Former Combatants Should Make Amends by Undertaking Sustained Peace Building, Dev't Works: Amhara Region Deputy Chief Administrator

Addis Ababa, August 28, 2025 (ENA)— Former combatants should prepare themselves to compensate the community by undertaking sustained peace building and development works, Ahmedin Mohammed, Amhara Regional State Urban Sector Coordinator and Head of Urban and Infrastructure Bureau with the rank of Deputy Chief Administrator said.

A rehabilitation training program for former combatants in North Shewa Zone of the Amhara region has begun at the Debre Birhan Temporary Demobilization Center today. 

High-ranking military officers from the Ethiopian National Defense Force, senior officials from federal and regional governments, religious leaders, and community elders have attended the opening ceremony of the rehabilitation training.

During the opening ceremony, Ahmedin noted that the regional government is working with a strong focus on ensuring lasting peace.

According to him, the government has been repeatedly calling for peace, pursuing the path of peace so that any problem and differences of opinion could be resolved peacefully.

However, damage has been inflicted on people and property due to the problem the extremist group created in trying to impose its political will through violence, the Deputy Chief Administrator elaborated.

On the other hand, Ahmedin said many combatants have realized that violence has no purpose beyond harming the people.

These individuals have therefore prioritized peace, disarmed, and are now entering rehabilitation training centers.

The Deputy Chief Administrator, who revealed that former combatants have been rejoining their communities, stressed that they are expected to work with commitment toward harmony, sustained peace, and development.

Ahmedin added that the extremist group in the bush has committed inhumane acts against religious leaders, community elders, women, and children, in a way that undermines the values of the Amhara people.

Such extremist thinking and violence should be stopped as it is completely deviant from morality and causes significant social and human harm, he stated.

 The Deputy Chief Administrator said the regional government is implementing a five-year development plan to transition the people from poverty to prosperity.

For this plan to succeed, he called on the public, former combatants, and all stakeholders to play their part.