Ethiopian This Week

Sendek editor- in -chief questioned by police over the story he published on the widow of late PM.

2013-05-16T06:29:00.000-07:00

Ethiopian police in Addis Ababa questioned an editor for several hours today in connection with a story published in October about the widow of the late Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi, according to news reports.Officers in the Ethiopian Federal Police Crime Investigation Department interrogated Ferew Abebe, the former editor-in-chief of the private Amharic-language weekly Sendek, about his sources for the October 10, 2012, story that said Azeb Mesfin, Meles' widow, had refused to leave the Ethiopian national place nearly two months after the prime minister's death, local journalists said. The story, which was widely covered in local and international press, cited government sources as saying that Meles' successor, Hailemarian Desalegn, was unable to live in the palace. Ferew refused to identify his sources and cited Ethiopian laws that guaranteed the rights of a journalist to keep sources confidential, local journalists said. According to the Ethiopian penal code, a court can compel journalists to reveal their sources if a crime has been committed against the constitutional order, national defense force, or security of the state, which constitutes clear and imminent danger. Police released Ferew on a bond of 5,000 birrs (US$265) pending further investigation, according to the same sources. On Monday, police also summoned a deputy editor for Sendek to question him about the same story, local journalists said. He was released without charge."Ethiopian police's demand that Ferew Abebe reveal his sources for a story published seven months ago is intimidation and tramples on the protections afforded to journalists under Ethiopian law," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. "We call on authorities to abandon their long-standing pattern of vindicative persecution of journalists who raise questions about issues of public interest, such as the occupation of a public building by the former first lady." At least seven journalists are behind bars in Ethiopia, making the country the second leading jailer of journalists in Africa, according to CPJ research. Ethiopia trails only Eritrea among Africa's worst jailers of journalists, CPJ research shows. Source ( CPJ)

More arrests for alleged grand corruption

2013-05-14T06:28:00.002-07:00

Police arrested Temesgen Gulilat, Head of Law Enforcement for Nazret Customs Branch. Police was searching to apprehend him in the same case other officials from Revenues and Customs Authority have been put in prison a couple of days ago. The man alleged for corruption was taken into custody in Gambella when he try to leave the country for South Sudan. Police found 160 thousand Br and other files the suspect kept with him. Police captured Temesgen while he was bribing Getachew Assefa, Head of Gambella Customs, with 80 thousand Br to facilitate his travel to South Sudan. Both are arrested, according to Police sources. Source ( Walta)

President Girma calls for the erection of a statue for Emperor Haile-Selassie

2013-05-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

President Girma Woldegiorgis in a letter sent to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn asked for a statue to be erected in honour of the late Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile-Selassie I. “A statue must be erected to commemorate the Emperor…he was the first leader of Africa and I think he deserves a statue,” the president said during the interview. According to the president, the Ethiopian government is making good progress on the matter and hopes that it will materialize. .It is to be recalled that Kwame Nkrumah’s statue, which was unveiled at the African Union (AU) headquarters, has sparked anger amongst Ethiopian scholars, historians and politicians, who feel Haile-Selassie deserved the honor. Back then, Members of Parliament have also been drawn into the debate and raised the issue with former prime minister, the late Meles Zenawi. Meles downplayed the request and defended the decision to honor Nkrumah, the former Ghanaian leader, whom he described as a pan-African. What has further angered locals was that, with the AU headquarters being in Addis Ababa, many expected a statue of Haile-Selassie to be erected. Ethiopian historians said they also remembered Selassie for his leading role in the creation of the OAU. However, Meles’s administration has often criticized Haile-Selassie’s track record. To date there are still many who appreciated the former Emperor, for his role in Africa’s independence and unity. (Source: Reporter)

Wife of Ato Gebrewahid Gebre Giorgis detained

2013-05-13T04:56:00.002-07:00

According to the news from ETV, wife of the VP Ethiopians Custom Agency, Colonel Haymnot tesfy is under police custody. The news further said that Colonel Haymanot was trying to evacuate various significant documents from her husband residence. Police initially found a huge amount of illegal monies in foreign currencies along with properties titled under Gebrahwhd Weldegirois name. Police has arrested her husband and his Boss Melaku Fente on Friday night may 10, 2013.

