As you know by now, Abiy Ahmed’s reshuffling of his ministers is the first crack showing the war effort in Tigray is not going as Abiy’s expectations. The casualties of his adventure are: Ato Gedu Andargachew for his serious disagreement with Abiy about starting this war and especially involving the Amhara’s against Tigrayans. General Adem Mohammed is replaced by General Berhanu Jula. All along General Adem was reluctant and hesitant to see President Issayas into the politics of Ethiopia let alone into internal conflict. General Adem voiced against using airplanes in internal conflict. This stand seals the General’s fate.
The head of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), Mr. Demelash Gebremichel, is replaced by Mr. Temesgen Tiruneh. Mr. Demelash’s demotion is not surprising because he has been at odds with Abiy on all sorts of issues. One major issue is again about how deep Abiy should allow the Eritrean security apparatus in inserting itself into the affairs of NISS. Even interesting is the promotion of Temesgen Tiruneh to the NISS. The main rationale turns out to be that Temesgen is becoming a liability for the war campaign with the Tigrayans. To begin with he did not have that much support within the Amhara community. Come the war effort, Temesgen is becoming a scapegoat for sending so many ill-equipped Amhara peasants into their demise instead of sending regular army into western Tigray. Abiy has no choice than pulling him out of the Amhara regional government instead of facing revolt or popular opposition. So, nothing new in Abiy worldview of leadership and the musical chairs of politics will continue.
