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Afars – A Time for Focus

By: Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
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[ Posted On: 2008-08-07 ]

As the overall situation in the Horn of Africa region gets deteriorated, and the Abyssinian tyranny gets disintegrated, starvation and premeditated famine come to be added to the troubles of all the tyrannized and massacred peoples.

No one can have a clear idea where it is better to try to survive in the colonial relic of Abyssinia, fallaciously re-baptized 'Ethiopia'. Oromia is in turmoil; the South is in an explosive situation, and throughout the 'country', tribal hatred is deliberately incited by the criminal Amhara and Tigray gangsters of the Zenawi administration in a vain effort to survive for some more weeks.

The dead end of the much loathed existence of the evil state of 'Ethiopia' is nigh, despite all criminal efforts and evildoings of the Ethio-fascist elements of Qinijit and Ginbot-7 to insist on the continuation of the relic abomination that became the tomb of the Sidamas, the Ogadenis, the Oromos, the Anuak, the Shekachos, the Kaffas, the Kambaatas, the Agaws, the Wolayitas, the Shinashas, the Berta, and the Gumuz.

Worse than Hitler's Germany, 'Ethiopia' has been the tomb of the Afars too. The Afars are a great Kushitic nation that delivered tremendously for thousands of years in Eastern Africa, particularly in the Islamic Times; the southern Afars are also known as Adal.

Who knows not the Great Afar kingdom that united most of Eastern African territory in the 14th and the 15th centuries?

The Afars have faced the evil Amhara hatred for more than a century, as they have been subjugated by the barbaric Amhara Monophysitic kings during the last decades of the 19th century.

Furthermore, they have been some of the worst victims of the colonial times, as they have been targeted by Amharas, Italians, French and English.

Even worse, more recently, they have been constrained to attest the trichotomy of their nation, as they have been divided among Abyssinia, Djibouti, and Eritrea.

Yet, still in the 19th century, prior to the "scramble for Africa", the Afar nation was united and had its own political, social and legal structures.

The brave Afars, who excel in arts, literature, religion, science, modern and traditional forms of the economy and commerce, did not lose their hope for independence and unified national statehood - even not for a second.

The Afars make up over 7 million people. The Afar nation has a single language, and basic common culture. The Afar language, Qafar Af, belongs to the eastern Kushitic group of languages, being thus relative to Somali, Oromo, and Sidama languages.

Qafar Af is closely related to Saho language too, as more than 80 percent of the words in common. Like Af Somali and Afan Oromo, the Afar language is written in Roman (Latin alphabet). The Afar alphabet, Qafar Feera, was created by Dimis and Redo, two Afar intellectual nationalists in the early seventies.

The Afar national heritage is extraordinarily rich in proverbs, stories, songs and riddles. They have developed a very comprehensive vocabulary, particularly with respect to Natural Sciences. The Afar customary law comprises elaborate descriptions, and the Afars are masters in Literature.

The political set up of the Afars comprised of Sultanates (namely Awsa, Biru, Gobaad, Rahayto, Tagorri) that were constituent parts of a federal Afar state that recognized the supremacy of the Islamic Caliphate, i.e. the Ottoman Empire.

During the colonial times, the Afar coastal regions have been devastated by fierce several battles where the Afar People showed unyielding resistance against the advancing foreign forces, and more particularly the revengeful and odious Amhara pseudo-king Menelik.

More recently, the Afars attempted to liberate at least a part of the Afar Land, in Djibouti. In November 1991, the mainly Afar-supported Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUD) began fighting the Issa-dominated government of Djibouti.

Vying for power as the main ethnic groups, the Afars occupy the north and west of the country; the Issas are in the south. French army was sent to crash the rebellion in early 1992; the Afar rebels then declared a unilateral ceasefire. Warring resumed in late 1992 near the town of Tadjoura, with dozens of persons killed and hundreds wounded.

Under pressure, Djibouti's president, Hassan Gouled Aptidon reshaped his government to form a careful balance between Afars and Issas in February 1993. The FRUD split apart because of disagreement over discussions with the government, which reached an agreement of reconciliation and peace with the principal FRUD faction in 1994. Some dissident FRUD rebels attacked and fought government troops in the north in 1997.

I republish here a Press Release issued by the (Abyssinia based) Afar Human Right Organisation, which was issued a few days ago (under the title ' The TPLF army continues killing civilians in Afar region, Ethiopia'), and the National Democratic Programme of the Afar National Revolutionary Democratic Front (ANDRF).

The TPLF army continues killing civilians in Afar region, Ethiopia
http://www.eastafro.com/Post/2008/07/22/the-tplf-army-continue-killing-civilians-in-afar-region-ethiopia/

Afar Human Right Organisation

Press Release

The TPLF army continues its terror and intimidation on the Afar civilian. One of the latest victims was a 16 years old school boy Ibrahim Mohamed Suula. July 13, 2008 the army shot dead Ibrahim at village of Urissi near Gewani. Ibrahim was one of brilliant students in Gewani Boarding School and at the time he was visiting his parents during the school vacation. He was watching over the family’s cattle there an unprovoked army sniper shot him to death. The other boy with him got wounded but managed to escape.

