In the last six months, more than 13,000 Ethiopians who were previously convicted or charged with terrorism and treason were acquitted, according to the state media. The law was passed after Abiy Ahmed took office following two years of government unrest. Besides allowing political prisoners to apply for pardons, the parliament also legalized the Oromo Liberation Front, the Ogaden National Liberation Front and Ginbot, three groups previously considered as terrorist groups. In addition to releasing political prisoners, Abiy Ahmed has also named women to half of the ministerial posts in cabinet, appointed Birtukan Mideksa as head of the 2020 elections and made peace with Ethiopia’s long-term enemy Eritrea. Interethnic violence is still on the riseDespite all of the positive response to the measures Abiy Ahmed has been taking, ethnic clashes have not ceased since the PM’s inauguration.

Source: Ethiopian News January 26, 2019 00:33 UTC