Government’s olive branch to armed groups brings about peace in multiple areas: GCS

Addis Ababa, December 30, 2023 (FBC) – The Olive Brach the Government of Ethiopia has extended to armed groups in various parts of the country has brought about peace in multiple areas, the Government Communication Service (GCS) Minister, Legesse Tulu (PhD), said in press briefing.

Regarding the efforts to ensure peace and security, the Minister pointed out that sporadic attempts by some elements to wreak havoc continue to pose an impediment to the ongoing nation building process.

To address the problem at the grass roots, the government has set up the National Dialogue Commission and other institutions which have been undertaking remarkable activities to this end, he said.

To ensure lasting peace, the government has extended olive branch to armed groups in all regional states, and this has created relative peace in various regions, he explained.

But, he said, there are anti-peace elements that are robbing properties and attempting to make political gain through violence, adding that these elements are now isolated from the community.

“Two rounds of negotiations between the federal government and Shene in Oromia Regional State in Tanzania ended without any deal due to terroristic tendency of the group even if the two sides reached consensus on many issues,” he indicated.

Therefore, the government has continued its law enforcement operation which forced the terror to sustain heavy human and material damage, the Minister noted.

The law enforcement operation in the Amhara Region has salvaged the region from collapse and the new administration has established structural bodies at all levels and overseeing development activities, according to the Minister.

Following the peace call made in the Amhara region, thousands of armed militants have entered rehabilitation centers, Legesse said, adding that out of the militants who heeded the peace call, 2,500 were leaders armed with heavy machine guns.

Out of those who surrendered before the peace call was made, 4,000 individuals who took rehabilitation trainings are being reunited with the community, the Minister stated.

The relative peace in the region has paved the way for smooth activities in all sectors, the Minister said, calling the community to collaborate to sustain peace.

On the other hand, Legesse said, the economy is making recovery in all sectors, adding that the homegrown economic reform is well underway with a high priority to increase agricultural productivity.

Mega projects including the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Koysha Hydropower plant are gaining momentum, he noted.

Other national initiatives such as the Bounty of Basket, urban agriculture and the summer irrigation farming endeavors are bearing fruits in line with the efforts to increase productivity and ensure food security, according the Minister.

Since July, the government in partnership with relief organizations has distributed 1,725,000 quintals humanitarian assistance to people in need in several parts of the country.