NYC was one of 14 cities in North America where the Ethiopian government held the nationwide meeting last week.
Tadias Magazine
By Tesfaye Negussie
Published: Thursday, April 14, 2011.
New York (TADIAS) – “United We Stand, Divided We Fall,” was the theme for the Ethiopian government’s Five-Year Growth and Transformation Plan Convention in Harlem last Saturday. Both government and opposition supporters came out to fill the seats at the convention, while protesters held a demonstration outside.
New York City was one of 14 cities in North America where the Ethiopian Embassy launched the continental tour last week.
From Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, Ethiopians across the country appeared divided as the events were met by protests in most venues.
“These people over here, they should be ignored,” government supporter, Mehretab Assefa said of the protesting opposition. “It’s like talking to a deaf man because, really, to me, they are irrelevant.”
Government opposition chanted, “Meles is a criminal!” and “Down with EPRDF!” referring to the country’s long-serving Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, and his ruling party, the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front.
Outside of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, the opposition was protesting alleged human rights violations and unfair distribution of wealth. Inside the building, the Ethiopian government was promoting investment from the Ethiopian Diaspora to Ethiopia, to help build its economy.
“There is no opportunity for investment without freedom,” protester Abate Kassah said. “Ethiopia is receiving so much international aid, and yet it’s among the poorest countries in the world.”
Director General of the Ethiopian Commodity Exchange Authority, Ambassador Dr. Addisalem Balema, led the discussion during the convention. Balema said the country’s goal is to become a middle-income country in the next 12 years, although he admits that it is an ambitious plan.
According to the Heritage Foundation 2011 Index of Economic Freedom, Ethiopia rates 144th in the world, in economic freedom. When asked how Ethiopia can expect to grow its economy through private investments and entrepreneurship with such low ratings in economic freedom, Balema cast The Heritage Foundation aside as an agency that was acting as an agitator. He said that the audience should not worry itself with Ethiopia’s ranking in frivolous polls. However, Balema added that Ethiopia might have to change its economic-freedom policies if it wanted to be accepted into the World Trade Organization, as it is currently bidding for enrollment.
Balema added that the government plans to achieve these goals through a variety of efforts: bolstering a currently inefficient national tax collection program; opening Ethiopia’s agricultural economy to large and small foreign business by leasing fertile land and offering tax incentives; and promoting social justice and democratic rule around the country; among other things.
Ethiopia’s low-lease costs and tax incentives for fertile land in the country are attracting big businesses around the world to farm their products in Ethiopia. News reports say that farmers in Gambella, in southwestern Ethiopia, are being forced off of their property to make way for these large companies.
“As we speak, now, they are jailing people, they are jamming radios, they are jamming Internet,” protester Tedla Asfaw said. “Investment in a society where you have no right? What kind of investment is that? That is a joke!”
When asked of the reports of social injustices by forcing local farmers to leave their livelihoods to accommodate large foreign companies, Balema replied that “not one farmer” has been involuntarily moved off of their land. He assured the audience not to trust the reports. Balema added that the only land that is being leased to foreign companies is unsettled. It doesn’t make any sense for the Ethiopian economy to not use unsettled, fertile land, Balema said.
According to Darryl Vhugen, a senior attorney and land tenure specialist with Landesa, a non-profit organization that partners with governments to secure land rights to the rural poor, just because a farmer doesn’t have documented rights to a property, it doesn’t mean, in many developing countries, that they don’t have legitimate, longstanding rights to the land.
According to Vhugen there would be a greater chance of long-term agricultural, economical and social success if governments incorporate local farmers into land deals with the foreign investors. His argument is that in most cases small farms are more productive than large farms and if the small farmers are involved in the negotiations, they are less likely to cause unrest in the region.
In so many words, Vhugen is saying, “United You Stand, Divided You Fall.”
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About the Author:
Tesfaye Negussie is an Ethiopian-American journalist and videographer. He has freelanced for NBC’s TheGrio.com, The Washington Post, PBS, NPR, The Village Voice, and several other media outlets. He holds a Masters degree in broadcast journalism from Columbia University. He is currently the Co-Founder and Executive Producer of United Nile Media.
