What is going on in Ethiopia and some of an Ethiopian diasporas in West? Cannot and should not been seen easily, otherwise not good for Ethiopia?

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1 What is going on in Ethiopia and some of an Ethiopian diasporas in West? Cannot and should not been seen easily, otherwise not good for Ethiopia? Interesting facts on Ethiopia, its cities, peoples, culture, history, languages, climate, currency, different times, in fact everything Ethiopia. Ethiopia is one of the few African countries never to lose its independence. Unique among African countries, the ancient Ethiopian monarchy maintained its freedom from colonial rule with the exception of the Italian occupation during World War II. Five years is not valid for colony s because our father s were refused to be under Italian colony and in every beautiful mountains of Ethiopia, they were fighting by tying their flag up on their shoulders and putting on the top of mountains. For example, on Asimba and Adwa Mountains, like Irob fathers and others especially on Adwa mountains, on Emba Alagae and other many similar Ethiopian Highlands. Many after that five years gave their precious life to defend the sovereignty of their mother land and they have won seriously up on any abroad invaders. This was not new and since 7 th century against Islamist invaders, in 16 th century also, then in 1974 and finally in Always defending invaders and wining. Now the new political hatred and being USA or somewhere in Europe, it is not our character as Ethiopians to cry and every day producing poison issues against the government and people who are very much engaged in the development of the country. Please let us help them or leave them to do so such precious development which is bringing revitalization to Mother land. I cannot imagine that those who are blowing Trumbo from very far to help our people and country s development. They are not concerned for the flag that can change the Ethiopian identity. Also EPRDF and Ethiopian people s great effort for the integral development is not hidden from any one of them. No, and No! the flag has developed and marked by different ethnic flag which explains the liberty and self rule or autonomous rule of each and individual linguistic and ethnic groups, in order to facilitate their interest and needs. The flag also needs improvement and development Like as all Ethiopian economic, political and social sectors are developing. The flag is for the people s goodness and if it is not serve the people, it remain like piece of cloth. Also EPRDF Good governance Impact on the country which was under zero level of development with the lowest GDP in the world and now getting the economic rank in the middle developing nations in 15 years is not hidden to everybody. But I cannot understand why we cannot be happy of these gain. Then what is the problem of abroad living individual, who has no will to join to Ethiopian democratic election and creating problem for the civilians who are living in their daily economic activities? Look at the past of 1974 started a military junta, the Derg, deposed Emperor Haile Selassie (who had ruled since ) 1 and established a socialist state. Torn by bloody 1 Notice Emperor Hailesilassie ruled about more than 44 years and Mengistu for 17 years with such political situations. When Meles leads the country with extraordinary development and capacity to create western world computing democratic model for the country-what IS THE PROBLEM FOR VOA & OTHERS in USA?

