Blogger/KaffaDue to the deteriorating situation of internet connection in Ethiopia, I am forced to blog less often times a week. There are a lot of stories that scared poeple this week, but the potential of Eritrea-Ethiopia war tops it all. The idea that another ridiculous war could wipe out 100,000 people is depressing. As usual poor Ethiopians who find joining army as only way for economic survival will make up the majority of the army.
For most Ethiopians, it is an insult to their intelligence when outsiders mention the town Badme because the war is not about Badme. It is about arrogance between the two leaderships.
The VOA jamming story was an interesting one this week because the fact is it is NOT jammed. Well, at least this week I have listened to all of them. Actually a friend of mine, from Jima, contacted VOA to comment about the recent Ayele Chamiso vs Temesgen interview/debate. So it doesn't make sense that some claimed it was jammed. The Chamiso vs Temesgen debate was one of the funniest debates about HR 2003 where nothing new about HR 2003 was really discussed ( by the way it doesn’t really qualify as a debate since the pro-opposition VOA journalist lady was mugging Chamiso like I never heard before....She does have a talent of ganging up on someone who doesn’t adhere to her views while staying (appearing) very very CALM. Anyway, there were stll some people who complained that they couldn’t hear VOA. So I think the transmission level is different from place to place in Ethiopia. (or blocked in some waves?)
The Mekelle University row is another one i heard. The story starts with student union’s office that published code of conduct for Muslim students in the university. The regulation was strict in banning the worshipping and praying of Muslim students inside the school. This ignited an excessive reaction from Muslim students who started protesting against the regulation. When it comes to Muslim rights Jima University students in Oromia are the most outspoken ones, followed by Addis Ababa university students. But this time, it carried a political tone to it and well, you know the rest, Addis Ababa university students started blaming officials and condemning the EPRDF government. So jima university was overshadowed but we might comeback with a vengence against AAU! Anyway the irony is that the Addis Ababa protests continued even after the situation was said to be solved in Mekelle and under control. The reality in Ethiopia is, unless CUD is in power; almost all non-political events will be politicized by CUD fans forever.
Meanwhile not many people are feeling the economic development proclaimed by our leaders. The transition from coffee growing, to switching to other means of financial dependence, and then back to coffee has not been smooth. Especially (according to what I heard) districts of Sokoru and Gerra wereda are not fairing well. These two regions were affected by small scale drought a few years ago, which is strange since Jima zone is supposed to be one of the richest places in Ethiopia.
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