75,000 former combatants to be disarmed and demobilized over the next few months
Borkena
Toronto – Ethiopia’s National Rehabilitation Commission announced on Friday that it has begun the demobilization of combatants in the Tigray region.
Established about two years ago, the Commission is answerable to the Ethiopian Defense Force and has reportedly spent $760 million to demobilize over 371,000 former combatants across seven regions in Ethiopia.
The latest phase of demobilization focuses on former Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) combatants. In the first round, as many as 75,000 combatants are expected to be disarmed and reintegrated into society. Funding for this phase comes from government coffers and international donors.
The Commission reported that the disarmament process began in the presence of the African Union Verification and Inspection Team, representatives from the Ethiopian Defense Force, the Commission, and the Tigray Interim Administration.
To facilitate the process, the Commission has collaborated with the Interim Tigray Administration and federal institutions to identify participants for the rehabilitation program, it was said. Three demobilization centers have been identified and renovated, with resources for psycho-social and civic training prepared.
Combatants will spend six days in rehabilitation centers, after which they will receive a one-time financial assistance package upon reintegration. The exact amount of the financial aid has not been disclosed.
International support for Ethiopia’s Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program has been substantial. In September, the Canadian government committed CAD 14 million, while in October 2024, the UK government pledged £16 million. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is also actively supporting the initiative.
As part of the first phase, 320 former TPLF combatants have already been disarmed and transported to a demobilization center in Mekelle. The Commission says it plans to demobilize all 75,000 combatants over the coming months.
The Tigray conflict began in November 2020 when TPLF forces reportedly attacked the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Force. The war, which lasted two years, ended with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022. ItIt devastated the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions, with an estimated one million lives lost.
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This is good news for those noble people of Tigray Region. They have been denied life in peace, security and stability for the last 50 years. The barrels of the guns did not bring them freedom but that have created ruthless despots that have been riding on their backs to this day. The smart aleck commies and their deacons lined their pockets beyond their wilder dreams while the average Tigre dies of hunger, disease and in stupid destructive wars the demons started. Guns have not brought prosperity for them but unabated death and destruction. It is my hope and prayer that their sons and daughters will lay down their guns to the last person and pick up pens and paper to go schools instead of going to battlefronts. Insha’Allah1!!!!