Tedla Asfaw
I am not a fan of a strong man of Eritrea, Isaias Afeworki, and I did not show up on the Feb.24 demonstration in Washington D.C. to denounce the USA sponsored sanction against Eritrea. One thing I agree with Isaias Afeworki is his stand on election. He never believes in election like his neighbor TPLF led Ethiopia. On many interviews he told us that such election is a waste of resources and lives as we saw five year ago in May 2005 in Ethiopia.
Since 1991 Isaias has not conducted any election while his counterpart in Addis have conducted many including the election billed to the world as "Enkene Yeleshe Mircha"/ flawless election. We all know what happened and Ethiopians are still not recovering from the trauma of May 7, 2005 election and its aftermath.
A TPLF led regime is known on exaggeration of its strength except being surprised on Badme war more than a decade ago and our people election verdict five years ago. It lost both, the Badme war and the election of May 2005. It was only after using Ethiopian nationalism and the call of defending the mother land it beat back Shabia and recovered Badme. However, recovering from its electoral defeat of May 2005 is impossible in any transparent election.
Moreover, since May 2005 election we heard Meles Zenawi and his top cadres telling us that they learned form their loss of May 2005 and will do all to win in the May 23, 2010 election. For the majority of Ethiopians nothing has changed in their lives to change their vote of May 2005. In a fair and free election the ruling regime in Ethiopia is gone for good and the truth is it will stay on power for years to come to catch up with the Asian Tigers and its model is not the West but China. Development for the masses and politics for ideological or tribal elites
The cry of development, the infrastructure, schools,clinics double digit economic growth is not benefiting the people whose living standard is going down daily. I have not seen also development attracting Ethiopian Diasporas going back to Ethiopia in masses to help themselves and their country.
The only one who are benefiting from infrastructure development are foreign investors/landlords that are coming to buy cheap land that will primarily benefit them, the regime at the expense of poor rural farmers and will have great consequence, destroying Ethiopian agriculture. The infrastructure development is helping these foreigners to ship their harvest out from the land locked Ethiopia that will live on donated food for years to come.
The regime is boasting number of clinics and number of schools built in many parts of Ethiopia. It claims itself as a development state like Peoples Republic of China. What we all know is that China reached its current high development without any election. Eritrea media is also full of development news without any election. So why do we spend resources for such election ?
Neither Eritrea nor China will waste their resources in election fiasco. The truth is that the Ethiopian regime is surviving on foreign loans, budget subsidy and its defense budget paid fully by the west primarily USA.. To get all these aids the West demands election fair or not, for poor Ethiopia. No one asks China to make election because the big corporation of the West are making big investment in China and in fact less in an elected government of India.
Moreover, the Ethiopian regime is accountable to its subsidizers, the West. Their interest is to fight their war on terror in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East. The West argue that Ethiopia is a strategic country and Meles Zenawi is a respectable leader who Liston to them not Isaias who put his finger on their eyes, deserves sanction or possible regime change.
The May 23 election is only less than ninety days and the game remains still the same. Election to satisfy the demand of the West not to empower our people in a fair, free and transparent election. I hope the West will not hold back its aid if our people boycott this coming election.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Monday, 15 February 2010
Urgent Global Fund Raising to Bring Change in Ethiopia !!!
Dear Toronto AEUP Supporters,
I would like to salute you for bringing Sun Shine in this gloomy winter in North America. Ethiopians in New York and its surrounding regions have been hibernating for many winters, and some in fact are "whispering" that there are more "Woyanes" in our Metropolitan region, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut than other similar regions where Ethiopians reside..
It has been awhile we come together to stand with our people. The last time I remember we come together is less than fifty people to receive Eng. Hailu in secretly called meeting two years ago which I was invited by a friend. I also remember the energy, when we came to support AAPO in thousands and raise huge money. Some of the people who organized those fund raising since then have gone to Ethiopia for their better "life" and comfortable retirement.
