The truth and the naked truth only!

http://www.truth-out.org/global-land-grab/1314366194?table=supporter&organization_KEY=6694&redirect=http%3A%2F%2Forg2.democracyinaction.org%2F&Email=Fikirgetachew%40gmail.com

http://www.livemint.com/2011/09/04215254/Investments-in-Ethiopia-farmin.html?atype=tp

The Paradox of Aid in Ethiopia

Whether Ethiopia has benefited from foreign aid in any virtuous way is a subject of ongoing debate. Of course somebody must be benefiting from those billion dollars poured by donors (Mind you Ethiopia receives more than $3 billion aid each year. The USA is being the largest bilateral donor and it gave $932m in aid in 2010). The question remains who might that invisible recipient be? Where do these billions end up?  Where is that black hole?

Call it cynicism, but surely the lives of ordinary people of Ethiopians have been the same with or with out the aid. The aid instead nurtures our “lords”. Lords we can’t afford to feed but smart enough to feed themselves from the pie they secure on our behalf.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/9556288.stm

http://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/2011/08/04/eu-failed-to-act-on-ambassadors-reports-of-disappearances-and-election-intimidation/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ethiopia/8681975/Britain-and-EU-increase-aid-to-Ethiopia-while-ignoring-human-rights-warnings.html

Ethiopian fascination with the Arab Spring

Few weeks ago, a close friend of mine and myself were discussing this issue. I remember Ug voiced his concern on the naive move to replicate the Jasmine Revolution. Of course it is a legitimate concern. The socio-economic realm in current Ethiopia is different. Socially, we have some diverging interests and un-settlled arrearages. Besides Meles has given us a huge homework. I can keep on listing and listing. However, despite the gloomy look, there is a bright side of the reality. Wo wo I gotta stop my rhetoric here and invite you to read an impressive analysis by a great Ethiopian scholar.  Dr. Aklog's article is a nice piece for thought, for us! 
Part I- http://ethiomedia.com/andnen/2744.html 
Part II- http://www.aljazeera.net/mritems/streams/2011/7/19/1_1074931_1_51.pdf

A Daunting Task of re building the nation awaits the new Ethiopian Generation!

Well, It is not an easy job. But trust me it is not an impossible thing too. In fact we, the current generation, are lucky to be called for this task. To me it is an opportunity to prove that we are capable of rebuilding Ethiopia back to where "she" was and deserve to be. Hence allow me to   quote Madiba,"sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation".

http://ecadforum.com/articles/2011/07/21/a-daunting-task-of-re-building-the-nation-awaits-the-new-ethiopian-generation/

"We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately"?

Yes this is the kind of talk we need and we deserve. Come together, know each other and stand together!

http://www.ethiomedia.com/andnen/2685.html

More piece on ‘LAND GRAB’, this time by Wiki!

http://danielberhane.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/us-diplomats-on-land-grab-ethiopia-leaked-cable-us-embassy-addis-ababa/

Ogadens-my thoughts and prayers are with you!

It is utterly pathetic that those called themselves "champions of Human rights" remain deaf and blind on Ogaden. It is just a matter of time, Meles will definitively harvest for what he is sowing. Till then we will fight the evil together. Oromos, Somalis, Sidamas, Gambellas, Amharas. Tigrians... we are all victims of this brutal thug turn by turn. Time to stand together! 

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this moment of tragedy! I am tearful.

http://frankbeuken.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/the-genocide-of-ogaden/#comment-79

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgYvSwqtF9c

Ethiopian journalist illegally detained

http://www.cpj.org/2011/06/ethiopian-journalist-illegally-detained-since-sund.php

The Betrayed, The Neglected

 I believe the manacles of African people stem from two sources. First of all the continent is betrayed by its own elites (rulers and privileged ones) and then neglected by the western world. Like the legendary Ethiopian Christmas bread (Yegenna dabo) its unrelenting fire burns from above and below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JQYH5TgtMk&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GXwt28Tkmc&feature=share

Outsourcing won't be the craziest Idea

My close pal asked why and  how dictators like Meles totally lost their sense for "SHAME"."SHAME”? The notion doesn't even exist in the world of woyane. Decency only applies to the average reasonable human beings with normal conscious. Dictators and thugs are far removed from that frame. Woyane and other gangs of Africa assumed power through direct or indirect blood-shed. The return path known to them is the same route they took to ascend to the power.

