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Interview with Eritrean Fashion Designer and Model, Marta Habtemariam

August 4, 2016, 6:32 am
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Eritrean fashion designer and model, Marta Habetemariam (Credit: Marta H.)



By Asmait Futsumbrhan

Marta Habetemariam is a lady fashionista inspiring youngsters to follow dreams and desires. She was born in 1993 in Asmara and graduated in Accounting at SMAP institution in 2013. She is one of the youngest and auspicious designers and models in the country who are making success in the fashion industry.

Inspirations to be a designer…….

Designing is something that has always been inside me. It evolved with me. From my childhood, I always wanted to be a designer and a model. I used to follow fashion shows and magazines, my passion gradually grew up since, because I used to re-design my clothes. Afterwards, in 8th grade, I and other students were able to achieve some awards as a result of some contests, and we were offered free courses on music, drama, fashion designing etc. I surely can tell that opportunity was one of the few that initiated my passion to put my dreams into reality. It really was a great motivation for me. Later on, when I joined high School, I took designing classes at Merhaba Designing School for a couple of years, which I would like to dub as page one of my career.

About fashion shows and modeling…

Fashion show is a way of introducing recent designs of clothes to people through models. But, not only new trends, but a country’s culture can be introduced to others through fashion shows since it has become one of world’s famous activities these days. As such, modeling being part of the fashion world, it has its own guidelines. Models should own a height of minimum 1.70 meters and good appearance. Fashion shows and models always go side by side.

Fashion shows in Eritrea…

Well, I would say it is only starting to get better. I mean, fashion shows started a long time ago in Eritrea. But I really don’t think it was at its best. In contrast, these days, there are a lot of designing schools and people are more into the field. As a result, competition is getting intense among designers. And of course, if there is competition, then comes perfection. I feel like it is going well and I am certain it is going to be more flourishing in the future if we all work hard.

How many Fashion shows so far….

Marta Habtemariam
I have presented eight fashion shows of my own designs, and numerous fashion shows that I was just modeling for. For insistence I have participated at Shenen Show in 2012, Ferida show in 2013. Then again in Anseba region for the Youth Festival in 2015, I presented a show. But the first work I have ever done was at SMAP for our graduation in 2012. it was something special. I designed the clothes for our graduation party, and it was a great opportunity for me to introduce myself and my work to people. Since then, I had fashion shows almost every holiday at different places.

 Model or Designer?

I am both; but I would like to refer myself as a Designer.

About acting...

I don’t force myself to be a good one, it’s just something I do when I have the opportunity and time. Though it is not much, I acted in three different movies and one more, yet to be released. I believe it is benefitting to explore other professions as well, I like it, but it requires massive dedication and time, which I would prefer to give to designing.

Any awards…..

In 2012, I obtained the title of “Miss SMAP” in May, the same year, I was the winner of ‘Designer and Model’. Later on, in 2013, there was designers’ National competition and I was one of the prize winners, in 2016, I won 2nd place at the youth festival in Sawa representing the southern region.

Can you tell us how the festival was?

Actually, it was a unique experience for me, because instead of representing my home region, I represented another one. But I did that purposely.

How so?

I believed it would be a great opportunity for me to meet new people and explore the culture in many depths. Generally, the festival showed the unity of the people and it was amazingly organized. Everyone enjoyed it, my self-included.

Why southern region?

 Like I said, I wanted to be part of other regions: their tradition, uses and costumes. It is something that I considered for a long time and when the chance came up I took it. Although I had the plans to represent Central region at “Miss Eyobel”, for different reasons, that programs couldn’t happen. After that, the Southern region administration asked me to represent them at the youth festival. I was really excited. In fact, I would like to thank them for the good hospitability and all the help they have given me to present a good show. 

What did you do exactly?

I had to prepare traditional and modern styles of Tigrigna and Saho ethic groups. I did the married woman’s traditional style for the Tigrigna ethnic group and unmarried girl’s way of dressing for Saho. Not only did I try to describe the clothing but I also worked to represent their daily traditions.

Traditional or modern?

Honestly, I use modern styles for personal styling. What differentiates my technique is the fact that I commonly use traditional fabrics even for modern couture. … I feel proud in introducing our culture with the world.

Outside of local market 

I have worked with different embassies and I think it is a great opportunity for me to meet different international companies or individuals.

My first experience of the sort was with South African embassy; they introduced me to a famous and talented South African designer Nadia Meer. She works for different international magazines. Together, we did a group fashion show along with other different Eritrean designers and we called it ‘EriSa’ fashion show. It was very successful!

Other than that, I have worked with the Embassy of Turky and I am modeling member of the Chinese embassy.

You travel a lot… 

Yes I do, because I look for inspiration in the traditions of Eritrean ethnic groups, hence, I have been almost to every part of the country except for Assab. But I will go there soon!

Which one was your favorite?

Seriously, I can’t even begin to describe. Just on my way back from Sawa, I have seen so many things in just a few hours. Basically, I have passed by almost all the regions. I love the climate and the nature that it holds. I have enjoyed travelling around Eritrea since a young age; I adore the mountains, the weather and the roads.

Future plans… 

 I want to work hard and present new trends. Also, I now have a website with very extensive purposes. The website is going to be a big assistance for me to advertise my products and online shopping for people who want to buy my products. Similarly, with the collaboration of Galaxy training center and NUEYS, I am going to give makeup classes in Dekemhare: and for my good luck, more than 35 students have already registered for classes and we are going to start on the 15th of this month. The classes will include beauty treatments, makeup application and skin in general.

Last words….

If you ever think you have potential for anything, if you want to be someone, don’t wait for another minute and start doing it now, only you know what you want and can do. So, I would like to remind young people that it’s up to you to achieve your dreams and goals. Just keep working hard and you can be what you dream to be. At the end I would like to thank my parents and family for all the support they extended. 


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Ethiopia: TPLF regime forces shot and killed 7 protesters, Gondar turned into a war zone

August 6, 2016, 12:00 am
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TPLF regime forces are reportedly shooting and shelling Gonder protesters. 



At least seven people were shot and killed by regime security forces as protests flared up again in Gondar on Friday. Among the dead include two women and a teenager.

In Azezo, Gondar, the 24th division of the army had exchanged fire with armed farmers, although the extent of casualties is not yet known. ESAT’s sources say the army was firing heavy artillery at the farmers. Gunshots could be heard all day in Gondar and Azezo.

Residents of Gondar staged a protest demonstration at the city’s court where the leader of a movement, Col. Demeke Zewdu was expected to be arraigned. A resident who spoke to ESAT on the phone said the people, having heard that the Colonel would be arraigned at the court, flocked at the premises of the court in thousands calling for his release and denouncing the regime.

The protesters at the court took down the flag with the pentagram, which they love to loathe very much and replace it with the original green, yellow and red, as a sign of rejection to the tyrannical rule and its divisive policies. Protesters also replaced flags in Piassa, downtown Gondar.

Businesses affiliated with the regime and the office of the local administration (Kebele 18) were set ablaze by the protesters.

Meanwhile organizers said the weekend protests in the entire Oromo region as well as Debre Tabor and Bahir Dar in the Amhara region will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Banners, slogans and flags have been prepared for the rally which the government said was illegal.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and regional officials vowed to crackdown on protesters. Protesters in Gondar called the Premier a puppet with no real power.

Internet and Social media were blocked in Gondar, Addis Ababa and Adama and telephone networks were mostly disrupted.

The Embassy of the United States in Addis Ababa issued an advisory to its citizens to stay away from areas where protests would be held.

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[Video] Team Eritrea at Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony

August 6, 2016, 1:15 am
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Audio in French


Video with English Audio:





The 2016 Olympic Games have officially kicked-off after Friday's Opening Ceremony held inside inside  Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Eritrea was among the 200 countries that were walking the floor during the Parade of Nations  - a colorful celebration featuring athletes from around the world proudly representing their home nations..

