Field Marshal Birhanu Jula: Commanding Ethiopia’s Armed Forces with Historical Resolve and Strategic Reform

In the Horn of Africa, where political currents and security threats converge with intensity, Ethiopia remains a geopolitical anchor. Ranked 49th globally on the 2024 Global Firepower Index with a PowerIndex score of 0.7938, Ethiopia’s military strength rests not only on numbers but on a deeply rooted legacy of resistance and resilience. At the centre of this national force stands Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, the Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF)—a battle-tested commander leading a military in the throes of renewal and reform.

Guardian of an Enduring Military Tradition

Ethiopia’s military lineage is legendary in Africa. From defeating European colonial armies at the Battle of Adwa in 1896 to peacekeeping missions across the continent, the ENDF’s reputation is forged in fire and pride. Today, that same military carries the burden of safeguarding a diverse nation of over 120 million people, while managing the complexities of modern warfare and internal stability.

With over 162,000 active personnel, Ethiopia’s armed forces are among the largest in East Africa. Under Field Marshal Birhanu’s command, they are repositioning to meet 21st-century security challenges—ranging from insurgency and ethnic conflict to border tension and geopolitical rivalry in the Red Sea region.

From Battlefield Commander to Field Marshal

A career soldier with decades of experience, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula rose through Ethiopia’s military ranks with distinction. Having served in command positions in the Ethiopian-Eritrean war and led international peacekeeping forces under the African Union and the United Nations, he brings a balance of combat realism and strategic diplomacy.

Appointed as Chief of General Staff in 2020 and promoted to Field Marshal in 2022—the highest military rank in Ethiopia—Birhanu commands not just the military’s operational apparatus but its moral compass. His appointment marked a turning point as Ethiopia faced one of its gravest internal conflicts in recent memory.

Reforming Under Fire

With a defence budget of approximately $888 million, the ENDF operates under financial constraints that demand precision over volume. Field Marshal Birhanu has prioritised structural reforms to build a leaner, more professional force—one capable of hybrid warfare and responsive to internal unrest without compromising territorial defence.

Ethiopia’s inventory includes around 400 tanks, a modest air fleet including Su-27s and MiG-23s, and light armoured vehicles suited for mountainous terrain. But beyond hardware, Birhanu has focused on enhancing intelligence, counterinsurgency tactics, and civil-military coordination in conflict-affected regions like Tigray, Oromia, and Benishangul-Gumuz.

His leadership during and after the Tigray conflict has centred on stabilisation, demobilisation of irregular forces, and restoring the chain of command—all while maintaining Ethiopia’s military sovereignty in an increasingly competitive Horn of Africa.

Championing Sovereignty and Strategic Autonomy

Ethiopia has traditionally followed a defence doctrine rooted in non-alignment and sovereignty. Under Field Marshal Birhanu, this position has been reinforced with efforts to reduce reliance on foreign military aid and training. Instead, he has expanded local training academies, invested in military-industrial capabilities, and enhanced cooperation with partners like Turkey, China, and the UAE on a strictly bilateral, interest-based framework.

While Ethiopia remains committed to regional peacekeeping, Birhanu has made clear that national stability is the paramount mission. He continues to play a central role in Ethiopia’s strategic recalibration, especially as the country navigates diplomatic tensions in the Horn and renewed interest from global powers.

Though rarely vocal in the public domain, Field Marshal Birhanu’s command style is defined by firmness, discipline, and loyalty to the federal constitution. His authority is grounded in historical consciousness—the understanding that Ethiopia’s military is not just an institution of force, but of identity and sovereignty.

As Ethiopia regains stability and reasserts its role in regional diplomacy, the leadership of Field Marshal Birhanu Jula will remain critical. His ability to merge tradition with transformation, and history with strategy, ensures that the ENDF continues to adapt without losing its national soul.

In the words of a senior Ethiopian military historian:

“Field Marshal Birhanu is not just preserving Ethiopia’s military legacy—he’s writing its next chapter, with discipline as his doctrine and sovereignty as his shield.”