Last Saturday evening, Ethiopians heard the news of the grand loss, the death of the Amhara State President, Doctor Ambachew Mekonnen in Bahir Dar, and the Decorated General, Seare Mekonnen, Army Chief of Staff of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in the capital.
The trauma in Bahir Dar is associated with the coup attempt orchestrated by the Amhara State Peace and Security Bureau Head Brigadier General Assaminew Tsigie, while the assassination of the General had a purpose of bringing to a standstill the intervention of the federal government against the coup. However, it was aborted within an hour.
The incident was a heartbreaking fratricide or stab in the back which is against the age long culture of tolerance and moral value of the country. It also took the lives of other two senior officials of the Amhara State and a Comrade of the Army Chief, Major General Gezai Abera.
The people across the nation are showing their heartfelt sympathy following this barbaric deed committed by frustrated groups who preferred gun as a means to their end. The assassination of the Amhara state Cabinet members and the Military Chiefs has passed being an unforgettable event leaving post traumatic effect upon families of the deceased and the whole nation.
The Amhara State Chief, the late Ambachew Mekonnen, born1971, has served his country assuming various positions at federal and regional level. He was also one of the key actors of the reform which started a year or so.
Dr. Ambachew served as Minister of Housing and Urban Development as well as Minister of Industry at federal level. Before assuming the Amhara State Presidency in early 2019, Ambachew was appointed as Infrastructure Advisor to Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.
Ambachew, the father of three daughters and a son, is remembered as the leading reformist. Many gave their testimony that he was a man with sensible view aimed to solving the political, social and economic complications of the country and the people until his death in a coup attempt in Bahir Dar City on June 22, 2019, aged 48.
Ambachew was a self-made man who yearned for knowledge and was accustomed to the world in the ever changing pace. His Master’s Degree from a Korean University and PHD from Kent University of England can be taken as concrete testimonies.
At the same time, Army Chief, the late Seare Mekonnen, born 1962, spent his entire life serving the country and its people passing through various ups and downs. Seare spent his youth in a struggle against the then despotic government by joining the armed struggle led by Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF).
Leaving his secondary education, Seare began his career as a soldier from 1978 up to December 1980 in TPLF’s 91th and 73rdb units. The General was a mighty man who was one of the commanders who led the historic ‘Agazi Operation’ in the February 1985 in Mekelle.
Taking part in various battles, the man has showed his military skills. Battles of Maichew, Gobye, North Shewa, Guna, as well as Walelign and Wegagen operations are some of the incidents where his leadership resulted in decisive victories to free the country from the dictator Derg.
After the demise of the Derg in 1991, Seare was promoted to the positions of Colonel in 1996 and Brigadier General in 1999. Then, he became Commander of the Northern Command and promoted to the highest military rank of the country ‘General’ in 2018 and appointed as Army Chief.
After all, General Seare was a farsighted Army Chief integrating academic knowledge with military endeavors. Thus, he received BA degree in Management and Master’s Degree in Transformational Leadership from London Greenwich University, United Kingdom.
The General is remembered for his uncompromised stance about the unity of the country and national security. He served his entire life defending the country’s national interest and safeguarding the constitution until he was shot dead by his security guard in his residence on June 22, 2019 aged 57.
The death of Doctor Ambachew and General Seare will be remembered as one of the most heartbreaking incidents by the posterity as these mighty men have been national icons serving their county at various capacities.
MAY THE DEPARTED SOULS REST IN PEACE
The Ethiopian Herald, June 27/2019
