US warns citizens, diplomats in Ethiopia to avoid election rallies

ADDIS ABABA, May 5 (AFP) — The United States on Thursday advised US citizens and diplomats in Ethiopia to avoid political rallies ahead of next week’s general elections, warning that peaceful demonstrations may turn violent.

In a notice to Americans in the Horn of Africa nation, the US embassy in Addis Ababa said “large crowds and demonstrations” should be avoided as the hotly contested campaign for the May 15 polls enters its final stage.

“US embassy employees and family members have been advised to avoid large crowds and public demonstrations,” it said, adding that while problems were not expected Ethiopian authorities would be boosting security in the days ahead.

“In the past, local authorities have arrested Americans they thought were participating in civil demonstrations,” the embassy said. “Demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational.”

“If you happen upon a public demonstration or civil disturbance, you are advised to leave the area immediately,” it said, adding that photographs of such events should not be taken.

As the campaign has progressed, the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition parties have traded increasingly vitriolic charges of electoral malfeasance.

Last week, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), an opposition umbrella group, accused the EPRDF of having killed, tortured, beaten or jailed more than 40 of its members ahead the elections.

Government officials immediately accused the CUD of trying to tarnish the election process by spreading misleading information.

There are 1,845 candidates representing 36 political parties and independents running for the 480 seats up for grabs in the 547-member federal parliament, only 14 of which are held by the opposition.

The election will be Ethiopia’s third since Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s EPRDF came to power in 1991 and the first to be held with international observers.