Ethiopian politician Lidetu Ayalew has alleged that he was unlawfully prevented from boarding a flight to Ethiopia at Atlanta International Airport, despite no official legal charges barring his return. According to Lidetu, airline staff denied him a boarding pass, citing directives from the Ethiopian Embassy in the U.S. He claims his legal team has assured him that aviation law does not permit such restrictions on his movement.
“When I arrived at the airport, the airline staff refused to issue me a boarding pass. They told me I needed special permission from the Ethiopian Embassy in the U.S. to travel. However, when I contacted the embassy, my calls went unanswered,” Lidetu stated.
MP Desalegn Chane Suggests Legal Basis for the Ban
While there has been no official statement from the Ethiopian government, MP Desalegn Chane (PhD) has suggested that Lidetu’s travel ban could be linked to recently passed proclamations that grant the government broad powers over immigration and asset control.
In a statement, Desalegn Chane warned that the new laws might be used to punish Lidetu and other political opponents living abroad.
“I believe there is a broad effort to use recently passed proclamations to punish Ato Lidetu and other government critics abroad. We strongly opposed these laws when they were introduced, but despite our objections, they were passed,” he said.
He pointed to two specific proclamations that could explain why Lidetu was prevented from traveling:
- Immigration and Citizenship Proclamation – This law requires all airlines flying to Ethiopia to submit passenger lists to Ethiopian authorities three days in advance. It also grants the government the power to detain individuals upon arrival or prevent them from entering the country altogether.
- Asset Recovery Proclamation – This law allows the government to seize assets it deems of “unknown origin.” It also mandates that Ethiopians abroad accused under this law must appear in person—not through a lawyer.
Under the first law, Lidetu could be legally prohibited from entering Ethiopia. If he has assets in the country, he could also be at risk of asset confiscation under the second proclamation.
Opposition Fears Widespread Crackdown
Desalegn Chane and other opposition leaders have expressed serious concerns that these laws could be used to intimidate and silence government critics.
“These proclamations have provisions that could legalize the confiscation of property and even finance terrorism charges to intimidate opponents. Time will tell how far the government will go in using these laws against dissidents like Lidetu,” he added.
Critics argue that the Ethiopian government’s ability to control travel and seize assets without due process violates fundamental rights and sets a dangerous precedent for opposition figures living abroad.
Lidetu: ‘No One Can Stop Me from Returning’
Despite the ban, Lidetu remains defiant, insisting that he will fight for his right to return home.
“No one can stop me from going back to my country. If they want to arrest me upon arrival, they are free to do so. But preventing me from traveling is illegal,” he stated.
His legal team is currently exploring legal options to challenge the ban, but the broader implications of these new travel restrictions remain uncertain.
As Ethiopia tightens its grip on political opponents, many are now questioning whether these laws will be used selectively to silence dissent—and if Lidetu Ayalew is just the first of many to face such restrictions.
