Open letter to Djibouti President Guelleh

Aug 1, 2005

Mr President

We, members of the Ethiopian Community in the United Kingdom, are deeply shocked and distressed with your government’s decision to deport the two Ethiopian pilots who sought refugee and protection in your country, which they were entitled to be accorded. The two air force personnel fled to Djibouti disobeying orders to massacre innocent citizens who were exercising their democratic rights by peacefully demonstrating against vote rigging committed by the incumbent, in the wake of the national election of 15 May 2005. The two heroic pilots, who are endowed with the highest moral stature, have done nothing wrong except their refusal to commit atrocities against their own unarmed civilian compatriots.

The involuntary deportation of the two Ethiopian pilots is a deplorable act committed by your government in flagrant violation of international norms and conventions it ratified in relation to providing protection to people who fled their country of origin for fear of persecution and death. By handing over the two patriotic pilots who have won the respect and admiration of the Ethiopian people, your government has condemned them to inhuman treatment, torture and possibly death, in the hands of the murderous Meles Zenawi’s regime.

We believe that, this myopic political decision is an unfortunate, horrendous act of betrayal against two unsuspecting officers, who sought protection and shelter. It is devoid of moral values and standard norms of international relations, which deserves the utmost condemnation by all decent people who value human life. We, therefore, strongly condemn this tragic decision the consequences of which are likely to cost the two pilots their cherished lives.

Sadly though, we are forced to remind ourselves that your government, has, time and again, shown its disregard to the respect of the human rights of Ethiopian refugees by working had in-gloves with Meles Zenawi, the mendacious ethnocentric tyrant that rules Ethiopia with an iron fist. Your government should not be reminded that it is the Ethiopian people who stand by the side of the Djibouti people, and provide support in blood and sweat, at the time of their needs, and any person of integrity would not easily forget such generosity.

We believe that despite the machinations, betrayals, and the enormous sacrifices required, the Ethiopian people will prevail and get rid of the shackles of the TPLF regime and its accomplices. This is a commitment pursued by the Ethiopian people who cherish and honour their freedom through sacrifices rather than succumbing to the whims of evil forces near and afar.

Mr President

This immoral act is obviously a scar on the historic harmonious relationship between the fraternal peoples of Ethiopia and Djibouti. Given the multifaceted bonds and ties of the two peoples, the government of Djibouti should have shown a sense of responsibility and sensitivity to the plight of the Ethiopian people. It is imperative that such harmful behaviour must stop sooner than later, on account of the long-term interests of two peoples who are destined to live next to each other, ideally with mutual support and definitely not with mutual alienation.

In this regard, we call upon your Excellency to desist from undertaking similar actions, which are illegal and immoral, and discharge your international obligations by according the necessary protection to Ethiopian and other refugees, in the spirit of existing international norms and conventions relating to the protection of refugees. The human rights of innocent people who sought protection should by no means be traded for transient political expediency.

With our highest consideration

Yours sincerely,

Mr Abiyou Desta
CUD Support Committee – UK
PO Box 482
London WC2H 0EU
desta@tinyworld.co.uk

Mr Eyasu Woldetsadik
UEDF Support Committee – UK
74 Holland Road
London W14 8BN
ewoldetsadik@aol.com