I would like to express my deepest sympathy to who lost their loved ones in Metekel Zone

 Obang Metho

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to who lost their loved ones in Metekel Zone of the Benshangul Gumez and pray that the wounded will soon recover.

According to the eyewitnesses in the area more than 130 people were killed in Metekel Zone. This is another ethnic cleansing in different region of Ethiopia against the innocent people.

These are egregious crimes, piercing the hearts of many caring Ethiopian people; not only within the Amhara, Agew, Gumez, Shinasha and Oromo communities, but far beyond.

Each incident has an overwhelming component of tribalism gone wrong. How unjust is it to kill, rob and steal from another collective group, dehumanizing them as the other simply because of their ethnicity or the way they look? How wrong is it to commit crimes without any compassion because the other(s) are not part of your own group? How immoral is it to take revenge against some random person, who has done nothing but be of the same ethnicity as the person inflicting harm to some within your own collective group?

Recurring ethnic cleansing and avoidable tragedies result when the worst of tribalism is carried out against the collective other; whether on a small-scale, institutionalized into systems like ethnic federalism or mixed together and exploited. Unfortunately, the consequences of these tragedies are now serious and far-reaching.

To further complicate matters, they must be dealt with in an environment entirely lacking the supports for success. Collective punishment flourishes in environments where there is a failure of justice.

It shows a weak rule of law that is ineffective in ensuring protection for the innocent from collective attacks and hindering those impacted from taking collective revenge. One person can kill another without any consequences.

Ethnic federalism and its policies that capitalize on ethnic differences or other distinctions actually promotes this.

Putting humanity before ethnicity or other differences and caring about the freedom of others— for no one is free until all are free— could have created a different ending for each of the tragic stories affecting Ethiopians that have unfolded for years. These incidents did not have to happen, but in each case, could have been avoided or lessened in severity. Much of the pain, suffering, death and loss of countless people and their loved ones could have been avoided had those involved simply put these principles into practice.

This is the time when reconciliation among the people is of utmost importance to make sure that ethnic cleansing doesn’t happened again.

In closing, I am heartbroken by what has been happening and believe we can find a genuine solution if we are willing to embrace values that support not only our own collective group, but all our people— putting humanity before ethnicity, or any other difference.

Human life is precious and as a society, when these lives are lost, we grieve together regardless of ethnicity, religion, regional background, political view or any other differences.

Until we, Ethiopians are all free, no one will be free and secure. These principles, upheld by individuals, communities, ethnic groups and the rule of law, could have stopped all of these tragedies from occurring.

May Allah/God strengthen the families of those who have lost loved ones as they go through this difficult time.

May Allah/God heal our land from the blood, death and sorrow that has wounded our souls.

May Allah/God make our own hearts fertile soil for healthy growth so we can look at each other as part of our precious Ethiopian family.

Long live this beautiful, ancient land of Ethiopia we call our sweet home.

Kjetil has now been freed and is on his way home

 The arrest and detention of Kjetil Tronvoll, a highly regarded and engaged scholar with a particular expertise on Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, will have a chilling effect on freedom of expression and academic inquiry. Kjetil has now been freed and is on his way home.

Norwegian professor Kjetil Tronvoll is said to have been abducted by police at Bole Airport in the capital Addis Ababa. He most recently came from Mekelle in the Tigray region, where he followed the "illegal election" criticized by the central government.

According to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, information was received during the evening that a Norwegian citizen had been detained at the airport.

- We have also been informed that he now has the opportunity to travel further, says Ane Lunde at the press service at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kjetil Tronvoll is head of the think tank Oslo Analytica as well as professor of peace and conflict knowledge at Bjorknes University. For the past thirty years, he has conducted field studies in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Zanzibar and also worked as an advisor and mediator in several peace processes.

One of his special areas is the development of democracy on the African continent.

But his presence during the election, which was won by the former ruling TPLF party, has been criticized by supporters of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for taking a stand for the opposition party.