Coach Yonas Zekarias ( Halabay) had the honor of being Eritrea's flag bearer at during the Parade of Nations.

This is Eritrea's 5th Olympic participation, with Zeresenay Tadesse winning the nation's first and only Medal at the 2004 Olympic games in Athens.

List of Eritrean athletes participating at the Olympics:

Daniel Teklehaimanot - Cycling - Road
Zersenay Tadese - Track & Field
Ghirmay Ghebreslassie  - Track & Field
Abrar Osman Adem - Track & Field
Nebiat Habtemariam - Track & Field
Nguse Tesfaldet - Track & Field
Amanuel Mesel - Track & Field
Goitom Kifle - Track & Field
Tewelde Estifanos - Track & Field
Hiskel Tewelde - Track & Field
Yemane Haileselassie - Track & Field
Tsegay Tuemay - Track & Field


Best wishes to all our Athletes!

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[Video] AlJazeera report on the massive anti-TPLF demonstrations throughout Ethiopia

August 7, 2016, 12:00 am
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Six people have been reported killed in the country’s Gondar region, and dozens detained during a rally in Addis Ababa.

At least six people have been reported killed over two days of protests in Ethiopia while dozens were arrested in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Sources told Al Jazeera that four people were reported killed on Saturday in the northern Gondar region, in addition to two people killed in the area on Friday. Located 700km north of Addis Ababa, Gondar is a region dominated by the ethnic Amharas.

Ethiopian authorities would not confirm the death toll.

The reported deaths come as dozens of ethnic Oromo protesters were arrested in Addis Ababa on Saturday.

At least 500 Oromo people – protesting against alleged economic inequality and discrimination – gathered amid a heavy police presence on the capital’s main Meskel Square.

The protesters, who shouted slogans such as “we want our freedom” and “free our political prisoners”, were dispersed by police using batons. Dozens were arrested.

A Reuters news agency video of the confrontation showed unarmed protesters being beaten and kicked by police officers, as protesters ran to evade arrest.

Prime Minister Haile Mariam Dessalegn on Friday announced a ban on demonstrations, which “threaten national unity” and called on police to use all means at their disposal to prevent them.

The rally was organised by opposition groups from the Oromo, Ethiopia’s biggest ethnic group, who have held protests for months against what they say is government discrimination. They have been joined recently by ethnic Amharas, and protests have been reported in other parts of the country.

The Oromo and Amhara together make up some 80 percent of Ethiopia’s population and claim they suffer discrimination in favour of ethnic Tigrayans, who they say occupy the key jobs in the government and security forces.

Ethiopian authorities told the AFP news agency that at least a dozen people have been killed in clashes with police over territorial disputes in recent weeks.

Local people told AFP there had been rallies and clashes with police in the city of Ambo and Nemekte, in the Oromo region, as well as a calls for protests in Baher Dar in the Amhara region.
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Militias in Gondar take over a TPLF military camp

August 7, 2016, 12:01 am
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Photo: Ginbot 7 rebels


By ESAT

A resident of the town told ESAT on the phone that farmers in Azezo who engaged regime soldiers in a gun battle all day on Saturday took over the military camp in the town. ESAT could not independently verify the claim and it is not clear which side controls the town of Azezo.

Heavy fighting has been reported in Koladiba, 35 kilometers form the town of Gondar, where protesters took control of a military depot. A source told ESAT that farmers run over the army in a fierce gun fight. Offices and vehicles belonging to the ruling EPRDF were set on fire.

In Aimba, two killed in a gun battle with soldiers as the farmers ambushed a convoy of soldiers heading to Gondar.

As night falls in Ethiopia and with the internet cut by the regime, it was hard to obtain information as to the extent of casualties in today’s fighting between the people of Gondar and regime forces.

ESAT will post updates as they come.

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US and EU: An accomplice to TPLF Genocide in Ethiopia.

August 7, 2016, 12:02 am
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Obama administration meeting with TPLF oligarchs in Washington, D.C.


US and EU: An accomplice to TPLF Genocide in Ethiopia.

By Abel Kebedom 

By now it must be clear to every Ethiopian that the western media is neither free nor impartial. Everything it does is intertwined with the western interest. If the news does not serve the western interest, thousands of people could disappear without the world population hearing a single word about their demise. Conversely, if the news serves the western interest, even the death of one person could be a big deal. Although both countries are in the same region, compared to the news coverage given to the popular uprising in Egypt, you could say the western media coverage of the current TPLF minority regime genocide of the Amhara and Oromo people in Ethiopia is nothing. This is mainly because the western TV networks need a green light from their governments to report the news. No green light means no coverage. That explains the deafening silence of CNN and other big TV networks on the genocide the TPLF minority regime has unleashed on the innocent Amhara and Oromo people in Ethiopia.

Imagine if this were in Eritrea, The Martine Plaut’s, The Leonard Vincent’s, The Dan conell’s, and others could have made a big noise out of it. In fact, the monitoring group’s and the Keetharuth’s could have even pushed it to the security council and made even a bigger news out of it. But when it comes to Ethiopia you do not hear them saying even a single word. The reason is they do not have the green light from their financial backers to talk about it. If you incentivized people to act in a certain way, they will act the way you want them to act. Hence the so called human right advocates, UN agencies and News stations are incentivized to protect western interests. That is why so many people have a reasonable suspicion about the mission of these institutions and are often tend to reject it.

Currently the Oromo and Amhara people, all over Ethiopia, are voicing their opposition to the TPLF, Tigray minority looters, who happen to control the current government in Ethiopia. The opposition by the Amhara and Oromo people to the TPLF minority rule in Ethiopia is important for so many reasons:

1. It is an opposition to a minority by a majority.

The Amhara’s and Oromo’s, who make 80% of the population of Ethiopia, are opposing the TPLF minority regime that makes less than one percent of the 6% Tigray population. If the western media daily preaching for democracy, rule by the majority and human right was really from the heart, then the current majority voice in Ethiopia could have mattered and gotten a wide coverage. Again when it comes to Ethiopia, it is easy to learn that western interest comes before human rights and democracy. TPLF is an anchor messenger of the western world in the horn of Africa. Hence for the western world it is better to support the messenger that makes less than 1% of the people of Ethiopia than the will of the 80% Ethiopians. That is how the western system works.

2. It is an opposition to Economic injustice.

Although the TPLF minority regime in Ethiopia makes less than one percent of the 6% Tigreans, it controls almost 90% of the Ethiopian economy. It placed its supporters who are mainly Tigreans in Federal government positions, established parastatal institutions that run the economy, and takes fertile land from the Amhara’s and Oromo’s to settle minority Tigreans in Addis Ababa, Wolakite-zegede and Wollo. There is no better Testament to TPLF tribalism than the recent revelations that the employees of the office of the late prime minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi, who hails from Tigray, were all Tigreans. To continue resettling Tigreans in other regions in Ethiopia TPLF continues to place vibrant cities in Ethiopia under the federal government. A city Under federal government of Ethiopia means under the control of Tigreans because the federal government is controlled by Tigreans. While the Oromo’s are fighting Tigrean expansion and settlement in Addis Ababa, the Amhara’s are fighting the looting and annexation of their fertile land of Wolkaite-Zegede by Tigray state, which is the foot hold of TPLF.

3. It is an opposition to TPLF hidden agenda.

Everyone knows that TPLF is preparing its foothold Tigray state for future independent country. If that was not the case, there is no reason for TPLF to take land from Wollo, Gonder and Eritrea to create the greater Tigray. If TPLF believed in one Ethiopia, it would let every Ethiopian move all over Ethiopia freely to make an ends-meat. Borders should not have mattered at all. There is no reason to annex fertile land from neighboring states and give it to its foothold Tigray region. TPLF land grab is not limited to within Ethiopia. Due to TPLF’s false land claim from an independent country Eritrea, about 70,000 Ethiopian solders lost their life during the 1998-2000 border war. Later the Eritrean-Ethiopia border commission in The Hague ruled the flash point Badme belongs to Eritrea. TPLF’s continuous occupation of Badme, despite the border commission’s ruling, and repeated conflict with Eritrea explains TPLF’s determination to expand Tigray at any cost, off course cost paid by the people of Ethiopia.

