Several killed at Adigrat University in Tigray as ethnic based violence rises

Ethiopian News
borkena
December 10,2017

Emerging social media reports claim that several students of Amhara and Oromo ethnic orign are killed at Adigrat University, in Tigray, north Ethiopia, following ethnic violence that is allegedly provoked by students from Tigray region.

One of the victims is identifeid as Habtamu Yalew, who was from western Gojjam in Amhara regional state. Apparently, he died in hospital after he was beaten up what activists in social media described as “radical ethno-supermacist Tigrieans.” The identities of the rest of the victims is not disclosed as thier parents are not informed about it.

Amharic service of Germany’s broadcaster,Deutsche Welle, cited the university’s public and international relation office director,Yohannes Kebede, in its social media report today which confirmed the death of one student. He is cited as saying the violence started when students were throwing words at each other during “Nations and nationalities day” – a political festival which the ruling party introduced a litter over a decade ago to celebrate ethnicity. This year’s festival was celebrated this week in Semera, Afar region of Ethiopia where a German tourist was killed by gunmen this past week.

Yohannes Kebede further told DW Amharic service that about 100 students,from other parts of Ethiopia apparently, ,who were threatened by the violence in the university campus ground,requested the University administration permission to vacate the university which suggest that they were not allowed to leave the campus.

But Yohanes denied that there was ethnic based attack as reported on social media and added that the problem is under control after the intervention ofsecurity forces and “elders and religious leaders.” Amhara activists on social media tend to think that students from other regions of Ethiopia should leave universities in Tigray for thier safety and security.

There has been tension in the Universtiy for more than three days now. US based Ethipoian Satellite Television (ESAT) reported it on social media yesterday. But none of Ethiopian government broadcasters and affiliated media did not report about it at this writing.

Last week, fans of Mekelle city soccer team clashed with fans of Woldia city team after they allegedly threw ethnic based slurs to derogage fans of the host city. Consequently, the match was cancelled following the incident which reportedly left one Tigrean fan dead.

A number of Ethiopian Universities in Southe Eastern, Southwestern and central Ethiopia are struggling to return students to capmus after students left on safety and security grounds a few weeks ago.

Sport centers and university campuses have increasingly turned out to be scenes of violent ethnic clashes.

Genrally, reports from Ethiopia seem to suggest that ethnic tension in Ethiopian universities is unlikely to go away and some tend to see it as a reflection of the situation in the country.

Clearly, at this point the ethnic tension in the country is not one big explosion as was the case in the case of Rwanda a few decads ago but it is gradually evolving to a level that can became a menance to the country. Ethnic based violece has become rife, which is unprecedented in the history of the country and thousands are affected by it. The conflict in Somali and Oromia region displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Read more here

Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gather in Jerusalem for Sigd

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  Israeli women from the Ethiopian Jewish community pray during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to 'return to Jerusalem', as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city overlooking the Temple Mount, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)
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  Israeli women from the Ethiopian Jewish community pray during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to 'return to Jerusalem', as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city overlooking the Temple Mount, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)
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  Israeli 'Kessim' or religious leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community lead the prayers during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to 'return to Jerusalem', as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city over looking the Temple Mount, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)
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  Israeli 'Kessim' or religious leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community lead the prayers during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to 'return to Jerusalem', as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)

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Thousands of Ethiopian Jews gathered in Jerusalem Thursday to celebrate the festival of Sigd, marking the community’s centuries-old aspirations to return to the holy city.

Many visitors assemble to learn about immigrant group's heritage at festival celebrating fulfillment of centuries-old aspirations for return to Zion

On a sunny, warm winter’s day, busloads of people came from all over the country to participate in ancient prayers led by the kessim, the religious leaders of the community, dressed in traditional robes and shaded by brightly colored parasols.

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Israeli ‘Kessim’ or religious leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community lead the prayers during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to ‘return to Jerusalem’, as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city over looking the Temple Mount, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)

In addition to the prayers, recited in the Ethopian Ge’ez language, the stone paths and green lawns of Jerusalem’s Haas Promenade, overlooking the Old City, were packed with Israelis of all backgrounds who came to learn about Ethiopian culture and heritage.

Following the celebrations on the promenade, many people made the pilgrimage to the Old City and the Western Wall.