Justice Minister Berhan Hailu has been sacked

2013-05-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

Editor’s note: It is noted from Ethiopian TV news dated on May 10, 2013, police have arrested high level executives namely Melaku Fente and Gebrawhad Weldegirgis over corruption allegations. The two administrators were holding a position of Director and Vice directors in the ministry of Revenue respectively. According to the news they are now under police custody along with 12 others officials.

Justice Minister Brehan Hailu has been fired from his job on Friday, May 10, 2013, reliable sources disclosed to Fortune. Brehan has received a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office, signed by Hailemariam Desalegn, late on Friday, according to these sources. Brehan has been serving in this capacity since 2005. He was moved to Justice after his previous ministry, Ministry of Information, was dissolved by law.

However, the decision to remove the Minister from Office has come as little surprise in the government circle. He has lost his position in the powerful executive committee of the ruling EPRDF, when elections were held back in March 2013. He was under fire during a convention of his party, the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), held in Bahir Dar in March, held as a prelude to the EPRDF congress, which was held in the same city.Seconded by a member to the central committee seat in the ANDM, Brehan was harshly criticized by the bigwigs of the party for his failure and incompetence while serving at the Justice Ministry. Source ( Addisfortune )

DV-2014 DV Lottery: Green card lottery entrant status check begins May 1, 2013

2013-05-08T12:05:00.005-07:00

Starting Wednesday May 1, entrants from the 2014 diversity visa (green card) lottery can check on-line at the U.S. State Department’s “Electronic Diversity Visa” Entrant Status Check (ESC) web site to see if they won.

Applicants need three pieces of information from their green card lottery application:

CONFIRMATION NUMBER,
FAMILY NAME (Last Name), and
BIRTH YEAR.

Entrant Status Checking will be available from May 1, 2013 until April 30, 2014.

Click the below to find out applicants status

http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ESC/

Ethiopian Dissent Robel Phillipos released on bail.

2013-05-07T06:18:00.001-07:00

According to the news report of WCVB a 19 years old Ethiopian dissent but naturalized American Robel philipos relasesd from custody after posting 1000,000 bond. His Lawyer Derege Demesse spoke to reporters moments after his client released on bond. Attorney Derge described that his client had no prior knowledge of the Boston marathon bombings and he is certain that he is clear his client name at the end of the day. “We are confident that we will be able to clear his name “” said the attorney. Phillipos is accused of lying to FBI agents during several interviews. He originally denied he was in Dzhokhar Tsarnaev's dorm room after the Boston bombings with fellow Tsarnaev friends Azamat Tazhayakov and Dias Kadyrbayev. He now claims he slept while his friends disposed of possible key evidence in the case against the Boston bombing suspect. The source also added that his bail agreement with court place him under house arrest as well as requiring him to wear an electronic ankle bracelet.

የአቡነ ጴጥሮስ ሀውልት ወደ ብሄራዊ ሙዚየም ተዛወረ::

2013-05-06T17:20:00.001-07:00

በአዲስ አበባ የቀላል ባቡር ግንባታ የተነሳ የአቡነ ጴጥሮስ ሀውልት በግዜያዊነት ወደሚቆይበት ብሄራዊ ሙዚየም ዛሬ ሚያዚያ 25/2005 ተዛውሯል፡፡

ሃዉልቱ በነበረበት ቦታ የመሬት ዉስጥ የባቡር መስመር ይዘረጋል፡፡ የአዲስ አበባ የቀላል ባቡር ግንባታ ስራ አስኪያጅ ኢንጅነር በሃይሉ ስንታየሁ እንዳሉት ሀዉልቱ አስካሁን በነበረበት መሬት ዉስጥ እስከ 20 ሜትር ጥልቀት በመቆፈር ስራዉ ይከናወናል፡፡ የዉስጥ ለዉስጥ ስራው እስከ መጭው ክረምት አጋማሽ ድረስ ተጠናቆ አፈር ይመለስበታል ብለዋል፡፡የአዲስ አበባ መንገዶች ባለስልጣን በበኩሉ ስራው በተባለው ግዜ ሲጠናቀቅ የአደባባዩንና የመንገዱን ስራ በአዲስ መልክ በመገንባት ሃዉልቱ ወደ ነበረበት ቦታ በቀጣዩ አመት እንዲመለስ ይደረጋል ብሏል፡፡
ሀውልቱ በግዜያዊነት ሲነሳም ሆነ ወደፊት ወደቀድሞ ቦታው ሲመለስ ዉበቱን ከመጨመርና እስካሁን የተጎዱ የሀውልቱን ክፍሎች ከመጠገን ውጭ ምንም አይነት የቅርፅም ሆነ የይዘት ለዉጥ አይደረግበትም፡
ምንጭ (ERTA)

