Mekelle:Tigray The National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC) has announced the establishment of designated reception points across Tigray for combatants from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) who are willing to leave the fighting and enter the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Brigadier General Derbie Mekuriaw, Deputy Commissioner of the NRC, emphasized the government's commitment to the Pretoria Peace Agreement. He stated that the commission was created by the Council of Ministers to facilitate the transition of armed groups into peaceful civilian life through disarmament, rehabilitation, and reintegration.
The DDR process in Tigray began in 2017 E.C. in collaboration with the region's interim administration. Brigadier General Derbie noted that many young people had shown interest in the process and had started rebuilding their lives before disruptions occurred. He accused a faction within the TPLF of hindering the peace agreement, obstructing the DDR efforts, and recruiting more youth into the conflict.
Brigadier General Derbie highlighted that some young people are receiving medical treatment or are in towns awaiting information about the DDR process. He urged TPLF leaders, military commanders, and combatants to seize what he described as a final opportunity for peace. The government, along with the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) and the NRC, is prepared to receive those willing to cease fighting.
Individuals accused of crimes will undergo accountability procedures, while those entering the DDR process will be evaluated through established mechanisms. The NRC has designated reception points in Maichew and Mehoni in the Southern Zone; Mekelle in the Southeastern Zone; Adigrat and Wukro in the Eastern Zone; Adwa, Axum, and Abi Adi in the Central Zone; and Shire in the Northwestern Zone. Combatants unable to reach these points can contact authorities by phone for guidance.
The identities and military status of individuals reporting for DDR will be verified through established procedures, using military identification and other documents to confirm their records.
The NRC calls on families, religious leaders, and community members to inform combatants about the DDR opportunity. Brigadier General Derbie emphasized the importance of community support in encouraging combatants to transition to civilian life. The DDR process aims to help former combatants pursue education, employment, and skills training to contribute to reconstruction efforts.
