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Activists to Obama: Reassess Ethiopia Partnership

May 18, 2012
Source
CBS News

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Rights groups are asking President Barack Obama to reassess the U.S.-Ethiopia relationship over allegations the leader of the East African nation is becoming increasingly repressive.

The Solidarity Movement for a New Ethiopia and the Oakland Institute asked Obama in a Thursday letter to "reassess the terms" of U.S. aid to Ethiopia during weekend talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Meles is one of four African leaders invited to discuss food security at Camp David. The longtime leader has been accused of restricting freedoms and the press.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday it was concerned that Ethiopia had brought terrorism and anti-state charges against 11 independent journalists.