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Humanity before Ethnicity

Welcome!

Welcome to the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia, a non-political and non-violent social justice movement of diverse Ethiopians. The SMNE is a non-profit organization that seeks to unite the many Ethiopian ethnic groups into a solidarity movement that stands together to call the current Ethiopian government to account for myriad allegations of human rights violations.

Please explore our website to learn more about this united effort!

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(Note: SMNE is not a news website and does not publish the latest Ethiopian news.
Click here for a list of news websites. )

Latest SMNE Opinions

LET US SPEAK OUT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

By Obang Metho

February 6, 2023

We Ethiopians are in trouble on so many fronts. We have reached a “tipping point” where the  signs pointing to the likelihood of our country imploding into ethnic violence and instability are already in front of us. When can be done to stop this? I can no longer be silent.

Over the last four years, there have been so many violent ethnic and religious-based killings of innocent people in this country that there are too many to count. In only the last few days, we have reportedly lost thirty-six more members of our Ethiopian family in senseless killings in Shashemene at the hands of Oromia regional government led special forces who shot and killed them and critically wounded many others.  Read...

We call for immediate release of Mr. Tamerat Negera Feyisa.

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By Obang Metho.

February 17, 2022

Who is Tamerat Negera Feyisa? Mr. Tamerat Negera is an Ethiopian journalist, founder and Editor-in-Chief of Terara Network was arrested from his home in Addis Ababa, on December 10, 2021 and his whereabouts were not disclosed to his family and the public for seven days until he appeared at court on December 16. He was transferred from Addis Ababa Police to Gelan City Police Department in the Oromia Regional State. In response to the police’s request for the case’s transfer to the state of emergency and the closure of the investigation case file, Gelan City Woreda Court ordered the closure of the file and transfer of the case to the state of emergency on December 30, 2021.   Read...

Mr. Obang Metho’s Address to the University of Bahir Dar Graduation Class of 2021Heading

Seeking the Source of Genuine Truth, National Reconciliation, Restorative Justice and Meaningful Reforms as the Answer to Our Present and Future Crises

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September 18, 2021

Good Morning! I am greatly honored to be with you today to address the 2021 graduating class from the University of Bahir Dar. I want to join with you in celebrating the great educational achievements of each student who is graduating today. This is a great accomplishment that has taken diligence, perseverance, sacrifice and basic hard work. Congratulations on your achievement!

I also want to thank Dr. Firew Tegegne Amogne, Bahir Dar University President, Dr. Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy of Ethiopia and the leadership of this major Ethiopian University of high distinction for an opportunity to speak to you at such a critical time as this in the history of our nation. There is much at stake and I believe this university and today’s graduating class can take a meaningful role in making a difference in the direction we, as Ethiopians, choose to take to bring about a healthier society.   Read...

የአቶ ኦባንግ ሜቶ አድራሻ ለ 2013 ዓ.ም የባህር ዳር ዩኒቨርሲቲ ምረቃ ክፍል እውነተኛ የእውነትን ምንጭ መፈለግ ፣ ብሔራዊ እርቅ ፣ የተሃድሶ ፍትህ እና ትርጉም ያለው ተሃድሶ ለአሁኑ እና ለወደፊቱ ቀውሶቻችን መልስ

እንደምን አደራችሁ!  በ ፪ ሺህ ፲፫ ዓ.ም ከባህር ዳር ዩኒቨርሲቲ ተመራቂ ተማሪዎች ጋር ለመነጋገር ዛሬ ከእናንተ ጋር በመሆኔ ታላቅ ክብር ይሰማኛል።  ዛሬ የሚመረቀውን እያንዳንዱ ተማሪ ታላቅ የትምህርት ስኬቶችን ለማክበር ከእናንተ ጋር መቀላቀል እፈልጋለሁ።  ይህ ትጋትን ፣ ጽናትን ፣ መስዋዕትነትን እና መሠረታዊ ጠንክሮ መሥራት የወሰደ ታላቅ ስኬት ነው።  በስኬታችሁ እንኳን ደስ አላችሁ! ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more...

The Egyptian Proxy War With Ethiopia: Why Are Some of Our People Helping Them Win?

Part II article that focus on external forces that exert an influence on deteriorating conditions in Ethiopia

April 20, 2021

“A compromise to Egypt’s water share is a red line, and our response [if our water share is affected] will affect the stability of the whole region,” …
(A recent comment made by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi)

Some Ethiopians seem to be on the wrong side of an Egyptian proxy war against their own country. As ethnic-based killing and violence explodes in Ethiopia, the country has become a place where gruesome crimes against other human beings are committed with little remorse or accountability. It could trigger more massive killings, even genocide.

It is the responsibility of those who value every human life and the national unity of Ethiopia to do something about it. For years, Egypt has been attacking Ethiopian national unity by stoking the fires of division. It is finding fertile ground among ethno-nationalists, but is also strongly reinforced by Ethiopia’s governmental model of ethnic federalism and our ethnic-based Constitution, which could also be called institutionalized tribalism.     Read...

Institutionalized Tribalism: Ethiopia’s Constitution and Ethnic Federalist Government Increase the Risk of Instability in Ethiopia

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April 15, 2021

Institutionalized tribalism, in its worst form, was officially adopted under the deceptive name of Ethnic Federalism, 30 years ago, under the former government led by the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF). It was a way to placate some ethnic groups; however, the result of it is now threatening our survival as a country. 

It was purposely set up to ensure that Ethiopians did not come together under a consensual agreement for the benefit of all Ethiopians, which was a threat to the goals of the TPLF who sought to achieve perpetual hegemony, as per their manifesto: “TPLF/EPRDF’s Strategies for Establishing its Hegemony & Perpetuating its Rule,” published in 1993.

One of the goals of this structure was to ethnicize Ethiopia’s citizens, a divide and conquer formula so people would not achieve unity; but instead, live as separate ethnic groups, not even as individual citizens. It was and still is a recipe for destruction. The maturing of this indoctrination has now reached to its pinnacle as young people start to believe that their primary identity is their tribe and that their religion, actually practiced, is “tribalism.”    Read...

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE HEARD
An Appeal to the people of Ethiopia from Mr. Obang Metho

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November 6, 2020

To my dear Ethiopian brothers and sisters,

We are presently at a very dangerous impasse due to the military confrontation between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Regional Government of the Tigray region. As a part of the shared family of Ethiopians, I am highly concerned, as are most of you.

A military attack was reported to have occurred on November 4, 2020, when members of the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked the Ethiopian National Defense Forces of the Northern Command, stationed in the Tigray region. It was reported to have included a robbery of the artillery and military equipment of the Northern Command. No casualties have been reported, but few details are yet known.   Read...

Ethiopia is at Risk of Becoming a Failed State!
What Will You Do?

By Obang Metho.

April 7, 2021

Increasingly, many, including me, believe Ethiopia has become a fragile state, in serious danger of collapse and descent into a failed state. Two growing sources of violence are potential threats: armed military conflict in the Tigray Region in the North and ethnic-based killing and violence in non-combat zones especially Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz and the Amhara Region. Here are some of the details:

Armed Military Conflict in the Tigray Region

A major source of present instability, with indications of worsening, involves the ongoing armed combat in the northern Tigray Region between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigrayan Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF). The Tigray Region is the home region of the party that ruled the country for 27 years, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), who appear to be fighting for the restoration of their power.    Read...

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE HEARD
An Appeal to the people of Ethiopia from Mr. Obang Metho

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November 6, 2020

To my dear Ethiopian brothers and sisters,

We are presently at a very dangerous impasse due to the military confrontation between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Regional Government of the Tigray region. As a part of the shared family of Ethiopians, I am highly concerned, as are most of you.

A military attack was reported to have occurred on November 4, 2020, when members of the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked the Ethiopian National Defense Forces of the Northern Command, stationed in the Tigray region. It was reported to have included a robbery of the artillery and military equipment of the Northern Command. No casualties have been reported, but few details are yet known.   Read...

THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE MUST BE HEARD
An Appeal to the people of Ethiopia from Mr. Obang Metho

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November 6, 2020

To my dear Ethiopian brothers and sisters,

We are presently at a very dangerous impasse due to the military confrontation between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Regional Government of the Tigray region. As a part of the shared family of Ethiopians, I am highly concerned, as are most of you.

A military attack was reported to have occurred on November 4, 2020, when members of the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked the Ethiopian National Defense Forces of the Northern Command, stationed in the Tigray region. It was reported to have included a robbery of the artillery and military equipment of the Northern Command. No casualties have been reported, but few details are yet known.   Read...

Mr. Obang Metho’s speech: “In Honor and Remembrance of the Life of Professor Mesfin Woldemariam”

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October 6, 2020

Good Morning to everyone here. First of all, I would like to give my deepest sympathy to the family of Professor Mesfin Woldemariam and the great numbers of Ethiopians who consider him a great friend of the Ethiopian people for many generations. I also thank those who have given me the opportunity to speak today about one of greatest men I have been privileged to meet and know. This giant of a man has played an important and strategic role in my life and that of many others.

Most people know him as a defender of human rights; and yes, I am also a defender of human rights; however, I did not have the privilege of knowing him when I was young, living in Gambella. It was not until the killing of the Anuak at the end of 2003 when everything changed.   Read...

A Sober New Year’s Message to My Ethiopian Family

Dear Ethiopians,

At this time of the Ethiopian New Year, I want to share a message from my heart to my beloved fellow Ethiopians.

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As most of you already know, I am a human rights defender and advocate for peace, justice, and reconciliation. I strongly believe that this country is like a human body that can only flourish when all its parts are protected, nurtured and functioning well together. Now, this precious body we call our home or sanctuary, is ill and the symptoms are being felt throughout it. I see it from my eyes, I hear it from my ears, I feel it in every limb of my body and now my conscience is telling me I must not ignore it, but speak of it. Because I love this body, which represents the people and land of Ethiopia, I do not want anything to happen to bring it harm.     Read...

የሰኔ 23 2012 ዓ.ም. በባቱ፣ሻሸመኔ እና አካባቢው የነበሩ ጥቃቶችን ተከትሎ በአዲሲቷ ኢትዮጵያ የጋራ ንቅናቄ የተጠናቀረ ሪፖርት

ቁ.047/SMNE/20
4/12/12 ዓ.ም.

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መግቢያ
አርቲስት ሀጫሉ ሁንዴሳ ሰኔ 22/2012 ዓ.ም. በአዲስ አበባ ከተማ ውስጥ በአሳዛኝ ሁኔታ ህይወቱ ማለፉ ይታወሳል፡፡ ዋና ከተማዋ አዲስ አበባን ጨምሮ በተለያዩ የኦሮሚያ አካባቢዎች ሌሊቱን እና በማግስቱ 23/10/12 የፀጥታ መደፍረስ ችግሮች ተከስተው በሰዎች ህይወትና ንብረት ላይ ከፍተኛ ጉዳት ደርሷል፡፡
ከኢትዮጵያ በጎ ፈቃደኛ ጋዜጠኞችና አርቲስቶች ሕብረት ጋር ለአዲሲቷ ኢትዮጵያ የጋራ ንቅናቄ ዋና ዳይሬክተርና ቡድናቸው በሐምሌ 27 እና 28 2012 ዓ.ም.በነበሩት ቀናት በባቱ እና ሻሸመኔ ከተሞች እና አካባቢ በተወሰነ መልኩ ተዘዋውረን የደረሰውን ጉዳት ለማየት ሙከራ አድርገናል፡፡
ባቱ ከተማ
አብነት ገለታው
እኛ አግኝተን ያናገርናችው ሶስት ወንድማማቾች ባቱ ከተማ ዘመድ ቤት ሀዘን ተቀምጠው ቢሆንም አምስት የቤተሰብ አባሎቻቸውን ማለትም አባታቸውን፡ እናታቸውን፡ ወንድም፣ እህታቸውን እና የአጎታቸውን ልጅ በአሰቃቂ ሁኔታ ያሳጣቸው ድርጊት ግን የተፈጸመው ከባቱ 7ኪ.ሜ ርቃ በምትገኘው አዳሚ ቱሉ ከተማ እንደነበር ነግረውናል፡፡
የሟቾች ስም ዝርዝር   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more...

Mr. Obang’s Response to the Postponement of the Filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)

June 26, 2020

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Today I am in Gambella, sometimes called “the land divided by the rivers.” Gambella region is located in the Upper Nile, an area that overlaps both Ethiopia and South Sudan. It is a land of five major rivers and many tributaries that connect to the Nile River. It used to be a port that could be used for transportation all the way north to Egypt.

I have just learned that the Ethiopian government has agreed to a two week postponement of the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). I am very disappointment with this decision. Let me explain.   Read...

Mr. Obang Metho, Response to the Constitutional Debate: “HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC REVEALED THE DEEPER FLAWS WITHIN THE ETHIOPIAN CONSTITUTION?”

May 20, 2020

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A newly invigorated media debate has emerged over the last three weeks. It centers on the impact of the second postponement of the national election, this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Delaying the election for an unknown period of time, possibly a year or more, will essentially leave the current members of the House of Peoples’ Representatives (Parliament) in limbo. Their five-year terms expire on October 5, 2020.  What will be their status following that date?

In response, the government made the decision to seek a Constitutional interpretation in order to legitimize the extension of term limits in the House of Representatives until an election can be held; however, opinions and solutions differ on this decision and on the way forward.    Read...

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020
Time: 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM Address: Harmony Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dear Member of the Media:

We invite you to join us for a press conference, sponsored by the “I’m Human Movement,” to inform the public of the role we intend to play in response to the current COVID-19 crisis; most specifically, on the possible impact on the people of Ethiopia. This is a call for action from all Ethiopians, to all Ethiopians and for all Ethiopians.