Sometimes I dare to ask myself if it is better to resource out the executive power, in the same manner as clubs bid for the best coach. I guess you guys remember Garziato, he did a wonderful job for our football. Why not? It won’t be the craziest idea. After all we are under “enemy rule” anyway as Aba Geda Guyo depicted in his tear-jerking letter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ue1Kr2Bjko

Where are we?

The beef of Ayittey’s “law” of African dictatorship can be sum up as:


                       That African dictators manifest (he calls it common traits)

1)       Denial of reality, 2) narcissism and 3) paranoia (fear)


That they can be either eliminated or purged through thoroughly organized revolt (they cannot be defeated through “rah-rah street demonstrations alone


That the GPS/blue print requires three things: 

•     Establishment of a working coalition to organize and coordinate the activities of the various opposition groups
•     Implimenting ruthless SWOT analysis i.e. getting the dictators, modus operandi right
•     Getting the sequence of reform correct. 

The One million$ question remains, Where are we?


 For the full synopsis go to professor Almariam’s blog at http://open.salon.com/blog/almariam/2011/06/12/george_ayitteys_war_on_african_dictatorships

George Ayittey’s War on African Dictatorships

He is so true..."Africans will tell you, we remove one cockroach and the next rat comes to do the same exact thing".

Ghana : George Ayittey’s War on African Dictatorships

Land deals in Africa: What is in the contracts? - IIED Publications Database

Of course every land "lease" can not equate land grabbing. I guess the "how" should be considered as a parameter, how much land and how much money?... you think i'm being sarcastic? i'm being honest in a sarcastic fashion.In any case read this insightful piece by Lorenzo Cotula.

12568IIED: Land deals in Africa: What is in the contracts? - IIED Publications Database

Indian investors misled or collaborators in crime against Ethiopians? | Ethiopia

Indian investors misled or collaborators in crime against Ethiopians? | Ethiopia

The worst internet countries on Earth | memeburn

Well done, time to congratulate you Mr.Prime Minster!

The worst internet countries on Earth | memeburn

Grassroots Protests Against Chinese Dams in Africa | International Rivers

Grassroots Protests Against Chinese Dams in Africa | International Rivers

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY

THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY

Cruel Ethiopia

A very insightful and critical piece by Helen Epstein, a bit lofty though. Still echoes the western media stereotype that portrays the nation that starves 24/7/365. As an Ethiopian you will be challenged with this stereotype. This happens a lot when you meet people in the west even in class room in my case. My response is usually bold, never down play the fact but share the other side of my country.

I believe the author rightly pinpointed the foremost issue. I believe one possible reason for Ethiopia’s aid dilemma is the disillusioned “we can fix it for you” approach by the donors and government. I believe the recipients have not been considered as partners yet.

Just to borrow the author's own description of this predicament “… both the Ethiopian Government and its donors see the people of this country not as individuals with distinct needs, talents, and rights but as an undifferentiated mass, to be mobilized, decentralized, vaccinated, given primary education and pit latrines…”

 http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/may/13/cruel-ethiopia/?page=1

The Unconquered Nation, Crippled By Bureaucrats

The Unconquered Nation, Crippled By Bureaucrats

Mobs of the millennium and the Renaissance Dam « Ethiopia: A voice for the voiceless

I am more troubled by the acts of the accomplices who aided the dictators steal from their own people. Mind you, almost all the money is channeled to western banks who brag themselves as champions of democratic values. For me such reports serve no purpose other than adding insults to the misery of the oppressed people. It is such a shame that those who courted the bad guys got the courage to tell us how deep we were hurt. I would rather be impressed if they show a bit of audacity to take responsibility for their own contribution. Only then would their rhetoric for good governance and rule of law be more than platitudes.

Mobs of the millennium and the Renaissance Dam « Ethiopia: A voice for the voiceless

A day of hope

While Meles is getting ready for extravaganza to celebrate his 20th jubilee on the power, Ethiopians have a different plan for the day. We are getting ourselves to end his brutality. His predecessors ended up in the same way and he hasn’t yet learned the lesson. In Addis and other major cities everyone is compelled to attend the Ginbot 20 celebration/ cursed is that day, the day that introduced the thugs to the blessed land/.

Well I tend to guard myself from unwarranted naivety. I believe Ethiopians need to get more organized and come closer to face the great deceiver. Oppositions should employ a ruthless tactic. Most of all the spirit of the revolution should reach the farmer and the pastoralist. I believe the youth is the fountainhead of the movement but the farmer and the pastoralist community should sustain the belligerent role. In my opinion it is time to start, it might take longer but we need to start.

