Al Mariam’s Commentaries Archive
29 Jul 2019
Ode to 4 Billion Tree Saplings by the River Ghion (Ethiopia)
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and
24 Jul 2019
We Made History With the Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund!
July 25, 2019 — Ethiopian Diaspora Trust Fund (EDTF) FIRST ROUND OF CALLS FOR PROPOSALS. We are proud to announce EDTF will issue its first round of calls for proposals on July 25, 2019. All parties interested in submitting proposals to undertake projects are encouraged to do so by following the guidelines provided. Complete documentation
21 Jul 2019
The Real Universities Outside the Ivory Tower: PM Abiy’s Commencement Speech at Addis Ababa University
Commencement speeches given by political leaders often tend to be partisan, contentious and controversial. The politician will often seek to use the opportunity to defend or promote policy, respond to critics or announce an initiative. After President Barack Obama and I parted ways back in July 2015, there were few things we agreed on. But
14 Jul 2019
Now is the Time for All Good Ethiopian Men and Women to Come to the Aid of Their Country!
There is great wisdom in the old typing drill, “This is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country.” I would argue more specifically this is the time for all good Ethiopian lawyers, doctors, engineers, professors, academics, writers, journalists, teachers, service workers and all others to come
02 Jul 2019
Their Finest Hour in Our Darkest Day: A Eulogy for Brothers We Lost on June 22, 2019 in Ethiopia
The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. — Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar It would be an understatement for me to say what happened on June 22 2019 in Bahr Dar, Amhara region of Ethiopia and in Addis Ababa has caused me
26 Jun 2019
Herman (Harm Man) Cohen’s Second “Coup” in Ethiopia? We Demand an Apology!
How true the saying, “There is no fool like an old fool.” My readers know I don’t tolerate old fools. Of course, there are old fools; and there are offensive and villainous old fools. Herman Cohen is an offensive and villainous old fool. On June 24, 2019, Herman Cohen tweeted: Failed coup in #Ethiopia’s Amhara
23 Jun 2019
June 23, 2018; June 22, 2019: Dates Which Will Live in Infamy in Ethiopia
A Special Tribute to Victims of a Terrorist Attack in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on June 23, 2018 and Amhara Region on June 22, 2019 Today, high level iconic leaders of Amhara kilil (region) were shot by their own brothers (colleagues). Some were killed and others wounded. The man who was coordinating the (military) operation against
11 Jun 2019
Abiy Ahmed, “Africa’s First Responder?”
The phrase “first responder” refers to a person, often with specialized training, who is the first to arrive and aid at the scene of an emergency or a disaster. On June 3, 2019, there was more than an emergency in the Sudan. There was a disaster. Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces under the command and control
04 Jun 2019
Generation Abiy and the Greening of Ethiopia
4 Billion Trees? But I asked for only for 110 million! It is so wonderful to see one’s dream come true! In February 2019, I shared a dream about the rise of a youth environmental movement in Ethiopia. As an environmentalist and proud tree hugger, I have always had deep concern for environmental conservation in
26 May 2019
TPLF’s Last Hurrah or Latest Whimper for a Comeback to Power in Ethiopia?
Word on the street is that the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is talking to “K” Street lobbyists to get the attention of the Trump administration. According to the little bird who told me, the TPLF has retained a lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. to provide them access to top Trump officials for the purpose