ESAT Radio Mon 28 Nov 2016

Per the 2007 Population and Housing Census, Amhara is the second largest ethnic groups in Ethiopia. Most of the Amhara population lives in Godner, Gojjam, Wollo and Shewa provinces. However, due to historical reasons significant number of Amhara people are distributed throughout Ethiopia which makes the most widely dispersed ethnic groups in Ethiopia as well. Before the coming of TPLF to power, Amhara people were leading relatively a stable life in different parts of Ethiopia. However, the coming in to power of the TPLF and its consequent introduction of ethnic federalism has resulted in the surge of anti-Amhara sentiment by the government agents.

TPLF was started as “an anti-Amhara” front. In its 1967 manifesto declared Amhara are its arch enemy that must be crashed. The party has indoctrinated its ideology of hate to its members for close to half a century. The parity’s staunchest cadres have believed what is written in their manifesto is true and must be adhered by every part faithfully.

The aftermath of 1991, Amhara people were becoming primary victims of torture, harassment, displacement and killing. For quarter a century, TPLF unabashed by corruption, tirelessly uses government owned media and other meanness to inculcate anti-Amhara hate among other ethnic groups. The official ideology, Revolutionary Democracy, stated Amhara’s were colonial powers and their struggle is to dismantle Amhara domination. To garner enough support to perpetuate its political hegemony, TPLF encourages others ethnic groups to take revenge against Amhara who are perceived as their former oppressors. This, negative campaign has led to the massacre and displacement of Amhara’s in Harar, SNNP, Gabella and Benishangul Gumuz regions.

The Amhara’s being the most dispersed society in Ethiopia and they become easy targets for ethnic cleansing. Untold stories of atrocities are now surfacing out due to prevalent social media activism. Currently, people are protesting the systemic marginalization and brutal crackdown on any dissent.

The TPLF rule are the worst to Ethiopian in general and the Amhara people. The recent protest is the result of an accumulated grievances. It is related to past mistreatment, discrimination, harassment, killing, torture, and economic marginalization. Wolkite identity restoration movement which is considered as the immediate causes that sparks the regionwide Amhara protest. The forcible annexation of territories of Wolkite’s into Tigri Regional state has caused various human rights abuse including land expropriation and genocide to clear lands to lay a claim.  Areas such as Humera, Wolkite and Tsegedie, better known as fertile belt of the norther region, are areas that have witnessed ethnic cleansing of Amhara’s by the Tigris minority regimes.

The government to economically marginalize and weaken the region has several times redistributed land in region. The expropriation of land was solely implemented in the Amhara region. The redistribution of land, other than creating fragmented arable land that are not sufficient to support domestic needs have created a social conflict between the new owners and the old land lords. Such skewed support to the local elites have in turn created a network of clientele officials that mismanaged the economy. The Amhara region what was once considered as a bread basket of Ethiopia is now known for its inflated safety net programs. The land use now is less than hectare per house hold. Family dependency ratio is unusually high. Therefore, fragmentation of farm land is one Couse of rural poverty. On the other hand, there is no industrial labor market that taps the rural youth. Now most rural youth has started migrating to the capital and even crossed borders to neighboring in the hope of searching a greener pasture.

These army of un employed youth demands change that would promote their desire for change. Unless there is democratic system in place that would create a forum to channel grievances in peaceful and orderly manner popular demands would rocking the system.

It is not late to resolve the problem. The government should initiate public discussion with the aim to provide a forum for the people to air out their concerns. The discussion should include land policy which is now entirely owned and run by the government. This policy contrary to its professed purpose serves as a mechanism to control the rural mass. Other than releasing cooked data the government with the help of international organization has to start a new agricultural census and poverty surveys to redress what has been done in the past 25 years.

The guardian

Charter aircraft crashes on approach to Medellín, killing 76 people

people on board.
At least five people including two players Alan Ruschel and Jackson Follman survived the crash. The team’s goalkeeper Danilo survived the crash but died from his injuries, according to reports. There are unconfirmed report that defender Zampier Neto may also have survived the crash. Two crew members also survived.
Those killed on the flight included 21 journalists travelling with the team for Chapecoense’s Copa Sudamerica finals match against Atléticao in Colombia’s second city Medellin. The plane was en route from Blovia to Medellin.

