Open Letter to the Ethiopian Parliament, European Commission, US Department of state: a call for legal action

Tadesse Walle (PhD), London

Urgent calls to investigate alleged money laundry by Ethiopian authorities including Prime Minister Meles Zenawi save the presumption of honesty until proven guilty.


Following the May 2005 parliamentary election, the Ethiopian authorities have been viciously engaged in unlawful killing, harsh imprisonment, torture and disappearance of opposition party members, sympathizers, innocent citizens. This internationally condemned uncivilized act of the authorities has no any other drive but to stay in power and extend the melancholy of the Ethiopian people. To add to the misery, the absolute powers led by the TPLF, forget the deceptive label “EPRDF”; have been exposed of absolute corruption. According to sources quoted below, the ruling circle is marred with alleged embezzlement, money laundering.

On one hand the G8, the EU, humanitarian organizations, individuals such as Sir Bob Geldof have been calling for debt relief, fair trade, and increase humanitarian aid with the view to help our beloved Ethiopia, sadly the 3rd poorest country in the world. On the other hand, paradoxically enough, the country’s meager economy has been allegedly looted by the current Ethiopian authorities who have been telling the world as the champions of the people, democracy, and transparency: a call for the Ethiopian Parliament to prosecute this case and a call for the authorities/ defendants to prove otherwise. Challenge for the Ethiopian jurisprudence, a test for the supremacy of the rule of law in impeaching those who violate the law of the land.

The following is the list of regime officials, reported by Radio TENSAE and AEUP website who have “stashed away” a considerable amount of money in overseas banks: it is probable that this might be the tip of the ice- berg.


This indeed is not propaganda rhetoric, it is a call for a legal action: a call for the Ethiopian parliament to investigate, prosecute those individuals responsible for money laundering, embezzlement. It is also a call for the European commission and US Department of State - Ethiopian sections to help hold those responsible to submit for the rule of law, justice and play a pivotal role in establishing an Independent and Transparent Committee to investigate this claim. The role of the European Commission and the US Department of State is absolutely essential in a country where separation of power of the legislative, judiciary and the executive is essentially flawed.

As this information has been also on a website for some time it is essential that an urgent action is taken to expedite the matter. It is imperative that an injunctive relief is sought; freezing order of accounts is carried out instantly before money is dissipated. This remedy will bar the defendants from disposing or removing money form the above stated banks. The independent committee should take the courage to seek extra territorial order which is not unlawful in an international court of law, jurisprudence. As ancillary to the order it might be crucial to seek disclosure of the defendant’s assets and their whereabouts as a matter of urgency.

Prima - facie this is not one of frivolous cases, there is a series case to be tried: looting national treasury is a national interest and should be given the priority it deserves. It is vital that those responsible are hold for breach of confidence, embezzlement and impeached in an open court in the presence of international observers. The money is automatically recouped and channeled to its natural proprietor, Ethiopia, if indeed is conclusively proven.

It is suggested that the Ethiopian Parliament may have to form an Independent and Transparent Committee accountable to the parliament itself. The committee may have to include opposition parties, professionals, and lawyers to carry out effective tracing and investigation. As the PM is the leader of the alleged looting, it is imperative that there exists a conflict of interest… therefore, the Committee should be exclusively accountable to the parliament who may have the last say on this issue: leaving the ultimate judgment for the Ethiopian people.

Depending on the outcome of the investigation and if indeed the case for corruption, money laundry is made out, then, the Ethiopian Parliament may not only recoup the money but choose to exercise vote of confidence against the ruling circle of the regime which could possibly trigger an early parliamentary election: if indeed fair and free election is insight.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tadesse Walle (PhD)

Name of EPDRF official
Stolen Fund Amount
Name of Bank

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
$41 million
Bank of Malaysia

Amb. Berhane

Gebre-Kirstos
$19 million
New York City Bank

Abadi Zemo
$22 million
Swiss Bank

Sebhat Nega
$29 million
Deutsche Bank

Tefera Walewa
$9 million
Bank of Canada

Shimelis Kindie
$12 million
Bank in Canada

Addisu legesse
$14 million
New York City Bank

Prof. Endrias Eshete
$7 million
New York City Bank

Arkebe Ekubai
$29 million
Bank of Malaysia

Abai Tsehaye
$19 million
Bank of Malaysia

Genet Zewdie
$6 million
New York City Bank

Amb. Mohammed Duri
$4 million
New York City Bank

Dr Maru Yirdaw
$11 million
Deutsche Bank

Bereket Simon
$10 million
Deutsche Bank

Kuma Demeksa
$6 million
Bank in Canada

Source: www.ethiomedia.com

Momo Quilo, How would you rewrite this letter?