Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed’s gov’t decisions to tamper with what it called “irregular security forces” before disarming terrorists like TPLF and OLF militant could risk deepening security crisis
borkena
Editorial
Just a day before leaving for the United Arab Emirates, Abiy Ahmed chaired a meeting of the National Security Council which discussed key security matters in the country.
Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, and his deputy, General Abebaw Tadesse, and Temesgen Tiruneh, Director of the country’s intelligence were among members of the council who attended the meeting.
As is the case with the other issues, much of the details of what was discussed in the meeting are not known to the public. The general information given to the public, through state media outlets, is that the meeting evaluated the security situation in the country based on recent experiences.
Temesgen Tiruneh, NISS director, revealed a little more detail when he spoke to the state media saying that TPLF and its “provocation”, as the government calls it, was discussed. Full-fledged latest TPLF invasion had displaced over 220,000 residents, which Afar regional state officially disclosed days before the Council’s meeting. Many areas in the Amhara region of Ethiopia are still under military attacks from TPLF.
The council has given direction to the Defence Force, apparently through the commander in Chief of the Army, the PM, to take action to reverse TPLF invasion in the Afar region, as revealed by Temesgen Tiruneh. However, there are also reports that the Ethiopian government is having an indirect talk with the TPLF, which the government denies.
The council under the leadership of the Prime Minister has also passed a decision that has turned out to be outrageous to many Ethiopians, especially in the Amhara region of Ethiopia.
It evaluated that “irregular security forces” in the country are seen as security concerns and that they should cease to exist. Mr. Temesgen did not name names about it, but it was understood to be aimed at dismantling the FANO structure in the Amhara region which proved to be useful in the campaign to defeat TPLF forces who were approaching the capital Addis Ababa by about 150 kilometres from the North Side – something that turned out to be, apparently, a factor to the Prime Minister’s decision to march to the battle front in December 2021.
The government has not yet provided clarification, officially, as to what it meant when it made reference to “irregular forces.”
There are armed groups in different parts of the country that have been undertaking massacres targeting civilians, but it was extensive and recurring in the Oromo and Benishangul Gumuz regions of Ethiopia. No reference was made to those groups either.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government’s self-image about its performance since it took power in 2018 is one that made transformation to “prosperity” possible.
On the other hand, Ethiopians have been criticising his government for failure to provide citizens security and the right to live, and work in different parts of the country. The list of massacres by armed groups is too long. Security incidents in many cities including Addis Ababa have been on the rise too.
Worse, his government has been making a series of decisions, in connection with TPLF and others, that have outraged the public. The decision about “disarming irregular security forces” is only the latest one. If implemented against informal structures that assisted the Defense Force in the operation against TPLF, like FANO, it is anticipated to cause a different security crisis in the country.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government was unable to provide security in the Afar and Amhara regions when TPLF forces ravaged communities and towns as they pleased. There are voices who believe that TPLF was able to control much of Amhara because the FANO, what the government seems to consider irregular forces now, were not armed to repulse TPLF attacks.
TPLF’s ambition to invade both the Amhara and Afar regions is not dead. It still has hundreds of thousands of forces. It would be completely irresponsible for the government to attempt to disarm FANO, before disarming the TPLF and OLF Shane force, which continues to slaughter civilians in the Oromo region of Ethiopia, with the help of pro-OLF elements within government structure.
Abiy Ahmed has been enjoying support from Ethiopians not because he has popular policy that is capable of solving the political problem in the country or because his government was on top in terms of providing Ethiopians security or because of his leadership style or skill but because Ethiopians hoped that he would change and learn in the course of time.
Unfortunately, he does not seem to be changing in a desirable way. The series of decisions he made over the past several weeks rather demonstrates that he is emboldening militant and radical ethnic nationalists forces. In fact, some Ethiopians, as seen from social media conversations and status updates, tend to think that he has become an easy tool for radical ethnic nationalists, both within and outside of government structure, and to foreign powers at the expense of Ethiopia. His decision to disarm FANO, if true, when he failed to control terrorist ethnic nationalists could be very dangerous unless he is reconsidering some of his initiatives,
Afar and Amhara regions have endured unimaginable social and security crises, not to mention economic devastation, due to many months long TPLF military occupation which pursued a scorched earth strategy. Innocent Ethiopians in the Oromo and Benishangul Gumuz regions of Ethiopia. And his government was too weak to avert that and protect Ethiopians. His top priority should be tackling issues like that.
Speaking of restructuring the security apparatus, the regional special forces itself has been seen as a threat to the country, and that is what the TPLF invasion proved.
