EMF (4 August 2008) Editor in chief of Addis Neger Amharic, Mr. Mesfin Negash has been arrested today at the notorious 3rd quarter police station in Addis Ababa, Awramba Times reported.
Such news is not a surprise in Ethiopia as Zenawi is Africa’s Biggest Jailer of Journalists. After the regime has narrowed the political space in Ethiopia following the 2005 crack down on the free press, Addis Neger was one of the popular newspapers for critical writings. [Picture (Enlarge): one of the popular amharic news paper, Awramba Times is under serious threat by Meles Zenawi regime]Journalist Mesfin was arrested apparently because of his report concerning the unfairness of the judicial process on the Ethiopian pop star Teddy Afro, who is in jail allegedly for a hit-and-run accusation. Mesfin was summoned on monday morning togather with his vice editor, Girma Tesfaw.
On 30 May 2008, Journalists Mesfin Negash was taken to central investigation bureau together with his editor Girma Tesfaw and a female reporter Tsion Aklilu. They were released on bail after a sever warning from the police to sensor themselves before writing any critical reports.
According to inside sources, Meles Zenawi’s minister of justice has warned all editors and publishers of the private press not to publish any thing about opposition which wage “violence” against the regime. The ministry will have a contact person in each printing press to monitor such reports and stop the publication when the new press law is implemented soon.
In it’s today’s issue, Awramba times has also reported that news concerning the newly formed Ginbot 7 movement for justice and democracy is forbidden by the ministry. “A 30 page document of charge is circulated to prosecutors accusing journalists who have been publishing about civil disobediences,” the paper reported.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I think free press is part of the peaceful struggle. Actually, free press is one of the best instrument that peaceful struggle can be carried out in terms of “talk” as Prof. Mesfin described recently on the occasions of the public meetings . So if the weyane illegitimate mafia keep arresting those free press publishers, and if the weyane is not willing to allow UDJ to obtain his name legally, if the weyane won’t allow UDJ to make a public meeting, so how can a peaceful struggle can be carried out under weyane regime? I mean I might be mistaken that didn’t understand how a peaceful struggle can be taken, however, if all legal structures are banned for the peaceful struggle. Is the peaceful struggle is only restricted to its words while no means is existed to apply it, I don’t know how we can continue the peaceful struggle. Are we waiting until weayene literally says we can’t make a peaceful struggle? While weyane has showed and told us we cannot do a peaceful struggle. They said in Amharic saying, BEGONE SINEGERUT YEMAYEGEBAWE GONUN BIWEGUT AYSMAWEM….some of us who still assume we can achieve a peaceful struggle under weyane regime are simply dreamers. At this point I strongly admire those UDJ leaders, members and supporters for their daily sacrifice to bring a change through peaceful struggle, which I feel like trying to cross a river that doesn’t have a bridge by driving a car. So let’s try to cross the river either by boat, or by ship or by swimming if we can, but let’s not try it by using impossible means. The same thing would apply in dealing with weyane, if weyane closes all the paths to carry out peaceful struggle, but if our ultimate goal is to get rid of weyane, let’s take other alternatives that we currently see by some other parties as Ginbot 7.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Tedy Afro is a famous and renowned singer/songwriter in Ethiopia, but is he a pop star ? I doubt it. How many of his songs fall in the category of pop songs? any Idea ?
