The Ethiopian army discipline soldiers who went to the Prime Minister's office

December 13, 2018 (Ezega.com) – The Ethiopian Ministry of National Defense revealed that members of the army who entered the office of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed last October were punished.

The national army said that in total, sixty-six members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces were sanctioned by a military court, according to the press release.

Army members who entered the Prime Minister's office reportedly asked for a salary increase in October of this year.

The nature of the sentence handed down by the military court has not been disclosed.

The remaining members of the army who went to the Prime Minister's office received administrative measures.

Although the Prime Minister seemed relaxed and entertaining at the time, he then told the Ethiopian Parliament that the situation could have gotten out of control if it had not been handled properly.

At the time, Dr. Abiy Ahmed had said that some of the soldiers may have ulterior motives to cause harm. "They may have intended to kill me and reject the reforms in depth in the country," he said.

The prime minister said that he had managed to calm those who were angry when they had asked to discuss matters with him.

The heavily armed soldiers initially refused to disarm, which led to lengthy negotiations with the leaders of the Ministry of Defense, according to the Chief of Staff of the Army, the General Saare Mekonnen.

The march also caused the closure of roads around the prime minister's office and panic among some of the public, the case against the soldiers.

The marching soldiers were released after being invited to dinner later in the day of October.