I therefore proposed that Lemma Megersa take the helm for the two-year transitional period, Gedu Andargachew be appointed the deputy prime minister, and Abiy himself be given the role of the chief of staff to the prime minister. In our private meeting in Minnesota, we discussed three issues that I believed were critical for a successful democratic transition. I forewarned that failure to undertake successful DDR would not only derail the transition to democracy, but also endanger security at the crucial time of the political transition when stability was most needed. In terms of militarization, the formation of the republican guard outside the constitutionally established security forces was an ominous sign for the democratic transition. Indeed, any remaining hope of salvaging the democratic transition is fast slipping away.

Source: Ethiopian News October 28, 2020 13:04 UTC