Over 3,500 Ex-combatants Reintegrated into Society, Says National Rehabilitation Commission

AXUM: More than 3,500 former combatants have been successfully reintegrated into society following rehabilitation training at centers in Mekelle and Edaga Hamus, according to the National Rehabilitation Commission. This achievement is part of ongoing efforts to reintegrate ex-combatants in Tigray, with a recent roundtable discussion in Axum addressing challenges and setting priorities for future reintegration.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Deputy Commissioner of the National Reintegration Commission, Brigadier General Derbie Mekuriya, confirmed the ongoing success of reintegration efforts and announced plans for a new rehabilitation training center in Adwa, which will supplement existing centers in Mekelle and Edaga Hamus. Brigadier General Mekuriya called on stakeholders to enhance their support and collaboration to further these efforts.

Lieutenant Colonel Gosaye Tilahun, Director of Demobilization at the National Rehabilitation Commission, reported that 3,502 of the 5,000 former combatants enro
lled in rehabilitation programs have completed their training and reintegrated into their communities. Currently, 1,500 ex-combatants are undergoing training at the centers.

Kiros Haile, Deputy Head of the Patriots Commission in the Central Zone of Tigray region, described the reintegration efforts as a positive beginning. He emphasized the readiness of ex-combatants to fulfill their roles in the successful implementation of the reintegration program.

The roundtable discussion involved representatives from the National Rehabilitation Commission, the African Union, the Interim Administration of Tigray, authorities from Axum and Adwa, and various community representatives.