We return to the horn of Afrika to continue our examination of the situation in Ethiopia.  In the previous show Afrika Speaks itself was accused of making a “big mistake choosing sides” with the assumption that we were accepting the government narrative wholesale while ignoring its misdeeds. (1)  This is a novel perspective given that Afrika continues to suffer from the pervasive effects of neo-colonialism (“the last stage of imperialism”), Pan-Afrikan activists are often loathe to be openly supportive of continental governments (although there some notable exceptions, e.g. Tanzania under Magufuli). (2)

However, since that show there is a real possibility that the conflict that has reportedly claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced many more millions may be at an end as: “PM Abiy Ahmed’s gov’t declares a unilateral humanitarian truce. TPLF accepted it instantly.” The truce follows the release of TPLF (Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front) leaders from detention in January and the ending of the six-month State of Emergency after three months. (3)

It comes at a time when the TPLF’s old ally, the USA government is advancing two bills HR 6600 (Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act) and S.3199 (Ethiopia Peace and Democracy Promotion Act of 2021), both sponsored by Democrat representatives aimed as sanctioning the government.  With echoes of the devastating Biden/Clinton sponsored Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (ZDERA), new bills have been described by policy analyst Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald, Director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a Professor in Wilfrid Laurier University’s Political Science Department as “persistently harsh and brutal” against the government.  Fitz-Gerald adds that the measures are pushed towards the only party to the conflict cooperating with US requests (i.e. the Ethiopian government).  (4)  The spokesperson of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Ambassador Dina Mufti said the bills: “put the lives of ordinary Ethiopians in danger rather than promote peace and democracy in the country.” (5)

These measures ostensibly feed into the ‘genocide’ narrative advanced by the likes the TPLF and His Holiness Abune Mathias, Patriarch of Ethiopian Orthodox Church is certainly favoured by the European media and NGOs like Jewish World Watch. (6)  Yet, this European narrative has frustrated the likes of USA-based veteran journalist Sis. Hermela Aregawi, who is of Tigrayan descent:

“I will never again take at face value any report from the New York Times, AP, CNN even Reuters and the BBC about any foreign country.  I can’t do it, there’s been so many bold-faced lies and omissions in the reporting.  You can’t even call it journalism at all its purely propaganda.” (7)

Commentators like former World Bank executive and of Foreign Affairs advisor Yonas Biru (PhD) implies that the Ethiopian government must take some responsibility for dominance of the western narrative.  Among a number of accusations that he levels at Abiy Ahmed’s government, he adds he charges that they:

“Refused to hire lobbyists and media influencers… You refused to spend $5 million, when TPLF was spending millions a year.  TPLF lobbyists controlled the narrative and methodically influenced US Senators and Congressmen and women.” (8)

Regionally, Prime Minister Ahmed’s administration has sought diplomatic co-operation with neighbours like Eritrea and Somalia with some success.  (9)  But the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) represents an additional challenge.  Regarded by the Ethiopian government as a beacon Pan-Afrikan project, it has faced opposition from Egypt, the USA’s main strategic ally in the region, with its appeals to colonial era agreements. (10)

Historically independent Ethiopia is currently having to navigate an intricate diplomatic path with a range of adversarial players – striving to maintain peace at home while advancing a Pan-Afrikan agenda, long regarded as the “solution to Africa’s problems”, abroad.  To many observers it appears to be a case who is able recount the coherent (and verifiable) narrative. (11)

(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (07/03/22) Ethiopia: Do we know what’s going on? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/ethiopia-do-we-know-whats-going-on-070321/

(2) Osman Antwi-Boateng (2017) New World Order Neo-Colonialism: A Contextual Comparison of Contemporary  China and European Colonization in Africa. Africology: The Journal of Pan African Studies, vol.10, no.2. https://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol10no2/10.2-13-Antwi-Boateng.pdf; Alkebu-Lan Way (26/03/21) Statement on the Death of Pres. John Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania)  Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtRpwtimaIA; Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan  on Galaxy Radio. (22/03/21) Magufuli’s Death: Assassination or Natural Causes? https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/magufulis-death-assassination-or-natural-causes-220361/

(3) borkena (24/03/22) PM Abiy Ahmed’s gov’t declares a unilateral humanitarian truce. TPLF accepted it instantly. https://borkena.com/2022/03/24/ethiopia-humanitarian-truce-tplf-accepted-it-instantly/?fbclid=IwAR3pguBjokY36HRoIZ0LL9pdDHFLXJ3590sNOsOd0NCwhDhu1Qj72v3OzXg; Satenaw News (25/03/22) Prof. Ann Fitz-Gerald Describes HR 6600 and S.3199 Draft Bills as Large and Brutal. https://satenaw.com/prof-ann-fitz-gerald-describes-hr-6600-and-s-3199-draft-bills-as-large-and-brutal/

(4) Olatunji Heru (2010) Regime change still USA/UK agenda for Zimbabwe in spite of unity gov. The Whirlwind, Issue 7. p. 21; Satenaw News. Op. cit.

