Some of you may remember my previous diary on Birtukan Mideksa here: Who Speaks for Birtukan?
I am back with some disturbing news on this Charismatic leader's current situation. Before that, let me say a bit about why anyone in the US (YOU) should care about what happens to her. Follow me below the fold for the disturbing news.
Most of you last time admonished me for forgetting the tip jar. Here it is: Click on Donate
Ethiopia is situated in the strategically important horn of Africa. Especially given that most of the countries in the horn are designated as unfriendly to the United States (Somalia, the Sudan, Eritrea), a stable and democratic Ethiopia is important to any long term strategic vision of the United States in the region and in Africa at large. Ethiopia, 80 million strong, is the 800 pound Gorilla in the horn. It is also the seat of the African Union.
I am making the case that if Birtukan Mideksa's situation is not addressed immediately and in a serious manner, it has the potential to send the country in to a civil war. This is because her politically motivated imprisonment and ill-treatment is forcing the population to pick up arms. It is sending the wrong signal that political dialog with the ruling regime is simply NOT possible. For sure, the United States does not need another failed state in the horn, and a new breeding ground for terrorism. Can anyone say Somalia? Somalians are homogeneously Muslim, all speak the same language, claim the same ancestry, and only number about 10 million. Ethiopia has ten times the population, has more than 80 spoken languages, numerous ethnic groups, and some serious socio-economic problems that have frustrated the population for many years. This is why YOU should care about this issue.
Unfortunately, the Obama Administration seems to continue Bush administration policies of short term gains at the expense of long term commitment. If something bad should happen to this woman in prison, the popular anger may finally find the spark to ignite the powder keg of frustration and resentment.
The following medical alert is what prompted this diary.
Alert Reported on Tuesday March 23, 2010 at 9:16 PM EST.
Reported by The Free Birtukan Organization
Information we have obtained in the past few days regarding Birtukan's physical and mental health have concerned us in the extreme. Birtukan's situation has been steadily getting worse since she was released from solitary confinement, where she spent more than six months. However, the following recent events have heightened our concern.
- Birtukan's mother, Mrs. Almaz Gebregziabher, visited Birtukan on Saturday March 20, 2010. During the visit, Birtukan asked Mrs. Gebregziabher to petition for medical care on her behalf since prison administrators have refused her request to see a physician. Mrs. Gebregziabher reported to us on Sunday March 21, 2010 that Birtukan was whisked out of the visitation room by security officers as soon as she made her plea for medical care.
- Birtukan's sister has now been permanently banned from visiting Birtukan. We believe that this was a deliberate action by the government to prevent any leakage of information. We understand that Birtukan's sister is better able to communicate with Birtukan than the only other person who is allowed to visit her; the ailing 76 year old mother, Mrs. Gebregziabher.
- The government controlled media seems to be engaged in a preemptive propaganda aimed at talking-up Birtukan's health in prison. The Prime minister himself responded to a pre-arranged question that singled out Birtukan's health above all other political questions surrounding her imprisonment.
- The 2009 report on Human Rights in Ethiopia by the US state department, released March 11, 2010 warned that
"There were credible reports that Birtukan's mental health deteriorated significantly during the year."
Click here to read the full report.
Therefore, we strongly believe that Birtukan Mideksa is in need of urgent medical care and that she continues to be at a high risk of abuse by the authorities. The Ethiopian government has so far refused repeated requests for visits by medical professionals.
Call the Ethiopia office at the East African desk, US State Department and express your concern and demand action: 202-647-6473.