[ad_1]
Addis Ababa, November 08, 2020 – In an unprecedented move, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today announced the replacement of the leadership of the entire security sector: National Armed Forces, Intelligence and Federal Police. The prime minister also announced the replacement of the chancellor.
In consecuense, General Berhanu Jula, who was the deputy chief of staff for the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), is appointed chief of staff, replacing General Adem Mohammed. Lieutenant General Ababaw Tadesse will be the new deputy chief of staff.
Temesgen Tiruneh, who has just resigned as president of the Amhara regional state, is now appointed Director of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), replacing Demelash G. Michael. A trusted confidant and close ally of Prime Minister Abiy, Temesgen served as his national security adviser before assuming the presidency in the Amhara regional state following the June 22, 2019 assassination of the regional state president Ambachew Mekonnen and other senior officials.
Demelash G. Michael, whom the outgoing Director of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) who directed the espionage agency since June 28, 2019, is now appointed Commissioner of the Federal Police Commission; replaced Endeshaw Tasew. Demelash, who is Prime Minister Abiy’s other trusted ally, has served as Deputy Director of NISS, Head of Security for Oromia Regional State; General Commissioner of the Oromia Police Commission; & Internal Security Advisor to the Federal Police Commissioner.
This is the first time that Prime Minister Abiy he has replaced the entire security sector – intelligence, military and police – with new leadership from people known as his close and trusted allies. It also comes amid growing fear over a possible escalation of the military confrontation between the federal government and the TPLF, the party that governs the regional state of Tigray.
Today’s appointment also saw the replacement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedu Andargachew by Demeke Mekonnen, who is the deputy prime minister. Demeke will double as the new foreign minister and his old position as deputy prime minister.
The outgoing Chancellor, Gedu Andargachew, is appointed National Security Advisor to Pm Abiy.
Today’s reorganization saw General Adem Mohammed |, the outgoing ENDF chief of staff, has not yet assumed a new position. General Adem was director of the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), prior to his appointment as Army Chief of Staff on June 28, 2019.
[ad_2]
