Zimbabwe: Press Statement – “Linda Masarira and continued human rights abuses” (11.09.2016)

lindasta

NERA strongly Condemns the continued Human Rights abuses by the Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF led Government. We call for the immediate release of Linda Masarira and other Activists.

The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows for Freedom of Speech without Government Reprisal. It is become increasingly evident that Robert Mugabe, Vice President Mnangagwa,Vice President Mphoko, the Attorney General and ZANU PF government have little to no respect for the rules that are supposed to govern the Country.

It is becoming very clear that Neither Robert Mugabe nor Vice President Mnangagwa, Vice President Mphoko are fit to run the country. This Government continues to demonstrate its incompetency as they escalate in their aggression against the Citizens of Zimbabwe.

On 9 September 2016, Government sanctioned Zimbabwe Republic Police to teargas peaceful protestors. On 10 September 2016, the Government sent Riot Police to Chikurubi Prison to deal with Female Prisoners mostly political Activists who sang freedom songs as they were protesting the Unfair Judiciary System and the physical and verbal abuse they are receiving from Prison guards. Now they have placed Linda Masarira in the Men Section of the Chikurubi Prison. This is illegal and a gross human rights violation.

Neither Robert Mugabe or Heir apparent Vice President Mnangagwa,have demonstrated that ZANU PF has any reformers. This Government continues to use abuse and threats as a form of dealing with opposition. This government instead of paying salaries or improving conditions in the country has purchased more police cars , more teargas, more guns in-order to continue their oppression of the Zimbabwean People.

NERA is calling upon the Government of Robert Mugabe and His Vice Presidents to show some modicum of respect for the laws and Constitution of Zimbabwe. For Thirty Six (36) years Robert Mugabe with the help of Emmerson Mnangagwa has presided over a government with one of the worst human rights records and one of the most corrupt. How can they claim to be leaders when they have failed to lead by example.

NERA hopes that for once ZANU PF will air on side of doing whats right and Release Linda Masarira a Mother of Five, whose family this Government evicted from National Railways Home. NERA hopes all other activists are released and that Robert Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will deal and stop the Abuse of prisoners at the hands of prison guards.

NERA also hopes Robert Mugabe and Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa begin to encourage a non politically motivated judiciary and fire politically tainted judges like Judge Bhunu.

NERA stands UNITED with the Citizens of Zimbabwe fighting for a free and Better Zimbabwe

Opinion: President Mugabe and his Zanu-PF blaming the West again for their problems!

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Again, the mighty West is involved in internal squabbles in Zimbabwe. I am surely that the tourist from the West who goes to Zimbabwe comes with teaching of violence and comes with knowledge of the infamous book ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy’ of Gene Sharp. Because the tourists are not coming to look at the beautiful nature apparently they come to counter the draconian government of President Mugabe and his ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).

President Mugabe plan is to counter “an elaborate Western plot to destabilise Zimbabwe via opposition-led protests and anarchy” (Zimbabwe News Day, 2016).

Dr Ignatius Chombo who is Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration told state media that President Mugabe laid the essential framework to guide Zanu-PF and the whole nation during the ruling party’s Politburo and Central Committee meetings in the Capital city Harare last week. Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration said, “As the party’s Secretary for Administration, I want to remind party members and the rest of Zimbabweans of the 10 exhortations which were made by the President during the Politburo and Central Committee (meetings) last week” (…) “These exhortations are what will guide the party accordingly as we prepare to go for the December Conference as well as position ourselves against the threats posed by the West” (…) “Firstly, there is need to Organise the party from cell, village, branch, district and provinces. We should also truly bring the people together under the banner of Zanu-PF. We should also undertake to shun factionalism, divisions, nepotism, tribalism and regionalism” (Zimbabwe News Day, 2016).