Editors’ Note:
Tesfaye Negussie attended the meeting in Harlem and participated in the question and answer session. He was not allowed to bring recording devices such as video camera or audio recorder inside the meeting. As a result, the following video was shot outside the convention and shows only the protesters.
WATCH:
Unfortunately, all sides are extreme. No one listens to each other. What’s the point?
Tesafye,
I attended the New York meeting too. It was much more productive than the other cities because there was some discipline and order. I am no government supporter or oppsoition supporter. I just wish the best for my country. I thought the discussion was interesting. I did see you ask your question, that was a good question you asked. I did not get all the answers I wanted but I thought it was a good start. Too bad they did not allow you to bring your gear so you could share with us the sounds and pictures from inside the conference. Why did they say no? I don’t understand.
Dear Tesfaye,
Your reporting attempt for objectivity was nice. However your decision to speak to a person who does not seem to know much about Ethiopia was weak. The statement by Darryl Vhugen was pointless. Don’t you know that there is no “property right” when it comes to land in Ethiopia? Next time, if you have to get Non-Ethiopians, please research the issue first and have people with local expertise who know the local context to interview instead of some -general land tenure specialist who knows nothing about land tenure in Ethiopia.
This is a very balanced and fair reporting that the journalists in Ethiopia ought to emulate. Kudos to Tesfay!
Tadias, what in Gods name do you mean ALLEGED Human Rights Abuses..
how much more proof does it require to accept that this dictatorship is perpretrating horrific crimes against its own people EVERYDAY? It is really disgusting to see such a half stepping approach to basic humanity at your magazine. The evidence of ongoing Human Rights Abuse in Ethiopia is OVERWHELMING and whatsmore it is EASILY availbe in the public domain in LARGE QUANTITIES. Stop the RIDICULOUS assertion that Humans Rights Abuses in Ethiopai are ALLEGED.
I am so surprised that opposition has tried to stop the meeting from happening!
If they don’t like the meeting, why come to the meeting in the first place? Why disturb others do what they like to do?
This indicates the fact these opposition group of diaspora does not understand the right of others to attend any meeting they want to.
I am so appalled that they did such a childish attempt to stop the meeting from happening.
I don’t think there is any hope for such people in the diaspora to support their country in any meaningful way in the future.
If nothing, please send your family support money back home through legal channels.
The Ashamed One.
The problem is that both sides are too stubborn. The government does not know how to admit obvious mistakes and implement genuine reforms, and the opposition wants heads to roll. That’s the recipe for “Divided we fall” if we have not already. You can not have economic development without empowering the people politically first. And change will not happen soon if heads have to roll. You feel me. GTP is a propaganda stint in America.
I think the problem we are facing here as a diaspora is the luck of understandign to human’s choice. It is always depressing to hear pro and anti governments speak. facts are not considered rather we act on issues that are born out of our hate or support.
Do the demonstrators have a right to voice their concern… Heck YES!
Do pro government forces have a right to attend the meeting without redicule..heck YES!
By fighting why they atend the meeting or who attend it, we wasted a valuable time and venue to ask the pressing issue… DO WE NEED THE DAM? ARE WE READY TO GO TO WAR WITH EGYPT? IS MY INVESTMENT INSURED? IF SO, BY WHO? DO THE THE PROJETED INCOME FROM THE DAM, OUTWEIGH THE RISK WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE? WHAT ARE THE MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOV’T TO DEMOCRATIZE THE COUNTRY?…..AND SO ON!
Let us agree to disagree and let the truth prevail. We can do that without name calling or hating eachother.
Begudu
Dear Tadias,
What a breath of fresh air!! Thanks for the professionalism. I would like to congratulate Tesafye for a fair and balanced reporting. All power to you!
God bless Ethiopia and god bless U.S.A.
