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AfricaNews reporter in Addia Ababa, Ethiopia -Andualem Sisay,
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, is to invest in Hotel and tourism sector of Ethiopia and has since secured a 2,000 square meter of land near Bishoftu (Debre Zeit) town of Oromia Region called Ada.
The former Nigerian President has taken the land two months a go and he is now about to implement his investment on the land located 50 Kilometers east of the capital -Addis Ababa, www.newbusinessethiopia.com reported.
Obansanjo’s intention to invest in Bishoftu has come following the footsteps of Djibouti’s president, Ismael Omar Guelleh, who took 10,000 square meters of land last year to build holiday home in Bishoftu and also bought 3,000 square meters of land for agriculture in Bale, Oromia Region of the country.
After Bishoftu town’s administration approved anew master plan last year, many investors are now investing in the town, which is known for its eight unique lakes.
Ethiopia and Nigeria’s relation has been growing especially after 2006. The first Ethiopia-Nigeria Joint Ministerial Commission Meeting was held from April 26 - 29, 2006 in Addis Ababa, where areas of cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two countries were identified.
Following that from 8 to 10 October, 2006 President Olusegun Obasanjo paid a three day state visit to Ethiopia, which enabled him to visit a flower farm in Bishoftu area.
Prime Minister Meles on his part visited Nigeria from 28 - 29 October, 1996 where agreements were signed relating to economic, scientific and technical cooperations.
Both sides expressed their willingness "to develop and expand trade relations and to create favorable conditions for substantial and harmonious diversification of trade between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefits."
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Can Ogaden become the Next UN Member State?
America is a collapsing state that will soon be decomposed, falling apart to pieces, and sinking into chaos; today’s Europe is a barbaric realm inhabited by the world’s most petulant elite and the most dehumanized populations.
With the rise of the CIA-supported Shabaab in the Somali South, the Horn of Africa has entered a new phase of deterioration. With the strained UN decision for sanctions against Eritrea, a further step was taken toward East Africa’s corrosion. With the forthcoming farcical elections in Abyssinia (fallaciously renamed as ‘Ethiopia’) the next act in the East African Theater of the Absurd will be played to irreversibly entrap the tyrannized Kushitic nations in the plans on the non-African, racist, masters of the Amhara and Tigray administrators of the ominous, colonial state. Parallel developments in Sudan and Kenya are to be expected as the respective Pan-Arabist and Kikuyu regimes reflect the colonial powers’ top choice for disaster proliferation in Africa.
What can the tyrannized Somalis of Ogaden expect then?
What can be expected then from the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the rightful and sole representative of the people of Ogaden?
Yet, National Liberation, Freedom, Self-determination, and Socioeconomic Rehabilitation were never closer to reach for the malignantly persecuted, systematically butchered, and mercilessly oppressed Ogedenis.
For those who are not familiar with Eastern African History, the use of the term ‘malignantly persecuted’ may look somewhat heavy or eventually unjustified. Yet, basic readings in Islamic and Modern History of the Horn of Africa will let unbiased readership realize that the multifaceted tyrannical systems applied by all the racist Amhara and Tigray regimes of Abyssinia on Ogaden have had one common denominator: the vicious anti-Somali, and particularly anti-Ogadeni hatred of the revengeful Amhara and Tigray Abyssinians who want to make today’s Ogadenis "pay" for the Somali invasion and occupation of Abyssinia that took place ….. before 500 years!
To persecute the descendants of the victorious Somali armies who destroyed the barbaric medieval state of Abyssinia, today’s racist Amharas and Tigrays perpetrated in Ogaden acts that have been vigorously denounced by leading Human Rights organizations like HRW and Amnesty International. As the ruling Monophysitic (Tewahedo) Amhara and Tigray Abyssinians represent less than 18% of the country’s entire population, one draws easily the conclusion that daily life for the outright majority, all the subjugated nations and tyrannized ethno-religious groups, consists in mere inhabitation of the world’s most apocalyptic Hell and survival under adversities never ever encountered before.
From that Hell, the tyrannized Ogadenis want to escape, by eliminating the Amhara and Tigray gangsters from their national homeland. Ogaden represents almost one third of today’s Abyssinia in terms of surface. And the Ogadenis total ca. 10% of the destitute country’s population. Ogaden’s integrity is undisputed as non Ogadeni residents in the area total less than 1% of the Somali-speaking population.
How easy can it be for the Ogadenis, under the national leadership of ONLF, to achieve their goals and national destiny, shifting from the Abyssinian Hell to the Independent Ogaden’s Paradise?
In fact, it is very easy! Suffice it that the Ogadenis and the ONLF avoid the existing traps and move out of the fog of lies, myths, misconceptions and fallacies that the colonial powers and the Freemasonic elites of the West did their ingenious best to diffuse among them and throughout the entire world.
Clear mind, right assessment of the local / regional situation, accurate evaluation of the international conjuncture, anticipation of forthcoming developments, identification of existing (but hidden) enemies and adversaries, discovery of available (but not yet contacted) friends and supporters, and a systematic approach to a thoroughly elaborated action plan is all that today’s tyrannized Ogadenis and the ONLF need in order to raise Ogaden to the position of the next UN member state.
In this effort, it is essential to have a clear mind devoid of myths and false interpretations of facts. In this regard, the Ogadenis and the ONLF have to irrevocably reject the following myths – that have long functioned not only against them but also at the detriment of many other subjugated nations. I will herewith enumerate – not analyze – these myths that constitute the essence of the fog that covers today’s world.
Myth 1 – America is a powerful country.
This is today’s most critical myth, and the strongest constituent of the aforementioned fog that, due to the ensuing confusion and unnecessary fear, paralyzes peoples and nations. America is a collapsing state that will soon be decomposed, falling apart to pieces, and sinking into chaos. The top of the US establishment and the world’s rulers, who pull the strings behind the scene, know this very well; even more so as they elaborate their plans, taking the aforementioned reality into account. In fact, the US is by now a paper tiger, and the best one can do to some besotted yet bullying American diplomats is to threaten them, shout to them, smack them or simply disdain them. They are good for nothing.
The entire US establishments, the CFR, the Wall Street, the Senate, the Congress and their Freemasonic puppet of president are good for nothing. America started differently, and the country was geared indeed to illuminate the entire world, and to lead other nations to the Imperative Human Moral Standards, Truth, Justice, Equity and Freedom. If this had happened, the world would have lived a paradisiacal 20th century.
