2008 US Human Rights Report: Ethiopia

2008 US Human Rights Report: Ethiopia

• On May 20, a bomb exploded on a public minibus, killing six persons and wounding at least five. The police apprehended suspects they claimed were affiliated with the insurgent Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). On May 26, bombs exploded in two hotels in Negele Borena, Oromiya Region, killing three persons and wounding five. Ethiopian soldiers were among the casualties. Investigation was ongoing at year's end.
• There were no developments in the September 2007 beating of regional parliamentarian Wegayehu Dejene (Me-ea District, Oromiya Region) and his family members.
• There were no developments in the 2006 beatings of one regional parliamentarian of the Oromo Federal Democratic Movement (OFDM) and five of the Oromo National Congress (ONC).
• In late October, officials arrested at least 53 ethnic Oromos (some reported as high as 200), including university lecturers, businessmen, and housewives, many with no apparent political affiliation, for alleged support to the banned OLF. Many supporters of the mainstream political opposition OFDM were also arrested during the same time period for the same charges.
• Just before the Ethiopian New Year in September 2007, security forces arrested individuals suspected of supporting the OLF or terrorist activity. Many were members of the opposition United Ethiopian Democractic Forces (UEDF) or OFDM parties. Approximately 450 arrests were reported to opposition party offices in Addis Ababa. At year's end, 148 detainees remained in jail.
• In the case of Yosef Abera and nine others who were arrested in 2006 on accusations of providing food and arms to the OLF, police transferred them from Ayra Guliso town in Oromiya to Senkelle Police Training Center, also in Oromiya. They were released on March 16 after signing a letter stating they would not participate in any future illegal activities.
• In mid-October about 20 people were arrested and put under the custody of the Federal Army at the Army Camp in Dembe Dollo. Among them was Ato Makonnin Dheressa, a prominent member of the OFDM. He was released one week later. READ FULL REPORT

ONLF army clash with Wayane forces

Ethiopian Rebels Clash With Government Forces; at Least 45 Dead
Bloomberg -
By Jason McLure Feb. 20 (Bloomberg) -- At least 45 people died in clashes between Ethiopia’s army and the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front in the east of the country, government and rebel spokesmen said. Read more


Related news:
Ethiopian rebels (ONLF) claim killing 140 Ethiopian troops
Anyuak Media - Gambella,Ethiopia
By MCC February 20, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — The rebel Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said today they killed more than 140 Ethiopian soldiers as result ...

Oromia: QABSOO BILISUMMAA OROMOO KEESSATTI: EENYUTU FAKKEENYA GAARIIDHA?

Oromo Press Blog-zine will feature Biyyaa's paper

In this exclusive Oromo Press Blog-zine, we feature OROMOO OROMIYAAFI OROMOO BIYYAMBAA QABSOO BILISUMMAA OROMOO KEESSATTI: EENYUTU FAKKEENYA GAARIIDHA?, a research paper in Afaan Oromoo by Qeerransoo Biyyaa.

Biyyaa maps the current challenges and opportunities in the Oromo national struggle. The author of the paper compares and contrasts the contributions of Oromos in Oromia and Oromos in Diaspora to the Oromo national struggle for freedom. The paper examines the current general dire situations of human rights in Oromia. He discusses the failures of the diaspora in terms of harnessing unity as opposed to the population in Oromiya, who have stood up against injustice in unison. The content of the paper is incredibly incisive and informative. It is a revolutionary piece, especially intended to Oromian readers in Afaan Oromoo.

OROMOO OROMIYAAFI OROMOO BIYYAMBAA

QABSOO BILISUMMAA OROMOO KEESSATTI

EENYUTU FAKKEENYA GAARIIDHA?

Here are the preview of the content:

Qabiyyeewwan
1. Seensa. 2
2. Haalota Oromiyaa har’aa dimshaashumatti 3
2.1 Lafaafii qabeenya Oromoo gurguruu. 3
2.2 Tarsiimoo Finfinnee babal’isuun Oromiyaa dhababmsiisuu. 5
2.3 Ummata Oromoo dhibeen, beelaan, hidhaa-ajjechaan duguggaa sanyiif saaxiluu. 8
3. Tooftaalee Qorannoo. 9
4. Oromoo Biyyambaafi QBO.. 10
4.1 Dhimmoota xixiqqoorratti walqooduu. 10
4.2 Haamilee dhabuufi gandootaan qoqqoodamuu. 11
4.3 Garaagarummaa dhaalota haraaf moofaa. 14
4.4 Oromiyaan hinjirtu. 14
4.5 Dargaggoonni abdii ummata Oromoo ta’uu isaanii 15
5. Furmaata. 16

It is going to be an open source research paper that you can freely download and read. The full paper in PDF is coming soon...