4. It is an opposition to Tyranny.

It cannot be further from the Truth If I say the minority TPLF regime is an occupying Army in Ethiopia sponsored by the US and EU. The minority TPLF regime steals elections, and when the Ethiopian people mount an opposition to TPLF’s stealing voting ballots, it goes on a killing spree without any repercussions from its sponsors. In the year 2000, more than 200 Ethiopians, who opposed the TPLF’s vote stealing, were killed in execution style and more than 50,000 were arrested. As a revenge to ONLF’s attack on Chines’ gas exploration facilities in Ogden, TPLF carpet bombed the Ogden region and people fled to refugee camps in Kenya. Last year about 700 Oromo’s youth and women were killed because they opposed the confiscation of their land surrounding Addis Ababa for Tigrean resettlement in Addis Ababa. The killing in Gondar and other places continues even as you read this article. In return for all this atrocities TPLF is unleashing on the Ethiopian people, it is rewarded by a significant money from the US and the EU and a seat in the United security council.

5 It is an opposition to ethnic based politics, regionalism and TPLF divide and rule policy.

The fact that TPLF makes less than one percent of the 6% Tigreans, it had to cut and slice the Ethiopian people into ethnic groups and work hard to turn them against each other. That policy may have worked for the last 25 years. However recently the Ethiopian people realized the consequences of the wicked TPLF divide and rule policy and are coming together to challenge it. The unity among the Oromo’s, Amhara’s, Christians and Moslems witnessed recently is a big blow to the TPLF minority regime and may be the single most weapon that could help them to send the TPLF minority regime back to Tigray. The Ethiopian people understood that it is only when they unite they become strong.

In conclusion, the Ethiopian people should not expect the western media to cover their opposition to the TPLF minority regime unless the western world thinks TPLF rule in Ethiopia is coming to an end. Hence the mission of the current opposition in Ethiopia should be to show the western world that TPLF is not a feasible western partner anymore and they have to find a new one, that is the Ethiopian people.

Victory to the Masses.


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Moment of Truth for The People of Tigray

August 7, 2016, 1:14 pm
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Tigrayan supporters attending the 40th Anniversary of the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front (TPLF)- Mekelle (Ethiopia), 18 February 2015


Amanuel Biedemariam

Ethiopia is facing the most dangerous times in its history. The pressures are mounting by the second.

In a manner unheard or unseen anywhere, and in a manner uncharacteristic of world leadership that traditionally tries to quell fear while trying to send messages that express the presence of calm and stability during turbulent national times; the Prime Minister of Ethiopia Hailemariam Desalegn told the BBC that Ethiopia is sliding towards civil war.

Moreover, General Tsadkan Gebre Tensay top member of the ruling clique who once served as a Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Armed forces penned, “short of radical change of course for Ethiopia, or implosion of chaos,” will engulf Ethiopia.

The situation all over Ethiopia is dire and getting worse. On Friday, August 5, 2016 ESAT reported developments that showed the situation Gondar escalating to an all-out civil war. Ethiopian (TPLF) Agazi forces are shooting unarmed protestors. The pictures displayed are grotesque. Young men shot dead on the streets. Burning tires on the streets. Streets blocked with stones to stop vehicle movement etc... are indicators of what is to come next.

On August 6, 2016 demonstrations triggered violent reaction by government forces that lead to killings of unarmed civilians all over Ethiopia.

This is the reality in Ethiopia today and it is not unique to a specific region. The volatility is so dangerous that Ethiopians are looking to be armed in order to defend themselves from the wrath of the Agazi troops that are terrorizing the people.

The approach that the minority clique takes to quell the revolt is based on desperation, out of fear and extremely dangerous. The Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front is using brute force to stop the movement. And these violent responses have exacerbated the situation, hardened the resolve of the people and it is forcing Ethiopians to arm in self-defense.

Violence, coercion and propaganda will not and cannot solve issues of governance, inequality, regionalism that favor one-region over all others, forced-takeover of land, identity issues and countless grievances that people are resisting at the risk of their life. However, violence is TPLF’s only game to maintain its hold on power.

This is done with impunity because the ruling minority clique from Tigrai is the mercenary conduit for the West led by Washington. As mercenary army, the TPLF is eager and happy to impose its presence (current adventure is South Sudan), and go everywhere it is called upon.

That is the reason for the silence of Washington and others that tout human rights when they think it can suit their needs yet give blind eye to the real crimes against humanity being committed on the people of Ethiopia by the regime they fund.

This is truly a crisis situation unfolding. Yet, the supporters of the regime and particularly in the diaspora are failing to grasp the realities on the ground. They are in denial, in constant spin mode truly trying to mask the realities in the ground with falsities and misleading hubris-laced-propaganda on a daily basis.

Undeniable Facts

What is happening in Ethiopia today is a result of years of abuse by the minority Tigrayan ruling clique called Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) operating under the umbrella of the EPRDF.

-The leadership core is made up of Tigrayans that led the TPLF when the TPLF fought Mengistu Hailemariam’s forces to liberate the people of Tigray and ascended to power with the help of Eritrea in 1991.

-Since 1991, Ethiopia has been represented by Tigrayan leaders in all aspects of the nation’s governance. The economy, the military, political power, diplomatically and all other aspects of leadership is under the control of TPLF. Handful Tigrayans control the entire military apparatus be it the air force or the ground forces. The list of names in leadership in the Ethiopian armed forces has been detailed by many, countless times.

-In 1997-98, After the TPLF ignited war against Eritrea; the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forcefully deported Eritreans from Ethiopia en-mass and displaced over 80,000 Eritreans forcefully. The TPLF took over their properties while Ethiopians watched in horror.

-The war took the lives of tens of thousands of Ethiopians that were used as canon fodders by the TPLF. Countless Ethiopian soldiers from Oromia region and other places were the victims of the ill-conceived military strategy that led many to their early graves or left them maimed. Worse yet, their corpses and the families never received the honor they deserved.

-In Gambela, natives were forced out of their lands to clear space for agro-industrial multinational corporations and, when the people Gambela resisted it led to mass killings that forced Genocide Watch to alarm the world of the genocides the TPLF committed.

-The minority TPLF regime has committed waves of killings in many villages in the Ogaden. The TPLF has torched many villages and rendered a vast area of the Ogaden inhabitable. According to Genocide Watch, “Swedish Television’s Africa correspondent Johan Ripås presented video evidence that shows that whole villages have been emptied of inhabitants through executions and mass flight from terror.”

-Countless Killings in Oromia, brutal repression and Killing in the Amhara, Somali and all regions in Ethiopia; forced takeover of land in Oromia and Amhara regions is a fact of life that is playing out on a daily basis. -The TPLF has ignited unnecessary war against Eritrea that took the lives of over 20,000 Eritrean youth and countless atrocities in Somalia since December 2006. TPLF’s actions have made life for the people of the region extremely difficult.

-Countless Muslims dead and languishing in Ethiopian prisons for demonstrating against unwarranted interference on their religious affairs.

-In 2005, 2010 and 2015 the minority Tigrayan regime held sham elections and used it to reject true voice of the people. In 2005, countless innocent demonstrators that protested rigged election results were shot point blank by TPLF forces. Kinijit party won the election and instead of office the leaders of the party were sent to prison.

The atrocities and human rights violations are countless to detail. There are countless statements of rebuke by elected officials in the US, human rights organizations, international organizations, witnesses of the atrocities and testimonials of the victims.

