Difference between revisions of "Ethiopian Gendarmerie (Italian Empire)"

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{{Infobox military unit
 
{{Infobox military unit
−
| unit_name =Ethiopian National Imperial Guard
+
| unit_name =Ethiopian Gendarmerie Corps
−
| native_name =የአገር ደጀን, የ.ደ.<br>Yäagär Däjän
+
| native_name =ሐበሻ ፖሊስ<br>Häbäsha Polis<br>Corpo della Gendarmeria Etiope
−
| image =File:GNR - Insignia - ISR - 3145m3d.jpg
+
| image =File:Bandiera Gendarmeria Etiope.png
−
| alt =
+
| alt =150px
−
| caption =The M.V.S.N. emblem
+
| caption =Gendarmerie War Flag
−
| dates =1960 - present
+
| dates =1971-present
 
| country =Ethiopian Empire
 
| country =Ethiopian Empire
−
| countries =Italian Empire
+
| countries =
−
| allegiance =
+
| allegiance =Italian Empire
−
| branch =Italian National Royal Guard
+
| branch =
−
| type =
+
| type =Gendarmerie
−
| role =Defence force
+
| role =
−
| size =25,000
+
| size =160,000
−
| command_structure =[[Italian National Royal Guard (Kingdom of Italy)|National Royal Guard]]
+
| command_structure =
−
| garrison =Addis Abeba
+
| garrison =
−
| garrison_label =Headquarters
+
| garrison_label =
−
| nickname =
+
| nickname =Zabagna
 
| patron =
 
| patron =
 
| motto =
 
| motto =
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| website =
 
| website =
 
<!-- Commanders -->
 
<!-- Commanders -->
−
| current_commander =Lt. Gen. Molla Hailemariam
+
| current_commander =Lt. Gen. Tewdros Adhanem
 
| commander1 =
 
| commander1 =
 
| commander1_label =
 
| commander1_label =
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}}
 
}}
  
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The '''Ethiopian National Imperial Guard''' (Ethiopian: ''የአገር ደጀን, የ.ደ.'', ''Yäagär Däjän'', Y.D.) is the autonomous branch of the National Royal Guard operating in the Ethiopian Empire. Outside the Ethiopian Defence Force, it also is the main indigenous military force in Italian East Africa outside the Army and the second African G.N.R. to be established in 1960. The Y.D. descends from the Ethiopian units of the Colonial militia, as well as from the Askari bands; however, in recent years the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard has claimed the legacy of the Ethiopian Imperial Guard.
 
  
−
The Ethiopian National Imperial Guard, or "The Guard", as it is commonly referred to, performs the function of central reserve force, able to guarantee the Ethiopian political order and to provide unified support to the Imperial Ethiopian National Defence Force.
+
The '''Ethiopian Gendarmerie Corps''' (Ahmaric: ''ሐበሻ ፖሊስ'', ''Häbäsha Polis'', literally meaning "Ethiopian Police"; Italian: ''Corpo della Gendarmeria Etiope'') is the main police force in the Ethiopian Empire. The Ethiopian security is a complex matter due to the social, ethnic and religious complexity of the population of the Ethiopian Social Republic. The Ministry of Interior is in charge of handling security and policing affairs through the Directorate General of Public Security and through the Ethiopian Gendarmerie.<br>
 +
Both Interior officials and Gendarmes are part of all-Ethiopia services and, although enlisted Gendarmes after their conscription can be expected to serve in their native Province, this can never be assumed for granted, as both rewarding and punitive transfers are often ordered; officers cannot expect any fixed assignment. The all-Ethiopian nature is emphasized by the aggressive meritocracy in upper levels.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
The Ethiopian National Republican Guard was the second African branch of the G.N.R. to be established in 1960. The first commander of Ethiopian descent was Major General Aman Mikael Andom, who served from 1974 to 1977, while the current commander is Lieutenant General Molla Hailemariam (in office since 2011). Until early 1980s, the Yäagär Däjän was a force grouping several separate security units, but without a cohesive organization. Starting in 1984, a reform and consolidation of these security units brought to the formation of modern-day six Brigades and support units. The Yäagär Däjän was recently engaged in heavy skirmishes against the Al-Shabaab militias on the southern borders.
+
The 160,000-strong Gendarmerie was established in 1971, by amalgamating the former Carabinieri forces deployed in Ethiopia, Askari units and bands, and the security services of the major cities. Since its establishment, the Gendarmerie has been sometimes an unreliable organization (especially in the first years, when the last loyalist Abyssinians were still serving) but it had never been an overtly rebellious corps. In the 1976 Soviet-backed revolt and coup attempt, the combat forces of the Gendarmerie actively supported the National Republican Guard in crushing down rebel nests in Addis Ababa and in Dire Dawa. Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede Tesfay is the current Commandant, the fourth of Ethiopian descent, while Italian Ethiopian officers are still a significant part of the officers corps.
  
−
== Composition ==
+
== Ethiopian security strategy: a twofold approach ==
−
The Ethiopian National Imperial Guard recruits almost exclusively natives of the districts around Addis Ababa, directly dependent on the domain of the Crown. The officers corps is made up mostly by Christian Ethiopians, but both Italians and Muslim Ethiopians are present.
+
Ethiopian is exposed to several terrorism, guerilla warfare, insurgency and rebellion threats, both internal and external. In order to address these issues, the Ethiopian security establishment developed, over the years, a peculiar strategy which has proven to be both feasible and successful. The Ethiopian security strategy is a medium/long-term solution, unsuitable for sudden emergencies, but instead seeking to gradually weaken rebellion by engraining anti-insurgency into the very local cultural attributes and historical legacy of toleration of societies that comprise Ethiopia. The Ethiopian approach is based on trust-building,  and sharing a common vision but mostly on principle of subsidiarity, which requires that all external actors should be back-up supporters of efforts by internal forces and local communities in the fight against terrorism. This approach also supports the building of close-knit neighbourhood associations that provide community-based peace and security with effective and permanent oversight by the state.<br>
 +
The Ethiopian doctrine on counterrorism and counterinsurgency stands out for two elements: supremacy of politics and struggle to dry out the terrorists' basin one one hand, and achieving peace and national unity through the gradual expansion of pockets of stability, legitimacy, law, and order in rebel-held areas.
 +
 
 +
=== Politics over military operations ===
 +
The first element refers to supremacy of politics over the military components of the counterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies. Under the Ethiopian approach, politics must precede and lead both the military and criminal justice systems. The focus of the supremacy of politics lies with the objective of liberating areas for local communities to organise, arm themselves in local militias framed within the የፋሺሽት ጠባቂ, ''Yefashīshiti T’ebak'', and fight back against terrorists. Such local militias are supported, according to the specific needs, by the Imperial Ethiopian National Defense Force or by the Ethiopian Gendarmerie. The political work involves mainly consultation between the Ethiopian Fascist Front (and its ethnic-based branches) with local communities and helping them in organising and arming themselves under the umbrella of the Fascist Guard in order to fight back against threats. The second element refers to focusing on traditional narratives of solidarity, thereby promoting hope against despair, both material and spiritual ones.
 +
 
