South Sudan: Vivacell – “Status of Airtime and Simcard Stock in Your Possesion” (28.03.2018)

ODF Statement on the election of Dr. Abiy Ahmed as Chairman of Ethiopia’s ruling party (28.03.2018)

Ethiopia: Dr. Abiy Ahmed have a long walk ahead!

A Nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but it’s lowest ones”Nelson Mandela

On the 15th February 2018 on National Television, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn resigned as Chairman of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and also Prime Minister. This happen as sudden swift action, caught many by surprise. Since then the state has re-issued new restrictions and a new State of Emergency, where the state oppress the regions of Oromia and Amhara especially.

Therefore, now after 40 days and long meetings for the Council of Ministers, they have no been able to pick a candidate, the one who become the official chairman of the EPRDF to day is the leader of Oromo People Democratic Organization (OPDO) Dr. Abiy Ahmed. He was elected the chairman of the party, just this 23rd February 2018. So, the rise has gone quickly and seemingly smooth for the 41 year old politician.

Addis Standard reports: “Update: Dr. Abiy Ahmed secured 108 of the 180 and came out the clear winner. The current Deputy PM Demeke Mekonnen, chairman of the ANDM, will remain in his position as deputy Prime Minister” (Addis Standard, 27.03.2018). So we can expect that he stays as deputy in the time coming. So the coalition still has different parties between the various post.

Fana BC Reports: “Addis Ababa, March 27, 2018 (FBC) – The Council of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) today elected Dr Abiy Ahmed as Chairperson of the Front. Demeke Mekonnen was elected Deputy Chairperson of EPRDF. The Council concluded the meeting it has been conducting since March 20, 2018” (Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Dr Abiy Ahmed elected Chairperson of EPRDF’, 27.03.2018). What they are saying they needed 7 days or a week to vote for the future Chairman and also Prime Minister. They also waited 33 days before starting to have the Council of Ministers to decide the matter. Therefore, you cannot say the EPDRF isn’t careful and thorough on the matter.

This is not a clean slate, but for some a fig of hope, though I am skeptic, since the EPRDF has been a Woyane and a Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) infused government, where their needs has come first. That is why the oppression, the arrests and the killings has happen on their fields and town. With the sieges and the skirmishes to stop people from protesting the state. Therefore, OPDO chairman and now chairman of EPRDF needs time, but also hope. Because, it is a tricky road ahead. As the Command Post and the army are going-in on the population. Not creating peace, but havoc.

Jawar Mohammed put its very nicely: “Congratulation Dr Abiy Ahmed. You have ascended to the helm of power at the most critical time in the country’s history. To save country from the current dangerous crisis immediate task ahead;

1) Start dialogue with opposition to pave roadmap towards democratic transition immediately

2) Lift the illegal state of emergency

3) Release all political prisoners

4) Reform the security sector to reflect diversity of the country

I wish you Good Luck!” (Jawar Mohammed, 27.03.2018).

This here, what Jawar is writing and wishing for the chairman to focus on reconciliation and not further oppression against the civilians. That is what the state is doing right now, with the detaining of writers, journalists, bloggers, activists and politicians. All political prisoners, as well as the wounded and the killings. That has been all done in the favors of the TPLF. The other parties have idly looked by and let it happen.

So thinks this might settle the score with the oppression and stops the protest. Because the EPRDF have picked a Oromo to be the Chairman. It is nice gesture and token of respect, but the means on the ground, the violations and the hurt is still there. The lack of tolerance and the lack of building bridges is the reason for the outcome these days. That the TPLF is eating and taken advantage, while the other groups are left to play second fiddle.

There has to substantial changes to stop the protests in the regions. The EPRDF has to show signs, like they did in the days ahead of the resignation of the previous Prime Minister. Now, there is nothing, except for his ethnic background. But that will not matter if Oromia are burning and people are fleeing the army, like they have done during the recent 40 days.

There is need for progress and change, swift change, since the government are stifling own citizens and their own voices. This was an internal change and we could see how the new chairman of the EPRDF has gone up the ranks, first in his first party after the resignation and now he has been voted in the coalition too. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, has a long road to walk. This will not be easy, he has many pieces to play and uncertain how he will handle it.

