Taye Dendea, Ethiopia’s former state minister for peace, was released from custody on Thursday, just a day after being rearrested by security forces minutes after a court granted him bail. The abrupt sequence of events has raised concerns about his safety and the integrity of Ethiopia’s legal system.
Dendea, who had been incarcerated since December 2023 after criticizing Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his government, was freed following a ruling by the Federal Appeals Court. The court had ordered his release on bail of 20,000 birr (about $158), pending charges related to the alleged illegal possession of firearms. However, his brief freedom was interrupted when he was detained again as soon as he left Kilinto Prison in Addis Ababa on Wednesday afternoon.
According to Dendea’s wife, Sintayehu Alemayehu, he was taken away by security forces dressed in police uniforms right after walking out of prison. “We visited him at the federal police facility this morning, but no one explained why they took him after the court had granted him bail,” she said. Later that day, Sintayehu received a call from Dendea, who informed her that he was back at home.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirmed his release but did not provide details about the reasons for his re-arrest.
Dendea’s family and local politicians have expressed deep concerns about his safety following his re-arrest. “Before he could reunite with his family, security forces intercepted him right at the gate of the prison, with his personal belongings still in his hands,” Sintayehu said. “It happened so abruptly that it’s difficult to say he was truly released.”
Taye Dendea was initially arrested after a social media post that criticized the Ethiopian government. The post led to charges of collaborating with destabilizing groups and promoting violence online. While these charges were later dropped by the court, Dendea still faces a charge related to the alleged illegal possession of firearms. His request for bail was initially denied by Ethiopia’s Supreme Court, but the Federal Appeals Court ruled in his favor after a lengthy hearing earlier this week.
Prominent Ethiopian political figure and activist Jawar Mohammed welcomed Dendea’s release but condemned the actions of security forces. “The lawless act of abducting people after they are released by the court of law has become a common pattern of intimidation and violence,” Mohammed posted on social media. “We all must fight back to end this and ensure meaningful judicial independence.”
Dendea’s situation is part of a broader trend of rising tensions between the Ethiopian government and opposition figures. His original criticism centered around the government’s failure to secure peace talks with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), which led to violent conflict in the Oromia region. This week, however, authorities announced a peace agreement with a former OLA commander, Jaal Segni Nagassa, in a move aimed at addressing the ongoing security crisis in Oromia.
The details of the agreement with Segni have not been fully disclosed, but officials have touted it as a step toward reducing violence in the region. Segni, who had been a prominent figure in the OLA, reportedly broke ties with the group’s top commander, Jaal Marroo, in September, signaling a shift toward peace.
Despite the apparent breakthrough, critics within the OLA have dismissed the agreement, with some describing it as a “meme” and accusing the government of negotiating with members who had been expelled from the group. Meanwhile, Ethiopian officials have shared images of other OLA fighters defecting, citing these defections as evidence of the peace process’s success.
The government’s response to Dendea’s release, the ongoing unrest in Oromia, and the handling of rebel defections all point to the broader challenges Ethiopia faces in stabilizing its internal politics and legal system.
