

DP World: Ethiopia Acquires 19% Stake in DP World Berbera Port (01.03.2018)






The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF), the coalition government are preparing all kind of actions against the protest that is spreading in Oromia, as there been demonstrations and sit-home protests in Amhara. There it hasn’t been violent, because people been home. However, in Oromia, where the Qeerroo has reacted to the rearrest of their leaders of Oromo Federalist Congress, the continued protest has been answered with violent aghazi squad or the soldiers attacking them.
First I will drop the orders given by the State Owned Media House Fana Broadcasting Company, which in moderate language, are giving all ways to systematic destruction of the Qeerroo in Oromia. Than, the comments, which is important by the Oromo leader, the Presidetn Jawar Mohammed, before the last message on the matter and the evidence of how violent the State of Emergency is in Nekemte, this being reporting given by ESAT. Which all shows the dire problems within Ethiopia, as the EPRDF and the controlling party within the coalition Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are using all means, saying they need to use all means. To stop the demonstrations, that as they have sent soldiers to the region, as a occupying force. Taking control of their own population and silence their feet walking in the streets. The walking and running in the streets, combined with hand-gestures are clearly to powerful for the TPLF. That is why they are making it illegal and stopping them by “all necessary measures”. Legalizing violence against own citizens, is what the EPRDF/TPLF.
If that isn’t striking as bad, as a worrying sign and as oppression at the highest grade, then nothing cannot be taken away from the regions that is under-fire by the Woyane regime.
“If these forces do not refrain from their destructive actions immediately, based on the decree and the directives, security forces were ordered by the Command Post to take all the necessary measures against them, it said. Moreover, members of the parliament (MPs) residing in Oromia have been submitting complaints to the Command Post repeatedly stating that these forces have been threatening them and their families by using social media, cell phone and in person. Since this is an anti-democratic and destructive move, the Command Post would not tolerate it, the statement said, adding it would take legal measures against forces who were engaged in this kind of action. The Command Post extended its gratitude to the people in various parts of the country for rallying along security forces and giving their life to protect loss of life and damages to properties. The Command Post finally called on the public to strengthen their all-round supports for the success of the ongoing efforts of the government and security forces to fully restore peace in the country” (FANABC – ‘Command Post orders security forces to take necessary measures against spoilers of peace’ 27.02.2018).
“NOTICE: With the ongoing killings in Western Oromia and today’s open order to the military to shot and kill our people, the country is sliding to dangerous territory. Qeerroo are preparing while awaiting for the parliament to make a decision on either passing or rejecting the state of emergency. We are hearing the regime is threatening MP’s to pass the SOE when it meets on Friday. If in fact the parliament passes this unnecessary and unconstitutional decree, it will be met and reversed with fierce resistance. Therefore, we strongly advice all to postpone their travels to and within Ethiopia from Friday onward until things clear up” (Jawar Mohammed, 27.02.2018).
“One person was killed and 20 others wounded when snipers of the TPLF/Agazi forces indiscriminately shot at protesters in the city of Nekemte, Western Ethiopia. Abebe Mekonnen was shot by sniper fire this morning at the central square of Nekemte a city that has seen renewed protest demonstration against the TPLF regime since last Saturday after leaders of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) were banned from entering to address their supporters. The killing in Nekemte came on the day the regime issued a stern warning through state-controlled media outlets to what it called “anti-peace elements” and ordered security forces to “take all measures necessary” against protesters who defy the state of emergency declared a week ago. The six-month martial law, the second in two years, was declared amid persistent pressure from the public for the release of political prisoners and a call for an end to 27 years of misrule by the TPLF, an oligarchy that solely controls political power and grips economic upperhand” (ESAT, 27.02.2018).
No one should be allowed to order this, to put this in writing and give orders to soldiers, against own citizens and use this force, just because they are tired of the regime who are oppressing them. Therefore, because they are tired of being oppressed, they are getting even more harsher laws to oppress them. Less rights and more directions on how to live and speak less. Spread no information, no rallies, no public gatherings and no communications, which can be seen as a danger to the government. If this isn’t taking away the voices of the people, than nothing is. This is just invading the Oromia and the Amhara, that is both regions used too. The worst is happening right now in Oromia, no doubt. But they use what can against Amhara when they can. Not like they have come there in peace within the last 24 months.
Both of these groups of people, have gotten the ill-treatment from the Woyane, the TPLF and the EPRDF. They have not given any sort of consideration. Seemingly, it seemed to be loosing up when the started to free the political prisoners, but now after the PM resigned. They have turned 360 and back to old games of destruction in the regions where people dare to protest.
I was fearing the worst and already more people are dying because the TPLF/EPRDF want to rule not by consensus, but by total control by any means possible and with any excuse what so ever. Nothing can be untouched by these gentlemen, these leaders who run things from Addis Ababa. They are now occupying regions with soldiers like they are taking foreign soil. They are going into Oromia and Amhara, like they are preparing for war. Instead of reconciliation, the state uses violence to dismiss their own. If that isn’t self-destruction, what is? Peace.

