aqumada

…and I was actually thinking about the possiblity of attending the world cup in South Africa?

South Africa Violence 

Rumor has it that the Ethiopian government has agreed to give up land (an estimated 1600km long and as deep as 50 km) from Humera to Gambella to the Sudan in exchange for a rail-road track from Shire to Port-Sudan. The Ethiopian government has not confirmed or denied the allegation.

UPDATE: The Ethiopian government has denied the accusation. Not sure what the basis for the rumor was.

After Kenenisa dropped out of the cross-country championship in Mombasa last year, the fact that Zeresenay Tadesse won was made out to be a big Ethiopia vs Eritrea political issue. There is no denying that both these athletes are talented but the fact the non-existent rivalry made to be such a big deal might have ended today when Kenenisa easily won [again] the world cross in Edinbrugh, Scotland.

There is very little attention given to the brutality that Somali-Ethiopians have been experiencing in the hands of the Ethiopian government forces in the Ogaden region.

Here is a story from the LA Times on the experience of a young woman at the hands of Ethiopian forces.

Ethiopia War Gets Little Attention

 When I posed the question “why do you want to see Obama become a president?”  … one of my Ghanaian friends replied saying “because he looks like me”. Just like my Ghanaian friend, most of us [Africans in Diaspora] have given a special attention to the current Democratic Party primaries because we would like to believe that America has come close to accepting its black citizens. I have been quiet surprised by the number of white voters that have been supporting Obama. Unfortunately, I still tend to think that the US is not ready for a black president and the few voters that will not vote for him solely because of his race may make the difference between Obama winning and losing the Democratic Party primary. Ironically, the 80% support he received from black voters [and helped him win S. Carolina] may have the effect of making Obama seem like “a black candidate” and may hurt his upcoming primaries.

Welcome to the new Aqumada!

When I first arrived in Europe and saw for myself its level of development, I felt that Ethiopia would never catch up with the rich nations. The contrast with home was so stark, it was frustrating. At the time, I wrote a poem that crystallised this feeling. Nearly two decades on, I have not found a single good reason to revise my pessimistic prognosis. However, as I leave you with the said poem, it is with the hope that you might find a reason to disagree with me.

   Gissu.