Because the West is the reason for the public demonstrations, not that the government themselves have made policies that gives the Police Force more new Anti-Riot Gear, but doesn’t pay salaries. It is the Western sanctions wrong that the Zimbabwe Government have paid the elites and their businesses, instead of paying salaries to the Army and Health Care Workers. It is the West fault that the infrastructure projects have been embezzled from. I am sure that it is the West fault that the drought came and that the rain isn’t falling steady.

But as President Mugabe is supposed to be a biblical leader he should pray and this all should be solved like snap of his fingers and with the might of his powers. With the biblical powers of President Mugabe the Western Powers shouldn’t have the ability to influence and change the outcome of the political dissidents in Zimbabwe. Still, they are the problem; not themselves?

President Mugabe and Dr. Ignatius Chombo are using the West as a scapegoat from their own misgivings and maladministration. As the Cash-Strapped and deficit is man made by the Zanu-PF who are there for the interest of themselves and not the citizens. The Citizens are tired of taken for granted and used as pawns for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to get bail-out and debt-relief as the Central Government are borrowing ever more money without getting revenue in the same levels of the expenses. Well, I guess that is the West fault as well.

So #ThisFlag #Tajamuka #NERAdemo and #NoBondNotes are the West fault. It is not internal problems as the Zimbabwe Police Force brutality and the aggressive government to silence the activists in ways of arresting and detaining them, even get them to hospital by the force used on the streets. This is the entire West fault, as they support the Police with Tear-gas and batons to hit the citizens like they are baseballs. Not the mismanaged social policies and deficiencies over time together with the tiredness of a regime who doesn’t value their citizens. It is the West who has created these demonstrations.

If the current leadership of Zanu-PF together with the President Mugabe believes the West is behind it. Than they are blind behind their wealth as fog of ignorance of the reactions that can come by continuing policies and economic stagnation without any clear indication of catering to the unemployed, educated and average citizen as they struggle with their day-to-day. While the Zanu-PF are riding luxurious cars and living in mansions or hotels while the citizens cannot take out needed funds to pay for rent. That is not the West fault, that is the economic fragmented and economic policies made by the Zanu-PF; and when the citizens of Zimbabwe cannot pay their bills even as they have money in bank shows the legitimate reason for demonstrating against their regime. This is not a problem created by the West, this a problem created by the Harare and Mugabe Administration.

It is time for the Zanu-PF to man-up and take responsibility for their actions. Instead of blaming the West; I am just waiting for the President Mugabe saying that Evan Mawarire being hired by CIA and MI6 to Coup his regime. I shouldn’t write it, the Zanu-PF minions might use this as proof. Because, the West is always the behind everything that creates problems for the Zanu-PF; not that Zanu-PF creates their own problems. Peace.

Reference:

Zimbabwe News Day – ‘Mugabe Announces the Strategy to Counter Peoples Challenge’ (11.09.2016) link: http://zimbabwenewsday.co.uk/2016/09/11/mugabe-announces-strategy-counter-peoples-challenge/

ACIE LUMUMBA | Mugabe I’m Suing You (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDSTil13gvU

Open Letter – “Re; Addressing the escalating Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia” (08.09.2016)

EthiopiaProtest

To Permanent Representatives of
Members and Observer States of the
UN Human Rights Council

Geneva, 8 September 2016

RE: Addressing the escalating human rights crisis in Ethiopia

Your Excellency,

The undersigned civil society organisations write to draw your attention to grave violations of human rights in Ethiopia, including the recent crackdown on largely peaceful protests in the Oromia and Amhara regions.

As the UN Human Rights Council prepares to convene for its 33rd session between 13 – 30 September 2016, we urge your delegation to prioritise and address through joint and individual statements the escalating human rights crisis in Ethiopia.

An escalating human rights crisis in Oromia and Amhara regions

The situation in Ethiopia has become increasingly unstable since security forces repeatedly fired upon protests in the Amhara and Oromia regions in August 2016. On 6 and 7 August alone, Amnesty International reported at least 100 killings and scores of arrests during protests that took place across multiple towns in both regions. Protesters had taken to the streets throughout the Amhara and Oromia regions to express discontent over the ruling party’s dominance in government affairs, the lack of rule of law, and grave human rights violations for which there has been no accountability.