Delusions of Grandeur

In reaction to the demonstrations taking place in Gondar, on July 14, 2016 the Tigraionline.com released editorial with a header, “A stern reminder to the Ethiopian Federal government,” that stated,
“We would like to remind the Ethiopian Federal government it has the responsibility of all its citizens no matter where they are. What we saw in Gonder this week is a massive failure by the federal and state security forces to detect and stop criminals before they caused so much damage to people and businesses.” Emphasis added.

It goes further and warns the Federal Government,

“The day the patience of the people of Tigrai runs out, they will take matters into their own hands and things will turn really ugly. That is what our enemies are wishing and salivating for. The terrorist groups have infiltrated the government from top to bottom and agitating people to take criminal actions. The despicable criminal acts in Gonder are not about democracy, it is not about identity, and it is not about justice, instead it is about greed for power.”

The mouth piece of the Tigray people’s Liberation Front Aigaforum.com and Tigraionline.com have been churning countless such diatribe for years while at the same time trying to paint rosy pictures of Ethiopia that denies the realities of the situation on the ground.

However, the statement above is revealing because it exposes how privileged and entitled they feel to the point of demanding protection for their businesses and properties from the federal government. According to Tigrai Online, Aiga and their supporters, the demonstrating are,

“Terrorist elements supported by Ethiopia’s arch enemies that try to manipulate normal minor problems in our society. Groups like Gim-7 motivated by personal gain will do what their masters order them to do including tearing apart the country if they can.”

How on earth can they feel that their properties and businesses are far more important than the rights of people rising up all over the country? How is it possible that they feel they can run their business as if the situation is normal when people are literally at war against the TPLF?

Aiga, Tigrai online and their supporters feel this way because they know that the federal government is theirs and as such they deserve special protection from those demonstrating for their rights.
This reveals that the pro-Aigaforum TPLF do not feel that they are a part of the Ethiopian people.

Moment of Truth for Tigray

The people of Ethiopia are fed up and they have decided to get rid of the minority apartheid regime of TPLF EPRDF. There is nothing anyone can do about it. It is now a matter of survival for the people of Ethiopia. It is a choice between life or death. The TPLF is a deadly force that aims to kill. As a result, it is a situation, either kill or get killed. That is the reality in Ethiopia today. Ethiopians have made a decision to stand after 25 years of butchery by a minority Tigrayan regime. And it is foolhardy to think that one can enjoy life as usual amidst the turmoil.

Aigaforum and Tigraionline have been misleading the people of Tigray with falsities and by raising Ethiopian flag when it suits them while pushing for Weyaniai-Tigray Agendas and Tigrayan patriotism in the background. They push Tigrayan and TPLF agendas in every post.

The article finishes with the warning,

“If some people think the TPLF or the people of Tigrai are weak it would be a deadly mistaken assumption with a horrible consequences. The people of Tigrai are stronger than ever and will defend themselves at any cost. If the federal government has made a decision which part of Ethiopia should be in what state, it should be enforced without any exception. If some people in Wolkayit don’t want to live in the State of Tigrai, they should move to wherever they feel comfortable not the other way around.”

Ethiopia is in danger of civil war. The kinds rhetoric stated above can only help escalate tension and lead to civil strife.

Where is the heart of the people of Tigray? At this critical juncture, is the heart of Tigray with the people of Ethiopia or, the TPLF? Are they for peace? Will they choose to believe that they can become an island of prosperity using force while surrounded by turmoil? Are the websites Aigaforum and Tigraionline the voices of the people of Tigray?

This is a moment of truth for Tigray and the clarion call for justice has sounded.

Awetnayu@hotmail.com

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Ethiopia: Dozens feared dead in Bahir Dar, hospitals flooded with the injured

August 8, 2016, 12:00 am
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Photo: Anti-TPLF Gondar protest


By ESAT

Residents of Bahir Dar who spoke to ESAT said at least twenty people were killed and dozens injured as security forces opened fired on protesters. ESAT is working to verify the number of casualties in Sunday’s protest demonstration in Bahir Dar.

Felege Hiwot, Gambi and other hospitals in Bahir Dar were flooded with people with gunshot wounds to the head and torso. The forces used heavy artillery to shoot at protesters, according to residents.

Telephone and internet services were cut by the regime in Bahir Dar and Gondar.

The peaceful protesters were met with Agazi forces who shot directly at the crowds. Residents say the Agazi forces do not speak their languages; while some are Tigrayan security forces and vigilante Tigrayans in military uniforms shooting at protesters. Residents said they saw tanks coming towards Bahir Dar from across the Abay River.

Protesters burnt down properties and businesses belonging to the ruling party. Official flags of the government were replaced by the original Ethiopian flag while photos and effigies of government officials, including the late dictator Meles Zenawi were set ablaze.

In Soreka and Dansha standoff continued between armed farmers and regime soldiers.

Anti-government protest also spread to Meteman, Shinfa Shedi and Quara.

In the capital Addis Ababa, entrance to the city was blocked at Sululta where security forces attacked protesters trying to enter the capital. Sever youth were rounded up and detained in some parts of the city, according to residents who spoke to ESAT.
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Henok Goitom close to finalizing deal with the San Jose earthquakes of the MLS.

August 8, 2016, 12:02 am
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Henok to San Jose Earthquakes could be a reality.



Eri- International sports has learned that the San Jose Earthquakes of the Major League Soccer have offered Eritrean national team player and the Swedish premier league player of the year a contract. It is to be learned that Henok Goitom has been training with AIK throughout the summer after he came back from a very short stint with Spanish team Getafe. There was some slight hope that Henok would rejoin his team AIK as recent as last week. However, it looks like Henok will be leaving the club after much speculation.

According to a popular news source "Sport Express" the goal scoring striker has been offered a six-month contract by the San Jose Earthquakes with an option for another year. The newspaper has added that the deal should be signed within a very short time. San Jose is in the eighth place in the Western Conference in Major League Soccer. Henok Goitom was the second leading scorer in the the Swedish Premier league known as the Allsvenskan last season with 18 goals scored.

San Jose and Bay area Eritreans can now watch a member of the Eritrean national team and an exploding goal scorer who can help their local team tremendously. Most of all Eritrean-American youth in different cities can now follow Henok as he makes his way to the MLS.

Henok Goitom: Second Eritrean or Eritrean-Swede player in Major League Soccer

Henok Goitom would be the second Eritrean in the MLS. Also an Eritrean-Swede Mohamed Saeid currently plays at the midfield position for the Columbus Crew. Mohamed who also came from Sweden in March of 2015. He made his debut and first career start for Columbus Crew SC. Saied is a midfielder who can distribute the ball very well. We will have more on Mohamed and his background in the near future on Eri-International sports blog.

Mohamed last name spelled "Saeid" with the Columbus Crew.

Meanwhile, Eri-International Sports will fill you in on both players as the season goes on. Both teams are not doing well at the moment but with the addition of Henok Goitom the possibility of San Jose improving is very high.

For Eri-International sports

Mike Seium

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President Isaias officially opens Eritrean National Festival 2016

August 8, 2016, 12:02 am
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President Isaias Afwerki opening the Eritrean National Festival 2016 in Asmara


By Shabait

President Isaias Afwerki has officially opened the Eritrean National Festival 2016 yesterday, 06 August, at the Expo Grounds here in the capital.

Present on the occasion were Government and PFDJ officials, heads of National Unions and members of the Diplomatic corp. The President observed the different sections of the Festival during which he received briefings.

The Eritrea Festival 2016 is being conducted under the theme “Festival: the Foundation of Unity and Diversity”.

In the Festival that would continue until the 14th of this month, a number of displays that highlight Eritrea’s natural and cultural resources, pavilions that reflect the cultural diversity, artistic performances, creative works and innovations as well as exhibitions of different products would be featured.

Meanwhile, in connection with the launching of this year’s Festival a cultural performances including music and dramas were staged on 05 August at Cinema Roma.

A number of participants of the festival from inside the country and abroad indicate that the Eritrean Festival creates a platform for appreciating the cultural diversity and history of of the country and thus transfer Eritrean values to generations to come.