Many who happen to stay here and struggle have personal animosity towards each other which has nothing to do with the struggle home. No wonder, it is very hard to disprove, that most Ethiopians in our region are "Woyane supporters", "Hode Aderes". Most Ethiopians, however, are distancing themselves from the struggle after the Kinijit spirit was sucked from their lungs thanks to the division of Kinijit and the animosity that has followed.
This Kinijit breakdown created also good opportunity for some "Hode Aderese" to go back home and build their home for future retirement. Such selfish Ethiopians sadly are represented in high percentage in our region. This is very embarrassing for few of us who are trying our best to be the voice of the voiceless in all avenues, rally, radio, TV, paltalk and Internet.
However, your fund raising this month and the Global Fund Raising Fund you suggested on your Paltalk yesterday is very crucial for many Ethiopians who believe in AEUP led struggle of organized people, free debate and free rally to repeat May 2005 on which AEUP played the leading role. This is only possible if we stand with AEUP and walk the talk. Such fund raising will make those of us here and many others to give money which is a burning issue for AEUP right now. I suggest if such fund raising to be conducted electronically and sent to AEUP immediately.
I hope you will organize effective and easy way of sending money that will involve a large population of our community. I and many of my friends are ready to use our credit cards when you are ready. The Toronto exemplary action indeed has brought sunshine in a gloomy North America where large Ethiopians reside.
I commend all of you for your leadership. I would like to tell you that I am very proud of you for standing with Ethiopian people by supporting AEUP. I can assure you that for the remaining one hundred days before the election, we can raise one million dollar from ten thousand Ethiopians, it is only one dollar a day, Yes we Can !!!
Sincerely,
Tedla Asfaw
I would like to salute you for bringing Sun Shine in this gloomy winter in North America. Ethiopians in New York and its surrounding regions have been hibernating for many winters, and some in fact are "whispering" that there are more "Woyanes" in our Metropolitan region, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut than other similar regions where Ethiopians reside..
It has been awhile we come together to stand with our people. The last time I remember we come together is less than fifty people to receive Eng. Hailu in secretly called meeting two years ago which I was invited by a friend. I also remember the energy, when we came to support AAPO in thousands and raise huge money. Some of the people who organized those fund raising since then have gone to Ethiopia for their better "life" and comfortable retirement.
Many who happen to stay here and struggle have personal animosity towards each other which has nothing to do with the struggle home. No wonder, it is very hard to disprove, that most Ethiopians in our region are "Woyane supporters", "Hode Aderes". Most Ethiopians, however, are distancing themselves from the struggle after the Kinijit spirit was sucked from their lungs thanks to the division of Kinijit and the animosity that has followed.
This Kinijit breakdown created also good opportunity for some "Hode Aderese" to go back home and build their home for future retirement. Such selfish Ethiopians sadly are represented in high percentage in our region. This is very embarrassing for few of us who are trying our best to be the voice of the voiceless in all avenues, rally, radio, TV, paltalk and Internet.
However, your fund raising this month and the Global Fund Raising Fund you suggested on your Paltalk yesterday is very crucial for many Ethiopians who believe in AEUP led struggle of organized people, free debate and free rally to repeat May 2005 on which AEUP played the leading role. This is only possible if we stand with AEUP and walk the talk. Such fund raising will make those of us here and many others to give money which is a burning issue for AEUP right now. I suggest if such fund raising to be conducted electronically and sent to AEUP immediately.
I hope you will organize effective and easy way of sending money that will involve a large population of our community. I and many of my friends are ready to use our credit cards when you are ready. The Toronto exemplary action indeed has brought sunshine in a gloomy North America where large Ethiopians reside.
I commend all of you for your leadership. I would like to tell you that I am very proud of you for standing with Ethiopian people by supporting AEUP. I can assure you that for the remaining one hundred days before the election, we can raise one million dollar from ten thousand Ethiopians, it is only one dollar a day, Yes we Can !!!
Sincerely,
Tedla Asfaw
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Land sold to Sudan, Number One Issue on the coming Election !!!!