August 4th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Elias Kefle degmo Hagos Araya eyalk mechercher gemerk ayee ye shabia cadre. Yehe eko EMF ye Ethiopiawian new ye shabia bota lela new kkk
Dawn with Shbya and Woayne cadre
August 4th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Hagos - you made a good point. But according to non-violence principles, you DONOT beg for your rights. Rather you CLAIM them. Because, these rights are inalienable and God given rights. The ruthless regime in Addis is not doing anything new when jailing journalists, incarcerating political opponents, etc. One of the most prominent principles of non-violence movement is empowering the people. Educating them to claim their rights and getting them ready to take responsibilities. Non-violence is the peoples’ struggle - it is not the duty of few journalists or some politicians here and there. Teddy Afro is one - we all know that Teddy is in jail not because of a hit and run but because he preaches - UNITY - Andinet - the antidote for TPLF’s decades long hate politics!! Tilahun Gugssa is the other one - have you heard about his new movie? Have you heard how it shaking the country from Tigray to Jimma? Everywhere Ethiopians are asking him what they can do for the challenges he presented. In his most recent interview on Addis Dimts (by the way it is time to send our contribution to Addis Dimts); he said “it is my right to say that Assab belongs to Ethiopia”. He also added “I can even say that Eritrea belongs to Ethiopia - it is my right”. As he continues he told his listeners “if anyone is not happy by these statements, s/he can present her/his case and argue”. Just one person, Just one movie, can turn the world up side down. This is the result of empowerment! This is non-violence! Don’t just expect employees to go on strike or . . . . Non-violence has innumerable ways of achieving its goals. Non-violence is like “the wind that blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes”. That is NON-VIOLENCE!!
August 4th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I agree with Hagos Araya.
There is no any political space for peace ful struggle in Ethiopia.
It is well known for every body except
even the international community,[includind Amnesty &human right watch] and the loyal opposition party leaders gave their witness in this regards last week.also the main in the name of journalist is called Amare Aregawi & the new serevant of EPRDF [who acting as the Catholic more than the Pop] Lidetu[Dimetu] Ayalew told us the reality.
what shall we do every body?
Minew Hamot Atan?
.
August 5th, 2008 at 3:34 am
I hate it when I hear people talk about peaceful struggle. How can you run peaceful opposition in a place where opposition is banned? Just support EPPF, OLF, G7, ONLF, ARDUF, etc. and help new ones emerge to weaken this dictatorship. At one point it will fall.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:06 am
It is easy to write the theory of peaceful struggle by grabing ideas from here and there. But to put it in Ethiopian context is non-sense.
Why don’t you see guys? The Meles regime is almost closed the door for peaceful struggle. Can we hold a meeting? Can we organize demontration? Can we make strike? can we really challenge the regime through peaceful meanses? The answer is no. I can provide a dozen of evidences. The regime wants the oppositions to cover its psuedo democracy.
Let us gather our breath and intensify our struggle in all fronts.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Question to berhanu Nega. About 2 weeks ago EMF wrote that Ginbot 7 starts strong short wave Radio program directly to ethiopia . so where is it ? how long do we have to wait? Our people are suffering in ethiopia eko. Does anyone know where is Berhane Mewa hiding? I heard that he is working for ETN. Where is Taye Weldesemayat hiding? We are millions of ethiopians in Diaspora. Cant we afford 1 satelite TV station to ethiopia? Cant we get atleast 1000 brave ethiopians who can do this? Wey gize !
August 5th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Mike - if you are not supporting a non-violence movement in Ethiopia, just say that you don’t support. But going further and calling it “non-sense” shows how limited your knowledge is about the issue. Besides the argument you presented confirms the depth of understanding you have regarding this noble cause. There are thousands of Ethiopians inside Ethiopia (not in Diaspora) who are fighting the regime day in and out. Please don’t discredit their sacrifice. Stand for what you support and show your unwavering determination no matter what. Regarding what you don’t stand for, leave it for those who are steadfast and resolute - even to the extent of sacrificing their own life. And once Ethiopia is emancipated, then we’ll talk which was the best method of struggle.
