Free at Last! Hailu Shawul, Chairman of CUD (picture from archive)

The pardoning of 38 people by the Ethiopian government does not mean that all the cases stemming from the 2005 election protests have been resolved.

 For example, the NGO ActionAid says Daniel Bekele, its policy manager in Ethiopia, and Netsanet Demissie, general manager of the Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia, are still on trial. They refused to sign a document admitting wrongdoing.

Read more 

The head of the European Union 2005 election observers in Ethiopia has said she is "appalled" at the life sentences given to 30 opposition leaders.

Ana Gomes told the BBC the sentences were "farcical" and "inhumane" and urged the EU to seek their release.

Another eight people were given shorter jail terms, while five were tried in absentia for their role in violent protests at alleged poll-rigging. Ethiopia's information minister hinted that the 38 could soon be freed.

Bereket Simon told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme that the government was looking into their apology and request for a pardon

"The prisoners have admitted... trying to overthrow the government by the use of force and have asked for clemency."

Bill Clinton captures the moment of the millennium on January 1, 2000 to start the 3^rd Millennium with optimism and hope for America and its relations with the rest of humanity. He hoped and believed that he lifted the spirit of the American people and brought them together, and not the opposite. Whether what he claimed happened or not his own hope and wish has been to spread inspiration and not depression, healing and not division, to mend society and not break it.

 In Ethiopia the millennium should be a time to bring the nation, the people and the country together by lifting their spirit and creating good-feel, and bringing wisdom, celebration, joy, excellence and quality in the communication amongst the people to increase and consolidate their solidarity and lessen their divisions and quarrels. The millennium is for lifting up and not to bring down the Ethiopian spirit. It is a time to strengthen deeply the unity of the people; it is a time to heal the wounds and sores that have been festering in the country creating the static society and the brutal state. This millennium should be a time to make a canon and vow to lift and bring together citizen and state in order that they together create a more beautiful civilisation and world for all Ethiopians irrespective of colour, belief, language, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age and sex the citizens share both  as individuals or communities. 
 

NES COMMENTARY. No.6
Network of Ethiopian Scholars (NES)
July 14, 2007