myESAi

RE: Picture of the day

Author: keha
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:41 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4186

st giorgis church .. family's burial place .. they even have a spot for me .. how weird is that .. i aiint dyin suckas!

_________________

Quote:

I never really hated a one true god
but the god of the people I hated

http://gondarcity.com/index.html

RE: huh..teddy afro?

Author: keha
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:11 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

ok
_________________

Quote:

I never really hated a one true god
but the god of the people I hated

http://gondarcity.com/index.html

RE: Google Maps for Ethiopia

Author: fegul
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 5:06 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

sawu wrote:

I think I could have too much fun with this...

Check out American Embassy in Addis and my morning exercises road.

http://www.google.com/mapmaker.....&z=17]

not a good example I know...couldn't resists.

LOL, I think what Google had in mind was stuff like "Bole Rd" and "American Embassy" idk if things like "Bruck's Palace" and "Sonia's Embassy" was what they were thinking of
_________________
fegul.com

After Dr. John Garang death: the talk is...

Author: sawu
Subject: After Dr. John Garang death: the talk is...
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:33 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

Quote:

Oil-Rich Southern Sudan Seeks Its Own Destiny

by Larry Luxner

Southern Sudan’s spiffy new outpost in Washington isn’t really an embassy. But it could very easily become one in 2011 if this vast, Texas-size chunk of territory decides to secede from Sudan and become Africa’s newest independent nation. For now, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth is content being called “head of mission” rather than ambassador.

“I report to Juba, not to Khartoum,” said Lol, who at six feet six inches towers over almost every other envoy in town. Lol, a veteran of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), spoke to The Washington Diplomat from his sixth-floor office at 20th and M Streets.

“The SPLM is calling for a united Sudan,” he insisted. “If it can be transformed into a democratic, secular state where everybody is equal and all religions are respected, there is no need for us to have two countries. But if the north thinks we’re still uncivilized peasants — just a bunch of African tribes who cannot even govern themselves — then it’s better for us to have our own independent state.”

That could very well happen for this semi-autonomous region, which is expected to hold a referendum on its political status in 2011 under the terms of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement that tentatively brought an end to a 22-year civil war between the north and south. The fragile peace deal also ushered into power the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), which now has 18 missions around the world, including branches in Cairo, Nairobi, Brussels, Pretoria and Washington.

In fact, unlike many African embassies that suffer from peeling paint and general neglect, the GOSS office in Washington is new and sleek. A steady stream of petroleum revenues fund Lol’s 14-member staff, not to mention a sophisticated, user-friendly Web site that puts the sites of many larger, wealthier nations to shame.

“Our mission is funded by GOSS and is completely legal,” said Lol of the D.C. office that was established Jan. 16, 2007. “It’s in the Sudanese constitution.”

The Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan was adopted following the Second Sudanese Civil War of 1983-2005, which displaced some 4 million people and killed an estimated 1.9 million — one of the largest civilian death tolls since World War II. That conflict though is entirely separate from the current crisis in Darfur in the western part of the country between militias backed by the Arab government in Khartoum and various rebel groups.

Given the widely reported atrocities in Darfur, it’s no surprise that Lol is doing all he can to distance his government from the generally abysmal image of the Sudanese dictatorship. Asked to describe relations between his own mission and the Sudanese Embassy only six blocks away, Lol said there’s cooperation on routine matters like the issuance of visas — but huge differences on issues like Darfur.

“In my opinion, what is happening to the people of Darfur is genocide,” Lol told The Washington Diplomat. “They suffer just like us, they are marginalized just like us, and we cannot allow this to happen to fellow Sudanese. When it comes to violation of human rights, discrimination or censorship of the press, we’re not going to tolerate that.”

But Lol sidestepped a question on whether Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashir, is a war criminal. “The International Criminal Court says he has committed atrocities and has requested his arrest,” he said. “It has nothing to do with us. Whatever they do, we have no influence over it.”

Rather than elaborate, Lol simply handed The Diplomat a prepared statement dated July 14 on the ICC indictment, which says that “the SPLM leadership was taken aback by the speed of recent developments ... which has understandably created a serious situation that could threaten peace and stability in the Sudan.”

