AiBotAddis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a dramatic briefing to the country’s parliament, Major General Teshome Gemechu, the Director-General of International Relations in the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), has unveiled the Ethiopian military’s anti-terrorism initiative, Tsimdo, aimed at countering threats to the country’s sovereignty.
During the high-level address on Tuesday, Gemechu characterized those behind the purported anti-Ethiopian forces as being in cahoots with regional adversaries, including Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea. Gemechu specifically named four domestic militia groups – Fano, Tigray Defence Forces (TDF), Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) – that he claims are collaborating with the aforementioned countries to destabilize the nation.
Describing Tsimdo, Gemechu stated that it is a strategy devised by the domestic elements that have ‘surrendered their shoulders to the Egyptian yoke’. Egypt has maintained a contentious relationship with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has generated tensions between the two nations in recent years. Gemechu stated that Egypt’s efforts have been further bolstered by the assistance of Eritrea, Sudan, and local militia groups.
The ENDF Director-General emphasized that the Ethiopian military has been working on enhancing its capabilities in counter-terrorism, border management, and military diplomacy in preparation for such a situation. Gemechu’s statement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Ethiopia and its neighboring countries, particularly Sudan, where the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s impact is being fiercely contested.
As per the latest development, the Ethiopian military plans to tackle the anti-Ethiopian forces with military force if they pose a threat to the nation’s sovereignty. Gemechu, during the briefing, also stressed the need to bolster the country’s economic independence and resilience in an era where its strategic regional posture is being challenged by external forces.
In response, the Ethiopian parliamentarians expressed their support for the military’s actions and called for the implementation of the counter-terrorism measures, Tsimdo, to counter all perceived threats against Ethiopia’s sovereignty. The situation in the Horn of Africa remains volatile, with the region witnessing heightened tensions and rising security risks.