nazret.com Merkato Blog

Erin Henderson lives in rural Wyoming with her husband, Joshua (top), and their 11 children, including adopted Ethiopians (from left) Solomon and Belane. (AP)

Americans adopting HIV-positive kids from Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Solomon Henderson inherited just three things from his birth parents, who left him at an Ethiopian orphanage when he was 1 year old: a picture of Jesus, a plastic crucifix and HIV.

As one of some 14,000 Ethiopian children born with the virus every year, Solomon's prospects for survival — much less adoption — were grim. But Erin Henderson's heart stirred when she saw him, and she decided, on the spot, to adopt him.

"They told me that they weren't sure he would live through the weekend," Henderson said by e-mail from her home in rural Wyoming, where she lives with her husband and 11 children, two of whom are HIV-positive adoptees from Ethiopia.

Solomon, now an active 2-year-old with chubby cheeks and a shy smile, is part of a small but growing movement: Americans adopting HIV-positive children from abroad.

Figures from U.S.-based Adoption Advocates International, the agency that arranges the majority of HIV-positive adoptions in Ethiopia, show a clear and steady rise, from two such adoptions in 2005, four in 2006, 13 in 2007, and 38 either completed or pending this year.

The U.S. Embassy corroborates the trend, although its numbers are slightly different because it counts adoptions according to fiscal year. So far this year, the embassy said, Americans have adopted 25 HIV-positive children from Ethiopia, up from seven the year before.

Ethiopia is at the forefront of the trend, in part because it is a well-established adoption hub. But countries including China, Ghana, Haiti and Russia also have seen increases, although the numbers remain small — fewer than five children in each country this year, according to U.S. adoption agencies that work with HIV-positive children. The figures could be higher, however, as many nations do not ask if a departing child has HIV.

The motivations are wide-ranging — some parents say they were driven by religion or a desire for social change, or that the disease is more manageable than ever before. Others, like Julie Hehn, gave more personal reasons.

"I was just scrolling through these pictures, and I saw the photo of Tsegenet, and I said, 'Oh my God, that's my daughter,'" said Hehn, a 53-year-old elementary school teacher from Edmonds, Wash.

Hehn said she was not looking for an HIV-positive child when she decided to adopt from Ethiopia.

"I fell in love with Tsegenet and it just happens she's HIV-positive," said Hehn, who has 27 children, 19 of them adopted from Ethiopia and five adopted from the U.S.

At a recent goodbye party at an orphanage in Addis Ababa, a 9-year-old girl who was heading to the United States with her adoptive family gave a shy smile as her friends ate doughnuts and sang farewell songs.

The children — all of whom have HIV or AIDS and are looking for new families — belted out an Ethiopian hymn called "No one is ashamed of you."

Ethiopian adoptions to the United States peaked at 1,255 in 2007, and the adoption of HIV-positive children is growing in step, according to U.S. government figures. American adoptions in Ethiopia have steadily risen from 135 in 2003, to 289 in 2004 to 440 in 2005 to 731 in 2006.

So far, none of the children adopted through Adoption Advocates International in Ethiopia since 2005 has died. The oldest is now 13 years old.

Margaret Fleming, the founder of Chances By Choice, an international HIV-positive adoption advocacy group that connects parents with HIV-positive children and adoption agencies, said her group also has overseen adoptions of children from Haiti, Guatemala and Russia.

Fleming said her group has helped bring about 52 international HIV-positive adoptions since 2002 from assorted adoption agencies and countries, including Ethiopia.

Fleming, who has three HIV-positive children in her own brood of 12 children, said she wanted to make a difference in the world.

"I feel like I'm on the cutting edge of making an impact on this epidemic," Fleming, 72, said by telephone from her office in Chicago. "It's given us a chance to be ambassadors, and our children to be ambassadors."

Over the past decade, HIV has become a manageable, chronic disease, rather than a death sentence. Some children, like Solomon, require daily medication that can cost between $700 and $1,500 a month, though all parents planning to adopt children with HIV are required to carry health insurance, so costs are usually less.

Others, like Tsegenet Hehn, have been told by doctors that the low levels of the virus in their blood mean they don't need any medication.

"She doesn't get sick any more than my other children," said Hehn, who said another daughter, who has a condition that makes her react violently to wheat and gluten products, requires more care than Tsegenet does.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt said HIV-positive adoptees pose no public health threat in America. Congress is set to repeal legislation that requires those with HIV to get waivers to enter the U.S. For adopted children with HIV, the waiver requirement can increase the nine- to 12-month adoption process by about two weeks.

