German Ethiopian Association

ter DEUTSCH-ÄTHIOPISCHER VEREIN E.V. t GERMAN ETHIOPIAN ASSOCIATION www.deutsch-aethiopischer-verein.de

Ausgabe November 2002

Informationsblä This has been the foundation of Oromo nationalist politics in the Ethiopian Cultures diaspora. Otherwise, differences may be emphasised – for exam- and the Illusion of Ethiopian Culture ple between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the border regions have long shared a common language, cal traditions, ways of dressing, ways of farming, food customs, and styles of architecture and and so forth. But as Geertz em- By Tasew Dejene craft-work. An interesting excep- phasised that cultural difference is tion is the ‘Ethiopian’ coffee not a simple matter of customs: ceremony, which originates from ‘even vitally opposed groups may When I was in high school in the coffee growing areas of the differ rather little in their general Jimma, and in University in Addis south but is now celebrated as style of life’ (Geertz 1963). The Ababa, this is how we learned our part of Ethiopian heritage. strength of the Eritrean history: secessionist movement depended Ethiopia is four thousand years There is no unity of ‘culture’ in on emphasising differences in old, and has been Christian for Ethiopia – it is an illusion. Unless culture that had arisen out of those four thousand years. The we talk about the culture of differ- Italian occupation. The complexity current borders of Ethiopia (at that ent groups of people living there, of the reality is shown by the time, before Eritrea’s secession) we cannot talk of ‘Ethiopian cul- diversity beneath the gilding of were presented as something ture’. Nor can we solve the prob- Eritrean nationalism, where as in having existed also for hundreds lem simply by dividing the nation Ethiopia, many different peoples of years. Due to the dominance of among its many ‘ethnicities’ – with different ways of life coexist historians attached to Mengistu’s Somali, Tigre, Hadare, Oromo, (Afar, Kunama, and so forth). regime, and before that, to the Wolaita, Afar, Amhara, Nuer, Emperors, history became the Anwak, Gurage… We can talk glorification of those regimes. For also of culture as diverse even Inhaltsverzeichnis example, the unsuccessful strug- within these groups, and indeed Ethiopian Culture and the 1 gle of Oromos to occupy the each has its ‘famous’ bits of cul- Illusion of Ethiopian Cul- northern part of the country ture: the Hadare are known for ture (unlike the successful Amhara their baskets, the Oromo for their Impressum 2 occupation of southern, eastern spiritual rituals, the Nuer for their Semena Werq 2 and western parts) is seen as relationship with their cattle. And Die Hadiyya 4 Oromo ‘migration’ rather than again the categories can be bro- Art that heals 6 ‘invasion’. ken down: Christian Gurages are Reiseeindrücke aus Äthi- 6 known for their Meskal celebration opien In 1963, Geertz referred to Ethio- (the New Year ceremony which Jacaranda Tours 8 pia as an ‘‘old’ new state’, in commemorates the finding of the Verschiedenes 9 which one ethnic group, the Am- cross), whereas Muslim Gurages Veranstaltungen und 10 hara, ‘sees itself as the bearer of are known for their strong family Links a ‘civilisation’ amid a largely bar- ties and their trading culture… Äthiopische Verwaltungs- 11 barian population that would be experten zu Besuch bei well advised to model itself upon But it has often been important for ver.di it’. So, there has been a tendency rulers to make it seem as though Forschung 11 to see national ‘culture’ from a a homogeneous culture does Museen in A.A. 12 viewpoint which favours the ruling exist. This issue has been a sour- Buchbeschreibungen 13 elite. Thus, the outside world has ce of conflict throughout Ethiopian Nachrichten 14 come to recognise certain fea- history. Secessionist clashes in tures of northern Ethiopian cul- recent years show this to be the tures as emblems of the nation as case: the Ethio-Eritrean thirty a whole. Military victories particu- years’ war (which began as an In recent years, the ruling party larly over Italy in the battle of internal conflict) is an example, has propagated a vision of Ethio- Adwa, have become symbols of and Oromo and Somali national- pia as a nation unifying the ethnic the nation. The Ethiopian Ortho- ists’ struggles for secession too. diversity of its people. We see a dox church is also well recognised Culture has been a resource in triumph of peaceful governance overseas, and along with it asso- these conflicts. For example peo- over disparate groups speaking ciated musi ple in times of need, may form a over 80 languages. Within this group out of smaller groups by newly federalised ‘unification’, emphasising their shared culture. ethnic diversity is publicly cele-

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brated, and publicly emphasised – groups have mostly neither con- References by the tourist board, by the gov- tributed to, nor had access to. Geertz, Clifford (1963) ‘The inte- ernment, by ETV (the govern- Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s many other grative revolution’, pp108-113 in ment-run television station). Silent languages have been given little Clifford Geertz (ed.) Old Societies footage of cultural festivities, or space to develop. This has also and New States. New York: Free simply of daily life in diverse parts been the result of an educational Press. of the country, are shown be- system based on the British one, Hancock, Graham (1992) Lords of tween programmes. At Christmas which has made English, rather Poverty. etc. regional traditions – the mu- than Ethiopian languages, the sic, dances and clothes of people primary language of education, Tasew Dejene can be contacted from different parts of the country with Amharic in the earlier school at [email protected] – are celebrated. A tourist map of years. In recent years, the current the Ethiopia reads ‘The peoples of government has introduced teach- Ethiopia bid you welcome to their ing in several other languages – country. Welcome to the land of Oromifa, Somali, Tigrinya, and to thirteen months of sunshine!’, a lesser extent, in Wolaita, Afar while it rains through out a year in and Sidama. The possibility of western part of the country. using your own language has (Though I am not intending to been extended to local admini- discourage tourists: I can assure strations in some federal states. you, you will feel seven years Whilst this is nothing compared to younger, at least in calendar!). the number of languages found This government is not the first to across Ethiopia, it is a good start. present images of unity: Graham Since the establishment of the Hancock has said he regrets his federal regions, Oromifa has Impressum: involvement in the production of a begun to be written in the Roman Herausgeber: Deutsch-Äthiopischer ‘coffee table book’ commissioned script – which is phonetically more Verein e.V. by the Dergue to ‘proclaim the suited to the language according c/o Rudolf Schoppmann, Am Bild- underlying unity in the country’s to some Oromo scholars. This stock 31, 48317 Drensteinfurt cultural diversity, and to empha- has initiated the production of Redaktion: B. Schulte-Kemna, Helga sise the ancient historical integrity many more Oromifa publications Tewes Redaktionsanschrift: of [its contested] political bounda- – newspapers and magazines as E-mail: [email protected] ries’ (Hancock 1992). well as literature, and notably Homepage: collections of oral literature, prov- www.deutsch-aethiopischer-verein.de While successive goverments erbs and songs. Similarly, Sidama apparently take pride in the na- and Tigrinya publications are Die „Blätter“ des Deutsch- tional ‘cultures’, most of the differ- flourishing. Äthiopischen Vereins erscheinen ca. ent ethnic groups or nationalities 3 bis 4 mal im Jahr. within the country have been The establishment of the ministry Die Unkostenbeteiligung pro Ausgabe beträgt 5,50 Euro incl. Porto., das given little opportunity to take of culture by the current govern- Abonnement 16,50 Euro. Mitglieder pride in their own cultures. Some ment as also helped in encourag- bekommen die „Blätter“ kostenlos. twenty years ago, if you asked an ing cultural diversity rather than Namentlich gekennzeichnete Artikel Oromo from the South, he might containing it. Museums, which geben nicht unbedingt die Meinung have been proud to tell you that used to exist only to show the des Vereins wieder. he was an Amhara. It was com- histories of Imperial classes, have Spendenkonto: Postgiroamt Hamburg mon to see Oromos, or other been established in different parts BLZ 200 100 20, Kto. 771680-201 people from the South, saying of the country, and have adopted that they are Amharas, especially a less elite approach towards in the cities. This can be attributed material culture. The protection of to an education system domi- cultural heritage has been ex- nated by Amhara and the Amharic tended to everyday culture and language. Starting from the top customs. with government cadres or offi- „Semena Werq“ Wachs und Gold cials, and with the educated clas- Although many of these changes ses, the culture of Ethiopians have been initiated by the current became visibly homogeneous, at government out of necessity – as zusammengestellt von least from the outside. In a way a way to cling to political power – B. Schulte – Kemna this has followed logically from the the changes themselves can be fact that the Amharic language seen as the beginning of a proc- Äthiopien – Kenner werden den has its own script, which is un- ess of recognition. There is now Einfluß, den diese uralte amhari- usual for an African language, recognistion of cultural differ- sche Tradition bis in die heutigen, and has been a source of Ethio- ences, and on the basis of that modernen Zeiten hat, sicher bes- pian national pride. (Tigrinya also recognition, Ethiopia is allowing tätigen. Gewachsen in den Jahr- has its own script, and both these diversity to flourish. Ethiopia has hunderten feudalistischer und languages are derived from always been a multicultural na- kirchlicher Untertanschaft, wurden Ge’ez, the language of the Ethio- tion, so now let’s start to see it in Wege gesucht (und gefunden), pian Orthodox church.) The early that way. um der Obrigkeit sozusagen development of the Amharic script „durch die Blume“ Botschaften zu began the establishment of a stecken – ohne die Gefahr bei heritage of literary and historical einer offenen Aussage eingehen texts, which other ethnic/national zu müssen.

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zu achten. Der eigentliche Derartiges passierte meist in Gold: „I´ll wait for you, until Sinn von Gold besteht darin, Gedichten, Liedern, Reden oder the others leave“ diesen äthiopischen Brauch auch Rätseln. Hinter dem offen- zu betonen. sichtlichen Sinn der Aussage · „Your father and your mother Dieses „Getem“ (spezielle Art (Wachs) wird eine „Gold“ – Bot- have vowed to keep from der amharischen Poesie) schaft versteckt, die sich nur dem meat, bringt einen politischen Ge- Eingeweihten (nach Schmelzen but you, their very daughter, danken zum Ausdruck, der des Wachses) erschließt. Durch innards do you eat. mit einem Liebesgedanken die Wahl von doppeldeutigen verflochten ist. Es stammt Wörtern, Redewendungen und Gold: „You made me love aus der Periode der Vereini- anderer stilistischen Möglichkei- you“ („to eat someone´s in- gung des Landes und bringt ten, an denen die amharische nards“ is an idiom meaning das Streben nach Gleichbe- Sprache reich ist, wird bewirkt, „to make someone fall in rechtigung aller Provinzen daß praktisch zwei verschiedene love“). zum Ausdruck. Botschaften im Raum stehen: die · Obwohl sich meiner die offensichtliche Aussage und die „Notes from the Hyena´s Dämmerung auf dem Besello geheime Botschaft. bemächtigt hat, Belly“ so habe ich immer noch Da- Nega Mezlekia; Picador Verlag, So groß die Kunst einer derarti- mot zu überwinden. New York, Jan. 2002; ISBN: 0 gen Ausdrucksmöglichkeit ist, so 312 28914 6 tief hat sie sich in den äthiopi- Gold: Bevor ich die Schulden schen Alltag eingegraben. Als meines Lebens mit dem Tod · We have waited long enough Ferendschi in Kontakt mit Äthio- bezahlt haben werde, for Mr. Limadae to come piern wird man immer wieder mal erfaßt mich die Dämmerung home. It is now late in the mit diesem Phänomen konfron- auf dem Berge über dem Be- evening. Please latch the tiert. Die Geheimbotschaften in sello. door; I don´t feel at ease to der Konversation sind nicht leicht go to bed with the door still zu erkennen, wenn sich z.B. Situ- Erklärung: Ein philosophi- unlocked. ationen ergeben, über die man sches Getem. Wachs ist nur sich wundert, und wo man später eine Beschreibung. Gold hin- Gold: Now that you have de- evtl. feststellt, daß eine „hidden gegen enthält eine Klage des cided to deny me what I had agenda“ im Spiel war, die - einmal Menschen, der eine Nieder- come to expect as my due, erkannt – die Situation verständ- lage im Leben erlitten hat there is no point in keeping lich werden läßt. Auch in der · Weshalb sind die Felder von up this relationship. I am not äthiopischen Politik hatte Ge- Motta bis Qeranyo nicht ge- a person who can easily for- heimdiplomatie schon immer pflügt? give and forget. einen besonderen Stellenwert Ich habe dort keinen Ochsen

(des Kaisers mehrere Geheim- auf dem Felde gesehen. dienste, die anfangs geheime „Geschichte Äthiopiens“ Zusammensetzung des DERG Bd. 2; Akademie Verlag Berlin Gold: Die Felder, die ich von etc.). Andere Gelegenheiten für 1978 Motta bis Qeranyo durch- Wachs und Gold gibt es bis heu- Andrzei Bartnicki, Joanna Mantel- wandert bin, te, wenn v.a. auf dem Land die Niecko sind nicht gepflügt, sondern „Asmaris“, die (Bänkel) Sänger, Im Internet auf der Homepage mit Leichen bedeckt. bei allen erdenklichen Anlässen des „Äthiopischen Zentrums und Festen ihre Lob- oder Spott- Deutschland“ befindet sich ein Dieses Getem mit histori- Reime und Lieder produzieren. Auszug aus diesem Buch, der schem Inhalt entstand in ei- sich mit der Literatur und Kunst ner Periode der Verwüstung Da es einerseits nicht nur für Äthiopiens beschäftigt: des Landes durch innere Ferendschis einer gewissen Ü- „http://home.t- Kriege und durch Hungersnö- bung bedarf, dieses alte „Wachs onli- te im 19. Jahrhundert. und Gold Spiel“ zu erkennen und ne.de/home/aetzd/Index/Seite_3. da es andererseits eine in Jahr- html“ Aus dem zuletzt genannten Buch hunderten gewachsene virtuose · Ich kann dich haben, Gelieb- vielleicht noch ein paar Anmer- Kunst der Rede und Sprache ist, te aus Gondar, kungen zur Herkunft und Art der sind im Folgenden einige Beispie- und auch dich kann ich ha- äthiopischen Dichtkunst. Wie der le und Erläuterungen aus drei ben, Freundin aus Lasta. überwiegende Teil der amharisch Büchern angefügt. – tigrischen Kultur wurzelt auch Gold: Es ist mir angenehm – die Literatur im kirchlichen Um- „Tradition and Innovation Freundin - daß ich Dich pfle- feld, speziell in der Kirchenspra- gen muß, (S. che „Geez“. in Ethiopian Culture“ und nicht deshalb - Freundin 227) – weil du, wie ich, aus Gon- „Bei der Erhaltung des mündli- Donald N. Levine; University of dar stammst. chen Überlieferten und der Er- Chicago Press, 1965; ISBN 0- schließung seines Inhalts und 226-47563-8; Erklärung: Um den Inhalt von künstlerischen Wertes müssen www.geocities.com/neterisporagr Gold zu verstehen, muß an- die Arbeiten über das „Getem“, oup/wg_chapter6.html gemerkt werden, daß der ä- eine Form der amharischen Poe- · „The Injera I have my lass, I thiopische Brauch gebietet, sie, hervorgehoben werden. Ob- wait for you the Wat to pass. den Kranken zu lieben und wohl sich die amharische Poesie

