Eritrea provides Ethiopian “terrorist” organisation with $500,000
June 27, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – The Eritrean government has offered $500,000 to Ginbot 7, an exiled Ethiopian opposition political organisation designated by Ethiopia as terrorist entity, according to a report on a US-based Ethiopia opposition media outlet.
Nega has since accused the ruling party the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) of trying divert the attention of the public from the problems facing the country.
In the 2005 general elections Nega was elected as mayor of Addis Ababa after the but was sentenced to death, in absentia, along with four others after Ethiopian government revoked his pardon request.
In the audio Nega says that $200,000 of the total funds will be used for military and intelligence activities.
Ginbot 7 has established its new military wing known as “Ginbot 7 popular force”, which is based in Eritrea for cross border attacks against Ethiopia.
Ethiopia and Eritrea who fought a border war between 1998 and 2000 trade accusations of supporting and harbouring respective rebels to destabilise one the other.
Ethiopia is a crucial US ally in the war against terror in the East African region.
Ethiopian politicians say although the United States is the front runner in the battle against terrorism, the country however is sheltering “terrorists” like Nega.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional body, has previously approved Ethiopia’s request that Ginbot 7 be classified as a terrorist group.
In the leaked recording, Nega also said that $100,000 will be used to finance what he said was to a peaceful struggle and diplomacy activities.
However it is not clear how the group is going to execute a peaceful struggle inside Ethiopia, where it is a banned organisation.
Ginbot 7 often use Eritrean media as well Amsterdam-based opposition channel, Ethiopian Satellite Television (EAST) to broadcast anti-regime campaigns.
(ST)