http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/1322
Hailu Shawel's trail of betrayal
Oct 13, 2007
This is one in a series of articles Ethiopian Review will publish in the coming few days to expose the betrayals and gross corruption surrounding Ato Hailu Shawel and his close friends. Up to now, many believed and hoped that Ato Hailu is an innocent victim of the Shaleqa gang. But Shaleqa Yoseph himself said recently that he did not do any thing without being ordered by his boss Hailu Shawel. The most recent actions by Ato Hailu proves the Shaleqa's argument. To get a glimpse of the wrong path Ato Hailu chose to take, read this article (click here - Amharic)
Ato Hailu Shawel has betrayed those of us who had trusted him, and placed our hopes on him to provide an honest, principled, corruption free leadership. We were led to believe that he is a trust worthy, fair minded individual, a consistent, strong, unwavering leader. Little did we know that we were hoping against hope when all the signs were there — his crude betrayal of Prof. Asrat and all the other AAPO leaders. We were indeed fooling ourselves. The way things are unfolding now, it may turn out that he is the father of all corruptions, nepotism and bigotry.
Ato Hailu Shawel’s current betrayal of his supporters and colleagues bring memories of his betrayal of Professor Asrat Woldeyes several years ago. After quitting the All Amhara People’s Organization (AAPO) over a minor disagreement, when Professor Asrat was languishing in jail for six years, Ato Hailu did not visit him even once in jail, and had never participated in any type of activity to help release the professor. He did not even attend Prof. Asrat's funeral service. For six years when Prof. Asrat languished in jail, Ato Hailu was making money and becoming a millionaire, without spending one minute of his time in Ethiopian politics. After Prof. Asrat died, Ato Hailu maneuvered his way back to the AAPO using his money. Once he became chairman of the AAPO, he had systematically pushed out many of the independent thinking leaders of the AAPO, including Ato Wondayehu Kassa, Ato Ali Indris, Col. Getahun Ejigu, and Ato Girma EnquSelassie using the power of his money against these individuals who were left pennyless due to several years of incarceration by Woyanne. Many of these individuals had languished in Woyanne jails along with Prof. Asrat.
As we look deeper into Ato Hailu’s past in trying to understand his current behavior, what we are finding is that his trail of betrayal, as well as his dictatorial behavior, goes way back. We will leave that for the history books. But what is now obvious is that when Ato Hailu told BBC’s Hard Talk two years ago that Ethiopians are double faced, we are now discovering that he was talking about himself.
x`
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Elias Kifle on Hailu Shawel's "thriving business"
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/content/1646
Hailu Shawel's family business thriving under Woyanne
Dec 18, 2007
Shawel Consulting, Hailu Shawel’s family business based in Addis Ababa, is one of the few thriving companies in Ethiopia that are successfully competing with Sebhat Nega’s EFFORT and Al Amoudi’s Midrock.
ER Research Unit in Addis Ababa has learned that recently, the Woyanne regime’s deputy prime minister, Addisu Legesse, has helped Hailu Shawel’s company, Shawel Consulting Firm, land a lucrative contract in the ‘Amhara Killil’ to upgrade Bahr Dar Airport.
Shawel’s Consulting Firm started to get lucrative government contract particularly since 2006, according to ER Research Unit.
Prior to 2006, the company and Hailu Shawel’s family were on a downward spiral financially, sources told ER Research Unit. Until the Summer of 2006, the Shawel family could not even keep up with the mortgage of their $600,000 house in Edina, Minnesota. Ato Hailu’s close family friend in Los Angeles, Ato Moges Brook, had to pay over $15,000 mortgage from Kinijit’s account that he and Shaleqa Yoseph Yazew control.
Recently, however, the family business is thriving. On top of the airport upgrade contract in the “Amhara Killil,” Hailu Shawel’s firm is currently working on another multimillion dollar construction project to build a large shopping mall. ER Research Unit is working to get more details and photos of this project.
Ato Hailu Shawel and Company have also been promised by Woyanne that they can freely operate in any part of Ethiopia and prepare for the next election as long as they do not use the name Kinijit. Ato Hailu has accepted the offer, but had to find a pretext to withdraw from Kinijit without causing himself and his group a public backlash. Before he departed for the U.S., he held meetings with former AEUP officials and created various committees that are assigned the task of reorganizing AEUP.
Asked by Kinijit officials Bertukan Mideksa and others why a bank account was opened under AEUP and the office rental contract was also renewed under AEUP, Ato Abayneh Berhanu and other colleagues of Hailu Shawel answered that Woyanne would not allow them to operate under Kinijit. When making such a decision, Ato Abayneh did not bother to consult with the Kinijit executive committee.
Currently, Ato Hailu Shawel and Company are busy preparing to participate in the upcoming local elections in April 2008 under the AEUP banner. Several teams have been dispatched to various woredas (districts) through out the country to re-open AEUP offices. Even the exiled Dr Taye Woldesemayat is returning to Ethiopia to help with preparations for the upcoming elections. He told Hailu Shawel’s supporters at the Paltalk’s Diaspora Room on Sunday that he is planning to go to Ethiopia soon.