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von den klassischen „Qene“ Sprache abzulesen, die sich ei- Nur die oben genannten sechs (Anm.: klassische Geez – Dich- genständig weiterentwickelt hat Hadiyya-Gruppen haben ihre tung) unterscheidet, verbindet sie und eine Verständigung mit den ethnische Eigenständigkeit be- dennoch eine spezifische äthiopi- anderen Hadiyya kaum mehr wahren können. sche Form. Sie besteht darin, den möglich macht. Ihr Wohngebiet Inhalt eines Gedichtes so darzu- liegt isoliert nördlich der übrigen Durch die Einbindung der Ha- legen, daß man ihn in doppelter Hadiyya-Gebiete umgeben von diyya-Gebiete in den äthiopischen Weise deuten kann. Dieses Prin- Oromo- und Gurage-Gruppen. Staat am Ende des 19. Jahrhun- zip beruht auf der Eigenschaft Die Baadawwaachcho im Süden derts, kam es zu Veränderungen beider Sprachen, häufig mehrdeu- sind durch die Ethnie der Kamba- der traditionellen politischen und tige Wörter zu benutzen bzw. ta vom Hadiyya-Kernland abge- rechtliche Strukturen. Die gewähl- nicht immer eindeutige Sätze zu trennt, was aber nicht zu einer ten Vertreter der Sub-Lineages, konstruieren. Dieser Grundsatz Entfremdung geführt hat. Zwi- Lineages und Klane (danna) wer- trägt die Bezeichnung „Semena schen allen Hadiyya-Gruppen den heute von der staatlichen Werq“ – „Wachs und Gold“. außer den Libido gibt es nur ge- Verwaltung höchstens als Berater „Wachs“ ist die Bedeutung, die ringfügige Unterschiede in der an politischen Fragen beteiligt. einem zuerst klar wird, „Gold“ ist Sprache, die nicht zu Einen größeren Einfluss besitzen diese, die unter dem ersten ver- Kommunikationsschwierigkeiten sie im rechtlichen Bereich, da nur steckt, erst nach dem Schmelzen führen. Die Unterschiede liegen schwere Vergehen an die Justiz des Wachses verständlich wird. nur in der Verwendung von weitergeleitet werden. Der über- Die Kunst der Poesie besteht also Begriffen, die aus den Sprachen wiegende Teil der Konflikte liegt vor allem in der Fähigkeit, sich der benachbarten Ethnien im Bereich von Landnutzungs- des großen Reichtums der Spra- entlehntDie Sprache worden der sind. Hadiyya gehört rechten und der Grenzziehung che zu bedienen, nach Aus- zum ‘Highland East Cushitic’. Im zwischen den Grundstücken so- drucksmöglichkeiten zu suchen, Zuge des gestiegenen und poli- wie familiären Auseinanderset- bei denen die charakteristische tisch geförderten ethnischen zungen. Auf den Versammlungen Eigenschaft des äthiopischen Selbstbewusstseins ist die Spra- der Ältesten (donza) wird das Gedichtes „Wachs und Gold“ voll che mithilfe des lateinische Al- jeweilige Problem diskutiert und zur Wirkung bringen. (...) Zum phabets verschriftlicht worden. nach einer Konsenslösung ge- Verständnis der klassischen „Qe- Inzwischen sind viele Schulbü- sucht. ne“ oder der amharischen „Ge- cher in der Hadiyya-Sprache In Bezug auf die Religion hat es tems“ muß man also über großes verfasst worden und ein Großteil im Verlauf des 20. Jahrhunderts Wissen verfügen, um die Absicht des Unterrichts wird in der ein- erhebliche Veränderungen gege- des Dichters zu verstehen. (...) heimischen Sprache abgehalten. ben. Bis in die 1950er Jahre hin- Das Verfassen von „Getems“ ist Welche Auswirkungen der neue ein war die einheimische fandaa- eine beliebte Unterhaltung, an der Unterricht auf die Sprach- und no-Religion mit ihren muslimi- sich jedermann beteiligt. Wer Schriftkenntnisse des Amhari- schen Elementen vorherrschend. seine Sprache so beherrscht, daß schen haben wird, ist noch nicht Danach kam es zu, zum Teil er Verse mit „Wachs und Gold“ abzusehen. erzwungenen, Massenkonvertie- dichten kann, erntet Sympathie rungen zum Islam oder zum äthi- und Achtung. Die heutigen Hadiyya entstam- opisch-orthodoxen Christentum. men einem historisch bedeutsa- Die Missionstätigkeit protestanti- men politischen Machtblock (13. scher Kirchen und Sekten, die bis 16. Jahrhundert), dessen Ende der 1920er Jahre begonnen Territorium zwischen dem Harar- hatte, führte dazu, dass sich heu- Die Hadiyya: Ensete-Bauern im Plateau und den Hochländern te ein Großteil der Hadiyya- westlich des Grabenbruchs gele- Bevölkerung zu einem protestan- äthiopischen Hochland gen war. Der Zerfall des Hadiyya- tischen Glauben bekennt. Reiches begann mit der Erobe- Von Alke Dohrmann rung durch den muslimischen Das Hadiyya-Gebiet ist eine Hü-

Kriegsherrn Ahmad „Grañ“ in der gellandschaft, die von vielen klei- Die Hadiyya leben im südwestli- Mitte des 16. Jahrhunderts. End- nen Flüssen durchzogen ist. Das chen Teil des äthiopischen Hoch- gültig zersprengt wurde es durch Land wird wegen der hohen Be- landes oberhalb des ostafrikani- die anschließende Expansion der völkerungsdichte (häufig mehr als schen Grabenbruchs und zählen Oromo. Dieser Prozess war im 300 Einwohner pro Quadratkilo- rund eine Million Mitglieder. Ihr 18. Jahrhundert nach rund hun- meter) in starkem Maße agrarisch Land liegt auf einem Höhenzug, dert Jahren abgeschlossen. Viele genutzt; ungenutzte Flächen gibt der im Westen vom Omo (Gibe) Hadiyya wurden dabei von den es so gut wie keine. Durch die und im Osten vom Bilate begrenzt Oromo assimiliert; andere Ha- starke Parzellierung des Landes, ist. diyya-Gruppen wanderten ge- bei der die einzelnen Grundstücke Die Ethnie der Hadiyya ist in trennt voneinander in westliche mit Hecken und Büschen umge- sechs Untergruppen gegliedert: Richtungen. Einige schlossen sich ben sind, erhält die Landschaft den Sooro, den Baadoogo, den mit den Ethnien zusammen, de- den Charakter eines großen Gar- Leemo, den Shaashoogo, den nen sie auf ihren Wanderungen tens oder Parks. Die Hauptan- Baadawwaachcho und den Libido begegneten. Bis heute sind in baupflanzen sind Ensete ventri- (Maraqo). Die Libido stellen einen diesen Ethnien die Hadiyya- cosum (die ‘falsche Banane’) und Sonderfall dar, da sie bereits seit stämmigen Klane auszumachen, Getreide (v.a. Weizen und Gers- dem 16. Jahrhundert eine weitge- und das historische Wissen über te). Während die Männer sich in hend unabhängige geschichtliche einen gemeinsamen Ursprung erster Linie um den Anbau von Entwicklung durchlebt haben. aller Hadiyya-Klanen in den ver- Getreide als ‘cash crop’ kümmern, Dies ist heute besonders an der schiedenen Ethnien wird tradiert. übernehmen die Frauen den

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überwiegenden Teil des Ensete- verstärkt auftreten, wenn keine stand betrieben. Sollten die Hän- Anbaus zur Subsistenzversor- Lösung gefunden wird, das hohe ge in Zukunft auch für den Anbau gung. Bevölkerungswachstum zu min- von Nahrungspflanzen genutzt Die Ensete ist eine bananenartige dern. Denn ein Grundstück wird werden, wäre es sinnvoll dafür auf Pflanze, die keine den Bananen beim Tod des Besitzers unter die Ensete zurückzugreifen, da vergleichbare Früchte liefert, seinen Söhnen aufgeteilt. Das sie eine mehrjährige Pflanze ist sondern große Mengen an Stärke führt zu immer kleineren Parzel- und zwischen den Pflanzen Wild- produziert, die sie in ihrer Knolle len, die ein Auskommen für die kräuter den Boden bedecken. und in ihren Blattscheiden einla- Familie immer schwieriger werden Die Ensete ist heute nur im südli- gert. Sie ist sehr ertragreich und lassen. Bisher müssen nur weni- chen und südwestlichen Teil des ermöglicht eine Versorgung mit ge Hadiyya von nur einem halben äthiopischen Hochlandes als Nahrung von einem kleinen Stück Hektar leben. Die meisten haben Nahrungspflanze verbreitet. Auch Land, das für den Getreideanbau noch 1,5 bis 2 ha Land zur Verfü- für andere Regionen des äthiopi- nicht ausreichend wäre. Sie gung. Bei einer weiteren Verklei- schen Hochlandes wäre sie we- wächst in der Höhenlage zwi- nerung könnte dann noch der gen ihrer Vorteile für die Ernäh- schen 1500 und 3000 Metern mit Anteil der Ensete zu Ungunsten rungssicherung interessant. Bis- seinen durchschnittlichen Tempe- des Getreides erhöht werden, um her gibt es jedoch erst wenige raturen zwischen 16 und 20 Grad die Ernährung zu sichern. Dies Bemühungen die Ensete in neue Celsius und benötigt jährliche schiebt das Problem jedoch nur Gegenden einzuführen oder ü- Niederschläge zwischen 1100 weiter auf. Irgendwann wird eine berhaupt erst bekannt zu machen. und 1500 mm. Die Ensete ist eine weitere Aufteilung des Landes mehrjährige Pflanze, die je nach nicht mehr möglich sein. Dann Von großer wirtschaftlicher Be- Höhenlage nach vier bis acht müssen sich die erwachsenen deutung für die Hadiyya ist die Jahren geerntet werden kann. Sie Kinder eines Haushaltes zuneh- Stadt Hossana, Verwaltungs- und weist trotz der benötigten relativ mend eine Arbeit außerhalb der Handelszentrum des Hadiyya- hohen Niederschläge eine große Landwirtschaft suchen. In gerin- Gebietes und Hauptstadt der Dürreresistenz auf: Sollten in gem Umfang ist dies heute schon ‘Hadiyya zone’. Die ‘Hadiyya einer Regenzeit die Regenfälle der Fall. zone’ gehört zu der südwestlichen verspätet einsetzen oder sogar Die intensive Nutzung des Landes äthiopischen Provinz ‘Southern ausbleiben, stellt die Pflanze ihr für den Pflanzenbau hat zu einer Nations, Nationalities, and Peo- Wachstum ein und lebt bis zum starken Verknappung der Weide- ples Region’ (SNNPR) mit der nächsten Regen von ihren Reser- flächen geführt. Die wenigen Hauptstadt Awassa. Hossana mit ven. Desweiteren ist sie wider- Rinder, Schafe, Ziegen, Esel und seinen mehr als 30.000 Einwoh- standsfähig gegen heftige Regen- Maultiere, welche die Hadiyya nern bietet höhere Schulen, me- fälle und Stürme, gegen Hagel besitzen, werden als Arbeitstiere, dizinische und kirchliche Einrich- und gelegentliche Fröste. Nur der Einkommensquelle und Lieferant tungen, eine Post und ein Te- Befall mit dem Bakterium proteinhaltiger Nahrung benötigt. legraphenamt, Banken, Geschäfte Xanthomonas musacearum kann Für den Ensete-Anbau ist ihr und Märkte, Hotels und Restau- unter Umständen große Ensete- Dung unerlässlich. Inzwischen rants, Tankstellen und einen Bus- Bestände vernichten, da es ein sind sie jedoch sogar während bahnhof. Verwelken der Pflanzen bewirkt. der Regenzeit unterernährt. Für die ländliche Bevölkerung Die Ensete liefert den Menschen Diese Probleme zeigen, dass die bietet Hossana Möglichkeiten, kohlenhydratreiche Nahrung, die Hadiyya gefordert sein werden, ihre agrarischen Produkte anzu- jedoch mit protein- und vitamin- neue Strategien zu entwickeln, bieten bzw. für ihr Getreide eine haltigen Lebensmitteln ergänzt um ihr Überleben von dem ihnen staatlich garantierte Abnahme zu werden muss. Alle übrigen Teile zur Verfügung stehenden Land zu finden. Auch gelegentliche Mög- der Pflanzen können als Werk- sichern. lichkeiten zur Lohnarbeit bieten stoffe oder als Viehfutter verwen- Ein Problem, das bereits aktiv sich dort. Auf den Märkten und in det werden. Besonders die in den angegangen wird, ist die Erosion den Geschäften können sie dann Blattscheiden enthaltenen Fasern des Bodens. Sie ist in Hadiyya im für ihr Geld Konsumartikel wie sind ein begehrtes Ausgangsma- Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Kleidung, Haushaltswaren oder terial für Schnüre und Seile. Die Gegenden des äthiopischen Musikkassetten erwerben. Fasern sind das einzige Ensete- Hochlandes ein vergleichsweise Die Stadt Hossana ist darüber Produkt, dass in der Region ge- geringeres Problem. Die Hangla- hinaus ein Ort an dem viele ver- zielt aufgekauft und in einer Fab- gen werden nicht für den Anbau schiedene Völker und Religionen rik in Addis Abeba zu Seilen und einjähriger Pflanzen wie Getreide zusammenleben. Säcken weiterverarbeitet wird. Die genutzt, der den Boden in der Pflanzen bietet den Menschen Regenzeit schutzlosen den Re- (Die Verfasserin promoviert über somit auch Einkommensmöglich- genfällen ausliefert. Stattdessen kulturelle Aspekte des Ensete – keiten in einem bescheidenen sind sie mit Bäumen bepflanzt, Anbaues der Hadiyya. Umfang. In den lokalen Märkten die durch ihren dauerhaften Be- Email: [email protected]) können desweiteren Nahrungs- wuchs den Boden halten. Inzwi- produkte sowie Blätter der Ensete schen wurde auch erkannt, dass verkauft werden. Eukalyptusbäume für den Erosi- onsschutz nicht geeignet sind, Die Wirtschaftsweise der Hadiyya weil sie dem Boden zuviel Wasser ist in der heutigen Situation den entziehen und jegliches Wachs- regionalen Gegebenheiten ange- tum von Unterholz verhindern. passt. Von Hungerperioden bleibt Von staatlicher Seite werden die Bevölkerung verschont. Prob- deshalb Aufforstungsmaßnahmen leme werden in Zukunft jedoch mit einem gemischten Baumbe-

