s invaders and oppressors.

Who is the enemy of the Oromos? read more

A Transcendental Approach to the Need for Oromo Leadership – Part I

Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis

August 31, 2008

In a previous article, published a few days ago under the title ´The Search for Oromo Leadership´ (http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/72374), I advocated the rise in force of numerous thousands of Oromo leaders in the Struggle for Liberation and Independence of Oromia. It is now high time that I expand on this vital subject that is key to the future of Oromia.

I must beforehand state that I would not be able to suggest a similar article for all the oppressed nations of the world. There are nations that definitely need a leader to go ahead – with all the advantages and disadvantages that this entails.

And there are nations, relatively few in the world, that can produce thousands of leaders, without a main, central, imperial figure – with all the advantages and disadvantages that this entails. The Oromos belong to the latter category, and this involves a great deal of political activism and social voluntarism.

Because of the overwhelming integrity that average Oromos inherently have had (certainly not all at the same level or degree, but this matters little), the dynamics of extensive activism can be such that will definitely predefine the limits and the directions of existing or future leadership of the traditional Western form (political parties, liberation fronts, movements and associations evolving around one person or a small group of peremptorily risen gurus). read more

Dozens of Wayanes Solders killed in Somalia

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:04:27 GMT

Ethiopian troops on the march

Heavy explosions have rattled the Somali capital, Mogadishu, leaving dozens of Ethiopian troops dead and many others injured.

The blasts hit north Mogadishu's Towfikh district, which drew heavy gunfire from Ethiopian troops and anti-government fighters, killing dozens of Ethiopians, and injuring many others, Press TV correspondent in Somalia reported on Monday.

Eye witnesses say some 13 Ethiopian soldiers are still lying dead on the streets, while 14 other soldiers have been reported as missing.

Meanwhile in Suuq Baced area in northern Mogadishu, three other Ethiopian soldiers were killed by Bazooka rockets as the fighting continued. read more

Wayane Prepared To Pull Out Of Somalia

By Akwei Thompson Washington, DC 31 August 2008

Akwei's interview with Rashid Abdi - Download (MP3)
Akwei's interview with Rashid Abdi - Listen (MP3)

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi last week said his country is prepared to withdraw troops from Somalia. In 2006 Ethiopia invaded Somalia to oust an Islamist militia and re-install the transitional government. The withdrawal of Ethiopian troops has been a key demand of the Islamist insurgents. read more

The challenge to reform Oromo Liberation Front (1-2)

By Weennii Gammoojjii

The Oromo people have been engaged in a relentless struggle to liberate itself from the bond of colonialism since its subjugation by Abyssinian colonizers at the turn of the 19th century. At its infancy the struggle was waged by Oromo peasantry in remote locations in different parts of Oromia. Notably the gallant Bale Oromo Resistance against the Abyssinian brutal feudal rules, in the 1950s, was among such isolated but heroic resistance movements which left its mark on the history of the Oromo people’s struggle for freedom...read more

Hooganoota Shanee garee Jijjiiramaa

Koreen Yeroo ABO hooggana isii labsite

Wolgahiin ummataa guddaan tokko Kanaadaa keessatti ta'ee jira. Wolgahii kana irratti argamanii adeemsa sochii jijjiirraa fi haaromsa ABO irratti ibsa kan kennan Obbo Leencoo Baatii ti. Obbo Leencoon gaaffii "hoogganni keessan eenyu faadha?" jetuuf yeroo deebisan waan jedhan irraa akka hubannetti ABO Koree Huji-Raawwachiiftuu (KHR) namoota 19 armaa gaditti maqaa dhahameen hoogganamaa jira.

1) BJ/Kamaal Galchuu, Dura Deemaa
2) J/Licho Bukhuuraa, Itti-Aanaa Dura Deemaa
3) J/Diimaa Nogo, Gorsaa Ol'aanaa
4) BJ/Hailu Gonfaa, Gaafatamaa Waraanaa
5) J/Yonatan Dhiphisaa, Gaafatamaa Jaarmayaa
6) J/Ibraahim Muummee
7) J/Qananiisaa Waabee
8) J/Kol/Abbabaa Garasuu
9) J/Kotombol Galgalo
10) J/Abdataa Hayyuu
11) J/Hasan Huseen
12) J/Garasuu Tufaa
13) J/Leencoo Baatii
14) Ajaja Zoonii Baha Oromiyaa
15) Ajaja Zoonii Dhiha Oromiyaa
16) Ajaja Zoonii Kibba Oromiyaa
17) Ajaja Zoonii Kibba Bahaa Oromiyaa
18) Ajaja Zoonii Kaaba Baha Oromiyaa
19) Ajaja Zoonii Giddu-galeessa Oromiyaa.

Haasaha J/Leencoon kennan irraa akka hubatametti gaafatamni KHR Gumii Warraaqaa (Council for National Renewal) kan miseensota 75 of keessaa qabuuf ta'a. Gumiin Warraaqaa miseensota GS amma jiran, bu'ureessitoota ABO, bakka bu'oota miseensota biyya keessaa fi alaa, kanneen dandeettii hoogganummaa fi jaarmayaa akkasumas waraanummaa addaa qaban kan ammatu. Akka ibsi kun addeessetti Gumiin Warraaqaa qabsaa'ota Oromoo naannoo Oromiyaa hunda irraa kan qooda fudhachiisuu fi hirmaannaa miseensotaa bal'aa kan qabu dha. Tarrisa kana irraa kan ifatti hubatuu dandeenyu yoo jiraate miseensota KHR keessaa harki caalaan miseensota WBO fi dargaggoota dhaloota haaraya tahu.
Source www.bilisummaa.com