The National Rehabilitation Commissioner Teshome Toga called on the media to play constructive role by creating awareness in the process of disarming and rehabilitating ex-combatants following the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
A discussion in the process of disarming, organizing and rehabilitating 371, 000 ex-combatants and the role of the media was underway in Addis Ababa.
During the discussion, National Rehabilitation Commissioner Teshome Toga recalled that the disarmament of ex-combatants had been a priority for a ceasefire in accordance with the Pretoria Peace Agreement.
He elaborated that efforts are being made to disarm ex-combatants and join normal lives following the peace agreement, enabling them to contribute to the country’s peace building development and democratic endeavors.
More than 60 disarmament and rehabilitation programs have been carried out since 1990, he said, emphasizing that financial and logistic resources as well as awareness raising activities are imperative for rehabilitation, he added.
Accordingly, the commission is in the process of disarming and rehabilitating more than 371,000 ex-combatants in seven regions.
To this end, the media should play a constructive role in educating various sections of the society and civic organizations, he urged.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency