Ethiopia PM Hailemariam Desalegn in surprise resignation
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has resigned amid deadly anti-government protests, state TV reports. In a televised address, he said his resignation was "vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has resigned amid deadly anti-government protests, state TV reports.
In a televised address, he said his resignation was “vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy”.
Mr Hailemariam, who has led the country since 2012, also stepped down as chairman of the ruling coalition.
His departure follows a national state of emergency that ended last year.
Ethiopia’s largest regions, Oromia and Amhara, have seen waves of demonstrations in recent months.
In the latest violence, 10 people were killed and dozens more injured following an opposition protest.
The BBC’s Emmanuel Igunza, in the capital Addis Ababa, says the government has released thousands of opposition supporters from jail, but the protests have continued.
The country has witnessed repeated violent clashes since 2015, with protesters calling for political and economic reform, and an end to state corruption.
The ongoing disturbances have led to deep divisions in the governing coalition, says Mary Harper, Africa Editor for the BBC World Service.
Some of Ethiopia’s powerful elites have come to see the prime minister as weak and lacking in direction, she says.
A weak and turbulent Ethiopia is risky for the entire Horn of Africa, our correspondent adds, as this normally stable state is seen as key to holding the region together.
Mr Hailemariam said he will stay on as a caretaker prime minister until Ethiopia’s parliament and ruling coalition accept his resignation and choose a replacement.
BBC
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Amanuel February 15, 2018
Is the devil’s (Isayas) prayers been answered finally? Come on Ethiopians wise up do not dig your graves.
ሃብተ February 15, 2018
ጸሎት ናይ ቅዱሳን እምበር
ጸሎት ናይ ድያብሎስ
ክስማዕ ርኢና ኣይንፈልጥን።
Misghina February 15, 2018
Well said haw Habte, indeed God never listens or answers to diablosat/devils, thank you.
Kalighe February 15, 2018
PM Desalegn is under pressure from both fellow Ehewedeg leaders (the ruling coalition ) and opposition, each for different reasons.
As long as the Amhara opposition think Tigreyans must go home, and the Weyane keep killing innocent protesters, the relative peace Ethiopians enjoyed for the last two decades is in real danger.
Desalegn’s resignation exposes the Weyane’s useless ‘shitara’ of ruling from behind the curtain.
Now they are in trouble. If they nominate a Tigreyan he will not be accepted by opposition. If they nominate an Amhara or an Orono most probably it will further erode their power.
Michael Tesfamariam February 15, 2018
His resignation indicates nothing but a positive progress and good prospect of long run stability for the country, which is now in the process of developing and building democracy and political system. It will probably take Ethiopia a while before it finally managed to install the right compatible and effective democratic institutions. Despite being the oldest independent country, Ethiopia had never embraced any form of democracy throughout its history, this for the first time to exercises e degree of democracy. Ethiopians have now the opportunity to bring about peace and stability to their country which has shown significant progress over the past decade, thanks to Meles, and avoid sectarian tensions to benefit those few neoDerg Amhara erhinic group which have always been known for their greedy and backward belief of superiority, which was the major source of conflict and starvations in Ethiopia and the region for centuries.. Amhara should never come back to power ever again.
k.tewolde February 16, 2018
“Amhara should never come back to power ever again”. it is like saying the Tgrigna speaking highlanders should never come back to power ever in Eritrea,you just don’t put a tag of a specific political tendency to an ethnic group and condemn them not to exercise and enjoy their share to power and political freedom in their own country.There are plenty of good, level headed,progressive minded and educated Amharas who are ready to play and playing to positively impact their country and set it on the right track. What we need to concentrate is,this little village of ours which is described by two distinct topographies highland and lowland which is magnified as the sky and the earth work to bring it together as one people,inseparable under one nation,give it a leadership that it deserves from within the people and have them share the fruit of their labor peacefully. Is that to much to ask?
Lula February 16, 2018
Do you mean: Only Arabs and their Abeed slaves who can not stand to hear their own Tigre Tigrinya languages should rule Eritrea?
No teref meref Jebha who committed crimes on the Kunama people, in Kola Seraye, Falul, Dembelas Qohayn, Suryet Addis … burned Eritrean languages … should allowed to rule Eritrea nor the fool Higdefites ….
k.tewolde February 16, 2018
Lula,you must have feasted on a hot spicy zigni tonight,you are smoking.If the two you mentioned above are not allowed to rule Eritrea who is left? can’t wait for your answer.
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
Lula might be feasting on her natural proud Habesha organic dishes of spicy delicious zigni with Tej but we wonder if you are feasting on your old slave masters spaghetti and Arab cuisines?? We also wonder as to what you are smoking, could it possibly be the Arabs shisha pipe smoking? Can’t wait for your kind response!
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
Dear brother Michael, you and brother Rezen put everything so correctly and so accurately.
Thank you both for your matured and farsighted observations and please allow me to repeat your timely correct comment: “Amhara should ‘NEVER EVER’ come BACK to power EVER AGAIN”, indeed brother Michael. You also rightly stated about avoiding “sectarian tensions to benefit those few neoDerg Amara ethinic group which have always been known for their greedy and backward belief of superiority”, indeed so right again brother Michael. Peace to all peaceful loving people.
k.tewolde February 16, 2018
Dani the question was posed to Lula,talking about spaghetti, I wonder where you acquired your name? if this is not the epitome of hypocrisy What is?
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
K.Tewolde, remember the Tigrigna adage that goes, “meriyet entetigmeTelis Ku’Enti mitsegebna belet hibey”! Little did the hibey/monkey know under that scenario, that is if the world was to turn upside down, then she will also no longer be alive to enjoy her ku’Enti!! Poor hibey!
Similarly, poor K’Tewolde, my original organic Christian Habesha name happens to be DANIEL and NOT your Italian spaghetti slave master’s DANILO. You see there is a big difference!
Incidently, could you also please kindly enlighten us as to what your initial K stand for? I hope it isn’t for any Arabic or Italian names!!!!
rezen February 15, 2018
“Despite being the oldest independent country, Ethiopia had never embraced any form of democracy throughout its history, this for the first time to exercises e degree of democracy. “ Michael Tesfamariam
Thanks for that observation; it spares me from writing a very long input.
I always find the criticism against the present Ethiopian government to be lopsided and irrational. I say irrational because the opposition forces seem to conveniently forget the previous history of Ethiopia e.g. the history of the era of Emperor Haile Selassie, The First, The King of Kings of Ethiopia, Elect of God, Descendant of the Tribe of Judah etc , etc, etc
It is extraordinary deliberate blindness to ignore the fact that the present Government of Ethiopia is trying its best to establish — for the first time in the history of Ethiopia—a democratic system, based on equality. But that is not enough for those who are accustomed to be self-declared natural rulers of Ethiopia, while others remain to be subservient to them, for ever. Unbelievable as it may seem, it is in fact African Style of ‘RACIAL’ antagonism based on self-glorified superiority complex. I better STOP, lest my blood pressure goes off the scale.
LONG LIVE ETHIOPIA with its renewed philosophy of Equality, Fraternity, Freedom, Liberty, Justice and Democratic System of Governance for ALL. THE END
Gezae February 17, 2018
Part One.
I am appalled at what has transpired over these past two- three years. I can only describe the behavior of Woyane leaders. As I think about the Woyane, leaders, I’ve worked with, I sometimes ask myself where have I seen things go catastrophically wrong. Then I concluded more often than not, it has been because of their behaviors. As I think about the greatest failures now, many of them resulted from lack of humility, openness, listening, fell into the trap of believing that they were invincible, invulnerable, and infallible.
I understand these leaders weren’t always scornful. Over time, they lost certain traits that they had once had. They lost their openness, willingness to listen, to probe, to hear different perspectives, to challenge themselves. I think humility is all too easy to lose once they have become leaders and are in a position of power of big country.
I’ve read too many leaders fall because they were unwilling to listen to people around them, because they assumed they had all the answers. They were the sole persons permitted to define the vision and strategy, and they carried the unnecessary burden of that responsibility. They sometimes lacked accountability and believe everything was built on their personality and their power.
By the way, this isn’t just a big county’s leader/s like Ethiopia Woyane regime leaders syndrome. Any person in a position of authority can fall victim to this trap, might be the size of the country and people doesn’t matter. We’ve seen and learned a small coutry and people leaders, too. Hence, crack-the-whip leaders are good at giving advice, but not at accepting advice from others. In fact, these leaders donot agree with or see value in, wholeheartedly believe they’re right and others are wrong. In their efforts to accent the positive, to make inspiring appeals, to maintain the enthusiasm and morale of followers, they were manipulative. They gave the appearance of confidence even when they were/are unsure about what/where they are… continue…..
Gezae February 17, 2018
Two.
Beyond shadow of doubt, though I have some differences with PIA, I have many similarity with his rescently interview’s about TPLF. The endeavour to transform Ethiopia into a federal state is led by them[TPLF], which has dominated the coalition of ethno-nationalist parties that is the EPRDF since the removal of the Derg in 1991 and beyond. The EPRDF quickly institutionalised the TPLF’s policy of people’s rights to self-determination and self-rule. The constitution gave aproval for its commitment to liberal democracy and respect for political freedoms and human rights.
But while the EPRDF/TPLF promises democracy, it has not accepted that the opposition is qualified to take or share power via the ballot box and tends to regard the expression of differing views and interests as a form of betrayal. Ethnic federal systems have been created in attempts to accommodate demands for regional autonomy and manage inter-ethnic tensions within a state. But the woyane ethnic federalism has failed to resolve the national question. The TPLF/EPRDF’s ethnic policy has empowered some groups but has not been accompanied by dialogue and reconciliation. While the concept has failed to accommodate grievances, it has powerfully promoted ethnic self-awareness among all groups.
For years the TPLF/EPRDF sought to dampen the tension by tightly controlling regional politics. The international community has ignored or downplayed all these problems. Some donors appear to consider food security more important than democracy in Ethiopia, but they neglect the increased ethnic awareness and tensions created by the regionalisation policy and their potentially explosive consequences. Thus its grip has loosened over time. Local governments have grown stronger. Regional politicians are increasingly pushing ethnic agendas. The leaders of Oromia, the largest region, have drafted a bill demanding changes to the name, administration and official language of Addis Ababa, the capital, which has a special status but sits within Oromia. They have stoked ethnic nationalism and accused other groups of conspiring to oppress the Oromo.
As we all follw up, in the meantime, Ethiopia continues to experience a tense and fragile social capital. Although I don’t have as much proof as with the rise of , however, what starts conflicts is public. Today’s Ethiopian political dynamic does not secure its future stability. This is all too familiar in Ethiopian politics mainly due in part by ethnic based federalism itself. It seems that Ethiopia is already set-up for further ethnic civil strife
Gezae February 17, 2018
Three.
In fact, the record of federalism regarding ethnic conflict is a mixed one. On the one hand, it led to the recognition of the cultural and linguistic rights of ethnic groups in the country. On the other hand, it appears to have transformed and generated localized ethnic conflicts. Many of the conflicts that emerged at local and regional levels and related to the federal restructuring of the country could be conflicts that emerge on a range of issues such as self-determination/secession, the politics of resource sharing, political power, representation, identity, citizenship, ethnic and regional boundary and others (Asnake 2009).
Federalism may have seemed the only option for Ethiopia for me, becuase one of the main motivations for introducing ethnic federalism is to reduce conflict among the groups within the state, by granting each group local self-government and guaranteed representation at the centre.Thus an ethnic federal system may have particular appeal where serious conflict is feared or has already occurred. This goal is defensive and accepts the permanence of different ethnic identities within the state. My complain is that the rulers in Addis Ababa are doing too little. They have been slow to respond to the recent violence, fuelling suspicions that they were complicit. It is true that, in a state of anarchy, strong states are free to use military force. But using force has always proved to be a costly option regardless of addition, the lack of a central authority does not prevent states from seeking out political accommodations to deescalate the conflict.
Simon G February 16, 2018
It would be nice if the Ethiopians agree to take ours (+ many colonels and generals as a bonus) and give HD to us, till we can elect our president!
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
Are you a new comedian in town or do you suffer from acute inferiority complex that you accused us (myself + Michael Tesfamariam) of suffering in your previous emotional comment?
Simon G February 16, 2018
ኢለካ ‘ኳ ‘የ:
ሰራቒ: ኩሉ ሰብ ሰራቒ ኮይኑ ‘ዩ ዝስምዖ። ብነብስኻ ስለዘይትተኣማመን ኩሉ ሰብ ከማኻ መስለካ።
=============================================
ንምዃኑ: ኣምቸ ‘ኳ ንኤርትራውያን ኣብ ኢትዮጵያ ዝውለዱ ‘ዩ። ናትካ ግን ብግምጥልሽ!
ግን ደሓን ንሕጂ: ሸለል ክብለካ ‘የ። Next time, try to use one of those of your many nicks.
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
“Balegen {old skunis like yourself} sinQut yeferut yimeslewal”, indeed.
We are learning to ignore your emotional {regionalist} comments from you, no one is taking you serious whether you write it in Tigrigna/English pathetically.
Some individuals come here tough and rough, but deep down most of them are shallow with empty bravado that would not stand the test of time. Lets not continue to be quite when we see an empty bravado of this nature. It is nothing but an ego massage which adds nothing to value except negativity.
