Ethiopia Prime Minister Accuses 'plotters' Over Soldiers' Protest
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published October 19, 2018 | 12:06 AM
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday an incident last week in which dozens of soldiers marched on his office was instigated by "plotters" and revealed the troops were armed.
Addis Ababa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th Oct, 2018 ) :Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday an incident last week in which dozens of soldiers marched on his office was instigated by "plotters" and revealed the troops were armed.
Ahmed, in office since April, said the soldiers had been intent on derailing his reform agenda.
The government earlier described the unexpected arrival of dozens of special forces soldiers at the premier's palace as an attempt to demand better pay.
But on Thursday Abiy gave a different account of the incident that prompted an internet shutdown in the capital for several hours.
"They came to the National Palace to derail the national reform. But it is difficult to say that they all came with such idea. They were persuaded by some plotters," Abiy said, according to the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate.
"If the government had not handled the situation with care, it could have plunged the country into chaos," he added.
Video was later circulated of the prime minister doing push-ups with the red beret-wearing troops, which Fana said was a way to relieve the tense situation.
The soldiers later apologised, and "senior military officers and individuals" who encouraged the troops were arrested, Fana reported last week.
Abiy, 42, has pushed reforms ranging from the privatisation of key state-owned sectors to a peace deal that ended the conflict with neighbour Eritrea.
The plans amount to a reversal of policies long championed by the ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), leading to speculation that the party is split over his moves.
A former minister of science and technology, Abiy's rise to power came after more than two years of anti-government protests led by the country's largest ethnicity the Oromo, of which he is also a member, along with the second-largest ethnicity, the Amhara.
Elites in the EPRDF differed over how to address the successive revolts, creating tensions that led to the shock resignation of Abiy's predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From World
-
Cybersecurity firm Darktrace accepts $5 bn takeover
8 minutes ago -
Clean energy drives massive BHP takeover bid
38 minutes ago -
Copper price tops $10,000 for first time in two years
58 minutes ago -
Ukraine agriculture minister held for alleged corruption
1 hour ago -
China calls Germany spy claims 'pure fabrication'
1 hour ago -
Singapore expects 1-3 pct growth this year
1 hour ago
-
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech Index rises over 5 pct
1 hour ago -
New Zealand business sector R&D expenditure hits 2.21 bln USD
1 hour ago -
3 dead after mini car falls into west Japan paddy field
1 hour ago -
Chinese shares higher at midday Friday
1 hour ago -
Myanmar plans to export 2,000 tons of coffee in 2024-25 fiscal year
2 hours ago -
Chinese shares close higher Friday
2 hours ago