Not that the 42 million inhabitants of this country — Africa’s largest in size — have ever enjoyed much of either, whether they lived to the south, west, east or north. Lol, 36, grew up in a nation at war.

“Sudan got its independence in 1956. Our first war lasted from 1955 to 1972, and the second from 1983 to 2005,” he explained. “So we have had only 10 years of peace in this country.”

That first war saw the Anyanya movement — representing mainly Christian and animist black Africans in Southern Sudan — battling Arab Muslim government forces from the north. Civil war resumed in 1983, when the dictatorship ruled by Gaafar Nimeiri restricted southern autonomy and imposed Islamic law, known as Sharia.

“We were fighting on two fronts, the political and the military,” noted Lol, who was born in the village of Maluan, in the state of Upper Nile, and trained as a soldier in Ethiopia, where his rebel army unit was headquartered.

In 1993, Lol moved to Kenya and resettled in the United States the following year. After going to school in Texas, he became the SPLM’s deputy representative in this country, even as the civil war continued to rage back home.

By the time fighting between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army finally ended in May 2004, the country’s economy was in shambles — a result of strict U.N. sanctions imposed on it by an outraged world.

Lol said that under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed on Jan. 9, 2005, “we have one country, Sudan, with two systems. In the north, it’s the Islamic system, or Sharia, and in the south, it’s a secular system. We also have two armies, the SPLA and the Sudan Armed Forces, and we have a joint integrated unit — with soldiers from both armies — and have put them together as a symbol of unity.”
The CPA also gives this enormous territory the right to secede after six years, which means that a referendum on political status will most likely take place on Jan. 9, 2011.

“The outcome has to be respected — whether we separate or remain united with the north,” Lol said. “If [the north wants] to go for another war again, that’s their choice, but they’ll be violating the agreement. And I don’t think it’ll be good for them. They can’t afford another war in the south.”

But it remains to be seen if the north can afford to lose an area that’s inhabited by 12 million people and encompasses the size of Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda combined. The south is also home to something else the north won’t want to give up so easily: oil.

That’s because under independence, Southern Sudan would enjoy 100 percent of the $2 billion or so in oil revenues generated by the crude oil extracted from its territory. Currently, it must split those revenues 50-50 with the central government in Khartoum.

No surprise then that a recent poll conducted by the Washington-based National Democratic Institute found that 98 percent of Southern Sudan’s people favor independence.

“If Khartoum would provide developmental assistance like roads and hospitals, that would appeal to southerners and they’d say, ‘Why should we form an independent state if we’re enjoying these services?’” Lol argues. “But that’s not happening.”

On the contrary, the Sudanese government continues to clash with southerners over precious resources, with the latest flare-up in the town of Abyei disrupting three years of relative peace and quiet in the region.

In a March 2008 dispatch from this dusty but strategic town, columnist Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times called Abyei — which sits on considerable oil wealth — “the tinderbox for Africa’s next war.”

“In the 1980s and 1990s, it was here that the [Khartoum] government perfected the techniques that later became notorious in Darfur: mass rape and murder by armed militias, so as to terrorize civilians and drive them away,” Kristof charged. “Now Sudan is coming full circle, apparently preparing to apply the same techniques again to Abyei and parts of the south.”

Lol prefers not to talk about war, but he insists his government will defend its interests if the time comes. “It has to be a peaceful divorce, not a violent one. If it’s violent, then the north will be the one who loses,” he said. “They won’t have access to our oil or agricultural products, and all our natural resources. The north is dry — it’s all desert. We are feeding Khartoum. All the agricultural land and 90 percent of the oil is in Southern Sudan. We also have minerals such as uranium. So basically they need us, and we need them.

“If they say no,” he added matter of factly, “we will seal our border and trade with East Africa.”

To hedge its bets, the south is also seeking greater cooperation with the United States. With the help of the Bush administration, Lol is aggressively seeking U.S. investment in Southern Sudan, particularly in hotels, agriculture, oil infrastructure and gold mining.

