Nile Post
  • News
    • Education
    • Exclusive
    • Investigations
    • Security
  • Business
  • Opinions
    • Columns
      • Two Sides of a Coin
      • Unconventional Thought:
  • Global
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • The Americas
  • East Africa
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • South Sudan
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Tour & Travel
    • Love Therapist
    • Homes
  • Tech
  • Special Reports
    • Kabaka Mutebi’s 25th Coronation Series
    • Focus on Somalia
    • Sino-Africa
    • Uganda at 56
    • Anti-Corruption Fight
    • Age Limit Map
    • Tuve Ku Kaveera
  • Sports
    • Place-It
    • StarTimes Uganda Premier League
    • Bundesliga
    • World Cup
  • Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Education
    • Exclusive
    • Investigations
    • Security
  • Business
  • Opinions
    • Columns
      • Two Sides of a Coin
      • Unconventional Thought:
  • Global
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • The Americas
  • East Africa
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • South Sudan
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Tour & Travel
    • Love Therapist
    • Homes
  • Tech
  • Special Reports
    • Kabaka Mutebi’s 25th Coronation Series
    • Focus on Somalia
    • Sino-Africa
    • Uganda at 56
    • Anti-Corruption Fight
    • Age Limit Map
    • Tuve Ku Kaveera
  • Sports
    • Place-It
    • StarTimes Uganda Premier League
    • Bundesliga
    • World Cup
  • Watch
No Result
View All Result
Nile Post
No Result
View All Result
Home Global Watch Africa

Ethiopia Arrests Ex-Head of Army Firm as Crackdown Targets Security Services

Nile Post News by Nile Post News
November 14, 2018
in Africa, News, Security
Ethiopia Arrests Ex-Head of Army Firm as Crackdown Targets Security Services
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Ethiopia arrested the former head of a military-run industrial conglomerate Tuesday, state media reported, a day after authorities announced investigations targeting senior members of the security forces.

Kinfe Dagnew, a Brigadier General in Ethiopia’s army and former chief executive of METEC, was taken into custody close to the border with Sudan and Eritrea, state-run broadcaster EBC said. Footage showed him surrounded by a ring of soldiers.

A day earlier the attorney general announced the arrests of other METEC executives in a corruption investigation and the detention of security officials accused of abusing prisoners — moves that were welcomed by rights groups and a prominent opposition politician.

ADVERTISEMENT

Amnesty International said the arrests announced Monday “are an important first step toward ensuring full accountability for the abuses that have dogged the country for several decades.”

One Western envoy, who asked not to be named, described the crackdown as a “full frontal assault on the establishment.”

Kinfe’s arrest was the most high-profile since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in April promising to rein in the security services and tackle what he called economic mismanagement, corruption and rights abuses.

He has pushed through reforms that have upended decades-old policies and hierarchies in east Africa’s economic powerhouse — including moves to let private investors get stakes in the huge conglomerates run by the army and other state bodies.

There was no immediate statement from the attorney general on Kinfe’s arrest. The prime minister’s office referred Reuters to the attorney general.

METEC officials

On Monday, attorney general Berman Tsegaye said investigations had uncovered corruption at METEC (Metal and Engineering Corporation), which makes military equipment and is involved in sectors from agriculture to construction. Reuters has not been able to contact METEC for comment — senior public relations officials were among those arrested.

The attorney general said 27 METEC officials had been detained — alongside 36 intelligence officers, police and other military officials accused of abusing prisoners.

He also accused senior members of the security services of ordering an attack on the prime minister in June.

The detained METEC employees and security officials appeared in court later Monday. A judge denied the suspects bail and gave police 14 days further to investigate. None were charged.

Opposition politician Berhanu Nega welcomed the development and said the majority of Ethiopians were happy with the arrests.

“People believe it is about time such measures are taken to address the issue of justice in the past but also to indicate in the future that these kinds of crimes are not acceptable in the future,” he told Reuters.

A list of the arrest warrants released by the attorney general’s office named 27 METEC current and former executives, including the head of military equipment production and the head of corporate logistics and supply.

One of those arrested was “caught … while trying to destroy evidence,” the document read.

There was no immediate comment from the defendants or their lawyers.

‘Big fish’

Abiy — Ethiopia’s first leader from its majority Oromo ethnic group — was chosen by the EPRDF to head it after three years of street protests and strikes piled pressure on the coalition to reform.

Some analysts say Abiy’s reforms have targeted the old guard of the EPRDF, long dominated by the minority Tigrayan ethnic group. But others have suggested he must have high-level backing from senior members of the TPLF, the Tigrayan political party in the coalition.

“It would be a recipe for conflict to go against these big fish without consent, or some bargaining from the TPLF,” said one Ethiopian analyst who declined to be name.

Views: 555
  • 68
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
Tags: army coupattempted assassinationBrigadier Generalethiopia securityethiopia security changesKinfe DagnewMETEC officialsmilitary-run industrial conglomeratesecurity chiefs

Related Posts

Security situation in Uganda: Security heads paint rosy picture
Featured

Security situation in Uganda: Security heads paint rosy picture

by Kenneth Kazibwe
June 12, 2018
0

Uganda’s security chiefs have assured the public that there is no need to worry because they are on top of...

Read more

Discussion about this post

Follow Us

  • 130.8k Fan
  • 31.1k Follower

Latest

Soaking in the beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park

Soaking in the beauty of Kidepo Valley National Park

February 16, 2019
Rwanda rises from the ashes and takes on the world

Rwanda targets $74m from conference tourism this year

February 16, 2019
Are you making love or just having sex?

How often should one have sex a week?

February 17, 2019
Nigeria’s ‘Melanin Movement’ Swims Against a Skin-Whitening Tide

Nigeria’s ‘Melanin Movement’ Swims Against a Skin-Whitening Tide

February 12, 2019
UN: Sexual violence rampant in South Sudan 

UN: Sexual violence rampant in South Sudan

February 17, 2019
https://ursb.go.ug/https://ursb.go.ug/https://ursb.go.ug/
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Featured

Are you making love or just having sex?
Featured

How often should one have sex a week?

by Nile Post News
February 17, 2019
0

There are many reasons to have sex more often, at least when it comes to quality sex...

UN: Sexual violence rampant in South Sudan 

UN: Sexual violence rampant in South Sudan

February 17, 2019
Dr Besigye inaugurates “People’s Parliament”

VIDEO: Will Dr Besigye’s new strategy shake Museveni?

February 16, 2019
Say no to a sexless relationship

Say no to a sexless relationship

February 15, 2019
NRM leaders begin high level retreat at Chobe Safari Lodge

NRM leaders begin high level retreat at Chobe Safari Lodge

February 16, 2019
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
Call us: +256-417-720-101

© 2019 Nile Post Uganda Ltd. - A Next Media Services Company.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Education
    • Exclusive
    • Investigations
    • Security
  • Business
  • Opinions
    • Columns
      • Two Sides of a Coin
      • Unconventional Thought:
  • Global
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • The Americas
  • East Africa
    • Kenya
    • Rwanda
    • South Sudan
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Tour & Travel
    • Love Therapist
    • Homes
  • Tech
  • Special Reports
    • Kabaka Mutebi’s 25th Coronation Series
    • Focus on Somalia
    • Sino-Africa
    • Uganda at 56
    • Anti-Corruption Fight
    • Age Limit Map
    • Tuve Ku Kaveera
  • Sports
    • Place-It
    • StarTimes Uganda Premier League
    • Bundesliga
    • World Cup
  • Watch

© 2019 Nile Post Uganda Ltd. - A Next Media Services Company.