Ethiopian authorities have detained French journalist Antoine Galindo, who arrived in the country to cover the recent African Union (AU) Assembly meeting, citing violations of accreditation terms.
Galindo, a journalist for Africa Intelligence, was detained in Addis Ababa on February 21, following his arrival for the AU Summit. Although his employer had notified the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) in January about his assignment to cover local Ethiopian affairs, Galindo was accused of operating beyond his accreditation scope.
According to government officials, Galindo was allegedly engaging with members of outlawed militant forces, prompting his arrest. The Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, where Galindo was conducting an interview with Bate Urgessa, a political figure from the Oromo Liberation Front, became the scene of his arrest.
Both Galindo and Urgessa were taken into custody and transferred to the Bole Sub City Police department, where they are currently held. Authorities accuse Galindo of conspiring with armed groups to incite unrest, particularly citing his alleged connections with the Oromo Liberation Army rebel group and the Fano militia.
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Despite protests from his employer and press freedom organizations, Galindo’s request for bail was denied, with authorities citing the need for further investigation and access to his phone records. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 1, 2024.
The detention of Galindo has sparked international concern, with press freedom lobbies and organizations calling for his immediate release. The International Press Association of East Africa (IPAEA) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have condemned his arrest, emphasizing his rights to carry out journalistic duties.
Ethiopia’s recent struggles with armed rebellion and civil unrest have raised concerns about press freedom in the country. Despite efforts to address these challenges, Ethiopia’s ranking in the 2023 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Index has significantly declined, reflecting a broader deterioration in press freedom.
As Galindo’s case unfolds, international attention remains focused on Ethiopia’s treatment of journalists and the broader implications for press freedom in the country.
