Nostr notes by Zecharias Zelalem

THREAD: Hello friends. So depending on your exposure to African ...

2026-05-08T06:24:58Z

THREAD: Hello friends. So depending on your exposure to African news, you may or may not recognize the girl in the photo.

But with the Iran Hormuz deadlock, and global powers looking elsewhere for trade corridors, it is timely to know about her. Especially if you are American. Her story may (should!) become very relevant in the near future.

Her name is Ciham Ali Abdu and she is an American citizen.

She hasn't been seen or heard from since 2012.

All in all, it shows just how increasingly interconnected war is, ...

2026-03-07T19:09:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…4tx2
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All in all, it shows just how increasingly interconnected war is, especially wars in Africa and the Middle East. Also interconnected, are the suffering and resulting humanitarian catastrophes.

Stop war, avert war, all wars.

My interview in the clip is preceded by that of Tsedale Lemma, my first editor and journalism mentor back in the day when I was a reporter for the Ethiopian news magazine Addis Standard.

This week, I appeared on German state TV Deutsche Welle to ...

2026-03-07T19:06:43Z

This week, I appeared on German state TV Deutsche Welle to discuss possible war in the Horn of Africa.

Among the points I make: Iran🇮🇷 bombing the UAE🇦🇪 could drain Emirati coffers a bit, impacting Emirati East African war operations.

This could lead to a postponing of war plans by Emirati client state Ethiopia🇪🇹 , while significantly hampering operations by its other proxy, the genocidal RSF in Sudan🇸🇩.

My interview begins at 12:24 at the link below.

https://youtu.be/v6chlOqON8g

Appeared on the Global Dispatches podcast last week to discuss ...

2026-03-06T19:46:57Z

Appeared on the Global Dispatches podcast last week to discuss the complexities of possible war in the Horn of Africa. I discuss how none of the usual Middle East and regional powers involved in the region (🇸🇦 🇦🇪 🇹🇷 ) can be considered neutral brokers. There is space for an EU member state to bring parties to dialogue.

N.B...a follow up I'll put up tomorrow addresses the same brewing conflict vis a vis the deteriorating situation caused by the US/Israel war with Iran.

https://www.globaldispatches.org/p/ethiopia-is-sliding-fast-toward-major

Hello friends, If you missed it when it aired over the weekend, ...

2026-02-24T01:32:59Z

Hello friends,

If you missed it when it aired over the weekend, here is my TV production debut with Al Jazeera's The Listening Post. Over the course of four months, we investigated efforts by the Israeli government to whitewash genocide in Gaza and polish its reputation for African audiences. Israel began flying out journalists, social media influencers, even evangelical Christian singers to produce content from Israel.

We hold them to account with this program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h23oLcWcoLI

Tomorrow, we shine a light on Israel's African psy-op, and ...

2026-02-20T17:41:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…4a0z
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Tomorrow, we shine a light on Israel's African psy-op, and hold our fellow African journalists, responsible for coverage that dehumanizes Palestinians and downplays their suffering...to account.

Tomorrow, on Al Jazeera's The Listening Post.

Airs at 19h00 GMT. I would appreciate your time!

Cheers,
-ZZ.

Israel appears to be studying the results, country by country. ...

2026-02-20T17:39:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…hwp4
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Israel appears to be studying the results, country by country. For instance, following intense backlash from Moroccan journalists against colleagues who traveled to Israel, this year, Israel could not find journalists from Morocco. It sent a cultural troupe to instead.

All in all, our weakness as Africans? Too many dictatorships. A robust press culture would have us better resist efforts by not only Israel, but China and Russia as well, to sell us questionable narratives that violate humanity.

I'm ashamed to say this, but Ethiopian journalists have ...

2026-02-20T17:34:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…lhqv
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I'm ashamed to say this, but Ethiopian journalists have proven the most "effective" of all the Africans to be flown out to Israel. The Ethiopian airwaves and newspapers have been flooded with content that dehumanizes Palestinians, depicts Israel's genocide as a self defense move, or polishes Israel's reputation by highlighting advances in technology, agriculture or various religious heritage sites at a time when media focus should be on mass slaughter in Gaza.

The trips have led to mixed results: in some African countries, ...

2026-02-20T17:31:31Z

In reply to nevent1q…hawx
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The trips have led to mixed results: in some African countries, strong backlash has occurred, as was the case with Morocco and Kenya. So, Israeli authorities have been selective: it is now selecting journalists from countries run by dictatorships, where there are no press freedoms. i.e Ethiopia.

For Kenya, where there is a strong media culture, there were no journalists willing to go, so Israel recruited influencers and gospel music singers.

Since 2024, Israel has been quietly flying out delegations of ...

2026-02-20T17:28:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…srj7
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Since 2024, Israel has been quietly flying out delegations of journalists, influencers, politicians, even religious figures from different African states. The carefully curated trips take African visitors to tourist and religious sites, the Knesset, and Oct 7 attack sites.

Nothing that shines a light on the suffering of pesky Palestinians of course!

There have been trips with delegations from Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Africa and more going so far.

THREAD: Selam fediverse friends, A first in my career: I've ...

2026-02-20T17:23:03Z

THREAD:

Selam fediverse friends,

A first in my career: I've co-produced an episode of the Al Jazeera TV show...The Listening Post and it will air tomorrow!

As you all know well, outrage over genocide in Gaza means Israel has lost the streets and the campuses of the western world.

So, Israel appears to have decided to focus its efforts on selling its narrative to....African audiences.

Also...tomorrow's episode will also feature the queen herself...Dr Timnit Gebru (she/her). (npub1z40…s3fq)

https://www.aljazeera.com/video/the-listening-post

Hey friends! So as some of you know, as a journalist I cover the ...

2026-02-18T03:46:56Z

Hey friends! So as some of you know, as a journalist I cover the Horn of Africa region. As such, reporting on 🇵🇸 🇮🇱 is generally not part of my mandate.

And yet, the separate beats have aligned for me. Six months of work later, I'll have an investigation go live this weekend. It addresses Israel's genocide in Gaza & the African continent. Pertinent issues end up aligning the peoples of the world it seems.

Coming to Al Jazeera in a few days, I hope I can count on you to tune in!
Cheers.

While the degree of suffering differs, this phenomenon causes ...

2026-02-17T08:08:08Z

In reply to nevent1q…rulk
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While the degree of suffering differs, this phenomenon causes universal suffering to victims from around the world, from the US to Kenya, from the UK to Uganda.

Hope to share some more of my findings with you in the coming days. If you went through yet another long thread of mine all the way to thisnpoint, thank you your time is appreciated🙏🏿

Story dropped on Sunday. If you're in Canada, the story will be available in tomorrow morning's newspaper.

