by Engidu Woldie
ESAT News (July 2, 2018)
Leaders and representatives of opposition political groups have returned home in response to a call by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has ever since appointed to the office in April been seeking opponents and critics of the government to to join him in the political process in the country.
Amb. Kassa Kebebe
While in exile, the groups and individuals that returned home over the weekend have been actively campaigning for political reforms in Ethiopia.
Amb. Kassa Kebede, a minister with the former communist regime has returned home after 27 years in exile. He was welcomed by officials of the government and had an audience with the deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen.
Amb. Kebede told reporters on arrival that although he was not the official representative of opposition groups abroad, he would deliver their messages to the government. He said he returned home as he was encouraged by the call for reconciliation and change by the Prime Minister.
A group representing factions of the Oromo Liberation Front has also returned home over the weekend. Among them is Brigadier General Hailu Gonfa, who left the country and went to Eritrea denouncing the killing of protesters in post 2005 elections.
Leaders of the Oromo Democratic Front, led by Leenco Lata and Dima Nageo had returned home in May.