Ethiopia confirms jail for blogger, opposition figure

2013-05-03T20:57:00.002-07:00

An Ethiopian court on Thursday dismissed the appeal of blogger Eskinder Nega and opposition leader Andualem Arage who were jailed last year for terror-related offences. “The sentencing is still correct so there is no reduction,” said Supreme Court judge Dagne Melaku, confirming Eskinder’s jail term of 18 years and Andualem’s life sentence. One of the charges — serving as a leader of a terrorist organisation — was dropped, but had no affect on sentencing. After the ruling, Eskinder made an emotional appeal to the court which was crowded with family, friends and diplomats. “The truth will set us free,” he said. “We want the Ethiopian public to know that the truth will reveal itself, it’s only a matter of time.” Both men are accused of links to the outlawed opposition group Ginbot 7. “The walls of justice will be demolished,” Andualem told AFP. Four other men also jailed for terror-related charges had their appeal quashed. One other defendant, however, Kinfe Michael, had his sentence reduced from 25 years to 16 years. Rights groups have called Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism legislation vague and accuse the government of using the law to stifle peaceful dissent. “I am very sad, I am very angry, I cannot talk rationally,” Eskinder’s wife Serkalem Fasil told AFP after the decision. Defence lawyer Abebe Guta said that justice had not been served, and that if his clients agreed, they would appeal to court of cassation, Ethiopia’s highest court. Ethiopia has one of the most restricted media in the world and the highest number of journalists living in exile, according to US-based press watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists. Last year Eskinder was awarded the prestigious PEN America’s “Freedom to Write” annual prize. Source ( AFP)

Ethiopia files sue against Nigeria

2013-05-01T06:43:00.000-07:00

Though Ethiopian maintained Chanchangi Airlines' plane and engine, the plane is still grounded in Ethiopia because of Chanchangi's failure to pay the maintenance costs. The Eighth Bench of the Federal High Court scheduled a second appearance for the Nigerian domestic flyer, Chanchangi Airlines, which failed to appear on April 1, 2012, to defend itself against charges filed against it by Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian went to court on January 25, 2013, claiming that Chanchangi had failed to settle a 14 million Br bill for maintenance services they provided. The initial deal between the two airlines was signed for 772,346 dollars on February 9, 2004. Ethiopian agreed to service an aircraft and engine. Ethiopian's Maintenance repair and Overhaul Service, where the Nigerian airline was served, is certified by the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Established in 1945, it undertakes complete repair, modification, overhaul and testing for various aircraft and engines. Chanchangi, one of seven domestic airlines inNigeria, is located inKadunacity, the capital of Kaduna Region in north centralNigeria. According to the claim, Chanchangi would have to settle the payment in 60 days or pay 584,072.62 dollars in order to receive the engine, after which it would have to pay the remaining 188,273.83 dollars in four months in four equal instalments. Failure to do that would entail a 12pc fine. None of that happened. Chanchangi was summoned to appear in court on April 1, 2013; when Ethiopian's lawyers informed the court that the summons had not reached the defendant by then, although it was mailed from Ethiopia on January 31. The court reconvened on April 7, and Judge Hussein Yimer adjourned the case for May 8, 2013. Ethiopian's lawyer told the court that they were not able to deliver the summons in person because of the distance to Chanchangi's headquarters. The court has now ordered the Ethiopian Postal Service to deliver the summons and for the state-owned Addis Zemen newspaper to publish it. Source ( AddisFortune)

