Ethiopian journalist seeks asylum in UK

A journalist working for Ethiopia’s state broadcaster, EBC, has refused to return home from the UK after covering the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London.

Bilal Worku, who has worked for EBC for nine years, says intimidation from government officials has led him to fear for his own safety.

He formed part of the team that travelled to London with Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen to cover the trade summit.

“There is no way I can go back and live freely in Ethiopia” he told reporters in London.

“There is no press freedom or editorial independence for that matter.  Whenever I try to tell the truth through my work I get threats.  I can’t say much as I fear for my family’s safety” Mr Worku said.

EBC’s deputy chief executive, AbdelJelil Hamid, did not deny there was government interference in the work they do.

He said, “I can’t say there is no government officials meddling, having a negative impact on journalists, but it is not that serious.”

But Mr Worku did not lay the blame with his employer: “Unless they have their own personal agenda, the institution couldn’t be the reason for their decision.”

Mr Worku is now the fifth EBC journalist to seek asylum abroad, as he explained “I have colleagues who sought refuge abroad as they feel unsafe in their own country.  I made a decision after a thorough discussion with myself.”

In what is a damning criticism of Abiy Ahmed’s government, Mr Worku blamed the Prime Minister’s office for interfering with the work of the state broadcaster.

Reformist Mr Abiy has built an international reputation for trying to democratise Ethiopia since he came to office in April 2018.

He spent his first 100 days removing the country’s state of emergency, liberalising the press, and ending the border war with neighbouring Eritrea.

It was for these efforts, both internationally and domestically, that he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo last year.

Photo credit: Bilal Worku