Candlelight vigil for hostages
2007-03-15 22:19
Addis Ababa - Friends of eight Ethiopians kidnapped by gunmen with five Europeans freed this week held a candlelit vigil for the captives on Thursday and made an emotional appeal for their safe return.
The Europeans were released in neighbouring Eritrea on Tuesday, 12 days after being abducted at gunpoint with their local guides in northern Ethiopia's remote Afar region.
No word has been heard of the missing eight hostages.
"To those who continue to hold the Ethiopians, you have spoken and you have been heard," said Mussie Hailu, chairperson of an interfaith peace group, after scores of well-wishers observed a minute's silence outside an Addis Ababa church.
"Now put right what is wrong and help them find their way home again."
Samson Teshome, a close friend of one of the guides, Ashenafe Mekonnen, said the international community should not let up in its efforts to get the Ethiopians freed.
"What the world did for the Europeans should be done for them," he said. "The whole world should be shouting for them."
'I feel like I have lost a son'
Samson taught at the orphanage where Ashenafe was raised after being orphaned in the devastating famine that hit Ethiopia in the early 1908s. "I feel like I have lost a son," he said.
Ethiopia accuses Horn of Africa rival Eritrea of "masterminding and executing" the kidnapping and has demanded the unconditional safe return of the eight hostages.
Asmara - which accuses Addis Ababa of "manipulating" the kidnapping saga - denied the charges again on Thursday.
"We not only deny this, but I think this is just a public relations stunt and if there is anyone who is wishing to indulge in public relations bluffing then let them enjoy it," said information minister Ali Abdu.
Tensions between the once-close neighbours have simmered since they fought a 1998-?00 border war that killed 70 000.
The freed Europeans returned to Britain on Thursday.