በፍቼ በአንድነት ፓርቲ አባላት ላይ የደረሰ ድብደባ

ኢትዮጵያውያን ከ23 አመት የአፈና ኑሮ በኋላ በሰላማዊ መንገድ የተለያዩ በኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ ላይ የሚፈፀሙ የሰብአዊ መብት ጥሰቶች፥ የህግ የበላይነት አለመከበር፥ ሃሳባቸውን በሰላማዊ መንገድ በመግለፃቸው ብቻ የታሰሩ የፖለቲካ እስረኞች እንዲፈቱ፥ ጋዜጠኞች ይፈቱ፥ የሃይማኖት ነፃነት በሃገራችን ላይ ይከበር በማለት ሰላማዊ ሰልፍ በመውጣታቸው ብቻ እየታሰሩ እየተገደሉ፥ እየተደበደቡ ይገኛሉ፥፥ 

የወያኔ አምባገነን መንግስት በማንአለብኝነት የሚፈፅመው ወንጀል ከመጠን ያለፈ በመሆኑ ዜጎች በፍርሃት ለመኖር ተገደዋል፥፥

የነፃነት ቀን ቅርብ ነው！

ድል ለኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ1

የወያኔ የሰብአዊ መብት ረገጣና የኖርዎይ ፖሊሲ በኢትዮጵያ

የወያኔ የሰብአዊ መብት ረገጣና የኖርዎይ ፖሊሲ በኢትዮጵያ

መስከረም 26፥2013 በ NORAD ኢንፎርሜሽን ሴንተር

እንደ ኢትዮጵያ ባሉ ሃገራት ላይ አምባሳደር ሆኖ መሾም ቀላል አይደለም አክለውም በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ ያለውን የፖለቲካ ሁኔታ ሲገልፁት መርዘኛ፥ በማለት ነበር የተናገሩት ከሰላምታቸው  በመቀጠል ንግግራቸውን የጀመሩት የኖርዎይ አምባሳደር በኢትዮጵያ ኦድ-ኢንገ ክቫልሃይም / Odd-Inge Kvalheim / ዛሬ ኦገስት 26፥ 2013 NURAD ባዘጋጀው ክፍት የውይይት መድረክ ላይ ነበር፥፥

በውይይት መድረኩ ላይ ከተገኙት አብዛኞቹ በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ የተለያዩ ፕሮጀክቶችን ነድፈው ከሚንቀሳቀሱ ድርጅቶች ተወካዮች ተገኝተው አስተያየትና ጥያቄዎችን አንስተዋል፥፥

ኑራድ / NURAD/ በውጭ ጉዳይ ሚኒስቴር ስር ያለ ተቋም ሲሆን የኖርዎይ መንግስት ለተለያዩ ሃገራት ለልማት የሚለግሳቸውን የእርዳታ ገንዘቦች ለትክክለኛው አላማና ግብ በጥራት እንዲደርስ ለማስቻል የተለያዩ የምክር አገልግሎቶች የሚሰጥ ተቋም ነው፥፥

ኦድ-ኢንገ የኖርዎይ አምባሳደር ሆነው ከተሾሙ ሶስት አመት ሞልቷቸዋል፥፥ 

በአብዛኛው ከንግግራቸው ለመረዳት እንደሞከርኩት በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ እየተገነቡ ባሉት ህንፃዎች በመማርከዋቸው የተነሳ በወያኔ እየተፈፀመ ያለው በዜጎች ላይ እየደረሰ ያለው የሰብአዊ መብት ረገጣን ማሰብም አይፈልጉም፥፥ ለነገሩ ቢያስቡስ ምን ያመጣሉ፥፥ እውናታው ከተወሰነ አመት በፊት የወያኔ መንግስት በ NGO ስም ገብታችሁ ፖለቲካ ትፈተፍታላቺሁ ብሎ የኖርዎይ ዲፕሎማቶችን ያባረራቸው ጊዜ ትልቅ አጀንዳ አርገውት ነበር፥፥ በቃ ያንን ስህተታቸውን አይለመደንም ብለው ተመልሰው ከገቡ በኋላ ግን በተደጋጋሚ በወያኔ መንግስት ላይ ከተለያየ አለም እንዲሁም እዚሁ በኖርዎይ ለሚቀርቡ ወቀሳዎች ብዙም ትኩረት አልሰጡትም፥፥