 +
=== Legitimacy building ===
 +
While traditional and military-based counterinsurgency strategies focus on controlling territories and populations, the Ethiopian approach focuses on public deliberations, training, arming, and establishing administrative units in areas liberated from insurgents in order to ensure their own peace and security, under the aegis of the State. This strategy directly relates to the governance and delivery of basic services in order to build hope within communities and security to sustain their own livelihoods. The approach is a gradualist one.
 +
 
 +
=== Military side ===
 +
Given the priority of political and sustainment operations, the political work and community development advances before military operations and the counterinsurgency military must always follow and support the political and civilian officers. Actual military operations do have a place in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, but only in a subsidiary role to the political officer, because the latter one cannot be replaced by a soldier or military representative.<br>
 +
The military (both the Imperial Ethiopian National Defense Force and the Ethiopian Gendarmerie) use to a great extent mobile field headquarters and command centres meshed in the community, primarily designed to support the local communities in their efforts against terrorism and to provide extra muscle when their efforts are outgunned by the enemy.
  
 
== Organization ==
 
== Organization ==
−
While both the Ethiopian Gendarmerie and the Imperial Ethiopian National Defence Force are decentralized organizations, the National Imperial Guard is based in few key cities at the centre of the country, in order to ensure a standing reaction force, should the need arise. On a general basis, the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard is organized as an Army Corps, with some additional structures in order to guarantee the independence from the larger Imperial Ethiopian National Defence Force.
+
The Ethiopian Gendarmerie is a complex organization, structured in order to be able to function indpendently and to perform a wide range of missions. The Ethiopian Gendarmerie Corps is organised on a territorial basis for law-enforcement missions. The territorial organization represents the core of the institution; Outside the territorial organization, there are three special Divisions: the Mobile Division (mass maneuver and territorial support, based in Harare), the Specialist Units Division (specialist investigative skills, based in Bahir Dar), the Central Investigative Division (organized crime and subversive activities, based in Awasa) and the Training Division.
 +
 
 +
=== Higher Command ===
 +
At its top, the Gendarmerie is headed by the Higher Command, consisting of the Commandant General (a Lieutenant General), of the Deputy Commandant and of the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff directs, coordinates and supervises all activities of the force, while the Deputy Commandant directly handles administrative matters. The Higher Command directly supervises, through the Deputy Commandant, Directors of Administration, Health, Training, Engineering, the motor pool and the Veterinary Commission. The Centre for Recruitment and Selection depend on the Deputy Chiefs of Staff. The whole Higher Command, reminiscent of the Carabinieri General Command, is based in Addis Abeba.
 +
 
 +
=== Mobile organization ===
 +
[[File:Gendarmeria Etiope Mobile.jpg|thumbnail|right|The Mobile Emergency Gendarmerie is always deployed in robust units.]]
 +
The Mobile Emergency Gendarmerie is the paramilitary branch of the Ethiopian Gendarmerie tasked with the maintenance of public order, quelling riots and providing mobile and cohesive support to the territorial organization or other branches of the Gendarmerie or of the local units of the Fascist Guard (the Ethiopian branch of the M.V.S.N.). The mobile organization consists of several Battalions deployed in the various Provinces and Autonomous Cities. Battalions depend on the relevant Regiment (responsible of providing administrative support and management), which are in turn grouped into the Mobile Emergency Police Force Command (Division level).<br>
 +
As of 2015 there are 24 Battalions grouped into 8 Regiments.
 +
* 1st Regiment "Ogaden" - headquartered in Giggiga.
 +
** 1st Battalion - headquartered in Giggiga;
 +
** 2nd Battalion - headquartered in Gabredarre;
 +
** 3rd Battalion - headquartered in Gode.
 +
* 2nd Regiment "East Oromia" - headquartered in Goba;
 +
** 4th Battalion - headquartered in Goba;
 +
** 5th Battalion - headquartered in Asba Littoria;
 +
** 6th Battalion - headquartered in Neghelli.
 +
* 3rd Regiment "Addis Abeba" - headquartered in Addis Abeba;
 +
** 7th Battalion - headquartered in Addis Abeba;
 +
** 8th Battalion - headquartered in Addis Abeba;
 +
** 9th Battalion - headquartered in Adama.
 +
* 4th Regiment "West Oromia" - headquartered in Lechemti;
 +
** 10th Battalion - headquartered in Lechemti;
 +
** 11th Battalion - headquartered in Gore;
 +
** 12th Battalion - headquartered in Gimbi.
 +
* 5th Regiment "Amhara" - headquartered in Bahar Dar;
 +
** 13th Battalion - headquartererd in Bahar Dar;
 +
** 14th Battalion - headquartered in Gondar;
 +
** 15th Battalion - headquartered in Dessiè.
 +
* 6th Regiment "North" - headquartered in Semera;
 +
** 16th Battalion - headquartered in Semera;
 +
** 17th Battalion - headquartered in Macallè;
 +
** 18th Battalion - headquartered in Adua.
 +
* 7th Regiment "East" - headquartered in Dire Dawa;
 +
** 19th Battalion - headquartered in Dire Dawa;
 +
** 20th Battalion - headquartered in Harar;
 +
** 21st Battalion - headquartered in Harar.
 +
* 8th Regiment "South" - headquartered in Auasa;
 +
** 22nd Battalion - headquartered in Auasa;
 +
** 23rd Battalion - headquartered in Irgalem;
 +
** 24th Battalion - headquartered in Gambela.
  
−
The operational forces of the Yäagär Däjän consist of 6 Combined Brigades, deployed in order to garrison all major communication routes and the capital city. The six Brigades are grouped into the Operational Forces Command (Divisional level). Alongside the six Brigades there is a number of other units, plus the General Command (Army Corps level), the Training Command (Divisional level), the Logistics Command (Brigade level, traditionally operated by the Ethiopian Female Auxiliary Service), the Communications Command (Brigade level), the Engineering Command (Brigade level) and the General Staff (Divisional level).
+
=== Training Division ===
 +
Training Schools are established through the country, in order to provide an additional manpower reserve if strictly needed. The Ethiopian Police University College is a public institution of higher education in Ethiopia dedicated to training Gendarmes officers and to offering higher eductation in security-related subjects also to other personnel. Its main campus is located in Sendafa, a town 38 kilometres north of Addis Ababa, while other facilities are placed in Dire Dawa.
  
−
=== Logistic Command ===
+
== Territorial organization ==
−
The Logistic Command conducts operational activities and develops the command, coordination and control over all logistics formations. In particular, the Command exercises logistical support of Commands and Brigades, being responsible for the care of the staff and logistics for materials and means used and the use of financial resources.
+
The Territorial Organization contains 80 percent of the force and is organized hierarchically in the Provincial Commands. Each of the 8 ethnically-based Provinces and the 3 Autonomous Cities has, for the carrying out of the law enforcement activity, a Provincial Directorate for the Public Security and of a Provincial Gendarmerie Command.<br>
 +
Provincial Gendarmerie Commanders in each of the 11 Provinces (headed by a Major General each) work in conjunction with the Provincial Governors, but for the prevailing part Addis Abeba centrally directs administration. Under the 11 Provincial Commands there are 77 Zonal and 770 Woreda commands, headed by Colonels and Captains/Majors respectively. The civilian Directorates of Public Security (both central and provincial ones) deal with administrative-political aspects of the police activities in support of the Ethiopian Government and of the Provincial Governors, while Gendarmerie commanders are the technical-operative authorities.
  
−
== Operational Forces Command ==
+
=== Provincial Gendarmerie Command ===
−
The Operational Forces Command is the heart of activity of the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard. The Command manages and frames the six Combined Brigade which constitute the line and operational forces. It is responsible for operational employment, tactical training and simulation, handles operational support to the Imperial Ethiopian National Defence Force and to the Ethiopian Gendarmerie. The Command directly manages the Joint Task Force Headquarters amd the Land Divisional Command. The Operational Forces Command carries the title of "''Mehal Sefari''" (Amharic: መሃል ሠፋሪ); the title translates to "centre campers" and alludes to the location the unit encamped in expeditionary encampments.<br>
+
The 11 Provincial Gendarmerie Commands are the highest territorial echelons and are in charge of providing general support to operational units and command, as well as of ensuring liasion with the civilian security officials; they operate on the hierarchical and functional dependencies of the Higher Command, also to carry out decentralized organizational and administrative functions and it is involved in local personnel and resources planning and administration. The Provincial Gendarmerie Command is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all units in the relevant Province, even outside the territorial chain of command. The Provincial Command performs the command functions for all Corps services and units which are not specifically separated from it: however, the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, unless specifically tasked to do so, does not carry out police activities or external investigations.<br>
−
As of 2016, there are 6 Combined Brigades and 1 Autonomous Battalion:
+
The Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, a Major General, carries out the functions of running the directives of the Commandant General, co-ordinating the activities of the Provincal Command with those of the central offices. The Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, if authorized by the Commandant General, can establish provisional units and groups in order to achieve specific results. The Provincial Gendarmerie Commander is supported a staff consisting of:
−
* 1st Brigade "''የብረት የቡጢ Yebireti Yebut’ī''" (Ahmaric for "Iron Fist"; headquartered in Addis Abeba), charged with protection of the Capital;
+
* Human Resources Office;
−
* 2nd Brigade "''እሳት ድራጎን Isati Diragoni''" (Ahmaric for "Fire Dragon"; headquartered in Bati), charged with protection of northern route and the northern access to the Great Rift Valley;
+
* Operations Office;
−
* 3rd Brigade "''የእግዚአብሔር አንበሳ Ye’igizī’ābiḥēri Anibesa''" (Ahmaric for "Lion of God"; headquartered in Dire Dawa), charged with protection of eastern access to the Great Rift Valley;
+
* Information Office;
−
* 4th Brigade "''ታማኝ ጓደኞች Tamanyi Gwadenyochi''" (Ahmaric for "Faithful Companions"; headquartered in Dila), charged with protection of south-western access to the Great Rift Valley;
+
* Training-Education Office;
−
* 5th Brigade "''ኢምፔሪያል ባለአደራዎች Imipērīyali Bale’āderawochi''" (Ahmaric for "Imperial Custodians"; headquartered in Jimma), charged with protection of south-western access to the Capital;
+
* Logistics Office;
−
* 6th Brigade "የብረት ጦረኛ Yebireti T’orenya" (Ahmaric for "Iron Warriors"; headquartered in Debre Markos), charged with protection of western access to the Capital;
+
* Command Company;
 +
* Administrative Service;
 +
* Administrative and Social Police Liason Office;
 +
* Military Chaplain;
 +
* Provincial Depot.
  
−
=== 1st Brigade "''Yebireti Yebut’ī''" ===
+
==== Provincial Depot ====
−
The 1st Brigade "''የብረት የቡጢ Yebireti Yebut’ī''" (Ahmaric for "Iron Fist") is the main formation of the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard. It is based in Addis Abeba, and it is assigned to the physical protection of the Ethiopian capital and of the Imperial government institutions. The 1st Brigade was formed in 1985, during the transformation of the Yäagär Däjän into a cohesive fighting force. However, first operational engagements occurred only in 2000s against al-Shabab insurgency.<br>
+
The Provincial Depot is a permanently manned, protected storage and mantainance base, used to support regional forces and dedicated to logistical operations. The Depot is located in the same city of Provincial Command. It is also where soldiers and officers awaiting discharge or postings are based, and where injured Gendarmes return to full fitness after discharge from hospital before returning to full duty.  
−
Nowadays, the 1st Brigade consists of 8 Battalion-level units:
+
−
* 1st Infantry Battalion "''Menelik I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
−
* 2nd Infantry Battalion "''Kaleb''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
−
* 1st Cavalry Squadrons Group "''Nazret''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Cavalry Squadrons);
+
−
* 2nd Tank Squadrons Group "''T’orineti Medosha''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Tank Squadrons);
+
−
* 1st Field Artillery Group "''Abul Kasim''" (Command; 1 Support Battery; 3 Artillery Batteries);
+
−
* 1st Sappers Battalion "''Giuba''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Sappers Companies);
+
−
* 1st Logistics Regiment "''Yebireti Yebut’ī''" (Command; 1 Command and Services Company; 1 Health Unit; 1 Maintenance Battalion; 1 Supplies Battalion);
+
−
* Command and Supports Unit "''Yebireti Yebut’ī''" (1 Command Company; 1 Sappers Company; 1 Communications Company).
+
  
−
=== 2nd Brigade "''Isati Diragoni''" ===
+
=== Zonal Commands ===
−
The 2nd Brigade "''እሳት ድራጎን Isati Diragoni''" (Ahmaric for "Fire Dragon") is the Yäagär Däjän formation headquartered in Bati, charged with protection of northern route and the northern access to the Great Rift Valley. As such, its area of responsibility include the border with the Principality of Eritrea. The 2nd Brigade was formed in 1987, as result of the consolidation of preceeding security units.<br>
+
The 77 Zonal Commands are in charge of both security and police duties, in order to ensure a steady repressive activity when the phoenomenon is still contained in a relatively small area. Their responsibilities include mainly logistics support and other functions; they also provide the coordination of the Corps activities in the boundaries of the subordinate commands, in the allocation of their personnel, for extraordinary tasks, for special military, public security or public order requirements, if necessary in conjunction with the military authorities.<br>
−
Nowadays, the 2nd Brigade consists of 8 Battalion-level units:
+
The primary mission of the Zonal Command is to ensure the maintenance of order and public security in the Zone. In each Zone, the local Commander exercises all activities of security and administrative police, acts that result in such ordinances, injunctions, permits, licenses, permits.<br>
−
* 3rd Infantry Battalion "''Amda Seyon I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
Zonal Commands include a variety of offices, some of which depend on two Divisions: the Criminal Investigations Division and Administrative and Social Police Division. It is to note that, while the Criminal Investigation Division is under an unitary command and direction, the Administrative Division is composed of unconnected offices. The Operations Office is the body of the Zonal Command responsible for receiving and relaying information and records throughout the area of responsibility. It interacts with the units at that time engaged on the ground, from the detective squads to stations. The Operations Rooms are located in each subordinate headquarter, to build the network to support the Operations Office.  
−
* 4th Infantry Battalion "''Kwestantinos I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
−
* 3rd Cavalry Squadrons Group "''Gondar''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Cavalry Squadrons);
+
−
* 4th Tank Squadrons Group "''T’ori''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Tank Squadrons);
+
−
* 2nd Field Artillery Group "''Abuye Meda''" (Command; 1 Support Battery; 3 Artillery Batteries);
+
−
* 2nd Sappers Battalion "''Uebi Scebeli''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Sappers Companies);
+
−
* 2nd Logistics Regiment "''Isati Diragoni''" (Command; 1 Command and Services Company; 1 Health Unit; 1 Maintenance Battalion; 1 Supplies Battalion);
+
−
* Command and Supports Unit "''Isati Diragoni''" (1 Command Company; 1 Sappers Company; 1 Communications Company).
+
  
