Riots - Police are alarmed - another Eritrea festival planned after riots
Wooden slats, stones and bottles as weapons, dozens of injured police officers, investigations against more than 200 people: Just two and a half months after the massive Eritrea riots in Stuttgart in mid-September, another event is causing unrest this coming weekend. A festival billed as a charity festival with a youth football tournament in a sports hall in the Zuffenhausen district could, in the view of the police, once again bring opponents of the African country's ruling government onto the scene on Saturday (4 p.m.). This is because a large number of Eritrean clubs in Germany are considered to be close to the government.
According to the police, they are planning an extensive operation on Saturday, as a counter-demonstration by Eritrean critics of the regime is also expected. The Bundesliga home game of VfB Stuttgart and a pro-Palestine demonstration will also keep the police busy.
According to the event poster, the tournament and festival are being organized by the Eritrean Association for the Physically Disabled. The association could not initially be reached for comment on Wednesday. According to the city, the Zuffenhausen gymnasium and assembly hall, which is run by the school administration office, can accommodate up to 300 people. The name of a school is mentioned as the venue on posters and invitations. However, according to the principal, quoted by the Stuttgarter Nachrichten, the hall does not belong to the school.
The city said that talks were currently underway. Could it also ban the event? "That is not the objective. The focus is on talks with the organizers," said press spokesman Harald Knitter. A counter-demonstration has also been registered for Saturday. "There will be a cooperation meeting with the organizers", he said.
On September 16, the police had defended an event organized by Eritrea associations against violently rioting demonstrators. Participants at the event, who according to the police are close to the dictatorial regime in Africa, and police officers were attacked with batons, sticks, stones and bottles. At least 34 police officers were injured. More than 232 suspects are under investigation. In July, there had already been riots at an Eritrea festival in the Hessian city of Giessen.
The increasingly violent clashes are seen by experts as proxy wars: After 30 years of armed resistance, Eritrea separated from Ethiopia in 1993. Since then, it has been ruled by President Isaias Afewerki in a one-party dictatorship. Opposition is banned, and there is no constitution, separation of powers or elections. There is also a strict system of military service and forced labor, from which many people flee abroad. Eritrea is one of the poorest countries in the world. Due to political persecution and the human rights situation, deportations to Eritrea are currently not possible.
After the riot in Stuttgart, Minister President Winfried Kretschmann promised that there would be no more riots of this kind. "If further events like this take place, we will know how to prevent such violent riots from happening again," the Green politician assured three days after the riots.
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- Despite the police's concern, another Eritrea festival is planned in Stuttgart's Zuffenhausen district on the upcoming weekend, potentially leading to another instance of criminality associated with opponents of Eritrea's ruling government.
- The riots at the previous Eritrea festival in Stuttgart in mid-September resulted in injuries to over 30 police officers and investigations against more than 200 individuals, highlighting the escalating tension.
- The police in Baden-Württemberg are preparing for a counter-demonstration in response to the upcoming Eritrea festival, in addition to other events such as a pro-Palestine demonstration and a VfB Stuttgart Bundesliga home game.
- The Eritrean Association for the Physically Disabled is organizing the festival, which includes a charity football tournament, but has yet to comment on the potential for unrest.
- The city of Stuttgart is currently in talks with the organizers of the festival, aiming to prevent any criminal activities and ensure the safety of all participants, as well as those attending the opposition demonstrations.
- The recurring violence and tension surrounding Eritrea-related events in Germany, such as the riots in Stuttgart and Giessen, is indicative of the political unrest and human rights issues within the country, resulting in a broader spread of concern within German society.
Source: www.stern.de
