SOMALINET NEWS ...Archives
ETHIOPIA: DONORS TO WITHHOLD $US 375 MILLION IN AID December 30, 2005
Apunyu Bonny
(SomaliNet) Ethiopian government's recent crackdown on opposition supporters has elevated Western donors' plan to withhold $US375 million in aid. The Financial Times reported.
"We are very concerned and have taken principled positions, along with our development partners, on the recent disturbances," Ishac Diwan, the World Bank's country director said.
The $US375 million involved is meant for budgetary support.It was revealed by Diwan that until the situation improves, the World Bank, the European Union and Britain would look to disburse the funds in other ways to meet Ethiopia's humanitarian needs.
Thousands of opposition members and others were arrested by The Ethiopian government after two spasms of violence struck the capital Addis Ababa, in July and November, over the disputed results of a May 15 parliamentary election.
At least 82 people were killed in clashes with police and soldiers. Ethiopia has also charged 131 people with treason, inciting violence and planning to commit genocide.
Britain announced earlier it planned to freeze a 20 million pound increase in aid to Ethiopia. On the whole Foreign donors finance about one third of Ethiopia's annual budget, sending more than $US1 billion ($A1.38 billion) a year to the country.