Contagious frenzy

(By Sintayehu Tefera, Ethiopian Politics Contributor)

In the movie “men in black” Tommy Lee Jones’s character states that a “person is smart; but People are dumb, panicky and stupid”.


How true! remember a time (in Addis) when people were convinced the almighty has deemed it necessary to leave a single strand of eyelash hair in all the Amharic Bibles? It was to be found between the books of St. Mathew and St. Mark, THIS it was rumored was a test of devotion. It would only appear to devout christians .Others who were not holy enough to find it were advised to start the “tsom ina tselot” right away, or prepare for eternal fire by moving to Aseb where it is a 110 degrees year round. (Aseb was part of Ethiopia then). YA, LAUGH NOW ……….BUT YOU KNOW YOU TRIED YOUR DAMNDEST TO FIND IT!

How about the time when some “FOGGARI” started a rumor about a house belonging to the German consulate (on bole road). This “FOGGARI”, alleged that the house was a popular hangout place for Lucifer and his cohorts. Their hobbies included sacrificing children, burning the bible and chanting in their (evil) language (SIEG HEIL!...sooo sorry). Anyways, within days this rumor spread through out Addis like wild fire. Mr. Funfoughtflouter (we took some liberty with the name) who was the unfortunate owner of the house and his terrified wife, were chase away by an indignant and infuriated mob. Priests armed with holy water and crosses were present in the crowd, ready to attack in the event the devil dared reveal his nasty self.

(Sen.Joseph McCarthy a name synonymous with mass hysteria)

Why bring up all this you ask?

The pressure for CUD executives to take an IMMEDIATE ACTION regarding PM Meles’s refusal to accept most of their demands seems to be gathering MOMENTUM….YUP the same kind of panicky mass momentum we talked about earlier……… Rumors are starting to circulate…..YEEHEY SEWYE SHETON LITTEFA NEEW HASABU!…….YA SEWIYEKO DIROM YENESU CADRE NEBER!…..AYIREBAM! ALALKUSHIM, DIRRO NEW YALKUT AYREBAM YIHE SEWIYE….. …etc…

It is obvious this has started to affect the organization. Seems like NOW every day some CUD official, worried about loosing public support, is defending CUD’s silence on any media outlet available. This has become such a nuisance to them that yesterday the main dude himself… EL presidente!… (Engineer Hailu).. had to come to the rescue.

So, …Our humble advice
To the…..

PUBLIC- - know that you are dumb…. (We mean that in a good way)

PERSON – these are hard times with very hard questions……to come up with a good solution, time is needed.


CUD - Chill baby……..take your time……………we got your back!

lieutenant Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam Interview

A 2001 Interview with Former President, Colonel Mengistu Hailemariam, from his exile in Zimbabwe.

Emerging through violence as preeminent military ruler by 1977, he sought Soviet aid, established a socialist People's Republic and fought off Somali incursions and Eritrean rebels. During much of this period, the country was led by the Mengistu-allied Workers' Party of Ethiopia.

Mengistu’s seventeen years in power were witness to numerous human rights violations: the murder of around sixty leading figures in the Emperor’s inner circle in 1974, the execution of hundreds of young people just before the first of May festivities in 1975 and 1976, the “Red Terror” campaign of the years 1977-1979 during which thousands of opponents to the regime were murdered and the forced displacement of thousands of farmers in the eighties.

Here he defends his 17-year rule in a rare interview. Speaking from Zimbabwe where he is in exile, syas that his regime had come to power by popular revolution.

Col. Mengistu's interview Part 1

Col. Mengistu's interview Part 2

Col. Mengistu's interview Part 3

Col. Mengistu's interview Part 4

Final Part of Col. Mengistu's interview


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Exclusive pictures from our sources in N.C

This is a rare glance into the private life of Prime Minister Meles.
Of course most Ethiopians have never seen MRS. Zenawi. well, Here she is!

Political Strategy

(By Sintayehu Tefera, Ethiopian Politics Contributor)

At the moment, the CUD is at a crucial point in its existence. As is the case with every decision, there is a potential for a great failure or a resounding success. Uniting the country and rallying its supporters should be the number one priority. The following suggestions outlined, may have a positive effect in regards to the ongoing struggle.

1) CUD should call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, WITH a very special emphasis on MR. Siye Abrha and other EX- EPRDF members who are currently imprisoned.

2) In the event that a mass strike is needed, CUD should start the grounds work to enable people in the rural areas to participate in this strike and, in addition, implement a support system where by people that make their living paycheck to paycheck could be provided for and maintained by willing and able supporters.

3) International media has a very short attention span, by strategically utilizing supporters outside the country, CUD has to try and keep the struggle for democracy in the forefront by captivating the world’s interest.