Germany– June 25, 2025 | Ambassador Media
Controversy is escalating over the failure of Seyoum Teshome, a prominent pro-government media figure, to appear in court after being summoned in connection with a defamation case brought by opposition leaders Christan Tadele and Yohanes Buyalew. Despite the court’s urgent demand for his appearance, and even threats of resignation by the presiding judges if he is not brought forward, Seyoum remains untouched by law enforcement—while publicly attending a high-profile meeting with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed just days ago.
The Federal Police told the court they could not locate Seyoum’s address. However, on June 23, 2025, he was seen openly participating in a televised meeting hosted by Prime Minister Abiy with so-called “media representatives.” The meeting, which the government claimed was open to all sectors of the media, has been criticized for being dominated by pro-government propagandists and media loyalists, with little or no presence from critical, independent, or opposition-affiliated outlets.
Seyoum’s presence at the forum—held in Addis Ababa and broadcast widely—calls into question the police claim that his whereabouts are unknown. Observers have pointed out the glaring contradiction, with many accusing the government of shielding him from judicial scrutiny due to his role as a propaganda mouthpiece and unofficial lobbyist for the Prime Minister’s office.
Christan Tadele and Yohanes Buyalew brought the case after Seyoum allegedly spread false and damaging claims against them on state-aligned media platforms and social media. Their legal representatives have demanded accountability, arguing that failing to enforce the court order sets a dangerous precedent.
“The judiciary has made itself clear. If it cannot ensure Seyoum’s appearance, then we are no longer talking about a rule-of-law state—we are talking about state capture,” the judges said .
Judges in the case have gone as far as saying they would resign from their positions if the court’s authority continues to be undermined. Meanwhile, citizens and civil society groups are expressing growing concern over Ethiopia’s increasingly politicized legal and media systems, where loyalists appear to enjoy impunity while critics are subjected to prosecution and harassment.
This latest development adds to the already tense political climate in the country, where freedom of expression and judicial independence have been called into question repeatedly.
Ambassador Media will continue to follow the case and provide updates as the story develops.
