Africa 2000

Western Sahara/SADR

Facts and Figures

Location- Northwest Africa, Atlantic and canary Islands on west, Morocco on north Corners Algeria on northwest Mauritania on east and south

Area- 225, 120 sq km
Topography- Forms westernmost reaches of the Sahara.
Population- 260, 000
Ethnic Make-up- Arab
Languages – Arabic
(official)
Religions – Islam
Capital City – Tindouf (Algeria),Laayoune
Government Type – Republic Government in exile
Head of State–President Mohammed Abdulaziz, since 1976
Currency- Moroccan Dirham (MAD) 8.11 = $1 US
Gross Domestic Product – N.A
Economy – Fishing and phosphate mining
Life Expectancy – 62 male, 66 female

Facts and figures are the latest available at time of publication and may not necessarily be the most accurate.

Wereket

By Kirubel Tadesse

He stood at Geneva airport, where he had landed several minutes ago. There was nobody to talk with. The stranded economist flew to Switzerland on Ethiopian, hoping for a better life. Finally he decides to get a taxi and be taken to the main streets hoping to find someone who can guide him to a refugee camp. He was lucky and found an Ethiopian willing to help.
As the local guy starts explaining about the country, he was totally indifferent to what the newcomer had in mind. It was a nightmare coming true for Natnael, who gave up his job at the Ethiopian national bank to come to Switzerland without obtaining a resident permit, the story of the new film in Amharic language entitled ‘Wereket’, literally translated, ‘paper’, meaning here ‘residence permit’.
‘Wereket’ cunningly shows the pain and suffering Ethiopians and other African refugees go through in order to obtain residency papers and sadly for most, only to learn of their work permit denial, which seems to have a power to alter their fate forever in any direction. Even if the Swiss government doesn’t force them to leave the country, it prohibits them from holding legally any job, and puts them in a refugee center indefinitely until they are either utterly discouraged or desperate to return to their origins or go crazy as seen in the sad stories of the characters in ‘Wereket’.
Even if ‘Wereket’ circles around this very heartbreaking story of Ethiopians in Switzerland, it presents very entertaining love scenes as ‘Selam’, the beautiful Ethiopian girl, falls in love with the main character. All the candle light dinners, exchanges of gifts, surprise birthday party and others, warms your heart before it suffers alongside the two lovers when they face the ultimate challenge as their request for the permit is rejected. Selam gets an offer she can’t resist, a marriage proposal that can automatically get her the working permit she desperately needs to support her ill mom. Her mother had to spend all her money to send Selam to Switzerland. The options are very scary: losing her mom or breaking her promise and giving up on her love...
This film, which is entirely filmed in Switzerland, tells its story so intelligently that it outshines all other pervious films of similar themes. Its weakest point is the sound which is of very poor quality.
Audiences Capital talked to at the Municipality Cinema on Wednesday, March 12, 2008, were complaining that even in what was seen to be controlled environments, like in houses, the dialogue couldn’t be heard clearly. For a film shot in Europe, it shouldn’t be a problem to have a good sound system, they felt.
Another point raised by the audience is the film’s ending. all the problems and troubles that evolved in the film seem to be left floating by the end of it. They weren’t really resolved or answered. The story teller fails to offer the audience some concrete message to work on.
The producers have however announced that the film is based on a true story. So the fate of the characters reflects real people’s destiny, which by itself can be a hint of where it should direct its imagination.
‘Wereket’ is a preview of what can await anyone who plans on migrating to Europe without legal procedures. The audience leaves the theatre with a desperate mood, left with no ground to hold on to the heavenly images it use to have about immigrants life abroad: Not so easy to access job or education without legal permit.

Artist, conservationist, Tadesse W. aregay @ the Alliance

By Abiy Demilew

One of the few Ethiopian artists engaged in preservation, conservation and restoration of the Ethiopian traditional church paintings, Tadesse W.Aregay opened an exhibition entitled “Héritage d’Axum”, at the Alliance gallery on Wednesday.
Not new to outstanding exhibitions home and abroad, Tadesse played his own role in introducing Ethiopian traditional art and paintings to the rest of the world, including Germany, Djibouti, Italy, Hungary, USA and Coté de ‘Ivore.
Obtaining a Diploma from the School of Fine Arts of the AAU an his BA from the Danish Royal Academy of Arts, Tadesse Wolde Aregay is labeled to be one of the rare Ethiopian artists who can work towards the restoration of the religious Ethiopian patrimony, for having taken in Rome, (ICCROM) formal training in preservation and conservation.
Born in Axum in 1953, the artist since 1994 is directing the Conservation Department of the Ministry of Culture in Addis Ababa. His artistic expression is entirely dedicated to representations of biblical and traditional scenes that he masters to perfection. His works have already been exhibited at several national and international exhibitions.
Since 1981, Tadesse has served the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as chief conservator head of painting and restoration team leader of art conservation.
It is to be recalled that Tadesse made his special appearance at the Alliance gallery between October and November 2003, with an exhibition of various works, with heavy an influence of the traditional paintings of the Ethiopian Orthodox church.
The exhibition is open for two weeks as of Wednesday 12, March 2008.

Nick: “Addis – the most important place to screen Black Gold”

Addis Ababa is getting prepared for the opening of the 2nd Addis International Film Festival on Rights and Justice. The excitement is growing, the international guests are arriving and the festival team is ready to start. Next Friday, the festival celebrations will begin with the premiere of Black Gold at 5.30 p.m. at the Sebastopol Cinema (Exhibition Center). The award-winning film on Ethiopia’s coffee farmers and their fight for a fair price will draw everyone into the issue. Experts like Peter Robleh (ECA), Abera Tola (Oxfam America), Nick Francis (film director) and Tadesse Meskela (Oromia Coffee Farmers Cooperative Union) will be ready to answer questions and are awaiting a highly interesting discussion with the audience. The film director Nick Francis is on his way to Addis to be present for this special event: “I am so excited. This is the most important place to screen Black Gold.” Coffee farmers from the regions, government officials, experts on the topic, students and interested people have already agreed to be attending the happening.
In the beginning, the festival will shed light on the rights and justice situation of the coffee farmers; on the following days, the audience will be introduced to topics such as the non-existent rights of women in war, of children from all over the world and to the necessity of having affordable access to basic goods. The festival team welcomes you to ten exciting days of films, documentaries and short movies – starting every day at 2 p.m. at the Sebastopol Cinema (Exhibition Center). The festival will conclude with the ceremony of the first Addis International Film Festival Award on Rights and Justice (AdIFFA) to be given to the best Ethiopian film on Rights and Justice. The award is especially designed by the Ethiopian artist Alem Teklu and will be handed out by a high-profile jury on March 30th. The events are open to all and free of charge. Keep an eye on our complete schedule not to miss on all the exciting films and events (www.addisfilmfestival.org)…however, come and see!