Ethiopian Review

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The U.S. embassy said Thursday it was concerned over the closure of a leading newspaper in Ethiopia which said last week it had ceased publication following “months of government harassment.”

Addis Neger, an Addis Ababa-based weekly often critical of government policies, had also announced that its staff had fled the country for fear of arrest.

“The United States considers a vibrant and independent media to be one of the pillars of a strong democracy,” the US embassy here said in a statement.

“As such, we are concerned about the recent closure of the Addis Neger newspaper, and the allegations of harassment and intimidation of private media,” it added.

Four other media firms had also claimed that the government was seeking to freeze their assets under treason-related charges dating to electoral violence in 2005.

“The outstanding charges against private journalists, editors, publishers, and media houses may also contribute to a perception that space for independent media in Ethiopia is constrained,” the US embassy statement said.

Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders had condemned what it described as a “climate of fear” prevailing ahead of elections next year.

Ethiopia is to hold elections on May 23, the first since 2005 when nearly 200 people were killed in post-poll violence sparked by allegations of vote-rigging.

(Source: AFP)