Alemayehu G. Mariam The Strange Career of Democracy in Africa What is the difference between South Africa and Ethiopia? Simple. South Africa is a democracy (government of the people, by the people, and for the people). Ethiopia is a pluto-kleptocracy (a government of rich thieves, by rich thieves and for rich thieves). Two weeks ago…
By Alemayehu G. Mariam Back in 1920, H.L. Mencken, “the sage of Baltimore,” made a chillingly nightmarish observation about the future of the American presidency: “The larger the mob, the harder the test. In small areas, before small electorates, a first-rate man occasionally fights his way through, carrying even the mob with him by force…
By Alemayehu G. Mariam Oh, the twists and turns on the road to an Ethiopia human rights legislation in the U.S. Congress. The first leg of that journey began in the House of Representatives with H.R. 4423 (“Ethiopia Consolidation Act of 2005”). Then came H.R. 5680 (“Ethiopia Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights Advancement Act of…
By Alemayehu G. Mariam What A difference a Year Makes! What a difference a year makes in a Millennium! A year ago, almost to the day, we celebrated a moment of triumph. It was the 9th of September. A day I will always remember. It was our day of jubilation. A day of pride. It…
By Alemayehu G. Mariam Teddy Afro in Zenawi’s Kangaroo Court The great Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro) is Zenawi’s most famous political prisoner in Ethiopia today. Zenawi jacked Teddy on bogus charges of vehicular manslaughter, failure to assist the injured and driving without a license. Teddy was out on “bail” until April 2008, when his bail…
By Alemayehu G. Mariam The Sisterhood of Misfortune Pakistan and Ethiopia are sisters in misfortune. First, for much of their modern political history, they have been the playgrounds of autocrats and tinhorn dictators. For over one-half of its 61 year existence as a state, Pakistan has been ruled by iron-fisted generals, including Mohammad Ayub Khan…
Will the Real James Inhofe, Please Stand Up!? Al. Mariam (11 August 2008)– Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Republican Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe, defender and self-described “brother” and “friend” of dictator Zenawi and arch nemesis of H.R. 2003 in the U.S. Senate, is a champion of human rights! Don’t laugh. It is true. I think. Oyez! Oyez!…
Special Commentary We’ve met the enemy! Editorial commentator: Alemayehu G. Mariam | July 28, 2008 [Originally posted in Ethiomedia] Lately, there has been talk about “The Enemy.” Some say, the Woyane regime of Zenawi is “The Enemy.” Others say it is not. If woyane is the “The Enemy,” what to do? If it is not,…
Editorial July 20, 2008 [Orignally appeared in Ethiomedia.] http://www.ethiomedia.com/all/6232.html Justice Delayed, But Hopefully Not For Long! In September, 2004 President George W. Bush lamented, “The world is witnessing terrible suffering and horrible crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan, crimes my government has concluded are genocide.” In July, 2008, President Omar al-Bashir officially became…
The Failed States Index for 2008 is out; and the Land of Famine, Gross Human Rights Violations, Stolen Elections and Poverty is re-certified as a “Failed State”, again! We have Zenawi and his corrupt regime to thank for this dubious honor. But there is a simple formula that can predict the evolution of a failed…
