ENTC Norway chapter held talks with Norwegian officials about illegal bond sales by the Woyanne junta

Ethiopian National Transitional Council (ENTC) representative in Norway, Ato Girum Zeleke, and other members of the ENTC chapter spoke with officials of the Norwegian Ministry of Finance and Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway to find out about legality of diplomats selling bonds in Norway.

1st breach of the law:
Both Norwegian agencies have confirmed to the ENTC chapter that it is forbidden to sell unregistered bonds in Norway and in the European Union. Before bonds can be offered for sale to the public, they first must be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway. Any bond that does not have an effective registration statement on file with the authority is considered "unregistered." To sell or attempt to sell bond before it is registered is considered a felony in Norway.

2nd breach of law:
Woyanne junta representative Wzr. Mebrat Beyene has diplomatic status, but she is running a regular investment activity by selling bonds that requires a work permit from the Norwegian Immigration Directorate in Oslo. Carrying out an investment business by any diplomat is forbidden by the law. The Norwegian immigration officials affirmed to the ENTC chapter in Norway that Mebrat, who is a diplomat appointed by a government to conduct diplomacy with another government, has functions of diplomats revolving around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and friendly relations. According to the definition of the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway, what Mebrat was doing (selling bonds) could not be defined as a diplomatic mission.

The ENTC Chapter of Norway has taken actions against these illegal acts into the Norwegian court through their lawyer Mr Christian Faye who filed a charge against the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Norway ENTC chapter has also formed a special task force composed of Naod Kebede Geleta, Helen Deresa Wame, Argaw Kebede Feleke, Sebhat Amare Tefera, Nigus Tilu Gedefu, Ingdu Werku Kebede, and Addis Mamo Ghebremedihin to pursue the matter and make sure that the Woyanne junta will not be able to conduct any more illegal activity in Norway and through out Europe.

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