Ethiopian gov't charges ex-state minister in alleged ‘anti-peace campaign’

By Sadik Kedir

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Ethiopia's former state minister of peace was on Wednesday charged for his alleged support to anti-peace forces and possession of unauthorized weapons.

According to the indictment, Taye Dendea was actively "spreading propaganda messages in favor of anti-peace groups and expressing support for them" on social media while serving as the minister.

Prosecutors also allege that he violated the Firearms Act by “possessing unauthorized weapons” said to be discovered during a search at his former residence in Ledta, Addis Ababa.

His family was subsequently evicted from the residence, which was provided by the government during his tenure.

The charges follow his dismissal by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Dec. 11, 2023 following media engagements criticizing the government, especially regarding failed peace talks. He was arrested the next day.

Three rounds of peace talks were held in Tanzania's capital Dar es Salaam between the Ethiopian government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) last year, aimed at resolving longstanding conflicts in Oromia, the largest and most sensitive region of Ethiopia. But an agreement could not be reached.

OLA is a breakaway group of a once-banned political party, now operating as the Oromo Liberation Front. It claims that marginalization and neglect of the Oromo people, the largest ethnic group in the country, are the root causes of their armed struggle.