Protests in the Amhara region began peacefully in Gondar a month ago and spread to other towns in the region. A protest in Bahir Dar, the region’s capital, on 7 August turned violent when security forces shot and killed at least 30 people. Recently, on 30 August, stay-at-home strikers took to the streets of Bahir Dar again and were violently dispersed by security forces. According to the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), in the week of 29 August alone, security forces killed more than 70 protesters and injured many more in cities and towns across Northern Amhara region.

Since November 2015, Ethiopian security forces have routinely used excessive and unnecessary lethal force to disperse and suppress the largely peaceful protests in the Oromia region. The protesters, who originally advocated against the dispossession of land without adequate compensation under the government’s Addis Ababa Integrated Development Master Plan, have been subjected to widespread rights violations. According to international and national human rights groups, at least 500 demonstrators have been killed and hundreds have suffered bullet wounds and beatings by police and military during the protests.

Authorities have also arbitrarily arrested thousands of people throughout Oromia and Amhara during and after protests, including journalists and human rights defenders. Many of those detained are being held without charge and without access to family members or legal representation. Many of those who have been released report torture in detention. The continued use of unlawful force to repress the movement has broadened the grievances of the protesters to human rights and rule of law issues.

The need for international, independent, thorough, impartial and transparent investigations

Following the attacks by security forces on protesters in Oromia earlier this year, five UN Special Procedures issued a joint statement noting that “the sheer number of people killed and arrested suggests that the Government of Ethiopia views the citizens as a hindrance, rather than a partner”, and underlining that “Impunity … only perpetuates distrust, violence and more oppression”.

In response to the recent crackdown, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, has called for “access for independent observers to the country to assess the human rights situation”. Ethiopia’s government, however, has rejected the call, instead indicating it would launch its own investigation. On 2 September, in a public media statement, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights reiterated the UN High Commissioner’s call to allow a prompt and impartial investigation led by regional or international human rights bodies into the crackdown.

There are no effective avenues to pursue accountability for abuses given the lack of independence of the judiciary and legislative constraints. During the May 2015 general elections, the ruling EPRDF party won all 547 seats in the Ethiopian Parliament.

Ethiopia’s National Human Rights Commission, which has a mandate to investigate rights violations, has failed to make public its June report on the Oromia protests, while concluding in its oral report to Parliament that the lethal force used by security forces in Oromia was proportionate to the risk they faced from the protesters. The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions has rated the Ethiopian National Human Rights Commission as B, meaning the latter has failed to meet fully the Paris Principles.

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, who met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn at the margins of the European Development Days in June 2016, has called on all parties to refrain from the use of force and for a constructive dialogue and engagement to take place without delay. On 28 August, after the EPRDF party’s general assembly, Prime Minister Hailemariam reportedly ordered the country’s military to take any appropriate measures to quell the protests, which he described as illegal and aimed at destabilising the nation. Following a similar call regarding the Oromia protests, security forces intensified the use of excessive force against protesters.

A highly restrictive environment for dialogue

Numerous human rights activists, journalists, opposition political party leaders and supporters have been arbitrarily arrested and detained. Since August 2016, four members of one of Ethiopia’s most prominent human rights organisations, the Human Rights Council (HRCO), were arrested and detained in the Amhara and Oromia regions. HRCO believes these arrests are related to the members’ monitoring and documentation of the crackdown of on-going protests in these regions.

Among those arrested since the protests began and still in detention are Colonel Demeke Zewdu (Member, Wolkait Identity Committee (WIC)), Getachew Ademe (Chairperson, WIC), Atalay Zafe (Member, WIC), Mebratu Getahun (Member, WIC), Alene Shama (Member, WIC), Addisu Serebe (Member, WIC), Bekele Gerba (Deputy Chair, Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC)), Dejene Tufa (Deputy General Secretary, OFC), Getachew Shiferaw (Editor-in-Chief of the online newspaper Negere Ethiopia), Yonathan Teressa (human rights defender) and Fikadu Mirkana (reporter with the state-owned Oromia Radio and TV).