Yours,
-ZZ.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-africans-scam-camps-myanmar-scamming-rings-asia/

If you're in the western world, learn more about what's ...

2026-02-17T07:59:52Z

In reply to nevent1q…dzkx
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If you're in the western world, learn more about what's behind the spammy, sometimes flirty, text messages from unknown numbers crowding up your Messages app. In Canada, it is very common and receiving daily scam texts isn't unheard of for many people.

If you're in Africa, warn friends and family about the dangers of job offers from Southeast Asia that seem too good to be true. Murders have been reported at these camps. Social media companies will not act or remove posts, so spread the word!

The UN estimates that over 120,000 people have been trafficked to ...

2026-02-17T07:53:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…ck36
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The UN estimates that over 120,000 people have been trafficked to scam camps in Myanmar since 2021, and endured various forms of exploitation and torture. It has become a billion dollar industry, with the scams targeting vulnerable people in Europe and North America.

Thai NGOs meanwhile, bravely coordinate rescues, negotiate with border guards to arrange the transfer of victims back to Thailand. But they are swamped and have limited means.

Here are some samples of AI generated ads used by criminals in ...

2026-02-17T07:48:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…nycd
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Here are some samples of AI generated ads used by criminals in Myanmar to prey on desperate, unemployed job seekers across Asia and Africa. "Typing speed" is a giveaway, they want people who can learn preprepared scam scripts with ease. The always pretend the job is in Thailand or Cambodia, knowing that nobody would agree to travel to war-torn Myanmar. The ordeal begins when they are picked up at airports in these countries...then driven into Myanmar. Meta and Telegram are part of the problem.

India, the Philippines and China are prompt to repatriate their ...

2026-02-17T07:43:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…6a9a
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India, the Philippines and China are prompt to repatriate their nationals. But African states do not do so. As such, Africans are becoming disproportionately targeted by Chinese criminal orgs knowing that little will be done to rescue them.

Africans who escape Myanmar can expect to spend lengthy stints in Thai immigration jail until they get the money for airfare/fines.

The UN itself is low on money, & issued a call last year for some $2.5M to fly home 1,000 survivors.
https://roasiapacific.iom.int/news/iom-urgently-seeks-usd-25-million-repatriate-victims-trafficking-forced-criminality-stranded-along-thai-myanmar-border

The criminals operate in Myanmar, because it's too dangerous ...

2026-02-17T07:37:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…38w3
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The criminals operate in Myanmar, because it's too dangerous for them to do so in China. Last month, 11 Chinese operators of Burmese scam camps were executed in China.

Thailand tries to curb activities, including by shutting off internet to border villages where the scam camps are located.

How have the criminals reconnected to the web in response to this? Via good old Elon Musk. Starlink is among the biggest internet providers to Southeast Asian scamming compounds.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gdrvy9gjo

Chinese scam camp operators in Myanmar have tortured and even ...

2026-02-17T07:32:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…3lt2
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Chinese scam camp operators in Myanmar have tortured and even murdered victims. But Meseret Mulu, a 27 year old Ethiopian woman, told me that at one point, the criminals brought in fighters from the DKBA (Democratic Karen Benevolent Army), a Burmese militia group allied with the junta...to come in and torture her, by stripping her naked and forcing her to spend hours in searing heat.

Warring factions take a cut to allow Chinese mafia gangs to open camps in their territory.

Since 2021, a coup induced civil war, and the pandemic have ...

2026-02-17T07:28:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…n5qg
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Since 2021, a coup induced civil war, and the pandemic have created a booming scamming industry based out of Myanmar. Hundreds of scam compounds have since sprouted up, typically along the Burmese-Thai border. They target westerners with cryptocurrency and romance scams. But they are staffed by trafficked people from across Asia and Africa, who travel to Thailand believing they will be hired at well paying tech jobs in Bangkok...before being driven across the border where their ordeal begins.

Hello fediverse friends. For The Globe and Mail newspaper, ...

2026-02-17T07:24:32Z

Hello fediverse friends.

For The Globe and Mail newspaper, I've spent the last four months hearing from survivors of Myanmar's infamous scam compounds. Run by Chinese criminal syndicates with the collaboration of at least one Burmese pro-junta militia, the camps are staffed by trafficking victims, including a growing number of Africans who are beaten, electrocuted and raped if they don't meet scamming targets. They aren't paid for their efforts.

My story is published.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-africans-scam-camps-myanmar-scamming-rings-asia/

For now, I'll keep the focus on the people who count: ...

2026-02-04T02:32:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…8rk9
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For now, I'll keep the focus on the people who count: victims.

This is my good friend Britawit Arefayne, a Canadian citizen & native of Axum. In 2022, two years after the Axum massacre, she appeared on a Canadian parliamentary hearing on human rights abuses in Tigray, where she bravely testified about the murders of her brother, cousin & uncle at the hands of Eritrean soldiers in the massacre.

In addition to this heartache, she has spent years hearing Ethiopians belittle & mock her suffering

There's a lot that should be said about the numerous ...

2026-02-04T02:28:19Z

In reply to nevent1q…zdrn
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There's a lot that should be said about the numerous prominent Ethiopian scholars, like this one, based out of EU and US academic institutions, who used their expertise to amplify Axum massacre denialism and attack researchers who documented the atrocity. It was a fascist frenzy unlike any I had ever seen. There were still people until recently who would swear nothing happened in November 2020. Institutions took no action, because nobody knew enough or cared enough to find out.

My coverage of the November 2020 Axum massacre for the UK's ...

2026-02-04T02:17:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…xxf4
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My coverage of the November 2020 Axum massacre for the UK's Daily Telegraph.

The #FakeAxumMassacre was one of the campaigns that made me realize that Twitter was unfixable and that social media moderation needed an overhaul. It is being extensively documented by the wonderful team at DAIR (npub1mmf…2mx9) thankfully.

Social media was flooded with the Ethiopian version of Holocaust denialism for weeks. It was sickening for me, now imagine how much worse it was for mourning victims.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/26/eritrean-troops-killed-hundreds-ethiopia-massacre-amnesty-claims/

It is groundbreaking because for years, Ethiopia denied that any ...

2026-02-04T02:12:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…qe9a
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It is groundbreaking because for years, Ethiopia denied that any massacre had taken place at Axum, this despite well documented report on it by Amnesty International.

The state poured resources into a huge social media campaign, coordinated with government supporters around the world. It whipped social media into a fascist frenzy, spreading denialism, conspiracy theories and attacking victims as well as journalists and researchers who documented the atrocity.

Today, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appeared in parliament ...

2026-02-04T02:06:57Z

Today, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appeared in parliament to answer the usual softball questions and made a ground-breaking admission.

He was asked about the security situation and a potential war with neighbouring Eritrea. What led to the fallout of two countries that were formerly allied?

