When hundreds of soldiers from Ethiopian army’s elite unit marched with arms to the National Palace, they were said to be demanding pay rise and better service conditions. A week on, PM Abiy has told lawmakers that the soldiers were part of elements that are against ongoing political reforms. The 42-year-old former soldier said he had managed to defuse the situation and to prevent it from becoming dangerous. Abiy was widely reported as ordering the soldiers to do press-ups which he joined in, despite it being a reprimand for the soldiers who are said to have used the wrong procedure to protest. In June this year, bombs went off during a pro-government rally at the Meskel Square in Addis Ababa.

Source: Ethiopian News October 18, 2018 12:56 UTC