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the interrelationship between um Addis herum steht kurz vor Buchbesprechung art and religious faith and their der Fertigstellung. Es gibt neue von B. Schulte-Kemna effect on physical and mental Luxusrestaurants und ein elegan- health. tes Kaufhaus. Insgesamt ist Addis aber viel beliebiger geworden; Art that heals ... The history and ideas of das Typische, der verträumte (The image as Medicine in Ethio- healing images in the Mediter- kaiserliche Charme, den die Stadt pia) ranean world (Greek, Jewish, in den 80’ igern zumindest an Jacques Mercier; Pestel Verlag Christian, Muslim) is traced. einigen Plätzen noch hatte, ist München & New York; 1997; This ancient link between art kaum noch erkennbar ISBN 0-945802-19-6 and therapy, reestablished by Die Stimmung in der Stadt habe Prinzhorn and Morgenthaler, ich als resignativ empfunden. Es Jacques Mercier, eine Welt – is presented through their pi- liegt viel Hoffnungslosigkeit in der Autorität in Sachen äthiopische onier work with the art of the Luft. Es kam mir so vor, als hätten Kunst, Kultur und religiöse Bräu- mentally ill. Armut und Elend sehr zugenom- che, hat in seinem Buch die Auf- men. Es sind viel mehr Menschen merksamkeit auf ein Detail der Part two relates the most fun- in den Straßen unterwegs. Er- äthiopisch – orthodoxen Kultur damental Ethiopian healing schreckend viele davon sind jung, gelenkt, das bisher in seiner (me- images to the various underly- ohne Job und mit wenig Aussicht, dizinischen) Bedeutung noch ing ideas about their effective- jemals einen zu finden. kaum erkannt wurde. Er zeigt an ness. Some of those included Die meisten Menschen, mit denen vielen Beispielen, daß christliche are images having sacrificial ich gesprochen habe, sind ent- Bilder – und v.a. die mit Texten status, images of fascinating täuscht von der Regierung. Es und Bildern versehenen Schutz- spirits who dwell in our body, passiert einfach zu wenig, das rollen – nicht nur im seelisch - images representing the sum Hoffnung machen könnte. Der religiösen Bereich als Stärkung of the visions of the sick and staatliche Sektor wird als unfähig verwendet wurden, sondern auch images which are both real empfunden, er liegt fast bewe- zur medizinischen Therapie ein- and fake medicine. Images, gungsunfähig danieder. Immer gesetzt wurden. chosen from the centuries-old wieder hörte ich den Vorwurf, die parchment scrolls, are made Regierung sorge gut für sich Während heutzutage Psychoso- of intricate abstract patterning selbst, sei aber unfähig, das Land matik als Erfindung der westlichen and fascinating, semi- effektiv zu verwalten. Lediglich im Psychologie und Medizin (vor ein figurative images, some are militärischen Bereich wird ihr paar Jahrzehnten) gilt, enthüllt derived from Greek Gorgon, Kompetenz und Entschlossenheit sich bei Lektüre dieses Buches, and Christian iconography. ... bescheinigt. daß das Abbilden von religiösen B. Schulte - Kemna Symbolen und das Bannen von Ein völlig anderes Bild bietet der „bösen Geistern“ in solchen Ab- private Sektor, der sich seit mei- bildungen schon jahrhundertelang nem letzten Besuch gewaltig in Äthiopien (und Afrika) zum ausgebreitet hat. Er scheint mir Wiederherstellen oder zum gut organisiert und effizient zu Schutz der körperlichen und men- Reiseeindrücke aus Äthiopien sein. Ein Blick auf die nicht über- talen Gesundheit eingesetzt wur- sehbaren „neuen Reichen“ zeigt, den. Von Eggert Göttsch dass hier offenbar auch gut ver- dient wird. Und solange die Ge- Mercier gibt zuerst eine allgemei- Im Juli diesen Jahres habe ich schäfte gut laufen, hält man sich ne Einführung in „heilende Kunst“ eine dreiwöchige Reise nach in diesen Kreisen meist mit Kritik und derartige Erfahrungen im Äthiopien unternommen. Schwer- an der Regierung zurück. Westen, bevor er ausgiebig äthio- punkt dieser Reise war der äu- Ein allgegenwärtiges Thema ist pische Beispiele darstellt und ßerste Südwesten des Landes, der Multimillionär Al-Amoudi. Es analysiert. insbesondere das untere Omo - gibt kaum Bereiche der Wirt- Als Apetit - Anreger für dieses Tal. Den Omo hatte ich seit 15 schaft, in denen er nicht in gro- wirklich eindrucksvolle Buch sol- Jahren nicht mehr gesehen und in ßem Stil investiert. Eine seiner len einige Passagen aus dem Äthiopien war ich das letzte Mal letzten Errungenschaften ist die Klappentext dienen. 1995 gewesen. ehemalige Staatsfarm von Awas- Ich möchte hier nicht den Verlauf sa, die heute einen hervorragend Art that heals will introduce the dieser sehr aufregenden Reise geführten Eindruck macht. public to Ethiopia´s boldly schildern, sondern mehr oder Jeder meiner Gesprächspartner graphic, medicinal healing weniger unsortiert einige Eindrü- wusste von zahlreichen jungen scrolls. Whereas Westerners cke wiedergeben: Frauen zu berichten, die nach have long considered art and Die ersten Tage verbrachten wir einer Nacht mit Al-Amoudi so medicine as separate realms, notgedrungen in Addis, um For- großzügig entlohnt wurden, dass Ethiopians consider them to malitäten zu erledigen. Der erste sie heute erfolgreiche Geschäfts- be intimately and inextricably Eindruck hier war überwältigend: frauen sind. Überwiegend wird connected. Challenging the der Verkehr hat unglaublich zu- sehr positiv von ihm gesprochen. West´s narrowly conceived genommen und es sind zahlrei- Kritiker der Regierung werfen ihm definition of art, Ethiopians be- che neue Hochhäuser gebaut allerdings vor, dass er mit seiner lieve artworks to be active worden. Insbesondere die Debre- gewaltigen Finanzkraft die Regie- forces that ensure health. The Zeit-Road ist kaum wieder zu rung stützen würde, die ohne ability of Ethiopian artworks to erkennen. Die große Ring-Road seine Hilfe am Ende wäre. heal believers demonstrates

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Ein gutes Beispiel für eine unver- kaum eine andere Überlebens- schallt. Die dort wiedergegebene ständliche und bornierte Maß- chance sehen. Rede hat Bonke bei einer Mas- nahme der Machthaber und ihre senveranstaltung vor einiger Zeit Gleichgültigkeit den Interessen Auch auf dem religiösem Sektor in Arba Minch vor angeblich anderer ethnischer Minderheiten gibt es deutlich sichtbare Verän- 30000 begeisterten Zuhörern gegenüber ist der „Fall“ Awassa. derungen. gehalten. Es gab jedoch auch Die Stadt war bisher nicht nur die Schon auf dem Flug von Frankfurt massiven Widerstand von Teilen „Hauptstadt“ der Südprovinz, nach Addis mit „Ethiopian Airli- der Bevölkerung. Nach meinen sondern gleichzeitig des Regie- nes“ wurde den Passagieren mit Informationen kam es zu gewalt- rungsbezirks Sidamo. Auf Be- jeder der heute üblichen Positi- samen Ausschreitungen mit zahl- schluss der Regionalregierung onsanzeigen immer auch sowohl reichen Toten. wurde im Mai die Kleinstadt Aleta die Richtung als auch die Distanz Wondo zum neuen Verwaltungs- (in Meilen) nach Mekka ange- Ein Problem – zumindest für den zentrum für Sidamo erklärt. Als zeigt. Reisenden – sind die „Gangs“ von die in Awassa lebenden Sidama Bei einer islamischen Airline hätte Halbwüchsigen im Alter zwischen friedlich gegen diese Maßnahme mich das nicht weiter verwundert, ca. 16 und 25 Jahren, die einen in demonstrierten, griff die Staats- aber bei „Ethiopian“ fand ich es den Dörfern und Landstädten macht gewaltsam ein; man denn doch erstaunlich. entlang der Hauptstraßen in kür- schätzt, dass etwa 50 Menschen Fast jeder auch kleinere Ort im zester Zeit lärmend, schreiend dabei getötet wurden. Als Reakti- Rift-Valley bis hinunter nach Bo- und fordernd umringen. Wir waren on auf diesen Zwischenfall ordne- rana besitzt heute eine deutlich in der (äthiopischen) Ferienzeit te die Regionalregierung darauf- sichtbare Moschee ( natürlich gab unterwegs und viele dieser – hin an, dass alle Angehörigen der es auch in den 80’igern Mo- ausschließlich männlichen – Ju- Sidama-Ethnie aus Awassa aus- scheen, aber längst nicht so viele gendlichen nannten sich „stu- zuweisen seien ! Der stellvertre- und die Vorhandenen waren oft dents“, die nach eigenen Anga- tende Regierungschef der Süd- eher unauffällig). Heute sind die ben Internatschulen besuchten provinz, ebenfalls ein Sidama, Moscheen in einem sehr gepfleg- und die Ferien in ihrem Heimat- hatte die Wahl, dies Edikt zu ten Zustand, häufig nagelneu und dorf verbrachten. Nach meinen unterzeichnen, gegen seine eige- deutlich sichtbar nahe der Haupt- Erfahrungen mit diesen - von ne Gemeinschaft, oder seinen straße. Es gibt auch einige neue wenigen Ausnahmen abgesehen Job zu verlieren. Er unterzeichne- orthodoxe Kirchen aber der Islam – frustrierten, aggressiven und te, - und damit auch sein eigenes scheint mir deutlich und auch mit halb-bis ungebildeten Jugendli- Todesurteil: sein eigener Sicher- Erfolg in der Offensive zu sein. chen muss sich das allgemeine heitschef (ein Sidama) erschoss Das gilt auf jeden Fall für die Niveau der höheren Schulen im ihn Ende Juli in der Nähe von Oromo-Gebiete. Wie mir von Lande rapide verschlechtert ha- Dilla. Oromo-Freunden bestätigt wurde, ben. Ein Eindruck, der mir von Die Bevölkerung von Sidamo ist sehen viele Angehörige dieser vielen Seiten bestätigt wurde. Der außerordentlich beunruhigt über Ethnie in der Wahl der Religion Bildungsstand der meisten Schul- alle diese Vorgänge. Im August eine Möglichkeit, sich jetzt von abgänger sei so schlecht, dass gab es erneut eine große De- der ehemals dominierenden und – sie auf dem Arbeitsmarkt kaum monstration in Awassa, bei der es zumindest in der Rückschau - Chancen hätten. Das erklärt na- wieder zahlreiche willkürliche auch als unterdrückend empfun- türlich auch das oben beschrie- Verhaftungen von Seiten der denen Kultur der Amharen und bene Verhalten. Sicherheitskräfte gab. Es ist – Tigre abzusetzen. Vor 20 Jahren gab es insbeson- nicht nur mir – unverständlich, wie Die Kosten für die neuen Mo- dere auf dem Lande noch eine die Regionalregierung in einer scheen werden zu einem großen stärkere Kontrolle durch die staat- ethnisch eh’ schon aufgeheizten Teil von den Gemeindemitglie- lichen Organe, vor allem aber Situation eine derartige Entschei- dern aufgebracht, aber es ist auch auch durch die traditionellen Auto- dung treffen konnte. die Rede von großzügiger Unter- ritäten der jeweiligen Gemein- stützung aus arabischen Ländern. schaft. Ich habe damals noch als Die Regierung ist offenbar derzeit In Addis lernte ich auch Oromo Regelfall so etwas wie Höflichkeit auch nicht in der Lage, die Si- kennen, die sich wieder ihrer dem Gast gegenüber erfahren. cherheit selbst auf den größeren traditionellen Religion zugewen- Das ist zumindest bei der jünge- Überlandstraßen zu gewährleis- det haben, und sich regelmäßig ren Generation heute nicht mehr ten. Zumindest lässt sich das für zu religiösen Zeremonien treffen. automatisch der Fall. Mein Ein- den Süden Äthiopiens sagen. So Gerade unter gebildeten Oromo druck war, dass die traditionelle wurde etwa im Juli ein Konvoi von findet der traditionelle Glauben soziale Kontrolle durch die Älteren 5 Fahrzeugen der NGO „Farm Anhänger. Auf christlicher Seite offensichtlich ohne größeren Africa“ zwischen Arba Minch und treiben fanatische sogenannte Einfluss auf die beschriebene Konso/Ketama von Wegelagerern Evangelisten ihr Unwesen. Gruppe ist. Mich beunruhigt der ausgeraubt. Wir hörten von meh- Undenkbar zu Zeiten des Sozia- Gedanke, was passieren wird, reren derartigen Vorfällen (z.B. lismus. Unter diesen selbster- wenn Unzufriedenheit und Wut nahe Woyto). In der Regel wird nannten Kündern der wahren bei diesen jungen Männern weiter nur ausgeraubt, aber es hat auch Lehre tut sich ein Deutscher na- wachsen. schon Tote gegeben. Bevorzug- mens Bonke durch seinen beson- Die Regierung versucht, einer tes Ziel der Räuber sind „reiche“ deren Fanatismus besonders möglicherweise einmal nicht mehr Touristen. Bei den Tätern handelt unrühmlich hervor. zu kontrollierenden Situation es sich meist um ehemalige Sol- Die Hauptstraße von Jinka wird durch eine radikale Umstrukturie- daten, die nicht mehr in das Zivil- allabendlich von einem Missions- rung des Bildungswesens entge- leben zurückkehren können oder gebäude aus mit den Hetzreden genzuwirken. Statt wie bisher wollen, gut bewaffnet sind und des Herrn Bonke lautstark be- nach 12 Jahren Schulzeit jährlich

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etwa 100 000 Absolventen mit stäblich jeder Mann, der älter als wurden zwar in Addis, wie es sich hohen Erwartungen auf gut dotier- 16 Jahre ist, ein automatisches für den Juli gehört, von der Re- te Jobs zu „produzieren“, von Gewehr besitzt (fast ausschließ- genzeit empfangen. Es stellte sich denen die meisten nur schwer lich Kalaschnikows, aber auch dann aber schnell heraus, dass oder gar nicht zu vermitteln sind, das G-3 der Nato) , kann es nicht die obligatorischen Güsse eher will man zukünftig die Masse der weiter verwunderlich sein, wenn unregelmäßig fielen und es auch Studenten weniger mit theoreti- es kaum noch wilde Tiere gibt und insgesamt viel zu warm für die schem, jedoch für den Arbeits- die wenigen noch vorhandenen Jahreszeit war. Schon ab Debre markt nutzlosem Wissen über- eine enorm große Fluchtdistanz Zeit und dann sich nach Süden frachten. haben. Die Parks im Süden sind verschlimmernd, hatte es bis Die zukünftigen Schüler werden buchstäblich leer geschossen Anfang August noch gar nicht nur noch zehn Jahre die Schule worden. Man kann heute nieman- geregnet. Von offizieller Seite besuchen und sich dann ihren dem mehr guten Gewissens emp- wurde für mehrere Regionen des Fähigkeiten entsprechend mehr fehlen, nach Äthiopien zu fahren, Landes eine gravierende Dürre praktisch ( „Ten plus one“ oder um dort Wildlife zu beobachten mit entsprechendem Ernteausfall „Ten plus two“) oder mehr aka- (das gilt allerdings nicht für die vorhergesagt. Diese Vorhersage demisch („Ten plus six“) weiterbil- Vogelwelt). hat sich leider bestätigt, das konn- den. Über diesen grundlegenden Die Regierung scheint dieser te man vor einigen Tagen der Umbau des äthiopischen Bil- Entwicklung gegenüber gleichgül- Zeitung entnehmen und zwar in dungswesens werde ich versu- tig zu sein. Da kann es dann nicht viel schlimmerem Ausmaß, als chen, zu einem späteren Zeit- weiter verwunderlich sein, wenn zunächst angenommen. punkt ausführlicher zu berichten. das Personal in den Parks meist Zum Schluss noch ein Wort zur frustriert und desinteressiert ist. Globalisierung: mein Freund Wor- Als besorgniserregend habe ich Was kann man bei unregelmäßi- ko schickte mir im August eine auch die ökologische Situation gen Gehaltszahlungen und man- Mail, um mir seine Anteilnahme, empfunden. gelnder Unterstützung auch ande- aber auch seine Sorge über die Die Entwaldung im Rift-Valley gab res erwarten? Flutschäden in Deutschland aus- auch vor 20 Jahren schon zu zudrücken. „Wenn bei Euch in Sorge Anlaß, aber zumindest gab Die verschiedenen Stämme, die Deutschland weniger Getreide es dort damals auch noch am Omo entlang siedeln (Mursi, geerntet wird, dann habt Ihr zu- Schutzgebiete. Heute hat sich die Karo, Bume, Hammar und Geleb) wenig davon, um den durch die Situation rasant verschlechtert. sind heute wieder mehr sich sel- Dürre entstandenen Mangel bei Die fragilen Böden des Rift– ber überlassen. „Gestört“ werden uns auszugleichen und dann Valleys sind damit immer stärker sie dabei eigentlich nur von Mis- müssen wir hungern!“ den Kräften der Erosion ausge- sionaren und Touristen. Es ist Ein schönes Beispiel, dass auf setzt. Vor 20 Jahren wurde zwar auffallend, wie viele Missionssta- dieser einen Welt doch irgendwie auch Holzkohle an den Straßen tionen neu entstanden sind (ins- und irgendwo alles miteinander verkauft, dieser Handel war je- besondere amerikanischer Missi- verwoben ist. doch illegal und wurde vom Staat onsgesellschaften). Touristen, die hin und wieder auch verfolgt. es vor 20 Jahren fast gar nicht Heute findet dieser Verkauf ganz gab, sind heute ein ganz norma- offen und ungehindert überall an les Bild. Sie stellen eine wichtige den Hauptstraßen statt, mit fata- Einnahmequelle für die Menschen len Folgen für z.B. die letzten am Omo dar ( pro Foto werden Jacaranda Tours Gehölzsavannen zwischen Shas- verlangt: von den Hamar 1 Birr, hamane und Arba Minch. den Karo 2 Birr und den Mursi 5 REISETIPP Die Nationalparks befinden sich in Birr, akzeptiert werden nur neue einem trostlosen Zustand. Ich Scheine!). Auf die vielen moder- Wer eine Äthiopienreise plant und habe drei Parks besucht (Abia- nen Waffen im Besitz der Stämme sich im Lande individuell per Auto ta/Shala, Nechisar und Mago), hatte ich schon weiter oben hin- bewegen möchte, sei es mit Fah- von anderen habe ich sehr ge- gewiesen. Eine Folge dieser Auf- rer als auch ohne, dem möchte naue Schilderungen bekommen ( rüstung ist es, dass bei den tradi- ich ein Unternehmen in Addis Omo und Awash). Was jedocn in tionellen Auseinandersetzungen Abeba empfehlen, mit dem ich im allen Parks gut funktioniert, ist um knappe Resourcen (wie Sommer bei einer schwierigen das Kassieren des Eintrittpreises Wasser und Vieh) heute fast Reise an den Omo sehr gute (immerhin 30 EB !). Ansonsten regelmäßig viele Tote zu bekla- Erfahrungen gemacht habe. So- gibt es fast keine Infrastruktur gen sind. wohl bei der Planung als auch bei mehr. Viehzüchter dringen mit Interessant ist vielleicht der Hin- der Durchführung der Reise wa- ihren Herden in die Parks ein und weis auf ein neues Museum der ren die Zusammenarbeit und der lassen sich dort dauerhaft nieder. „Southern Nationalities“ in Jinka, Service hervorragend. Darüberhi- An anderer Stelle sind es Bauern, das auf Initiative des Mainzer naus sind die Preise gerade auch die die Savanne abholzen und Ethnologen Ivo Strecker und mit im Vergleich zu anderen Unter- den Boden unter den Pflug neh- deutscher finanzieller Hilfe entnehmen relativ moderat. men (z.B. ganz schlimm: Abia- standen ist. Bis heute stellt es in Die Firma heißt: JACARANDA, ta/Shala). Im Süden sind es in erster Linie das Leben der Familie P.O.Box 170082, Addis Abeba erster Linie die Viehzüchter, die Strecker bei den Hamar zur e-mail: einst um die Parks herum lebten Schau, aber das kann sich ja [email protected] und diese heute ganz selbstver- noch ändern Inhaber des Reisebüros Firma ist ständlich als Weidegründe und der außerordentlich hilfsbereite auch als Jagdgebiet nutzen. Da Abschließend möchte ich noch Ato Miasgana Genanew. heute in diesen Stämmen buch- kurz übers Wetter reden. Wir