Oromia: OFDM Deputy Chairman dies of cancer

Published 02/18/2009 - 3:37 p.m. GMT

OFDM VP Gabre-Sellassie Woldya

Oromia-Ethiopia: OFDM Deputy Chairman dies

It is with great sorrow and sadness that we inform the Oromo Community at home and abroad the widely known and highly respected Obbo Gabre-Sellassie Woldya, Deputy Chairman of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), died on February 15, 2009 after a long battle with cancer.

Gabre-Sellassie Woldya was one of the original leaders of the Macha-Tulama Association. He died at the age of 71. Gabre-Sellassie worked very hard to establish OFDM and labored strenuously for its survival and growth during the last four critical years. Gabre-Sellasie was wise, patient understanding and tolerant. OFDM will miss him dearly, particularly at this time when our Party is beset with political and economic difficulties. We trust that Oromos at home and abroad will come to the aid of the Movement and save it from collapse under the weight of government oppression.

OFDM Executive Committee

For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not equal to it

Kenya oil blaze kills more that 100

By Martin Telewa

MOLO, Kenya, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Rescuers combed a crash site in Kenya on Sunday where oil spilt from a truck caught fire and killed around 100 people in one of the east African nation's worst disasters of recent times.

Regional authorities on the scene revised the death toll down to 94 from 111 after difficulties counting the charred bodies under darkness at the scene in the central town of Molo on Saturday night.

"We counted 89 bodies last night and five have died this morning," Rift Valley provincial commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan told reporters.

The Red Cross said 110 had died, a health minister said 97, and police gave a toll of 91.

A truck crashed near Molo on Saturday evening, spilling oil that burst into flames as hundreds of locals crowded round in search of free fuel.

Many bodies were burned beyond recognition.

Rescuers said someone may have accidentally dropped a cigarette, although there was also suspicion someone angered at being blocked by police may have started the fire on purpose.

After the truck careered off the road, motorbike riders and others descended on the vehicle in the hope of scooping up petrol, witnesses said.

Rescue operations went on through the night in scenes of chaos and anguish.



PRAYERS

Hassan said the number of injured were 178, and medical facilities in the area were overwhelmed.

"Some people have to sleep on the floor, despite their serious injuries. But we are going to airlift the most critical to Nairobi to decongest the hospitals."

In one hospital, badly-burned people lay on blankets on the ground, groaning in pain.

"Oh God, Oh God," one man moaned as he lay on the floor of another rural hospital, his arm burned pink.

Anxious relatives milled around hospitals and the scorched area of the crash site, hoping to find their kin.

"My two sons ran home, picked some jerry cans and ran to get some petrol. I tried to stop them but they did not listen, they told me everyone is going there for the free fuel," recounted one distraught woman, who would not give her name.

"Now I cannot trace them," she said, sobbing as she looked at the skull and bones of one corpse near the shell of the truck.

Government ministers visited the scene on Sunday morning and prayed with victims in hospital.

"This is a national tragedy, and the government will foot all the bills," said Public Health Minister Beth Mugo.

Another woman said she had last seen her 13-year-old son next to the overturned truck, jerry can in hand, before the inferno.

"Then there was a huge explosion and we ran into the forest and that is the last time I saw him," she said, wiping tears.

One 14-year-old boy was found in a thicket, his face swollen and blistered, dazed and unable to speak. He was rushed to hospital by journalists.

About 30 victims were airlifted in military planes for specialised treatment in the capital Nairobi.

The truck fire followed the deaths of at least 25 people in Nairobi when a supermarket caught fire earlier this week.

Local media have been berating the government for poor safety standards and inadequate disaster preparedness.

Kenya has a poor road safety record, with major accidents and multiple deaths common on its main thoroughfares. (Additional reporting by Wangui Kanina and Duncan Miriri; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Dominic Evans)

Zimbabwe: MDC Calls for Mengistu to Be Extradited Back to Ethiopia Zimbabwe: MDC Calls for Mengistu to Be Extradited Back to Ethiopia

Times Online

AllAfrica.com - 15 hours ago
Former Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam's long escape from justice seems to be coming to an end following renewed and intense calls by the MDC that his extradition to Ethiopia is 'high on the agenda' of the new unity government.read more

US diplomat found dead in Ethiopian capital

The Associated Press
(AP) — A young American diplomat has been found dead at his house in the Ethiopian capital and foul play is suspected, U.S. and Ethiopian officials said Thursday.

A U.S. State Department official in Washington said the body of Brian Adkins was discovered Saturday in Addis Ababa on his 26th birthday. The official said Adkins had not been the subject of any threats but foul play appeared to be involved...Read more

Wayane frees opposition figure after 3 months of jail

Reuters South Africa - Johannesburg,South Africa
Bekele Jirate, 54, a top official with the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), was accused by the authorities of working "hand-in-glove" with ...read more