Field Marshal
Birhanu Jula Gelalcha
Birhaanuu Julaa Galaalchaa
Birhanu in 2019
Chief of General Staff
Assumed office
12 November 2020
PresidentSahle-Work Zewde
Prime MinisterAbiy Ahmed
DeputyGeneral Abebaw Tadesse
Preceded byGeneral Adem Mohammed
Force Commander, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei
In office
21 November 2014 – 15 January 2016
Nominated byBan Ki-moon
Appointed byAbiy Ahmed
Preceded byYohannes Gebremeskel Tesfamariam
Succeeded byHassen Ebrahim Mussa
Personal details
Born
Birhanu Jula Gelalcha

1965
Arsi, Ethiopian Empire
Children3
Military service
Allegiance Ethiopia
Branch/service Ethiopian Ground Forces
Rank Field Marshal
Battles/warsEritrean–Ethiopian War
Tigray War
War in Amhara

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]

Biography

Birhanu is of ethnic Oromo descent. He 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]

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Trust, Gurtong. "UN Under-Secretary General For Field Support Visits UNISFA". www.gurtong.net. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "Ethiopia Awards Rank Of Field Marshal To General Berhanu Jula". fanabc.com. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Ethiopia gets its first Field Marshal General". newbusinessethiopia.com. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
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