Ato Tesfaye Negussie,
You cannot be a fair news reporter by playing with words to distort events that the world witnessed and even the dictorial regime admitted as a severe case of excesses of force used against the people. Obviously, you have not heard about the massacre in Gambela and else where in Ethiopia if you gave blind eyes to the brutal killings of 200 innocent civilians on the streets of Addis Ababa. The human rights abuses carried out by the regime is not al ALLEGATION, but well documented and well known by international coummunities including Amnesty International.
You need to leave the middle ground so as to be friendly to both sides and follow where your eyes and ears and heart lead you to and report the events exactly as you know them and as the world knew them so that you can be considered a reporter with consciences and and integrity.
Peace to you and much success.
Good reporting.
Surprised to hear the so called “Professor Abate” use the term ‘honorary white’ to describe the opposition. What does that have to do with the price of beans? I wonder what his students are learning from him?
Manu
It is amusing to see some of the comments about the word “alleged.” It’s really hilarious how people’s brain gets all stuck in the smallest, most irrelevant things while totally missing the big picture. Is the word “alleged” the only thing some of you learned from this article? if you did’nt witness the crime, it is an “alleged” crime. It does not mean it did not happen. So get over it!
Ciao
So are they saying (the government) that they don’t want productive people in Ethiopia? If small farmers are more productive, then why give their land to the big foreign companies who only farm for themselves anyways? What is the purpose? What is that suppose to mean?
I totally agree with the idea of one of the commentators above, Begudu. Let’s not fight and waste our time on the endless blaming of one another. Let’s accept our differences, which will be there always and try to focus what matters to our country, her development and of course her peace. Let’s be a little professional and people of 21st century. Let’s enhance ideas in areas of our agreements and create opportunities out of our differences.
Thank you. Very informative. The people interviewed in the video are really funny. How did he become a professor?
Dear Ethiopians,
Did you see the video clip about the Indian land lease in Gambella where 120 kilometers square of land leasing for 150 pounds a week by the Indian investment company? When interviewed by the British (or American ) journalist how low the lease amount was, for such great expance of land for such minimal cost, even the Indian man was laughing and nor believing that such a deal came to their hand. As if struck the jackpot or won the lottery. The Indian investor was so surprised on this nonsense and imprudent land deal that he was saying. ” I don’t know but they just gave it to us at this price laughingly as if saying are these Ethiopian government stupid?
At the conclusion of the interview the reporter or journalist concluded by saying.”This is total madness and I don’t understand how they give away such vast land as big as a province next to nothing.” please go to u -tube and type Gambella land leases by foreign companies and you will see the videos.
Good luck Ethiopia.
It’s good of TADIAS to let both side be heard, Tadias seems to be maturing as a media. You should also interview the younger folks from both groups. People Like Kassa who are 200 years old have so much baggage from the Mengistu era.
Good job Tadias
The Diaspora here in North America, opponents of the government, are accusing rightfully so of the diminished political space and lack of democratic culture of the current Government. Let us suppose that if they happen to come to power what kind of treatment their opponents would get. From my humble observation I do not expect them to be any different. The proof is in the pudding. Through their actions they have shown that we should not expect any difference. Why should anyone waste their time? To me the Devil I know is better than the one that tries to pass as an Angel
How come the people in Gambela don’t have land rights? They live there, right? It’s common sense. If a foreign company wants to do business on the land, the locals make all the money, not the government. The federal government should only be the facilitator and collect minimal tax. The people of Gambela must decide how the revenue from the leased land is spent because its their land. Listen, coffee is the second most traded commodity in the world, next to oil. And Ethiopia is the biggest coffee producing country in the world. But Ethiopian coffee farmers remain one of the poorest in the world. Why? Because the government does not know what its doing. The economic projects they are engaged in at the moment are big projects, but the job requirement is above the Prime Minister’s pay-grade. It requires smarter and more knowledgeable person to continue Ethiopia’s development. We need change. We can’t be expected to just cheer lead all the time. For how long?
The professor is on point. You have to admit the guy has sense of humor. His joke is a little harsh, but it’s a joke. I agree with him too. Show me one guy in there who is not so negative about everything. I understand these brothers have been traumatized by the derg era. But this is new age Ethiopia. Hello?
