Category: saay on:
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Eritrea Sanctions: When Belligerence Is Confused For Resilience
The Eritrean government (which is to say: President Isaias Afwerki) is terrible at many things but it is great at weaving a narrative. Thus, to this day, many people, including many who consider themselves well-read, would say that the reason the UN imposed resolution 1907 on Eritrea in 2009 is because (a) it was fed…
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Berhane Abrehe: How to Defeat A Human Tornado
In 1990, after the liberation of Massawa and on the eve of Eritrea’s independence, the following individuals met in Nakfa to strategize about post-independent Eritrea’s economic policy: 1. Bitweded Abraha 2. Oqbe Abraha 3. Adhanom Ghebremariam 4. Estifanos Seyoum 5. Estifanos Afewerki (“Bruno”) 6. Ghebremicael Mengistu (Eritrean Relief Association) 7. Berhane Abrehe I have chosen…
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Isaias Afwerki Self-Interview: What Badme?
4 questions, 80 minutes. So, nothing has changed. 1:20 ratio. Stylistically. Actually, substance-wise, everything changed: we have Isaiaism Sofware Upgrade: 2018 edition. Those who gave up on the guy won’t even raise an eyebrow. But those of you who have been sledgehammering us with Badme might want to pay attention. You don’t want to be…
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The Isaias Afwerki Bullshit Generator
Our ኮብላሊ president is back to Asmara (transit via Adi Halo) from his frequent-flyer trips to Ethiopia. Since this is his first address to Eritreans since the peace treaty with Ethiopia, he will be asked tough questions such as: “what did you mean when you said, ‘we lost nothing’ when every Eritrean family lost a…
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Eritrea: Waiting for Bolokh
July 2012. It had been 15 years since the Eritrean government suspended the people’s constitution; 12 years since the end of the war with Ethiopia; 11 years since its enforced disappearance policy extended to high-powered government officials (G-15); 10 years since the National Service was converted to indefinite conscription under the PR phrase of “Warsay…
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Ethiopia Is Done If The Elderly Cede Their Traditional Power
So, what’s happening in Ethiopia? In his report to the parliament, PM Abiy said that the 250 soldiers that came to meet him… well, it turns out that all the push-ups and smiles he had were disguising deep sorrow he was feeling as he had come to learn that some of them, without their knowledge,…
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Despite the Rogue States, HRC Is Still A Good Thing
The government of Eritrea, which was elected to the Human Rights Council (HRC) by default and in contradiction to the UN’s minimum requirements for a country to join the HRC, has issued an editorial expressing its pleasure and gratitude for being allowed to join this club with no standards. The government further describes its dismal…
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Thank You, Ethiopians
1. Abiy Ahmed Schools Isaias Afwerki “…[President} Isaias [Afwerki], when visiting Gomu Gofa zone and its comforts…. mango groves, guava fruit…said the area has a lot of resources… but there is one resource he forgot. Lest he repeat it again or forgets…more than its comforts, more than the mangoes, more than the guava fruits, we…
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What Eritreans Can Teach Ethiopians About Mutinies
It may feel longer but Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has been Ethiopia’s head of government for only six months. And six months into his premiereship, he had hundreds of soldiers, armed, heading to his office, with a list of demands. Here’s how his government dealt with it and, because this is a website that focuses…
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The Farce of Eritrea at Human Rights Council
In a move that combines the continental politics of the African Union (AU) and the chummy good ol’ boy networking of the United Nations, the State of Eritrea, a serial violator of human rights, was elected to join the UN’s Human Rights Council for the 2019-22 term. First, a refresher. The United Nation’s Human Rights…
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Dr Newitol Sets You Straight: 41-50
Q41: Abraham from Mekele: I am very curious about tall, handsome Abraham the son of Isaias Afwerki. I haven’t seen him since he represented his country to Saudi Arabia. Is he frozen already? Dr Newitol: Abraham Isaias Afwerki? What happened to His Excellency that you mntl his name? He is visiting Mekele accompanied by General…
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The Ethiopian Political Franchisees Convention
The four franchises that make up the ruling coalition of Ethiopia are having their conference in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Prior to the umbrella group’s conference, its members had their own organizational congress and some ended up changing their names to reflect their new re-organization as a party and not a front. The formation of EPRDF, in…