THE FORCES BEHIND THE RECENT DEFECTION OF EAF PILOTS TO DIJIBOUTI
THE FORCES BEHIND THE RECENT DEFECTION OF EAF PILOTS TO DIJIBOUTI
Reliable sources close to both diplomatic functionaries, Djibouti and Ethiopian government institutions involved in the investigation of the reason for the defection of the three Ethiopian pilots to Djibouti, and their subsequent handover to Ethiopia by Djibouti, say that the defection of the pilots has much to do with a “well orchestrated political brainwashing and the passing of fabricated information that alleged the presence of a serious danger targeting the ETHIOPIAN ARMY IN GENERAL, and THE AIR FORCE in particular “: it was crafted carefully to terrorize officers while it at the same time advised many to leave to neighboring Djibouti ,promising they would receive immediate assistance from the international community in getting safe haven, disclosed the sources. Hence, the sudden running away of the pilots with a training plane.
According to the sources, the major player in the whole thing is the adamant foe of the current ruling party/government of Ethiopia ie, the Eritrean government led by the PFDJ(Shabia), and some Ethiopian opposition groups believed to have secret links to Eritrea with a view of fulfilling their shared goal—oust the EPRDF led government in Addis. Though the sources fall short of disclosing the names of these political groups, for the time being, they further indicated that officials as well as undercover security operatives of Eritrea have traveled to Djibouti repeatedly to Djibouti, and since the defection, with a view of convincing the government of Pres.Omar Gelleh, to agree to send the pilots to a third regional country. But as a further confirmation of the strong ties between the two governments, Djibouti with close collaboration with Ethiopia returned the pilots to the safety of their home country, our source added. It is to be remembered the current Djibouti government has played a very positive role in enabling Ethiopia secure safe passage and timely delivery of its imported armaments during the Ethio-Eritrean war of 1998-2000: there by enabling Ethiopia emerge victorious and defend its sovereignty.
