Andy Tsige, Berhane Mewa and Mebrek & Woyannie Mechi

A patriot -Arat Kilo- has mentioned in Elias Kilfe's Ethiopian Review forum that Andy Tsige was starting a youth league "Mebrek & Woyannie Mechi" in Addis Ababa. I can verify that this is true. They are in fact getting ready to publish their first flyer titled "Niqa" (Wake Up). The aim of this group is to destabilize Kinijit, remove the current leaders and make the Berhanu group more palatable for the TPLF regime.

Dr Befikadu and "Edir"

I can't resist publishing this comment I received from Ethiopia. As you know, Kinijit officials had a successful meeting this weekend. Befikadu like Birtukan was challenging the fact that Birtukan would not lead the meeting and the legality of the meeting in Kinijit's name. One of the delegates said to Befikadu -"Under what name should we gather then, Edir?"
I just had to share this with you.

Nov 25 Great Ethiopian Run protest slogans

A little late but here are some of the protest slogans:
Over 30,000 people participated.

1. barba birachin ... nesanetachin!
2. lidetu..ebetu!
3. ke shi weyane, 1 kinijit
4. yetemare yigzan
5. federal... ebakhin temar
6. weyane gudih, HR metabih
7. bado bet, video bet... yikeray! (ministry of justice)
8. berbere... geba mekelle

The Spirit of Kinijit is still alive.

Somalia, Military dissenters and execution

We have learned that some Ethiopian troops in Somalia are demanding to be paid in USD. Military intelligence is now preparing a list of the soldiers who are demanding to be paid in USD. There are plans being prepared by Ethiopian Military Officials to execute the dissenters in 2 rounds.

Birtukan's new strategy

Birtukan landed in Ethiopia the weekend of Nov 17 and she has been on the phone with Kinijit officials since Monday. She is extremely appeasing and friendly on the calls with Kinijit officials. She is trying her best to set up a meeting with the officials. More Later.

Berhanu's men in Ethiopia

Previously we have stated that Dr. Befikadu Degifie was Dr Berhanu's man in Ethiopia. Tamrat Tarekegn is taking the lead in promoting the "third way" of Dr Birhanu. Both Dr Degife and Tamrat Tarekegn were in the same prison compound in Kaliti with Dr Hailu Araya, Eng Gizachew Shiferaw, and Bruk Kebede. Recently Dr Degifie has gone to Gojam and Jimma without the knowledge of his Kinijit compatriots. There are many reports coming out of Southern and Northen Ethiopia that some Kinijit officials with money are trying to scare local officials by saying Hailu is going to retire/be forced out and Birtukan will be the new leader and to get on the right side before it is too late. So far they have no takers.

Dr Berhanu's group has started a new weekly newspaper called Addis Neger and also are circulating a petition to get the two groups in CUD to reconcile with no one being held accountable. This strategy is a way to give Dr Berhanu's group an easier time to reenter politics when they return to Addis form North America (SEE PETITION HERE-http://info.ethio.googlepages.com/Petition.pdf ) Tamrat Tarekegn has published a fundraising card without the knowledge and support of Kinijit officials - see card below. Tamrat has been making the rounds with local newspapers to get coverage about the new card. The editors of newspapers have been calling the kinijit office to confirm if it is an official card and they have been told flat out that Kinijit did not sponsor the new card. A few of the executive committee of CUD met with the newspaper rep (Dr Befikadu refused to meet). They told the newspaper rep that Kinijit did not authorize this card and will contact the authorities to stop the publication and sale. The CUD members tried to sign a statement acknowledging their decision but Sileshi Tena refused to sign.

Birtukan's group and Prof Epherem Isaac

Prof Ephrem Isaac

Birtukan is on her way to Ethiopia. Since Meles is threatening to arrest all leaders who support HR 2003, Birtukan's group that is breaking away from Kinijit has asked Prof Epherem Isaac to mediate between them and Meles. The theory is they will be assured a soft landing when they get to Ethiopia. This seems likely since the court today has given the official CUD name to Ayele Chemiso who is believed to be controlled by Meles. Meles would eventually tell Ayele to hand over the CUD name to Birtukan and Berhanu who will be allied with Meles to defeat the will of the Ethiopian people.

OLF in Jimma area

The OLF has launched new attacks in the Jimma area for the last couple of weeks. Informed sources view this as OLF expanding its reach from Wollega and Harrar region to the areas in between.