By Alemayehu G. Mariam

Those who can, will help us. Those who cannot, should leave us alone. Those who do not understand what we do will criticize us. Those who do not like what we do will oppose us. — H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed

The Story of All of Us: Ode to Unity Park in Addis Ababa

On a partly cloudy January morning
I took a walk in the (Unity) park
There I found His(Her)story with a puzzled look
Asking me curiously,

“Do you know?”

On these grounds of power and glory
In this place of honor and shame
Where hope and despair tangled to the bitter end
Is written the Story of All of Us.

“Do you know?”

In this place of sadness and joy
On these grounds where victory was conceived and defeat born
Where horror, terror and torture were hid in a dungeon
Is written the Story of All of Us.

“Do you know?”

On these grounds of promises made and promises broken
In this place of truth and deceit
Inscribed on the ancient granite walls
Is the Story of All of Us.

“Do you know?”

On these grounds of virtue and vice
In this place of darkness and light
Where quest turned into conquest
Is written the Story of All of Us.

“Do you know?”

On these grounds where trees stand tall
In this place where they stood silent sentry for a century
New flowers today sing in dazzling colors
And write the Story of All of Us.

Do you know?

On these grounds where our leaders prayed and sinned
In this place where they plotted and schemed
Did they forge one nation indivisible
Is written the Story of All of Us.

“Do you know?”

On these grounds where we founded our nation’s capital
In this place where our ancestors came together in wisdom and folly
To do dastardly deeds and recite sublime poetry
Is written the Story of All of Us in blood, sweat, tears and laughter.

Answered I to His(Her)story:

Now is the time to turn a page
To inscribe a new chapter filled with hope and optimism
To affirm in this hallowed park the sanctity of our unity
To boldly declare our humanity in our diversity.

Answered I to His(Her)story:

Now is the time to write the new Story of All of Us
To sing out loud our songs of peace, prosperity and unity
Rebuild our City Upon a Hill amidst a bed of new flowers
Then let our “sons and your daughters prophesy, our young men see visions, and our old men dream dreams”

Answered I to His(Her)story:

Somewhere ages and ages from now
A generation will walk in Unity Park and sigh in relief and pride:
“Thank God, our ancestors seized the moment
On two roads that diverged in the night
They took the road marked ‘Peace and Prosperity’
Made a right turn on a road named “Reconciliation and Forgiveness”
And that has made all the difference in the Story of All of Us!”

— Ode to Unity Park in Addis Ababa, written following my visit on January 28, 2020

What Unity Park means to me

When I was a child, I was taught to be proud and develop a sense of Ethiopian exceptionalism. After all, Ethiopia is a special place on earth and in the eyes of Heaven, Ethiopia is a scared land where the Ark of the Covenant rests and the Prophet Muhammad sent his first followers (the Sahabah) to flee persecution and seek refuge in the Christian Kingdom of Aksum. Ethiopia is the land of the free never colonized and victorious over those who dared to try. I was taught Ethiopia shall never falter because it is written, “Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.”

In the tourist brochures, Ethiopia was described as “The Land of 13 Months of Sunshine”.

Today, Ethiopia is described as the “Land of Origins”. Berit Reiss-Andersen, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee introducing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony affirmed, “Ethiopia is the cradle of humankind, the first homo sapiens emigrated from the territory in your country. In this sense, we are all Ethiopians.”

I concur wholeheartedly.

But for most of my adult life, the word “Ethiopia” was synonymous with poverty, famine and misery.

Ethiopia, they said was the epicenter of “one of the worst humanitarian events of the 20th century.”

In the first two decades of the 21^st century, Ethiopia was known for massive human rights violations. Until recently, Ethiopia had the dubious distinction of being labelled the “second  worst jailor of journalists”.

But in the last 21 months, extraordinary transformations have taken place not only in the Ethiopian political landscape but also the entire Horn region.

Ethiopia’s global image has changed from warmaker to peacemaker. Ethiopia today has a leader lionized as a “champion of peace.”

Ethiopia today is the brightest star in the African constellation. Ethiopia is the New Spirit of Africa not only in the air but also on land.

Unity Park is just the first step in Ethiopia’s rise to a glorious brave new future of peace, unity, opportunity and prosperity.

Unity Park, which broke ground in January 2018, is the brainchild of PM Abiy Ahmed.

The park is part of PM Abiy’s “Home-Grown Economic Reform” agenda, which features tourism as a central component of Ethiopia’s economic development.

Unity Park is also part of the beautification of Addis Ababa (Sheger Project) covering some 56 kilometers of river cleanup and rehabilitation work supported by a grant from the Government of China.

For me, Unity Park and the larger Sheger Project are essential to the revitalization of Addis Ababa and the general well-being of its people.

I have witnessed with great sadness and heartbreak the indignity of the people of Addis Ababa continue to suffer because they have NO public green spaces for rest and relaxation.

The narrow strip of green spaces on Menelik II road south of the Grand Palace and east of the Jubilee Place where I used to play and ride bicycles over five decades ago with my friends have been fenced off for years, presumably for “development” purposes.

I can never understand the evil mind that denies citizens the right to enjoy a sliver of God’s good green earth!

Perhaps the most shocking and heartbreaking moment for me was the time I witnessed several bridal parties taking pictures on the sidewalk outside the walls of the Sheraton Hotel shortly after I left Unity Park. How ironic! I could not fathom that sidewalk is the only “green space” in the whole city for young brides and grooms to take their bridal pictures. What a heartless crime against young newly-weds.

Unity Park to me is “Medemer” in motion, an idea based on the principle that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts. Addis Ababa (New Flower) was built by the blood, sweat, tears and laughter of Ethiopians of all ethnicities, religions, languages, traditions and customs. Today, Addis is a cosmopolitan city and a center of international diplomacy and home of the African Union.

Unity Park to me is the ultimate symbol and a living monument to one of my core beliefs,  “Ethiopians united can never be defeated.” If Ethiopians work together in common purpose, in good will and good faith, they will be victorious against their age-old enemies — poverty, hate and ignorance.

Unity is written in the DNA of Ethiopia.

Unity saved Ethiopia from the jaws of European imperial aggressor.

When Africans cast off the yoke of colonialism, they made Ethiopia the original home of the former Organization of African Unity and the African Union today.

Today Ethiopia stands united despite the best efforts of those who have tried to carve it up into kilil-istans and ethnic homelands.

Ultimately, Unity Park to me is the Story of All of Us. Not just our past history but the history we shall be writing together as we march forward and looking back only to see how far we have come.

Unity Park to me is a symbol of a rising Ethiopia. An Ethiopia rising above poverty and the politics of ethnicity; an Ethiopia embracing a new humanity powered by limitless opportunity and prosperity.

From a torture chamber to a tourist site

Unity Park is built on some 40 hectares on the grounds of the old Grand Imperial Palace (Gebi) which served as a seat of power in Ethiopia for over 130 years. The Palace sits on a hilltop  overlooking the city with tall eucalyptus trees stand sentry on its outer perimeter. The Park is built with funding from the government of the United Arab Emirates and contributions from well-heeled Ethiopians and cost of more than USD 160 million. No tax dollars are used in the project.

When I was growing up, the Palace was a place of mystery and dread, a forbidden city no one could enter or leave without the permission of the old emperors or their modern-day equivalents. I remember walking the outer perimeter of the Palace as a kid with my friends heading towards Arat Kilo always fearful of the mysterious goings on behind the iron wrought gates. I remember the honor guards standing at attention and occasionally scowling at passers-by who misbehaved.

As I think back now, the Grand Palace reminds me of China’s Forbidden City, presently a museum, consisting of a palace complex in Beijing. Like China’s Forbidden City, the Grand Palace has a complex of buildings which served as living quarters to Ethiopian emperors and their  households, provided office space to more recent leaders and also functioned as the ceremonial and political center of Ethiopia’s government.

Until recently, the Palace was a place of intrigue, conspiracies and horrors. It was a place where war and peace plans were drawn, public policies and plans drafted, ideologies argued and fashioned, death warrants signed and even shootouts held Dodge City-style among contending factions. The Palace also had a chamber of horrors where a self-styled gang of military thugs known as “Derg” conducted torture on political opponents and “enemies of the state”.

Watching history in motion in the park

For me, the visit to Unity Park was a whole day affair taking close to 6 hours. One can certainly rush through it in half that time but why? Enjoy the day at the park!

Unity Park is history in motion. I felt like I was walking with history brought back to life. I could feel the presence of those who made history and sense the ghosts of those upon whom history was made. I found myself walking in living history, history changing before my eyes in the renovation of old structures and reclaimed fallow land. Last year, I had seen the virtually dilapidated Palace and neglected grounds. It broke my heart then and today my heart is warmed seeing the place come back to life and radiant.

U.S. Ambassador Michael Raynor correctly described Unity Park as “quite spectacular.”

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni was spot on when he said, Unity Park “brings out the history of Ethiopia.”

I wholeheartedly agree.

Unity Park has several different areas (exhibits) to visit. Entering the grounds from the ticket office, one is greeted by a well-manicured green area with a children’s playground to the side. Wending along the pathway, there is a beautifully arranged  botanical garden of some 46 indigenous Ethiopian plants and herbs. The mixed bouquet from the garden wafts in the air to greet you. To the east, there is a cave made from molded concrete extending for over 170 meters. One can see one black-maned Ethiopian lion and 2 lionesses in the cave through a plate glass in well-kept enclosure protected by redundant safety measures. There is an exhibit of Ethiopian foxes nearby. There is a full-size zoo on the west side of the park that is expected to house over 300 animals when it opens. The Park has full modern veterinary and food preparation facilities.

There is an area on the west side of the park where futuristic regional pavilions are set   symbolizing the nine regions through cultural artifacts.

Unity Park offered me a variety of experiences.

I enjoy historic preservation and environmental conservation, things I have enjoyed doing in the U.S. over the years. I marveled at the restoration done to the Gibir Adarash, the large banquet hall that can accommodate several thousand guests. The leather ties securing the ceiling have been in place for well over one hundred years. Time has done nothing to diminish the beauty of the Gibir Adarash.

As walked through the various buildings in the Palace Complex, I paused to imagine.

Standing in Emperor Menelik II private prayer room, I wondered what he prayed for? Help to unite Ethiopia? Beat back the Italian colonial aggressor?

Standing on the watchtower, I imagined a marching army heading towards the Palace and what defenses could be deployed from the commanding heights of the Palace grounds.

Standing in Emperor Menelik II’s office, I wondered how he interacted with his official guests and ministers. He was known as a great listener and patient man (Emeye Menelik Aba Dagnew) but brooked no nonsense.

Standing in the great Fitawrari Habte-Giorgis Dinegede’s office, the commander-in-chief of the Ethiopian army in 1896 at the Battle of Adwa and Menelik II’s war minister and most trusted advisor, I wondered how the two sat together and drew up battle plans and peace strategies.

Standing outside Queen Taitu Bitul’s bedroom, I wondered how she ran the huge palace household. I pretended to hear her play the begena (an indigenous 10-string instrument), watch her playing chess and listening to her reading poetry. She was known for her artistic inclinations.

Standing the closet size “telephone room”, I wondered how Menelik II kept tabs on his governors throughout out the provinces. I heard the story that some governors would change their residences and relocate to avoid the Emperor keeping tabs on them by calling them on the phone. (They did not want to be tethered to the phone.)

Standing in the Throne House, I imagined Emperor Haile Selassie listening to oral arguments in legal cases and rendering a final decision. I wondered how horrific it must have been for the emperor to be murdered and buried under the office of Mengistu Hailemariam, the bloodthirsty leader of the military Derg. Yes, I imagined how Mengistu sat in his office and signed up death warrants for so many innocent victims.

I imagined Meles Zenawi scheming to maintain his hold on power and devising and refining his divide and rule strategy. I tried to imagine Meles sitting in his office brooding over his next steps against his opponents.

I imagined Hailemariam Desalegn in the Throne House a virtual prisoner of the TPLF. I wondered when he decided “Enough is enough” and bailed out leaving the TPLF holding the empty power bag.

Unity Park is a labor of love

Walking through Unity Park, one sees hundreds of young men and women artisans and laborers working on different projects carving out stones, planting flowers, sculpting felled trees, building structures and so on. There is much to be done. It is worthwhile to pause and watch the young workmen and women doing their craft. There is ample space for period artifacts and relics. The Park management will accept donations of historical items for exhibition.

It is expected up to 1,500 people will visit the park daily. Cost of admission is 200 Br for a regular visit and 1,000 Birr for VIP tickets. Non-national regular and VIP visitors will pay USD 20 and 50, respectively. Admissions revenue will be used exclusively for Park administration, improvements and maintenance.

Ethiopia’s Golden Age

Ancient Greece, modern Europe and America all had their golden ages. They had their time of peace, prosperity, and happiness.

Ethiopia’s Golden Age is upon us.

I might even be tempted to say we are beginning to experience our Age of Aquarius, when we as one Ethiopian nation will take control of our destiny with an expanded consciousness in which we embrace our humanity in our diversity and attain new enlightenment through the revelation of the truth “Love conquers all.”

IT IS OUR TIME NOW TO REVEL IN THE (UNITY) PARK!

The post Unity Park Addis Ababa: The Story of All of Us in the City Upon the Hill appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar: News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

For sure, the Queen of Corruption of Angola will go down in flame by Luanda leaks but, her western accomplices will continue business as usual, thanks to the willfully ignorant western Media editors  that see no evil in crimes of corruption in no man’s land of Africa where there is no rule for the ruling party elites and their foreign accomplices.

Teshome Debalke
Feb 6, 2020

In the dance of corruption that left many African nations poor for decades ‘it takes two or more to tango’.

In recent France 24 Media debate on ‘what happened to Angola’s missing millions?’ the Consortium of Investigative Journalists through Luanda Leaks unraveled how the daughter of the Former President José Eduardo dos Santos and associates cleaned out the Angolan treasure of the nation with the highest foreign debt of any African nation with the help of western consulting firms.

What made the expose rare was the involvement of the world’s high-profile consultancy powerhouse like Price & Cooper Waterhouse (PCW) and McKinsey & Company among others were helping the Queen of Corruption Angola Isabel Dos DeSoto to launder vast amount of money through the familiar shell companies in the name of ‘wealth optimization’.

The oil and diamond rich nation of Angola where an average citizen lives under two dollars a day income familiar with most African nations being taken to the laundry by the ruling elites is not new. What is new is who are the friends and associates of the Queen of Corruption Isabel Dos DeSoto and her husband Sindika Dokolo and how and where the money went.

The irony Isabel Dos DeSoto is married to the son of a self-made businessman in the Democratic Republic of Congo Augustin Dokolo better known as and the Founder of the Bank of Kinshasa reviles; in the business of cross-border corruption and money laundering it takes two or more to tango and, it happened global consultancy powerhouses are in it big time as suspected.

Dokolo is as corrupt as his wife in his own right. According to BBC’s  Jul 2017 report titled Sindika Dokolo: Husband of Angola’s Isabel dos Santos convicted of fraud,  he said, “the conviction was politically motivated and that he will appeal against the one-year jail term.”

The ruling elites of the Former Portuguese colony of Angola like the elites of the Former African colonies of England, France, Spain, Italy and Belgium all have one thing in common – unholy marriage of corruption with the elites of their Former colonizers’.  But nothing even comes close to the intensity of African elites with their counterpart in their former colonizers England and France in facilitating corruption.

Ironically, Isabel Dos DeSoto’s lame defense for Luanda leaks like her husband was its “politically motivated” — the same old familiar African ruling elites’ lame excuse not to own their corruption in nations where the rule maker, enforcer and breaker are one and the same.

But, the marriage of corruption in Angola according to the Jan 2020 Guardian report titled The Dimond Deal that rocked Angola  involves the Government of Angola owned Banco Bic Angola under Isabella father 40-years reign and a dozen businesses  around the world including, Exem Holding in Switzerland, Melbourne Investments in the Netherlands, Sodiam in Angola, Victoria Holding Limited in Malta, De Grisogono Holding SA in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hong Kong, UK and Italy. It illustrates how the people of Africa are taken to the laundry by corrupt elites and their partners in crime around the globe.

Sindika Dokolo

Appears to have invested $4m around the time of the purchase of De Grisogono. He says he has invested $115m in total

Government of Angola

Borrowed $147m to finance the purchase and running of De Grisogono. The loans were taken from Banco Bic Angola which is part-owned by Isabel dos Santos

Exem Holding

Switzerland

Melbourne

Investments

Netherlands

Sodiam

Angola

50%

50%

Victoria Holding

Limited

Malta

Victoria

Limited

Malta

De Grisogono

Holding SA

Luxemborg

De Grisogono SA

Switzerland

De Grisogono

Hong Kong

De Grisogono

UK

De Grisogono

Italia

The New York Times Jan 2020 article titled   How U.S. Firms Helped Africa’s Richest Woman Exploit Her Country’s Wealth put it this way;

“Ms. dos Santos, estimated to be worth over $2 billion, claims she is a self-made woman who never benefited from state funds. But a different picture has emerged under media scrutiny in recent years: She took a cut of Angola’s wealth, often through decrees signed by her father. She acquired stakes in the country’s diamond exports, its dominant mobile phone company, two of its banks and its biggest cement maker, and partnered with the state oil giant to buy into Portugal’s largest petroleum company.”

According to the article “some of the world’s leading professional service firms — including the Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company and PwC — facilitated her efforts to profit from her country’s wealth while lending their legitimacy.”

In all honesty, the New York Times lame excuse not to find out what is going on when a daughter of the President of Angola flashing $2 billion with her Hollywood friends speaks for itself.

But, it should remind us the corrupt ruling elites of Ethiopia that employ the same excuses to undermine the new Prime Minster reform effort as Isabel Dos DeSoto and her husband expected to do in the coming days against their new reformist President Joao Lourenco Angola by employing the same embezzled money to cause more havoc than they already did on the people.

Ironically, Ethiopians don’t have the opportunity of the Consortium of investigative Journalists to find the ‘Mekele Leaks’ that would unravel the extent of Corruption led by the Queen of Corruption Azeb Mesfin.

Mesfin, the wife of the ruling member party TPLF late Chairman and PM of Ethiopia Melse Zenawi and associates’ center of intricate money laundering are believed to be primarily Rome, London, Dubai, Brussels, New York and Hong Kong.

Therefore, Ethiopians must rely on their own to find out who embezzled the billions of dollars from public treasury and where the money stashed.

The Consortium of Investigative Journalists analyzing Luanda Leaks gave a hint on the complex money laundering scheme of modern times involves high-powered consultancy firms employed by the ruling elites in the name of investment and ‘wealth optimization’.

The most visible consultancy firm doing the bidding of the ruling member party led by TPLF in the last two decades was Ernest Young (EY) of London led by its infamous Former East African Managing Partner Zemdenhe Negatu based in Addis Ababa before he closed operation and reemerged as Global Chairman of Fairfax African Fund based in McClain, Virginia.

The ‘24 million Birr’ a year EY ‘consultant’ of the nation’s flagship Airlines was a celebrated expert in advising investors in ‘wealth optimization’ before he moved on to become a private equity fund manager of his own and undisclosed associates’ wealth optimization in Africa.

Unfortunately, to this day, no one knows who authorized his fee and what role he played worth the money he was paid out of the public coffer from one of the poorest nations in the world that still depends on foreign aid.

The London based New African Magazine in 2013 put him as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans as;

“Anyone who has done business in Ethiopia will have come across Zemedeneh Negatu, founder and managing partner of Ernst & Young in Ethiopia. Recently his firm has been responsible for many of the country’s major deals, including British alcoholic beverages company Diageo’s purchase of a local brewery. A true global citizen, having lived and worked extensively in North and Latin America as well as Saudi Arabia, Zem, as he is affectionately known, is often the spokesperson for the private sector at the country’s official international roadshows. He is part of a select group of business leaders who senior members of government consult during their strategy meeting retreats.”

Ironically, Isabel dos Santos of Angola is also included in the list as;

“Businesswoman and daughter to the president of Angola, José Eduardo dos Santos, is worth an estimated $3 billion. With businesses in key sectors such as mining, telecoms, retail and oil, Dos Santos is the youngest female billionaire in Africa. She insists her business dealings are independent of her father, attributing her success to hard work. Those close to her insist she’s as bright and as tough as they come. With an engineering degree from King’s College in London, she shuns the limelight. Married to Congolese art collector Sindika Dokolo, and with her growing business interests, this is a couple we will see much more of in the coming years”

At the meantime, the new high-profile consultancy employed by the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation’s financed Agriculture Transformation Agency led by the CEO Bomba happen to be the same McKinsey & Company implicated in Luanda Leaks for its money laundering operation of the Queen of Corruption of Angola and her associates. The same firm according to CNN was in hot seat in 2017 0n its South Africa operation.

In an article titled Meet the Ethiopian American Economic Hitman from Wall Street to Poverty Street in the no man’s land that explore corruption in Ethiopia we identify;

“McKinsey & Company’s Sara Boettger is a ‘Senior Adviser for Agriculture Transformation Agency of Ethiopia’ led by Khalid Bambo, the Former Morgen Stanley sovereign fund manager and one of the Gate Foundation’s point man turn CEO of the Ethiopian Agriculture Transformation Agency.

And quoted John Perkins, the former economic hitman and the author of the Confession of an Economic hitman (2004) and the New Confession of the Economic hitman (2016).” Stating;

“I thought about the core tools we EHMs used in my day: false economics that included distorted financial analyses, inflated projections, and rigged accounting books; secrecy, deception, threats, bribes, and extortion; false promises that we never intended to honor; and enslavement through debt and fear. These same tools are used today. Now, as then, many elements are present in each “hit,” although that likely is evident only to someone willing to delve deeply into the story behind the story. Now, as then, the glue that holds all of this together is the belief that any means are justified to achieve the desired ends.”

The article also quoted the Executive Director of Oxfam International Winnie Byanyima August 2016 article titled A powerful and corrupt elite is robbing Africa of its riches stating;

“This is wrong. We must examine the root causes and do something to weed them out. As the Panama Papers show, so much of the tax avoidance or criminal movement of finance on the continent is made possible by a system propped up by a number of banks, law firms and other outfits based outside of Africa, working in collusion with African economic and political elites. It is a system designed in the Global North that helps Africa’s few wealthy and powerful elites to cheat the rest of us.”

Unfortunately, the non-for-profit sector is not immune in the name philanthropic advisory service either.

A good example is Synergos Consulting Service that pride itself as “a global nonprofit organization that brings people together to solve complex problems of poverty” and claim to provide “the social purpose advisory service within Synergos. We help clients generate sustainable economic and social value through their philanthropic efforts, core businesses, and CSR”.

The list of corporate foundations Synergos offers advisory service in what it refers as “to solve complex problems of poverty” are the same corporations accused of unethical business practices with the regime of poor countries in the name of helping.

Take Agriculture – Government & Global Foundation service of Synergos’ in what it refers as “supporting the Gates Foundation, the Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), and the Ministry of Agriculture to strengthen commodity value chains and the institutions required to unlock the country’s huge agricultural potential. Synergos has established clusters of farmers to scale best practices with barley, tef, sorghum, wheat, and maize.”

The lists of projects and institutions the Gates Foundation funds  including Synergos and the people behind the institutions should give readers a pause and ask; is poverty that complex requiring foreign funding and advisory service than fighting corruption and mismanagement of resources that requires transparency and accountability of the same institution?

Apparently, according to Synergos, Abera Tola Gada is its “Regional Director, based in Ethiopia, leading our efforts in that country to help increase the food security and incomes of smallholder farmers and their families, bolstering the national economy”. He is also referred as Synergos Senior Fellow.

What stood out about Abera’s extensive experience outlined by Synergos Consulting Service is he started “as senior program officer for the Inter-Africa Group, a regional NGO dedicated to peace and development in the African continent”. Unfortunately, what Synergos Consulting Service didn’t tell us, Inter-Africa Group was established in 1989 by Abdul Mohammed, a notorious operative of Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) that moved to Addis Ababa with TPLF that took power from the Military regime of Derg in 1991. No one knows how Inter-Africa Group ended up to be “a regional NGO dedicated to peace and development of the region”  when in reality it is TPLF front that started in the diaspora in 1989 in London  and moved its headquarter to Addis Ababa in 1991 and became the ruling member party that implemented apartheid rule to instigate ethnic conflict within Ethiopia and beyond as witnessed in real time.

