Up to 400 Ethiopians protested in front of the offices of the Norwegian parliament, foreign ministry and prime minister today. They are calling for increased pressure by Norway – and Europe – on the government of Ethiopia in the wake of last month’s contested parliamentary elections. Results from the Ethiopian electoral board show the ruling party in the lead, but the opposition says the results are fraught with voting irregularities and fraud. The official election tally is not expected until July 8th.
Ghidey Zeratsion is a spokesman for The United Ethiopian Democratic Front in the Norwegian capital. He’s also one of the leaders of today’s demonstration in Oslo. He told Voice of America reporter William Eagle that his party wants the EU to stop lending political and economic support to the government of Ethiopia. That includes, he says, extending debt relief.