−
=== 3rd Brigade "''Ye’igizī’ābiḥēri Anibesa''" ===
+
== Ranks and insignia ==
−
The 3rd Brigade "''የእግዚአብሔር አንበሳ Ye’igizī’ābiḥēri Anibesa''" (Ahmaric for "Lion of God") is the Y.D. forormation which is headquartered in Dire Dawa, charged with protection of eastern access to the Great Rift Valley and to surveillance of the northern Ogaden region. Being a true mechanized infantry formation, the 3rd Brigade is properly equipped in order to conduct sustained armoured warfare operations (mostly in the Ogaden but, should the need arise, also to protect the access to the Rift Valley).<br>
+
The Ethiopian Gendarmerie is led by a Lieutenant General; when the Italian Lieutenant General conducts his inspections and visits, he wears his Italian uniform. From a graphic point of view, the officer insignia pattern are loosely inspired to the Italian trend, with the Italian Towered Crown replaced by an Ethiopian Imperial Crown. All officer rank insignia feature the triangular insignia as basic component.<br />
−
Nowadays the 3rd Brigade consists of:
+
As a whole, the Ethiopian Gendarmerie is a State military corps, like the Royal Police Corps, and is part of the Italian military system, although its State is Ethiopia, and not the Kingdom of Italy ''strictu sensu''.
−
* 5th Tank Squadrons Group "''Seyifi''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Tank Squadrons);
+
−
* 6th Tank Squadrons Group "''Lemedebidebi Begi''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Tank Squadrons);
+
−
* 7th Cavalry Squadrons Group "''Macallè''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Cavalry Squadrons);
+
−
* 5th Infantry Battalion "''Dawit I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
−
* 3rd Field Artillery Group "''Amba Aradam''" (Command; 1 Support Battery; 3 Artillery Batteries);
+
−
* 3rd Sappers Battalion "''Awash''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Sappers Companies);
+
−
* 3rd Logistics Regiment "''Ye’igizī’ābiḥēri Anibesa''" (Command; 1 Command and Services Company; 1 Health Unit; 1 Maintenance Battalion; 1 Supplies Battalion);
+
−
* Command and Supports Unit "''Ye’igizī’ābiḥēri Anibesa''" (1 Command Company; 1 Sappers Company; 1 Communications Company).
+
  
−
=== 4th Brigade "''Tamanyi Gwadenyochi''" ===
 
−
The 4th Brigade "''ታማኝ ጓደኞች Tamanyi Gwadenyochi''" (Ahmaric for "Faithful Companions") is the Y.D. formation headquartered in Dila, charged with protection of south-western access to the Great Rift Valley. Being its jurisdiction exclusively mountainous, it is an Alpine formation with its units training extensively with Alpine Italian National Royal Army units. The 4th Brigade was established in 1992, when the dissolution of the Soviet bloc prompted renewed threats to the Italian Empire.<br>
 
−
Nowadays, the 4th Brigade consists of:
 
−
* 6th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Iyasu I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
 
−
* 7th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Ezana''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
 
−
* 8th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Tewodros II''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
 
−
* 8th Cavalry Squadrons Group "''Auasa''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Cavalry Squadrons);
 
−
* 4th Mountain Artillery Group "''Amba Geshen''" (Command; 1 Support Battery; 3 Artillery Batteries);
 
−
* 4th Sappers Battalion "''Dechatu''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Sappers Companies);
 
−
* 4th Logistics Regiment "''Tamanyi Gwadenyochi''" (Command; 1 Command and Services Company; 1 Health Unit; 1 Maintenance Battalion; 1 Supplies Battalion);
 
−
* Command and Supports Unit "''Tamanyi Gwadenyochi''" (1 Command Company; 1 Sappers Company; 1 Communications Company).
 
  
−
=== 5th Brigade "''Imipērīyali Bale’āderawochi''" ===
+
<center>
−
The 5th Brigade "''ኢምፔሪያል ባለአደራዎች Imipērīyali Bale’āderawochi''" (Ahmaric for "Imperial Custodians") is the Y.D. formation headquartered in Jimma (or Gimma), charged with protection of south-western access to the Capital. Being its jurisdiction exclusively mountainous, it is an Alpine formation with its units training extensively with Alpine Italian National Roya Army units. The 5th Brigade was established in 1994, when the dissolution of the Soviet bloc prompted renewed eastern threats to the Italian Empire.<br>
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
Nowadays, the 5th Brigade consists of:
+
!colspan="10"|Ethiopian Gendarmerie military officers ranks and insignia
−
* 9th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Bakaffa''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
|-
−
* 10th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Yeshaq I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
|'''Ethiopian Gendarmerie rank<br />(Official transcription only)''' ||Bemeto Betach||Meto Aleqa||Aleqa||Shaleqa||Leftenant-Kol||Kolonel||Brigedar Janaral||Mejor Janaral||Leftenant Janaral
−
* 11th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Yohannes I''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
+
|-
−
* 9th Cavalry Squadrons Group "''Bahar Dar''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Cavalry Squadrons);
+
|'''English translation'''|| Second Lieutenant|| Lieutenant||Captain||Major||Lieutenant Colonel||Colonel||Brigadier General||Major General||Lieutenant General
−
* 5th Mountain Artillery Group "''Abuna Yosef''" (Command; 1 Support Battery; 3 Artillery Batteries);
+
|-
−
* 5th Sappers Battalion "''Kibish''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Sappers Companies);
+
|'''Royal Police Corps rank<br />(also Italian translation)'''|| Sottotenente|| Tenente||Capitano || Maggiore|| Tenente Colonnello || Colonnello || Brigadier Generale || Maggior Generale||Tenente Generale
−
* 5th Logistics Regiment "''Imipērīyali Bale’āderawochi''" (Command; 1 Command and Services Company; 1 Health Unit; 1 Maintenance Battalion; 1 Supplies Battalion);
+
|-
−
* Command and Supports Unit "''Imipērīyali Bale’āderawochi''" (1 Command Company; 1 Sappers Company; 1 Communications Company).
+
|'''Corresponding Army rank (Italian)'''|| Sottotenente|| Tenente||Capitano || Maggiore|| Tenente Colonnello || Colonnello || Generale di Brigata || Generale di Divisione||Generale di Corpo d'Armata
 +
|-
 +
|'''Corresponding Army rank (British)'''||  Second Lieutenant|| Lieutenant|| Captain || Major|| Lieutenant Colonel || Colonel || Brigadier || Major General||Lieutenant General
 +
|-
 +
|'''Shoulder board insignia'''||[[File:Sottotenente Etiopia.png]]||[[File:Tenente Etiopia.png]]||[[File:Capitano Etiopia.gif]]||[[File:Maggiore Etiopia.png]]||[[File:Tenente Colonnello Etiopia.png]]||[[File:Colonnello Etiopia.gif]]||[[File:Generale di Brigata Etiopia.png]]||[[File:Generale di Divisione Etiopia.png]]||[[File:Generale di Corpo d'Armata Etiopia.gif]]
 +
|}
  