Here is our Mission Statement:
“I’m Human” and I’m ready to help serve, protect and save the lives of others in Ethiopia and beyond.

  The “I’m Human Movement” is an outgrowth of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE).  The commitment to help protect, improve and advance the lives and well being of all Ethiopians is not new; but instead, has been the focus of the work of the SMNE for the last 16 years. In carrying out our mission, we have gone to many different countries to help Ethiopians in danger or in great need. We have advocated for the rights of Ethiopians within Ethiopia and addressed numerous issues of concern over the years.    Read...

A Message from Mr. Obang Metho to the Ethiopian people:
I’m Human and I’m Ready to Serve, Help and Protect lives; Will You Join Me?

March 24, 2020

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Dear Fellow Ethiopian,

Like other people throughout the world, I am deeply concerned about the rapid spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19), which has drastically altered life outside of Ethiopia and now poses an increasing threat to the people of our nation, the Horn of Africa, Africa and beyond.

My heartfelt sympathy goes to those who have lost family members, as well as to those whose way of life has been made so difficult. Right now, I am ready to join together with those attempting to serve, protect lives and help to find solutions and ways to treat Covid-19 and to prevent as many as possible from being exposed to it. These attempts have called for life-altering changes now affecting the lives, social and business networks, education, movement, employment, and the access to goods and services of people all over the world. So far, Ethiopia has been spared some of the effects; yet, we must be vigilant and prepare as best we can to deal with this possible crisis, not only for ourselves, but also for others.

The concern for the wellbeing of all people, regardless of our differences, has been a core principle of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) since its formation. We believe that the value and dignity of every human being comes from God, our Creator, and that we will be held accountable, under God, for how we treat or care for others.    Read...

My Remarks on Joining the Board of the Ethiopian Press Agency

March 17, 2020

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It is honor to have been appointed as a volunteer to the Board Member of the Ethiopian Press Agency this past week, an institution with a 79-year-old history. It is not something I ever expected; however, because of my commitment to truth, accountability, freedom of speech and the free flow of information to and from all our people, I am grateful for this opportunity to help advance these values in this organization.  

First of all, I would like to thank those who nominated me to be on this board as well as the Prime Minister who gave endorsement for that nomination and the members of the Ethiopian Parliament who voted to approve my appointment. It resulted in being sworn in by the Chief Justice of Ethiopia on March 12.    Read...

Mr. Obang Metho speech at the 124th Anniversary of Ethiopia’s Victory at the Battle of Adwa at the Debre Berhan University.

What Kind of Victory is Needed Today? Is Victory for All Possible in Ethiopia Today? What would it look like today?

February 29, 2020

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Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today at this 124th anniversary of one of the most shaping events in our shared history as Ethiopians, the victory at Adwa in 1896, where Ethiopians worked together to defend our sovereignty from the invasion of foreign forces who were seeking to subjugate our people. The deciding battle against the colonization of this country was fought at Adwa. It is an honor to be with you to reflect on our history and what we might learn from it today. 

I want to especially thank the president of Debre Berhan University and Dean of College of Social Science and Humanities, Ms. Tsedale Gebretsadik for organized this event meant to commemorate the significance of this day. Those of us present here are not the only ones who will be celebrating. Many of our fellow Ethiopians and friends throughout the country and world will also remember this day, honoring the courage and sacrifices made by those who came before us to fight this battle. 
It is great to be back at Debre Berhran University for the second time; the first being when I had the privilege of addressing many of your students last year. Since then, our journey as people of this country, has had highs and lows. We still have many challenges ahead as we recognize the tensions within our country that continue to birth ethnic violence and conflict in some places. We also are looking to an election in August of 2020. What will make a difference in the outcome? What led to that victory in 1896 that could help us better navigate the future?   
  Read...

“It is Time to Hear from the Ethiopian Minorities on the Current Crisis We Face!”
Do Not Forget:
They Too Have a Stake in the Shared Future of Ethiopia!

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Eliana Hotel
Churchill Avenue, Piazza, Arada, 1000
Addis Ababa
Saturday, December 7, 2019
9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

The Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) will hold a press conference so as to give opportunity to hear from a panel of Ethiopian stakeholders from minority regions and/or groups. These regions/groups are commonly known to be “the others,” or under-represented in the public square or within the formalized structure of our government or its institutions.

For the last thirty years, the ruling party has included four regions: Tigray, Oromia, Amhara and Southern Nations.  The first three ethnic-based regions have mainly represented three of our eighty-six ethnic groups within Ethiopia, each of the three having a political party in the coalition based on the predominant ethnicity of their regions. Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ is the exception in that it is geographic in nature and home to some fifty-six different ethnic groups. 
  Read...

I’m Human: Today is the Day to Join a Movement for Humans

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November 24, 2019

On Sunday, November 17, 45,000 Ethiopians participated in the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa.  Mr. Obang Metho, the Executive Director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) was one of the participants in that race. He wore the official T-shirt similar to all participants; however, at the finish line of the race, as planned by some of the youth leaders in the organization, Obang removed his race T-shirt to reveal a different one. On the front of that shirt was written in Amharic: “I’m Human.”

Everyone got it. Why? It not only confronts today’s reality that has resulted in a shocking rise of ethnic violence and conflicts, but it also points to Ethiopia’s 30-plus-year history of the politicized, divisive and self-centered exploitation of ethnicity/tribe in Ethiopia, used to advance the power and self-interests of a dominant group or the elite of that group over others. The idea and the phrase quickly went viral, spreading via the social media and by word of mouth.   Read...

The Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia invites all media to:
A Press Briefing on Peace and Security in Ethiopia
Thursday, October 31, 2019 from 12 noon until 3PM
National Press Club
529 14th St. NW Washington DC 20045

Read Press Release...

የአቶ ሽመልስ የተሠባሪ/ሠባሪ ንግግር ጸረ መደመር ነው! አያሻግርም! የፖለቲካ ሹመኞች በባሕላዊ/ሃይማኖታዊ መድረኮች ንግግር ከማድረግ መታቀብ አለባቸው

ቀን፤ መስከረም 27፤ 2012

የአዱሲቷ ኢትዮጵያ የጋራ ንቅናቄ፤ የአገራችን ኢትዮጵያ ኅብረብሔራዊነት መገሇጫ ከሆኑት አንደ የሆነው የኢሬቻ በዓሌ በሰሊም በመጠናቀቁ በቅዴሚያ ሇጨዋው ሕዜባችን ከፍ ያሇ ምስጋና ሇማቅረብ ይወዲሌ። በተሇይም ሇበዓለ ክብር በማሇት ሇሁሇት ቀናት ያህሌ ብዘ መስዋዕትነት ሇከፈሇውና ከየክፍሇ ሃገሩ ሇመጡ ታዲሚዎች የሚችሇውን በማዴረግ ዕገዚ ሊዯረገው ጨዋው የአዱስ አበባ ሕዜብ ከፍ ያሇ ምስጋና እናቀርባሇን። ብዘ ክፉ ሃሳቦችና ውጥኖች ሲወሩበት የነበረው በዓሌ በኢትዮጵያውያን መሌካምነትና በሕግ አስከባሪዎች ታታሪነት ያሇ አንዲች ችግር መጠናቀቁ አሁንም ሕዜብ አብሮነትን፤ ሰሊምን የሚፈሌግ መሆኑን በዴጋሚ ያረጋገጠበት ነው።

ሆኖም ይህንን በሰሊማዊ መንገዴ የተጠናቀቀ ታሊቅ ክብረበዓሌ የሚያጠሇሽ ተግባር በዙያኑ ዕሇት መፈጸሙ የጋራ ንቅናቄችን ይህንን መግሇጫ እንዱወጣ ያስገዯዯው ምክንያት ሆኗሌ። በዕሇቱ ከቀረቡ በርካታ የሚያንጹና አገራዊ አንዴነትን የሚያጎሇብቱ ንግግሮች መካከሌ በሇውጥ አራማጅነት ከሚጠቀሱትና በምክትሌ ርዕሰ መስተዲዴርነት ከተሾሙ ጀምሮ ተስፋ የተጣሇባቸው አቶ ሽመሌስ አብዱሣ “ተሠባሪና ሠባሪ” በማሇት ያቀረቡት ንግግር ዯረጃውን ያሌጠበቀ ብቻ ሳይሆን በ“መዯመር” እሳቤ በተጀመረው ሇውጥ ሊይ ጥቁር ነጥብ የጣሇ ሆኖ አግኝተነዋሌ።  ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more...

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Remarks by Mr. Obang Metho on Shimelis Abdissa’s speech at the Ireecha Festival
A MISTAKE OR INTENTIONAL? EITHER WAY, OROMO REGIONAL PRESIDENT’S STATEMENTS RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS

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October 7, 2019

In a speech given at the 2019 Ireecha Festival, Mr. Shimelis Abdissa, the President of Oromia Regional State, who also is the head of the Oromo Democratic Party (ODO), the political party currently in power in Ethiopia and also the former Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, made a number of highly controversial statements that have incited anger and rocketed suspicions to new heights among countless Ethiopians. 

Whether it was a mistake or intentional; either way, President Shimelis Abdissa’s comments raise serious questions that require some explanation. In our present ethnic-dominated, political climate, such comments are loaded with innuendos of what people are now saying is “a takeover turn.” It builds the case of those who are suspicious of the motivation behind the players leading the current reforms. Are they genuine? If this was an unfortunate overstatement by Shimelis, the public needs answers to their questions before it creates a bigger divide between an already divided society.   Read...

JOIN THE MOVEMENT OF KINDNESS
ONLY KINDNESS AND LOVE WILL TRANSFORM ETHIOPIA

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September 11, 2019

As Ethiopians across Ethiopia and throughout the world gather with family and friends, I want to wish everyone a very happy and healthy Ethiopian New Year. This is always a hopeful time, as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. Even though 2011 was difficult for millions of Ethiopians, we must also look back on this year with the knowledge that brighter days are ahead of us.

Although our current challenges of ethno-nationalism and others are greater than ever before, each of us Ethiopian from every ethnic and religious groups must have the courage and determination to rise up and meet them. It is that spirit of (Ethiopiawinet) or togetherness that has kept us together as proud Ethiopians for generations, and it is that Ethiopiawinet spirit that will keep Ethiopia together for generations to come.   Read...

JOIN THE MOVEMENT OF KINDNESS
ONLY KINDNESS AND LOVE WILL TRANSFORM ETHIOPIA

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A displaced child in Gedeo, Southern Ethiopia

March 16, 2019

The response of the public to the humanitarian crisis in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia over the last 24 hours has exceeded what has been done since it all began last year, 2018. If you look at it honestly, the crisis they face today is the result of the failure to see the humanity of each other and to not respond with love and kindness to this human tragedy. It has only deepened as it has been ignored.

This conflict, partly rooted in land border issues and ethnic identities, goes back to decisions made during the time when the TPLF/EPRDF was formed in 1991 and divisive tribal lines were drawn without consultation with the people and favoring the interests of the ruling regime. Other historical issues are also involved as well as recent efforts to tap into the resources in the area.   Read...

NEW REFUGEE INTEGRATION LAW LEAVES MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS FOR ETHIOPIANS, ESPECIALLY IN REGIONS MOST IMPACTED BY NEW LAW

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January 29, 2019

The Ethiopian Parliament just passed a new refugee law that will allow greater opportunities for the over 900,000 refugees residing in over twenty camps throughout the country. The law will put into effect the “ROAD MAP for the implementation of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Government Pledges and the practical application of the CRRF in Ethiopia”. It includes a commitment to carry out nine pledges [see below] made by the previous EPRDF administration at the Leaders’ Summit on refugees in New York, co-hosted by Ethiopia, and signed on September 20, 2016, a day after the formal adoption of the resolution, called: New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants.

Ethiopia’s commitment to now implement the nine pledges through its Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) plan are expected to result in expanded opportunities for refugees that will provide greater freedom of movement, better access to education, jobs and socio-economic services and will also allow for some additional benefits for refugees living in Ethiopia.    Read...

The New Reform Leadership of President Mustafa Omer Brings Hope and Light to the Somali Region

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January 25, 2019

What an opportunity we on the SMNE team had during a recent visit to the Somali region where we were able to see so much evidence of reforms brought by the new president, Mustafa Omer, and his administration. Everywhere we went, people told us about the new leadership that is bringing genuine reforms.

Over all, the SMNE team trip to the Somali region was a real success. The initial reason for the trip was an invitation from Jijiga University to speak to their students and faculty on the topic of: The Way Forward: Identifying, Affirming and Building National Unity Based on Shared Core Values, which includes human dignity, human rights, equality, inclusiveness, justice, the rule of law, and participatory democracy.    Read...

THE WAY FORWARD: RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

Location: Gambella University
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2019
Time: 9 AM

 Come and hear Mr. Obang Metho, the Executive Director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE), as he answers the above-mentioned questions and extends them as a challenge to the students at Gambella University. He will speak on the topic of responsible citizenship and how it is key to making change come to our own lives, families, communities, ethnic groups, regions and nation, spreading the benefits broadly—for no one is free until all are free— a core principle of the SMNE. 

We Ethiopians have entered a new era under the leadership Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Change that was seen as impossible only a year ago, has  suddenly emerged—a miracle— and has opened up new possibilities for the future that did not exist in early 2018. For the first time in more than fifty years, hope is stirring in the hearts of young and old throughout Ethiopia. At the same time, many people know this change is still very fragile. Like a newborn child, it will require nurturance, protection and support in order to survive, develop, strengthen and grow. How will that growth be accomplished in our own case?  Read...

