Protests over Ethiopia pop singer

April 23rd, 2008 | EthioPolitics.com |

BBC



 Ethiopia’s most popular pop singer, Teddy Afro, has pleaded not guilty to causing the death of a young man in a hit and run incident 18 months ago.

Thousands of young people mounted an impromptu protest after the High Court hearing, running through the streets, shouting, “Teddy is innocent”.

Unauthorised demonstrations are almost unheard of in Ethiopia and there was a heavy paramilitary police presence.

At a previous hearing, the noise of his fans almost drowned out proceedings.

This time the case was moved to a building at the back of the court area, well away from the crowd.

The singer appeared under close police guard, dressed in a pink t-shirt and looking subdued.

He spoke only to plead not guilty to negligent driving, driving without a licence, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The incident in question took place in November 2006 and since then the singer, whose real name is Tewodros Kassahun, has been free on bail.

It is not clear why he was rearrested last week and has now been charged.

He was remanded in custody until next Tuesday.

As the news spread in the street that Teddy was going back to jail, the crowd erupted and a large group of youths started jogging past waving and shouting that the singer was not guilty.

The police chased them with batons until they finally dispersed into the surrounding streets.

This kind of demonstration has not been seen in Addis Ababa since the period after the elections in 2005 when Teddy Afro’s songs were playing everywhere and his music was the anthem of the anti-government protesters.


  1. 50 Responses to “Protests over Ethiopia pop singer”

  2. By Anonymous on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Woyanne! Free the young man.
    He is innocent and we know why you put him in jail.

  3. By Abebaw on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Atleast after the accident the Singer (Teddy Afro) could have call a Police or Ambulance or picked take the accident victime him self to the hospital to save his life instead of leaving him to death,but instead Teddy Afro disregardingly intentionally left the young victime to death on the street to die. And that is irresponsible and cruel act.

  4. By Wobeshet H. on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    I feel sorry for the poor victime boy who was hit to death by drunkard driver /Tedy Afro. The Ethiopian government must do more to crack down on drunk drivers.

  5. By Admasu on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    I have heard that this same singer have unelitened tribalist insultive big mouth, last year in Washington Dc this same singer MR. TEDDY AFRO insulted oromos by regarding them as UNCIVILIZED GALLAS.
    Now after a year the singer exposed him self with DUI.

  6. By True on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    revenge attack by wonaye and followers for him speaking out against dictatorship in his song
    Yasterseriyal

  7. By Addisu Legedade on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Mr. Admasu,

    Amaras insulting oromos is not the first and it will not be the last, such culture of hate ingrained in amaras history and amaras culture for centures, since king King menilike era. What is funny is, most Amaras are not even aware of insulting oromos constitute immoral act or hate, but it is a norm to amaras, therefor i am not surprised by teddy afro insulting the usual attack against innocent oromos no difference than what had been going on since the king Menilike era. At the inception the attack was fueled by fudal system which helps to preserve advantage the Amaras over the oromos through direct and indirect exploitation of oromos and oromos land. but during king Haileselassie era these socioeconomic condition switched and fueled by land dispute between oromos and Amaras. and still there is big chunk of land dispute, and that land dispute still the hidden motivation for the tension between amaras and oromos.

  8. By Tefera on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Abebaw-

    Good question, Why did not Teddy help the boy instead of leaving the boy bleed to death on the accident site ????????
    It is common sense, atleast Teddy could have called someone for help.

  9. By Anonymous on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    I think before one throws around accusation in support or against teddy, we should remember one is innocent until proven guilty… some may question the fairness of the court while others see nothing wrong, but lets first see the evidence against him.

  10. By MAN on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    IF WOYANEE WAS SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEAD GUY WHY WAS HE HOMLESS????????????????
    THEY ARE CONCERNED AFTER HE DIED??????????
    WHAT GOOD IS IT????????????
    THIS IS POLITICS!!!!!!!!!!!!
    FREEEEEEEEEEE TEDDDDYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  11. By s-aberra on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Ethiopian Law:Guilty until proven innocent.

  12. By Ewnetu on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    MR. MAN,

    Are you suggesting that killing homless poor boy does not deserve justice ?
    Homlessness is everywhere included in America and Canada, but because they are poor you can not deny them justice and most certainly it does not give a licence to some braindead drunkard AZMARE like Teddy could kill them.
    Remember, homless people are human being too.

  13. By tea on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    this is fabricated ,teddy inocent !

  14. By Amare on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Mr. tea,

    Are you retarded,
    Tedy already accepted and confessed for partial responsibility for the accident.

  15. By kebe on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    You are right Abebaw:

    Atleast after the accident the Singer (Teddy Afro) could have call a Police or Ambulance or picked take the accident victime him self to the hospital to save his life instead of leaving him to death,but instead Teddy Afro disregardingly intentionally left the young victime to death on the street to die. And that is irresponsible and cruel act.

  16. By Netsanet Lemagn on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    You Are right Kebe, anyone who at least called a police should go free as your retarded mind thinks. But, the problem is not that Teddy has committed the crime, he just sang for justice and equality. He told the despicable regime you are supporting to go. Now you useless unemployed BOZENES think you are making it Amhara Oromo, Tigre, case. You are out of your mind.