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Deutsche Ansprechpartnerin für peace accord between Ethiopia German Town Sets-Up Club Jacarandatours ist Frau Went- and Eritrea," the Ambassador To Support Alem Ketema scher ; said. Prime Minister Meles

Tel.: 05522 – 71773; e-mail: Zenawi's successful visit to Ger- Addis Ababa, October 12, 2002 [email protected] many in February this year has (WIC) – Detaillierte Fragen beantworte ich been the first meeting of two The Mayor of the town of Vater- gerne: Eggert Göttsch heads of governments between stetten, located near Munich in Tel.: 0431 – 27530 Ethiopia and Germany for 30 Germany, Mr. Robert Niederge- years, he said. Asked to comment e-mail: [email protected] sass, has disclosed that the sis- on the human rights situations ter-city relationship between and the democratization process Vaterstetten and Alem Ketema in in Ethiopia, the Ambassador said North Shoa, Ethiopia, was gaining despite some shortcomings, he momentum. According to press has been able to witness positive release by the Ethiopian Embassy developments. Speaking about Verschiedenes in Berlin Mr. Niedergesass noted the development co-operation at a meeting with the representa- between the two countries, Am- tives of the Ethiopian Embassy, bassador Honsowitz said Ger- that the two towns, had a relation- Eritreans and Ethiopians in many was a key development ship for the past eight years in the Germany pray for peace partner for Ethiopia. Germany had course of which Alem Ketema offered some 28 million USD and reconciliation benefited from medical assistance worth of technical and financial and the construction of a Kinder- assistance to Ethiopia in 2001, he (The African Courier - Oct./Nov. garten. Plans are also being said, adding his country has ear- 2002; Excerpts) made to set up a hostel, a library marked 65 million USD for devel- While the 2 Horn-of-Africa coun- as well as to help the people opment co-operation with Ethiopia tries are at peace with each other, utilise alternative sources of en- for the next three years from 2002 enormous problems of poverty, ergy, as it is getting more and to 2004. The total amount of bilat- economic instability, health, inter- more difficult to get firewood, the eral technical and financial coop- nal displacement and risk of fam- Mayor told the Embassy repre- eration between the two countries ine remain. To achieve economic sentatives. It has also been re- amounted to 564.5 million Euros progress in the region, peace and ported that some 120 dwellers of since the two countries re- reconciliation must be promoted. Vaterstetten have established a established diplomatic relations in As part of efforts to promote rec- "Club of People" dedicated to 1954, the Ambassador said. onciliation between the 2 coun- support Alem Ketema regularly. It Germany contributes one-fourth tries, a conference was held from has been learned that Mr. Kar- of the EU services to Ethiopia, the 24 - 27 July 2002 in Frankfurt. heinz Böhm of Menschen fur ambassador said. Germany is the Sponsored by the Fellowship of Menschen NGO was instrumental third biggest shareholder in the the Ethiopian Evangelic Churches in setting up the relationship be- major multilateral financial institu- in Germany, the meeting was tween the two communities, the tions like IMF and the World attended in a spirit of reconcilia- release pointed out. Bank. Germany is the major des- tion, on invitation by the Fellow- tination of Ethiopian export items, ship of Eritrean Full Gospel Churches in Germany. The emo- he said. However, he added, tionally and spiritually laden con- trade exchanges between the two Muslim-Christian Religious ference injected a sense of opti- countries have been sharply af- Tolerance in Ethiopia said mism and hope into the recon- fected last year due to the decline Exemplary to World cililation process which is well of coffee price in the world mar- underway between the 2 coun- ket. In 2001 Germany has granted Addis Ababa, Sept. 18, 2002 tries. debt relief to Ethiopia amounting (ENA)— to 25 million USD on the basis of The religious tolerance exhibited the Paris Club Accord, according among Muslims and Christians in German pledges More Help to the Ambassador. "There is Ethiopia could be exemplary to more in the making in the frame- to Ease Drought Situation other communities around the work of the Highly Indebted Poor world, diplomats and scholars in Ethiopia Countries Initiative (HIPC)," he said here on Wednesday. Speak- added. Speaking on consular ing at a press conference held at (Addis Ababa, October 14, 2002; affairs Ambassador Honsowitz the German Cultural Institute, Dr. ENA) said German grants 6,000 visas Dr. Dietrich Pohl, Director of the Germany would make available to to Ethiopians every year. Ger- Institute said Ethiopian Muslims ease the drought situation in many offers scholarships to and Christians have been enjoy- Ethiopia 1.6 million Euros. The Ethiopian students at any given ing peaceful co-existence for Ambassador Herbert Honsowitz time, the Ambassador said, add- many centuries now. Dr. Dr. Pohl, has dwelt at length on the current ing about 300 Ethiopians were who is also Cultural Attaché in the political, economic and cultural currently studying at German German embassy here, said the relations between the two coun- universities. experience of Ethiopia could tries, as he was just completing serve as a good input for interna- three years of diplomatic work in tional co-operation among peo- Ethiopia. "Political Relation be- ples. The press conference was tween Ethiopia and Germany is organized in connection with a currently at an excellent level, forthcoming symposium entitled especially after the signing of the 'Cross and Crescent: Christian-

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Islamic Relations in Ethiopia' the cultural and historical heri- convened from September 23 to tages of the people of Afar. Veranstaltungen und Links 26, 2002 at the Institute. Ato Mohammed Ahmed told WIC that the Museum which would be built in Semera town with the fund 05. - 08. November 2002 Ancient Hominid Remains earmarked by the Federal Gov- VIth International Confer- ernment, would help to preserve Discovered At Konso Site ence on the History of the historical and cultural heri-

tages of the Afaris. Ethiopian Art in Addis Addis Ababa, September 14, He said the Museum would have Ababa 2002 (ENA)- Archaeologists have such facilities as video film re- Institute of Ethiopian Studies - discovered the remains of two cording and video film staging AAU types of hominids at the Konso hall, tourists reception rooms and P.O.Box 1176 Addis Ababa site range, which is located in offices. e-mail: [email protected] Southern Nations, Nationalities The Museum would be built in the and Peoples State, the Authority shape of traditional Afari hats for Research and Conservation of called Debora and will be located Cultural Heritages announced. In International Conference close to Hadar, the area where a lecture he gave here at the on Electrical & Computer one of the oldest fossils of human National Museum yesterday, Dr. kind named Lucy was been dis- Engineering Yonas Beyene said the remains covered. Many of the archeologi- ICECE-2003, Bahir Dar of Australopithecus Boisei, 1.4 cal findings discovered in the http://www.telecom.net.et/~bdu/ic million years old, and of Homo State had previously been stored ece2003/ Frectus, 1.45 to 1.35 million years at the National Museum in Addis old were discovered at the site. Ababa because of the absence of Along with the hominid remains a Museum in the State, Ahmed http://www.unesco.org/whc/nwhc/ ancient stone tools have also said. pages/sites/maplist/f_africa.htm been discovered, which has a UNESCO - Projekte Afrika / very long age that dates back to (Lalibela, Simien - 700,000 to 2 million years. The Äthiopien result of the discovery would be Äthiopier in Deutschland National Park, Fasil Ghebbi - compiled in a magazine. The Gondar, Aksum, Lower Valley of Konso research site, established Heute leben schätzungsweise the Awash, Lower Valley of the in 1991, is mainly known for its 15000 bis 17000 Menschen äthi- Omo, Tiya - Soddo Region) importance in filling the gap miss- opischer Herkunft in Deutschland. ing in the Omo deposits. Von Ihnen haben ca. 50% einen deutschen Paß. In England sollen The Society of Friends of ca. 30000 bis 40000 – und in USA the Institute of Ethiopian ca. 300000 bis 400000 äthio- Rom will Obelisken an Studies (SOFIES) has launched pischstämmige Menschen leben. Äthiopien zurückgeben Bei den Eritreern liegt die ent- a website to publicize the cam- sprechende Zahl für die BRD bei paign for a new library. The web- DONAUKURIER, 22.07.2002 ca. 25000 bis 30000, ca. 70 % site can be found at Nach jahrzehntelangem Streit mit von ihnen mit deutschem Paß. www.ethiopiaheritage.org der äthiopischen Regierung will

Italien den weltberühmten "Obe- lisken von Axum" endgültig zu- http://www.jaduland.de/afrika/ethi Workcamp Eritrea rückgeben. Ein entsprechendes opia/aethiopien.html Dekret hat Ministerpräsident Silvio Kalender 2003 interessante Links der Berlusconi unterzeichnet. Der Tabor Society etwa 2000 Jahre alte und 24 Seit vielen Jahren unterstützen Meter hohe Steinpfeiler stammt junge Menschen aus Berlin das http://ntama.uni- aus Axum, der Hauptstadt des Dorf Nefasit in Eritrea, indem sie mainz.de/~somarc/brochure/index einstigen äthiopischen Kaiser- dort in Workcamps arbeiten, .html Bäume pflanzen, Spenden sam- reichs. Italienische Truppen hat- South Omo Research Cen- ten ihn 1937 auf Befehl des fa- meln und jedes Jahr einen Kalen- ter in Jinka schistischen Diktators Mussolini der herstellen und verkaufen. nach Rom geschafft. Mehr Informationen und den Ka- http://www.the3rdman.com/ethiopi lender bekommen Sie bei anart/contents.html

QuaBS e.V. Ethiopian Art Gallery Afar State to build Cultural Tel: 030-7918964 Heritages Museum Palaen- Fax: 030-7931316 thropological Research Center

Assaita, December 06, 2001 (WIC)- The Afar State Govern- ment is to build a Palaenthro- pological Research center and a regional Museum that will exhibit

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chen und anzureichern durch die Ethiopian towns further analysis Äthiopische Verwaltungsexperten Gespräche mit den Praktikerin- and fieldwork (with cross- nen und Praktikern aus Gewerk- checking and correlation of the zu Besuch bei ver.di in Berlin schaft und Personalrat. data) is planned for the next Bis Ende Mai 2003 werden die years. Von Anne Schorling drei Äthiopier ihre Studien über die Verwaltungsmodernisierung in Was interessiert äthiopische Be- Deutschland fortsetzen. Wir wün- Theme group: Culture, Poli- schäftigte am Verwaltungs- schen ihnen dafür viel Erfolg und tics and Inequality modernisierungsprozess in alles Gute. Researcher: G.J. Abbink Deutschland? Cooperation: Centre d'Etudes Zur Zeit sind drei äthiopische ver.di-Bundesverwaltung, Berlin Africaines, Paris, France Verwaltungsexperten für einige Fachbereich 6 – Bund und Länder Institute of Ethiopian Studies and Monate in Deutschland, um an Tel.: 030/6956-2117 Department of Sociology and der Universität Potsdam Verwal- Handy: 0160/7075102 Anthropology, Addis Ababa Uni- tungswissenschaften zu studie- ren. Daheim in Äthiopien arbeiten versity, Ethiopia sie im Ministerium für Bundesan- Location: Djibouti; Eritrea; Ethio- gelegenheiten, in einer Regional- pia; Somalia verwaltung und auf kommunaler Period: 2002-2006 Ebene. Forschung Prof. Dr G.J. Abbink is an anthro- Sie interessieren sich insbeson- Linguistic contacts in cen- pologist and carries out research dere für Themen wie z.B. Bür- tral and south-west Ethio- on the history and cultures of the Horn of Africa, in particular Ethio- gerbeteiligung, Demokratisie- pia pia. His current projects are a rungsprozesse und ‚Good Gover- (Sep./Oct. 1997) nance‘ auf kommunaler -, regio- historical-cultural study of the A Project supported by the Ger- relation between liberalisation, naler- und auf Bundesebene. man Research Council Zudem haben sie viele Fragen zur democratisation and ethnicity in Johannes Gutenberg University Ethiopia, and a study of violence Rolle des Öffentlichen Dienstes Mainz: Dr. Renate Richter, Ronny auf dem Arbeitsmarkt und sind and culture among south-western Meyer, M.A., and Ethiopian ethnic groups. In prepa- interessiert an Informationen über Petra Kellermann; Mrs. Askale Beschäftigtenbeteiligung, Perso- ration is a comparative research Lemma, M.A., Head of the Oromo project on ethnic arts and material nalentwicklung und Personalma- Unit, Department of Ethiopian nagement. Von besonderem culture in southern Ethiopia. Languages & Literature, Addis Interesse sind außerdem Prob- Ababa University, Institute of lem- und Fragestellungen zum Language Studies. föderalen System in Deutschland Political culture in north- und diesbezüglichen Arbeitswei- Conclusion east Africa: Ethnicity, relig- sen von Politik und Verwaltung These preliminary findings sug- ion and conflict auf Bundes-, Länder und kommu- gest that Amharic is the most naler Ebene. important means of communica- This project will deal with crucial tion in the visited areas. It is Neben dem Studium an der Uni, aspects of political change, ethnic known as the mother tongue or conflict and conflict regulation in haben auf Einladung der verein- second language by the entire ten Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft the Horn of Africa, considering the student population investigated. interplay of ethno-regionalism, ver.di, wo im Fachbereich Bund This seems to be the typical lin- und Länder das Thema Verwal- religious identity and elite power guistic situation in urban centres politics in the context of growing tungsmodernisierung bearbeitet of the regions investigated. An- wird, bisher drei Besuchstermine international or global pressures other interesting feature is that the (political, economic and cultural). stattgefunden: ein Gespräch mit distribution of the parents' and Christian Zahn, der als Mitglied im Apart from studying systemic grandparents' mother tongues political change in Ethiopia, the ver.di-Bundesvorstand politisch reflects a wide range of lan- verantwortlich ist für den Fachbe- most important sub-project here is guages. In the students' genera- entitled 'Religion and ethnic iden- reich Bund und Länder, ein Ge- tion, however, was registered a spräch beim Hauptpersonalrat tity in Wällo, Ethiopia: A historical- remarkable shift towards Amharic. anthropological approach to des Innenministeriums (HPR-BMI) It appears that language use in und ein Gespräch im ver.di- changing Christian-Muslim rela- the family, with neighbours, and in tions'. The project considers the Bereich ‚Internationales‘. Dabei the market acts in favour of the wurde unter anderem auch über history of Muslim-Christian sym- preservation of many Ethiopian biosis in the Wällo region, north- die Rolle und Aufgaben der Ge- mother tongues. But in more werkschaft ver.di und der Perso- ern Ethiopia, a historic core of the official situations (e.g. in schools Ethiopian state. Under the impact nalräte im Verwaltungsmoderni- and other institutions of higher sierungsprozess in Deutschland of recent secular state policies learning), Amharic is the preferred (emphasizing ethnicity and lin- informiert und diskutiert. means of communication. guistic identification) and of reli- We are convinced that this picture gious revivalists refusing the pat- Die drei äthiopischen Verwal- reflects the general linguistic tungsexperten haben die Gele- tern of hitherto fluid communal situation in adequately interactions, Christians and Mus- genheit gerne wahrgenommen, investigated urban centres. In um das an der Uni erworbene lims are facing new challenges order to get a detailed description with a potentially great political theoretische Wissen zu verglei- of language use within other

