Former defense minister Siye Abraha to join UDJ

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Former defense minister of Ethiopia’s tribal junta, Ato Siye Abrha, has reportedly disclosed his intention to join the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ), according to Ethiopian Review sources in Addis Ababa.

According to the sources, Ato Siye is waiting to make a formal request to be a member of UDJ until the party finalizes its discussion with the other opposition parties that are in the process of forming a coalition.

Ato Siye was the guest of honor at a UDJ event at Addis Ababa’s Imperial Hotel on Saturday that was held to light candles for Birtukan Mideksa, the jailed leader of the party.

This week marks the 6th month since the Woyanne tribal junta threw Birtukan in jail.

Siye himself was jailed for 6 years after he had a fallout with his former comrade Meles Zenawi.

Ethiopian Review considers Siye an unrepentant Woyanne, but if he is able to peel away Tigrean support from the Meles mafia, his involvement in UDJ could be a plus for the opposition, as long as he doesn’t start to attack Ethiopian freedom fighters such as EPPF and our best ally, the Government of Eritrea.