One of the known distractive behaviors in a human psyche is denial. Experts tell us a person who accepted a weakness tend to fix it faster and better than those who are struggling to concede the problem to begin with. This same behavior can manifest itself in group thinking, the way companies run or the way countries governed. Think for example the way the housing industry crushed in the beginning of the great recession. We all remember how it was announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, yet the biggest mortgage companies still airing their toxic loan advertisements in the television. Denial my friends, is a bitch!

I remember about the same denial when I read and see news from back home. How government of Ethiopia and fans like to get high in the news of “success story” “10 percent growth” “middle class country in 20 years” and so on. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong in wishing to be the best and striving to change the narrative. The problem is, Ethiopian government and supporters, only like to see the rosy image and totally deny the problem. Remember, denial is a bitch.

Allow me to explain. You remember the scene from the movie “Titanic” how calm and beautiful the ship was while the rich guests mingle with a heavenly sound of a classical piano and fine wine. The most complicated and state-of-the-art ship ever built by mankind carrying rich Europeans and poor servants in its belly. The perfect example of gilded age (the late 19th century, from the 1870s to about 1900. Which satirized an era of serious social problems masked by a thin gold gilding) about to come crushing. Then go back and see the scene where the ship was sinking taking all with it, indiscriminatingly, the bubble bursting in the middle of the dark ocean. Sad end of a world of greed and denial. For the riches on the top floor the world they were enjoying was “success story” but for the servants and maids in the bottom belly of the ship, the world was “unfair” “biased” and “not worth living”. Same people, same place, different feeling about their life. Yet, all died dreading each other.

This is the same thing I am seeing in today’s Ethiopia. Few Ethiopians are accomplishing the impossible. Building multiple buildings, buying shares in big companies, Everything they do succeeds. “ I was broke ten years ago, then I started investing in housing and now, I own a big company” said an investor in todays Ethiopia while explaining his riches in an interview. This same guy who was broke decade ago now owns multiple companies and he thinks people in Ethiopia will able to invest in his million birr apartments because all he know and see is success. His optimism and drive is infectious only if it is not denial and phony. His success is phony because his riches come from a looted land from poor farmers. His success is phony because the people that are able to invest in his business did not work for their money yet get it just like him by looting others. His building and villas are bubbles because the land that he is selling for $10000 per square feet was taken from a farmer for $4 per square feet and even that sometimes not paid right to the farmers. (if you don’t trust me listen to Abay Tsehaye at 15:15min mark). This is not to say there are no hard working honest and law abiding investors in Ethiopia. In a positive light, those who worked hard, and invested their hard earned money are known by all Ethiopians. Their money and how they got it, is known by all. Yet the one I am talking about are those that just pop up and buy everything. The “tarike Bachiruwoch”

Now let’s see how the other Ethiopian live. Ethiopians from North to South, East to West, regardless of where they are, what ethnicity they belong to, As long as they are not the part of the political elite or local one-to-five cadres or lower rank spies and sympathizers, they all identify with the victim category. The category of tens of millions with food shortage and farmers that are kicked out of their land, the civil servant boxed in the cubicle of bureaucracy and the silent majority that eat once a day. Those who are day laborers, shoeshine boys, snack vendors, and beggars. They eat gursha, handfuls of restaurant leftovers served from plastic bags. Families go for dumpster diving to feed their kids and once landowners now they are gate keepers and servants. Just like the servants in the bottom belly of Titanic, they too see the system as  “unfair” “biased” and “not worth living”.

So the blatant denial of Ethiopian government and supporters is only a remedy for the race to the bottom. It is a race to a bottom to not address the legitimate question of Oromo protesters and shoot and kill unarmed students and children. It is a race to the bottom to point finger on each other rather than taking responsibility and deal with the consequences. It is a race to the bottom to deny about corrupted officials when we are witness villas owned by officials in the middle of the city while millions starve. It is a race to a bottom not to properly acknowledge the downward trajectory of the country and buy the success story while the blood on street is still fresh and the children belly left empty.

It is only denial that make a government to brag about economical growth in the same press release while the next topic is asking aid for tens of millions starving. It is only denial to claim protesters are terrorist in the same interview where an official acknowledge theft and corruption by government officials justifying the protestors. It is only denial to say “Oromo people know who stole from him” while the glaring buildings and sprawling farms hold their name and titles in public. I tell you denial is a bitch.