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The first, foremost and fundamental responsibility of a government is to ensure the safety, security and the right to live for all its citizens. Abiy and his PP were told time and again, that a constitution that does not respect the individual rights of the individual Ethiopian citizen cannot be the basis for governance. Because Abiy was an EPRDF insider, grew up during EPRDF era, he does not grasp any of the fundamental values of democratic governance. His mastery of even the rudiments of federalism is questionable at best. His secret agenda of the Orumumma project, a pipe dream of Oromo militants, and their grandiose and etho fanatic dream of becoming the new Junta at the expense of the wishes of hundreds of millions is clouding his judgment. Abiy’s moral compass is flawed. It cannot direct him to true North. His understanding of the rule of law is lacking thereof. He does not understand at best or at worst willfully tramps over the judiciary branch of government. Nearly, 100 years have passed since Ethiopia got her first written constitution. In the Emperor’s time, during the derg era, during TPLF and now under Abiy and his PP, the judiciary branchhas always been under the control and manipulation of the executive branch. Generations of Ethiopians have struggled to reform this curse. Unfortunately, the reform actually has been going in the wrong direction. Now massive amount of evidence is showing the judiciary branch during Emperor Haile Selassie, was actually far better, wiser, more independent and perhaps the most educated as well. Ethiopia does not have talented PMs like PM Aklilu Habetewold or PM Endalkachew Mekonnen. No tangible works, or seminal works like the 1955 penal code have been created in nearly 70 years. The appointment of Dr. Gideon Timotheos once was taken by some as an opportunity for the establishment of the pillar works for reform of the corrupted, bribe infested, travesty of a judiciary system left by TPLF. Unfortunately, even though, theoretically the judiciary branch is 1/3 the branch of government, and Dr Gideon Timotheos’s power as Minitser of justice is equal to that of Abiy as head of the executive branch, Abiy and PP ignoramus cadres do not grasp this concept and continue to intimidate and interfere with the dispensation of justice across the country. Treason is a crime punishable by death in most countries or life imprisonment. Debretsion, Getachew, Tsdakan and their clique all are criminals that led a violent insurrection against the state, that invaded Afar, Amhara, displaced millions and massacred thousands, looted and destroyed. These are crimes against humanity and perpetrators must be brought to justice. PP cadres, Abiy sycophants like Temesgen, Teshager etc are covering these atrocities and making gymnastics moves and acrobatic summersaults so they too will not be asked to be held accountable,so the pipe dream of Oromumma used to distract, confuse and convince will keep on, and the militant wing of OLF which by all accounts is part of the Oromo PP with Abiy as leader and the likes of Shimeles Abdissa will not be held accountable before the rule of law as well. Four years after the ascent to power by Abiy, PP keeps showing Ethiopians that EPRDF is still around and Junta-2 was born and will celebrate its fourth year birthday soon. Bye-bye reform, adios democracy, ciao the rule of law, au revoir checks and balances. It is almost official Dictator Perpetuo Abiy is here- HELLO JULIUS CAESAR MMXXII !!!!!!
Sharmuta Temesgen your job at NISS is ALL ABOUT facebook & youtube. You are the last person in Ethiopia that has the right to criticize FANO. Nobody voted for you loser as the Amhara President. It’s time Amharas elect their own than some spineless Abiy puppet.
Without FANO, Abiy would have been in exile in Zimbabwe or the UAE past September. It’s Amhara youth and civilians that made the sacrifices to save their country while it was under attack by TPLF and Galla thugs. Abiy elected an incomptent Galla as Field Marshall, he is responsible for the failure past June in Tigray, and the destruction in Afar and Amhara.
Abiy and Temesgen is now asking for a full blown civil war by attempting to disarm Amharas who are under attack by Abiy regime, his terrorist party OPDO and Oromia security forces and OLF Shene. There will be all out civil war if Abiy tries to replace Tigrayan hegemony with Oromo hegemony. Amharas will protect themselves from a second round of GENOCIDE.
Abiy regime and his terrorist party will have to answer for the genocide of 2.5 million Amharas between 1994 & 2007. All EPRDF remnants to the ICC. This will not be covered up forever!
I know you NISS bastards are patrolling Borkena and other news sites, Temesgen you made a big mistake. We will make Abiy the greatest international Paria in African history. We are well connected, and we can make a movement and destroy your image in the diaspora! FANO has the support of all Amhara inside and out, your corrupt government does not!
We are everywhere in Ethiopia, from Bole airport to the ENDF, you make us your enemy and will destroy your government!!!
Very great article and very articulated and eloquent comment by Marcus Aurelius. People like you are very sought after because Ethiopia is suffering by ignorant cadres and a PMr who doesn’t understand his knowledge limits and boundaries.
The current generation that has opened their eyes and ears thanks to due to social medias must start to demand their leaders in government to be highly educated and skilled with the highest moral value and standards.
After the fall of Emp. Hailesellasie requirement of highly educated people with high moral and standards have totally disappeared from all governmental positions. After Derg, all government positions continuously have slid down to pure ignoramus cadres level who believe in brutal repressive method as the only way to stay in power. They perceive educated people as an obstacle to their power seat despite how the country kept suffering from poverty, instabitly . .
Today cadres including Abiy with little or no education are being exploited and bribed with little money or little attention by foreign powers.
He has agreed to deal with TPLF and one of the agreement is to disarm Fano although he never tried to disarm OLF Shene and TPLF who are murdering innocent people for years.