"The American people are compassionate people," Leavitt told the AP on a visit to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "I applaud their compassion and I'm delighted to know they're doing so."

But parents overwhelmingly say the reward is theirs.

"I have learned so much from Tsegenet," Hehn said. "I have learned to be more patient and kind through Tsegenet."

Like some parents interviewed, Hehn says she insists on being open with everyone about her daughter's condition.

"I'm a teacher. I want to educate everybody I can educate," she said. "And I believe it is the only way we can erase the stigma. I am not going to tell her that there is not one part of her that is not beautiful and wonderful and pure."

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Related Links


Surge in Adoptions Raises Concern in Ethiopia (NYT)



As more white Americans adopt Africans, experts point out social realities



Angelina Jolie to build AIDS clinic in Ethiopia

Italy must compensate Ethiopia too

By Kidane Alemayehu

It has been reported in various news media that Italy has signed an agreement with Libya to pay a compensation of $5 billion for the use of Libyans who fought as part of the Fascist army during the Second World War. This should be an excellent news as the Fascist army which included some Libyans had committed genocide for which Ethiopia should be compensated a minimum of $50 billion.

The Libyan government should be given due credit for its valiant effort in getting a redress through the substantial compensation by the European government i.e. Italy that colonized it for several years and utilized its citizens in its quest for suppression as well as committing atrocities in other nations such as Ethiopia.

The current Italian government also deserves appreciation for its principled stand on the issue by owning up to its past historic injustices. The important remaining issue now is whether the Italian government would be consistent with this fundamental principle and apply it to Ethiopia which had suffered the most from the Fascist atrocities. This will depend not only on the Italian government’s new-found sense of justice but also on whether the people and government of Ethiopia will make a justified demand for an equitable compensation.

Various well known scholars and authors including Avro Manhattan, Richard Pankhurst, Anthony Mockler, Emperor Haile Selassie I, Paulos Gnogno, etc.have provided an indisputable evidence for the fact that during the 1935-41 Italian occupation of Ethiopia,
the following devastating losses were perpetrated by the Fascists:

1. Numerous Ethiopians (later estimated at 1 million) were killed of whom 30,000 were murdered in a few hours in Addis Ababa alone; 350 monks and nuns were massacred in the famous Debre Libanos monastery; and two bishops, namely, Abune Petros and Abune Michael were martyred. (1)
2. 525,000 homes and 2000 churches were destroyed.
3. 14 million animals were killed.
4. As the Fascists sprayed mustard poison gas in various parts of Ethiopia using numerous airplanes, the Ethiopian environment was devastated in addition to the above genocide and substantial destruction.
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(1)There are numerous personal tragedies involving the Fascists. Mine concerns my grandfather, Grazmach Gessesse Fanta and his son, Merid Gessesse, who died fighting against the Fascists in the Ogaden, the eastern region of Ethiopia. The Fascist army that invaded Ethiopia from the Somali front included Libyan and Somali soldiers. My father, Alemayehu Gebremichael, (God bless his soul) had related to me that he also fought against the Fascists in the same area but was able to escape only to be caught later by the Libyan soldiers who beat him so much that his blood was flowing from his nose.

As a so-called compensation, Italy agreed to pay the tiny amount of only 6 million sterling pounds in 1947 and, as a result, the issue has remained a festering open wound for generations. The main reason for the inappropriate and ridiculously low amount of compensation for such a huge crime against humanity was due to the fact that Ethiopia was the only independent African country at the time and the western countries sided with one of their own.

Now that the Italian government has finally seen fit to pay a more appropriate compensation for its past crimes in the African country of Libya, there is good reason to hope and believe that it will also meet its obligation for the Fascists genocide and destruction in Ethiopia.

The above issue has been taken up by the Global Alliance for Justice – the Ethiopia Cause (www.globalallianceforethiopia.org) which has launched an international campaign for a Vatican apology to the Ethiopian people for its complicity with the Fascists. An international petition is being signed in the above website and, so far, nearly 800 people from over 30 countries have already complied. It is intended that once enough signatures have been obtained, a formal appeal will be submitted to the international community including the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, Amnesty International, and other such institutions as well as certain appropriate governments to put pressure on the Vatican to do its Christian duty by apologizing to the Ethiopian people.