Quite unfortunately, evil forces hijacked America’s political and economic establishment, by means of murders, plots, extensive black magic, and all sorts of evildoings. But there is nothing that happens without consequence; and the consequence of this development is that America lives now its last, final, ultimate years of existence. This does not mean that all Americans will die; not at all. Many will survive to form a diametrically different society, eliminating the cancerous tumor that plunged that nation into undeserved materialism, pathetic consumerism, media-driven conformism, and the ensuing Anti-Christian life standards.
It is therefore essential for the Ogadenis, particularly those who live in America, to distance themselves from any representative of the US economic, political, academic and social establishment. The people who value human moral standards in America are marginalized; the rest will just cheat you.
Myth 2 – Europe is a conglomeration of democratic and civilized countries where human values are respected.
The aforementioned statement consists in the most tenebrous smirk that has ever been thought of; today’s Europe is a barbaric realm inhabited by the world’s most petulant elite and the most dehumanized populations. Universities of Anti-African fallacies and racism, hijacked religious establishments that are controlled by the very enemies of the religions they supposedly propagate, rancorous elites self-intoxicated with the paranoia and the poison of their own lies. Conceited fools, at the top of their unnatural and perverted hierarchy, imagine that they have the right to turn the entire world to Hell for their sake and illegitimate survival. Unrestrained secret societies of anti-human hysteria and Anti-Christian venom, the likes of the Freemasons and the Illuminati, practice – at this very moment – human sacrifices during their ritual sexual orgies that their disreputable ‘venerable’ masters transform to energy directed against innocent victims allover the world.
Today’s European rulers, bogus-royal families and vulgar peerage, pseudo-elected presidents, premiers, ministers, deputies, as well as deceitful intellectuals, faithless professors, swindling businessmen, corrupt generals, unworthy top administrators and managers are all criminal accomplices as members of the Apostate Freemasonic Lodge, a hijacked institution which has been masterminded to lead the entire world to extinction – at their unbeknownst.
And who are today’s European rulers?
Those who sent their armies to butcher pre-Columbian Mexico and Peru. Those who killed millions of innocent victims in the name of Jesus who never asked them to do so.
Those who destroyed the natural habitat of millions of species by spreading their evil industrial revolution and by generating material pollution that does not match only their mental and intellectual contamination.
Those who did their ingenious best to spread pestilence, disaster, corruption, distortion and death throughout India, China, the Islamic World, and Africa.
Those who diffused pseudo-Christianity among Africans in order – not to invite them to Jesus’ real preaching but – to forcefully and deceitfully drive them into the then emerging ‘Western World’, which they already knew that it is neither morally permissible nor materially sustainable.
This is Europe: the monstrous laboratory where was constituted the foremost falsification of the History of the Humankind.
Their research centers, colleges and universities are the realm out of which emanated the Four Horsemen of the Christian Apocalypse:
1) Hellenism – the fallacy according to which today’s civilization is plausibly based in Ancient Greece and Rome and today’s Europe (and expansively the entire world) is based on two (genuinely Freemasonic!) pillars: the (otherwise inexistent) Greco-Roman world and the (distortedly represented) Christian medieval civilization
2) Orientalism – the fallacious representation of Ancient Mesopotamia (Sumer, Elam, Akkad, Hurri, Assyria, Babylonia, and Aram), Canaan (incl. Phoenicia, Israel), Anatolia (Hatti, Hittite, Luwia, Urartu, Phrygia, Lycia, Caria, Cappadocia and Pontus), Egypt, Kush (Ethiopia, i.e. Sudan), NW African Atlas, Yemen, Arabia, Atropatene (falsely portrayed as ‘Iran’), India, Central Asia, and China. This inhumanly racist system of historical deformation plunged modern Asiatic and African nations into absolute darkness, unprecedented ignorance, cultural disintegration, national self-effacement, socio-behavioural inferiority, political destitution, and utter slavery.
3) Arabism – the counterfeit fabrication of an otherwise inexistent nation (culture, historical past, heritage, civilization, etc.) that is based on the excruciating deformation of the diachronic identity of the Hamitic Berbers (in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania), the Hamitic Egyptian Copts (either Muslim or Christian), the Hamitic Kushites of Sudan (e.g. Ancient Ethiopia), the Yemenite and the Omani Semites (who are totally unrelated to the Arabs of Hedjaz), and the Aramaeans (as well as the aramaized Babylonians, Phoenicians, Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, and Judeans) of the Asiatic Middle East (Syria, Lebanon, SE Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Kuwait, SW Iran, Qatar, Emirates, and S. Arabian north). By falsely interpreting the phenomenon of linguistic arabization (an epiphenomenon of the earlier islamization), the European colonial academia and diplomats created a regional political elite which, due to their Pan-Arabist intoxication, turned their pseudo-countries (former Ottoman provinces) into realms of depersonalized, historically and culturally destitute beings that can easily become stuff for any manipulation. Deprived of their real identity, the regional elites turned one against the other, without even imagining the reason, which fits the monstrous colonial interests and the evil Freemasonic plans for the area concerned.
4) Islamism – this is formed out of the counterfeit political theories that have been scrupulously elaborated and criminally projected among the Muslim regional elites who, originating from Ottoman provinces detached by the European gangsters, studied in the Western European universities – without of course imagining what sort of puppies they were being turned into through that process. Islamism is totally unrelated to Islam; it consists in a modern misinterpretation of the Islamic religion, heritage, culture and civilization that was geared in order to definitely prevent Muslims from ever discovering their historical and cultural identity and to submerge them into a calamitous misperception of Islam that they pathetically believe as their own tradition whereas it is a Western European fabrication. All Islamic religious schools and universities have been compactly contaminated by this fallacy, and the final result has been the chaotic situation in which today’s Muslims, particularly in the Arabic speaking countries, find themselves. Only remote parts of the Islamic world have been left untouched in this regard, due to the physical limits applied to the wicked colonial effort to convince local elites (in various parts of the colonized continents) to send their youth to the religious ‘schools’ and ‘universities’ that they had already contaminated with the Islamist fallacies of their naïve and ignorant puppy-students, the likes of Jamal ad-Din al Afghani and others.