2 coups, uprisings, wide-scale drought, and massive refugee problems, the regime was finally toppled in 1991 by a coalition of rebel forces, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). A constitution was adopted in 1994, and Ethiopia's first multiparty elections were held in A border war with Eritrea late in the 1990s ended with a peace treaty in December The Eritrea-Ethiopia Border Commission in November 2007 remotely demarcated the border by geographical coordinates, but final demarcation of the boundary on the ground is currently on hold because of Ethiopian objections to an international commission's finding requiring it to surrender territory considered sensitive to Ethiopia. VOA and other some limited organizations or individuals should not create problem for our Ethiopian people who live together with in diversity in unity: without religious differences, without political and social differences. They should not create problem for the uneducated farmers who are living from their field production and who are motivated for their development with suitable and relevance policy of EPRDF government. Emperor Haile Selassie supplied the trappings of a more modern state, including, in 1955, a constitution with an elected, though powerless, parliament. He made no real effort to change land policy, or adjust the hierarchies of administrative power. During his reign Ethiopia remained essentially feudal, with small Amhara-dominated modern sectors in the bureaucracy and in industry. This provided the impetus for opposition among non-amhara nationalities, in Tigrai region in 1943, among Oromos and Somalis in Bale in , and after 1961 in Eritrea. Emperor Haile Selassie himself preferred to concentrate on international affairs. During his era Addis Ababa became the head quarters of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and the UN Economic Commission for Africa. His main ally was the USA. Ethiopia, the main recipient of US aid in Africa in the 1950s and 1960s, provided the USA with a major communications base at Kagnew, in Eritrea. Long term weaknesses of the regime included a growing agrarian crisis, inequitable distribution of land, and lack of development. More immediately, the costs of the revolt in Eritrea after 1961, drought and famine in Wallo in (in which 200,000 people died), and, by 1973, Haile Selassie s own near senility and his failure to designate an heir, fuelled the grievances of the military, students and workers. A series of army mutinies, started in January 1974, accompanied paralleled civilian strikes. Attempts at reform by a new Prime Minister made little progress, and from June a coordinating committee of the armed forces begun to arrest leading officials. Haile Selassie was deposed in September, and was murdered the following year. His remains were finally reburied in Trinity Cathedral in November 2001, with the presence of many of the exiled royal family. The monarchy was formally abolished in March Under the influence of left-wing politicians, the Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC), which replaced the Imperial regime, begun to see itself as the vanguard of Ethiopian revolution. In December 1974, Ethiopia was declared a Socialist state, and a program of revolutionary reforms called Ethiopia Tikdem ('Ethiopia First ) was initiated. In April 1976, the Derg set forth its goals in greater detail in the program for the National Democratic Revolution (PNDR). As announced by the leaders, these objectives included

3 progress toward Socialism under the leadership of workers, peasants, the petite bourgeoisie, and all anti-feudal and anti-imperialist forces. The Derg s ultimate aim was the creation of a one party system. Soon after taking power, the Derg promoted (Ethiopian Socialism. The concept was embodied in slogans such as self-reliance, the dignity of labour and the supremacy of the common good. These slogans were devised to combat the wide spread disdain of mutual labour and a deeply rooted concern with status. Although the government took a radical approach to land reform, it exercised some caution with respect to the industrial and commercial sectors.in January and February 1975, the Derg nationalized all Banks and Insurance firms and seized control of practically every important company in the country. In February 1977, Mengistu declared himself as Derg s chairman and set about consolidating his power. However, several internal and external challenges prevented Mengistu from doing this. Various insurgent groups posed the most serious threat to the Derg. In February 1977, a terrorist attack known as the White Terror had been initiated against Derg members and their supporters. This violence provoked a government's counteraction-the Red Terror. During the Red Terror, which lasted until late 1978, government security forces systematically hunted down and killed suspected members and supporters of opposition groups. Mengistu and the Derg eventually won the struggle. Despite strengthening its power, Derg couldn t stand the activities of insurgencies which appeared in various parts of the country,the most important of which were in Eritrea and Tigray. The Derg decided to impose a military settlement on the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) and the Eritrean People s Liberation Front (EPLF). Attempts to invade rebel-held Eritrea failed repeatedly, and the insurgent groups controlled most of the country. Despite large commitments of arms and training from Communist countries, the Derg failed to suppress the opposition. Derg was able to intimidate and create disarray within the civilian opposition by detaining many leaders of labor, teacher and student groups because of their agitation against the military rule. The Derg s hand against the opposition was strengthened resulting to an escalated struggle for freedom and democracy. As a result of these enhanced struggles, the regime was overthrown after 17 years of dictatorial rule, by the coalition Ethiopian People s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) on May Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Government has got a real gate and spirit of managing multicultural Ethiopia and its new mode of civilization: call it Renaissance or Tehadiso or Hidasie! A federation comprising nine-states with considerable autonomy were established and the first multiparty elections were held in The distinct regional states are 9 regional linguistic-based states and 2 self-governing administrations: Adis Abeba; Afar, Amara, Benishangul Gumuz, Dire Dawa, Gambela Hizboch, Hareri Hizb, Oromiya, Sumale, Tigray, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. Ethiopia's poverty-stricken economy is based on agriculture, accounting for almost half of GDP, 60% of exports, and 80% of total employment. The agricultural sector suffers from frequent drought and poor cultivation practices. Coffee is critical to the Ethiopian economy