August 5th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
New wave of attack on the free press just because they have published Dr. Berhanu /Ginbo7 articles. WELL! if Dr Berhanu can’t deliver what he promised, history will judge him becuase some many poor publishers are being harrased by Woyane since the formation of Ginbot7
My suggestion to Ginbot7 -Wore Yebka -Sera Yegemer
August 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
To Mimi,
Who are you suggesting and ordering Ginbot 7, why dont you start your own work,,..just bring it on…you stop talking ok…let ginbot 7 aquire its own adejenda. By the way its everyone’s responsiblity to fight weyane, not ginbot 7. So ginbot 7 can not be resposible, instead this clearly shows that weyane is getting scared of Ginbot 7. Weyane tries to block all means that Ginbot 7 can be heared by the Ethiopian people. Weyane exactly knows that Ginbot 7 will be gaining the Ethiopian people support that is why weyane keep harrassing those who wants to deliver the news about Ginbot 7. Weyane exactly knows what kind of startegy will remove thier power. So mimi shut the hell up…ok…..let the ethiopian people fight from left to right and from south to north to complitley remove the weyane regime……you do your own part first…stop jumping here and there and dont be ready to be the benefiecery of the freedom while you are sitting you ass on chair…step up and do your own part…
August 5th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
How come all the self declared Ethiopians political opposition parties leadership in America and Canada totally dominated by Single tribe (Amhara tribe only/Amhara tribalism) ?????????????
Democracy is not only in the end, in process too .
August 5th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Mekbib,
I am having difficulty understanding the logic in your argument that there are millions of Ethiopians in Ethiopia; therefore, peaceful struggle works. Of course, there are lots of Ethiopians struggling every single day in Ethiopia. They have been doing so for the last 17 years. That is why we argue that that form of struggle is not working. Woyane virtually silenced the public at home by closing all doors for a civil participation. The only option left for us is to remove this dictatorship through violence. No dictator has given up power peacefully. Neither should we expect this one to do any different. That leaves us with the only option of pushing an armed struggle to free our country. At the current state of affairs, peaceful struggle is a joke. We only legitimize a vicious dictator.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
mimi,
ለተቀማጭ ሰማይ ቅርብ ነው People are doing their part. Let’s just be supportive and also do our part. It is not going to be a cake walk, as liberating a nation is a bloody business.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:12 am
Slugger
Actually I addressed my comment to Mike. But I don’t know which you do not understand. However, whatever the case might be, if you want to support the struggle other than non-violence, you can do so. But why do you have to scoff at or call this noble way of struggle a “joke”? Proceed with what you believe is the best way. And stand for it no matter what. Be ready to pay any sacrifice - be it life, financial . . . . But don’t try to prove your way by discrediting non-violence or pointing figure at those who devote their life for it. I hope you got me this time.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Hi Mekbib,
I was not scoffing at anybody or any idea. If it sounded like it, I apologize. Anyway, again you implied that I was an armchair politician by saying that I should be ready to sacrifice my life. I know this line of reasoning. It is a pretty old way of discouraging opposition. As a matter of fact, it is a standard slogan for wayane supporters to dry up support for the struggle back home. Of course, I will be doing everything in my power to help those who are frighting to liberate the country. The support could come in a lot of forms, be it in finance, time, and more. What we are doing right now is part of it as well. While I have a great concern that they are simply legitimizing a dictatorship, the people who are engaged in the so called peaceful struggle deserve respect and support as well. However, I do not have any illusion that their effort will bear fruit ever. I believe woyane will only be removed by armed struggle.
August 6th, 2008 at 3:04 am
ወይ መከራ ፅሃፊ መለስ አድናቂም አዋቂም መራጭም ተመራጭም አስመራጭም ዳኝኣም አቃቤ ህግም ሁሉም ነገር የከፋዉ አንባገነን መለሰና ባለቤቱ ወይዘሮ አዚብ መስፍን በሆኑበት አገር ምን ይጥበቃል ? አቶ መለስ በላተኝኣ እንጂ ደጋፊ እንደሌሎት ያቃሉ?እስቲ በዙሪያዎት ይሉትን በጎች እንይ… ኩማ ;አዲኡ ተፈራ;አባዱላ; ጁነዲን.አሊ አብዶ….አሁን የርሶ አዋቂነት ከነዚህ መሃል እንጂ ከተቃዋሚዎች ወይም ከኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ መህል እንዳልሆነ ያውቃሉ?
August 6th, 2008 at 4:45 am
Dear Mekbib,
The type of struggle depends on the context. I don’t believe the means of strrugle is a principle. When things change-the political space for peaceful struggle narrows you have to revise the strategy to achieve your objective. I undestand those who follow peacefull meases are for noble.
