Confusion over westerners missing in Ethiopia
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Also in the news:[Nation Celebrates Adowa Victory 111th Anniversary Today] - [Reuters: Blasts shake Somali capital Mogadishu ] - [AU chief supports press freedom]
International:
[Top Taliban official nabbed; Cheney visit one reason?] - [Swiss accidentally invade Liechtenstein] - [Prodi reconfirmed as Italian PM ] - [Verizon launches mobile TV service] and more of today's top stories!
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Donald N. Levine writes, "Those who would deny Ethiopia’s long existence as a multi-ethnic society must be embarrassed by the facts of the Adwa experience.
If the empire consisted of nothing but a congeries of separate tribal and regional groups, how then account for the courageous collaboration of 100,000 troops from dozens of ethnic groups from all parts of the country?
How then explain the spirited national patriotism of such diverse leaders as Ras Alula, Ras Mengesha, and Ras Sibhat of Tigray, Ras Gobena and Dejazmatch Balcha of the Mecha Oromo, Dejazmatch Bahta of Akale Guzae, Wag Shum Guangul of Lasta, Ras Mikael of Wollo, Negus Tekle-Haymanot of Gojjam, Ras Wole of the Yejju Oromo, Fitawrari Tekle of Wollega, Ras Mekonnen of Harer, as well as Ras Gebeyehu (who died fighting at Adwa) and Ras Abate of Shoa?" (More on the Battle of Adwa and its significance...)
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March 2 - worldwide candlelight vigil for prisoners of Conscience in Ethiopia
March 4 - Candlelight vigil in front of the White House
100,000 letters-in-ten-days campaign
Surely, by now you have heard of the 100,000 letters-in-10-days campaign, but have you participated yet? (More...)_____________________________________________________Ethiopia: Nation Celebrates Adowa Victory 111th Anniversary Today
The 111th anniversary of Adowa Victory in which Ethiopian patriots won decisively over an Italian army who invaded the country with a motive to colonize, is being celebrated colourfully today, the Association of Ancient Ethiopian Patriots said.
(Picture - King Menelik and his wife Empress Taitu) Here in Addis, the Victory will be celebrated at the Menelik II Square beginning at 8.00 a.m. with a joyous crowd coming together to pay homage to the galant patriots, who maintained Ethiopia's record as a nation never to have been colonized.
The Victory served as a great inspiration for Africans to stand up against colonialism.
According to a programme set by the Addis Ababa City Administration, the brass bands of the Ground Forces and the Federal Police played tunes befitting the Day marching the main streets of the city beginning at 4 pm yesterday.(More...)
Confusion over westerners missing in Ethiopia
There is confusion over the fate of some 15 foreigners whose reported kidnapping in Ethiopia sparked a flurry of diplomatic activity. The tourists include 11 French nationals and a number of Britons, several linked to the government and one said to be the wife of a senior UK official.
Ten of the missing are now reported to have been located after calling their tour operator in Addis Ababa. They said their satellite phone had not been working.
It had been claimed the westerners were seized a few days ago in the remote and inhospitable Afar region.(More...)
Also see:
-Fifteen foreigners feared kidnapped in Ethiopia
Reuters: Blasts shake Somali capital Mogadishu
MOGADISHU, March 2 (Reuters) - At least six explosions rocked the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Friday, witnesses said, a day after Ugandan peacekeepers started arriving in the lawless Horn of Africa country.
Witnesses said they heard mortar bombs being fired in the direction of the coastal city's port in a reminder of the formidable task awaiting the African Union (AU) mission intended to help Somalia's government pacify the anarchic country.(More...)
AU chief supports press freedom
A delegation of concerned press freedom Advocates flew to the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to meet the continental body's Chairperson, Alpha Oumar Konaré.Mr Konaré assured the delegation of his office's support for press freedom in the continent.
The trip was part of mechanisms being undertaken by freedom of expression organisations in Africa to correct repressions on journalists in most African countries, particularly in Eritrea, Gambia, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia.
The delegation comprised of officials of The African Editors' Forum (TAEF) and the Network of African Freedom of Expression (NAFEO). It was led by the TAEF President, Mathatha Tsedu of South Africa. Other members include Macharia Gaitho, Emrakeb Assefa and Saidou Arji of Kenya, from Ethiopia and Ghana, respectively.(More...)
Champions League preview
St George of Ethiopia and Desportivo Maputo of Mozambique progressed when their respective opponents withdrew
African Champions Ahly begin the defence of their title in Bulawayo on Sunday when they take on the champions of Zimbabwe, Highlanders. Ahly, recent winners of the African Super Cup, were among six sides given a bye to the second round.
They will play their first match without midfielders Mohamed Barakat and Mohamed Aboutrika who are both injured. Tunisia's Etoile du Sahel, Morocco's RAF Rabat and Ivorian champions Asec Mimosas.(More...)
Today's Top Stories
-Morocco's King pardoned 9,000 prisoners to mark the birth of his daughter-Top Taliban official nabbed; Cheney visit one reason?
-20 dead as tornadoes hit Midwest, Southest
-Swiss accidentally invade Liechtenstein (What began as a routine training exercise almost ended in an embarrassing diplomatic incident)
-Prodi reconfirmed as Italian PM
-Danish police expect more clashes (Police in Denmark are braced for more violence after the eviction of squatters from a youth centre in the capital Copenhagen)
-Verizon launches mobile TV service
-Prisoner caught with grenade where?
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