More political openness would strengthen Ethiopia

July 27, 2015 11:41 AM

Obama's careful phrasing, noting economic progress amid political restrictions, drew some criticism from opponents.

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) comments on recent statements by Republicans as he and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn (R) hold a news conference after their meeting at the National Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia July 27, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

U.S. President Barack Obama told Ethiopia's leaders on Monday that allowing more political freedoms would strengthen the African nation, which had already lifted millions out of a poverty once rooted in recurring famine.

Obama was speaking after talks with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on the first trip by a U.S. president to Ethiopia, one of Africa's fastest-growing economies, which is often criticised for its rights record.

He gave a similar message in Kenya last week at the start of his Africa tour, stressing the importance of human rights amid economic progress.

Ethiopia's opposition failed to secure a single seat in a May parliamentary election, drawing skepticism from Washington, which has also criticised Ethiopia's detention of bloggers and journalists. The government insists that those detained have committed crimes.

"The governing party has significant breadth and popularity and, as a consequence, making sure to open additional space for journalists or media or opposition voices will strengthen rather than inhibit the agenda that the prime minister and the ruling party have put forward," Obama told a news conference.

Hailemariam, speaking at the same briefing, acknowledged his country was a "young democracy" that had more to do, but said he had "minor differences" with America about the speed of that process. He said Ethiopia needed journalists to be ethical and not have ties to violent groups.

"The Americans know (the situation) but they are cautiously looking away," said Merara Gudina, vice chairman of the Medrek opposition coalition. "They choose to wine and dine with dictators instead."

Maya Foa of the rights group Reprieve criticised Obama's reference to "a democratically elected government", saying this was "woefully misplaced."