Opinion: Is Beti Kamya a fitting IGG?

Yesterday, Beti Kamya was appointed by the President to become the next Inspectorate General of Government (IGG). The IGG is supposed to be an “independent institution charged with the responsibility of eliminating corruption, abuse of authority and of public office”. That’s what Kamya is appointed to do now. One out of plenty of state organizations working towards these goals.

What is striking is that the IGG is supposed to be a person of high moral character and proven integrity. I will claim that Kamya falls flat on this. Since, she has sold her soul and her political life to become a meal-ticket politician for the President. That’s why she has gotten this position.

Kamya is said to have differences with the leadership in both Reform Agenda and in Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Since then she started her own party and was supposed to fight for the ‘Federo’. Beti even left that for an appointment by the President and become a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

It was even reported that during the NRM Primaries before the current elections in January 2021. She paid off some of the other candidates to be winner of it. That’s sort of corruption in action and shows her morals too.

That’s why it’s funny and intriguing at the same time. Someone who has such a moral compass and ability to be so flexible about her beliefs. At one point she wrote an article asking “Where is Museveni’s heart?”. Now she has no issues praising him and pledging allegiance to the same man. That’s not integrity or standing behind own beliefs.

Kamya as a IGG will be a compromised character and lack moral ambiguity for this position. Even if you had the perfect fit for the IGG. The IGG is in a space where its not free and has the liberty to fulfil its mandate. Just like the Auditor General, Financial Intelligence Authority, Anti-Corruption Unit at State House and others are combating the same thing. However, these are not allowed or directed to mediocre things. Because these are not supposed to expose the big-men or the ones in association with the President who does the ‘Grand Corruption’.

It’s been ages since the IGG had any relevancy or ability to see the Republic getting edges closer to “Zero Tolerance to Corruption”. The IGG with Kamya will just be another stooge and another loyal crony. She will not do the mandate, but be allowed to catch some smaller fish. Never the ones that steals the bank, but the ones that pickpockets are allowed.

So, I don’t expect much, but there should be some questions about her high moral character and integrity. Because, at this current time. I don’t see that and have a hard time believing that she has any values or integrity to even carry. I don’t believe she has a moral compass or cares about anything else than her own personal career. She will jump from a bridge if Museveni says so. Why do I say that?

Well, she has been willing to trade away all the years in opposition and her own agenda of the ‘Federo’ to become a Minister. That’s why she is not fitted for this role. That is if the laws and statutes of the IGG still matters. However, I doubt that… and I cannot see it changes.

Kamya will have slow days and relaxing times compared to being a Minister. She can now chill and await directives to do something. Peace.

Ethiopia Human Rights Commission (EHRC): Protect Civilians from Harassment, Arbitrary Detention and Attacks (15.07.2021)

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A look into TPLF President Debretsion Gebremichael recent address

It’s been a long time since Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) President Debretsion Gebremichael have delivered any message, letter or been vocal. Now, that the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) is regaining territory and the Tripartite Alliance is now resurging new troops to combat the TDF. Therefore, what his saying in this message is important.

As there haven’t been much said or released from the leader of TPLF. That’s why we need to go into it and digest it. Since, it will show his side, character and also his stance ahead of this prolonged conflict in Northern Ethiopia. A conflict that has been on-going on the regular since early November 2020.

First he says:

Dear Ethiopian People,

Serious atrocities have been committed against the Tigrayan people by Ethiopian Defence Force, Eritrean Defence Force, Amhara regional police and militias and by foreign forces. Furthermore, in order to exterminate the people of Tigray; bullets, starvation, horrifying sexual violence and a coordinated looting of property have all been employed for the past eight months” (Debretsion Gebremichael, July 2021).

All of this has been reported, as the massacres, rape and other atrocities has been verified. The Tripartite Alliance has been behind a lot of damage, destruction and weaponized everything in the region. The blockage of all goods, food and destruction of the agricultural sector has secured a man-made famine. Which results is still unknown, but the dire hunger and distress is hitting most of the region. Just a few days ago, the Prime Minister down-played this. While the TPLF leader re-issues it again. To show that is a continuing battle and a consequence of this civil war.

