US slams #Ethiopia's human rights abuse

February 27, 2014 at 6:33pm

(OPride) — The United States in a scathing report on Thursday accused Ethiopia of curtailing freedom of expression and association, using politically motivated trials, harassment and intimidation of activists and journalists.

Original post here: http://www.opride.com/oromsis/news/horn-of-africa/3735-us-slams-ethiopia-s-human-rights-abuse

Ethiopia holds estimated 70,000-80,000 persons, including some 2,500 women and nearly 600 children incarcerated with their mothers, in severely overcrowded six federal and 120 regional prisons, the U.S. said in its voluminous 2013 Human Rights Report released by Secretary of State John Kerry. “There also were many unofficial detention centers throughout the country, including in Dedessa, Bir Sheleko, Tolay, Hormat, Blate, Tatek, Jijiga, Holeta, and Senkele,” the report said.

While it said pretrial detention in local police stations were marred with poor hygiene and police abuse, the report also highlighted impunity for security forces who often commit politically-motivated killings against dissidents and opposition party members as “a serious problem.” The Ethiopian government rarely, if ever, took actions “to prosecute or otherwise punish officials who committed abuses other than corruption,” the report added.

The report named some of the well-known political prisoners and journalists including Eskinder Nega, Bekele Gerba, Olbana Lelisa, Reeyot Alemu and Woubeshet Taye.“Federal Supreme Court upheld the 2012 convictions under the criminal code of Bekele Gerba and Olbana Lelisa, two well-known political opposition figures from the Oromo ethnic group, for conspiracy to overthrow the government and conspiracy to incite unrest,” the report noted.

“The Supreme Court subsequently determined the Federal High Court did not consider mitigating circumstances and reduced Bekele’s sentence from eight years to three years and seven months. The Supreme Court also reduced Olbana’s sentenced from 13 to 11 years. Courts convicted 69 members of Oromo political opposition parties, charged separately in 2011 under the criminal code with “attacking the political or territorial integrity of the state.”

Gerba, who has fully served out his reduced time, was widely expected to be released last month. However, according to family sources, prison officials gave conflicting reasons for his continued imprisonment, including that his time at the Maekelawi prison doesn’t count or his file was misplaced. Meanwhile, both Gerba and Lelisa are reportedly ill with restricted and limited medical care.

Terminally ill
Lelisa is a longtime Oromo rights activist with Oromo Peoples Congress (OPC), who rose through the ranks of the organization from a sole member to top leadership. He competed in the last three elections representing the Caliya district in West Shewa. He was elected to the Oromia regional parliament in 2005. He was subsequently arrested on concocted charges of plotting to overthrow government by working with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), recruiting youth for armed rebellion and for inciting the frequent youth revolt in Ambo and West Shewa.

Lelisa, who has so far served three years of the 11 years sentence, reports being mistreated while in prison. He has repeatedly been beaten by unidentified men at Kaliti prison with orders from security services. He has sustained serious wounds from the beatings by government agents who pose as prisoners, according to OPride sources. Lelisa, who is terminally ill and said to be on a long-term medication for undisclosed condition, had repeatedly appealed to the higher court about his mistreatment but received no response to date.

Singling out the Oromo
While the State Department’s report is short on details, there are several evidences that show the Ethiopian government continues to single out Oromo dissidents. Last year, the OLF released a partial list (independently verified by a reputable OPride source) of 528 individuals sentenced to death and life imprisonment on purely political grounds.

The list includes names of individuals, their gender, and ethnic backgrounds. Underscoring the disproportionate repression of the Oromo, of the 528 individuals who were sentenced to death or life imprisonment by the Ethiopian courts, 459 are Oromo nationals followed by 52 Amhara nationals. “This list clearly indicates that the minority regime in Ethiopia is using its kangaroo courts for destroying Oromo and Amhara nationals who are viewed as potential threat to the regimes hold on to power,” one informant, who asked not to be named, told OPride.

As documented by various international human rights organizations, today, it is a serious crime, under the Tigrean dominated Ethiopian government to support any independent Oromo organization. Thousands of Oromos have been imprisoned, tortured and killed extra-judicially for no apparent reason other than expressing Oromo national feeling and for their support of Oromo organizations such as the OLF.

The selective and systematic targeting of Oromo in Ethiopia by the current began in 1992 when the OLF which jointly ruled Ethiopia from 1991-1992  with the Tigrayan Liberation Front (TPLF) was banned and its members and supporters jailed for years and hundreds executed without due process of law. Although Oromia, the Oromo regional state in Ethiopia, is autonomous in name, the Oromo do not have any meaningful voice in the affairs of their own state, which is totally controlled by the TPLF.

The later represents no more than seven percent of the population of Ethiopia, while the Oromo, who constitute the single largest national group in Ethiopia and the third largest national group in the whole of Africa. The Oromo are denied the basic democratic rights to organize freely and legally and express their political opinions. There is no single independent newspaper or media outlet catering to the Oromo populace in their native tongue.

The TPLF fears the Oromo numerical strength deliberately characterizes all independent Oromo organizations, which it does not control as the “terror wing” of the OLF.  The goal for such characterization is to persecute peaceful supporters of the OLF behind the façade of fighting against a “ terrorist organization.” Under the anti-terror law of the current Ethiopian regime, anyone who is suspected of peacefully supporting the OLF, could be sentenced to life imprisonment or executed. The above mentioned 459 Oromo nationals who were sentenced to death or life imprisonment are all  suspected OLF supporters.

Destroying the lives of 528 innocent human beings on political ground is a crime against humanity, which must be condemned by all civilized nations. The tearless cry of the U.S. AnnuaL Human Rights report notwithstanding, at this moment no calling is more urgent and more noble and no responsibility greater for those who believe in human rights than raising their voice for pressuring the government of Ethiopia to free the 528 innocent individuals who were sentenced to death and life imprisonment  on purely political grounds.

In the last year alone, two Oromo activists have died in prison under mysterious circumnances. Last year, OPride reported about the death in prison of former UNHCR recognized refugee, engineer Tesfahun Chemeda. Last month, a former parliamentary candidate from Chalenqo in Western Hararghe, Ahmed Nejash died in prison. According to an OPC source, Nejash successfully run and challenegd Sufian Ahmed, Ethiopia's Minister of Finance and Development, during the 2010 elections. He was subsequently arrested in 2011 alleged of being an OLF activist.

Although his death recieved scant media coverage even within the Oromo community, a close relative of the late Jarra Abba Gadaa, Nejash is one of the veterans of Oromo people's struggle. "He was sentenced to seven years, which was also upheld by the higher court," the OPC told OPride source said. "He was in Zuway with Bekele and Olbana and he was healthy the last time I saw him in 2013."

