Documented by Ezra Ejigu and Addis alem Mulat
Balancing duty and passion: Mekuria Mekasha’s path from soldier to writer and scholar.
Mekuria Mekasha, a dedicated assistant professor originally from the modest village of Limu Genet in the Oromiya region, grew up in a farming family in 1960. Even as a child, he displayed remarkable academic talent, which sparked a strong desire for learning. Despite the challenging backdrop of Ethiopia’s turbulent history, marked by political unrest and conflicts with neighboring countries, he remained resolute in his commitment to acquiring knowledge.
His dedication led him from Atnago, Limu Genet to Miyazia 27 School in Jimma, where he sought to broaden his educational career. However, the year 1977 presented a pivotal juncture in his life, prompting him to make a courageous decision. Driven by a deep commitment to defend his homeland, he enrolled at the historical “Holeta Genet Military Training Center,” channeling his skills and dedication towards safeguarding Ethiopia’s honor.
Transitioning into a career as a second lieutenant of motorized officer, he joined a military training center in Awash Arba. He embraced the opportunity to shape young noncommissioned officers, nurturing their aspirations and imparting the seeds of wisdom to scarify their lives for their motherland.
Recognizing the significance of expanding his knowledge, he embarked on an enlightening journey to Russia to explore the intricacies of party formation. His immersion in the complexities of organizational structures and political ideologies equipped him with invaluable insights into “party construction” knowledge that shaped his future pursuits in the realm of party politics. Upon returning to Ethiopia, he ascended to the ranks in Eritrea, at Masawa in the 6th Nebelbal Army Division in 1979, and then assumed leadership responsibilities within the Northern Command Political Department. His role not only involved military prowess but also delved into the nuances of political dynamics, solidifying his imprint as a leader. Amid the challenges of the “Qe’y Kokeb” campaign in 1981, he exemplified courage and selflessness, earning acclaim for his steadfast commitment and valour. He selflessly discharged his military responsibilities in Afabet, Amba and Baciare Sahel areas for two consecutive years with the Teraraw 22 Division army fighting EPLF.
After 1991, when the EPRDF took power in Ethiopia, he demobilized from the army and left the Ministry of Defence with the rank of major.
Throughout his entire journey, his passion for art has remained an unflinching constant, nurtured since his youth. Even in the midst of his military service, he diligently cultivated his love for literature and the arts. He has published and edited journal articles and historical and literary books. With his profound knowledge of the Russian language, he translated works of Chekhov, Tolstoy, Gorky, and Chingis Aitmatov into Amharic for the wider readers. He also wrote his personal essays and published a book. He was a major contributor to Efita literary books. He has translated John Dike’s book Cosa Nostra into Amharic, and he also edited and compiled a historical chronology book, “Ye Betemengist Dossie,” written in 1918-1925 E.C. (1926-1933) by Blata Woldemariam Ayele. In 2017, he published his book “Russian Short Stories and Other Essays.” As for his deep devotion to literature, he translated the well-known drama by Leo Tolstoy, “The Power of Darkness,” (የጭለማ ሥልጣን)and Chekhov’s ( ችኮው) “The Boor.” “The Boor” was staged by AAU Theatrical Arts graduating students in 2024 as their final graduation work. He has edited many articles and reviewed books.
Engaging in the military campaign, he utilized his expressive talents to craft military indoctrination and offer guidance through training initiatives. Seeking to further his expertise, he pursued education in Russia and the West to study journalism and communication, refining his skills and nurturing his artistic spirit amidst a rich tapestry of words and ideas.
Immersing himself in the Ethiopian Defence Force media, he contributed his unique talents to the dissemination of knowledge through magazines and newspapers, infusing his craft with authenticity and perspective.
He traveled to the Soviet Union from Limu Genet, a small village in Oromo land. In pursuit of knowledge, he journeyed from Moscow to the Gulf of Mexico. He visited Moscow, the United States, South Africa, Italy, Norway, Israel, China, and Doha as part of his quest for knowledge and experience.He tried to conflate the knowledge of the East with the practice of the West in Anniston, Alabama, attached to the well-known newspaper, the Anniston Star, with the support of ICFJ and ASNE in 1998. After accomplishing his attachment program, he has got an International Journalism certificate. Furthermore, he got a business news writing scholarship from the Thompson Foundation in South Africa in 1999. He then traveled to the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV), in cooperation with the National Commission for UNESCO in 2009. He certified with the certificate in the International Workshop on Media Strategies for Social Change.
Through his academic carrier after he graduated from Lviv (Livov) College with his master’s degree with honors, he also graduated with a second-grade master’s from Italy. Mekuria contributed a lot as an adroit journalist as editor of newspapers and magazines. He also served as a board of directors member in leading major media organizations like the Ethiopian Press Agency and the Ethiopian News Agency. He is also the chair of the board of Warka Multimedia Share Company, established by 105 journalists. As a professional consultant with financial support from UNDP, he produced a media and communication policy document, which is currently the working document for the Ethiopian Media Authority. For his work he got recognition from the Ethiopian Government Communication Office in 2019.
He has two children, Dr. Helina Mekuria and Engineer-Designer Yosef Mekuria, and he has a respectable family in Addis Ababa with his wife, Yeromnesh Asefa Kitesa.
Mekuria Mekasha is currently an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC) at Addis Ababa University.