CPJ: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt Among Worst Journalist Jailers

FILE - Somalis and local journalists carry the body of Moqtar Mohamed Hirab for burial in Mogadishu, Somalia

Marthe van der Wolf

December 18, 2013

ADDIS ABABA — The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says Eritrea, Ethiopia and Egypt have the highest number of imprisoned journalists on the African continent. The three countries are also on the worldwide top-ten list of worst journalist jailers.

A new survey released Wednesday by the Committee to Protect Journalists indicates 34 African journalists are in jails in northeast Africa.

Tom Rhodes, the group’s East Africa representative based in Nairobi, says the Horn of Africa is particularly problematic because the governments there do not tolerate dissent.

“I think they have been on this list year-in, year-out simply because of the governments’ lack of tolerance towards any kind criticism. Every time a reporter reports something critically, they throw them in jail,” he said.

WATCH: CPJ Video East African Journalists in Exile 

In Ethiopia, seven of the 34 journalists are in jail.  But the government here insists these reporters are imprisoned for violations of anti-terrorism laws, not because of their reporting.

Global rights groups, including Amnesty International, have been critical of these laws in Ethiopia and elsewhere, noting they are often misused to silence the media.

Egypt has cracked down on journalists since President Mohamed Morsi was ousted in July by the military.

And in Eritrea, 22 journalists are in prison; none of them were charged or brought before a court.

Rhodes says it is difficult to get reliable data from Eritrea.

“It is really a closed off country. It is considered the North Korea of Africa. That said, we mostly rely on exiled journalists, Eritreans who fled the country that tell us what’s going on,” he said.

Turkey tops the list of most imprisoned journalists, followed by Iran and China. Other countries in the top 10 list of CPJ’s worst journalist jailers are Vietnam, Syria, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Worldwide a total of 211 journalists are currently imprisoned.

=>voa

Aadaa Oromoo Naannoo Matakkal/Taamiruu Hayiluu Tufaa

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Madda Walaabu Media Foundation Launching Event

“Oromia! Biyya Abbaa Kooti”, Ali Birraa’s song by Washington DC children

The launching event of Saturday, December 14, 2013 was successfully concluded thanks to our determined supporters. That day was the most difficult day for travelling from one place to the other in the Metropolitan Washington DC area. It heavily snowed and rained the whole day. But it did not hinder many of those who wanted our success in our mission to give voice to the voiceless. Though physically unable to be present for the event many have sent us their support and best wishes by email and other means of communication.

We thank all from our hearts and vow to live to our promises and deliver what is expected from us. Still we are upstarts and need the moral and material support of our compatriot and friends. Our success will be the success of our nation and so remain confident that Oromo nationals will remain on our side at all times during fulfilling our mission. Your continued encouragements and support are indispensable for us.

Once again thank you for making our launching event a success under that difficult weather. We look forward for your participation as supporters and members to enhance our efforts. Visit our websitehttp://oromovoice.org for information on our activities.

Madda Walaabu Media Foundation
December 17, 2013

=>ayyaantuu

Kenyan police arrest 33 Ethiopians in border town

Kenyan authorities on Tuesday arrested 33 Ethiopian aliens in the border town of Moyale in the northern part of the East African nation.

Marsabit County Commissioner Isaiah Nakoru said the aliens were arrested by police officers on patrols during an operation to flush out militias following recent inter-ethnic clashes in the region.

"The suspects were on their way to Nairobi via Marsabit when the police officers on patrol intercepted them in the border areas, " Nakoru said on Tuesday.

He said the aliens in their early 20s and 30s were intercepted in Arosa area with no valid documents to cross over to the Kenyan side.

Nakoru said the security agents have increased surveillance along the Ethiopia-Kenya border following recent clashes that saw several people killed and dozens of others injured.

Nakoru warned the brokers aiding the aliens to cross over to the country that their days a numbered. He said senior businessmen were behind the cartels where they aid aliens and criminals to sneak into the country.

"We have deployed police and Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) in Moyale who still continue to patrol the areas until we eliminate militias and other crimes in the area," said Nakoru.

The commissioner said more than 100 aliens cross through the vast region in a week through Nairobi to South Africa in search of employment and other opportunities.

