Comments on: Saudi Star Among Firms Behind Thousands of Forced Relocations in Ethiopia

By: WOrku

WOrku — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 05:57:24 +0000

Dear all,I am very delighted to see your concern about the region.Let me drop some facts about Gambela. It has 3.6mln ha of arable land together with a huge potential for irrigation. Look we have Baro there.The land is so fertile.with all these the region could not ensure food security.
This is in fact has deep rooted reasons. But this is the time to develop the region. This is the time to teach them. this is the time to care their health…and please go and see the situation and the response of the community there about the communal program and the investment.Then you will judge. and if you are really concerned please send some pens pencils and exercise books.If you are conserned plz go and join the community tjo teach them. But especially Ethiopians plz done line up with westerners Ideology. It there are problems let’s solve it together. I am one of the eye witness of the programs. I have seen a light of development.

By: Belay Z.

Belay Z. — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 02:46:42 +0000

My dear writer;
Thanks you for ur concern to Ethiopian people. We’ll consider all ur advice: No Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, No Mechanized Agriculture, No foreign investment, No oil…. Enough is enough. History has taught us very well the Egyptian favor making to Ethiopian. Hoping that all other young Egyptians are not like u we remain…..

By: omot obang

omot obang — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:04:24 +0000

Please,don’t call daylight robbery is development and prosperity.If it is what you said nobody would be suffering.Colonial power decides what it wants whether the local people like or not.That is the fact is not a mindset,DA.

By: DA

DA — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:44:53 +0000

Dear, You are just playing along the lines of peoples emotions. People get relocated and moed at an expence of prosperity and development. This happens not only in Gambella but all over the country, including in Addis to make ways for roads etc. Is it going to be volunutary- NO! doesn’t need to be, its human nature to resist change. As long as they get compenseted for their land, we can not wish for anyone to leave in darkness for iternity. I suggest you go back and check the history of how the west developed! I bet it was bloodier. Please keep the colonial mindset of keeping Africa in the dark in the west!
Cheers

By: omot obang

omot obang — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:02:12 +0000

If you have never been in some body shoes ,it easy to say whatever come in your mind.The ones who feel what happens in Gambella are the Gamellans and those who have no intrest in Gambella resources. The displacement which is going on today had been done by Durg regime when the highlander were settled in Anuak land. So,this is a continuation of unfinish business-to kick out Anuaks of their land. Government comes and government goes,but Ethiopia as a state never changes its colonialism policies in Gambella. M/Hilemariam settled the highlanders in Anuak Land in the 1980s ,and Malis Zanawe is selling Gamella now. HOw sad it is for Helen Haile to invite people to watch other people miseries!

By: Fr. Antonio P. Castelli

Fr. Antonio P. Castelli — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:38:43 +0000

Dear All,

(A)One has to clear its conscious – There was/is no forced off their land. In places where big agricultural projects are planned are either virgin places or no man lands where pastoralits (mentioned above by one writer) come and go .
(B) One has also need to ask seriously what the motive of these so called “environmentalist” is really is By the way in my humble opinion “Green Prophet”was supposed to advocate for “green planet” why do they interfere in other internal domains of third world countries specially of Africa .
Fr. Antonio P Castelli
Napoli

By: Tafline Laylin

Tafline Laylin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:07:48 +0000

Obviously none of you have been forced off your land.

By: Helen Haile

Helen Haile — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:03:37 +0000

Tafline

1. Come and see what Ethiopia now looking as compared few years back . Thanks to the BRICS and other friendly countries technology transfers are taking place!
2. The tract of land leased for investors are few and there are a lot a lot virgin and un-utilized lands.
3. Ethiopia will be earning from tax , added up value returns , and with the proceed will be financing lots of projects – you and you fellow vainly try to ridicule .
4. Ethiopians in the eastern low lands do eat rice which was of course imported.
5. For get the so called report by the Oakland Institute. We have our own institutions and researchers .
6. What any real positive inputs have Okaland or the west made to the peoples of Ethiopia instead of propagating .

God Bless Ethiopia ! And is Show time for development – Come and watch. You are invited !!!

By: kaddis

kaddis — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:59:16 +0000

Dear Writer and few echoing this land grab crap –
Are you saying the status quo is acceptable or what? Where were you when Gambella was used for a refugee camp for south sudan for 4 decades with all negative social and enviromental impacts. Where were you when Gambella was used as a rebel camp for south sudan for 30 years causing rape, violence, illegal weapon trade and so on ? You were silent then but you cry now when Gambella is producing rice – that is not origninal to say the least. Personaly – I understand if the west cries hard saying ‘land grab’ to protect their food market in Saudi and Egypt. I feel sorry for those Ethiopians who cries along without asking.

By: Gundiid

Gundiid — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:33:15 +0000

Dear Helen,
Thank you for the details. The TPLF led regime in Ethiopia does only care about their region Tigray and nothing else. If they are honest they would sell Tigray land to Al-Amoudi and cos. Instead they are abusing the lands of the oppressed people such as Ogaden, Gambella, Afar etc.