Press Release: May 6, 2008 – Plans are well underway for the four-day event, Worldwide March for Freedom, Justice and Human Rights in Ethiopia, starting on May 15, 2008 and ending on Sunday, March 18, but the invitation is still open for more people to join in as organizers and support people. (Image - AbbayMedia)Teleconference meetings are being held daily to assist participants in the process.
On May 4th and 5th, two teleconferences each day were held by the organizers of these events and we want to update the public about what is going on.
First of all, those involved in this international committee include representatives from twenty different organizations from all over the world. Although some represent political groups, all those participating have agreed to work together as a non-political group focused on bringing freedom, justice and human rights to Ethiopia. If you are someone or an organization who did not get an invitation from us, we are sorry because we may not have your contact information, but we would look forward to you contacting us because what we are planning is for all organizations, communities, religious groups and civic groups.
Once this Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia starts after this four-day event, we would not want you to feel that we intentionally excluded you. We do not want anyone left out that is interested in joining so please contact us now. It is absolutely not too late. You are welcome! This includes Woyane supporters and EPRDF members who want a better and more humane Ethiopia for the future.
Four events are scheduled and they include:
Day One: Thursday, May 15 – A DAY OF REMEMBERANCE: The Tent of Grieving and Celebration
Day Two: Friday, May 16 – A DAY OF UNITY: Worldwide March for Ethiopian Freedom, Justice and Human Rights
Day Three: Saturday, May 17 – DAY OF REACHING OUT: Building New Connections
Day Four: Sunday, May 18 – DAY OF PRAYER: Confession, Thanksgiving, Reconciliation and Petition
Because of time constraints, every committee member on the international worldwide committee is to act as the mobilizer of the group(s) in their area. This committee member then will act as the liaison between the local groups and the international worldwide committee. This central committee will have the responsibility to oversee the overall planning, assisting the implementation at the local level as much as is needed.
We continue to ask for more volunteers who would be willing to organize and participate in one or in all of the four events occurring over the duration of the four days—the day of remembrance, the day of the march, the day of unity and the day of prayer. If possible, we ask that you participate in all of the four daily events in your community.
It does not matter the number of people who participate, even if you could bring together five or ten. Others may be able to mobilize more, but together, Ethiopians worldwide may be able to call attention to the lack of freedom and justice in Ethiopia and so begin the hard work of coming up with solid solutions for the dilemma we are in.
If there is a community not connected yet, you can start immediately and then contact us. If there is a group in some state or region who has never been involved before, we ask you to get involved now and we will help you—step by step.
Some immediate tasks to be completed:
- We ask you to reach out to other civic or religious organizations—not necessarily Ethiopian—to be part of this. For example, in Switzerland, the Switzerland Trade Union has agreed to rally with Ethiopians for Human Rights. Ethiopians should reach out to non-Ethiopians like this as it will only increase the interest in what is going on and it will also encourage the press to want to cover the story.
- Each committee in each community will need to identify a person ready to answer questions from the press and make the initial contacts with the press so there is press coverage of the event. This person, or another appointed person should be ready to answer questions as to why this rally is necessary and important.
- Reach out to others in the Horn of Africa or in Africa and include them in these activities. Many of them have been suffering as well and we need to bridge the gaps between nations as well as within our nation.
- On day three, hold a town hall meeting or another kind of meeting at a community center, religious building or public building where Ethiopians can talk—not about politics, but about how to build new relationships with people from different groups coming together as one people.
- Collect funds in your community to be used for flyers, posters or travel expenses for those who may need to travel outside their areas.
- Make requests for permits to allow your group in front of your state capital. The goal is to have the rallies occur simultaneously all over the world. The posters and signs used in the rallies will be similar.
- The universal petition of what we are rallying for will be prepared and distributed to everyone. It will discuss the human rights abuses in Ethiopia.
- Mobilize people—call people in your community—go to the churches, mosques, synagogues, community centers, schools and any other place you might be able to engage people.
- In all activities, reflect and act on this principle: In order for Ethiopians to survive, we need to put humanity before ethnicity.
