Addis Ababa - Top Ethiopian dissident Bekele Gerba was released from jail on Tuesday, state media reported, as anti-government protests by the country's largest ethnic group closed roads and businesses near the capital. The release of Bekele was a key demand of Oromos, the majority ethnic group, whose protests led to a national emergency being declared two years ago. "Bekele Gerba and other six suspects have been released from prison today," the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported. An academic and a deputy leader of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), Bekele was arrested shortly after anti-government protests started in December 2015. Disenchanted young men wielding sticks and rocks meanwhile blocked roads and businesses stayed shuttered in Addis Ababa and Oromia on Tuesday, the second day of a three day-strike.

Source: Ethiopian News February 14, 2018 06:00 UTC