Dhiibbaa mootummaan Wayyaanee ilmaan Oromoo irraan geessisaa jirtu bara baraan adda kan hin citne Godina Booranaa aanaa Moyaalee keessatti ilmaan Oromoo nagaa maqaa ABOn hidhuu fi hiraarsuu irratti argamti. Mootummaan Wayyaanee dhiiga ilmaan Oromoo dhangalaasuu kan amaleeffate dargaggoota hojii fi jireenya dhuunfaaf godinichatti bobba’an dabballoota ABO ti jechuun Sadaasa 2,2013 seeraan ala qabuun mana hidhaa wayyaanee keessatti reebuun darara hamaa irraan gahaa jira. Ilmaan Oromoo mana hidhaa mootummaa Wayyaanee Maaikelaawwii keessatti ukkaamsamuun reebamaa jiran
(Reuters) - Ethiopia has put its police and security forces on heightened alert after receiving strong evidence that Somalia's Islamist al Shabaab group is planning attacks in the country, officials said on Tuesday.
The move came three weeks after officials said two Somali suicide bombers accidentally blew themselves up while preparing to kill football fans during Ethiopia's World Cup qualifying match against Nigeria
Al Shabaab has vowed to exact revenge on Ethiopia for sending troops to Somalia to fight the al Qaeda-linked militants, alongside African Union forces from Uganda, Burundi and Kenya.
"There is strong evidence that indicates Al Shabaab and terrorist groups backed by Eritrea are preparing to carry out attacks in Addis Ababa and other areas of the country soon," the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and the federal police said in a joint statement.
Addis Ababa often accuses the government in neighbouring Eritrea of supporting rebels, which Asmara staunchly denies.
The statement, read on state television, said security forces were already on heightened alert and called on the public to inform police if they encountered "suspicious" activity.
Hotel staff and private landlords should verify the identity of visitors, the statement said.
It urged soldiers to remain vigilant at checkpoints along the country's borders.
In September, al Shabaab gunmen raided an upmarket shopping mall in Nairobi, killing at least 67 people in a four-day siege.
Ethiopia says it has thwarted several attacks over the past two years which it blamed on domestic rebel groups as well as Somali insurgents.
However, it has so far been spared the sorts of assaults seen in nearby countries - such as the Nairobi mall siege and an attack that killed 74 football fans in Uganda as they watched the 2010 World Cup final on television.
All land in Ethiopia belongs to the state, giving the government unusual leverage in its dealings with local communities
A violent attack on a tea plantation leased by Indian-owned Verdanta Harvest Plc, a subsidiary of the Noida-based Lucky Group, has renewed concerns over Ethiopia’s policy of leasing out large tracts of land to international investors.
On October 20, unidentified individuals destroyed buildings and machinery worth approximately $140,000, according to Verdanta officials.
Media reported that locals set the plantation on fire “on account of destroying the rich forest resources”, a claim denied by the company.
Community leaders in Gambella did not comment on the attack, but rights groups have warned that a policy of leasing out 42 per cent of Gambella’s land and resettling over 30,000 agro-pastoral communities is the likely cause of the unrest.
In 2011, for instance, armed gunmen killed five workers on a farm developed by a Saudi Arabian company.
All land in Ethiopia belongs to the state, giving the government unusual leverage in its dealings with local communities.
Rights groups like the Oakland Institute claim Indian companies have acquired 6,28,000 hectares of agricultural land under a government programme to lease 3.6 million hectares for export-oriented agriculture.
Disagreements
More than half the land deals, worth an estimated 3,65,000 hectares, have since fallen through due to disagreements among investors, communities and the various levels of government.
Verdanta said its land was acquired by the government in the 1980s. The attack comes after nearly three years of discord with local officials and some sections of the community.
In 2010, Verdanta signed an agreement for 3,012 hectares in the hope of harvesting 500 hectares of tea by 2015. Thus far only 169 hectares have been cleared and 70 hectares planted.
“We met the local officials and found their expectations were a little too high. So we asked for another piece of land,” said Manojeet Barkataky, General Manager for Verdanta Harvests, explaining the community had demanded roads, electrification, schools and a hospital before the company began its project. “We said we will implement our CSR [corporate social responsibility] once the project begins.”
Nine months later, Mr. Barkataky said, the government claimed to have consulted the local community and urged the company to start work.
In February 2011, Ethiopian President Girma Woldegiorgis wrote to the Ministry of Agriculture, expressing concern that Verdanta had been allotted forestland, a claim denied by the government and the company.
When the federal government in Addis Ababa demarcated a plot for the company, its counterparts in Gambella issued a different map, reducing the plot by 327 hectares. An additional 80 hectares was earmarked for a cultural site revered by the community, but the federal government dismissed their claim. These competing claims over the size and scope of the project exacerbated the tension in the region.
“It is a total incompetence, inefficiency, and neglect on the part of the local government up to the federal government,” said Mr. Barkataky. “Why couldn’t the government finalise the boundary in the last three years?”