Worldwide Committee Meeting Schedule:
Because of the time constraints, every day until next week, there will be a meeting at 3:00 PM Eastern time for those in Europe, Africa, Australia or the Middle East. Another meeting at 8:00 PM Eastern time for those in North America. If anyone wants to participate, email us at ethiopiansmarchforfreedom
Important points about the proposed May 15-18 March:
- It is non-political.
- The programs will involve as many Ethiopians and Ethiopian organizations as are willing to participate.
- The reasons for the previous failure to have an impact on the dictatorship in Ethiopia has been the unwillingness or inability of the various organizations to come together to form a united front against the regime.
- The main objective of the march is to commemorate the first truly democratic election in Ethiopia in May 2005, which was stolen from the people of Ethiopia. It will also commemorate the loss of thousands of lives among people from all the ethnic groups in Ethiopia!
- Most importantly, the events will be a starting point of a movement to reclaim Ethiopia for Ethiopians, by uniting under one movement.
- It is of critical importance that all participants tone down politics while efforts are being made to put out the fire of division that has engulfed Ethiopia, and instead to look around to find brothers and sisters from other organizations and ethnic groups in order to hold hands and forge a united front.
What is next?
The march is really the first step in a unified approach to address the problems within Ethiopia. An umbrella organization will be necessary to coordinate further actions. This is just the beginning signifying the launch of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia.
- Draft the petition to be used universally all over the world: A petition for the March, to be used by all participants, will be drafted. This will be done in the next few days and should be available to be studied and adopted by the March Organizers before distribution to participants.
- Fund raising: Urgent actions on this front was suggested and plan for collections should be in place immediately to make money available for purchase of necessary items, payment for transportation etc. It was noted that there is very little time available for this, immediate institution of the process should start.
- Follow-up Meeting: In view of the urgency of this process and the limited time available a follow-up meeting has been arranged for Tuesday, May 6, 2008. The meeting for the European members will be at 3.00 p.m. EST and for the North American members it will be at 8.00 p.m EST.
For further questions, please contact: ethiopiansmarchforfreedom
May 8th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
ለመሆኑ እናንተ “አዘጋጆችቹ” እነማን ናችሁ? እራሳችሁን ሸፋፈናችሁሳ?!!?………?!?
ድሮ ቀረ የተሳፈ ሁሉ ማመን!
ገና የገባችሁ አይመሰልም
May 8th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Dear! The demo Organizers!
I have personal doubt!
Why the demo is non political? It is known that the most crucial problem of our people and mother land Ethiopia is political which has been damaging everyone`s life.
On the other hand it is said that the demo is inclusive to all Ethiopians means weyane and our freedom struggle killers too. If so, who is protesting against whom?
If you are geniune the leader of this demo must be the former Kinjit or the new Unity for Democracy and Justice Party ( UDJP ). If not it is the sign starting a new political game by the name of unity.
So with out political issues the objective of the demo call is vague.
May 8th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Dear Sema Belew
I understand your concern however, if you read carefully through the key points provided from 2 through 6 specially # 6 will give you a clear understanding of this new call. This is grassroots efforts to unite all Ethiopian for the seek of motherland to unite as one people despite our ethnicity or political party affiliations so that we hare a united force to the tyrant regime
Keep mind that Woyane is not a strong enemy, it’s the lack of unity amongst we Ethiopians that allowed Woyane to appear as if they are stronger.
God Bless Ethiopian
May 8th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Dear Ethiopian fellow sisters and brothers,
It is a great idea to get organized for political action, which is part of democratic processes. However, it seems there is a problem from the outset both on the essence of the movement and the perceptions among most people like Sema Belew above.
Fristly, perceptions of generalization that all Tigreans are by default Weyanes and therefore should be excluded is undemocratic and antagonistic to the objective of the very movement we are planning. In talking about political action, we are talking about democracy and freedom. However, such perceptions are contrary to the very purpose and objective of the movement,
Secondly, statements like ‘Ethiopia for Ethiopians’ presupposes that Ethiopia is currently being administered by foreign powers, which is equivalent to the fact that EPRDF supporters are not Ethipians. This is very divisive and will not take us any longer, and
Thirdly, ‘Movement for New Ethiopia’ - we need to have a program on the kind of Ethiopia we want to see as opposed to the current situation. The statement is so broad that we need to have at least a tenatative alternative political direction, which is different from the current system.
