I have been frequently attacked by Eritrean officials. I understand that this is their job and they are required to do it – even if they may privately agree with every word I write. Members of the Eritrean diaspora who support President Isaias Afeworki have also criticised me for stand against the regime. That is their right and I make no complaint about it. I don’t even mind the allegations that I receive money from Ethiopia, or that I am somehow paid by the CIA or other intelligence agencies. Ethiopians say much the same about me – only that I am paid by Eritrea (or have an Eritrean wife – something that will come as a surprise to Gill, who is from Manchester.)
But sometimes it goes too far. Eritrea’s Ambassador Estifanos Afeworki has suggested that I have somehow ‘censored’ my coverage of Ethiopia and all that is wrong with it. This is what he had to say about myself and Dan Connell – another long-time supporter of the Eritrean people.
In case you have trouble reading it, it says: “Red Lights Crossed by Ethiopia’s Rulers: (1991 -2013): Censored by @martinplaut@donnell3”
I do not intend to refer to the sheaf of publications I have written criticising Ethiopia and the rule of the TPLF. This piece which I wrote this year should suffice. “Silence and pain: Ethiopia’s human rights record in the Ogaden.” My writing has resulted in my being unable to get a visa to visit Addis Ababa. I am, of course, also unable to visit Asmara.
The question of Badme
I would just add this. I was the first western journalist to confirm that the Boundary Commission had awarded the village of Badme (over which the 1998 – 2000 Ethiopia-Eritrea war was fought) to Eritrea. So sensitive was this issue that the Ethiopian Government sent a senior minister to London in an attempt to have me sacked. He met with my boss as the BBC, Barry Langridge, who stood up to the pressure and defended my right to report on the issue. I retained my position, but it was an extremely unpleasant event.
I am reproducing below the BBC website piece that I helped write which made the award clear.
Martin
New Ethiopia Eritrea Border Revealed
Wednesday, 17 April, 2002, 11:24 GMT 12:24 UK
The commission unequivocally confirmed Badme to be the sovereign territory of Ethiopia
|
|
Seyoum Mesfin, Ethiopian foreign minister
|
The decision on the border was delivered in The Hague on Saturday, but the outcome was obscure enough to leave both countries in a position to claim victory.At the heart of the controversy is the small town of Badme – the ownership of which sparked off one of the bloodiest wars of recent times.
Each side says it has won control of the key western border town, adding to the confusion about the ruling.
‘False hope’
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Seyoum Mesfin, said the boundary commission had “unequivocally confirmed Badme to be the sovereign territory of Ethiopia”.
|
Badme was and remains the sovereign territory of Eritrea
|
|
Saleh Omar, Eritrean diplomat
|
Mr Seyoum said the Eritrean Government was spreading “conflicting lies” over Badme in order to “appease the Eritreans with false hope.”But Eritrea insists it has been given control of the town.
“Badme was and remains the sovereign territory of Eritrea, this has now been determined by the Ethiopia Eritrea Boundary Commission,” said Saleh Omar, the Eritrean ambassador to the Organisation of African Unity in Addis Ababa.
Fine print
The BBC’s Martin Plaut, who has studied the 125-page document defining the border, says that, tucked away in the text, the legal experts make clear that they reject the Ethiopian claim and draw the border in such a way that Eritrea wins title to the town – if not the area that also bears its name.
The independent commission, based in The Hague, drew up the new border between the two former foes, details of which were published at the weekend.
None of the maps used in the ruling show the village of Badme – the same name is used to refer to the village, the plains and a district.
Hundreds of thousands were forced to flee their homes during the war
|
Martin Pratt, head of the UK-based International Boundaries Research Unit says that he cannot see decisive proof over who gets control over Badme in the ruling, but the settlement appears to lie to the west of the boundary if plotted on the Soviet topographic maps that the Boundary Commission used.”Although we may not know officially until demarcation of the boundary has been completed, I think the Soviet maps – which both parties used in their pleadings – are sufficiently accurate to say with some confidence that Badme is in Eritrea,” Mr Pratt told the UN’s Integrated Regional Information Networks news service.
The BBC’s Nita Bhalla in Addis Ababa says detailed satellite imagery is needed to determine the actual demarcation on the ground.
Experts say this is a lengthy process, and Badme residents are likely to be in a state of confusion until physical demarcation is completed next year.
Elsewhere along the border the Ethiopians have made substantial gains.
Jubilation
The BBC’s Alex Last in Asmara says that people clapped and cheered, while drivers blared their horns in jubilation when state television and radio announced that Badme had been given to Eritrea.
Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki said that he was “completely satisfied” with the ruling.
There has been little reconstruction on the border
|
A statement by the governing party said Eritrea would, as agreed, abide by the verdict, which it described as a victory for both peoples.For his part, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said his government is satisfied with the ruling by the International Boundary Commission on its border with Eritrea.
Mr Zenawi described the ruling as a victory for Ethiopia that would put an end to the bitter and violent dispute over the boundary.
“The ruling vindicates Ethiopia’s land claims,” Meles told the state-run Ethiopia radio and television.
“The decision of the boundary commission has awarded Ethiopia all the contested areas it had claimed.”
The boundary was decided by a five-member panel of judges, treaty experts and international jurists.
Strained relations
On 6 May 1998, a group of Eritrean soldiers attempted to enter Badme.
It consists of little more than an administration building, complete with flagpole, surrounded by a handful of houses.
 |
The Ethiopian troops holding the town challenged the Eritreans to lay down their arms. The Eritreans refused, and the ensuing firefight grew into a war that left over 70,000 dead.Eritrea, which has a population of 3.5 million compared to Ethiopia’s 65 million, agreed to end hostilities in June 2000.
A peace deal was signed six months later and set the terms for the border commission.
But relations have remained strained and the United Nations has 4,200 peacekeepers patrolling a buffer zone around the disputed areas.
Diplomats say tension is likely to remain between the two countries for some time.
Martin Plaut 
Martin –monstrous accusations –but proves you are getting under their skin ! Questions as amended in Hansard . G
Thanks for your support and the Hansard question.
Martin
You wish, I wish every body mids his/her own bizz, butr for westerners when thye lost at home they hit it big time abroad; look at tony he is hated by most British but resopectedfor his warmongerign like wise to the comentator!! lost at home now raoming Eu and the world over to tell us how empecable they are!!! hmmmmm Kinnock’s!!
That was then and this is now, and as a journalist, you have the moral duty to report facts and what you wrote about Badme belonging to Eritrea is a fact.
But what Eritreans have witnessed from you in the last decade, is the complete disrespect of journalist ethics/code of conduct, reporting on hearsays and outright lies, which has made you not only lose your crediblity, but also truly hated & despised by Eritreans.
Well done Martin. Exemplary journalism as always! Consider the stupid allegations of brainless PFDJ supporters as an accolade. If they weren’t pissed off and angry with the truth you wouldn’t be doing your job properly!