Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (Front) addresses an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
ADDIS ABABA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia on Sunday honor its police forces in recognition of their "outstanding services" in safeguarding the nation.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, addressing an event, said the police have played a significant role not only in protecting Ethiopia from imminent national security threats that jeopardize the country's sovereignty, but also in terms of realizing ongoing efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
He said the government's prime aspiration is to build a well-organized and technologically modernized security apparatus with an overarching goal of protecting Ethiopia and its national interest against forces that want to tarnish the country's sovereignty.
Ethiopia is engaged in building institutions that should serve as the basis for Ethiopia's transition to prosperity, Ahmed said, adding that his government is working to build a prosperous and peaceful country for the next generation.
Demelash Gebremichael, commissioner general of the Federal Police Commission, said Ethiopia's 80-year-old police force has successfully safeguarded the country from distractive forces by working in tandem with the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and regional security forces.
Gebremichael said the Ethiopian Federal Police is being equipped with the latest security technologies and that efforts have augmented the police force's investigation capacity and efficiency. ■
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (C) and other officials attend an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
A police officer in an armored vehicle is seen during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Ping)
Demelash Gebremichael (at the podium), commissioner general of the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission, addresses an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Police officers march during an event to honor Ethiopian police forces in Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 5, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
