Ethiopian PM puts ministers through military training
News Source
β’Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:28:15 GMT
π° What Happened
Ethiopia's prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has put his ministers and other senior officials through military training. Photos he shared show him taking part in exercises at the Hurso training centre.
The group included the speaker of the upper house, the finance minister and the health minister. It is not clear when the training started or how long it will last.
Abiy said military life teaches discipline, teamwork and patriotism. He argued that mixing soldier values with civilian work would build stronger leaders.
π The Backstory
Senior civilian officials in Ethiopia rarely do military training, so the move stands out. It comes as the country faces fighting in Tigray, conflict in Amhara and unrest in Oromia.
Tensions with neighbouring Eritrea have also grown, with fears of a new war. Ethiopia fought a bloody border war with Eritrea from 1998 to 2000.
Abiy has often stressed military readiness alongside his development plans. Critics worry that giving civilian leaders a military role blurs the line between government and army.
π― Why It Matters
Ethiopia is Africa's second most populous country. Its stability affects trade, food supplies and millions of people across the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia's prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has put his ministers and other senior officials through military training. Photos he shared show him taking part in exercises at the Hurso training centre.
The group included the speaker of the upper house, the finance minister and the health minister. It is not clear when the training started or how long it will last.
Abiy said military life teaches discipline, teamwork and patriotism. He argued that mixing soldier values with civilian work would build stronger leaders.
Senior civilian officials in Ethiopia rarely do military training, so the move stands out. It comes as the country faces fighting in Tigray, conflict in Amhara and unrest in Oromia.
Tensions with neighbouring Eritrea have also grown, with fears of a new war. Ethiopia fought a bloody border war with Eritrea from 1998 to 2000.
Abiy has often stressed military readiness alongside his development plans. Critics worry that giving civilian leaders a military role blurs the line between government and army.
Ethiopia is Africa's second most populous country. Its stability affects trade, food supplies and millions of people across the Horn of Africa.