  17. By Regassa on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Look for your foolish people. Teddy is mine. Teddy didn’t, doesn’t and willn’t consult Oromos’ people. You the Tgriyan and those poltically afflited people are doing your snack master news. I know everything. Colliding Oromos with others is outdated style. Look for a foolish.

  18. By Regassa on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Look for your foolish people. Teddy is mine. Teddy didn’t, doesn’t and willn’t insult Oromos’ people. You, the Tgriyan, and those poltically afflited people with weyanie are doing your sneck master news. I know everything. Colliding Oromos with others is outdated style. Look for a foolish.

  19. By Netsanet Lemagn on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Some of you out there think you are intelligent just because you can read and write. You are just like a chess figure. Your master (Weyane) is playing you. He doesn’t care about you or the chess board. In fact, he kept giving part of the board to neighboring countries. Some to Eritria and some to Sudan. You will soon be left without board and you are useless. He doesn’t care about the board or the figures; he likes you as long as you entertain him. Now you are just doing that and he loves you.
    Stop fighting and start to do something constructive that elevate our people from where we are now. Please, Please!!!!!

  20. By fekreselassie on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    This is a drama purely made by woyane!!!! coz they are revengful & arrogants. On this charge Teddy is free & it was disclosed last time by the woyane court. Had it been it is the question of justice woyane & Meles shoud be brought before the court.

    Teddy we love u forever & God will set u free from the evil doers!!!!

  21. By Anonymous on Apr 23, 2008 | Reply

    Those silly supporters of the so called an ordinary in Amharic “Azemari” person Tedy Afro you(the supporters) are jobless and burden of the country.You have to be eradcated from Ethiopia.Unless you are not lost from Ethiopia,the country could not get peace and prospertiy.You are connecting evrything with politics because you are stipud and trivial and cannot think beyond this.Your thinking ability is only limited up to this.Look how you are donkey and animal group of people.Down with the supporters of this Azmari person and long live Ethiopia!

  22. By Bekele on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Really I am very sorry those who have complexity of their ethnicity with their bolded & wrong openion. Please don’t try to mix tedy’s case with your sheet etinicity but it is related with the interest of wild murderer Meles regim.

  23. By alemitu on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    admasu,addisu,ewnetu,amare,kebe and anonymuous is one weyane tekelabi he used to write under names mideksa,gambella,observer and such names,Remember most of the time he wrote about amara and oromo people,Teddy has never insult the oromo people this is a complete lie by(yetenant gambella yezare admassu)using fake name, Teddy loves all ethiopian,mind you this is a tactic that weyane follows to split our unity.
    Ye oromo hezb unlike you KOSHASHA astesaseb yelewum yelek ethics temari teklay, hagos what ever your name is.
    The truth is teddy is innocent even his songs were telling us the truth.Look at what elizabeth blunt(bbc) wrote his music is the anthem of anti government protesters.
    Millions love teddy very much that’s why weyanne hate him and creat false accusation as they used to,metfo amel mechem aylekachew.
    The truth is they couldn’t find any evidence at all, that’s why they keep on postponing after all those month mind you.
    Long live teddy we love you and will be with you always.

  24. By Leta on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    admasu,addisu,ewnetu,amare,kebe and anonymuous is one weyane tekelabi he used to write under names mideksa,gambella,observer and such names,Remember most of the time he wrote about amara and oromo people,Teddy has never insult the oromo people this is a complete lie by(yetenant gambella yezare admassu)using fake name, Teddy loves all ethiopian,mind you this is a tactic that weyane follows to split our unity.
    Ye oromo hezb unlike you KOSHASHA astesaseb yelewum yelek ethics temari teklay, hagos what ever your name is.
    The truth is teddy is innocent even his songs were telling us the truth.Look at what elizabeth blunt(bbc) wrote his music is the anthem of anti government protesters.
    Millions love teddy very much that’s why weyanne hate him and creat false accusation as they used to,metfo amel mechem aylekachew.
    The truth is they couldn’t find any evidence at all, that’s why they keep on postponing after all those month mind you.
    Long live teddy we love you and will be with you always.

  25. By Leta on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    I just want you to read all what alemitu said because she has it all, i just want to you to read it again I copied it and paste it.

  26. By solomon on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Ya you are right guys he is innocent we will do what ever to see him free.

  27. By henok on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Mr. gurmessa,you know I don’t think you are from oromo people, alemitu is right there is no oromo who don’t respect oromo.
    I know where you are from you don’t have work to do,please try to be productive,don’t forget that you are living in a developing country.
    I don’t believe teddy has done such thing,anyways lets wait and see the next drama.

  28. By Aster on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Drink responsible,do not be irresponsible drunkard and kill innocent child like Teddy Afro did.

  29. By Shegaw on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Ewnatu,

    Well said,I could`t be said better. the death of one inncent boy is the death of all conscious being.

  30. By Shaleka Amare on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    I agree with Teddy Afro`s Amara supporters,Teddy never was in Ethiopia when the accident happened, Teddy Afro was attending Kinijit`s meeting in washington dc, if you do not beleive me ask the man who is managing Ethiomedia, he was there too.

