The Shadow Network in Eritrea: Isaias,
Ethiopian Authorities, and the CIA
Newly revealed details from Radio Democracy Eritrea broadcast from Germany on 14 Nov. 1999, shed
light on a little-known chapter in Eritrean history, based on extensive ELF
interviews with Tesfamichael Giorjo — the man who served as Isaias Afwerki’s
conduit to both Ethiopian authorities in Eritrea and the CIA station in Asmara.
According to Giorjo, the conspiracy traces back to October
19, 1969, when Ethiopian officials in Asmara convened a conference under the
pretext of “solving the Eritrean problem.” Eritrean dignitaries, religious
leaders, and government officials attended. The gathering ended with the
creation of a so-called ‘Peace Committee’, tasked with ending the war between
Ethiopian forces and the rebels by initiating talks.
The committee — led by Degiat Gebreyohannes Tesfamariam and
including High Court judge Gebrekidan Tessema, Lt. Colonel Gebrezghi Meharena
(Deputy Police Commissioner in Eritrea), and Tesfamichael Giorjo (then
Dekemhare District Administrator) — soon reached out to a splinter group of ELF
fighters stationed in Ala, Dekemhare District.
Letters of invitation were sent, and the fighters, among
them Isaias Afwerki, Solomon Woldemariam, Habtesellasie Gebremedhin,
Woldenchael Haile, Berkhi Negusse, and others, agreed to meet. Two rounds of
discussions took place on December 7 and December 14, 1969. Not all in the Ala
group welcomed the talks — Abraham Tewolde, one of the fighters, firmly opposed
any contact with Ethiopian officials.
According to information from some fighters related to
Abraham and those in the surrounding area, Abraham stated that the ELF did not authorize
them to talk to the Ethiopians. If any contacts were to be made, it had to be
done with the concerned authorities in the ELF.
Download the English Version:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/dqgvdgbhgy7x7cg/Wedi+Girjo+New+Revelations+English.pdf/file
Tigrinya Audio version: New Details on The Shadow Network: Isaias, Ethiopian Authorities, and the CIA 1969 ርክባት እስያስ
