Tag: Eritrea

Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister of Ethiopia, has accelerated a radical reform programme that is overturning politics in the vast, strategically significant African country. Ethiopian prime minister vows to stick to reforms after explosion at rally Read more In recent days, Abiy fired the head of Ethiopia’s prison service after repeated allegations of widespread torture, and removed three opposition groups from its lists of “terrorist” organisations. “The youth [are] the active force behind the country’s growth. Now there must be a new model to make Ethiopia progress economically by creating more job opportunities for the youth while respecting political and civil rights,” said Befeqadu Hailu, a 37-year-old blogger jailed repeatedly for his pro-democracy writings. Last month, a grenade was thrown at a rally organised to showcase popular support for the reforms in Addis Ababa’s vast Meskel Square, where many among the tens of thousands supporters wore clothes displaying the new prime minister’s image and carried signs saying “one love, one Ethiopia”. To those who tried to divide us, I want to tell you that you have not succeeded,” Abiy said in an address shortly after the attack. At least 30 civilians and nine police officers were arrested. Another could be a faction opposed to the effort to find peace with Eritrea. Tiruneh, said shelves of books on religion, philosophy and science filled Abiy’s office. “Sadly we have been there for 27 years and we want that to change.