Dhiha Oromiyaa Wallagga, Ona Limmuu Ebantuu fi Aanota Adda Adda Addaa Keessatti Gaaffiin Mirgaa Barattootaan Ka’e Daran Jabaachuun Beekame

Posted: Guraandhala/February 27, 2014 · Gadaa.com

(Qeerroo.org – Gurandhala 26, 2014 Naqamte) – Saboontootni baratootni Oromoo manneen barnootaa sadarkaa 2ffaa Onotaa Wallagga Bahaa manneen barnoota akka: M/B Haroo Limmuu sadarkaa 2ffaa, M/B Leeqaa Dullachaa sadarkaa 2ffaa, M/b Ukkee sadarkaa 2ffaa, M/B Jimmaa Arjoo, M/B Kiramuu sadarkaa 2ffaa, jedhaman keessatti argaman gaaffii mirgaa qabna gaaffii keenya nurraa fuudhaa jechuun directors mannen barnoota kanneenitti dhiyeeffachuun hanga gaaffiin mirga fi mirgi uummata Oromoo kabajamutti nurraa hin fuudhamnetti barachuu hin dandeenyu, mirga hin qabnu, rakkoo keenyaa fi rakkoo uummata keenya hiriira bahuun ibsanna mirgi hiriira nagaa gochuu fi rakkoo ofii ibsachuu nuf haa eeyyamamu jechuun gaaffii FDG kaachiisan. saboontotni baraatootni Oromoo kun dhaadannoo Oromiyaa ni bilisoomti (Oromia shall bee free), ka’ii ummata Oromoo mirga kee falmadhu, qabeenyaa uummata Oromoo saamuun dhaabbachuu qaba, Oromoo ilaalcha siyaasaan qoqqodanii bituun ni dhaabbata, dhaaba keenya tokkicha ABO ni jaallanna, Ummatni
Oromoo abba biyyati, Ummatni Oromoo lafa isaa irratti of bulchuu qaba, yoo Mirgi Oromoo kabajame malee nagaa fi Misoomni guddinni itti fufinsa qabu dhufuu hin danda’u.

Kanatti dabalees mirgi dimookiraasii nuf kabajamuu qaba. hidhamtootni siyaasaa Oromoo fi kaanis hundi gadhiifamuu qabu, Oromiyaan mootummaa mataa ishee malee waggoota 23 dabarsitee jirti amman booda mootummaa mataa keenyaa hundeeffachuuf ni qabsoofna, dhaadannoolee jedhan uummata keessa fi baratootni walii isaniif rabsuun diddaa Wayyaaneef qaban argisiisuun jaalala ABOf qaban mul’isa jiru.

Haaluma walfakkatuun Onoota kanneen keessatii fi Onotaa guutummaa godina wallaaggaa bahaa cufa keessatti barruun warraaqsa FDG bittinneefamuun dhaaba lukkee wayyaaneetti yaadddoo dhalchee halkanii guyyaa wardiyyaa dhaabbachaa jiraachuun gabaafamera.

Maatii fi uumanni Oromoo jiraattota naannoo ta’an gaaffii barattootaa hordofuun ykn cinaa dhaabbachuun gaaffiin keenya fi gaaffiin baratoota keenyaa yeroo garaagaratti dhiyeessa turre deebii argachuu qaba, jechuun guraandhala gaafa 25/2014 Onotaa akka Limmuu Galiilaa, Haroo Limmuu, Sassiggaa fi kiramuu keessatti uummanni hanga gaaffiin keenya deebii argatutti mootummaa wayyaaneef gibra hin kaffallu, walga’ii wayyaneen gootu hin hirmannu, ajaja gama kamiin iyyuu lukkee wayyaanee irraa darbu hin fudhannu, wayyaanee irratti fincillee mirga keenya ni kabachiifanna jechuun uummanni murtee waliifdabarsee jira.
Ergamtootni Wayyaanee haala sochii diddaa FDG uumamaa jirutti rifachuun humna poolisaa kora bittinneessaa jedhamuu Onoota hundaa irra qubsiisuu fi uummata ittin sodachiisuf halkanii guyyaa uummata keessa baattee fiiga jirachuun gabaafamera.

Kana malees barruuleen FDG Godina Wallagaa dhihaa magaalawwaan akka Mandii, Ginbii, Danbii Doolloo fi Gullisotti bittinneffamuun lukkele Wayyanee wareersaa jirachuutu gabaafame jira. uummannis waamicha dhaabni kallacha qabsoo bilisummaa Oromoo ABO irraa bifa garaagaran godhamaa jirutti gammachuu gudda qabachuu isa FDG mul’ifachuuf qophii xummuraa jiraachuu isaa gabaasa nu qaqqabe irra hubanne jirra.

- Qeerroo.org

——————————

Barattooti Mooraa Kolleejjii Barsiisota Kotobee Diddaa Gabrummaa Eegalan

(Qeerroo.org) – Guraandhala 26 mooraa Kolleejjii barsiisotaa kutaa magaalaa Finfinnee Kotobeetti argamu keessatti barattootni Oromoo dhimma qabxiin wal qabsiisanii diddaa kaasuudhaan mootummaan Wayyaanee diddaa kana qabbaneessuuf jecha tikoota isaa mooraa kanatti remade jedha Qeerroon koollejjii mooraa barsiisota Kotobee irra.

Akka madda gabaasa Qeerroottii kaleessa Guraandhala 25 barattooti wal gayii teesisuudhaan qabxiilee ejjennoo lama kaayyatan.

Kanaan booda qabxiin dhaabbataa (fixed) ta’a malee akka argannoo qabxii mitii kan jedhu barattootatti himanii waan jiraniif barattootni yaada kana hin fudhannu,nu miidhuu barbaannaan kallattiidhaan akkuma nu miidhaa jirtaniitti itti fufuu dandeessu gaggeeffamni qabxii akka kanaan duraatti itti fufuu qaba jedhuun gaafachuu fi yoo mootummaan kan dide barnoota dhaabuun gaaffiin mirgaa akka itti fufamu.

Gaaffiin mirgaa biyya Itiyoophiyaa keessatti ka’ee jiru kan haqaa fi kan mirgaa waan ta’eef cinaa ni dhaabbanna. Hidhamtooti yakka malee maqaan siyaasaan hidhaman akka gadhiifaman, warri lafa irraa buqifaman qe’eetti akka deebi’an.

Kanneen jedhan yeroo ta’u barumsa dhiisanii mooraadhaa bahanii kan turan yoo tahu,har’as addatti diddaa bakka hundaatti eegalee jiruun wal qabsiisanii barattootni Oromoo mooraa kanatti argaman mooraa keessatti waraqaa qabsoo adda addaa maxxansuudhaan,fincila kaasanii kan turan yoo tahu waraanni Wayyaanee meeshaa guutuu qabachuudhaan doorsisaaf gara mooraa koollejjii kanaatti ramadamanii oolan guutummaa guyyaa har’aa.akkasuma akeekkachiisa dhumaa yoomiyyuu hin barbaannu hoogganamuu kan nu hoogganu qabna,rasaasaan nu fixuuf dhuftanii jedhuun gaafffii isaanii dabalataatiin ammas diddaa mooraa keessatti kan jabeessan yoo tahu barataan mooraadhaa hin bahu,waraanni Wayyaanee mooraa koollejjii kanaa marsee kan jiru ganamaa ka’ee halkan kanas kan itti fufee jiru tahuu isaa Qeerroon gabaasee jira.

