AFP, Protesters accuse the security forces of using excessive violence against them
A Western diplomat has said he expected Ethiopia to impose “repressive measures” after it banned foreign diplomats from travelling more than 40km (25 miles) outside the capital, Addis Ababa, “for their own security”, AFP news agency reports.
The diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP:
This is a state of emergency and we expect repressive measures. But we also expect an opening of the political space for the opposition as stated by the president in front of the parliament. This is not what seems to be happening.”
Ethiopia, a strong ally of western powers , imposed a state of emergency after the worst protests against the government since it took power in 1991.
Opposition activists accuse it of being repressive and denying them political freedom.
The government denies the allegation and says “foreign enemies” in Eritrea and Egypt are fuelling the unrest which has killed hundreds of people since November 2015.
Reuters – Protesters have targeted properties owned by the government and private sector
In Ethiopia, at least 1,000 suspects have been arrested over the violence in Sebeta town near the capital, Addis Ababa, the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate hasreported.
Only 40 to 50 suspects were natives of the town, while the majority were from other parts of Oromia region, the mayor, Ararsa Merdasa, is quoted as saying.
Ethiopia has declared a state of emergency to curb unrest in Oromia and Amhara, two regions that have seen a wave of anti-government protests since last year.
The mayor added that if there were any innocent people among the 1,000 suspects, they would be released once investigations were concluded.
Mr Ararsa said that residents had provided details of the rioters, including the crime they had committed, following public meetings.
More arrests were expected, he added.
Businessmen, who experienced massive losses after their properties were destroyed during the protests, are attending a “peace conference” in Sebata, and called for better security, FBC reports.
Reuters – Members of Ethiopia’s biggest ethnic group, the Oromo, have been at the forefront of protests
The state of emergency imposed by Ethiopia to curb unrest “will work”, an Ethiopian diplomat based in the US has said.
Tesfaye Wolde wrote to the Washington Post after itpublished an editorial condemning the state of emergency.
The editorial said:
Ethiopia’s human rights abuses and political repression must be addressed frontally by the United States and Europe, no longer shunted to the back burner because of cooperation fighting terrorism.
With the state of emergency, Ethiopia’s leaders are borrowing a brutal and counterproductive tactic from dictators the world over who have tried to put a cork in genuine popular dissent. It won’t work.
In his response, Mr Wolde, the Ethiopian embassy’s minister counsellor in the US, said the state of emergency was declared to deal with threats to the nation’s security.
He added:
The declaration also helps to accelerate and carry forward the efforts being made by the government and the people of Ethiopia to solve the pressing problems and challenges facing the country. It will work.
Ethiopia should reinforce its efforts to resist domestic and foreign terrorists and anti-peace elements.”
On Sunday, Ethiopian media reported that the government has banned foreign diplomats from travelling more than 40km (25 miles) outside the capital, Addis Ababa, “for their own security”.
BBC Monitoring reports that other restrictions listed by the media include:
- No protests in schools, universities and other higher education institutions
- No sermons with political content in religious institution
- Listening to pro-opposition ESAT TV and radio and Oromo Media Network outlawed
- A 50km (31 miles) “red zone” in areas near borders
- Areas 25km to the right and left of major roads also “red zones” and no carrying of weapons within the areas
- Dusk to dawn curfews, but affected areas not yet mentioned.
By Lamine Konkobo, Dickens Olewe and Farouk Chothia
(BBC Monitor) — Diplomats in Ethiopia expect ‘repressive measures’