Last but not least, as the Chinese would say: a snake remains snaky even after crawling through a bamboo, indeed.
meretse February 16, 2018
H. Desalegn resigned 2/14/2018
A week of trublance in Africa – Zuma, South African’s leader resigned couple days ago, and now HD of Ethiopia . Leaving the SA’n politics aside, what is happening in Ethiopia is a big challenge for EPRDF. For a generation plus, EPRDF had been focusing on how to make their muscle strong while pushing aside the necesity of mind exercise. I am not saying they were totally bad guys or have accomplished little for the country. In fact, since EPRDF came to power Ethiopia had stepped up its economic growth exponentially and to some extent its stablity. Despite the extraordinary growth of economy due to lack of transparency ( the growth, change) failed to register on the public’s eye. They could have done much better than this but they did not do it. Ethiopia and Eritrea were so lucky that they were not affected by the Arab Spring strong winds. However, it did not happen on those days/ years means does not mean it will not happen some other day or year. No government or system, is immune from change. “ዓርኽኻ ጭሕሙ ክላጺስ ፡ ጭሕሚካ ማይ ልኸ”
I wish them good luck with Tesfaye Gebreab (the author Burka Zimta), Anna Gomez, the Portuguese activists who thinks she is Ethiopian by heart, Isaias Afeworki, and …., and ….,. For now, I would rather take a deep breath here.
amanuel February 16, 2018
When you see a resignation, it shows political maturity of the country, the individual and the country. It is more than a positive sign. I have nothing but respect for the pm of ethiopia. Peace and love to ethiopian brothers. A lot can be said about schovinists amhara with acknowledgment of the presence of many matured and civilized ones.
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
I never thought that I would agree with you but on this occasion I couldn’t agree more Mr nefaHito muslim man, I mean sheikh Kalighe, sheikh, amanuel, sheikh Sol, “sheikh” Almaz……….
.
Last, lets hope you and your other likes (cockroaches) don’t start crawling out of your savage Arab slave masters desert sands after I’ve gone or after I’ve been banned!
As it is the case usually and sadly. “Wisha kehede Jib chohe”, indeed.
Sorry I’ve got to go as some of us have jobs to go to unlike too many of you 24/7 on assenna.
In short, can’t wait for my two old savage “ELF comrades, i.e. com K.Tewolde & com Suleiman.
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
correction with sincere apology: “Jib kehede Wisha chohe”, what a brilliant amiche!!!!!
amanuel February 16, 2018
What a sturck d/c b/n primitive ledership of hgdf and civilized governments and leaders of south africa and ethiopia. Iseyas will call these resignations crisis his usual elementary level defense mechanism.
Dani amiche February 16, 2018
sorry addition: can’t wait all night for your answers/responses. Adios.
AHMED SALEH !!! February 17, 2018
amanuel , you are right , both of them belong to African jungle civilized politics .
South African prime minister was forced to resign because of corruption .
Ethiopian prime minister forced to resign because the pressure he faces
from Weyane security ( agazi ) forces continuous killings of innocent people .
Issaias the chief gorilla has appointed to preside over AFRICAN monkeys game .
Lula February 16, 2018
This reminds me what a certain Militia wrote years ago:
ኣብ ታሪኽ ዓለምን ፣ ኣብ ነዊሕ ዛንታ ሰብን ብጭብጢ እተረጋገጸ ሓቂ እንተሎ እዚ እዩ። ዝኾነ ይኹን ሕብረተሰብ ወይ ህዝቢ ፣ ንሕሉፍ ናይ ዘመናት ታሪኹ ዝጸልእ ፣ ውርሻኡ ዝንዕቕ ፣ መረበቱ ወይ ትውልዲ ዓዱ ዝኽሕድ ፣ ቋንቋታቱ ብባርዕ ዘልምስ ፣ ቅርስታቱ ዘፍርስ ፣ ባህልታቱ ስርዓቱ ዘድፍር ፣ ደቂ ሩባኡን ጎዶቦታቱን ዘየኽብር ፣ ይትረፍ መሪሕነት ክጭብጥን ሃገር ክኣልን ፣ ናይ ገዛእ ርእሱ ሉኣላዊት ሃገርን መሬትን ውን ከቶ ኣይግበኦን እዩ።
እዚ ከምዚ ዓይነት ነፍሰ ሙት ፣ ሕልና ዕሩብ ፣ ኣእምሮ ዕሱብ ጉጅለ ወይ ጭፍራ ፣ እንትርፎ ከም ጊላ ከዳሚ ወይ ዓብድ ናይ ባዕዲ ፣ ብናይ ገዛእ ርእሱ መንነትን ኣብራኽን ደው ክብል ብፍጹም ዝሕሰብ ኣይኮነን ።
AHMED SALEH !!! February 17, 2018
Lula
You mean AMHARA , OROMO people ……. others do not respect their history,
culture or identities . Risky imaginary TIGRAY-TIGRIGNI corrupts the mind that may
take you to grave .