Ethiopian PM Sends Ministers and Senior Officials to Military Training

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has required ministers and other top state officials to take part in military training. In the East African country, senior civilian officials are rarely seen doing such exercises, which makes the move unusual. Abiy says armed forces discipline can help produce stronger leaders and support national development.

Photos the prime minister posted on social media show him joining ministers, deputy ministers and heads of government institutions at the Hurso military training centre. Participants named include Muferiat Kamil, Speaker of the House of Federation, Finance Minister Fitsum Assefa and Health Minister Mekdes Daba. It is not known when the training began or how long it will last.

The prime minister's reasoning

Abiy said Ethiopia's aim of universal prosperity requires leaders who are physically fit, morally strong and intellectually capable. In his view, military institutions teach 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 able to achieve both. He argued that such training can develop leaders with a strong sense of purpose and responsibility, and the ability to work together towards shared objectives.

Security backdrop

The training comes as Ethiopia faces several security challenges: fighting continues in parts of the northern Tigray region, there is conflict in Amhara, and Oromia is affected by insecurity. Tensions with neighbouring Eritrea are also heightened, with concerns that fighting between the two countries could resume.

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