The press release following H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s discussions with high ranking military commanders this morning, marking the close of deliberations that have been taking place at different levels within the Ministry of Defence.
November 8,2018 Ofrice of the PrimeMinister
Addis Ababa
The discussions that have been ongoing on military discipline and modernization of the Defencees at different levels within the Ministry of Defence have come to a close today with thess given by H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) to high ranking military commanders.
The Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of i the Army indicated in his address that the efforts that have been started to capacitate the Defence Forces in all fields will continue with greater vigour. While these efforts to ensure that the sector is modernized, capacitated and more effective have been ongoing since the beginning of the reforms, the recent incident in which a few soldiersed out of military discipline was taken as an input for the discussions.
In his address today, the Prime Minister focused on military leadership and particularly on the development of leadership sills necessary to ensure military excellence. He also addressed es of military command implementation processes, the appropriate use of power and ways of gaining legitimacy. The Prime Minister also noted that the Defence Force, as an armed entity in a given country, needs to execute its responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution.
Recaling Article 87/4 which states, “the armed forces shall at all times obey and respect the Constitution”, the Prime Minister shared that the Constitution emphasizes the link between the Defence For es and its role in safeguarding the Constitutional order as well as its obedience to it. He also highlighted that financing and focus given to the military is based on this pledge.The Prime Minister further emphasized that while fully executing its constitutional responsibilities, Defence Force operations need to ensure legitimacy, utmost care, obedience to the law, and have public wellbeing at heart. He also shared that the military operations guidelines will be revised and that strong assignment and control systems will need to be put in place. The Prime Minister noted that while the Defence Force may not take arbitrary actions, it has the re of safeguarding the Constitutional order per its related responsibilities in ac lance to stringent operational guidelines, and in line with the wishes of peace loving Ethiopians. The Defence Forces have been undergoing tremendous refonms over the past se These reforms have centred on the legal framework, structure, implementation capacity and ments. With regards to the legal framework, the revisions made look at including the structure of the Navy within the Defence Force Proclamation, and will in the future also include Cyber Security and Space Force considerations.
Conaidenrg he contt of modem wartare and, ar seas, oyber and space) fence Force
that can readiy meet this context is in the process of being buit. Relatedly, the Prme Minister also confil that a lot of efforts have been made to ensure clarfeation af operation guidelines and the realization ofa modern Defence Force.
As much as possible, various ca city building activities are underway to ensure that the military is technologically equipped, capacitated to maintain and build as wel as create and becom technolosy hub, to contribute to other sectors beyond itself. Additionally, many acti s are being undertaken to ensure that the composition of the Defence Force at all levels is inclusive of all and alities.Following an in study, a new working structure has been approved to curb the previous
botte s in civil-military coordination. A system is also in place to guarantee confidential
financial use and spending. In addition, activities are being undertaken to ensure that the Defence Force is capable of effectively undertaking its duties and responsibilities through the utilization of moderm military equipment.
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