Aiga Forum Blog

Ato Seye and Dr Negasso Joins UDJ! Shuns Arena and ONC/OFDM

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:54:45 +1200

DR Negasso former president of Ethiopia and Ato Seye former head of EFFORT, an endowment conglomerate, left EPRDF some eight years ago.

Ato Seye as we all know was charged for corruption and spent some six years in jail defending his case and Dr Negasso after finishing his term as president is now serving as an MP in the Ethiopian parliament. Today both have decided to join a little known new opposition block called UDJ shunning other political organizations. Ato Seye joining UDJ is essentially disapproving ARENA Tigrai a new opposition organization founded by his former comrades Ato Gebru and W/ro Aregash. Similarly Dr Negasso who aspire the same wishes -politically speaking, as that of Ato Bulcha and Dr Merera is shunning ONC and OFDM!

MEDREK, the coalition, is formed to fill the gap the now defunct coalition “kinjit” used to hold. Kinjit was hailed and promoted as “biggest opposition” in Ethiopia by many western newspapers during election 2005. Similarly Medrek is being touted as the next “big opposition” by their handlers. Out of the blue Ato Seye and Dr Negasso joining UDJ is considered a big blow to the Governing party EPRDF!This after Seye and Negasso left the party some eight years ago!

Since Seye and Negasso left EPRDF, the party has transformed itself and the country! Infact PM Meles and many senior leaders will leave their post within five years! While PM Meles and others are leaving the leadership role of their party to new and young, Dr Negasso and Ato Seye are clinging to any political organization that may bring them back to power. If you ask us, It seems power by any means is the driving reason for Ato Seye and Dr Negasso wanting to join UDJ! Else, tell us what Ato Seye and Dr Negasso see in UDJ an organization that is formed by Kinjit/Derge and EPRP left over’s? Why was ARENA not good enough for Seye? Have your say!

Code of Conduct agreement and Mederk

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:16:04 +1200

Mederk by all accounts is a young coalition. Its member parties are either outright newly born or a reborn organizations. Like a new born child learning to walk upright the coalition has been making noises. It considers itself it is the best and brightest and biggest political organization in Ethiopia that is opposing the EPRDF. It is asking to sit one on one with the EPRDF to iron out political issues that it thinks are inhibiting to participate in the coming election. EPRDF has said it is ready to sit down but wants for Mederk to join the collective negotiation process under way with other political organizations. Mederk refused and has not signed the code of conduct that was signed by the four major organizations.

The question is, is Mederk playing Russian roulette with its political life and being coached by other forces to derail the coming election? Do you think Mederk has concluded that it will not win the election this coming May thus have decided to taint the election as not fair and free? Why it is not joining? Is it simply too young and unable to learn fast how to play politics in Ethiopia?

Do you think the conduct of agreement by the other four parties namely EDP, AEUP, CUDP and EPRDF is good for everyone and positive for the growing democracy in Ethiopia? If so and if you were a Mederk supporter would you tell the Mederk leaders to work out their differences and join the process? Have your say.

Listen also to this: http://aigaforum.com/audiovideo/voa_with_Sekutre_Merara_103109.mp3

Ready to throw the towel and retire or simply madness!

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:00:24 +1200

From time to time we do ask our esteemed readers to tell us how we are doing. This has helped us to review our effectiveness and improve where we show deficiency and build on where we show strength. This time however we will not be asking you that, what we want to ask you is this: do you think extremist as well as imposters have run their course and are ready to throw the towel and retire! What do you make about their current "bere welde" stories they are running against aigaforum and their love affair with the one man dictator in Asmara?

Is it frustration or madness! How do they plan to govern Ethiopia if they make it to Menelik palace with the current campaign materials they are running in their website and internet radio attacking Ethiopia's diversity?

And last but not least tell us what comes to your mind when one tells you his name is Aregawi Hagos or Zeru Hagos or Gemechu Mamo or Bekele Byakedagn! Which names tell you the person is Kinijit or EPRDF or any pal talk room participant (smile big time)? In a serious note do any of you think EPRDF can be made or break by any pal talk room campaign like the opposition group in Diaspora? Have your say!

Do you believe in curse? Do you believe in “karma”? Is kinjit cursed or what?

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:49:19 +1200

Do you believe in curse? Do you believe in “karma”? Is kinjit cursed or what? Ever since their attempted hijacking of the state government using street mob the leaders have become mired in all kinds of problems.

They may have thought to have resolved all their problems when Berhanu opted for his ginbot 7, Hailu for his AAPO and Birtukan for her UDJ and Professor Mesfin, well, he was not supposed to be here…remember his last "nuzaze"(last word) from India!

But it seems there is more! What else can they do? Really! Did you say perhaps become a one man "derjit"(organization) like Dr Beyene and Dr Merara! It may not be a bad idea since one cannot quarrel with thyself! Unless the spirit and the flesh go at it…to which we ask you was/is Kinjit cursed? Have your say!