Inter-Africa Group’s “longstanding Experience and Commendable Track Record Since 1989” outlined on its own official website speaks; who-is-who and what Inter-Africa Group did or not in the last three decades. The low- profile Abdul Mohammed that masterminded the whole thing remained as Chair of Inter-African Group three decades later and speaks volume; IAG is not “dedicated to peace and development of the region” as it claims but quite the opposite.

But, how Abera Tola Gada that started as senior program officer for the Inter-Africa Group ended up to be a Regional Director of Synergos Consulting Service is only known to the mastermind Abdul Mohammed and associates that started the whole scheme on behalf of their enablers.

Regrettably, noting seems to get in the head of the elites of the so-called mainstream western Media journalists in abandoning their profession either.

Take for instant the latest Bloomberg Businessweek News by John Bowker titled Ethiopia Pushes Privatization to give the Economy a Sugar Rush.

What stood out in the Bowke’s article among many is the collaborators of the article are the same willfully ignorant journalists Nazar Manek, Samuel Gebru, Elen Proper, and Bella Genga of Bloomberg News  who, according to the article “adds greater detail on privatization plans in 5^th and 7^th paragraph”.

The self-described “Africa Business News editor at Bloomberg” based in Johannesburg according to his twitter profile (https://twitter.com/JohnHBowker) with four of his subordinates appears lost in the jungle of corruption and ended up picking and choosing talking points of the usual interest groups paragraph at a time in direct violation their profession that is visible for trained eyes. He and his subordinate are good cases for Consortium of Investigative Journalists to investigate corruption in the profession of journalism.

The fact, Bloomberg Company LinkedIn Profile shows Bowker started as a UK correspondent for ‘Transport/Defense’ for Thomson Reuters from Apr 2008 – Oct 2009 (1 year 7 months) and moved on as ‘Russian Companies Correspondent’ for Reuters  from  Oct 2009 – Nov 2012 (3 years 2 months) to end up as Business News Editor of Africa from Mar 2013 – Present (6 years 11 months) from Johannesburg, South Africa claiming; “I am responsible for business news coverage in sub-Saharan Africa” encapsulate; how low regard mainstream western Medias across the board have for the African affairs.

To begin with, how an English/Medieval History graduate from the University of St Andrews of Scotland ended up to be a business correspondence for two of the top Media outlets in the world is one thing but, the fact no one including his own Bloomberg subordinates in Ethiopia and Kenya won’t factchecks him when he makes mockery of reporting  on Ethiopia from South Africa shows; mainstream journalists covering African are going amok.

He wrote;

“Ethiopia is among Africa’s most dynamic economies, averaging annual growth of almost 10% for the past decade. Yet the country remains one of the most state-controlled on the continent, a legacy of the Marxist-Leninist Derg regime that ruled from the 1974 coup that deposed Emperor Haile Selassie until a return to democracy in 1991. “The private sector is not playing its natural role,” says Eyob Tekalign, a former diplomat and private equity executive hired by Abiy as state minister for finance. “Our growth had shortcomings in terms of quality, job creation, inclusivity, and benefiting the poor”

In just one paragraph of his article alone he botched the historical reality, fabricated facts, redefined democracy and skipped the reality of what happened from 1991 (“a return to democracy” to 2018 (the new PM emerged by popular revolution) under an ethnic apartheid rule of Ethiopia led by Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) that is causing havoc on the reform effort of the new PM Abiy.  By doing so, he not only accused Prime Minster Abiy government’s State Minster and Minster of Finance Eyob Tekalign is not a government official but a hired hand but, contrary to his official profile he was a former diplomat.

There is no official record Eyob Tekalign being a diplomat of any kind at any time nor, he claimed to be one on his own public profile.

Moreover, according to the esteemed Bloomberg Africa Business News Editor and his subordinates in Africa, factchecking appears to be too inconvenient for the narrative they put out. Nazar Manek in Addis Ababa and Samuel Gebru  in Nairobi are prime example of willfully ignorant Bloomberg correspondents feeding their clueless African Editor in Johannesburg to make a fool of himself reporting fairytales.

The Angola case is illustrates better how mainstem western Medias remained PR tools for interest groups for four decades until Luanda Leaks blew the lid open; the Queen of Corruption of Angola Isabel Dos DeSoto known as the richest women in Africa has partners in her corruption scheme as far as Hollywood, Wall Street and in western capitals.

No wonder mainstream Medias see no evil what was the obvious not to rattle her accomplices in western nations in the commission of her crimes in the no-man’s land of Africa. After all, it takes at least two to tango in dance of corruption of African oligarchs and, the criminal code stipulates; the accomplices in a commission of crime are equally liable as the principal. Yet, mainstream Medias put out propaganda as news in no see evil of corruption of the accomplices.

For sure, the Queen of Corruption of Angola is go down in flame alone by Luanda leaks but, her western accomplices will continue business as usual, thanks to the willfully ignorant western Media editors  that see no evil in crimes of corruption in no man’s land of Africa where there is no rule for the ruling party elites’ and their foreign accomplices.

Isn’t that what made Africa a risk-free heaven for willfully corrupt offshore investors no one seems to investigate?

The post Luanda Leaks is a good lesson how to fight modern-day corruption in Ethiopia appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar: News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

PRESS RELEASE ON GERD TALKS

Ethiopiawinnet expresses its appreciation for the peaceful initiative and efforts taken by the tripartite countries (Ethiopia, Egypt and the Sudan) and the observer role played by the US, IMF and the World Bank to help expedite negotiations to resolve issues regarding the GERD and the ultimate utilization of the Nile River resources in a mutually beneficial and equitable manner. It is, however, incumbent upon us as concerned citizens, as we express our optimism of the positive outcome of these negotiations to underline the need for ensuring that Ethiopia’s basic rights for the use of Nile waters are also duly respected and protected.

Among the concerns that have been noted by Ethiopiawinnet as serious challenges in these negotiations under the current circumstances, mention should be made of the following:

• Rushed Negotiations: Given Ethiopia’s good faith agreement with its’ tripartite partners

(Egypt and the Sudan) for equitable and mutually beneficial use of the Nile waters, and it’s acceptance of observing partners (US, IMF and the World Bank), these negotiations are taking place in a very rushed pace, not taking into considerations the findings of the joint GERD technical team, and considerations of affording adequate time for the parties to inform & discuss with their public and respective parliaments.

• Lopsided ‘Equitable’ Use of Nile Water in These Negotiations: – The UN water and watercourse convention has put in place the principles of Equitable and Reasonable Utilization of the Nile waters https://www.unwatercoursesconvention.org/documents/UNWC-Fact-Sheet-4-Equitable-and-Reasonable-Utilisation.pdf to conclude a durable agreement in such negotiations. It appears in these rushed and politicized negotiations, the question of Ethiopia’s sovereign right for equitable use of the Nile Waters is taken for granted to placate Egypt and sideline weak Ethiopia to accept these terms. Additionally, an agreement of such magnitude should take into consideration the interests of the current and coming generations. Disputes on Nile River should therefore be carefully mediated in a way not to compromise the rights of future generations living in the basin.

It is obvious that an attempt is being made by Egypt and its supporters to demand an undiminished water supply by Ethiopia without taking into account the fact that Ethiopia has the sovereign right and need to utilize its natural water resources for its current population of over 110 million which is expected to increase to 172 million by 2050.

• Politicization of GERD discussions: The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) to establish legal frameworks and institutions by the upper and lower riparian states, based on internationally accepted norms, has been challenged by Egypt repeatedly, due to its

unfortunate politicization and securitization of the river shared by 11 riparian countries. The Nile question would have been answered on its entirety had all basin countries committed to the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). Egypt chose not to cooperate. This is unprecedented in any water treaty negotiations anywhere in the world. The following are additional reasons that hamper Nile negotiations:

3.1 Egypt is oddly insisting that the 1929 and 1959 colonial era agreements as a basis for negotiations. Utilization of these Nile treaties have no bearing on Ethiopia as it did not participate in the determination of the legal instruments.

3.2 Egypt is now attempting to directly and indirectly tie the fate of High Aswan Dam with the Ethiopian GERD project. This shouldn’t stand, because Egypt constructed the Aswan High Dam, Toshka Project and other significant water reservoir and irrigation systems without any prior consultation with Ethiopia,

3.3 Information asymmetry: Data on utility of Nile water has not been readily available by the Egyptians. However, it is known that the current urbanization and agricultural intensification are not in line with maintaining equilibrium between supply and demand of water and fail to consider the impact of climate changes on water usages. Egypt’s current water withdrawals exceed the amount naturally available, the country’s continuous use of water devouring crops such as rice (not suitable for arid lands) and poor regulations of groundwater, poor or no recycling of wastewater being good examples. This World Bank study https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/27659, for example warns that climate-related water scarcity is expected to cause more economic losses in the Middle East, Egypt included.

3.4 Related with the above, the current agreement skips the potential for Egypt to develop its own natural resources including the possibility of utilizing desalinated waters from the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea as well as the exploration for proved ground water resources.

3.5 The current unsustainable use and waste of water by Egypt, the effects of climate change on the flow of water, and the amount of water that Egypt is demanding from Ethiopia and other upstream countries, will be inadequate in the long term. Although the negotiation is benefiting Egypt, it could just be for the short term. Listed major issues aren’t addressed by the current GERD negotiations.

3.6 A royalty payment of 50,000 gold coins used to be made by Egypt to Ethiopia when the former was under the Turkish empire for the use of the Nile River water. Today, such practices are part of international norms. For example, South Africa is paying

over US$50 million annually to Lesotho for the use of the latter’s water. Good faith negotiations should have included the need for compensation or at least its appreciation. No such provision has been included in the draft agreement yet.

3.7 Participation of friendly governments like the USA and institutions like the IMF and the World Bank as observers is greatly appreciated. However, their engagements at this stage should be neutral. Ethiopia should reject any rushed deal or pressure by corner.

4. Taking all the above preliminary points into account, Ethiopiawinnet hereby recommends:

4.1 That the Ethiopian Government ensures its negotiations with Egypt and the Sudan on its water and related projects are undertaken with the fullest protection of Ethiopia’s sovereign rights to its natural water resources;

4.2 That the current negotiation be limited to the filling of the water needed for the GERD project, per scientific analysis of the joint technical team, and that any requirement for any further negotiation be accorded further time, a deeper study and analysis as well as a prior consultation with the Ethiopian people;

4.3 That the Egyptian Government be required to make royalty payments for water that it is supplied with from Ethiopia beyond its normal share to be negotiated as one of the riparian states;

4.4. That arrangements be made by Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan for undertaking a sustainable and a fully supported research on the aerospace, maritime and all other related environmental aspects to ensure that water, climate change, drought, flood, etc., are managed effectively and systematically so GERD or other initiatives agreed by all could be undertaken in mutual interest;

4.5 That Egypt and Sudan take effective steps to ensure a more efficient utilization of the water supplied from Ethiopia for irrigation purposes as well as for Egypt to generate its internal water resources including the use of desalination and recycling methods so that its dependence on the Nile River of which Ethiopia is the main source is reduced significantly;

4.6 That Ethiopia’s rights for the utilization of the water from tributary rivers flowing to the Nile River is off limits to these considerations and be fully protected without any interference by any external party;

4.7. That provisions are added that final agreements include an exit clause and/or treaty renewal period, including approvals by parliaments of respective countries;

4.8 That if any mediation might be required with regard to the water cascading from Ethiopia to other down-stream, riparian states, the most appropriate institution for such a role should be the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and the African Union (AU);

4.9 That all the three riparian countries (Egypt, Ethiopia and the Sudan) agree on a code of conduct to denounce military threats, commitments to good faith negotiations based on scientific studies, diplomatic initiatives and international instruments for a sustainable and mutual utilization of the Nile River.

We, therefore, call on all concerned parties to give due consideration for attention and action to the above recommendations as well as appealing for support by the African Union, the United Nations, the World Bank and countries with interest in the region, including USA.

Ethiopiawinnet is a civic organization with headquarters in Illinois, USA with membership of numerous individuals and civic society organizations.

We can be contacted at the following addresses:

Website: ethiopiawin.org

Postal Address: P. O. Box 171, E. Lansing, MI 48823

Email: ethiopiawinnet@gmail.com

Twitter: @Ethiopiawinnet

The post ETHIOPIA’S RIGHTS OVER ITS NILE WATER SHOULD BE RESPECTED BY ALL appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar: News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

By Getatchew Haile

This 196-page presentation (The Module) is prepared by four scholars affiliated with four Ethiopian universities as a module for teaching the history of the nation to students at the country’s universities. The Module is sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, which sought a remedy for what the present government considers a deficient in the curriculum of teaching Ethiopian history before the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) took power in 1991. As such, it can be taken as EPRDF’s drive to change course from what it calls an Amhara-centered portrayal of Ethiopia to a multi-national and inclusive orientation. It is penned as the next step of the party in power’s effort of changing the course it began by dismissing more than sixty university professors from the Addis Ababa University in 1993.

A closer look at the Module gives the impression that it was written by people who took notes at a forum where history professors were giving lectures on their specializations of Ethiopian history of different time periods. One cannot rely on such notes to write a national history. Nevertheless, the Module is not to be dismissed as irrelevant or embraced as it is. It is one that can earn a “Pass” mark, if it were a student’s term paper, and, as the national Module, that requires correcting errors to improve it. One can easily see two types of errors in the effort. The first group of errors can be easily corrected; the other might not be. The group of errors that can be corrected are made out of a lack of in-depth knowledge of the subjects on the part of the authors who wrote the Module. As I shall show, this lack of knowledge has led the authors to an even graver error: they plagiarize. The second group of errors is made with full knowledge, introduced by the authors to justify grievances of the Oromo (and other ethnic groups).

On the positive side, the Module is not dismissive of Ethiopia’s past history that we know. To the contrary, it presents it the same way as the history books from which we learned the history of our country. To its credit, it has attempted to incorporate the history and social life of the different ethnic groups, especially the branches of the Boran and Baraytuma Oromo. Regardless of its intention and success, it has addressed the complaint of the peoples which felt that a part of their history has been neglected in teaching Ethiopian history. Their complaint, as Cushitic Ethiopians, is that what has been taught is only the history of Semitic Ethiopians.

In the past, grouping Ethiopians by language has been the norm. But since it has led to the grave misinterpretation that Ethiopians are people of different races, we should take writing the Module for an occasion to handle it with care. We are Cushitic languages-speaking and Semitic languages-speaking Ethiopians, with the languages or the people easily shifting.

The problem the Module faces in justifying and addressing the particular complaint is lack of evidence. Its authors depend heavily on oral tradition. But we know for a fact that oral traditions can be backdoors for allowing false information to sneak in. One major history that the Module teaches in this regard is that the migration of the Boran and Baraytuma Oromo into central and northern Ethiopia in the sixteenth century was a return to their original homeland. It means that their ancestors were in central Ethiopia where the present Oromo are now before they were pushed out by immigrants of Semitic stock.

The narrative is not an impossibility. If this new story is true, it would have a positive, not negative, impact on Ethiopians’ togetherness. In fact, it might have a chance to be historically acceptable. I have read and quoted a study by German scholars (whose source I do not remember now) that the original home of the Somali was central and highland Ethiopia before they moved to the lowland. It would not be surprising if the case of the Boran and Baraytuma is similarly as presented in the way the Module depicts. All we know so far is their sixteenth century migration as encapsulated in my የአባ ባሕርይ ድርሰቶች ኦሮሞችን ከሚመለከቱ ሌሎች ሰነዶች ጋራ.

Now I will give a few examples of the two kinds of errors.

(a)  Examples of errors due to lack of knowledge:

(1) The authors of the Module write, “In his chronicle Amde-Tsion describes his victories: ‘I, king Amde-Şiyon, went to the sea of Eritrea. When I reached there, I mounted on an elephant and entered the sea . . .’”  There are two errors in this statement. First, they did not take this information from the Chronicle as they claim, but from Taddesse Tamrat’s Church and State in Ethiopia 1270-15257, Oxford (1972), p. 77. The second mistake relates to King Amde-Şiyon’s mounting “on an elephant.” I have corrected Taddesse’s incorrect translation of his Ge’ez source with “on a boat” when I wrote a preface to the book’s second edition.

(2) Maps and statistics in the Module are not the authors’. They are taken from others, including from Taddesse Tamrat’s book, without giving credit to their producers. They are glaring examples of plagiarism.

(3) “Alphonso de Paiva V of Argon received a delegation from Yishaq in the city of Valentia, in 1427.”  This is pure plagiarism, taken from Taddesse Tamrat’s book. A writer can make mistakes but a mistake to plagiarism, such as there, cannot be lectured to students. The Module is full of pieces of information taken verbatim from Professor Taddesse Tamrat’s studies without crediting them to its author. The fact that Professor Taddesse is dead does not protect them from the watching eyes of the living.

(4) The controversy arising from the concept that Christ is the Messiah (the Anointed) is dealt with amateurishly. I see no reason why the subject could not be given to a more knowledgeable person.

(5) The relationship between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church with the Orthodox Church of Alexandria is described as the former being subservient of the latter. This is wrong. Ethiopians never feel nor have been subservient to any other nation. Ethiopia was a diocese of Alexandria until it requested and received autocephaly. The American Catholic Church is not subservient of the Roman Catholic Church or the Vatican, just because it recognized the Pope as its head.

(6) The allegation that people are baptized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church obligatorily by decree sounds like the continuation of TPLF’s attack of the local Church. To be credible, the authors of the Module must quote the decree from which they found this information. It is undeniable that the Emperor Yohannes IV (1872-1888) has asked people whose ancestors were forcibly converted to Islam to be converted to Christianity. But that was an aberration, and not the normal operation of the Orthodox Church. It is ridiculous to keep silent about the untold devastations inflicted on the Christians and their heritage during the revolt and invasion Iman Ahmad (Gragn) and his forces, and tell a story that did not happen.

(7) No one, including the authors of the Module, knows who Zoscales was. To teach it was Za Haqel (sic., Za-Haqle) is wrong, because we did not have a king called Za Haqle. The “Za” in “Za-Haqle” is a particle meaning “of”. “Za-Haqle” is a phase, meaning “That of Haqle,” e.g. “[The time of reign] of Haqle is 13 years.”  So, the name of the king is Haqle, not Za-Haqle. See ዓመታተ ነገሥተ አኵስም  ዘአርዌ ፱፻ዓመት፤ ዘብእሲ አንጋቦ ዘሰደዶ ለአርዌ ወቀተሎ ፪፻ዓመት፤ ዘግዱር ዘበኑኅ ፻ዓመት፤ ዘስባዶ በሳዶ ፻ዓመት፤ ዘተዋስያ በአክሱም ፩ዓመት፤ ዘማክዳ ፶ ዓመት፤ . . . ዘሕቅሌ፡ ፲ወ ፫።  “Years of (reign of) kings of Aksum: of Arwe 900 years; of the man from Angabo who chased out Arwe and killed him, 200 years; of Gidur in Nuh 100 years; of Sibado in Sado 100 years; of Tewasiya in Aksum 1 year; of Madidda 50 years. . . of Heqle 13 years. (Taken from መጽሐፈ አክሱም). The name ግዱር has been found inscribed on a bow-looking metal. So he was ግዱር, not ዘግዱር. We know that the name of the queen was ማክዳ, not ዘማክዳ. So, Zoscales was not Za Haqel or Za Haqle or Haqle. In itself, this is not a grave mistake, but it is when found in the Module.

(8) The statement that during the reign of the Zague some religious works were translated from Arabic to Geez is simple guessing.

(9) The statement, “Ethiopian Queen Azeb” is embarrassingly false. “Azeb” means south, not a personal name. Makedda is the name the Kibre Negest gave to the Queen of the Azeb or South.

(10) When teaching our ancient history, it is wrong to refer to the country as Ethiopia and Eritrea. Statements such as “The earliest inscriptions in Eritrea and Ethiopia,” need to be corrected. Eritrea as a country independent of Ethiopia, is known only since the 20^th century.

(11) The statement, “One peculiar feature of the Sabean inscriptions is the absence of vowels in the written words,” refers to a feature that is true of all known inscriptions of the Semitic languages. Teaching such a mistake is a disservice to the students. The authors of the Module are not qualified to delve into Semitic Philology.

(12) “A gap of 7–8 years between Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars results from alternative calculation in determining date of Annunciation.” This is another embarrassing error make by people who are not qualified to deal with the subject. A few books, including my ባሕረ ሐሳብ የዘመን ቈጠራ ቅርሳችን ከታሪክ ማስታወሻ ጋራ, are available for whoever wants to educate himself/herself on the subject.

(13) Emperor Zer’a Ya’iqob “himself wrote some books like Metsafe-Birhan, Metsafe-Me’lad, Metsafe-Sillasie, Metasfe-teqebo Mister etc. In addition, during his reign; Te’amre-Maryam was translated.” Such a statement would be made by an illiterate person, not by scholars preparing a module for teaching university students.

(14) The statement that King Dawit received from Jerusalem a piece of the true cross and a number of religious paintings including the famous “kuerate resu”, is wrong. The piece came from Egypt, not from Jerusalem. Read my The Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s Tradition on the Holy Cross, pp. 1-15. The painting did not come to Ethiopia before the sixteenth century.

(15) The Wichale treaty and its grave consequences are poorly and confusedly presented as follows: “It has twenty articles and written both in Amharic and Italian languages. However, Article III and XVII have had major difference on the two languages versions. The Italian version of Article III, indicates the ‘effective occupation’ of Italy to legitimize their further expansion towards the Marab River. While the Amharic version states that Ethiopia could use Italy to conduct its foreign affairs as optional Article XVII of the Italian version indicates Menelik’s foreign contacts must be through the agency of Italy.”

(16) The authors of the Module write, “The Oromo contact with diverse peoples in the 16th century brought far-reaching integrations among peoples across ethnic and religious background.” We wish this was the case, but it was not.

(b) On the negative side:

(1) What I would call a major setback of this Module is the absence of bibliography at the end of each section. No teacher dispenses her/his responsibility towards his/her students without giving the sources from which the lesson is drawn.

(2)  The veracity of the statement, “Shawan forces led by Ras Darge Sahlasillase made the final assault on the Arssi at Azule on 6 Sept. 1886. This was followed by Aannolee amputations (female right breast and male right limbs were cut off, accompanied by castrations in the extreme cases,” is doubtful.

During war anything is of course fair game. If this campaign to reintegrate lost territories has really happened as described in the Module, we read it as any similar event and move on. Raising question regarding its veracity is inevitable, especially since there are people who, for no reason, feel personally hurt by it. They feel as if accused of a heinous crime. The source for this reporting, as far as I can see, is Abbas Haji Gnamo, not the wrongly spelled J. Gastro Vanderheyn. The fact that the Module is reluctant to mention Abbas Haji Gnamo as its sources increases the reader’s suspicion.

Among the sources of Haji Gnanno, one finds Gebre Sellassie’s ታሪከ፡ ዘመን፡ ዘ ዳግማዊ፡ ምኒልክ፡ ንጉሠ፡ ነገሥት፡ ዘኢትዮጵያ። and R. H. Kofi Darkwah’s Shewa, Menilek and the Ethiopian Empire. They all record the stiff resistance of the Arussi/Arssi during the fight. But none of them mention “Aannolee amputations.” It is not in the nature of Menelik’s policy. Here is what Darkwah reported: “But when it came to serious military maneuvers the Shewans rose to the occasion and proved that they were not only adept in surprise attacks but could successfully live up to a sustained and determined resistance. This was reflected in the battle against Gojam in June 1882. It was even better reflected in the campaigns to the Arsis country where the Shewans met with what was probably the most determined resistance in the history of their kingdom. The first four campaigns conducted between January 1881and December 1885 met with very little success but the Shewan casualties were heavy. The fifth expedition achieved success only after four months of continuous campaigning during which the Arussi killed over 700 Shewans in a single attack. And it needed a strong garrison under Ras Darge to defeat the Arussi to a final submission. . . The breakdown of the Arussi resistance was in the final analysis do to the superior armament of the invaders.” p. 191.