With regards,
Aschalew (Melbourne).
May 9th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Dear Belay Zeleke and Mr. Ashalew
Thank you for your respond and your reactions for comments about the All Ethiopian united Demo.
First I am not against the Tigrians as awhole and unity. But my argument is based on the following facts!
1. Weyane is a tyrannt regime who has Ethiopian and foriegn supporters.You should not ignore that these groups will work their job in this demo too.
2. There are power seekers by the name of opposition who are working hard and using all means to achieve their goals and they don`t care about Ethiopia or the people who are sufferning by this racist regime unless the result of struggle is important for them. Such groups have no clear stand and using the name of unity to cover up their hidden agendas. They are using communities or associations as an umbrella for attacking true and genuine freedom fighters of fellow Ethiopian who are guided by open and democratic political program.
So the non political demo by the name of united Ethiopian also include such elements. This only helps to those selfish groups and targeted to kill the present on going struggle and to undermine Kinjit leadership which is elected by the Ethiopian poeple.
Those true Tigrians who are against the present anti Ethiopian regime must be enter to the freedom struggle field / known opposition political parties /and show their stand with Ethiopia practically. We have seen such tigrians infornt of the battle front.
My last question to both of you is ! Who will take care of the freedom of the struggle after this demo? Or you mean that after this demo business will continue as usual.
Therefore we Ethiopians need true political leadership infront of any actions including this demo. We need known true political leadership who can organize and guide us for achieving our goals. Those communities , religious groups and different associations must be involved in the freedom struggle by backing and supporting known political parties to creat a free and democratic Ethiopia for every citizen and any institution to get out of oppression and discrimination by the present minority ruling class.
Those who have the same objectives and interests can be united. This needs also clear and firm stand.
But unity by the name we all are Ethiopian is meanigless and brings nothing for our people and mother land. This “We Ethiopian” is the slogan of Weyane too.
With regards,
May 9th, 2008 at 10:16 am
If we have comments or concerns we should address them to the organizers. What I understand is that these dedicated Ethiopians are trying to involve the maximum of people because the struggle is ours. We have to be part of the solution. I am sure in different cities there are people who we can get in touch with, otherwise we take the initiative and organize a March (that’s the whole idea).
May 9th, 2008 at 11:08 am
FYI, the New Solidarity Movement is a part of the Tsehai Conference. You know about Tsehai Confernce, don’t you? Strong objectors of KINJIT.
The New Solidarity Movement is housed inside the Tsehai Conference and is headed by a corrupt and very conservative evangelist called Dr.Golto Aila, who boasts about his family feudal status during Haile Sellasie and a committed supporter of EPRDF.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
ይቸገረወ እርጉዝ ያግባል!!! ወያኒ ቢችግረዉ ተደብቆ ኢትዮጰያውያን ማጋጨት ብቻ ሆነ ተስፋዉ:: ይልቁን አንድኛውን የውጭ ዚጋ ነኝ ብሎ እንደ ወራሪ እራሱን ያቅርብ:: እንኚህ የቀጠራቸው ዱርየዎች ደግሞ ደና ስራ ፍልግው ለቢተሰባቸውና ላሰጠጋቸዉ አገር ቢጠቅሙ: ይሂንን ወንበዲ ቡድነን ጋር ፍቅር የያዛቸው ጉዳይ እንኩዋን ቢነግሩን እናዝንላቸው ነበር::
አይ ወያኒ በየቀኑ እየገብማ መጣ
May 9th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
All who are against a united movement which is anti-zenawi are pro-zenawi. No wonder why this march for freedom has Zenawi supporters trying to criticize it. You know what i think we have something here! Sign me up
May 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
ወያኒ ደህና ትሁን ካለው ስው ቀረና ከሞተ ስው ተጣላች አጼዎች መቃብራቸው ጮኽ እሪ በል
ጎንደር ሸዋ እስኪነሳ
May 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Tigrean can’t be there? This is a united movement for all. Can’t you read! This is exactly what is needed to move our country forward. United we stand! Let us stand for out people on this date!
