Zielil do tesaenu? Or zabirkuta emni allatta

This is what our Tigrean fathers and mothers say when they see some one who is known for persistently doing something undesirable or bad takes a U-turn and does something constructive for the first time. (Ata Zielil do tesaenu, which roughly means is there not some one who ululates, makes a cry of joy).

Today, January 19th, 2008, I heard the VoA, Amharic Service, reporting something affirmative regarding the the economic development in Ethiopia under the current government (EPRDF), and I said to myself ata Zielil do tesaenu/yelen?. They dared to air that Tekeze Hydroelectric Power, which is expected to raise the current HEP capacity of the country by 30%, is successful and is going to start to generate power in June or July, 2008. I was really amazed where they did bring the courage to do this. I even went to the extent of saying "has somebody sprinkled some holy water to the radio and its runners, particularly, to Addisu?" That is indeed what I said.

At the same time, however, I began to question the release of the news from a different angle. Our fathers and mothers also say e(za) burkuta emni allatta, which is said to caution about things that are seemingly tantalizing and good can have something malicious undercover.

Why is that the VoA happened to tell the news of the (near) completion of Tekeze Hydroelectic Power, and not those of others in Fincha, Gibbe I and II, to at least limit myself to developments in HEP in Ethiopia, leaving aside the hundreds of other developments in cement, sugar processing, construction, flower development, vehicle assembly factories and many others. Why is that the men at the Amharic VoA seem to concern as such about Tekeze HEP (which some ill-informed people, like Addisu of VoA seem to believe that it is found only in Tigray and is only for Tigray) which is to be inaugurated after 8 months from now?

So if they are saying it genuinely with no political paint to the news, it is time to say, " ata Zielil do tesaenu." But, on the other hand, if they have aired this with some sinister and malicious intent undercover, it is time to say, "eza birkuta emni alata."

"Hisu Selama Lehager."

"Yehagern selam Temegnu."

Henok, Emhagere Scandinavia

* HEP – Hydro-electric Power