Ethiopia projects to locally source the supply needs of its security force which will ultimately lead to job expansion and benefits.
Ministry of Industry (MoI) with its relevant offices and officials from the federal and regional security bodies have discussed the various aspects in the project that will see local manufacturers boosting the quality and ample supply of military fatigue, footwear and military purpose tactical belts for the security apparatus.
During the meeting held on Tuesday February 15, Melaku Alebel, Minister of MoI, said that there are opportunities out there that need to be tapped.
He said that as per the required standard and discipline of the sector, the battledress must be prepared and produce unlike other products. “Manufacturers should know that,” he remarked.
On the discussion Dagnachew Shiferaw, Director General of Leather Industry Development Institute, said that on the latest military operation, Ethiopian footwear and leather goods manufacturers were able to supply almost all of the military footwear and heavy-duty belts for the law enforcement body.
One of the senior staff of the Ethiopian Defense Force (EDF), who attended the meeting, appreciated the quality of the footwear which are locally produced and supplied to the military.
“My comments are only on the upper leather part of the shoes which ought to receive improvements. Otherwise, the sole and other parts are as per the required standard,” the senior staff of EDF noted whilst appreciating the effort of the local manufacturers.

So far most of the military fatigue that the Ethiopian security wears is imported, however, it can also be easily replaced by local supply since the manufacturers have ample attention and follow up from relevant bodies like finance and foreign currency for the operation and import of accessories.
The major target of the meeting was creating a linkage between the security body, government offices and manufacturers so as to tap in to the country’s potential of local products rather than allocating foreign currency to import the products.
One of the security officers who attended the meeting stressed that the country has to work on this area strongly since the military force is expanding further in the coming periods.
Ethiopia is exporting USD 114 million worth of textile and garment, while the import is USD 525 million.
Melaku said that the local textile and garment’s industry capacity is very high which can meet the local demand and replace the import. “We have to utilize our capacity to narrow the trade deficit on the sector,” Melaku noted.
Similarly, the country is allocating over a billion dollars to import leather goods including footwear, while the export is about 100 million dollars. However, Dagnachew argued that the local produce, mainly in the shoes sector is highly competitive compared with most of the import goods.
“Awareness creation is crucial to encourage citizens to buy local products, which is competitive in terms of quality and price,” he said.

Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) conducts the first national inquiry in Ethiopia to investigate and monitor violation of human rights and rights of persons deprived of their liberty.
On February 17, 2022 the commission organized a consultative meeting with federal and regional stake holders, including police commissioners, representatives of the judiciary, and other pertinent guests. During the interactive meeting, the commission reached agreements to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to conduct a national investigation.
“National inquiries address the situation of human rights violations that effects the entire country or a significant part of it. Thus, the national inquiry is a good means in handling historical partners of human rights violation including practices that have become embedded over many years or decades in the history and culture of the country. To this end, EHRC has gathered input from stakeholders to raise awareness on its potential role in conducting a national investigation into human rights abuse,” said Rakeb Melese, deputy commissioner of EHRC.
As she explained, national investigations are a complex way of discussing in depth, the issues of human rights abuses of many people (children, women, and people with disabilities), whether they are complex or repetitive, nationally or locally.
“In particular, it provides an opportunity to investigate serious human rights violations that are difficult to investigate in a single institution. National investigations also highlight low-level human and political recognition of human rights issues,” expounded the deputy commissioner.
During the national inquiry, stakeholders participated openly, whilst the media drew attention to complex and systematic discussions on complex human rights abuses. Experience in other countries were shown on the meeting which revealed that participation in the national inquiry helps to create the capacity for policy-making by attracting political attention.
It was stated at the meeting that the first round of national investigations, which will focus on people who have been deprived of their liberty, will be funded by the European Commission and are part of a program to reform the administration of criminal justice. The project is said to be implemented for three years through a grant of 15 million euros from the European Union (EU).
“National inquiry has various dimensions such as accountability, education on human rights and so on. Moreover, it draws political attention to issues and promotes pressure for adequate response and changes in public policy and practice,” highlighted Rakeb, adding, “the project will strengthen the commission’s capacity to play a significant role in promoting and protecting human rights for all by contributing to the creation and nurturing of a vibrant civic space conducive for exercise of democracy and civil freedoms.”
In addition to the commission, other relevant ministerial offices are also expected to start implementing the project in partnership with the EU.