Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has put his cabinet ministers and other senior government officials through military training, saying armed forces discipline can help build stronger leaders and advance the country’s development.
Photos shared by him on social media show him taking part 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 taking part include Speaker of the House of Federation Muferiat Kamil, Finance Minister Fitsum Assefa and Health Minister Mekdes Daba.
It is unclear when the training began or how long it is expected to last.
In his post, the prime minister, who is known as 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.
Abiy 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 training 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 takes place amid heightened tensions with neighbouring Eritrea, with concerns over 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.