  31. By Tazabe on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Do you support majoritysization Democratisization of Ethioipas official language from ‘Amharic’ to ‘Oromigna’ ? ?

  32. By Abebe on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Reggassa,Alemetu,netsanet,fekreselassie,Bekele,henok,shaleka amare and solomon is the same person.

  33. By Alemitu on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    It is an immoral and very difficult task to defend an SEKARAM AZMARE (Teddy).

  34. By amare on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    teddy is SEKARAM AZMARE
    he is killer
    death to teddy

  35. By Shelemew on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Stop insulting Teddy Afro because he is uneducated, we all knows most Ethiopians singers are uneducated anyway. the only problem i have with Teddy is with his drinking and driving dangerious life style.

  36. By Meseret on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Tedy Afro should have use his god given talent to be positive constributor to the society, instead of being negative and drunk and endangering childrens life and kill childrens with his car.

  37. By selam on Apr 24, 2008 | Reply

    Iwant to remind u guys this case was closed a year ago because the police and prosecutores stated that they have no evidence that implies the crime was committed by the young man….and now aftera year they found the evidence agaist him????….come on guys this is a bizarre!!!!

  38. By Windsorite on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply

    SHOULD WE WRITE AND PASS A NEW LAW JUST FOR TEDDY ?

    Teddy already officially in the front of his lawyer and in the front of Judge he accepted partial responsibility for the “hit and run” accident without single protest, but what Teddy fighting for right now is trying to avoid the prison term,because according international civic court procedure that in face value that traffic accident may not considered as crime except the charge that amount from civil responibility which opens venue for damage it caused, but in the other hand “hit and run” accident may constitute criminal venue and bring criminal code and charge.
    Therefor i see no how Teddy could avoid the criminal charge since he admittedly run away from the scene of the accident, and since the victime died in neglegence.

  39. By Destachew on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply

    Mr/ms Wondsorite,

    Crime is crime,criminal is criminal. Thus changing a new law every time an amara individual go irresponsible and get drunk and kill innocent young one may not bring justice nor remedy to the society. The best solution is to use the present law at hand and apply it responsible as the law see it fit.
    If hanging or firring squad required then let it be, let the law of the land prevail as intended.

  40. By Moggy on Apr 25, 2008 | Reply

    What`s a kiddish game in the name of Government, law,justice bla,bla etc. really it is shame for the Government officials what I suspected it about that not to handle this matter in a responsible manner&for its sake of
    law.

  41. By Mebratu D. on Apr 26, 2008 | Reply

    Teddy Afro setting up a bad precedent to our childrens by drinking irresponsible, and by killing innocent by stander while driving intoxicated. Please,-

    - DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE -

  42. By degi on Apr 28, 2008 | Reply

    I Hate to be an Ethiopian!!!!!!!!! What a shame. Fuck u weyaneeeee

  43. By ObserVer on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply

    Message from MADD(Mothers against drinking and driving).”

    Stop buying the child killers music (Teddy Afro`s) music. Untill Teddy Afro apologize to the vitimes family officially.

  44. By tea on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply

    i dont think any one understand what woyane doing? so that every one by any means mantion trips this way is not gonna help out any one sowe should have to forgive each other ! we are not so many as meless(monister)said we are one nation ,one people and we are Ethiopian

  45. By tea on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply

    i dont think any one understand what woyane doing? so that every one by any means mantion trips this way is not gonna help out any one so we should have to forgive each other ! we are not so many as meless(monister)said we are one nation ,one people and we are Ethiopian

  46. By jam on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply

    Teddy Afro Is good person There Fore You Don’t Lie Because You Do not Know The Case.

  47. By Anonymous on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply

    Yes, politics has a thing or two to do with Teddy’s case; but let us not forget there is an innocent victim here.

  48. By Efrem on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply

    Why Teddy did not help the boy, instead of leaving him on the street to bleed to death ? Teddy is cruel and coward, because of his ignorance one poor young boy life lost.

  49. By Ateremamesew on May 4, 2008 | Reply

    since he is bad, he deserves to suffer. of course we love Tedy Afro but if he killed our poor brother …he deserves it.
    We can get so many Tedys, but there is no way we can get back another DEGU. And yaw EPRDF who ever they call u …if u really care about DEGU”s life why u let him stay on the street to led his life. Let’s sometimes be reasonable for life. “Adis Negus enjy Lewet meche meta “

  50. By haddasah on May 6, 2008 | Reply

    I find this very interesting! this is a very delicate issue. woyane is attaching teddi’s case to different corners of the law.murder, human right, driving with the influence of alchol, etc but the bottom line is woyane wants to get rid of teddy coz he is an influencial artinst! so plz fellow ethiopians, I don’t think we should see this as an ethinic issue, becaus it is not. it is a delicate drama being played by meles regism. :(

  51. By Tedi on May 13, 2008 | Reply

    Hsddasah
    you are one of the real Ethiopians!!
    God bless you
    Teddy will free soon!

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