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impact. Changing religious identi- It was established in 1944 and Addis Ababa Museum fications express themselves in a began its activities by exhibiting a On the road to bole International rethinking and rearranging of few archaeological collections as air port, just behind the Ethiopian community relations, whereby well as some ceremonial cos- Trade Union building is the Addis 'religious belonging' may act as a tumes and ethnographic objects. Ababa Museum. It was estab- new strategic asset to claim mate- Today, it exhibits fascinating lished in October 1986 on the rial rights in the post-1991 Ethio- items like the oldest hominids occasion of the Centennial Anni- pian political context and the skeleton (Lucy) of 3.5 million versary of the foundation of Addis resource-poor, drought-prone years; traditional and ceremonial Ababa capital city. The objectives area of northern Ethiopia. costumes; jewelry; paintings of its establishment were to col- sculptures and other archaeologi- lect and display the heritages that cal findings. depict the development of the city since its foundation; to record the future progress of the capital in The Zoological Natural His- the social, political and economic Museen in Addis Ababa tory Museum (ZNHM) spheres; and to assist researches http://www.waltainfo.com/Regiona The ZNHM is the only one of its in their study about Addis Ababa. l_States/AddisAbaba/Content.htm kind in Ethiopia where samples of The museum is housed in one of the rich Ethiopian wildlife is on the first and the oldest buildings of Entonto St. Mary Museum display. The ZNHM contains dif- the city. The house belonged to The church, built by Emperor ferent species of rodents, bats, one of the warlords during the Menelik in 1882, is situated on the hoofed mammals (ungulates), regime of emperor Menelik II. The extensive mountain range of En- carnivores, primates, birds, museum has eight sections each tonto. Articles of historical signifi- snakes, izard (Frogs and toads), department exhibits materials of cance, donated by members of fish and a diverse collection of significance at different stages of the royal families, are exhibited in invertebrates (Lower animals) the development of the city. At Fin a small museum. The drum that Fine hall, for example, photo- announced the march to Adawa graphs that depict the progress of against the Italian invasion, the Beata St. Mary Museum the city are exhibited and at Adwa bed Menelik II used while in Built in 1911, is situated in the hall weapons used during the Ankober, ceremonial dresses of premises of Emperor Menelik's battle of Adwa are displayed. the king and the queen, Menelik's palace. The remains of the king, crown and a Persian carpet are his concert, Taitu and daughter only few of the numerous exhibits Empress Zewditu are in the under Ethiopian Postal Museum depicting Entoto's glorious past. ground crypt. Fascinating wall The Ethiopian National Postal The most breath-taking view of paintings and articles of historical Museum is located on the ground the city and the surrounding ar- significance are observed. floor of the post office building on eas, the sites of the beautiful Churchill Road, Addis Ababa. The architectural stiles of archangel museum contains samples of Raquel and St. Mary Churches, Ethiopian stamps issued since Ethiopian Tourism Com- and a visit to Menelik's old palace 1894. Stamps from universal add to an experience the visitor mission Permanent Exhibi- postal union member countries, will always cherish. tion original drawings, proofs and The purpose of this exhibition is to bromides are displayed. Philatelic try to transport the visitor through literature is available for reading. Ethnographic Museum of a few of the many atmospheres of Gibbons and other catalogues are Ethiopia's tourist attractions. It IES placed to give the necessary starts with a panel followed by The institute of Ethiopian studies philatelic information. prehistoric cave, a room of was established in 1963 with Axumite palace, Lalibella Church, three major components: a re- Gondar Castle Area, and a Harrar search and publication unit, a St. George Cathedral Mu- House. library and a museum. The museum In addition to this, many transpar- seum is found in the old palace, encies and a video library to- The Octagonal church was built Genete leul, of the late Emperor by Emperor Menelik in 1896 in gether with an-upon-request cof- Haile Selassie. It has ethno- commemoration of Ethiopia's fee degustation the visitor will graphic items of more than eighty victory over Italian invaders at the share as a witness that the long ethnic groups. The museum is battle of Adwa. Paintings by legacy from the past has been not accommodated on the first and Metire Artist Afework Tekle deco- only preserved but also trans- second floors; comprising the bed posed in every event of the pre- rate the interior; and other eccle- room of the late Emperor, Haile- sent day life. Therefore, while in siastical wealth and cultural heri- selassie I and ethnographic sec- Addis Ababa, whether you are a tages of the past are displayed. tion and gallery, which concen- tourist, a diplomat, a student, a trates on the history of sacred national or an expatriate, don't arts. forget to pay a visit to the Tourism

Commission for "a journey

through Ethiopia". The National Museum of Ethiopia

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alten Handelswege und Stationen Buchbeschreibungen hierbei. Es hat hervorragende Fußnoten und hohes wissen- schaftliches Niveau. Verlag für wissenschaftliche Lite- ratur – Münster - http://www.lit- Backcover: verlag.de While presenting an historical Ulrich Braukämper account of the internal dynamics Islamic History and Cul- of Islam in Wallo, Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on the modes ture in Southern Ethiopia of its introduction and dissemination, and on its relationship with Collected Essays the Ethiopian state and regional Reihe : Göttinger Studien zur power structure, this book de- Ethnologie scribes the background to, and Bd. 9, 2002, 208 S., 20.90 EUR, manifestations of, the revival and br., ISBN 3-8258-5671-2 consolidation of Islam in the re-

gion in the nineteenth century by Studies on Islam in Ethiopia have assessing the role of Muslim long been neglected although scholars, traders and chiefs in Islam is the religious confession that process. It also traces the of almost half of the Ethiopiean origin of the tradition of Islamic population. renewal and reform, and analyzes The essays focus on the following the response of Wallo Muslim topics: religious intellectuals to the at- - Islamic principalities in South- tempt of the Ethiopian Christian east Ethiopia between the 13th monarchs of the period to bring and the 16th Centuries; about the political unification of - Medieval Muslim Survival as a the kingdom by imposing a policy Stimulating Factor in the Re- of religious coercion on the Mus- Islamization of Southeastern lim of Wallo. Ethiopia; Based largely on hitherto- - The Sanctuary of Shaykh untapped oral and written indige- Husayn and the Oromo-Somali nous sources, and supplemented Connections in Bale; by external archival and docu- - Notes on the Islamization and mentary evidence, the study is the Muslim Shrines of the Härär aimed at redressing the histo- Plateau; riographical and interpretive im- - The Islamization of the Arsi- balance embedded in the schol- Oromo. arly, institutional and popular The essays are based on the perceptions on Islam in Ethiopia. study of written records and on field research in southern parts of Hussein Ahmed, Ph.D. (1985) in the country carrid out during the Islamic History, United Kingdom, first half of the 1970s. is Associate-Professor at the Ulrich Braukämper is Professor Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. for Anthropology at the Georg He has published numerous arti- August University of Göttingen. cles both on historical and con- temporary Islam in Ethiopia including "The Historiography of Ahmed, Hussein: Islam in Ethiopia", Journal of Islam in Nineteenth- Islamic Studies, 3,1 (1992), "Ak- Century Wallo, Ethiopia sum in Muslim Historical Tradi- Revival, Reform and Reaction tions", Journal of Ethiopian Stud- Verlag Brill Leiden ies, XXIX, 2 (1997), and "Islamic 231 Seiten (2000), ISBN : 90-04- Literature and Religious Revival in 11909-4 Ethiopia (1991-1994)", Islam et Sociétés au sud du Sahara, 12 gelesen von Ursula Scheubel: (1998).

Hussein Ahmed ist bestrebt, den kulturellen Einfluß der moslemi- schen Händler, die bei der kulturellen Entwicklung des Landes eine entscheidende Rolle gespielt haben, aufzuzeigen. Das Buch läßt sich gut lesen und enhält eine Fülle von geschichtlichen Informa- tionen über die Entwicklung des Islam und die Bedeutung der

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The UN Security Council had called on in little over a year, returning it to productive Eritrea and Ethiopia to fully cooperate with use. Correspondents say that a lot of Nachrichten the border demarcation process between foreign aid is being allocated to the demin- the two countries. In a statement on July ing exercise and the Eritrean Government 12, Council President Jeremy Greenstock is thought to want to secure some of this Auszüge aus ETHIOPIA Seven Days of the UK said the process was a “key money itself. All five international demining Update1, zusammengestellt von benchmark” for lasting peace between the organizations were originally asked to Harmen Storck two countries (The Reporter, July 17). leave, but two were later allowed to stay on The independent Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary (BBC, Aug. 29). Commission (EEBC) is to open a field office According to UN Security Council Resolu- 1. Conflict with Eritrea in Tigrai region to ensure the speedy tion 1430 (2002), the 15-nation Council implementation of border demarcation. In a voted unanimously to expand the UN statement the EEBC said the office in f mission’s mandate to include mine clear- Deployment of UN Mission on Adigrat would enable staff to “resume” ance as well as to provide the Boundary survey work. The move follows a call by the Commission with administrative and Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE): president of the commission, Sir Elihu logistical support. The Commission is The UN has filed an official protest Lauterpatcht, for Ethiopia to lift a ban on now reportedly physically marking the against the Ethiopian Government follow- EEBC surveyors carrying out their work in new boundary on the ground, a politically ing a confrontation between UN peace- the contested border area. The Ethiopians touchy task made more difficult by the keeping forces and Ethiopian troops. No imposed the ban on April 27, but reports many minefields dotting the landscape, casualties were reported during the say it has now been lifted so that the field the Council said ENA, Aug. 15). armed confrontation that took place six office in Adigrat could be up and running by The UN made an impassioned plea to the days ago. A UN spokesman said Ethio- the EECB’s deadline of July 31 (Daily international community on June 28 to pian militiamen armed with AK rifles Monitor, July 30). help speed up demining in Ethiopia and opened two rounds of firing on the peace- The special envoy of UN Secretary- Eritrea after the spate of serious injuries. keepers. UNMEE authorities said the General Kofi Annan, Ambassador Leg- One man was killed and four injured in Ethiopian officials have agreed to investi- waila Joseph Legwaila, had reportedly several blasts this week alone (IRIN, gate the causes of the confrontation. The disclosed plans by the UN to have resi- June 28). Irob locality has been tense following last dents on the Ethio-Eritrea border choose Other Issues: April’s decision on the border demarcati- their citizenship. This will follow the border on (VOA, Oct. 11). demarcation on the ground. This will The reconstruction of Zalambessa town, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan dis- involve about 10,000 families who will be which was destroyed by the Eritrean war closed in his recent report to the Security allowed to choose their nationality (Ruh, of aggression, will start in this Ethiopian Council that UNMEE would stay for an July 19). calendar year. The head of the Tigrai State Rehabilitation Office said over additional six months after its mandate Displaced Persons, POWs: expires on Sep. 14, 2002. He said UN- 1,487 residential units would be built with MEE would play its role during the border About 278 Ethiopian prisoners of war an outlay of 156mio birr secured from the demarcation to ensure stability in the (POWs) returned home from Eritrea on World Bank (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. 26). area. So far, the two sides have shown Thursday in an operation carried out by the The 5th regular conference of the Alliance relative restraint despite mutual recrimi- International Committee of the Red Cross of Eritrean National Forces (AENF) nations about ill treatment of citizens in (ICRC) (State media, Aug. 29). wound up Tuesday by electing a chair- the southern part of the Temporary Ethiopia and Eritrea have said they would man and secretary general. The Alliance Security Zone (TSZ). Annan noted that immediately release all prisoners of war. also agreed to organize a national con- the disputes between local residents had The announcement came during a visit to ference that will involve all sections of the centered on grazing rights and had the two countries by the president of the Eritrean people. The conference elected worsened (Reporter, Sep. 9). International Committee of the Red Cross Abdella Idris as chairman and Hiruy The United Nations Mission for Ethiopia (ICRC). Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a Tedla as secretary general. Hiruy Tedla and Eritrea (UNMEE) said that due to the peace agreement on Dec. 12, 2000, on the need to hold a national conference absence of a direct high-altitude flight following two years of fighting. But few that would spell out the objectives of the route between Addis Ababa and Asmara, prisoners of war have been released by opposition and design a transitional it had incurred costs amounting to over either side, making relations between the structure based on the democratic, par- $1.7mio. A report submitted to the Secu- two countries extremely strained. - The liamentary and constitutional rights of the rity Council indicated that there still has ICRC says it has helped repatriate 718 people and mobilize all sections of the not been any progress made regarding Ethiopian prisoners of war, plus 5,055 Eritrean people to “remove the PFDJ as the establishment of a direct flight route. civilian Ethiopian internees from Eritrea quickly as possible and with minimum He said that the flight deviations also since Dec. 2000. In terms of Eritrean damage” (State media, Oct. 22). have serious operational and security returnees heading home from Ethiopia, Eritrean opposition groups are expected implications (Daily Monitor, Sep. 7-8). the ICRC says it has helped repatriate to start a meeting in Addis Ababa on Oct. 937 POWs and 991 civilians in the same The United Nations has condemned the 8 to discuss the political situation in period (Daily Monitor, Aug. 24-25). failure to open an air corridor that would Eritrea. Four new political groups will directly link Addis Ababa and Asmara by Land Mines, Demining: participate in the meeting, which will examine the formation of a front. If they flying over Ethiopia’s and Eritrea’s long Eritrea has asked most of the international fail to form the front, they will discuss on disputed border. UNMEE troops have to humanitarian organizations demining the how to cooperate (Addis Admas, Oct. 5). fly via Djibouti, east of Addis Ababa, area along its border with Ethiopia to leave before heading northwest to Asmara, by the end of the month – saying that it can 2. Economics, Finance, Commerce which lies virtually due north of the Ethio- do the job better itself. It has accused the State Revenues, Budgets, pian capital (Daily Monitor, Aug. 23). organizations of working too slowly and Economic Growth: Border Commission and Bor- costing too much. The UN has denied the allegations saying that the group had The latest economic report by the Ethiopian der Demarkation: succeeded in clearing over 20 sqkm of land Economic Association (EEA) has revealed

