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Ethiopian general (1958/1959 – 2019) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brigadier General Asaminew Tsige (Amharic: አሳምነው ጽጌ; 1958/1959 – 24 June 2019) was an Ethiopian general who served as chief of the Amhara Region security forces during part of 2019. He had previously been serving a life sentence in relation to an alleged coup attempt staged by Ginbot 7. During his imprisonment, he was allegedly tortured and lost sight in one eye.[1] He was released in 2018 and restored to his prior rank and pension.[2]
Asaminew Tsige | |
---|---|
አሳምነው ጽጌ | |
Chief of the Amhara Region security | |
In office 2018–2019 | |
Personal details | |
Born | 1958/1959 Bugna, Wollo Province, Ethiopian Empire |
Died | 24 June 2019 |
Cause of death | Gunshot wounds to the head |
Political party | Amhara Democratic Party |
Other political affiliations | Ginbot 7 |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Ethiopia |
Branch/service | Ethiopian Ground Forces |
Battles/wars | Eritrean–Ethiopian War |
Asaminew was part of the Amhara ethnic group, which is Ethiopia's second largest ethnic group. He had been known for his hard line ethnic nationalism and was particularly popular among a segment of the Amhara youth.[3] After his release from prison and appointment to a government post, he advocated for more autonomy for Amhara and went as far as calling members of his ethnic group to arm themselves and join local militias.[4] Though the International Crisis Group said that his activities helped the rise of the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA), which emerged as a challenger to the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP). NaMA was established before the coming of Gen. Asaminew to the government power.[5]
Asaminew was accused of being behind an alleged attempted coup in the Amhara Region in 2019. The President of Amhara region Ambachew Mekonnen was killed during the alleged attempt. In a related event, the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, Gen. Se'are Mekonnen, and his aide, Maj. Gen. Gizae Aberra, were assassinated by a bodyguard, the office of Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed said.[6] Se'are and Ambachew were close allies of the prime minister.[3] Following the alleged attempted coup, he was on the run, with his whereabouts unknown,[7] until he was shot dead by police on 24 June, after 36 hours at large, Ethiopian state television announced.[8]
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