Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
oduu
By Kasembeli Albert* | Editor, East Africa Investor Magazine
WEF Should Petition Ethiopia over Oromo Human Rights
Background:
Call for boycott of Ethiopian Airlines is growing after the publication of Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku’s testimony, which described the injustice he had faced at Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) because of his national identity and civic activities. Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku is an Oromo, the largest nation in the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia, but a nation politically and economically marginalized and repressed for the last 120 years in its own homeland, Oromia.
Call for boycott of Ethiopian Airlines is growing after the publication of Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku’s testimony, which described the injustice he had faced at Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) because of his national identity and civic activities. Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku is an Oromo, the largest nation in the Horn of Africa and Ethiopia, but a nation politically and economically marginalized and repressed for the last 120 years in its own homeland, Oromia.
In 2004, with Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku as its President, the Maccaa-Tulama Self-Help Association, the oldest Oromo civic group, called for public demonstration to express its view against the decision to move the capital of Oromia out of Finfinne, which is the constitutionally designated seat of Oromia. In short, the Association’s call was a call for the respect of the Constitution. Instead, the government violently crashed the demonstration and blamed the Association for blackmailing the state. Thereafter, Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku was put behind bars for 3 years (from May 18, 2004 up to March 2007) as an Amnesty International prisoner of conscience.After he was acquitted of all charges in 2007,Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) dismissed him from his position without any sufficient ground. In addition, later on in 2008, he was refused rehire, and denied his severance and retirement packages, which he was entitled to for working with the company for over 20 years.
In his testimony, he said, “even if at this stage, there are not many things that we could do, I demand our people to boycott flying the EAL until and unless it reverses the action it took against me and change its way of discouraging Oromos from struggling for their people.”
Demands:
1. EAL should reverse the action it took against Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku.
2. EAL should change its policy that discourages Oromos from struggling for their people.
1. EAL should reverse the action it took against Mr. Dirribi Demissie Bokku.
2. EAL should change its policy that discourages Oromos from struggling for their people.
Graphics: Oromo Affairs
“Justice will only exist where those not affected by injustice are filled with the same amount of indignation as those offended.”Plato (c.427 – 347 BC)
Ethiopia is set to host the next World Economic Forum's 22nd annual conference in May 2012. Among the reasons for holding its African forum in Addis Ababa, said a WEF spokesperson, are that it is a diplomatic hub – including: it hosts the African Union; it is extending development to the rural poor, with lessons for the rest of Africa; and it has never been colonized.
This is an irony as the Ethiopian government has one of the worst human rights records on the continent. To the contrary, the Addis Ababa regime is setting a dangerous precedent and bad lessons to the rest of the continent. The uninterrupted human rights violations by the Ethiopian government should be a disgracing factor among the community of nations, including the WEF.
By allowing Ethiopia to host the WEF parley next year, the international community is directly endorsing the protracted annihilation of the Oromo people. WEF, among other international institution, should be on the fore front of petitioning the Addis Ababa regime to grant the liberty of the Oromia.
It is through such fora that attention could be drawn to the widespread imprisonments, harassment and indiscriminate killing of Oromo students, men and women of different ages, religious backgrounds, and professions by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) led Ethiopian government – motivated by fear of public uprising and hate against the Oromo people.
By taking the conference to Addis Ababa, WEF will be joining the ranks of AU and COMESA, among other international institutions, which have failed to use their enormous influence on the government of Ethiopia to stop the imprisonments and killings of innocent Oromo in particular, and other people of Ethiopia in general.
The Oromo people constitute the single largest national group in Ethiopia and the Greater Horn of Africa. The size of the Oromo population and the geographical location of their country, Oromia, make the Oromia regional state in the heart of Ethiopia. Ethiopia mainly depends on the human and natural resources of Oromia. However, the Oromo people are one of the most impoverished and terrorized indigenous African people.
The Zenawi regime fears the Oromo numerical voting power. In fear of free and fair elections, the regime has been systematically destroying all independent Oromo political and civic organizations, and closed down their newspapers and magazines.
