African Union and Quadafi’s 'Fantasy'

Well, well, well exciting news for all of you my African progressive minded folks. On its 12th summit the African Union (AU) have selected Libya’s head of state Col. Muammar Quadafi to chair the organization. Just incase, let me drop a line or two about what AU is, AU is a successor of Organization of African Unity (OAU) established in 2002. Its head quarter is in

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. All African states but Morocco (withdrew) are member of the AU, which meets twice a year.

So what is the exciting news? Well, Africa finds itself, as President Obama would say ”in the midst gathering clouds and raiding storms”, politically unstable, economically deprived, with countless civil wars, ethnic conflicts and momentous epidemic disease that is driving millions to the graves across Africa. In this time the AU have selected a self described “King of Kings” Libya’s totalitarian Col. Muammar Quadafi, to chair the organization for the 09-10 year. I am not concerned about where he might lead the Continent because the AU leader in this case “King of Kings Quadafi” does not have any significant power over any jurisdiction to the AU with out the consensus of the head of states of the member countries. The assembly of the African Union makes the important decisions, which meet twice a year.

The likely hood of Mr. Quadafi agenda prevailing to implement or redirect the course of Africa’s path is slim to none; though what troubles me is, he would not bring any light to the organizations, that faces so many alarming issues across the continent. With all due respect to “king of kings” Mr. Quadaffit, In my opinion he is the classical dictator who’s country have not see a single beaming rays of democracy under his control ever since taking power through a military coup at the age of 27; in which seems centuries ago in 1969. Mr. Quadafi

have been in power for 40 years, ”… the longest-serving leader in the Arab world”

Last August Quadafi gathered over 200 Africa’s traditional leaders to name him ”King of Kings” of Africa. So it should not come as surprise to hear that, before his arrived at the summit in Addis Ababa, ”…he circulated a letter saying he was coming as the king of the traditional kings of Africa”. I want to say 'what a moron' but I am not going to. Seriously, what kind of senseless leader would do such thing, in this ever changing and globalizing world of 21century? In what seems to me a thoughtless ambition of Quadafi quest, the ”king of kings” travelled to Addis Ababa with his long dreamed fantasy of creating a “United State of Africa”. He actually proposed it long ago; I remember hearing the idea floating as far back as 9 years ago. Thought then he didn’t have the conch (the talking stick). Now, on his inaugural speech he proudly expressed his ‘vision for Africa’ “I shall continue to insist that our sovereign countries work to achieve the United States of Africa," an Africa with a single military, single currency and single passport and so on. He even went on to explain how having political parties is the main reason to African nations civil and interstate wars, therefore, African leaders need to follow his example and abolish opposition political parties. Again it makes you want to say ”what a moron” but I ought respect my elders.

Expert on the African Union called the vision of “the United States of Africa” a "ludicrous fantasy on the part of [Col] Gaddafi." It is just that and beyond, a hallow ideology of Quadafi. Don’t we all wish for the existence of united and strong African? oh it would be sweet and so fulfilling to see a united Africa; but only if one is capable of brushing all its reality aside and live on cloud nine. Most African countries could not even create a peaceful and stable nation with in their own state, let alone trying to merge thousands and thousands of different languag

es, tribe, and ethnic groups to co-exist peacefully in a large but single state.

The AU chairmanship is a rotating power between regional head of state every year. This year it was turn for a northern African country and to Quadafi’s luck; Libya was the only countries present in the summit. In my view regardless of the circumstance they should not have selected Quaddfi. I think it is giant step backwards for Africa and great disappointment towards our African leaders, who didn’t stand strong to voice against Quaddaffi’s selection; knowing that, this is the same man who used to support and train many rebels from across the world inside his country under his leadership. The same man who have a law that forbids political groups who’s ideology are opposed to his own, consequently Human Rights Watch says, hundreds of Libyans have been imprisoned, disappeared and others sentenced to death.

A stanza from a poem titled ”Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost reads as follow...

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, 


But I have promises to keep, 


And miles to go before I sleep, 


And miles to go before I sleep.

Likewise Africa’s journey is so far of a distance from the European Union and the U.S.A that the idea of “United States of Africa” would probably tear the continent apart in no time. Thanks for the idea Mr. Quadafi but Africa does not need help on that aspect.

Dani.

Emotional State of Mind

Feb. 03, 09

Emotional State of Mind

My writings below the line was written over a month ago, but after listening to the new song by Teddy Afro (while imprisoned) titled “Ayinafar Negne” meaning (I am shy) I decided to post what I have written before it. As fanatic, I have wondered if Teddy is going to be imprisoned for all the 6 years he is sentenced to serve? In the times that I have found myself wishing, for his release or pardon, I can’t help it to think if I’m being selfish and injustice to the verdict of the court, or if my wish is a reasonable and justified by others who are fans and seek fairness under the court of law (of course this is under the assumption that his sentence was justified and proven with evidence under the court of law.)

If you would like to listen to Teddy’s new song “Ayinafar Negne” click the link below http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq1LSA1XpNg

It is hard not to be stirred up by Teddy’s music as most of his songs hit his targeted audience so precisely. Accompanied by his beloved vocal tone, his music ranges across the spectrum; from helpless lovers victim expression to politically provocative messages and mesmerizing gospel chants for the grace of God; his poetically rhythm lines with the soothing instrumentals resonance, harmonic melody, coherent and thematic lyrics are powerful force of attraction to any, even to those untargeted audiences.