The plane, a British Aerospace 146 was given priority to land but didn’t reach the airport, according to Alfredo Bocanegra, the head of Colombia’s civil aviation authority. It lost contact with ground controllers around midnight.
As the plane was made in Britain a team from the UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch is sending inspectors to the crash site as part of the investigation. Questions have been raised about why a team request to fly direct from Brazil, instead of from Bolivia, was rejected by Brazil’s civial aviation authority.
Bad weather hampered rescue efforts, which had to be briefly suspended due to heavy rain. Daylight images from the site showed rescue workers carrying away shrouded bodies of those killed in the crash.
Football teams across the world have been expressing their condolences.
The mayor of Medellín said the crash was “a tragedy of huge proportions”. Brazil’s president Temer offered support and sympathy to the families of those killed.

ESAT RADIO Tue 29 Nov 2016

During a year of anti-government protests throughout Ethiopia, its global diaspora, particularly that in the US, has been deeply involved – and not just vocally, writes Addis Ababa-based journalist James Jeffrey.

Twitter and Facebook have been blocked since a six-month state of emergency was imposed last month as the government tries to restore order across the country’s two most populous regions of Oromia and Amhara.

There are also internet blackouts, primarily targeting mobile phone data, which is how most Ethiopians get online – and is for many residents of the capital, Addis Ababa, the most frustrating effect of the security clamp down.

The ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has singled out social media as playing a key role in the latest unrest which broke out in November 2015 and which resulted in millions of dollars’ worth of damage across Oromia, the region where the protests began.

But internet restrictions may have less to do with silencing Ethiopians at home than with stymieing influence from abroad where those in the diaspora energetically follow and respond to events.

“The diaspora have the freedom to speak freely, assemble and organise under the constitutions and laws of the countries in which they reside,” says Alemante Selassie, emeritus professor at the William and Mary Law School in the US.

“The diaspora can speak truth to power in ways that is not imaginable in their own homeland.”

‘Filling the void’

Ethiopia’s global diaspora is estimated to be two-million strong, with the highest numbers in the US, totalling anything from 250,000 up to about one million.

Image copyrightJAMES JEFFREY

“The protesters are their brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, classmates, neighbours and former colleagues,” says Hassan Hussein, an Ethiopian academic and writer based in the US state of Minnesota.

“Most activists in the diaspora are people pushed out of the political process and into exile by the current regime in Ethiopia,” says Mohammed Ademo, an Ethiopian-born journalist in Washington DC.

“So they see themselves as stakeholders in the efforts to shape the country’s future.”

Nowadays they are joined by writers, bloggers and journalists who, along with hugely popular satellite television channels broadcast from the US, provide significant coverage about the protests.

“The Oromo has no independent voice at home, all the local media outlets, already too few, are either driven out of the country or state-owned,” Mr Hassan says.

“The diaspora is simply filling this huge void.”

But diaspora influence goes well beyond media coverage. Huge amounts of money are remitted from the US back to Ethiopia.

Image copyrightJAMES JEFFREY

“With the intensification of protests for the past 12 months, the level has probably increased considerably,” says Eloi Ficquet, former director of the French Centre for Ethiopian Studies in Addis Ababa.

Opposition groups in Ethiopia gain significant funding from anti-EPRDF diaspora sources because of scant local options.

Consequently, according to some, this financial dependency hinders them from attempting political compromise and engagement with the ruling party, which already makes it hard enough.

“The government suppresses the peaceful political parties in this country and people became very hopeless about peaceful political struggle,” says Lidetu Ayele, founder of the local opposition Ethiopia Democratic Party.

“So they start listening to political parties across the Atlantic.”

Bogus information

Ethiopia does not just lack effective local opposition.

Local independent media does exist – often written in Amharic, hence not noticed by many labelling Ethiopia one of the world’s most-censored countries – but remains severely hampered compared to state media.

“The government hasn’t allowed an independent media to develop so people turn to diaspora news,” commented an Ethiopian journalist with a local daily newspaper at an October government press conference.

“The government has created this problem for themselves.”

And many in Ethiopia, both locals and foreigners, agree it has become a problem because of the volume of inaccurate or bogus information channelled by social media and overseas activists, often with an all too combustible effect on the ground.

More on Ethiopia’s unrest:

Image copyrightAFP

Violence at the beginning of October was precipitated by overseas activists calling for “five days of rage” in response to a deadly stampede at an Oromo religious festival after police and protestors clashed.

However, others argue the protests have sprung organically from a populace bearing numerous longstanding grievances.

