* Born in 1962, Indaba Guna Town, Asgede Tsimbila Wereda of the North Western Tigray State
* Went to Indaba Guna Primary School
* Joined Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) during the armed struggle against the Derg regime leaving his secondary education in 1976.
* Fought as an infantry from 1978 up to December 1980 in TPLF’s 91th and 73rd Units.
* Headed various Brigades from 1979 to 1985.
* Commanded the historic ‘Agazi Oppression’ as Commander Sergeant in February 1985 in Mekelle Town that freed over 1,300 TPLF fighters held in prison by the Derg regime.
* Played decisive roles in battles of Maichew and Gobiye that freed rebels from the Derg army.
* Took part in a number of battles in North Shewa and Gonder, most notably engaged in battles of Guna and Debre Tabor.
* Proved his highest military skills during the Walelign and Wegagen Operations which made Dessie and half part of North Shewa free from Derg regime in 1990.
* Promoted to Deputy Commander of the Eastern Command after the demise of the military junta in 1991.
* Promoted to Colonel in 1996 and to Brigadier General in 1999 respectively.
* Become Commander of the Northern Command in 2000s.
* Promoted to the highest military rank ‘General’ in 2018 and then appointed as Army Chief.
* Received BA Degree in Management and Master’s Degree in Transformational Leadership from London Greenwich University, United Kingdom.
* Shot dead by his security guard in his residence on 22 June 2019 aged 57.
* Survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons .
The Late Army Chief General Seare Mekonnen was valorous.
* General Seare was the great son of Ethiopia who gave all his life and committed to protect the country. General Seare was among the commanders who wrote history in a gold ink during the Eritrean invasion.
He was the Army Chief known for his courteous and respect for all his colleagues. As he believes in equality, he joined the Tigrian Liberation Front at his early ages to fight against the military junta government.
General Seare was one of the commanders who played quite a role in eliminating the dictator government and in ensuring the advent of democracy. A hero will have a name that resonates loud transcending generations. His heroic deed will be written in golden inks. The Army in Chief General Seare’s colleagues gave their witness about his braveness. Excerpts are below.
According to Deputy Army Chief General Birhanu Jula, Army Chief General Seare Mekonnen was a committed General who was ever striving towards the betterment of the country. He was a brave soldier. He was my standard bearer. I tried to walk in his footsteps and also trained youngsters as per what I have learned from General Seare.
He was a patient, calm person who does things sagaciously. We trained all soldiers relating to them about the braveness of General Seare. He deed unforgettable things to the country. The country owes him a lot. He laid the groundwork for soldiers when it comes to integrity, heroicness and braveness.
He was kind and friendly to everyone from an ordinary soldier to a minister. If his death was on a battle front, we would accept the happening as it is a common death of every soldier. He does not deserve such a disgraceful death, said General Birhanu.
As to him, General Seare was a hero who won a lot of awards for his military prowess during the reversal of the invasion of the country. History will remember the contribution of such heroes who paid a lot to the country, said General Birhanu.
The torch-bearer task laid by General Seare was strong and could not be effaced by worthless people. We will bring to justice those who participated in such shameful act .The country incurred a loss to the country, added General Birhanu.
According to his colleagues, General Abebaw Tadesse General Seare was not only a hero; he is the father of many heroes. He created many patriots who proudly and heroically martyred themselves to defend the country. He knows military feats to vanquish enemies. He was a General having super military strategies. General Seare knows how to emerge victorious out of a military engagements using wisdom.
As to him, General Seare’s love for his country Ethiopia is seconded by none. He is a real Ethiopian who believes in equality and democracy. He doesn’t compromise on Ethiopianism, said General Abebaw.
When the country embarked on the avenue of reform, he was seen as a detractor among few groups. But he said” I prefer to see the collapse of my family than that of my country.” Till he breathed his last, he was working towards the furtherance of the ongoing reform in the country, as to General Abebaw
Regarding mother Ethiopia first, up to the last minute, General Seare had a conviction. Wherever there is General Seare, victory was sure to cap engagements Ethiopia got involved in, said General Abebaw.
What happened was a disgraceful tragedy that saddened the whole country, added General Abebaw.
General Tsadkan Gebretensae the former colleague of General Seare said, losing a man who knows both the art of war and how to win with wisdom is a great loss. It is difficult to get one who has both experience and skill, said General Tsadkan.
I have known General Seare since 1977, he was a brave soldier said General Tsadkan. We have come a long way with General Seare. Once, we were on duty on Guna Mountain. He was really a brave soldier who has mastered military strategies, said General Tsadkan.
Especially, during the Tigrian Libretion Front’s fight with Derg , almost he participated in every fight against the military junta . In addition, he had been shot and wounded a lot of times while on duty, but he could not give up. He was a real hero.
In general, he was a commander who knows how to win before the showdown kicks off, added General Tsadkan. Army Chief General Seare Mekonnen was a national hero who consecrated his life to the country he loves. Ethiopia will never forget his braveness and contribution. May his soul rest in peace!
The Ethiopian Herald June 30, 2019
BY AMBO MEKASA