The government is worried over the mass exodus of the aliens from Ethiopia into the country to connect to South Africa where they are promised greener pasture for employment.

"I am warning the brokers that there days are number because we shall not sit back and watch selfish people engage in unlawful business to enrich themselves," said Nakoru

He directed security committees to strengthen their intelligence in order to curb human smuggling and any other unlawful business in the area.

On Dec. 10, the police in Nairobi arrested over 70 Ethiopians during the security operation conducted in Nairobi's residential estates.

The 71 men and women told police they were headed for South Africa in search of employment. Divisional police commander, Barasa Wabomba said they also arrested a man who was hosting the aliens.

Police said they arrested 58 of them earlier on Dec. 9 and 13 on the day before. The suspects were in a house when police stormed and it has been difficult for police to handle them because they neither speak English nor Swahili. It is not the first time that such suspects on transit are arrested.

Tens of Ethiopians are annually arrested in Kenya while on transit. It is not clear how they manage to navigate through various police roadblocks.


=>globaltimes

A Response to Teddy Afro’s Holy War

By Jalata Lami | December 16, 2013

Currently, we are hearing that different individuals, groups and political parties as well as St. Marry Church(Located near National Palace around Arat Killo, Addis Ababa) are preparing to celebrate or are celebrating the 100^th year of Menilik II death. It is shocking that Orthodox Christian Church is organizing a ceremony to officially celebrate the 100^th year of Menilik II death. Different comments are being given on the celebration from different perspectives. From advocators side, Tewodros Kassahun  gave his response about the celebration on Inku Magazine Number 107 published on December 2013.  I found it necessary to provide responses to his interview on the magazine. Before directly commenting on his responses, it is better to have background information.

As said above, some individuals and groups are celebrating the 100^th year of Menilik II death. On the other hand, there are Ethiopian peoples and ethnic groups who never like to hear about Menilik II. For instance, Oromo, Kaffa, Wolayita and other peoples suffered greatly under the rule of Menilik II. Hence, such peoples do not have good flash back about the past administration of the king. Oromo people, for instance, do not have good memory about the king. There are people whose fathers and forefathers and mothers, grand mothers were killed by the king. It is said that Menilik II  waged genocide war on Oromo people.

According to different source, more than 5 million people were killed by the king. Thousands lost their different parts of their body. The hands of male and breasts of female were horribly cut. These made the Oromo people to remember the king with bad memory. Thus, celebrating the 100^th year of the king’s death means indirectly not caring for the wound of the Oromo and other peoples who suffered under the rule of that king or simply it means inserting stick in their wound. This is also activating the wound of Oromo people and make sick of what happened a century ago. For this reason, it argued that the king and his horrible administration should not be remembered, rather must be condemned.

Having the above as background informanation, know I will proceed to commenting on the response. Tewodros Kassahun provided different responses to Inku Magazine (Number 107 published on December 2013) regarding Menilik II and other related issues. However, I will comment on some of his responses.

The first issue he raised is regarding the celebration of Menilik II. Tewodros K. responded that“Personally, not celebrating Menilik II identity and his contribution to Ethiopia at National Level worries me.”  It is not unexpected to here such words from the singer. For example, Hallelujah Lulie(2013) said that “His [Tewodros K.] unreserved love and appreciation for Menelik, his unexamined and narrow knowledge of history, and the existence of a fan base that swallows whatever comes out of him without chewing are the three most points that facilitate such a statement.”  Tewodros K. love, praise and appreciate Menilik II in different ways.  For instance, he expressed his love and appreciation for Meniliek II by singing a song ‘Menilik Tikur Sew.’ Now his is saying ignoring to celebrate the Menilik II identity and his contribution to Ethiopia is worrying him.

Tewodros K. claims to preach love, peace and respect for each other on different concerts. Contrary to this, he wants to celebrate and praise Menilik II  who killed millions of Oromo in the end of 19^thce and beginning of  20^th century. By doing so, he wants to cover the genocide that the king made on Oromo people. He wants to refresh the wound of Oromo people or enjoy on the death of million Oromos and ignoring the pain of the people.  He seems not bothered for the unjust and great harm done on Oromo People.  Tewodros K.  need to celebrate the king appears to reveals the attitude and hatred of the singer to Oromo people. He do not feel the wound and sorrow of the people. Celebrating the horrible past, will broaden the gap between who suffered under the past administration and those who are celebrating the past actions.