All this is done by Hailu Shawel and gang while lying to the public that Kinijit is united. What these fools don’t know is that, after they help Woyanne destroy Kinijit, Woyanne will turn on them. Woyannes have promised themselves never again to allow the 2005 type of election where international observers will be present.
All Hailu Shawel’s corruption, business dealings with Addisu Legesse and other Woaynnes, reorganizing of AEUP, the campaign to dismantle Kinijit, etc. are not secret to Wzt. Bertukan and her friends. It is just that they are too timid to expose them. Wzt. Bertukan and crew are too nice to be politicians. Why don’t they open a book store and smile all day? They have turned out to be ragdolls in the face of an all out assault by the AEUP feudalists-Woyanne-EPRP unholy alliance. As far as ER is concerned, they are toast — unless they clean up their act and start fighting back.
Hailu Shawel's family business thriving under Woyanne
Dec 18, 2007
Shawel Consulting, Hailu Shawel’s family business based in Addis Ababa, is one of the few thriving companies in Ethiopia that are successfully competing with Sebhat Nega’s EFFORT and Al Amoudi’s Midrock.
ER Research Unit in Addis Ababa has learned that recently, the Woyanne regime’s deputy prime minister, Addisu Legesse, has helped Hailu Shawel’s company, Shawel Consulting Firm, land a lucrative contract in the ‘Amhara Killil’ to upgrade Bahr Dar Airport.
Shawel’s Consulting Firm started to get lucrative government contract particularly since 2006, according to ER Research Unit.
Prior to 2006, the company and Hailu Shawel’s family were on a downward spiral financially, sources told ER Research Unit. Until the Summer of 2006, the Shawel family could not even keep up with the mortgage of their $600,000 house in Edina, Minnesota. Ato Hailu’s close family friend in Los Angeles, Ato Moges Brook, had to pay over $15,000 mortgage from Kinijit’s account that he and Shaleqa Yoseph Yazew control.
Recently, however, the family business is thriving. On top of the airport upgrade contract in the “Amhara Killil,” Hailu Shawel’s firm is currently working on another multimillion dollar construction project to build a large shopping mall. ER Research Unit is working to get more details and photos of this project.
Ato Hailu Shawel and Company have also been promised by Woyanne that they can freely operate in any part of Ethiopia and prepare for the next election as long as they do not use the name Kinijit. Ato Hailu has accepted the offer, but had to find a pretext to withdraw from Kinijit without causing himself and his group a public backlash. Before he departed for the U.S., he held meetings with former AEUP officials and created various committees that are assigned the task of reorganizing AEUP.
Asked by Kinijit officials Bertukan Mideksa and others why a bank account was opened under AEUP and the office rental contract was also renewed under AEUP, Ato Abayneh Berhanu and other colleagues of Hailu Shawel answered that Woyanne would not allow them to operate under Kinijit. When making such a decision, Ato Abayneh did not bother to consult with the Kinijit executive committee.
Currently, Ato Hailu Shawel and Company are busy preparing to participate in the upcoming local elections in April 2008 under the AEUP banner. Several teams have been dispatched to various woredas (districts) through out the country to re-open AEUP offices. Even the exiled Dr Taye Woldesemayat is returning to Ethiopia to help with preparations for the upcoming elections. He told Hailu Shawel’s supporters at the Paltalk’s Diaspora Room on Sunday that he is planning to go to Ethiopia soon.
All this is done by Hailu Shawel and gang while lying to the public that Kinijit is united. What these fools don’t know is that, after they help Woyanne destroy Kinijit, Woyanne will turn on them. Woyannes have promised themselves never again to allow the 2005 type of election where international observers will be present.
All Hailu Shawel’s corruption, business dealings with Addisu Legesse and other Woaynnes, reorganizing of AEUP, the campaign to dismantle Kinijit, etc. are not secret to Wzt. Bertukan and her friends. It is just that they are too timid to expose them. Wzt. Bertukan and crew are too nice to be politicians. Why don’t they open a book store and smile all day? They have turned out to be ragdolls in the face of an all out assault by the AEUP feudalists-Woyanne-EPRP unholy alliance. As far as ER is concerned, they are toast — unless they clean up their act and start fighting back.
Elias Kilfle on Berhanu Nega and Hailu Shawel
Berhanu Nega is going against the people's desire
Sep 21, 2005
Ethiopian Review Editorial
Sep 21, 2005
A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party's web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel's announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD's official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena's web site against its chairman.
The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu's statement doesn't represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn't have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large.
Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability.
The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda.
The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don't want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people's desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now.
Sep 21, 2005
Ethiopian Review Editorial
Sep 21, 2005
A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party's web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel's announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD's official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena's web site against its chairman.