Displeasure
At a press conference last month, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn indicated his displeasure with the development of the agriculture sector. “Until now the progress is very slow,” he said. “It is not a problem with the investors, the problem is infrastructure. Our future plan is to engage heavily in infrastructure development.”
Verdanta has halted all work on its project until the government guarantees security for its operations.
The following is a press release from Afaan Publications.
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The first clip shows the highlights from the Nov. 3, 2013, Melbourne launch of Afaan’s campaign to raise $50,000 in November! The fundraising campaign will continue in major cities around the globe. In addition to that, there’s an online fundraising campaign @ Pozible.com/afaan
PRESS RELEASE 5 November, 2013
Over 1000 Oromo intellectuals gathered on 3rd November, 1991 to unanimously decide the Oromo alphabet “Qubee” would adopt a Latin script. Exactly 22 years later, a plan was launched to revitalize Qubee: the initiative was called Afaan Publications.
Commencing at the University of Melbourne on Sunday at 1pm, over 500 people gathered to witness the historical story of the Oromo people unfold. As teenage performers took to the stage, they entertained scores of children and prepared the crowd for the release of Afaan’s first poster products designed specifically for children.
Toltu Tufa took to the stage after the crowd watched a 27-minute documentary, which explained the journey of how the Afaan Publications was established as a publishing company and how its products were developed. A standing ovation welcomed Toltu and few dry eyes were left in the room as she commenced her speech.
Toltu spoke powerfully to the purpose of Afaan Publications as well as her vision and aims for Afaan’s current campaign: to raise $50 000 during the month of November, 2013, which will allow her to print children’s Oromo text book series in 2014.
Toltu also announced the international fundraisers who will host a fundraiser event during the campaign month, auctioned the first Afaan poster series (available at the Afaan online shop, post campaign – December 15, 2013) and welcomed to the stage historical Oromo figure and special guest, Mr. Mahadi Mudde, author of the first Oromo dictionary.
Other distinguished guests included Professor Joseph Lo Bianco, Associate Dean of the Graduate school of Education at the University of Melbourne, who developed Australia’s first language teaching policy, Dr. Teresa De Fazio Victoria’s Multicultural Commissioner, Clyde Sharrady, CEO Africa Media Australia and multiple representatives from Senator Adam Bandt’s office.
Afaan Publications’ current campaign is featured on www.pozible.com where pledges are accepted during the month of November/Demcember 2013. Pledges can also be made through the Afaan website www.afaan.com.au, or by attending one of the fundraisers hosted by international Oromo communities (see list below). Each fundraiser will showcase Afaan merchandise, documentaries and cartoons for children in Afaan Oromo.
Afaan’s online store, which will sell posters, wristbands and tee shirts, will be available after the campaign ends on December 15th, 2013.
The top 3 fundraisers around the world will also feature in the upcoming 2014 Afaan Publications world tour. All contributions via the website (paypal/credit card), Pozible website, or local fundraising will are strongly encouraged and may the best international team win!
All the best, The Afaan Publications Team!
Pledge your financial support to the Afaan campaign:Pozible.com/afaan
INTERNATIONAL HOST FUNDRAISER CITIES:
Melbourne, Australia Sunday, 3rd November, 2013 1pm Melbourne University Swanston St., Melbourne Contact: Gemeda – 0432487 141
Minneapolis, USA Saturday, 23rd November, 2013 2pm-6pm 465 Mackubin St., St. Paul, MN 55103 Contact: Oromo community of Minnesota – (651) 757–3040
San Francisco, USA Sunday, 24th November, 2013 1pm Oromo Christian Lutheran Church 100 Hacienda Ave. – San Lorenzo (and surrounding areas) Contact: Mrs. Mergo – (650) 714‐2098
Washington DC, USA Saturday, 30th November, 2013 7pm Oromo Center 811 Upshur Ave. NW, Washington, DC Contact: Bontu Itana – (651) 239-4076
Travel in Africa can present serious challenges - especially if you are African.
A few months ago I travelled to Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and headquarters of the African Union. I have been traveling to this beautiful country about twice a year for the past decade. What struck me and prompted this reflection on African integration was noticing that in the past few years restrictions on entry have become increasingly harsher. One is tempted to ask questions about the dream of free movement of citizens across Africa - and therefore continental integration and unity.
First, visas are required, and travellers are instructed to acquire these at Ethiopian diplomatic or consular missions in their home country. I am not sure how many such facilities are available across the continent, but the "capital of Africa" is not represented in all 53 countries. So the alternative is to arrange a visa in a neighbouring country with an Ethiopian mission or arrange to receive it on entry. Only two neighbouring countries' citizens require no visas (Ethiopia has six neighbours).
Second, the visas are paid for in American (US) dollars - and ostensibly no other currency - not even Ethiopian Birr. Third, according to what I assume are official information documents, citizens of 18 countries around the world qualify to receive visas upon arrival in Ethiopia. Out of these, only one is African: South Africa. All other Africans need a visa paid for in US dollars and secured before they leave their countries - unless a special arrangement has been made and approved by immigration authorities at the port of entry.