Members of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel take part in a prayer of the Sigd holiday on Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking Jerusalem on November 16, 2017. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The name Sigd is Ge’ez for “prostration,” and the festival celebrates the renewal of the covenant between the Jewish people, God and the Torah. For centuries it also marked the community’s belief that they would return to Jerusalem, and nowadays it is an opportunity to give thanks for that dream becoming a reality.

During the one-day holiday, traditionally held on the 29th of the Hebrew month of Heshvan — 50 days after Yom Kippur, recalling the time span between Passover and Shavuot — some celebrants fast as they gather on the hill, like the Israelites at Sinai, where they recite Psalms and read from the Orit, the Ethiopian Torah scroll.

Members of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel take part in a prayer of the Sigd holiday on Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking Jerusalem on November 16, 2017. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

There are those who believe that the patriarch Abraham was shown Mount Moriah from this spot where the promenade is now situated, which is one of the reasons the Ethiopian Jewish community gathers there each year.

It’s been more than 40 years since the Ethiopian community first came to Israel, but Sigd was only declared a national holiday in 2008.

Members of the Ethiopian Jewish community in Israel take part in a prayer of the Sigd holiday on Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking Jerusalem on November 16, 2017. (Yaniv Nadav/Flash90)

Although no politicians attended the event, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Labor leader Avi Gabbay, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein and other MKs sent greetings via social media.

Israeli women from the Ethiopian Jewish community pray during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to ‘return to Jerusalem’, as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city overlooking the Temple Mount, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)

Several stands along the promenade were selling t-shirts reminding people of an Ethiopian Israeli who is being held by the Hamas terror group in Gaza.

“Avera Mengistu is still alive,” read the t-shirts.

The Mengistu family flew to the US a week ago to seek support for their son’s release, including at the United Nations and the annual conference of the Jewish Federations of North America. They also met with US special envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt to discuss efforts for releasing their loved one.

Israeli women from the Ethiopian Jewish community pray during the Sigd holiday marking the desire to ‘return to Jerusalem’, as they celebrate from a hilltop in the holy city overlooking the Temple Mount, on November 16, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / GALI TIBBON)

Read more here

After Decades of Struggle, 69 Ethiopian Jews Come Home to Israel

“Save us, O Hashem our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks unto Thy holy name, that we may triumph in Thy praise.” Psalms 106:47 (The Israel Bible™)

Ethiopian Israelis reunite with their friends and family at the Ben Gurion Airport on November 15, 2017. (Courtesy)

On Wednesday night, 69 Ethiopian Jews fulfilled their decades-long dream of making aliyah, or returning home to the Jewish state. Landing at Ben Gurion airport, the newcomers were met by hundreds of ecstatic family members, Israeli youth groups dancing and singing, and activists who are working to bring more Ethiopians home.

The date of their arrival fell on the second anniversary of the Israeli government’s unanimous approval of a resolution to bring Ethiopia’s remaining 9,000 Jews back to Israel. However, implementation of the resolution was halted after the government said it did not have the funding for the project.

Ethiopian Israelis await the arrival of their friends and family at the Ben Gurion Airport on November 15, 2017. (Courtesy)

Since then, several small groups of Ethiopians have managed to make aliyah with the help of the International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem (IFCJ), a pro-Israel Christian organization which donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Israeli foundations for the purpose of sponsoring and supporting Ethiopian aliyah.

However, no large government efforts have been made, and thousands of Jews still remain in Africa awaiting assistance. Some families have been waiting over twenty years to reunite with their relatives in Israel, reported The Struggle for the Aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry, an advocacy organization.

After years of separation, families reunite at the Ben Gurion airport. (Courtesy)

Kbretu Ezra, now studying economics and finance in Jerusalem, made aliyah from Ethiopia 13 years ago with his parents and sisters, but his five older brothers were left behind.

“The situation is not easy.  We help them provide for their livelihood and we want to move on with our lives,” he told SAEJ. He was able to travel back to Ethiopia with his parents two years ago in order to visit his brothers. “When we parted, I told my brothers, ‘Next year in Jerusalem.’ They are still there.”  

According to Ezra, lack of assistance for Ethiopian aliyah is an issue of Israeli society. “For years, the Ethiopian community has fought on its own. It’s time to bridge the gap,” he said.

For most Ethiopian Jews, aliyah is a lifelong dream. Many families leave their villages and move to the city in order to prepare. During the year, volunteers travel to Gondor and Addis Ababa, the two main centers of the remaining Ethiopian Jewish population, to teach Hebrew, religious studies and Israeli culture to Ethiopian children.