−
=== 6th Brigade "''Yebireti T’orenya''" ===
 
−
The 6th Brigade "''የብረት ጦረኛ Yebireti T’orenya''" (Ahmaric for "Iron Warriors") is the Y.D. formation headquartered in Debre Markos, charged with protection of south-western access to the Capital. Being its jurisdiction exclusively mountainous, it is an Alpine formation with its units training extensively with Alpine Italian National Royal Army units. The 6th Brigade was established in 1999, in response to instability in Sudan and in other areas.<br>
 
−
Nowadays, the 5th Brigade consists of:
 
−
* 12th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Yohannes IV''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
 
−
* 13th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Zewditu''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
 
−
* 14th Mountain Infantry Battalion "''Tsehay Sagad''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Infantry Companies);
 
−
* 10th Cavalry Squadrons Group "''Dessiè''" (Command; 1 Support Squadron; 3 Cavalry Squadrons);
 
−
* 6th Mountain Artillery Group "''Ale Bagu''" (Command; 1 Support Battery; 3 Artillery Batteries);
 
−
* 6th Sappers Battalion "''Omo''" (Command; 1 Support Company; 3 Sappers Companies);
 
−
* 6th Logistics Regiment "''Yebireti T’orenya''" (Command; 1 Command and Services Company; 1 Health Unit; 1 Maintenance Battalion; 1 Supplies Battalion);
 
−
* Command and Supports Unit "''Yebireti T’orenya''" (1 Command Company; 1 Sappers Company; 1 Communications Company).
 
  
−
== 1st Airborne Regiment "''Berari Neber''" ==
 
−
The 1st Airborne Regiment "''Berari Neber''" is an elite Ranger-type fighting force, and they are considered the elite of Ethiopia's G.N.R. security forces. They are thought to receive their orders directly from the Lieutenant General of the Ethiopian Empire. The Regiment is considered to be capable of executing selected military and internal security missions.<br>
 
−
The Regiment consists of two battalions made up of an estimated 1,500 highly trained and politically reliable personnel. Headed by a G.N.R. Kolonel, the Special Troops are organized along the lines of an infantry battalion minus some service and support-related elements. Personnel in the Regiment are highly motivated, well educated and thoroughly indoctrinated. The Regiment's mission is to serve as a highly mobile shock force that can provide protection for high-ranking officials, conduct special military operations, and help support other special security requirements that the leadership might have. The Regiment soldiers are trained to operate as commando-style units.<br>
 
−
Members of the force are both parachute-qualified and trained in the martial arts for hand-to-hand combat, and all are trained in hand-to-hand combat at least at the local level (i.e. quite high level of prowess). The Regiment is equipped with small arms such as rifles, pistols and machineguns, as well as 82-mm mortars and light artillery pieces.
 
  
−
== Escort Units ==
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
In Ethiopia, honour guard service is performed by the National Imperial Guard both for the Imperial Vicar-Lieutenant General (''ኢምፔሪያል ቪካር-ሪፐብሊክ ዋና Imipērīyali Vīkari-Rīpebilīki Wana'') and for the 11 Provincial Governors.<br>
+
!colspan="4"|Ethiopian Gendarmerie Warrant Officers ranks and insignia
−
The Imperial Vicar is escorted by the Vicarial Squadron, consisting of a junior officer and an hundred of Legionnaires. Each of the 11 Provincial Governors is escorted by an Honour Platoon under the command of a junior officer, a Staff Sergeant (''Andena Yashalaqa Basha''), two Sergeants (''Yashambal Gemja bet Alaqa''), and 30 Legionnaires, including junior NCOs.
+
|-
 +
|'''Ethiopian Gendarmerie rank<br />(Official transcription only)'''|| Mekonnu Tiezaz 1 || Mekonnu Tiezaz 2 || Mekonnu Tiezaz 3
 +
|-
 +
|'''Royal Police Corps rank'''|| Maresciallo di P.S. || Maresciallo Capo di P.S. || Maresciallo Maggiore di P.S.
 +
|-
 +
|'''Italian translation'''|| Sottufficiale || Sottufficiale Capo || Sottufficiale Maggiore
 +
|-
 +
|'''English translation'''|| Warrant Officer || Chief Warrant Officer || Warrant Officer Major
 +
|-
 +
|'''Corresponding Army rank (Italian)'''|| Maresciallo || Maresciallo Capo || Maresciallo Maggiore
 +
|-
 +
|'''Corresponding Army rank (British)'''||  Warrant Officer Class Two || Warrant Officer Second Class || Warrant Officer First Class
 +
|-
 +
|'''Shoulder board insignia'''||[[File:Maresciallo Gendarmeria Etiope.gif]]||[[File:Maresciallo Superiore Gendarmeria Etiope.gif]]||[[File:Maresciallo Capo Gendarmeria Etiope.gif]]
 +
|}
  
−
== Rank titles ==
 
−
The Ethiopian Empire was invaded and conquered by the Kingdom of Italy in 1936, but it was not formally annexed; rather than a formal annexation, King Victor Emmanuel III assumed the Imperial Crown of Ethiopia and established a (nominal) personal union. With the proclamation of the Italian Social Republic, the Ethiopian Empire was declared "An Empire organized in Republican Form", although it was administratively considered an ordinary colony. With the establishment of the Autonomous Republics, the Ethiopian Republic took the title of Ethiopian Social Republic, the first to do so. In order to honour the high status of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Yäagär Däjän has its own rank titles harmonized to the Ethiopian tradition. These rank titles are for Legionnaires from Legionnaire to Major:
 
