According to Amnesty International, Dr Berhanu Nega, the mayor of Addis Ababa, is experiencing a decline in his health due to unsanitary prison conditions. Despite a court ruling last month ordering his transfer to a clean cell, the Meles regime has chosen to disregard the decision. Similarly, Kinijit’s Secretary General Muluneh Eyoel, council member Andualem Aragie, and other young leaders are also subjected to these harsh prison conditions, with physically strong individuals being placed in solitary confinement to weaken them. The purpose of these inhumane conditions is not only to punish these political prisoners but also to physically incapacitate them, ensuring that even if they are released, they will not be fit enough to lead the struggle. Therefore, it is crucial for the entire Kinijit organization to dedicate each day to fighting for their release.
Safeguarding the well-being of competent leaders is crucial for any political organization, as replacing skilled leaders, especially those capable of uniting the nation like Kinijit’s leaders, is a challenging task. Moreover, the leadership is often the primary target of adversaries, as they understand that without strong and capable leaders, the organization’s survival and success are at stake.
Regrettably, the Kinijit leadership and its members abroad have largely neglected the imprisoned leaders. The leadership structure abroad that assumed control is less cohesive and weaker than even the government of Somalia. Instead of fostering alliances, the current leadership abroad and many members are more focused on alienating supporters and creating adversaries, leading to a shift from Kinijit’s values of unity, peace, and tolerance to corruption, greed, intolerance, and animosity.
Learning about the condition of political prisoners and witnessing the apathy of their supposed supporters can only evoke a sense of bitterness. It is disheartening to see the lack of concern from their own party towards the plight of the Kinijit leaders. This is evident in the fact that even the latest updates on their health status, provided by organizations like Amnesty International, are not shared on Kinijit’s official website.