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Memorial for Ethiopians Killed by ISIS in Libya
Ethiopian Embassy News A Monthly Newsletter of the Ethiopian Embassy, Washington D.C.
Issue 09, May 2015
Memorial and Candle Vigil for Ethiopians
Killed by ISIS in Libya
A memorial service and a candle lighting ceremony was
held for the 30 Ethiopians whose fate abruptly ended
with the brutal murder by the ISIS in Libya and those
killed in South Africa recently at the Chancery of the
Ethiopian Embassy in Washington D.C.
The event was attended by Ambassador Girma Birru,
Special Envoy, Ambassador Extra-Ordinary and
Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to the US, religious leaders
from all faiths in the Metro area, hundreds of the
Ethiopian Diaspora members and invited guests.
A minute of silence in remembrance of the victims was
held and prayers were made by the religious leaders.
Contents
Memorial and Candle Vigil for Ethiopians
Killed by ISIS in Libya .................................. 1
Under-Secretary of State for Political
Affairs Visits Ethiopia .................................. 3
Passport DC - An Open House Event
Staged at Embassy of Ethiopia .................. 4
Lelissa Dessisa wins Boston Marathon
2015 .................................................................. 6
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Ambassador Girma speaking on the occasion called on
all Ethiopians to rally behind the government and the
people of Ethiopia in the fight against international
terrorism.
Religious leaders speaking on the event
Speakers on the occasion emphasized that the heinous
murder of the Ethiopians would all the more galvanize
the Ethiopian society to be vigilant against terrorists of
all colors and hues. Ethiopia, they affirmed, has been in
the forefront in the fight against extremism and
terrorism and the recent mishap would embolden their
resolve to continue their bitter struggle against the
international menace.
The entire gathering which was enraged by the brutal
and inhuman act went into the open air in the premises
of the Embassy building lit their candles in memoriam of
the 30 slain brothers in Libya and those killed in South
Africa.
In a related development a book of condolence which
was opened to the public was signed by hundreds of the
Ethiopian Diaspora members and Members of the
Diplomatic Community which had expressed their deep
sympathy and condolences. An on-line book of
condolences published by the Embassy was signed by
hundreds of people globally. Major cities across US States
also held memorial and candle lighting ceremonies.
Signing of Book of Condolence
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Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs
Visits Ethiopia
Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Wendy
Sherman, paid a working visit to Ethiopia from April 16-
17, 2015. During her two day visit she met with
Ethiopian high-level officials including Prime Minister
Hailemariam Desalegn and Foreign Minister Dr. Tedros
Adhanom.
In an interview she gave to the Reporter newspaper, Ms.
Wendy Sherman spoke about the bilateral cooperation
between Ethiopia and the United States. She also spoke
of the fight against terrorism, concerns about Ginbot 7
and other terrorist organizations, the forthcoming
elections and the general situation of the peace and
security in the Horn of Africa as well as the discussions
she had with Ethiopian officials during her visit.
Ms. Sherman said that the ties between Ethiopia and the
US featured continued dialogue, sharing of information,
and growing and deepening cooperation on the three
pillars of bilateral engagement: democracy and human
rights; economics; and a security partnership on the
basis of mutual understanding. She stressed that the US
wished to help the Government of Ethiopia consolidate
the good progress made in the economic sphere; and
sustain their partnership in the field of security to
ensure the people’s day-to-day lives are secure. She
expressed her hope that the upcoming election would
be free, fair and credible, stating that Ethiopia had
shown improvements in its election process though, as
a young democracy, there was still a long way to go to
make certain that everybody’s voice was heard and
ensure that opposition parties had a fair chance to be
elected.
In reply to a question over her recent statement on the
US’s readiness to work with the Ethiopian Government
to address issues related to political groups’ which
attempt to topple a democratically elected government,
she noted that the Government of Ethiopia had
identified the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) along with
Ginbot 7 as terrorist organizations. She said this was a
concern. The US was aware that the Government of
Ethiopia had put labels on these groups as terrorist
organizations but she said the US had a different legal
system and different thresholds as well as various
evidentiary standards for identifying direct threats to
US security. The US admitted that the Government of
Ethiopia had identified concerns for all three of these
groups, and she emphasized that “We want
to…understand those concerns, share information
where we have it, and make sure that indeed the
process goes forward in an appropriate way.”