Something he rejected on twitter this week.

"Just to clarify. I observe the election as part of my 30-year research on political developments in Tigray and Ethiopia. Studying a process does not mean supporting it, but the empirical reality is a key to later being able to analyze the situation. Some seem to confuse this, "wrote the Norwegian professor.

In another follow-up comment on twitter, Kjetil Tronvoll wrote that there was a smear campaign against his presence with allegations that he was there and working illegally on a tourist visa.

"It's fake! I am here as part of my work as an adjunct professor at the University of Mekelle on an official visa issued by the Ethiopian government. ”

The whole of Ethiopia was supposed to go to the polls in August, but they were postponed to the future. However, politicians in the Tigray region have opposed the postponement of national elections indefinitely, criticizing the Prime Minister for remaining in power without winning any election.

That is why the region's politicians have arranged their own.

In an interview that Kjetil Tronvoll did recently with Al-Jazeera, he highlighted that both the people in the region and the TPLF party have undergone radical changes in recent years.

According to the ruling party TPLF, what has now taken place is a historic election that has given citizens an opportunity to choose between different political alternatives. They have also warned the government against intervening or in any way trying to stop the election because, according to them, it would be "a declaration of war".

Relations between Tigray and the central government in Addis Ababa are strained, and in the past the TPLF, the dominant party in Tigray, has dropped out of government cooperation.

When asked by state television (EBC) about the election, the prime minister replied that it was a "minor headache" and that "the election is illegal because only the country's national election commission can hold elections in Ethiopia".

When Professor Kjetil Tronvoll returned to Addis Ababa's airport Bole, he was taken away and detained, according to other passengers.

On Twitter, The Economist correspondent Tom Gardner writes that he was taken to a hotel.

According to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he now has the opportunity to continue his journey.

By Martin Schibbye | September 13, 2020

Time flies so fast it seems like it was just yesterday when I received Ethiopia’s Bego Sewu award

Time flies so fast it seems like it was just yesterday when I received Ethiopia’s Bego Sewu award የበጎ ሰው ሽልማት

Below is the inserts or quotes from my speech at the award ceremony:

“Thank you የበጎ ሰው ሽልማት or Bego Sewu organization for acknowledging me and the work of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) and its members in honoring us with this prestigious award for work done for the people of

#Ethiopia in the Diaspora and within Ethiopia.

Yebego Sew Award

While I deeply thank you for this honor, I want to emphasize that the real winner of this የበጎ ሰው or Yeametu Bego Sewu award is the universal principles that are foundational to this work; the belief that humanity comes before ethnicity or any other difference because we are all created equal and also that God calls us to care about our neighbors— near, far and beyond— not only because it is right, but because no will be sustainably free until all are free. In other words, this is not about me, Obang or even our movement,the SMNE, but it is an endorsement of the principles we have held as central to our work and vision for a New Ethiopia.

I may be receiving this የበጎ ሰው Bego Sewu award today, but this will make no lasting difference unless each of us Ethiopians becomes the good person of the hour, the day, the week, the month, the year and the future. Help make a difference in the lives of others Ethiopians.

We can do that at the same time, collaborating towards a common goal. Look at some examples of success through collaboration—the joining of Ethiopians together led to the Adwa victory.

The joining of Ethiopians to reach out to other Africans in the early 1950ties led to the formation of the African Union. After that, we saw the formation of Ethiopian Airlines, which has become the pride of Africa, one of its success stories, only accomplished because of effective collaboration.

May we the people of Ethiopia humble ourselves to become people of virtue and moral courage. We have responsibility. The good person of the year can be you!

Let’s do it together, blessing others and being blessed as people and a nation in a global world!

Long Live Ethiopia!