Ethiopian children outside a Gondor synagogue in Ethiopia. (Courtesy)

Singing Hebrew prayers and chanting Zionist songs and anthems, the kids yearn to become Israeli. But the reality of everyday life can be dismal. Many adults are unemployed after leaving their villages, and living conditions are poor.

For the 69 Jews who arrived in Israel on Wednesday, the dream has come to life. Within the next few days, children will begin school and adults will start intensive Hebrew classes. Although life in Israel for immigrants is not easy, they are the lucky ones. Read more here

Police looking for suspects in killing and robbery of Ethiopian national

Police looking for suspects in killing and robbery of Ethiopian national 
NOMAQHAWE MTEBELE 
13:15 (GMT+2) Wed, 08 Nov 2017

Police are looking for two suspects who were involved in a business robbery in which an Ethiopian national was killed in Bethlehem.

The suspects allegedly stole an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes from a shop when the 29-year-old deceased was shot on Thursday last week. A third suspect, Morena Vincent Tshabalala, will be appearing before the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (14 November) on charges related to another incident this week. This comes after the body of a Burundi national was retrieved from the Liebenbergvlei River in Bethlehem on Friday. Tshabalala was arrested on Saturday and first appeared in court on a charge of murder yesterday. Two suspects have appeared before the same court on charges of murder and vehicle theft in relation to the case. 

According to police spokesperson, Zweli Mohobeleli, the suspects Jerome Samson Motaung and Lwazi Kamisa, both 24 years of age, were arrested after they allegedly killed and dumped the body of Shabani Aly.

The police were successful in finding a vehicle that belonged to Aly and was allegedly sold by the suspects. “The motive for this killing is not clear but is subject to investigation. We are not sure whether it was drug-related or a clear-cut hijacking,” explained Mohobeleli.

Aly, a hairdresser, was reported missing on 26 October before his body was found after a tip-off. Motaung and Kamisa initially appeared before the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on Friday. They will be reappearing for bail applications. 

According to Mohobeleli, crimes against foreign nationals remain a priority for the precinct, especially since they run businesses in local communities. Police have not found a link between the two cases as the foreign nationals were from two separate countries. Read more here

Kenyan police nab 132 illegal Ethiopian immigrants

by Chris Mgidu

NAIROBI, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan police on Friday interrogated 132 Ethiopian nationals after arresting them in a security operation at a residential estate in Nairobi.

Area police commander Joseph Gichangi said the illegal immigrants had sneaked into the country from Moyale by road and were in the process of being smuggled to South Africa.

"The 132 suspects were arrested on Friday afternoon in a residential house in Mihango. We don't know how they passed many police roadblocks without being detected," Gichangi told journalists in Nairobi.

He said during the sting operation, the security officers arrested two Kenyan nationals profiled as transporters in the illegal human trafficking trade.

A similar operation carried out on Oct. 6 in Mihango led to the arrest of another 67 Ethiopian immigrants.

Police and immigration officials have decried increased cases in which Ethiopian nationals are nabbed in the country while on transit to Tanzania or South Africa.

Police face difficulties in dealing with the illegal immigrants as they can not speak in Swahili and English.

On several occasion the immigrants were found locked up in congested rooms in Kenyan towns and cities but the trade continues to thrive even as many were repatriated.

The Kenyan authorities have blamed the vastness of the region for the runaway influx of foreigners into Kenya through Moyale on Kenya-Ethiopia borders.Read more here

Ethiopia billionaire Mohammad al-Amoudi among those arrested by Saudi Arabia

Ethiopia born Mohammad al-Amoudi, one of the richest persons in the world is among those detained by Saudi Arabia, nazret.com learned. He is among the several high profile princes, ministers and businessmen that were arrested over an alleged corruption. The sweeping campaign of arrests appears to be the latest move to consolidate the power of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the favorite son and top adviser of King Salman. It is not clear why and how Mohammad al-Amoudi ended up in the dragnet.

According to Forbes magazine, Al Amoudi is the second richest person in Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia’s richest person.

