Samora Muhammad Yunis (Amharic: ሳሞራ መሐመድ ዩንስ) is an Ethiopian military officer. Born in the Tigray Region in the north of the country, Yunis rose to be a four-star general in the Ethiopian National Defence Forces and eventually Chief of the General Staff in 2001.[1][2] He would serve until 2018.[2]
Samora Muhammad Yunis | |
|---|---|
 Gen. Samora Yunis in 2013 | |
| Native name | ሳሞራ መሐመድ ዩንስ |
| Born | 1949 (age 74–75) Tigray Province, Ethiopian Empire |
| Allegiance | Ethiopia |
| Service/ | Ethiopian National Defence Forces |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Chief of General Staff |
| Battles/wars | Ethiopian Civil War Insurgency in Ogaden Eritrean-Ethiopian War Somali Civil War (2006-2009) |
Biography
Yunis fought for the military wing of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, playing a leading role in the Battle of Shire (18–19 February 1989).[3] He was made Chief of General Staff in 2001, when he replaced Tsadkan Gebretensae.
According to Human Rights Watch, credible sources identify General Samora as a member of the leadership group which met in Jijiga following the attack on oilmen at Abole on 24 April 2007, to determine an appropriate response to this raid.[4] On 7 June 2018, it was announced that Yunis would be replaced by Seare Mekonen as the new Chief of General Staff.[2][5]
In 2017, he received the Order of the Two Niles from Sudan.[6]