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Obama urges Ethiopia to end crackdown on political and press freedom
Source: Associated Press
Obama urges Ethiopia to end crackdown on political and press freedom
Associated Press in Addis Ababa
Monday 27 July 2015 14.47 BST
Barack Obama urged Ethiopia’s leaders to curb crackdowns on press freedom and political openness as he began a visit that has been criticised by human rights groups who say it legitimises an oppressive government.
“When all voices are being heard, when people know they are being included in the political process, that makes a country more successful,” the US president said during a news conference with Hailemariam Desalegn, the Ethiopian prime minister.
The visit is the first by a sitting US president to Ethiopia, a fast-growing economy which was once defined by poverty and famine.
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Despite Ethiopia’s progress, there are deep concerns about political freedoms following elections in May, in which the ruling party won every seat in parliament. Obama said he was frank in his discussions with Ethiopian leaders about the need to allow political opponents to operate freely.
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Associated Press in Addis Ababa
Monday 27 July 2015 14.47 BST
Barack Obama urged Ethiopia’s leaders to curb crackdowns on press freedom and political openness as he began a visit that has been criticised by human rights groups who say it legitimises an oppressive government.
“When all voices are being heard, when people know they are being included in the political process, that makes a country more successful,” the US president said during a news conference with Hailemariam Desalegn, the Ethiopian prime minister.
The visit is the first by a sitting US president to Ethiopia, a fast-growing economy which was once defined by poverty and famine.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Despite Ethiopia’s progress, there are deep concerns about political freedoms following elections in May, in which the ruling party won every seat in parliament. Obama said he was frank in his discussions with Ethiopian leaders about the need to allow political opponents to operate freely.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/27/obama-urges-ethiopia-end-crackdown-political-press-freedom
