Addis Ababa — In a show of solidarity with the eight Ethiopians still held captive in Eritrea, and joining the campaign for their safe release, travel agencies working in Ethiopia yesterday formed an alliance bearing the slogan "Free Ethiopian Captives" Representing Tour and Travel agencies in Ethiopia ,owners and General Managers of three travel agencies namely Origin Ethiopia, Kibre and Ethiopian Quadrants, said they were working jointly to create awareness for the release of the captives who, they said, didn't have any political involvement.

They also criticized the international media who they said were "shouting 24 hours a day" but forgot the issue immediately after the release of the five Europeans.

The Managers said this was reflective of the fact that Africans were not treated equaly with their European counterparts as exemlified in some international media organizations.

They said they will collect signatures of names of individuals who back their efforts to be submitted to the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations.

"We will write to the United Nations, African Union, European Union and ambassadors here in Addis Ababa," Ethiopian Quadrants manager Tony Hickey told a press conference at the Hilton Hotel on Thursday.

The eight Ethiopians held hostages in Eritrea worked for the now released five Europeans as guides drivers and interpreters.

"They are just innocent civil servants", Samson Teshome, Origin Ethiopia Travel Agency manager said.