The woreda officials made a claim to hold the perpetrators accountable for the killing; however the army officials responded by stating "the national army has the right to kill who ever they want to kill" The magnitude of arrogance, disrespect for the human life and dignity, and human right violation by armed forces has caused outrage and bitterness among Afars.

The case of Ibrahim is the tip of the iceberg. The number of Afar civilians that have been killed by the army since 1991 is estimated to be more than 4000, but not a single case was legally tried and held accountable. Consequently, the national army stationed a long the Djibouti – Addis high way in Afar region is harbouring more that 4000 individuals responsible for killing of innocent civilians. Some sources from the local community reported that the army is using the Afar pastoralists and their livestock to train their marksmen. A motiveless assassination of Ibrahim was also believed to be part of this exercise, which is against all international treaties and the code of armed forces.

The question is which stand to take on the national army that intimidate and terrorise its own rather than protecting them?

Afar pastoralists are on their native land and move around with their livestock to make their livelihood on some of the harshest terrain in the world. The huge army settlements in Afar region have exposed the Afar community for daily confrontation with the army and, therewith for brutal harassment and human right abuse as a result. An additional factor that threatens the livelihood of the Afar pastoralists is the confiscation of 120,000ht grazing land for state owned sugar plantation, which displaced 500,000 pastoralists.

Supplant Afars pastoralists are now forced to move to the neighbouring agrarian communities such as Amharas, Oromo and Tigreans; which in turn is instigating new conflicts between Afar and their neighbouring brothers.

Afar human right organisation strongly denounces the killing of Ibrahim and other civilians!!

Afar Human Rights Organisation (AHRO) calls up on:
United Nation, AU, EU, Arab league, Human Rights Watch and
Amnesty International to investigate human rights abuses in the Afar region.

For further inquiry and support please contact "Afar Human Right Organisation" / ahro2006@hotmail.com

Afar National Revolutionary Democratic Front (ANDRF)
Afar Uguugoh Demokraasih Fooca (QUDF)

National Democratic Programme
Adda Xintoh Madqa
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article24420

Approved by Central Committee of ANRDF
Afar National Revolutionary Democratic Front

Mission

The Afar National Revolutionary Democratic Front is a political organisation. It was established during 2005 in Baracle District of Zone 2 of Afar Region National State in Ethiopia. The ultimate objective of ANRDF is for the Afar people to freely determine their political, social, economic and cultural status, in accordance with the peoples’ right to self-determination as set out in Article 1 of the UN’s Charter and on Resolution 1723 (XV1) of 1961.

Politics

ANRDF struggles for the Afar people’s inalienable rights to freely determine their political status and to pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

ANRDF struggles to form a responsible Afar Regional National State answerable to the Afar National Assembly and accountable to the electorate.

ANRDF struggles to adopt a democratic political system based on pluralism and egalitarianism.

ANRDF rejects totalitarian and dictatorial forms of government.

ANRDF as a member of the Federal Council of the States of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia supports the existing federal arrangement and constitutional rights adopted in 1994, by the Ethiopian People Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

ANRDF shall have the right to engage in armed struggle if there is no peaceful and democratic solution to the existing problems of political marginalisation, natural wealth and resources exploitation, undemocratic and indirect rule, denial of freedom to manage local political, economic and social affairs, and to elect responsible political leaders who truly represent the interests of the Afar people.

ANRDF’s request for the Afar people is in accordance with the United Nation Resolution 1723 (XV1) 1961, Article 1 of the UN Charter and Articles 8 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Peoples 1976.

ANRDF rejects terrorism in all its forms.

ANRDF will empower zones and districts administrations to them able to freely mange their local and neighbourhood affairs.

ANRDF will protect the rights of grazing land of the Afar pastoralist communities.

Legal System

ANRDF will establish a flexible legal system to enforce legal accountability and justice, uphold the Rule of Law and hold the public officials accountable and answerable to rule of law and constitution.

ANRDF shall establish Afar Traditional Customary Laws as a source of the Afar State Constitution and Legal Systems.

Afar Traditional Customary Laws shall have overriding legal authority, if cases are directly related to the Afar national security, peace and safety.

Economy

ANRDF will produce an Afar National Economic Development Programme.

ANRDF will encourage the private sector to invest in the Afar region.

ANRDF will create an Afar Cooperative and Development Bank to supporting Afar business communities to access to interest free loan for 5 Years.

ANRDF will create an Afar National Bank to generate local incomes and meet the financial needs of the people of the State of Afar.

ANRDF will develop the existing pastoral economic system.

ANRDF will encourage free market economic system.

ANRDF will modernise animal husbandry.

ANRDF will exploit natural wealth and resources for the benefit of national and local communities.

ANRDF will use all locally generated revenues and taxes for the development of the Afar Region by building good democratic political and legal institutions, strong social and economic infrastructures, advanced and accessible public health, education, agriculture, water supply, and communication.