Mr. Obang Metho addresses the Oromo and Amhara Intellectuals at Wollo University

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AT SUCH A TIME AS THIS; WHAT IS OUR CALL?

“እንደምን አደራቹ?” Good Morning everyone. I would like to thank Dr. Abate Getahun, President of Wollo University for inviting me to speak before you today on this beautiful campus of Wollo University. I would also like to thank the Oromo and Amhara Intellectuals’ Council: for giving me the honor of being your keynote speaker at the third Oromo and Amhara Intellectuals’ Council conference at this beautiful city of Dessi. It is an honor and privilege to speak to you.

We are an ancient people and country; we have a beautiful land with beautiful people; yet, we are poor and conflicted. We have gone through decades of troubling and difficult times; but God has given us an opportunity today— one that we have not had in many years— to make something new in this nation. This is a highly esteemed group of people here today with a noble, but difficult task before you. I want to challenge you to consider how to respond to what may be the high calling of your life, at such a time as this. What happens here may alter the direction of Ethiopia. Are you willing?    Read...

Mr. Obang Metho’s speech to Bahir Dar University
THE WAY FORWARD: LET’S START TALKING TO EACH OTHER

Good Afternoon! “እንደምን አመሻችሁ”. I would like to thanks the president of Bahir Dar University, vice president, Dean of College of Social Science and the Humanities and other members of the staff. It is an honor to be at the Bahir Dar University, one of the great universities of Ethiopia, located in one of the most beautiful city and the capital of the Amhara National Regional State in Ethiopia.

My speech today will consisted of both good and bad news. I will start with the bad news. We Ethiopians  are in trouble as a society. Despite all the great progress being made by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his reform team, sustainable change is not assured, but could be hijacked in a multitude of ways, making the present open door to change in Ethiopia abruptly close. One of the biggest challenges is our division, much of it based on ethnicity, the dehumanization of others and the lack of safeguards within our government institutions that apply to all. Our current model of government, ethnic federalism, has so emphasized ethnicity that it has actually worked against unity and peace; instead producing conflict, violence and the polarization of our society.    Read...

Remembering the Anuak Massacre: Begin by Lighting Your Candle and then Your Neighbor’s Until Our Candles Bring Light Over Our Nation

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December 13, 2018. Addis Ababa--
Today, December 13th, will mark the fifteen year anniversary of the beginning of three days of killing and destruction in Gambella, Ethiopia that was carried out by TPLF/EPRDF national security forces, backed up by civilian militia groups they had armed with machetes. The Anuak people were targeted, especially leaders and those who were against the TPLF political repression and opposed to the federal government plans to explore oil on their indigenous land without following the legal process as set up in the Ethiopian Constitution or as required in international law regarding indigenous peoples’ rights. There was also a long-term plan to exploit the abundant fertile land and untapped natural resources.

In less than three days, 424 Anuak were killed. The Anuak continued to be targeted for nearly three years.  By that time, over two thousand had been killed and many more human rights atrocities committed, including being jailed, tortured and driven by the thousands to seek refuge in neighboring countries like South Sudan and Kenya. The limited infrastructure in Gambella was largely destroyed, equipment and supplies were pilfered from clinics and schools, and homes, crops and granaries were burned.    Read...

የአኙዋክ ምድር በኢትዮጵያ የዕርቅ ማስጀመሪያ ቦታ ሊሆን ይገባል!
የታኅሣሡ ዕልቂት ሁልጊዜ ሲታሰብ የሚኖር ነው!

ዕለቱ ቅዳሜ ታኅሣሥ 3 ቀን 1996ዓም ነበር - ልክ የዛሬ 15 ዓመት። የአኙዋክ ወንዶች እንዲገደሉ ዕቅዱ የወጣው አስቀድሞ ነበር። በቅርቡ ህይወቱ ያለፈውና በወቅቱ የጋምቤላ ክልል ርዕሰ መስተዳድር የነበረው ኦሞት ኡባንግ ኡሎም ቢሮ በ1996 ዓም የተገኘ በአማርኛ የተጻፈ ባለ 16 ገጽ ማስታወሻ እንደሚያመለክተው “መስከረም 13፤ 1996ዓም የዚያን ጊዜ ጠ/ሚ/ር በነበረው መለስ ዜናዊ ቢሮ ውስጥ በተካሄደው ስብሰባ ላይ መለስ ራሱ፣ ምክትል ጠ/ሚ/ር አዲሱ ለገሠ፣ የህወሓት ከፍተኛ ሹም ስብሃት ነጋ፣ የማስታወቂያ ሚኒስትር በረከት ስምዖን፣ የጋምቤላ ደኅንነት ዋና ኃላፊ ኦሞት ኡባንግ ኡሎም፣ ፌዴራሉ ደኅንነት ጽ/ቤት የመጣና ስሙ ያልታወቀ፣ የፌዴራል ጉዳዮች ሚኒስትር አባይ ፀሃዬ፣ ኤታማዦር ሹም ሳሞራ ዩኑስ፣ መከላከያ ሚኒስትር አባዱላ ገመዳ፣ የወታደራዊ ስለላ ሹም ብርጋዴር ጄኔራል ዮሐንስ ገብረመስቀል ተገኝተው ነበር።
“በዚህ መለስ ዜናዊ በመራው ስብሰባ ላይ የነበረው ዋና አጀንዳ የጋምቤላን የፀጥታ ሁኔታ መወያየት ነበር። ሆኖም በዚህ ስብሰባ ላይ ነበር  ታኅሣሥ 3 ቀን 1996ዓም መጨፍጨፍ ስላለባቸው አኙዋኮች ዕቅድ የወጣውና አፈጻጸሙም የተወሰነው። ለዚህም ይረዳ ዘንድ ከስብሰባው በኋላ በኅዳር ወር አጋማሽ አካባቢ የሚገደሉት ሰዎች ዝርዝር በኦሞት ኡባንግ ኡሎም ተዘጋጀ። ይህ የመጀመሪያው ዝርዝር አምስት መቶ አሥራሁለት ስም ሊስት የያዘ ነበር። በታኅሣሥ ወር ሊስቱ ላይ የሠፈሩት ስሞች ከዚህም ይበልጥ እንደነበር ግምት አለ። ምክንያቱም በጋምቤላና በአዲስ አበባ በእስር ላይ የነበሩ አኙዋኮችም በኋላ ተካትተው ነበር።

(ሙሉውን መግለጫ ለማንበብ እዚህ ላይ ይጫኑ)   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more...

Mr. Obang Metho’s speech to Debre Berhan University
THE WAY FORWARD: UPHOLDING TRUTH IN A POST-REPRESSIVE SOCIETY— IT IS THE FOUNDATION OF FREEDOM AND JUSTICE

November 28, 2018

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Thank you so much Dr. Desalegn for that kind introduction. Good afternoon everyone! It is both a great pleasure and a great privilege to be here and speak to you this afternoon. First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the president of Debre Berhan University, Dr. Hailemariam Birke Andarge (PhD) and Dean of College of Social Science and Humanities, Tsedale Gebretsadik for organizing this public lecture and for inviting me to speak before you today.

I thank all the students, faculty members and everybody who put their plans aside to come and listen. My talk today is more of one of giving advice and encouragement; however, it is also accompanied by a call for each of you to take responsibility to bring peace, freedom and stability to this country.   Read...

Mr. Obang Metho’s speech to the University of Gondar students
What is the Way Forward? Can the Right Change Be Sustained in Ethiopia?

November 21, 2018
Good Afternoon! “እንደምን አመሻችሁ” . It is an honor to be at the University of Gondar, one of the great universities of Ethiopia, located in one of the oldest cities of the country and even in the world. I would like to thanks Dr. Desalegn Mengesha, president of University of Gondar; Dr, Asrat Atsedewoyin, vice president,  Dr. Kassahun Tegegne, Dean of College of Social Science and the Humanities, Mr Aysheshim Terefe, Vice dean, College of Social Science and the Humanities and members of the staff for the privilege of speaking before you today.

Since I arrived in Ethiopia over two months ago, yours is the first university to invite me to share with you a topic I believe to be of utmost importance. It begins with a question: What is the Way Forward? Can the Right Change Be Sustained in Ethiopia?   Read...

IS PRIME MINISTER ABIY HEARING THE CALL FOR POLITICAL REFORM COMING FROM THE PEOPLE OF GAMBELLA?

October 12, 2018

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When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Gambella in late May 2018, he noticed how far behind the region was in its overall development compared to most regions of the country. He later noted these concerns before the Ethiopian Parliament, naming Gambella as one of several regions, also including Benishangul and Afar, that were so marginalized that they would require an additional 30% in their budgets, over and above the funding of other regions, to simply catch up to the level of the others. This significant gap has been the result of years of neglect as well as to high levels of misuse of funds, corruption and exploitation in the region.

If he were to visit again today, he might come away with a similar view on the lack of progress in the implementation of his administration’s new policies to bring change to the country. Again, Gambella is one of the regions where such changes have been strongly resisted by those in power, changes that are bringing new democratic rights and voice to other places. We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) want to bring added attention to this need, believing that the calls for reform coming from the diverse people of Gambella may actually be heard by PM Abiy; and, for thefirst time in many years, actually get an action-oriented response.     Read...

SMNE Team Headed by SMNE Executive Director, Mr. Obang Metho Will Travel to Ethiopia on September 6, 2018 to meet with PM Abiy and Others

A team from the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE), headed by SMNE Executive Director, Mr. Obang Metho, plans to travel to Ethiopia in September to meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, other members of his staff and various groups in different regions of the country. Out of the darkness and the challenges of these past years of work has come this new opening, one that gives light to a new road that was previously blocked.

Few expected the appointment of Prime Minister Abiy, and the subsequent amazing progress made by him, his team and others, to open up a former closed system to new possibilities that did not exist five months ago. As a result of these significant changes, the SMNE leadership now sees an opportunity to take the mission, vision and principles of the SMNE back home, so they may become integrated into the foundation of these changes now being implemented. This would mark the beginning of a second phase of work of the SMNE.  Read...

ጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር ዐቢይ ከሕዝባቸው ጋር ሊገናኙ ይገባል!

ቀን፤ ነሐሴ 11፤ 2010ዓም

ወደ ሥልጣን ከመጡ ጀምሮ በተደጋጋሚ ከሕዝብ ጋር ቀጥተኛ ሲያደርጉ የነበሩት ጠቅላይ ሚኒስትር ዐቢይ አሕመድ ከሕዝባቸው ጋር ግንኙነት ሳያደርጉ ሁለት ሳምንታት አልፈዋል። ጉዳዩን በቅርብ የሚከታተለው ለአዲሲቷ ኢትዮጵያ የጋራ ንቅናቄ (አኢጋን) የጠ/ሚ/ሩ ደጋፊዎችና መላው ሕዝባችን ሁኔታውን እንዲያውቅና አስፈላጊውን ውሳኔ እንዲወስድ ይፋ ለማድረግ ተገድዷል። በእርግጥ ዶ/ር ዐቢይ በተቀነባበረ በሚመስል ስልት ሁለት ሦስት ጊዜ ያህል ለሕዝብ ዕይታ ቀርበዋል። ሆኖም ከወትሮው በተለየ መልኩ ለውጡን አጥብቀው የሚቃወሙና ለማክሸፍ የሚፈልጉ ኃይሎች ያቀነባበሩት በሚመስል የተከናወነው ከሚዲያ ፍጆታ የማያልፍና በጥያቄ ውስጥ ያለውን ሕዝብ ለማርገብ የተሰራ የሕዝብ ግንኙነት ሥራ ሆኖ ነው ያገኘነው። ስለዚህ ሕዝባችን መሪውን የማግኘትና የማነጋገር መብቱ ሊነፈግ አይገባም፤ ይህም ባጭር ጊዜ ውስጥ በጋዜጣዊ መግለጫም ሆነ በፊት ሲደረግ እንደነበረው ዓይነት የውይይት መድረክ መገለጽ ይገባዋል በማለት አኢጋን አቋሙን በግልጽ ያስታውቃል።   
(ሙሉውን መግለጫ ለማንበብ እዚህ ላይ ይጫኑ)     Read...

ETHIOPIAN RALLY FOR PRINCIPLE-BASED CHANGE FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF OUR NATION

June 22, 2018

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The Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) will join with the many Ethiopians, both here in the Diaspora and those in Ethiopia, to enthusiastically endorse the remarkable  leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, along with the work of numerous others, in bringing meaningful democratic reforms to Ethiopia, which six months ago we would have thought impossible!

At that time, most of us saw the crisis worsening in Ethiopia. Mounting threats of ethnic-based violence, warnings of the possible disintegration of the country and the many roadblocks to genuine democratic change that were looming before us, convincing us that only God could do what otherwise would be humanly impossible. Now we hear many recognize the fact that what has emerged out of the darkness, is nothing short of a God-given miracle—no can explain how this all is happening apart from this.      Read...

የአዲስ ኢትዮጵያ ብስራት!