(3) One of the controversial statements is this: “The project of conquest driven by interest to control land and trade routes was not new to Menilek II. What made Menilek expansion new were the intensity and the degree of success. Besides, his conquest coincided with European powers colonial expansion in Africa with whom he concluded partition of territories.” Emperor Menelik was talented and the Ethiopian people were ready to give their lives, as they always have, to save Ethiopia from the jaws of European powers. Read Sven Rubinson’s The Survival of Ethiopian Independence. There will come a time when Ethiopians, as a nation, mature enough and erect Menelik’s and his general’s statues in each provincial capital that developed from military garrisons.

(4) They write, “Taye and Asme wrote Yeityopia Hizb Tarik (The History of Ethiopian People) and the Ye-[Oromo] Tarik (The History of the Oromo) respectively.”  The first is የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ ታሪክ and the second is የጋላ ታሪክ፡. A mature nation does not change past records. If the Oromo are opposed to the name Galla, the best way to diffuse the attitude attached to it is to present the issue by saying, “We the Oromo whom others used to call ‘Galla.’”  These nomenclatures are history to which we should not attach any negative or positive feeling, especially if the effort is to tell it as it is when educating the next generation. The effort should be to eradicate the wrong attitude from the mind rather than from the books. The students will find out that what they are told by the Module is false when they one day see the original sources unless we succeed in the impossible task of suppressing them.

(5) The book ዝክረ ነገር is a source of records. Criticizing it, as this Module does, is counterproductive. When the students read it, as we expect they will, they will feel betrayed by the agency that assigned the preparation of the Module for them.

(c) Minor errors but embarrassing that they appeared in the Module:

1. amir al-mumin (sic), for “amir al-mu’mnyin.”
2. Zemene Masefent (sic), for “Mesafent”. The combinations of the two Amharic (sic) word Zemene-Mesafints. They are not Amharic but Ge’ez words.
3. “Quara, ” Why two spelling for one name?
4. Gedeo was annexed in 1895. Fitwrari (sic, for “Fitawrari”) Habtegiyorgis Dinagdee/Abba Machal/Abba Mala built a fort at Megga and took over Booranaa & Konso in 1896-97. Tasamma Nado (sic, for “Nadew”) also conquered up to Baro (Sobat) and Nasir in Gambella.  Although several ethipian (sic), for “Ethiopian”) regional rulers were intersetd (sic, for “interested”) in European technologies emperor Tewodros. foreigners, ras Teferi had keen interst (sic, for “interested”) in modernization by which he wanted.  Soe (sic, for “Some”) of the reforms were the centralization of the government.
5. The social, economic and legal positions of slaves diffred (sic, for “differed”) across time and space. However, in many cultures from ancient to modern the causes of enslavement were faiure (sic, for “failure”) to debt (tax).
6. For instance, the production of tools, furniture, and dersesses (sic, “dresses”); Uhtman (sic, for “Uthman” digna; Alula Edida (Who is Alula Edida?). Cardinal Massaja was not German. Several travelers of British nationals including Samuel Gobat and Christian Kugler, C.W. Isenburg (sic, for “Isenberg”), Giustino De Jacibis (sic, for Jacobi) arrived in 1830s.
7. The meaning of “Babel Mandeb” is not “Gate of Tears,” but “Strait of The Wail.”
8. “king Solomon of Israel, who tracked (“What is this word?”) the queen sleep with him.”
9. Who is “Abuhe Gabra Manfes Qidus”?
10. In what language writing system is Negarit spelled as “Negariti”?

(d) Conclusion:

The role of the government in giving guidance to schools as to what children of a nation should be taught is unquestionable. The government has to make sure that children of the nation should mature, knowing what makes a people one nation within one territory, under one constitution, and one flag as a symbol. But that requirement has to be for pre-college education. In higher learning, however, it is the responsibility of the universities to determine what to offer to educate and how best to train citizens in line with the country’s Constitution. The country needs educated civilized citizens and the economy of an informed civilized trained labor force. Only dictators prepare teaching materials for universities. The case of the Module is of similar worth. It is prepared by unqualified writers who have the audacity to accept an assignment for which they lack the required knowledge. What they have is not qualms but enthusiasm for writing about such subjects. Their style suggests that there is a Ferenji historian behind the curtain.

The post Module for History of Ethiopia and the Horn (of Africa) for Higher Learnings appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar: News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

By Abebech  Shiferaw

Extreme inhumane treatments and discriminations against Amharas in Ethiopia has started long ago. And it seems that such evil practices have been a follow up of false narratives deliberately circulated on Amharas. Evidences showed that ethnic cleansing and genocide against Amharas seems to take an increasing pattern from time to time. The following paragraph clearly demonstrates this long ignored sufferings of Amharas in Ethiopia. It reads:

The country [Ethiopia] witnessed an ethnic cleansing and genocide committed by the government and its allies mainly against the Amaras. For more than 26 years, the TPLF rebels targeted the Amaras as their main enemies, they spread animosity and hate against this ethnic group, wrongly accusing them of being rulers, oppressors and exploiters. Not long ago, the world witnessed the horror of genocide in Rwanda and we were hopeful that it would never be repeated in the world let alone Africa. Yet once again, in Ethiopia under the current government, a hidden genocide was committed against innocent civilians because they were Amaras (Moresh Wegene Amhara Organization Research and Study Department, 2016).

Amharas have been residing all over Ethiopia in a harmonious manner. But,following dissemination of false narratives against the Amharas by the government and its political allies, the golden social fabricshave started to tore and negatively affect attitudes and day to day interactions of people. Most notable in this regard is the preaching of founders of the nation and native Amharas are foreigners and invaders. Consequently, all the negative propaganda have given birth to endless sufferings of theAmhara people.Everywhere in Ethiopia is a death land for Amhara. Sadly,Amharas are not free from all the injustices even in Amhara region.

The Amhara regional state government is the responsible body for protecting the rights of Amharas in and out the region. Nonetheless, the regional government is like A DEAD-LION for it is in a deep-sleep and unable to negotiate with other sister parties in rescuing the lives of its people. Worse yet, it is a major organ practicing all forms of injustices against people and their significant others who hold dissenting political views (including arbitrary detentions and killings)within the region.

Past to present Amharas are going through miserable atrocities. The intention of this article is to show inhumane treatments leading to ethnic cleansing and genocide by presenting some recent phenomena in the country.

Demolishing of religious institutionswhich they think are part of the identity and culture of Amharasall over the country including the capital city, Addis Ababa. Orthodox Christians denied from celebrating UNESCO recognized public religious holidays(finding of the true cross, epiphany) and use of national flag in decorating festivities in different parties of the country. Followers of Orthodox Christianity were killed and many are leading life in a stressful situation.

There is an unfortunate and ill-informed tendency to consider Amharas as foreigners and invaders which caused massive displacement from different corners. Displacement of 50,000 Amhara University students, Legetafoarea huge displacement, wollega, Harrar,diredawa, BenishangulGumuz Region and so on are some painful instances of displacement.

The country is now more characterized by mass killings and denial of basic human rights.Burayu just a gate to the capital, Addis Ababa where very inhumane killings occure on Amharas and others. In Oromia region, 86 Amhara people are slaughtered recently, stoned to death, dragged on streets, and burnt under their house with families. Victims involve old and young, men and women, and what matters most for killers is the identity of victims- being an Amharas! The government has kept silent for this horrible incidence which tookplace just at the next door and media seem ordered not to do reports on case.

Historical fertile Amhara provinces such as wolqayit, Raya, Metekel and Dera are demarcated to other regions without the will and consultation of concerned people by force. Original residents are systematically killed and displaced and replaced by people from other regions. Those who oppose this political decision have been subjects of death and other violations.

Sponsored proxy wars by anti-amhara armed groups in Amhara Region (For example: North Shewa, North Gondar areas) with aim of destabilizing the region and long targeted Amhara people.

Restriction on political participation and loss of freedom to run peaceful demonstrations and in house meetings in Addis Abeba. For example, the illegal acts against Eskinder Nega, (leader of Balderas)and imprisonment of leaders of National Amhara Movement party and associated ill dramas in the court clearly show deep desire of the government to suppress the rights of people of Addis Ababa and Amhara region, respectively.

So, pressing question is where is the land and government of ethnic Amharas? The answer is clear. Everywhere in Ethiopia is a death land for Amharas. Government and extreme political elites seem to intensify the ethnic cleansing and genocide on Amharas. In short, Ethiopia has clearly become a NO AMHARA’S LAND! Thus, we need to urge theinternational community, NGOs, human rights advocates and governments to say NO to ethnic cleansing and genocide in Ethiopia. All Amharas have to be organized urgently and take practical measuresto ensure their survival and lead peaceful life in their own country.

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By Teshome Debalke
February 15, 2020

Nothing explains better the problem of Ethiopia than make-believe Medias masquerading as Free press and presenting willfully ignorant intellectuals as innocent bystanders to pull PR stunts on the people of Ethiopia.

Unfortunately, it is the norm since the Woyane regime came in the picture and set up its ethnic propaganda machine and network of make-believe private, party, federal and regional governments Medias in a name of Development Presse and a make-believe journalist union that came with it.

Ever since, the meaning of the Press and the role journalists play in society was lost in the ethnic apartheid political jungle Woyane reigned in for 27-years.

Unfortunately, the similarity of the propaganda machine of Fascist regime of Italy of the mid-1930s led by Mussolini and applied in the eight ethnic regions of Ethiopia and the Communist China regime’s propaganda machine that endured up today applied in the Tigray Region yet to explore by the Free Press and historians alike.

In a recent interview by unidentified Andafta reporter with Dr Constantinos Berhuetesfa, the infamous TPLF pseudo intellectual hack turn  international organizations’ consultant and lecturer at Addis Ababa University in Public Policy with  fake PhD from the defunct  Century University (renamed America Century University) out of a one-room office in Albuquerque, New Mexico USA run by Iranian American illustrates, the Woyane Media strategy to control the narrative by infesting its cadres in every private, nongovernmental and governmental institution imaginable is real.

Constantinos claiming “IMF and World Bank support won’t get us anywhere” on a make-believe Medias masquerading as Free Press is no accident but to assault the PM Abiy reform as his comrade are doing in every front. A careful analysis of the interview shows, the reporter is a hired hand asking a predetermined question for Constantinos to answer TPLF central committee approved answers. For that reason, either the reporter nor the ‘expert’ — Constantinos failed to mention TPLF once nor its massive corruption in the entire interview that brought about the need of IMF and World Bank support.

In a January 12 article titled Development 101 for Willfully Ignorant Economists, Politicians, Journalists, investors… of Ethiopia we identified the problem Ethiopians are facing is nonother than willfully ignorant elites mixing facts-and-fictions to confuse and bamboozle Ethiopians to accept the status qua.

Naturally, the worst offenders are willfully ignorant journalists of make-believe Medias that supposed to find out the truth about individuals and the subject matter they present as legitimate to convince the public they and their guest have anything worth believable asking soft question. Therefore, the obvious unprofessional conduct of journalists in make-believe Medias brough the nation ungovernable by the design of Woyane.

Andafta, like many make-believe Media happened to be a continuation of making fairytale the truth and vis versa presenting a TPLF political hack in Addis Ababa University with falsified credential to lecture Ethiopians. By doing so, the unidentified Adfata interviewer not only failed to do basics journalism but violated the public right to know the truth behind a TPLF hack – rendering itself a useless Media.

After 27-years of make-believe Media with pseudo journalists  led by TPLF hacks at Walta, Fana, Aiga, EthiopiaFirst and the rest that contaminated the airwaves and cyberspace with empty propaganda, the Media landscape of Ethiopia remained the same, nor, the willfully ignorant journalist responsible for pushing propaganda yet to be accountable by the reform. It seems, it is Deja vu all over again in a middle of reform.

Our wise people say enate enkulal senkulal betiktane nroo… For instance, why didn’t the unidentified Andafta interviewer reviled; the pseudo intellectual TPLF operative he referred as Doctor… masquerading as Professor of Public Policy is verifiably carry fraudulent credential to be allowed to lecture in Addis Ababa University let alone to lecture Ethiopians about economic reform.   The fact the interviewer nor the interviewee failed to mention the former ruling member party TPLF that caused the political, social and economic havoc the new PM Abiy inherited speaks volumes; reform starts from willfully ignorant journalists forcing the elites masquerading as professionals  in one thing or another to tell the truth about themselves like any self-respecting journalists and professionals  in democratic nation would do.

Professor Constantinos Berhuetesfa self-promoting doubletalk at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) says more about the Institute that invited him than the pseudo professor. Had the ICD leaders did due diligence like they do in their own nation where they are accountable, they would find out the “Professor” Is a fraud.  But, for Institute for Cultural Diplomacy like may western institutions, Africa is a no-mans’ land where any political hack with a fake or real credential can be elevated as expert.

Therefore, real reform that would change the lives and the rights of the people of Ethiopia must start from sorting out the elites that perpetuate fairytales on behalf enablers and others that tell the truth but nothing but the truth.

Unfortunately, Media establishments that are responsible sorting out the fairytale from the truth in the public interest are not popular among the willfully ignorant elites with a different agenda. Therefore, nothing substantial will change until the Free Press police their make-believe counterparts masquerading as Free Press in the cart before the horse’ reform under new Prime Minster.

Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed reform can’t be underestimated for awaking Ethiopians to know who-is-who in and out of his old ethnic apartheid EPRDF party and the new national Prosperity Party and the Media establishments that propagate the respective parties’ agenda.

The rogue TPLF party with networks of propaganda operatives out of its hideout in Mekele and in-and-out of eight ethnic regions of the country and the world masquerading as Press are talking on both side of their mouth. In one hand, they are playing ethnic apartheid fairytale that benefit them politically and, in other they pretend unity that benefits them economically.

By the way, double talk to make fairytale a reality was not invited by Woyane but the old European colonial regimes and communist regimes it emulates at the same time. If one pays close attention, Woyane is emulates the communist regimes’ fairytale into reality in the occupied Region of Tigray and the old European colonial regimes’ apartheid reality into fairytale in the rest of Ethiopia. That is what is referred as two birds in one stone.

The communist surveillance state of Tigray is sealed closed from outside information in order to subjugate Ethiopians in the region to use them as pawns and the colonial apartheid regions are subjected to ethnic propaganda to divide and destabilize the rest of Ethiopians for exploitation.

Constantinos Berhuetesfa and the unidentified willfully ignorant journalist interviewing him are prime example of conspiring to use the apartheid state divide and surveillance communist state at the same time to preserve the status qua.

Therefore, the Free Press is more needed now than ever. The reformist PM that vow truth and knowledge to free and prosperous Ethiopia either doesn’t understand it can not be done without Free Press or Free Press is only good if it serves his political agenda. Either way, the truth is buried by the old and new political hacks and it is not serving his reform.

With all the setbacks it endured in the last few years because of political hacks masquerading as Free Press advocates and journalist, ESAT remained the one-and-only hope against all hope to make willfully ignorant elites to tell the truth and account for their behaviors. It would be wise for Ethiopians to support ESAT than jump ship with excitement of empty promises of willfully ignorant economist, politicians, journalists, investors…, after all, no people are free until the Free Press is free.

That much is true for Ethiopians no matter who comes and go in the name of one thing or another. Somebody must end the fairytale of political hacks through make-believe Medias Ethiopians endure for centuries.

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Teshome Debalke

The Arab world version of Free Press where no democracy will ever see daylight, Al Jazeera, the brainchild of the Qatari monarch it is light at the end of a long tunnel blinking on-and-off.

For the vast Middle Eastern population malnourished of information any info is better than being starved to death alive… so goes the story: The ‘good’ King of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al  Thani gift to the Muslim world as long as it doesn’t question his legitimacy in a pay-to-play scheme was Al Jazeera.

The superstar among the many Al Jazeera journalist educated in UK is the Oxford University graduate and host of Up Front Madi Hassen.

In unprecedented breach of journalistic ethics, Madi Hassen paused a question: Is Ethiopia sliding backwards under Abiy Ahmed? In another words, Ethiopia was better off before the PM mister came to the helm of power.

Unfortunately, the question was posed for Lencho Bati, the Former Oromo Liberation Front official most of his adult life in exile that helped institute ethnic apartheid rule in Ethiopia with the ruling member party of the Tigray People Liberation Front before he Cofounded the Oromo Democratic Front few years back and returned home to become Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed’s “close ally and adviser”, according to Madi.

It is not clear why the PM sanctioned Lencho to speak for him nor, why Lencho proclaimed; Ethnic Apartheid Federalism is constitutional order and will stay.

What was fascinating about both Lencho and Madi is their selective amnesia to the source of all the problem of Ethiopia the new PM Minster facing. Therefore, both chose not to mention TPLF for different reasons. Lenco refer his former ally the ruling ethnic Tigray elites that made the mess in Ethiopia as “the previous regime… the former elites that are overthrown”

Understandably, Lencho is a willfully ignorant political opportunists as a proponent of ethnic apartheid in line with TPLF doing the bidding of his Arab and European enablers to disfranchise Ethiopians and Ethiopia as a nation.  Therefore, there is no surprise why he appeared on Al Jazeera to doubletalk for global audience.

But, the question is why Madi Hassen, the supposedly a Free Press journalist failed to mention the Tigray People Liberation Front better yet present a representative to dispute Lencho’s statement?

Madi Hasson question sighting Human Right Watch and Amnesty International accusing the PM for arresting “five Amhara journalists” as evidence says a willfully ignorant journalist of a make-believe Media masquerading as free press admitting journalists identified by ethnic or religious affiliation in like TPLF apartheid is a good thing. Therefore, Mehdi Raza Hassen born to Indian Shia Muslim family must be referred as a Shia or Sunni journalist whatever ethnic affiliation he may be in India by his own definition Or Al Jazeera financed by Sunni King of Qatar should be refers as Sunni Media. If not, why the celebrated Mehdi Raza Hassen employ double standard against PM Abiy and Ethiopia he wouldn’t do to the King of Qatar that pay his salary?

Quite frankly Mahdi program Up Front should be renamed Back Front to reflect the reality of what he does reinforcing ethnic apartheid rule imposed on Ethiopia by TPLF without a mandate but claims; PM Abiy has no mandate  to dissolve the same ethnic apartheid party as if King of Qatar that his own Al Jazeera came in being has a mandate to finance it nor rule for eternity.

It is interesting how willfully ignorant journalist like Madi pull a stunt like ‘mandate’ when it serve their enablers’ interest  but completely burry it when it rattle their enablers. Mehdi’s on-your-face high-pitch to cover up his double standard may work for his gullible audience around the globe but it doesn’t negate the reality; he is paid handsomely to talk about mandate but, selective amnesia not to change the narrative on behalf of the King of Qatar.

He is not alone, Al Jazeera willfully ignorant journalists that invite guest without reviling there background to do political hack job of their enablers is the norm than the exception. The usual suspects BBC, DW, France 24, CGTV, MSNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, AP, RT and the rest do the same exercise on behalf of their respective interest groups in a name of Free Press referred as Parachute or Yellow Journalism. Granted some do it worse than others, the end game is the same.

But, Mahdi’s style is exceptionally successful in its appearance of confronting power to account for the gullible. Unfortunately, in this day in age; style over substance is the winning the day and it shows when he confront a willfully ignorant self-proclaimed Oromo elite Lencho in ethnic apartheid state of Ethiopia he referred as “a close ally and adviser of PM Abiy Ahmed”.

For sure both Lencho and Mahdi have one thing in common. As master puppet of European colonialism; they both agree ethnic or religious apartheid is a good thing only for Ethiopia as implemented by nonother than TPLF warlords they loved to hate.

Mahdi attacked PM Abiy violating the constitutional order without a mandate as if TPLF mandate where Lencho is a part and partial had a mandate. At the meantime, Lencho vocally disagreed claiming ethnic Federalism is not going to change but the PM new party to unite Ethiopia – the same wine in a different bottle.

It is hilarious to see, willfully ignorant elites disagree  on the label of the same wine in different bottle. That, compatriots is the classic definition of ‘intellectual corruption’. How it came about  and why they do not own it is open for debate but, the reality is they are wasting time arguing over a spade in not a spade unfortunately at the expenses of the people of Ethiopia.

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By Tekleab Shibru Associate Professor of Geomatics, Chicago State University

Egyptian president Al Sisi said; “Nile River is God’s gift to Egyptian people” in his twitter account on Oct 05, 2019. The president made the statement to reaffirmed to Egyptians people and international community that his country is going to take necessary measures to ensure Egypt’s water rights in River Nile i.e., Ethiopia cannot use a water from a Nile river flowing for 800 km in Ethiopia before departing to Sudan.  In my opinion, the first part of president’s statement is true, given the magnitude of the river’s footprint on Egypt’s history, culture, economy, and development. However, the truer statement would be not just the river, but the Ethiopia’s highlands are also God’s gift to Egypt. There cannot be Nile River, if the highlands aren’t trapping water-vapor from prevailing airmass (i.e., equatorial trade and monsoon winds), condense and turn them into a precipitation forming the Nile river.

Fig 1. Blue Nile in Ethiopia (Source CNN)

The highlands that made Ethiopia a water tower of Africa creates a unique hydrologic state and processes responsible for forming various river systems flowing into Egypt and other neighboring countries such as Sudan, Kenya, Somali and Djibouti. Examples are rivers such as Abay (i.e., Blue Nile), Baro, Tekeze, Omo, Juba, Shebelle and Awash. The rivers are significant for the very existence of life, ancient civilizations and current economic development in these countries, although historically, their uses were limited to supplying drinking water for the downstream population and their domestic animals.

However, with increasing sedentary life and advancement in agricultural science, the rivers became source of irrigation water for agriculture and agri-food production (i.e., including fishery production). The advent of regional trade and commerce made the rivers’ delta and floodplain a preferred habitat for human settlement. The rivers eased navigations, transportation of goods and human waste disposal. Currently, the rivers are landmarks and aesthetic for major cities and their population in the region such as Mogadishu (1.3 million), Kisumayo (180,000), Alexandria (3.3 million), Khartoum (5.3 million), Cairo (9.13 million) and Juba (300,000).

Fig.2. Nile River and the city of Khartoum (Source: National Geographic)

While Ethiopian rivers are rendering these benefits to the neighboring countries, their use at home is very small. The reasons are, first; in Ethiopian territory, the rivers flow 400 – 1000m deep valleys beyond people and domestic animals’ reach. Second, they have extremely short-leveled stretch, often interrupted by rapids and riffle (i.e., turbulent and fast-moving river), which made the river none usable for both irrigation and navigation. As a consequence, while the rivers are source of water for millions in the downstream countries, in Ethiopia, people and livestock are dying for the lack of water. According to USAID in 2020, 9.5 million Ethiopian populations were exposed to a serious food and water shortage, 4.5 million of children were malnourished and hundreds of thousands of livestock die from draught induced by failed rain. There is none Ethiopian city built along these rivers and in what looks like rubbing salt to a wound, the rivers erode 3.5million tons of fertile Ethiopian soil per year, thereby reducing soil productivity, causing croplands abandonment, and forming badlands and dissected by gullies on landscapes.