Barattootni barumsaaf fedha akka dhabanii fi roorrifamuu irraa walaba tahuu feena kan jedhus dhaadannoo tikoota Wayyaaneetti dhageessisaa jiru,diddaan isaanii akka itti fufu gabaasaa Qeerroo irraa hubatama. FDG bakka hundaatti itti fufa!

Exceptions to the democratic rule: Sweden is not Ethiopia, but pretending that they have nothing in common does no one any favours

The Swedish journalists were released after 438 days in an Ethiopian jail [AFP]

February 27, 2014 (Ajazeera) — In 2012, after having been sentenced to 11 years in prison for “terrorism” for illegally entering Ethiopia from Somalia in the presence of the Ogaden National Liberation Front, Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye took the advice of their legal council, confessed to their “crimes” and requested an official pardon. It was a pragmatic move – both journalists vehemently denied the charges and considered any confession to be a charade – taken to save their own skins.

The request was granted, and the journalists were released after 438 days in jail. Their capture, trial, imprisonment and subsequent release were, as one would expect, all big news stories in Sweden. As told in the media, the Persson/Schibbye story followed a standard trope: Backward, undemocratic Africa versus progressive, democratic Sweden. Human rights violators versus human rights defenders. And, frankly, who could argue with that framing of events? 

Persson and Schibbye, as it turns out. Upon their return to Sweden, the two reporters, while naturally critical of the Ethiopian regime, spared no words in their critique of Sweden. Schibbiye, for example, had this to say:

“Relations between Sweden and Ethiopia have never been as good as they are now. After having imprisoned two Swedish journalists for 14 months, some kind of reconciliation has taken place. We are in a new phase and H&M and Ikea will be starting up there (in Ethiopia).”

Schibbye also noted in a recent public lecture in Uppsala that he and Persson were told by Swedish officials that there was no way the Swedish government would sacrifice their relations with Ethiopia over their case, no matter how blatant the injustice (hence the suggestion that the two men falsely “confess”). And, Johan Persson made note of how treatment of journalists and whistleblowers in the supposedly “developed” world helped to justify their treatment:

“This double-standard… just look at the USA where whisteblowers are chased all over the world and threatened with life in prison. That is the problem. Ethiopia can always say, ‘We are no worse than you’.”

While their imprisonment and release garnered much attention, their critique of the relationship between Swedish diplomacy and economic interests in an authoritarian regime did not. Interestingly, and perhaps lesser-known, is the fact that the journalists were in Ethiopia to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by the Sweden-based Lundin Petrolium.

Undemocratic thuggery

The Persson/Schibbye case is one of many in recent years where international authoritarianism is viewed by media in, for example, Europe and the United States with a superior, disapproving shake of the head, while domestic or regional rights violations (or turning a blind eye to such violations in “allied” states) are often dismissed as exceptions which prove the democratic rule.

Jailing journalists for 14 months? Undemocratic thuggery. Negotiating with those same undemocratic officials to further privately-owned economic interests? Good diplomacy.

Persson’s point about Snowden – which can also be made about Chelsea Manning, Barrett Brown andJeremy Hammond- is key: The imprisonment and threatened imprisonment of individuals who have blown the whistle on perceived injustices not only undermines the credibility of the governments who pursue these people, it also calls into question the consistency of media which lament a lack of democratic values in Country X while significant violations take place, in relative media silence, in their own Backyard Y.

This is not to say that the presence of a functional Guantanamo prison – in any way – justifies the killing of 88 protesters in Ukraine. Nor does it suggest that coverage of Kiev, Gezi, Cairo or Rio is de facto inaccurate because the death penalty does not get enough critical press in the US.

But, as I noted in a piece on Turkey, those engaged in the suppression of democratic rights often point to both journalists and politicians in Europe and US and accuse them of double-standards. And we have provided them with that ammunition. Sweden is not Ethiopia, but pretending that they have nothing in common does no one any favours.

I have also made the argument that one of the problems with coverage of recent global protests has been ashort-term perspective: When the images are hot and sexy, there is attention (for a good discussion on “disaster porn” in relation to Ukraine, see the piece by Sarah Kendzior and reaction from Emily Bell), but when the far less sexy long-term process of democratisation begins, media attention fades.

This leaves us with images of Brazil, Turkey, Egypt and Ukraine as rooted in protest and violence, divorced from any semblance of progress. But there is more. These images are enhanced and solidified by an unwillingness to confront, in a comprehensive fashion, our own violent, anti-democratic tendencies – from drones to weapons exports to the death penalty.

This unwillingness allows us to take a position of righteous indignation rife with hypocrisy.

Christian Christensen is Professor of Journalism at Stockholm University, Sweden.

