Donors condemn blasts

Ethiopia's donor community has denounced explosions that killed at least four people and injured 42 in Addis Ababa, the capital, last week. In a statement released on 16 May, the Ambassadors' Donors Group, which represents 25 nations and four multilateral organisations, said the nine blasts on 12 May could not be justified in any way. "Innocent lives have been destroyed and shattered. No motive whatsoever, be it political or not, can justify such criminal acts," the group said. The explosions were the latest in a series of more than a dozen blasts to hit Addis Ababa and towns in other parts of Ethiopia since March. The latest incident brings the death toll to 11. Police, who have not accused any individual or group of perpetrating the crimes, have said they were committed to create the impression that stability had collapsed in the country. No one has claimed responsibility for the violence. The diplomats stressed the importance of communication and pledged their support. "Progress can only be achieved through peaceful dialogue," they said. "We remain committed to contributing to that end." Tension has been high in Addis Ababa since at least 84 people died - many at the hands of police - during protests in June and October 2005 against alleged fraud in May elections. Currently, 111 defendants, including nearly the entire leadership of the main opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy party, are accused of fomenting a post-election coup. Most of them have been detained since November 2005. In early May, the Ambassador's Donors Group called on the government to release the defendants on bail and initiate dialogue with the opposition. However, such requests have been repeatedly denied.