References:

Mohamed Zain (Sat, Oct. 5, 2019) President Sisi affirms Egypt’s water rights in River Nile, to take necessary measures, Egypt Today, extracted from https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/75536/President-Sisi-affirms-Egypt-s-water-rights-in-River-Nile

USAID (January 27, 2020) Food Assistance fact sheet Ethiopia, retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/ethiopia/food-assistance

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(Yimer Muhe – February 24, 2020)

Through the years, Ultra-Oromo Nationalist elites have authored articles and books on Oromo specific issues. It would not be an exaggeration to equate the essence of their messages with Hitler and his henchmen’s (Goebbles, Himmler etc.) demagoguery on the supremacy of the “Aryan Race”, and “Deutschland Uber Alles” of which the mantras of “Oromo First”, and “Greater Oromia” are corresponding carbon copies. The similarities between the two are astounding. Also, victimhood, narcissism, and scapegoating are very central to both the Nazis and the ultra-Oromo Nationalists. The Nazis believed they were victimized by the Jews and the rest of the world, and were always driven by a siege mentality that spared no one from being their enemy. The ultra-Oromo Nationalists have the Amharas to blame for everything. It is well established that Hitler and Goebbles had a narcissistic personality disorder. Jawar Mohammed boasts to be the best strategist alive. He claims to have invented the calculator. He tells us his resume includes working as a consultant for several foreign governments. His title is endless like the late ruler of Uganda His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Alhaj Dr. Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, CBE (Conqueror of the British Empire) aka “the Butcher of Uganda”. I would leave it up to the reader to determine whether Jawar Mohammed is a narcissist and a megalomaniac or not. Regardless, the ultra-Oromo Nationalists delusional sense of being trapped and hounded from all directions has been costing the lives of innocent people across Oromia, in Harrar, Dire Dawa, and elsewhere in the country.

Because of the ethnic and religious tensions the ultra-Oromo Nationalists are fanning ceaselessly, several churches and mosques have been burnt to the ground. Intra and inter-religious strifes are also on the horizon. Recently, an ultra-Oromo Nationalist church “deacon”, with Jawar Mohammed and Dr. Merara Gudina in the background, was inciting the public to cleanse the historical Debre Lebanos Monastery of Amhara monks. In this case, even the Almighty God did not fare better than “Oromo First”.

The Nazis did not stop after regaining and militarizing the Rhineland in contravention of the Treaty of Versailles. Instead, they continued voraciously swallowing country after country until they were confronted by the Allies with iron determination. Likewise, the ultra-Oromo Nationalists have been recklessly pushing and pushing the envelope on all fronts with no regard to the outcome. Currently, the ultra-Oromo Nationalists are in high gear working on their project of splitting the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to establish an independent Oromo Orthodox Church. They are also very busy creating division in the Muslim community by injecting the issue of identity through the back door. The truth is, there is no sanctity they will refrain from assaulting, and they will stop at nothing if left unchecked.

Revenge for their humiliating defeat in the First World War was not the only reason for the Nazis to ignite the Second World War, they were also looking for a vast “Living Space” or “Leben Raum” worthy of the “Aryan Race”. By the same token, we have heard to the rantings of Jawar Mohammed, Ezekiel Gebissa, Bekele Gerba, Tsegaye Ararsa, and Daud Ibsa and other ultra-Oromo Nationalists laying claims on Wollo, and other sections of the country as part of “Greater Oromia”. They are even shamelessly casting their eyes across the border upon Kenya. The Oromo Firsters’ failed incursions around Attaye, and Kemisie in the Amhara Killil, and more recently in the Afar Killil was nothing but an attempt to acquire their “Living Space”. Their very delusional and exaggerated self-worth is a time bomb that is ticking to explode unless they are reined in.

It is a fatal blunder to assume that the ultra-Oromo Nationalists are only Ethiopia’s problems. They are definitely dead set to disturb the statuesque not only in Ethiopia but also in the Horn of Africa in general. Even though they do not want to admit it, their fixation with their history of five hundred years ago have made them oblivious to the current world order and could care less for regional peace. Their Nazi-like agenda can be halted with minimum costs in lives, and minimum displacement of non-Oromos from Oromia only with the help of others. Therefore, entertaining the idea of some sort of African or international intervention is neither unreasonable nor premature at this time. The recent rapprochement of the ultra–Oromo Nationalists with TPLF – their godfather – has made both a more potent force of destruction that can be unleashed anytime for a wholesale extermination targeting the Amhara people and their culture, the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church, and other minority nationalities that might refuse to be co-opted. The current Constitution of the country that has enshrined Ethnic Federalism is their bible. They have vowed to live by it and kill for it.

“Kegnism” or “Kegna Politics”, as a rallying cry of the ultra-Oromo Nationalists, has so far wreaked havoc and is poised to inflict more in terms of lives and property. “Kegna Politics” is very nihilistic and has nothing to do with regaining what the ultra-Oromo Nationalists claim to be “theirs”.  In Harrar and Dire Dawa, in Koye Fecha, in the suburbs of Addis Ababa such as Lege Tafo, Sebeta and Sulilta, and in Wolega, Gedeo, Tepi etc., people have been forced to run for their life with only whatever they have on their back. Their properties have been confiscated, countless have lost family members, and thousands have been unaccounted for just because they are non-Oromos. The ethnic hatred the Ultra-Oromo Nationalists are spewing through OMN and the social media is responsible for all this chaos. And yet non-Oromos in millions are still living in Oromia expecting the worst of the worst at any time from the merciless ultra-Oromo Nationalist thugs driven by “Kegna Politics”.

Those who are willing to give the ultra-Oromo Nationalists the benefit of the doubt by blaming some of their excesses and very disturbing behaviors on the alleged unjust treatment of their ancestors in the past are indeed either gullible or overly generous or trying to be politically correct at best. For the ultra-Oromo Nationalists, it is not about rectifying past alleged wrongs. It goes beyond that. Under PM Abiy Ahmad, fellow Oromos are controlling the rein of power; they head most of the key Federal Posts and are in the process of controlling the country’s economy; and yet the ultra-Oromo Nationalists are far from being satisfied. What else could the rest of the Ethiopian people give up to satisfy the ultra-Oromo Nationalists enormous “Kegna” appetite? Obviously, what is left for them is exacting revenge on and humiliation of the Amhara people, and the ultimate destruction of the country. What we heard out of the London Oromo Lawyers Conference in October 2016, that the “Republic of Oromia” would be realized through the disintegration of Ethiopia, is still fresh in our memory.

Unquestionably, cruelty defines German Nazis more than anything else. Just think of the Holocaust, the gas chambers, the pogroms, the indiscriminate executions of children, the elderly, women, etc., and the mass graves in which six million Jews perished. Likewise, cruelty does define the ultra – Oromo Nationalists and the thugs that mercilessly carry out their bidding. Victims are not only killed, they are also chopped up with Gejera and Mencha and their corpses are dragged in the streets.  A young mother who had given birth few days earlier was clubbed and stoned to death. Innocent citizens have been burnt alive. The thugs’ cruelty knows no boundaries. Today, it is not uncommon in the Oromia Killil for Amharas and other minority nationalities to disappear without traces after they are forced to get off buses and other public transportations. Only time will tell how many have been buried in mass graves off the highways. Nothing is sacred for the ultra-Oromo Nationalists. Life is not sacred. Pacts, alliances and friendship are not sacred. Rule of law is not sacred. Even religion and the culture that they claim to be defending are not sacred either. Humanity is not sacred. We are still waiting to hear Jawar Mohammed express his remorse four months after 86 innocent people were murdered because of him.

Here it is worth mentioning the Nuremberg Laws of September 1935 that “… denied Jews German citizenship, voting rights, the right to marry a German, or to retain Government office.” Now, think of Bekele Gerba’s edict that directed Oromos to stop doing business with non-Oromos if they don’t speak Afaan-Oromo, and to stop marrying non-Oromos in order to save Afaan-Oromo, etc.  Due to such agitations by the ultra-Oromo Nationalists, the situation is progressively getting worse in the Oromia Killil. Things are getting out of hand, and in some areas anarchy is taking root. In the South, Zones, mainly encouraged by the ultra-Oromo Nationalists, are demanding to become Killils. University campuses have become battle grounds, and kidnaping is becoming a commonplace. OLF – Shene, allegedly the armed wing of OLF, which has robbed twenty three banks is controlling part of Western Wolega and killing local officials and residents. While Defense Forces are thinly spread specially in Oromia, other Killils are building up their Special Forces mainly to repel imagined or real attacks from each other, etc. All signs are pointing in the direction of a full blown genocide multiple times worse than Rwanda.  Right now, whether we accept it or not, a low level or controlled genocide is undeniably underway in the country against the Amharas, Wolaytas, Siltes, Gamos and others. That is why thinking of a regional or international intervention of some sort makes sense at this time before it is too late.

Addis Ababa which is “home to the third largest number of diplomatic missions in the world, only after New York and Geneva.” It is also known as the “Political Capital” of Africa. It is the seat of the African Union, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and is also home to more than 100 foreign embassies. Therefore, it is also in the International community’s best interest to help save the city from the dangers lurking around it, if anything to protect the diplomatic community. The ultra-Oromo Nationalists has the city surrounded by their Gejera waving thugs. We have seen their show of force in Koye Fecha and other parts of the city. They consider the city as their final battle ground. The writing is on the wall. The ultra-Oromo Nationalists are a legion of doom. The customary view that Ethiopia is at a crossroads is nothing but a fantasy at this point. The reality is the country’s survival is in grave danger. International organizations such as International Crisis Group (ICG) have already expressed their fear about the direction Ethiopia is heading to. That is why some sort of international intervention makes sense, and the sooner the better. The election can wait until the survival of the country is assured through the rule of law, and a conducive environment prevails.

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By The Golden Rule Constitution A Proposal For A New Ethiopian Constitution

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Amendment 1

The House of Peoples Representatives with a Three Fourths majority Vote may propose for adoption, a New Constitution. The proposed Constitution shall be put to a National Referendum by The Federal Government within Three months of it passing The House of Peoples Representatives. If the proposed Constitution shall receive Two Thirds of the Votes cast in its favor, it shall be valid to all intents and purposes as The New Constitution of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

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Amendment 2

Until such time that a New Constitution shall be adopted by The Federal Government, all Federal Bills shall require a Three Fourths majority vote and all State Bills shall require a Two Thirds majority vote of all the members of their respective Legislatures in order to become Law. And during such time there shall not be held any referendum for the secession of a State. —–   Read -PDF version of the Constitution of The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

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The Golden Rule Constitution

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By Mulugeta Haile

Ras Mekonnen was one of the greatest Ethiopians who died before he lived up to his potential-becoming Emperor of Ethiopia. His Amhara, Tigrai, and Oromo ethnicity helped him become a shuttle-diplomat, bringing peace to regions that did not comply with Emperor Menelik’s central government.

Due to his Tigrai identity he was able to march to the region of Tigrai and accord peace with Ras Mengesha, the son of Emperor Yohannes, who had rebelled

against Emperor Menelik. His Oromo ethnicity coupled with his father-in-law’s Muslim and Oromo heritage helped him win the favor of locals to eventually become the first Governor of Harar. With 82 mosques and 102 shrines, Harar is the fourth holiest city of the Islamic world. Ras Mekonnen’s introduction of Christian settlers into the region could have been like Israel and Palestine with ongoing conflicts. However, the Ras transformed Harar into a unique hub for people of multi-religious and multi-ethnic backgrounds to live in peace and harmony. Even though he did not live to see it, every ground-breaking vision the Ras initiated in Harar was a success story.

Education was a quintessential element to Ras Mekonnen. In 1900, he sent a young Tekle Hawariat to Russia who later became the author of the first written Ethiopian Constitution. At home the Ras established the first school in his palace compound. His son, Lij Tafari, (The Emperor of Ethiopia) Lij Imeru, (The Most Beloved Ras), Lij Beshawered, (The first mayor of Deredawa), Zewdie Belaynhe (The first Ministry of Labour), and Dr. Malaku (The first degree holder from the U.S., and founder of EWF) were the products of the Harar’s school.

When Lij Taferi, Lij Imeru, and Lij Beshawered moved to Addis Ababa to join the Emperor Menelik School, the school’s professor had to create a special class because their knowledge was more advanced than the rest of the local students, such as Lij Iyasu, the grandson of Emperor Menelik (The leader of Ethiopia from 1913-16).

In 1901, Ras Mekonnen provided means and materials to build the first hospital in Harar at his own expense. Joseph Vitalien, a black Diaspora, was his private doctor and later that of Emperor Menelik. Dr. Vitalien was also mentor to Lij Tafari who became the first Ethiopian Emperor who claimed blacks in the Diaspora as his own subjects.

In 1903, the Ras introduced Haji Abdullahi Sadiq, a native Harari, to Emperor Menelik. The Haji was an adventurer and a master in trade throughout the Middle East. While the Haji was in Istanbul he met Robert Skinner, a US ambassador during the Ottoman Empire. Skinner came to Ethiopia as the first U.S. envoy with the Haji’s connection. Two years later Haji Sadiq became the first Ethiopian envoy to the U.S. and presented Emperor Menelik’s message to President Theodor Roosevelt.

The first high official of Emperor Menelik in Europe was Ras Makonnen. The Ras went to Italy to sign The Treaty of Wuchale in 1892. After he signed the treaty, he learned that this treaty had two different versions. Afework Geberyesus, was a student in Rome, helped him to understand the Italian version, which stated that Ethiopia was a colony of Italy. Upon arrival in Addis Ababa, the Ras informed Emperor Menelik that his signature at Wuchale in Ethiopia was also approved the power of Italy over Ethiopia.

To strengthen Harar’s linkages with the Red Sea and Indian Ocean trade routes, Ras Mekonnen appointed Sheik Mohammed Ali, an Indian business man as a Bejirond(Treasurer) of the Harar. The Sheik was in charge of merchant vessels that were deployed on the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. Sheik Mohammed helped the Ras’ army with advanced weapons. It was not by accident that the Ras’ army was armed to the teeth at the battle of Adwa.

The Ras foresaw an inevitable war looming ahead and used Zeila, the Somali port, to secure sufficient equipment and manpower. On his way to the battle, the Ras stopped in Addis Ababa to meet with Emperor Menelik.

Emperor Menelik, after visiting the Ras’s army, with admiration was believed to have said, “አልጋው ያንተ አይደለም ወይ መኮንን?” (Doesn’t the Throne belong to you Makonnen?). The Ras replied, “እኔ አልጋውን ልጠብቅ እንጂ ልገለብጥ አልመጣሁ” (I am here to protect the throne not overthrow it.)

The predicament of Ras Mekonnen before the war broke out; there was a rumor in Addis Ababa that the Italians were using Ras Mekonnen to overthrow the throne of Emperor Menelik. On the other hand, the Ras had the intention of solving the Ethio-Italian’s crisis through diplomacy. He kept writing to the Italian generals while still marching to the battles. His diplomatic effort was taken as cowardice by the Italian generals while Empress Taytu considered it as a fulfillment of the plot against her husband, Emperor Menelik.

The Ras, in the middle of this dilemma, marched 1640 km to face the enemy while Menelik and Taytu’s huge armies were behind him. If he did not receive a response letter securing a peaceful solution from the Italians he would be forced to begin the war before they arrived. However, if he failed to do either, he probably would have been detained by Empress Taytu’s men as a traitor.

With this background, the Ras had to begin his first battle against the Italian and its alien forces (Eritreans, Somalians, and Libyans). The Ras’ first victory at the battle of Amba Lage had paved a way to the victory of Mekele, and Adwa, which put Ethiopia’s, Emperor Menelik, and Empress Taytu’s names on the international arena.

The following article is translated from the book of His Excellency, Heruy Wolde Selassie, which depicted the prelude of the Battle of Adwa from the bird’s eye view.

Enjoy the reading

“The battle of Ambalage was led by Ras Mekonnen as a commander in chief. Ras Makonne and Ras Mikayel on the rear side, Ras Mangesha and Ras Alula on the right flank, Ras Wolay on the left, and Fetwarari Gebeyehu on front. Headed on horseback, each led their army towards to the Italian trench.

“To avoid bloodshed, Ras Mekonnen wrote the following message to the Italian Major Pietro Toselli, ‘Though I am here to fight, I still don’t want bloodshed so I would advise you to lead your camp and retreat. Emperor Menelik with his army is advancing swiftly; please let us avoid this preventable war. I have also an unanswered letter which I wrote to your boss, General Oreste Baratieri, I hope your help to get the answer to my letter.’

“Major Toselli’s answer was ‘The letter has reached to Geneal Baratieri and his response would come in due course. However, if your intention is peaceful, you should have waited in your camp for the answer.’

“Ras Mekonnen concluded that peaceful settlement was not attainable and decided to proceed. Fetawrari Gebyhu’s army advanced throughout the night, and at day break it reached the Italian trench and the Italians started to shoot.

“When the heavy sound of gunfire exchanged between Fetawrari Gebyhu’s army and the Italian, the rest of the Ethiopian army advanced quickly from all sides to join Fetawrari Gebeyhu. In a few minutes, the Italian trench was encircled. From the left, as the Ras Wolay’s army pushed forcefully, the Italian army started retreating to the hill and began to fire the mortar from the distance. From the center, the armies of Ras Mekonnen and Ras Michael jumped over the trench and dashed to the hill. They mixed themselves with the Italian army and fought fiercely hand to hand with sword and shield. From the right side, Ras Mangesha’s and Ras Alula’s armies ran into the rear side and began a surprise attack. Within one hour, the Italian army was completely defeated, and tried to escape, however, the passage was too narrow so they decided to throw themselves from the 400 meter-high cliff while only a few succeeded in escaping and most were forced to surrender.

“Major Toselli was a courageous soldier and refused to surrender and fought until he was killed. The casualties from both sides were numerous, the Italian lost about three thousand, and one thousand on the Ethiopian side with many injured.

“After the victory, the Ethiopian soldiers assembled themselves in various groups and began to weep and cry to mourn their dead. When Ras Mekonnen heard the weeping and crying, he chided. Standing in the middle of his army he said, ‘My friends, this is not a time to weep but to rejoice.

“It is a great honor to die for our country and for our Emperor, instead you should now address your heroic deeds,’ upon which the mood changed into war songs. They boasted about their captives and captured weapons.

“After this, Ras Makonen ordered that all dead bodies should be buried, irrespective of whether they are Ethiopians or Italians. He personally attended the burial ceremony of Major Toselli and ensured that it was done honorably.

“After Ras Mekonnen wrote a report to Emperor Menelik he marched to the next battle ground, Mekele. In his report, he mentioned that Fetawrari Gebeyhu and Kengazmach Taffese have been detained because they had breached the principle of the war; they laid their army into battle without informing to the Command Center.”

What continued in Mekele and Adwa are the histories of triumph of the united people of Ethiopia, which sent a message to the attendees of the Berlin conference that their intentions would not come to pass in Ethiopia.

I will leave you with final statement of General Baratari, the commander in chief of the Italian army, which he wrote only a few hours before he began the battle of Adwa, “The battle spirit of my soldiers is so high, but the enemy’s is fearless and belittle death.”

Happy 124^th Adwa’s victory Day!!!

The post The Battle of Ras Mekonnen appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

Tecola W Hagos, 6 March 2020

General

Let me start by reminding the people of the United States that the leader of the terrorist group that blew up the New York Twin Towers and the Pentagon and murdered thousands of American Citizens  was the Egyptian Mohamed Atta.  The following terrorist Saudis and Emirates were also the causes of that destruction: Abdulaziz al-Omari (Saudi Arabian), Wail al-Shehri (Saudi Arabian), Waleed al-Shehri (Saudi Arabian), Satam al-Suqami (Saudi Arabian) and Marwan al-Shehhi (United Arab Emirates), Fayez Banihammad (United Arab Emirates), Mohand al-Shehri (Saudi Arabian), Hamza al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabian), Ahmed al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabian). The Second Commander next to Bin Laden of the terrorist group called Al Qaida is an Egyptian terrorist called Ayman Mohammed Rabie al-Zawahiri. By contrast, Ethiopia supported America in the Korean war by sending its warriors under to fight under America’s command. Why in God’s blessed world is Donald Trump (hereafter “Trump” for brevity) supporting Egypt the home country of deadly terrorists against and over Ethiopia?

In my opinion, in case of the dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia, Trump chose the wrong side of history in supporting Egypt, for some personal gain and not in the best interest of the  United States of America [hereafter ‘America’ for brevity]  long-term or short-term foreign policy. Most commentators have written that Trump’s motive in sacrificing Ethiopia in favor of Egypt is to  win the Nobel for peace by brokering  lasting peace agreement between Palestinians and Israel. I hold the Nobel is a secondary point of interest for  Trump and Family. Trump’s interest and focus is access to the immense Sovereign wealth of Saudi Arabia and the wealth of the other Gulf countries. When Jared Kushner the senior White House Advisor and Son-in-law of Trump run into a problem paying mortgage on his Family owned the 1.8 Billion 666 Fifth Avenue skyscraper, it is Arab fund that he sought foremost. Finally, Brookfield bailed him out of an embarrassing situation by leasing that property for 99 years. Furthermore, the entanglement of Kushner with the Saudi  Crown Prince Mohammad Salman is a troubling situation. It was reported some times back that Mohammad Salman had said that Jared Kushner is in his pocket.

I could easily draw a parallel narrative between Trump’s recent manipulative involvement as a sort of conjuror/joker impartial broker in the negotiation between Egypt and Ethiopia (with Sudan, a favorably disposed participant) and the impeachment record of Trump’s abuse of power charge. The Trump impeachment charge is about abuse of power of holding back military aid to Ukraine, allegedly trying to force Ukraine Leader to conduct some kind of investigation against presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, for Trump’s own political personal advantages. It was obvious over the years that Egypt has sought the entanglement of America in its unattainable childish dream to conquer and subjugate Ethiopia and control the Tikur Abay (Blue Nile Basin) with Lake Tana.

There are several historical events that  we Ethiopians should be aware of the many tragic facts that past American Presidents, such as Civil-War-era Johnson (mercenaries), Truman (Kagnew), Eisenhour (Point Four), Nixon (coup d’état), Carter (withholding weapons), Clinton (secession), Bush (commission), and now Trump (GERD),  have tried without success to subjugate us  and destroy our pride and sovereignty. But they have inflicted on us in the guise of friendship and handouts tremendous moral decay and economic setbacks. Look at the Chinese who have financed and constructed in less than a couple of decades tremendous infrastructure allover Ethiopia that American Presidents did not do a fraction as much in their one-hundred years so called friendly relationship with Ethiopia. America’s Presidential ultimate betrayal is now personified in Donald Trump who is trying to force Ethiopia into signing a revitalized colonial period treaty that Ethiopia is fighting off by building the GERD with its own money and within its sovereign territory harnessing the vital force of its own mighty Tikur Abiay (Blue Nile River).

The Objective and the Whys of the GERD

Egypt falsely is casting the dispute about the filling of the GERD as a national security issue. The fact is totally far from such war mongering and deals with down to earth economic issues of equitable use of a natural resource. Ethiopia is building the GERD in order to generate electric power, ie hydropower generated by gravitation cascading water turning turbans to produce electric power. the water of the Blue Nile will simply flow into its traditional water course and join the White Nile at Khartoum. There is no farming irrigation project that will reduce the flow of the river significantly. The Dam could be easily filled in three to seven years without causing harm to Sudan or Egypt. It will act as a great control system from the recurring flooding of the Nile River areas in both Sudan and Egypt. The benefit for all Riparian states is immense.

Egypt’s Rabid Behavior

Egypt has been for  the last couple of centuries a horrible neighbor to Ethiopia. Egypt  throughout its history after its independence was asserted by the  Ottoman ruler Mohammad Ali Pasha of Greek Origin emerged as an independent nation but not for too long. Modern Egypt is a byproduct of the Ottoman masters who employing Mameluke non-Arab  mostly Slavic slave soldiers dominated the leadership of Egyptian military and government to this day. . The current power structure of Egypt has no connection whatsoever with the original people of  Pharonic Kemet.  Ethiopians have always been generous to Egyptians through out the thousand years connections. The foreign Slavic origin Khedives and most current military commanders such as Alsisi have inherited such a legacy that they taunt as something to be proud of. Don’t forget the facts that for centuries Egypt was ruled by Alexander’s General forming the Ptolemaic Dynasty that included Cleopatra, before Egyptians were ruled by the Romans, followed by the Ottomans. The French too subjugated Egypt during the Napoleonic wars.  In the 19^th Century they became a British Protectorate.

The few Egyptians I met in College were erratic with serious identity problems. I found them to be racist and emotionally immature like most Arabs I have met. I believe that Engineer Simegnew Bekele was murdered by Egyptian agents. The ridiculous report of the Ethiopian Federal Police that Engineer Simegnew Bekele committed suicide should be discarded and a new investigation must be conducted in collaboration with internationally recognized experts on such types of violence.  I believe several current TPLF Leaders in order to hide their looting of billions of dollar value, the OLF in toto, and Jawar Mohammed are in the service of Egypt/Arabs and are fully engaged in the Egyptian grand project of causing instability, violence, and ethnic cleansing on a massive scale in Oromo, Somali, Amhara, and Gambela Kilils.