Tedla Asfaw
We are now hearing from Khartoum that the ruling regime will accept the referendum in January 2011 to be held at South Sudan. Many are predicting that Sudan will split in to North Arabs and South non Arabs. The Libyan dictator Mohamed Qaddafi on last week statement in Addis was also suggesting that independent South Sudan will be like Somalia. However, he did not prescribe such outcome for his North Arab friends.
Qaddafi's prediction of another Somalia in South Sudan is a possibility as long as the Beshir regime is still on power following the national election this spring. Oil reach North Sudan can arm factions in the South to make sure that South Sudan will indeed be another Somalia.
There is another destabilizing factor also for united or divided Sudan, the TPLF regime factor, giving away huge land which is about 1000km with an average width of 30km land on Ethiopia's western front to the newly two Sudan. TPLF might finalize this deal after it extends its rule over Ethiopia on the coming May election so far which looks like a coronation than election.
If we have a free media the issue of land given to Sudan would have been a number one election issue to rally Ethiopians against giving our land to Sudan. We have only less than four months, there is no debate in any platform on any issue let alone a huge issue of land for which Ethiopians will give much priority than any other issue.
Both North and South Sudan are a beneficiary of such undemocratic atmosphere in Ethiopia. For them the issue of land awarded should proceed quietly without involving the public and both of them wanted the Meles regime to stay on power to implement the deal they have made behind our back.
Moreover, the division in the diaspora oppositions following the decision of AEUP to sign the Code of Conduct and the joining of Seye Abraha, the UDJP party at a leadership position, have put the major national issue of land on back burner and valuable time is wasted.
This is a good time for both North and South Sudan to consolidate a big land/bonus given away to them for newly to be formed independent North and South Sudan, make a new map at Ethiopia's expense. However, this is not going to stand because Ethiopians both in North/Gonder and South/Gambella will fight for their land against the newly formed Sudan no matter what.
Sudan, both and North, surely will be another Eritrea that opened war against Yemen, Ethiopia and recently Djibouti to get its "lost territory". The two newly formed Sudan's war however is different in a sense the ruling regime in Ethiopia is part of the problem when it comes to Ethiopia's national interest. It stands with Sudan by giving away of our land using the defunct colonial map.
The TPLF regime which awarded Badme by bringing such defunct colonial treaties after the conclusion of the Badme war more than decade ago however failed to give Badme to Asmara after the international arbitrators gave Badme to Eritrea. The so called "Five Principles" by TPLF to normalize relation with Eritrea before it handed Badme was rejected by Asmara and we are now in a situation when any day and time another devastating war will break out in north.
When it comes to our western boundary there was no condition but total sell out of our land to Sudan. Ethiopians protested in the diaspora when the secret of the deal came out open few years ago and the regime covered up this by bringing the all known development agreement with both North and South Sudan. The people in Gonder and Gambella are revolting against the deal made behind their back and currently our people are facing both Sudan and TPLF militias.
When i write this piece I heard Lidetu Ayalew, a leader of EDP, on VOA Amharic that preparation is now final to start debates live and taped on major issues. Let me make it clear for real opponents of of TPLF, if they are not debating the illegal action of TPLF to hand over our land to Sudan as a number one national issue and call their supporters to condemn such illegal action they will be held accountable.
The signers of the Code of Conduct should not be silenced to raise this land issue. If indeed they do not debate such issue and is untouchable then this will be the Code of Surrender. TPLF will claim that there is no such land given to Sudan but Meles Zenawi himself did not deny his regime intention to reward the "generous" people of Sudan.
Those who did not sign to the Code of Conduct but are participating in the coming election can not avoid such issue either because some of them as members of TPLF parliament failed to denounce TPLF for its illegal action by avoiding the parliament to give away Ethiopian land to Sudan.