Should PM Meles Step Down? Why?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:02:35 +1200

PM Meles is probably near his end of his exemplary carrier as public servant. His public service started in the active student movement at AAU in the sixties followed by a leadership role in the TPLF and EPRDF as well as prime minister of Ethiopia today. The Ethiopian constitution does not forbid parliament to elect the same prime minister again and again. The EPRDF organization internal rule does not prevent the same person from being elected in to leadership role again and again. And yet some folks expect Meles to relinquish his chairmanship of the EPRDF and his prime mister position for he has been there for over 18 years.

The question is should the constitution of Ethiopia be amended to include term limit for the prime minister position? If amendment is not required then should EPRDF or any political organization change their internal rule to prohibit the same person from holding top leadership so that he/she does not end up the prime minister? We know other western democracies that have the same constitution like Ethiopia usually leaves the decision of long term tenure of a single person as top official of the country at the discretion of the person and his/her party. Can this work in Ethiopia?

Should EPRDF grant PM Meles wishes to step down or should the party keep him as their leader given there are higher causes where PM Meles leadership role is required? Last but not least do you think Meles should stay where he is or should step down? What are the main legacies of PM Meles as a leader of TPLF/EPRDF and prime minister if he is to step down? Have your say.

Should Ethiopia return to Somalia?

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:31:35 +1200

The recent killing of key officials as well as the current Somalia government call for help to fight terrorist in Somalia who could otherwise become a force to be reckoned even for neighbor countries requires sober assessment.

During Ethiopia’s last intervention many pundits and western governments thought if and when Ethiopia leaves Somalia all will be okay but as events are unfolding things are not that well. It would be nice to know for real why the pundits and western governments failed to understand Somalia and Ethiopia’s intervention but that as it may, now that the AU as well as regional body’s like IGAD have unanimously condemned Eritrea, and Al-Qaeda the only organization, that speaks the language westerners understand to be "bad" and is labeled as “terrorist” has claimed its presence in Somalia what do you think countries like Ethiopia and Kenya should do? Do you think the west will be behind an intervention forces from Ethiopia and Kenya? If not do you think Ethiopia has little chance not to intervene in Somalia even if the west ignores the plea of the Somalia government? Have you say!

Comment on Aboy Sebhat Views and Analysis

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:00:12 +1200

For many Aboy Sebhat has been one of the pillar anchor for TPLF success and many believed without his presence and intervention during the many ups and downs TPLF went through during the 17 years of armed struggle it would have been very difficult for the Organization.

Aboy Sebhat seems he is moving in to new challenges as he seems to be winding down his day to day leadership role to new leaders and the generation to come. He came to North America as part of his new challenge towards the building of institutions. Knowing him we are sure he will succeed in his new additional role.

Now that you have heard his interviews and eye catching remarks from Eritrea independence to the one man regime there and his view of “thinking out of the box” that is to think about a country and people and not about individuals and organizations what do you think about his at times philosophical message. Do you see what Aboy sees on the future status of Eritrea after Isaias Afeworki? Do you think Aboy was harsh enough on Eritreans to allow the one man regime to run the country without constitution and with an iron feast this long? How about his view on Ethiopia’s federalism as the panacea for the 160 years old struggle of Ethiopians? Is it good enough for Ethiopia and beyond as Aboy hints in his interviews. Have your Say!

Who is next to beg at the door step of wedi afom

Fri, 22 May 2009 04:00:20 +1200

There is a strong rumor that Elias Kifle went to Asmera to clear the way for Ginbot 7 officials the likes of Andargachew visit to Asmera. As you all know Elias has been at odds with all opposition groups except Ginbot 7.

Do you think Ginbot 7 is heading towards Asmara to claim the merge with the so called EPPF as well as OLF and ONLF?

IF so do you think this will help Ginbot 7 increase its membership from twosome (http://aigaforum.com/G7_The_Two_Stoogs.jpg ) to thirty some. We heard Shiabia has curtailed eppf membership drastically since their performance was not to its liking thus why some officials from eppf are in Europe and dishing it out with each other. Have your say!

He is, She is, in a meeting "Sebseba Nachew"

Sat, 09 May 2009 05:23:54 +1200

In Ethiopia call to any office government or otherwise to reach an official and the first thing you will hear is “sebseba nachew”, he/she is in a meeting.

This could be considered similar to the “can you hold” answer one gets in the western world. But Ethiopia is not like any western world and cannot succeed with “sebseba nachew” and “can you hold” answers. Government offices should have public relation desk where informed desk officer can answer questions asked? The recently formed Communication Ministry is one way to go as far as the prime minster office is concerned. Other government offices should follow suit and avoid someone speaking for them!

Do you think having active public desk officers and spokespersons in every office will enhance the democratization process? And why do you think the “sebseba nachew” has become almost a culture? A convenience or every office holder is truly busy? Have Your Say!

Awey, Eritrea and Somalia

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 03:29:23 +1200

Does Awey’s return mean he broke his” Islamist oath” that he will not return and accept the current government as legitimate before foreign forces withdraw from Somalia? How will an extremist Islamist view such flip flop? Could this be the last straw that will break Eritrea’s meddling in Somalia affairs? Can Awey play the role of Eritrea in Somalia as before and get away with it? Have your say!

