President Mulatu Teshome of Ethiopia has lauded the country’s defense forces for their efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security at home and in the Horn of Africa region. The President was speaking to the forces at the celebration of the fifth Defense Force Day held in the Jigjiga town, capital of the Ethiopian Somali regional State on Tuesday February 14, 2017. Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome awarded medals to Ethiopian soldiers who fought al-Shabaab militants at the Halgan battle in #Somalia. — Tesfalem Waldyes (@tesfalemw) February 14, 2017The head of the Defense forces on his part said they were only discharging the constitutional mandate to protect the country from internal and external aggression. They are also in the forefront of the regional peace and security group, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Source: Ethiopian News February 15, 2017 03:04 UTC