Somali prisoners released by Ethiopia arrive in Mogadishu

ESAT News (July 24, 2017)

Over one hundred Somali prisoners who were released by Ethiopia landed in Mogadishu over the weekend.

The prisoners were released following an agreement between officials from the two countries last month on the sidelines of the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

An aircraft carrying 114 Somali prisoners landed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Saturday evening, Garowe Online reports.

“These prisoners include some who had been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Their release shows a better cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia,” Garowe quoted Jamaluddiin Mustafa, Ethiopian representative to Somalia as saying.

Six prisoners still remain in Ethiopia whom diplomatic sources say would be released soon, according to Somali media.

Some of the prisoners were held for over ten years and their alleged crimes include illegal entry to Ethiopia, according to reports.

Ethiopian troops are part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) fighting Al-Shabaab. Ethiopia also deploys troops on a separate mission to fight insurgents in Somalia. The Ethiopian troops have been accused of committing crimes including rape and torture against Somali civilians.