Source: Aljazeera

BUQQIFAMA OROMOOTA SHAGGARII fi NAANNOO ISAA – Kutaa Lammaffaa

• Taammanaa Bitimaa irraa | Guraandhala 27, 2014
  DURADUBBII
  Barreeffama kutaa tokkoffaa akka argattanii dubbiftan nan abdaddha. Isa dabre matadurree “SEENSA” jedhamu jalatti otoo hin xumuratin bulleeyyu. Kunis waan barreeffanni sun dheeratee isin hin nuffisiifnee fi yeroo keessan isin jalaa hin balleessineef jedhameeti. Yeroo ammaa kana jiruu fi jireenyi namoota keenyas tahee kanneen biroo olii-gadi fiffiigsisaa, waan jiruuf yeroon nama jalaa hanqata. Ani kanaafan barreeffata kanas tahee, kanneen biroo kutaa kutaan gaggabaabsee dhiyeessuu filaddhe. Isinis mala kana akka deeggartan nan abdaddha. Egaa, mee amma bakkuma dhaabate sana irraa kaaafameeti itti-fufamaa, kutaa isa kanas mee duukaa-bu’uuf yaalaa!
  SEENSA
  Ammas seenaa Oromoota Kurnan Gullallee isa nama boochisuu fi isa nama boonsisuu sanitu itti-fufama. Kan nama boochisu: waan gara-jabeessummaan daangaa hin qabne, warra Minilik gorraatota uummata Oromoo fi uummatoota Kibbaa sanaan irratti adeemsifameefi. Kan nama boonsisu garuu, kutannoo fi jagnummaa Oromoota Gullallee kana. Ni yaadattu yoo tahe, kutaa tokkoffaa keessatti: “Akkuman kanaan dura barreefamoota kiyya lamaa-sadii keessatti ibsuuf yaale, gichilloonni Gullallee kun, ee gichilloonni sanyii gichillootaa waraana Minilik isa guguddaa ennaa lama moyanii ofirraa deebisaniiti, isa sadaffaa irratti humna qawwee ibiddaatiin moyamuu dandayani.” Jedheetan tureeyyu.
  Namoonni keenya tokko tokko, kanneen keessaa gariin kan waayee seenaa Oromoo sirriitti hin qalbeeffatin, “raas” warra Habashaa Goobana Daaccii waan naannoo Oromiyaa isa Tuulamaa-Macca, jechuun Oromiyaa Waltajjii irraa bayeef, Oromoonni naannoo kanaa marti waan isa duukaa turan itti-fakkaata. Barumsa Oromoo: isa mana ofiitti ibidda qaqqaammachaa baratan san, isa bakka Oromoon walgaye maratti ibsamu san, isa gaafa namni du’ee beektonni seenaa namoonni sadii ka’anii lallabaan ibsan san, isa gafa goonni, jagni, gamni, arjaanii fi namni uummataan jaalatamu du’e, fardi maxaabiriin fe’amuun yaa’ee, namni akka loltuu warra Lixaa kanaatti kan qabu qawwee qabatee, kan dhabe immoo eeboo faa, shimala faa qabateetoo tarree galee yaa’u san keessatti beektonni seenaa sangaa fardaatiin olii-gad garmaamaa “eessan dhaqxu” jechaa, seenaa nama sanii, kan warra isaa hanga babala 12 faatti, seenaa lammii (qomoo) fi gosa isaa faa himan keessatti kan dhiyaatu san callaa irraayyii miti. Isa gaafasuma yeedalloo “oofan” jedhamuun:*
  “Oofan, oofan-oofan! (isa baasu)
  Oofan, oofan! (warra jalaa qabu)
  Oofan, oofan-oofan!
  Oofan, oofan!
  Abbaan biyyaa du’ee
  Egaa seerri badee maaltu walgaafataa? (tarreen afran kunis kan isa baasuti)
  Ee, maaltu walgaafataa! (w.j.)
  Abbaa bokkuu du’ee
  Egaa seerri badee maaltu walgaafataa?
  Eekaa, maaltu walgaafataa!
  Qaccee gootaa,yaa gootakoo! (i.b.)
  Ee, yaa gootakoo! (w.j.)
  Sanyii Abbaa Gadaa, yaa leencakoo! (i.b.)
  Ee, ee yaa leencakoo! (w.j)
  Qaccee Halloo Bokkuu yaa leencakoo! (i. b.)
  Dhuguma-kaa yaa leencakoo! (w j.) **
  Dhiyaatu san qofa keessattis miti. Barreessitoonni Biyya Faranjii jechuun Oroppaa bara akaakayyuu Minilik faa irraa kaasanii, waraanuma warra Habashaa duukaa deemuun kan barreessanii, tarreessanii kaayantu jira. Barreessitoota keenya keessaa isa kana kan faaraan dubbisee faaraan dhimma ittiin bawu, obboleessi keenya Barachiis (Pirof.) Makuraa Bulchaa qofa, jechuutoo dandayama.*** Anis wanneen akkanaatti hedduun giroo ittiin baya. Amaan tana silaa ijoolleen warra abbaa mancaas sun nutti ka’anii, waraana isaanii xuraawaa fi cubbamaa kanaanillee “waraana qulqulluu” jedhanii, nuti sirriitti galmee seenaa jala-deemuun isa keessaa, dhugaa fi dhugoo guggurree addunyaa fuulduratti akka jarreen kun qullaa ofii dhaabatanii muldhatan isaan taasisuu dha.
  Naannolee Afran Walisoo fi Jahan Bachootti: “Oromoon goonda-dhaa boolla goondaa harka hin kaayini! Oromoon kanniisaa gaagura kanniisaa hin horfini!“, jedhe Bitimaa Soondhessaa jedhama. Kan inni jedheef, nafxanyoota fi mootummaa isaanii isa manneen hidhaa Karcallee faatti, mana hidhaa namni seene hin baane, kan golfaan nama galaafatu, “Mana Hidhaa Ejersaa” isa magaalaa Walisoo cinaatti Laga Ejersaa irratti ijaarame faa sanaafi. Warra hardha “boolla goondaa harka” kaawuu fi “gaagura kanniisaa” horfuun, addunyaa gara fuulduraatti daran tarkaanfatte tana keessatti gara duubaatti daran deebiyuun: Aannolee, Calanqoo, Gullallee fi Darraa faatti “siidaan Minilik haa ijaaramu” nuun jedhan kana, dhugaa fi dhugoo qabannee dura gorra! Yommuu kana goonus miseensota gita-bittee isaanii fi muummiyyeewwan (iliitota) isaanii kanaa fi uummata isanii addaan-baafachuuni. Aadaa keenya keessaa isa safuu fi safeefata jedhamuu fi isa amantii Oromoo Waaqeffannaa keessatti: “ilmoon namaa hundi, afaan namaa hundi, amantiin namaa hundi — faa waan uumaa WAAQAA tahaniif kabajamuu qabu!” jedhamu, daqiiqaa takkaafillee hin irraanfannu! Eekaa, otoo Tokkummaan Mootummoota Waltahanii (ToMoWa - “UNO“) bara 1945 keessa kanneen akkanaa kana hin labsin dura, durii durii yaa’ii ofii kan Gadaa irratti tumateeyyu Oromoon keenya. Nuuf kana faatu qaroomina (“civilization“) sonaan tarkaanfate keessatti ramadama.
  Akkanuma warra ammas, bardhibbee 21-ffaa kana keessallee uummata Oromoo isa naannoo magaalaa Finfinnee Shaggar, warra dur buqqifama Minilik faa adeemsisan sana irraa mimmiliqee hafe, buqqisaa jiran kanas dhugaa fi dhugoo qabannee dura gorra. Dura gorrees sagalee tokkoon addunyaa guutuutti, ilmoo namaa hundatti dhageessifanna! Haa tahuutii, kutaan kun asuma irratti dhaabata. Kutaa isa kanatti aanee dhufu keessatti waayee seenaa Oromoota Gullallee, seenaa isaanii isan waggaalee hedduu dura walitti qabe keessaan waa isiniif dhiyeessaa, mee hammasitti nagaa fi nageenyi qeyee hunda keessanii irraa hin dhabamini!
  ==============    Hubachiisota Miiljalee    ==============
  * Inni “oofan” jedhamu kun keessumaa naannolee: Sadeen Sooddoo, Afran Walisoo, Kudhalamaan Caboo, Jahan Ammayyaa fi Torban Kuttaayee faatti akka malee beekamaa dha. Kun kan jedhamuuf: warra abbootii biyyaa, abbootii Gadaa, gootota, jagnoota fi gamnoota fayiifi! Waanan bara 1998 keessa magaalaa Walisootti waayee naannoo Wancii, isa magaalaa Walisoo irra kiilomeetira 30 callaa fagaate argamuu, abbootii seenaa Afran Walisoo beekamoo keessaa tokko kan ture, Baqqalaa Bantii Beellamoo Roggee irraa dhagayeen as irratti isiniif yoon dhiyeesse, waayee “Oofanii” kana sirriitti isinii addeessa. Bara Darguu irraa kaasee: “dhuudhaan oofanii kun borcamaa deemee, abbaadhuma fe’eefuu “oofan” jechuun calqabame. Booda beekaa fi gamni Wancii, Baqqalaa Magarsaa Ita’aa yaa’ii Wancii irratti yaada tokko dhiyeesse. Kunis dhuudhaan oofanii baduu hin qabu. Yoo namni hundumtuu wal haa qixxaatu kan jettan ta’emmoo eenyumaafuu “oofan” jechuun haa hafu.” Erga baay’ee irratti mariyatamee booda walumaa galteen nama hundumaa walqixxeessuuf jedhamee, akka gaaf sana irraa kaasee eenyumaafuu “oofan” hin jedhamne dhoowwame. Booda xinnoo ture Baqqalaa Magarsaa du’e. Wanci guutuun yaa’ee, Qaqaldhii fi Caboonis itti-dabalamanii isa “oofan” jechaa awwaalani. Warri Baqqalaa Magarsaa Ita’aa Golgaa Goolee otoo Sidaamni biyya keenya hin qababatin, warra yaa’ii gadaatiin filamuun biyya bulchan turani. Isaan warra abbootii biyyaa kan Wancii keessatti argamu. Kanaaf, gaafa inni du’e sana biyyi buqqa’ee bawuun isa “oofan” jechuun gaggeesse.”
  ** Halloo Bokkuu gootota akkaan beekamoo kan naannoo Afran Walisoo keessaa isa tokko. Inni abbaa Ilaansoo Halloo, gooticha bara warranni Minilik biyya Afran Walisoo
  dirree waraanaatti cabsee qabate sana qabamee, gara Ankoobaritti dabarfamuun mana hidhaa keessatti du’ee sanaati. Ilaansoo Halloo otoo gara biyya Habashaatti hin
  dabarfamin mana hidhaa isa jalqabaa, kan nafxanyoonni naannoo kanatti dursanii ijaarratan keessa taa’ee, walaloodhaan kan dhaadate kanaan dura isinii dhiyeesseen ture.
  *** Mee barreeffata Prof. Makuraa Bulchaa isa “gadaa.com“, irratti baye: “A Decade after the Aborted Oromo Eviction from Finfinnee: A Persistent Story of Expropriation, Humiliation
  and Displacement“, ilaalaa!

