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President Commutes Death Sentences of Dergue Officials

Dec 19 , 2020

President Sahle-worq Zewde has approved a motion to commute the death sentences of two former Dergueofficials to life imprisonment. The Office of the Attorney-General tabled the motion, and the President approved it on December 11, 2020. Berhanu Bayeh (Col.) and Addis Tedla (Lt. Gen.) have been sheltered inside the Italian Embassy since the EPRDF took control of Addis Abeba in 1991. Former acting Prime Minister Hailu Yimenu and the Military Commander in Eritrea, Tesfaye Gebrekidan, were also part of the group that took refuge in the Embassy but have since passed away. The officials were sentenced to death in absentia for their alleged role in killings committed during the Dergue regime. Despite persistent requests from the EPRDF government, Italian authorities refused to hand over the officials due to the EU's policy against capital punishment. The commutation may allow the officials to be released on parole.

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BLOOM-MELON

Addis Abeba strives to be a city of distinction with a glamorous look. But lately, most parts of the city are overwhelmed by informal street vendors. Underneath the bridge around La Gare, commonly known as Lagahar, a street vendor sells pieces of watermelon from a mobile pushcart. Watermelon is a flowering plant species with more than 1,000 varieties worldwide. It lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol levels when taken regularly. Ethiopia exported 483tns of watermelon to Djibouti in 2018, w...

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THE CITY'S PULSE

Since its establishment during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie, Meskel Square, on the interseciotn of Africa, Ras Mekonen and Jomo Kenyatta avenues, has been one of the landmarks of Addis Abeba. Having been the site for public gatherings, rallies and festivities like (Meskel celebration), the Square laid out a somewhat classy atmosphere to the city and has become a recreational centre with a mesmerizing look. Following the Beautifying Sheger Initiative, the refurbishment of the Square was in...

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SOOTHING RIDES

Addis Abeba's Stadium neighbourhood has been home to driving and cycling trainees for decades. Homeless children favour the location for its open spaces and high traffic. They ride rented bikes around on a school day. Pangs of hunger are numbed out by riding in circles on top of colourful bikes for the children. They were escaping vicious cycles of poverty on top of bicycles, if only for minutes...

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