Ms. Sherman said Ethiopia wanted to make sure that
“we understand how Ethiopia sees these groups. And
we do. What they want to make sure of is that we share
information in law enforcement, in intelligence, in our
diplomatic engagements. We understand Ethiopia’s
point of view.” She underlined that the US, as a key
partner to Ethiopia in various areas of common interest,
appreciated the concerns presented to it. She said she
knew that there were individuals linked with Ginbot 7
who resided in the US. In this regard, she reaffirmed
that the US was fully committed to address the concerns
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raised by the Government of Ethiopia through
appropriate channels.
Ms. Sherman underlined that the US was willing to
encourage a steady and sustained dialogue on all
three pillars of engagement and in reply to a
question over Washington’s apparently
contradictory statements with reference to its views
on democracy in general and the elections in
Ethiopia, Ms. Sherman said she thought there were
no conflicting messages from Washington
concerning the democratization process. She said
“we also have great hopes for Ethiopia,” and pointed
out that her meeting with civil society members was
a testimony of Ethiopia’s progress. She said it had a
window of opportunity to see the emergence of
“tremendous leadership in your civil society.” She
said it also allowed her witness people of courage
who remained committed to solve problems and
make their voices heard. She said these people were
not “about overthrowing governments, they’re about
solving problems and being advocates for people
who don’t believe they have a voice.” She said that
this attested to “the strength of a democracy” and
added “we hope that those voices grow to be an
even more institutional part of Ethiopian society.”
Ms. Sherman noted she had discussions on South
Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and related concerns during
her stay in Ethiopia. On the crisis in South Sudan,
she noted that “strength always comes through
partnerships” and reiterated that the US would
continue to work with leaders in the region to find a
resolution of the crisis. She said the US appreciated
Ethiopia’s contribution to the IGAD-led mediation
and urged the two parties to give peace a chance
through a negotiated political settlement. She
affirmed the US was committed to encourage the
parties to reconcile their differences and recognized
the IGAD process as the way out from the crisis.
The US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs
expressed her concerns over the threat of terrorist groups
including Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda and Da’esh
(ISIS) in Syria and Iraq. She said the US had formed a
coalition of more than 60 countries to fight against Da’esh
through military action, border security, countering violent
extremism through social media, and the setting up of a
legal framework to tackle foreign fighters returning home
and creating trouble.
She said the US was also working in this region, using the
same tools to counter the threat of terrorism in the region.
It has played a constructive role in supporting AMISOM and
the Federal Government of Somalia in close partnership
with Ethiopia and other countries.
Referring to Eritrea, Mr. Sherman suggested Ethiopia and
Eritrea should “work out their relationship with each other,”
and said the US tried to be “a neutral force” in this
regard. She expressed her hope that they would settle the
problems surrounding their disagreement and said the US
was supportive of resolving outstanding issues.
(Source: Week in the Horn, MFA, April 30, 2015)
Passport DC - An Open House Event Staged at
Embassy of Ethiopia
A-day-long annual event, "Passport DC, Around the World
Embassy" highlighting Ethiopian cultural and social
extravaganza which attracted more than Eight thousand
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residents of the Washington Metropolitan hub was
colorfully held in the premises of the Chancery of the
Ethiopian Embassy in Washington Dc. on Saturday May
2, 2015.
The festival was accompanied by a colorful display of
Ethiopian traditional coffee ceremony, authentic and
organic Ethiopian cuisine, raw and roasted Ethiopian
coffee, and other cultural and modern Ethiopian
beverages. Ethiopian honey wine, accompanied by
traditional songs and aesthetics, exemplifying the
special Ethiopian blend of cuisine, music, art and
culture gave the occasion an aura of festivity.
Visitors enjoying Ethiopian Coffee and food
The open house program was also given an added color
by vendors presentation of Ethiopian made apparel
products, traditional costumes, spices, coffee beans,
souvenirs, artifacts & hand woven bags designed by
local Ethiopian seamstress, Ethiopian music CDs and
DVDs, Children's books and other tools of learning and
delicious Ethiopian cookies and pastries.
Photograph Exhibition
Photograph exhibition, cooking demonstration and
Ethiopian Coffee roasting and sample drinking were
some of the activities of the full day celebratory get-
together that showcased that Ethiopia is a country with a
wealth of cultural milieu and exotic fauna and flora.
