Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Puts Cabinet Ministers Through Military Training

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has initiated military training for his cabinet ministers and other senior government officials at the Hurso military training centre. According to public social media posts from the prime minister, the initiative is intended to build leadership discipline, teamwork, accountability, and national development. Official statements indicate that photos shared online show Prime Minister Abiy participating in exercises alongside ministers, deputy ministers, and institutional heads.

Key Participants and Context

• Participants: Notable officials involved include Speaker of the House of Federation Muferiat Kamil, Finance Minister Fitsum Assefa, and Health Minister Mekdes Daba.
• Uncertainties: It remains unclear when the military training program officially began or the exact duration of the course.
• Security Background: The training occurs as Ethiopia grapples with ongoing security challenges, including continued fighting in the northern Tigray region, conflict in the Amhara region, insecurity in Oromia, and heightened regional tensions with neighboring Eritrea.

Official Rationale

Prime Minister Abiy argued that military institutions impart vital lessons in patriotism, moral strength, and intellectual capability. He stated that the ambition for universal prosperity requires leaders to be physically fit and capable of combining military and civilian disciplines to achieve common national objectives. Observers note that such participation by senior civilian leadership in military drills is an unusual occurrence in the country.