There are lots of speculations, there has been since the resignation of the Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and also as the chairman of the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM). This happen on the 15th February, as the State of Emergency was announced on the 17th February 2018. Since then, there has been natural speculation inside the government coalition of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defense Force (EPRDF) and who will succeed Hailemariam Desalegn and be the second PM after Meles Zenawi.
Now, the power struggle between the parties start, as the Council of Ministers will pick their candidate and their new chief. Not that in the recent days, there been any changes of significance and proving the need for one. However, the coalition and the state structure needs a PM. That is why the coalition parties has met and discussed, there been meetings with discussions and therefore, also settle matters.
The first one up, is the one that declared the State of Emergency, being the Ministry of Defense Siraj Fegessa of the SEPDM. The other from the same party might be Shiefraw Shigute. From the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO) are newly elected Chairman Dr. Abiy Ahmed, also newly elected chairman Demeke Mekonnen from the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM). Mere speculations if the Tigray People’s Liberation Movement will have their own candidate and newly elected chairman Debretsion Gebremichael, who is the minister for Communication and Information Technology, but the TPLF haven’t verified if he is contending.
All of these are candidates to the role of the PM, but as the State of Emergency are happening, the violence and killings, the detaining of opposition to the government should be the focus. As the state oppressive behavior is out of control again. We can just await closure of internet and telecommunication in Amhara and Oromo. Like they have done in the past. However, the state is waiting for the extraordinary meeting with the Council of Ministers. Where the leadership and Executive Committee will decided over voting and arguments who becomes the next leader.
This meeting has been postponed a few times and the times has changed. It has been in a slow progression, as the days are running. The uncertainty and speculations becomes more rampant as the parties has certified their candidates. That has been done by the SEPDM, OPDO, ANDM, but nothing official from the TPLF. TPLF who has been the controlling and strongman in the government. Therefore, their words are kind of final in the respects of the EPRDF.
But don’t expect anyone of these to really change anything, as the TPLF control the regime and their actions against the protesters and the demonstrations in Amhara and Omoro. Anyone who goes against the core in Ethiopia, will meet the force of EPRDF and the TPLF. The Executive Committee and Council of Ministers, who in the end will handpick the successor.
I don’t expect the EPRDF to do any good, they haven’t done it recently or in the past. They could have started a reconciliation, as they were starting to release political-prisoners, but now they are rearresting and sending soldiers to towns where there are protests. People are dying because they want their leaders and want their freedom, their liberty and a just society. That is to much to beg for under the TPLF, the Woyane and the EPRDF government. To have a government which represent the public and the regions, are not there now. It will not be so, even if the EPRDF picks the leader of OPDO, since they are putting Oromo Federalist Congress leaders like Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba behind bars again. It’s like putting salt in the wounds and not trying to heal the wounds at all.
This ignorant acts has to stop. The EPRDF and TPLF, has to understand they cannot arrest all of Amhara or Oromo, they cannot shoot at everyone, they cannot destroy and use fear against every single citizen during the State of Emergency. Even if the state tries, even if the Woyane uses power to silence the regions. That cannot continue and the international community shouldn’t only condemn, but also act upon it. If they care about the innocent who dies, because of one groups wish to rule them all.
The Prime Minister will only be used as pawn at this point. The expectation of sudden changes and rapid development by the EPRDF are far-fetched. TPLF wants it all and will only use the PM as a figure-head. The one who takes the position should know this, they will not give away the power they have now. Peace.

