Thousands in Mekelle welcome Medrek officials

Ethiomedia | March 14, 2010

MEKELLE (Mar 14) – Over 6,000 city residents of Mekelle attended a Medrek opposition meeting on Sunday despite TPLF warnings to stay away. The government had distributed warning leaflets – including at schools and kebeles – but Mekelle offered a warm welcome for Medrek delegation, our reporter said.

The Medrek delegation included UDJ Vice Chair Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw, UDJ senior members Dr. Hailu Araya and Siye Abraha and Arena/Medrek vice chair Gebru Asrat.

TPLF, which is headed by Meles Zenawi, boasts of Tigrai as their power base but it is public secret the leaders are resented as anti-Ethiopian mercenaries. If a fair and free election is held in Tigrai, political analysts say there is no doubt that Medrek/Arena members would win with overwhelming margins.