After all “… everything great that has ever happened to ... has begun with a single thought in someone's mind.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/27/ethiopia-day-of-rage-protest

http://www.opendemocracy.net/ren%C3%A9-lefort/beka-enough-will-ethiopia-be-next

Human rights violations along ethnic and racial lines

Ethiopia is claimed to be a nation with three thousand years of statehood and history. It survived relentless attacks and even the atrocious colonial plot. Unfortunately no one anticipated that the nation's worst enemy would come from inside. The deadliest assault against Ethiopia has been projected by its own rulers. Though it is not easy to compare rulers among the spectrum, it is not as such difficult to agree on the worst one.

Just check out the Human rights record as analyzed by a foreign scholar. In fact one shouldn’t be a genius to spot this atrocity but you will be surprised how deep and systematic the evil is.

UN: Conflict Prevention--Warning Signs of Collective Violence in Ethiopia

This is a must read for anybody claiming a stake with that nation.I can't agree more.I hope to come with my reaction. For time being enjoy facing the naked truth.
http://oromopress.blogspot.com/2011/05/un-conflict-prevention-warning-signs-of.html

Planet for Sale

http://farmlandgrab.org/post/view/18542

http://farmlandgrab.org/post/view/18542

YOUR FREEDOM SOFTWARE

For all members living inside Ethiopia:
It is more than obvious that TPLF regime would block access to everything including water and electric power,let alone access to face book and other pro-democracy websites,when it feels threatened by the unity of the Ethiopian people .
Here is a very simple solution to access the Internet freely unless and otherwise all the servers in Ethiopia (owned by TPLF itself) are down.

1. Use ultrasurf, a very good and small size software that doesnt even need installation.Website http://www.ultrareach.com/download/u.zip ,it is safe and anonymous (your IP address will be as if you live in USA)

2.Use vidalia bundle from the TOR project ( a variety of versions suitable for any user). Website https://www.torproject.org/download/download.html.en

3.Use Your Freedom software (you need to create account and use the free version). Website http://www.your-freedom.net/index.php?id=downloads

The instructions (Usage procedures) are very simple and if you have any difficulties post your questions here before TPLF blocks all the connectivity.

In all of the above three ways NO ONE can prohibit you to use the INTERNET freely.
Every one pass the information to all your brothers and sisters in Ethiopia.Call if necessary. Information is Power!!!

Long live Ethiopia!!!
Down with TPLF!!!
Dignity and prosper for all Ethiopians!!!

http://www.ultrareach.com/download/u.zip

www.ultrareach.com

The 10 Tools of Online Oppressors

http://cpj.org/reports/2011/05/the-10-tools-of-online-oppressors.php

Different worlds

These are Dorze hats from Southern Ethiopia.Dorzes are  famous for their cotton woven cloths and beehive huts.The hats are displayed on sticks  in the green field awaiting for buyers.One of them landed on my head a year ago.

Their US counterparts as displayed in Nola by the famous Souther hatter- Mayer the Hatter.

An Ode to the tree man

ባማላኩ ጨክኖ

“ስቅሎ ስቅሎ” ብሎ እንዳላሰቀለ

አይ ሰው ወበከንቱ

ለመሰሉ ቢሆን

አውርደው፡ አውርደው ወጣ  ካንደበቱ፤፤

አጃኢብ ነው’ኮ አጀብ የሰው ነገር

ላያወርድ ሲሰቅል ላይሰቅል ሲያወርድ

ፈጣሪው ሰቅሎ  ፍጡሩን ሲማለድ

ሊፈጸም ካልሆነ

ስቀለው አይሰቅል ና ውረድ አያወርድ፤፤

መጀመሪያ ነበረ ‘ሚሰቅሉትን  መለየት

ወይ ደግሞ

አሳጥሮ መስቀል

ካልሆነ ካልሆነ

መስቀያውን መቁረጥ፤፤

http://www.ethiotube.net/video/10231/Amazing-News--An-Ethiopian-man-living-on-a-tree-branch-refuses-to-come-down

    ኒዎርሊንስ-ሚያዝያ 2011 እ.ኤ. አ

How adversity pursues the wrong-doer!

Surely it is not a new revelation, the belief that those who take the sword will perish by the sword is as old as life itself. The conviction is deeply entrenched in almost all major front-line religious and moral philosophies. From Christianity to Islam form....

(More to come on this content....)