The so called “professor” is correct. There are quite a few Ethiopian taxi drivers in America. So what if there are taxi drivers and have political opinion? I happen to be a taxi driver and a former professor of Addis Ababa University. And I can assure the public that not all professors are created equal, some are more idiotic than others. But the point is not all Ethiopians who hold different opinions than the government are taxi drivers. The protesters are not only Taxi drivers. Ethiopians in the Diaspora are lawyers, pilots, doctors, accountants, hotel managers, corporate CEO’s, writers, artists, students, and much more. I can assure you that as a former professor turned political prisoner, turned a political refugee, now a taxi driver, you can take your word and eat it. Also, the comment is racist. What do “white people” have to do with this? Absolutely nothing. Keep your vulcanization, divide and rule talk at home. Please do not pit us Ethiopians against our neighbors, friends, business partners, bosses, our children’s friends. If we have lost our humility, our respect for others, and our quite dignity, then we have lost our way as Ethiopians. That’s what I see in the professor’s comment. Thank god for me, I wake up every day to California sun in total peace. Thank god my daughter will graduate with law degree specializing in International Human Rights, her own choice. What else can I ask for? I have money, the time, energy, motivation to protest.
Dear Guest,
For the sake of honesty, you can’t show us any “lawyers, pilots, doctors, accountants, hotels managers, corporate CEO’s, writers, artists, or students” at these rallies. They are too busy for this garbage. If you see these pointless protests, it’s always the same old suspects. I am sorry but you are wrong on the facts.
With much respect,
Temari
Meles Zenawi is a brilliant man. The only problem I see is that he is just a party man. He cares only for EFRDF people, young and old. How about the rest? Are they not Ethiopian?
“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.”
Henry David Thoreau, American author, naturalist and philosopher
I differ with what Dr. Aseffa has to say (the guy with a black hat with white ribon). The protesters are trying to give some voice to the voiceless, to awaken the conscience of others about the denial of justice, the atrocities, the woyane mafiosos, and above all they are speaking the truth – the unambigous truth. Although economic development is vital to the country one can not be blind to all what is going on in the country. Hulum Yadebabay Mister Naw. Too bad that amongest us, even residing in this free country, can not have a little drop of gut to acknowledge all the bad karma and unfortunate conditions that our people are in.
Degitu
That professor is a typical Uncle Tom who devour on people who fight for freedom. Many people out there lost family members and many more. Ethiopia lost about 70,000 during the war on Badme. Meles evacuated so many thousands of Eritrean origin from Addis and his remark was if we do not like the color of their eyes…..how racist can any one get? You do not need to be a professional? to demonstrate against this brutal dictator just be a human to be a voice for the voiceless.
“Diaspora is not divided” as the Tadias Editor alleges. In fact it is the reverse, “Diaspora is more united than ever”. The proof is the few ”Hodeaders” who were out to intimidate us have nothing to say except cheap insult. “Taxi Driving” to earn a living is much worth than stealing to live or join the thieves for self interest like the so called Dr. Interviewed on this video clip.
Freedom and equality are words that have definitions in all Ethiopian languages according to the customs and cultures of each ethnic and religious group. These words also represent basic values of a genuine democratic political system, enshrined in the Ethiopian Constitution, only if it can be respected by all sides. Rule by party monopoly has often brought peace and order, but at the cost of personal freedoms. Democratic values support the belief that an orderly society can exist in which freedom is preserved. But order and freedom must be balanced. Economic freedom can not be achieved without political freedom. They are one and the same.