The 2^nd main point he raised is that the need of celebrating the king.  Tewodros K.  stated that the  need to remember individuals like Menilik II is to transfer things that should be improved and repeated to the new generation. He added that when to we praise individuals who become National Pride, it would initiate other people who can perform good works. I am saying there is no as such good that we pass to the next generation. The king committed genocide against our people and this should not be celebrated and remembered. Rather it should be condemned.

On the other hand, I believe that there are things that should be improved. On this point, I share the comment of the singer. If we need peaceful coexistence of the Ethiopian People, first we should clearly know the truth that happened in the past. In addition, we should condemn the wrong did of the past, than celebrating it. Rather than celebrating the horrible war, it is better to remember those who suffered because of the war. I believe that there should be National Memorial Day in which the million people who killed at Anolle, Calanqo and other areas are remembered and those who committed the crime are condemned.  This one of the things that should be improved.

The new generation should clearly know what had happed in the past. Individuals and groups, should condemn the crime of the past and those who committed it. The current generation should not praise the king and his war of genocide, rather should denounce it. Knowing the badness of the history, this generation should keep themselves from committing similar crime. By denouncing the bad actions of the past, this generation should look for how to live together peacefully.

Besides, Tewodros K was asked  to  provide his own opinion on how he considers the war made by Menilik II to form the present Ethiopia. With out hesitation he replied that “The war that Menilik II made to unify Ethiopia is a ‘holy war’ for me.”   It is really annoying  to hear such words from the singer.  In 21^st century, when love and respect to each other is advocated, calling a war ‘holy’appears to surprised many of us. The key question to ask here is ‘how a war can  be ‘holy’? He seems lacks or ignores the historical experiences of Ethiopian peoples. As I stated earlier, million of Oromo people were killed by the war made by Melinik II.  In addition, the war that is given a ‘holy’ title was the war in which hundred thousands of Kaffa and Walaita people were killed.  He is considering that terrible war as ‘holy’. As to me, no war is holy. Hence, considering the war in which millions Oromo lost their life as ‘holy war’ confirms his disrespect  and hatred to Oromo and other Peoples. He ignores the pain of Oromo people. By doing so, he is refreshing the wound of Oromo people.

Tewodros appears to ignore or unaware of historical facts of Ethiopian Peoples. He attempted to hide the truth that exits on the ground. Regarding this, Hallelujah Lulie(2013) said that “Teddy’s preaching on peace, love and unity is a uninformed, shallow and naive. There cannot be love without truth. And at this moment he doesn’t look like he is able or willing to face the truth and preach it” His response is also contrary to what he claims to preach on different stage. The consideration of such horrible war as a‘holy war’ is equals with preaching hatred between groups of people. It is also asserting war between groups of people and will not help the unity of the country. Rather it distracts the unity.  That why his response disconfirms what he preached: on peace, love and unity.

What will be our response and reaction:

Hayyu Kanate said,“For us[Oromo People]celebrating Menilik II is considered as the celebrating Hitler as a German National Holyday or it means building the Statue of Grazziani in Finfinne, not in Rome”. Besides, Memihir Gebrekidan Desta stated, “If you continued to praise Hitler, it means that still you will not be reserved to repeat the action made by Hitler.” In similar analogy, those who are praising the Menilik II and considering his horrible genocide war as “Holy”, it means that they will do what Menilik II had done on Ethiopian peoples if they get the chance to do so. Celebrating a king that sided with certain group and hurt others have no significance for the coexistence of Ethiopian peoples. Rather it inflames fire between those who suffered under the rule and who are praising the rule of the King and his administration system. It can also lead to conflict between the two.

The person who celebrates the king who murdered my grand father, grand mother, father and mother is my enemy. Those who are celebrating Minilik II are our GREAT ENEMY. Menilik II is gone forever. Hence, we are not going to wrangle with the killer and administration system. However, we will fight with those who are praising him as a hero. In other words, we, who endured under the rule of Menelik II, will not fight with Menilik II. He is no more. We oppose and we will fight with those who are celebrating him. The opposition and struggle will continue with the advocators of Menilik II and his administration system.

