
Yesterday, there was a release of several of high ranking Oromo opposition leaders. This included Mohammed Jawar and Bekele Gerba. There was several of others who was released as well. However, they are skimming the top of the problem and only taking the most notable ones, which they have charged with terrorism. They have never had a proper court trial with and this amnesty can easily be revoked again.
By my calculation without any proper trial or sentencing, they kept Jawar and others close to one and half year in prison. I have little faith in the means to an end at this very point. As there is still a 1000 of political prisoners. We know also that Eskinder Nega was also released as well. Therefore, the state is showing the big names are freed, but they been kept detained as political prisoners.
This release is happening long after the elections and done in a manner of which is very calculated. I don’t believe this release is done in good faith. The FDRE and the Prosperity Party would only do this now to get some credibility and show some good faith. Alas, we know it is only done with a purpose.
You don’t keep people detained for over a year without sentencing and with political charges to release them without some plans ahead. This is either done to disfranchise the Oromo people more. As his putting the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) political leaders out, but not releasing the Oromo Liberation Front-Army (OLF-A) leaders, which is still lingering in jail. Therefore, this is only a marginalized attempt to show “mercy”.
The Prime Minster and his cabinet isn’t sincere with this. As this is done with the preparation of the National Dialogue and the House of Federation planned sessions ahead. They are doing this to buy time and try to forge a narrative of positivity. However, they are the ones that arrested these men, criminalized their activities and was behind the violence in the Oromia region. Where the state is still extra judicially killing civilians, as we speak. Therefore, I have little faith in this move. Unless, the PM hopes the diplomatic community believes in this publicity stunt.
It is positive that the leaders are released. That was about time, but this is a means to an end. The PP and PM wouldn’t do this, if they couldn’t get credit and credibility for it. They want to be praised for releasing their own political prisoners. Which is giving the authorities and the state credit for reversing their oppression.
We know the Prime Minister Abiy will be proud of this. His the one who got them into the spotlight and paid amends. While later he did get them arrested and kept them behind bars for days upon end. Plenty is still behind bars and they shall not be forgotten. Even if some of the big-shots has been released. That is important, but it cannot be the whole story…
This move will only be further scrutinized, as this might be an attempt to alter and split the Oromo people. I don’t see Abiy or his leadership doing this out of goodwill. He might use those words and try to spin it that way. However, his not the man to give them room or let them even properly represent their region. As he blocked them from the recent election and that’s says it all really. If he was sincere… he wouldn’t have used the authorities and the rule book to keep them detained for so long.
That’s why I am not celebrating or thinking this is a victory. They can so easily be detained again or house-arrested for that matter. If these gentlemen doesn’t play along to the songs of Abiy. They will suffer again and so will their parties. That is the reality of this and that is something the PP crowds will never say. Since that means they take accountability for their actions. It was an injustice to arrest them to begin with and they had no real case against them. That’s why the amnesty was easy to announce and to decree from the Prime Minister. However, we know the drill and this isn’t the end of the saga. No, this is just a new chapter and soon the reason for the release will be evident. Since, it has been done for some coins or credit. The PP and PM wouldn’t do this unless they could get something out of it. Peace.