Prominent human rights experts and groups, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, have repeatedly condemned the highly restrictive legal framework in Ethiopia. The deliberate misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation’s overbroad and vague provisions to target journalists and activists has increased as protests have intensified. The law permits up to four months of pre-trial detention and prescribes long prison sentences for a range of activities protected under international human rights law. Dozens of human rights defenders as well as journalists, bloggers, peaceful demonstrators and opposition party members have been subjected to harassment and politically motivated prosecution under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, making Ethiopia one of the leading jailers of journalists in the world.

In addition, domestic civil society organisations are severely hindered by one of the most restrictive NGO laws in the world. Specifically, under the 2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation, the vast majority of Ethiopian organisations have been forced to stop working on human rights and governance issues, a matter of great concern that has been repeatedly raised in international forums including at Ethiopia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

This restrictive and worsening environment underscores the limited avenues available for dialogue and accountability in the country. It is essential that the UN Human Rights Council take a strong position urging the Ethiopian government to immediately allow an international, thorough, independent, transparent and impartial investigation into alleged human rights abuses committed in the context of the government’s response to the largely peaceful protests.

As a member – and Vice-President – of the Human Rights Council, Ethiopia has an obligation to “uphold the highest standards” of human rights, and “fully cooperate” with the Council and its mechanisms (GA Resolution 60/251, OP 9). Yet for the past ten years, it has consistently failed to accept country visit requests by numerous Special Procedures.

During the upcoming 33rd session of the Human Rights Council, we urge your delegation to make joint and individual statements reinforcing and building upon the expressions of concern by the High Commissioner, UN Special Procedures, and others.

Specifically, the undersigned organisations request your delegation to urge Ethiopia to:

    1. immediately cease the use of excessive and unnecessary lethal force by security forces against protesters in Oromia and Amhara regions and elsewhere in Ethiopia;
    2. immediately and unconditionally release journalists, human rights defenders, political opposition leaders and members as well as protesters arbitrarily detained during and in the aftermath of the protests;
    3. respond favourably to country visit requests by UN Special Procedures;
    4. urgently allow access to an international, thorough, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into all of the deaths resulting from alleged excessive use of force by the security forces, and other violations of human rights in the context of the protests;
    5. ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are prosecuted in proceedings which comply with international law and standards on fair trials and without resort to the death penalty; and
    6. fully comply with its international legal obligations and commitments including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and its own Constitution.

Amnesty International
Article 19
Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
Civil Rights Defenders
DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
Ethiopian Human Rights Project
FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)
Foundation for Human Rights Initiative
Freedom House
Front Line Defenders
Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect
Human Rights Watch
International Service for Human Rights
Reporters Without Borders
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

World Bank Statement on Zimbabwe (08.09.2016)

Zim Money Billion

The World Bank Group is committed to work with all partner countries, including Zimbabwe, to achieve their long term development goals. We care deeply about the well-being of the people of Zimbabwe.

Contrary to what has been reported in some media, Zimbabwe is not currently eligible for financing under IDA’s turnaround facility. The Zimbabwe Turnaround Eligibility Assessment Note that was leaked to some outlets is an unofficial draft document that has not been approved by the Bank.

The World Bank will only resume direct lending to Zimbabwe when the issue of arrears is resolved. This approach is standard to all International Financial Institutions.  Upon arrears clearance, Zimbabwe would be eligible as a borrowing member of the Bank to a broad range of financing instruments.

Footage: In Harare today the Riot Police disperse the #Tajamuka demonstration!

“A group of #Tajamuka/Sesjikile protestors demonstrated in Harare today 09/09/16 against Statutory Instrument 101A. The protest is against an attempt by the executive arm of the state, to usurp judicial powers and compromise the independence of the judiciary. The political judgement by Injustice Bhunu which attempted to convict human rights defenders is one symptom of judiciary compromisation.Riot police fired teagas to disperse #Tajamuka/Sesijikile protesters” (Tajamuka/Sesjikile TV, 2016).