However he is very dangerous for Amharas and Amharas are better off not listening, believing or obeying one ward coming out of Abiy or PP that his judgment are clouded power and with Oromo first and Ethiopia only in words last and Amhara used as a bargain chip for his ambition in power.. Therefore the only way is to stay together, stay strong, ready and never be divided!!
PP is really another front for the secret Oromuma movement, which may caluminate with seceded tigray and oromo republics, and a fractured and bruised Amhara. Fano will be the only guarantee against the extinction of Amhara. It is amazing that PP is discussion disarming irregular security forces when the armed regular forces of tplf are causing so much damage – maybe not on people of PP concern. What a pity?
Sharmuta Temesgen your job at NISS is ALL ABOUT facebook & youtube. You are the last person in Ethiopia that has the right to criticize FANO. Nobody voted for you loser as the Amhara President. It’s time Amharas elect their own than some spineless Abiy puppet.
Without FANO, Abiy would have been in exile in Zimbabwe or the UAE past September. It’s Amhara youth and civilians that made the sacrifices to save their country while it was under attack by TPLF and Galla thugs. Abiy elected an incomptent Galla as Field Marshall, he is responsible for the failure past June in Tigray, and the destruction in Afar and Amhara.
Abiy and Temesgen is now asking for a full blown civil war by attempting to disarm Amharas who are under attack by Abiy regime, his terrorist party OPDO and Oromia security forces and OLF Shene. There will be all out civil war if Abiy tries to replace Tigrayan hegemony with Oromo hegemony. Amharas will protect themselves from a second round of GENOCIDE.
Abiy regime and his terrorist party will have to answer for the genocide of 2.5 million Amharas between 1994 & 2007. All EPRDF remnants to the ICC. This will not be covered up forever!
I know you NISS bastards are patrolling Borkena and other news sites, Temesgen you made a big mistake. We will make Abiy the greatest international Paria in African history. We are well connected, and we can make a movement and destroy your image in the diaspora! FANO has the support of all Amhara inside and out, your corrupt government does not!
Indeed very risky time. There will be a full blown war if Abiy government goes rat against Fano.
All Amharas are united in supporting Fano the blood and soul of all Amharas.
They are the only protectors of Amhara when Abiy PP government completely let the bloodshed of Amhara to go on. It’
Abiy ‘s secrets to diarm Fano is to give Woyane a chance to easily take Amhara’s land as part of his sell out negotiation with TPLF. That’s why he is rushing to spoil Fano’s great name before collecting and arresting OLF, Benishangul and TPLF savage barbarians.
He is full of dirty sinister secrets from Amharas. When Fano stayed true and saved him from running to exile with the rest of PP idiots.
As I suspected and mentioned many times, Abiy & co. makes decisions on the fly and this one is not necessarily exception. Having said that, i think he had deep authoctatic aspiration rather than loyality
to any particular group or ethnic..Of course many OPDOites and other upstart ethnic elites would follow him as long as they are lining up their pockets and colllecting other public perks without thinking about tommorow. On the other hand, there must be demobilization police of all informal armed groups or regional militias and disarmiment of all armed opposition groups sooner or later to live in peace and order in the country if ever Plus all regional spécial police forces should be integrated into either single , inclusive and strong national police force or into single national military force. Going to the opposit direction would ony créate more anarchy, disorder and lawlessness Bur key things here are about timing and how it is done and who can implement it properly
Mohamed Awale
To sound honest first tell PP to disarm all barbaric savages of OLF Shene, the spoiled bigot of PP, Benishangul Gumuz and all TPLF terrorists gang of criminals who murdered the betrayed Northern Command Post , millions of Amhara and Afar people.
After three years in power Abiy and PP did not disarmed OLF Shene Queeros while the bloodshed of Amhara , raping, kidnapping, looting, displacement and theft has reached a new high. OLF Shene and TPLF terrorists are armed to teeth. They are the enemy of Ethiopian peace and where the government should be worried about.
Amhara protests when any other Ethiopian ethnic group get hurt but when Amhara get hurt no one protested. It has been Amhara last for Amharas unlike the TPLF and OLF Oromuma first. But things has to change and safety and livelihood has to come first in a land of savage murderers, thieves and rapists.
It is that evil environment of selfishness that created the resentment and self awareness among Amharas. But Amharas has the strength to protect themselves despite people like you try to say.
For 30 years there has never been a time of peace and in quiet Amharas live. Now no one can tell Amharas what to stay.
Interesting that all 8 comments above are no comments at all but hate and propaganda! It looks like Borkena has no editorial policy.
Yonas,
Where is the propaganda? Isn’t Oneg Shene massacring Amhara on a daily basis? Haven’t you heard or not concerned about the massacre of innocent Amharas and children by the hateful and savage Oneg Shene?
If your comment is 1 out of 8 then you should blame no one but yourself. The well respected Borkena has given a fair field to exchange views from different corners including your opposing view.
Your blame should be directed at the government who is making the tribal news by allowing Oneg Shene savagery to massacre Amharas.
At the same token I will give my thanks to Borkena for providing this site to exchange democratic views.