Rising Tensions: Three
Generals----two Oromo, one Amhara--- purged
Staff Writer
Ethiotribune
November 16, 2006
Finfinne- the government-owned
Ethiopian Television last night reported that three generals of the Ethiopian
Army, Major General Alemshet Degife (Oromo), Brigadiers Kumera (Oromo) and
Asaminew Tsige (Amhara), are suspended from their duties.
Although the announcement was made
by the Defense Council, at the Ministry of Defense, the instruction is said to
come right from the Prime Minister himself.
After the defection of other
senior military commanders, the Ethiopian Prime Minister is facing strong
upheaval from the armed force. Analysts believe that after the defection
and dismissal of so many senior officers, maintaining control over the army will
be highly problematic.
Before coming to power in 1991,
the TPLF manufactured PDOs to give a more multinational image. Lately
this ruse is falling apart and the EPRDF, the ruling coalition, is increasingly
being reduced to its Tigrean core with the defection, resignation, arrest and
disappearance of several Oromo and Amhara dignitaries.
The Oromo and the Amhara make up
close to 65% of the Ethiopian army. Although the Tigrean component is
disproportionately represented at the high brass, the fighting force is mainly
Oromo and Amhara.
The current round of purges are
likely to intensify rather than dampen tension within the armed forces.
An aura of suspicion has already building since the defection of Brigadier
General Kamal Galchu, one of the army’s most decorated soldiers. General Galchu
was accompanied by Colonel Abebe Garesu along with over 600 soldiers and
officers of different ranks. Even though the BBC had reported only 150
and Ethiotribune has been able to confirm through its sources that the actual
number was 600. Later they were joined by Brigadier General Hailu Ayana
and Colonel Gammachu Ayana.
What is apparent from the purges
and defections, both civilian and military, is that people think the EPRDF ship
is sinking and want to jump before it runs aground. This is reminiscent and by
far worse than the last days of the Dergue regime. With continuing
anti-government protests throughout Oromia, tension in the capital and many
northern regions, armed confrontation in Ogaden, the standoff with