May 9th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
ባአገር ተቀልዶ መሬታችን ቆርሶ ቤታችን ተቃጥሎ መስሎት ብዙ ሚቆይ መልስ ብሎ ማየት አንገት
ተቆርጦበት ጎኑ ተስንጥቆ ዮሃንስ መጣበት በህልም እያቃዠ አዲሱ ልደቱ ማነው የፈረመው
እራሱ ፈርሞ ራሱ አለቀሰ አይ አዲሱ!!!!!!!!!!!አዲሱ ለገስ (ለገሰ ዜናዊ)
May 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Tall Ethiopians (minus TPLF parasites)
This call has made all TPLF and their supporters nervous my attitude is if any thing , something makes them nervous its a good news for me . Lets support -Lets United as one people against TPLF dynasty
Ethiopians Lets Rise Up or Shut UP
May 9th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
I informed you the relationship of Tsehai/New Solidarity project and that of KINIJIT. Subject of discussion shouldn’t shift from that relationship.
I have no stomack for KINJIT, never had. But, I don’t mind if this rally is boycotted by supporters of KINJIT because I know the leaders of this movement.
Neither do I have stomack for this pro-government pacification movement, the New Solidarity Movement, because I know how ባንዳ its leaders are against the suffering of ordinary Ethiopians that I fought for since my school days.
I have read few savages like Golto Aila, only equalled my girlfriend Alice, a man who seamlessly looks like any one of us but a CIA’s Mocking Bird project candidate like Abebe Gelaw without the rougness of government cadres. Anyone who thinks these are patriotic individuals, think twice. They are fertile minds of destruction, disunity, ethnic and class segregation and sectarianism. You got to know them. They are the most divisives with a backdrop of evangelism, who are perefectly versed in ideological tools US uses to oppress Africa. They could very well may have connections with officials of the US State Departments Faith section, a new tool for pacification oppressed peoples under brutal dictatorships.
በህሊናችን ፍርድ ተመርተን: በፖለቲካ እምነታችን ለአገር ቆመን አንድ የድሃ ቢት በሰታኖችና ስልጣን በጠማቸው አይቃተልይ ማለት ብቻ አይበቃም:: ጥፋ ብለን የምንወስደውን አቁዋም በግብር ማሳይት ይስፈልጋል::
May 9th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I informed you about the relationship of Tsehai Conference and the New Solidarity Movement and their relattionship with KINIJIT. The discussion shouldn’t shift from understanding the movement and its relationships. that relationship. I have no stomack for KINJIT, never had. But, I don’t mind if this rally is boycotted by supporters of KINJIT because I believe the leaders of the movement are agents of foreign governments who do not wish well for the Ethiopian people.
I have read few savages like Golto Aila, only equalled by my girlfriend Alice, a man who seamlessly fits with us and looks like any one of us but CIA’s Mocking Bird project candidate like Abebe Gelaw without the rougness of government cadres. The Mocking Bird project trains journalists from developing countries to sway opinions toward US interets. Anyone who thinks these are patriotic individuals, think twice. They are fertile minds of destruction, disunity, ethnic and class segregation and sectarianism. You got to know them. They are the most divisives with a backdrop of evangelism, who are perefectly versed in ideological tools US uses to oppress Africa. They could very well may have connections with officials of the US State Departments Faith section, a new tool for pacification oppressed peoples under brutal dictatorships.