A number of letters have also been submitted to Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Vatican, directly calling for his apology similar to the ones that he and previous Popes have offered to the Jewish people for the mere fact that the Vatican remained silent when the Nazis committed the infamous holocaust. The apology to Ethiopia should be even stronger because of the fact that the Fascist army occupied Ethiopia with the prior blessing and, therefore, direct complicity of the Vatican (please see the picture below).

A Vatican clergy blessing the Fascist army at the start of its journey to commit its genocide in Ethiopia.

It should be noted that the Alliance’s strategy comprises three inter-related strands: firstly, to obtain an apology by the Vatican to the Ethiopian people; secondly, to ensure that the United Nations to include the Fascist genocide against Ethiopia in the annals of its historic records; and finally, thirdly, to obtain an adequate compensation by the Italian government to the Ethiopian people.

The above huge effort needs the support of all people and governments who believe in justice and human rights. All who are interested in contributing to the success of this endeavor are requested:

1. To sign the petition in www.globalallianceforethiopia.org calling upon the Vatican to apologize to the Ethiopian people for its complicity with the Fascists;
2. To demand from the Italian government an adequate compensation for the genocide and the immense destruction perpetrated by the Fascists in Ethiopia;
3. To call upon the United Nations to include the Fascist genocide against Ethiopia in its historic records for the accurate information of future generations of humanity.

“Ethiopia shall raise its hands unto God.” (Psalm: 68:31)

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Related Links


Italy seals Libya colonial deal (BBC)



Ethiopia, Like Libya, Must Also Be Compensated for Colonial Crime (NES)

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of nazret.com. The views are solely that of the author.
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Ethiopia - Teddy Afro in Zenawi's Kangaroo Court

The great Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro) is Zenawi's most famous political prisoner in Ethiopia today. Zenawi jacked Teddy on bogus charges of vehicular manslaughter, failure to assist the injured and driving without a license. Teddy was out on "bail" until April 2008, when his bail was revoked for no good cause and taken to the lice-infested Kality prison. He was later caged in solitary confinement (administrative segregation), a severe disciplinary punishment reserved only for the most violent, incorrigible and destructive criminals in any correctional institution in the world. As Teddy left his last kangaroo court hearing in July, he proclaimed his innocence to the world: "I did not kill anyone! God is my witness. I did not kill anyone! God's powers are above all powers. I appeal to the sense of justice of all those who are sworn to serve this country. Without just cause, I have been caged in a lice-infested jail." There was not a dry eye in kangaroo court.

Teddy is Innocent!

The allegation in kangaroo court is that Teddy in the evening hours of November 2, 2006, driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed and without an operator's license, struck and killed a pedestrian. Teddy allegedly fled the scene of the accident without rendering assistance to the injured victim. Teddy denies the allegation. He told the kangaroo court: "I did not kill anyone!" Teddy is telling the truth. He is innocent!

How can we be so sure? We are so sure because Article 22 (3) of Zenawi's "constitution" says Teddy is innocent: "Everyone charged with an offense shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a court of law and not to be compelled to testify against himself." That is also the universal rule under Article 11 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (incorporated by express reference in Art. 13 of the "constitution" ), the Rome Statute of the International Court (Art. 66, presumption of innocence and a reasonable doubt) and under the laws and constitutions of all civilized nations. For Teddy to be convicted of the alleged offenses, the prosecution must prove the elements of the alleged crimes beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden of proving Teddy's guilt is ENTIRELY on the prosecution. That burden of proof never shifts to the accused. Teddy does not have to do jack to prove his innocence. He does not have to call witnesses or produce any evidence in his defense. He has the absolute right not to testify in order to prove his innocence. (Art. 22 (3).)

Proof of guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt" is the highest standard of evidence known in the law of civilized societies; and ostensibly, Zenawi's kangaroo court subscribes to that standard as well. Proof of strong suspicion that the accused has done the alleged crime does not amount to "proof beyond a reasonable doubt". Evidence that Teddy possibly, probably, plausibly, and presumably did it, just does not cut it under the reasonable doubt standard. Proof that Teddy very, very likely did it, does not meet the standard of reasonable doubt. Proof that there is overwhelming evidence Teddy did it, but there is reasonable doubt (that is, a single doubt based upon reason and common sense, the kind of doubt that would make a reasonable person hesitate to act) about the pre-dated autopsy report or the contradictory testimony of the police officers does not meet the standard of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. A directive from Zenawi's office that Teddy be convicted because he wrote unflattering lyrics about him, refused to sing at his millennium party and sang songs that told the truth about his dictatorship is definitely not proof beyond reasonable doubt.

