Juggling Promises, Wagering The Future

Ethiopians Leave Morality, Decency up to Individuals

Ethiopians Leave Morality, Decency up to Individuals

February 1 , 2019 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

The toddler is inconsolable, irate that he be fed immediately and insistent on removing the delicate netela, white shawl, that his mother modestly tries to cover her body with...

Modernisation, Not Westernisation

Modernisation, Not Westernisation

January 18 , 2019 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

Timqet, the Epiphany festival that is just around the corner from Gena, the Ethiopian Christmas, is more traditionally observed, while Genais proving to be quite a different matter in this country. The decorated Christmas tree has been a fixture of high-end hote...

Tale of Portraits in the City

Tale of Portraits in the City

January 5 , 2019 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

In the lobby of the main police station in Yeka sub-city in Addis Abeba, the portrait of the former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has been removed from its position on the wall and placed on the floor, behind a rickety wooden bench. The bespectacled ex-premier pee...

Inept Officialdom Lulls ‘Free-for-all’ Law and Order

Inept Officialdom Lulls ‘Free-for-all’ Law and Order

December 29 , 2018 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

In the foothills of Gulele, the ancient forested mountain that towers over the northern parts of Addis Abeba, a new settlement has sprouted that is aptly named Addis Gebeya, or new market. It is a cav...

In the foothills of Gulele, the ancient forested mountain that towers...

The Chinese Compromise

The Chinese Compromise

December 25 , 2018 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

It is unlikely that the bald and polished scalp bobbing on the neck of a businessman, past his middle-age, will ever sprout follicles to bud any hair. But this biological detail is of little concer...

It is unlikely that the bald and polished scalp bobbing on the neck of...

What Eritrea Can Learn by Looking Southward

What Eritrea Can Learn by Looking Southward

December 19 , 2018 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

If one is planning to bring along a credit or debit card to use anywhere in Eritrea, forbear the thought! “We tell our guests to bring hard currency, in cash, when we book their stay,” says the...

If one is planning to bring along a credit or debit card to use anywhe...

Asmera: The Addis Abeba that Never Was, for the Better

Asmera: The Addis Abeba that Never Was, for the Better

December 10 , 2018 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

The old guard, now in their sixties and seventies, lumber into the lobby of the Embasoira Hotel in Asmera to meet and chat. Some are educated in selective universities like the University of Michigan...

The old guard, now in their sixties and seventies, lumber into the lob...

Hidar SItaten : Thrives, but with Implications

Hidar SItaten : Thrives, but with Implications

December 5 , 2018 . By Ambessaw Assegued (assegued@anfilo.com).

There could hardly be any debate that the morning commute of passengers in a minicab from Lage Tafo to Mexico Square can be a gruelling journey. The rattle of the old vehicles, the loud clamours, crow...

There could hardly be any debate that the morning commute of passenger...