Second Clip:

Zimbabwe: Hon. Chinamasa paints a dark economic picture in the 2016 Mid-Year report!

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Hon. P.A. Chinamasa had to report about the current state of Fiscal and Economic Status in the Zimbabwean Parliament today. The report of his speech and numbers are not a wonderful picture. I have quoted the numbers that is most interesting.

The Agricultural and Mining shows how the different economic place the output is. Especially the loss of output and the yields of grain in the current year in Zimbabwe have been dire. The levels of debt, payments of the debt and the loans can be seen as “vicious cycle” from the Government and how they will act upon this. Let’s take a look at the numbers!

Gold Mining:

“Already, notable gains were registered in the gold sector during the first half of 2016, also benefitting from capacitation of small scale miners through the US$100 million mechanisation facility organised by Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” (Chinamasa, P:12, 2016).

Currency Vows:

“Honourable Members will also be aware of recent initiatives by the Reserve Bank to ease tight liquidity constraints through promotion of plastic money, e-banking services, and broader use of multi-currencies, among other measures” (Chinamasa, P:13, 2016).

Maize Program:

“During the first half of the year, Government introduced a US$500 million Special Maize Production Programme which targets utilisation of 400 000 hectares of land, with registration of interested qualifying farmers currently underway” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

More on Grain:

“This year’s estimated maize grain harvest of 511 816 tons falls short of the normal national grain requirement of 2.2 million tons” (…) “Government interventions to provide for the national maize grain deficit of 1.7 million tons are being complemented by private sector and development partners’ imports” (Chinamasa, P:75, 2016).

Brazil food program:

“This complements such other facilities as the US$98 million More Food for Africa Programme supported by Brazil, under which farmers’ access, on a cost recovery basis, farm equipment and implements. This includes tractors, disc harrows, fertilizer spreaders, boom sprayers, among other equipment” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

National Budget 2017:

“Government will take advantage of the forthcoming 2017 National Budget to propose some of the necessary measures to address any emerging gaps in order to remain on course towards the realisation of the further advancement of our Zim Asset agenda” (Chinamasa, P:18, 2016)

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Economy 2016:

“the economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 National Budget anticipated” (Chinamasa, P:19, 2016).

Reasons for the struggling economy:

“Depressed international commodity prices, particularly for our minerals” (…) Limited domestic and foreign direct investment, also associated with our debt overhang” (…) “The growing fiscal deficit, also impacting on the liquidity of the financial system, as well as on business activity” (…) “The resultant overall fall in incomes and weakening of domestic aggregate demand” (Chinamasa, P:18-19, 2016).

The Reversed projections of worrying numbers are -4.2% on Agricultural Output in 2016, the same with the Electricity and Water Output -21,8% and also the -5% Public Administration. Instead of scheduled GDP on 2.7; it’s projected instead to be 1.2; which is about the same as the 2015 numbers, but really shaved since 2013-2014 (4.5 and 3.8) – (Chinamasa, P: 19, 2016).

Inflation:

“Annual headline inflation remained negative, albeit accelerating from -2.19% in January 2016 to -1.4% in June 2016. The continued decline in prices in 2016 was driven by both food and non-food inflation, underpinned by the sustained depreciation of the South African rand; subdued international oil prices; and waning domestic demand” (…) “Annual food inflation, which averaged -4% over the period January to June 2016, was weighed down by declines in the prices of meat; bread and cereals, milk, cheese and eggs, oils and fats; and vegetables, among others, owing to improved supplies and competition from cheaper imports” (…) “Declines in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furniture and household equipment; transport; clothing and footwear among others, however, continued to weigh down on non-food inflation” (Chinamasa, P:20, 2016).