Today the government coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has been busy defending the State of Emergency, even as they have started to to detain many of the Oromo leaders who was released recently. That happen over the weekend and because of that, the Oromo protest resurfaced today. Even as the live bullets hit against the citizens protesting.
Nekemet has been met with violent police and aghazi squad who has shot against the protest. Who has reacted to the leaders of Oromo Federalist Congress, this being Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba, who first was banned from meeting their supporters and then rearrested, as the State of Emergency has stopped this sort of activity. That is why the stand-off and the escalation of protest are growing. Again, the state has arrested the leaders and the ones who represent them.
That it is planned to possible have a Oromo Prime Minister from the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization, who is a part of the EPRDF, it might feel like an insult to pick on of them in the Council of Minsters on Thursday, as the state continue to harass the Oromo and the Amhara people. Instead, of listening to their grievances. That is why the position of PM doesn’t seem important, as even the possible Dr. Abiy Ahmed, most likely just be a decoy for the continued oppression of the people by the minority Woyane.
It is a bad sad to read the defense statement by the EPRDF, with the knowledge of the shooting and violence in Nekemet. Where just two leaders wanted to have rally with their supporters. The EPRDF is so afraid of the opposition and the uprising, that they are oppressing them instead of listening.
Seemingly, the EPRDF is so afraid that they had to write this:
“The key to the urgency of the state of emergency in our country as well as from other countries is to return the country to its peaceful activities and to ensure that its citizens are safe. At the same time, it is important to further strengthen the security of the nation and to protect civilians from the violence and fear of the people and the groups who have been left behind for fear and terror” (…) “In this regard, the largest shareholder in this regard is to ensure that the entire society is not replaced by the security forces, so as to maintain unity and peace, as well as to maintain peace in the future” (EPRDF – ‘Unity for Peace, Peace and Solidarity!’ 26.02.2018).
It is striking that the EPRDF is writing about the State of Emergency in this fashion, when they are the one behind the tyranny in the regions, when they are the ones ordering the soldiers and the police to attack their own. When the state is the one sanctioning the violence and illegal detaining of citizens. Then they are making their citizens terrorists, because they are illegally holding on to power. Its a massive breach of understanding their role as government and as representatives of the people. If they would cared for the citizens, the actions today in Nekemet, wouldn’t have happen. Seriously, they would not had a stand-off and detained the leaders during the weekend. However, that is what the state has sanctioned and proving to the world their real vision of the State of Emergency.
That the actions today at Nekemet, should be a sign of how the state has failed their responsibility, that they lost it and forgotten the purpose when they rearrested the OFC leaders this weekend. They are now pawns of Woyane, who doesn’t care about their burning soil and not trying to bring it back to life. They are concerned with keeping power, than actually serving the people. That is the slippery slope to oblivion. It is just a matter of time, before that reality catches up with TPLF and EPRDF. Peace.





Again, the investor and mineral licensing powerhouse in the Democratic Republic Congo, Dan Gertler is even more under fire after the revelations of his illicit trade during the recent years. Now, the formula and the amount of cash he gets from the foreign mineral extraction companies are paying for their passage to him. This as the deals between Getler and Kinshasa authorities are left in the dark. Whatever deal they have, certainly Getler is earning fortunes without doing more, than being connected to the Joseph Kabila government.
This report shows important facts and also bring certainties of the assumed fortunes made by Gertler, even as he is sanctioned and his corporations. Clearly, the mineral extraction is profitable in the midst of insecurity and civilian despair in the republic. While the businesses and the affiliates are eating, the public are fleeing militias and the army itself. The state is not serving the public, but the companies and the persons who has secret deals with the government. It is vicious and the international community let them, even as it is sanctioned, the acts are still appearing and has the ability to earn on it.
“Based on a number of assumptions, Resource Matters estimates the royalties to the Gertler-affiliated companies can be expected to amount to about $110 million for 2018 and nearly $100 million for 2019. This means that Gertler risks losing about $270,000 in revenue from Glencore’s operations per day. That is nearly twice as much as the world’s best paid soccer player, Lionel Messi, makes at Barcelona” (Resource Matters, P: 6, 2018).
“Glencore therefore has to balance the risk of increased pressure in Congo versus the risk of ending up on the U.S. sanctions list. This means that the royalty payments constitute a significant risk, whether they stop or continue. Investors should be able to know how Glencore will deal with this going forward. U.K anti-corruption organization Global Witness has repeatedly lamented the opacity of Glencore’s royalty payments to Gertler’s companies and called for better disclosure” (Resource Matters, P: 8, 2018).
“This conclusion was somewhat hasty. Gertler’s gold companies do not explicitly feature on the sanctions list, but that in itself does not matter. Under the U.S. Treasury’s so-called 50%-rule, any company owned at least 50% by a sanctioned entity is considered, per se, sanctioned because it is deemed to be “blocked property” of the sanctioned person. Both Moku Goldmines and Société Minière de Moku-Beverendi are at least 50% owned by Fleurette, a sanctioned entity, and should be considered sanctioned, too. In addition, the fact that no payments are made to Gertler does not shield Randgold from the risk of being sanctioned. The U.S. Treasury could qualify Randgold’s exploration activities at Moku-Beverendi as ‘material support’ to a sanctioned entity and impose sanctions on Randgold” (Resource Matters, P: 9, 2018).
Gertler might be in hot-water and the Kabila government might have decisions to make concerning their alliance. Still, the trades and contracts has been made, if the Kabila government suspend and revoke it, they might have to pay a settlement. While wait for a new company or middle-man to secure a grand deal for the licensing. We can question if the loyalty will be there, as long as the sanctions might hit the companies who works with Gertler. Because, they do not want to lose the profitable and secure delivery of the cobalt and other minerals in the Republic.
Surely, Getler don’t want to miss his winning ways and his double earnings of Messi. He want it and doesn’t care about how. Getler just continue to score and get contracts, which makes his giant fortune. It is by the blessing of his connections in Kinshasa. Peace.
Reference:
Resource Matters – ‘The Global Magnitsky – Effect How will U.S. sanctions against Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler affect the DR Congo’s extractive sector?” (February 2018).