22 March 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia- Top Dog at the National Rehabilitation Commission (NRC), Ambassador Teshome Toga, has thrown in the towel, citing “personal stuff.” He took the reins in January 2023, but said “see ya later” as of March 13th. The government okayed his bounce.
Filling Teshome’s shoes is Temesgen Tilahun, who used to be second-in-command at the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) and also whispered foreign policy secrets in Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ear.
There’s a new Deputy Commissioner of Logistics and Management too – Tesfalem Yihedego replaces Dr. Atinkut Mezgebe, effective March 21st. No reason was given for Dr. Atinkut’s switch, though he used to be a bigwig in the TPLF party before joining the NRC.
The NRC was set up in November 2022 to help get roughly 370,000 ex-fighters back into civilian life. Cashflow problems are a major headache – they need over 29.7 billion Br but haven’t got it all yet.
A bright spot came earlier this month when the European Union coughed up 16 million Euros to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate ex-fighters in eight regions.
The NRC also has a new board to keep an eye on things. The Justice Minister, Dr. Gideon Timotheos, is the head honcho, with five other high-ups as members, and the new Commissioner acting as secretary.
