Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (L) and Ethiopia’s PM Hailemariam Desalegn (R) are seen during a welcoming ceremony at Bole Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 23, 2015.
Awramba Times (Addis Ababa) – The government of Ethiopia on Monday blamed Egypt for supporting outlawed rebels and forcing the declaration of state of emergency as widespread anti-government protests continue.
Ethiopia’s Communication Minister, Getachew Reda underlined that elements in Eritrea, Egypt and other states of arming, training and funding Ethiopian terrorist groups “There is ample evidence that Egypt provided training and financing to the Oromo Liberation Front, labeled a terrorist organization by Ethiopia”, Getachew told international media correspondents based in the capital, Addis Ababa. “We know for a fact that the terrorist group OLF is receiving all kinds of support from Egypt.” He added.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry on Monday denied Ethiopian accusations that it supports the countries armed opposition.
“The Egyptian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed its absolute respect for Ethiopia’s sovereignty, and non-intervention in its internal affairs,” the ministry’s spokesman, Ahmed Abu Zeid, said in a press statement.
Abu Zeid said high-level contacts are being made with Addis Ababa to preserve the positive environment and the gains that were achieved in bilateral relations during the recent period.
The spokesman also urged vigilance against any attempts to harm the brotherly relations between Egypt and Ethiopia at the governmental and popular levels.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (L) and Ethiopia’s President Hailemariam Desalegn (R) are seen during a welcoming ceremony at Bole Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 23, 2015.
The ongoing contacts between Egypt and Ethiopia reflected their mutual recognition of the special nature of the relations between both countries and their shared interests and destiny, the spokesman said.
Last week, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry summoned Egypt’s ambassador for discussions over an online video purportedly showing an Egyptian sharing a stage with members of the outlawed rebel group, Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).
“The video could possibly be circulated by parties that seek to sow discord and drive a wedge between Egypt and Ethiopia,” the Egyptian foreign ministry said.
Sources: AP, Daily Nation and China.org
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