The Eritrean Festival 2016 would remain open until the 14th of this month.

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Gondar militia ambushed a regime convoy killing 8 TPLF soldiers

August 8, 2016, 12:03 am
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Photo: Patriotic Ginbot 7 rebel fighters


By ESAT

Armed people of Musie Bambi in north Gondar ambushed a convoy of regime soldier killing eight.

Four soldiers who survived the attack and run to the bushes were being searched by the residents.

The convoy was returning from Gondar and heading to Sanja to further their attack on protesters in the town, according to residents of Musie Bambi.

Gun battle is reported between regime soldiers and armed farmers of Sanja who stopped the Agazi forces from entering Gondar. The shootout came after two days standoff between the forces. Sources said the regime had sent reinforcement, including tanks to the area and fighting was continuing in Soreka at the time of this post.


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Ethiopian regime forces kill nearly 100 protesters in Oromia and Amhara

August 9, 2016, 12:00 am
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Ethiopian protesters demanding regime change in Bahir Dar

By BBC

Nearly 100 people were killed in the weekend's protests in Ethiopia as demonstrators clashed with security forces in different parts of the country, Amnesty International says.

The rights group says the most deadly incident happened in Bahir Dar, where at least 30 people died on Sunday.

The authorities have said seven died in Bahir Dar and that security forces were reacting to violence from protesters.

There has been an unprecedented wave of protests in Ethiopia in recent months.

People in the Oromo and Amhara regions have been complaining about political and economic marginalisation.

Amnesty says that 67 people died when "security forces fired live bullets at peaceful protesters" in different towns and cities in the Oromo region over the weekend.

There were clashes between security forces and protesters on Sunday in Bahir Dar, the Amhara regional capital.

Opposition activists have given similar figures for the number of people killed.

The government has blamed "nearby and distant foreign enemies and social media activists" for defying warnings about holding unauthorised protests, the government-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reports.

The authorities have said that the demonstrators were destroying government and private property and "inflicting deaths on innocent citizens" and arrests were made as people were trying to spread the violence, FBC adds.

The United States, a close ally of the government, said it was "deeply concerned" by the violence and said the people's rights to demonstrate should be respected.

The unrest was sparked last November by a plan to expand the capital into Oromia. This led to fears farmers from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, would be displaced.

The plan was later dropped but protests continued, highlighting issues such as marginalisation and human rights.

New York-based Human Rights Watch says that more than 400 people have been killed in clashes with the security forces since protests began. The government has disputed this figure.

The Amharas are Ethiopia's second biggest ethnic group and used to form the country's elite.

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Politics of Fear: Crisis in Ethiopia and the Role of the International Community

August 9, 2016, 12:01 am
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Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration over what they say is unfair distribution of wealth in the country at Meskel Square in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa CREDIT: REUTERS



Politics of Fear: Crisis in Ethiopia and the Role of the International Community
Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion
8 August 2016

Dozens of anti-government protesters have been killed and arrested by government authorities amid ongoing unrest in Ethiopia. For months, hundreds of thousands of protestors from Ethiopia’s largest ethnic groups have rallied to protest political marginalization and systematic persecution by the government. In June, a 61-page human rights report was released by Human Rights Watch, condemning the Ethiopian government’s heavy-handed response to the protests. According to the report, Such a Brutal Crackdown: Killings and Arrests in Response to Ethiopia’s Oromo Protests, during the widespread protests, largely arising within Oromia (but now extending to other regions), Ethiopian security forces have resorted to excessive and unnecessary lethal force and mass arrests, engaged in the harsh, ruthless mistreatment of those in detention, and restricted access to information. Estimates suggest that over 400 protesters or others had been killed by security forces, while tens of thousands more have been arrested, figures that will now have risen significantly.

Corruption and poor governance remain deeply embedded within Ethiopia’s socio-political structure, and the country consistently scores extremely poorly on a range of international governance indicators. The Ethiopian government has been consistently criticized by an array of international rights groups for its broad range of human rights abuses including its harsh repression of minorities and journalists, press censorship, draconian anti-terror laws that are utilized to silence all forms of dissent, and brutal crackdowns upon opposition groups and protestors.

Although the ongoing crisis encapsulates the government’s utter contempt for basic human rights and the overwhelming “politics of fear” that pervades the country’s socio-political landscape, it also reveals, in crystal clear detail, the highly troubling role played by much of the international community, led by the US and the West. Specifically, while the government’s brutal crackdown warrants a strong rebuke and condemnation, there has been a severely muted international response, with many of Ethiopia’s foreign supporters remaining silent.

Rather than condemn and censure Ethiopia’s brutal crackdown, the international community has turned a blind eye, abdicated its responsibility, and instead been acquiescent to Ethiopia’s persistent violations and repression. Last year, both US President, Barack Obama, and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy Sherman, granted legitimacy to the Ethiopian government by praising its “democracy” – even though the country’s ruling party, the Ethiopian People’s Ruling Democratic Front (EPRDF), swept the national elections by winning 100 percent of the parliamentary seats.

When the French statesman, Talleyrand, was told by an aide of the murder of a political opponent, the aide said, “It’s a terrible crime, Sir.” In response, Talleyrand answered, “It’s worse than a crime, it’s a blunder.” Likewise is the West’s propping up of the Ethiopian government. Unwavering support for and appeasement of Ethiopia are part of a policy approach based upon the misguided belief, dating back to the immediate post-World War 2 period but rearticulated more recently in terms of regional “anchor states” designations, that Ethiopia is vital to protecting US and Western geostrategic interests and foreign policy aims. However, not only is this approach morally reprehensible, with the US and West being directly complicit in the mass crimes, transgressions, and reign of terror perpetrated by the Ethiopian government, the misguided policy approach has largely failed to achieve its objectives, to even a minor degree, and instead only served to stunt regional development and destabilize both Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa region.

In seeking to address Ethiopia’s flagrant dismissal of international norms and blatant disregard for human rights, a number of measures could be undertaken (e.g. sanctions). However, the first, and possibly most far-reaching and effective, response by the international community should be to withdraw its unwavering support for the repressive Ethiopian government.

George Galloway, respected British politician, broadcaster, and writer, has frequently voiced concern of how the West’s support for dictatorial, tyrannical regimes in the name of security only results in “blowback” and harming the populations of those countries. Regarding Ethiopia, Galloway has decried how the UK and US policy of encouraging, arming, training, financing, and facilitating the Ethiopian government’s “reign of terror” is “morally vacuous.” Similarly, respected international economist, William Easterly, has recommended that the international community “stop financing tyranny and repression” in Ethiopia.

For decades, Ethiopia has been highly dependent on external economic assistance. In 2012, it was the world’s seventh largest recipient of official humanitarian aid and received $3.2B in total assistance, the latter figure representing between 50-60 percent of its total budget, while its 2011 share of total official development assistance – approximately 4 percent – placed it behind only Afghanistan. Problematically, however, even while it is one of the world’s leading recipients of foreign aid, and is currently requesting even greater financial support, the Ethiopian government also annually spends hundreds of millions of dollars on weapons and arms – which are now being used against its own civilians.

With such a critical dependency on foreign aid, threats to “turn off the tap” unless Ethiopia changes course may be a viable step toward improving the country’s rights record. Alternatively, rather than providing aid directly to the Ethiopian regime, which has a long track record of corruption and misappropriation, the international community should consider directly supporting local human rights and democracy groups (although this may be difficult due to Ethiopia’s draconian laws on civil society and NGOs).

