Paramilitaries pose 'significant risk' to Ethiopian unity: PM
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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed promises to remove all paramilitary organizations in the country.
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Abiy Ahmed responds to questions from members of parliament at the prime minister's office in the capital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, November 30, 2020 (AP)
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed promised on Thursday to remove all paramilitary organizations in the country, calling the growth of these unlawful groups a "significant risk" to national unity.
In April, the government launched a surprise operation to disarm and dissolve the several state-based "special forces" formations that operate in Africa's second-most populous country outside the national army and the rule of law.
The endeavor to incorporate paramilitary fighters into the national army or state police has been met with fierce opposition and violent protests in Amhara, with Addis Ababa accused of attempting to weaken the region.
Abiy told the lower house of parliament that "the disbanding of these special forces is based on a demand from parliament and the public interest," adding that Sudan also faces the same risk to national unity.
Since April 15, nearly 2,800 people have been killed and more than 2.8 million displaced in the clashes between army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his deputy-turned-rival Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who commands the paramilitary RSF.
In both Khartoum and the western region of Darfur, where most of the violence has taken place, bodies have been left in the streets.
Since April, more than 170,000 people have fled Darfur into neighboring Chad, according to the UN refugee agency.
Almost 645,000 people have sought refuge outside Sudan, according to the latest International Organization for Migration data, with around 2.2 million more displaced within the country.
Read more: UN calls for immediate action to stop civilian killings in Darfur
Abiy vowed that there would be no armed military "other than defense and police and other regular security forces (in Ethiopia). We will continue this operation until we ensure this," adding that this will be implemented not only in Amhara but all regions.
Rebel fighters in Ethiopia's northern Tigrai region began demobilizing in May, marking a new stage in the implementation of a peace deal signed by the federal government and regional authorities.
Before a surprise truce in November last year, the two-year war in Africa's second most populous country killed untold numbers of civilians and forced about two million people from their homes.
Tigrayan forces began surrendering heavy weapons in January, and the process is still ongoing. However, forces from the neighboring Amhara region, which also supported the federal forces, continue to control the western part of Tigray.
According to the agreement, disarmament would take place concurrently with the departure of Eritrean and Amhara troops from Tigray. The AU did not respond to AFP's questions.