(5) Fana Broadcasting Corporate (24/03/22) ‘HR 6600 Contradicts Longstanding, Historical Relationship Between Ethiopia, The U.S. – Spokesperson. https://www.fanabc.com/english/hr-6600-contradicts-longstanding-historical-relationship-between-ethiopia-the-u-s-spokesperson/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hr-6600-contradicts-longstanding-historical-relationship-between-ethiopia-the-u-s-spokesperson

(6) borkena (19/03/22) His Holiness Abune Mathias making new claims about “Genocide in Tigray” , 120,000 rape cases. https://borkena.com/2022/03/19/his-holiness-abune-mathias-making-new-claims-about-genocide-in-tigray-120000-rape-cases/?fbclid=IwAR0yRkoCvY5vpWdiZWkf5NeyN0yc96SGG1x4Gr9Rfgt7PPhuIcBUYkiO8hA; Jewish World Watch (18/03/22) 500 days of war in Tigray. https://www.jww.org/tigray-500/

(7) BreakThrough News (04/11/21) ebunking the Media Lies Fueling War in Ethiopia, w/ Journalist Hermela Aregawi. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeBsFcqAvhA

(8) Yonas Biru (PhD) (20/03/22) A Candid Open Letter to PM Abiy:  Ethiopia Needs a Statesman Not a Party Leader. https://borkena.com/2022/03/20/letter-to-pm-abiy-ethiopia-needs-a-statesman-not-a-party-leader/?fbclid=IwAR1GvnfcEAm1M_PEolHYw1Tctod-9ZU6FsMlBAr_3HnoUhva5nmXj89ZRAE

(9) Mehari Taddele Maru (06/04/19) Is political integration in the Horn of Africa possible? https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/4/6/is-political-integration-in-the-horn-of-africa-possible

(10)Grimacehw Gashaw (17/10/21) Africa: What Makes GERD a Pan African Project? https://allafrica.com/stories/202110170171.html; Aidan Lewis (08/10/19) Ethiopia says Egypt trying to maintain “colonial era” grip over Nile. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-dam-idUSKBN1WN1OG

(11) Bright Afele (10/08/14) Pan-Africanism-A Sure Solution to Africa’s problems. https://www.modernghana.com/news/562735/pan-africanism-a-sure-solution-to-africas-problems.html

we ask the question:

Ethiopia: Do we know what’s going on? Pt. 2

1) Are the claims of hundreds of thousands of lives lost accurate? 

2) If so who is responsible? If not where do the claims come from?

3) Is the Pan-Afrikan community wrongly “taking sides” in this conflict?

4) Will the proposed sanctions help or harm the peace process?

5) Has the Ethiopian government failed to effectively advance its own narrative?

6) Is GERD really a Pan-Afrikan project and what is its significance in the region?

Our Special Guests:

H.E. Mr Teferi Melesse Desta: is the Ethiopia Ambassador for the UK and assumed his post in London in September 2020.  He joined the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1993 and as a career diplomat, has served at diplomatic missions to the People’s Republic of China in Guangzhou (Consul General 2018 – 2020); in Brussels, Belgium (Minister Counsellor 2010 – 2014); Harare, Zimbabwe (Chargé d’Affaires 1999 – 2000); in Geneva at the United Nations as Chargé d’Affaires in 1998 and Consul General between 1994 and 2001.

In between, he was assigned to various posts within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Director General, Public Diplomacy and Communications (2016 – 2017); Minister’s Chief Advisor on Capacity Building (2014 – 2016); Acting Director General, Public Diplomacy and Communications (2008 – 2010); Director-General, Ethiopian Expatriate Affairs (2001 – 2008) and Counsellor, Press, Information and Documentation Directorate General (1993 – 1994).

Teferi Melesse Desta holds an MA in Literature (1994) and a Bachelor of Arts in Ethiopian Languages and Literature (1986), both from the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia..

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant.  Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Empress Makeda: President of the Ethiopian World Federation Local 3 has lived in the city for over 50 years, having lived in Ghana for brief periods and visiting Jamaica many times from a child.  She has also visited Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique & Trinidad.  Having grown up in the Rasta House in St. Agnes Place Empress Makeda now has Ghanaian citizenship, land, a registered business in Ghana and a Ghanaian passport.  Her lasting wish is to settle in Ghana, support #blur the borders in Africa and support brethrin & sistrin to repatriate.