An indication of the possible far-reaching effects of removing external support from a harsh, brutal regime can be seen in the example of Indonesia. Noam Chomsky, internationally renowned professor and activist, has written and spoken extensively on how US and Western support for the despotic regime in Indonesia played an indirect, yet extremely harmful, role in the carnage and deaths of hundreds of thousands in East Timor. However, in 1999, after much pressure, the US finally “pulled the plug” on its support for the Suharto regime, quickly leading to the end of Indonesia’s brutal campaign. Specifically,

“[f]or 25 years, the United States strongly supported the
vicious Indonesian invasion and massacre, a virtual
genocide. It was happening right through 1999, as the
Indonesian atrocities increased and escalated, after Dili
the capital city was practically evacuated. After Indonesian
attacks, the US was still supporting it. Finally, in mid-September
1999, under considerable international and also domestic
pressure, Clinton quietly told the Indonesian generals ‘It’s
finished.’ And they had said they’d never leave, they said
“this is our territory.” They pulled out within days, and allowed a
UN peacekeeping force to enter without Indonesian military resistance.
Well, you know, that’s a dramatic indication of what can be done.”

While the socio-political dynamics and historical contexts of Indonesia and Ethiopia are admittedly quite different, the comparison also offers relevant and striking similarities. Both regimes received decades-worth of external economic, military, and political support (particularly from the US). Additionally, both regimes systematically and persistently violated human rights, transgressed various international laws (such as through military occupation), and engaged in large-scale campaigns described as “genocidal.”

With Ethiopia continuing to overlook basic international norms, standards, and laws in its brutal crackdowns upon opposition groups and protestors, the international community must end its complicity in and indirect support for the government’s various transgressions. As Clinton relayed to Indonesia’s leadership, the international community must tell Ethiopia, “It’s finished.”

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Oromo protests: Why US must stop enabling Ethiopia

August 10, 2016, 12:00 am
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Photo: Ethiopians in the Washington, DC metro area holding a demonstration in the nation’s capital on Tuesday demanding the US government to stop enabling a regime in their home country that is mass killing its people.


By Awol K. Allo | CNN

Ethiopia is facing a crisis of unprecedented magnitude, yet its government and Western enablers refuse to acknowledge and recognize the depth of the crisis.

The nationwide protest held on Saturday by the Oromo people, the single largest ethnic group both in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, is clear evidence of a crisis that is threatening to degenerate into a full-scale social explosion.

The protests are the most unprecedented and absolutely extraordinary display of defiance by the Oromo people and it is by far the most significant political developments in the country since the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the strongman who ruled the country for over two decades.

The protests took place in more than 200 towns and villages across Oromia, Ethiopia's largest region, and were attended by hundreds of thousands of people. According to Oromia media Network, security forces used live bullets against peaceful protestors, killing over 100 protestors.

Annexation

Oromos have been staging protest rallies across the country since April of 2014 against systematic marginalization and persecution of ethnic Oromos. The immediate trigger of the protest was a development plan that sought to expand the territorial limits of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, into neighbouring Oromo villages and towns.

Oromos saw the proposed master plan as a blueprint for annexation which would further accelerate the eviction of Oromo farmers from their ancestral lands.

When the protest resumed in November of 2015, the government dismissed the protestors as anti-peace elements and accused them of acting in unison with terrorist groups -- a common tactic used by the government to crackdown on dissent and opposition.

The government used overwhelming force to crush the protest, killing hundreds of protestors and arresting thousands. In its recent report titled "Such a Brutal Crack Down", Human Rights Watch criticized the "excessive and lethal force" used by security forces against "largely peaceful protestors" and puts the number of deaths at over 400.

The figure from the activist group is considerably higher.

Historic Injustices

The Oromo make up well over a third of Ethiopia's 100 million people. Historically, Oromos have been pushed to the margin of the country's political and social life and rendered unworthy of respect and consideration.

Oromo culture and language have been banned and their identity stigmatized, becoming invisible and unnoticeable within mainstream perspectives.

Oromos saw themselves as parts of no part -- those who belong to the country but have no say in it, those who can speak but whose voices are heard as a noise, not a discourse.

When the current government came into power a quarter of a century ago, it pursued a strategy of divide and rule in which the Oromos and Amharas, the two largest ethnic groups in the country, are presented as eternal adversaries.

Oromos are blamed as secessionists to justify the continued monitoring, control, and policing of Oromo intellectuals, politicians, artists and activists.

By depicting Oromo demands for equal representation and autonomy as extremist and exclusionary, it tried to drive a wedge between them and other ethnic groups, particularly the Amharas.

This allowed the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front and Tigrayan elites to present themselves as the only political movement in the country that could provide the stability and continuity sought by regional and global powers with vested interest in the region.

Although these protests are triggered by more recent events, they are microcosms [of] a more enduring and deeper crisis of political representation and systematic marginalization suffered by the Oromo people.

In its 2015 comprehensive country report titled "Because I am Oromo", Amnesty International found evidence of systematic and widespread patterns of indiscriminate and disproportionate attack against the Oromo simply because they are Oromos.

US Influence

The United States see the Ethiopian government as a critical partner on the Global War on Terror.

This led administration officials to go out of their way to create fantasy stories which cast Ethiopia as democratic and its leaders as progressive. In 2012, then US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, described Meles Zenawi, the architect of the current system, as "uncommonly wise" and someone "able to see the big picture and the long game, even when others would allow immediate pressures to overwhelm sound judgment."

In 2015, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman praised Ethiopia as "a democracy that is moving forward in an election that we expect to be free, fair, credible, open and inclusive." She further added, ""Every time there is an election, it gets better and better." That election ended with the ruling party winning 100% of the seats in parliament by wiping out the one opposition in the previous parliament.

In 2016, President Obama became the first sitting American president to visit Ethiopia amid widespread opposition by human rights groups. Obama doubled down on previous endorsements by administration officials by describing the government as 'democratically-elected."

A police state

However, consistent reports by the US government itself and other human rights organizations depict an image of a police state whose apparatus of surveillance and control permeates the entire society down to household levels.

The US led 'war on terror', started by President George Bush, provided the government with a political and legal instrument with which the government justified severe restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association.

The 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, one of the most draconian pieces of anti-terrorism legislations in the world, enabled the government to stretch its power of prosecution and punishment beyond what is permissible under standard criminal and constitutional law rules.

In recent years, terrorism trials have become the most significant legal instrument frequently used by the authorities to secure and consolidate the prevailing relationship of power between the ruling ethnic Tigrayan elites and other ethnic groups in the country.

Under the pretext of 'fighting terrorism', the regime exiled, prosecuted and convicted several opposition leaders, community leaders, journalists, bloggers, and activists; paralyzing criticisms of any type.

In its 2015 report titled Ethiopia's Anti-Terrorism Law: A Tool to Stifle Dissent, the Oakland Institute details the ways in which Ethiopian authorities systematically appropriate the anti-terrorism law to annihilate dissent and opposition to the policies of the ruling party.

Denial

As of July, the protests have been spreading into the Amhara region, home to the second largest ethnic group in the country.

The Amharas and Oromos, which constitute well over two-third of the country's population, are seen as 'historical antagonists'. The ruling party transformed this antagonism between the two ethnic groups into a productive political tool.

According to the governing narrative, Oromos are narrow-minded and exclusionary people who seek to disintegrate Ethiopia into smaller republics while Amharas are chauvinists who seek to restore the old feudal order, leaving the ruling party as the only political force that can rescue Ethiopia from both threats.

These governing narratives are being exposed as the two groups begun to see how these narratives were crafted and are expressing solidarity towards each other as victims of the same system.
The Ethiopian government is in denial and making the same promises of restoring 'law and order' through further repression and crackdown.

However, this can only exacerbate the situation and throws the country into chaos in an already volatile region.

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Quick Thoughts On The Ongoing Ethiopian Uprising

August 10, 2016, 12:01 am
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Protesters chant slogans during a demonstration over what they say is unfair distribution of wealth in the country at Meskel Square in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, August 6. TIKSA NEGERI / Reuters




Quick Thoughts on the Ongoing Ethiopian Uprising
By Aghade Welde
August 9, 2016

History is replete with examples that there isn’t much anyone can do to stop people who have had enough of being marginalized and decided to fightback, and determined to get rid of the force they deem behind of all their ills.