He continues:

Amongst the many things that have happened for the past eight months, with a complete disregard to the constitution, is that the criminal forces have arrogantly seized Tigrayan territories through force. Despite calls for them to immediately withdraw to their origins, they are refusing, believing in their might, to relinquish their hold and have been in preparation for what would be a catastrophe. Still, we are again calling on them to leave the places they have forcefully occupied. Otherwise, as we have done the past 8 months, we will fight and reinstate our rights” (Debretsion Gebremichael, July 2021).

Here we are seeing the ironies of the conflict. That the Tripartite Alliance, the Federal Government and all of its soldiers have breached the Constitution by attacking the Tigray region. They have disregarded it. That is striking when the government of FDRE or legality of the Law Enforcement Operation was to restore “law and order”. While it has been revealed that the only mission was to destroy and weaken Tigray. As the will of the state is to consolidate power and control it by force. Instead of in co-operation and within the means of the constitution. Which the Federal Government always uses as a tool to oppress and silence its critics.

He continues to say:

The people of Tigray have never labelled any people as enemy. The people of Tigray were never an enemy to the Amhara, they are not today, nor will they ever be an enemy in the future. In spite of this, in order for those in power to maintain their power they are leading the Amhara people into grave danger. The people should therefore resist, and say lives should not be lost for the greed of power” (Debretsion Gebremichael, July 2021).

In the times of tribulations and with horrific acts done against you. Still, the TPLF leader says these words. That shows character. In the middle of the times, when Tigrayan is ethnically profiled, arrested, detained, banned from working and being part of the army. When the state is issuing orders and taking way their lands and homes. The TPLF leader says these words. As the state has created a famine in their homes. Destroyed their towns, villages and factories. The time when the state has raped, sent people to seek refuge in Sudan. Still, he said this words and he could have chosen differently.

Especially, knowing that the Amhara has annexed land. They have used the Special Forces and the Amhara militia “Fano” to participate in the war and invest in the conflict. So, saying that they don’t see the Amhara as an enemy. Really says a lot. Also, knowingly that the state calls them terrorist and criminals. That the state are using all its machinery to end them. Even with all that knowledge and all the costs of the conflict. Still, saying loud and clear that they are not enemies. That is something the Prosperity Party or the Prime Minister never could utter. He and his allies would bring the fire and the fury. They would come with insults and rebuke the ideas of reinstating the TPLF.

These words from the TPLF leader show the difference between him and the Prime Minister. It shows the manners and the attitude, which is important. The TPLF leader could have chosen different words. However, he said these things and they can be verified.

Now the TPLF leader have to prove some of them. The others have been shown and the world is yet to see it. The Tigray region is suffering and paying a huge price. Still, the TPLF and the TDF is fighting to regain it all. Time will tell, but until that’s done. We can what choices the Mekelle leadership will do. Peace.

Ethiopia: World Food Programme (WFP) – WFP response to ESAT news broadcast at 20:00hrs on 12 July 2021 (15.07.2021)

Opinion: Kulinski have fled the sinking ship of TYT

It is now revealed after the video clip earlier this week of news anchor Cenk Uygur saying his final “goodbye” to Kyle Kulinski and “the Secular Talk” from The Young Turks (TYT) Network. The last few weeks has been horrible for TYT and this isn’t making things better.

That Kulinski is leaving the TYT. Shows that one of the biggest network assets has left the scene. As the TYT have lost two former commentators and contributors in Kulinski and Jimmy Dore. Both of these YouTube Channels has an ability cause a stir and political interest online. Where they will directly fight with TYT.

That Kyle is now leaving is an indication that the ties are now finally over. TYT have gone on a rampage against anyone criticising it. The TYT have tried to smear other journalists and directly attacked them. Without proof of their allegations and the supposed ill-advised reporting they supposed to do. While the TYT haven’t redacted or done anything in their way to take responsibility for their actions.

