Oromsis

By A. Dadafo, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Election campaign is in full swing – at least by Ethiopian standard. The marginalized opposition parties are going toe to toe with the ruling party making pitches to voters. The experience of 2005's aborted election renders a cloud of fear over the country. On the one hand; the ruling party, although by all indications determined to quash any attempt at democratic contest, is nervous not knowing how the public would react. On the other hand, the opposition is working steadfastly within the tight political space to win the hearts of voters and make known the illegitimacy of the election to the rest of the world – at the event the ruling party once again declares itself a winner.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – President Barack Obama's nominee to be the next US ambassador to Ethiopia pledged on Tuesday to press the government in Addis Ababa to improve human rights, free political prisoners and make upcoming elections fair.

Donald Booth said the United States had "complex interests" in Ethiopia, and that the two nations, while differing in tactics, saw largely eye-to-eye on the need to bring stability and prevent an Islamist takeover of Somalia.

By Barry Malone

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - An Ethiopian journalist has been jailed for one year for writing a newspaper article disagreeing with the country's prime minister, a U.S.-based press freedom watchdog said on Tuesday.

The Horn of Africa country holds national elections in May and international rights groups say the government is cracking down on dissent ahead of the poll. The government denies that.

Statement of Donald E. Booth
U.S. Ambassador-designate to Ethiopia
Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
February 2, 2009

Mr. Chairman and distinguished Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee;

It is an honor to appear before you today as President Obama’s nominee to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. I greatly appreciate the trust and confidence the President and Secretary Clinton have placed in me. I am also grateful for the steadfast support of my wife Anita, a retired Foreign Service Officer who is in Zambia, where I have had the honor of serving as ambassador since 2008. With me today for support are my daughter Alison and my sons Peter and David.