−
* ''Wätadär'': Legionnaire
 
−
* ''Makete Yaser'': Legionnaire 1st Class
 
−
* ''Yaser Alaqa'': Deputy Team Chief
 
−
* ''Yahamsa Alaqa'': Team Chief
 
−
* ''Yashambal Gemja bet Alaqa'': First Team Chief
 
−
* ''Andena Yashalaqa Basha'': First Team Chief 1st Class
 
−
* ''Amsa Alaqa 1'': Adjutant
 
−
* ''Amsa Alaqa 2'': Chief Adjutant
 
−
* ''Amsa Alaqa 3'': Prime Adjutant
 
−
* ''Meeel Yamato Alaqa'': Under-Lieutenant
 
−
* ''Yamato Alaqa'': Lieutenant
 
−
* ''Yashambal'': Captain
 
−
* ''Yashalaqa'': Major
 
  
−
From Lieutenant Colonel to Major General, ranks are the conventional ranks translated in Amharic language:
 
−
* ''Leftenant-Kol'': Lieutenant Colonel
 
−
* ''Kolonel'': Colonel (''Degiac'' if regimental commander)
 
−
* ''Brigedar Janaral'': Brigadier General
 
−
* ''Mejor Janaral'': Major General
 
−
Ethiopian G.N.R. General Officers in charge of a particular branch, as well as those tasked to act as Military Governors, also have the title of "''Balambaras''" alongside their proper rank, while Ethiopian M.V.S.N. leaders style themselves with "''Ras''".
 
  
−
== Uniforms and insignia ==
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
Ethiopian G.N.R. Legionnaires wear their own uniform: khaki jacket and trousers and a green and khaki cap. The blackshirt and the Fascist Eagle are common among all M.V.S.N. branches. Aside of uniform colours, both the cloths' cuts and rank insignia are the same across the Italian Empire. Officers of the Ethiopian National Imperial Guard wear a hard hat surrounded by a lion's mane hair, mane procure killing the lion with only his dagger during hunting mission undertaking after the end of the Military Academy.
+
!colspan="7"|Ethiopian Gendarmerie Enlisted ranks and insignia
 +
|-
 +
|'''Ethiopian Gendarmerie rank<br />(Official transcription only)'''|| Polis || Bemejemeriyaw Polis || Alemawi || Bemejemeriyaw Alemawi || Yehmsa Aleqa || Yehmsa Aleqa Uana
 +
|-
 +
|'''Royal Police Corps rank'''|| Agente || Agente Scelto || Appuntato || Appuntato Capo || Vicebrigadiere || Brigadiere
 +
|-
 +
|'''English translation'''|| Policeman || Policeman First Class || Corporal || First Corporal || Sergeant || Sergeant Major
 +
|-
 +
|'''Italian translation'''|| Poliziotto || Poliziotto di Prima Classe || Caporale || Primo Caporale || Sergente || Sergente Maggiore
 +
|-
 +
|'''Corresponding Army rank (Italian)'''|| Soldato || Caporale || Caporale maggiore || Caporale Capo || Sergente || Sergente Maggiore
 +
|-
 +
|'''Corresponding Army rank (British)'''||  Private || Lance Corporal || Corporal || Sergeant|| Staff Sergeant || Staff Sergeant<br />
 +
(senior echelon)
 +
|-
 +
|'''Sleeve insignia'''||No insignia||[[File:Gendarmeria Libica - Gendarme scelto.png|90px]]||[[File:Gendarmeria Libica - Caporale.png|90px]]||[[File:Gendarmeria Libica - Caporal Maggiore.png|90px]]||[[File:Gendarmeria Libica - Sergente.png|90px]]||[[File:Gendarmeria Libica - Sergente Maggiore.png|90px]]
 +
|-
 +
|'''Shoulder board insignia'''
 +
|colspan="6"|[[File:Controspallina truppa Etiopia.png]]
 +
|}
 +
</center>
  
 +
== Uniforms ==
 +
Ethiopian Gendarmerie have an operational/everyday uniform, consisting of a blue/gray camouflage battledress and a blue beret, and a formal wear, cut along the Italian National Royal Army lines. The Ethiopian Gendarmerie is part of the State military forces of the Italian Empire; therefore, its members wear the Military Star on formal wear.
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:GNR Etiopia Generali.png|Ethiopian National Imperial Guard Ordinary On Duty Uniform (General officers).
+
File:Uniforme operativa GE.png|Operational/everyday uniform, all ranks.
 +
File:Uniforme formale GE.png|Formal uniform, all ranks.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
* [[Italian National Royal Guard (Kingdom of Italy)]]
+
* [[Law enforcement in the Italian Empire]]
 +
* [[Ethiopian National Imperial Guard (Italian Empire)]]
  
 
[[Category:Itali]]
 
[[Category:Itali]]

Revision as of 18:32, 31 March 2018

Ethiopian Gendarmerie Corps
ሐበሻ ፖሊስ
Häbäsha Polis
Corpo della Gendarmeria Etiope
150px
Gendarmerie War Flag
Active 1971-present
Country Ethiopian Empire
Allegiance Italian Empire
Type Gendarmerie
Size 160,000
Nickname Zabagna
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lt. Gen. Tewdros Adhanem


The Ethiopian Gendarmerie Corps (Ahmaric: ሐበሻ ፖሊስ, Häbäsha Polis, literally meaning "Ethiopian Police"; Italian: Corpo della Gendarmeria Etiope) is the main police force in the Ethiopian Empire. The Ethiopian security is a complex matter due to the social, ethnic and religious complexity of the population of the Ethiopian Social Republic. The Ministry of Interior is in charge of handling security and policing affairs through the Directorate General of Public Security and through the Ethiopian Gendarmerie.
Both Interior officials and Gendarmes are part of all-Ethiopia services and, although enlisted Gendarmes after their conscription can be expected to serve in their native Province, this can never be assumed for granted, as both rewarding and punitive transfers are often ordered; officers cannot expect any fixed assignment. The all-Ethiopian nature is emphasized by the aggressive meritocracy in upper levels.

History

The 160,000-strong Gendarmerie was established in 1971, by amalgamating the former Carabinieri forces deployed in Ethiopia, Askari units and bands, and the security services of the major cities. Since its establishment, the Gendarmerie has been sometimes an unreliable organization (especially in the first years, when the last loyalist Abyssinians were still serving) but it had never been an overtly rebellious corps. In the 1976 Soviet-backed revolt and coup attempt, the combat forces of the Gendarmerie actively supported the National Republican Guard in crushing down rebel nests in Addis Ababa and in Dire Dawa. Lieutenant General Tadesse Werede Tesfay is the current Commandant, the fourth of Ethiopian descent, while Italian Ethiopian officers are still a significant part of the officers corps.

Ethiopian security strategy: a twofold approach

Ethiopian is exposed to several terrorism, guerilla warfare, insurgency and rebellion threats, both internal and external. In order to address these issues, the Ethiopian security establishment developed, over the years, a peculiar strategy which has proven to be both feasible and successful. The Ethiopian security strategy is a medium/long-term solution, unsuitable for sudden emergencies, but instead seeking to gradually weaken rebellion by engraining anti-insurgency into the very local cultural attributes and historical legacy of toleration of societies that comprise Ethiopia. The Ethiopian approach is based on trust-building, and sharing a common vision but mostly on principle of subsidiarity, which requires that all external actors should be back-up supporters of efforts by internal forces and local communities in the fight against terrorism. This approach also supports the building of close-knit neighbourhood associations that provide community-based peace and security with effective and permanent oversight by the state.
The Ethiopian doctrine on counterrorism and counterinsurgency stands out for two elements: supremacy of politics and struggle to dry out the terrorists' basin one one hand, and achieving peace and national unity through the gradual expansion of pockets of stability, legitimacy, law, and order in rebel-held areas.

