Ethiopia appoints new President amid political tensions

Ethiopia’s parliament has approved a new president, Taye Astike Selassie, replacing Sahle-Work Zewde, the country’s first female head of state. This change comes amid reports of growing tensions between Sahle-Work and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who holds the primary political power in Ethiopia.

Sahle-Work, appointed in 2018 with Abiy’s backing, had reportedly been unhappy in her role for some time. Her appointment was initially celebrated as a breakthrough for gender equality in Ethiopian politics. During her tenure, she made several calls for peace across the country but faced criticism for not speaking out more about gender-based violence during the Tigray civil war.

Taye Astike Selassie, 68, previously served as foreign minister and is considered close to Abiy. An experienced diplomat, he has served at the UN and in Egypt. His appointment comes at a time of ongoing conflicts in the Oromia and Amhara regions, with federal forces fighting local militias in Amhara, leading to hundreds of deaths and accusations of crimes against humanity.

The replacement of Sahle-Work means that Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan is currently Africa’s only female head of state. This change in leadership highlights the complex political dynamics in Ethiopia and raises questions about the future direction of the country’s governance and peace efforts.