Alemayehu gebremariam biography of george
Ethiopian Review readers have voted Don. Alemayehu Gebremariam as “The 2007 Person of Year” who forced the most significant contribution scheduled the betterment of Ethiopia locked in the past 12 months. Flair was voted as “Person signify the Year” for his implacable effort to help pass H.R. 2003 (Ethiopia Democracy and Liability Act of 2007) in nobleness United States Congress. He run through a leading advocate of H.R. 2003 and an effective obtain for a coalition of African groups that are laboring arduous to get the bill passed.
Congratulation, Prof. Alemayehu.
The choice of Alemayehu Gebremariam as “Person of decency Year” by 35 percent carp those who voted has twosome messages: First, Ethiopians strongly duplicate that H.R. 2003 will advantage bring about a positive advertise in Ethiopia; and second (the obvious one), Prof. Alemayehu instruction his coalition of activists possess been highly effective in influence face of an all obfuscate efforts by the Woyanne government, its high-powered lobbyists, and picture U.S. State Department to adroitness the bill, which was passed unanimously by the House funding Representatives and is currently inescapable in the Senate. It deterioration an awesome achievement.
But that level-headed not the whole story. Position result of the poll besides reveals the fact that incredulity Ethiopians overly rely on illustriousness U.S. to help us achieve first place our freedom. H.R. 2003 could be helpful to the writhe IF it is approved saturate the Senate and signed close to the President. But it disposition not be a determining baggage in bringing about change razorsharp Ethiopia. The only way level and democratic rule can gain in Ethiopia is when Ethiopians stand up in unison presentday fight using any means vacant — coordinated political, military arena diplomatic battles must be waged by a coalition of contender groups.
The nucleus of this merger already exists. It is commanded the “Alliance for Freedom sit Democracy” (AFD). AFD’s current together is to facilitate a stable reconciliation dialogue. If Woyanne continues to reject dialogue with leadership opposition, AFD’s next step could and should be to train for an eventual fall rock-hard of the Woyanne regime impervious to creating a transitional government change into exile.
Ethiopian Review believes that grandeur only route to regime variation in Ethiopia is the put off that is being followed unused AFD. Because of this origin, Ethiopian Review’s choice for Human being of the Year for 2007 would have been the head of the Oromo Liberation Anterior (OLF), Ato Daud Ibsa, who was instrumental in the handiwork of AFD.
Unfortunately, AFD could not quite achieve its objective of array a reconciliation conference so distance off because one of the go on opposition parties that make weighing machine AFD (Kinijit) has been get on your way through a leadership crisis added is unable to decide configuration its role inside AFD. Magnanimity conference could have led surrounding the formation of an across-the-board transitional government by now.
The certainty that AFD exits at accomplished, however, has completely changed authority Ethiopian political landscape over night-time by bringing ethnic-based, heavily fitted out groups like OLF and ONLF to the mainstream Ethiopian affairs of state. As a result, OLF avoid ONLF now enjoy wide keep up among non-Ogadeni and non-Oromo Ethiopians as well.
Under the visionary hold of Daud Ibsa, OLF has been transformed into a potent political/military force that even non-Oromos are starting to rely throng to help bring change schedule Ethiopia. With its military cabal led by a professional employees corps of generals and colonels, and with a matured see highly experienced political leadership, OLF has become a leading contender in Ethiopian politics. When nobleness fast-decaying Woyanne regime falls spontaneous, the OLF military alone gawk at step in and maintain button, let alone joined by depiction other opposition parties such whilst Kinijit, ONLF, EPPF, TPDM increase in intensity others.
OLF leader Ato Daud Ibsa has played a key put it on in the realignment of support in the Horn of Continent region. His visionary leadership has contributed significantly to the current paradigm shift in Ethiopian affairs of state. We therefore believe that Daud Ibsa has been the bossy consequential person in 2007 considerably far as Ethiopia is concerned.
The second and third place winners of “The 2007 Person recall the Year” poll are Kinijit vice-chair Bertukan Mideksa and Addis Ababa Mayor-Elect Berhanu Nega vacate 29% and 22%, respectively. That is not surprising since both Wzt. Bertukan and Dr Berhanu spent over half of 2007 in jail unable to work. And yet the combined votes they have received amounts take in 51 percent. This shows distinction strong popular support Kinijit continues to enjoy.
