ETHIOPIA: Riots in Addis Ababa as West urges Ethiopian government and opposition to talk, residents pray for peace at Orthodox Holy Saviour Church.

Record ID: 851027

  • Title: ETHIOPIA: Riots in Addis Ababa as West urges Ethiopian government and opposition to talk, residents pray for peace at Orthodox Holy Saviour Church.
  • Date: 6th November 2005
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO ETHIOPIA, ROBERT DEWAR, SAYING: "As regards the opposition, and without prejudice to their constitutional rights, we call upon them at this very sensitive time to disassociate themselves from and to discourage all actions that could directly or indirectly incite violence on individuals or lead to the destruction of public and pri
  • Embargoed: 21st November 2005 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ethiopia
  • City:
  • Country: Ethiopia
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA5ZUBZNLSQBLTE7P2Z63I3J0AT
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Thousands of worshippers thronged the Orthodox Holy Saviour Church in Addis Ababa on Sunday (November 6), praying for peace as major Western powers urged their government and opposition to meet for talks and end the worst political unrest in months. "We are still praying for our country, for our people, and for family," said Manhat Thomas, a girl of 15 who had been handing bread to the poor outside the church. Under international pressure to curb alleged abuses by his security forces, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said late on Saturday (November 5) that he would appoint an independent investigation into the deaths of at least 46 people during five days of unrest. Meles said the probe would examine whether police had used excessive force, and also look at similar clashes in June when 36 people were killed. The protests began in Addis, when opposition groups there, accuse Meles of manipulating polls in May to stay in power. Meles denies this and his government said that the violence was instigated by opposition leaders. The disturbances have coincided with military build-ups on both sides of the border with Eritrea, Ethiopia's foe in a 1998-2000 border war. The second biggest opposition party, the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF), gave a guarded welcome to Meles's announcement. The May election was widely regarded as a test of Meles's commitment to bringing democracy to a country still struggling to shake off the effects of centuries of feudalism, followed by nearly 20 years of Marxism under dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam. The polls were Ethiopia's freest ever, giving the opposition its largest showing in parliament. But the European Union said that questionable acts, including intimidation and murders of opposition officials, were so numerous that the polls did not meet international standards. There was no immediate comment from the largest opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, whose call for peaceful action brought protesters onto the streets last week. Many of its leaders were detained on suspicion of inciting the violence. Meles told state media they would face court as soon as investigations were complete. European Union and U.S. ambassadors issued a fresh appeal on Sunday (November 6) to the impoverished African country's government and opposition to end the unrest. "In the spirit of promoting reconciliation, the European Union and U.S. ambassadors urge the reopening of political dialogue designed to foster peace and to build a strong democratic nation based on a commitment to the rule of law and democratic principles," said British ambassador Robert Dewar in the joint statement. "As regards the opposition, and without prejudice to their constitutional rights, we call upon them at this very sensitive time to disassociate themselves from and to discourage all actions that could directly or indirectly incite violence on individuals or lead to the destruction of public and private property," he said. Washington and the EU provide much of the $1 billion Ethiopia receives each year in foreign aid to fight poverty among an overwhelmingly rural population of 77 million hit by recurrent drought.
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