Prominent Ethiopian journalist and opposition figure Eskinder Nega has been freed after more than 18 months in prison on the day that Ethiopia celebrates Christmas.
He was jailed in June 2020 following the killing of musician Hachalu Hundessa. Eskinder was one of those accused of inciting the violence that broke out in the capital, Addis Ababa, and the country’s largest state Oromia.
Other prominent opposition figures such as Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba, who were also imprisoned because of the violence, are expected to be released too.
More than 200 people died in the unrest.
In his Christmas statement, which was posted on social media, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his government would work to end violence in the country through “peaceful and political means”.
There have been repeated international calls to resolve the brutal civil war in the north and ethnic tensions across the country through dialogue and negotiations.
Mr Abiy’s statement indicates a shift in tone on the part of his administration that has often vowed to crush rebels, in particular those from Tigray.