He is a controversial figure in Ethiopia where critics accuse him of being supportive of an authoritarian government, while supporters say his vast investment in his birth country have created job opportunities for many.  His business interest span the globe from an oil refinery in Morocco to Sweden. Read more here

Tedros Adhanom facing calls to resign as Ethiopians question if it makes sense

Tedros Adhanom facing calls to resign as Ethiopians question if it makes sense

Tedros Adhanom and stark reality facing WHO Member States in deciding the next Director- General: Where do Africans really stand?

by Getahun Assefa G/Yesus

The decision that the World Health Assembly is expected to take in a few weeks’ time in  electing the next Director- General of the WHO,  will be a make or break one. The choice is very limited. It is either saving the organization from its debacle and to make it relevant to address 21st century global health challenges, or to make it a dinosaur incapable of addressing persistent and emerging health challenges. The second option will be disastrous by all the imaginations, especially for developing countries which are the weakest and most vulnerable to respond to major health crises by themselves. African countries will be the direct victims of the latter option. This is simply because most of these countries are too weak and too vulnerable to have any dent on diseases, poverty and backwardness. It is, therefore, incumbent upon them to choose the director general on the basis of professional and technical excellence not on political or geographical confinements.

In November 2016, the Executive Board of the WHO announced three nominees for the post of the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). The nominees are Tedors  Adhanom (Ethiopia),  David Naborro (U.K) and   Sania Nishtar (Pakistan).

The final decision will be made through secret electronic ballots during the 70^th session of the World Health Assembly to be held in Geneva from 22 to 31 May 2017. The Assembly is the highest decision-making body and its main functions are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies, and review and approve the proposed programme budget.  The 2017 World Health Assembly has  critical and historic responsibilities at hand: (a) to ensure that the new Director-General is elected in all transparency and in accordance with the constitution establishing the Organization; (b)  to make full use of established comparators or indicators to measure professional relevance and  expertise needed to lead global health institution; (c) to elect a Director-General that views health as human rights issue  and has the capacity to dig-out the Organization from the quagmire in which it finds itself currently. Member States should uphold the values and principles enshrined in the WHO constitution, that established the organization in 1948 and its secretariat including the Director-General. The constitution states that “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion,  political belief, economic or social condition”. The same constitution underlines that “The health of peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and States”.

The new Director General should also be someone who could think outside of a box to reverse the declining significance of the Organization. The WHO is in dire financial distress as major donors withdrew their financial support to the Organization due to lack of visible impacts and successive failure in responding to major health crises with global ramifications such as Ebola. Poor countries are too weak to bring any meaningful financial and/or political support to the WHO if and when needed. In fact, such countries depend heavily on the financial support of donors and international organizations such as the WHO itself, Melinda & Gets Foundation, Carter Center for the Eradication of Malaria, the Millennium Challenge Account of the USA, EU support for health, etc.

Excessive prudence and caution need to be made to choose a Director General who measures up to the challenges crippling the organization and troubling the international community at large. Closer examination of the three candidates provides basis for an informed decision making.

• Professionally Adhanom is a biologist turned malaria specialist, spent most of his professional life as politician. He is the inner circle of the disgraced and dictatorial ethnic junta that has been ruling Ethiopia for the last 25 year. He claims that he is “the Director General that the World Health Organization Needs”. Adhanom needs to clarify why and how? Why the organization needs now a politician not health specialist? Is he planning to change the name of the Organization from “World Health Organization” to “World Organization” with no “Health”?
• David Nabarro is physician by training and senior official of the United Nations. He advanced his professional life on global health policy issues and has notable experience in WHO and other United Nations Organizations. He pledges to bring his professional and academic excellence to ensure that the “WHO is in a position to be the undisputed leader on all health issues. WHO must constantly strive for excellence in people’s health and health systems everywhere”.
• Nishta, like Nabarro, is a physician by training, spent significant part of her professional life fighting against disease in her own country and the Asian hemisphere. . Her web page reads: “A combination of high-level experience in government, civil society and in multilateral institutions, as well as her background as a physician, scientist and thought leader on public health, uniquely positions her to drive the reform of the WHO, ensuring its fitness to deal with the health challenges of the 21st century.

Any miscalculation in decision making or picking the wrong candidate form such a short list will permanently remain a dark spot in the history of global governance structure. It will also make the desirability and relevance of such governance questionable at a time when major donor countries are grappling with the rise of hardline and dangerously “in ward-looking” political extremism.

Where do African countries stand? Where has the principle of Equitable Geographical Distribution gone?