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that Ethiopia’s gross domestic savings have 500mio birr is expected to be secured in The Ministry of Finance and Economic dipped below O% of the gross domestic loans from the local banks, the statement Development has disclosed that Ethiopia product (GDP). The gross domestic sav- said (State media, June 22). had secured over 14.2 billion birr in loans ings stood low at a negative 1% point of the Debts, Grants, Loans and Cre- and grants from donor countries and GDP in the year 1999/2000 for the first time organizations during the previous budget in the country’s economic history, down dits: year. The country has also enjoyed debt from 7.7% in 1997/98 and from a high of It was which disclosed that the World relief amounting to 429mio birr. Officials 12.5% in 1987/88. The second Annual Bank had earmarked over 400m USD in of the Ministry told a press briefing that Report on the Ethiopian Economy adds that loans and grants to Ethiopia for the 2002- 10.3 billion birr was secured in grants the trend will affect the country’s economic 2003 fiscal year. The Country Represen- while the balance of 3.9 billion birr was in growth in the future and expose it to greater tative of the World Bank, Ishak Diwan, loans. Ethiopia signed agreements with foreign debt (Fortune, Sep. 8). told journalists that this fiscal year’s loans 16 bilateral development partners, and By the end of June 2001, Ethiopia’s debt and grants significantly increased be- the fund will be mobilized in the coming stock had stood at about 5.6 billion $. This cause other countries had reduced their five year (state media, Sep. 6). included debt owed to Russia after the support due to the 1998-2000 war with Japan had granted 384.4mio $ to Ethiopia negotiated reduction from 5.9 to 1.3 billion Eritrea (The Reporter, Oct. 23). from 1993 to 2001. The grant constituted $, which was a substantial reduction from The Minister of State for Finance and cash grant, technical assistance, and what it was in 1998 (Reporter, Sep. 11). Economic Development, has stated that counterpart fund. Technical assistance The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) the World Bank and the IMF have ac- accounted for 18 % of the grant. Cash grant disclosed Wednesday that the country’s cepted Ethiopia’s Poverty Reduction is commonly used by the government for foreign currency reserve has increased Strategy Paper (PRSP). He said that the foreign exchange sale and it would enter by 45.5% in 2001/2. But exports continue two financial institutions, after endorsing the central treasury (Reporter, Aug. 28). to suffer, down this year by nearly 10%.. the final strategic paper, called the paper In the past two months the World Bank The Bank also noted a substantial growth “comprehensive and a workable instru- had approved a combined loan of in the country’s imports this year. The ment to eradicate poverty in the country” 140.2mio $ for two separate projects on highest income generating imports are (state media, Oct. 24). capacity building. The Decentralized capital goods, machinery, and vehicles The World Bank has approved a Service Delivery Project will get 26.mio $, used for the country’s various industries. 132.7mio $ loan for Ethiopia’s Energy while the Structural Adjustment Credit Petroleum imports and unfinished prod- Access project, which consists of expand- Project takes up 120mio $ which Ethiopia ucts follow close behind (Sub-Saharan ing the population’s access to electricity is launching as part of its medium term Informer, Aug. 30). and improving the quality and adequacy development strategy. - According to the Ethiopia’s economic performance during of power supply. Institutional and capacity WB, the 120mio $ loan that will be the 2001/2002 fiscal year was rated as building, improving the urban distribution channeled towards the structural the 10th best performing economy in the of electricity, establishment of a load adjustment program aims at supporting “good” category” by the Economic Report dispatch center (LDC), and rural electrifi- the government strategy of achieving a on Africa (ERA). The report estimates cation giving access to 164 towns are stable macro-economic environment and growth in Ethiopia’s GDP to be 7%, 1.7% among the major components that the improving the business climate for in- less than the pervious year. The reasons government plans to implement with the creased private investment (Fortune, for the favorable economic performance, approved loan. The allocated finance for Aug. 18). according to the report, are recovery of urban distribution system, rehabilitation State Minister of Finance and Economic agricultural outputs, increased rural and expansion will primarily go to the Development Dr. Mulu Ketsela and U.S. income and domestic expenditure and largest load centers – Addis Ababa, Ambassador Tibor P. Nagy signed five the cessation of conflict with Eritrea. It Nazareth, Dire Dawa, and Bahr Dar. The USAID grant agreement amendments noted that the country had good medium- expansion will allow about 70,000 new totaling 139.6mio USD. According to a term prospects for better performance. consumers get connection to these major release by the U.S. embassy, the first However, the report pointed out that towns (Fortune, Sep. 29). grant of 8.8mio birr supports planned Ethiopia was still one of the world’s The IMF Executive Board has reportedly activities that improve the lives of poorest countries with a precipitate judged that Ethiopia had satisfactorily pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the income of $ US 110 in 2001 as the coun- executed the 3-year Poverty Reduction Borena Zone of Oromiya State and Afder try suffered from high illiteracy, low Strategy and Growth Facility, and has and Liben Zones of Somali State. The school enrollment, short life expectancy released US $14mio. However, it said, it second grant, 26.3mio birr, supports and with half of its people living below the still expects Ethiopia to effect policy and Ethiopia’s program to improve agricultural poverty line (Reporter, July 17). organizational reforms in some areas. So productivity and increase food security The Council of Ministers has approved a far, Ethiopia has received US $77mio of through research and extension, 17.2-billion birr budget for the 1995 (EC) the total US $133mio granted by the IMF increasing agricultural market fiscal year, the Ministry of Information at 0.5% interest rate. The loan will be competition, and identify alternative said. According to the proposal, 11.1 paid within 10 years, and has a grace income generation opportunities. The billion birr of the total is to cover federal period of 51/2 years (Reporter, Sep. 30). third grant, 39mio birr, supports government recurrent and capital expen- The African Development Fund (ADF) has improvements in the health care system. ditures, while the balance will go to the approved a loan of 19.89mio Units of USAID is also providing additional various state governments. - The pro- Account (UA) and a grant of UA 1.1mio, 79.6mio birr through direct mechanisms posed capital budget shows a 4 % growth totaling $27.78mio to finance the Harar for contraceptive procurement and social compared to that of last year’s. The water supply and sanitation project. The marketing and polio eradication. The subsidy exceeds that of last year’s by objective of the project is to provide better fourth grant of 65.5mio birr supports 18.3 %. Inland revenue will cover 10.5 access to water supply and sanitation quality improvements in basic education billion birr of the budgetary demand, while services to the population of Harar, Ale- system. 6.1 billion birr will be secured from foreign maya, Awedai, Adele and Dengego through Foreign Trade: grants and loans. The subsidy, which improved water production, distribution and The revenue Ethiopia earned from the stood at 5.1 billion birr last year, has now sanitation (Daily Monitor, Sep. 6). export trade during the year 2001/02 has gone up to nearly 1 billion birr. About shown a decline of 249mio birr (6.9%)

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compared with the previous year. The earnings of 3.52 billion birr during Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) country earned 3.4 billion birr in foreign 2001/02, according to data obtained from amounted to just 2mio $, the lowest level currency from the export of 429,898 tons of the Ethiopian Customs Authority. The for almost a decade. The figure shows a different commodities and collected 3.6 considerable increase in gold export is marked decline on previous years where billion birr from the export of 302,870 tons in attributed to the privatization of the larg- Ethiopia attracted over 200mio $ per 2000/2001. The revenue earned from est gold mine, Legedembi Gold Mine to year. But the war with Eritrea sparked a export trade has shown an annual decline Midroc Gold (Fortune, Sep. 1). massive downturn (Fortune, Sep. 22). of 4.8 % over the last five years. On the Ethiopia has, for the first time, earned Michael Gebru, an Ethiopian American, is other hand, the quantity of commodities over 7.2mio euro from the export of tax- undertaking an investment with an initial exported had shown a 12 % annual growth. free raw sugar to Europe, the Ethiopian cost of $15mio to establish a plantation The decline in revenue was attributed to the Sugar Industry Support Share Company and manufacturing plant for Fiber cane, a slump in the price of coffee in the interna- disclosed. The earnings, secured from bamboo like crop that can be used as a tional market (Fortune, Oct. 27). the export of 14,617 metric tons to a substitute for wood. Michael, president of The volume of coffee exports had in- Portuguese sugar processing plant, were Pan African Nile Fiber Inc., has pur- creased by 8.1 % from 98,239 tons the outcome of the tax-free export oppor- chased a 40,000 hectare bamboo planta- exported in 2000/01 to 106,245 tons in tunity offered by the EU to highly impov- tion from the Benishangul-Gumz region 2001/02 while its value declined by 12 % erished sub-Saharan African countries to and will start implementing the project in from 1.,499.3mio birr in 2000/01 to help them boost their export earnings. 2 or 3 months. The plantation will employ 1,319.2mio in 2001/02. Although export The next Ethiopian consignment is up to 500 people and the factory will earnings from coffee dropped signifi- 15,000 tons of raw sugar due for export employ 900 people , according to Michael cantly, export earnings from cereals, to another Portuguese sugar processing (The Scope, Sep. 19). which increased significantly, have offset factory in the coming year (Radio Ethio- The State Minister of Infrastructure has the decline in coffee export earnings. The pia, Aug. 22). said that over 52 billion birr has been export of cereals soared by 301.2 % from Investment and Investment earmarked for the construction sector for 70.3mio birr in 2000/01 to 282.3mio birr in the next five years. The fund will go to 2001/02. Khat export earnings, which had Policy: road construction and repair, water shown a positive trend since 1997/98, The 2002 UNCTAD World Investment development works, power generation, have also plummeted significantly. Export Report has rated Ethiopia as an “under- the health and education sector (Radio earnings from khat declined by 62 per- performer”. The country has a low direct Ethiopia, Sep. 15). cent % from 510mio birr to 193.7miobirr. foreign investment and low capacity An Indian investor has signed a contract Coffee export, which has been contribut- performance, the report said. ECA’s with the East Wellega Zonal Council to ing more than 60 % of the country’s director for economic policy, Patrick establish a sugar-processing factory with an export earnings, contributed only 39.3 % Assia, accused Ethiopia of having poli- outlay of 131mio birr. Mr. Raji Sangis will in 2001/02 (The Reporter, Oct. 30). cies that discourage foreign investment. launch the factory on 3,492 ha in Wama German Ambassador Dr. Herbert Hon- Mr. Assia said that the Ethiopian govern- locality. Mr. Sangis said he plans to launch sowitz stated that German export is not ment had prohibited foreign investors the sugar cane plantation within three like it used to be six years ago. In 1996, from engaging in banking, insurance and months and the construction of the factory export from Germany to Ethiopia was the media (Reporter, Oct. 7). six months later. He added that the agree- rated at $95mio but at the end of 2002, it The Ethiopian Investment Authority (EIA) ment was effective for 40 years, and that amounted only up to $62mio (Daily and the Regional Investment Offices the factory would employ 250 permanent Monitor , Oct. 15). approved 7,081 private investment pro- and 2,500 temporary workers when opera- Ethiopia’s Coffee Authority had said that jects between July 1992 and July 2002 tional after four years. it plans to get its coffee certified as or- with an estimated capital of 65.6 billion The construction of the Tekeze Hydroe- ganic to boost the slumping prices of the birr. Ato Mohammed Seid of the EIA said lectric Power project, to be undertaken at product that makes up two-thirds of its that out of the totally approved invest- a cost of over 3.1 billion birr, was officially foreign exchange earnings. So far, only a ment capital, the share of industry stands launched. The project has a capacity of small proportion of annual exports are at 37.3%, real estate 15.2%, construction generating 300 MW. When operational, certified as organic, but 10,500 out of 13,1%, and agriculture at 12.0%. Ato the project will raise by two-fold the Ethiopia’s three million coffee farmers Mohammed noted that 2062 projects with country’s power supply. In addition to the have been registered for the new pro- 14.4 billion birr capital have become Tekeze Project, the government plans to gram. They would have a capacity to operational employing about 82,800 construct four other HEP projects in the grow 5,000 tons by June 2003. To certify permanent workers. On the other hand, next five years, according to Ato Haile, a few hundred farmers in the southwest 1,246 projects with a combined invest- who added that the Gilgel Gibe Hydroe- of the country would cost the CTDA ment capital of Birr 15.2 billion are pres- lectric Power Project would start opera- $201mio over three years. The certifica- ently under implementation and are tion next June. The Chinese Minister of tion process, undertaken by a German expected to employ 72,100 permanent Construction, Mr. Wang Guangtao, said organization, Naturland, involves site workers when they become fully opera- on his part that the project would be visits to inspect soil samples, leaves and tional. According to Ato Mohammed, out undertaken by an Ethiopian and two farming methods. of the total approved private investment Chinese companies, and would be final- Ethiopia’s hard currency earnings from projects between July 1992 and 2002, ized in five years time. The Tekeze dam gold had soared to 318.8mio birr in the foreign investors own 308 projects with will help irrigate large tracts of northern just ended fiscal year, rising by 67.2% an estimated investment capital of 15.3 Tigray region. The Tekeze River is a from the 190.6mio birr revenue obtained billion birr. Out of these, 67 projects with tributary of the Nile, running through the in the previous fiscal year. The country a capital of 3.8 billion birr have become northern Tigray region and then into earned the reported revenue by shipping operational employing 11,000 permanent Eritrea The general manager of the 5,264 kg of gold to Germany, Switzerland workers (Capital, Oct. 6). Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation said and USA. Gold now ranks among the top Ethiopia is still struggling to attract over- that 60 to 70 towns would receive elec- four foreign currency earners next to seas investment compared to other tricity annually once the project is com- coffee, hides and skin and khat, contribut- African countries, according to the United pleted (State media, Aug. 13). ing to 9.5% of the country’s total export Nations. UNCTAD revealed that last year,