Politics over military operations

The first element refers to supremacy of politics over the military components of the counterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies. Under the Ethiopian approach, politics must precede and lead both the military and criminal justice systems. The focus of the supremacy of politics lies with the objective of liberating areas for local communities to organise, arm themselves in local militias framed within the የፋሺሽት ጠባቂ, Yefashīshiti T’ebak, and fight back against terrorists. Such local militias are supported, according to the specific needs, by the Imperial Ethiopian National Defense Force or by the Ethiopian Gendarmerie. The political work involves mainly consultation between the Ethiopian Fascist Front (and its ethnic-based branches) with local communities and helping them in organising and arming themselves under the umbrella of the Fascist Guard in order to fight back against threats. The second element refers to focusing on traditional narratives of solidarity, thereby promoting hope against despair, both material and spiritual ones.

Legitimacy building

While traditional and military-based counterinsurgency strategies focus on controlling territories and populations, the Ethiopian approach focuses on public deliberations, training, arming, and establishing administrative units in areas liberated from insurgents in order to ensure their own peace and security, under the aegis of the State. This strategy directly relates to the governance and delivery of basic services in order to build hope within communities and security to sustain their own livelihoods. The approach is a gradualist one.

Military side

Given the priority of political and sustainment operations, the political work and community development advances before military operations and the counterinsurgency military must always follow and support the political and civilian officers. Actual military operations do have a place in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, but only in a subsidiary role to the political officer, because the latter one cannot be replaced by a soldier or military representative.
The military (both the Imperial Ethiopian National Defense Force and the Ethiopian Gendarmerie) use to a great extent mobile field headquarters and command centres meshed in the community, primarily designed to support the local communities in their efforts against terrorism and to provide extra muscle when their efforts are outgunned by the enemy.

Organization

The Ethiopian Gendarmerie is a complex organization, structured in order to be able to function indpendently and to perform a wide range of missions. The Ethiopian Gendarmerie Corps is organised on a territorial basis for law-enforcement missions. The territorial organization represents the core of the institution; Outside the territorial organization, there are three special Divisions: the Mobile Division (mass maneuver and territorial support, based in Harare), the Specialist Units Division (specialist investigative skills, based in Bahir Dar), the Central Investigative Division (organized crime and subversive activities, based in Awasa) and the Training Division.

Higher Command

At its top, the Gendarmerie is headed by the Higher Command, consisting of the Commandant General (a Lieutenant General), of the Deputy Commandant and of the Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff directs, coordinates and supervises all activities of the force, while the Deputy Commandant directly handles administrative matters. The Higher Command directly supervises, through the Deputy Commandant, Directors of Administration, Health, Training, Engineering, the motor pool and the Veterinary Commission. The Centre for Recruitment and Selection depend on the Deputy Chiefs of Staff. The whole Higher Command, reminiscent of the Carabinieri General Command, is based in Addis Abeba.

Mobile organization

The Mobile Emergency Gendarmerie is always deployed in robust units.

The Mobile Emergency Gendarmerie is the paramilitary branch of the Ethiopian Gendarmerie tasked with the maintenance of public order, quelling riots and providing mobile and cohesive support to the territorial organization or other branches of the Gendarmerie or of the local units of the Fascist Guard (the Ethiopian branch of the M.V.S.N.). The mobile organization consists of several Battalions deployed in the various Provinces and Autonomous Cities. Battalions depend on the relevant Regiment (responsible of providing administrative support and management), which are in turn grouped into the Mobile Emergency Police Force Command (Division level).
As of 2015 there are 24 Battalions grouped into 8 Regiments.

  • 1st Regiment "Ogaden" - headquartered in Giggiga.
    • 1st Battalion - headquartered in Giggiga;
    • 2nd Battalion - headquartered in Gabredarre;
    • 3rd Battalion - headquartered in Gode.
  • 2nd Regiment "East Oromia" - headquartered in Goba;
    • 4th Battalion - headquartered in Goba;
    • 5th Battalion - headquartered in Asba Littoria;
    • 6th Battalion - headquartered in Neghelli.
  • 3rd Regiment "Addis Abeba" - headquartered in Addis Abeba;
    • 7th Battalion - headquartered in Addis Abeba;
    • 8th Battalion - headquartered in Addis Abeba;
    • 9th Battalion - headquartered in Adama.
  • 4th Regiment "West Oromia" - headquartered in Lechemti;
    • 10th Battalion - headquartered in Lechemti;
    • 11th Battalion - headquartered in Gore;
    • 12th Battalion - headquartered in Gimbi.
  • 5th Regiment "Amhara" - headquartered in Bahar Dar;
    • 13th Battalion - headquartererd in Bahar Dar;
    • 14th Battalion - headquartered in Gondar;
    • 15th Battalion - headquartered in Dessiè.
  • 6th Regiment "North" - headquartered in Semera;
    • 16th Battalion - headquartered in Semera;
    • 17th Battalion - headquartered in Macallè;
    • 18th Battalion - headquartered in Adua.
  • 7th Regiment "East" - headquartered in Dire Dawa;
    • 19th Battalion - headquartered in Dire Dawa;
    • 20th Battalion - headquartered in Harar;
    • 21st Battalion - headquartered in Harar.
  • 8th Regiment "South" - headquartered in Auasa;
    • 22nd Battalion - headquartered in Auasa;
    • 23rd Battalion - headquartered in Irgalem;
    • 24th Battalion - headquartered in Gambela.

Training Division

Training Schools are established through the country, in order to provide an additional manpower reserve if strictly needed. The Ethiopian Police University College is a public institution of higher education in Ethiopia dedicated to training Gendarmes officers and to offering higher eductation in security-related subjects also to other personnel. Its main campus is located in Sendafa, a town 38 kilometres north of Addis Ababa, while other facilities are placed in Dire Dawa.

Territorial organization

The Territorial Organization contains 80 percent of the force and is organized hierarchically in the Provincial Commands. Each of the 8 ethnically-based Provinces and the 3 Autonomous Cities has, for the carrying out of the law enforcement activity, a Provincial Directorate for the Public Security and of a Provincial Gendarmerie Command.
Provincial Gendarmerie Commanders in each of the 11 Provinces (headed by a Major General each) work in conjunction with the Provincial Governors, but for the prevailing part Addis Abeba centrally directs administration. Under the 11 Provincial Commands there are 77 Zonal and 770 Woreda commands, headed by Colonels and Captains/Majors respectively. The civilian Directorates of Public Security (both central and provincial ones) deal with administrative-political aspects of the police activities in support of the Ethiopian Government and of the Provincial Governors, while Gendarmerie commanders are the technical-operative authorities.

