Archive for the ‘Editorial’ Category

ADDIS ABABA, December 3, 2009 -- The World Bank recently completed a second “Investment Climate Assessment” (ICA) report for Ethiopia.  The ICA looks at the state of the private sector and identifies actions that can reduce policy and other hurdles to helping the private sector become the driver of sustained growth.  The first ICA was based on a survey conducted in 2001/02 and this one ... Full story

Since the release of the new book, "Amarigna & Tigrigna Qal Hieroglyphs for Beginners" (ancientgebts.org), Ethiopian and Eritrean adults have been familiarizing themselves with the controversial subject of the book. Now their children will have the opportunity to be exposed to it, too, in the classroom. With the introduction of a companion teacher's guide to the book, for primary and secondary education, now Eritrean, Ethiopian, ... Full story

By Tecola W. Hagos The events of the last two week in Ethiopia has been painful, but a great example of political betrayal and opportunism of the worst kind. I watched on video the depiction of an open platform of November 1, 2009 attended by Ministers, Dignitaries, Ambassadors from all over the World, and the throng of journalists, at a signing ceremony presided by Prime Minister ... Full story

By Yilma Bekele November 9, 1989, is a special day for the German people, in particular, and for the rest of humanity, in general. It is a day that one more system designed to treat fellow humans as lesser beings is shattered and discarded. On November 9, 1989, the ‘wall’ that was built to keep people in fear and agony was finally breached and then there ... Full story

A Rejoinder to Professor Messay's Response Although this debate began because Professor Messay claimed the ideology of self determination is to be blamed for OLF's lack of success in the past two decades, he has not shown any evidence to back up his assertion. He has not provided us with a single case where the "right" ideology resulted in success and "bad" ... Full story

By: Fayyis Oromia Simply put, Weyane’s Article 39 is ye Amhara masferariya (scare tactics) and ye Oromo mataleya (deception tool) as well as ye Tegaru dibiq-tesfa (hidden agenda). It is clear that the main promotor of article 39 in the current Ethiopian constitution is Weyane. TPLF regime just did put the article in a constitution as a garant for an option to push for independence of Tigrai ... Full story

Ogaden National Liberation Front 15 September 2009 The Ogaden National Liberations Front (ONLF) informs all concerned parties that in the Ogaden there is an ongoing war between the Ogaden people and Ethiopian TPLF/EPRDF occupation Troops. The ONLF as a matter of principle and expediency is bound to engage any Ethiopian armed presence in Ogaden due to the threat such an army poses to the livelihood of Ogaden ... Full story

A quarter-century after a million Ethiopians died in the great hunger of 1984-85, the country is heading into another famine. The spring rains failed entirely and the summer rains were three weeks late. But why is famine is stalking Ethiopia again? The Ethiopian government is authoritarian, but it isn't incompetent. It gives fertilizer to farmers and teaches best practices. By the late 1990s the country was ... Full story

PART II: SOURCES OF INEFFICIENCY In the first part, I have discussed how lack of action perpetuated the crisis within OLF and damaged it beyond repair. I have suggested that growth of  regionalism and incompetent leadership are mitigating factors that are the by-product  of the chaotic life cycle of an organization that lack action.  Now I must answer the legitimate question. Why did the organization lack ... Full story

By writing this article, I understand that I am touching on one of the most closely guarded taboos, the untouchability of the OLF. I also understand that, because so many precious lives were sacrificed under the banner of this organization, emotions run very high at the mention of criticism. But I have the right and the duty to share my views and ideas regarding our ... Full story