Even the Macha and Tulama Association, a civic association, which was established in 1963 was banned, its leaders detained, and its property confiscated. The Oromo Relief Association, established in 1979, was also closed down by the Zenawi’s regime and millions worth of property seized.
Out of hate and fear, the TPLF led government is currently perpetuating collective violence and indiscriminate shooting against the Oromo students. Currently, the Ethiopian Prime Minster Meles Zenawi is worried that the people’s revolution that forced the Tunisian and Egyptian dictatorial regimes out of power is coming to Ethiopia.
Driven by fear, the Zenawi security forces in a single event shot and wounded over one hundred Oromo students in Tepi-Mizan University and are massively imprisoning Oromo men and women throughout Ethiopia. According to the Human Rights Leagues of the Horn (HRLHA, April 11, 2011), the students, who are the victims of the rampage shooting, did nothing illegal, but simply asked the administration of the University to discipline Mr. Zenawi’s agents and cadres, who made blatant racist remarks against the Oromo people.
Driven by fear, the Zenawi security forces in a single event shot and wounded over one hundred Oromo students in Tepi-Mizan University and are massively imprisoning Oromo men and women throughout Ethiopia. According to the Human Rights Leagues of the Horn (HRLHA, April 11, 2011), the students, who are the victims of the rampage shooting, did nothing illegal, but simply asked the administration of the University to discipline Mr. Zenawi’s agents and cadres, who made blatant racist remarks against the Oromo people.
Unfortunately, Meles Zenawi is also resorting to very alarming and inhuman acts against the Oromo University students. Recently, the regime’s security forces allegedly poisoned the food prepared for University students at the Adama and Arba Minch Universities. The timing and the site of poisoning the Oromo students are not coincidental. It is a deliberate and desperate act to terrorize the Oromo people in general, and the youth in particular. This act proves that TPLF regime has a proclivity of committing genocide against the Oromo and the other peoples of Ethiopia in order to perpetuate its minority and unjust rule.
The extent of human rights abuse in Ethiopia is documented by annual reports of Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the US State Department. Other reports by Human Rights Watch and the Oromia Support Group (OSG) include many detailed accounts of individual violations of basic human rights.
A large number of Oromo asylum-seekers escaping persecution in Ethiopia have fled to neighbouring countries like Kenya, where many have been subject to killings and refoulement. It's especially saddening for refugees to be affected by internal crises of their temporary host countries in North Africa and Middle East countries.
The land grabbing, which is currently displacing many farmers across the country, particularly in Oromia and Gambella regions, is another worrying situation in Ethiopia.
The WEF, slated for Addis Ababa next year, should instead take practical measures, to reduce human misery and promote democracy in Ethiopia by petitioning Meles Zenawi to respect the constitution and stop extra-judicial killings, rampage shootings and arbitrary arrests of innocent people and prolonged detention without trial.
The forum should also petition the western powers to suspend economic assistance to the Ethiopian government until such a time that the government of Meles Zenawi shows its commitment to the rule of law and exert pressure on the regime to bring individuals who have committed the killings to justice.
It is only prudent that the international community compels Zenawi to bring to speedy trials or unconditional release of hundreds of Oromo students who have been detained without due process of law and to allow all Oromo students to continue with their education freely, legally and peacefully without fear of harassment, detention and loss of life. WEF has the capacity to positively contribute to creating a conducive political environment for establishment of the rule of law in Ethiopia.
* Kasembeli Albert is the Editor, East Africa Investor, a regional financial magazine
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
oduu
Minneapolis, MN - About 100 students, mostly from the University of Minnesota, were gathered at Coffman Memorial Union to mark the second annual Oromo Awareness event. The event is hosted annually by Oromia Student Union (OSU). The ballroom was decorated by Oromo artifacts, history, and pictures depicting, at times horrific, human rights violations perpetuated by the Ethiopian government.
OSU was formed, among other things, "to promote education within the [Oromo] community and create a transitional bridge for Oromo students from high school to college." OSU hosts numerous events throughout the year to “educate the campus [University of Minnesota] community about Oromo history and culture.”