“The divestment campaign doesn’t affect us, because Southern Sudan is exempted from the sanctions,” he explained of the international movement to cut investment ties with companies doing business in Khartoum. “If you want to invest in Southern Sudan, you’re allowed to. We coordinate with the Treasury Department’s OFAC [Office of Foreign Assets Control], so if you call us, in less than two weeks you will get your license.”

In fact, a commentary published earlier this year in Forbes magazine makes the point that “nuance serves U.S. values and foreign policy objectives far better than blunt economic instruments” — especially in the case of Sudan.

“While broad sanctions still apply to much of Sudan, stemming from a series of executive orders and legislative initiatives, U.S. policy has incorporated carve-outs for the Government of Southern Sudan in support of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement,” said the article, jointly written by Jake Colvin of the pro-business National Foreign Trade Council and Adam Sterling, who directs the Sudan Divestment Task Force, a project of the Genocide Intervention Network advocacy coalition.

“More recently, with the support of the U.S. government, the Bank of Juba in Southern Sudan received its own international banking code needed for international wire transfers,” the article continued. “As a result, American and foreign investors can effectively do business in Southern Sudan without having to go through Khartoum.”

Larry Luxner is news editor of The Washington Diplomat.

RE: Google Maps for Ethiopia

Author: Myliham
Subject: Re: Google Maps for Ethiopia
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 3:11 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

fegul wrote:

This comes as big news to me because one of the reasons I've felt that the internet really hasnt exploded in Ethiopia as much as it has elsewhere is because there isnt much local content on the internet that's relevant to those in Ethiopia. I see this changing that once more is added (so please add what you know)

http://google-africa.blogspot......frica.html

Quote:

We are excited to announce that users may now build and edit maps in Map Maker for 45 new African countries, bringing the total number of countries covered in Map Maker to 122 countries, covering a population of 3 billion people. The Map Maker team is very excited about this announcement as Africa symbolizes our dream - to bring rich, deep map and local data to places that had none. Having good maps and local data spurs investment, local commerce and planning. Many NGOs also depend on a good base map to plan and execute their work. So much so that many NGOs have told us that they either cannot do their work without good maps or have to spend a lot of effort building these.

However, we need your help. With Map Maker, any user can create or edit map data including schools, buildings, local businesses, national parks, trails and safaris. If you have strong local knowledge, this is your chance to make a little difference.

This is great. I am already thinking about doing this for my hometown.
_________________
"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." - Steve Biko

RE: Google Maps for Ethiopia

Author: sawu
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 2:36 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

I think I could have too much fun with this...

Check out American Embassy in Addis and my morning exercises road.

http://www.google.com/mapmaker.....&z=17]

not a good example I know...couldn't resists.

Google Maps for Ethiopia

Author: fegul
Subject: Google Maps for Ethiopia
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:56 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 3

This comes as big news to me because one of the reasons I've felt that the internet really hasnt exploded in Ethiopia as much as it has elsewhere is because there isnt much local content on the internet that's relevant to those in Ethiopia. I see this changing that once more is added (so please add what you know)

http://google-africa.blogspot......frica.html

Quote:

_________________
fegul.com

RE: Picture of the day

Author: fegul
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:45 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4186

Nice pics Alex, thanks!
_________________
fegul.com

RE: huh..teddy afro?

Author: Myliham
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:07 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

Yo,
The girl is funny. Well, the lyrics do sound the same but I do hope there was some misunderstanding but if it is true, I am sure Teddy's fans will be very disappointed.
_________________
"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." - Steve Biko

RE: Picture of the day

Author: Alex
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:06 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4186

Addu Genet

_________________
EthioTube - Broadcast Ethiopia
http://www.ethiotube.net

Pentecostals Slain in the Spirit demonstrated by atheist

Author: bahru07
Subject: Pentecostals Slain in the Spirit demonstrated by atheist
Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 1:48 am (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