በስብሰባው ላይም ለአምባሳደር ከተለያዩ ኦርጋናይዜሽኖች ከመጡ ግለሰቦች እንዲሁም ከኢትዮጵያውያን በርከት ያሉ ጥያቄዎች ቀርበውላቸው ነበር፥፥ ከጥያቄዎቹም መካከል በጥቂቱ፥

• ምንም እንኳን ኢትዮጵያ በትልቅ የእድገት ጎዳና ላይ ናት ብትልሙም የሚሰደደው ዜጋ ብዛት እያጨመረ ነው
• የወያኔ መንግስት በተለያየዩ ጊዜያት በሰብአዊ መብት ረገጣ እየተከሰሰ ነው፥
• ዜጎች ያለአግባብ ከገዛ መሬታቸው እየተፈናቀሉ መሬታቸው ለውጭ ባለሃብቶች እየተቸበቸበ ነው፥
• ጋዜጠኞችና ደራሲዎች ሃሳባቸውን በመግለፃቸው ብቻ ወደእስር በት እየተጣሉ ነው
•  አሁን የፊታችን መስከረም በሚደረገው ምርጫ ላይ ከተሸነፋቺሁና የቀኝ  ፓርቲው ማለትም HØYERE ካሸነፈ ለኢትዮጵያ የሚሰጠው እርዳታ የሰብአዊ መብት አጠባበቅ እስካልተሻሻለ ድረስ እንደሚያቋርጥ ይናገራል፥ ይህ ከሆነ ምን ታደርጋላችሁ፥
• የታችኛውን የህብረተሰብ ክፍል ይደርሳሉ ተብሎ የታመነባቸው የውጭ NGO ዎች በተጣለባቸው የመንግስት ገደብ ምክንያት ሊሰሩ አለመቻላቸው፥
• መንግስት በሃይማኖት ተቋማት ላይ ጣልቃ በመግባቱና ዜጎች ተቃውሟቸውን ሰላማዊ መንገድ በማሰማታቸው ብቻ ግድያ፥ እስራትና ድብደባ እየተፈፀመባቸው ነው፥
• በኢትዮጵያ ውስጥ ሆሞሴክሽዋል በሆኑ ዘጎች መብት ላይ ምን እየእየሰራቺሁ ነው የሚሉና ግርዛትን ለመከላከል ምን እየሰራቺሁ ነው የሚሉና ስለአየር ብክለትን በተመለከተ በርከት ያሉ ጥያቄዎች የተሰነዘረላቸው ሲሆን

እሳቸውም በአብዛኛው የመልስ ትኩረታቸውን ያረጉትና ለማብራራት እንደሞከሩት ኖርዎይ በአሁኑ ጊዜ ቅድሚያ ሰጥታ እየሰራች ያለችው

• በሴቶችና ህፃናት እኩልነትና መብቶቻቸው ዙሪያ በተለይም ግርዛትን በተመለከተ
• የአየርና የአካባቢ ብክለትንና እየፈጠረ ያለውን እድገት ለመከላከል ኢትዮጵያ፥ ኖርዎይና ኢንግላንድ በ2011 ዱርባን ላይ የተፈራረሙትን የሶስትዮሽ የስራ ስምምነት ከተለያዩ ድርጅቶች ጋር በተግባር ማስፈፀም
•  የኢኮኖሚ እድገትን በተመለከተና  በመጨረሻም 
• ዲሞክራሲና የሰብአዊ መብቶች አጠባበቅ ዙሪያ ከዩናይትድ ኔሽን የሰብአዊ መብቶች አጠባበቅ ኮሚሽን ጋር በመሆን ከ2011 ዓ/ም ጀምሮ በመሰራት ላይ መሆናቸውን ገልፀው አልፈዋል፥፥

