Hundreds pardoned as Ethiopia celebrates New Year

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

September 11, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopians on Thursday celebrated the country’s New Year of 2007, pardoning almost 1,000 inmates previously held in various detention facilities.

The East African country, unlike the rest of the world, relies on the ancient Coptic calendar, which has 13 months. Each of the 12 months on the calendar has 30 days, except one, which has either five or six days depending on whether it’s a leap year or not.

At least 995 prisoners from different detention centres were also pardoned by the government as the country celebrated the New Year. They were freed after Ethiopian president Mulatu Teshome granted an amnesty to those who met the criteria set by the federal pardoning board.

According to the board, those released were prisoners who had sincerely regretted the crimes they committed and those who demonstrated good behaviour during their stay in jail.

The federal police said No official pardon was granted to prisoners who had committed serious offences such as murder and rape.

Teshome urged those pardoned to learn from their past mistakes, and be productive citizens by actively participating in the various ongoing development endeavours in he country.

The president, in his new year’s message, urged all Ethiopians to join hands to realise the renaissance of the country seeking to join the middle income nations by 2025. He further stressed the need to give attention towards attracting investment in the manufacturing sector.

Several festivities, involving slaughtering of animals and birds, prayers, traditional dances and family visits, characterised New Year celebrations.

(ST)`