The evidence that transforms the "presumption of innocence" to a factual finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is evidence "which, after the entire comparison and consideration of all the evidence, leaves the minds of the fact finder (judge or jury) in that condition that they feel an abiding conviction of the truth of the charge." Simply stated, the fact finder must have "moral certainty about the evidence presented against the accused to a point where s/he would act in reliance upon its truth in matters of the greatest importance to himself or herself." Ultimately, the universal rule is that if the fact finder views the evidence in a criminal case reasonably permitting either of two conclusions -- one of innocence, the other of guilt -- the fact finder is required to adopt the conclusion of innocence. Such is the foundation of the criminal law in all civilized societies. Even the kangaroo court in Teddy's case is supposed to follow these rules as manifested in Article 13 of the "constitution", and Article 141 of the rules of criminal procedure.

The Evidence Against Teddy

After a police investigation that has been going on since November 2, 2006, and with all of the massive investigative resources at the disposal of the regime, the scanty evidence assembled against Teddy shows the following: 1) A man claiming to be a cab driver called police and gave the license plate number of a vehicle registered to Teddy. 2) Police officers came upon the scene of the accident and found a man who appeared to have sustained injuries lying on the ground. They saw no vehicle strike the man. 3) The vehicle allegedly belonging to Teddy had sustained damages. 4) The cab driver who allegedly reported the incident to the police could not be located. 5) A death certificate produced in court showed the victim had died a day earlier before he was allegedly struck by the vehicle registered to Teddy and killed.

The prosecution's case has more holes in it than a worn out fishing net. Here is a short list of the most glaring evidentiary deficiencies:

1) The autopsy report does not show the victim died specifically from trauma resulting from a vehicle collision. All it shows is that the victim died from blunt force trauma.

2) The autopsy report showed that the alleged victim had died one day earlier than the date of the hit and run that allegedly killed him. The prosecution claimed the date registered on the death certificate was a "clerical error". (By the same token, could it be that the license plate number reported to the police by the alleged cab driver at night implicating Teddy is an "observational error"? What is good for the goose must be good for the gander!)

3) The prosecution has not produced any forensic evidence connecting Teddy's vehicle to the deceased's injuries or death. No blood, hair, fiber or any other physical evidence belonging to the victim was found on Teddy's vehicle.

4) The prosecution has produced no evidence on the mechanical condition of the vehicle. There is also no accident investigation/reconstruction evidence.

5) There is no expert testimony showing the deceased's injuries are consistent with vehicular collisions in general, or with the vehicle damage observed on Teddy's vehicle. There is no expert testimony in the form of traffic accident reconstruction findings to connect the cause of death of the alleged accident victim to the vehicle in question; and no data were extracted from the onboard "black box" of the BMW which retains critical parametric performance data in the seconds preceding impacts of the nature alleged in this incident, and often critical in vehicular manslaughter cases., e.g. engine rpm, brake status, throttle position, position of air bag sensors and restraint systems (which would be deployed in the event of high speed impact with an external object at factory preset specifications), time from maximum velocity to impact, etc. In high impact vehicle collisions, it could be reasonably expected that the driver and/or passenger could sustain minimally some soft tissue injury from secondary collision effects (e.g. sudden tensioning of the inertial belt retractor from high velocity impact, injury from debris, etc.). In any case, if Teddy's BMW had been involved in any kind of collision serious enough to cause the death of a pedestrian, one could reasonably expect evidence of some physical injury on him. But there is no evidence Teddy had sustained any physical injuries consistent with collision impact.

6) There is no evidence that at the time of the alleged incident Teddy was actually driving the vehicle. No witness has been able to positively identify Teddy as the driver of the vehicle that allegedly struck the decedent.

7) There is no evidence that the driver of the vehicle in question was "speeding" or driving at a high rate of speed, e.g. no evidence of fixed maximum speed limits for the accident location, no "black box" data or other expert or eyewitness testimony on traffic, road, weather conditions and visibility at the time of the alleged collision with the deceased.

8) The police officers testified that when they came upon the scene, they found an apparent victim of a hit and run accident. Supposedly, the victim had been drunk. They did not see Teddy hit and run from the scene. It was further reported that the police officers had difficulty expressing themselves in the official language, and without translation assistance, it was difficult to follow their testimony. Further, their testimony was conflicting.