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The Ethiopian Investment Authority (EIA) Action Aid Ethiopia and five bureaus of funds are being solicited for the imple- has said it has taken various measures to the Southern Nations, Nationalities and mentation of water supply and sanitation, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Peoples’ State have signed an agree- hydropower generation as well as irriga- The minimum capital required for a ment worth 14.9mio birr in Awassa to tion development projects. He said the foreign investor’s joint venture with local undertake integrated rural development water sector development program Investors was reduced. The requirement projects. The development project in- envisages raising the urban water supply for foreign investors to deposit USD cludes small irrigation, informal educa- coverage from the current 74 % to 90 %, 125,000 in blocked account prior to actual tion, health and potable water facilities, and that of the rural from 23 % to 71 %. investment has been removed. In addi- and will focus on poverty alleviation by Irrigation schemes capable of developing tion, EIA has allowed foreign nationals of strengthening credit and savings associa- 243,696 ha and an additional hydro- Ethiopian origin to engage in hydropower tions. Over 100,000 people in the Mareka power of 2,726 MW would be con- generation and invest jointly with the and Yem special districts will benefit from structed, he indicated. Of the total finan- government in defense industries and the projects (ENA, Oct. 4). cial requirement, 4 billion dollars is ex- telecom services, and open areas which The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Norwe- pected to come from donors and the were reserved for joint investment to 100 gian Embassy in Addis Ababa said his government and other sources will cover % foreign participation (ENA, June 24). government was currently financing about the balance (ETV, June 24). The Fincha Sugar Factory (FSF) has 160mio birr worth of development projects Transport and Communication: inaugurated one of its ethanol-kerosene and supporting the democratization process The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority blending stations constructed at a cost of in Ethiopia. Major Norwegian-financed (ECAA) is preparing to inaugurate Mekele 0.6mio birr. The factory, which has a NGOs are carrying out 10-15mio birr worth International Airport, the fourth interna- crushing capacity of over 40,000 quintals of development activities annually. Among tional airport in the country. The construc- of cane per day in the first phase, pro- the projects are capacity building and food tion of the airport terminal and runway, duces 8mio liters of ethanol from molas- security programs (ENA, Sep. 21). including other airport facilities, cost ses. The ethanol plant, which is annexed The Austrian government has allocated 154.4mio birr. The project was financed to the factory, produces a power alcohol 12.5mio EUR to finance various devel- partly by the government and partly from (99.5%) that can blend with benzene and opment projects and programs aimed at the authority. According to ECAA, the kerosene to be used both as motor fuel strengthening the democratization proc- construction of the terminal, which was and cooking fuel respectively (Radio ess in Ethiopia. The Austrian government undertaken by Satcon Construction since Ethiopia, June 22). has been offering primary health care Aug. 1998, is expected to be completed Technical Assistance, Devel- services in the pastoralist areas in the next month (Fortune, Oct. 20). Somali state. An integrated livestock The general manager of the Oromia opment Projects: development project was also being Roads Authority has said that 93.7mio Care-Ethiopia has carried out urban carried out in North Gonder Zone as part birr has been allocated to build and repair development projects worth 10.2mio USD of measures to ensure food security in 3,026 km of road this year in Oromia. Ato in Addis Ababa in the last 10 years. The the area. There are negotiations for the Mulugeta Dinka said that 161 km of new projects included the construction of restructuring of two Austrian loans roads would be built, while 565 km would alleys, bridges, open ditches and public amounting to nearly 16mio EUR equip- be designed and 3,000 km repaired. toilets. The development projects also ment for the Gilgel Gibe hydropower According to Ato Mulugeta, the regional included food for work programs. Local station (Radio Ethiopia, Sep. 27). communities and the Addis Ababa City state of Oromia has allocated 66mio birr The governments of Ethiopia and Italy for the project while the government and Administration contributed USD 200,343 have signed three specific grant agree- and USD 51,613, respectively to the the Roads Fund have set aside 27.7mio ments amounting to 371.4mio birr. The birr (Abiotawi Democracy, Oct. 19). projects. Wheat grain and vegetable oil grant will be used to finance the educa- South African Airways (SAA) will start a worth 1.5mio USD were distributed tion and health sectors as well as capac- twice-weekly flight to Addis as of the end through the food for work program. ity building programs. The first grant of of Oct. 2002. The airline plans to use its 325,965 residents of the city benefited 216.7mio birr was allocated to support 737 New Generation aircraft to operate from the projects (ENA, Oct. 15). the education sector development pro- direct flights between Johannesburg and World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) and the gram (ESDP) at the federal level and in Addis. Ethiopian Airlines has been flying Oromia State Disaster Prevention and four states. The second agreement to the Southern Africa city three times a Preparedness Office have signed an amounting to 132.7mio birr will be used to week (Fortune, Sep. 1). agreement worth 94.6mio birr. The fund fund the Health Sector Development will be used to carry out development Program (HSDP). According to the em- The Ethiopian Shipping Lines (ESL) activities in the state. The projects include bassy release, the balance will be allo- secured a 471-mio birr revenue during the construction of irrigation dams, health cated to capacity building and rural the last Ethiopian fiscal year from mari- posts, veterinary clinics, primary schools development activities in the Benishangul time services. ESL general manager said and kindergarten. The drilling of 38 wells Gumuz state (Radio Ethiopia, Sep. 20). the income was obtained by transporting 415,280 tons of goods into the country and the development of 56 springs are Ethiopia and France have signed an and to different parts of the world. ESL also part of the projects. WVE undertakes 11.8mio birr project financing agreement transports merchandise from Djibouti to development projects worth 150mio birr aimed at improving the living standard the U.S., the Mediterranean area, Asia in six states (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. 9). and food security of the pastoralist com- and Africa (ENA, Aug. 10). World Vision Ethiopia (WVE) has signed munity in Afar State. The project includes an over 107.6mio birr project agreement providing animal health services, water The Awash Arba-Mile asphalt road pro- with various bureaus of the Southern supply for the local population and cattle, ject undertaken at a cost of over 500mio Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ State as well as training in technical manage- birr has been completed and inaugurated. to carry out an integrated rural development skills (ETV, July 24). The construction was carried out with funds allocated by the Ethiopian Gov- ment program in the coming five years. The Ministry of Water Resources has ernment and loans provided by the WB The projects will be undertaken in eight announced a 7.2-billion USD financial (ENA, July 21). drought-affected districts, and are ex- requirement for Ethiopia’s 15-year water pected to serve over 1.3 million people in resource development and capacity Ethiopian Airlines (EAL) has announced the state (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. 3). building programs. The Vice Minister said that it would acquire 12 airplanes over the

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coming four years with the purchase of NGOs: The amount of foreign currency coming an additional five B-737 New Generation into the country through remittances by The UK Department for International De- aircraft and three B-777 aircraft. It has Ethiopians in the Diaspora has increased velopment (DFID) has entered into agree- also signed a memorandum of under- by 250 % in five years time since 1996. ment with seven NGOs to contribute a sum standing with Boeing Company represen- Remittance fees, which Ethiopians in the of approximately 2.2mio birr for the of policy tatives. At a press conference prior to the Diaspora send through local commercial dialogue between NGOs and the govern- signing of the agreement at Sheraton banks, have reached 40mio $. This does ment. The grant is also intended for efforts Addis, CEO Bisrat Nigatu said that six not show the whole figure since most aimed at capacity building for local admini- Boeing airplanes would be acquired Ethiopians in foreign countries send stration and human rights related projects. through export credit guaranteed finance money through individuals and other The Head of DFID Office at the British lease arrangement and the remaining on illegitimate money transfer mechanisms. Embassy, and representatives of Action Aid operating lease. The purchase of the Although, there are no official figures that Ethiopia, CARE Ethiopia, World Vision airplanes would start within six to nine show the number of Ethiopians living in Ethiopia, Management Development months, Ato Bisrat added (State media, the Diaspora, close to 500,000 Ethiopians Forum, Ethiopian Human Rights Council, July 26). - Airbus has battled long to are estimated to reside in the USA (For- Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association break Boeing’s 35-year-old monopoly of tune, July 14). and Ethiopian Economic Association aircraft sales to EAL. The intensive signed the agreements at the British Em- 3. Agriculture, Food Aid, Drought campaign lasted for three years before bassy (Daily Monitor, Aug. 9). culminating in the “super final” deal Agricultural Input and Output: (Fortune). Participants at the on-going teachers’ The National Agricultural Inputs Authority conference in Arba Minch have alleged The Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) has (NAIA) has announced that 413,000 MT that some NGOs licensed to give humani- announced it would launch the second of fertilizers, 131,000 quintals of select tarian aid and/or undertake development phase of its ten-year Road Sector Devel- seeds and 1,671 tons of pesticides were in rural areas in Southern Ethiopia are opment program (RSDP). The second needed during the 2002-03 crop season. engaged in undesirable activities which phase, scheduled to begin in Sept. 2002, One of the officials said that 256,000 MT. contravene the country’s rural develop- will be conducted at a total cost of 17.3 of DAP and 157,000 MT of urea would be ment policy. Instead of promoting self- billion birr. ERA general manager said at imported during the period. He said 100 sufficiency, creating a good working a recent stakeholders meeting that during % counterpart requirement during L/C atmosphere and respecting the traditional the second phase, ERA plans to repair opening and other additional payments values and culture of the people, they 1,223 km, upgrade 2,539 km of low-grade (bid security and performance bond), high said, some NGOs are engaged in making roads, perform heavy and routine main- collateral requirement as well port con- the peasants dependents and even in tenance on several bridges, and conduct gestion and decline in the number of trying to convert the target groups to studies for follow up operations (Daily importers, wholesalers and retailers were other religions (Radio Ethiopia, July 24). Monitor, July 14). some of the major problems identified in Other Issues: the supply and distribution of fertilizers in Privatization: the country (State media, Oct.30). The Addis Ababa trade and industry The Ministry of Information has disclosed bureau revealed that more than 2,200 GTZ, will introduce on Oct. 8 a new grain that 113 government-owned enterprises business have returned their licenses that can potentially be used for national would be privatized within the coming two during the last budget year. According to consumption. The new grain called years. Since the establishment of the insiders, the tax burden and exorbitant Triticale is a crossbreed between wheat Ethiopian Privatization Agency (EPA) in rent payments have forced many busi- and rye, which can be used for the 1994, 223 enterprises have been privatized nesses to quit and return their licenses. preparation of injera, kita , pasta, tella generating 3 billion birr, while 428 various From 30,818 licensed wholesale, retail and kollo, according to the program properties, which were nationalized outside and service industry and agricultural coordinator. GTZ, in collaboration with the provisions of the law, were returned to development businesses, 7.1% have regional bureaus of agriculture, including their owners (Business Review, Sep. 12). returned their licenses (Reporter, Oct. those in Amhara and Tigrai, has been The long overdue privatization of the 16). testing the suitability of the grain for Ethiopian telecom industry is right at the growth and consumption in Ethiopia for In its second annual report on the Ethio- corner. EPA is inviting what it calls “stra- the last six years. Triticale has a higher pian economy, the Ethiopian Economic tegic partners” to express their interest in yield and mineral and protein content Policy Research Institute, which is under acquiring a 30% stake including man- than wheat. It can be grown in difficult the Ethiopian Economic Association agement control of the incumbent state- places as it is highly tolerant to drought, (EEA/EEPRI), said that the inflation rate owned Ethiopian Telecommunication frost, hail, acidic soil and diseases (The in the country increased slightly from 3.9 Corporation (ETC) (Fortune, Aug. 11). Scope, Oct. 4). % in 1998/99 to 4.2 % in 1999/2000. The EPA is preparing to sell 13 companies director of EEPRI, Dr. Berhanu Nega, Peasants of Western Oromiya have and enterprises that are currently under who presented the report, said the aver- reportedly decided not to accept any government ownership. At least 51 % age growth of GDP during the reported more fertilizer and select seeds, which ownership of these companies will be period was 5.8% implying an average per have caused them to suffer bankruptcy. sold to investors in bids that will be ope- capita income of 2.8% at 3% annual They were allowed to take fertilizer on ned in Nov. Seven share companies, population growth. Dr. Berhanu said the loan, which they were totally unable to three hotels, one textile company, one service sector was the largest contributor pay back following this year’s dramatic glass shop, one enterprise and one lime to the GDP growth. He added that the slump in grain prices. One of the issues factory have been floated for privatization contribution of the industrial sector to the raised by protesting Oromo students (Daily Monitor, July 18). GDP had remained very low - only 11% recently was this debt payment crisis EPA had collected more than 177.7 in 1999/2000. According to EEPRF’s (Dagim Wenchif, June 25). million birr between July 2000 and April press release, the manufacturing sector Extension: 2001, an outstanding settlement of the was characterized by low export and A new agricultural extension package sales of state-owned enterprises that competitiveness as well as declining involving the conservation and utilization were transferred to private ownership productivity (Radio Ethiopia, Sep. 2). of rainwater is in the pipeline, the Ministry (Fortune, June 23). of Agriculture disclosed. The new pack-

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age will help ease the problem of food scale. As many as 14 million people projects with a capital of 5.8 billion birr shortage in drought-prone areas. It aims could need feeding by early next year had not been operational. Only 153 at popularizing rainwater conservation (BBC, Oct. 1). projects with a capital of 1.6 billion birr technologies, which have been found to The World Food Program says that six had been completed and are now opera- be feasible in rain deficient pilot demon- million Ethiopians will need food aid in the tional, it was learnt. Of the projects that stration areas. The package will make it next few months. WFP warns that it is were not completed, some 635 were possible to raise crop production, expand facing a shortfall in its pledges of food being undertaken while the remaining animal husbandry, help control flooding from major donors of tens of thousands of 627 had not yet been established. About and soil erosion and contribute to making tons. The report added that failed rains in 88.9 % of the investors have shown water available within reasonable reach many parts of the country have caused interest in the natural resources sector (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. 3). harvest to fall down by 15 % compared to and 71.4 % in the agro-production proc- Irrigation: the previous four years. The report said essing sector (The Reporter, Oct. 16). that timely delivery and distribution of Grain prices, which have been continu- Small-scale irrigation projects to develop additional food aid was crucial to maintain ously dropping since the previous harvest 7,000 hectares of land in drought-affected minimum nutritional levels. The report season, have shown a sudden surge in regions have been launched. The pro- also warned that the months of March price by 50 % in the past 10 days alone, jects are being undertaken in Amhara, and June next year could be catastrophic while severe food shortage is looming in Oromia, Tigrai and Southern Nations, as poor harvest from 2002 may ran out most parts of the country. In Addis Nationalities and Peoples’ States. Ac- (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. 2). Ababa, wheat, that used to cost an aver- cording to the coordinator, the Interna- age of 125 birr per quintal hiked to an tional Fund for Agricultural Development An IRIN report disclosed that child deaths average of 190 birr per quintal. Similarly, has donated 31.9mio US$ and the in drought–stricken Afar region had risen the price of barley jumped from 120 birr French Development Agency has con- dramatically over the past four months, to 180 birr, while bean prices increased tributed 11.5mio Euro in loan and aid. according to the latest nutritional survey by 30 birr from the previous price of 150 Over 140,000 people will benefit from the from the area. Some 36 children died in birr (Fortune, July 28). projects (ENA, Oct.9). the regional capital Asaita alone, with high numbers of deaths in the other towns, CARE-Ethiopia has handed over two Environment: according to a study by World Vision. irrigation development projects, under- The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Children in Afar region, mainly pastoralist taken at a cost of 4.6mio birr, to farmers has signed a 900,000-birr project agree- and agro-pastoralist, also suffered from a in East Shoa Zone. The projects have a ment with two bureaus of Oromia state to high degree of stunting. Around 1/3 of capacity to develop 275 ha. CARE- undertake development and wildlife children were stunted, it said. Acute Ethiopia earmarked 4mio birr for the conservation activities in the Bale Moun- malnutritution has reached around 6% project while farmers in the area contrib- tains National Park. Capacity building while global malnutritution stands at 30 % uted about 700,000 birr worth of labor. training and a forest fire program are (Daily Monitor, Sep. 26). The two projects will help 269 farmers among the project components to be and 1,517 family members plant onion, Pastoralists and their cattle have been carried out in the park and in the Manna- maize, tomato and sugar cane twice a seriously affected by the failure of the Angetu Forestry Priority area (ENA, Sep. year (Radio Ethiopia, July 23). belg rains, the Prevention and Prepared- 16). ness Commissioner said, adding that The Ministry of Agriculture has said that Drought, Flood, Famine and 12mio USD was needed for water supply 45,000 ha of farmland would be terraced and health care in the pastoral areas. Food Aid: in four states this budget year through (Radio Ethiopia, Sep. 17). The Disaster Prevention and Prepared- food-for-work programs. The Ministry said ness Commission (DPPC) said more than It is estimated that almost half the cattle the terraces would be built in Tigray, 2,793,000 quintals of relief food has been in Afar have been wiped out during the Amhara, Oromiya and Southern Nations, apportioned among people affected by severe drought that has hit the region, Nationalities and Peoples’ States. The drought over the past three months according to a report issued by the UN’s move is part of efforts underway to con- (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. 28). Emergency Unit for Ethiopia (EUE). In an trol soil erosion, he said. The Ministry According to WFP, 1.5 million to 2.2 emergency report, it indicated that more also plans to distribute 200 million tree million tons of relief food would be nee- than one in 10 livestock had died in the seedlings of various species to farmers in ded next year. It is estimated that the desert-like conditions of Oromiya, Somali the four states. Some 300,000 farmers number of needy people would jump from and Afar regions. Market prices of live- are expected to take part in the program 10-14 million next year (VOA, Oct. 25). stock had also plummeted. In Afar, the (Radio Ethiopia, Aug. 20). Bureau of Agriculture has reported some WFP had announced the launching of a The Federal Disaster Prevention and 492,435 livestock deaths. It believes that four-year development program in Ethio- Preparedness Commission (DPPC) has cattle deaths could be as high as 44.4 % pia with an outlay of 68mio USD. WFP’s urged the donor community to respond to (Monitor, Sep. 17) the immediate food needs of 6.3 million Ethiopia Deputy Director, Benedict Funi- people from Oct. to Dec. 2002. Some 6.8 to The government has disclosed that tang said 45mio $ out of the total funds 14.3 million people will be in need of food nearly 180,000 cattle had died in Afar, would go to soil and water conservation aid, DPPC said. Senior representatives of Oromiya and Somalia in the past three projects in Tigrai, Amhara, Oromiya and the UN and the donor community have months because of severe drought. The the Southern Nations, Nationalities and reaffirmed their strong commitment to MoA said the late arrival of rains last year Peoples’ States. An HIV/AIDS interven- prevent the looming crisis. - DPPC Com- and the failure of the rains this year have tion program will also be carried out with missioner Simon Mechale also indicated led to shortage of water and grazing an outlay of 23mio $ in Addis Ababa that a total of 915,000 MT to 2.12 million (Daily Monitor, Aug. 12). (Radio Ethiopia, July 30). MT would be needed (Radio Ethiopia, Oct. Other Issues: 4. Tourism 7). A study paper, presented at the first The number of foreign tourists visiting An early warning network financed by the National Agricultural Symposium at Ethiopia this year is expected to reach United States says the failure rains in Adama, disclosed that out of the total 150,000, the Ethiopian Tourism Commis- Ethiopia has left the country facing the 1,415 agricultural projects with a total sioner said. He said Ethiopia had hosted prospect of drought on an unprecedented capital of over 7.6 billion birr, 1,262 148,000 foreign tourists in 2001. Ato