Obang Metho

Calling Genocide against Amhara and other ethnic groups must stop

Stop financing the genocide of Amhar people

To: whom it may concern

Following the killing of the Oromo National singer and activist “Hachalu Hundessa”, the members of racist Oromo ethnic group: Oromo nationalists (Al Qerroo), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) were calling Genocide against Amhara and other ethnic groups. It is the part of their predominant project of homogenizing the Oromia Region by wiping out none-Oromos, with a special focus of the Amhara people. Their intention is clear and systematic (planned and supported by the leading government forces and machinery) for cleansing Amharas from Oromia Region, and entirely destroying the Amhara people from the country, Ethiopia. The massacre, murder and slaughter committed by the racist Oromo group should boldly be termed as ‘Amhara people Genocide’. The Genocide is the continuation and execution of TPLF and OLF’s short term and long term plan to entirely destroy Amhara people who are living outside the so-called Amhara Region. In the past month Eye witnesses ascertained that the Oromo Youths in the Oromia region carrying bludgeon, metal rods, saw and their traditional weapon called mencha have killed innocent people from Amhara and other ethnic groups in unedifying atrocity. according to multiple witnesses, Properties and businesses belonging to Amhara and gurage people were vandalized, burned and looted by the organized mobs in Arsi Negele, Robe, Adaba, Asasa, Ziway, and other towns of the region. To indicate some evidences Al qerroo (Ethiopian version of Al Shabab) killed/massacred more than 240 indigent and innocent Amhara people according to Oromia deputy police Commissioner Girma Gelam and VOA report. Several residential buildings, properties and business centers belonging to Amhara and Gurage people were totally set on fires and changed in to useless ashes.

Results and effects are swift, Amhara’s are frequently hunted down and slaughtered in every corner of the ethnically crafted regions of Ethiopia and life is upsetting for every Amhara who lived in these ethnic derived regions. Considering the aforementioned points in to mind we Amhara Students association in Taiwan are proclaiming the following statements.

1. We strongly condemn ethnic based genocide on Amhara people in Oromia

2. We demand justice for the Amhara people who frequently attacked, displaced and disappeared by racist and sinister oromo fascism

3. We repeatedly urge the so-called government to resettle and to give guarantee for the survivors of Amhara and other non-Oromo ethnic people.

4. We insistently condemn the Oromia regional government force intervention to doubly jeopardizing helpless Amhara people by siding to racist Qerro group.

5. We strongly fulminate against the disregard of the government for prominently murdered and victim people up to now.

6. We strongly asked the dictatorial government to release the voice of Amhara or free Asrat journalists(Belay Manaye, Mulugeta Anberibire, Misganaw Kefelegn and Yonatan Mulugeta )

7. We strongly condemn the invasive government (ODP) from apparent spoliation of lands and oromized demographic alteration of Addis Ababa city which belongs to all Ethiopians.

8. ‘Amharic Language’ is the most antique and prestige’s language spoken every corner of Ethiopia, it is the only language having an independent, full and pristine alphabetical order in Africa. However the extremist Government (ODP) prominently declared an intent to get ride off the language irresponsibly in Ethiopia. Taking this in to account the association hardly apprised the extremist government to be refrained from this evil doing.

9. Ethiopia always tried to be saved with the burning furnace of Amharas, we demand justice, equality and peace.

Some evidences of fuel for tragic developments of OMN (Oromia Media Network) and Oromo nationalist in which people are triggered for ethnic violence in the country.

➢ June 29, 2020 OMN LIVE from MN: quotes from a lady named Bonsa:

✓ "We have to lock their houses & burn them."

✓ "If they block roads to Addis, Menzes in Negele Arsi have no place to go; they have to be finished."

✓ "Block the roads & not 1, 2 but in 100s, Habeshas/Amhara people must die." (Link: ht tps ://w w w .facebook. com/O rom iaM ed…/vid eos /1042774889450743/ )

➢ July 2, 2020 OMN taking a caller from #DireDawa : quotes from the caller:

✓ "Non-Oromos if they have different ideas from Oromos, we have to take measures against them."