Political environment before and after May election is different. You need to question the peacefull meanses of struggle are able to work still now. For me every thing is changed and we need a suitable form of struggle appropriate to the context.
August 6th, 2008 at 4:51 am
Hi Mekbib,
Don’t confuse cause and means. Peacefull struggle is a means. You use it when neccessary. if not you have to look for another form of struggle to achieve your objective. If you don’t wake up when things change, you need to question your understanding.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Let it be peaceful or non peaceful our struggle is or that we are supporting, if we know where to shoot and we know our aim, and that is to bring democracy to that country, we can leave our ‘enka selantia’ behind and do what we can do and pay our share of what is expected from each of us.
One day peaceful and non-peaceful will meet somewhere and we all say ‘we get rid of our enemy’. not this one not that one , just us.
Lets Unite and fight by all means we can …just think of what our aim is.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Slugger,
When I was about to accept your apology you went back again and start calling those who support non-violence as ” wayane supporters”. And you even call this struggle a “so-called peaceful struggle”. I hope you understand what you’re writing. Actually I was not needing your apology. You can keep it for yourself because you don’t mean it. However, I’ve found the statement you presented around the end of your comment to be oxymoron. Because you said that “the so called peaceful struggle deserve respect and support”. But right after this statement you mentioned that it will not “bear any fruit” and put forward your belief that “woyane will be removed by armed struggle only”. If that is your belief, keep on promoting and supporting what you believe. Please leave the non-violence struggle for those who are devoting their time, money, and even life towards the achievement of its principles. Again my point is promote what you stand for. That’s it!!
August 6th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Mike and A J
Revising strategies, tactics, . . . and adopting them even in the middle of a battle is very necessary. But those who are into the non-violence struggle have already done this and are sticking with what they believe. But I think it is a no-brainer to tell an Ethiopian what the ruthless thugs-in-power are doing in Ethiopia and how the political space is narrowing. Again my point to everyone is don’t try to teach or educate us as to why non-violence is not working in Ethiopia. We know what we are doing. If you believe a means of struggle other than non-violence, commit yourself to it. Stick with it and promote it. Don’t try to instruct me or those who believe in non-violence, when to apply it, when not to apply it, why it is not working in Ethiopia now, when to change it . . . . Because you are not an advocate of non-violence. Besides what you’re saying demean our intellect - in addition to those intellectuals and avid members of UDJ Party. Again promote what you believe. Just focus, aim and shoot on your target. Don’t waste your bullet attacking non-violence.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Dear Mekbib,
I believe whether peacefull struggle or armed struggle could be criticised, If it doesn’t seem appropriate for the situation. That is my human right to express my view. That is the reason EMF is on air. I absolutely oppose those who insult and mock personalities of peacefull fighers. But peacefull stuggle or any, as an idea, should be challenged, rubished, criticised…The question should be our argument holds water or not. ‘ Don’t criticise us’ or ’shut up about our struggle’ doesn’t take us any where. If strong argument presented that justifies the validity peaceful struggle in Ethiopia, i support it.
August 6th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Mekbib,
You puzzle me. I have never said that the people who are working inside Ethiopia to bring about change should be dissed or not be supported. My point was that the peaceful struggle was not working. What have they achieved in 17 years—in free press, independent judiciary, free election, vibrant opposition? None of the above! Where I am from thats how we tell a peaceful opposition is working. By the way there is nothing oxymoron about my point. I never said the people who are pushing the peaceful participation had any bad intentions. Therefore, I don’t see why they should be disrespected. Of course, I will say it again, under the current circumstances, they will not be able to bring a democratic change in the country while they are under woyane control. All in all our focus should be to wage war against woyane thugs and take our country back.
