By Yilma Bekele (28 June 2008) Some days more than others it is becoming hard to wake up being an Ethiopian. It seems like there isn’t anything good about it. Today was one of those days. First to hit me was a report from Brussels. My fellow brother, Dr. Berhanu, was making a presentation regarding the current situation in our country. I do not have a problem with that. It takes an Ethiopian to speak about Ethiopia. My problem is with the people who were sitting across the table from him. As diverse as we are there is no way you would mistake them for an Ethiopian. More…
Grand meeting in Washington, DC - July 5
In front of him were two complete strangers, a man and a woman defending the acts and atrocities of the Woyane government. Lo and behold, I could feel my jaw dropping. These two hired guns from DLA Piper, a lobbyist firm from Washington D.C., were appearing in front of a European Union Parliamentary hearing and they were speaking for and about us. When did we sink so low? Doesn’t the minority regime have anyone they can count on to speak for them? Do they have to pay complete strangers to articulate their haphazard policy and ill-advised blunders? I know they hide from the Ethiopian people, I did not know they hide from fernjis too.
The whole world is worried about the 12 million starving Ethiopians. UNICEF is begging for help and to be allowed to help. Save the Children Fund is working hard to collect money. All aid agencies are focused to try to do their best. Our government is busy denying the existence of a famine. Our government is under reporting the number of people who are dying. They are playing the number game. They are shouting, “It is not 4 million but just 75 thousand children who are dying” and do not call it famine when it should be referred to as ‘lack of adequate nutrition’. They must have a special department devoted to the art of ‘misspeak and word parsing’. Symbolism is what matters to the dictator and his gang. It is all in the appearance.
Thus, hiring a high priced lobbying firm from the U.S. and sending them to a hearing in Brussels is of no concern to Woyane leaders. They are not ashamed to pay millions to have someone without any clue regarding our country to speak for us. The Europeans were as surprised as the rest of us. They were compelled to ask, who are you? It was left to Dr. Berhanu and to our friend the Honorable Ana Gomez to tell the true story about the dire situation in our homeland. The DLA Piper, after the teach-in session, was compelled to ask for forgiveness for their ignorance and they had to go back humiliated. They were trying to defend the indefensible. They were charging thousands of US dollars a day plus expenses while their clients’ subjects were starving and lacking a simple loaf of bread. Mercenaries have no heart.
The next item on my breakfast of misery plate was regarding the generosity of Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Alamudi to the so-called Ethiopian Soccer Federation in North America (ESFNA). The good Sheikh who has already bought our country is diversifying outwards. Apparently there isn’t anything left to buy in Ethiopia, and he stumbled across this Organization that has been using the name Ethiopia for the last twenty-five years, according their claim to fame.
Let us all calm down and look at this situation in a rational way. ESFNA is a US registered non-profit organization operating with a tax number and a license from the IRS. Its well organized web site states its mission as follows: ‘The Ethiopian Sports Federation in North America (ESFNA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded in 1984 to promote amateur soccer and cultural events within the Ethiopian community in the North America. Its goals include providing positive role models for the youth, promoting goodwill between the Ethiopian communities in North America and creating a bridge where people from Ethiopia and North America can interact in a mutually beneficial manner. In addition to the sports event, the Federation also promotes cultural activities to provide opportunities for Americans to learn more about Ethiopia’s culture and history.’
By its own admission it attracts thousands of Ethiopians to its yearly tournament held during the July 4th weekend. It charges for admissions, it collects money from vendors selling every imaginable Ethiopian related goods and services, and it holds a must attend concert before the final match. You can say that one is lucky to leave with your cloth on your back when you are done with this week of fun and orgy in July. ESFNA makes a lot of money. A lot of organizational work goes to arranging this once a year happening.
There is also the other side of ESFNA shrouded in secrecy and behind the scene manipulations. It generates lots of speculation due to lack of information. It encourages for a few to make decisions that affect the many without open discussion.
ESFNA must operate under the same rules and guidelines say as the ‘American Red Cross’ or your local ‘Save the Children Fund’. Our expectations are very high for a twenty-five years old organization. Transparency and accountability are a must for the organization to prosper and carry out its mission. As an organization rooted in a democratic system ESFNA should show the rest of us the superior model of open and transparent organization. That is if it really wants our respect, admiration and love.