ቀን፤ ሰኔ 15፤ 2010ዓም

ለአዲሲቷ ኢትዮጵያ የጋራ ንቅናቄ (አኢጋን) የተመሠረተባቸው አዕማዶች ሁለት ናቸው። እነዚህም ከጎሣ ይልቅ ለሰብዓዊነት ቅድሚያ እንስጥ! እና ሁላችንም አብረን ነጻ ካልወጣን ማንም ብቻውን ነጻ ሊሆን አይችልም! የሚሉት ናቸው። እነዚህን ግዙፍ መርሆዎች ተግባራዊ ለማድረግ የሚጠቀምባቸው ስልቶች ደግሞ ዓመጽ፣ ጥላቻ፣ ክፋት፣ ምቀኝነት፣ ዘረኝነት፣ ወገንተኝነት፣ ወዘተ ሳይሆን ሰብዓዊ ዘርን ከልዩነት በጸዳ ጽኑ ፍቅር በማክበር፣ በመውደድና ለሌላው ሰው ከልብ በመነጨ ቅንነት በሚያስብ አመለካከት ላይ በመመሥረት ነው። የእነዚህ ተግባራት መዳረሻ ደግሞ በአገራችን ላይ ፍቅር፣ ሰላም፣ ኅብረት፣ ዕርቅና ፍትሕ ማስፈን ነው።   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more

LETTER FROM OBANG AND THE SMNE TO THE ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE:
The best opportunity for sustainable and meaningful success must be based on inclusive, principle-based change that protects and upholds the rights and interests of all Ethiopians

June 3, 2018

Dear Fellow Ethiopian Brothers and Sisters,

Ethiopians have new reason for hope. Over the last sixty days, we have witnessed many encouraging developments that have stirred new depths of hope within us. We should be thankful; yet, the road ahead is long and filled with challenges. Much will be required from all of us if we are to see genuine freedom, justice, reconciliation and healing become the pillars of a revived Ethiopian society.

Hope alone, without responsible action on the part of all our people, will not lead us to a better Ethiopia. Instead, our hopes and dreams are fragile and without care, they can dissipate— devolve into something of lesser or no value— like the evaporation of water among thirsty people, leaving them all the more thirsty and despairing.  Read...

TO ALL ETHIOPIANS SEEKING JUSTICE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: IMPORTANT ALERT: NATION BUILDING IN ETHIOPIA WILL NOT BE ACCOMPLISHED IN A FEW WEEKS! LET’S PITCH IN AND HELP!

April 20, 2018

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Nation building is a complex process that will take time; especially in a country like Ethiopia that has not been free for decades and where our history reveals innumerable power struggles among us, which have repeatedly hijacked the hopes of the people for freedom and justice. It has infected us with a high level of suspicion towards others. This lack of trust dominates the current political climate, which may trigger increased sensitivities and emotional overreactions to what would otherwise be minor or even positive. This tendency is multiplied when it involves those outside one’s own “group,” whatever that might be.

Into this environment, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has emerged. What are our expectations of him? Are they reasonable? Are they based on the reality on the ground? When critical, is a judgment based on important core issues or on more disputable issues where opinions may vary? How quickly should changes be made? Where do conflicts of interest or bias based on ethnicity, political views, regional interests or personal ambitions shade the opinions? How can we support change for all in a country steeped in zero-sum politics, where the success of someone else or some other ethnic group is viewed as a threat to one’s own objectives, resulting in the desire to see it all fail? Is change immediate or a process; and again, what is realistic and how can each of us pitch in and help?       Read...

ACT NOW TO EMPOWER THE ETHIOPIAN VISION OF PRIME MINISTER ABIY OR THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE TO BRING CHANGE MAY BE WASTED

April 7, 2018

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On April 2, 2018, a remarkable peaceful transfer of power was made in Ethiopia when Dr. Abiy Ahmed assumed his new position as Ethiopian Prime Minister, following the unprecedented action of former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn when he voluntarily stepped down from that position, hoping to make way for peaceful democratic reforms. 

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed then gave a historic speech before the Ethiopian Parliament, unlike any other in the last fifty years. The vision he laid out was clearly an Ethiopian vision, which affirmed the innate dignity of all Ethiopians, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or other differences, the foundation of each person’s right to freedom, justice, the rule of law and protection from corruption and robbery.       Read...

CONGRATULATIONS TO ETHIOPIA’S PRIME MINISTER-ELECT DR. ABIYE AHMED ALI FROM THE SMNE

March 28, 2018

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We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) would like to congratulate Dr. Abiye Ahmed Ali, the newly elected chairperson of the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front, (EPRDF), soon to become Prime Minister of Ethiopia. 

We also congratulate the people of Ethiopia who have a new opportunity to shape their future for the betterment of all. This is a time for wisdom, diligence, strength and restraint so it is not wasted.

Countless Ethiopians have contributed to this favorable moment, giving us hope for a better future. We must thank them. Others had fought for change in the past.

In our present struggle, many Ethiopians were wounded, imprisoned, tortured, sacrificed their lives or had to flee the country, simply for standing up for greater freedom and justice. These people were from every region of the country, from every walk of life, and of different ages, religions, genders and cultural backgrounds. Among them are Ethiopia’s finest voices for freedom, activists for justice, political leaders, journalists, religious leaders, elders and particularly our youth. Unfortunately, the valiant efforts of the past have not yet produced the fruit for which we still hope.       Read...

A CALL TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY: WILL YOU URGE THE GOVERNMENT OF ETHIOPIA TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PRINCIPLE-BASED ACTION PLAN TO BRING POLITICAL STABILITY AND A PEACEFUL TRANSITION TO DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IN ETHIOPIA?

March 20, 2018

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Ethiopia is in political turmoil. After 27 years of increasingly autocratic rule under the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Ethiopians are demanding change. As a means to that change, they are seeking an inclusive national dialogue, leading to reconciliation and genuine democratic reforms.We are pleased that many members of the international community have already endorsed this plan as the best means to bring democratic rights and stability to this strategic country in the Horn of Africa.  Unfortunately, at the same time, the government seeks to declare a state of emergency, adding further restrictions to an already tense environment that could backfire, causing greater instability and even violence. 

The purpose of this letter is to call on you to urge the current Government of Ethiopia to engage in an inclusive national dialogue with the people of Ethiopia, leading to the development of a principle-based road map and action plan to bring political stability and peaceful transition to a more democratic, reconciled and just Ethiopia.       Read...

IS TODAY’S RECYCLING OF THE WOYANE (TPLF) CRY OF 1943: “THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT,” A NEW STARTING POINT TOWARDS A NEW ETHIOPIA?

March 8, 2018

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In what was called the Woyane Rebellion of 1943, in (Ge'ez: ህዝባዊ ወያነ ሓርነት ትግራይ), more commonly known as the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the resistance cry of the Woyane of Tigray against the Imperial regime’s corruption, greed and centralization of power at the top was: “There is no government, let’s organize and govern ourselves.”  

Ironically, this same cry could be voiced even more loudly and boldly today, as “those Woyane or TPLF, now at the top of power,” have created a ruling government based on one-ethnic group domination, corruption, greed and violence in a time where the stability and future wellbeing of Ethiopia is at stake.       Read...

February 24, 2018

NO ONE IS FREE UNTIL ALL ARE FREE: LET US NOT STOP OUR EFFORTS UNTIL ALL OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS ARE FREE!

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Whether or not we Ethiopians can work together until all our remaining political prisoners are freed, will be the greatest proof as to whether or not we are ready for inclusive transformational change in Ethiopia.

Thousands of Ethiopian political prisoners have been released from jails, prisons and detention centers in Ethiopia in the last two weeks. Who could not celebrate this unprecedented release of such large numbers of Oromo and Amhara leaders as well as some others like the former governor of Gambella and Muslim religious leaders.  For many Ethiopians, especially former political prisoners and their families, their release has brought unsurpassed joy as they were finally reunited with their families after being separated for years.  Read... (pdf)

A CALL FOR ETHIOPIANS TO LAY OUT STEPS LEADING TO A TRANSITION TO INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY: THE ONLY REAL WAY OUT OF THIS CRISIS 

February 15, 2018. (Washington, DC)— Ethiopia is in political turmoil. The desperate inner conditions of the country have not matched its publicly acclaimed narrative for many years; so, the crisis of today was to be expected. The autocratic rule of the TPLF/EPRDF has come up against the greatest resistance of its 27 years rule, with its end in sight. 

To the international community, the TPLF/EPRDF cited double-digit economic growth, the unity of the people around its governance model of ethnic federalism, its role as a beacon of peace and stability and a critically important partner in the War on Terror. 

To most of the people of Ethiopia, the TPLF/EPRDF is an authoritarian regime that is dominated by one of its four ethnic-based party members, the TPLF. The TPLF has shown favoritism towards its own ethnic group over all others; doling out opportunities, privileges and power accordingly, until their representatives dominated every sector of society.      Read...

February 13, 2018
A LETTER FROM MR. OBANG METHO TO THE OPDO AND TO THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT STATEMENT BY THE OPDO:

IS THERE AN OPEN DOOR FOR TPLF/EPRDF TO RECONCILE WITH THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA? DEFINITELY: IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

Dear OPDO Central Committee and people of Ethiopia:
... Because we love Ethiopia and care deeply about the security and well being of all of its people, as well as in maintaining its national integrity at this dangerous time in its history, we want to affirm the positive direction laid out in the recent OPDO statement and to encourage those involved, as well as others, to continue this noble work towards a better, more inclusive, more democratic, more just and more peaceful home for all the people of Ethiopia— including the TPLF/EPRDF.       Read...

January 27, 2018

WHAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP IS NEEDED IN ETHIOPIA TO AVERT ETHNIC VIOLENCE AT THIS TIME OF CRISIS?

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Is the TPLF willing to take the country down with them, thinking they could simply secede from the country as an escape plan and leave the rest with chaos?

Allegedly, the TPLF and some of the people of Tigray are seriously considering seceding from Ethiopia, believing they can no longer safely “lead” the country due to the rising opposition and ethnic-based resentment from large numbers of Ethiopians. They may have been shaken by the recent outburst of destruction of Tigrayan or TPLF government properties in the Amhara region in retribution for the violent killing of at 32 people by federal security forces in the town of Woldia, Kobo and Mersa. The reason? These young people in Woldia were singing anti-government songs. They were among the thousands of believers who had been observing the day of Epiphany, the holiest day of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church when believers come out to identify with the baptism of Jesus Christ. Amongst those who were murdered in Woldia was a 12 years old Yoseph Eshetu Tessema.   Read...

January 4, 2018

IS THE EPRDF OFFER FOR REAL?

---FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE---

Washington, DC -- On January 3, 2018, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn publicly declared the EPRDF’S (Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front) decision to release all political prisoners and to close down the infamous Maekelawi detention center as a confidence-building measure with the goal of promoting a political dialogue and national reconciliation. Is it for real? If real, this is unexpected good news for Ethiopians and long overdue. Ethiopians, including ourselves, have been calling for this action for years, but increasingly more in the last months of widespread protests where our political prisoners have been a focus. Unfortunately, instead of responding to the concerns of the protesters, federal security forces have used brutal force to silence them, resulting in the killing and wounding of many Ethiopians, especially our youth. Now, will their concerns be addressed?      Read...

December 23, 2017

HOW WE FACE THE BEAST OF ETHNIC HATRED WILL DETERMINE OUR OUTCOME AS ETHIOPIANS

Why have so many students at our universities, soccer fans and civilians been killed or wounded these past weeks and months because of the increasing climate of ethnic hate that exists and is spreading across our country? Those recently being mourned by their families, friends and communities were allegedly targeted based on ethnicity, whether Tigray, Oromo, Amhara or Somali. This hate did not come out of nowhere; but, to a significant degree, is a toxic byproduct of Ethnic Federalism and the TPLF efforts to divide and conquer the majority to enable them, a minority, to maintain power; yet, it appears to be worsening daily and may become uncontrollable. Has the “beast of ethnic hatred” finally burst out of containment to threaten all of us, like a contagious disease that infects others exponentially? What are the solutions? Pretending it does not exist or that it is the responsibility of someone else to fix it, will not work.      Read...

October 17, 2017

A CALL TO THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA: WHAT WILL WE LEAVE TO THE NEXT GENERATION— A GIFT OR A CURSE?

What will we leave to the next generation—a gift or a curse? This question is critically important; however, it is equally important to know whether or not our—or someone else’s—individual or collective efforts, will produce the desired outcome. These are key questions to ask ourselves today as we face the many warning signs that signal the growing instability in Ethiopia. Change appears to be inevitable, but what kind of change do we want and how can we get there? How can we avoid the mistakes of the past where mass efforts and sacrifice were hijacked by a minority at the top, greedy for power and profit?       Read...

September 17, 2017

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE: WHAT COURSE OF ACTION NOW WILL GIVE ALL ETHIOPIANS THE BEST SUSTAINABLE ENDING TO TPLF/EPRDF DOMINATION?

Dear Ethiopians,
We wish you a meaningful Ethiopian New Year, hoping that Ethiopians will join with us in finding an effective and sustainable solution to the crisis as we enter the New Year. We come to you as stakeholders who care about the future of all of us. We believe sustainable peace will not come until we value the humanity of all our people, putting humanity before ethnicity or any other differences and caring about the well being of all for no one is free until all are free. Based on these principles, the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) urges you to consider how you might work with us in being part of the solution. Let us first explain how we see the challenges ahead and what cautions we should take so we not jeopardize our future.        Read...

September 14, 2017

FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CHILDREN! Ethiopia Needs Its Elders and Trusted Leaders to Help Stop the Cycles of Violence and Revenge in Our Communities and to Bring Us Together!

We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) strongly condemn the horrific and inhumane murder of 32 or more Ethiopian civilians in the Somali and Oromo regions of Ethiopia. Shocking reports of unbelievable brutality and cruelty to the victims on both sides accompany these reports. We deeply grieve with the families and communities who have lost their loved ones. 

Why has this happened and who is behind it?       Read...

A CALL TO ETHIOPIAN ELDERS AND LEADERS:
A TIME FOR MORAL HEROISM

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September 8, 2017

“The greatness of a nation lies in its fidelity to its constitution and strict adherence to the rule of law and above all the fear of God.”

These are the words of Kenyan Chief Justice David Maraga, a respected Kisii elder, who explained the basis for his own decision to nullify the recent 2017 Kenyan presidential election results, after finding its outcome invalid. The August election gave current President Uhuru Kenyatta another term, which is now null and void by decision of the Kenyan Supreme Court.