Myth 3 – The Arabic world can help Ogaden, Somalia or other oppressed an tyrannized Muslim nations (notably the Afars, the Oromos, the Berbers, the Tuarge, the Turkmen, the Baluch, the Azeris, etc.).
How comical to expect help from someone who ….. does not exist! In the previous paragraphs, I referred to the Arab pseudo-nation as a calculated fabrication of the Freemasonic academia of the colonial and racist countries of Western Europe. Here, I will merely add a brief historical reference.
It is clear that an African American citizen is not (and cannot be taken as) Anglo-Saxon; similarly, people who may have forgotten their language, cannot be taken as culturally, ethnically and historically relevant to another nation of an originally distinct language that later happened to become theirs.
All the aforementioned peoples, by accepting Islam, sooner or later, started being arabized, but this development happened at the linguistic level only, not at the ethnic level. We know very well that the Arabs of the times of the Prophet were not numerous at all. One generation later, when the Islamic armies were about to reach Carthage in today’s Tunisia, Central Asia, and the Indus valley, the Muslim fighters were certainly speaking Arabic (as this was their religious language), but among them, the Arabs were already a minority. Aramaeans from Damascus and Ctesiphon, Egyptians from Alexandria, Yemenis from Muza and Persians from Praaspa formed already the majority among the Islamic fighters! They had learnt the language of Quran, but they did not change in anything their ethnic origin and cultural identity.
The Copts (Christians) of Egypt, and the Aramaeans of Iraq, Syria, SE Turkey and SW Iran are very good examples illuminating the historical developments: those who remained Christians initially preserved their language (Coptic and Aramaic – Syriac), and gradually lost it in later dates.
Several scholars have indeed pretended that Arab warriors, going outside the Arabic peninsula at the very Dawn of the Islamic Era, finally settled and definitely intermingled with local populations from Iran and Oman to Morocco, which would hypothetically suggest a certain arabization at the ethnic, not only the linguistic, level.
This would be an aberration. As a matter of fact, any amalgamation can eventually take place at the ethnic (not only the linguistic or the cultural) level. The case of the Aramaization of Babylonia and Elam (a long procedure that took place from the 6th century BCE to the 1st century CE) is quite indicative. But there were numerous Aramaic populations who had been transported by the Assyrian emperors of the 8th and the 7th centuries in Southern Mesopotamia or had settled there because of their own choice. The Elamites had been exterminated by Assurbanipal at 640 BC, and the subjugated Babylonians of the Achaemenid, Seleucid and Arsacid times (respectively 539 – 330 BCE; 313 – 250 BCE; 250 BCE – 224 CE) were gradually outnumbered by the continuously increasing in the Mesopotamian South Aramaeans.
However, nothing similar happened in the early Islamic times. At the times of the Prophet, all the Arabs of Hedjaz did not outnumber the population of just one sizeable Aramaic, Egyptian, Persian, Greek, Roman, Abyssinian, Berberic, Meroitic or Yemeni city - like Tadmor, Syene (Aswan), Istakhr, Corinth, Mediolanum (Milano), Axum, Carthage, Dunqulah or Aden. So, there cannot be any discussion at the ethnic level since the Arab warriors, who intermingled with indigenous populations in the countries that accepted the early Islamic rule, were not numerous but minimal among the multitude of the local populations.
What most of the modern European academia failed to study in this regard (and thence duly extract the correct conclusion) is the fact that already during the lifetime of the Prophet Yemenites in great numbers accepted Ali’s preaching in Sanaa at 630 CE, and consequently adhered to Islam. There were no Arab soldiers to invade and/or settle in Yemen (contrarily to what occurred in Mesopotamia, Syria, Egypt, etc.). And yet, the Yemenites progressively abandoned their native language and adopted Arabic. Exceptions are the modern Yemenite languages, Mahri and Soqotri.
This is the reality that shaped many parts of the Islamic world, and this was widely accepted among Muslims, from the first centuries of Islam down to the times of Napoleon and the early colonization.
Myth 4 – Today’s Western World is Christian.
This is the greatest joke of all times! In fact, Europe was Christian (for the parts that did not belong to the Andalusia’s Caliphate and to the Ottoman Empire). And Pre-Columbian America’s nations were forced to accept Christianity in order not to be physically exterminated through the guns of the criminal conquistadores.
Then, came the Reform, and the rise of Protestantism (Luther, Zwingli and Calvin) caused a terrible shock within Western (Catholic) Christianity; in a way, by falsely accusing the Pope of Pelagianism, they engaged with Augustinianism, thus bringing in force Manichaean elements, concepts, and structures of thought within the Christian world. With the subsequent formation of Anglicanism, with the rise of centralized kingdoms, and the diffusion of the anticlerical ideas by the philosophers of the Enlightenment, the stage was prepared for the direct challenge to the Christian power in the West. The French revolution institutionalized an Anti-Christian religion that reflected Freemasonic concepts that had earlier been prohibited by the Catholic Church throughout Christian Western Europe.
The imposition of the Satanic ritual of "l' Être Suprême" (supreme being) reflects (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culte_de_la_Raison_et_de_l'%C3%8Atre_supr%C3%AAme) the willingness of the French Freemasons to impose - in the aftermath of the French revolution - their tyranny in the name of their own self-styled ‘god’, the notorious, shadowy and evil ’great architect of the universe’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Architect_of_the_Universe), who in turn is a late derivative of the Manichaean concept of Satan (Demiurge: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demiurge).
The decomposition of the Christian character of the Western societies took a more intensified form over the past two centuries at both the socioeconomic – political and the educational – intellectual – cultural levels. This great development has never become an object of extensive and profound study and research in any Muslim country, and the reason is simple: they are controlled by the colonial powers of the West.
The reason the Freemasonic elites of Europe do not want Muslims to know that the Western countries have been critically, malignantly and deceitfully de-Christianized is also simple: if the Muslims come to know this reality, they will join forces with the remaining Christian forces in the West against the West’s Freemasonic – Zionist establishment, and this is what this evil establishment strives to avert. If the evil process of the de-Christianization of the West is duly assessed by Muslims, the fake clash "Islam vs. Christianity" that the Freemasonic – Zionist establishment strives to ignite will be effectively prevented.
