ETHIOPIA: CIVILIAN ADVISORS SWORN IN AS SECURITY TIGHTENS IN ADDAS ABABA FOLLOWING BOMB BLASTS IN CITY CENTRE.

Record ID: 319996

  • Title: ETHIOPIA: CIVILIAN ADVISORS SWORN IN AS SECURITY TIGHTENS IN ADDAS ABABA FOLLOWING BOMB BLASTS IN CITY CENTRE.
  • Date: 7th December 1974
  • Summary: 1. GV EXT Parliament House 0.05 2. SV Benti entering conference room 0.11 3. SV Ministers watch as civilians take oath 0.21 4. SV Benti watches as civilian takes oath 0.27 5. GV Ministers and Benti watching as civilian is sworn in 0.38 6. GV OAU headquarters in Addis Ababa 0.53 7. GV & CU Armed police searching people outside City Hall (3 shots) 1.22 8. SV Security officers PAN TO damaged building 1.28 9. GV City Hall showing damaged side 1.46 10. GV PAN FROM Security officers TO damaged hotel 1.54 11. CU & GV Debris in damaged hotel (2 shots) 2.19 Initials BB/1930 EW/AH/BB/1947 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 22nd December 1974 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Reuters ID: LVABCC15QH60U3LY2BSVLD3BB11A
  • Story Text: Fifty members of the civilian advisory body to the ruling Ethiopian Military Council were sworn into office in the capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday (5 December) in the presence of the country's new leader, Brigadier-General Teferi Benti.

    The ceremony was attended by a number of representatives from the Provisional Military Council. During the swearing-in, Brigadier-General Benti spoke of the need to follow the policy of "Ethiopia Tikdem" -- putting the interests of the country above all others -- in planning for the establishment of representative government in Ethiopia.

    On the following day, the Military Council announced a government reshuffle involving 14 military and civilian posts. Foreign Minister Zende Gabre-Selassie was replaced by the country's former ambassador to Washington, Mr. Kifle Wodajo, while the vacant Defence Ministry post was filled by Mr. Ayelen Mandefro -- the first civilian to head the Ministry.

    The general situation in Addis Ababa remains tense following bomb attacks earlier in the week. On Tuesday (3 December), six people were injured in a blast at the City Hall, and seven more at the Wabe Shebelle Hotel -- formerly owned by the Ethiopian royal family.

    Following the attacks, the Ethiopian Military Government announced stricter security measures within the capital, including a more stringent curfew, and intensive security screens around all communications centres. They attributed the bombings to followers of recently-executed former officials and the nobility, but police sources linked the attacks to secessionists of the Eritrean Liberation Front.

    SYNOPSIS: The Parliament House in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa ... where on Thursday, the country's new leader, Brigadier-General Teferi Benti, attended the swearing-in of fifty civilian advisors.

    The ceremony was witnessed by several members of the ruling Provisional Military Council. The civilian advisors have taken on the task of assisting the Military Council to plan the establishment of representative government in the country.

    In an address later, Brigadier-General Benti spoke of the importance of following the policy of "Ethiopia Tikdem" -- putting the interests of the country before all others.

    The swearing-in ceremony came only two days after the centre of Addis Ababa had been rocked by explosions. Although the headquarters of the Organisation of African Unity -- a controversial location at the moment -- remained untouched, attacks were made on two other central buildings. The raids have prompted the Military Government to tighten security precautions within the city.

    A stricter curfew and identification checks are among the more stringent measures announced. One of the buildings attacked was the City Hall, where six people were injured by the blast. The Military Government has attributed the attacks to supporters of executed former officials.

    Police sources, on the other hand, linked the bombings to members of the Eritrean Liberation Front.

    As the new security measures were put into action, the Military Government announced a reshuffle of top posts -- apparently aimed at removing opponents. The former ambassador in the United States, Mr. Kifle Wodajo has replaced Mr. Zendre Gabre-Selassie at the Foreign Office. In addition, Mr. Ayelen Mandefro has taken over the post of Defence Minister -- the first civilian to be appointed to that position.

    The general situation in Addis Ababa remains tense ... and the threat of more bombings remains. Seven people were injured when the Wabe Shebelle Hotel was hit by explosives. The hotel belonged to the Ethiopian royal family before it was nationalised by the Military Government. Meanwhile security forces continue to round up elements described the Government as "opposed to the present popular movement".
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