He could be a puppet to the TPLF like his predecessor or his own man. Time will tell, but the protest will not unsubscribe because of his ethnic background, they will stop when the state acts right. Not like now, when it acts wrong.

The trust between the Woyane and where the provinces where the protests are is lacking, but is because of the years of oppression and violence. The TPLF has to understand that, they cannot get away with it and the Oromo will continue to block trade-routes, block oil-transports from Djibouti and so on. To hurt the Central Government, therefore, the new leader need to have dialogue and not send guns to the provinces. There is a need for change of methods and change of ways to handle this. So that all parts can feel involved and take parts of the decisions. Not just one group on top.

Therefore, I fear that Dr. Abiy Ahmed might just be a new puppet. But I hope I am wrong. Peace.

UNSOM Renewal Statement by Ambassador Abukar Osman, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the UN in NY (27.03.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM/SPLA-(IO) – “On the Communique of the 61 Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan (27.03.2018)

Commmunique of the 61st Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD-Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan (26.03.2018)

South Sudan: Firing Letter to Consultant Aminu Riasi Atekuru – “Sub: Termination of Consultancy Service” (26.03.2018)

South Sudan: Statement of the SSCSF on the Special Envoy’s Report on the HLRF (26.03.2018)

Ethiopia: Desperation hits the TPLF as they are detaining more political prisoners again!

Just as the releases has appeared, today and yesterday the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front with their State of Emergency and Command Post. Has again started to arrest both opposition leaders and activists. In both Oromia and in Amhara.

Also, just days ago, the state arrested again Seyoum Teshome, since the journalist is such a man, that the state fares his written word. That it might infest the public with hope and not despair.

In Bahir Dir, the state has arrested 19 political activists, because they we’re planning to form a political party, that is illegal by the State of Emergency, because all political activity is suspended. Except for the Central Government, that has for days struggled to find the next Prime Minister, as the Council of Minsters hasn’t been able to find anyone suitable or one that can be a puppet Prime Minister for the TPLF government.

In Addis Ababa. Eskinder Nega, Zelalem Workagegnehu, Temesgen Desalegn, Befeqadu Hailu, Mahlet Fantahun, Andualem Aragie, Adisu Getaneh, Woynishet Molla, Yidnekachew Addis, Fekadu Mahtemework and Tefera Tesfaye.

The reason for this that is leaked for the arrests in Addis was this: “Update: Police undergoing investigation, accused Temesgen Desalegn of killing attempt on Police officers. Police also inquired Temesgen why they haven’t requested permission to have gathering: Temesgen in response, there is no need to do that for a private gathering” (Ethiopian Press, 25.03.2018).

These arrest is happening, while the EPRDF has planned to publish more motivational quotes online, just to build up the spirit of the people. While there are detaining the voices of the people. Its is a miss-match of what they want to accomplish. Since they are not building fruitful changes, but just oppressing the people even more. Just like they did in the past. They are not trying to move forward. More going backwards, with some motivational quotes online.

Just to prove how foolish the EPRDF is this days, the state broadcaster Fana stated this yesterday: “In yesterday’s session, it also discussed on ways to address these challenges and bring about better understanding among the parties. The Council also underscored the need to protect the federal system from any threat, the statement added” (FANA BC – ‘EPRDF Council continued its meeting with sense of unity: Office’ 24.03.2018).

So because of the threat they see, they are now re-arresting the activists, writers and opposition leaders. Because they cannot do anything else.

We know now the State of Emergency is really making the state insane, they are fearing people meeting up together. Just like they have put the aggressive rules, and we know that if it is in the provinces, it is dangerous to even crash on motorcycles like in Moyale. This state makes everything spiral into a crisis. Instead of fixing things, they are creating new wounds and new battles. Not talking, not finding solutions, but silencing and oppressing the people.

That is why there are people who are dissenting in Oromia and Amhara, they are tired of being muffled by this regime, the Woyane, who doesn’t listen, but only shoots or detains. Peace.

Teff-Flour Patent Belongs to Ethiopia: Sanction Roosjen and his businesses now!