Image copyrightBBC/OCTOBER 2016

“They feel left out of the so-called Ethiopian economic miracle that the Western press touts ad nauseam despite the grinding poverty all around the country, especially the Amhara region,” Prof Alemante says.

Among those active on Ethiopia’s social media scene, there is also exasperation at the government’s blinkered approach to the dynamics of modern communication.

“They could probably debunk about half the disinformation if they used social media to provide basic answers,” says Addis Ababa-based blogger Daniel Berhane.

But instead the government relies on its monopoly of television and radio while leaving social media uncontested, or for now blocked.

“If government does respond, usually it’s too late and the accusation has been accepted as fact,” Mr Daniel says.

Image copyrightAFP

Journalists highlighting such misinformation typically face torrents of abuse on social media from those in the diaspora who accuse them of being in cahoots with the government and failing to see the bigger picture.

“Foreign correspondents mostly cover only protests in Addis Ababa,” Mr Mohammed says.

“The diaspora has been instrumental in raising awareness about atrocities taking place [elsewhere] in Ethiopia and reporting on protests,” the journalist says.

The state of emergency appears to be having the desired effect of restoring order – for now.

The EPRDF conducted a significant cabinet reshuffle at the end of October, while promising further reforms.

But the general consensus appears that no-one has a clue what may happen next.

“Ethiopia has an enormous and complex set of problems,” says Endalk Chala, one of the founders of the Ethiopian Zone 9 blogging collective.

He is currently studying in the US and remains in exile following the arrests in 2014 of several his fellow Zone 9 bloggers, some of whom are still facing trial.

“But the government embarked on prescribing simple solutions such as declaring a state of emergency and electoral reforms,” he says.

“They must bring all concerned Ethiopian opposition political groups both home and abroad to the negotiation table.”

Source- BBC News

Independent

The cities with the worst quality of life in the world tend to have the toxic mix of political stability, crime, as well as low standards of living. Every year, Mercer, one of the world’s largest HR consultancy firms, releases its Quality of Living Index, which looks at the cities that provide the best quality of life.

Business Insider has already looked at the 27 cities with the best quality of life and also the 17 European cities that are deemed the most unsafe.

Now we take a look at what cities are ranked as providing the worst quality of life.

The ranking is one of the most comprehensive of its kind and is carried out annually to help multinational companies and other employers compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments, according to Mercer.

Looking at 450 cities across the world, Mercer takes into account the following metrics to judge which cities made the list for the best quality of life — which therefore shows what it feels are the best and worst:

Political and social environment (political stability, crime, law enforcement)
Economic environment (currency-exchange regulations, banking services)
Socio-cultural environment (media availability and censorship, limitations on personal freedom)
Medical and health considerations (medical supplies and services, infectious diseases, sewage, waste disposal, air pollution)
Schools and education (standards and availability of international schools)
Public services and transportation (electricity, water, public transportation, traffic congestion)
Recreation (restaurants, theatres, cinemas, sports and leisure)
Consumer goods (availability of food/daily consumption items, cars)
Housing (rental housing, household appliances, furniture, maintenance services)
Natural environment (climate, record of natural disasters)
Mercer made a list of 230 countries, and Business Insider took a look at the bottom 27 in the world:

27. Lome, Togo — The city is the largest in Togo and holds high unemployment rates. Its infrastructure is also deteriorating and the African nation faces problems with living conditions and rubbish collection.

26. Tashkent, Uzbekistan — The capital in the central Asia country has become a hotbed for terrorism over the last year. In 2015, the US embassy in Tashkent was attacked for the first time in 11 years and the government is trying to counteract growth in Islamic extremism.

25. Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire — It’s the economic capital of the Ivory Coast but the British embassy has issued warnings against anyone travelling there unless essential. It said “violent crime can occur at any time” and that the city, and the country, has a “high threat of terrorism.”

24. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The capital city is going through a building boom but many of its citizens are suffering from extreme poverty. On top of that, social friction between the government and its citizens is high, especially after protests over building plans killed students and farmers.

23. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan — The city is largely controlled by the government, mainly through a large percentage of employment coming from state-owned enterprises. Unfortunately, the city suffers from chronic water shortages due to state mismanagement, which is crippling for citizens where temperatures soared as high as 47.2 degrees Celsius (116.96 F) in 2015.

22. Harare, Zimbabwe — The capital, as well as the rest of the country, suffers from an oppressive government led by Robert Mugabe. The city is also poverty stricken and millions of citizens are starving due to 75% of maize crops failing, prompting Mugabe to appeal for £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) to help pay for grain and other food.

21. Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — Poverty is high in the economic centre of the country. Meanwhile, the government is battling continual attacks from members of Islamic State — also known as ISIS and Daesh.

20. Lagos, Nigeria — The country’s largest city battles environmental threats, such as riptides, annually. Citizens are also under continual threats to their personal safety, including the kidnapping of students and murder.

19 (joint). Abuja, Nigeria — The city, like Lagos, suffers from high crime rates from inter-communal violence. The British Foreign Office tells travellers: “You could get kidnapped or find yourself caught up in a terrorist or other violent incident.”

19 (joint). Dushanbe, Tajikistan — Poverty and energy shortages are a huge issue for the city and country as a whole. The World Bank also warns that doing business there is difficult due to the inadequate infrastructure.

17. Dhaka, Bangladesh — Dhaka is one of the world’s most populated cities and its garment exports bolsters its economy. But working conditions and human rights, as well as local poverty for a bulk of its citizens, are criticised and under scrutiny by world governments and charities.

16. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso — The city is under continual threat of terrorist attacks and earlier this year, an Al-Qaeda bombing on a popular hotel killed 29 people.

15. Tripoli, Libya — The city was carved up by two rival warlords last year and even the main airport was destroyed in the summer of 2015 and all the main embassies have been closed down. Migrants and refugees are also flooding into the country due to its proximity with Europe.

14. Niamey, Niger — Protests, governmental corruption, and local poverty place this city onto the list.

13. Antananarivo, Madagascar — The city, and the rest of the country, depends on agriculture for its economic growth. However political instability hinders any chance of continuous development.

12. Bamako, Mali — The city was rocked by terrorist attacks last year when Islamist militants took 170 hostages and killed 20 of them in a mass shooting at the Radisson Blu hotel.

11. Nouakchott, Mauritania — The city was originally a small village of little importance until 1958 until growing rapidly into one of the biggest cities in the Sahara. However, overcrowding, droughts, and poverty have helped fill the city with slums.

10. Conakry, Guinea Republic — The port city is riddled with personal safety issues. Violent crime, protests, and strikes wreak havoc in Conakry.

9. Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo — Ethnic nationalist conflict is rife in the city and NGOs have tried to step in to provide aid and food relief to the city and the rest of the country.

8. Brazzaville, Congo — Government corruption has triggered huge protests in the city which led to a number of people being killed by the police.

7. Damascus, Syria — Mercer says the city has “witnessed continual violence and terrorist attacks that weigh upon the daily life of locals and expatriates.”

6. N’Djamena, Chad — The city in one of the world’s poorest countries has suffered at the hands of militant Islamist group Boko Haram. The group carries out frequent suicide bombings in the city.

5. Khartoum, Sudan — It’s the second largest city in Sudan and is a key recruiting ground for ISIS.

4. Port Au Prince, Haiti — The city is rife with violent crime and is dangerous for travellers. Rapes and robberies are common and there is a worrying growth in vigilante violence.

3. Sana’a, Yemen — The largest city in Yemen has been devastated by airstrikes from Saudi Arabia as the country has become a battleground in the proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

2. Bangui, Central African Republic — The capital city is incredibly poor and many citizens rely on aid for survival. On top of that, violent sectarian clashes erupt regularly in the area.

1. Baghdad, Iraq — The capital city has suffered severe infrastructural damage from several wars and continual on the ground violence. It continues to face threats from ISIS.

Source -Business Insider UK

November 29, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia authorities said they foiled an Eritrean backed terrorist attack, killed as well as detained dozens of Eritrean mercenaries.

Eritrea, which borders Sudan and Ethiopia, has been dubbed the North Korea of Africa (HRW)

Ethiopian Ministry of Defense said the terrorist attack was thwarted after Ginbot 7, an opposition movement branded by Addis Ababa as terrorist entity attempted to deploy dozens of its armed fighters into Ethiopia.

The Ginbot 7 forces were arrested trying to infiltrate into Ethiopia from Eritrea via the northern Tigray region bordering Eritrea.

Military officials on Tuesday told Sudan Tribune that a total of 113 armed members of the banned group have crossed borders into Western Tigray region.

But most of them were killed or captured by the joint efforts of the residents and regional security forces.

Out of the total 113 members of the infiltrating forces, 15 were shot dead in fire exchange while 73 were captured; officials said adding security forces are hunting to detain the remaining who went to disarray.