Infiltration among the ranks of the Christian establishments and the Catholic Church itself played a seminal role in the aforementioned developments. In fact, after the death of Pope Pius XII, not a single Pope was elected without Freemasonic consent and/or interference; except John Paul I, who was not Freemason, and was therefore assassinated after only 33 days of tenure, just as many as the Freemasonry degrees of hierarchy…..
Why is it important for the Liberation Front of a subjugated Muslim nation to be fully aware of the fact that the Western World is not Christian anymore, and that it is run by viciously and vociferously Anti-Christian secret elites?
The answer is very simple; if the independence of a Muslim nation happens to be part of our world’s powerful elites’ interests, they get it done without long discussions. Kosova’s independence is indicative in this regard. The evil elites want to use this small country in their East European games, and that’s why they supported the persecuted Albanians of that formerly Yugoslavian and Serbian province. But what happens if the independence of a Muslim nation is not part of these elites’ plans? This is easy to anticipate; they will oppose the development by defaming the tyrannized Muslims as terrorists. They will then mobilize the ignorant, naïve, frightened and thought-controlled masses against the development, through use of their tool, i.e. the mass media.
By defaming any Muslim, who acts against their preconceived schemes and antihuman plots, as "terrorist", the hidden rulers of the undemocratic West spread distrust, fear and confusion among the Muslims’ sole ally in the West, i.e. the Catholic Christian masses, and the Catholic institutions that have escaped the Freemasonic infiltration and control, notably the Jesuits, the Marists (http://www.cmri.org/sedevac.htm), and the Sedevacantists (http://www.sodalitiumpianum.com/index.php); thus, they finally manage to separate two valuable allies who could / should join forces against
The rise of the ‘Islam vs. Christianity’ spectrum is the key tool that facilitates the Freemasonic tyrants who are hidden behind the regimes of London, Paris and Washington to outmaneuver any liberation struggle of a subjugated Muslim Nation (and to discredit the justification of it).
They also possess further tools in this regard, namely the pseudo-Muslim rulers whom the colonial gangsters instituted at the top of all the pseudo-countries formed after the Satanic detachment of the Ottoman provinces from the Sultan’s sole Islamic authority. Criminal servers of Islam’s worst enemies, rulers like Abdullah of Jordan, the Moroccan trash of king, and the crypto-Christian Saudi ruler, and monstrous dictators like those of Tunis, Tripoli, Khartoum and Sanaa, are the worst enemies of any Muslim nation aspiring to freedom, national independence and cultural integrity. They don’t need to always declare it; at times they promise help that they never deliver due to later excuses.
That is why the Ogadenis are on the same wavelength with the tyrannized Berbers of Kabylia, the heroic Tuareg Nation of Sahara, the persecuted Turkmen of Iraq, the valiant Azeris of Iran, and the oppressed Baluch of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.
It is therefore essential for Muslims struggling to establish a national home to build a strong bond with the equally persecuted Catholic Christians of the Anti-Christian West, who feel absolutely ashamed to live in countries where homosexual marriages are progressively institutionalized.
There is no difference in the feeling of oppression and discrimination as shared by a) subjugated Muslim nations and b) Western Christians disgusted by their own countries where measures are incessantly taken to destroy the values of Family (through adoption of children by homosexual couples), Life (because of practices like the shamelessly de-criminalized abortion), and Morality (via widespread materialism, consumerism and conformism).
An alliance should also be achieved with the Oriental Christians, the Aramaeans, the Copts, and the Russians, who all denounce the pestilence brought forth by the prevalence in Western Europe and North America of regimes controlled by the Apostate Freemasonic Lodge and its dependencies, proxies, annexes, substitutes, agents and slaves.
In a forthcoming article, I will expand on the alliances that the Ogadenis should establish in order to correctly contextualize their rightful struggle that consists in mere reflection of every human search for dignity, valor and virtue.
Note
Picture: http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/nazi_fascist_persecution_freemasonry.html
An untrustworthy website with extremely fallacious literature – still easy and useful to study: truth can be easily identified by reading these statements in reverse! The correct is always the diametrically opposed to their forged claims.
International Freemasonry opposes Ogaden’s liberation and independence; this places Ogadenis on the same line with a great number of oppressed nations and tyrannized denominations allover the world.
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Buy an African Child, Then Bomb Some African Villages
What Did Angelina Jolie Pay for Her Baby?
By THOMAS MOUNTAIN
Asmara, Eritrea -December 30, 2009
Did anyone ask movie star Angelina Jolie how much she paid for the Ethiopian baby she adopted? Or should I say how much she “donated”, most of which ended up in the hands of the national crime syndicate known as the Government of Ethiopia.
Just about anyone can buy a baby in Ethiopia these days, you know what I mean, “adopt”? It costs about $30,000. Cash. Some reports say over 3,000 were sold ... adopted, last year alone.
It has turned into a major cash flow for the Godfathers of the Ethiopian “government”. Do the math, 3,000 times $30,000, in one year, and another London bank account or three is going to have to get set up to be stuffed chock full of some very sick money.
When you buy...adopt, a baby in Ethiopia there is a good chance that the baby isn’t an orphan, though it is usually standard language in all the deeds of sale/adoption papers that such is the case. With millions of Ethiopians famine stricken, selling babies has become a way to survive for some, though of the $30,000 as little as $1,000 makes it through the hands of the Ethiopian mafia to the babies’ families.
If one has been reading the pages of this and other websites willing to publish what is really going on in Ethiopia, you will know that Ethiopia is committing genocide against the ethnic Somalis in the Ethiopian Ogaden. So why should selling babies come as a shock?
Angelina Jolie should come clean and tell us what she really “donated” to get her little Ethiopian girl. Somehow though I won’t hold my breath, for Ms. Jolie just called for the USA to declare war and invade Sudan.. Buy an African child and then bomb some African villages, it just gets to be Holly-weird, doesn’t it?
The UN is even weirder though, with Ethiopia committing genocide in the Ogaden, the Security Council finally acted, passing sanctions against...next door neighbor Eritrea?
The saying goes here in this part of Africa “all roads to peace in the Horn of Africa run through Asmara [Eritrea]...” and there is one thing the USA and especially Hollywood is dead set against and that is peace breaking out in Africa. With the UN there to enforce the Law of the Jungle, only the strong survive. And survivors, especially those that won’t kneel down at the masters’ feet, have to be made examples of. Or at least it has to look that way, and sanctions against Eritrea it must be.