Abiy claims that things actually began to unravel as far back as the Tigray war, when Eritrean soldiers massacred civilians in the town of Axum. He claims that is where the feud began.

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be the sort of peace that ...

2026-02-03T09:18:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…d5eh
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Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be the sort of peace that will last.

I say this because a well placed rebel source told me privately that dialogue between Ethiopia's three main armed rebel organizations, the TPLF in Tigray, the Fano in Amhara and the OLA in Oromia...has been ongoing and that the three have recently agreed to combine their efforts to overthrow the Ethiopian government.

No official announcement, but I'm hoping to get something solid to confirm in the coming days.

The UN Secretary General and EU officials were among those who ...

2026-02-03T09:16:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…eezl
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The UN Secretary General and EU officials were among those who publicly called for both sides to stop shooting at each other. I'm told diplomats have agreed to meet with both factions and hear them out.

The factions themselves remain mostly tight-lipped about everything, but a positive sign is that Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to resume flights to Tigray after it had halted them on Thursday.

https://press.un.org/en/2026/sgsm23002.doc.htm

Uneasy peace agreed; five days of fighting halted. Demonstrations ...

2026-02-03T09:14:15Z

Uneasy peace agreed; five days of fighting halted.

Demonstrations were held yesterday in areas not far from where serious clashes between Ethiopian soldiers and Tigrayan rebels first broke out on Thursday.

Protesters called for an end to fighting and for rebels to vacate the area. In a country where spontaneous protest is criminalized, this was a state choreographed gathering.

Anyways, following behind the scenes diplomacy and calls by the international community, fighting has ceased for now.

With the uncertainty of a brewing war in Tigray, I didn't ...

2026-02-01T09:43:00Z

With the uncertainty of a brewing war in Tigray, I didn't expect to see the Epstein files trending in the Horn of Africa, but they are.

67 year old Berhanu Nega, who is Ethiopia's current Education Minister, was the subject of emails exchanged in 2009 between the disgraced sexual offender, Henry Jarecki, a wealthy entrepreneur also dogged by allegations of SA, & Jim Miller, who at the time headed a fund that assisted persecuted scholars.

These emails were made accessible in Friday's release.

RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988873868088088 ...

2026-02-01T06:57:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…qwp8
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RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988873868088088

Not a peep thus far by the Ethiopian government in the capital Addis Ababa. Ethiopia's MO has been to pretend nothing's happening, as state media airs footage of development projects and of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed being paraded in the streets of Jijiga alongside his counterparts from Somalia and Djibouti, as if he didn't have a care in the world.

No comment from the government of Eritrea yet either. Eritrea is now allied with the TPLF.

quoting
note1xkt…mrzk

Life in an authoritarian country encapsulated by this:

War breaks out, there is panic in the north, deadly drone strikes...state media makes no mention of it and instead is broadcasting footage of this parade in the city of Jijiga.

The goal of this photo-op is clear: portray Abiy as a popular leader, with the backing of neighbouring countries.

This while two rebel armies backed by another neighbouring country are threatening to link up in the north.

Footage is giving insecure vibes.

The fighting is thus far sporadic, but it's fierce. The ...

2026-02-01T06:52:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…ca7u
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The fighting is thus far sporadic, but it's fierce. The fiercest we've seen since war ended. My source tells me the Ethiopian government largely vacated territory after being attacked on Thursday, and is now seeking to mobilize a Tigrayan proxy force it formed in recent months with the hoping of weakening the TPLF from the inside.

The seriousness of the fighting is demonstrated by the fact that drones were deployed to Tigray, for the first time since November 2022.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/31/drone-strikes-in-ethiopias-tigray-kill-one-amid-fears-of-renewed-conflict

Three days into a new conflict brewing in Ethiopia's Tigray ...

2026-02-01T06:47:03Z

Three days into a new conflict brewing in Ethiopia's Tigray region, the factions are either silent or somewhat cryptic thus far.

Today, in response to a call by the African Union for restraint, the TPLF, under whose command Tigrayan TDF rebels operate, wrote a response to the AU stating that they were open to engaging in dialogue. The letter does not acknowledge that fighting has broken out nor that the TPLF/TDF fired the first bullet. It's pretty vague and leaves more questions unanswered.

Life in an authoritarian country encapsulated by this: War breaks ...

2026-01-31T08:55:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…c8k9
_________________________

Life in an authoritarian country encapsulated by this:

War breaks out, there is panic in the north, deadly drone strikes...state media makes no mention of it and instead is broadcasting footage of this parade in the city of Jijiga.

The goal of this photo-op is clear: portray Abiy as a popular leader, with the backing of neighbouring countries.

This while two rebel armies backed by another neighbouring country are threatening to link up in the north.

Footage is giving insecure vibes.

RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988634586083718 ...

2026-01-31T08:28:51Z

RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988634586083718

UPDATE: as fighting breaks out in Tigray, and drone strikes are reported...Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, with rumours flying and people panicking in Tigray... orders a photo shoot. State media cameras on him, broadcasting footage as he walks the streets of Jijiga in Eastern Ethiopia, accompanied by the President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of neighbouring Somalia and President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti.

It's as if nothing is happening in the north and all is well.

State media is mental torment.

quoting
note15rq…dznp

RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988072665885674

UPDATE: Tigray regional state TV is reporting that at 4 AM Ethiopian time (bout 6 hours ago) drones struck two vehicles in two north eastern Tigray towns, killing a driver and injuring another. It's the first civilian casualties in drone strikes in Tigray since the November 2022 ceasefire that ended the Tigray war. There are graphic images I won't share here.

Ethiopia has expanded its drone arsenal considerably since 2022, with the UAE playing a role in delivering armaments and other hardware.

note10an…d3hq

RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988072665885674 ...

2026-01-31T07:55:08Z

RE: https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/115988072665885674

UPDATE: Tigray regional state TV is reporting that at 4 AM Ethiopian time (bout 6 hours ago) drones struck two vehicles in two north eastern Tigray towns, killing a driver and injuring another. It's the first civilian casualties in drone strikes in Tigray since the November 2022 ceasefire that ended the Tigray war. There are graphic images I won't share here.

Ethiopia has expanded its drone arsenal considerably since 2022, with the UAE playing a role in delivering armaments and other hardware.

quoting
note10an…d3hq

On Thursday, intense fighting between Ethiopian government forces & Tigrayan rebels broke out.

A brutal civil war between these factions killed hundreds of thousands from 2020 to 2022. Implementing a ceasefire agreed to in November 2022 has been complex. It has led to a breakdown in relations and now outright clashes.

The issue this time...the war could coalesce with the one in Sudan, with Tigrayan forces allied with the Sudanese government, and Ethiopia with the RSF.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/29/clashes-between-government-troops-and-tigrayan-forces-erupt-in-ethiopia

On Thursday, intense fighting between Ethiopian government forces ...

