Thousands of Mourners Gathered in Addis Ababa to Pay Tribute for Deceased Generals

Addis Ababa June 25/ 2019 Thousands of mourners gathered at the Millennium hall in Addis Ababa today to pay tribute for the Chief of Staff of Ethiopian Defense Forces, General Seare Mekonnen and his associate retired Major General Gezae Abera.


The coffins of the two generals were flown to the northern city of Mekelle, the capital of Tigrai Regional State for a funeral service to be arranged tomorrow.

The memorial ceremony dedicated to the generals was conducted at a federal level at Millennium Hall in the presence of President Sahlework Zewdie, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Speakers of the Houses of Peoples’ and Federation, religious leaders, Ministers and senior civil and military officials and the public.

Prayer and benediction was held at the hall by Abuna Matthias, Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and short biography of the two generals was read to a gathering that was present on the occasion.  

Last Saturday three top officials of the Amhara Regional State were killed when they were on a meeting in the city of Bahir Dar in an assault allegedly conspired and orchestrated by the former Head of Peace and Security of the region, Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige.

Whilst General Seare and Major General Gezae were assassinated at the home of the Chief of Staff by his guard in Addis Ababa, after a few hours of the attack in Bahir Dar.

Asaminew Tsige, who was suspected of orchestrating the failed “coup attempt” on Amhara Regional State, and killing of regional and federal officials, was shot dead on Monday in the vicinity of Bahir Dar City.

Asaminew has been jailed for seven years for alleged coup plot and was among thousands of prisoners who set free on amnesty following the sweeping reforms led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed recently.

General Seare Mokonen was born in 1962 in North Western Zone of Tigrai Regional State and survived by a son and daughter.  type="butt