Jawar Mohammed (Oromo: Jawaar Mahammad; ግእዝ፡ ጃዋር መሐመድ born 12 May 1986)[1] is an Ethiopian political analyst and activist.[3][4][5] One of the founders of the Oromia Media Network (OMN), Jawar was a leading organizer of the 2014–2016 Oromo protests.[5] He has been credited with toppling the incumbent government in February 2018[9][10][11] and bringing Abiy Ahmed to power.[12]
Jawar Mohammad | |
|---|---|
Jawaar Mohammad | |
.jpg) Jawar in 2017 | |
| Born | Jawar Siraj Mohammed 12 May 1986[1] |
| Nationality | |
| Alma mater | Stanford University (B.A.) Columbia University (M.A.) |
| Occupation | Political activist[3][4][5] |
| Known for | Leader of Oromo protests |
| Notable work | Founder of OMN[6] |
| Television | OMN |
| Title | CEO |
| Predecessor | Established |
| Successor | Girma Gutema[7] |
| Political party | Oromo Federalist Congress[8] |
| Movement | Qeerroo |
| Spouse |
Arfasse Gemeda (m. 2009) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and education
Jawar Mohammed was born on 12 May 1986[13] in the Dhumuga, Arsi Province bordering Hararghe.[2][14] His father was Arsi Oromo, of Muslim faith, while his mother an Orthodox Christian; the inter-religious union was novel but gained acceptance within the community.[14] Jawar describes his father as non practicing Muslim and Communist while his paternal grandfather was officially Muslim but seemed atheist. In contrast to his Christian grandparents who he describes very religious Orthodox Christians. He regularly attends Church with his Lutheran wife.[15]
Jawar began his formal education at a Catholic school in Asella.[16] He attended secondary school in Adama until 2003, when he was awarded a scholarship to study at the United World College of South East Asia in Singapore, from which he graduated in 2005. He described his experience at the UWC as awakening his consciousness to his own Oromo identity.[14] He graduated from Stanford University in 2009 with a degree in political science, and acquired a Master's in human rights from Columbia University, in 2012.[14]
Legal issues
On 30 June 2020, Jawar along with Bekele Gerba, Eskinder Nega and Sintayew Chekol were arrested by government amidst a riot sparked after singer Hachalu Hundessa murder. They were charged with terrorism in context of "inciting violence" at the crackdown. On 5 February 2021, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Chief Commissioner Daniel Bekele said that "very close supervision is required to prevent any grave threat to their health and life and that reasonably justified demands of the prisoners must be addressed" following reports indicating their health condition deterioration and undergoing hunger strike at prison.[17]
On 7 January 2022, the Ethiopian government announced it would release several political prisoners including Jawar, stating it was "to pave the way for a lasting solution to Ethiopia’s problems in a peaceful, non-violent way" through a “national dialogue”.[18]
References
- ^ a b "Jawar Mohammed: The Ethiopian media mogul taking on Abiy Ahmed". 9 July 2020.
- ^ a b Gebissa, Ezekiel (9 November 2019). "In defense of Jawar, a brilliant and dedicated agent of change". Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Report: Ethiopia continues malware attacks on dissidents in other countries". africatimes.com.
- ^ a b "Prominent activist may challenge Ethiopian PM in 2020 election". aljazeera.com.
- ^ a b c Gardiner, Tom (20 August 2018). "Jawar Mohammed's red-carpet return signals Ethiopia's political sea change". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
Few doubt the importance of Jawar in recent Ethiopian history. Perhaps more than any other single individual, he took the once-marginal politics of Oromo nationalism and made it mainstream.
- ^ Ethiopia: Account for all people arrested after Hachalu Hundesa's killing, 18 July 2020
- ^ Breaking News : Activist and long-time OMN contributor Girma Gutema will replace Jawar Mohammed, 30 December 2019
- ^ "I did it for Oromo: Jawar Mohammed explains decision to join Ethiopia opposition party". africanews.com.
- ^ Borago, Teshome (19 August 2018). "JAWAR: from Oromo radical to Ethiopia's leader". Ethiomedia. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
- ^ Peralta, Eyder (6 December 2018). "How An Exiled Activist In Minnesota Helped Spur Big Political Changes In Ethiopia". NPR News. Retrieved 18 October 2019.
At 32, with a mischievous smile and a round, boyish face, he keeps the air of a startup CEO, but Jawar is without a doubt the most controversial man in Ethiopia.
- ^ "Ethnic violence threatens to tear Ethiopia apart". The Economist. 2 November 2019.
- ^ 'Still I'm afraid': Victims reel from deadly Ethiopia clashes, 1 November 2019
- ^ Mohammed, Jawar (12 May 2018). "Jawar Mohammed on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
Today is my birthday.
- ^ a b c d "Jawar Mohammed Biography: The Interesting Profile of an Influential Man". allaboutETHIO.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
- ^ DeCort, Andrew. "Interview with Jawar Mohammed: Childhood, Faith, Ethics, Society". Facebook.
- ^ "Oromo | Oromia | Gadaa.com-FinfinneTribune". Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
- ^ St, Addis; ard (7 January 2022). "Breaking: Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba and others just released". Addis Standard. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ Walsh, Declan (7 January 2022). "Ethiopia Frees Prominent Political Prisoners, Calls for Reconciliation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