So buy a baby in Ethiopia and support genocide. And don’t forget to declare war and start bombing Sudan. In the meantime, get busy and start enforcing the sanctions against Eritrea. Either that or better yet, make sure no one even hears about all of this, business as usual, you know, with none the wiser?
Thomas Mountain lives in Eritrea and can be reached at
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http://www.counterpunch.org/mountain12302009.html
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Events that shaped Somalia in 2009
28 Dec 28, 2009 -
The year started with much hope for peace and stability in the chaotic central and southern Somalia, which was largely hit by wave of violence. new presidents took power as elections held for the Federal Government and Somalia’s semi-autonomous state of Puntland.
On January 8, the parliament of Somalia's semi-autonomous state of Puntland on elected Abdirahman Mohammed Farole as the new president to replace the incumbent president Mohammed Musa Hirsi.
Mohammed Farole, a former Finance minister and an opposition figure got 49 votes out of 66 house members vote, defeating eight other contenders in the historic presidential election.
He becomes the fourth president of the Puntland that declared its semi-autonomy from Somalia almost 11 years ago.
In the chaotic Somalia, the year started with the withdrawal of US-backed Ethiopian troops who invaded the war-torn country in late 2006 to oust then powerful Union of Islamic Courts, which controlled most of the country’s south and central including the capital Mogadishu.
Shortly after the withdrawal, on February 1 Somali lawmakers who were meeting in neighbouring Djibouti for reconciliation talks elected new president after the resignation of Abdullahi Yussuf Ahmed late in 2008.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the leader of Djibouti-based Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia was elected in a landslide victory, defeating then Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein and Maslah Mohammed Siad, the son of late Mohammed Siad Bare.
Sharif joined the government after participating in an international-backed peace process, which allowed some of his ARS’s members to join the bloated parliament.
The election of Sheikh Sharif was followed by days of bloodshed which the insurgents fighting the foreign forces in Somalia launched attacks to declare their stand, fighting that claimed the lives of at least 70 people.
Al-Shabaab, then a military wing for UIC declared holy war against African Union troops mainly from Burundi and Uganda.
Hizbul Islam, another insurgent group that was hurriedly formed after the election of Sheikh Sharif Ahmed as the new president of Somalia, declared its opposition to the new government.
The group is a coalition comprising of Asmara-wing ARS, Mu’askhar Ras Kamboni (Ras Kamboni Brigade) and Anole and Jabhatul Islamiya ("Islamic Front")
Its leaders include Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, the leader of Asmara wing of Alliance for Reliberation of Somalia and ally turn enemy of Sharif who was then in self-imposed exile in Eritrea.
On February 13, Ahmed officially announced the former Somali president's son, Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke as the new Prime Minister after weeks of consultations in neighbouring Djibouti.
The PM named his cabinet and together with his some his ministers and lawmakers returned to the bullet-riddled capital for the first time in nearly two decades as a Somali leader.
The same month, On February 22, a double suicide bomb attack on an African Union troops’ base in Mogadishu left 11 Burundian soldiers dead and another 15 wounded.
On March, the rebellion against Ahmed’s administration intensified after Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden called for his ouster in an audio recording published on the internet.
On 28 April, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys returned to the war-torn country for the first time since late 2006, when he fled the powerful Ethiopian invasion.
In Puntland, on April 30, President Farole released his government’s first-ever report covering the administration's successes and plans in the first 100 days since his election as the fourth elected president of Puntland.
In the report dubbed “100 Days in Office report,” the president highlighted the overall government reform and strengthening the capacity of the Presidency by appointing imperative ministers, namely Democratization Process and Federal Relations; for Good Governance.
On May 7, Puntland unveiled a new constitution after years of review process. The parliament unanimously passed the 2009 budget after six days of negotiations.
Back in the war-torn Mogadishu, The ultimatum rebel onslaught against fragile UN-backed Somali government started On May 7, when a joined force of Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam narrowed down the government’s grip in the capital to only the presidential palace Villa Somalia.
A month later, Ahmed declared state of emergency in the country and asked neighbouring countries to send troops to help his weak government thwart rebels.
The month also saw defection of some pro-government UIC commanders to rebel forces.
On June, Puntland President Farole toured Washington, D.C., and London, where he gave speeches at the U.S. Congress and the Chatham House think-tank, respectively. He also held meetings with Puntland Diaspora.
On July 17, Somali gunmen kidnapped two French security advisors working for the Somali government. Later in the year, the kidnappers released one of the men while the whereabouts of the other remains mystery.
The next day, on June 18, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the Medina Hotel in central Somali town of Beledweyne, killing 35 people, among them Omar Hashi Aden, Somalia's Security Minister.
On August 22, Puntland President Dr. Mohammed Farole inked harmonised accord with Somali government delegation led by Prime Minister Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke In Galkayo town.
The accord would allow the two governments to work together under a federal umbrella and share the benefits.
US Special Forces aboard air-bone Helicopters carried out air raid On September 15 near Somali coastal town of Barawe, killing six, including a key Al-Qaida member, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.
Al-Qaeda inspired Al-Shabaab insurgents vowed to revenge the death of Nabhan.
Two days later, two suicide car bombs struck headquarters of the African Union force in Mogadishu, killing 21 people, mostly Burundian soldiers. Among the dead was the AMISOM deputy commander Burundian Maj. Gen. Juvenal Niyonguruza. AMISOM commander Gen. Nathan Mugisha, from Uganda was also injured in the attack.
In late September, the two main insurgent groups (Al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam) disagreed over the formation of an Islamic administration for Kismayo, a lucrative southern Somali port city that fuels insurgent activities across the war-torn country.
Hizbul Islam accused their ally-turn enemy Al-Shabaab of unilaterally formed a new administration for the port city, leading to all out war that killed dozens and displaced hundreds of families.
The disintegration further escalated into conflict between the two groups over southern regions of Juba, where they both had control of large swathes.
The ultimatum blow to Hizbul Islam came on October and November when they were ousted from mainly strategic southern border towns of Afmadow, Dhobley, forcing their fighters and top commanders to flee to neighbouring Kenya.
November 13, Somali TFG Puntland officials met in Nairobi in a bid to harmonise the Galkayo accord but disagreement emerged.
The two presidents, namely Ahmed and Farole agreed to form a committee to look into the issues but the day ended with disarray as both parties stick to their demands with Puntland vowing not to back down.