Ethiopian traditional dances
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An Artistic group called "Thomas and students"
entertained the audience by presenting traditional and
cultural Ethiopian music and dances.
Tsehaye Debalkew, Media Officer, Public Diplomacy and
Communications Affairs of the Embassy, addressing the
touring visitors on behalf of Ambassador Girma Birru,
said that Ethiopia is endowed with a wealth of natural
attractions coupled with a mix of its diverse peoples
and cultures and a multitude of religious and traditional
beliefs and rituals.
He added that it is the birth place of the human species
represented by the premier human ancestor Lucy or
Dinknesh, a land of the legendary Queen of Sheba,
home of the biblical Ark of the Covenant, the source of
the Blue Nile, the originator of coffee-Ethiopia's gift to
the world and presently building the Grand Renaissance
Dam, number one by continental measure and the
seventh biggest dam on earth and the first ever modern
light city train transportation system in Africa which is
sceduled to begin its services shortly.
In reference to contemporary Ethiopia, the Media Officer
apprised the audience that Ethiopia has opened a new
chapter in its history and the world is witnessing that
we are both a nation with solid history and an
impeccable tradition with a rising economy setting a
new standard for Africa.
He further stated that Ethiopia has registered a double
digit economic growth for the last twelve consecutive
years earning it as a country inking double the African
average economic growth per annum by positioning it
among the fastest growing economies of the globe.
On hand, welcoming the touring visitors were the entire
staff members of the Ethiopian Embassy who were
adorned with varieties of traditional attires and cultural
costumes.
More than Forty Embassies and dozens of cultural
institutions in the Washington Metro Area participate in
the annual "Around the World Embassy Tour". The event
takes place throughout the month of May signifying
celebration of international culture in the nation's
capital portraying an opportunity to travel the world
without leaving DC. The cultural Tourism Extravaganza
is a once in a year special event presented by cultural
tourism D.C. It is estimated that over 8,000 visitors have
toured the embassy on this year's "Passport DC" event.
Lelissa Dessisa wins Boston Marathon 2015
In 2013, Ethiopia's Lelisa Desisa stormed to victory in
the 117th Boston Marathon. Twelve months later, he
returned with a weight of expectation on his shoulders;
the result was a DNF. In 2015 he came to Boston with a
point to prove - which he did in demonstrative fashion
after a race that was epic from gun to tape, with more
plot twists than a soap opera. Desisa stayed strong
through less than ideal conditions, breaking the tape on
Boylston Street in 2:09:17.
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At the 5K, the split of 14:42 illustrated that this was going
to be anything but easy. Gebremariam, twice a third place
finisher here, fronted the pack, but in close formation
were Desisa, Tola, two-time world marathon champion
Abel Kirui (KEN), four-time world half marathon
champion Zersenay Tedesse (ETH), last year's second
placer Wilson Chebet (KEN), 2012 champion Wesley Korir,
defending champion Meb Keflezighi, three of Meb's US
teammates - Nick Arciniaga, Matt Tegenkamp and Dathan
Ritzenhein - plus a clutch of other world class performers
- 17 in total. Notably missing, at this early stage, was
Patrick Makau, former world record holder at 2:03:08,
who inexplicably had stepped off the course not to be
seen again.
As the 22 mile mark approached, Tsegay put his foot
down and the real racing began. Along with Tsegay in the
seven man pack were Desisa, Keflezighi, Korir, Chebet,
Kipyego and Chepkwony. But Desisa was looking
powerful, apparently not at all fatigued by his several
turns at the front in the earlier miles. The 22 mile mark
was passed in 1:49:13 (4:47) and 23 in 1:53:55 (4:42).
Desisa was flying, Tsegay was hanging close and
everybody else was suffering. Chepkwony, Chebet, Korir,
Kipyego and the defender Keflezighi all gave ground and
it was down to just two.
Desisa weathered the challenge, crossing the finish line in
2:09:17. Tsegay was as jubilant in second as he was
crossing the finish line 35 seconds down in 2:09:48.
Chebet, second here in 2014, held on for third in 2:10:22.
"I'm happy and excited for my second victory," Desisa
stated, as he should have been, given his $150,000 first
place prize. "During the race, after 35K, knowing who was
around me, I knew I was going to win because my speed
was greater than theirs."
Next year, the hallowed race turns 120.
(Source: Boston Atheletics Association)