Maraga calls these principles, the foundational ingredients for making a great nation; concluding with the importance of one’s own personal accountability before God.       Read...

March 1, 2017

GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY FROM ETHIOPIA’S AUTOCRATIC REGIME SHOULD BE A CONDITION OF CONTINUED AID

The EU, the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Norway and other Western democratic countries should not continue to give large amounts of aid to the increasingly authoritarian Ethiopian regime of the TPLF/EPRDF. In a time where global doors are closing to refugees, why should money from the West continue to prop up a dictatorship that leads to so much suffering and repression, driving many Ethiopians from their homes and country? Yes, Ethiopia is a sovereign country; yet, large amounts of aid from outside sources may be undermining the ability of Ethiopians to hold their own leaders accountable.

If massive aid to Ethiopia is to continue, donors should require— as a key condition of continued aid— greater accountability, meaningful democratic reforms, the release of all political prisoners, and a genuine dialogue leading towards a peaceful resolution of the deepening schism between the minority-led TPLF/EPRDF regime and the Ethiopian people.       Read...

December 27, 2016

STANDING TOGETHER AS ONE: ARE WE READY TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER AT THIS CRITICAL TIME OF HISTORY?

This past year of 2016 may have been the worst year in recent history for Ethiopians within the country.  Many families will be facing Christmas or the New Year without the presence of a beloved family member at their side.  The reasons have been many and most point to the actions or lack of actions taken by the TPLF/EPRDF.  

Too many have been taken from this earth early due to the deadly violence perpetrated against them by TPLF/EPRDF security forces. The ruling regime used deadly force against thousands of dissenting Ethiopians, mostly youth, who were exercising a basic democratic right to peaceful protest. Nearly a thousand Oromos were killed at the Ireecha Festival in October and hundreds in the Amhara region. Others will be absent because they are in detention centers or prisons. Tens of thousands were targeted under the regime’s drive to crush all protest through these massive arrests while also continuing to imprison journalists, opposition leaders, activists and known voices for truth, freedom and justice.       Read...

A DECEMBER 13 “DAY OF REMEMBRANCE” FOR ALL ETHIOPIANS Thirteen Years After the Massacre of the Anuak and Still No Justice for Any of Us!

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December 13, 2016. (Vancouver, BC, Canada)--Today is December 13, a day which will remind the Anuak of the painful loss of their loved ones in Gambella on the same date in 2003— thirteen years ago. 

It is a Day of Remembrance that is not easy for the Anuak, wherever they are in the world. It is a time that brings back memories of the horrific killing of 424 Anuak in less than three days. Destruction, pillaging and other egregious human rights abuses accompanied the slaughter of these precious lives. It signaled the beginning of a three-year period of regime brutality and intimidation that resulted in the death of nearly fifteen hundred more Anuak. This is a huge percentage among a very tiny ethnic group numbering only about 100,000 people worldwide. Thousands more Anuak fled to refugee camps. At the core was the Tigre People's Liberation Front (TPLF) regime’s plan to exploit the oil found on their indigenous land. The TPLF is an ethnic minority regime in Ethiopia makes less than the 6% precent of the Ethiopian population and it controls over 90% of the Ethiopian economy.      Read...

December 8, 2016

A CALL FROM OBANG AND THE SMNE:
RECLAIMING AN ETHIOPIA FOR ALL ETHIOPIANS

I, for one, will not stand by as the country we call home is tossed to and fro in the ethnic or sectarian battlefield of the ambitions and interests of a few vying groups. The competition— rather than cooperation—continues until whomever comes out on top takes over to dominate in a recycling of dysfunction that has been repeated again and again in Ethiopia. 

Once in power, that ethnic or sectarian group suddenly wants to claim leadership over the same Ethiopia they had rejected and over the same Ethiopian people who had been forgotten or devalued during their own struggle for power.

Why do we, the people of Ethiopia, continue to repeat the same mistakes— repeatedly? Is it habit, tradition, fear, deception, intimidation, ignorance, selfishness or ambition that drives Ethiopians to continually form their own sectarian huddles, perpetually leaving others out, including those they claim to represent?      Read...

October 29, 2016

ETHIOPIA AT THE EDGE: What can external efforts achieve to reduce the risk of ethnic violence and destabilization in a semi-closed country? Mr. Obang's speech at the Amnesty International (AI) event in New York City, ETHIOPIA IN CRISIS.

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The theme of my talk is Ethiopia at the edge because the internal conflict between the majority of Ethiopians and the increasingly repressive ruling regime are no longer simmering, but about to boil over. 

The situation is grim. The prospects for peaceful resolution without meaningful intervention are highly doubtful; yet, the world seems to be turning a deaf ear to it. If this continues, it may be too late and Ethiopia will join the ranks of others countries that now face disaster because earlier opportunities for prevention have been missed. We do not want Ethiopia to be among those graphic and tragic stories of regret where we only can wish we had done more.        Read...

October 27, 2016

Open Letter to the Ethiopian People
The TPLF Carried Out the Goal of Dividing and Finally Internally Colonizing Ethiopia Where the Italians Failed: What Can Each of Us Do to Reclaim Our Independence and Avoid Destruction and the Disintegration of Ethiopia?

Dear Fellow Ethiopian Brothers and Sisters,

I am writing this letter to each and every one of you about the current issues of great concern facing us in Ethiopia. In this case, it is NOT about the state of emergency, nor is it about the TPLF; instead, it is about us, the individual people of Ethiopia who care about the well being of our people and nation

I’m the Executive Director SMNE, a non-violent, non-political, grassroots social justice movement representing the diverse people of Ethiopia. The SMNE is committed to bringing truth, justice, freedom, equality, reconciliation, accountability, respect for human and civil rights and economic prosperity to the people of Ethiopia. I speak to you as someone who, like you, has a stake in the future of Ethiopia. Despite all the distractions in our lives, as well as daily news reports about what the TPLF/EPRDF have done, I cannot be silent about the responsibility we each have to bring about the best outcome for our country during this time of such great risk to our country.      Read...

October 18, 2016

INTERNATIONAL ALERT REGARDING ETHIOPIA TO WESTERN POLICY MAKERS, DONORS AND STAKEHOLDERS Open letter to the Western

Governments and Donor Countries concerning the deteriorating situation of human rights and political instability in Ethiopia that is shifting from bad to worse day after day.

Your Excellency,

The State of Emergency declared by the ruling ethnic apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF, which is an attempt to enforce draconian measures to repress the emerging vocalization of discontent by the people of Ethiopia, will undoubtedly fail, with unknown results. 

Some of these new restrictions include severe penalties for violation of 3-5 years in prison. These new laws prohibit such things as absurd as the following:  Read...


ለምዕራባውያን ፖሊስ አውጪዎች፤
ለጋሽ አገራትና ባለጉዳዮች!
በህወሃት/ኢህአዴግ ላይ የከረረ እርምጃ ሊወሰድ ይገባል!!

ዘረኛ የአፓርታይድ ሥርዓት የሚያራምደው የህወሃት/ኢህአዴግ አገዛዝ በኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ ላይ ያወጀው የአስቸኳይ ጊዜ አዋጅ የሕዝብን ድምጽ ለማፈንና ጨቋኝ አገዛዙን ለማስፈን እንደመሆኑ በራሱ ላይ ያወጀው የመጥፊያ አዋጅ መሆኑና ይህም ያለጥርጥር ለመጥፊያው ያዘጋጀው መሆኑ ሊታወቅ ይገባል፡፡
አዋጁን በተመለከተ በተሰጠው ዝርዝር መረጃ መሠረት ጨቋኙን ድንጋጌ የጣሱ ከ3-5 ዓመታት በሚደርስ እስራት የሚቀጡ ሲሆን ዜጎች ከተከለከሉት በርካታ ነገሮች ጥቂቶቹ የሚከተሉት ናቸው፤   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more

October 10, 2016

THE PEOPLE OF ETHIOPIA CONDEMN THE STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE TPLF: IT IS A SELF-SERVING TACTIC TO PROLONG THEIR OPPRESSIVE RULE OVER THE PEOPLE

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On October 9, 2016, Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the TPLF-controlled regime of Ethiopia, declared a state of emergency in Ethiopia, to be put into effect immediately and last for six months.

The people of Ethiopia have questions. What is the state of emergency meant to do? The prime minister claimed in a televised address, that the primary reason it was done was for the people. He said, “We put our citizens’ safety first. Besides, we want to put an end to the damage that is being carried out against infrastructure projects, education institutions, health centers, administration and justice buildings.”

We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) strongly challenge the sincerity of the prime minister’s claim; believing the state of emergency would never have been necessary had this regime put the safety of its citizens first and not so severely violated every human and civil right of the people of Ethiopia.      read more

October 5, 2016

WILL THE DEATH OF 700 PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN ONE DAY AT THE IRREESHA RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL SHAKE ETHIOPIANS TO STAND TOGETHER TO BRING PEACE AND JUSTICE TO ALL?

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Soldiers facing protesters

We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) are deeply shocked and grieved by the loss of hundreds of Ethiopians in our Oromo family, in Bishoftu, Ethiopia on Sunday, October 2, 2016 during a celebration of the Irreecha Festival, a traditional day of thanksgiving for the Oromo in Ethiopia and worldwide.

Despite ruling regime’s reports of 60-70 deaths, reliable sources using body counts and names, allege deaths numbering nearly 700 persons. Most of these victims were young people, dressed in traditional clothes, joining together outdoors for celebration, speeches, dancing and in open appreciation for God’s provision. The festival is widely celebrated following the rainy season and draws millions to join in the public gathering, considered one of the largest in all of Africa.       read more

ፈይሣ ሌሊሣ በድርጊቱና በአስተሳሰቡ ሁሉንም
ኢትዮጵያውያን እንደራሳችን ወገን እንድቆጥር አድርጎናል!

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ከአንድ ወር በፊት በሪዮ ኦሎምፒክ ሁለት እጆቹን በማንሳት በኢትዮጵያ የሚፈጸመውን ግፍ የተቃወመው ፈይሣ ሌሊሣ “ሁላችንንም እንደ ኢትዮጵውያን እንድንተያይ አድርጎናል” በማለት አቶ ኦባንግ ሜቶ ገለጹ፡፡

የፈይሣን የጀግንነት ተግባር በተመለከተ አቶ ኦባንግ በሚመሩት ድርጅት ለአዲሲቷ ኢትዮጵያ የጋራ ንቅናቄ ስም ባሰራጩት መግለጫ ላይ ነበር ይህንን ሃሳብ የገለጹት፡፡ “ኦገስት 21፤ 2016ዓም ኢትዮጵያውያን አዲስ የመንፈስ መነቃቃት ሆነላቸው” በማለት የፈይሣን አኩሪ ተግባር የገለጸው መግለጫ ይህ የኦሮሞ ወጣት ለወገኖቹ ብቻ ሳይሆን ለሁላችንም ድምጻችንን በዓለም ላይ እንዲሰማ አድርጎልናል ብሏል፡፡  ድርጊቱም የዓለምአቀፉን ሚዲያ ትኩረት በመሳብ በህወሃት የግፍ አገዛዝ ላይ ብርቱ ጡጫውን አሳርፏል፡፡

“በርግጥ ፈይሳ የኦሮሞ ሕዝብ ኩራት ነው” ያሉት አቶ ኦባንግ፤ “ነገርግን ፈይሣን በዋሽንግተን ዲሲ ላይ ጋዜጣዊ መግለጫ ሲሰጥ በሰማሁት ጊዜ እንዲሁም በግሌ ካገኘሁት በኋላ ከብሔር ማንነቱ በላይ እጅግ ታላቅና አስደናቂ ሰው መሆኑን ለመረዳት እያለሁ” በማለት አስተያየታቸውን ሰጥተዋል፡፡   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more

September 15, 2016

FEYISSA LILESA: A MAN WHOSE ACTIONS AND IDEALS INSPIRE US TO EMBRACE ALL ETHIOPIANS AS OUR PEOPLE

Human rights work might be compared to preparing for a long race— like a marathon— requiring long, hard, and grueling dedication to a task where the final outcome— often years in the future—remains unknown. At times along the way, the barriers to success appear so large that one can easily get off course and go through periods where the possibility of reaching the ultimate goals looks grim. In the midst of that struggle, something can suddenly emerge from what otherwise appears as darkness, which acts to bring new light, insight and a change of attitude to those who witness it. For Ethiopians, that unexpected source of new inspiration is Feyissa Lilesa, the Ethiopian winner of the silver medal for the marathon Olympic event held in Brazil on August 21, 2016.       Read...

September 2, 2016

Letter to Mr. Loui Hooijman, regarding the loss of the Esmeralda BV’s Farm near Bahr Dar, Ethiopia.

Dear Mr. Loui Hooijman,

We members of the Ethiopian community inside and outside Ethiopia are saddened by the loss of your company’s farm near Bahr Dar, Gojam. We are disappointed that one of your Ethiopian employees was harmed. The horror that all your employees experienced in the last minute of this event is unfortunate. The loss of 10 Million(€) Euro, foreign investment loss  for a poor country like ours is massive.

Your company started production just 16 months ago. To see the entire farm going up in smoke in a short time like this, is truly sad. The enthusiasm of being 10 months ahead of schedule is now only a memory. It is also a disconcerting that you are considering leaving Ethiopia permanently.        Read...

September 2, 2016
Ethiopians Call on the Obama Administration, Donor Countries and International Community to Break the Silence and Condemn the Killing of Peaceful Protesters and Civilians in Ethiopia.