The shocker of the year came on December 3 when a suicide bomber disguised as women blew himself up in the middle of a graduation ceremony held in Mogadishu’s Shamo hotel, killing more than 24 people, including three Somali ministers and two journalists.
Dozens others, mostly innocent students and parents where injured in the attack, which attracted outrage and condemnation from in and outside the country.
The suspicion immediately fell on Al-Shabaab, but the group’s Spokesman Sheikh Mohammud Ali Raghe rejected any connection with the bombing.
The man was later identified as a Danish-Somali man aged 26 who reportedly had connection with Al-Shabaab insurgent group.
December also saw the unveiling of Puntland’s new flag, which consists of three colors: white, blue and green.
The year ends with misery and hopelessness for millions of Somalis who are internally displaced and largely depend on humanitarian food aid.
On the high seas of the war-torn country, the piracy scourge saw its upsurge with more than 14 ships and over 200 crews under the hands of ransom-hunting pirates.
GAROWE ONLINE
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Somalia: Al-Shabab bans listening of Radio Mogadishu
29 Dec 29, 2009 Somalia’s hardline insurgent Al-Shabaab has ordered residents not to listen to government-controlled Radio Mogadishu.
The group accused the radio of propagating fallacious news against their activities.
Sheikh Ali Mohammed Raghe Ali Dhere, Al-Shabaab spokesman said the radio is not neutral and would not allow people to listen.
“Listening to this radio helps persons to accept everything its says. This is against the religion,” he said, adding that anyone found listening to it would be dealt with just like the owners.
Radio Mogadishu started its operations in recent weeks in the bullet-riddled capital and the fragile UN-backed Somali government is using to counter the powerful insurgents, which control the airwaves of mostly independent radio station.
Most of the journalists working for the radio are the same ones who recently declared no-work after the brutal murder of Shabelle Radio Director Mukhtar Mohammed Hirabe, who was killed by unknown gunmen.
The Al-Shabaab action is viewed as a way to curb the spreading of government influence in the capital. However, the TFG’s Information Ministry termed it press oppression.
GAROWE ONLINE
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Cop-15 bottom-line
Upon his homecoming from the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held a press conference at his office on Friday afternoon, December 25, 2009. During the two hour and twenty minute press conference, the Prime Minister covered three major topics.
The Prime Minister spoke strongly on the sanctions placed on Eritrea. While he was confident that Ethiopia could handle its meddlesome neighbour sufficiently, he did admit that the arms embargo placed on Eritrea by the UN went a long way in providing a little more peace of mind.
Prime Minister Meles addresses the events of the Copenhagen Summit from many angles feeling that it was a success despite some notables having downplayed the outcome of the summit. He sheds light on matters ranging from decisions the African leaders arrived at to the dynamics of the summit proceedings and how he led the delegation to see this mission through.
Last but not least, he tackles economic queries from reporters on issues ranging from GDP and the IMF's recommendation of a National Bank Audit, to VAT violation laws and the lack of courage of bank executives to approve loan requests. He answers why the government keeps buying billions of Birr worth of wheat from one company through an individual.
Eritrea
On the sanctions placed on Eritrea being levied because of its problems with Somalia and Djibouti, and not on Ethiopia
PM Meles: In my opinion, the sanctions imposed on Eritrea have two implications. First and foremost, it reveals the international community’s realisation of the provoking strategy, illegality and destructiveness of the Eritrean government. Secondly (provided that the measures are effected to the fullest), they may impose restrictions to … prevent it from carrying out its destructive aims.
Three major measures are pointed out. The first is an arms embargo. Second, military and political officials in the Eritrean government have been prohibited from international movement. I do not suppose this ban will affect Eritrea’s diplomatic interactions as there were none to begin with. …
Finally, it has been decided to freeze the overseas’ assets of the Eritrean government and its various organs. If adhered to strictly, this specific measure is the principal of all three measures in managing the Eritrean government’s provoking strategy. This is so, since evidence suggests that such remittance constitutes around a quarter of Eritrea’s national income. The severance of these funds is believed to land a blow to the capital the government needs to achieve its strategy of unrest.
If the sanction is carried out as a major priority issue, it is considered sufficient. It was put in place based primarily on the actions of the Eritrean government against Somalia and Djibouti.
The belief on the Ethiopian government’s part was that Eritrea’s strategies of causing perpetual unrest in Ethiopia are not of international magnitude and that Ethiopia can deal with the situation by itself. That was why the issue was not pursued in the international arena. In addition, there is still an unresolved border demarcation issue between the two countries.
Under these conditions, the Ethiopian government chose not to further vent the actions of the Eritrean government at the deliberations in light of the disadvantageous merits it carries.
On Libya’s vote against the sanction and China’s abstention
PM Meles: The Chinese stance comes as no surprise. It is well known, in the Security Council, that China does not endorse the sanctioning of any country. This is its long standing position. Often times, it uses its veto power not to have a nation sanctioned. Rarely however, does it abstain to let such sanctions pass. China forfeited its veto power and allowed the passing of the decision.
What was bewildering is the case of Libya. The decision to place sanctions on Eritrea was made at a conference in Sirte, Libya with the Libyan president presiding as chairperson. Although he was against the decision, a vast majority of the African Union (member nations), however, felt strongly about instating the sanctions. Libya finally gave in, and the decision passed as one of the Union’s. What is peculiar is Libya’s vote in contradiction to the Union’s decision.
On Ethiopia’s diplomatic role regarding the Security Council’s decision
PM Meles: Ethiopia is not a member of the council, so we did not partake in the final stage. However, the notion was initiated by IGAD from the beginning. Ethiopia’s stance was one of the strengthening and supporting whatever IGAD stood for. It was then passed on to the AU, at which stage Ethiopia’s stance remained strong with regard to the imposition of the sanctions.
On the sanctions placed on Eritrea being levied because of its problems with Somalia and Djibouti, and not on Ethiopia
PM Meles: In my opinion, the sanctions imposed on Eritrea have two implications. First and foremost, it reveals the international community’s realisation of the provoking strategy, illegality and destructiveness of the Eritrean government. Secondly (provided that the measures are effected to the fullest), they may impose restrictions to … prevent it from carrying out its destructive aims.