This weekend we watched brave Ethiopians marching all over the country, young and old, men and women, farmers and city dwellers, in large and small towns, all calling for an end to the ethno-centric TPLF or Woyane regime in Addis Ababa.

This countrywide mass uprising against the regime has been a long time coming. Ethiopian activists – human rights and political - have been chronicling the growth in civil disobedience in the country for the better part of this decade, with an increasing number of demonstrations in small towns, but ever-larger, mostly lead by vibrant youthful groups such as students and farmers. The list of complaints against the regime may vary from one region to another, but the common thread connecting them all is “regime change”.

Undoubtedly, Ethiopians have had enough and are no longer afraid of the regime. Despite of the recent news of deadly crackdown on protesters in the Oromia and Gondar regions led by the regime’s elite and mobile killing-military-machine “AgAzi”, the national call to protest over the weekend spread like wildfire to other regions in a very short period of time.

As they say, “seeing and hearing is believing”. Thanks to the mobile phone technology and access to social media outlets, individual Ethiopians are able to tell their stories without delay, by capturing images and posting them on the internet for the world to watch.

All Ethiopians (inside and abroad) are closely following this uprising with regular updates on trusted media outlets such as the Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT). They know better than to wait for the New York Times and/or the Guardian to release President Obama Administration’s version of this uprising.

Moreover, regional news outlets such as this one are playing an important role in getting the information getting out quickly. Countless of photos and videos of peaceful demonstrators marching in town squares are already out there for the world to see.

Throughout this past week, we heard thousands of Ethiopians in Gondar expressing their demands in their own words. The most common image that I have seen thus far are photos of youth with crossed-harms above their heads indicating “they are done” with the regime.

We also watched in horror and bear witness to the regime’s brutal response to peaceful protests, including videos of young men dying from gunshot wounds. By and large, some of these atrocities that are being reported by protesters may be of the Syrian caliber – carefully managed killings by the regime’s elite military junta.

In the midst of last week’s uprising, it’s also easy to sense that regime propagandists and apologists abroad are in full panic mode, as they are demanding for a quick solution to these uprisings, especially in Gondar.

The regime’s mass media is already engaged in extremely negative propaganda and scare tactics, such as spreading alarming rumors that protesters in Gondar are engaging in systematic “ethnic violence”.

Much to my surprise, the Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalen doubled down on this false rumor by saying the country is “sliding to ethnic conflict”. This is a desperate attempt by diehard minority to hang onto the threads of power.

Clearly, the Gondar area uprisings have hit a little too close to home for the regime’s liking. The regime and its supporters are worried that the Tigray region (its old power base) may soon join this countrywide uprising and put an end to their stranglehold on the Ethiopian government a lot sooner.

The world now knows there is broad consensus among almost all ethnic groups in Ethiopia today that the TPLF or Woyane regime in Addis Ababa is the source of what ails the country and Ethiopians are determined to remove it from power.

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Former Eritrean Patriarch Released from House Arrest

August 10, 2016, 12:30 am
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Photo: Abune Antonios


- Holy Synod accepts Abune Antonios' Apology.
- Abune Antonios is released from house arrest.

By CDE

09 Aug 2016 - Abune Antonios has asked for love, peace and forgiveness in a letter to Eritrea's Holy Synod.

The former Patriarch Abune Antonios, born July 12, 1927, was the third Patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. He was deposed by the Eritrean government in 2007 after the Patriarch allegedly involved with 'dirty' politics, angering some members of the Holy Synod.

On 13 January 2006, a secret session of the Holy Synod was held in Asmara to remove the Patriarch from office before he was replaced as Patriarch by Abune Dioskoros, with the support of the Eritrean government on 27 May 2007.

Abune Antonios' predecessor, His holiness the fourth Patriarch Dioskoros, passed away following a long illness after receiving treatment both at home and abroad eight months ago.

To date, no Patriarch has been chosen by the Holy Synod.

The Orthodox Church, which has ancient roots in Eritrea, is one of four approved religions in the country, including Roman Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam.

ABOUT ABUNE ANTONIOS

Antonios was born in July 12, 1927 in the town of Hembrti, south west of Asmara in the former province of Hamasien. His father was a priest and he gave two of his children as a gift to the Monastery of Abune Endrias (Andrews). Both children grew up in the monastery and became monks when they become adults. Abune Antonios is the fifth born child from a family of six, and he entered the monastery of Debre Tsege Abune Endrias at the age of five. He grew up in the Monastery while being educated for the service of the church, and became a monk. He was ordained priest in 1942, and later elected Abbot in 1955.

When the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church sought autocephaly, he was one of five abbots of monasteries that went to Egypt to be ordained as bishop so that the church would have its own Holy Synod.

Abune Antonios was ordained as Bishop Antonios of Hamasien-Asmara on 19 June 1994 in Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral, Cairo by Shenouda III, Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Following the death of Abune Yacob in 2003, he was elected Patriarch in popular elections which were unanimously endorsed by the Holy Synod of the church.

His ordination and enthronement as Patriarch took place on 23 April 2004 in Asmara, at the hands of Pope Shenouda III, assisted by Eritrean and Coptic Orthodox Metropolitans and Bishops.
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Eritrea: Showing Mercy Makes Us Whole and Stronger.

August 10, 2016, 3:27 am
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Photo: Eritreans Demonstrating against the politically motivated COIE report

Eritrea: Showing Mercy Makes Us Whole and Stronger.

By Abel Kebedom

Recently, when Eritrea was unfairly accused of Violating Human Rights of its Citizens, Eritreans from all over the world flocked to Geneva to voice their steadfast opposition to the conspiracy against their country woven by the historical enemies. The fact that the accusers used countries that have the worst human rights record in the world to give their accusation an African cover has become an insult to injury and even made Eritreans angrier than ever. What is true is that the human right agenda is part of a greater conspiracy against Eritrea and our enemies will not stop from using it to see us fragmented, divided and finally get us down. Hence, it is important that we remain alert and determined to make sure that their conspiracies will not see even the shadow of the day light in future.

But when we flock to Geneva, is our support to our government a blank check? When we flock to Geneva shouldn’t we also make sure that our objective is not only to fight the injustice against Eritrea perpetuated by our historical enemies but also to see our Eritrea that sacrificed almost 50 years for its liberation, territorial integrity, human dignity and social justice should never be accused of human rights violation of its citizens again? Putting the details of the accusation aside, the mere fact that Eritrea was accused of human rights violation of its citizens is a black hole in our wonderful and unmatched history of resistance and sacrifice for human dignity and social justice. Hence in addition to opposing multiple foreign conspiracies against Eritrea, we need to make sure that the government is doing its part to support the cause using all means available.

I am not sure what the recent news release by the Eritrean orthodox church with regard to the former patriarch of the Eritrean orthodox church means to his future role in the orthodox church. But I fully support the conflict resolution mechanism adopted to address the problem as a first step in the effort to further Eritrean Unity and cohesiveness inside and outside of the country. Hence in exchange for our support we should ask the government to continue solving pending issues that divide us in the same manner.

Accepting an apology is the best way to solve problems because Mercifulness makes the government stronger and helps the Eritrean society remain united.

Mercifulness is a pillar of almost all religious teachings. While the Holly Bible calls God “A God of Mercy” the Holly Quran calls God “All Merciful and Omnipotent”. In law Mercifulness is defined as “The total or partial remission of a punishment”. Because of the major role the Christian and Islamic religions play in the Eritrean society, mercifulness has been instrumental in resolving conflicts among citizens. Based on the concept of mercifulness, wise men and women in the villages of Eritrea have long developed and perfected the art of resolving conflicts and disagreements peacefully. Consequently, they have been able to keep the peace, stability and harmony of their community for generations. Hence the use of such wisdom by the government of Eritrea to solve the problem in the Eritrean Orthodox church should be praised and applauded.

