This is a scanned image of a letter allegedly written by the President of Ethiopia and it has been circulated in US-based opposition media for some time now. According to the letter, the President, whose function is mostly ceremonial, urges the Minister of Agriculture to save a forest land from being leased to an investor.

I am unable to confirm the authenticity of this letter, despite my repeated informal attempts by contacting peoples who were supposed to know about it. To my surprise, most of whom I talked to are not even aware this paper is being circulated in the media. Thus, as a blogger with high readership in Ethiopia, I thought I should post it, hoping someone with info may come forward. Indeed, I welcome the possibility that this post may bring attention to the issue at hand – that is, if the forest mentioned in the letter is really in danger.

Though unable to verify this letter and the issue raised therein, I shall add, I am aware of the environmental activism of President Girma Wolde-Georgis. In fact, I had the honor of attending a banquet, sitting a few chairs away from him, prepared in his honor in Dire Dawa palace in 2006, when he came to attend an environmental awareness creation exhibition. Don’t raise your eyebrows – I boldly claimed the seat because I felt I deserved it given my role in facilitating the whole program. Yes, you have guessed it, other high ranking officials were smiling looking at me.

The occasion enlightened me that the President was really aware of the nitty-gritty of environmental issues and also political issues, in addition to his sociability. In fact, at some point he flabbergasted the v/Mayor and the Capacity Building Bureau Heads by telling them they are not aware of the climate change of the city because they are new comers. They had to mumble something in defense – that they knew the city before their appointment or something like that – while the rest of us smiled.

Read the alleged lettter of the President below – and I encourage anyone with info to contact me.