ETHOPIA’S OPPOSITION LEADER SET FREE

Merera Gudina set free after a year of detention

On 3 of January Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegan announced that the government will pardon several convicted politicians and those with cases in court so as to enhance oneness in the nation, Merera Gudina was released today being the first political prisoner to be released.

Merera, the leader of the Oromo Federalist Congress, has been in prison since December 2016 and was facing multiple charges, including association with terrorist groups, which he denied.

The announcement followed more than two years of anti-government protests that have rocked the country, with demonstrators calling for political and economic reforms and an end to state corruption and human rights abuses.

Ethiopia had always denied that there were any political prisoners in the country, as alleged by human rights and opposition groups.