The Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) has dismissed allegations that its members including army generals actively participated in the recent violence in Amhara State’s North Shoa Zone.
Briefing journalists on Friday, Lieutenant General Bacha Debele said the recent violence in Ataye, Shewarobit, Eferata Gedim and Antsokia were orchestrated by a third party in a bid to gain political advantage through creating conflict between the Oromo and Amhara ethnic groups.
Accusations have been peddled on social media to the effect that ethnic Oromo soldiers of the ENDF including top generals were involved in the attack against Amharas, backing the rebel Oromo Liberation Front (OLF-Shene) with firearms.
“The defamation against the ENDF was aimed at creating wider conflicts between the two brotherly peoples and disintegrating Ethiopia,” he added.
According to him, the slanderous allegation is tantamount to playing with fire.
He threatened that the ENDF will take the case to the courts for justice.
The General said the ENDF faced no organized force in the North Shoa Zone as its troops arrived there to repel attacks on civilians and bolster security in the area.
MG/as/APA