Oromo Voice Radio broadcast on February 24, 2014 (+playlist)

Statement from the Leadership of the Oromia Media Network (OMN)

Added by Admin on February 23, 2014.
Saved under OROMIA

Oromia Media Network will be inaugurated on March 1, 2014.

Oromia Media Network (OMN) is a product of the unwavering spirit of the Oromo people, and their firm belief in freedom of expression and freedom of thought. We believe that the primary purpose of any media establishment is to offer thoughtful perspective on various issues. Cognizant of this, OMN is our grand step towards reclaiming our voice, the voice of truth and fair representation. We are elated to announce that Oromia Media Network will be launched on March 1st, 2014 in the heart of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Oromia Media Network is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit news enterprise whose mission is to produce original, impartial, citizen-driven reporting. The goal of this network is to create multilingual news and programs that will serve as a reliable source of information in the greater horn of Africa region. OMN will offer perspectives grounded in objectivity rather than propaganda. It will uphold international core journalistic and ethical standards of truthfulness, objectivity, integrity, and public accountability while offering a uniquely Oromo perspective. These principles are integrated and adopted into our core values and editorial policy as a media entity.

OMN has a structural governing body that consists of the Board of Trustees, Executive Council and Editorial Board. The Board of Trustees is supervisory body of OMN, while the Executive Council is responsible for the overall management of the organization. The Editorial Board is charged with the development and production of news and other programs.

From Ayub Abubakar, who was murdered because he established the first Afaan Oromo radio in Mogadishu city, Somalia in 1960s, to Lelise Wodajo, who has just been forced into exile after years in jail, Oromo people and Oromo journalists in particular have sacrificed and paid the ultimate price for freedom of expression, to bring truth to light and tell their story in their own way. This project is the latest in this ardent effort to have our voice heard free from intimidation and censorship. We believe that the historic establishment of this media network is an integral part of the multifaceted struggle of the Oromo and other oppressed people to regain their freedom. This is evident in the unreserved support we have been receiving since we initiated this project. It is our collective effort that made it possible for us to stand at this pivotal point in our history.

Therefore, on behalf of the OMN leadership and the team that labored so hard to make this dream a reality, we take great pleasure in inviting Oromo and friends to join us for this historical inauguration at 2 PM on Saturday, March 1st, 2014 at University of Minnesota.

Hamza Abdurezak (PhD), Chairman of Board of Trustees
Girma Tadesse, Executive Director

Oromia Media Network (OMN)

Breaking News: Medrek Suspended UDJ, and Accepted Sidama Liberation Front as a Member

Posted: Guraandhala/February 23, 2014 · Finfinne Tribune | Gadaa.com | Comments (1)

According to an email communiqué from the leadership of the obscure political organization called Medrek – Medrek, on its 9th Congress held yesterday, unanimously suspended UDJ (Unity for Democracy and Justice) for undermining the activities Medrek while it unanimously accepted the Sidama Liberation Front as a new member.

In recent months, UDJ – now with all Amhara leadership – has aligned itself with the Amhara supremacist Neftegna group called the Blue Party.

The suspension of UDJ from Medrek now officially makes UDJ a Northern-ethno-nationalist political group, while Medrek is largely a Southern-ethno-nationalist political group.

Medrek is criticized by many for being organizationally weak, and the regime leaves no room of accommodation for Medrek; for instance, while UDJ holds rallies in its Amhara-base of the Ethiopian empire with the blessing of the TPLF regime, the obscure Medrek does not get permissions for rallies and other organizational works from the TPLF-led government.

BUQQIFAMA OROMOOTA SHAGGARII fi NAANNOO ISAA – Kutaa Tokkoffaa

Taammanaa Bitimaa irraa | Guraandhala 22, 2014

DURADUBBII

Barreeffamni matadureen isaa: “Stop Clearing Oromo from their Land in the name of boosting economic development – Who will stand for the Oromo’s living on the outskirts of Finfinnee?” jedhamu, kan  maqaa “Sabbontoota Oromoo” jedhun, gaafa 11. 02. 14 mandhee Oromoo “ayyaantuu.com” irratti maxxanfamee baye, akkan ani amma waraqaa tana dhiyeessuuf na kaase. Wanni barreeffama sana keessatti kaafame kan hedduu nama naasisu, kan hedduu aariin nama bobeessuu fi kan xiiqii fi booree-dhaan ol nama kakaasu! Barreeffamni sun qorannoo fi xiinxala hunde-qabeessa irratti kan bu’ureeffame. Kan nama dhibu garuu, Oromoonni biyyambaa (“diaspora“) jiran dubbii cimtuu fi dubbii lafee tanaaf, qalbii fi xiyyeeffannoo hin kennineefi. Ani gaafan waraqaa sana dubbise, waan xiyyeeffannoon keenya akkuma waayee wallisaa Teddy Afroo jedhamuu fi waayee Biiraa Baddallee sanaa natti fakkaateyyu.