ወደ መጀመርያው ጥያቄ ልመለስና ኢትዮጵያ በትልቅ የእድገት ጎዳና ላይ ናት ብትልሙም የሚሰደደው ዜጋ ብዛት እያጨመረ ነው በሺዎች የሚቆጠሩ ኢትዮጵያውያን ኤርትራን ጨምሮ ወደ ተለያዩ የአረብ ሃገራት እየተሰደዱ በዛም አልያም በመንገድ ላይ ወይንም እዛም ከደረሱ በኋላ ህይወታቸውን እያጡ ነው እድገትና ሰላም ካለ ለምን ይህ ሆነ ተብሎ ለቀረበላቸው ጥያቄ ሲመልሱ በተቃዋሚዎች በኩል የተጋነነ ነገር እንደሚወራና የተባለው ነገርም መረጃው እንደሌላቸው ገልፀው ተቃዋሚዎች የሚሰራውን ሰራ ሁሉ በበጎ አይመለከቱትም እነሱም አንድ ላይ ቁጭ ብለው መወያየት አይችሉም ለምሳሌ በኖርዎይ ምንም እንኳን አነስተኛ ቁጥር ያለው ኢትዮጵያዊ ቢኖርም ከ13 እስከ 15 የሚጠጉ የተለያዩ ድርጅቶች አሉ ብለዋል፥፥ 

አባባሉ እውነታነት ያለው ነጥብ የሚያሰጣቸው አባባል ቢሆንም ለጥያቄው ግን መልስ አልነበረም፥፥ ለማንኛውም እኛ ለጠየቅናቸው ጥያቄዎች በቂና አጥጋቢ መልስ አጊንተናል ብለን ባናምንም ያገኘነውን አጋጣሚ በመጠቀም ጥያቄዎቻችንንና ሃሳቦቻችንን ለመግለፅ ችለናል፥፥

ኢትዮጰያ በክብር ለዘላለም ትኑር!

ጌዲዮን

ESAT Special program Ethiopia wedet Part I Aug 18 2013

ነግ በኔ አለማለት በወረፋ ለመጠቃት መዘጋጀት ነው!

የወያኔ ጉጅሌ የህዝባችንን መሰረታዊ መብቶች ነጥቆና ረግጦ ለመግዛት ከወሰነ የቆየ ቢሆንም ዛሬ ህዝቡ ብሶቱ እየገነፈለ አደባባይ መውጣቱ አርበትብቶታል። ወያኔ የህዝብን ጥያቄና ኮሽታ በሰማ ቁጥር የህዝብን ደም በግፍ የሚያፈሰውም ከዚህ መርበትበትና ብረገጋው ጋር በተያያዘ ነው።

ከአላንዳች ህዘባዊ መሰረት በጠመንጃ እና በፖሊስ ሃይል ላይ ብቻ ተንጠልጥሎ ቁም ስቅላችንን የሚያሳየን ወያኔ ከህዝብ የበለጠ ሃይል ኖሮት አይደለም። የወያኔ ጉልበትና ግፍ የፀናብን ተከፋፍለን በየተራ ለመቀጥቀጥ ስለፈቀድንለት ብቻ ነው። ወያኔን ያጎለበተው በአንዱ የህብረተሰብ ክፍል ላይ መዐት ሲወርድ ሌሎቻችን ወረፋችን እስኪደርስ ቆመን በመመልከታችን ነው ። ባለፈው ሳምንት የእስልምና እምነት ተከታይ ኢትዮጵያውያን የ ክቡር በዓላቸውን በሚያከብሩበት ቅዱስ ቀን በደም ያጠመቃቸው ክርስቲያኑና ሌላው ተመልካች ይሆናል ብሎ ስላመነ ነው። የኦሮሞው ጥቃት ለአማራው ምንም እንዳልሆነ፣ የአማራው ጥቃት ለኦሮሞው፣ ለደቡቡና ለትግሬው ምኑም እንዳልሆነ፣ የደቡቡ ጥቃት ሌሎችን የማያገባና የማይመለከት ነዉ ብለን ስለምናምን ለወያኔ ጥቃት ተመችተነዋል። በአጠቃላይ “ነግ በኔ” ማለት ትተናል። በወረፋ ለማጥቃት ወያኔ አመቻችቶናል። እኛም ተመቻችተናል። የኢድ አልፈጥር እለት እናቶችን፣ ሽማግሌዎችንና ህጻነትን ሳይመርጥ እንደእባብ በዱላ ሲቀጠቅጥ የዋለው የወያኔ ልዩ ሃይል የተማመነው “ነገ በኔ” የሚል ህዝብ ይኖራል ብሎ አለማሰቡና፣ የመከፋፈያ ሴራዪ ሰርቶልኛል ብሎ በማመኑ ነው። ነገሩ ባለቤቱን ካልናቁ አጥሩን አይነቀንቁ ነው። ሁላችንንም ባይንቀን ኖሮ ጥቂቶቻችንን አይደፍረንም ነበር።