What is ”Hodeaders” mean anyways? If you are talking about people who work for a living, that makes a vast majority of us. It all boils down to image. The Ethiopian opposition in the Diaspora has an image problem. Stop screaming in our ears and show us your freaking blue print for what you’re going to do the day after you win so we can become your “Hodeaders”. The other side seems to have plan, where is yours? How do you intend to enforce law and order? Will you continue the grand millennium economic projects? If so, how are you going to pay for it? What would Ethiopia’s foreign policy be? Say visa vi Eritrea, Somalia, Egypt (Those things are no joke as they may threaten the very existence of the nation). These are real responsibilities you are expected deliver they day you get your victory. What happens to our businesses? What happens to members of EPRDF or the Prime Minister and his family? Will they be granted immunity from future political prosecution? Will they be allowed a role in the new Ethiopia where the opposition is in charge? Could they challenge the government as legitimate leaders of a robust parliamentary opposition? Could they take back power through future elections? Or Will they be dealt the same destiny as Haile Selassie and Mengistu? Where are we headed? The people are not as behind the curve as you think we are.
Silent Majority. “Hodeaders”is a reference to Meles his thugs as well as silent woyanay mojority who are grooming themselves to join the brutal dictatorship pretending there is no human right abuse while ruling the country along ethnic line gagging the free press and arresting opposition with trumped up charges uprooting the Ethiopian farmers from their birth places giving the land to Indian and the Arab investors burning their houses while people are still inside (go watch the video on Abai media) pictures do not lie… these kind of ignorant behaviour from Silent Woyanay Majority denying all these attrocities makes one “Hodaders”
YOu asked what then after King Meles is gone. Simple!!! we re-right the constitution this time by the people to the people. When the nation owns his own police and military buisness (abolishing effort owned by Meles and his cronies) by having these fundamental changes and promoting peace amongst Ethiopians then we shall go voting on our own destiny. For these journey we must abolish this tyrant like Tunisians-Egyptians-Lybians. The revolution is underway better Meles learn from this or he will end up like Bagbo.
Does silent majority know how to spell?
Alula,
Good luck. Yeah insulting the majority is going to do the job. What a way to win votes. Way to go! See if you can do it on your own.
It would not surprise me if a bunch of professional cleanres and parking lot attendants are hoodwinked by the talk of the so called GTP and Millenium Project. I bet peasants back in Dembecha are much more politically concious and aware than these good for nothing bunches.
My work often takes me to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzenia, and Uganda. Ethiopia is my favorite country. I have made many friends there and here. The comment by Eremias triggered me to ask, why should non-Ethiopians be excluded from providing opinion in their areas of expertise? Isn’t knowledge universal and meant to be shared? Darryl Vhugen is an international lawyer and land tenure expert, that’s what he does for a living. I would say that he has practical experience on the matter and his independent voice is worth considering. In the 21st century, in this global age, Knowledge should not be sequestered to passport, borders, nationalities, color or creed. On an article about plant breeding, for example, it would be absurd for a French journalist to ignore the opinion of the non-French Dr. Gebisa Ejeta of the U.S., one of the world’s leading and acclaimed plant geneticist.
I really did enjoy your article, the video and fair perspective. I love seeing how passionate the commentators are about their beloved Ethiopia, We should give people room to voice their opinions with out have to worry does it make everyone happy. When are we going to learn the only way up and if we hold each other and respect each other and as well as our views. Let us be part of the solution and not the problem, as long as we are honestly attempting to be part of the solution let us not waste our energies on how WE only see itI
I own a travel agency and a hair salon and I have to deal and be nice with the governmnet to do my job. I guess that makes me “Hodeader.” Somebody, please make me a t-shirt
Thanks Tadias Magazine and especially Tesfaye for this interesting and balanced reporting. It is as professional as any news media. You showed both sides of the story, given your limited access inside the meeting. Keep up the good work! I wish FOX News, CNN and Others can see your ways!
Cares for Ethiopia, not the pro/con fights.
The freedom of the press is one of the greatest bulwarks of liberty and can never be restrained by any side, unless they are despotic.
My problem with the Diaspora opposition is that they are trying to shame us into supprting them. What happned to reason? I don’t need to be shamed to understand violations of Human Rights. Talk to me, don’t insult me please.
The Ethiopian government ought to be working for the common benefit, protection and security of all the Ethiopian people. When the government is unable to deliver the greatest degree of happiness and safety due to corruption and longevity, then it has become inadequate, which means the people have the absolute moral right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conductive to the public will.