The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu's statement doesn't represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn't have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large.
Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability.
The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda.
The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don't want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people's desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now.
Elias Kifle on Berhanu Nega
http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/1418
My encounter with Berhanu Nega - Elias Kifle
Nov 01, 2007
By Elias Kifle
On Saturday, Oct. 27, Kinijit North America, on behalf of the Kinijit delegation, hosted a special get together in Virginia for members of the media and representatives of Kinijit chapters. There were about 100 people all together. My associates and I were among those who had been invited.
The who's who of Kinijit in North America was at the party. The delegates — Dr Hailu Araya, Ato Gizachew Shiferraw, Ato Brook Kebede, and Dr Berhanu Nega — were there. Wzt. Bertukan, who was sick with flu, could not make it. Ato Aklog Lemeneh, Ato Yilma Adamou and all the other officials of the Kinijit NA and DC, Ethiomedia's Abreha Belai, Addis Dimts Radio's Abebe Belew, EMF's Dawit Kebede… were all there.
As part of the event's program, the delegates gave plaques to representatives of Kinijit chapters in the U.S. in recognition of their tireless efforts in the past two years in providing critically needed support to the party.
Members of the Kinijit Youth League also received a special recognition as the current workhorse and the future leaders of the party.
Cultural songs were being played to entertain the gathering. It seems that the value of cultural activities, including music, in politics is well understood by Kinijitians. Most Kinijit events include songs from different ethnic groups.
Lastly, Ato Aklog, on behalf of Kinijit North America, expressed his appreciation to Ethiopian Review, Ethiomedia, Addis Dimts Radio, Abugida and other Ethiopian media for helping with the Kinijit delegation's successful USA tour.
I had attended several of these kinds of events over the years. But none compares with what I have witnessed or experienced on Oct. 27:
1) I am impressed with the professionalism of the organizers — from the way they dressed up, to how they welcome and interact with the invited guests, and
2) The delegates exude positive energy, optimism and hope that is hard to describe. They are leaders to be loved, not feared. They were approachable and sociable. They were going from table to table to say hello and they even went to the stage and did some iskista and other traditional Ethiopian dances. It was a memorable experience.
But the highlight of the event for me personally was to finally meet with Berhanu Nega. It was our first face to face meeting. Even though I had been one of Dr Berhanu's harshest critics in the past, I always maintained a great deal of respect for him as a scholar and political leader. My disagreement with him had been over strategy and organizational rules, not over character. I thought his position as the campaign manager of Kinijit two years ago did not allow him to make public statements contradicting the chairman of the party. If the executive committee of Kinijit disagrees with the chairman, the proper way to communicate the disagreement to the public, if deemed necessary, is through the party's official spokesperson — the same way as it is done right now. Other than that, the tremendous contribution made by Dr Berhanu to the Kinijit movement was well noted.
I believe that it was the intellectual fire power of Dr Berhanu Nega and Prof. Merera Gudina of ONC (credit where it is due), joined by Ato Lidetu Ayalew's oratorical skill, that left the Woyanne regime politically naked and led to its defeat at the polls in May 2005. This is not to say that others did not play critical roles, particularly Ato Hailu Shawel, who helped organize the countryside, Ato Andargachew Tsige, who was the architect of Kinijit's election campaign, and many others.
Unfortunately, Merera and Lidetu sold out the movement and became Woyanne's decoration in the rubber stamp parliament. The much respected Hailu Shawel sadly turned himself into a double-tongued dictator. On the other hand, Kinijit gave birth to new heroes — the likes of Bertukan Mideksa and Muluneh Eyoel — to join Hailu Araya, Yacob Hailemariam, Gizachew Shiferraw, Berhanu Nega and others in leading the movement forward.
Whereas Hailu Shawel and Lidetu have fallen off Kinijit's freedom train in disgrace, Berhanu Nega stayed loyal to the cause. Instead of seeking power (he could have been the mayor of Addis Ababa), he chose to respect the people's wish at great personal sacrifices. He thus proved himself to be a man of integrity in keeping the trust bestowed upon him by the people of Ethiopia. This is on top of the brilliant mind he has. Hopefully, he will stay true to the principles of democratic governance and continue to grow as a leader… Who wants to end up disgraced like Lidetu, Hailu and Taye?
It was with all this in the back of my mind that I met with Berhanu Nega on Oct. 27. As I was chatting with a couple of friends, he walked across the room and came to talk to me. That by itself says a lot about him. Which Ethiopian politician, or religious leader, or any prominent person do we know of who would walk up to his critic to say welcome and exchange greetings? Can you, for example, imagine Iyasu Alemayehu doing that? Or Hailu Shawel? Or Meles? In Meles' case, his lawyers sought death penalty against me just for being a critic. The kangaroo court decided that death is too harsh and gave me life in prison instead, just for expressing my views on a web site. After witnessing how Ato Hailu Shawel's gang mistreated members of the media at their Oct. 14 public meeting (fiasco) in Washington DC, I am certain that if he comes to power, there will continue to be no free press in Ethiopia.