Cenk Uygur looks like his losing it and he don’t know how to handle this storm. The TYT is losing not only edge, but also subscribers. The TYT is losing former hosts, anchors and network associates. Former friends of the TYT is now becoming cold or getting attacked. That is what is happening and its a very tragic demise of the Network.

Kyle leaving this way shows he has understood that this was his time. He is starting to have a good platform on his own and also a podcast. His businesses elsewhere is reaching new heights and he isn’t in need of the backing of the TYT. That must hurt Cenk, but Cenk has also stopped giving him any reasons to be affiliated with the network.

The TYT brand and ethos as a progressive is clearly sinking. The ideals of the news network is also becoming stagnate. The TYT has 5 million members on YouTube, but how many of them is daily viewers? How many are following the live shows? Does the Vanguard or Hard Lens Media have more of a traction now? Heck does one man teams of Jesse Dollamore or Farron Balanced have rising power?

The TYT is living on a knives edge. Cenk’s words in his final goodbye to Kyle was distasteful and disgraceful. Wishing someone a “disaster” and saying his choices will be filled with more “disasters”. That isn’t professional, but a butt-hurt and seemingly angry. Kulinski should have gotten some respect for all the years he was a part of the network and the work he put in.

The TYT needs to revaluate its purpose, unless they want to known for these sort of acts. Instead of being the home of progressives. They are instead the home of smear-artists and attacking other journalists. Who can trust a home like that? Who want to watch that?

The way Cenk handled Kyle leaving isn’t worthy of anyone. Especially, when they have worked together for years and been loyal to the same cause. If someone did the same to me and my folks. I would have been horrified and wondered what caused the change.

Cenk especially needs to repurpose his manners and where he wants the TYT to go. Because, people like me used to watch it. However, during the last month I have ditched it totally and I’m not planning to return either.

TYT isn’t showing any care for the viewers, its affiliates or former employees. It is just becoming a hawkish YouTube platform. Not a News Network anymore…. and only name-calling without proof. That isn’t what I came for, but that’s what Cenk is serving you. Peace.

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Opinion: The suspension of the Addis Standard is a sign of the times

That the media house or publication suspension of Addis Standard from the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA). That happened without any forewarning or without any reasons. This isn’t shocking or neither without merit in these times.

As the authorities and the state actors are directly targeting the “unfriendly” media. The media and media outlets that dares to print, write or even question the authorities are in danger in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE).

Addis Standard has dared to publish and write stories, which has humiliated and undermined the stories, the tales and the propaganda, which the states need produced to hail the newly crowned king, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. He needs to be praised with no question or any scrutiny.

The press and media houses who breaches with that modus operandi. Can easily see the journalists apprehended, arrested or even assaulted in public. The state can easily take away licenses or even close their web-pages.

The story of Addis Standard isn’t alone in this. There is others who has gotten into trouble. This being journalists of Aiga Forum, Ethio Forum or Awlo Media. These has all seen people associated getting into legal jeopardy. Others has also been arrested and taken away for a various reasons.

This is all deliberately to secure the narratives and the stories are told directly from the government to the general public. Not having mixed messages or even have reporting, which could differ from their ideas. The state is supposed to control the news and all reporting. That’s why the likes of Addis Standard is in trouble and loses it licence to operate.

Addis Standard have been a well-run media house and delivered quality reporting, which has differed from Fana Broadcasting or Ethiopia News Agency. Meaning it has independent reporting, which was in dire contrast to the will and the wants of the ones in power. That’s why Addis Standard had to pay this price.

The “reformist” Abiy needs love and needs it abundantly from all the well-wishers from across the globe and local media shouldn’t dare to question him. Because, if they do… they can easily lose their job or company. They could even linger in jail like the other political prisoners, which he has easily made possible during his reign.

Anyone who question the Prime Minister can easily end up like Addis Standard. Losing their licence and not allowed to operate. That’s because the PM and his “Yes-Men” cannot handle the truth. Peace.

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