Ethiopia has begun dismantling regional forces established by some states, with the goal of integrating them into the federal army, police, or civilian life.
According to a government spokeswoman on Friday, in a move that is expected to elicit criticism.
Some states unilaterally established forces sparked controversy, particularly during the brutal Tigray war, with security officials operating in the Amhara region accused of grave human rights violations.
Selamawit Kassa, a federal government spokeswoman, said
“Special forces members throughout Ethiopia will be reorganized, with their choices fully guaranteed and their desires respected,” the statement said.
She said members could either join the federal military, or the regional police or return to civilian life.
Her comments followed the release of a statement by the government communications service on Thursday, announcing the start of “practical activity to enter the regions’ security forces into various security structures.”
Ethiopia’s constitution allows its 11 states, drawn up along linguistic and cultural lines, to operate their own regional police forces.
But over the last 15 years, some states have gradually established their own forces, acting outside these constitutional constraints.
In Amhara, which neighbours Tigray, forces of this kind as well as local militias bolstered support for federal forces in their two-year war against Tigrayan rebels until a peace deal was signed in November 2022.
On Thursday, the government said it intended “to build a strong centralized army that can maintain Ethiopia’s sovereignty and unity.”
“An understanding has been reached with the special forces leadership and members,” it added.
The statement followed reports of localized unrest in Amhara where regional forces have begun to disarm, with Selamawit on Friday blaming the spread of “false information”.
