Benishangul People's Liberation Movement

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Benishangul People's Liberation Movement or BPLM is an armed rebel group based in the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia.[1] BPLM signed peace deals with the federal Ethiopian government in 2005, 2013 and 2022.[2][3]

Creation

According to Tigrai Online, Benishangul People's Liberation Movement was created in 1996 as an armed rebel movement.[4] An Ethiopian prosecutor claimed that BPLM was created by Abdulwahab Mehadi in 2007.[1]

Aims

BPLM claimed in 2018 that the Berta people and the Gumuz people were "oppressed by all three of Ethiopia's most powerful communities"[5] and that the Oromo Liberation Front had attacked local inhabitants in Kamashi Zone.[6]

Leadership

According to an Ethiopian prosecutor, Abdulwahab Mehadi headed BPLM from 2007 to 2015.[1] Husien Ahmed was one BPLM's leaders in 2013.[4][2]

Peace processes

BPLM signed a peace deal with the federal Ethiopian government in 2005. Fighting resumed in 2006.[2]

In June 2013, BPLM and the federal government agreed to a peace deal in 2013.[4] BPLM members were promised an amnesty from prosecution and governmental support under the deal. BPLM detainees were released.[2] Fighting resumed in 2019.

In October 2022, the BPLM signed another peace agreement with the government and agreed to conduct dialogue with the regional government.[7]

Eritrean support

BPLM received support, including military training, in Eritrea, according to an Ethiopian prosecutor[1] and Husien Ahmed, one of BPLM's leaders.[4][2]

Military actions

In 2015, ten BPLM members were charged with armed attacks against the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) in a 30-minute gun battle at Bulfadto in Asosa.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Ethiopia charges ten for attacks against members of Defense Forces". Addis Standard. 2015-01-23. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Ethiopian rebel group ends arms struggle, returns home". Sudan Tribune. 2013-06-09. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  3. ^ "Benishangul Gumuz regional govt, rebel group sign peace agreement". Addis Standard. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "The Benishangul People's Liberation Movement (BPLM) quits armed struggle and returns home". Tigrai Online. 2013-06-09. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  5. ^ Gebreselassie, Elias (2018-10-19). "Rising allies may breach frontier despite EPRDF stalling on expansion". Ethiopia Insight. Archived from the original on 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  6. ^ Tasfaye, Ermias (2021-08-19). "EIEP: Prosperity Party's win is a loss for Oromia—and Ethiopia". Ethiopia Insight. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-05.
  7. ^ "Benishangul Gumuz regional govt, rebel group sign peace agreement". Addis Standard. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 22 October 2022.