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OMN: Gaafiif Deebii Gabaabaa Atleet Fayyisaa Leellisaa Waliin

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A PAFD’s Call for all Ethiopian Political Forces to join PAFD to work for Transitional Arrangement in Ethiopia

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PAFD1A PAFD’s Call for all Ethiopian Political Forces to join PAFD to work for Transitional Arrangement in Ethiopia

Peoples Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (PAFD) is the alliance of five political organizations. PAFD member organizations have been struggling for freedom and democratic rights of their respective people for a period of 20 to 40 years. They have developed institutional capacities and sufficient human and material resources to galvanize their peoples that account 67 % of the Ethiopian population, for freedom and democracy. The PAFD member organizations have structures and networks within their respective peoples in Ethiopia that enable them to effectively carry out their struggle for freedom and democracy.
The struggle for freedom and democracy of PAFD member organizations is rooted in the objective realities of their respective peoples. Currently, the PAFD member organizations are coordinating their struggle in many operational areas and organizing popular movements in many parts of the country. Thus, we believe the ongoing anti-government popular movements spreading country-wide with unprecedented speed will not stop until all peoples in Ethiopia gain their freedom and democratic rights.
The aim of PAFD is to coordinate the activities, resources and talents of its member organizations by mobilizing and galvanizing their respective constituencies with the aim to overthrow the dictatorial TPLF regime and to create a transitional arrangement based on the respect for democratic rights and rights to self-determination of peoples. PAFD believes in the respect of human rights in a manner that address the grievances of all nations and nationalities in Ethiopia by establishing a genuine and all inclusive political order. PAFD also believe in genuine respect for the will and consent of each and every nation and nationality in Ethiopia to once for all, bring an end to the recurrent conflicts in Ethiopia.

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Gootichi Oromoo Fayisaa Lalisaan Dorgommiitti Olompikiitti Yeroo Dhihaachuuf Jedhutti Mallattoo Odaa Kan Qabu Ichima (tattoo) Qaama Isaa Aduunyaatti Agarsiifataa Ture.

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The Bravest Olympian in Rio — Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa Risks Death But Speaks Out About Killings of Oromo Protesters in Ethiopia After Earning Olympic Silver in Marathon

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August 21, 2016 in Oromia

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Galen Rupp – USA (2:10:05), Eliud Kipchoge – Kenya (2:08:44) and Feyisa Lilesa – Oromia (2:09:54)

RIO DE JANEIRO (Letsrun)— Plenty of storylines emerged from the 2016 Olympic marathon. Eliud Kipchoge stamped himself as the greatest marathoner of all time by winning the race in 2:08:44. Galen Rupp earned the bronze medal to cap a stellar meet for the United States distance squad. But those are sporting achievements. What Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa did today goes far beyond running.

As Lilesa crossed the finish line in 2:09:54 to earn the silver medal, he threw his hands above his head to form an “X”. Afterward, at the post-race press conference on a dais 50 yards from the marathon finish line, he spoke slow, powerful, chilling words, explaining the gesture was meant to demonstrate his solidarity with his Oromo people in Ethiopia. Amnesty International reports that at least 97 Oromo were killed inpeaceful anti-government protests earlier this month. This is the latest in a string of protests that Human Rights Watch estimates have resulted in over 400 deaths in all. In addition to the killings, many more have been arrested and detained by the government.

 

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(BBC News) — Ethiopian runner makes protest sign as he crosses line in Rio

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August 21, 2016

An Olympic marathon runner from Ethiopia staged a daring protest against his home government when he crossed the line in Rio on Sunday.

Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men's Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men’s Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

(BBC News) — As he took the silver medal, Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above – a gesture made by the Oromo people who have suffered brutal police crackdowns.

Lilesa is from Oromia, home to most of Ethiopia’s 35 million Oromo people.

He repeated the protest gesture later at a press conference, saying his life would be in danger if he returned home.

Human rights groups say that Ethiopian security forces have killed hundreds of people in recent weeks as they crack down on anti-government protests.

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NAIROBI (The Washington Post) — This Ethiopian runner just won silver in the marathon. And then he led a protest of his government that could land him in jai

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By Kevin Sieff

Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men's Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crosses his arms above his head at the finish line of the Men’s Marathon athletics event of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

NAIROBI (The Washington Post)  — When he crossed the Olympics marathon finish line, Feyisa Lilesa put his hands above his head in an “X.” Most of those who watched Lilesa’s spectacular silver medal performance didn’t know what that meant — or just how dangerous a protest they were watching.

Lilesa was protesting the Ethiopian government’s killing of hundreds of the country’s Oromo people — an ethnic majority that has long complained about being marginalized by the country’s government. The group has held protests this year over plans to reallocate Oromo land. Many of those protests ended in bloodshed. According to Human Rights Watch, more than 400 people have been killed since November.

For months, the Oromo have been using the same “X” gesture that Lilesa, 26, used at the finish line.

At a news conference following the race, he reiterated his defiant message.

“Oromo is my tribe. … Oromo people now protest what is right, for peace, for a place,” Lilesa said, according to Reuters.

 

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USA TODAY Sports- Marathon Silver Medalist: If I Go Back To Ethiopia, They Might Kill Me

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Marathon Silver Medalist: If I Go Back To Ethiopia, They Might Kill Me

Photo: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports

(Los Angeles Times) Silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa shows solidarity with protesters in Ethiopia

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Ethiopia's Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above his head at the finish line (Olivier Morin / AFP/Getty Images)

Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lilesa crossed his arms above his head at the finish line (Olivier Morin / AFP/Getty Images)

(Los Angeles Times) — Feyisa Lilesa of Ethiopia was nearing the finish line at the men’s marathon on Sunday morning when he crossed his wrists above his head.

The silver medalist did it again. And once more at the end of an extraordinary news conference — standing alone and posing for photographers — in which he explained his show of solidarity with protesters in his homeland, Ethiopia.

He explained that the gesture was in protest of the killing of the Omoro people, saying he stands with the resistance movement, adding that the government was “killing our people.”

Lilesa was asked about the consequences of his protest. He said maybe “they kill me…if not they kill me, they put me in prison.”

Later, it was mentioned that the International Olympic Committee frowned upon political protests/gestures at the Games.

Said Lilesa: “They can’t do anything. It’s my feeling.”