Let the debate start and bring the number one issue of our land given to Sudan for public.We know that all land that was handed to Sudan will be part of the newly formed North and South Sudan, and the beginning of new war with Ethiopian armed oppositions. South Sudanese should not start a war with their brothers and sisters as a result of the illegal land transfer made by TPLF. Such war which might be delayed because of TPLF is going to be ignited if Ethiopia has a democratic government.
North Sudan will continue to displace Ethiopians with the help of TPLF and the armed oppositions will act to defeat this illegal action. We should help all the patriots who are battling in defense of our western territory. This is our holy war to keep our holy land Ethiopian. If opponents failed to debate this issue and rally their supporters not to vote for TPLF that is selling our land to Sudan then they will lose any credibility in the eyes of Ethiopians.
We are now hearing from Khartoum that the ruling regime will accept the referendum in January 2011 to be held at South Sudan. Many are predicting that Sudan will split in to North Arabs and South non Arabs. The Libyan dictator Mohamed Qaddafi on last week statement in Addis was also suggesting that independent South Sudan will be like Somalia. However, he did not prescribe such outcome for his North Arab friends.
Qaddafi's prediction of another Somalia in South Sudan is a possibility as long as the Beshir regime is still on power following the national election this spring. Oil reach North Sudan can arm factions in the South to make sure that South Sudan will indeed be another Somalia.
There is another destabilizing factor also for united or divided Sudan, the TPLF regime factor, giving away huge land which is about 1000km with an average width of 30km land on Ethiopia's western front to the newly two Sudan. TPLF might finalize this deal after it extends its rule over Ethiopia on the coming May election so far which looks like a coronation than election.
If we have a free media the issue of land given to Sudan would have been a number one election issue to rally Ethiopians against giving our land to Sudan. We have only less than four months, there is no debate in any platform on any issue let alone a huge issue of land for which Ethiopians will give much priority than any other issue.
Both North and South Sudan are a beneficiary of such undemocratic atmosphere in Ethiopia. For them the issue of land awarded should proceed quietly without involving the public and both of them wanted the Meles regime to stay on power to implement the deal they have made behind our back.
Moreover, the division in the diaspora oppositions following the decision of AEUP to sign the Code of Conduct and the joining of Seye Abraha, the UDJP party at a leadership position, have put the major national issue of land on back burner and valuable time is wasted.
This is a good time for both North and South Sudan to consolidate a big land/bonus given away to them for newly to be formed independent North and South Sudan, make a new map at Ethiopia's expense. However, this is not going to stand because Ethiopians both in North/Gonder and South/Gambella will fight for their land against the newly formed Sudan no matter what.
Sudan, both and North, surely will be another Eritrea that opened war against Yemen, Ethiopia and recently Djibouti to get its "lost territory". The two newly formed Sudan's war however is different in a sense the ruling regime in Ethiopia is part of the problem when it comes to Ethiopia's national interest. It stands with Sudan by giving away of our land using the defunct colonial map.
The TPLF regime which awarded Badme by bringing such defunct colonial treaties after the conclusion of the Badme war more than decade ago however failed to give Badme to Asmara after the international arbitrators gave Badme to Eritrea. The so called "Five Principles" by TPLF to normalize relation with Eritrea before it handed Badme was rejected by Asmara and we are now in a situation when any day and time another devastating war will break out in north.
When it comes to our western boundary there was no condition but total sell out of our land to Sudan. Ethiopians protested in the diaspora when the secret of the deal came out open few years ago and the regime covered up this by bringing the all known development agreement with both North and South Sudan. The people in Gonder and Gambella are revolting against the deal made behind their back and currently our people are facing both Sudan and TPLF militias.
When i write this piece I heard Lidetu Ayalew, a leader of EDP, on VOA Amharic that preparation is now final to start debates live and taped on major issues. Let me make it clear for real opponents of of TPLF, if they are not debating the illegal action of TPLF to hand over our land to Sudan as a number one national issue and call their supporters to condemn such illegal action they will be held accountable.
The signers of the Code of Conduct should not be silenced to raise this land issue. If indeed they do not debate such issue and is untouchable then this will be the Code of Surrender. TPLF will claim that there is no such land given to Sudan but Meles Zenawi himself did not deny his regime intention to reward the "generous" people of Sudan.