So far, Tedros Adhanom and his regime in Addis Ababa have succeeded in blindfolding, manipulating and deceiving African countries under the slogan of “Pan Africanism”.  For example, Adhanom took personal credit for voicing the “Africa concern” over the International Criminal Court (ICC). He particularly claimed that he worked for the deferral of the ICC cases against several African leaders accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing.  He officially declared that his “wisdoms” was the reason behind the withdrawal of several recent cases lodged by ICC and procedural amendments to the Rome Statute”. The question is that how can Adhanom with such self- confessed heinous crimes committed against international law and the decision of the ICC promote the moral and ethical values of WHO?

When it comes to  the candidature of Tedros Adhanom  to the post of WHO Director-General, there are several issues that African Ministries of Health are not made aware. One such area is the practice of Equitable Geographical Distribution of professional and higher-level United Nations Posts. According to informed sources, the principle which is widely applied by the United Nations, including the World Health Organization is intended to ensure fair and proportional distribution of professional and higher level posts among member States. Ethiopia contributes the least to the budget of the United Nations and Specialized agencies such as the World Health organization. This is due to its low level of development (least developed country).  Reportedly, recruitment for Ethiopians within the United Nations is heavily restricted because of over representation, beyond the established quota for the country.  Informed sources indicate that professional and higher level posts are allocated for countries in proportion to their level of contribution to the budget of the organization. Despite its tiny financial contribution, currently, Ethiopia holds the following professional and high-level posts in WHO and other United Nations Organizations:

• There are more than 20 professional staff and higher level posts held by Ethiopians in in three International Organizations: WHO, UN-AIDS and Global Fund;
• The post of  Director General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), at Under-Secretary-General level,   is held by an Ethiopian (http://www.unon.org/content/office-director-general)
• The post of Associate Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the level of Under-Secretary-General is held by an Ethiopian (http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/leadership/assoc-administrator.html)
• The post of Assistant Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is held by an Ethiopian (http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/management)
• The post of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Roll Back Malaria (RBM) is held by an Ethiopian. RBM is a multibillion dollar partnership project consisting of the, Gates & Melinda Foundation, WHO Global Malaria Programme, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, World Bank, US President’s Malaria Initiative and major pharmaceutical companies. If Tedros Adhanom is elected to the post of WHO Director-General, there will be direct conflict of interest between RBM and WHO as the two entities should not in principle be held by nationals of one country, especially a country that has been consecutively ravaged by Malaria outbreaks such as Ethiopia.

The above sample of higher category posts do not include other international organizations such as the World Bank, Africa Development Dank, International Monetary Fund, Regional Organizations such as African Union, Economic Commission of Africa IGAD, etc.

According to sources and official records, in most cases, Ethiopia amassed such a high-level representation in global governance structure either on behalf of the African continent or by voting against potential candidates from other African countries. Where is “pan Africanism” that Adhanom and his regime are purported to champion? Are they blindfolding, manipulating and deceiving African political leaders?

African countries need to reflect a little deeper whether Adhanom and the regime fighting for his candidacy are trustworthy to promote and protect their interests. They should know that Tedros Adhanom   is shroud political animal. He is corrupt and incapable (with no proven experience) of leading institutionally complex, financially robust and operationally intricate international institutions. He is considered by the Human Rights Watch, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the European Parliament, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International as the spin-doctor and henchman of the dictatorial regime of Ethiopia. Being a minster in one of the poorest countries and poorly funded institutions should not be taken as a yardstick to assume leadership positions in globally vital institutions such as the WHO. Read from the source here

Refugee from Ethiopia Becomes Rich in the US

Tashitaa Tufaa grew up in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. He worked on his family’s farm with his 13 brothers and sisters, until he left to become a school teacher.

In time, Tufaa became involved in politics. He helped campaign for a political party that opposed the majority Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front. Soon, Tufaa felt he was not safe and decided to leave.

He entered the United States in 1992 as a refugee.

Tufaa settled in Minneapolis, a large city in the northern state of Minnesota. There, he began working as a dishwasher. He also worked at manufacturing companies and as a security guard. Sometimes he had two or three jobs at the same time.

But he did not earn enough money at these jobs to support his wife and five children. So he began working evenings and weekends driving older people and people with disabilities to and from work.

He says he fell in love with transportation.

In 2003, he and his brother decided to open their own transportation company. He began with his wife’s van.