4 with exports of some $350 million in 2006, but historically low prices have seen many farmers switching to qat to supplement income. The war with Eritrea in and recurrent drought have buffeted the economy, in particular coffee production. In November 2001, Ethiopia qualified for debt relief from the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative, and in December 2005 the IMF voted to forgive Ethiopia's debt to the body. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to the tenants; the system continues to hamper growth in the industrial sector as entrepreneurs are unable to use land as collateral for loans. Drought struck again late in 2002, leading to a 3.3% decline in GDP in Normal weather patterns helped agricultural and GDP growth recover during Fisrt time in those passed governance history the GDP reached $56.05 billion (2007 est) 2and now more and more continuously. Therefore, for these unique and historical nation has facing many terrorism action internally and externally. I would like to contribute from my side not by gun but by pen to fight any terror action can be happen to my beloved mother land ETHIOPIA. (A. Hagos Woldu, July, 2009). During the first African Governance Forum in Addis Ababa, representatives of nongovernmental and civil society organizations, as well as countries that could claim successful experience with good governance practices, argued for focusing more specifically on issues of accountability and transparency. Within the context of the Investment policy, Ethiopia is inviting different Organizations for the Economic Cooperation and Development Special Initiative in Ethiopia is appreciated by many western and far east nations and the land which was fruitless now becoming fruitful and investment and International economic trading relationship with better developed countries is really reasonable effort done by EPRDF in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has also established a Special Initiative on Governance in Africa, which supports capacity-building for governments and civil society, building on past and ongoing governance efforts-in Addis Abeba. Building capacity for conflict prevention, peace-building and the promotion of democratic pluralism; and supporting sub-regional conflict-management centres also are some of many appreciating things in the current Ethiopia. To provide donor institutions with more comprehensive information about existing governance activities in Ethiopia-- and to help Ethiopian countries better share experiences among themselves is bring together a compendium of governance programmes in the country. Now the good news of Ethiopia is announced by many international organizations, like FAO. In two of the country's most disadvantaged rural areas, a recently completed FAO project has achieved measurable improvements in the health and nutrition status of many people. Launched in 2001 with support from the Belgium Survival Fund, the project set itself an ambitious target - to resolve nutrition and household food security problems in 40 communities through interventions in agriculture, health, education, water and sanitation. Priority was given to assisting female-headed households, which accounted for 80% of all malnutrition cases and made up about 30% of the population in the project areas.

5 The political occurrence of ethnicity and conflict in Ethiopia is largely the consequence of the usurpation of institutions of self-governance and the dependable economic situation of ethnic minorities and it is not because they are neglected from the political process under the pretext of national integration and unity. Today in Ethiopia every ethnic tribes has their own delegates in the HOF. The group identities has become ideological and mobilising factors against state nationalism, because of misunderstanding of federalism and self determination, which is disturbed by poor nationalistic mentality based territorial rebels. To think that, division of power or decentralization as the state collapsing and dividing the national unity in to small pieces state entity, (like what happen to Eritrea, in 1993) and others who are looking through the separatist view as a result of the struggles of centrifugal ethnic movements is not correct and we cannot accept it as a main reason for the ethic divisions. The collapse of authoritarian centralised and ethnocratic regime has led to a successful transition to democracy. The long and dark history of centralisation of state power, authoritarian rule and imposition of state nationalism that hitherto denied any political space to territorially based ethnic diversities other than that of the ruling elite shades light on how not to make a state and build a nation. Ethiopia s transition to democracy and viable system of governance demands the effort of federalism since it allows the effective participation of ethnic communities in the governance process. Ethiopian political tradition that had long been the arsenal of denial of democracy, tyrannical authority and ethnic inequality had to be reversed and replaced by a new institutional setting that provides individuals and identity groups with the opportunity to participate and advance their interests in the governance process. This demands the recognition of the right of the various ethnic communities to self-determination. Accordingly, it is their free will and agreement to live together for mutual economic, social and political benefits that underpins and sustains their union. The advocacy of reconstructing the Ethiopian state on the basis of ethno-territorial federalism is unbreakable not merely to maintain the union of Ethiopian people s but to create sustainable peace that is essential for the mostly needed social and economic development of the country. Ethnic federalism would make ethno-territorial communities less prone to raise arms in conflicts against the central government. The entrenchment of their self-government institutions and their participation in the governance of the federal polity gives more leverage to settling disputes through negotiations and consensus than violence. In fact, the last ten years, since the devolution of state power along ethnic lines began to be undertaken, have been marked with relative internal peace and stability that were lacking earlier for more than two decades. Moreover, instead of generating internecine ethnic conflicts, the empowerment of ethno-territorial communities in the governance process has become a solid ground for maintaining their unity and pursuing their common interests. Thus, the use of ethnic federalism for sustainable peace and as a solid foundation for unity based on equality and mutual respect seems to have been taking roots. After all, Ethiopian federalism provides the ideal institutional formula not only to preserve, accommodate and promote ethnic autonomy but also to create and sustain unity among ethnic communities for all purposes of common interest and development of the country.

