Let’s Parley
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed freed a number of opposition figures and pledged to open dialogue with opponents, amid an ongoing conflict that risks tearing apart Africa’s second-most populous country, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Ethiopian federal forces have been fighting against rebels of the northern Tigray region for 14 months. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of thousands, the displacement of millions and reports of atrocities from both sides.
Abiy announced that those freed included Sebhat Nega, the founder of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and Abay Weldu, the former president of Tigray. The prime minister added that his government aims to achieve national reconciliation and promote unity.
However, he made no mention of negotiating with TPLF rebels, who have expressed willingness to hold talks with the government in recent weeks.
The amnesty is a significant milestone in a war that has threatened to fracture one of the United States’ most important allies in the region’s anti-terrorism efforts. Fighting has raged across the country since the prime minister authorized an operation in response to a TPLF raid on a government military site in November 2020.
The freeing of opposition figures follows international pressure against Abiy, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for ending a three-decade conflict with neighboring Eritrea. It also follows a meeting between Abiy and departing US envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman, who urged for an end to the conflict.
In November, the US removed Ethiopia from its trade program, citing the ongoing fighting.
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