Ethiopia: Update on the Ethiopian government's recruitment of young Ethiopian males of Somali origin into the military to fight in Eritrea (September-October 1989)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1989 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ETH2777 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ethiopia: Update on the Ethiopian government's recruitment of young Ethiopian males of Somali origin into the military to fight in Eritrea (September-October 1989), 1 November 1989, ETH2777, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abe054.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Although there is no new information specifically addressing the issue of Ethiopian youths of ethnic Somali origin being forced into military service to fight in Eritrea, available to the IRBDC at the present time, a Response to a Previous Information Request #2052 of August 1989 dealing with this topic was sent to the Montreal IRB office. The Africa Confidential of 3 November 1989 reports on the increased military opposition to the government of Mengestu Haile Mariam. [
FootnoteS:
"Ethiopia: Mengestu Survives By His Fingertips", Africa Confidential, (London: Miramoor Publications, 3 November 1989), p.2.] The article states that Mengestu, in a speech to the nation, spoke of two options open to him: "the secession of Eritrea and the destruction of Ethiopia; or a mobilization of progressive forces." [ibid.] This 18 October 1989 address to the nation was made after a meeting of the State Council, which suggested to Mengestu that other figures, apart from himself, might be more effective in mobilizing support for the government. However, Africa Confidential reports that " Mengestu and his hardline supporters won the day." [ibid.]
According to the attached article from the Africa Confidential, the government created a new Fifth Revolutionary Army in the north-west region of Gondar. There is no information regarding the recruits used in the formation of this new army. The government has moved its most successful military commanders from Eritrea and Tigray into Dessie to raise the low morale in the army. [ibid. p.1.]
