The daughter of Peter Pal Jola revealed that his intended short trip from Kitchener, Ontario, to Ethiopia in March to distribute supplies took an unexpected turn. Instead of leaving the airport, the 67-year-old Canadian citizen found himself in a predicament. According to Nyarieni Pal, Jola had planned a brief visit to friends and family, aiming to deliver supplies, including walkie-talkies purchased online, to individuals in South Sudan, a region plagued by ongoing conflict and hunger.
However, carrying these restricted devices in Ethiopia led to Jola facing three charges of importing military equipment, each carrying a potential 10-year prison term. Initially, he was informed he could leave the walkie-talkies at the airport for retrieval on his return trip to Canada. Yet, the situation changed when authorities discovered his intention to transport the items to the South Sudanese border.
Nyarieni Pal expressed frustration, emphasizing her father’s altruistic intentions to aid those affected by the conflict and to facilitate communication among separated individuals. Despite his critical health conditions, including diabetes and a suspected kidney tumor, Jola is detained at Kaliti maximum-security prison in Addis Ababa, where inmates must cover their basic needs, such as medication, with personal funds.
While Canadian consular officials have visited Jola, their ability to intervene in the judicial process is limited. Aaron Shull, managing director at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, highlighted the challenges the Canadian government faces in such circumstances, stating that while they can provide consular support and advocate for due process, their influence is constrained by foreign laws.
Ethiopia’s regulation of restricted items, including walkie-talkies, underscores the legal complexities at play. Despite efforts to seek information from Ethiopian authorities on Jola’s case, responses were not received at the time of publication. Nyarieni Pal stressed her father’s lack of awareness regarding the legal implications of carrying walkie-talkies and emphasized his compliance with the law during his time in Canada.
As the family strives to secure Jola’s release, they have enlisted a new legal representative and are seeking a letter of support from the Canadian government. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to assist with legal fees. While Global Affairs Canada refrained from discussing specific details, citing privacy concerns, they acknowledged the situation and are providing consular aid.
Nyarieni Pal urged the Canadian government to treat the matter seriously, questioning how a higher-ranking individual might be handled in a similar situation. The family remains optimistic but recognizes the challenging road ahead as they navigate the complexities of the legal system in Ethiopia.
