African Leaders Condemn Meles Zenawi Climate Proposal

African Parliamentarians and civil society leaders attending the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, condemned the proposal made today by Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. They say Ethiopia does not speak for Africa.
His statement today, while not having any official bearing on the negotiations, undermines the bold positions of African negotiators and ministers represented here (see para 22 in this document http://unfccc.int/files/kyoto_protocol/application/pdf/algeriaafrican111209.pdf) , and threatens the very future of Africa.
The African Group made a formal submission to the UNFCCC on Saturday and that submission is Africa's position.
Prime Minister Meles' position:
* Threatens Africa with catastrophic damage by allowing warming to rise by 2 degrees C globally and therefore by around 3 degrees on the continent of Africa. It risks the lives and livelihoods of literally hundreds of millions of people, including the people of Ethiopia;
* Allocates to the industrialized countries including France atmospheric space worth more than 10 trillion dollars between now and 2050, denying it to developing countries, and threatening Africa's prospects of economic and social development and the alleviation of poverty; and
* Offers a mere @10 billion in financing for all developing countries in fast-start funding.
"The IPCC science is clear - 2 degrees is 3 degrees in Africa - this is death to millions of Africans" said Hon Awudu Mbaya, President of Pan-African Parliamentarians Network on Climate Change
"If Prime Minister Meles wants to sell out the lives and hopes of Africans for a pittance - he is welcome to - but that is not Africa's position" Mithika Mwenda of Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance.
"Every other African country has committed to policy based on the science. That means at least 45% cuts by rich countries by 2020 and it means $400 billion fast-track finance not $10 billion" said Augustine Njamnshi of Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance.
"You cannot say you are proposing a 'solution' to climate change if your solution will see millions of Africans die and if the poor not the polluters keep paying for climate change" said Augustine Njamnshi.
This announcement reeks of "divide and rule" tactics designed to subjugate Africa and undermine good faith negotiations in the United Nations. We call on all Africans and citizens of developed countries to join together to condemn Ethiopia's unilateral position.
President Meles Zenawi must rescind his position or step down as Coordinator of African Heads of State and Governments on Climate Change.
Written by Mohamed Adow
Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance

Guji Zone Protests MIDROC Mining

The protests of high school and elementary school students in Shakisso and the surrounding Guji zone of Oromiya drew a promise from regional administrators to investigate complaints that the mining company’s surface mining is causing severe environmental damage and threatens the health of residents.
Gujii zone administrator, Gadaa Robee, met with representatives of the students, who agreed to return to classes if the government authorities would investigate their charges against the MIDROC Ethiopia Technology Group’s open pit mining operation in Legedembi gold mine.
The students and nearby residents also complained the MIDROC has offered no community services for a community in which many residents have been forced to leave, due to recent expansion of the mines in Sakaro after the company and the Ministry of Mines signed an agreement at the Sheraton Addis on November 24.
Ministry representative Gebre Egziabher Mekonnen told VOA’s Jalene Gemeda that the Sakaro project will use a new underground mining practice to lessen the environmental impact of the mine.
Midroc branch office spokesman in Shakisso said they had not received any formal complaint. In the meantime, Midroc has released a written statement expressing its willingness to respond to the complaints.
Source: http://www.voanews.com/horn/2009-12-11-voa2.cfm
By Jalene Gemeda
Washington DC
11/12/2009