Provincial Gendarmerie Command

The 11 Provincial Gendarmerie Commands are the highest territorial echelons and are in charge of providing general support to operational units and command, as well as of ensuring liasion with the civilian security officials; they operate on the hierarchical and functional dependencies of the Higher Command, also to carry out decentralized organizational and administrative functions and it is involved in local personnel and resources planning and administration. The Provincial Gendarmerie Command is responsible for coordinating and monitoring all units in the relevant Province, even outside the territorial chain of command. The Provincial Command performs the command functions for all Corps services and units which are not specifically separated from it: however, the Provincial Gendarmerie Command, unless specifically tasked to do so, does not carry out police activities or external investigations.
The Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, a Major General, carries out the functions of running the directives of the Commandant General, co-ordinating the activities of the Provincal Command with those of the central offices. The Provincial Gendarmerie Commander, if authorized by the Commandant General, can establish provisional units and groups in order to achieve specific results. The Provincial Gendarmerie Commander is supported a staff consisting of:

  • Human Resources Office;
  • Operations Office;
  • Information Office;
  • Training-Education Office;
  • Logistics Office;
  • Command Company;
  • Administrative Service;
  • Administrative and Social Police Liason Office;
  • Military Chaplain;
  • Provincial Depot.

Provincial Depot

The Provincial Depot is a permanently manned, protected storage and mantainance base, used to support regional forces and dedicated to logistical operations. The Depot is located in the same city of Provincial Command. It is also where soldiers and officers awaiting discharge or postings are based, and where injured Gendarmes return to full fitness after discharge from hospital before returning to full duty.

Zonal Commands

The 77 Zonal Commands are in charge of both security and police duties, in order to ensure a steady repressive activity when the phoenomenon is still contained in a relatively small area. Their responsibilities include mainly logistics support and other functions; they also provide the coordination of the Corps activities in the boundaries of the subordinate commands, in the allocation of their personnel, for extraordinary tasks, for special military, public security or public order requirements, if necessary in conjunction with the military authorities.
The primary mission of the Zonal Command is to ensure the maintenance of order and public security in the Zone. In each Zone, the local Commander exercises all activities of security and administrative police, acts that result in such ordinances, injunctions, permits, licenses, permits.
Zonal Commands include a variety of offices, some of which depend on two Divisions: the Criminal Investigations Division and Administrative and Social Police Division. It is to note that, while the Criminal Investigation Division is under an unitary command and direction, the Administrative Division is composed of unconnected offices. The Operations Office is the body of the Zonal Command responsible for receiving and relaying information and records throughout the area of responsibility. It interacts with the units at that time engaged on the ground, from the detective squads to stations. The Operations Rooms are located in each subordinate headquarter, to build the network to support the Operations Office.

Ranks and insignia

The Ethiopian Gendarmerie is led by a Lieutenant General; when the Italian Lieutenant General conducts his inspections and visits, he wears his Italian uniform. From a graphic point of view, the officer insignia pattern are loosely inspired to the Italian trend, with the Italian Towered Crown replaced by an Ethiopian Imperial Crown. All officer rank insignia feature the triangular insignia as basic component.
As a whole, the Ethiopian Gendarmerie is a State military corps, like the Royal Police Corps, and is part of the Italian military system, although its State is Ethiopia, and not the Kingdom of Italy strictu sensu.


Ethiopian Gendarmerie military officers ranks and insignia
Ethiopian Gendarmerie rank
(Official transcription only) 		Bemeto Betach Meto Aleqa Aleqa Shaleqa Leftenant-Kol Kolonel Brigedar Janaral Mejor Janaral Leftenant Janaral
English translation Second Lieutenant Lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Brigadier General Major General Lieutenant General
Royal Police Corps rank
(also Italian translation)		 Sottotenente Tenente Capitano Maggiore Tenente Colonnello Colonnello Brigadier Generale Maggior Generale Tenente Generale
Corresponding Army rank (Italian) Sottotenente Tenente Capitano Maggiore Tenente Colonnello Colonnello Generale di Brigata Generale di Divisione Generale di Corpo d'Armata
Corresponding Army rank (British) Second Lieutenant Lieutenant Captain Major Lieutenant Colonel Colonel Brigadier Major General Lieutenant General
Shoulder board insignia Sottotenente Etiopia.png Tenente Etiopia.png Capitano Etiopia.gif Maggiore Etiopia.png Tenente Colonnello Etiopia.png Colonnello Etiopia.gif Generale di Brigata Etiopia.png Generale di Divisione Etiopia.png Generale di Corpo d'Armata Etiopia.gif


Ethiopian Gendarmerie Warrant Officers ranks and insignia
Ethiopian Gendarmerie rank
(Official transcription only)		 Mekonnu Tiezaz 1 Mekonnu Tiezaz 2 Mekonnu Tiezaz 3
Royal Police Corps rank Maresciallo di P.S. Maresciallo Capo di P.S. Maresciallo Maggiore di P.S.
Italian translation Sottufficiale Sottufficiale Capo Sottufficiale Maggiore
English translation Warrant Officer Chief Warrant Officer Warrant Officer Major
Corresponding Army rank (Italian) Maresciallo Maresciallo Capo Maresciallo Maggiore
Corresponding Army rank (British) Warrant Officer Class Two Warrant Officer Second Class Warrant Officer First Class
Shoulder board insignia Maresciallo Gendarmeria Etiope.gif Maresciallo Superiore Gendarmeria Etiope.gif Maresciallo Capo Gendarmeria Etiope.gif


Ethiopian Gendarmerie Enlisted ranks and insignia
Ethiopian Gendarmerie rank
(Official transcription only)		 Polis Bemejemeriyaw Polis Alemawi Bemejemeriyaw Alemawi Yehmsa Aleqa Yehmsa Aleqa Uana
Royal Police Corps rank Agente Agente Scelto Appuntato Appuntato Capo Vicebrigadiere Brigadiere
English translation Policeman Policeman First Class Corporal First Corporal Sergeant Sergeant Major
Italian translation Poliziotto Poliziotto di Prima Classe Caporale Primo Caporale Sergente Sergente Maggiore
Corresponding Army rank (Italian) Soldato Caporale Caporale maggiore Caporale Capo Sergente Sergente Maggiore
Corresponding Army rank (British) Private Lance Corporal Corporal Sergeant Staff Sergeant Staff Sergeant

(senior echelon)

Sleeve insignia No insignia Gendarmeria Libica - Gendarme scelto.png Gendarmeria Libica - Caporale.png Gendarmeria Libica - Caporal Maggiore.png Gendarmeria Libica - Sergente.png Gendarmeria Libica - Sergente Maggiore.png
Shoulder board insignia Controspallina truppa Etiopia.png

Uniforms

Ethiopian Gendarmerie have an operational/everyday uniform, consisting of a blue/gray camouflage battledress and a blue beret, and a formal wear, cut along the Italian National Royal Army lines. The Ethiopian Gendarmerie is part of the State military forces of the Italian Empire; therefore, its members wear the Military Star on formal wear.

  • Operational/everyday uniform, all ranks.

  • Formal uniform, all ranks.

See also

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