2026-01-31T05:32:14Z

On Thursday, intense fighting between Ethiopian government forces & Tigrayan rebels broke out.

A brutal civil war between these factions killed hundreds of thousands from 2020 to 2022. Implementing a ceasefire agreed to in November 2022 has been complex. It has led to a breakdown in relations and now outright clashes.

The issue this time...the war could coalesce with the one in Sudan, with Tigrayan forces allied with the Sudanese government, and Ethiopia with the RSF.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/29/clashes-between-government-troops-and-tigrayan-forces-erupt-in-ethiopia

If you missed it, the African Union's communiqué in response ...

2026-01-05T07:54:18Z

If you missed it, the African Union's communiqué in response to the invasion of Venezuela by US forces.

For all the many shortcomings of the AU, on the 🇻🇪 issue, it has certainly proven to be a far more robust defender of the rules based order and even international law than many EU states.

Some start to 2026!

Selam! Wanted to hear opinions from (but not limited to) our ...

2026-01-04T11:32:38Z

Selam!

Wanted to hear opinions from (but not limited to) our American friends here:

So Semafor reported that both the Washington Post and NY Times were leaked info about the Caracas raid and planned Maduro abduction prior to it happening, but chose not to publish it. Apparently, it's a US media tradition meant to avoid compromising the safety of US troops.

Qs: is withholding such info consistent with journo practice? And beyond journalism, how do you feel about the decision?

There has been genocide in each year of the 2020ies so far, what ...

2026-01-01T08:35:09Z

There has been genocide in each year of the 2020ies so far, what a cursed decade. A decade we kicked off with a global pandemic, lest we forget.

Here's to bucking the trend in 26.

Wishing you a happy new year fediverse fam.

Anyhoo, I'm working on an investigation that will further ...

2025-12-29T07:36:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…p6a6
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Anyhoo, I'm working on an investigation that will further address Israeli actions in Africa, that as a result of Netanyahu's Friday declaration, is suddenly very timely. I hope it will clarify some more things for us all.

I'll be sharing it here when it comes out sometime in January...where else but Al Jazeera obviously.

Thanks,
-ZZ.

Politics of sovereignty aside, what ought to worry everyone, ...

2025-12-29T07:34:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…l4uc
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Politics of sovereignty aside, what ought to worry everyone, whether they hail from the region or not is this:

two states infamous for enabling/perpetrating genocide in Gaza & Darfur plan to exponentially expand their political (and likely military) footprint in the Horn of Africa.

This should concern us the way westerners fear Russian expansion anywhere.

And not concern as in "we are gravely concerned," from the diplomatic statement template.

N.B...the goal of this thread is not to discuss whether the ...

2025-12-29T07:32:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…pvnl
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N.B...the goal of this thread is not to discuss whether the concept of Somaliland's independence is legitimate or not. It's not for me to say, nor is it relevant here. If someone isn't speaking in a scholarly/legal capacity, discussing the role of colonial era treaties in international law and the right of peoples to pursue self determination...it is then a conversation primarily for Somalis. Or pundits. I am neither.

Bare facts: as of now, international law supports Somalia's position.

Israeli's Somaliland move will bring many global & ...

2025-12-29T07:28:28Z

In reply to nevent1q…d5z9
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Israeli's Somaliland move will bring many global & regional powers into direct diplomatic confrontation with each other. Turkiye & Egypt are both fervently pro Somalia and have come out against Israel's move. China has no love lost for Somaliland, due to its recognition of Taiwan. Qatar and the KSA are among those jostling for influence in the region, and feel uneasy about the UAE, Israel's silent partner, outdoing them in the Horn. And of course, Iran can't be happy with what has transpired.

Of course, some of this amounts to speculation. But we did openly ...

2025-12-29T07:24:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…0ggf
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Of course, some of this amounts to speculation.

But we did openly speculate that Ethiopia's port agreement in 2024, corresponding with Houthi rocket attacks against Israeli interests in the Red Sea...could lead to Israel taking concrete action to establish a permanent presence off the Gulf of Aden to counter that threat. And I'm one for one so far.

After all, even prior to the Gaza onslaught and the Houthi rocket attacks, Israel always sought to nullify Iranian influence in the region.

Abiy Ahmed has been desperate for sea access, even threatening ...

2025-12-29T07:21:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…gegv
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Abiy Ahmed has been desperate for sea access, even threatening his neighbours with war over it...something I wrote about here in Nov 2023.

Israel and the US, who are seeking troop contributing countries for their Gaza initiative, may be dangling sea access in negotiations with Ethiopia. Having failed to secure access via its 2024 agreement, a second go, this time with the support of powerful allies in Israel and the US could prove enticing.

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/11/7/is-landlocked-ethiopia-starting-another-war-over-ports-in-horn-of-africa

Meanwhile, a week before Netanyahu's recognition of ...

2025-12-29T07:17:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…wc8t
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Meanwhile, a week before Netanyahu's recognition of Somaliland, Israeli newspaper "The Times of Israel" reported that Marco Rubio had recently approached Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed and asked him to contribute troops to a proposed international Gaza stabilization force.

It is unclear what Abiy answered, but it is possible that Abiy, who has long been desperate for landlocked Ethiopia to gain a coast, may have asked for sea access...something Israel may be in a position to enable via Somaliland.

Netanyahu did state that the decision to recognize Somaliland ...

2025-12-29T07:13:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…mw46
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Netanyahu did state that the decision to recognize Somaliland came after extensive dialogue.

This is supported by news reports that came out this year. According to the AP, Somaliland was approached by Israel/US, asked to contemplate hosting millions of Palestinians in the case of Trump pushing on with his widely denounced "Gaza Riviera" plans. If Somaliland was asked to facilitate ethnic cleansing, it should give us an idea of how in depth these talks were.

https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-trump-somaliland-sudan-somalia-575e03aaa0c487bae2fbadfdef8f5ca3

But that's not what transpired. Ethiopia miscalculated things ...

2025-12-29T07:10:15Z

In reply to nevent1q…dx5l
_________________________

But that's not what transpired. Ethiopia miscalculated things greatly. Somalia launched a successful diplomatic offensive, that resulted in condemnation of Ethiopia by among others, the US, EU and AU. It also signed military defense pacts with Egypt and Turkiye, allowing these to patrol its waters and protect it from the Ethiopian threat, something Ethiopia had not anticipated.

Israel likely banked on gaining a foothold in the region via an Ethiopian proxy. It then had to amend its plans.

This is likely why Israel was a quiet supporter of Ethiopia's ...

2025-12-29T07:05:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…lzj8
_________________________

This is likely why Israel was a quiet supporter of Ethiopia's controversial 2024 port agreement: Somalia's government has always been robustly pro-Palestinian and would never entertain Israeli presence in its territory.

