Ethnic baiting targeting TPLF and Tigrayans in connection with the protests in Oromia is a diversionary tactic, said Minister Abay Tsehaye Director of the Policy Study and Research Center. Abay Tsehaye, who doubles as special adviser to the Prime Minister, made the remark in an exclusive interview with Horn Affairs. The remark was prompted after the US based media OMN released an alleged leaked audio of Abay Tsehaye regarding the integrated development plan for Addis Ababa and surrounding Oromia areas, a.k.a master plan, and the protests against it. The master plan was the rallying cause of the April 2014 protests that rocked Oromia for almost two months since mid-November 2015. OMN released an audio claiming it was recorded during a meeting in Gondar city on December 31 and that Abay Tsehaye was rebuking senior officials of Oromia region who were present in the meeting. The media had released another audio in February 2015 alleging that Abay Tsehaye declared the master plan would be implemented regardless oppositions. Abay Tsehaye, however, denied the allegations. He said that he didn’t attend a meeting in Gondar, be it this year, last or the year before. He further argued some the statements attributed to him [...]
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