The Federal High Court in Lideta has condemned Wondimagegn Beregena to seven years behind bars for nothing more than exercising his basic right to free expression. Branded an “anti‑government propagandist” for merely criticizing state actions and expressing solidarity with the Amhara Fano movement—labeled “extremists” by the authorities—Wondimagegn’s harsh sentence underscores a disturbing erosion of civil liberties in Ethiopia.
Despite the court’s claim that Articles 32(a), (b) and (c) of the 1996 Penal Code were violated by his online messages, Wondimagegn’s true “offense” was shining a light on alleged abuses. His messages on TikTok and WhatsApp, which the prosecution portrayed as “incitement,” included pointing out forced home demolitions in Arba Minch—an accusation later disputed by the government but corroborated by eyewitness testimony. Far from rallying an armed rebellion, his words called for peaceful resistance and scrutiny of state overreach.
Prosecutors went so far as to brand Wondimagegn a linchpin in a vast conspiracy, highlighting a few recorded chats with activist Zemedkun Bekele in Germany. In those exchanges, Wondimagegn urged Ethiopians to “weaken the system through various options” and to “do their part.” Yet such vague exhortations are a far cry from plotting violence; they read more like a plea for accountability in a system that allows impunity for those in power.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has publicly maintained that no Ethiopian is imprisoned for simply voicing dissent, insisting in parliament that only calls for violence are punished. But Wondimagegn’s sentence—imposed amid growing alarm from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International over sweeping anti‑terror laws—tells a different story. Ethiopia’s constitution guarantees freedom of speech under Article 29, yet the government continues to weaponize broad definitions of “terrorism” to silence critics and control the narrative.
Meanwhile, the National Dialogue Commission, under Professor Mesfin Araya, has been lauded for its promise to foster inclusive peace talks. In a recent Bahir Dar session, Mesfin insisted the Commission would “listen to all sides” and address grievances peacefully. But how can genuine dialogue flourish when outspoken voices like Wondimagegn’s are locked away? Observers warn that Ethiopia’s simultaneous crackdown on peaceful criticism and push for national unity reveals an uneasy balancing act—and one that disproportionately punishes those who dare to question authority rather than secure meaningful reform.
