News Updates

11/15/2005: US State Dept. issues travel warning to U.S. citizens traveling to Ethiopia

11/15/2005: Why does England's PM Tony Blair support Ethiopia's brutal regime?

11/15/2005: Political storm sweeps away much of the privately-owned press
11/14/2005: Donors concerned over political unrest
11/14/2005: Ethiopia's capital, once promising, finds itself in crisis
11/11/2005: Ethiopia police arrests 40 opposition CUD members
11/11/2005: Former Top American Official Criticizes Ethiopian Government
11/11/2005: Regimes Which Stay Too Long in Power Face Bitter Opposition
11/9/2005: U.S. Lawmakers React to Ethiopia Violence
11/9/2005: U.S. Again Condemns Situation in Ethiopia
11/9/2005: Violence in Ethiopia leaves Britain facing aid dilemma
11/8/2005: Ethiopia's journalists and opposition members gone into hiding
11/4/2005 Ethiopia: Uneasy Calm Returns to Addis Ababa After Riots
11/4/2005 Updated pictures of killings, the dead and wounded by Federal Police
11/4/2005 ETHIOPIA: Death toll at 33 on third day of violence in capital
11/4/2005 Ethiopia unrest spreads, TV says four dead
11/3/2005 Rebels, Riots and Resumption of War
11/2/2005 At least 33 people during second day of protests in Ethiopia Read Full Story:
((9-21-05) ONC Claims New Board Members: Others challenge this.
(9-16-05) State Department's statement on the Ethiopian Election.
Ethiopia 2005 National Elections: Final Statement of The Carter Center.
Press Release - Post-Election Repression in Oromia.
Human Rights Watch says fertilizer used as a political weapon against Oromo farmers.
PM Meles says "..this probaly is my last term".
OLF spokesman denied official contact by Ethiopian Government.
Ethiopian PM reaches out to Oromos
Former Ambassador Herman Cohen comments on the Ethiopian Elections (8-27-05). Listen to Ambassador Cohen.
USA calls for formation of unity government in Ethiopia. For more, click >> here.
VOA Interview with Oromo National Congress Officers - Part 1 & Part 2.
August 31-05: Wafido supporters are being harassed by OPDO. For more details click here.
VOA report on the 2005 Conference of the Oromo Studies Association in Washington DC.
NEW)August 26, 2005 - Ethiopia Elections Concern EU Official
By ANTHONY MITCHELL
Associated Press Writer
Key aspects of Ethiopia's parliamentary elections failed to meet international standards, the European Union's chief observer said Thursday.
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(NEW)August 25, 2005 - EU says Ethiopian poll not up to standard
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The European Union said on Thursday that Ethiopia's disputed May 15 elections did not meet international standards in several key respects, including post-vote investigations into fraud.
Read Full Story: Click here
(NEW)August 192005 - Election turmoil in Ethiopia
Anthony Mitchell
Addis Ababa - Ethiopia's main opposition parties filed for an injunction on Friday to prevent reruns of elections in 31 constituencies, demanding more information from the national electoral board about why they were taking place, said an opposition leader.
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(NEW)August 18, 2005 - Congressman Completes Visit to Ethiopia, Travels to Sudan
Representative Chris Smith meets with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles
By Jim Fisher-Thompson
Washington -- U.S. House of Representatives Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith (Republican of New Jersey) wrapped up a four-day official visit to Ethiopia August 17, urging Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to launch an investigation as soon as possible into post-electoral violence, and later visiting a clinic dedicated to women's health.
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August 16, 2005 - Legality and justice in the election standoff in Ethiopia. To read click here
August 15, 2005 - OFDM to take up 23 seats secured in elections. To read click here
August 11, 2005 - American Human Rights Activist To Visit Ethiopia, Sudan U.S. Representative Chris Smith comments on August 14-20 trip. To read click here
Press Release of Oromo Community in Minnesota on the current conditions in Oromia. >>listen
July 13- Ex-president Dr. Nagaso Gidaadaa's interview with VOA on the post-election challenge to Oromo parties.
Ethiopia drops post-election demo ban
Thursday July 14th, 2005 20:21
ADDIS ABABA, July 14 (AFP) -- Ethiopia on Thursday dropped a ban on post-election demonstrations in Addis Ababa imposed after disputed May polls and renewed following clashes in the capital as a rights group said the death toll from the violence stood at 40.