Caalaa Yommiyyuu

=>ayyaantuu

Mancaasuun Sanyii Minilik Oromoorratti Raawwate "WARAANA QULQULLUUDHA"

Afaan Oromoo

Fuulduree barruulee Afaan Amaaraa "Inquu" jedhamu irratti Teweedroos Kaasaahuun ykn Teedii Aafiroo (maqaa sirbaa) "Waraannonni Minilik Itoophiyaa Tokkoomisuuf Deemisise Anaaf Waraana Qulqulluudha" jedhe.Yaanni kun kan Teedii Afiroo qofti itti amanu moo yaada bal'inaan murnoonni habashaa itti amanani? Himichi golgamaan kun akkasitti hiikkama ifatti: Duguuggaan sanyii Minilik 2ffaan ummata Oromoofi ummata gara kibbaa biroorratti oofe waraana qulqulluudha jechuudha. Akkamitti namini mataan isaa fayyaa qabu tokko duguuggaa sanyii ummata Oromoo walakkaadhaan lakkoofisa isaanii gadi hiri'iseen "waraana qulqulluu" ykn kiruuseedii jedhaani? Yaanni akkasii eechaa madda? Yaadonni akkasii kan mancaasuu ummata tokko faarsan hundee siyaasaa, amantii,qor-yaada (ideology) aadaafi jibbiinsa sanyummaa qabuu? Hayyoonni Adda Bilisummaa Tigiraay (ABT/ADWUI) duula duguuggaa sanyii hayyoota Amaaraarraa Oromoo baraareera moo ABT/ADWUI (wayyaanee) tarsimoodhuma walfakkaatu mootota Amaararraa dhaale? Duguggaan sanyii ABT/ADWUI jalatti Oromoorra gahaa jiru maal fakkaata? Dowwiin Haasaa kuni gaaffiiwwaniifi dhimmoota walmormisiisoo kanneeniif haga danda'ametti deebii kennuu yaala. Deebiiwwan kennamu gonkumaa guutuu miti.Maddi jibba akkasii qorannoo gadifagoo biroo barbaada. Oromoo biratti akka Adoolf Hiitilaritti, hogganaa Naaziitti, kan laalamu Minilik Teweedroos akka abbaa isaatti laaleet waaqeffata, faarsa.



English

"The Wars Menelik Waged to Unite Ethiopia for Me Is a Holy War," said Twedros Kasahun on the front page of the Amharic  Inku magazine. That is euphemism for saying that the genocide Menelik waged against the Oromo and south to colonize them by expanding the Abyssinian kingdom was a holy war. How can someone in a sane mind call a war that reduced the population of Oromo by one half a holy war or desirable war? Where do this thinking  come from? Are there religious, political, ideological and racist roots of these kinds of hate speeches celebrating the extermination of people come from? Did the TPLF/EPRDF spare the Oromo people from Amhara elites genocide campaigns or has the TPLF/EPRDF inherited the same policy? These talk show attempts to answer these contentious questions and issues in Afaan Oromo. The answers are by no means sufficient to explain the root causes of such genocide-inciting and genocide-celebrating hate speeches from Abyssinian partisan ideologues, celebrities, media and political parties. We invite you to listen. It should be fun if you never listened to a talk show monologue in Afan Oromo before. We are the pioneer of such a platform as far as Oromo media is concerned. 

=>oromopress

Ethiopia Workers Return From Saudi Arabia Telling of Abuse

By William Davison

Teklai Hagos says he watched in horror as Saudi Arabian police beat Ethiopian migrants protesting against the alleged kidnapping and rapes of Ethiopian women by young Saudi men.

“When we said stop, then the police started hitting us,” the 30-year-old former pipe-factory worker in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, recalled in an interview in Addis Ababa.

Teklai is among more than 100,000 Ethiopians repatriated from Saudi Arabia since the kingdom began deporting illegal migrants in November. It’s a crackdown Teklai and New York-based Human Rights Watch say involved beatings by Saudi police and rape and murder by vigilantes. Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman General Mansour al-Turki denied the claims.

