Opponents of nation’s ruling party thanks locals for aid, support
By Jay Kirschenmann ([email protected])
The Argus Leader
(Sioux Falls, South Dakota) – Two leaders in the opposition movement against the current Ethiopian ruling party appeared Sunday in Sioux Falls to meet with Ethiopian residents in the region and thank them for their support while they were jailed in their home country.
Birtukan Mideksa and Gizachew Shiferaw were cheered by a crowd at the Holiday Inn City Centre, most with family ties to Ethiopia.
Green, yellow and red balloons flanked the chairs, the color of the country’s flag. The officials were greeted by 10-year-old Bethl Kassaye of Sioux Falls, who placed flag-colored neckwear over their heads.
Mideska and Shiferaw represent the Kinijit Executive Committee. They were detained in an Ethiopian jail for almost two years for opposing the present government.
The Ethiopian community in Sioux Falls, estimated at 3,000, has held several rallies to support Mideksa and Shiferaw, and raised money for their defense.
Mideksa is a former Supreme Court justice in Ethiopia.
She is seen as a leader in the opposition to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
Shiferaw is a member of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy’s executive committee.
“We want to thank everyone for what you have done for Ethiopia, and for us,” Shiferaw told a crowd of more than 50 at the Holiday Inn City Centre.
“I don’t think we can live now without democracy and freedom. But unfortunately, Africa, and other countries, are still not enjoying democracy and freedom,” he said. “We are very much committed to bringing democracy to our country.”
He thanked Sen. John Thune, Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Sen. Tim Johnson for their work toward convincing elected officials nationally to take action against the government in Ethiopia, led by dictator Zenawi.
“Congress is very much aware of the situation in our country,” Shiferaw said.
He also praised H.R. 2003 – the Ethiopia Democracy and Accountability Act of 2007 – which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Oct. 2.
It now faces a vote in the U.S. Senate.
Tatek Weyesa, a Sioux Falls resident for 17 years, said the two political representatives have been lobbying for help to change the dictatorial leadership in Ethiopia.
“They are supposed to go back, but they face murder,” Weyesa said. “They won’t have bodyguards. It is just the people against the current regime.”
The visiting political leaders are heroes to the local Ethiopian residents, said Tesafidet Solomn, a Sioux Falls resident for 10 years.
“The current government rules by terror – they are terrorists,” Solomn said. “It must change.”
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EDITOR’S NOTE
The organizers of the Kinijit town hall meeting in Sioux Falls informed ER that $12,000 have been raised at the meeting yesterday.