Ethiopian PM Puts Ministers Through Military Training

Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, has put cabinet ministers and other senior government officials through military training, saying discipline within the armed forces can help build stronger leaders and advance the country’s development.

The BBC reported that photographs shared by Abiy on social media showed him participating in military exercises alongside ministers, deputy ministers and heads of government institutions at the Hurso military training centre.

The move is unusual in Ethiopia, where senior civilian government officials are rarely seen undergoing military training.

Those participating include Speaker of the House of Federation, Muferiat Kamil; Finance Minister, Fitsum Assefa; and Health Minister, Mekdes Daba.

It remains unclear when the training began or how long it is expected to last.

In his post, Abiy said Ethiopia’s ambition to achieve universal prosperity required its leadership to be physically fit, morally strong and intellectually capable.

He said military institutions offered valuable lessons in discipline, patriotism, teamwork, accountability and leadership.

“Soldiers have targets while civilians have goals. The objective of both is victory,” he said, adding that combining military and civilian disciplines would help create a generation capable of achieving both.

The Prime Minister argued that military training could help develop leaders with a strong sense of purpose, responsibility and the ability to work together towards common objectives.

The exercise comes as Ethiopia faces multiple security challenges, including continued fighting in parts of the northern Tigray region, conflict in Amhara and insecurity in Oromia.

It also comes amid heightened tensions with neighbouring Eritrea, raising concerns about the possibility of renewed conflict between the two countries.

Abiy has previously emphasised military preparedness and national development as central to his government’s ambitions.