Abbay Media News
Yassin Ibrahim
Media outlets reported that Dr. Arkabe Oqubay tripped on staircases while visiting the ‘Hawasa Industrial Park’, 275 Km from the capital city of Addis Ababa, on Thursday July 20, 2017. Dr Oqubay, the high ranking government official in the Ethiopian government, sustained such serious injuries to his lower limbs and head that he was promptly airlifted to the capital Addis Ababa for immediate medical intervention.
Dr Oqubay was spotted on a wheelchair at Addis Ababa airport purportedly flying to Germany for further medical treatment. His travel to Germany may not indicate the exact level of his injuries as it’s not unusual for government officials of his stature to fly abroad in search of a better quality care even when the alternatives are easily accessible at home.
Such is the wealth of the ruling upper class of Ethiopian rulers that Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Germany, United Kingdom, and USA are well frequented destinations for medical treatment for them and their families. In May of 2016, PM Hailemariam Desalegn travelled on a private jet to Germany for eye surgery where he stayed in his purchased house in the city of Baden. Just recently, Mrs. Azeb Mesfin, the wife of the late PM Meles Zenawi, sought medical assistance in the United States.
Dr. Arkebe Oqubay Metiku is an official adviser to PM Hailemariam and politburo member of the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) – the front that toppled the communist government of Ethiopia in May of 1991 and has been in total control of power for the last 26 years. Dr. Oqubay who wrote his dissertation on “industrial Policy of Ethiopia”, completed his doctoral studies at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in 2013. The charming politician is also known to be one of the richest and most corrupt officials in Ethiopia today.
