Ethiopia PM silent on cost of military mission

ADDIS ABABA, Monday

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who is the commander-in-chief of the country’s defence forces, has refused to disclose the cost of the Somalia military intervention.

Opposition MPs expressed their disappointment after Mr Meles refused to disclose how many soldiers were killed or wounded during Ethiopia’s two-year military intervention in Somalia.

The PM last week told Parliament that he was neither obliged to make the disclosure, nor was it necessary for Parliament to know the details of the operation.

He, however, told Parliament how the Ethiopia intervention was important and successful, and that it was highly appreciated by the international community.

Opposition MP Temesgen Zewide said whatever the cost, both Parliament and the public were entitled to know.

The only independent MP and former Ethiopia President Negasso Gidada said Mr Meles’s position was an insult both to Parliament and the public.

Mr Lidetu Ayalew, the chair of Ethiopia Democratic Party (EDP), the only opposition party that supported the Ethiopian intervention, also expressed his disappointment by the Prime Minister’s refusal to disclose the cost.

“The public, who made the sacrifices, have a right to know,” Mr Lidetu said.

In his recent press briefing, Mr Meles refused to answer the same question from journalists, saying only that, the loss and causalities “were minimal”.

Ethiopia sent about 10,000 troops to Somalia in 2006 till early this year.