Temesgen Tiruneh (Amharic: ተመስገን ጥሩነህ) is an Ethiopian politician who is serving as the current Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 8 February 2024. He previously served as the director general of National Intelligence and Security Service of Ethiopia since 2020 [1][2][3]

Temesgen Tiruneh
ተመስገን ጥሩነህ
Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia
Assumed office
8 February 2024
Preceded byDemeke Mekonnen
Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service
In office
8 November 2020 – 8 February 2024
PresidentSahle-Work Zewde
Prime MinisterAbiy Ahmed
Preceded byDemelash Gebremichael
Succeeded byRedwan Hussein
Chief Administrator of Amhara Region
In office
22 July 2019 – 8 November 2020
Preceded byLake Ayalew (acting)
Ambachew Mekonnen
Succeeded byAgegnehu Teshager
Director General of the Information Network Security Agency
In office
20 April 2018 – 6 February 2020
Preceded byTekleberhan Woldearegay
Succeeded byShumete Gizaw
Personal details
BornBichena, Gojjam Province, Ethiopian Empire
Political partyProsperity Party
EducationMicrolink Information Technology College (BA)
University of Greenwich (MA)
Military service
Allegiance Ethiopia
Branch/service Ethiopian Ground Forces
Years of service1991–2010
Rank Major
UnitIntelligence Corps
CommandsInformation Network Security Agency
Battles/warsEritrean–Ethiopian War
Tigray War

On 8 November 2020, Temesgen Tiruneh was appointed to the position of director general of NISS by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in the midst of the Tigray War. He was the former president of Amhara state.[4][5] He was replaced from his former position of Amhara regional state president by Agegnehu Teshager.[6][7]

Early life and education

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Temesegen Tiruneh was born in the small town of Bichena, Gojjam Province, Ethiopia. He attended primary and secondary school at Belay Zeleke school. He then joined the Ethiopian National Defense Force where he took primary military intelligence training. He later joined the Microlink Information Technology College where he graduated with a BA in Computer Science. He later attended University of Greenwich and graduated with MA in Transformational leadership.

Political career

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President of Amhara Region

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On 27 July 2019, Temesgen has been named as the head of Amhara Region amidst the crisis following the June 22 coup attempt. He has worked as a security advisor of the Information Network Security Agency (INSA) from 20 April 2018.[8]

Director of the National Intelligence and Security Service

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Temesgen as the director of the leading intelligence agency has said many statements of security treat. He publicly said that "The TPLF Junta dreamt of disrupting the central government by mobilizing its lapdogs it dubbed “Federalist Forces”, but, things have gone the other way around as all Ethiopians stand in unison against it.” Temesgen also made another statement vowing to destroy the TPLF from the face of the earth. He also said that the NISS was teaming up with the Federal Police and the National Defense force to defeat the terrorist TPLF.[9][10] Temesgen said in a statement “This divisive rhetoric is TPLF’s destructive tool that it has been implementing since its very inception." He also said the TPLF are not here to destroy the Amhara people but the whole nation as a whole.[11]

Deputy Prime Minister

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On 8 February 2024, the House of People's Representatives (HoPR) appointed Temesgen as a deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia, replacing Demeke Mekonnen who announced his intention for resignation on 26 January.[12][13]

References

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  1. ^ "PM Abiy sweeps aside leadership of army, intelligence and police". Eritrea Hub.
  2. ^ "Ethiopia's deputy PM Demeke to be replaced by spy chief Temesgen". Reuters. 28 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Ethiopia: Temesgen Tiruneh, ex-spy boss turned foreign minister". The Africa Report.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  4. ^ "PM Abiy sweeps aside leadership of army, intelligence and police". Eritrea Hub.
  5. ^ Endeshaw, David (July 27, 2019). "Temesgen Tiruneh named Amhara region head". The Reporter Ethiopia. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  6. ^ "Ethiopia reshuffles top officials as Tigray conflict grows". AP. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Agegnehu Replaces Temesgen as President of Amhara Region". Ethiopian Monitor. November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2020.
  8. ^ Endeshaw, Dawit (2019-07-27). "Temesgen Tiruneh Named Amhara Region Head | The Reporter | Latest Ethiopian News Today". www.thereporterethiopia.com. Retrieved 2023-12-31.
  9. ^ "Intelligence And Security Chief Vows To Eliminate Terrorist Groups, Their Creeds From Ethiopia". Fanabc. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  10. ^ "NISS Director Says Federal, Regional Governments Team Up To Neutralize Terrorist TPLF Soon". Fanabc. August 10, 2021. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  11. ^ "NISS Director General Calls For Collective Action To Foil Potential Threats Of TPLF". Fanabc. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  12. ^ "Breaking: Intelligence chief Temesgen Tiruneh appointed deputy prime minister". Addis Standard. 6 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Ethiopia intelligence head Temesgen approved as deputy prime minister". Reuters. 6 March 2024.