Prominent Politician Ato Lidetu Ayalew Stated He Was Banned from Entering Ethiopia. Despite the Ethiopian Embassy imposing a travel ban on him,  Lidetu Ayalew plans to travel to Ethiopia via another airline. He announced that he had booked a flight ticket for February 10, 2025, to Ethiopia and was at the Atlanta airport but was unable to board.

Lidetu Ayalew, who has been in America for more than two years for medical treatment, announced about a month ago that he would return to Ethiopia and had already bought a ticket.

The Ethiopian government had requested his extradition, claiming that individuals living abroad were inciting conflict within the country and attempting to overthrow the regional and federal governments by force. Lidetu Ayalew was one of those individuals targeted by this request.

Lidetu Ayalew, a prominent opposition party leader for over two decades, traveled to America for medical follow-up. It was announced that he was wanted by the government while he was out of the country.

Lidetu Ayalew, one of many suspects accused of collaborating with extremist and terrorist forces to create a crisis in the country, stated that he would return home if the court filed charges against him.

In an article published a month ago, Lidetu said that Ethiopia is in a difficult situation. He explained that he had received the necessary treatment and decided to return to Ethiopia to contribute peacefully to the political landscape and face whatever challenges awaited him.

Following this, he bought a travel ticket from Ethiopian Airlines and announced that he could not travel to his country even though he headed to Atlanta International Airport on the morning of Monday, February 10, 2025, after completing his stay in America.

“The ticket is confirmed. My passport is valid for the next 11 months,” Lidetu told the BBC. However, upon arriving at the airport, he contacted the Ethiopian Embassy in the United States and was informed that he would not be able to travel without a special permit.

“I got to the airport, and when they tried to make a boarding pass for me, the system refused. When they told me that I was banned, I met the manager [of the airline] and talked to them,” he explained. The manager responded, “We can’t do anything when you are banned.” He told the BBC, “You can apply to the Ethiopian embassy in America, and if the ban is not lifted, you will not be able to fly.”

Lidetu Ayalew, who claims that his passport has not expired, that he booked the necessary travel ticket in time, and that he does not need a visa as a citizen of Ethiopia, said that he could not ascertain the reason for the travel ban.

However, Lidetu told the BBC that although his attempt to enter the country through Ethiopian Airlines was unsuccessful, he would travel to Ethiopia by another airline. “I am getting ready to book a ticket on another airline. I will see what happens when I arrive in Addis Ababa. There is no law to prevent me from entering the country,” he said.

Lidetu Ayalew questioned, “Am I not accused of terrorism?” He asked why he was not allowed to enter his country. “The government was bragging that they needed me through Interpol. They said they would bring me back. When I said that I am going to Ethiopia of my own free will, it should have been accepted, not denied,” Ato Ldetu said.