Andargachew Tsige
| Andargachew Tsige አንዳርጋቸው ጽጌ | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 9, 1955 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Nationality | Ethiopian British |
| Alma mater |
University of Greenwich Addis Ababa University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Political party | Ginbot 7 |
| Spouse(s) | Yemisrach Hailemariam |
Andargachew Tsige (Ge'ez: አንዳርጋቸው ጽጌ also known as Andy Tsige) is a prominent Ethiopian opposition politician and critic of the Ethiopian government, who has been outspoken about the country's human rights record. He previously served as the secretary-general of Ginbot 7, a political party labeled as a terrorist group by the Ethiopian government. In June 23, 2014, he was abducted by Ethiopian security forces while in transit in Yemen Sana’a airport and currently held in an unknown location in Ethiopia.[1]
Early life
Andargachew Tsege was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 9 February 1955. He is one of nine children. He grew up in a household where it was a sanctuary to the down and out. His mother who was a teacher by profession had great empathy for people in need and was always helping. She was Andargachew’s inspiration for his lifelong commitment to fight for social justice. During his high school years in Teferi Mekonnen School and later as an Electrical Engineering student at Addis Ababa University he became very active in the student movement.[2]
Following the Ethiopian revolution of 1974 when a military dictatorship, Derg, seized power he joined the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and went underground like most of the Ethiopian youth in their struggle against the Marxist regime. During the Derg’s Red Terror campaign of 1974, his younger brother Amha Tsege was murdered by the security forces and Andargachew with some radical student activist fled to Mount Asimba in northern Ethiopia to wage an army struggle. Later due to an ideological difference in the EPRP party Andargachew crossed into Sudan and then 1979 he immigrated to the United Kingdom as a political refuge.[2]
After immigrating to the United Kingdom he studied Philosophy at University of Greenwich and did his dissertation on the German philosopher Immanuel Kant in the early 1980s. Andargachew lived with his wife, Yemisrach Hailemariam, and three children in London.
Return to Ethiopia
When Derg was overthrown in 1991, Andargachew went back to Ethiopia to help the newly formed Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) government led by his former University friend Meles Zenawi. Within two years, he was disillusioned with the whole ethnic based politics advocated by EPRDF and left the government. He moved back to London and started writing articles that were critical of the regime and its divisive politics.[3]
The 2005 general election
In 2005, Andargachew return to Ethiopia and publish his bestseller book in Amharic which loosely translates to “Freedom fighter who does not know freedom” an analysis of the current state of Ethiopian politics. Soon, with an invitation from then deputy leader of Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) party Berhanu Nega, he joined the party and helped the party in the ill-fated election of May 2005.[3]
In June 2005, he was imprisoned during the crackdown by the Ethiopian government after the election. After his release, he came back to London where he was able to campaign against the regime by testifying at different government or international organization including the US congress and European Union Human Rights committee as well as think tanks like Chatham house. He became the principal spokesperson for the CUD party in exile and was instrumental in mobilizing the global Ethiopian diaspora for a worldwide campaign to secure the release of the CUD leaders and all prisoners of conscience.[3]
Post 2005 general election
In May 2008, he founded Ginbot 7 Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy with Berhanu Nega one of the exiled leaders of CUD. He was elected as Secretary General of Ginbot 7. The ruling government announced 24 April 2009 that it had foiled a coup attempt led by members of Ginbot 7 to overthrow the government, arresting 35 people they claimed were part of the plot.[4]
On 22 December 2009, an Ethiopian court sentenced Andargachew to death, in absentia, while 33 were sentenced to life in prison along with four others who were also sentenced in absentia.[5]
On November 7, 2013; the Valiant Ginbot 7 Popular Force intelligence unit foiled the assassination plot that targeted the secretary of Ginbot 7: Movement for Justice, Freedom and democracy, Andargachew, commanders and high-ranked officers of Ginbot 7 Popular Force.[6]
In June 23, 2014 in the most extraordinary circumstances, he was once again imprisoned by Ethiopian regime. He was arrested by Yemeni security forces with collaboration with Ethiopian intelligence service members, while in transit in Yemen Sana’a airport flying from Dubai to Asmara, where he often visits rebel groups aided by the dictatorial Eritrean government. He is currently being held in an unknown location and no official statement has been made by either the Yemeni or Ethiopian governments.[7][8]
In February 2015, an early day motion was tabled within the UK parliament, recognising Andargachew's 60th birthday, and calling for pressure to be applied to the Ethiopian government, in order to secure Andaargachew's release.[9]
References
- ↑ "Yemen 'extradites' Ethiopia opposition leader". Aljazeera. 5 July 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- 1 2 "Andargachew Tsege". Reprieve. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- 1 2 3 "", "Free Andargachew Tsege", July 6, 2014.
- ↑ "Woyanne claims it has foiled Ginbot 7 activities in Ethiopia", Ethiopian Review 25 April 2009 (accessed 20 May 2009)
- ↑ http://www.reprieve.org.uk/press/2014_10_03_pub_uk_aid_funded_brit_ethiopian_kidnap/
- ↑ http://www.ginbot7.org/2013/11/10/assassinating-popular-leaders-will-only-invigorate-the-people/
- ↑ Plaut, Martin (4 July 2014). "UK stands accused over extradition of Ethiopian opposition leader". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Ethiopia British Man Risk Torture". Amnesty International UK. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
- ↑ "Early day motion 776: Andargachew Tsige". Parliament UK. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.