ETHIOPIA
Truth and Reconciliation
Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed admitted that his country’s security institutions have tortured and committed “terrorist acts” against its own citizens in the past.
He also hinted he might seek to abolish an anti-terrorism law that has led to the detention and prosecution of thousands in the East African country, Al-Jazeera reported.
“Our constitution doesn’t allow it, but we have been torturing, causing bodily damages and even putting inmates in dark prison cells,” Ahmed said in an address to parliament on Monday. “These were terrorist acts committed by us, and using force just to stay in power is a terrorist act too.”
The admission comes after Ethiopia lifted a state of emergency earlier this month that was imposed to quell massive anti-government protests that forced his predecessor to resign. Since Ahmed took office in April this year, the government has freed more than 1,000 prisoners, including some prominent opposition leaders, as he has sought to win the faith of his people and the international community.
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