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Protester

Ethiopia is teetering on the edge of a full-scale catastrophe. The TPLF/EPRDF regime, one of the most repressive, bloodthirsty dictatorships in the world is panicking and its leader Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, has officially declared war against the people. As hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians in the Amhara and Oromia regions protest against the repressive policies of the current Ethiopian dictatorial regime, one ethnic minority-led regime has responded with escalating violence against peaceful protestors, leading to the death of nearly 1000 civilians from the Oromia and Amhara regions, since November 2015. Many of the victims are young teens and even children as young as 4 years old. Over the 5 days only, it is estimated that regime-controlled security forces shot and killing at least a 64 or more civilians in Amhara region. The ethnic apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF must top killing the people.          Read...

August 24, 2016
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama:
Will the United State’s foreign policy regarding Ethiopia be on the side of furthering the democratic rights of the Ethiopian people or will the current support for the strong-armed, ethnic-based regime continue?

Dear President Obama:
Ethiopia is teetering on the edge of a full-scale crisis. As hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians in various parts of Ethiopia protest against the repressive policies of the current Ethiopian dictatorial regime, the minority-led government has responded with escalating violence against peaceful protestors, leading to the death of nearly 800 Ethiopians from the Oromia and Amhara regions, since November 2015. Many of the victims are young teens and even children as young as 8 years old. Over the past week only, it is estimated that government-controlled security forces shot into the crowd, killing at least a hundred or more civilians.

Many worry that the situation could easily explode, pushing Ethiopia over the edge to become another failed state in the Horn of Africa. Actions or inaction taken in the next days, weeks and months may determine which direction it will go. Countries like Libya, Syria, Yemen and now South Sudan provide disturbing images of the kind of disintegration we seek to avoid in Ethiopia. Most would agree that the costs to the people and resources of a country are much less or even avoidable the earlier one intervenes. It is too late to change the course of destructive events in these other countries, but it may not be too late to do so in Ethiopia. There may be a short window of opportunity and that is the purpose of this letter.         Read...

August 16, 2016
We support the call by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights to send international observers to investigate the killing of peaceful protesters by the Ethiopian security forces.

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Zeid Raad Al Hussein

The United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, has called on Ethiopia to allow UN international observers to investigate the excessive use of force by the government’s security forces against peaceful protesters in the Oromo and Amhara regions of the country. This follows the recent killing of nearly 100 people in recent weeks, among whom were children as young as 8 years old.  We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) strongly support this request, believing it is long over-due and necessary because internal independent accountability mechanisms within Ethiopia are non-existent with one strong exception— the intensifying actions of the people.        Read...

August 10, 2016
AN URGENT CALL TO THE ETHIOPIAN PEOPLE

DEAR ETHIOPIANS:

I commend you, especially those in Oromia and Amhara regional states! You have demonstrated great courage, perseverance, self-control and regard for the human lives of others as you have peacefully risen up in increasing numbers to demand a free Ethiopia.

You have endured much despite the TPLF/EPRDF killing, violence and intimidation; yet, you have not ceased your call for change; neither have you descended into wanton violence. If we are to break the cycle of violence, dictatorship and the selfish use of power to serve oneself rather than the people; you are shining examples of a new generation of change-makers.

I urge you to continue your exemplary conduct in this noble pursuit of freedom, justice and democratic rights. I strongly urge you to make it a struggle for not only one ethnic group, but for all the people of Ethiopia, trusting in God to guide and protect our country from disintegrating into chaos, massive killing and destruction.  Read More

Gondar

Addis Ababa

August 5, 2016
REJECTION OF TPLF’S IMPOSED DIVISIVE IDENTITIES SHAKES UP REGIME AS ETHIOPIANS DEMAND JUSTICE FOR ALL CAN THE TPLF TELL US WHO WE ARE OR IS IT TIME TO WAKE UP?

The Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front and Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (TPLF/EPRDF) is in a precarious position of their own creation. The monster of ethnic hatred and division that they have created could bring destruction to all of us. One of its key components has been a well-calculated plan to divide Ethiopians into “controllable” factions to prevent unity among them as a tactic to control and exploit the masses and Ethiopian resources for personal gain. It is an ideology that has consequences. Exclusion, ruthlessness, repression and corruption has inherent term limits and there is evidence that the time has run out. In our struggle for freedom, justice and democracy, will we Ethiopians understand the bigger challenge to overcome is not the TPLF/EPRDF; but instead, its destructive ideology— a worldview that many have accepted as true?  Read More

July 27, 2016
AN URGENT CALL TO ALL ETHIOPIANS TO EMBRACE A COMMON VISION BASED ON PRINCIPLES

Mr. Obang Metho Addresses Ethiopian Muslims in Washington, DC 

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Today I ask you: What can we do to contribute to a better outcome in Ethiopia than what we have achieved in the past? Why have our past efforts repeatedly failed to produce a freer, more just and more democratic Ethiopia for all of us? What are the lessons of the past that we may have to re-examine? Do we continue to react in a self-defeating way out of habit, culture or pressure from our groups to conform, even if it is not in the long-term interests of any of us? 

Let us not underestimate how difficult it is to break old patterns. Yet, if Ethiopia is to be transformed into a culture that recognizes the values, rights and dignity of others beyond our own groups, we must first look at ourselves. What are the good and bad parts of our past and present culture or sub-culture so we can discard what leads to failure and instead choose the best to preserve?   read ...

July 6, 2016
Open letter to Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister of Foreign Affairs

On behalf of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia, I am coming directly to you, to ask you as the Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, whose role is to represent the interests and image of Ethiopia internationally, to take immediate action to protect the vulnerable people in your own country. These people are experiencing a government-created health and human rights crisis of huge proportions.

You are also a top-decision-maker within the TPLF/EPRDF led Ethiopian government, someone who seeks to take the top leadership position in the World Health Organization (WHO) and also someone with a significant healthcare professional background. In light of your strategic position, I ask you to take immediate action to protect the people you represent. Failure to do so will only intensify the increasing tensions within Ethiopia. In fact, even today (July 6) on the occasion of the ending of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid Mubarak; people involved turned the celebration into a protest against the government for their violent and unjust suppression of the people.  Read More

May 19, 2016
Selamawit Abebayehu - Ye Asa Erat

Watch and listen to this emotional poem about this week's tragedies by Selamawit Abebayehu.    YouTube        Facebook

May 18, 2016
Open Letter To Her Excellency Park Geun-hye, President, Republic of Korea

Dear Madame President,

We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) are writing to you on behalf of Ethiopian refugees presently seeking asylum in South Korea. The SMNE is a social justice organization of diverse Ethiopians, committed to advancing the freedom, rights and well being of Ethiopians within Ethiopia as well as those living abroad.

ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN SOUTH KOREA

As the SMNE’s Executive Director, I recently visited South Korea at the request of Ethiopians living in your country as well as several South Korean civil society organizations who were working with them. I met with these asylum seekers to hear more about the difficulties they faced in obtaining permanent status; including, finding a means of support for their basic needs while waiting for a decision on their cases. Following these meetings with Ethiopians, I met with South Korean officials, members of Korea civil society, UNHCR officials and journalists so as to raise up the concerns and difficulties affecting these Ethiopian refugees as well as to share more about the reasons these Ethiopians had left their homes in the first place.

Read more in English...

Read in Korean...

May 4, 2016

ኦባንግ አባ “ቃኘው” የደቡብ ኮሪያ ዳግም ዘማች!

በኮሪያ የተዘጋው የመረጃ ግድግዳ ተወገደ!

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“የመን ትነድዳለች ኢትዮጵያውያን ግን ወደዚያው ያቀናሉ። ሶማሊያ ዋስትና ቢርቃትም ወገኖች ሊረማመዱባት አሁን ድረስ ምርጫቸው ናት። በሲና በረሃ ሰው በቁሙ ይበለታል። ለእኛ ኢትዮጵያውያኖች ግን አሁንም አማራጭ መንገድ ነው። ሲኦል መሆኑ እየታወቀ እህትና ወንድሞች ወደ አረብ አገር ይተምማሉ። ኬንያን፣ ታንዛኒያን፣ ዛምቢያን፣ … አቆራርጠው ወደ ደቡብ አፍሪካ የሚጓዙ ቁጥራቸው ሲቀንስ አይታይም። በደቡብ አፍሪካ ወገኖች በእሳት ሲቃጠሉና በገጀራ ሲጨፈጨፉ ማየት ወደዚያ የሚደረገውን ጉዞ አልቀነሰውም። ለምን?
በቀይ ባህርና በሜዲትራንያን የሰመጡ ወገኖች መርዶ ሳያሰልስ ሌሎች መሰመጥ የመጨረሻ አማራጭ መሆኑን እያወቁ ይገቡበታል። ሊቢያ የታረዱትን ወገኖች እያዩ ሌሎች ወደ ሊቢያ ለማቅናት አያቀማሙም። ለምን? በኩባ ቪዛ ተነስተው መከራቸውን ለወራት በበረሃ የሚያሳልፉ ወገኖች ቁጥር … ስንቱ ይዘረዘራል? ኢትዮጵያውያኖች እንዲህ ያለውን መከራና አጥንት ዘልቆ የሚገባውን ሃዘን ሳይፈሩ ስደትን የመጨረሻ አማራጭ ያደረጉት ለምን ይሆን? ለገዢውም ሆነ ለተገዢው የሚቀርብ ጥያቄ ነው።   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more

May 2, 2016
“በሴትነቴ የደረሰብኝ በደል ቁስሉ ከኅሊናዬ ባይጠፋም ታሪኬ ተቀይሯል”
“ማከናውነው ሥራዬን ነው፤ሙገሳና ጭብጨባ ብዙም አልሻም”ኦባንግ

ሪኳንስትነግረኝ፣ለፍትህእንደምትመጥንአመንኩ” ኦባንግ 

“… የተረሳሁ ነበርኩ፡፡ የደረሰብኝ ግፍ ጠባሳ የሚያልፍ መስሎ አይታየኝም ነበር። ግን ብርሃን ሆነልኝ። በየትኛውም ወቅት ልረሳው የማልችለው ኦባንግ ሜቶ ችግሬን ዝቅ ብሎ አደመጠኝ። ና ባልኩት ቦታ ሁሉ ፈጥኖ እየደረሰ ፍትህ ደጅ እንድቆም ረዳኝ። ስለ እሱ ለመናገር ቃላቶች የሉኝም። ከሁለት ዓመት በፊት ያለመድሃኒት አልተኛም ነበር። ዛሬ መድሃኒት ከመቃም ተገላግያለሁ። በሴትነቴ የደረሰብኝ በደል ቁስሉ ከህሊናዬ ባይጠፋም ታሪኬ ተቀይሯል። … በየቦታው ፍትህ የተዛባባችሁ ወገኖቼ ዝም አትበሉ። ፍትህ በደጃችሁ ነው። ግን ተናገሩ። ሆን ብላችሁ ያላጠፋችሁት ጥፋት አያሳፍራችሁምና ራሳችሁን ከዝምታ ድባብ አላቅቁ…” ይህ ስሟ እንዳይነገር ከጠቀችው እህት አንደበት ነው።

“… እኔ የሰራሁት ሥራዬን ነው። ነገም የማከናውነው ሥራዬን ነው። ሙገሳና ጭብጨባ ብዙም አልሻም። ካለብን ችግር ብዛት የሰራነው ሥራ እዚህ ግባ የሚባል አይደለምና ይህንን ሰራሁ የማለት ልዩ ኩራት አይሰማኝም። ይልቁኑም ብዙ ጉድለቶች አሉብን። ፍትህ እንዲዛባብን ራሳችን በራሳችን የምንፈቅድበት አጋጣሚ እጅግ የበዛ መሆኑ ሁሌም ያሳዝነኛል። ለፍትህና ራስን ስለማክበር ያለን ጎዶሎ ነገር ራሱን የቻለ ትግል የሚጠይቅ ነው። ራሳቸውን ገልጠው የሚመጡ ወገኖችን መርዳት እርካታ እንዳለው እረዳለሁ…” አቶ ኦባንግ ሜቶ በበኩላቸው ይህን ይላሉ።   ሙሉውን አስነብበኝ / read more

April 26, 2016
Gambella Killings and Other Avoidable Ethiopian Tragedies 

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Putting humanity before ethnicity or other differences and caring about the freedom of others— for no one is free until all are free— could have created a different ending for each of the tragic stories affecting Ethiopians that have unfolded in the last weeks. These incidents did not have to happen, but in each case, could have been avoided or lessened in severity. Much of the pain, suffering, death and loss of countless people and their loved ones could have been avoided had those involved simply put these God-given principles into practice.  read ...

You are invited to the launching of the
Ethiopian Council for Reconciliation and Restorative Justice (ECRRJ)
HOW CAN ETHIOPIANS CROSS THE BRIDGE TO A MORE FREE, JUST AND RECONCILED ETHIOPIA FOR ALL?

Saturday, April 2, 2016 
1:00 to 5:00 PM
University of Minnesota – Minneapolis
Willey Hall Room 125 (West Bank; behind Mondale Hall)
225 19th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Nearest Parking: C86 Lot, 19th Ave. Ramp, or 21st Ave. Ramp

read more ...

ECRRJ Flyer

Read Details                      Download Flyer

March 26, 2016
ETHIOPIA: A COUNTRY WHERE INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS ARE OFFICIAL ENEMIES OF THE STATE

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Obang Metho

Most would agree that strong faith institutions, civic movements, and social organizations play a critically important role in healthy societies, but are often weak, highly controlled or missing in countries dominated by oppressive governments, like in Ethiopia. The TPLF/ERPDF also knows the emergence of strong, independent institutions is a threat to their hold on power as they can build unity when disunity is a favored means of divide and conquer policies. That unity can build a national effort to facilitate democratic development and a peaceful transition to a free and just nation for all; prerequisites to inclusive economic growth and development. They are key not only to a better future for all, but to the sustainability of that future.  read ...

