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Asian investors, regional allies and European admirers: why the world overlooks Ethiopia's rigged elections [BY MARTIN PLAUT ]
Addis Ababa is too important a place to sideline over a small matter like democracy
On 24 May, Ethiopia went to the polls – a fact that might have escaped your attention. Hardly surprising since there was next to no coverage in the British...

Sudan’s Al-Bashir Has Left South Africa, Sudanese Minister Says
by Ahmed Feteha
Bloomberg
Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir has left South Africa and is returning to his nation’s capital, Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman said.
“The president finished his business in South Africa and is coming back...

Ethiopia's crackdown on dissent drives opposition to push for 'freedom first' [William Davison]
theguardian
Government’s critics weigh options after ruling party landslide leads to loss of faith in ballot box while case of Zone 9 bloggers discourages free speech
On the very day Ethiopia’s ruling party celebrated another crushing...

Eritrea: Scathing UN Report [HRW]
(Nairobi) – Eritrea should implement the recommendations of a year-long United Nations Commission of Inquiry that concluded that serious human rights violations in Eritrea may amount to crimes against humanity. The commission released...

Remembering Dennis Hastert
Professor Alemayehu G. Mariam
Today, Dennis Hastert, the former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (1999-2007) and lobbyist appears in U.S. federal court for arraignment (enter a plea of guilty or not guilty) on charges...

Ethiopia's election is a wake-up call on human rights and sound governance [Daniel Calingaert and Kellen McClure]
theguardian
The international community must challenge Ethiopia’s oppressive regime by funding local human rights and democracy groups
On Sunday, millions of Ethiopians will line up at polling stations to participate in Africa’s largest...