Pentecostal Slain in the Spirit demonstrated by atheist hypnotist

Watch these videos, and see how easy it is to slay anybody in the spirit - without even pushing them like Ethiopian Pentecostals or waving a hankie and yelling ‘ anointing’ or ‘ power’ like Ethiopian Pentecostals Pastors. Derren Brown is not operating by evil spirits in this case. He’ s a hypnotist using well know psychological ploys and techniques, the power of suggestion and using people’ s faith in him and expectation of wanting something to happen to make it happen for them. It’ s powerful stuff but pure delusion. Thanks Derren, for demonstrating it so well. Imagine him having some Ethiopian Pentecostal worship music in the background , a line of catchers, yelling anointing and power… ..he’ d do real well in many ethiopians Pentecostal churches.

http://endtimespropheticwords......he-spirit/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sq-YUdq1OI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....8&NR=1

huh..teddy afro?

Author: NYCbabychick
Subject: huh..teddy afro?
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:59 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 2

she(zewdy) says ende bira biro was her dad's (habte awalom) song...here's the story from herself

Link

_________________
Nobody's good enough, smart enough, cute enough, or successful enough to be acceptable to a just and holy God. But when He looks at us through the eyes of Jesus, we become pleasing in His sight. Jesus is the answer!

RE: help on choosing grauate schools

Author: henok
Subject: Re: request for similar help
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:09 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 15

shire wrote:

I started my Msc theis which take almost all of my time. thus i don't think i can manage to take GRE along with the thesis. did those two students took GRE? how do they go internship there? may be that will be one way to go for after graduation.
please let me know some more details. Really thanks for your click away response.

Yes, the two students, Daniel and Bayu, took the GRE and TOEFL. Daniel is studying Genetics and Bayu is studying Biochemistry. They both studied together in the Faculty of Life Sciences back in Ethiopia. Daniel was the first to go to the Netherlands for the MSc program and Bayu followed him. So Daniel has been pointing Bayu in the right direction since then. Bayu has told me that it can be difficult to get an approval from the Netherlands to do an internship here in the States. He said they would prefer you do the internship in the EU. So you have to be personally motivated to apply and get recommendations from your advisor there in the Netherlands in order to apply for an internship position in the US school. Once you are able to come and do an internship here, it will be much, much easier. Notice, you need not worry about the GRE and TOEFL throughout this process. You can worry about that once you have finished your internship and MSc and return to Ethiopia. You can then take a few weeks to do your tests and process your application when you are back there.

Bayu did his internship in Michigan and Daniel did his here at the University of Tennessee. You can think about this while I get Bayu to contact you through email so that you can get better advice from him. So, email me your email address at henokmikre@gmail.com and I will get you in contact with him.

Please ask if you have any questions here and also encourage other students at your school to come and look at these posts so that they too can start the process. It is a lot easier for Ethiopian students already studying in Europe to come here than it is for those back in Ethiopia. And SAVE all your money because you are going to need it! The cost of applying and coming to study at a US school is exponentially higher than it is for a European school.
_________________
Henok Mikre
College of Engineering
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
http://web.utk.edu/~hmikre/

RE: charity: water

Author: sawu
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:50 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 4

Charity:Watter on CNN

ESA at UMD dedicating their annual culture show for Charity: Water

Come and support them on October 11, 2008

"A Drop of Life" ESA/CP Annual Cultural Show

Author: Exec Team
Subject: "A Drop of Life" ESA/CP Annual Cultural Show
Posted: Sun Oct 05, 2008 6:05 pm (GMT -5)
Topic Replies: 0

Join us as we celebrate Ethiopian culture as we help provide the basic necessity of life to thousands of people in Ethiopia: water.
100% of proceeds will go directly to building 330 wells that will provide fresh water in remote areas of Ethiopia through the non-profit organization, charity: water.

Where and When
OCTOBER 11th
6:30pm at Hoff Theater.
University of Maryland College Park.

What
We will be showcasing Ethiopian fashion both traditional and modern, cultural dance, talent and skits. This show is sure to please!

****There will be a special guest performance****

Contact
Makeda Fikre-Selassie, Treasurer
Ethiopian Student Association/ University of Maryland, College Park
http://www.studentorg.umd.edu/ethiopia/
On of the strong chapter organizations connected to the ESAi
makeda.fikre@gmail.com

************