According to the ministry, several weapons and military equipment were also captured.

The opposition forces crossed into Ethiopia into two rounds led by Major Mesfin Tigabu and by Destaw Tegegn respectively.

Huge number of military weapons, money and other military materials were also captured from the armed men, the Ministry added

Among others 73 rifles, 62 Hand grenades, other RPG weapons and Satellite communication devices were captured.

In addition to the weapons and the military equipment, several Ethiopian birr bills and US dollars were seized, the statement indicated.

The ministry of defense said added that the attempted terrorist plot by Eritrea and the other destructive forces is intended to destabilize and hider development endeavors in the country.

The captured militants were allegedly trained and armed by the regime in Asmara.

Ethiopia repeatedly accuses the Red Sea nation of deploying terrorists to destabilize nation, an allegation Eritrea denies.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war however the two neighbors fought a war during 1998-2000 over territorial disputes which killed over 70,000 people.

As their border dispute never settled the two countries remain at No war – No peace situation. Both countries routinely trade accusations of arming and supporting each others’ rebel groups.

Ethiopia has often foiled Eritrea-backed attacks and have captured a number of terrorist groups while trying to sneak into the country.

Previously, Ethiopian forces have penetrated deep into Eritrean territories and attacked several military bases, including those bases used by militants who are given sanctuary by Eritrea to carry out attacks against Ethiopia.

(ST)

ESAT News-  This is really an insult for European Union officials to detain their guest for  giving  his testimony to European Union about Ethiopian Human Right Situation.

Also, reported on  #OromoRevolution Facebook –  We are hearing OFC’s Chairman Dr Merera Gudina has been arrested upon his return from speaking to the European Union. Yet to be confirmed.
======

Girma Gutema

45 mins ·RT: Unconfirmed reports have it that Dr Merera Gudina, a senior opposition leader, has been detained on arrival for having participated on EU hearing. #Ethiopia @eu_eeas

—————-
Dr Mararaa Guddinaa imala isaanii Awuroppaa irraa akkuma galaniin Wayyaaneen qabdee hidhaa geessuun himaamaa jira. Gara jaarmaya isaanittin mirkaneeffachuuf yaalaa jirra. Waan irra geenye isin beeksifna.

Jawar Mohammed

 ——–

Esat Radio Wed 30 Nov 2016

Voice of Amara Radio – 30 Nov 2016

A prominent opposition leader in Ethiopia has been detained after he returned from Europe.

Merera Gudina had violated Ethiopia’s state of emergency by having contact with “terrorist” and “anti-peace” groups, state-linked media reported.

Mr Merera criticised the state of emergency in an address to the European parliament on 9 November.

The government imposed it in October to end an unprecedented wave of protests against its 25-year rule.

More than 11,000 people have since been arrested.

Mr Merera, who is the leader of the Oromo Federalist Conference, was arrested on Wednesday at the airport in the capital, Addis Ababa, after he flew in from Brussels, reports BBC Ethiopia correspondent Emmanuel Igunza.

Several of his relatives who were with him were also detained, local media report.

European parliament member Ana Maria Gomes, who invited Mr Merera, told the BBC she was “extremely shocked” about the arrests.

She said she would push for the European Union take a tougher line against the Ethiopian government.

Image copyrightAFP

Mr Merera has previously criticised the arrests of hundreds of people from the Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups, which were at the forefront of anti-government protests.

The meeting at the European parliament was also attended by Ethiopia’s Olympic medallist Feyisa Lilesa.

He refused to return home after the Rio Games, saying his life would be in danger.

The marathon runner crossed the line in second place with his arms above his head in solidarity with Oromo activists.

Mr Merera had served seven years in prison for opposing the former regime of Mengistu Haile Mariam.

He also took part in the overthrow of Ethiopia’s last emperor, Haile Selassie.

Many people in the Oromo and Amhara ethnics groups, two of the largest in Ethiopia, complain of political and economic marginalisation.

Ana Gomes’s letter addressed to the President of the European Commission, concerning  the detention of Prof. Merera for sitting next to Dr. Berhanu Nega. He was returning from Brussels after he delivered a speech at EU parliament on current situation in Ethiopia along with Prof. Berhanu Nega of Ginbot 7 Patriotic Front and Olympics athlete Feyisa Lellisa.  —[Read PDF] ……

1bdfa057-d33b-4d46-a78e-6ff44cb00839

Ethiopia has often accused Eritrea of trying to destabilise the country, something Asmara denies.