Fab reporting. Thank you!!
Silent Majority,
You have a good point. But you miss the exact meaning of the word. “Hodeader” means bootlicker. It does not mean the regular hard working Ethiopians who have to do what they need to do to survive. I agree 100% that’s the silent majority. But footlickers are those (mostly from the Diaspora) who don’t need the money, but they lick shoes so that they can get access and feel important. They only care about their “Hode”, thus “Hodeader.” They are basically opportunists.
We have to fight WOYANE in every way possible. The protest currently happened by the ethiopian diaspora is one example of the ways. Opposing WOYANE false growth propaganda doesn’t mean hating growth. The protesters have better visions for Ethiopia than WOYANE. WOYANE is even not acting as an Ethiopian organization; it does not work for Ethiopian interest. So the fighting between WOYANE and Ethiopians should not be considered as fighting between two Ethiopian groups. When it comes to WOYANE there is no democratic way of opposing. Woyane doesnopt know democracy. So what the diaspora protesters did is 100% right!!!!!!!!!
What is the solution?
I would like to extend my thanks for the work you have made on this post. I am looking forward to more of the same effective job.
I understand what the professor in the video is saying. I think he has been misunderstood by some of the commentators here. What is wrong about talking about the development of the country? It is a poor country, you can not bring some sort of democracy in a poor country. If you care about the empowerment of the people, then let them have their needs. I can’t agree more.
I agree with the journalist’s observations. It is intersting to read all the comments.
Zena and Mortar
Okay. I get you. But I still think insulting people is not the right way to do it. It’s bad karma. It creates more division and more categories for Ethiopians. We have been categorized to death. Can’t you come up with a language that unite us than divide us? Because I am sorry but some of the things you say is really ignorant. What do you mean Woyane is not Ethiopian? Are you kidding me? They look like Ethiopian to most of us. I am in the same page with you that the current EPRDF government is bankrupt in every way, form and shape. It is a one party deal. It would sound ignorant for me to ignore the fact that it is now effectively a one-party system, except this one is disguised as a market based economy. It is a public secret in the country that the political door was lock-down last May 2010, the beginning of this government’s serious troubles. The last election was a major mistake and everyone knows that, everything else now is in emergency mode to sugar coast that problem. But the trouble is the Jinny is now out of the bottle. But it is totally ludicrous to suggest that they are not Ethiopian? Was Mengistu Ethiopian? Are you Ethiopian? We need to get off this horse. The people’s million dollar question has not been addressed: What is the opposition’s vision for post Meles/EPRDF Ethiopia? Why is it so hard to get an answer? To say Woyane is not Ethiopian is not enough. That’s tribalism and racists. You would probably say the same thing about Oromos, the majority of the Ethiopian people. Are Oromos Ethiopian? Is Birtukan Medeksa Ethiopian? We want answer to the million dollar question: What is your specific plan for the future of Ethiopia, the economy, land law, education, foreign policy, etc.,?? Why should we trust you? How do we know you are not going to turn out to be worse than Meles and Mengistu? why?
“We declare our right on this earth…to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”
“Our objective is complete freedom, justice and equality by any means necessary.”
“The day that the black man takes an uncompromising step and realizes that he’s within his rights, when his own freedom is being jeopardized, to use any means necessary to bring about his freedom or put a halt to that injustice, I don’t think he’ll be by himself.”
On Education, Students, the Youth: “Without education, you’re not going anywhere in this world.”
“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.”
“Look at yourselves. Some of you teenagers, students. How do you think I feel and I belong to a generation ahead of you – how do you think I feel to have to tell you, ‘We, my generation, sat around like a knot on a wall while the whole world was fighting for its human rights – and you’ve got to be born into a society where you still have that same fight.’ What did we do, who preceded you ? I’ll tell you what we did. Nothing. And don’t you make the same mistake we made….”
It really saddens me to to see [again and again] the so called Ethiopian Phd’s and Dr’s failing to make the most basic of logical arguments. The only thing that came out of the so-called Dr, Assefa’s, rant was his own inferiority complex…