Amhara Region Chief Administrator Arega Kebede has appointed Lieutenant General Tigabu Yilma, a former commander of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), as the region’s new Police Commissioner, according to a statement published on the regional police force’s official Facebook page.
Tigabu replaces Commissioner General (Dr.) Zelalem Mengiste, who led the Amhara Regional Police Command for 17 months after taking office in March 2025. Zelalem has returned to his previous position as Deputy Commissioner General of the Federal Police.
The appointment comes as Amhara continues to face significant security challenges, with fighting between federal forces and armed groups persisting across parts of the region for more than three years.
Former AMISOM Commander Takes Charge
Tigabu brings more than four decades of experience in Ethiopia’s security and defense institutions. During his military career, he held several senior positions within the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), including head of the Defense Health Directorate and Defense Logistics Directorate.
He also served on the senior Defense Council responsible for military strategy and previously headed the Federal Police Health Main Department.
Internationally, Tigabu served as commander of AMISOM from February 2019 to August 2020, overseeing African Union forces deployed in Somalia as they conducted operations against Al-Shabaab.
In July 2026, he represented Ethiopia at a conference in Kampala, Uganda, involving countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which succeeded ATMIS and AMISOM.
His appointment places a senior military figure with extensive national and regional security experience at the helm of Amhara’s police force at a time of continued instability.
Broader Shift in Ethiopia’s Security Leadership
Tigabu’s move from the military into regional police leadership follows a broader pattern of senior military officers taking key positions within Ethiopia’s security institutions.
In March 2026, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed Lieutenant General Asrat Denero, a former Ground Forces commander and Military Intelligence director, as head of the Addis Ababa Police Commission.
The latest leadership change in Amhara also comes amid growing government concerns over cooperation between armed groups operating in different parts of Ethiopia.
Federal authorities have been monitoring what they describe as an emerging coalition of regional armed groups known as “Tsimdo,” reportedly involving elements linked to Fano and armed groups from Tigray.
Zemene Kasse, leader of the Amhara Fano National Movement (AFNM), said in a recent interview that talks on cooperation between Tigrayan, Gumuz, Berta, Somali and Oromo armed groups had been underway for about eight months.
The claims have not been independently verified.
The ENDF, working alongside regional police forces, continues to conduct security operations across Amhara as authorities seek to contain armed groups and restore government control in conflict-affected areas.
Source:DNE