Islamist leader back in Somalia

Mr Aweys flew into the Somali capital, Mogadishu, early on Thursday
Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has influence with Somali Islamist groups Islamist opposition leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys has returned to Somalia after two years in exile.

go back to front page: http://aigaforum.com/

How are we doing?

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:37:36 +1200

From time to time we ask our readers to tell us how we are doing and in the past the response we got by far encouraged us to do more of the same with few criticism. It is about time we ask you our esteemed readers one more time to tell us how we are doing?

Are we helping the democratization process in Ethiopia? Are we doing enough to promote the good image of Ethiopia? And are we doing enough t to make Ethiopia stronger and stable?

Tell us all about what type of coverage you want to see more or less. And above all tell us what our strength are so we can build on them and do more in order to be a positive force for a positive change. Thank you.

go back to: http://aigaforum.com/

Opposition forces Realignment and Tubingen

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 04:05:18 +1200

The current opposition forces realignment is getting interesting. Who could have thought Eng Hailu Shawel organization will team up with EPRP knowing the Engineer walked out from EPRP’s baby, a Front called Hibert way back when! Also I thought Ginbot 7 was clearly going it alone but boy was I wrong!

Ginbot 7 is shaping to be the armed wing for UDJ, while EPRP is shaping to be for AEUP. What triggered me to send this comment is, the fact that, Engineer Hailu supporters, supported by EPRP supporters in Germany, staged a demonstration to stop Tubingen city from formalizing a sister city relationship with Mekelle. They were also helped and advised by Ginbot 7 and UDJ supporters from the Current affairs online chat room. Shouldn’t “Tegre wede mekelle eqa wede kebele” have taught these people lessons that hate politics is not good? Why did AEUP fail to inform its members not to stand against the sister city establishment since it has nothing to do with politics? And why are legal oppositions tinkering with illegal armed groups? Aiga Please post this for comments, thank you [Fanus from Germany]!

On Millennium EEPCO Bond

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:55:26 +1200

Some of our readers have asked us to open an n interactive page to discuss the millennium EEPCO bond. We agree with the idea thus we have opened this blog in order for readers to raise questions and get answers. Most embassies around the world are ready to help any one acquire the bond certificate and also help to smooth the process. Use this blog to ask or answer individual questions based on your experience.

We will delete all unrelated comments.

So have you bought the bond already and if not why not? What information would you like to know? And if you have how was the process, easy straight forward? Have your say!

You can also find some key information here ….. http://www.ethioconsulatela.org/eepbond.html

Myth or Reality: Good Governance issues in Tigray.

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:10:38 +1200

While we the Diaspora are dishing it out against the extremists who are laboring to undo the achievements of our brave people, I am saddened to hear that not all may be rosy in Tigray. Some close friends have informed me that there is a serious problem in good governance in Tigray. Some people are jailed with no due process for 15 days and then told to go home. And when they complain they are told you better shut up! There is also serious discontent that land is about to be taken from farmers who have moved to nearby small towns although they still are farming their land. Compare this with those high officers in the army and government who still own land it has upset many people. While there are many other similar stories that I can tell , I hope Aiga is fair enough to post this for public comment in the hope of Officials will read it and do something before election 2010 comes and is rectified if true. I for one do not want another Kinjit to run on the back of a disgruntled people In Tigray and destroy what has been achieved so far. Is there a problem in Tigray? Aiga can you help answer?[Gual Hizbi 03/09/09]

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Gual Hizbi, We are not in any shape or form to answer your question authoritatively but we do hope, as you do, someone will be reading and address your issues. To be honest with you we have been itching to ask similar questions ever since we heard someone in Police custody died(hung himself) within hours of his arrival at police station. We did not think such incidents are a significant part of daily lives of our people back home but we thought may be the growing pain of our infant democracy may be getting painful and ask the authorities what they are doing to stop such incidents. So it is our hope President Tesgay will tour Tigray similar to what PM Meles is doing and hear people’s say. You, our readers, can have a say on this also….Have Your Say!
[Aigaforum 03/09/09]

Ethiopian Opposition: A haven for Split!

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:20:23 +1200

With the unfolding drama, yet again, of the opposition, do you see a pattern among the oppositions? A pattern that is bad for democracy and the country. Kinjit came and went without doing much in the positive sense to help the democratic culture Ethiopians need desperately. Knijit brought division and vendetta politics where in the end it consumed it from within. Today we hear UDJ is going down the slippery slope of the pit many organizations are camped where they see no hope insight to come out of. Slowly UDJ either via its cousin of G7 or even itself will end up where EPRP, OLF and many others have been for a while now.

What can EPRDF as a governing party or even the Ethiopian government does to enhance multi party competition. Do you think the problem many of these organizations are facing growing up is due to government or EPRDF interference or their own making? And what do you think is causing all these splits and bickering within the opposition-Power or simply stupidity? Why is it hard a dominant group is not coming out of these organizations similar to EPRDF? Why is a split a killer to these organizations unlike the EPRDF which came out of a split stronger! Have your say!