Taoiseach on visit to Ethiopia
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has begun official engagements in Ethiopia as part of his six-day visit to Africa. He met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Sahle-Work Zewde, the first female president of Ethiopia, this morning and is due to meet African Union Commission representatives later.

Choice of Ideologies for Ethiopia: Revolutionary Democracy, Social Democracy, or Liberal Democracy
Assefa A. Lemu 1-9-19 - According to the online Cambridge Dictionary, ideology is "a theory or set of beliefs, especially one on which a political system, party, or organization is based". The term 'ideology' was coined in 1796 by the French philosopher Destutt de Tracy (1754–1836) to refer to a new ‘science of ideas’ (idea-ology). However, a popular meaning was assigned to the term in the writings ...

Is a Reform on Defence Force Current Priority of Ethiopian People?.
Tignen Tidmek 1-9-19 - Since the time Ethiopia has seen a new Prime Minister (Dr Abiyi Ahmed) in the name of EPRDF, whose acts are significantly departed from the principles and tradition of EPRDF, is trying to reform the military organization of the country. Is this reform consistent...


ON Military Movement from Tigrai- Jan 8, 2019
A few Years back the Oromo youth also known as "Qerro" were blocking any military convoy and security officials from coming to town to keep law and order. Today the Tigrean youth are blocking military movements and are asking them why they are leaving town! Yet, PM Abiy wants us to compare the two events as if his government is doing something different for the better! PM Abiy, we know you are the head of the government and you have to do what you have to do, but, why would you move the military from border areas? What kind of military doctrine forces you to move the military away from a possible hot zone area of the future? Why is Ambo a better military post than say Sheraro or Bure or Metema? Why are you moving the military to areas where they are not welcome like Western Oromia? The people want change but involving the military to pacify civil unrest and to defeat your political opponents is not the change the Qerro expected from you. Keep the Army where it is needed and work your difference with the OLF without involving the military. Dr Debretsion, what you do behind the door is not known to the people! Do not expect the people to sit idle while danger looms. They have enough of Gedu Andargachew treachery! Tell the federal government and Amhara officials in no uncertain terms the status quo is not acceptable anymore! It will be a leadership failure if the Amhara and Tigrai people start killing each other! The mad political leaders must be isolated from the public much like Wedi Afom. Time to shift the gear! Zeru Hagos Jan 8, 2019

The Mad Dog of the Horn NOT the Right Lifeline to Count on.
Haile Tessema, Jan. 2019 - "The mad dog of the Middle East" was a nickname the late U.S. President Ronald Reagan gave to the late Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi. Yet, recognizing how Gadhafi at least had built the country’s infrastructure and socioeconomically empowered his people, there is no shortage of opinions that disagree with that label, especially now that Libya is in shambles following its dictator’s eternal departure.





Counter-factual: What if TPLF leadership had refused to be removed?
Dr. Yohannes Aberra Ayele 1-7-19 - At first, I was unable to believe that such big powerhouses as the battle-hardened General Samora Yenus, Security Chief of international stature Getachew Assefa and the former student leader and veteran politician Abbay Tsehaye would so easily slip out of their high offices and live as ordinary people in Mekelle City. Why was I surprised? Because this was...

On Ethio-Eritrea Border Crossing at Humera- Jan 7, 2019
I supported the last two border openings because they were icebreaker events and hoped they will set the relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia on strong footing. However, with the subsequent closure of the two busiest crossing, I could not understand the reason for opening yet another crossing at Humera. If the reason for the closure is to give time for the setting up of an international border post to control trade and migration then why open the Humera crossing now? Why not wait until all the documents are signed? Also, why was Gedu, Amhara regional government president, present during the Humera border opening ceremony? How could Gedu keep a straight face and act he is for an open border and free movement when his own government has closed effectively any roads going out of Amhara to Tigrai? It smells fishy, otherwise, no good reason can explain Gedu's presence when everyone knows his lieutenants are harassing and closing even construction companies engaged on federal projects in his region simply because they are owned by Tigrians? Debretsion call-a-spade-a-spade and do not embolden anti-peace and development agents by giving a photo-up. Enough babysitting, the people are ready! ሽጥ መዓንጣ ወይለይ!; - Zeru Hagos Jan 7, 2018

A DEADLY GAME OF CHESS
A new scramble is underway in the Horn of Africa. Once written off as one of Africa’s most volatile and treacherous regions for foreign involvement, a host of countries are now vying to gain a foothold. The Horn is becoming one of the world’s most militarised regions, beside one of the world’s most vital shipping lanes...


China, Ethiopia agree to deepen cooperation
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi here on Thursday, with both sides highlighting the importance of further strengthening bilateral ties.The Ethiopian government and all sectors of the society are committed to further strengthening cooperation with China, and look forward to a more robust relationship between the two countries, Sahle-Work said during the meeting held at the Ethiopian Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa.

Constructive, responsible and mature dialogue for forging understanding
Selam Ethiopia 1-5-19 - Recently, I came across a very fascinating article @ awate.com, entitled "Towards a mature and meaningful exchange", in reference to the type of engagement among the Eritrean Community globally. Let me begin by admitting that I am not familiar with the community's exchange, however, I found the content of the article very relevant to our own situation where we Ethiopians lack mature, civilized and meaningful dialogue...

The Trouble With Ethiopia's Ethnic Federalism
Like much of Africa, Ethiopia is at a crossroads. Neither the centralized republic instituted by the Derg military junta in 1974 nor the ethnic federalism of Mr. Zenawi's 1994 Constitution points to a way forward.Mr. Abiy can achieve real progress if Ethiopia embraces a different kind of federation -territorial and not ethnic- where rights in a federal unit are dispensed not on the basis of ethnicity but on the residence.
It is really sad to realize the Federal System in Ethiopia is yet to be understood for what it is! The constitution or the Federal arrangement states minorities are to be respected and have constitutional rights anywhere in the country. Identity politics is not the reason Ethiopia is suffering today. It is suffering because its leaders have failed to govern the country fair and square now and in the past!. Otherwise, Ethiopians from all walk of life have been living harmoniously in the country for hundreds of years regardless of the state/regional boundaries! Even during EPRDF time, last 27 years, people were living side by side despite all the issues with good governance! Killing each other is a recent phenomenon and it is due to inept and corrupt political leaders!