 Support PM Abiy Ahmed

There is no room for political games now, especially during a time that Ethiopia is being attacked by both the United States and Egypt. All Ethiopians irrespective of their political differences with the current Ethiopian Government must rally around our leader PM Abiy Ahmed. We must ensure that election takes place as scheduled. It is a fact that I had highly criticized PM Abiy Ahmed’s too frequent international activities flying off to Arab, European, and Asian countries during a time of instability, violence, and ethnic cleansing taking place on a massive scale in Oromo, Somali, Amhara, Gambela et cetera Kilils, inappropriate and wasteful of hard currency.   However, at times I have pointed out about a number of activities of Abiy Ahmed as patriotic and admirable. Now, that Abiy Ahmed is making bold decisions in protecting Ethiopia’s Sovereignty and dignity in read to American and Egyptian arrogance, I am committed to support him in this patriotic stand against injustice and bullies.

I urge Abiy Ahmed to disclose all communications and draft agreements, letters of understanding to the Ethiopian public on time without delay. A well informed public is the best defender of the interest of Ethiopia. I urge Abiy Ahmed to make sure that his disagreement with TPLF, OLF, and/or Jawar Mohammad is fully disclosed to Oromos and Tigrai people et cetera. He must heal the caustic relationships between the leaderships of Amhara and Tigrai Killils. I urge Abiy Ahmed to Include the great Ethiopian Somali Kilil leader to prominence. Provide him with additional funding and military hardware.

Trump Reincarnated Andrew Johnson

In particular, Trump reminds me of another American President Andrew Johnson, who was elected as Vice President of Abraham Lincoln and succeeded to the Presidency after Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. Just like Trump,  Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1868 on eleven charges one of which seems to me similar to that charge of abuse of power Trump was impeached for.  Andrew Johnson was a blatantly racist degenerate poorly educated rustic unelected one-term president who championed Egypt against Ethiopia for no cause involving America.  Herein below I quoted from Miller Center studies as reported by Ethiopedia a parallel history illustrative of what Trump is trying to do following in the footsteps of Andrew Johnson who approved former Civil War General Sherman to recruit American mercenaries to lead Egyptian military to attack Ethiopia and occupy the Blue Nile basin and Lake Tana.

Andrew Johnson is described by the Miller Center as “the worst possible person to have been President at the end of the Civil War. His Secretary of State instigated and gave the green light to the Confederate General Sherman to recruit and ship the secret mercenaries to Egypt to kill the Ethiopians and capture the Nile Basin and Maritime lands of Ethiopia. Sherman was also commander-in-chief of the United States between 1865-1883 and his recruiting of confederate armies against Ethiopia took place at this time. [Dispatched] mercenaries to Egypt to kill the Ethiopians and capture the Nile Basin and Maritime lands of Ethiopia. In the end however almighty Ethiopia prevailed.” The Egyptian misadventure took place during the Reign of Emperor Yohannes IV and under the command of his illustrious Ras Alula Aba Nega at 1. Gundet, 16 November 1875 and 2. Gura , 8-9 March 1876 whereby the Civil War Generals leading the Egyptian Army along with their Egyptian counterparts including the Khedive’s son were trashed and humiliated by Ethiopian Black Warriors who never been defeated by anybody.

Statements by Treasury Secretary Mnuchin

In my long adult life as a student of international law and as a devoted professional of international treaties,  agreements, letters of intent, or drafts, I have never read such a deceitful, dishonest, and amateurish piece by an official of any government in the world  as the statement issued by the U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. To begin with, first, Mnuchin’s demand that Ethiopia sign the draft “agreement” is insulting and beyond any diplomatic decorum. No Government will sign a document  drafted even by its own appointed experts let alone by a third party without first reading such document to make sure the draft agreement reflects the interests of the parties accurately. Ethiopia has every legal and Sovereign right and power to walk away from any negotiation without signing any document. Period.  The Second deceitful statement by the Secretary is the fact that he never addressed the document solely prepared by his employees as a draft. He wrote all over in his official statements referring to the draft document as “agreement”, with equivocation in meaning, even though there is only a draft “agreement”. Elementary lesson for Mnuchin and his deceitful experts is that an “agreement” happens in formal treaties or contracts after proper signing of the document. The signing of a draft agreement occurs after a document is read, reviewed, and corrections or additions made as needed. If there is cause for proper public consultations that too will be observed. No treaty or agreement of such magnitude can be rushed with set cut-off time to satisfy the time schedule of a third party in this case that of Donald Trump.

The responses of Gedu Andargachew and Seleshi Bekele effectively neutered both Egyptian and American Leaders’ effort to have Ethiopia sign a truly hotchpotch document. Both  Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Trump, as well as Mnuchin, sound shallow, thuggish, and criminal conspirators in many of their public statements, It is an insult to try to force a sovereign and ancient country like Ethiopia sign up a document with such urgency. What is all this urgency for by the American Government? It is really none of America’s business how slowly or when Ethiopia fills the Dam. In fact, I urge the Ethiopian Government to cut off America from the ongoing negotiation between the three primary riparian countries.

Recommendations for the Ethiopia of Abiy Ahmed

Step 1: Withdraw from the Washington Negotiation immediately. Make public all drafts, communications,  from the American, Egyptian and Sudanese Governments  concerning the GERD and the Blue Nile basin. Reinforce the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) (2010) by inviting all Nile Basin States for a new Conference.

America will meddle in Ethiopia’s Blue Nile basin issues endlessly if given an opening like the recent Trump’s effort to “moderate” talks/negotiations to reach an agreement on the filling of the GERD that showed the true face of American government ill intent toward Ethiopia. It is utterly sophomoric for anyone to assume that America to be an impartial moderator, considering the amount of leverage the Arab world has on America in billions of dollar assets,  and trade value, and all forms of economic interests. By contrast, Ethiopia is involved in limited trade and business interactions with America. Even the balance of trade is in favor of America.

Step 2: Although I have no doubt about the patriotism of Minister Degu Andargachew, I do not think he is the right person to be the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I suggest either to appoint a special envoi For the Blue Nile/GERD dispute with Egypt or replace Degu Andargachew, for he does not have the right education, he does not command the necessary fluent English language ability, and he has no commanding presence and charisma to lead a Foreign Ministry or a delegation to negotiate any major treaty. Make sure to appoint either man or Woman who have physical presence. There is no personal animosity from my side toward Degu, he is simply not the right person for the job.  He Could be Deputy Prime Minister.The current Minister for Water, Energy and Irrigation, Sileshi Bekele has an ideal physical presence, but must improve his English language skill with a professional trainer.

Step 3: Liquidate all subversive agents (foreigners or Ethiopians) promoting Egypt and the members of the Arab League  within Ethiopia.  Ethiopia must organize and reinforce existing counter-spy structures. Do not be shy about violence against subversive agents in the service of Egypt and its supporters within Ethiopia. 

Step 4: Declare National military recruitment and create New Military Command for the Defense of GERD. Recruit a million young volunteers who will train as guerilla fighters.

Step 5: Form a Strategy Commission made up of Elders, Scholars, Community leaders, Young Ethiopian Association Leaders to assist in dealing with Egyptian Treat.

Step 6. Form Ethiopian Mothers and Children Associations. The Association will supplement all existing social services.

Step 7. Form Patriotic Youth Vanguard Associations. and create a Ministry of Ethiopian Youth in order to monitor, finance, guide, and direct the patriotism of all young Ethiopians.

Step 8: Establish in every village,  town, and city a monthly held communal Lunch either on Saturday or Sunday to promote the defense of Ethiopia against Egyptian and American treats.

Step 9: Improve and expand agricultural production. Improve cattle, and other farm animals husbandry.  

Step 10: Expand and improve health services. Increase the number of clinics and hospitals. Lobby all technologically advanced nations for support in health care for rural Ethiopia, mostly for pharmaceutical products/medicine.  

In conclusion

I would like to quote the former Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation, Alemayehu Tegenu, whom I admire immensely: “Ethiopia will never ask the consent of any country to undertake development projects. Ethiopia is an independent country and will never request the consent of any country. Ethiopia will undertake its development projects in a way that does not cause any significant harm to any country. Moreover, Ethiopia undertakes its development projects based on principles. It takes into consideration the benefits of the countries from the development projects as well as friendship and healthy relations with the countries.”  [Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation, interview, ‘Newstime Africa’, March 2, 2015] Alemayehu has captured the right attitude and spirit that all Ethiopian Officials should take to heart.

PM Abiy Ahmed should never again allow America to get involved in any capacity in the Blue Nile GERD issues with Egypt. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, or Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation, inform the Governments of the United States, Egypt, and Sudan that the Ethiopian Government has no reason to continue the Washington Negotiation under open threat and one-sidedness of the United States.  Once such cutting off letter is delivered to all Officials of the Ethiopian Government must speak in one voice and must not respond to calls or any form of personal contacts by such officials of the United States.

Egypt had lost every battle it ever fought in the last two hundred years. Its military is just puffed up paper-tiger, and no Ethiopian Government official should be worried about military attacks by Egyptians. They probably would use idiotic mercenaries from neighboring  countries. Ethiopia’s response must always be fast and devastatingly violent. If Egypt tries to bomb the GERD directly or through third parties, Ethiopia should retaliate by hitting the Aswan Dam. If Egypt attempts to place military stations, its soldiers in any of the neighboring countries in South Sudan, Djibouti, North Sudan, or any part of Somalia Ethiopia should attack and destroy such outposts of Egypt. Considering the current constructive and extremely important reconciliation between Abiy’s Ethiopian Government and the Eritrean Government, and if Eritrea foolishly allows Egypt such beachhead, Ethiopia should attack such formations on Eritrean soil, Ethiopia ought to attack and neutralize such treat without delay. Of course, the main issue is where would Ethiopia get the military resources to launch such defensive attacks? The short answer is its own existing resources and by mobilizing millions of its young people. The temptation to connect with Iran must be avoided, rather connections with South Africa,  South Korea, France, Germany, Ukraine, Spain, Italy must be enhanced and courted with proper incentives.  Italy’s major Construction Company is the Contractor building the GERD. Mexico, and several South American countries are great supporters of Ethiopia. Such relationship must be enhanced and pursued vigorously.

I am very much aware of how people in the world thinks about Ethiopia or Ethiopians and our culture. The perception of other nations of Ethiopia is simply secondary and not be a decisive factor that would make me hide the truth, especially a type of truth helpful to build a healthy society based on justice and equality for all. I am not in any way bashful to state openly and bluntly that of all the histories of nations, communities, and societies I have studied, none has impressed me so positively as that of the history of the people of Ethiopia. I find in Ethiopians great nobility of spirit, great moral principles, and tremendous strength of character and surviving with great dignity against tremendous man-made and natural disastrous situation of recurring famine, civil war, inept leaders, et cetera.

I cannot see how a people from the West, or the East could give us any moral lesson when their history is drenched to its core with the blood of hundreds of millions of innocent victims. What is important to me, more than technological and industrial development, is the moral and ethical content of a society. Development without the corollary moral and ethical development leads to social disaster as evidenced in the death and destruction of the Second World War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf Wars et cetera. We need to focus on a single monumental treat to our independence and Sovereignty paused by Egypt and the America of Donald Trump. Long live Ethiopia, the land of Firsts.

Tecola W Hagos

6 March 2020

The post “IN THE END HOWEVER ALMIGHTY ETHIOPIA PREVAILED”: IN SUPPORT OF ABIY AHMED NOT BOWING TO THE TREATS OF TRUMP AND El-Sisi appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam

… Ethiopians have no desire or idea to harm the Egyptian people. We believe that we should benefit from this river, the Nile, but when we benefit, we should not do harm to the Egyptian people. We want to forget what was in the past and begin a phase of cooperation … We will take care of the Nile, and we will preserve your share of the Nile water and we will work to increase this share.” — H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, June 10, 2018 talking about a peaceful resolution of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance (Hedase) Dam disputes…

… Some say things about use of force (by Egypt). It should be underlined that no force could stop Ethiopia from building a dam. If there is a need to go to war, we could get millions readied. If some could fire a missile, others could use bombs. But that’s not in the best interest of all of us… — H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, October 22, 2019, addressing those who stoke up war hysteria and threaten to wage war on Ethiopia.

The Greek historian Herodotus is said to have called Egypt the “Gift of the Nile”. If Egypt is the gift of the Nile, then Egypt should beware not bite the hand that gave it the precious gift. It is the height of folly to tread on Ethiopia. Don’t tread on Ethiopia. ኢትዮጵያን አትንኩ! — Alemayehu G. Mariam

Ethiopia is being victimized by the “Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation” (ALFND)

On March 2, 2020, Soliman Wadhan, deputy speaker of the Egyptian parliament declared “Egypt will not stand helpless in the face of ‘Ethiopia’s conspiracies’ and is ready to take all measures necessary to preserve its historical rights to the Nile water.”

Wadhan offered no evidence of an “Ethiopian conspiracy” or any sort of improper action.

But there is a real, long-standing and current secret propaganda conspiracy that is unfolding before our eyes.

It is a four-pronged conspiracy:

It is a conspiracy of lies, fake news and disinformation to demonize Ethiopia that is concocted, coordinated and spread in the international media and in American policy circles by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin, World Bank Group President David Malpass and the Egyptian Government, the “Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation” (ALFND).

It is a conspiracy that has the ultimate aim of reducing Ethiopia to a “water colony” of Egypt by reinventing, reinforcing and perpetuating the nearly century-long deprivation of Ethiopian sovereign rights under an outdated and oppressive colonial-era treaties that excluded Ethiopia.

It is a conspiracy that aims to diplomatically isolate and cripple Ethiopia in the world community, expose Ethiopia to global condemnation, censure and denunciation and delegitimize any and all of Ethiopia’s rightful claim to use the waters of the Nile to lift itself out of perennial poverty.

The “Washington talks” charade was a bait and switch conspiracy by the ALFND to bring Ethiopia to the table and arm twist her into signing an agreement concocted by the ALFND.

In 1929, Britain and Egypt conspired and drafted a treaty denying Ethiopia all rights to use the Nile River even though Ethiopia is the fountainhead of the Blue Nile.

In 1959, Egypt conspired with the military junta regime in Sudan to reaffirm and expand its “rights” under the 1929 treaty and deny all rights to Ethiopia in the use of the Nile.

In 2020, Egypt conspired with the Trump Administration and the World Bank to reaffirm and vastly expand its “rights” under the 1929 treaty and 1959 agreement and deny Ethiopia any and all rights to use the Nile, specifically by demanding a 12-20 year reservoir filling time for the GERD and renunciation of any and all future development on the Nile River or its tributaries.

The current ALFND sleazy propaganda conspiracy against Ethiopia aims to accomplish a variety of objectives including those listed below:

1) Demonize Ethiopia in the global media as the “bad guy” in the so-called “Washington GERD talks and agreement”.

2) Create global sympathy and solidarity for Egypt as the underdog denied and deprived life-saving Nile river water and provoke global condemnation against Ethiopia as a greedy and rapacious nation hellbent on making money by selling electric power. In other words, the the ALFND have launched a media campaign propagandizing that the Nile waters are a matter of life and death for Egypt but a wasteful luxury for Ethiopia.

3) Tar and feather Ethiopia as an international outlaw that flouts international conventions, treaties and agreements, including a 2015 agreement on the equitable use of the Nile waters.

4) Show Egypt as always negotiating in good faith and with sincere political will to reach an agreement that meets the interests of the three countries and depict Ethiopia as always acting in bad faith and in flagrant disregard for the needs of downstream countries.

5) The U.S. has played a fair and constructive role in the Washington GERD talks over the past 4 months and all of the achievements were wrecked by a reckless Ethiopia which refused to sign it the final agreement by boycotting it.

6) The “agreement” prepared by Mnuchin and Malpass are valid final agreements endorsed by Ethiopia which Ethiopia in bad faith abandoned at the last minute.

7) Any use of Nile River water by Ethiopia will destroy Egyptian agriculture, its economy and infrastructure.

8) Final testing and filling should not take place without an agreement because of unfinished work on the safe operation of the GERD and the need to implement all necessary dam safety measures in accordance with international standards before filling begins.

9) Ethiopia and Egypt could go to war if an agreement is not reached soon.

10) International organizations and governments should sanction Ethiopia for not signing the Mnuchin-Malpass GERD agreement.

The INDISPUTABLE facts about Ethiopia’s sovereign right to use the Nile River and disproving the campaign of the Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation.

Fact # 1: Ethiopia is NOT bound by treaties Egypt has concluded with other countries in the use of Nile River waters. Ethiopia is NOT bound by any treaty or agreement to which it is not a party.

In 1929, Egypt and Britain concluded The Anglo-Egyptian Treaty on the utilization of the  waters of the Nile River declaring Egypt has a  “natural and historic rights in the waters of the Nile”. Ethiopia was not a party to that agreement.

That treaty accomplished two objectives: 1) allocate 48 billion cubic meters of water to Egypt and 4 billion cubic meters to Sudan from an estimated annual flow of 84 billion cubic meters, and 2) granted Egypt veto power on any construction projects on the Nile River, including in Ethiopia, to permanently guarantee full flow of Nile waters  to Egypt without any access or use by Ethiopia.

In 1959,  a bilateral agreement was signed between Egypt and the military junta regime in Sudan which reaffirmed the 1929 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty and increased Egypt’s water allocation from 48 billion cubic meters to 55.5 billion cubic meters and from 4 billion cubic meters to 18.5 billion cubic meters for Sudan. This agreement made no allowances for Ethiopia, the source of 80 percent of the water that flows into the Nile River.

Ethiopia was NOT a party to the 1959 agreement.

Fact # 2: Ethiopia is a sovereign nation and can use its resources without the permission of any other power and consistent with applicable international law and commitments.

Under the 2015 Declaration of Principles (DOP) agreed to by Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopia has faithfully and without evasion performed its obligations, and upheld its commitments  to utilization and sharing water resources with downstream countries in an equitable and reasonable manner, among many other things.

Ethiopia has also upheld its commitment to implement the recommendations of the International Panel of Experts (IPOE) on first filling and operation of the dam covering different scenarios during the construction of GERD and create an appropriate coordination mechanism among them.

Above all and without question, Ethiopia has agreed and is fully committed to resolving all disputes by the heads of states as stated in Article 10 of the DOP.

Egypt’s effort to flagrantly disregard the DOP and pressure Ethiopia by enlisting the support of the Trump Administration and the World Bank is a supreme example of its fundamental bad faith, duplicity and hypocrisy in the GERD negotiations.

Ethiopia at all times has acted in good faith and lived up to its obligations under the DOP while Egypt demonstrably acted in bad faith by running to Trump and the World  Bank to end run the entire process that has been going on for the past nine years.

The fact of the matter is that Ethiopia need the GERD because it has a growing population at 110 million, one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and its people need to be lifted out of poverty. The GERD is just as important to Ethiopia as Aswan Dam is to Egypt. It is not simply an infrastructure project. It is Ethiopia’s pathway out of centuries-long poverty and privation. But the GERD is valuable not only to Ethiopia but also to neighboring countries including Egypt.

Fact #3: The U.S. set up the “Washington GERD talks” in bad faith and colluded with Egypt to trap Ethiopia and force her to sign an “agreement” under duress and threat of foreign aid and World Bank loan cut-offs. The U.S., the World Bank and Egypt tricked Ethiopia into attending the “Washington GERD talks” by false pretenses, calculated misrepresentation, deception, treachery and mendacity.

Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin, World Bank Group President David Malpass “invited” Ethiopia to the “talks” with a bait and switch trick up their sleeves.

On November 6, 2019, the Treasury Department announced:

… The ministers [of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt] agreed that the World Bank and the United States would support and attend the meetings as observers… If an agreement is not reached by January 15, 2020, the foreign ministers agree that Article 10 of the 2015 Declaration of Principles will be invoked. (Italics added.)

On January 31, 2020, the Treasury Department reaffirmed its observer role in an announcement:

… The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Water Resources of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and their delegations met with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the World Bank, participating as observers in negotiations on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in Washington, D.C. on January 28-31, 2020… (Italics added.)

On February 9. 2020, the New York Times in a report on the “Washington GERD talks” headlined, “President Trump is mediating.”

On February 28, 2020, the Treasury Department issued an announcement stating:

… The United States facilitated the preparation of an agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) based on provisions proposed by the legal and technical teams of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and with the technical input of the World Bank… (Italics added.) 

The Treasury Department imperiously commanded: “… [F]inal testing and filling should not take place without an agreement.”

In less than 4 months, the U.S. metamorphosized from “observer” to “facilitator” to “mediator”, to “broker”, to binding arbitrator and to “bully arm twister” commanding, “final testing and filling [of the Dam] should not take place without an agreement.”

At no time during the four months did the U.S. reveal its evolving role from observer to binding arbitrator.

There is no explanation by Mnuchin and Malpass why, as clearly indicated in the November 6 Treasury announcement, the matter was not referred to the heads of states pursuant to Article 10 “if an agreement is not reached by January 15, 2020″.  Manifestly, no agreement was reached by January 15. The Ethiopians reasonably expected the January 15 date would be respected. It was then that they found out they had been had, been took, bamboozled and let astray.

The whole “Washington talks” charade was a bait and switch conspiracy sprung on Ethiopia in midstream.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia David Shinn said it best commenting on the chameleon role played by the U.S. “You can’t all of a sudden play the role of a binding arbitrator or you’re telling one party or the other what to do”.

Suffice it to say, I smell a dirty rat when an “observer” suddenly becomes a “binding arbitrator”. 

The U.S. and Egypt intended to trap the Ethiopian ministers, arm twist, strong arm, bully and coerce them into signing an “agreement” they had secretly concocted among themselves. They did not succeed.

Fact #4: NO agreement between Ethiopia, Egypt and the Sudan was reached in the so-called Washington discussions. Secretary Mnuchin and World Bank President Malpass LIED through their teeth when they represented to the world Ethiopia had agreed to the “agreement” they drafted. There is only an “agreement” drafted by Secretary Mnuchin and World Bank President Malpass, pre-signed by Egypt and imposed on Ethiopia and the Sudan.

The Ethiopian Government has flatly and unequivocally rejected Mnuchin’s claim Ethiopia has agreed to the agreement Mnuchin and Malpass had prepared:

Ethiopia does not accept the characterization that the negotiation on the Guidelines and Rules on the First Filling and Annual Operation of the GERD (Guidelines and Rules) is completed. The “text” reportedly initialed by the Arab Republic of Egypt in Washington D.C. is not the outcome of the negotiation or the technical and legal discussion of the three countries. Ethiopia made it clear that the Guidelines and Rules must be prepared by the three countries. The Countries are yet to address outstanding issues pertaining to the finalization of the Guidelines and Rules.

Mnuchin and Malpass knew they were perpetrating a LIE, a DAMNED LIE, to demonize Ethiopia when they said Ethiopia had agreed to their agreement.

The Ethiopian Government’s position that the Mnuchin-Malpass “text is not the outcome of negotiations is fully supported by the Egyptian Government which officially stated “the agreement to fill and operate the renaissance dam was developed by the American side and the world bank”. Ethiopia, Egypt and the Sudan were simply handed a “text” to sign, which Egypt pre-signed with a nod and a wink, while Ethiopia and the Sudan did not.

Fact #5: Egyptian zero-sum water games: Anglo-Egyptian Agreement (1929), Sudan Egypt Agreement (1959), Mnuchin-Malpass-Egypt Agreement (2020)

Egypt today is playing the same old agreement game it has been playing for nearly a century.

It is called the Nile River Zero-Sum Game.

The rules are written by Egypt and its colonial and neo-colonial masters: Egypt gets all the Nile water, Ethiopia gets nothing, not even the evaporation from the river because Egypt wants to tax that with additional release of water by Ethiopia from the GERD.

In 1929, Egypt used its colonial master Britain to play its Nile River zero-sum game.

