China brings jobs to Ethiopia but at what cost?
While Europe is struggling with recession, it is a very different story in Africa where the continent overall is expected to enjoy growth of 6% in 2012.
But there is concern that the fruits of economic expansion and foreign investment are not being evenly shared around.One example of Chinese investment is a shoe factory just south of the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa,
Long-time Africa campaigner Sir Bob Geldof says people should not worry about Chinese investment in Africa and rebuffs the idea of economic colonialism.
"China is not interested in that. Africans are not going to go through that kind of experience again, ever," he says.
"Shut up, get down here, get on with it and it is mutually beneficial. You can talk about what sort of government works best, about values, about rights.
"Those things are being talked about. When they are ignored, there is no growth, just instability, war and hunger."
We could not agree any more with Sir Bob!
Current Events
Ethiopia's National Day
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Ethiopia as you celebrate your national day this May 28th...
FYI: The “by all means" slogan of Girgir 7 that forced them to yell like a mad dog in the middle of a very important world forum may have ended costing them (ginbot 7) their best prize to-date! Though yet to be confirmed, the bad mouth pseudo journalist will lose his credential to appear in any US government meeting and briefing! This comes on the heels of the no-but-thanks response they got from the Gates foundation for the recent approach! [Aigaforum, May 25,2012]
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Mimi, Samuel, Mesert, Yosef and Ben
Round table discussion with Local Journalist and media personalities in Addis Ababa. Topic: Diaspora extremists and "Pseudo Journalist" and more...[Zami Radio]
Ever since Kinjit came apart after the leaders were released from government jail opposition politics has not been the same. For many supporters the failure of the leadership to lead the struggle was hard to swallow. In fact many became disillusioned and left the struggle all together and many others thought and hoped the emerging Ginbot 7 organization founded by Dr Birhanu will become the new opposition group to lead and joined the rank and file. That was then some three years ago!
Today, Ginbot 7 the organization many and I hoped to become the main opposition is nowhere to be found except in the camps of the OLF and ONLF. This is not what many of us had hoped Ginbot 7 would end up becoming thus why I have decided to share my misgivings in public with you all. I know many supporters and members are also heart broken with the turn of events.
A year or so ago Ginbot 7 promised to call a congress to elect new leaders and approve the new platform. For over a year we waited and waited! Today is Dec 31, 2011; the year has come and gone! Ginbot 7 did not have its congress and no one knows for sure when the congress will be held. What we know is Dr Birhanu is befriending OLF and ONLF even though many members and supporters have many issues to raise about the relationship Dr Berhanu is developing with these two anti Ethiopian unity organizations. Many of us were prepared to come to the congress to ask questions hoping against hope Dr Birhanu will not single handedly postpone indefinitely the congress!
Dr Birhanu may think OLF and ONLF are good fit to Ginbot 7 aspirations! He may think these two separatist organizations will some day drop their demand to separate from Ethiopia. He may also think they are the only armed organization that can talk to the Woyane regime using force. But shouldn’t Dr Birhanu consult us and allow the organization to move forward? How are we members and supporters to fight the woyane regime when our own organizations is more known by an individual name rather than by its political name, and when our own organization has not had a congress to elect and adopt a platform that reflects the current events?
The OLF will hold its congress(?)/meeting in Minnesota soon and it is far gone conclusion Dr Birhanu will be there probably representing Ginbot 7. How long are we going to wait for the OLF to drop its demand of separation and is it fair for Dr Birhanu to hold Ginbot 7 hostage until OLF and ONLF are done with theirs?
Many from the woyane camp are convinced the Eritrean government is deeply involved in the remaking of the OLF and ONLF. I cannot be sure the extent of its involvement but it is widely held believed it is involved.
The question I have is does Dr Birhanu understand the magnitude of Ginbot 7 and OLF relationship that is man handled by the Eritrean government? If Ginbot 7 is free from such influence why it is not explained? These and many other questions were to be asked during the congress that never came and it is Dr Birhanu who is to be blamed.
Woyane has been in control of Ethiopia for too long! Everyone knows this what everyone may not know is that woyane also controls the opposition politics life! I am saying this after a friend of mine told me the reason the congress is delayed is because Ethiopia’s politics change fast and furious because of Woyane and also after the arrest of the activists who are alleged to have ties with Ginbot 7 as presented by the Ethiopian fever meant "alkedama" documentary.
I hope that is not the case and Dr Birhanu will come out and explain in public or in private to members and supporters what he is up to these days? I was encouraged to pen this short commentary after I read other compatriots writing on similar subjects on the internet, specially the recent article written by Girma Kassa about the failed policy and Dr Birhanu's mismanagement of G7 on abugida website.
To be honest with my readers I have also decided to move on with my life rather than wait for Ginbot 7 marriage with OLF and ONLF.
Thank you for reading me and Thanks in advance to all the websites who will post my commentary.
05-12-12 Interview with DR Sheferaw, Minister of Federal Affairs 05-05-12 Interview with Kagenew Fiseha, Ethiopian Airlines Agent North America 04-28-12 04-21-12
Tsenat Radio program is a weekly program hosted by artist Solomon Tekalign from Atlanta
Ever since Kinjit came apart after the leaders were released from government jail opposition politics has not been the same. For many supporters the failure of the leadership to lead the struggle was hard to swallow. In fact many became disillusioned and left the struggle all together and many others thought and hoped the emerging Ginbot 7 organization founded by Dr Birhanu will become the new opposition group to lead and joined the rank and file. That was then some three years ago!
