Ethiopia to introduce reform in the defense force

thiopia is working on a reform in the defense sector. It was discussed during yesterday’s 55th regular session of council of ministers, according a report by Fana Broadcasting Corporation.

The reform is necessitated as part of the ongoing change in the country and will enable, when completed, the defense force to carry out its national mission better as per reports from state media and state affiliated media.

Council of Ministers has completed preparation of the draft to reform Ethiopian Defense Force as per proclamation 809/2006 and is already sent to parliament for approval.

In June 2018, Samora Yunis who was Chief of Staff of the Defense Force for nearly two decades was replaced by Seare Mekonnen. However, no major structural reform has been made so far.

There seem to be a doubt if Abiy Ahmed’s government has effective and full control over the Defense Force. Early last month, over 240 armed soldiers marched to the prime minister’s office demanding to meet the prime minister in person to discuss matters related to benefits and maladministration in the department. As it turned out, and the prime minister has confirmed this, the soldiers were mobilized to reverse the ongoing change, as prime minister Abiy Ahmed said, which is essentially a form of coup d’état. From that perspective

In a similar development, Council of Ministers also discussed draft regulation that would govern the Federal Policy Research Institute and the Federal prosecutor’s office. Proposed change to the latter is needed due to gaps observed in the course of carrying out the office’s mandate and due to gaps created by the impacts of globalization, added state media reports.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Administration is said to be working on fundamental reform on the entire justice system as well. The appointment of Meaza Ashenafi, lawyer, Gender Advisor to UNECA and women’s rights activist, as the first female Chief Justice in the country is linked to the impending reform in that area. Read more...