Rights group welcomes release of Ethiopian opposition figures
Human Rights Watch on Friday welcomed the release of several Ethiopian opposition politicians from the restive Oromia region after four years behind bars.
Those released belong to the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which considers itself the mouthpiece of the Oromo people, who account for about a third of Ethiopia's 120 million people but have long complained of marginalisation.
The OLF renounced armed struggle in 2018, but says Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government has closed many of its offices, hindered participation in elections and imprisoned several of its leaders.
"We are pleased to share the news of the release on bail of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) leaders and officers who have been incarcerated since 2020," HRW said.
It named those released as Abdi Raggasa, Michael Boran, Kennasa Ayana, Lammii Beenya, Gada Oljirraa, Gada Gabisa and Dawit Abdataa.
It did not provide further details on their release, and the government has not commented.
"This development brings relief to their families, our organisation, and the broader Oromo community inside and in the diaspora," the OLF said in a separate statement.
It added that the individuals had been detained "for exercising their legitimate political rights" and had "been acquitted (in) court several times".
Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director of HRW -- which has campaigned for their release -- welcomed the news.
"After ignoring multiple court orders calling for their release, Ethiopian authorities finally free 7 Oromo opposition figures who were unjustly held without charge for the last four years," she posted on X.
The United States Bureau of African Affairs also welcomed their release.
"We remain ready to support negotiations aimed at ending the violence and promoting durable peace for all Ethiopians," it said on X.
The men were among a clutch of opposition figures detained by the Ethiopian government in 2020, according to their party.
HRW urged their release in July of last year.
"Police authorities are making a mockery of Ethiopia's justice system through the prolonged and cruel detention without charge of the Oromo opposition politicians," Bader said at the time.
According to HRW, the men had not been charged and a number of them had been moved between multiple locations, with their families unsure of their condition or whereabouts for weeks and sometimes months.
When the OLF renounced armed struggle in 2018, the move prompted the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) to split from the party.
Federal forces have been fighting OLA rebels in Oromia -- Ethiopia's most populous region -- ever since, and several attempts to strike a peace agreement have failed.
