Addis Ababa, February 18, 2020 (FBC) –Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed has held discussion with natives of Tigray regional state who have joined Prosperity Party.
During the discussion, they forwarded questions to the PM regarding detention of military officers and officials as well as other economic and security issues.
Nigusu Tilahun, Press Secretariat at the PM Office, representing Amhara regional state, also raised question about individuals detained on suspicion of partaking in conflicts.
Responding to question on detention, the Prime Minister said arrests were made from all parts of the country after the reform. But, since most of the detainees were natives of Tigray, it has caused public grievance.
The Prime Minister said a direction has been put forward for the Attorney General to conduct the necessary investigation and release those who were detained in connection with conflicts occurred after the reform and individuals accused of committing grand corruption before of the reform.
However, said the Prime Minister, associating criminals with ethnicity hurts the country as detainees exist in all parts of the country. Releasing prisoners should follow the legal procedure.
They will be released to maintain the sustainability of the reform, widen the political space and if confirmed that they are free from charges of breaching law and human rights violation.
Responding to question regarding economy, the Prime Minister said 8.2 billion birr has been put aside for the Tigray regional state based on the budget subsidy allocation formula.
About 400 million birr has also been allocated for the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The fund would be used to execute clean water, irrigation and road projects as well as universities, according to the Prime Minister.
Regarding security, the Prime Minister said residents of Tigray regional state should not worry about any attack from outside. There is no any threat of attack from neighboring countries.