APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) There has been sporadic unrest as tens of thousands of people on Monday hit the streets of two major cities of Ethiopia’s Amhara region to protest the federal government’s decision to disarm regional forces.
Some towns of the second most populous region of the East African nation also saw exchange of gunfire between members of the national army and Amhara special forces.
The protests were held in Gonder and Debere Berhan cities denouncing the decision of dissolving the Amhara special force.
Members of the Special Force said on the occasion that they would not lay down their rifles at this time when the people are exposed to invasions in all directions.
Residents in Kobo city in northern Amhara region accused the federal army of directly firing at residents of the city Kobo city.
In an indication that the situation in the Amhara region is set to get worse, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed broke his silence on Sunday warning through a four-page statement he posted on his social media account that “law enforcement operations will be undertaken against unspecified destructive forces,”.
PM Ahmed didn’t clearly give an answer on his government’s reported plan to dismantle the Amhara region special forces, but claimed the formation of special forces in all of Ethiopia’s region has become a source of unneeded competition and challenges.
Ahmed accused regional special forces of involvement in proliferation of “illegal checkpoints, illegal trade and banditry,”.
The PM closed off his four pages long statement by saying the apparent decision to dismantle regional special forces will be implemented regardless of any costs that could be incurred.
MG/as/APA