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Prime Minister's question! Ethiopian Sports Federation North America (ESFNA)

The federation's chairman, Abiy Nurlign, told the BBC: A letter from the US Embassy in Addis Ababa requested that the new Prime Minister address the festival.

"This is not a matter for the executive committee alone, so we have referred it to board members. Board members also convened a meeting on Monday afternoon, ”he said. The general board members reviewed the letter and confirmed that a decision would be made.

Relations between the sports federation and the Ethiopian government have been strained over the years. Government criticizes sports festival as venue for opposition The federation, for its part, alleges that the government has repeatedly tried to undermine my existence.

Does the present question indicate a change in attitude?

The chairman of the federation, Abiy Nurlign, insists that there will be no change on his part.

"People who support our organization live abroad and are not happy with the Ethiopian government. Together we have spoken out against injustice, discrimination, rampant corruption and other issues in one Ethiopia. We have been supported by Ethiopians living abroad. "This letter will not change our intentions."

He said he was prepared to convey the decision to his supporters in a way that would not offend their supporters.

Following the hearing, the federation allowed the Prime Minister to speak at the festival.

Tegde Bonsa is known for her involvement in anti-government protests in North America. "The federation should not accept the request," she said. The reason is that the government is using this forum as a tool to ease the pressure on the US legislature.

"The resolution passed by the Senate calls for the HR 128 to be prosecuted and for the rest of the African Union to be reimbursed," she said. Giving the current forum to Dr. Abebe, she argues that the Prime Minister will use the situation to make a decision in the interest of the Legislature to prevent him from making a decision that harms his government.

"Dr. Abby's acquisition of this forum means recognizing and legitimizing his administration, and answering the questions that have been asked for years."

Girma Seifu, a former member of the House of Representatives, said it would be good if Dr. Abiy was allowed to speak.

"In 35 years, every leader of the country has recognized this federation and said, 'You are power!' He never accepted it. When I think of it as a force, I think it would be good to open ourselves up to say, "Yes, we are a strong Ethiopian force."