Armed with denial, soon we all crash to the bottom of the ocean like Titanic, or we can face up to our problem and change our future together. The answer is in our hand.

This morning I watched an impressive result by our Ethiopian man and women runners in 2016 Dubai Marathon. Our athletes scored impressive almost all Ethiopian result from one to ten (the only mix up was an athlete from Ethiopia that no longer run for us) and two  Kenyan brothers.  This amazing record and result chart remind me a painful not-so-impressive record of Ethiopian government. The list of Oromo protesters shot by Ethiopian security forces in the past 30 days. 140 plus to be exact.

Yes our golden men and women bring pride and put gold in the neck of our country and the government pays them back  by putting bronze ammo’s in the brains of students and farmers.

This is not a time to celebrate, it is time to reflect.

Congratulations to our athletes, even in this bitter time, your contribution and effort is always appreciated!

In the middle of the Oromo Protest, a seemingly confused spokesperson of Ethiopian government, Getachew Reda, sat with ETV’s Tefera Gedamu to discuss the ongoing protest and the response of the government. In an effort to describe what unfolded and identify parties responsible, he said “Students have a genuine reason to protest and by doing so they are exercising their constitutional right but some political parties here and abroad….came together and try to exploit the situation , exploited the confusion. The violence they introduced to the picture simply meant that, apart from student protesting in this localities, was absolutely uncontrollable largely armed gangs terrorizing the public”

Now look at the photo below and here is why it matters. It matters because it exposes the true actions of the government when it comes to the Oromo Protest. Here are three reason why?

Reason one: Constitutional right to protest

The constitutional right to protest mostly not allowed in Ethiopia especially if it is not pro-government. Even in some of the pro-government rallies, voices of dissent was not tolerated. If the protesting students are being model citizens as the spokesperson tells us, why are they being kicked and terrorized by the security forces. Carefully look at the photo. This photo was taken in Dadar, East Hararge. The three kids sitting are student with their school uniforms and books at hand being kicked by government special forces. This is the situation in Oromia, Ethiopia today and the international community is mostly silent.

Reason two: Violence related to the protests

The most violence we witnessed in the protests came from the government security forces and to this day, the government, which controls the entire media outlet in Ethiopia failed to proof its case. Yet armed with cell phones and social media, we now know and  witnessed the incredible cruelty of government special forces towards the student protesters. Dead children, lifeless bodies, tortured prisoners, terrorized campus buildings and illegal arrested political leaders and the list goes on…

Reason three: Armed gangs terrorizing the public

Unless the spokesperson was talking about the government’s special forces, which are armed and terrorizing the students in the picture, the protesters are simply students, farmers and civil servants. It is a common practice for the Ethiopian government officials to create a point of fear to the their western friend by dropping words like “terrorist” “armed gangs” “foreign elements’ to cast a shadow of doubt on what is clearly a movement by ordinary folks to peacefully protest what they considered a flawed system. The Addis Ababa Master Plan.

Sometimes, a picture worth a thousand words!

According to the United Nations Charter, the first article of the first chapter states the Purposes of the United Nations as :

“To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.”  

The importance of United Nations is so vital to the world peace and to create a plain level field between countries regardless of their power or wealth is what makes me a big fan of it. The United Nations plays an important role in children health, education, refugees protection and so many other crucial services that I can’t able to cover in one blog post. Yet, more than any other services, as stated in the first article of the first charter, peace keeping and international justice is the main reason and work of the United Nations.

That is why I get disappointed and wonder if the United Nations treats its members equally when I see disparities in their response to different casualties around the world.

Take for example the urgency and response given to the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris. The United Nations secretary General Ban Ki Moon gave a needed a well deserved response the the tragic event the same day. He said ““I am appalled and deeply shocked by the attack against Charlie Hebdo in Paris this morning,” Mr. Ban said. “This act of violence can in no way be justified. This is an attack against freedom of expression and freedom of the press – the two pillars of democracy.”  The response and urgency given to Paris was well deserved and I applaud the UN for standing with France in the time of national mourning.

Today, the UN Spokesperson was asked by the Inner City Press (ICP) journalist about the Oromo protest in Ethiopia. The journalist said” Is the United Nations aware of a pretty detail reporting of protest in Oromia, Protesting what is called a seizure of their land , people say 140 people are killed. Given the UN had an office in Addis Ababa, do you have a knowledge of these killings?

The UN spokesperson replied “I don’t have anything with me here, but I will check”

I am sure at this point our mind rushes to find an answer why the UN might not have a clue about Ethiopia versus France. But that is the point.

International peace and security have to be just that, international peace and security regardless of where it happens. Prevention and removal of peace also means intervening into domestic politics when children and students are being killed by their own government. Especially when the government we are talking about is campaigning to earn a seat in the security council of the United Nations. Conformity with the principles of Justice and international law means respecting the human rights where ever in the globe the person lived.

Yet the special attention some countries get from UN officials makes me wonder if the name of the organization is United Nations or Unique Nations?

Sunday, January 10, 2016 was ordinary Sunday in Ethiopia. Most are resting from a long work week, visiting families, catching up with friends. For some, since this was a wedding season, they are preparing to attend wedding of family or friend. This same Sunday two grooms are preparing to wed their loved ones, hundreds of miles apart.

The first groom was Abel Tesfaye, he was preparing to marry his lover, Dr. Sosina Haile Mariam at the Apostolic Church of Ethiopia in the capitol Addis Ababa. This wedding was all over the news since it was the first official wedding that will take place in the National Palace of Ethiopia. Since his soon to be wife was the daughter of the Prime Minster of Ethiopia Haile Mariam Desalegn and w/o Roman Tesfaye. I am sure the wedding was special to the PM and his family since there is nothing more important and moving than giving the hand of his daughter in marriage. The videos that was released from the church was very nice and moving. Congratulation is in order to the Prime Minster and his family. I am sure Groom number one, Abel Tesfaye, will continue to live happily ever after with his beloved wife Dr. Sosina Haile Mariam. With God’s will they will have kids and make the PM a proud Grand father.

The second Groom was teacher Fitsum Abate of Gurissa, Illibabour at Oromia region. He was preparing to marry his lover Frehiwot Belete. According to the reports from different media outlets, the night before, Ethiopian Security forces show up in his place and knock on his door. He opened the door only to be met with a barrage of bullets which hit him in his head. The day that was suppose to be the happiest of his life, Fitsum spend the night in Metu hospital in life support. The day of his wedding he was taken to the capital to get a better treatment and as the reports show he is in critical condition at Tikur Anbessa Hospital.

Here is where the story meets. In early December, a protest started in a city of Ginchi, because of the government’s plan of expanding Addis Ababa’s territory into Oromia administered areas. In the effort to stop a private company’s bulldozers from destroying a Chilimo forest, residents of Ginchi started protesting and the government starting shooting innocent protesters. Most young students and some children laid dead in the streets. The protest erupted throughout Oromia and in an effort to squash the movement the Government set up command posts and dispatched a brutal Agazi brigade which escalates the number of dead quickly. As of today, 140 plus dead, 2000 plus injured and 35000 imprisoned.

At this point, the father of bride number one, the Prime Minster gave a TV interview and we all hoped for a comment of reason to stop the senseless killing and move the country to healthier atmosphere and we were shocked and disappointed to hear his angry comments and his regrets for the destruction of property before life. He said “For the people that involved in the protest in destruction of property, we will take action against them without any mercy”.  Most of us know really well what comments like this mean. The mass arrest of protesters and opposition political leaders like Bekele Gerba continued and the number of dead escalated right away. The PM’s comment meant the green light to hunt and kill what the government believes to be anti-government without any due-process. It meant a green light to harass one in his or her home and shoot them. It meant a green light to shoot groom number two, teacher Fitsum Abate just because the security forces suspected him or not. Don’t hold your breath to see if justice will be served for Fitsum, it is not. He just end up being another person without a voice in his own country.

From the wedding video of the PM’s daughter, I can’t help it but see the emotions of the Prime Minster while he was reading the scripture. He was wiping his eyes with emotions of happiness and I hope he know there are thousands of other parents wiping their eyes too but only in misery and sadness. I hope he knows he and his administrations actions unleashed misery on thousands of families and the only way they remember their kids is by small plot in a nameless graveyard due to the bullets of blood hungry butchers. I hope every time he cherish his family, he remembers, those mothers and fathers and their pain.

