Ethiopia Pardons 2,345 Jailed For Roles in 2015/2016 Unrest

Ethiopia’s widening of the political space continues, as authorities in Oromiya province have pardoned more than 2,345 prisoners jailed for involvement in unrest that gripped the country in 2015-2016. The move is part of government’s efforts to calm unrest that has lingered since mass protests broke out in the region over accusations of land grabbing.

On Friday 26 January 2018, Oromiya Regional President, Lema Megersa, announced that 2,345 inmates had been pardoned, out of whom 1,568 had already been convicted and sentenced.  The move followed the release of Merera Gudina, an opposition leader, who was arrested on his return from Brussels where he had met with members of terrorist organisations.

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