Quick Facts
Biography
Lieutenant General Birhanu Jula Gelalcha is a general with the Ethiopian National Defense Force. He served as the Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) from 2014–2016.
Early life
Lieutenant General Gelalcha holds a bachelor's degree from Alpha University College and a master's degree from Greenwich University, both in Addis Ababa. In 2006, Lieutenant General Gelalcha worked with the UN Mission in Liberia and held the position of Sector Commander. He has also held various other positions with the army including with the Ministry of National Defence, the Cadet School and Brigade Operations. From 2006 to 2009, he was the army's Deputy Commander of the Central Command. In 2010, Lieutenant General Gelalcha was appointed Commander of the Western Command in the Ethiopian Army.
Lieutenant General Gelalcha was appointed as Force Commander of UNISFA on 21 November 2014 by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. At the time, he wasa major general. He was promoted to lieutenant general sometime before 9 December 2015. His term ended on 15 January 2016 with the appointment of Major General Hassen Ebrahim Mussa.