August 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Mike and Slugger,
I firmly believe in discussing and/or arguing about issues of non-violence struggle, whether it works, whether it does any good to Ethiopia, etc. And I didn’t say or even imply the idea of “don’t criticize us” or “shut up . . . “. You can read my recent article here (http://www.abbaymedia.com/pdf/Amharic/Non-Violence.pdf) But in order to support Ginbot 7 or any other movement that believes in armed struggle, you DO NOT have to ridicule non-violence as “nonsense”, “joke”, “a struggle that do not produce anything”, “so-called peaceful struggle”, etc. My point is if you can’t reach the grapes just say that “I can’t reach the grapes”. But don’t try to convince me your inability to reach the grapes by saying “grapes are sour”. My argument is if you believe in a means other than non-violence, pursue that. Promote it, preach about it, and support it. Don’t try to convince people to support your idea by ridiculing or belittling those who believe otherwise. You support the other means of struggle because you love your country, so do the people in the non-violence camp. Once Ethiopia is emancipated, history will judge which one was the best modus operandi or which one should have been perused. For now save your “bullet” and use it properly and where it applies.
August 6th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Dear Mekbib,
we have been tasting the grapes for the last seventeen years and that is why we are saying they are sour. And we have the right to say so.we are criticising peacefull struggle with valid points. If you can provide valid argument that peacefull struggle still brings change in Ethiopia, here you go the platform and you are well come. But your argument still revolves around ‘don’t speak about peacefull struggle’.
August 6th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Mike
I’ve presented my argument in the article I wrote few months ago. I’ve posted the link above. I have never said “don’t speak about . . . ” I am open for any kind of discussion. But my argument is in order to justify other means of struggle you DON’T have to go against non-violence. Just stay the course and promote your ways and means. What I am against is to hear people saying “I’m supporting all means of struggle becasue non-violence is not working” or becasue “non-violence is a joke” or “non-violence out dated” or “doesn’t apply in the Ethiopian context”. . . Armed groups like OLF, ONLF and others are in struggle for years but I’ve never heard them ridiculing non-violence. They just promote their cause. Again my point is support whichever way of struggle you want but don’t try to justify your way by talking against non-violence. Because I know it works.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Mekbib,
The problem is the two are competing strategies, and one can not justify its existence without emphasizing its vital importance over the other. While we encourage the brothers and sisters engaged in that endeavor, we have to make the case for our cause. That is why we are stressing the fact that loyal opposition is not working. We can not justify the cost of raising arms both in terms of material and lives with out indicating how the peaceful struggle failed. That could be one of the basic differences between us here. As I said before, without being disrespectful to the parties involved, as long as there is no clear indication of harmuful intent, non violent struggle should be open to criticism and vice versa. The other point you have to understand is that we are not blaming the leaders or supporters involved in the soft ball game. We are simply pointing out the fact that there is a better way to do this. IMO, that is a legit view.
August 6th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Slugger,
I don’t know why you consider these two strategies as “competing”. For me they are mutually exclusive. Besides you said that there is a “better way of” pursuing the struggle. What is that “better way”? Let’s be explicit - is it armed struggle? Or multi (hulegeb) struggle? And when you say “hulegeb” does that include urban warfare? Can you be specific? Also let me ask you this - is UDJ a “loyal opposition”? Can you answer these?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
hello every body. whats your problem with eprdf??? during the king a
August 7th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
hello every body. whats your problem with eprdf??? during the king and the dictator mengestu you have never seen democracy. but now with eprdf you have a full of freedom. but ppl in ethiopia dident know what dimocracy means. coz we were not use to it. now why do we need armed struggle??? and what for pls ppl try to think 2 ways. other ways our country ethiopia will sufer a lot. like 20years a go. so why ppl cant talk peace full struggle? like MR GANDY OF ENDIA. other ways i cant see any solition in ethiopia. every body love to be in power. thos who knows and those who know nathing wishing to be ethiopian leadr. we dont wont other dictator pls live us alone. you ppl are much worest. coz your hunger for power makes you very sick. loosers we are ok with eprdf for now
so antill the necxt election you better shut your mouth pls.
other ways you are devideing our ppl. long live ethiopian unity.