9) Teddy was denied fundamental due process by the admission of hearsay evidence (an out of court statement given by a witness to the police) without cross-examination of that witness. When Teddy's lawyer objected to the evidence and complained that he can not defend his client in a manifestly arbitrary proceeding, he was ordered to serve 20 days in jail for contempt of (kangaroo) court.

10) There is no evidence that Teddy made any admission of culpability, and he has always maintained his innocence against the charges.

Enough of the theory and practice of reasonable doubt in Zenawi's kangaroo court! It would be a waste of paper and time to comment further on the kangaroo court proceedings. Suffice it to say that one finds more integrity, better prosecutorial trial advocacy, a more coherent judicial process and display of legal savvy in a mock trial courtroom in an American high school than in Zenawi's kangaroo court.

The Real "Crimes" of Teddy Afro in Federal First Kangaroo Court

Teddy Afro is in Zenawi's jail not because of any traffic or other criminal offense. Teddy is in jail because he pissed off Zenawi and his henchmen by getting in their faces and telling them like it is! Zenawi feels "dissed" by Teddy. He feels insulted. He wants to punish Teddy by showing him who is really "wearing those shorts (qumta) darned with 17 needles." That's why Teddy is in jail! That is why he will remain in jail. Zenawi knows it. So does everybody else. If Teddy would ask for a "pardon" tomorrow ("Lord! I have sinned against you!"), he would be out of jail before you could say jack.

Now, if you really want to know the "crimes" for which Teddy is rotting in a lice-infested jail, check out the following list of charges:

Charge 1: Crime of Love of Country.

For his entire artistic career Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a Teddy Afro, has shown undying love for Ethiopia. In all of his songs and lyrics, said Teddy Afro has glorified Ethiopia, condemned mercenaries and thugs and paid homage to African fathers who have toiled to bring about African unity and promote pan-Africanism.

Charge 2: Crime of Speaking Truth to Power. For his entire artistic career Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a Teddy Afro, has refused to lie, and bow before thugs and thieves. In his album, Yasteseryal, said Teddy exposed the truth about the seizure of the throne by a criminal band of thugs.

Charge 3: Crime of Refusing to Bow Down Before King Kong

For his entire artistic career Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a Teddy Afro, has refused to bow down and worship King Kong.

Charge 4: Crime of Refusing to Sell Out or Be Corrupted

For his entire artistic career Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a Teddy Afro, has been offered riches and rewards beyond measure to sell out his integrity and honor. But on all occasions, he has adamantly refused to sell out. He was offered millions to sing at the Millennium Mambo but he refused; instead he sang for free to the public at the stadium.

Charge 5: Crime of Courage and Refusing to Be Silent in the Face of Inhuman Acts

For his entire artistic career, Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a/ Teddy Afro, has steadfastly refused to remain silent in the face of crimes against humanity, war crimes and human rights violations.

Charge 6: Crime of Advocating Reconciliation and Unity

For his entire artistic career, Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a/ Teddy Afro, has called upon all Ethiopians to unite. He has called upon Christians and Muslims to join hands and people of all ethnic backgrounds to live in harmony, peace and love in a single Ethiopian nation.

Charge 7: Crime of Singing Uplifting Songs

For his entire artistic career, Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a/ Teddy Afro, has sung songs that are, without exception, inspiring and uplifting. His music, songs and lyrics have been effective antidotes to diabolical efforts to undermine the spirit of the Ethiopian people. Teddy wrote and sang the subversive lyric, "Hold on, hold tight! Ethiopia's resurrection (Ye Itopia tinsae) is near, if only we forgive each other in love."

Charge 9: Crime of Captivating the Hearts of All Ethiopians

For his entire artistic career, Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a/ Teddy Afro, has sung songs that have captivated all Ethiopians, young and old.

Charge 10: Crime of Being the Most Inspiring Young Artist of His Generation Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a/ Teddy Afro, is without doubt, the most inspiring musical artist of his generation. Beyond his peerless artistic talents, said Teddy has inspired millions of people to yearn for democracy, freedom and human rights in a single Ethiopian nation.

Aggravating Circumstances in the Commission of the Foregoing Crimes

In the commission of all of the foregoing crimes, Tewodros Kassahun, a/k/a/ Teddy Afro, has acted with the intent to promote love and understanding among the people of Ethiopia, and in the furtherance of social harmony and national unity.