Dubbii sabaa fi uummata Oromoo sirriitti ilaalu kana, dhagayanii bira cewuun kun kan daran nama gaddisiisuu, ilaa amma callifni kun dhaabachuu qaba! Dubbiin tun dubbii Oromoota naannoo jedhame kana irraa buqqifamanii fi ammallee buqqifamaa jiranii qofa otoo hin taane, dubbii: uummata Oromoo, saba Oromoo fi biyya Oromoo, Oromiyaa ilaalu! Dubbii Oromoota alaa-manaa “iyyaa iyya dabarsaa“-n iyyisiisee olkaasuu qabu! Kanaaf, barreeffanni kiyya inni harraa kun kana irratti xiyyeeffamee, yoo yeroo argattan mee duukaa-bu’aa!

SEENSA

Habashoonni waggaalee 140 dura humna qawwee fi humna biyyoota alaatiin biyya keenya cabsanii harkatti galfatan kun, ammallee humna qawweetiin uummataa fi saba keenya jilbeeffachiisanii bitaa jiru. Bara himame isa akkaan dheeraa kana keessa, mootummoonni Habashaa gariin dhufanii dabranii jiru. Haatahu malee, kan dhufeetoo hin dabarre: hacuccaa, roorroo fi gabrummaa isaanii kana. Uummannii Oromoo hamma harraatti mootummoota Habashaa shan keessa kutee kunoo amma isa jahaffaa jalatti argama. Mootummoonni kun mootummaa: Minilik, Iyyaasuu, Zawudituu, Hayila-Sillaasee, Darguu (kan Mangistuu Hayila-Maaram) fi kan Wayyaaneeti. Mootummoonni shanan kun kan warra Amaaraa yoo tahan, inni jahaffaa fi inni ammaa kun kan warra Tigreeti. Habashoonni Amaaraa bara mootummoota isaanii wanneen hamoo fi suukkaneessoo kan humni isaanii dandaye mara, uummata Oromoo fi uummatoota Kibbaa irraatti adeemsisaniiti jiru.

Isaan waan akka Hitler Yihudoota gorraasisee qaama isaanii irraa gaasii baafachuu san duwwaatu isaan hafe. Kanas waan saayinsii fi teeknolojii- dhaan akka mootummaa Hitler san hin sokkineefi malee, Oromoo fi Walaayitaa faa, Somaalee fi Sidaamaa faa, Kafichoo fi Gimiraa faa, warra Gambeellaa fi uummatoota Sulula Laga Omoo faa mararfataniitii miti. Kan Minilik harma-muraa fi harka-muraa, dhiiga ilmoo namaa xuuxxachiisaa fi dhala namaatiin daldalaa sana, isa bara akkoolee fi akaakaawwan keenyaa adeemsifame callaaa otoo hin taane, ijuma keenya duratti mootummaan Darguu sun uummata gorra’ee, gorraasisee karaa irratti reeffa isaanii darbata ture. Kana bira kuteeyyuu horii fi horoo rasaasa namni ittiin ajjeefamee deebifachuuf, reeffa ilmoo nama mana fayyaa (hospitaala) keessatti gurguree, gurgursiifata ture.

Buqqifamni uummata Oromoo isa Shaggar guddichaa fi naannoo isaa jiruu, kan jalqabame ammaa miti. Kun bara Minilik irraa jalqabee kan itti-fufamaa as gaye. Harra uummata Oromoo keessaa gosoolii sadiitu lafa bulchaa magaalaa Shaggar jalatti argama. Isaanis: Kurnaan Gullallee, Sadeen Eekkaa fi Jahan Galaani. Isaan kana keessaa immoo bara Minilik warri buqqifaman Gullallee fi Eekkaa dha. Akkuman kanaan dura barreefamoota kiyya lamaa-sadii keessatti ibsuuf yaale, gichilloonni Gullallee kun, ee gichilloonni sanyii gichillootaa waraana Minilik isa guguddaa ennaa lama moyanii ofirraa deebisaniiti, isa sadaffaa irratti humna qawwee ibiddaatiin moyamuu dandayani. Kanas isaan oggaa sana dhibbaa dhibbatti seera Gadaatiin bulu waan taheef, yaa’ii isaanii isa Tulluu Daalattii: bakka erga Mallas du’ee asii, Hayila-Maaram Dassaalanyi taa’ee,  hojii warra Wayyaanee fixaan-baasu kana, jechuun kan warri abbaa qawwee afaan qawwee sanan “Taallaaquu Beeta-mangist” jedhaniin sana irratti. Kunoo akka armaan gadii jedheeti yaa’iin Kurnan Gullallee bara 1875 keessa, sagalee tokkoon waraana Minilik isa ibidda tufaa sa’aa-nama, margaa-lafa barbadeessaa deemu sana dura gore.

Murteen yaa’ii seena-qabeessa kanaa gariin isaa barreessaa fi qorataa, nama Biyya Xaaliyaanii: “Ernisto Cerulli – The Folk-Literature of the Galla of Southern Abyssinia, Cambridge, 1922“, keessatti barreeffamee jira. Kanaa gaditti kan Oromoon Kurnan Gullallee yaa’ii  sana irratti dabarse keessaan isiniif dhiyeessa. Inni kun kanan ani manguddoolee naannoo Shaggar irraa dhagayuun, walitti qabe keessayyi fuudhame. Barreefama kiyya kan bara 2004 keessa, kitaabee ijaarsa Oromoo ULFO, tan “MANDIISUU” jedhamtu irratti baye, keessaa fuudhame*:

“Koottu,
Dhufe,
Akka ati dhufte,
Nagaan biyyattaa dhufu,
Toltuun warrattaa dhufu,
Kormi gorbattaa dhufu,
Midhaan qeyeettaa dhufu.

Tume seera,
Muree seera,
Seerri seera Gullalleeti,
Seerri seera Tuulamaati,
Seerri seera abbootii Oromooti,
Hin darbatamu,
Hin dagatamu!

Luugama fadarraan baasin,
Meendhacha harkarraan baasin,
Kan dhufaa jiru diinaa,
Diinatti harkan kennatin,
Dhakaa kattaa tayii,
Dura ijaajji,
Wantaa baldhaa tayii,
Dura ijaajji!

Tume seera,
Mure seera,
Hin darbatamu,
Hin dagatamu!”