It is now revealed that someone named Jans Roosjen of the Netherlands has a United States Patent on the Teff Flour, the tradition food source backing done thousands of years. Roosjen is officially a pre-historical human being, he is back-to-future, he is the mirage and the answers of all things. Since he can patent something that has been part of Ethiopian culture and their practices, without their consent and without consideration. He is not the owner of Teff Flour. The United States Patent Office shouldn’t accept this, because this is taking someones national pride and food culture and stamping their ill-gotten name on it.

This is a mockery of invention, this is cultural and staple food theft. It would be like stealing french-fries from Belgium, the Kimchi from South Korea or the Feijoada from Brazil. No one owns that invention, but you cannot patent it too. This is made for the people and owned by the people, secondly, as a foreigner you should appreciate the culture, not steal it. That is what this man has done with the Patent of Teff Flour milling. Like he invented it, he didn’t invent it, he just served a document and filing to the Patent Office. They should have dismissed it as a insane thinking of a European man, who has no ownership to the food cuisine of Ethiopia. 

Teff History:

Teff (Eragrostis Tef) is a cereal crop of Poaceae or Gramineae family with small grains. It is believed to have originated in Ethiopia between 4000 and 1000 BC [1]. Teff seeds were reported to be discovered in a pyramid which is thought to date back to 3359 BC [1]. It is a primarily cultivated cereal crop in Ethiopia with high market price and socio-economic values. Its center of origin and diversity is Ethiopia” (…) “The cultivation of teff as a major cereal crop in Ethiopia was started thousands of years ago. As mentioned in the Introduction, some researchers have indicated that teff production in Ethiopia has a history of more than 4000 years. Teff is a primarily cultivated cereal crop in Ethiopia with high market price and socio-economic values” (Daba, 2017).

Encyclopedia of Life (eol.org) states this:

Between 8,000 and 5,000 BC, the people of the Ethiopian highlands were among the first to domesticate plants and animals for food and teff was one of the earliest plants domesticated.[4] Teff is believed to have originated in Ethiopia and Eritrea between 4,000 BCE and 1,000 BCE. Genetic evidence points to E. pilosa as the most likely wild ancestor.[5] A 19th century identification of teff seeds from an ancient Egyptian site is now considered doubtful; the seeds in question (no longer available for study) are more likely of E. aegyptiaca, a common wild grass in Egypt.[6]” (eol.org – ‘Eragrostis tef’).

That Roosjen own business, which is on his page teff-grain.com, where he states: “given the fall-numbers the mixing of teff-grain or flour with other flours/seeds is patented”. That is very insane, that a man from Netherlands or Holland is thieving a 1000 year old tradition and trying to keep it to himself. That is disgusting, it would be okay if he imported it through Prograin, the company he is owns and serves, but patenting it, is taking it a bit to far.

So the Roosjen started a shop in 2004, patent it in 2006 and has forgotten the tradition of the food. It is time for the world to patent everything for Nethlands, the wind-mills and when coming to foods. It is time for Ethiopians to patent Dutch tradition food, to retaliate like Pannenkoeken, Erwtensoep, Poffertjes and Stroopwafels. Because if a random Dutch man can patent food for centuries and get away it. The Ethiopian and government, should do similar acts until the Dutch retract this nonsense. This is demeaning and insulting of all humanity. Its like patenting human life itself, Roosjen next project could be to patent one of the pyramids of Egypt. Since he could already has stolen, the pride and staple food of injeera of Ethiopia.

Roosjen, you do not own an African Cuisine, you don’t have the rights to patent 8000-year old tradition food from Ethiopia. How dear you, you should retract it and be glad to mother, that you can still import this food and the flour itself. The Ethiopian partners of yours should stop selling to you. Since, you have betrayed their tradition and their cuisine, they should boycott you and yours families business.

A Dutch Company and a Dutch Man is lucky to be able to trade the commodity, they should sanction the man. The farmers, the traders in Addis Ababa, the ones who has traded with his company and the ones licensing sale to him. Should stop immediately, he doesn’t deserve it. Because he has stolen part of the pride of Ethiopia. No one has the right to do so. No-One has the right to do so, it is insulting and demeaning.

Peace.

Reference:

Daba, Tadessa – ‘Nutritional and Soio-Cultural Values of Teff (Eragrostis tef) in Ethiopia’ (May 2017)