The Arab world’s biggest economy has taken action against illegal workers as it pushes to create more jobs for Saudi citizens and stave off the unrest that has toppled leaders across the Middle East since 2011.

At least 115,465 Ethiopians have been repatriated, according to the International Organization for Migration, or IOM. Hundreds of thousands of Asian migrants are also being deported from the oil-producing nation, which was home to about 9 million foreign workers in a population of 29.9 million, according to Saudi government statistics.

Ethiopia’s government said three nationals were killed in clashes with police in Riyadh that started Nov. 9. Ejected workers say rioting occurred after Ethiopians were angered by the rape of Ethiopian women at apartments in the Manfouha district.

Machete Attacks

Ethiopians said Saudi citizens armed with sticks, machetes and firearms attacked foreigners in Manfouha on Nov. 9, according to Human Rights Watch.

One 30-year-old witness saw the bodies of two Ethiopians who’d been beaten to death and one who’d been shot, it said. Another had a video that “appeared” to show a Saudi man raping an Ethiopian woman, the advocacy group said Dec. 1 in an e-mailed statement.

Mohammed Shime was near the area’s Al Rajhi Bank after a Saudi man was killed in clashes. The 22-year-old says he saw six Ethiopians stabbed to death when they fought back against Saudi youth -- shabaab in Arabic -- who arrived in cars.

“Four come to you and start cutting you and asking for your phone,” he said in an interview in Addis Ababa on Nov. 26. “Then other shabaab come with their knives shouting ‘Allahu Akbar.’”

‘False’ Claims

The claims of abuse by police and vigilantes are “false” and deportation camps are open to diplomats and human rights monitors, al-Turki said in a reply to questions sent by text message on Dec. 5. He accused illegal Ethiopian migrants of instigating violence in Riyadh as well as in the Saudi cities of Jeddah and Medina.

Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom chastised Muslim Saudi Arabia for its treatment of citizens from his country, which he said gave refuge to followers of the Prophet Mohammed fleeing persecution in the 7th century.

The “last 10 days have been the most tragic in my life,” he said on Nov. 18.

Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, may face difficulties resettling workers, many of whom went abroad because of limited job opportunities at home.

While the economy registered Africa’s fastest growth over the past five years, with average expansion rates of 10.3 percent, the maximum monthly earnings for a laborer are about $80.

Journey Home

For two years, Mohammed worked on a building site earning 1,500 Saudi riyals ($400) a month.

Most of those returning to Addis Ababa are bussed from Bole International Airport to a compound run by IOM. From there, coaches take them home, in Mohammed’s case to Kemissie in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, 227 kilometers (141 miles) north of the capital.

His trip to the kingdom was very different. Along with tens of thousands of others every year, Mohammed paid traffickers 20,000 Ethiopian birr ($1,050) to take him him to neighboring Djibouti and then across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen.

Others work in the kingdom legally. In the 12 months through July 7 last year, 160,000 Ethiopian women flew to Saudi, the majority to work as maids, joining thousands already there. Many are being deported because they changed jobs without employer permission, making their new work illegal, Human Rights Watch said.

Physical Abuse

Mental, physical and sexual abuse are frequent complaints made by Ethiopian domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, according to Human Rights Watch. Ethiopia temporarily stopped issuing permits for unskilled work abroad in October, mainly because of mistreatment.

“The returning migrants are arriving in desperate condition,” the Geneva-based IOM said in an e-mailed statement on Dec. 6. “They are traumatized, tired, anxious and some seriously sick.”

Some returnees with psychological problems are given refuge by the Addis Ababa-based charity Good Samaritan Association, which rents a two-story villa on the eucalyptus-covered hills above the capital.

One new resident, Zeina Mussa, 18, clasps a black headscarf over her face and says that although she’d been working in Saudi Arabia as a maid for about eight months, she doesn’t know which city she was in.

Mohammed saved 20,000 riyals during his two years, money he says will help him become a businessman. He’s advising other Ethiopians from seeking riches abroad even as he plans to invest his savings.

“In Saudi Arabia the money is good,” he said. “But it’s useless if you’ve money and no life.”

To contact the reporter on this story: William Davison in Addis Ababa atwdavison3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin atasguazzin@bloomberg.net

=>bloomberg