6 What should be done in current Ethiopia? Ethiopia should take care of all neighbours and false political members. Otherwise the country will go back to long period problem. The current government should not release the advantage of the people that was gained by many sacrifices and by bitter struggle of her children s. democracy and federal system of management the country should not be changed in to game playing political arena. The Ethiopian state historically evolved, over millennia, as a non-colonial empire-state. The country has a great ethnic diversity. In the 20th century, imperial assimilationist policies and military communist policies failed to overcome ethnic alienation and revolt. The leadership since 1991 institutionalized ethnic federalism as a matter of ideological orientation and political necessity and as a way of resolving conflict between ethno nationalism and the state. The fact that most ethnic groups appear willing to live within the framework of the federal system is, in part, an achievement of regional and linguistic advantage of federalism. Through its cultural pluralist and political autonomy policies, federalism has contributed to state maintenance. The Ethiopian federal system is unique in its constitutional marrying of political pluralism and the right of secession. Ethiopia, as it has started needs democratic centralism, inhibiting effective decentralization and democratization. In the short run, the viability and stability of the infant political system is dependent on its flexibility and adaptability. In the long run, the success of ethnic federalism will be contingent, in good measure, on a more balanced share of power between the three major ethnic groups, the Oromo, the Amhara and the Tigray. At the moment, it appears to be in favour of the numerically small Tigray ethnic group. All three ethnic groups not only need to work out a mutual accommodation, they also need, in turn, to support pluralist policies and practices vis-à-vis all ethnic groups in the country. At the interstate level, Ethiopia needs to establish normal relations with all its neighbouring states as there are co- ethnics residing in all of them. PERSONAL RECOMENDATION EPRDF Party should not give up the order get political, social and economic development by respecting individual political seeking guise. You have many recommendations from many martyrs and living mass who looks for further development and better future of the country. Otherwise it can be like the Westphalia World Order project or treaty who were seeking world new order and lost political completely that order, instead of achieving political order in contrary the confusions of politics. Westphalia sovereignty is the concept of nation-state sovereignty based on two principles: territoriality and the exclusion of external actors from domestic authority structures. Scholars of international relations have identified the modern, western originated, international system of states, multinational corporations, and organizations, as having begun

7 at the Peace of Westphalia in Both the basis and the result of this view have been attacked by some revisionist academics and politicians, with revisionists questioning the significance of the Peace, and some commentators and politicians attacking the Westphalia system of sovereign nation-states. I can be afraid less than 80% but I wish very serious attention for the good of Ethiopia or for the common Good of Ethiopians. God bless Ethiopia and Ethiopians! Long life to Popular Party (EPRDF) 2 Gabel Medrad, Henry Bruner (2003). Global Inc.: An Atlas of the Multinational Corporation. New York: The New Press. p. 2