Ethiopia foils 'terror' plot
2006-02-20 16:27
Addis Ababa - Ethiopian security forces had foiled a plot to "unleash armed urban terrorism" by a group linked to the main opposition party, said reports on Monday.
Security forces had arrested several members of the group and seized a cache of TNT explosives, bombs and small arms.
According to the reports, "The group was planning to launch simultaneous attacks... targeting various government officials, peoples' delegates, public figures as well as private and public institutions."
It was not known how many people had been arrested.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had repeatedly accused the main opposition, Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), of conspiring to incite violence in an attempt to topple him, after a May election the CUD claimed was rigged.
Explosive devices
The government denied ballot fraud in the parliamentary poll that handed Meles another five-year term at the helm of sub-Saharan Africa's second most-populous country.
It was reported that police accused unnamed groups and individuals who lived abroad of financing the group.
Last month, police said explosive devices planted by unknown people damaged several public buildings and hotels in Addis Ababa. CUD officials were not available for comment.
Post-election clashes between police and protesters in which more than 80 people were killed, and the arrest of top CUD leaders on treason charges have tarnished Meles' image.
Western donors, who once lauded Meles as one of a new generation of African leaders, have withheld direct budget aid to the Horn of Africa country after the post-election crackdown on the opposition and media.
Last week, the European Union urged former rebel leader Meles to grant bail to opposition leaders, who were among 131 people charged with treason and planning to commit genocide.
However, Meles said he did not agree to release imprisoned opposition leaders and that the government would be able to support the country's development even if donors cut aid.