In fact, there are many examples that qualify us to claim that the current government of Eritrea is Merciful. The release of hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian prisoners of war during and after the liberation of Eritrea, the light punishment given to the former members of the Ethiopian ruling party in Eritrea and not seeking revenge on the mostly Tigrean agents of the former Ethiopian military junta who committed despicable acts against the people of Eritrea. Hence asking a front that set those who murdered Eritreans in several occasions free should not hesitate to give mercy to those who struggled all their life to see a free and independent country but may have been persuaded by foreign forces to show a bad judgement and commit mistakes is not only reasonable but also patriotic and moral.

I am not qualified to comment on why people were arrested and what their punishment should be because I am not a lawyer by profession. I also know that to get citizens adhere to its laws and rules strictly, the government of Eritrea may be forced to take some harsh punishments on those who violate its laws and rules. However, I strongly believe that at the end of the day the more the government shows mercifulness towards its prisoners, regardless of their crime, the more its laws and rules reflect the values and traditions of the Eritrean society.

An act of Mercifulness by the government of Eritrea minimizes hatred, division and fragmentation within the Eritrean society. Mercifulness by the Eritrean government, regardless of the crime of the prisoner, strengthens Eritrean nationalism and harmony among citizens inside and outside of the country. Thus in the long run it helps us to build a united, healthy, moral and loving community that is a vanguard to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Eritrea.

Hence, for the sake of the national unity and harmony of all Eritrean citizens inside and outside of the country, the government of Eritrea needs to show mercifulness toward its prisoners regardless of their crime. When that happens we, all citizens of the country of Eritrea, could reap the dividend of our merciful culture for generations to come.

Awet Nehafash and Zelalemawi Zikri Ni Sewaatna.

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TPLF sends an out of shape Tigrayan swimmer to the Olympics who ends up finishing last in the 100 metres

August 11, 2016, 2:27 am
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Robel Kiros Habte


By DailyMail

An Ethiopian Olympic swimmer took his place in the 100m heats but only managed to finish half a lap behind everyone else.

Robel Kiros Habte, from Ethiopia, was swimming in the Preliminary Men's 100m Freestyle heats at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium.

Of the 59 competitors across the eight heats, the unfortunate swimmer was ranked 59th with a time of 1 minute 4.95 seconds.

Kyle Chalmers, from Australia, finished on top of the heat rounds with an astounding time of 47.9 seconds.

A total of 16 swimmers qualified to move on to the next round - the slowest of those being Nathan Adrian with a time of 48.58 seconds.

Twitter users took to the social network to comment on the tubby athlete.

Harold Siyaya wrote: 'How in the world did this Ethiopian swimmer (Robel Habte) qualify for the Olympics?

Dale Miller was more understanding and said: 'Ethiopia's Robel Kiros Habte finishes half a lap behind other swimmers in 100m free heat.

'Gets huge cheer after finishing. Love it'.

The Ethiopian Olympic team has sent 35 competitors to the games in Rio but has not yet won any medals.




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[Video] Ethiopia: TPLF mouthpiece Getachew Reda grilled on Al Jazeera

August 11, 2016, 4:20 am
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By Stream | Aljazeera

Dozens are dead and many more injured in Ethiopia after security forces opened fire on anti-government protesters last weekend. In the latest round of protests, thousands took to the streets across Ethiopia’s Oromia and Amhara regions to fight against what they say is the marginalisation of the two largest ethnic groups in the country, the Oromo and Amhara.

The Oromo protests first began in November 2015 after the Ethiopian government introduced the “Addis Ababa Integrated Development Master Plan.” Officials say it was an economic and infrastructure initiative, but activists argue it would have displaced many Oromos living in towns and villages close to the capital city. Over the course of the next several months at least 400 people were killed and thousands arrested for their involvement in anti-government demonstrations, according to Human Rights Watch. The government eventually cancelled the Master Plan, but the movement continues. And last month, the country’s second largest ethnic group, the Amhara, joined the protests in solidarity with the Oromos. They are calling on the government to address similar political and economic grievances that they have.

Tension between the Ethiopian government and the Oromos and the Amhara has been growing. In the run up to this weekend’s demonstrations Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced a ban on the protests saying they “threaten national unity”. But critics say the government’s moves are intended to control dissent. Desalegn says his government will continue to make efforts to address the concerns of the protesters.

We’ll discuss the latest developments at 19:30 GMT.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Getachew Reda @getachewkreda
Communications Affairs Minister

Merera Gudina
Chairman, Oromo Federalist Congress

Fetsum Berhane @fetsum1
Blogger

Najat Hamza @najathamza6
Activist, Oromo Community of Minnesota

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First ‪Eritrean‬ female cyclist to race professionally in the United States

August 11, 2016, 6:02 am
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Eritrean cyclists 


We are pleased to announce a guest rider appearance at the Green Mountain Stage Race in Vermont on 2-5 September, thanks to the Amy D. Foundation race team.

By Kim Coats | TeamafriCarising

A key element of the Team Africa Rising program is the identification, development and promotion of women’s cycling in Africa. For the past month, the coaches at our HQ, the Africa Rising Cycling Center (ARCC) and home to the national cycling team of Rwanda, have been working with female cyclists from across East Africa for a month-long, high-altitude training camp. Fourteen women from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Rwanda have taken part in an intensive training schedule to improve every aspect of their cycling skills, training, diet and preparation.

Yohana Dawit, a 24-year old Eritrean, is one of the most exciting members of this rising tide of female cycling talent. She has been in intensive training with us since mid-July and recently won the Rwandan Race for Culture Cycling Cup on 23 July. Due to the publicity of this high profile victory, Kimberly Coats (the Women's Program's Sporting Director) spoke with Michael Engleman of the Mission Sports Group in the US who was keen to connect Team Africa Rising with the US racing scene. They agreed on a guest rider position for Yohana at the famous Green Mountain Stage Race in September, riding for the Amy D. Foundation race team.

When Dan Dombroski, President and Founder of Amy D. Foundation, heard about Yohana he explained: "It's wonderful to see so much excitement around these African cyclists; we were moved by the potential to help, as it all aligns so well with developments we try to promote through Amy D. Foundation programming. The invitation of Yohana was a function of circumstances including conversations with Amy D. Foundation board of directors and the Team Africa Rising staff. Ultimately, our understanding is that Eritrea is supportive of their female cyclists, and so it seemed fitting to invite the Eritrean National Champion."

This race is a historical marker for our African women’s cycling program. Yohana will become the first female Eritrean cyclist to race at the professional level in the United States. The Green Mountain Stage Race is renowned for launching the careers of global superstars in our sport like Evelyn Stevens, currently representing Team USA in Rio. “Over its 17 year history the Green Mountain Stage Race has played host to many up and coming racers who have gone on to find success on the world stage as both professionals and Olympians. We are very excited to welcome Yohana as she represents the vanguard of African women in bicycle racing.” said Race Director Gary Kessler. Yohana was thrilled to learn she would be racing in the US: “This is my dream, to become a professional cyclist. I am very happy and I want to show all women in sport in my country and Africa that they can reach their goals no matter how difficult.”

After successfully building a strong Rwandan men’s national team, which now boasts five Rwandan riders on European professional teams, and with a reputation that has spread across world cycling, Team Africa Rising is turning its attention in a major way to African women's cycling. For female cyclists, the current obstacles in the sport include lack of training, equipment, funding, international races on the continent and the one of the most significant barriers, cultural stigma. Although the odds are stacked against them, they have ridden anyway and are every bit as talented as the men if not more so. The level and potential of talent is truly world-class. Team Africa Rising's women’s' program will be the catalyst of change for female cyclists in Africa. Kimberly Coats explains: “This is exactly the breakthrough we need. We are grateful to the team at Amy D. Foundation and look forward to making our presence known to the world of women’s cycling. This is just the first step in an ongoing and exciting process to launch a full team in the near future.”
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