“Seerri yaa’iin Oromoo Gullallee dabarse kun walaloo-dhaan tahuun isaa, walaloon hawaasa Oromoo keessatti hammam bakka olaanaa akka qabu nutti agarsiisa. Kurnan Gullallee murtee kana dabarsee, kutannoo cimaadhaan warana warra Abashaa isa meeshaa Oroppaa hidhatee, warra Oroppaatinis leenjifame dura dhaabate. Boods akka uummanni keenya jedhutti “qawwee ibiddaatin” gubatee, mo’amuu dandaye.“**

Mee ammas waan dubbii nuu gabaabsuufan kitaabee-dhuma “MAANDIISUU“, sana keessaa isiniif dhiyeessa. “San booda Minilik kun isa hanqatee, ammas haaloo bawuuf, Oromoo Gullallee jiddu-galeessa Shaggar keessa jiraatu, isaantu kana sade jedhee, kan dhumaatii irraa hafe buqqise. Oromoon Gullallee wiirtuu Shaggar, naannoo Hora Finfinnee faa jiraatu, warra warraan faffaca’ee, gara obbolaa isaa gara naannoo Oromoota birootti baqate. Kaan Meettaa, Galaan, Sooddo, Bacho, Ada’a Bargaa, Waliso, Kuttaaye faatti baqatee, boodas isaanin moggaafamee hafe.“*** Inni kun buqqifama Oromoota Kurnan Gullallee isa jalqabaati. Buqqifamni Oromoo Gullallee seena-qabeessichaa fi boonsisaa kanaa, ammas kitaabee-dhuma armaan olitti kaafamtee keessaayyyi isiniif dhiyaata.

Gara “Waggaa kudhanii booda (1887-1888) oggaa Minilik Inxooxxoo irraa gadi bu’ee, Shaggar magaalmataa impaayara isaa godhatu, Oromoon Gullallee inni naannoo amma “Araat-Kiiloo”, “Siddis-Kiiloo”, “Lidataa”, Markaatoo, Kaasaanichis, Piyaassaa faa jiru, buqqifamee Arsii naannoo Asallaa qubachiifame. Warri kana irraa hafes, akkuma Shaggar babaldhachaa deemu, innis buqqifamaa deeme. Tahullee, Oromoo Gullallee lafa irraa duguuganii fixuun daddhabamee, har’as Shaggar keessa fi naannoo isaas inuma jira.“*** Minilik akka kanaa olitti jedhame Oromoota Gullallee kan buqqise humna qawweetini. Boodas warra buqqifaman kana loltuu isaa kanneen meeshaa waraanaa hindataniin oofsisee geessuun, naannoo Asallaa qubachiise.

Amma kutaan kun akka dheeratee yeroo keessan hunda-caalaa kana, isin jalaa hin balleessineefan asuma irratti dhaabaa, mee nagaa fi nageenyaan naa bubbulaa!

==============    Hubachiisa Miiljalee    ==============

* Taammanaa Bitimaa: “SEENAA OROMOOTA FINFINNEE SHAGGAR“, MANDIISUU, Hidhaa 6, Lakk.1,
Bitootessa 2004, Fuulee 10 – 29, Waashingitan Diisii.
** MANDIISUU: fuulee 23 – 24.
*** MANDIISUU: fuulee 25 – 26.

Seife Nebelbal Radio about Olbana Lelisa, one of Oromo Prisoners of Cons...

Diddaan Uummataa Magaalaa Sulultaa Irratti Ka’een Namootni 5n Tikoota Wayyaaneen Qabamanii Bakka Buuteen Isaanii Dhabame!

Diddaan Uummataa Magaalaa Sulultaa Irratti Ka’een Namootni 5n Tikoota Wayyaaneen Qabamanii Bakka Buuteen Isaanii Dhabame!

Posted: Guraandhala/February 17, 2014 · Gadaa.com

Guraandhala 16, Qeerroo magaalaa Sulutaa Irraa

(Qeerroo) – Diddaa magaalaa Sulultaa irratti gaggeeffameen abbootni maatii 5n tikoota wayyaaneetiin qabamanii bakka buuteen isaanii dhamabee jira. Isaan keessaa miseensi OPDO nama 3 yoo tahu isaan kaan hafan namoota qabsoo keessatti hirmaannaa hin qabneedha,yakki tikootni wayyaanee ittiin qabatan isin ABO dha,uummata kan ijaaru,ammas waraqaa kan barreessee magaalaa kana keessa bittimse isiniidha,diddaa ABOn hoogganamee oromiyaa keessatti finiinaa jiru isinuma kan akka keessaniiti jedhuun miseensotuma isaa fi namoota nagaa qabuun yeroodhaaf bakka namootni kun itti hidhaman dhabamee jira, magaalaa kana kana keessatt FDG qabate maadhee Iftuu Bariitiin waraqaan dhaadannoo fi barruun waamichaa uummata hundumaaf hiramee jira,sirboonni qabsoo halkan guutuu kan sirbamaa bule yoo tahu,lukkuulee wayyaanee bakka olaanaa qaban,kaabinota wayyaaneef akeekkachiisni itti kennamuudhaan hidhattoota wayyaanee qabdoo oromoo deeggeran waliin saa 2 guutuu daandiin konkolaataa uummata jiraattoota magaalichaatiin sirbaa fi dhaadannoon gaggeeffamaa akka ture Qeerroon magaalaa kanaa gabaasee jira.Namoota miseensa isaa taanii fi namoota nagaa qabaman maqaan isaanii akka armaan gadiiti.

1. Obbo kaachoo Qajeelaa-abbaa maatii 6,dhimma nageenyaa magaalichaa.
2. Aaddee Biifee Gulummaa-miseensa OPDO-barsiistuu
3. Dargaggoo Birhaanuu Tarreessaa-hojjetaa dhuunfaa
4. Obbo Seefuu Gazzaany-waajjira faayinaansii keessa kan hojjetan abbaa maatii 3ti,
5. Barataa ogummaa fi teknikenii;Shufeeraa Ligdii

Kanneen jedhaman maatii isaani irraa Guraadhala 15 guyyaa keessaa saa 12:00PM irratti kan qabamanii hanga haraatti bakka isaan itti hidhatam kan hin argamneedha.

Ethiopia: Land, Water Grabs Devastate Communities

Satellite Images Show Devastating Toll on 500,000 Pastoralists

February 19, 2014 (Nairobi) – New satellite imagery shows extensive clearance of land used by indigenous groups to make way for state-run sugar plantations in Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley, Human Rights Watch and International Rivers said today. Virtually all of the traditional lands of the 7,000-member Bodi indigenous group have been cleared in the last 15 months, without adequate consultation or compensation. Human Rights Watch has also documented theforced resettlement of some indigenous people in the area.

The land clearing is part of a broader Ethiopian government development scheme in the Omo Valley, a United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, including dam construction, sugar plantations, and commercial agriculture. The project will consume the vast majority of the water in the Omo River basin, potentially devastating the livelihoods of the 500,000 indigenous people in Ethiopia and neighboring Kenya who directly or indirectly rely on the Omo’s waters for their livelihoods.

“Ethiopia can develop its land and resources but it shouldn’t run roughshod over the rights of its indigenous communities,” said Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The people who rely on the land for their livelihoods have the right to compensation and the right to reject plans that will completely transform their lives.”