OSU was formed, among other things, "to promote education within the [Oromo] community and create a transitional bridge for Oromo students from high school to college." OSU hosts numerous events throughout the year to “educate the campus [University of Minnesota] community about Oromo history and culture.”
According to the organizers, the Oromo Awareness Day event was intended to shed light on the human rights abuses and political calamities in Ethiopia. It is a way for OSU to represent the voice of its members and community– by introducing Oromo culture and history - to non-Oromos on campus. The posters plastered around the room show everything from Oromo religion, food, history to upcoming OSU events.
A moving poem by Milko Abdurahman titled “My Oromia” was followed by a keynote address by Jawar Siraj Mohammed, an independent researcher and a non-violent struggle consultant. His talk, "How Transnational Identities Are Formed," focused on how migration transforms identities. Jawar identified socio-cultural and economic differences and reception at destination as key factors that affect such transformation.
Jawar then discussed the formation of ethnic enclaves where individuals of particular ethnic groups lead a self-imposed marginalization. Assimilation into predominant culture is less likely because people tend to congregate and do business within the enclaves. As a negative consequence of such marginalization, immigrant cultures sometimes “start imitating the culture of host societies without even understanding the culture”, he noted. At the absence of ethnic enclaves, a true formation of transnational identity takes precedent as individuals will be forced to buy from mainstream businesses and engage in activities with others who are not necessarily like them.
He remarked that ethnic enclaves also nurture undesirable cultural practices such as marrying at an early age. Jawar encouraged the participants to go outside of their comfort zone and socialize with non-Oromos to fully benefit from the opportunities in host countries.
The rest of the program consisted of trivia questions focused mostly on non-Oromos – asking key facts about Oromo people, poems, fashion show, and music. The trivia game was an engaging exercise to help non-Oromos remember what they have heard or read from the poster displays. A free food was also provided.
Jawar then discussed the formation of ethnic enclaves where individuals of particular ethnic groups lead a self-imposed marginalization. Assimilation into predominant culture is less likely because people tend to congregate and do business within the enclaves. As a negative consequence of such marginalization, immigrant cultures sometimes “start imitating the culture of host societies without even understanding the culture”, he noted. At the absence of ethnic enclaves, a true formation of transnational identity takes precedent as individuals will be forced to buy from mainstream businesses and engage in activities with others who are not necessarily like them.
He remarked that ethnic enclaves also nurture undesirable cultural practices such as marrying at an early age. Jawar encouraged the participants to go outside of their comfort zone and socialize with non-Oromos to fully benefit from the opportunities in host countries.
The rest of the program consisted of trivia questions focused mostly on non-Oromos – asking key facts about Oromo people, poems, fashion show, and music. The trivia game was an engaging exercise to help non-Oromos remember what they have heard or read from the poster displays. A free food was also provided.
Related:
Monday, July 25, 2011
U.N
U.N., donors meet on Somalia famine as aid groups seek more help
July 25, 2011 1:18 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: In Dolo, people are getting registered but the aid had not yet arrived
- The World Bank will provide more than $500 million for famine victims
- The United Nations plans to hold an emergency meeting Monday in Rome
- The meeting will address the famine and the emergency response in Somalia
Dolo, Somalia (CNN) -- The World Bank has pledged more than $500 million for famine victims in Somalia as the United Nations met in emergency session Monday to address the aid response in Somalia, the hardest-hit nation in the region.
"Immediate relief and recovery is the first priority, and it is important to act fast to reduce human suffering," World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick said in a news release.
Also Monday, representatives of 191 member countries of the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization met in Rome to devise a plan to head off the imminent food crisis, which the UN has said is affecting more than 12 million people. Two regions in southern Somalia are suffering famine.
"World leaders have no excuses for not generously responding," Oxfam Chief Executive Barbara Stocking said in a statement. "This should not be happening. It is a colossal outrage that the warnings went unheeded, that the lessons of previous famines have been ignored. Yes, we need to save lives today, but we also need to ensure that people have a future. Above all, we need to build a global food system that allows everyone enough to eat."