ዛሬ የወያኔ ጥቃት ሰለባ ያልሆነ፣ በወረፋው ያልተመታ፣ ያልተገደለ፣ ያልታሰረ፣ ያልተሰደደ፣ ከመኖሪያው ያልተፈናቀለ፣ ከስራው ያልተባረረ የህብረተሰብ ክፍል የለም። ሰራተኛ፣ ምሁራን፣ ገበሬዎች፣ የብሄር ብሄረሰብ ስብስብ፣ ተማሪ፣ መመህር ወዘተ የጥቃት ወረፋ ያልደረሰው የለም።

ጥያቄው ለምን በወረፋ እንደበደባለን? እስከመቼስ ነው ወያኔ የአንዳንዶቻችንን ጥየቄ የሌሎቻችን ማስፈራሪያ እንዲያደርገውና የጥቃት እርምጃውን በየተራ እንዲያፈራረቅብን የምንፈቅድለት? የሚለው ነው ።

ግንቦት 7 ለፍትህ፣ ለነጻነትና ዲሞክራሲ ንቅናቄ ዛሬ ወያኔ በሙስሊሙ ወገኖቻችን ላይ የከፈተው የጥቃት ዘመቻ በጋራ መመከት ካልተቻለ ነገ በክርስቲያኑ ወይም በሌላው እምነት ተከታይ ላይ ላለመደገሙ ማረጋገጫ የለም ብሎ ያምናል::

የኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ ከቀን ወደቀን ለነጻነቱና ለማንነቱ ሲል የሚያደርገው ትግልና እንቅስቃሴ እንቅልፍ የነሳቸው እና የእግር ዉስጥ እሳት የሆነባቸው ህወሃቶች፤ የሀገራችንን አንድነት ህልውና እና ማንነት ለማጥፋት፣ ዜጎች ስለመብታቸው እንዳይጠይቁ እየነጣጠሉ እና እየከፋፈሉ በደም የተጨማለቀ እጃቸውን እንደገና በደም እያለቀለቁ ስለሃይማኖታቸው ነጻነት፣ ስለፍትህ እጦት፣ ስለዲሞክራሲ መስፈን በጮኹ አንደበቶች፤ አንደበታቸውን በጥይት ሲዘጉ ማየት በወያኔ ጎራ በእነ ኢቲቪ መንደር የእነ አስረሽ ምችው ድለቃ የተለመደ ነው። ስለዚህ የማንኛውም ዜጋ የእኩልነት፣ የፍትህ፣ የነጻነት ጥያቄ ምላሹ ሞትና መታሰር ከሆነ እስከ መቼ ተራ እንጠብቃለን?

ተቻችለንና ተከባብረን የኖርን ኢትዮጵያውያን ለወያኔ ከፋፍለህ ግዛ እና አጥቃ ፖሊሲ መመቸት የለብንም። በደስታና በሀዘን ሳንለያይ የዘለቀውን አንድነታችን አሁን በዚህ አስከፊና ጨካኝ ወያኔያዊ ድርጊት አዝነን ከንፈራችንን ለሞቱት እና ለታሰሩት በመምጠጥ አይደለም ቁጭታችንና ሀዘናችን መግለጽ ያለብን። ለተጠቁ ወገኖቻችን መከታ ጋሻ ሆነናቸው ቁስላቸው ቁስላችን፣ ደማቸው ደማችን፣ ሀዘናቸው ሀዘናችን፣ ሆኖ ነገ በኔ በሚል ዛሬ ሁሉንም የትግል ስልቶች ተጠቅመን አለንላችሁ በሚል አንድ ላይ ሆነን ስንታገል ብቻ ነው።ቋንቋና ሃይማኖት ቢለያየንም በወያኔ ግፍ ግን ሁላችንም አንድ መሆናችንን ለአፍታ እንኳን መዘንጋት በወረፋ ለመቀጥቀጥ መዘጋጀት ነውና በወያኔ ላይ በአንድነት እንነሳ!!

