The kidnapped Afars continue to struggle to regain their freedom

March 25, 2007 — The recent kidnapping in remote Afar region has attracted enormous media attention, and
many things have been said about the Afars as result. Some News Agencies like Reuters
depicted our people as barbaric and we only deplore this kind of misinformation. The Afars to
the contrary are people very known among their neighbours for their hospitability and for
even dying to defend their guests.

It is now becoming clear that the kidnapping was not motivated by ransom or robbery as have
been speculated by some observers, but a politically motivated act aimed at sending a signal
to the Tigrean ruling parties who are in control of state power both in Ethiopian and Eritrea
that marginalize the Afar people and use their natural resources for their private gain.

The freeing of the five Europeans kidnapped at the beginning of this month is a relief and
good news. The Afar community in Diaspora was suffering with both kidnapped ones and
their relatives during their hard times. It’s why some Afar organizations in Europe appealed
for the immediate release of the hostages.

We are now very concerned about the eight Ethiopians who still remain hostage, and call
upon ARDUF to release them without delay.

We would like also to express our appreciation for the Afar elders who successfully
negotiated the release of the kidnapped Europeans, and request them to continue their
engagement until all remaining hostages are released.

We would also like to use this opportunity to call upon Ethiopian and Eritrean governments to
release all prisoners of conscience (hostages) without any preconditions.

Root causes of the problems in Afar areas that cause popular wrath

– The marginalization of the Afar people in terms of basic development and services,
while their resources are exploited by Tigrean elites in both Ethiopia and Eritrea
– Repeatedly broken promises by successive Ethiopian rulers, the latest of which is
denial of the self-government granted by the constitution of the Federal Republic of
Ethiopia
– The forced upon partition of Afars between Ethiopia and Eritrea which also resulted in
dismantling of Assab Autonomous Region
– High-handedness and micro management by the ruling party through appointed
puppets by conducting fake elections hailed at times as progress of democracy by
some Western countries. The current puppet regional government that was hand
picked by TPLF officials has been imposed upon the Afars for more than a decade (13
years)
– Confiscation of thousands of hectors of fertile land along the Awash River which have
tremendous consequence on their livelihood. The Sugar Plantation and Sugar Factory
on 200 000 hectares in the lower Awash Valley, and grabbing of Afar land in Upper
Awash Valley for similar purpose are some examples
– Continuous appropriation of fertile Afar land for the benefit of high ranking TPLF
officials and merchants of Tigray origin
– Monopolization of the Afar salts concessions in places like As’ale and Afdera mainly
by Tigray merchants
– The sustained military campaign by Somali-Issas against the Afars to which the ruling
party turns a blind eye or encourage at times
– Confiscations of Afar land along the Red Sea coast by Shabia officials and control of
the fishing business by the government officials and their relatives
– Arbitrary detention of hundreds of Afar politicians, intellectuals, and merchants in
Eritrea who have now been detained for more than a decade

The Afar Forum which is mad up by Afar Diaspora calls upon all the human right
organizations, the international community, all the peace loving people and specially upon the
countries of origin of the hostages that were freed by Afar rebel group to put pressure both on
Ethiopian and Eritrean governments to respect the basic human rights of the Afar people in
both countries and stop immediately atrocities against the Afar people.

2007-03-25
Stuttgart, Germany

Afar Forum Chairman :
Omar Hayis

For further contact email: [email protected]