DigEthiopia

As more reports of foreign land leases in Ethiopia surface, the GoE continues to insist local farmers will not be adversely affected by its land deals. Regarding agricultural investment, the GoE views foreign investor involvement as key to the country's move from subsistence to commercial farming (reftel). On top of any potential damage to local farmers, international and political opposition party critics cite concerns over exporting food from a country that relies so heavily on imported food aid and the perceived low wages that foreign investors pay its employees. Merara Gudina, Chairman of the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum (a coalition of political opposition parties), accused the GoE of using its land "giveaway" policy to hold on to power and to buy diplomatic support. U.S.-based GoE opposition movement Ginbot 7 stated in a January editorial that the GoE needs to change its communist land policy and empower local farmers, who have the potential to produce a marketable surplus. The editorial further noted that any land deal that has not been agreed to by the Ethiopian people will not be honored by future elected governments. http://wikileaks.ch/cable/2010/02/10ADDISABABA247.html