There is a mountain of evidence larger than Ras Dashen that Teddy is GUILTY of all 10 charges beyond a shadow of doubt.

The Ballad of Teddy Afro

"Teddy Afro! I charge you with a crime!!!"

Free Teddy Afro, our HERO!!!!



Please sign the "Free Teddy Afro" online petition at: petitiononline.com



One Ethiopia today. One Ethiopia tomorrow. One Ethiopia forever.

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The writer, Alemayehu G. Mariam, is a professor of political science at California State University, San Bernardino, and an attorney based in Los Angeles. For comments, he can be reached at almariam@gmail.com

Related Links


Ethiopian judge detains editor over pop singer case (CPJ)


Teddy Afro’s case postponed to next Ethiopian year



High Court Denies Bail for Teddy Afro



Protests over Ethiopia pop singer Teddy Afro (BBC)



Pop Star Teddy Afro in Jail over hit-and-run (Capital)



Teddy Afro: An Ethiopian Hero & a Prisoner of Conscience (By Golto Aila)



Teddy Afro Music Video from nazret.com Piazza page

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Ethiopia - Samuel Gebru on the arrest of Reporter's Editor Amare Aregawi

The detention and subsequent release of Amare Aregawi has caused me reflect on the current state of press freedom in Ethiopia and moreover freedom of speech. Amare Aregawi is the Editor-in-Chief of The Ethiopian Reporter, an Amharic and English print and internet newspaper that can be well found in every city in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Reporter is well known for being a largely independent and nonpartisan newspaper, something that is very hard for Ethiopia's private press.

Officially, Amare was arrested due to an article his newspaper wrote on the Dashen Beer Company criticizing the company's internal practices. Dashen Beer Company is a subsidy of ENDEAVOUR, the Amhara State development organization, and is chaired by Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and EPRDF Political Department Head, Ato Bereket Simon. Allegedly, Amare was transported from Addis Ababa to Gonder, where Dashen is headquartered, on a company, not state police vehicle. This incident has caused a lot of doubt over the strength of Ethiopian press freedom.

First, if Amare was accused of libel and defamation then there is no reason he should have been arrested because as a member of the press Amare is entitled to write and/or publish what he thinks, including investigative journalism, and is not and has not been a threat to the public, armed or dangerous.

Secondly, the arrest of Amare demonstrates the flaws of how Ethiopia manages freedom of the press. The press should be free to keep democracy in check. In Ethiopia many things go unnoticed that the press could highlight in order to bring about change to the nation. In many democratic nations such as the United States, where I live, private press continues to be the bedrock of democracy, independence and information.

Third, the manner in which Amare was transported to Gonder from Addis Ababa is a flagrant violation of his civil rights and the hallowed covenant between democracy and the press. I have yet to understand under what circumstance(s) can an accused and apprehended man be transported to a court hundreds of kilometers away in the vehicle of the company that has sued him! Does this make sense or have I no understanding?

There is a lack of respect for opinions, press and expression in Ethiopia. The lack of freedom of speech and press in Ethiopia puts to question the level of seriousness that the Government of Ethiopia is about democratization. Press and speech freedom is the foundation of a robust democracy however not only does the new Press Law of Ethiopia undermine the significance and independence of the press but it demonstrates the lack of care and due attention.

In Ethiopia, websites, including mine (www.smgebru.blogspot.com), remain blocked. The entire Blogger network remains unavailable. Websites such as Nazret, EthioMedia, etc., remain unavailable while websites such as Aiga Forum (with no offense to the editors) takes a split second to load while the others, including mine, continue to give you a "This Page Cannot be Loaded" error message.

The lack of respect for freedom of speech, expression, opinion and press will severely undermine the democratic process in Ethiopia. Additionally, not only will it undermine the work that has already been done in the past 17 years, it will derail future democratization since the current has been called into questioning.

Samuel M. Gebru
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Is the US Policy towards Africa becoming Militarized?

By Scott A Morgan

Over the last year that has been growing concern in both Africa and amongst the activist community here in the United States about the role of AFRICOM (Africa Command). Since January of this year there has been a plethora of activites that the country has been involved in.

The US began this year by intervening diplomatically in the Violence plagued Kenyan Elections. Working in conjunction with the EU and AU a Government of National Unity was agreed upon. The year began also with the APS (African Partnership Station) in place in the Gulf of Guinea. That region which is where 20% of the American Oil Imports Originate from has a problem with Militants, Drug Trafficking and Piracy. So this program was an effort to train Regional Military Forces to conduct such Operations.

