ADDIS ABABA: Thousands of Ethiopians took to the streets of the capital Sunday in frustration over the government and demanding the immediate release of jailed journalists and activists in a rare show of public opposition to the ruling party which maintains strict control over the East African nation. Protesters marched along major streets in the capital, Addis Ababa, shouting "We need freedom," and "We need justice." The peaceful rally was the first major demonstration since 2005 post-election unrest when security forces killed hundreds of protesters. "We are here to show that we can make a change to this status quo that has allowed the government to be violent and oppressive to our people," one activist protesting told Bikyanews.com. Another said that "the future of Ethiopia will be determined by how we stand tall in the face of this crackdown. All Ethiopians are out here, Muslim, Christian and others because we know it is right." The protest is the first show of disapproval against Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn's government. Hailemariam succeeded former Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who died Aug. 20. Communications Minister Bereket Simon responded to the demonstration by denying, to The Associated Press, that Ethiopia is holding political prisoners. But demonstrators held pictures of jailed journalists, activists, political leaders and even covers of banned newspapers. The New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists in a December report listed Ethiopia as the eighth worst jailer of journalists in the world with six journalists in prison. Last year 49 Ethiopian journalists were in exile and 72 newspapers had been closed under Meles, said the committee. Muluken Tesfahun of the private weekly Ethio-Mehedar has been detained since May 4 for covering evictions near the construction of a massive hydroelectric dam that is raising tensions with Nile-dependent Egypt, said the CPJ. After Meles died, the International Crisis Group had cautioned that the new government would find it difficult to contain public discontent in the absence of "any meaningful domestic political opposition." And activists are responding by taking to the streets. They say that while they are not yet demanding an end to the PM's rule, they want major reforms and changes in policies and how the government functions. "We want a country that is inclusive for all our citizens and not just a select few who have the good graces of the government's ear," Salima, a 24-year-old university graduate and Muslim, told Bikyanews.com. For her it is personal. "I think the way women don't have a voice in our future is dangerous and we must make this change and Hailemariam is not doing a good job right now." BN