You are invited to the launching of the
Ethiopian Council for Reconciliation and Restorative Justice (ECRRJ)
HOW CAN ETHIOPIANS CROSS THE BRIDGE TO A MORE FREE, JUST AND RECONCILED ETHIOPIA FOR ALL?
Saturday, April 2, 2016 
1:00 to 5:00 PM
University of Minnesota – Minneapolis
Willey Hall Room 125 (West Bank; behind Mondale Hall)
225 19th Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Nearest Parking: C86 Lot, 19th Ave. Ramp, or 21st Ave. Ramp

     read more ...  

     Download English Flyer


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      read more in Amharic...  

     Download Amharic Flyer

February 18, 2016
Representatives of Diverse Ethiopians formed: Ethiopian Council for Reconciliation and the Restorative of Justice (ECRRJ)

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On February 14, 2016, the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) announced the formation of the Ethiopian Council for Reconciliation and the Restorative of Justice (ECRRJ) at a public meeting held at the Sheraton Hotel in Silver Springs, Maryland. The Council’s formation was the outcome of a strategic planning retreat held over the course of three days previous to the meeting. Those attending the retreat were representatives of diverse Ethiopians. The ECRRJ is a people-to-people movement for healing, reconciliation and the restorative of justice in Ethiopia.       read...  

     

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Read in Amharic...

February 3, 2016
THE ONLY WAY TO END ESCALATING ETHNIC VIOLENCE IN GAMBELLA IS THROUGH GENUINE RECONCILIATION AND THE RESTORATION OF JUSTICE TO ALL
WILL THE GOVERNMENT OF ETHIOPIA HELP OR HINDER THE PROCESS?

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Over the last week, deadly violence between the Nuer and the Anuak of Gambella has broken out, resulting in the senseless loss of lives. It started as an argument between an Anuak and an Nuer, but it triggered ethnic tensions, which have now exploded into revenge killings, destruction and insecurity. 

Now, many are suffering as it has caused great distress, pain and sorrow to both the Anuak and the Nuer who have lost loved ones. We give our deepest sympathy for the loss of these precious lives to those families, friends and communities who are grieving their deaths. We also express concern for those who have been wounded and for countless others, both Nuer and Anuak, who are now living under great stress and hardship as they have fled their homes to find safety from the violence and conflict. We condemn all violence and call on all parties involved to immediately stop the killing and destruction so that peace might return to the people of Gambella.       read...        

Ethiopian People-to-People Forum
On Our Future 

Sunday, February 14, 2016, 
1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Sheraton Silver Spring Hotel 
 8777 Georgia Ave, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910 

   You are invited to attend an Ethiopian People-to-People Forum on Our Future on Sunday, February 14, 2016, sponsored by the SMNE. The focus will be how the SMNE could contribute to the resolution of the urgent issues in Ethiopia of injustice, mass protests accompanied by increasing violence, imminent famine with present food insecurity and the effect of these on the future stability of Ethiopia. What happens in the next weeks, months and year in Ethiopia and how it is addressed could make a huge difference to our future.  

At this forum, the SMNE will present a view based on core principles and values that must be at the foundation of a New Ethiopia where humanity comes before ethnicity or any other differences and where we care about each other as we care for ourselves because no one is free until all are free. All citizens must be treated as equal partners.   read...  

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January 1, 2016
New Year's Message from Obang Metho, Executive Director of the SMNE, to the Ethiopian people.

As we Ethiopians think of celebrating the New Year ahead, many of us look back to 2015 with much sadness in our hearts regarding the many struggles and losses we faced throughout the year. It was a year of difficulty from the start with the senseless deaths of countless Ethiopians, many of them young and at the peak of their lives.

Families are still grieving for their loved ones who should be with them now; but, instead, the blood of some of these young people is still fresh on the soil of our land. Since the beginning of November, an uprising of Oromo students, peacefully protesting the threatened displacement of tens of thousands of Oromo farmers as part of the Addis Ababa Master Plan, has led to the killing of more than 122 peaceful student protestors and to the arrest of ten thousand people by federal security forces under the command of the Central Committee of the Tigrayan Peoples’ Liberation Front, the power head of the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF.)      read...  

December 18, 2015
SMNE’s poem dedicated to healing, understanding, unity, peace and freedom.     read...  

December 15, 2015
Ethiopians Call on the Donor Countries and International Community to Break the Silence and Condemn the Killing of Unarmed Student Protestors

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Tensions have broken out in the Oromia region of Ethiopia in reaction to the Ethiopian government’s implementation of the Addis Ababa Master Plan, which will force Oromo farmers from their land, with little or no compensation. In response, over the last several weeks, thousands of young Oromo students across the region have held peaceful protests at university campuses; however, the authoritarian ethnic-apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF is panicking.

In historical fashion, they have brought out the guns. Already, some 60 students and other local people who have joined them, have been killed and 600 or more wounded. Such a strong-armed response is highly dangerous, especially in a country where discontent and outrage is already palpable on the streets. No avenues for political expression exist. The Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), controlled by its TPLF Central Committee of less than fifty people, dominates the coalition party of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), in power since 1991. It has become increasingly repressive. As some will know, the EPRDF claimed an absurd 100% victory in the May 2015 national election, ensuring that every seat in the Ethiopian Parliament is held by an EPRDF member. There is not a single opposition member in that position.     read...        

December 11, 2015
Let Us Take Warning: It is a Dangerous Time for Ethiopia

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On Wednesday, December 9, 2015 a group of courageous Oromo students from the Addis Ababa Science and Technology University made a strong statement of protest on behalf of Ethiopians at risk throughout the country!  

As planned in advance, these students arrived early at the school’s dining room. They took their food, sat down and then prayed together to God for their fallen brethren who had been killed and for the nation under attack. They then got up from their tables and left the food untouched; asking how they could eat while 15 million Ethiopians were at risk of starving in the coming months; while millions of farmers were losing their land; while thousands were in jail; and while tens were being killed for peacefully demanding their rights.      read...

 

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December 1, 2015
FAMINE, STARVATION AND DEATH IN ETHIOPIA RENAMED BY ITS GOVERNMENT AS “FOOD INSECURITY”

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According to some inside Ethiopia, NGO’s are being warned not to use the words “famine, starvation or death” in their food appeals. Neither are they to say that “children are dying on a daily basis,” or refer to “widespread famine” or say that “the policies of the government in Ethiopia are partially to blame.” Neither are they allowed to “compare the current crisis to the famine of the eighties.”  Instead, the latest drought in Ethiopia is to be described as “food insecurity caused by a drought related to El Nino.” 

Those not governed by these politically correct descriptions are saying it may be the worst drought in thirty years, similar to the famine of 1984-1985 that caused millions of deaths from starvation and triggered a world-wide response.     read...    

October 26, 2015
#IndiaAfrica: What Africa Expects Out of India
www.catchnews.com - Obang Metho
Africa and India are on the rise. It may be our time to look across the shared blue waters of the Indian Ocean to see the potential in the expansion of our historic ties, particularly in the area of trade. This is exactly the outcome Africans hope from the Third India-Africa Forum Summit being held this week.

Governments of 54 African countries are sending heads of state, ministry leaders and other representatives to participate. The African Union will be represented and there will be business leaders from across the continent.

We applaud this initiative and hope for its success in bringing greater economic growth and global integration to not only Africa, as recently expressed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, but to the people of India as well.     read...    

Open Letter to EY: “Is Misinformation from EY’s East Africa Management Office Blocking the People of Ethiopia from Economic Participation and Putting Foreign Investors in Ethiopia at Risk?”

“The people of Ethiopia are being bled dry. No matter how hard they try to fight their way out of absolute destitution and poverty, they will be swimming upstream against the current of illicit capital leakage.”

October 20, 2015

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The question addressed in the above title is a serious one for the people of Ethiopia as well as for EY and the clients you serve. We believe misinformation, skewed to the benefit of a few, is closely related to the continued poverty and oppression of most Ethiopians. We are not talking about robbing the rich to pay for the poor, but about a regime in Ethiopia with a verifiable history of robbing the poor of the few opportunities they have to work their way out of poverty so as to advance their own interests.
Right now, avenues typically available to hard-working people are solidly blocked by a minority ethnic and crony- based regime that is wildly and dangerously advancing only their own interests. Fewer than 6% of Ethiopians can participate. Working hard will not open the doors—only the proper ethnic and party connections.    read...

Testimony Before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Hearing on International Financial Institutions and Human Rights
Date: September 30, 2015
Given by: Mr. Obang O. Metho,
Executive Director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia

Mr. Chairman, I am not here as an expert, a scholar or researcher; but instead, I am here as a defender of human rights for human beings. I am the Executive Director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia, (SMNE) a social justice organization of diverse Ethiopians, which is based on the principles of “putting humanity before ethnicity or any other differences” and caring about the well being of others as we do about ourselves not only because it is right, but also because “none of us will be free until all are free.”   read...

HEARING on International Financial Institutions and Human Rights on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, Obang Metho to testify to members of the U.S Congress.      read...    

September 28, 2015
Think of us as a human family in a global community.

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Yerusalem Work

I will begin my speech with story of a man I met name Steve Abdullah. Steve was released from prison the day I met him in the metro. I wore hijab. He greeted me with “Assalamu alaikum.” Humbled I responded, “Walaikum as-salaam.” A delightful introduction. He asked everyone to help him pay for a meal, but his voice drowned out in the crowd of morning commuters.

I was on my way to DC to the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) office. The, SMNE, is a family. Everyone is welcome. Think of us as a human family in a global community. I sat next to two Ethiopian women new to the US. A young Muslim sister who had lived in Alexandria for one year and a Protestant Ethiopian Christian woman who had arrived two months ago. They were new to each other, their friendship only a week old, and already they supported each other in their job search. I gave them both my SMNE card and said we can help you get situated in this area to make it your home.      read...    

September 26, 2015
Human Rights for Human Beings - Mr. Obang Metho speaks to Ethiopian Muslims in Washington DC about the widespread human rights violations in Ethiopia and the need for justice, freedom, tolerance, mutual respect and human dignity.

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I would like to thank First Hijraha Foundation for inviting me to speak to you today on the very important topic of human rights. It is good to be here with all of you. I also thank you for this very nice and meaningful plaque First Hijraha Foundation, UEM-PMSG, Risala Intentional and Oromo Muslims Foundation have just given to me, acknowledging the work the SMNE has done for Ethiopian Muslims.

I am honored to receive it in behalf of the SMNE; however, I also believe we have only done our job. In speaking up for you and other Ethiopians who are suffering and at risk of abuses, we believe we are only assuming our God-given responsibility. This is at the heart of our mission. We hope this principle will permeate into the fabric of Ethiopian society so as to establish a culture of respect, care, and love that embraces all Ethiopians. 

When the Anuak, my own ethnic group, suffered horrific human rights abuses at the hand of the current ethnic apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF, we formed the Anuak Justice Council and initially spoke out for the Anuak, but early on, we learned of human rights abuses throughout the country.

When the same kinds of abuses were perpetrated against Ethiopian Muslims, we felt we had to speak out for you also. Eventually, we broadened our mission to all Ethiopians and beyond. I am glad you have been the beneficiary of that. This plaque is not only for me, but is also for others in the SMNE who have joined together to advocate for the human rights of others.     read...

September 3, 2015
Lingua Franca - Adopting a Common Language
By Yerusalem Work 

Ethiopians incorporate the concept of home in the naming of many public institutions. Bet is the Amharic word for house. A movie theater is called a cinema bet. You have an akim bet, a house of doctors. A mesaf bet, a house of books, is a library. Timirt bet is a house of education or school. From a young age, we're taught that home extends beyond sleeping quarters and includes more than our immediate family. At least, that logic is embedded in the Amharic language. Do we as Ethiopians really feel at home, especially around other Ethiopians?   read...

July 26, 2015
When Will the Human Tragedy of the African People End? Open Letter to President Obama

Dear Mr. President,

Seven years ago you stood before the parliament in Ghana and said, “I have the blood of Africa within me, and my family's own story encompasses both the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story.”
On July 28, you will be addressing the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. As you do, may I introduce you to another story, my own and that of the Anuak people of Ethiopia. I also have the blood of Africa within me; in fact, it is similar to your own. We Anuak are part of the larger family of Luo, Shilluk, Acholi, Pari and other people of the upper Nile. We are an ancient people, now mainly living in East African countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda, but some of our people are scattered all over Africa. Many of our names start with “O” like yours and mine. 

My story also encompasses the tragedies and triumphs of the larger African story, but the ending is still to be determined. The reason I am telling it at this time is because it presents a microcosm of what threatens the lives and futures of Africans. It begins in the remote region of Gambella of southwestern Ethiopia, located on the border of South Sudan. It involves a rich culture, a marginalized people, valuable land and resources and its exploitation by those in power. Much of what you may hear about Ethiopia may be heavily processed, like food that undermines your health. Some thrive on it while others are not satisfied until they have it in the “organic” state. If you are the latter, keep reading; if not, please forgo the rest of the story.   read...

July 24, 2015
Obama’s Emerging African Legacy: Will African Strongmen or the African People Benefit?

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This week US President Barack Obama will visit his father’s home country of Kenya, followed by Ethiopia, where he will address the African Union and meet with Ethiopian government leaders. The trip is garnering much attention among Africans, especially Ethiopians, who see his plans to meet with members of the current authoritarian government, in office for over 24 years, as a disturbing alignment with Ethiopia’s strongmen, contrary to his strong statements of the past on behalf of the people of Africa.  