Fourth, only four currencies are exchangeable in Ethiopian banks. Here again only one African currency is a member of this exclusive club: the Birr. This is in contrast to my first trip to Addis a decade ago, when South African Rand was also accepted.
In practice, therefore, only Kenyans, Somalis and South Africans can travel to Ethiopia without the hindrance of a cumbersome and expensive visa regime.
Now, what do these arrangements mean for integrating Africa through economic relations and free human movement? This is not an odd question. Addis Ababa has for 50 years been the diplomatic and political capital of Africa, where the AU, UNECA, diplomatic missions and other agencies that serve the continent are located; and where at least once a year our leaders congregate to plot African unity and integration - the dream of a united, integrated and internally coherent continent.
While the strategies for integration adopted by the AU under various projects (the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), Lagos Plan of Action, AU Constitutive Act and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) among them) are to be gradual and based on regionally operational economic units (like the economic communities of Southern Africa (SADC), East Africa (EAC) and West Africa (ECOWAS)), the ultimate goal envisages these culminating in an African Economic Community and Central Bank. It therefore stands to reason that Addis Ababa, as the centre of these initiatives and the ultimate Brussels or Washington equivalent of a "United States of Africa" would lead by example and open its doors to the continent's citizens equally and affordably.
But alas! This is not the case, and increasingly African citizens are subjected to restrictions that, in their operation, negate the concept of this beautiful city as the home to all. So, are our leaders really serious about facilitating the integration of the continent, or is it just rhetorical shadow-boxing?
If they were serious, surely they should press Ethiopian authorities - understandably concerned with security, human and drug-trafficking, and so forth - to facilitate easier, cheaper and friendlier movement of people; and should further insist that African currencies, despite their weaknesses, be more easily exchangeable within the Ethiopian system.
This would be a start, and would show commitment to real integration, laying the basis for realising the dream of the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Unity 50 years ago.
But lest we forget, our leaders themselves do not experience these inconveniences when they go to Addis. They get whisked from their airplanes straight to their hotels by diplomatic minions, bypassing the red tape, and pay for their stays with our monies already conveniently converted into non-African currencies without the hassle and embarrassment of having their national currencies rejected by local banks.
Of course, these challenges do not apply only in Addis Ababa, but also in many other capitals. But the point here is that unlike Lilongwe, Maseru and Nouakchott, Addis Ababa is a flagship of African unity and integration. Therefore the failure of Ethiopians and Africans to correct the image of this city as African-unfriendly can only harm the aspirations of a continent to be united, strong and prosperous in the next 50 years - despite the plethora of initiatives by the AU aimed at this.
African integration deferred indeed!
Tšoeu Petlane is a former Visiting Research Fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg, and is now the Director of the Transformation Resource Centre in Maseru, Lesotho. This article was originally published in the October 2013 edition of The Thinker.
November 4, 2013 (KHARTOUM) - The water ministers of Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia held a meeting in Khartoum on Monday to discuss the joint mechanism for implementing the recommendations of the International Panel of Experts (IPoE) regarding the Grand Renaissance Dam.
Planned Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project (file/AP)
The IPoE is composed of six representatives each drawn from Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, and another four international experts and was established to assess the impact of the dam project on downstream countries.
The report which was submitted by IPoE to the three countries last June is believed to show that the $4.7 billion dam will not have any major effect on lower riparian countries of Egypt and Sudan. However Egypt assert that the deficiencies mentioned by the report need to be addressed before carrying on with the dam project.
Ethiopia’s minister of Water, Irrigation, and Energy, Alamayo Tegno, stressed his country’s determination to build the dam in order to meet national development objectives and sustain regional cooperation between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, saying that his government undertook the necessary procedures and precautions for building the dam.
Tegno said in his address before the opening session of the meeting that the objective of the summit is to draw a roadmap for following up on the recommendations of the IPoE.
Sudan’s minister of Electricity and Dams Osama Abdallah, expressed hope that the meeting arrives at recommendations which would enhance joint cooperation among the three countries and pointed that his government is committed to the IPoE findings, saying that the project opens new horizons for cooperation.
Egypt’s minister of Irrigation, Mohamed Abdel-Motalib, said that it is high time for developing a new strategy which secures the best results for the future generations and said that the meeting represents a pivotal point for the three countries to complete the work which has begun two years ago.
He called for the implementation of the accords reached by the foreign ministers in order to arrive at an agreement on the political level besides the technical ones which he said need more rationing.
When the dam project - which will have power generation capacity of 6,000 MW - goes operational, the horn of Africa’s nation projects it will generate up to 2 million Euros per day from exporting hydro-electricity.
Although Ethiopia is a source to 85% of the Nile’s water resources, a colonial era treaty, however, has allowed Egypt to utilize the lion’s share of the water resources.
The treaty effectively granted the North African nation a veto power against any dam project along the Nile River in upper riparian countries.
Sudan however, has expressed support to Ethiopia’s dam project putting it at odds with Cairo.
