Home Ethiopian News Ethiopian gov’t crackdown on the free press continues unabated

Ethiopian gov’t crackdown on the free press continues unabated

2
Belay Manaye (Photo : SM)

borkena

This week, Belay Manaye, founder and Managing Director of Ethio News, a cyber media outlet, was reportedly arrested. Local media outlets have confirmed this news.

The circumstances surrounding Belay’s arrest bear resemblance to the kidnappings carried out by radical ethnic Oromo Nationalist groups in the Oromia region. Sources indicate that there was no arrest warrant. On November 13, around 6:30 P.M. local time in the capital Addis Ababa, government security forces arrested Belay as he was leaving his office to head home.

His whereabouts were initially unknown to family members, contributing to the perception that his arrest was akin to a kidnapping. Currently, he is reportedly held at the Federal Police Headquarters and has yet to appear in court.

Following his arrest, his media outlet, Ethio News, has ceased operations. The outlet had been a crucial source of news updates for Ethiopians regarding the security situation in the Amhara region, which has been under a state of emergency since August this year.

Journalists and Human Rights activists face restricted access to the region due to government-imposed limitations, including a shutdown of the internet.

As of now, the Ethiopian government has not disclosed the reasons behind Belay’s arrest. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration has incarcerated numerous journalists and activists, signaling a shift towards more autocratic and dictatorial governance.

In the Amhara region, where the government has faced fierce resistance from Fano forces, hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians are believed to have been killed. The government has escalated military operations in the region, resorting to drone strikes and artillery shelling targeting civilians and civilian institutions. 

__

Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena

Like borkena on Facebook

Business Listing / Directory   Get Listed! 

Join the conversation. Follow us on twitter @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly.  Subscribe to YouTube channel To share information or for submission, send e-mail to info@borkena.com

2 COMMENTS

  1. This is just in hot off the press! Addis/Finfine is finally taken.
    Who took it, Ittu?
    They took it!
    Who?
    They did!
    Who are they? Ittu, please don’t keep us in suspense. Please tell us!
    Jal and his bullet proof soldiers came on the west side and the immortal fighters of Fano came in on the north side.
    Who is the leader of the Fanos, Ittu?
    I wouldn’t mention his name because just thinking about mentioning his name gives me the willies. But I heard from reliable forces that he is the best war strategists in history. I negotiated and secured safe passage for Abiy and July. They are right here right now just chillin in my basement. So here I go again!! Addis/Finfine is taken!!! Addis/Finfine is taken! Addis/Finfine is taken!!!!! Hey, don’t interrupt! I am enjoying my celebratory cake!!!

  2. Ittu Aba Farda,

    There is no doubt at all that you are completely out of your head, mad, stark mad!

    Are you writing this drivel from some mental asylum?

    They ought to take your computer from you, they shouldn’t allow you to have access to the internet.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Exit mobile version