In his famous speech to Ghana’s parliament in July 2009, Obama won the enthusiastic response of Africans when he said, “Make no mistake; history is on the side of these brave Africans, and not with those who use coups or change Constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” 

How will Obama live up to these statements in meetings with autocratic Ethiopian leaders who manipulate elections, the law and the Constitution to suit their needs or when he addresses the strongmen in the African Union? In the years 2015-2016, some thirty national elections will be held in Africa. Out of these, Nigeria may be one of few success stories where there was a peaceful transition between a sitting president and a newly elected leader.     read...

July 14, 2015
Journalists Released; Religious Leaders Convicted The Manipulation of Political Prisoners for Political Gain in Ethiopiat

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The Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia (SMNE) strongly condemns the recent verdict of the Ethiopian Federal High Court Fourth Criminal Bench concerning eighteen Ethiopians of Muslim faith who were found guilty on counts of attempted terrorism, conspiracy and incitement on July 6, 2015.  Those convicted include six members of the Ethiopian Muslims Arbitration Committee, eight scholars, two journalists, one artist and one student. They had been arrested in July 2012 related to their leadership roles in objecting to government interference in their internal religious affairs, in violation of Ethiopian law and the Constitution. This interference included at least three major complaints    read...

June 30, 2015
TPLF/EPRDF Makes a Mockery of Judges’ Decision to Release Semayawi Youth by Over-riding Court Verdict

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Not only are Ethiopian elections a farce—reconfirmed by recent regime claims of a 100% victory in the May 24, 2015 national elections—but so is the independence of the judicial system. This mockery of justice was shown when police re-arrested four young members of the Semayawi opposition party [Blue Party} after they were released from court. This happened not once, but three times, despite the fact they had already been freed each time by the court. They remain in jail as of today.     read...

June 17, 2015
Our Struggle for Justice, Freedom, Unity and Prosperity for All Will Not End by Killing and Arresting Our Heroes

We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia are deeply grieved at the murder of Samuel Aweke Alem, a charismatic and highly popular lawyer who recently ran as a Blue Party (Semayawi Party) candidate for parliament in the May 24, 2015 Ethiopian National Election—an election where the ruling and ethnic apartheid party has claimed all the votes so far. The prevalent belief is that he won; but, it is a victory that would never be tolerated or acknowledged by this ethnic apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF. Now, his refusal to give up the struggle for freedom and justice was also seen as a threat.

Two weeks before his death on June 3, 2015 he wrote the following on Facebook: “Any price I am going to pay is for my country and for freedom. I may be imprisoned, but my conscience will still be free. If they murder me I am passing this torch of struggle. Especially I am appealing to you – my contemporaries of this generation”.   read...

May 27, 2015
NEW OPPORTUNITIES POST-FAKE-ELECTION: IT IS THE PEOPLES’ TIME NOW

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The fake and unlawful election of May 24, 2015 is over in Ethiopia. No one is surprised with the sweeping victory of the incumbent regime, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), over the stifled opposition. Over the last five years, the EPRDF, which is mainly controlled by one ethnic group making up 6% of the population, the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF), has focused enormous efforts on closing all political space to any contenders. They are now claiming themselves the winners—by a landslide. Although the final “count” is not yet in; some early reports indicate the EPRDF has “won” every seat in parliament—a 100% victory. This highly unpopular regime has somehow managed to improve upon the results of 2010 when they received a mere 99.6% of the vote. What is surprising is their apparent lack of shame and embarrassment when everyone knows the results are blatantly false.     read...

May 12, 2015
AUTHORITARIAN ETHIOPIAN REGIME CADRES FORCE PEOPLE TO CAST OPEN BALLOTS IN ADVANCE OF ELECTION

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Washington, DC. The Ethiopian National Election is on May 24, 2015, less than two weeks away, but the authoritarian regime, under the control of the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) for the last 23 years, appears to be panicking. The political mood of the Ethiopian people is feistier than ever as they see the election to be a totally controlled process, hardly worthy of their participation. Yet, even despite the scrupulous closing down of all political space, the EPRDF is obviously still scared and has come up with a new plan to further protect themselves from the vote of the people, even while pretending otherwise. 

Regime cadres, all on salary, have been organized so that one cadre is responsible to ensure five people fall into line with the goals of the EPRDF. These cadres have been going to the homes of those people assigned to them with election ballots for the May 24th election. The people are told they must immediately cast their ballots and to stay home on Election Day. Reportedly, the ballots are not secret, but are collected by these agents who also write down their names. Anyone who refuses to cast their ballot or who tries to vote on Election Day will face serious consequences like the loss of jobs, opportunities, or other benefits. Some are threatened with punitive actions, which in this country might mean arrests, beatings or other abuse. With the full authority of the regime behind them, they are able to harass and intimidate these persons in order to achieve full compliance.    read...

April 25, 2015
A LETTER FROM OBANG METHO TO ETHIOPIAN RELIGIOUS LEADERS: AN URGENT CALL FOR PRAYER FOR OUR NATION

Dear Ethiopian religious leaders and members of the Ethiopian faith community,

I am coming to you as a human being and also as a believer in Jesus Christ. My appeal is not only for fellow Christians, even though it is a call for Christians to pray, but I also want it to apply to others for when we truly seek God, he will reward us.

Some religious leaders and people of faith will come as Christian believers, others as Muslims, still others as Jews. We may differ in our beliefs, but we share the truth that there is one God who created all human beings in His image. He gave each of us value and the free will to choose to love him with all our hearts, souls and strength. God told the people of Israel through Moses the following before entering the Promised Land. It gave the people a choice and we are faced with a similar choice today. He said:  “… I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. ” (Deuteronomy 30:19b-20a)    read...

April 21, 2015
“ETHIOPIA, A COUNTRY WITHOUT A GOVERNMENT”  THE PROTEST SLOGAN SHOUTED OUT BY ETHIOPIAN MOURNERS IN THE STREETS OF ADDIS ABABA TODAY FOLLOWING THE MASSACRE OF ETHIOPIAN CHRISTIANS IN LIBYA

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On Sunday, April 19th, the Islamic State (IS) released a video depicting the gruesome killing of Ethiopian Christians in Libya. It is said to have been carried out at two separate locations; one where they were shot in the head and the other where they were decapitated. It has been upsetting for anyone to see; however, it has been especially heart-rending to the people of Ethiopia. 

Mr. Obang Metho, the Executive Director of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia, is calling on Ethiopians from every ethnicity, religion, region and political viewpoint to come together in unity to mourn for these Ethiopians who have lost their lives and to find ways to protect the many others who remain in dangerous situations.    read...

April 4, 2015
SURPRISE RESULTS IN NIGERIAN ELECTIONS UNPRECEDENTED IN AFRICA AS PRESIDENT CONCEDES VICTORY TO OPPOSITION

Ethiopians, along with Africans all over the continent, are stunned! Out of 55 countries in Africa over the last 65 years, only five incumbent African leaders, according to one report, have ever conceded victory to a political opponent. That is why it took so many people by surprise this past week when Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who has been in office since 2010, conceded the 2015 election to the former Army General Mohammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.

We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia both salute and congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan for making a decision unique to the continent of Africa. In fact, the election board had not even announced the results when President Jonathan called President-elect Buhari to graciously concede his own defeat and to congratulate Buhari on his win.    read...

March 24, 2015
SECRETIVE AGREEMENT ON THE NILE BY POLITICALLY REPRESSIVE ETHIOPIAN REGIME ANOTHER TPLF GIVEAWAY TO WHAT BELONGS TO ETHIOPIANS!

(Geneva, Switzerland)-- On March 23, 2015, a Tripartite Summit on the Nile was held in Khartoum, Sudan, hosted by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, and attended by Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Sisi, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. As an outcome of that meeting, these three leaders will sign an agreement of Declaration of Principles on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which will later be presented to the Ethiopian Parliament for final approval. This agreement will include an impact study on the effects of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam—an electrical project located on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia—on countries downstream. The results of this study will further shape the outcome. 

Ethiopians have reason to worry, as the details are vague and open to interpretation. What will be signed away before really knowing the impact? What will be the potential affect on generations to come, not only of Ethiopians, but also South Sudanese, Sudanese, and Egyptians? Other people in riparian countries upstream from the north-flowing river could also end up being involved in some of the impacts.   read...

March 18, 2015
An Open Letter to U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, Members of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs

Thank you for the work you have done in standing up for human rights and the well being of the people of Africa. This hearing tomorrow March 18, 2015 on the subject: U.S. Election Support in Africa is another example of your ongoing interest in seeking information from experts regarding Africa to make it a more just environment for its people. Over the last ten years, I have had the privilege of working with you, your office and other members of the Subcommittee on Africa on behalf of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia as its executive director. 

As an organization, we are very concerned with the current deplorable lack of democratic and political rights across Africa that can create seeds of future instability, violence, and chaos; possibly creating a training ground for terrorist groups desperate for change or simply angry. In the year 2015, more than 27 elections will be held in African countries; yet, attributes of healthy democracies—free and fair elections, political space, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, the rule of law, an independent judiciary, transparency, accountability and democratic institutions—are all in serious decline in many of these same countries. This is an important fact to be considered by legislators in making decisions regarding U.S. involvement in these elections.  read...

March 1, 2015
WHAT WENT WRONG THAT WE OVERCAME A FOREIGN OPPRESSOR BUT HAVE REPEATEDLY FAILED TO OVERCOME INTERNAL OPPRESSION?

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What went wrong that we overcame a foreign oppressor but have repeatedly failed to overcome internal oppression? Later on we will talk about what we can do to achieve a more lasting victory. As I have previously stated, for Ethiopia to move forward, we must own the truth—which includes not only celebrating the proud moments of our history and learning lessons from it, but also accepting the bad and ugly parts so we might also learn from them. This must start by talking to each other rather than about each other—a way to bring reconciliation that will lead to greater unity.   read....

February 25, 2015
Post ADWA Victory: Can Ethiopians Own Their Part in Decolonizing Today's Ethiopia - Starting with Ethnic Apartheid?

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Ethiopia’s many committed journalists have been blocked at every turn from the free expression of ideas and information. The ethnic apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF sees them as a serious threat to their control of Ethiopia. As a result, they end up jailed or fleeing the country for safety. Of those Ethiopians who flee the country, some continue to fulfill their calling even with few resources, like you. All of us should appreciate and support these people who are not only focusing on their own personal lives, but who are trying to do something of service to the people.  read....

February 10, 2015
Thank You Letter to the Washington Post

Dear Editorial Board of the Washington Post,
We in the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia want to express our appreciation to the Editorial Board at the Washington Post for your excellent article entitled, “Ethiopia’s stifled press,” appearing on February 9, 2015. 

Ethiopi a is often overlooked by the mainstream United States and Western media. When it is covered, many seem to be blinded by the Ethiopian government’s political spinning and its creative use and/or fabrication of facts, indexes and indicators, a frustration among Ethiopians that makes your article all the more gratifying. In fact, we have already heard from many Ethiopians in Washington DC who are very encouraged by your forthright telling of the truth about Ethiopia, especially in light of the fact that the Washington Post is an important newspaper read by many policy makers. On behalf of the Ethiopian people whose voices have been silenced, we heartily thank you!    read...

An Open Letter to President Barack Obama, The alarming political conditions in Ethiopia that may threaten the future security and stability of this strategic country in the Horn of Africa

I am writing this to you on behalf of the Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia to alert you to the alarming political conditions in Ethiopia that may threaten the future security and stability of this strategic country in the Horn of Africa. Current United States policies that strongly support the Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) are being abused by this regime to undermine the democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people. As the EPRDF intensifies the crack down on the political and human rights of the people there is fear that some event may ignite the simmering tensions, causing them to explode into violence, killing and chaos.     read...

Video Release: part two of the recent SMNE FORUM SERIES II in Minnesota
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January 16, 2015
Should Ethiopians Boycott the Upcoming Fake Election in Ethiopia? More Crackdowns Lock Out Opposition Groups from Political Participation

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The Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia has no choice but to expose the duplicity and repression of choice in the upcoming Ethiopian National Election due to the dictatorial nature of the ethnic apartheid regime of the TPLF/EPRDF that has been in power for the last 24 years. The SMNE is a non-political, non-violent social justice movement that stands for the freedom, rights, and well being of all Ethiopians, regardless of ethnicity, political view, religion, regional background or other differences. We are very concerned about the future of the country.  Read.... (pdf)

Video Release: part one of the recent SMNE FORUM SERIES II in Minnesota
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Diverse Ethiopians in Minnesota find new and promising relationship as they step out of ethnic, religious, gender, and political boxes to embrace each other as valued human beings first.

What does it mean—in real life—to appreciate the common bond of humanity above ethnicity or any other distinctions? If you had attended the recent SMNE Forum in Minnesota on December 6, 2014 that brought diverse Ethiopians together to talk to each other rather than about each other you would have seen it in action. We give thanks to the people in the Twin Cities who have captured this vision and organized this meeting only two weeks after a similar event was held in Washington D.C. on November 15, 2014.

What made it so gratifying was to hear from such diverse Ethiopians—from different ethnicities, religions, regions, genders, backgrounds, and perspectives—as they presented their stories, ideas, and solutions to the problems facing Ethiopians. Speakers were from Oromia, Gambella, the Ogaden, and the Amhara region and included both men and women. Some were of different faiths—either Muslim or Christian. It was encouraging to witness the enthusiastic response of the audience and participants as each presenter spoke about the past, including grievances, as well as of the present and its challenges, and about our shared future. They all soon discovered the many similar commonalities between them.     read... (pdf)


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