Al Mariam’s Commentaries Archive
18 Feb 2018
198 Ways to Fight the T-TPLF’s State of Emergency in Ethiopia and Win
“One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The T-TPLF state of emergency declaration is an unjust law! The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress… If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and
16 Feb 2018
Is the T-TPLF Running Another Resignation Scam in Ethiopia?
Yesterday, T-TPLF prime minster Hailemariam Desalegn “resigned”. Today, it is rumored the T-TPLF is ready to declare another state of emergency to continue to cling to power. In October 2016, the T-TPLF declared a state of emergency for itself. The T-TPLF is on life support once again. Quick to the state of emergency room! A state
11 Feb 2018
The Case for an Ethiopiawinet-Centered Grassroots Reconciliation Process (Part IV)
Holding the Feet (Hooves) of the Wounded Beast to the Fire Author’s Note: This is the fourth installment of what I initially planned to be a three-part series on prospects for truth and reconciliation in Ethiopia. I have explained the purposes of the series in the Author’s Note of Part I and Part II along with other issues. In
04 Feb 2018
A Rejoinder to Seyoum Mesfin’s Call to Arms to the People of Tigray
Author’s Note: I am postponing Part IV of my regularly scheduled commentary on truth and reconciliation in Ethiopia to respond to Seyoum Mesfin’s call to arms to the people of Tigray. I find it exceedingly important to record a timely response to Mesfin’s inflammatory, outrageous and alarming battle cry aimed at spreading hysteria and paranoia
29 Jan 2018
Prof. Al Mariam’s Voice of America Interview (Amharic) on U.S. Government Shutdown, January 28, 2018
Prof. Al Mariam’s Voice of America Interview (Amharic) on U.S. Government Shutdown, January 28, 2018
28 Jan 2018
Ethiopia: Cutting a Deal With the Wounded Beast (Part III)
Author’s Note: This is the third installment in a three-part series on prospects for “mediation”, “reconciliation” and “negotiation” with the ruling Thugtatorship of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (T-TPLF). I have explained the purposes of the series in the Author’s Note of Part I and Part II. In Part III here, I aim to sketch out
26 Jan 2018
The Polistitution of “John” Debretsion Gebremichael
Sex, lies, corruption and hacked emails It has been said that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession. The second oldest profession in the world is said to be politics. There are hookers and there are politicians hooked on hookers. What do you call a politician hooked on hookers? A “Polistitute”? If indeed there could be
26 Jan 2018
The Polistitution of “John” Debretsion Gebremichael
Sex, lies, corruption and hacked emails It has been said that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession. The second oldest profession in the world is said to be politics. There are hookers and there are politicians hooked on hookers. What do you call a politician hooked on hookers? A “Polistitute”? If indeed there could be
22 Jan 2018
Dancing With the Wounded Beast in Ethiopia (Part II)
Author’s Note: This is the second installment in a three-part series on prospects for “mediation”, “reconciliation” and “negotiation” with the ruling Thugtatorship of the Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (T-TPLF). In Part I, I discussed why the current discussion on “mediation”, “reconciliation” and “negotiation” with the T-TPLF is of the utmost importance to me personally, why it
21 Jan 2018
Unarmed Truth and Unconditional Love (Reconciliation): Dr. Martin Luther King’s Message to Ethiopians Today
Author’s Note: Earlier this week, Americans celebrated what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s 89th birthday. I believe it is timely to reflect on Dr. King’s lifelong message of nonviolence, peace, reconciliation in the context of Ethiopia’s dire crises today and building of a new Beloved Ethiopian Community . In Dr. King’s vision of