The story of the two grooms is a perfect face of today’s Ethiopia. The land of so many struggling families and few completely out-of-touch supporters. The land of the exiled, tortured, imprisoned masses and few greedy millionaires that can loot, steal, lie and prosper without consequences. The land of tens of millions starving and few living in their villas crying foul. 

This is the end of the tale of the two grooms and I hope we will have a country where the two grooms live happily ever after. Hope both families cry the tear of joy and be able to hug their kids and grand kids. I hope we will have a country where the rule of law prevails. I hope and pray!

Discussing politics with friends and social gatherings is such a roller coaster ride. There is no warning what kind of ideas you going to hear. Constructive, impressive, misguided, flat out crazy and “OMG! what the hell they talking about” are some of the way I characterize them. This is not to say my idea and points are better and I am sure the recipient of my comments can also use the same categories about my comment.

One of “OMG! what the hell they talking about” comment I heard in one of my discussion was “if the fascist Italians stayed longer than 5 years in Ethiopia, they might build better infrastructures for us” I kid you not, when I heard this comment uttered by a person of Ethiopian origin, I felt so sick and disappointed I was about to throw up. I asked myself, did this person know what it means to be colonized? the pain, abuse of human right, being downgraded to subhuman and dealing with aftermath even after hundreds of years? did this person understand, with all the lack of infrastructures, the only reason Ethiopians walk with there heads up is because of freedom our forefathers died for. In any case, after a heated discussion, I find out this believe is shared with others too. The idea of some foreign element to rescue us from our “uncivilized” life and  save the day. Even if their definition of civilization is servitude and being second citizen in our own land.

Well, my friends, it seems to me the same people with the “OMG what the hell they talking about” idea is running the country as we speak. Let me explain.

Meet Karuturi Ltd, Bangalore-based Karuturi Global Ltd, founded by Sai Ramakrishna Karuturi, is the worlds largest producer of cut flowers. Ethiopia and Karuturi signed an agreement in November 2010 for a long-term lease on 11,000 ha (27181 acres) in the Oromia Region and a 50-year lease on 100,000 ha (247000 acres) in the Gambela Region, with an option for another 200,000 ha (494000 acres) if the company completed the project within two years. Besides being known as a iconic landgrabber, Karuturi Ltd is known for its inhumane treatment of its employees. In Kenya, according to farmlandgrab.org, “workers have been living in inhumane conditions without pay, water or electricity since months. In the last six months, their medical services have been shut down and the school for their children has been closed. On top of this, Karuturi owes the Kenyan government millions of US dollars in unpaid taxes that it hid through doctored invoices and transfer pricing.” Later, On April 22nd, 2013, the Kenyan government found Karuturi guilty of tax evasion for nearly $11 million.

This is a company Ethiopian leaders invited to produce food in Gamblla region. According to report by the human rights organization the Oakland Institute, more than 70,000 families are forcefully moved from their ancestral land by the Ethiopian government “villagization’ program to make way for Karuturi Ltd. The report clearly shows some of the sufferings by the local and how the staff of Karuturi call locals “non-people”

This year, Ethiopian Government find out the company only used 5% of the land its given and the government took 98000 ha (242000 acres) from the company. The CEO of the company said, he will sue the Ethiopian government in international court and bragged about his close ties with the Prime Minsters office in the interview he gave the reporter newspaper. What is not clear is what the government do with the land it acquired back from Karuturi. Time will tell if another so called investor will snatch the land while the locals languish without land.

As it stands today, the people of Gambella are displaced from their land. Some languishing in refugee camps, some struggling in the new locations they settled and some work for Karuturi and being called “non-people”. The land that the government wished the foreigners will develop as a high scale farms is just a wet dream. Yet, no one is held accountable. The idea of high scale farming by foreign investors so the success trickles down was just a myth.

Look very carefully the picture featured in today’s Reporter news paper. The owner of Karuturi and his Indian workers. In the background, the Gambella’s as second citizen in their own land. I am sure, I will run into someone who want to tell me “if only Karuturi stayed longer..” but the difference between us is, I don’t want Ethiopian’s to be second citizens in their own land.