The Republican Guard is an Ethiopian federal law enforcement agency. It is a part of the Ethiopian Ministry of Defense focused on protecting high cabinet level government and high-ranking military officials in the country. The (RG) protect the Prime Minister of the country the first lady, the President, ministers, and generals and high-level federal executives of the country. The republican guard had a budget of 140 million birr for 2019. The Guard not only protect high level officials they also conduct protections for high-risk places and have riot police for times other agencies need help. They also conduct special operations outside their protecting mission seen at high-risk places and times.
Authority
Under Regulation No. 426-2018 Which states "The Guard shall have the following powers and duties: prepare and submit procedures and standards, and implement same up on approval by the Prime Minister; prepare and submit to the Prime Minister Office, directives related to human resource recruitment, training, periodic evaluation, transfer and dismissal, and implement same upon approval; in coordination with the Ministry and appropriate organs recruit, train, employ and deploy appropriate human resources equip itself with materials, vehicles, weapons, and appropriate technologies that comply with international standards and important for the execution of the mission; without prejudice to sub-article (4) of this Article, whenever necessary, request and obtain appropriate provisional support from other organs; ensure security of the Prime Minister and their family members, and Head of State and Deputy Prime Minister and their family members; without prejudice to sub-article (6) of this Article the protection extends to the outgoing Prime Ministers and his family, outgoing Head of State and Deputy Prime Minister and their families; and it does not include appointee with the Rank of Deputy Prime Minister; provide protection to the visiting foreign Heads of State and Government, Heads of International Organizations and individuals having such status; provide gourd of honor services; conduct studies prepare and submit to the Prime Minister necessary structure and units that help for the accomplishment of mission and implement same upon approval; take necessary measures to ensure the security of head of states and governments; own property, enter into contract, sue and be sued in its own name; undertake other related activities that are supporting the attainment of its objectives." The Guard carry out law enforcement operations in parts of the country.
Training
The Republican Guard are trained inside The National College of Information and Security which is under the supervision and teaching of the NISS. The Republican Guard according to Prof De Waal were Emirati-trained. They originally were trained from abroad for 6 months but later after time they are now domestically trained.
Weapons
The Republican Guard use many rifles and guns with assault rifles. These include the CSR 338 sniper rifle, the assault rifle CAR 816 carbine, the CAR 817DMR, they also use the Israeli TAR-21. These weapons come from several countries including Israel.
Structure
The Republican Guard has four main structures. These structures are composed of units inside the Guard. These Units include VIP protection or people who are close with the Prime Minister and Protectees at all times, there is also the Counter Military Unit which are uniformed military personnel protecting the Prime minister and other Protectees with the VIP personnel which are close to the Protectees. There is also another unit which is called Military uniformed Republican Guard Special Force they are tasked with protecting high risk places as the Prime Minister Office or high military or national interest's place. The last is the military police who are said to intervene at high risk and volatile situations in the country.
History
The Republican Guard was formed on December 23, 2018, after a grenade attack whilst the Prime Minister was hosting a speech and other high government officials with while starting his premier ship. The attack was on June 28, 2018, or on the 89th day of his Prime Minister ship.