I can google ‘financial report red cross’ and look at their IRS return. I can also read a detailed financial statement and their future plans. ESFNA should do the same. It should show the percentage that goes towards operating cost including salary, donations to teams, donations to our country, and others. Since our collective name is in the name, since we are taxpayers, we are entitled to such information.
This press release from ESFNA regarding the good Sheik’s donation is a little troubling. How and why did ESFNA deserve such generosity? Did ESFNA ask itself if it needs the money? Did ESFNA think about the impression it creates? Did ESFNA think about the bigger picture? One thing we know for sure in this life is ‘nothing is free’. In that case what is the catch? Accepting money from an individual closely allied with the illegal and criminally liable government is a little too much for me. This organization that is serving the cultural needs of the Diaspora community should be careful not to offend the sensibilities of its benefactors for a few pieces of silver.
This self-delusion of being above politics while engaging in political activity is not convincing. Claiming to stand neutral while one’s country and one’s people are subjected to famine and hunger, loss of basic human rights and arbitrary detention and punishment is an act history will judge harshly. I believe the Sheiks donation is an attempt to steer the organization in its current policy of turning a blind eye towards abuse of power. It will give it the muscle to withstand any attempts to reform it and steer it towards the road of open and accountable organization that reflects the wishes of its constituents. It looks like instead of choosing self-reliance as a principle ESFNA is willing to be bought. Instead of hard work and smart planning to flourish it is opting for welfare and loss of independence. Short cut has its pitfalls.
On the other hand ESFNA is free to declare itself as a business and do what the owners wish with their income. There is nothing like a clear and level playing field. But to register as a non-profit outfit and abuse the rights and privileges entailed to such organization is a disservice to the community.
As they say it is up to the consumer to be aware. That is what is beautiful about democracy. We are free to make a choice. To attend or not, that is the question. What to attend and what to boycott is making a loud statement. Knowing where ones dollar goes is being a smart consumer. Who succeeds and who fails is a decision made by the consumer. It is up to each of us to say no to abuse and disrespect. It is not okay to let wrong slide by and hope others will do the right thing. It is not cool to be silent in the face of injustice. Right is earned not offered as a gift.
DLA Piper and the Dr. Sheik were too much to take for one day. I feel like crawling back under the blanket. But not today. There are battles to be fought and won.
June 28th, 2008 at 6:07 am
Great, well synthesized and timely Article.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:39 am
You said it well. $300,000.00 gift to an ammature sport federation registered as a non profit organization in America that makes millions each year? whereas you hear millions starving in Ethiopia, in this case it’s not only the shake but how about the Ethiopians who live in the US flocking to this event in 100s of thousends, and who don’t want to hear any thing about their mother land? we are afflicted with some kind of selfish disease that needs to be irradicated.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:43 am
wow it is very nice analysis. Yes it is time ot identify our enemies and friends and those in between. The gray part never works here. ESFNA is becoming a weapon of TPLF due to some opportunist people inside. If the insist on sympathizing the wolf, we can build independent organ for our own interest and we can let ESFNA be a wing of TPLF in USA. Period. No time to tolerate cliques and servants of tyrrants in Addis.
Selam enhun!!
June 28th, 2008 at 11:18 am
ESFNA is a compromised group. There are some individuals in the federation who regularly visit Sheraton Addis. When it comes to sensitive decisions, these individuals work in tandem with the brutal regime in Addis. They say they are free of politics but they work with an individual who controls everything in Ethiopia and famously said “he will give his life for the Tplf regime” If this is not politics then what is it? These individuals are in the federation almost forever. Does the federation hold regular elections? Who elects these individuals? It is time to investigate ESFNA.
June 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
ESEFNA is TPLF’s instrument. Time to organize another federation.
June 28th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Here is the list of the DLP Piper Lawyers in Brussels. I think every Democracy loving Ethiopian should make a reasonable, noble, and legal complaint to each of these lawyers about the unprofessional thing that DLP Piper did in Brussels.