In 2020, Egypt is trying to use the U.S. to play its Nile River zero-sum game.

Today, Egypt is trying to substitute the United States for Britain to do its dirty work on Ethiopia.

Ethiopia will not put up with Egypt’s Nile River Zero-Sum Game.

The days of Egypt sucking dry the teats of Ethiopia’s Nile River is over.

It is GAME OVER for the Egypt Nile River Zero-Sum Game

For nearly a century, Egypt has succeeded in its zero-sum game against Ethiopia.

That stops with the new GERD Game played only by one rule: equitable and reasonable utilization of the Nile waters by Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.

Fact #6: Any “Agreement” prepared, drafted or otherwise tendered to the parties by the Treasury Department and the World Bank in the GERD talks is in violation of U.S. federal law and Constitution and is therefore null and void.

Any “agreement” drafted by Secretary Steven Mnuchin and the World Bank Group’s David Malpass is unconstitutional and in violation of federal law and therefore null and void.

In “preparing” the “final agreement” Secretary Mnuchin unconstitutionally trespassed on the powers of the State Department and his actions are ultra vires (beyond his legal authority) as a matter of federal law.

By engaging in “negotiations with public ministers or other foreigners, or to such other matters respecting foreign affairs”, Mnuchin and Malpass have illegally usurped, and continue to usurp, the jurisdiction of the State Department and flagrantly violate the Act of Congress of July 20, 1789 which provides, “negotiations with public ministers or other foreigners, or to such other matters respecting foreign affairs” are the exclusive domain of the State Department.

Given the fact that Ethiopia and the United States are in “dispute” over the GERD agreement, David Robert Malpass, President of the World Bank Group and a private American citizen, is in violation of the Logan Act, 18 U.S. Code § 953, in past and any continuing participation in the so-called “Washington DC GERD Talks” and in drafting and preparing U.S. foreign policy instruments.

The fact of the matter is that the so-called agreement drafted and prepared by Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin and World Bank President David Malpass is not worth the paper it is written on.

Ethiopia has no obligation to sign or even participate in diplomatic negotiations or discussions conducted by unauthorized officers of the United States. Secretary Mnuchin and President Malpass are unauthorized officers of the U.S. to conduct foreign policy.

 Fact #7: Africans, the African Union, and Article 10 of the Declaration of Principles, NOT the United States, the International of Justice or any other Western organization or institution be the final arbiters should be the agency to deal with the GERD issue.

Why did Egypt run to Uncle Sam (the U.S.), in much the same way as it did in the past to Uncle John Bull and Old Blighty (Britain) to solve the GERD-related disputes?

After all, the Nile River is a trans-boundary resource shared by 11 African countries including Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. Shouldn’t the AU at least get a chance to address the issues?

Why didn’t Egypt seek out African Union involvement in addressing the GERD issue first?  After all, Egyptian President El Si-Si was the Chairman of the African Union until a few weeks ago.

How could Africa ever deal with its own problems if African countries run to their former colonial or neo-colonial masters for solutions?

It should  come as no surprise to anyone that Ethiopia, the only African country to have maintained its independence for thousands of years and never colonized, despite two attempts by Italy, should stand its ground and not kneel before anyone and sign an agreement under duress or trickery. Italy tried to do just that in the Treaty of Wuchiale and learned a hard lesson at the Battle of Adwa, 124 years ago to the week.

There will be no Treaty of Washington to bargain away the GERD!

Fact #8:  What is good for the goose is good for the gander. If Egypt can dictate to Ethiopia on the use of the Nile River, Ethiopia can dictate to Egypt in the same way.

Egypt today wants to dictate what should happen to the Nile River and how Ethiopia may or may not use the GERD.

If Egypt could demand 10-20-year filling for the GERD, Ethiopia could easily demand a 75 percent reduction in the use of Nile River water for Aswan Dam for the next 10-20 years.

If Egypt could demand no development on its stretch of the Nile River, Ethiopia could demand no development on Egypt’s stretch of the Nile.

The Nile River is a two-way river. Whatever can happen upstream can also happen downstream.

An old lesson for Egypt: “What is good for the goose is good for the gander.”

Fact #9: MAKE THE MNUCHIN-MALPASS GERD AGREEMENT PUBLIC!

If Ethiopia is the “bad guy” in refusing the GERD agreement, let Mnuchin and Malpass release their so-called final agreement to the public.

What are they trying to hide in their secret agreement?

Are the Axis afraid their true colors – hypocrites, liars, diplomatic bullies, cheats and frauds — will be revealed if they make their so-called agreement public?!

Let the world judge Ethiopia on the basis of the truth and facts.

Fact #10: The River Nile is a gift to Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. They should work together in good faith and in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood to enjoy this gift. 

Egypt needs to face a stark fact: The days of sucking dry the teats of Ethiopia’s Nile River is over. Period!

Egypt needs to be more creative and resourceful:

It should plan to invest in desalination plants, water conservation and less water intensive agriculture. It should develop nuclear energy. It should divert its huge military spending to civilian infrastructure projects.

Egypt should develop its huge aquifers (Nile, Nubian sandstone, coastal, fissured, etc.)

And for goodness’ sake, stop all this nonsensical talk about waging war on Ethiopia.

History shows those leaders who waged war on Ethiopia met the most gruesome fates.

Egyptian leaders should learn from the experiences of those leaders who launched aggression on Ethiopia and failed spectacularly.

Prime Minister Francesco Crispi of Italy resigned in total humiliation after the Italian defeat at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 at the hands of Emperor Menilek II of Ethiopia.

In 1935, Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia. In 1941, Ethiopia defeated Italy and Emperor Haile Selassie returned triumphantly.

Mussolini was executed by Italian partisans in 1945 principally because of his misadventures in Ethiopia. “Angry crowds strung up his corpse, spat on it, stoned it, and otherwise desecrated it before finally laying it to rest.”

Let Egyptian leaders who contemplate war on Ethiopia take heed. History repeats itself!

The Greek historian Herodotus is said to have called Egypt the “Gift of the Nile”.

If Egypt is the gift of the Nile, then Egypt should beware not bite the hand that gave it the precious gift.

President Ronald Reagan said, “History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.”

Those who threaten aggression on Ethiopia by proclaiming they will “defend their interest by all means necessary” should know the price of their aggression will be a quick death on Ethiopian soil.

One hundred twenty-four years ago to the week, a European aggressor, equipped with the latest military technology with thousands of soldiers armed to the teeth, was wiped out in less than half a day.

It is true history repeats itself.

Let any aggressor try to tread on Ethiopia in 2020. He will surely meet the fate of the European aggressor in the Battle of Adwa in 1896.

It is the height of folly to tread on Ethiopia.

“ኢትዮጵያ ማለት ሰላም ናት
ለጦርነት አንቸኩልም
ገፍቶ የመጣን ጠላት ግን
አንለቅም አንምርም
ዶጋ አመድ እናረግዋለን።”

This is the time for all Ethiopians to come together and fight the “Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation” with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So help us God!

To be continued… How to fight back against the Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation demonizing Ethiopia…

The post The Sleazy Propaganda Conspiracy by the Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation (ALFND) to Demonize Ethiopia in the GERD (Nile) Dam “Agreement” appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

By Alula M. Abate

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had a memorable Super Tuesday last week (March 3, 2020) with a stunning come-from-behind victory in ten states  in the biggest election day of the Democratic Primary competition. In the delegate rich state of Texas, which is home to tens of thousands of Ethiopian Americans, Biden won 60% of the black vote. Historically, the results on Super Tuesday are considered a powerful barometer of the high probability of the ultimate nominee of each political party. In addition to Texas Biden captured 69 % of the black vote in Virginia, which is also home to a sizable concentration of Ethiopian American voters and an incredible 72 percent in Alabama.

“In recent decades, old-style kingmakers faded from American politics. This year, though, there are hundreds of thousands of them: the African American voters across the South who gave Joe Biden a lead in the race for the Democratic nomination,” stated the Washington post. “There appeared to be some regional and generational differences in which candidates black voters prefer. Biden won the African American vote by considerably smaller margins in California, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Exit polls suggested that, in keeping with his strength among young voters, Sanders likely beat Biden among black voters under 30. But Biden won the overall black vote everywhere. Black America, it would seem, has made up its mind.”

Indeed, historians and political scientists  point out that the “interracial, interethnic and intergenerational collaboration that elected Obama and Biden in 2008 and 2012 remains a force to be reckoned with in 2020.

Be that as it may, the question remains where exactly is America headed under the current administration?

Traditionally during an election year the media plays an indispensable part in providing answers while shaping the public conversation and debate, which is the hallmark of a mature democratic system. Regrettably, however, VOA Amharic is failing when it comes to its redundant, superfluous and one-sided Ethiopian diaspora punditry that has remained virtually unchanged for the past three presidential election cycles. One of the major ways the media such as VOA  contributes to the health of this  participatory civic experience is by selecting which commentators to feature when and why. Voters depend on credible information to make reasonable choices, not mulish puffery and agitprop.

Joe Biden’s resurgent victory may or may not be a harbinger of things to come in the general election, but what’s clear is that the sentiments of the democratic party’s silent majority is no longer in doubt. When all is said and done it’s the job of good journalism to help separate the wheat from the chaff and the spin from the propaganda. The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network, which is the world’s largest online community and repository of electoral knowledge, illustrates that ”media’s role as a public educator is in essence a combination of media’s other roles (including as “watchdogs,” and “forums for debate”].  ACE specifies that “media as a campaign platform ensures the public is educated in political agendas of all participating parties and candidates equally. ”

For starters, the tax-payer funded channel should diversify its Ethiopian-American portfolio in order to present a more balanced election coverage in 2020. Ethiopian American viewpoints are not chiseled out of a single stone. To the contrary, they are as diverse as Ethiopia itself holding very divergent perspectives on various matters both local and international informed by their own individual experiences.  The instability of the stock market, the unfolding health crisis, worries about an imminent economic downturn and other local kitchen-table issues as well as foreign policy developments are all driving factors behind the average Ethiopian voter.

On foreign policy, for example, most Ethiopians have become disappointed to say the least by the Trump administration’s recent undiplomatic maneuvers in favor of Egypt in connection with Ethiopia’s five billion dollars Grand Renaissance Dam project on the Nile (Abay) river. The whole backhanded scheme blew up in the face of the Trump administration and Egypt when Ethiopia withdrew from the latest talks being held in the U.S. capital and lambasted America for its insensitive and tactless handling of the negotiations. The Egypt-Ethiopia fiasco follows Trump’s bizarre public taunting of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed two months ago for winning the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. Abiy Ahmed received the distinguished international accolade for making his own deal with Eritrea that ended the longest running border conflict in Africa. Moreover, it was extremely improper that Trump in conspiracy with his head of the Department of the Treasury Steven Terner Mnuchin and  the World Bank reportedly exerted (unsuccessfully) undue financial pressure on Ethiopia to accept a rushed agreement that jeopardized its national security. Regardless, the fundamentals of U.S.-Ethiopia relations remain normal, both countries assure the world, as U.S. insists that its 5 billion cash promise is intended to help Ethiopia’s political reform not influence the Abay decision. Given Trump’s habit of playing fast and loose with the truth, it’s hard to believe what his administration is saying about anything. Some Ethiopians are even urging Prime Minister Abiy to release all documents and communications about the dam discussions to the public in defense of Ethiopia. As Bob Marly says ‘Time will tell.’

The post Time for VOA Amharic to Upgrade Its U.S. Election Coverage appeared first on Ethiopian Registrar News/Breaking News/Your right to know!.

Prof Teferedegn Haile (Shoa /Yifat)

I’ve read your article entitled “The emperor who rooted out magic in the Medieval Ethiopia” (https://www.ethiopianregistrar.com/the-emperor-who-rooted-out-magic-in-medieval-ethiopia/ ).

I the right desendant of his daughter Atsenaf Semera of Shoa gonna refute your narratives in detail. It seems that you are indeed trying to comply with that very old formalities of Eurocentric fabrication and distortion of African people’s history and civilization. Your very wrong assumption that Medieval Ethiopia has fragmentary written historical source is absolutely wrong. Quite to the contrary, ever since 13th century Ethiopia has immense annals, Chronicles, hagiologies, treatises etc. even much better than many European and Asian countries. This fact has been corroborated by one of the well known German linguist Augustus Dillman (Über die Regierung, insbesondere die Kirchenordnung König Zar’a Jakob, Berlin 1884).

Yes! you are very right, we have so many invaluable manuscripts in our ancient monasteries all over Ethiopia despite some have been stolen and looted by Westerners. Little wonder, you have mentioned in your narratives that “the courts of the emperors were marked by violence, betrayal and power struggles”. What have done their contemporaries in Europe? Other than power struggle among themselves, they were also battling to subjugate their nearest neighbouring independent nations. Moreover, in the name of Catholic Christianity there was a very powerful Inquisition office beginning in the 12th century in France and continuing for so many years until 1834 in Spain. Heresy was severely punished by burning. The largest witch-hunt trials and mass-execution took place in Germany, in the city of Würzburg, in 1626-1631. There men, women and children have been burned after first being beheaded. Not only in Europe but also in North America witch trial took place in May 1878 in Salem, Massachusetts.

All along savage Italian, French, German, Spaniard, English, Habsburg Monarchy and so many other ruling classes used to butcher the peasantry, persecute Jews and Muslims all over Europe. Subsequent to this event West European colonial expansion and trans-Atlantic slave trade began to develop.

Regarding your description of Emperor Zera‘ Yakob based upon a late 15th- or early 16th-century Ethiopic manuscript from the Giovardiana Library in Veroli, Italy, is absolutely wrong. Since the frontispiece of the book, Tamire Mariam (Miracles of Maria) does not at all look like an Ethiopian. For sure it seems to be a very recent Italian fabrication. In this regard, one of the original MS which

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was donated to the Ethiopian monastery in Jerusalem by Emperor Zera’ Yakob is now in Vatican, Rome. Moreover, another MS of Tamira Mariam which was also donated to Mekane Mary monastery which it was later on taken to Maqdella library and then was looted by the British army led by General Napier in 1868 is now in the British library catalogue No. 76 as Maqedella collection.

Great Zera’ Yakob had three brothers. His father was Emperor Dawit I

(1382-1411) and his mother was Egize Kibra. Atse Dawit same as emperor Kaleb of 6th century who conquered South Arabia and later abdicated his throne to his son Gebre Meskel so also Atse Dawit the very piteus gave his thron to his first born Tewodros I (1411-1414) mainly due to the conspiracy of the monks from Debre Haiq Estifanos monastery in Bete Amhara. After his Abdication Atse Dawit left for lake Tana Island monastery of Daga. There he had an accident and died consequently. His successor Tewodros died all of a sudden after only three years in power and was first buried in Merabete. Thereafter, the second son of Atse Dawit, Yishak (1414-1429) was crowned. He was too a great warrior same as Amade Tseyon (1314-1344). Atse Yishak marched as far as Zeila and Barbara at the coast of the Indian Ocean in order to subjugate the Muslim Sultanates of Adal. He was killed in the battle field against the Adal vassals. Thus his brother Endryas / Eskinder (1429-1430) followed him. Eskinder died of Typhus infection and his son Tekle Mariam (1430-1433) ascended to the Ethiopian throne. The cause of his death is not at all known. Due to the wide spread epidemic the war with the Muslim Adal in the East and south east and in northwest against the Felasha came to stand still for a while. The younger brother of the deceased Emperor, Serawee Ieeyesus, was crowned only for months and his junior brother Amade Iyesus (1433-1414) succeeded him. Thereafter, one of the greatest Ethiopian Medieval Emperor Zer’a Yakob as the fourth son of Atse Dawit ascended the throne.

Indeed the scribes of the time between the reign of Atse Eskindir and the ascendancy of Emperor Zer’a Yakob (1434-1468) have not detailed records. Great Zera Yakob was born in 1399 in the province of Fategar in the district of Te’leq. i.e. west of Addis Ababa in the area around mount Menagesha named Yelebasho where he had established a botanical garden. The trees he planted there are to be seen at present.

Zera Yakob and his brothers were tutored by the famous Aba Giyorgis of Gashta (Segela), the greatest Ethiopian theologian for many centuries, author of the book of mystery (Metsehafe Miste’re). Later on Zera Yakob was sent to Amba Gishen and stayed there for 20 years.

Amba Gishen in Amhara was a very unique Ethiopian Institution. It has been a common practice in many countries to keep all male members of the reigning dynasty in the imprisonment with the possible exception of the heir apparent. In India for example the Mogul rulers had their confinement at their palace in Delhi and Ottoman Sultans were strangling brothers at first and in later times they imprisoned in the Kafes. In Ethiopia, this established custom was revived when the ancient Aksumite dynasty was restored in 13th century. During the Axumite period Mount Damo in Tigre was used. The objective of the custom was the prevention of civil war. It is very well known that Amba Gishen as the school of the princes was equipped with immense reference library. It was the place of higher learning of theology, philosophy, Ethiopic poetry, liturgical compositions, etc. Zera’ Yakob was an outstanding student of Aba Giorgis and other ecclesiastically famous personalities.

At the age of 35 Zera’ Yakob (Qostentinos) was crowned in Berera at his father’s residence in Wereb. In 1436 he went to the Axum Tseyon Cathedral to revive the ancient ceremony of coronation. After that on his way back to Shoa, he established two monasteries in Amhara province at the place called Tsehaya which were called Mekane Gol and Debre Negodguwad. Moreover, he changed the name of Debre Asebo in Graria, Shoa, to Debre Libanos, enriched it with possessions, and entrusted its abbot, the eccage, with wide responsibilities for the control of all other monasteries. He settled so many new chewaas (special troops) in Dewaro (Harerghe), Ba’lee, Hadya, Fategar, Cambata, Gurage, Kafa, Gamo, Wedje, Genz, Enarea, Damot (Welega), Gambela, Bezamo, Gojam, Semen, Tselmet, Tseged, Wolqayit, Begemidir, Tigre, Sanar, Bahir Mider (Hamasen, Akale Guzayi, Bilen, Kunama, etc.), Harla, Adal, Zeyila, Berbera, etc. Bahire Negash was nominated by the Zera’ Yakob to administer Bahirmidier (Eritrea). Even though Zera Yakob was married to the sister of Gerad Mahiko of Hadya, a Muslim vassal who allied himself with his likes in Adal. In the year 1445 Sultan Ahmed Bedelaye of Adal was killed at the battle of Eguba in Yifat. Thereafter, Yifat Sultant of Welasma was expelled from upper Shoa (Yifat) beyond Awash River and Chercher Mountain to Harerghe, Zeila and Berbera Regions. Gradually Harer had become their main Centre of settlement for Adal Welasma dynasty. Zera’Yakob was not only a great warrior but also a famous theologian. He himself has written many books such as the book of light (Metsehafe Birhan), which consists of readings for Saturdays and Sundays of the month, Metsihafe Milad, Egiziabheer Negse, etc. etc. Zera’ Yakob was the one who also ordered that every church’s altar on its right side Virgin Mary icon and on the left side a cross have to be fixed. The devotions of his father and himself to the cult of the cross and of Mary the Mother of Jesus were of enormous importance. On the other hand the heretical monks of Stephanite and Michaelites rejected devotions to the Virgin Mary and the cross. Hence they have been severely punished. Religious dispute over iconoclasm in Europe was deep rooted for many centuries. The Virgin Mary has so many different names such as Blessed Virgin, Mother Mary, Our Lady, Mother of God, Queen of angels, Mary of sorrows and queen of the Universe. Virgin Mary is the patron saint of all human beings. Reverence for the Mother of God and pray to her so that she might present our prayers to God and obtain forgiveness from him for our sins started by Saint Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). Ethiopian Christians ever since the fourth century AD wrote also very beautiful prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary before St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787).

The first Christian monastery in the world is the monastery of St. Anthony in Egypt in the fourth century and spread to the Ethiopian Axumite Empire. Monastic tradition developed and Christianity flourished in Ethiopia.

Miracles of Virgin Mary

In Egypt during the reign of emperor Justinian I (527-565 A.D) of Byzantine Empire the monastery of St. Catherine at the foot of Mount Sinai was established. The legend about this monastery states that the monks were forced to abandon it due to hunger, snakes, lack of oil, pestes, flies attack, scarcity of food and water. Then they climb Mount Moses to leave the keys of their monastery. However, before they gave up they met the Blessed Virgin Mary. They were then convinced of her advice just to remain in the monastery. All over a sudden at the gate of the monastery, they have seen a caravan of traders having plenty of loads destined for them. They began asking who has ordered that for us. The merchants replied that the Virgin Mary you’ve encountered with on Mount Sinai has guided us to deliver. This act has been recorded as the Miracle of Virgin Mary. Another legend about Mother of God is from Mount Athos (Agion Oros- which means holy mountain), a mountain and a peninsula in northwestern Greece, is the most important monastery of Orthodox Christians. The first monks arrived in the 9th century and women are not allowed within 500 meters of the shore and even female animals are prohibited from walking on Mount Athos. This is because the Virgin Mary is said to have visited the peninsula and prayed to have it as her own. That is why it is called the “Garden of Virgin Mary”. She was sailing accompanied by St. John the Apostle. After the Islamic conquest of Egypt in 8th century, many monks from the Egyptian desert fled to Athos for their safety.

In Tegulet Zera’ Yakob established the monastery of Debre Mitmaqi upon hearing of the demolition of an Egyptian monastery of the same name by the Muslim Arabs. In August 1449 Zera Yakob had great council at Debre Mitmaqi where hundreds of senior abbots and clerics were assembled. The long theological division regarding Sabbaths and Sundays was once for all resolved.

Subsequently Zera’ Yakob built a palace with a golden cupola and the three churches: Trinity Church, Qirqos Church and Ansasa Mariam church of Debre Birhan in 1454. He stayed here for 14 years and died on 26th August 1468. He ruled Ethiopia for 34 years and his son Bede Mariam ascended to the throne.

From one of the Rock-hewn churches in Ethiopia the priest showing a book

Miracle of Maria, Tamire Mariam This is the typical Orthodox traditional icon.

This too is an icon of orthodox tradition.

From Lake Tana Monastery in Ethiopia.

This magnificently illuminated manuscripts from the 6th century Debre Damo

, one of the oldest monasteries of Ethiopia was which was founded by Aba Aregawi, one of the ‘Nine Saints’. His fellow 8 monks also founded monasteries in Axum, Yeha, Geralta, Medera, Amhara, Simen, Begemider, Gojam, Shoa etc. In the Medieval times the monastery Debre Damo used to have more than 6000 monks. At present it has more than 150 monks and more than 200 students.

The second part will continue with detailed information.

March 14, 2020
Tesfaye Yigzaw

Historically, present Egyptians are descendants of tenderfoot’s settlers of the seventh century after pushing native Africans, the natural owners of the land, towards south.  Subsequently, several empires such as Greece, Turkish and British colonized this land. A Hollywood Movie, embellished mystical queen Cleopatra was a descendant of Greece. Because of this, Alexandria was a center of an Orthodox Church. Presently, this city has been the center of radicalism rather than a true religious teaching. The colonizers, except the British, made their settlement around the banks of the sea shores, where Abay (Nile) drain its water.  It was a British empire that formulated and expanded the current territory of Egypt. Ethnically and religiously, Egyptians are neither Arabs nor true Muslims. True Muslim cares for peace, humanity, and forbid jealousness according to the teachings of a prophet Mohamed. The September 11, attack on twin towers in New York killed thousands of lives spearheaded by Egyptian radical group.  Those who allay with Egypt would condemn the true foundation of Muslim teachings. Egypt is the main cause of conflicts in Africa, Arab and Middle East countries because of its selfish benefits. This is a reason it opened an Arab league in Cairo to control Muslim believers, which has been contrary to a fundamental teachings of religion to organize in a form of political associations, and to counter the African Union.

Abay (Blue Nile) is a God given natural resource of Ethiopia. As it is true that no country has a right to claim petroleum resources of any country, the water of Abay (Blue Nile) is the water source belonging to Ethiopia, and no earthly force able to stop to utilize its God given gifts. However, it is true, and is natural and humanly to share the outflow of water.