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Yusuf said that problems associated with eight people. They told that they had A religious newspaper, Semea Tsidik, has the issuance of entry visas for tourists detonated the bombs on orders from the revealed that armed Muslims had besieged had now been easier after the Immigra- OLF leadership (VOA, Sep. 28). the ancient Ethiopian monastery of Asse- tion Office started issuing entry visas for Dr. Beyene Petros, chairman of the South- bot. The Muslims had restricted the move- citizens of 33 countries at Bole Interna- ern Ethiopia Peoples’ Democratic Coalition ment of the monks who were also physi- tional Airport (ETV, Sep. 19). and the Council of Alternative Forces for cally threatened. The paper charged that An Austrian parliamentarian delegation on Peace and Democracy in Ethiopia told that the Muslims had burnt down the forests a visit to the Semien Mountains National the OLF had agreed to join the forum of around the monastery and looted cattle Park has laid a foundation stone at the Ethiopian opposition forces. The newly belonging to the monks. The monastery is future site of the Information Center of the formed All Ethiopia Unity Organization has located in Meisso district, western Harerge. National Park Administration in the town of already joined the grouping. The Ethiopian There have been four forest fires there Debark in Gonder. The Austrian Embassy National Electoral Board is reported to since last February, the report said said the establishment of the center would have granted legal recognition to the (Poletica, July 29). be financed by the Austrian Development newly formed All Ethiopia Unity Organiza- A two-day symposium on Ethiopian Cooperation as part of an integrated devel- tion (Tomar, Sep. 24). Christian and Islamic music traditions is opment program. - “The Semien Mountains Police has arrested several rebels of the expected to be held in Addis Ababa July National Park (SMNP) is increasingly OLF suspected of the Sept. 11 hotel 24-25. The organizing committee said threatened by population pressure, defores- bombings that killed 3 people. 38 people various studies pertaining to the origin tation and the ensuing erosion and general were also injured by the bomb explosion and role of religious music would be environmental degradation,” the statement that virtually destroyed the Tigrai Hotel as presented at the symposium organized said. Efforts are currently being made to it was packed with revelers celebrating by the German Cultural Institute. One of promote activities that strike a balance the Ethiopian New Year (Daily Monitor, the topics is the significance of folk music between the need for development by Sep. 23). in Islam and Christianity. The Director of combining infrastructure support to the park The OLF has protested against the mass the Institute and member of the commit- management and development of commu- rounding up of Oromos in Addis following tee, Dr. Dietrich Pohl, said the sympo- nity based tourism with food security meas- the attack. It urged the international sium, which is the first of its kind in the ures (Daily Monitor, Sep. 7-8). community to denounce the TPLF for country, would be an ideal forum for other 5. Social, Cultural and Political seeking to frame the OLF and Oromos for nations to learn about religious coexis- Aspects terrorist acts which they did not carry out. tence. He said a similar forum would be Opposition-Related Issues: So far, police and the government have organized next Sep. on issues concern- not given details of who launched the ing religious harmony and tolerance OLF has issued a statement denouncing attack and why (Seife Nebelbal, Sep. 20). (ENA, July 23). Major General Bacha Debele for claiming that the OLF had broken up and its In a statement issued on Sept. 17, the News about Culture and His- factions have started fighting (Tikusssat, OLF denounced the attack on Tigray tory: Hotel from which it firmly disassociated Oct. 23). - The OLF denounced some of The Abebe Bikila International Stadium, itself. The OLF said it denounces all acts its former members who turned them- built at a cost of over 20mio birr in Addis of terrorism, and charged that Oromos selves in as having been TPLF spies Ababa, was inaugurated officially on Oct. were being hunted down in an attempt to hidden all along in the ranks of he OLF 20, 2002. The stadium can accommodate smear its name (Mebrek, Sep. 19). (Dagim Wenchif, Oct. 22). over 25,000 spectators (ENA, Oct. 24). The government announced that a terror- Three OLF executive committee mem- Archeologists have discovered the remains ist group of the OLF deployed to bring bers who defected from the Front have of two types of hominids at the Konso site havoc and instability in Gambella State declared that the OLF had split into two. range which is located in the Southern had been completely annihilated by The three, who gave themselves up Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ State, members of the National Defense Forces. recently, said that they defected from the the Authority for Research and Conserva- The Ministry of Information said that the Front after being disappointed with the tion of Cultural Heritage announced. The OLF terrorists, trained and equipped by growing ethnic divisions within the OLF. head of the Archaeology and Anthropology the EPLF-led government in Asmara to Bikilcha Sagne, who was the commander Department of the Authority, Dr. Yonas fight a proxy war and divert the attention of the Southern Zone, said a huge rift had Beyene, said the remains of Australopith- of the people from development, had been created within the OLF. He said that ecus Boisei, 1.4 million years old, and of been destroyed including their leaders. It those who opposed the Front’s ties with Homo Frectus, 1.45 to 1.35 million years said 227 of the 247 OLF terrorists de- the Eritrean government were labeled as old, were discovered at the site. Along with ployed in Gambella State to carry out traitors. Lack of trust and a series of the hominid remains, ancient stone tools terrorist activities had been captured. disagreements have recently led to fierce dating back to 700,000 to 2 million years, Some 20 terrorists who attempted to fighting among OLF troops along the were also discovered at the Konso re- escape have been killed. The defense Ethio-Kenya border, Bikilcha said (Radio search site, Dr. Yonas said (ENA, Sep. 13). Ethiopia, Oct. 17). forces also seized weaponry and other valuable materials (ETV, June 28). Ever since 1992, 790 licenses for 513 The All Ethiopia Unity Party has issued a newspapers, 200 magazines, 3 news call urging the Ethiopian people, civic Churches and Religion: agencies and 74 electronic products have groups, and opposition political parties to An old and revered mosque in Katbare, been issued. Of these, 455 newspapers set aside their minor differences and Gurage Kebena district, was reportedly and 155 magazines became operational. prepare the conditions for a peaceful burnt by unidentified wahabis at about However, at present, only 81 newspapers, transfer of power in Ethiopia. It accused midnight on Aug. 10, 2002. The fire 22 magazines, 2 news agencies and 74 the EPRDF of adamantly rejecting calls consumed carpets, Korans, and relics electronic products are in the market (State by the people, the opposition and intellec- hundreds of years old. The total damages media, Sep. 13). tuals to initiate a national dialogue. The are estimated at over 520,000 birr. This The Ethiopian National Theater will, for party urged the EPRDF to prepare for a incident followed recent alleged burning the first time, stage a musical play in peaceful transition (Tobia, Oct. 17). of Sufi mosques and institutions by Guragigna. “This musical play focuses on An announcement by ETV said the Tigrai wahabi-oriented people (Ruh, Aug. 16). the culture and tradition of the Gurage Hotel bombing was masterminded by people,” said Ato Fekadu Feye, program

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and production officer of the Ethiopian differs with Eritrea with regard to fishing programs 240 agricultural professionals National Theater. The musical play, in its waters and interpretation of the in animal and plant sciences as well as in “Adabina”, was written by Dagmawi verdict of the international arbitration agricultural research and dissemination. Feyissa and directed by Tesfaye Gebre court regarding the disputed issue (Radio The college will begin regular training Mariam (Reporter, July 29). Ethiopia, Oct. 15). programs in agro-business and agricul- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi The US says Ethiopia will be one of the tural production next academic year told journalists that the Axum obelisk in next African nations to receive military (state media, July 2). Rome would be restored and sent back to training in peacekeeping and humanitar- Jimma University has announced plans to Ethiopia. Mr. Berlusconi noted that the ian relief operations. Greg Engle, the U.S. launch over 20 new degree and diploma top of the obelisk struck by thunder a few State Department’s Director of the Office programs as of the next Ethiopian aca- months ago would first be restored (Pole- of Regional and Security Affairs for Africa demic year. The president of the univer- tica, July 22). said training for Ethiopian troops would sity, Dr. Damtew Wolde Mariam, said that Other Social and Political Is- go forward now that hostilities between the university would start degree pro- Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea are over. grams in law, economics, psychology, sues: The training program calls for local troops computer sciences and technology. The The Addis Ababa Police Commission has to receive instructions in conducting diploma programs will be in pharmacol- disclosed that 269 people were killed in car peacekeeping and relief missions, but not ogy, accounting, banking, marketing and accidents in the capital in the past nine training in the conduct of any kind of secretarial science. The university will months. The commission said that 1,376 warfare (VOA, July 24). - Pentagon also start post-graduate programs in two people suffered injuries in the accidents. sources were quoted as saying that the fields of medical science. The new pro- Some 5,683 traffic accidents were reported training would enhance competence in grams will raise the enrolling capacity of during the same period, it said, adding that international peacekeeping and humani- the university from 3,700 to 10,000 (State property worth about 12mio birr was de- tarian intervention. Ethiopia was part of media, July 10). stroyed (State media, Sep. 11). the “African Crisis Response Initiative” Bahr Dar University has graduated 1,621 Some 80% of the over 2.7 million people until the program was suspended at the students with degrees and diplomas. The in Addis Ababa live in shanty areas, a outbreak of the Ethio-Eritrea conflict in graduates studied engineering, educa- document prepared by the Metropolitan 1998 (Menelik, July 26). tion, business and economics. Some 502 Master plan office said. The document 6. Education of the students graduated with degrees indicated that 80% of the residential The Ministry of Education has announced a and the remaining 1,119 with diplomas. houses in the capital are dilapidated, and 16.5% growth in the coverage of primary The president of the university, Dr. 18% are in very poor condition where education enrolment during the past Ethio- Shimelis Haile, said a textile and garment maintenance is hardly possible. The pian academic year. The number of primary technology institute has been established report said that a quarter of the residents school students reached 8.1mio in 1994 in the university as part of the national have no access to toilets, and that 24% of E.C. from 7.3mio in the previous year. An capacity building program. The university the dwellers use pit latrines. Only 1.3% of increase of more than 12 % was witnessed will also upgrade the law department to residents have access to modern toilets in secondary school enrolment during the faculty level (ENA, July 6). with sewers. The government has formu- same period. Enrolment in technical and 7. Health lated a 10-year master plan to mitigate at vocational education grew dramatically. Abortion is the second leading cause of least 50% of these pressing problems, The number of specialized institutions grew hospital deaths in Ethiopia, after tubercu- the document said (ENA, Aug. 29) from 22 to 508 and that of students from losis, the World Health Organization The District 18 urban and development 4,561 to 34,777 (ENA, Sep. 12). (WHO) said. Dr. Angela Benson, acting administration bureau has begun demol- The Ministry of Education and the U.S. representative of WHO in Ethiopia also ishing some 1000 illegally constructed Government signed a five-year agree- indicated that several harmful practices houses. The demolition of illegal con- ment amounting to 218.5mio birr. The like Female Genital Mutilation are prac- structions will include restaurants, jewelry agreement will cover the second phase of ticed in one form or another by more than shops, kiosks, shoe shops, butchers, USAID’s Basic Education Improvement 70 % of the population (Monitor, Oct. 25). barbers and some residential homes (BESO II) program, according to a press An official of the Ministry for Labor and (Daily Monitor, Aug. 27). release by the U.S. Embassy. Mr. Hull Social Affairs told a meeting on AIDS that, UNICEF has donated over 3.8mio birr to also congratulated the Ministry of Educa- at the present rate, the AIDS epidemic in help rehabilitate street children in two zones tion for increasing the primary education Ethiopia could increase by 7.3% a year. of Amhara State, the state’s labor and enrollment rate in Ethiopia from 20% in Right now, three million Ethiopians are said social affairs bureau said. The UNICEF 1994 to 57% in 2002/01 (ETV, Aug. 14). to carry the virus with one out of six citizens project coordinator with the bureau, said Unity College has disclosed that it has in the big cities infected with the virus that the fund would allow 200 street chil- finalized preparations to upgrade the (Tobia, Sep. 12). dren in Dessie and Bahr Dar to engage in college to university level, and would start Some 37 HIV/AIDS surveillance stations income generating schemes (ENA, Aug. 6). operation in Sep. 2002. Unity University established in rural and urban areas have Over 65 % of Addis Ababa’s population will have 10 new programs. The head of begun operation, the Ministry of Health as well as 45.5 % of Ethiopia’s population public relations of the college. said that said. The stations were established to study live below the poverty line. This implies the college had fulfilled all the require- the magnitude of the epidemic in order to not only lowered income but also lack of ments set by the Ministry of Education to be able to launch a consolidated preventive education, health and other social ser- operate at university level. The ministry campaign. The ministry’s head of the vices (Addis Lissan, July 15). requires a minimum of 5,000 students, at Diseases Prevention and Control Depart- Foreign Relations: least 3 faculties, and 25 % of the lectur- ment said there are 2.6 million people living ers to have PhDs (Fortune, July 21). Ethiopia, Yemen and Sudan have agreed with the virus, out of whom 250,000 are to consult and cooperate on issues The Alemaya University will launch a children under the age of 5, and 75,000 related to the Red Sea and the Horn of training program in agriculture and social AIDS orphans (Daily Monitor, Aug. 7). Africa. The leaders also discussed the sciences up to PhD level in the next The Netherlands Government has signed 'war-mongering' policy of the Eritrean Ethiopian academic year. The dean of the an over 33.1 million birr cooperation regime. Sudan accuses Eritrea of sup- Agricultural College, Dr. Assefa Asmare, agreement with the Ministry of Health to be porting the fighters in the south, Yemen said the university plans to train in degree used for the tuberculosis and leprosy

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control program (TLCP) in the country (Radio Ethiopia, Aug. 7). About 500,000 children in Ethiopia are exposed to blindness annually, two ophthalmologic specialists at Menelik II Hospital revealed. Dr. Argaw Mohammed and Dr. Samson Bayu indicated that 60 % of the reported number die of diseases affecting the eye.. Measles, Vitamin A deficiency, traditional treatments and trachoma, among others, are the major causes for child blindness. According to the study, most of the diseases that blind children are preventable (ENA, June 24). According to a study conducted by the Central Statistics Authority malnutrition is the cause for the retardation of 57 % of children in Ethiopia. The physical development of children aged between 3-59 months is slowed down because of malnourishment (WIC). 8. Human Rights More than two hundred people had lost their lives through extra-judicial killings and that 230 had unlawfully been impris- oned in the Ethiopian calendar year now closing to an end. This was disclosed in a report by the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) released on Sep. 2. The 27-page report shows also that there had been quite a significant number of people wounded as a result of being fired at and kidnapped, and also unlawfully fired from their work and made pen- sionless (The Reporter, Sep. 4). 9. Internal Security On the night of Ethiopian New Year, Sept, 11, a big explosion had rocked the Tigray Hotel in the heart of Piazza leaving at least 30 injured and one dead. The blast occurred at app. 9:30 p.m. State Minister of Information Wro. Netsanet Asfaw was quoted by CNN as having said that it was an explosive devise that gutted the hotel. Soon after the explosion, fire broke out causing extreme damage to the place and injuring many people in the hotel (Daily Monitor, Sep. 13). A bomb planted by unidentified individuals has exploded at the Dire Dawa Rail- way office building on June 24. There were no injured people, but one of the rooms in the building and a train com- partment were damaged. The Security, Immigration and Refugees Affairs Author- ity is investigating the incident to identify those responsible for the crime, the report said (Daily Monitor, June 26). the OLF has claimed responsibility for the bomb explosion at the Dire Dawa Railway Station. OLF Spokesman Ato Lencho Bati told that the attack was part of the na- tionwide offensive being taken by the OLF. The Ethiopian government has admitted the attack, but said the offend- ers were terrorist groups whom it did not specify (VOA, June 25).

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