Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed has joined cabinet ministers and senior government officials in military training exercises, describing the programme as a way to strengthen leadership, discipline and national development.
The exercises took place at the Hurso military training centre, where photographs shared by the Prime Minister showed him participating alongside ministers, deputy ministers and heads of government institutions.
Among the officials involved were Speaker of the House of Federation Muferiat Kamil, Finance Minister Fitsum Assefa and Health Minister Mekdes Daba.
Abiy said Ethiopia’s ambition to achieve universal prosperity required leaders who were physically fit, morally strong and intellectually capable. He argued that military institutions could offer civilian leaders valuable lessons in patriotism, teamwork, accountability and coordination.
“Soldiers have targets while civilians have goals. The objective of both is victory,” he said, drawing a connection between military discipline and the responsibilities of public office.
He added that combining military and civilian approaches could help produce leaders with a stronger sense of purpose and the ability to work towards shared national objectives.
The programme comes at a time when Ethiopia is dealing with security challenges in several parts of the country. Fighting has continued in parts of Tigray, while Amhara and Oromia have also experienced conflict and insecurity.
Relations with neighbouring Eritrea have also become increasingly tense, raising concerns about the possibility of renewed confrontation.