ANRDF shall provide free advice, material support and training to the Afar agricultural communities.

ANRDF will provide the pastoral communities with veterinary services, livestock breading experts, and financial support to improve their living conditions.

ANRDF will provide the salt making communities with modern technology, training and financial assistance.

ANRDF will encourage the establishment of enterprises that will contribute to the Afar national Economic Development Programme, and well-being of the people of the State of Afar, without endangering local environments and the grazing land of Afar pastoralist communities.

Social and Culture

ANRDF will introduce a well organised social welfare provision in the State of Afar to provide a minimum level of income, services and other support for disadvantaged people such as the disable, elderly, poor, lone parents, low income families, students, unpaid workers and job seekers to help alleviate poverty and social exclusion in the State of Afar.

The social and well-being of the people of Afar shall be ANRDF’s primary concern.

ANRDF will develop Afar culture, heritage, traditions, folklore and folkdances by making them part of the Afar Educational Curriculum.

ANRDF will build an Afar National Museum for Zones 1, 3 and 5 (where Afarensis "Lucy" was found) in order to preserve Afar culture and history.

ANRDF will establish sports and leisure Centres in all zones, districts and neighbourhood to promote the health exercise and well-being of all people in the State of Afar.

Education

ANRDF shall establish in all districts of the State of Afar, free and compulsory education for all children aged 5 to 16.

ANRDF will build good Public Boarding Schools in all Districts of the State.

Higher Educational students of the State of Afar shall be eligible to apply for Student Allowance, Grants or Maintenance Allowance and Tuition Fess Grants.

ANRDF will build Vocational and Training Centres in all Zones and Districts to equip people with the necessary qualifications and skills to improve their living conditions.

ANRDF will introduce a Training Allowance Schemes to encourage people to learn new skills, gain qualifications and to move to higher education and more productive employment.

ANRDF will establish IT and Adult Learning Centres in all Zones to re-skill peoples, and to teach modern technology and communication skills.

Health

ANRDF will establish good Health Centres and Primary Care Clinics in all Zones.

ANRDF will establish public hospitals, specialist health clinics in all Zones of the Afar State to meet the health needs of the people.

ANRDF will establish Health & Primary Care Centres in all Zones in order to building up the capacity of health professionals.

ANRDF will make all medical consultations, treatments and drug supply free for all people in the State of Afar.

ANRDF will take immediate measures to minimize the ongoing HIV, malaria, child malnutrition, and other health problems experienced the Afar people.

Housing

ANRDF will build modern houses to facilitate the settlement of Afar pastoralist communities in the urban areas of the State.

ANRDF will set up social housing agencies to build affordable housing in the State of Afar.

ANRDF will provide interest free loan to those who wish to buy or develop housing.

ANRDF will give housing grants to qualified individuals so as to enable them to buy homes.

ANRDF will support the private sectors in property development which benefits the local communities.

Defense & Security

ANRDF will build a strong Afar National Defence Police Force to maintain the national integrity and security of the State of Afar.

Afar National Defence Police Force will be composed of very committed and qualified individuals who are requited by choice, ability and willingness to defending the Afar Regional State’s borders.

Afar National Defence Police Force shall have responsibility for maintaining law and order, peace and security in the State of Afar.

Afar National Defence Police Force shall have the specific obligation and duty to protect the citizens of the Afar Regional National State from any armed or unarmed attack, what ever its source.

Members of Afar National Defence Police Forces will be eligible to apply for the state managed housing and related facilities.

Human Rights

9.1 ANRDF adheres to internationally accepted human rights standards.

Foreign Policy

ANRDF believes that all international relations should be based on mutual and friendly co-operations and agreements that govern good neighbourhood relations. ANRDF will therefore:

a-1 - Develop friendly relations based on mutual respect and mutual advantages with all the nations and nationalities of Ethiopia.

a- 2 - Enter into economic and trade agreements with all states of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

a- 4 - Appoint Afar speaking diplomats at all Ethiopian Diplomatic Missions in all countries where there are Afar speaking communities.

a- 5 - Establish economic, education and agricultural co-operation with all regional and local governments at national and international levels, regardless of their political, ideological and religious status on the basis of mutual respect, mutual benefits, non aggression and non-interference principles.

Re-approved on 10th October 2007, by the Central Committee of
Afar National Revolutionary Democratic Front

Victory to the People of Afar
Mayso Qafar ummattah iimi

Victory to the Afar National Revolutionary Democratic Front (ANRDF)
Mayso Qafar Uguugumooh iimi

Contact: email: afar200@yahoo.com
Or email: afar40@hotmail.com

Article Source: http://www.afroarticles.com/article-dashboard

About The Author: Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis - is Orientalist, Assyriologist, Egyptologist, Iranologist, Islamologist, Historian and Political Scientist. Dr. Megalommatis, 51, is the author of 12 books, dozens of scholarly articles, hundreds of encyclopedia entries, and thousands of articles. He speaks, reads and writes more than 15, modern and ancient, languages.

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