The National Security Strategy Document published in March 2006 states that the United States "recgonizes that our security depends on partnering with African States to strengthen failed and failing states and bring ungoverned areas under the control of effective democracies. This statement can be seen as a base for the US efforts to bring about a regime change in Zimbabwe, restore the rule of law to the Kivu Provinces in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and limit the Influence of Al-Qaida in the Sahel Region of West Africa.

This Strategy has had its failures as well. The US Proxy efforts to restore a Strong Centralized Government in Somalia by Ethiopian Arms continues to muddle on. A report that Addis Ababa is considering withdrawing will be seen as a failure of US Policy. The Situation in Darfur with the apparent unwillingness of the US and its European Allies to take any action smacks of hypocrisy.

So why is the Pentagon taking the lead in this? They are not the only US entity that is formulating policy. There have been several instances where the CIA has taken steps to investigate the status of Militia Forces Operating in the African Great Lakes Region. The easy answer is that currently the State Department is in a weakened state. After all they did put out conflicting signals during the Kenya post-election crisis.

In General it is bad policy to have the Soldiers make Key Foreign Decisions. With the inability of the State Department to articulate what the goals of the United States are someone has to do it. There are some that would like to have AFRICOM to have some sort of accountability. Well as a DOD Command it does have to request funds from the Congress. After all the easiest way to force change on someone is to impact the flow of funds.

Whether it comes to Energy Supplies, Radical Islamists or even the Rogue Military Officer that cannot be reined in by his Country the US will have interests in Africa. This means US Diplomats and Soldiers will be seen as both Friends and Targets. There will be chances for both Praise and Criticism of US Activities as well. And in January a New President will be the one taking the heat.

The Author Publishes Confused Eagle on the Internet. It can be found at morganrights.tripod.com

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The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of nazret.com. The views are solely that of the author.
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Italy seals Libya colonial deal

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has signed an agreement to pay Libya $5bn as part of a deal to resolve colonial-era disputes.

Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi said the settlement signed in the city of Benghazi opened the door to partnership between the two states.

Mr Berlusconi said the deal, which sees the money being released over 25 years, ended "40 years of misunderstanding".

Libya was occupied by Italy in 1911 before becoming a colony in the 1930s.

The former Ottoman territory became an independent country in 1951.

This is the first African country to be compensated by a former colonial master, the BBC's Rana Jawad reports from Benghazi.

The question is, she adds: will this latest move set precedents for other former African countries to follow suit?

More from BBC

Related Links


Ethiopia, Like Libya, Must Also Be Compensated for Colonial Crime

Ethiopia, Like Libya, Must Also Be Compensated for Colonial Crime Against It: Italy and Other Colonizers Must Pay!


NES COMMENTARY. No.21

Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES)

Published September 1, 2008

Inspiring Quotes!

“I wanted the world to know that my country Ethiopia has always won with determination and heroism.” (Abebe Bikila, Ethiopia’s Marathon Winner in Rome and Tokyo!)

1. Introduction

It is not enough to apologize for slavery and colonial occupation by the enslavers and colonizers. The former colonial powers must pay compensation for the wreckage, debris and havoc they left behind which still influences the ability of the colonized to emerge with freedom to pursue structural transformation.

Like Libya, Ethiopia has been under the Italian pernicious colonial direct and indirect occupation since the 19th century European Scramble for Africa. It has fought back this colonial encounter with heavy sacrifice including the loss of current day Eritrea to Italian colonial control for 60 years. The colonial curse has continued to fester on today continuing very sadly to cost Ethiopia hugely now with continued loss of peoples lives, constant threat of war, closing Ethiopia’s outlets to the Sea and internally ethnic-based division and instability in the country. It is Italy that used first the ethno-linguistic scheme to divide and rearrange the then existing Ethiopian geography based internal political boundaries using such names as ‘governo’ Oromo, ‘governo’ Amhara, and so on. Sadly this same scheme has been used by those reared from our own Ethiopian soil and they tell us or blackmail all by saying the only way Ethiopia can survive is by such crude imitation from the Italian division that Italy at the time used to fit the purpose of its colonial design of divide and rule on Ethiopia!

2. All Colonial Powers must Apologize to Ethiopia and Mean It!!

We believe that the violation of Ethiopia’s dignity is not commensurable with monetary compensation indeed. But a monetary offer might make the apology a bit more real than just an empty rhetorical one.

