Samora Muhammad Yunis (Amharic: ሳሞራ መሐመድ ዩንስ) is an Ethiopian military officer. Born in the Tigray Region in the north of the country, Yunis rose to be a four-star general in the Ethiopian National Defence Forces and eventually Chief of the General Staff in 2001.[1][2] He would serve until 2018.[2]

Samora Muhammad Yunis
Gen. Samora Yunis in 2013
Native name
ሳሞራ መሐመድ ዩንስ
Born1949 (age 75–76)
Tigray Province, Ethiopian Empire
AllegianceEthiopia
Service / branchEthiopian National Defence Forces
RankGeneral
CommandsChief of General Staff
Battles / warsEthiopian Civil War
Insurgency in Ogaden
Eritrean-Ethiopian War
Somali Civil War (2006-2009)

Biography

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Yunis fought for the military wing of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, playing a leading role in the Battle of Shire (18–19 February 1989).[3] He was made Chief of General Staff in 2001, when he replaced Tsadkan Gebretensae.

According to Human Rights Watch, credible sources identify General Samora as a member of the leadership group which met in Jijiga following the attack on oilmen at Abole on 24 April 2007, to determine an appropriate response to this raid.[4] On 7 June 2018, it was announced that Yunis would be replaced by Seare Mekonen as the new Chief of General Staff.[2][5]

In 2017, he received the Order of the Two Niles from Sudan.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Gebru Tareke, The Ethiopian Revolution: War in the Horn of Africa (New Haven: Yale University, 2009), p. 105 ISBN 978-0-300-14163-4
  2. ^ a b c Fantahun, Arefaynie (7 June 2018). "Seare Mekonnen Named Ethiopian Military's Chief of Staff". Ethiopia Observer. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  3. ^ Gebru Tareke, The Ethiopian Revolution, p. 269
  4. ^ "Collective Punishment: Renewed Insurgency and Conflict in Somali Region", Human Rights Watch report 11 June 2008 (accessed 17 November 2009)
  5. ^ Ashine, Argaw (7 June 2018). "Ethiopian military chief Samora Yenus replaced". The EastAfrican. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
  6. ^ Berhane, D.; Fitz-Gerald, A. (2017-10-11). "General Samora Yenus: Profile, Sudanese award, Expert comment". hdl:1826/12671. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Military offices
Preceded by Chief of General Staff
2001–2018
Succeeded by