Soon, schools began using their service. School officials told other schools about the excellent service Tufaa was providing. The company grew.

Metropolitan Transportation Network now has almost 300 buses and vans that take children to schools across the state. Each day, Tufaa’s company transports more than 15,000 children to schools and other places in Minneapolis, as well as to other cities.

More than 300 people now work at the company. It recently moved to a new, larger operations center.

Tufaa says he has always worked to keep students safe.

Minnesota has long, snowy winters. Many buses bring children to their homes and drive away. But Tufaa pays his drivers to wait until the students are inside their homes or are met by an adult.

He also works to help others in the Oromo community. The Minnesota Historical Society estimates 40,000 Oromos live in Minnesota.

Tufaa helps his employees who want to start their own business. Since 2012, three former employees have started their own successful transportation companies.

Tufaa says, "The greatest gift I think you can give people like you is that it can be done and I feel like I’ve done that.”

He says his success is a lesson for all African immigrants working to become successful in the United States.

“When a person is free, you can do anything,” he said. “So appreciate what you have, work so very hard, and get rid of the wrong pride we have back home that if you have a college degree you have to be in a professional line [of work], and you can’t dig the potatoes or do the dishes. Work is work, and go out there and do what is available. Be proud of it.”

Tufaa believes his experience shows that, for those willing to work hard, anything is possible.

He told VOA, "I do not believe in giving up.”

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Salem Solomon and Tigist Geme reported this story from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.

Read more here 

Ethiopia’s government is cracking down on the country’s biggest pop star

Addis Ababa

Ethiopians of all stripes have found something they can agree on: the government’s treatment of Teddy Afro, the country’s biggest pop star, is woefully misguided.

On Sep. 3 police stopped the best-selling singer, whose real name is Tewodros Kassahun, from holding an album launch in a hotel in Addis Ababa, the capital. This is the latest in a long string of run-ins with the authorities, and came shortly after it was announced that a large concert scheduled for Ethiopian New Year’s Eve on Sep. 11 had been cancelled—on the grounds that a government-sponsored event was taking place at the venue on the same date. This is the third year in a row the pop star has been prevented from performing in the capital. In May, an interview he did with the state broadcaster was pulled.

Today, Teddy Afro is by far Ethiopia’s most famous musician. “Ethiopia”, his fifth studio album, shot to the top of Billboard’s World Album chart as it became the fastest-selling record in the country’s history. But his career has been beset by controversy. His 2005 hit single “Yasteseryal”, released in 2005, became the unofficial soundtrack to the anti-government protests which wracked the capital in the wake of hotly disputed elections that year, in large part due the unfavorable comparison he drew between the ruling party EPRDF and previous regimes. Then, in 2006, he was arrested and later imprisoned for a hit-and-run offense—a move his supporters have always claimed was politically motivated.

Many Ethiopians suspect the government of pursuing a campaignagainst Afro. But its reasons for doing so are decidedly unclear. By harassing him the authorities have mostly just succeeded in turning a singer into a martyr. Since 2005 his songs have contained only veiled criticisms of the regime. His public appearances are rare. And in any case he is by no means universally loved: many Ethiopians, especially ethnic Oromos who make up more than a third of the country’s population, accuse him of ethnic divisionism.

A boycott campaign was launched in 2013 after he was reported describing the nineteenth century imperial conquests of the country’s southern provinces by Emperor Menelik II as a “holy war”.

But though it may not much fear his political activism, the government worries his songs encourage nostalgia for the “old Ethiopia” associated with former emperors like Menelik and Haile Selassie. His recent albums have been packed with references to Ethiopian history, most notably the Battle of Adwa—when the Ethiopian army defeated the invading Italians in 1896—which he reenacted in an extravagant music video in 2012. Ideologically-loaded memorabilia, such as the old imperial flag, appear on the album cover of “Ethiopia”.

It also happens to be a sensitive time for the EPRDF. In early August it lifted a ten-month long state-of-emergency originally imposed to quash large-scale anti-government protests. But sporadic strikes and demonstrations have flared since then, as has ethnic violence in eastern parts of the country. Though it has embarked upon an aggressive anti-corruption drive in recent months the government has yet to implement the serious political reforms promised at the height of the unrest last year. Thousands of political prisoners—including several lesser known musicians and artists—have spent time behind bars, and many still languish there. Lashing out a pop star suggests nervousness, not strength.

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