Three major measures are pointed out. The first is an arms embargo. Second, military and political officials in the Eritrean government have been prohibited from international movement. I do not suppose this ban will affect Eritrea’s diplomatic interactions as there were none to begin with. …
Finally, it has been decided to freeze the overseas’ assets of the Eritrean government and its various organs. If adhered to strictly, this specific measure is the principal of all three measures in managing the Eritrean government’s provoking strategy. This is so, since evidence suggests that such remittance constitutes around a quarter of Eritrea’s national income. The severance of these funds is believed to land a blow to the capital the government needs to achieve its strategy of unrest.
If the sanction is carried out as a major priority issue, it is considered sufficient. It was put in place based primarily on the actions of the Eritrean government against Somalia and Djibouti.
The belief on the Ethiopian government’s part was that Eritrea’s strategies of causing perpetual unrest in Ethiopia are not of international magnitude and that Ethiopia can deal with the situation by itself. That was why the issue was not pursued in the international arena. In addition, there is still an unresolved border demarcation issue between the two countries.
Under these conditions, the Ethiopian government chose not to further vent the actions of the Eritrean government at the deliberations in light of the disadvantageous merits it carries.
On Libya’s vote against the sanction and China’s abstention
PM Meles: The Chinese stance comes as no surprise. It is well known, in the Security Council, that China does not endorse the sanctioning of any country. This is its long standing position. Often times, it uses its veto power not to have a nation sanctioned. Rarely however, does it abstain to let such sanctions pass. China forfeited its veto power and allowed the passing of the decision.
What was bewildering is the case of Libya. The decision to place sanctions on Eritrea was made at a conference in Sirte, Libya with the Libyan president presiding as chairperson. Although he was against the decision, a vast majority of the African Union (member nations), however, felt strongly about instating the sanctions. Libya finally gave in, and the decision passed as one of the Union’s. What is peculiar is Libya’s vote in contradiction to the Union’s decision.
On Ethiopia’s diplomatic role regarding the Security Council’s decision
PM Meles: Ethiopia is not a member of the council, so we did not partake in the final stage. However, the notion was initiated by IGAD from the beginning. Ethiopia’s stance was one of the strengthening and supporting whatever IGAD stood for. It was then passed on to the AU, at which stage Ethiopia’s stance remained strong with regard to the imposition of the sanctions.
Climate
On a two degree Celsius temperature increase agreement causing 3.5°C increase in Africa; his telephone conversation with President Barak Obama and on the lack of democratic procedure at the Copenhagen summit.
PM Meles: Since it is a negotiation, everyone lays down their maximum and their minimum goals. It is within these poles that each party negotiates. All countries have not gained their ultimate goals. There are some who did not attain their minimum set goals, especially small island states. The major goal of these states was keeping [the increase in] global warming at bay at 1.5°C.
According to my judgment, Africa has attained an outcome [between the minimum and ultimate goals] similar to the latter. With regard to monetary goals we have attained what we set out for – that being 100 billion dollars per year from the year 2020 and 10 billion dollars per year to start in the coming few weeks for three years. That was our goal.
The annual 10 billion dollars to be issued starting 2010 the coming January, was what was asked to be allotted overall out of which, 40pc was requested on African’s behalf. The 10 billion dollars is more or less made available, but the portions cannot be determined just yet.
The African Union had … a stance that set the increase [in global temperature] at two degrees Celsius. The stance was endorsed by the heads of state …
Based on the leaders’ decisions, the committee gathered in Addis Abeba and set … a minimum goal of 18 billion to 23 billion dollars and a maximum goal of 60 billion to 70 billion dollars based on analyses by African ministers.
Therefore, we stood our ground on the two degrees Celsius increase on global warming as decided upon by African leaders. And that too was found to be acceptable. However a goal for less than two degrees Celcius increase has not been set either by Africa, or by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). IPCC comprises of thousands of scientists from all over the globe that conducted the study and forwarded alternatives for decision making. They were awarded Nobel peace prizes.
They have reasons when they set [the increase] limit at two degrees Celcius. They never imply that two degrees Celcius increase has no problems associated with it. …. To achieve a 1.5°C is similar to asking China and India to stop carbon emissions. In other words, it is seriously hampering their economic growth.
On reaction of African leaders to the outcome of the negotiations
I flew to Copenhagen via France and England, and arrived in Copenhagen late in the evening. In France, I issued a joint declaration with the French president. This declaration was in full support of our negotiation stance – which I finally presented at the summit. The main reason for my detour was to acquire French and British backing. After the declaration was issued, some ambassadors representing African nations, and ministers were displeased and were issuing statements all around about having adopted another standpoint.
Afterwards we gathered the ministers on the day after and explained the issue to them in detail, after which they issued a statement agreeing to our stance in Copenhagen. This stance, adopted by African leaders, could not be altered at ministerial or chancery levels.
On Jeffrey Sachs, an intellectual guru to the Prime Minister, claiming that Africa got an empty promise from Copenhagen
I can understand his qualms on non delivery of promised aid money. We have qualms about it too. During the negotiations [in Copenhagen], one point of focus was this promise issue. [Sachs] is an American who is sorry about the stance the US adopted. I do not object to his views. However, I do not suppose he expects me to support his ideas all the time, and I do not expect him to support mine. Although I understand his stance I don not take it to be 100pc right.
The agreement in Copenhagen was not an empty promise. An additional mechanism was forwarded at the summit so that the agreement would not be just another promise. This was placement of the collected funds into an international reserve, which was partially accepted by the promise givers. This is different from past experiences. The second was the decision to establish an institution that assesses the financial aspects [of the agreement]. That institution in my opinion will follow this through in detail.
On a two degree Celsius temperature increase agreement causing 3.5°C increase in Africa; his telephone conversation with President Barak Obama and on the lack of democratic procedure at the Copenhagen summit.
PM Meles: Since it is a negotiation, everyone lays down their maximum and their minimum goals. It is within these poles that each party negotiates. All countries have not gained their ultimate goals. There are some who did not attain their minimum set goals, especially small island states. The major goal of these states was keeping [the increase in] global warming at bay at 1.5°C.
According to my judgment, Africa has attained an outcome [between the minimum and ultimate goals] similar to the latter. With regard to monetary goals we have attained what we set out for – that being 100 billion dollars per year from the year 2020 and 10 billion dollars per year to start in the coming few weeks for three years. That was our goal.