Parking lot manager pleads guilty in theft from Smithsonian

2013-04-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

A parking lot manager for the Smithsonian’s air and space museum in Chantilly pleaded guilty Friday to his role in stealing approximately $1.4 million in parking fees during a three-year scheme. The manager, Abeselom Hailemariam, 33, of Alexandria, skimmed as much as half of the cash that attendants stole each day , court records show, and also advised the attendants on when to ease up on the thefts to avoid detection. Hailemariam is the third person to plead guilty in the case in which attendants pocketed the $15 parking fee paid by at least 92,213 visitors to the Smithsonian’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. They masked the crime by unplugging counting mechanisms in their booths and doctoring shift reports about lot activity, court records state. Hailemariam was arrested in March at Dulles International Airport where he was returning from Ethi¬o¬pia after five months residing there, court files show. A sealed arrest warrant for him had been issued in late November, according to case files. Hailemariam faces up to five years in prison at his sentencing set for July 19 on his plea to conspiracy to commit theft of public money, prosecutors said. Previously, lot attendant Meseret Terefe, 37, of Silver Spring, received a 20-month sentence and Freweyni Mebrahtu, 46, of Sterling, was sentenced to 27 months after convictions for their parts in the thefts. The federal case in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia was investigated by the Smithsonian Office of the Inspector General and the FBI. Source ( Washingotn Post)

Pervez Musharraf Arrested in Benazir Bhutto Assassination Case

2013-04-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has been “formally arrested” for his alleged role in the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, prosecutors say. “Today FIA (Federal Investigative Agency) formally arrested General Musharraf in the Benazir Bhutto case,” AFP quoted prosecution lawyer Chaudhry Azhar as saying on Thursday. Musharraf will remain at his Chak Shahzad farmhouse residence on the edge of Islamabad where he is already under a two-week house arrest over his decision to sack judges during a crackdown on the judiciary in 2007. He is scheduled to appear at an anti-terrorist court in Rawalpindi city near Islamabad on Friday. The arrest of the former military ruler came one day after a Pakistani court refused to extend Musharraf’s bail in connection with the murder of former prime minister. Bhutto was killed in a gun-and-bomb attack in December 2007 as she was leaving an election rally in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. The Bhutto case is the second of three cases against Musharraf dating back to his rule from 1999 to 2008. He is also accused in a case relating to the death of a Baluch leader during a 2006 military operation. Human Rights Watch has called on the Pakistani government to hold Musharraf accountable for widespread and serious human rights abuses committed when he was president. The former army general, who grabbed power in an October 1999 bloodless coup, stepped down in August 2008 as president of the country when his allies lost parliamentary elections in February 2008 and a new government threatened him with impeachment. A year later, he left the country. Last month, Musharraf returned home after nearly four years of self-imposed exile in London and Dubai to run for the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled to be held on May 11. Source ( International Business Times)

Eritrea grounds its air force after a series of defections

2013-04-24T12:53:00.001-07:00

The Eritrean government has grounded its small air force after a series of defections by senior pilots over the past year. A friend of mine at Asmara air port told me that all aircraft, including small planes and helicopters owned by the air force, are being prevented from taking off. Recently, two Eritrean pilots had landed the president’s plane in Saudi Arabia and requested political asylum. Just a few days ago, another pilot, who was sent by President Isayas Afewerki to bring back his plane also defected. Saudi newspapers reported that the female captain is seeking political asylum. Source ( Ethiopian review)

Who said a picture is worth a thousand words?

2013-04-21T05:44:00.001-07:00

This is mother Ethiopia, conjuring images and sensations with million words you know and million words you do not know. Love; affection; fondness; infatuation; devotion; passion; ardor; fire; zeal; commitment; obligation; duty; responsibility; sacrifice…and etc. Take a good look at mother Ethiopia. What do you see and how do you feel? Do you see a picture of million words or, a depiction of million lives of life and love in Ethiopia? Do you have tears of joy in your eyes, seeing how pristine the love of mother Ethiopia is? Or, do you regret having born from a poverty-stricken mother? Did you ever have a mother unlike what you see in this picture; in essence and in spirit? No matter how you answer this question, were you at all ashamed of your mother then? Read more...

