Africa Report notes in its November/December 1993 issue that many Amharas have flocked to the All-Amhara People's Organization (AAPO) because they see it as representing their interests (51). AAPO was also founded with the intent of promoting the "unity of Ethiopia" (52). According to the AAPO leadership, it seeks to resist by peaceful means the "genocidal policy being pursued against the Amhara population" (ibid.).

Concerning its relationship with the government, The Washington Post states in its 18 February 1993 issue that there is still pronounced political conflict between the government and Amharas and the government frequently deals harshly with its political opponents. According to the source, the Amharas resent their loss of power and prestige, while the government links them with the former Mengistu regime (ibid.). The government perceives the opposition parties as being ethnically-based, narrowly focused and therefore prone to use violence and inflammatory language rather than dialogue with the government (ibid.). Although the government maintains that AAPO will not be persecuted, it has nonetheless organized anti-AAPO rallies and attacked it in the media (ibid.). Africa Report also states that because of AAPO's mass following among Amharas, the government now appears to be pursuing a campaign of systematic harassment against AAPO leaders and activists (Nov.-Dec. 1993, 52). For additional information, please refer to the attachment.

In 1992, The Daily Telegraph reported that AAPO was still a legal opposition party in Ethiopia (29 Apr. 1992). Africa Report corroborates this information (Nov.-Dec. 1993, 52). Nonetheless, The Daily Telegraph notes in its 29 April 1992 issue that the government denied exit visas to members of AAPO to attend a meeting in Paris. In addition, it said that democracy in Ethiopia was being undermined by government crackdown on political dissent (ibid.). As a result, this action was forcing some opposition parties to work in exile (ibid.).

The BBC reported in its 17 February 1994 summary that AAPO has refused to participate in the drafting of the new Ethiopian constitution. Among other things, the party based its refusal on what it perceived as the constitutional commissions's lack of independence from the EPRDF (Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front) government. In a 26 January 1994 BBC report on the AAPO's anniversary meeting the chairperson, Professor Asrat Woldeyes, stated that Amharas could rule themselves. He said that Amharas did not need a government that could not ensure the rule of law (ibid.). In another report of 30 December 1993, the BBC stated that an independent commission which investigated the 4 January 1993 clashes between university students and security forces linked AAPO to the disturbances. AAPO denied the allegation (ibid.). The BBC also reported an opposition radio claim that Amharas were being forced to condemn AAPO and to join the EPRDF.

For additional information concerning AAPO and its relationship with the government or its view of the future Ethiopia, please refer to the attachments.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Africa Report [New York]. November-December 1993. Vol. 38, No. 6. Makau Wa Mutua. "Ethiopia: The Victorious Tigrayan People's Liberation Front...."

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 17 February 1994. "Amhara Organization Rejects Invitation From Constitutional Commission." (NEXIS)

_____.26 January 1994. "Amhara Organization Leader Says Amhara Can Rule Themselves." (NEXIS)

_____. 30 December 1993. "Investigating Commission: Clashes Between Students, Security Forces Were Planned." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 December 1993. "Opposition Radio Claims EPRDF has Allocated 1m Birr to Recruit Agents." (NEXIS)

The Daily Telegraph [London]. 29 April 1993. Scott Peterson. "Democracy in Ethiopia at Risk After Crackdown." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 18 February 1993. Final Edition. Jennifer Parmelee. "Ethiopia's New Politics Echo an Old War; Strident Claims, Ethnic Conflict Roil Government Trying to Move Toward Democracy." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Africa Report [New York]. November-December 1993. Vol. 38, No. 6. Makau Wa Mutua. "Ethiopia: The Victorious Tigrayan People's Liberation Front...," pp.50-2.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 17 February 1994. "Amhara Organization Rejects Invitation From Constitutional Commission." (NEXIS)

_____.26 January 1994. "Amhara Organization Leader Says Amhara Can Rule Themselves." (NEXIS)

_____. 30 December 1993. "Investigating Commission: Clashes Between Students, Security Forces Were Planned." (NEXIS)

_____. 11 December 1993. "Opposition Radio Claims EPRDF has Allocated 1m Birr to Recruit Agents." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 August 1993. "Ethiopia: All-Amhara People's Organization Request to Hold Rally Rejected." (NEXIS)

_____. 31 July 1993. "Ethiopia: Opposition Leader's Appeal For Bail to be Heard on 29th July." (NEXIS)

_____. 13 February 1993. "Ethiopia: All-Amhara People's Organization Says Documents and Property Seized." (NEXIS)

_____. 1 February 1993. "Ethiopia: All-Amhara People's Organization Denies that it Has Declared War."

_____. 25 January 1993. "Ethiopia: AAPO Vice-president is `Sacked'." (NEXIS)

_____. 19 February 1992. "Ethiopia: Amhara Organization Holds Its First Meeting."

The Daily Telegraph [London]. 29 April 1993. Scott Peterson. "Democracy in Ethiopia at Risk After Crackdown." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 2 February 1993. BC Cycle. "Ethiopia: Opposition Denies Inciting Violence." (NEXIS)

_____. 31 January 1993. BC Cycle. "Big Rally Underlines Ethiopia's Ethnic Worries." (NEXIS)

_____. 18 January 1993. BC Cycle. "Ethiopian Minister Defends University Closure." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 18 February 1993. Final Edition. Jennifer Parmelee. "Ethiopia's New Politics Echo an Old War; Strident Claims, Ethnic Conflict Roil Government Trying to Move Toward Democracy." (NEXIS)