Addis Ababa (Somalistandard) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is reportedly considering the possible release of the former President of the Somali Regional state of Ethiopia, according to reliable sources.
Abdi Mohamud Omar Aka Abdi Iley has been incarcerated in prison for the past four years and is currently awaiting trial at the Ethiopian Federal Supreme Court.
He faces charges of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses which prosecutors said resulted in the deaths of numerous civilians during his time in power.
However, sources say that there are indications that these charges might be dropped, paving the way for his release.
The recent development arises in the context of Prime Minister Abiy receiving numerous pleas for amnesty on behalf of Abdi Iley.
This is particularly noteworthy following Ethiopia’s recent release of political detainees in light of the peace agreement reached with the TPLF, bringing an end to the two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia and the subsequent disarmament of the rebel group.
The timing of Iley’s potential release coincides with his meeting with the President of Jubaland in Addis Ababa in late April of this year.
Reports suggest that the two individuals have reached a preliminary agreement.
In April 2018, the Ethiopian government accused Iley of attempting to lead an armed rebellion against the central government, which subsequently led to his resignation and imprisonment.
During his tenure, Iley governed with a firm grip, frequently utilizing the Liyu Police—a military unit of the Ethiopian Armed Forces established in 2008—accused of committing human rights abuses to consolidate his power in the region.
Numerous organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have leveled accusations of human rights violations against the paramilitary force in the region.
Despite being a close ally of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the current president of the Ethiopia’s Somali region, Mustafa Mohamed Omar, has maintained divergent perspectives on the issue of Abdi Iley whom he has routinely of having committed ‘unspeakable ‘ abuses including countless of murders during his reign.
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