Birhanu Jula Gelalcha (Amharic: ብርሃኑ ጁላ, born 1965) is an Ethiopian field marshal who is the current Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force since 4 November 2020. He served as the Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) from 2014 to 2016.[1]
Birhanu Jula Gelalcha | |
|---|---|
Birhaanuu Julaa Galaalchaa | |
.jpg) Birhanu in 2019 | |
| Chief of General Staff | |
| Assumed office 12 November 2020 | |
| President | Sahle-Work Zewde Taye Atske Selassie |
| Prime Minister | Abiy Ahmed |
| Deputy | General Abebaw Tadesse |
| Preceded by | General Adem Mohammed |
| Force Commander, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei | |
| In office 21 November 2014 – 15 January 2016 | |
| Appointed by | Ban Ki-moon |
| Preceded by | Yohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam |
| Succeeded by | Hassen Ebrahim Mussa |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Birhanu Jula Gelalcha 1965 Arsi, Ethiopian Empire (now Oromia Region, Ethiopia) |
| Children | 3 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Ethiopia |
| Branch/service | Ethiopian Ground Forces |
| Rank | .svg){kind=small} Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Ethiopian Civil War Eritrean–Ethiopian War Tigray War War in Amhara |
Biography
editBirhanu holds a bachelor's degree from Alpha University College and a master's degree from Greenwich University, both in Addis Ababa. In 2006, Birhanu worked with the UN Mission in Liberia and held the position of Sector Commander. He has also held various other positions with the army including with the Ministry of National Defence, the Cadet School and Brigade Operations. From 2006 to 2009, he was the army's Deputy Commander of the Central Command. In 2010, Birhanu was appointed Commander of the Western Command in the Ethiopian Army.[1]
Birhanu was appointed as Force Commander of UNISFA on 21 November 2014 by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.[1] At the time, he was a major general. He was promoted to lieutenant general sometime before 9 December 2015.[2] His term ended on 15 January 2016 with the appointment of Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa.[3]
On 8 January 2022, Birhanu was promoted to Field Marshal (or "Field Marshal General", the rank varies among sources) by prime minister Abiy Ahmed and president Sahle-Work Zewde.[4][5] He is awarded the Blacklion High Heroes Medal.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Secretary-General Appoints Major General Birhanu Jula Birhanu of Ethiopia Force Commander of United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei". United Nations. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Trust, Gurtong. "UN Under-Secretary General For Field Support Visits UNISFA". www.gurtong.net. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
- ^ "UN chief appoints Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa of Ethiopia to head peacekeeping force in Abyei". UN News. 2016-01-15. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
- ^ "Ethiopia Awards Rank Of Field Marshal To General Berhanu Jula". fanabc.com. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ "Ethiopia gets its first Field Marshal General". newbusinessethiopia.com. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.