Taye Dendea (Amharic: ታዬ ደንድአ) is an Ethiopian politician and activist. Taye has been subjected to arbitrary detention multiple times. During Abiy Ahmed premiership, he was appointed as State Minister of Peace from 2021 to 2023.
Taye Dendea | |
|---|---|
| ታዬ ደንድአ | |
| State Minister of Peace | |
| In office 9 October 2021 – 11 December 2023 | |
| Appointed by | Abiy Ahmed |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Prosperity Party |
| Alma mater | Addis Ababa University |
| Occupation |
|
On 12 December 2023, he was arrested by federal police and charged with terrorism for alleged unauthorized weapon possession. In mid-2024, he was charged with terrorism for his alleged connection to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which was antigovernmental insurgent. In September 2024, the Federal Supreme Court denied his bait and Taye remained in custody.[1]
Career
editTaye Dendea graduated at Addis Ababa University in Law.[2] On 8 March 2018, Taye and his fellow activist Seyoum Teshome was arrested from their home and transported to Central Prison. They were released on 16 April without charged.[3] When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, he was supporter of Abiy's earlier reforms.[4]
On 9 October 2021, he was appointed by Abiy as State Minister of Peace. Taye became a member of Prosperity Party.[5][6] On 11 December 2023, he was removed that position and he received conveying letter reads as follows: "Thanking you for your contributions as State Minister for Peace since September 29, 2014 [October 9, 2021, G.C.], you are removed from your position as of December 1, 2016 [December 11, 2023]".[7] The following day, he was arrested by security force. The Federal Police released a statement alleging he is "collaborating with anti-peace forces that are trying to destroy Ethiopia".[8][9] On 24 April 2024, Taye was charged with terrorism for his alleged use anti-peace force and unauthorized weapon possession.[10]
In August 2024, the Federal Police announced his arrest linked to his alleged collaboration with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebels.[4] As of September 2024, Taye remained in custody while the Federal Supreme Court reject his bait following his acquittal on two other charges.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Supreme court rejects bail for ex-state minister Taye Dendea on 'illegal firearm' charge – EthioExplorer.com". 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Remembering Oromo Prisoner of Consciousness: Taye Danda'a in Prison for being only Oromo". Qeeroo. 2013-09-18. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Ethiopia: Further information: Two government critics released: Seyoum Teshome and Taye Dendea". Amnesty International. 2018-04-17. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ a b "Former Ethiopian minister arrested for links with Oromo rebels". Africanews. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Taye Dendea, Senior Ethiopian gov't official, call for accountability over the recurring massacre in Oromia". Borkena Ethiopian News. 2022-07-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "PM Abiy Ahmed appoints officials to various high level federal positions". Welcome to Fana Broadcasting Corporate S.C. 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Ethiopian PM Abiy Dismisses State Minister over Critical Remark". Borkena Ethiopian News. 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Ethiopian security forces arrest former peace minister over participation in terrorist activities". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Ethiopia arrests former peace minister over alleged links to an outlawed rebel group". AP News. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Ethiopian gov't charges ex-state minister in alleged 'anti-peace campaign'". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-11-08.