CyberZena Writers Forum

Is 'Kinijit' Under Threat of Extinction?

By Fitsum G.

In a new political scenario unfolding, (government battling on military, political and diplomatic fronts: Somalia, the Somali Region, Eritrea, the UN, the US and HR 2003), the bad news from Kinijit quarters is provoking equal anxiety amongst citizens. The only hope of millions to bring about peaceful change in Ethiopians’ political life was fading. Does that sound too pessimistic? Not for many Kinijit faithful. The problem this time was: ‘who should people blame, but their own leaders?’ That was why a sense of impotence seemed to pervade the entire constituency. Twenty months of detention had evidently not smoothed certain differences and when the hope of every follower was that a new political chapter would commence with the leaders in freedom, here comes the cold shower! Even admitting division and dispute as inevitable in any healthy and transforming party, the extent and tone of such ‘dispute’ looked stretched to a point of no return. At a time when many were fond of believing that EPRDF as a party in power was struggling to cope with various crises, appearing more vulnerable than before, the Kinijit division looked ill-timed.

Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Hussein Al Amoudi

By Fitsum G.

As much as there are people who, associating Sheik Mohammed very much with the inner circles of the incumbent government, are heard expressing reservation over his ventures (even while not denying their appreciation for his commitment and contribution to our economy), there are others who instead look with diffidence and reservation at his entourage and squad. They believe whatever wrong he might do, it must be a result of their bias or misinformation and distorted facts. Many attribute to such shortcomings of his advisors the fact that Sheik Mohammed’s companies here are not cited among champions of transparency and accountability and hence efficiency and profitability (may be a result of the owner’s humanitarian approach to employment at the cost of efficiency and profit). Above all, many would rather have liked to see him more engaged in using his financial muscles to bring about a certain positive influence in the way the incumbent government bureaucracy is made to function.

The Re-election of President Girma Wolde Ghiorgis

By Fitsum G.

The recent news that incumbent President Girma Wolde-Giorghis was reelected for another six-year term was received with surprise by many people also because few imagined or expected such eventuality. Given his age, and generally apparently precarious health conditions, people were in the state of mind that he would opt to retire, away from indiscrete eyes, and enjoy the rest of his life in leisure. After all, people reckoned, having seen it all, and having lived the zenith of his career, why would he bother himself staying for six more engaging years?! But not quite, evidently. Deducing from what he declared in his interview with ETV, not only was he willing to continue, but with utmost respect and pleasure at that! True, many did not realize that the law does not pose restrictions of age nor prohibit a second term; and when the joint session of parliament conferred on him a two-thirds majority vote as per the Constitution, (The House of Peoples’ Representatives shall nominate the candidate for president.

'Feteh Lehulum', (Justice For All) New Radio Program for the Millennium

By Fitsum G.

The power of any electronic media in reaching millions at one go, is undoubtedly immense, and in a country such as Ethiopia, where the press has negligible circulation, radio becomes key communications vehicle. It appeals to millions, particularly in rural areas and is relatively cheap. Hence its impact could be substantial. It is with this in mind that the National Radio and a local NGO called APAP (Action Professionals’ Association for the People) have recently embarked upon Feteh Lehulum, (Justice for All). According to the interview the Executive Directress of APAP, Wro Kidist Alemu, gave to the station, the program is meant to address some of these issues in simple and understandable language for the lay man, with a content prepared by APAP’s experienced staff in collaboration with a media promotion company

The Last King of Scotland: Revisiting an African Tragedy

By Fitsum G.

The Last King of Scotland is all about such eccentricities of Amin and the predicament of Ugandans. It is more than just a film capturing the emotions of Uganda under Amin. Such story could very easily be lent to other African countries where similar regimes reigned supreme, where power was never controlled nor checked, where excesses were the norm. Although the Last King of Scotland (as Amin was fond of portraying himself) is based on the true diabolic traits of Idi Amin, it is in principle a work of fiction. Bearing on the special relationship Amin had with a Scottish doctor (who later became his preferred and trusted advisor), the story amply shows the ruthless and idiosyncratic personality of Amin, his exuberance in relations with people, and his naivety in diplomacy.

Addis Residents Eye Millennium with Huge Challenges!

By Fitsum G.

In as much as Addis Ababa belongs to every one of us, we also need to uphold and protect all its positive values while rejecting and eliminating the negative ones. We need to be concerned among others about the way the city is administered and how the city is trying to adapt to the fast moving winds of change. Constructions abounding every where, almost taking it by surprise, expansions in all directions, the residents number increasing by leaps and bounds, and most basic services such as electric power, telephone and above all water not catching up with the skyrocketing demand. As the city swells up by the day, the service rendering establishments have not managed to cope with the same speed. Rather they seem misplaced, disoriented.

The Power of the Pen and Voice of Laureate Tsegaye

By Fitsum G.