Over 950 woredas, offices benefit from WoredaNet project, says Ministry of information and Technology

2013-04-20T12:05:00.002-07:00

Over 950 woredas and government offices were connected by WordaNet project, according to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.WoredaNet is a terrestrial and satellite-based network designed to provide ICT services such as video conferencing, messaging and internet connectivity to the federal, regional and woreda level government bodies. Data Center and Network Infrastructure Team Leader with the Ministry, Maere Mekonnen, told WIC that the woredas and offices connected by the network are located across the country. Initially, only 611 woredas were connected; however, following the due attention paid by the government the entities connected by the project has jumped to over 950, he said. According to him, the WoredaNet is aimed at improving of federal and regional governments’ service delivery to the public. Source ( Walta information)

Ethiopian journalist Reyot Alemu won 2013 WPF Prize

2013-04-18T17:24:00.001-07:00

Imprisoned Ethiopian journalist Reeyot Alemu is the winner of the 2013 UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Ms Alemu was recommended by an independent international jury of media professionals in recognition of her “exceptional courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression.” The Jury took note of Reeyot Alemu’s contribution to numerous and independent publications. She wrote critically about political and social issues, focusing on the root causes of poverty, and gender equality. She worked for several independent media. In 2010 she founded her own publishing house and a monthly magazine called Change, both of which were subsequently closed. In June 2011, while working as a regular columnist for Feteh, a national weekly newspaper, Ms Alemu was arrested. She is currently serving a five year sentence in Kality prison. The UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize was created in 1997 by UNESCO’s Executive Board. It is awarded annually during the celebration of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, which will take place this year in Costa Rica. The Prize honours the work of an individual or an organization which has made a notable contribution to the defence and /or promotion of freedom of expression anywhere in the world, especially if risks have been involved. Candidates are proposed by UNESCO Member States, and regional or international organizations active in the fields of journalism and freedom of expression. Laureates are chosen by a jury whose members are appointed for a once renewable three-year term by the Director-General of UNESCO. Source (UNESCO)

Lelisa Desisa of Ethiopia, Rita Jeptoo of Kenya win divisions of Boston Marathon

2013-04-16T17:14:00.000-07:00

In his second race at the 26.2-mile distance, Desisa finished five seconds ahead of Kenya's Micah Kogo to earn $150,000 and the traditional olive wreath. Gebregziabher Gebremariam of Ethiopia was third, with American Jason Hartmann matching his 2012 finish by coming in fourth. Rita Jeptoo of Kenya won the women's race earlier for her second Boston victory. Jeptoo, who also won in 2006, finished in 2:26:25 for her first victory in a major race since taking two years off after having a baby. About two hours after Desisa crossed the finish line, two bombs went off near the finish line — killing at least three people and injuring more than 140. Read more…

Boston Marathon Explosion Witnesses: Smoke, Trampling, 'Like a War Zone'

2013-04-15T15:22:00.001-07:00

Eyewitnesses at the Boston Marathon described the ground shaking beneath their feet, smoke and "a lot of chaos" this afternoon when explosions killed two people and injured dozens. Rachel Sibley, 22, was 50 feet from the finish line waiting for a friend to cross. "All of a sudden I heard this bang that sounded like a cannon," she said. "You could see people looking up at the sky like there were fireworks, like a celebratory bang. The whole crowd waited for a moment, and then the second one went off. It was terrifying and absolute chaos.

Click here to read more

Ethiopian girl reportedly guarded by lions

2013-04-11T05:36:00.001-07:00

She was beaten repeatedly before she was found June 9 by police and relatives on the outskirts of Bita Genet, Wondimu said. She had been guarded by the lions for about half a day, he said. “They stood guard until we found her and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest,” Wondimu said.“If the lions had not come to her rescue, then it could have been much worse. Often these young girls are raped and severely beaten to force them to accept the marriage,” he said. Read more

Erteria: Air force Captain who had a mission to retrieve presidential jet is seeking political asylum.

