Ethiopia’s Supreme Court sentenced former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam to death in his absence on Monday, along with 17 senior officials of his regime, overturning a previous life term on appeal. The court followed the request of the prosecution to toughen the sentence imposed in January 2007 on Mengistu.
Chancellor Angela Merkel travels to Africa on Wednesday with the message that Germany is keen to step up cooperation with the continent to help combat poverty and disease. The chancellor’s trip to Ethiopia, South Africa and Liberia from October 3 to 7 will focus on economic development, social issues and business ties.
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/ 12 September 2007
Ethiopia entered the third millennium seven years after the rest of the world on Wednesday, amid lavish celebrations, religious fervour and messages of hope from the troubled country’s leaders. As the giant countdown board in central Addis Ababa flashed the year 2000, thousands of faithful gathered in churches.