GUEST POST! Hayat: Ethiopian Papers Banned

First African Politics Student GUEST POST! by Hayat Seid, of Ethiopia

Ethiopia, located in the horn of Africa, is unique for its languages, history, culture, calendar (It is 2005 in Ethiopia, but that is another story) and people in general.  Ethiopia is a founding member and the current headquarters of the AU.

The country was recently devastated by the death of the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, who passed away on August, 20, 2012. Meles Zenawi had been the PM of Ethiopia since 1991, after overthrowing the communist leader Mengistu Hailemariam. His death has worsened existing conflicts in the country, especially tensions between the government and Independent newspapers. These companies claim that the government has banned them and is prohibiting them from addressing the public. Two prominent political papers, Feteh, which sells over 25,000 copies weekly, and Finote Netsanet, which is published by an opposing political group, reported that printing companies, both private and state-owned, are refusing to publish their weekly issues. The government denies this and says that freedom of expression is not restricted unless and otherwise it involves the violation of any written law. These newspapers are known for their critical articles about the late Prime Minister and the political party in general. The publishers are appealing to the new Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, to provide a solution for the situation.

Ethiopian with a newspaper

Random Hayat Thoughts: In a nation that claims to promote freedom and peace, the banning of newspapers is a sign of dictatorship and oppression. Considering the radical changes that have taken place in the country recently, the conflict might be non-existent. One of the newspapers that is complaining is published by an opposing group, which leads me to doubt the entire claim. What if this whole thing is a plan to turn the people of Ethiopia, who rely on the press for information, against the current ruling party? However, it would not be wise or objective to overlook the situation. Several African countries have recently experienced revolutions and coups that were mainly addressing freedom of the people. The press needs to be given the opportunity to speak in order to avoid a conflict that might destroy Ethiopia’s progressive path to development.