But Somaliland was clearly a potential friend of Tel Aviv. The hope was that following Ethiopia, a cascade of nations would follow suit and recognize Somaliland, with Israel & likely the UAE joining in eventually.

Somalia was deemed too divided to fend off Ethiopia's advances.

And we would learn this year just how serious Israel was about ...

2025-12-29T07:03:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…6q0u
_________________________

And we would learn this year just how serious Israel was about this. A Middle East Eye investigation revealed that Israel coordinated extensively with the UAE to set up numerous military installations off the Gulf of Aden, including Somaliland...a joint initiative since October 2023.

Since these were constructed in Somaliland but without Somalia's consent, under international law the endeavour is illegal.

A solution for this would be severing Somaliland from Somalia.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-yemen-somalia-circle-bases-control-gulf-of-aden

I like to say that I foresaw Israel's move. I hinted it here, ...

2025-12-29T06:58:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…vj8l
_________________________

I like to say that I foresaw Israel's move. I hinted it here, at the tail end of my Al Jazeera article written almost two years ago.

Millions of barrels of crude oil pass daily through the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The number has been greatly reduced by Houthi attacks since Israel's war on Gaza began. Israeli, UK and US vessels are attacked with regularity.

Israel seeks a permanent solution to the Houthi threat. An allied base off Somaliland, would deal with the threat far more efficiently.

However, regional powers have been contemplating it for years ...

2025-12-29T06:53:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…ed8l
_________________________

However, regional powers have been contemplating it for years with Somaliland strategically placed off the Gulf of Aden, in front of the Bab al-Mandeb strait which leads into the Red Sea.

On New Year's Day 2024, Ethiopia announced it had signed an agreement with Somaliland to recognize its independence in exchange for a naval base off its coast.

It's unclear to what extent Ethiopia, a client state of the UAE, acted on its own volition.

My story on that for Al Jazeera:

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/4/ambiguous-ethiopia-port-deal-fuels-uncertainty-over-somaliland-statehood

But despite > 3 decades of relative stability, a functioning ...

2025-12-29T06:48:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…lg2z
_________________________

But despite > 3 decades of relative stability, a functioning democracy (the only one in the region) & diplomatic ties with the likes of Taiwan, no country was willing to become the first to recognize Somaliland. Many supported the concept of an independent Somaliland, but perhaps the fear of reciprocal actions, the emboldening of other self declared independent entities, or triggering a breakdown of the sovereignty based world order...meant until Friday, no UN members would make the first move.

European colonizers carved up the Somali territories, with ...

2025-12-29T06:44:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…56ys
_________________________

European colonizers carved up the Somali territories, with Britain, France and Italy all taking portions and leaving a segment for Ethiopia.

Formerly a British colony , the newly independent Somaliland voted to join the larger country, formerly an Italian colony, in 1960, creating the modern day Somalia we know today.

But it was a tumultuous unity. Eventually a decade long Somaliland war of independence culminated in independence and the declaration of Hargeisa as the capital of Somaliland.

THREAD: on Friday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced that ...

2025-12-29T06:41:09Z

THREAD: on Friday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would recognize Somaliland, an autonomous breakaway republic in northern Somalia, as an independent state.

This makes Israel the first state to officially recognize Somaliland, since it's 1991 declaration of independence.

What is this all about? I have some theories.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-recognises-somaliland-somalias-breakway-region-independent-state-2025-12-26/

"Genocide resumes," reads this weekend's cover of ...

2025-11-01T20:29:30Z

"Genocide resumes," reads this weekend's cover of The Continent (npub1umk…2hjm) newspaper, as El Fasher finally falls after a 500+ day siege by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

The RSF, long implicated in genocidal violence in Darfur dating back to the days of its predecessor the Janjaweed back in 2004, have been on a deadly rampage killing thousands in recent days. Sudanese activists had been warning for over a year of what could happen if they were to overrun El Fasher. The disaster is now unfolding.

If there's one thing that genocide in Gaza taught me about ...

2025-09-30T01:31:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…lk3w
_________________________

If there's one thing that genocide in Gaza taught me about media, it's that narratives can be intentionally concealed, with choice of headline, selective quoting, & how deep past the lede they're buried.

While we still didn't have facts...there was significant doubt over the Djiboutian story. But as you can see...prominent media washed over the doubts, boosted the claims that the dead were militants or terrorists, and either excluded claims of human suffering, or buried them into irrelevance.

But international media coverage of the event, was well and truly ...

2025-09-30T01:24:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…3xd8
_________________________

But international media coverage of the event, was well and truly woeful.

Outlets like the RFI, AFP, and the now defunct VOA...simply echoed the Djiboutian version of events, making no effort to corroborate conflicting claims or reach out to victims. The only person quoted in most stories, was Alexis Mohamed, an advisor to the Djiboutian President.

Here is sample coverage from Radio France International

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20250203-attaque-de-drones-%C3%A0-djibouti-huit-terroristes-tu%C3%A9s-selon-les-autorit%C3%A9s

Djibouti identified a time and place where it said it killed ...

2025-09-30T01:21:58Z

In reply to nevent1q…mafe
_________________________

Djibouti identified a time and place where it said it killed rebels, while providing no evidence.

Ethiopian media, identified the strike location as somewhere on the Ethiopian side of the border, citing accounts of victims.

Many looked towards international media coverage to hopefully bring some clarity to the matter.

The facts weren't immediately clear and verifying them was a ...

2025-09-30T01:15:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…6rfj
_________________________

The facts weren't immediately clear and verifying them was a difficult task. Much of the Ethiopian-Djiboutian border area is underdeveloped, sparsely populated, remote, mountainous terrain with extremely hot temperatures and inaccessible by road. Communities of ethnic Afar pastoralists crisscross the border areas in search of water for goats and camels, and the free press is cracked down upon heavily in both countries.

Sending someone out there was unthinkable.

Meanwhile...on the exact same day, Ethiopian media began ...

2025-09-30T01:11:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…pk24
_________________________

Meanwhile...on the exact same day, Ethiopian media began reporting the exact opposite: a Djiboutian drone strike did take place, but not at Addorta in Djibouti, but on the other side of the border, in Ethiopia. Addis Standard (where I learned my trade) reported that the dead were all civilians and members of the pastoralist Afar people, an ethnic group inhabiting both countries.

It all added to the confusion, with the contrasting narratives, claims and counterclaims.

https://addisstandard.com/drone-attack-in-ethiopias-afar-region-kills-more-than-eight-residents-accuse-djiboutian-govt/

The statement went on to say that the Djiboutian government ...