ግንቦት 7 ንቅናቄ የሀገራችን ህልውናን ለማዳን፣ የሁሉም ዜጋ የእምነት ነጻነት፣ እኩልነት፣ የሰው ልጆች መሰረታዊ ዴሞክራሲያዊ መብቶች እንዲከበሩ ዛሬም በቆራጥ ልጆቹ መሰዋእትነት የወያኔን ዘረኛ አክራሪነት ለመታገል ቃል ኪዳኑን ያድሳል። መላው የሀገራችን ህዝብ ሆይ፡ የነጻነት ጥያቄ ድምፃችሁ፣ ድምጻችን ነው። የጥቃት ወላፈኑ አቃጥሎ ሳይጨርሰን፣ ዳር ሆነን ላንመለከት ወያኔን በማናቸውም መንገድ ታግለን ልንጥለው፣ ልናስወግደው ትግሉን ጀምረናል፡፡ ያለውን ሰቆቃ በማስቆም በወያኔ ከርሰ መቃብር ላይ ኢትዮጵያችን የሁሉም እምነት ተከታዮች ተከባብረውና ተፋቅረው በነጻነት የሚኖሩበት አገር ትሆን ዘንድ እንታገል:: ኑ ተቀላቀሉን! ዳር ሆኖ መመልከቱ ይብቃ! በቃ!!

ድል ለኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ!!

Demonstration in Oslo Norway Aug 16 .2013 against TPLF regime Organized by Ethiopian Asylum Seekers Association in Norway

Ethiopian Asylum Seekers Association in Norway organized a demonstration in front of the Norwegian Foreign Affairs august 16,2013 against the TPLF regime in Ethiopia to condemn and Request donors and all members of the international community (including Norway) to re-evaluate the relationship with Ethiopian regime and put pressure on the regime to respect human rights, rule of law, and release all political prisoners, 

Strongly condemn collaboration of e.g., Chinese and Indian governments and investors in the massive fertile land grab and deforestation programme, evicting poor farmers, Condemn China’s collaboration with the Ethiopian regime in jamming and blocking independent media, like Voice of America (VOA), and the Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) and denying Ethiopian people access to alternative media, Call up on all Ethiopians and political and civic organizations working for democratic change in Ethiopia to come together and work I unison to realize democracy and rule of law in the country and Strongly condemn the Ethiopian regime interference of religion affairs. 

Gedion

Press release: Ginbot 7 Popular Force fundraising task-force in Norway

August 14, 2013

Ethiopia and its citizens have never been endangered and humiliated as under the rule of the woyane junta. The current problem of the country and its people is not only a question of lack of basic human rights, but it is a matter of life and death to the people and existence of Ethiopia as a sovereign country.

To fight the enemy which is responsible for the aforementioned situation and avert the danger, Ethiopians are wedging armed struggle and this is increasingly becoming the only and appropriate alternative.

Hence, Ginbot 7 Popular Force (G7PF) is established by freedom-loving Ethiopians, comprising youngsters, intellectuals and others. The main objectives of this force, as described on its website, are contributing to make the Ethiopian people owner of political power and establishing strong, sovereign and democratic Ethiopia. G7PF is working to remove TPLF by force and to create a peaceful transition period enabling establishment of non-partisan and constitutional defense, police, security, judiciary, etc. institutions which are crucial for a healthy playground for different political parties aspiring power in the country.

Among the current G7PF members are many intellectuals who joined this force abandoning their relatively comfortable living, families and professional jobs. This is one of the advantages of the G7PF compared to traditional armed struggles in Ethiopia where mainly farmers and other non-intellectuals are the main components of foot soldiers. Thus, the struggle of Ginbot 7 Popular Force gets skillful leadership on the ground and its members at the front properly understand why and whom they are fighting for and paying sacrifices.

