Ginbot 7

Ginbot 7 is an Ethiopian opposition political organization, founded in 2008[1] by Andargachew Tsige[2][3] and Berhanu Nega.[1]

According to their mission statement, Ginbot 7's goal is "the realization of a national political system in which government power and political authority is assumed through peaceful and democratic process based on the free will and choice of citizens of the country."[4] According to the US State Department Human Rights report of 2011, Ginbot 7 "espouses violent overthrow of the (Ethiopian) government".[5]. According to The New Yorker in 2014, Ginbot 7 are " an exiled pro-democracy party that the Ethiopian government labelled a terrorist group in 2011, under a vague and widely condemned proclamation."[6]

Ginbot 7 means "15 May", the date of the Ethiopian general election, 2005, which was "marred by protests over alleged fraud that led to the deaths of about 200 people."[7]

In 2010, Ginbot 7 reportedly allied with the Afar People's Party and the Ethiopian Movement for Unity and Justice to create a coalition called the "Alliance for Liberty, Equality and Justice in Ethiopia" (ALEJE).[8]

Until mid-2018, Ginbot 7 was considered a terrorist organization by Ethiopia & the IGAD.[5]

Notable members, past and present

Coup allegations

On 24 April 2009, the Ethiopian government claimed, through the Ethiopian News Agency, that it had foiled a coup attempt led by members of Ginbot 7 to overthrow the government.[9] Ginbot 7 described the allegation that it had attempted a coup as a "baseless accusation" that fitted a pattern of distraction and scapegoating by the government.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Once a Bucknell Professor, Now the Commander of an Ethiopian Rebel Army". 31 August 2016 – via NYTimes.com.
  2. 1 2 "Ethiopia jails members of banned group". BBC News. 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  3. 1 2 Iaccino, Ludovica (10 August 2016). "Protest crackdown in Ethiopia sparks fears for fate of Ginbot 7 founder Andy Tsege". International Business Times. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Ginbot 7 Mission Statement (English)". Ginbot7.org. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  5. 1 2 Daniel Berhane (June 20, 2013). "Leaked audio - Eritrea funds ESAT and Ginbot 7". Hornaffairs.com. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  6. ↑ Kopfstein, Janus (10 March 2014). "Hackers Without Borders". The New Yorker. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Ginbot 7's Andargachew Tsege: Ethiopia confirms arrest". BBC News. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Ginbot 7 forges an alliance with 2 other parties". Ethiopian Review. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  9. ↑ "Woyanne claims it has foiled Ginbot 7 activities in Ethiopia", Ethiopian Review
  10. ↑ "Official Web Site of GINBOT 7". 18 April 2012.


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