Institutions in areas of Amhara Region where security problems occurred are resuming services: GCS

Addis Ababa, August 11, 2023 (FBC) – The Government Communication Service (GCS) Minister, Legesse Tulu (PhD), stated that institutions in Amhara Region where there were security problems are now resuming services.

In his media briefing on current issues in the country, Legesse recalled that the Emergency Command Post has appraised its first round activities that have been carried out since State of Emergency was declared in the Amhara Regional State.

The Minister said, as per its first phase plan, the Command Post has driven out the armed forces he described as robbers from Bahir Dar, Debre Markos, Debre Birhan, Lalibela Gondar and Shewarobit towns, and restored the areas to peaceful condition.

Measures have been taken against the armed forces that he said had refused to hand over firearms and surrender to security forces. Law and order has been restored, Legesse stated.

Currently the areas are now free from the threat of the bandits, he mentioned, adding that the National Defense Forces along with the regional security forces have freed the cities from remnants of the group and brought the cities to full peaceful activities.

“Discussions are being held to enable the community to cooperate with the National Defense Forces in protecting their areas, opening roads, identifying properties damaged and looted and returning looted properties back to their respective owners,” Legesse noted. He added that discussions are going on to ensure peace.

Momentarily suspended flights have already resumed to Bahir Dar, Gondar and Kombolcha cities, he said.

The Minister added that efforts are underway to return services of private and public institutions in the six cities, explaining that most of them have already resumed services.

By Feven Bishaw