Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Orders Ministers, Senior Officials to Military Training

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has compelled his cabinet ministers and several hundred senior government officials to undergo intensive military training. The exercise, which reportedly included both physical drills and strategic instruction, took place at a facility in the Oromia region.

This directive follows Ahmed's consistent public pronouncements regarding the centrality of military preparedness to his government's agenda. Observers note that such a move underscores a broader militarisation of state functions, particularly in a nation still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating conflict in the Tigray region.

The Prime Minister himself has previously participated in and publicly showcased his involvement in military exercises. While government statements frame these actions as crucial for national defence and discipline, critics point to a pattern of consolidating power and projecting an image of strength that prioritises military solutions over diplomatic or civilian-led initiatives.

The training programme included various ranks of civil servants, reflecting a concerted effort to embed military discipline across the state apparatus. This initiative is likely to be viewed by some as an authoritarian trend, further entrenching the military's role in Ethiopia's political landscape, rather than fostering robust civilian governance.