The annual 10 billion dollars to be issued starting 2010 the coming January, was what was asked to be allotted overall out of which, 40pc was requested on African’s behalf. The 10 billion dollars is more or less made available, but the portions cannot be determined just yet.
The African Union had … a stance that set the increase [in global temperature] at two degrees Celsius. The stance was endorsed by the heads of state …
Based on the leaders’ decisions, the committee gathered in Addis Abeba and set … a minimum goal of 18 billion to 23 billion dollars and a maximum goal of 60 billion to 70 billion dollars based on analyses by African ministers.
Therefore, we stood our ground on the two degrees Celsius increase on global warming as decided upon by African leaders. And that too was found to be acceptable. However a goal for less than two degrees Celcius increase has not been set either by Africa, or by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). IPCC comprises of thousands of scientists from all over the globe that conducted the study and forwarded alternatives for decision making. They were awarded Nobel peace prizes.
They have reasons when they set [the increase] limit at two degrees Celcius. They never imply that two degrees Celcius increase has no problems associated with it. …. To achieve a 1.5°C is similar to asking China and India to stop carbon emissions. In other words, it is seriously hampering their economic growth.
On reaction of African leaders to the outcome of the negotiations
I flew to Copenhagen via France and England, and arrived in Copenhagen late in the evening. In France, I issued a joint declaration with the French president. This declaration was in full support of our negotiation stance – which I finally presented at the summit. The main reason for my detour was to acquire French and British backing. After the declaration was issued, some ambassadors representing African nations, and ministers were displeased and were issuing statements all around about having adopted another standpoint.
Afterwards we gathered the ministers on the day after and explained the issue to them in detail, after which they issued a statement agreeing to our stance in Copenhagen. This stance, adopted by African leaders, could not be altered at ministerial or chancery levels.
On Jeffrey Sachs, an intellectual guru to the Prime Minister, claiming that Africa got an empty promise from Copenhagen
I can understand his qualms on non delivery of promised aid money. We have qualms about it too. During the negotiations [in Copenhagen], one point of focus was this promise issue. [Sachs] is an American who is sorry about the stance the US adopted. I do not object to his views. However, I do not suppose he expects me to support his ideas all the time, and I do not expect him to support mine. Although I understand his stance I don not take it to be 100pc right.
The agreement in Copenhagen was not an empty promise. An additional mechanism was forwarded at the summit so that the agreement would not be just another promise. This was placement of the collected funds into an international reserve, which was partially accepted by the promise givers. This is different from past experiences. The second was the decision to establish an institution that assesses the financial aspects [of the agreement]. That institution in my opinion will follow this through in detail.
Economy
On the first quarter poor performance of foreign trade, risking the government plan, as told to the House by the president, to increase foreign trade by 20pc, and if the annual plan could be revised:
PM Meles: The coming months will bring about a massive turn of events. First is the enormous produce of coffee. … Sesame produce is also massive. Hence, we have not considered a revision of the annual plan.
On renunciation of the widely accepted view of GDP as an indicator of economic growth by Joseph Stiglitz (PhD), the economic guru heeded by Meles on matters of economics
PM Meles: I am of the opinion that he is right. GDP is the instrument in place [for measuring economic growth] until now but it is not the best of yardsticks. It was in hopes of finding a better instrument that President Sarkozy set up a panel headed by Stiglitz. Until that happens, however, GDP is the only choice. I myself do not believe that GDP is the only tool out there. That is why we bring up Economic Justice along with GDP performance. Ethiopia’s growth is relatively just; the income distribution is relatively just, we say. It is in relation to this that in social services income poverty is not the only measure of poverty.
On the government’s rejection of IMF’s recommendation to the National Bank of Ethiopia regarding the low standard of the auditing mechanisms, regarding the National Bank itself being audited by an internationally recognised auditor.
PM Meles: The National Bank has its own sets of regulations for its auditing. Any proposals for an audit outside the bounds of these regulations are unacceptable. However, foreign consultants were summoned to assess its current state. And the bank is carefully undertaking reforming based on the consultants’ recommendations. Therefore, since the assessment and reforms are based on international best practices there are no reasons why we should shift to a new (IMF) direction.
On the fear of bank executives to grant credit on fear of going to jail on corruption allegations, and the control of private bank shares by few individuals
PM Meles: Banks have manuals, regulations and rules. The rules make it clear who decides on what. Therefore, one option to instil that confidence in these people is promising them that no one will be jailed. But this creates grounds for corruption. What we can tell them is that as long as they operate within the bounds of the rules and regulations nothing may befall them and it is my belief that we are saying this.
Regarding a few people owning large stakes in private banks … the law limits the proportion for a single person’s share at, I think, around two per cent. But as stated, people [acquire more] ownership through concealed ownership by family members. But it is difficult to investigate and obtain conclusive evidence on such matter … as they are entangled in family matters. But having been caught embroiled in such activities is punishable by law in Ethiopia. … However, the regulatory tool of the National Bank is … making these acts illegal. The main regulatory tool is the limit on the amount of loans permissible to share owners.
On the claim of alleged VAT violators being set up by customs officials
PM Meles: Those who go to prison are those whom the courts have conclusive evidence against. And the best evidence out there is being caught in the act. With special emphasis to VAT, catching the alleged violator in the act is the best thing as compared to compiling evidence against them. The latter is much difficult. So as for those who claim to have been set up, there is no such operation. What the businesspeople in such situation should be concerned with is not why somebody gave them up or why somebody else with a grudge sold them out. If they were to issue a legal receipt in the first place, nobody can give them up or sell them out – grudge or no grudge.
On the government’s import of wheat to stabilise prices
The government is preparing to import wheat for a fifth time, and this time in the amount of 300,000tn. But the government always purchases this wheat from only one source. The procurement has always done by one company, AGRIMEX. The person who is always in charge of the procurement is a Sudan based, Greek by the name of Phillipas. Over three billion Birr has been spent on these transactions. Why is this wheat procurement not done in typical government procurement procedure through auctions, just as sugar, fertiliser and the like?
PM Meles: The purchase procedure is through auction and a single person might be the frequent buyer. Although I am not aware of the details of the proceedings, I do not suppose it is undertaken outside the procurement procedures I do not suppose as procurement was carried out under the monitoring of Ministry of Finance involves a large sum of money. I do not suppose the Ministry of Finance goes out of procedure in these purchases.
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