Abiy attributes what happened to “extremists”, in full tension over the dissolution of the regional special forces
28 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –
The leader of the government Prosperity Party in the Ethiopian region of Amhara (north), has been shot dead in an attack north of the capital, Addis Ababa, amid tensions over the government’s decision to dissolve the special forces for the peace process with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Tigray (TPLF).
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, has indicated in a statement published on his account on the social network Twitter that the leader of the party in Amhara, Girma Yeshitila, has died at the hands of “violent extremists” who “believe that he should not have ideas different from yours.
“Those who could not overcome their ideas have taken their souls away,” he denounced, a line also expressed by the Ethiopian Government Communication Service, which lamented that “extremism has cost the lives of many children (of the country) “.
In this sense, the agency has indicated that Girma “has been brutally murdered by extremists” and has argued that “this shows that the poison of extremist politics is not limited by law.” “There are elements that seek to destabilize the country and take international terrorists as an example,” he said.
“The extremists are not going to stop the fight that we have started to strengthen and enrich Ethiopia. Those responsible for this heinous act will be brought to justice, wherever they are. Those who have taken their path will be arrested,” the Communication Service has settled. of the Government of Ethiopia.
Girma has been one of the central figures in the controversial decision to dissolve the special forces of the Ethiopian regions to integrate them into the Armed Forces. Amhara’s special forces are especially powerful and sided with the Army in the war against the TPLF.
Abiy has stressed that the decision “will be applied in line with the plans” and affirmed that it will be carried out “even if there is a price to pay”, after the Ethiopian General Staff assured that his proposal did not imply disarmament or dissolution of these operations.
The proposal has been raised in line with the cessation of hostilities agreement signed with the TPLF in November 2022 in South Africa and within the framework of the implementation of steps for peace, including the creation of an interim administration in Tigray headed by the spokesman for the Tigrinya group, Getachew Reda. In addition, Abiy has opened the door to talks with the rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).
