Exclusive: Andargachew Tsege reportedly said he sees no reason to stay alive

June 17, 2015

(The Independent) – Fears are growing for the state of mind of a British father of three who has languished in a secret jail in Ethiopia for almost a year.

Andargachew “Andy” Tsege, who has been sentenced to death, reportedly told the British ambassador during a rare visit: “Seriously, I am happy to go – it would be preferable and more humane.”

Next week marks the first anniversary of Mr Tsege, a leading opponent of the Ethiopian regime, being imprisoned during a trip to Africa.

Amid growing concerns for the 60-year-old Briton’s well-being, he was visited by ambassador Greg Dorey on in April.

A report of the ambassador’s visit was sent to Mr Tsege’s partner, Yemi Hailemariam, the mother of their three children.

Ethiopia Opposition Candidate Dies After Attack in Northwest

Samuel Awoke (PHOTO: NegereEthiopia)

June 17, 2015

(Bloomberg) – An Ethiopian parliamentary candidate for the opposition Blue Party died after being assaulted in Debre Markos, a town in the country’s northwest, the group said.

Two people attacked Samuel Awoke, 29, with a club and knife as he returned home alone from a night out with friends, spokesman Yonatan Tesfaye said by phone Tuesday from the capital, Addis Ababa.

“We are trying to figure out who are the killers and the reasons,” he said, citing suspicions it was politically motivated. Ethiopian Communications Minister Redwan Hussien said in a text message that a suspect has been apprehended and the attack may have stemmed from a legal dispute.

Samuel reported previous death threats and a beating during campaigning for the polls that were held May 24, Yonatan said. The lawyer had been active in challenging election procedures and results in the Amhara region town, 295 kilometers (183 miles) northwest of the capital, he said

Ethiopia: Freedom Fighters freed prisoners in Tepi town

June 16, 2015

ESAT News (June 11, 2015)

ESAT received reliable information that freedom fighters attacked a prison in Tepi town, Southern Ethiopia on the morning of Friday June 06, 2015 and freed at least 100 prisoners. Three police officers were reportedly killed during the operation.

The leader of the freedom fighters told ESAT two of the fighters, the founder of the group and another member, were killed in a heavy exchange of fire.

The leader of the group who requested anonymity told ESAT that the local youth league was formed to fight for freedom and basic human rights in the area and beyond.

The leader said his group has waged several attacks on government forces which tried to eliminate them by mobilizing a mechanized brigade but could not succeed.

Ethiopian Ruling Party Claims Absurd Election Victories Once Again

June 16, 2015

Ethiopian American Council | ethioamericans@gmail.com | www.eacouncil.org

San Jose CA June 12, 2015 – The ruling Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF)/ Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) has once again pulled off one of the more spectacular scams on the global political scene – the Ethiopian national elections. In elections held on May 24, it has claimed landslides, near-100-percent victories, throughout the country, allowing it to seat party members in every single parliamentary seat. In the 2000 elections EPRDF allowed the opposition to occupy at least one seat in the parliament.

No Western Observers

Western nations were not invited to attend or, more probably, did not wish to be associated with what has become a delirious attempt by the TPLF/EPRDF to convince the world and the Ethiopian people that the government is loved by one and all.

Happy 800th Birthday, Magna Carta!

Magna Carta CSUSB

June 15, 2015

by Alemayehu G. Mariam

Today, June 15, 2015, is the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta Libertatum or the Great Charter of English Liberties. On that date, King John of England affixed his seal on the Magna Carta and formally accepted the principle of the rule of law, specific and sweeping limitations on his royal power.

In place of my regular Monday Commentary, I am proud to present the speeches given by my students on the occasion of the 800^th anniversary celebration of the Magna Carta on my campus, the California State University, San Bernardino.

I  have “crowed” from time to time that I have never missed posting a Monday Commentary in years. That would be nine years of uninterrupted weekly commentaries (as some would affectionately call them “sermons’) to date.

Well, that claim ends today, June 15, 2015.

South Africa Govt must investigate Al-Bashir’s departure – court

Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, second left,
 stands next to Sahrawi president, Abdel Aziz Mohamed,
second right, during a photo op at the AU summit in
Johannesburg, Sunday June 14 2015. The High
Court in Pretoria has granted an interim order
preventing Sudanese President al-Bashir from
 leaving South Africa, pending an application
for his arrest.(AP Photo/Shiraaz Mohamed)

June 15, 2015

Pretoria – The South African government must investigate the departure of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday, as the High Court in Pretoria ruled that he should, in fact, have been arrested.

“The respondents are compelled to take reasonable steps to arrest President al-Bashir without a warrant… and detain him pending a formal request for his surrender from the International Criminal Court.”In a ruling read to the court by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, who with Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba and Judge Hans Fabricius decided on the matter, the government’s failure to detain al-Bashir was “inconsistent with the constitution of the republic”.

But following the order, William Mokhari, SC, for the government, told the court: “I have been informed by the government that they have reliable information that President al-Bashir has departed from the republic… to the Sudan.”