President of the Republic, Mulatu Teshome, granted military titles to six Generals of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF).

Three Major Generals were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General, while another three Brigadier Generals were promoted as Major General, state media reported on Monday.

The new Lieutenant Generals(promoted from Major General rank):

1. Abraham Woldemariam Genzebu

2. Adem Mohammed

3.Berhanu Jula Gelelcha

The new Major Generals(promoted from Brigadier General rank):

1.Zewdu Eshete Welde

2.Tekleberhane Wolderaregay Gebreselassie

3.Kinfe Dagnew Gebreselassie

The announcement is the first since the October 2013 promotions of 35 Generals – 1 Lieutenant General, 6 Major Generals and 28 Brigadier Generals.

Prior to that, in September 2012, the army had 37 officers promoted – 3 as Major Generals and 34 as Brigadier Generals.

The total number of Generals in ENDF was estimated between 50 and 70 in 2012 by unofficial sources. The appointments made in the past two years appear to have increased the total number of Generals in office, despite the retirement of about 300 ranking officers, including 13 Generals, as per the ‘leadership replacement’ (metekakat) plan launched in 2010.

Chief of Staff of ENDF, Gen. Samora Yenus, is the only officer currently with the full rank of General and the second one in the modern history of Ethiopia’s army.

The size of active military personnel of ENDF is estimated a little over 100,000.

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