A few weeks ago, a recorded cassette and a CD containing a sample of the verses of the late Laureate Tsegaye Gebre-Medhin hit the market in Addis. They were in fact memorabilia of the late poet released during the commemoration ceremony of the first anniversary of Tsegayes death. Along with the book of a collection of poems, Essat wey Abeba (fire or flower), the release came to slowly penetrate some circles in Addis attracting increasing attention. Listening to the voice of the poet himself creates a sense of proximity to his psyche and thoughts, to his emotions and sentiments, to his sufferance and ordeal.

The Millennium Vision

By Fitsum G.

Believe it or not, the new catch word these days is the Millennium! The Ethiopian Millennium! Six years ago, the whole world seemed to be overwhelmed by the idea of the dawning second millennium. People had a lot of worries that some kind of catastrophe, either natural or technological, would befall. There was what was called the Y2K phenomenon. Today, it is Ethiopians turn to celebrate their own local second millennium.

Condemn Religious Intolerance!!!

By Fitsum G.

The most outstanding and symbolic sign of the fraternal coexistence of Christianity and Islam in our land is the erection in Addis Ababa of St Raguel Church side by side with the Grand Anwar Mosque, sharing practically the same fence, right at the heart of the market place, Merkato! This might look very much artificial, or blasphemous for foreigners, but for Ethiopians, it is taken for granted. It is a symbol of civility and enlightenment, tolerance and brotherhood. The two major faiths here have lived in harmony, respecting each others dogmas and truths for as long as any living person can remember.

Sowing Seeds of Hate in Universities?!

By Fitsum G.

While Haromaya (Alemaya) and Adama University (Nazareth) are the latest in such ignominious list, we should not forget that there have been similar episodes reported elsewhere: Bahr Dar, Makelle, Dilla, Jimma, Addis Ababa, you name it. And the end seems remote. This is more than just bad news, or news to shelf and hope it will quell down or fade away in its own time. No! This is a potential wildfire. Any other assessment could risk to be an illusion or denial of the evident. When we reckon that university campuses are compasses of a nation, thermometer of the country, breeding ground of the leaders of the nation, cream of a population (having passed through a myriad of obstacles, screenings), our alarm swells up.

Aster Aweke is back: 'Andd Adreghen !'

By Fitsum G.

How will the new Aster album 'Fikir', (love), be received? Well, like all pervious Aster albums, love is the dominant theme, the priority. The title says it. However, this time Aster has also wanted to indulge in conveying some very important public messages. (Some want to relate and credit such tendency to a Teddy Afro type influence). Any way, Aster sings about the need for Ethiopians' unity despite diversity, disapproving of certain clannish inclinations, a recent phenomenon. 'Andd Aderghen', unite us, is the result.

May 3: World Press Freedom Day

By Fitsum G.

"I urge all governments to reaffirm their commitment to the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers, as set out in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, on the occasion of World Free Press Day, May 3, 2006

The HIV/AIDS Deadlock!

By Fitsum G.

Ever since HIV was known to have crossed our border without being invited, and has been allowed to be invade every part of our land, not excluding the remotest of localities, we have been talking about it heatedly. In two decades, many names, connotations have been attributed to it as have been declared the multiple ways of its contagion, its essence, its manifestations, its cycle etc. The media and the public in general have been dealing with it, and lately millions of dollars have been pumped to projects that have some association with the anti HIV campaign. So much so that many unscrupulous people have been using the so called HIV Global Fund and the like for not so transparent and accountable ends. Youth clubs that deal with HIV have been formed in thousands and the sensitization campaign is to say the least remarkable.

Despite all this, however, the results are grim! There are still people not willing and ready to talk about this problem unless it is considered as some one elses problem, some one elses worry, the consequences of some one elses behaviour. Not ours!

Film Review: 'Tar Angel', A Canadian Film by Denis Chouinard: Love that Begets Immortality

By Fitsum G.

'Tar Angel' (or in French L'ange de goudron), was premiered here in Addis at the Alliance Ethio-Franaise (in collaboration with the Canadian Embassy) on April 19, 2006. The director and script writer of the film, Canadian Denis Chouinard made the film in 2001 basing it on the toil of an Algerian family who fled the violence and repression at home in the early nineties to pursue a dream of freedom and peace in the cherished land of Canada.

LESSON FROM NIGERIA

By Kidane Alemayehu

Nigeria's commendable action clearly indicates that those days when dictators would bleed their people, and nations' resources and retire in luxury at some safe places are, thank God, finally over! Africa is coming of age.

St.George's Fans' Pain and Tears

By Fitsum G.

The Saints were reserved with the worst sorts of hospitality imaginable, beginning with subjecting them to a deliberately long, painful road journey to the country side (so that they would not be relaxed). The persistent harassment by security people, the story over what kind of t-shirts and shorts they were allowed to vest, not to talk about the restrictions on the freedom to film the match. What happened to Demissie Damte, the journalist who was accompanying the team, was even tragicomic! We could not understand what all such harassment and intimidation had to do with a peaceful sportive event. Was it by resorting to such extra-sportive behaviour that the Ghanaian champions intended to reverse the result of the first game?