➢ July 2, 2020 OMN taking a caller from #DireDawa : quote from the caller:

✓ "Non-Oromos if they have different ideas from Oromos, we have to take measures against them."

(Link: facebook.com/OromiaMedia/videos/

583127502632415/)

➢ July 1, 2020 OMN LIVE from MN: quote from a speaker in a town hall meeting:

✓ "Amharas need to be exterminated in our neibourhood." (Link: ht tps ://w w w .youtube.co m/w at ch… )

Why did the messenger of the band? Taye Dendea

Why did the messenger of the band?

Oromo bands, Woyane's horse in 12/12/12-it will be remembered to be called '' land '' in 12/12/12 The fincile has failed for the fifth time! They think they failed yesterday. But the truth is not that. The fincilli doesn't want freedom and wish of slavery. When they take the Lord of woyane, the issue is finished. The people of roorro and gadado are burning woyane. The people don't forget the wound of woyane! I don't want to go back to that two. I want to protect the freedom of his children's struggle. Bandaan doesn't even have the interest of this people. Woyane is dead, he thought he was going back. He only listen to his Lord's dream. If that ekraan said ′′ tomorrow will not be sunrise ′′ I will say together. The issue when they leave the people and drink water under woyane. The power that fell for himself, there is no success under the late referee!

The horses of woyane have understood their fall. This is why they are suffering from media. They are crying for social media and all. The cry of them like two. One of their behavior. When you get a dead person, posting a dog will live in tears. That's working to be able to do it. Lie crying the feeling of health people will be cut off from money. Two of them have made their plan to them. As the Lord told them, it would have been called the end of Africa. They are still in four kilo, singing with woyane. When the plan and dream come true. Now they don't want to see the problem with themselves. They return their problem to the nation! Sharing two oromo has entered to bless the other curse. For their failure, especially the people of Ambo. They are sharing oromo by sharing the angel of woyane.

No one can hear the agenda of banda. It will not be healing by sharing oromo! Oromo is the same. I don't have between and the beach. All Oromo didn't hear the agenda of banda. Because it's light. The agenda of woyane is woyane! Woyane has sent a horse to oromia. This is why tomorrow, gujiin, bale, arsi, harargeen, jimmi, wollega, iluu and shawaan. The one who tried to disturb in a few districts, the one who went under getacho asaffa yesterday has been fighting for freedom, these are only those who remember freedom of struggle. They are the people and the power of law of peace. It is not allowed to destroy the soul of health and wealth of the country. If you don't have ears, we would have told them that there is no joke on the rule of law. It's good to remind again! Eating in Amba country, teaching their children in Harvard, take whatever they want, it won't be hidden from the poor children! We don't want to be Somalia or Libya! Forever! Oromo people, Ethiopia and the people of Africa and the people of Africa will protect the price of peace and victory! The must of the government is also known! Respect the rule of law!

I don't even know what is ugly! They are going to create a gun between Muslims and Christian! This is the angel of his Lord! Before this, it will be remembered to pass by the name of Arafa holiday. But the issue is lying. Banda won't be ashamed of any holiday. That day they were fighting each other on sharing cattle. If you don't bring the past, you will be called another nose. It's not to tell that. This is why they made a holiday. Lie pretend. If you had respect for the people's holiday, ukee and filchatas would have been shameful. There is a lot of religion to share the people. But it won't be! All our people have woyane's plan. The world knows the world who is suffering for his religion. The people who change the people of the world are in prison. Christianity is not from woyane. Qeesoti Waaldibbaa is a witness! Small-big, men-women and wise-ignorant know the habit of woyane. So my person doesn't enter woyane. The one who was suffering from woyane is only a band! The problem of everyone's band is to think of himself!

Oromo people have been struggling with his brothers and sisters. Now he is playing in building democracy and prosperity in building democracy and prosperity. Agenda and kiyyoo horses are from woyane!