Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his administration is working hard to overcome the myriad of challenges that the country is facing despite « the politics of conspiracy and intrigue. »

During a parliament question-and-answer session on Monday, Abiy said the intricate networks stemming from the previous administration are proving to be « the toughest challenge for our government. »

« The network which reaches down to the lowest-end of government administration has the capacity to immobilize everything,» he told parliamentarians.

He said: « Understanding the intricate and complex network was a challenge by itself. Breaking the network is quite tricky. When we set ourselves to the task of breaking the network, we soon found out that, it is an intricate web involving the lowest units of government bureaucracy. »

The Prime Minister said bringing down the politics of conspiracy and intrigue has remained a challenge. « But rest assured that we are committed to ensuring the survival of the nation. We shall overcome the obstacles. »

« The boat (Ethiopia) was sinking but we managed to keep it afloat. The whole world is witness to this, » Abiy said.

Regarding the kidnapped Dembi Dolo University students, the Prime Minister said no group has claimed responsibility. « When Boko Haram captures people, they take responsibilities, but in this case, no group has come forward. From what we know so far, no one was wounded, » he said.

A task force led by the Deputy PM and the Minister of Peace is monitoring the situation closely and is doing all possible to safely recover the abducted citizens, the Prime Minister said.

Progress has been achieved towards security in the Guji zone of Oromia region, but the situation in West Wollega is still a long way to go, Abiy lamented. « As always, we work to find a peaceful solution. But in a country that is embracing democratic pluralism, you can’t have two military forces operating.» What is being done there is forcing the government to use force, Abiy said.

Abiy has said his government had foiled planned attacks in the country by suspected Al-Shabaab terrorist group. He said the terrorist group has tried to recruit young people in the Oromia and Amhara regions.