Almost a hundred years ago, British, then a master of Egypt, divided the outflow of the Nile water approximately sixty percent to Egypt, to a small fraction usage to Sudan. Back then, most of the water served the British cotton plantations, which still remains under Egypt usage. Naturally, Cotton plantation demands extremely large water consumptions than any agricultural farmsteads, thus should be reconsidered on the agreements of improper usage of the water. It is also true to note that, the British did not treat its colonies equally, because of their dark skin, Sudan portioned the water about twenty percent, while Egypt was given a lion share.

Again, Abay (Blue Nile) carries tons of trillion fertile soil from Ethiopian highlands each year, and Egypt must pay for reforestation to keep the life of a river vigorous.

Ethiopia, the only independent country where over eighty percent of water generates, and about fifteen percent water contributors of African countries were all absent when the British allocate all the water to Egypt.

During the Great Recession, the USA had crafted the great innovations, a breakthrough landmark, one of the best wonders America made to prosper. This was intended to build dams on its rivers to generate electric power and irrigation for agricultural usage. Since then, the USA has not experienced a single starvations. “What is good for the goose is good for the gender”. We are all immigrants to this great land, we came to the USA for different reasons, in fact, and not all immigrants are perfect. Those whose parents, great parents or themselves abused humanity elsewhere are mingled among innocent populations, yet make themselves to be known with their innate views on occasions. There is no righteous place in the world than the USA. Nevertheless, sometimes politicians make a senseless, and baseless statements. There is a saying; “There are no permanent enemies, and no permanent friends, only permanent interests.”  This saying does not go along with Ethiopian sentiments. When Ethiopian be friended, they give their own precious lives over causes of others. In the same token, when they were done wrongs, they will never forget for generations. A person who took side with Egypt, does not reflect that of the views of the people of the USA. He is a political appointee not a public servant and his views by no means represents the American people.  But, as a person representing the office of the USA government, he should be accountable over his statements. History repeated itself, retrospectively during Italian invasion, and now, the mouth piece of Egypt, the Arab league, and the Secretary of finance of the USA, both ridiculed justices. For true believers, including Christians and Muslims alike, this is unjust.

The leaderships of Ethiopian government should be applauded for its strong guidance, the late Meles Zenawi, Hailemariam Desalegn, and now a young vibrant leader Abey Ahmed. There is no a perfect leadership in the world, with their weaknesses and strengths but for their efforts to build the dam, and all those involved in technical and managements, must be appreciated for their efforts. Above all, the Ethiopians effortless contributions of their hard earned money to see a bright future. Now, Ethiopians should have learnt from their mistakes to agree on inviting in the USA, they should take back the matter to African Union. This dam is an emblem of Ethiopian’s self-reliance, built in the absence of funds from IMF and WB that have taken part in alliance with Egypt. These organizations are well known to perpetuate poverty and miseries for Africans.

Egypt invested heavily for years to destabilize the country and East African regions, as well as the Middle East countries. For example, it is directly or indirectly responsible for the crises and lawlessness in Somalia. Retrospectively, in the early 1970’s, Said Bare was partly funded by Egypt to wage a war to which ultimately disintegrated the country and he fled to die in exile.  Similarly, Egypt has sponsored the most inane group, and radicals, such as the Oromo Liberation Front to disseminate hate, and lodged in conflicts among other ethnic groups. I believe Ethiopia must sue Egypt in a world court for the loss of lives and property damages caused by hooligans funded by Egypt. It is also appropriate for the Ethiopian government to crackdown those groups involved in such crime especially when Abey government has opened up a peaceful political platforms, and those individuals, groups or parties directly or indirectly allied with Egypt to destabilize the country must be accountable for their crimes.  There is no such a thing called human rights when the national interest of the country is on a threat.

Egypt has neither historical nor natural rights on the Nile River. It is only the goodwill of downstream riparian countries to share their water. However, it is humanly to share the Nile water only when Egypt ceases its belligerency and bulling the regions. War is not an alternate for cooperation. No country, even the superpowers ever controlled a piece of lands with invasions, had Egypt relies on its might, it should think twice as there is unrelenting fire on the other side too, and Ethiopia is not a “Banana Republic.” The Nile River has enough water for all countries to utilize wisely for regional developments based on a benevolence cooperation. Would Egypt insist with an era of colonial law, then it has to invite back the British to recolonize the country so that riparian countries would deal with more civilized manner.

By Prof. Alemayehu G. Mariam

We now strive to live with our neighbors in peace and harmony. The Horn of Africa today is a region of strategic significance. The global military superpowers are expanding their military presence in the area. Terrorist and extremist groups also seek to establish a foothold.

We do not want the Horn to be a battleground for superpowers nor a hideout for the merchants of terror and brokers of despair and misery. We want the Horn of Africa to become a treasury of peace and progress. Indeed, we want the Horn of Africa to become the Horn of Plenty for the rest of the continent. –– H.E. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 2019.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” Dr. Martin Luther King —Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964.

I have no problems with the U.S. playing the role of “meeting observer”, “discussion facilitator”, “meeting coordinator” or what have you in the GERD discussions and negotiations. But my abiding credo remains: AFRICAN SOLUTIONS FOR AFRICAN PROBLEMS. — Alemayehu G. Mariam

Author’s Note: In Part I of my commentary, I wrote about the sleazy global propaganda campaign being waged by Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, World Bank Group President David Malpass and the Egyptian government (“Axis of Lies, Fake News and Disinformation”) to demonize and scandalize Ethiopia and  mischaracterize its position in the so-called Washington GERD talks. In Part II, I examine the role of two key individuals in the so-called Washington talks who spearheaded the preparation of the “agreement” and offer my prescriptions on how to fight back the Axis Forces.

Ethiopia is under a propaganda attack!

A multi-pronged propaganda war supported by officials in the Trump Administration, the World Bank, the Egyptian government, Egyptian-government hired international public relations firms and an assortment of sympatico Middle Eastern media networks, hired-hand academic types and pundits is being waged on Ethiopia today.

What are we Ethiopians – scholars, journalists, professionals in medicine, law, engineering and technology, activists, advocates, diasporans, citizens – doing to defend Ethiopia from the blitzkrieg of lies, fake news and disinformation?

What are we doing to defend Ethiopia from the barrage of misrepresentations in the U.S. Congress and in the Trump administration?

What are we doing to defend Ethiopia from the campaign of disinformation and fabrication in the halls of European governments and in the European Union and in the Middle East?

What are we doing to defend Ethiopia from the daily shelling and bombardment of disinformation on Ethiopia by Al-Ahram Online and Egypttoday Online?

Interestingly, Al-Ahram Online is the principal propaganda channel for the Egyptian government. Al-Ahram Online always concludes its articles by declaring use of the Nile is a luxury for Ethiopia but an existential life and death situation for Egypt.

Egypttoday is a fake news factory. A few days ago, Egypttoday put out a story about a handful of Egyptians rallying in front of the White House and posted a picture of certain Ethiopian human rights advocates in the Washington, D.C. area as supporting Egypt’s position and implying they were against Ethiopia. That was a patent lie! But that’s how Egypt’s disinformation machine works.

Fighting the Trump Administration’s “Consigliere” on the so-called “GERD Agreement”

In a letter dated March 5, 2020 to Deacon Yoseph R. Tafari, a distinguished Ethiopian human rights advocate, Adam Lerrick, Counselor to Secretary Treasury Steven Mnuchin offered patently false explnations.

Lerrick is Mnuchin’s “Counsellor” with the official duty of “advising the Secretary on policy initiatives, including international economic and financial stability issues.”

In 2018, Lerrick’s name was withdrawn as President Donald Trump’s nominee for assistant Treasury secretary for international finance because of “concerns about his ties to the Argentine Bond Restructuring Agency, the largest group of foreign investors in Argentina’s debt when the country defaulted.”

There is nothing in Lerrick’s official description that authorizes him to draft international treaties or prepare riparian (river water use) agreements of any type.

In his letter, Lerrick explained, “the sole objective of the U.S. government has been, and continues to be, to assist the three nations that share the waters of the Blue Nile in reaching a fair agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.”

I have serious doubts whether Lerrick is the “Counselor” or “The Consigliere” in the so-called “Washington GERD talks”.

Lerrick and David Sullivan, Assistant General Counsel for International Affairs, U.S. Department of the Treasury, secretly and in cahoots with Egypt prepared the so-called agreement.

It is a case of life imitating art.

Lerrick’s assurances about the “GERD agreement” remind me of Mafia Don Vito Corleone’s retort in The Godfather, “I am going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

Don Corleone was responding to his godson’s complaint that he was having difficulty getting a job with a film studio. The studio head later found the severed head of his expensive racehorse in his bed. And the godson promptly got the job.

The way I see it, that is precisely Don Mnuchin and Consigliere Lerrick are saying to Ethiopia: “We have made you an offer you can’t refuse.”

But if you do, well…

Quid pro quo, as they say. No sign agreement, no aid, no loan.

“Ethiopia, do you wanna be the Ukraine of Africa? Go ahead, make our day!” That is the real message in the so-called agreement.

Consigliere Lerrick talks with forked tongue as he tries to lullaby Deacon Yoseph in his letter with sweet-sounding words that are full of legal shrapnel.

He wrote:

The foundation of the agreement must be based upon the principles agreed between the three nations in the 2015 Agreement of Principles, in particular the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization, of not causing significant harm, and of cooperation. The agreement must respect the sovereign right of Ethiopia to develop its water resources… [and ensure] the safety of the dam.

We hope the Ethiopian national consultation process on the GERD agreement will be concluded quickly so that the agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD can be signed at the earliest possible date.

Lerrick lies through his teeth when he claims there is an “agreement” to which Ethiopia is party

First, a simple question to Consigliere Lerrick: What agreement?

The Ethiopian government has declared publicly they have seen no agreement which they agreed to sign.

So, why are Mnuchin, Lerrick and Malpass keeping the so-called GERD agreement SECRET?

Why aren’t they making their agreement public for all to see?

Have they hidden something in their “agreement” they do not want anybody to know?

In proving beyond a shadow of doubt that Lerrick and his boss Mnuchin are lying through their teeth about the so-called agreement and their exclusive role in its preparation, I ask them ONE and ONLY ONE question:

WHY DON’T YOU MAKE PUBLIC THE AGREEMENT YOU CLAIM RESPECTS THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF ETHIOPIA TO DEVELOP ITS WATER RESOURCES AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE DAM?

Let us all see how it protects Ethiopia’s sovereign right and ensures dam safety.

The fact of the matter is that six weeks before the Mnuchin-Malpass agreement, a formal joint statement was issued by the parties stating the following:

The filling of the GERD will be executed in stages and will be undertaken in an adaptive and cooperative manner that takes into consideration the hydrological conditions of the Blue Nile and the potential impact of the filling on downstream reservoirs.

Filling will take place during the wet season, generally from July to August, and will continue in September subject to certain conditions.

The initial filling stage of the GERD will provide for the rapid achievement of a level of 595 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) and the early generation of electricity, while providing appropriate mitigation measures for Egypt and Sudan in case of severe droughts during this stage.

The subsequent stages of filling will be done according to a mechanism to be agreed that determines release based upon the hydrological conditions of the Blue Nile and the level of the GERD that addresses the filling goals of Ethiopia and provides electricity generation and appropriate mitigation measures for Egypt and Sudan during prolonged periods of dry years, drought and prolonged drought.

During long term operation, the GERD will operate according to a mechanism that determines release based upon the hydrological conditions of the Blue Nile and the level of the GERD that provides electricity generation and appropriate mitigation measures for Egypt and Sudan during prolonged periods of dry years, drought and prolonged drought.

An effective coordination mechanism and provisions for the settlement of disputes will be established.

Are these the elements in the heart of the “agreement” Mnuchin, Malpass and Lerrick say Ethiopia has refused to sign?

Then, why hide the “final agreement” which presumably incorporates what has already been made public? MAKE IT PUBLIC!

Ethiopia tells the truth when it says no agreement was reached

Ethiopia unambiguously and categorically denied there is any agreement ready for signature between the three parties in Washington.

Ethiopia does not accept the characterization that the negotiation on the Guidelines and Rules on the First Filling and Annual Operation of the GERD (Guidelines and Rules) is completed. The “text” reportedly initialed by the Arab Republic of Egypt in Washington D.C. is not the outcome of the negotiation or the technical and legal discussion of the three countries. Ethiopia made it clear that the Guidelines and Rules must be prepared by the three countries. The Countries are yet to address outstanding issues pertaining to the finalization of the Guidelines and Rules.

In a twitter message, Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew condemned the Treasury Department’s announcement:

The statement issued by US Treasury on GERD is unacceptable & highly partisan, Ethiopia believes in continued engagement with Egypt & Sudan to address the outstanding issues and finalize the Guidelines and Rules on a win-win basis for all.

In a recent interview (see video below, author’s condensed translation) with Al Jazeera, Ethiopian Foreign Minister stated:

Egypt should stop its disinformation campaign and come to the negotiating table are resolve issues based on the 2015 Declaration of Principles. The Dam aims to uplift Ethiopians suffering from famine and privation. It will provide them electric power for their development. Pressure, intimidation and threats against Ethiopia will not work. If the U.S. does not want to maintain its declared “observer” role and tread on Ethiopia’s sovereignty, that will not be allowed. The U.S. can help us come together to discuss issue, but cannot command us to do something that is against our sovereign interest.

It is interesting to note that Egypt had already signed the “agreement” before the Ethiopia and Sudan had even a chance to read it!

What I want to know in the agreement are details framed in the following two questions:

Exactly what does the agreement say about “respecting the sovereign right of Ethiopia to develop its water resources”?

Exactly what does the agreement say about “ensuring the safety of the dam.”

Until we know the answer to these two critical questions, in my opinion, Mnuchin, Lerrick and Malpass can take their agreement and shove it!

The so-called agreement Lerrick talks about, if it exists, is in violation of federal law and the U.S. Constitution

I cannot overemphasize the fact that Mnuchin, Malpass and Lerrick are in violation of law and the U.S. Constitution when they drafted an “agreement” and tried to arm twist Ethiopia into signing it.

Lerrick, Mnuchin and Malpass know full well that they have no legal authority to conduct U.S. foreign policy, which is what they are doing by drafting an international treaty.

The subject matter of diplomacy with foreign countries is squarely in the domain of the State Department. All three know they have no authority to engage in foreign policy. That is because of the Act of Congress of July 20, 1789 which grants exclusive jurisdiction to the State Department on “communications with the ministers, consuls and agents of the United States, in foreign countries, and with the ministers and other officers of foreign powers…”

Simply stated, “discussions”, “negotiations” and “agreements” between the U.S and “officers of foreign powers” and “negotiations with public ministers or other foreigners, or to such other matters respecting foreign affairs,” are within the statutory jurisdiction of the State Department, not the Treasury department.

The Treasury Department was created By an Act of Congress of September 2, 1789, the “duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to digest and prepare plans for the improvement and management of the revenue, and for the support of public credit; to prepare and report estimates of the public revenue, and the public expenditures; to superintend the collection of revenue; to decide on the forms of keeping and stating accounts and making returns…”

To put it bluntly, Mnuchin, Lerrick and the entire Treasury Department are nothing more than bean counters for the U.S. government!

By no stretch of the imagination can they play the role of diplomats in foreign policy.

Most certainly, Lerrick has no authority to engage in treaty drafting. His official duty is  described as “Counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury”. In that role,

he advises the Secretary on policy initiatives, including international economic and financial stability issues.  His experience is in “designing and executing pioneering instruments to meet the large-scale financing needs of governments and financial institutions.

When bean counters become diplomats and experts on water law

The sad and truly tragic fact about the so-called agreement is that it written by Adam Lerrick and David Sullivan, Assistant General Counsel for International Affairs, U.S. Department of the Treasury in collusion with Egypt.

Sullivan “provides legal advice in connection with a broad range of international economic and financial matters, including issues involving the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, international trade and trade finance issues, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) which the Secretary of the Treasury chairs, climate investment, and international banking and securities issues.”

If Lerrick is the “Consigliere” in the GERD agreement, Sullivan is definitely the “Hit Man” because he was the one who relentlessly defended the interests of Egypt better and more aggressively than the Egyptian negotiators themselves!

How could these individuals possibly draft an agreement in four months that has eluded water law experts, seasoned and skilled diplomats and political leaders for nearly a decade?

How could two “trade and financial advisors” possibly think they call pull out an agreement from their back pockets and expect to arm twist Ethiopia to sign?

The fact of the matter is that the U.S. has the leading experts in the fields of water rights, dam construction and safety, inspection and evaluation program and administers a massive scheme of water quality and environmental regulation.

Minimally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which arguably has the very best dam safety program in the world and manages a portfolio of 694 dams, with public safety the number one priority, should have been at the table advising. The Corps has a proven and unsurpassed record of dam safety assessment preventing unacceptable risks to people, property or the environment.

Yet, Lerrick and Sullivan huddled with their Egyptian partners and cranked out an agreement which they tried to shove down Ethiopia’s throat.

Who is going to count on an agreement on dam safety drafted by bean counters?

Fighting liars, disinformationists and fake news propagators

All Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia can and must play a role in fighting against the demonizing propaganda directed at Ethiopia in the media, in the U.S. Congress, in the Trump administration, diverse policy forums and mobilize opinion and community leaders in telling Ethiopia’s side of the story.

Self-educate on GERD issues so you can be a more effective advocate for Ethiopia

Many people who have read my recent commentaries continue to ask me elementary questions about the legal and technical issues involved in the so-called Washington GERD talks and agreement. There are many well-reasoned commentaries and analysis that address the issue. It is important to familiarize oneself with the basic documents including the 2015 Declaration of Principles, United Kingdom-Egyptian Government Agreement on the Use of Waters of the Nile, Nile River Basin Cooperative Agreement, the 1959 Egypt-Sudan Nile Agreement and other thoroughly documented scholarly analysis of Nile water use.

Educate your family members, friends and colleagues on GERD and energize them to join in the fight  

We often underestimate the collective power of small groups. When we led the fight for passage of H.R. 2003 (“Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act”), we gained the most effective advocacy when we mobilized the people in our immediate network. It is much easier to mobilize people with whom we have close relations than to reach out to others in cyberspace.

I am encouraged by the Ethiopian social media warriors who have taken up Ethiopia’s cause and defending its rights to use the Nile River. This has proven to me that social media can be used as a powerful tool for public education and information.

Those who are circulating online petitions spread the word and engage those who may not want to take a direct advocacy role.

Engage the American national policy communities by educating them on Ethiopia’s position and to get their support

I see a special role for the academic, professional, business, faith and advocacy communities in grassroots outreach activities to the American policy communities. I am encouraged to see many Ethiopians in the U.S. taking an aggressive approach to grassroots mobilization and advocacy.

I want to commend Deacon Yoseph Tafari of Colorado for taking the initiative to write a letter to Lerrick and demand an explanation. Deacon Yoseph has been a tireless advocate of human rights and justice for many years. All of us can follow in his footsteps and exercise our constitutional right to petition government and register our grievances with the Treasury officials in the so-called GERD agreement.

Several members of Congress have written firm letters to Secretary Mnuchin demanding fair treatment for Ethiopia including John Garamendi of California and Jason Crow of Colorado. Congressman Steve Horsford of Nevada stung Mnuchin by telling him to be evenhanded if he wants the Ethiopians to return to the discussion table.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia David Shinn straight out said the U.S. was “putting its thumb on the scale in favor of Egypt.”

Even the Rev. Jesse Jackson condemned the “agreement” as a possible trap” to make Ethiopia a colony of Egypt.”

Other commentators like Laurence Freeman have pointedly asked, “Is the Trump Administration Violating Ethiopia’s Sovereignty?”

All Ethiopians in the 50 states should contact their members of Congress and ask for similar letters to be sent to Secretary Mnuchin and engage friends of Ethiopia to stand up with the righteous cause.

I believe we can bring the people of the United States to our cause if we can educate them on the truth and facts. Americans fundamentally believe in fair play and equal opportunity. As President Jimmy Carter once noted, “America did not invent human rights, but in a very real sense human rights invented America.” If we, as Ethiopian Americans, share the moral righteousness of our cause to the American people in our town and cities, places of worship and workplaces, schools and universities, we can definitely enlist them in the cause of Ethiopia and its sovereign right to use its own Nile River.

Reach out into your local community and engage leaders and create allies

I have observed that many Ethiopians engaged in human rights advocacy often undervalue the potential power of local community and civic leaders as valuable allies in their causes. Business and civic leaders have close ties to members of Congress and the administration. When we championed H.R. 2003, it was prominent local leaders who got us meetings with members of Congress when they returned to their districts.

Engage the American media and policy forums at the national, state and local levels

I am encouraged to see Ethiopians in the U.S. taking steps to engage the media and policy forums. I have read various thoughtful op ed pieces in national online magazines explain the GERD issues and sharing personal opinions. I have also seen some Ethiopians participating in policy forums organized by American think tanks and other similar outfits. The more the American people know the truth about the ignoble treatment of Ethiopia in the so-called GERD agreement, the more they will be willing to become our allies.

The fact of the matter is that all Ethiopians in America can play their part in defending and promoting Ethiopia’s righteous cause to use the waters of the Nile in a fair, equitable and reasonable way.

Silence at this critical time is not an option. Scholars, professionals, faith leaders, activists, students and all others must step forward and play their part. They must put their political differences aside, join hand and stand together for Ethiopia’s right to use her Nile and repel anyone who is determined to deny her that right.

The judgement of history awaits those who sit on the sidelines. As Dr. Martin Luther King said, “In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

In the End, history will remember the silence of Ethiopians who could have been the voice of Ethiopia to the world, not the lies, fake news and disinformation of Ethiopia’s enemies!

I have no problems with the U.S. playing the role of “meeting observer”, “discussion facilitator”, “meeting coordinator” or what have you in the GERD discussions and negotiations.

Ethiopia will never accept a one-sided, unfair, unjust and partisan proposal or agreement written by the U.S.  for the exclusive benefit of Egypt!

But my abiding credo remains:

AFRICAN SOLUTIONS FOR AFRICAN PROBLEMS.

ETHIOPIA WILL NEVER SIGN AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL MORTGAGE AND BANKRUPT THE EXISTENTIAL INTERESTS OF GENERATIONS TO COME.

Ephrem Madebo

Egypt is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and it has been the center of massive trade networks for millennia. The wealth, history, civilization and geographic location of Egypt has attracted outsiders, and no wonder that Egypt was occupied by almost every empire that ruled the world. As the center of attraction as Egypt was throughout history, a quarter of what Egypt is now and almost more than half of what Egypt has been through the millennia wouldn’t have been possible without the Nile River.

To many people around the globe, the Nile River is considered as the lifeline of Egypt. In fact, sometimes the name Nile is synonymous with the name Egypt. All the great powers that ruled Egypt, Egypt itself and the modern world share similar views towards the Nile River. They all believe that the Nile is not just lifeline to Egypt, but they also believe that the Nile belongs to Egypt, forgetting Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and Ethiopia who actually own the two sources of the Nile River and their tributaries. Today, when some of these composed owners of the Nile start using their share of the Nile, the ever vociferous Egypt and some world powers start acting and making decisions based on this half-truth that the Nile belongs to Egypt.

Yes, there is no doubt that the Nile has played a decisive role in Egypt’s history, and the Nile has effectively created Egypt as a country. But, the Nile River is the source of pride, beauty, wealth and natural resources to another African country that has a long and rich history just like Egypt, and has been in the annals of human history as long as Egypt was. I don’t have to mention the name of this country because Egypt knows the name of this country just like it knows its own name. Besides, the Nile is an international river shared by eleven countries in Africa whose drainage basin covers Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Eritrea.

The Nile has two major tributaries, the Blue Nile and the White Nile. The White Nile whose primary source is Lake Victoria in Uganda is one of the tributaries of the Nile River. But, make no mistake that Ethiopia is the source of most of the water and silt of the Nile (84% of the water and 96% of the silt carried by the Nile originates in Ethiopia). There are four other major rivers (Akobo, Tekeze, Atbarah and Baro) that originate in Ethiopia and eventually end up into the Nile somewhere in Sudan.

