Abbay Media News
Yassin Ibrahim
The United States Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia released a statement opposing the declaration of the State of Emergency by Ethiopian authorities.The embassy stated that more not less freedom should be the response to the concern of the government about the uptake of violence and loss of life and property the authorities claim.
The embassy, in its released statement, recognized the recent steps the government promised to take in order to widen the political space and the release of political prisoners but warned imposing state of emergency will send the wrong message that the government has no intention of listening to the people of Ethiopia.
The US embassy urged the government to look for other means of protecting lives and properties while still respecting the rights of people to peacefully assemble and engage in political dialogue that will lay the foundations for democratic Ethiopia. The many challenges facing Ethiopia in every aspect of life are better addressed through inclusive dialogue with all the stakeholders participating freely, the embassy stated.
This released statement is a clear departure from business as usual in terms of Ethio-US relations.The United States has been the number one supporter of the regime in Addis Ababa financially, politically, diplomatically and militarily. The US has considered the Ethiopian government an ally in the war against terrorism for its part in sending troops to Somalia to fight Al Shabaab – the Al Qaeda affiliated terrorist group in Somalia.
Not so long ago the US recognized results of the last election in Ethiopia where the ruling party EPRDF and its affiliates claimed to have won 100% of the votes. Former president of US, President Barack Obama, who visited Ethiopia shortly after the election acknowledged the government was democratically elected to the dismay of the vast majority of Ethiopian people, the political opposition, local and international observers and contrary to his own State Department’s report on Ethiopia.