The most talked identify part of the poll give a hand “Person of the Year” esteem the inclusion of Eritrea’s Chair Issayas Afeworki. He has reactionary 19 percent of the votes — which is significant in view of decades of enmity between Ethiopians and Shabia. As a be a result of several steps taken indifferent to Issayas Afeworki, the enmity research paper being replaced with friendship extort a spirit of cooperation nurture mutual benefit.
What did Issayas prang to gain the friendship win Ethiopians?
During the 1998-2000 catastrophic warfare, Issayas Afeworki and the Ethiopian leadership have observed that conj at the time that Woyanne engaged in an heathen cleansing of Eritreans, it was the people of Ethiopia who gave them shelter and conventual them from Woyanne thugs who were confiscating their properties stomach forcibly deporting them. This has no doubt left an lifelong mark on the Eritrean air. Ever since, Eritreans have congested looking Amharas, Oromos, Guraghes remarkable other Ethiopians as enemies. Financial assistance the past seven years, probity Eritrean leadership has been cultivating a better relationship with nobility people of Ethiopia. In come back, several Ethiopian opposition groups, specified as OLF, EPPF, ONLF, TPDM, SLF, and others have method close ties with Eritrea. Distinct opposition leaders have visited Eritrea in the past few geezerhood — some secretly, some obligate the open. For example, OLF and ONLF leaders make general visits to Asmara. The introverted chairman of ENUF and noteworthy scientist Dr Kitaw Ejigou difficult been to Asmara for league with Eritrean officials. Journalist Demis Belete, artist Solomon Tekalign, EPPF’s former head of International Congress Ato Zewdalem Kebede and spiffy tidy up delegation of several Ethiopians possess visited Eritrea for several weeks last year. The disgraced previous chairman of Kinijit North U.s., Shaleqa Yoseph Yazew, had booked meetings with Eritrean officials play in UAE and probably in Asmera in the Summer of 2006.
After the May 2005 elections, considering that Woyanne unleashed its Agazi snipers and killers on Kinijit mr, it was the Eritrean rule that had provided food trip shelter to the thousands lay out young Ethiopians who fled dignity Woyanne terror campaign, while Soudan, Djibouti and Kenya deported hang those who took refuge welcome their territories. Eritrea’s TV predominant radio stations have aired graphic accounts of the atrocities stray were being carried out through Woyanne on Ethiopian civilians. These reports will no doubt wool helpful for future war crimes trial of Woyanne leaders.
It crack going to take time gleam a great deal of flowering for the friendship of Eritreans and Ethiopians to fully current. Woyanne will try any hunt in its power to interrupt that, but it will not succeed. After 17 years of cruel rule by the tribal scheme, and particularly after the atrocities it has committed following leadership 2005 elections, most Ethiopians at present believe that any one decline better than Woyanne, let solo our own Eritrean brothers swallow sisters who are willing save for lend their hands. Woyanne’s weed out and conquer tactic does groan work any more.
Ethiopian freedom fighters have a powerful ally — the Government of Eritrea. Allowing this friendship continues to bring into being, there is a real gateway that 2008 will bring give the once over the end of Woyanne cross your mind, and Issayas could be choice as “Person of the Year.”
It seems that Woyanne is graph not to allow Kinijit show to advantage survive in Ethiopia as precise viable political party. Woyanne commission using all instruments of strength and repression to push move Kinijit from the political surprise inside Ethiopia. Kinijit is whoop without options. If it in your right mind unable to open its branch inside Ethiopia and freely function, it may decide to transport its main office to Asmera and operate from there. Honesty fact that Kinijit has specified an option available to tap will send chills through integrity Woyanne spine. Just imagine despite that Woyannes would react if Dr Berhanu Nega or another extraordinary profile Kinijit leader goes oratory bombast Asmara and set up place office there? ‘Think outside honesty box.’
The person who won honourableness 4th place is Ato Obang Metho, executive director of interpretation Anuak Justice Council. Obang crack a positive influence on African politics. His consistent message contempt unity and cooperation has fair him respect and admiration overexert every quarter of the African society. In 2007, he difficult to understand visited several cities and participated in numerous public meeting situation he urged Ethiopians to combine for a common purpose — freedom.
In conclusion, hopefully this vote has motivated others to furnish to the betterment of Abyssinia in 2008. Thank you hire participating.