Disagreements over the Nile River have been the source of conflict between upper and downstream countries because life in both sides of the Nile highly depends on the waters of the Nile River. Historically, there have been many treaties over the Nile River that were negotiated between different stakeholders in different places in 1902, 1906, 1925, 1929 and in 1959. During the colonial era, Great Britain, France and Italy [specially Great Britain] either negotiated in the behalf of their colonies, or they controlled the Nile through their military presence in Africa.

One of the most contested Treaty over the use of Nile waters that included Ethiopia is the 1902 Treaty between the British government and Emperor Minlik. Article three of the treaty states: “His Majesty the Emperor Menilik II, King of Kings of Ethiopia, engages himself towards the Government of His Britannic Majesty not to construct or allow to be constructed any work across the Blue Nile, Lake Tana, or the Sobat, which would arrest the flow of their waters except in agreement with His Britannic Majesty’s Government and the Government of Sudan”. The English version of Article three of this treaty was different from the Amharic version. Hence, Emperor Minlik refused to sign the 1902 treaty. Another treaty that Ethiopia opposed is the 1925 treaty between Britain and Italy regarding Lake Tana of Ethiopia. Here is an excerpt from the treaty- “Italy recognizes the prior hydraulic rights of Egypt and the Sudan not to construct on the head waters of the Blue Nile and the White Nile (the Sobat) and their tributaries and effluents any work which might sensibly modify their flow into the main river”. Ethiopia unequivocally opposed this agreement and notified both parties of its objections.

Two of the most important Nile River agreements that ignored Ethiopia and vividly violated its sovereignty over the use of its own natural resources are the 1929 Agreement between Egypt and Great Britain (Britain representing its colonies) and the 1959 agreement between Egypt and Sudan. Here are some of the most unjust, arrogant and prejudiced parts of these two agreements that totally alienated Ethiopia, the natural owner of the most important part of the Nile River.

The 1929 Treaty between Greta Britain and Egypt

1. Egypt reserves the right to monitor the Nile flow in the upstream countries;
2. Egypt assumed the right to undertake Nile River related projects without the consent of upper riparian states.
3. Egypt assumed the right to veto any construction projects that would affect her interests adversely.

The 1959 Treaty between Egypt and Sudan

1. The agreement allowed the entire average annual flow of the Nile to be shared among the Sudan and Egypt at 18.5 and 55.5 billion cubic meters, respectively.
2. If the claim prevails and the Nile water has to be shared with another riparian state, that allocated amount would be deducted from the Sudan’s and Egypt’s and allocations/shares in equal parts of Nile volume measured at Aswan.
3. The agreement granted Egypt the right to construct the Aswan High Dam that can store the entire annual Nile River flow of a year.
4. It granted the Sudan to construct the Rosaries Dam on the Blue Nile and, to develop other irrigation and hydroelectric power generation until it fully utilizes its Nile share.

The 1929 Treaty gave Egypt unjustified veto power over the construction of agricultural and hydropower projects, not only on the Nile River, but on its tributaries too. Imagine, according to this treaty, Ethiopia cannot build dam on over 15 of its rivers without getting permission from Egypt. Both the 1906 and 1925 treaties denied Ethiopia its sovereign right over the use of its own water resources. Ethiopia through the years  has rejected all  Nile River related treaties that violated its sovereignty and denied its natural right over the Nile. However, during the colonial era when the British, the French and the Italians controlled most of Africa, Ethiopia neither had the diplomatic muscle nor the military might to protect its interest or to regain its use of the Nile water.

In the 19^th century the Pashas of Egypt sought to expand their reign southwards towards Sudan and Ethiopia to have total control on the sources of the Nile River. In 1875 they controlled Darfur and turned their attention to Ethiopia. Through the years the Egyptians have used different strategies to hinder Ethiopia’s attempt to develop its water resources on the Blue Nile and its tributaries. Military expeditions to control the source of the Blues Nile, destabilizing Ethiopia by supporting disgruntled internal forces, blocking loan or financial aid for the construction of dams on the Blue Nile or threatening the use of military force are the major strategies Egypt used to deter any development project on the Blue Nile River and its tributaries.

The most recent heated disagreement and acrimonious word of war between Egypt and Ethiopia started when Ethiopia announced its ambitious plan to build its very first hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile River. Back in 2011 when the then Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi announced the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypt did not just voice its disagreement over the planned construction of the dam, it diametrically opposed the construction of the dam citing a colonial era treaty that gave her veto power over the construction of dam on the Nile River and its tributaries. This time, Ethiopia said “In Your Face” to Egypt; and it made it very clear to Egypt and to the international community that, it’s always ready and willing to negotiate on the socio-economic impact of the dam, but it doesn’t need external approval to build dam on its own river. The Egyptians flexed their diplomatic muscle and convinced the IMF, the World Bank and many other donor nations and organizations to not finance the GERD hoping poor Ethiopia would back off from building the dam. But, that same factor, poverty, that Egypt thought would deter the construction of the dam, united Ethiopians around the world and Ethiopia started building the dam with its own resources. Today, the largest dam in Africa, and the largest project in the history of Ethiopia has created a sense of “Yes we can” mentality among Ethiopians all over the country and has been the source of pride and national unity since its inception. If there is anything in Ethiopia today that would earn a unanimous “Yes” or “No” reply, it’s any question on the GERD.

Nine years later today, the same financial institutions, the IMF and the World Bank that sided with Egypt and perversely denied Ethiopia’s request for a badly needed loan in 2011, have once more shamelessly sided with Egypt to deny Ethiopia’s use of its God given natural resources. All in all, the Trump administration, Egypt and the tripartite of “The Washington Consensus” are trying to impose another “1929” on Ethiopia, and Ethiopians who are proud of what their forefathers did in Gura and Gundet are saying  . . .  Over Our Dead Body!

What do regional or bilateral treaties say on border crossing rivers? What do the UN and other international treaties say on the use of international rivers? The only universally applicable treaty that governs internationally shared freshwater resources is, the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses. The convention provides framework of principles and rules that may be applied and adjusted to suit the characteristics of particular international watercourses. The convention has 7 parts and 37 articles. Here we will see just three of the articles that I thought are closely related to this article.

Article 5, generally believed to be the cornerstone of the Convention requires that a State sharing an international watercourse with other States utilize the watercourse, in its territory, in a manner that is equitable and reasonable vis-à-vis the other States sharing it. Article 7, the other important provision of the Convection requires that States take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm to other States sharing an international watercourse.

Part III of the Convention requires that, if a project or other measures are planned in a State and those measures may have a significant adverse effect upon another State or States sharing an international watercourse, the State in which the measures are planned must provide timely notification to the other States of the plans. If the notified States believe the planned measures would be inconsistent with the requirements of articles 5 or 7, a process of consultations and, if necessary, negotiations follows which is intended to lead to an equitable resolution of the situation.

Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam started in 2011, it is 2020 now and more than 70% of the GERD is completed. Why did Ethiopia and Egypt fail to reach an agreement on the GERD all these years? Based on the provisions of the international convention we saw above, what is that Egypt is asking for and what is it that Ethiopia is not offering? Do the Egyptians ever think that they will march their army all the way to Ethiopia and enforce their superiority over the Nile? They have repeatedly tired this in the past, but was there any time in history that the Egyptians marched to Ethiopia and made it back home? What makes it different now? Do these two ancient countries that account for about 17.5% of Africa’s population have any other means to solve their differences over the use of the Nile other than negotiation? The answer is very simple, it’s NO!

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have been negotiating over the use of the Nile River and the GERD for the past nine years. The GERD has many contentious issues, but currently, how quickly Ethiopia fills the 74 billion cubic meters capacity reservoir is a key point of contention. Ethiopia proposed it will fill the reservoir over four to seven years, but Egypt disagrees with this proposal and insists a much slower timetable of 12 to 21 years; citing the possibility of protracted droughts or water shortages. Five years ago this week, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan reached a milestone and signed an agreement on the Declaration of Principles regarding the GERD in Khartoum, Sudan. Here are the four of the most important parts of the Declaration. These four provisions of the declaration are very similar, in fact, some of them are carbon copies of the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses.

1. The Three Countries shall take all appropriate measures to prevent the causing of significant harm in utilizing the Blue/Main Nile.
2. Where significant harm nevertheless is caused to one of the countries, the state whose use causes such harm shall, in the absence of agreement to such use, take all appropriate measures in consultations with the affected state to eliminate or mitigate such harm and, where appropriate, to discuss the question of compensation.
3. The Tree Countries shall utilize their shared water resources in their respective territories in an equitable and reasonable manner.
4. Agree on guidelines and rules on the first filling of GERD which shall cover all different scenarios, in parallel with the construction of GERD.

The 2015 declaration requires the three countries to use the Nile River equitably and reasonably in a manner that any project on the Nile will not cause significant harm to downstream countries. Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have gone through years of negotiations before and after 2015, but the trio couldn’t make much progress in solving the two highly contentious issues of the GERD, which are timetable of filing the massive GERD reservoir and the “Equitable and Reasonable” use of the Nile River.

In all of the negotiations Egypt wanted a settlement that secures a regulated amount of water flow, a timetable for filing the dam in its own terms, a process that monitors Ethiopia’s compliance and institutional mechanism that binds Ethiopia to the agreements. Ethiopia on the other hand neither wanted an agreements that forces it to commit to Egypt’s insatiable demand for water, nor accept Egypt’s inflexible rather imposed timetable of filling the GERD reservoir. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt quickly noticed this unwavering stand of Ethiopia, and started looking for a mediator that has the diplomatic, political and economic muscle to either convince or pressure Ethiopia to submit to Egypt’s demand. The look for this kind of mediator took President el-Sisi to the other side of the Atlantic, and the current rounds of negotiations started in November 2019.

The self-seeking Trump took el-Sisi’s invitation as an opportunity to make himself the third sitting US president to win the Nobel Peace Prize, and accepted his invitation to mediate the GERD negotiation without hesitation. Once the negotiations started, it didn’t take much time for President Trump to display America’s diplomatic and economic muscle to pressure Ethiopia to agree to one of the most important demand of Egypt. The Ethiopian government quickly saw America’s one-sidedness and decided to not participate in a negotiation that imposes undue submission on its sovereignty. The Egyptians who saw Ethiopia’s resolve and determination to continue with its plan of filling the dam, responded by throwing yet another belligerent rant. Here is what they said:   “If the water means electricity for Ethiopia, it is a life-or-death matter for Egypt”. . . . . . Well, deal with it, to us to Ethiopians, the Blue Nile is both!!!

Last week Egypt’s speaker of the parliament, Ali Abdel-Aal said – “In this respect, let me declare that Egypt will never waive its rights to the Nile water because this is a matter of life and death and it is an existential matter for all Egyptians”. Following his boss’ empty bravado, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdel-Ati said – “We need every drop of the Nile water and that we can never give up our rights in this respect”.

I’m not quite sure to whom Ali Abdel-Aal’s declaration is addressed to, and I’m not also sure what is meant by “We need every drop of water”, but I for sure know that this kind of recklessness, belligerence and bullying, and any ill-advised attempt to materialize the bullying will give Egypt “a bath full of blood”, not a drop of water. The only message I have to these two impulsive Egyptian warmongers is that, please read your own history that, every time the Egyptians sailed south with egoistic objective of controlling the source of the Blue Nile, your ships went back empty with no one to tell the “What Happened” story. Both the Egyptians and the Ethiopians, especially, the Egyptians must know that war on the Nile will never produce a winner, and none of them benefits from the war. The Egyptian government should realize that war should never be the option to solve differences on the GERD because exchanging blood for water will eventually force Egypt to settle for less water.

There is no doubt that the US has the diplomatic muscle to mediate between conflicting countries, but this is true only if the US chooses to be a fair and impartial mediator. Unfortunately, history tells us otherwise that the US hasn’t really been a neutral mediator. The US started mediating the Jews and the Palestinians since the 1970s. Today, five decades and 9 presidents later, the US ended up accepting Jerusalem as the capital city of the Jewish State and moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a city at the very center of the conflict. From 2011 to 2019, Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have gone through unending back and forth negotiations in Addis, Cairo and Khartoum. However, they made little or no progress towards reaching an agreement on the technicalities of filling and operating the dam. In October 2019, the impatient and the “all to me” el-Sisi dragged the US government into the GERD negotiation believing the Trump Administration would favor Egypt. Well, as expected, the US didn’t disappoint el-Sisi. After four months of US led negotiations, the US treasury Department imposed on Ethiopia the shorter version of the 1929 Nile agreement.

Currently, Egypt wants to go wherever Washington takes it because Washington seems to be ready to give everything Egypt wants. The Ethiopians have sensed correctly that if Washington is willing to give everything that Egypt wants, there is nothing left on the table for them. Besides, Washington or Egypt, when it comes to imposition, the only imposition Ethiopians allow is self-imposition. So why would Ethiopia go to Washington again unless Washington becomes a mediator, not a Pharaoh maker! An impartial facilitator, not a one sided imposer!

For generations, especially, after colonialism, the Egyptians and the western world have totally forgotten that Ethiopia is the source of the Nile, and Egypt its destination. For the past 120 years all treaties on the use of the Nile were made based on this false conception of the Nile River, and almost all of the Nile treaties were made in the absence of Ethiopia, its true owner.  Ever since the news of the GERD became public around 2011, Egypt wanted to dictate the fate of the GERD referring everything to the 1929 Treaty.  I think it’s about time for the Egyptians to admit that the 1929 Nile River Treaty is a useless piece of paper whose only place is the trash can. Egypt must come back to the 21^st century and acknowledge that Ethiopia is the source of the Blue Nile and it major tributaries. Hence, Egypt has no business of restricting the use of the Nile to the level of “a drop of water”.

We Ethiopians know the Nile is lifeline to the Egyptians, but this doesn’t mean everything that happens on the Blue Nile and its tributaries is decided in Cairo. The only time Egypt can talk about “a drop of water” on the Nile is only when the Nile River crosses its border and becomes the Egyptian part of the Nile River. For everything else, Egypt must respect international treaties and the national sovereignty of the Nile riparian countries. Ethiopians must know which I strongly believe they do that, a development project on the Blue Nile must not cause significant damage on the people of Egypt. The Egyptians should also know the difference between “significant damage” and building a dam on the Blue Nile River. It is this deference that Egypt and Ethiopia should negotiate and come to a common understudying. I strongly believe all differences on the use of the Nile can be negotiated, and any option other than negotiation would damage Egypt more than Ethiopia!

emadebo@gmail.com

Getachew T. Alemu, (@NapsterE), For Addis Standard

Addis Abeba, March 18/2020 – The world is shocked with the spread of a new strain of Coronavirus, now called COVID-19, which is categorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global pandemic. The virus is spreading so fast that countries are closing borders, restricting mobility, instituting strict surveillance measures, establishing and operationalizing quarantines, putting money into social awareness programs, importing sanitation products and supporting the needy (particularly the elderly).

Globally, markets are seeing downward spiral. Major indices such as DOW Jones, NSADAQ 100, S&P 100, and NIKKEI have all been witnessing declines in the past few weeks. Jobs are getting lost, while savings are eroding in the face of increasing health care expenditures. Vulnerable groups, such as people without health insurance coverage, have increasingly become vulnerable.

Ethiopia has identified the first victim of the virus on March 13, 2020. By the time this article was composed, the total number of confirmed cases has reached 6, while the total number of people under close follow-up stands at 992. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ordered 15 days of ban on gatherings, sporting events and school. As it stands, it looks like the number of cases will increase and so will the magnitude of the problem. But there is a higher chance to put the problem under control if stakeholders, from religious institutions to business people, are to coordinate their acts towards preventing the spread of the virus.

Much as the virus is affecting many aspects of life, the primary victim seems to be the economy. Although economic gurus are still struggling to understand the channels and magnitude of the impact of the virus on the global economy, it has become glaringly visible that the spread of the virus will put more pressure on the developing economies than developed ones. In light of what might transpire in Ethiopia, this article intends to look into where the economic strains of the pandemic will be and what needs to be done.

By so many standards, the Ethiopian economy remains fragile. For one, it hosts about 26 million absolute poor people, which is a huge poverty burden, in both prevalence and depth. At this point in time, 8.4 million Ethiopians need emergency food assistance, while additional 8 million live under the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP).

Although the macro economy has been witnessing growth in the last 16 years, averaging around 10.1%, it remains to shoulder a debt burden of 58% of GDP, a budget deficit of 3.7% of GDP, a trade deficit of 12.4% of GDP and a current account deficit of 4.5% of GDP.

Besides, the economy is one wherein 58% of the population lack access to clean water, 89% live without safe toilets, 55.7% survive without electricity and 48 million people live further than 2Km from all-weather road. Despite the fast improvement in access to primary education and health care services, quality remains a huge challenge.

In light of this, the COVID-19 pandemic will have multiple channels through which it will impose a burden on the economy. First and for most, the fight against the pandemic will have a direct impact on the fiscal space. It will increase the cost of health care provision, in the form of costs for prevention, testing, identification, isolation and care. As this comes mid-way in the fiscal year, the expense will have to come from the rather tight budget line, which saw a supplementary budget of 27.9 billion Br last week. Covering this cost will put pressure on the fiscal space that already hosts a budget deficit of 97.1 billion Br.

As first round financing, the government has announced that it has allocated 300 million Br to the fight against the pandemic. But this seems to be small, compared to the risk related to the pandemic. As such, it is easy to expect further pressure on the fiscal space, which would mean further tightening in the government expenditure.

One has to understand that this is coming at the time that the government is implementing cost-saving mechanisms, in a wish to re-balance the public-private sectors, reduce budget deficit and contain inflation. Paradoxically, inflation has lately been increasing so fast that the annual inflation stands at 21.8%.

It does not end there, however. Instead, the increasing cost for the fight against COVID-19 entails expenses in the form of supplies, instruments and devices (such as testing kits and regents), man hour, training, surveillance missions and associated overheads, media air time and communication materials, cost of shifting personnel and equipment from standard health care services and what have you. All this means, the pressure on the health care line of the budget will surely be huge.

One has to take into account that in the case of a temporary lock down of some parts of the country, if the virus sees a surge, then, this will have an impact on the economy by way of slowing down economic activities, such as merchandise trading, export and manufacturing. In this sense, it will really be a challenging time for economic players in these sectors as they have to live with permanent expenses, such as payroll, while their production process is affected by the pandemic.

As an import dependent and supply constrained economy, one major channel through which the pandemic will be affecting the economy is through affecting imports. As of now, China, the manufacturing hub of the world and the number one import sourcing country for Ethiopia, is stuck. Middle Eastern countries, European Union and North America have also imposed their own flight restrictions. This means that importers could no more travel to make orders, freight forwarders could not effectively facilitate trade and transitors could not do the facilitation as they would normally do. Shipping lines will also be affected by the travel bans and it will take more time for cargo to be transported due to new protocols in terms of certification.

These all mean further pressure on the already constrained supply chain of the economy. No doubt that there is also a local element to it.

Cognizant of the risk related to the pandemic, the local segment of the supply chain will also experience new pain points. These will include lower agricultural marketable, higher farm gate price, sluggish supply due to longer collection time, longer transport time, higher loading and unloading markup, higher distribution cost and longer retail filling.

At the end of the day, the imported as well of local pressure on the supply chain will express itself in the form of shortage of commodities in the market as well as higher prices. Certainly, this will be a huge challenge for consumers that have already been affected by the ever-rising inflationary pressure in the economy.

Pushing the inflationary cycle upwards is the panic purchase that often follows such crises. It is typical for consumers to resort to stocking in such cases. The rush for stocking will instigate an overall panic purchase in the market, pushing prices up and draining available supply. What has transpired in the markets of Addis Abeba and major cities around the country in the last couple of days, from basic consumables, such as rice, to durables, such as cleaning equipment, is exactly that. Face mask that was being sold at 5 Br per a piece is now being sold at 300 Br per piece.

One aspect of the economy that will be hit hard by the pandemic and its resultant outcome is the service sector. This constitutes airlines, hotels, restaurants, event management, and tourism among others. According to projections by IATA, the global airline industry will see a passenger business loss amounting to between US$63 billion and US$113 billion due to the pandemic. Africa’s largest Airline, Ethiopian, has got itself into serious austerity measures, including cost savings, staff hour optimization, diversification of earnings and possible reduction in work force. Hotels are seeing considerable cancellations, while tour and travel agents are also feeling the hit. Reduced public gatherings mean reduced rate of eating out, lesser events and lower tickets to facilities, such as parks and museums. These all will add up to considerable reduction in service sector earnings, growth and jobs. Noting that service sector contributes over 45% of GDP, the impact of such reductions on the larger economy will not be small.

Although with a lesser magnitude, manufacturing will also be affected. And this has to do with availability of labor, costs of ensuring safety to employees, negative impact of the pandemic on input supply and output marketing, and overall reduction in production. For a sector that remains struggling with power outages, bureaucratic and costly customs, higher staff turnover, increasing cost of production and unfavorable business environment, the new lines of costs will further the challenge. If one is to go by the latest figures, this sector contributes 5.5% to the GDP and has been growing an average of 15.5% in the last 10 years. The new strain from the pandemic will have its toll on this trajectory, negatively affecting the value addition in the economy.

Slowing business, particularly stalling external sector, will certainly be a challenge for the financial sector. Much of the short-term portfolio financing of banks goes to the merchandise sector. This remains one of the sustainably profitable segments of their business. As such, a slowdown in the external tradable sector of the economy will put a pressure on the financial institutions. For a sector with limited opportunities of short-term investments, this will really be painful.

On the other hand, the increasing cost of living and higher health care costs will also mean lower savings going to the banking sector. No doubt that this will add to the pain the sector has been feeling from the liquidity crunch, largely caused by unimaginably high loan to asset ratio.

Generally speaking, the pandemic will put considerable challenge to the private sector. It should be recalled that the Ethiopian private sector is infant, less capitalized and hardly institutionalized. As such, it is vulnerable to seasonal changes. It is obvious that a factor as global as COVID-19 will have sizeable impact on the private sector. This is furthered by the fact that the market is also undeveloped and provides little alternative for risk diversification to the private sector.

As a specialized sub-sector of the private sector, the healthcare service industry will surely be affected hugely. Included in this are hospitals, pharmacies, emergency care service providers, importers, medical equipment suppliers, specialized laboratories, technical service providers and consultants. All will be overstretched and under-supplied, while at the same time the expectations from them will be tremendously high.

As the saying goes, extraordinary times require extraordinary measures. Regardless of the fact that the government is overstretched with multiple demands, from ensuring macro stability to national elections, it should take the fight against COVID-19 as a strategic priority. Recognizing the impact the pandemic will have on the economy and the resulting pressure on jobs, income and livelihood, the government has to institute tailored stimulus package. It ought to avail resources to support the private sector, with particular focus on relieving the pressure that health care service providers feel.

There is a need for the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) to avail foreign currency for health care suppliers, manufacturer of sanitation products and specialized testing laboratories. This is vital as controlling the spread of the virus will heavily depend on the efficiency of these agencies.

On the other hand, the stimulus package ought to also consider the service sector. Unless direct support is availed to service sector players, the sector will be seeing huge lay offs, which, during such a pandemic, will further the social cost to the country. As such, a stabilization fund wherein service sector players are de-risked for losses, in line with their willingness to retain employees have to also be crafted.

None of the above, however, will be possible without a fiscal readjustment. As such, it is high time for the central government to get back to the drawing table and adjust its fiscal space in line with the new priorities. As its fiscal space is pressured, what the time requires is fiscal optimization and risk-indexing of the fiscal elements. As such, it is time for the administration of Abiy Ahmed (PhD) to redo its sensitivity analysis and redraw the budgetary tangents. Only then can it equate its aspiration for controlling the spreading pandemic that is stressing people, institutions and systems.

There seems to be enough will in the administration to do what it takes to control the pandemic. It is now time to translate that will into a currency of actions. If all is done right, it will not take that long before the country stands stronger in the face of COVID-19.

But first thing first, let us all wash our hands, avoid touching our faces, clean and disinfect our surrounding and stay informed.

AS

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