Budget deficit:

“During the period January to June 2016, revenue under-performance against over-expenditures resulted in a cumulative budget deficit of about US$623.2 million, far above the full-year target of US$150 million”. By June the total revenue: $1.692.4 billion and the total expenses: $2.315.6 billion; which means the target by June 2016 is $623.2 million that is over $475 million deficit (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016).

Projected Deficit:

“Failure to contain the budget deficit in the shortest possible time will worsen the deficit to an estimated year-end level of over US$1 billion” (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016)

Vicious Cycle:

lack of capacity to service domestic debt has also seen roll-overs, which are posing some financial risks on domestic debt instrument holders and domestic financial institutions” (…) “This situation, unfortunately, is not tenable and is undermining the stability of the financial sector and overall economy” (…) “Government borrowing is also crowding out lending to the private sector and, hence, stifling new domestic investment and growth” (…) “This is creating a vicious cycle, whereby excessive Government borrowing leads to poor performance of the private sector and, in turn, diminished future tax revenues” (Chinamasa, P: 38, 2016).

Government Salaries:

“During the first six months of this year, pay dates of the public service, grant-aided institutions and pensioners have had to be periodically rescheduled from normal programmed pay dates as a result of resource constraints“ (…) “the staggering of 2015 bonus payments that stretched into July 2016 resulted in difficulties in paying the June salaries on time, thereby forcing Government to shift the pay dates into July” (…) “The Public Service pay dates cycles have since been modified by spreading payment of the monthly wage bill over six payment dates from the previous four payment dates” (Chinamasa, P: 39, 2016).

Government debt:

“The country faces a huge external debt overhang of around US$7.5 billion as at end of June 2016, with arrears accounting for almost 80% of the debt” (…) “the debt overhang is militating against the country’s efforts to mobilise reasonably priced long-term lines of credit” (…) “Clearance of arrears and unlocking of new financing will require that Zimbabwe builds capacity to honour old and new debt obligations to IFIs and other bilateral and new lenders” (Chinamasa, P: 40-41, 2016).

“Total external debt of Public Enterprises that has been guaranteed by the Government is estimated at USD$2 billion as at end June 2016. Public Enterprises are failing to service their debt and all the guarantees of US$2 billion have been called up” (…) “This has contributed to an increase of Government arrears by US$1.75 billion (25% of total external debt), further worsening the country’s low credit worthiness” (Chinasa, P:211, 2016).

Cash Strapped:

“the banking sector was exposed to cash shortages, largely as a result of macro-economic challenges facing the country, including lack of fiscal space and the current account deficit” (Chinamasa, P:45, 2016).

Import-Level:

“The still relatively high import level has also meant a high current account deficit, which is estimated at US$2.5 billion during the first half of the year, and constituting 12% of GDP” (Chinamasa, P: 67, 2016).

anti-mugabe-protests-in-zimbabwe

This numbers are showing how bad it really is, the debt and loans. The deficit of earning and the burden of the expenditure towards the fiscal revenue show the lacking fiscal responsible economy.

The fiscal deficit and the cash-strapped economy show the legitimate worry, together with the current monthly loans and debt. Not only adding debt when also having enough economy to pay the old debt. Together with issues gathering possible new loans as the Low Credit Worthiness.

The other is also the inflation of prices and such is a reaction towards the missing cash and debt burden. As also the problems of fiscal funding and creates more debt for the Republic of Zimbabwe.

I think the numbers speak for themselves. Don’t you think? Peace.

Reference:

Hon. P.A. Chinamasa – ‘THE 2016 MID-YEAR FISCAL POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT “Improving Investor Confidence to Enhance Productivity” PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE ON 8 SEPTEMBER, 2016 (08.09.2016)

Zimbabwe: Opposition leader Tendai Biti urges for ‘broad coalition’ as 2018 poll approaches (Youtube-Clip)

TPLF Special Forces brutal beating protesters in Amhara Region (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OadpfWUbMOY

In northern Ethiopia, the Amhara resistance is getting momentum (Youtube-Clip)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr8x8Aof7T4