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 2005 Ethiopian general election, 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]

Patriotic Ginbot 7 Movement for Unity and Democracy

Ginbot 7 allied with many political organizations and freedom movements. In October 2016 it signed an understanding to work with Afar Peoples Party, Sidama Peoples Democratic Movement, Tigray Peoples Democratic Movement (TPDM) and Oromo Democratic Front (ODF).[9] In January 2015 it signed a unification agreement with Ethiopian Peoples Patriotic Front, the first movement that stood on Eritrean soil to make a military struggle to overthrow the EPRDF/TPLF government. Before 2015 the EPPF Movement was led by Meazaw Getu as chairman, Mengistu W/Sillasie as Political Head, Kifetew Assefa as Head of Intelligence and Information and Nurjeba Assefa as Foreign Affairs Head. Ginbot 7 at the time had Berhanu Nega as chairman, Abebe Bogale as Vice Chair, and Ameneshewa Tahelew a.k.a. Assefa Maru as Head of Military Operations before the unification.[10]

After unification their name changed to 'Patriotic Ginbot 7 Movement for Unity and Democracy'. From the unification afterwards a new committee of 82 members with 41 members from each Front was formed. And a new executive committee with Berhanu Nega as a chairman, Meazaw Getu as Vice Chair, Zemene Kassie as Political Head and Ameneshewa Tahelew a.k.a. Assefa Maru as Head of Military Operations. This unification was fruitful and in the interest of many Ethiopians. It brought some hope in the Ethiopian camp at the time of hopelessness and oppression (especially after the kidnapping of the Ginbot 7 Secretary General Andargachew Tsige while transiting through Yemen). As the objective of these two movements was the same, their unification was natural. Ginbot 7 was much of a collection of active politicians that fled Ethiopia in fear of persecution and some even having a death sentence on their head. Ethiopian Peoples Patriotic Front leaders and members, on the other hand, spent their lives in the front for decades, having a well-tested military skill and determination.

After unification the Movement was getting stronger as the people's resistance in Ethiopia was becoming strong and fierce against the government. In the middle of the chaotic situation in Ethiopia in Nehase 2009 E.C. the Patriotic Ginbot 7 Movement for Unity and Democracy has made a leadership change. It also asserted a three-year plan to overthrow the TPLF/EPRDF government. The new central committee of the Movement has 13 members. Berhanu Nega stayed as chairman, and the new committee has four sub committees: Political sub led by Ephrem Madebo, Civil Disobedience subcommittee led by Dr. Tadesse Biru, Secretariat subcommittee led by Mequanint Abeje - later replaced by Jankebed Zerihun,[11] and the People's Resistance or Military Operations subcommittee headed by Ameneshewa Tahelew. Later after his release from prison Andargachew Tsige was assigned as Secretary of the Movement.[12]

Until mid-2018, Ginbot 7 was considered a terrorist organization by Ethiopia and 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.[13] 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.[14]

References
  1. Hammer, Joshua (31 August 2016). "Once a Bucknell Professor, Now the Commander of an Ethiopian Rebel Army". The New York Times.
  2. "Ethiopia jails members of banned group". BBC News. 2018. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  3. 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. 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. "Ginbot 7's Andargachew Tsege: Ethiopia confirms arrest". BBC News. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  8. "Ginbot 7 forges an alliance with 2 other parties". Ethiopian Review. 2010-08-27. Retrieved 2011-06-25.
  9. "Newly formed movement hopes for regime change in Ethiopia – the Ethiopian Satellite Television and Radio (ESAT)".
  10. "Ethiopia: Ginbot 7 and EPPF Military Wings Merged". 11 January 2015.
  11. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1646104605421515&id=112106198821471
  12. Blomfield, Adrian (29 May 2018). "British campaigner Andy Tsege released from prison after four years on death row in Ethiopia". The Telegraph.
  13. "Woyanne claims it has foiled Ginbot 7 activities in Ethiopia", Ethiopian Review
  14. "Official Web Site of GINBOT 7". 18 April 2012. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012.
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