Fesseha (no last name given), a high-profile Ethiopian opposition leader who was coordinating the military activities of four armed Ethiopian opposition groups, was killed in Western Eritrea two weeks ago. Since the Ethiopian opposition groups are in Eritrea with the permission and encouragement of the Eritrean regime, people have been speculating on who could have killed Fesseha.
One theory is that Fisseha, who used to be a veteran security officer with the Tigray People´s Liberation Front (TPLF, the core of Ethiopians ruling coalition, EPRDF) until he broke away, was killed by his former comrades in the TPLF.
Another explanation offered is that he ran afoul of his hosts, the People´s Front for Democracy & Justice (PFDJ, the sole legal party in Eritrea) and had to be liquidated. Those who offer this explanation state that he was killed by the Special Forces of the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF). Special Forces is an elite commando unit of the EDF.
Some explain that the perpetrator, an EDF member enlisted in the second round of Sawa, was a renegade or a member of the Eritrean opposition organizations or even a TPLF spy, because he crossed the border since the operation.
Accusing somebody of being a "TPLF spy" is often accepted with a degree of skepticism since the Eritrean regime uses it as a ploy to neutralize its political opponents and never brings those it accuses to a court of law. Several years ago, Colonel "Sirnay", an EDF member who had distinguished himself by his bravery in all the offensives of 1998-2000, was accused of being a "TPLF spy" and hasn´t been heard of since.
Western Eritrea bordering Sudan and Ethiopia has been hosting, alternatively, Eritrean, Ethiopian and Sudanese opposition groups since Eritrean independence. Last week, the Eritrean regime reported that a bomb planted by "terrorists sponsored by the [Ethiopian] regime carried out terrorist acts in Tessenei." According to the report, the bomb killed one and injured eight persons. No group has taken responsibility for the reported act.
Escapees Intercepted, Detained
Young Eritreans, some of whom are conscripts, are flocking to Sudan and Ethiopia to escape the harsh conditions of their home country. Some make it to their destinations but many are intercepted and detained in Barka before they are bussed to the prisons of Adi Abeyto, Meitir, Wia and Track B.
An eyewitness tells Gedab News that what makes their cases different is that they are relatively young; they include boys and girls, and that they are treated most inhumanely by their captors.
Black Market Oil
The Eritrean regime now has sufficient fuel stored in huge depots at Nefasit and Massawa—but is still refusing to distribute it to gasoline dealers.
People, including government officials, are now buying diesel fuel by paying 25-30 from filling stations from corrupt government officials. Depending on who is relaying the story, the suspect or the scapegoat is Colonel Woldu Barya, who is allegedly profiting handsomely from the shortage.
The United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE) has complained that it has been denied diesel fuel since December 1. The complaint was voiced by the UN Secretary General and the United Nations Security Council, in its January 30 resolution (1798) had demanded that the Eritrean regime either provide fuel to UNMEE or allow "UNMEE to import fuel without restrictions."
Destitution
Even Eritrean tourists who are not affected by the cost of living have begun to notice the destitution and hyperinflation that is prevalent in Eritrea. Even during times of famine, it was rare to see panhandlers in Eritrea—but now the destitute and the mentally ill are all over Asmara. The Asmara municipality (municipio) rounds them up regularly but they return to their beggar stations as soon as they are released.
(AWATE)
One theory is that Fisseha, who used to be a veteran security officer with the Tigray People´s Liberation Front (TPLF, the core of Ethiopians ruling coalition, EPRDF) until he broke away, was killed by his former comrades in the TPLF.
Another explanation offered is that he ran afoul of his hosts, the People´s Front for Democracy & Justice (PFDJ, the sole legal party in Eritrea) and had to be liquidated. Those who offer this explanation state that he was killed by the Special Forces of the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF). Special Forces is an elite commando unit of the EDF.
Some explain that the perpetrator, an EDF member enlisted in the second round of Sawa, was a renegade or a member of the Eritrean opposition organizations or even a TPLF spy, because he crossed the border since the operation.
Accusing somebody of being a "TPLF spy" is often accepted with a degree of skepticism since the Eritrean regime uses it as a ploy to neutralize its political opponents and never brings those it accuses to a court of law. Several years ago, Colonel "Sirnay", an EDF member who had distinguished himself by his bravery in all the offensives of 1998-2000, was accused of being a "TPLF spy" and hasn´t been heard of since.
Western Eritrea bordering Sudan and Ethiopia has been hosting, alternatively, Eritrean, Ethiopian and Sudanese opposition groups since Eritrean independence. Last week, the Eritrean regime reported that a bomb planted by "terrorists sponsored by the [Ethiopian] regime carried out terrorist acts in Tessenei." According to the report, the bomb killed one and injured eight persons. No group has taken responsibility for the reported act.
Escapees Intercepted, Detained
Young Eritreans, some of whom are conscripts, are flocking to Sudan and Ethiopia to escape the harsh conditions of their home country. Some make it to their destinations but many are intercepted and detained in Barka before they are bussed to the prisons of Adi Abeyto, Meitir, Wia and Track B.
An eyewitness tells Gedab News that what makes their cases different is that they are relatively young; they include boys and girls, and that they are treated most inhumanely by their captors.
Black Market Oil
The Eritrean regime now has sufficient fuel stored in huge depots at Nefasit and Massawa—but is still refusing to distribute it to gasoline dealers.
People, including government officials, are now buying diesel fuel by paying 25-30 from filling stations from corrupt government officials. Depending on who is relaying the story, the suspect or the scapegoat is Colonel Woldu Barya, who is allegedly profiting handsomely from the shortage.
The United Nations Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE) has complained that it has been denied diesel fuel since December 1. The complaint was voiced by the UN Secretary General and the United Nations Security Council, in its January 30 resolution (1798) had demanded that the Eritrean regime either provide fuel to UNMEE or allow "UNMEE to import fuel without restrictions."
Destitution
Even Eritrean tourists who are not affected by the cost of living have begun to notice the destitution and hyperinflation that is prevalent in Eritrea. Even during times of famine, it was rare to see panhandlers in Eritrea—but now the destitute and the mentally ill are all over Asmara. The Asmara municipality (municipio) rounds them up regularly but they return to their beggar stations as soon as they are released.
(AWATE)
