The saga surrounding the failed Coup attempt in Ethiopia has took a dramatic turn. A series of arrests this morning targeting prominent Amhara opposition figures, including high ranking elements within the Rebel movement Ginbot 7.

According to a televised broadcast by state media, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) conducted a series of raids in the town of Badale in the Amhara regional state. All suspects arrested where implicated in a botched coup attempt, that left several high ranking officials dead. The ENDF detained and arrested three individuals whose identities are listed below.

  • Emanuel Mengistu, Head of the ESAT TV, Oromo services.
  • Melaku Teshome, Executive Committee member of Ginbot 7 Rebel movement.
  • Sintayow Chekow: Head of the Bardela opposition party

State media claimed the three individuals where implicated in the botched coup attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his ruling party (OPDO). The role in which these individuals played in the coup attempt has still not been released by the Ethiopian government or any state media outlets.

Ginbot 7 which is an Amhara Rebel movement formed in 2008 recently struck a peace deal with the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in September 2018 during peace talks that where held in neighboring Eritrea. It comes to a surprise to many people that the Rebel movement orchestrated  or even take part in a coup to overthrow the prime ministers government. ESAT TV which is a publicly funded news network that operates out of Washington DC and Amestersam, Holland was formed in 2010 by members of the Ginbot 7 Rebel movement, just two years after the Rebel movement itself was formed in 2008.

The series of arrests this morning has been observers and even experts wondering. Is the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed purposely targeting the most powerful Amhara opposition group in a bid to purge them for political purposes or did the Amhara Rebels actually attempt to overthrow Abiy Ahmed.

Many lingering questions remain. The Ethiopian Government has contradicted itself on more than one occasion by back tracking on the Coup story. The series of arrests targeting Ginbot 7 and ESAT officials will certainly exacerbate the already tense situation in the country.

We will keep you updated with the latest developments from the region.

Halgan Media