But such efforts will take time to translate into aid on the ground for the many people in Somalia whose needs are immediate. In Dolo, across the border from Ethiopia, World Food Program workers were registering women and children Monday in a rocky square in this dusty town dotted with thorn bushes.
In a visit Monday by CNN, no one appeared to be receiving aid, and no one was receiving medical help -- they were just getting registered.
Aid officials said they hoped to get food to areas in need in the coming days. They said that some people who had fled across the border into neighboring Ethiopia or Kenya were returning after hearing that distribution was set to begin soon.
At a second registration point nearby, neat lines of women, their children and grandchildren also waited to get registered. Mixed with the town's residents were people who had fled from other parts of the country in search of aid. Children were drinking water from an oil drum perched atop a donkey.
CNN's journalists reached the town by driving in a convoy protected by armed militia members aligned with the government. The militant Islamist group Al-Shabaab, which has sworn allegiance to al Qaeda and is designated a terrorist group by the United States, is less than 50 miles away and could easily move into this area if they wished, according to UN security officials on the scene.
Al-Shabaab has reversed a pledge to allow foreign aid agencies to operate in famine-struck regions in the nation. The group originally banned the aid agencies from areas under its control in 2009, describing them as Western spies and Christian crusaders.
"We are building up in Mogadishu, where we are reaching up to 300,000 people," Josette Sheeran, executive director of the World Food Program, said about the violence-ravaged capital. "But the World Food Program has lost 14 people since 2008, just trying to get kids food. It's dangerous, and it's risky, and we are committed to going to where the people need the most."
The World Food Program has airlifted supplies to Dolo, which borders Ethiopia.
"One thing that is important is to get the supplementary nutritional foods to these children, because children get very weak quickly on these treks," Sheeran said.
RELATED TOPICS
The International Committee of the Red Cross said operating in the nation is a challenge.
"We have teams deployed throughout the country," said Yves van Loo, a spokesman for the Red Cross. "Logistically, it is very complex to operate in Somalia."
More funds are needed to expand aid, the spokesman said.
"We are covering most of the most vulnerable people in the areas we reach, but more needs to be done," he said. "If we can get more money, we can do it."
He said the ICRC was continuing to operate throughout Somalia, as it has for the past 20 years, without encountering problems with Al-Shabaab. "We are deployed in all provinces, while most of the organizations have just a few spots," he said.
The World Bank announced Monday that it is providing more than $500 million to assist drought victims and $12 million in immediate aid to the hardest-hit areas.
The drought has led to starvation and the loss of crops and livestock. Food prices have nearly tripled in some areas since last year, worsening the crisis.
The funds will go toward battling the worst drought in 60 years in Horn of African nations, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti, the World Bank said.
The pledge comes as international aid groups warned that most Somalis have no access to food, and failure to reach them puts children most at risk as their parents trek for days in search of help.
"Women have been telling us throughout the area that they've had to leave children along the road who can't make it, who are too weak to make it and have died along the way," Sheeran said.
As the crisis escalates, relief agencies are scrambling to find ways to deliver supplements to areas that are hardest-hit. About 60% of the Somali population is not getting aid, Sheeran said.
Aid groups are hoping to reach Somalis in the country before they flee to overcrowded camps in Kenya and Ethiopia for help.
"When children have to move long distances, their bodies deteriorate very quickly," Sheeran said. "For children under 5 years old, their bodies and brains can't grow normally."
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
video
Ilmaan Oromoo Mana Hidhaa Qaallitti Keessaa Dhabaman!
(Qunnamtii Oduu Qeerroo, Finfinnee, Ebla 18,2011) Diddaa fi fincila ummataa biyyatti keessatti mandi’aa jiruun kan baaragde Wayyaaneen hidhamtoota siyaasaa illee gara dabarsuutti akka jirtu beekame.
Maddi qunnamtii Oduu Qeerroo akka mirkaneeffatetti, hidhamuu fi butamuu barattoota Oromoo irratti baatii kana keessa eegalameen kan walqabate, kanneen kanaan dura Oromummaa fi ilaalcha siyaasaa isaaniin hidhamanii mana hidhaa Qaallittii keessatti gidirfamaa jiran illee ukkaamsamanii bakka buuteen isaanii dhabamee jira.
