The 2018 World Press Freedom Index that is published by Reporters Without Boarders annually, puts Ethiopia at 150th place out of 180 countries, describing it as one of the worst places for press freedom and journalists.
According to the Index, in Ethiopia, terrorism charges have been systematically used against journalists ever since the 2009 terrorism law took effect. It states that the charges carry long jail sentences and allow the authorities to hold journalists without trial for extended periods.
The Index also states that there has been no significant improvement since the purges that led to the closure of six newspapers in 2014 and drove around 30 journalists into exile. On the contrary, another six-month state of emergency was proclaimed in February 2018, which the government could again use to arrest critical journalists and ban the public from watching or listening to certain broadcast media.
‘The Internet and social networks are often disconnected while physical and verbal threats, arbitrary trials, and convictions are all used to silence the media. On the other hand, it is to be noted that the Ethiopian government recently released a few journalists that were imprisoned’ the index states.
The Index ranks 180 countries according to the level of freedom available to journalists. It is a snapshot of the media freedom situation based on an evaluation of pluralism, independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of journalists in each country. It does not rank public policies even if governments obviously have a major impact on their country’s ranking. Nor is it an indicator of the quality of journalism in each country.
Regarding getting data on abuse, the Index states that a team of in-house specialists, each assigned to a different geographical region, keeps a detailed tally of abuses and violence against journalists and media outlets. These researchers also rely on a network of correspondents in 130 countries.
The Abuses indicator for each country is calculated on the basis of the data about the intensity of abuses and violence against media actors during the period evaluated. This quantitative indicator is then used to weight the qualitative analysis of the situation in the country based on the replies to the questionnaires.
World Press Freedom Index: Ethiopia among the worst places for press freedom
Yamamoto pledges closer ties with Ethiopia
Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs of US Department of State has paid a visit to three African countries for the first time since President Donald Trump come to power last year.
Ambassador Donald Y. Yamamoto, former US ambassador to Ethiopia and Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs at the Gorge W Bush administration and the current acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs met with top officials, opposition leaders and activists here in Addis Ababa.
His visit is also for the first time after the assignment of Abiy Ahmed (PhD) by the parliament that is fully controlled by the ruling party and its regional allies as a prime minister.
Since the second state of emergency imposed in mid-February, the US government opposed the decree claiming more freedom and democratic steps are solutions for the political instability that occurred in the country.
His visit is also followed by the Department of State 2017 Human Rights Report for Ethiopia that was released a week ago and that highly slammed the government on human right condition.
Regional issues have been raised as one of the discussion points with Workneh Gebeyehu (PhD), Minister of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), according to the Meles Alem, spokesperson of MoFA.
“Yamamoto expressed his government’s intention to support the IGAD effort to expand peace in South Sudan backing the peace talks that is taken by regional governments to the country,” Meles said.
Somalia was also the issue that was discussed. It is said that the talks focused on enhancing of institutional development in the country and integration of the central government of Somalia with its regional states.
He said that the US government via his representative has commended the PM invitation to resolve the problem with Eritrea.
Business issues were also mentioned. In the near future a business delegation lead by Secretary of Trade is expected to visit Ethiopia, according to the spokesperson.
“The issue of human right and state of emergency was not mentioned on the discussion,” he added. While Workneh told the US diplomat that the government will undertake reform on the political arena. “The government is preparing to engage with the Ethiopian Diaspora whatever and whoever,” Workneh told Yamamoto.
Recently, on his public speech at Hawassa, Abiy said that Ethiopians who are concerned about Ethiopia should come to Addis Ababa.
Yamamoto was also met PM Abiy. On his facebook page Abiy said that he met Yamamoto at his office and discussed on bilateral and regional issues. “He reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to further strengthen ties between Ethiopia and United States of America and continue cooperation on issues of mutual importance including security, stability and development,” PM Abiy said.
For journalists Yamamoto hinted that he discussed with Abiy about Eritrea, but did not give details.
In its twitter page the US Embassy in Addis stated that the diplomat met with the PM and added that they had warm and productive discussions on ways the U.S. can support the new PM and the aspirations of all Ethiopians for a bright future.
On another twit the Embassy said that in Amb. Yamamoto met with several leading independent voices to hear their views. Yamamoto, who is familiar with Ethiopian politics since the 2005 contested election meet with Merera Gudina (PhD), one of the top opposition leaders, Bekele Gerba, Andualem Arage and Eskinder Nega.
Yamamoto has also visited Asmara and Djibouti before he arrived on his last leg trip to Ethiopia.
A private airline
A private airline based in Khartoum, Sudan, Badr Airlines, started a new scheduled flight service to Addis Ababa.
The airline performed its inaugural flight from Khartoum to Addis Ababa with a Boeing B737 aircraft on April 27, 2018.
Badr Airlines will operate a twice weekly flights between Khartoum and Addis Ababa. The national carrier of Sudan, Sudan Airways, which has been flying to Addis Ababa for decades has suspended its operation last year due to commercial challenges.
Established in 2004, Badr Airlines is a private airline based in Khartoum, Sudan. It operates eleven aircraft 6-B737s, 2 Ilyssiun76 Freighters and three Falcons. The airline serves seven domestic destinations in Sudan. It also operates six scheduled regional flights to Dubai, UAE, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Cairo, Egypt, Kano, Nigeria, Juba and Wau, in South Sudan.
Ethiopia honors former PM with highest national award
Former Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn was awarded Ethiopia’s highest medal of honor on Tuesday April 24.
Hailemariam, who resigned his post in mid-February was awarded a national medal and given a citation at an official farewell ceremony held at the national palace.
He was accompanied by his wife Roman Tesfaye. She was also decorated with a medal and a national diploma in recognition of her social engagements during her tenure as the first lady of the country.
During the event attended by senior government officials and diplomats, Prime Minister Abiy thanked the former Premier for his contribution to the country and described him as “an academic who has a special quality that could be a model for all of us.”
“Hailemariam taught us a lot. He taught us that power should be used to serve the public, not for personal use,” he said.
The Premier further thanked former First Lady Roman Tesfay for her contribution for the success of the former Premier Hailemariam Desalegn.
Hailemariam Desalegn also thanked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his staff for hosting the farewell event, and said the new Premier should be given time, support, and advice for the challenges that lie ahead.
“The Prime Minister is young and can contribute a lot,” he said, adding “I’m happy to see that our country is on a good hand.”
“Currently, the country is at good wind of change. We should do our best to make the change meet the needs of all of us,” he said.
Hailemariam until February 2018 was leader of the Southern Ethiopian Peoples’ Democratic Movement (SEPDM) and chairman of the EPRDF. The party’s head automatically fills the Prime Minister slot. He became PM in September 2012 till his resignation in February 2018.
He succeeded the late Meles Zenawi who was in charge from 1995 till his death in August 2012.
