The families of three Ethiopian politicians, Christian Tadele, Yohannes Buayalew, and Kassa Teshager, who are currently detained in connection with violence in the north-western Amhara region, have expressed deep concern for the well-being of the detainees. Handwritten letters posted on social media appeared to suggest that the politicians might be on a hunger strike.
Christian Tadele is a member of Ethiopia’s lower house of parliament, while Yohannes Buayalew and Kassa Teshager are members of the Amhara regional and Addis Ababa city councils, respectively. Despite having parliamentary immunity, they were arrested when the authorities declared a state of emergency to address a deadly conflict in Amhara between government forces and local militias.
The detained politicians had previously been critical of the government’s approach to the growing resistance in Amhara.
Currently, they are being held in a military camp over 200 kilometers (124 miles) east of the capital, Addis Ababa. Family members have reported that they have not been allowed to visit the detainees and have no information about the conditions in which they are being held.
The conflict in Amhara began in August after months of escalating tension and continues to this day. However, due to internet shutdowns in the region and disrupted phone lines in areas with intense clashes, gaining a clear understanding of the extent of the violence has proven to be a challenge. The situation remains a matter of concern for both domestic and international observers.
