The Ethiopian government has granted amnesty to a number of high-ranking political prisoners who had shown support for the insurgents in Tigray. The government also said it would like to talk to the rebels from that region in the north of the country. “The key to lasting peace is dialogue” reads a statement from the government.
The announcement was made on Orthodox Christmas, a holiday celebrated in much of the country.
It is the next political step in the country where a bloody war has raged between government forces and rebels of the Tigray People’s Liberation Army (TPLF). Troops from neighboring Eritrea were also involved. The situation appeared to deteriorate as the rebels quickly gained ground and advanced towards the capital Addis Ababa.
But the rebels withdrew at the end of December back from two regions. According to a spokesman for the northern region, this is a first step towards a ceasefire.
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