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ANALYSIS-African giant Ethiopia frets over poll uncertainty
July 14, 2005 10:03:18 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Katie Nguyen
ADDIS ABABA, July 14 (Reuters) - Post-election Ethiopia stands on the threshold of a new political era, but many in this giant African country are uncertain whether the future is one of more democracy or increasing authoritarian rule.
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Ethiopia plans to lift protest ban this week
July 13,2005 16:56:03 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Amber Henshaw
ADDIS ABABA, July 13 (Reuters) - Ethiopia will lift a ban on demonstrations in Addis Ababa this week because "emotions have run out of steam" following bloody post-election protests, the government said on Wednesday.
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Ethiopian poll clashes: 40 dead
July 14, 2005 11:10 - (SA)
Addis Ababa - At least 40 people were killed and 74 others shot and wounded by police in post-election violence in Ethiopia last month while another 17 remain unaccounted for, a local human rights group said on Thursday.
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July 11, 2005: EU urges Ethiopian Gov't, NEB to respect the rule of the game. Read Full Story
July 8, 2005: European Parliament resolution on the situation in Ethiopia. Read Full Story:
July 8 - Five Oromo parties merged and formed Front for the Forces of Oromo Struggle (FFOS). To listen click >>here. To read, click >>here.
June 21 & 22 - Interview with President of Oromiyaa on the reconfirmation of Finfinnee as the capital city of Oromiyaa. Part 1 & part 2.
June 16 - Summary of the conference on the 2005 election in Ethiopia.
The June 10 Joint declaration of UEDF, CUD and EPRDF.
Reflection with Mr. Masala Ijeetaa on the current situation in Ethiopia (Oromo Community radio of Minnesota - USA)
June 15 - USA is to revisit its policy on Ethiopia.
June 15 - Prof. Maraa Gudinaa and Mr. Simion Bereket on the slaughter of elected member of ONC (Oromo national Congress) and long time member of ONC. Both ONC members were shot dead by the police.
June 14 - EU and USA expressed serious concern on post-election acts of the Ethiopia government.
June 12 - Statement of USA Embassy in Finfinnee.
June 11 - Chief Administrator of Oromia says decision to move capital city based on study. >> More
June 10 - Updates on situations in Finfinnee. More
Jun 10 - OFDM urges supporters to shun illegal activities, await election results patiently.
OPDO officially moved capital city of Oromia to Finfinnee. Listen to OPDO's statement.
June 10 - Statement David Jackson: VOA Director on the revocation of credentials of VOA reporters from Finfinnee.
June 9 - International communities condemned government’s heavy handed crack down on peaceful demonstrators.
June 8 - 20 killed and hundreds wounded by bullets fired by government security forces in Finfinnee.
June 6 - Finfinnee university students protest against intimidation of the government on opposition parties. More details from VOA in Amharic.
June 3 - May 15 Election-related views of VOA listners.
June 3 - CUD complains of intimidation by the Ethiopian giovernment.
June 2 - Unseated President of Oromiyaa is not prepared to handover power by election.
June 2 - Oromos in Atlanata demonstrated against systematic intimidation by the Ethiopian government.
June 1 - Mr. Leencoo Lataa on May 15 election in two parts: part 1 & part 2
June 1 - OPDO's denial of Wafido's complaints.
May 30 - Election irregularities: rigging, pre-checked cards, armed government personnel bitting people for voting for Wafido in Jima area.
May 27 - OPDO imprisoned a horse and opposition party members.
May 26 - EU Press Release on Post Election practices of the government.
May 26 Oromos who voted for Wafido are being denied access to health service.
May 25 - Oromos who out voted OPDO denied access to market.
May 24: Post election harrasement of ONC associates continued
May 23 - Post election harrasement of ONC associates.
May 20 - Election: Intimidation in Shashamannee.
May 19 - Additional election Fraud in Oromiyaa.
May 18 - Comments of Mr. Bulchaa (Wafido) and Professor Mararaa Giddinaa (ONC).
Issues and Concerns about the 2005 election.
Ethiopia: Political Dissent Quashed.
May 17 - Intimidation on ONC supporters and observers.
May 17 - Reaction to Ex. President Carter's comments.
May 16 - Comment on the state of emergency issued by PM Meles Zenawi.
May 16 - Comment on Election (2005) in Western Oromiyaa.
May 15 - BBC with Mrs. Gomez (of EU) on 2005 election.
Ethiopia Polls "Hollow Exercise" in Democracy, Report States.
OPDO "on the Ropes"
Election News from International Sources
Interview of Addis Reporter with Mr. Bulchaa Dammaqsaa (Source: ww.gada.com)

Sources of the audio materials on this page are from VOA and Oromo Community radio of Washington DC.

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Wafido Chairman denied permission to debate in Afaan Oromoo. To listen to audio report in Afaan Oromoo, click here