2025-09-30T01:09:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…dhj4
_________________________

The statement went on to say that the Djiboutian government acknowledges that among the dead armed militants, some civilians were "collateral damage" (yes, that horrible euphemism was actually used), and went on to state that assistance for affected victims was already dispatched.

The Djiboutian government also stated that an investigation was underway to determine how civilians victims were caught in the targeted strike against FRUD fighters.

As the rumours continued to make the rounds, on February 1st, ...

2025-09-30T01:04:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…nw3p
_________________________

As the rumours continued to make the rounds, on February 1st, Djibouti's Ministry of Defence put out a communique acknowledging that it had carried out a drone strike on January 30. It claimed to have neutralized eight "terrorists" in a strike at the Addorta locality, some 6km from the Ethiopian border. Djiboutian officials later confirmed that they were referring to rebels from the FRUD (Front pour la Restauration de l'Unité et de la Démocratie) a Djiboutian rebel group active since the 90ies.

The East African state of Djibouti, located off the Gulf of Aden ...

2025-09-30T00:59:49Z

In reply to nevent1q…fct8
_________________________

The East African state of Djibouti, located off the Gulf of Aden and a neighbouring state of Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia...wasn't known for its use of drones.

When the news emerged on social media of a drone strike possibly from Djibouti, conflicting reports immediately emerged as to who was targeted, and even where the strike occurred. It was hard to separate rumour from fact.

THREAD: This investigation took up most of my 2025 to produce, ...

2025-09-30T00:55:31Z

THREAD: This investigation took up most of my 2025 to produce, and it was published in this weekend's edition of The Continent (npub1umk…2hjm) newspaper.

On January 30 2025, a Djiboutian drone strike was carried out. Djibouti's government claimed it had attacked armed rebels in its own territory.

7 months of work reveals that it was actually a civilian massacre in neighbouring Ethiopia. The bloodshed and coverup implicating Djibouti, Ethiopia, France and Turkey & how international media got it all wrong.

Next year, Kenya will host the annual France-Africa summit, which ...

2025-09-27T06:09:49Z

Next year, Kenya will host the annual France-Africa summit, which strengthens the bonds between Africa and France. The arrangements were agreed to on the UN sidelines by Presidents Ruto and Macron.

In reality, it highlights France's loss of influence. Forced out of much of Western Africa where hostility towards the former colonial power is heightened, France is now racing to make strategic and geopolitical gains in East African countries like Kenya.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2025-09-25-kenya-and-france-to-co-host-africa-forward-summit-in-nairobi

As such, despite pleas of Sudanese activists, human rights ...

2025-09-19T22:36:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…8ec3
_________________________

As such, despite pleas of Sudanese activists, human rights researchers & aid workers for prompt action to end the man made famine and atrocities in & around El Fasher, besieged for almost 600 days...diplomatic talks are probably centered around protecting the interests of the warring parties. My fear is that any arrangement will probably be transactional:

fragile peace in exchange for immunity for war criminals. They seem to believe that no justice = peace.

FIN
https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165642

With the hypocrisy of western states vis a vis Sudan, some had ...

2025-09-19T22:31:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…9s99
_________________________

With the hypocrisy of western states vis a vis Sudan, some had pinned their hopes on African states providing solutions for an African problem.

Unfortunately, there is little difference when it comes to the approach taken by African states, many of whom are either client states of the UAE, or rely on it heavily for investment.

At the African Union summit in February, Sudan talks involved Abu Dhabi, but not Khartoum.

https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2025/02/13/uae-and-african-partners-to-host-high-level-humanitarian-conference-for-sudan/

Why is the UAE getting a seat to talks everywhere? Geopolitical ...

2025-09-19T22:29:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…hlmn
_________________________

Why is the UAE getting a seat to talks everywhere?

Geopolitical interests are being prioritized by western powers, including the US and EU. As such, problematic regional powers like the UAE face little scrutiny from western powers who above all want to prevent what they consider to be the worst case scenario from happening: a Moscow-Abu Dhabi rapprochement.

The Biden administration had labelled the UAE a "major defence partner" last year.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/biden-and-uae-nahyan-meet-abu-dhabi-hopes-business-trump-middle-east-tensions

Despite the well documented problematic role of the UAE in ...

2025-09-19T22:27:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…wev2
_________________________

Despite the well documented problematic role of the UAE in enabling mass slaughter in Sudan, foreign powers continue to include the UAE in high level Sudan peace dialogue.

Over the weekend for instance, the US, UAE, Egypt & KSA called for a truce and a ceasefire following talks. Those talks included Sudan's ally Egypt, but didn't actually include Sudan itself.

https://www.dw.com/en/us-saudi-arabia-uae-and-egypt-call-for-sudan-truce/a-73982406

Reuters & local Sudanese outlet Sudan Tribune both verified ...

2025-09-19T22:24:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…pq5d
_________________________

Reuters & local Sudanese outlet Sudan Tribune both verified that the RSF is now in possession of a fleet of powerful Chinese suicide drones, which may have been involved in today's mosque massacre.

Both the UAE & China deny arming the RSF. But both countries have been known to collaborate on the distribution of Chinese drones (the Wing Loong series in particular) to controversial partners across Africa, including Ethiopia.

So much for the paper tiger "arms embargo."
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/long-range-kamikaze-drones-seen-near-rsf-base-could-worsen-conflict-sudan-2025-09-12/

THREAD: Today, over 70 worshippers at the Al-Safiya Mosque in El ...

2025-09-19T22:17:53Z

THREAD: Today, over 70 worshippers at the Al-Safiya Mosque in El Fasher were killed in an RSF drone strike. Mosque attacks on Fridays assure maximum bloodshed...as Friday Jumah prayer services ensure that mosques are typically full.

The UAE, which backs the RSF despite it being accused of genocide, continues to face no scrutiny from its western security partners, including the US. And with it, the RSF continues to be emboldened to carry out deadly atrocities.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/19/civilians-on-the-front-line-in-sudans-forgotten-war-un-warns

The Continent, Africa's digital weekly pan-African newspaper, ...

2025-09-06T04:16:09Z

The Continent, Africa's digital weekly pan-African newspaper, joins over 200 newsrooms in 70 countries across the world, blacking out their cover/home pages, in joint condemnation of Israel's continuing mass slaughter of Palestinian journalists, targeted for documenting genocide in their homeland. Get this weekend's edition, which also features a dispatch from Al Jazeera journalist Ansam Al-Kitaa.

The Continent (npub1umk…2hjm) https://www.thecontinent.org/

Wrote in @npub18wl…wxmu about the Ethiopian doctors' labour ...

2025-07-18T05:14:28Z

Wrote in Global Voices (npub18wl…wxmu) about the Ethiopian doctors' labour movement. Their month long labour strike paralyzed Ethiopia's health sector. Ethiopian doctors are among the lowest paid doctors in Africa, with salaries on average ~70$ monthly. Strikers demanded better pay & fair working conditions among other things.

