It is reported that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has ordered the release of Andargachew Tsige, one of the most prominent Ethiopian political prisoners. As a condition for his release President Mulatu Teshome has signed the pardon letter today.
Andargachew could be freed as early as tomorrow or sometime next week.
His release will instill a strong hope that finally Ethiopia is on the path of reconciliation, peace, and prosperity.
The issue of political prisoners has been a major source of nationwide civil unrests and widespread protests in Ethiopia over the past several years. Up to now, the government was determined to settle political differences through suppression, instead of reconciliation.
Under the leadership of Abiy Ahmed, the newly elected prime minister, Ethiopian prisons are being emptied of political prisoners and brutal political repressions of the past 40 years MAYBE about to end.
The state-owned EBC has reported, quoting Attorney General Berhanu Tsegaye, that 575 other individuals have also been pardoned and will be released in the next few days.