በህሊናችን ፍርድ ተመርተን: በፖለቲካ እምነታችን ለአገር ቆመን: አንድ የድሃ ቢት በሰይጣኖችና ስልጣን በጠማቸው አይቃጠል ማለት ብቻ አይበቃም:: ጥፋ ነው ብለን የምንወስደውን አቁዋም በግብር ማሳየት ያስፈልጋል::ለዝህ አይነት ትክክለኛ ሃሳብ ምስጋና ከፍ ያለ ነው::
May 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I informed you about the relationship of Tsehai Conference and the New Solidarity Movement and their relattionship with KINIJIT. The discussion shouldn’t shift from understanding the movement and its relationships. I have no stomack for KINJIT, never had. But, I don’t mind if this rally is boycotted by supporters of KINJIT because I believe the leaders of the movement are agents of foreign governments who do not wish well for the Ethiopian people.
I have read few savages like Golto Aila, only equalled by my girlfriend Alice, a man who seamlessly fits with us and looks like any one of us but CIA’s Mocking Bird project candidate like Abebe Gelaw without the rougness of government cadres. The Mocking Bird project trains journalists from developing countries to sway opinions toward US interets. Anyone who thinks these are patriotic individuals, think twice. They are fertile minds of destruction, disunity, ethnic and class segregation and sectarianism. You got to know them. They are the most divisives with a backdrop of evangelism, who are perefectly versed in ideological tools US uses to oppress Africa. They could very well may have connections with officials of the US State Departments Faith section, a new tool for pacification oppressed peoples under brutal dictatorships.
በህሊናችን ፍርድ ተመርተን: በፖለቲካ እምነታችን ለአገር ቆመን: አንድ የድሃ ቢት በሰይጣኖችና ስልጣን በጠማቸው አይቃጠል ማለት ብቻ አይበቃም:: ጥፋ ነው ብለን የምንወስደውን አቁዋም በግብር ማሳየት ያስፈልጋል::ለዝህ አይነት ትክክለኛ ሃሳብ ምስጋና ከፍ ያለ ነው::
May 9th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Dear anga
do you smell your own stinky comment? can you smell how trashy you are ?. It is exactly because of MORON HODAM BANDA individuals like you we Ethiopioans had been divded.
anga- Betegnahebet Ayengabeh HODAM AGASSES
May 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I don’t expect unpatriotic agents of foreign governments to reject the New Solidarity Movement. Given the violent nature of Ethiopian politics, for informaing the public the facts about its leaders and their associations, the fact that its grassroot supporters are EPRDF and hardcore TPLF ideologists, these facts I know very well, I expect rude replies from them and their sympathasiers. However, I won’t stoop down to their level of getto behaviors these thugs display as a basic characteristic of CIA spnsored violent politics.
At such time when it’s necessary for the public to know and they are confused who the leaders are, it’s my national duty to tell the public the information I gathered and summed up from my experiences with the leaders of the new Solidarity Movement in discussion forums and their articles. Not for any individual sake, but for the wellfare of the entire public. I have done such things all my life in group or individually.
The facts that no one can challenge are the movement’s the child of Tsehai Conference, its leaders are savages out of a science fiction, the faces of US intelliegence in the 21 century for culturally unsophisticated societies of developing world such as Africa. Versed in sciences, philosophy, theology, politics, journalistic proficiency in written languages, with cultural IQs above average Africans, who make up most of the population, have the capacity to easily sway public opinions to the interests of foreign governments they work for. They form organizations, write programs and craft slogans following the mood of their subject populace in a certain country. For example, after 17 years of government-imposed ethnic divisions, we are yearning for unity to defeat it. But, they are organizing the public for unity to rally it for government support or an indifferent, disengaged populace. Their objective is not a united people to defeat the government they consider illigitimate, but a pacified people that won’t talk politics, a pacified people that will confess for its sins as a result of which it has had a bad government, a pacified people that should ask for forgiveness for its sins in political violence against the governemet and suffered as a result, a pacified people which would behave as if hypnotised in prayers to beg for the longevity of the government because none is better than the devil they know.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I think anga is a TPLF cadre “who thinks” he is disturbing the May 15 peaceful March.
You are a silly lowlife tigre banda. I can see that from ur trash “comments”. What i cant figure out though is why tigray-woyanes keep commenting on WEBSITES MEANT FOR ETHIOPIANS??????
As an ethiopian I never visit, or intend to visit woyane run websites. I know them by name only. I feel sick when i even think of them let alone visit and read their posts.
