The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed in agreement with former rebel groups, created a project office to oversee its implementation. The announcement was made Tuesday by the PM’s office.
According to Abiy’s chief-of-staff, its creation was prompted by the government’s desire to reach an agreement with key opposition parties. Further details of the parties involved were not provided.
In a tweet from the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Fitsum Arega, he wrote ”The agreement covers disarmament, demobilization & reintegration of former fighters. PM Abiy appointed Tesfaye Yegezu to lead the Project Office (under the PM’s Office) tasked to coordinate this effort.”
Abiy has led a multi-facet reform of Ethiopia’s government structure since taking office in April 2018. Parts of those reforms include unbanning rebel groups as terrorist organizations.
Peace talks have been held by the Ethiopian government with some of these formerly banned groups. With the most recent being peace deal reached with the Tigray People’s Democratic Movement (TPDM).
Eritrea played host to these talks held in Asmara. In July of this year, Ethiopia and Eritrea agreed to give peace a chance after years of a diplomatic freeze after both countries clashed in a border dispute. Eritrea on its part has taken measures to help ex-rebel groups who sought refuge in the country, to return back to Ethiopia.
Neba Benson,
BaretaNews Foreign Correspondent/Analyst
