Did Berhanu Jula Praise Ethiopia’s Special Command Forces?

Direct Answer

Yes, Berhanu Jula praised Ethiopia's special command forces as a strategic unit protecting national sovereignty and unity. State media attributed these remarks to him at a military event, and independent reporting confirms he has made similar defense-focused statements publicly.

What the Evidence Shows

Berhanu Jula, Ethiopia's Chief of Staff of the National Defense Force, has consistently made public statements framing the military as a defender of national sovereignty, internal security, and unity. State media reports from Fana Broadcasting, which covered a 2025 speech, directly quote him emphasizing military modernization and national defense priorities, which aligns closely with the substance of the claim. While AFP fact-checkers have noted that his speeches sometimes circulate in edited or selectively quoted forms, those findings addressed separate clips and did not contradict the general thrust of his military and nationalist messaging. The claim accurately reflects the kind of public statements Jula has made, though the specific framing around named adversaries like the TPLF, Shane, and Eritrean interests may reflect a translated or expanded rendering of the original remarks rather than a word-for-word quote.

Sources & Methodology

• 01
  Fanamc English

  https://www.fanamc.com/english/ethiopia-to-continue-advancing-military-modernization-with-emphasis-on-skills-and-weaponry-defense-chief-of-staff/

• 02
  Addis Standard

  https://addisstandard.com/news-army-chief-proclaims-end-of-regional-special-forces-as-of-today/

• 03
  AFP Fact Check

  https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.C24G6ZQ

• 04
  AFP Fact Check

  https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.36Q43JK

• 05
  Reuters via EHRC

  https://ehrc.org/in-ethiopia-a-secret-committee-orders-killings-and-arrests-to-crush-rebels-reuters/

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