Over the past two years, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration has intensified its crackdown on Amhara politicians and journalists, leading to numerous arrests and detentions. This suppression is particularly evident in the Amhara region, Ethiopia’s second most populous area, which has experienced escalating tensions between federal forces and Amhara nationalist militias. The government’s efforts to dismantle regional military forces have further exacerbated these conflicts.
Since April 2023, at least 11 journalists have been detained for reporting on the situation in the Amhara region. Notable cases include:
- Bekalu Alamirew: Founder and editor-in-chief of Alpha Media, arrested on August 6, 2023, while covering clashes between federal forces and local militias. He was held without formal charges or court appearances.now he is fled from the country.
- Abay Zewdu: Director of the Amhara Media Centre YouTube channel, initially detained in April 2023 for three weeks and re-arrested on August 10, 2023, due to his coverage of political and social issues affecting the Amhara community.
- Yidnekachew Kebede: Founder of the online Negari TV channel, arrested at his home on August 17, 2023, after reporting on recent events in the Amhara region.
These arrests are part of a broader strategy to silence government critics. Tens of thousands of alleged pro-Amhara activists have been jailed since early 2023.
Legal Proceedings and Sentences:
Ethiopian courts have imposed severe sentences on journalists and opposition figures under contentious anti-terrorism laws. For instance, in a previous crackdown, journalists such as Wubshet Taye and Reeyot Alemu received 14-year prison terms, while opposition politician Zerihun Gebre Egziabher was sentenced to 17 years.
International Response:
Human rights organizations and press freedom advocates have condemned these actions. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the immediate release of detained journalists, highlighting that such arrests prevent impartial coverage of the tensions in the Amhara region.
While some journalists have been released following the lifting of the state of emergency in June 2024, many remain detained without formal charges, reflecting the ongoing challenges to press freedom and political expression in Ethiopia.
The persistent suppression of Amhara politicians and journalists underscores the Ethiopian government’s efforts to control narratives and stifle dissent, raising significant concerns about human rights and freedom of expression in the country.
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