In response, authorities arrested 149 striking doctors.

Undeterred, the MDs are planning a new strike if reform isn't inplemented by Sept 15.
https://globalvoices.org/2025/07/15/whats-behind-the-mass-arrests-of-ethiopian-doctors/

While John Cena won the WWE title in Saudi Arabia this weekend, ...

2025-06-29T19:34:40Z

While John Cena won the WWE title in Saudi Arabia this weekend, nearly a hundred migrants from Ethiopia, Egypt and Somalia were preparing for their executions on drug related charges.

For the Middle East Eye, I document the sudden upscale in executions in the Kingdom, the plight of a family of one condemned man on death row, and efforts by researchers and NGOs documenting the scourge, and calling on crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to commute the death sentences.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/least-50-african-people-risk-imminent-execution-saudi-arabia

Research and work travel has me busy, and I've killed my ...

2025-06-27T22:21:47Z

Research and work travel has me busy, and I've killed my posting activity. We're back though, take #2190381. Fediverse was missed!

Bio in 2025.

https://ecfr.eu/profile/zecharias-zelalem/

Re: ICJ genocide case Not that one. Sudan has filed a case ...

2025-04-12T00:33:54Z

Re: ICJ genocide case

Not that one. Sudan has filed a case against the UAE for complicity in genocide, citing the its support for the Rapid Support Forces, whose atrocities against non Arabs in Darfur have been described as genocide by the likes of HRW & the US State Dep.

It's unclear if the ICJ has jurisdiction, but oral arguments have been heard for yet another genocide accusation.

Was busy with work, will post regularly again, as we all ought to keep eyes on this.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudan-tells-icj-uae-complicit-and-driving-force-behind-genocide

In full solidarity with @npub1tsq…e4nd & other VOA staffers ...

2025-03-17T08:00:00Z

In full solidarity with Salem Solomon (npub1tsq…e4nd) & other VOA staffers put on leave. Salem is a multi-award winning editor/reporter working in Tigrigna, Amharic AND English, serving audiences across Africa & the world. I'm proud to have been mentored by her for years, she's an inspiration, a sister from another mother.

On that wasteland known as X, her post was swarmed with pro-regime trolling & misogynistic hate.

Best indicator of who is happiest with the clampdown on free press: fascist men.

Today, "YeAmerika Dimts Radio" (Amharic for "The ...

2025-03-17T01:30:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…4na9
_________________________

Today, "YeAmerika Dimts Radio" (Amharic for "The Voice of America Radio") is similarly integrated into the Amharic language, having served Ethiopian audiences since the early eighties. The BBC only began Ethiopian language programs in 2017, although they have been severely defunded since.

Authoritarian regimes across Africa are overjoyed and celebrating the news of the VOA shutdown. So are the likes of Sputnik and RT, trying to expand their reach in Africa.

Bad day for the press.

What I can tell you is this: Many Ethiopian kids (myself ...

2025-03-17T01:21:33Z

In reply to nevent1q…slse
_________________________

What I can tell you is this:

Many Ethiopian kids (myself included) grew up thinking that the words "Deutsche Welle" were part of the Amharic language.

Why? Our parents, even some of our grandparents grew up around the radio, waiting for German tax payer radio to relieve them from communist junta propaganda of the 70ies-80ies. Deutsche Welle was a source of relief in our own language from 1965 onwards, so much that it has been integrated into the Amharic language.

https://www.dw.com/am/%E1%8B%AD%E1%8B%98%E1%89%B5/s-11646

I know how this is being interpreted in certain far left circles: ...

2025-03-17T01:14:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…nzlf
_________________________

I know how this is being interpreted in certain far left circles: "imperialists hate Russian media, but love "CIA" sponsored American VOA."

There is no questioning the fact that both Russia and the US have a lengthy track record backing dictators, facilitating atrocities & wreaking havoc in Africa.

However, the fact that the VOA's language department operate independently with only a journalism code of ethics to adhere to, is something widely acknowledged.

Non existent chez RT & Sputnik.

It's important to recognize that this shutdown attempt ...

2025-03-17T01:09:14Z

In reply to nevent1q…lv97
_________________________

It's important to recognize that this shutdown attempt coincides with Russian propaganda outlet Sputnik's Africa wide expansion efforts. While the VOA offers complete editorial independence to its different language departments, Sputnik does not. It quite openly serves as a pro Moscow bullhorn, delivering sanitized and censored news that is largely dictator friendly and hardly different from the state propaganda offered by governments in countries like Eritrea.

https://dair-community.social/@ZekuZelalem/114034364756978499

For instance, in recent weeks the Eritrean government was ...

2025-03-17T01:04:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…0mdt
_________________________

For instance, in recent weeks the Eritrean government was reported to have launched a new mass conscription campaign, hinting at a possible new war.

Such news when disseminated by the likes of the VOA, gives youths the chance to at least attempt to flee. State propaganda censors such news in an attempt to create docile and compliant citizens.

The loss of VOA Tigrigna in a country like Eritrea, previously described as a "news desert" will be felt heavily.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/02/09/eritrea-crackdown-draft-evaders-families

The VOA produces news in 48 languages, among them Tigrigna, the ...

2025-03-17T01:00:36Z

In reply to nevent1q…9rlz
_________________________

The VOA produces news in 48 languages, among them Tigrigna, the most spoken language in Eritrea and Ethiopia's Tigray region. Since 1996, Tigrigna radio broadcasts have provided an alternative and independent source of news for Eritreans, who can tune in on radio signals that are difficult and expensive to jam.

With internet service extremely expensive and poor, Eritreans still rely on radio, and this will be a huge blow for people there.

https://tigrigna.voanews.com/

In Eritrea, my mother's homeland and a country in East Africa ...

2025-03-17T00:54:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…m8vk
_________________________

In Eritrea, my mother's homeland and a country in East Africa bordering Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti, there is no free press under the rule of former rebel commander turned President for life Isaias Afewerki. Eritrea is home to the longest jailed journalists anywhere in the world, and Reporters Without Borders ranked Eritrea 180th (last) in the world for its 2024 Press Freedom Index.

Six million people in Eritrea have precious few sources of independent news.

https://rsf.org/en/country/eritrea

THREAD: Most of you by now have heard news of Trump's latest ...

2025-03-17T00:50:50Z

THREAD: Most of you by now have heard news of Trump's latest Executive Order, effectively dismantling the Voice of America. I heard it from friends and colleagues at the network, among the 1,300 put on leave.

While there were various issues with the VOA, there's no doubting its critical importance.

The impact of the decision, while not as devastating as the USAID aid freeze, will be as long ranging and damaging to the world, and yes, US interests as well.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvge4l109r3o

Despite the outrage in Ethiopia, the "dad bod" headlines ...