BELGIUM
Global Government Relations: EU Public Affairs
The Team
Bertold Bar-Bouyssiere
bertold.bar-bouyssiere@dlapiper.com
Partner Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 1535
Leo Delwaide
leo.delwaide@dlapiper.com
Antwerp
T: +32 (0) 3 287 28 28
Dominique Devos
dominique.devos@dlapiper.com
Partner Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 15 56
Jeroen Jansen
jeroen.jansen@dlapiper.com
International Director Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 1518
Bob Martens
bob.martens@dlapiper.com
Regional Managing Partner Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 1503
Kim Eric Möric
kim.moric@dlapiper.com
Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 15 26
Barteld Schutyser
barteld.schutyser@dlapiper.com
Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 1537
Rik Servais
rik.servais@dlapiper.com
Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 15 49
Yves Tavernier
yves.tavernier@dlapiper.com
Partner Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 15 90
Wim Vandenberghe
wim.vandenberghe@dlapiper.com
Lead Lawyer Brussels
T: +32 (0) 2 500 1566
F: +32 (0) 2 500 1602
June 28th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
YES IS THE TIME TO GET ANOTHER FEDERATION GET OUT OFF THE MAFIYA GROUP AND WEYANEE CORNER
June 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
All Ethiopians must stand aganist Woyane regime.
Diaspora’s mission is to bring Freedom of Speech, prmoting Democracy in Ethiopia, respect the Rule of Law of the country.
Never again starvation.
Never again Dictators in Ethiopia.
Never again war in Ethiopia.
Never again murderers in Ethiopia.
We need peace and hard work and to fight against our problem.
God bless Ethiopia.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
ጅግኖች! በርቱልን አደራ አደራ አደራ
June 28th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
ESFNA like they always do will:
Promote trashy Ghetto culture in the Ethiopian youth; Promote new foundations in the name of our starving people to distract the Diaspora from the real issue.
These are all done by design so the selfish Ethiopians leaving abroad will feel that they are doing something good and the Woyane regime will benefit by minimizing the political force of the Diaspora movement.
As long as support them they will continue to sale Ethiopian Culture while helping the destruction of Ethiopia. So we should not support them with our money.
Ethiopia will be free from Meles and Al Amoudin.
June 28th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
Before PM Meles zenawe elected Ethiopia used to be better than America economically.
If you do not belive me, please ask Kinjit leaders.
June 28th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Indeed, they are DR`s of the text book, but DR`s to be puppets and to repeat the westerners propoganda, is that what you call “African elite” elite of the 21st centure ?
HA!HA!!HA!!!HA!!!!HA!!!!!!HA!!!!!!!!!
How come our African elite do not challenge the WESTERNERS idea ? they are brainwashed to the point they see no wrong in western concept and western civilization, but they are quick to challenge and see wrongs in Africans,Asians,South americans.
Very funny world.
June 29th, 2008 at 12:29 am
hey you need to understand the problem of waht our country face don,t jump to something you don,t reach
June 29th, 2008 at 2:11 am
Nice and crisp article.Not really from someone who started the day a bit low!But from someone who loves to tease his detractors and relishes his fight,our fight.Bravo!
By the way,my TPLF friends, see the above picture of Dr Berhanu and his colleagues?? Who do you see thru’ your ethnic goggles???
A Guarge…….. is fighting against your regime
A Tigraway……is fighting against your regime
An Amhara…….is fighting against your regime
A southerner….is fighting against your regime
But I see more;The whole of Ethiopia is fighting against you! I wish you good luck!
June 29th, 2008 at 3:37 am
Tegbar calls for a boycott of all events organized by ESFNA
who do you stand with?
Tegbar (Ethiopian Democratic Action League) was formed in 1997 with a simple mission: To give voice to the thousands of political prisoners who languish in jail. Since that time we have created international awareness for the plight of political prisoners by staging protest rallies, peaceful civil disobedience, vigils, town hall meetings, and family events in several cities around the world. On the 25th anniversary of ESFNA in Washington DC, we ask you all to join us and give your voice to the millions of Ethiopians who are languishing behind the Iron-Fist bars of Meles Zenawi’s regime by boycotting all events sponsored by ESFNA.
ESFNA has recently announced it has received a donation of USD$300,000 from Sheik Al Amoudi. By accepting the donation from the Sheik, ESFNA has made a clear choice to align itself with an individual who is a key supporter of Meles Zenawi’s regime. The connection between Meles Zenawi’s government and the Sheik include among many things having the same law firm, DLA Piper. This is the same law firm that represented Woyane in a recent European Union parliamentary hearing. Zenawi’s government is one that is currently increasing its military budget, spending millions on lobbyists, giving away lands to Sudan, committing human rights violations in and outside its borders, while starving millions of its citizens! Acceptance of the donation is an endorsement of Woyane by ESFNA. As clear as ESFNA’s choice to stand with the oppressive Woyane government, so must our choice be in standing with the millions of our oppressed people.
