Peter Pal Jola’s daughter revealed that he departed Kitchener, Ontario, for Ethiopia in March for a brief trip to distribute supplies. However, the 67-year-old Canadian national never made it beyond the airport. Nyarieni Pal shared in an interview with CBC News that her father had intended to visit friends and family and deliver provisions to individuals in his hometown in South Sudan, where the population has been severely affected by ongoing conflict and hunger.
Despite his good intentions, Jola found himself in a predicament as he was charged with three counts of importing military equipment for carrying a few pairs of walkie-talkies in his possession, which are prohibited in Ethiopia. Each charge he faces carries a potential sentence of 10 years in prison. Initially, Jola was informed that he could leave the devices at the airport for later retrieval on his return to Canada. However, the situation changed swiftly upon discovering his intent to transport them to the South Sudanese border.
Expressing her dismay, Pal described the charges as absurd, emphasizing that her father’s sole purpose was to aid individuals affected by the conflict who were struggling to stay connected with loved ones. Currently detained at Kaliti maximum-security prison in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Jola is facing challenging conditions where prisoners are required to cover their basic needs, including medication.
Pal highlighted her father’s health challenges, such as diabetes, a suspected kidney tumor, and the need for a cane following a previous car accident. She mentioned that they send approximately $300 to $400 Canadian dollars per week to support his essential requirements. While Canadian Embassy consular officials have made multiple visits to Jola, they have conveyed the limitations of their involvement in the judicial system, prompting Pal to express a desire for more proactive measures.
Aaron Shull, the managing director and general counsel at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, remarked on the Canadian government’s restricted ability to intervene in such cases. He emphasized that while offering consular support and engaging in diplomatic efforts are viable options, the government cannot compel a release from a foreign prison.
The situation is complicated by Ethiopia’s legislation, with walkie-talkies listed among the prohibited items by the Information Network Security Agency. Despite the perceived unjust nature of the law, Shull highlighted the constraints it imposes on the Canadian government’s actions in Jola’s case.
In pursuit of Jola’s release, Pal emphasized the importance of a letter of support from the Canadian government to Ethiopian authorities. The family has also initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with legal expenses. Global Affairs Canada refrained from providing specifics on the case but acknowledged its awareness of the Canadian citizen’s detention in Ethiopia and its provision of consular aid to the family.
Pal underscored the urgency for the Canadian government to actively engage in the matter, questioning how such a situation would be handled if involving a higher-ranking government official. She emphasized the significance of prompt and robust governmental intervention to ensure Jola’s well-being and fair treatment in the legal process.