2025-03-10T17:37:07Z

In reply to nevent1q…umnu
_________________________

Despite the outrage in Ethiopia, the "dad bod" headlines and his social media popularity elsewhere in the world, landed him a few breakfast show appearances like this. There was talk of a movie or a book, which went nowhere.

This is Ethiopia, so there was never any accountability and noone was sacked. Robel never swam for Ethiopia again. His father eventually left the position. But has now made a comeback.

Btw...this isn't the only time East Africa became embroiled in a similar scandal.

It got worse. Ethiopia is renowned for its long distance runners ...

2025-03-10T17:31:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…27nw
_________________________

It got worse.

Ethiopia is renowned for its long distance runners and has no swimming culture. As such, Robel was unknown to the Ethiopian public for the Olympics.

Robel was made the country's flagbearer at the opening ceremony. Most Ethiopians had no idea who carried the flag. It was then reported that Robel's father had even arranged for him to be flagbearer, taking the honor away from Tsigabu Girmay, a cyclist and the then reigning African Time trial champion.

This fueled even more outrage.

The tone was very different among Ethiopians. Much of the ...

2025-03-10T17:27:20Z

In reply to nevent1q…cdng
_________________________

The tone was very different among Ethiopians. Much of the international press wasn't made aware of how Robel made it to Rio. There was no such outpouring of support from Ethiopians.

As it quickly emerged that Robel had not won Ethiopia's national swim meet qualifiers and was a son of the federation Pres., furious Ethiopians lashed out at him and his father on social media. They were accused of humiliating the country and turning it into a global laughing stock.
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ethiopias-robel-whale-booed-back-home-103757405--spt.html

Dubbed "Robel the Whale" by the press and sports fans, ...

2025-03-10T17:22:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…7m53
_________________________

Dubbed "Robel the Whale" by the press and sports fans, Robel made global headlines, as many on social media found his efforts heart-warming and funny, despite some comments that amounted to fat shaming and mockery.

He embodied the Olympic spirit (no pun intended) according to many due to his willingness to finish the race. He became something of a mini celebrity at the Olympics.

A sample of some of the popular headlines at the time.

Footage of Robel's Olympic moment. The Olympics allows each ...

2025-03-10T17:17:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…e7jp
_________________________

Footage of Robel's Olympic moment. The Olympics allows each competing country to send one male and one female swimmer, the national champions of each country, to compete. Robel was not Ethiopia's best, but still got the berth.

He finished third from three in his heat, and last (59th) overall. As you can see, a whole 12 seconds after his fellow racers. Swimming fans, accustomed to the tone athletic bodies of those competing, were astonished at how Robel managed to make it to the global arena.

THREAD: Lighthearted news... Ethiopia's national swimming ...

2025-03-10T17:12:26Z

THREAD: Lighthearted news...

Ethiopia's national swimming federation has elected Kiros Habte Kinfe as its new President. Who cares and why am I telling you?

Kiros made international headlines in 2016, when as head of the swimming program then, he allocated the country's sole male swimming slot for the 2016 Rio Olympics...to his overweight son Robel.

Nepo baby Robel went to the Olympics, finished in last place in the 100m freestyle, heats, & became a global phenomenon as a "dad bod" Olympian.

Free and independent Ethiopia has never known anything other than ...

2025-03-07T04:05:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…t7hq
_________________________

Free and independent Ethiopia has never known anything other than brutal authoritarian regimes in its history following the end of the Italo Ethiopian wars. The country has waged civil war after civil war, which triggered at least two devastating man made famines that many around the world know the country for.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to commemorate the 129 year old battle of Adwa, when barely two years ago, Adwa was the setting for genocidal violence.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/28/ethiopia-massacre-tigray-eritrea/

The Italian invasions impacted Ethiopian society so much that in ...

2025-03-07T04:02:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…90rc
_________________________

The Italian invasions impacted Ethiopian society so much that in the Amharic language, the word "fascist" is often mistaken for a word describing cruelty by a leader. Mussolini and Graziani are equated with the devil incarnate. The resistance to the colonial invaders, the world's silence, all of it is enshrined in Ethiopian folklore...with Adwa 1896 being the lynchpin of Ethiopian patriotism.

And yet...

Anyways, Italian forces never managed to pacify Ethiopia, with ...

2025-03-07T03:58:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…275z
_________________________

Anyways, Italian forces never managed to pacify Ethiopia, with areas beyond the capital hotbeds of Ethiopian resistance. Eventually, fighting in Ethiopia coalesced with the WW2 Mediterranean/Middle East Theatre of War. With the help of the British, the Italians were finally pushed out of East Africa by 1941.

Inaction by the League of Nations...mirrors the UN's ...

2025-03-07T03:56:17Z

In reply to nevent1q…afgd
_________________________

Inaction by the League of Nations...mirrors the UN's ineptitude today.

This photo shows Ethiopia's Emperor Haileselassie addressing the League of Nations, calling for the world to reel Benito Mussolini in.

Only a few countries refused outright to recognize Italy's annexation of Ethiopia, among them the USSR, China, Mexico, the US.

Had WWII turned out differently, the UN could have been used to certify Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia, similar to what happened with Palestine in 1948.

Anyways, you could imagine the sentiments in Ethiopia, when news ...

2025-03-07T03:47:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…t0q2
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Anyways, you could imagine the sentiments in Ethiopia, when news emerged in 2012 that a monument honouring Rodolfo Graziani had been built.

The debate was largely focused on the divisions Italy's fascist past cause in Italian society, and you may be forgiven for being unaware of the horrors endured by populations in Libya and Ethiopia.

I hum the "Bella Ciao" song whenever I hear it playing to honour my ancestors :)

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-19267099

From 1935-1941, Italian war crimes in Ethiopia are estimated (by ...

2025-03-07T03:43:21Z

In reply to nevent1q…wztf
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From 1935-1941, Italian war crimes in Ethiopia are estimated (by Ethiopian accounts) to have cost the lives of over 500k civilians.

Gen Rodolfo Graziani oversaw ground operations for Mussolini. In response to a 1937 failed assassination attempt by Ethiopian resistance that wounded him, Italians went on a 72 hour killing spree that is said to have killed over 30,000 civilians in Addis Ababa.

A sombre ceremony is held every February to commemorate the victims. This is a monument to them.

Decades later, keen on erasing what he viewed as a national ...

2025-03-07T03:32:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…6dda
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Decades later, keen on erasing what he viewed as a national humiliation, Fascist leader Benito Mussolini ordered a new invasion of Ethiopia, this time with a far wider gap in the supremacy of the armaments, which included warplanes.

The 2nd Italo-Ethiopian war began in 1935, and this time the Italians managed to pass Adwa and secure the capital Addis Ababa.