On 3 January, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) issued a joint press conference on current national and regional issues. In order to build national consensus, foster national reconciliation and widen the democratic platform, a decision has been made to drop charges and pardon imprisoned politicians and individuals, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said at the event. A decision has also been made for the closure of a centre commonly known as Maekelawi which the Derg regime had been using to torture people under the guise of investigation. The centre will be turned into a modern museum.
PM Hailemariam’s announcement came after marathon meetings with the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front coalition.
This groundbreaking move marks a further step towards a deepened democracy in Ethiopia.
The announcement was hailed by human rights groups as an amnesty for the country’s political prisoners.