• By Ludovica Iaccino
  November 30, 2016 14:33 GMT

Tigray Valley. Surrounding Of Wukro. Tigray. Ethiopia. (Photo by: Hermes Images/AGF/UIG via Getty Images)[/caption]
Ethiopian security forces claim to have killed dozens of “Eritrean mercenaries” as they foiled a planned terror attack allegedly backed by neighbouring Eritrea. The Ethiopian Ministry of Defensesaid members of the Ginbot 7 opposition movement – which Ethiopia classified as a terrorist organisation – tried to deploy dozens of its armed fighters into Ethiopia.

It is believed a total of 113 alleged terrorists managed to infiltrate from Eritrea via the Tigray region, in northern Ethiopia. However, Ethiopian forces killed 15 of them, while 73 were captured, officials told the Sudan Tribune. Weapons and military equipment were also seized.

The ministry added the “terrorist plot by Eritrea and the other destructive forces” aimed to destabilise development in Ethiopia.

The Eritrean embassy in London has not responded to a request for comment on the allegations.

Ethiopia and Eritrea relations

This is not the first time Ethiopia has accused its neighbour of trying to destabilise the country. Addis Ababa has repeatedly blamed Eritrea for anti-government protests that have rocked Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest state, since November 2015.

Ethiopia’s response to the protests, labelled as the biggest anti-government unrest the country has witnessed in recent history, has resulted in the death of more than 500 people since November 2015, a figure the government later confirmed.

Among other things, protesters called for the release of political prisoners, and demonstrated against perceived disenfranchisement and lack of inclusion in the political process as the government is dominated by the Tigray minority.

Asmara has denied any allegation of involvement in the unrest.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea have been running high since protests started in November. The two nations fought a civil war (1998-2000) due to border disputes.

The conflict erupted just a few years after Eritrea had ended its 30-year to gain independence from Ethiopia.

ibtimes.co.uk/ethiopia

The State of Israel is working tirelessly to continue to use all means at its disposal to release Avraham Mengistu,’ says Rivlin of Hamas captive.

the Sigd was observed in Ethiopia as a day of fasting and prayer for the return to Zion, held on a mountaintop symbolizing Mount Sinai. Jews prayed to one day live in Jerusalem, a city they believed was paved with gold and filled with God’s light and powerful presence.

On Wednesday, thousands of Ethiopian Israelis from across the country gathered on a picturesque promenade in the capital’s Armon Hanatziv neighborhood, where multiple generations of men, women and children celebrated their triumphant achievement.

Despite numerous protests over the last several years denouncing racism, as well as acute concerns over the unresolved abduction of Avraham Mengistu by Hamas in 2014, a palpable aura of joy and fulfillment filled the air, as the sun broke through gray clouds on this windy day.

 Donning a blue and white kippa, Alemenew Tessema, a 36-year-old engineer from Netivot, said he came to Israel with his parents, brothers and 15,000 other Jewish Ethiopians in 1991, during Operation Solomon.

“I am very happy that after 2,500 years we can celebrate Sigd Day in Israel, where we prayed to go,” said Tessema.

“And now we pray to stay in Israel and to be together with all the other people here. I am very happy and could cry talking about that.”

Asked what he recalls about Jewish life in Ethiopia, he said most conversations centered around Jerusalem.

“I remember that they told us about Jerusalem, and whenever anyone asked how you are, you answered ‘Jerusalem!’” he said. “Everything was about Jerusalem and the Holy Land, and when I heard that we are coming to Israel, I was very excited and happy.

I thought that I was in heaven.”

While Tessema, who served in the IDF for seven years, conceded that life in Israel is far from ideal, he nonetheless said he still “feels the heaven in my soul.”

“It’s not really the gold we expected, and there are many challenges, but I still feel happy and proud to be here,” he said. “When we came here, nobody asked us what we brought from Ethiopia.

They said: ‘You came to Israel; be like other people.’ But I have seen over the last five years that there is a change, that they want to know more about our story and history.”

In terms of recent protests over racism in Israeli society, Tessema said that “the situation is better,” adding that he believes the protesters are self-damaging.

“I don’t like protests,” he said. “When you protest, it’s like putting your finger in someone’s eye, and I don’t think it’s good for our land.