So we urge all colonial powers to make serious apologies to Ethiopia- all those that have fought Ethiopia since the 15th century from Portugal, the Turks, Anglo-Egyptians, Italy, The British, the French must make at least together over 100 billion dollars worth of apology to Ethiopia. Even that amount will not suffice as Ethiopia still suffers from current external disruptors using the current ethnic division to undermine Ethiopia as a united national entity.

We hope the precedent of others paying for their crime may deter future crimes. Compensating for colonial crime can serve as the power of example for others to refrain from intruding and violating the peace, stability and integrity of an ancient nation that is badly in need of rapid transformation to feed itself, and indeed, for its citizens, to live in dignity irrespective of race, gender, language, ethnic origin and any other differences.

3. Ethiopia: The Most Generous Nation on the Planet!

Ethiopia today is the most generous nation on this planet. Due to the Anglo-Egyptian unequal treaty on the control and use of the Nile River, it has been contributing nearly 86 % of the waters of the Blue Nile to Egypt. We believe Ethiopia should continue to let Egypt share the waters of the Nile. If Egypt is fair- minded, it should also be the first to refuse to take the water alone without venturing to offer some compensation to Ethiopia. That means Egypt should be humble enough to compensate, at least in some form, for the free water it has been allowed to enjoy with the unequal treaty on the Nile executed under the British power and oversight. This took place at the time when right was might and might was right. In the 21st century we should move from might and power to justice and fairness in the equitable distribution of scarce resources gained through unequal treaties.

Any person who has been to Egypt would realise how important the Nile River Water is to Egypt, and would thus not want Egypt not to use the water. But what would be fair is for Egypt to acknowledge the generosity of Ethiopia and others and create a scheme where some form of compensation is given to them. The fair and just settlement of the use of the Nile Waters will also restrain all the regimes to play destructive games against each other. It will make politics more open and transparent and as much as possible as intrigue-free as it should be amongst them. The longer there is no fair settlement, the more the regimes are tempted to play games to weaken their opponents by supporting armed agitation and other forms of disturbances amongst each other. That is a wrong direction when there is a better alternative. It would be a shame to go with business as usual when there can be an honest way of settling differences with fairness, justice and genuine fraternity. We would say Ethiopia as the generous should remain generous and those who take without compensation like Egypt today to stop being mean, refrain from undermining the generous, and start learning to give and offer what they can and negotiate and establish fair-dealing!.

4. Concluding Remark

Most of us have lost loved ones, grandfathers, uncles and sisters in the Second World War. I grew up hearing stories of how heroically my grandfather died fighting Italian fascist aggression. I hope the current generation of Ethiopians will unite on getting Ethiopia compensated and not turn it into a political issue to divide across the existing internal rifts and fault lines of our current not so productive politics. And should Ethiopia be compensated through our combined efforts, let the resources be used to modernise agriculture, revamp education and health so that all Ethiopians starting from the bottom benefit through the resources that our forefathers sacrificed for with courage and selflessness.

As our national Olympic hero Abebe Bikila put it so well, Ethiopia made it through determination and heroic courage, united not divided, to defeat colonialism. It snatched its agency of colonial freedom through its united efforts from Adwa to the Second World War. It needs to confront the historic challenge of winning its agency back from receiving charity from donors to fighting to get the compensation it deserves to accelerate its development and transformation now! United we should all stand up for Ethiopia!

Mammo Muchie, Dphil
Professor,Coordinator of DIIPER
Research Centre on Development Innovation and IPER and
NRF/DST SARCHI chair holder, TUT, South Africa
Aalborg University
Fibigertraede 2
9220-Aalborg East
Aalborg, Denmark
Tel.no. 00-45 9940 9813
fax.no. 00-45 9815 3298
http://www.diiper.ihis.aau.dk/
http://www.ccis.aau.dk/

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Related Links


Putting Unity First: Sharing the Values of Human Rights, Social Solidarity and Social Justice in Ethiopia! (NES No. 20)



The Resolution of Food Crises in Africa Requires Building an Integrated African National Economy (NES No. 19)



Challenges and Opportunities for Building a Research University to Support Developmental Universities, communities, societies and economies in Ethiopia (NES No. 18)



The root cause of the food crises is the endemic governance crises in Ethiopia! (NES No 17)



Special Section: Archive articles by Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES)