Aiga Forum, an Ethiopian forum for news and views promoting Ethiopia's Unity in Diversity!
Audio/Video
Discussion with North American Based Tigrai Alumni and Development Association
(Aigaforum) June 05, 2016 - In an ongoing effort to transform the many North American Tigrai based regional Almuni and Development Association Aigaforum has held so far two round table discussion via a teleconference. The following is a reportage of the last teleconference we had on June 05, 2016. The discussion was very fruitful and many participants wanted to continue such discussion in the future. The main talking points of the discussion were the success and challenges each Alumni and Development organization faced and how best to transform and organize the Tigrean community towards the development of Tigrai and its people.
Interview with Dr AddisAlem Balema Vice President of Tigrai, Ethiopia
(Aigaforum) May 25, 2016 - Dr AddisAlem Balema is Vice President of the Tigrai Regional State and veteran TPLF member currently serving as one of the executive member of TPLF.
Among his current responsibilities are overseeing the economic development of the region and urban development. He has served as Ambassador of Ethiopia to Italy, China and as Director General of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange (ECX) prior to his current assignment.
Dr AddisAlem was gracious enough for a telephone interview with us.
Addisu Bahta and Isayas Abaye discussed with him about the current economic health of Tigrai, issues with good governance and building democratic institutions.
For more reading ...More
Diaspora Discussion on Ethio-Eritrea Policy with Dade Desta
(Aigaforum March 26, 2016)_ The Ethiopian government policy towards Eritrea has been controversial from the beginning Eritrea was born! PM Meles government tried to reason with President Isaias to make peace to no avail! In fact when asked, PM Meles said, he did not expect the issue will be resolved in his life time. Perhaps Meles knew his days were numbered due to his illness - blessed his soul! Otherwise it was a surprise to many for him to say as such since he was not known to be a pessimist!
Since Yemen became a failed state the geopolitical landscape is changing around the Red Sea area. And it is changing for the worst as far as Ethiopia is concerned! Thus, says Dade Desta, Ethiopia's policy towards Eritrea has to change accordingly. Dade gave an extended interview to Aigaforum moderated by Addisu Bahta to explain his thoughts on this issue. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Diaspora Discussion on Good Governance issues in Ethiopia
In an ongoing panel discussion on good governance in Ethiopia Aigaforum invited Engineer Almaz Feseha,Kiros Araya and Gebrehiwot Gebreanenia to share their experience and suggestions on ways to improve the good governance issues that are prevailing in Ethiopia.
Moderated by Addisu Bahta and Isayas Abaye, the invited guests, explained how technology can help mitigate some of the persisting issues and how urban projects and infrastructure works are managed in the United States. They also shared some of the weakness of some of the government institutions that are contributing to the lack of good governance from first-hand experience! Aigaforum, February 12, 2016 Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Diaspora Discussion On Good Governance issues in Ethiopia
The discussion is the first installation of an on going discussion on good governance issues in Ethiopia. Aigaforum in cooperation with supporters and volunteers will bring you more in the future. Aigaforum hopes this will enrich the discussion back in Ethiopia Janurary, 2016
Roundtable Discussion with Abebe Asghedom, Getachew Aregawi and Isayas Abaye
Roundtable discussion with Dimtsi Woyane, Wurayna and Aigaforum Editors and Managers. On Media and Election Coverage in Ethiopia, Challenges facing by Independent media in Tigrai April 18, 2015
Candid conversations with Managing Editor and founder of Aiga Forum
Interview with Ato Asmelash Woldeselassie and Ato Atsbaha Aregawi, Chair and Co-chair of TDVA
Interview with Ato Asmelash Woldeselassie and Ato Atsbaha Aregawi, Chair and Co-chair of TDVA, following the conference that was held in Mekelle June 2014. They have given detailed explanations on various issues ranging from government’s and EFFORT’s role to Diaspora contributions. They have acknowledged the contributions made by the regional government and the public at-large so far and emphasized on the need for continued support to help the association meet and satisfy the growing demands of our disabled veteran heroes, who made today’s Ethiopia a reality.
Interview with Dr AddisAlem Balema, Author of the book "Democracy and Development in Ethiopia" Dr Balema was also a Tegadalay of TPLF and Ambassador of Ethiopia to China and Italy. Dr Balema sat down for an interview over the phone to talk about his latest book. He explained the thinking behind why democracy and development goes hand in hand and is the only way for Ethiopia to move forward. He also shared his thoughts behind the argument of democracy or development comes first!
Interview with Ato Zadig Abrha, from the Office of the National Council for the Construction of GERD
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Ato Zadig explained in detail the current status of the Dam, Egypt latest stand and overall participation by Ethiopians both at home and in diaspora. Ato Zadig concluded the interview by saying "yejemernew enchersewalen" and asked every one to take this project as his/her own since it is going to be the fingerprint for this generation similar to our ancestor fingerprint of today-Axum, Lalibela...etc in the future!!
Interview with president Abay Weldu Tigray regional Government, Ethiopia
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President Abay in an exsclusive interview for Aigaforum readers sat down with Adisu Bahta and Elyas kefela and answered questions on Investment opportunities and challenges in Tigray. The president also covered the state of Education, the role of Effort in the economy and the Diaspora Tigray community and it's challenges of coming together ! The interview was done during Tigray festival weekend in Washington DC August 4th 2013.
Ethiopian Diaspora Affairs Director General Ato Mulugeta Kelil joined Hedasie Discussion Forum to discuss the Ethiopian Diaspora policy inaugurated recently by the government. He reaffirmed the commitment of his office along with the Ethiopian embassies and consulates will to work hard to implement the policy, and thereby meet the growing demands of the Ethiopian Diaspora. He explained the 40/60 housing program designed for Ethiopian Diaspora, and estimated that information about the program and packages will be made available soon through the embassies. For more, listen to the full interview posted below
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Hedasie discussion on the politics of the Renaissance Dam and its implication on Ethiopia- June 09, 2013
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A new program called Hedasie Discussion Forum has been formed by Ethiopians living in North America. The program focuses on current political and economic issues that are related to Ethiopia. The first discussion focused on state of corruption past and present, and potential mitigating solutions
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Negussie from hagerfikir radio Interview with FM Dr Teodros Adhanom.
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Dr Teodros gave a candid and very articulated answer to some of the issues the Diaspora community was obsessed with over the last few weeks. Dr Teodros admonished some of the political organizations and associations who are laboring against the building of the Hedase Dam. The Minister reminded the Diaspora it is okay to criticize the EPRDF when it fails to do the right thing but it is not okay to smear the EPRDF. This was in reference to the recent displacement of people and the exploitation of the issue by few extremist and their friends from the online community.
Interview
Dimtsi Woyane interview with Ambassador Seyoum .
Dimtsi Woyane interview with Former TPLF executive Leader and former Foreign Minster of Ethiopia and current Ambassador of Ethiopia to China.
Tegadalay Seyoum reminisces about the last forty years of his splendid and worthy life as a Tegadalay and as a public figure. Ambassador Seyoum is one among the very few TPLF leaders who persevered and saw the triumph of the Tigrean struggle. He is also one among the very few who resigned from leadership role voluntary. [Aigaforum April 2013]
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Discussion on Ethiopian Origin Id Card.
(Aigaforum) March 16, 2013- Discussion with Councilor Estifanos from Ethiopian Embassy in Canada, Mulugeta from Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC and Guish former Embassy official in Ethiopian embassy Riyadh Saudi Arabia on the benefits of having an Ethiopian Origin Id Card and the Ethiopian law governing such arrangement. The interview was done at Dedebit online discussion forum(paltalk) - Marc 16, 2013
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Interview with Minister Abay Tsehaye.
(Aigaforum) May 19, 2012- In an online interview with gezategaru Minister Abay answered many questions in regard to the Growth and Transformation Plan(GTP), TPLF/EPRDF leadership transition and an assessment of current national security issues in a very thoughtful and candid manner. Ato Abay veteran and founder of TPLF has been a key player in Ethiopian politics ever since he was a young student at AAU. Today Ato Abay is leaving another key legacy to the coming generation by leading the development of key future economic sector! Ethiopia is indebted to Abay Tsehaye and we hope the coming generation and the current torch bearers will keep and build on the legacy Abay and others would be leaving! part Ipart II
Discussion with North American Based Tigrai Alumni and Development Association
Interview with Dr AddisAlem Balema Vice President of Tigrai, Ethiopia
Diaspora Discussion on Ethio-Eritrea Policy with Dade Desta 
Diaspora Discussion on Good Governance issues in Ethiopia 
Diaspora Discussion On Good Governance issues in Ethiopia 
Roundtable Discussion with Abebe Asghedom, Getachew Aregawi and Isayas Abaye 
Interview with Ato Asmelash Woldeselassie and Ato Atsbaha Aregawi, Chair and Co-chair of TDVA
Interview with Dr AddisAlem Balema
Interview with Ato Zadig Abrha, from the Office of the National Council for the Construction of GERD
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Interview with president Abay Weldu Tigray regional Government, Ethiopia
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Hedasie Discussion Forum.
Negussie from hagerfikir radio Interview with FM Dr Teodros Adhanom.
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Dimtsi Woyane interview with Ambassador Seyoum .
(Aigaforum) May 19, 2012- In an online interview with gezategaru Minister Abay answered many questions in regard to the Growth and Transformation Plan(GTP), TPLF/EPRDF leadership transition and an assessment of current national security issues in a very thoughtful and candid manner. Ato Abay veteran and founder of TPLF has been a key player in Ethiopian politics ever since he was a young student at AAU. Today Ato Abay is leaving another key legacy to the coming generation by leading the development of key future economic sector! Ethiopia is indebted to Abay Tsehaye and we hope the coming generation and the current torch bearers will keep and build on the legacy Abay and others would be leaving!