2013-04-09T17:31:00.002-07:00

Captain Rahwa Gebrekristos deserted to Saudi Arabia after being sent to the kingdom last week on assignment to retrieve a presidential jet that had been waiting for return following the defection of another two air force pilots last year.However, like her two former colleagues, Yonas Woldeab and his deputy Mekonnen Debesay, who secretly flew president Isaias Afewerki’s plane to Saudi Arabia last October before defecting, Gebrekristos is also claiming asylum. Opposition sources allege that Eritrean authorities are secretly consulting with their Saudi counterparts to deport the 34-year-old pilot. She is currently being held at a police station in the western city of Jizan until Saudi authorities decide on her fate.An Eritrean opposition official told Sudan Tribune that if Gebrekristos is deported she could face torture or other inhuman treatments, as well as a long-term prison sentence or even the death penalty.Under Eritrean law, military members who defect are considered traitors, a crime punishable by death. Nessredin Ahmed, the spokesperson for foreign affairs at the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organisation (RSADO), called on the international community to apply pressure on the Saudi government not to deport Gebrekristos, saying she is in need of protection. The one-party state, which has been led by Afewerki since gaining independence in 1993, has among the world’s worst records on human rights and press freedom.The country is Africa’s foremost jailer of journalists and is also known by right groups as a “giant prison”, with the tiny nation home to up to 10,000 political prisoners. Source (Sudan Tribune)

Sudan Basher orders release of all political prisoners

2013-04-07T05:35:00.001-07:00

"I announce today my decision to release all political prisoners," Bashir told parliament. "I also renew a commitment to create a climate to hold a national dialogue with the other political forces." Bashir, in power since 1989, did not say when and how many prisoners would be released. Rights groups have accused the government of holding an unspecified number of dissidents since the security services cracked down hard on small protests against austerity measures unveiled by Bashir last year. Read more….

Ethiopia defeated Botswana 1-0

2013-03-25T15:37:00.000-07:00

Ethiopia stayed top of Group A in their Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers after collecting the three points off the visiting Botswana on Sunday. The Walias left it until late in the game to beat Botswana 1-0 in Addis Ababa.Ethiopia broke Botswana's hearts in the 88th minute when striker Getaneh Kebede beat Kabelo Dambe to hand the hosts the three points. Kebede had only been on the pitch for 42 minutes before his goal after replacing midfielder Adane Girma in the 46th minute. Meanwhile, victory left Ethiopia still unbeaten in Group A from three games and to collect their second home win in the race to Brazil. Ethiopia remains unbeaten in Group A on seven points from three games, two more than Bafana Bafana, are second on five points following their 2-0 win over Central Africa Republic just 24 hours earlier in Cape Town. CAR are third on three points from as many games played. Meanwhile, Botswana stay rooted at the bottom of Group A with one point from three matches ahead of the reverse fixture against Ethiopia on June 6 in Gaborone. Victory in Botswana in June for Ethiopia will surely end The Zebra's interest in the race to potentially turn Group A into a two horse race with Bafana Bafana ahead of their penultimate meeting on June 14 in Addis Ababa. Source ( Super Sport )

An Exclusive Interview with Artist Merawi Setot

2013-03-24T13:48:00.001-07:00

Ethiopian This Week Web page ( http://www.ethiopian-this-week.com) , March 24, 2013 Radio program featured part one an exclusive interview with Artist and Music composer Maerawi Setot . Mr . Merawi, is particularly known on his classical Ambasel performance on clarinet. Born and raised in Amabssel Wello , Merawi started his music carrier at the age of 12. Apart from Merawi’s first part interview , we have included comments on the recent saga over ad announcer Serawit Fikire , as well as inauguration of the Newly elected Vatican pop Francis. To listen the interview , click the following link.
http://archive.org/download/IntervtiewWithMerawiSetotPart1/March24fp.mp3

Part 2 interview: http://archive.org/download/March31part2Int.ofMerawiAndWeeklyComment/March31fp.mp3