Appreciating the efforts and the good intentions of G7PF, we Ethiopians in Norway have decided to support the force and established ad hoc committee (taskforce) mandated to coordinate a one-time fundraising in Oslo. As from the date of its establishment the taskforce is working on various activities and scheduled 28^th of September, 2013 the date for the grand fundraising event in Oslo.

During this event, on 28 of Sep., 2013, representatives of the G7PF leadership will be present and the program of the event comprises, discussions, fundraising and entertaining activities.

Therefore, the taskforce herewith kindly invite all Ethiopians and other nationals both from Norway and neighboring countries to take part in this event and support G7PF.

Freedom, justice and democracy to all Ethiopians!

Ethiopia shall prevail!

Ginbot 7 Popular Force fundraising coordinating ad hoc committee in Norway

August 14, 2013, Norway, Oslo

Visit our facebook event: – https://www.facebook.com/events/561604620565318/?fref=ts

Ethiopian government in action, to reduce the Amhara population

Documentary video in Amharic reviled Ethiopian government given birth control shots for young Amhara women without there knowledge, according to the documentary in the Amhara village which the women took government provided vaccination none of them are given birth for years. One of the women says “we missed to see kids in the village.

South Africa: Thousands of Ethiopians flock to Durban for a meeting with Dr Berhanu Nega

The Horn Times Newsletter 11 August 2013

“Tesmamto Yalebet Eslam Christiyanu

Tezenegash ende Ethiopia mehonu…..” 

The song the colorful Ethiopian crowd is currently singing aloud, as thousands of refugees from all occupations, Muslims and Christians begin flocking to the South African port city of Durban for tonight’s extraordinary meeting with their heroic opposition party leader, his Excellency Dr Berhanu Nega via video link at the magnificent Sun Coast Casino conference hall.

According to the organizing Bête-Ethiopia committee spokesperson, the iconic dissident artist/activist Tamagne Beyene and respected spiritual leader Sheik imam Khalid Omar will also speak to the participants via Skype from the US.

However, with their country in turmoil and with the ruling minority junta quickly transforming itself into a killing machine, most refugees the Horn times spoke to appeared very keen to hear what the patriotic academic will have to say on critical issues the nation of 80 million is facing.

“Dr (Berhanu) is an intelligent and street-smart individual with great savoir-faire to be the leader of a proud nation like Ethiopia. For the past decade, my soul searched for a patriotic leader to follow and found one in him. Personally, he is my commander- in- chief. He is fearless, hawkish, and pragmatic; above all, he is an incomparable patriot. The hope of the nation rests on his shoulders. Dear Dr Berhanu, please know that we love you.” Alemeshet Bekele, 24, a refugee in South Africa for 6 years told the Horn Times in Durban.

“Am a proud member of Ginbot-7 political party. Only Ginbot-7 represents the dreams and aspirations of the people of Ethiopia. I urge all Ethiopians to join this unique party to avoid fragmenting the opposition. The ruling junta fears Ginbot-7 because of its popularity and its firm stance on human rights and human dignity.” The philosophical young man added while his boisterous friends clad in the national flag shouted “viva Berhanu Nega!”, “viva Ginbot-7!”, “viva Ethiopian Muslims!”

“I have a bona fide offer for puppet Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.” Another young man, Samuel Alemu cuts in. “quit and flee.” He said to the loud cheer of his friends.

“We are less than four hours before the meeting starts. Look at the popularity of this larger- than- life character Dr Berhanu Nega.  His undimmed pulling power has not fade a bit since 2005 when he made that famous clean sweep of votes in the national elections. We are very eager to hear his plan for the future. The direction his party would take to end the bondage of slavery in Ethiopia will be very crucial for us. Am a bit tense.” Said a 47-year-old chartered accountant who requested anonymity.

The meeting is scheduled to start at August 11, 5:30 pm.

infohorntimes@gmail.com
@infohorntimes

Ethiopian Muslims attacked by government forces during Eid al-Fitr celebrations in Addis Ababa

የሰማያዊ ፓርቲ ሊቀመንበር ኢንጅነር ይልቃል ጌትነት ከአዲስ ዘመን ጋዜጣ ጋር በወቅታዊ ጉዳዮች ላይ ያደረጉት ቃለ-...

