AddisFerengi

Agazis begun patrolling Addis again yesterday and Siddist Kilo area is packed with militaries, there are no taxis or buses. More opposition members and supporters were arrested. CUD leaders, who were confiscated their black clothes (1), are supposed to appear in court. When a government is terrorized by its citizens, it is time to leave but the EPRDF will never relinquish power peacefully.

On the contrary, the losing party is reinforcing its control. First impulse was given during the Revolutionary Democracy trainings (2): trainees from all woredas received instructions they have communicated to ten cadres in each kebele during the TOTs (Training of trainers) in an endless brainwashing. Newly “trained” officials have selected 200 farmers in each kebele. Those happy few were granted the EPRDF membership and will benefit from all initiatives. I predict reeducation camps very soon. ;-)

Decentralization is not fashionable any more. Some problematic woredas, like Kofele (3) are now divided in two and attached to newly created zones, in this instance Shashemene. Zones are given back their full powers (4), and arrogant little bosses are now demanding the full control of any foreign fund. Aid workers are desperate, I know a medical doctor who cannot buy medicines without the signature of a corrupted cadre.

Intentions are thus clear, thwarting any donor’s plan to channel the Aid though independent structures.

Donors are still discussing the PASDEP –EPRDF plea for budgetary support– and insisting on Good Governance, a very embarrassing topic for the ruling party.

You will find on line:

DAG’s letter to Ato Sufian
Matrix 3 on Good Governance and indicators An excel document, click and then save.

I would appreciate your educated and wise analysis since I am no specialist.

If the two parties agree, which I personally think doubtful, a cash advance will probably be granted but how could the government meet the requirements?

DAGs demands are unacceptable for a dying regime: Justice system reform, Human Rights conflicts and prevention, Democratic representation, Access to information, Democratic decentralization, Civil Society participation are luxuries Meles Zenawi simply cannot afford.

We are definitely assisting to the end of budgetary support. Problem is westerners were so slow to react that the nightmare will go on for a while. We know who will pay the high price of their negligence.

We saw no sign of readiness to negotiate or dialogue on TPLF side so far, only a suicidal chain leading to more violence, suppression of all dissents & media, including this humble Freedom Space spoiled by unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortuous, defamatory, invasive of another's privacy and hateful comments.

Good job anyway, guys! I know I have been mercilessly critical but I am not ashamed of being a Ferenj anymore. Stick to it please.

Ooooch, I went through serious matters today and feel exhausted. Please excuse the poor English.

See you tomorrow.

UPDATE 1:00 PM: A MUST-READ MESSAGE

AF personal comment: I had a look in Ethiopian Constitution, Articles 9, 14, 24, 25, 26, 27 & more! seem extremely democratic and reasonable. Is it different when written in Amharic?

AF

(1) How do you call a country in which you cannot even choose your clothes’ color? A jail?
(2) I must apologize for having written Evolutionary Democracy, the concept of Revolutionary Democracy is so … surprising.
(3) There was a serious popular uprising in Kofele on the 21st of November Death toll varies from 8 to 32 though a first-hand witness asserts it may be more. Read: On the road in rural Oromia
(4) I was told the law was voted by parliament recently.

The Friendship corner

Ayele is being held without charges for 18 days now.
Berhanu is being held without charges for 28 days now.
Frezer, 4-months pregnant is being held without charges for 28 days now.
The Federal Police accuses them of being terrorists! Here is the door:

“Authorities must also release all 17 of our colleagues from jail,” Cooper added. “Ethiopia is now Africa’s biggest jailer of journalists.”

COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS
330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 USA Phone: (212) 465 1004 Fax: (212) 465 9568 Web: www.cpj.org