My encounter with Dr Berhanu lasted for about 15 minutes. We agreed to get together some other time for further discussion on some of the issues we raised during our brief conversation.
p.s. see pic at the bottom of the blog of Berhanu and Elias lovefest.
My encounter with Berhanu Nega - Elias Kifle
Nov 01, 2007
By Elias Kifle
On Saturday, Oct. 27, Kinijit North America, on behalf of the Kinijit delegation, hosted a special get together in Virginia for members of the media and representatives of Kinijit chapters. There were about 100 people all together. My associates and I were among those who had been invited.
The who's who of Kinijit in North America was at the party. The delegates — Dr Hailu Araya, Ato Gizachew Shiferraw, Ato Brook Kebede, and Dr Berhanu Nega — were there. Wzt. Bertukan, who was sick with flu, could not make it. Ato Aklog Lemeneh, Ato Yilma Adamou and all the other officials of the Kinijit NA and DC, Ethiomedia's Abreha Belai, Addis Dimts Radio's Abebe Belew, EMF's Dawit Kebede… were all there.
As part of the event's program, the delegates gave plaques to representatives of Kinijit chapters in the U.S. in recognition of their tireless efforts in the past two years in providing critically needed support to the party.
Members of the Kinijit Youth League also received a special recognition as the current workhorse and the future leaders of the party.
Cultural songs were being played to entertain the gathering. It seems that the value of cultural activities, including music, in politics is well understood by Kinijitians. Most Kinijit events include songs from different ethnic groups.
Lastly, Ato Aklog, on behalf of Kinijit North America, expressed his appreciation to Ethiopian Review, Ethiomedia, Addis Dimts Radio, Abugida and other Ethiopian media for helping with the Kinijit delegation's successful USA tour.
I had attended several of these kinds of events over the years. But none compares with what I have witnessed or experienced on Oct. 27:
1) I am impressed with the professionalism of the organizers — from the way they dressed up, to how they welcome and interact with the invited guests, and
2) The delegates exude positive energy, optimism and hope that is hard to describe. They are leaders to be loved, not feared. They were approachable and sociable. They were going from table to table to say hello and they even went to the stage and did some iskista and other traditional Ethiopian dances. It was a memorable experience.
But the highlight of the event for me personally was to finally meet with Berhanu Nega. It was our first face to face meeting. Even though I had been one of Dr Berhanu's harshest critics in the past, I always maintained a great deal of respect for him as a scholar and political leader. My disagreement with him had been over strategy and organizational rules, not over character. I thought his position as the campaign manager of Kinijit two years ago did not allow him to make public statements contradicting the chairman of the party. If the executive committee of Kinijit disagrees with the chairman, the proper way to communicate the disagreement to the public, if deemed necessary, is through the party's official spokesperson — the same way as it is done right now. Other than that, the tremendous contribution made by Dr Berhanu to the Kinijit movement was well noted.
I believe that it was the intellectual fire power of Dr Berhanu Nega and Prof. Merera Gudina of ONC (credit where it is due), joined by Ato Lidetu Ayalew's oratorical skill, that left the Woyanne regime politically naked and led to its defeat at the polls in May 2005. This is not to say that others did not play critical roles, particularly Ato Hailu Shawel, who helped organize the countryside, Ato Andargachew Tsige, who was the architect of Kinijit's election campaign, and many others.
Unfortunately, Merera and Lidetu sold out the movement and became Woyanne's decoration in the rubber stamp parliament. The much respected Hailu Shawel sadly turned himself into a double-tongued dictator. On the other hand, Kinijit gave birth to new heroes — the likes of Bertukan Mideksa and Muluneh Eyoel — to join Hailu Araya, Yacob Hailemariam, Gizachew Shiferraw, Berhanu Nega and others in leading the movement forward.
Whereas Hailu Shawel and Lidetu have fallen off Kinijit's freedom train in disgrace, Berhanu Nega stayed loyal to the cause. Instead of seeking power (he could have been the mayor of Addis Ababa), he chose to respect the people's wish at great personal sacrifices. He thus proved himself to be a man of integrity in keeping the trust bestowed upon him by the people of Ethiopia. This is on top of the brilliant mind he has. Hopefully, he will stay true to the principles of democratic governance and continue to grow as a leader… Who wants to end up disgraced like Lidetu, Hailu and Taye?
It was with all this in the back of my mind that I met with Berhanu Nega on Oct. 27. As I was chatting with a couple of friends, he walked across the room and came to talk to me. That by itself says a lot about him. Which Ethiopian politician, or religious leader, or any prominent person do we know of who would walk up to his critic to say welcome and exchange greetings? Can you, for example, imagine Iyasu Alemayehu doing that? Or Hailu Shawel? Or Meles? In Meles' case, his lawyers sought death penalty against me just for being a critic. The kangaroo court decided that death is too harsh and gave me life in prison instead, just for expressing my views on a web site. After witnessing how Ato Hailu Shawel's gang mistreated members of the media at their Oct. 14 public meeting (fiasco) in Washington DC, I am certain that if he comes to power, there will continue to be no free press in Ethiopia.
My encounter with Dr Berhanu lasted for about 15 minutes. We agreed to get together some other time for further discussion on some of the issues we raised during our brief conversation.
p.s. see pic at the bottom of the blog of Berhanu and Elias lovefest.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Here is Ethiomedia's Abraha Belai attacking Ethiopian Review for attacking Berhane Mewa
http://www.ethiomedia.com/carepress/kinijit_the_spirit.html
May 9, 2006
The arrival of Kinijit North America (NA) officials in Seattle was a good coincidence to explain Review’s continued attack on Kinijit NA. The Website was harsh on Kinijit officials, particularly on Berhane Mewa.
“The Kinijit North America Support Committee under the leadership of Berhane Mewa decided that from now on it will conduct any political activity in the Washington DC area by itself,” Ethiopian Review wrote, adding “Ethiopian Review calls on Ato Berhane Mewa and his colleagues to stop dividing the Ethiopian community in Washington DC. You are hurting the elected leaders who are languishing in jail.”
Berhane Mewa answered: “We decided to stage first-year protest rally in Washington, DC on May 16 which is Tuesday, a day when members of the US Congress are in office. If such rally is held on May 15th, which is Monday, the congress persons would miss our protest rally because they don’t come to office on Mondays.”
Berhane explained as well that his side had discussions with officials from the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF). He said: "Efforts to jointly organize the protest rally did not work out for both of us for some minor differences. However, we should be aware that there may be some elements interested in driving a wedge between two friendly groups."
The Seattle audience - humming with the frequent mention of names like Hailu Shawel, Bertukan Mideksa, Yacob Hailemariam, Mesfin Woldmariam, Berhanu Nega and other Ethiopian icons of freedom - urged Berhane to move on to other areas of interest, citing ER was no stranger to attacking Kinijit, for instance against the jailed Addis Ababa mayor-elect, Dr. Berhanu Nega.
Elias Kifle on Berhane Mewa
Kinijit North America Support Committee's leadership must stop dividing Ethiopians
Ethiopian Review May 4, 2006
For the past several month, particularly since the May 15 elections, there had been the kind of unity that has never existed among the Ethiopian community in the Washington DC area. The support groups of both major parties, as well as civic groups, religious leaders and the media, had been working together for a common goal. It is as a result of this unity that for the first time ever members of the U.S. Congress and a high level State Department official addressed an Ethiopian political rally on February 1st. The Ethiopian community was united because both the Kinijit and Hibret political leadership in Washington DC decided that we can do better and get strong results when we work together. Similarly in Europe, Ethiopians are united more than ever. That is one of the reasons why the European Parliament is taking a firm stand against the Meles dictatorship. It is because of this unity that members of the European Parliament addressed an Ethiopian political rally in Brussels on March 23. Now, three months later, the situation in Washington DC has changed. The Kinijit North America Support Committee under the leadership of Berhane Mewa decided that from now on it will conduct any political activity in the Washington DC area by itself. So when the Ethiopian political and civil groups joint task force held a meeting a few weeks ago to start planning on a special event on May 15, the Kinijit Support Committee did not show up saying that they have already decided to hold a demonstration on May 16. A delegation from the task force went to Kinijit Support Committee office to ask what has changed between February 1st and now that made them decide that from now on they will go it alone. Ato Berhane told the delegation, among other things, that Kinijit does not need to consult with other groups to plan and carry out political activities, but he is willing to discuss with Hibret as a political party. The delegation left the meeting puzzled and disappointed by what they heard. The important point here is not when to hold a special event to commemorate the sacrifice made and the victory earned by the people of Ethiopia on May 15, 2005. The problem is the ill-advised decision by the Kinijit Support Committee in North America to try to exclude several Ethiopian civic, political and media groups. The purpose of this decision has not yet been made clear by Ato Berhane, but for any one with a common sense this is a clear demonstration of pure arrogance. The Support Committee's leadership grew this arrogant as a result of the blind support it was getting from the Kinijit supporters in the Diaspora and the hesitation by the Ethiopian media to criticize them (with the exception of Ethiopian Review). The zealously of Kinijit supporters made the support group leaders feel like they are the most wise, omnipotent leaders of the struggle and any one who is even thinking about challenging them is labeled "woyanne," "anti-Kinijit", etc. What could be more "anti-Kinijit" than creating division in our community? It must also be noted that the real Kinijit is in Ethiopia and the real leaders of Kinijit are in jail. Reportedly, the Kinijit leaders in jail are terribly disappointed by the way the North America support committee is carrying out its responsibility. Ethiopian Review calls on Ato Berhane Mewa and his colleagues to stop dividing the Ethiopian community in Washington DC. You are hurting the elected leaders who are languishing in jail, not to mention that you are hindering the diplomatic effort by presenting a dividing community. Arrogance is not a sign of strength for a political leader-- it is a lack of political skill and maturity.
Elias Kifle on Berhane Mewa continued
Berhane Mewa ordered Tensae Radio not to report about civil disobedience in Ethiopia
Ethiopian Review May 8, 2006
The Secretary General of Kinijit North America Support Committee, Ato Berhane Mewa, ordered Tensae Radio not to broadcast the call for civic disobedience by Tegbar, Kendie Ethiopia Youth Movement and other groups. Ato Berhane, who is fighting to block any event in the Washington DC are on May 15 to celebrate the people's victory day, had also threatened Tegbar leadership that unless Tegbar cancels its call for nationwide civil disobedience in Ethiopia, he will issue a statement asking the people of Ethiopia not to heed the call. This attempt was blocked by other Kinijit Support Committee officials. But he convinced some of his colleagues to pressure Tensae radio editorial board from talking about, or reporting on any civil disobedience. May 15 is the day Kinijit defeated the TPLF regime. All Kinijit support committees around the world are celebrating this day, except the Washington DC committee under the leadership of Berhane Mewa. The main objective of the May 7-15 civil disobedience called by Tegbar is the release of Kinijit's elected leaders. So it is puzzling why Berhane Mewa, who is representing Kinijit in the United States, is trying to derail the peaceful civil disobedience. In the mean time, the Meles regime blocked Ethiopian Review from being accessed in Ethiopia. ER has received hundreds of email from its readers inside Ethiopia who were unable to access the web site since last Thursday. Today, ER is able to confirm that it has been banned from Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Review May 8, 2006
The Secretary General of Kinijit North America Support Committee, Ato Berhane Mewa, ordered Tensae Radio not to broadcast the call for civic disobedience by Tegbar, Kendie Ethiopia Youth Movement and other groups. Ato Berhane, who is fighting to block any event in the Washington DC are on May 15 to celebrate the people's victory day, had also threatened Tegbar leadership that unless Tegbar cancels its call for nationwide civil disobedience in Ethiopia, he will issue a statement asking the people of Ethiopia not to heed the call. This attempt was blocked by other Kinijit Support Committee officials. But he convinced some of his colleagues to pressure Tensae radio editorial board from talking about, or reporting on any civil disobedience. May 15 is the day Kinijit defeated the TPLF regime. All Kinijit support committees around the world are celebrating this day, except the Washington DC committee under the leadership of Berhane Mewa. The main objective of the May 7-15 civil disobedience called by Tegbar is the release of Kinijit's elected leaders. So it is puzzling why Berhane Mewa, who is representing Kinijit in the United States, is trying to derail the peaceful civil disobedience. In the mean time, the Meles regime blocked Ethiopian Review from being accessed in Ethiopia. ER has received hundreds of email from its readers inside Ethiopia who were unable to access the web site since last Thursday. Today, ER is able to confirm that it has been banned from Ethiopia.
Misguided opposition - ER goes Mad!
Posted on May 2, 2007 by FilwehaPundit
http://filwehapundit.com/2007/05/02/misguided-opposition-er-goes-mad/
I thought there was a difference between opposing a government and trying to destroy a whole nation. There are a number of opposition websites and blogs struggling for a political change in Ethiopia - so that the law prevails and democracy functions in a meaningful way in Ethiopia - and that is a healthy thing. But asking for violence and bloodshed in the country (while you are sitting in Virginia or anywhere else) and telling insurgents to come and attack the nation, justifying killings of foreigners, professionals and citizens who have done nothing but do their jobs, is I think a misguided and blind opposition. You may oppose the war in Somalia, you may oppose the way the 2005 election was conducted, you may ask to put the people responsible for the Addis Ababa killings and mass detention on trial, you may ask and struggle for the freedom of CUDP members and leaders and other political prisoners, you may struggle for the free press, you may struggle, all in all, for the betterment of the country in an actionably meaningful way.
But to work like those people who in the first place want to destroy the country or even to encourage and justify killings of innocent people is way out of the line and is in fact a disservice to the meaningful struggle. Let me put it in my friend’s words,” ... that shows the road we are to traverse soon - disorganized and aimless opposition.”
But the words of Ethiopian Review that encourages Somali insurgents to attack inside Ethiopia and that most Ethiopians are with them, is I think tantamount to committing suicide ! Well, ER, let me break it down to you - we all want freedom and democracy in Ethiopia but we do not want to ally with those who work with people who want to destroy our very nation in the first place!
Governments come and go ! Leaders rise and fail! But the people and the country remain!
We might fight each other, it is not an unusual episode in the course of Ethiopian history but at the end of the day, we all need the nation!
Ethiopian Review has turned itself into more of a disservice in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Ethiopia
http://filwehapundit.com/2007/05/02/misguided-opposition-er-goes-mad/
I thought there was a difference between opposing a government and trying to destroy a whole nation. There are a number of opposition websites and blogs struggling for a political change in Ethiopia - so that the law prevails and democracy functions in a meaningful way in Ethiopia - and that is a healthy thing. But asking for violence and bloodshed in the country (while you are sitting in Virginia or anywhere else) and telling insurgents to come and attack the nation, justifying killings of foreigners, professionals and citizens who have done nothing but do their jobs, is I think a misguided and blind opposition. You may oppose the war in Somalia, you may oppose the way the 2005 election was conducted, you may ask to put the people responsible for the Addis Ababa killings and mass detention on trial, you may ask and struggle for the freedom of CUDP members and leaders and other political prisoners, you may struggle for the free press, you may struggle, all in all, for the betterment of the country in an actionably meaningful way.
But to work like those people who in the first place want to destroy the country or even to encourage and justify killings of innocent people is way out of the line and is in fact a disservice to the meaningful struggle. Let me put it in my friend’s words,” ... that shows the road we are to traverse soon - disorganized and aimless opposition.”
But the words of Ethiopian Review that encourages Somali insurgents to attack inside Ethiopia and that most Ethiopians are with them, is I think tantamount to committing suicide ! Well, ER, let me break it down to you - we all want freedom and democracy in Ethiopia but we do not want to ally with those who work with people who want to destroy our very nation in the first place!
Governments come and go ! Leaders rise and fail! But the people and the country remain!
We might fight each other, it is not an unusual episode in the course of Ethiopian history but at the end of the day, we all need the nation!
Ethiopian Review has turned itself into more of a disservice in the struggle for freedom and democracy in Ethiopia
Elias Kifle on Dr Nega Berhanu
Berhanu Nega is going against the people's desire Sep 21, 2005
Ethiopian Review Editorial Sep 21, 2005
A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party’s web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel’s announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD’s official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena’s web site against its chairman. The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu’s statement doesn’t represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn’t have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large. Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability. The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda. The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don’t want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people’s desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now
Ethiopian Review Editorial Sep 21, 2005
A statement has been posted in the name of CUD on Kestedemena Party’s web site that contradicts Ato Hailu Shawel’s announcement that CUD will not enter parliament. The statement does not bear CUD’s official stamp, and we have confirmed that the CUD council did not authorize the statement posted on Kestedemena’s web site against its chairman. The Kestedemena Party chairman, Dr Berhanu Nega, who is the campaign manager for CUD, also held a press conference today (Sep 21) and told reporters that Ato Hailu’s statement doesn’t represent CUD. Dr Berhanu doesn’t have the authority to contradict the chairman of CUD. By coming out against Ato Hailu, not only he is violating party discipline, he is also creating confusion and frustration among the CUD supporters, and the public at large. Of course, this is not the first time that Dr Berhanu tried to contradict the CUD chairman and assuming the role of CUD leader. Since May 15, he has been trying to silence the chairman who has been championing the cause of the vast majority of Ethiopians for past several years. It is absurd why an election campaign manager is given a free hand to destroy the image of the coalition and its chairman. Dr Berhanu, who has appeard in the opposition camp just a few months before the election, has been the source of confusion and division in the CUD. Once again, Ethiopian Review urges the CUD leadership to take a corrective action as soon as possible in order to preserve its creditability. The people of Ethiopia are with Ato Hailu Shawel. If Dr Berhanu wants to work with the murderous regime of Meles Zenawi, that is his right. But he must not be allowed to use CUD as a cover to advance his own agenda. The people of Ethiopia have spoken clearly–they don’t want to be governed by the Meles regime for five more years. Berhanu Nega must respect the people’s desire to be liberated from dictatorship now, not five years from now
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Why is Everyone Afraid to Denounce the Bullying Behavior of the Ethiopian Review Website?
Source:http://www.geocities.com/~dagmawi/Zebenya/08/ER.html
Ethiopian News and Views October 6, 2007
The Ethiopian Review website - http://www.ethrev.com/ - has published enough incitement to violence, lies, defamation, propaganda, deception, distortion, etc... that it should be denounced. We should not meekly watch as this bullying behavior gains influence and insinuates itself into the top levels of the Ethiopian movement for democratization. We should demand accountability.
In the past few years, Ethiopians have developed new websites that provide information on current events. These efforts need to be redoubled. Many of these new websites are quite mature and responsible. They seem to recognize the existence of journalistic standards.
We should encourage these websites to continue their growth. With the new advances in technology, it will soon be possible to develop information networks that totally bypass government control and provide news to a wide spectrum of people of Ethiopia. Networks of reporters inside Ethiopia can be established. These developments will offer the Ethiopian people relief from the monotonous propaganda of the government news monopoly.
However, with opportunity comes responsibility. The easy road is to distort, fabricate and tamper with the news in order to achieve a desired result. This is fraud. Nobody wants to be provided with false news. People want the truth. The reason some websites manufacture fake news and disseminate rumors, is to influence people to take action they would not otherwise engage in if they knew the truth. This is fraud.
The example, par excellence, of such fraudulent activity is the Ethiopian Review website. In addition to fraud, the website disseminates a high level of material designed to incite and inflame public opinion. For example:
Defamatory attacks against a wide array of opposition individuals including even Berhanu Nega and activists who worked to pass HR 2003
Dissemination of complete lies
Open incitement to armed insurrection
Inflamatory assertions that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church "orchestrated" the slaughter of Christians in the Jimma area
Dissemination of Eritrean government propaganda
Dissemination as fact of wild rumors concerning events in Ethiopia
Active encouragement of the Shabab terrorist group in Somalia, cheerleading their attacks on Ethiopian soldiers, describing them as freedom fighters
Gleeful response to the ONLF attack at Abule (where dozens of civilians were lined up and shot)
Public request to the OLF and ONLF to conduct a similar attack at the Lega Dembi gold mine.
The above is just a list compiled from memory. It doesn't convey the nasty, violent, hateful tone of the website, which has infected the Ethiopian public debate. A western research agency recently used the word "rabid" to describe this website. Quite accurate.
Despite the constant outrages from this website, there is only a muted response from the Ethiopian public. Recently, the respected blogger "Ethiozagol" even saw fit to express thanks to the "Ethiopian Review".
While I support the Ethiopian Review's right to free expression, I condemn it as the most irresponsible, unprincipled, and destructive of any major Ethiopian website. The bullying behavior of this website is out of control and people should not be afraid to publicly call this behavior to account.
The values and "principles" that are evident by the behavior of that website are consistent with what we see in the government media. They are not consistent with the principles advanced by the opposition movements for democracy. - Dagmawi
Ethiopian News and Views October 6, 2007
The Ethiopian Review website - http://www.ethrev.com/ - has published enough incitement to violence, lies, defamation, propaganda, deception, distortion, etc... that it should be denounced. We should not meekly watch as this bullying behavior gains influence and insinuates itself into the top levels of the Ethiopian movement for democratization. We should demand accountability.
In the past few years, Ethiopians have developed new websites that provide information on current events. These efforts need to be redoubled. Many of these new websites are quite mature and responsible. They seem to recognize the existence of journalistic standards.
We should encourage these websites to continue their growth. With the new advances in technology, it will soon be possible to develop information networks that totally bypass government control and provide news to a wide spectrum of people of Ethiopia. Networks of reporters inside Ethiopia can be established. These developments will offer the Ethiopian people relief from the monotonous propaganda of the government news monopoly.
However, with opportunity comes responsibility. The easy road is to distort, fabricate and tamper with the news in order to achieve a desired result. This is fraud. Nobody wants to be provided with false news. People want the truth. The reason some websites manufacture fake news and disseminate rumors, is to influence people to take action they would not otherwise engage in if they knew the truth. This is fraud.
The example, par excellence, of such fraudulent activity is the Ethiopian Review website. In addition to fraud, the website disseminates a high level of material designed to incite and inflame public opinion. For example:
Defamatory attacks against a wide array of opposition individuals including even Berhanu Nega and activists who worked to pass HR 2003
Dissemination of complete lies
Open incitement to armed insurrection
Inflamatory assertions that the Ethiopian Orthodox Church "orchestrated" the slaughter of Christians in the Jimma area
Dissemination of Eritrean government propaganda
Dissemination as fact of wild rumors concerning events in Ethiopia
Active encouragement of the Shabab terrorist group in Somalia, cheerleading their attacks on Ethiopian soldiers, describing them as freedom fighters
Gleeful response to the ONLF attack at Abule (where dozens of civilians were lined up and shot)
Public request to the OLF and ONLF to conduct a similar attack at the Lega Dembi gold mine.
The above is just a list compiled from memory. It doesn't convey the nasty, violent, hateful tone of the website, which has infected the Ethiopian public debate. A western research agency recently used the word "rabid" to describe this website. Quite accurate.
Despite the constant outrages from this website, there is only a muted response from the Ethiopian public. Recently, the respected blogger "Ethiozagol" even saw fit to express thanks to the "Ethiopian Review".
While I support the Ethiopian Review's right to free expression, I condemn it as the most irresponsible, unprincipled, and destructive of any major Ethiopian website. The bullying behavior of this website is out of control and people should not be afraid to publicly call this behavior to account.
The values and "principles" that are evident by the behavior of that website are consistent with what we see in the government media. They are not consistent with the principles advanced by the opposition movements for democracy. - Dagmawi
Friday, October 19, 2007
Elias Kifle Pictures.
Berhanu Nega and Elias Kifle in Crystal City, Virginia, Oct 27, 2007
Here is Elias Kifle of Ethiopian Review.
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