Taking a stand takes courage. It’s not always the easiest choice but one that speaks volumes about what is most important to a person/organization. ESFNA could have accepted the donation and made a contribution for the exact amount to the Red Cross or other NGO’s working to feed the millions of our people currently starving. They could have declined and encouraged the Sheik to contribute the money to address the drought problems in Ethiopia. But that would have taken courage. The decision to accept the money shows the presence of greed and lack of testicular fortitude within ESFNA.
In the 2005 elections, millions of Ethiopians took a stand. Months leading up to that historical day they came out in large numbers to show a need and desire for new leadership. When the time to vote came, they came out 26 million strong to stand up and vote for change. Their voices would however be muzzled. When they stood up after the election and protested in the capital, Woyane’s Special Forces showered them with bullets killing hundreds. Let us take this opportunity to stand for them.
A few years back, singer Teddy Afro took a stand. In a sold out event at the Sheraton Hotel in Addis Ababa, he was told not to perform one of his songs criticizing Meles Zenawi’s government. The Sheik was not going to allow Teddy Afro to criticize his closest friend and partner that night, no, not in his house. As his fans waited in suspense, Teddy Afro had to make a decision; he chose not to compromise his principle. As he suffers in prison, let us stand for him. Subjugating ere
Tegbar is calling for the boycott of all and every event organized by ESFNA including the soccer tournament. What we are not calling for is the boycott of independent vendors. A good number of hardworking merchants have paid money to ESFNA to provide goods and services and they should be supported. There are also many events including concerts and parties that are not sponsored by ESFNA that we can attend and enjoy. Don’t embrace the choice of ESFNA by purchasing tickets to attend a concert or a soccer match that they have organized, instead let us all stand up and be a voice to the voiceless.
Stop the Struggle, Join the Fight!
June 29th, 2008 at 5:23 am
Boycott ESFNA in Washington !
It is a shame to attend Ala Mudin’s games.
Ala Mudin is chief TPLF Financier. All the wealth he exploited from our poor land.
June 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Haaaaaaa A bunch of losser Eritreans Cry!!!!Until your falldown.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
Windsor Ontario, Canada
Windsor Ontario`s Amara`s radio station becoming bald in its borrrring dumb programing, now officially declaring that Ethiopia was better under communist system (Dergue era). What i do not understand is, these dumb radio host and his politically retarded guests while enjoying the the fruit of the capitalism here in canada, they denying the same system to ethiopia. This Amara radio station is also known for insulting and attacking Oromos,tigrians and other non Amara Ethiopians in its hate mongering programing.
June 29th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I am an oromo, Why should i support Amara`s tribalist party ( Kinjit ) ? ? ?
After all it is Amara who ruled Ethiopia for the last 100+ years and degraded oromos to second class citizenary/slavery and destroyed Ethiopia incorrigible.
June 29th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Look my Ethiopian brother and sister you must understand one thing, Americans doesn’t care what kind government we have as long as their interest protected. Plus we are black people. Since when majority white cares about black African? American always stand for their interest then for their friend interest after that their friend friends interest E.T.C. at this time we (Ethiopians) are not their interest or friend except fascist meles zanawe. One thing i like about Americans they will stand with us if they see us real fighting fascist meles zanawe and have some progress. I am not talking about demonstration in front of white house when I say real fight. Other ways we will never see freedom in Ethiopia.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:14 am
It is funny, Europeans now officially recruting opposition political parties for african governments/countries to preserve their interest.
“……indirect colonialism becoming bald.”
June 30th, 2008 at 8:38 am
It is indeed interesting, Shaleka Mekonen, that you accuse Europians of indirect colonialism.Isn’t your regime the new colony, the captive state,say of the British? What do you think one would make of your shameful representations at EU by the mercenary DLA Piper?
June 30th, 2008 at 10:52 am
All sen gin7 activists are tribal oriented….
July 1st, 2008 at 6:07 pm
So called self declared incompetent unqualified opposition figures this days do not even have no common sense nor moral standing, they say and do anything to grasp power by any means, including surrendering ethiopias soverignity to foreigners.
Is these the kind of braindead retarded unthinking cheap politician ethiopia and Ethiopians need as an opposition ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
July 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
በከትታ መሰማት ይቻል ይሆን? ሚያውክ ካለ እባካቹ
July 20th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I read similar article also named er and ESFNA | EMF, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me