Now ANGA get lost, go find ur place!!
May 10th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Anga,
One of the initiators of the movement is Obang Metho. Most of us admire him for what he is doing for Ethiopia, and EPDRF tried everything to buy him (money, lately they wanted to send the governor of Gambella to bribe him..) but it didn’t work. And now, you are saying they are CIA agents. Anyway, thank you for your information, we are big enough to know which group to join or not.
May 10th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Guenet,
The question readers asked was about the leaders of the Solidarity Movement, not initiators. There is no you proof you provide even for the initiation, only guess or pure assumption. But I know and can refer you Addis Voice that Golto Aila and co. formed it and leads it. You will also find, it’s housed inside Tsehai Conference, which organizing youth in Addis to smoothen its relationship with EPRDF government.
If you admire Oband metho, if he doesn’t scare you in the larger scope of things, you have to know more about him.
1. I am a Muslim Ethiopian and not accustomed to reading political articles by Christian Ethiopians so much filled with quotes from the Bible. When i read Oband Metho’s articles laden with biblica quotes, I see extremism, fanaticism and almost crusadic zealotry. You fill this is a type of person who can’t fit well in Ethiopia of 50% Muslims. For political expedience, to attract the sympathy of American officials, especially republicans, he adopted the right-wing republican type of ploitics hypehenated with the movement of the evalengelical religion. That should be inappropriate for Ethiopia.
2. I don’t think most Ethiopians really all about the Gambella problem. Critics say that the Anuak’s aim is to create a purely Anuak Gambella by driving out their closest cousins the Nuers to Sudan and the ‘drought settlers’ or as they call them the ‘highlanders’ to Tigray, Amara and Oromo. If the Obang metho movement can’t wholly expel all these groups whom they call ‘foreigners’, they would fight until a large part of the Nuers and the highlanders are removed from Gambella. This is the essence of the Anuak movement: Gambella for Anuaks, which they may call later Anuakland instead of Gambella. They make only a fraction of the gambella population, a mere less than 100, 000. The nuers are along the border with Sudan, Anuak’s in the interior and then the highlanders. On the other hand, Gambella is a huge hectare of region comparable to Ogaden. In that vast spance of land, there are only about 250, 000 people. Anuak movement has nothing to do with land shortage or that their lands were taken and given to highlanders and Nuers.
EPRDF is now expelling Nuers, 50, 000 of them, after living for the past 20 years in gambella town, were recently reloctated to border area without no preparation(school, clinics, shelter, food). They were pushed int trucks and dumped near the border. The Anuak Governeor must have brought this news of bribery to him. The trip was planned to take place immediately after the expelsion of the Nuers.
A loud speaker for personal fortunes over bloods of the Gambellans, , he made himself so visible and well regarded. Trust me CIA can’t miss to recruit Oband Metho. Neithe can the candian Secret service.
May 11th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
To Truth,
You said “this web site is MEANT FOR ETHIOPIANS??????”. May I ask you who is an Ethiopian? Firstly, Ethiopia includes Gambellan, Benishangul, Oromo, Gurage, Somali etc. So, if you are talking about Ethiopia by excluding any ethnic group forget about it.
Secondly, the difference between you (whatever the political party you may support) and TPLF supporters is a difference of idealogy. If you are saying the party you support has better policy for Ethiopia than TPLF, it means you are talking about democracy. In talking about democracy, you can not oppose people’s idealogical freedon. That means people have the right to support any political party. It is their own individual right. If you think everyone has to support the party of your choice, do not tell me that you are talikng about democracy.
Aschalew.
May 12th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Anga,
I am not a Christian either, and I don’t mind that other people talk about their religion as long as they don’t try to impose it on me, and as long as they don’t think they are the only one who have the truth. Once again I am intelligent enough to know the difference between christian fondamentalism and Christianism.
I trust the integrety of Obang Metho, nobody will buy, and that’s why EPDRF is afraid of him.
Anyway we are all Ethiopians, and it’s better for us to unite, and find solutions to the problems facing our country.