Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn presented the much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle today. Though the ruling party formed government last year, it was forced to launch a “deep reform” following political turmoil that shook its legitimacy. The reshuffle of federal government ministers is said to be part of that process.
Hailemariam Desalegn told the parliament that the ten-plus Prime Ministerial advisory positions have been eliminated.
The positions of “Cluster Coordinators with the rank of Dep. Prime Minister” no longer exist.
Here are the ministerial appointments – along their party affiliations – approved by the parliament today.
Abbreviations: SPDM – Southern Peoples Democratic Movements; ANDM – Amhara National Democratic Movement; OPDO – Oromo Peoples Democratic Organization; TPLF – Tigray People Liberation Front; ANDP – Afar National Democratic Party; ESPDP – Ethiopian Somali People’s Democratic Party.
Demeke Mekonnen (ANDM/EPRDF) continued as Deputy Prime Minister. He is no longer Coordinator of Social service cluster.
Workneh Gebeyehu (PhD) (OPDO/EPRDF) is now appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Debretsion Gebremichael (PhD) (TPLF/EPRDF) continued as Minister of Communication and Information Technology. He is no longer Coordinator of Finance and Economy Cluster with the rank of Dep. Prime Minsiter.
Siraj Fegesa (SEPDM/EPRDF) continued as Defense Minister.
Shiferaw Tekelemariam (PhD) (SEPDM/EPRDF) is appointed Minister of Education.
Eyasu Abraha (PhD) (TPLF/EPRDF) is appointed Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resource Development.
Kassa Tekleberhan (ANDM/EPRDF) continued as Minister of Federal Affairs and Pastoralist Area Development.
Abreham Tekesete (PhD) (TPLF/EPRDF) is appointed Minister of Finance and Economic Cooperation.
Professor Yifru Berhane (ANDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Health.
Ahmed Abitew (ANDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Industry.
Ahmed Shide (ESPDP) is appointed as Minister of Transport.
Ambachew Mekonnen (PhD) (ANDM/EPRDF) is appointed Minister of Urban Development and Housing.
Aisha Mohammed (Eng.) (ANDP), who was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism in Oct. 2015, is now appointed Minister of Construction.
Gemeda Dole (PhD) (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Environment, Forest Development, and Climate Change.
Getahun Mekuria (PhD) (Eng.) (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Science and Technology.
Tagese Chafo (SEPDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Public Service and Human Resource.
Fekadu Beyene (Prof) (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Livestock and Fish Resources.
Demitu Hambisa (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Women and Children.
Bekele Bulado (PhD) (SEPDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Trade.
Sileshi Bekele (PhD) (Eng.) (not party member) is appointed as Minister of Water, Irrigation and Electricity.
Motuma Mekasa (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Mines, Petroleum, and Natural Gaz.
Hirut Woldemariam (PhD) (SEPDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Culture and Tourism.
Girma Amente (PhD) (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of State Enterprises.
Abdulfetah Abdulahi (ESPDP) continued as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
Restu Yirdaw (SEPDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Minister of Youth and Sports.
Getachew Ambaye (ANDM/EPRDF) continued as Attorney General with the rank of Minister.
Negeri Lencho (PhD) (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed head of Government Communication Affairs Office (GCAO) with the rank of Minister.
Kebede Chane (ANDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Director General of Ethiopian Revenues & Customs Authority (ERCA) with the rank of Minister.
Asmelash Woldeselasie (TPLF/EPRDF) continued as Chief Government Whip at the House of People’s Representatives with the rank of Minister.
Yinager Desie (ANDM/EPRDF) continued as Commissioner of National Plan Commission.
In the afternoon, the office of the Prime Minister announced the following appointments with ministerial rank:
Sheferaw Shegute (SEPDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Chief Coordinator at Democratic System Building Coordination Center. (Practically, head of EPRDF Secretariat)
Abdulaziz Mohammed (OPDO/EPRDF) is appointed as Coordinator of Political parties and Civic Association Affairs at Democratic System Building Coordination Center.
Fetlework Gebreegziabher (TPLF/EPRDF) is appointed as Coordinator for Urban Sector at Democratic System Building Coordination Center.
Tefera Derbew (ANDM/EPRDF) is appointed as Coordinaor for Rural Sector at Democratic System Building Coordination Center.
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* An earlier version of this report misrepresented the party affiliation of Bekele Bulado. It is corrected.
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