There is racism, but the way to fight against it is not to protest in the streets and say Israel is no good. You have to make progress, get an education, serve in the army and be together with all Israelis.”

Sara Abeba, 24, who was born and raised in Netanya and is studying social work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said although she has been in Israel her entire life, her parents’ struggle makes the Sigd extremely meaningful.

“It’s a deep feeling because I was the first to be born in Israel, and my parents dreamed in Ethiopia for so many years to come to Jerusalem,” she said. “And for ages, they prayed to be here.

So for me, it’s like I am fulfilling the dream of my ancestors.”

A former IDF officer, Abeba, whose family came to Israel during Operation Solomon, said although she has not experienced racism directly, she is well aware of other Ethiopian Israelis who have.

“I hear a lot of stories and know that there is a problem and that we need to take care of the problem, but I am proud to be from Ethiopia,” she said. “I’m proud to be Israeli and Jewish, but I also need to be proud of my parents’ culture.”

Indeed, Abeba said she has become so acclimated to life in Israel that she must remind herself of her family’s difficult past.

“For a long time, I was forgetting from where I came from and my culture,” she said. “So for the last year I said to myself: ‘Wait, my parents came from a very rich culture with many things they wanted me to learn.’ So now I’m doing research myself and am proud of their traditions.”

“It’s an honor to be here and to have fulfilled the dreams of my father and mother to come to Jerusalem,” Abeba said.

During the celebration, which took place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., President Reuven Rivlin spoke of Mengistu, who remains in captivity after being captured by Hamas when he wandered into Gaza.

“On this day, full of longing for Jerusalem, it is important to mention the longing for our Avraham Mengistu, who has been in Hamas captivity for more than two years,” he said. “The State of Israel is working tirelessly and is committed to continue to use all means and channels at its disposal to release Avraham.

Together, we pray here to see his release quickly and be returned to his family and to the bosom of his people.”

Noting the historic significance of the Sigd, Rivlin praised the bravery of the thousands of families who fled a repressive and dangerous country for a better life in Israel, adding that their presence is a victory for all Jews.

“This is the fulfillment of the dream of generations, not only for the Ethiopian Jews but for all the Jews who returned from abroad to their ancestral homeland,” he said. “The State of Israel and Israeli society won by having you here.”

The Ethiopian Catholic Eparchy of Bahir dar-Dessie, baptised 300 Catechumens among the people of Gumuz, in Banshagul Gumuz Regional State, this week, on the Feast of the Miraculous Medal. Many of the newly baptized converted from local traditional religions to Catholicism. Most of the Catechumens are from a place known as Banush, a very remote area located 600 km from the capital, Addis Ababa.

At the request of the people’s request, Bishop Lesanu-Christos, the Eparch of  Bahirdar-Dessie, blessed and erected a cross and a bell on the future site of a Church. Another cross was placed at the community’s cemetery as a sign of a new Christian community. The Bishop with the help of 6 priests then baptised the 300 new Christians who comprised old, young, men and women as well as some infants.

In his homily, Bishop Lesanu-Christos said that the day was a joyous one for the Church.

“God is Great, and God is a Father to all of us; we say the Our Father Prayer here and throughout the world and this proves that we are all children of one God who he created everyone equally and with the same human dignity. Today when you receive this great Sacrament of Baptism you become sons and daughters of God, people of God and members of the Church, this brings great joy in heaven and great joy on earth for the entire Church,” said Bishop Lesanu-Christos congratulating the new followers of Christ.

The Bishop of Bahirdar-Dessie also noted that the community was evangelised by a local, young man named Takel. It was Takel who first brought the request of the village to the Church’s attention asking the Church authorities to bring the light of Christ to his community in the remote area of Banush.

The Bishop stressed the importance of continued evangelization in the area saying there still many people who have not been as lucky as the Baptised Banush community.

“The testimony of one young believer and the diligent efforts of the pastoral agents of the Catholic Church have brought 300 more children of God home. However, there are still more of our brothers and sisters who have not yet received the Good News of the Lord, and with God’s Grace we shall continue to shine the light of Our Lord and spread the Good News,” the Bishop said.

The newly baptised Christians celebrated by wearing and lighting candles as a sign of the light of Christ shining in them. They sang in the local language: “We know what we trust in.” The ceremony was attended by families of the baptised, the clergy, religious men and women, Catechists and the faithful from different parishes of Diocese.

