Ethiopia: Regime detains thirty-nine monks

ESAT News (April 3, 2017)

Thirty nine monks have been detained after they publicly protested plans by the government to use their monastery for sugar development.

The most vocal among them is Aba Gebreyesus, who was on the run for five years, but was arrested two months ago. He is now at the Central Bureau of Investigation where he is feared to be tortured, according to an association formed to protect Waldiba, the monastery at the center of the controversy.

Gebreyesus, who has been protesting the intrusion by the government into the monastery, was beaten severely upon his arrest, the association said.

The association called on the laity to stand by Aba Gebreyesus, who risked his life to protect the monastery and his faith.

The government owned Sugar Corporation has taken huge chunk of the Waldiba Monastery for sugar plantation and processing plant, which has faced resistance from the monks and condemnation by the general public.

It is to be recalled that the Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), run by the ruling party, has been awarded millions of dollars for the development of sugar plantation and the building of 10 sugar factories. After five years and collecting payments, no factory has been completed so far.