Dassanech (“What will happen when hunger comes?”)

A prerequisite to the government’s development plans for the Lower Omo Valley is the relocation of 150,000 indigenous people who live in the vicinity of the sugar plantations into permanent sedentary villages under the government’s deeply unpopular “villagization” program. Under this program, people are to be moved into sedentary villages and provided with schools, clinics, and other infrastructure. As has been seen in other parts of Ethiopia, these movements are not all voluntary.

Satellite images analyzed by Human Rights Watch show devastating changes to the Lower Omo Valley between November 2010 and January 2013, with large areas originally used for grazing cleared of all vegetation and new roads and irrigation canals crisscrossing the valley. Lands critical for the livelihoods of the agro-pastoralist Bodi and Mursi peoples have been cleared for the sugar plantations. These changes are happening without their consent or compensation, local people told Human Rights Watch. Governments have a duty to consult and cooperate with indigenous people to obtain their free and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources.

The imagery also shows the impact of a rudimentary dam built in July 2012 that diverted the waters of the Omo River into the sugar plantations. Water rapidly built up behind the shoddily built mud structure before breaking it twice. The reservoir created behind the dam forced approximately 200 Bodi families to flee to high ground, leaving behind their crops and their homes.

In a 2012 report Human Rights Watch warned of the risk to livelihoods and potential for increased conflict and food insecurity if the government continued to clear the land. The report also documented how government security forces used violence and intimidation to make communities in the Lower Omo Valley relocate from their traditional lands, threatening their entire way of life with no compensation or choice of alternative livelihoods.

Ethiopia can develop its land and resources but it shouldn’t run roughshod over the rights of its indigenous communities. The people who rely on the land for their livelihoods have the right to compensation and the right to reject plans that will completely transform their lives.

Leslie Lefkow, deputy Africa director

The development in the Lower Omo Valley depends on the construction upstream of a much larger hydropower dam – the Gibe III, which will regulate river flows to support year-round commercial agriculture.

A new film produced by International Rivers, “A Cascade of Development on the Omo River,” reveals how and why the Gibe III will cause hydrological havoc on both sides of the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Most significantly, the changes in river flow caused by the dam and associated irrigated plantations could cause a huge drop in the water levels of Lake Turkana, the world’s largest desert lake and another UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lake Turkana receives 90 percent of its water from the Omo River and is projected to drop by about two meters during the initial filling of the dam, which is estimated to begin around May 2014. If current plans to create new plantations continue to move forward, the lake could drop as much as 16 to 22 meters. The average depth of the lake is just 31 meters.

The river flow past the Gibe III will be almost completely blocked beginning in 2014. According to government documents, it will take up to three years to fill the reservoir, during which the Omo River’s annual flow could drop by as much as 70 percent. After this initial shock, regular dam operations will further devastate ecosystems and local livelihoods. Changes to the river’s flooding regime will harm agricultural yields, prevent the replenishment of important grazing areas, and reduce fish populations, all critical resources for livelihoods of certain indigenous groups.

The government of Ethiopia should halt development of the sugar plantations and the water offtakes until affected indigenous communities have been properly consulted and give their free, prior, and informed consent to the developments, Human Rights Watch and International Rivers said. The impact of all planned developments in the Omo/Turkana basin on indigenous people’s livelihoods should be assessed through a transparent, independent impact assessment process.

“If Ethiopia continues to bulldoze ahead with these developments, it will devastate the livelihoods of half a million people who depend on the Omo River,” said Lori Pottinger, head of International Rivers’ Ethiopia program. “It doesn’t have to be this way – Ethiopia has options for managing this river more sustainably, and pursuing developments that won’t harm the people who call this watershed home.”

Background

Ethiopia’s Lower Omo Valley is one of the most isolated and underdeveloped areas in East Africa. At least eight different groups call the Omo River Valley home and the livelihood of each of these groups is intimately tied to the Omo River and the surrounding lands. Many of the indigenous people that inhabit the valley are agro-pastoralist, growing crops along the Omo River and grazing cattle.

In 2010, Ethiopia announced plans for the construction of Africa’s tallest dam, the 1,870 megawatt Gibe III dam on the Omo River. Controversy has dogged the Gibe III dam ever since. Of all the major funders who considered the dam, only China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) provided financing (the World Bank, African Development Bank, and European Investment Bank all declined to fund it, though the World Bank and African Development Bank have financed related power lines).

The Ethiopian government announced even more ambitious plans for the region in 2011, including the development of at least 245,000 hectares of irrigated state-run sugar plantations. Downstream, the water-intensive sugar plantations, will depend on irrigation canals. Although there have been some independent assessments of the Gibe dam project and its impact on river flow and Lake Turkana, to date the Ethiopian government has not published any environmental or social impact assessments for the sugar plantations and other commercial agricultural developments in the Omo valley.

According to the regional government plan for villagization in Lower Omo, the World Bank-supported Pastoral Community Development Project (PCDP) is funding some of the infrastructure in the new villages. Despite concerns over human rights abuses associated with the villagization program that were communicated to Bank management, in December 2013 the World Bank Board approved funding of the third phase of the PCDP III. PCDP III ostensibly provides much-needed services to pastoral communities throughout Ethiopia, but according to government documents PCDP also pays for infrastructure being used in the sedentary villages that pastoralists are being moved to.

The United States Congress in January included language in the 2014 Appropriations Act that puts conditions on US development assistance in the Lower Omo Valley requiring that there should be consultation with local communities; that the assistance “supports initiatives of local communities to improve their livelihoods”; and that no activities should be supported that directly or indirectly involve forced evictions.

However other donors have not publicly raised concerns about Ethiopia’s Lower Omo development plans. Justine Greening, the British Secretary of State for International Development, in 2012 stated that her Department for International Development (DFID) was not able to “substantiate the human rights concerns” in the Lower Omo Valley despite DFID officials hearing these concerns directly from impacted communities in January 2012.

Source:  Human Rights Watch

Related: The Suri Massacre in Omo Valley Ethiopia

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My second trip with OMO RIVER Adventures in the World has been made in 2013. Nel video shows images of the villages of the plateau Omo mursi Mursi , Hamer and the ” Jumping the bull ” , the Karo village Korcho , the Galeb of Omorate , and Erbore.Sono present all the most beautiful and important ethnic groups of the south Omo River.

The OMO RIVER journey with Adventures in the world was done in 2013. in the video shows images of the villages of the Highland Omomursi Mursi , Hamer and of ” Bull jamping ” , the village of Karo of Korcho , Galeb of Omorate , and Arbore are at present the most beautiful and important people of the Omo River area south .

Journey with me as OMO RIVER Adventures in the World has been made ​​in the video are led back 2013.Nel images plateau villages Omomursi Mursi, Hamer of and “Jumping the bull”, Karo village Korcho, the Galeb of Omorate, and presents Erbore.Están all nice and most important of the southern races of the Omo River.