For more daily Ethiopian related news, please visit our web sites:

http://www.ethiopian-this-week.com

http://www.ethioonutube.com

http://www.etthisweek.com

Ethiopia Arrests Four Al-Qaeda Allied Suspects

2013-03-21T15:55:00.002-07:00

Ethiopian security forces have arrested four members of the Al-Qaeda allied Somalian Islamist extremist group, al-Shabaab. According to the National Security and Intelligence Agency, the militants were arrested on Friday in Moyale town near the border with Somalia.The suspects are accused of plotting terrorist attacks in Ethiopia’s Somali region under the assignment of al-Shabaab An Ethiopian police source told Sudan Tribune that the suspects were planning to attack and kidnap foreign aid workers from a camp for Somali refugees Ethiopia has been a target of attacks by al-Shabaab militants in retaliation for its military intervention in neighbouring Somalia Ethiopia sent its troops to strife-torn Somalia in 2006 to help the weakened Somali government oust the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and to battle al-Shabaab who at the time were in control of most parts of the country. The Horn of Africa nation has been #the victim of a series of terrorist attacks in the past seven years. Addis Ababa has repeatedly blamed its arch-rival Eritrea for the attacks on its soil, an allegation Asmara has always denied. Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a bitter border war from 1998-2000 that killed over 70,000 people, with the two neighbours routinely trading accusations of helping rebels to destabilise their respective countries. In January, Ethiopian security forces similarly arrested 15 members of an al-Qaeda affiliated East African terrorist cell. Government officials said that the terror suspects - who were in possession of weapons - had been trained by al-Shabaab forces in Kenya and Somalia in order to carry out terrorist attacks. Source (ST)

ኢትዮጵያን ጨምሮ 25 ገናና መንግስታት ተቃዋሚዎችን በኢንተርኔት ያጠምዳሉ ተባለ ::

2013-03-16T08:04:00.003-07:00

በኢንተርኔት አማካኝነት የተቃዋሚዎችን መረጃ ለመሰለልና እንቅስቃሴያቸውን ለመከታተል የሚያገለግል ማጥመጃ ሶፍትዌር (Trojan horse) የሚጠቀሙ 25 አገራት እንዳሉ የገለፀ አንድ የካናዳ የጥናት ተቋም፤ ኢትዮጵያን በማካተት የበርካታ አገራትን በስም ጠቅሷል፡፡ የኢትዮጵያ መንግስት አስተባብሏል፡፡ ማጥመጃው ሶፍትዌር በተለያዩ መንገዶች የቫይረስ መከላከያ ዘዴዎችን አልፎ እየሾለከ ወደ ኮምፒዩተር መግባት የሚችል ሲሆን፤ መረጃዎችን ለመምጠጥ፣ ፓስዎርዶችን ለመስረቅ፣ የስልክና የስካይፒ ግንኙነቶችን ለመቅረጽ፣ በተለይም የኢሜይል መልእክቶችን ለመሰለል ያገለግላል ተብሏል፡፡

በቶሮንቶ ዩኒቨርስቲ “ስር ሲቲዘን ላብ” የተሰኘው የጥናት ተቋም ረቡዕ እለት ይፋ ባደረገው ማስጠንቀቂያ፤ ሰዎች በኮምፒዩተርና በሞባይል ስልክ ውስጥ የሚያስቀምጡት መረጃ እንዲሁም የሚለዋወጡት መልእክት ለስለላ የተጋለጠ ነው ብሏል፡፡ እንዲያውም በኮምፒዩተራችሁ ላይ የተገጠሙ ማይክሮፎኖችና ካሜራዎችን በመጠቀም ቤት ውስጥ የምታደርጉት እንቅስቃሴና የምትናገሩት ነገር ሁሉ፣ የስለላ አይንና ጆሮ ውስጥ ሊገባ ይችላል ብሏል፡፡

ለስለላ ያገለግላል የተባለውና “ፊንፊሸር” የተሰኘው ማጥመጃ ሶፍትዌር በተገኘባቸው አገራት ሁሉ፣ መንግስታት በተቃዋሚዎችና በዜጐች ላይ ስለላ ያካሂዳሉ ማለት ባይቻልም፤ እንደ ኢትዮጵያ የመሳሰሉ ገናና (authoritarian) መንግስታት እጅ ውስጥ መግባቱ ግን አሳሳቢ ነው ብሏል ተቋሙ፡፡ በምክትል ጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር ማዕረግ የኢንፎርሜሽንና ኮሙኒኬሽን ቴክኖሎጂ ሚኒስትር ዶ/ር ደብረጽዮን ገብረሚካኤል በበኩላቸው፤ ስለማጥመጃ ሶፍትዌሩ የምናውቀው ነገር የለም ብለዋል፡፡ ምንጭ ( አዲስ አድማስ)