The Eparch of Bahirdar-Dessie is the youngest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Ethiopian Catholic Church. Currently, there are more than 500 Catechumens in neighbouring villages who are eagerly waiting to be baptised. The Catholic Church first went to the Gumuz people 15 years ago. Three Comboni sisters planted the first seed of faith: Sr. Jamilety, Tilda, and Bertila. The sisters first arrived in Mandura district and begun the work of evangelisation.

(Makeda Yohannes in Ethiopia)

Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va

ESAT Radio 01 Thu Dec 2016

ADDIS STANDARD NEWS:

Addis Abeba Dec. 1/2016 – Security forces implementing Ethiopia’s six-month State of Emergency have last night detained prominent opposition party leader Dr. Merera Gudina, Chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), upon his arrival at Bole International Airport.  

Details of what transpired at the airport are sketchy, but sources told Addis Standard that Dr. Merera was first taken by security forces who have identified themselves as members of the command post overseeing the State of emergency at around 7:30 PM soon after his arrival at the airport. He was then taken to his residence along with several members of his family who came to pick him from the airport. “Merera’s residence was locked from all direction by heavily armed men,” a family member who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of his own security told Addis Standard via phone. “It took security forces several hours before they took him to Ma’ekelawi prison after mid-night. No one was allowed in and out of his residence and no one knows what was happening inside,” our source said.

This morning family members were prohibited access to Dr. Merera at the Ma’ekelawi prison located at the heart of the Piassa. One member told Addis Standard that prison guards have denied Dr. Merera’s presence inside the prison, a practice commonly exercised by security guards. “We know that he was taken inside shortly after midnight but we can’t communicate with him,” she said.

Other sources say after his arrival at the airport Dr. Merera first went to his residence with his family members and claim that security forces have only arrived at his residence a few hours later.  But several people contacted by Addis Standard couldn’t substantiate this claim and say he arrived at his residence after he was already detained by security forces upon his arrival at the airport.

Dr. Merera was touring Europe for more than three weeks during which he delivered a speech to members of the European Union Parliament. He appeared at the EU parliament to testify on current political crisis and human rights violations in Ethiopia. Dr. Merera was joined by two other prominent invitees: Dr. Berhanu Nega, leader of the opposition Patriotic Ginbot 7 (G7), which is designated by Ethiopia’s ruling party dominated parliament as a “terrorist organization” and is now actively fighting the regime from the northern part of the country, and athlete Feyisa Lilessa, Olympic silver medalist who gave a significant impetus to a year-long Oromo protest that gripped Ethiopia when he crossed his arms in an X sign at the finishing line.

Pro-government activists were hostilely calling for the arrest of Dr. Merera after pictures of him sitting next to Dr. Berhanu and athlete Feyissa have circulated on Ethiopian social media sites. They claimed that Dr. Merera violated both Ethiopia’s infamous Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (ATP), and the six-month sweeping State of Emergency law by appearing alongside a leader whose party is designated as a terrorist organization.

Our attempts to reach Dr. Negeri Lencho, newly appointed government communication affairs minister, were unsuccessful. However, Dr. Negeri told The Washington Post that “he had no information about the arrest.”

Dr. Merera’s arrest is not surprising, it “signifies the government’s particular heavy-handedness targeting the Oromo people and opposition political parties representing the Oromo,” said a political science lecturer at the Addis Abeba University and Dr. Merera’s longtime friend. “The story of all prominent Oromo opposition party leaders are the same: they all end up jailed,” said the lecturer who wishes to remain anonymous.

Currently, several members of OFC including Bekele Gerba and Dejene Fita Geleta, first secretary general and secretary general respectively are facing terrorism charges. Bekele Gerba was arrested for the second time since 2011, during which he was sentenced to eight years in prison suspected of allegedly belonging to the banned Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). Bekele spent almost four of the eight years before he was freed in April 2015 only to be re-arrested in Nov. 2015 following a wave of protests by the Oromo.

The other notable opposition figure serving eight years prison term is Olbana Lelisa, who was arrested along with Bekele Gerba in 2011. Olbana was a high-ranking leader of the Oromo People’s Congress Party (OPC), which has since merged with the Oromo Federal Democratic Movement (OFDM) to form OFC, which is led by Dr. Merera.

Dr. Merera, an associate professor of Political science at the Addis Abeba University before his illegal dismissal last year, first founded the opposition party Oromo National Congress (ONC) as far back as 1996. He has been actively engaged in opposition politics in the country and was once an elected member of parliament. He is a well-known critic of the ruling party.

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