Those who did not sign to the Code of Conduct but are participating in the coming election can not avoid such issue either because some of them as members of TPLF parliament failed to denounce TPLF for its illegal action by avoiding the parliament to give away Ethiopian land to Sudan.
Let the debate start and bring the number one issue of our land given to Sudan for public.We know that all land that was handed to Sudan will be part of the newly formed North and South Sudan, and the beginning of new war with Ethiopian armed oppositions. South Sudanese should not start a war with their brothers and sisters as a result of the illegal land transfer made by TPLF. Such war which might be delayed because of TPLF is going to be ignited if Ethiopia has a democratic government.
North Sudan will continue to displace Ethiopians with the help of TPLF and the armed oppositions will act to defeat this illegal action. We should help all the patriots who are battling in defense of our western territory. This is our holy war to keep our holy land Ethiopian. If opponents failed to debate this issue and rally their supporters not to vote for TPLF that is selling our land to Sudan then they will lose any credibility in the eyes of Ethiopians.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Meles Zenawi in the eyes of African leaders ?
Tedla Asfaw
I saw sixteen minutes of praise of Meles Zenawi by some African leaders on pro TPLF web site Aiga this morning, I was not surprised. You invite someone in your home and ask him or her how am I doing, no one says negative things about you. The real stuff is said during lunch or coffee break while no one is around.
Moreover, this praise of our leaders is not new. I still remember "Janhoye Ye Africa Abate, Talaku Mere " on his 80th birthday celebration. What did Africa do to him when he was murdered ? I can assure you that Meles Zenawi never condemned the murder of King Haile Selassie, many African leaders had good time with the killer Mengistu Halilemariam back then too.
Let me tell you my experience with other African students. Most of them were Mengistu's admirers and accuse Ethiopians for rebelling against him because he was "too dark for you". Praise and hate by outsiders is not a new phenomenon and what matters is a leader to be loved by his people.
I can assure you that if you made a survey in Ethiopia you will find that Meles Zenawi is the most unpopular person. The African leaders praising the development of Addis on Ethiopian TV are whispering about beggars and street children off the camera. What matters for our people, hidden or ignored by our African guests, is the lives of many Addis Ababeans without food, water, sanitation and power suffering in their shacks.
Ethiopians are waiting for a leader, elected, accountable and loved. I hope they will vote for such leader as they did in May 2005 and were denied in four month time if there is is a free and a fair election, the peoples right to assemble in public places and media are open right now without any delay.
I saw sixteen minutes of praise of Meles Zenawi by some African leaders on pro TPLF web site Aiga this morning, I was not surprised. You invite someone in your home and ask him or her how am I doing, no one says negative things about you. The real stuff is said during lunch or coffee break while no one is around.
Moreover, this praise of our leaders is not new. I still remember "Janhoye Ye Africa Abate, Talaku Mere " on his 80th birthday celebration. What did Africa do to him when he was murdered ? I can assure you that Meles Zenawi never condemned the murder of King Haile Selassie, many African leaders had good time with the killer Mengistu Halilemariam back then too.
Let me tell you my experience with other African students. Most of them were Mengistu's admirers and accuse Ethiopians for rebelling against him because he was "too dark for you". Praise and hate by outsiders is not a new phenomenon and what matters is a leader to be loved by his people.
I can assure you that if you made a survey in Ethiopia you will find that Meles Zenawi is the most unpopular person. The African leaders praising the development of Addis on Ethiopian TV are whispering about beggars and street children off the camera. What matters for our people, hidden or ignored by our African guests, is the lives of many Addis Ababeans without food, water, sanitation and power suffering in their shacks.
Ethiopians are waiting for a leader, elected, accountable and loved. I hope they will vote for such leader as they did in May 2005 and were denied in four month time if there is is a free and a fair election, the peoples right to assemble in public places and media are open right now without any delay.
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