I always loved his music but i came to appreciate and love his music even so much more now. I know I would be lying if I didn’t say that I am fearful of the uncertainty of the outcome of his life after 6 years in prison. For example how can you not feel somber and emotionally stirred when you are in a [sew ager and listen to Yagere Semay

 “…besemay gari yehedkut beririe/ yalfilign biye new sweta kagere/ beslet wetiche lemigne tawott’/ min yize limeles wede enatie bett’/ bahir aku’arche teguzie teguzie hagere tegu’zie teguzie/ tadia endet limeles hagere? Eji enaten yizie hagere eji enaten yizie/ tirgum yatabigna yesidet nureye yesidet nuroye, andinum salyizew limeles agree limeles ageree…satna sikefagn bifesim enbaye, eyanebu eskista lemdiwal tikishaye”

……………………………………………………. 

Dec 11, 08 

“…satna sikefagn bifesim enbaye, eyanebu eskista lemdiwal tikishaye”As I leaned back on the backseat of the green and white bus, there are only three final days left to this winding yet challenging semester. As I wait to face my two hardest finals, with uncertainty and unprepared yet, my anxiety and stress seems to increase. Between studying and working I have slept for no more than 5 total hours in the past two and half days.  Ironically at the expense of sleep and studying, I feel the urge to write what is on my mind swirling like some sort of emotional turbulent.

I am sure and aware that the lack of sleep and physical tiredness have increased the vulnerability of my emotions, but some of Teddy Afro’s songs are causing different ideas to crash and collide with an emotional attachment within me.

Most of you Ethiopians know by now that, Tedros Kassahun better known as Teddy Afro, one of Ethiopia’s sensational musician have been convicted to a 6 year in prison for “manslaughter of a homeless man and fleeing from a scene of a car accident”. I absolutely love his music and admire his talents regardless if I accept or reject all the contents within his music. I was hoping the court would find him innocent of all charges and that he would be back to his artistic life, though at the same time I am not a cold hearted being who would wish the death of the poor homeless man to be forgotten in vein. I wanted justice for the poor homeless man who was run over, whomever done it deserved justice.

It is a controversial case with some believing that this was a political against the musician (Tedy) while others believe justice is being served and there is nothing political about it. I on the other hand while listening to “Yenat Bet” (…”Yetsafkut debdabe dersual wey melk’tie? Ene aloh betena, endetnesh enatei?”) One of his songs and get trapped in between; if justice is served it is great, but i wonder what if… he is innocent? How will he cope with the prison life and what he will be like after 6 years?

Ethiopian troops have been in Somalia since its intervention to help the transitional government of Somalia to stand on its feet against Somalia’s own Islamic militia of the Supreme Islamic Courts Council in 2006. [Though it is debatable if the Ethiopian troops entered to Somali to help the Somalia transitional government, or to strengthen its sovereign security, considering that the Islamic Court had declared Jihad against Ethiopia], If you are not aware know that, especially with the lack of stable government in Somalia, East Africa is becoming a terrorism hub.

Even though I’m happy that Ethiopia’s brave troops will be going home; on one hand, I feel that having Ethiopian forces in the failed state of Somalia was beneficial to the security of East African Countries. Though by no means do I suggest Ethiopia should continue to maintain its military any longer than it already has been.  My skeptic side raises questions and simultaneously I say so to myself “what the hell do I know about military and terrorism?”

Eritrea’s president Isaias Afwerki and Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad seem to be the new bestfriends. They seem to bond so well that “Iranian ships and submarines have deployed an undisclosed number of Iranian troops and weapons at the Eritrean port town of Assab, according to opposition groups, foreign diplomats, and NGOs in the area”. The Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad even went on to say there is no limit to their relationship with the Eritrean “government” and he said that both ““countries share common views on regional and global issues and have similar stances towards the hegemonic powers.” Now that’s a yellow flashing light stating danger ahead to me.

Listening to Tedy’s Shemendefer “maleda tiwat tenesiche/ kebtochien asemariche/ litebikat kewenzu ga hugni/ befikru’a alchilim tamime…tichew eregninetie esu’a esuan sayi!” I feel nostalgic, reminiscing a time when I was in elementary school, i remember leaving the house early, and wait on the road hoping to see the girl I had this huge temporary crush J, thought I don’t really recall how many times I succeed seeing her, because I guess some times she was taking different routs from her house to get to school; of course not realizing she could of made Daniel day J. I tried, but regardless those were some great feelings, even now remembering that makes me smile.

By now, you probably are wandering why the hell am I deviating amongst different subject matters with unstructured paragraphs? This is an expression of mind; my thoughts are not flowing or meandering smoothly [about] a subject so I decided to just try to express it in its original form. After all this is just Dani’s view.

Dani.

Selam

Selam.

It is one of my favorite words. It is noun, interjection, verb and adverb. It means Greetings/ hey/ peace (peace in respects to the state of mutual harmony not as in goodbye) In Amharic and Tigrinya, two Ethiopian Semitic languages.  Semitic is an adjective “derived from Shem, one of the three sons of Noah”. The family tree of Semitic includes but not limited to Akkadian, Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Ge'ez, Hebrew, Maltese, Phoenician, Tigre and Tigrinya.

You might also be familiar with the Arabic greeting phrase salaam aleykum…I believe it means along the lines of good day (excuse my ignorance).

There I have passed on to you my warm greetings my fellow bloggers, welcome aboard to thus, that I call, Home to The Open and Expressive Minds.

I’m aboard to share and express my opinions and views, as clearly as I can (it’s a learning in progress). At times I feel I have a plenty to say, yet it is to be seen if i keep this up to date within a timely manner.

I’m very open and very interested to a wide spectrum of topics and issues, from poverty, politics, religion, poetry, culture, sexuality etc. If you feel or find my opinion and view ignorant, biased or straying from what you believe is the truth; I suggest you not to reach your boiling point, rather feel appreciated to share your own side and talk me down. I will always be humbled for your constructive responses as we all learn from each other and grow together. After all this is just Daniel’s view.

Dani.