Afghan Troops Gone AWOL From Military Training in US

In an attempt at presumably obtaining a better life in America, Pentagon officials said forty-four Afghan troops training in the United States disappeared in a span of less than two years.

The incidents create doubts on security and screening procedures for the programs. However, the number of missing troops is comparatively small. About 2,200 Afghan troops have received military training in the US since 2007.

Further, The US spent billions of dollars training Afghan troops to become an independent fighting force. Hence, the disappearances could be disconcerting for US President Barack Obama’s administration.

Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump said that since January 2015, a total of 44 Afghan troops have gone missing. Eight Afghan troops have exited military bases without authorization since September alone.

He added that the Defense Department is finding ways to toughen admission criteria that will reduce the chances of an Afghan soldier going AWOL (absent without leave) in the US.

AWOL soldiers have clean records

Stump said that Afghans in the US training program undergo evaluation to confirm negative affiliation with any militant groups. Furthermore their records should not contain proof of participation in human rights abuses before permitted entry to the United States.

A defense official added that there was no evidence any of those who fled posed a threat to the US.

The military training program brings troops from around the world to the United States. The objective is to foster military relations and enhance capabilities for joint operations.

The Department of Homeland security is notified if students under the military program are gone from training for more than 24 hours. This means that the military considers them AWOL.

According to experts, besides a lack of economic prospects in the impoverished nation, low morale and inadequate training to fight the Taliban could be the reason behind the troops leaving.

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Ethiopia: Oromia Religious Protest Stampede Leaves 52 Dead

Dissidents staged a protest as thousands of people congregated to observe a religious festival in Bishoftu, 40km (25 miles) from the capital of Addis Ababa. The city sits in Ethiopia’s Region of Oromia. According to the local government 52 people were killed and many were wounded.

Witnesses said people started to stampede because police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets and assaulted protesters with batons.

Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said a “pre-planned mayhem” caused the stampede which steered people to fall into ravines. The Prime Minister also denied any reports of police authorities shooting the protesters.

On a national TV interview, he even praised police authorities on their “great efforts” in protecting the public. In fact, he condemned “evil forces” for the deaths and pledged to bring justice to those responsible.

Conflicting accounts

Demonstrators said the protest was entirely peaceful. However, according to authorities several reports of anti-government protesters throwing stones and bottles at the police surfaced.

Jawar Mohamed, an Oromo activist said security forces killed nearly 300 people and injured many more. He also said that troops and a helicopter armed with machine guns opened fire which drove people off a cliff and into a lake.

In the recent months, public disorder coupled with dozens of deadly engagements afflicted Ethiopia. Citizens of Oromia and Amhara regions criticized the government about political and economic marginalization.

The United States conveyed their distress on the excessive use of force by the local authorities against the protesters.

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