Assaults on civil society and political activists are increasing in Africa. Ethiopia has introduced restrictive NGO, media, and anti-terrorism legislation to suppress criticism and dissent, and this has become a trend throughout the region. In July 2014, Zone 9 bloggers of Ethiopia were imprisoned on terrorism charges for writing articles that were critical of the government and its policies. Today, as witnessed recently in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi, many governments are becoming increasingly nervous about citizens mobilizing against attempts by Heads of State to remain in power longer, as was seen recently in Burkina Faso.
Yonatan Tesfaye
ETHIOPIA
Detained in December 2015
UPDATE: On March 3, 2018, Yonatan Tesfaye was released from Zeway Prison in the Oromia State after completing his reduced sentence of three and a half years.
Tesfaye was arrested in December 2015 after posting comments critiquing the government on Facebook. He was charged with “‘incitement, planning, preparation, conspiracy and attempt’ to commit a terrorist act."
Mahlet Fantahun
ETHIOPIA
Detained March 25, 2018
UPDATE: On April 6, 2018, Mahlet Fantahun was released after serving a 12-day detention without any formal chargers at Gotera-pepsi Police Station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mahlet Fantahun is a blogger for Zone9, a blogger's collective in Ethiopia. On March 25, 2018, she was arrested with 11 other journalists for gathering en masse in a private residence, violating vague State of Emergency laws.
Befeqadu Hailu
ETHIOPIA
Detained March 25, 2018
UPDATE: On April 6, 2018, Begeqadu Hailu was released after serving a 12-day detention without any formal chargers at Gotera-pepsi Police Station in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Begeqadu Hailu is a blogger for Zone9, a blogger's collective in Ethiopia. On March 25, 2018, he was arrested for the second time, along with 11 other journalists for gathering en masse in a private residence, violating vague State of Emergency laws.
Dr. Merera Gudina
ETHIOPIA
Detained on November 30, 2016
UPDATE: On January 17, 2018, Dr. Merera Gudina was released from Kaliti Prison after spending more than a year in prison.
Dr. Merera Gudina is a prominent scholar and chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress, an opposition political party. He was arrested on November 30, 2016, at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on charges of "supporting terrorism."
Ramón Nsé Esono Ebalé
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Detained September 16, 2017
UPDATE: On May 28, 2018, Ramón Nsé Esono Ebalé was allowed to leave Equatorial Guinea after being banned from travelling for three months. He was released on March 7, 2018, after spending six months in prison.
Ramón Nsé Esono Ebalé is a political cartoonist and blogger who regularly published illustrations criticizing the government of Equatorial Guinea. He was arrested on September 16, 2017 on charges of "money laundering" and "counterfeit."
Asemamaw Hailegiorgis
ETHIOPIA
Detained April 25, 2014
UPDATE: On July 8, 2015, Asemamaw Hailegiorgis was set free. He spent more than a year in prison.
Asemamaw Hailegiorgis is a journalist and blogger for Zone 9, a blogger collective. He was arrested on April 25, 2014 on terrorism charges, alongside other Zone9 bloggers.
Edom Kassaye
ETHIOPIA
Detained April 25, 2014
UPDATE: On July 9, 2015, Edom Kassaye was set free after spending more than a year in prison.
Edom Kassaye is an Ethiopian journalist. On April 25, 2014, she was arrested on charges of terrorism along with various bloggers for Zone9, a bloggers' collective that aims to spread awareness of Ethiopian human rights violations.
Tesfalem Weldeyes
ETHIOPIA
Detained April 25, 2014
UPDATE: On July 8, 2015, Tesfalem Weldeyes was set free after spending more than a year in prison.
Tesfalem Weldeyes is an Ethiopian journalist who freelanced for news site Addis Standard and other Ethiopian media. On April 25, 2014, he was arrested on charges of terrorism along with various bloggers for Zone9, a bloggers' collective that aims to spread awareness of Ethiopian human rights violations.
Reeyot Alemu
ETHIOPIA
Detained June 21, 2011
UPDATE: On July 9, 2015, Reeyot Alemu was freed after spending nearly five years in prison.
Reeyot Alemu is an Ethiopian journalist and teacher who was an outspoken critic of the government. She was arrested and charged under the country's broad anti-terrorism law on June 21, 2011.
Atnaf Berahane
ETHIOPIA
Detained April 25, 2014
UPDATE: On October 16, 2015, Atnaf Berhane was released from prison. He had been detained for a year and a half.
Atnaf Berahane is an IT specialist, human rights activist, and co-founder of Zone 9, a bloggers' collective focused on highlighting Ethiopian human rights activities. On April 25, 2014, Atnaf was arrested and charged under the country's broad anti-terrorism law.
Abel Wabela
ETHIOPIA
Detained April 25, 2014
UPDATE: On October 16, 2015, Abel Wabela was released from prison after being detained for a year and a half.
Abel Wabela is one of the co-founders of Zone 9, a bloggers' collective focused on highlighting Ethiopian human rights activities. On April 25, 2014, he was arrested and charged under the country's broad anti-terrorism law.
Nathnael Feleke
ETHIOPIA
Detained April 25, 2014
UPDATE: On October 16, 2015, Nathnael Feleke was released from prison after being detained for a year and a half.
Nathnael Feleke is an economist who worked for the Construction and Business Bank in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is one of the co-founders of Zone 9, a bloggers' collective focused on highlighting Ethiopian human rights activities. On April 25, 2014, he was arrested and charged under the country's broad anti-terrorism law.