Jawar Mohammad
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Jawaar Mohammad
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Jawar in 2017
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| Born | Jawar Siraj Mohammed (1986-05-12) 12 May 1986 (age 38)[1] |
| Nationality |
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| 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 |
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 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]
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]
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.
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.
Today is my birthday.
Journalism
