TPLF regime’s ethnic-based harsh measures against Army members escalating, Say defecting Ethiopian soldiers
(Shabait.com)
Asmara, 20 July 2009 - A total of 3 defecting Ethiopian soldiers who arrived recently in Eritrea opposing the TPLF regime’s racist policy said that the regime is increasingly taking harsh measures against members of the country’s Army who, embittered by the ethnic-based atrocities spoke up for their rights.
The soldiers are: Mohammed Negeyo Suleiman from the Somali ethnic group, Alemeshet Zemenfeskudus from the Tigraya ethnic group, and Zele’alem Ejigu from the Amhara ethnic group.
Private Zlealem stated that the TPLF regime gives promotion only to those Army members who are considered to be “trustworthy (loyal)” which in turn resulted in mistrust among members of the Army.
Meanwhile, private Alemeshet disclosed that the regime’s attempt to muffle the Eritrean mass media by expending millions of dollars has proven to be a futile effort and that the Ethiopian people in general and the Army in particular are able to follow the Eritrean media with clear frequency.
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Top Ethiopian officials seek asylum in US
July 20, 2009
WASHINGTON - As Ethiopia slips further and further into the quagmire of a failed state, top-notch officials are fleeing the country before the immigration door is slam shut for them and their immediate family members.
ithin a space of two weeks, the ruling party of Meles Zenawi has lost two officials who could have been described its most trust worthy.
Eshetu Alemu (left photo), director of the state-owned Ethiopian Telecommunications Agency (ETA) has reportedly sought a political asylum in the United States.
The online Reporter said the ETA chief travelled to the US early in May to attend a two-week executive management training. He was expected to return home but the media was tipped that he had sought a political asylum in Washington.
Earlier last week, AFP reported that the country's state minister for communication affairs has refused to return home from the United States.
"Ermias Legesse was issued with an 11-day visa and left for the US in the second week of June, but has not returned," according to AFP.
“He didn’t report back, but there is nothing political in that,” said an official who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity.
“He has chosen to stay there. It seems he has dreamt about going to the US,” he added. “Sometimes strange things happen.”
Ermias, who is in his thirties, was appointed to the position earlier this year.
The US Embassy in Addis Ababa declined to comment on the matter, but a diplomatic source said Ermias “has not been reachable for several days.”
(Meanwhile, the Reporter said Ermias had already sent his resignation paper to Meles Zenawi.)
Despite deepening political and economic crises brought about by the policies of a reviled regime, observers say Meles Zenawi would tap into the strength of his vicious security forces to hang onto power indefinitely.
