Britain cuts off aid to Ethiopian government

By Anthony Mitchell (AP

January 18, 2006

A strong hope of the Ethiopian people for a democratic governance was dashed at one go by the incumbent ruling party which knew it has lost the elections to the opposition, and its stay in power should rely on the unbridled powers of its security forces over the people. (EM)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — Britain cut all of its aid to Ethiopia’s government on Wednesday and plans to redirect the 73 million euro ($88 million U.S.) to humanitarian agencies working in the Horn of Africa nation.

Hillary Benn, Britain’s international development secretary, said his government was “seriously concerned” by the unrest sparked by disputed elections last year that returned the ruling party to power and led to 88 protesters being killed by security forces. Benn met with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi before the announcement.

Meles Zenawi has served on British Tony Blair’s Commission on Africa and had been widely praised as a reformer

Political and civil unrest has shaken the country since the May general elections and police have arrested hundreds of opposition supporters and journalists on charges of treason, sparking international concern over Meles’ commitment to human rights.

Benn said concerns had also been raised over “ongoing clashes involving students and security forces in schools and colleges across the country.” He also called for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations in Oromiya.

Media, opposition, aid workers jailed

On Friday, an international human rights group said Ethiopian authorities are intimidating, arresting and using excessive force in rural areas to quell dissent over the election results. Some 129 opposition leaders, journalists and aid workers are facing trial on charges of treason, genocide and other crimes which carry the death penalty.

“There needs to be a prompt, fair and open judicial process for those currently detained,” Benn said. “I also hope that the international jurists will be able to observe the trial, and that an independent organization will be able to inspect all the places where people are currently being detained.”

“The U.K. is seriously concerned about governance, human rights and the detention of and serious charges faced by opposition, media and members of civil society,” Benn said in a statement. “Because of our concerns over the political situation I have told the (Ethiopian prime minister) that we cannot provide direct budget support under the current circumstances.”

In June, Britain froze 29.23 million euro ($35.3 million) in direct budget support to the Ethiopian government, but Wednesday’s announcement officially cut off that amount, plus 43.87 million euro ($52.95 million U.S.) in additional aid that was still in place.

Benn said that funding for aid agencies in Ethiopia will continue as normal and that aid earmarked for the government will now be redirected to assist with a major drought and other problems. Ethiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world.

Other Western donors have said they are considering redirecting $375 million U.S. in budget support for the government to other areas because of the political crisis in the country.

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