Akka kanaan, Injiner Mesfin Abebe/Rasoo Abdisaa fi Tasfaahun Camadaa/Barii Mana hidhaa Qaallitti keessaa bakka buuteen isaanii dhabamuun beekamee jira. Akka qunnamtiin oduu Qeerroo qulqulleefatetti, ilmaan Oromoo kunneen sababa hin beekamneef kutaa hidhaa keessa jiran keessaa gaafa 04/04/2011 (halkan Dilbataa Wixatatti barihu) hidhattoota wayyaaneen ija fi harki isaanii hidhamee bakka buuteen isaanii wallaalameera.
Injinarooti ilmaan Oromoo kunneen Ebla bara 2007, keessa mootummaa Kenyaatiin Nirobi irraa ukkamfamanii fi gidiraa guddaa irratti gaggeeffamaa turee booda Wayyaaneetti dabarfamanii kennaman.
Akkaataa fi Sababa itti qabaman kan seenaan of dura kan baasu ta’us, erga harka tika Keeniyaa galanii irraa kaasee hiraarii fi gidiraa hedduu fi guddaa irra gahee booda gaafa May 12, 2007 halkan keessaa sa’aa 2:00tti humnaan ukkaamfamuun harka fi iji isaanii hidhamee Wayyaaneetti dabarfamanii kennaman.
Erga wayyaaneetti dabarfamanii kennamanii yeroo waggaa tokkoo fi ji’a sadiif otoo aduu, ija firaa fi hiriyyaa hin argiin qoratnoon hamaa irratti gaggeeffame booda gara mana hidhaa qaallittiitti dabarfaman.
Erga qaallittiiti dabarfamaniis yakki dharaa tolfameefi dhadhachi fakii manni murtii wayyaaneetti deddiibihaa turanii; ragaa qabatamaa tokkoon alatti, badii isaan hin dalagnetti yakkamuun gaafa Caamsaa 31, bara 2010; Injiner Mesfen Ababaa/Raasoo irratti du’ti yeroo muramu Injiner Tasfahun Camadaa irratti ammoo hidhaa umurii guutuu dabarfame.
Ilmaan Oromoo saba fi biyya isaaniif dhama’aa turanii fi of durallee waan guddaa dalaguu dandahan, sababa ilaalcha siyaasaa isaaniif qofa ijii fi harki isaanii hidhamee murtiin dabaa irratti darbee ture xiqqaate jedhanii hardhas ilmaan Oromoo kana ijaa fi harka hidhanii mana hidhaa keessaa ukkaamsuun gabaafame!
Sabboontoti ilmaan Oromoo dhimma kana hordofaa jiran sababa dhimma kanaaf kaahan yoo jiraate tokkoffaan wayyaanooti shiraa fi yakka kijibaan murtii du’aa fi umurii guutuu irratti dabarsan raggaasifatuuf shiraa jiran yeroo jedhan kan lammaffaa ammoo imaammati wayyaanee Oromoo qaamaan qofaa hidhuun gahaa miti jedhu hojiitti hiikaa jirti jedhu. Wayyaanooti Oromoo qaamaan qofaa hidhuu otoo hin taane haamlee isaas cabsamuun barbaachisaa dha jedhanii waan amananiif ilmaan Oromoo kana qaamaan isaan hidhuun garaa isaan gahuu dadhabee haamlee ilmaan cabsuuf hiraarsaa jiran jedhu.
Kanaaf yakka mirga dhala namaa irratti dalagamaa jiru kana warri mirga dhala namaaf falman kan akka human right watch, amnesty international, red cross, Oromo Support Group fi kan biroos dhimma kana itti dhiyeenyaan hordofuun hiraarfamuu fi dhabama lubbuu ilmaan Oromoo kanaa oolchan dhiibbaa godhan sabbontoti Oromoo dhaamsa jabaa dabarsaa jiru.
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