A crucial demobilization and rehabilitation program for former militants in Tigray resumed yesterday at Mekelle University, signaling renewed progress in the region's recovery efforts. The training, previously suspended, was relaunched in a ceremony attended by key officials and international observers.
Representatives from the African Union (AU) and various international organizations were present to witness the resumption, underscoring the international community's continued support for peace and stability in Tigray.
National Rehabilitation Commissioner Temesgen Tilahun and Lieutenant General Fisseha Kidanu, head of the Interim Tigray Regional Administration's Peace and Security Bureau, were among the key Ethiopian officials present. They were joined by Major General Samad Alade, the newly appointed head of the AU's Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU MVCM), as well as representatives from regional and international development partners and countries.
The National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) is spearheading the demobilization and rehabilitation training, which involves a process of verification, demobilization, registration, and rehabilitation for the former combatants.
The program was initially launched in November 2024 with the overarching goal of facilitating the smooth transition of ex-combatants into civilian society, thereby fostering long-term peace and stability within the Tigray Region. ENA reported that yesterday's resumption signals a renewed push to achieve these critical objectives.