ADDIS ABABA, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has appointed General Adem Mohammed as director general of Ethiopia National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) replacing Getachew Assefa, state media Radio Fana said on Thursday.

The news comes just hours after Ahmed appointed General Seare Mekonen as the new chief of Staff of Ethiopia National Defense Forces (ENDF), replacing Samora Younous.

Local and foreign analysts have been keenly watching Abiy's moves in the army and intelligence sectors ever since he came to power in April as a test of his grip on power.

In a related development, the Office of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia in a press statement announced a decision to restore full ranks to two ex-generals who had been stripped of their title after being accused of a coup plot in 2009.