Countries such as Ethiopia receive aid from the west, but are jailing their journalists – media owners and managers must act

"I am jailed, with around 200 other inmates, in a wide hall that looks like a warehouse. For all of us, there are only three toilets. Most of the inmates sleep on the floor, which has never been swept. About 1,000 prisoners share the small open space here at Kaliti Prison. One can guess our fate if a communicable disease breaks out."

So began a powerful polemic published in the New York Times last month by Eskinder Nega, one of Ethiopia's best-known journalists. Last year, under sweeping anti-terror laws used to silence critics of a repressive regime, he was given an 18-year sentence for daring to write about the Arab Spring and suggesting something similar could happen in his own country without reform.

Nega has been imprisoned nine times for his journalism. His wife has also been locked up, forced to give birth to their son behind bars. Their case highlights how Ethiopia might be a donor darling of the west, but it is run by a ruthless government that does not tolerate dissent. Journalists are routinely jailed, while dozens more fled the country and scores of papers have been shut down – 72 over the past two decades, according to one estimate.

Nega's courage and incarceration highlight the dangers of journalism in parts of Africa, where in too many places dubious laws, deadly violence and direct intimidation are used to stop investigations and stifle criticism. In countries such as Somalia and Zimbabwe, dedicated reporters doing their job risk their lives and liberty daily; last month, I worked with a journalist in Harare who constantly checked his car mirrors for security squads.

You might expect the continent's media owners and managers to take a strong stand in defence of media freedom. Instead, they have decided to hold their flagship annual convention – the largest such gathering in Africa – in Addis Ababa, just a few miles down the road from where journalists languish in jail.

The African Media Initiative (AMI) – which has been handed British aid in the past – naively calls this constructive engagement, ignoring the reality of a one-party regime renowned for its rigidity.

The AMI brushed aside complaints from exiled Ethiopian journalists. Zerihun Tesfaye, one of eight staff on a paper forced to flee overnight after threats from security forces, told me the decision insulted all those fighting tyranny by rewarding a country where independent journalism is equated with terrorism. He is right.

The AMI also ignored concerns from the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, which held meetings with organisers after complaining about the Ethiopian regime's "iron grip on the media and hostile rhetoric against press freedom".

The obstinacy of an organisation claiming a mission to empower citizens to hold governments to account is tragic; the event is even called, with no obvious sense of irony, Media and the African Renaissance. Not only does its complicity with such an authoritarian state betray those working for their publications, websites and stations. It also fails a continent in which both professional and citizen journalism is playing an increasingly crucial role in civil society despite cash restraints and often-challenging circumstances.

Many parts of Africa remain a difficult place to be a journalist, whether for financial, legal or security reasons. It is easy to list the bad examples: Nigeria, where the authorities continue to use coercion against reporters, responsible for more than 90 cases of assault and intimidation last year alone. Eritrea, the most censored country in the world, with close to 30 editors and journalists held in secret prisons. Or supposedly-democratic Zambia, where independent websites are being blocked and their staff harassed.

But there are also little-heralded causes for optimism, and not just in nations such as Mali, Niger and Senegal that have long enjoyed a lively media; indeed, the media in Mali's capital Bamako remained unshackled even after last year's coup. Anti-media laws have been rolled back in Malawi and Uganda, while technology is liberating a generation of new voices even in some of the most perilous places. The recent election campaign in Zimbabwe was enlivened by an anonymous blogger revealing a stream of sensitive government gossip, infuriating Robert Mugabe.

Many of the issues confronting the media are the same the world over, with tight resources and tussles over state control. But after suffering so badly as a result of colonialism and collateral damage from the cold war, Africa needs strong voices to shape its own narrative and shrug off the old stereotypes as it emerges into a more peaceful, prosperous future. Instead of cuddling up to states seeking to silence such vital voices, media owners and their managers should be fighting for free expression and standing by brave journalists risking everything for their job, their causes and their continent's future.

Ian Birrell is a former deputy editor of the Independent and co-founder of Africa Express
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/a ... ss-freedom

ESAT Yehud Weg 04 August 2013

ኢሳት የእሁድ ወግ ኦገስት 3፥2013 ከአቶ ብርሃኑ ዳምጤ ጋር